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Aga Khan University Prospectus 2007, The Aga Khan University

The Aga Khan University Prospectuses and Brochures

The University, University Resources, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical College, Graduate Studies, Undergraduate Medical Education, School of Nursing, Graduate Studies, Undergraduate Nursing Education, Institute for Educational Development, Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations, Aga Khan University Human Development Programme, Faculty List

Initiating Change In Classrooms: Pathways And Challenges For East African Schools, Anjum Halai, Ruth Otienoh, Zeenat Shariff, Naomi Swat

Book Chapters / Conference Papers

This paper draws upon classroom-related findings from a set of impact case studies of whole school improvement in six primary schools that have been involved as “cooperating schools” in long-term school-university partnerships with the Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development (IED), and it’s Professional Development Centre in East Africa (PDC-EA). The IED approach for school improvement involves participating schools in multiple strands of professional development, including: a two-year masters degree programme that provides selected teachers with the pedagogical and leadership knowledge and skills to serve as Professional Development Teachers in their schools; Certificate in Education programmes (CEP) for teachers …

Aku Newsletter : February 2006, Volume 7, Issue 1, Aga Khan University

The Aga Khan University Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Aga Khan University, Report 2006, Aga Khan University

The Aga Khan University Reports Archives

• Chairman’s Message
• Foreword
• Overview - An Agent of Positive Change
• The University’s Impact on Health
• The University’s Impact on Education
• Future Directions
• University Focus
• Major Partners and Institutional Collaborations
• University Trustees
• Financial Information
• University in Numbers
• Addresses
• Overview of the Aga Khan Development Network

Efficacy And Safety Of The Six-Dose Regimen Of Artemether-Lumefantrine In Pediatrics With Uncomplicated Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria: A Pooled Analysis Of Individual Patient Data, M. Makanga, Zul Premji, C. Falade, J. Karbwang, E.A. Mueller, K. Andriano, P. Hunt, P.I. De Palacios

Pathology, East Africa

Patient data from eight clinical trials were pooled and analyzed to study the efficacy and safety of the six-dose versus four-dose regimen of artemether-lumefantrine (coartemether; Coartem) in children weighing 5-25 kg. A total of 544 patients with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria (six-dose: 343; four-dose: 201), matched for demographic and baseline characteristics and individual coartemether doses were included in the analysis. Analysis of day 28 cure rate based on the intention-to-treat and evaluable populations yielded corrected cure rates for the six-dose regimen of 93% and 96% compared with 61% and 76%, respectively, for the four-dose regimen (P < 0.0001 for both comparisons). Similarly high cure rates were achieved with the six-dose regimen in non-immune infants weighing as little as 5 kg. The six- and four-dose regimens were equally well tolerated. The main finding of this analysis is that the six-dose regimen of coartemether is safe and more efficacious than the four-dose regimen in children. Copyright © 2006 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

Key Themes And Issues In Educational Development: A Critical Perspective On The Ied Model, Iffat Farah, Barbara Jaworski

Book Chapters / Conference Papers

No abstract provided.

Teacher Education And School Improvement: A Case Study From Pakistan, Anil Khamis, Shahida Jawed

Book Chapters / Conference Papers

No abstract provided.

Partnerships In Educational Development, Iffat Farah, Barbara Jawrski

Books

This book is about the development of one institution and its developmental work in education in South and Central Asia and in East Africa: The Institute for Educational Development (IED) at the Aga Khan University (AKU) in Karachi, Pakistan.

It's a product of the 10 years of development. It had been hoped to complete it for the 10-year celebrations, but as with other aspects of the IED, it kept on growing. This volume tries to provide an account of development from a number of perspectives, such as historical, chronological, issues-based and honestly critical.

The Establishment Of Aga Khan University-Institute For Educational Development, Sadrudin Pardhan, Dennish Thiessen

Book Chapters / Conference Papers

No abstract provided.

