International Public Health Commons^™

Retrospective Review Of Task-Shifting Community-Based Programs Supporting Arv Treatment And Retention In Uganda, Sam Kalibala, Jerry Okal, Brady Zieman, Nrupa Jani, Lung Vu, Josephine Birungi, Stephen Okoboi, Jonathan Wangisi, Christine Nabiryo, Joanne Lyavala Okullu, Michael Etukoit, Lydia Buzaalirwa, Augustine Lubanga, Paul Kiyingi, Jonathan Ikapule, Syson Nakyeyune, Stephen Nakibinge, Penninah Lutung, Samuel Waliggo, Joseph Nsamba, Yashien Wamanga, Joseph Kamya, Robina Sentongo, Robert Yiga

HIV and AIDS

The purpose of this study was to examine examples of task-shifting programs in Uganda with the aim of generating data that could inform the development of task-shifting policies, guidelines, and practices. The overall purpose of the study was to contribute to the growing knowledge base about task-shifting by describing the service delivery approaches of three purposively selected major AIDS service organizations (ASOs) in Uganda that have adopted task-shifting. The study showed that in the three ASOs, almost all key tasks in antiretroviral therapy (ART), including determining eligibility, initiating ART, and dispensing antiretrovirals, can be feasibly shifted to lower-level cadres or …

Developing An Implementation Science Research Agenda To Improve The Treatment And Care Outcomes Among Adolescents Living With Hiv In Sub-Saharan Africa, Julie Denison, Audrey Pettifor, Lynne Mofenson, Deanna Kerrigan

HIV and AIDS

In February 2016, Project SOAR convened a Technical Advisory Network meeting, attended by more than 50 international and domestic thought leaders in adolescent HIV care research and a small group of youth from southern Africa who are living with HIV. To prepare the groundwork for the meeting, SOAR produced a background paper synthesizing the literature on HIV continuum of care outcomes among adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) in sub-Saharan Africa, where most adolescent cases of HIV are concentrated. This report presents the findings from the literature review and highlights from the Technical Advisory Network meeting. The first section is a …

Strengthening Community-Based Services For Children And Families Affected By Hiv: An Evaluation Of The Zambia Family Program, Project Soar

HIV and AIDS

As the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) pivots its focus to care and treatment, there is strong interest in learning to what extent community-based programs contribute to achieving the public health goals of getting people—including children and adolescents—tested, enrolled in care if infected, and adherent to treatment. This brief describes Project SOAR’s evaluation of the Zambia Family (ZAMFAM) program, which will generate critical evidence to help fill knowledge gaps. The evidence will also guide country and global decisionmakers in strengthening community-based services to better meet the care, support, and treatment needs of vulnerable children and their families.

Center For Global Health Newsletter, Center For Global Health, Old Dominion University

Center for Global Health Newsletter

January-June 2016 issue of Old Dominion University's Center for Global Health Newsletter.

Building Capacity In Implementation Science Research Training At The University Of Nairobi., George O Osanjo, Julius O Oyugi, Isaac O Kibwage, Walter O Mwanda, Elizabeth N Ngugi, Fredrick C Otieno, Wycliffe Ndege, Mara Child, Carey Farquhar, Jeremy Penner, Zohray Talib, James N Kiarie

Global Health Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Health care systems in sub-Saharan Africa, and globally, grapple with the problem of closing the gap between evidence-based health interventions and actual practice in health service settings. It is essential for health care systems, especially in low-resource settings, to increase capacity to implement evidence-based practices, by training professionals in implementation science. With support from the Medical Education Partnership Initiative, the University of Nairobi has developed a training program to build local capacity for implementation science.

METHODS: This paper describes how the University of Nairobi leveraged resources from the Medical Education Partnership to develop an institutional program that provides training …

Attitudes And Factors Affecting Acceptability Of Self-Administered Cervicovaginal Sampling For Human Papillomavirus (Hpv) Genotyping As An Alternative To Pap Testing Among Multiethnic Malaysian Women., Mahirah Ma'som, Nirmala Bhoo-Pathy, Nazrila Hairizan Nasir, Jerome Bellinson, Shridevi Subramaniam, Yuntong Ma, Siew-Hwei Yap, Pik-Pin Goh, Patti Gravitt, Yin Ling Woo

Global Health Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the attitudes and acceptability of self-administered cervicovaginal sampling compared with conventional physician-acquired Papanicolaou (Pap) smear among multiethnic Malaysian women.

