HIPs Implementation Tools Project

Launched in 2022, the HIPs Implementation Tools project aims to compile crucial resources for FP/RH practitioners, that provide guidance on effectively implementing and expanding the Family Planning High Impact Practices (HIPs). Responding to the growing need for resources that not only explain the effectiveness of the family planning HIPs, but that also offer practical guidance on implementing and scaling up these practices, the project collaborated in 2023 with FP/RH technical experts and implementers. Together, they published an initial set of resource collections focused on implementing and scaling up 7 selected Service Delivery and Social and Behavior Change HIPs. In October 2024, with additional expert support, the project released a new set of resource collections covering 8 additional family planning HIPs and HIP enhancements. Within each collection, viewers can find accessible knowledge products designed to help FP/RH professionals strengthen the implementation and scale-up of these HIPs in their programming. (Un petit nombre de ressources et d’études de cas sont disponibles en français pour chaque dossier.)

Source: Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs

Date of Publication: November 15, 2024

Strategic Selection of Malaria Social and Behavior Change Activities Using results from the Malaria Behavior Survey

This guidance includes practical instructions on how to use results from the Malaria Behavior Survey (MBS) to inform data-driven aspects of developing national malaria SBC strategies and the strategic selection of audiences, activities, and other aspects of SBC programs. Because the MBS delves into the factors associated with malaria-related behaviors, its findings equip program planners with evidence for making strategic decisions for SBC strategies and programs and thus help to justify SBC investments by malaria programs.

Last modified: September 23, 2024

Language: English

Source: Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs

Year of Publication: 2024

Risk Communication Plan for the first case of Ebola

This document describes possible risk communication activities supporting the public announcement of a possible first case of Ebola diagnosed in your country.

Last modified: August 5, 2024

Language: English

Source: Pan American Health Organization

Year of Publication: 2014

Évaluation externe conjointe des principales capacités RSI de la Guinée

L’Organisation mondiale de la Santé (OMS) a élaboré un processus de suivi-évaluation de la mise en œuvre des principales capacités demandées par le RSI (2005). Ce processus est composé de quatre activités principales : (1) les rapports annuels à rapporter à l’Assemblée mondiale de la Santé, (2) l’évaluation externe conjointe (EEC), (3) les revues après action (RAA) et (4) les exercices de simulation.

L’outil d’évaluation externe conjointe (EEC) mesure l’aptitude du pays à prévenir, détecter et répondre rapidement aux menaces de santé publique, qui résultent d’événements naturels, accidentels ou délibérément provoqués, selon les exigences du RSI (2005). Au terme de ce processus d’évaluation, un plan d’action national multisectoriel devra être élaboré.

La mission d’évaluation externe conjointe de la mise en œuvre des principales capacités du Règlement sanitaire international (RSI 2005) s’est déroulée du 22 au 26 mai 2023 à Conakry, en Guinée. Elle a été conduite par quinze évaluateurs externes, en collaboration avec des experts nationaux, issus de diverses institutions et services impliqués dans la mise en œuvre du RSI (2005).

Les points focaux nationaux – couvrant les 19 domaines techniques du RSI, avec leurs 56 indicateurs – ont tour à tour présenté les résultats de leur autoévaluation devant un panel d’experts en la matière, à l’échelle nationale et internationale.

Les présentations de chaque domaine technique ont porté sur le niveau de mise en œuvre du RSI dans le pays, ainsi que sur le rôle des acteurs nationaux, tout en prenant en compte l’approche « Un monde, une santé ».

Un aperçu général des capacités du pays a été dressé, mettant en exergue à la fois les atouts, les faiblesses et les défis pour chaque domaine, permettant ainsi d’attribuer des scores pour chaque indicateur et de proposer des mesures prioritaires en vue de relever chaque défi identifié.


Joint external evaluation of Guinea’s key RSI capabilities

The World Health Organization (WHO) has established a process to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the key capabilities outlined by the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005). This process includes four main activities: (1) annual reports to the World Health Assembly, (2) Joint External Evaluations (JEE), (3) after-action reviews (AAR), and (4) simulation exercises.

The Joint External Evaluation (JEE) tool assesses a country’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond rapidly to public health threats, whether they arise from natural, accidental, or deliberate events, as required by the IHR (2005). Upon completion of this evaluation, a comprehensive, multi-sectoral national action plan is developed.

From May 22 to 26, 2023, a JEE mission was conducted in Conakry, Guinea, to assess the implementation of the IHR (2005) core capacities. Fifteen external evaluators collaborated with national experts from various institutions and departments involved in the IHR (2005) implementation.

