Public Health Commons^™

Indicators For Measurement And Improvement Of The Quality Of Family Planning Programs: The Philippines, 1997–1998, Population Council

Reproductive Health

Quality is a critical dimension of health service provision and this brief aims to highlight the creation and use of indicators for quality of care to enhance the achievement of the reproductive health goals in the Philippines and beyond. In response to the need for program managers to understand the quality of services at the field level, the Situation Analysis approach was developed. The research underscores the importance of a composite index when measuring quality. In the case of the Philippines, the evidence suggests the need for more quality-of-care monitoring in addition to expanded access to contraceptives. Investment in counseling …

Knowledge And Practices For Pre-Eclampsia And Eclampsia Care In Bangladesh, Kanij Sultana, Amy Dempsey

Reproductive Health

The Bangladesh Maternal Mortality Survey revealed that pre-eclampsia and eclampsia (PE/E) is the second most common direct cause of maternal deaths—between 1,000 and 1,200 maternal deaths (20 percent) each year. Early detection and treatment during antenatal care visits are instrumental in reducing deaths from PE/E. In Bangladesh, however, primary healthcare providers have limited knowledge of the condition, and in many cases are unaware of how to detect, manage, and treat it. This research brief presents the findings of a landscape analysis that was conducted to better understand service providers’ maternal health knowledge, attitudes, and practices, particularly around PE/E.

Increasing Access To Reproductive Health Care Through Improved Service Delivery, Gul Rashida, Iram Kamran, Muhammad Khalil, Zeba Tasneem, Rehan M. Niazi, Mumraiz Khan, Tahira Parveen

Reproductive Health

The study documented in this report examines the provision and utilization of public and private sector maternal and child health services in Punjab, Pakistan with a focus on family planning (FP) services. It is aimed at enabling a better understanding of the specific demand and supply dynamics leading to low contraceptive prevalence despite unmet need, and the opportunities that must be seized to enhance access to quality family planning services. The report is part of a larger project being implemented by the Population Council with the assistance of the Department for International Development, UK entitled “Sustaining Focus on Provincial Governments …

Knowledge Of Pre-Eclampsia And Eclampsia In Bangladesh, Kanij Sultana, Amy Dempsey

Reproductive Health

In Bangladesh between 1,000 and 1,200 women die every year from pre-eclampsia and eclampsia (PE/E), contributing to 20 percent of maternal deaths. It is the country’s second leading direct cause of maternal mortality. In addition to the burden of maternal mortality, when a mother dies her baby is at increased risk of dying during the first year of life. To fully understand community perceptions of PE/E, the Population Council conducted a landscape analysis in 12 upazilas in four districts. This brief presents those research findings, and concludes that stronger awareness of the importance of early antenatal care and of seeking …

Landscape Analysis: Preventing And Managing Pre-Eclampsia And Eclampsia In Pakistan, Population Council

Reproductive Health

The Ending Eclampsia project conducted a landscape analysis to identify policy and program activities, as well as gaps and challenges around the prevention and treatment of PE/E and use of magnesium sulphate at the provincial and district levels in Pakistan. The analysis assessed the practices for PE/E prevention and treatment, prevalence of PE/E, associated complications, and contribution to maternal mortality and morbidity. This landscape analysis was a major study and one of the first of its kind in the country, blending multiple perspectives on provision of care through the public health system for pregnant women facing, or at risk of, …

Life-Saving Medicines And Equipment In Facilities In Bangladesh, Kanij Sultana, Amy Dempsey

Reproductive Health

This research brief is a part of a larger landscaping analysis by Population Council, with support from USAID and the MacArthur Foundation. In Bangladesh, in 12 upazilas in four districts, it assessed the capacity of primary health facilities to manage pre-eclampsia and eclampsia (PE/E). This brief shares findings from 134 facilities on required infrastructure for providing maternal and newborn health (MNH) services, human resources, facility readiness, and MNH commodities and supplies. Facility readiness is vital to providing quality services to antenatal care (ANC) patients, especially to women with PE/E. Without functioning equipment, ANC/PNC registers, essential medicines, electricity, and running water, …

