http://repository.iphce.org/xmlui/handle/123456789/6 2026-10-15T10:39:24Z http://repository.iphce.org/xmlui/handle/123456789/5438 Community‐Based Outpatient Therapeutic Program Implementation in Central Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia: A Process Evaluation Using Access and Implementation Fidelity Frameworks Chalie Tadie Tsehay1 | Ayal Debie1 | Getnet Mitike Kassie2 | Eskedar Getie Mekonnen3 | Wubet Worku Takele4, IPHCE5 | Ashenafi Tazebew Amare6 | Amare Demsie Ayele7 | Tsegaye G. Haile1 Children with severe acute malnutrition have a 10‐fold increased risk of death, diminished intellectual development and poor adult work capacity. Community‐based outpatient therapeutic programs are among the key interventions designed to manage uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition at the community level in Ethiopia. Despite its implementation, evaluation involving multi‐dimensional data sources such as health system level, service provider level and community level perspectives has not been made so far. A mixed‐method evaluation was conducted in the central Gondar zone from January to May 2021. The OTP program is implemented by Ethiopian Ministry of Health. A total of 105 women/caregivers, 39 health posts, 171 health extension workers, and outpatient therapeutic program registration and reporting documents were included in the study. In‐depth interview was conducted with seven HEWs and nine mothers/caregivers. Moreover, five key informants were selected from district officers and nutrition focal persons. Although more than half of the health posts had the required two HEWs, WHO weight‐for‐height reference cards, referral forms, length measuring boards and essential drugs were limited in most health posts. Close to a third (35.5%) of the HEWs were recording the routine‐given medicine while the majority (98.8%) of them measured and recorded the children's Mid‐Upper circumference. Sharing of RUTF for non‐eligible children was the observed barrier to adherence to the program. The implementation status of the OTP program was poor. Some medicines were stocked out in all health posts. The majority of the mothers/caregivers didn't appropriately provide RUTF for their children. Improving resource availability, enhancing HEWs' compliance with the OTP protocol, and ensuring consistent counseling and regular home visits for mothers are recommended to improve recovery outcomes among children with malnutrition. 2026-07-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.iphce.org/xmlui/handle/123456789/5433 Maternal early warning system (MEWS) model for predicting and reducing severe maternal outcomes in Ethiopia Saba Desta Tessema, Mesfin Tadese, Solomon Hailemeskel, Chaltu Takele Mule, Getaneh Dejen Tiche , Lidya Asalefew Mekonnen, Getnet Mitike Kassie Maternal mortality in Ethiopia remains high, while most of these deaths are prevent-able. Early detection of deterioration and prompt response are essential to reduce these preventable deaths. The Maternal Early Warning System (MEWS) is a reliable clinical tool for this purpose. However, its effectiveness is under-explored and its bedside use is inconsistent. This study evaluated the MEWS model for predicting and reducing severe maternal outcomes. 2026-08-14T00:00:00Z http://repository.iphce.org/xmlui/handle/123456789/5422 Improving healthcare financing in Ethiopia: A policy brief IPHC-E This policy brief addresses the critical challenge of underfunded, fragmented, weak risk pooling, and unsustainable health care financing in Ethiopia. It outlines the scale of the problem, examines key drivers including heavy reliance on external funding and inefficient resource use and assesses viable policy options to mobilize domestic resources and improve their efficient utilization to advance progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC). 2026-05-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.iphce.org/xmlui/handle/123456789/5421 Primary health care digest, June 2026 IPHC-E Pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities in Ethiopia continue to face persistent and interrelated challenges in accessing essential primary health care services. Geographic isolation and seasonal mobility disrupt continuity of primary health care and limit regular contact with health facilities, while low health literacy, language barriers, and deeply rooted cultural norms influence care-seeking behaviors, particularly for reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and nutrition (RMNCH-N) services(1,2). These challenges are further compounded by recurrent crises such as flooding and disease outbreaks, as well as chronic shortages of supplies, staffing gaps, and inadequate infrastructure at frontline health posts(3). Collectively, these factors contribute to low utilization of RMNCH-N services and widen equity gaps within the national health system(3). 2026-06-01T00:00:00Z