Resources search

The use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in African public library services

ROSENBURG, Diana
July 2004

Expand view

This article concerns the use of computers in public libraries in developing countries. To investigate the current level of use of ICTs and plans for the future within the public library environment, a survey was undertaken of 22 public library services in ten English-speaking African countries. The results indicate great disparities in the level of access to computers between the countries, and within country, and indicate a need for more funding and appropriate training

Radio broadcasting for health : a decision makers' guide

SKUSE, Andrew
July 2004

Expand view

This DFID issues paper examines the contribution of community, national and international radio to health programmes in the developing world. It contextualises the relevance of radio as a strategic tool of human development and poverty reduction, examines its use by poor people, and advocates a people-centred and rights-based approach to health communications. It addresses a range of issues from the role of formative research and evaluation and the development of health messages, to a range of format options widely used in health broadcasting. It also examines the community, public and international radio sectors and in the process highlights a range of opportunities and constraints that these sectors face. Likewise, it highlights key synergies and linkages that could be enhanced to improve access to health information for radio producers, the poor, the 'at risk' and the vulnerable. In doing so, this paper raises a number of critical questions about capacity development, social mobilisation, and using radio in conjunction with other technologies such as the Internet and email

Providing antiretroviral treatment in southern Africa : a literature review

HEALTH SYSTEMS TRUST
February 2004

Expand view

This report outlines experience with ART in a number of sub-Saharan countries. ART is provided through a number of different avenues, which include the public sector, the non-profit sector, the corporate sector and the private sector. ART programmes may involve collaboration between two or more sectors with such partnerships being encouraged in recognition that the magnitude of the task may exceed the capacity of any one sector. Particular attention is paid to Botswana, the first sub-Saharan country to provide ART on a wide-scale through the public sector. The report consists of four chapters, focusing on provision of ART in the different sectors, challenges to scaling up ART programmes (including community preparedness and involvement of people living with HIV/AIDS, and issues for further research

Taking better care? Review of a decade of work with orphans and vulnerable children in Rakai, Uganda

WITTER, Sophie
CALDER, George
AHIMBISIBWE, Timothy
2004

Expand view

Taking Better Care looks at the situation facing orphaned and vulnerable children in the Rakai District in Uganda and at the legacy of Save the Children's Child Social Care Project (CSCP) there. The report examines the impact of the CSCP, implemented between 1991 and 1996, and at trends in Rakai since the CSCP ended, as well as outlining the lessons learned and providing recommendations for future action. It concludes that in order to support orphans and vulnerable children in a long-term, sustainable way, child-care models now need to incorporate a maximum of state support and civil society mobilisation, combined with more traditional family support

HIV/AIDS and the public sector workforce : an action guide for managers

RAU, Bill
2004

Expand view

The guide is designed for human resource managers, employee welfare managers, medical officers and labor representatives in government ministries and agencies. It will assist in designing and developing prevention, care, and support programmes, and in mitigating the effect of staff losses due to AIDS in the public workplace. It includes information on the effects of HIV on the public sector, the components of prevention, care and support programmes and policies in the public sector, methods to gain the support of senior management and employees for HIV/AIDS workplace programmes and policies, background information on the disease, and country experiences

E-bulletin