scholarly journals Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation of the COVID-19 Response in a Local Public Health System

2021 ◽  
pp. 152483992110410
Author(s):  
Christina M. Holt ◽  
Stephen B. Fawcett ◽  
Ruaa Hassaballa-Muhammad ◽  
Dan Partridge ◽  
Sonia Jordan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Schools ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Evaluation System ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Response Effort ◽  
Participatory Monitoring ◽  
Local Public Health

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic tested the capacity of local health systems to understand and respond to changing conditions. Although data on new cases of COVID-19 were widely shared in communities, there was less information on the multisector response activities and factors associated with implementation. To address this gap, this empirical case study examined (a) the pattern of implementation of COVID-19 response activities and (b) the factors and critical events associated with both the pattern of new cases and the implementation of the local COVID-19 response. We used a participatory monitoring and evaluation system to capture, code, characterize, and communicate 580 COVID-19 response activities implemented in the city of Lawrence and Douglas County, Kansas. Collaboration across sectors including public health, medical services, city/county government, businesses, social services, public schools, and universities enabled the local public health system’s response effort. Documentation results showed the varying pattern of new COVID-19 cases and response activities over time and the factors identified as enabling or impeding the response and related new cases. Similar participatory monitoring and evaluation methods can be used by local health systems to help understand and respond to the changing conditions of COVID-19 response and recovery.

Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation of Ebola Response Activities in Lofa County, Liberia: Some Lessons Learned

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-66
Author(s):  
Ithar Hassaballa ◽  
Stephen Fawcett ◽  
Charles Sepers ◽  
Florence DiGennaro Reed ◽  
Jerry Schultz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Evaluation System ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
World Health ◽  
Response Effort ◽  
Participatory Monitoring

To address the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund led a multilevel and multisectoral intervention known as the Ebola response effort. Although surveillance systems were able to detect reduction in Ebola incidence, there was little understanding of the implemented activities within affected areas. To address this gap, this empirical case study examined (a) implementation of Ebola response activities and associated bending the curve of incidence of Ebola virus disease and (b) candidate factors associated with fuller implementation of the Ebola response effort. A mix of qualitative and quantitative methods were used to address these questions. A participatory monitoring and evaluation system was used to capture, code, characterize, and communicate nearly a hundred Ebola response activities implemented in Lofa County, a highly affected area in Liberia. The Ebola response effort was enabled by community engagement and collaboration across different sectors. Results showed fuller implementation corresponded with a marked reduction in Ebola virus disease. This report concludes with a discussion of how monitoring and evaluation can strengthen implementation of activities needed to address disease outbreaks.

Confidence in the Fairness of Local Public Health Systems’ Response to Disasters: The US Veterans’ Perspective

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-81
Author(s):  
Kevin C. Heslin ◽  
Deborah Riopelle ◽  
June L. Gin ◽  
John Ordunez ◽  
Diana E. Naranjo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Ethnic Minorities ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
California Health Interview Survey ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
Public Health Systems ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
Us Veterans ◽  
Racial Ethnic

AbstractObjectiveThe effectiveness of local public health systems in emergency management depends on trust from the entire community. However, the failure of some government agencies to respond effectively to several major disasters has had a disproportionate impact on certain groups-racial/ethnic minorities, in particular-that are well-represented in the veteran population. Many veterans belong to multiple vulnerable populations at greater risk of harm during disasters. This study examines confidence that local public health systems will respond fairly to disasters in a diverse sample of US veterans.MethodsThis study is an analysis of cross-sectional data on 5955 veterans in the 2009 California Health Interview Survey. Respondents were asked about their confidence that public health systems would respond fairly to their needs in the event of a disaster, regardless of their race/ethnicity or other personal characteristics. Multivariable regression analysis was used to identify variables on respondent characteristics that were independently associated with confidence. The hypothesis was that there would be less confidence in county public health systems among respondents who were racial/ethnic minorities, had less than a college degree, and were of low-income backgrounds.ResultsApproximately 79% of veterans were confident that public health systems would respond fairly. The hypothesis was unsupported, with no differences in confidence by race/ethnicity, education, or income. Also, no differences were noted between men and women or between veterans with and without disabilities. However, confidence was associated with continent of birth, age, homeownership, and marital status.ConclusionIf confidence affects veterans’ willingness to accept disaster preparedness communications or to give proper consideration to recommended emergency countermeasures, then local health departments that issue such information to veterans are not likely to encounter barriers by race/ethnicity, income, education, disability status, or gender.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2013;7:75-81)

Descriptive Epidemiology of Local Public Health Systems

1995 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 9-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurice Mullet ◽  
Nancy Rawding ◽  
Carol K. Brown ◽  
David Custer ◽  
Jane Suen
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Descriptive Epidemiology ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
Public Health Systems

Roles for State-Level Local Health Liaison Officials in Local Public Health Surveillance and Capacity Building

1995 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 41-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard J. Turnock ◽  
Arden S. Handler ◽  
William Hall ◽  
Steven Potsic ◽  
Judith Munson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Capacity Building ◽  
Public Health Surveillance ◽  
State Level ◽  
Health Surveillance ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Local Public Health

Regional public health preparedness teams in North Carolina: An analysis of their structural capacity and impact on services provided

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Horney, PhD, MPH ◽  
Milissa Markiewicz, MPH ◽  
Anne Marie Meyer, PhD ◽  
Julie Casani, MD, MPH ◽  
Jennifer Hegle, MPH ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
North Carolina ◽  
Human Resources ◽  
Administrative Support ◽  
Medical Doctor ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Team Composition ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
The North ◽  
Structural Capacity

