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NGO-government partnerships for scaling up: sexuality education in Mexico
Pick Susan, Givaudan Martha & Reich R. Michael
(2008). "NGO-Government partnerships for scaling up: sexuality education in Mexico". Development in Practice, 18(2), pp. 164-175.
Governments in developing countries need effective programmes to advance public policies and improve social welfare. NGOs often have well-tested programmes and research outcomes that are relevant to such needs, yet the scaling up of pilot programmes to national level is difficult to achieve and frequently unsuccesful. This article presents a case of succesful scaling up for an adolescent sexual-health and psychosocial-competencies programme in Mexico, through an NGO-government partnership involving IMIFAP, a Mexican NGO. The case illustrates how and NGO can create a successul partnership with government to scale up effective programmes. in ways that meet key needs of the target population while protecting the NGO´s core values.
Enhancement of underused cervical cancer prevention services in rural Oaxaca, Mexico
Givaudan Martha, Leenen Iwin, Pick Susan, Angulo Andrea & Poorting H. Ype
(2008). "Enhancement of underused cervical cancer prevention services in rural Oaxaca, Mexico". Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública, 23(2), pp. 135-143.
Cervical cancer is a global public health issue. According to a recent report by the Alliance for Cervical Cancer Prevention an estimated 274000 women fall vicitim to cervical cancer each year, 80% of whom live in low-income countries. The problem has been associated with women´s inadequate knowledge of the disease and its prevention and the low expertise of health professionals as well as their lack of cultural sensitivity. In industrialized countries, the incidence of and death rate from cervical cancer have significantly decreased over the past 50 years as a result of widespread implementation and use of Papanicolaou or Pap smear testing. The Pap smear test is an effective screeing tool for cervical neoplaisa, a precursor of cervical cancer, which is mostly caused by human papilloma virus. Treatment of cervical cancer precursos is usually highly succesful.
In this article, we discuss a health education program, named Porque me quiero, me cuido (Because I like myself, I take care of myself), that was implemented in rural and indigenous populations in Valles Centrales in Oaxaca, one of Mexico's poorest and most rural states. The Valles Centrales region occupies a third of the state's territory. In Oaxaca, the mortality rate due to cervical cancer is 12.4 per 100000women. Hence, the goal of the program was to promote the use of screening services. The program is geared toward increasing knowledge and skills, enabling women to take preventive measures against cervical cancer, and promoting Pap smear tests. A first version of the program was implemented with support from the local health authorities in the state of Oaxaca.
Capacity building for decentralization in Mexico: a psychosocial approach
Pick Susan, Xocolotzin Ulises & Ruesga Carolina
(2007). "Capacity building for decentralisation in Mexico: a psychosocial approach". International Journal of Public Sector Management, 20(2), pp. 157-166.
Abstract
Purpose - The purpose of this research is to examine which competencies have to be addressed in individual training programs that can help government officials to implement decentralisation policies in Mexico. The paper is based on a psychosocial approach to training seeking to enhance knowledge and skills.
Desgin/methodology/approach - An extensive structured interview was held with a sample of 75 municipality and state officials, to survey the needs and difficulties experienced by officials in the realization of decentralization measures.
Findings - Results show lack of competencies and agency among the officials in various respects, such as fear of decision making and low self confidence.
Research limitations/implications - The analysis is based on the perceptions and views of the participants. Further steps will be needed to develop and test an actual training program.
Practical implications - Lack of success of decentralisation is in part attributable to lack of relevant social competencies among officials. This can be addressed by training programs.
Originality/value - The article advocates a capacity building approach that addresses the individual as well as the institutional and policy environmente. It focuses on specific beliefs, knowledge, attitudes and skills that enable kinds of behavior changes likely to facilitate decentralization. When individuals develop psychosocial skills, their competency to take initiative, and to confindently and responsibly deal with difficult situtations (i.e. agency) is enhanced.
Detección y manejo de mujeres victimas de violencia domestica: desarrollo y evaluación de un programa dirigido al personal de salud
Fawcett Gillian, Venguer Tere, Vernon Ricardo & Pick Susan
(1998). “Detección y manejo de mujeres víctimas de violencia doméstica: desarrollo y evaluación de un programa dirigido al personal de salud” [Detection and management of women who are victims of domestic violence: development and evaluation of a program for healthcare workers]. Population Council/INOPAL III, (Work papers, No. 26).
IMIFAP desarrolló y evaluó un programa para la capacitación del personal de salud en la detección y manejo adecuado de las pacientes víctimas de violencia.
