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For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children’s survival, protection and development. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
Purpose of the Assignment: Ghana has made significant progress in reducing under-five mortality from 111 per 1,000 live births in 2006 to 60 per 1,000 [1] live births in 2014. However, there are significant regional variations within the country, with the Northern Region (characterized by multiple deprivations), having the highest under-five mortality rate of 124 per 1,000 live births in 2011 [2]. Neonatal mortality reduction has been very marginal from 43 per 1,000 live births in 2003 to 29 per 1,000 live births in 2014 representing 48% of under-five mortality in Ghana (DHS 2014). It has become evident that without significant improvements in neonatal mortality, Ghana is not going to experience any further declines in under-five mortality.
One of the major causes of neonatal mortality is neonatal sepsis accounting for about 20% of neonatal deaths (WHO/CHERG 2014). Hospital acquired infections during childbirth lead to early neonatal death and constitute a significant cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Adequate levels of sanitation and practice of hygiene in healthcare facilities are expectedly a contributing factor to hospital infection prevention and control with ultimate impact on the quality of care provided in these facilities. For these to happen, healthcare facilities would therefore need to have adequate and continuous supply of running water. Thus inadequate Water supply, Sanitation and Hygiene infrastructure and poor infection control and prevention practices directly and indirectly contribute to increased risk of neonatal and child mortality through healthcare facility-acquired infections.
A survey conducted by UNICEF in 2016 showed significant inadequacies in WASH infrastructure in health facilities in Tatale Sanguli and Kpandai districts of the Northern region. The survey which was conducted in 28 health facilities showed that Out of the 28 health facilities assessed, 77% had improved water source, 11% used water from a river or harvested rain water and 12% did not have any water source on site. None of the healthcare facilities performed water quality checks on the water they used for their operations. Nineteen percent of the health facilities used flush toilets, 42% used KVIP, 38% did not have any toilet facility at all and only 4% had separate toilets for male and female patients. Though all the healthcare facilities had some hand washing facilities, they were not adequate and all the facilities used burn and bury to dispose of both domestic and medical waste. A similar study sponsored by UNICEF under the accelerated sanitation project in 14 districts and 80 small towns in Northern Ghana showed that thirty-five percent of the health facilities use Kumasi Ventilated Improved Pit (KVIP), 11.8% Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP), 11.8% pour flush and only 5.9% use conventional flush, the remaining 35% having no toilet facilities for the patients. Only 55% of the health facilities surveyed had separate toilet facilities for male and female patients.
In an effort to respond to the poor health and WASH situation in the Northern region, UNICEF secured some funding to support district-wide coverage of WASH interventions in health facilities across the two districts by providing WASH facilities by April 2017, sensitize and train health service providers on WASH and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) by March 2017. The project incorporates an operational research component geared towards assessing the impact of these interventions on maternal, neonatal and child health. This will be done through a baseline and mid-line assessments, monthly monitoring of newborn infections and end-line assessment, hence the development of this TOR to engage a research team to conduct the implementation research.
The overall aim of the study is to document changes in knowledge and practices of maternal and newborn healthcare providers in order to ascertain whether there were any improvements (or otherwise) in neonatal infections following the project interventions. Specifically, this assessment will:
- Assess knowledge of health service providers on Infection Prevention before and after implementation of WASH intervention in the health facilities
- Assess changes in infection prevention practices of healthcare providers following WASH intervention in the health facilities
- Assess trends in rates of newborn infections in target health facilities through monthly monitoring during the pre- and post-WASH intervention periods.
Assignment Tasks:
- Conduct desk review and develop research proposal for the assessment
- Obtain ethical clearance and conduct baseline assessment
- Conduct mid-line assessment and monthly monitoring on of newborn infections
- Conduct end-line assessment
Expected Deliverables
- Inception report comprising of research proposal with clear design/methodology and questionnaire for baseline, monthly monitoring, mid-line and end-line surveys and data monitoring plan
- Draft report of baseline assessment
- Midline Assessment, and Monthly monitoring of newborn infections report
- Final comparative report on baseline, mid-line and end-line assessments, monthly monitoring,
- PowerPoint presentation and all the data set
Qualifications of Successful Candidate
Education: At least Master degrees in Public Health, Health Policy, Biostatistics or other public health related fields. Postgraduate degree in child health is an added advantage
Years of relevant experience: Expertise and proven substantial experience with at least eight years of experience in Maternal Newborn Child health ;
Competencies of Successful Candidate:
- Adequate knowledge of and exposure to national health systems and Northern region in particular
- Understanding of Ghana’s MNCH situation and current responses in line with the National Newborn Strategy (2014-2018), the National Child Health Policy (2007-2015)
- Expertise in quantitative and qualitative data analysis and report preparation
- Critical analytical and conceptual ability; skills in communication and documentation
- Excellent analytical and report writing ability in English including effective dissemination materials
- Ability to work co-operatively and constructively with national counterparts and stakeholders
Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in GHS- Ghana Cedi) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable). Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.
Advertised: Jan 16 2017 GMT Standard Time
Application close: Jan 30 2017 GMT Standard Time
More Information
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