scholarly journals Health vulnerability to flood-induced risks of households in flood-prone informal settlements in the Coastal City of Mombasa, Kenya

2019 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
pp. 1007-1029 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fredrick Okoth Okaka ◽  
Beneah D. O. Odhiambo
Keyword(s):  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Coping Mechanisms ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Poor People ◽  
Adaptation Measures ◽  
Coastal City ◽  
Health Vulnerability ◽  
Flood Exposure

Abstract Floods have serious consequences on community well-being and health. This study was intended to address the health vulnerability of households in flood prone informal settlements in the coastal city of Mombasa in Kenya and their adaptation measures. Mombasa City has a history of floods, in the recent past, significant severe incidences of flooding events have already been experienced. However, there is dearth of evidence regarding vulnerability of households living in informal settlements in the city to the health risks of flooding and households’ coping mechanisms. The study participants were randomly drawn from three purposively selected informal settlements in Mombasa City. Health vulnerability was assessed in terms of flood exposure, flood sensitivity, and flood adaptive capacity. While adaptation measures were explored based on the autonomous steps that household have adapted in response to flooding. Primary data were collected using questionnaires, Key Informant Interviews and Focus Group Discussions. The findings showed that up to 40.8% of the households had a high level of vulnerability, 46.9% had a medium level, while only 12.3% had low level of vulnerability. The findings also showed that household characteristics, water, sanitation and environmental risk factors had an impact on the level of household vulnerability. As coping mechanisms, households had taken some adaptation measures like clearing trenches to unblock drainage channels and piling sand bags around the house. The study concludes that for poor people living in flood prone areas in urban setting, flood early warnings, flood preventive actions and long term mitigation strategies need to be strengthened since they are exposed to greater health problems. The findings of the study are expected to help communities and local support agencies to identify weaknesses, especially in adaptive capacities, and to indicate ways of reducing future health vulnerability of residents of informal settlements to flooding.

scholarly journals 1.E. Workshop: Addressing vulnerability within climate change related health impacts

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Climate Change ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Vulnerable Population ◽  
Electrolyte Imbalance ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Adaptation Measures ◽  
Health Vulnerability ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract   Climate change (CCh) is having an impact on people's health and health systems, directly and indirectly. Drastic and sudden changes in climatic conditions with heat waves and rapid temperature variations, an increased risk of floods, droughts and forest fires are some of the direct impacts related to CCh, with important consequences on health (e.g. heatstroke, electrolyte imbalance, kidney, respiratory as well as infectious related diseases) and mental well-being (e.g. stress and anxiety for an uncertain future). Some indirect effects include the alteration of natural ecosystems, changing vector patterns, air pollution and aeroallergens, or increased food insecurity. For certain sectors of the population and some regions, these direct and indirect impacts overlap with many other environmental and socioeconomic stressors (e.g. overcrowded megacities, poverty and poor nutrition, living in highly contaminated sites, increased dependence on a remote global market, growing gender and class inequalities), increasing the already large vulnerability of those affected populations. Low- and middle-income countries are under greater threat, but more developed economies can be- and in fact are- severely affected as well. This is of particular concern in relation to children together with the elderly, both considered the most vulnerable population groups affected by CCh as highlighted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Adverse effects of altered environments during fetal or child developmental stages can result in irreversible and long-lasting health sequelae; uncertainty and loss of control in the face of CCh can have mental health consequences. Gathering best scientific evidence-based information on current and future health threats related to CCh from the perspective of the most vulnerable population subgroups is essential for an effective preparedness of the public health system, and therefore for lessening or avoiding many of those health impacts by applying well-designed and innovative adaptation measures. Health vulnerability and adaptation assessments to CCh requires establishing partnerships among different scientific domains (e.g. public health experts, environmentalists, meteorologists, social scientists), and stakeholders, including community representatives and policy makers. Present workshop, with 3 presenters and one panellist, aims at analysing and sharing expertise on the following aspects: Approaches for characterising health and well-being vulnerability and adaptation measures in the context of CCh by integrating future climatic and socio-economic drivers. Analysis of children's health vulnerability in a CCh context. European initiatives for promoting multidisciplinary scientific evidence analysis, and the interconnection with the decision-making process for the development of innovative and effective adaptation programs that enables diminishing health vulnerability against CCh. Key messages Expanded efforts in the health impact assessment of vulnerable groups against growing risks from climate change is needed for developing effective public health adaptation and preparedness programs. Addressing climate change health vulnerability requires of gathering scientific evidence and collaboration from multiple sectors and stakeholders adapted to regional/local context.

