TradHealth

In Tanzania, like many other Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services and education are significantly lacking. The problem is acute, with 27% of girls aged 15-19 years already mothers or pregnant with their first child according to the Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) 2015-16. This is coupled with the fact that comprehensive sexuality education is not fully integrated into the national education curriculum, which leaves a significant knowledge gap among adolescents and young people.

Tanzania has a high unmet need for family planning, with 22% of married women aged 15-49 years having an unmet need for family planning according to TDHS 2015-16. This is significant as it contributes to the high fertility rate of 5.2 children per woman, one of the highest in the world. The lack of access to family planning services and information contributes to high rates of unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and maternal mortality. In Tanzania, the maternal mortality ratio is 556 deaths per 100,000 live births, which is among the highest globally.

The factors contributing to the problem include cultural norms and taboos surrounding sexuality, limited access to comprehensive sexuality education, economic disparities, and transportation barriers. Cultural norms and taboos often discourage young people, particularly girls and young women, from seeking SRHR services due to fear of judgment and social repercussions. Additionally, economic exclusion and transportation barriers further hinder access to these essential services.

TradHealth aims to address these challenges by providing culturally adapted SRHR education materials and interventions that respect local values and traditions. The goal is to bridge the gap between traditional beliefs and modern SRHR practices, ensuring that young people, especially girls and young women, receive the necessary information and services to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health. By doing so, TradHealth aims to contribute to the reduction of teenage pregnancies, unintended pregnancies, and maternal mortality rates in Tanzania and eventually in other LMICs facing similar challenges.

TradHealth is an initiative that aims to address the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) knowledge gap in Tanzania by developing and disseminating culturally adapted educational materials and interventions. TradHealth has successfully served 10 communities in Tanzania, providing vital sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) education through culturally adapted materials and interventions. As we reflect on our accomplishments, we are excited and eager to expand our reach and continue making a meaningful impact.

Our solution is a comprehensive package that includes educational materials, community workshops, and digital content that are designed to respect local values and traditions while providing accurate and essential SRHR information.

Our approach involves the following steps:

1. Community Engagement: We begin by engaging with community leaders and members to understand the local values, traditions, and beliefs surrounding SRHR. This helps us to tailor our educational materials and interventions to be culturally sensitive and relevant.

2. Development of Educational Materials: Based on the insights gained from the community, we develop a range of educational materials, including brochures, posters, and handbooks. These materials are designed to be visually appealing and easy to understand, ensuring that they are accessible to people of all literacy levels.

3. Workshops and Seminars: In collaboration with local health workers and educators, we conduct workshops and seminars to disseminate the educational materials and provide comprehensive SRHR education. These sessions are interactive and allow for open discussions, ensuring that participants feel comfortable asking questions and clarifying any doubts.

4. Digital Content: To reach a wider audience, we also create digital content, including videos, podcasts, and social media posts, that can be accessed through smartphones and other digital devices. This content is designed to be engaging and informative, providing an additional platform for people to learn about SRHR.

5. Monitoring and Evaluation: We continuously monitor and evaluate the impact of our educational materials and interventions through surveys, focus group discussions, and data analysis. This helps us to identify any areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments to our approach

Our solution primarily serves adolescents and young adults in Tanzanian communities, particularly those in rural and underserved areas where access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) education is often limited or non-existent. This demographic is currently underserved due to a lack of accurate information and resources, as well as cultural and societal barriers that can prevent open discussions about SRHR topics.

The target population often faces challenges such as:

1. Limited Access to Information: Many adolescents and young adults in rural areas lack access to accurate and comprehensive SRHR education due to geographical isolation and limited resources.

2. Cultural and Societal Barriers: Cultural norms and taboos can prevent open discussions about SRHR, leading to misinformation and harmful practices.

3. Teenage Pregnancies and Early Marriages: The lack of SRHR education contributes to high rates of teenage pregnancies and early marriages, which can have significant impacts on the health and future prospects of young girls.

4. STIs and HIV/AIDS: Limited access to SRHR education can also increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS.

Our solution addresses these challenges by providing culturally adapted SRHR education through various channels, including:

1. Educational Materials: We provide brochures, posters, and handbooks that are visually appealing and accessible to individuals with varying literacy levels, ensuring that adolescents and young adults have access to accurate information.

2. Interactive Workshops and Seminars: Our workshops and seminars facilitate open dialogue and questions, allowing participants to gain a deeper understanding of SRHR topics in a safe and supportive environment.

3. Digital Content: Our digital content, including videos, podcasts, and social media posts, is accessible via smartphones and other digital devices, ensuring that even those in remote areas can access our educational materials.

4. Community Engagement: By engaging with community leaders and members, we ensure that our educational materials and interventions are culturally sensitive and relevant.

By providing this comprehensive SRHR education, we aim to empower adolescents and young adults to make informed choices regarding their sexual and reproductive health, ultimately improving their overall well-being and future prospects. This will also contribute to addressing broader challenges such as reducing teenage pregnancies, unintended pregnancies, and maternal mortality rates in Tanzania.

