Evidence - SBC Impact
Compelling, credible, recent, direct impact data
Evidence - SBC Impact
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Changing Norms Related to Early Childbearing - 3.8x More Likely to Use Contraceptives

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Strategy researched
Preventing early marriage and delaying first childbirth within marriage through: involvement of community leaders, parents, and in-laws; training of unmarried adolescents, newlywed couples, and health service providers; group meetings and counselling for young people; and general messaging through street theatre and wall paintings

Impact achieved
The increase in demand for contraception between surveys in the intervention area was 1.5 times that in the comparison area, and the increase in contraceptive use was even more pronounced (odds ratio, 3.8). Demand for contraception increased from 25% at baseline to 40% at follow-up in intervention areas, but remained virtually unchanged in comparison areas. Similarly, among women with one child, contraceptive use increased fourfold, from 6% to 25% (p<.001) in the intervention areas, but the change in the comparison areas (from 4% to 7%) was not statistically significant. Following the intervention, 39% of women knew about fertile days in the cycle, compared with only 18% at baseline. The intervention group also showed a higher rate of agreeing that early childbirth can be harmful and that contraceptive use is necessary and safe for delaying first births (odds ratios, 1.6-3.0).

Country of study
India

Research methodology
RCT - Editor's note: One research expert involved in reviewing these studies is of the opinion that this study is not an RCT but, rather, a pre-post design (as it does not measure effects on the same participants). It is The CI's decision to include.

Journal
International Family Planning Perspectives; 2008

Journal paper title and link
The effect of community-based reproductive health communication interventions on contraceptive use among young married couples in Bihar, India

Excerpt from Abstract
"Contraceptive use was very low (2-6%) at baseline in both comparison and intervention areas. Demand for contraception increased from 25% at baseline to 40% at follow-up in intervention areas, but remained virtually unchanged in comparison areas. At follow-up, contraceptive use had risen in both areas, but the adjusted odds of use in intervention areas were 3.8 times those in comparison areas. Women in intervention areas had elevated odds of knowing that fertility varies during the menstrual cycle, and of agreeing that early childbirth can be harmful and that contraceptive use is necessary and safe for delaying first births (odds ratios, 1.6-3.0)....Culturally appropriate, community-based communication programs that target youth and those who influence their decisions can create demand for contraception among young couples and lead to increased contraceptive use."

Summary at this link

Why the focus on direct impact data?

A common challenge from policy makers, funders, community members, people directly experiencing development issues, and governments is: Demonstrate your Impact. Prove that what you are doing works. The high quality, highly credible data presented on the cards below is designed to help you answer that question for your social change, behaviour change, community engagement, communication and media for development, strategy formulation, policy engagement and funding initiatives. At this link filter the research data to your specific interests and priorities

Why a playing cards design?

There is a physical pack of cards with this data (to get a copy please request through the comment form for any card). The card approach allows for easy identification and selection of relevant direct impact data in any context. For example if talking with a donor and you need to identify proof of impact say "take a look at the 7 of Hearts". Quick access can be provided to high-quality data for many areas of your work – funding, planning, policy, advocacy, community dialogue, training, partner engagement, and more. A card deck is also engaging, easy to use and share, a conversation starter, and a resource - and they are fun and different. So we kept that design for the online images as it can serve similar purposes. 

What are the criteria for inclusion?

The impact data presented meets the following high standard for inclusion criteria:

  • Positive change or trend in a priority development issue;
  • Social change or behaviour change strategy or process;
  • Randomized Control Trial or Systematic Review methodology;
  • High quality peer review journal published;
  • Numeric impact data point
  • Published since 2010.