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Title Adaptation of the G-NORM (Gender norms scale) in Uganda: An examination of how gender norms are associated with reproductive health decision-making.
Full text https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5kz3m9t7; https://escholarship.org/content/qt5kz3m9t7/qt5kz3m9t7.pdf
Date 2024
Author(s) Sedlander, Erica; Granovsky, Rachel; Birabwa, Catherine; Amongin, Dinah; Wasswa, Ronald; Diamond-Smith, Nadia; Waiswa, Peter; Holt, Kelsey; Bingenheimer, Jeffrey
Abstract BACKGROUND: Restrictive gender norms exacerbate health inequalities all over the world. More specifically, they prevent women from seeking preventive health services, constrain womens economic empowerment, and are associated with reproductive health decision making. Gender norms, a subset of social norms, are dynamic and change over time. However, we lack data on how they are changing and how these changes affect health outcomes because current measures do not adequately capture the complex concept of gender norms. METHODS: We originally developed and validated a gender norms scale, the G-NORM, in India. In this study, using cross-sectional data, we adapted the G-NORM from Southeast Asia (India and Nepal) to sub-Saharan Africa (Uganda) in four steps: 1. Formulation of new scale items (via qualitative analysis) 2. Cognitive Interviewing 3. Questionnaire Administration (n = 2422 women of reproductive age) and 4. Psychometric analysis (Confirmatory Factor Analysis). RESULTS: Like the original scale, descriptive norms and injunctive norms comprised two unique sub scales with high Cronbachs alphas (.80 & .92). Average scores differed depending on the type of norm suggesting that some gender norms are changing faster than others. Specifically, more equitable injunctive norms were associated with lower odds of partner-dominated contraceptive decision making but descriptive norms were not. CONCLUSIONS: Gender norms serve as a multi-faceted determinant of health and wellbeing and require measurement tools which account for their conceptual complexity. Validating the G-NORM in Uganda expands measurement options for researchers in the sub-Saharan African region working to change norms to reduce health inequalities or to understand the gender normative context before beginning a study.
Subject(s) Humans; Female; Uganda; Adult; Reproductive Health; Decision Making; Social Norms; Cross-Sectional Studies; Male; Young Adult; Adolescent; Psychometrics; Surveys and Questionnaires; Middle Aged; Gender Identity
Publisher eScholarship, University of California
Type of publication article
Format application/pdf
Source PLoS ONE, vol 19, iss 11
Rights public
Identifier qt5kz3m9t7; info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0308249
Repository Berkeley - University of California
Added to C-A: 2024-11-20;09:48:22