La communication dans la lutte contre la non déclaration des naissances au Sénégal : étude des pratiques et stratégies de communication développées par l'ONG AIDE et ACTION dans la région de Tambacounda

Depuis leur accession à la souveraineté nationale, les pays du continent africain en particulier ont entrepris de nombreuses opérations de développement et de modernisation, souvent avec l'appui de la communauté internationale pour améliorer la qualité de vie des populations, qui n'ont pas toujours eu le succès attendu à cause de l'existence d'un déficit de communication entre les décideurs ou acteurs du développement et les populations bénéficiaires. Dans de nombreux cas, les populations ont développé des comportements de résistance face à des interventions qui leur \ud « tombaient dessus » sans que leurs préoccupations, leurs besoins, leur vision, leur participation et leur point de vue aient été sollicités d'une part, sans que les motivations des acteurs du développement leur aient été clarifiées au préalable d'autre part. C'est dans ce cadre que l'on situe la problématique de la non déclaration des naissances qui est devenue l'une des préoccupations majeures du gouvernement Sénégalais et d'une ONG dénommée Aide et Action, intervenant au Sénégal. Nous allons nous lancer dans une évaluation de la stratégie de communication d'Aide et Action dans la lutte contre la non déclaration des naissances et placer notre recherche dans le cadre de la réflexion théorique sur la communication et le développement, plus particulièrement en nous appuyant sur des auteurs africains. Nous tenterons de comprendre comment se présente le phénomène au Sénégal et comment la question du non enregistrement des naissances est prise en charge. Pour ce faire, nous étudierons les pratiques et stratégies de communication développées par l'ONG Aide et Action dans la région de Tambacounda. ______________________________________________________________________________ MOTS-CLÉS DE L’AUTEUR : Communication, Communication Participative, Développement, Enregistrement des naissances, Sénégal

Knowledge and provision practices of misoprostol among pharmacies in Senegal

Marie Stopes International and the Population Council conducted a study on the knowledge and practice of misoprostol provision among pharmacy workers in Senegal, as part of the Strengthening Evidence for Programming on Unintended Pregnancy (STEP UP) research program. This study helped guide strategies for expanding provision and proper delivery in pharmacies of misoprostol, a drug which is highly effective and acceptable for treating postpartum hemorrhage and post-abortion complications. Amplified communication about the product can contribute to an increase in demand from providers in all sectors. However, as demand for the product increases, the supply chain must be strengthened to respond effectively and avoid shortages. The Ministry of Health has committed to working to ensure the availability of essential medicines, including misoprostol, and to train pharmacy workers to allow them to sell misoprostol safely for gynecological purposes

Knowledge and provision of misoprostol among pharmacy workers in Senegal: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Making misoprostol widely available for management of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) and post abortion care (PAC) is essential for reducing maternal mortality. Private pharmacies (thereafter called "pharmacies") are integral in supplying medications to the general public in Senegal. In the case of misoprostol, pharmacies are also the main supplier to public providers and therefore have a key role in increasing its availability. This study seeks to understand knowledge and provision of misoprostol among pharmacy workers in Dakar, Senegal. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Dakar, Senegal. 110 pharmacy workers were interviewed face-to-face to collect information on their knowledge and practice relating to the provision of misoprostol. RESULTS: There are low levels of knowledge about misoprostol uses, registration status, treatment regimens and side effects among pharmacy workers, and corresponding low levels of training on its uses for reproductive health. Provision of misoprostol was low; of the 72% (n = 79) of pharmacy workers who had heard of the product, 35% (n = 27) reported selling it, though rarely for reproductive health indications. Almost half (49%, n = 25) of the respondents who did not sell misoprostol expressed willingness to do so. The main reasons pharmacy workers gave for not selling the product included stock outs (due to product unavailability from the supplier), perceived lack of demand and unwillingness to stock an abortifacient. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge and availability of misoprostol in pharmacies in Senegal is low, posing potential challenges for delivery of post-abortion care and obstetric care. Training is required to address low levels of knowledge of misoprostol registration and uses among pharmacy workers. Barriers that prevent pharmacy workers from stocking misoprostol, including weaknesses in the supply chain and stigmatisation of the product must be addressed. Low reported sales for reproductive health indications also suggest limited prescribing of the product by health providers. Further research is needed to explore the reasons for this barrier to misoprostol availability

Knowledge and provision practices of misoprostol among pharmacies in Senegal

In developing countries, postpartum hemorrhage and complications related to unsafe abortions are direct causes of maternal death. In Senegal, actions have been undertaken by the government to reduce this burden and significant advances have been made in these areas in recent years. However, progress is still necessary to achieve the Millennium Development Goals for the reduction of the maternal mortality rate to the target numbers by 2015. The objective of the study was to understand the knowledge about, availability of, and practices in the provision of misoprostol at pharmacies in Dakar, Senegal, to ensure correct delivery of the product. Pharmacists are the key intermediaries and thus it is imperative that they be involved in the national implementation plans for the availability, safe delivery, and scaling up of the product throughout the country