Stakeholder perceptions of the utility of SNA visuals in strengthening community-based health programmes

Non-communicable diseases [NCDs] are an ever-increasing burden globally. Community-based programmes [CBPs] have been identified as a cost-effective prevention and management strategy of NCDs. However, evidence for scaling up and sustaining CBPs remains limited. This study explores stakeholders’ perceptions of the utility of social network analysis (SNA) visuals, the systematic mapping of actors within a network, a growing but underexplored method to strengthen CBPs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 stakeholders of a complex community-based health programme in South Africa, in which an SNA study had previously taken place. Codebook thematic analysis within a realist paradigm was used to develop a practical understanding of the use of SNA visuals. Four topic summary themes were generated in the interviews: 1) who to include in the network boundary, 2) pros and cons of SNA visuals, 3) what SNA can ideally provide, and 4) use of a ‘live’ map. The findings indicate that, while it has its uses for helping to understand overall network structure, SNA visuals need substantial improvement to have utility in consideration of the constraints that many CBPs experience in conducting SNA research in low-resource settings. This research contributes to the development of a pragmatic ‘live’ mapping SNA approach to strengthen complex CBPs, particularly where resources for research may be low. Further exploration of this approach with participants across different types of CBPs is needed.