Research Snapshot: When self-efficacy and wellbeing shape family planning decisions
Improving sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and wellbeing among Syrian refugee women and girls in Lebanon: trialling the Self-Efficacy and Knowledge (SEEK) intervention.
Recent evidence shows that refugee women and girls in Lebanon and other humanitarian settings, face limited access to SRH and psychosocial support services. Addressing these gaps requires feasible, acceptable, and effective approaches that strengthen knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy (belief in ones’ capacity to influence ones’ own life). This is the first study in the Middle East to evaluate an integrated SRH and wellbeing intervention for Syrian refugee adolescent girls and young women.
The SEEK trial found that community-led programs combining SRH and mental health and psycho-social support (MHPSS) are feasible and acceptable in humanitarian settings. Delivered by trained refugee paraprofessionals, the intervention improved well-being, confidence, and decision-making among women and girls. The study highlights the two factors of self-efficacy and wellbeing as essential drivers of improved family planning decision making, while also showing the challenges that can limit access to and uptake of family planning services and the need for further research in this area.
This snapshot contains key messages, findings, implications for humanitarian policymakers and practitioners and recommendations for further research.