CANCHID ListHost is forwarding this one issue of "The Drum Beat" for the
information for readers interested in the Global HIV/AIDS work
perspective.
-------- Original Message --------
Date: Sat, 17 Feb 2001 01:25:56 -0700
From: "Warren Feek" <[log in to unmask]>
The Drum Beat - 81 - Horizons Project: Global HIV/AIDS Operations Research
Feb. 19, 2001
The email and web network from THE COMMUNICATION INITIATIVE partnership -
The Rockefeller Foundation, BBC World Service, The CHANGE Project, CIDA,
The European Union, Exchange, Johns Hopkins University Center for
Communication Programs, The Panos Institute, Soul City, SYNERGY, UNAIDS,
UNICEF, USAID, WHO.
Chair of Partners Group - Denise Gray-Felder - The Rockefeller
Foundation [log in to unmask]
Director - Warren Feek [log in to unmask]
Web Site: http://www.comminit.com
***
There is work to be done to improve global communication on research in
development and health. In HIV/AIDS research, communicators can play a
critical role in transforming research results into powerful tools to
counter the epidemic, particularly in hard-hit regions. Of particular
interest is operations research (OR), which studies the operational
aspects of programmes and policies and proposes cost-effective solutions
to problems in service delivery. This issue highlights an international OR
effort that examines many of the key issues in HIV/AIDS prevention, care,
and support. ***
THE HORIZONS PROJECT: Global HIV/AIDS Operations Research
1. More than 20 years into the global HIV/AIDS pandemic, research has
revealed a great deal about how the HIV virus is transmitted, opening the
door to the development of drug therapies, behavior change strategies, and
other approaches to preventing HIV and mitigating AIDS. Yet far less
research has been devoted to understanding the basic operational, policy,
and cost barriers that affect whether and how HIV/AIDS prevention, care,
and support services are delivered. In developing countries - where more
than 90% of HIV-infected people live - such interventions remain the
primary tools for addressing the pandemic.
2. The Horizons Project is a comprehensive research effort that applies
operations research (OR) to many of the most pressing global issues
affecting HIV/AIDS service delivery programmes. Launched in 1997, Horizons
sponsors more than 60 research activities in 21 countries in Africa, Asia,
Latin America, and the Caribbean. The project's teams use qualitative and
quantitative methods to identify barriers to effective programme design
and delivery, test new approaches, and recommend best practices to improve
policies and programmes. Cost-effectiveness is often a major element of
the research. Because OR is applied research that places a premium on
involving key stakeholders, Horizons builds partnerships with NGOs,
community-level service delivery programmes, universities, research
institutes, governments, and health organizations in every country where
it works. Please note that several of the research studies below are
still in progress.
ACTIVITIES
3. Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (MTCT) of HIV - New
research has shown that antiretrovirals administered to pregnant
HIV-positive women can lower the risk of transmission to the infant. What
are the feasibility, acceptability, cost, and impact of a package of
medical and psychosocial services to prevent MTCT in resource-poor
regions? In 6 antenatal clinics in Kenya and Zambia, a study tests a
potential model. http://www.popcouncil.org/pdfs/horizons/rs/re_mtctc.pdf
Contact Dr. Ruth Nduati (Kenya) [log in to unmask] or Dr. Margaret
Siwale (Zambia) [log in to unmask]
4. HIV & Partner Violence: Implications for HIV Voluntary Counseling &
Testing (VCT) Programmes - A key part of VCT programmes is encouraging
disclosure of test results to partners. Does the fear of violence inhibit
women from telling their partners their serostatus, and do women
experience violence when they do reveal test results? A study in Tanzania
examines these issues.
http://www.popcouncil.org/horizons/ressum/vct_violence.html Dr. Suzanne
Maman [log in to unmask]
5. Youth & HIV Voluntary Counseling & Testing (VCT) Programmes - VCT
programmes for adults have been shown to increase the adoption of safer
sexual behaviors and link them with care and support services. But is VCT
appropriate for young people? If so, how can it be adapted to their needs?
In Kenya and Uganda, researchers have found that current programmes don't
always serve young people effectively.
http://www.popcouncil.org/horizons/ressum/vct_youth.html Contact Dr.