In December 2001, the North Carolina Division of Public Health established Public Health Regional Surveillance Teams (PHRSTs) to build local public health capacity to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from public health incidents and events. Seven PHRSTs are colocated at local health departments (LHDs) around the state.The authors assessed structural capacity of the PHRSTs and analyzed the relationship between structural capacity and the frequency of support and services provided to LHDs by PHRSTs. Five categories of structural capacity were measured: human, fiscal, informational, physical, and organizational resources. In addition, variation in structural capacity among teams was also examined.The most variation was seen in human resources. Although each team was originally designed to include a physician/epidemiologist, industrial hygienist, nurse/epidemiologist, and administrative support technician, team composition varied such that only the administrative support technician is common to all teams. Variation in team composition was associated with differences in the support and services that PHRSTs provide to LHDs.Teams that reported having a medical doctor or a doctor of osteopathic medicine (χ2 = 9.95; p 0.01) or an epidemiologist (χ2 = 5.35; p 0.02) had larger budgets and provided more support and services, and teams that housed a pharmacist reported more partners (χ2 = 52.34; p 0.01). Teams that received directives from more groups (such as LHDs) also provided more support and services in planning (Z = 21.71; p 0.01), communication and liaison (Z = 12.11; p 0.01), epidemiology and surveillance (Z = 5.09; p 0.01), consultation and technical support (Z = 2.25; p = 0.02), H1N1 outbreak assistance (Z = 10.25; p 0.01), and public health event response (Z = 2.19; p = 0.03).In the last 10 years, significant variation in structural capacity, particularly in human resources, has been introduced among PHRSTs. These differences explain much of the variation in support and services provided to LHDs by PHRSTs.

Legal Protections to Promote Response Willingness Among the Local Public Health Workforce

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lainie Rutkow ◽  
Jon S. Vernick ◽  
Carol B. Thompson ◽  
Rachael Piltch-Loeb ◽  
Daniel J. Barnett
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Public Health Workforce ◽  
Protective Equipment ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Attitudes And Beliefs ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
Ethical Implications ◽  
Emergency Scenarios

AbstractObjectiveThe legal environment may improve response willingness among local health department (LHD) workers. We examined whether 3 hypothetical legal protections influence LHD workers’ self-reported response willingness for 4 emergency scenarios and whether specific demographic factors are associated with LHD workers’ response willingness given these legal protections.MethodsOur 2011–2012 survey included questions on demographics and about attitudes and beliefs regarding LHD workers’ willingness to respond to 4 emergency scenarios given specific legal protections (i.e., ensuring priority health care for workers’ families, granting workers access to mental health services, and guaranteeing access to personal protective equipment). Data were collected from 1238 LHD workers in 3 states.ResultsAcross scenarios, between 60% and 83% of LHD workers agreed that they would be more willing to respond given the presence of 1 of the 3 hypothetical legal protections. Among the 3 legal protections, a guarantee of personal protective equipment elicited the greatest agreement with improved response willingness.ConclusionsSpecific legal protections augment a majority of LHD workers’ response willingness. Policymakers must, however, balance improved response willingness with other considerations, such as the ethical implications of prioritizing responders over the general public. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:98–102)

Health Promotion at the Ballpark

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bonni C. Hodges
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New York ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Health Priorities ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
Collegiate Baseball

The arrival of a new summer collegiate baseball league franchise to a small central New York city was seen as an opportunity for health promotion. The initiative was set up to explore two overarching questions: (1) Are summer collegiate baseball events acceptable to local public health organizations as viable places for health promotion activities addressing local health issues? (2) Are summer collegiate baseball organizations amenable to health promotion activities built in to their fan and/or player experiences? Planning and implementation were guided by precede–proceed, social cognitive theory, social marketing, and diffusion of innovations constructs. Environmental changes were implemented to support healthy eating and nontobacco use by players and fans; four health awareness nights were implemented at home games corresponding to local public health priorities and included public service announcements, between inning quizzes, information dissemination at concession and team market locations, and special guests. Sales and fan feedback support mostly healthy concession offerings and a tobacco-free ballpark; postseason evaluations from team staff and public health partners support continuing the trials of this sports event as a venue for health promotion.

Assessing the Performance of Local Public Health Systems

1998 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 63-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glen P. Mays ◽  
Paul K. Halverson ◽  
C. Arden Miller
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
Public Health Systems

scholarly journals Public health agendas addressing violence against rural women - an analysis of local level health services in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 1379-1387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Cocco da Costa ◽  
Marta Julia Marques Lopes ◽  
Joannie dos Santos Fachinelli Soares
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Rural Women ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Rio Grande ◽  
The State ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Rio Grande Do Sul ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
Municipal Health ◽  
Health Managers

This study analyses health managers' perceptions of local public health agendas addressing violence against rural women in municipalities in the southern part of the State Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. It consists of an exploratory descriptive study utilizing a qualitative approach. Municipal health managers responsible for planning actions directed at women's health and primary health care were interviewed. The analysis sought to explore elements of programmatic vulnerability related to violence in the interviewees' narratives based on the following dimensions of programmatic vulnerability: expression of commitment, transformation of commitment into action, and planning and coordination. It was found that local health agendas directed at violence against rural women do not exist. Health managers are therefore faced with the challenge of defining lines of action in accordance with the guidelines and principles of the SUS. The repercussions of this situation are expressed in fragile comprehensive services for these women and programmatic vulnerability.

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