Digital Commons Network^™

Uganda Humanitarian Violence Against Children And Youth Survey, 2022: Summary Report, Francis Obare Onyango, George Odwe, Peter Kisaakye, Stephen Kizito, Yohannes Dibaba Wado, Francis Annor, Laura Chiang, Greta Massetti, Stella Muthuri, Gloria Seruwagi, Darlson Kusasira, Charles Bafaki, Katie Ogwang, Chi-Chi Undie

Humanitarian Task Force

Violence Against Children (VAC) refers to all forms of abuse or maltreatment of people under the age of 18 years. The Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys (VACS), led by national governments with technical assistance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as part of the Together for Girls partnership, have documented the magnitude and prevalence of physical, emotional, and sexual violence against children in more than 20 low- and middle-income countries, with a view to informing national prevention and response programs. Despite the precedent for understanding the extent of VAC from the perspectives of adolescents and …

Soft Skills Training For Rohingya And Host Community Youth In Cox’S Bazar, Bangladesh, Md. Noorunnabi Talukder, Abdullah Al Mahmud Shohag, Ishtiak Morshed, Sigma Ainul, Md. Irfan Hossain, Mohammad Muktadir Hossain, Sharif M.I. Hossain, Ubaidur Rob

Adolescents and Young People

The Population Council, in collaboration with Research, Training and Management International (RTMI) and Underprivileged Children’s Education Program (UCEP), pilot tested a soft skills training intervention in two Rohingya camps and a vocational training center in the host community in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh in 2022. As a follow-up to the pilot program, the Council along with its partners rolled out soft skills training in four Rohingya camps and a vocational training center in the host community in 2023. The purpose of this training was to improve the personal, social, and financial management skills of Rohingya youth, which would be of use …

Selam Medirashachin (Safe Arrival) Project: Addressing The Risk Of Trafficking, Violence, And Sexual Abuse Among Newly Arriving Migrant Girls In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Annabel Erulkar, Eyasu Hailu

Adolescents and Young People

Rates of urbanization in Ethiopia are significant and, increasingly, young females are among those who migrate from rural to urban areas. Previous research in Addis Ababa showed that, compared to boys and young men, young female migrants are more likely to migrate to cities without the accompaniment of immediate family members. and often move in with people with whom they have only loose affiliation or live on their own. Previous Population Council research on the experience of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) revealed that girls’ migration from rural to urban areas of the country may be perilous. This is …

Exploring The Value And Replicability Of Integrating Refugees And Host Community Members Into Research Activities In Refugee Settings, Stella Muthuri, Dagim Habteyesus, Gloria Seruwagi, Yohannes Dibaba Wado, George Odwe, Peter Kisaakye, Francis Obare Onyango, Chi-Chi Undie

Humanitarian Task Force

The Population Council leads the Baobab Research Program Consortium (RPC) in partnership with Population Council-Kenya and the African Population and Health Research Center. One of the successes of the RPC has been its intentional engagement of refugees and host community members in various aspects of its research and intervention implementation activities, including community entry and engagement, training workshops, and data collection. The Baobab RPC’s 2022–23 annual review included a recommendation to review the experience of including refugees and host community members in data collection training workshops, and to assess the value and viability of replicating this approach. While the approach …

Mentoring In Group-Based Adolescent Girl Programs In Low- And Middle-Income Countries: Evidence-Informed Approaches, Miriam Temin, Sarah Blake, Eva Roca

Adolescents and Young People

Adolescent girls face distinct challenges that require tailored and girl-centered responses. This brief draws on the knowledge of program implementers and researchers who work on community-based girl group (CBGG) programs (often called “safe spaces”) in various low- and middle-income settings and the US. It summarizes emerging lessons and insights on CBGGs, emphasizing the vital role that mentors play in this group-based model. The evidence emphasizes the importance of providing mentors with training, supervision, compensation, solidarity, and opportunities to build their own networks.

The Radical Power Of Education, Arindam Nandi, Nicole Haberland, Thoai Ngo

Gender, Education, Justice, and Equity (GEJE)

When education works, people thrive and societies flourish alongside economies. We have made real progress on primary enrollment on the global scale, with 90% of children enrolling in school. However, completion rates lag far behind—only 77% of children complete lower secondary school and 58% complete upper secondary. Those numbers decline sharply for those living in poverty, for girls, and for Indigenous communities, with 44% of adolescent girls in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) either dropping out of primary school or never attending at all.

Low educational attainment and illiteracy exclude children from the freedoms that come with learning and also …

Best Practices To Prevent And Respond To Sexual Violence: Evidence Review And Programme Considerations, Sycona

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

Presentation for AGYW & South-to-South Learning Network Champions to fill a knowledge gap about what strategies have been tested and found effective in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to prevent and respond to sexual violence experienced by adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). This topic was identified by East and Southern African Champions as a key impediment to their HIV prevention programming efforts. This review focused on evidence from all 15 South-to-South Learning Network (SSLN) countries to gather and synthesise contextually relevant information.

