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Contribution of scaling up nutrition Academic Platforms to nutrition capacity strengthening in Africa: local efforts, continental prospects and challenges. Proc Nutr Soc 2017; 76:524-534. [DOI: 10.1017/s0029665117001124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Addressing contemporary nutrition problems often requires application of knowledge from multiple disciplines. The scaling up nutrition (SUN) movement harnesses multiple sectors for effective global and in-country planning and implementation. Although the role of knowledge networks (academia and research institutions) is recognised, the how of engaging knowledge networks in the current SUN architecture is only now becoming apparent. For relevant sectors to play their roles effectively, observed capacity gaps, particularly in developing country settings, need to be addressed. The present paper presents the work being undertaken by the Ghana SUN Academic Platform (AP), a local knowledge network, towards strengthening nutrition capacity in Ghana. The AP presently provides technical support, evidence and capacity towards scaling up effective nutrition interventions in Ghana and beyond. The data presented draws heavily on the observations and collective experiences of the authors in practice, complemented by a review of relevant literature. The ultimate goal of the AP is to build capacity of professionals from nutrition and cognate sectors (including planning, agriculture, health, economics, research and academia). This is an essential ingredient for effective and durable SUN efforts. The paper recognises that both disciplinary and interdisciplinary capacity is required for effective SUN efforts in Africa, and offers an approach that utilises cross-sector/inter-professional, peer-learning and experiential learning initiatives.
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Delisle H, Shrimpton R, Blaney S, Du Plessis L, Atwood S, Sanders D, Margetts B. Capacity-building for a strong public health nutrition workforce in low-resource countries. Bull World Health Organ 2017; 95:385-388. [PMID: 28479641 PMCID: PMC5418830 DOI: 10.2471/blt.16.174912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Revised: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hélène Delisle
- Department of Nutrition, University of Montreal, PO Box 6128 Downtown Station, Montreal, Quebec, H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Roger Shrimpton
- Department of Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, United States of America
| | - Sonia Blaney
- École des Sciences des Aliments, de Nutrition et d'Études Familiales, Université de Moncton, Moncton, Canada
| | - Lisanne Du Plessis
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Stephen Atwood
- School of Global Studies, Thammasat University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - David Sanders
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Barrie Margetts
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, England
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Geissler C, Amuna P, Kattelmann KK, Zotor FB, Donovan SM. The eNutrition Academy: Supporting a New Generation of Nutritional Scientists around the World. Adv Nutr 2016; 7:190-8. [PMID: 27180382 PMCID: PMC4717896 DOI: 10.3945/an.115.010728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Nutrition training and building capacity to provide a competent workforce to support national and regional efforts to combat malnutrition remain a major challenge in Africa and other developing regions of the world. The capacity to provide the necessary intellectual drive for nutrition research, policy, and practice in countries lacking in readiness for nutrition actions is imperative to improve the health of their people. To help address this need, the eNutrition Academy (eNA) was formed as a global partnership organization by the African Nutrition Society, the Federation of African Nutrition Societies, the Nutrition Society of the United Kingdom and Ireland, the ASN, and the International Union of Nutritional Sciences, supported by Cambridge University Press. The primary objective of this partnership is to provide an online learning platform that is free to access, enabling users to benefit from a wide range of learning materials from basic tools to more-advanced learning materials for teachers and researchers in developing countries. The goal of this article was to summarize the findings of a symposium held at the ASN Scientific Sessions and Annual Meeting at Experimental Biology 2015, which explored the themes of international capacity development, with a particular focus on the African continent, online learning, and the eNA e-learning platform. Given the vast human capacity present in Africa that is poised to create new solutions to address the public health needs of the continent, now is an opportune time to establish South-North and South-South partnerships to develop the next generation of African nutritional scientists.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul Amuna
- University of Greenwich/Primary Health Care Corporation Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Francis B Zotor
- African Nutrition Society and University of Health & Allied Science, Volta Region, Ghana; and
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Jefferds MED, Flores-Ayala R. Introducing a new monitoring manual for home fortification and strengthening capacity to monitor nutrition interventions. MATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION 2015; 11 Suppl 4:229-33. [PMID: 24784541 PMCID: PMC4547901 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.12118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Lack of monitoring capacity is a key barrier for nutrition interventions and limits programme management, decision making and programme effectiveness in many low-income and middle-income countries. A 2011 global assessment reported lack of monitoring capacity was the top barrier for home fortification interventions, such as micronutrient powders or lipid-based nutrient supplements. A Manual for Developing and Implementing Monitoring Systems for Home Fortification Interventions was recently disseminated. It is comprehensive and describes monitoring concepts and frameworks and includes monitoring tools and worksheets. The monitoring manual describes the steps of developing and implementing a monitoring system for home fortification