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Dougherty L, Kassegne S, Nagbe R, Babogou J, Peace P, Moussa F, Kirk K, Tokplo H, Ouro-Gnao D, Agbodjan SP, Loll D, Werwie TR, Silva M. A qualitative exploration of how a community engagement approach influences community and health worker perceptions related to family planning service delivery in Togo. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2024; 6:1389716. [PMID: 39021709 PMCID: PMC11251956 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2024.1389716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Background There is a growing body of evidence that asserts community engagement approaches can improve the quality of reproductive health services. Family planning (FP) programs in Togo are implementing such approaches, which aim to mobilize both health workers and communities to improve FP service quality and FP uptake. However, there is not enough known about the enabling factors and challenges associated with implementation, or the extent to which the programs improve outcomes leading to contraceptive uptake. Methods We qualitatively explored how a community engagement approach influenced health worker and community perceptions related to FP service delivery in and around the city of Lomé, Togo, within the context of the broader integration of social and behavior change and service delivery. We conducted 18 in-depth interviews with health workers and 9 focus group discussions with community members. Results We found the approach, which included community dialogues, site walkthrough visits and the development of community action plans, worked synergistically together to support collaborative action between communities and health workers to increase mutual understanding of their collective needs related to FP services. Community members cited improved reception at the health facilities by health workers and indicated that the site walkthrough visits created a greater sense of empathy towards the providers and the challenges faced in their work environment. Health workers acknowledged a greater understanding of barriers at the community level following community dialogues, particularly among community members that are not routinely encountered at the health facility for reproductive health services such as men and youth. We found limited implementation of health facility improvements included in community action plans because they were dependent on commitment from community leadership and the need to mobilize additional support or financial resources. Conclusion Community engagement approaches are a promising mechanism to support collaboration and enhance mutual understanding between health workers and communities to achieve improved FP service quality. Future programs should consider incorporating additional mechanisms to monitor community action plans and provide support to address structural challenges at the facility level particularly those that require financial resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leanne Dougherty
- Breakthrough RESEARCH, Population Council, Washington, DC, United States
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Schwandt H, Boulware A, Corey J, Herrera A, Hudler E, Imbabazi C, King I, Linus J, Manzi I, Merritt M, Mezier L, Miller A, Morris H, Musemakweli D, Musekura U, Mutuyimana D, Ntakarutimana C, Patel N, Scanteianu A, Shemeza BE, Sterling-Donaldson G, Umutoni C, Uwera L, Zeiler M, Feinberg S. “She is courageous because she does not care what people think about her…”: attitudes toward adolescent contraception use among Rwandan family planning providers and adult female modern contraceptive users. Reprod Health 2022; 19:204. [PMID: 36333785 PMCID: PMC9636625 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-022-01517-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction In Rwanda, only 20% of sexually active unmarried young women use family planning as compared to 64% of married women. Adolescence is an important time of growth and development that often includes the initiation of sexual activity. Sexually active adolescents need support in accessing contraceptive services to prevent negative health outcomes. In sub-Saharan Africa, the adolescent population represents a large share of the total population and that proportion is predicted to expand over time. Adolescent contraceptive needs have largely been unmet, and with growing numbers, there is increased potential for negative health sequelae. Due to the low use of contraception by adolescents in Rwanda, and the growing population of adolescents, this study aims to explore the perspectives of family planning providers and adult modern contraceptive users on adolescent contraceptive use. Inclusion of adult community members in the study is a unique contribution, as research on adolescent contraceptive use in sub-Saharan Africa relies primarily on perspectives from adolescents and family planning providers. Methods This qualitative study in 2018 utilized 32 in-depth interviews with modern contraceptive users and eight focus group discussions with family planning providers. Respondents were from Musanze and Nyamasheke districts in Rwanda, the districts with the highest and lowest modern contraceptive use among married women, respectively. Coding was conducted in Atlas.ti. Results Stigma regarding premarital sex results in barriers to adolescent access to contraceptive services. Family planning providers do provide services to adolescents; however, they often recommend secondary abstinence, offer a limited method selection, and accentuate risks associated with sexual activity and contraceptive use. Providers support adolescent clients by emphasizing the need for privacy, confidentiality, and expedient services, particularly through youth corners, which are spaces within health facilities designed to meet youth needs specifically. Modern contraceptive-using adult female community members advocate for youth access to contraception, however mothers have mixed comfort discussing sexual health with their own youth. Conclusion To destigmatize premarital sexual activity, government efforts to initiate communication about this topic must occur at national and community levels with the goal of continued conversation within the family. The government should also train family planning providers and all health personnel interacting with youth on adolescent-friendly health services. Dialogue between community members and family planning providers about adolescent access to contraceptive services could also reduce barriers for adolescents due