Exploring The Role Of Men In Child Marriage Decision-Making In Rural Upper Egypt, Salma Abou Hussein, Reham Abou El-Fadl, Sally Radwan, Nahla G. Abdel-Tawab

Adolescents and Young People

Egypt’s 2021 Family Health Survey indicated that nearly 18% of women aged 20–24 years had married or were engaged before turning 18. This brief explores the perspectives of adolescent girls, their families, and key stakeholders on the role of men in the decision-making process pertaining to child marriage. The study took place in Assiut and Sohag in Upper Egypt selected on the basis of the high prevalence of child marriage. Results confirm that, in line with the patriarchal norms that underlie most marriage decisions in rural Upper Egypt, fathers/male guardians are the primary decision-makers regarding when a girl gets married …

Recap Report: Girls Deliver Pre-Conference On Adolescent Girls At The Women Deliver 2023 Conference, Girl Center

Adolescents and Young People

The Girls Deliver: Pre-Conference on Adolescent Girls was held on July 16, 2023 in Kigali Rwanda to kick off the Women Deliver 2023 Conference. Girls Deliver was led by the Population Council’s Girl Innovation, Research, and Learning Center (GIRL Center) and co-hosted by AFIDEP, Amplify Girls, Baobab Research Programme Consortium, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, Coalition for Adolescent Girls, Exemplars in Global Health, FP2030, Girl Effect, Girls First Fund, Hilton Foundation, NDI, Plan International, PMNCH, Purposeful, Together for Girls, UNICEF, Women Deliver, and The World Bank Africa Gender Innovation Lab.

This recap report presents an overview of Girls Deliver, a summary …

State Of The Evidence: A Reflection On The Gaps Identified In Breakthrough Research’S Research And Learning Agendas For Advancing Provider Behavior Change Programming And Advancing Integrated Social And Behavior Change Programming, Breakthrough Research

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

No abstract provided.

Data Brief—Adolescent Mothers: From Cautionary Tales To Partners, Nay Alhelou

Adolescents and Young People

No abstract provided.

Data Brief—Agency, Sarah Engebretsen

Adolescents and Young People

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Breakthrough Action-Nigeria’S Social And Behavior Change Public Sector Capacity Strengthening Approach, Adetayo Adetunji, Dele Abegunde, Augustine Ankomah, Nrupa Jani, Pooja Sripad, Bright Addo

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Biruh Tesfa (Bright Future) For All: A Program For Out-Of-School Girls, Migrants, And Domestic Workers In Low-Income Ethiopian Cities, Annabel Erulkar, Eyasu Hailu, Henock Markos, Getnet Demissie, Tsegahun Tessema, Hana Hailu

Adolescents and Young People

Biruh Tesfa (“Bright Future)” is the name of a program designed in the mid-2000s to address the disadvantage of out-of-school girls in urban Ethiopia. The program was originally designed to address social isolation by bringing girls together in safe spaces groups with adult female mentors and providing them with skills-building activities, including life skills, reproductive health, HIV education, nonformal education and referrals, and training. This evaluation examines various aspects of the Biruh Tesfa for All Program: characteristics of beneficiaries, including domestic workers; patterns of attendance, absenteeism, and dropout; indicators of mental health such as self-reported anxiety, sadness, and depression; and …

Role Of Stigma In Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (Prep) Uptake And Continuation Among Adolescent Girls And Young Women (Agyw): Considerations For Programme Implementers, Waimar Tun, Lulama Lunika

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

A synopsis of a review of the role of PrEP-related stigma with practical considerations for programme implementers on strategies to reduce stigma.

Behavioral Sentinel Surveillance Survey In Nigeria: Endline Technical Report, Paul Hutchinson, Adolor Aisiri, Udochisom Anaba, Elizabeth Omoluabi, Akanni Akinyemi, U. C. Ifunanya Ozoadibe, Dele Abegunde

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

This technical report presents results from the Behavioral Sentinel Surveillance (BSS) endline survey undertaken by Breakthrough RESEARCH/Nigeria in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara states between October 1 and November 10, 2022. BSS surveys are intended to assess changes in indicators targeted by the integrated social and behavior change (SBC) activities of the USAID-funded Breakthrough ACTION/Nigeria project. The Breakthrough ACTION/Nigeria project, which began in 2019 and is slated to run until 2025, focuses on the health areas of malaria; family planning; and maternal, newborn, and child health plus nutrition (MNCH+N) in Kebbi and Sokoto states, as well as malaria-only SBC activities in …

Evidence From The Implementation Of A Social Accountability Approach To Improve Family Planning Services: Perspectives From Community Members And Health Workers In Togo, Breakthrough Research

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

This brief summarizes findings from Breakthrough RESEARCH's formative qualitative evaluation of a social accountability approach implemented in and around the city of Lomé, Togo to strengthen family planning (FP) services. It is intended to inform FP programs implemented by the USAID-funded West Africa Breakthrough ACTION (WABA) and AmplifyPF projects to further improve FP related outcomes. This brief provides an overview of the social accountability approach and describes the enabling factors and challenges associated with implementation as well as perceived outcomes related to the effectiveness of the social accountability approach to improve FP service delivery at the community level, at the …

