Role of Social Support in Improving Infant Feeding Practices in Western Kenya: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

Background: We designed and tested an intervention that used dialogue-based groups to engage infants' fathers and grandmothers to support optimal infant feeding practices. The study's aim was to test the effectiveness of increased social support by key household influencers on improving mothers' complementary feeding practices.

Methods: Using a quasi-experimental design, we enrolled mothers, fathers, and grandmothers from households with infants 6-9 months old in 3 rural communities (1 intervention arm with fathers, 1 intervention arm with grandmothers, and 1 comparison arm) in western Kenya.

What motivates maternal and child nutrition peer educators? Experiences of fathers and grandmothers in western Kenya.

Background: Peer-led dialogue groups (i.e., support or self-help groups) are a widely used community-based strategy to improve maternal and child health and nutrition.

Factors likely to affect community acceptance of a malaria vaccine in two districts of Ghana: a qualitative study.

Malaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children in Ghana. As part of the effort to inform local and national decision-making in preparation for possible malaria vaccine introduction, this qualitative study explored community-level factors that could affect vaccine acceptance in Ghana and provides recommendations for a health communications strategy. The study was conducted in two purposively selected districts: the Ashanti and Upper East Regions.

Community perceptions of malaria and vaccines in two districts of Mozambique.

Background: Malaria is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in Mozambique, with nearly three-quarters of the country's malaria-related deaths occurring in children younger than five years. A malaria vaccine is not yet available, but planning is underway for a possible introduction, as soon as one becomes available. In an effort to inform the planning process, this study explored sociocultural and health communications issues among individuals at the community level who are both responsible for decisions about vaccine use and who are likely to influence decisions about vaccine use.

Perceptions of malaria and vaccines in Kenya.

Malaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Kenya. To confront malaria, the Government of Kenya has been implementing and coordinating three approaches - vector control by distributing insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor residual spraying, case management, and the management of malaria during pregnancy. Immunization is recognized as one of the most cost-effective public health interventions.

Community perceptions of malaria and vaccines in the South Coast and Busia regions of Kenya.

Background: Malaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children younger than 5 years in Kenya. Within the context of planning for a vaccine to be used alongside existing malaria control methods, this study explores sociocultural and health communications issues among individuals who are responsible for or influence decisions on childhood vaccination at the community level.

Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in two malaria-endemic regions of Kenya--South Coast and Busia.

The role of interpersonal communication in preventing unsafe abortion in communities: the dialogues for life project in Nepal.

Legal, procedural, and institutional restrictions on safe abortion services-such as laws forbidding the practice or policies preventing donors from supporting groups who provide legal services-remain a major access barrier for women worldwide. However, even when abortion services are legal, women face social and cultural barriers to accessing safe abortion services and preventing unwanted pregnancy. Interpersonal communication interventions play an important role in overcoming these obstacles, including as part of broad educational- and behavioral-change efforts.

Human papillomavirus vaccine introduction in Vietnam: formative research findings.

Background: Formative research is a useful tool for designing new health interventions. This paper presents key findings from formative research conducted in Vietnam to guide human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine introduction.

Methods: We explored the sociocultural environment, health system capacity and the policy-making process using a combined quantitative and qualitative methodology.

Formative research to shape HPV vaccine introduction strategies in Peru.

Objective: To understand the sociocultural environment, health systems' capacities, and policy processes related to cervical cancer and HPV vaccines in order to inform HPV vaccine introduction.

Material And Methods: Mixed-method formative research using qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques. Participants included girls, parents, community leaders, health and education officials, and policymakers.

Health systems and immunization financing for human papillomavirus vaccine introduction in low-resource settings.

This descriptive qualitative study synthesizes health system and immunization financing assessments performed through formative research in India, Peru, Uganda, and Vietnam using a non-probability sample of national and sub-national stakeholders; and recommends appropriate and effective strategies for HPV vaccine delivery in low-resource settings. We conclude that maximum feasibility and acceptability and lowest cost for delivering HPV vaccine can be achieved by implementing through national immunization programs; by partnering with other sectors, such as education and maternal-child health; by strengthening existing human resources and cold chain infrastructures where needed; and finally, by considering schools for reaching the target population.

Assessing participation of women in a cervical cancer screening program in Peru.

Objective: To assess systemic and individual factors influencing participation of women in a screening program for cervical cancer.

Methods: In November 2000, a new cervical cancer screening program was introduced in the Region of San Martin, Peru. A total of 107 683 women, ages 25-49, were eligible for screening.

Sociocultural issues in the introduction of human papillomavirus vaccine in low-resource settings.

Objectives: (1) To synthesize sociocultural results from diverse populations related to vaccine decision-making, understanding of cervical cancer and its etiology, experience with previous vaccinations, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine concerns, and information needed to foster acceptance; (2) to contextualize findings in light of recent studies; and (3) to discuss implications for communication strategies to facilitate vaccine acceptance.

Design: Descriptive qualitative synthesis of sociocultural studies in 4 countries using iterative theme-based analyses.

Setting: Four developing countries: India, Peru, Uganda, and Vietnam.

Women's perspectives on cervical screening and treatment in developing countries: experiences with new technologies and service delivery strategies.

This review of studies conducted by partners in the Alliance for Cervical Cancer Prevention (ACCP) examines women's perspectives on, and acceptability of, new cervical cancer screening and treatment approaches, management by mid-level staff, single-visit strategies, treatment side effects, and post-treatment abstinence requirements in low-resource settings. All screening, managed by female nurses and irrespective of method or constellation of methods, appeared to be highly acceptable. Similarly, cryotherapy treatment, including cryotherapy managed by nurses immediately after screening, was well-received by women in the studies.

Cryotherapy treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: women's experiences in Peru.

Our objective was to examine cryotherapy experiences among women who received treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in a cervical cancer prevention project in rural Peru. The sample consisted of all women receiving cryotherapy during a 4-month period (July through October 2001). Structured interviews were conducted to collect information about the adequacy of information provision, women's satisfaction with cryotherapy, their ability to comply with postcryotherapy recommendations and condom use, their experience with cryotherapy side effects, and their satisfaction with cryotherapy follow-up.

Sexual practices, risk perception and knowledge of sexually transmitted disease risk among lesbian and bisexual women.

Context: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can be spread between female sex partners, probably through the exchange of cervicovaginal fluid and direct mucosal contact. Additionally, lesbians have a high prevalence of bacterial vaginosis, which may represent an STD in this population. However, few data on sexual practices or perceived STD risk among lesbians are available to guide development of interventions aimed at reducing the risk.

Factors affecting utilization of cervical cancer prevention services in low-resource settings.

Strategies for introducing or strengthening cervical cancer prevention programs must focus on ensuring that appropriate, cost-effective services are available and that women who most need the services will, in fact, use them. This article summarizes the experiences of research projects in Bolivia, Peru, Kenya, South Africa, and Mexico. Factors that affect participation rates in cervical cancer prevention programs are categorized in three sections.