Using Vignettes to Gain Insights Into Social Norms Related to Voluntary Family Planning and Gender-Based Violence in South Sudan.

Social norms are the shared expectations about behaviors that are held within collective groups. These differ from attitudes and beliefs, which are individually held. In South Sudan, social norms can affect the use of voluntary family planning and reproductive health (FP/RH); some of these norms even present risks for women seeking FP/RH care and their FP/RH providers. This cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted in 5 counties in South Sudan used vignettes as a qualitative method to explore social norms related to FP/RH and decisions related to contraceptive use and gender-based violence. Participants were asked to respond to vignettes about a fictional couple during various life stages of care-seeking. Vignettes allow respondents to share their opinions and feelings without directly speaking about their own experiences. Respondents included community members, FP/RH providers, and key influencers (e.g., religious leaders, traditional leaders, elders). The study identified restrictive social norms related to FP/RH, including entrenched, dominant gender roles (i.e., requiring male consent to use contraceptives) and risk for the woman and her provider if she accesses FP/RH services. Of note, supportive social norms are gaining acceptance regarding women's voice and agency; it was found that some women can negotiate their reproductive choice with their partners and participate in planning their families, which has not always been a widely accepted norm. The use of vignettes can lead to a better understanding of the challenges and provide insights on effective implementation approaches. It is essential for programs working to promote the use of FP/RH services in South Sudan to consider the challenges presented by social norms. Findings from this study were shared with stakeholders and communities to codesign interventions aimed at increasing the use of FP/RH services. Additionally, the dialogue stimulated by this study should lead to an organic transformation toward supportive social norms through collective agency.

Safety of adult medical male circumcision performed by non-physician clinicians in Kenya: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Male circumcision reduces the risk of heterosexually acquired HIV infection in men by approximately 60%. The Government of Kenya is rolling out voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) services, but struggles with health worker shortages, particularly with physician shortages. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety of male circumcision performed by non-physician clinicians in Kenya. METHODS: Between December 2009 and December 2010, we conducted a prospective study of VMMC procedures performed by 15 nurses and 11 clinical officers, all trained to competence, in 11 public health facilities in Nyanza Province, Kenya. Providers reported surgical complications and adverse events (AEs), based on standardized definitions, immediately after the procedure and at 7 days and 60 days post-circumcision. We also assessed clients' satisfaction with the circumcision at 60 days. RESULTS: We recruited 2,244 men and boys, ages 13-54. The retention rate was high, with 2,192 participants (98%) returning for the 7-day follow-up visit and 1,845 (82%) for the 60-day visit. There was no difference in rates of moderate and severe AEs between participants whose circumcision was performed by a nurse (2.1%) or a clinical officer (1.9%) at 7 days post-circumcision. The most common AE was excess swelling (1.1%). Risk factors associated with an AE at 7 days post-circumcision included being employed and participant age ≥ 18 years. Participants circumcised by a provider with ≥ 6 years of professional experience were less likely to have an AE. Nearly all participants reported being satisfied with their circumcision at the 60-day follow-up visit. CONCLUSIONS: Trained nurses and clinical officers provided safe VMMC in Nyanza Province, Kenya. AE rates in this study were similar to those reported in typical service-delivery settings. These results add to the current body of evidence suggesting that trained non-physicians can provide safe medical male circumcision, thereby facilitating increased availability and access to circumcision services.

Prescribing practices of rural primary health care physicians in Uzbekistan.

Doctors prescribe medications for therapeutic indications and to meet patient expectations. Understanding the pattern of prescribing is a necessary precursor for any intervention and for improving prescribing practices. Using the WHO standard methodology, we investigated the prescribing practices of doctors in rural primary health care (PHC) clinics in the Ferghana region of Uzbekistan. Doctors in these clinics may have over-prescribed, prescribing 2.9 drugs per patient per encounter. Fifty-seven per cent of these were for injectable drugs, and 57% for antibiotics. Most prescriptions were for name brand (62%) rather than generic drugs.