CORE Group hosts online learning sessions on a variety of topics related to community-focused international health.
Recent Elluminates
Fertility Awareness Methods - Two Approaches
Jeannette Cachan, Director of Capacity Building and IEC at Georgetown Universitiy's Institute for Reproductive Health, presents two fertility awareness methods (FAM) including the Standard Days Method (SDM) and the Two Day Method (TDM). FAM is a cornerstone to women's empowerment in that it allows a woman to control her own fertitlity, learning about these methods is vital to the advancement of maternal and child health. This presentation provides an overview of SDM and TDM in terms of a basic informational overview of FAM; understanding what is involved in FAM counseling; becoming familiar with various tools to effectively implement FAM counseling; learning about the newest SDM and TDM guidelines and program resources; and identifying key issues in FAM integration. Learn about how SDM and TDM are chaning the face of women's lives and empowerment.
Other Resources Include:
USAID SDM Technical Brief 2004
Family Planning: A Global Handbook for Providers, 2007
Efficacy of the New TwoDay Method of Family Planning, Fertility, and Sterility, 2004
Taking HIV Prevention to Scale - The Mukta Project
Darshana Vyas, Project Director of Pathfinder International's Mukta Project, presents the lessons learned from the first phase of the Mukta Project in India. The Project covers 10 districts in the state of Maharashtra in India to reduce the prevalence of STIs and HIV/AIDS among female sex workers (FSWs), men who have sex with men (MSM), and their partners. Mukta largely focuses on interventions such as peer-based BCC, delivery comperhensive healthcare services with a strong focus on quality STI management and care, and utilization of free and socially marketed condoms. It has consequently reached over 25,000 FSWs and MSM at-risk of contracting HIV and other STIs, as well as reduced the STI rate amont FSWs and MSM by over 30%. As the Mukta Project enters its second phase, learn about the Project's successes and challenges, as well as where empowerment in transitioning program implementationa and management is important.
PATH - The Ultra Rice Project
Dipika Matthias, Project Director of PATH's Ultra Rice Project, presents the the technology and impact Ultra Rice is having around the globe. The Ultra Rice Project seeks to
improve mincronutrient health in rice consuming communities. This presentation goes on to explain what Ultra Rice is, who benefits from Ultra Rice, and why Ultra Rice is important for reducing maternal and child mortality. Matthias outlines the "Framwork for Commercialization and Introduction", which takes place in four steps including building an evidence base, engaging local manufacturers, distribution through the public sector, and enlisting the support of key stakeholders. Learn what the future holds for this innovative technology and how it has made the difference in developing communities around the world.
ITPS - Malaria Control In Complex Emergencies
Richard Allan, Director of the MENTOR Initiative, presents the revolutionary development of insecticide treated plastic sheeting (ITPS) for the dual purpose of providing shelter and vector control in emergency settings. This presents the first prospects for a practical and robust tool which could be held in regional emergency stocks and deployed amongst refugees and IDPs to rapidly ensure both emergency shelter and effective control of common insect disease vectors without the need for significant behaviour change by shelter occupants in order to achieve its protective effect. Learn the results of the latest studies and how evidence of the efficacy of ITPS as a vector control tool when used to construct temporary shelters, combined with its operational advantages and low risk usage, is now being recommended to be scaled up to meet the needs on the ground.
Presentation: January 12th, 2010
Zambia Integrated Management of Malaria and Pneumonia Study (ZIMMAPS)
Dr. Kojo Yeboah-Antwi, who is an Assistant Professor of International Health at Boston University School of Public Health, presents the Zambia Integrated Management of Malaria and Pneumonia Study (ZIMMAPS), which was a cluster randomized controlled trial that aimed at demonstrating the effectiveness and feasibility of community-based management of pneumonia and malaria by community health workers (CHWs) in a rural district of Zambia. The CHWs, aided by the use of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), managed malaria with ACTs and non-severe pneumonia with amoxicillin. The results were overwhelmingly positive and showed the capacity of CHWs to provide early and appropriate treatment to children under five years of age with fever and the reduction of ACT overuse.
Algorithm: Fever Management Intervention
Algorithm: Fever Management Control
Planning for Sustainability in Malaria Projects
Dr. Eric Sarriot and Jennifer Yourkavitch of the Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program (MCHIP) describe a framework for assessing sustainability in malaria projects and discuss how projects can incorporate this model into their programming. They also presented an example from a sustainability workshop hosted by Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, a MCP grantee, in Malawi. Information about the framework can be previewed in the manual Taking the Long View.
______________________________________________ Additional Information on How to Use Elluminate NOTE: You will need Java (TM) Web Start Launcher to open the Elluminate files. If you don't have this program you should be able to download it on the Elluminate support page:
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