Work packages (WPs)
A work package (WP) is a breakdown of work or tasks into several tasks and performed by an individual or small work group. This is also known as sub-project in some project management terminology. In the case of HARP project, each WP has at least a Consortium Partner to lead it in order to ensure the tasks are completed and objectives met. The description of the eight HARP WPs are summarised below.
The purpose of WP1 is to administer the grant and bring all collaborators on all work packages together on a regular basis. WP1 will be coordinated by LSHTM (the Project Coordinator). Three of the work packages (WP2, 3, & 4) concern the research, which seamlessly moves from one component to another. Women recruited in WP2 (lead by WITS-WRHI & CRIS-UO) for the evaluation of screening tools for cervical cancer, will be enrolled in the cohort study ( WP3 - lead by WITS-WRHI & CRIS-UO) if they do not have high grade cervical neoplasia, for which they should, and will be treated. WP4 (lead by LSHTM), has two components, an economic and a modelling study. The economic study will be conducted together with WP2, since it elicits costs incurred to access cervical cancer prevention services among women enrolled in the cross sectional study. The modelling study will use empirical epidemiological and evaluation of performance data obtained in WP2 and WP3, as well as costing data from WP4, to model the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of combination of screening strategies and various triage approaches. Three WPs (5, 6, & 7) are concerned with coordination and quality control of the methods used in the studies so as to obtain rigorous data, as well as enhancing research capacity in the partners. WP5 (lead: LSHTM) is concerned with the general coordination of the trial and the quality, security and timeliness of data management and analyses; WP6 (lead: WITS-WRHI) focuses on the clinical endpoints and management procedures, which in themselves will act as important training mechanisms and resources for future use of these skills; whilst WP7 (lead: UM-1) focuses on the quality of laboratory testing with enormous efforts to set up quality assurance systems which are of great importance to obtain reliable and replicable study endpoints (CIN, cytology, HPV DNA). Finally, WP8 will be a joint activity concerned with Dissemination aiming to inform and influence a range of audiences from patients and community groups, to health professional, and national and international policy makers, as well as general public and media.
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