A Guide to Multimedia Resources on Reproductive Health

This guide provides descriptions of CD-ROMs that provide clinical skills training in reproductive health. The CDs were either designed specifically for use in clinical settings in the developing world or are appropriate for use in low-resource settings.

We welcome your feedback on these CDs as well as your recommendations of other multimedia materials appropriate for this audience.

This guide was co-produced by EngenderHealth and the Media/Materials Clearinghouse (M/MC) at Johns Hopkins Population Information Program through a generous grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The Art and Science of Contraception (1999; English)

Author: Roger P. Smith, MD

Producer: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Contact: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), 409 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20090-6920, U.S.A.

Price: $150 (ACOG members), $180 (nonmembers)

System Requirements: PC: 486/66, 16 MB RAM, 10 MB hard disk, 256 colors, 2X CD-ROM, sound card and speakers, Windows 3.1, 95, 98, QuickTime. MAC: PowerPC, 16 MB RAM, 10 MB hard disk, 256 colors, 2X CD-ROM, audio, QuickTime.

Description: This CD-ROM provides a comprehensive review of current contraceptive techniques, including counseling, risks, benefits, and options for clients in a variety of situations, from adolescents to perimenopausal women. It includes a 70-page resource guide to be used in client-care conferences and when discussing contraceptive options with women. The CD-ROM is divided into seven sections. The first section gives an introduction to the subject. Section Two provides a history of contraception and a timeline from 1550 BC to 1998. Section Three is a gallery of contraceptive methods. Methods covered include barrier methods (male and female condoms, diaphragm, cervical cap, spermicides), emergency contraception, implants, injections, IUDs, lactational amenorrhea, natural family planning, oral contraceptives, progestin-only oral contraceptives, and sterilization (male and female). For each method, the CD-ROM gives an introduction, an explanation of how it works, its efficacy, advantages and disadvantages, contraindications, special instructions and follow-up, and a bibliography. Section Four covers contraceptives for special populations, including adolescents, perimenopausal women, and women with certain medical conditions. Section Five gives clinical portraits of six different women and allows the user to determine which contraceptive method is best for each woman based on her history, physical exam, and test results. Section Six covers counseling, and includes a quiz for the user to check his or her abilities for being a good counselor and a contraceptive decision tree. The final section includes a list of contributors.

Evaluation: This CD-ROM is designed for doctors and practitioners of women's health care in the U.S. and can even be used for continuing medical education credit. Although it assumes the audience is U.S.-based, most of the content is appropriate for developing country users. The section on special populations is especially good. The CD-ROM requires medium literacy skills and includes written text as well as complementary audio narration. It is also very easy to install, because it has an auto-run feature. It can be used for self-study, seminars, training, or counseling individual clients. Clicking on any underlined term gives additional information on it. Users can return to the previous page or the main menu from any screen.

CD Atlas of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS (1997; English)

Authors: Stephen A. Morse, Adele A. Moreland, King K. Holmes, and Patrick K. Taylor

Producer: Mosby-Year Book

Contact: Mosby, Inc., 11830 Westline Industrial Drive, St. Louis, MO 63146, U.S.A. Tel: 314-872-8370 or 800-325-4177; or Mosby International, Lynton House, 7-12 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9LB, U.K. ISBN: 0723424861.

Price: $215 (U.S.)

System Requirements: MAC: Power Mac or 68040, 8 MB RAM, System 7.0 or above, double-speed or faster CD-ROM drive, 4 MB available hard disk space. PC: Minimum of 66 MHZ 486DX2 (Pentium recommended), double-speed or faster CD-ROM drive, VGA display, Windows 3.x or 95, 4 MB available hard disk space, minimum of 8 MB RAM required.

Description: Based on the third edition of the Atlas of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS, this CD-ROM transforms the text and illustrations into a multimedia diagnostic and teaching resource. Topics covered include genital anatomy and dermatologic examination; syphilis; chancroid; infections caused by chlamydia trachomatis; granuloma inguinale; gonorrhea; genital mycoplasmas; pelvic inflammatory disease; vaginal infections; HIV/AIDS; genital herpes; genital human papilloma virus infection; viral hepatitis; sexually transmitted infections in infants, children, and adolescents; and infestations. The CD-ROM also includes two appendices on how to select and evaluate tests and tips for quality control and good test procedures. An image browser allows the user to view more than 1,000 images by chapter, type, or clinical category. Images are also integrated into the text of each chapter. Clinical categories of images include anatomy, examination, differential diagnosis, lab tests, treatment, specimen collection, pathogenesis, classification, epidemiology (world and U.S.), clinical manifestations, animal models, research, therapy, prevention, and transmission. The CD-ROM includes access to the parent book, animations, and a zoom feature, which allows the user to enlarge each image for closer examination. Both images and text can be saved for future reference. A testing section contains pre-set questions that can be used for self-assessment. The package includes an eight-page instruction booklet.

