Ms Janet Agaya ,CHAMPS Coordinator .
By Lorraine Anyango.
A five-day training workshop is underway for health workers from Kisumu and Siaya counties, aimed at strengthening their capacity to analyze and utilize data to improve child health outcomes. The initiative, led by the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) program, seeks to translate research findings into actionable insights to combat child mortality.
The Power of Abstracts
A key focus of the training is on the development of abstracts, and concise summaries of research findings. Abstracts play a critical role in disseminating research knowledge and informing evidence-based policies and practices. By highlighting the significance of abstracts, CHAMPS aims to empower health workers to communicate their findings effectively and influence decision-making.
Addressing Malnutrition and Malaria
Recent collaborations between CHAMPS and the two counties have yielded valuable insights into the factors contributing to child mortality. Studies have revealed strong links between malnutrition and child mortality, with malnutrition identified as a major cause of death among children under five. Additionally, data from CHAMPS’ DecoDe panels has implicated malaria as a significant contributor to neonatal deaths.
Building Data Analysis Skills
To equip health workers with the necessary skills to address these challenges, the training covers a range of topics, including:
- Introduction to epidemiology
- Key concepts of infectious diseases
- Data sources and collection methods
- Data management, entry, storage, and organization
- Data management software
By the end of the training, participants will be able to write abstracts that highlight the impact of interventions on child mortality. They will also be equipped to develop scientific presentations to share their findings with a wider audience.
“We have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of data-driven interventions,” said Janet Agaya, CHAMPS program coordinator. “By strengthening the capacity of our health workers to analyze and interpret data, we can continue to reduce child mortality and improve the health and well-being of children in these communities.”
This initiative, supported by CHAMPS in collaboration with the Fellowship in Epidemiologic Training Program (FELTP), underscores the importance of data-driven decision-making in addressing public health challenges. By investing in the skills and knowledge of health workers, CHAMPS and its partners are working towards a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive.
