ACTD Research Projects

This study was a joint initiative of the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the GIZ program for Promotion of Vocational Education and Training in Afghanistan. ACTD conducted the study and used mixed-methods research methodology. A comprehensive report was produced on factors related to the dropouts. The combination of quantitative and qualitative methods was used and totally 1173 interviews were conducted in 29 provinces (55 Schools, 29 Provinces).

The study was a comprehensive assessment of the students studying in TTTA. The purpose of this study was to explore students’ opinion on TTTA, specifically exploring their views, feelings, judgment, personal experience and reaction towards factors and situation in the TTTA program in order to identify their needs and expectations with current education system in TTTA. This was a cross-sectional survey of 696 students which was conducted at the TTTA in Kabul.

This study was a qualitative research conducted in TVET Schools in 29 provinces of Afghanistan (Except from Ghor, Daikundi, Suri Pul, Logar and Badghis provinces). The study sought to determine the social background of the students, their educational career pathway, reasons why they enrolled and the future plans of the students after their graduation from the TVET. The target population was a sample of 604 among the students from 50 TVET schools in 29 provinces of Afghanistan.

This study was conducted in the 13 UNICEF priority provinces of Afghanistan namely Badghis, Balkh, Bamyan, Daikundi, Ghor, Helmand, Herat, Kandahar, Nangarhar, Paktia, Paktika, Urzugan and Zabul to map Birth Registration Centers, assess their functionality and challenges being faced while engaged in the birth registration process. The study used both qualitative and quantitative methods and thus out of total 1,466 birth registration centres, 1,458 centers were mapped and out of these 1438 were interviewed by study team.

As part of “Development of National Communication Strategy for Health and Hygiene at the Family-Level” project, ACTD conducted this pre- and post-project implementation qualitative study on knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of families regarding health and hygiene in three provinces, namely Ghor, Sar-i-Pul and Paktia. The study feed to the identification of priority areas and finalization of the strategy in the pre- and post-implementation phases respectively.

The objective of this formative research was to gather information from organizations that have expertise and front-line experience about hygiene issues in different geographical areas. This formative qualitative research was one component of a larger, three-tiered survey aimed at understanding the issues of existing key hygiene behaviors and practices among most vulnerable groups, Identifying areas and the target groups for improvement, Identifying key existing practices and available channels of communications for various identified target groups. In close coordination with the Health Promotion Directorate of MoPH and the UNICEF, ACTD identified 35 key informants from the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD), Ministry of Education (MoE), the UNICEF, and international and national NGOs active in hygiene promotion activities.

The objectives of project were to: (1) identify the most vulnerable and at risk children, families and caregivers; (2) assess the needs of the children and their families for formulating appropriate emergency response strategies; (3) provide baseline on existing water and sanitation facilities; and (4) provide baseline on knowledge, attitude and practices regarding health and hygiene.

The purpose of this study wasto understand outcomes of the TVET system (Commercial/Technical Vocational Education and Training), and its relevance to the job market. The resultant data on TVET graduates would serve as a baseline for the post-graduation monitoring of the program. The specific objectives of this study were: (1) to find out the yearly career paths and education choices of TVET graduates; (2) assess students placement; (3) determine employment/ unemployment rates; and (4) to trace transitions between educational thresholds. ACTD successfully conducted up to 510 interviews of both 12th and 14th degree graduates in 20 provinces of Afghanistan (Balkh, Heart, Kapisa, Kunduz, Baghlan, Helmand, Jwazjan, Ningarhar, Parwan, Faryab, Badakhshan, Kandahar, Kunar, Khost, Farah, Samangan, Daikundi, Laghman and Wardak).

The project aimed at creating benchmarks and knowing the outcome of knowledge of CHWs on topics of Community-based Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (C-IMCI). ACTD designed and conducted the base line survey to create benchmarks for the C-IMCI project and the end line survey served to study and analyze the change which had occurred as a result of the C-IMCI project. This survey used a cross-sectional cluster sampling methodology and 805 households were interviewed.

ACTD conducted this Post Partum Hemorrhage household survey (baseline and end line) to assess impact of the intervention on “prevention of postpartum hemorrhage” in relation to the coverage and safety of services and improvement in the knowledge of beneficiaries. This cross sectional pre and post design household survey was conducted through quantitative data collection method among eligible women. Within the framework of this study, PPH base-line and end-line surveys of residents were held in four provinces namely Kabul (Qarabagh district), Jawzajan (Khosh tepa district), Faryab (Almar district) and Badakhshan (Zebak district). The study result shows that the trained CHWs were able to reach communities and provide them with necessary information about PPH and related issues. As result, findings shown from base-line and end-line household surveys that, the CHWs were able to provide information on PPH to more than half of women who were interviewed, provide information on Misoprostol to more than one-third of pregnant women, provided information to more than half of pregnant women who were interviewed in base-line and end-line household survey about signs of excessive bleeding and its causes, and offered Misoprostol to one-third of pregnant women.

The purpose of the study was to assess the effectiveness and impact of the Mobile Health Teams (MHTs) as per the stated objectives of the program and to inform future programming. The study was conducted in Badakshan, Badghis, Balkh, Bamyan, Daykundi, Heart, Kunar, Nimroz, Parwan, Sar-e-pul, and Takhar using both qualitative and quantitative methods in conjunction with cost-effectiveness analysis. Statistical comparisons were made between MHTs and two other fixed health facility types – Basic Health Center and Sub-Health Center.

The purpose of the study was to furnish CHEMONICS International RAMP-UP South (Regional Afghan Municipality Program – Urban Population) with evidence-based information regarding perception, knowledge and satisfaction of the urban population about TarinKot municipality.  The study utilized quantitative and qualitative approaches and 800 interviews were conducted with men, women and youths. It was concluded that respondents largely had a negative view of the municipality’s performance and general service delivery.  It was recommended that the municipality should focus on effective dissemination of information to the residents and improve its client service delivery.

The purpose of the study was to assess factors responsible for the low utilization of public health services. The study was conducted in six representative provinces, namely Baghlan, Bamyan, Herat, Kabul, Laghman and Paktia in order to devise responsive strategies, and utilize the evidence for national campaigns regarding increased utilization of public health facility services. The study carried out social mapping (48 exercises), in-depth interviews with mothers and heads of household (92 interviews), key informant interviews (144 interviews) and focus group discussions (48 FGDs).

The purpose of this qualitative national level study was to assess gender barriers against provision and utilization of reproductive health services through public health facilities. The study was implemented in eight provinces of Afghanistan consisting of Badakhshan, Baghlan, Bamyan, Daikundi, Faryab, Herat, Logar and Paktia. The study was to inform policies and programs to streamline responsive strategies in relation to real needs of the women. In total, 52 FGDs, and 248 in-depth interviews were conducted in the target provinces.

The purpose of the study was to identify the training and skill building needs of Afghan traders in the areas of economic and legal topics, better understanding and use of cross-border markets potential, and cross-border procedures, and to assess cross border social and economic relations.

The organizational assessment was aimed at reviewing systems of the 18 partner organizations of ZOA International, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and recommend next steps for institutional support. The assessment was carried out in a participatory manner with participation and inclusion of the senior staff of the target organizations.

ACTD conducted this assessment in three provinces of Afghanistan namely Nangarhar, Kunar and Kunduz provinces. A total of four hospitals (a district and provincial hospital in Nangarhar, a provincial hospital in Kunar and a district hospital in Kunduz) were assessed. It was a joint effort of the assessment team and hospital staffs where gaps were identified and necessary trainings were provided to the hospitals staffs.