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AVRI RESEARCH UPDATE

November 2011

THE AFRICAN VISION RESEARCH INSTITUTE

RESEARCH UPDATE

NOVEMBER 2011

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November 2011

Contents Page No

1. AVRI Structure 03− Board Members 03− Staff Members 03

2. Research Collaboration 04− Collaborating organisations/ Institutions 04− AVRI Nodal Points/ Institutions 04

3. Research Projects 05

4. Research Reports 06

5. Research Materials – Developed by AVRI 06

6. Research Workshops 06− Research Methodology course 08− Statistical Analysis course 08

7. Honorary Research Fellows 09

8. Students 10− Registered students 10− Nodal Point Students 10− Potential 2012 Students 11− New Applications 11

9. Publications 12− WHO Position Paper 12− Abstract Submitted 12− Published 2011 12− Pending Publications 13

10. Research Presentations 14

11. Funding 14

12. Staff 15

13. Website 16

14. African Vision Research Network (AVREN) 16

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AVRI CEO

RESEARCH CHAIR

SENIOR RESEARCHER

RESEARCH CO-ORDINATOR

ADMINISTRATOR

UNIVERSITIES

HONORARY RESEARCH FELLOWSCOLLABORATING

INSTITUTIONS

BOARD MEMBERS


November 2011

1. AVRI Structure

Board Members 1. Dr Hannah Faal (Chair Person)2. Dr Linda Visser (Director)3. Prof Kovin Naidoo (CEO)4. Prof Brien Holden 5. Dr Daniel Etya’ale6. Prof Salim Abdool Karim7. Mr Percy Mashige8. Mr Ronnie Graham9. Prof Adenike Abiose

Staff Members1. Senior Researcher: To be recruited in 20122. Research Co-ordinator: Ms Jyoti Jaggernath3. Senior Administrator: Mrs Janine Fynn

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November 2011

2. Research Collaboration

Collaborating organisations/ Institutions

1. ICEE2. Sightsavers International3. Fred Hollows Foundation4. South African National Council For The Blind (The National Cataract Coalition)5. University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)6. University of Johannesburg (SA)7. Kwame Nkrumah University (Ghana)8. Salus University (US)

AVRI Nodal Points/ Institutions

AVRI serves as a Mentor Institution and aids in the development of research capacities in other institutions in Africa. Currently AVRI is collaborating with 5 Nodal point Institutions. These are key Institutions that can serve as areas to catalyze development of research capacity and research activity in a region/sub region.

Nodal Institutions

1. Alneelain University – Sudan2. University of Nairobi – Kenya3. University of Calabar – Nigeria4. University of Yaoundé – Cameroon5. University Kwame Nkrumah University

Other Nodal points are to be selected for 2012.

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November 2011

3. Research Projects

AVRI is collaborating on the following research projects:

RESEARCH LEAD ORGANISATION FUNDER(s)Meta-Analysis of Cataract Surgical Techniques

AVRI South African National Council For The Blind (The National Cataract Coalition)

Cataract Prevalence & Impact Study AVRI South African National Council For The Blind (The National Cataract Coalition)

Situational Analysis of Refractive Error and Low Vision Services at a Country Level – Multi- Africa Country Study

AVRI World Council of Optometry

Multi-level Evaluation of the Schools of Optometry Project in Malawi

AVRI Mozambique Irish Aid Funds

Near Vision Spectacle Provision & Work Productivity

JOINT AVRI & ICEE Brien Holden Vision Institute

Poverty and Visual Impairment Study JOINT AVRI, ICEE & ORBIS

ORBIS & ICEE

Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs And Practices (KABP) of Diabetic Retinopathy Among Diabetic Patients in the INK Area of KZN

JOINT AVRI & ICEE Proposal being considered by Fred Hollows Foundation

Impact Evaluation of ICEE Social Entrepreneurial Programme

JOINT AVRI & ICEE Searching for Funds

Health Promotion Study: (KABP) of visual impairment in Northern eThekwini, Durban

