One size does not fit all: reaching agricultural workers in South Africa with TB services

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 573-578
Author(s):  
A. Moran ◽  
L. Lebona ◽  
G. Makgopa ◽  
Y. Nkwane ◽  
C. Dlamini ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Despite decreasing incidence of TB in South Africa, people with TB continue to be missed by facility-based case-finding interventions, and agricultural workers suffer disproportionately from limited access to services. We implemented two community-based active case-finding strategies to engage agricultural workers and assessed the cost of these interventions.METHODS: We summarized costs for two interventions – one led by enrolled nurses and one by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) – from April 2017 to December 2019, and calculated cost per person reached by services, screened for TB, identified as having TB and started on TB treatment. We performed Mann-Kendall tests of monotonic trend and conducted a sensitivity analysis of intervention costs.RESULTS: The enrolled nurses-led implementation started 442 people on TB treatment at a cost of US$118 per person, with decreasing trend in costs over the implementation period (P = 0.005). The NGO-led intervention started 160 people on treatment at a cost of US$554 per person, with decreasing trend in costs over the implementation period (P = 0.004).CONCLUSION: Community-based case-finding strategies find TB patients who would be missed by the health system. These strategies should be scaled up to close the missing cases gap in South Africa and to meet UN targets for ending TB.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie Johnston ◽  
Kelly Zhang Aluri ◽  
Kira-Leigh Kuhnert ◽  
Nophiwe Job ◽  
Charles Prober

Abstract BackgroundEnsuring access to accurate and actionable health information is crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in low-resource settings. Among marginalized groups, there are disparities in access to information, along with significant mistrust of government sources. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involved in community-level health education can play an important role in bridging mistrust and targeting information to reach vulnerable populations. There is a lack of research on the experiences and needs of organizations involved in disseminating health information during the pandemic. MethodsThis study uses a qualitative approach to investigate the current strategies, challenges, and needs of community-based organizations involved in COVID-19 public education. From May to June 2020, we conducted 19 semi-structured interviews with leaders of organizations in South Africa and Zambia. Participants were asked a series of open-ended questions in three domains: 1) the impact of the pandemic on the communities served by the organization, 2) their COVID-19 response, and 3) organization needs and challenges during the pandemic. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded using thematic analysis. Coding and analysis were conducted by four study authors and every interview was independently coded by 2 separate authors to maximize internal validity and consistency.Results5 themes relevant to the roles and challenges of locally active NGO’s were identified: (1) they intimately understand community needs during the pandemic; (2) they adapt to pandemic constraints to continue supporting vulnerable populations; (3) they play a unique role in educating the public about COVID-19 due to established access and trust within communities; (4) they are able to customize health education and information to address nuanced needs of local communities served; and (5) they need external support to effectively respond to the pandemic.ConclusionsOverall, our study contributes a deeper understanding of the role of NGOs in providing needed support and customized health education for vulnerable communities during a global public health crisis. To maximize their ability to support their communities, NGO’s would benefit from access to educational resources designed to be easily modified, support in navigating technological and safety challenges during the pandemic, and sustainable funding.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (09) ◽  
pp. 21041-21049 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Putu Sudana Satria Artha ◽  
Nyoman Utari Vipriyanti ◽  
I Putu Sujana

Garbage can be interpreted as a consequence of the activities of human life. It is undeniable, garbage will always be there as long as life activities continue to run. Every year, it can be ascertained that the volume of waste will always increase along with the increasing pattern of public consumerism. The landfill which is increasingly polluting the environment requires a technique and management to manage waste into something useful and of economic value, Bantas Village, Selemadeg Timur District, Tabanan Regency currently has a Waste Management Site (TPS3R) managed by Non-Governmental Organizations (KSM ) The source of waste comes from Households, Stalls, Restaurant Entrepreneurs, Schools, Offices and Ceremonies which are organic and inorganic waste. The waste management system at Bantas Lestari TPS with 3R system is Reduce (reduction of waste products starts from the source), Reuse (reuse for waste that can be reused) and Recycle (recycling waste) to date it is still running but not optimal. The method used in this research is descriptive quantitative with data analysis using SWOT analysis. This study produces a Waste Management Strategy which is the result of research from the management aspect, aspects of human resources and aspects of infrastructure facilities.


