8th Postgraduate Course in Reproductive Medicine and Reproductive Biology
Geneva WHO Collaborating Centre for Research in Human Reproduction
in collaboration with
UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank
Special Programme of Research , Development and Training in Human Reproduction
(HRP)
Report
There were 26 participants from 15 different nations participating in the 8th postgraduate course which was held from 1st September to 15th October 1998 in Geneva. (Appendix 1)
Course structure
This year’s course was structured in eight modules with morning lectures and afternoon sessions. The afternoon sessions provided mostly a more general information about different reproductive health issues in different regions and settings.
Three of the modules were held in WHO (Epidemiology, Statistics, Cochrane Library and Family Planning module by HRP and Safe Motherhood module by the same named programme).
At the end of each module one of the students presented a short summary of the module which helped them to re-memorize what they have just learned. (Appendix 2)
Running of the course
Throughout the course all students had access to personal computers (2 students sharing 1 computer). Access to Internet and Medline was very important for their literature search and for obtaining information for their projects.
As not all of the participants were computer literate and had experience in using Internet, we provided training so that all of the students could perform a literature search and prepare their bibliographic review and oral presentation electronically. Two libraries (medical library and library at WHO) were available for the participants and professional help from librarians could be obtained if necessary.
Accommodation for participants
During the course most of the students stayed at the campus facilities (Cité Universitaire), some students had arranged beforehand private accommodation.
Exams
In order to successfully complete the course and to obtain the ‘Certificate in Reproductive Medicine and Reproductive Biology’ the students had to pass an exam, consisting of three parts.- A questionnaire developed in a multiple choice format consisting of 60 questions and two open questions, which were all proposed by individual course lecturers and reviewed by the Scientific Committee.
- A bibliographic search was performed during the six week course. All students chose their topics for the review at the beginning of the course. They were then asked to prepare the review under the guidance of a tutor from WHO/HRP or Geneva University Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology .
- The oral part was a 15 minute presentation followed by questions from individual lecturers/tutors and gave a reflection of each student’s ‘in-depth’ knowledge of her/his chosen topic.
The final mark for each student were done as follows:
Bibiliographic search | notes 0-2 |
Oral presentation | notes 0-2 |
Written exam: | |
2 open questions | notes 0-2 |
Multiple choice questions | notes 0-6 |
The final note of the course was obtained by adding the four notes divided by two.
The results in 1998 were the following:
7 candidates | note 5 |
16 candidates | note 4 |
3 candidates | note 3 |
Twenty-three of the participants obtained the ‘Certificate in Reproductive Medicine and Reproductive Biology’.
It was very much emphasized that the participants, besides the bibliographic review, develop a proposal for a research project: a project that is relevant to their settings, in their countries.
Different types of projects ranging from clinical trials addressing different aspects of maternal health, projects about certain countries’ reproductive health profiles, a systematic review and a multicentre study in the field of basic science and genetics were among the projects developed.
A group of students from Albania is preparing a Reproductive Health Manual for medical and parmedical staff in Albania.
At the end of the course the participants were asked to complete an evaluation form to provide us with feed back about the course. As a result, the students found the course very useful and important to improve their skills as well as relevant for their own settings. This evaluation of the course will give guidance for future course development and contents.
Funding was provided through:
- WHO/HRP
- International Association for Maternal and Neonatal Health (IAMANEH)
- Division of Public Health, Bellinzona, Canton of Ticino
- Swiss National Science Foundation
- Geneva - Yaounde Cooperation
- University of Buenos Aires
- Private donors
Present and future activities
- Monitoring and resource mobilization of the ongoing projects
- Over the last few months a network with the participants of the course has been established. The aim of the network is to exchange information between people interested in reproductive health and to create a basis for future international activities.
