INDEPTH Cross Site Capacity Building

An International Network of field sites with continuous Demographic
Evaluation of Populations and Their Health in developing countries

INDEPTH Cross-Site Capacity Development Grants Programme

Grants Awarded

The goal of this programme is to foster research collaboration and research training in INDEPTH sites by providing seed grants of up to $25,000 per grant to at least three member sites participating in a cross-site activity. The following grants were awarded in 2006. For further information on the programme, please click on the following link:

http://www.indepth-network.org/events/2006XSiteCapacityBuilding.htm

1. Development of Next Generation Data Systems for INDEPTH Sites

Participating DSS sites: Iganga (Uganda), Ifakara (Tanzania), Africa Centre (South Africa) and Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)

PI: Dr. George Pariyo; Period: June 2006 – April 2007.

The group will conduct a workshop on the Development of Next Generation Data Systems for INDEPTH sites, to investigate the viability of using a new DSS data collection and management system – MobileHRS - at other INDEPTH sites. The workshop would demonstrate the use of handheld computers for DSS data collection, assess the viability of using this technology at other DSS field stations, and develop an agenda for future data systems development, grant writing, and technical collaboration

2. Capacity Building for Chronic Disease Research and Prevention In INDEPTH Sites

Participating DSS sites: Purworejo (Indonesia), Filabavi (Vietnam) and Butajira (Ethiopia)

PI: Prof. Mohammad Hakimi; Period: July 2006 – April 2007.

The group will strengthen its ongoing collaboration with two INDEPTH sites - FilaBavi in Vietnam and Butajira in Ethiopia. Specifically, the project aims to: facilitate cross-site sharing of research results and experiences on chronic disease research and intervention; and strengthen capacity of researchers in the three sites to write scientific papers.

3.Developing a Prototype for Data Sharing – Building Capacity in Data management across India, Thailand and Papua New Guinea

Participating DSS sites: Vadu (India), Kanchanaburi (Thailand) and Wosera (Papua New Guinea)

PI: Dr. Sanjay Juvekar; Period: July 2006 – October 2007.

The group aims to strengthen data collection systems within INDEPTH sites and their preparation for sharing with other partners. Specifically, the group will: Define minimal and optimal data sets that allow data sharing and data analysis amongst surveillance sites; Develop and standardize a system of Unique ID amongst Indepth sites to allow for data sharing and merging; Build institutional capacity through training of data managers and site scientists in data management; and Strengthen data collection systems at INDEPTH sites and create data sharing mechanism amongst partners safeguarding site and citizen interests.

4.Mainstreaming gender into Demographic Surveillance Sites

Participating DSS sites: Iganga (Uganda), Leon (Nicaragua) and Filabavi (Vietnam)

PI: Dr. George Pariyo; Period: November 2006 – March 2007

The group will work to integrate gender as an analytical tool into the demographic surveillance sites in order to improve the quality of data collected and the methodology used within the sites. Filabavi DSS in Vietnam and Leon DSS in Nicaragua will join Iganga/Mayuge specifically to: identify and define the nature, scope and importance of gender issues in the DSS as baseline information; analyze how interview answers are influenced by the gender of the interviewers and the respondents, respectively; explore interviewers’ and respondents’ experiences and perceptions of the interview situation with regard to gender; and develop a manual for gender-based methodology in the demographic surveillance sites, and to support DSS in the implementation of this manual.

5. Making Usable Knowledge Available to Research Participants - How best to communicate scientific results in various socio-cultural contexts

Participating DSS sites: Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), Niakhar (Senegal), Nouna (Burkina Faso), Mlomp and Bandafassi (Senegal)

PI: Dr. Younoussi Zourkaleini; Period: July 2006 to June 2007

The group aims to break the boundaries between expert and layperson knowledge and go beyond the monologue characterizing the transmission of information. This is to enable the development and refinement of communication tools that would be applicable to populations differing in terms of socio-cultural backgrounds and particularly to those with a low literacy level as this is often the case in rural areas in West Africa. The group further aims at providing a step by step methodology that could be followed in different contexts but will at the same time lead to a variety of communication strategies and thus communication tools packages for each site.

6. Strengthening Research Capacity Through Collaboration among DSS Sites in Ghana

Participating DSS sites: Dodowa, Kintampo and Navrongo (Ghana)

PI: Dr. Margaret Gyapong; Period: November 2006 – April 2007

The group will try to work closely to: identify and carry out cross-site priority research to help address policy, planning and implementation needs of the Ghana Health Service, through the use of public health methodology and cost effectiveness in research; build multidisciplinary capacity in the relevant disciplines needed to carry out the necessary research in the Site; help build the capacity to undertake research and find more efficient/cost effective solutions and implementation alternatives to identified needs and problems; and build capacity in the dissemination of results of research findings in a meaningful way.