Niger faces critical health challenges, with some of the highest maternal mortality rates at 520 deaths per 100,000 live births (ENISED 2015) and infant mortality rates of 73 per 1,000 (ENAFEME 2021). Only 37% of pregnant women receive the recommended four prenatal visits, and 43.7% of births are attended by skilled personnel (ENAFEME 2021). Additionally, just 19% of infants are vaccinated with their second dose of measles (ENAFEME 2021). Data quality from the National Health Information Systems (SNIS) is limited, and other sources like DHS and MICS are outdated (MICS 2000 and DHS 2012). Recent studies, including PMA surveys and the Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA 2019), also have limited coverage in terms of population and geographic areas.

Study Description

In order to better respond to the needs of women, children and families in relation to reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and nutrition (RMNCH+FP+N) in Niger, the USAID-funded Research for Scalable Solutions (R4S) project was asked to conduct a cross-sectional study. The study aims to collect data on the use and availability of RMNCH+FP+N services and to identify barriers to their use. Conducted by EVIHDAF under the supervision of FHI 360 in collaboration with the Institut National de la Statistique (INS), the study will run for one year (2023-2024) and cover the regions of Niger where USAID-funded health interventions are ongoing or planned, including Maradi, Tahoua, Dosso and Zinder.

This study will build on work currently being undertaken by R4S that aims to support the government to make evidence-based decisions related to FP programming including: (i) development of an FP Research and Learning Agenda that identifies priority evidence gaps and related research and learning questions; (ii) a study of FP self-care knowledge, attitudes and preferences of individuals and health care providers; and (iii) support to government to define and measure equity within FP programs.