List of participants
Name of participant | Sponsorship | Name of tutor | Bibliographic review | Research project |
ABALOS Edgardo Argentina |
IAMANEH | Dr O Irion Dr M Boulvain | Review of two rapid screening tests for asymptomatic bacteriuria during pregnancy | Evaluation of the effectiveness of screening asymptomatic pregnant women for bacteriuria by a combined reagent strip |
ALI Samina Pakistan |
IAMANEH | Dr H von Hertzen Dr I Shah WHO |
South Asian perspectives on fertility regulation | The acceptability of contraceptives by women in Pakistan |
BARAMIDZE Levan Georgia |
WHO | Dr D Islami | Profile of reproductive health in Georgia | Update of profile |
BLEMUR Georges Haiti |
Private funding | Dr D Islami | Profile of reproductive health in Haiti | Update of profile |
BORTHAISER Zoltan Hungary |
WHO | Dr D Islami | Profile of reproductive health in Hungary | Update of profile |
CENAMERI Saimir Albania |
Bellinzona | Dr E Ezcurra WHO | Emergency contraception in adolescents | Chapter for manual for
Albania
(Emergency contraception) |
DICULESCU Constantin Romania |
IAMANEH | Dr O Irion Dr M Boulvain | Single-dose antibacterial treatment for asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy | |
ENCIULESCU Constantin Romania |
Swiss National Science Foundation | Dr E Ezcurra WHO | Efficacy of emergency contraception regimens | |
FOKOUA Serafin Cameroon |
Geneva-Yaounde Cooperation | Dr S Nazeer | Prevalence of human papilloma virus in cervical dysplasia lesions | Prevalence of human papilloma virus in cervical dysplasia lesions in Cameroon |
GJONI Maksim Albania |
IAMANEH | Dr J Villar WHO | Preterm premature rupture of the membranes | Preterm premature rupture of the membranes in Albania |
HADIJONO Soerjo Indonesia |
IAMANEH | Dr H von Hertzen WHO | Health service quality improvement after normal delivery; a competency-based training package |
1) Reproductive
health profile in Indonesia 2 ) Health service quality improvement after normal delivery;competency-based training package |
HYPPOLITO Silvia Brazil |
IAMANEH | Dr S Nazeer | Cytology as a cervical cancer screening test : how effective is it ? | A demonstration project for cervical screening using the "see and treat" approach |
KOPANI Fatmir Albania |
Bellinzona | Dr D Chardonnens | Diagnosis and treatment of prolactinoma | Chapter for manual for Albania (Infertility) |
KRAMER Brigitte Germany |
Private funding | Dr H von Hertzen WHO | Mifepristone and levonorgestrel. Research on mechanism of action of emergency contraception | The Yuzpe regimen as postcoital contraception in the outpatient department of gynecology at the University Hospital of Geneva |
LAZAREVA Elena Kazakhstan |
Private funding | Dr E Ezcurra WHO | The use of IUDs for emergency contraception | |
MAITRA Nandita India |
IAMANEH | Dr M Gulmezoglu WHO | Cochrane systematic review. Comparison of acceptability of low dose oral contraceptives containing levonorgestrel, norethindrone, desogestrel, gestodene and norgestimate (literature search and protocol) | Comparison of acceptability of low dose oral contraceptives containing levonorgestrel, norethindrone, desogestrel, gestodene and norgestimate (systematic review) |
PARASTIE Grigore Romania |
Swiss National Science Foundation | Dr A de Agostini | The importance of sperm morphology in the evaluation of male infertility | Definition of normal value of human semen |
PARALLOI Arben Albania |
Bellinzona | Dr C Delozier | Second trimester maternal serum screening programmes for the detection of Down’s syndrome | 1)Chapter for manual for Albania 2)Perspectives for Down’s syndrome screening in Albania |
POU Juan Carlos Argentina |
University of Buenos Aires | Dr D de Ziegler | Recombinant luteinizing hormone. Is it necessary ? | Recombinant luteinizing hormone. Is it necessary ? |
PRASMUSINTO Damar Indonesia |
IAMANEH | Dr D de Ziegler | The recombinant follicle stimulating hormone : a new alternative for induction of ovulation and treatment of PCO | Using recombinant FSH for treatment of polycystic ovary syndrom |
RRUMBULLAKU Llukan Albania |
Swiss National Science Foundation | Dr A de Agostini | Semen analysis | 1)Chapter for manual for Albania (Infertility) 2)Definition of normal value of human semen |
TASHA Ilir Albania |
Bellinzona | Dr G Bianchi | The role of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in tubo-ovarian infertility | 1) Chapter for manual for Albania (Infertility) 2) Screening for Chlamydia trachomatis infection in Albania |
TCHANA Sinou-Micyline Cameroon |
Geneva-Yaounde Cooperation | Prof SE Antonarakis Dr C Delozier | Antenatal screening of sickle cell disease | Effect of using saline or glucose as vehicles for oxytocin on neonatal bilirubin levels |
TKATCHOUK Elena Russia |
Private funding | Dr S Nazeer | Adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix in young women | Adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix in young women |
VAZQUEZ Juan Carlos Cuba |
IAMANEH | Dr J Villar WHO | Prevalence of cervico-vaginal infection by chlamydia trachomatis, mycoplasma homonis, ureaplasma urealyticum and beta-hemolytic streptococcus serogroup B in pregnant women | Prevalence of cervico-vaginal infection by chlamydia trachomatis, mycoplasma homonis, ureaplasma urealyticum and beta-hemolytic streptococcus serogroup B in pregnant women |
YAZBEK Lais
Christina Brazil |
IAMANEH | Dr C d`Arcangues WHO | Effects of combined injectable contraceptives on the lipid profile in women | Effects of combined injectable contraceptives on the lipid profile in women over 35 years of age |
Modules |
Date |
Tutors/Location |
Basic Sciences |
September 3-4-7-8-9 |
HCUG |
Genetics |
September 10-11 |
HCUG |
Epidemiology, Statistic, Cochrane Library |
September 14-15-16-17 |
WHO/HRP |
Family Planning |
September 18-21-22-23-24 |
WHO/HRP |
Infertility, Gynecologic Endocrinology |
September 25-28-29-30, October 1 |
HCUG |
Cervical Cancer, Sexually Transmitted Diseases |
October 2 |
HCUG |
Obstetrics |
October 5-6 |
HCUG |
Safe Motherhood |
October 7-8-9 |
WHO/Safe Motherhood Programme |