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More USAID and Breakthrough ACTION R-CEFM Remedial Education Program Learning Documents Resources

USAID and Breakthrough ACTION R-CEFM Remedial Education Program Learning Documents

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Breakthrough ACTION Nepal’s Reducing Child, Early and Forced Marriage (Nepal R-CEFM) Project aims to strengthen the institutional and technical capacity of the Government of Nepal (GON). The project operates in Madhesh Province to design, implement, monitor, evaluate, and coordinate effective social and behavior change (SBC) activities and child protection (CP) system strengthening for reducing CEFM through a community-based, multi-sectoral, data-driven lens.

The following documents focus on R-CEFM project activities designed to increase learning outcomes for adolescent girls (with the inclusion of boys) through non-formal education.

  1. Remedial Education Program Learning in brief
  2. Remedial Education Program Infographic
  3. Quantitative Endline Assessment Report: Baseline and Endline Scores
  4. Qualitative Learning Documentation Report: Remedial Education Classes and Non-formal Approaches Used to Improve Learning Outcomes for Adolescent Girls (with the Inclusion of Boys) in Nepal
  5. Findings from a Most Significant Change assessment following the R-CEFM Project’s remedial education program
  6. Remedial Education Program Presentation

Source: Breakthrough ACTION/Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs

Date of Publication: February 8, 2023

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Environmental and Behavioral Determinants of Lassa Fever: A qualitative exploration among communities and health care workers in Tonkolili and Kenema districts, Sierra Leone

Local health authorities have classified Lassa fever as a priority zoonotic disease in many sub-Saharan African countries, including Sierra Leone. While much research has been published about Lassa fever, it has primarily focused on clinical diagnosis and epidemiological surveillance. Few studies are available globally on the sociocultural and behavioral drivers of Lassa fever, and particularly from Sierra Leone.

This study— conducted by Breakthrough ACTION, based at Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, in collaboration with the Sierra Leone One Health Risk Communication Technical Working Group (OHRC TWG)—explored community members’ perceptions, knowledge, and behaviors associated with rodents in general and rats that carry Lassa fever specifically.

Specific research objectives included describing and understanding the following:

  1. The context of Lassa fever in affected communities.
  2. Individual and community norms and behaviors that increase risk and vulnerability for Lassa fever.
  3. Personal experiences with rats during daily living and with Lassa fever sickness.
  4. The level of knowledge and awareness of Lassa fever among community members.
  5. Knowledge of what to do if one suspects that they or someone else has Lassa fever.
  6. Knowledge of ways to prevent Lassa fever among community members.
  7. Individual perceptions of behavioral and other drivers of Lassa fever.

The study results also support the following:

  1. Developing credible sources of information about the risk and transmission of Lassa fever.
  2. Generating findings to serve as a reference point for One Health sectors including the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS), Environmental Protection Agency, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and other health agencies working to strengthen sensitization to Lassa fever in the country.
  3. Mitigating potential rumors and misinformation about Lassa fever.
  4. Identifying credible sources and/or developing credible materials to promote behavior change.

This report summarizes key findings on the social and behavioral drivers of Lassa fever in the Kenema and Tonkolili districts of Sierra Leone.

Source: Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs

Date of Publication: February 3, 2023

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Adaptation, Experiences, and Support Needs of Survivors of Ebola Virus Disease in Bombali and Kenema Districts of Sierra Leone: Formative Assessment in Kenema and Bombali Districts
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Adaptation, Experiences, and Support Needs of Survivors of Ebola Virus Disease in Bombali and Kenema Districts of Sierra Leone: Formative Assessment in Kenema and Bombali Districts

After Sierra Leone’s Ebola epidemic, the Government of Sierra Leone, USAID and other partners developed and implemented the Comprehensive Program for Ebola Survivors (CPES) to support access to care and improve livelihoods for survivors of Ebola virus disease (EVD). In spite of these program priorities, EVD survivors in Sierra Leone have reported stigma and discrimination based on their survivor status and fears of transmission of the virus.

A recent outbreak of EVD in Guinea in February 2021 was found to be genetically linked to the 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak and may possibly be linked to a latent or relapsed infection linked to an EVD survivor. This potential outbreak origin was reported in local news outlets and spread through some local communities, heightening EVD survivors’ fears of increased stigma and ostracization. Breakthrough ACTION collaborated with the Sierra Leone Public Information, Risk Communication, and Social Mobilization pillar and representatives of the Sierra Leone Association of Ebola Survivors (SLAES) to support Ebola preparedness planning in Sierra Leone.