Evaluation: Although the price is high, most of the practices presented in the CD-ROM are appropriate for use in the developing world. Some laboratory information would not apply to low-resource settings, but most of the information is universally applicable. The primary target audiences are doctors and trainers of doctors, and the primary use of the CD-ROM is for training and reference. The CD-ROM includes much text and requires a high level of literacy from users. It runs on both Windows and MAC, is easy to install, and is relatively easy to navigate and use.

Condoms (1999; English)

Producer: POPLINE Digital Services, Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs (JHU/CCP)

Contact: POPLINE Digital Services, 111 Market Place, Suite 310, Baltimore, MD 21202, U.S.A. Tel: 410-659-6300; fax: 410-659-6266; e-mail: condoms@jhuccp.org; Web site: www.jhuccp.org/popline/index.stm.

Description: CONDOMS is a searchable, multimedia, reference database that allows the user to have direct access to a collection of information, education, and communication (IEC) materials on condoms. It is an "idea bank" for reproductive health professionals. By browsing one of several media indexes or using the search engine, users can access examples of print and promotional materials, including posters, pamphlets, calendars, and radio and television clips. CONDOMS includes thousands of citations with descriptive abstracts and 1,200 pages of full-text condom-oriented documents. CONDOMS also includes a multimedia presentation titled "Build a Campaign" that offers a series of brief, test-your-knowledge scenarios to introduce users to the P-Process, a model for planning public health communication campaigns. The presentation offers users the option of reading an electronic version of the P-Process brochure or printing out a complete copy to use as a handy reference guide. The resources section contains Web sites, producer contacts, credits, and an evaluation form for the disc. Funding for CONDOMS was provided by UNFPA. CONDOMS is currently out of print, but a Web-based version is in development.

Evaluation: All of the information and communication materials presented on the CD-ROM are appropriate for use in the developing world. The primary audiences are materials developers, program managers, and researchers. Some of the documents presented require high levels of literacy, but many of the IEC materials are targeted to low-literate individuals. The CD-ROM runs on Windows 95/98/NT only but is easy to install and navigate. Some materials are not translated from their original languages.

Infection Prevention: Multimedia Package (Training CD-ROM and Reference Booklet) (2000; English, Spanish)

Producer: EngenderHealth (formerly AVSC International)

Contact: EngenderHealth, 440 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10001, U.S.A. Tel: 212-561-8000; fax: 212-561-8067; e-mail: info@engenderhealth.org; Web site: www.engenderhealth.org.

Price: $40; free to programs in the developing world

System Requirements: Pentium 133 processor minimum (166 MHZ or higher recommended), Windows 95/98, 32 MB RAM, CD-ROM drive, VGA able to display at least 256 colors at 640 x 480 pixel resolution (16-bit color recommended), Windows-compatible sound card (optional), QuickTime 3 or higher (QuickTime 4 is included).

Description: This package contains a CD-ROM, a 75-page reference manual (Infection Prevention: A Reference Booklet for Health Care Providers, which is also available separately), and a four-panel instruction leaflet. The CD-ROM presents a broad overview of infection prevention and training in six areas: handwashing, gloving, aseptic technique, instrument processing, use and disposal of sharps, housekeeping, and waste disposal. The CD-ROM includes video, animation, and interactive games and tests. It is designed to provide approximately two to four hours of instruction when used as part of a clinical training. It can be used as a self-instructional course, during clinical training, and as a training aid. The reference booklet covers the same topics as the CD-ROM in more detail and includes references and an index. The "Guidelines for Use" leaflet includes suggested uses for the CD-ROM, installation instructions, troubleshooting, and system requirements. Produced through a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Evaluation: This multimedia package is an essential training and reference resource for health workers in low-resource settings. The CD-ROM has a simple, modular design, with content focused on low-cost strategies for assessing and improving infection prevention practices. It is aimed at a broad range of health care workers, from doctors to ancillary staff, and in places contains narration of the text, which is useful for low-literate individuals.