Yoga as an Innovative Solution for Financial Growth of Companies

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ipseeta Satpathy ◽  
B. Chandra Mohan Patnaik ◽  
Chandrabhanu Das
Keyword(s):  
Inventory Management ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Financial Health ◽  
Antibiotic Drugs ◽  
Lifestyle Diseases ◽  
The Impact

The existence of Yoga dates back to more than ten thousand years around India and all nations. The Hindu Mythology considers the genesis of Yoga by incorporating Lord Shiva as Guru and Goddess Parvati as Shishya. Gradually with the development of civilization mankind assessed the benefits of this spiritual discipline and different leaders propagated the Yoga in different ways.In this era of 21st century Baba Ramdev propagated the yoga sutras with simple and effective techniques. The Pranayam and Suryanamaskar are the popular routines practiced by many followers of Baba Ramdev. Today Yoga is practiced as a way of Living to prevent Lifestyle diseases, combat stress and rejuvenate self. Yoga has gained immense popularity over the years with July 21st being celebrated as International Yoga Day. Corporate are also now introducing Yoga for employees as a means to relieve their stress and improve productivity. Long Hours of sitting, standing and excessive use of electronic gadgets puts pressure on bones, joints and responsible for Lifestyle diseases. Yoga is now increasingly used as a wellness solution replacing high cost antibiotic drugs. Employee well-being leads to Cost Savings in terms of personnel by reduced payment of Insurance and Medical Bills. The paper studies the Impact of Yoga to Financial benefits in MSME Organizations in Odisha in light of three different perspectives of Internal Control, Inventory management and Cash Flow. The primary data was collected from a sample of 155 high profile finance executives working in the MSME sector. Ranking Table and Regression Analysis Methodology was used to derive meaningful conclusions. The research takes initiative to transform the effectiveness of Yoga into improved financial health for the Organization. The observation from the study interprets a positive impact of Yoga on good financial health of Organization.

scholarly journals Study design, rationale and methods of the Revitalising Informal Settlements and their Environments (RISE) study: a cluster randomised controlled trial to evaluate environmental and human health impacts of a water-sensitive intervention in informal settlements in Indonesia and Fiji

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e042850
Author(s):  
Karin Leder ◽  
John J Openshaw ◽  
Pascale Allotey ◽  
Ansariadi Ansariadi ◽  
S Fiona Barker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cluster Randomised ◽  
Abundance And Diversity ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Health And Well Being

IntroductionIncreasing urban populations have led to the growth of informal settlements, with contaminated environments linked to poor human health through a range of interlinked pathways. Here, we describe the design and methods for the Revitalising Informal Settlements and their Environments (RISE) study, a transdisciplinary randomised trial evaluating impacts of an intervention to upgrade urban informal settlements in two Asia-Pacific countries.Methods and analysisRISE is a cluster randomised controlled trial among 12 settlements in Makassar, Indonesia, and 12 in Suva, Fiji. Six settlements in each country have been randomised to receive the intervention at the outset; the remainder will serve as controls and be offered intervention delivery after trial completion. The intervention involves a water-sensitive approach, delivering site-specific, modular, decentralised infrastructure primarily aimed at improving health by decreasing exposure to environmental faecal contamination. Consenting households within each informal settlement site have been enrolled, with longitudinal assessment to involve health and well-being surveys, and human and environmental sampling. Primary outcomes will be evaluated in children under 5 years of age and include prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal pathogens, abundance and diversity of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in gastrointestinal microorganisms and markers of gastrointestinal inflammation. Diverse secondary outcomes include changes in microbial contamination; abundance and diversity of pathogens and AMR genes in environmental samples; impacts on ecological biodiversity and microclimates; mosquito vector abundance; anthropometric assessments, nutrition markers and systemic inflammation in children; caregiver-reported and self-reported health symptoms and healthcare utilisation; and measures of individual and community psychological, emotional and economic well-being. The study aims to provide proof-of-concept evidence to inform policies on upgrading of informal settlements to improve environments and human health and well-being.EthicsStudy protocols have been approved by ethics boards at Monash University, Fiji National University and Hasanuddin University.Trial registration numberACTRN12618000633280; Pre-results.

