Abstracts must support the general theme of the meeting and specifically the sub-themes described below.
Extended Deadlines
The deadline for the submission of abstracts is 30 May 2008
Decision on abstract will be made by 15 June 2008
Authors of accepted abstracts will submit full paper by 30 June 2008
1) INDEPTH @ 10: Achievements, Prospects and Challenges
In September this year, the INDEPTH Network will be 10 years old as an organization. Papers are invited that will highlight some of the achievements of INDEPTH, prospects presented, and the challenges faced by the network.
2) Health Systems Experiments using HDSS
HDSS sites have been in the forefront of demographic and health research that have provided the basis for various health systems research in Africa and Asia. Both experimental and non-experimental health research programmes have been implemented in many HDSS sites that have helped defined national health systems. Papers that demonstrate how HDSS sites have been critical in the development of health systems in the countries in which they operate are invited.
3) Using longitudinal HDSS platforms to understand demographic and health transitions
The shift from high to low levels of mortality and fertility now famously called the demographic transition occurred over a century ago in the developed world. Associated with the transition is the changing epidemiology of diseases with shifts from infectious to non-infectious degenerative diseases. It is said to be underway in developing countries, with countries in Africa and Asia at different stages of the transition. Papers under this theme should aim at showing how longitudinal data from HDSS sites provide a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding of demographic shifts in developing countries particularly in the areas of fertility-mortality relationships and transitions to non-communicable diseases.
4) Using longitudinal HDSS to understand the impact of HIV/AIDS interventions at the individual and population level
HIV/AIDS is having unprecedented effects on populations severely affected by the disease. Its impact on individuals, households and the general population is profound. At the individual level livelihoods are affected, household compositions are changing with increasing incidence of orphanhood and old age caregivers, while at the population level dramatic age-structural changes are being witnessed. Under this theme, papers are invited that look at the impact of HIV/AIDS from HDSS sites.
5) Role of HDSS in supporting malaria control programmes in Africa
Malaria remains one of the most difficult health challenges in many developing countries particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite intensive efforts to control the disease it continues to pose a serious threat to health and survival. Many HDSS sites, particularly those in Africa, are involved various research efforts all aimed at controlling the disease. Papers under this theme should examine research efforts aimed at malaria control. Papers will highlight research results conducted at the sites.
6) Technological Innovations in health and demographic surveillance
Advancements in science and technology have provided researchers with more efficient ways of conducting research. For instance, the use of personal digital assistants (PDAs) to conduct interviews has shortened the time between data collection and analysis. In addition, new techniques for data analysis have facilitated the analysis and display of complex data and increased the scientific productivity of researchers. GIS techniques have improved display of research results and made for better appreciation of such research. Papers are invited that demonstrate the use of technological innovations to improve on data collection and analysis at HDSS sites.
7) Clinical trials and strengthening health and demographic research capacity in developing countries
The discovery and testing of vaccines to overcome common diseases affecting developing countries require good clinical and field research capacity. A large number of HDSS sites are involved in different kinds of clinical trials. However, one of the critical challenges of many of these sites is the lack of capacity in demographic research. This theme addresses the issue of clinical trials and demographic and health research capacity in the developing world. Papers will contribute to understanding of this issue and how it can be overcome.
8) Child and Adult Mortality: progress in reducing levels and challenges
While substantial progress was made in the 1980s and early 1990s in reducing childhood mortality, recent evidence suggests a stall or even, reversal in the trends. At the same time, no much is understood of adult mortality. In deed, evidence adduced from the age-structure of mortality shows that adult mortality is deteriorating, partly as result of the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases. This session will draw on research from HDSS and demographic surveillance sites that might throw some further light on childhood and adult mortality especially in the areas where HDSS sites are located.
9) Measuring health inequalities using HDSS data: challenges to achieving convergence
Results from various publications, including those of the World Bank, have persistently shown disparities in health among different socioeconomic groups. While there seems to be no argument about the fact these disparities exist, there seem to be no convergence on how to estimate these socioeconomic differences. This theme seeks papers that use innovative techniques to differentiate socioeconomic groups and relate these to different health outcomes.
Review of Abstracts
Abstracts will be reviewed by an independent scientific committee. Accepted abstracts will be classified into several sub-themes that will form the sessions.
Submission of Full Papers
Authors of accepted abstracts will be encouraged
to submit full papers. These will be published as WORKING PAPERS and circulated
within INDEPTH. INDEPTH would like to get these papers published as special
issues of international journals as this would strengthen the visibility of
INDEPTH. If this is not possible or there are specific reasons to submit
elsewhere, INDEPTH expects the authors to sign an MOU that papers submitted
elsewhere for publication must indicate/acknowledge that they were first
presented at an AGM funded by INDEPTH. For authors whose participation was
funded by INDEPTH, the organisation assumes it has a first option to publish the
paper in an international journal.
INDEPTH would also encourage scientists who have important new information which
have been submitted already or is destined for a specific journal to submit for
the AGM. If their abstract is accepted before the paper is accepted for
publication such authors are expected to sign an MOU that their paper will
indicate/acknowledge that it was first presented at an AGM funded by INDEPTH.
Deadlines
The deadline for the submission of abstracts is 30 May 2008
Decision on abstract will be made by 15 June 2008
Authors of accepted abstracts will submit full paper by 30 June 2008
Abstracts and full papers can only be submitted online at http://www.indepth2008.wsnw.net/login.html