Resources search

Electronic immunisation registry and tracking system in Bangladesh

AHMED, M
2004

Expand view

This report summarises the 2001 development of a new computerised information system to register, schedule and track the immunisation of children, which was introduced by the Department of Public Health in Rajshahi City Corporation, Bangladesh. While no direct funding was provided for it, the assumed cost was not more than US $5000. The author concludes that system has been working well for the past three years. He also notes that the utilisation of ICTs in poor countries should be targeted at those intermediaries (such as health workers) who play a key role in the lives of the poor through high-contact service delivery. Empowering those workers and helping improve the effectiveness of their service delivery will do more for the poor than any number of e-government portals

2004 report on the global AIDS epidemic

WOODS, Sandra
Ed
2004

Expand view

This annual report takes an overall look at the global AIDS epidemic. It considers the impact of HIV and AIDS on people and societies and includes a particular focus on the orphans and vulnerable children. It takes a further look at scaling up HIV prevention initiatives, with considerations about the threat of HIV to young people. There is a look at treatment, care and support for people living with HIV. It also takes into account the notion of human rights and protection. There are finally some considerations of the financing of responses to the crisis, and the need to coordinate national responses to HIV and AIDS. There is a table fo useful information on country specific estimates and data relating to HIV and AIDS

Upscaling Community Conversations in Ethiopia 2004 : unleashing capacities of communities for the HIV/AIDS response

UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
2004

Expand view

This document focuses on the Community Conversations (CC) process - a component of UNDP's Leadership for Results Programme - in Ethiopia, and outlines both key aspects of the methodology and key results from its implementation in Alaba, SNNPR and Yabelo, Oromiya. The approach, using the expertise of skilled facilitators, aims to encourage people to talk openly to each other about the implications of HIV and AIDS in their communities, and to rethink cultural norms, community values and health behaviours in their relations to the disease. Some early results from Community Conversations include: communities taking responsibility for their own prevention; communities discontinuing traditional practices found to be harmful in the context of HIV and AIDS; communities able to influence local governments; communities using their own social resources to support children affected by AIDS, and orphans in particular; communities sharing their learning with other communities. The document outlines a strategy for upscaling community conversations, and looks in particular at issues around implementation and coordination, funding and mechanisms to address needs that may be identified during the CC process

2004 report on the global AIDS epidemic

WOODS, Sandra
Ed
2004

Expand view

This annual report takes an overall look at the global AIDS epidemic. It considers the impact of HIV and AIDS on people and societies and includes a particular focus on the orphans and vulnerable children. It takes a further look at scaling up HIV prevention initiatives, with considerations about the threat of HIV to young people. There is a look at treatment, care and support for people living with HIV. It also takes into account the notion of human rights and protection. There are finally some considerations of the financing of responses to the crisis, and the need to coordinate national responses to HIV and AIDS. There is a table fo useful information on country specific estimates and data relating to HIV and AIDS

ICT and health [chapter] | ICT and MDGs : a World Bank Group perspective

WORLD BANK GROUP
December 2003

Expand view

This article explores the impact of ICTs on health care within developing countries. Topics covered include research and training of health-care workers, achieving health-related MDGs, and storing and disseminating health information. Details are also provided of selected World Bank-funded projects

Implementing a new health management information system in Uganda

GLADWIN, J
DIXON, R A
WILSON, T D
June 2003

Expand view

The paper reviews the installation of a new health management system in Uganda. The authors noted that technological issues, rather than wider organisational issues, dominated the planning of the change. The need to consider the organisational context when changing information systems arises because the process is more complex than some practitioners have realised. It is a useful case study of the implementation of information and communication technology

Building a dispensary health management information system

SOHANI, Salim
SHARIF, Shanaaz
FOX, John
Eds
2003

Expand view

This policy brief focuses on the outcomes of the Kwale Health Systems Strengthening Project (KHSSP), which aims to improve the quality of health care at the dispensary level. The project increased the participation of the local community in the running of the dispensaries and in the development and operation of the health information system that was used. This brief outlines the projects work and lessons that can be learned from it

Designing and conducting health system research projects : volume 2 data analysis and report writing

