Growth of an idea to teach art through dramatics,

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston University, 1947. This item was digitized by the Internet Archive

A Network and Repository for Online Laboratory based on Ontology

Our propose is to build a network of virtual laboratories and also use it as a global repository of online laboratory’s and experiences. This set of virtual and online laboratories can be “stored” in an “virtual closet”, and also the system will allow us to build new experiences and online laboratories, and store them is this “virtual closet”. With the drawing of this new standard we pretend define methods for storing and retrieving learning objects for remote laboratories. The objective of this standard is also define methods for linking learning objects to design and implement smart learning environments for remote online laboratories. The objects defined by this standard are, for example, interfaces for devices connected to user computers over computers networks and the devices themselves. They are also learning scenarios or collaboration tools for communications necessary to conduct an activity of practical online laboratory work, they will allow to design and implement mechanisms that make smart learning environment formed by the ad hoc aggregation of learning objects taking always into account the pedagogical context for their use. This will allow to easy design and implement the pedagogically driven remote laboratory environment and experiments as also is learning environments. The experiences and laboratories are build using the parts and separate components that we have in a separate “virtual closet” with parts, components, and already build experiences. To build this complex network we need to find a system that supports effectively this structure. This probably will be a enormous database of v-labs and independent elements, where will be possible sometimes to “recycle” some of the elements. For this structure we propose an Ontology because it allows to “re-use” the same element several times in many experiences, and provide a very detailed description of each kind of element through is classes and sub-classes.Com o apoio RAADRI

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV-infected children receiving care at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC), Northern Tanzania: A cross- sectional analytical study

Introduction: Paediatric adherence to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) is a dynamic  process involving many factors. Adherence for the majority on therapy matters to prevent failure of 1st and 2st line therapy. The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of adherence to antiretroviral therapy in HIV infected children. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional hospital based analytical study, from October 2011 to April 2012. HIV-infected children aged 2 to 17 years who had been on treatment for at least six months were  enrolled. Data were collected by a standard questionnaire. Two-day self-report, one month self-recall  report, and pill count were used to assess adherence. Results: One hundred and eighty three respondents participated in this research. There were 92 (51%)  males and 91 (49%) females. Only 45 (24.6%) had good adherence to their drug regimen when subjected to all three methods of assessment. Males were more adherent to ART than females (OR= 2.26, CI  1.05-4.87, p=0.04). Adherence was worse among children who developed ART side effects (OR= 0.19, CI 0.07- 0.56;p=0.01), could not attend clinic on regular basis (OR= 3.4, CI 1.60- 7.36, p=0.01) and missed drug doses in the six months period prior to interview (OR= 0.40, CI 0.18- 0.82, p= 0.01). Conclusion: Only 24.6% of paediatric patients had good adherence to ART when subjected to all three  measures.Drug sideeffects, missing drug doses in the six months period prior to study start, monthly income and affording transportation to the clinicwere strong predictors of adherence.Key words: HAART, Adherence, Tanzania, HIV, childre

A Qualitative Exploration of the Mental Health and Psychosocial Contexts of HIV-Positive Adolescents in Tanzania

Although 85% of HIV-positive adolescents reside in sub-Saharan Africa, little is known about the psychosocial and mental health factors affecting their daily well-being. Identifying these contextual variables is key to development of culturally appropriate and effective interventions for this understudied and high-risk population. The purpose of this study was to identify salient psychosocial and mental health challenges confronted by HIV-positive youth in a resource-poor Tanzanian setting. A total of 24 qualitative interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of adolescents aged 12–24 receiving outpatient HIV care at a medical center in Moshi, Tanzania. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded using thematic analysis. Psychosocial challenges identified included loss of one or more parents, chronic domestic abuse, financial stressors restricting access to medical care and education, and high levels of internalized and community stigma among peers and other social contacts. Over half of youth (56%) reported difficulties coming to terms with their HIV diagnosis and espoused related feelings of self-blame. These findings highlight the urgent need to develop culturally proficient programs aimed at helping adolescents cope with these manifold challenges. Results from this study guided the development of Sauti ya Vijana (The Voice of Youth), a 10-session group mental health intervention designed to address the psychosocial and mental health needs of HIV-positive Tanzanian youth

Adolescent mental health research in Tanzania: a study protocol for a priority setting exercise and the development of an interinstitutional capacity strengthening programme

