The Interplay of Environmental Assessment Methods; Characterising the Institutional Background in Egypt

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (01) ◽  
pp. 1850003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walaa S. E. Ismaeel ◽  
Marwa Adel Elsayed
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Assessment ◽  
Continuous Process ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Local Planning ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Evaluation Matrix

The paper presents an “Analytical Interdisciplinary Methodological Framework” (AIMF) to promote the institutional role of environmental assessment in Egypt. This is based on two main factors; the institutional procedure and application implementation, as well as factors influencing the decision-making process. The study starts with reviewing the levels of environmental assessment; Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA); noting that each level builds from its subsequent level in an attempt to constitute an additive cumulative benefit. This analysis is coupled with structured interviews and designed questionnaires for local planning professionals to investigate the external and internal factors affecting the application of environmental assessment systems in Egypt. This is developed into an interlacing scheme of a sort of continuous process that considers their application status, construction of systems, country laws, and technical aspects. A scoring evaluation matrix has been distributed among the same group of planning professionals to compare the current status and proposed framework of environmental assessment. Eventually, this qualitative investigation provides a novel approach for characterising the institutional background of environmental assessment in Egypt while exploring the interplay and progression between these successive levels of assessment, particularly for low and middle-income countries such as Egypt.

scholarly journals Community-based interventions for preventing COVID-19 transmission in low- and middle-income countries:  A systematic review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Master R.O. Chisale ◽  
Sheena Ramazanu ◽  
Joseph Tsung-Shu Wu ◽  
Frank W. Sinyiza ◽  
Thokozani Bvumbwe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
World Health ◽  
Flow Diagram ◽  
Main Body ◽  
Community Based Interventions ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Abstract Background World Health Organisation (WHO) has approved and recommended several public health measures to halt the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The implementation of recommended interventions vary between higher income and Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). The economical constraints within LMICs posed challenges in accessing resources for COVID-19 prevention. The study aimed to identify the workable community-based interventions being utilised in LMICs.Main body We applied systematic review approach for this study. Included articles were searched in eight online databases. The analysis was guided by the acceptable of best practice developed by the PROSPERO and COCHRANE for systematic search and selection of articles using pre-defined search terms. Furthermore, a PRISMA flow diagram was used to show the number of articles retrieved, retained, excluded with rationales given for every action. Studies conducted on community-based intervention for preventing COVID-19 and levels of knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) on community-based intervention for preventing COVID-19 regardless of the design were included. A mixed method appraisal tool (MMAT) was used to appraise studies.Six studies from LMICs were included for detail analysis after the systematic review screening process from 10,100 articles. The quality assessment using MMAT tool appraised these articles were all in highest quality. Among the six articles, 10 community-based interventions were implemented in LMICs. The three key workable and implemented interventions are: use of masks, social distance and hand wash. The review identified varying levels of KAP between LMICs and social-demographical factors affecting KAP in these settings.Conclusion This systematic review has identified the community-based interventions implemented in LMICs to prevent COVID-19 during the pandemic and key factors affecting the level of KAP among the population. This study re-affirms the importance of effective and suitable implementation of the identified interventions. More studies need to be conducted in LMICs to establish the effectiveness and adoption of the implemented and recommended interventions.

Correlates of relationship issues among youth: Findings from a large scale youth mental health promotion program in India

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pradeep Banandur ◽  
Gopalan Kalpana ◽  
Shikha G Pai ◽  
Mutharaju Arelingaiah ◽  
Sathya R Velu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Health Promotion Program ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low Middle Income Countries ◽  
Health Promotion Interventions

Abstract Background : Relationships and mental health have a bidirectional effect. The effect of relationships on mental health is stronger than vice versa. We analyzed two-year case records of 8595 beneficiaries aged 15-35 years attending youth guidance centres (Yuva Spandana Kendras) in Karnataka, India to understand factors affecting relationship issues. Methods : Multivariate logistic regression was performed with any beneficiary reporting having a relationship issue as outcome. Results : Occupation, marital status, health and lifestyle issues, personality issues, safety issues, gender, sex, & sexuality issues, suicidality, alcohol, and different emotions experienced,had significant association with relationship issues. Investing in health promotion interventions focusing on these precursors of relationship issues amongst youth seems strategic. Conclusion : Our findings have implications for other states in India and other low-middle-income countries like India.

scholarly journals ‘I Waited for It until Forever’: Community Barriers to Accessing Intellectual Disability Services for Children and Their Families in Cape Town, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (22) ◽  
pp. 8504
Author(s):  
Siyabulela Mkabile ◽  
Leslie Swartz
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Disability Services ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Interview Guide ◽  
Children With Intellectual Disability

Background: Intellectual disability is more common in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries. Stigma and discrimination have contributed to barriers to people with intellectual disability accessing healthcare. As part of a larger study on caregiving of children with intellectual disability in urban Cape Town, South Africa, we interviewed a sub-group of families who had never used the intellectual disability services available to them, or who had stopped using them. Methods: We employed a qualitative research design and conducted semi-structured interviews to explore the views and perspectives of parents and caregivers of children with intellectual disability who are not using specialised hospital services. We developed an interview guide to help explore caregivers’ and parents’ views. Results: Results revealed that caregivers and parents of children with intellectual disability did not use the intellectual disability service due to financial difficulties, fragile care networks and opportunity costs, community stigma and lack of safety, lack of faith in services and powerlessness at effecting changes and self-stigmatisation. Conclusion: Current findings highlight a need for increased intervention at community level and collaboration with community-based projects to facilitate access to services, and engagement with broader issues of social exclusion.

scholarly journals Chemical and Biological Components of Urban Aerosols in Africa: Current Status and Knowledge Gaps