scholarly journals The Effects of Open Space on Reducing Workplace Stress: Case Study of Business Park in the Post-Socialist Urban Setting

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 336
Author(s):  
Jelena Maric ◽  
Djukic Aleksandra ◽  
Branislav Antonic ◽  
Danilo Furundzic ◽  
Vladimir Parezanin
Keyword(s):  
Business Performance ◽  
Open Space ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Workplace Stress ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Stress Levels

Working people spend around 54% of their waking hours at a workplace, according to recent statistics. Work-related stress is unavoidable, and it can damage the health of employees and affect business performance. In this paper, we argue that open space inside the workplace environment can have a positive influence on reducing overall stress levels in all the categories of users. To our knowledge, there is a significant lack of research considering specific business districts and the gated complexes called business parks, especially in post-socialist Eastern European cities, where there they are still a novelty. Empirical research in this study is on the single case study of Business Park “Airport city” in Belgrade, Serbia. Its main focus is on the survey conducted with 235 participants based on a questionnaire, which examines the relation between workplace stress and workplace environments. The findings from the questionnaire show that the frequency, duration, and activity of open space usage influence the stress levels of employees in this specific workplace, while it is not visible relating to their age and gender. Additionally, final implications suggest that improved open space, such as well-expected greenery, but also the urban design non-associative to workspace and the socialization and exercise amenities customized for frequent and short work breaks, can facilitate the overall well-being of employees. They are innovative elements in relatively underdeveloped research on stress measures with open space usage characteristics in the specific (gated) workplace setting.

scholarly journals The long term effect of pulmonary tuberculosis on income and employment in a low income, urban setting

Thorax ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. thoraxjnl-2020-215338
Author(s):  
Jamilah Meghji ◽  
Stefanie Gregorius ◽  
Jason Madan ◽  
Fatima Chitimbe ◽  
Rachael Thomson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Treatment Completion ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
Financial Strain ◽  
First Episode ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Tb Treatment

BackgroundMitigating the socioeconomic impact of tuberculosis (TB) is key to the WHO End TB Strategy. However, little known about socioeconomic well-being beyond TB-treatment completion. In this mixed-methods study, we describe socioeconomic outcomes after TB-disease in urban Blantyre, Malawi, and explore pathways and barriers to financial recovery.MethodsAdults ≥15 years successfully completing treatment for a first episode of pulmonary TB under the National TB Control Programme were prospectively followed up for 12 months. Socioeconomic, income, occupation, health seeking and cost data were collected. Determinants and impacts of ongoing financial hardship were explored through illness narrative interviews with purposively selected participants.Results405 participants were recruited from February 2016 to April 2017. Median age was 35 years (IQR: 28–41), 67.9% (275/405) were male, and 60.6% (244/405) were HIV-positive. Employment and incomes were lowest at TB-treatment completion, with limited recovery in the following year: fewer people were in paid work (63.0% (232/368) vs 72.4% (293/405), p=0.006), median incomes were lower (US$44.13 (IQR: US$0–US$106.15) vs US$72.20 (IQR: US$26.71–US$173.29), p<0.001), and more patients were living in poverty (earning <US$1.90/day: 57.7% (211/366) vs 41.6% (166/399), p<0.001) 1 year after TB-treatment completion compared with before TB-disease onset. Half of the participants (50.5%, 184/368) reported ongoing dissaving (use of savings, selling assets, borrowing money) and 9.5% (35/368) reported school interruptions in the year after TB-treatment completion. Twenty-one participants completed in-depth interviews. Reported barriers to economic recovery included financial insecurity, challenges rebuilding business relationships, residual physical morbidity and stigma.ConclusionsTB-affected households remain economically vulnerable even after TB-treatment completion, with limited recovery in income and employment, persistent financial strain requiring dissaving, and ongoing school interruptions. Measures of the economic impact of TB disease should include the post-TB period. Interventions to protect the long-term health and livelihoods of TB survivors must be explored.

scholarly journals Satisfaction with Life: Mediating Role in the Relationship between Depressive Symptoms and Coping Mechanisms

