A quasi-experimental evaluation study for the mHealth for FCHVs project in Nepal is being conducted by Anweshan.  The primary objective of the project is to design an innovative mobile phone-based solution that can best support Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) in their work as health promoters in communities across Nepal. The project aims to deliver an effective FCHV tool prototype for future roll out by the Government of Nepal (GoN). 

This project funded by UK AID via Nepal Health Sector Support Program has a three-phase approach. PHASE I- Formative Research and Scoping, PHASE-II- Design and User Testing and PHASE-III- Evaluation and Rollout Planning. Anweshan was also involved in PHASE-I of the project and now has been provided with the opportunity to get involved in PHASE III i.e. Evaluation Phase.  

As a consultant, Anweshan managed for the pretesting of the research tools at Thaha Municipality of Makwanpur on 6th September, 2019. The tools tested were further revised and reviewed by BBC Media Action’s research team and Anweshan’s team.  The enumerators were acquainted with the research tool in the 3 days training organized by Anweshan; facilitated by BBC Media Action team.

The trained field researchers for the respective districts were deployed on a different time schedule as per the work plan prepared by Anweshan and BBC Media Action.  Each team was guided and supervised by the research team from BBC Media Action for the first few days of their stay.  The data collected was checked and guided by the research supervisor from BBC Media Action and Anweshan on those days.

The training was organized from 3rd September to 5th September. Pre-testing was held on 6th September. After the completion of both the training and pre testing, the first group (Terathum Group) was deployed for field (Chhathar Municipality) on 8th September. They started their work from the following day. Similarly, second group (Khotang Team) moved from Kathmandu on 9th January to Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality and formally started their work from 10th January. Similarly, third team (Darchula Group) moved to Shailya Shikhar Municipality on 8th September and started formal work from the next day.

The group of researchers from Darchula and Terathum have already returned from the field. The data from the field are being managed and cleaned by quantitative research experts.