This qualitative study among EVD survivors in Sierra Leone was based on recommendations from the WHO to increase understanding of how new knowledge about the potential for long-term latent infection and transmission of EVD affects EVD survivors’ perceptions of risk, psychosocial needs, concerns around health and stigma, and relationships with others including health workers. Informal discussion groups among EVD survivors were conducted in Kenema and Bombali districts to elicit information about these themes. The study was approved by the Johns Hopkins University Institutional Review Board and the Sierra Leone Ethics and Scientific Review Council, and was a collaboration between Breakthrough ACTION, the Sierra Leone Public Information, Risk Communication, and Social Mobilization (PIRCSM) pillar, and representatives of the Sierra Leone Association of Ebola Survivors (SLAES). The results may be used to identify information gaps that can be addressed through risk communication interventions to support EVD survivors.

Source: Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs

Date of Publication: February 3, 2023

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“Building Trust and Empathy Around COVID-19” training curriculum

Breakthrough ACTION supports the Government of Nigeria (GON) to create an enabling environment for preparedness, response, and recovery from emerging pandemic threats and infectious disease outbreaks. Working with and through healthcare workers (HCWs) during the COVID-19 response efforts has been key to this support. Research shows:

  • HCWs are trusted messengers for social and behavior change (SBC) interventions. Results from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Sydani Vaccine Hesitancy Study in Nigeria showed that 83% of participants said they would seek advice from an HCW in the decision to get vaccinated for COVID-19.
  • HCWs were largely more likely to be vaccinated than the general population for COVID-19. However, many remained vaccine-hesitant. This was largely due to a lack of confidence in the vaccines, followed by a lack of trust in government/public figures, fear of adverse effects, constraints to access, and a low perception of the risk of disease.
  • HCWs reported that they lacked sufficient information on COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines and required more information on COVID-19 and vaccination.

In response to this demonstrated need, Breakthrough ACTION in collaboration with partners in Nigeria developed the “Building Trust and Empathy Around COVID-19” training curriculum, which aims to not only build the skills of HCWs in providing empathetic care but also support them in navigating their own self-care to avoid burnout during an emergency. The training combines an in-person component along with virtual coaching support and reference materials. These include:

A blog on Breakthrough ACTION’s website describes the training curriculum and lessons learned.

Source: Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs

Date of Publication: February 3, 2023

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Monitoring and Evaluating Social and Behavior Change Approaches
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Monitoring and Evaluating Social and Behavior Change Approaches [Course]/Suivi et l’évaluation des approches de changement social et de comportement [Cours]

This course aims to support SBC programs by explaining how they can develop a robust theory-driven monitoring & evaluation (M&E) plan that provides evidence which can strengthen implementation and support program evaluation. It comprises three short instructional videos that last between 10 and 15 minutes. A How-to Brief which students can print for easy reference accompanies the videos.

Breakthrough RESEARCH designed this course for program managers and mid-level professionals who are not trained as researchers but need to understand both the rationale for using a theory-based approach to designing programs and the measurement processes involved. The course will help managers support research and M&E staff and ensure they have programmatic data required to track results over time and at program completion. While the steps presented include examples specific to family planning programs, they can be used for any SBC program.

Suivi et l’évaluation des approches de changement social et de comportement [Cours]

Ce cours vise à soutenir les programmes de CSC en expliquant comment ils peuvent développer un plan de suivi et d’évaluation (S&E) solide, basé sur la théorie, qui fournit des preuves pouvant renforcer la mise en œuvre et soutenir l’évaluation du programme. Il comprend trois courtes vidéos didactiques d’une durée de 10 à 15 minutes. Les vidéos sont accompagnées d’un guide pratique que les étudiants peuvent imprimer pour s’y référer facilement.

Breakthrough RESEARCH a développé ce cours pour les gestionnaires de programmes et les professionnels de niveau intermédiaire qui n’ont pas de formation de chercheur mais qui ont besoin de comprendre à la fois la raison d’être de l’utilisation d’une approche basée sur la théorie pour concevoir des programmes et les processus de mesure impliqués. Le cours aidera les gestionnaires à soutenir le personnel de recherche et de S&E et à s’assurer qu’ils disposent des données programmatiques nécessaires pour suivre les résultats dans le temps et à la fin du programme. Bien que les étapes présentées comprennent des exemples spécifiques aux programmes de planification familiale, elles peuvent être utilisées pour tout programme du CSC.

Last modified: February 1, 2023

Language: English, French

Source: Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs

Year of Publication: 2023

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Cocreation in Health Workforce Planning
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Cocreation in Health Workforce Planning to Shape the Future of the Health Care System in the Philippines

The need for an updated health workforce national plan for the Philippines was prompted by the passage in July 2019 of landmark legislation on universal health coverage (UHC), which guaranteed UHC for all Filipinos and prescribed complementary reforms in the health care system.

