Program assessment of efforts to improve the quality of postpartum counselling in health centers in Morogoro region, Tanzania

Quality of postpartum care (PPC) efforts to improve service delivery through additional training and supervision in 9 Health Centers (HCs) in Morogoro Region, Tanzania was evaluated by comparing with 9 none-intervention HCs for structural inputs; provider and client profiles; processes (PNC counselling) and outcomes (patient knowledge) through direct observations of equipment, supplies and infrastructure. Program training and supervision activities had a modest effect on the quality of PPC.  Client perceptions about the value of PPC need to be changed; the content of recommended PPC messages reviewed along with the location for PPC services; gaps in the availability of human resources addressed; and increased provider-client contact encouraged.