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1. Determining the representativeness of INDEPTH HDSSs
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A paper titled ‘A probabilistic predictive Bayesian approach for determining the representativeness of health and demographic surveillance networks’ has been accepted for publication.
Health and demographic surveillance systems, formed into networks of sites, are increasingly being established to circumvent unreliable national civil registration systems for estimates of mortality and its determinants in low income countries.
The paper proposes a full Bayesian methodology for assessing current representativeness and consequently, identification of future sites, focusing on the INDEPTH Network in sub-Saharan Africa as an example. Using socioeconomic and environmental data from the current network of 39 sites, the authors develop a multi-dimensional finite Gaussian mixture model for clustering the existing sites.
The authors are C. Edson Utazi, Sujit K. Sahu, Peter M. Atkinson, Natalia Tejedor and Andrew J. Tatem.
Read more
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2. Further research on links between climate change and health needed – Paper
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“Health in climate change research from 1990 to 2014: positive trend, but still underperforming” has been published in Global Health Action. Authored by Glenn Verner, Stefanie Schütte, Juliane Knop, Osman Sankoh, Rainer Sauerborn, the article said there is need for further research on the links between climate change and health.
According to the authors, this pertains particularly to research in and by those countries in which health will be mostly affected and capacity to adapt is least. Read more
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3. Funder explains why they supported ENAP study under INDEPTH
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Suzanne Fournier of the Children's Investment Fund Foundation
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Hosted at Makerere University School of Public Health, the Maternal Newborn Working Group (MNWG) of the INDEPTH Network, together with London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, were awarded a grant from the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) to conduct research to improve metrics around the time of pregnancy and birth (ENAP Project), a key priority for the sustainable development goals.
"This follows a long building partnership with INDEPTH network. We have known Peter Waiswa for a number of years as a champion for maternal and newborn health in Africa. But we also considered the work of the INDEPTH Network and the contribution that the network could make to improving evidence around maternal and newborn health interventions.
"So it was a bit organic in a way but I think we had a vision that there is a need to improve newborn data. And INDEPTH was an established network with great potential to use the sites. Similarly, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine was a great partner to catalyse the proposal with the INDEPTH Network," said CIFF's Suzanne Fournier in an interview on the sidelines of the MNWG study design meeting held from June 15-17, 2016 in Kampala.Read more
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4. Fellowships, funding opportunities, conferences
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Please find below some fellowships, funding opportunities and conferences for your consideration:
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News from our member centres
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1. A healthy body, a healthy mind
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Fun Run participants in the six and twelve kilometre race.
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Deputy Director of Africa Centre for Population Health, Dr Kobus Herbst was among runners
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To commemorate June 16 of 1976 and to recognise the youth month, Africa Centre for Population Health held a community fun run.The fun run, themed “A Healthy Body, A Healthy Mind”took place in KwaSomkhele, near Mtubatuba. Africa Centre is based in Somkhele where it conducts its community-based health and population research. The centre believes that this annual race does not only entertain the community but promotes the importance of leading healthy lifestyles and unity among the community.
Welcoming guests at the event, Dr Kobus Herbst, the Deputy Director at Africa Centre said “It’s important for people to participate to keep bodies active as this helps eliminate some of the illnesses that we find in our communities. These ailments can be reduced greatly with physical activity.” Read more
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2. Daily co-trimoxazole prophylaxis amongst severely malnourished children – clinical trial finds no reduction in mortality.
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Each year, about 1 million children around the world die from SAM (severe acute malnutrition). Deaths in children with SAM mostly occur because malnutrition increases children’s susceptibility to life-threatening infections.
Community-based treatment programmes for SAM have massively expanded and if children can be identified and treated early then poor outcomes can be averted. However, for many children, SAM is only discovered when they are admitted to hospital because they are sick, usually with severe pneumonia, diarrhoea or sepsis.Read more
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3. PNG needs data for sustainable development.
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In Papua New Guinea, the need for a better quality and quantity of data is crucial for sustainable development. In recent years, there has been increased global demand by governments for evidence-based policy for sustainable development. A press release issued by the Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research said the launch of the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the United Nations in September 2015, has set a new momentum for the global development towards 2030.
“While reporting data for development is complex, it requires great efforts for countries to collect data for reporting the country’s progress at the national and sub-national levels. The need for a better quality and greater quantity of data are, therefore, crucial for the SDGs” the statement said.The Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research is an INDEPTH member centre in Papua New Guinea. Read more
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Policy Engagement and Communications
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