This issue of Directions in Global Health profiles our effort to expand access to safe water, particularly in India; a project to improve nutrition for infants and young children; our thermostable vaccine work; surveillance activities for Japanese encephalitis; and our work under the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition.

Publication date: May 2008

Region: Global

Part of series: Directions in Global Health

This tool was developed to provide a simple, efficient framework for conducting a self-assessment of health care waste-management (HCWM) planning at the national level. By collecting data on key achievements, knowledge, and practices at the district and national levels, the framework allows programs to quickly aggregate data, highlight trends, and identify gaps. A national-level workshop then provides the opportunity to outline next steps for moving the revised HCWM planning agenda forward.

Publication date: May 2008

Region: Global

This report shares highlights of PATH's use of flexible funding in 2007, including our work to bring lifesaving projects to mothers and children in India, win support for HIV prevention in South Africa, and prepare to turn back a rising tuberculosis epidemic.

Publication date: May 2008

Region: Global

Part of series: Reports to contributors

This edition of PATH Today highlights the first tour of PATH Journeys, our newly established donor travel program. Also featured are PATH's Sure Start program, a thank-you to the sponsors of our 2008 Breakfast for Global Health, and information on two endeavors to protect women from disease and violence: the Global Call to Stop Cervical Cancer and the International Violence Against Women Act.

Publication date: May 2008

Region: Global

Part of series: PATH Today

An overview of a diagnostic platform that PATH is developing based on nucleic-acid amplification that will require no instrumentation. It has the dual purpose of providing molecular diagnostics at the point of care as well as stabilizing nucleic-acid specimens for further analysis via a centralized surveillance system. Presented at the American Association for Clinical Chemistry 40th Annual Oak Ridge Conference, April 17, 2008; San Jose, CA.

Author: Weigl B, Domingo G, Gerlach J, et al

Publication date: April 2008

Region: Global

This document summarizes PATH’s work in Indonesia to sustain best practices among health workers in project provinces through a supportive supervision program.

Publication date: April 2008

Region: Global

These workshop materials were designed for manufacturers of male latex condoms to introduce and solicit input on the new WHO Prequalification Programme for Male Latex Condoms. The objective is to increase the successful participation of manufacturers, thereby expanding the supplier base and expediting progress toward reproductive health supply security in low- and middle-income countries. If you intend to adapt these materials, it is recommended that experienced facilitators manage each session. For more information, contact info@path.org.

Publication date: April 2008

Region: Global

These workshop materials were developed to improve the knowledge and skills of procurement implementers to enable them to effectively use the WHO Prequalification Programme for Essential Reproductive Health Medicines. The materials include educational and skills-building components to convey the benefits of prequalification within the procurement context and to effectively incorporate prequalification into bidding documents and bidder assessments. If you intend to adapt these materials, it is recommended that experienced facilitators manage each session. For more information, contact info@path.org.

Publication date: April 2008

Region: Global

This two-page policy brief discusses the benefits of breastfeeding in light of the risk of perinatal HIV transmission. Recommendations include increasing adoption of recent World Health Oragnization guidelines on infant feeding and HIV and extending support to cover the first two years of life.

Publication date: March 2008

Region: Global

A report on the selection and evaluation of target markers for a multiplex diagnostic platform under development. Based on the DxBox platform being developed as part of a public-private consortium lead by the University of Washington. Presented at the Molecular Medicine Tri-Conference, March 25, 2008; San Francisco, CA.

Author: Gerlach JL, Anyona S, Koros J, et al

Publication date: March 2008

Region: Global

A report on appropriate product specifications and the challenges of introducing a point-of-care multiplexed diagnostic platform in low-resource settings in developing countries. Based on the DxBox platform being developed as part of a public-private consortium lead by the University of Washington. Presented at: Molecular Medicine Tri-Conference, March 25, 2008; San Francisco, CA.

Author: de los Santos T, Crudder C, Metzler M, Gerlach J, Steele M, Domingo GJ

Publication date: March 2008

Region: Global

This report provides an overview of the status of civil-society engagement in each phase of microbicide research, development, and introduction and identifies the resources and specific action steps needed to move from the current level of engagement to where we need to be. .

Author: Forbes A, Sylla L, Yassky R

Publication date: February 2008

Region: Global

PATH's Maternal and Newborn Health Technology Initiative, in collaboration with South Africa's KwaZulu Natal Department of Health, produced this essential training video on active management of the third stage of labor. Using real clinical footage, this video presents the information, skills, and practices that birth attendants need to routinely provide this life-saving intervention and prevent postpartum hemorrhage. To obtain free copies of the video on CD-ROM, please email a request to publications@path.org. For optimal viewing of the low-resolution versions posted here, save the files to your hard drive by right-clicking on the links below and selecting “Save target as." Please note: the Clinical Tutorial and Core Topics files require Windows Media Player, available as a free download from Microsoft.

Publication date: January 2008

Region: Global

This is part of a series of project briefs discussing the activities, research findings, and field experiences of PATH’s Safe Water Project. The project briefs are available in two formats: one for onscreen viewing and one for booklet-style printing.

Author: Snyder B

Publication date: January 2008

Region: Global

Part of series: Safe water briefs

This is part of a series of project briefs discussing the activities, research findings, and field experiences of PATH’s Safe Water Project. The briefs are available in two formats: one for onscreen viewing and one for booklet-style printing.

Author: Kols A

Publication date: January 2008

Region: Global

Part of series: Safe water briefs

This issue of Directions in Global Health profiles five aspects of PATH's work: our regional efforts to control tuberculosis, the development of and new applications for the Uniject device, a study evaluating storage of hepatitis B vaccine outside of the cold chain, promotion of condom use among young people, and PATH's procurement team.

Publication date: January 2008

Region: Global

Part of series: Directions in Global Health

A report on selecting and testing phase change materials for their ability to maintain a temperature range for duration sufficient to drive a PCR reaction.  Presented at: Microfluidics, BioMEMS, and Medical Microsystems VI, January 22, 2008; San Jose, CA.

Author: Tang D, LaBarre P, Weigl BH, Stayton PS

Publication date: January 2008

Region: Global

This policy brief describes the study objectives, methodology, and findings from the PATH Convergence Project in India. The brief includes recommendations for developing a national policy in India to converge HIV and reproductive health services for people with HIV and for those most at risk.

Publication date: January 2008

Region: Asia

In November 2006, more than 100 community activists, advocates, researchers, service providers, health care professionals, and practitioners gathered in Kampala, Uganda, for a first-of-its-kind meeting on strengthening regional work on gender-based violence. Participants from 15 countries discussed innovative interventions, unexpected challenges, and lessons learned from their collective experiences in the field.The meeting was a collaborative initiative of PATH, Raising Voices, the Gender-Based Violence Prevention Network, the Interagency Gender Working Group, and the East Africa Regional Office of the US Agency for International Development. This report synthesizes the workshops, presentations, and discussions that were held over the two days.

Publication date: January 2008

Region: Africa

This is the newsletter of APHIA II Western, a USAID-funded project that aims to promote the adoption of healthier behaviors, increase the use of HIV and AIDS health services, and promote family planning/reproductive, maternal and child health, tuberculosis, and malaria prevention services in Western Kenya. It also aims to work with communities to enhance access to health services for pregnant mothers, comprehensive care for orphans and vulnerable children, and fight HIV-related stigma and discrimination and gender-based violence.

Publication date: 2008

Region: Africa

Part of series: APHIA II Western Newsletter