A study conducted in Kajiado, Nairobi, Siaya, and Kisumu Counties to evaluate the current status of community health committees regarding their engagement with adolescent sexual and reproductive health rights (ASRHR).
Client/Partner: CARE Kenya
Project Goals & Objectives: To identify areas for improvement and develop strategies to enhance the effectiveness of community health committees in promoting the health and well-being of adolescents within their communities, specifically focusing on ASRHR.
Scope of Work:
- Assessed the availability and composition of community health committees in the target areas.
- Identified gaps and challenges faced by these committees in addressing ASRHR.
- Evaluated the capacity of the committees to fulfill their functions related to adolescent health.
- Assessed the functionality of the committees in planning, coordinating, and conducting community dialogue on ASRHR issues.
- Evaluated the level of collaboration and partnership between the committees and link health facilities in promoting facility accountability on ASRHR issues.
Implementation Approach:
- Employed a mixed-methods approach, including surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions with community health committee members, healthcare providers, and adolescents.
- Utilized a participatory approach to gather diverse perspectives and experiences.
Outcomes & Impact: The needs assessment identified specific capacity gaps within community health committees related to ASRHR knowledge and service provision. Revealed inconsistencies in the functionality of community health committees across different wards. Highlighted the need for strengthened collaboration and communication between community health committees and link health facilities to improve ASRHR service uptake.
Challenges & Solutions: Challenges in accessing community health committees or ensuring open and honest feedback would be discussed, along with the strategies for building trust and rapport.
Project Duration & Location: 2023, Kajiado, Nairobi, Siaya, Kisumu Counties, Kenya