Study Summary:The purpose of this study is to assess feasibility and acceptability of expanding the package of drugs and approaches available to prevent and treat postpartum haemorrhage in 36 select health facilities in Makueni county. The study participants will involve postpartum women, community representatives, healthcare providers and key MNH stakeholders. An inclusion and exclusion criteria will be used to determine the eligibility of the study participants. The findings from this study will be used to inform government decisions on where and how to introduce an expanded package of WHO-recommended drugs and approaches for PPH prevention and treatment. Study participants and people living in study locations may benefit from improved health services if study findings stimulate policy change and resource allocation. Research findings are also intended to inform WHO guidance on operationalizing PPH-related recommendations.ResponsibilitiesDATA COLLECTION: NUMBER OF DAYS (30)Participate in 7 days training to better understand the study protocol, data collection procedures and study complianceProvide inception report on study requirements, data collection and management plansAdhere strictly to study protocols, ethical research principles, and administrative requirements.Coordinate and support primary data collection through key informant interviews and focus group discussionsReview the interview and focus group discussion notes for completeness, legibility, and logical flow, so that additional information may be provided as necessary for comprehensive notes.Adhere to the study Standard Operating Procedures for recruitment, consent, data collection activities and documentation.Regularly submit audio recordings to the Country Program Manager for transcriptionHandle and protect confidential and sensitive data with integrity in line with study standard operating proceduresMaintain close communication with the Country Program Manager during data collectionWork collaboratively with other study team members and co-investigators as may be necessaryAttend progress meetings, provide updates and adhere to agreed deadlines and meet targetsSubmit a field report on completed data collection and quality assurance activitiesHand over field notes, study tools and equipment upon completion of the data collection exerciseComplete tasks assigned within the agreed timelinesDATA ANALYSIS: NUMBER OF DAYS (70)Participate in training on study objectives, analytical frameworks and processesAdapt and finalize qualitative data analysis plans in consultation with study team membersIn collaboration with US and Kenya-based co-investigators, code transcripts from individual interviews and focus group discussions with postpartum women, community leaders, antenatal care and maternity ward staff and health facility managersPrepare summary memos and presentations on key findings by theme, participant type and locationContribute to triangulation of qualitative findings with other primary and secondary data sourcesContribute to development of presentations, reports and journal manuscripts, if/as requestedHandle and protect confidential and sensitive data with integrity in line with study standard operating procedures.DeliverablesAudio recordings of the interviews and focus group discussions labeled clearly as per the file naming conventionField report on completed data collection and quality assurance activitiesFinal codebook for qualitative analysis with a priori and emergent codesDetailed qualitative analysis report and PowerPoint presentation slides to the Country Program ManagerRequired QualificationsThe research consultancy firm should have experience in the following:Qualitative maternal health services researchQualitative work with a minimum of 5 yearsPresenting and interpreting data in a useable manner for a range of audiencesWorking with health care providers, community members and policy makersPrior experience conducting focus group discussions and in-depth interviews on medical or public health topicsPrior experience in all stages of qualitative study implementation from study design through data collection, analysis and dissemination of resultsThe Research Firm Should Have a Highly Skilled Team with Demonstrated Ability to Perform the Following:Group facilitation skills, especially among community membersAnalyze qualitative data using Dedoose softwareExercise confidentiality and professionalismMeet agreed timelines and communicate within a teamProduce timely, high quality quantitative and qualitative data analysis and reportsThe Research Firm Should HaveOrganization skills (for keeping data files organized)Attention to detailTeam members who are fluent in oral and written English, Kiswahili and Kamba languagesA team of min. 2 experienced data collectors to conduct interviews and focus group discussions in Makueni Country during July 2024At least 1 experienced qualitative analyst fully dedicated to this study between August and October/November 2024The Team Lead Should Have The Following QualificationsMinimum Master's degree in health, social sciences, community health or development-related fieldPhD will be an added advantagePrior experience in publication of qualitative or mixed methods research in reputable peer-reviewed journalsAnalytical skills in qualitative dataAbility to communicate regularly and efficiently with the study contact person to share in progress or difficultiesPrevious experience in managing study teamsAvailability to join weekly study team meetings and work closely with in-country and global research team members throughout the study periodN/B:The team lead and research firm team responsible for data collection should be available for the trainings and study review meetings.