INTRODUCTION: Poor adolescent mental health is a barrier to achieving several sustainable development goals in Tanzania, where adolescent mental health infrastructure is weak. This is compounded by a lack of community and policy maker awareness or understanding of its burden, causes and solutions. Research addressing these knowledge gaps is urgently needed. However, capacity for adolescent mental health research in Tanzania remains limited. The existence of a National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), with a nationwide mandate for research conduct and oversight, presents an opportunity to catalyse activity in this neglected area. Rigorous research priority setting, which includes key stakeholders, can promote efficient use of limited resources and improve both quality and uptake of research by ensuring that it meets the needs of target populations and policy makers. We present a protocol for such a research priority setting study and how it informs the design of an interinstitutional adolescent mental health research capacity strengthening strategy in Tanzania. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: From May 2021, this 6 month mixed-methods study will adapt and merge the James Lind Alliance approach and validated capacity strengthening methodologies to identify priorities for research and research capacity strengthening in adolescent mental health in Tanzania. Specifically, it will use online questionnaires, face-to-face interviews, focus groups, scoping reviews and a consensus meeting to consult expert and adolescent stakeholders. Key evidence-informed priorities will be collaboratively ranked and documented and an integrated strategy to address capacity gaps will be designed to align with the nationwide infrastructure and overall strategy of NIMR. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: National and institutional review board approvals were sought and granted from the National Health Research Ethics Committee of the NIMR Medical Research Coordinating Committee (Tanzania) and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (United Kingdom). Results will be disseminated through a national workshop involving all stakeholders, through ongoing collaborations and published commentaries, reviews, policy briefs, webinars and social media

Using the Implementation Research Logic Model as a Lens to View Experiences of Implementing HIV Prevention and Care Interventions with Adolescent Sexual Minority Men-A Global Perspective.

Adolescents and sexual minority men (SMM) are high priority groups in the United Nations' 2021 - 2016 goals for HIV prevention and viral load suppression. Interventions aimed at optimizing HIV prevention, testing and viral load suppression for adolescents must also attend to the intersectional realities influencing key sub-populations of SMM. Consequently, there is not a robust evidence-base to guide researchers and program partners on optimal approaches to implementing interventions with adolescent SMM. Using a multiple case study design, we integrated the Implementation Research Logic Model with components of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and applied it as a framework for a comparative description of ten HIV related interventions implemented across five countries (Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania and United States). Using self-reported qualitative survey data of project principal investigators, we identified 17 of the most influential implementation determinants as well as a range of 17 strategies that were used in 90 instances to support intervention implementation. We highlight lessons learned in the implementation research process and provide recommendations for researchers considering future HIV implementation science studies with adolescent SMM

Effect of cytomegalovirus infection on breastfeeding transmission of HIV and on the health of infants born to HIV-infected mothers

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection can be acquired in utero or postnatally through horizontal transmission and breastfeeding. The effect of postnatal CMV infection on postnatal HIV transmission is unknown

Plasma Micronutrient Concentrations Are Altered by Antiretroviral Therapy and Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements in Lactating HIV-Infected Malawian Women

Background: Little is known about the influence of antiretroviral therapy with or without micronutrient supplementation on the micronutrient concentrations of HIV-infected lactating women in resource-constrained settings

Adherence to extended postpartum antiretrovirals is associated with decreased breast milk HIV-1 transmission

Estimate association between postpartum antiretroviral adherence and breastmilk HIV-1 transmissio

Performance of PMTCT Among HIV Exposed Infants in Tanzania

<p>Background: In Tanzania, 70% of the estimated 84,000 HIV-infected pregnant women who deliver annually receive some intervention to prevent mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. Few data exist concerning the effectiveness of various treatment approaches in a field setting across a large geographic area. Dried blood spot (DBS) HIV DNA PCR testing of HIV-exposed infants was first rolled out in Tanzania in 2008. Using data gathered for DBS testing, we evaluated the prevalence of perinatal HIV transmission based on PMTCT regimen across three regions of Tanzania.</p><p>Methods: This was a retrospective review of all mother/infant pairs enrolled in the National PMTCT program in the Kilimanjaro, Arusha, and Tanga Regions of Tanzania from January 1, 2008 to September 30, 2010. Enrollment registries at health facilities that submit DBS PCR were reviewed to document infant date of birth, weight, feeding practice, maternal and infant PMTCT regimen, and date and result of first DBS PCR. The present analysis included mother/infant pairs for whom DBS PCR was performed at infant age < 75 days. Maternal ARV regimens included: 1) none; 2) single-dose nevirapine (sdNVP); 3) sdNVP + zidovudine (combination prophylaxis); or 4) highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).</p><p>Results: In this field setting PMTCT is working better than hypothesized based on clinical trial results. Overall seroprevalence was 6.4% HIV transmission in the first 75 days of life. Women on HAART had the lowest transmission (2.1%), followed by those receiving combination prophylaxis (3.9%), sdNVP (8.9%), and no treatment having the highest rates (15.8%).</p><p>Conclusion: PMTCT regimens in resource-limited settings are effective and transmission rates are less than demonstrated by clinical trials data. Use of DBS for diagnosis of HIV provides an opportunity to evaluate use and effectiveness of PMTCT regimens.</p>Thesi