The goal of this clinical trial is to test the role of community-based men's engagement interventions in improving immunization uptake and strengthening gender equity at the household level. The main questions it aims to answer are: (1) Does household and community engagement of male caregivers and couples improve equitable gender relations, including increased male involvement in household tasks and childcare, in Togo and Pakistan, compared with communities that did not receive an intervention? (2) Can household and community engagement of male caregivers and couples increase support for and rates of age-appropriate timely immunization among children under 12 months of age, in Togo and Pakistan, compared with communities that did not receive an intervention? (3) How feasible, acceptable, and appropriate is it for CSO staff/volunteers to engage female and male caregivers and community leaders using gender transformative approaches (including household visits and group discussions) as assessed over a seven-month period? (4) What is the cost of gender transformative engagement of male and female caregivers and community leaders by CSO staff/volunteers compared to standard childhood immunization outreach services over a seven-month period? Participants (male and female caregivers of children under 12 months of age) will be sorted into intervention or comparison groups based on their community of residence. Participants in the intervention group will: * Receive household visits to raise awareness of immunization benefits and gender equity * Participate in couples communication discussion groups * Receive immunization and gender equity messaging from community leaders and other influencers. Researchers will compare the intervention group with comparison groups in similar communities to see if the intervention group demonstrates improved equitable gender relations and increased rates of immunization compared to the comparison group which does not receive the intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
448
Household visits from community mobilizers, participation in couples communication groups, and messaging from community leaders.
Participants in the comparison group will not receive any intervention
Community Setting
Uc-10 Pehalwan Goth - Gulshan Town, Karachi East, Pakistan
Community Setting
Uc-11 Garden East - Jamshed Town, Karachi East, Pakistan
Community Setting
UC 10/B, Quetta, Pakistan
Community Setting
UC 13/A, Quetta, Pakistan
Community Setting
Adakpamé, Golfe, Togo
Community Setting
Adamavo, Golfe, Togo
Community Setting
Kanyikope, Golfe, Togo
Community Setting
Ségbé, Golfe, Togo
Community Setting
Gbodjome / Kpogan Agbetiko, Lacs, Togo
Community Setting
Gbodjome /agbataloglo, Lacs, Togo
...and 9 more locations
Sharing of childcare and household tasks
Administered to all male caregivers via survey, sample of female caregivers via FGDs: How do you divide the following childcare and household tasks: (1) washing clothes/laundry; (2) cleaning the house and surroundings; (3) cooking for the household; (4) making the bed; (5) providing daily care of children; (6) bathing children. \[Gendered division of household labor\] Responses range from 1 = woman always does the task, 3 = shared equally or done together, 5 = man always does the task.
Time frame: 7 months
Couples' communication
Administered to all male caregivers via survey, sample of female caregivers via FGDs: In the last three months, how many times have you discussed with your partner about immunizing your child, and offered your opinion about immunizing your child as part of the discussion? \[MOMENTUM\] Responses range from 0 = never, 1 = rarely (1-2 times), 2 = sometimes (3-5 times), 3 = a lot (6 or more times)
Time frame: 7 months
Decision-making about child health practices, including vaccination
Administered to all male caregivers via survey, sample of female caregivers via FGDs: Did you take part in the decision to immunize your child? \[Adapted from Galle et al, 2011\] Responses range from 1 =I was the sole decision-maker; 2 = I made the decision jointly with my partner; 3 = I made the decision jointly with someone else; 4 = My partner was the sole decision-maker
Time frame: 7 months
Vaccination uptake
Review of vaccine cards or interviewee responses for date of the following vaccines: * Penta 1 (six weeks) * Penta 3 (14 weeks) * MCV 1 (9 months) * MCV 2 (15 months)
Time frame: 7 months
Acceptability of intervention
Measured through monthly pulse surveys to community mobilizers, through pre/post tests during the training of community mobilizers, and through a lessons learned workshop at the end of the intervention.
Time frame: Pre/post test: prior to intervention, as part of implementer training (month zero); pulse surveys: monthly; Lessons learned workshop: Month 4
Appropriateness of the intervention
Measured through monthly pulse surveys administered to community mobilizers as well as a lessons learned workshop immediately following the intervention
Time frame: Pulse surveys: monthly; Lessons learned workshop: Month 4
Feasibility of the intervention
Measured through monthly pulse surveys to community mobilizers, through pre/post tests during the training of community mobilizers, monthly supervision data, and through a lessons learned workshop at the end of the intervention
Time frame: Pre/post test: prior to intervention, as part of implementer training (month zero); pulse surveys and supervision data: monthly; Lessons learned workshop: Month 4
Cost of intervention
This will include analysis of: * CSO costs * Technology support costs * Materials and training costs * Other costs as appropriate
Time frame: Months 1-4
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