interventions, including identifying and engaging stakeholders; developing a programme description including logic model and logical framework; refining the purpose of the monitoring system, identifying users and their monitoring needs; describing the design of the monitoring system; developing indicators; describing the core components of a comprehensive monitoring plan; and considering factors related to stage of programme development, sustainability and scale up. A fictional home fortification example is used throughout the monitoring manual to illustrate these steps. The monitoring manual is a useful tool to support the development and implementation of home fortification intervention monitoring systems. In the context of systematic capacity gaps to design, implement and monitor nutrition interventions in many low-income and middle-income countries, the dissemination of new tools, such as monitoring manuals may have limited impact without additional attention to strengthening other individual, organisational and systems levels capacities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Elena D Jefferds
- IMMPaCt, Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, CDC, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Rafael Flores-Ayala
- IMMPaCt, Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, CDC, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Sodjinou R, Bosu W, Fanou N, Zagre N, Tchibindat F, Baker S, Delisle H. University-level nutrition training in West Africa: cost and financing issues. Glob Health Action 2015; 8:29415. [PMID: 26560690 PMCID: PMC4641888 DOI: 10.3402/gha.v8.29415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2015] [Revised: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 10/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a serious shortage of skilled nutrition professionals in West Africa. Investing in nutrition training is one of the strategies for strengthening the human resource base in nutrition. However, little is known about how nutrition training in the region is financed and the levels of tuition fees charged. The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive assessment about the levels of tuition fees charged for nutrition training in the West Africa region and to determine to what extent this is of reach to the average student. METHODOLOGY The data for this study were obtained from 74 nutrition degree programs operating in nine West African countries in 2013 through semi-structured interviews during on-site visits or through self-administered questionnaires. They included the age of the programs, school ownership, tuition fees, financial assistance, and main sources of funding. Tuition fees (in 2013 US$) were expressed per program to enable uniformity and comparability. Simple descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS Results from 74 nutrition training programs in nine countries showed a wide variation in tuition fees within and between countries. The tuition fees for bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs, respectively, ranged from 372 to 4,325 (mean: 2,353); 162 to 7,678 (mean: 2,232); and 369 to 5,600 (mean: 2,208). The tuition fees were significantly higher (p<0.05) in private institutions than in public institutions (mean: US$3,079 vs. US$2,029 for bachelor's programs; US$5,118 vs. US$1,820 for master's programs; and US$3,076 vs. US$1,815 for doctoral programs). The difference in the tuition fees between Francophone and Anglophone countries was not statistically significant (mean: US$2,570 vs. US$2,216 for bachelor's programs; US$2,417 vs. US$2,147 for master's programs; US$3,285 vs. US$2,055 for doctoral programs). In most countries, the tuition fees appeared to be out of reach of the average student. Recent master's programs appeared to charge higher fees than older ones. We found a significant negative correlation between tuition fees and the age of the program, after controlling for school ownership (r=-0.33, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our findings underscore the urgent need for national governments in the region to establish benchmarks and regulate nutrition training costs. In a region where the average annual gross national income (GNI) per capita is barely 890$, the rising cost of tuition fees is likely to hinder access of students from poor background to nutrition training. Governments should institute financing mechanisms such as scholarships, public-private partnerships, credit facilities, and donor funding to facilitate access to tertiary-level nutrition training in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Sodjinou
- UNICEF Regional Office for West and Central Africa, Dakar, Senegal.,West Africa Health Organization (WAHO), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso; ;
| | - William Bosu
- West Africa Health Organization (WAHO), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Nadia Fanou
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - Noel Zagre
- UNICEF Regional Office for West and Central Africa, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | - Shawn Baker
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Helene Delisle
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Canada
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Abstract
The aim of the present paper is to review capacity building in public health nutrition (PHN), the need for which has been stressed for many years by a range of academics, national and international organisations. Although great strides have been made worldwide in the science of nutrition, there remain many problems of undernutrition and increasingly of obesity and related chronic diseases. The main emphasis in capacity building has been on the nutrition and health workforce, but the causes of these health problems are multifactorial and require collaboration across sectors in their solution. This means that PHN capacity building has to go beyond basic nutrition and beyond the immediate health workforce to policy makers in other sectors. The present paper provides examples of capacity building activities by various organisations, including universities, industry and international agencies. Examples of web-based courses are given including an introduction to the e-Nutrition Academy. The scope is international but with a special focus on Africa. In conclusion, there remains a great need for capacity building in PHN but the advent of the internet has revolutionised the possibilities.