JOINT AVRI, ICEE & National Cataract Coalition

Standard Charted Bank, Department of Health

KwaZulu-Natal Follow-Up Presbyopia Study

ICEE

AVRI support being provided

ICEE

Development of a District health model in eye care

ICEE


Mozambique Eye Care Project DIT, UNILURIO, ICEE DIT, UNILURIO, ICEE

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November 2011


Nigeria post Cataract Outcome Study (TCF Foundation Nigeria)

ICEE


4. Research Reports

Monitoring and Evaluation of Primary Health Care (PHC) Personnel in KwaZulu-Natal Basic Eye Care Nurse Evaluation Report Ophthalmic Nurse Skills and Equipment Audit Report An Investigation into the Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs and Practices (KABP) of Visual

Impairment in Northern Ethekwini District, Durban. PHACO vs SICS: A Meta-Analysis Report

5. Research Materials – Developed by AVRI

Name of Module Module Material AvailableData and Information Management

1st year Optometry Module Manual + Power point presentations

Introduction to Research Methodology

AVRI Research Workshops Manual + Power point presentations

6. Research Workshops

Sightsavers recently granted AVRI an award to build research capacity through training in four African countries. As such, AVRI identified four institutions in Africa to participate in this program. Each Institution was required to select the best candidate (1 per institution) to attend the training workshops, with a specification that the candidate be able to provide mentorship and transfer the research skills learnt to other staff and students at their respective institutions.

The workshop targeted non-governmental organizations, researchers, academics, postgraduate students and research institutes as well as professional associations.

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November 2011

Workshop Facilitators

The workshop was facilitated by:

AVRI Dr Vadivelu Moodley

Senior Researcher

University of KwaZulu-Natal Prof Urmilla Bob

Associate Professor in the School of Geography and Environmental Sciences

Prof Mike Murray Professor in the School of Statistics and Actuarial Sciences

Workshop AttendeesThe workshop was attended by the following delegates and key research staff:

Africa Delegates ICEE Staff AVRI Staff Dept of Optometry (UKZN)

KZN Dept of Health & AVRI Student

Dr Emilliene Epee (Cameroon)

Dr Omar Babiker (Sudan)

Dr Affiong Ibanga (Nigeria)

Dr Margaret Njuguna (Kenya)

Dr Agaba Ateenyi (Uganda)

Mrs Petronella Nichols

Mr Kesi Naidoo Mr France

Nxumalo Mr Prasidh

Ramson Ms Yashika

Inderjeet Mr Marlon

Padayachee

Ms Jyoti Jaggernath

Ms Pirindha Govender

Ms Sindi Mthethwa

The workshop included two components: Research Methodology and Basic Stats

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November 2011

1. Research Methodology course provided an introduction to:− Introduction – What is Research− Public Health Research− Definition of Research Terms− Research Designs− Types of Research− Qualitative Research− Qualitative Methods− Qualitative Data Analysis− Sampling Techniques− Issue in Public Health/ Eye Research− Developing a Research Proposal

2. Statistical Analysis course provided a background on: background on:− Introduction to Basic Statistics − Descriptive Statistics (Data Analysis)− Statistical Inference or Statistical Testing − Basic theories behind the use of Stata

Evaluation of the WorkshopOn the last day of the workshop, participants were asked to evaluate the training during a discussion session with the AVRI CEO and the Research Co-ordinator. The overall feedback was that the workshop was beneficial in that it helped participants to understand the underlying principles of research, but as is often the case with short courses, there was insufficient time. The Research Methodology and Statistic workshop facilitators were confident that the objectives of the workshop were achieved. However, participants felt that a more “hands on” or “practical based” approach especially with regard to statistics and Stata would have been more beneficial to them. However, considering the background of most participants, the Statistics and Stata sessions seems to have been overwhelming because most of the participants did not have any statistical background. In consideration of the views expressed and the suggestions made by participants, it was decided that a more hands–on approach to statistics and the use of the Stata program would be undertaken later in the year. In general, all participants were satisfied with the level of knowledge and skill that they had acquired from the workshop and were pleased with the facilitation of the workshop.

Outcomes and Way Forward The workshop was of immense benefit to all participants. The Research overview presented during the Work was perceived by all participants as

being very informative and as having provided the basic background that one needs to have in order to design and implement a research project.

