Decline in malaria incidence in a typical county of China: Role of climate variance and anti-malaria intervention measures

2018 ◽  
Vol 167 ◽  
pp. 276-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianing Liu ◽  
Xiaoxu Wu ◽  
Chenlu Li ◽  
Sen Zhou
GYMNASIUM ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol XVII (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alina Mihaela Cristuță

Posture expresses the way in which the body receives external stimuli and gets ready to react, constantly adapting to the demands, according to the difficulty and to the individual's motor skills. The aim of this study is to educate the correct body posture through specific physical therapy means. The hypotheses presume that: by performing a specific assessment, one can spot the bad postures that are frequently adopted by school children; through specific intervention programs, one can educate, correct, and form a correct posture reflex. The objectives were to: assess the school children in order to spot physical deficiencies; to educate a correct posture and to form a correct posture reflex. The research methods were established according to the objectives. In the end, it can be concluded that this research  regarding the education of posture in school children has contributed to the prevention of instalment of physical deficiencies and to their correction, and the intervention measures were effective in educating the correct body posture.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-370
Author(s):  
Arnab Kundu

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to review the role of self-efficacy in online education with an objective to propose a holistic framework for strengthening participants' self-efficacy, especially in the Asian context.Design/methodology/approachTo investigate the potential role of self-efficacy of the participants of online academic activities, this study followed the conceptual analysis method, which is breaking down concepts into constituent elements to get a superior understanding of a particular philosophy.FindingsThe findings revealed that self-efficacy, the level of confidence someone has to perform a particular task, is an important factor among teachers and students operating online platforms, and enhanced efficacy is capable of encouraging online practices. Finally, the study proposed a framework to strengthen self-efficacy among participants with intervention measures to make online education effective and impressive.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed framework will help stakeholders of online education to improve their efficacy and leverage the potential of online education to the fullest. Millions of first-generation online users in many Asian countries who possess low self-confidence in their ability might find the framework easier for better integration, interaction and collaboration in the online learning environment.Originality/valueA vast literature survey was made before proposing this framework that could open up a new dimension in online education by scaffolding participants' inner thrust.


Abstract Climate variability is a key factor in driving malaria outbreaks. As shown in previous studies, climate-driven malaria modeling provides a better understanding of malaria transmission dynamics, generating malaria-related parameters validated as a reliable benchmark to assess the impact of climate on malaria. In this framework, the present study uses climate observations and reanalysis products to evaluate the predictability of malaria incidence in West Africa. Sea surface temperatures (SSTs) are shown as a skillful predictor of malaria incidence, which is derived from climate-driven simulations with the Liverpool Malaria Model (LMM). Using the S4CAST tool, we find robust modes of anomalous SST variability associated with skillful predictability of malaria incidence Accordingly, significant SST anomalies in the tropical Pacific and Atlantic Ocean basins are related to a significant response of malaria incidence over West Africa. For the Mediterranean Sea, warm (cold) SST anomalies are responsible for increased (decreased) surface air temperatures and precipitation over West Africa, resulting in higher (lower) malaria incidence. Our results put forward the key role of SST variability as a source of predictability of malaria incidence, being of paramount interest to decision-makers who plan public health measures against malaria in West Africa. Accordingly, SST anomalies could be used operationally to forecast malaria risk over West Africa for early warning systems.


2016 ◽  
Vol 145 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. W. CHAN ◽  
H. IATA ◽  
J. YAVIONG ◽  
M. KALKOA ◽  
S. YAMAR ◽  
...  

SUMMARYThe risk of malaria outbreak surfaced in Vanuatu after Tropical Cyclone (TC) Pam in March 2015. In June and July 2015 we conducted malariometric surveys on the islands of Tanna, Aneityum, and Erromango in Tafea Province, where malaria elimination had been targeted, to determine if malaria incidence had increased after TC Pam. No Plasmodium infection was detected by microscopy and PCR in 3009 survey participants. Only 6·3% (190/3007) of participants had fever. Spleen rates in children aged ⩽12 years from Aneityum and Tanna were low, at 3·6% (14/387) and 5·3% (27/510), respectively. Overall bed net use was high at 72·8% (2175/2986); however, a significantly higher (P < 0·001) proportion of participants from Aneityum (85·9%, 796/927) reported net use than those from Tanna (67·1%, 751/1119) and Erromango (66·8%, 628/940). A recent decrease in malaria incidence in Tafea Province through comprehensive intervention measures had reduced the indigenous parasite reservoir and limited the latter's potential to spur an outbreak after TC Pam. The path towards malaria elimination in Tafea Province was not adversely affected by TC Pam.