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Sodjinou R, Bosu WK, Fanou N, Déart L, Kupka R, Tchibindat F, Baker S. A systematic assessment of the current capacity to act in nutrition in West Africa: cross-country similarities and differences. Glob Health Action 2014; 7:24763. [PMID: 25034256 PMCID: PMC4102835 DOI: 10.3402/gha.v7.24763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2014] [Revised: 06/22/2014] [Accepted: 06/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although it is widely accepted that lack of capacity is one of the barriers to scaling up nutrition in West Africa, there is a paucity of information about what capacities exist and the capacities that need to be developed to accelerate progress toward improved nutrition outcomes in the region. Objective To systematically assess the current capacity to act in nutrition in the West Africa region and explore cross-country similarities and differences. Design Data were collected from 13 West African countries through interviews with government officials, key development partners, tertiary-level training institutions, and health professional schools. The assessment was based on a conceptual framework of four interdependent levels (tools; skills; staff and infrastructure; and structures, systems and roles). In each of the surveyed countries, we assessed capacity assets and gaps at individual, organizational, and systemic levels. Results Important similarities and differences in capacity assets and gaps emerged across all the surveyed countries. There was strong momentum to improve nutrition in nearly all the surveyed countries. Most of the countries had a set of policies on nutrition in place and had set up multisectoral, multi-stakeholder platforms to coordinate nutrition activities, although much remained to be done to improve the effectiveness of these platforms. Many initiatives aimed to reduce undernutrition were ongoing in the region, but there did not seem to be clear coordination between them. Insufficient financial resources to implement nutrition activities were a major problem in all countries. The bulk of financial allocations for nutrition was provided by development partners, even though some countries, such as Niger, Nigeria, and Senegal, had a national budget line for nutrition. Sporadic stock-outs of nutrition supplies were reported in most of the countries as a result of a weak logistic and supply chain system. They also had a critical shortage of skilled nutrition professionals. There was limited supervision of nutrition activities, especially at lower levels. Nigeria and Ghana emerged as the countries with the greatest capacities to support the expansion of a nutrition workforce, although a significant proportion of their trained nutritionists were not employed in the nutrition sector. None of the countries had in place a unified nutrition information system that could guide decision-making processes across the different sectors. Conclusions There is an urgent need for a shift toward wider reforms for nutrition capacity development in the West Africa region. Addressing these unmet needs is a critical first step toward improved capacity for action in nutrition in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Sodjinou
- UNICEF Regional Office for West and Central Africa, Dakar, Senegal; West Africa Health Organization (WAHO), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso; ;
| | - William K Bosu
- West Africa Health Organization (WAHO), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Nadia Fanou
- UNICEF Regional Office for West and Central Africa, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Lucie Déart
- UNICEF Regional Office for West and Central Africa, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Roland Kupka
- UNICEF Regional Office for West and Central Africa, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | - Shawn Baker
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA, USA
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Sodjinou R, Fanou N, Deart L, Tchibindat F, Baker S, Bosu W, Pepping F, Delisle H. Region-wide assessment of the capacity for human nutrition training in West Africa: current situation, challenges, and way forward. Glob Health Action 2014; 7:23247. [PMID: 24433946 PMCID: PMC3888908 DOI: 10.3402/gha.v7.23247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2013] [Revised: 12/17/2013] [Accepted: 12/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a dearth of information on existing nutrition training programs in West Africa. A preliminary step in the process of developing a comprehensive framework to strengthen human capacity for nutrition is to conduct an inventory of existing training programs. OBJECTIVE This study was conducted to provide baseline data on university-level nutrition training programs that exist in the 16 countries in West Africa. It also aimed to identify existing gaps in nutrition training and propose solutions to address them. DESIGN Participating institutions were identified based on information provided by in-country key informants, UNICEF offices or through internet searches. