REPOST – South African Practicum Opportunities..take a look before the Santander Scholarship deadline!
Breaking News: There are a number of exciting practicum opportunities available in South Africa starting this summer. If you are interested, contact Jessie Chiliza at jchiliza@bu.edu.
If you are planning to apply for a Santander you can use the information below from one of the organizations in your application to Santander.
ANOVA Health Institute
Practicum Locations: Cape Town, Western Cape (rural), Johannesburg, Limpopo (rural)
Website: www.anovahealth.co.za
The Anova Health Institute is a South Africa-based non-governmental organization with head office in Johannesburg. Anova is one of the leading partners to the Department of Health to strengthen and support the public healthcare system in South Africa, with particular focus on the HIV, TB and STI programs. This is achieved through clinical expertise, capacity building, community awareness and innovation. We partner with various government, community and academic institutions.
Anova operates as PEPFAR district support partner in three South African districts: Johannesburg Metro (including Soweto), Mopani District, and the Cape Winelands District. Anova’s teams in these districts, each through a unique operational model, work closely with the local Department of Health to strengthen healthcare systems. Anova’s Health4Men initiative is dedicated to addressing MSM through the provision of competent, prejudice-free sexual healthcare for MSM and the promotion of a sex-positive attitude among healthcare workers. The program operates across the country, but has two main centers of expertise in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Western Cape Department of Health
Practicum Locations: Cape Town
Website: www.westerncape.gov.za
The Western Cape Department of Health’s core function is to deliver a comprehensive package of health services to the people of the province.
Practicum Opportunities:
Metro Health Services Unit
- Maternal Health: Understand and explain the difference in caesarean section rates across several district hospitals.
- Healthcare Access: Understand and explain why patients do not attend the health facility closest to their home.
HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Unit (HAST)
- Analysis of STI sentinel surveillance data
- Analysis of the male circumcision program including a cost benefit analysis
- The Western Cape Department of Health is revitalizing their TB prevention program. Before they put forth a new plan they need assistance conducting a landscape review of all the TB prevention efforts happening in the province.
- Support the 9 HAST managers with their provincial strategic plans, which they are required to present in October/November 2015
Life Choices
Website: www.lifchoices.co.za
Location: Cape Town
Life Choices recognizes that every individual possesses unique value. We choose to partner with vulnerable youth on a journey of growth and development delivering lasting change in the lives that we touch. We understand that no two people are the same, which means our interactive and constantly evolving interventions are designed to meet the needs of the individual. This in turn creates a positive ripple-effect in the community.
Life Choices was founded on the belief that once off interventions are not enough to transform a young person’s life. With this in mind we provide comprehensive services in family stability, health education and leadership. Life Choices believes that these four building blocks are critical for youth to thrive. Since. 2006, Life Choices has impacted over 138,000 lives with choices and not charity.
Life Choices provides youth and their parents in the Cape Flats with:
- HIV testing and counselling
- Psychosocial support
- Reproductive health talks,
- Leadership training
- Academic support
Kheth’impilo
Website: http://www.khethimpilo.org/
Location: Cape Town
Kheth’impilo’s main objective is to support the South African Government’s HIV National strategic Plans in its quest to achieve an AIDS-free generation. At present the organization has operations in 8 districts with high HIV and TB prevalence in the Eastern Cape (Nelson Mandela B Metro, Amathole), Kwa-Zulu Natal (EThekwini, Amajuba, ILembe and UMgungundlovu), Mpumalanga (Ehlanzeni) and the Western Cape (Metro). In these districts Kheth’Impilo programs scale up access to prevention, care, treatment and support services, thus contributing to reducing the treatment gap, support the strengthening of health systems as well as build capacity of staff to deliver services. The organization provides services of high quality for both adults and children which result in reduced mother to child HIV transmission, reduction in HIV associated morbidity and mortality increasing life expectancy, which contribute to the National Strategic Plan goals of reaching 80% of people living with HIV/AIDS and reducing new HIV infections by 50%.
