Applying Knowledge Management in Public Health Intervention

Author(s):  
Iffat Tasnim Haque ◽  
Youji Kohda

Street food safety (SFS) has become an emerging public health concern in most developing countries like Bangladesh. Interventions are trying to improve the sector; however, a lack of coordination and value co-creation between macro and micro-level stakeholders strongly impedes the achievement of long-term benefits. Therefore, community participation is needed to achieve a multi-stakeholder partnership (MSP) and community-based knowledge management (KM) for a successful intervention. The purpose of this study is to identify secondary school students as KM tools to facilitate knowledge management activities. The action research was conducted using community people in two major cities in Bangladesh. Based on the findings, students can act as KM tools who can facilitate coordination and value co-creation process. A conceptual framework has been proposed to understand the MSP and KM concepts where the integrated strategy of those two concepts not only develops a sustainable solution for the SFS system but also can be applied to many other public health issues in developing countries.

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Iffat Tasnim Haque ◽  
Youji Kohda

Street food safety (SFS) has become an emerging public health concern in most developing countries like Bangladesh. Interventions are trying to improve the sector; however, a lack of coordination and value co-creation between macro and micro-level stakeholders strongly impedes the achievement of long-term benefits. Therefore, community participation is needed to achieve a multi-stakeholder partnership (MSP) and community-based knowledge management (KM) for a successful intervention. The purpose of this study is to identify secondary school students as KM tools to facilitate knowledge management activities. The action research was conducted using community people in two major cities in Bangladesh. Based on the findings, students can act as KM tools who can facilitate coordination and value co-creation process. A conceptual framework has been proposed to understand the MSP and KM concepts where the integrated strategy of those two concepts not only develops a sustainable solution for the SFS system but also can be applied to many other public health issues in developing countries.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (12) ◽  
pp. 788-791
Author(s):  
Bethany Rose

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is any process that injures or removes part or all of the external female genital organs for non-medical reasons. FGM is a growing public health concern in the UK because of an increase in migration from countries where it is widely practised. Education on FGM for nurses is key to supporting women who have undergone the practice, as well as safeguarding girls and women who are at risk. Nurses must understand the history and culture of FGM as well as the long-term health complications to be able to support affected women both professionally and sensitively.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Creeley ◽  
Denton

This paper reviews the findings from preclinical animal and human clinical research investigating maternal/fetal, neonatal, and child neurodevelopmental outcomes following prenatal exposure to psychotropic drugs. Evidence for the risks associated with prenatal exposure was examined, including teratogenicity, neurodevelopmental effects, neonatal toxicity, and long-term neurobehavioral consequences (i.e., behavioral teratogenicity). We conducted a comprehensive review of the recent results and conclusions of original research and reviews, respectively, which have investigated the short- and long-term impact of drugs commonly prescribed to pregnant women for psychological disorders, including mood, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Because mental illness in the mother is not a benign event, and may itself pose significant risks to both mother and child, simply discontinuing or avoiding medication use during pregnancy may not be possible. Therefore, prenatal exposure to psychotropic drugs is a major public health concern. Decisions regarding drug choice, dose, and duration should be made carefully, by balancing severity, chronicity, and co-morbidity of the mental illness, disorder, or condition against the potential risk for adverse outcomes due to drug exposure. Globally, maternal mental health problems are considered as a major public health challenge, which requires a stronger focus on mental health services that will benefit both mother and child. More preclinical and clinical research is needed in order to make well-informed decisions, understanding the risks associated with the use of psychotropic medications during pregnancy.


2009 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hélène Verdoux ◽  
Marie Tournier ◽  
Bernard Bégaud

SummaryBackground– As a large number of persons are exposed to prescribed psychotropic drugs, their utilisation and impact should be further explored at the population level.Aims– To illustrate the interest of pharmacoepidemiological studies of psychotropic drugs by selected examples of major public health issues.Method– Selective review of the literature. Results – Many questions remain unsolved regarding the behavioural teratogenicity of prenatal exposure to psychotropic drugs, the impact of their increasing use in children, the long-term cognitive consequences of exposure to benzodiazepines, and the risks associated with extension of indications of antipsychotic drugs.Conclusion– Pharmacoepidemiological studies need to be further developed owing to the large number of public health questions raised by the extensive and expanding use of psychotropic drugs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Fred Ssempijja ◽  
Keneth Iceland Kasozi ◽  
Ejike Daniel Eze ◽  
Andrew Tamale ◽  
Sylvia Anurika Ewuzie ◽  
...  

