scholarly journals An Environmental Perspective of Dracunculiasis and the Guinea Worm Eradication Programme on Human Behaviour in the Northern Region of Ghana

Author(s):  
Nicholas N-Kang Yembilah ◽  
Simon Diedong Dombo

This article examines the role dracunculiasis (Guinea Worm Disease – GWD) and the Guinea Worm Eradication Programme (GWEP) played in changing community members’ behaviour towards the disease and their bio-physical environment. The research design that was used to collect data was the mixed method approach, in which questionnaire was administered, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was held, and key informant interviews conducted. Krejcie and Morgan’s formula for determining sample population for research was used to determine the sample population of the study area, which was 860. It was found that bedrock lithology made community members to resort to unsafe sources of drinking water which exposed them to GWD. It was also realized that the educational programmes which the GWEP brought along with it changed community members’ behaviour towards their bio-physical environment, which ultimately resulted in eradicating the disease in the study area. It was therefore recommended that in carrying out disease eradication or control programmes, the environmental protection agency should be involved in the process of educating community members on methods of improving on the integrity of their natural and built environment to enhance the overall health status of the community.

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 552-552
Author(s):  
Melissa Cannon

Abstract A crucial first step in preparing to become an Age-Friendly University (AFU) is seeking endorsement from the campus community and leadership. This presentation describes the mapping of the AFU principles to the strategic plan and initiatives of Western Oregon University, leading to endorsement by its faculty senate, and highlights a study of the older community members’ use of the university, laying the groundwork for advancing age-friendliness on campus. Data were collected through surveys (N=46), interviews (N=9), and photovoice method (N=7) with older adults, and data were analyzed using SPSS, team coding, and intensive group discussion to develop categories and themes. Themes emerged related to how the college campus is used by older adults, the need to promote lifelong learning to the community, and the need to address accessibility issues in order to be more age-friendly, providing helpful insight to other institutions of higher education seeking to join the AFU network.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 552
Author(s):  
Phiona Nalubega ◽  
Emilie Karafillakis ◽  
Lydia Atuhaire ◽  
Pamela Akite ◽  
Flavia Zalwango ◽  
...  

Background: We investigated pregnant women, community leaders, healthcare workers (HCWs) and programme managers’ perceptions of maternal vaccination in Kampala, Uganda. Methods: We conducted focus group discussions, key informant interviews and in-depth discussions with HCWs (3), community leaders (3), pregnant women (8) and programme managers (10) between November 2019 and October 2020. Data were analysed thematically. Results: Pregnant women, community leaders and some HCWs had limited maternal immunisation knowledge. There was confusion over what constitutes a vaccine. Pregnant women may not receive vaccines because of mistrust of government; use of expired vaccines; reliance on traditional medicine; religious beliefs; fear of side effects; HCWs attitudes; and logistical issues. The key facilitators of maternal vaccination were a desire to prevent diseases, positive influences from HCWs and information about vaccine side effects. Community leaders and some pregnant women highlighted that pregnant women do not make decisions about maternal vaccination independently and are influenced by different individuals, including other pregnant women, older people, partners, relatives (parents), community leaders, HCWs and the government. Conclusions: Our results indicate that public health messaging should target all community members, including partners and parents of pregnant women as well as HCWs, to improve knowledge of and confidence in maternal vaccines.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 155-173
Author(s):  
Anjay Mishra

The study is focused to encounter the marketing strategies adopted by cement industries and suppliers. The study is conducted at Madhyapur Thimi Municipality among different level of consumer i.e house owner, supplier, contractor/mason and consultant/engineer. Out of 871 permitted under construction building of fiscal year 2016/17, 89 end consumers and 30 suppliers were selected for questionnaire survey with two different set of questionnaire. Key informant interview was conducted for in depth information while focus group discussion was done to understand influencing strategies. Bonus coupon and credit period was found to be brand promotional tools among 36.67% and 23.33% of the suppliers respectively whereas 50% of the end consumers get attracted through credit period. Credit period is the most influential marketing strategy while advertisement being the brand awareness tool to the consumer to set their brand in ‘Top of Mind’ state.


Author(s):  
Victor Okoro Ukaogo ◽  
◽  
Florence Onyebuchi Orabueze ◽  
Chika Kate Ojukwu ◽  

Amid the raging Covid-19 pandemic across the world and the debilitating tertiary teachers strike in Nigeria, this study’s objective seeks to examine the prevailing un-lived experiences of Nigerian tertiary students in e-learning. The study argues that Covid-19 has widened the digital divide between Nigerian universities and other universities in other parts of the world on the one hand and between public and private tertiary institutions in Nigeria on the other. This e-learning deficit is worsened by university teachers’ strikes, constituting a twin inhibition into which higher education is consigned in Nigeria. The study identifies poor funding of education as a major constraint to virtual learning and instruction faced by public tertiary students especially in the era of the pandemic. Data collection for the study will be carried out through oral interviews basically focus group discussion (FGD) from a sample population of 50 university students (male and female) in three universities across the southeast region of Nigeria, newspaper reports, and participant-observer methods of research analysis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Bryan L. Bitantos ◽  
Lovena Grace Amor T. Dela Cruz ◽  
Jay Pril M. Natuil ◽  
Wellmor John R. Sabado