Kheth’Impilo works in close partnership with the Department of Health at a district level and implements the following programs:
• HIV/AIDS counseling and testing
• Adult and pediatric antiretroviral treatment
• Training of clinical and community support staff
• Pharmaceutical services support
• Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission
• TB treatment and care
• Community Adherence Support /Psychosocial Support Services ( CSSS) to patients and their families
The clinical program is supported by the Community Services Cluster, which provides adherence and psycho-social support interventions for patients through its Patient Advocate model. Ongoing treatment, counselling and psychosocial support at the community level are provided with special attention paid to the very ill, pregnant, TB infected, children and adolescents, as well as patients struggling with disclosure. PAs are the link between the clinical services and the community, and enable Kheth’Impilo to identify challenges that may become barriers to treatment and refer patients for services to address these challenges.
University of the Western Cape, School of Public Health
Website: www.uwc.ac.za/Faculties/CHS/soph/Pages/default.aspx
Location: Cape Town
PROSPECTIVE URBAN AND RURAL EPIDEMIOLOGY STUDY
ACTIVITIES FOR 2015 INTERN
Short description of Project:
The Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study is a multi-country cohort study to track changing Lifestyles, risk Factors and chronic diseases in different population groups. The University of the Western Cape’s School of Public Health co-ordinates this investigation in the Eastern and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa.
The main objectives of PURE study in South Africa are: (i) to examine the relationship between societal influences and prevalence of risk factors and chronic non-communicable diseases; (ii) to examine the relationship between societal determinants and incidence of chronic non-communicable disease events and on changes in rates of selected risk factors.
Utilizing periodic standardised data collection methods, the environmental changes, the societal influences on lifestyle, the risk factors and CVD are being tracked. 1000 study participants are to be recruited from the urban and rural communities and will undergo detailed baseline assessments. Data collection will occur at 4 levels (i.e. national, community, household, and individual levels) and will incorporate the societal determinants of built environment, nutrition environment, tobacco use and socioeconomic/ psychosocial determinants.
Project-related activities:
- Data Collection
1. Visit PURE study sites where recruitment of study participants is being undertaken and rendering logistical/organizational assistance to the recruitment process
2. Collect, code, enter and clean baseline data from PURE study participants (Both using a customized online database and on SPSS)
3. Managing a database of study participants in the PURE study
4. Drawing up of Excel Pivot tables, summary graphs and charts and simple descriptive error check estimates on key indicators for the PURE study
5. Maintaining an Administrative Spreadsheet of activities in the baseline recruitment phase of the PURE study.
6. Manage (updating) a database of study participants in the PURE study
7. Address errors identified by Data Quality Check Reports on baseline data
8. Administering cohort follow-up strategies including; writing and posting sms messages to all PURE study participants, contribute to the design of newsletters, PURE study day (flyers, banners, posters etc)
b. Other
11. Undertaking literature search using standardized search strategies for systematic review on subjects to be advised
Academic development activities:
- Attend School of Public Health Journal Clubs (Monday 0900 – 1100hrs)
- Attend public seminars and lectures in UWC
- Presentation at a journal club
Ancillary tasks:
1. General administrative/clerical support (as deemed appropriate and necessary)
2. Preparation/Re-designing of PowerPoint Presentation slides and lectures notes; in
particular, enhancing the quality of slides by introducing good animations and
video/audio clips appropriate for the slide contents
3. Developing interactive content for online teaching forum for our nascent “google
discussion group”. Explore the use of avatars and pop-up wizards that could serve as helps for frequently-asked questions in an Epidemiology and Biostatistics modules
University of Stellenbosch – Desmond Tutu TB Centre
Website: www0.sun.ac.za/dttc/
Location: Cape Town
South Africa has the fourth highest TB rate in the world, while the Western Cape Province has the highest number of new TB cases in the country. The Desmond Tutu TB Centre adopts an outward focus and a holistic approach towards understanding and combating this TB pandemic. The goals of the Center are designed on a strategy built on basic and applied research, as well as on the training of students and communities in all aspects of TB.
The Center is an important asset, not only for research but also for interaction with communities. We operate from the premise that grassroots research, which includes work being done in communities, investigations of the everyday problems experienced by sufferers of TB and HIV/AIDS and reporting results to the appropriate health services, must never be underestimated.
The Center focuses on health systems strengthening, operational research, childhood TB, community randomized trials, food and nutrition interventions, family based approaches and non-communicable diseases.
