Can Digital Technologies Play a Role in Improving Children’s Learning Outcomes in India?

In this study, we explore the effects of an educational intervention in the form of digital games targeted towards improving the learning outcomes in mathematics and Hindi language among first, second and third graders in four government schools in southern New Delhi. In addition to administering these games in the classroom, we randomly recruited 40 households from a low-income community, where children play the games as an extra-curricular activity. We measure the improvement in aptitude in math and Hindi pre- and post-intervention, using various demographic controls and find that the community intervention had some impact in boosting aptitude. In contrast, the school intervention did not show the desired results though it did register some improvement in children’s knowledge. Using qualitative observation coupled with the quantitative assessment of impact, we attempt to deconstruct the various infrastructural challenges and sampling issues posed in our school intervention, and identify key features that need to be adhered to for future researchers who may want to assess the impact of educational interventions on young children from underprivileged backgrounds in India.

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141. Implementation of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Antimicrobial Stewardship Interventions for Asymptomatic Bacteriuria and Acute Respiratory Infections, a Stepped Wedge Randomized Study

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofaa439.186 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S81-S82

Author(s):

Grace Mortrude ◽

Mary Rehs ◽

Katherine Sherman ◽

Nathan Gundacker ◽

Claire Dysart

Keyword(s):

Patient Satisfaction ◽

Primary Outcome ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Asymptomatic Bacteriuria ◽

Educational Interventions ◽

Antibiotic Prescribing ◽

Acute Respiratory Infections ◽

Stepped Wedge ◽

Post Intervention ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Outpatient antimicrobial prescribing is an important target for antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) interventions to decrease antimicrobial resistance in the United States. The objective of this study was to design, implement and evaluate the impact of AMS interventions focused on asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) and acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in the outpatient setting. Methods This randomized, stepped-wedge trial evaluated the impact of educational interventions to providers on adult patients presenting to primary care (PC) clinics for ARIs and ASB from 10/1/19 to 1/31/20. Data was collected by retrospective chart review. An antibiotic prescribing report card was provided to PC providers, then an educational session was delivered at each PC clinic. Patient education materials were distributed to PC clinics. Interventions were made in a step-wise (figure 1) fashion. The primary outcome was percentage of overall antibiotic prescriptions as a composite of prescriptions for ASB, acute bronchitis, upper-respiratory infection otherwise unspecified, uncomplicated sinusitis, and uncomplicated pharyngitis. Secondary outcomes included individual components of the primary outcome, a composite safety endpoint of related hospital, emergency department or primary care visit within 4 weeks, antibiotic appropriateness, and patient satisfaction surveys. Figure 1 Results There were 887 patients included for analysis (405 pre-intervention, 482 post-intervention). Baseline characteristics are summarized in table 1. After controlling for type 1 error using a Bonferroni correction the primary outcome was not significantly different between groups (56% vs 49%). There was a statistically significant decrease in prescriptions for bronchitis (20.99% vs 12.66%; p=0.0003). Appropriateness of prescriptions for sinusitis (OR 4.96; CI 1.79–13.75; p=0.0021) and pharyngitis (OR 5.36; CI 1.93 – 14.90; p=0.0013) was improved in the post-intervention group. The composite safety outcome and patient satisfaction survey ratings did not differ between groups. Table 1 Conclusion Multifaceted educational interventions targeting providers can improve antibiotic prescribing for indications rarely requiring antimicrobials without increasing re-visit or patient satisfaction surveys. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

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The Impact of a Prenatal Education Video on Rates of Breastfeeding Initiation and Exclusivity during the Newborn Hospital Stay in a Low-income Population

Journal of Human Lactation ◽

10.1177/0890334415599402 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 152-159 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Ann L. Kellams ◽