Our team at TradHealth is deeply rooted in the communities we serve, having built solid relationships and trust with community members and leaders over time. Our proximity to the communities we serve is a key strength, as it allows us to have a clear understanding of the local cultural nuances, values, and challenges that impact the lives of adolescents and young adults in these areas.

Our team is made up of individuals who have either grown up in or have spent significant time working in these communities. This personal connection and lived experience ensure that we have a genuine and meaningful understanding of the unique needs and perspectives of our target population.

The Team Lead, Ashanuru, in particular, has spent years working on SRHR initiatives in Tanzania, both at the grassroots and policy levels. Their experience has provided them with a deep understanding of the complexities of delivering SRHR education in culturally diverse and often conservative settings. This experience is invaluable in ensuring that our solution is both culturally sensitive and effective in meeting the needs of the communities we serve.

Engaging with the communities is a fundamental part of our approach. We prioritize meaningful community participation in every step of the design and implementation of our solution. This includes:

1. Needs Assessment: We conduct regular needs assessments to understand the specific SRHR challenges and gaps faced by the target population.

2. Community Consultations: We engage with community members, including adolescents, parents, religious leaders, and community elders, to gather input and feedback on our educational materials and interventions.

3. Pilot Programs: Before rolling out any new initiative, we conduct pilot programs to test the effectiveness of our materials and interventions and gather feedback from the community.

4. Feedback Loops: We have established feedback loops to ensure that we are continually learning from the communities and adapting our approach accordingly.

Our close relationship with the communities and our commitment to incorporating their perspectives ensures that our interventions are relevant, effective, and empower them to take control of their sexual and reproductive health.

Our solution currently serves 10 communities, positively impacting the lives of approximately 110 people. Through our culturally adapted educational materials and interventions, we provide necessary sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) education that respects local values and traditions. Each community has unique needs and cultural nuances, and our approach ensures that these are taken into consideration, resulting in more effective and meaningful SRHR education.

Our solution is innovative because it incorporates cultural adaptability into sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) education. This approach is essential in respecting local values and traditions while also ensuring that the necessary health information and rights are provided.

What sets our solution apart is our commitment to cultural sensitivity and local engagement. We understand that communities are diverse, and a one-size-fits-all approach is not effective. Therefore, we prioritize local values and traditions when designing our educational materials and interventions.

Our materials are not just translations of existing resources; they are developed with local input to ensure relevance and acceptance. We engage with local communities, including religious leaders and elders, to understand their perspectives and incorporate their valuable insights into our programs. This collaboration ensures that our materials are culturally appropriate and resonate with the people we are trying to reach.

We leverage technology to enhance our educational programs. Our online platforms provide access to SRHR information and services, bridging the gap for those in remote or underserved areas. The technology also allows us to track the impact of our programs and gather data to inform future interventions.

Our solution can catalyze broader positive impacts by serving as a model for other organizations working in this space. By demonstrating the effectiveness of culturally adapted SRHR education, we can encourage others to adopt similar approaches, ultimately improving SRHR outcomes for young people worldwide.

Next Year Impact Goals:

1. Expand our educational programs to serve an additional 20 communities, reaching approximately 2200 people.
2. Develop and distribute three new culturally adapted educational materials addressing specific SRHR needs identified by the communities.
3. Engage with 50 new local leaders and elders to incorporate their insights into our programs.
4. Enhance our online platforms to provide more accessible SRHR information and services.

To achieve these goals, we will leverage our existing community relationships and networks to identify new communities to serve. We will also conduct needs assessments to determine the specific SRHR needs of these communities and develop new educational materials accordingly. Engaging with local leaders and elders will be a priority, as their insights are invaluable in ensuring the cultural appropriateness of our programs. Furthermore, we will invest in our technology infrastructure to enhance our online platforms, making SRHR information and services more accessible to those in remote or underserved areas.

Five Years Impact Goals:

1. Serve a total of 100 communities, reaching approximately 11,000 people.
2. Develop and distribute a comprehensive library of culturally adapted educational materials addressing a wide range of SRHR needs.
3. Establish partnerships with 100 local organizations to support the distribution and implementation of our programs.
4. Influence policy changes at the local and national levels to prioritize culturally adapted SRHR education.

To achieve these goals, we will continue to expand our programs and develop new educational materials to address the evolving SRHR needs of the communities we serve. Building partnerships with local organizations will be crucial, as they provide the necessary infrastructure and support to implement our programs on a larger scale. Additionally, we will engage with policymakers at the local and national levels to advocate for the importance of culturally adapted SRHR education and influence policy changes that prioritize this approach.

The theory of change for TradHealth's solution is grounded in the belief that culturally adapted sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) education can significantly improve the health outcomes and well-being of young people in our communities.