Most of the participants had suggested that more practical sessions and home work needed to be included during these workshops, to give them hands on experience with the application of the basic stats learnt with the Stata software without being facilitated.

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November 2011

Discussions with participants have led to AVRI organizing and planning more suitably for a 1 week practical workshop using the Stata program.

7. Honorary Research Fellows

Appointments of Honorary Research Fellows for 2011 are shaded in the table below:

Research Fellow Organisation

Dr Wanjiku Mathenge East Africa (Fred Hollows Foundation)

Dr Daniel Etya’ale IAPB Africa Executive Chair

Dr Joseph Oye IAPB Central Africa (IAPB/ SSI)

Mr Amir Bedri Kello Ethiopia (Light for the World)

Dr Stephen Gichuhi Kenya (University of Nairobi)

Dr. P. Clarke-Farr South Africa (Cape Peninsula University of Technology)

Dr James Loughman Ireland (Dublin Institute of Technology)

Mr. Gerhard Schlenther Australia

Sonja Cronjé Australia

Mr Timothy Fricke Australia

Gillian Cochrane PhD - University of Melbourne, Centre for Eye Research Australia

Andreas Mueller International Programs Research Coordinator for the Fred Hollows Foundation.

Angela Amedo Department of Optometry at the Kwane Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana

Parikshit Gogate Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College School of Optometry

8. Students

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November 2011

Masters: 7PhD: 7

Currently Registered students

Title of Research Name of Student Degree StatusAn evaluation of Current Approaches to Addressing Refractive Error on Learners Attending Mainstream Primary Schools in KwaZulu-Natal

Yashika Inderjeet Masters Data collection

Development and Evaluation of a Team Approach to Preventing, Detecting and Referring Diabetic Retinopathy in a District Health System

Zaheera Abdool Masters Data Collection

Identifying the Barriers to Meeting the Cataract Surgery Rate Targets in KwaZulu-Natal

Sindi Mthethwa Masters Received Approval

Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs and Practices of Refractive Error by School going children of the Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu areas in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

France Nxumalo Masters Data Collected and Analysed

Recruitment and Retention of Optometrists in the Public Sector in South Africa

Prasidh Ramson Masters Data collection

An evaluation of the impact of the primary Eye Care Training for the Primary Health Care Nurses in the KwaZulu-Natal Province

Peter Mohlala Masters Protocol

investigation of the Visual Status of Children Attending Schools for the Visually Impaired in KZN

Palesa Dube Masters Write-up

An Evaluation of Implementation Methods Adopted in the Development of a Regional School of Optometry in Mozambique: Lessons for Expansion of the Model

Diane Wallace PhD Protocol

Development of a Framework for the Recruitment, Retention and Legislative Support of a Regional Multiple Entry and Exit Optometry Programme

Vanessa Moodley PhD Protocol

Evaluation of Primary Eye Care in South Africa – A systematic review

Pirindha Govender

PhD Preparing Protocol

An Analysis of Productivity Loss due to Visual Impairment (tentative)

Percy Mashige PhD Preparing protocol

Evaluating the Impact of Vision Centres in Nigeria

Dr Anne Ebri (Ghana)

PhD Preparing protocol

An Economic Evaluation Of The Impact Of Refractive Error In Nampula, Mozambique

Stephen Thompson

PhD Reviewing Literature

Development of a National Child Eyecare Strategy for Mozambique

Aoife Phelan PhD Research Started

Nodal Institution Students

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November 2011

The following students have been selected as candidates for the Sightsavers Scholarships/ Research Grants. These students will be registered in 2012.

PhD: 5

Title of Research Name of Student Degree Country StatusImpact of Refractive Error on School Children

Emilienne Epee PhD Cameroon Drafting Proposal

Visual Impairment due to Uncorrected Refractive error in (south Darfur State)

Saif Aldeen Hassan

PhD Sudan Drafting Proposal

Compliance among Glaucoma patients in Ghana

Kenneth Adjah PhD Ghana SAQA/Drafting Proposal

Finalising topic Bernadine Ekpenyong

PhD Nigeria Drafting Proposal

Finalising topic Margaret Njuguna PhD Kenya Drafting Proposal

Potential 2012 Students

Masters: 3PhD: 1

Students that applied for SAQA and are to register in 2012

Title of Research Name of Student

Degree Country Status

Prevalence of Blindness & Visual Impairment in an Onchocerciasis-endemic District of Central Region Ghana