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Comparing Integrated And Malaria-Only Social And Behavior Change Programming In Nigeria: Final Report, Avenir Health

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

In Nigeria, the Breakthrough ACTION project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Nigeria, is working closely with the Nigerian government to improve the practice of priority health behaviors, with a focus on maternal, newborn and child health and nutrition, family planning and reproductive health, malaria, and tuberculosis. Within the broader program, Breakthrough ACTION uses different social and behavior change (SBC) approaches in different states. In northern Nigeria, Breakthrough RESEARCH compared the cost-effectiveness of the integrated SBC approach addressing multiple health areas in Kebbi and Sokoto states to a malaria-only approach in Zamfara. This cost-effectiveness study examined whether …

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis For Integrated Social And Behavior Change Programming By The Resilience In The Sahel Enhanced Ii Program In The Maradi And Zinder Regions Of Niger, Avenir Health

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

In March 2020, Breakthrough RESEARCH began applying their Guidelines for Costing Social and Behavior Change Health Interventions to the Resilience in the Sahel (RISE) II program in Niger for a cost-effectiveness analysis that will run until 2022. The purpose of this document is to share the findings of the application of the guidelines and provide an example and guidance for social and behavior change researchers and implementers on how these guidelines can be applied to other case study applications.

Costing For Family Planning Social And Behavior Change Programming, Breakthrough Research

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

No abstract provided.

Coût De La Programmation Du Changement Social Et Comportemental Pour La Planification Familiale, Breakthrough Research

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

No abstract provided.

Qualitative Research On Breakthrough Action’S Advocacy Core Group Model For Integrated Social Behavior Change Programming In Nigeria, Adetunji Adetayo, Alessandra N. Bazzano, Mayokun Adediran, Paul Hutchinson, Eno-Obong Etim

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

This report presents the results of a qualitative assessment conducted by Breakthrough RESEARCH/Nigeria of the Advocacy Core Group (ACG) model implemented by Breakthrough ACTION/Nigeria. The goal of the study was to examine, through qualitative inquiry, the operation and potential effectiveness of the ACG model, which works through key opinion leaders and influencers to influence community-level health norms and individual behaviors, focusing specifically on the uptake of essential reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health services. Results inform Breakthrough ACTION/Nigeria’s program implementation and contribute toward the broader social and behavior change (SBC) implementation science literature surrounding the roles, effectiveness, successes, and challenges …

Utilisation Des Approches De Segmentation Du Public Pour Renseigner Les Programmes Intégrés De Planification Familiale Et De Santé Maternelle Au Niger, Breakthrough Research

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

Comprendre les déterminants comportementaux spécifiques et les obstacles à la recherche de services de santé reproductive et maternelle est essentiel dans l’élaboration des programmes de changement social et comportemental (CSC) pouvant mieux répondre aux besoins de la communauté. Les interventions CSC efficaces peuvent intégrer la segmentation du public, la pratique consistant à diviser un public en sous[1]groupes basés sur des facteurs démographiques, psychographiques et/ou comportementaux pour développer des approches CSC sur mesure qui sont les plus susceptibles de trouver écho parmi chaque sous-groupe du public. Ce dossier présente les résultats de l’étude des profils du public pour les femmes en …

Changement Social Et Comportemental Et Environnement Favorable À La Planification Familiale, Breakthrough Research

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

No abstract provided.

Social And Behavior Change And The Enabling Environment For Family Planning, Breakthrough Research

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

No abstract provided.

Advancing Social And Behavior Change Measurement For Family Planning—Slide Deck, Breakthrough Research

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

Slide deck for Breakthrough RESEARCH Legacy and Learning Event Series #2, held on 28 February 2023.

Advancing The Agenda In Girls’ Education Research, Benta Abuya, David Evans, Selim Gulesci, Nicole Haberland, Susannah Hares, Rabea Malik, Alessia Mortara, Pauline Rose

Adolescents and Young People

No abstract provided.

Advancing Social And Behavior Change Measurement In Family Planning, Breakthrough Research

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

No abstract provided.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Comparing Integrated And Malaria-Only Social And Behavior Change Programming In Nigeria: Midline Analysis, Avenir Health

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Nigeria is working closely with the Nigerian government to improve the practice of priority health behaviors through the Breakthrough ACTION project. Breakthrough RESEARCH is leading an evaluation of Breakthrough ACTION’s program comparing the integrated social and behavior change (SBC) program (malaria, family planning, maternal and child health, and nutrition) in Kebbi and Sokoto states and vertical SBC program (malaria-only) in Zamfara state. While the first initial cost report covered the time frame from program initiation in April 2018 through December 2019, this midline report covers January 2020 through December 2021. This report examines …

Faire Progresser La Mesure Des Changements Sociaux Et Comportementaux En Matière De Planification Familiale, Breakthrough Research

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

No abstract provided.