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 787
Author(s):  
Daniela Almeida ◽  
Diogo Monteiro ◽  
Filipe Rodrigues
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Coping Mechanisms ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
The Relationship

The purpose of this study was to analyze the mediating role of life satisfaction in the relationship between fourteen coping strategies and depressive symptoms in the Portuguese population. To undertake this work, 313 Portuguese adults aged 18 to 70 years (M = 30.73; SD = 10.79) were invited to participate in this study. Their participation was completely voluntary, and participants granted and signed informed consent previously to the filling of the validated Portuguese questionnaires. These questionnaires measured depressive symptoms, coping, and life satisfaction. The results revealed that life satisfaction displayed a mediating role in the relationship between adaptive coping mechanisms, specifically between active coping, planning, reinterpretation, and acceptance and depressive symptoms, showing a negative and significant indirect effect. Maladaptive coping mechanisms of self-blame, denial, self-distraction, disengagement, and substance use had a significant positive association with depressive symptoms, considering the mediating role of satisfaction with life. Current investigation provides initial evidence of how each coping mechanism is associated with satisfaction with life and depressive symptoms. This study clearly demonstrates that not all coping strategies are capable of influencing well-being indicators and that health professionals should focus on endorsing those that are significantly associated with lowering depressive symptoms and increasing overall satisfaction with life.

Risk and coping mechanisms of the carp spawn fishing community of the Halda river, Bangladesh

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-96
Author(s):  
Aysha Akhtar ◽  
Md Tarikul Islam ◽  
Md Shafiqul Islam ◽  
Muhammad Moznu Mia ◽  
Md Simul Bhuyan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Driving Forces ◽  
Coping Mechanisms ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Salinity Intrusion ◽  
Fishing Community ◽  
Weather Variables ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
River Bends ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Brood Fish

To assess the livelihood risks and coping mechanisms of the spawn fishing community of the Halda river, Chittagong, Bangladesh was conducted. Four areas, namely Ankurighona, Gorduara, Madarimukh and Madunaghat were selected on the basis of the aggregation of spawn fishers. A structured questionnaire survey was made on 152 spawn fishers in two categories i.e. boat owner and hired laborers to collect primary data. Three major man-made risks, namely catch of brood fish, non-functioning sluice gates and cutting of river bends related to egg collection were mentioned by the spawn fishers while salinity intrusion, river erosion and fluctuation in weather variables were found as the main natural risks. Willingness to continue egg collection despite the risks was disagreed by most of the respondents while those who were found to continue egg collection mentioned their driving forces as high profit, tradition and hobby. The respondents expressed that they cannot take any measures to mitigate the risks of salinity intrusion, weather fluctuation, mortality of spawn, non-functioning sluice gates, cutting of river bends and political influences. However, informing police and raising awareness to stop illegal catch of brood, construction of proper sluice gates, stop further cutting of river bends and rehabilitation of erosion victims were mentioned as probable solutions.Bangladesh J. Zool. 45(1): 85-96, 2017

scholarly journals Towards Stimulating Tools for Advancement of Environmental Conservation through Promoting of Psychological Instruments

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 196
Author(s):  
Md. Rahimullah Miah ◽  
Mohamed Sharif Mustaffa ◽  
Samsiah Jayos ◽  
Nor Hasniah Ibrahim ◽  
Sopian Bujang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Positive Psychology ◽  
National Parks ◽  
National Park ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Environmental Conservation ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Conservation Psychology ◽  
Human Environment ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approaches ◽  
Psychological Instruments

