Operations Research
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Sound operations research is a fundamental component of C-Change’s work. Its findings guide the SBCC capacity strengthening strategies in different settings, the tools, and training we develop, and the interventions we design, adapt, and promote. To date, research is being conducted on
- gender and social norms that affect the health and well-being of males as well as females, including the uptake of modern family planning services and the practice of multiple concurrent partnerships
- the added value of radio communications that address gender norms when promoting community-based distribution of oral contraceptives
- the use of new technologies such as text messaging to communicate about modern family planning and other health and development interventions
Gender and social norms—attitudes, beliefs, and practices—are often at the center of our operations research, since they have considerable impact on health outcomes and health status.
Important C-Change research underway in sub-Saharan Africa
Underserved Women: C-Change is beginning qualitative research in South Africa that identifies social norms and other factors that make women ages 20–34 highly vulnerable to HIV infection, along with communication strategies that can reach them and reduce their vulnerability. Similar research will be conducted in Namibia and Ethiopia. Among questions that the research aims to answer are whether current HIV prevention campaigns are adequate and reaching these women and what informal social networks are available and used by women in this age group. These questions were informed by pre-assessment visits and a literature review.
Prevention with People Living with HIV (PLHIV): C-Change is designing studies to identify interventions that more adequately meet prevention needs of PLHIV. The studies highlight opportunities to improve the design, implementation, and coordination of such interventions, particularly those at community levels. The studies will be Implemented in Mozambique, Uganda, and Ethiopia, and have been informed by pre-assessment visits and a literature review. Among issues under investigation are current barriers to the adoption of health-seeking behaviors and how prevention is understood by different groups: PLHIV (disaggregated by gender), clinic and home-based care providers, support groups, and networks. The studies address how well prevention needs are addressed at facility and community levels and whether these activities are linked.
Paper Version of the Standard Days Method: In Benin, C-Change is engaged in designing and testing a paper version of the Standard Days Method to promote and supplement the current CycleBeads used to keep track of fertile days in a woman's menstrual cycle.
Mobile Phone Messaging for Reproductive Health: In Malawi, C-Change is investigating the impact of focused, short messages sent via mobile phone to promote utilization of family planning services to clinic clients and their friends. The messages highlight the benefits of family planning methods and address misconceptions about them.
SBCC Support for Integrated Family Planning and HIV Services: In the Ludazi District in Zambia, C-Change is analyzing the effects of community-informed SBCC strategies on uptake of family planning services that are integrated into HIV/TB services at clinic and community levels and whether these strategies help to dispel erroneous beliefs and rumors about modern family planning methods.
Linked Natural Resource Management and Family Planning Networks: In Mali, C-Change is determining the feasibility of building linked networks and areas for collaboration, mapping individuals, organizations, and issues and institutionalizing SCALE training.
