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EXILDAH MUTAMINA $-$ Group...

$22$ January $2024$

Yaound$-$ Cameroon today launched the RTS$,$S malaria vaccine into its routine national immunization services, becoming the first country to do so outside the malaria vaccine pilot programme that was carried out in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi. The introduction comes as efforts gather pace to scale up vaccination against the disease in high$-$risk areas in Africa.

The vaccine is being rolled out across $42$ health districts in the country's $10$ regions in public and private health facilities. The launch comes after Cameroon received $331200$ doses of the vaccine in November $2023.$ More doses are expected in coming weeks.

"The vaccine is an additional tool for malaria control. It has been chosen by the country based on its prequalification, ensuring guaranteed quality, efficacy, and safety for inclusion in the vaccination programme," said Dr Shalom Ndoula, Permanent Secretary of the Expanded Programme on Immunization in Cameroon.

In preparation for the launch, World Health Organization $($WHO$)$ and other partners including GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative supported the national health authorities to strengthen key vaccine introduction measures.

For an effective vaccine introduction, it is essential that countries put in place comprehensive preparations that include:

Adopting the national vaccination policy and guidelines,

Integrating the new vaccine into the delivery schedule of other vaccines and health interventions,

Developing an operational roll out plan,

Training of healthcare workers,

Investing in infrastructure,

Technical capacity,

Vaccine storage,

Community engagement and demand generation,

Ensuring formative supervision,

Monitoring and evaluation of the process to ensure quality vaccine delivery.

"The launch of the malaria vaccine marks a significant step in the prevention and control of the disease, especially in protecting children against severe disease and death," said Dr Phanuel Habimana, WHO Representative in Cameroon.

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MEB $642-$ Research methods I...

QUESTION $1$

a$.$ With the help of your understanding in Research methods course Explain the differences between Research objectives and the Research questions. $[10$ marks$]$

b$.$ Using a research topic of your own choice, write three specific research objectives and three research questions. $[10$ marks$]$

c$.$ Describe the importance of research aim and objectives in research $[10$ marks$]$

d$.$ Using practical examples, explain five important considerations you will need when developing your research topic. $[10$ marks$].$

e$.$ Explain the difference between a 'systematic review' and a 'literature review'? Justify your answer. $[10$ marks$].$

QUESTION $2$

a$)$: What research paradigm does the Cross$-$Sectional study design belong to$?$ Explain your answers $[10$ marks$].$

b$)$: Briefly compare and contrast Cross$-$Sectional Studies and Longitudinal Studies, using practical examples of your choice. $[10$ marks$]$

c$)$: What is the overall purpose of literature review in a research study? $[5$ marks$]$

d$)$: Sampling is an important aspect of any research process. Explain with the help of practical examples the terms Precision and power of the study as used in the research process. Explain how the sample size and sampling strategy can impact the results of a study.

$[10$ marks$]$

e$)$: BRIEFLY: In what ways may the 'qualitative research' methodology be said to be similar to the 'quantitative research' methodology? $[10$ marks$]$

f$)$: In Research what is the difference between Theoretical frame work and conceptual framework? $[5$ marks$]$