The impact of a health systems strengthening initiative on child morbidity: The case of the Ghana Essential Health Interventions Program in rural northern Ghana.

Previous research has shown that GEHIP had a pronounced positive effect with a reduction in mortality. Our results show that household location in GEHIP districts also led to a significant reduction in morbidity due to cough and fever among under-five children. This association is a likely outcome of GEHIP's impact on the accessibility of primary health care services. Results lend further support to the growing body of evidence that strengthening health systems in rural Africa through the provision of community-based strategies enhances prospects for achieving the United Nations child health SDGs.