Married Young Women And Girls' Family Planning And Maternal Heath Preferences And Use In Ethiopia, Aparna Jain, Elizabeth Tobey, Hussein Ismail, Annabel Erulkar

Reproductive Health

Married young women and girls are the primary users of youth-centered sexual and reproductive health services in Ethiopia and, given the health risks associated with early and closely-spaced pregnancies, represent an especially important population to reach with sexual and reproductive health services. This brief looks specifically at the needs and preferences for family planning and reproductive health services among married young women and girls, with recommendations for how to more effectively ensure that they have access to those services.

Modeling And Mapping Of Girls' Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (Fgm/C) In The Context Of Economic, Social, And Regional Disparities: Kenya Demographic And Health Surveys 1998-2014, Ngianga-Bakwin Kandala, Damaris Kinyoki, Ahmed Sarki, David Gathara, Paul Komba, Bettina Shell-Duncan

Reproductive Health

The aim of this research study is analysis of successive household data for estimating and revealing trends, similarities, and differences in geographic patterns for the burden of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and related risk factors among girls ages 14 and younger in Kenya. This Evidence to End FGM/C study, from a coalition led by the Population Council, is intended to contribute to a deeper understanding of the recent burden of FGM/C among the girls within this very young age group, and to enhance knowledge of the geographic distribution of this practice over time. The report will inform current elimination efforts …

Policies For Pre-Eclampsia And Eclampsia Prevention And Management In Bangladesh, Kanij Sultana, Amy Dempsey

Reproductive Health

Bangladesh experiences between 5,000 and 6,000 maternal deaths each year. Of those deaths, 20 percent are from pre-eclampsia and eclampsia (PE/E), the second most common direct cause of maternal mortality in the country. In Bangladesh, best practices to prevent PE/E using aspirin and calcium and managing it through task sharing and use of magnesium sulphate and anti-hypertensive drugs have not been optimally examined. To appreciate the enormity of the problem, the Population Council conducted a landscape analysis in 12 upazilas in four districts. The study was cross sectional, and data collection activities included in-depth interviews (IDIs) with policymakers, development partners, …

Quality Of Care In The Context Of Rights-Based Family Planning, Anrudh K. Jain

Reproductive Health

Over the past two decades, the quality-of-care framework has become a cornerstone of family planning (FP) programming. FP programs have been concerned about improving access and reducing the cost to the client but at the same time making services sustainable and improving their effectiveness and efficiency. Nevertheless, access to FP services is not equitable: educated, wealthier, or urban women have better access to the available services from a range of sources than their more vulnerable counterparts, who are less educated, poor, or live in rural areas. This policy brief suggests five modifications to the QoC framework, based on the comparison …

Rapid Evidence Assessment: Quality Of Studies Assessing Interventions To Support Fgm/C Abandonment, Tammary Esho, Jamlick Karumbi, Carolyne Njue

Reproductive Health

The last decade has seen increased focus and investment in interventions to eliminate female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), along with the need to accelerate its abandonment. The UK Department for International Development (DFID) commissioned the Evidence to End FGM/C: Research to Help Girls and Women Thrive project to: 1) assess the quality of studies that have evaluated different interventions for the prevention of FGM/C, and 2) describe the FGM/C interventions that were evaluated by high-quality studies. The quality of evidence on the effectiveness and impact of FGM/C interventions is generally moderate to low. In addition, few baseline surveys are conducted prior …

Reducing Barriers To Accessing Fistula Repair: Establishing A Baseline In Ebonyi, Population Council

Reproductive Health

As a partner on the Fistula Care Plus (FC+) project, the Population Council is conducting implementation research that tests solutions to treatment barriers. Formative research in Nigeria’s Ebonyi State found that a lack of knowledge among lower-level providers and women and families of how the condition occurs, where treatment is available, and the signs and symptoms of obstetric fistula, as well as transportation costs, affect women’s access to screening and repair. Baseline data reveal the necessity of a comprehensive intervention to address fistula treatment barriers in Ebonyi. Not only do primary healthcare providers lack adequate knowledge of fistula, referral, and …