Kelly K. Gurka ◽

Paige P. Hornsby ◽

Emily Drake ◽

Mark Riffon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hospital Stay ◽

Low Income ◽

Low Cost ◽

Educational Interventions ◽

Breastfeeding Initiation ◽

Prenatal Education ◽

Low Income Population ◽

Breastfeeding Rates ◽

Low Income Women ◽

The Impact

Background: Guidelines recommend prenatal education to improve breastfeeding rates; however, effective educational interventions targeted at low-income, minority populations are needed as they remain less likely to breastfeed. Objective: To determine whether a low-cost prenatal education video improves hospital rates of breastfeeding initiation and exclusivity in a low-income population. Methods: A total of 522 low-income women were randomized during a prenatal care visit occurring in the third trimester to view an educational video on either breastfeeding or prenatal nutrition and exercise. Using multivariable analyses, breastfeeding initiation rates and exclusivity during the hospital stay were compared. Results: Exposure to the intervention did not affect breastfeeding initiation rates or duration during the hospital stay. The lack of an effect on breastfeeding initiation persisted even after controlling for partner, parent, or other living at home and infant complications (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.05, 95% CI, 0.70-1.56). In addition, breastfeeding exclusivity rates during the hospital stay did not differ between the groups ( P = .87). Conclusion: This study suggests that an educational breastfeeding video alone is ineffective in improving the hospital breastfeeding practices of low-income women. Increasing breastfeeding rates in this at-risk population likely requires a multipronged effort begun early in pregnancy or preconception.

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Can a virtual microbiology simulation be as effective as the traditional Wetlab for pharmacy student education?

BMC Medical Education ◽

10.1186/s12909-021-03000-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

L. Baumann-Birkbeck ◽

S. Anoopkumar-Dukie ◽

S. A. Khan ◽

M. J. Cheesman ◽

M. O’Donoghue ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Learning Outcomes ◽

Professional Education ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Pharmacy Practice ◽

Pharmacy Students ◽

Technology Enhanced Learning ◽

Multiple Choice Questions ◽

Post Intervention ◽

The Impact ◽

Enhanced Learning

Abstract Background Pharmacy practice education requires the development of proficiencies and an understanding of clinical microbiology. Learning in this area could be delivered using practical laboratory exercises, or potentially, simulation-based education. Simulation has previously successfully enhanced learning in health professional education. The current global climate due to COVID-19 has further highlighted the important role of technology-enhanced learning in delivering outcomes that meet the requisite learning objectives of a course. The aim of the present study was to compare the impact of a commercially available virtual microbiology simulation (VUMIE™) with a traditional wet laboratory (wetlab) on learner knowledge, skills and confidence in a second-year integrated pharmacotherapeutics course for Bachelor of Pharmacy students. Methods A randomised, crossover study was employed to determine whether the simulation intervention (VUMIE™) improves learning outcomes (knowledge, skills and confidence) of pharmacy students, when compared to a traditional wetlab intervention. Each student completed three 1–2 h length sessions, for both the wetlab and VUMIE™ interventions (6 sessions total). Data was collected using surveys deployed at baseline (pre-interventions), post-intervention 1 or 2 (VUMIE™ or wetlab) and endpoint (post-interventions 1 and 2). Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS Statistics 25 and Instat™ software. Results Response rates were approximately 50% at initial survey and approximately 25% at endpoint survey. VUMIE™ produced higher post-intervention knowledge scores for the multiple-choice questions compared to the wetlab, however, the highest score was achieved at endpoint. Both interventions produced statistically significant differences for mean scores compared to baseline (pre-VUMIE™ and wetlab) across the domains of knowledge, skills and confidence. VUMIE™ produced higher post-intervention mean scores for knowledge, skills and confidence compared to post-intervention mean scores for the wetlab, however there was no statistical significance between the mean score for the two interventions, thus the VUMIE™ activity produced learning outcomes comparable to the wetlab activity. Conclusion These findings suggest VUMIE™ provides similar effects on students’ knowledge, skills, and confidence as a wetlab. The simulation’s implementation was not cost-prohibitive, provided students with a physically and psychologically safe learning environment, and the benefit of being able to repeat activities, supporting deliberate practice.

