UWI HARP's Annual Report

UWI HARP COORDINATING UNIT

ANNUAL REPORT

January 2006-December 2006

SUMMARY

The year’s activities were focused on the implementation of several projects which are listed below:

• A study of the Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs and Practices among pharmacists in relation to HIV/AIDS in four Caribbean countries.
• MAN (Men Action Network) Initiative for the Canada/Caribbean Gender Equality Programme
• A Situational Assessment re HIV/AIDS Education in three OECS Countries
• Capacity Building for NGOs in Jamaica to build sustainability.
• Capacity Building in HIV/AIDS to support the Education sector through Best practices.

In keeping with UWI HARP’s Mission statement, not only were projects related to research and to education implemented, but UWI HARP also achieved engagement with the UWI community and the wider community through the Jamaican National HIV/AIDS programme.

UWI HARP participated in several conferences this year. These included the regional conference of the International Red Cross, the International AIDS conference, the American Public Health conference, and the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV/AIDS annual General meeting. On December 1, WORLD AIDS DAY, the three campuses were the focus of HIV/AIDS outreach activities through the campus UWI HARP committees.

PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED

UWI HARP received approval for the implementation of several projects that will be of national and regional significance.

1. A study of the Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs and Practices among pharmacists in relation to HIV/AIDS in four Caribbean countries, including feedback from persons living with HIV/AIDS about their experience with pharmacists and what attitudes and behaviours they expect from pharmacists.

The Principal Investigators were Maxine Ruddock-Small, Brendan Bain, Marvin Reid, and Desmalee Nevins. Funds for this project were provided by Merck, Sharp and Dohme, Inc. the study has now been completed and the results are being disseminated to the major stakeholders.

2. MAN (Men Action Network) Initiative for the Canada/Caribbean Gender Equality Programme. The Principal Investigators were Peter D Weller, Patrick Prendergast, and Stephen-Claude Hyatt. This project was completed in 2006 and received funding from both CIDA and UNFPA.

3. A Situational Assessment re HIV/AIDS Education in three OECS Countries

   The Principal Investigators were Phillip Nanton and Christine Barrow

   Funding support was provided from a World Bank grant to UWI via

   PANCAP. The study has been completed and the report submitted.

   PROJECTS TO BE IMPLEMENTED

Through funds received under the PANCAP/ CARICOM/EU SIRHASC project several research projects were approved for implementation by UWI HARP under the oversight of the UWI HARP coordinating unit. These are outlined below.

1. Training needs assessment in relation to HIV/AIDS and behaviour change in four Caribbean countries and development of the course to be offered by distance education.The Principal Investigator is Marjan DeBruin.

2. An evaluation of outcomes and impact among teachers and students on three UWI campuses from implementation of curricula with HIV/AIDS content .The Principal Investigator is Camille Bell Hutchinson.
3. Men’s perceptions, attitudes and beliefs regarding masculinity, gender and gender equity in Trinidad and Tobago and one additional country: a follow-up study to the MAN Initiative. The Principal Investigator is Dr. Peter Weller.
4. In addition, two peer Education initiatives to be funded by the World Bank will be implemented beginning in February. These will be conducted on the Cave Hill and Mona campuses.
5. Through HADDS funding provided through the Ministry of Health in Jamaica,

UWI HARP DEVELOPMENTS

Strategic planning initiative

With funding through PANCAP, The UWI HARP coordinating Unit will retain the services of a consultant to spearhead the development of a Strategic Plan for UWI HARP. It is hoped that the consultant will be selected and retained before the end of February 2007. The consultancy will involve a round-table discussion of UWI HARP leaders and stakeholders, along with in-depth interviews with selected persons identified by the consultant.

Proposals in development

UWI HARP has been involved in the development of two proposals for funding. One to support HIV education for the Armed forces in Jamaica, and the other to offer training to NGO’s involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS, that will enhance productivity, efficiency and sustainability in these organizations. The proposal for the Armed forces prevention programme has been submitted. We now await feedback from the US government re the outcome of the proposal submission, as to whether more information is needed.

The proposal to be submitted to CIDA has not yet been completed. In the absence of a writing team two organizations have promised support with its refinement, namely, CARIMAC, and The University of the West Indies Development and Endowment fund.

FUTURE PLANS

Two new and important initiatives that fall outside the definition of a project, need to be mentioned. These include the development of a Strategic Plan involving the work of a Strategic Planning consultant. This strategic planning process is scheduled to begin in February, once the consultant has been secured.

The second initiative will involve the planning and staging of a two-day conference involving University leaders throughout the region and the rest of the world, with the meeting outcome being the development of a network of universities involved in and HIV/AIDS response and achieving progress in clarifying roles of universities in low- and middle-income countries in response to the phenomenon of HIV/AIDS.

We also hope to make significant process in strengthening communication, between UWI HARP COMMITTEES, with UWI HARP partners, and with our students and staff through the retention of a communications officer.

PARTICIPATION IN CONFERENCES

The conference participated in by the UWI HARP coordinating Unit were used to share information on UWI HARP’s work as well as to present a poster on the role of women in the response of Faith-based organizations to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This poster was presented at the APHA conference in Boston. While information sharing at the XV1 International AIDS conference was done in collaboration with PANCAP.

Prepared by C.Maxine Ruddock-Small

Senior Programme Manager