2019 ◽  
Vol 286 (1907) ◽  
pp. 20191091 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasileia Balabanidou ◽  
Mary Kefi ◽  
Michalis Aivaliotis ◽  
Venetia Koidou ◽  
Juan R. Girotti ◽  
...  

Malaria incidence has halved since the year 2000, with 80% of the reduction attributable to the use of insecticides. However, insecticide resistance is now widespread, is rapidly increasing in spectrum and intensity across Africa, and may be contributing to the increase of malaria incidence in 2018. The role of detoxification enzymes and target site mutations has been documented in the major malaria vector Anopheles gambiae ; however, the emergence of striking resistant phenotypes suggests the occurrence of additional mechanisms. By comparing legs, the most relevant insect tissue for insecticide uptake, we show that resistant mosquitoes largely remodel their leg cuticles via enhanced deposition of cuticular proteins and chitin, corroborating a leg-thickening phenotype. Moreover, we show that resistant female mosquitoes seal their leg cuticles with higher total and different relative amounts of cuticular hydrocarbons, compared with susceptible ones. The structural and functional alterations in Anopheles female mosquito legs are associated with a reduced uptake of insecticides, substantially contributing to the resistance phenotype.


Facilities ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 39-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riza Yosia Sunindijo ◽  
Fatma Lestari ◽  
Oktomi Wijaya

Purpose This study aims to assess the hospital readiness and resiliency in a disaster-prone Indonesia. Design/methodology/approach Hospital Safety Index (HSI), containing 151 items, was used to assess ten hospital in West Java and five hospitals in Yogyakarta. Findings The average level of HSI for the hospitals under investigation is B, indicating that their ability to function during and after emergencies and disasters are potentially at risk, thus, intervention measures are needed in the short term. Hospitals in Yogyakarta scored lowly in terms of their emergency and disaster management, even though they have previously experienced major disasters in 2006 and 2010. Practical implications The role of the government is crucial to improve hospital readiness and resiliency in Indonesia. It is recommended that they: identify disaster-prone areas so that their hospital readiness and resiliency can be assessed; assess the readiness and resiliency of hospitals the prioritized areas; implement intervention measures; re-assess the readiness and resiliency of hospitals in the prioritized areas after implementing intervention measures; and develop a framework to ensure that the hospitals can maintain their level of readiness and resiliency over time. Originality/value Research on hospital readiness and resiliency in Indonesia is still limited despite the size of the country and its proneness to disasters. This research has investigated the feasibility and value of using HSI to assess hospital readiness and resilience in Indonesia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 285-297
Author(s):  
Ciro Esposito ◽  
Immacolata Di Napoli ◽  
Barbara Agueli ◽  
Leda Marino ◽  
Fortuna Procentese ◽  
...  

Abstract. The purpose of this systematic review is to analyze the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects through the lens of community psychology. Our study applied PRISMA methodology, and it was carried out using the PsycInfo, PubMed, Embase, and EBSCO databases utilizing the keywords “connectedness,” “resilience,” “shared action,” “social action,” “trust,” “individual well-being,” and “social well-being.” We selected 12 of 216 eligible publications based on the inclusion criteria. The results indicated that the role of trust in institutions and others is a protective factor for communities that experience crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, developing social actions promoted connections and social support and that, in the absence of in-person communication, online communication promoted connections and reduced psychological distress and isolation. Finally, the study revealed that some psychosocial factors stem from declines in people’s well-being due to the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. Furthermore, our findings highlighted the role of technology as a positive communication tool for promoting connectedness and social support, as well as the social function of trust in institutions. Our results suggested that community interactions at the local and virtual levels should be viewed as positive actions to support institutions in detecting the most effective social intervention measures to stimulate individual and community well-being during the pandemic. These findings may serve as a guide for health policymakers in their efforts to face the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic supporting beneficial strategies for social planning and effective public policies. Finally, both the strengths and limitations of the research will be discussed in depth.


