Evaluating the Success and Monitoring the Usage of Wildlife Crossing Structures in Bedminster, NJ

Expanding road networks are detrimental to the populations of many reptile and amphibian species. The fragmenting of the landscape creates barriers, separating the populations of native organisms from the necessary resources. Wildlife crossing structures can be beneficial in aiding the movement of amphibians and reptiles across previously installed wildlife crossing culvert in Bedminster, New Jersey. The wildlife crossing culverts are located underneath River Road, which forms a barrier between the woods on one side of the road and the ponds on the other side. We used a combination of wildlife cameras and pitfall traps to determine the usage and success of the wildlife crossing culvert during a peak migration period of amphibians and reptiles. From March 31, 2017 through June 13, 2017, pitfall traps and wildlife cameras were monitored daily to determine the successful usage of the wildlife crossing culvert during migrations from the woods to the breeding ponds, and then returning from the breeding ponds to the woods. During this time period a total of 102 animals were found utilizing the wildlife crossing culvert. The cameras and pitfall traps revealed that the wildlife crossing culverts were most commonly used by amphibians, reptiles and small mammals when migrating to or from the woods and ponds. This study found the most effective method of monitoring usage of the wildlife crossing culvert was a combination of time-interval cameras and pitfall traps in a structure which is accompanied by angled fencing, directing the organisms into the culvert. Cameras were most effective in monitoring the larger amphibians and larger mammals, while pitfall traps were more effective in monitoring smaller amphibians and mammals

Narrative depictions of working with language interpreters in cross-language qualitative research

Researchers’ views and approaches to working with interpreters evolve across different career stages and adapt to different circumstances. Understanding these aspects can provide new insights in preparing researchers for cross-language research and to strengthen qualitative research. Data were obtained from a semi-structured interview with an experienced cross-language researcher, and drawn from field notes while working with interpreters.Global Affairs Canada (GAC)Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR

Appendix 8 EPHA presentation

The study examined the application of a qualitative rapid assessment approach to explore community perceptions and experiences related to health and health inequality, focusing on maternal and child health (MCH). Participants identified health inequalities within communities and attributed them to lack of knowledge, exclusion from social groups, and poverty. Health Extension Workers (HEWs), religious leaders and “development army” members are well-positioned to disseminate knowledge and influence health behaviours. The study generated a context-specific situational analysis to inform the design and delivery of information, education and communication (IEC) activities in Jimma Zone (Ethiopia).Global Affairs Canada (GAC)Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR

"Everything is perfect, and we have no problems" : detecting and limiting social desirability bias in qualitative research

Many qualitative research studies acknowledge the possibility of social desirability bias (a tendency to represent reality in alignment of what is perceived to be socially acceptable) as a limitation that creates complexities in interpreting findings. Drawing on experiences in conducting interviews and focus groups in rural Ethiopia, this article provides an empirical account of how one research team developed and employed strategies to detect and limit social desirability bias. It includes a table regarding “Techniques for Asking Questions in a Manner That Limits Social Desirability Responses, With Examples.”Global Affairs Canada (GAC)Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR

Capture it on video: Implementing a novel knowledge translation strategy as part of the Safe Motherhood Project, Jimma Zone, Ethiopia

This short report addresses videography as a novel knowledge translation tool in maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) research, detailing the experiences of the Safe Motherhood Research Project in Ethiopia. The Safe Motherhood Research Project (2015-2020) studied the implementation and scale up of MNCH interventions in rural communities of Jimma Zone, Ethiopia. In 2018, a videography component was integrated into the project, including three major activities: producing a video documentary; delivering capacity building workshops for university students and staff; and donating video equipment to the Jimma University Institute of Health. These activities have increased the exposure of the research project to a broader audience and enabled university students and staff to undertake new videography projects. Challenges, lessons learned, and future opportunities are detailed in the hopes that other research teams can adopt videography to increase the exposure and impact of their research.   Ce court rapport aborde la vidéographie comme un nouvel outil d'application des connaissances dans la recherche sur la santé des mères et des enfants (SME), détaillant les expériences du Safe Motherhood Research Project en Éthiopie. Le projet de recherche (2015-2020) a étudié la mise en oeuvre et l'intensification des interventions de SME dans les communautés rurales de la zone de Jimma, en Éthiopie. En 2018, un élément vidéographie a été intégré au projet, comprenant trois activités majeures : la production d'un documentaire vidéo; organiser des ateliers de renforcement des capacités pour les étudiants et le personnel universitaires ; et en faisant don d'équipement vidéo à institut de la santé à l'Université Jimma. Ces activités ont accru l'exposition du projet de recherche à un public plus large et ont permis aux étudiants et au personnel universitaire d'entreprendre de nouveaux projets de vidéographie. Les défis, les leçons apprises et les opportunités futures sont détaillés dans l'espoir que d'autres équipes de recherche puissent utiliser la vidéographie pour augmenter la visibilité et l'impact de leur recherch

Monitoring Frameworks for Universal Health Coverage: What About High-Income Countries?

