The focus of this cooperate agreement is to enhance Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) School of Public Health and Social Sciencess (SPHSS) ability to contribute to the development of the Tanzanian health care system through its trainings in the field of public health. Through the support, the SPHSS pre-service training programs will be able to admit and train an increased number of students to meet the increased demand in quantity, quality, and diversity of the human resources for health in Tanzanias health sector. By training the human resources for health, the University is producing the required personnel who shall work in the health sector to control the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

The Coag works in Dar es Salaam, Pwani, and Morogoro. However, students are drawn from all over Tanzania. This approach has three main objectives: public health curriculum development/enhancement, improvement of existing and the development of new masters programs, and in-service training courses and infrastructural development to support the ever increasing number of programs and students. Instead of starting afresh every year with new issues and objectives, existing achievements will be expanded upon and revised, if necessary, therefore available resources is utilized in a more effective and efficient manner.

All programs will be self-sustaining through the tuition fees paid by students when the project ends. M&E, through bi-weekly process evaluations and reports, are linked to the set targets as well as six-month and annual evaluations.

The system barriers that the program will address are of inadequate human resources for health, both in quality and quantity. This barrier is addressed through the development of the health care system, supporting trainings in the field of public health. Through the SPHSS pre-service training programs, an increased number of students will be admitted and trained to meet the demand in quantity, quality, and diversity of human resources for health in Tanzania's health care sector. These barriers will also be addressed through Public health curriculum development and enhancement, improvement of existing and the development of new masters programs, and in-service training courses and infrastructural development to support the ever-increasing number of programs and students. OHSS also supported the BCC program development strategies and activities by providing a broad foundation of strengthened capacity in the school of public health.

Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Science (MUHAS) recently established a masters degree course in HIV and health services promotion and behavior change. Graduates from this program are expected to be able to design, plan, implement, and evaluate effective HIV and health promotion and behavioral interventions that promote the adoption of healthy options and health seeking behaviors. In line with current international and national guidance, along with existing and emerging evidence regarding most effective HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment interventions and services, students will be trained to design, implement and evaluate IEC and BCC projects that support (a) couples communications, couples HIV testing and counseling, disclosure, and support for discordant couple; (b) promotion of voluntary male medical circumcision services; and (c) support for adherence of ART, TB, and STI treatment, with specific attention to HIV positive pregnant women and youth.

MUHAS expects that the training, while specifically focusing on IEC and BCC for HIV interventions and services, will have a "positive spill-over" effect and inform improvements of broader health education efforts in the country. Special attention will be paid to other services promoted and prioritized under Tanzania's Global Health Initiative (GHI) Strategy. This program is expected to be the main Tanzanian "think tank" supporting the design and adaptation of evidence-based and effective interventions to prevent new HIV infections in Tanzania. This course will also include a strong focus on monitoring and evaluation of prevention programs.

The course will be of a two-year duration with five students per year being offered partial scholarships. Some of the ongoing activities include curriculum development, development of course materials, modules, case studies and other teaching materials. Both MUHAS academic and administrative staff are engaged in this activity. Students will be exposed to both competence based approaches and field attachments. They will be assessed according to the University examination regulations and guidelines.

HVAB as well as HVOP funds will go toward supporting this course. Through HVAB support in particular, this course will encourage the training of high quality graduates in implementing activities that target young girls and aim at reducing the age of sexual debut while also seeking to protect them from sexual violence. Emphasis will be given on case studies that focus on gender based violence and interventions that aim at changing social norms that facilitates violence against girls and women.

Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Science (MUHAS) recently established a masters degree course in HIV and health services promotion and behavior change. Graduates from this program are expected to be able to design, plan, implement, and evaluate effective HIV and health promotion and behavioral interventions that promote the adoption of healthy options and health seeking behaviors.

In line with current international and national guidance, along with existing and emerging evidence regarding most effective HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment interventions and services, HVOP as well as HVAB funds will go toward training students to design, implement and evaluate IEC and BCC projects that support (a) couples communications, couples HIV testing and counseling, disclosure, and support for discordant couple; (b) promotion of voluntary male medical circumcision services; (c) support for adherence of ART, TB, and STI treatment, with specific attention to HIV positive pregnant women and youth; (d) support for promotion of increased correct and consistent use of male condoms; (e) promotion of female condom use among identified target groups; (f) support for Positive Health Dignity and Prevention (PHDP) and other interventions, specifically designed to support People Living with HIV/AIDS and HIV positive girls and women; and (g) increased demand and up-take of comprehensive services among key populations such as sex workers and their clients, people who use and/or inject drugs and men who have sex with men.

MUHAS expects that the training, while specifically focusing on IEC and BCC for HIV interventions and services, will have a "positive spill-over" effect and inform improvements of broader health education efforts in the country. Special attention will be paid to other services promoted and prioritized under Tanzania's Global Health Initiative (GHI) Strategy. This program is expected to be the main Tanzanian "think tank" supporting the design and adaptation of evidence-based and effective interventions to prevent new HIV infections in Tanzania. This course will also include a strong focus on monitoring and evaluation of prevention programs.

The course will be of a two-year duration with five students per year being offered partial scholarships. Some of the ongoing activities include curriculum development, development of course materials, modules, case studies and other teaching materials. Both MUHAS academic and administrative staff are engaged in this activity. Students will be exposed to both competence based approaches and field attachments. They will be assessed according to the University examination regulations and guidelines.