Is a multi-country research project aimed at improving maternal and newborn health in conflict-affected countries. Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) is participating in this research which is funded by UK Aid from the UK government and led by the International Rescue Committee.
Ensuring Quality Access and Learning for Mothers and Newborns in Conflict-Affected Contexts (EQUAL) is a multi-country research project aimed at improving maternal and newborn health in conflict-affected countries.
Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) is participating in this research which is funded by UK Aid from the UK government and led by the International Rescue Committee. Other EQUAL partners are Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and its university-wide Center for Humanitarian Health, the Somali Research and Development Institute, and Université Catholique de Bukavu (Democratic Republic of Congo).
The project is aimed at identifying and filling evidence gaps that could ultimately improve policies, programming, and outcomes for mothers and newborns. It will focus its research around the day of birth and the first week of life -- the timeframe with the highest number of newborn deaths globally.
In Nigeria, IHVN is conducting a five-year assessment of the recently implemented Community Midwifery program to examine the effectiveness of midwives in addressing gaps in maternal and neonatal health within rural communities of Yobe State. Of particular interest are factors affecting the midwifery workforce, participation, retention, performance, and personal resilience during periods of increased insecurity
The project is in collaboration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, the Government of Yobe State and Faculty of Shehu Sule College of Nursing and Midwifery
