scholarly journals Establishing a postgraduate programme in nutritional epidemiology to strengthen resource capacity, academic leadership and research in the democratic republic of Congo

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mapatano Mala Ali ◽  
Lyn Haskins ◽  
Vaughn John ◽  
Anne Hatløy ◽  
Silondile Luthuli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Academic Leadership ◽  
Nutritional Epidemiology ◽  
Rural Site ◽  
Educational Approach ◽  
Financial Barriers ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Health And Nutrition

Abstract Background Low- and Middle-income countries (LMIC) face considerable health and nutrition challenges, many of which can be addressed through strong academic leadership and robust research translated into evidence-based practice. A North-South-South partnership between three universities was established to implement a master’s programme in nutritional epidemiology at the Kinshasa School of Public Health (KSPH), Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The partnership aimed to develop academic leadership and research capacity in the field of nutrition in the DRC. In this article we describe the educational approach and processes used, and discuss successes, challenges, and lessons learned. Methods Self-administered questionnaires, which included both open and closed questions, were sent to all graduates and students on the master’s programme to explore students’ experiences and perceptions of all aspects of the educational programme. Quantitative data was analysed using frequencies, and a thematic approach was used to analyse responses to open-ended questions. Results A two-year master’s programme in Nutritional Epidemiology was established in 2014, and 40 students had graduated by 2020. Key elements included using principles of authentic learning, deployment of students for an internship at a rural residential research site, and support of selected students with bursaries. Academic staff from all partner universities participated in teaching and research supervision. The curriculum and teaching approach were well received by most students, although a number of challenges were identified. Most students reported benefits from the rural internship experience but were challenged by the isolation of the rural site, and felt unsupported by their supervisors, undermining students’ experiences and potentially the quality of the research. Financial barriers were also reported as challenges by students, even among those who received bursaries. Conclusion The partnership was successful in establishing a Master Programme in Nutritional Epidemiology increasing the number of nutrition researchers in the DRC. This approach could be used in other LMIC settings to address health and nutrition challenges.

scholarly journals Establishing a Postgraduate Programme in Nutritional Epidemiology to Strengthen Resource Capacity, Academic Leadership and Research in the Democratic Republic of Congo

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mapatano Mala Mala Ali ◽  
Lyn Haskins ◽  
Vaughn John ◽  
Anne Hatløy ◽  
Silondile Luthuli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Academic Leadership ◽  
Nutritional Epidemiology ◽  
Rural Site ◽  
Educational Approach ◽  
Financial Barriers ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Health And Nutrition

Abstract BackgroundLow- and middle-income countries (LMIC) face considerable health and nutrition challenges, many of which can be addressed through strong academic leadership and robust research translated into evidence-based practice. A North-South-South partnership between three universities was established to implement a master’s programme in nutritional epidemiology at the Kinshasa School of Public Health (KSPH), Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The partnership aimed to develop academic leadership and research capacity in the field of nutrition in the DRC. In this article we describe the educational approach and processes used, and discuss successes, challenges, and lessons learned. MethodsSelf-administered questionnaires, which included both open and closed questions, were sent to all graduates and students on the master’s programme to explore students’ experiences and perceptions of all aspects of the educational programme. Quantitative data was analysed using frequencies, and a thematic approach was used to analyse responses to open-ended questions. ResultsA two-year master’s programme in Nutritional Epidemiology was established in 2014, and 40 students had graduated by 2020. Key elements included using principles of authentic learning, deployment of students for an internship at a rural residential research site, and support of selected students with bursaries. Academic staff from all partner universities participated in teaching and research supervision. The curriculum and teaching approach were well received by most students, although a number of challenges were identified. Most students reported benefits from the rural internship experience but were challenged by the isolation of the rural site, and felt unsupported by their supervisors, undermining students’ experiences and potentially the quality of the research. Financial barriers were also reported as challenges by students, even among those who received bursaries. ConclusionThe partnership was successful in establishing a Master Programme in Nutritional Epidemiology increasing the number of nutrition researchers in the DRC. This approach could be used in other LMIC settings to address health and nutrition challenges.

scholarly journals Lessons learned from the polio eradication initiative in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia: analysis of implementation barriers and strategies

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (S4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wakgari Deressa ◽  
Patrick Kayembe ◽  
Abigail H. Neel ◽  
Eric Mafuta ◽  
Assefa Seme ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Service Delivery ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Polio Eradication ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Health Programs ◽  
Implementation Barriers ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Republic Of Congo

