This project aims to understand and analyse existing systems to identify children with, or at risk of, disabilities to (i) generate evidence on implementation processes and factors influencing early disability detection, (ii) map and understand the main referral mechanisms for children screened, and (iii) inform delivery and scaling of early detection systems and service provision in the future.
The study will focus in particular on the interconnected primary health care system and community health workers system for early identification in communities. It will aim to understand these systems; the tools and protocols used; the operational, governance and policy context; and enabling and constraining factors. It will also aim to assess functionality in terms of reach, effectiveness and alignment with(in) wider public sector systems in Tanzania, including available referral and service provision pathways.