Final impact evaluation of the transform program

Transform’s objective was to address maternal and child morbidity and mortality in Ethiopia, focusing on maternal, newborn, and child health, and family planning (MNCH/FP). To determine program impact, the evaluation collected baseline and endline data from Transform intervention areas and from non-Transform intervention areas. The net relative difference over time in Transform intervention areas revealed the contribution of the Transform program activities, via Difference-in-Differences (DID) analysis. The surveys included over 6,500 respondents, all women aged 15-49. The impact evaluation focused on indicators in four different categories: family planning, maternal health, child health and immunizations, and cross-cutting issues. In the area of family planning, all three indicators (modern contraceptive use, long-acting contraception use, and postpartum family planning use) showed significant positive differences in Transform intervention areas compared to the non-Transform intervention areas. In the area of maternal health, five of the seven indicators – including metrics such as early antenatal care visits and skilled birth attendance – showed significant positive differences. The results were mixed for child health and immunizations and the cross-cutting themes. In separate multivariate analyses, higher education levels, fewer births per woman, and having received MNCH/FP messages were consistently relevant predictors of desired outcomes. The report concludes with recommendations for the Ministry of Health and USAID.