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews during on-site visits or through self-administered questionnaires. Simple descriptive and bivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS In total, 83 nutrition degree programs comprising 32 B.Sc. programs, 34 M.Sc. programs, and 17 Ph.D. programs were identified in the region. More than half of these programs were in Nigeria. Six countries (Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, The Gambia, and Togo) offered no nutrition degree program. The programs in francophone countries were generally established more recently than those in anglophone countries (age: 3.5 years vs. 21.4 years). Programs were predominantly (78%) run by government-supported institutions. They did not provide a comprehensive coverage of all essential aspects of human nutrition. They were heavily oriented to food science (46%), with little emphasis on public health nutrition (24%) or overnutrition (2%). Annual student intakes per program in 2013 ranged from 3 to 262; 7 to 40; and 3 to 10, respectively, for bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs while the number of graduates produced annually per country ranged from 6 to 271; 3 to 64; and 1 to 18, respectively. External collaboration only existed in 15% of the programs. In-service training programs on nutrition existed in less than half of the countries. The most important needs for improving the quality of existing training programs reported were teaching materials, equipment and infrastructures, funding, libraries and access to advanced technology resources. CONCLUSIONS There are critical gaps in nutrition training in the West Africa region. The results of the present study underscore the urgent need to invest in nutrition training in West Africa. An expanded set of knowledge, skills, and competencies must be integrated into existing nutrition training curricula. Our study provides a basis for the development of a regional strategy to strengthen human capacity for nutrition across the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Sodjinou
- UNICEF Regional Office for West and Central Africa, Dakar, Senegal; West Africa Health Organization (WAHO), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso;
| | - Nadia Fanou
- UNICEF Regional Office for West and Central Africa, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Lucie Deart
- UNICEF Regional Office for West and Central Africa, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | - Shawn Baker
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - William Bosu
- West Africa Health Organization (WAHO), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Fré Pepping
- Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, The Netherlands
| | - Hélène Delisle
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Canada
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'FAN the SUN brighter': fortifying Africa nutritionally (FAN) - the role of public private partnership in scaling up nutrition (SUN) in West Africa. Proc Nutr Soc 2013; 72:381-5. [PMID: 24025656 DOI: 10.1017/s002966511300342x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The scaling up nutrition (SUN) policy framework requires extensive public–private partnership (PPP). Malnutrition is multi-dimensional and should engage multi-sectoral platforms. The SUN policy however did not fully embrace the dynamics of harnessing PPP. The objectives of the present paper are to highlight the reasons for the apprehension around PPP and illustrate how effective coordination of PPP in West Africa has contributed to implementing large-scale food fortification with micronutrients as a complementary nutrition intervention. The experience of Helen Keller International (HKI) in scaling up food fortification was emphasised with understanding of the factors contributing to indifference by the international community to private sector contribution to SUN. The roles of different stakeholders in a PPP are elucidated and the process linked to who, why and how to engage. The private sector provides direct nutrition services while the public sector creates the enabling environment for the private sector to thrive on social values. Through this approach fortified vegetable oil and wheat flour are now reaching over 70% of the population in West Africa. As a neutral broker HKI coordinated and facilitated dialogue among the different stakeholders. The core competencies of each stakeholder were harnessed and each partner was held accountable. It concludes that multi-sectoral relationship must be transparent, equitable and based on shared mutual interests. The rules and values of PPP offer opportunities for SUN.
