3. Conceptual framework - II

Conceptual framework for Mujer Sana - Comunidad Sana

Mujer Sana - Comunidad Sana can be described as a multiple intervention health promotion program that applied interlinked theoretical approaches to understand changes at several levels.

Multiple intervention programmes (MIP) involve a complex process of establishing and maintaining multiple partnerships diverse strategies across levels. They focus health promotion interventions beyond individual behaviour only, and address interdependencies among socioeconomic, cultural, political, environmental, psychological, and biological determinants of health and illness. They can lead to changes in attitudes, behaviours, and collective capacity. MIP is most effective when directed at community and individual levels simultaneously. ¹

As a demonstration project, we wanted to direct program activities, and anticipated change, at three levels simultaneously:

We looked at theories and approaches that could help us understand how and why different types of interventions might work to achieve our project goals. We also wanted to make sense of and explain any changes that occurred as a consequence of our programming activities.

When we first started to think about this project, we worked with four inter-linked approaches. They guided the way we conceptualized the research design and the intended program:

In addition, we were committed to applying principles of feminism and anti-racism throughout.