Recent research published in the International Journal for Equity in Health, by Boydell and Holden et al. (2023), found the inclusion of equity-based indicators in the payment by results (PbR) mechanism for the UK’s multi-country, Women’s Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) programme, had demonstrable effects on people’s incentives, on how systems work, and on modes of working. Trade-offs were also found between performance indicators that increased coverage and others that increased equitable access, as well as several systemic challenges that limited the possible incentive effects.

The study was conducted for the WISH 4 Results (WISH4R) consortium, evaluating the programme (with ITAD). The WISH programme funded by UKAid, prioritises the poorest and most in need, particularly young and marginalised women, increasing the number of ways and places they can access the vital family planning services they need, and helping to avert tens of thousands of maternal deaths.

We designed and developed a quantitative and qualitative approach to the evaluation including tool design, leading a team of national consultants, and undertaking a series of interviews with programme and development partner stakeholders.

Client: ITAD and OPM, who formed the WISH 4 Results (WISH4R) Consortium, funded by UK Government

Year: 2018-2022 (WISH programme); 2021-2022 (Equity and PbR Legacy Study)