Title: Diamond Dialogue method for the evaluation of personal well-being after a maternal health intervention in Lao PDR

Authors: Anna Scopaz; Elizabeth Eckermann; Matthew Clarke

Addresses: School of Humanities and Social Science, Deakin University, Locked Bag 20,000, Geelong, Vic 3220, Australia. ' School of Humanities and Social Science, Deakin University, Locked Bag 20,000, Geelong, Vic 3220, Australia. ' School of Humanities and Social Science, Deakin University, Locked Bag 20,000, Geelong, Vic 3220, Australia

Abstract: This paper follows the genesis of an evolving tool to measure the impact of development interventions on personal well-being in non-literate and non-numerate communities. The Diamond Dialogue was adapted to evaluate the impact on women of the establishment of 17 one stop maternity waiting home/health promotion/income generating centres (Silk Homes) in Southern Lao PDR. The tool elicited data not accessible by research methods which assume literacy and numeracy and revealed that 86% of women who used the Silk Homes experienced substantial improvements in quality of life. The Diamond Dialogue can be modified to assess the outcomes of development interventions in a myriad of contexts.

Keywords: well-being evaluation; development intervention; maternal health; Lao PDR; Laos; quality of life; personal well-being; non-literate communities; non-numerate communities; Diamond Dialogue; women; maternity waiting homes; health promotion; income generating centres; Silk Homes.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHD.2012.050825

International Journal of Happiness and Development, 2012 Vol.1 No.1, pp.49 - 62

Received: 03 Feb 2012
Accepted: 25 Jun 2012
Published online: 30 Aug 2014 *

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