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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Mary Kaoma, BSc¹, Hilary Mwale, BA MPA², and Anna Chirwa, RN, BSc². (1) Child Health, Health Services and Systems Programme, Po Box 39090, Lusaka, 10101, Zambia, 2601254555, maryk@hssp.org.zm, (2) Human Resource, Health Services and Systems Programme, Po Box 39090, Lusaka, 10101, Zambia

The Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI) in Zambia has been facing problems related to decline in immunization coverage. These include lack of community ownership, high drop out rates and poor access to communities. Zambia adopted the Reach Every District strategy which is a community based approach aimed at reaching every un- immunized child in every district. The strategy piloted in ten districts was to address challenges faced in achieving goal of 90% coverage at national level and 80 % in each district by 2010. This paper discusses the Zambian experience gained in the adaptation of the RED strategy that resulted in improvement of 15 to 35 % in immunization coverage in the 10 pilot districts in a span of 2 years. Key results include improved immunization coverage of 15% to 35%, reduction in number of un-immunized children, improved linkages between staff and communities and promoted integration of other activities in the RED strategy. Planning process with communities in attaining program ownership and sustainability was key; providing feedback on performance of interventions for continued improvements was motivating to facility and community service providers. With the principle of active community participatory and bottom up planning as demonstrated in the implementation of the immunization activities, RED strategy has been found to be a very useful approach that will assist Zambia to achieving MDGs.

Learning Objectives:

• The participants will learn how the Zambian Ministry of Health utilised the RED strategy to improve immunisation rates in 10 pilot districts.
• The participants will learn how active community participation plays an important role in planning for child immunization.

Keywords: Child Health, Interventions

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation