Engaging MSM Communities in HIV Self-Testing Research and Programming in Kenya: Collaborations, Tacit Knowledge, and a Community-Based Programme Science Approach

Background: Understanding the basic principles for achieving research outcomes that are relevant to local communities is invaluable. The process allows for building of collaborative spaces and redistribution of power in knowledge production practices. This is because members of marginalized and vulnerable communities have long been critical of a research culture that has historically failed to advance meaningful collaboration and overlooks local forms of knowledge at various phases of the research processes. There has however not been a clear framework that outlines how communities should be meaningfully engaged. Rather, substantial variations in the nature of community engagements exist across research projects, thus requiring a more nuanced approach of working with communities. Methods: In this methodological paper, we describe how a community-based program science approach guided an interdisciplinary research project to inform the rollout of HIV self-testing (HIVST) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in three urban counties in Kenya. Community members and their research and programmatic partners collaborated through all phases of the research process including research design, data collection, and translation of research. Importantly, community researchers and policy makers also played an integral role in data analysis, going well beyond the conventional role of “community engagement” in global health research. Results: The study created a platform that enabled meaningful collaborations across the diverse stakeholders and allowed the MSM communities to contribute to the decisions and solutions impacting on their community. Our community-based program science approach recognizes that community researchers possess tacit knowledge, a form of expertise that formally trained researchers do not have. Conclusion: We argue that in order to fully engage with such expertise, marginalized communities must be meaningfully involved in all levels of evidence building and decision making around programs impacting their communities. We equally emphasize the importance of setting up operating norms and clear definitions of partnership roles at the initial stages of establishing collaborations. Such a move gives the community a chance to trust their capabilities and contribute more meaningfully throughout the research processes.

Engaging MSM Communities in HIV Self-Testing Research and Programming in Kenya: Collaborations, Tacit Knowledge, and a Community-Based Programme Science Approach

Background: Understanding the basic principles for achieving research outcomes that are relevant to local communities is invaluable. The process allows for building of collaborative spaces and redistribution of power in knowledge production practices. This is because members of marginalized and vulnerable communities have long been critical of a research culture that has historically failed to advance meaningful collaboration and overlooks local forms of knowledge at various phases of the research processes. There has however not been a clear framework that outlines how communities should be meaningfully engaged. Rather, substantial variations in the nature of community engagements exist across research projects, thus requiring a more nuanced approach of working with communities. Methods: In this methodological paper, we describe how a community-based program science approach guided an interdisciplinary research project to inform the rollout of HIV self-testing (HIVST) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in three urban counties in Kenya. Community members and their research and programmatic partners collaborated through all phases of the research process including research design, data collection, and translation of research. Importantly, community researchers and policy makers also played an integral role in data analysis, going well beyond the conventional role of “community engagement” in global health research. Results: The study created a platform that enabled meaningful collaborations across the diverse stakeholders and allowed the MSM communities to contribute to the decisions and solutions impacting on their community. Our community-based program science approach recognizes that community researchers possess tacit knowledge, a form of expertise that formally trained researchers do not have. Conclusion: We argue that in order to fully engage with such expertise, marginalized communities must be meaningfully involved in all levels of evidence building and decision making around programs impacting their communities. We equally emphasize the importance of setting up operating norms and clear definitions of partnership roles at the initial stages of establishing collaborations. Such a move gives the community a chance to trust their capabilities and contribute more meaningfully throughout the research processes.

PROJECT-BASED EDUCATION IN KINDERGARTEN

Project-based learning is an interesting and useful method for children, teachers, parents. „Different and together we play, learn and create“ is a project for educational integration of disadvantaged children and their successful professional, social and creative realization in the future. It is implemented with the financial support of the operational program „Science and Education for Smart Growth“. Partners are Step by Step Foundation, Sofia, Kalinka Kindergarten, Gotse Delchev, DG „Spring“ in the village of Mosomishte and DG „Happy childhood“ in the village of Kornitsa. The implementation of the project contributed to the educational integration of disadvantaged children and their successful professional, social and creative realization in the future.

