The Tropical Institute of Communiity Health and Devlopment in Africa

RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
This department generates information through scientific research by putting it into a meaningful form for publication. The department aims at becoming a centre of excellence in knowledge generation and management through action research.

Strategic objectives

1. To establish an information, documentation and knowledge management system of the Institute to act as an effective focal point for learning, exchange and innovation in community health and development based on evidence.

2. Undertake Action Research to test models and inform policy development, program planning processes. By 2013, at least 10 models will have been developed, tested and published. The institute will be engaged in at least two institutional research activities every year.

Specific objectives:

· Establish a centre for action and policy research to support evidence-based advocacy in health and development

· Develope and use an institutional protocol for designing and conducting problem based action and policy research

· Conduct regular institutional research projects

· Identify, test and disseminate appropriate models for sustainable health and development

· Promote inter-institutional research project

· Establish state-of-the-art electronic hardware, software and system to ensure efficient knowledge management

· Establish an effective information system to monitor and document progress and effectiveness

Program Activities
1. Carrying out a rapid assessment of the institutional situation on the following with the particular task being to find out:
    - The status of electronic data management
    - Availability and accessibility of the above-mentioned documents in terms of original and preliminary reports/documents

2. Teaching
   - Cluster three (Measurements)
   - Cluster six (Research Methods)
   - Advanced research

3. PhD Research projects facilitation

4. In-depth Analysis: Continuous work based on existing data

5. Technical support in design of protocol, data collection and data processing to various.departments of the institute like partnership (Baseline/CBHIS), health sciences, etc.

6. Academic publications

7. Frameworks and Models:

Developing frameworks/models for studies on health and development and in particular on studies on ill-health and poverty. Testing of these models is also an essential component.

8. Setting research agenda
From the existing data, the following areas of research have been identified:
- HIV and AIDS (KAP, PLWHAs, Caregivers (informal and formal), HBC, Orphan care, socio-cultural factors (ethnicity, FBO)
- Malaria (Non-chemo-prophylactic methods)
- Child survival (determinants, malnutrition, immunization)
- Child disability
- Child prostitution
- Quality of care (quality assurance, safe motherhood, general hospital care)
- Safe motherhood (adolescent sexuality, place of delivery, PMTCT)
- Environmental health (determinants, water, sanitation)
- Health management information system