Towards fair and effective North-South collaboration: realising a programme for demand-driven and locally led research.

BACKGROUND: At the turn of the 90s, studies showed that health research contributed little to health and development in low- and middle-income countries because it was oriented towards international priorities and dominated by researchers from the North. A new approach to North-South collaboration was required that would support demand-driven and locally led research in the South. The aim of this study was to analyse the development and functioning of a programme for demand-driven and locally led research in Ghana that was supported by a North-South collaboration. METHODS: For this mixed-method case study, we combined document analysis, key informant interviews and observation of programme events. RESULTS: The development of the research programme started with constructing a sponsorship constellation in the Netherlands. After highlighting the problems with traditional research collaboration, an advisory council formulated a vision for a more equal and effective approach to North-South collaboration. Together with Ghanaian partners, this vision was turned into a proposal for a Ghanaian-led programme for demand-driven and locally led research, which was funded by the Netherlands government. Research priority setting showed that the Ghanaian research needs were very different from the priorities of foreign funders and researchers. After a slow start, the number of locally submitted proposals increased from 13 in 2001 to 94 in 2005, revealing the existence of a substantial, but partly latent reservoir of research capacity. In total, 79 studies were funded. An impact evaluation showed that the results of the majority of the studies were used to contribute to action. Despite its success, the research programme came to an end in 2008 after the sponsorship constellation in the Netherlands fell apart. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that realising a programme for demand-driven and locally led research in the South provides an effective approach to North-South collaboration in which results are used and local capacities and institutions are strengthened.

Which health research gets used and why? An empirical analysis of 30 cases.

BACKGROUND: While health research is considered essential for improving health worldwide, it remains unclear how it is best organized to contribute to health. This study examined research that was part of a Ghanaian-Dutch research program that aimed to increase the likelihood that results would be used by funding research that focused on national research priorities and was led by local researchers. The aim of this study was to map the contribution of this research to action and examine which features of research and translation processes were associated with the use of the results. METHODS: Using Contribution Mapping, we systematically examined how 30 studies evolved and how results were used to contribute to action. We combined interviews with 113 purposively selected key informants, document analysis and triangulation to map how research and translation processes evolved and contributions to action were realized. After each case was analysed separately, a cross-case analysis was conducted to identify patterns in the association between features of research processes and the use of research. RESULTS: The results of 20 of the 30 studies were used to contribute to action within 12 months. The priority setting and proposal selection process led to the funding of studies which were from the outset closely aligned with health sector priorities. Research was most likely to be used when it was initiated and conducted by people who were in a position to use their results in their own work. The results of 17 out of 18 of these user-initiated studies were translated into action. Other features of research that appeared to contribute to its use were involving potential key users in formulating proposals and developing recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: Our study underlines the importance of supporting research that meets locally-expressed needs and that is led by people embedded in the contexts in which results can be used. Supporting the involvement of health sector professionals in the design, conduct and interpretation of research appears to be an especially worthwhile investment.

The dynamics of migration-related stress and coping of female domestic workers from the Philippines: an exploratory study.

Female domestic workers face many migration-related stressors that affect their mental health, but we know little about the dynamics of stress and coping in different migration phases. This exploratory study aims to assess stress and coping of female migrant domestic workers from the Philippines in different phases of the migration process; prior to migration, in the country of destination and upon return to the Philippines. Data were collected in 2010 using questionnaires (N = 500). Validation of findings took place in a work shop (23 participants) and two focus groups (13 and 8 participants). Stress levels of women were significantly higher abroad than in the Philippines. Stress and coping in the Philippines was primarily related to financial issues, while stress and coping abroad related more strongly loneliness, working conditions and employers. Findings from this study provide insight in the phase-specific and transnational dimensions of stress and coping.

Toward healthy migration: an exploratory study on the resilience of migrant domestic workers from the Philippines.

Domestic workers face many migration-related stressors that affect their mental health. Currently there is an emphasis in the literature on these workers' problems and vulnerability, while there is little insight into factors that positively affect their mental health. In this study, we describe a range of factors that potentially contribute to the resilience of female domestic workers from the Philippines, and explore their relation to stress and well-being. The study used an explorative, mixed-methods design. First, data were collected using questionnaires (n = 500) to assess self-perceived stress levels, well-being, personal resources, and social resources. Then, findings from the questionnaires were validated and elaborated on in a workshop (n = 23) and two focus groups (n = 13; n = 8). Results show that participants perceived their well-being abroad as relatively good, while they also experienced high levels of stress. Workers used a variety of resources in dealing with stress. Socially oriented coping strategies and spirituality seemed to play an important role as personal resources, while the influence of reasons for migration was less clear. Employers and (access to) social networks appeared important in determining social resources. Social resources were more often related to stress and well-being than were personal resources. Findings from this study can help to design strengths-based interventions aimed at improving the well-being of female domestic workers and preventing mental health problems. The environmental factors and structural constraints that provide the context for resilience should be further explored as they influence the ability to mobilize resources.

