Dataset Information

Exploring the impact of a community participatory intervention on women's capability: a qualitative study in Gulu Northern Uganda.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Community participatory interventions mobilizing women of childbearing age are an effective strategy to promote maternal and child health. In 2017, we implemented this strategy in Gulu Northern Uganda. This study explored the perceived impact of this approach on women's capability.

Methods

We conducted a qualitative study based on three data collection methods: 14 in-depth individual interviews with participating women of childbearing age, five focus group discussions with female facilitators, and document analysis. We used the Sen capability approach as a conceptual framework and undertook a thematic analysis.

Results

Women adopted safe and healthy behaviors for themselves and their children. They were also able to respond to some of their family's financial needs. They reported a reduction in domestic violence and in mistreatment towards their children. The facilitators perceived improved communication skills, networking, self-confidence, and an increase in their social status. Nevertheless, the women still faced unfreedoms that deprived them of living the life they wanted to lead. These unfreedoms are related to their lack of access to economic opportunities and socio-cultural norms underlying gender inequalities.

Conclusion

To expand women's freedoms, we need more collective political actions to tackle gender inequalities and need to question the values underlying women's social status.

SUBMITTER: Belaid L

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7812725 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Exploring the impact of a community participatory intervention on women's capability: a qualitative study in Gulu Northern Uganda.

Belaid Loubna L Ochola Emmanuel E Bayo Pontius P Alii George William GW Ogwang Martin M Greco Donato D Zarowsky Christina C

BMC women's health 20210118 1

<h4>Background</h4>Community participatory interventions mobilizing women of childbearing age are an effective strategy to promote maternal and child health. In 2017, we implemented this strategy in Gulu Northern Uganda. This study explored the perceived impact of this approach on women's capability.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted a qualitative study based on three data collection methods: 14 in-depth individual interviews with participating women of childbearing age, five focus group discussions w ...[more]

PMID: 33461541

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Project description:IntroductionGiven the frequent initiation of antibacterial treatment at home by caregivers of children under five years in low-income countries, there is a need to find out whether caregivers' reports of prior antibacterial intake by their children before being brought to the healthcare facility are accurate. The aim of this study was to describe and validate caregivers' reported use of antibacterials by their children prior to seeking care at the healthcare facility.MethodsA cross sectional study was conducted among children under five years seeking care at healthcare facilities in Gulu district, northern Uganda. Using a researcher administered questionnaire, data were obtained from caregivers regarding reported prior antibacterial intake in their children. These reports were validated by comparing them to common antibacterial agents detected in blood and urine samples from the children using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods.ResultsA total of 355 study participants had a complete set of data on prior antibacterial use collected using both self-report and LC-MS/MS. Of the caregivers, 14.4% (51/355, CI: 10.9-18.5%) reported giving children antibacterials prior to visiting the healthcare facility. However, LC-MS/MS detected antibacterials in blood and urine samples in 63.7% (226/355, CI: 58.4-68.7%) of the children. The most common antibacterials detected from the laboratory analysis were cotrimoxazole (29%, 103/355), ciprofloxacin (13%, 46/355), and metronidazole (9.9%, 35/355). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value and agreement of self-reported antibacterial intake prior to healthcare facility visit were 17.3% (12.6-22.8), 90.7% (84.3-95.1), 76.5% (62.5-87.2), 38.5% (33.0-44.2) and 43.9% (k 0.06) respectively.ConclusionThere is low validity of caregivers' reports on prior intake of antibacterials by these children. There is need for further research to understand the factors associated with under reporting of prior antibacterial use.

Project description:BackgroundMany cancer patients in the low- and middle-income countries seek care with traditional health practitioners (THPs) and use traditional and complementary medicines (T&CMs) for treatment of cancers. Little is known about the perceptions and influence of THPs on cancer patients' help-seeking and treatment decisions. We aimed to explore perceptions of THPs regarding cancers, cancer causes, and preferred treatments for cancers, in order to identify aspects that can inform interventions to improve cancer outcomes in Uganda.MethodsWe conducted this ethnographic study in northern Uganda. In-depth interviews were conducted at the respondents' homes in quiet, open places, and in the absence of none- respondents. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim within a week of the interviews. Thematic qualitative analysis approaches were used to identify themes and subthemes.ResultsWe included 21 respondents in the study; most were male (16/21), married, with median age of 59 years (range 39 - 80). Most respondents perceived cancer as a new and challenging disease, while one respondent thought of cancer as a result of an imbalance within the body. Most confessed unawareness of the causes of cancers, but believed that cancer could result from the interplay of a number of factors including poor diets, ingestions of chemical agents, and assaults by the spirits of the dead. Some reported that cancers (especially of women's genital tracts) were sexually transmitted, or caused by accumulation of dirt. Only few healers treated cancers. Most respondents reported that they referred cancer patients to biomedical facilities, sometimes after they have first used their medicines. Most respondents hoped that collaborative research with scientists could help them identify potent T&CMs that cure cancers.ConclusionTraditional health practitioners require training on cancer causes, symptoms and signs, and the necessity for prompt initiation of effective treatments in order to improve cancer outcomes. The predisposition of the majority of respondents to refer cancer patients to biomedical services sets a fertile ground for meaningful cooperation between biomedical and traditional health practices. The national health system in the low- and middle-income countries could formally recognize traditional health practices as a component of the national healthcare system, and encourage the two to practice side by side.