Edward Kirumira [log in to unmask]
6. Improving Support to Children Affected by AIDS - Communities across
sub-Saharan Africa struggle to cope with a growing number of orphans. Can
support programmes be improved by reaching children and their families
before parents die? In Uganda, an intervention study is evaluating a
succession planning programme that involves HIV-positive parents in
planning for their children's future.
http://www.popcouncil.org/horizons/ressum/orphans.html Contact Dr. Rebecca
Nyonyintono [log in to unmask]
7. 100 Percent Condom Use in Sex Establishments - In Thailand, a
government policy helped lower STI rates by requiring condom use for all
acts of commercial sex. Can this policy success story be adapted to other
settings? An intervention study in the Dominican Republic examines 2
different models. http://www.popcouncil.org/horizons/ressum/dr.html
Contact Luis Moreno [log in to unmask]
8. The Female Condom: Dynamics of Use - Zimbabwe was the 1st country in
Africa where the female condom was widely marketed. How has social
marketing affected women's and men's views of the female condom? For what
reasons and with which types of partners have they used the device? A
study in Harare analyzes attitudes and patterns of use.
http://www.popcouncil.org/pdfs/horizons/fcz.pdf Contact Dr. Deanna
Kerrigan [log in to unmask]
9. Involving People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) in Community-based
Programmes - PLHA are becoming increasingly involved as providers and
managers of prevention, care, and support activities. What kinds of PLHA
participation are associated with high-quality and effective community
programmes? A research project looks at PLHA involvement in 5
organizations in Burkina Faso. The study is also investigating similar
organizations in Zambia, India, and Ecuador.
http://www.popcouncil.org/horizons/ressum/plha.html Contact Christophe
Cornu [log in to unmask]
10. Prevention & Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) -
The presence of other STIs increases vulnerability to HIV and is a often a
key factor for the spread of the virus. How can resource-poor governments
create effective and affordable STI management programmes? 2 large-scale
studies in southern Africa test different hybrid approaches.
http://www.popcouncil.org/horizons/newsletter/horizons(1)_2.html Contact
Dr. Lewis Ndhlovu [log in to unmask]
11. HIV/AIDS Peer Education - Peer education has long been a pillar of
HIV/AIDS prevention. Which components and principles of peer education are
important for programme quality and effectiveness, and what challenges
remain to be addressed? A global workshop examined these issues and
recommended new directions for research.
http://www.popcouncil.org/pdfs/peer_ed.pdf Contact Ellen Weiss
[log in to unmask]
12. Male Circumcision & HIV Prevention - Interest is growing in the
hypothesis that male circumcision may reduce HIV transmission. What has
biomedical and social science research shown so far about male
circumcision and HIV/AIDS? An international consultation examined the
evidence and suggested new directions for research.
http://www.popcouncil.org/horizons/reports/circumcision/default.html
Contact Dr. Johannes van Dam [log in to unmask]
13. Promoting Reproductive Health by Radio - Radio is one of the best and
most cost-effective ways to reach a wide audience in developing countries.
How can this medium be used to promote better reproductive health,
including HIV/AIDS prevention? A popular call-in show in Kenya answers
some sensitive questions.
http://www.popcouncil.org/publications/momentum/momentum1200_3.html
Contact Kwame Asiedu [log in to unmask]
14. Horizons AIDSQuest: The HIV/AIDS Library - This on-line library of
AIDS-related surveys and other data collection tools covers such topics as
risk and prevention behaviors, stigma, care and support, and gender and
sexuality. Also includes information on methodological and survey design
issues. With contributions from NGO, academic, and governmental
institutions, the library is an excellent resource for researchers.
http://www.popcouncil.org/horizons/AIDSQuest/index.html Contact Dr. Julie
Pulerwitz [log in to unmask] or Scott Geibel [log in to unmask]
15. Gender, Sexuality, & HIV/AIDS: The What, the Why, and the How - We
know that gender and sexuality are significant factors in the sexual
transmission of HIV. How can programmes transform gender roles and create
more equitable sexual relationships between women and men? A plenary
address at the 13th International AIDS Conference in Durban by Dr. Geeta
Rao Gupta provides concrete examples.
http://www.icrw.org/pdf/DurbanSpeech.pdf Contact [log in to unmask]
***
Material for this issue provided by the Horizons Project. Funded by the
U.S. Agency for International Development, the project is implemented by
the Population Council in collaboration with the International Center for
Research on Women (ICRW), the Program for Appropriate Technology in Health
(PATH), the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, the University of Alabama at
Birmingham, and Tulane University. Visit the Horizons web page -
http://www.popcouncil.org/horizons/horizons.html or e-mail
[log in to unmask] To view the Horizons Report, the project's newsletter,
go to http://www.popcouncil.org/horizons/newsletter/horizons_report.html
***
Please send items for The Drum Beat to the Editor - Deborah Heimann
[log in to unmask]
|
