OUR IMPACT
Our school health programs demonstrably improved the health and learning of students
RESULTS OF IMPACT STUDY
A controlled impact study by our partners at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found our programs significantly increased student’s knowledge on health, improved access to and utilization of healthcare, increased student’s trust in their teachers and local health facility and ultimately reduced the burden of disease. The study found our programs led to a 44% reduction in disease morbidity, a 22% increase in health knowledge and a 48% increase in coverage of deworming and vitamin A supplementation.
Partner health centers have reported an increase in visits by school children. We have seen a significant decrease in endemic infections, exemplified by a 60% reduction in the rate of schistosomiasis in the Ng'ombe Township. More than 90% of partner schools have reported a decrease in absenteeism. Qualitative interviews have shown that the School Health Workers enjoy increased social status and express a sense of empowerment that extends to all aspects of their roles as educators. Perhaps the best indicator of our success is the enthusiasm of the local communities and government to expand our program to new areas.
IMPACT ON HEALTH & LEARNING
Increase in student's knowledge on health
Increase in student's knowledge on health
22%
44%
Decrease in student disease morbidity
48%
Increase in vitamin A supplementation and deworming coverage
90%
Schools reporting a decrease in abseenteeism
SCHOOL HEALTH WORKER OUTPUT
For the 2017-18 Fiscal Year
42,000
Children provided deworming and vitamin A treatment
14,505
Sick children attended to and followed-up by SHWs
4,400
Health education lessons given by SHWs