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Gillespie S, Haddad L, Mannar V, Menon P, Nisbett N. The politics of reducing malnutrition: building commitment and accelerating progress. Lancet 2013; 382:552-69. [PMID: 23746781 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(13)60842-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 217] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
In the past 5 years, political discourse about the challenge of undernutrition has increased substantially at national and international levels and has led to stated commitments from many national governments, international organisations, and donors. The Scaling Up Nutrition movement has both driven, and been driven by, this developing momentum. Harmonisation has increased among stakeholders, with regard to their understanding of the main causes of malnutrition and to the various options for addressing it. The main challenges are to enhance and expand the quality and coverage of nutrition-specific interventions, and to maximise the nutrition sensitivity of more distal interventions, such as agriculture, social protection, and water and sanitation. But a crucial third level of action exists, which relates to the environments and processes that underpin and shape political and policy processes. We focus on this neglected level. We address several fundamental questions: how can enabling environments and processes be cultivated, sustained, and ultimately translated into results on the ground? How has high-level political momentum been generated? What needs to happen to turn this momentum into results? How can we ensure that high-quality, well-resourced interventions for nutrition are available to those who need them, and that agriculture, social protection, and water and sanitation systems and programmes are proactively reoriented to support nutrition goals? We use a six-cell framework to discuss the ways in which three domains (knowledge and evidence, politics and governance, and capacity and resources) are pivotal to create and sustain political momentum, and to translate momentum into results in high-burden countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart Gillespie
- International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC 20006-1002, USA.
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Van Royen K, Lachat C, Holdsworth M, Smit K, Kinabo J, Roberfroid D, Nago E, Garimoi Orach C, Kolsteren P. How can the operating environment for nutrition research be improved in sub-Saharan Africa? The views of African researchers. PLoS One 2013; 8:e66355. [PMID: 23776663 PMCID: PMC3680459 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2012] [Accepted: 05/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Optimal nutrition is critical for human development and economic growth. Sub-Saharan Africa is facing high levels of food insecurity and only few sub-Saharan African countries are on track to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger by 2015. Effective research capacity is crucial for addressing emerging challenges and designing appropriate mitigation strategies in sub-Saharan Africa. A clear understanding of the operating environment for nutrition research in sub-Saharan Africa is a much needed prerequisite. We collected data on the barriers and requirements for conducting nutrition research in sub-Saharan Africa through semi-structured interviews with 144 participants involved in nutrition research in 35 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. A total of 133 interviews were retained for coding. The main barriers identified for effective nutrition research were the lack of funding due to poor recognition by policymakers of the importance of nutrition research and under-utilisation of research findings for developing policy, as well as an absence of research priority setting from within Africa. Current research topics were perceived to be mainly determined by funding bodies from outside Africa. Nutrition researchers argued for more commitment from policymakers at national level. The low capacity for nutrition research was mainly seen as a consequence of insufficient numbers of nutrition researchers, limited skills and a poor research infrastructure. In conclusion, African nutrition researchers argued how research priorities need to be identified by African stakeholders, accompanied by consensus building to enable creating a problem-driven national research agenda. In addition, it was considered necessary to promote interactions among researchers, and between researchers and policymakers. Multidisciplinary research and international and cross-African collaboration were seen as crucial to build capacity in sub-Saharan nutrition research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen Van Royen
- Department of Food Safety and Food Quality, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Unit of Nutrition and Child Health, Institute for Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Carl Lachat
- Department of Food Safety and Food Quality, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Unit of Nutrition and Child Health, Institute for Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Michelle Holdsworth
- ScHARR- Section of Public Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Karlien Smit
- Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Joyce Kinabo
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Sokoine University, Morogoro, Tanzania
| | - Dominique Roberfroid
- Unit of Nutrition and Child Health, Institute for Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Eunice Nago
- Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | | | - Patrick Kolsteren
- Department of Food Safety and Food Quality, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Unit of Nutrition and Child Health, Institute for Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- * E-mail:
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Ali J, Hyder AA, Kass NE. Research ethics capacity development in Africa: exploring a model for individual success. Dev World Bioeth 2012; 12:55-62. [PMID: 22708713 PMCID: PMC3393778 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-8847.2012.00331.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The Johns Hopkins-Fogarty African Bioethics Training Program (FABTP) has offered a fully-funded, one-year, non-degree training opportunity in research ethics to health professionals, ethics committee members, scholars, journalists and scientists from countries across sub-Saharan Africa. In the first 9 years of operation, 28 trainees from 13 African countries have trained with FABTP. Any capacity building investment requires periodic critical evaluation of the impact that training dollars produce. In this paper we describe and evaluate FABTP and the efforts of its trainees. Our data show that since 2001, the 28 former FABTP trainees have authored or co-authored 105 new bioethics-related publications; were awarded 33 bioethics-related grants; played key roles on 78 bioethics-related research studies; and participated in 198 bioethics workshops or conferences. Over the past nine years, trainees have collectively taught 48 separate courses related to bioethics and have given 170 presentations on various topics in the field. Many former trainees have pursued and completed doctoral degrees in bioethics; some have become editorial board members for bioethics journals. Female trainees were, on average, less experienced at matriculation and produced fewer post-training outputs than their male counterparts. More comprehensive studies are needed to determine the relationships between age, sex, previous experience and training program outputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Ali
- Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics
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Wuehler SE, Hess SY, Brown KH. Situational analysis of infant and young child nutrition activities in the Sahel--executive summary. MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION 2011; 7 Suppl 1:1-5. [PMID: 21410887 DOI: 10.1111/j.1740-8709.2011.00316.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sara E Wuehler
- Helen Keller International, Africa Regional Office, Dakar-Yoff, Senegal.