Implementing universal health coverage (UHC) is widely perceived to be central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and is a work program priority of the World Health Organization (WHO). Much has already been written about how low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) can monitor progress towards UHC, with various UHC monitoring frameworks available in the literature. However, we suggest that these frameworks are largely irrelevant in high-income contexts and that the international community still needs to develop UHC monitoring framework meaningful for high-income countries (HICs). As a first step, this short communication presents preliminary findings from a literature review and document analysis on how various countries monitor their own progress towards achieving UHC. It furthermore offers considerations to guide meaningful UHC monitoring and reflects on pertinent challenges and tensions to inform future research on UHC implementation in HIC settings

Promoting and delivering antenatal care in rural Jimma zone, Ethiopia : a qualitative analysis of midwives’ perceptions

The study shows that enhancing the collaborative interactions between midwives and Health Extension Workers (HEW) is important to increase the reach and impact of Antenatal care (ANC) services and improve maternal, newborn and child health outcomes more broadly. Steps to recognize and support this working relationship require multipronged approaches to address imminent training, resource and infrastructure deficits, as well as broader health system strengthening.Global Affairs Canada (GAC)Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR

Characterizing 'health equity' as a national health sector priority for maternal, newborn, and child health in Ethiopia

The study findings point to global pressures in terms of maximizing health investments, and questions how social, political, and economic determinants of health are addressed through broader development agendas. The article characterizes how health (in)equity is represented as a policy issue. Implications for the framing, incentivization, and implementation of health policies follow representations (and misrepresentations). Health inequity is regarded as actionable (can be altered) but not fully resolvable (can never be fully achieved). Operationally, health equity is viewed as a technocratic matter, reflected in the widespread use of metrics to motivate and measure progress.Global Affairs Canada (GAC)Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR

State of inequality in diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis immunisation coverage in low-income and middle-income countries: a multicountry study of household health surveys

Background Immunisation programmes have made substantial contributions to lowering the burden of disease in children, but there is a growing need to ensure that programmes are equity-oriented. We aimed to provide a detailed update about the state of between-country inequality and within-country economic-related inequality in the delivery of three doses of the combined diphtheria, tetanus toxoid, and pertussis-containing vaccine (DTP3), with a special focus on inequalities in high-priority countries. Methods We used data from the latest available Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys done in 51 low-income and middle-income countries. Data for DTP3 coverage were disaggregated by wealth quintile, and inequality was calculated as diff erence and ratio measures based on coverage in richest (quintile 5) and poorest (quintile 1) household wealth quintiles. Excess change was calculated for 21 countries with data available at two timepoints spanning a 10 year period. Further analyses were done for six high-priority countries—ie, those with low national immunisation coverage and/or high absolute numbers of unvaccinated children. Signifi cance was determined using 95% CIs. Findings National DTP3 immunisation coverage across the 51 study countries ranged from 32% in Central African Republic to 98% in Jordan. Within countries, the gap in DTP3 immunisation coverage suggested pro-rich inequality, with a diff erence of 20 percentage points or more between quintiles 1 and 5 for 20 of 51 countries. In Nigeria, Pakistan, Laos, Cameroon, and Central African Republic, the diff erence between quintiles 1 and 5 exceeded 40 percentage points. In 15 of 21 study countries, an increase over time in national coverage of DTP3 immunisation was realised alongside faster improvements in the poorest quintile than the richest. For example, in Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Gabon, Mali, and Nepal, the absolute increase in coverage was at least 2·0 percentage points per year, with faster improvement in the poorest quintile. Substantial economic-related inequality in DTP3 immunisation coverage was reported in fi ve high-priority study countries (DR Congo, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Pakistan), but not Uganda. Interpretation Overall, within-country inequalities in DTP3 immunisation persist, but seem to have narrowed over the past 10 years. Monitoring economic-related inequalities in immunisation coverage is warranted to reveal where gaps exist and inform appropriate approaches to reach disadvantaged populations

How do community health actors explain their roles? : exploring the roles of community health actors in promoting maternal health services in rural Ethiopia

Participants in this study described different roles and responsibilities of individuals and groups in promoting maternal/child health, as well as the perceived roles of family members/husband. The Health Extension Program (HEP) in Ethiopia depends primarily on Health Extension Workers (HEWs), a female cadre of salaried community health workers (CHWs). The study explored the role played by different actors in promoting antenatal care, childbirth and early postnatal services; it was designed to inform a community- based Information, Education & Communication (IEC) intervention in rural Ethiopia.Global Affairs Canada (GAC)Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR