For many mothers and babies, access to a health facility alone is not always enough. The quality of care they receive during pregnancy, delivery, and the first days of life can make the difference between life and death.

The EQUIP study (Expanded Quality Management Using Information Power) was developed to address this challenge. Conducted in Uganda and Tanzania, the project focused on strengthening the quality of maternal and newborn health services through better use of information, community engagement, and continuous improvement within health systems.

Through his work in maternal and newborn health research, Peter Waiswa contributed to efforts that explored how local health systems could use data and community feedback to deliver better care for mothers and their babies.

Using Information to Improve Care

At the heart of the EQUIP study was a simple idea: when health workers and communities have access to the right information, they can identify problems and work together to solve them.

The project introduced collaborative quality improvement methods, bringing together health workers, local leaders, and communities to regularly review data on maternal and newborn health. These discussions helped identify gaps in care and encouraged practical solutions at both the facility and community level.

Community-Based Monitoring

EQUIP placed strong emphasis on community participation. Local volunteers and community groups were involved in monitoring services, gathering feedback from families, and helping ensure that health facilities responded to the needs of mothers and newborns.

This approach helped bridge the gap between health facilities and the communities they serve, creating accountability and encouraging continuous improvement.

Research and Learning

The study used a cluster-randomized quasi-experimental design, allowing researchers to evaluate whether the quality improvement approach made a measurable difference in maternal and newborn health outcomes across districts in Uganda and Tanzania.

The findings have contributed valuable lessons on how data-driven quality improvement and community engagement can strengthen health systems and support better outcomes for families.

Strengthening Health Systems

By combining research, community involvement, and health worker engagement, EQUIP demonstrated how relatively simple interventions can lead to meaningful improvements in care.

Projects like EQUIP reflect the broader commitment of Peter Waiswa to advancing research that not only generates knowledge but also leads to practical improvements in maternal and newborn health services across Africa.