WS07 REPORT.pdf - Training and Research Support Centre

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1 Background The University of Zimbabwe, Department of Community Medicine (UZ-DCM) together with the Training and Research Support Centre (TARSC), held the third Public Health Winter School short course-training programme at UZ Health Sciences Building from the 9 th -14 th of July 2007. The programme is aimed at building capacities for people working particularly at district level in health-related work, but who may not have had the benefit of formal training in health. The course thus aims to include people from local government, from health related services and sectors working in areas related to health at district level, from civil society and from community leaders with roles in health. The course aims to build an understanding of public health and of health systems, particularly at district level. The course covered • Principles of public health and epidemiology • Major public health issues, including HIV and AIDS, TB, Malaria, nutrition • Elements of health systems, health financing and human resources for health • Zimbabwe’s health services at national, district and primary health care level • Community and non health sector roles in health Participants were selected from 50 applicants who responded to an open call, and a total of 27 participants attended the course, 20 women and 7 men. Participants included district level officers from various government ministries, non governmental organisations, civil and research organisations working on HIV and AIDS programmes and the committee clerk and reporters from parliament of Zimbabwe. The course involved teaching, presentations and mentored assignments. The course programme is shown in Appendix 1. Students carried out two mentored assignments during the course to consolidate their knowledge in areas of Public health, and Health systems. Handouts were provided for each session in the programme, and a list of reference materials and useful websites made available for follow up reading on subject areas. An end of course test was completed and certificates of completion were given at the end of the course. The course was jointly administered by UZ DCM and TARSC. Proceedings of the one week training course are briefly outlined below. A full set of handouts and reading materials is provided with the course. The sessions provided time for questions and discussion. These discussions were very lively and gave time for delegates to raise issues arising from their work in the districts. They are not recorded here. 2. The course 2.1 Introduction to the course The background, course overview, objectives and participant introduction was facilitated by Professor S Rusakaniko UZ-DCM and Dr Rene Loewenson TARSC. 3
An Introduction to public health 2.2 Introduction to epidemiology and public health Dr Rene Loewenson TARSC, gave a general introduction to the principles of public health and key concepts in epidemiology and how they are used in public health. She defined public health, and outlined using examples from Zimbabwe the basic elements of public health, the measures and concepts in epidemiology, how the data is collected and used and how it is applied to address public health. 2.3 Epidemiology of HIV and AIDS: Current situation. Dr A Mahomva (Elizabeth Glazier Pediatric HIV and AIDS Foundation ) gave an outline of the epidemic pattern of HIV and AIDS: the transmission mechanisms and natural history of AIDS and the trends globally and in Zimbabwe of the epidemic. She informed delegates of the distribution and determinants of HIV, and the current levels and trends in the HIV and AIDS epidemic through prevalence, incidence and mortality data. She used the evidence to describe patterns of vulnerability and susceptibility in HIV and AIDS and the major public health challenges this raises and the opportunities for responses. 2.4 HIV and AIDS Prevention, treatment and care. Dr T R Bwakura, a Specialist physician ( Ministry of Health OI Clinic) outlined the options for prevention, treatment and care for HIV and AIDS, as well as for opportunistic infections. He also outlined the current options for Antiretroviral treatment (ART) and the issues related to managing treatment and care in Zimbabwe. 2.5 Epidemiology and management of TB and Malaria Dr C Duri (Harare City Health Department) outlined the current distribution of Tuberculosis (TB) in Zimbabwe, its distribution and causes. His presentation explored that TB is, and what TB infection is, the major sources of TB infection and the progression from infection to disease. He outlined the current TB trends including the new XDR strains and how TB can be controlled and managed, making clear the roles of communities and health services. On Malaria, Dr J Chirenda UZ DCM provided information on the epidemiology of malaria, the burden of malaria, and its transmission in Africa, Zimbabwe. He discussed with delegates the burden posed by malaria on health systems, on households and local economies and how these can be prevented and dealt with. Dr J Chirenda gave a practical presentation on experiences of managing malaria. Both sessions outlined and discussed the steps to establish a community approach to TB and Malaria management with participants. 2.6 Nutrition and food security: issues and multisectoral responses Mr F Makamba University of Zimbabwe department of food science gave a lecture on nutrition, defining terms and outlining the major elements of individual, household, and national food needs, how these are met and the elements of malnutrition. He outlined the impact of HIV and AIDS on nutrition and the nutritional requirements for PLWHA. He presented the national policies for food security and nutrition and how the interventions on nutrition interact with wider health and social issues. There was active discussion on this issue, particularly on issues relating to community level and to nutrition issues facing people living with HIV and AIDS. 4
Page 1 and 2: TRAINING AND RESEARCH SUPPORT CENTR
Page 3: Executive Summary The University of
Page 7 and 8: An Introduction to health systems 2
Page 9 and 10: Through this they hoped to improve
Page 11 and 12: Table 1: Distribution of responses
Page 13 and 14: Appendix 1: Training programme 1.1
Page 15: Appendix 2 : Student list # Name, i

WS07 REPORT.pdf - Training and Research Support Centre

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