scholarly journals A Qualitative Exploration of Prisoners’ Strategies for Coping with Food Insecurity in Prisons in Kinshasa, DRC

Author(s):  
Danny Mvula Muanga Badila ◽  
Sphindile Nonhle Mapumulo ◽  
Christiane Horwood ◽  
Vaughn Mitchell John ◽  
Mala Ali Mapatano

Abstract Background: Contravention of prisoners’ basic human rights, over-crowding, poor living conditions, food insecurity, disease and lack of access to medical care in prisons constitute a serious public health concern in many low-income countries in Africa, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This study aimed to explore prisoners’ experiences of food insecurity and strategies prisoners employ to overcome food insecurity in two prisons in Kinshasa, DRC.Methods: A qualitative study was conducted among 31 prisoners, both men and women. In-depth interviews were conducted in N’dolo and Makala prisons by two researchers in the local language (Lingala). For security reasons of prisoners interviews were not audio recorded, however, interviewers took thorough notes during interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyze dataResults: Prisoners in both prisons described experiences of food insecurity. Food was normally served once a day, late in the afternoon. Prisoners complained about a monotonous diet, and that the food was of poor quality, inadequate quantity, and was unhygienically prepared. Most prisoners relied on outside support from family and friends for food provision, but those who did not have such support endured hunger and severe food insecurity. Prisoners employed different coping strategies to manage their hunger, which strategies they described for less severe, severe and very severe food insecurity depending on what they had to do to survive. Strategies included prisoners sharing food with each other, drinking water throughout the day, selling their belongings to buy food, begging food from visitors, looking for food in rubbish bins, or exchanging sex for food.Conclusion: Urgent attention is needed to improve nutrition and living conditions in Congolese prisons. All stakeholders need to formulate a comprehensive plan that will address issues faced by prisoners and improve their quality of life. Regular inspection of prisons is essential to ensure prisoners are treated fairly and their human rights are respected.

Author(s):  
Rachel Peletz ◽  
Caroline Delaire ◽  
Joan Kones ◽  
Clara MacLeod ◽  
Edinah Samuel ◽  
...  

Unsafe sanitation is an increasing public health concern for rapidly expanding cities in low-income countries. Understanding household demand for improved sanitation infrastructure is critical for planning effective sanitation investments. In this study, we compared the stated and revealed willingness to pay (WTP) for high-quality, pour-flush latrines among households in low-income areas in the city of Nakuru, Kenya. We found that stated WTP for high-quality, pour-flush latrines was much lower than market prices: less than 5% of households were willing to pay the full costs, which we estimated between 87,100–82,900 Kenyan Shillings (KES), or 871–829 USD. In addition, we found large discrepancies between stated and revealed WTP. For example, 90% of households stated that they would be willing to pay a discounted amount of 10,000 KES (100 USD) for a high-quality, pour-flush latrine, but only 10% of households redeemed vouchers at this price point (paid via six installment payments). Households reported that financial constraints (i.e., lack of cash, other spending priorities) were the main barriers to voucher redemption, even at highly discounted prices. Our results emphasize the importance of financial interventions that address the sizable gaps between the costs of sanitation products and customer demand among low-income populations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 579-600
Author(s):  
Obiora Chinedu Okafor ◽  
Sanaa Ahmed ◽  
Sylvia Bawa ◽  
Ibironke Odumosu-Ayanu

AbstractThis study examines the African Human Rights Action Plan (AHRAP) through the lens of Upendra Baxi's germinal theory on the emergence in our time of a ‘trade-related, market-friendly human rights’ (TREMF) thesis that is challenging the specific understandings of ‘people-centric’ human rights that are predicated in the letter and spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDH). Baxi contends, instead, that the dominant strands of the contemporary understandings of human rights are – for the most part – designed to protect the interests of global capital. That said, human rights frameworks in low-income countries need to be studied with a view to what they say and don't say about global capital. Despite its attempt to facilitate a progressive realisation of human rights in Africa, the AHRAP does not rise far enough above the TREMF paradigm to re-locate itself within the UDH one. This is due to the AHRAP not adequately theorising and analysing the role of capital in the (non)realisation of human rights in Africa. By allowing trade and market practices to slip to a significant extent beyond its purview, the AHRAP privileges – to a significant degree – the needs/interests of capital over the human rights of ordinary Africans. That is, the victims of the excesses of capital in Africa are reincarnated in the AHRAP document by the fact of their exclusion from it.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinyi Kuang ◽  
Erik Thulin ◽  
Sania Ashraf ◽  
Alex Shpenev ◽  
Upasak Das ◽  
...  

