Initial implementation supported by implementation research
The Directorate of Family Health (DSF) is working with a coalition of technical partners and NGOs, including UNICEF, Sight and Life, and Vitamin Angels, to introduce MMS in Burkina Faso, where 55% of pregnant women are affected by anemia.[1] Initial implementation of MMS began in 2020, in the context of a two-phased formative research study conducted by Sight and Life and UNICEF between October 2020 and February 2021 in six health centers across two health districts (Ziniaré and Yako), in the region of Plateau Central. Focus groups and stakeholder interviews conducted as part of the process provided key insights into the local context, including barriers and enablers of uptake and adherence for women and health care providers, as well as preferred packaging for the product.
Burkina Faso began importing MMS product in 2021, and DSF is working with UNICEF and other nutrition partners to introduce MMS through community health systems in two districts, where paid community health workers will counsel pregnant women on antenatal care and MMS use. Sight and Life will continue to support further exploration of MMS in Burkina Faso, by facilitating a national MMS working group and monitoring reach and effective coverage to support further scaling to additional communities.
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health is conducting a trial to evaluate the impact of an integrated intervention of Calcium + 81 mg aspirin + MMS (“CAMMS”) compared to IFA on preterm birth. The trial will be conducted in Burkina Faso (partnering with L’Institut Africain de Santé Publique (IASP), Zimbabwe (partnering with Institute for Maternal and Child Health Research), and Pakistan (partnering with Dept Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University). The trials will enroll about 10,000 pregnant women early in pregnancy and follow them to delivery.
[1] World Bank. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.PRG.ANEM?locations=BF
- Regions (Provinces/Districts): 2 districts
- Start Date: 2019
- End Date: ongoing