scholarly journals Fostering cardiovascular health at work – case study from Senegal

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ida Ndione ◽  
Ann Aerts ◽  
Asha Barshilia ◽  
Johannes Boch ◽  
Sarah Des Rosiers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Health Program ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Labor Policy ◽  
Coordination Mechanism ◽  
Economic Damage ◽  
Workplace Health ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity

Abstract Background Of the 15 million annual premature deaths from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), 85% occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Affecting individuals in the prime of their lives, NCDs impose severe economic damage to economies and businesses, owing to the high mortality and morbidity within the workforce. The Novartis Foundation urban health initiative, Better Hearts Better Cities, was designed to improve cardiovascular health in Dakar, Senegal through a combination of interventions including a workplace health program. In this study, we describe the labor policy environment in Senegal and the outcomes of a Novartis Foundation-supported multisector workplace health coalition bringing together volunteering private companies. Methods A mixed method design was applied between April 2018 and February 2020 to evaluate the workplace health program as a case study. Qualitative methods included a desk review of documents relevant to the Senegalese employment context and work environment and in-depth interviews with eight key informants including human resource representatives and physicians working in the participating companies. Quantitative methods involved an analysis of workplace health program indicators, including data on diagnosis, treatment and control of hypertension in employees, provided by the coalition companies, and a cost estimate of NCD-related ill-health as compared to the investment needed for hypertension screening and awareness raising events. Results Senegal has a legal and regulatory system that ensures employee protection, supports social security benefits, and promotes health and hygiene in companies. The Dakar Workplace Health Coalition comprised 18 companies, with a range of staff between 300 and 4′220, covering 36′268 employees in total. Interviews suggested that the main enablers for workplace program success were strong leadership support within the company and a central coordination mechanism for the program. The main barrier to monitor progress and outcomes was the reluctance of companies to share data. Four companies provided aggregated anonymized cohort data, documenting a total of 21′392 hypertension screenings and an increasing trend in blood pressure control (from 34% in Q4 2018 to 39% in Q2 2019) in employees who received antihypertensive treatment. Conclusion Evidence on workplace health and wellness programs in Africa is scarce. This study highlights how private sector companies can play a significant role in improving cardiovascular population health in LMICs.

scholarly journals Lessons Learned from the Cambodia Enterprise Infirmary Guidelines development process

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Policy Process ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Labor Policy ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Workplace Health ◽  
Guidelines Development ◽  
Formal Policy ◽  
Strategic Use Of Evidence

Women of reproductive age in Cambodia, and many other developing countries, comprise a large part of factories’ workforce. Integrating family planning and reproductive health information and services into factories can improve workers’ health and help countries achieve FP2020 commitments. This case study looks at the process of how the Cambodian Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training launched, as formal policy, a set of workplace health infirmary guidelines for enterprises. What made this policy process unique for Cambodia—and what can be replicated by health advocates elsewhere—is that a group of organizations typically focused on public health policy successfully engaged on labor policy with a labor ministry. This case study describes the policy process, which was underpinned by the strategic use of evidence in decision-making and has been hailed by government, donors, civil society and industry as a success. The learnings presented in this case study should be useful to health advocates, labor advocates, and program designers.

Application of failure mode and effects analysis to reduce microplastic emissions

2021 ◽  
pp. 0734242X2110031
Author(s):  
Ana Pires ◽  
Paula Sobral
Keyword(s):  
Failure Mode ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Policy Instruments ◽  
Effect Analysis ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Heuristic Technique ◽  
Single Use ◽  
Regulatory Measures ◽  
Plastic Products

A complete understanding of the occurrence of microplastics and the methods to eliminate their sources is an urgent necessity to minimize the pollution caused by microplastics. The use of plastics in any form releases microplastics to the environment. Existing policy instruments are insufficient to address microplastics pollution and regulatory measures have focussed only on the microbeads and single-use plastics. Fees on the use of plastic products may possibly reduce their usage, but effective management of plastic products at their end-of-life is lacking. Therefore, in this study, the microplastic–failure mode and effect analysis (MP–FMEA) methodology, which is a semi-qualitative approach capable of identifying the causes and proposing solutions for the issue of microplastics pollution, has been proposed. The innovative feature of MP–FMEA is that it has a pre-defined failure mode, that is, the release of microplastics to air, water and soil (depending on the process) or the occurrence of microplastics in the final product. Moreover, a theoretical recycling plant case study was used to demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of this method. The results revealed that MP–FMEA is an easy and heuristic technique to understand the failure-effect-causes and solutions for reduction of microplastics and can be applied by researchers working in different domains apart from those relating to microplastics. Future studies can include the evaluation of the use of MP–FMEA methodology along with quantitative methods for effective reduction in the release of microplastics.

