Background: Autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) are common in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). However, services to address the needs of this group in LMIC are almost non-existent. The World Health Organization (WHO) developed the Caregiver Skills Training (CST) programme to be suitable for delivery in diverse global contexts. Ethiopia, the country of focus in this study, has a largely rural population and a lack of specialist service providers. Additional contextual challenges, including poverty, low literacy, limited access to healthcare and a lack of specialist child mental health services, may undermine the delivery of CST in this setting. This thesis, therefore, seeks to explore the acceptability and feasibility of non-specialist delivery of the WHO-CST from the perspective of providers and caregivers in rural Ethiopia. Methods: In Chapter one, a general literature review of neurodevelopmental disability and caregiver skills training is presented, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa, to help contextualise the main qualitative study, outlined in chapter two. In-depth interviews were conducted with caregivers (n=19) who were all participants in two rural pilot studies of the WHO-CST programme. In addition, three focus group interviews were conducted with non-specialist facilitators (n=8), who facilitated the CST programme in two rural pilot tests. Data were analysed using the framework approach. Results: Findings were mapped onto the three framework themes created for this analysis: 1) Programme content: caregivers and facilitators uniformly indicated that the adapted programme addressed a need and was relevant for their context; caregivers emphasised how the programme helped them understand their child's problems and improve their skills to support their children; facilitators highlighted having acquired new knowledge and skills relating to NDD; 2) Programme facilitation: caregiver responses suggested that programme facilitation by non-specialists was acceptable; non-specialist facilitators emphasised the importance of support and supervision for the facilitators and simplification and modification of some concepts, such as the concept of play, and 3) CST training approach and delivery: participants indicated that the training modalities, including home visits and group training, were acceptable and feasible in the local context. Conclusions: This study suggested that, with some contextually appropriate modifications of programme content and delivery and continuing supervision of facilitators, the WHO-CST programme facilitated by non-specialists would be acceptable and feasible in rural Ethiopia. Results from this study may be useful to fine-tune the implementation of non-specialist delivery of the CST programme in Ethiopia, as well as other LMIC.

Infectious diseases attract a lot of mediatic, cultural and political attention. But are those diseases like Ebola, or ‘disease x’ actually what kills us? Since 1946, the WHO is the most authoritative figure in the fights against infectious disease outbreaks. So how does the WHO maintain this power and authority after tremendous budget cuts, competition for authority, and a shift to non-communicable disease epidemiology? This thesis uses a mixed-methods approach of quantitative analysis of ‘Disease Outbreak News’ reports, and qualitative analysis of key WHO literature, to develop the alternative narrative answering those questions. This thesis found that the WHO activities surrounding the collection and distribution of data create a political and institutional environment in which the WHO seems to be the only logical solution to prevent them. Additionally, the narrative put forth by the WHO prioritizes the ‘alert and response’ and operational capabilities of the organization to further expand authority in outbreak response. This study concludes that the WHO, through the collection and distribution of knowledge, and efforts to increase operational capability as seen through the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), seeks to maintain normative authority and power as an international organization. / M.A. / Globalization of trade and travel has only increased the fear of infectious disease transmission. There is a great demand for a global health security system that is alert and capable. Based on this ‘threat’ the WHO justifies their role as global health leader. The Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) is the system that currently acts as the operational arm of the WHO, monitoring and coordinating response to infectious disease outbreaks globally. Despite the critical role of GOARN, its day-to-day endeavors remain unexplored by the public health field. This thesis analyzes how the WHO uses GOARN and its surveillance capabilities to collect and transform data as a method to maintain normative authority, and projects a powerful narrative as the leader of ‘alert and response’. In a competitive environment with limited financial resources, the WHO has adapted in terms of surveillance and operational capability to maintain its leadership and authority in the global public health field.

