Canadian University Projects in International Development Database (CUPID)

Africa

Madagascar

• Lutte contre le SIDA et le cancer du col utérin à Madagascar
• Développement des ressources humaines et stratégies d'intervention en matière de MST-SIDA
• La santé animale pour la santé populationnelle

Développement des ressources humaines et stratégies d'intervention en matière de MST-SIDA

Project purpose:
The objective of the project was to reduce the rate of sexually transmitted diseases (STD/AIDS) in Madagascar and their medical and socio-economic effects on the population.

Key results to date:
Eight doctors were trained in microbiology, infectious diseases, public health and biological sciences; 30 paramedics received STD/AIDS training; a medical biology laboratory has been set up and staff have been trained to carry out diagnostics, teach and conduct research; the curriculum of the faculty of medicine at the University of Antananarivo has been modified; and the awareness of groups at risk, including pregnant women, prostitutes, women of child-bearing age, soldiers and blood donors, has been raised in the course of evaluative research. Awareness also increased among thousands of patients from different regions of Madagascar who came to the laboratory for biological testing.

La santé animale pour la santé populationnelle

Project purpose:
The project aims to strengthen the capacity of l'Université d'Antananarivo to offer regular and continued training programs in veterinary medicine adapted to the needs of the farmers. The collaboration between veterinarians and farmers will lead to an increase in the availability of animal-based nutritional proteins and, as a consequence, will ensure greater stability in food supplies.

Key results to date:
Progress has slowed on this project due to the political instability in Madagascar. The exchanges between Malagasy and Canadian veterinarians were cancelled as a result of the outbreak of Rift Valley Fever. For Université d'Antananarivo, 2010 marked the end of studies for the third cohort of veterinarians trained in Madagascar. Twenty-four students obtained their doctor of veterinary medicine degree. The review of courses on the different active pedagogical approaches has begun. The first two master's students have completed their studies at Université de Montréal and have returned to Madagascar to write their theses. Both will be participating in the project; one as a local coordinator and the other as a research officer on the veterinarian's role in the health of the Malagasy people. Two more Malagasy students were selected and have begun their master's programs at Université de Montréal. The students' research topics are relevant to the country. The creation of rural referral clinics is an innovative solution. These clinics provide practical veterinary training for the students and also benefit the communities.

Lutte contre le SIDA et le cancer du col utérin à Madagascar

Project purpose:
The objectives of this project are to contribute to the early and rapid detection of cervical cancer and to conduct an epidemiological study of AIDS in target districts in the Fianarantsoa province. The project also involves strengthening the capacity of district hospitals and non-governmental agencies in the region to fight sexually-transmitted infections and cervical cancer.

Key results to date:
Due to the political instability prevailing in Madagascar since January 2009, project activities including annual discussions between professionals from Université de Fianarantsoa (UF) and the University Hospital Centre (UHC), preparations for an international scientific conference and collection of lab specimens have slowed down. Nevertheless, 20 physicians in the Fianarantsoa province have been trained in HIV/AIDS, cervical cancer and methods of specimen collection for these diseases. Preparations for the new specialization in molecular biology were carried out during the visit, as well as the training of two professors from UF at Université Laurentienne (UL). A new molecular biology laboratory was created at the Fianarantsoa UHC, with 300 specimens analyzed in the targeted villages. Six workshops were conducted with local authorities, village mayors, health staff, doctors, midwives and traditional healers from the targeted villages. Explanatory brochures were prepared and distributed to these villages. Two female students have been pursuing graduate studies in molecular biology at UL since September 2008. A compilation of the results from the specimen analyses were presented at the International Papillomavirus Conference, HPV 2010. In addition, a Malagasy public health physician was part of a training visit at various Canadian public health departments.