scholarly journals Modeling Insights into Precipitation Deuterium Excess as an Indicator of Raindrop Evaporation in Lanzhou, China

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 193
Author(s):  
Fenli Chen ◽  
Mingjun Zhang ◽  
Athanassios A. Argiriou ◽  
Shengjie Wang ◽  
Qian Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arid Region ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Isotope Composition ◽  
Sampling Site ◽  
Western China ◽  
Cloud Base ◽  
Deuterium Excess ◽  
Semi Arid Region ◽  
Semi Arid

The deuterium excess in precipitation is an effective indicator to assess the existence of sub-cloud evaporation of raindrops. Based on the synchronous measurements of stable isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen (δ2H and δ18O) in precipitation for several sites in Lanzhou, western China, spanning for approximately four years, the variations of deuterium excess between the ground and the cloud base are evaluated by using a one-box Stewart model. The deuterium excess difference below the cloud base during summer (−17.82‰ in Anning, −11.76‰ in Yuzhong, −21.18‰ in Gaolan and −12.41‰ in Yongdeng) is greater than that in other seasons, and difference in winter is weak due to the low temperature. The variations of deuterium excess in precipitation due to below-cloud evaporation are examined for each sampling site and year. The results are useful to understand the modification of raindrop isotope composition below the cloud base at a city scale, and the quantitative methods provide a case study for a semi-arid region at the monsoon margin.

scholarly journals Toward a Quantitative Approach to the Specialness of Poetry: Taking Chang Hen Ge and Chang Hen Ge Zhuan as a Case Study

SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 215824402110299
Author(s):  
Cong Zhang ◽  
Rui Yuan
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Great Influence ◽  
Quantitative Approach ◽  
Linguistic Features ◽  
Function Words ◽  
New Perspective

The differences of linguistic features between Chang Hen Ge ( Ge) and Chang Hen Ge Zhuan ( Zhuan) have rarely been mentioned in the relevant fields. Nevertheless, these differences can best highlight the specialness of poetry, for the two works were written contemporaneously by two friends on the same subject, in distinct styles. This article employs quantitative methods and indicators to provide empirical evidence for the specialness of Ge through comparisons between the two. The results show that, on the premise of expressing the same subject in different styles, Ge does have certain linguistic characteristics compared with Zhuan. Its particularity is reflected not only in fewer repeat characters and words but also in their richness, as well as in the use of more content words and fewer function words. Moreover, all of these characteristics have had a great influence on Ge’s artistic level and dissemination. Through this study, we hope that our methods provide a new perspective and shed some light on this area.

The Spatial-Temporal Change Pattern of Wetland in the Middle-Lower Yangtze River: A Case Study of Wuhu, Anhui

2014 ◽  
Vol 513-517 ◽  
pp. 3228-3232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Li Tao ◽  
Yong Ping Bai
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Temporal Change ◽  
Remote Sensing Image ◽  
Land Uses ◽  
Change Pattern ◽  
Spatial Changes ◽  
Temporal And Spatial ◽  
Gis Software ◽  
Urban Sprawling

Wetlands play a number of roles in the environment, which are also considered the most biologically diverse of all ecosystems. Utilizing RS and the GIS software, remote datum were matched and classified. By these transactions, the temporal and spatial changes of wetland landscape are explored in Wuhu, combining qualitative analysis and quantitative methods. This paper analyzed the time-spatial revolution process which indicated that, firstly the area of wetland reduced rapidly from remote sensing image in 1988, 2001 and 2005, secondly the exterior of urban changed acutely and the interior were protected well in view of spatial pattern. Moreover, driving force factors were pointed out. Human activities, especially urbanization were the main causes of wetlands degradation. Simultaneity, the development of farming, the construction of infrastructure and nature were important factors. Owing to rapid economic development and urban sprawling, wetlands are encountering threaten to be converting to other land uses. Thus, the paper provides policy advices for wetland conservation and urban planning toward sustainable development.

scholarly journals Relation between uric acid and metabolic syndrome in subjects with cardiometabolic risk

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 202-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hellen Abreu da Silva ◽  
Júlia Cristina Cardoso Carraro ◽  
Josefina Bressan ◽  
Helen Hermana Miranda Hermsdorff
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Uric Acid ◽  
Serum Uric Acid ◽  
Abdominal Obesity ◽  
Health Program ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Cardiometabolic Risk ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Potential Biomarker

Objective To identify possible relations between serum uric acid levels and metabolic syndrome and its components in a population with cardiometabolic risk. Methods This cross-sectional study included 80 subjects (46 women), with mean age of 48±16 years, seen at the Cardiovascular Health Program. Results The prevalence of hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome was 6.3% and 47.1%, respectively. Uric acid level was significantly higher in individuals with metabolic syndrome (5.1±1.6mg/dL), as compared to those with no syndrome or with pre-syndrome (3.9±1.2 and 4.1±1.3mg/dL, respectively; p<0.05). The uric acid levels were significantly higher in men presenting abdominal obesity, and among women with abdominal obesity, lower HDL-c levels and higher blood pressure (p<0.05). Conclusion Uric acid concentrations were positively related to the occurrence of metabolic syndrome and its components, and there were differences between genders. Our results indicate serum uric acid as a potential biomarker for patients with cardiometabolic risk.

