Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Collaborating for International Research Development in Malawi, Africa

1997; Wiley; Volume: 29; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1111/j.1547-5069.1997.tb01058.x

0743-5150

Dorothy Brooten, Joyce E. Thompson, Joan Makoza, Chrissie P.N. Kaponda, Esther Mede, Lucy Kachapila, Ann Phoya,

Global Health and Surgery

To describe a collaborative research effort by a U.S. school of nursing, an African school of nursing, and the Malawian Ministry of Health. Providing assistance to women leaders in Malawi to develop and conduct research to improve the health of women and infants in villages is necessary.This 5-year project, 1990-1995, included organizing a workshop on the research process, developing and testing pilot projects, developing and conducting two full-scale studies, and disseminating findings.Two full-scale studies, one examining maternal mortality and one examining the effects of teen pregnancy, were completed with important health policy implications for Malawi.Successful international collaborative research yields increased knowledge for all participants and important health information. International research requires continuous communication, people skilled in group work, sensitivity to cultural differences, patience, persistence, and commitment.A 5-year (1990-95) collaboration between a US nursing school (University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing), a Malawian nursing school (Kamazu College of Nursing), and the Malawian Ministry of Health sought to assist African women leaders in developing and conducting research to improve the health of women and infants. Another emphasis of the Women for Women's Health Project was to enhance the skills of practicing midwives who, once trained, could upgrade the knowledge and skills of trained birth attendants. Program activities included a workshop on the research process, development and testing of a pilot project on the incidence of measles and immunization, two full-scale studies (one on maternal mortality and the other on the effects of adolescent pregnancy), and dissemination of research findings. The measles study, which was published by the Malawian Ministry of Health, revealed serious under-reporting of measles incidence in national statistics and a need to change the age of administration of measles vaccine. Study findings on maternal deaths occurring in homes in Ntchisi district documented a discrepancy between hospital-reported and apparent actual maternal deaths in the district and identified preventable causes of maternal deaths. The study on adolescent pregnancy suggested a need for alternative educational programs for girls to improve their socioeconomic status and enhance their future opportunities.