Making Better Use Of Data For Improved Health Service Delivery In Punjab: Transforming Data Into Action Evidence, Population Council Pakistan

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

Strong health systems depend not only on collecting data, but on using it effectively for planning, monitoring, and decision-making. To strengthen evidence-based management across Punjab's health sector, the Population Council partnered with the Health and Population Department, Punjab, particularly the Health Information and Service Delivery Unit (HISDU), to improve the utilization of routine health information. This brief summarizes the collaboration's focus on three complementary areas: (1) Development of the ASET (Analytics for Service Efficiency and Tracking) platform to transform routine data into actionable information; (2) Strengthening the Capacity of Data Users through specialized training in data analytics, visualization, and use …

From Evidence To Action: Case For Further Investment In Family Planning For Faster Fertility Decline, Population Council Pakistan

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

For over three decades, the Population Council Pakistan has generated evidence and supported governments in designing innovative approaches to address population and reproductive health challenges. Building on evidence around fertility transition, reproductive health, and the nationally endorsed Tawazun (balance) narrative, the Population Council supported the Government of Punjab through the FCDO-funded Delivering Accelerated Family Planning in Pakistan (DAFPAK) initiative and other strategic partnerships to implement scalable solutions for strengthening family planning services. This brief outlines five high-impact, proven interventions ready for institutional scale-up and provides an actionable path forward to transform routine health encounters into sustainable health system reforms.

Voucher Model For Family Planning: Empowering Poor Women And Expanding Access To Family Planning Services In Punjab, Population Council Pakistan

Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Choices

Pakistan continues to face significant inequalities in access to family planning (FP) services, with the poorest women bearing a disproportionate burden of unmet need. Financial constraints, transportation costs, limited mobility, restricted decision-making power, and inadequate access to quality services often prevent women from obtaining the family planning services they need.

To address these barriers, the Population Council, in partnership with the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and the Punjab Population Innovation Fund (PPIF), designed and rigorously evaluated an innovative Family Planning Voucher Scheme.

The model linked social protection with reproductive health services, enabling poor women from Rahim Yar Khan (RYK) …

Accessibility And Daily Cigarette Consumption Among Indonesian Adolescents: A Descriptive Study, Noviana Lathifah, Istiqomah Hanifah Rachman, Anisa Isnaini, Gloria Threesia Piliphinsa Simatupang

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

Despite restrictive regulations, Indonesia faces a high prevalence of adolescent smoking, facilitated by easy access to tobacco products. This descriptive study aims to describe cigarette accessibility patterns and daily consumption trends among Indonesian adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted using secondary data from the 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) involving 9,208 respondents. Descriptive analysis was performed to examine the distribution of age at smoking initiation, daily cigarette consumption, and purchasing accessibility. The majority of respondents started smoking at ≥14 years of age. Daily cigarette consumption showed an increasing trend with age, with older adolescents more likely to consume more …

Deadline-Chasing In Digital Health: Forecasting Emr Adoption Dynamics And Regulatory Impact In Indonesian Primary Care, Suryo Satrio, Bukhori Muhammad Aqid

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

Indonesia is accelerating digital health adoption under Minister of Health Regulation No. 24/2022, which mandates the use and integration of Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) with SATUSEHAT. However, evidence on how quickly primary health care facilities (Fasilitas Kesehatan Tingkat Pertama – FKTP) are adopting EMRs and what the adoption curve looks like remains limited. Survey findings also suggest key barriers and enablers, including security and data migration concerns, as well as human resource and infrastructure constraints. This observational study used provider-network data from a single EMR vendor. Key measures included cumulative registered facilities, monthly registrations, same-month activation (total_active/monthly inflow) as …

Factors Associated With The Performance Of Essential Public Health Efforts At Primary Health Centers In Jember Regency, Griselda Ardelia Hibatullah, Nuryadi Nuryadi, Yennike Tri Herawati

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

Performance assessment of primary health centers is essential to ensure the quality of healthcare services, including the delivery of essential public health efforts. The performance target for essential public health efforts in Jember Regency is set at ≥82%. This study aimed to analyze factors associated with the performance of essential public health efforts. The study employed an analytical cross-sectional design conducted from April to May 2025, with a sample of 37 out of 50 units selected through simple random sampling. Primary data were collected using questionnaires, while secondary data were obtained from primary health center (Pusat Kesehatan Masyarakat – …

Referral Patterns From Primary Care To Referral Care By Icd-10 Codes In Indonesia: Cross-Sectional Analysis Of National Claims Data (2017–2024), Della Dwi Ayu, Syarif Rahman Hasibuan, Putu Erma Pradnyani, Nisrina Widyasanti

