Behaviour change interventions improve maternal and child nutrition in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

Watson, Daniella; Mushamiri, Patience; Beeri, Paula; Rouamba, Toussaint; Jenner, Sarah; Kehoe, Sarah H; Ward, Kate; Barker, Mary; Lawrence, Wendy

doi:10.1017/s0029665121002949

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 4 publications

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“…Our findings showed that interventions were predominantly education and training-focused, which indicates that most documented behaviour change initiatives in Africa do not adequately consider social and contextual barriers which are key drivers of behaviours [ 34 ]. This is in line with past research that draws attention to the paucity of contextual considerations in the behaviour change literature in Africa [ 35 ]. With the context of health behaviours being shaped by rapid urbanisation, climate change, and globalisation of products and practices, the failure to consider these contexts can limit the potential for high and sustainable impact, despite significant amounts of funding and initiatives targeting health behaviours.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

A strategic analysis of health behaviour change initiatives in Africa

Mogo¹,

Shanawaz

Ademola-Popoola

et al. 2023

Global Health Action

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Background Changed health behaviours can contribute significantly to improved health. Consequently, significant investments have been channelled towards health behaviour change initiatives in Africa. Health behaviour change initiatives that address social, economic and environmental levers for behaviour change can create more sustained impact. Objectives Through a scoping study of the literature, we explored the literature on behaviour change initiatives in Africa, to assess their typologies. We explored whether the availability of initiatives reflected country demographic characteristics, namely life expectancy, gross domestic product (GDP), and population sizes. Finally, we assessed topical themes of interventions relative to frequent causes of mortality. Methods We used the Behaviour Change Wheel intervention categories to categorise each paper into a typology of initiatives. Using Pearson’s correlation coefficient, we explored whether there was a correlation between the number of initiatives implemented in a country in the specified period, and socio-demographic indicators, namely, GDP per capita, total GDP, population size, and life expectancy. Results Almost 64% of African countries were represented in the identified initiatives. One in five initiatives was implemented in South Africa, while there was a dearth of literature from Central Africa and western parts of North Africa. There was a positive correlation between the number of initiatives and GDP per capita. Most initiatives focused on addressing sexually transmitted infections and were short-term trials and/or pilots. Most initiatives were downstream focused e.g. with education and training components, while upstream intervention types such as the use of incentives were under-explored. Conclusion We call for more emphasis on initiatives that address contextual facilitators and barriers, integrate considerations for sustainable development, and consider intra-regional deprivation.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

A strategic analysis of health behaviour change initiatives in Africa

Mogo¹,

Shanawaz

Ademola-Popoola

et al. 2023

Global Health Action

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Key Lessons From a Systematic Behavior Change Communication Process Used in a Pneumonia Prevention Program in Five African Countries

González Hernández,

Jiffaro Seje,

Mitiku Gosa

et al. 2023

Health Promotion Practice

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Background A systematic behavior change communication (BCC) process was designed to enable local partners to effectively conduct formative research and develop a comprehensive BCC strategy, as part of a pneumonia prevention and control program implemented from 2017 to 2021 by the Red Cross Red Crescent in Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Mali, Sudan, and Zambia. Methods Qualitative content analysis was used to identify, categorize, and summarize key results, lessons, and recommendations related to the BCC process from country evaluation data. Results Key elements to success of a locally implemented BCC process include: (1) through simple formative research, understanding household decision-making dynamics for timely health seeking and coexistence of modern and traditional medicine; (2) explicitly analyze motivators for uptake of protective behaviors, with strong and deliberate community participation to validate and tailor BCC messages and channels; (3) ensuring that the challenges to access basic services, such as water and sanitation facilities, are adequately addressed as critical enabling factors for behavior change. Other implications include a need for innovative solutions to physical and economic barriers in areas where large distances, lack of transportation, or cost hinder caregivers seeking care for sick children. Conclusions Community health programs that apply a BCC process through local partners can be effective in achieving behavioral outcomes. Participatory planning and involvement of the community in iterative rounds of validation improved the relevance, appropriateness, and impact. Further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of different communication methods and sustained impact on health outcomes.

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Behaviour change interventions improve maternal and child nutrition in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

Cited by 2 publications

References 4 publications

A strategic analysis of health behaviour change initiatives in Africa

A strategic analysis of health behaviour change initiatives in Africa

Key Lessons From a Systematic Behavior Change Communication Process Used in a Pneumonia Prevention Program in Five African Countries

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