| Literature DB >> 18544162 |
Kara Hanson1, Rose Nathan, Tanya Marchant, Hadji Mponda, Caroline Jones, Jane Bruce, Godlove Stephen, Jo Mulligan, Hassan Mshinda, Joanna Armstrong Schellenberg.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Tanzania National Voucher Scheme (TNVS) uses the public health system and the commercial sector to deliver subsidised insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) to pregnant women. The system began operation in October 2004 and by May 2006 was operating in all districts in the country. Evaluating complex public health interventions which operate at national level requires a multidisciplinary approach, novel methods, and collaboration with implementers to support the timely translation of findings into programme changes. This paper describes this novel approach to delivering ITNs and the design of the monitoring and evaluation (M&E).Entities:
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Year: 2008 PMID: 18544162 PMCID: PMC2442068 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-8-205
Source DB: PubMed Journal: BMC Public Health ISSN: 1471-2458 Impact factor: 3.295
Figure 1The Hati Punguzo scheme.
Figure 2The voucher flow.
Evaluation domains and data collection methods: triangulation of data sources
| Evaluation domain | Indicator(s) | Household survey | Facility survey | Exit survey | Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews | Retail census | Voucher tracking | Cost analysis |
| Coverage of target groups (ownership, use) | Household ownership of at least one net/ITN; Individual slept under a net/ITN the night prior to the survey* | X | X | X | ||||
| Provision and use of RCH services, including voucher scheme | Currently pregnant woman/recently pregnant woman**attended ANC; Mean weeks of gestation at time of first ANC visit; Received a voucher; Received 1 dose of SP as IPTp; Received 2 doses of SP as IPTp | X | X | X | X | X | ||
| Leakage of vouchers | % of voucher recipients who could be identified, interviewed, and confirmed they received a voucher | X | X | |||||
| Impact on ITN market | Percent of wards with at least one retail source of ITNs, insecticide | X | X | |||||
| Cost and cost-effectiveness | Cost per voucher delivered Cost per ITN delivered | X | X |
* ITN use measured in all household members, currently pregnant women, children under 5 years.
** Indicators of voucher coverage were calculated for both currently pregnant women and for women who had a live birth in the 12 months preceding the survey.
ITN = Insecticide-treated net; RCH = Reproductive and child health; ANC = Antenatal care; SP = sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine; IPTp = Intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy
Figure 3Intermediate processes involved in achieving programme outcome.
Figure 4Schedule of fieldwork and reporting (actual).
Implementation issues identified from 2005 surveys
| Issue identified | Evaluation Response | Implementer Response |
| Relatively low levels of voucher coverage | Qualitative investigation with facility staff to identify reasons for not distributing vouchers | Redevelop training messages for facility workers |
| Stock-outs of vouchers and antenatal cards required for issuing of voucher | In-depth facility level analysis | Work with the Medical Supplies Division and MEDA to improve supply chains |
| Relatively low levels of voucher coverage in most geographically isolated clusters | Survey instruments modified in subsequent rounds to include questions about use of outreach services for ANC, and the interventions received. | Develop mechanisms for outreach providers to distribute vouchers |
| Relatively low levels of retreatment of bednets | Qualitative investigation to identify what voucher recipients understand about retreatment kits | Amend insecticide treatment messages to respond to user knowledge and perceptions |
| Low knowledge of voucher value | Qualitative investigation into understanding of the value of the value | Develop IEC materials to address voucher value and top-up |