Karen Department of Health and Welfare of Annual Report 2011

The KRHFP conducted a baseline survey in 2007 and a follow-up survey in 2010 of reproductive
health needs in the program areas, interviewing samples of 900 women in a randomized cluster
design. Results shown in Table 3 show improvements in the program areas for nutrition and for
antenatal care and contraceptive services.
Table 3. KRHFP Services 2007-2011
Issues for Women of Reproductive Age 2007 Baseline 2010 Follow-Up
Malnutrition 29% 6%
Anemia 33 % 32 %
Malaria (Pf) 8 % 5 %
Unmet need for modern contraceptives 50 % 28%
Received antenatal care 13% 59 %
Table 4 quantifies the services provided by RCHWs and TBAs working in the program areas. The
numbers and percentages of deliveries attended by RCHWs declined year by year as skill levels
of TBAs rose to the extent that they could cope with more complications of delivery without
assistance.
Education of women about the importance of ANC has helped to reduce the disparity between
the use of delivery services and ANC services. In the past, women tended to seek KRHFP
services when they were about to give birth, but few women sought ANC services.
In June 2011, program coordinators embarked on a five day monitoring trip to Ei Tu Ta (Mu
Traw district) and Oo Kray Kee (Doo Pla Ya) KRHFP areas. The program coordinator met with
RCHWs, TBAs, clinic in-charges, and village leaders to discuss program challenges and
accomplishments, and ways to improve the program for the future. RCHWs expressed the need
for certain supplies and for increased support for health workers.
Program Training
The KRHFP uses the training strategy developed during the MOM project, which uses trainers at
two levels. Trainers from Burma Medical Association (BMA), Mae Tao Clinic (MTC), and KDHW
who are experienced in reproductive health and malaria control provide RCHWs training for
service provision and Training of Trainer instruction at MTC. These RCHWs in turn return to
their clinic areas inside Karen State and train TBAs at their respective clinics. Both the trained
TBAs and RCHWs provide services and give health education to the target community.
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