Implementation of a COVID-19 Screening Testing Program in a Rural, Tribal Nation: Experience of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, January–February 2021

2022 ◽  
pp. 003335492110617
Author(s):  
Natsai Zhou ◽  
Nickolas Agathis ◽  
Yvonne Lees ◽  
Heidi Stevens ◽  
James Clark ◽  
...  

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected tribal populations, including the San Carlos Apache Tribe. Universal screening testing in a community using rapid antigen tests could allow for near–real-time identification of COVID-19 cases and result in reduced SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Published experiences of such testing strategies in tribal communities are lacking. Accordingly, tribal partners, with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, implemented a serial testing program using the Abbott BinaxNOW rapid antigen test in 2 tribal casinos and 1 detention center on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation for a 4-week pilot period from January to February 2021. Staff members at each setting, and incarcerated adults at the detention center, were tested every 3 or 4 days with BinaxNOW. During the 4-week period, 3834 tests were performed among 716 participants at the sites. Lessons learned from implementing this program included demonstrating (1) the plausibility of screening testing programs in casino and prison settings, (2) the utility of training non–laboratory personnel in rapid testing protocols that allow task shifting and reduce the workload on public health employees and laboratory staff, (3) the importance of building and strengthening partnerships with representatives from the community and public and private sectors, and (4) the need to implement systems that ensure confidentiality of test results and promote compliance among participants. Our experience and the lessons learned demonstrate that a serial rapid antigen testing strategy may be useful in work settings during the COVID-19 pandemic as schools and businesses are open for service.

Author(s):  
Sasha Harris-Lovett ◽  
Kara L. Nelson ◽  
Paloma Beamer ◽  
Heather N. Bischel ◽  
Aaron Bivins ◽  
...  

Wastewater surveillance for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an emerging approach to help identify the risk of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. This tool can contribute to public health surveillance at both community (wastewater treatment system) and institutional (e.g., colleges, prisons, and nursing homes) scales. This paper explores the successes, challenges, and lessons learned from initial wastewater surveillance efforts at colleges and university systems to inform future research, development and implementation. We present the experiences of 25 college and university systems in the United States that monitored campus wastewater for SARS-CoV-2 during the fall 2020 academic period. We describe the broad range of approaches, findings, resources, and impacts from these initial efforts. These institutions range in size, social and political geographies, and include both public and private institutions. Our analysis suggests that wastewater monitoring at colleges requires consideration of local information needs, sewage infrastructure, resources for sampling and analysis, college and community dynamics, approaches to interpretation and communication of results, and follow-up actions. Most colleges reported that a learning process of experimentation, evaluation, and adaptation was key to progress. This process requires ongoing collaboration among diverse stakeholders including decision-makers, researchers, faculty, facilities staff, students, and community members.


2021 ◽  
pp. 037957212098250
Author(s):  
Jennifer K. Foley ◽  
Kristina D. Michaux ◽  
Bho Mudyahoto ◽  
Laira Kyazike ◽  
Binu Cherian ◽  
...  

Background: Micronutrient deficiencies affect over one quarter of the world’s population. Biofortification is an evidence-based nutrition strategy that addresses some of the most common and preventable global micronutrient gaps and can help improve the health of millions of people. Since 2013, HarvestPlus and a consortium of collaborators have made impressive progress in the enrichment of staple crops with essential micronutrients through conventional plant breeding. Objective: To review and highlight lessons learned from multiple large-scale delivery strategies used by HarvestPlus to scale up biofortification across different country and crop contexts. Results: India has strong public and private sector pearl millet breeding programs and a robust commercial seed sector. To scale-up pearl millet, HarvestPlus established partnerships with public and private seed companies, which facilitated the rapid commercialization of products and engagement of farmers in delivery activities. In Nigeria, HarvestPlus stimulated the initial acceptance and popularization of vitamin A cassava using a host of creative approaches, including “crowding in” delivery partners, innovative promotional programs, and development of intermediate raw material for industry and novel food products. In Uganda, orange sweet potato (OSP) is a traditional subsistence crop. Due to this, and the lack of formal seed systems and markets, HarvestPlus established a network of partnerships with community-based nongovernmental organizations and vine multipliers to popularize and scale-up delivery of OSP. Conclusions: Impact of biofortification ultimately depends on the development of sustainable markets for biofortified seeds and products. Results illustrate the need for context-specific, innovative solutions to promote widespread adoption.


KIVA ◽  
1960 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 27-30
Author(s):  
Donald R. Tuohy

YMER Digital ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (12) ◽  
pp. 446-455
Author(s):  
Eshetu Mathewos Juta ◽  

The term “urban mass transit” generally refers to scheduled intra-city service on a fixed route in shared vehicles. Public transportation is an important contributing factor to urban sustainability. Effective transportation networks that incorporate public transit livable by easing commute and transportation needs and increasing accessibility. To assess public transportation accessibility in metropolitan networks, two indices are used: the supply level of urban public transportation facilities resource and the public transportation-private automobile traveling time ratio. As the research in the Wolaita sodo town region and the assessment system, an evaluation technique for urban public transportation facility resource supply is developed based on accessibility. Accessibility is a representative indicator for evaluating the supply of bus system. Traditional studies have evaluated the accessibility from different aspects. Considering the interaction among land use, bus timetable arrangement and individual factors, a more holistic accessibility measurement is proposed to combine static and dynamic characteristics from multisource traffic data. The objective is to highlight the main lessons learned and identify knowledge gaps to guide the design and evaluation of future transport investments. Moreover, studies looking at ways to improve the operational efficiency of systems and those seeking to promote behavioral changes in transport users offer great potential to generate learning that is useful for the public and private actors involved.


