Comprendre les connaissances et expériences des patients et des communautés sur les risques, les maladies et la santé : une formation aux méthodes qualitatives de LuxOR au Nigeria
In April 2024, LuxOR Advisor for Qualitative and Social Sciences Research Umberto Pellecchia conducted a three-day training on Qualitative Methods and Analysis for two nutrition projects (Maiduguri and Kebbi) in the MSF Nigeria Mission. The training, supported by the Mission Epidemiologist and the Regional Health Promotion for West Africa, is a new initiative, notable for its mission-based and face-to-face approach.
The mission requested this initiative to address operational issues that require qualitative analysis for better understanding. Indeed, more than 45 staff members from all positions participated in the training. Qualitative and social science methodologies aim to scientifically understand and interpret population’s behaviors, social and cultural realities, and perceptions of risks and health. They can be applied to gather data among (and with) patients, communities, and health workers. Within MSF, the objective of qualitative methodologies is to critically analyze our interventions by bringing the voice of the communities as an actual source of knowledge that can be paired with the biomedical knowledge of the organization to adequately cover our target populations needs with their full participation. On the other hand, qualitative and social sciences help to debunk cultural stereotypes about the population we work with, therefore enhancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in MSF’s strategy.
Both northeast and northwest regions in Nigeria remain affected by high levels of malnutrition and preventable diseases. A huge number of moderately and severely malnourished children are admitted at the MSF facilities weekly in both Kebbi and Maiduguri projects, which already in 2024 have reached unprecedented numbers admissions.
The structural inequalities in the area, the uncertainty due to ongoing conflicts, and the structural poverty and food insecurity, all contribute to a worrying context. MSF teams are responding with both clinical and outreach strategies to provide high quality curative services.
The interest in qualitative methods connects to the ongoing needs to understand better both very specific operational constraints, and community’s dynamics. An example of the former is the issue concerning the delay in seeking care by caregivers when children are already in a severe stage of malnutrition. In parallel, community’s perceptions around food insecurity and their own copying mechanisms are also open questions that qualitative methodologies can help to answer.
The training conducted by LuxOR empowered staff with basic tools such as: how to conduct interviews and focus groups for rapid qualitative assessments; how to analyze qualitative data; and how to assure ethics and scientific consistency. Those tools will possibly be used for operational assessments, although they can also contribute to the beginning of an actual operational research process.