scholarly journals The impact of COVID-19 on clinical research for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs): A case study of bubonic plague

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. e0010064
Author(s):  
Tsinjo Fehizoro Rasoanaivo ◽  
Josephine Bourner ◽  
Ravaka Niaina Randriamparany ◽  
Théodora Mayouya Gamana ◽  
Voahangy Andrianaivoarimanana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Research ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Tropical Diseases ◽  
Health Centres ◽  
Accrual Rate ◽  
To Come ◽  
The Many ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Near Future

Background Among the many collaterals of the COVID-19 pandemic is the disruption of health services and vital clinical research. COVID-19 has magnified the challenges faced in research and threatens to slow research for urgently needed therapeutics for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and diseases affecting the most vulnerable populations. Here we explore the impact of the pandemic on a clinical trial for plague therapeutics and strategies that have been considered to ensure research efforts continue. Methods To understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the trial accrual rate, we documented changes in patterns of all-cause consultations that took place before and during the pandemic at health centres in two districts of the Amoron’I Mania region of Madagascar where the trial is underway. We also considered trends in plague reporting and other external factors that may have contributed to slow recruitment. Results During the pandemic, we found a 27% decrease in consultations at the referral hospital, compared to an 11% increase at peripheral health centres, as well as an overall drop during the months of lockdown. We also found a nation-wide trend towards reduced number of reported plague cases. Discussion COVID-19 outbreaks are unlikely to dissipate in the near future. Declining NTD case numbers recorded during the pandemic period should not be viewed in isolation or taken as a marker of things to come. It is vitally important that researchers are prepared for a rebound in cases and, most importantly, that research continues to avoid NTDs becoming even more neglected.

scholarly journals The Impact of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) on Women’s Health and Wellbeing in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): A Case Study of Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 2180
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Ochola ◽  
Susan J. Elliott ◽  
Diana M. S. Karanja
Keyword(s):  
Women’S Health ◽  
Women's Health ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Tropical Diseases ◽  
Gender Dynamics ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) trap individuals in a cycle of poverty through their devastating effects on health, wellbeing and social–economic capabilities that extend to other axes of inequity such as gender and/or ethnicity. Despite NTDs being regarded as equity tracers, little attention has been paid toward gender dynamics and relationships for gender-equitable access to NTD programs in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This paper examines the impact of NTDs on women’s health and wellbeing in SSA using Kenya as a case study. This research is part of a larger research program designed to examine the impact of NTDs on the health and wellbeing of populations in Kenya. Thematic analysis of key informants’ interviews (n = 21) and focus groups (n = 5) reveals first that NTDs disproportionately affect women and girls due to their assigned gender roles and responsibilities. Second, women face financial and time constraints when accessing health care due to diminished economic power and autonomy. Third, women suffer more from the related social consequences of NTDs (that is, stigma, discrimination and/or abandonment), which affects their health-seeking behavior. As such, we strongly suggest a gender lens when addressing NTD specific exposure, socio-economic inequities, and other gender dynamics that may hinder the successful delivery of NTD programs at the local and national levels.

‘To die, to sleep’ – assisted dying legislation in Victoria: A case study

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 1976-1982 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Gilbert ◽  
Jane Boag
Keyword(s):  
Terminal Illness ◽  
Assisted Dying ◽  
Contemporary Society ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Australian Society ◽  
Australian State ◽  
Pain And Suffering ◽  
To Come ◽  
The Impact

Background: Assisted dying remains an emotive topic globally with a number of countries initiating legislation to allow individuals access to assisted dying measures. Victoria will become the first Australian state in over 13 years to pass Assisted Dying Legislation, set to come into effect in 2019. Objectives: This article sought to evaluate the impact of Victorian Assisted Dying Legislation via narrative view and case study presentation. Research design: Narrative review and case study. Participants and research context: case study. Ethical considerations: This legislation will provide eligible Victorian residents with the option to request access to assisted dying measures as a viable alternative to a potentially painful, protracted death. Findings: This legislation, while conservative and inclusive of many safeguards at present, will form the basis for further discussion and debate on assisted dying across Australia in time to come. Discussion: The passing of this legislation by the Victorian parliament was prolonged, emotive and divided not only the parliament but Australian society. Conclusion: Many advocates for this legislation proclaimed it was well overdue and will finally meet the needs of contemporary society. Protagonists claim that medical treatment should not provide a means of ending life, despite palliative care reportedly often failing to relieve the pain and suffering of individuals living with a terminal illness.

scholarly journals The Need for Shared Nomenclature on Racism and Related Terminology in Psychology

