The document discusses challenges in linking health research to policy in Ghana. It describes how the Research and Development Division of the Ghana Health Service used a collaborative approach to build consensus on research priorities related to orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS. Through stakeholder consultations, gaps in understanding this issue were identified and a research study was undertaken to assess the situation of HIV-affected children. The study informed policy by providing evidence on how to best support these children within their communities rather than institutions. The experience highlights the value of engaging multiple stakeholders to ensure research meets social needs and informs policymaking across sectors.
End-of-project report for Strengthening Nigeria’s Response to HIV and AIDS Pr...John Engels
The document summarizes the achievements and lessons learned from the Strengthening Nigeria's Response to HIV and AIDS Program (SNR Program) implemented from 2004-2009. The SNR Program worked in 6 states to build the capacity of State Agencies for the Control of AIDS (SACAs) to coordinate multi-sectoral HIV responses. Key achievements included transforming 5 SACAs into legally recognized state agencies, strengthening their organizational and technical capacities, and increasing access to HIV services. However, continued engagement of stakeholders and expansion of services will be needed to sustain progress.
Working Groups Report Out_CORE Group_10.17.13CORE Group
The document outlines the FY14 priorities and strategic plans for several working groups within CORE Group. Key points include:
- Monitoring long-lasting insecticide-treated nets and collaborating on social and behavior change strategies for malaria programs.
- Operationalizing frameworks for multisectoral collaboration on malaria and webinars on case management, prevention strategies, and insecticide resistance.
- Collaboration with various technical stakeholders on case management, community case management, and health communication.
- Integration of HIV/TB, early childhood development, and other initiatives for several working groups. Addressing strategic plans through learning, dialogue and collaborative action.
Practical Guidance for Incorporating Health Equity Learning_Jennifer Winestoc...CORE Group
This document outlines guidance from the Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program (MCHIP) for incorporating health equity considerations into program design. It defines health equity and describes a 6-step process and checklist to help programs 1) understand equity issues in their area, 2) identify disadvantaged groups, 3) decide on strategies, 4) set goals, 5) implement activities, and 6) monitor equity-focused indicators. Examples are provided from MCHIP country programs. The guidance was created to ensure equity is systematically addressed and improvements can be demonstrated. Attendees then participated in an exercise to apply the guidance to their own country programs.
This document is a resume for Debra J. Millar, who has over 22 years of experience in international public health, business development, and leadership. She currently works as an independent consultant providing technical expertise, training, and facilitation services in areas such as public health, leadership development, and strategic planning. Previously she held senior roles with CHF International, where she led the start-up of health programs in Kenya and Rwanda, managed a $10M program in Kenya, and oversaw expansion into other countries. She also has experience with the Peace Corps developing health programs and providing primary care.
Overview of the 2018 Update to the Integrated Plan and PrEP Workgroup Draft R...Office of HIV Planning
Mari Ross-Russell (Office of HIV Planning) and Matthew McClain (Public Health Policy & Planning Consultant) presented these slides to the PrEP Workgroup of the Philadelphia EMA HIV Integrated Planning Council on January 16, 2019.
Building capacity for universal coverage: malaria control in NigeriaMalaria Consortium
Support to the Nigeria Malaria Programme – is a £50 million five-year UK aid funded programme that works with the government and people of Nigeria to strengthen the national effort to control malaria. The programme began in April 2008, and runs to March 2013. This learning paper describes, in detail, the programmes approach to malaria control and explores the reasons for the programmes success from the perspective of health workers trained by the programme, community members and others.
Background: Adolescents are exposed to several reproductive health challenges including early marriage, unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions and sexually transmitted infections. An estimated 14 million adolescents give birth annually of which more than 90% of these occurs in developing countries. Adolescents in the Sub-Saharan Africa have low family planning utilization rates, limited knowledge of reproductive health services and very high pregnancy rates which is not unrelated to the negative attitude of some health care providers towards the provision of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services and information to adolescents.
End-of-project report for Strengthening Nigeria’s Response to HIV and AIDS Pr...John Engels
The document summarizes the achievements and lessons learned from the Strengthening Nigeria's Response to HIV and AIDS Program (SNR Program) implemented from 2004-2009. The SNR Program worked in 6 states to build the capacity of State Agencies for the Control of AIDS (SACAs) to coordinate multi-sectoral HIV responses. Key achievements included transforming 5 SACAs into legally recognized state agencies, strengthening their organizational and technical capacities, and increasing access to HIV services. However, continued engagement of stakeholders and expansion of services will be needed to sustain progress.
Working Groups Report Out_CORE Group_10.17.13CORE Group
The document outlines the FY14 priorities and strategic plans for several working groups within CORE Group. Key points include:
- Monitoring long-lasting insecticide-treated nets and collaborating on social and behavior change strategies for malaria programs.
- Operationalizing frameworks for multisectoral collaboration on malaria and webinars on case management, prevention strategies, and insecticide resistance.
- Collaboration with various technical stakeholders on case management, community case management, and health communication.
- Integration of HIV/TB, early childhood development, and other initiatives for several working groups. Addressing strategic plans through learning, dialogue and collaborative action.
Practical Guidance for Incorporating Health Equity Learning_Jennifer Winestoc...CORE Group
This document outlines guidance from the Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program (MCHIP) for incorporating health equity considerations into program design. It defines health equity and describes a 6-step process and checklist to help programs 1) understand equity issues in their area, 2) identify disadvantaged groups, 3) decide on strategies, 4) set goals, 5) implement activities, and 6) monitor equity-focused indicators. Examples are provided from MCHIP country programs. The guidance was created to ensure equity is systematically addressed and improvements can be demonstrated. Attendees then participated in an exercise to apply the guidance to their own country programs.
This document is a resume for Debra J. Millar, who has over 22 years of experience in international public health, business development, and leadership. She currently works as an independent consultant providing technical expertise, training, and facilitation services in areas such as public health, leadership development, and strategic planning. Previously she held senior roles with CHF International, where she led the start-up of health programs in Kenya and Rwanda, managed a $10M program in Kenya, and oversaw expansion into other countries. She also has experience with the Peace Corps developing health programs and providing primary care.
Overview of the 2018 Update to the Integrated Plan and PrEP Workgroup Draft R...Office of HIV Planning
Mari Ross-Russell (Office of HIV Planning) and Matthew McClain (Public Health Policy & Planning Consultant) presented these slides to the PrEP Workgroup of the Philadelphia EMA HIV Integrated Planning Council on January 16, 2019.
Building capacity for universal coverage: malaria control in NigeriaMalaria Consortium
Support to the Nigeria Malaria Programme – is a £50 million five-year UK aid funded programme that works with the government and people of Nigeria to strengthen the national effort to control malaria. The programme began in April 2008, and runs to March 2013. This learning paper describes, in detail, the programmes approach to malaria control and explores the reasons for the programmes success from the perspective of health workers trained by the programme, community members and others.
Background: Adolescents are exposed to several reproductive health challenges including early marriage, unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions and sexually transmitted infections. An estimated 14 million adolescents give birth annually of which more than 90% of these occurs in developing countries. Adolescents in the Sub-Saharan Africa have low family planning utilization rates, limited knowledge of reproductive health services and very high pregnancy rates which is not unrelated to the negative attitude of some health care providers towards the provision of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services and information to adolescents.
Global trends show increased focus on and endorsement of community health worker (CHW) programs to strengthen health systems and achieve health goals. Assessments of CHW programs find that factors like inadequate training, supervision, supplies and low status limit their quality and effectiveness. A global consultation identified key priorities for CHW programs including fully integrating CHWs into national health workforce plans, involving stakeholders, and ensuring adequate and ongoing support through training, supervision and incentives. Supporting CHWs as integral parts of health systems with clearly defined roles and career opportunities can help address current challenges and optimize their impact.
AWA Experts 2015 Meeting_eMTCT Best Bractices Presentation NigeriaAIDS Watch Africa
The document summarizes Nigeria's efforts to integrate HIV counseling and testing (HCT) services into its Maternal Newborn & Child Health (MNCH) Week program. Key points include:
- Over 200,000 pregnant women received integrated HCT and MNCH services in six states, exceeding targets. The program identified over 1,400 HIV-positive women.
- The initiative leveraged existing MNCH structures at health facilities and engaged communities to increase access to HCT, especially for hard-to-reach groups.
- Successes included improved testing coverage, linkages to care, and health-seeking behaviors. Challenges included late test kit arrivals and staffing issues.
