Program Research for Strengthening Services (PROGRESS)

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Date of Operation: 2009 – 2013

Primary Implementing Partner: FHI 360

Regions of Operation: Amhara, Oromia, SNNP, and Tigray

Goal:

Increase access to and utilization of long-acting and permanent family planning methods.

Project Objectives:

  • Improve monitoring and evaluation of family planning programming
  • Strengthen the monitoring and evaluation capacity of health facilities at regional, zonal and woreda levels so they can do the same at lower levels
  • Monitor and evaluate Implanon insertion training and program implementation undertaken by implementing partners (Integrated Family Health Program, EngenderHealth, Ipas Ethiopia, Marie Stopes International - Ethiopia)

Description:

USAID supports the Government of Ethiopia in its efforts to increase provision of long-acting and permanent family planning methods. The project’s first phase focused on the introduction of Implanon, a single rod implant, at the community level. Community health extension workers were trained in insertion techniques and referral systems to ensure that women have access to removal services at health centers and hospitals with trained family planning clinical providers.

To ensure the quality of services and compliance with U.S. rules and regulations concerning family planning programs, USAID monitors this initiative through the PROGRESS project. At the Government of Ethiopia’s request, the project monitors and evaluates both Implanon and intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) services (the latter was expanded as the second phase of the Government of Ethiopia’s strategy). USAID works closely with the Government of Ethiopia to increase skills in monitoring and evaluating programs as part of these family planning scale-up initiatives.

Results:

  • Develop monitoring and evaluation programs that integrate IUCD and Implanon indicators and activities
  • Collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Health to develop situation analysis study protocol
  • Support woreda data collection and set foundation for routine family planning data extraction
  • Build capacity in operations research and monitoring and evaluation at federal and community levels