1. Activities:

   • Develop and distribute culturally adapted educational materials
   • Conduct educational interventions in communities
   • Engage with local leaders and elders to ensure cultural appropriateness
   • Utilize online platforms to provide accessible SRHR information and services

2. Immediate Outputs:

   • Increased knowledge and awareness of SRHR among young people
   • Greater acceptance and support for SRHR education within communities
   • Enhanced accessibility of SRHR information and services
   • Strengthened relationships with local leaders and elders

3. Longer-Term Outcomes:

   • Improved health outcomes for young people in terms of SRHR
     • A projected 50% reduction in adolescent pregnancies within the next five years.
     • An estimated 30% increase in the use of contraceptives among sexually active adolescents within three years.
   • Empowered young people to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health
     • Targeting a 40% increase in young people seeking SRHR services within the next two years.
   • Strengthened community support for SRHR education and services
     • Aiming for an 80% community approval rate for SRHR education within five years.
   • Positive changes in attitudes and behaviors regarding SRHR
     • A hoped-for 25% decrease in gender-based violence within communities over the next five years.

4. Evidence to Support:

   • Research has shown that culturally adapted health education programs are more effective in changing health behaviors compared to non-adapted programs (Reference: Kreuter MW, et al. Cultural tailoring for mammography and fruit and vegetable intake among low-income African-American women in urban public health centers. Prev Med. 2003 Jul;37(1):62-70).
   • Findings from our own evaluations have indicated a significant increase in SRHR knowledge and awareness among young people who participated in our educational interventions.
   • Data from interviews with community members have highlighted the importance of engaging with local leaders and elders to ensure cultural appropriateness of SRHR education.

By following this theory of change, we expect our solution to have a positive impact on the SRHR outcomes of young people in our communities, ultimately leading to improved health and well-being.

Our business model centers around providing culturally adapted educational materials and interventions to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for young people, with a focus on communities in Tanzania.

1. Key Customers and Beneficiaries:

   • Our primary customers are NGOs, schools, and community organizations that are looking to implement SRHR education programs.
   • Our beneficiaries are the young people in communities who will receive the SRHR education.

2. Products and Services:

   • We provide culturally adapted educational materials, including pamphlets, booklets, and online resources.
   • We offer educational interventions, such as workshops and community events, facilitated by trained educators.
   • We provide access to SRHR information and services through online platforms.

3. Delivery of Products and Services:

   • Our materials are distributed directly to our customers (NGOs, schools, and community organizations) and are also made available online for easy access.
   • Our educational interventions are conducted in collaboration with local leaders and community members to ensure cultural appropriateness.
   • Our online platforms are designed to be user-friendly and accessible to young people, providing them with the information and services they need.

4. Why Customers Want or Need Our Products and Services:

   • NGOs, schools, and community organizations need our culturally adapted materials to effectively educate young people about SRHR in a way that respects local values and traditions.
   • Young people in communities need access to accurate and reliable SRHR information and services that are tailored to their cultural context.

5. Revenue Streams:

   • We generate revenue through the sale of our educational materials to NGOs, schools, and community organizations.
   • We receive funding from grants and donations to support our educational interventions and online platforms.

By providing culturally adapted SRHR education, we are meeting the needs of both our customers and beneficiaries, ultimately contributing to improved health outcomes and empowerment for young people in the communities we serve.

To become financially sustainable, TradHealth plans to diversify its revenue streams while also improving and expanding our existing services and products. Here are the key steps in our plan:

1. Diversifying Revenue Streams:
   • Sales of Educational Materials: Continue and expand the sale of our culturally adapted educational materials to NGOs, schools, and community organizations.
   • Service Contracts: Seek service contracts with governments and local authorities to provide SRHR education in schools and communities.
   • Online Platform: Monetize our online platform through advertising, premium content, and partnerships with SRHR service providers.
   • Workshops and Training: Charge a fee for workshops and training sessions facilitated by our trained educators.
2. Expanding and Improving Services:
   • Geographical Expansion: Expand our reach to serve more communities within Tanzania and eventually other countries with similar cultural contexts.
   • Product and Service Innovation: Continuously improve and innovate our educational materials and interventions to meet the changing needs of our customers and beneficiaries.
   • Partnerships: Form strategic partnerships with other organizations in the SRHR space to share resources and collaborate on projects.

1. Sustained Donations and Grants:
   • Donor Relations: Establish and maintain strong relationships with existing donors while actively seeking new donors who are aligned with our mission.
   • Grant Applications: Apply for grants from government agencies, foundations, and other funding bodies that support SRHR initiatives.
2. Marketing and Visibility:
   • Social Media and Online Presence: Leverage social media and other online platforms to increase visibility and attract more customers and donors.
   • Community Engagement: Engage with communities to build a strong reputation and word-of-mouth referrals.

By diversifying our revenue streams, expanding and improving our services, and maintaining strong relationships with donors and partners, we believe TradHealth will achieve financial sustainability in the long term. This will enable us to continue our important work of providing culturally adapted SRHR education to young people in Tanzania and beyond.