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Sexual-health communication across and within cultures : the clown project, Guatemala

SAVDIE, Anthony
CHETLEY, Andrew
June 2009

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This paper puts forward an argument in favour of careful and critical analysis of culture in formulating communication strategies with and for specific groups, based on experience drawn from the Clown Project in Guatemala and other countries in Central America. The Clown Project uses labour-intensive face-to-face street theatre and dialogue, participatory workshops, and symbolic communication such as print-based material to reach those most vulnerable to the spread and impact of HIV and AIDS . The analysis takes into account relations of power within and between vulnerable groups, examining the centre-periphery dynamic between classes, genders, ethnicities, age groups, and other social identities. Both appropriately supported insider perspectives and appropriately processed outsider knowledge are recommended, along with ways of bridging science and the field, theory and practice

Mobile cell-phones (m-phones) in telemicroscopy : Increasing connectivity of isolated laboratories

BELLINA,Livia
EDUARDO, Missoni
June 2009

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This article analyses the development of modern information telecommunication (ITC) technology and its use in telemedicine by facilitating access to some diagnostic services. Images were taken without the use of an adaptor by simply approaching the lens of the mobile cell phone camera to the ocular of common optical microscopes, and subsequently sent via multimedia messaging services (MMS) to distant reference centres for tele-diagnosis. The study concludes that "the use of otherwise already widely available technologies, without any need for adaptors or otherwise additional technology, could significantly increase opportunities and quality diagnostics while lowering costs and considerably increasing connectivity between most isolated laboratories and distant reference center"
Diagnostic Pathology Vol 4, Issue 19

A strategic approach : HIV & AIDS and education

VISSER-VALFREY, Muriel Visser-Valfrey
SASS, Justine
May 2009

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This report offers a strategic vision of the important role that education must play in addressing HIV, identifies key priorities for responding to HIV and AIDS through education, puts forward two central objectives for education responses, and outlines how the response should be tailored to the local epidemiological situation and other contextual factors. This is the revised version of the 2003 UNAIDS Inter-Agency Task Team (IATT) on Education publication, HIV/AIDS and Education: A Strategic Approach

Medicines use in primary care in developing and transitional countries : fact book summarizing results from studies reported between 1990 and 2006

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)
May 2009

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Irrational use of medicines is one of the most serious global public health problems we face today. Improving use requires regular monitoring and application of effective interventions, both of which are often not done, particularly in many lower income countries. To address this issue, WHO created a database of medicines use in in primary care settings in developing and transitional countries. Quantitative information has been extracted from 679 studies conducted in 97 countries and on 386 interventions (from 313 studies). The medicines use database has allowed the first systematic quantitative review of studies measuring medicines use in developing and transitional countries and the results are now presented

Keeping it real : combating the spread of fake drugs in poor countries

HARRIS, Julian
STEVENS, Philip
MORRIS, Julian
May 2009

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This paper is about substances that are sold as medicines yet are not what they purport to be. Some of these substances are deliberately mislabeled, i.e. counterfeit. Others may have been inadvertently mislabelled or the pills contaminated during manufacture. Others may originally have been exactly as they claim, but due to poor storage have degraded and are consequently substandard. The paper is composed of four parts. The first looks at the scope of the problem in less developed countries; the second examines the health impacts of fake medicines; the third section considers the main causes of the problem; and the final section offers some possible solutions

Advancing the sexual and reproductive health and human rights of people living with HIV : a guidance package

THE GLOBAL NETWORK OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS (GNP+)
et al
May 2009

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This resource examines the sexual and reproductive health benefit of reforms in diverse sectors. It makes 12 recommendations which highlight changes that must be made in health services, in the policy and legal arena, and in advocacy efforts. People living with HIV developed this guidance package to help policymakers, programme managers, health professionals, donors, and advocates better understand the specific steps that should be taken to support their sexual and reproductive health and rights

How can donors help build global public goods in health?