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 886-892
Author(s):  
Angela M. Haeny ◽  
Samantha C. Holmes ◽  
Monnica T. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Research ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Racial Microaggressions ◽  
The United States ◽  
Multiple Forms ◽  
Social Construct ◽  
Racial Hierarchy ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Many ◽  
The Impact

With the increased desire to engage in antiracist clinical research, there is a need for shared nomenclature on racism and related constructs to help move the science forward. This article breaks down the factors that contributed to the development and maintenance of racism (including racial microaggressions), provides examples of the many forms of racism, and describes the impact of racism for all. Specifically, in the United States, racism is based on race, a social construct that has been used to categorize people on the basis of shared physical and social features with the assumption of a racial hierarchy presumed to delineate inherent differences between groups. Racism is a system of beliefs, practices, and policies that operate to advantage those at the top of the racial hierarchy. Individual factors that contribute to racism include racial prejudices and racial discrimination. Racism can be manifested in multiple forms (e.g., cultural, scientific, social) and is both explicit and implicit. Because of the negative impact of racism on health, understanding racism informs effective approaches for eliminating racial health disparities, including a focus on the social determinants of health. Providing shared nomenclature on racism and related terminology will strengthen clinical research and practice and contribute to building a cumulative science.

scholarly journals The Indigenisation Policy and Economic Emancipation in Zimbabwe: A Case Study of the Zimunya-Marange Communities

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Zvavahera Promise ◽  
Chigora Farai ◽  
Tandi Roselyn
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Mining Companies ◽  
Diamond Mining ◽  
Doing Business ◽  
The Government ◽  
To Come ◽  
The Impact

This study sought to evaluate the impact of the Indigenisation Policy on the socio-economic emancipation of rural communities in Zimbabwe. A case study approach was taken focusing on the Marange and Zimunya communities in Manicaland Province of Zimbabwe, where diamonds are being mined. Both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies were applied to get a balanced view from these two communities on their socio-economic improvement because of the mining of diamonds, which are a valuable natural resource found in these two communities. Purposive sampling was applied to come up with the sample of senior politicians and traditional leaders. Two Focus groups were formed in the two communities. The study established that the five diamond mining companies doing business in the two communities had failed to honour their pledges of contributing USD10 million each towards the development of the two communities. Only USD400 000 was contributed by two mining companies at the time of the study. Ninety five percent (95%) of the respondents reported that there were no projects that were being implemented to benefit the local communities. It was therefore, concluded that there was limited socio-economic empowerment of the Marange-Zimunya communities by the diamond mining companies. The study recommended the intervention by the Government in order for these mining companies to honour their pledges by coming up with empowerment projects and also by allowing the two communities to have shares in these companies so that they could be economically empowered.

Listening to the child victim of abuse through the process of therapy: A case study

2001 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 18-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neerosh Mudaly ◽  
Chris Goddard
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Process ◽  
Young Person ◽  
Response To Therapy ◽  
Child Victim ◽  
To Come ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Theoretical Considerations

When a child has been abused by his or her father or father-figure and makes the statement ‘I want Dad to come home’, whose voice are we hearing in treatment, how do we interpret and respond to what the child is saying? Understanding and responding to the voices of victims of abuse is a complex issue. This paper explores the issues of listening to and responding to a young vicitm of abuse in the context of the impact of the abuse on this young person, and how these issues emerged and were addressed in the therapeutic process. Amanda, a 13-year-old girl, disclosed sexual abuse by her stepfather. In the initial months of counselling she repeatedly expressed her wish for her stepfather to return home. Amanda’s response to therapy, the short-term and long-term impact issues that were addressed, and the various therapeutic techniques that were used to assist in her recovery, are traced in the context of theoretical considerations.

THE IMPACT OF MESSAGE-BUFFER ALIGNMENT ON COMMUNICATION PERFORMANCE

2005 ◽  
Vol 15 (01n02) ◽  
pp. 49-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
LEON ARBER ◽  
SCOTT PAKIN
Keyword(s):  
Network Performance ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Careful Analysis ◽  
Communication Performance ◽  
Accepted Practice ◽  
The Many ◽  
Performance Discrepancy ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Impact

Of the many factors that contribute to communication performance, perhaps one of the least investigated is that of message-buffer alignment. Although the generally accepted practice is to page-align buffer memory for best performance, our studies show that the actual relationship of buffer alignment to communication performance cannot be expressed with such a simple formula. This paper presents a case study in which porting a simple network performance test from one language to another resulted in a large performance discrepancy even though both versions of the code consist primarily of calls to messaging-layer functions. Careful analysis of the two code versions revealed that the discrepancy relates to the alignment in memory of the message buffers. Further investigation revealed some surprising results about the impact of message-buffer alignment on communication performance: (1) different networks and node architectures prefer different buffer alignments; (2) page-aligned memory does not always give the best possible performance, and, in some cases, actually yields the worst possible performance; and, (3) on some systems, the most significant factor affecting network performance is the relative alignment of send and receive buffers with respect to each other.

