Using Community Mapping to Understand Family Planning Behavior

Field Methods ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 406-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darcy White ◽  
Rob Stephenson
Keyword(s):  
Family Planning ◽  
Cultural Influences ◽  
Community Level ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Rural Ethiopia ◽  
Community Mapping ◽  
Traditional Approaches ◽  
Mapping Exercise ◽  
Relevant Factors

Traditional approaches to researching family planning in developing countries utilize surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, or some combination thereof. However, these methods are limited in their ability to measure community-level influences on family planning behavior. In this article, we assess the benefits of applying community mapping, a participatory research technique, to understand social and cultural influences on family planning in rural Ethiopia and Kenya. In gender-segregated focus groups, participants collaboratively created a map of their district or zone, which they subsequently used to anchor discussion of local supports, barriers, and targets for change. Qualitative analysis of the transcripts revealed that community mapping is a powerful tool with which to understand community-level factors that influence family planning. By facilitating reflection on and discussion of local assets and issues, the mapping exercise identifies relevant factors from the perspective of community members and defines priority points for intervention.

Understandings of depression among community members and primary healthcare attendees in rural Ethiopia: A qualitative study

2021 ◽  
pp. 136346152110643
Author(s):  
Bethlehem Tekola ◽  
Rosie Mayston ◽  
Tigist Eshetu ◽  
Rahel Birhane ◽  
Barkot Milkias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Medical Intervention ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Rural Ethiopia ◽  
Primary Care Settings ◽  
Prevalence Of Depression ◽  
Community Data

Available evidence in Africa suggests that the prevalence of depression in primary care settings is high but it often goes unrecognized. In this study, we explored how depression is conceptualized and communicated among community members and primary care attendees diagnosed with depression in rural Ethiopia with the view to informing the development of interventions to improve detection. We conducted individual interviews with purposively selected primary care attendees with depression (n = 28; 16 females and 12 males) and focus group discussions (FGDs) with males, females, and priests (n = 21) selected based on their knowledge of their community. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. None of the community members identified depression as a mental illness. They considered depressive symptoms presented in a vignette as part of a normal reaction to the stresses of life. They considered medical intervention only when the woman's condition in the vignette deteriorated and “affected her mind.” In contrast, participants with depression talked about their condition as illness. Symptoms spontaneously reported by these participants only partially matched symptoms listed in the current diagnostic criteria for depressive disorders. In all participants’ accounts, spiritual explanations and traditional healing were prominent. The severity of symptoms mediates the decision to seek medical help. Improved detection may require an understanding of local conceptualizations in order to negotiate an intervention that is acceptable to affected people.

The utility of non-formal education in addressing the school dropout phenomenon : a case study of Asifundeni Secondary School in Makonde District Zimbabwe

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 41-69
Author(s):  
Francis Muchenje ◽  
◽  
Pedzisai Goronga
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
School Dropout ◽  
School Level ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Secondary School Level

The study sought to explore students' views on the utility of non-formal education in addressing the school dropout phenomenon at secondary school level. Qualitative research approach was adopted and a case study design was utilised. The population consisted of all the students in the non-formal programme at the school from which a sample of 11 students (2 male and 9 female) was selected through purposive stratified sampling technique. Data were gathered through structured in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Non-formal education was seen to address the school dropout phenomenon by providing school drop outs with an opportunity to continue their education and hence becomes a form of empowerment. A number of challenges such as lack of adequate tuition in some subjects, lack of conducive learning environment as well as negative perception of non-formal education held by pupils in the formal stream and community members were identified. The study recommends that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education should review the staffing situation in schools to ensure the availability of teachers in the various subjects in the non-formal stream. Schools should make an effort to provide appropriate learning facilities for students in the nonformal stream. Furthermore, schools should conscientise their communities on the importance of non-formal education.

scholarly journals Utilizing perspectives from HIV-infected women, male partners and healthcare providers to design family planning SMS in Kenya: a qualitative study

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karren Lewis ◽  
Elizabeth K. Harrington ◽  
Daniel Matemo ◽  
Alison L. Drake ◽  
Keshet Ronen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family Planning ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Short Message ◽  
Male Partners ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Sensitive Topics ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Message Service ◽  
Education Support

