An international model for staffing maternal and child health research: the use of undergraduate students.
نویسندگان
چکیده
Constrained resources in Central and Eastern Europe limit the capacity of local and national health ministries to study breastfeeding practices or implement evidence-based breastfeeding support programs. This paper describes an innovative model for studying an important maternal and child health (MCH) problem by training undergraduate students to strengthen local capacity for research. An international team of researchers from Romania and the United States designed a study conducted at Babeş-Bolyai University and two academic maternity hospitals in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. The objectives were to (1) spark interest in breastfeeding research among undergraduates, (2) develop empirical knowledge about breastfeeding, and (3) train a team of undergraduate students to collect, manage, and enter study data. A team of carefully selected undergraduate students was trained in survey design, data collection, data entry, and interviewing skills. Internet technology was used to facilitate communication and to transfer data. The project resulted in a trained cadre of undergraduate students able to conduct survey research on breastfeeding practices with skills ranging from questionnaire design and implementation to descriptive data analysis. Empirical data obtained from the study will be used for student projects, to stimulate new breastfeeding support policies and programs, and to apply for research grants. Undergraduate students in developing countries in Central and Eastern Europe are a valuable, untapped resource for expanding MCH capacity. We recommend adoption of this cost-effective approach to foster high-quality MCH research.
منابع مشابه
An Assessment of National Maternal and Child Health Policy-Makers’ Knowledge and Capacity for Evidence-Informed Policy-Making in Nigeria
Background There is increasing interest globally in the use of more rigorous processes to ensure that maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) care recommendations are informed by the best available research evidence use. The purpose of this study was to engage Nigerian MNCH policy-makers and other stakeholders to consider issues around research to policy and practice interface and to assess ...
متن کاملHas the Public Health System Provided Adequate Financial Risk Protection for Child Birth Conditions – Evidences From an Eastern Indian State
Over the years, national and sub-national governments have introduced several initiatives to improve access to maternal and child health services in India. However, financial barriers have posed major constraints. Based upon the data of National Family Health Survey (NFHS) round 4 for Odisha state, our paper examines the out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) borne by households for accessing materna...
متن کاملAssessing the Quality of Educational Services from the Viewpoint of Medical Students of Islamic Azad University of Qom based on SERVQUAL Model 2013
Background & Aims of the Study: Birth weight is one of the most fundamental and common health indicators used to assess the infants' status in each country. Maternal blood and its various cell types and parameters are of vital factors have impression on the fetus. Several risk factors are considered as the causes of low birth weight; however, in many cases it has no obvious reason. Thi...
متن کاملStudy of Maternal Knowledge and Attitude toward Exclusive Breast Milk Feeding (BMF) in the First 6 Months of Infant in Yazd-Iran
Introduction: Breast milk is a complete food for growing children until 6 months of age, and mothers, as the most important child health care, play a decisive role in their growth. So promoting their attitude toward the benefits of breastfeeding ensures guarantee child health in the future. This study aimed to assess maternal knowledge and attitude of Mashhad toward exclusive Breast Milk Feedi...
متن کاملRelation between Social Determinants of Maternal Health and Child Development: A Path Analysis
Background: Since several factors, rather than a single cause, contribute to developmental delay in children, identification of the condition's risk factors and their pathway of effects are critical to the design and implementation of appropriate intervention .This study aimed to determine the relation between social determinants of maternal health and child development in Iranian mothers and t...
متن کاملذخیره در منابع من
با ذخیره ی این منبع در منابع من، دسترسی به آن را برای استفاده های بعدی آسان تر کنید
برای دانلود متن کامل این مقاله و بیش از 32 میلیون مقاله دیگر ابتدا ثبت نام کنید
ثبت ناماگر عضو سایت هستید لطفا وارد حساب کاربری خود شوید
ورودعنوان ژورنال:
- Breastfeeding medicine : the official journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine
دوره 2 3 شماره
صفحات -
تاریخ انتشار 2007