Motivational interviewing
The Health Promotion Research Unit organised a Motivational Interviewing workshop for health workers in February that was presented by Prof. Ken Resnicow of Michigan University, USA. Participants were trained in techniques such as reflective listening that are aimed at helping clients uncover their own motivation and determination to make positive lifestyle changes - such as giving up smoking, improving their diet or starting an exercise programme.

Pictured here are Prof. Resnicow (standing), Prof. Priscilla Reddy (Director of the Health Promotion Research and Development Group) and workshop participants.

Training educators for tobacco control
The National Health Promotion Research and Development Group recently hosted a workshop for a group of educators from the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal who received training in a harm minimisation approach to tobacco use prevention and reduction.

The harm minimization approach works by developing strategies and skills which are aimed at reducing any harm which may be experienced by learners now and in the future. This is done in a tactful and empathic way.

Since this curriculum, known as "Keep Left", was developed in Australia, another goal of the workshop was for educators to critically evaluate the material - both in practical terms and regarding its applicability to their multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and often very large South African classrooms.

The workshop formed part of the preparations for a randomized trial that will compare the effectiveness of the "Keep Left" approach to that of the Life Skills Training approach, which was developed in USA. Both have been adapted for South African use, and will be taught in selected schools during the usual life skills lessons in grades 8 to 10.

The five year trial will start early next year and is a collaboration between the Medical Research Council of South Africa and Universities of Cape Town, KwaZulu-Natal, Michigan (USA). This project is funded by the Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, USA.

Ms Nozizwe Sitshongaye of Fezeka High School (right) discusses one of the finer points of the material with Ms Eshania Thumbadoo of the National Health Promotion Research and Development Group. In the background is Dr Donna Cross, workshop facilitator and a professor in the Child Health Promotion Research Unit of Edith Cowan University, Australia.

Photographer: Dehran Swart, Project Director, National Health Promotion Research and Development Group

Chinese delegation
A municipal government delegation from Shanghai recently met with Drs Romilla Maharaj (Executive Director: Research Development) and Niresh Bhagwandin of the Technology and Business Development Directorate to discuss funding, evaluating research results, research results transfer and similar topics.

Here Dr Maharaj (sitting, far left), Dr Bhagwandin (back, third from left), Ms Carole Roberts of the MRC's International Office (standing, third from right), and Mr Julian Jacobs, Division Manager of Corporate Communications (standing, second from right) are seen with the visitors.