Emmanuel Kwasi Abu

MastersOf Vision Science

Ghana SAQA/Drafting Proposal

Knowledge of Significant Others of Glaucoma Patients on Glaucoma

Emmanuel Owusu

Masters Ghana SAQA/Drafting Proposal

Contribution of Refractive Errors to Visual Impairment in Ashanti Region, Ghana

Clement Afari Masters Ghana SAQA/Drafting Proposal

Cost effectiveness analysis of screening for diabetic retinopathy

Christopher Onunkwor

PhD Nigeria SAQA/Drafting Proposal

New Applications:

Pakistan – 4 students (In the process of sending CV and Topic and objectives outline) Zimbabwe – 2 student (In the process of sending CV and Topic and objectives outline)

9. Publications11


November 2011

WHO Position Paper:

Title of Paper Authors Status

1. Uncorrected Refractive Errors (Including Presbyopia)

B. Holden, KS. Naidoo, H. Minto, S. Resnikoff, M. Marolia, J. Jaggernath, T John, D. Wilson, T. Fricke and J. Flanagan

Paper Presented at Geneva Sept 2011

Abstract Submitted for Consideration to Publish in Special Issue Journal:

Title of Paper Authors Journal Status

1. Climate Change, Eye Health and Geographic Factors

K.S Naidoo and J. Jaggernath

South African Geographic Journal

Waiting for acceptance

Published 2011:

Title of Paper Authors Journal Status

1. A comparison of the visual status of dyslexic and non-dyslexic schoolchildren in Durban, South Africa

K.S Naidoo and J. Jaggernath

South African Geographic Journal

Waiting for acceptance

2. Eye safety in the work environment KS Naidoo, J Jaggernath & Y Maharaj

Occupational Health Southern Africa

Published 2011

3.

Developing integrated guidelines for effective refractive error service delivery to primary school children: Results of the KwaZulu-Natal Child Eye Care Project.

Y Indejeet, KS Naidoo, R Dabideen & P Ramson

South African Optometric Association

Published 2011

4. Ocular manifestations of HIV/AIDS: A literature review (Part 2)*

Govender P, Hansraj R, Naidoo KS and Visser L


Published 2011

5. Dyslexia: An overview* Wajuihian S & KS Naidoo


Published 2011

Pending Publications

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November 2011

Title of Paper Authors Status

1. Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy Co-Management

Z Abdool and KS Naidoo Finalising draft

2. An investigation into the visual status of children attending schools for the visually impaired in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Inderjeet, P Dube, P Govender & KS Naidoo

Finalising draft

3. Prevalence of Blindness and Visual Impairment: A population based study in a selected KwaZulu-Natal health district in South Africa.

KS Naidoo, J Jaggernath, Sweeny & B Holden

Finalising Draft

4. The prevalence of refractive errors in the Ilembe and KwaDukuza districts in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

KS Naidoo, J Jaggernath, Sweeny & B Holden

Finalising Draft

5. Prevalence of Refractive Error and Spectacles Coverage in Zoba Ma’ekel, Eritrea

Mebrahatu, G; Chan, V.; Ramson, P; Wepo & Naidoo K.S.

Finalising Draft

6. Refractive Error and Visual Impairment in School Children in Ghana

Kumah B, Ebri A, Aikins S, Abdul-kabir M, Sadik A, Amedo A, Koomson Y, Naidoo KS

Finalising Draft

7. Results of a Presbyopia Study in Durban, South Africa.

KS Naidoo, P Ramson, C Martin & J Jaggernath

In progress

8. Rapid Assessment of Refractive Error (RARE) study in Durban.

KS Naidoo & P Ramson In progress

9. Evaluation of a Low Vision Training Course for Public Sector Optometrists in KwaZulu-Natal.

P Ramson, KS Naidoo, Y Inderjeet & K Naidoo

In progress

10.

An assessment of the Q-2100R digital lens system production unit in a South African context

C Martin, J Jaggernath, D Wallace, R Dabideen and KS Naidoo

In progress

11.

