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“Killing two birds with one stone” – a qualitative study on women’s perspectives on the dual prevention pill in Johannesburg, South Africa
No full textBackground: HIV incidence remains high in South Africa, with ~ 60% of all new HIV infections among adolescent girls and women (Country factsheets HIV and AIDS Estimates, 2022). Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), approved for HIV prevention in South Africa since 2015, is hampered by low uptake and adherence, particularly among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). Combining oral PrEP with oral contraceptives could increase PrEP uptake, persistence and address unmet needs for contraception. We investigated the acceptability of a dual prevention pill (DPP), combining oral PrEP and a combined oral contraceptive (COC) for HIV and pregnancy prevention among women in Johannesburg, South Africa. Methods: Between March-July 2021, we conducted 12 focus group discussions (FGDs) with adolescent girls and women (n = 74) aged 16–40 stratified by ages (16–17, 18–24, 25–40), half of whom were COC users. We explored adolescent girls and women’s opinions about the DPP concept, existing HIV and pregnancy prevention options, and input on perceived facilitators and barriers to DPP use. FGDs were conducted in English or isiZulu, using a standardized interview guide. FGDs were audio-recorded, transcribed to English and analyzed using ethnographic content analysis. Results: The majority viewed the DPP favorably as a multipurpose option preventing unplanned pregnancy and HIV. Most saw it as a convenient “two-in-one” solution, requiring one clinic visit for both PrEP and COCs. AGYW were viewed as the most likely to benefit from the DPP due to the likelihood of multiple partners and unplanned sex, possibly preventing school dropout from unplanned pregnancy or HIV acquisition. The DPP was perceived to be more reliable than condoms, especially when condom negotiation is limited. Benefits were also seen by participants in rape cases, protecting against pregnancy and HIV. DPP use barriers included side effect concerns, unsupportive partners and judgmental healthcare providers. Conclusions/significance: The DPP was perceived as acceptable for HIV and pregnancy prevention to AGYW in Johannesburg and its dual indications helpful in supporting improved PrEP uptake and persistence. DPP implementation programs need to consider solutions to potential barriers, like education on DPP benefits, coupled with reliable side effect support and healthcare provider sensitization as part of routine sexual health services to encourage uptake and adherence
Processes, experiences, and impact: A summary report on community-led Humanitarian Violence Against Children and Youth Survey (HVACS) results dissemination in Uganda
Get PDFThe Uganda Humanitarian Violence Against Children Survey (HVACS), completed in 2022 in refugee settlements in Uganda, was the first of the Baobab Research Programme Consortium’s (RPC’s) series of studies to be implemented. As a landmark study, and the first-ever HVACS, it provided critical insights into the state of Violence Against Children (VAC) in refugee settlements in Uganda. Baobab conducted a collaborative radio dissemination activity in Uganda that was designed to take place during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) commemorated between 25 November and 10 December 2023, aligning with the global theme “Invest to prevent violence against women and girls.” The 16 Days of Activism provided a platform to design and disseminate key messages by the Baobab RPC in partnership with the Government of Uganda (Office of the Prime Minister, Department of Refugees) and other stakeholders. The HVACS dissemination activity was successful in terms of raising awareness on VAC, rallying stakeholders to act, and catalyzing existing efforts in violence prevention and response
Exploring the value and replicability of integrating refugees and host community members into research activities in refugee settings
Get PDFThe Population Council leads the Baobab Research Program Consortium (RPC) in partnership with Population Council-Kenya and the African Population and Health Research Center. One of the successes of the RPC has been its intentional engagement of refugees and host community members in various aspects of its research and intervention implementation activities, including community entry and engagement, training workshops, and data collection. The Baobab RPC’s 2022–23 annual review included a recommendation to review the experience of including refugees and host community members in data collection training workshops, and to assess the value and viability of replicating this approach. While the approach to the engagement of refugees and host community members in various research and intervention implementation activities has been broad, here we explore the unique experience of conducting data collection training workshops with refugees and host community members ahead of the Ethiopian Humanitarian Violence Against Children and Young People Survey (HVACS) conducted between December 2023 and February 2024. This report focuses on post-training evaluation responses and interviews with participants during a training workshop held in November 2023
Factors associated with the acceptability of self-injection training by clients receiving DMPA-SC services from community pharmacies and Patent and Proprietary medicine Vendors in Nigeria
No full textThe self-administration of the subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-SC) has the potential to empower women and improve contraceptive use. Several studies have demonstrated the acceptability of the provider-administered DMPA-SC, for private, public, or community-based health providers, but less is known about self-injection training from community pharmacists (CPs) and Patent and Proprietary medicine Vendors (PPMVs) (also known as drug shops).
The dataset includes 186 new and returning users of the DMPA-SC who reported self-injection after being trained by CPs and PPMVs in Kaduna and Lagos states, Nigeria on the IntegratE project. Data collection was conducted between August and September 2019, and between May 2022 and June 2023. Quantitative telephone interviews were conducted with eligible clients within six (6) weeks of obtaining DMPA-SC commodities for self-injection from a trained CP or PPMV.
