scholarly journals The how tough is WASH framework for assessing the climate resilience of water and sanitation

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy Howard ◽  
Anisha Nijhawan ◽  
Adrian Flint ◽  
Manish Baidya ◽  
Maria Pregnolato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
Small Towns ◽  
Water And Sanitation ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Sanitation Services ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Measurement Framework ◽  
Low And Middle Income

AbstractClimate change presents a major threat to water and sanitation services. There is an urgent need to understand and improve resilience, particularly in rural communities and small towns in low- and middle-income countries that already struggle to provide universal access to services and face increasing threats from climate change. To date, there is a lack of a simple framework to assess the resilience of water and sanitation services which hinders the development of strategies to improve services. An interdisciplinary team of engineers and environmental and social scientists were brought together to investigate the development of a resilience measurement framework for use in low- and middle-income countries. Six domains of interest were identified based on a literature review, expert opinion, and limited field assessments in two countries. A scoring system using a Likert scale is proposed to assess the resilience of services and allow analysis at local and national levels to support improvements in individual supplies, identifying systematic faults, and support prioritisation for action. This is a simple, multi-dimensional framework for assessing the resilience of rural and small-town water and sanitation services in LMICs. The framework is being further tested in Nepal and Ethiopia and future results will be reported on its application.

scholarly journals Access to Water and Sanitation Services in Brazilian Vulnerable Areas: The Role of Regulation and Recent Institutional Reform

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 787 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Antonio Narzetti ◽  
Rui Cunha Marques
Keyword(s):  
Universal Access ◽  
Institutional Reform ◽  
Public Authorities ◽  
Water And Sanitation ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Sanitation Services ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Access To Water ◽  
The Impact

Access to water and sanitation services (WSSs) in low- or middle-income countries is constrained by the poverty and vulnerability conditions of the population. In this context, it is urgent to establish public policies for WSSs that will increase the economic access to these services so that they will be more comprehensive and comprise the entire population, ensuring a balance between social and financial objectives. This paper contributes to a better understanding of the provision of WSSs in vulnerable areas and of the difficulty in achieving universal access using Brazil as a case study. The role of regulation in the provision of WSSs in vulnerable areas and the impact of the recent institutional reform that took place last year in that country is discussed. The different experiences analyzed provide interesting lessons that contribute to the improvement of the Brazilian status quo and that, at the same time, can be good practices that can be applied in other countries. One of the main conclusions of this research is related to the contributions that regulation should provide in the universalization of WSSs, mainly when the provision of these services is ruled by a contract. Furthermore, we observed that public authorities have resigned their role in this scope and that they must be more effective and, particularly, more proactive so that universalization can be achieved.

scholarly journals Challenges and considerations of applying nature-based solutions in low- and middle-income countries in Southeast and East Asia

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 331-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex M. Lechner ◽  
Rachel L. Gomes ◽  
Lucelia Rodrigues ◽  
Matthew J. Ashfold ◽  
Sivathass Bannir Selvam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Southeast Asia ◽  
East Asia ◽  
Ecological Restoration ◽  
Environmental Risks ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Rapid Pace ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Abstract Low- and middle-income countries in Southeast and East Asia face a range of challenges related to the rapid pace of urbanisation in the region, the scale of pollution, climate change, loss of ecosystem services and associated difficulties for ecological restoration. Possible pathways towards a more sustainable future lie in the applications of nature-based solutions (NBS). However, there is relatively little literature on the application of NBS in the region, particularly Southeast Asia. In this paper we address this gap by assessing the socio-ecological challenges to the application of NBS in the region – one of the most globally biodiverse. We first provide an overview and background on NBS and its underpinnings in biodiversity and ecosystem services. We then present a typology describing five unique challenges for the application of NBS in the region: (1) Characteristics of urbanisation; (2) Biophysical environmental and climatic context; (3) Environmental risks and challenges for restoration; (4) Human nature relationships and conflicts; and (5) Policy and governance context. Exploiting the opportunities through South-South and North-South collaboration to address the challenges of NBS in Southeast and East Asia needs to be a priority for government, planners and academics.