-
Integrating Community Strategy with HIV Programs:A Research Paper Appropriate...Stephen Olubulyera
Integrating Community Strategy with HIV Programs-A Research Paper Appropriate for Turkana County Setting-A review of evidence and implementation strategies
This study explored the role of traditional birth attendants (TBAs) in mountainous areas of Pakistan after the introduction of community midwives (CMWs). Through interviews and focus groups, the study found that while TBAs' livelihoods declined as CMWs took on more deliveries, TBAs still played an important role in health promotion activities and assisting CMWs with normal deliveries. The study concluded that TBAs want to continue supporting maternal and child health and that health authorities should foster cooperation between TBAs and CMWs, while also ensuring TBAs have alternative livelihood opportunities.
This document summarizes a midterm workshop for the Innovating for Maternal and Child Health in Africa initiative. The workshop brought together implementation research teams and health policy organizations from Africa and Canada to strengthen collaboration and learning between researchers and policymakers. The goal is to better integrate evidence generated by the research into maternal and child health policies and practices in targeted countries. Over the seven-year initiative's duration, 19 research teams are developing solutions to improve support for women and children's health directly in communities and medical facilities, while also studying how to strengthen health systems and promote uptake of innovative interventions.
This project identified opportunities for radical improvements in vaccine delivery and uptake towards the achievement of excellence and near-total vaccine coverage in regions similar to Bihar, India.
- Conduct user-centered research and design to improve vaccine delivery.
- Study behaviors, practices and attitudes of frontline workers and recipients.
- Identify key dimensions of the delivery challenge.
- Generate and validate concepts and solutions through collaborative brainstorming and dialogue with field data.
1) Abdullah Baqui leads research activities at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health to develop, test, and implement cost-effective maternal and newborn health interventions in low-resource settings.
2) Through partnerships like PROJAHNMO in Bangladesh, Baqui's research has demonstrated that community-based packages reducing neonatal mortality by 34% and early postnatal home visits reducing mortality by 2/3.
3) Evaluation of large-scale programs in India and Tanzania provide feedback to improve coverage, quality, and health impacts and identify barriers to care seeking like inadequate resources, quality of care, distance to facilities and costs.
The document outlines recommendations from the TWG Prevention Advisory Group to promote mental wellness. It recommends developing social marketing campaigns and conducting research to define mental wellness. It also recommends bringing services to people in their homes, integrating services into schools, and engaging people in community activities with appropriate supports.
This document outlines a 5-year, 5.4 million Euro project in Malawi aimed at improving comprehensive sexuality education and family planning among adolescents and women. The project will be implemented in 5 districts by 4 partners led by Save the Children International. It aims to reduce teenage pregnancy and unplanned childbearing through increased access to reproductive health services, especially among underserved populations. Key strategies include training community health workers, establishing youth centers, integrating HIV/AIDS services, and conducting communication programs to increase demand. The project expects to reach 160,000 individuals through activities linked to its 4 result areas: increasing access to services, improving service quality, enhancing demand, and strengthening advocacy. It has made progress in areas such as outreach clinics,
This presentation covers the USAID Office of Maternal, Child Health and Nutrition; the Office of Health Systems; Office of Population and Reproductive Health; and the Center for Innovation and Impact.
The document summarizes WHO's strategy on research for health. It recognizes research as central to progress in global health and identifies how WHO can work with members and partners to produce research evidence and tools to improve health outcomes. The strategy focuses on strengthening WHO's research culture, promoting good research practices and standards, improving translation between research and policy/practice, supporting development of national health research systems, and championing research that addresses priority health needs. The overall goal is to ensure health decisions and actions are grounded in evidence from research.
This document provides a summary of Debra J. Millar's professional experience and expertise. She has over 25 years of experience in public health, education, organizational leadership and business development. Currently she is a lecturer at California State University Stanislaus teaching nursing students and also works as a consultant providing services in areas such as public health, leadership development, and program evaluation. Previously she held roles as Country Director for CHF International in Kenya and as a Medical Officer for the United States Peace Corps serving in several African countries.
Keeping It Real:Resources for Implementing Evidence-based Public Health Progr...MargaretFarrell
Through this workshop, participants will
not only become familiar with how to use the tools they need to identity and address health outcomes, but
understand the benefits of virtual communities of practice as a means to engage researchers and practitioners around implementing cancer control programs.
will introduce participants to the Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T portal and the Research to Reality Community of Practice. (#NCIR2R)
Presentation given at the NATIONAL HEALTH OUTREACH CONFERENCE (#NHOC) Promoting Connections to Create Healthy Individuals, Families and Communities May 8, 2015
This document provides a presentation on school district wellness policies to accompany updated research briefs from the CDC and Bridging the Gap program. It begins with an introduction that outlines the purpose of presenting content from the briefs in a meaningful way. It then discusses the briefs, including their development by CDC and BTG to help stakeholders strengthen, implement, and understand wellness policies. The content is organized by topic area and includes background, health impacts, recommendations, actions taken by districts, and strategies.
The Hub Garden Project: Mental Well-being Impact AssessmentBenBeckers
The document summarizes a mental well-being impact assessment of a community gardening project called The Hub Garden Project in London Borough of Hounslow. It found that the garden positively impacts participants' mental well-being by increasing resilience, learning, emotional well-being, and social networks. It also facilitates participation by providing opportunities for involvement and social contact. Recommendations include providing more structured activities, improving facilities, increasing sessions to allow greater involvement, and applying for funding to support the program.
This document outlines a project aimed at embedding patient and public involvement in healthcare scientist training programs. It includes four main workstreams:
1) Ensuring curriculum design supports achievement of PPI skills
2) Developing templates to facilitate recruitment of PPI representatives
3) Developing an assessment framework for evaluating PPI in curriculum development and delivery
4) Including PPI skills development in train-the-trainer programs
The document provides information on each workstream, including methods, findings, and recommendations. It also includes sections on defining PPI, its importance, values and standards, barriers to implementation, and a proposed framework for understanding PPI embedding. The overall goal is to strengthen PPI in scientist training
The general population HIV prevalence stands at 5.1%(THMIS 2011/12) down from 18% in 1990.
HIV and STIs prevalence are also high among KP's, HIV is 31.4% while other STI has an average of 26% prevalence.
The number of KP's is not known, although there are fledgling groups of KP's which have started advocating for the Right to Health of KP's including protection against HIV infection, care and treatment to PLHIV KP's.
CSHGP Operations Research Findings_Jennifer Weiss and Khadija Bakarr_5.8.14CORE Group
1. The Operations Research study tested an Integrated Care Group model in Burundi which achieved at least the same improvements in key health knowledge and practices as the traditional Care Group model.
2. The Integrated Care Group model was found to function as well as the traditional model in terms of volunteer attendance and household visits.
3. The Integrated Care Group model was determined to be as sustainable as the traditional model in the six months following the end of project support.
The document discusses using local data from a study in Uganda to inform policy and practice around community-based distribution of injectable contraceptives in Africa. The study found that non-clinical community health workers can safely and effectively administer injectable contraceptives. This local data was then used to garner interest, inform policy changes in Uganda and Madagascar, and scale up programs. Further research is exploring expanding this model to other contexts.
This document discusses how fortunate and wealthy people are if they have basic necessities like food, shelter, clothing, money, and health. It notes that having these things means one is richer than 75% of the world and ahead of millions who face dangers like war, imprisonment, torture, and starvation. It concludes by reminding the reader to count their blessings and be thankful for what they have throughout the year.
Global trends show increased focus on and endorsement of community health worker (CHW) programs to strengthen health systems and achieve health goals. Assessments of CHW programs find that factors like inadequate training, supervision, supplies and low status limit their quality and effectiveness. A global consultation identified key priorities for CHW programs including fully integrating CHWs into national health workforce plans, involving stakeholders, and ensuring adequate and ongoing support through training, supervision and incentives. Supporting CHWs as integral parts of health systems with clearly defined roles and career opportunities can help address current challenges and optimize their impact.
AWA Experts 2015 Meeting_eMTCT Best Bractices Presentation NigeriaAIDS Watch Africa
The document summarizes Nigeria's efforts to integrate HIV counseling and testing (HCT) services into its Maternal Newborn & Child Health (MNCH) Week program. Key points include:
- Over 200,000 pregnant women received integrated HCT and MNCH services in six states, exceeding targets. The program identified over 1,400 HIV-positive women.
- The initiative leveraged existing MNCH structures at health facilities and engaged communities to increase access to HCT, especially for hard-to-reach groups.
- Successes included improved testing coverage, linkages to care, and health-seeking behaviors. Challenges included late test kit arrivals and staffing issues.