Author(s):  
Ghadeer A. R. Y. Suaifan ◽  
Bayan A. Alkhawaja ◽  
Aya A. M. Mohammed

: Coronaviruses are RNA-infective viruses that could be considered principal players in universal high-profile outbreaks, namely the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS, 2002-2003), the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS, 2012) and the continuing novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19, 2019) pandemic. RNA coronaviruses infections raise public health concerns with infections’ severity ranging from serious pandemics and highly contagious infections to common influenza episodes. With a wide consensus concerning the seminal role of early detection of the infectious agent on the clinical prognosis, recent technological endeavors have facilitated the rapid, sensitive and specific diagnosis of viral infections. Given that the burst of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are climbing steeply, and we are amid this pandemic, this work will center at the respiratory RNA-viruses outbreaks, including the three coronaviruses-related pandemics, emphasizing on the approved diagnostic approaches, outlining therapeutic clinical trials as well as vaccine candidates. Based on the accumulated data and knowledge on the previous RNA-virus outbreaks, this review aspires to link the current intervention measures against SARS-CoV-2 infection with the previous interventions and to provide a roadmap for any possible future measures.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sai Thein Than Tun ◽  
Daniel M. Parker ◽  
Ricardo Aguas ◽  
Lisa J. White

Abstract Background Many public health interventions lead to disruption or decrease of transmission, providing a beneficial effect for people in the population regardless of whether or not they individually participate in the intervention. This protective benefit has been referred to as a herd or community effect and is dependent on sufficient population participation. In practice, public health interventions are implemented at different spatial scales (i.e., at the village, district, or provincial level). Populations, however defined (i.e., neighbourhoods, villages, districts) are frequently connected to other populations through human movement or travel, and this connectedness can influence potential herd effects. Methods The impact of a public health intervention (mass drug administration for malaria) was modelled, for different levels of connectedness between populations that have similar disease epidemiology (e.g., two nearby villages which have similar baseline malaria incidences and similar malaria intervention measures), or between populations of varying disease epidemiology (e.g., two nearby villages which have different baseline malaria incidences and/or malaria intervention measures). Results The overall impact of the interventions deployed could be influenced either positively (adding value to the intervention) or negatively (reducing the impact of the intervention) by how much the intervention units are connected with each other (e.g., how frequent people go to the other village or town) and how different the disease intensity between them are. This phenomenon is termed the “assembly effect”, and it is a meta-population version of the more commonly understood “herd effect”. Conclusions The connectedness of intervention units or populations is an important factor to be considered to achieve success in public health interventions that could provide herd effects. Appreciating the assembly effect can improve the cost-effective strategies for global disease elimination projects.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 1238-1253
Author(s):  
Arif Anjum

Purpose: The current study intends to estimate empirically the factors, which more likely influence the ICT adoption by Indian SMEs. Methodology: Exploratory research has been applied and the current study uses a logistic regression model to estimate the data. The Database was selected as a DV to estimate the model. Main Findings: The summary result of all the five models show that there is one significant variable that explains the ICT adoption among SMEs, i.e. complexity. This shows that the adoption of the innovative process is complex for small enterprises since these innovative processes are beyond the scope of these enterprises. The other independent variables are also significant except Trialability, Observability, Owner IS, Employee IS, Management Support, Image, etc.  Implications / Applications: The role of SMEs has become more crucial in developing nations because they have the ability to significantly improving income distribution, creation of employment, poverty eradication, as well as export growth. Technology up-gradation is the most significant factor in capacity building for enhancing competitiveness in SMEs. The main aim of innovation policy is to promote new ideas, such as products, processes, and organization techniques. Novelty/Originality of this study: Numerous factors like social, economic, political, human and other factors that influence ICT adoption have been examined in previous literature. In addition to this, there are some other factors like technological, organizational and environmental also impact ICT adoption. In this aspect, none of the studies in previous was well-studied in Indian SMEs context. Therefore the present paper bridged this gap by examining the factors, which more likely influence the ICT adoption by Indian SMEs. Understanding this importance would enable suitable policy reviews and intervention measures that help ICT adoption.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document