This program case study describes a cocreation process to generate and analyze data on health professions as part of strategic planning to inform the development of a national health workforce master plan for the Philippines. By describing both the process and findings, the study seeks to provide relevant lessons for policymakers, program managers, researchers, and other stakeholders who deal with health workforce issues in low- and middle-income countries.

Date of Publication: January 31, 2023

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Liberia National Respectful Maternity Care Strategy

The Liberia National Respectful Maternity (RMC) Strategy outlines the Ministry of Health’s 5-year approach to addressing the drivers of disrespect and abuse in order to ensure respectful maternity care. It also outlines the Ministry’s priorities and identifies interventions that can uphold the rights of pregnant women through the continuum of care, beginning with the onset of pregnancy to labor.

This strategy is intended to be used by policymakers, program managers, and planners at all levels in both public and private sectors, health service providers across all levels of the services delivery, health training institutions, professionals associations and bodies, development partners, and all stakeholders who support the implementation of activities that are geared towards improving the experience of care for childbearing women and newborns.

The Liberia National Respectful Maternity (RMC) Strategy was developed through a participatory process. The Ministry of Health’s Family Health Program appreciatively acknowledges the contributions of many stakeholders, representing several divisions and units of the Ministry of Health, implementing partners, international and local non-governmental organizations, faith-based organizations, professional bodies, and academic institutions who provided deep insight and support in the development of this strategy. Professional and technical experts of the following institutions and partners contributed to the development of this strategy:

  • Ministry of Health
    • Family Health Program
    • Nursing and Midwifery Division
    • County Health Services Division
    • Nutrition Division
    • Fixed Amount Reimbursement Agreement (FARA)
    • Global Financing Facility, World Bank
    • County Health Teams
    • Hospital Medical Directors
  • Planned Parenthood Association of Liberia
  • National Public Health Institute of Liberia
  • Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI)
  • Serene Health Inc
  • Liberia Prevention of Maternal Mortality
  • Breakthrough ACTION Liberia
  • ideas42
  • Last Mile Health
  • Liberia Board of Nursing and Midwifery
  • Americares
  • United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
  • United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
  • Partners in Health
  • A.M. Dogliotti College of Medicine
  • Episcopal Church of Liberia Development Relief

Source: Breakthrough ACTION

Date of Publication: January 30, 2023

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Growing Up GREAT! Implementation Guide

Growing Up Great! is a scalable, multi-level intervention designed to improve sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and gender equity among very young adolescents (VYA) and the important adults in their lives. It supports VYAs and their communities to question and break down social barriers that prevent access to health information and services. It was piloted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2017-2018 under the Passages Project, which aims to address a broad range of social norms, at scale, to achieve sustained improvements in family planning and reproductive health. Growing Up GREAT! was evaluated by the Global Early Adolescent Study and shown to be effective at shifting several key SRH attitudes and norms.

The Growing Up GREAT! Implementation Guide is a step-by-step resource for organizations who wish to adopt the intervention. It provides users with guidance, tested tools, and materials for planning, implementing, supervising, and monitoring this successful norms-shifting intervention.

Annex A provides detailed guidance on adapting the Growing Up GREAT! intervention and materials to different contexts: https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/document/growing-great-adaptation-guide/

Annex B includes resources in the VYA Toolkit, a package of interactive, age-appropriate materials used during activities with VYAs: https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/collection/annex-b-vya-toolkit/

Other supporting materials for parents, teachers, and health providers are included throughout the guide.

French Implementation Guide: https://www.irh.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/GREAT-ImplementationGuide-French_FINAL.pdf

Source: Save the Children

Date of Publication: January 24, 2023

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SKY Girls - Social Marketing Handbook
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More Adolescents and Young Persons Resources

SKY Girls Social Marketing Handbook

The SKY Girls Social Marketing Handbook is a users’ guide to developing and launching a social marketing program. It sets out the different stages of program creation and implementation, from selecting a target market to designing your launch strategy and measuring the success of the program.

This handbook is informed by lessons learnt through implementing SKY Girls: a multimedia empowerment program aimed at adolescent girls. Throughout, it draws on examples and insights from the SKY Girls implementers.

It is designed for individuals or organizations who already know which societal challenge they are seeking to address, and are considering a social marketing approach.

Last modified: January 23, 2023

Language: English

Source: Good Business

Year of Publication: 2022

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Ethical Social/Behavioral Research with Adolescent Participants
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Ethical Social/Behavioral Research with Adolescent Participants (training manual)

The purpose of this guide is to prepare researchers who will recruit adolescents into human subject research studies for the ethical and legal issues which may be associated with social/behavioral research in this group. The guide intends to promote critical thinking and discussion among researchers on how to address these issues and provide some practical examples.

Last modified: January 23, 2023

Language: English

Source: Global Early Adolescent Study

Year of Publication: 2022

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