Conduct Behavioural and Social Drivers (BeSD) and quantitative study on drivers and barriers to demand for child health and immunization services.

UNICEF is seeking to conduct BeSD and quantitative study to identify drivers and barriers to demand and access for maternal and child health and immunisation services. The purpose of the study is to understand the influencing factors (barriers, biases, and enablers) related to low routine immunisation coverage and neonatal mortality, low rate of exclusive breastfeeding amongst caregivers and health workers.

Findings of this study are envisaged to guide evidence informed strategies to promoting demand for maternal and child health services while addressing supportive social norms around health seeking practices and vaccine literacy in PNG.

In this regard, the BeSD study shall establish evidence (quantitative and qualitative) to establish baseline for the monitoring of social and behaviour change as well as an analytical report based on the findings of the study on the barriers and enablers to inform targeted solutions for social and behaviour change communication strategic planning for improved immunisation practices.

Based on key findings of the study, the research institution shall develop an exploratory strategic social and behavioural change framework. This is expected to contribute to an increase in routine immunisation rates amongst children, in particular those from zero dose communities and geographical areas, improve neonatal mortality and exclusive breastfeeding, using the Applied Behavioural Science as one of the key SBC Programmatic Approaches SBC Program Guidance