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 941 ◽  
Author(s):  
Egide Kalisa ◽  
Stephen Archer ◽  
Edward Nagato ◽  
Elias Bizuru ◽  
Kevin Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Strategies ◽  
Complex Mixture ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
World Health ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic ◽  
Nitro Derivatives ◽  
Health Organization

Aerosolized particulate matter (PM) is a complex mixture that has been recognized as the greatest cause of premature human mortality in low- and middle-income countries. Its toxicity arises largely from its chemical and biological components. These include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their nitro-derivatives (NPAHs) as well as microorganisms. In Africa, fossil fuel combustion and biomass burning in urban settings are the major sources of human exposure to PM, yet data on the role of aerosols in disease association in Africa remains scarce. This review is the first to examine studies conducted in Africa on both PAHs/NPAHs and airborne microorganisms associated with PM. These studies demonstrate that PM exposure in Africa exceeds World Health Organization (WHO) safety limits and carcinogenic PAHs/NPAHs and pathogenic microorganisms are the major components of PM aerosols. The health impacts of PAHs/NPAHs and airborne microbial loadings in PM are reviewed. This will be important for future epidemiological evaluations and may contribute to the development of effective management strategies to improve ambient air quality in the African continent.

Congenital Heart Disease in Low- and Lower-Middle–Income Countries: Current Status and New Opportunities

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liesl Zühlke ◽  
John Lawrenson ◽  
George Comitis ◽  
Rik De Decker ◽  
Andre Brooks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Congenital Heart Disease ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Congenital Heart ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries

scholarly journals A current status of teleophthalmology in low- and middle-income countries: literature review

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sangchul Yoon ◽  
Holden Yoon Seung Kim ◽  
Jaewon Kim ◽  
Sohyun Kim ◽  
Kyoung Yul Seo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
A Current ◽  
Low And Middle Income

scholarly journals Work Conditions of the Mortuary Attendant in Ghana: A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
pp. 004695802110602
Author(s):  
Anita Fafa Dartey ◽  
John Kwasi Akortiakumah ◽  
Perfert Titiati ◽  
Ebenezer Kwao ◽  
Felix Kwasi Nyande
Keyword(s):  
Formal Education ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Work Conditions ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Job Requirements ◽  
Training Requirements ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Interview Guide

Mortuary workers play a crucial role in healthcare delivery by providing after-life care for dead bodies. Mortuary attendants ensure that corpses are well preserved before handing them over to bereaved families for burial. However, the work of mortuary attendants is a neglected area in most low- and middle-income countries, Ghana inclusive.This study explored the nature, duties and job requirements of mortuary attendants in three regions of Ghana. A descriptive exploratory study that utilised a qualitative approach was conducted. Nineteen mortuary attendants who worked in nine mortuary facilities in three regions were purposively selected and interviewed for the study. Semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded using an interview guide. Verbatim transcription of conversations was done, data were manually coded and analysed thematically. Scientific trustworthiness was ensured through applications of the philosophies of credibility, dependability, confirmability and transferability. Three themes were identified: nature of the work of mortuary attendants; qualification and training requirements; and working conditions of mortuary attendants. The emerged sub-themes revealed the critical role played by attendants in preserving the bodies for the families; the majority of attendants got their skills through apprenticeship and challenging work conditions. The lack of structured formal education among mortuary attendants exposes them to occupational hazards and leads to poor service delivery. It is recommended that a formal programme for training, certification and recruitment of mortuary attendants be instituted to equip them with the needed knowledge and skill to enable them to meet the demands of their work.

scholarly journals Learning Needs Assessment for Multi-stakeholder Implementation Science Training in LMIC Settings: Findings and Recommendations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mallory Wolfe Turner ◽  
Stephanie Bogdewic ◽  
Erum Agha ◽  
Carrie Blanchard ◽  
Rachel Sturke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Implementation Science ◽  
Sampling Strategy ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Learning Needs ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Multi Stakeholder ◽  
Context Specific

Abstract Background: Despite significant progress in the field of implementation science (IS), current training programs are inadequate to meet the global need, especially in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Even when training opportunities exist, there is a “knowledge-practice gap,” where implementation research findings are not useful to practitioners in a field designed to bridge that gap. This is a critical challenge in LMICs where complex public health issues must be addressed. This paper describes results from a formal assessment of learning needs, priority topics, and delivery methods for LMIC stakeholders.Methods: We first reviewed a sample of articles published recently in Implementation Science to identify IS stakeholders and assigned labels and definitions for groups with similar roles. We then employed a multi-step sampling approach and a random sampling strategy to recruit participants (n=39) for a semi-structured interview that lasted 30-60 minutes. Stakeholders with inputs critical to developing training curricula were prioritized and selected for interviews. We created memos from audio recorded interviews and used a deductively created codebook to conduct thematic analysis. We calculated kappa coefficients for each memo and used validation techniques to establish rigor including incorporating feedback from reviewers and member checking.Results: Participants included program managers, researchers, and physicians working in over 20 countries, primarily LMICs. The majority had over ten years of implementation experience but fewer than five years of IS experience. Three main themes emerged from the data, pertaining to past experience with IS, future IS training needs, and contextual issues. Most respondents (even with formal training) described their IS knowledge as basic or minimal. Preferences for future training were heterogeneous, but findings suggest that curricula must encompass a broader set of competencies than just IS, include mentorship/apprenticeship, and center the LMIC context.Conclusion: This work is the first to explicitly explore and highlight the need for fundamental, widespread, and context specific training in IS and capacity building in basic operational research for key stakeholders in LMICs. Therefore, we propose the novel approach of intelligent swarming as a solution to help build IS capacity in LMICs through the lens of sustainability and equity.

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