-
Integrating Community Strategy with HIV Programs:A Research Paper Appropriate...Stephen Olubulyera
Integrating Community Strategy with HIV Programs-A Research Paper Appropriate for Turkana County Setting-A review of evidence and implementation strategies
This study explored the role of traditional birth attendants (TBAs) in mountainous areas of Pakistan after the introduction of community midwives (CMWs). Through interviews and focus groups, the study found that while TBAs' livelihoods declined as CMWs took on more deliveries, TBAs still played an important role in health promotion activities and assisting CMWs with normal deliveries. The study concluded that TBAs want to continue supporting maternal and child health and that health authorities should foster cooperation between TBAs and CMWs, while also ensuring TBAs have alternative livelihood opportunities.
This document summarizes a midterm workshop for the Innovating for Maternal and Child Health in Africa initiative. The workshop brought together implementation research teams and health policy organizations from Africa and Canada to strengthen collaboration and learning between researchers and policymakers. The goal is to better integrate evidence generated by the research into maternal and child health policies and practices in targeted countries. Over the seven-year initiative's duration, 19 research teams are developing solutions to improve support for women and children's health directly in communities and medical facilities, while also studying how to strengthen health systems and promote uptake of innovative interventions.
This project identified opportunities for radical improvements in vaccine delivery and uptake towards the achievement of excellence and near-total vaccine coverage in regions similar to Bihar, India.
- Conduct user-centered research and design to improve vaccine delivery.
- Study behaviors, practices and attitudes of frontline workers and recipients.
- Identify key dimensions of the delivery challenge.
- Generate and validate concepts and solutions through collaborative brainstorming and dialogue with field data.
1) Abdullah Baqui leads research activities at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health to develop, test, and implement cost-effective maternal and newborn health interventions in low-resource settings.
2) Through partnerships like PROJAHNMO in Bangladesh, Baqui's research has demonstrated that community-based packages reducing neonatal mortality by 34% and early postnatal home visits reducing mortality by 2/3.
3) Evaluation of large-scale programs in India and Tanzania provide feedback to improve coverage, quality, and health impacts and identify barriers to care seeking like inadequate resources, quality of care, distance to facilities and costs.
The document outlines recommendations from the TWG Prevention Advisory Group to promote mental wellness. It recommends developing social marketing campaigns and conducting research to define mental wellness. It also recommends bringing services to people in their homes, integrating services into schools, and engaging people in community activities with appropriate supports.
This document outlines a 5-year, 5.4 million Euro project in Malawi aimed at improving comprehensive sexuality education and family planning among adolescents and women. The project will be implemented in 5 districts by 4 partners led by Save the Children International. It aims to reduce teenage pregnancy and unplanned childbearing through increased access to reproductive health services, especially among underserved populations. Key strategies include training community health workers, establishing youth centers, integrating HIV/AIDS services, and conducting communication programs to increase demand. The project expects to reach 160,000 individuals through activities linked to its 4 result areas: increasing access to services, improving service quality, enhancing demand, and strengthening advocacy. It has made progress in areas such as outreach clinics,
This presentation covers the USAID Office of Maternal, Child Health and Nutrition; the Office of Health Systems; Office of Population and Reproductive Health; and the Center for Innovation and Impact.
The document summarizes WHO's strategy on research for health. It recognizes research as central to progress in global health and identifies how WHO can work with members and partners to produce research evidence and tools to improve health outcomes. The strategy focuses on strengthening WHO's research culture, promoting good research practices and standards, improving translation between research and policy/practice, supporting development of national health research systems, and championing research that addresses priority health needs. The overall goal is to ensure health decisions and actions are grounded in evidence from research.
This document provides a summary of Debra J. Millar's professional experience and expertise. She has over 25 years of experience in public health, education, organizational leadership and business development. Currently she is a lecturer at California State University Stanislaus teaching nursing students and also works as a consultant providing services in areas such as public health, leadership development, and program evaluation. Previously she held roles as Country Director for CHF International in Kenya and as a Medical Officer for the United States Peace Corps serving in several African countries.
Keeping It Real:Resources for Implementing Evidence-based Public Health Progr...MargaretFarrell
Through this workshop, participants will
not only become familiar with how to use the tools they need to identity and address health outcomes, but
understand the benefits of virtual communities of practice as a means to engage researchers and practitioners around implementing cancer control programs.
will introduce participants to the Cancer Control P.L.A.N.E.T portal and the Research to Reality Community of Practice. (#NCIR2R)
Presentation given at the NATIONAL HEALTH OUTREACH CONFERENCE (#NHOC) Promoting Connections to Create Healthy Individuals, Families and Communities May 8, 2015
This document provides a presentation on school district wellness policies to accompany updated research briefs from the CDC and Bridging the Gap program. It begins with an introduction that outlines the purpose of presenting content from the briefs in a meaningful way. It then discusses the briefs, including their development by CDC and BTG to help stakeholders strengthen, implement, and understand wellness policies. The content is organized by topic area and includes background, health impacts, recommendations, actions taken by districts, and strategies.
The Hub Garden Project: Mental Well-being Impact AssessmentBenBeckers
The document summarizes a mental well-being impact assessment of a community gardening project called The Hub Garden Project in London Borough of Hounslow. It found that the garden positively impacts participants' mental well-being by increasing resilience, learning, emotional well-being, and social networks. It also facilitates participation by providing opportunities for involvement and social contact. Recommendations include providing more structured activities, improving facilities, increasing sessions to allow greater involvement, and applying for funding to support the program.
This document outlines a project aimed at embedding patient and public involvement in healthcare scientist training programs. It includes four main workstreams:
1) Ensuring curriculum design supports achievement of PPI skills
2) Developing templates to facilitate recruitment of PPI representatives
3) Developing an assessment framework for evaluating PPI in curriculum development and delivery
4) Including PPI skills development in train-the-trainer programs
The document provides information on each workstream, including methods, findings, and recommendations. It also includes sections on defining PPI, its importance, values and standards, barriers to implementation, and a proposed framework for understanding PPI embedding. The overall goal is to strengthen PPI in scientist training
The general population HIV prevalence stands at 5.1%(THMIS 2011/12) down from 18% in 1990.
HIV and STIs prevalence are also high among KP's, HIV is 31.4% while other STI has an average of 26% prevalence.
The number of KP's is not known, although there are fledgling groups of KP's which have started advocating for the Right to Health of KP's including protection against HIV infection, care and treatment to PLHIV KP's.
CSHGP Operations Research Findings_Jennifer Weiss and Khadija Bakarr_5.8.14CORE Group
1. The Operations Research study tested an Integrated Care Group model in Burundi which achieved at least the same improvements in key health knowledge and practices as the traditional Care Group model.
2. The Integrated Care Group model was found to function as well as the traditional model in terms of volunteer attendance and household visits.
3. The Integrated Care Group model was determined to be as sustainable as the traditional model in the six months following the end of project support.
The document discusses using local data from a study in Uganda to inform policy and practice around community-based distribution of injectable contraceptives in Africa. The study found that non-clinical community health workers can safely and effectively administer injectable contraceptives. This local data was then used to garner interest, inform policy changes in Uganda and Madagascar, and scale up programs. Further research is exploring expanding this model to other contexts.
This document discusses how fortunate and wealthy people are if they have basic necessities like food, shelter, clothing, money, and health. It notes that having these things means one is richer than 75% of the world and ahead of millions who face dangers like war, imprisonment, torture, and starvation. It concludes by reminding the reader to count their blessings and be thankful for what they have throughout the year.
The document discusses several challenges related to pharmaceutical policy and cost containment in Europe. It notes that while cost containment measures may achieve some short-term savings, they could negatively impact long-term costs, health outcomes, and access to new medical innovations. Several articles examine these issues, arguing that policies should be assessed based on their long-term effects on budgets, health benefits, and access to care. The document highlights the need to balance financial sustainability, public health, and continued investment in innovation.
THE OGC STANDARDS AND GEO-PLATFORM BASED WEB APPLICATION FOR SEISMIC EVENTS M...Lorenzo Amato
SUSTAINABILITY & SECURITY APPLICATIONS FOR GEO-RISK-PREVENTION & ENVIRO-DISASTER-PROTECTION
GRENZÜBERSCHREITENDES SÄCHSISCHES GI/GIS/GDI-FORUM AM 29./30. APRIL 2013 IN DRESDEN
This document summarizes the history and current understanding of the AIDS epidemic. It discusses how AIDS has become one of the most studied diseases and our understanding of its medical and social drivers has deepened over time. However, the impacts are still unfolding over generations and varying significantly between places. While early models predicted severe economic impacts, some hard-hit countries have maintained growth. Understanding the social impacts remains challenging given the epidemic is only 25 years old.
- Child and adolescent marriage is common in many developing countries, with over 30% of girls married by age 18.
