Conducting Qualitative Research on Sensitive Topics in Low Income Rural Setting in South Asia
Location
DeSantis Room 2057
Format Type
Plenary
Format Type
Paper
Start Date
16-1-2020 3:30 PM
End Date
16-1-2020 3:50 PM
Abstract
Women’s empowerment plays a key role in household food security and maternal and child nutrition. Research illustrates the importance of measuring women’s empowerment in nutrition-sensitive and -specific interventions, there is, however, limited robust data. This study will explore the impact of a combined nutrition counselling and unconditional cash transfer intervention, delivered on a mobile platform, on the level of empowerment of women in rural Bangladesh. Qualitative data will be gathered on women and men’s perceived and experienced change in empowerment through longitudinal qualitative interviews (semi-structured in-depth interviews). We will also interview key family members such as husbands and mother in law. A purposive sample will be interviewed approximately 2 months after the start of the intervention, midline and endline. Interviews will be conducted by local partner organization. Qualitative researchers will be recruited with field experience, local language and awareness of culturally sensitive issues. Interviews will be recorded digitally and transcribed verbatim in Bangla. Data will be coded using thematic analysis and NVivo. I will engage with local researchers through video conferencing (Zoom) as we analyse the data. I will use PowerPoint and audio and video clips to present my paper. We will explore key domains including intra-household communication and perceived and experienced intimate partner violence. This research will provide valuable first-hand experience, by a researcher of non-South Asian background, undertaking qualitative research, on sensitive topics around women’s empowerment, in low-income country in South Asia.
Keywords
women’s empowerment, Bangladesh, nutrition, cash transfer, counselling, BCC, mHealth, qualitative
Conducting Qualitative Research on Sensitive Topics in Low Income Rural Setting in South Asia
DeSantis Room 2057
Women’s empowerment plays a key role in household food security and maternal and child nutrition. Research illustrates the importance of measuring women’s empowerment in nutrition-sensitive and -specific interventions, there is, however, limited robust data. This study will explore the impact of a combined nutrition counselling and unconditional cash transfer intervention, delivered on a mobile platform, on the level of empowerment of women in rural Bangladesh. Qualitative data will be gathered on women and men’s perceived and experienced change in empowerment through longitudinal qualitative interviews (semi-structured in-depth interviews). We will also interview key family members such as husbands and mother in law. A purposive sample will be interviewed approximately 2 months after the start of the intervention, midline and endline. Interviews will be conducted by local partner organization. Qualitative researchers will be recruited with field experience, local language and awareness of culturally sensitive issues. Interviews will be recorded digitally and transcribed verbatim in Bangla. Data will be coded using thematic analysis and NVivo. I will engage with local researchers through video conferencing (Zoom) as we analyse the data. I will use PowerPoint and audio and video clips to present my paper. We will explore key domains including intra-household communication and perceived and experienced intimate partner violence. This research will provide valuable first-hand experience, by a researcher of non-South Asian background, undertaking qualitative research, on sensitive topics around women’s empowerment, in low-income country in South Asia.