scholarly journals Use of group maturity index to measure growth, performance, and sustainability of community health clubs in urban water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) program in Zimbabwe

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 1026-1033
Author(s):  
Mitsuaki Hirai ◽  
Arnold Cole ◽  
Moreblessing Munyaka ◽  
Steven Mudhuviwa ◽  
Taurai Maja ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Small Towns ◽  
Maturity Index ◽  
Mature Stage ◽  
Health Clubs ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene ◽  
Hygiene Promotion ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Zimbabwe experienced an unprecedented cholera outbreak in 2008 and 2009. Reduced access to water, sanitation and hygiene, delayed community health education, and limited knowledge on cholera prevention were the major risk factors of this outbreak which were addressed by urban WASH interventions. Health and hygiene promotion through community health clubs (CHCs) is a cost-effective strategy to reduce the risk of cholera. In 2013, UNICEF Zimbabwe launched the Small Towns WASH Program (STWP) and used the CHC approach for hygiene promotion. To monitor the growth, performance, and sustainability of CHCs, STWP employed the Group Maturity Index, which measures the status of CHCs in five domains: objectives, governance, resources, group systems, and impacts. This study described the maturity status of CHCs as measured by GMI as a new monitoring tool and assessed if CHCs’ performances in GMI's output domains are associated with the impact domain. The results suggested that over 75% of CHCs had reached the managed stage or the mature stage by 2018. Three of the GMI's output domains were independently associated with the overall impact domain after controlling for potential confounders. CHCs and club members may experience overall positive impacts by developing their governance, resource, and group system domains.

scholarly journals Impact of Flock Health Clubs

Livestock ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 301-307
Author(s):  
Nicola Noble ◽  
Francesca Occhiuto ◽  
Fiona Lovatt ◽  
Marion Johnson ◽  
Wendy Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Rural Society ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Veterinary Profession ◽  
Health Clubs ◽  
Sheep Farmer ◽  
Veterinary Surgeon ◽  
The Impact

Sheep farming is an important part of UK agriculture with significantly more breeding females than either the pig or cattle sectors. Whether grazing alongside arable rotations or utilising the marginal uplands, sheep farms arguably play a key role that is embedded within UK rural society. However, research led by University of Nottingham has identified various challenges and barriers that have affected relationships between UK sheep farmers and the veterinary profession. In response to these findings, Flock Health Clubs were developed as an initiative that aimed for improved and cost-effective sheep farmer–veterinary interaction. We report quantitative and qualitative data that assess the impact of Flock Health Clubs and indeed show tangible improvements in both farmer–veterinary surgeon relationships and measures of flock health and welfare.

scholarly journals Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Schools in Low-Income Countries: A Review of Evidence of Impact

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Celia McMichael
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Library Science ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Program Fidelity ◽  
School Based ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene ◽  
Hygiene Promotion ◽  
The Impact

Many schools in low-income countries have inadequate access to water facilities, sanitation and hygiene promotion. A systematic review of literature was carried out that aimed to identify and analyse the impact of water, sanitation and hygiene interventions (WASH) in schools in low-income countries. Published peer reviewed literature was systematically screened during March to June 2018 using the databases PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. There were no publication date restrictions. Thirty-eight peer reviewed papers were identified that met the inclusion criteria. The papers were analysed in groups, based on four categories of reported outcomes: (i) reduction of diarrhoeal disease and other hygiene-related diseases in school students; (ii) improved WASH knowledge, attitudes and hygiene behaviours among students; (iii) reduced disease burden and improved hygiene behaviours in students’ households and communities; (iv) improved student enrolment and attendance. The typically unmeasured and unreported ‘output’ and/or ‘exposure’ of program fidelity and adherence was also examined. Several studies provide evidence of positive disease-related outcomes among students, yet other assessments did not find statistically significant differences in health or indicated that outcomes are dependent on the nature and context of interventions. Thirteen studies provide evidence of changes in WASH knowledge, attitudes and behaviours, such as hand-washing with soap. Further research is required to understand whether and how school-based WASH interventions might improve hygiene habits and health among wider family and community members. Evidence of the impact of school-based WASH programs in reducing student absence from school was mixed. Ensuring access to safe and sufficient water and sanitation and hygiene promotion in schools has great potential to improve health and education and to contribute to inclusion and equity, yet delivering school-based WASH intervention does not guarantee good outcomes. While further rigorous research will be of value, political will and effective interventions with high program fidelity are also key.