- Married adolescent girls have little power to negotiate safe sex and are often in unions with much older husbands, increasing their risk of HIV.
- Data from 29 countries show that the majority (over 80% in most) of sexually active adolescent girls who had unprotected sex recently were married.
- HIV prevalence tends to be higher among married adolescent girls than sexually active unmarried adolescents in some settings, highlighting marriage is not always protective against HIV risk for adolescent girls.
1. The document summarizes a case study of an HIV/AIDS impact assessment conducted on a South African contract cleaning company with 500 employees.
2. Key findings include that 31% of employees tested were HIV positive, with the highest levels of infection among women aged 35-40.
3. The estimated average cost to the company for each newly infected employee is 9,007 Rand, which is 63.2% of the average annual salary. However, the overall financial cost of HIV/AIDS to the company is projected to decrease over time from 1999 to 2015.
This document summarizes a study conducted in Uganda to identify barriers to the uptake of intermittent preventive treatment for malaria in pregnancy (IPTp) and test an intervention to address the key barriers. The study employed an "embedded approach" involving stakeholders throughout the research process. Formative research identified supply issues and confusion over IPTp guidelines as barriers. The study is now piloting text messages to health workers to reinforce guidelines. Early results include commitments to address identified barriers, such as providing anti-malarial drugs to private facilities and updating IPTp guidelines. The Ministry of Health is overseeing the pilot intervention and hopes to scale it nationwide if effective.
This strategic plan outlines Baylor-Uganda's goals and objectives from 2013-2017. Baylor-Uganda aims to provide high-quality pediatric HIV/AIDS care, treatment, and prevention services. It will strengthen health systems to improve service delivery and conduct advocacy and research to inform policy. Key achievements from 2007-2012 included training many health workers, improving access to care and treatment, and reducing illness and death among children with HIV/AIDS. Challenges included underfunding, staffing shortages, and coordination issues. Lessons highlighted the need for sustainable funding and working through government structures. The strategic plan analysis identified Baylor-Uganda's strengths and opportunities to further its mission over the coming years.
CSI that Works ECD Research Report final Oct 2014Silvester Hwenha
This document provides an overview of early childhood development (ECD) in South Africa, including key findings from research on ECD interventions funded by corporate social investment. It finds that while access to ECD services and children's health have improved, over 50% of children still live in poverty with inadequate access to necessities. The document examines several case studies of ECD programs and identifies lessons learned, such as supporting home-based models, training ECD practitioners, and promoting partnerships. It recommends that corporate social investment focus on holistic ECD programs, outreach to complement center-based services, infrastructure development, and maternal and child nutrition.
‘Every year, 9.2 million young children (including 3.7 million newborns) and 536,000 mothers die during pregnancy and childbirth, while approximately 76 million unintended pregnancies occur worldwide. The need for strengthened family planning efforts is imperative if the MDGs are to be achieved
The document discusses the importance of family planning in achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) related to reducing child mortality and improving maternal health. It notes that family planning can help reduce unintended pregnancies and slow population growth, making it easier and more affordable to achieve the MDGs. The document then provides background on Nigeria's demographic and family planning situation, and discusses how the NURHI project aims to increase access to and use of modern contraceptives in urban areas through integrated supply and demand initiatives.
Muslim Faith Leaders as Family Planning Champions: An Experience from KenyaJSI
This poster was presented at the International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP) in Kigali, Rwanda in November 2018.
World Vision is implementing a USAID-funded Healthy Timing and Spacing of Pregnancies/Family Planning (HTSP/FP) Project through a grant from the Advancing Partners & Communities Project (APC) in Northeastern Kenya in Garba Tulla. Mothers attending antenatal and maternal, neonatal, and child health (MNCH) services are responsive to discussions about HTSP and receiving voluntary FP care. Reaching male partners who accompany their wives at MNCH and antenatal visits is also an opportunity to provide men with FP counseling and contraceptive methods. The project aims to increase access to and demand for voluntary FP care through integrating FP/HTSP into MNCH care and promoting male and religious leader involvement in related discussions. By working with the Ministry of Health (MOH) at five health facilities, the project has supported 120 community health volunteers and rolled out a strategy to engage men and religious leaders to strengthen demand and use voluntary FP methods. FP information and services were also provided at MNCH, antenatal, and postnatal visits.
This document discusses how organizations can act as "boundary organizations" to promote evidence-based policymaking. It uses the Regional Network on AIDS, Livelihoods and Food Security (RENEWAL) as a case study. RENEWAL aims to enhance understanding of the links between HIV/AIDS and food security in Africa. It builds networks between researchers and policymakers to identify policy-relevant research topics and facilitate communication. The document analyzes RENEWAL's experiences networking with South African government officials to encourage use of research evidence in policy. It draws lessons on effective strategies for engaging policymakers and getting research into policy and practice.
Philip Wambua has over 15 years of experience in public health program management, design, and evaluation. He has worked extensively in Africa on projects focused on HIV/AIDS, reproductive and maternal health, nutrition, and water and sanitation. He holds a PhD in public health and has managed teams and led assignments for organizations such as UNICEF, USAID, JSI, and Save the Children.
The second hiv capacity building partners’ summit turning the tide on hiv and...Gordon Otieno Odundo
The Second HIV Capacity Building Partners’ Summit Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa | March 19-21, 2013 Turning the Tide on HIV and Health Through Capacity Building Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital Poster Presentation Advocacy for Increased Training to Prevent HIV Infection in Children
The first HIV Capacity Building Partners’ Summit held in March 2011 in Nairobi, and attended by more than 250 delegates from 25 countries, marked the beginning of a new thinking about how partners can work together to ensure that capacity building delivers results. It is against this background that organisations working in Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) region organised the Second HIV Capacity Building Summit (Capacity Summit 2013) in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Summit offered an opportunity for capacity building experts, policy-makers and the HIV-affected community to review and refine evidence-based, sustainable capacity building interventions that are country-owned and geared towards attaining the HIV and health targets
Case Study: The Dialogue on HIV and Tuberculosis Project, KazakhstanHFG Project
The Dialogue Project on HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis in Kazakhstan from 2009-2015 aimed to reduce the spread of HIV and TB epidemics through improving health behaviors among key populations. It did so by providing targeted outreach and health services, training peer educators, and strengthening collaboration between implementing partners. The project reached over 34,000 key population members and resulted in improved testing, treatment adherence, and health behaviors. While focused on service delivery, the project strengthened the health system through capacity building, adoption of tools by national programs, and lasting impacts on provider understanding and key population access to care.
Implementing integrated community case management: stakeholder experiences an...Malaria Consortium
Malaria Consortium’s involvement in iCCM has spanned inputs to facilitate policy development, project design, implementation from start-up phase; ongoing support to the public health system in continued implementation; the trial of specific supportive interventions to boost effectiveness; monitoring and evaluation; costing analysis work; and advocacy.
This paper discusses a participatory evaluation on iCCM implementation in South Sudan, Uganda and Zambia. The findings, challenges and lessons learned are presented in 11 key components of iCCM implementation.
1) Food for the Hungry uses a comprehensive HIV/AIDS strategy called Highly Active Retrovirus Prevention (HARP) that combines biomedical, behavioral, structural, and care approaches.
2) HARP is implemented through HIV treatment centers in Kenya and Uganda that provide integrated HIV/AIDS services and are being handed over to local partners.
3) Food for the Hungry works with various partners on HIV/AIDS programs funded by donors like PEPFAR and Global Fund that incorporate prevention, care, treatment and capacity building.
Developing intervention strategies: innovations to improve community health w...Malaria Consortium
During the last decade child mortality has reduced significantly in a number of African countries, largely due to the scale up of appropriate management of diarrhoea, pneumonia and malaria, three leading causes of death among young children. As a way of increasing access to treatment for sick children, several African countries are investing in community health workers (CHWs) to deliver integrated community case management (ICCM). This paper summarises the process adopted by one Malaria Consortium project, inSCALE, for identifying the barriers to CHW motivation and performance in Uganda and Mozambique. It documents innovative solutions to these challenges that are potentially acceptable and feasible, including the rationale for the design of the two interventions developed.
The Effectiveness of HIV/Aids Education in Promoting Interventions for A Supp...QUESTJOURNAL
ABSTRACT: HIV/AIDS education is supposed to not only be a medium of creating awareness but also most importantly promote practices and skills to enable HIV prevention among youth in schools. This article reports on a study whose purpose was to assess the effectiveness of HIV/AIDS education in promoting interventions for a supportive environment in secondary schools. Specifically, the study sought to find out the extent to which interventions for a supportive environment for HIV/AIDS prevention were emphasized to youth; and explore the factors that influenced the promotion of the interventions. The study focused on youth involvement, parental involvement and HIV/AIDS prevention friendly school policies. The findings of the study established that the potential of the youth in enabling HIV/AIDS prevention among their fellow peers was not fully exploited. Parental involvement was low especially among the fathers. Parents rarely engaged in discussions on topics that dealt with sexuality. HIV/AIDS prevention friendly policies were ineffectively promoted in schools. Factors that influenced the promotion of the interventions were explored.