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

Primary health care (PHC) facilities serve as gatekeepers within Indonesia’s tiered health system. However, PHC referral patterns to hospitals still show substantial variation and remain insufficiently characterized by disease groupings based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10). This study aimed to identify the most frequently referred diagnoses from PHC to secondary or tertiary care facilities and to determine the participant characteristics associated with referrals. This observational study employed a cross-sectional design using secondary data from the National Health Insurance (Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional – JKN) claims database for the period 2017–2024. The unit of analysis was each …

Optimizing Vitamin A Intervention: Strengthening Supplementation With Targeted Biscuit Fortification, Mayfa Yemima Simanjuntak, Nadia Amanda, Yuli Berliana Simanjuntak, Carissa Wityadarda, Lesta Livolina Simamora

Journal of Indonesian Health Policy and Administration

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) remains a persistent public health challenge in Indonesia, particularly among children under five and breastfeeding mothers. This study aimed to analyze the distribution of vitamin A interventions and assess the potential of biscuit fortification as a complementary strategy. This study employs a literature review using the Health Policy Triangle (HPT) framework, examining policy context, content, key actors, and implementation processes related to vitamin A interventions. The analysis was conducted using secondary data from government reports, international agencies, and peer-reviewed literature published between 2018 and 2025, with comparative evidence from Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Ghana. The findings show …

Development And Validation Of An Indonesian Questionnaire For Assessing Paracetamol Self-Medication Knowledge, Attitude, And Practice, Widyana Sagita Putri, Rani Sauriasari, Priharika Septyowati

Kesmas

Paracetamol is a widely used over-the-counter medicine for self-medication and is often perceived as completely safe. However, inappropriate use may result in hepatotoxicity and other adverse effects, particularly at high doses. This study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire to assess the general Indonesian population’s knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding paracetamol self-medication. The validation procedure consisted of three stages: content, face, and construct validation. Three experts assessed the relevance of the items using the Content Validity Index, and five respondents were interviewed to assess the linguistic clarity and comprehensibility of the questions. Construct validity and reliability were assessed …

The Feasibility Of Long-Term Care Within Indonesia’S National Health Insurance Scheme: A Qualitative Study, Atikah Adyas, Wan Aisyiah Baros, Khaterina Kristina Manurung, Dedy Revelino, Dewi Susanna, Vetty Yulianty, Anita Pebrina Lubis, Arum Atmawikarta, Iis Sinsin Nuryasini, Ahmad Jet Alamin

Kesmas

The rising prevalence of chronic diseases and disabilities, along with the aging of the population, has reduced individual independence and increased the demand for long-term care (LTC). This study aimed to assess the feasibility of integrating home healthcare services into Indonesia’s National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme. A qualitative study using purposive sampling was conducted in Bandar Lampung, Yogyakarta, and Jakarta, Indonesia, selected based on disease burden, proportion of older adults, and regional development. Data was collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and observation between August and September 2024, involving 68 informants, including regulators, community members, and health facility staff. …

Factors Associated With Public Health Centers’ Achievement Of Health Service Target In Yahukimo District, Highland Papua Province, Indonesia, Emaus Heluka, Venty Suryanti, Indasah Indasah, Prima Dewi Kusumawati

Kesmas

The achievement of the Minimum Service Standards (MSS) in Yahukimo District, Highland Papua Province, Indonesia, warrants examination. This study aimed to analyze factors associated with the achievement of health service targets among Public Health Centers (PHCs) in Yahukimo District. An ecological study design was employed. The participants were 400 health workers from 33 PHCs and were examined using Likert-scale questionnaires. Data were processed using Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) to assess the association of each variable. The results showed that health target indicators were associated with the achievement of health service targets (T = 3.320; p-value = 0.012). Health …

Resilience And Social Support On Depression Risk For Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients In South Tangerang, Indonesia, Adhityawarman Menaldi, Sali Rahadi Asih, Farah Ainul Mardhiyyah

Kesmas

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major public health concern with psychosocial impacts, such as reduced resilience and depression. This study examined the moderating role of perceived social support on the relationship between resilience and depression among individuals diagnosed with COPD in South Tangerang, Indonesia. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted between January and February 2024 using self-administered questionnaires. Participants were adult patients with clinically diagnosed COPD, recruited from all public health centers (PHC) in South Tangerang. A total of 125 participants met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Participants had a mean age of 41.46±15.69 …