Practicum Opportunities:
Analysis of HIV Counseling and Testing services:
Collect data at the community-based HIV centers (HCT) around the drivers and barriers to testing for those who are both first time and repeat testers within 5 communities around Cape Town. The intern will collect quantitative and qualitative data from clients accessing the mobile services. The work would potentially involve recruiting and collecting data (using a questionnaire) from clients after they have received HCT. The candidate would work with each of the outreach teams. Staff will be available to assist with language if needed.
Data collection uses both closed & open ended questions. Open ended questions would need to be transcribed and entered into ATLAS.ti for analysis. Depending on how long data collection takes, the candidate could also be involved in either the quantitative or qualitative analysis.
Mass General’s Center for Global Health hosted Seminar Series: Noncommunicable Diseases: Emerging Challenges in Global Health
Noncommunicable Diseases:
Emerging Challenges in Global Health
Emily Hyle, MD
Medical Practice Evaluation Center
Department of Medicine
Massachusetts General Hospital
Jeremy Schwartz, MD
Equity Research and Innovation Center
Department of Internal Medicine
Yale School of Medicine
Mark Siedner, MD, MPH
Center for Global Health
Massachusetts General Hospital
Eileen Stuart-Shor, PhD, FAAN
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
University of Massachusetts Boston
Tuesday, April 21
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
O'Keeffe Auditorium
Blake Building - 1st Floor
Massachusetts General Hospital
++ OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ++
Four Global Health Fellows II internship opportunities just opened; deadline to apply is April 8th!
The following four (4) Global Health Fellows Program II internships have just opened. All internships are located in Pretoria, South Africa.
Health Systems Strengthening Intern (INT-P4-044)
Health Office, United States Agency for International Development/Southern Africa
Location: Pretoria, South Africa
Anticipated timeframe: May 2015 - August 2015: Compensated 12 week internship
HIV/AIDS Prevention Intern (INT-P4-045)
Health Office, United States Agency for International Development/Southern Africa
Location: Pretoria, South Africa
Anticipated timeframe: May 2015 - August 2015: Compensated 12 week internship
Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) Intern (INT-P4-046)
Health Office, United States Agency for International Development/Southern Africa
Location: Pretoria, South Africa
Anticipated timeframe: May 2015 - August 2015: Compensated 12 week internship
Strategic Information and Monitoring & Evaluation Intern (INT-P4-047)
Health Office, United States Agency for International Development/Southern Africa
Location: Pretoria, South Africa
Anticipated timeframe: Compensated 24 week internship
Detailed information, including an online application and instructions, is available on our website at http://recruitment.ghfp.net/.
All applications must be submitted by April 8, 2015 at 5:00 pm eastern time.
Consulting Opportunity at Broad Branch Associates; application deadline April 3rd
Broad Branch Associates seeks a fluent Spanish speaker to conduct key informant interviews with senior government and health officials in Meso-America
Statement of Work
Broad Branch Associates seeks a fluent Spanish speaker who is based in the Washington, DC area to interview senior government officials in Central America and one state in Mexico. Interviews (10-20) will be conducted by skype, phone and video conference. Knowledge of health systems and maternal and child health and nutrition needed.
Background
The Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) leads the Salud Mesoamérica 2015 Initiative (SM2015), a regional public-private partnership that brings together Mesoamerican countries, private foundations, bilateral and multilateral donors. The overarching goal of SM2015 is to reduce health inequalities, and improve health outcomes for the poorest populations in the region. The innovative model provides funding to support supply and demand-side interventions, particularly changes in policy, new interventions, the expansion of proven and cost-effective healthcare packages and the delivery of incentives for effective health services. Some of its innovative features are the application of a results-based financing model (RBF), rigorous performance measurement, enhanced transparency in reporting, accountability and assessment of impact. The initiative is focused on integrating key interventions, aimed at reducing health inequalities resulting from the lack of access to nutrition, reproductive, maternal and neonatal health for the poorest segments of the population. As experience with SM2015 has grown, there are a number of lessons that are important to share with other low- and middle-income countries and with those who provide financial and technical support to help strengthen health results, especially for the poorest.