DAS GUPTA, Monica GOSTIN, Lawrence
April 2009

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"Aid to developing countries has largely neglected the population-wide health services that are core to communicable disease control in the developed world. These mostly non-clinical services generate 'pure public goods' by reducing everyone’s exposure to disease through measures such as implementing health and sanitary regulations. They complement the clinical preventive and treatment services which are the donors’ main focus...Donors need greater clarity about what constitutes a strong public health system, and how to build them. The paper discusses gaps in donors’ approaches and first steps toward closing them"

A handbook for network support agents and other community workers supporting HIV prevention, care, support and treatment

March 2009

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This manual is intended to help network support agents and other community workers be more effective in disseminating standardised information about HIV and AIDS. It "...emphasises the importance of the acquisition of knowledge, skills and the right attitude needed to identify the psychosocial needs of people of people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and address these needs by giving information, counselling and appropriate referrals. Knowledge of counselling and psychosocial care, is combined as much as possible with prevention activities such as adopting HIV basic care positive prevention and adherence to treatment"

Malaria treatment in Nigeria : the role of patent medicine vendors

OLADEPO, Oladimeji
et al
March 2009

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"This scoping study provides a quick assessment of the malaria treatment markets and the role played by patent medicine vendors in Nigeria, and offers ways to improve the regulation and provision of anti-malarial drugs. It documented the sources of drugs in the three states and people’s problems in getting access to appropriate treatment for malaria"

WHO model list of essential medicines for children

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)
March 2009

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The medicines in this model list are intended for use for children up to the age of 12. There is a core list of minimum medicine needs for a basic health care system, listing the most efficacious, safe and cost-effective medicines for priority conditions. Priority conditions are selected on the basis of current and estimated future public health relevance, and potential for safe and cost-effective treatment. There is also a complementary list of essential medicines for priority diseases, for which specialised diagnostic or monitoring facilities, and/or specialist medical care, and/or specialist training are needed

Children to the fore! : an easy-to-use training handbook that promotes child rights and cultural issues in the face of HIV in southern Africa

STALLY, Aulora
AZEVEDO-BASCHDORF, Delfina
March 2009

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This handbook aims to get children's rights known, recognised and respected in communities, particularly where they might be compromised by traditional and cultural practices, and where their realisation is threatened by the HIV and AIDS epidemic. It provides methods for upholding positive cultural practices,as well as opportunities to revisit harmful cultural ways. It aims to develop positive approaches to sensitive issues within the community,such as child abuse and discrimination against young girls

Mainstreaming health into public policies : report on the Prince Mahidol award conference 2009

2009

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Healthy public policy is an explicit concern for health promotion and development and requires the commitment of a number of partners from different sectors. This conference reviewed the evidence and examined concrete examples of the health impacts that stem from public policies in non-health sectors. It also sought discussion and agreement on tangible policy recommendations on establishing, strengthening, and sustaining mechanisms in mainstreaming health into all public policies at all levels

International development conference : achieving effective delivery of the development agenda|Lessons from the front line|Conference summary

PRICEWATERHOUSE COOPERS (PwC)
2009

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This report summarises a conference that shared the practical lessons that participants have learned in designing and implementing development projects. The conference provided a forum to share innovative responses to the challenges encountered in the field and to identify ways to achieve more responsive, effective and sustainable development on the ground. Parallel discussions focused on: - Security sector reform in conflict-affected environments; - Placing a spotlight on transparency initiatives: The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), Construction Sector Transparency (CoST) Initiative and the Medicines Transparency Alliance (MeTA); - Managing funds for development impact; - Putting private sector development strategy into practice, and - Climate change

International drug price indicator guide|Guia internacionale de indicadores de precios de medicamentos|Indicateur de prix internationaux des medicaments|2008

FRYE, Julie E
Ed
2009

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This guide contains a spectrum of prices from pharmaceutical suppliers, international development organisations, and government agencies. Its aim is to make price information more widely available in order to improve procurement of medicines of assured quality for the lowest possible price. Comparative price information is important for getting the best price, and this is an essential reference for anyone involved in the procurement of pharmaceuticals. This guide will help to: * Determine the probable cost of pharmaceutical products; * Compare current prices paid to prices available on the international market; * Plan budgets and programmes; * Assess the potential financial impact of changes to your current medicines list, and * Support rational medicines use education

Intellectual property rights and access to ARV medicines : civil society resistance in the global south|Brazil, Colombia, China, India, Thailand

REIS, Renata
TERTO, Veriano Jr
PIMENTA, Maria Cristina Pimenta
Eds
2009

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This book looks at "...the recent history and the many struggles related to advocacy for access to [antiretroviral] medicines of engaged civil society. Through the experiences of five middle-income countries - Brazil, China, Colombia, India, and Thailand." It presents "...the perspective of local civil society organisations about the national impact of intellectual property protection and access to medications. "These five countries were chosen due to their accumulated experience in this field, their capacity to produce generic medication, their activist efforts, and the exchange of ideas and information that already exists between them"

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