Specialised Intensive Postgraduate Training for Clinicians, Researchers and Professionals working in Sexual & Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS

The 15th Annual Research Methods Course in Sexual and Reproductive Health, HIV and Gender Based Violence (GBV) is scheduled for 1 – 26 August 2011. The Research Methods Course is organised by the RHRU with collaborating organizations – the Medical Research Council of South Africa and The Population Council.

RATIONALE
Governments throughout the world have committed themselves to promoting sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and rights.  Nowhere is this agenda more critical than in Africa, where countries are faced with the multiple legacies of colonialism, gender inequity and under-development. The HIV epidemic now threatens to undermine many of the achievements of previous decades. Effective health sector responses must be scientifically grounded and appropriate to the continent; this requires the development of new generations of African health researchers. This course is an African response to the need to build research capacity in our region. Over 350 particpants have successfully completed the course since its inception in 1997. Participants come from various African countries, including Botswana, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leonne, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The course seeks to introduce researchers, health service managers and clinicians to the fundamentals of research methodology and key SRH/HIV issues relevant to the African region.

APPLICANT PROFILE AND SELECTION CRITERIA
The course is intended for people who:

• Are currently involved in research, are planning to undertake research and/or are required to utilise research or monitoring data within programmes, particularly in the field of SRH/TB/HIV;
• Have a minimum standard of a degree in medicine/relevant honours degree;
• Are experienced and involved in SRH or HIV research or programmes.

The minimum qualification for acceptance onto the course is a medical degree or honours degree and substantive experience in the field of sexual and reproductive health and/or HIV/AIDS. Participants are chosen annually by a selection committee and the competitive standard is very high. A limited number of bursaries are available and restricted to African applicants. Certification is dependent on complete course attendance. The course includes pre and post tests for all major modules but has no formal examination. It attracts the maximum annual points for continuing professional development for South African doctors.

APPLICATIONS
These must be accompanied by all the required documentation or will not go to selection
Applicants should complete the application forms and send them with essential documentation listed below by fax, post, or e-mail.

• The course application form is available online or from the coordinator. The last page must be completed by your employer
• A brief curriculum vitae
• A letter of motivation outlining your previous research experience, why you want to do the course and its relevance to your work
• Two letters of professional and personal reference
• Copies of qualifications
• Employer's signed letter of Permission for Study Leave (last page of application form)

OBJECTIVES & CONTENT

• To strengthen the research capabilities of participants and through this to increase research capacity in the African Region;
• To provide skills in research methodology allowing participants to initiate research, participate in research and to critically appraise research findings;
• To familiarise participants with the major SRH/HIV issues affecting the African Region;
• To create a network of alumni to facilitate information exchange and research collaboration in the African region. 

The course is facilitated by prominent international and local experts in reproductive health and research. It has been supported by the South African Department of Health and has had positive external evaluation funded by the Wellcome Trust.

 

CONTENT
The content covers a spectrum of related topics and areas in depth including an overview of reproductive health, qualitative and quantitative research methods, epidemiology, operations research, statistics, questionnaire design, epi-info statistical analysi package, proposal development, dissemination and utilization of research results, clinical audit, research ethics, costing interventions, and the role of research in policy. Specific issues in reproductive health are covered; Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV, Mother to Child Transmission of HIV, Gender Based Violence in health research and policy and the role of Research in Policy are also included as are site visits to ongoing research projects of related interest.
The course covers all stages of research including; translation of problems into study design and proposals, the translation of results into reports, development of policy, programmes and practice. The curriculum includes:

Quantitative research
The course provides an introduction to basic epidemiology. It explores different types of study design, their strengths and limitations, and how to choose the most appropriate design for the research question. It covers statistical issues in study design including sampling and sample size, as well as offering a practical approach to data handling, and basic data analysis and interpretation, with the use of Epi-info. The principles of questionnaire design, with reliability and validity are addressed. The course will also provide an introduction to demography including population characteristics, sources of data, and SRH indicators including maternal mortality and morbidity.

Qualitative Research
Methods of qualitative research are introduced, including interviewing techniques and participatory methods, study design and ethics in qualitative research. The appropriate use of qualitative or quantitative methodologies is examined. An experiential introduction to data handling, data analysis and writing is provided.

Operations Research/Applied Research
Methods used in health service evaluation are introduced including clinical audit, access to care, quality of care, efficiency, equity, costing studies, information systems and using research to improve services. The course will also cover linkages between research and the policy process.

Research Ethics
The principles of ethics are addressed, including study design in vulnerable communities, consent, and information to study participants, HIV/AIDS research, special situations and submitting a proposal to a research ethics committee.

Other course components include:-

• Critically reviewing literature and other sources of information;
• Proposal development and managing a research project;
• Report writing and dissemination of research findings;
• Use of computers in research, including the internet and power point;
• Site visits to research sites and other innovative SRH/HIV intervention programmes;
• A group work project.

COURSE LOCATION
The coursed is held at the RHRU premises, in Johannesburg.

TIMETABLE & ATTENDANCE
The course will be full time Monday to Friday for four weeks, 8.00 -18.00. Attendance of all sessions is compulsory. A detailed agenda will be provided. There will be tea breaks and lunch between sessions. Site visits will also form part of the course and evening/weekend reading is necessary for the course and the group work project.

EVALUATION
Course evaluation is completed by participants in writing using questionnaires. There will also be a pre and post training assessment and sessional tests to assist in the quality improvement of the course.

CERTIFICATE
Certificates of attendance will be issued to all course participants who adhere to the compulsory daily attendance. For those who qualify for CPD points, the course is accredited with the annual maximum and RHRU liaises with the CPD office on your behalf to ensure points are processed.

2011 FEES
The course fees have not yet been confirmed, due to currency fluctuations. The fees will be confirmed shortly. For an approximate amount, please contact Janine White at jwhite@wrhi.ac.za.

The course fee includes all course materials which you will receive on arrival, lecturers and facilitators, certificate, lunch and other refreshments throughout the day and transport to and from practical visits. Fees are payable in advance and attendance on the course may not begin until fees are fully paid.

BURSARIES
A limited number of bursaries are available by competitive selection and awarded by the committee.

ENQUIRIES
For further enquiries, please email Janine White at jwhite@wrhi.ac.za