METHOD: A cross-sectional study was carried out via interviewer-administered surveys from August 2013 through August 2015 at five government-run, urban health clinics in the state of Selangor. Subjects were participants from an ongoing community-based human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence study who answered a standard questionnaire before and after self-sampling. The cervicovaginal self-sampling for HPV genotyping was performed using a simple brush ('Just for Me'; Preventive Oncology International, Hong Kong). Detailed data on sociodemographics, …

Relationship Of Suicide Rates With Climate And Economic Variables In Europe During 2000–2012, Konstantinos Fountoulakis, Isaia Chatzikosta, Konstantinos Pastiadis, Prodromos Zanis, Wolfram Kawohl, Eliot Sorel, +45 Additional Authors

Global Health Faculty Publications

Background

It is well known that suicidal rates vary considerably among European countries and the reasons for this are unknown, although several theories have been proposed. The effect of economic variables has been extensively studied but not that of climate.

Methods

Data from 29 European countries covering the years 2000–2012 and concerning male and female standardized suicidal rates (according to WHO), economic variables (according World Bank) and climate variables were gathered. The statistical analysis included cluster and principal component analysis and categorical regression.

Results

The derived models explained 62.4 % of the variability of male suicidal rates. Economic variables alone …

Assessment Of Effectiveness And Scalability Of Unicef-Sponsored Projects To Prevent Violence Against Children And Women In Papua, South Sulawesi, And Central Java., Marc C. Edberg, Hina Shaikh, Leah Keller

Center for Social Well-Being and Development

No abstract provided.

Building Capacity In Implementation Science Research Training At The University Of Nairobi., George O Osanjo, Julius O Oyugi, Isaac O Kibwage, Walter O Mwanda, Elizabeth N Ngugi, Fredrick C Otieno, Wycliffe Ndege, Mara Child, Carey Farquhar, Jeremy Penner, Zohray Talib, James N Kiarie

Health Policy and Management Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Health care systems in sub-Saharan Africa, and globally, grapple with the problem of closing the gap between evidence-based health interventions and actual practice in health service settings. It is essential for health care systems, especially in low-resource settings, to increase capacity to implement evidence-based practices, by training professionals in implementation science. With support from the Medical Education Partnership Initiative, the University of Nairobi has developed a training program to build local capacity for implementation science.

METHODS: This paper describes how the University of Nairobi leveraged resources from the Medical Education Partnership to develop an institutional program that provides training …

A New Look At Care In Pregnancy: Simple, Effective Interventions For Neglected Populations, Stephen Hodgins, James M. Tielsch, Kristen Rankin, Amber Robinson, Annie Kearns, Jacquelyn Caglia

Global Health Faculty Publications

Background

Although this is beginning to change, the content of antenatal care has been relatively neglected in safe-motherhood program efforts. This appears in part to be due to an unwarranted belief that interventions over this period have far less impact than those provided around the time of birth. In this par, we review available evidence for 21 interventions potentially deliverable during pregnancy at high coverage to neglected populations in low income countries, with regard to effectiveness in reducing risk of: maternal mortality, newborn mortality, stillbirth, prematurity and intrauterine growth restriction. Selection was restricted to interventions that can be provided by …

Understanding Hiv-Related Vulnerabilities And Stigma Among Egyptian Youth, Nahla G. Abdel-Tawab, Doaa Oraby, Sally Saher, Sarah Ismail

Poverty, Gender, and Youth

The overall objective of this study is to provide an evidence-based description and interpretation of the HIV-related risks and vulnerabilities faced by different subgroups of youth in Egypt. The report is part of a six-country study that was conducted by the Population Council in Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, and Uganda. The study examines social, economic, cultural, and legal factors that may contribute to youth’s increased vulnerability to HIV and documents the situation of the policy and programmatic responses. The study identified poverty, unemployment, delayed marriage, and gender inequality as examples of factors that increase young people’s risk-taking behavior …

Addressing Intimate Partner Violence And Power In Relationships In Hiv Testing Services: Results Of An Intervention Piloted In Nairobi, Kenya, Nicole Haberland, Charity Ndwiga, Katharine Mccarthy, Margaret Makanyengo, Rose Kosgei, Cecilia Choi, Julie Pulerwitz, Sam Kalibala

HIV and AIDS

The overarching goal of this study was to pilot an approach to HIV testing services (HTS) that addresses intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual relationship power (SRP) inequalities, and explores the intervention’s potential for improving uptake and retention of antiretroviral therapy and prevention of mother-to-child transmission services. The project was implemented in Kenyatta National Hospital’s (KNH) antenatal care (ANC) clinic, and examined intermediate indicators of effect, as well as operational issues around incorporating attention to IPV in hospital procedures, especially in high-volume, high-need settings like KNH’s. The findings from this study suggest that providing some minimal IPV/SRP counseling to all …

An Integrated Peer Outreach And Clinic-Based Intervention To Improve The Sexual Health Of Young Men Who Have Sex With Men In Myanmar: A Link Up Evaluation, Population Council