HFG Project Brief - Improving Health Finance and Governance Expands Access to...HFG Project
The USAID Health Finance and Governance Project works in over 25 countries to improve health systems financing and governance, expand access to essential services like maternal and child health care, and progress toward universal health coverage. In Burundi, the project strengthened the management and organizational capacity of the National HIV/AIDS Program. In Cote d'Ivoire, the project helped develop the country's first post-conflict strategic plan to address health workforce issues and better support HIV care. The project also piloted an integrated HIV service delivery model in Ukraine.
Student Electives in Low-resource Countries: Ethical Considerations: Eiman A....UWGlobalHealth
The document discusses Global Health field education programs that involve collaboration between academic institutions and NGOs. It uses a case study of a schistosomiasis control initiative in Tanzania to illustrate key challenges in global health projects including priority setting, community outreach, and sustainability. Through partnerships with local communities and NGOs, the initiative was able to screen over 1,200 people, provide health education, and generate income to subsidize treatment costs, showing how fieldwork experiences can effectively address health issues when community needs are prioritized.
The document summarizes the author's innovative research achievements outside their normal duties at the Delhi State AIDS Control Society from 2007-2014. Some of the key achievements included: (1) Planning and implementing India's first large-scale social protection scheme for children affected by AIDS, including orphans; (2) Identifying challenges with early diagnosis of HIV in infants and timely treatment initiation; (3) Advocating for replacing single-dose Nevirapine with more effective triple ARV regimens to eliminate pediatric HIV transmission; (4) Improving outcomes for HIV-TB co-infected patients through an amended referral strategy; (5) Analyzing retention challenges in ART programs with implications for decentralization; and (6)
The document summarizes the author's innovative research achievements outside their normal duties at the Delhi State AIDS Control Society from 2007-2014. Some of the key achievements included: (1) Planning and implementing India's first large-scale social protection scheme for children affected by AIDS, including orphans; (2) Identifying challenges with early diagnosis of HIV in infants and timely treatment initiation; (3) Advocating for replacing single-dose Nevirapine with more effective triple-drug ART regimens to eliminate pediatric HIV transmission; (4) Improving outcomes for HIV-TB co-infected patients through an amended referral strategy; (5) Analyzing retention challenges in ART programs with implications for decentralization; and (6
This document summarizes family planning policies, programs, and activities in Sudan. It outlines the objectives of family planning in Sudan, which are primarily to improve maternal health by providing child spacing, and secondarily to control population growth. It discusses key actors like the Sudan Family Planning Association and UN agencies. It also describes common family planning interventions in Sudan like capacity building for healthcare providers, community awareness campaigns, and ensuring availability of family planning commodities. Barriers to effective family planning programs in Sudan include challenges with integrating services and developing strong referral systems.
Similar to Challenges in linking health research to policy a commentary on developing a multi stakeholder response or ovc in ghana (20)
This study investigated individual and psychosocial factors associated with high educator-learner interactions around HIV/AIDS and sexuality in South Africa. Younger educators and those in lower job categories interacted with learners on these issues more frequently than older colleagues. Favorable interactions were associated with good HIV/AIDS knowledge, personal experience with HIV/AIDS, and low stigmatizing attitudes. However, educators reported a lack of HIV/AIDS training support from the Department of Education. Younger educators also reported higher sexual risk behavior than older educators, undermining their credibility as educators. The findings highlight the need for formal HIV/AIDS training for educators to equip them to provide education and skills to learners.
Young women in South Africa are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS, with infection rates four times higher than young men. Researchers conducted a study examining how poverty, orphanhood, and social isolation relate to risky sexual behaviors. They developed a pilot intervention program to enhance life options for at-risk youth through safe social spaces, financial literacy training, and HIV/AIDS education. Preliminary findings show the intervention was associated with improved knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding self-esteem, finances, and HIV prevention among participants.
The document discusses challenges in linking health research to policy in Ghana. It describes how the Research and Development Division of the Ghana Health Service used a collaborative approach to build consensus on research priorities related to orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS. Through stakeholder consultations, gaps in understanding this issue were identified and a research study was undertaken to assess the situation of HIV-affected children. The study informed policy by providing evidence on how to best support these children within their communities rather than institutions.
This document discusses how the conceptualization of HIV as a "long-wave event" needs to be revisited given increased access to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Originally, HIV was seen as involving three curves: an HIV curve, an AIDS curve, and a societal impact curve. However, widespread ART has shifted HIV from a terminal illness to a chronic condition for many. This prompts reconsidering disability as a new form of the second curve, representing transition from HIV infection to HIV-related disability for those on long-term ART. At a population level, experiences of disability are expected to become common for people living with HIV in coming decades, with implications for health and social services.
The document summarizes a project in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa that aims to build assets and reduce vulnerability among youth. It describes the socioeconomic challenges in the region like poverty, unemployment, and HIV. The project uses participatory learning with boys and girls to prepare them for opportunities and risks. Students are randomized into groups receiving different combinations of HIV education, social support, and financial capability training. Evaluations assess changes in knowledge, behaviors, and economic outcomes through surveys, interviews, and diaries. Preliminary findings show improvements in areas like budgeting skills, savings, and social networks.
The document summarizes a study that assessed the impact of a 2007 report titled "Reviewing 'Emergencies' for Swaziland." The report analyzed socioeconomic data to portray the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Swaziland as a humanitarian crisis and call for an emergency response. To evaluate the report's influence, researchers conducted interviews and distributed questionnaires. They found the report initially raised awareness and shifted perceptions of the crisis. In the long-term, it influenced policy by contributing to changes in funding and emergency classifications. While attribution is difficult, the assessment demonstrated research can provide insights into maximizing future impact.
This study investigated the psychosocial and behavioral correlates of attitudes towards antiretroviral therapy (ART) in South African mineworkers. 806 mineworkers at a large South African mine participated. Despite high HIV testing rates and generally favorable attitudes towards ART, temporary employees and contractors were found to be more vulnerable in terms of HIV risk, testing behaviors, and knowledge/attitudes about ART. Employees with more positive ART attitudes had greater ART knowledge and more positive views of the mine's HIV/AIDS treatment program. The findings are discussed in relation to the mine's low ART uptake rates and recommendations are provided.
1) The document summarizes a report on the impact of HIV/AIDS in Swaziland, which has the highest HIV prevalence rate in the world at 42%.
2) The report used socioeconomic indicators to build a comprehensive picture of how HIV/AIDS has created a humanitarian crisis in Swaziland comparable to a conflict or natural disaster.
3) An evaluation found that the report raised awareness of the crisis and challenged international perceptions of Swaziland as a "middle income country" not requiring significant support for its HIV epidemic.
The document discusses the African Women's Protocol and its potential role in supporting women's reproductive rights and progress toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals in Africa. Key points:
1) The protocol provides a strong framework for women's reproductive rights in Africa, going beyond other treaties in promoting these rights.
2) However, only 29 of 52 African countries have ratified it so far, and barriers remain to implementing its provisions in national laws and policies.
3) If fully implemented and integrated into legislation, the protocol could help create an enabling environment for women's reproductive rights and support progress on MDGs 3, 5, and 6 relating to gender equality, maternal health, and HIV/AIDS.
- Explicit insurance does not offer a panacea for HIV/AIDS service coverage on its own. Where insurance systems already exist, they can be expanded to include HIV/AIDS services.
- Introducing social health insurance is complicated and will take time to cover all people. The process should not be rushed and existing mechanisms should continue in the meantime. Some people will remain inadequately covered and should not be forgotten.
- Political commitment is indispensable for including HIV services in any coverage mechanism. A political-economy analysis will be useful. Financial feasibility is also key, and external funding may be needed initially before being replaced by government funds over time. Not all people will be able to contribute to insurance schemes
This document provides an overview of mental health promotion initiatives for children and youth in contexts of poverty in South Africa. It discusses:
1) Critical risk influences on early childhood development like poor nutrition, maternal depression, and lack of early childhood services in South Africa and evidence that mental health promotion programs can help mediate these risks.
2) Examples of mental health promotion programs in South Africa that have shown benefits for early childhood development, including a home visitation program and programs to reduce alcohol use in pregnancy.
3) Risk influences on middle childhood development in South Africa and how mental health promotion programs may help mediate risks like poor family environments and schooling.
