Authors:Hannah Marcus, Russell J De Souza Pages: 4 - 4 Abstract: Acute pesticide poisoning (APP) is a major public health issue in developing countries. While much country-specific research has been conducted on APP, international epidemiological trends have been difficult to describe. In this systematic review, we summarize individual-level findings from multiple countries. Prominent risk factors identified for both voluntary and involuntary cases include young age, lack of farming experience, low socioeconomic status, lack of education, risky pesticide handling and storage practices, insufficient knowledge of pesticide hazards, and high organophosphate use. In combination with region-specific findings available in the literature, this review contributes to the global understanding of APP as needed for corresponding policy action. PubDate: 2020-07-04 Issue No:Vol. 1, No. 5 (2020)
Authors:Josephine Gaupholm, Matthew Little Pages: 4 - 4 Abstract: Leaving home is a major milestone in every young adult’s life, often a time of excitement and some apprehension. However, for individuals who grow up in residential care, this is a time of significant change as they are thrusted into what the literature describes as ‘instant adulthood’. Research indicates that young people who leave residential care services, or “care-leavers”, experience higher levels of unemployment, poverty, homelessness, and poor health compared to young people who leave familial homes. The majority of the literature that exists on the experience of care-leavers comes from high-income countries where kinship placements and foster care are more common than residential homes. Many developing countries, on the other hand, depend on residential homes to care for high numbers of orphaned or abandoned children. Little is known, however, about the services that are offered at these homes, especially from the perspective of residents themselves. This study aimed to qualitatively explore and evaluate the psychosocial services offered at a children’s care home in the Philippines and their role in preparing residents for life after care. Semi-structured interviews were used to investigate the experiences and opinions of care-leavers and staff members. Data was analyzed using thematic framework analysis using NVIVO 11. Overall, participants viewed the support they received as effective in preparing them for life after care, although they did face challenges including economic instability, lack of belonging, and challenges adapting to the ‘outside world. Several recommendations were suggested by participants to better support future care-leavers, including provision of counselling services and extended stays to allow for completion of mandatory schooling. More research is needed to strengthen the evidence base in order to champion policy and regulatory change. PubDate: 2020-07-04 Issue No:Vol. 1, No. 5 (2020)
Authors:Justin Di Lu, Brian H. Cameron Pages: 4 - 4 Abstract: E-learning encompasses the use of electronic media, online tools, and technologies in education and has been shown to be generally effective and satisfying for students, compared to traditional methods such as didactic lectures. Within surgical education, there is growing demand for e-learning platforms in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and challenges of e-learning for surgical trainees in LMICs. Out of 87 studies, five studies met the inclusion criteria and reported either neutral or positive improvements in cognitive and procedural skills, compared to baselines or controls for surgical trainees in LMICs. Using a qualitative synthesis approach, the researchers identified common challenges and barriers, such as low bandwidth, limited connectivity, and poor surgical details, which led to poor knowledge synthesis. This suggests that more emphasis needs to be placed on developing a strong online foundation that could be easily accessed and is user-friendly and intuitive, especially in LMICs. However, the research was limited by the lack of literature surrounding surgical e-learning interventions in LMICs and more research is required in this area. PubDate: 2020-07-04 Issue No:Vol. 1, No. 5 (2020)
Authors:Justine Dol, Britney Beniot, Brianna Richardson, Gail Tomblin Murphy, Megan Aston, Douglas McMillan, Jacqueline Gahagan, Marsha Campbell-Yeo Pages: 5 - 5 Abstract: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are vulnerable to internal and external bias, particularly when examining complex health behavioural interventions. The effects of postnatal education interventions on parent’s knowledge of caring for their newborn in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) is a growing area of study. Therefore, the aim of this review was to assess the risk of bias (RoB) in such studies. MedLine, CINAHL, and SCOPUS were searched from January 2000 - October 2017 using key words such as RCT, parent-targeted, postnatal, education, interventions, and LMICs. Two reviewers screened title and abstracts and full text of eligible studies. Outcomes of interest were RoB measured using the Cochrane RoB tool, as well as intervention fidelity and contamination bias. Data were descriptively analyzed with 29 RCTs included. Highest risk of bias was in participant (55%) and personnel (76%) blinding with the lowest risk of bias in random sequence generation (76%), and attrition bias (72%). Overall, 89.7% of studies on postnatal parent-targeted education interventions in LMICs had a high RoB score in at least one domain. While difficult to avoid such biases, opportunities can be sought to minimize these during the design and conduct of future studies in this area. PubDate: 2020-07-04 Issue No:Vol. 1, No. 5 (2020)
Authors:Jessica Marie Morris, Clare Liddy Pages: 5 - 5 Abstract: The creation of innovative platforms is of limited benefit if not implemented properly with careful consideration of regional contexts. Digital health platforms can be a tool that may improve access to quality care for residents of Northern Ontario. The health innovations framework of Chaudoir et al. [1] was used to address patient, provider, organization, and system level factors relevant to the implementation of electronic consultation (eConsult) in the North West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) for Indigenous communities. An environmental scan was conducted through a systematic literature search of three databases and grey literature. For the implementation of eConsult in Indigenous communities in Northern Ontario, it was recommended that: (1) an Indigenous care expert should be consulted to include features that ensure the provision of culturally competent care to patients; (2) further investigation into the role of nurses and nurse practitioners in Indigenous communities should be conducted; (3) the possibility of partnering with provincial Aboriginal Health Access Centres and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine should be explored; (4) the gain of federal government funding and support; and (5) the function of eConsult should potentially extend to act as a centralized source of public health information. Extreme regional diversity is prevalent across Northern Ontario, and additional analyses should be done at a more local level prior to the implementation of eConsult. PubDate: 2020-07-04 Issue No:Vol. 1, No. 5 (2020)
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