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Getting education right : first steps for quality assurance for students and tutors

BATES, Imelda
NABWERA, Helen
PURNELL, Sue
October 2006

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This is a practical guide for tutors and students aimed at making sure that educational initiatives for health professionals, including university degrees, workshops and training, meet international educational standards. Originally developed for the teaching hospital in Kumasi, Ghana, it outlines principles and practice of educational quality assurance drawing from UK national and institutional recommendations. The handbook covers key aspects of teaching practice, including recruitment and admissions, course design and delivery, assessment strategies, supporting students and developing tutors' skills

TB control in China

HEALTHLINK WORLDWIDE
February 2006

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This paper considers findings from EQUI-TB's work in China. Using a range of methods, researchers uncovered critical challenges facing TB control in China, including economic and social barriers, how to support vulnerable people including rural-to-urban migrants and delays in diagnosis and treatment

Gender perspectives in malaria management

DUNN, Alison
2004

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Gender roles and relations within the household are of crucial importance to the management of childhood malaria. Women's access to resources and their bargaining power within the household have a significant influence on their treatment seeking behaviour for children with malaria. The Malaria Knowledge Programme (MKP) supported district level government workers to conduct a situation analysis using qualitative and participatory research methods to explore gender perspectives. This contributes to a growing body of knowledge of the importance of using gender analysis in malaria management

Gender mainstreaming in health : the possibilities and constraints of involving district-level field workers

DUNN, Alison
2004

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This policy brief concerns the involvement of district-level workers in local-level practical approaches to mainstreaming gender. This involvement is central to facilitating change and informing health strategies. MKP led a project in Ghana to facilitate district-level health management teams and district-level field workers to conduct qualitative and participatory research on gender aspects of access to health care for malaria. The results have informed strategies to improve gender equity in health at the community level

Communication in participatory approaches to health care

DUNN, Alison
2004

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This policy brief is concerned with the involvement of district-level health workers in participatory approaches at community level. Using participatory approaches improves healthworkers' communication skills and validates community knowledge. This emerged from a study carried out by the Malaria Knowledge Programme (MKP) in Ghana where it was clear that the interaction and communication that took place between health workers and community members provided opportunities for dialogue and building new relationships

Community perceptions of pre-term labour in rural Malawi

DUNN, Alison
2004

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This policy brief looks at perceptions of neonatal and infant death. Death in the first four weeks of life accounts for almost 40% of deaths in children under five years of age. The causes of neonatal death in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly the contribution of pre-term birth, are poorly documented. It is vital to understand community perceptions of ill health in pregnancy through a combination of both traditional and biomedical models of health. The Malaria Knowledge Programme (MKP) carried out a qualitative study to investigate the perceptions of women, men and health workers of pre-term labour, its causes and prevention strategies. Although ante-natal clinic attendance was recognised as one way of preventing pre-term labour, constraints to accessing these services included lack of money and poor quality services

Improving the quality of malaria diagnosis and laboratory services in resource-poor countries

DUNN, Alison
2004

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This policy brief is concerned with improving laboratory services and promoting accurate diagnosis of malaria at community level. Such measures would both save lives and prevent wastage of valuable resources. Increasing levels of resistance to cheap, first-line antimalarials means that many poor countries must promote new, more expensive treatment in the form of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs). The need for improved diagnostic tools that can be used at community level has never been greater. Since 1999, the Malaria Knowledge Programme (MKP) has been working in Malawi and Ghana to increase the effectiveness of laboratory systems and diagnostics for malaria and other common health problems

Enhancing research uptake through communication, networking and capacity development

DUNN, Alison
2004

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This brief paper describes the research methodology employed by the Malaria Knowledge Programme, and key lessons learned. The programme aimed to enhance the impact of its work through strengthening information and communication flows, involving Southern researchers and institutions and creating international networks for the improvement of research communication throughout its work. Using examples, this paper illustrates how the programme engaged with dynamics of research, policy making and practice, in accordance with DFID recommendations

Liverpool school of tropical medicine : Malaria knowledge programme. Annual report 2003-2004 : reduction in the suffering by improving the management of malaria through better intervention and control of malaria.’

LIVERPOOL SCHOOL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE (LSTM)
2004

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The report shows the overall activities of the Malaria Knowledge Programme during 2003-2004. It initially outlines the research activities and the new knowledge outputs. Using a framework developed by Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine's Vulnerability and Health Alliance the report contains an evaluation of the implications and effects of the research findings on those most vulnerable to the effects of malaria

Malaria over-diagnosis in Africa

HEALTHLINK WORLDWIDE
2004

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'In Africa, 70 per cent of fever cases in children are diagnosed in the home and treated with traditional remedies or drugs bought from local shops. These fevers are presumed to be due to malaria, but comparison of accurately diagnosed cases of malaria with presumed cases of malaria reveal shockingly high rates of over-diagnosis'

A framework for conceptualising and reviewing vulnerability to malaria, TB and HIV

TOLHURST, R
THEOBALD, S
June 2003

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This policy brief aims to define vulnerability in the context of infectious disease and provide a framework for analysis. The framework can be used to identify factors that influence vulnerability to infectious disease, including vulnerability to exposure, infection, progression to disease, progression to severe disease, and the effects of disease. The paper identifies strategic areas for further research, the implications for policy makers and future directions for research, interventions and policy

A challenge to make more effective use of scarce resources | Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine : annual report 2002-2003

LSTM
2003

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This page contain information on the Malaria Knowledge Programme at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. The page notes the work carried out by the VHA on developing a framework that can be used to identify cross-sectoral and multi-disciplinary approaches to vulnerability to malaria, TB and HIV. It shows that few resources are being put into developing appropriate, cheap and accurate tools for malaria diagnosis. Evidence shows that what is needed is effective district laboratory services. It also mentions the Gates Malaria Partnership, which has supported a radio project in the Gambia. It is called ‘Bolonghodala’ which means ‘By the Riverside’. It is a radio drama set in a fictional but typical rural village and combines stories about people’s lives with malaria prevention

Health by the people : a celebration of the life of Ken Newell

MARTINEAU, Tim
PRICE, Janet
COLE, Robert
Eds
2001

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Proceedings of a colloquium at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, in memory of Ken Newell. Organised around four themes in international health: equity, epidemiology in action, community voices, and future challenges. Approximately 20 papers

Guidelines for the analysis of gender and health

GENDER AND HEALTH GROUP. Liverpool School for Tropical Medicine
1999

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These guidelines aim to enhance the ability to understand and respond to gender issues amongst those involved in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of health care provision and health research. Includes case studies

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