Evidence based medicine in HIV/AIDS and reproductive health research: Piloting two distance learning courses in low-resource settings

AFRICA BUILD is a Coordination Action to support the development of centers of excellence in health care, education and health research in African countries, thanks to Information Technology. This project, developed under the 7th European Framework Programme, consists of seven Work Packages (WPs). The Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp is in charge of WP6 with the task of developing a specific distance training program in HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health research in collaboration with the World Health Organization Department of Reproductive Health and Research (RHR). The aim of this program will be to enhance research and education in the above mentioned fields, via novel approaches and remote resources. Study materials will be available for students through the AFRICA BUILD Portal, and modules' content will be delivered via live webcasts. One of the aims of the course will be to identify research gaps, focusing thereafter on strengthening research methodologies and policies.