Advancing Public Health in Kakuma Refugee Camp: A Community-Driven Approach
Bhavya Joshi from UC Berkeley Public Health is conducting vital research in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya, focusing on the health needs of South Sudanese women impacted by crises. Utilizing a community-based participatory research approach, her work seeks to address reproductive health issues and empower local voices. Preliminary findings reveal significant barriers to healthcare, including high maternal mortality rates and cultural challenges, underscoring the necessity for targeted interventions and inclusive policies.
In late July 2024, Bhavya Joshi from UC Berkeley Public Health embarked on a 500-mile journey to Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya. Her love for the camp, home to over 290,000 refugees, stemmed from her previous visit in February 2024 for research. Kakuma, launched in 1992, provides refuge primarily to those affected by conflict in South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia, and it addresses health concerns stemming from ongoing crises such as armed conflict and the pandemic.
Joshi’s investigation, supported by UC Berkeley entities, aims to examine the health needs of South Sudanese women who face compounded adversities including violence and food insecurity. Engaging with the refugee women, Joshi adopted a community-based participatory research approach, empowering local voices in the mission while confronting the data scarcity surrounding marginalized communities in health discourse.
Maternal mortality rates in South Sudan are alarmingly high, with 1,223 deaths per 100,000 live births, compelling a need for improved obstetric services. Joshi’s findings indicate that women often struggle to reach healthcare centers, face shortages of medical providers, and lack essential reproductive health resources, including cervical cancer screenings and family planning services, which are crucial in crisis situations.
Joshi’s motivation was shaped by her upbringing in New Delhi, where exposure to violence informed her desire to help vulnerable women. She is committed to ensuring equitable access to healthcare, regardless of demographic or socioeconomic factors. Her previous research experiences have led her to focus on populations affected by conflict, making her work in Kakuma both a natural progression and a passionate calling.
Joshi collaborated with AMREC, recruiting local women data collectors for her research. These young women, who can speak multiple languages, engaged sensitively with community members to collect data on reproductive health issues, aiding in establishing trust and support. The community’s responses to Joshi’s findings reaffirm the importance of involvement from those directly affected in the research process.
During a recent workshop, participants, mainly refugees, gathered to review preliminary data. Instead of simply presenting findings, Joshi invited collaborative discussions, emphasizing community ownership and feedback on the research outcomes—a departure from traditional practices in academia.
Discussions with local organizations highlighted the delicate balance women in Kakuma must navigate between reproductive health and economic survival. Many women prioritize basic needs over healthcare, and decisions regarding family planning are often overshadowed by cultural norms and gender-based violence, complicating access to comprehensive reproductive services. Joshi’s research could pave the way for significant interventions aimed at addressing these intricacies.
Joshi’s work underlines the effectiveness of community partnerships in research. She aims to leverage her findings to inform policies that improve reproductive health among refugees. Through community-based research, she hopes to raise awareness and develop sustainable solutions that will ultimately foster equity in healthcare access for even the most marginalized populations in Kakuma.
In summation, Bhavya Joshi’s research in Kakuma Refugee Camp signifies a crucial step towards addressing the distinct health needs of South Sudanese women facing multifaceted crises. By employing a community-based participatory approach, Joshi not only empowers the refugee women but also seeks to fill the critical void in data regarding their reproductive health. The outcomes of her research hold promise for policy changes that enhance healthcare accessibility and comprehensively cater to the challenges posed by compounded crises. Joshi’s work reflects the broader imperative of inclusivity in public health research, underscoring the significance of collaboration with underserved communities.
Original Source: publichealth.berkeley.edu
