S M Tollman1. 1. Department of Community Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the evolution and current status of the Agincourt field site, Bushbuckridge, in South Africa's rural north-east. SETTING: A defined subdistrict, with a population of some 60,000 people including Mozambican refugees, in a former 'homeland' area with substantial labour migration. APPROACH: Three phases are described: origins and establishment of the field site; a programme of health systems research underpinned by multi-round (prospective) demographic and health surveillance; and contributions to the University of the North's Dikgale field site. COMMENT: Knowledge of trends in population health (e.g. mortality) is important when shaping the skill base and organisational framework of a district health system. There are valuable opportunities for collaborative research with field sites elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa, and within South Africa itself. This will be facilitated by a common data model. A country-wide network of field sites, with surveillance capability, would complement the occasional national census and demographic and health survey, and strengthen South Africa's embryonic health information system.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the evolution and current status of the Agincourt field site, Bushbuckridge, in South Africa's rural north-east. SETTING: A defined subdistrict, with a population of some 60,000 people including Mozambican refugees, in a former 'homeland' area with substantial labour migration. APPROACH: Three phases are described: origins and establishment of the field site; a programme of health systems research underpinned by multi-round (prospective) demographic and health surveillance; and contributions to the University of the North's Dikgale field site. COMMENT: Knowledge of trends in population health (e.g. mortality) is important when shaping the skill base and organisational framework of a district health system. There are valuable opportunities for collaborative research with field sites elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa, and within South Africa itself. This will be facilitated by a common data model. A country-wide network of field sites, with surveillance capability, would complement the occasional national census and demographic and health survey, and strengthen South Africa's embryonic health information system.
Authors: Kathleen Kahn; Stephen M Tollman; Mark A Collinson; Samuel J Clark; Rhian Twine; Benjamin D Clark; Mildred Shabangu; Francesc Xavier Gómez-Olivé; Obed Mokoena; Michel L Garenne Journal: Scand J Public Health Suppl Date: 2007-08 Impact factor: 3.021
Authors: Benn Sartorius; Kathleen Kahn; Penelope Vounatsou; Mark A Collinson; Stephen M Tollman Journal: Glob Health Action Date: 2010-08-30 Impact factor: 2.640
Authors: Kathleen Kahn; Mark A Collinson; F Xavier Gómez-Olivé; Obed Mokoena; Rhian Twine; Paul Mee; Sulaimon A Afolabi; Benjamin D Clark; Chodziwadziwa W Kabudula; Audrey Khosa; Simon Khoza; Mildred G Shabangu; Bernard Silaule; Jeffrey B Tibane; Ryan G Wagner; Michel L Garenne; Samuel J Clark; Stephen M Tollman Journal: Int J Epidemiol Date: 2012-08 Impact factor: 7.196