Background. Community consumption of herbal plants in developing countries is a common practice, however, scarcity of information on their physiochemical composition is a major public health concern. In Uganda, Vernonia amygdalina is of interest in rural communities due to its therapeutical action on both bacterial and protozoal parasites, however no studies have been conducted to assess the heavy metal concentrations in traditional plants used in alternative medicine. The aim of the study was to establish concentrations of heavy metals in Vernonia amygdalina, model the estimated daily intake (EDI), and assess both the non-cancer-related health risk using the target hazard quotient (THQ), and the risk related to cancer through the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) for the Ugandan population. Methods. Leaves of Vernonia amygdalina were collected from 20 georeferenced villages and processed into powder in the laboratory using standard methods. These were then analyzed in the laboratory using an atomic absorption spectrometer for lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni). Concentrations were compared against the World Health Organization (WHO) limits. The EDI, THQ, and ILCR were modelled and significance was measured at 95% confidence. Results. The study showed that mean ± SEM concentrations of heavy metals were highest in the order of Cr, 121.8 ± 4.291 ppm > Ni, 84.09 ± 2.725 ppm > Zn, 53.87 ± 2.277 ppm > Pb, 40.61 ± 3.891 ppm > Cu, 28.75 ± 2.202 ppm > Fe, 14.15 ± 0.7271 ppm > Co, 7.923 ± 0.7674 ppm > Cd, 0.1163 ± 0.005714 ppm. Concentrations of Pb, Cr, Zn, Co, and Ni were significantly higher than the WHO limits. The EDI was significantly higher in children than in adults, demonstrating an increased risk of toxicity in children. The THQ and ILCR were over 1000 times higher in all Ugandans, demonstrating the undesirable health risks following oral consumption of Vernonia amygdalina due to very high Cr and Ni toxicities, respectively. Conclusion. Consumption of raw Vernonia amygdalina was associated with a high carcinogenic risk, demonstrating a need to enact policies to promote physiochemical screening of herbal medicines used in developing countries against toxic compounds.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-78
Author(s):  
Niresh Thapa ◽  
Muna Maharjan

Diabetes is an important public health concern which is increasing rapidly in developing countries. It is challenging to prevent and manage diabetes in a rural setting. The Integrated Diabetic Clinic is comprehensive diabetes care under one roof. Its aim is to provide efficient accessible and affordable comprehensive care. It will make a huge difference in the management of diabetes. This clinic will play a major role in unifying different aspects of health care under one roof and offer the most comprehensive and cost-effective accessible health care to minimize mortality and morbidity associated with diabetes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 104-104
Author(s):  
Amy Noakes

Health visitors have a key role to play in helping families to reduce sugar in their diets, leading to long-term health benefits


2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (8) ◽  
pp. 748-755 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kritika Poudel ◽  
Pramod Subedi

Background: Public health concern is increasing with recent rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in Nepal. To curb this pandemic, Nepal is facing some forms of lockdown, encouraging people to implement social distancing so as to reduce interactions between people which could eventually reduce the possibilities of new infection; however, it has affected the overall physical, mental, social and spiritual health of the people. Methods: Published articles related to psychosocial effects due to COVID-19 and other outbreaks were searched and reviewed. Conclusion: While many countries are supporting their citizens with sophisticated health safety-nets and various relief funds, some developing countries have unique challenges with vulnerable populations and limited resources to respond to the pandemic. This review presents the consequences of pandemic and lockdown on socioeconomic, mental health and other aspects in Nepalese society.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurshad Ali ◽  
Farjana Islam

The outbreak of COVID-19 has created a serious public health concern worldwide. Although, most of the regions around the globe have been affected by COVID-19 infections; some regions are more badly affected in terms of infections and fatality rates than others. The exact reasons for such variations are not clear yet. This review discussed the possible effects of air pollution on COVID-19 infections and mortality based on some recent evidence. The findings of most studies reviewed here demonstrate that both short-term and long-term exposure to air pollution especially PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) may contribute significantly to higher rates of COVID-19 infections and mortalities with a lesser extent also PM10. A significant correlation has been found between air pollution and COVID-19 infections and mortality in some countries in the world. The available data also indicate that exposure to air pollution may influence COVID-19 transmission. Moreover, exposure to air pollution may increase vulnerability and have harmful effects on the prognosis of patients affected by COVID-19 infections. Further research should be conducted considering some potential confounders such as age and pre-existing medical conditions along with exposure to NO2, PM2.5 and other air pollutants to confirm their detrimental effects on mortalities from COVID-19.


2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (12) ◽  
pp. 904-907 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilbur H. Chen ◽  
Karen L. Kotloff

ABSTRACTShigellaspp. represent the second most common etiologic pathogen causing childhood diarrhea in developing countries. There are no licensedShigellavaccines, and progress for such vaccines has been limited. In this issue ofClinical and Vaccine Immunology, Riddle and colleagues (M. S. Riddle, R. W. Kaminski, C. Di Paolo, C. K. Porter, R. L. Gutierrez, et al., Clin Vaccine Immunol 23:908–917, 2016,http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/CVI.00224-16) report results from a phase I study of a parenterally administered monovalent O-polysaccharide “bioconjugate” directed againstShigella flexneri2a. Ultimately, the goal is to develop a broad-spectrumShigellavaccine to address this public health concern. A parenteralShigellavaccine capable of eliciting protection in children of developing countries would be an important tool to reach this goal.


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