RESUMEN
Background. University-based research capacity development (RCD) mechanisms tend to focus on staff and postgraduate students, with few structures targeted at undergraduate students. Support for undergraduate research must be tailored to the unique requirements of research at this level, while maintaining links with relevant structures in both the RCD and teaching and learning domains. Objective. To conduct a process evaluation of the Undergraduate Research Office (URO) in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, using RCD and characteristics of excellence in undergraduate research criteria as benchmarks. Methods. A process evaluation of URO's first 6 years was conducted using a logic model of URO's inputs, activities, and outputs. Through a retrospective document review, a descriptive analysis of URO's inputs and activities (narrative) and URO's outputs (statistical) was conducted. Results. Following a description of inputs and activities, results present URO's outputs as a measure of the uptake of these activities. From 2015 to 2020, 259 undergraduate research projects were completed. Research consultations, workshops and undergraduate presentations at the faculty's Annual Academic Day have more than doubled since URO's inception. The Undergraduate Research Ethics Committee has reviewed 243 ethics applications since 2015, with a 1 - 2-week turnaround time. A total of 134 funding applications worth ZAR705 986 have been awarded for research project, conference presentation and publication costs. Conclusion. Results show the potential impact of a formal undergraduate research support entity on the undergraduate research outputs of a Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. This article highlights elements for success for formal undergraduate research support, and identifies gaps going forward.
Asunto(s)
Educación de Pregrado en Medicina , Ciencias de la Salud , National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, U.S., Health and Medicine Division , Atención a la SaludRESUMEN
Building the skills for doing, managing and delivering health research is essential for every country's development. Yet, human resources for health research (HRHR) are seldom considered in Africa and elsewhere. Africa's health research capacity has grown considerably, with potential to increase this growth. However, a systemic way of defining, co-ordinating and growing the HRHR needed to support health systems development is missing. Reviewing the status of HRHR in Africa, we assert that it consists of uncoordinated, small-scale activities, primarily driven from outside Africa. We present examples of ongoing HRHR capacity building initiatives in Africa. There is no overarching framework, strategy or body for African countries to optimise research support and capacity in HRHR. A simple model is presented to help countries plan and strategise for a comprehensive approach to research capacity strengthening. Everyone engaged with global, regional and national research for health enterprises must proactively address human resource planning for health research in Africa. Unless this is made explicit in global and national agendas, Africa will remain only an interested spectator in the decisions, prioritisation, funding allocations, conduct and interpretation, and in the institutional, economic and social benefits of health research, rather than owning and driving its own health research agendas.
Asunto(s)
Creación de Capacidad/organización & administración , Investigación sobre Servicios de Salud , Administración de Personal , Desarrollo de Programa , África , Recursos en Salud , Necesidades y Demandas de Servicios de Salud , Investigación sobre Servicios de Salud/economía , Investigación sobre Servicios de Salud/organización & administración , Humanos , Evaluación de Necesidades , Administración de Personal/métodos , Recursos HumanosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: We assessed the prevalence of eating disorder symptoms in Black South African men and also explored their possible links with acculturation. METHOD: The Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI) and the South African Acculturation Scale (SAAS) were administered to a sample of undergraduate students consisting of 50 Black women, 50 Black men and 50 White men. RESULTS: The Black men had significantly higher scores than the White men on the psychological subscales of the EDI and higher than cut-off scores on perfectionism, interpersonal distrust and maturity fears subscales. There were marginal racial differences in the average acculturation scores, whereas gender appeared to have a variable effect on acculturation attitudes. Specific acculturation strategies were found to be differentially associated with the EDI subscales. The association between acculturation and eating disorder symptoms in Black men was significantly higher than that in White men. DISCUSSION: Our results indicate that there is a higher prevalence of eating disorder pathology in Black men than in White men. This lends support to the possible association between acculturation and eating disorders, and challenges the assumption that non-Western individuals--and Black men in particular--are protected from body image disturbances and disordered eating patterns.