This document summarizes a study that examined how gender and socioeconomic status interact with peer norms and attitudes to influence sexual risk behaviors among youth in a poor, urban community in South Africa. The study uses a social cognitive approach to measure attitudes, beliefs, intentions, and perceived control related to sexual behavior. It reviews literature on factors that influence HIV risk for South African youth, including socioeconomic status, gender-based violence, and psychosocial factors like peer norms. The findings of this study provide insight into how interventions can address the complex ways gender interacts with these other issues to impact youth sexual health outcomes.
This document discusses the history of AIDS exceptionalism over the past 30 years. It begins by providing background on the global HIV/AIDS epidemic, noting its widespread demographic, economic, and political impacts. It then describes how AIDS exceptionalism originated as a response to the initially frightening nature of the virus and its disproportionate effect on certain groups. More recently, AIDS exceptionalism referred to the unprecedented global response and resources dedicated to addressing the epidemic through organizations like UNAIDS. However, there has also been criticism of AIDS exceptionalism and claims that it receives too much funding compared to other health issues. The document aims to situate this debate in historical context by examining the shifting meaning of exceptionalism over time.
This document summarizes a mixed methods study conducted in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa to design and evaluate an intervention program aimed at improving the health, economic, and social capabilities of adolescents at high risk for HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancy, and other issues. The intervention incorporated life skills education into the school day and was evaluated using longitudinal surveys, focus groups, and interviews with participants, guardians, and facilitators. The mixed methods approach allowed for iterative improvement of the program and instruments as well as triangulation across data sources. Preliminary results were promising and the Department of Education was interested in scaling up the program.
The document summarizes a program called Siyakha Nentsha in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa that aims to build capabilities among adolescents threatened by HIV/AIDS. It describes the socioeconomic challenges in the region like poverty, unemployment, early pregnancy and school leaving. Research found these factors associated with higher HIV risk behaviors. The program provides evidence-based, multi-session curriculum on HIV prevention, resource management, and future planning to empower participants. Preliminary feedback suggests it improves attitudes, knowledge, aspirations, and agency. The goal is to scale it up through the Department of Education.
This document summarizes findings from a pilot program in South Africa that aimed to address social and economic factors influencing HIV risk among youth. Formative research found that youth living in poverty, lacking social connections, being orphaned, or not enrolled in school were more vulnerable. The pilot program provided weekly sessions for groups of 10-20 youth to reduce social isolation, increase financial literacy, and teach about sexuality/STIs/HIV. Emerging findings showed participants had larger increases than comparisons in discussing contraception, HIV/AIDS, and gender-based violence, and greater improvements in savings behaviors. Participants reported the program was an "eye-opener" and helped them understand health issues not covered in school. Next steps include a full evaluation and
The Siyakha Nentsha program in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa aims to improve the capabilities and well-being of adolescents at high risk for HIV, teenage pregnancy, school dropout, and more. The program was developed using formative research that identified structural factors associated with adolescent HIV risk behaviors such as poverty and lack of social connections. It provides knowledge and skills for pregnancy and HIV prevention, economic empowerment, and social support. Evaluations found that participants had increased discussion of sensitive topics, financial literacy, condom use confidence, and ability to open a bank account compared to non-participants. The program is being considered for scale-up in partnership with the Department of Education.
Swaziland has the highest HIV prevalence in the world, with prevalence among pregnant women rising from 3.9% in 1992 to 42.6% in 2004. Every sector of Swazi society is struggling to cope with the impacts of the epidemic, which include rising mortality, mass orphaning, and declines in agricultural production. The situation has been exacerbated by gender inequality, drought, insufficient financial resources, and a lack of accountable domestic governance and ill-suited policies from international organizations. Without greater support from the Swazi government and international donors, community-led interventions may be undermined.
This study analyzed data from the Indian National Family Health Survey to examine women's reasons for not using public healthcare facilities in India. The results showed that 58% of women said their family did not use public facilities. The top reasons given were: no nearby facilities (27%), inconvenient service times (9%), absent health personnel (5%), long wait times (17%), and poor quality care (32%). Younger women, those in urban areas, with less education, and from poorer households were more likely to report issues with access and quality of public healthcare. Improving availability, staffing, wait times, and care quality in public facilities could help reduce barriers to utilization, especially for disadvantaged groups.
This document introduces a supplement issue on poverty, HIV, and AIDS in Southern Africa. It notes that over 25 years since AIDS was first reported, it has become one of the most studied diseases in history. However, the social, economic, behavioral, and psychological drivers of HIV spread remain less understood, as do the long-term consequences of increased illness and death in poor communities. While early fears predicted rapid HIV spread outside of Africa, the virus has spread diversely. Some populations have not seen generalized heterosexual epidemics. This supplement aims to provide empirical evidence on vulnerability, associations between poverty, HIV, and AIDS impact through multiple studies and perspectives.
More from ABBA RPC (Addressing the Balance of Burden in HIV/AIDS) (20)
Rasamanikya is a excellent preparation in the field of Rasashastra, it is used in various Kushtha Roga, Shwasa, Vicharchika, Bhagandara, Vatarakta, and Phiranga Roga. In this article Preparation& Comparative analytical profile for both Formulationon i.e Rasamanikya prepared by Kushmanda swarasa & Churnodhaka Shodita Haratala. The study aims to provide insights into the comparative efficacy and analytical aspects of these formulations for enhanced therapeutic outcomes.
Knee anatomy and clinical tests 2024.pdfvimalpl1234
This includes all relevant anatomy and clinical tests compiled from standard textbooks, Campbell,netter etc..It is comprehensive and best suited for orthopaedicians and orthopaedic residents.
Basavarajeeyam is a Sreshta Sangraha grantha (Compiled book ), written by Neelkanta kotturu Basavaraja Virachita. It contains 25 Prakaranas, First 24 Chapters related to Rogas& 25th to Rasadravyas.
Local Advanced Lung Cancer: Artificial Intelligence, Synergetics, Complex Sys...Oleg Kshivets
Overall life span (LS) was 1671.7±1721.6 days and cumulative 5YS reached 62.4%, 10 years – 50.4%, 20 years – 44.6%. 94 LCP lived more than 5 years without cancer (LS=2958.6±1723.6 days), 22 – more than 10 years (LS=5571±1841.8 days). 67 LCP died because of LC (LS=471.9±344 days). AT significantly improved 5YS (68% vs. 53.7%) (P=0.028 by log-rank test). Cox modeling displayed that 5YS of LCP significantly depended on: N0-N12, T3-4, blood cell circuit, cell ratio factors (ratio between cancer cells-CC and blood cells subpopulations), LC cell dynamics, recalcification time, heparin tolerance, prothrombin index, protein, AT, procedure type (P=0.000-0.031). Neural networks, genetic algorithm selection and bootstrap simulation revealed relationships between 5YS and N0-12 (rank=1), thrombocytes/CC (rank=2), segmented neutrophils/CC (3), eosinophils/CC (4), erythrocytes/CC (5), healthy cells/CC (6), lymphocytes/CC (7), stick neutrophils/CC (8), leucocytes/CC (9), monocytes/CC (10). Correct prediction of 5YS was 100% by neural networks computing (error=0.000; area under ROC curve=1.0).
ABDOMINAL TRAUMA in pediatrics part one.drhasanrajab
Abdominal trauma in pediatrics refers to injuries or damage to the abdominal organs in children. It can occur due to various causes such as falls, motor vehicle accidents, sports-related injuries, and physical abuse. Children are more vulnerable to abdominal trauma due to their unique anatomical and physiological characteristics. Signs and symptoms include abdominal pain, tenderness, distension, vomiting, and signs of shock. Diagnosis involves physical examination, imaging studies, and laboratory tests. Management depends on the severity and may involve conservative treatment or surgical intervention. Prevention is crucial in reducing the incidence of abdominal trauma in children.
Integrating Ayurveda into Parkinson’s Management: A Holistic ApproachAyurveda ForAll
Explore the benefits of combining Ayurveda with conventional Parkinson's treatments. Learn how a holistic approach can manage symptoms, enhance well-being, and balance body energies. Discover the steps to safely integrate Ayurvedic practices into your Parkinson’s care plan, including expert guidance on diet, herbal remedies, and lifestyle modifications.
micro teaching on communication m.sc nursing.pdfAnurag Sharma
Microteaching is a unique model of practice teaching. It is a viable instrument for the. desired change in the teaching behavior or the behavior potential which, in specified types of real. classroom situations, tends to facilitate the achievement of specified types of objectives.
Recomendações da OMS sobre cuidados maternos e neonatais para uma experiência pós-natal positiva.
