The effects of AIDS in South Africa

  3 Responses to “The effects of AIDS in South Africa”

1. DR AHIZECHUKWU EKE says:

   June 14, 2009 at 8:11 am

   Thanks so much. I need it in a separate post so as to allow people find it easily.
2. SL says:

   June 13, 2009 at 4:23 pm

   Thank you very much Dr Eke Ahizechukwu Chigoziem for this interesting write-up of your programme. I’ll put it into a separate post so that others will find it easier than just leaving it in comments.
3. DR AHIZECHUKWU EKE says:

   June 13, 2009 at 12:13 pm

   THE CULTURAL-IMPACT STUDY:

   For the past 4 years, I’ve been working on a project to improve access to research in people in the rural and underserved populations. This is called the CULTURALIMPACT study. I am happy that I am succeeding. The study has made impact on doctors, policy makers, and government. My colleagues in 2 African countries have contacted me to do teach them how I am succeeding. They have gotten the strategy and they’re in the process of implementing it in their countries. It works! It works through the C-A-R-E model.

   One of the greatest challenges in research, hitherto neglected is the impact of culture in the success of research works. In majority of regions in the developing world, cultural traditions are held avidly, almost to fanaticism. In these regions, literacy levels are low and healthcare decision making is strongly influenced by traditional beliefs, animist rites and poverty. Traditions of chieftains, lineages and consensus building still remain vibrant. Hence, conducting research in the developing countries will involve working in alliance with these men, women, children and disabled persons. To ensure success, such research should be compatible with the social systems and sensitive to stated needs. Why would a pregnant woman prefer a village midwife to deliver her of her baby when she lives in the midst of a consultant Obstetrician who works in a teaching hospital? It is simply a question of her cultural belief.

   Based on the aforementioned, I proposed what I titled the ‘C-A-R-E’ model to help researchers in determining the needs of the poor, disabled and handicapped in the developing society. I am presently carrying out a research on the cultural practices with negative impact on health – Female Genital Mutilation and child marriage – the CULTURALIMPACT study in mapped out areas of a State in Nigeria. I have personally experienced how difficult it could be getting information from clients in the villages. But with this model, I am achieving success and hope to continue to achieve. I have introduced it to some of my colleagues too. It involves the following steps:

   Step 1–C- Convene focus groups to gauge community reactions and ways to move forward. In this manner, social learning, listening, testing and responding over time will become a resource for the researcher. Selected groups include – The disabled (group 1), the youths (group 2) and women (group 3). Based on the kind of study, other groups, like the elderly and children may be involved. Every member of the community should have a sense of belonging. This is the bedrock of all health related research involving communities.

   Step 2 – A – Assessment, which involves implementation of services to test the feasibility of the proposed approach. This permits assessing the reactions of community leaders, health workers and other members of the research group to the way they are subject to research. This stage again involves dialogue. After this, steps in launching the proposed research is now set.

   Step 3–R– Response and recruitment, which entails meeting with the villagers after setting the goals for the research so as to organize, coordinate and implement the set goals. They will participate as volunteers in the provision of the necessary tools needed for the research work, bringing in suggestions as the research work progresses.

   Step 4 – E – Evaluation and monitoring programs, which entails verifying that activities are appropriately implemented as planned, ensuring accountability and detect problems and constraints to provide local feedback to the relevant authorities to help them in better planning. Monitoring should be a continuous process, while evaluation is done periodically. Monitoring indicators which are to be used will include process indicators, outcome indicators and impact indicators. The cultural-impact study remains an invaluable resource to researchers in developing countries.

   By Dr Eke Ahizechukwu Chigoziem,
   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
   Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital,
   Nnewi,
   Anambra State,
   Nigeria.