[afro-nets] Data Management Training Course

["Informatics Training Project Coordinator" <informatics@muchs.ac.tz>]

Data Management Training Course
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15th to 31st October 2007
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

INTRODUCTION:
Once again, the Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences (MUCHS) through its MUCHS-Harvard Public Health Informatics Training Program will  organize a two weeks short course on Data Management from the 15th to 31st  October, 2007  the course will be  conducted at the MUCHS campus in Dar es Salaam.

GOALS:
The goal of this 2-week course are to provide participants with knowledge on the principles of data collection, management and analysis.   Sessions will start with how to translate research objectives into data collection instruments.   Students will learn how to design data entry screens and databases, how to manipulate and analyze data including descriptive statistics, estimation and hypothesis testing, how to navigate the web for data and literature resources, and how to ensure high quality data.  Case studies and example datasets will be used for practical sessions.  Sessions will conclude with how to disseminate research findings.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
All those working in public health surveillance, or those involved in conducting surveys of various kinds or operations research studies or researching on health care provision will benefit from the course. Program managers and research investigators or academic staff of institutions of higher learning (Universities) will find the course invaluable in accomplishing their objectives.

ELIGIBILITY:
The course is open to health or public health related researchers from Tanzania and other countries with health informatics capacity needs. Applicants should be familiar with operating a computer in a windows environment and should have some research experience including having been involved in health-related studies. Previous involvement in data analysis will be an added advantage. Priority will be given to candidates from universities, research institutions, ministry of health departments, and health-related NGOs as well as private health institutions.

COURSE OUTLINE:
The course will cover the following topics:
1.   Development of data collection instruments
2.   Data collection and plans for data processing
3.   Database design and development of data entry screens
4.   Computer data entry
5.   Overview of preparing data for statistical analysis
6.   Data management, including quality assurance procedures
7.   Data manipulation
8.   Data cleaning and editing
9.   Descriptive statistics, arithmetic operators, statistical tests and other computations.
10. Data presentation and interpretation.
11. Report writing.
12. Security and privacy in health informatics
13. Navigating the web for data resources
14. Navigating the web for literature resources
15. Disseminating research findings

TRAINING METHODS:
We will have didactic lectures, discussions, group work, presentations and practical sessions. For practical sessions, the students will use the computer for hands-on-training.

CERTIFICATES:
Certificates will be awarded on satisfactory completion of the course which involves active participation in at least 75% of the course sessions..

VENUE:
The course will be held at the Muhimbili College of Health Science in the designated conference hall of the, centre for Social Science and Medicine Program of the University of Dar es Salaam.  The hall is adjacent to the office of the MUCHS-Harvard Informatics Program.

COURSE FEES:
*Tuition Fees                                              US$670
* Course meals (Tea-breaks & Lunches) 	                   US$ 100

MEALS & ACCOMODATION:
Break time refreshments and lunch will be provided.
Accommodation will be arranged on behalf of participants if required but they will have to settle the hotel bills on their own. Participants from the Dare es Salaam area will not be required to stay in hotels provided they can reach the venue in a timely manner for sessions.

SPONSORSHIP TO THE COURSE:
Participants are expected to support themselves either directly or through sponsorship by their own institutions or funding agencies.  Partially or full sponsorship may be provided by the program only for needy applicants who are closely affiliated to MUCHS and its partners.

TRAVEL COSTS:
Travel costs to and from Dar es Salaam and daily transportation to the course venue are excluded.

CORE FACULTY:
The course will use a minimum of four core facilitators as shown below but additional facilitators will be deployed as necessary.
Japhet Killewo- MBchB, PhD, Professor of Epidemiology, Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences.
Gideon Kwesigabo- MD, PhD, Senior Lecturer and Dean of Faculty of School of Public Health and Social Sciences (SPHSS)
Cyprian  Makwaya- BSc, MSc, Mphil. Lecturer in Biostatistics, Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences.
Method Kazaura- BSc, MSc, PhD. Lecturer in Biostatistics, Course Coordinator MPH, Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES:
To apply for the short courses, send a letter of intent and enclose copies of updated CV, educational diplomas or degree certificates and other relevant documents by post or e-mail to the Informatics Training Project Coordinator.

The letter should indicate your qualifications, current position, research interests, and how this course will facilitate your work. Please also indicate your previous involvement in research and level of computer literacy. Provide a list of all software with which you are familiar and can work with them independently.  Candidates must also indicate potential sources of funds to attend the course. Remember to include your email address and other contact information. The above information will be used to shortlist candidates who will subsequently be informed after 30th August, 2007.

Applications are due by: 30th August, 2007.  Application received after that date will not be processed.

ENQUIRIES:
To obtain additional information on the short course or other training opportunities please contact:

Informatics Training Project Coordinator,
MUCHS-Harvard Informatics Training Project
P.O.Box 65015, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Landline: +255 022 2152957   Mobile: 0754-299675
Fax: +255 022 2152957
Email: mailto:informatics@muchs.ac.tz; mailto:informatics@yahoo.com