Help-Seeking Pathways and Barriers for ... - EngenderHealth

enjoyable for participants. Such PFGs provide study participants with a forum to reflect upon
the risks and realities that are present in their communities. They have been used by
various disciplines to harness the voices of marginalized and disenfranchised subpopulations.
The ICRW team had previously applied these participatory research methods to
explore sensitive topics including sexual violence and reproductive health risks in Tanzania. 8
These techniques are increasingly recognized as effective strategies to actively engage
participants (including marginalized/stigmatized groups and individuals with varying
educational levels), and generally allow for a greater sense of ownership and collaboration
in the research. In addition, by validating experiences, ideas, and opinions, the participatory
discussions can be an empowering process for participants.
For this study, PFGs were conducted with same sex and age groups (women 18-24 years,
women 25 years+, men 18-24 years, men 25 years+) of 8-15 individuals in each of the
three study sites. The sessions lasted an average of two hours per session. GBV survivors
were not actively recruited for these discussions; however, given the prevalence of violence
in the country, it is likely that individual survivors as well as friends and family members of
survivors participated in the groups.
Throughout the research process, the ICRW and UDSM teams strictly adhered to the WHO
Safety and Ethical Guidelines for Researching Violence Against Women. All safeguards were
taken to ensure the protection of research participants, as laid out in the research protocol
approved by the ICRW’s Institutional Review Board and UDSM’s Directorate of Research and
Publications. Additionally, the protocol was reviewed by representatives of the Ministry of
Health and Social Welfare (MoHSW), the EngenderHealth Monitoring and Evaluation team,
and several PEPFAR implementing partners in Tanzania. Confidentiality, anonymity, and the
avoidance of re-traumatization related to experiences of violence were emphasized in the
protocol development, training of the research team, and throughout data collection and
analysis.
Please see Annexes 2 and 3 for the Key Informant Interview Guides and Annex 4 for the
Participatory Focus Group Guide. 9
B. Sample Description
As set forth in the approved research protocol and in line with the programmatic priorities of
the PEPFAR partners in Tanzania, the data collection was carried out in one urban and one
rural district in each of the three targeted regions: Dar es Salaam, Iringa, and Mbeya. A
stakeholders’ meeting was held prior to finalization of the district selection to solicit input
from the key government agencies associated with GBV programming: MoHSW, MCDGC,
and TACAIDS. Hence, the selection of the districts was made in consultation with GoT
national representatives, regional Community Development Officers, and with reference to a
8 See for example: McCleary-Sills, J., Douglas, Z., Rwehumbiza, A., Hamisi, A., & Mabala, R. (2011). Vijana
Tunaweza Newala: Findings from a Participatory Research and Action Project in Tanzania. Washington, D.C.:
International Center for Research on Women.
9 These tools are included for illustrative purposes only. Training on the use of these methods developed by
ICRW is strongly advised.
Help-Seeking Pathways and Barriers for Survivors of GBV in Tanzania March 2013
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