Abstract Background Short message service (SMS) presents an opportunity to expand the reach of care and improve reproductive health outcomes. SMS could increase family planning (FP) use through education, support and demand generation. The purpose of this analysis is to determine the perspectives of potential FP users to inform design of SMS. Methods We conducted focus group discussions (FGD) with HIV-infected women and in-depth interviews (IDI) with male partners and health care workers (HCW) at urban and rural clinics in Kenya to design SMS content for a randomized controlled trial. Results Women and men indicated SMS could be used as a tool to discuss FP with their partners, and help decrease misconceptions about FP. Women stated SMS could make them more comfortable discussing sensitive topics with HCWs compared to in-person discussions. However, some women expressed concerns about FP SMS particularly if they used FP covertly or feared partner disapproval of FP use. These findings were common among women who had not disclosed their status. Providers viewed SMS as an important tool for tracking patients and clinical triage in conjunction with routine clinical visits. Conclusion Our findings suggest that SMS has the potential to facilitate FP education, counselling, and interaction with HCWs around FP.

scholarly journals Maternal Vaccination in Uganda: Exploring Pregnant Women, Community Leaders and Healthcare Workers’ Perceptions

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 552
Author(s):  
Phiona Nalubega ◽  
Emilie Karafillakis ◽  
Lydia Atuhaire ◽  
Pamela Akite ◽  
Flavia Zalwango ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Community Leaders ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Maternal Vaccination ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
Maternal Immunisation ◽  
The Government

Background: We investigated pregnant women, community leaders, healthcare workers (HCWs) and programme managers’ perceptions of maternal vaccination in Kampala, Uganda. Methods: We conducted focus group discussions, key informant interviews and in-depth discussions with HCWs (3), community leaders (3), pregnant women (8) and programme managers (10) between November 2019 and October 2020. Data were analysed thematically. Results: Pregnant women, community leaders and some HCWs had limited maternal immunisation knowledge. There was confusion over what constitutes a vaccine. Pregnant women may not receive vaccines because of mistrust of government; use of expired vaccines; reliance on traditional medicine; religious beliefs; fear of side effects; HCWs attitudes; and logistical issues. The key facilitators of maternal vaccination were a desire to prevent diseases, positive influences from HCWs and information about vaccine side effects. Community leaders and some pregnant women highlighted that pregnant women do not make decisions about maternal vaccination independently and are influenced by different individuals, including other pregnant women, older people, partners, relatives (parents), community leaders, HCWs and the government. Conclusions: Our results indicate that public health messaging should target all community members, including partners and parents of pregnant women as well as HCWs, to improve knowledge of and confidence in maternal vaccines.

scholarly journals Male Involvement in Family Planning: Challenges and Way Forward

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ademola Adelekan ◽  
Philomena Omoregie ◽  
Elizabeth Edoni
Keyword(s):  
Family Planning ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Male Involvement ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Married Men ◽  
Public Health Officials

Public health officials have advocated the involvement of men as a strategy for addressing the dismal performance of family planning (FP) programmes. This study was therefore designed to explore the challenges and determine way forward to male involvement in FP in Olorunda Local Government Area, Osogbo, Nigeria. This cross-sectional study involved the use of a four-stage sampling technique to select 500 married men and interviewed them using semistructured questionnaire. In addition, four focus group discussions (FGDs) were also conducted. Mean age of respondents was 28.5 ± 10.3 years. Some (37.9%) of the respondents’ spouse had ever used FP and out of which 19.0% were currently using FP. Only 4.8% of the respondents had ever been involved in FP. Identified barriers to male involvement included the perception that FP is woman’s activity and was not their custom to participate in FP programme. More than half of the FGD discussants were of the view that men should provide their wives with transport fare and other resources they may need for FP. The majority of the respondents had never been involved in family planning with their wives. Community sensitization programmes aimed at improving male involvement in FP should be provided by government and nongovernmental agencies.

