Assistive Technology in urban low-income communities in Sierra Leone and Indonesia: Rapid Assistive Technology Assessment (rATA) survey results

The findings from the surveys presented in this report give a unique insight into disability prevalence and access to AT in five urban low-income communities in Sierra Leone and Indonesia, where a total of 4,256 individuals were surveyed using the rATA tool.4 Designed for the rapid evaluation of the need, use, supply and impact of AT, Rapid Assistive Technology Assessment (rATA) is a new survey from WHO. A version modified by the Development Planning Unit-University College London DPU/UCL) was conducted in September 2019 for the research project “AT2030 community led solutions”,5 as part of the AT2030 programme led by Global Disability Innovation Hub

Evaluating the utility of companion animal tick surveillance practices for monitoring spread and occurrence of human Lyme disease in West Virginia, 2014-2016

Domestic dogs and cats are potentially effective sentinel populations for monitoring occurrence and spread of Lyme disease. Few studies have evaluated the public health utility of sentinel programmes using geo-analytic approaches. Confirmed Lyme disease cases diagnosed by physicians and ticks submitted by veterinarians to the West Virginia State Health Department were obtained for 2014-2016. Ticks were identified to species, and only Ixodes scapularis were incorporated in the analysis. Separate ordinary least squares (OLS) and spatial lag regression models were conducted to estimate the association between average numbers of Ix. scapularis collected on pets and human Lyme disease incidence. Regression residuals were visualised using Local Moran’s I as a diagnostic tool to identify spatial dependence. Statistically significant associations were identified between average numbers of Ix. scapularis collected from dogs and human Lyme disease in the OLS (β=20.7, P\u3c0.001) and spatial lag (β=12.0, P=0.002) regression. No significant associations were identified for cats in either regression model. Statistically significant (P≤0.05) spatial dependence was identified in all regression models. Local Moran’s I maps produced for spatial lag regression residuals indicated a decrease in model over- and under-estimation, but identified a higher number of statistically significant outliers than OLS regression. Results support previous conclusions that dogs are effective sentinel populations for monitoring risk of human exposure to Lyme disease. Findings reinforce the utility of spatial analysis of surveillance data, and highlight West Virginia’s unique position within the eastern United States in regards to Lyme disease occurrence

Predictors of negative beliefs toward the sexual rights and perceived sexual healthcare needs of people with physical disabilities in South Africa

Background: Although sexuality is a ubiquitous human need, recent empirical research has shown that people without disabilities attribute fewer sexual rights and perceive sexual healthcare to benefit fewer people with disabilities, compared to non-disabled people. Within a global context, such misperceptions have tangible, deleterious consequences for people with disabilities (e.g., exclusion from sexual healthcare), creating an urgent need for effective strategies to change misperceptions. Methods: To lay the groundwork for developing such strategies, we examined predictors of the recognition of sexual rights of people with physical disabilities within the South African context, derived from three key social psychological literatures (prejudice, social dominance orientation and intergroup contact), as well as the relationship between sexual rights and beliefs about sexual healthcare. Data were obtained through a cross-sectional survey, given to non-disabled South Africans (N = 1989). Results: Findings indicated that lack of recognition of the sexual rights for physically disabled people predicted less positive beliefs about the benefits of sexual healthcare. In turn, high levels of prejudice (both cognitive and affective) toward disabled sexuality predicted less recognition of their sexual rights, while prejudice (both forms) was predicted by prior contact with disabled people and possessing a social dominance orientation (cognitive prejudice only). Evidence was also obtained for an indirect relationship of contact and social dominance orientation on sexual healthcare beliefs through prejudice, although these effects were extremely small. Conclusion: Results are discussed in terms of their implications for rehabilitation, as well as national-level strategies to tackle negative perceptions of disabled sexuality, particularly in contexts affected by HIV.Implications for rehabilitation Findings demonstrate an empirical link between prejudice toward disabled sexuality, lack of recognition of sexual rights and viewing sexual healthcare of less benefit for disabled people. Consequently, there is need for increased attention to these dimensions within the rehabilitative context. Contact with disabled people, including dedicated interventions, is unlikely to meaningfully impact beliefs about the benefits of sexual healthcare

Peer-assisted learning to support attainment in Pharmacy

Academic mentoring (AM) is embedded in two modules of the Pharmacy course, using a peer-assisted learning (PAL) design. Training and payment are given to student mentors who work with academics and the AM team to create student-centred active learning material. In 2017/18, student attendance at PAL sessions was high, with 87% of the first- and second-year Pharmacy cohorts attending a session. Thirteen mentors supported both modules for a semester each. The impact of PAL in these sessions was measured by quantitative and qualitative analyses, using institutional data on retention, progression, attainment and self-report data. These data showed that students who engaged in PAL were: from traditionally under-represented groups in higher education (HE); specifically-disadvantaged students; from a Black and Minority Ethnic background (BME). PAL-engaging students had higher progression, retention and module pass rates. A survey of fifty mentees found unanimous agreement for the proposal that PAL was valuable and it confirmed that mentors were regarded as enthusiastic, organised and prepared. The formalisation of the AM and PAL process, together with its co-production between mentors and mentees, has increased the professionalism of the scheme and should be supported in the future

Inter- and Intra-household Perceived Relative Inequality Among Disabled and Non-disabled People in Liberia

