Project Name and Responsible
Ibe Chinomso - Traffina Foundation
Abuja, Nigeria.
Traffina foundation website
Chimonso Ibe selected at Mandela Washington Fellowship 2015 (n°17)
Newborn delivery kit for the Mom and Baby
Save Our Mothers is supported by Zero Mothers Die
News in the Blog
Context
Nigeria is fighting to shake off a worrisome reputation, it has the world's second worst maternal health statistics, with one in 13 women dying in childbirth. Only little progress has been made in reversing this situation Oluwarotimi Akinola, chair of the Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria, reported that 20% of women in the country give birth on their own, while another 25% are only attended to by traditional birth attendants, most of whom cannot handle complications and are guided by horrible cultural harmful practices . Other studies have showed that nearly one woman in five has no one—not even a family member or friend—to help her during childbirth due to culture and belief.
145 women die in the country daily in childbirth or its complications. In Nigerian rural communities, there are series of cultural factors contributing to this high burden of maternal death. Most of these negative practices are due to ignorance and non-availability of better alternatives. They are deeply rooted in myths and legends which seem impossible to change. Resultantly, people are shy, or otherwise helpless in reversing these despite their knowledge of their negative impacts 75% of maternal death in Nigeria is due to direct causes like obstetric hemorrhage (abruptio placentae, placenta praevia, genital tract lacerations, and uterine atony), Eclampsia, Pregnancy-Induced hypertension, Sepsis, Obstructed labour, Malaria in pregnancy and complications from abortion. Most of these deaths are preventable with the right information, prompt, adequate and accessible medical interventions. The various harmful practices that they are been forced on during pregnancy and delivery. Below are the listed:
- Dry sex and vaginal drying: This entails the insertion of herbal leaves or powders, commercial products (for example, toothpaste, antiseptics, or soap), ground stones, or cloth into the vagina either on a regular basis or before sexual intercourse. It is a common belief in some parts of Eastern Nigeria that the insertion of herbs and objects into the vagina helps to beautify the baby.
- Insertion of herbs and object into the vagina to beautify the baby.
- Placing of hot water bottles on the belly to make the baby strong after birth.
- Cooking with the placenta and drinking its water for a particular period to produce breast milk and lot more.
145 women die in the country daily in childbirth or its complications. In Nigerian rural communities, there are series of cultural factors contributing to this high burden of maternal death. Most of these negative practices are due to ignorance and non-availability of better alternatives. They are deeply rooted in myths and legends which seem impossible to change. Resultantly, people are shy, or otherwise helpless in reversing these despite their knowledge of their negative impacts 75% of maternal death in Nigeria is due to direct causes like obstetric hemorrhage (abruptio placentae, placenta praevia, genital tract lacerations, and uterine atony), Eclampsia, Pregnancy-Induced hypertension, Sepsis, Obstructed labour, Malaria in pregnancy and complications from abortion. Most of these deaths are preventable with the right information, prompt, adequate and accessible medical interventions. The various harmful practices that they are been forced on during pregnancy and delivery. Below are the listed:
- Dry sex and vaginal drying: This entails the insertion of herbal leaves or powders, commercial products (for example, toothpaste, antiseptics, or soap), ground stones, or cloth into the vagina either on a regular basis or before sexual intercourse. It is a common belief in some parts of Eastern Nigeria that the insertion of herbs and objects into the vagina helps to beautify the baby.
- Insertion of herbs and object into the vagina to beautify the baby.
- Placing of hot water bottles on the belly to make the baby strong after birth.
- Cooking with the placenta and drinking its water for a particular period to produce breast milk and lot more.
Project Description
Through an innovative approach Traffina Foundation addresses the identified challenges through use of Mobile phone interventions targeting pregnant women are who are victims of this dangerous practices by sending out weekly bulk SMS on important pregnancy information's and dangers of harmful practices as to save women's lives during childbirth.
The use of this innovative M-health has supported the rural women and as well motivated them in accessing quality maternal health services both at the health centers and at home through mobile messaging services.
This mobile messaging service delivering maternal, newborn and child health information to pregnant women and new mothers comes in 5 local dialects.
The preparatory phase of the project was funded by Connecting Nurses and Sanofi Care Challenge Award. Traffina Foundation has been able to address some issues of harmful practices in pregnancy and delivery periods in six (6) communities in Nigeria through sensitization programs and M-health:
- Pilot states and communities:
- Abia state: Omoba and Obichukwu communities
- Imo state: Egbu and Amala communities
- FCT Abuja: Pambara and Ushafa communities
The use of this innovative M-health has supported the rural women and as well motivated them in accessing quality maternal health services both at the health centers and at home through mobile messaging services.
