[afro-nets] Training in Health Social Sciences for Implementation Research

[Dieter Neuvians MD <neuvians@mweb.co.za>]

Training in Health Social Sciences for Implementation Research
--------------------------------------------------------------
Source: TDR-SCIENTISTS@WHO.INT
 
Application deadline: 10 July 2005
 
Tropical diseases have a tremendous impact on developing coun-
tries, leading to inequity and escalation of poverty. Reducing 
mortality, morbidity and disability caused by tropical diseases 
is a key factor in the alleviation of inequity and poverty, and 
the fostering of social and economic development. In order to 
address these problems, a lot of focus is being placed on Imple-
mentation Research 
(see: http://www.who.int/tdr/grants/workplans/ir.htm).
 
The overall objective of Implementation Research is to signifi-
cantly improve access to efficacious interventions against 
tropical diseases by developing practical solutions to common 
critical problems in the implementation of these interventions. 
The move into Implementation Research requires certain intellec-
tual concepts, skills, capacities and partnerships that are out-
side the biomedical domain. This initiative focuses on building 
capabilities for health social sciences research as an integral 
and fundamental component of Implementation Research. It is im-
portant that Implementation Research is grounded in the princi-
ples of the health social sciences in order to bridge the gap 
between policy-making, the introduction of new control tools, 
and large-scale implementation by health systems.
 
The planned training will be held in Ghana and will be organized 
by the Health Research Unit of the Ghana Health Service in col-
laboration with the School of Public Health (University of 
Ghana), National malaria Control program and Partnership for So-
cial Science in Malaria Control.
 
This training is specifically for scientists from West African 
countries, with funding from WHO/TDR. A similar course will be 
announced later this year for East African scientists and will 
take place in Kenya.
 
Programme
 
The ten-week course will be conducted in English and will in-
clude:
 
- Social science methods in implementation research with empha
  sis on malaria.
- Field attachment with a district health management team.
- A proposal development workshop. 
- Application of social science methods in the field. 
- Data analysis and report writing. 
- Dissemination of research results.
 
Expected outcome of the training
 
Trainees will be expected to: understand the role of implementa-
tion research in disease control in general and malaria in par-
ticular; acquire knowledge and skills in social science research 
methods and cross-disciplinary teamwork; develop proposals to 
meet programme needs; disseminate information using appropriate 
channels; ensure that recommendations are made available to pol-
icy-makers; and be able to train others in the skills they have 
acquired.
 
Selection criteria
 
Candidates:
 
- should have a diploma or higher degree in the social sciences 
or a related field, or five years of relevant working experience 
- must be employed by or linked to a health service, an aca-
demic/research institution, or an NGO working in health in West 
Africa - should not be more than 45 years of age.
 
How to apply
 
Interested persons should apply through their institution to:
 
Administrator
Training Course in Health Social Sciences 
Health Research Unit 
Ghana Health Service 
P.O. BOX 184 
Accra Ghana
 
A copy of the application should be sent to 
mailto:RCSplus.admin@hru-ghs.org
 
The application should include full name and contact address 
with telephone, fax and email; education including short courses 
attended; previous and current employment; current research in-
terests; research grants the applicant has worked on or is cur-
rently working on; information on how the course will benefit 
the applicant in his/her job; priority malaria research ques-
tions that need to be addressed by the malaria control programme 
in his/her country. A letter of endorsement and recommendation 
from the applicant's institution for participation in the entire 
course should be attached - only candidates whose institutions 
endorse their release for the entire ten weeks will be consid-
ered.
 
Deadline for receipt of applications: 10 July 2005. Successful 
candidates will be informed of the outcome of their applications 
in July; the course will begin at the end of August.
 
For further information please contact:
 
Dr Margaret Gyapong
mailto:Margaret.Gyapong@hru-ghs.org