Terms of Reference: Consultant or Agency for the Transcription and Analysis of the Study “Navigating Infertility and Menopause

INTRODUCTION

Population Services International (PSI), is a global health organization dedicated to improving the health of people in developing countries, focusing on challenges such as lack of family planning, sexual and reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, mental health, among others. In addition, PSI has improved the availability, access, and use of information on key health products and services in Nigeria. Currently, there is interest from PSI to learn in detail about the experience of people navigating significant life experiences, such as infertility and menopause.

For this reason, PSI seeks to hire the services of a private consultant, consulting group or research agency to transcribe and analyze the information for the study “Navigating Infertility and Menopause in Nigeria.”

To this end, consultants and research agencies interested in transcribing and analyzing this study in Nigeria are invited to participate in this call and submit their proposals in accordance with the established terms.

METHODOLOGY

The main objective is to gain a comprehensive understanding of potential consumers navigating significant life experiences. These includes couples facing infertility issues and women undergoing perimenopause or menopause.

To achieve this primary goal, we have outlined several secondary goals focused on understanding the specific experiences and needs of those going through these life experiences.

Infertility:

• To examine the fertility journey of couples experiencing infertility, from the initial decision to conceive, seeking professional help, undergoing tests and treatments, and coping with the emotional and psychological impacts.

• To explore the experiences of couples with products and services used during their fertility journey, and to assess their perceived effectiveness and usefulness.

• To identify how consumers select among medicines and supplements to treat infertility, specifically what characteristics influence preference for one product or another

• To assess consumer preferences for different types of infertility products and willingness to pay.

Perimenopause and Menopause:

• To explore women’s understanding of perimenopause and menopause and evaluate the importance and relevance of these stages in their overall priorities and well-being.

• To examine women’s journey through perimenopause and menopause, from the first signs of perimenopause to the onset of menopause, including the changes they make, the help they seek, products they use, the tests and treatments they undergo, and the emotional impacts they experience.

• To identify how women select among medicines and supplements to treat symptoms of menopause, especially what characteristics influence preference for one product or another

• To assess women´s preferences for different types of menopause products and willingness to pay

1. Infertility

Participants

Couples were recruited and in-depth interviews conducted, with specific characteristics outlined in Table 1. Where needed, individual interviews were conducted given that the infertility journey can sometimes be undertaken alone or without a supportive partner.

Table 1. Inclusion and exclusion criteria for multi-level interviews.

Inclusion Criteria

• Characteristics of participants, including socioeconomic status (SES) and urban or rural residency, will be tailored to each market.

• Couples experiencing or who have experienced infertility and are in a committed relationship (e.g., married or cohabitating).

• Women experiencing or who have experienced infertility, whether alone or without a supportive partner.

• The primary reason for infertility must be female-related. However, couples experiencing both male and female infertility factors are also eligible to participate.

• Sought infertility treatment from a healthcare provider, regardless of treatment type or outcome (e.g., miscarriage, successful pregnancy, ongoing treatment, no success).

Exclusion Criteria

• Couples or women who do not meet the specific socioeconomic status (SES) or urban/rural residency criteria tailored to each market.

• Participants who have not experienced infertility.

• Couples or women where the primary reason for infertility is solely male-related.

• Couples or women who have not sought infertility treatment from a healthcare provider.

• Participants who are not in a committed relationship (for couples).

Transcription and Analysis

Audio recordings of in-depth infertility interviews should be transcribed to English.

Generate key findings which should present detailed findings, covering all the essential themes related to infertility. Each subsection needs to provide an in-depth analysis of the participants’ experiences, supported by significant or representative quotes to highlight key points and provide depth to the findings.

• Infertility

  • Couple’s Journey (trying to conceive, seeking help, testing, treatments)

  • Products and Services (usage, preferences, effectiveness)

  • Product Assessment

  • Unmet Needs

B. Perimenopause and Menopause

Participants

Women aged 45-55, who fall within the typical age range for perimenopause or menopause, were recruited for focused group discussions.

Table 2. Inclusion and exclusion criteria for group conversations.

Inclusion Criteria

• Characteristics of participants, including socioeconomic status (SES) and urban or rural residency, will be tailored to each market.

• Women aged 45-55.

• Women who self-report experiencing symptoms of perimenopause or menopause, or who believe they are in perimenopause or menopause.

Exclusion Criteria

• Women younger than 45 or older than 55.

• Women who do not report experiencing common symptoms of perimenopause or menopause, or who do not believe they are in perimenopause or menopause.

• Pregnant or lactating.

Transcription and Analysis

Audio recordings of in-depth infertility interviews should be transcribed to English.

Generate key findings which should present detailed findings, covering all the essential themes related to infertility. Each subsection needs to provide an in-depth analysis of the participants’ experiences, supported by significant or representative quotes to highlight key points and provide depth to the findings.

• Perimenopause and Menopause

  • Women’s Journey (understanding, symptoms, management)

  • Products and Services (usage, preferences, effectiveness)

  • Product Assessment

  • Unmet Needs

Conduct a Comparative Analysis of Dispensers’ Insight

In-person interviews have been conducted in Clinics, Hospitals, Community Pharmacies and Wholesale Pharmacies.

The comparative analysis should highlight the similarities and overlaps between infertility and menopause products. This includes identifying common products such as supplements, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), etc. Additionally, the analysis should explore shared consumer preferences, such as the choice between natural versus synthetic ingredients and cost considerations. This section aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how these products and preferences intersect, offering valuable insights.

Key Findings

Provide a summary of key insights from the findings.

Recommendations

Recommendations may include product development based on unmet needs and preferences, marketing strategies with targeted messaging and effective channels, and future research focusing on areas for further exploration where there are still gaps.

Products to Deliver

The private consultant, consulting group or agency must deliver the following products:

• Transcription of in-depth Infertility interviews and Menopause and Perimenopause Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) in MS Word Documents

• Comparative Analysis of Dispensers’ Insight

• A Summary of Key Findings

• Recommendations

• A Summary Slide Deck

Qualification and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Health Sciences, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a related field. A Master’s degree will be an added advantage

• At least 3 years of experience in project management, health programming, or community development, preferably in the context of sexual and reproductive health and rights

• Strong understanding of the major Nigerian (local) languages

These qualifications may be present in an individual, a group or an agency

Reporting and Supervision

The consultant will report to the Business Lead, Viya Health or his designate.

Timeframe

The estimated effort to undertake the assignment is 15 days from the date of contract signing.