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Baker S, Breyne C, Brown KH, Coulibaly‐Zerbo F, David P, Diop M, Eijkenaar J, Fabre C, Luis Fernandez J, Hess SY, Hoorelbeke P, Horner A, Johnston R, Kupka R, Mulder‐Sibanda M, Ndiaye B, Seidou B, Tchibindat F, Teixeira S, Wuehler SE. The way forward: repositioning children's right to adequate nutrition in the Sahel. MATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION 2011; 7 Suppl 1:182-185. [PMID: 21410895 PMCID: PMC6860674 DOI: 10.1111/j.1740-8709.2011.00315.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Shawn Baker
- West Africa Regional Nutrition Working Group (current participants, in alphabetical order by surname) Helen Keller International, West Africa Region Office, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | - Kenneth H. Brown
- West Africa Regional Nutrition Working Group (current participants, in alphabetical order by surname) Helen Keller International, West Africa Region Office, Dakar, Senegal
- Program in International and Community Nutrition, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | | | - Patrick David
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, West Africa Region Office, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Medoune Diop
- Counterpart International, Dakar, Senegal, West Africa
| | - Jan Eijkenaar
- European Commission for Humanitarian Aid, West Africa Regional Office, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Cyprien Fabre
- European Commission for Humanitarian Aid, West Africa Regional Office, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Jose Luis Fernandez
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, West Africa Region Office, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Sonja Y. Hess
- Program in International and Community Nutrition, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | | | - Anna Horner
- United Nations World Food Programme, West Africa Regional Office, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Robert Johnston
- United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), West and Central Africa Regional Office, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Roland Kupka
- United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), West and Central Africa Regional Office, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | - Banda Ndiaye
- Micronutrient Initiative, West Africa Region Office, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | - Felicite Tchibindat
- United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), West and Central Africa Regional Office, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Sergio Teixeira
- REACH – Ending Child Hunger and Undernutrition Initiative, West Africa Region, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Sara E. Wuehler
- West Africa Regional Nutrition Working Group (current participants, in alphabetical order by surname) Helen Keller International, West Africa Region Office, Dakar, Senegal
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Rodríguez L, Cervantes E, Ortiz R. Malnutrition and gastrointestinal and respiratory infections in children: a public health problem. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2011; 8:1174-205. [PMID: 21695035 PMCID: PMC3118884 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph8041174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 184] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2011] [Revised: 04/07/2011] [Accepted: 04/11/2011] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Infectious disease is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries, particularly in children. Increasing evidence suggests that protein-calorie malnutrition is the underlying reason for the increased susceptibility to infections observed in these areas. Moreover, certain infectious diseases also cause malnutrition, which can result in a vicious cycle. Malnutrition and bacterial gastrointestinal and respiratory infections represent a serious public health problem. The increased incidence and severity of infections in malnourished children is largely due to the deterioration of immune function; limited production and/or diminished functional capacity of all cellular components of the immune system have been reported in malnutrition. In this review, we analyze the cyclical relationship between malnutrition, immune response dysfunction, increased susceptibility to infectious disease, and metabolic responses that further alter nutritional status. The consequences of malnutrition are diverse and included: increased susceptibility to infection, impaired child development, increased mortality rate and individuals who come to function in suboptimal ways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonor Rodríguez
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, Avenida San Rafael Atlixco 186, CP 09340, México, DF, México.
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