Trata-se de uma pesquisa teórica que verifica as relações existentes entre saúde mental e saúde pública a partir da identificação dos principais problemas referentes à infância em recomendações divulgadas pela Organização Mundial da Saúde nos seguintes momentos históricos: início da década de 1950, meados da década de 1970 e primeiros anos do século XXI. Apresenta a diversidade presente na construção do campo da saúde mental, as principais perspectivas teóricas e o lugar da clínica psiquiátrica e psicanalítica nesse processo. Ações dirigidas à infância pelo movimento da Higiene Mental, nas primeiras décadas do século XX, também são analisadas. Verifica-se que a prevenção se instaura como principal modelo de assistência. A saúde materno-infantil, a escola e a família são os principais componentes das medidas preventivas propostas. Nestas recomendações, evidencia-se uma relação de quase equivalência entre psiquiatria e saúde mental. A diversidade deste campo é substituída por um discurso relativamente hegemônico, no qual a noção de adaptação ocupa lugar central. Nas recomendações da OMS, deste início de século, observa-se a influência das neurociências, da psiquiatria biológica e das terapias cognitivo-comportamentais. / This is a theoretical research aiming at detecting the main problems concerning children on the intersection of mental and public health, and based upon the World Health Organization’s commendations at the following historical moments: the 1950s and 1970s, as well as the early 21st century. The foundations of such commendations were checked, keeping in mind the diversity of orientations in the field of mental health. The theoretical frame presents the origins of psychiatric and psychoanalytical clinics with children, and their fundamentals. Actions aiming at children by the Mental Hygiene Movement in the early 20th century were also analyzed. It can be observed that prevention imposes itself as the main assistance pattern. The health of both mothers and children, schools and families are the main components of the proposed prevention measures. In these commendations it can also be noticed an almost equivalent relationship between psychiatrist and mental health. Diversity in this field is substituted for a relatively hegemonic speech, in which the notion of adaptation plays a crucial role. In the World Health Organization’s commendations in this early century, it can be detected the influence of neurosciences, biological psychiatry, and behaviorist-cognitive therapies.

Trata-se de uma pesquisa teórica que verifica as relações existentes entre saúde mental e saúde pública a partir da identificação dos principais problemas referentes à infância em recomendações divulgadas pela Organização Mundial da Saúde nos seguintes momentos históricos: início da década de 1950, meados da década de 1970 e primeiros anos do século XXI. Apresenta a diversidade presente na construção do campo da saúde mental, as principais perspectivas teóricas e o lugar da clínica psiquiátrica e psicanalítica nesse processo. Ações dirigidas à infância pelo movimento da Higiene Mental, nas primeiras décadas do século XX, também são analisadas. Verifica-se que a prevenção se instaura como principal modelo de assistência. A saúde materno-infantil, a escola e a família são os principais componentes das medidas preventivas propostas. Nestas recomendações, evidencia-se uma relação de quase equivalência entre psiquiatria e saúde mental. A diversidade deste campo é substituída por um discurso relativamente hegemônico, no qual a noção de adaptação ocupa lugar central. Nas recomendações da OMS, deste início de século, observa-se a influência das neurociências, da psiquiatria biológica e das terapias cognitivo-comportamentais. / This is a theoretical research aiming at detecting the main problems concerning children on the intersection of mental and public health, and based upon the World Health Organization’s commendations at the following historical moments: the 1950s and 1970s, as well as the early 21st century. The foundations of such commendations were checked, keeping in mind the diversity of orientations in the field of mental health. The theoretical frame presents the origins of psychiatric and psychoanalytical clinics with children, and their fundamentals. Actions aiming at children by the Mental Hygiene Movement in the early 20th century were also analyzed. It can be observed that prevention imposes itself as the main assistance pattern. The health of both mothers and children, schools and families are the main components of the proposed prevention measures. In these commendations it can also be noticed an almost equivalent relationship between psychiatrist and mental health. Diversity in this field is substituted for a relatively hegemonic speech, in which the notion of adaptation plays a crucial role. In the World Health Organization’s commendations in this early century, it can be detected the influence of neurosciences, biological psychiatry, and behaviorist-cognitive therapies.