Em consonância com os ODS – Objetivos do Desenvolvimento Sustentável e a Estratégia Global para a Saúde das Mulheres, Crianças e Adolescentes, e aplicando uma abordagem baseada nos direitos humanos, os esforços de cuidados pós-natais devem expandir-se para além da cobertura e da simples sobrevivência, de modo a incluir cuidados de qualidade.
Estas diretrizes visam melhorar a qualidade dos cuidados pós-natais essenciais e de rotina prestados às mulheres e aos recém-nascidos, com o objetivo final de melhorar a saúde e o bem-estar materno e neonatal.
Uma “experiência pós-natal positiva” é um resultado importante para todas as mulheres que dão à luz e para os seus recém-nascidos, estabelecendo as bases para a melhoria da saúde e do bem-estar a curto e longo prazo. Uma experiência pós-natal positiva é definida como aquela em que as mulheres, pessoas que gestam, os recém-nascidos, os casais, os pais, os cuidadores e as famílias recebem informação consistente, garantia e apoio de profissionais de saúde motivados; e onde um sistema de saúde flexível e com recursos reconheça as necessidades das mulheres e dos bebês e respeite o seu contexto cultural.
Estas diretrizes consolidadas apresentam algumas recomendações novas e já bem fundamentadas sobre cuidados pós-natais de rotina para mulheres e neonatos que recebem cuidados no pós-parto em unidades de saúde ou na comunidade, independentemente dos recursos disponíveis.
É fornecido um conjunto abrangente de recomendações para cuidados durante o período puerperal, com ênfase nos cuidados essenciais que todas as mulheres e recém-nascidos devem receber, e com a devida atenção à qualidade dos cuidados; isto é, a entrega e a experiência do cuidado recebido. Estas diretrizes atualizam e ampliam as recomendações da OMS de 2014 sobre cuidados pós-natais da mãe e do recém-nascido e complementam as atuais diretrizes da OMS sobre a gestão de complicações pós-natais.
O estabelecimento da amamentação e o manejo das principais intercorrências é contemplada.
Recomendamos muito.
Vamos discutir essas recomendações no nosso curso de pós-graduação em Aleitamento no Instituto Ciclos.
Esta publicação só está disponível em inglês até o momento.
Prof. Marcus Renato de Carvalho
www.agostodourado.com
2. Gyapong et al. Health Research Policy and Systems 2011, 9(Suppl 1):S14 Page 2 of 5
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1478-4505/9/S1/S14
• Assisting the Ghana Health Service in setting health support has therefore necessitated a collaborative
priorities through generation of new knowledge and sys- approach. The relevant agencies working with OVC are
tematic review of existing information; the Department of Social Welfare, the Ministry for
• Assisting the health sector in developing research Women and Children’s Affairs, and the Ministry of Man-
proposals and conducting training in health systems power Youth and Employment. Evidence from Ghana has
research; suggested that OVC are best supported and cared for
• Serving as a documentation centre for Health within their extended families, rather than institutions,
Research; and this policy approach is therefore promoted (4). Addi-
• Facilitating technical and ethical review of research tionally such an approach is generally more culturally
The principles guiding the operations of the RDD- acceptable within the Ghanaian value system than institu-
GHS are that the research agenda should be set through tional care for OVC. These departments encourage child-
a consultative process; it should answer policy and pro- care within the community via a range of initiatives
gramme questions and be relevant to the health sector relating to financial support, health and education targeted
programme of work; human resource and infrastructure at HIV/AIDS OVC with additional support provided by
development should be an integral component of any non-governmental organizations. The Ghana AIDS Com-
research project to ensure capacity development; techni- mission is an intersectoral government body with the duty
cal assistance for any collaborative research should be to coordinate, monitor and evaluate the national response
demand driven; and the highest ethical standard should to HIV/AIDS, it is also involved in resource mobilization
be maintained. for HIV/AIDS OVC. The commission reports directly to
Addressing the Balance of Burden in AIDS (ABBA) is a the office of the president and is therefore able to involve
DFID funded project aiming to improve HIV/AIDS policy all sector of government.
making in Africa http://www.abbarpc.org. It is a Research In 2007 the RDD hosted a set of consultative stake-
Programme Consortium (RPC) consisting of collaborating holder meetings including policymakers, people living
institutions from Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, the United with HIV/AIDS, and orphanage managers at national and
Kingdom and Ghana. RDD is the Ghanaian partner of the regional levels. The aim of the meetings was to agree on
ABBA RPC. A central objective of the ABBA partnerships research priorities in the field of HIV and AIDS to take
is to influence poverty reduction and the achievement of forward within the ABBA research programme, which has
the Millennium Development Goals by tackling and redu- the broad remit of understanding and addressing social
cing the causes of vulnerability through improving HIV/ issues related to HIV. Following a consensus building pro-
AIDS policy-making. cess the discussions at the workshop highlighted gaps in
One of the issues the Ghana team has addressed under understanding on OVCs in Ghana and in particular the
the ABBA RPC is developing appropriate responses to lack of knowledge and awareness of policy guidelines for
orphaned and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS. OVCs; the need to better identify OVCs in communities
This case-study illustrates the importance of an approach and consider changes to how interventions are implemen-
which engages multiple official stakeholders in collaborat- ted; and build awareness of organisations and services
ing to facilitate the uptake of research evidence. Children provided for OVCs.
affected by HIV in Ghana frequently live in poverty, are As a result of the consultative meetings the RDD under-
stigmatized by society, have poor school attendance and fail took a research study (2008-10) to assess the state of HIV
to receive the government protection and support they are affected OVC in households and orphanages. The study
entitled to. Ghana is believed to have approximately 17,500 questions arose from the consultative meetings, RDD
children living with HIV infection [1]. The estimate of the developed the study design and stakeholders were able to
number of AIDS orphans in Ghana is expected to double, comment on cultural sensitivities, ethics and community
increasing from 132,000 in 2004 to 291,000 in 2015 [2]. entry. The objective was to describe the interventions that
Traditionally orphans in Ghana would be absorbed in to are available for children in different settings and to recog-
extended families, the changing demographic profile and nise the differences and commonalities between those
the projected orphan burden suggest this will become less OVCs living in households and orphanages receiving and
feasible and AIDS orphans will become increasingly vulner- not receiving formal support. The aim was to develop the
able unless supportive interventions reach them effectively research project with all known stakeholders involved with
[3]. Attempts have therefore been made by government OVC support and work with them to disseminate the
bodies to improve the support services of OVCs, and to results so that a collaborative response could be developed.
provide indirectly support via funding for associations RDD worked closely from the project’s inception with
working with People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA). multiple stakeholders. The stakeholders can be broadly
Responsibility for HIV affected OVC lies across several classified into i) policy makers and practitioners, compris-
government departments and designing a strategy for their ing the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC), the National
3. Gyapong et al. Health Research Policy and Systems 2011, 9(Suppl 1):S14 Page 3 of 5
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1478-4505/9/S1/S14
AIDS Control Programme, the Department of Social Wel- Preliminary findings were presented to all stakeholders
fare (DSW) and the Ministry of Women and Children’s and given an opportunity to ask questions and input into
Affairs (MOWAC); ii) academia and researchers, predomi- the process. At this stage, the main dissemination was a
nantly research scientists working on HIV/AIDS; and iii) formality because the key stakeholders had been part of
the community, usually represented by NGOs providing the process and were already aware of the key findings of
HIV/AIDS services at the community level and associa- the research project. The dissemination forum therefore
tions of people living with AIDS. focuses more on the possible actionable points and who
This was a mixed-method study of a purposively should do what rather than just telling the story of the
selected non-randomized population. In-depth interviews results. This approach makes policy makers and end
were conducted with key personnel from 11 governmental users of research outcomes pay attention and become
and non-governmental organizations which provide ser- more involved in the research process.
