1,866 research outputs found
Towards a Scalable Digital Skills Training Architecture for Resource-Constrained Environments: The Case of Ayitic Goes Global in Haiti
In developing countries such as Haiti, which are marked by high unemployment and gender inequality, online education has the potential to change lives. Returns on education are particularly high in Information Communications Technology (ICT)-intensive jobs and IT outsourcing offers opportunities for remote employment, providing alternatives for economic diversification and job creation that are particularly relevant for youth and women. However, the problem faced by many developing countries, is that traditional models, frameworks, architectures and platforms for online learning do not lend themselves well to their context and, therefore, it is important to develop context specific platforms. This need for suitable platforms has motivated the research question that this paper seeks to address, that is, âWhat is the appropriate architecture that supports learning strategies for delivering scalable digital skills training in a resource-constrained environment?â We propose an architecture that was developed specifically for blended learning in resource-constrained environments and describe how a prototype for this was designed, built, and deployed in Haiti. The initial findings from the application of the architecture have been extremely positive and are reflected not only in the testimonials of the participants but also by the interest of other countries of the region to adopting the proposed architecture
J Registry Manag
ObjectivesValid deduplication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) case reports is critical to the utility of these data to inform HIV programs. The Haitian Ministry of Health (MSPP) and partners operate a case-based, national HIV/AIDS surveillance system (HASS), using deterministic and probabilistic procedures to identify duplicate records. These procedures are described and validated based on expert classifications.MethodsTwo samples of HASS records identified as duplicates were selected: 100 pairs from deterministic and 100 pairs from probabilistic matching procedures (total: 200 pairs, 400 case reports). Clinical data from the national electronic medical record (iSant\ue9) were reviewed and consensus gold-standard determinations on the status of duplications were made. False positive rates (FPR) were estimated by reviewing these records, while false negative rates were calculated (FNR) by using LinkPlus\u2122 probabilistic linkage software. The effect of deduplication on total HIV case counts was demonstrated.ResultsReview of deterministic matches yielded 99 true positives and 1 false positive (FPR, 1 per 100; 95% CI, 0.71\u20135.4). Review of probabilistic matches yielded a FPR of 6 per 100 (95% CI, 2.7\u201312.4). LinkPlus identified 1,491 probable matches among 68,393 records, representing a FNR of 2 per 100 (95% CI, 0.55\u20137.0). After adjustment, the estimated unique count of reported HIV patients in HASS was 211,885 (95% CI, 207,293\u2013213,232) as of December 2013.ConclusionsBased on application of the established procedures, HASS conforms to the duplication performance standard recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for HIV surveillance.20162017-04-01T00:00:00ZCC999999/Intramural CDC HHS/United States27195993PMC522299
Implementing electronic medical record systems in developing countries
The developing world faces a series of health crises including HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis that threaten the lives of millions of people. Lack of infrastructure and trained, experienced staff are considered important barriers to scaling up treatment for these diseases. In this paper we explain why information systems are important in many healthcare projects in the developing world. We discuss pilot projects demonstrating that such systems are possible and can expand to manage hundreds of thousands of patients. We also pass on the most important practical lessons in design and implementation from our experience in doing this work. Finally, we discuss the importance of collaboration between projects in the development of electronic medical record systems rather than reinventing systems in isolation, and the use of open standards and open source software
Assessing safety net readiness in response to food price volatility
In 2008, when food prices rose precipitously to record highs, international attention and local policy in many countries focused on safety nets as part of the response. Now that food prices are high again, the issue of appropriate responses is again on the policy agenda. This note sets out a framework for making quick, qualitative assessments of how well countries'safety nets prepare them for a rapid policy response to rising food prices should the situation warrant. The framework is applied using data from spring 2011, presenting a snap?shot analysis of what is a dynamically changing situation. Based on this data safety net readiness is assessed in 13 vulnerable countries based on the following criteria: the presence of safety net programs, program coverage, administrative capacity, and to a lesser degree, targeting effectiveness. It is argued that these criteria will remain the same throughout time, even if the sample countries affected will be expected to vary. Based on thisanalysis the note highlights that though a number of countries are more prepared than they were in 2008, there is still a significant medium term agenda on safety net preparedness in the face of crisis. In this context, strategic lessons from the 2008 food crisis response are presented to better understand the response options and challenges facing governments and policy makers. The note concludes by calling for continued investment and scale up of safety nets to mitigate poverty impacts and help prevent long term setbacks in nutrition and poverty.Food&Beverage Industry,Safety Nets and Transfers,Emerging Markets,Rural Poverty Reduction,Regional Economic Development