Masters of Public Health - see Magister Public Health / The World Health Organization (WHO) considers violence to be a global public health problem. It is estimated that 1.6 million people worldwide lost their lives to violence in 2000. This translates to a global rate of 28.8 deaths per 100 000 population. The end of Apartheid in South Africa in 1994 brought about various economic, social and political transitions within the country, resulting in rapid urbanization, increasing unemployment and deepening inequalities. Consequently, these conditions also brought about increased incidences of crime and violence. The South African Police Service (SAPS) recorded approximately 2.58 million crimes in 2000. The SAPS faced many challenges in transforming the eleven South African Police Forces to a combined South African Police Service in 1994. Literature has indicated that while serious crimes increased, the chances of an offender being caught and punished declined between 1994 and 2000. During the 2002-2003 financial year the SAPS recorded a national homicide rate of 47.4 per 100 000 population. The Western Cape and Limpopo province had the highest and lowest provincial homicide rate of 84.8 and 12.1 per 100 000 population respectively. Other studies indicated that city-specific homicide rates for Cape Town increased from 84 to 88 per 100 000 population between 1999 and 2001. A pilot study conducted in Cape Town during 2003 to determine victim-perpetrator relationships and motives for homicide that occurred in 1999 was hampered by difficulties in tracing police dockets, inconsistencies in data capturing, and the absence of perpetrator information due to some court cases not being finalized. It was therefore decided to conduct a qualitative, descriptive, comparative study between two police stations in Cape Town. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with police officers at different ranks to document the procedures and route of reported crimes and to explore the factors impacting on the criminal investigation process. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic content analysis. The interviews provided an insight to the contextual environment and the attitudes of police officers regarding the transformation of the SAPS, and identified the factors impacting on the criminal investigation process at the two selected police stations. Issues discussed are discipline, restructuring and motivational factors regarding the transformation process, as well as training courses, the court impact and the relationship between the detectives and prosecutors. The main constraints identified at both police stations were human resources, training courses and vehicles. Social support and community factors are also discussed. The interviews with police officers revealed that there are various issues of management at national and provincial level that need to be addressed, such as detective recruitment standards, training courses and the management of different crime types to reduce the workload of detectives. The need for closer collaboration with the courts to avoid the misplacement of dockets and to minimise delays in the finalisation of court cases was also identified. Previous studies have also identified blockages within the South African criminal justice system and it is hoped that this study could highlight those issues that still need to be addressed.

<p>Background: The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is considered one of the most successful international efforts to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. The initiative has proven impact, increasing the likelihood of babies being exclusively breastfed for six months. Official designation as Baby Friendly requires careful assessment completed by a trained external team to confirm that the institution is truly carrying out all Ten Steps of successful breastfeeding and conforming to the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (BMS).The implementation of these principles are however challenging for facilities as it requires &ldquo / strategic planning, implementation and maintaining change&rdquo / within the facilities. Aim: To assess the factors influencing the implementation of BFHI principles in non accredited MOU` s in the Metropole region of the Western Cape.</p>

The CIDI is a fully standardised diagnostic interview designed for assessing mental disorders based on the definitions and criteria of ICD-1Oand DSM-IlI-R. Field trials with the CIDI have been conducted in 18 centres around the world, to test the feasibility and reliability of the CIDI in different cultures and settings, as well as to test the inter-rater agreement for the different types of questions used. Of 590 subjects interviewed across all sites and rated by an interviewer and observer, 575 were eligible for analysis. The CIDI was judged to be acceptable for most subjects and was appropriate for use in different kinds of settings. Many subjects fulfilled criteria for more than one diagnosis (lifetime and six-month). The most frequent lifetime disorders were generalised anxiety, major depression, tobacco use disorders, and agoraphobia. Percentage agreements for all diagnoses were above 90% and the kappa values were all highly significant. No significant numbers of diagnostic disconcordances were found with lifetime, six-month, and four-week time frames.