Health and access to care for undocumented migrants living in the European Union: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Literature on health and access to care of undocumented migrants in the European Union (EU) is limited and heterogeneous in focus and quality. Authors conducted a scoping review to identify the extent, nature and distribution of existing primary research (1990-2012), thus clarifying what is known, key gaps, and potential next steps. METHODS: Authors used Arksey and O'Malley's six-stage scoping framework, with Levac, Colquhoun and O'Brien's revisions, to review identified sources. Findings were summarized thematically: (i) physical, mental and social health issues, (ii) access and barriers to care, (iii) vulnerable groups and (iv) policy and rights. RESULTS: Fifty-four sources were included of 598 identified, with 93% (50/54) published during 2005-2012. EU member states from Eastern Europe were under-represented, particularly in single-country studies. Most study designs (52%) were qualitative. Sampling descriptions were generally poor, and sampling purposeful, with only four studies using any randomization. Demographic descriptions were far from uniform and only two studies focused on undocumented children and youth. Most (80%) included findings on health-care access, with obstacles reported at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. Major access barriers included fear, lack of awareness of rights, socioeconomics. Mental disorders appeared widespread, while obstetric needs and injuries were key reasons for seeking care. Pregnant women, children and detainees appeared most vulnerable. While EU policy supports health-care access for undocumented migrants, practices remain haphazard, with studies reporting differing interpretation and implementation of rights at regional, institutional and individual levels. CONCLUSIONS: This scoping review is an initial attempt to describe available primary evidence on health and access to care for undocumented migrants in the European Union. It underlines the need for more and better-quality research, increased co-operation between gatekeepers, providers, researchers and policy makers, and reduced ambiguities in health-care rights and obligations for undocumented migrants.

Effect of a school feeding programme on nutritional status and anaemia in an urban slum: a preliminary evaluation in Kenya.

To reduce malnutrition and improve child survival, school feeding programmes have been established in many parts of Africa, although prevalence of child malnutrition and anaemia remains high, especially in urban slums. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of a school feeding programme in the slums of Nairobi (Kenya) on anaemia and nutritional status, together with an investigation for socioeconomic determinants that may overrule this effect. Sixty-seven children at the St. George primary school in Kibera participated in the school feeding programme for 1 year and data concerning anaemia rate, nutritional status and socioeconomic status were collected during a medical health check. Data were compared with a control group of children attending the same school, of the same age and with the same gender distribution without participation in a feeding programme. Data were analyzed with statistical software (SPSS 17.0). Children participating in the school feeding programme were less stunted (p = 0.02) and wasted (p = 0.02) than children in the control group, and levels of anaemia were lower (p = 0.01). Having no father (p = 0.01) and living in small families (p = 0.003) overruled the effect of the feeding programme. Also, the higher the mother's education, the more wasting was seen (p = 0.04) despite participation in the programme. The programme reduced anaemia and malnutrition and has improved child growth in our study group greatly, but we found that education level of the mother, family size and absence of a father overruled the effect of the school feeding programme. Because sample size of our study is small, we encourage further large-scaled research on reviewing programmatic interventions to develop optimal feeding strategies and improve nutritional status of children.

Migrants' access to antiretroviral therapy in Thailand.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate migrants' access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and assess the applicability of ART guidelines to migrants. METHODS: Six focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted in Thailand with 74 Burmese migrants: factory workers in Mae Sot and Bangkok, construction site workers in Chiang Mai and unemployed and undocumented HIV-positive migrants in Mae Sot. Thirteen key stakeholders and migrants were interviewed for triangulation. RESULTS: (1) Present criteria for in-/exclusion restrict migrants' access to ART. (2) Leading ART guidelines are not applicable for migrants in general. (3) Migrants are likely to experience more problems with adherence to ART than local patients, which increases the importance of ART guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Without ART guidelines that take into consideration the specific circumstances that limit migrants' access to ART, health care providers will continue to render HIV-positive migrants ineligible. Interventions are needed to both make the ART guidelines applicable to migrants and to overcome obstacles restricting migrants' access to ART. This will greatly improve migrants' access to ART and help to save the lives of thousands of HIV-positive migrants.

The evidence base for community-based rehabilitation: a literature review.

Literature on community-based rehabilitation (CBR) published between 1978 and 2002 is reviewed to assess the evidence base for CBR. There were 128 articles found that met the criteria set by the authors. The articles have been classified according to the methodology used and the key aspects studied. The review showed an ever-increasing number of publications on CBR. Theory papers and descriptive studies are the most common types of papers in CBR literature. Intervention studies and case reports are relatively rare. No systematic review has yet been carried out although reviews on specific aspects of CBR have become available. The key aspects of 'implementation' and 'stakeholders' are relatively well presented but the numbers of articles on 'participation' and 'use of local resources' are noticeably low. This study reveals that there is no real focus of research in CBR and therefore the evidence base for CBR is fragmented and incoherent on almost all aspects of CBR. It is recommended that comprehensive review studies should be carried out on key aspects of CBR projects. This should be supported by systematic research in CBR projects in order to establish evidence-based practices.

