Objectives
To explore key factors influencing performance and challenges to consider when delivering large numbers of interventions through Child Health Week.
Methods
An implementation research framework was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with national and district staff involved in Child Health Week, with analysis of country reports, literature published in Zambia and international journals and grey literature. Informed consent was obtained from intervieweesNVivo10 software was used to organize code and analyze the transcribed data
Results
Strong political commitment and steering, collaborative and unified coordination among government and development partners, effective and continuous social mobilization provided a solid base for Zambia to expand Child Health Week. Main challenges were inadequate district resources, overburdening of scarce human resources, decrease in quality of services provided and long lineups to access services due to the large number of interventions. Poor resource allocation for routine immunization further led health workers to deliver routine immunization through Child Health Week
Conclusions
Sufficient funding and human resources to districts are critical when utilizing campaign-style mode of services. To avoid disrupting achievements made in Child Health Week, eliminating the delivery of basic services besides vitamin A and deworming should be done gradually to avoid losing trust by communities and to continue providing life-saving services to remote communities. At the same time, direct investments in strengthening routine immunization should be made to achieve and sustain child mortality reduction goals.
