Behavioral Change Communication Intervention for Premature and Small Newborn Care: Development of Prematurity Communication Strategy for the PhilHealth Z-Benefit Package for Premature and Small Newborns

Behavioral Change Communication Intervention for Premature and Small Newborn Care: Development of Prematurity Communication Strategy for the PhilHealth Z-Benefit Package for Premature and Small Newborns

Project Director:  Marites M. Tiongco
Funding Agency:  United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

The World Health Organization reports that the Philippines is one of the top ten countries with the greatest number of preterm births, at a rate of 13% (per 100 live births). For 2018, the country’s under-five mortality rate was 27.4 deaths per 1,000 live births, and the target by 2030 is to achieve less than 25 deaths per 1000 live births for under-five mortality rate. Two ways to achieve this target are to reduce newborn deaths, and to reduce preterm birth complications. To address this problem, the government implemented a Z-benefit package to provide financial risk financing for the care of premature and low birth weight newborns. However, there has been low utilization of the Z-benefit package since it was launched in 2017. To support the uptake of the Z-benefit package for PSN, UNICEF has commissioned SDRC-DLSU to formulate a behavior change communication strategy. Providing support for mothers and premature/small newborns is also consistent with the first 1000 days initiative to ensure that children who are at risk of malnutrition and other health morbidities are provided with financial assistance for medical services.

This study thus seeks to 1) understand the level of awareness of the new health insurance package among pregnant women and their families and the determinants of positive behaviors during pregnancy and when experiencing preterm labor; 2) formulate an evidence-based communication strategy to increase utilization of the prematurity benefit package and contracting of hospitals; 3) provide support for the implementation of the communication plan to DOH, PhilHealth, and different health facilities, beginning the second semester of Year 2 and throughout Years 3 and 4; and 4) document the reach of the communication interventions implemented.

Key words: Premature, small newborn, preterm births