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Aidam E, Varela V, Abukari F, Torres KA, Nisingizwe MP, Yourkavitch J, Yakubu E, Abubakari A, Ibrahim R, Oot L, Beck K, Azumah S, Issahaku AH, Apoassan Jambeidu J, Abdul-Rahman L, Adu-Asare C, Uyehara M, Cashin K, Karnati R, Kirk CM. Promoting responsive care and early learning practices in Northern Ghana: results from a counselling intervention within nutrition and health services. Public Health Nutr 2024; 27:e77. [PMID: 38328894 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980024000156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study assesses change in caregiver practices after integrating responsive care and early learning (RCEL) in nutrition and health services and community platforms in northern Ghana. DESIGN We trained health facility workers and community health volunteers to deliver RCEL counselling to caregivers of children under 2 years of age through existing health facilities and community groups. We assessed changes in caregivers' RCEL practices before and after the intervention with a household questionnaire and caregiver-child observations. SETTING The study took place in Sagnarigu, Gushegu, Wa East and Mamprugu-Moagduri districts from April 2022 to March 2023. Study sites included seventy-nine child welfare clinics (CWC) at Ghana Health Service facilities and eighty village savings and loan association (VSLA) groups. PARTICIPANTS We enrolled 211 adult caregivers in the study sites who had children 0-23 months at baseline and were enrolled in a CWC or a VSLA. RESULTS We observed improvements in RCEL and infant and young child feeding practices, opportunities for early learning (e.g. access to books and playthings) in the home environment and reductions in parental stress. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the effectiveness of integrating RCEL content into existing nutrition and health services. The findings can be used to develop, enhance and advocate for policies integrating RCEL into existing services and platforms in Ghana. Future research may explore the relationship between positive changes in caregiver behaviour and improvements in child development outcomes as well as strategies for enhancing paternal engagement in care practices, improving child supervision and ensuring an enabling environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enam Aidam
- USAID Advancing Nutrition, 2733 Crystal Drive, Fourth Floor, Arlington, VA22201, USA
- JSI Research & Training Institute, 2733 Crystal Drive, Fourth Floor, Arlington, VA22201, USA
| | - Veronica Varela
- USAID Advancing Nutrition, 2733 Crystal Drive, Fourth Floor, Arlington, VA22201, USA
- JSI Research & Training Institute, 2733 Crystal Drive, Fourth Floor, Arlington, VA22201, USA
| | - Fauzia Abukari
- JSI Research & Training Institute, 2733 Crystal Drive, Fourth Floor, Arlington, VA22201, USA
- USAID Advancing Nutrition Ghana, Plot# 11, Jisonaayili-Gurugu, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Kelsey A Torres
- USAID Advancing Nutrition, 2733 Crystal Drive, Fourth Floor, Arlington, VA22201, USA
- JSI Research & Training Institute, 2733 Crystal Drive, Fourth Floor, Arlington, VA22201, USA
| | - Marie Paul Nisingizwe
- USAID Advancing Nutrition, 2733 Crystal Drive, Fourth Floor, Arlington, VA22201, USA
- University of British Columbia, School of Population and Public Health, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jennifer Yourkavitch
- USAID Advancing Nutrition, 2733 Crystal Drive, Fourth Floor, Arlington, VA22201, USA
- Results for Development, 1111 19th Street NW, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Eliasu Yakubu
- Saha Consulting and Services Limited, P. O. Box 430, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Abdulai Abubakari
- Saha Consulting and Services Limited, P. O. Box 430, Tamale, Ghana
- University for Development Studies, School of Public Health, Department of Global and International Health, P.O. Box TL1350, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Rashida Ibrahim
- Saha Consulting and Services Limited, P. O. Box 430, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Lesley Oot
- USAID Advancing Nutrition, 2733 Crystal Drive, Fourth Floor, Arlington, VA22201, USA
- JSI Research & Training Institute, 2733 Crystal Drive, Fourth Floor, Arlington, VA22201, USA
| | - Kathryn Beck
- USAID Advancing Nutrition, 2733 Crystal Drive, Fourth Floor, Arlington, VA22201, USA
- JSI Research & Training Institute, 2733 Crystal Drive, Fourth Floor, Arlington, VA22201, USA
| | - Selorme Azumah
- JSI Research & Training Institute, 2733 Crystal Drive, Fourth Floor, Arlington, VA22201, USA
- USAID Advancing Nutrition Ghana, Plot# 11, Jisonaayili-Gurugu, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Al-Hassan Issahaku
- JSI Research & Training Institute, 2733 Crystal Drive, Fourth Floor, Arlington, VA22201, USA
- USAID Advancing Nutrition Ghana, Plot# 11, Jisonaayili-Gurugu, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Joyce Apoassan Jambeidu
- Feed the Future Resilience in Northern Ghana Systems Strengthening, BA184 Dohana Kpema Street Gumani, Tamale, Ghana
- Abt Associates, 10 Fawcett Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Lutuf Abdul-Rahman
- United States Agency for International Development Ghana, No. 24 Fourth Circular Road, Cantonments, P.O. Box 1630, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Malia Uyehara
- USAID Advancing Nutrition, 2733 Crystal Drive, Fourth Floor, Arlington, VA22201, USA
- JSI Research & Training Institute, 2733 Crystal Drive, Fourth Floor, Arlington, VA22201, USA
| | - Kristen Cashin
- USAID Advancing Nutrition, 2733 Crystal Drive, Fourth Floor, Arlington, VA22201, USA
- Save the Children US, 501 Kings Highway E, Fairfield, CT, USA
| | - Romilla Karnati
- USAID Advancing Nutrition, 2733 Crystal Drive, Fourth Floor, Arlington, VA22201, USA
- Save the Children US, 501 Kings Highway E, Fairfield, CT, USA
| | - Catherine M Kirk
- ZemiTek LLC, USAID's Global Solution Ventures, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, USA
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Marlow HM, Awal AM, Antobam S, Azumah S, Regan E. Men's support for abortion in Upper East and Upper West Ghana. Cult Health Sex 2019; 21:1322-1331. [PMID: 30608026 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2018.1545921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The second leading cause of maternal mortality in Ghana is unsafe abortion. Research in Ghana shows that men's support influences women's use of safe abortion services. The aim of this study was to understand what men know about abortion, why they support their partners to seek an abortion, and to identify effective ways to reach men with abortion information. We conducted eleven focus groups and ten in-depth interviews with men of reproductive age in rural Ghana. Inclusion criteria were written consent, age and marital status. Focus groups and interviews were conducted in local languages using a semi-structured guide. Focus groups and interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, translated, computerised and coded for analysis. Most men knew the difference between unsafe and safe abortion and would support their partner to have an abortion. Messages that reinforce safe abortion as acceptable and that address fears of death or barrenness should be developed to educate men about safe abortion. Multiple channels to communicate these messages should be used and include pictures, video or audio for those men who cannot read. Through an intensive intervention inclusive of men, women's access to safe abortion services can be improved in Ghana.
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