Consultant, Kampala 45 views

Organization: Management Sciences for Health (MSH)
Country: Uganda
City: Kampala
Office: MSH Kampala, Uganda
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Overall Objective
The consultant will provide local support for the coordination, including IRB approvals, provide oversight in the process and actual collection and collation of all the required data for the study aimed at exploring effectiveness of a behavioral “nudge” intervention in encouraging appropriate antibiotic prescriptions among a subset of hospital-based providers in Uganda.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health crisis primarily driven by the overuse and misuse of antimicrobial agents in humans and livestock.1 To combat this, a variety of interventions have been tested to dissuade problematic use behaviors, including inappropriate prescribing and dispensing among healthcare providers.2, 3 Social and behavior change (SBC)4 interventions, based on behavioral economic principles, have proven successful in modifying a variety of provider behaviors leading to improved clinical practices in high-income countries.5 In Uganda AMR is of growing concern as it has been reported that a high proportion of antibiotic prescriptions may be irrational or unnecessary. Multiple studies have identified both misuse and overuse of antibiotics in Ugandan clinical settings.6, 7Based on these concerns, the USAID Medicines, Technologies, and Pharmaceutical Services (MTaPS) Program is interested in exploring behavioral “nudge” approaches to reducing AMR by supporting appropriate use of antibiotics among health care professionals in Uganda. USAID MTaPS is conducting this study. The consultant will support the various aspects of this study, particularly those related to phase 1 and 2 data collections and collation, and collaboration with the study team primarily oversight of MTaPS. Specific tasks include:
Review and become very familiar with the existing study protocol for a full contextual understanding of intentions and processes of the behavioral “nudge” study on the prescribing antibiotics in Ugandan hospitals
Coordinate the submission of the protocol and other documents to Makerere University and/or any other local IRB-handling organization, as needed and as guided by MTaPS, to obtain ethical approval or any appropriate waiver(s) for conducting the study.
With oversight from the MTaPS Uganda team, coordinate the steps in the selection of and coordination with the Ugandan hospitals and the ASO TWG, as required, to ensure a smooth conduct of data collection and other hospital-related aspects of the study
Conduct two rounds of formative (phase I) research in the form of key informant interviews (as described in the protocol), based on the questionnaire tools designed, to gain a comprehensive understanding of individual, social, environmental, and organizational norms and processes and implementation logistics and language appropriateness related to the prescribing of antibiotics within a hospital setting. Prior to implementing the tool, review, familiarize and provide any final inputs/tweaks on the existing advanced draft tools before finalizing them to administer to the key informants.
Conduct data collection for the actual social & behavior change (SBC) intervention (phase II intervention), which will have 3 components (pre-test, immediate post-test, and follow-up post-test after about 3 to 6 months) of data collection as described in the protocol in the selected Ugandan hospitals.
Train, supervise and oversee the work of two interns that will be hired by MTaPS to assist the consultant in data collection and other aspects of the consultancy. While the interns are expected to provide useful support, the overall and full responsibility and accountability of data collection, accuracy, and integrity will rest with the consultant.
When the behavioral “nudge” messages are finalized by MTaPS, support in its administration to the local Ugandan hospitals’ prescribers and any other stakeholders, as needed and as guided by the MTaPS Uganda team.
Provide any additional support as required by the MTaPS to ensure to collect any additional elements of local Uganda information gathering (as delineated in the protocol or in case any modifications are required based on initial work)
Record, transcribe, code, integrate, combine, collate, and review data and information (and analyze them into thematic groups as needed) with regard to all the aspects and steps of data gathering in a complete, validated and timely manner and transmit them to MTaPS.
As needed, work with and support MTaPS Uganda in the dissemination of study findings to the national Ugandan counterparts and other stakeholders
Deliverables
Completed data set from round 1 of the formative study (phase I – key informant interviews) submitted to MTaPS
Completed data set from round 2 of the formative study (phase I – key informant interviews) submitted to MTaPS
Completed data set from the pre-test (baseline) data collected for the SBC intervention (phase II) submitted to MTaPS
Completed data set from the immediate post-test data collected after the SBC intervention (phase II) submitted to MTaPS
Completed data set from the follow-up post-test data collected after the SBC intervention (phase II) submitted to MTaPS
MSH is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, religion, creed, citizenship, national origin, age, veteran status, or disability unrelated to job requirements. MSH will take affirmative action to ensure that qualified applicants are employed and that employees are treated without regard to their race, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran and disability status. In compliance with U.S. Department of Labor Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Section 4212 of the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act, MSH has developed and maintains an affirmative action program and plan.
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