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. 2009 Dec;24(6):957-66.
doi: 10.1093/her/cyp038. Epub 2009 Aug 3.

Community-based health programmes: role perceptions and experiences of female peer facilitators in Mumbai's urban slums

Glyn A Alcock  1 , Neena Shah More, Sarita Patil, Maya Porel, Leena Vaidya, David Osrin
Affiliations

Community-based health programmes: role perceptions and experiences of female peer facilitators in Mumbai's urban slums

Glyn A Alcock et al. Health Educ Res. 2009 Dec.

Abstract

Community-based initiatives have become a popular approach to addressing the health needs of underserved populations, in both low- and higher-income countries. This article presents findings from a study of female peer facilitators involved in a community-based maternal and newborn health intervention in urban slum areas of Mumbai. Using qualitative methods we explore their role perceptions and experiences. Our findings focus on how the facilitators understand and enact their role in the community setting, how they negotiate relationships and health issues with peer groups, and the influence of credibility. We contextualize this within broader conceptualizations of peer-led health interventions and offer recommendations for similar community-based health initiatives.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Women's group meeting with Mary Rao, sakhi facilitator. ©SNEHA/Rebecca Sherman 2008.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Conceptual basis of the intervention. Note. Meeting numbers are rough advance estimates.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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