Encouraging Full Immunization in Ethiopia Through Health Worker Feedback

Jeremy Barofsky, ideas42
Saugato Datta , ideas42
Abebual Demilew, Zerihun Associates
Tewodros Zerihun, Zerihun Associates

Despite large advances in economic growth and dramatic decreases in under-5 child mortality, Ethiopia still has low rates of full immunization. Zerihun Associates in partnership with Marie Stopes International Ethiopia (MSIE) and ideas42 has taken a different approach to increase child immunization rates in Ethiopia. To improve full immunization coverage and reduce dropouts we have created a behavioral intervention to provide feedback to health extension workers. Utilizing social proof and a salient tracking system, the “Stamp System” component makes it simple for HEWs to track dropouts and for mothers to take additional ownership of and track their child’s progress and see that it is both normal and desirable to immunize their child. The intervention is being evaluated using a cluster-randomized design. Baseline collection began in April 2015 and endline data collection finished in early 2018. Final results are being analyzed now and will be available by the end of 2018.

See paper

 Presented in Session 5. Health & Mortality 1