Dumanquillas Bay is a body of saltwater and the major source of food located in the Southern Mindanao. It has been observed that marine resources and fish catch in the area are declining. This study assumed that fishing practices affect the decline of marine and fish catch in the bay. A study on the documentation of fishing practices in the area is reported here. Key informant interview (KII), focus group discussion, direct observation and document archival were used. Twenty-three (23) fishing practices were observed in the area. Based on R.A. 10654 or the Philippine Fisheries Code, five (5) fishing practices were identified in the bay which are illegal. These are “pahulbot sa lalum”, “pahulbot sa mabaw”, “panubli”, “panguryente” and “troll” that destroys sea grasses, coral reefs and the sea beds. The illegal fishing practices identified poses a threat to the marine resources. It implies weak implementation of fishing policies among the LGU’s and other concerned government institutions and NGA’s. Capacity building, CEPA campaign and committed implementation of the Philippine Fisheries Code (R.A. 10654) should be implemented by the PAMB and stakeholders in the community to manage the remaining coastal marine resources thereby uplifting the socio-economic status of the coastal community and achieve sustainability.


2017 ◽  
pp. 1351-1365
Author(s):  
Bhupen Mili ◽  
Anamika Barua ◽  
Suparana Katyaini

Climate Change impacts would disproportionately have larger impacts on the developing countries. Both government and development agencies have initiated various adaptation strategies in the developing countries to enhance the adaptation of the local communities. Various policies and programmes have been designed keeping in mind the impact of climate change. This study was conducted in Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India, to see the benefits of such policies and programmes. Focus group discussion with community members were held in the study area. Based on the fieldwork it was seen that most of the intervention made in the study area focused on income, resources, and assets. It has failed to benefits the people due to variation in the capability among various section of the society. Various projects related to health, education, housing, and livelihood, have been implemented in the study region. However, due to lack of conversion factors in the form of gender inequality, discriminatory practices, transparency among others have come as a hindrance in the successful implementation of the projects. Hence, such project-based approach to enhance community's adaptation to climate risk, in the end fails to show benefits as it fails to expand community's capabilities and real freedom, due to the project's pre-defined aims. It is important to understand community's as agent of change rather than merely beneficiaries of adaptation projects. This study therefore recommends that to enhance community's adaptation to climate change, the interventions should be such that it enlarges the range of people's choices so that when climate disaster strikes them they will have a set of opportunities.


After reviewing the relevant literature covering community intervention strategies, destination sustainability, and quality, this chapter explores local people who are involved in ecotourism and related operations in the PA-based destinations of India. The study adopted exploratory sequential method under which different sets of people are interrogated during the qualitative phase of the study through focus group discussion and expert interviews. The result of qualitative phase is used for scale development, and a questionnaire survey was administered among local community members in the descriptive stage. Pilot study and cross-destination analysis are also executed before proceeding for descriptive research.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 250-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramesh Neupane ◽  
Anup KC ◽  
Ramesh Raj Pant

Tourism is one of the most promising driver and contributor of the world economy having significant role in sustainable development, economic upliftment and social benefits. It has the potential to contribute towards environmental protection and poverty reduction. Prior to investment in tourism, concerned authorities must know the condition of respective tourist resources, their attractiveness and levels of touristic demand. Very few studies in Nepal have made an effort to quantify the tourism potential in cultural, historical and religious sites such as Bhaktapur Durbar Square. With an objective to assess the tourism potential of Bhaktapur Durbar Square using Weighted Sum Method, this study was carried out from start of June to the end of July in 2013. For this purpose, questionnaire survey with tourists, private businesses and public sector institutions; focus group discussion and key informant interview with tourism enterpreneur and local government officer was carried out. The tourism potential was found to be high with a strength of exceptionally rich cultural, historical and religious heritage, favourable geographical situation, positive image of local Newari food products and friendly and welcoming local people. The areas of weaknesses were lack of tourism infrastructures and services, lack of tourist information and weak management of tourist area. Hence, to utilise the tourism potential of Bhaktapur Durbar Square to the fullest for the economic upliftment of its inhabitants, promotional activities such as tourism fairs, festivals, cultural dances and events should be conducted at regular intervals with prompt security services. International Journal of Environment, Volume-2, Issue-1, Sep-Nov 2013, Pages 250-261 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ije.v2i1.9225


2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rogelio P. Bayod ◽  
Daisy Mae Abawag ◽  
Jessa May Luardo ◽  
Jean Padlan ◽  
Jonathan Macias

When disasters happen, people are defenseless for disasters cannot be avoided nor predicted even in highly developed countries throughout the world. This study aimed to explore and determine the disaster preparedness of Aplaya, a coastal community in Digos City, Philippines. It focused only on their ways of preparing for disasters and the needs of enhancing their disaster preparedness. Using qualitative phenomenological research design, focus group discussion, and in-depth interviews were conducted with selected residents of the communities in Apalya, Digos City. Results revealed that their ways of preparing for disasters had been through alertness to the community alarm system, participation in drills, adherence to a warning of friends from upland areas and listening to a warning from Community officials. Moreover, the community needs the infrastructure support through the renovation of the dike, active participation of the community members and evacuation center within the community. The implication of this study is for government officials especially those that are incharge of disaster preparedness and relief operation to look into the possibility of organizing communities for active participation during disaster preparedness and relief operation, for the academe to provide the expertise needed for disaster preparedness and for the community to utilize whatever traditional skills and practices that have employed which had been proven effective in preparing for disaster in the past. 


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