Kano State Surveillance for Evidence and Policy (KASSEP)

Study Outcomes and Key Objectives

• Data and evidence consistent with the policy framework of Kano State Ministry of Health (KSMoH) that generates reliable estimates on the MMR, the number of maternal deaths and the number of live births in the state. These measures will form the basis for assessing the impact of subsequent policy and program actions adopted by KSMoH.
• Understand the causes and the contextual factors associated with maternal deaths to provide Kano State with insights on program/policy intervention.
• Understand the causes and the contextual factors associated with stillbirths to provide Kano State with insights on program/policy intervention.
• The government of Kano State utilizes the findings of this research to speedily implement policy/actions that specifically:
  • Accelerate the reduction of preventable maternal deaths by intensifying the scale of proven low-cost interventions via its structures and institutions (whether these be publicly or privately-owned).
  • Increase the quality of care of the mother and baby-in-conception dyad to accelerate the reduction of preventable stillbirths.
  • The accelerated reduction of preventable neonatal deaths by scaling up proven newborn care interventions (such as, Chlorhexidine-CHX for cord care, breastfeeding initiation, handwashing, Kangaroo Mother Care) in the first 24-48 hours in tandem with enhanced quality of care of the mother and baby-in-conception dyad.
  • The establishment of optimal functioning surveillance (as part of a larger surveillance system that includes pandemic preparedness) systems throughout the state to monitor and inform progress on reduction of MMR, stillbirth rates and neonatal mortality rate (NMR).
  • Understand the factors and drivers of (the lack or under-deployment of) women's agency in so far as these aggravate adverse maternal outcomes and deaths and use this evidence to shape policy and programs to drive reduction in preventable maternal deaths.
• Kano State has utilized evidence from this research towards its goal of introducing as well as systematically utilizing machine learning and artificial intelligence platforms to regularly derive insights to guide future policy analysis and decision-making to deliver health impact for its residents.
• Use(s) of infrastructure of this research activity to establish a surveillance system to prospectively track MMR progress throughout Kano State.