Translating Formative Research into Intervention Content: Experiences with Face Washing for Trachoma Control in Rural...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Behavioral Science
• International Health

Background:

• Traditional educational interventions often fail to promote necessary behavior change for public health improvements like face washing for trachoma.
• Behavioral science frameworks provide structured approaches to design more effective interventions by integrating research insights.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline a five-stage process for translating formative research into practical intervention strategies.
• To detail the decision-making and outputs involved in developing a face washing intervention for trachoma control using behavioral science.

Main Methods:

• Synthesizing formative research into a creative brief.
• Selecting behavior change techniques (BCTs) tailored to key behavioral targets.
• Developing intervention content and finalizing the Theory of Change.

Main Results:

• A systematic, five-stage process was applied to design a face washing intervention.
• The process involved synthesizing research, selecting BCTs, conceptualizing the intervention, developing content, and defining the Theory of Change.
• The intervention was designed for the Stronger SAFE trial in rural Oromia, Ethiopia.

Conclusions:

• Behavioral science frameworks offer a structured pathway to develop effective public health interventions.
• Translating research into actionable strategies requires a systematic approach, as demonstrated by the face washing intervention for trachoma control.