Positive deviance for dual-method promotion among women in Uganda: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial

Effect of positive deviation on the diagnosis and treatment of gestational syphilis, and the prevention of congenital syphilis: A cohort study

Objectives

To describe the application of Positive Deviance (PD) and its outcomes in the diagnosis and treatment of gestational syphilis (GS) and the prevention of congenital syphilis (CS).

Material and methods

A descriptive cohort study was conducted. Women treated at the Subred Sur (SRS) of Bogotá, diagnosed with GS in 2017-2018, were included. The 2018 cohort was exposed to Positive Deviance (PD) to identify useful practices for CS prevention, implement them, and overcome existing barriers. Adherence to the Colombian Guideline for GS management and CS incidence were described.

Results

A total of 284 GS cases were confirmed. Timely treatment initiation increased from 81.8 % to 90.2 %, penicillin sensitivity testing decreased from 38 % to 12.9 %, and complete treatment improved from 43.8 % to 82.6 %. In 2018, 97.5 % received at least one dose of penicillin. The incidence rate of CS decreased from 41.9 % to 29.6 %. Of the patients, 45% were diagnosed with GS in the third trimester, among whom the CS incidence rate was 59 %.

Conclusions

This study describes the effects of applying PD as an innovative approach to improve adherence to timely and appropriate GS treatment and prevent CS. Prospective studies with a control group are needed to more robustly evaluate the benefits of this methodology in process and outcome indicators, as well as its impact on reducing mother to child transmission of syphilis.

Positive deviance for promoting dual-method contraceptive use among women in Uganda: a cluster randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effects of a positive deviance intervention on dual-method contraceptive use among married or in-union women.

DESIGN

Open-label cluster randomised controlled trial.

SETTING

20 health facilities in Mbarara District, Uganda.

PARTICIPANTS

960 married or in-union women aged 18-49 years using a non-barrier modern contraceptive method.

INTERVENTIONS

A combination of clinic-based and telephone-based counselling and a 1-day participatory workshop, which were developed based on a preliminary qualitative study of women practising dual-method contraception.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE

Dual-method contraceptive use at the last sexual intercourse and its consistent use in the 2 months prior to each follow-up. These outcomes were measured based on participants' self-reports, and the effect of intervention was assessed using a mixed-effects logistic regression model.

RESULTS

More women in the intervention group used dual-method contraception at the last sexual intercourse at 2 months (adjusted OR (AOR)=4.12; 95% CI 2.02 to 8.39) and 8 months (AOR=2.16; 95% CI 1.06 to 4.41) than in the control group. At 4 and 6 months, however, the proportion of dual-method contraceptive users was not significantly different between the two groups. Its consistent use was more prevalent in the intervention group than in the control group at 2 months (AOR=14.53; 95% CI 3.63 to 58.13), and this intervention effect lasted throughout the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

The positive deviance intervention increased dual-method contraceptive use among women, and could be effective at reducing the dual risk of unintended pregnancies and HIV infections. This study demonstrated that the intervention targeting only women can change behaviours of couples to practise dual-method contraception. Because women using non-barrier modern contraceptives may be more reachable than men, interventions targeting such women should be recommended.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

UMIN000037065.

Positive Deviance for Dual-Method Promotion among Women in Uganda: A Qualitative Study

Dual-method use is the most reliable form of protection against unintended pregnancies and human immunodeficiency virus/sexually transmitted infections (HIV/STIs). Although dual-method use remains uncommon among women in stable relationships, some women do practice it. In this study, we explored the barriers that make dual-method use rare and the behaviors of women who practice dual-method use using a positive deviance framework in Uganda. We screened 150 women using highly effective contraceptives at five health facilities. We identified nine women who practiced dual-method use and 141 women who did not. In a qualitative study, we conducted in-depth interviews with all nine women practicing dual-method use and 10 women randomly selected out of the 141 who did not. We performed a thematic analysis using the positive deviance framework. Regardless of practicing dual-method use or not, women faced perceived barriers against dual-method use, such as partner’s objection, distrust, shyness about introducing condoms into marital relationships, and limited access to condoms. However, women practicing dual-method use had higher levels of risk perception about unintended pregnancies and HIV/STIs. They also engaged in unique behaviors, such as influencing their partners’ condom use by initiating discussions, educating their partners on sexual risks and condom use, and obtaining condoms by themselves. These findings will be useful in developing effective community-led and peer-based interventions promoting dual-method use to reduce the dual burden of unintended pregnancies and HIV/STIs among women in Uganda.