This mobile messaging service delivering maternal, newborn and child health information to pregnant women and new mothers comes in 5 local dialects.
The preparatory phase of the project was funded by Connecting Nurses and Sanofi Care Challenge Award. Traffina Foundation has been able to address some issues of harmful practices in pregnancy and delivery periods in six (6) communities in Nigeria through sensitization programs and M-health:
- Pilot states and communities:
- Abia state: Omoba and Obichukwu communities
- Imo state: Egbu and Amala communities
- FCT Abuja: Pambara and Ushafa communities
Project Goals and Objectives
1. To increase routine participation of women in antenatal,delivery and postnatal care services by reminding them through phone calls/SMS alerts on next hospital appointments;
2. Provide the right information on safe motherhood /dangers of harmful practices in local languages using instructional materials / bulk SMS;
3. Increased couple HIV testing and counseling at health centers during Ante-natal;
4. Enlighten and follow up 600 men and women in 6 communities on importance of male involvement in maternal health through mobile voice calls and text messages after 5 days sensitization programme;
5. Reducing in maternal mortality , pregnancy / delivery complications through increased access to appropriate maternal health information through free phone calls and text messages in local dialects by pregnant women in rural communities
2. Provide the right information on safe motherhood /dangers of harmful practices in local languages using instructional materials / bulk SMS;
3. Increased couple HIV testing and counseling at health centers during Ante-natal;
4. Enlighten and follow up 600 men and women in 6 communities on importance of male involvement in maternal health through mobile voice calls and text messages after 5 days sensitization programme;
5. Reducing in maternal mortality , pregnancy / delivery complications through increased access to appropriate maternal health information through free phone calls and text messages in local dialects by pregnant women in rural communities
Target Population
The target population comprises of all men and women of 18 years of age and above in the target area, who are single, married or had ever been married or had fathered a child. The project will target 200 Men and 400 women.
Project Phases
The Project shall be carried out in three phases:
1. Mobilization phase: all relevant stakeholders (community heads, religious leaders, health worker, village development committee, women leader etc.) in the area communities would be duly informed (through advocacy) of the project objectives and their buy-in secured;
2. Sensitization Phase: This would primarily focus of giving the right information on safe motherhood and also create awareness of effect of traditional beliefs and practices during pregnancy and delivery periods;
3. Follow-Up Phase: to ensure maximum outcome those sensitized would be followed up and mentored using innovative means including bulk SMS, phone calls also visit would be made to maternity homes, PHC and General Hospital to collate data etc.
1. Mobilization phase: all relevant stakeholders (community heads, religious leaders, health worker, village development committee, women leader etc.) in the area communities would be duly informed (through advocacy) of the project objectives and their buy-in secured;
2. Sensitization Phase: This would primarily focus of giving the right information on safe motherhood and also create awareness of effect of traditional beliefs and practices during pregnancy and delivery periods;
3. Follow-Up Phase: to ensure maximum outcome those sensitized would be followed up and mentored using innovative means including bulk SMS, phone calls also visit would be made to maternity homes, PHC and General Hospital to collate data etc.
Monitoring and Evaluation
- There will be monthly data collection on number ANC visits and deliveries
- Monthly coordination meeting with the village development committees on uptake of services
- Weekly assessment on number of women and men who received both voice call and mobile messages on maternal health information's
A joint Quarterly monitoring and evaluation with the community health volunteers and health workers would be made to access rate of reduction of harmful practices with use of questioners and checklist.
- Monthly coordination meeting with the village development committees on uptake of services
- Weekly assessment on number of women and men who received both voice call and mobile messages on maternal health information's
A joint Quarterly monitoring and evaluation with the community health volunteers and health workers would be made to access rate of reduction of harmful practices with use of questioners and checklist.
Sustainability
- Community ownership and participation
- Identifying with stakeholders and implementing partners with same project idea.
- Donations and fundraising
- Proposal writing
- Identifying with stakeholders and implementing partners with same project idea.
- Donations and fundraising
- Proposal writing
Project Agreement With The WeObservatory
iIllustrate with photos and contribute to the promotion of the Selected projects of the WeObservatory
Contacts and Collaborations
- Grand Health Bazaar, Lagos, Nigeria - http://ghb.livewellng.org/
- Livewell Initiative - http://www.livewellng.org/
- ISfTeH – International Society for Telemedicine and eHealth – Working Group on Women - http://wow.isfteh.org/
- MEDETEL 2014 - 2017
- AIRTEL - www.airtel.com
- Livewell Initiative - http://www.livewellng.org/
- ISfTeH – International Society for Telemedicine and eHealth – Working Group on Women - http://wow.isfteh.org/
- MEDETEL 2014 - 2017
- AIRTEL - www.airtel.com
