This program that is currently going on in the state effectively answered all the four questions below.

Incentive-based interventions vary considerably along several dimensions, including the following,

1) Who is targeted in the intervention? 
2) Which health behavioral change is targeted?
3) What type of incentive is to be used?
4) When will the incentive be delivered?

Understanding the impact that each of these variables has on healthy behavior change can inform the development of more effective interventions.

Aims of AbiaSMS

The aims of AbiaSMS is to put women at the Centre of care, thereby enhancing their experience of pregnancy and ensuring that babies have the best possible start in life.

It prioritizes person-centered health and well-being of pregnant women, thereby preventing death and morbidity.

AbiaSMS has 3 prongs:

1. Demand creation/community mobilization - Community volunteers recruited in each community in the State seek and refer unbooked pregnant women in their community to the health center to register and commence Antenatal Care (ANC). They are incentivized (paid) per pregnant woman they refer to the health center.

2. Free Antenatal Care (ANC) services - for all pregnant women in rural areas.

3. Provision of free delivery kits – to subsidize the cost of delivery at the health centers.

All these are aimed at changing health seeking behavior and health facility utilization by pregnant women in Abia State thus sustaining the continuum of care throughout pregnancy and post-delivery.

Ndi Abia, PAY YOUR TAX, EXPECT MORE 2019