Relationship Between Antipyretic Effects And Cytokine Levels In Uncomplicated Falciparum Malaria During Different Treatment Regimes, Elisabeth Hugosson, Scott M. Montgomery, Zul Premji, Marita Troye-Blomberg, Anders Bjorkman

Pathology, East Africa

We have previously shown that both chloroquine and paracetamol (acetaminophen) have antipyretic activity during treatment of acute uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in children 1-4 years old. Here, we studied if this effect was accompanied by changes in plasma cytokine levels. The 104 children were treated with either chloroquine or sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP) alone, SP + chloroquine or SP + paracetamol for 4 days. Cytokine levels were determined days 0, 2 and 3, body temperature every sixth hour until 72 h and parasitemia once daily for 4 days. At admission, body temperature correlated with levels of IL-10, IFN-γ and IL-6, and parasitemia …

Aga Khan University Prospectus 2006, Aga Khan University

The Aga Khan University Prospectuses and Brochures

The University, Faculty of Health Sciences, University Hospital, University Resources, Libraries, Learning Resource Centre, Student Activities, Sports and Rehabilitation Centre, Admissions, Financial Assistance, Contested Decisions, Code of Conduct, Faculty of Health Sciences, Centre of English Language, Department for Educational Development, Postgraduate Medical Education, Medical College, Graduate Programmes, Master of Science (MSc programmes), PhD in Health Sciences, Undergraduate Medical Education, MBBS programme, School Of Nursing, Graduate Programmes, Master of Science in Nursing, Undergraduate programmes, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Post RN BSCN programme, Diploma in General Nursing, Institute for Educational Development Institute for Study of Muslim Civilisations University Governance, List of …

Aga Khan University Tanzania Institute Of Higher Education Prospectus 2006, Tanzania Institute Of Higher Education

The Aga Khan University Prospectuses and Brochures

• Vision, Mission and Values of the University

• Advanced Nursing Studies (ANS) Programme

• Introduction
• Principal Aims of the AKU Nursing Initiative in Tanzania
• Strategic Objectives
• Programmes Offered

• Post–Registration BSc Nursing Degree Programme

• Structure of the Programme
• Admission and Academic Requirements
• Enrolled Nurse to Registered Nurse Conversion Diploma
• Postgraduate Medical Education Programme
• Family Medicine Training Programme
• Logo and Symbolism
• About the University
• List of Faculty

Increased Risk Of Hiv In Women Experiencing Physical Partner Violence In Nairobi, Kenya, Karoline Fonck, Leye Els, Nancy Kidula, Jeconiah Ndinya-Achola, Marleen Temmerman

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

As part of a study on etiology of sexually transmitted infections (STI) among 520 women presenting at the STI clinic in Nairobi, data on partner violence and its correlates were analyzed. Prevalence of lifetime physical violence was 26%, mainly by an intimate partner (74%). HIV seropositive women had an almost twofold increase in lifetime partner violence. Women with more risky sexual behavior such as early sexual debut, number of sex partners, history of condom use and of STI, experienced more partner violence. Parity and miscarriage were associated with a history of lifetime violence. We found an inverse association between schooling …

Aku Newsletter : July 2005, Volume 6, Issue 2, Aga Khan University

The Aga Khan University Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Aku Newsletter : April 2005, Volume 6, Issue 1, Aga Khan University

The Aga Khan University Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Efficacy And Safety Of Artemether-Lumefantrine (Coartem®) Tablets (Six-Dose Regimen) In African Infants And Children With Acute, Uncomplicated Falciparum Malaria, C. Falade, M. Makanga, Zul Premji, C.E. Ortmann, M. Stockmeyer, P. Ibarra De Palacios

Pathology, East Africa

Approximately one million children die from malaria each year. A recently approved artemisinin-based tablet, Coartem (co-artemether), comprising artemether 120 mg plus lumefantrine 20 mg, given in four doses, provides effective antimalarial treatment for children in many sub-Saharan countries. However, this regimen is considered insufficient for non-immune infants and in areas where multidrug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum predominates. This open-label study assessed the efficacy and safety of co-artemether administered to 310 African children weighing 5-25 kg, with acute, uncomplicated falciparum malaria. Six doses of co-artemether were given over 3 days, with follow-up at 7, 14 and 28 days. Treatment rapidly cleared parasitemia and …