Abstract Background Since its inception in 1988, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has partnered with 200 countries to vaccinate over 2.5 billion children against poliomyelitis. The polio eradication approach has adapted to emerging challenges and diverse contexts. Knowledge assets gained from these experiences can inform implementation of future health programs, but only if efforts are made to systematically map barriers, identify strategies to overcome them, identify unintended consequences, and compare experiences across country contexts. Methods A sequential explanatory mixed methods design, including an online survey followed by key informant interviews (KIIs), was utilized to map tacit knowledge derived from the polio eradication experience from 1988 to 2019. The survey and KIIs were conducted between September 2018 and March 2019. A cross-case comparison was conducted of two study countries, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Ethiopia, which fit similar epidemiological profiles for polio. The variables of interest (implementation barriers, strategies, unintended consequences) were compared for consistencies and inconsistencies within and across the two country cases. Results Surveys were conducted with 499 and 101 respondents, followed by 23 and 30 KIIs in the DRC and Ethiopia, respectively. Common implementation barriers included accessibility issues caused by political insecurity, population movement, and geography; gaps in human resources, supply chain, finance and governance; and community hesitancy. Strategies for addressing these barriers included adapting service delivery approaches, investing in health systems capacity, establishing mechanisms for planning and accountability, and social mobilization. These investments improved system infrastructure and service delivery; however, resources were often focused on the polio program rather than strengthening routine services, causing community mistrust and limiting sustainability. Conclusions The polio program investments in the DRC and Ethiopia facilitated program implementation despite environmental, system, and community-level barriers. There were, however, missed opportunities for integration. Remaining pockets of low immunization coverage and gaps in surveillance must be addressed in order to prevent importation of wild poliovirus and minimize circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus. Studying these implementation processes is critical for informing future health programs, including identifying implementation tools, strategies, and principles which can be adopted from polio eradication to ensure health service delivery among hard-to-reach populations. Future disease control or eradication programs should also consider strategies which reduce parallel structures and define a clear transition strategy to limit long-term external dependency.

scholarly journals Strengthening healthcare providers’ capacity for safe abortion and post-abortion care services in humanitarian settings: lessons learned from the clinical outreach refresher training model (S-CORT) in Uganda, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen Toan Tran ◽  
Alison Greer ◽  
Talemoh Dah ◽  
Bibiche Malilo ◽  
Bergson Kakule ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Safe Abortion ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Humanitarian Settings ◽  
Refresher Training ◽  
Hands On

Abstract Background Fragile and crisis-affected countries account for most maternal deaths worldwide, with unsafe abortion being one of its leading causes. This case study aims to describe the Clinical Outreach Refresher Training strategy for sexual and reproductive health (S-CORT) designed to update health providers’ competencies on uterine evacuation using both medications and manual vacuum aspiration. The paper also explores stakeholders’ experiences, recommendations for improvement, and lessons learned. Methods Using mixed methods, we evaluated three training workshops that piloted the uterine evacuation module in 2019 in humanitarian contexts of Uganda, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Results Results from the workshops converged to suggest that the module contributed to increasing participants’ theoretical knowledge and possibly technical and counseling skills. Equally noteworthy were their confidence building and positive attitudinal changes promoting a rights-based, fearless, non-judgmental, and non-discriminatory approach toward clients. Participants valued the hands-on, humanistic, and competency-based training methodology, although most regretted the short training duration and lack of practice on real clients. Recommendations to improve the capacity development continuum of uterine evacuation included recruiting the appropriate health cadres for the training; sharing printed pre-reading materials to all participants; sustaining the availability of medication and supplies to offer services to clients after the training; and helping staff through supportive supervision visits to accelerate skills transfer from training to clinic settings. Conclusions When the lack of skilled human resources is a barrier to lifesaving uterine evacuation services in humanitarian settings, the S-CORT strategy could offer a rapid hands-on refresher training opportunity for service providers needing an update in knowledge and skills. Such a capacity-building approach could be useful in humanitarian and fragile settings as well as in development settings with limited resources as part of an overall effort to strengthen other building blocks of the health system.

scholarly journals Strengthening healthcare providers’ capacity for safe abortion and post-abortion care services in humanitarian settings: lessons learned from the clinical outreach refresher training model (S-CORT) in Uganda, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen Toan Tran ◽  
Alison Greer ◽  
Talemoh Dah ◽  
Bibiche Malilo ◽  
Bergson Kakule ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Safe Abortion ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
Humanitarian Settings ◽  
Refresher Training ◽  
Hands On