vices for HIV and AIDS OVC in the Central region of
Ghana. In-depth interviews were also conducted with 3 Discussion
caretakers of orphanages and 19 household heads that From the outset, RDD set the research agenda in colla-
have HIV/AIDS OVC in their care [3]. Most of the in- boration with policy makers and stakeholders with whom
depth interviews were more like group discussions because contact was maintained through facilitative intersectoral
they required responses from different people in the discussions and forums up until the reporting stage. The
orphanages. Quantitative data on the socio-demographics setting of the research agenda took the form of a national
of households and the state (health, education and nutri- and regional dialogue which assembled various actors
tion) of a sample of 137 OVC were also collected. involved in policy making and program implementation
The government strategy has been to encourage HIV in the national response to HIV/AIDS. Beyond the
affected children to live within their extended families, agenda setting stage, contact with stakeholders was active
however, no comprehensive database or tracking system and maintained through bi-monthly face-to-face and
was in place for HIV affected children, and there was lim- email updates on the process. The project concluded that
ited understanding on the experiences and challenges to make an effective and sustainable shift towards the
faced by OVC and their carers in the home setting. A cash approach of keeping more OVC in households, structures
incentive system to encourage registration of OVC at a and mechanisms should be instituted to identify these
government facility had been in place in order to identify children, their households and family members and pro-
‘needy’ children, but was associated with fraudulent activ- vide them with the necessary support [3]
ity and individual cases recorded in the database could not The research evidence was reported with recommen-
be validated. In addition anecdotal evidence suggested that dations to refocus on an intersectoral collaborative
pride prevented some families living in extreme poverty response including:
from acknowledging they needed state support; the most 1. The DSW and MOWAC should identify and regis-
frequent source of external support for households inter- ter community based OVC
viewed in the study was through PLHA associations which 2. Registered children should be supported in acces-
receive funding from the Ghana AIDS Commission, [3]. sing free health care and the Free Compulsory Universal
The study found that all OVC in orphanages appeared Basic Education system
to have an advantage in terms of education, nutrition and 3. The Ghana AIDS Commission, MOWAC and other
health care over children living in the community because stakeholders should develop simple educational tools to
they could be easily targeted for support interventions. educate service providers and caregivers about the poli-
Educational opportunities for those living in orphanages cies, support and social protection aimed at OVC
were good, with 100% of children attending school as Long-term engagement with stakeholders can be com-
opposed to approximately 89% OVC living in households; plex and frustrating and this project faced several chal-
however children from both groups tended to be behind lenges. There were differences in opinion with regards
their age-peer group at school. OVCs in both households prioritization of issues for the research agenda, partly due
and orphanages showed that most were under weight, yet to the range of individuals participating in the process of
children in orphanages benefitted from free access to the developing the response. In the context of HIV in Ghana
National Health Insurance Scheme whereas children in we face the challenge that in some policy arenas evidence
households tended to lack the funds for health insurance. from applied research is considered inferior to ‘hard
The study did not however collect data pertaining to child science’ by officials from biomedical backgrounds. It also
access to anti-retroviral treatment. Limited data regarding became apparent that the potential for stakeholders to act
children living in households who had been identified for on recommendations was limited by considerable resource
government support suggested they did receive advantages constraints. Stakeholders recognised that recommenda-
of free health and education services [3]. tions in the report would have a stronger chance of being
4. Gyapong et al. Health Research Policy and Systems 2011, 9(Suppl 1):S14 Page 4 of 5
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implemented if the government departments and organi- understanding of processes that support take up of
sations could work collaboratively and communities could research findings in relation to HIV and AIDS. First,
be empowered to access services provided. continuous stakeholder engagement was essential for
The position of the RDD as a research body within a the effective translation and dissemination of research
government body (the Ghana Health Service) had impor- evidence. Second, the complexities of HIV in the com-
tant implications for the scope of the research evidence munity context necessitated transactional, dynamic
and the outcomes from the project. Not only has RDD approaches of applied research rather than a traditional
been able to criticise the establishment in a way that scientific linear approach. Third, despite involving all
could not have been possible from a non-governmental relevant sectors and policy actors in the research pro-
organization, but it has also been able to use its network cess, translating research evidence into practice has not
of links across the public sector to facilitate change. For yet been possible due to institutional resource con-
example the Department of Social Welfare (DSW), the straints, however engagement with policy actors allowed
department with the greatest mandate to support OVCs these limitations to be identified and action taken to
was powerless to undertake its responsibilities without rectify them. Fourth, intersectoral engagement was time-
external intervention due to financial constraints. Prior consuming and labour-intensive, and effective dissemi-
to the project there had been no links between RDD and nation to different professional cultures (academia, clini-
the DSW, yet RDD was able to use its links to enlist cal practice, policy makers, and the community)
advocates to lobby the Minister for Social Welfare and required the adaptation of research evidence in order to
thus empower the Department to carry out its work. The remain relevant to the diverse audiences. Specifically in
case of OVC was put forward to the Minister as an exam- targeting the general population using national television
ple of the crises within the Department, following which as a channel of communication to stimulate and initiate
more resources were allocated to the department. fruitful discussions on the issue, it was imperative to
Based on the research engagement, in 2010 a documen- adapt the research findings, in this case through the use
tary film was commissioned by RDD with the intention of of the “docu-drama”. This model of adaptation of
disseminating key findings to a wider audience and spread- research evidence better appealed to the target audience.
ing awareness of the plight of OVCs using easily an under- Bringing together decision makers who can engage
standable format and language. This was a response to with one another and use research evidence in policy
stakeholders’ suggestion that dialogue and wider recogni- formulation is, in our experience, the most important
tion of the issues was necessary and social empowerment predictor for seeing the findings applied. The positional-
was an important strategy. The film was a ‘docu-drama’ ity of the RDD (as a research organisation nested within
that told the emotional story of an orphaned child living in the government infrastructure), meant that it was able
the community, and featured interviews with high-ranking to make links between research and policy and bring
government officials. The message is exemplified in the together relevant government departments and research-
statement from the film, “We must pull resources together, ers to ensure that research evidence is digested and
we must work in collaboration together, we must comple- responded to. HIV pushes us to think in new ways and
ment each other’s efforts, and once we are able to do that create broad partnerships between disciplines and gov-
in harmony I think we stand a better chance to improve ernment departments. The effect of HIV on OVC, in
upon the situation with our OVC” (Ruth Addison, Head of the case of Ghana, dictated that representatives from
Programmes, Ministry or Women and Children’s Affairs). several sectors collaborated to create an impact that
The RDD links to government were such that it could would not have been possible with a single institution;
negotiate that the film was aired at low cost on primetime the existence of an autonomous institution embedded
television across the three national networks over the within the government mechanism can create a vital
Easter holiday weekend. The public’s response to the docu- link between those sectors.
mentary was striking, and prompted widespread discussion
and demands for the government to act. As a response to
Abbreviations
the RDD research, the Ghana AIDS Commission expressed ABBA: Addressing the Balance of Burdens of HIV/AIDS; DFID: Department for
commitment to creating an index of OVC in Ghana to International Development; DSW: Department of Social Welfare; GAC: Ghana
assess what services are being delivered. The links facili- AIDS Commission; GHS: Ghana Health Service; MOWAC: Ministry of Women
and Children Affairs; OVC: Orphans and Vulnerable Children; PLHA: Persons
tated by RDD in these examples highlight the potential of Living With HIV/AIDS; RDD: Research and Development Division; RPC:
intersectoral working within HIV activities. Research Program Consortium
Acknowledgements
Conclusion This document is an output from a project funded by DFID for the benefit
The OVC research project has produced several trans- of developing countries. The views expressed are not necessarily those of
ferable lessons with which we can further our DFID. The research was undertaken with support from Addressing the
5. Gyapong et al. Health Research Policy and Systems 2011, 9(Suppl 1):S14 Page 5 of 5
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1478-4505/9/S1/S14
Balance of Burden of HIV/AIDS RPC, an international research programme on
HIV treatment and care systems.
We thank Olivia Tulloch, Sally Theobald and Hilary Standing for their
contributions to the development of this paper and comments on earlier
drafts.
This article has been published as part of Health Research Policy and Systems
Volume 9 Supplement 1, 2011: Strengthening the research to policy and
practice interface: exploring strategies used by research organisations
working on sexual and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS. The full contents
of the supplement are available online at http://www.health-policy-systems.
com/supplements/9/S1.
Authors’ contributions
JOG drafted the paper, RAS and KAA contributed to drafting and revising
the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Competing interests
This paper critically reflects on a research project in which the authors were
involved.
Published: 16 June 2011
References
1. National AIDS Control Programme: HIV Sentinel Survey Reports. Ghana
Health Service, Accra; 2003.
2. Ghana Health Service: HIV/AIDS in Ghana: An Analysis Based on the
Application of the AIDS Impact Model. Accra; 2004.
3. Research and Development Division: Assessment of Interventions and the
state of HIV and AIDS Orphans and Vulnerable Children. Ghana Health
Service, Accra; 2010.
4. Ghana AIDS Commission: National Report on the Progress of the United
Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) Declaration of
Commitment on HIV And AIDS. Ghana Health Service, Accra; 2008.
doi:10.1186/1478-4505-9-S1-S14
Cite this article as: Gyapong et al.: Challenges in linking health research
to policy: a commentary on developing a multi-stakeholder response to
orphans and vulnerable children in Ghana. Health Research Policy and
Systems 2011 9(Suppl 1):S14.
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