Reducing Barriers To Accessing Fistula Repair: Establishing A Baseline In Katsina, Population Council

Reproductive Health

As a partner on the Fistula Care Plus (FC+) project, the Population Council is conducting implementation research that tests solutions to treatment barriers. Formative research in Nigeria’s Katsina State found that a lack of knowledge among lower-level providers and women and families of how the condition occurs, where treatment is available, and the signs and symptoms of obstetric fistula, as well as transportation costs, affect women’s access to screening and repair. Baseline data reveal the necessity of a comprehensive intervention to address fistula treatment barriers in Katsina. Not only do primary healthcare providers lack adequate knowledge of fistula, referral, and …

Reducing Barriers To Accessing Fistula Repair: Establishing A Baseline In Uganda, Population Council

Reproductive Health

As a partner on the Fistula Care Plus (FC+) project, the Population Council is conducting implementation research that tests solutions to treatment barriers. Formative research in Uganda found that a lack of knowledge among lower-level providers and women and families of how the condition occurs, where treatment is available, and the signs and symptoms of obstetric fistula, as well as transportation costs, affect women’s access to screening and repair. Baseline data reveal the necessity of a comprehensive intervention to address fistula treatment barriers in Uganda. Not only do primary healthcare providers lack adequate knowledge of fistula, referral, and counseling, but …

Resilience And Community Response To Climate-Related Events: Case Studies From Four Countries, Aviva Klein Meyers, Karen Hardee

Reproductive Health

It is important for governments, aid organizations, and researchers to understand how developing communities respond to climate change and how their efforts can be improved within a framework of resilience thinking. This review explores the definition of resilience and, more specifically, community resilience and its components, then presents four case studies of community response to extreme weather events to illustrate community resilience in action. The review is intended to provide context for and inform more detailed exploration of community resilience in integrated programming (specifically, programming designed to improve health, environment, and population outcomes). It is also intended to capture references …

Results From Systematic Literature Review On Pe/E In Bangladesh, Karen Kirk, Amy Dempsey

Reproductive Health

By 2015, at the conclusion of the Millennium Development Goals, Bangladesh had achieved a reduction in maternal death from 550 per 100,000 live births in 1990, to 170 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2015. Despite this progress, there are still between 5,000 and 6,000 maternal deaths every year in Bangladesh, where 20 percent are the result of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia (PE/E). This systematic review of peer-reviewed literature published between January 2000 and July 2016 identified interventions adopted to manage PE/E throughout Bangladesh. Specifically, it looked at issues around quality of care, gaps in the evidence, and barriers to …

Results From Systematic Literature Review On Pe/E In Nigeria, Amy Dempsey, Karen Kirk

Reproductive Health

Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia (PE/E), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, are consistently cited as a leading cause of maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. A recent, nationwide cross-sectional survey found that PE/E contributes to 28.2 percent of national maternal deaths. The other main contributors to maternal mortality are hemorrhage and pregnancy-related infection or sepsis. To fully understand the key challenges, gaps, and interventions related to the prevention and treatment of PE/E, the Ending Eclampsia project conducted a systematic review of papers on PE/E in Nigeria published between 2000–15. The methods, results, and recommendations are discussed in this brief.