Libri ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Glenrose Jiyane

Abstract The fourth industrial revolution (4IR) marks the new, advanced era of development in humankind, and globally countries are in the process of ensuring their citizenry’s readiness. In South Africa, various governmental departments, organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and non-profit organisations (NPOs) are making efforts, through their plans, talks and actions, to attain this status for all her people, particularly women in rural areas. However, the development of women in the rural areas for empowerment remains a concern in developing countries. Consequently, there is a dire need to ensure the developmental status for women in rural areas in the advent of the 4IR, and this paper seeks to demonstrate that information and knowledge may be instrumental in empowering women in rural areas to strive in the 4IR. Accordingly, information and knowledge are a critical resource contributing to the empowerment of women in rural areas for their development. An exploratory question is raised to determine whether South Africa is ready for Fourth Industrial Revolution. The outcome of this paper will contribute to the body of knowledge advocating the importance of information and knowledge in the empowerment of women in rural areas. Significantly, it will generate insights for policymakers on the important role of information and knowledge for women’s development.


2005 ◽  
Vol 24 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 2-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nabin Baral ◽  
Joel T. Heinen

Civil wars are frequent in lesser-developed nations, wherein is harbored a disproportionate share of the world's biodiversity. These wars have had serious detrimental effects, direct and indirect, on conservation programs. From 2001 to 2005, we conducted site visits, personal interviews, and document searches bearing upon this problem as exemplified by Nepal's ongoing Maoist insurgency. Cases of insurgents usurping full control of several protected areas have come to light, as has a rapid increase in poaching and illicit wildlife trade nation-wide. Staff and infrastructure of conservation agencies and non-governmental organizations have been attacked. The Nepalese situation invites reassessment of traditional “fortresses-and-fines” conservation strategies as well as more modern “community-based” approaches that require local governmental offices to remain functional. Also called into question is the role of military force in the protection of parks and reserves. In times of civil strife, we conclude, robust conservation may most likely be achieved by nongovernmental organizations that are politically neutral and financially independent.


2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 1107-1114 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Camelique ◽  
S. Scholtissen ◽  
J.-P. Dousset ◽  
M. Bonnet ◽  
M. Bastard ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE: To systematically screen older rural populations in Cambodia for tuberculosis (TB) and develop an effective active case-finding (ACF) model for this TB high-risk group.DESIGN: A retrospective study using routinely collected programmatic data on community-based ACF among people aged ≥55 years using TB symptoms and systematic chest radiography (CXR) screening, followed by Xpert® MTB/RIF testing for participants with positive screening results and TB culture for certain Xpert-negative specimens.RESULTS: Of 22 101 participants included in the analysis, 7469 (33.8%) were screening-positive and 5960 (27.0%) underwent Xpert testing. Pulmonary TB was identified in 482 (2.2%) individuals: 288 (1.3%) were bacteriologically confirmed (253 using Xpert, 35 using culture) and 194 (0.9%) were clinically diagnosed. Eighty-seven people needed to be screened in order to diagnose one Xpert-positive case. Among the Xpert-positive cases, only 31.6% (80/253) reported cough ≥2 weeks, and 39.9% (101/253) were asymptomatic but had a CXR suggestive of active TB. Treatment uptake was 97.3% (469/482), and treatment success was 88.0% (424/482).CONCLUSIONS: Community-based ACF was effective in detecting and successfully treating older TB patients, most of whom might otherwise have remained undiagnosed. Mobile CXR appears to be crucial in identifying a high number of asymptomatic, bacteriologically confirmed cases.


2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 313-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abu Bakarr Bah

This paper advances the notion of civil non-state actors in peacekeeping and peacebuilding. Using Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Côte d’Ivoire as cases studies, the paper identifies three kinds of civil non-state actors in war-torn countries: international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based NGOs, and ad hoc community organizations. In addition, it argues that civil non-state actors play a critical problem-solving role in peacekeeping and peacebuilding and complement the role of state actors. The paper examines the role of civil non-state actors through their dialectical affinity with state actors in the peacekeeping and peacebuilding processes. It further expands the notion of non-state actors in peacekeeping and peacebuilding to encompass community-based NGOs and ad hoc community organizations. Moreover, it points to the positive role of civil non-state actors and the wide range of activities they perform, especially in peace mediation and post-war reconstruction.


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