Plasma Zinc Concentrations Are Depressed During The Acute Phase Response In Children With Falciparum Malaria, C. Duggan, W.B. Macleod, N.F. Krebs, J.L. Westcott, W.W. Fawzi, Zul Premji, V. Mwanakasale, J.L. Simon, K. Yeboah-Antwi, D.H. Hamer

Pathology, East Africa

Plasma concentrations of some micronutrients are altered in the setting of acute infectious or inflammatory stress. Previous studies have provided conflicting evidence concerning the extent and direction of changes in plasma zinc concentrations during the acute phase response. We carried out an observational cohort study in 689 children enrolled in a randomized trial of zinc supplementation during acute falciparum malaria in order to evaluate the relation between plasma zinc concentration and the acute phase response. Plasma zinc was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. On admission, 70% of all subjects had low plasma zinc (<9.2 μmol/L). Multivariate analysis of predictors of admission plasma zinc showed that admission C-reactive protein (CRP), parasite density, and study site were the most important predictors. Predictors of changes in plasma zinc from admission to 72 h included baseline CRP, change in CRP, treatment group, study site, and baseline zinc concentration. In children with acute malaria infection, baseline plasma zinc concentrations were very low and were inversely correlated with CRP (r = -0.24, P < 0.0001) and the degree of parasitemia (r = -0.19, P < 0.0001). Even when CRP and time were taken into account, zinc supplementation increased plasma zinc concentration from admission to 72 h. When available, plasma zinc concentrations should be interpreted with concurrent measures of the acute phase response such as CRP. In children whose age, diet, and/or nutritional status place them at risk of zinc deficiency, those with low plasma zinc levels should be supplemented with oral zinc and followed for clinical and/or biochemical response. © 2005 American Society for Nutritional Sciences.

Habitat Characterization And Spatial Distribution Of Anopheles Sp. Mosquito Larvae In Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania) During An Extended Dry Period, M.A. Sattler, D. Mtasiwa, M. Kiama, Zul Premji, M. Tanner, G.F. Killeen, C. Lengeler

Pathology, East Africa

Introduction: By 2030, more than 50% of the African population will live in urban areas. Controlling malaria reduces the disease burden and further improves economic development. As a complement to treated nets and prompt access to treatment, measures targeted against the larval stage of Anopheles sp. mosquitoes are a promising strategy for urban areas. However, a precise knowledge of the geographic location and potentially of ecological characteristics of breeding sites is of major importance for such interventions.

Methods: In total 151 km2 of central Dar es Salaam, the biggest city of Tanzania, were systematically searched for open mosquito breeding sites. …

The Pervasive Triad Of Food Security, Gender Inequity And Women's Health: Exploratory Research From Sub-Saharan Africa, A.A. Hyder, S. Maman, J.E. Nyoni, S.A. Khasiani, N. Teoh, Zul Premji, S. Sohani

Pathology, East Africa

Objectives: This study was designed to explore the interactions between food securing activities, health and gender equity from the perspective of rural east African women. The specific objectives were to document the critical interaction among these three issues - food security, gender inequity, women's health within the context of sub-Saharan Africa; to describe the nature of this triad from the perspective of women farmers in Africa; and to propose a framework for linking available interventions to the vicious nature of this triad.