Workplace Health And The Garment Sector In Cambodia, Bunmey Yat, Carolyn Rodehau, David Wofford, Ashish Bajracharya

Reproductive Health

In Cambodia, there has been considerable investment in improving the well-being of factory workers. Understanding the key stakeholders and their roles in improving worker health is essential for policy change and ensuring that interventions achieve sustainable, long-term impact in and around the workplace. This policy brief presents selected findings from a stakeholder and situational analysis undertaken by the Cambodia Worker Health Coalition (WorkerHealth) to understand the stakeholder landscape and policy environment for women’s health in the garment industry in Cambodia, with the objective of identifying leading stakeholders and their relationships, as well as strategies and opportunities for collaboration. Collaboration and …

Uganda Retail Audit: Analysis And Report, The Evidence Project

Reproductive Health

This brief presents results of a retail audit, carried out in January 2016, that was commissioned as part of PATH’s work under the USAID-funded Evidence Project to conduct a landscape assessment of the feasibility of a Total Market Approach (TMA) in Uganda. This project also involved key informant interviews with stakeholders on their attitudes toward TMA principles and the collection of a Uganda Market Research Summary of existing family planning knowledge. The approach is based on an understanding that equitably meeting the diverse needs of different population segments requires increased coordination across sectors, including the public, private for-profit, and not-for-profit …

Machine Safety: Hands-On Experimentation With Risk Estimation Parameters And Tools, François Gauthier, Yuvin Chinniah, Damien Burlet-Vienney, Barthélemy Aucourt, Stéphane Larouche

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Dans une démarche d’appréciation du risque telle que définie dans la norme internationale ISO 12100:2010, l’estimation du risque est une étape essentielle permettant aux concepteurs et aux utilisateurs de machines de déterminer le niveau de risque et les situations dangereuses les plus critiques. Deux études antérieures financées par l'Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) ont permis de révéler que les nombreux outils qui permettent de réaliser l’estimation du risque se présentent sous des formes très diverses, et que plusieurs de leurs caractéristiques (ex. : paramètres, architecture) pouvaient influencer de façon importante le …

Development Of A Confined Space Risk Analysis And Work Categoraziation Tool, Yuvin Chinniah, Ali Bahloul, Damien Burlet-Vienney, Brigitte Roberge

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Au Québec, le Règlement sur la santé et la sécurité du travail (RSST) définit un espace clos à l’article 1 (ce projet a été mené avec la définition d’un espace clos applicable en 2016. Cette définition a été modifiée le 25 juillet 2023). Le travail en espace clos est une problématique qui concerne à la fois les secteurs municipal, manufacturier, chimique, militaire, agricole, de la construction et du transport. Les espaces clos parmi les plus courants en industrie sont les réservoirs, les silos, les cuves, les puits d’accès, les fosses, les égouts, les …

Design Of Horizontal Lifeline Systems For Fall Protection: Update Of Technical Guide, Bertrand Galy, André Lan

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Les chutes de hauteur sont encore aujourd’hui une des causes majeures d’accidents du travail. Trop souvent, les travailleurs ne s’attachent pas, faute de point d’ancrage disponible, ou parce qu’ils trouvent que les points d’attache fixes restreignent trop leurs mouvements. Cette restriction peut toutefois être levée grâce aux systèmes de corde d’assurance horizontale (SCAH). Le présent rapport constitue la mise à jour du guide technique T-18 publié en 1991 et rend ce dernier caduc. Cette mise à jour était devenue nécessaire à la suite de l’introduction, en 2001, au Code de sécurité pour les travaux de construction (CSTC), de l’obligation d’équiper …

Prenatal Methylmercury Exposure In A South Carolina Coastal Cohort, Alexis Donohue

Theses and Dissertations

Objectives: Methylmercury is a neurotoxin that has the ability to cross the placenta and adversely affect the developing fetus. Our primary objective was to investigate whether prenatal methylmercury exposure varied longitudinally, and whether differences were associated with maternal characteristics.