Manual Vacuum Aspiration (2000; English)

Authors: Tracy L. Baird, Tara Schochet

Producers: Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health and the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP)

Contact: Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health, Medical Education and Training Department, 1780 Broadway, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10019, U.S.A. Tel: 212-765-2322; fax: 212-246-5134; Web site: www.prch.org.

Price: $25 (PRCH or ARHP members), $50 (nonmembers)

System Requirements: PowerPoint Viewer or Internet Explorer

Description: This slide presentation on manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) is sponsored by the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP). It includes 29 slides with lecture notes and gives a very general overview of MVA. The objectives of the presentation are to identify the uses for MVA and conditions requiring precaution, demonstrate the steps in performing an MVA procedure, explain the important of tissue inspection, and identify possible complications of MVA. The presentation also includes a history of MVA, an overview of MVA uses, a posttest, and an evaluation form.

Evaluation: Although the presentation includes statistical data for abortions performed in the U.S., the information and techniques presented are appropriate for health professionals in the developing world. The target audience is doctors, but the presentation can also be used by trainers in medical schools and continuing medical education programs. The presentation requires a medium level of literacy. It is very easy to use and requires minimal computer skills. Includes some diagrams and illustrations. No sound.

Medical and Health Library 1.0 (1999; English, French, Spanish)

Producer: Humanity Libraries Project and the Payson Center for International Development and Technology Transfer

Contact: Humanity Libraries Project, c/o Global Help Projects NGO, Oosterveldlaan 196, B-2610, Antwerp, Belgium. Tel: 32-3-448-05-54; fax: 32-3-449-75-74; e-mail: mhl@globalprojects.org; Web site: www.humanitylibraries.net/.

Price: Varies from $20 to $250, depending on whether the order is from a developing country and how many copies are ordered

System Requirements: Windows 3.x, 95/98, NT

Description: This CD-ROM library contains 210 publications (35,000 pages) in the field of medicine and health. The objective of this project is to provide those active in the areas of health, medical care, and nutrition with access to a free or low-cost CD-ROM library containing information needed to tackle local health problems. The CD-ROM can be searched for particular words or phrases in the text of documents, or publications can be accessed by subject, title, organization, or keyword. There are 10 subjects: health/public/health/health management; food/nutrition/malnutrition; family health/family planning/community health/sanitation; health education/extension work/training/prevention/AIDS; medicine/tropical medicine/clinical treatment/hygiene; medicines/essential drugs; medicinal plants; medical research; disasters/medicine in humanitarian emergencies/refugees; and newsletters. Publications from 36 organizations are included. The final goal is to include 2,000+ essential medical and health publications on a set of two to three CD-ROMs. An editorial board will select appropriate publications.

Evaluation: The information presented in this CD-ROM is appropriate for users in the developing world. It can be used primarily as a reference tool. Audiences include doctors, nurses, administrative staff, trainers, and educators. Some literacy is required to used the CD-ROM. It is easy to install, is very user-friendly, and requires few computer skills. Although the CD-ROM is not interactive, the information is up to date and easy to access. It consists primarily of text with some illustrations.

ModCal� for Clinical Training Skills (1999; English)

Producer: JHPIEGO Corporation

Contact: JHPIEGO Corporation, 1615 Thames Street, Suite 200, Baltimore, MD 21231, U.S.A. Tel: 410-614-3080; e-mail: rsullivan@jhpiego.org; Web Site: www.jhpiego.org.

Price: $38

System Requirements: 443 MB (full install), 10.6 MB (typical install). Designed to run in 800 x 600 display mode.

Description: ModCal� for Clinical Training Skills uses an interactive multimedia format to help service providers become more effective preservice faculty or inservice trainers. Candidate clinical trainers first complete the ModCal instruction and then practice newly acquired skills under the guidance of an advanced or master trainer. The CD-ROM is intended for use with the accompanying Clinical Training Skills reference manual, trainer's notebook, and participant's handbook. The content for this courseware was adapted from IUD Guidelines for Family Planning Service Programs by McIntosh et al. (2nd edition), JHPIEGO Corporation. Financial support provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Quality Assurance (QA) Kit. An Interactive Quality Assurance Training Program (English)

Producers: Quality Assurance Project; contact: Center for Human Services; U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

Contact: Quality Assurance Project, 7200 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 600, Bethesda, MD 20814, U.S.A. Tel: 301-654-8338; fax: 301-941-8427; e-mail: qapdissem@urc-chs.com; Web site: www.qaproject.org.