Voices After Disaster

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger Few ◽  
Mythili Madhavan ◽  
Narayanan N.C. ◽  
Kaniska Singh ◽  
Hazel Marsh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Indian Institute ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
East Anglia ◽  
Other Information ◽  
The Media ◽  
Institute Of Technology ◽  
The University ◽  
Disaster Narratives

This document is an output from the “Voices After Disaster: narratives and representation following the Kerala floods of August 2018” project supported by the University of East Anglia (UEA)’s GCRF QR funds. The project is carried out by researchers at UEA, the Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS), the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay, and Canalpy, Kerala. In this briefing, we provide an overview of some of the emerging narratives of recovery in Kerala and discuss their significance for post-disaster recovery policy and practice. A key part of the work was a review of reported recovery activities by government and NGOs, as well as accounts and reports of the disaster and subsequent activities in the media and other information sources. This was complemented by fieldwork on the ground in two districts, in which the teams conducted a total of 105 interviews and group discussions with a range of community members and other local stakeholders. We worked in Alleppey district, in the low-lying Kuttanad region, where extreme accumulation of floodwaters had been far in excess of the normal seasonal levels, and in Wayanad district, in the Western Ghats, where there had been a concentration of severe flash floods and landslides.

scholarly journals “Why Don’t You Go Into Suburbs? Why Are You Targeting Us?”: Trust and Mistrust in HIV Vaccine Trials in South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 525-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siyabonga Thabethe ◽  
Catherine Slack ◽  
Graham Lindegger ◽  
Abigail Wilkinson ◽  
Douglas Wassenaar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Trial ◽  
Hiv Vaccine ◽  
Community Advisory Board ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Hiv Vaccine Trials ◽  
Vaccine Trials ◽  
Community Stakeholders ◽  
Site Staff

Trust is a key element of high-quality stakeholder relations, which are themselves essential for the success of HIV vaccine trials. Where trust is absent, community stakeholders might not volunteer to become involved in key trial activities, and potential participants might not volunteer for enrollment. We explored site staff and Community Advisory Board (CAB) members’ experiences of trust/mistrust among community members and potential participants. We analyzed 10 focus group discussions with site staff and CAB members at two active South African HIV vaccine trial sites. We report on key characteristics perceived to contribute to the trustworthiness of communicators, as well as factors associated with mistrust. Attributes associated with trustworthy communicators included shared racial identity, competence, and independence (not being “captured”). Key foci for mistrust included explanations about site selection, stored samples, vaccination, and Vaccine Induced Sero-Positivity (VISP). Our findings suggest that community members’ trust is not necessarily global, in which trials are trusted or not; rather, it appears fairly nuanced and is impacted by various perceived attributes of communicators and the information they provide. We make recommendations for clinical trial site stakeholders invested in building trust and for future research into trust at these sites.

scholarly journals An asset-based participatory community analysis of natural hazards in Naphuno, Greater Tzaneen Municipality, Limpopo province, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Allucia L. Shokane ◽  
Hanna Nel
Keyword(s):  
Natural Hazards ◽  
Community Analysis ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Resilient Communities ◽  
Asset Based Community Development

Natural hazards disrupt the daily lives of people and communities. Consequently, social workers, like any other stakeholders, deal with community predicaments arising from the effects of natural hazards. The social relief distress (SRD) programme of government utilises needs-based, top-down government-driven interventions in communities affected by natural hazards, focused on what communities lack, as opposed to what communities have. This research study involved a community that experienced natural hazards, such as flooding, hail, lightning and windstorms, which destroyed property and livelihoods during the period 2014–2015. Eight experts and 12 affected community members participated in a qualitative participatory action research analysis study between 2016 and 2017. Guided by the asset-based community development (ABCD) approach, the affected community participated in a collaborative manner in the analysis of the consequences of natural hazards within the community. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews and focus group discussions, and analysed thematically. The findings confirmed the traumatic effects of natural hazards, such as loss of property, crops and livestock, physical injuries and even death. The main finding established that natural hazards should be managed in a collaborative way between formal experts of natural hazards and community members through ABCD principles and methods in building resilient communities.

scholarly journals What mechanisms drive uptake of family planning when integrated with childhood immunisation in Ethiopia? A realist evaluation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shari Krishnaratne ◽  
Jessie K. Hamon ◽  
Jenna Hoyt ◽  
Tracey Chantler ◽  
Justine Landegger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family Planning ◽  
Child Health ◽  
Maternal And Child Health ◽  
Realist Evaluation ◽  
Religious Leaders ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Programme Theory ◽  
Integrated Delivery ◽  
And Child Health

