Evaluation report of the Integrated Project on Environmental Sanitation Intestinal Parasite Control and MCH/FP for Family Health in Vietnam (VIE/88/PO7) 7 April - 2 May 1991.

In 1991 research assistants interviewed 60 women from each of 6 communes in 3 provinces in Viet Nam to assess the effects of the pilot integrated project (IP) on environmental sanitation intestinal parasite control and maternal-child health/family planning (MCH/FP). They also conducted in depth interviews and focus group discussions with health staff primary school teachers and school children. Before IP the infection rate from soil transmitted helminths stood at 94% in Nghi An 63% in Phong Hien and 24% in Thanh Duc. More women in all 3 pilot communes claimed to used soap when washing hands and bathing and to wash hands before eating (in 2 pilot communes only) and after defecating than those in control communes. Further more women in pilot communes boiled water and stopped using feces as fertilizer. Deworming activities problems continued though. Further many families still needed latrines. Moreover most people needed water supplies. Desired family size in pilot communes was lower than in control communes. In addition IP increased demand for contraceptives and reduced the unmet need gap. More women in pilot communes began using oral contraceptives and condoms--a shift away from primary use of IUDs. Gynecological infections remained a problem perhaps because of sexually transmitted diseases and standing in contaminated water while planting rice. More pregnant women in pilot communes received prenatal care and the tetanus toxoid and delivered at the commune health center with a midwife helping than those in control communes. Moreover health personnel in pilot communes identified all high risk pregnancies and referred them to the district hospital. FP options were not discussed with postpartum mothers in either pilot or control communes however. The existing management system in the pilot communes was effective. The report concluded with recommendations.