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G Maynard-Tucker

Publications and source records attributed to G Maynard-Tucker.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Conducting focus groups in developing countries: skill training for local bilingual facilitators.

Many countries of the world are characterized by the use of two or more languages, and qualitative research is usually conducted in indigenous languages; however, bilingual facilitators often do not have any experience in research studies or in conducting focus group discussions. This article presents a 4-day skill-training workshop for local facilitators in which they learn the role of moderator, recorder, and observer and acquire research skills during role playing and during a pretest of the study population. Developed over several years of field experience, this technique has proven successful in collecting reliable data in situations when time is limited, when participants speak indigenous languages, and when bilingual facilitators have no background in research and lack focus group skills. The advantages of this training are that it is low cost and fast and permits a careful translation of the data. Moreover, because facilitators are involved in the collecting and analyzing of the data, their input provides the investigator with a valuable understanding of the findings from an emic perspective.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1996

Haiti: unions, fertility and the quest for survival.

This essay examines Haitian cultural and programmatic barriers to modern contraception and reports on types of unions as they relate to pregnancy and the prevalence of contraception. Findings from three mini-surveys representing 2383 rural and urban women in unions show that the most popular unions are maryé and plasé (legal marriage and setting up an household). Among rural women living in unstable relationships, vivav'ek, remen and menaj (living with someone, lovers, living as a pair), about 18% reported being pregnant at the time of the surveys. Findings also reveal that more urban women use contraceptive methods (23%) than do rural women (13%). However, the choice of contraceptive method appears to be influenced by medical staff and the availability of methods. Discussion examines the results of the surveys, women's position within the culture and attitudes toward the use of modern contraception. It also gives suggestions for improving family planning services by reinforcing the training of providers and supplementing their work with a team of volunteers who would encourage and support first-time users and dissatisfied users with meetings and home visits. It is also suggested that the promotion of informal education and the teaching of practical skills in mothers' clubs would encourage women to become economically independent from their partners so they would not focus on reproduction as a means to tie a man to them for emotional and economic purposes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Indigenous perceptions and quality of care of family planning services in Haiti.

This paper presents a method for evaluating and monitoring the quality of care of family planning services. The method was implemented in Haiti by International Planned Parenthood Federation Western Hemisphere Region (IPPF/WHR), the managerial agency for the Private Sector Family Planning Project (PSFPP), which is sponsored by the USAID Mission. The process consists of direct observations of family planning services and clinic conditions by trained Haitian housewives playing the role of 'mystery clients', who visit clinics on a random basis without prior notice. Observations conducted by mystery clients during one year, from April 1990 to April 1991, are presented and illustrate the use of the method. In addition, measurements for rating the acceptability of the services were developed, providing a quantitative assessment of the services based on mystery clients' terms. Statistical results demonstrate that simulated clients ranked some criteria of acceptability higher than others. These criteria are: the interaction provider/client, information adequacy, and competence of the promoter. Likewise, simulated clients' direct observations of the services permitted the identification of deficiencies regarding the quality of care such as the paternalistic attitudes of the medical staff; the lack of competence of promoters; and the lack of informed choice. Based on its reliability since its implementation in 1990 the method has proven to be a useful tool in programme design and monitoring.

Community Health Centers↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Knowledge of reproductive physiology and modern contraceptives in rural Peru.

This report is based on fieldwork conducted in a Peruvian community in 1986, which investigated Quechua-speaking Indians' knowledge of the female reproductive organs, perceptions of the way contraceptives work in the body, folk beliefs about conception and menstruation, and opinions about modern contraceptives. The findings reveal that the men have a more accurate knowledge of the female reproductive organs than the women do. However, the women are more knowledgeable about the action of modern contraceptives in the body. Most respondents perceived modern contraceptive methods as the best methods available, but the majority reported using the calendar rhythm method. This preference for rhythm is based on its economic advantage and on its adaptability to folk beliefs about physiology. The men's dominant role in reproductive behavior is related to cultural norms that emphasize traditional gender roles and that prohibit communication about sexual matters between men and women. Educational material, based on the respondents' knowledge of reproduction and taking into account their folk beliefs, might help to decrease the fear of contraceptive side effects and increase understanding of the function of contraceptives.

Contraceptive Agents, Female↗