<p>Background: The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is considered one of the most successful international efforts to protect, promote and support breastfeeding. The initiative has proven impact, increasing the likelihood of babies being exclusively breastfed for six months. Official designation as Baby Friendly requires careful assessment completed by a trained external team to confirm that the institution is truly carrying out all Ten Steps of successful breastfeeding and conforming to the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (BMS).The implementation of these principles are however challenging for facilities as it requires &ldquo / strategic planning, implementation and maintaining change&rdquo / within the facilities. Aim: To assess the factors influencing the implementation of BFHI principles in non accredited MOU` s in the Metropole region of the Western Cape.</p>

Este trabalho tem o objetivo de discutir o surgimento e desenvolvimento da noção de qualidade de vida como uma estratégia de avaliação em saúde, a partir da trajetória do instrumento de qualidade de vida da Organização Mundial de Saúde, WHOQOL. Através de uma perspectiva construcionista foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica e documental identificando os usos da noção de qualidade de vida nas políticas de saúde internacionais e na literatura médica. A discussão proposta pelo trabalho aponta para as relações entre os processos de globalização e o campo da saúde como a matriz política e cognitiva para o surgimento dos instrumentos de avaliação de qualidade de vida, principalmente a partir de sua perspectiva transcultural. A criação e uso do WHOQOL em seus diversos centros de pesquisa distribuídos em 40 países visam produzir consensos técnicos e políticos para a construção de sistemas de informação em saúde baseada em critérios universais, possibilitando às agências internacionais, como a OMS, influir globalmente sobre as políticas nacionais de saúde. / This work aims to discuss the emergence and development of the concept of quality of life as an strategy to assess health, based on the WHOQOL, an instrument developed by the World Health Organization to assess quality of life. Through a constructionist perspective, a bibliographical and documental research has been carried out, in order to identify uses of the concept of quality of life in international health policies and in medical literature. The discussion provided by this work points to the relations between globalization processes and the health area as political and cognitive matrix for the emergence of tools to assess quality of life mainly from their transcultural perspective. The creation and use of the WHOQOL in research centers in 40 countries aim to produce technical and political consensus to build health information systems based on universal systems, and afford international agencies, like WHO, worldwide influence on national health politics.

Este trabalho tem o objetivo de discutir o surgimento e desenvolvimento da noção de qualidade de vida como uma estratégia de avaliação em saúde, a partir da trajetória do instrumento de qualidade de vida da Organização Mundial de Saúde, WHOQOL. Através de uma perspectiva construcionista foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica e documental identificando os usos da noção de qualidade de vida nas políticas de saúde internacionais e na literatura médica. A discussão proposta pelo trabalho aponta para as relações entre os processos de globalização e o campo da saúde como a matriz política e cognitiva para o surgimento dos instrumentos de avaliação de qualidade de vida, principalmente a partir de sua perspectiva transcultural. A criação e uso do WHOQOL em seus diversos centros de pesquisa distribuídos em 40 países visam produzir consensos técnicos e políticos para a construção de sistemas de informação em saúde baseada em critérios universais, possibilitando às agências internacionais, como a OMS, influir globalmente sobre as políticas nacionais de saúde. / This work aims to discuss the emergence and development of the concept of quality of life as an strategy to assess health, based on the WHOQOL, an instrument developed by the World Health Organization to assess quality of life. Through a constructionist perspective, a bibliographical and documental research has been carried out, in order to identify uses of the concept of quality of life in international health policies and in medical literature. The discussion provided by this work points to the relations between globalization processes and the health area as political and cognitive matrix for the emergence of tools to assess quality of life mainly from their transcultural perspective. The creation and use of the WHOQOL in research centers in 40 countries aim to produce technical and political consensus to build health information systems based on universal systems, and afford international agencies, like WHO, worldwide influence on national health politics.