scholarly journals No fire without smoke (particles)

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie M Holm ◽  
John Balmes
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Smoke Particles ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Pollution from landscape fires, which are increasing with climate change, leads to babies being born with lower birthweights in low- and middle-income countries.

scholarly journals An Emergent Framework of the Market Food Environment in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Djeinam Toure ◽  
Anna Herforth ◽  
Gretel H Pelto ◽  
Lynnette M Neufeld ◽  
Mduduzi N N Mbuya
Keyword(s):  
Food Environment ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Product Characteristics ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Research Priority ◽  
Measurement Framework ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Abstract Background Food systems are increasingly recognized as critical for advancing nutrition, and the food environment is viewed as the nexus between those systems and dietary consumption. Developing a measurement framework of the market food environment is a research priority, particularly for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), which face rapid shifts in markets, dietary patterns, and nutrition outcomes. Objective In this study, we sought to assess current conceptions and measures of the market food environment that could be adapted for use in LMICs. Methods We conducted a narrative review of the literature to identify measures of the market food environment in recent use. First, we identified and reviewed frameworks of the food environment for LMICs with a specific focus on the market food environment. Second, we compiled 141 unique measures of the market food environment from 20 papers into a list that was pile-sorted by five nutrition experts into domains. We then categorized the measures based on percentage agreement across all sorts. Finally, we compared measured and conceptual domains of the market food environment to identify measurement gaps and needed adaptations. Results Conceptual frameworks provide differing definitions of the market food environment but conform in their definitions of food availability, price, marketing, and product characteristics. Greater clarity is needed in defining relevant vendor and product characteristics. Eight measured domains of the market food environment emerged from the literature review, with significant overlap among conceptual domains. Measurement gaps exist for food quality, safety, packaging, desirability and convenience. Personal characteristics also emerged as measured domains, although these are not of the food environment, per se. Conclusions These results are a step towards elucidating how, why and where we measure the market food environment in LMICs. Future research should focus on prioritizing the most meaningful methods and metrics, and developing new measures where gaps exist.

scholarly journals Climate change, climate-related disasters and mental disorder in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. e051908
Author(s):  
Isobel Sharpe ◽  
Colleen M Davison
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Scoping Reviews ◽  
Low And Middle Income

IntroductionClimate change and climate-related disasters adversely affect mental health. Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and climate-related disasters and often lack adequate mental healthcare infrastructure. We used the scoping review methodology to determine how exposure to climate change and climate-related disasters influences the presence of mental disorders among those living in LMICs. We also aimed to recognise existing gaps in this area of literature.MethodsThis review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews checklist. To identify relevant studies, we searched five electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, APA PsycInfo and Sociological Abstracts) from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2019. We also searched the grey literature. Included studies had an adult-focused LMIC population, a climate change or climate-related disaster exposure and a mental disorder outcome. Relevant study information was extracted and synthesised.ResultsFifty-eight studies were identified, most of which (n=48) employed a cross-sectional design. The most commonly studied exposure–outcome combinations were flood-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (n=28), flood-related depression (n=15) and storm-related PTSD (n=13). The majority of studies identified a positive exposure–outcome association. However, few studies included a baseline or comparator (ie, unexposed) group, thereby limiting our understanding of the magnitude or nature of this association. There was also great heterogeneity in this literature, making studies difficult to pool or compare. Several research gaps were identified including the lack of longitudinal studies and non-uniformity of geographic coverage.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this was the first scoping review to investigate the relationship between climate change and climate-related disaster exposures and mental disorder outcomes in LMICs. Our findings support the need for further research, but also highlight that mental health should be a priority within LMIC climate change policy considerations.

