Authors: Aubrey Bauck, Umu H Jalloh, Anita Kargbo, Mary H Hodges, and David Doledec
Vitamin A supplementation (VAS) coverage in Sierra Leone has greatly increased over recent years through the integration of VAS with counseling and distribution of contraceptives. However, research suggests that investigators take a critical look at how these VAS campaigns interact with gender. The authors interviewed parents, government stakeholders, and community health workers to elucidate the interaction of VAS campaigns with gender. They found that high-level campaign positions were mostly held by males. Female co-workers did not feel respected in their role within the VAS campaign and, although health workers felt CHWs could enhance outreach services, they are not qualified to distribute modern contraceptives in Sierra Leone.
Link: Gender intersections identified whilst transitioning mass vitamin A supplementation into an integrated reproductive and child health programme in Sierra Leone
Resource Topic: Community Health Workers/Volunteers, Contraception, Vitamin A
Resource Type: Research
Year: 2021
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
Country: Sierra Leone
Publisher May Restrict Access: No