• Objectives

This program evaluation study aims to assess the robustness of the HBNC Plus program to influence the post neonatal IMR. It also evaluate the operational sustainability of program within the existing framework of NRHM and responsibilities of ASHA.

Specific objectives include:

1. Assessing the system strength for influencing post-neonatal IMR in the NIPI districts (Qualitative Component)
2. Coverage and completion of age appropriate home visits by ASHA in the first year of life (Quantitative Component)
3. Proportion of neonates and post-neonatal infants receiving home based care as planned under HBNC and HBNC Plus programs
4. Review of secondary program data for assessing program performance and triangulating with primary data for coverage collected as part of this evaluation study
5. Nexus planning for refining the program strategy and implementation

• Timeline

• Location

• Methods

Descriptive Study (Program Evaluation) – cross sectional survey methodology

Two phases of implementation:

Phase-I of the study is to undertake process evaluation of the HBNC Plus program and determine proximal indicators of program coverage, along with barriers and facilitating factors. The INCLEN team along with the investigators from the AIIMS Bhopal leads this evaluation research including collection of primary data and triangulation with secondary data

Phase-II of the study is nexus planning to develop strategies for scale up of HBNC plus program. This will be done by bringing a wide range of stakeholders together, thus generating nexus of innovative solutions to the program implementation and scale up.

The emphasis on nexus planning is to strategically meet community needs, recognition that barriers exist for ASHA to conduct household visits as per schedule and several of the challenges to accomplish the objectives of the HBNC Plus program might reside even outside the health sector.

• Expected Outcomes

The study deliverables would include:

• Current status of HBNC Plus program in the context of other responsibilities of ASHA coverage and performance
• Strength and limitations of HBNC Plus program