Author(s):  
Naeima Houssein ◽  
Alsalihin Majeed ◽  
Emad Amkhatirha ◽  
Abdelghffar F. Abdelghffar ◽  
Asma Abubakr Mustafa ◽  
...  

The aim of the present study was to provide a national estimate for transmission of COVID-19 Cases in public and private schools in Benghazi city in the Eastern region of Libya. A multistage procedure was followed to obtain a representative sample of students and teaching staffs at randomly selected schools across the Eastern region of Libya. The resultant sample consisted of 101 schools, 808 students, and 202 staff members. Data were collected on age, sex, class, and symptoms of COVID19. Rapid antigen test was performed as a diagnostic test for SARS-CoV-2 to detect the presence of a viral antigen. Specimen was taken from the upper nasopharyngeal swab. Out of 808 students tested, 5 specimens were positive. Every positive rapid antigen test was further confirmed by PCR test.  All Specimens taken from staff members were negative. This survey highlights epidemiological concern on COVID-19 among students and staff members in school setting in Benghazi. Implementation and compliance with prevention measures are crucial.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars J. Lisell ◽  
◽  
Jesse D. Dean ◽  
Jal D. Desai ◽  
Tim Rehder

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (05) ◽  
pp. 1150-1156
Author(s):  
Jared A. Shenson ◽  
Ivana Jankovic ◽  
Hyo Jung Hong ◽  
Benjamin Weia ◽  
Lee White ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In academic hospitals, housestaff (interns, residents, and fellows) are a core user group of clinical information technology (IT) systems, yet are often relegated to being recipients of change, rather than active partners in system improvement. These information systems are an integral part of health care delivery and formal efforts to involve and educate housestaff are nascent. Objective This article develops a sustainable forum for effective engagement of housestaff in hospital informatics initiatives and creates opportunities for professional development. Methods A housestaff-led IT council was created within an academic medical center and integrated with informatics and graduate medical education leadership. The Council was designed to provide a venue for hands-on clinical informatics educational experiences to housestaff across all specialties. Results In the first year, five housestaff co-chairs and 50 members were recruited. More than 15 projects were completed with substantial improvements made to clinical systems impacting more than 1,300 housestaff and with touchpoints to nearly 3,000 staff members. Council leadership was integrally involved in hospital governance committees and became the go-to source for housestaff input on informatics efforts. Positive experiences informed members' career development toward informatics roles. Key lessons learned in building for success are discussed. Conclusion The council model has effectively engaged housestaff as learners, local champions, and key informatics collaborators, with positive impact for the participating members and the institution. Requiring few resources for implementation, the model should be replicable at other institutions.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1963 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 899-902
Author(s):  
Fowler V. Harper

THE PROBLEM of physical and mental injuries inflicted on infants and small children has increasingly attracted the attention of physicians and welfare workers within the past few years. A bibliography prepared by the Children's Bureau in August of last year compiled a substantial number of scholarly articles in scientific journals dealing with abused children. Careful case studies reveal the seriousness of the problem, and several surveys, its extent. What informed persons have suspected and what many doctors and social workers have believed, has been demonstrated, viz., that parents too often are their children's worst enemies. It may be because one or more parent is psychotic, of extremely low intelligence, of uncontrollable temper, or was himself an abused child with serious psychiatric after-effects. The assumption that, generally, a child is "better off" in the home, surrounded by the loving care of his parents is no doubt sound enough, but the exceptions are sufficiently numerous to warrant more attention by appropriate agencies and professional individuals, public and private, than they have received. The Children's Bureau held two conferences devoted to this matter during the year 1962. Participants included well-qualified pediatricians, social workers, psychiatrists, lawyers, judges, juvenile court staff personnel, administrative and professional hospital staff members, and others concerned with child health and welfare. There was general agreement that the physician is perhaps the first person who will obtain knowledge of a situation involving inflicted injuries on a child, that he should report his findings to an appropriate investigating authority for further action, and that state legislation is necessary to impose a legal obligation on the physician in this regard.


2019 ◽  
pp. 339-368
Author(s):  
Niamh Darcy ◽  
Sriyanjit Perera ◽  
Grades Stanley ◽  
Susan Rumisha ◽  
Kelvin Assenga ◽  
...  

In 2009, the Tanzanian Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children (MoHCDGEC) counted over 10 different health facility lists managed by donors, government ministries, agencies and implementing partners. These function-specific lists were not integrated or linked. The ministry's Health Sector Strategic Plan included the development of an authoritative source for all health facility information, called the Master Facility List (MFL). During development, the ministry adopted the term Health Facility Registry (HFR), an online tool providing public access to a database about all officially recognized health facilities (public and private). The MFL, which includes the health facility list at any specific point in time can be exported from the HFR. This chapter presents the Tanzanian case study describing the work and lessons learned in building the HFR—focusing on software development, introducing geographic positioning systems and harmonizing MFL data. MoHCDGEC launched the HFR public portal in September 2015.


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