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The Impact of an Educational Program Based on the BASNEF Model on Knowledge and Self-Care Behaviors of Patients with Hypertension

Health Scope ◽

10.5812/jhealthscope.95588 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol In Press (In Press) ◽

Author(s):

Sedigheh Abedini ◽

Farzaneh Pourjalil ◽

Shokrallah Mohseni

Keyword(s):

Educational Program ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Self Care ◽

Educational Interventions ◽

T Test ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Enabling Factors ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean ◽

The Impact

Background: Hypertension is an important health problem that can be controlled by self-care. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the impact of an educational program based (BASNEF) model on knowledge and self-care behaviors for hypertensive patients in Bastak, Iran. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 180 patients with hypertension who were admitted to health centers of the Bastak city. The participants were randomly assigned to intervention (n = 90) and control (n = 90) groups. Data were collected using a questionnaire that had three sections of demographic information, knowledge, and BASNEF constructs. The questionnaires were completed before the intervention and two months after providing the intervention. After the pre-test, an appropriate educational intervention was designed and implemented only among the intervention group. To analyze the data, paired t-test, independent t-test, and Chi-square tests were run by SPSS version 19. Results: The mean age of the participants was 50.62 ± 7.549 years. The results showed a statistically significant difference in the mean scores of attitudes, subjective norms, enabling factors, and self-care behaviors in the intervention group pre- and post-intervention (P = 0.001). Besides, it was found that enabling factors (0.311) play a significant role in predicting self-care behaviors. Conclusions: The results of this study support the effectiveness of educational interventions in raising awareness and improving self-care behaviors in patients with hypertension using the BASNEF model. Therefore, with an emphasis on enabling factors, the BASNEF model can be used as a framework to develop educational interventions for self-care.

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The impact of a multi-component physical activity programme in low-income elementary schools

Health Education Journal ◽

10.1177/0017896917700681 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 76 (5) ◽

pp. 517-530 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

William V Massey ◽

Megan B Stellino ◽

Megan Holliday ◽

Travis Godbersen ◽

Rachel Rodia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Elementary Schools ◽

Low Income ◽

Training Programme ◽

Fifth Grade ◽

Positive Interactions ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Fifth Grade Students ◽

The Impact

Objective: To identify the effects of a structured and multifaceted physical activity and recess intervention on student and adult behaviour in school. Design: Mixed-methods and community-based participatory approach. Setting: Large, urban, low-income school district in the USA. Methods: Data were collected at three time points over a 1-year period. Sources included recess observations at four elementary schools, in-class behavioural observations of fifth-grade students ( n = 21) and focus groups with fourth- and fifth-grade students ( n = 75). Results: Results suggested an increased amount of positive interactions between adults and students and a decreased amount of conflict in the playground post intervention. Results also suggested that a peer-leadership training programme had beneficial effects on students’ classroom behaviour. Conclusion: Results from this study provide evidence that school recess can be used to teach social–emotional competencies that can impact student behaviour during recess and in the classroom.

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The impact of interventions to improve compliance in hand hygiene – a prospective study from Sangre Grande Hospital

Caribbean Medical Journal ◽

10.48107/cmj.2018.11.005 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Rajeev Nagassar ◽

Roma Bridgelal-Nagassar ◽

Keston Daniel ◽

Lima Harper

Keyword(s):

Hand Hygiene ◽

Prospective Study ◽

Compliance Rate ◽

Hospital Setting ◽

Educational Interventions ◽

World Health ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Improve Hand Hygiene ◽

A Prospective Study ◽

The Impact

Objectives To assess the compliance of hand hygiene (HH) practices of staff and determine the impact of multimodal interventions to improve hand hygiene practices. Methods A prospective study was conducted to determine the hand hygiene (HH) practices of staff according to the World Health Organization’s “5 moments of HH”. During random visits to the general wards, HH practices of staff were observed for 41 weeks during 2014-15. During the first 8 weeks, the basic compliance rate (BCR) was calculated. A BCR of 50% or more was considered compliant. Data were provided to the staff via email. Toolbox talks, posters, and other educational interventions were instituted in a multimodal manner. Wards were visited by infection control staff to reinforce HH practices. During the post-intervention phase, the HH practices were reassessed for 33 weeks to compare the impact of interventions. Results A total of 13,120 observations were made. Participants ranged from ages 18 to 65. The overall average BCR before intervention was 34.1%, for the first 8 weeks, while it increased to 62.3%, over the next 33 weeks, after the multimodal interventions (p =0.007). The wards which showed significant improvement include Paediatrics (p <0.0001), Male Surgical (p = 0.001), Female Surgical (p = 0.005), Male Medical (p < 0.0001), Haemodialysis Unit (p < 0.0001), ICU, (p = 0.038), and Accident and Emergency (p = 0.007). Obstetric, Female Medical, and Oncology wards did not show statistically significant improvement. Conclusion Hand Hygiene compliance rate of staff can be improved by multimodal interventions in a General Hospital setting.

