Monitoring and evaluation of sport-based HIV/AIDS awareness programmes: strengthening outcome indicators

There are number of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in South Africa that use sport as a tool to respond to Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS), however, little is reported about the outcomes and impact of these programmes. The aim of this study is to contribute to a generic monitoring and evaluation framework by improving the options for the use of outcome indicators of sport-based HIV/AIDS awareness programmes of selected NGOs in South Africa. A qualitative method study was carried out with seven employees of five selected NGOs that integrate sport to deliver HIV/AIDS programmes in South Africa. The study further involved six specialists/experts involved in the field of HIV/ AIDS and an official from Sport Recreation South Africa (SRSA). Multiple data collection instruments including desktop review, narrative systematic review, document analysis, one-on-one interviews and focus group interview were used to collect information on outcomes and indicators for sport-based HIV/AIDS awareness programmes. The information was classified according to the determinants of HIV/AIDS. The overall findings revealed that the sport-based HIV/AIDS awareness programmes of five selected NGOs examined in this study focus on similar HIV prevention messages within the key priorities highlighted in the current National Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS, STIs and TB of South Africa. However, monitoring and evaluating outcomes of sport-based HIV/AIDS programmes of the selected NGOs remains a challenge. A need exists for the improvement of the outcome statements and indicators for their sport-based HIV/AIDS awareness programmes. This study proposed a total of 51 generic outcome indicators focusing on measuring change in the knowledge of HIV/AIDS and change in attitude and intention towards HIV risk behaviours. In addition, this study further proposed a total of eight generic outcome indicators to measure predictors of HIV risk behaviour. The selected NGOs can adapt the proposed generic outcomes and indicators based on the settings of their programmes. A collaborative approach by all stakeholders is required, from international organisations, funders, governments, NGOs and communities to strengthening monitoring and evaluation of sport-based HIV/AIDS awareness programmes including other development programmes. This will assist the NGOs that use sport for development to be able to reflect accurately the information about their HIV/AIDS activities and also be able to contribute to on-going monitoring activities at a national and global level as well as to the Sustainable Development Goals.IS

Women – the recurring anomaly in the charcoal sector: Gender-responsive approaches for more inclusive, equitable and sustainable outcomes

This publication is part of a series of briefs describing findings from the EU-funded Governing Multifunctional Landscapes Sustainable Woodfuel project, which aims to contribute to knowledge, options, and networks for more sustainable woodfuel value chains across Sub-Saharan Africa

Les femmes, cette anomalie persistante dans le secteur du charbon de bois : approches intégrant la dimension de genre pour des résultats plus inclusifs, équitables et durables

En dépit des données probantes sur la participation des femmes tout au long de la chaîne de valeur du charbon de bois, peu de données systématiquement ventilées par sexe et d’analyses de genre sont disponibles pour ce secteur. En effet, les informations sur la participation des femmes sont souvent intégrées dans des études de cas éparses et de petite envergure et, dans de nombreux cas, les observations sur cette participation ne font pas l’objet d’une analyse plus approfondie. Compte tenu de ce manque d’informations, il n’est guère surprenant que la prise en compte de la question du genre soit relativement absente des politiques et interventions nationales dans le secteur du charbon de bois

Nation branding and public diplomacy: Examining Japan's 2019 Rugby World Cup and 2020(21) Olympic Games in the midst of a global economic downturn and the COVID-19 pandemic

For many superpowers sport mega events have become central to their political and financial ambitions within the global society. Over the last century Japan has established itself as a superpower both politically and economically. Even in the midst of a global economic downturn Japan has been successful in acquiring several globally significant sporting events, most notably the 2002 FIFA World Cup, and more recently the 2019 Rugby World Cup and 2020(21) summer Olympic Games. This paper examines how the latter two SMEs are perceived to present economic and political challenges in the midst of a global economic downturn and the COVID-19 pandemic through the context of public diplomacy and nation branding. The paper explores the perspectives of several relevant stakeholder demographics, including those working for various bodies relating to the staging and analysis of the events. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews in order to frame the potential significance of sports mega events in Japan as a platform to showcase nation branding, public diplomacy, economic development and sport tourism

Attractive targeted sugar bait phase III trials in Kenya, Mali, and Zambia

Background: Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) target night-time indoor biting mosquitoes and effectively reduce malaria transmission in rural settings across Africa, but additional vector control tools are needed to interrupt transmission. Attractive targeted sugar baits (ATSBs) attract and kill mosquitoes, including those biting outdoors. Deployment of ATSBs incorporating the insecticide dinotefuran was associated with major reductions in mosquito density and longevity in Mali. The impact of this promising intervention on malaria transmission and morbidity now needs to be determined in a range of transmission settings. Methods/design: We will conduct three similar stand-alone, open-label, two-arm, cluster-randomized, controlled trials (cRCTs) in Mali, Kenya, and Zambia to determine the impact of ATSB + universal vector control versus universal vector control alone on clinical malaria. The trials will use a “fried-egg” design, with primary outcomes measured in the core area of each cluster to reduce spill-over effects. All household structures in the ATSB clusters will receive two ATSBs, but the impact will be measured in the core of clusters. Restricted randomization will be used. The primary outcome is clinical malaria incidence among children aged 5–14 years in Mali and 1–14 years in Kenya and Zambia. A key secondary outcome is malaria parasite prevalence across all ages. The trials will include 76 clusters (38 per arm) in Mali and 70 (35 per arm) in each of Kenya and Zambia. The trials are powered to detect a 30% reduction in clinical malaria, requiring a total of 3850 person-years of follow-up in Mali, 1260 person-years in Kenya, and 1610 person-years in Zambia. These sample sizes will be ascertained using two seasonal 8-month cohorts in Mali and two 6-month seasonal cohorts in Zambia. In Kenya, which has year-round transmission, four 6-month cohorts will be used (total 24 months of follow-up). The design allows for one interim analysis in Mali and Zambia and two in Kenya. Discussion: Strengths of the design include the use of multiple study sites with different transmission patterns and a range of vectors to improve external validity, a large number of clusters within each trial site, restricted randomization, between-cluster separation to minimize contamination between study arms, and an adaptive trial design. Noted threats to internal validity include open-label design, risk of contamination between study arms, risk of imbalance of covariates across study arms, variation in durability of ATSB stations, and potential disruption resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Trial registration: Zambia: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04800055. Registered on March 15, 2021 Mali: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04149119. Registered on November 4, 2019 Kenya: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05219565. Registered on February 2, 2022