People often form perceptions about how prevalent a behavior is in a social group. However, these perceptions can be inaccurate and biased. While persistent undesirable practices in low-income countries have drawn global attention, evidence regarding people’s perception of how prevalent these practices are is scarce. Among those harmful practices, open defecation in India remains a significant public health concern, where it perpetuates the vicious cycle of disease and poverty. In this study, we focus on measuring the perceived prevalence of open defecation among respondents in Bihar, India. We examined the bias in perceived prevalence, which is defined as a pattern of deviation from the actual prevalence of open defecation. Results showed that respondents who defecate in the open overestimate the prevalence of open defecation, whereas those who consistently use toilets underestimate it. This finding suggests a false consensus bias in the perceived prevalence of open defecation. Scholars, policymakers, and program implementers who seek to correct misperceptions about open defecation by broadcasting real prevalence should be aware of biases in the perceived prevalence and address them in behavior change interventions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Malin Bogren ◽  
Malin Grahn ◽  
Berthollet Bwira Kaboru ◽  
Marie Berg

Abstract Background The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has high maternal mortality and a low number of midwives, which undermines the achievement of goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030, specifically the health of the mother and newborn. Scaling up the midwifery workforce in relation to number, quality of healthcare, and retention in service is therefore critical. The aim of this study was to investigate midwives’ challenges and factors that motivate them to remain in their workplace in the DRC. Methods Data were collected in two out of 26 provinces in the DRC through ten focus group discussions with a total of 63 midwives working at ten different healthcare facilities. Transcribed discussions were inductively analysed using content analysis. Results The midwives’ challenges and the factors motivating them to remain in their workplace in the DRC are summarised in one main category—Loving one’s work makes it worthwhile to remain in one’s workplace, despite a difficult work environment and low professional status—consisting of three generic categories: Midwifery is not just a profession; it’s a calling is described in the subcategories Saving lives through midwifery skills, Building relationships with the women and the community, and Professional pride; Unsupportive organisational system is expressed in the subcategories Insufficient work-related security and No equitable remuneration system, within Hierarchical management structures; and Inadequate pre-conditions in the work environment includes the subcategories Lack of resources and equipment and Insufficient competence for difficult working conditions. Conclusion Midwives in the DRC are driven by a strong professional conscience to provide the best possible care for women during childbirth, despite a difficult work environment and low professional status. To attract and retain midwives and ensure that they are working to their full scope of practice, we suggest coordinated actions at the regional and national levels in the DRC and in other low-income countries with similar challenges, including (i) conducting midwifery education programmes following international standards, (ii) prioritising and enforcing policies to include adequate remuneration for midwives, (iii) involving midwives’ associations in policy and planning about the midwifery workforce, and (iv) ensuring that midwives’ working environments are safe and well equipped.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Lufunda Lukama ◽  
Chester Kalinda ◽  
Warren Kuhn ◽  
Colleen Aldous

Background. Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) diseases are an oft overlooked global health concern. Despite their high prevalence and associated morbidity and mortality, ENT diseases have remained neglected in health care delivery. In Zambia and many other low-income countries, ENT services are characterized by poor funding, unavailable surgical procedures, and erratic supply of essential drugs. Objective. To investigate ENT service provision in Zambia with regard to availability of surgical procedures and supply of essential drugs. Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted using a piloted structured questionnaire between 17 January 2017 and 2 January 2018. Included in the study were the 109 hospitals registered with the Ministry of Health (MoH) across the 10 provinces of Zambia. Results. Of the participating hospitals, only 5.9% (n=1) and 40% (n=2) of Second-Level Hospitals (SLH) and Third-Level Hospitals (TLH), respectively, carried out tympanoplasty, myringotomy, and grommet insertion (M+G). Frontal trephination and external ethmoidectomy were offered in 11.7% (n=2) and 40% (n=2) of SLH and TLH, respectively. While tracheostomy (39.3%, n=24), tonsillectomy (27.9%, n=17), and adenoidectomy (27.9%, n=17) were the most widely performed head and neck procedures, laryngectomy was carried out by 1 hospital. Between 14.8% (n=9) and 36.1% (n=22) of hospitals lacked antibiotic and/or antiseptic ear drops. Despite 96.7% (n=59) of the respondents acknowledging ENT as an important branch of clinical practice, only 15.3% (n=4) of the hospitals had a budget for ENT. Also, 6.6% (n=4) of the respondents thought the discipline of ENT had received enough attention. Conclusion. ENT service delivery in Zambia is limited with regard to performed surgical procedures and availability of essential drugs, necessitating urgent intervention. The findings from this study may be used to direct national policy on the improvement of provision of ENT services in Zambia.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-248
Author(s):  
Trina Lorraine Gipson-Jones ◽  
Bertha L. Davis ◽  
Ché Matthew Harris

