An International network of DSS sites involved in demographic and health research in developing countries

Our key  Objectives at INDEPTH's are:
 

• To initiate and facilitate cross-site, longitudinal health and social studies and impact assessments in severely resource constrained populations.

• To disseminate study findings with all external stakeholders to maximize impact on policy and practice.

• To foster and support capacity building and cross-site collaborations among INDEPTH member sites.

• To facilitate the process for donors to fund multi-site health and social research projects in the developing world and especially Africa and Asia.

INDEPTH’s Broad Activities

1. Cultivate cross-site activity through the:

·    Execution of comparative studies and exchange of experiences on critical common problems.

·    Creation and sharing of regional health status assessments relevant to global priority setting.

·    Coordinated multi-site research collaborations that evaluate interventions in diverse socio-culture and geographic environments.

·    Recruitment and/or creation of additional sites; particularly sites that provide INDEPTH with presence in current geographic gaps.

2. Generate longitudinal data and analysis that can impact on ongoing health and social reforms, inform health and social policy and practice and contribute to governmental, NGO, private and community health efforts.

3. Broaden the scope of health research by confronting the emerging agenda of non-communicable disease and aging, violence and injury, migration and urbanization and the problems associated with vulnerable population segments.

4. Continually improve the methods and technologies used by member sites to ensure all participating groups have access to the most valid and appropriate methodologies available.

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5. Generate visibility and recognition for INDEPTH and member sites among critical constituencies including academic, government and international agencies and donors.

INDEPTH’s Key Strategies

The INDEPTH Secretariat supports its member sites in a number of ways. First, it facilitates knowledge sharing among sites. By disseminating data, convening analysis workshops, coordinating multi-site research collaborations, funding cross-site scientific visits, and promoting on-site training courses and internships, INDEPTH builds capacity and standardises research methods across the network. Second, it provides practical tools for sites. These include assistance with website development and dissemination of models for survey design, data processing and analysis, and quality control. Third, it raises the profile of DSS sites among the international policy community by synthesising and presenting results to governments, international agencies, donors and academics