The purpose of this study was to examine the factors associated with the acceptance of DMPA-SC self-injection training when provided by trained CPs and PPMVs (known as drug shops) in Lagos and Kaduna states
Using opinion polls and vignettes to generate robust data to measure public opinion/attitudes on female genital mutilation in Isiolo County, Kenya: A pilot study
Get PDFThis study was conducted as part of the efforts of the Council\u27s FGM Data Hub to address measurement challenges encountered by programme implementers in measuring change and the effect of social desirability in the context of FGM. The study involved piloting a simple opinion poll survey using a combination of direct (self-report) and indirect (vignettes) questioning methodologies to generate robust data to measure public views on FGM. While opinion polls have been widely used in market research and to measure public views on other stigmatised or illegal behaviours such as abortion, they have rarely been used in the FGM context. Several studies have used vignettes to explore FGM, but the combination of vignettes with a quantitative approach is less common. The study aimed to improve the measurement of social attitudes/opinions toward FGM using this novel method. Findings suggest that indirect questioning methods allowed respondents to be more objective in their responses compared to direct questioning methods, thus leading to more robust data
Gender and education in Kenya
Get PDFThe Kenya Gender and Education Roadmap is a series of four evidence briefs designed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the gender and education landscape in Kenya. Drawing from a variety of key data sources, including the Population Council’s Evidence for Gender and Education Resource (EGER) Database, DHS and national-level datasets, and recent literature from East Africa the series provides data-driven insights into gender-related barriers to schooling, especially for girls. By combining needs assessments, current evidence, and practice-based research, the series sheds light on the alignments and gaps in Kenya’s efforts to achieve gender equity in education. This final brief of our Kenya Roadmap series pulls insights from the other briefs and highlights the alignment—or disconnects—between needs, evidence, and practice in the Kenya gender and education sector
Borophene: An emerging nanomaterial for biomedical applications
No full textThe emergence of 2D boron nanosheets as a highly promising class of nanomaterials has sparked significant interest in the scientific community. With their exceptional qualities encompassing mechanical strength, thermal conductivity, catalytic activity, anisotropic electrical conductivity, and tunable bandgap, these nanosheets have demonstrated remarkable versatility across a wide range of applications. This chapter provides a thorough and insightful overview of characterization techniques for 2D boron nanosheets including their potential in various fields. This chapter serves as a comprehensive resource, providing valuable insights into their extraordinary qualities and multidisciplinary potential in drug delivery and biomedical applications
Routine immunization against \u3ci\u3eStreptococcus pneumoniae\u3c/i\u3e and \u3ci\u3eHaemophilus influenzae\u3c/i\u3e type B and antibiotic consumption in India: A dynamic modeling analysis
No full textBackground: Childhood vaccinations can reduce disease burden and associated antibiotic use, in turn reducing the risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). We retrospectively estimated the population-level reductions in antibiotic use in India following the introduction of vaccines against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilius influenzae type B in the national immunization program for children in the mid-2010s and projected future gains to 2028 if vaccination coverage were to be increased. Methods: Using IndiaSim, a dynamic agent-based microsimulation model (ABM) for India, we simulated the spread of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilius influenzae type B (Hib) among children to estimate reductions in antibiotic use under the scenarios of: (i) pneumococcal and Hib vaccine coverage levels equivalent to the national coverage of pentavalent diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus third dose (DPT3) compared to a baseline of no vaccination, and (ii) near-universal (90%) coverage of the vaccines compared to pre-COVID national DPT3-level coverage. Model parameters, including national DPT3 coverage rates, were based on data from the National Family Household Survey 2015–2016 and other published sources. We quantified reductions in antibiotic consumption nationally and by state and wealth quintiles. Findings: We estimate that coverage of S. pneumoniae and Hib vaccines at the same level as DPT3 in India would translate to a 61.4% [95% UI: 43.8–69.5] reduction in attributable antibiotic use compared to a baseline of zero vaccination coverage. Increases in childhood vaccination coverage between 2004 and 2016 have likely reduced attributable antibiotic demand by as much as 93.4% among the poorest quintile. Increasing vaccination coverage by an additional 11 percentage points from 2016 levels results in mortality and antibiotic use across wealth quintiles becoming increasingly similar (p \u3c 0.05), reducing in health inquities. We project that near-universal vaccine coverage would further reduce inequities in antibiotic demand and may eliminate of outbreak-associated antibiotic use from S. pneumoniae and Hib. Interpretation: Though vaccination has a complex relationship with antibiotic use because both are modulated by socioeconomic factors, increasing vaccinations for S. pneumoniae and Hib may have a significant impact on reducing antibiotic use and improving health outcomes among the poorest individuals
