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. 2023 Dec 22;11(6):e2200296.
doi: 10.9745/GHSP-D-22-00296. Print 2023 Dec 22.

Lessons Learned in Improving the Quality of a Free Reproductive Health Hotline in Benin

Cyprien Zinsou  1 , Ghyslain Guedegbe  1 , Leonce Dossou  1 , Judith Ognin  1 , Ando Tiana Raobelison  1 , Lola Flomen  2 , Paul Bouanchaud  3
Affiliations

Lessons Learned in Improving the Quality of a Free Reproductive Health Hotline in Benin

Cyprien Zinsou et al. Glob Health Sci Pract. .

Abstract

Introduction: Since 2006, the Ligne Verte project-a toll-free national hotline that provides counseling and provider linkages to family planning, HIV, and sexually transmitted infection services-has been implemented by the Association Béninoise pour le Marketing Social et la Communication pour la Santé (ABMS) in Benin. Annual evaluations have been conducted to monitor client satisfaction, with feedback mechanisms to learn from callers and staff, aiming to continually improve the program. We document lessons learned from these evaluations, outline the adaptation process to improve the quality of the hotline, present results from Ligne Verte caller and counselor studies, and describe how the studies fed client-driven changes to the project.

Methods: Annual rounds of semistructured phone interviews with Ligne Verte callers and call center advisors were conducted. The sample of clients interviewed included consenting men and women aged 18 years and older who had used Ligne Verte services in the 3 months preceding the evaluation. All advisors working on the helpline were also eligible for inclusion in qualitative interviews.

Results: From 2013 to 2020, most callers were satisfied with the Ligne Verte project. Users reported appreciating the accurate, timely, and confidential support they received from the helpline but noted the need to expand the service to other local languages and improve call quality. Call center advisors requested mental health support. In employing a systematic approach to program improvement, ABMS was able to add extended language services, upgrade their telecommunication hardware, and provide a psychologist for call center advisors. These program adaptations have increased caller satisfaction by 20 percentage points, and in 2020, 95% of callers reported being satisfied with their Ligne Verte experience.

Conclusion: Taking a consumer-centered approach, listening to user feedback, and making evidence-based recommendations to improve the Ligne Verte project has led to an overall increase in caller satisfaction.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Ligne Verte National Reproductive Health Hotline Improvement Process Abbreviations: CCA, call center advisors; EL, executive leadership; LVMT, Ligne Verte management team; RT, research team.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Ligne Verte Hardware Adaptations, From 2015 to 2020, Benin
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Trends in Ligne Verte Hotline Caller Satisfaction and Concomitant Program Improvements
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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