The explorative field observation on Environmental Conservation Psychology (ECP) is multi-diversified with collective and conjectural outlook. ECP provides a better understanding of the way in which conservation awareness, attitude, ethics, culture and well-being are affected by physical environments, social settings and built-in environment. The goal is to stimulate more attention be paid to ensure the effectiveness of environmental conservation and highlight psychological instruments required to develop new interdisciplinary approaches with innovative ways in prevailing challenges for the present and upcoming generations. Primary data were collected from a sample of respondents at the Lawachara National Park (LNP) in Moulvibazar district of Bangladesh and secondary data were obtained from diverse sources. The research denoted and investigated by various disciplines and fields including environmental behaviors studies, positive psychology, person-environment studies, human-nature science and ecological psychology. The study showed about 70% of indigenous respondents opined on positive attitudes for environmental conservation to compare with 55% in others. The study identified approximately 65% of respondents stated for development of environmental education among local communities for promoting positive psychology surrounding the national park. This study focuses the importance of understanding this multidimensional psychological research as it is to inform about the environmental conservation perspectives that have contributed to and shaped the learning with high internal conservation stability, dependability, uniformity, and attractiveness with social bonding at LNP. This study represents the environmental design, manage, protect and restore conserving of biodiversity towards national parks that influence human behavior, predict and the likely outcomes when these conditions are not met and diagnose problem situations. This study links at solving complex environmental conservation problems in the pursuit of individual well-being within a longer community through human-environment conservation interactions.

scholarly journals The reconstitution of African women's spiritualities in the context of the Amazwi Abesifazane (Voices of Women) project in KwaZulu-Natal (1998-2005)

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Bernice Stott
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Narrative Therapy ◽  
Well Being ◽  
National Archive ◽  
The Body ◽  
Government Support ◽  
African Women ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

This study will investigate and critically evaluate the reconstitution of African women’s spiritualities in the context of the Amazwi Abesifazane project. This project forms part of the endeavours of Create Africa South, a Non Governmental Organisation situated in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, which was initiated by the artist Andries Botha. It encourages women, post trauma, to ‘re-member’ themselves by creating memory cloths of embroidery and appliqué reflecting on their experiences in pre- and post-apartheid South Africa. This interdisciplinary study theorises that it is an archive that speaks about African women resisting destructive forces and reconstituting their spiritualities through the therapeutic effects of creativity. The study will not include research into the many other activities undertaken by Create Africa South. Rupture is implied in the use of the word ‘reconstitution’. Reconstitution encompasses the act of constituting again the character of the body, mind and spirit as regards health, strength and well-being of the women (McIntosh, 1970:261). In this study, spirituality is defined as the way in which the women in the Amazwi Abesifazane project reflect upon and live out their belief in God. The power of storytelling is examined from the perspectives of narratology, narrative therapy, sewing and orality/literary studies as resources for the women’s reclamation of their lives. Defining feminisms in South Africa is problematised by issues of race, class and culture. In a context of poverty, everyday survivalist strategies are the diverse forms of resistance seen in the Amazwi Abesifazane project. The women’s stories, cloths and interviews are triangulated as primary data. They are examples of the rich art of resistance against despair and are located in a paradigm of hope. In conclusion, I strongly call for government support in declaring the project a national archive. The multidimensional mediums of the Amazwi Abesifazane/ UbuMama projects nurture the women’s creativity and revitalise their spiritualities towards personal and national transformation.

scholarly journals A Study on Labour Welfare Practices in Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Ltd, Bengaluru

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-46
Author(s):  
K B Ravindra
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Social Security ◽  
Industrial Relations ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
The Public ◽  
Economy Globalization ◽  
Social Security Benefits ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

The importance of Labour Welfare in Industrialisation and Economic Development has been recognized globally. It is an important dimension in Industrial Relations, which includes overall welfare facilities designed to take care of well being of Employees and Workers. During the 1990s, the measures of economic reforms introduced in the country have given rise to a wave of rapid and radical changes in the structure and working of our economy. Globalization, Liberalisation, Privatisation, etc. have completely changed the functioning of the Indian Economy and forced the employees, workers, and their organizations to adapt and adjust by reorienting their ways to survive and thrive amidst the forces of change and competition. The aspect of Labour Welfare and Social Security has tremendous significance in the Public Sector, Private Sector and Multinational Organisations. It is firmly believed that money and environment given to employees is a long term investment and will never go waste. Against this backdrop, a detailed study has been conducted at Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Ltd, Bengaluru, a Public Sector Organisation. Primary data collected through a Structured Questionnaire from 100 respondents covering all levels and departments has revealed that most of the Labour Welfare and Social Security provisions are being satisfactorily provided by the company to its employees and workers. It is suggested that the company carefully look into those areas where employees/workers have expressed dissatisfaction. The article concludes by stating that if an organisation provides good welfare and social security benefits, then it will be able to procure and develop a unique pool of people who can continuously take the organization to new levels of growth and sustainability.

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