Effectively Communicating Evidence to Maximize Resources for SBC Programming
Summary:
The High Impact Practices are widely recognized syntheses of what works in family planning. By packaging global evidence into concise briefs, the HIPs help decision-makers maximize the impact of programs and policies. Since the social and behavior change category of HIPs was added three years ago, the HIP partnership has struggled to clearly define and frame high impact SBC practices in a way that resonates with both decision-makers and the SBC field. Our struggle to communicate the evidence may stem from the evidence that high-quality SBC programming includes multiple components (approaches or communication channels). Decision-makers need concrete, easy-to-understand suggestions. Given this tension, how can we frame SBC HIPs in a way that better resonates? The HIPs are currently focused on practices, mass media for instance; would a different framework such as one organized by audience, behavior, common packages, or intended outcome serve the field better? The evidence of impact is difficult to synthesize in SBC given limited standardization and documentation of interventions - how can the HIPs contribute to building the SBC evidence base? The evidence base is always evolving. What are emerging HIPs in SBC? How can we better support decision-makers ability to access accurate information about promising and proven SBC practices?
Discussion/Implications for the Field:
Our ability to synthesize and package the evidence of promising and proven interventions is critical to increase the investment in social and behavior change. Decision-makers do not have the time to browse through decades of learning to determine what works. The High Impact Practices (HIPs) fill this gap, yet have struggled to get it right for SBC. The HIP partnership is moving into a new phase with sharpened focus on the needs of country-level decision-makers. The Summit comes at a critical time -- the HIP partnership is seeking input and can transform how SBC evidence is communicated.
Abstract submitted by:
Caitlin Thistle - USAID
Michelle Weinberger - Avenir Health
Douglas Storey - Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs
Susan Igras - Georgetown University
Christine Galavotti - Gates Foundation
Gael O'Sullivan - Georgetown University
The High Impact Practices are widely recognized syntheses of what works in family planning. By packaging global evidence into concise briefs, the HIPs help decision-makers maximize the impact of programs and policies. Since the social and behavior change category of HIPs was added three years ago, the HIP partnership has struggled to clearly define and frame high impact SBC practices in a way that resonates with both decision-makers and the SBC field. Our struggle to communicate the evidence may stem from the evidence that high-quality SBC programming includes multiple components (approaches or communication channels). Decision-makers need concrete, easy-to-understand suggestions. Given this tension, how can we frame SBC HIPs in a way that better resonates? The HIPs are currently focused on practices, mass media for instance; would a different framework such as one organized by audience, behavior, common packages, or intended outcome serve the field better? The evidence of impact is difficult to synthesize in SBC given limited standardization and documentation of interventions - how can the HIPs contribute to building the SBC evidence base? The evidence base is always evolving. What are emerging HIPs in SBC? How can we better support decision-makers ability to access accurate information about promising and proven SBC practices?
Discussion/Implications for the Field:
Our ability to synthesize and package the evidence of promising and proven interventions is critical to increase the investment in social and behavior change. Decision-makers do not have the time to browse through decades of learning to determine what works. The High Impact Practices (HIPs) fill this gap, yet have struggled to get it right for SBC. The HIP partnership is moving into a new phase with sharpened focus on the needs of country-level decision-makers. The Summit comes at a critical time -- the HIP partnership is seeking input and can transform how SBC evidence is communicated.
Abstract submitted by:
Caitlin Thistle - USAID
Michelle Weinberger - Avenir Health
Douglas Storey - Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs
Susan Igras - Georgetown University
Christine Galavotti - Gates Foundation
Gael O'Sullivan - Georgetown University
Source
Approved abstract for the postponed 2020 SBCC Summit in Marrakech, Morocco. Provided by the International Steering Committee for the Summit. Image credit: HIPs via Twitter