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Smoking Urges During Treatment and Long-Term Cessation among Low-Income African Americans

Ethnicity & Disease ◽

10.18865/ed.27.4.395 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 27 (4) ◽

pp. 395 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Monica Webb Hooper ◽

Noella A. Dietz ◽

Joseph C. Wilson

Keyword(s):

African Americans ◽

Low Income ◽

Group Intervention ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Nicotine Patch ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Patch Use ◽

Status Assessment ◽

The Impact

Objective: The urge to smoke is a predictor of smoking relapse. Little research has focused on the impact of acute urges during treatment among African Americans. This study examined the relationship between smoking urges and long-term abstinence among treatment seekers. Design: Longitudinal prospective investigation. Urges to smoke were assessed at the initial (session 1) and final (session 8) sessions among adult smokers (N=308) enrolled in a 4-week group intervention trial. Nicotine patch use was assessed over 30 days. Main Outcome Measures: Biochemically verified 7-day point prevalence abstinence (7-day ppa) was assessed immediately postintervention, and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. Hierarchical logistic regressions tested associations between session 1 and session 8 urges and 7-day ppa at each smoking status assessment. Results: There was a significant overall decrease in smoking urges (M=29, SD=15 at session 1; M=17, SD=11 at session 8). After controlling for covariates, urges to smoke at session 1 were unrelated to 7-day ppa at any of the assessment points. However, session 8 urges were inversely associated with 7-day ppa post-intervention (AOR=.94, CI:.92-.97), at 3-months (AOR=.93, CI: .89-.97), 6-months (AOR=.93, CI: .90-.97), and 12-months (AOR=.96, CI: .96-.99). Nicotine patch use was positively associated with 7-day ppa at each assessment. Conclusions: The most robust predictors of abstinence through 12-months postintervention were decreased urges over the 4-week, 8-session group intervention and the frequency of nicotine patch use. Interventions aimed at addressing the needs of African American smokers should address urges and encourage nicotine replacement adherence to increase abstinence rates.Ethn Dis. 2017;27(4):395-402; doi:10.18865/ ed.27.4.395.

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Colorectal cancer knowledge and screening adherence among low-income Hispanic employees

Health Education Research ◽

10.1093/her/cyz013 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 34 (4) ◽

pp. 400-414

Author(s):

Judy Y Ou ◽

Echo L Warner ◽

Gina E Nam ◽

Laura Martel ◽

Sara Carbajal-Salisbury ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Low Income ◽

Educational Interventions ◽

Manual Labor ◽

Cancer Knowledge ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Chi Square ◽

Crc Screening ◽

Hispanic Workers ◽

Screening Adherence

Abstract Hispanics have the lowest colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates of all racial/ethnic groups and comprise the largest proportion of low-income manual laborers in the nation. We partnered with businesses to implement a community health worker (CHW)-led intervention among Hispanic workers in service-related and manual labor occupations, which often pay low wages and do not provide health insurance. CHWs measured knowledge, screening adherence and perceptions of CRC risk before and after educational interventions via interview. CHWs provided fecal immunochemical tests (FITs) to participants aged ≥50 years. Chi-square tests and logistic regression identified pre-intervention predictors of CRC knowledge of all participants and adherence among eligible participants. Adherence among participants increased from 40% (n = 307) pre-intervention to 66% post-intervention. Knowledge about CRC was associated with age ≥50 years (OR = 8.90 [95% CI = 2.61–30.35]; ref = 18–30) and perceived personal risk for CRC (Likely, OR = 3.06 [95% CI = 1.40–6.67]; ref = Not likely). Insurance status was associated with screening adherence pre-intervention (OR = 3.00 [95% CI 1.10–8.12]; ref = No insurance). Improvement in adherence post-intervention was associated with income between $25 000 and ≥$55 000 (OR = 8.49 [95% CI 1.49–48.32]; ref = $5000–<$10 000). Community-based health programs can improve CRC screening adherence among Hispanic workers in service-related and manual labor positions, but lowest-income workers may need additional support.