Project description:ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence, predictors and case fatality risk of hypothermia among neonates in Lira district, Northern Uganda.SettingThree subcounties of Lira district in Northern Uganda.DesignThis was a community-based cross-sectional study nested in a cluster randomised controlled trial.ParticipantsMother-baby pairs enrolled in a cluster randomised controlled trial. An axillary temperature was taken during a home visit using a lithium battery-operated digital thermometer.Primary and secondary outcomesThe primary outcome measure was the prevalence of hypothermia. Hypothermia was defined as mild if the axillary temperature was 36.0°C to <36.5°C, moderate if the temperature was 32.0°C to <36.0°C and severe hypothermia if the temperature was <32.0°C. The secondary outcome measure was the case fatality risk of neonatal hypothermia. Predictors of moderate to severe hypothermia were determined using a generalised estimating equation model for the Poisson family.ResultsWe recruited 1330 neonates. The prevalence of hypothermia (<36.5°C) was 678/1330 (51.0%, 95%?CI 46.9 to 55.1). Overall, 32% (429/1330), 95%?CI 29.5 to 35.2 had mild hypothermia, whereas 18.7% (249/1330), 95%?CI 15.8 to 22.0 had moderate hypothermia. None had severe hypothermia. At multivariable analysis, predictors of neonatal hypothermia included: home birth (adjusted prevalence ratio, aPR, 1.9, 95%?CI 1.4 to 2.6); low birth weight (aPR 1.7, 95%?CI 1.3 to 2.3) and delayed breastfeeding initiation (aPR 1.2, 95%?CI 1.0 to 1.5). The case fatality risk ratio of hypothermic compared with normothermic neonates was 2.0 (95% CI 0.60 to 6.9).ConclusionThe prevalence of neonatal hypothermia was very high, demonstrating that communities in tropical climates should not ignore neonatal hypothermia. Interventions designed to address neonatal hypothermia should consider ways of reaching neonates born at home and those with low birth weight. The promotion of early breastfeeding initiation and skin-to-skin care could reduce the risk of neonatal hypothermia.Trial registration numberClinicalTrial.gov as NCT02605369.

Project description:OBJECTIVE:To explore the temporal changes of adolescents' views and experiences of participating in a gamified intervention to encourage physical activity behaviour and associated processes of behaviour change. DESIGN:A qualitative longitudinal design was adopted whereby focus groups were conducted with the same participants in each intervention school (n=3) at four time-points (baseline, end of each of two intervention phases and 1-year follow-up). The framework method was used to thematically analyse the data. SETTING:Secondary schools (n=3), Belfast (Northern Ireland). PARTICIPANTS:A subsample (n=19 at four time-points) of individuals aged 12-14?years who participated in the StepSmart Challenge, a gamified intervention involving a pedometer competition and material rewards to encourage physical activity behaviour change. RESULTS:Three core themes were identified: (1) competition; (2) incentives and (3) influence of friends. Participants indicated that a pedometer competition may help initiate physical activity but suggested that there were a number of barriers such as participants finding it 'boring', and feeling as though they had a remote chance of 'winning'. 'Incentives' were viewed favourably, although there were participants who found not winning a prize 'annoying'. Friends were a motivator to be more physically active, particularly for girls who felt encouraged to walk more when with a friend. CONCLUSIONS:The intervention in general and specific gamified elements were generally viewed positively and deemed acceptable. Results suggest that gamification may have an important role to play in encouraging adolescents to engage in physical activity and in creating interventions that are fun and enjoyable. The longitudinal approach added additional depth to the analysis as themes were refined and tested with participants over time. The findings also suggest that gamified Behaviour Change Techniques align well with core concepts of Self-determination Theory and that various game elements may require tailoring for specific populations, for example, different genders. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:NCT02455986; Pre-results.

Dataset Information

Exploring the impact of a community participatory intervention on women's capability: a qualitative study in Gulu Northern Uganda.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Exploring the impact of a community participatory intervention on women's capability: a qualitative study in Gulu Northern Uganda.

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