Integrated Maternal And Child Health Campaign in Ghana By Georgina Amidu Programme Communication Officer UNICEF/Ghana 8 th April 2008, Dakar - Senegal

UNICEF Outline of Presentation Introduction Context of IMCHC in Ghana Main problems identified Communication strategies Key achievements Key challenges Lessons Learned Perspectives for 2008

UNICEF INTRODUCTION Estimated population of 23Million U5M of 111/1000 live births (42 nd out 191 countries) Maternal mortality 187/100,000 live births with about 50% of pregnant women accessing supervised delivery

UNICEF Context of IMCHC in Ghana Interventions not reaching all target populations through routine service delivery Causes of U5 & maternal mortality & morbidity in Ghana are preventable Cost-effective interventions available in Ghana Urgent call to INCREASE COVERAGE to achieve MDGs 4 & 5

UNICEF Package of IMCHC OPV for children 0-59 months Deworming children months Vit A supplementation for chn 6-59 months and lactating women within 8wks postpartum Free ITNs to chn under 12 months and all pregnant women Free birth registration for chn below 12 months

UNICEF Main Problems Identified Health workers administered vaccines without telling clients of possible side effects, what to do in such instances etc. Mothers were not told to continue with routine immunization Education on how to use ITNs was absent in most centers Pregnant women/children without ID cards were refused services at some immunization centers

UNICEF Main Problems Cont. Some women who attended ANC/CWC during the month were confused (not sure if they could still access campaign services Some women refused to patronise some centers when they heard ITNs were finished Refusal of some mothers to send older children to centers because they were not captured for ITNs Some mothers did not attach importance to the activities

UNICEF Communication Strategies Implemented to address some of the issues Education on all components of the campaign on subsequent days (Gong gong) Street announcements on coupon system Gong gong beating to remind all care givers to send their chn to immunisation centers Volunteers followed up to encourage some care-givers to patronise services (IPC)

UNICEF Key Achievements

UNICEF Key challenges Cultural/traditional barriers Lack of commitment by some volunteers & care givers Late release of funds to regions, districts & sub-districts etc. Inadequate staff (Partners) More concentration on service delivery Late start of social mobilization activities at district/ community levels Shortage of birth registration forms Inaccurate target pop. Estimates (micro plans) Rumours and perceptions

UNICEF Lessons Learned Involving CBAs e.g GRCS/CMA mother facilitators is rewarding Patronage/success to a campaign does not rely solely on awareness creation but also dialogue ITNs as part of campaign package has a lot of challenges (disincentive) Too much value placed on ITNs by mothers

UNICEF Perspectives for 2008 Start the social mobilization earlier & involve all relevant groups in communities Use mass media- Radio,TV street announcement by (ISD)etc Volunteers for the campaign to be well briefed. (Support with fliers) Use of community registers for chn U5

UNICEF Perspective for 2008 Create awareness on campaign at both static and outreach clinics Community-wide meetings/durbars to explain components of campaign and concerns of community members early before the campaign (drama, PLA)etc Continue the dialogue on the objectives of campaign with communities

UNICEF Perspectives Cont. Compose local songs on the campaign at all levels Gong gong beating in communities IE & C on the need for caregivers & pregnant women to continue with routine clinics (CWC/ANC)

UNICEF THANK YOU FOR CARING