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Palliative Care Educational Interventions for Prelicensure Health-Care Students: An Integrative Review

American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine® ◽

10.1177/1049909118754494 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 35 (9) ◽

pp. 1235-1244 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Megan Lippe ◽

Bailey Johnson ◽

Stephanie Barger Mohr ◽

Kyle Rhoads Kraemer

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Learning Outcomes ◽

Outcome Measures ◽

Educational Interventions ◽

Integrative Review ◽

Limited Information ◽

Health Care Students ◽

Teaching Interventions ◽

Eol Care ◽

The Impact

To provide adequate care, students from all health-care professions require education regarding palliative and end-of-life (EOL) care prior to entering professional practice. In particular, students need proper training to be equal members of interprofessional teams providing palliative and EOL care. However, limited information is currently available about the effectiveness of educational interventions relating to palliative and EOL care. Thus, an assessment of educational interventions to utilize in providing this education is warranted. The purpose of this integrative review was to critically evaluate the impact of palliative or EOL care interventional studies on learning outcomes for prelicensure health-care students. Articles published from 2001 to present that utilizied palliative or EOL care educational interventions for prelicensure students from any health-care profession and also evaluated preidentified learning outcomes were included in the review. The final sample comprised 34 articles. Four studies utilized interprofessional interventions, whereas the remaining taught students from a single profession. Trends in sample sizes, teaching interventions, learning outcomes, and outcome measures are discussed. Teaching interventions reviewed were primarily focused on student learning outcomes specific to knowledge and attitudes. Future studies should implement interprofessional educational interventions, utilize reliable and valid outcome measures, and evaluate their impact on different learning outcomes, such as self-efficacy, comfort, and communication.

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Impact of an Urban Sanitation Intervention on Enteric Pathogen Detection in Soils

10.1101/2021.04.02.438233 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Drew Capone ◽

David Berendes ◽

Oliver Cumming ◽

David A Holcomb ◽

Jackie Knee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Pathogen Detection ◽

Fecal Contamination ◽

Sun Exposure ◽

Prevalence Ratio ◽

Enteric Pathogens ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Domestic Environment ◽

Enteric Infections ◽

The Impact

Environmental fecal contamination is common in many low-income cities, contributing to a high burden of enteric infections and associated negative sequelae. To evaluate the impact of a shared onsite sanitation intervention in Maputo, Mozambique on enteric pathogens in the domestic environment, we collected 179 soil samples at shared latrine entrances from intervention (n= 49) and control (n= 51) compounds during baseline (pre-intervention) and after 24 months (post-intervention) as part of the Maputo Sanitation Trial. We tested soils for the presence of nucleic acids associated with 20 enteric pathogens using a multiplex reverse transcription qPCR platform. We detected at least one pathogen-associated target in 91% (163/179) of soils and a median of 3 (IQR=1.5, 5) pathogens. Using a difference-in-difference analysis and adjusting for compound population, visibly wet soil, sun exposure, wealth, temperature, animal presence, and visible feces, we estimate the intervention reduced the probability of ≥1 pathogen detected by 15% (adjusted prevalence ratio, aPR=0.85; 95% CI: 0.70, 1.0) and the total number of pathogens detected by 35% (aPR =0.65; 0.44, 0.95) in soil 24 months following the intervention. These results suggest that the intervention reduced the presence of some fecal contamination in the domestic environment, but pathogen detection remained prevalent 24-months following the introduction of new latrines.

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