Responsibilities
The Consultant will be in an integral part of the team that will be conducting key informant interviews that will generate information that will contribute to a series of papers that will communicate the SM2015 experience. Each interview will be recorded so that interviews can be transcribed and translated. Knowledge of health systems in Central America and Mexico and content knowledge about what it takes to deliver quality MNCH services to the poor is important. Strong interview skills that include conducting interviews using a structured instrument and listening and probing to identify key information is required. Interviews will be conducted in April and May 2015. Responsibilities include:
- Familiarize him/herself with the details of the SM2015 Initiative.
- Translate instruments from English to Spanish
- Interview key informants via phone/skype/VC
- Record interviews
- Summarize interviews
- Communicate regularly with the BBA team
Application deadline is April 3, 2015.
Please send an email that describes your experience and availability and attach a CV to: renaeichler@broadbranch.org
Don’t let final papers sneak up on you! Visit the Public Health Writing Program!
Don’t let final papers sneak up on you! Visit the Public Health Writing Program!
Peer coaches will collaborate with you on any type of assignment and any stage of the writing process; from brainstorming to strategizing ways to strengthen your paper, policy memos to research papers, peer coaches can help! We’re happy to accommodate individual or group assignments. Don’t miss out on this excellent and FREE resource!
Appointments are filling up quickly. Request an appointment in advance with this online form: bu.edu/sph/peercoach/request. We look forward to working with you!
23rd Annual BU Graduate Student Conference in African Studies – Tomorrow!
View the flyer here: Poster Design (2)
View the full program here: Conference Program
U.S. Fund for UNICEF hosting Children First Speaker Series: “Ending a Killer Disease: UNICEF’s Efforts to Eliminate Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus”; April 2nd
Next week, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF will be hosting Carrie Rhodes for our Children First Speaker Series. Rhodes is a volunteer leader of The Eliminate Project, a joint initiative between Kiwanis International, UNICEF and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) around the globe. Despite remarkable progress in recent years, MNT, a vaccine-preventable disease, still claims the lives of 49,000 babies each year.
We hope you will join us to hear Carrie Rhodes speak next week, April 2nd from 12:30pm-2:00pm at the Hampshire House (84 Beacon St., Boston MA).
If you are interested, please contact Laura Driscoll at 857-453-8013 or ldriscoll@unicefusa.org for ticket information. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Career Opportunities for Health Program Analysts
Mathematica Policy Research (MPR), a social policy and research firm headquartered in Princeton, NJ continues to have great job opportunities. We are interested in recruiting spring 2015 graduates and/or alumni from your school for our Health Program Analyst position open in our Princeton, NJ or Washington, DC locations.
View full job posting here: #26-Health Program Analyst-DMA
Current MPH student Abhishek Sharma’s paper “Catch Them Young for Health Future” has been published in the Indian Journal of Community Medicine
Congratulations to our current MPH student Abhishek Sharma! Read the published article here: IndianJCommunityMed_2015_40_2_141_153887
African Development Conference at Harvard; Register now for April 3-4
Interested in hearing the President of Niger speak? How about the Assistant Minister of Health of Liberia? Or the head of the China Development Bank? Register to attend the African Development Conference at Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Law School April 3rd-4th to engage with all of them and many more. The panels cover topics ranging from health, law, and urban planning, to finance, technology, and agriculture.
The theme this year is “Looking South – Moving Forward: Fostering development collaboration within the global South”. The conference will seek to discuss the continent’s emergence at a time when African countries increasingly look beyond their traditional partners in the West, engaging within the continent as well as with countries such as China, India and Brazil.
Tickets for the conference are available on the website (www.harvardadc.com). Don't forget to RSVP on Facebook and invite your friends (there are group discounts - see below)!
Tickets include:
- Full 2 day access to panels, plenary sessions, small group “dialogues for development” and Ted-style inspired “personal narratives”;
- Welcome networking receptions on Friday April 3rd (invitations to a VIP champagne networking session at the Ethelbert Cooper Gallery of African and African American Art will also be allocated on a first come first served basis);
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday April 4th;
- Optional closing party at the Harvard Club of Boston on Saturday April 4th.
Discount codes for bulk buying of tickets:
- 10 tickets = 10% discount (code: ADCgroup10)
- 15 tickets = 15% discount (code: ADCgroup15)
- 20 tickets = 20% discount (code: ADCgroup20)
