Economic Empowerment and Health Promotion of Uganda Grandmother-caregivers.

Background:

There are an estimated 163 million children worldwide who are under the care of their grandparents or other relatives. In Uganda, social determinants of health (i.e., poverty, wars, and maternal and perinatal conditions) threaten the middle generation (age 15-49) and leave older adults, especially grandmothers (Bajjajja), to become the safety net. Yet, in this region, knowledge about effective interventions that support the health and wellbeing of these GMCs is limited to nonexistent. As such, Dr. Matovu proposes to refine, adapt, and test her BAJJAJJA intervention that she developed.

Specific Aims:

Dr. Matovu will achieve this goal through three Specific Aims:

1. Refine and adapt the BAJJAJJA intervention components through a collaborative and iterative feedback process with a diverse community group of 18 members; 2. Test the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of the BAJJAJJA intervention in improving economic and health outcomes among 24 Ugandan GMCs; and 3. Explore the barriers and facilitators to (3a) maintenance of the BAJJAJJA individual intervention benefits and (3b) sustainability of the income generating activity at 6 months post-intervention.

This innovative study will utilize a community-engaged approach that emphasizes the meaningful involvement of community partners to develop an intervention that targets GMCs. Her outcomes will support her future efficacy clinical trial to test a novel multi-component and community-engaged BAJJAJJA intervention to promote the mental, physical, and economic wellbeing of GMCs.