Tobacco control is an area where the translation of evidence into policy would seem to be straightforward, given the wealth of epidemiological, behavioural and other types of research available. Yet, even here challenges exist. These include information overload, concealment of key (industry-funded) evidence, contextualisation, assessment of population impact and the changing nature of the threat. This article describes the steps that may be taken to develop a comprehensive tobacco control strategy: compilation of a list of potential interventions; modification of that list based on local needs and political constraints; streamlining the list by categorising interventions into broad groupings of related interventions to form the basis of a comprehensive plan; and refinement of the plan by comparing it to existing comprehensive plans. The proposed framework for adapting existing approaches to the local social and political climate may assist others planning for smoke-free societies. Additionally, this experience has implications for development of evidence-based health plans addressing other risk factors.
Useful Resources
The East African Community (EAC) statistics database contains indices for a range of social sectors of countries in the region, including education, labour, culture, housing, environment and health. Population indices include life expectancy, mortality rates and demographic indicators. Health indices include public health expenditure per capita, expenditure on health to gross domestic product and public health expenditure to total budget. Statistics for immunisation rates and HIV prevalence are also supplied.
This tool, entitled 'Climate Change and Environmental Degradation Risk and Adaptation Assessment' (CEDRA), helps non-governmental organisations (NGOs) access and understand climate change and environmental degradation, and the science behind it, and compare this with local experience of environmental change. The tool was developed through NGO experience of problems as a result of changing weather patterns in countries like Afghanistan. CEDRA involves six steps: identifying environmental hazards, prioritising hazards that need to be addressed, selecting adaptation options, addressing unmanageable risks, considering new project locations, and a process of continual review, which should take place every year. It provides a check-list for each of the steps, with samples of questions that need to be asked, and underlines the involvement of beneficiary communities at every stage.
Funds for NGOs.org is an online initiative working for the sustainability of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) by increasing their access to external funders, resources and skills. It uses online technologies to spread knowledge about organisational sustainability, promote creative ideas for long-term generation of institutional funds for development interventions, improve professional efforts in resource mobilisation and advocate for increased allocation of donor resources for building the skills and capacities of NGOs.
The objective of this paper was to develop and publish a guideline for doctors managing acute viral bronchiolitis because this condition is extremely common in South Africa. Acute viral bronchiolitis is responsible for significant morbidity in the population, and subsequently a great deal of patient and parental distress, and the disease is costly, since many children are unnecessarily subjected to investigations and treatment strategies that are of no proven benefit. The main aims of the guideline are to promote an improved standard of treatment based on understanding of the disease and its management, and to encourage cost-effective and appropriate management. A detailed literature review was conducted and summarised into this document by a selected working group of paediatricians from around the country. Recommendations include the appropriate diagnostic and management strategies for acute viral bronchiolitis.
SURE is a collaborative project that builds on and supports the Evidence-Informed Policy Network (EVIPNet) in Africa and the Region of East Africa Community Health (REACH) Policy Initiative. These educational video and audio documentaries let people describe in their own words how the SURE project, a collaboration of EVIPNet Africa and REACH, is working to improve health systems in Africa by making better use of research evidence to inform decisions. The audience can hear this and see the context in which people are working. The documentaries can be downloaded and used in meetings or broadcasts to introduce concepts, raise awareness and generate discussion about evidence-informed health policymaking. They are targeted at a broad audience, including policymakers, researchers, stakeholders and the general public.
This guide is designed to be a 'support tool' to assist institutions in developing and enhancing their HIV and AIDS workplace programmes. It has been aligned to the Framework for HIV and AIDS Workplace Programmes, which was developed for South Africa's higher education sector. The framework has six key performance areas that make up a comprehensive workplace programme and the guide sets out key standards for each of the performance areas. The areas are: strategic leadership, decision-making and co-ordination; research and analysis; workplace HIV and AIDS policy; workplace HIV and AIDS prevention programmes; workplace HIV and AIDS treatment and care strategies; and monitoring and evaluation.
The goal of this handbook is to highlight some of the best practices around the world in HIV and AIDS services, programmes and policies for people with disabilities. It describes how systematic efforts were made to identify case studies from various countries. However, the numbers of case studies obtained were smaller than expected. This could be an indication that there is little documentation of practice in HIV and AIDS and disability. It could also be that organisations primarily working with disabilities have given minimal attention to HIV and AIDS, and similarly little attention is paid to disability by mainstream HIV and AIDS organisations. This handbook is primarily aimed at organisations involved in or intending to be involved in programming and advocacy to influence or to develop policy and programmes in HIV and AIDS service delivery for persons with disabilities. This handbook is divided into four chapters, each addressing a particular broad topic in reference to best practices for disability and HIV and AIDS. The categories of disabilities covered in the handbook are the deaf, the visually impaired, and the physically and intellectually challenged.
Since it was first published in 2002, Facts for Life has sold over 15 million copies in 215 languages. It aims to help save the lives of millions of children by putting lifesaving knowledge about children‘s health into the hands of those who need it most: parents, caregivers, health workers, government officials, journalists and teachers. This new edition has updated information on safe motherhood, early childhood development, nutrition, HIV and AIDS and other major causes of childhood illnesses and death. It aims to use the best current understanding of science, policy and practice. It presents in simple language, practical, effective, low-cost ways of protecting children‘s lives and promoting their development.
Where There Are No Pharmacists is about managing medicines. It explains how to order them, store them, prepare them, dispense them and use them safely and effectively. This book provides advice on all these aspects for people working with medicines as well as information to help communities benefit from the use of medicines. It provides guidance for anyone who is doing the work of a pharmacist; anyone who sells, dispenses, prepares, manages, or explains to others how to use medicines. It is especially intended for use in developing countries.