National focal points representing the IHR’s 19 technical areas and 56 indicators presented the results of their self-assessments to a panel of national and international experts. These presentations covered the level of IHR implementation in the country, highlighting the roles of national actors and incorporating the “One World, One Health” approach.

A comprehensive overview of the country’s capabilities was developed, outlining the strengths, weaknesses, and challenges in each area. This enabled the assignment of scores for each indicator and the proposal of priority measures to address the identified challenges.

Source: World Health Organization/Organisation mondiale de la Santé

Date of Publication: July 30, 2024

PLAN STRATEGIQUE UNE SEULE SANTE GUINEE [2019-2023]

Le Plan Stratégique Une Seule Santé Guinée (2019-2023) définit la mise en œuvre de l’approche One Health dans le pays. Cette stratégie collaborative s’appuie sur les liens entre la santé humaine, animale et environnementale pour mieux prévenir, détecter et riposter aux événements de santé publique. Le plan guide la Plateforme Une Seule Santé (PUSS) au niveau national, un groupe multisectoriel créé en 2017.

Développé à travers des consultations avec diverses parties prenantes, le plan décrit une stratégie quinquennale comportant cinq piliers clés : leadership et gouvernance, surveillance et alerte précoce, gestion des risques et préparation, riposte et contrôle, et communication et engagement. Ce document sert de feuille de route pour la PUSS et les autres organisations concernées travaillant sur Une Seule Santé (One Health) en Guinée. Le plan peut être revu et mis à jour selon les besoins pour s’adapter à l’évolution de la situation. “


The One Health Strategic Plan for Guinea (2019-2023)

The One Health Strategic Plan for Guinea (2019-2023) outlines how the country will implement the One Health approach. This collaborative strategy focuses on human, animal, and environmental health connections to better prevent, detect, and respond to public health events. The plan guides the National One Health Platform (OHP), a multi-sectorial group established in 2017.

Developed through consultations with various stakeholders, the plan outlines a five-year strategy with five key pillars: leadership and governance, surveillance and early warning, risk management and preparedness, response and control, and communication and engagement. This document serves as a roadmap for the OHP and other relevant organizations working on One Health in Guinea. The plan can be reviewed and updated as needed to adapt to changing circumstances.”

Source: REPUBLIQUE DE GUINEE

Date of Publication: July 30, 2024

Dynamics of Vaccine Hesitancy: A Practitioner’s Playbook

Over the past decade, coverage of routine immunizations for children has plateaued. During COVID-19, nearly 25 million children lost out on life-saving vaccinations leaving them still unprotected from VPDs today (UNICEF Innocenti, 2023). Almost half of these children live in the African continent (World Health Organization, 2020). Annually, nearly all children who die from VPDs are from LMICs (Frenkel, 2021). In 2018 alone, an estimated 99% of the 700,000 children who died from VPDs lived in LMICs (Frenkel L. D., 2021).

Assessing the features of vaccine hesitancy can show us that the intention to be vaccinated and the behavioral outcome of vaccination is intimately related to context, and the antecedents of vaccination vary across time, place, and vaccine. As such, Busara has been working closely with PATH to assess the dynamics of vaccine hesitancy and to develop actionable guidance on how to understand, categorize, and respond to vaccine hesitancy.

The DRIVE Demand project, launched by PATH with support from The Rockefeller Foundation, is a two-year initiative aimed at expanding the use of digital health tools to boost immunization in Honduras, Mali, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, and Zambia. By collaborating with Ministries of Health, we strived to enhance the understanding and influence of vaccine demand, supporting national COVID-19 and routine immunization goals while strengthening data-driven health systems across Asia, the Caribbean, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

To tackle vaccine hesitancy, Busara’s research took a four-step approach. We began with a thorough evidence review using the COM-B model to analyze behavioral dynamics. This was followed by qualitative studies with focus group discussions (FGDs) among unvaccinated adults, pregnant women, and community health workers. These discussions revealed crucial insights into the beliefs, attitudes, and concerns about vaccination across different demographics.

The study revealed that vaccine hesitancy exists on a continuum between acceptance and refusal, influenced by both abstract barriers (e.g., conspiracy theories) for those with negative attitudes, and more tangible barriers (e.g., social permission, vaccine availability) for those with neutral or positive attitudes. These findings were synthesized into actionable recommendations in our playbook for Ministries of Health to optimize immunization campaigns and pandemic preparedness, for understanding these dynamics is key to fostering vaccine intention and addressing the social and cultural factors behind vaccine hesitancy.

