Submission ID 131491
| Issue/Objective | In Lebanon, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in primary health care centers (PHCCs) remain fragmented, particularly in comprehensive family planning, contraceptive care, and sexuality education. GEMSELF (Gender and Person-informed Multi-component Wellness Intervention for Comprehensive Family Planning, Contraceptive Services, and Sexuality Education in Lebanon) - IDRC funded, is a multi-work package study designed to strengthen SRH service delivery in Lebanon through a gender- and person-informed intervention, while integrating mental health dimensions of care. Within this broader project, Work Package 3 (WP3) translates evidence into practical implementation strategies for PHCCs. In a context of health-system strain, inequity, and service fragmentation, WP3 responds directly to the need to bridge research and practice. |
|---|---|
| Methodology/Approach | WP3 was informed by formative primary research under WP1 and benchmarking of interventions. WP1 identified evidence on policy, structural, provider, and user-level barriers and facilitators affecting SRH access, while benchmarking identified intervention options with implementation potential. Development of implementation strategies was guided by the Person-Centered Care (PCC) framework, including dignity, autonomy, trust, communication, and supportive care, and Powell's Implementation Research Categories, with alignment to accreditation requirements for PHCCs in Lebanon. The strategies will be validated with stakeholders in managerial positions within NGOs, ministries, and humanitarian organizations, alongside healthcare providers (HCP) and community members, using human-centered design approaches. The next phase will pilot these strategies with provider capacity-strengthening and information-sharing with PHCC users. Preliminary pilot results will be available at the earliest. |
| Results | A preliminary list of implementation strategies was developed, aligned with the PCC framework and addressing multiple intervention levels, including the facility level, HCP, and service users. These strategies address key domains such as service delivery processes, provider-patient interactions, and organizational practices. Planned analyses will evaluate their practicality, relevance, and potential for integration within PHCC settings, followed by pilot testing in selected PHCCs. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | This phase of the study aims to bridge the gap between formative evidence and implementable, context-sensitive strategies for person-centered SRH care in Lebanese PHCCs. Grounded in the PCC framework, Implementation Research Categories, and PHCC accreditation standards, the work provides a structured pathway for moving from evidence to action. The upcoming pilot will assess feasibility, acceptability, and scale-up of the strategies. |
| Presenters and Affiliations | Tamar Kabakian-Khasholian Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut Aline Germani Center for Public Health Practice, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut Lara Abi Jaoude Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut Rouba El Kadi Center for Public Health Practice, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut Michael El Kassis Department of Health Promotion and Community Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut Faysal El Kak Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American University of Beirut Medical Center American University of Beirut |