System Requirements: PC with a Pentium-class processor (Pentium 90 or higher recommended); Windows 95/98, 16 MB RAM (32 or higher recommended); 30 MB hard disk space for minimum installation, 110 MB for full installation; 4X CD-ROM (8X or faster CD-ROM recommended for minimum installation), VGA or higher resolution monitor (Super VGA recommended).

Description: This is a computer-based learning tool for quality assurance training. It goes beyond traditional management training methods to provide health providers and support staff with quality assurance methodologies and tools that can be learned and used with minimal instruction. It was designed specifically for users in developing countries and includes modules on quality control, quality design, and quality improvement and tools for inputting, generating, and printing data in graphs and matrices. Tools include cause-and-effect diagrams, budgets, surveys, flowcharts, system modeling, timelines, Gantt charts, and specialized matrices. Also includes a compendium of printable reference documents, training guides, and quality assurance documents from the Quality Assurance Project. Includes a customizable user notebook, built-in help with instructional videos and audio, and glossary of QA terms. Audio narration and tutorials included.

Evaluation: This CD-ROM was designed for developing country users. Audiences include doctors, nurses, administrative staff, and trainers. The CD-ROM requires some literacy skills, but the instructional videos and audio narration make it easier to use. Full installation requires a lot of hard disk space since it also installs Adobe Acrobat Viewer and Internet Explorer if you do not already have them.

ReproLine: Reproductive Health Online with ReproLearn Tutorials. CD-ROM Version (English)

Producer: JHPIEGO Corporation

Contact: JHPIEGO Corporation, 1615 Thames Street, Baltimore, MD 21231, U.S.A. Tel: 410-537-1882; e-mail: repro@jhpiego.net; Web site: www.reproline.jhu.edu.

System Requirements: Windows 95, 486/66 processor; 16 MB RAM; World Wide Web browser such as Internet Explorer 4.01 (32-bit version), Adobe Acrobat 3.0 (32-bit version). System requirements for ReproLearn Tutorials: CD-ROM drive, Windows 95, 90MHz Intel Pentium processor or equivalent, 16-bit soundcard and speakers, 65,000 color video display card, Real Player G2

Description: A copy of the complete ReproLine� Web site on CD-ROM. The ReproLine Web site is tailored to the daily needs of members of JHPIEGO's network of family planning and reproductive health trainers and faculty. ReproLine provides the tools, information, and communication forums users need to perform their duties most effectively, including ready-to-use course and workshop materials, such as presentation graphics, checklists, training tips, and full-text of reference manuals; articles on key topics in reproductive health training; free electronic newsletters; and a discussion group. The interactive features of Reproline, such as the search form, feedback form, and links to external Web sites, require an Internet connection with Web access.

Evaluation: This CD-ROM (and corresponding Web site) is designed specifically for developing-country users. The Web site is also accessible in French and Spanish. Very easy to navigate; requires minimal computer skills but higher literacy skills.

Tools for Life: A Resource for Community Health Workers (1999; English)

Producers: Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Programs (JHU/CCP) and the Academy for Educational Development (AED)

Contact: JHU/CCP Africa Division, 111 Market Place, Suite 310, Baltimore, MD 21202, U.S.A. Tel: 410-659-6300; fax: 410-659-6266; e-mail: tools@jhuccp.org; Web site: www.jhuccp.org/tools/.

System Requirements: Requires Internet Explorer or Netscape to access

Description: This is a health communication kit designed for frontline community health workers in Anglophone Africa. Topics covered are safe motherhood, nutrition and infant health, diarrhea, prevention of common illnesses and diseases, and family planning and reproductive health. The components of the kit are activity cards and information cards. Tools for Life Information Cards include topic-specific information and key messages for small-group discussion or interpersonal communication with community members. The text includes discussion questions, introduction, key messages on a particular health behavior, and follow-up questions to motivate individual behavior change. Information cards are linked to appropriate activity cards. Tools for Life Activity Cards provide step-by-step instruction for doing health-related activities in the community. Each card contains the purpose of the activity, participants suitable for the activity, and materials necessary to do the activity, as well as step-by-step instructions, notes, tips, a "Be Creative!" box with suggestions for alternative ways to do the activities, and links to suitable information cards. Role play ideas, drama summaries, and African proverbs are also included. Tools for Life was designed by Johns Hopkins University Population Communication Services in collaboration with the Academy for Educational Development, with technical review from leading international health organizations. Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Also available on the Internet at www.jhuccp.org/tools.

