Establishing a postgraduate programme in nutritional epidemiology to strengthen resource capacity, academic leadership and research in the democratic republic of Congo
Abstract Background Low- and Middle-income countries (LMIC) face considerable health and nutrition challenges, many of which can be addressed through strong academic leadership and robust research translated into evidence-based practice. A North-South-South partnership between three universities was...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-02-01
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| Series: | BMC Medical Education |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-021-02557-3 |
| _version_ | 1819163865810731008 |
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| author | Mapatano Mala Ali Lyn Haskins Vaughn John Anne Hatløy Silondile Luthuli Sphindile Mapumulo Ingunn M. S. Engebretsen Thorkild Tylleskär Paulin Mutombo Christiane Horwood |
| author_facet | Mapatano Mala Ali Lyn Haskins Vaughn John Anne Hatløy Silondile Luthuli Sphindile Mapumulo Ingunn M. S. Engebretsen Thorkild Tylleskär Paulin Mutombo Christiane Horwood |
| author_sort | Mapatano Mala Ali |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Low- and Middle-income countries (LMIC) face considerable health and nutrition challenges, many of which can be addressed through strong academic leadership and robust research translated into evidence-based practice. A North-South-South partnership between three universities was established to implement a master’s programme in nutritional epidemiology at the Kinshasa School of Public Health (KSPH), Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The partnership aimed to develop academic leadership and research capacity in the field of nutrition in the DRC. In this article we describe the educational approach and processes used, and discuss successes, challenges, and lessons learned. Methods Self-administered questionnaires, which included both open and closed questions, were sent to all graduates and students on the master’s programme to explore students’ experiences and perceptions of all aspects of the educational programme. Quantitative data was analysed using frequencies, and a thematic approach was used to analyse responses to open-ended questions. Results A two-year master’s programme in Nutritional Epidemiology was established in 2014, and 40 students had graduated by 2020. Key elements included using principles of authentic learning, deployment of students for an internship at a rural residential research site, and support of selected students with bursaries. Academic staff from all partner universities participated in teaching and research supervision. The curriculum and teaching approach were well received by most students, although a number of challenges were identified. Most students reported benefits from the rural internship experience but were challenged by the isolation of the rural site, and felt unsupported by their supervisors, undermining students’ experiences and potentially the quality of the research. Financial barriers were also reported as challenges by students, even among those who received bursaries. Conclusion The partnership was successful in establishing a Master Programme in Nutritional Epidemiology increasing the number of nutrition researchers in the DRC. This approach could be used in other LMIC settings to address health and nutrition challenges. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T17:50:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-90ca0cba60fa4c47af51a77100f34124 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6920 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T17:50:56Z |
| publishDate | 2021-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medical Education |
| spelling | doaj.art-90ca0cba60fa4c47af51a77100f341242022-12-21T18:18:11ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202021-02-0121111110.1186/s12909-021-02557-3Establishing a postgraduate programme in nutritional epidemiology to strengthen resource capacity, academic leadership and research in the democratic republic of CongoMapatano Mala Ali0Lyn Haskins1Vaughn John2Anne Hatløy3Silondile Luthuli4Sphindile Mapumulo5Ingunn M. S. Engebretsen6Thorkild Tylleskär7Paulin Mutombo8Christiane Horwood9Kinshasa School of Public Health, University of KinshasaCentre for Rural Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-NatalSchool of Education, University of KwaZulu-NatalCentre for International Health, University of BergenCentre for Rural Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-NatalCentre for Rural Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-NatalCentre for International Health, University of BergenCentre for International Health, University of BergenKinshasa School of Public Health, University of KinshasaCentre for Rural Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-NatalAbstract Background Low- and Middle-income countries (LMIC) face considerable health and nutrition challenges, many of which can be addressed through strong academic leadership and robust research translated into evidence-based practice. A North-South-South partnership between three universities was established to implement a master’s programme in nutritional epidemiology at the Kinshasa School of Public Health (KSPH), Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The partnership aimed to develop academic leadership and research capacity in the field of nutrition in the DRC. In this article we describe the educational approach and processes used, and discuss successes, challenges, and lessons learned. Methods Self-administered questionnaires, which included both open and closed questions, were sent to all graduates and students on the master’s programme to explore students’ experiences and perceptions of all aspects of the educational programme. Quantitative data was analysed using frequencies, and a thematic approach was used to analyse responses to open-ended questions. Results A two-year master’s programme in Nutritional Epidemiology was established in 2014, and 40 students had graduated by 2020. Key elements included using principles of authentic learning, deployment of students for an internship at a rural residential research site, and support of selected students with bursaries. Academic staff from all partner universities participated in teaching and research supervision. The curriculum and teaching approach were well received by most students, although a number of challenges were identified. Most students reported benefits from the rural internship experience but were challenged by the isolation of the rural site, and felt unsupported by their supervisors, undermining students’ experiences and potentially the quality of the research. Financial barriers were also reported as challenges by students, even among those who received bursaries. Conclusion The partnership was successful in establishing a Master Programme in Nutritional Epidemiology increasing the number of nutrition researchers in the DRC. This approach could be used in other LMIC settings to address health and nutrition challenges.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-021-02557-3EducationLMICResearch capacityPartnershipsNorth-south-southNutrition |
| spellingShingle | Mapatano Mala Ali Lyn Haskins Vaughn John Anne Hatløy Silondile Luthuli Sphindile Mapumulo Ingunn M. S. Engebretsen Thorkild Tylleskär Paulin Mutombo Christiane Horwood Establishing a postgraduate programme in nutritional epidemiology to strengthen resource capacity, academic leadership and research in the democratic republic of Congo BMC Medical Education Education LMIC Research capacity Partnerships North-south-south Nutrition |
| title | Establishing a postgraduate programme in nutritional epidemiology to strengthen resource capacity, academic leadership and research in the democratic republic of Congo |
| title_full | Establishing a postgraduate programme in nutritional epidemiology to strengthen resource capacity, academic leadership and research in the democratic republic of Congo |
| title_fullStr | Establishing a postgraduate programme in nutritional epidemiology to strengthen resource capacity, academic leadership and research in the democratic republic of Congo |
| title_full_unstemmed | Establishing a postgraduate programme in nutritional epidemiology to strengthen resource capacity, academic leadership and research in the democratic republic of Congo |
| title_short | Establishing a postgraduate programme in nutritional epidemiology to strengthen resource capacity, academic leadership and research in the democratic republic of Congo |
| title_sort | establishing a postgraduate programme in nutritional epidemiology to strengthen resource capacity academic leadership and research in the democratic republic of congo |
| topic | Education LMIC Research capacity Partnerships North-south-south Nutrition |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-021-02557-3 |
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