Advanced Training in Community Based Research; training in Bio-informatics, Drug Resistance and Pathogenesis

Biomedical Research & Training Institute, Harare

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Training in Climate Change and Health Zimbabwe is a country that is climate-sensitive and studies show that the country has low climate change adaptive capacity. The current climate patterns are expected to cause average temperatures to rise by about 3°C and annual rainfall to decline by between 5 % and 18% in Zimbabwe. Increases in temperature and extremes in precipitation have greatly affected the health sector; malnutrition, diarrheal diseases, and malaria and other vector-borne diseases of unprecedented magnitudes have been experienced in the past decade. This requires action from the policy front and investments in multisector response strategies that work. Building multisector capacity will initiate adaptive response that link with health system responses will address Zimbabwe’s National and NIH/Fogarty goals. The supplement will be implemented under the parent grant TW011326; Advanced Training in Community Based Research; training in Bioinformatics, Drug Resistance and Pathogenesis. We propose a three pronged approach: To develop sustainable management of climate change and health skills: We will provide a one health approach lens to building the capacity of health professionals for climate change and health and to support the cascading of the learning and skills for sustainable management of climate change and its impacts. We propose to conduct a baseline study that will inform development of evidence based curriculum for train the trainer workshops. To promote integration of climate change and health into curricula at tertiary education level: We will provide a platform for the integration of climate and health into curricula of relevant programs in colleges, universities, and hospital-based teaching programs. We propose to use the evidence gathered at baseline to develop climate change and health curricula that will be To develop future research leadership: This can be achieved by supporting capacity building of a postdoctoral fellow to conduct Climate change and health of people living with HIV research in a mentored environment thus developing research management and grant writing skills to sustain their careers and further climate change and health research. The fellow will receive training that matches the parent grant postdoctoral training and support of a modest salary and research supplies funds. This 3 pronged approach where educational and training programs are strengthened, health systems will become more resilient as this is one of the proactive strategies to respond to climate change related global health emergencies such as high carbon emissions, pandemics, biodiversity losses, air pollution and other disasters caused by shifts in climate. The training will strengthen scientific methods to address the Public health effect of climate change on people living with HIV. The evaluation strategies will include formative and summative evidence of activity and output. Outcome assessment will encompass through evaluations of trainers, students, fellow and their achievements, presentations and publications, and their impact on curricula, policy and stakeholders.