Expert Recommendations To Strengthen Chikungunya Outbreak Surveillance And Reporting For Traveler Health Protection, Daniel C. Payne, Karoun H. Bagamian, Jeffery Goad, Nathan D. Grubaugh, Michael A. Johansson, Moritz U. G. Kraemer, Eyal Leshem, Francesca F. Norman, Alfonso J. Rodríguez-Morales, Henrik Salje, Stephen Thomas, Scott C. Weaver, Lindsey A. Laytner, Rebecca Sturgis, Suzanne K. Scheele, Davidson H. Hamer

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Chikungunya, a debilitating mosquito-borne disease caused by chikungunya virus, has surged dramatically in the past two decades. Chikungunya outbreaks can intensify rapidly, with infections posing a significant endemic health burden in tropical/subtropical areas and for travelers. Health professionals require timely and accurate outbreak information to adequately protect travelers and assess chikungunya risk. However, detection is often insufficient in the areas most susceptible to outbreaks, leading to diagnostic and reporting delays. Consequently, travelers are often unaware of increased chikungunya infection risk at their destination. We assessed chikungunya surveillance and reporting resources, and we developed expert recommendations for traveler health protection. Because …

Health Practices And Use Of Traditional Medicine Among Asian Indian Immigrants In The United States: A Pilot Study, Parita Patel, Anil N.F. Aranha

Medical Student Research Symposium

Title: Health Practices and Use of Traditional Medicine Among Asian Indian Immigrants in the United States: A Pilot Study

Authors

Parita Patel, MPH¹; Anil N.F. Aranha, PhD^1,2

Medical Education¹, Internal Medicine², Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Traditional and alternative medicine (TAM), including Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, and home remedies, remains widely used among Asian Indian (AI) immigrants in the United States alongside Western medicine. Cultural familiarity, family influence, and perceived safety shape these practices. This pilot study examined TAM prevalence, patterns, and perceptions among AI immigrants and …

Impact Of Dietician Counseling On Outcomes In Newly Diagnosed Celiac Disease, Andreas Mozny B.A., Alyusuf Elnaggar B.A., James Mo M.D., Suraj Suresh M.D.

Medical Student Research Symposium

Title: Impact of Dietician Counseling on Outcomes in Newly Diagnosed Celiac Disease

Background: Dietician counseling is routinely recommended for newly diagnosed celiac disease (CD), yet its measurable impact is not well defined. This study examined whether early dietician involvement improves clinical symptoms or serologic outcomes.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed adults with biopsy-confirmed CD at a single center from 2020–2024. Demographics, symptoms, and laboratory data were collected by chart review with ≥6 months of follow-up. Patients who met with a dietician formed the dietician group; all others were assigned to the non-dietician group. Fisher's Exact tests evaluated abdominal …

Beyond The Ban: Chhaupadi Abolition And The Governance Of Menstrual Autonomy In Western Nepal, Nikita Paudel

Master in Public Policy Theses

This thesis examines how two decades of efforts to abolish chhaupadi have shaped the everyday conditions under which women and girls experience menstruation in western Nepal. Chhaupadi, commonly understood as menstrual seclusion, has been addressed through Supreme Court directives, national policy, criminal law, municipal implementation instruments, hut demolition campaigns, public health programming, and rights-based advocacy. Yet the practice has persisted, adapted, and in some cases moved into less visible spaces. Rather than treating this as a simple gap between law and practice, this thesis asks how abolition efforts themselves have become part of the regulatory regime through which menstruation is …

Level Of Comfort And Barriers To Pediatric Vaccination Among Pharmacy-Based Immunizers In California, Laressa Bethishou, Karl Hess, Richard Beuttler, Jeffery Goad

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Pharmacists are increasingly recognized as accessible immunizers, yet pediatric vaccination rates in community pharmacies remain lower than those for adults, likely due to unique barriers. This study aimed to assess the comfort level of pharmacy-based immunizers in California with administering vaccines to pediatric patients and to identify barriers limiting their participation in pediatric immunization.

