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Allen EM, Frisancho A, Llanten C, Knep ME, Van Skiba MJ. Community Health Agents Advancing Women's Empowerment: A Qualitative Data Analysis. J Community Health 2022; 47:806-813. [PMID: 35749009 PMCID: PMC9477897 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-022-01107-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Community health agents (CHAs) play a critical role in primary healthcare delivery and health promotion in low-resource settings. Though there is substantial evidence of the benefits of CHAs in achieving targeted community health outcomes, there is limited research into the impact of empowerment experienced by CHAs themselves. This study examined how working as a CHA impacts the lives and self-perceptions of women in Peru volunteering with Catholic Medical Mission Board’s (CMMB) markedly successful robust CHA model. We conducted six focus group discussions (FGDs) of 53 CHAs who implement CMMB programming in Trujillo and Huancayo, Peru. The FGDs were designed to explore themes related to empowerment, changes in women’s lives, and perceptions of themselves. We identified four major themes related to women’s empowerment: achievements, agency, meaningfulness, and resources. The most common empowerment theme was achievements, expressed through subthemes of changes in family behavior, self worth, education, health and nutrition, and rights and politics. The second most common empowerment theme was agency, with subthemes related to increases in using their voice, confidence, decision making, and participation. CHAs also reported experiencing empowerment through enhanced meaningfulness. CMMB’s CHA model is an example of how well-structured community programs can facilitate women’s empowerment. Providing meaningful community leadership opportunities can have far-reaching effects on women’s perceptions of themselves as valuable, capable, and empowered leaders. This work deepens our understanding of how to practically improve community health through empowering women to catalyze gender equality in communities with disproportionate barriers and limited opportunities burdening them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Allen
- Department of Public Health, St. Catherine University, 2004 Randolph Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55104, USA.
| | | | | | - Maren E Knep
- Department of Public Health, St. Catherine University, 2004 Randolph Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55104, USA
| | - Michael J Van Skiba
- Department of Public Health, St. Catherine University, 2004 Randolph Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55104, USA
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Figueroa-Downing D, Baggio ML, Baker ML, Dias De Oliveira Chiang E, Villa LL, Eluf Neto J, Evans DP, Bednarczyk RA. Factors influencing HPV vaccine delivery by healthcare professionals at public health posts in São Paulo, Brazil. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2016; 136:33-39. [PMID: 28099706 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.12004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Revised: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the association between Brazilian healthcare providers' characteristics and their knowledge, perceptions, and practices regarding the HPV vaccine. METHODS An observational cross-sectional study was conducted at five public health posts in São Paulo between July 28 and August 8, 2014. Healthcare professionals directly involved in patient care were asked to complete a written survey. Factors associated with routine verification of HPV vaccination status were evaluated using Poisson regression. RESULTS Among 200 participants included, 74 (38.5%) reported never and 70 (36.5%) reported always asking about HPV immunization status. Doctors were significantly less likely to report always asking than were community health agents (5/39 [12.8%] vs 32/60 [53.3%]; adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 0.25 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.07-0.91]). Knowledge about the correct dosing schedule was associated with always rather than never verifying vaccination status (aPR 2.46 [95% CI 1.06-5.70]). CONCLUSION Knowledge and attitude played secondary roles in influencing HPV vaccine verification. Community health agents were crucial for vaccine promotion; continued education and support of this group is essential for the sustained success of HPV immunization efforts in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniella Figueroa-Downing
- Departments of Epidemiology and Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Misha L Baker
- Department of Behavioral Science and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Luisa L Villa
- The Cancer Institute of the State of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Radiology and Oncology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jose Eluf Neto
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Oncology Foundation of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Dabney P Evans
- Departments of Behavioral Science and Health Education and Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Robert A Bednarczyk
- Departments of Behavioral Science and Health Education and Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Emory Vaccine Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
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