Browsing by Author "Mwalabu, Gertrude"

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    Exploring factors influencing access to sexual and reproductive health services for learners in primary and secondary schools in Malawi
    (Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, 2020-10-08) Mwalabu, Gertrude
    Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM) is an indigenous, non-profit making and nonpolitical local NGO established in 1999 registered under the Trustees Incorporation Act. FPAM is affiliated to International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) as a Member Association. It exists to provide comprehensive youth friendly sexual and reproductive health services to young people aged between 10 and 24. FPAM targets young people in the rural underserved communities in the provision of integrated youth friendly Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) information and services using static and community-based approaches. However, 29% of women aged 15-19 have begun childbearing; 22% have had a live birth and 7% are pregnant with first child. At this age, net school attendance ratio falls from 94% in primary school to 17% in secondary school (NSO and ICF 2017). Young people often receive conflicting, inaccurate and incomplete sexuality information and education which exposes them to sexual abuse, coercion, exploitation, and sexually transmitted infections (STI) including learners in primary and secondary schools and has led to. This often leads to high school drop rates and poor SRH outcomes including unwanted pregnancies and early childbearing among learners. It is from this perspective that FPAM with funding from Human Sciences Research Council, proposes to conduct a study with learners from standard five to form four, parents/guardians and key informants to explore factors that influence access to SRHR services by learners in Primary and secondary schools in Malawi. The aim of the study therefore is to explore the factors that influence access to SRH service among learners in primary and secondary schools in order to inform policy and health practice. This cross- sectional study will utilize both quantitative and qualitative methods. The literature review and qualitative data will be used to supplement the baseline survey to provide the contextual understanding of the factors influencing access to SRHR information and services by learners. Data will be collected through analysis of relevant policy documents and studies, survey, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews in three districts of Mzimba, Dedza and Machinga. In these districts, FPAM has established structures at both district and community levels. Questionnaires will be administered to learners. Focus group discussions will be conducted with learners (separate groups for primary and secondary school learners), parents/guardians and teachers. In-depth interviews will be conducted with key stakeholders. Key players at national, district and community levels will participate as sources of information to support the process of documenting strategies that will support linking schools to SRHR services. The study further seeks to identify the perspectives of the learners, parents/guardians, teachers and key stakeholders on linking schools to SRHR in order to share this information with the line ministries of Education, Health and Youth for the purpose of developing harmonized guidelines that supports access to SRH services by school going youths. The study also intends to establish the presence of documents in support of linking schools to SRHR which includes provision of comprehensive sexual education in schools. FPAM has therefore engaged services of a consultant, an expert in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Dr Gertrude Grey Tiwonge Mwalabu (See Appendix 11), to conduct the study. The results will reveal the SRH needs and experiences of learners, factors influencing the SRH services in primary and secondary schools and improve quality of sexual and reproductive health outcomes of these learners. The results will further provide evidence-based data to inform policy makers and health practices about comprehensive and developmentally-appropriate strategies that will be realistic in primary and secondary schools, in facilitating optimal SRH outcomes among learners in Malawi. The results will be disseminated at national and district levels as advocacy tool for policy makers. Copies of the same report will also be sent to the relevant academic institutions, COMREC, and selected relevant organizations in SRHR. The results will further bu published and shared widely both locally and internationally through the Human Sciences Research Council.
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    Implementing simulation
    (Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, 2021-09-15) Mwalabu, Gertrude
    The type of research study: This is a cross sectional study The problem: Simulation-based education is found to be motivating and useful for both students and teachers in acquisition of nursing and midwifery skills. However, there is increased outcry of poor nursing and midwifery services across the health facilities in Malawi as evidenced by negative media reports about the services. The negative public perception of nursing and midwifery practice in Malawi implies that there is an urgent need to improve the nurses and midwives’ clinical competencies which could be attained through simulation-based education. Yet, there is limited experience and documentation related to simulation-based education within health education programs in low income countries including Malawi. It is from this perspective that the current study intends to explore the existing gaps and how simulation – based education can be implemented to enhance quality and competence in nursing and midwifery practice in Malawi. The objectives: The aim of the study is to explore knowledge, attitudes and experiences of simulation-based education in nursing and midwifery programmes among lecturers, students and clinical instructors in Malawi. Specifically, the study intends to: identify key gaps in nursing and midwifery simulation-based education and practice in colleges and clinical sites respectively; identify factors influencing implementation of simulation-based education among nursing and midwifery lecturers and clinical instructors in the selected colleges and clinical sites; and determine the feasibility of simulation–based education and practice in nursing and midwifery colleges and in the clinical settings. Methodology: This cross-sectional study will utilize mixed methods. Desk review particularly analysis of curricula documents will be done to supplement data which will be collected through questionnaires, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews. Questionnaires will be administered to final year students, clinical instructors and lecturers/tutors at the five nursing and midwifery training institutions, four central hospitals (Queens, Zomba, Kamuzu and Mzuzu) and Nkhotakota District Hospital. Focus group discussions will be conducted with final year nursing and midwifery students in the five training institutions. In-depth interviews will be conducted with the heads of the institutions. Descriptive and content analysis for quantitative and qualitative data will be done respectively. Expected findings and their dissemination: The results of this study will inform the educators and policy makers in developing appropriate strategies that will be realistic in implementing simulation – based nursing and midwifery education in Malawi. The findings will be disseminated during research seminars and conferences at both national and international levels. Copies of the report will be sent to relevant health facilities, academic institutions, COMREC, and Nursing and Midwifery Council of Malawi. The results will further be published in peer reviewed journals.