Evihdaf

10/08/2026

❇️ We are pleased to share this global Big Catch-Up (BCU) report which synthesizes lessons from five country case studies: Cameroon, Nigeria, Pakistan, the United Republic of Tanzania, and Yemen; focusing on how countries planned, implemented, monitored, and began institutionalizing catch-up immunization activities to reach zero-dose and under-immunized children.

EVIHDAF was proud to lead the Cameroon case study, documenting how BCU immunization activities were implemented across diverse settings, including urban, rural, remote island, and conflict-affected communities.

Along with this Global report, please feel free to dive deep into the Cameroon BCU case study report and evidence briefs here ➡️https://www.evihdaf.com/projects-reports/.

Together, these products offer practical lessons for strengthening immunization systems, closing immunity gaps, and ensuring that no child is left behind.

03/08/2026

📥We're excited to share the latest edition of our newsletter!

This issue showcases how Evihdaf is advancing evidence generation, strengthening regional partnerships, and supporting health systems across West and Central Africa.

Highlights include:
✅Our strategic shift toward Global Health Security
✅New evidence from the PASSR II TRaC Study on family planning in Cameroon
✅The PRESYS baseline study in Chad and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
✅Progress on adolescent sexual and reproductive health research in Niger
✅Our engagement in regional and global conversations on health security, including GHS 2026 annual conference in Kuala Lumpur

As we continue strengthening evidence generation and supporting locally led solutions, we remain committed to building more resilient, equitable, and secure health systems across West and Central Africa.

📖 Read full newsletter here: https://www.evihdaf.com/download/evihdaf-newsletter-jan-june-2026/

20/07/2026

08/07/2026

🤝Strengthening coordination for better health outcomes in Cameroon

EVIHDAF was honoured to facilitate and chair the 4th Coordination Meeting of Technical and Financial Partners (PTFs) organized by the Ministry of Public Health today in Yaoundé. Representing EVIHDAF, our Executive Director, Dr. Jean Christophe Fotso, presided over the meeting, delivering the opening remarks and steering discussions among stakeholders.

These coordination meetings serve as an important platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and alignment among health sector stakeholders. Key discussions for this session included – updates on the mapping of health partners, health security initiatives and the Pandemic Fund. Together, these exchanges contribute to stronger coordination and more effective health programming nationwide.

Grateful thanks to Ministère de la Santé Publique du Cameroun and all participating partners for their commitment to collaboration in advancing public health in Cameroon.

06/07/2026

❇️ EVIHDAF is pleased to announce the successful completion of the TRaC PASSR II study on the use of contraceptive methods in Northern and Eastern Cameroon.

The Government of Cameroon, with financial support from the German Development Bank (KfW), launched the Programme d’Accès aux Services de la Santé de la Reproduction (PASSR), implemented by Population Services International Cameroun and ACMS. As part of this initiative, EVIHDAF was commissioned by PSI to conduct the TRaC PASSR II study, generating critical baseline evidence to inform the design and implementation of the third phase of PASSR.

Conducted across the Adamawa, East, North, and Far North regions, the study surveyed 1,955 households and reached 2,683 women, 1,135 men, 733 adolescent girls, and 397 adolescent boys. The findings highlight both progress and persistent challenges, including declining knowledge of contraceptive methods, social and behavioral barriers to use, limited decision-making autonomy for women, and low uptake of youth-friendly health services.

These insights will support evidence-based decision-making and adaptive programming for PASSR III, with a focus on behavior change communication, improved side-effect management, inclusive community dialogue, reduced financial barriers, and adolescent-focused interventions.

We are grateful to all partners, field teams, communities, and stakeholders who contributed to this important evidence-generation effort.

↪️ Dive deep into findings here: https://www.evihdaf.com/download/etude-trac-passr2-cameroun-rapport-final/

12/06/2026

For five years, our Research for Scalable Solutions (R4S) project generated important evidence that strengthens family planning programs, policies, and implementation science across Africa and Asia.

Funded by USAID and implemented by FHI 360, EVIHDAF, Makerere University School of Public Health, Population Services International, and Save the Children, R4S focused on improving the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, equity, and scalability of family planning interventions for women, men, and youth.

Through collaborative research and local partnerships, R4S generated practical evidence on:

✅ Client-driven approaches
✅ Cost-effective service delivery practices
✅ Equitable access to voluntary family planning
✅ Program adaptations during COVID-19
✅ Self-care, digital solutions, FP/HIV integration, and equity.

This work reflects the importance of locally grounded research in helping countries strengthen health systems and advance toward self-reliance.

↪️ Learn more: https://www.evihdaf.com/project/research-for-scalable-solutions-r4s/

29/05/2026

📥New article published!

How are family planning high impact practices (HIPs) being adopted, implemented, and sustained across Francophone West Africa❓

This new article, “Family planning high impact practices in Francophone West Africa: ownership, strategies and use for programming,” explores how HIPs are being used across the Ouagadougou Partnership countries, highlighting what is working, where challenges remain, and what is needed for long-term sustainability and scale-up.

The study reveals that while practices such as Immediate Postpartum Family Planning, Community Health Workers, and Mass Media are widely used, barriers like limited provider training and weak contextual adaptation continue to affect implementation.

Authored by Jean Christophe Fotso & al., and published in BMC Public Health, this article offers important insights for policymakers, implementers, donors, and partners working to strengthen evidence-based family planning programming in West and Central Africa.

➡️ Read more - https://www.evihdaf.com/download/fotso-et-al-fp-hips-francophone-west-africa-pdf/

11/05/2026

📊 Research brief: Implementation and Coverage of

Evihdaf draws on SMART‑HIPs experience in Burkina Faso and Nigeria to examine how Immediate Postpartum Family Planning (IPPFP) counselling and method uptake are recorded, and where the data get lost between facility registers and HMIS summary forms.

The brief highlights practical actions to strengthen:
- Commodity availability
- Provider competency
- Routine reporting for IPPFP

➡️ Read the brief: https://www.evihdaf.com/download/ippfp-hip-research-brief-burkina-faso-and-nigeria/



📸credit: UNFPA

05/05/2026

❇️ Midwives at the Heart of Immunization and Maternal Care

Midwives are often the first trusted health contact for mothers and newborns, and their role extends beyond delivery rooms to immunization, counseling and community outreach.

This International Day of the Midwife we celebrate how routine data collected by midwives (vaccination registers, birth records, outreach logs) powers smarter planning: it reveals missed children, guides cold‑chain routing and shows where community engagement must intensify.

Investing in midwife training, supervision and data tools means stronger immunization coverage, safer births, and more.

Tell us a brief story about a midwife who made a positive difference in your community.

04/05/2026

📊 Research brief - Leveraging Mass Media in Family Planning SBC

How do we get the best results from mass media and social media in family planning SBC?

Evihdaf draws on SMART‑HIPs experience in Burkina Faso and Nigeria to show what’s working, what’s missing, and why recent Mass Media activity has been limited.

Key takeaway: mass media is still essential in policy and reach, but recent campaigns have been constrained by funding delays, outdated materials, and a shift toward lower‑cost digital channels. The evidence supports a balanced, multi‑channel approach that pairs the credibility and reach of radio/TV with the agility of social media and community engagement.

➡️ Read the brief: https://www.evihdaf.com/download/leveraging-mass-media-in-family-planning-sbc-programming/



📸Radio anchor Oche discusses issues with a family planning expert, Mariam Momoh, during a live programme about family planning on Wazobia FM in Abuja, Nigeria. © 2012 Akintunde Akinleye/NURHI, Courtesy of Photoshare