Resources search

Joining hands: integrating gender and HIV/AIDS: report of an ACORD project using Stepping Stones in Angola, Tanzania and Uganda

HADJIPATERAS, Angela
et al
July 2007

Expand view

This is the report of a two-year project to reduce the vulnerability of women and girls in Africa to HIV and AIDS, using Stepping Stones - a gender-focused participatory process that involves working closely with peer groups. The project's other objectives were to: build the capacity of local structures to respond; promote community responses through effective partnerships and advocacy actions; and find out whether Stepping Stones could be used effectively in unconventional settings with a range of population groups such as the nomadic Mucubai tribe in Southern Angola, internally displaced people living in camps in Northern Uganda, and the 21st Battalion of the Angolan armed forces. Key findings include: improvements in the level of knowledge and understanding of HIV/AIDS and increased communication around sexual issues and between couples and within communities, across all three countries, as well as an increased sense of community responsibility for HIV and AIDS. In addition there was patchy evidence of stigma reduction and some reduction in risky cultural and sexual practices. Although increased respect for women, including self respect and a reduction in gender violence was also noted, female subordination in decision making and control over resources remains. Stepping Stones was on the whole considered to be adaptable for use in a wide range of contexts although more thought was needed to develop effective strategies to combat obstacles when using this process in some circumstances

Making a difference : M&E of policy research

HOVLAND, Ingie
July 2007

Expand view

"This paper aims to advance understanding on how to monitor and evaluate policy research, i.e. research that is undertaken in order to inform and influence public policy. Policy is defined very broadly to encompass both policy decisions and processes, including implementation..."

A framework for monitoring and evaluating HIV prevention programmes for most-at-risk populations

JOINT UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)
April 2007

Expand view

This framework is intended for national and subnational programme managers and others involved in planning and implementing programmes; monitoring and evaluation; and using data and information for policy development and programme improvement. It includes tools and methods that can be applied at a national and a subnational level, drawing from existing sources where available and includes the most recent thinking about M&E of most-at-risk populations, directing the reader towards appropriate supplemental guides, training materials, and other sources of technical information. It also emphasises the importance of members of most-at-risk populations participating in the evaluation process

Cluster munitions in Kosovo : analysis of use contamination and casualities

MOYES, Richard
February 2007

Expand view

This report consists of a detailed assessment of the use of cluster munitions in Kosovo. More specifically, it draws on data sets to examine the claims and counterclaims of humanitarian organisations and of user governments. It concludes with an analysis of how key governments responded to lessons learned from cluster munition use and there impact in Kosovo

IASC guidelines for mental health and psychosocial support in emergency settings

INTER-AGENCY STANDING COMMITTEE (IASC)
2007

Expand view

These guidelines provide information to organisations and individuals on how to respond during humanitarian emergencies by highlighting eleven specific action sheets that offer practical guidance on mental health and psychosocial support. The guidelines include a matrix of interventions with guidance for emergency planning, actions to be taken in the early stages of an emergency, and comprehensive responses needed in the recovery and rehabilitation phases. This resource is gives humanitarian actors useful inter-agency, inter-sectoral guidance and tools for responding effectively in the midst of emergencies

Monitoring and evaluation of mental health policies and plans : mental health policy and service guidance package

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)
2007

Expand view

"This module examines key aspects of monitoring and evaluation as they relate to a mental health policy and plan, including how to monitor a plan and the different ways to evaluate a policy and plan. It presents a five-step process for conducting evaluations and explains how results of an evaluation can be utilized to improve policies and plans. The module then provides a detailed case study of a policy and plan of a hypothetical country. It describes various ways that evaluation can be used over a period of time to assess and influence policy and the plan that arises from it, including the practical steps involved in policy evaluation and the policy decisions that can be made on the basis of monitoring and evaluations"
This module is part of the WHO Mental Health Policy and Service Guidance Package. The package consists of a series of interrelated user-friendly modules designed to address the wide variety of needs and priorities in policy development and service planning. Each module addresses a core aspect of mental health

A review of community based rehabilitation evaluations : quality of life as an outcome measure for future evaluations

MANNAN, Hasheem
TURNBULL, Ann P
2007

Expand view

"This review examines key articles in evaluation of community-based rehabilitation carried out in developing countries and proposes family quality of life as an outcome measure of community-based rehabilitation. The concept of community-based rehabilitation is reviewed, quality of life and family quality of life measurement scale is presented. It presents a practical approach to future evaluations of community-based rehabilitation programmes. This review presents the features of community-based rehabilitation evaluation (i.e., service delivery system, technology transfer, community involvement, and organisation and management), methodology, and findings. Implications are defined for the enhancement of community based rehabilitation through practical suggestions for programme coordinators involved in community development for rehabilitation, equalisation of opportunities, and social inclusion of people with disabilities"

 

Asia Pacific Disability Rehabilitation Journal, Vol 18, No 1

Evaluation in community based rehabilitation programmes : a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis

SHARMA, Manoj
2007

Expand view

The purpose of this article was to qualitatively analyse the extent to which community based rehabilitation programmes have been evaluated over the past thirty years. A framework of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis was used in conducting this analysis. Using an extensive search of MEDLINE, 22 articles were located that described and evaluated one or more dimensions of CBR. Three studies each from Australia, India, Zimbabwe and two studies each from England, Philippines, Vietnam and one each from Finland, Guyana, Jamaica, Japan, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, and United States were included in the analysis. A variety of methods used, most evaluations conducted in community settings, focus on mobility related evaluations by most programmes, and development of new instruments were the strengths of CBR evaluations. Some of the weaknesses were lack of consistency in outcome measures, lack of cost benefit and cost effectiveness studies, small sample size of many studies, and lack of focus on other than mobility related disabilities by most projects. The opportunities for CBR evaluations pertain to training assessments, use of mixed models, using indicators from a standard taxonomy, and focusing on medical rehabilitation. The threats to CBR evaluations are a need to prioritise from multifarious activities and having limited resources for evaluation.

 

Asia Pacific Disability Rehabilitation Journal, Vol 18, No 1

Twenty years of community-based rehabilitation in Guyana 1986-2006 : an impact assessment

DEEPAK, Sunil
2007

Expand view

"This impact assessment is based on a review of reports and studies from different sources related to Guyana CBR programme, and through a field visit." The report focuses upon achievements of the CBR programme over the past twenty years, with particular emphasis on the impact on the policies and practices of institutions in Guyana, the lives of children and adults with disabilities and the civil society & organisations in Guyana

Finance for all? policies and pitfalls in expanding access

DEMIRGUC-KUNT, Asli
BECK, Thorsten
HONOHAN, Patrick
2007

Expand view

This report is a broad-ranging review of research work focusing on access to finance. It presents indicators to measure financial access, analyzes its determinants, and evaluates the impact of access on growth, equity, and poverty reduction. The report also discusses the role of government in advancing financial inclusion
A World Bank Policy Research Report

E-bulletin