Adapting a water, sanitation, and hygiene picture-based curriculum in the Dominican Republic

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 6-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Nordhauser ◽  
Jason Rosenfeld
Keyword(s):  
Dominican Republic ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Visual Literacy ◽  
Visual Aids ◽  
Cultural Appropriateness ◽  
Agricultural Communities ◽  
Health Clubs ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene ◽  
Future Work

Water, sanitation, and hygiene issues present barriers to health in rural Dominican Republic. Limited access to adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene accompanies a prevalence of water, sanitation, and hygiene-related diseases. To address these issues, an education and behavior change program using community health clubs has been adapted for areas at greatest risk of water, sanitation, and hygiene disease transmission. To support this initiative, a protocol was created to evaluate 147 images from a community health clubs toolkit for Dominican agricultural communities, or bateyes, to determine image comprehension and cultural appropriateness, as well as the demographic variables associated with visual literacy. A total of 112 interviews were completed across seven bateyes located near the city of La Romana; 60 images were determined to require additional adaptation. Further analyses demonstrated that age and education were significantly associated with greater visual literacy. These results reinforce that educational visual aids require testing for cultural appropriateness and that future work should be conducted to investigate factors that contribute to visual literacy.

scholarly journals Community Health Clubs for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) improvement in Rural Burkina Faso

2016 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 495
Author(s):  
M. Niaone ◽  
S. Bendjemil ◽  
J. Rosenfeld ◽  
R. Berggren
Keyword(s):  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Health Clubs ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene

PSVI-10 Impact of Soybean Inclusion Level in Late Gestation on Offspring Performance

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 222-222
Author(s):  
Abigail R Loucks ◽  
Dana M van Sambeek ◽  
Elizabeth A Hines
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Late Gestation ◽  
Immunoglobulin Production ◽  
Offspring Performance ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Inclusion Rate ◽  
Inclusion Level ◽  
Dietary Treatments ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Inclusion of soybean meal (SBM) in gestation diets has been decreasing as producers replace amino acid sources with more cost-effective ingredients. In particular, SBM components have been associated with immunoglobulin production and increased nutrition in late gestation has been associated with limited growth performance increases. Yet, it is unknown if SBM inclusion levels in late gestation diets influences offspring growth during the lactation and nursery phases. Therefore, the objective of this project is to investigate the impact of SBM inclusion rates in late gestation on offspring performance. Sows (n = 63) were assigned to one of four diets, 14 days prior to farrowing: A (n = 13; 0% SBM, 13.5% crude protein (CP), B (n = 16; 10% SBM, 13.5% CP), C (n = 17; 30% SBM, 21.5% CP), D (n = 17; 0% SBM, 21.5% CP). Growth performance of piglets was evaluated during lactation. Piglets per diet: A (n = 170), B (n = 183), C (n = 200), D (n = 228). Body weights were recorded daily from birth through d10 of lactation then at d15 and every 7 days until weaning. Colostrum and milk at d15 were evaluated for immunoglobulin concentration. After weaning, weights were recorded at two-week intervals during the nursery phase. No significant effect of gestation diet was observed for birth weight (P = 0.27) or ADG from day 0 to weaning (P = 0.78). Wean weight (WW), post-wean weight 1 (PW1), and post-wean weight 2 (PW2) were not different across dietary treatments (P > 0.28). Immunoglobulin production was similar across diets. These results suggest that the inclusion rate of SBM content in the last 14 days of gestation has no impact on offspring performance. Continued research is needed into understanding the impact of nutritional status of the sow during gestation on long-term offspring performance.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Impact of Telehealth-Based, Diabetes Medication Training for Community Health Workers on Glycemic Control

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 121
Author(s):  
Casey N. Keegan ◽  
Craig A. Johnston ◽  
Victor J. Cardenas ◽  
Elizabeth M. Vaughan
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Diabetes Medication ◽  
Personalized Care ◽  
The Impact

