Asia

From stigma to solutions: harnessing local wisdom to tackle harms associated with menstrual seclusion (chhaupadi) in Nepal

In Nepal, the tradition of chhaupadi isolates women during menstruation and after childbirth, leading to health risks. This study in Dailekh used a community-led approach to develop solutions to reduce its negative impact. The process involved engaging key stakeholders and designing five interventions, including counseling by female community health volunteers (FCHVs), … [Read more...] about From stigma to solutions: harnessing local wisdom to tackle harms associated with menstrual seclusion (chhaupadi) in Nepal

This paper explores how India’s Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), despite being at the lowest level of the health system, have successfully advocated for better wages and working conditions. Through protests, strikes, and strategic engagement with policymakers, ASHAs have secured incremental wage increases, with significant progress during the COVID-19 pandemic. The … [Read more...] about Extending Kingdon’s Multiple Streams Policy Framework Through an Analysis of How Community Health Workers in India Are Driving Policy Changes

In Kazakhstan, methadone is a free treatment for opioid use disorder, but few people who need it are using it. This study explored barriers to methadone access among people who inject drugs (PWID), healthcare providers, and policymakers. Key challenges included concerns about methadone safety, strict entry requirements, and limited availability. Clinicians and community health … [Read more...] about Exploration of the multi-level barriers to scaling up methadone for HIV prevention among people who inject drugs in Kazakhstan

In Nepal, the tradition of chhaupadi isolates women during menstruation and childbirth, leading to health risks. This study in Dailekh used a community-driven approach to develop solutions to reduce its harmful effects. Through Human-Centered Design, key stakeholders were engaged, and five interventions were created, including counseling by female community health volunteers … [Read more...] about From stigma to solutions: harnessing local wisdom to tackle harms associated with menstrual seclusion (chhaupadi) in Nepal

This study evaluated the impact of online training on menstrual hygiene, early marriage, and HIV/STI awareness among Medical Officers and Community Health Officers in Andhra Pradesh, India. Conducted over 10 months, the training reached 9,897 participants, with 2,809 completing both pre- and post-tests. Results showed a significant increase in knowledge across all topics, with … [Read more...] about Enhancing adolescent health awareness: impact of online training on medical and community health officers in Andhra Pradesh, India