Evaluation of the integrated health program in the Democratic Republic of Congo

IHP works in 80 target health zones in four provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): (1) East Kasai; (2) West Kasai; (3) Katanga; and (4) South Kivu. The purpose of this evaluation is to assess the supply of health services, including quality, accessibility, and availability of key family health interventions, provided in the targeted facilities. This evaluation serves two purposes: (1) it forms a baseline that will set up benchmarks against which achievements and effectiveness can be evaluated at the end of IHP; and (2) it identifies programmatic areas that need improvement. The evaluation team was tasked with answering the following six questions: (1) to what extent has the project improved access to the minimum package of health service activities-plus (MPA-plus) and complementary package of health service activities-plus (CPA-plus) services and products in targeted health zones; (2) has the project improved the quality of key family care services in targeted health zones; (3) have knowledge, attitudes, and practices to support health-seeking behaviors increased in targeted health zones; (4) has health sector leadership and governance in the four targeted provinces improved; (5) what are the external factors that hamper IHP activities from delivering better results; and (6) how is the IHP perceived and valued? Specific evaluation analyses on program findings, conclusions, and recommendations are provided in detail with regard to: (1) current access to and availability of MPA-plus services; (2) quality of key family health care services; (3) client knowledge, attitudes, and practices supporting health-seeking behaviors; (4) health sector leadership and governance; (5) factors hampering IHP activities from delivering better results; and (6) perceptions of IHP. (Excerpt, modified)