Moving from vertical to integrated child health programmes: experiences from a multi-country assessment of the Child Health Days approach in Africa

Abstract

Summaryobjectives To assess the effect of child health days (CHDs) on coverage of child survival interventions, to document country experiences with CHDs and to identify ways in which CHDs have strengthened or depleted primary health care (PHC) services.methods Programme evaluation in six countries in sub-Saharan Africa using both quantitative (review of routine child health indicators) and qualitative (key informant interviews) methods.results We found that CHDs have raised the profile of child survival at different levels from central government to the community in all six countries. The approach has increased the coverage of vitamin A supplementation and immunizations, especially in previously poorly performing countries. However, similar improvements have not occurred in non-CHD interventions, most notably exclusive breastfeeding. There were examples of duplication, especially in the capturing and use of health information. There was widespread evidence that PHC staff were being diverted from their usual PHC functions, and managers reported being distracted by the time required for the planning and execution of CHDs. Finally, there were examples of where the routine PHC system is becoming distorted through, for example, the payment of health worker incentives during CHD activities only.conclusion Interventions such as CHDs can rapidly increase coverage of key child survival interventions; however, they need to do so in a manner that strengthens rather than depletes existing PHC services. Our findings suggest that stand alone child health day interventions may gradually need to be integrated with routine PHC through more general health system strengthening.keywords child health, immunizations, rapid assessment, health systems

Strategies to improve health coverage and narrow the equity gap in child survival, health, and nutrition

“…12 Child health days-biannual events when packages of health interventions, frequently including vitamin A supplements, immunisations, insecticide-treated nets, and deworming medicines, are delivered to childrenseem to achieve greater coverage than do stand-alone campaigns, particularly in previously low-coverage countries. 19 In the countries studied, child health days also improved the manner in which key child survival interventions were delivered through enhanced supervision and health-worker performance, and motivation and mobilisation of additional resources (eg, funds, fuels, vehicles). In turn, these advances translated into coverage gains.…”

Impact of supplemental immunisation activity (SIA) campaigns on health systems: findings from South Africa

“…In countries such as Ethiopia or Zambia, the SIAs are integrated into periodic ‘Child Health Days’ 8. In particular, ITNs have been distributed through these campaigns9 in malaria-endemic countries.…”

Global Nutrition Epidemiology and Trends

“…In the countries studied, Child Health Days also improved the manner in which key child survival interventions were delivered through strengthened supervision and health worker performance and motivation, and mobilization of additional resources (funds, fuels, and vehicles). In turn, these advances translated into coverage gains [29]. …”