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Finding Hope Away from Home: Supporting Displaced Populations in the World’s Largest Refugee Camp
Revitalizing and Expanding Commitment to Family Planning: A Shared Vision and Partnership for the Anglophone African Region
Validation of a measure to assess decision-making autonomy in family planning services in three low- and middle-income countries: The Family Planning Autonomous Decision-Making scale (FP-ADM)
Background: Integrating measures of respectful care is an important priority in family planning programs, aligned with maternal health efforts. Ensuring women can make autonomous reproductive health decisions is an important indicator of respectful care. While scales have been developed and validated in family planning for dimensions of person-centered care, none focus specifically on decision-making autonomy. The Mothers Autonomy in Decision-Making (MADM) scale measures autonomy in decision-making during maternity care. We adapted the MADM scale to measure autonomy surrounding a woman’s decision to use a contraceptive method within the context of contraceptive counselling. This study presents a psychometric validation of the Family Planning Autonomous Decision-Making (FP-ADM) scale using data from Argentina, Ghana, and India. Methods and findings: We used cross-sectional data from women in four subnational areas in Argentina (n = 890), Ghana (n = 1,114), and India (n = 1,130). In each area, 20 primary sampling units (PSUs) were randomly selected based on probability proportional to size. Households were randomly selected in Ghana and India. In Argentina, all facilities providing reproductive and maternal health services within selected PSUs were included and women were randomly selected upon exiting the facility. Interviews were conducted with a sample of 360 women per district. In total, 890 women completed the FP-ADM in Argentina, 1,114 in Ghana and 1,130 in India. To measure autonomous decision-making within FP service delivery, we adapted the items of the MADM scale to focus on family planning. To assess the scale’s psychometric properties, we first examined the eigenvalues and conducted a parallel analysis to determine the number of factors. We then conducted exploratory factor analysis to determine which items to retain. The resulting factors were then identified based on the corresponding items. Internal consistency reliability was assessed with Cronbach’s alpha. We assessed both convergent and divergent construct validity by examining associations with expected outcomes related to the underlying construct. The Eigenvalues and parallel analysis suggested a two-factor solution. The two underlying dimensions of the construct were identified as “Bidirectional Exchange of Information” (Factor 1) and “Empowered Choice” (Factor 2). Cronbach’s alpha was calculated for the full scale and each subscale. Results suggested good internal consistency of the scale. There was a strong, significant positive association between whether a woman expressed satisfaction with quality of care received from the healthcare provider and her FP-ADM score in all three countries and a significant negative association between a woman’s FP-ADM score and her stated desire to switch contraceptive methods in the future. Conclusions: Our results suggest the FP-ADM is a valid instrument to assess decision-making autonomy in contraceptive counseling and service delivery in diverse low- and middle-income countries. The scale evidenced strong construct, convergent, and divergent validity and high internal consistency reliability. Use of the FP-ADM scale could contribute to improved measurement of person-centered family planning services
Les effets du changement climatique sur la santé : expériences vécues par des jeunes du Bangladesh, du Guatemala et du Nigeria
Factors influencing community-facility linkage for case management of possible serious bacterial infection (PSBI) among young infants in Kenya
Despite evidence showing the feasibility and acceptability of implementing the World Health Organization’s guidelines on managing possible serious bacterial infections (PSBI) in Kenya, the initial implementation revealed sub-optimal community-facility referrals and follow-up of PSBI cases. This study explores facilitators and barriers of community-facility linkages in implementing PSBI guidelines in Busia and Migori counties, Kenya. We used an exploratory qualitative study design drawing on endline evaluation data from the ‘COVID-19: Mitigating Neonatal Mortality’ project collected between June and July 2022. Data include case narratives with caregivers of SYIs 0-59 days old (18), focus group discussions with community health volunteers (CHVs) (6), and in-depth interviews with facility-based providers (18). Data were analysed using an inductive thematic analysis framework. Between August 2021 and July 2022, CHVs assessed 10 187 newborns, with 1176 (12%) identified with PSBI danger signs and referred to the nearest facility, of which 820 (70%) accepted referral. Analysis revealed several factors facilitating community-facility linkage for PSBI treatment, including CHVs’ relationship with community members and facilities, availability of a CHV desk and tools, use of mobile app, training, and supportive supervision. However, challenges such as health system-related factors (inadequate providers, stockout of essential commodities and supplies, and lack of transport/ambulance), and individual-related factors (caregivers’ refusal to take referrals) hindered community-facility linkage. Addressing common barriers and fostering positive relationships between community health workers and facilities can enhance acceptance and access of PSBI services at the community level. Combining community health workers’ efforts with a mobile digital strategy can improve the efficiency of the identification, referral, and tracking of PSBI cases in the community and facilitate linkage with primary healthcare facilities
Clinical presentation, treatment response, and virology outcomes of women who seroconverted in the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring Trials—The Ring Study and DREAM
Background: Participants with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroconversion in The Ring Study, a phase 3 trial of dapivirine vaginal ring (DVR), or in the open-label extension trial dapivirine ring extended access and monitoring (DREAM) were offered enrollment in an observational cohort study (IPM 007) to assess clinical presentation and response to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Methods: Participants\u27 HIV infection was managed at local treatment clinics according to national treatment guidelines. IPM 007 study visits occurred 3 and 6 months after enrollment and every 6 months thereafter. Assessments included plasma HIV-1 RNA, CD4+ T-cell counts, and recording of HIV/AIDS-associated events and antiretroviral use. Post hoc virology analyses were performed for participants identified with virologic failure. Results: One hundred fifty-one of 179 eligible participants (84.4%) enrolled into IPM 007; 103 had previously received the DVR in the Ring or DREAM studies, and 48 had received placebo in The Ring Study. HIV-1 RNA and CD4+ T-cell counts after 12 months\u27 follow-up were similar for participants who used the DVR in The Ring Study and DREAM, compared to those who received placebo. Of the 78 participants with a study visit approximately 6 months after ART initiation, 59 (75.6%) had HIV-1 RNAConclusions: Seroconversion during DVR use did not negatively affect clinical presentation or treatment outcome. Mutation patterns at virologic failure were in line with individuals failing an NNRTI-based regimen. Clinical Trials Registration: NCT01618058
Infections averted by a comprehensive HIV prevention intervention and its cost-effectiveness: A prospective cohort study of persons who inject drugs in Delhi, India
This paper presents the cost-effectiveness of a WHO-recommended harm-reduction programme implemented among a cohort of persons who inject drugs in Delhi, India. We estimate the number of infections averted using Bernoulli process model and calculate cost-effectiveness ratio as the total programme cost per infection averted. The intervention averted 996 HIV infections over 36 months, with a cost-effectiveness ratio of INR 24,763 (US$ 476) per infection averted per year. The first phase, when HIV testing and counselling were initiated, was more cost-effective than the second phase when full intervention package, including needle-syringe exchange, condom distribution, harm-reduction education, etc., was implemented