HIV and AIDS

This brief describes an evaluation that assessed the impact of a peer-driven intervention for young men who have sex with men (MSM) in Myanmar, designed to improve the sexual health and rights of this marginalized community. The intervention and evaluation activities were conducted as part of Link Up, a global consortium led by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance aimed at improving sexual and reproductive health and rights among young vulnerable communities in Africa and Asia. In collaboration with the Burnet Institute, the Population Council–led evaluation study sought to assess whether the Link Up intervention improved sexual and health-seeking behaviors, and whether …

Impact Of Peer Education And On-Site Clinical Services For Female Sex Workers In Bangladesh Brothels: A Link Up Evaluation Study, Population Council

HIV and AIDS

This brief describes an evaluation of a brothel-based HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) intervention that combined peer outreach with the provision of on-site clinical services in several Bangladesh brothels. The aim of this evaluation was to assess whether peer educator one-on-one or group sessions and on-site satellite clinics improved SRHR knowledge and behaviors among women who sell sex in three Bangladesh brothels. The study was conducted by the Population Council as part of the Link Up project, a global consortium led by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance aimed at improving the SRHR of young people. The findings …

Reducing Provider-Held Stigma And Improving Young Client Satisfaction In Bangladesh: Findings From A Link Up Evaluation, Population Council

HIV and AIDS

To address HIV stigma in Bangladesh, a training program was designed and evaluated among service providers as part of Link Up, a global project led by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance designed to improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of young people. These trainings aimed at sensitizing healthcare providers to the needs and rights of young people at high risk of stigmatization—such as sex workers, sexual minorities, or young people who engage in premarital sex. The Population Council collaborated with Marie Stopes International Bangladesh (MSIB) to evaluate whether stigma-reduction trainings improved provider attitudes toward these young marginalized populations, …

Sexual And Reproductive Health And Rights Needs Of Young Men Who Live In The Streets In Dhaka City: A Link Up Exploratory Study, Population Council

HIV and AIDS

Under the Link Up project—a global consortium led by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance and supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs—the Population Council conducted an exploratory study of the HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) needs of young men who live in the streets of Dhaka City, Bangladesh. The study investigated their knowledge, behaviors, needs, and service utilization related to HIV and SRHR. The findings elucidate the substantial vulnerabilities and risks faced by young men who live in the streets of Dhaka City, most notably in terms of sexual risk and physical violence. Participants reported very …

Using Peers To Improve Sexual And Reproductive Health And Rights Of Young People Living With Hiv In Uganda: Findings From A Link Up Evaluation, Population Council

HIV and AIDS

Link Up, a global consortium led by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, sought to meet the immediate HIV care needs and also the broader sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for Ugandan young people living with HIV (YPLHIV), by creating linkages between comprehensive community- and facility-based HIV and SRHR services. In addition, Link Up delivered health education, counseling, and peer support tailored to the needs of YPLHIV in order to educate and empower them to recognize their rights, and feel confident in seeking health services. This brief presents findings from the Population Council’s evaluation of Link Up activities among YPLHIV …

Building Evidence To Guide Prep Introduction For Adolescent Girls And Young Women, Nanlesta Pilgrim, Sanyukta Mathur, Ann Gottert, Naomi Rutenberg, Julie Pulerwitz

HIV and AIDS

This document was developed by the Population Council, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to provide DREAMS country teams with practical guidance on building evidence to guide pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) introduction for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). The primary audiences for this document are health policymakers and program planners who will be making decisions about how PrEP is introduced and the researchers who will assess AGYW’s specific needs and experiences. Our aim is to complement emerging global guidance on PrEP and ongoing work regarding delivery platforms, marketing, and policy and regulatory frameworks for PrEP introduction more …

How To Reduce Hiv Risk Among Adolescent Girls And Young Women In Sub-Saharan Africa? Implementation Science Around The Dreams Initiative, Population Council

HIV and AIDS

The Population Council, with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the US Agency for International Development through Project SOAR, is leading the implementation science portfolio of the timely and innovative DREAMS partnership in 10 sub-Saharan countries, producing evidence to strengthen DREAMS activities and other community-based programming. The Council’s research focuses on how best to reach the most vulnerable adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) and their male partners and engage them in activities and services, and how to roll out pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention among AGYW. By examining these critical HIV prevention issues, the Council’s …

Impact Of A Community-Based, Hiv Intervention On Antiretroviral Treatment Retention And Adherence In Tanzania, Project Soar

HIV and AIDS

Project SOAR is contributing to the evidence base on community-based care models by conducting implementation research in Tanzania, a country where 1.5 million people are in need of HIV care services, and where clients eligible for antiretroviral therapy (ART) often drop out or are lost to follow up. While the country has a cadre of community-based HIV service (CBHS) providers, they remain largely informal. Project SOAR and its partners are evaluating a coordinated, integrated model in which CBHS providers deliver an enhanced service package to HIV-positive clients. The evaluation will advance understanding of the value of CBHS providers in improving …