Endline Study for “Breath of Life: Strengthening Health Systems to Combat Childhood Pneumonia

4 min

Client: BRB

State Covered:Jammu & Kashmir

Districts: Srinagar

Duration:Jan 2026 – Sep 2026 (8 months)

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DevInsights is conducting the endline evaluation for the “Breath of Life: Strengthening Health Systems to Combat Childhood Pneumonia” initiative in partnership with Bal Raksha Bharat (BRB), a programme designed to strengthen health systems and improve the prevention, early identification, and management of childhood pneumonia in Harwan Block of Srinagar district, Jammu & Kashmir. Childhood pneumonia remains one of the leading causes of mortality among children under five, and this initiative seeks to address critical gaps in caregiver awareness, timely care-seeking behaviour, and health system readiness for effective pneumonia management. The endline study aims to generate robust evidence on programme outcomes by examining changes in community awareness, health-seeking practices among caregivers, competencies of frontline and facility-based healthcare providers, and the availability and preparedness of health facilities to manage childhood pneumonia cases. The evaluation is aligned with national child health priorities and global frameworks such as the Integrated Global Action Plan for Pneumonia and Diarrhoea (GAPPD), ensuring that findings contribute to broader efforts aimed at reducing preventable child mortality. DevInsights is implementing the study using a rigorous mixed-method research design that integrates quantitative household surveys, qualitative stakeholder consultations, and health facility readiness assessments. The quantitative component consists of 400 structured interviews with mothers or primary caregivers of children under five across 10 villages in Harwan Block, using a cluster-based sampling strategy covering 16 clusters with 25 households per cluster to ensure representativeness. In addition, the study includes a comprehensive health facility readiness assessment across approximately 24–32 public health facilities to examine infrastructure, availability of essential pneumonia management equipment such as oxygen delivery systems and pulse oximeters, stock availability of essential medicines, staff capacity and training, referral linkages, and overall preparedness for pneumonia case management. The qualitative component includes approximately 37 interactions comprising key informant interviews and in-depth discussions with Medical Officers, Community Health Officers, ASHAs and other frontline workers, District Health Officials, programme implementation teams, as well as focus group discussions with caregivers to understand programme implementation experiences, operational challenges, and barriers to effective service utilisation. DevInsights is responsible for the end-to-end execution of the evaluation, including tool refinement, field team recruitment and training, digital data collection, field supervision and quality assurance, statistical and thematic analysis, and preparation of a comprehensive endline evaluation report. The study will generate actionable recommendations to support Bal Raksha Bharat and government stakeholders in strengthening pneumonia prevention strategies, improving child health service delivery systems, and advancing evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing childhood mortality in Jammu & Kashmir.

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