Abstract Background: Maternal and child health are key priorities among the Sustainable Development Goals, which include a particular focus on reducing morbidity and mortality among women of reproductive age, newborns, and children under the age of five. Two components of maternal and child health are family planning (FP) and immunisation. Providing these services through an integrated delivery system could increase the uptake of vaccines and modern contraceptive methods (MCMs) particularly during the post-partum period. Methods: A realist evaluation was conducted in two woredas in Ethiopia to determine the key mechanisms and their triggers that drive successful implementation and service uptake of an intervention of integrated delivery of immunisations and FP. The methodological approach included the development of an initial programme theory and the selection of relevant, published implementation related theoretical frameworks to aid organisation and cumulation of findings. Data from 23 semi-structured interviews were then analysed to determine key empirical mechanisms and drivers and to test the initial programme theory. These mechanisms were mapped against published theoretical frameworks and a revised programme theory comprised of context-mechanism-outcome configurations was developed. A critique of theoretical frameworks for abstracting empirical mechanisms was also conducted. Results: Key contextual factors identified were: the use of trained Health Extension Workers (HEWs) to deliver FP services; a strong belief in values that challenged FP among religious leaders and community members; and a lack of support for FP from male partners based on religious values. Within these contexts, empirical mechanisms of acceptability, access, and adoption of innovations that drove decision making and intervention outcomes among health workers, religious leaders, and community members were identified to describe intervention implementation. Conclusions: Linking context and intervention components to the mechanisms they triggered helped explain the intervention outcomes, and more broadly how and for whom the intervention worked. Linking empirical mechanisms to constructs of implementation related theoretical frameworks provided a level of abstraction through which findings could be cumulated across time, space, and conditions by theorising middle-range mechanisms.

scholarly journals What mechanisms drive uptake of family planning when integrated with childhood immunisation in Ethiopia? A realist evaluation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shari Krishnaratne ◽  
Jessie K. Hamon ◽  
Jenna Hoyt ◽  
Tracey Chantler ◽  
Justine Landegger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family Planning ◽  
Child Health ◽  
Maternal And Child Health ◽  
Realist Evaluation ◽  
Religious Leaders ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Programme Theory ◽  
Integrated Delivery ◽  
And Child Health

Abstract Background:Maternal and child health are key priorities among the Sustainable Development Goals, which include a particular focus on reducing morbidity and mortality among women of reproductive age, newborns, and children under the age of five. Two components of maternal and child health are family planning (FP) and immunisation. Providing these services through an integrated delivery system could increase the uptake of vaccines and modern contraceptive methods (MCMs) particularly during the post-partum period. Methods:A realist evaluation was conducted in two woredas in Ethiopia to determine the key mechanisms and their triggers that drive successful implementation and service uptake of an intervention of integrated delivery of immunisations and FP. The methodological approach included the development of an initial programme theory and the selection of relevant, published implementation related theoretical frameworks to aid organisation and cumulation of findings. Data from 23 semi-structured interviews were then analysed to determine key empirical mechanisms and drivers and to test the initial programme theory. These mechanisms were mapped against published theoretical frameworks and a revised programme theory comprised of context-mechanism-outcome configurations was developed. A critique of theoretical frameworks for abstracting empirical mechanisms was also conducted. Results:Key contextual factors identified were: the use of trained Health Extension Workers (HEWs) to deliver FP services; a strong belief in values that challenged FP among religious leaders and community members; and a lack of support for FP from male partners based on religious values. Within these contexts, empirical mechanisms of acceptability, access, and adoption of innovations that drove decision making and intervention outcomes among health workers, religious leaders, and community members were identified to describe intervention implementation.Conclusions:Linking context and intervention components to the mechanisms they triggered helped explain the intervention outcomes, and more broadly how and for whom the intervention worked. Linking empirical mechanisms to constructs of implementation related theoretical frameworks provided a level of abstraction through which findings could be cumulated across time, space, and conditions by theorising middle-range mechanisms.

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