Condition evaluation of asbestos cement water mains

This paper focuses on the condition evaluation of asbestos cement (AC) pipe samples from three utilities located in different geographic regions and climatic zones in the USA and Canada. Various means of examination or testing were used to evaluate the condition of the samples. These included visual inspection, hardness testing, phenolphthalein testing, crush testing, and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). Climate and soil information was also collected for the areas where the three utilities are located to assess the external environments facing the AC pipes. The condition evaluation results were correlated with the external soil characteristics and internal water quality data, collected through a survey, to identify factors contributing to the deterioration of the AC pipes belonging to these utilities. The paper also discusses the variation in the deterioration of the AC water mains from the three utilities.Peer reviewed: NoNRC publication: Ye

Table_2_Impact of market-based home fortification with micronutrient powder on childhood anemia in Bangladesh: a modified stepped wedge design.DOCX

BackgroundAnemia poses a significant public health problem, affecting 1.6 billion people and contributing to the loss of 68.4 million disability-adjusted life years. We assessed the impact of a market-based home fortification program with micronutrient powder (MNP) called Pushtikona-5 implemented by Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) on the prevalence of anemia among children aged 6–59 months in Bangladesh.MethodsWe used a modified stepped wedged design and conducted three baseline, two midline, and three endline surveys to evaluate the Pushtikona-5 program implemented through three BRAC program platforms. We interviewed children’s caregivers, and collected finger-prick blood samples from children to measure hemoglobin concentration. We also collected data on coverage of Pushtikona-5 and infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices. We performed bivariate and multivariable analysis and calculated adjusted risk ratios (ARRs) to assess the effect of program outcomes.ResultsA total of 16,936 households were surveyed. The prevalence of anemia was 46.6% at baseline, dropping to 32.1% at midline and 31.2% at endline. These represented adjusted relative reductions of 34% at midline (RR 0.66, 95%CI 0.62 to 0.71, value of p ConclusionThese results show evidence of a reduction in the prevalence of anemia and an improvement in coverage. This study provides important evidence of the feasibility and potential for impact of linking market-based MNP distribution with IYCF promotion through community level health workers.</p

Table_1_Impact of market-based home fortification with micronutrient powder on childhood anemia in Bangladesh: a modified stepped wedge design.DOCX

BackgroundAnemia poses a significant public health problem, affecting 1.6 billion people and contributing to the loss of 68.4 million disability-adjusted life years. We assessed the impact of a market-based home fortification program with micronutrient powder (MNP) called Pushtikona-5 implemented by Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) on the prevalence of anemia among children aged 6–59 months in Bangladesh.MethodsWe used a modified stepped wedged design and conducted three baseline, two midline, and three endline surveys to evaluate the Pushtikona-5 program implemented through three BRAC program platforms. We interviewed children’s caregivers, and collected finger-prick blood samples from children to measure hemoglobin concentration. We also collected data on coverage of Pushtikona-5 and infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices. We performed bivariate and multivariable analysis and calculated adjusted risk ratios (ARRs) to assess the effect of program outcomes.ResultsA total of 16,936 households were surveyed. The prevalence of anemia was 46.6% at baseline, dropping to 32.1% at midline and 31.2% at endline. These represented adjusted relative reductions of 34% at midline (RR 0.66, 95%CI 0.62 to 0.71, value of p ConclusionThese results show evidence of a reduction in the prevalence of anemia and an improvement in coverage. This study provides important evidence of the feasibility and potential for impact of linking market-based MNP distribution with IYCF promotion through community level health workers.</p