The DRIVE Demand project offers a valuable toolkit to help health ministries and partners effectively engage vaccine-hesitant populations and improve immunization rates.

Last modified: July 21, 2024

Language: English

Source: Busara

Year of Publication: 2024

Measuring Social and Behavior Change in Nutrition Programs: A Guide for Evaluators

Program evaluations play a critical role in improving the quality and determining the effectiveness of the social and behavior change (SBC) strategies and approaches needed to reach nutrition program outcomes. This guide supports implementing partners who are involved with evaluating an activity that uses SBC to improve multi-sectoral nutrition outcomes. The document focuses on enhancing skills by incorporating the nuances of evaluating SBC approaches for improving nutrition outcomes. Links to helpful general evaluation guidance are incorporated for reference.

Also available in French and Portuguese

Last modified: July 21, 2024

Language: English

Source: USAID Advancing Nutrition

Year of Publication: 2023

Approaching Provider Behavior Change Monitoring and Evaluation With a Social-Ecological Lens Brief

The Approaching Provider Behavior Change Monitoring and Evaluation With a Social-Ecological Lens brief builds on Breakthrough ACTON’s suite of provider behavior change (PBC) tools, which support the application of a social-ecological lens to design and implementation of PBC interventions. This suite of tools consists of the Provider Behavior Ecosystem Map and the Provider Behavior Change Toolkit. PBC interventions that are designed and implemented using a social-ecological lens must be monitored and evaluated through the same lens.

This brief explores the new frontiers of applying a social-ecological lens to the monitoring and evaluation of PBC interventions. It uses the organizing structure of the Provider Behavior Ecosystem Map to discuss insights, findings, and recommendations. There is also a list of illustrative indicators for consideration and use.

The primary audience for this brief is program planners and implementers working at the intersection of health systems strengthening, service delivery, and social and behavior change or otherwise working to understand and improve provider behavior through PBC interventions.

Although this brief and set of tools focuses on family planning and reproductive health (FP/RH) service delivery and use related examples, they can be applied more broadly to other health areas. This broader application is important given how commonly FP/RH providers offer services across health areas, especially in integrated service delivery.

A short instructional video in English and French was developed to provide an overview of the brief.

Last modified: June 10, 2024

Language: English, French

Source: Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs

Year of Publication: 2024

Addressing stigma and discrimination toward children and youth with disabilities through SBC – Disability Toolkit

This toolkit was developed to help achieve a world where “all children, including those with disabilities, live in barrier-free and inclusive communities, where persons with disabilities are embraced and supported, across the life cycle, to realize and defend their rights, and to achieve full and effective participation” (UNICEF Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy, 2022-2030).

SBC programming has a critically important and urgent role to play in identifying and implementing solutions that empower children with disabilities and their families and support their social inclusion. We are therefore pleased to share this practical guide to understanding and tackling the social norms and behaviors that limit the inclusion of children with disabilities in their communities.

This toolkit aims to provide insights, tools, and resources to help you understand the barriers to the inclusion of children with disabilities, with a focus on stigma and discrimination, and to offer practical support for designing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating social and behavior change (SBC) interventions that include children with disabilities and their families and empower them to be included in their communities and enjoy the same opportunities as their peers.

This toolkit comprises an introduction, a foundational module, seven thematic modules, a user guide and a Theory of Change (PowerPoint presentation).

The modules are as follows:

Module 0: Foundation
Module 1: Inclusive evidence generation
Module 2: Empowering children and youth with disabilities and their families
Module 3: Understanding and engaging communities
Module 4: Building disability-inclusive services
Module 5: Strengthening partnerships for advocacy
Module 6: SBC for disability inclusion in humanitarian action
Module 7: Monitoring, Evaluating, and Measuring

Last modified: May 2, 2024

Language: English

Source: UNICEF

Year of Publication: 2024

Using the EAST Framework in the Social and Behavior Change Work of Community Health and Nutrition Volunteers

This document provides guidance on delivering a one-day workshop that aims to increase the ability of the Community Health and Nutrition Volunteers to promote various behaviours in a way that enables and motivates people to adopt them. The acquired skills can be used in the context of group sessions, household visits, and individual counselling. The guidance is meant to be used by people who work on enhancing the community volunteers’ behaviour change capacities.

Last modified: April 17, 2024

Language: English

Source: ADRA Yemen

Year of Publication: 2023