Efficient Programs Design Consulting


Publications and Events

2009

Look for the following books in 2009:

“Zimbabwe’s Child Brides: Using participatory Action to Unleash Human Potential” (due early 2009)

This book is a contribution toward women’s rights, with a focus on health and dignity. The book spotlights several issues, which serve to illustrate the extent to which multiple complex factors influence women’s lives. For that reason, this book also provides a simplified description and illustration on how to develop and implement interdisciplinary collaborations for the purpose of investigating and addressing complex human and social development problems.

“Harvesting Pearls from Peril: A Memoir” (due mid-2009)

 “Harvesting Pearls from Peril” is a culmination of a personal journal that I initially created as therapy for chronic emotional trauma. The book is an excerpt of my life experiences with the perils of life, and the pearls that I have since picked along the way. I focus this work on anguish that culminated in emotional distress as it happened, and yet in retrospect, it has paved the way to my benefit. I refer to this dynamic as picking pearls among perils. This book is a testimonial that we can indeed harvest pearls from peril.

2007

Kanchense, Jane H. "Urologic and Gynecologic Health Problems among Zimbabwean Women: What Is the Role of Poverty?" Urologic Nursing 27.5 (2007): 373-89; 402.

Abstract

A summary of the cultural and geopolitical climate described in the companion article, "Mwatambudzeni's Short Life," is provided (Kanchense, 2007). The multiplicity and complexity of factors, as well as some of the governmental policies and attitudes that have contributed to the environment in which a young pregnant woman can so easily suffer death during childbirth are explained. Some of the root causes of poverty among Zimbabwean women are described, and the patho-physiological consequences of cultural practices, and health and social policies are explored. Recommendations for improving overall urologic health among Zimbabwean women are provided.

2007

Kanchense, Jane H. “Mwatambudzeni's Short Life.” Urologic Nursing 2007;27(5):367-372. ©2007 Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates.

Abstract

This fictional story depicts a young Zimbabwean girl´s short life amid the struggles of poverty, cultural practices, and access to health care. Through Mwatambudzeni´s story, we experience her lost educational opportunities, unsuccessful fight against a system of harmful cultural practices, and her premature death caused by lack of available health care services. But it also offers a glimmer of hope as young girls, not wanting to follow in Mwatambudzeni´s footsteps, begin to empower themselves through education.

2006

Kanchense, J. H. "Holistic Self-Management Education and Support: A Proposed Public Health Model for Improving Women's Health in Zimbabwe." Journal of Health Care for Women International 27.7 (2006): 627 - 45.

Abstract

The Primary Health Care model of public health has been implemented in many countries around the globe since the Declaration of Alma Ata in 1978, without pilot testing the Primary Health Care model. Therefore, many public health researchers have sought methods of improving primary health care by creating evidence-based models. Many of these researchers recognize the role of behavioral models in public health. These offshoots of Primary Health Care include the Ecological, Chronic Care, Central Human Capabilities, and the SPECIES models. Holistic Self-Management Education and Support is a capacity-building philosophy that ensures active involvement of consumers of health care in the planning and implementation and evaluation of health care services. It helps consumers of health care to achieve the desired improved quality of health and life in managing and sustaining their health at the grassroots level. The Chronic Care model addresses disease management ideals of the in the original Primary Health Care model. The SPECIES model addresses those aspects of the Primary Health Care model that include the cultural and social factors, as well as individual health education and support in the original Primary Health Care model. The ecological model offers an improvement of the socioeconomic ideal in the original Primary Health Care model. Improving the health of individuals will prevent illness, thereby reducing health care costs and lessening the current strain on an overburdened health care system in Zimbabwe . Holistic Self-Management Education and Support is a Model that links health care delivery systems with social processes. It is a best practices model that could better serve Zimbabwean girls and women by contributing positively to the national challenges in health care, thereby meeting the Zimbabwean Primary Health Care and Safe Motherhood goals. It is here recommended that Holistic Self-Management Education and Support must be pilot tested before being adopted as the most appropriate model for ensuring population health.

2005

Nurse speaks about health, women’s rights in Africa>
By Chelsea Keeney
Reporter

“Dr. Kanchense’s lecture is important because it gives reflections on first-hand experiences from a native Zimbabwean who is driven to help the people of her society, and, in particular, to help fix injustices that exist throughout the society … It sheds light on the idea that social structures within a society can change and gives the opportunity to hear from one of the leaders pushing for the change.” http://press.creighton.edu/120205/news6.html

Kanchense, J. H. "Patriarchy and the Struggle for Women's Health in Zimbabwe from 1980 to 2005." Doctoral Dissertation. University of Nebraska Medical Center, 2005.

Abstract

Patriarchal oppression and institutionalized violence have a significant impact on Zimbabwean women’s health and access to health care, particularly in rural areas. In the 1980s, the post colonial government implemented Primary Health Care and Safe Motherhood initiatives to improve health, but the programs disintegrated precipitously in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Deterioration was stimulated by many factors which have received wide attention, but patriarchy is a key element that needs more analysis.

Patriarchy in Zimbabwe operates in multiple ways. It dominates family life, encourages trafficking in women and girls, keeps women ignorant of their health and rights to health care, places decision-making regarding women’s health in men’s hands, deprives women of resources, permits poor investment in basic health care for women, and permits physical and psychological abuse of women…. This dissertation provides a historical account, critique, and recommendations and uses an interdisciplinary, ecological approach to narrate the details of the Zimbabwean women’s predicament and to make the case for the proposed model of change.

2001

Kanchense, J. H. "An Investigation of the Health Promotion/Health Ministry Activities among Congregations in Nebraska."

Thesis (M.S.) -- Nebraska Methodist College, 2001.. "Thesis is Partial Fulfillment of the requirements of the Master of Science Degree in Health Promotion with emphasis in Human Resources Management at Nebraska Methodist College."

Presentations

Kanchense, J. H. "Community Health Services: From Strategic Planning to Action." Peace Country Community Health Service Quarterly In-Service Conference. Grande Prairie, AB, 2007.

Kanchense, J. H. "Brief History of Women’s Health Policy in Zimbabwe: 1890 to 2005." Missouri Valley History Conference: University of Nebraska Medical Center, 2005.

Kanchense, J. H. "Global Challenges in 21st Century Public Health: Issues in the Management of Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and Cardiovascular Disease." 10th Annual Alegent Health Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Conference. Omaha, Nebraska: A, 2005.