Development of the AMENI Model for Improving Maternal and Newborn Child Health - Outcomes among Apostolic Religious Groups in Zimbabwe: Abstract

"The Apostolic Maternal and Newborn Interventions (AMENI) package of interventions addresses poor maternal and newborn health outcomes among Apostolic religious groups in Zimbabwe by addressing religious, socio-cultural and contextual (legal/policy) factors that drive these outcomes."

This presentation for the International SBCC Summit 2016, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, February 8-10, describes Apostolic Maternal and Newborn Interventions (AMENI) formative research process.

From the abstract:
"The Apostolic Maternal and Newborn Interventions (AMENI) package of interventions addresses poor maternal and newborn health outcomes among Apostolic religious groups in Zimbabwe by addressing religious, socio-cultural and contextual (legal/policy) factors that drive these outcomes. It is an evidence-based intervention that focuses on nurturing Apostolic community transformation (ACT) in order to tackle religious doctrine, beliefs, practices and social/gender norms that promote poor healthcare seeking behaviors for women and children; poor uptake of modern maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) services; rejection of modern sexual and reproductive health services including family planning; child/early marriages; limited educational opportunities for Apostolic children; gender inequalities and social inequity. This paper outlines the formative research process for developing the AMENI model.

Key highlights:
Findings from the study informed the development of the AMENI model whose objectives include (a) Increased dialogue with Apostolic religious leaders and traditional birth attendants, (b)Increased awareness among Apostolic adolescents of SRHR and opportunities to stay longer in school, (c) Increased acceptability and uptake of modern MNCH services among Apostolic women, (d) Increased religious acceptability of modern MNCH interventions and educational opportunities, and gender equality among the Apostolic community, (e) Increased skilled attendance at delivery among Apostolic women; timely referrals of pregnant women to health facilities by Apostolic traditional birth attendants (AtBAs); and effective links between Apostolic health systems and modern health facilities and (f) creation of an enabling policy/legal environment for positive MNCH outcomes and rights of women and children."