Abstract
This report presents the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the final (summative) evaluation of the USAID Maternal and Child Health Initiative (hereinafter referred to as the Maternal and Child Health Project or MCHP). The evaluation was conducted by International Business and Technical Consultants, Inc. (IBTCI) as per the terms of the Russia Monitoring and Evaluation Program (RMEP) and based on the Notification of Performance Evaluation #11 sent to IBTCI on December 30, 2011.The core activities of the USAID/Russia Maternal and Child Health Project are: 1)Improving Care for Mothers and Babies(ICMB) implemented by University Research Co. (URC); and 2)Institutionalizing Best Practices in Maternal and Child Health (IBPMCH) implemented by John Snow Inc. (JSI) and the Institute for Family Health (IFH).MCHP aimed to reduce maternal and infant mortality; increase the use of modern contraceptives; and decrease abortion rates in selected regions across Russia. These objectives were achieved through training and technical assistance to healthcare providers; disseminating best practices of care during pregnancy, delivery and infanthood to local and regional health care facilities; and, institutionalizing these best practices in appropriate Russian institutions at the federal and okrug levels.