Identifying strategies to increase Mass Drug Administration (MDA) coverage among pastoralists in South Sudan

Client
Christian Blind Mission (CBM)
Locations
Tonj South in Warrap State, Terekeka in Central Equatoria State, Awerial and Yirol West in Lakes State, Kapoeta South in Eastern Equatoria, and Jur River in Western Bahr el Ghazal State.
Sample size
264
Performance period
December 2021 to May 2022

This operational research is conducted by Dev-com consult in collaboration with Kampala University, Juba Campus. The operational research is supported by Christian Blind Mission (CBM). The purpose of the research is to examine factors affecting uptake of MDA among pastoralists groups and identify possible strategies of effectively including pastoralist groups in MDA activities in South Sudan. Specifically, the study seeks to;

  • Map out the seasonal population dynamics among pastoralists in the selected Counties of South Sudan .
  • Identify the opportunities that exist in involving representatives of pastoral groups and organizations in the coordinated delivery of NTD interventions
  • Examine the socio-cultural obstacles and motivators that exist concerning MDA uptake among pastoralists.
  • Analyze the effectiveness of existing BCC approaches regarding MDA and provide concrete recommendations for improved effectiveness.

The research adopts a cross-sectional and descriptive study design utilizing qualitative methods of inquiry to promote an in-depth understanding of the attitudes, perceptions, behavior, social/gender norms, socio-cultural obstacles, and motivators that exist concerning MDA uptake among the pastoralists communities.The data collection methods employed include In-depth interviews (IDIs), Key Informant Interviews, structured observations, Focus Group Discussions, and PLA methods especially gender analysis and resource mapping.