VARKEVISSER, Corlien M
PATHMANATHAM, Indra
BROWNLEE, Ann
2003

Expand view

Part I, Proposal Development and Fieldwork, contains modules 1-20, of which the first 18 will lead the course participants through all steps that the development of their proposal requires. Modules 19 and 20 guide them through the fieldwork period and preliminary data analysis. Each module contains detailed instructions for group work on the successive steps in the development of the proposal. At the end of each module, facilitators will find Trainer’s Notes, providing guidelines on how to present the modules and how to assist the groups in the writing of their research proposal. After Module 20 an annex has been added with general guidelines for the planning and management of HSR workshops, the training methodology and the supervision of fieldwork. The annex includes an example of a course schedule and guidelines for budgeting an HSR course. Furthermore, an information circular for course participants and a course evaluation form have been added. The course schedule presented applies to a full-time workshop for beginners, lasting just over two weeks. Depending on the level of the participants, the duration of the course can be shortened. The training materials can also be used in university settings, stretched out over a trimester or quarter with weekly sessions

Vision 2020 : the right to sight. Developing an action plan to prevent blindness at national, provincial and district levels

VISION 2020
LONDON SCHOOL OF HYGIENE AND TROPICAL MEDICINE (LSHTM)
2003

Expand view

VISION 2020 is a joint initiative by the WHO and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, which intends to eliminate avoidable blindness (eg caused by cataract, refractive errors, trachoma, vitamin deficiencies, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma) by the year 2020. The strategy of VISION 2020 is built upon the foundation of community participation. VISION 2020 has the following objectives: implementation of disease control interventions; development of human resources and development of infrastructure. This CD-ROM serves as a toolkit for countries and organisations that want to enforce a VISION 2020 action plan to combat blindness at the national, provincial and/or district level. Relevant background information for planning exercises are provided in the form of reports from expert committees, scientific articles, manuals, guidelines, software packages, websites, and contact addresses. [Abstract courtesy of CAB International]

Evaluating computerised health information systems : hard lessons still to be learnt

LITTLEJOHNS, Peter
WYATT, Jeremy C
GARVICAN, Linda
2003

Expand view

This article discusses the implementation of a hospital information system in Limpopo Province, South Africa and describes how it failed because of inadequate infrastructure and problems with the functioning of the system itself. Furthermore, users were not made sufficiently aware of the purpose of a computerised system and failed to appreciate the complexity of implementation and of the healthcare process. The paper calls for a better understanding of the unique nature of hospital information systems and for well designed evaluation to be built into the contracts from the beginning

Mainstreaming HIV/AIDS : a conceptual framework and implementing principles

JOINT UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME ON HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GTZ)
et al
June 2002

Expand view

This document explores the current understanding of mainstreaming, and examples of relevant experience. It provides a set of basic principles designed to enable those working at the different levels and aspects of HIV/AIDS policy and practice to begin using mainstreaming processes to expand and accelerate responses to HIV/AIDS

South African health review 2001

HEALTH SYSTEMS TRUST (HST)
March 2002

Expand view

This is a comprehensive, authoritative and independent review of the South African health system. It is published annually and this year's edition is is made up of 17 chapters grouped into four themes: listening to voices, equity, information for health, accountability and transformation. The review acts as a barometer for assessing the transformation processes and their impact on provision of equitable health care to all in South Africa

Use of a computerized tuberculosis register for automated generation of case finding, sputum conversion, and treatment outcome reports

VRANKEN, R
et al
February 2002

Expand view

The article describes the 'Electronic TB Register', a user-friendly, Epi-Info based software programme based on the WHO/IUATLD format of recording and reporting. Individual records from the TB registry are entered in a program that provides interactive support. Factors critical for success include a functioning, paper-based system, involvement of staff from the TB programme, health information systems, and health facilities, ongoing training, and backup support

The 10/90 report on health research 2001-2002

GLOBAL FORUM FOR HEALTH RESEARCH
2002

Expand view

Describes the relationships between health & health research, development, poverty alleviation and global security. Explores the idea of health research governance, and recent initiatives in this area. Reviews progress made in the field of priority-setting methodologies, including the 'combined approach matrix'. Gives overview of research priority areas, summarizes public and private investment in health research. Reviews efforts to build networks and partnerships in some priority areas

