The review pays attention to the social norms and cultural
components and outcomes of different interventions,
but acknowledges the need for more work, possibly
to be carried out for future editions, to do sufficient
justice to this topic. Social norms and culture prove
to have important implications for health- and health
equity-related outcomes. As an example, maternal health or family planning-related issues are often determined by
cultural and societal stereotypes and values. Therefore,
interventions aimed at improving health-related outcomes
in these areas will need to pay attention to those cultural
and social norms in their design and development,
and incorporate a change in those beliefs as part of
their objectives. Otherwise, and in many instances, the
effectiveness of interventions may be undermined.