Abstract Background – Fragile and crisis-affected countries account for most maternal deaths worldwide, with unsafe abortion being one of its leading causes. This case study aims to describe the Clinical Outreach Refresher Training strategy for sexual and reproductive health (S-CORT) designed to update health providers’ competencies on uterine evacuation using both medications and manual vacuum aspiration. The paper also explores stakeholders’ experiences, recommendations for improvement, and lessons learned.Methods – Using mixed methods, we evaluated three training workshops that piloted the uterine evacuation module in 2019 in humanitarian contexts of Uganda, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.Results – Results from the workshops converged to suggest that the module contributed to increasing participants’ theoretical knowledge and possibly technical and counseling skills. Equally noteworthy were their confidence building and positive attitudinal changes promoting a rights-based, fearless, non-judgmental, and non-discriminatory approach toward clients. Participants valued the hands-on, humanistic, and competency-based training methodology, although most regretted the short training duration and lack of practice on real clients. Recommendations to improve the capacity development continuum of uterine evacuation included recruiting the appropriate health cadres for the training; sharing printed pre-reading materials to all participants; sustaining the availability of medication and supplies to offer services to clients after the training; and helping staff through supportive supervision visits to accelerate skills transfer from training to clinic settings.Conclusions – When the lack of skilled human resources is a barrier to lifesaving uterine evacuation services in humanitarian settings, the S-CORT strategy could offer a rapid hands-on refresher training opportunity for service providers needing an update in knowledge and skills. Such a capacity-building approach could be useful in humanitarian and fragile settings as well as in development settings with limited resources as part of an overall effort to strengthen other building blocks of the health system.

Smallpox and its eradication in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Lessons learned

Vaccine ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. D13-D18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum ◽  
Prime Mulembakani ◽  
René Botee Lekie ◽  
Mark Szczeniowski ◽  
Zdeněk Ježek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Republic Of Congo

Ebola Outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo: Lessons Learned, or Ignored?

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Charles Beadling ◽  
David Brett-Major ◽  
Melinda Hamer ◽  
Kelly Vest ◽  
Timothy Muyimbo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
The United States ◽  
Disaster Medicine ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Republic Of Congo

ABSTRACT Infectious diseases became an increasing public health threat as humans transitioned from nomadic hunter-gatherer societies to stable, agrarian communities. It is accurate to say the international community was not optimally prepared for the 2014-2015 Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa, which eventually spread and caused secondary cases in the United States. From that experience, much was learned about the management of an EVD outbreak, from prevention and treatment, to the need for a “whole of society” response. However, it is clear from the evidence that much still needs to be done to improve preparedness for Ebola and other emerging infectious diseases in the region. The current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo both mirrors these challenges and demonstrates new ones reflected in violence, hampering efforts to prevent spread of EVD within and beyond the country. The journal Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness (DMPHP) is taking a forward-looking approach, establishing a task force of editors to quickly review and approve manuscripts relating to EVD for immediate electronic publication and open access. The intent is to make emerging information available to front-line responders and policy decision-makers as quickly as possible.

scholarly journals A North-South-South Partnership in Higher Education to Develop Health Research Capacity in the Democratic Republic of Congo: the Challenge of Finding a Common Language

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christiane Horwood ◽  
Sphindile Mapumulo ◽  
Lyn Haskins ◽  
Vaughn John ◽  
Silondile Luthuli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Nutritional Epidemiology ◽  
Medium Of Instruction ◽  
Republic Of Congo ◽  
English Speaking

Abstract Background: Globally, increasing numbers of higher education institutions (HEIs) in non-English-speaking countries have adopted English as a medium of instruction (EMI), because of the perception that this provides opportunities to attract high calibre students and academic staff, and engage with the international research community. We report an evaluation of a North-South-South collaboration to develop health research capacity in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by establishing a postgraduate programme in nutritional epidemiology at the Kinshasa School of Public Health (KSPH), where English was adopted as the medium of instruction. We report experiences and perceptions of stakeholders, facilitators and students about using EMI.Methods: In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted between October-December 2019 among purposively sampled stakeholders (8), facilitators (11) and students (12) involved in the programme from all three partner institutions (University of Kinshasa; University of KwaZulu-Natal, South-Africa; University of Bergen, Norway). Interviews were conducted in participants’ language of preference (English or French), audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and translated into English when required. Analysis employed a thematic approach. Results: Most participants viewed EMI positively, reporting that studying in English created opportunities to access relevant literature, improve interactions with the scientific community and advance their careers. As a result of adopting EMI, some students had opportunities to present research findings at international conferences, and publish their research in English. English-speaking researchers from partner institutions were able to participate in supervision of students’ research. However, inadequate English competency, particularly among students, was challenging, with some students reporting being unable to understand or interact in class, which negatively affected their academic performance. Further, EMI created barriers at KSPH among academic staff who were not proficient in English, leading to lack of integration with other postgraduate programmes. Participants suggested additional English language support for EMI.Conclusion: Partnerships between HEIs are a powerful tool to develop research capacity in low income countries and improve research outputs and evidence-based decision-making. EMI was able to develop the common ground required to establish a collaboration between HEIs where several languages were spoken. However, investing in wide-ranging supports to develop English proficiency is essential to ensure that challenges do not outweigh the benefits.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document