PLoS One
ObjectivesIn October 2012, the Haitian Ministry of Health endorsed the \ue2\u20ac\u153Option B+\ue2\u20ac? strategy to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and achieve HIV epidemic control. The objective of this paper is to assess and identify risk factors for attrition from the national ART program among Option B+ patients in the 12 months after ART initiation.DesignThis retrospective cohort study included patients newly initiating ART from October 2012-August 2013 at 68 ART sites covering 45% of all newly enrolled ART patients in all regions of Haiti.MethodsWith data from electronic medical records, we carried out descriptive analysis of sociodemographic, clinical, and pregnancy-related correlates of ART attrition, and used a modified Poisson regression approach to estimate relative risks in a multivariable model.ResultsThere were 2,166 Option B+ patients who initiated ART, of whom 1,023 were not retained by 12 months (47.2%). One quarter (25.3%) dropped out within 3 months of ART initiation. Protective factors included older age, more advanced HIV disease progression, and any adherence counseling prior to ART initiation, while risk factors included starting ART late in gestation, starting ART within 7 days of HIV testing, and using an atypical ART regimen.DiscussionOur study demonstrates early ART attrition among Option B+ patients and contributes evidence on the characteristics of women who are most at risk of attrition in Haiti. Our findings highlight the importance of targeted strategies to support retention among Option B+ patients.28264045PMC533879
The global information technology report 2014
Executive summary
When The Global Information Technology Report (GITR) and the Networked Readiness Index (NRI) were created more than 13 years ago, the attention of decision makers was focused on how to develop strategies that would allow them to benefit from what Time Magazine had described as âthe new economyâ: a new way of organizing and managing economic activity based on the new opportunities that the Internet provided for businesses.
At present, the world is slowly emerging from one of the worst financial and economic crises in decades, and policymakers, business leaders, and civil society are looking into new opportunities that can consolidate growth, generate new employment, and create business opportunities.
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) continue to rank high on the list as one of the key sources of new opportunities to foster innovation and boost economic and social prosperity, for both advanced and emerging economies.
For more than 13 years, the NRI has provided decision makers with a useful conceptual framework to evaluate the impact of ICTs at a global level and to benchmark the ICT readiness and usage of their economies
Information and Communication Technologies in Areas of Limited Statehood
This paper analyzes the effects of information and communication technology
(ICT) on governance where the stateâs ability to authoritatively implement and
enforce political decisions is weak or functionally absent â areas of limited
statehood (AoLS). How do ICTs influence the provision of collective goods in
AoLS, especially in policy fields such as security, welfare and the
environment? In addressing this question we focus on the emergence of ICT-
enabled forms of steering. Virtual organizations such as Ushahidi and
FrontlineSMS enable the coordination of collective goods without the same
level of hierarchical structure historically associated with traditional forms
of governance. The focus lies on quasi-organizational forms that rely on mass
collaborative action across electronic networks. The consideration of these
questions is supported by fieldwork in Africa in 2011, and on previous
research in Afghanistan and various African countries in 2010. The paper
concludes with some tentative hypotheses on the interconnection between ICT,
statehood and governance.Dieses Arbeitspapier analysiert die Effekte von Informations- und
Kommunikationstechnologien (ICT) in RĂ€umen begrenzter Staatlichkeit (RbS) mit
Bezug auf Governance. Es geht dabei v.a. der Frage nach, wie ICTs die
Bereitstellung kollektiver GĂŒter insbesondere in den Politikfeldern
Sicherheit, Wohlfahrt und Umwelt beeinflussen. Bei der Beantwortung dieser
Frage konzentrieren wir uns auf die Entstehung neuer Steuerungsformen, die auf
ICTs basieren. Virtuelle Organisationen wie Ushahidi oder FrontlineSMS
beispielsweise ermöglichen die Erbringung kollektiver GĂŒter auch ohne
staatlich-hierarchische Strukturen, die in einem traditionellen VerstÀndnis
hÀufig als Voraussetzung von Governance betrachtet werden. Unser Fokus liegt
somit auf Governance-Formen die auf kollektivem Handeln ĂŒber elektronische
Netzwerke basieren. Die Diskussion dieser Fragen wird durch die Ergebnisse von
Forschungsaufenthalten illustriert, die in den Jahren 2010 und 2011 in
Afghanistan und verschiedenen afrikanischen Staaten stattgefunden haben. Das
Paper endet mit einigen vorlÀufigen Hypothesen zu der Verbindung von ICTs,
Staatlichkeit und Governance
Game Changer: Investing in Digital Play to Advance Children's Learning and Health
Based on a literature review and interviews with digital learning experts, explores how digital games can foster skills and knowledge for better academic performance and health. Makes recommendations for government research, partnerships, and media
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