Food insecurity (FI), the limited or unreliable availability of safe and nutritious food, is a pressing public health concern affecting millions of U.S. citizens. Unfortunately, FI tends to impact those who are most vulnerable (e.g., low-income minorities) and potentially increases obesity risks, diet-sensitive disease risks (e.g., hypertension and type 2 diabetes), and hospital utilization. Low-income Latino patients may be particularly sensitive to adverse outcomes based on unaddressed socioeconomic needs. Nurses are in a prime position to assess and address FI in these patients. Our article will discuss how nurses can be advocates in combating FI in Latino patients with overweight/obesity.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Narh Doku

Abstract Background: Child maltreatment and its consequences are considered a major public health concern among children because they can cause significant physical and psychological problems. Child maltreatment is widespread but often underestimated. Surprisingly, there is hardly any data on the frequency of child maltreatment in general and particularly on orphans and vulnerable children in low-income countries. Method: This study employed cross-sectional, quantitative survey that involved 291 children aged 10–17 years in Lower Manya Krobo District, Ghana and examined their exposure to and experience of child maltreatment. The survey also examined parents/caregivers’ exposure and perpetuation of child maltreatment. Results: Some form of maltreatment within the household was reported by approximately 90% of children, and it was significantly higher among orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) as compared with comparison children. Children living with HIV/AIDS-infected parents and orphans of any type reported higher exposure to domestic violence and experienced significantly more neglect, psychological and physical abuse than the comparison children. Conclusion: The results of this survey demonstrate that maltreatment among children affected by HIV/AIDS are not rare, and that the dysfunction family conditions that they find themselves bear systemic risks for maltreatment. It is important that culturally appropriate and evidence-based interventions are implemented to address the maltreatment.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malin Bogren ◽  
Malin Grahn ◽  
Berthollet Bwira Kaboru ◽  
Marie Berg

Abstract Background: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has high maternal mortality and a low number of midwives, which undermines the achievement of Goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030, specifically the health of mother and newborn. Scaling up the midwifery workforce in relation to number, quality of healthcare, and retention in service, are therefore critical. The aim of this study was to investigate midwives’ challenges and factors that motivate them to remain in their workplace in the DRC. Methods: Data were collected in two out of 26 provinces in the DRC through ten focus-group discussions with a total of 63 midwives working at ten different healthcare facilities. Transcribed discussions were inductively analysed using content analysis.Results: The midwives’ challenges and the factors motivating them to remain in their workplace in the DRC are summarised in one main category – Loving one’s work makes it worthwhile to remain in one’s workplace, despite a difficult work environment and low professional status – consisting of three generic categories: Midwifery is not just a profession; it’s a calling is described in the subcategories Saving lives through midwifery skills, Building relationships with the women and the community, and Professional pride; Unsupportive organisational system is expressed in the subcategories Insufficient work-related security and No equitable remuneration system, within Hierarchical management structures; and Inadequate pre-conditions in the work environment includes the subcategories Lack of resources and equipment and Insufficient competence for difficult working conditions. Conclusion: Midwives in the DRC are driven by a strong professional conscience to provide the best possible care for women during childbirth, despite a difficult work environment and low professional status. To attract and retain midwives and ensure that they are working to their full scope of practice, we suggest coordinated actions at the regional and national levels in the DRC and in other low-income countries with similar challenges, including: i) conducting midwifery education programmes following international standards; ii) prioritising and enforcing policies to include adequate remuneration for midwives; iii) involving midwives’ associations in policy and planning about the midwifery workforce; and iv) ensuring that midwives’ working environments are safe and well equipped.


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