Prevalence and causes of Visual Impairment in the Northern EThekwini District of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Naidoo KS, Visser L, Govender P & Ramson P

In progress

10. Research Presentations

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November 2011

Title Workshop Name Country and Date Presenter

Research and AVRI IAPB Africa Wide ‐Meeting

Durban16-18 February 2011

KS. Naidoo

Steps & Processes in Developing a Research Institution

IAPB Vision2020 workshop on Capacity building for research Anglophone West Africa

Abuja, Nigeria6-8 June 2011

KS. Naidoo

Incorporating Capacity Building Blocks in the Research Process

IAPB Vision2020 workshop on Capacity building for research Anglophone West Africa

Abuja, Nigeria6-8 June 2011

J. Jaggernath

Health Promotion:A Development Context

Mega September Education Workshop

Sydney, Australia27 Aug – 02 Sept 2011

KS. Naidoo and J. Jaggernath

Postgraduate Students and Building Research Capacity

Mega September Education Workshop

Sydney, Australia27 Aug – 02 Sept 2011

J. Jaggernath and KS. Naidoo

11. Funding

1. Sightsavers (MOU): granted US $ 50 000 to carry out research activities

Objectives of the MOU: To build institutional capacity To provide research grants to postgraduate students To provide research scholarships to postgraduate students To create a network, named AVREN To support the admin of projects

2. Brien Holden Vision Institute: Aus $500 000.00 from July 2011 Appointment of Research Chair over the next five years Position has been advertised

Purpose: To spend time with the registrars when they are doing their research projects To target four other institutes in Africa

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November 2011

To provide the support required and the mining of the data that we already have available in order to increase our publication output

3. Vision CRC US $ 50 000 secured from the Vision CRC budget Employed a Senior Professor from UKZN

Objectives: To assist with higher level research Increase output of publications To assist with postgraduate supervision

4. Fred Hollows Foundation AUS $ 22 000 towards postgraduate research scholarships/ grants

5. World Council of Optometry US $ 9 995,11 towards conducting a Multi African Country Situational analysis on Refractive

Error and Low Vision Services

6. Giving Sight KwaZulu-Natal R 110 00 towards implementing four research projects, analysing the data, and writing reports.

12. Staff (New Appointments and Staff Development)

Research Administrator:An AVRI administrator, Mrs Janine Fynn was recruited in June 2011. Janine has more than 9 years of administrative experience.

Senior ResearcherAVRI has recruited a senior researcher in February 2011 who assists with postgraduate supervision and all research related activities. Dr Vadi Moodley is a retired academic who has more than 20 years of research experience.

Research Chair A research chair will be employed in 2012 to head the research component and to oversee and monitor research activities. A core function of the research chair will be to write up publications.

13. Website

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November 2011

The AVRI website (www.avri.co.za) has been updated. This website will be used as a mode of transmission of all research activities conducted by AVRI and all relevant information to the African eye care community. This will ensure that newsletters and information will become available to anyone requiring insight into AVRI, with particular attention being placed on funding for research activities and training courses.

14. African Vision Research Network (AVREN)

AVRI is currently in the process of setting up a research network, which will create research links to provide support to research teams to communicate and coordinate their eye health research efforts across disciplines, organizations, institutions and geographical boundaries. Proposed networking activities will focus on specific eye health research niches, such as Diabetic Retinopathy, Refractive Error, and Primary Eye Care to give coherence to the collaboration. Networking, where possible, will be encouraged to include Sightsavers country teams.

The development of AVREN forms part of the funding received from Sightsavers and will be facilitated through the AVRI website. A section on the AVRI website will be dedicated to AVREN in order to offer a forum for an exchange of ideas, resources and skills. The intension is to expand this network to all African institutes.

The objectives of the research network are to: Facilitate open communication and exchange of information and resources Integrate research activities of researchers working independently on topics of common

interest Nurture a sense of community among young and emerging researchers Minimize isolation of efforts Maximize cooperation so as to eliminate unnecessary duplication of research projects

The design of the network has thus far been commissioned by AVRI and the network is expected to become active in January 2012.

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