背景:COVID-19大流行使印度的医疗保健系统和卫生工作者空前紧张。
目的:印度国家青少年健康计划-RashtriyaKishorSwasthyaKaryakram(RKSK)的同伴教育者(PE)对COVID-19应对活动的贡献程度仍不确定,因此需要进行必要的调查。在“i-Saathiya”研究的总体目标中(“i”表示实施科学,而Saathiya代表中央邦的PE),一个关键的重点是了解在印度两个州的COVID-19期间,在RKSK下招募的PE的作用,即中央邦和马哈拉施特拉邦。研究表明,社会人口统计学特征和同伴教育实施模式有所不同。
方法:与参与州RKSK同伴教育计划实施的利益相关者(n=110,马哈拉施特拉邦:57;中央邦:53)进行了深入访谈(IDI)。区,街区和村庄层面。焦点小组讨论(FGD)(n=16名青少年,马哈拉施特拉邦:8;中央邦:8)与青少年一起进行,同龄人群体的一部分(n=120名青少年,马哈拉施特拉邦:66;中央邦:54)。IDI和FGD是音频录制的,翻译,逐字转录并进行主题分析。采用归纳法和演绎法,为主题分析开发了数据驱动的开放编码框架。
结果:在RKSK下招募的PE发挥了核心作用,超出了他们在RKSK中的预定义职责。他们为医护人员遏制COVID-19的传播提供了至关重要的支持。他们不同的贡献,包括COVID-19大流行应对支持,满足社区和青少年的需求,在COVID-19疫苗接种工作中的作用,在COVID-19期间,引导人们进入卫生系统,并为卫生工作者实施各种国家卫生计划和运动提供便利。
结论:这些发现强调了PE在支持卫生系统方面的潜力。尽管他们对上下文(COVID-19)没有准备,PE表现出坚韧和适应性,将他们的角色扩展到他们预定义的职责之外。通过奖励和奖励来认可PE,技能课程和额外成绩,可以提高他们的知名度,在RKSK内外保持有影响力的工作。
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic strained India\'s healthcare system and health workers unprecedentedly.
OBJECTIVE: The extent of the contribution by peer educators (PEs) from India\'s National Adolescent Health Programme-Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) to COVID-19 response activities remains uncertain necessitating an imperative investigation. Within the overarching objective of the \'i-Saathiya\' study (\'i\' signifies implementation science and Saathiya represents PEs in Madhya Pradesh), a key focus was to understand the role of PEs recruited under RKSK during COVID-19 in two Indian states, namely Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The study states differ in sociodemographic characteristics and peer education implementation models.
METHODS: In-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with stakeholders (n=110, Maharashtra: 57; Madhya Pradesh: 53) engaged in the implementation of RKSK\'s peer education programme at state, district, block and village levels. Focus group discussions (FGDs) (n=16 adolescents, Maharashtra: 8; Madhya Pradesh: 8) were conducted with adolescents, part of the peer group of PEs (n=120 adolescents, Maharashtra: 66; Madhya Pradesh: 54). IDIs and FGDs were audio-recorded, translated, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Adopting inductive and deductive approaches, a data-driven open coding framework was developed for thematic analysis.
RESULTS: The PE recruited under RKSK took a central role that extended beyond their predefined responsibilities within the RKSK. They provided crucial support to healthcare workers in curbing the spread of COVID-19. Their diverse contributions, including COVID-19 pandemic response support, addressing community and adolescent needs, role in COVID-19 vaccination efforts, navigating access to the health system and facilitating health workers in the implementation of various national health programmes and campaigns during COVID-19.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings underscore the potential of PEs in bolstering the health system. Despite their unpreparedness for the context (COVID-19), PEs demonstrated tenacity and adaptability, extending their roles beyond their predefined responsibilities. Recognising PEs through awards and incentives, skill courses and additional grades, can enhance their visibility, sustaining impactful work within RKSK and beyond.