Methods

An IRB-approved, cross-sectional survey was distributed electronically to pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians administering vaccines in California community pharmacies between November 2022 and February 2023. The survey measured comfort with vaccinating pediatric age groups, perceived barriers, and collected demographic data. Data analysis included …

Quality Improvement (Qi) Project Aimed At Reducing Unnecessary Antibiotic Usage Among Older Adult Patients By Addressing Inappropriate Antibiotic Prescribing In Primary And Long-Term Care Settings, Pamela M. Thomas

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Antibiotic overuse among older adults remains a significant patient safety and public health concern. Recent national data indicate that approximately 30%–50% of outpatient antibiotic prescriptions may be unnecessary, particularly for viral or self-limiting conditions (Chua et al., 2021). Antimicrobial resistance has been associated with more than 1.27 million deaths globally (Murray et al., 2022). This quality improvement project evaluated a multifaceted antimicrobial stewardship intervention in primary and long-term care settings. Baseline review of 167 antibiotic cases revealed 37.1% were inappropriate or questionable, and 28.7% lacked adequate diagnostic documentation. The intervention incorporated provider education, electronic health record decision-support tools, audit and …

Exploring Practicing Registered Eeg Technologies' Opinions And Preferences Regarding Electroencephalographic Scope Of Practice Standard Forms Of Occupational Regulations, Richard A. Steer

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Abstract Background: Neurodiagnostic (NDT) is the study and recording of electrical activity in the central and peripheral nervous systems, it is essential for providing critical information that can aid in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders. EEGs are the most frequently performed NDT procedures. The proportion of hospitalizations involving EEG use increased by 122.7% from 2003 to 2014, an average increase of 11.2% annually and continues to grow. The rate of rEEG use increased by 49.4% over 11 years (4.5% annually), while cEEG use increased by 302.3% (27.5% annually) (Bernheimer et al., 2018). Under existing law, the EEG profession …

Multiple Interest Holder Perspectives Of The True Grit Sci Residential Program: A Mixed Methods Program Evaluation, Keara Mcnair

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Young adults with spinal cord injury (SCI) face significant challenges during the transition to adulthood, including barriers to independence, community participation, and psychosocial adjustment (Ingimarsdóttir et al., 2023; Zebracki et al., 2010). Current rehabilitation models in the United States prioritize short-term physical recovery and offer limited support for the developmental and contextual needs that shape long-term outcomes after SCI, particularly during transitions from inpatient rehabilitation to the community (Anderson et al., 2024; Bryden & Gran, 2024). Community-based programs may help address these gaps, though few have been rigorously evaluated using implementation science frameworks that attend to health equity, contextual influences, …

Quantifying Black Carbon Concentrations In Georgia And Analyzing Associated Public Health Risks, Khloe R. Osborne

Honors Theses

Quantifying Black Carbon Concentrations in Georgia and Analyzing Associated Public Health Risks

One of the most daunting challenges of the industrial world is air pollution. Within this broad spectrum, there is an inhalable particle group named PM2.5, which contains black carbon. Black carbon has evidence that supports the generation and worsening of adverse health impacts, which may include birth complications, cognitive deficits in children, pulmonary aggravation, asthma, cardiovascular issues, neurological degenerative patterns, and cancer risk. This is especially seen in vulnerable populations, like children, elderly, and those who already suffer from weakened health, many of which reside in the southern …

Developing A Comprehensive Resource Guide For Caregivers Within The Area Agency On Aging, Aiden R. Murphy

Public Health Capstone Projects

This project developed a new universal caregiver resource guide for caregivers within the Area Agency on Aging, in order to improve resource navigation and workflow efficiency. Resources were collected, verified, and organized into a new, streamlined guide via the ARIA chatbot, covering multiple needs. Caregiver resources were collected and verified by the capstone student and mentor, Michael Kroeker, and organized into a centralized knowledge base within the ARIA chatbot. A mixed methods evaluation was conducted utilizing a 5-point Likert scale with three quantitative questions and one open-ended qualitative question. The data was given to the SeniorLine staff, who wanted to …

Brief Review : Listening Closely--Stethoscopes, Hygiene Gaps, And The Unfinished Work Of Healthcare-Associated Infection Prevention, James Espinosa, Swet Patel, Robin Lahr, Sergey Medlenov, Russell Mordecai, James Lee, Alan Lucerna, Henry Schuitema

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a persistent patient safety challenge. While hand hygiene has received sustained institutional focus, stethoscope hygiene remains inconsistently addressed despite longstanding evidence of contamination. Stethoscopes function as portable, patient-to-patient devices that may serve as under-recognized fomites in emergency and inpatient settings. Prior pilot work demonstrated that clinicians were unable to reliably distinguish between disposable and standard stethoscopes, and that perceived acoustic degradation from a diaphragm barrier was minimal. These findings suggest that acoustic concerns may not represent a primary barrier to hygiene-enhancing strategies. This brief review examines the literature surrounding stethoscope contamination and cleaning behavior, frames the …

Assessing The Utilization Of Emergency Departments For Primary Care Services In Southern New Jersey, Joshua James Novello, Sheila Joazile, Mohammad Isa

