Public Health Initiatives in Kakuma Refugee Camp: A Focus on Women’s Health

This article details Bhavya Joshi’s research in Kakuma Refugee Camp, focusing on the reproductive health needs of South Sudanese women. Through community-based participatory research, Joshi engages local women and collects data on significant challenges, such as maternal mortality and gender-based violence, aiming to guide health policy improvements. Her work emphasizes the importance of collaboration and sustainable research practices in humanitarian contexts.

In late July 2024, Bhavya Joshi, a doctoral student at UC Berkeley School of Public Health, embarks on a 500-mile journey from Nairobi to Kakuma Refugee Camp, northern Kenya. His work focuses on understanding the health needs of displaced South Sudanese women living under compounded crises, including armed conflict, food insecurity, and the residual impact of COVID-19. The Kakuma camp, established in 1992, hosts over 290,000 refugees from various countries.

Joshi’s research, supported by the UC Berkeley School of Public Health and other institutions, employs a community-based participatory research (CBPR) methodology. This collaborative framework ensures that the refugee women are integral to the research process. They aid in formulating research questions, conducting interviews, and managing data. Joshi highlights the dearth of data regarding marginalized populations, noting the need for sustainable research practices.

The alarming maternal mortality rate in South Sudan stands at 1,223 per 100,000 live births, significantly higher than in developed nations. Joshi’s findings indicate urgent needs in reproductive health, revealing that many women face childbirth without adequate healthcare facilities, experience outdated medical provisions, and lack essential screenings. Furthermore, she documented alarming instances of gender-based violence and the increasing reliance on transactional sex for survival among refugee women.

Joshi’s personal background fuels her passion for advancing women’s health. Raised in New Delhi, she faced challenges that shaped her commitment to advocacy. With a foundation in political science and degrees in international law, she has dedicated her career to humanitarian health issues, having previously worked on diverse projects across multiple continents.

Collaborating with AMREC, a Kenyan firm, Joshi fostered connections with the Kakuma community and engaged local women as data collectors for her study, enhancing research relevance. A data collector, Alik Alak, shared poignant stories highlighting the daily struggles for basic necessities like sanitary products and the challenges faced by women in a restrictive environment.

A pivotal workshop in Kakuma allowed Joshi to present her research to community members and solicited feedback for future collaboration. The interactive format empowered participants to voice their insights, demonstrating the importance of inclusive research strategies in addressing local health issues.

In follow-up discussions with the Kenya Red Cross, Joshi learned that many women prioritize basic needs over reproductive health, largely due to cultural and familial expectations. Advocacy for male involvement in family planning emerged as a potential strategy to alleviate reproductive health challenges within the camp.

After concluding her activities in Kakuma, Joshi prepares for further stakeholder meetings in Nairobi, aiming to integrate feedback from diverse health representatives to refine her analysis. Her commitment extends beyond research to creating impactful dialogue and enabling communities to lead their health initiatives.

Joshi believes that her findings may guide policy to improve refugee reproductive health across Kenya. This work exemplifies the vital intersection of community engagement and academic research, striving to address the deep-rooted issues faced by marginalized populations.

In conclusion, Bhavya Joshi’s insightful research at Kakuma Refugee Camp highlights critical reproductive health challenges faced by South Sudanese women. Employing a community-based participatory approach, her work not only identifies pressing health needs but also empowers local women to be integral to the research process. Addressing the severe maternal mortality rates and gender-based violence, Joshi’s efforts aim to inform policy and improve health outcomes for marginalized populations, demonstrating the significant value of inclusive research methodologies.

Original Source: publichealth.berkeley.edu