Health care seeking behaviour and utilisation of traditional healers in Kalabo, Zambia.

OBJECTIVE: To identify traditional healers in the catchment area of Kalabo District Hospital and to investigate determinants which play a role in the choice between different health care options, and to explore possibilities for increasing co-operation between the District Hospital and traditional healers. METHODS: In a cross-sectional comparative and descriptive study, a combination of both quantitative and qualitative methods was used. A total of 12 health workers, 13 traditional healers and 100 community representatives were interviewed, using (semi)-structured questionnaires. A focus group discussion was held with 12 traditional healers. RESULTS: This study shows that all respondents are willing to visit the hospital if they fall ill in future, and 88% of the respondents will visit a traditional healer. More women than men visit traditional healers, but the men who do visit them, do so more frequently. Level of education is not an important determinant. Increasing age leads to more frequent visits to both the hospital and traditional healers. Almost half of the respondents (49%) only have to walk less than 30 min to a traditional healer, but the hospital is the same distance for only 34% of the respondents. Waiting time turned out to be an important factor: in the hospital, 48% of the respondents are not helped within time, and only 28% are not helped in time by the traditional healer. Demon possession, mbaci, kanono and infertility are typical health problems for which people visit a traditional healer. The cost of treatment from a traditional healer is usually one cow, but only if the patient is cured. Satisfaction was measured at 89% after hospital treatment, and 74% after treatment from a traditional healer. If dissatisfied with the traditional healer, 86% would consider attending the hospital.

Poor performance of community health workers in Kalabo District, Zambia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors contributing to low performance of community health workers in Kalabo District, Zambia. METHODS: In a cross-sectional descriptive study, 86 community members, 27 community health workers and nine rural health centre staff were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. Other methods were focus group discussions and checklists. Data analysis was done manually. RESULTS: The low performance of community health workers is a real problem for Kalabo District. The two most important factors are the irregular and unreliable supply of drugs and selection of the wrong people to be trained for community health workers. CONCLUSION: Though initially implemented as such, the comprehensive approach of the primary health care project is no longer functioning in Kalabo. Community health workers are mainly valued because of their curative services. Communities do not properly follow the official criteria for selection of people to be trained, but have other considerations. Strategies will have to be formulated to rehabilitate the programme, mainly focussing on these two findings. Other factors, like inadequate community support and inadequate supervision, were mentioned by many contributors.

Sex-related health risks and implications for interventions with hospitality women in Hainan, China.

This article describes the living situations of sex workers (hospitality girls) in a typical rural town in southern China; their personal, social, financial, and psychological needs and expectations; and the social and economic factors that place them at risk for STIs/HIV and unwanted pregnancy, based on the qualitative and quantitative data collected prior to and during a preventive intervention. Though some similarities to knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of sex workers reported in other Asian countries were identified, this study identified some differences distinctive to the China context, such as how economic factors, kinship, and friendship networks function in the service industry, and how the culture of reproduction and birth control policy interact with and affect sex workers' health and decision-making options. Understanding these factors is critical for design of a culturally and contextually tailored intervention for the reduction of sex-related health risks of women in the sex service industry.

Reasons for not using condoms among female sex workers in Indonesia.

The aim of this study was to gather data on condom use among brothel-based female sex workers in Indonesia and to study the reasons for not using condoms in order to provide new and existing condom promotion programs with information to improve their performance. Quantitative data were gathered by KABP surveys (n = 1450) and a condom diary with a sample of 204 female sex workers. Qualitative data were collected by conducting focus group discussions and in-depth interviews among female sex workers and pimps. Around 53% of sexual intercourses were reported to be protected, and 12% of these protected intercourses were preceded by clients' argumentation against it. Only 5.8% of sex workers consistently used condoms for a 2-week period of observation, and this figure decreased to 1.4% for a 4-week period. Reasons for not using condoms from the clients' side, as mentioned by the sex workers, were perceived less pleasure due to the condom and the belief that clients that are acquainted with the sex workers do not need protection against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or AIDS. The main reasons of female sex workers for not using condoms were the beliefs that boyfriends, native Indonesians and healthy-looking clients cannot spread STDs. Another reason stated was that sex workers had already taken other preventive measures, like taking antibiotics. The research also showed that pimps were not very supportive of condom use programs in Indonesia. Condom unacceptability is an important reason for not using condoms for both clients and female sex workers, whereas pimps, who are in the best position to encourage condom use, unfortunately consider condom use as a threat to their business. For the successful introduction of consistent condom use, it is necessary to design interventions for both sex workers and clients and to provide appropriate educational materials and preferred brands of condoms. Also, pimps must be involved in intervention programs.