Evaluation: Tools for Life was designed for community-based health workers in Africa. It is very easy to navigate and requires minimal computer skills. Versions in MSWord or WordPerfect can also be downloaded and customized for local uses.

Topics in International Health. HIV/AIDS (2000; English)

Producers: The Wellcome Trust and CAB International

Contact: CAB International, Wallingford, Oxon, OX10 8DE, U.K. Tel: +44 (0) 1491 832111; fax: +44 (0) 1491 829292; e-mail: publishing@cabi.org; Web site: www.cabi.org; or CAB International, 198 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016-4314, U.S.A. Tel: 212-726-6490; fax: 212-686-7993. ISBN 0 85199 250 1.

Price: $170 (U.S.), less in developing countries.

System Requirements: Requires 486 DX2 or better processor, PC with Windows 95, 98 or NT, 16 MB available RAM, monitor capable of displaying 16-bit color (thousands of colors) at a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels, CD-ROM drive, Video for Windows.

Description: This CD-ROM provides a comprehensive, factual presentation on HIV/AIDS. It contains 11 interactive tutorials covering the following topics: overview, biology of HIV, natural history, infections and malignancies, epidemiology, transmission and risk factors, prevention, diagnosis and monitoring, women and children, management, social and psychological issues. Each tutorial has learning objectives, self-assessment sections, and a summary and is designed to be worked through from beginning to end. The image collection of about 700 images can be searched by keyword or text, and images can be displayed in a variety of formats. The glossary can be accessed at any time you are using the CD-ROM. Includes a 10-page instruction booklet. This CD-ROM is part of the Topics in International Health (TIH) series, which is designed for use as an educational resource in tropical and international health. Its audience is medical and life sciences students, teachers, health care professionals, academics, and researchers. The series covers common causes of illness and mortality worldwide. All content is reviewed by experts in the field. Each CD-ROM includes three complementary resources: interactive tutorials, image collections, and a glossary.

Evaluation: This CD-ROM is designed specifically for developing country users. Target audiences include doctors, nurses, and trainers. It requires moderate literacy skills and moderate computer skills. It can be used for training and for reference. It is easy to navigate. No audio.

Topics in International Health. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (1998; English)

Producers: The Wellcome Trust and CAB International

Contact: CAB International, Wallingford, Oxon, OX10 8DE, U.K. Tel: +44 (0) 1491 832111; fax: +44 (0) 1491 826090; e-mail: publishing@cabi.org; Web site: www.cabi.org; or CAB International, 198 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016-4314, U.S.A. Tel: 212-726-6490; fax: 212-686-7993. ISBN 0 85199 244 7.

Price: $170 (U.S.), less in developing countries

System Requirements: 486 DX2 or better processor, PC with Windows 3.1, 95 or NT, 16 MB available RAM, monitor capable of displaying 16-bit color (thousands of colors) at a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels, CD-ROM drive, Video for Windows

Description: This CD-ROM gives an excellent overview of sexually transmitted infections. It contains 17 interactive tutorials covering the following topics: overview, epidemiology, history taking and clinical examination, syndromic management, prevention and control, gonorrhea, genital chlamydia infections, chancroid, donovanosis, syphilis, congenital syphilis, genital herpes, genital warts, genital skin conditions, vaginal discharge, pelvic inflammatory disease, and scrotal swelling. Each tutorial has learning objectives, self-assessment sections, and a summary and is designed to be worked through from beginning to end. The image collection of about 300 images can be searched by keyword or text, and images can be displayed in a variety of formats. The glossary can be accessed at any time you are using the CD-ROM. Includes a 10-page instruction booklet. This CD-ROM is part of the Topics in International Health (TIH) series which is designed for use as an educational resource in tropical and international health. Its audience is medical and life sciences students, teachers, health care professionals, academics, and researchers. The series covers common causes of illness and mortality worldwide. All content is reviewed by experts in the field. Each CD-ROM includes three complementary resources: interactive tutorials, image collections, and a glossary.