Research

• Evidence - The Research Program contributes to the evidence-base essential for effective health planning and sustainable project outcomes. This technical assistance includes rapid assessments, situation analyses, and program evaluation;
  
  
• Training - AIHI conducts training in research methods (both qualitative and quantitative), and planning, monitoring and evaluation of public health interventions in Australia and the Asia Pacific Region; and
  
  
• Innovation - AIHI staff, students and associates conduct international public health research with the objective of contributing innovative solutions to influence health policy and planning in local settings.

Capacity Building in Health Research and Programming

AIHI is engaged in building research capacity in the Asia Pacific region through the delivery of a range of accredited and short courses, research collaborations and mentoring. The course offerings support communities to monitor local health issues, identify emerging problems, investigate the determinants of health problems, assess health status, and plan effective health interventions and policies.

AIHI delivers practice-oriented courses in Australia and overseas, where courses are adapted to meet the needs of local groups, organisations and settings.
See: Education and Training in International Health

Topics include:

• Qualitative and Quantitative Methods
• Rapid Assessment Tools
• Health Program Planning and Evaluation
• Planning and Conducting Situation Analyses
• Planning Community Interventions

Academic Supervision

AIHI provides supervision and mentoring for undergraduate and postgraduate students undertaking research in international health. These students are enrolled in the Advanced Medical Science (AMS) year of the undergraduate medical curriculum, the Master of Public Health and PhD programs. AIHI also supervises and hosts post-doctoral researchers and visitors in international health.
Link to the Scholarships Office at the University of Melbourne.

Former Research Higher Degree Students at AIHI

• Dr Helen Cox. PhD 2006. Dissertation: Tuberculosis treatment and control in Uzbekistan: DOTS and drug resistance. NHMRC Scholar.
• Mr Lin Li. PhD 2007 (to be conferred). Dissertation: Vulnerable but feeling safe: HIV risk among male rural-to-urban migrant workers in Chengdu, China. Ford Foundation Scholar.
• Dr Mubeen Syed Muhammed. MPH by Research 2007. Dissertation:  Smoking among future doctors:  a tobacco-related knowledge, attitudes and practices study in Karachi, Pakistan. AusAID Scholar.
• Dr Naing. Doctorate of Public Health 2007. Dissertation: Using Theory-Based Behaviour Change Communication for HIV Prevention among Burmese Fishermen in Thailand: an Evaluation Study.
• Ms Rosemary Mhlanga-Gunda (PhD Candidate). Topic: Adherence and factors influncing adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among people living with HIV (PLHIV) at a Mission Hospital in rural Zimbabwe: Implications for public health policy and practice. Nossal Institute for Global Health Scholar.
• Ms Leigh Williamson (PhD Candidate). Topic: Community-based mental health promotion and care in India. Nossal Institute for Global Health Scholar.

Mentoring and Collaboration

AIHI mentors supervisors of research projects within the Master of Public Health and the AMS year. AIHI research program staff also mentor colleagues, associates and visiting fellows in the development of research protocols for collaborative projects. AIHI offers field support to consolidate the skills of overseas partners, and ensures that research findings are disseminated widely.

Melbourne Interest Group In International Health

AIHI, in collaboration with the Centre for International Child Health at the Royal Children's Hospital and the Centre for International Health at the Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, have formed an interest group of Melbourne-based international public health practitioners (MIGIH). Research is one of MIGIH's many areas of interest and it hosts monthly forums to discuss research findings, methodological challenges and ethical aspects of research.