Setting: In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with rural women farmers in Kwale District, Kenya and …

Assessing The Effects Of Training On Knowledge And Skills Of Health Personnel: A Case Study From The Family Health Project In Sindh, Pakistan, Syed Farid-Ul-Hasnain, Syed Muhammad Israr, Saleem Jessani

Community Health Sciences

Background: The Family Health Project (FHP) was implemented in the province of Sindh during 1992-99 with the assistance of the World Bank. The project was designed to bring substantial changes in health care system for achieving improvement in the health status by strengthening the quality and integration of primary health care services. One of the major components of the project was to develop the institutional capacity of Ministry of Health in Sindh. This is a comparative analysis to assess the knowledge and skills of health care providers in Area Focus Approach (AFA) health facilities with the ones in non-AFA health …

Aku Newsletter : July 2004, Volume 5, Issue 2, Aga Khan University

The Aga Khan University Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Therapeutic Efficacy Of Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine And Prevalence Of Resistance Markers In Tanzania Prior To Revision Of Malaria Treatment Policy: Plasmodium Falciparum Dihydrofolate Reductase And Dihydropteroate Synthase Mutations In Monitoring In Vivo Resistance, K. Mugittu, M. Ndejembi, A. Malisa, M. Lemnge, Zul Premji, A. Mwita, W. Nkya, J. Kataraihya, S. Abdulla, H.-P. Beck, H. Mshinda

Pathology, East Africa

Prior to the 2001 malarial treatment policy change in Tanzania, we conducted trials to assess the efficacy of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) and the usefulness of molecular markers in monitoring resistance. A total of 383 uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria patients (between 6 and 59 months old) were treated with SP and their responses were assessed. Mutations in the P. falciparum dihydrofolate reductase (pfdhfr) and dihydropteroate synthase (pfdhps) genes in admission day blood samples were analyzed. Results indicated that 85.6% of the patients showed an adequate clinical response, 9.7% an early treatment failure, and 4.7% a late treatment failure. The quintuple mutant genotype …

Aga Khan University, Report 2004, Aga Khan University

The Aga Khan University Reports Archives

• Chairman’s Message
• Foreword
• Overview
• Future Directions
• Impact on Health Care
• Impact on Educational Development
• University Focus
• Faculty of Health Sciences
• University Hospital
• Institute for Educational Development
• Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations
• Major Partners and Institutional Collaborations
• University Trustees
• Financial Information
• University in Numbers
• Addresses
• Aga Khan Development Network

Rare, Highly Pyrimethamine-Resistant Alleles Of The Plasmodium Falciparum Dihydrofolate Reductase Gene From 5 African Sites, S.J. Bates, P.A. Winstanley, W.M. Watkins, A. Alloueche, J. Bwika, T.C. Happi, P.G. Kremsner, J.G. Kublin, Zul Premji, C.H. Sibley

Pathology, East Africa

In eastern and southern Africa, there has been a rapid increase in the prevalence of alleles with mutations in the Plasmodium falciparum dihydrofolate reductase gene (dhfr) associated with increased risk of clinical failure of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (S/P). Molecular methods for surveillance of these mutations are now widespread, but the usual analysis detects only the most prevalent allele in a polyclonal sample. We used a yeast-expression system to identify rare, highly pyrimethamine-resistant alleles of dhfr in isolates from 5 African countries-Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Gabon, and Nigeria. Only the isolates from Nigeria yielded significant numbers of novel resistant alleles, and only 1 of …

Averting A Malaria Disaster In Africa - Where Does The Buck Stop?, C.J.M. Whitty, R. Allan, V. Wiseman, S. Ochola, M.V. Nakyanzi-Mugisha, B. Vonhm, M. Mwita, C. Miaka, A. Oloo, Zul Premji, C. Burgess, T.K. Mutabingwa

Pathology, East Africa

The serious threat posed by the spread of drug-resistant malaria in Africa has been widely acknowledged. Chloroquine resistance is now almost universal, and resistance to the successor drug, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP), is growing rapidly. Combination therapy has been suggested as being an available and potentially lasting solution to this impending crisis. However, the current cost of combination therapy, and especially that of artemisinin combination therapy (ACT), is potentially a serious drawback, even if a significant part of its cost is passed on to the end-user. If the question of cost is not successfully addressed this could lead to adverse results from …

Higher Il-10 Levels Are Associated With Less Effective Clearance Of Plasmodium Falciparum Parasites, E. Hugosson, S.M. Montgomery, Zul Premji, M. Troye-Blomberg, A. Bjorkman