Evidence suggests that people with disabilities are the most marginalised and vulnerable group within any population. However, little is known about the extent of inequality between people with and without disabilities in contexts where the majority of persons experience extreme poverty and hardship. This includes in Liberia, where very little is understood about the lives of disabled people in general. This study uses a multidimensional wellbeing framework to understand perceived relative inequality associated with disability by assessing several facets of wellbeing across and within households containing disabled members (N = 485) or households with no disabled members (N = 538) in Liberian communities (Total individuals surveyed, N = 2020). Statistical comparisons (adjusted for age, sex, education and wealth differences and clustered at the household, village and county level) reveal that disabled Liberians are managing similarly to non-disabled Liberians in terms of income and education, but experience many perceived relative inequalities including in life satisfaction, transport access, political participation and social inclusion. Our results further suggest that disability may lead to perceived relative inequality at the household level in terms of trust held in neighbours. However, they also show that being the head of a household may protect against perceived relative inequality in certain dimensions (e.g. healthcare and transport access, political participation) irrespective of disability status. Results are discussed in terms of practical implications for development efforts in Liberia and for disabled people in other low- and middle-income settings

Incidence of and risks associated with Giardia infections in herds on dairy farms in the New York City Watershed

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The primary aims of this study were to determine the incidence of <it>Giardia </it>infections in dairy herds on farms in the New York City Watershed region and to evaluate risk factors associated with infections. Because co-infections of <it>Giardia </it>and <it>Cryptosporidium </it>spp. are common in this population, we also evaluated the effect of herd infection status on <it>Giardia </it>infections.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Farms were grouped into three cohorts based on their prior infection status with <it>Giardia </it>and/or <it>Cryptosporidium </it>spp. The sampling plan included collecting fecal samples from all calves below 30 days of age and proportional sampling of calves, young stock, and adults. A total of 10,672 fecal samples were collected and analyzed for the presence of <it>Giardia </it>cysts using zinc sulfate flotation. Herds enrolled in the study were sampled seasonally for a study period of two years. The probability of shedding cysts past a certain age and the factors that influenced the likelihood of shedding were evaluated using survival analysis. Linear regression was used to evaluate factors that were associated with the intensity of shedding.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The majority of <it>Giardia </it>infections occurred in calves within their first 180 days of age, with the most number of calves shedding <it>Giardia </it>cysts between 11 and 20 days of age. The incidence of shedding of <it>Giardia </it>cysts ranged from 0.0004 per animal day for cattle in the low risk cohort to 0.0011 per animal day for cattle in the high risk cohort. The likelihood of shedding was influenced by the prior infection status of the herd and the season of collection. Infected animals shed on average 9,658 cysts/gram and the intensity of shedding <it>Giardia </it>cysts varied significantly with the age (p < 0.0001) and the season of collection (p = 0.0151 for Spring).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p><it>Giardia </it>infections are common in dairy herds in the New York City watershed, particularly in calves less than 6 months of age. Seasonality may be an important factor in the perpetuation of infections based on changes in management practices corresponding to weather patterns of a particular season. A dairy herd's prior infection status with <it>Cryptosporidium </it>influences the likelihood of infection with <it>Giardia</it>.</p

Counting who makes the grade: Updated estimates of the share of over-age for grade learners in sub-Saharan Africa using MICS6 data

Many education systems within sub-Saharan Africa are affected by the problem of over-aged learners. Children who are above the expected age for their grade experience poorer outcomes relative to other learners and it is therefore of interest to policymakers to accurately identify them for the purposes of informing effective remedial interventions. UNICEF's sixth round of Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey's [MICS6] are among the relatively few robust nationally representative data sources that can be used to calculate the share of over-age for grade learners within education systems. This paper identifies variability in the estimation method used to identify the same target over-age population (i.e. learners who are older than the official age for the grade they are currently attending) across MICS6 country reports in 14 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Nine countries utilise a different method which captures only part of the desired target population. This approach fails to identify at least 50% of learners who are over-age for grade by two years in their primary education system and up to 57% of over-age for grade learners in lower secondary. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for supporting policymakers to plan and implement effective school-based education and health interventions, using Comprehensive Sexuality Education as an example

Exploring Partnerships between Academia and Disabled Persons’ Organisations: Lessons Learned from Collaborative Research in Africa

In this article, we discuss how our academic research on disability and international development in five African countries has benefited hugely from active collaboration with advocates, practitioners, and policymakers, ultimately ensuring that research evidence is used to inform policy and practice. Whilst building such partnerships is seen as good practice, it is particularly important when working on disability issues, as the clarion call of the disability movement, ‘nothing about us without us’, attests. This is not just a slogan. Without the active and critical engagement of disabled people – as researchers, participants, advocates – the evidence gathered would not have the same impact. This article discusses experiences from research in Liberia, Kenya, Uganda, Sierra Leone, and Zambia. It highlights the challenges and opportunities such partnerships can bring in achieving the goals of leaving no one behind and doing nothing without the active engagement and inclusion of persons with disabilities.Department for International Development (DFID)Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC

Dating persons with physical disabilities: The perceptions of South Africans without disabilities

There is good reason to believe that the attitudes of persons without disability towards dating a person with a physical disability might be unfavourable. However, in general, and in the Global South in particular, there is a dearth of research in this area. This study sought to take the first step in addressing this lack of enquiry, by surveying the attitudes of a general population sample in South Africa towards dating people with physical disabilities, using a vignette. Data from 1,723 survey respondents were analysed thematically. Findings reveal largely negative attitudes towards people with physical disabilities. Respondents without disability perceived numerous barriers to dating a person with a physical disability, including social stigma, anxiety, and concerns about the burden of care they believed such a relationship would place upon them. However, there was some evidence to suggest that some positive attitudes do exist, and a few respondents were open to dating a person with physical disabilities. Findings contribute to a nuancing and expanding of the ‘myth of asexuality’ among physically disabled people by showing that people with physical disabilities are actively desexualised by persons without disability. Future research is needed to explore how the inclusive attitudes, of which we did find evidence here, can be further cultivated