Vaccines and Biologicals biennial report 00/01

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO). Department of Vaccines and Biologicals
2002

Expand view

This report highlights the achievements of the Vaccines and Biologicals Department of the World Health Organization (WHO). In particular it highlights the formation of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, the drop in the number of polio cases, the lack of progress in the research and development field, and the lack of access that over 37 million children still have to immunization services. In the light of these findings it lists where its efforts will focused in the future. These include facilitating and coordinating research and development activities on vaccines against diseases of poverty; strengthening routine immunization services and vaccine-preventable disease surveillance; identifying and implementing long-term financial sustainability mechanisms; certifying the world as polio-free and addressing post-eradication technical challenges;and accelerating efforts to control diseases and reduce vaccine-preventable mortality through supplemental immunicsation activities

Meeting the needs of people with disabilities : new approaches in the health sector. A technical note

WIMAN, Ronald
HELANDER, Einar
WESTLAND, Joan
2002

Expand view

Today many people with disabilities tend to be disempowered and deprived of economic and social opportunities and security because they are excluded from areas of social life. Furthermore, they are also underserved by most public and private institutions and services. As a result, people with disabilities tend to be the poorest of the poor and their health is vulnerable.
The role of the health sector in the prevention of disabling conditions, in addressing disabling diseases and limiting their effects, as well as in rehabilitation is central. Therefore, health sector interventions should address the disability dimension to best facilitate poverty reduction.
In order to provide disabled people with a health care system that addresses their needs, several steps are needed. Governments must support equal opportunities for all and the disability dimension must be included into economic and social life

Luces y sombras de la información de salud en Internet

APEZTEGUÍA Urroz, Javier
et al
2002

Expand view

The SEIS report "Lights and shades of the information of health in Internet" gathers the communications and conclusions of the meeting organised by the Spanish Society of Computer Science of Health (SEIS) in Pamplona on 18 June 2002. The report reviews the quality of the information on health on the Internet from the point of view of the information suppliers, health and consuming or patient professionals. For all of them directives are formulated to provide information with quality, in their case, and to evaluate that to which they accede

Quality of Cochrane reviews : assessment of sample from 1998

OLSEN, Ole
et al
October 2001

Expand view

Ten Cochrane collaboration affiliates examined in a semi-structured way the quality of reviews first published in 1998. The Cochrane library remains a key source of reliable evidence about the effects of healthcare interventions, and steps continue to be made to improve quality of the reviews which remain on average more systematic and less biased than other reviews published in journals. On the whole however, the reviews were found to be over-generous when assessing the benefits of experimental interventions on health

What works? A review of efficacy and effectiveness of nutrition interventions

ALLEN, Lindsay
GILLESPIE, Stuart
September 2001

Expand view

Improving nutrition in developing countries is both a humanitarian and economic imperative. This publication provides a systematic evaluation of what works and what does not with a review of the major nutrition problems in Asia, a review of supplementation and fortification efficacy and effectiveness trials, and an impact assessment of food-based approaches to improve maternal and child nutrition. It calls for a sensible level of investment in operations research and cost-effectiveness analysis to improve nutrition programming throughout the donor community and national budgets in developing countries

Making a difference for children affected by AIDS : baseline findings from operations research in Uganda

GILBORN, Laelia Zoe
et al
June 2001

Expand view

This paper reports on baseline findings from a study of two programmes for AIDS-affected children and their families implemented by PLAN International in the Luwero and Tororo districts of Uganda. One programme, referred to as orphan support, provides educational, health, and nutritional assistance as well as other services to orphans. The second programme, known as succession planning, reaches AIDS-affected children earlier, by helping HIV-positive parents prepare for their children’s future through counseling, will-writing, appointing guardians, and other measures. The study was designed to assess the impact of the orphan support programme on child wellbeing; explore the acceptability of a succession planning programme in the Ugandan context; assess the impact of succession planning on child wellbeing; and determine the impact of succession planning on adult wellbeing and on guardians' capacity to care for orphans

Pages

E-bulletin