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Primary care (PC) is essential to proactive, comprehensive, and preventative care that can improve patient outcomes. One-third of emergency department (ED) visits are for non-emergency care that can be appropriately treated by a PC provider. In New Jersey, more than $400 million is spent annually on avoidable ED visits. Decreasing the total PC treatable ED visits per year will improve the quality of care and decrease costs. New Jersey’s PC spending, based on total health spending, is one of the lowest in the country. Demographic and socioeconomic factors in the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) examine potentially preventable ED …

Analisis Faktor-Faktor Yang Mempengaruhi Angka Kematian Bayi Di Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan Menggunakan Regresi Komponen Utama, Salwa Zahirah Putri Wijaya, Sitti Sahriman Salam, Nasrah Sirajang, Audia Putri Damatia, Hildayanti Hildayanti

Jurnal Biostatistik, Kependudukan, dan Informatika Kesehatan

Angka kematian bayi (AKB), khususnya kematian neonatal, merupakan indikator fundamental dalam menilai kualitas pelayanan kesehatan dan kesejahteraan masyarakat. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk menganalisis faktor-faktor yang memengaruhi AKB di 24 kabupaten/kota di Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan. Variabel independen yang dikaji mencakup dimensi layanan kesehatan, kondisi sosial ekonomi, pendidikan perempuan, sanitasi, air bersih, dan indikator demografis. Data dianalisis menggunakan metode Regresi Komponen Utama (Principal Component Regression/PCR) untuk menganalisis pengaruh variabel-variabel dengan mempertimbangkan adanya potensi korelasi antar variabel independen, sehingga dihasilkan model yang stabil. Melalui analisis komponen utama, lima komponen berhasil dibentuk yang merepresentasikan 84,21% dari total variasi data. Komponen pertama (PC1) …

Determinants Of Hypertension Awareness And Control In Kenya: A Secondary Analysis Of National Survey Data, Alexander K. Davis

Poster Presentations

No abstract provided.

Assessing The Needs Of Public Health Professionals In The Inland Empire, Esteban Silva-Garcia

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

An effective public health system relies on the need for highly trained professionals with degrees or certifications within the field of public health. As public health continues to evolve, professionals are required to improve and evolve with the pace of technology and knowledge advancements. This project focuses on reviewing literature on the current ongoing needs of public health professionals and providing them with resources that are available at low to no cost. It surveys the needs of public health professionals in the Inland Empire and the solutions created by organizations and federal agencies to support professional development for current and …

University Student Mental Health: Service Utilization, Equity Gaps, And Strategies To Improve Access, Richard Mutua Kilonzo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Student mental health and access to care are pressing concerns in higher education. This study assesses mental health outcomes and access to campus mental health services at East Tennessee State University. Survey data from the 2023–2024 Healthy Minds Study were analyzed to report the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation across the student population. The study evaluates disparities in these outcomes and barriers to care across student groups, with particular attention to equity-impacted students, especially sexual and gender minority students.

Findings indicate widespread psychological distress alongside persistent barriers, including long wait times, limited-service availability, and stigma-related concerns. These barriers …

Addressing Substance Use Disorder In Rural Appalachia: Improving Access And Treatment Outcomes For Justice-Involved Individuals, Jessica Muldowney

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Opioid use disorder (OUD) represents a critical public health crisis disproportionately affecting justice-involved (JI) populations, with approximately 65% of incarcerated individuals having substance use disorders (James & Beatty, 2006). Rural Appalachian communities face compounded challenges due to limited healthcare access, provider shortages, and cultural stigma surrounding addiction treatment. Despite evidence demonstrating that medication-assisted treatment (MAT) reduces recidivism and overdose deaths, only 20% of correctional facilities offer these services (Klein & Seppala, 2019).

Objective: This mixed-methods study evaluated organizational readiness and infrastructure capacity for implementing evidence-based OUD interventions, specifically MAT programs across three rural counties in northwestern North Carolina.

Methods: …

Barriers Asian Adoptees Face In Screening For Inheritable Conditions Due To A Lack Of Family Medical History, Anna Shea

Honors Projects

Adoption has been increasingly common in the United States, with more than 7.8 million people in the United States adopted (Wexler et al., 2025) and over 280,000 children in the United States adopted internationally (Orr et al., 2024). Despite this, those who are adopted, especially internationally, often face medical disadvantages compared to those biologically related to their family. The differences in treatment between adoptees and those who are biologically related are largely due to the knowledge, or lack of knowledge, of the individual’s family medical history and genetic information. Genetic or inherited disease screening is often only completed or covered …