Wellcome Open Research (Nov 2023)
It Takes A Village; Involvement of Village Health Teams to Develop Tools and Resources to Communicate about Antiretroviral Use in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding at Community Level in Uganda. [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]
Abstract
Background Research findings must be communicated to the populations who will benefit from them, in a manner that is accessible and understandable. Aims We recently generated novel data on medication use in breastfeeding. A Faculty of Health and Life Sciences (Liverpool) grant enabled work with a team of Village Health Teams (VHTs) in Hoima, rural Uganda, to co-create related communication materials for use in their house-to-house visitation and health education. Methods After an initial workshop from 24th to 26th March 2021, training and review of draft materials, 10 VHT pairs visited 50 households in Hoima district. Basic demographic data were collected alongside preferred communication methods. VHTs provided feedback and re-design of materials commenced. This included dramatization of scenarios and photography. A second round of house-to-house visitation informed final adjustments. We conducted focused group discussions and a dissemination workshop attended by VHTs, local healthcare leaders and journalists was hosted on 16th – 17th June 2022. Results Most households (74%) had a breastfeeding baby. Majority could read and had access to radios (60%), but not to smartphones (58%) or television (86%). Most preferred verbal and visual aids for health education, and requested images of “people who look like us”. Final co-created materials included posters in English and Runyoro and laminated ‘job aids’ in both languages . These continue to be in active use. VHTs and community members requested future projects of this nature. Conclusion Healthcare communication to communities must be accessible and clear. Representation of images that the public can identify with is important. Co-creation workshops were successful in rural Uganda, and pave the way for future collaborative, participatory research.
