USAID/Tanzania : COMMIT project performance evaluation

Project partners include Population Services International (PSI), Jhpiego, Research Triangle Institute (RTI), and a large number of Tanzania non-governmental organization (NGOs). Its goals are to contribute to the reduction of malaria morbidity and mortality through: (1) fostering correct use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) and associated behaviors; (2) encouraging correct treatment-seeking and case-management behaviors; (3) emphasizing the importance of intermittent preventative treatment during pregnancy (IPTp) for all pregnant women; and (4) supporting acceptance of indoor residual spraying (IRS) in target areas. COMMIT works nationally via mass media and collaboration with other projects, while its rural communication initiative with NGOs and community change agents (CCAs) is active in only 11 regions in mainland Tanzania. A project implemented by PSI under a Global Fund Rolling Continuation Channel grant (RCC) runs the same rural communication initiative in the seven other rural regions. Although the focus is on rural districts, urban districts also benefit from mass media interventions and some of the other communication materials. COMMIT is a solid, well-run project that has met, and often exceeded, the requirements of the cooperative agreement and its annual workplans. An exception is its work with the private and commercial sector, which was limited because of developments beyond COMMIT's control. COMMIT has developed and employed a wide range of communication materials and created a rural network of community-based organizations (CBOs) and local change agents that is highly valued by the communities it serves and presents a model for community action in Tanzania that should be strengthened and expanded. Despite being in the forefront of malaria research and ITN social marketing since the late 1990s, Tanzania had never before had a communication program that implemented an integrated malaria approach using multiple and complementary channels at the individual and system level. The profile of malaria has been raised considerably in communities and the health system. Millions of Tanzanians, particularly in rural areas, are now more knowledgeable about malaria and the key interventions for malaria prevention and treatment. (Excerpt, modified)