Brief behaviour change counselling in non-communicable diseases in Mangochi, Southern Malawi: a hypothetical acceptability study
Open accessAbstract
Introduction: Brief behaviour change counselling (BBCC) approaches have shown some potential in reversing and/or decreasing the effects of behavioural risk factors (harmful alcohol, smoking, physical inactivity and unhealthy diets). However, BBCC is new in Malawi. Thus, we explored the acceptability of brief behaviour change counselling using 5 As and a guiding style from motivational interviewing (BBCC + 5 As + GS) among health providers, policy-makers and patients living with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the Mangochi district located in Malawi. Methods: An exploratory qualitative cross-sectional study used purposive sampling to select 44 respondents. We conducted group discussions with five focus groups that included patients. We also carried out nine key-informant interviews with healthcare providers and policy-makers. Data were managed and organized with Atlas.ti. cloud and analysed using the thematic framework approach. Findings: Several themes, categories, and their subcategories emerged from the interviews. Participants perceived the introduction and delivery of BBCC + 5As + GS in Mangochi as smooth. However, they predicted a few challenges such as time and space to conduct the intervention, cultural bottlenecks caused by low education level, age differences between healthcare providers and patients, low provider- to- patient ratio and high provider turnover. For this method to be adopted, a simplified format is deemed necessary to improve effectiveness with patients. This technique can only be sustained if training opportunities are provided and if positive testimonies are given by beneficiaries. Incorporation of a continuous quality improvement cycle targeting challenges must be part of the intervention. Participants perceived that BBCC will contribute to developing the listening ability of healthcare providers. This would help in providing personalized and cost-effective care relevant to Mangochi. The participants also perceived that BBCC + 5As + GS will be affordable, credible and useful. Conclusion: We found a high acceptability rate of BBCC among stakeholders in NCDs clinics in Mangochi. There are a number of areas where BBCC + 5As + GS could be improved to increase the acceptability. Accordingly, a study of feasibility and preliminary efficacy is warranted to determine other prerequisites for the implementation of a large-scale trial using this BBCC+ 5 As + GS, and to fully understand the implementation requirements of a full trial in Mangochi.
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Barriers to implementation from providers' perspectives included time and space.
“Barriers to implementation from providers’ perspectives included time and space [47,49], competing work priorities [48], and lack of referral pathways ([71] (Table 1).”
From A scoping review of substance use brief interventions in Africa (2024) · cites this paper as [47]
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- Authors
- Lutala, P., & Muula, A.
- Affiliations
- University of Malawi (MW)
- Corresponding author
- Lutala, Prosper
- Venue
- Pilot and Feasibility Studies
- Published
- 2022-03-24
- Volume
- 8
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 69-69
- ISSN
- 2055-5784 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC8944110
- OpenAlex
- W4220907093
- Cited by
- 8
- References
- 60
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2
- FWCI
- 1.32
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Locations
- Pilot and Feasibility Studies (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- College of Medicine University of Malawi Small grants from dean of research and postgraduates studies
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (5U24HL136791-03)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Policy Implementation Science
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Health Promotion and Cardiovascular Prevention
- Keywords
- motivational interviewing, non-communicable diseases, acceptability, implementation barriers, health education
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