Pathology, East Africa

The implications of high levels of the immune regulatory cytokine IL-10 in Plasmodium falciparum malaria are unclear. IL-10 may down-regulate pro-inflammatory responses and also exacerbate disease by inhibiting anti-parasitic immune functions. To study possible inhibiting effects on parasite clearance, IL-10 plasma levels were determined in 104 Tanzanian children, 1 to 4 years old, with acute uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria, and analysed for association with parasite densities during 3 days of anti-malarial treatment. Higher baseline IL-10 plasma levels were associated with statistically significantly higher parasite densities after 24, 48 and 72 h of treatment. These associations could not be explained by …

Researching Practice, Practicing Research: Impact On Teaching And Learning, Bernadette Dean, Rahat Joldoshalieva, Antipas Chale, Farah Huma, Haji Karim, Mukobe Margaret, Nakhat Abdulofizov

Book Chapters / Conference Papers

An action research study aimed at finding out the potential of the instructional strategies (whole class discussion, cooperative learning and inquiry) taught at AKU-IED on student learning is being carried out in three phases in five developing countries served by AKU-IED. The seminar presentation will focus on learnings from the first phase of the research. It will focus specifically on identifying the possibilities and challenges PDTs face in preparing teachers to involve the whole class in discussions and in the teachers using it in their classrooms. It will also focus on the nature of discussions in the classrooms in different …

Aids, Orphans, And Development In Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review Of The Dilemma Of Public Health And Development, Joe Lugalla

Institute for Educational Development, East Africa

HIV/AIDS is having devastating consequences on families, young children, and other vulnerable social groups. In this paper, I review the impact of HIV/AIDS on families and development in sub-Saharan Africa. I begin by showing the magnitude of the problem and the factors that have led to rapid spread of HIV/AIDS in this sub-continent. I discuss gender inequality, poverty, social inequality, and globalization, and show how these facilitate the rapid spread of the epidemic. I show how AIDS is creating a mass of orphans on the one hand, and how it is impacting development and creating new public health contradictions on …

Male Condom Use In Tanzania: Results From A National Survey, Joe Lugalla, Saidi Kapinga

Institute for Educational Development, East Africa

Objective: To determine factors associated with male condom use in Tanzania.

Methods: Data from the 1996 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) was used.

In this survey, a national representative sample of sexually active men (N= 1898) and women (N=7027) were interviewed to obtain information about potential predictors of sexual practices and condom use.

Results: Two hundred and ninety (4.1%) women and 288 (15.2%) men had used condoms during their last sexual encounter. Men aged 20-24 years and women aged 15-19 years reported the highest rate of condom use. In both men and women, condom use increased with increasing level …

Antipyretic, Parasitologic, And Immunologic Effects Of Combining Sulfadoxine/Pyrimethamine With Chloroquine Or Paracetamol For Treating Uncomplicated Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria, E. Hugosson, D. Tarimo, M. Troye-Blomberg, S.M. Montgomery, Zul Premji, A. Bjorkman

Pathology, East Africa

Sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP) is increasingly used against malaria in sub-Saharan Africa because of chloroquine resistance. However, chloroquine may have a beneficial antipyretic effect. We therefore compared the combination of SP plus chloroquine, chloroquine alone, SP alone, and SP plus paracetamol in the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in 175 Tanzanian children (1-4 years old) in a randomized trial. Outcome variables were axillary temperatures every six hours, daily parasitemias, and serum levels of IgG antibodies to P. falciparum. Lower mean temperatures (6-48 hours) were achieved with SP plus chloroquine or paracetamol than with SP alone (P < 0.001) or chloroquine alone (P < 0.05). All three SP-treated groups showed high and similar parasite reduction (0-48 hours), whereas treatment with chloroquine alone was much less effective. Levels of IgG antibodies to P. falciparum increased significantly (P < 0.001) and similarly in the four treatment groups between days 0, 2. and 3. Thus, the addition of chloroquine or paracetamol to SP improved the clinical outcome, but did not affect the parasitologic response or antibody production.