AMREF Africa, in partnership with DAMAX Solutions, led an end-line evaluation of the Safe Motherhood and Fistula Services project. The evaluation utilized a non-experimental cross-sectional design, combining both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. Data was gathered through 37 interviews, which were administered using questionnaires on ODK-installed tablets, 7 focus group discussions (FGDs), and facility assessments conducted at seven hospitals supported by AMREF to provide obstetric fistula repair services. These hospitals were strategically located across different regions in Tanzania, including Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza City, Mbeya Referral Hospital in Mbeya City, Dodoma Regional Hospital in Dodoma Municipal, Nkinga Mission Hospital in Igunga (Tabora Region), Peramiho Hospital in Peramiho (Ruvuma Region), Lindi Regional Hospital in Lindi Municipal, and Sumbawanga Regional Hospital in Sumbawanga (Rukwa Region).
The primary goal of the evaluation was to assess the impact of the Safe Motherhood and Fistula Services project on maternal health, specifically its contribution to the sustained reduction of maternal mortality and morbidity in Tanzania. The evaluation provided an opportunity to analyze how the project’s interventions, such as the provision of obstetric fistula repair services, influenced maternal health outcomes in the communities surrounding these hospitals. The findings from the data collection methods aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the project in improving maternal health and reducing preventable deaths and disabilities related to obstetric fistula.
The facility assessments, interviews, and focus group discussions allowed the evaluation team to gather insights from both healthcare providers and community members. This comprehensive approach ensured that the evaluation captured a wide range of perspectives on the project’s effectiveness. The end-line evaluation offered critical information on the long-term impact of AMREF’s interventions, providing valuable lessons for future projects focused on maternal health in Tanzania and beyond.