to community members’ generally supportive views on adolescent contraceptive use. Efforts to engage adolescent caregivers in how to talk to youth about sex could also contribute to expanded use. In Rwanda, youth who are having sex use family planning less than married women. This study involved asking family planning providers and adults what they think about youth using family planning. Data for this study was collected in 2018, and included 32 interviews with adult family planning users and eight group discussions with family planning providers in two areas of Rwanda. The findings show that Rwandans believe youth should not have sex before they are married. Family planning providers do provide youth with services; however, they often push stopping sexual activity, offer a smaller selection of family planning methods, and exaggerate risks associated with sex and family planning use. Family planning providers support youth by honoring their need for privacy, keeping their secrets, and providing fast services so fewer people see them at the clinic. Providers like to help adolescents in youth corners, which are special spaces within health facilities just for youth. Importantly, adult women who use family planning want youth in their community to be able to use family planning, too. In order to respond to the issues raised, the Rwandan government can start conversations in villages and more broadly about the need for youth to have access to family planning. The government should also teach family planning providers and anyone who comes into contact with youth to offer helpful and friendly services. Setting up spaces for adults to talk with family planning providers about youth access to family planning could also contribute to fewer barriers to services for adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary Schwandt
- grid.281386.60000 0001 2165 7413Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA USA
| | - Angel Boulware
- grid.263934.90000 0001 2215 2150Spelman College, Atlanta, USA
| | - Julia Corey
- grid.422659.e0000 0000 9111 4134Wheaton College, Norton, USA
| | - Ana Herrera
- Northwest Vista Community College, San Antonio, USA
| | - Ethan Hudler
- grid.422656.10000 0000 9839 7069Whatcom Community College, Bellingham, USA
| | | | - Ilia King
- grid.268355.f0000 0000 9679 3586Xavier University, New Orleans, USA
| | - Jessica Linus
- grid.266673.00000 0001 2177 1144University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, USA
| | | | - Madelyn Merritt
- grid.281386.60000 0001 2165 7413Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA USA
| | - Lyn Mezier
- grid.264273.60000 0000 8999 307XSUNY Oswego, Oswego, USA
| | - Abigail Miller
- grid.281386.60000 0001 2165 7413Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA USA
| | - Haley Morris
- grid.268194.00000 0000 8547 0132Western Oregon University, Monmouth, USA
| | | | - Uwase Musekura
- grid.255407.10000 0001 0579 3386Eastern Oregon University, La Grande, USA
| | | | | | - Nirali Patel
- grid.252353.00000 0001 0583 8943Arcadia University, Glenside, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Lyse Uwera
- grid.442742.30000 0004 0435 552XINES, Ruhengeri, Rwanda
| | - Madeleine Zeiler
- grid.281386.60000 0001 2165 7413Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA USA
| | - Seth Feinberg
- grid.281386.60000 0001 2165 7413Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA USA
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Acceptability and feasibility of community-based provision of urine pregnancy tests to support linkages to reproductive health services in Western Kenya: a qualitative analysis. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2022; 22:674. [PMID: 36050632 PMCID: PMC9434878 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-022-04869-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The majority of women living in rural Kenya access antenatal care (ANC) late in pregnancy, and approximately 20% have an unmet need for family planning (FP). This study aimed to determine whether training community health volunteers (CHVs) to deliver urine pregnancy testing (UPT), post-test counselling, and referral to care was an acceptable and feasible intervention to support timely initiation of ANC and uptake of FP. METHODS We applied community-based participatory methods to design and implement the pilot intervention between July 2018 and May 2019. We conducted qualitative content analysis of 12 pre-intervention focus group discussions (FGDs) with women, men, and CHVs, and of 4 post-intervention FGDs with CHVs, each with 7-9 participants per FGD group. Using a pragmatic approach, we conducted inductive line-by-line coding to generate themes and subthemes describing factors that positively or negatively contributed to the intervention's acceptability and feasibility, in terms of participants' views and the intervention aims. RESULTS We found that CHV-delivered point of care UPT, post-test counselling, and referral to care was an acceptable and feasible intervention to increase uptake of ANC, FP, and other reproductive healthcare services. Factors that contributed to acceptability were: (1) CHV-delivery made UPT more accessible; (2) UPT and counselling supported women and men to build knowledge and make informed choices, although not necessarily for women with unwanted pregnancies interested in abortion; (3) CHVs were generally trusted to provide counselling, and alternative counselling providers were available according to participant preference. A factor that enhanced the feasibility of CHV delivering UPT and counselling was CHV's access to appropriate supplies (e.g. carrying bags). However, factors that detracted from the feasibility of women actually accessing referral services after UPT and counselling included (1) downstream barriers like cost of travel, and (2) some male community members' negative attitudes toward FP. Finally, improved financial, educational, and professional supports for CHVs would be needed to make the intervention acceptable and feasible in the long-term. CONCLUSION Training CHVs in rural western Kenya to deliver UPT, post-test counselling, and referral to care was acceptable and feasible to men, women, and CHVs in this context, and may promote early initiation of ANC and uptake of FP. Additional qualitative work is needed to explore implementation challenges, including issues related to unwanted pregnancies and abortion, the financial burden of volunteerism on CHVs, and educational and professional supports for CHVs.
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