PEMANFAATAN GOOGLE FORMS PADA ORGANISASI PENELITI SEBAGAI UPAYA KONTRIBUSI MENINGKATKAN MINAT RISET DI KOTA MEDAN

The low number and results of researchers forms the basis of the need for programs to boost research interest for the community. One of the efforts made by utilizing the Google Forms application in the research organization in creating the Science Event (LKTI). The method used is by selecting the manuscript, percentage and judging. The results of the activity decided three winners as champions 1,2 and 3 based on the results of the jury's assessment of the finalists. Participants who won were given awards in the form of trophies, certificates, and coaching money. The activity ran smoothly with the hope that in the future the interest of the community to research will increase and the research work will be better.Keyword: Google Forms; LKTI; Researchers Organization AbstrakRendahnya jumlah peneliti dan hasil riset menjadi dasar perlunya program untuk menggenjot minat riset bagi masyarakat. Salah satu upaya yang dilakukan dengan pemanfaatan aplikasi Google Forms pada organisasi peneliti dalam membuat program Science Event (LKTI). Metode yang digunakan yaitu dengan menseleksi naskah, presentase dan penjurian. Hasil kegiatan memutuskan tiga pemenang sebagai juara 1,2 dan 3 berdasarkan hasil penilaian dewan juri kepada para finalis. Peserta yang juara diberikan penghargaan berupa trophy, sertifikat, dan uang pembinaan. Kegiatan berjalan dengan lancar dengan harapan kedepan minat masyarakat untuk meneliti semakin meningkat dan karya penelitiannya semakin baik.Kata kunci: Google Formulir; LKTI; Organisasi Peneliti

PROGRAMA CIÊNCIA SEM FRONTEIRAS: um retrospecto da política de estímulo à ciência, tecnologia e inovação

Este estudo busca compreender de maneira retrospectiva como ocorreu o ciclo do programa Ciência sem Fronteiras (CsF) ao considerá-lo uma política pública intersetorial. Para tal, tem como objetivo: descrever a intersetorialidade do CsF enquanto uma política de estímulo à ciência, tecnologia e inovação, uma política educacional e uma política de redução de desigualdades; investigar a formulação, a organização e a gestão do CsF; e verificar como foi a implementação do programa. A partir do estudo de caso do CsF, realiza uma revisão da literatura de políticas públicas, além da apuração de trabalhos empíricos, de informações governamentais e da repercussão midiática sobre o programa. Conclui que embora o programa tenha tido falhas, o seu fim representou um retrocesso no desenvolvimento brasileiro pelo regresso ao incentivo à inovação e por retirar as oportunidades de inclusão social. Palavras-chave: Programa Ciência Sem Fronteiras. Políticas Públicas. Intersetorialidade.SCIENCE WITHOUT BORDERS PROGRAM: a retrospect of the politics of stimulus to science, technology and innovationAbstractThis study sought to understand retrospectively how the cycle of the program Science Without Border (CsF) took place, by analyzing it as an intersectoral public policy. To do so, it set as goals: to describe the intersectoriality of the program as a stimulus to science, technology and innovation policy, as an educational policy, and as a reduction of social inequalities; to investigate the formulation, organization and management of the program; and to observe the process of implementation.From a case study of the CsF, a review of the public policies literature was made, as well as a canvass of empiric surveys, governmental information and media repercussion about the program. The conclusion was, besides the program’s flaws, its abrupt end represented a kickback to the Brazilian development, due to the withdrawal of the incentivesto innovation and opportunities of social inclusion.Keywords: Science Without Borders program. Public policies. Intersectoriality.

DIVERSIFIKASI OLAHAN DAN KEMASAN GULA KELAPA

The technology of coconut sugar making in the area of research is still elementary. To increase the selling price of coconut sugar, needed product diversification, and packaging of processed coconut sugar. The target of a program is KWT Al Cholihah and KWT Al Fatah at District of Dungkek. One of processed coconut sugar offered in this program is the product of brown sugar. Packaging provided in this program is a plastic pouch packaging with the label image so that it can increase the shelf life and consumer appeal. Through the program science and technology to the Community on KWT Al Cholihah and KWT Al Fatah at District of Dungkek, the outcomes expected are as follows: (1) skilled members of KWT in the manufacture of brown sugar in attractive packaging, (2) Products is a product produced in brown sugar and coconut sugar in beautiful packaging and (3) increase in sales of coconut sugar and brown sugar. Based on the results of the implementation, the response of KWT members is apresiasif and positive. Positive response is seen from the desire of members to resume the manufacture of brown sugar for the domestic industry. After the members of the training, the participants are motivated to produce and begin to be marketed in the neighborhood. Results of print in packaging sugar production and brown sugar are now sold in some modern stores in Sumenep like Alfamart and outside of Sumenep.