Comparative Case Study on Covid-19 Prevention Methods

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy W Lee
Keyword(s):  
Unemployment Rate ◽  
Psychological Effect ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Psychological Variables ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Case Study Analysis ◽  
Prevention Method ◽  
Prevention Methods

Objectives: This study investigated the efficacy of lockdown as a response to COVID-19. This study sought to identify which viral prevention method, loose lockdown or strict lockdown, resulted in the best possible outcome for a certain population. Methods: A comparative case study was designed to compare and analyze the US states, Florida and California. These states were chosen because they are relatively similar in many factors such as economic dependence on tourism, population traits like population density, and in the aspect that they both have similar weather. Along with being similar in these aspects, the states have opposing lockdown prevention policies; Florida has loose lockdown restrictions and California has strict lockdown restrictions. These states were analyzed through the variables of mortality (death rate), morbidity (hospitalization rate), the economy (unemployment rate and real gross domestic product), and psychological effect (reported cases of anxiety and depression). In the comparison of these two states, it was possible to determine how these variables were affected by the different viral prevention methods. Results: Florida’s loose lockdown led to a better outcome for the economy with a lower percent decrease in real GDP and unemployment rate, as well as a better psychological effect with lower percent increase in total reports of anxiety and depression. California’s strict lockdown led to a better outcome for the mortality variable with lower rate of deaths as well as a better outcome for the morbidity variable with lower hospitalization rates. Conclusions: This comparative case study analysis on Florida and California revealed how each lockdown strategy, strict or not, affected each state in terms of mortality, morbidity, the economy and psychological effects. Florida fared better in the economical and psychological variables and California fared better in mortality and morbidity variables.

scholarly journals The Impact of Information Communication and Technology Utilization on the Financial Performance of Microfinance Institutions in Rwanda Case Study: Reseau Interdiocesain De Microfinance (Rim) Ltd, Rwanda (2011 -2015)

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Jean Bosco Harelimana
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Financial Sustainability ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
Descriptive Survey ◽  
The Impact

The study analyzed the impact of ICT utilization on the financial performance of microfinance institutions inRwanda with case study of Réseau Interdiocesain de microfinance (RIM) Ltd undertaken within 5 years (2011-2015). The study adopted the use of descriptive survey using both qualitative and quantitative methods for a totalsample size of 132. Purporsive and simple random simpling was used for this purpose. Primary and Secondary datawere collected and thene analyzed using SPSS version 16.00. The study found that ICT has been introduced and usedabout 5 years and above. The study found that ICT impact firstly on financial sustainability and profitability (65.8%),secondly on financial efficiency and productivity (23.7) and finally on portfolio quality (5.3%). ICT utilization havea high influence to the RIM Ltd.’s financial performance compared to the previous situation.The correlation results imply that ICT usage has a positive impact on financial sustainability and profitability as theymove in the same direction (R=0.502). The strength of the impact was found to be low due to the low investments inICT among microfinance institutions.

scholarly journals Effective Universal Coverage of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 in Chile

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Guerrero-Núñez ◽  
Sandra Valenzuela-Suazo ◽  
Patricia Cid-Henríquez
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 ◽  
Health Program ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Universal Coverage ◽  
Diabetes Mellitus Type ◽  
Health Care Coverage ◽  
Universal Health

ABSTRACT Objective: determine the prevalence of Effective Universal Coverage of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 in Chile and its relation with the variables: Health Care Coverage of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2; Average of diabetics with metabolic control in 2011-2013; Mortality Rate for Diabetes Mellitus; and Percentage of nurses participating in the Cardiovascular Health Program. Method: cross-sectional descriptive study with ecological components that uses documentary sources of the Ministry of Health. It was established that there is correlation between the Universal Effective Coverage of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 and the independent variables; it was applied the Pearson Coefficient, being significant at the 0.05 level. Results: in Chile Universal Health Care Coverage of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (HbA1c<7% estimated population) is less than 20%; this is related with Mortality Rate for Diabetes Mellitus and Percentage of nurses participating in the Cardiovascular Health Program, being significant at the 0.01 level. Conclusion: effective prevalence of Universal Health Coverage of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 is low, even though some regions stand out in this research and in the metabolic control of patients who participate in health control program; its relation with percentage of nurses participating in the Cardiovascular Health Program represents a challenge and an opportunity for the health system.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document