An International Research Consortium to Maximise Benefits & Equity of HIV Treatment & Care Systems

Key Messages from five years of research in Africa and Asia
Evidence for Action have realeased a report summarising key messages from five years of research on HIV treatment and care systems (pdf, 2MB). The report draws together some of the main findings from the research programme, which has included over 70 projects. The report covers:
  • What 'package' of HIV treatment and care services should be provided in different settings? This includes the needs of specific subgroups of the population; mental health; and monitoring and evaluation.
  • How should HIV treatment and care services be delivered? This includes ways of decentralising HIV treatment and care; and groups involved in providing care.
  • How should HIV treatment and care be integrated into existing health and social systems? This includes integration of HIV services into the wider health system; and HIV and TB integration.
  • How best can new evidence from research be rapidly translated into new policies and actions? This includes research on how evidence about cotrimoxazole has influenced policy in three African countries, and the sources of information policymakers in Africa and Asia use.
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Introduction to Qualitative Research Methodology Training Manual

A new manual to support self-training and teaching of qualitative research methods has been launched by the Evidence for Action research consortium. The manual is aimed primarily at non- social scientists working in low- and middle-income settings. It provides an accessible, interesting, and clear guide to using qualitative research methods in applied health settings.
The manual is organised around three main goals:

  • To introduce qualitative thinking in research;
  • To assist in planning, choosing, and using qualitative research methods in health-related studies and;
  • To enable the management of qualitative data with a view to preliminary analysis.

The manual was developed by Karina Kielmann, Fabian Cataldo and Janet Seeley. All three authors have been working in health and development for many years, and draw extensively on their own experience of teaching and using qualitative research methods. Short, informative texts that introduce key concepts are combined with examples, visual illustrations, and exercises to enhance learning. The manual provides feedback on the exercises as well as a list of further resources. The manual may be used as an introductory or refresher self-learning guide, or in support of short-term training in qualitative research methods for applied health research.

Download full Introduction to Qualitative Research Methodology training manual (pdf, 1,778kb) or by chapter:
 
Evidence for Action Final Report

Evidence for Action has now been going for five years, thanks for funding from the Department for International Development. In this time we have carried out research on 76 research projects in Africa and Asia. We have produced more than 300 publications on major questions relating to HIV treatment and care systems. Our work has contributed to improving policies and practices at local, national and international levels. Funding for the programme finishes on 30th June. The Final Report (pdf, 1,183kb)  of the programme gives details of the work we have been doing, and what impact this has had so far. This report is quite lengthy and detailed, so if you want more concise information on our main findings, the Key Messages Report (pdf, 2MB) may be a better place to start.

The partners will continue working on outputs and publications from the programme, which will be added to the website as they become available, but the News section of the website will not be updated regularly.