Methods: Pregnant mothers were recruited in Charleston, South Carolina (8-17 weeks gestation) (n=78). Blood samples were collected during both early (11.8 ± 1.7 weeks) and late (35.3 ± 2.0 weeks) gestation. Blood total mercury and methylmercury concentrations were analyzed. Upon enrollment in the study, mothers filled out a sociodemographic questionnaire that included questions regarding maternal age, race/ethnicity, and education level. Additionally, …

Maternal And Fetal Outcome In Renal Transplant Recipients, Wajeeha Syed, Lumaan Sheikh

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Objective: To determine maternal and fetal outcome in renal transplant recipients.
Methodology: Retrospective analysis of the antenatal patients with renal transplant
was done between January 1st 2005 till December 31st 2015 and maternal
and fetal outcomes were determined. Data was entered and analyzed in SPSS
version 20.
Results: 08 pregnancies in 07 women who had undergone renal transplant
were included in this study. The mean age at the time of transplantation was
25.29 ±5.5 years (16-32 years). 25% cases had gestational diabetes mellitus,
75% had anemia and 50% had urinary tract infection. The mean birth weight
of babies was 2210 …

Implementation Of Warning Tool To Improve Maternal Newborn Health Outcomes In A Developing Country, Sana Sheikh, Rahat Qureshi, Sidrah Nausheen, Rozina Sikandar Sultanali

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Objective: To improve health outcomes through the implementation of national early warning sign tool for babies delivered through emergency caesarean section in off-work hours.

Methods: This comparative clinical study was conducted at the Aga Khan Hospital for Women and Children, Karachi, from April to August 2014, and comprised women who had an emergency caesarean section. Maternal and perinatal outcomes were compared of patients in Group A and Group B which represented individuals before and after the implementation of the national early warning score respectively.

Results: Of the 200 participants, there were 100(50%) in each group. The overall mean age was …

The Benefits And Concerns Of Veganism In Women's Health, Elisa R. Hester

Senior Honors Theses

There are many health benefits of consuming a vegan diet. It is associated with a decreased incidence of obesity, cardiovascular disease, type two diabetes, and a variety of cancers. Despite its numerous benefits, there are several concerns for consumers of a vegan diet, including nutrient deficiency and cardiovascular risk associated with consumption of coconut oil. However, many nutrients of highest concern, such as calcium and protein, are not needed in as high amounts as is commonly believed and recommended. Moreover, it is possible for vegans to obtain adequate nutrition with proper education despite restriction of animal products. Coconut oil consumption …

Holistic Health In Osteoarthritis: An Ayurvedic Approach, Krishna Malagi Dr, Madhusudhana Kamath Dr

Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences

The holistic approach exposed the link between ill-health and socio-economic conditions. It revealed how diet and lifestyle factors combine, to relieve the disease manifestations like osteoarthritis. Objectives: The objective of the study was to observe a holistic approach in the management of osteoarthritis and to establish significance of association between disease, diet, and lifestyle. Material and methods: The chosen strategy is suitable for preventive, curative, and promoted actions in relation to osteoarthritis. In present study, non-randomized, prospective case series methodology is adopted. The study group comprised of 20 men and women and was categorized by large similarity in the total …

Impact Of Acuity-Adaptable Rooms On Patient Outcomes: A Literature Review, Shiva Kumar T Dr, Somu G Dr, Arun M. S Dr

Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences

Introduction: According to WHO, patient safety is the prevention of errors and adverse effects to patients associated with health care. There is a significant impact of physical environment on health and patient safety. Identifying and eliminating built environment conditions that negatively impact patient safety during various phases of construction of healthcare facilities is a strong need of the hour. Methods: A comprehensive literature review retrieved 15 research articles related to acuity-adaptable patient rooms presenting evidence of the positive impact on patient safety. The literature review was focused on all the research articles, which showed impact of acuity- adaptable rooms on …

Blinding In Randomized Controlled Trials: What Researchers Need To Know?, Vishnu Renjith Mr

Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences

Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) is a classical research design, in which the participants are randomly allocated to one or other treatment conditions under the study. Researchers widely use randomized trials to evaluate the effectiveness of various pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. At the outset, randomization minimizes the bias in allocating subjects to the intervention and control group. However, it does not exclude the chances of differential treatment of groups or biased adjudication of outcome variables. Blinding helps in controlling various types of biases that might inadvertently sweep into the study. The two major biases that can be controlled using blinding are …

A Month In Manila, Robin M. Lund

Posters

Describes a global health learning experience at Philippines Children's Medical Center in Manila.