Background: Diabetes is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality. Community Health Workers (CHWs) have been instrumental in improving patient outcomes. However, CHW training largely focuses on general diabetes concepts rather than medications. Providing accessible, diabetes medication training for CHWs has the potential to increase patient understanding, personalized care, and adherence, thereby improving outcomes. Objective: To evaluate the impact of a telehealth-based diabetes medication training for CHWs on patient outcomes as measured by HbA1c changes. Methods: We provided a 12-month weekly, telehealth (videoconference) medication training for CHWs who led 6-month diabetes programs for low-income Latino(a)s in community clinics. We measured participant HbA1c (primary outcome), blood pressure, and body mass index (BMI) changes. We evaluated CHW knowledge via two pre/post-tests: medication adverse events/side effects (TEST-1, months 1–6) and dosing, titration, and emergencies (TEST-2, months 7–12). We assessed CHW training application by their ability to identify patient, provider, and healthcare system medication barriers. Results: Participants’ (n = 55) HbA1c improved (9.0% (75 mmol/mol) to 7.8% (62 mmol/mol) (p = 0.001)). Blood pressure and BMI changes were not significant. CHWs improved their knowledge: TEST-1: 10.5-18.2/20.0 (p = 0.002), TEST-2: 10.3–17.3/19.0 (p = 0.0019). CHWs identified 984 patients (n = 610), providers (n = 151), and healthcare systems (n = 223) medication barriers during the 12-month training. Conclusions: Providing a telehealth-based, diabetes medication training program for CHWs allowed a personalized approach to identify barriers to care at several levels, which was associated with significant participant HbA1c reductions and improved CHW knowledge. This is a promising cost-effective, culturally sensitive strategy to improve diabetes care. Larger longitudinal evaluations are needed to fully understand the impact of CHW medication training.

scholarly journals Using baseline surveys to inform interventions and follow-up surveys: a case-study using the Nampula Province Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Program

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 410-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan Admiraal ◽  
David Doepel
Keyword(s):  
Millennium Development Goals ◽  
Small Towns ◽  
Baseline Survey ◽  
Australian Government ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact

The Nampula Province Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Program is a partnership among the Government of Mozambique, UNICEF, and the Australian Government focused on achieving the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals for water and sanitation in Mozambique and concentrated on five small towns in Nampula Province. Before implementation of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions in these towns, a baseline survey was carried out in 2012. We show how such a survey can be used to characterize the state of the three WASH sub-themes (water, sanitation, hygiene) pre-intervention, suggest possible new emphases of or modifications to proposed interventions, and inform the design of follow-up surveys to best gauge the impact of the interventions.

Regulatory and sustainability initiatives lead to improved polyaminopolyamide epichlorohydrin (PAE) wet-strength resins and paper products

TAPPI Journal ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (09) ◽  
pp. 519-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Crisp ◽  
Richard Riehle
Keyword(s):  
Health And Safety ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Worker Safety ◽  
Regulatory Requirements ◽  
Wet Strength ◽  
The Past ◽  
Consumer Safety ◽  
Federal Institute ◽  
Sustainability Initiatives ◽  
The Impact

Polyaminopolyamide-epichlorohydrin (PAE) resins are the predominant commercial products used to manufacture wet-strengthened paper products for grades requiring wet-strength permanence. Since their development in the late 1950s, the first generation (G1) resins have proven to be one of the most cost-effective technologies available to provide wet strength to paper. Throughout the past three decades, regulatory directives and sustainability initiatives from various organizations have driven the development of cleaner and safer PAE resins and paper products. Early efforts in this area focused on improving worker safety and reducing the impact of PAE resins on the environment. These efforts led to the development of resins containing significantly reduced levels of 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol (1,3-DCP) and 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD), potentially carcinogenic byproducts formed during the manufacturing process of PAE resins. As the levels of these byproducts decreased, the environmental, health, and safety (EH&S) profile of PAE resins and paper products improved. Recent initiatives from major retailers are focusing on product ingredient transparency and quality, thus encouraging the development of safer product formulations while maintaining performance. PAE resin research over the past 20 years has been directed toward regulatory requirements to improve consumer safety and minimize exposure to potentially carcinogenic materials found in various paper products. One of the best known regulatory requirements is the recommendations of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), which defines the levels of 1,3-DCP and 3-MCPD that can be extracted by water from various food contact grades of paper. These criteria led to the development of third generation (G3) products that contain very low levels of 1,3-DCP (typically <10 parts per million in the as-received/delivered resin). This paper outlines the PAE resin chemical contributors to adsorbable organic halogens and 3-MCPD in paper and provides recommendations for the use of each PAE resin product generation (G1, G1.5, G2, G2.5, and G3).

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document