scholarly journals A Narrative Synthesis of the Published Literature on Antenatal Care in Low and Middle Income Countries

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-23
Author(s):  
Shanta Kumar Shrestha ◽  
Joanne Travaglia ◽  
Chandni Joshi
Keyword(s):  
Antenatal Care ◽  
English Language ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Antenatal Visit ◽  
Reference List ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Background: Good quality antenatal care is one of the recommended strategies to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality and improve health outcomes of the mother and her child. The utilization and quality of antenatal care in low and middle income countries is not well documented and hence deserves further study. This is a literature review of antenatal care in low and middle income countries on its utilization, the barriers and facilitators, and the available evidence of effectiveness and quality of antenatal careMethod: A systematic review of the published literature was conducted which also included published systematic reviews. Studies published between 2002 and 2012 were identified by searching Medline, EMBASE and CINAHL. This was supplemented by papers provided by international advisors from grey literature and snowballing search of reference list of all included papers. Only English language studies in low and middle income countries on antenatal care were includedResults: Twenty-three papers met the inclusion criteria. Health-facility based studies reported near universal access to antenatal care, which was not the case for community based studies. Women received at least one antenatal visit but fewer women had the recommended number of visits. Socioeconomic status and women’s education were the most frequent and the strongest predictors of antenatal care use. Antenatal care promoted the use of skilled birth attendant at delivery, but did not contribute to reductions in maternal mortality and stillbirths. The quality of care was reported as unsatisfactory; major issues being poor client-provider relationship and inferior quality of counselling.Conclusion: In order to increase the utilization of antenatal care, in the short term, less educated women from socioeconomically disadvantaged households require targeting. Long-term improvements require a focus on improving female education. Further research is needed to explore the quality of antenatal care in order to validate its effect on maternal and child health.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hprospect.v13i1.11341 Health Prospect Vol.13(1) 2014: 12-23

scholarly journals An Emergent Measurement Framework of the Market Food Environment in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (OR21-08-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Djeinam Toure ◽  
Mduduzi Mbuya ◽  
Anna Herforth ◽  
Gretel Pelto ◽  
Lynnette Neufeld
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Food Choice ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Food Stores ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Measurement Framework ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Abstract Objectives Food systems are increasingly recognized as critical to advancing better nutrition, with the food environment as the nexus between food systems and dietary consumption. Developing a robust measurement framework of the market food environment is a research priority particularly for low and middle income countries (LMIC), where market food environments are rapidly shifting, accompanied by shifts in diet patterns and nutrition outcomes. The objective of this work was to identify existing metrics of the food environment and develop a measurement framework that can be used to assess the outcomes of nutrition-sensitive, market-focused interventions in LMIC. Methods We conducted a narrative review of the food environment literature using targeted searches of peer-reviewed articles, agency websites, and bibliographies to identify measures of the food environment in current or recent use. First, we extracted 182 unique measures from and compiled them into a list. Second, a pile-sorting exercise was conducted online by 5 nutrition experts, selected for their expertise in food environment, ethnographic, food choice, and/or nutritious value chain research. Participants were asked to sort the measures into piles that belonged together and create a label for each pile. An in-depth debriefing was conducted with each sorter to obtain the reasoning for their sorts. We then categorized the results into emergent groups based on the percentage agreement of the assignment of individual items into the piles. Results Eight broad categories with at least 75% measure agreement emerged pertaining to both perceived and objective measures of the built/physical food environment. Etic measures included the availability of food stores, the availability and quality of foods within a store, food prices, and marketing. Emic (perception) measures included perceptions of access to food stores, perceptions of food availability and quality in stores, and affordability. Personal characteristics and values determining food choice also emerged; these are not measures of the food environment per se. Conclusions These results begin to outline a measurement framework for assessing the market food environment that can be adapted to LMIC. The next step will be to test the framework and evaluate its utility as a tool to further understanding around consumer food choices. Funding Sources GAIN.

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