scholarly journals Epidemiology of neglected tropical diseases in transplant recipients: review of the literature and experience of a Brazilian HSCT center

2009 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 309-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clarisse Martins Machado ◽  
Talita Chaves Martins ◽  
Iago Colturato ◽  
Marília Souza Leite ◽  
Anderson João Simione ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Disease Burden ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Haematopoietic Stem Cell ◽  
Solid Organ ◽  
Tropical Diseases ◽  
Transplant Recipients ◽  
Transplant Program ◽  
The Impact

The rising success rate of solid organ (SOT) and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and modern immunosuppression make transplants the first therapeutic option for many diseases affecting a considerable number of people worldwide. Consequently, developing countries have also grown their transplant programs and have started to face the impact of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in transplant recipients. We reviewed the literature data on the epidemiology of NTDs with greatest disease burden, which have affected transplant recipients in developing countries or may represent a threat to transplant recipients living in other regions. Tuberculosis, Leprosy, Chagas disease, Malaria, Leishmaniasis, Dengue, Yellow fever and Measles are the topics included in this review. In addition, we retrospectively revised the experience concerning the management of NTDs at the HSCT program of Amaral Carvalho Foundation, a public transplant program of the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

scholarly journals The impact of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) on health and wellbeing in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): A case study of Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. e0009131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Ochola ◽  
Diana M. S. Karanja ◽  
Susan J. Elliott
Keyword(s):  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
National Level ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
The Political ◽  
Economic Opportunity ◽  
Tropical Diseases ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Political Economic ◽  
The Impact

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) remain endemic to many regions of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) left behind by socioeconomic progress. As such, these diseases are markers of extreme poverty and inequity that are propagated by the political, economic, social, and cultural systems that affect health and wellbeing. As countries embrace and work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the needs of such vulnerable populations need to be addressed in local and global arenas. The research uses primary qualitative data collected from five NTD endemic counties of Kenya: interviews key informants (n = 21) involved in NTD implementation programs and focus groups (n = 5) of affected individuals. Informed by theories of political ecology of health, the research focuses on post-devolution Kenya and identifies the political, economic, social, and cultural factors that propagate NTDs and their effects on health and wellbeing. Our findings indicate that structural factors such as competing political interests, health worker strikes, inadequate budgetary allocations, economic opportunity, marginalization, illiteracy, entrenched cultural norms and practices, poor access to water, sanitation and housing, all serve to propagate NTD transmission and subsequently affect the health and wellbeing of populations. As such, we recommend that post-devolution Kenya ensures local political, economic and socio-cultural structures are equitable, sensitive and responsive to the needs of all people. We also propose poverty alleviation through capacity building and empowerment as a means of tackling NTDs for sustained economic opportunity and productivity at the local and national level.

scholarly journals Third Place Design Strategy for Commuter in Sub-urban (Case Study: Outdoor Public Space in Tangerang City, Indonesia)

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-39
Author(s):  
Mustika Kusumaning Wardhani ◽  
Tomohiko Yoshida ◽  
Alpraditia Malik
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Design Strategy ◽  
Train Station ◽  
Metropolitan City ◽  
Tactical Urbanism ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
To Come ◽  
The Impact

In recent years, Urban population density spreads towards suburbs of the metropolitan city as the impact of urbanisation. In Indonesia, Commuting activity does not only occur in the centre of metropolitan city Jakarta but spreads outside to the suburbs such as in Tangerang City. Commuting activities often cause stress, and some outdoor public spaces are expected to be healing space for recreation needs amidst a busy life. The lack of integration of urban design that supports commuting activities along with leisure activities is a problem that will be raised. This paper aims to evaluate the configuration of a potential location as the third space in Tangerang City infrastructure around bus stops and train station. Methods used are qualitative methods with a rationalistic approach. The research findings postulated three paradigms in Tactical Urbanism design strategy, which are: (1) Functionally, Tactical Urbanism can form a multipurpose proximity network that functions simultaneously between mobility and relaxation activities; (2) Socially, tactical urbanism design strategy can eliminate social segregation where there are no gaps to spend leisure time around Tangerang station for commuter, community, also tourist; (3) Visually, Tactical Urbanism can encourage people to come and sit for a while and become an icon of Tangerang City with the design of public open spaces integrated with infrastructure for transportation. Based on the above findings, a framework is conceptualised as an attempt to strengthen the tactical urbanism design strategy in the suburbs area.

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