Training Tanzanian Researchers for HIV/AIDS Implementation Science

 描述（由申请人提供）：坦桑尼亚是撒哈拉以南非洲受艾滋病毒流行严重影响的国家之一。尽管在过去十年中取得了重大进展，但在实施有效和安全的艾滋病毒干预措施方面仍然存在巨大差距，在男性包皮环切手术和抗逆转录病毒治疗以及预防母婴传播方面，妇女的接受率、保留率和坚持率都有所提高。与此同时，资助者越来越多地要求证明其投资对人口健康的影响;国家政策制定者正在努力解决如何确保坦桑尼亚卫生系统内艾滋病毒方案的财务和业务可持续性的问题。为了找到应对这些挑战的解决方案，我们需要严格的实施科学、影响评估和卫生系统研究，以测试提供艾滋病毒干预措施的替代模式，并确定其相对可行性、可接受性、有效性和成本效益。然而，坦桑尼亚目前缺乏开展此类研究项目的科学家。因此，该方案的目标是：（1）培训足够数量的中级和高级研究人员，以便（a）作为主要研究人员领导以艾滋病毒方案执行和评价问题为重点的独立研究方案，（B）在坦桑尼亚教授与艾滋病毒有关的执行科学、影响评价和卫生系统研究;（2）建立初级公共卫生和医疗专业人员的临界质量，他们可以设计并成功地开展艾滋病毒实施科学，影响评估和卫生系统研究方面的严格研究项目;以及（3）在达累斯萨拉姆开发一个可持续的艾滋病毒实施科学和影响评估硕士课程。该培训方案将由波士顿的哈佛公共卫生学院和达累斯萨拉姆的Muhimbili卫生和联合科学大学合作。根据深入的需求评估，我们确定了三个主要领域的培训差距：艾滋病毒干预措施;卫生系统和实施;研究方法，包括实施科学，影响评估，卫生经济学和生物统计学。我们已经招募了在这些领域具有实践和理论经验的培训和指导教师，以及执行和培训咨询委员会的经验丰富的同事。该计划的主要培训策略将包括（1）在波士顿和达累斯萨拉姆为期两年的博士后奖学金;（2）在波士顿进行短期奖学金培训，并持续指导;（3）强化课程（将作为MUHAS硕士课程的基石）;和（4）研究座谈会。总的来说，该计划将培养10名为期两年的博士后研究员; 22名短期博士后研究员（12名博士后和10名博士后）;并为240名个人提供密集的短期课程指导。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Tanzania is one of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa that is severely affected by the HIV epidemic. Despite substantial progress over the past decade, large gaps in implementing efficacious and safe HIV interventions remain - e.g., in male medical circumcision coverage and antiretroviral treatment (ART) and prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) uptake, retention and adherence. At the same time, funders are increasingly demanding evidence on the population health impact of their investments; and national policy makers are struggling with questions how to ensure financial and operational sustainability of HIV programs within the context of the Tanzanian health system. To find solutions to these challenges, we need rigorous Implementation Science, Impact Evaluation, and Health Systems Research to test alternative models to deliver HIV interventions and establish their comparative feasibility, acceptability, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness. However, the scientists to carry out such research projects are currently lacking in Tanzania. This program thus aims to (1) train a critical mass of mid-level and senior researchers to (a) work as principal investigators leading independent research programs focused on questions of HIV program implementation and evaluation and (b) teach HIV-related Implementation Science, Impact Evaluation, and Health Systems Research in Tanzania; (2) build a critical mass of junior public health and medical professionals who can design and successfully carry out rigorous research projects in HIV Implementation Science, Impact Evaluation, and Health Systems Research; and (3) develop a sustainable Master's program in HIV Implementation Science and Impact Evaluation in Dar es Salaam. This training program will be collaboration between the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) in Boston and Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) in Dar es Salaam. Based on an in-depth needs assessment, we identified training gaps in three principal areas: HIV interventions; health systems and implementation; and research methods, including Implementation Science, Impact Evaluation, Health Economics, and Biostatistics. We have recruited training and mentoring faculty with practical and theoretical experience in these areas, as well as experienced colleagues for the Executive and the Training Advisory Committees. The primary training strategies in this program will comprise of (1) two-year post-doctoral fellowships in Boston and Dar es Salaam; (2) short-term fellowship training in Boston with ongoing mentoring; (3) intensive courses (which will serve as building blocks for the Master's program at MUHAS); and (4) research symposia. In total, the program will train 10 two-year post-doctoral fellows; 22 short-term post-doctoral fellows (12 post- and 10 pre-doctoral); and provide intensive short course instruction to 240 individuals.