Evaluation of the Partnership for HIV-Free Survival Country Assessment: Tanzania

Author(s): MEASURE Evaluation

Year: 2018

Abstract:

This brief presents findings from the evaluation of activities related to the Partnership for HIV-Free Survival (PHFS) in Tanzania. It focuses on six components: partnership, mother-baby pairs, integration of services, quality improvement, knowledge exchange, and community engagement. The findings are drawn largely from a rapid assessment conducted in Tanzania in June 2017 by MEASURE Evaluation, which is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

The Partnership for HIV-Free Survival was implemented in six countries in eastern and southern Africa between 2012 and 2016. PHFS was a collaboration among the United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization (WHO) to accelerate the uptake of the WHO 2010 guidelines on HIV and infant feeding in participating countries: Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. Although specific aims differed slightly by country, the initiative was designed to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV and increase child survival, through improvements in breastfeeding practices, antiretroviral uptake and coverage among HIV-positive pregnant women and mothers, and overall mother-baby care.

Rapid assessments that MEASURE Evaluation conducted in participating PHFS countries used a qualitative lens to examine key PHFS activities and accomplishments. 

In Tanzania, PHFS was implemented in a total of 90 sites located in three districts in each of three regions (Mbeya, Mufindi, and Nzega). Each district had 10 demonstration sites; 20 scale-up sites were added after one year. Partners at the national level were USAID, the Reproductive and Child Health Section/Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV Unit of Tanzania’s MOHCDGEC, University University Research Co. LLC (URC)-Applying Science to Strengthen and Improve Systems (ASSIST), Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance (FANTA), Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre, and Jhpiego.

Findings from assessments of PHFS in other participating countries are available here.