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Copyright © 2024 by the Journal of Global Health. All rights reserved. This work is published under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Background

Interventions with women’s groups have been widely implemented to improve health outcomes in low- and middle-income settings, particularly India. While there is a large evidence base on the effectiveness of single interventions, it is challenging to predict whether a women’s group intervention delivered in one setting can be expected to work in another.

Methods

We applied realist principles to develop and refine a mid-range theory on the effectiveness of women’s groups interventions, summarised key lessons for implementation, and reflected on the process. We synthesised primary data from several interventions in India, a systematic review, and an analysis of behaviour change techniques. We developed mid-range theories across three areas: maternal and newborn health, nutrition, and violence against women, as well as an overarching mid-range theory on how women’s groups can improve health.

Results

Our overarching mid-range theory suggested that effective interventions should: build group or community capabilities; focus on health outcomes relevant to group members; and approach health issues modifiable through women’s individual or collective actions. We identified four key lessons for future interventions with women’s groups, including the importance of skilled and remunerated facilitation, sufficient intensity, supply-side strengthening, and the need to adapt delivery during scale up while maintaining fidelity to intervention theory.

Conclusions

Our experience demonstrated the feasibility of developing mid-range theory from a combination of evidence and insights from practice. It also underscored the importance of community engagement and ongoing research to ‘thicken’ mid-range theories to design effective and scalable women’s groups interventions in India and similar settings.

Details

Title
Individual interventions, collective lessons: Developing mid-range theory on women’s groups to improve health
Author
Desai Sapna; Kumar, Neha; Gram Lu; Hazra Avishek; Sanyal Kaliat Ammu; Sivaram Sharmada; Nair Nirmala; Ved Rajani; Prost, Audrey
University/institution
U.S. National Institutes of Health/National Library of Medicine
Publication year
2024
Publication date
2024
Publisher
Edinburgh University Global Health Society
ISSN
20472978
e-ISSN
20472986
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3099280009
Copyright
Copyright © 2024 by the Journal of Global Health. All rights reserved. This work is published under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.