Low power, High interest stakeholders.

BackgroundAccess to safely managed sanitation (SMS) in sub-Saharan Africa including Zambia remains a challenge. Variations in power and interest among stakeholder significantly influence access to SMS. However, there is limited contextualization of how power and interest levels among stakeholders influenced access to SMS. The study aimed to explore and analyze how stakeholders perceived their power and interest in the context of providing SMS. The study applied the Mendelow Stakeholder Matrix to identify, characterize and analyze the actors involved in the provision of SMS in peri-urban areas in Lusaka, Zambia.MethodsA narrative qualitative research design was employed in this study. Ninety–four (94) respondents participated in the study – 25 key informants who were representatives from Government Institutions/Departments, Cooperating Partners, NGOs and community level stakeholders; 60 discussants who participated in focus group discussions, while nine (9) community leaders took part in transect walks conducted in the target areas of Kanyama, Chawama and George. Nvivo14 was utilized for data management and analysis.ResultsThe main results suggested that stakeholders displayed interrelationships that were symbiotic as they depended on each other to deliver their mandates. Stakeholders categorized into Mendelow quadrants displayed varying levels of homogeneity in power and interest. In addition, some stakeholders such as the Local Authority shifted quadrants when seen to perform dual roles for example to implement and enforce the policies aimed at improved public health.ConclusionThe stakeholders’ quadrant position coupled with persisted changes in their positions influenced their capacity to contribute effectively to the implementation of strategies to enhance access to SMS. This equally meant that implementers of SMS interventions have to regularly assess their engagement mechanisms to foster dialogue and coordination among stakeholders. Policy implications, especially to Government, may mean allocation of adequate resources to key players to enable them deliver on their respective mandates. Similarly, implications to practitioners might be the need to periodically review stakeholders and forge alliances coupled with conducting multi-sectoral meetings aimed to streamline their functions for the successful delivery of SMS.背景 在包括赞比亚在内的撒哈拉以南非洲地区，安全管理卫生设施（Safely Managed Sanitation, SMS）的可及性仍是一项挑战。利益相关方（stakeholder）之间的权力与利益差异显著影响着安全管理卫生设施的可及性。然而，目前针对利益相关方的权力与利益水平如何影响安全管理卫生设施可及性的情境化研究仍较为匮乏。本研究旨在探索并分析在安全管理卫生设施供给的情境下，利益相关方如何认知自身的权力与利益水平。本研究采用门德尔罗利益相关方矩阵（Mendelow Stakeholder Matrix），对赞比亚卢萨卡城郊区域安全管理卫生设施供给相关参与主体进行识别、特征刻画与分析。 研究方法 本研究采用叙事性质性研究设计。共计94名受访者参与本研究：其中25名为关键知情人，分别来自政府机构/部门、合作伙伴、非政府组织及社区层面的利益相关方；60名参与焦点小组讨论的研讨者；以及9名社区领袖，他们参与了在卡尼亚马（Kanyama）、查瓦马（Chawama）与乔治（George）目标区域开展的样带踏勘调研。本研究使用Nvivo14软件进行数据管理与分析。 研究结果 核心结果显示，利益相关方之间存在共生的相互依赖关系，彼此依托以履行各自职责。被归入门德尔罗矩阵象限的利益相关方，在权力与利益维度上呈现出不同程度的同质性。此外，部分利益相关方（如地方当局）在承担双重角色时会发生象限迁移，例如同时负责落实与强制执行旨在改善公共卫生的相关政策。 研究结论 利益相关方的象限位置及其持续变化的身份定位，影响了其有效参与提升安全管理卫生设施可及性战略实施的能力。这同样意味着，安全管理卫生设施干预项目的实施方需定期评估其利益相关方参与机制，以促进各方之间的对话与协调。在政策层面，尤其对政府而言，需为核心参与主体分配充足资源，以保障其能够履行各自职责。同理，对实践工作者而言，需定期梳理利益相关方并构建合作联盟，同时开展多部门会议以优化各方职能，从而顺利推进安全管理卫生设施的供给工作。