The research project itself consists of interdisciplinary and institutional intervention studies, providing health systems and communities with the necessary knowledge to address reproductive health challenges and gender inequality. The methodology will rely on clinical and community-based (mixed-methods) research and innovative community outreach strategies in order to disseminate findings and attain better health outcomes. Health promotion through sensitisation and training will focus on adolescents, mothers, pre- and in-service healthcare professionals, policy makers, and community members; This will optimize adolescent’s information access and utilisation of family planning, MNCH outcomes and reduce GBV. Operational research will be conducted with an aim of improving the collection of statistical data on indicators of quality of obstetric and newborn care in the three districts.
The education program will invest in equipping low and high-risk birthing model centres to train healthcare workers in labour and childbirth monitoring and management, neonatal resuscitation and basic obstetric scanning. The strong collaboration between subproject partners at MUST and in Flemish Institutions through staff visits and students exchange will build capacity in conducting research, providing policy advises, and PhD research supervision.
