Refugee Camp Population Estimates Using Automated Feature Extraction

Throughout 2018, approximately 68.5 million people were forcibly displaced due to armed conflict, generalized violence, or human rights violations around the world; of those, 40 million were internally displaced persons (IDP), 25.4 million refugees, and 3.1 million asylum-seekers. Effective management of refugee and IDP camps rely on accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive population estimates. However, obtaining this information is not always easy. Thus, the purpose of this study was to develop a methodology and custom toolset that estimates populations based on dwellings derived from automated feature extraction of high-resolution, multi-spectral orthorectified imagery. Estimates were determined for five Rohingya refugee camp populations and compared with United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR) baseline data to determine accuracy

Transforming Curriculums For An Age Of Multi-Modal Education: A 5-Phase Approach

The pandemic has accelerated the trend towards online and hybrid learning with many educational institutes pivoting their education to online learning environments and has subsequently transformed societal expectations. There have been many benefits associated with these changes (e.g., multi-dimensional interactions, flexibility and deep learning). As we move into more online education due to changing needs and demands from students, how best to adapt our education for multi-modal learning environments can be a challenge. Getting our education ready for a multi-modal age is bringing about disruptive changes forcing us to rethink what we teach and how we teach it. Thus, the objective of this paper is to present a framework that will allow for the evaluation of curriculums and enable educators to create sustainable, flexible educational environments relevant for multimodal learning environments while remaining at the forefront of educational needs. In this paper, we present the 5-phase approach that we used to assess our programme and redesign our curriculum. The five phases include: Inventory, Analysis, Evaluation, Design and Implementation. We will present the highlights from our experience and the challenges we have had to overcome. The framework that we present is applicable to different computer science, spatial and data engineering programmes that require a mix of theoretical and hands-on practicals

Preparing schools for future pandemics: Insights on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene solutions from the Brazilian School Reopening Policies.

Post-COVID-19, schools urgently need to enhance infection control and prevention (IPC) measures, including water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), to prepare for future outbreaks and pandemics. Particularly in Brazil, that is of particular concern, as students are still recovering from the 20th longest school closure in the world. Hence, the current study had two goals: (i) to describe WASH solutions outlined in policies released at the federal, state, and capital city levels in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic for the safe reopening of schools and (ii) to discuss their potential to enhance school's capacity to remain operational during a new pandemic or outbreak. With a qualitative exploratory approach, we performed content analysis to discuss the direction (what, where, how and for whom?) of 66 public policies by integrating four frameworks. Solutions were discussed in the light of the principles of human rights and the human rights to water and sanitation, international guidelines for WASH and IPC in schools and the Sphere minimum standards for humanitarian aid. One hundred and fifty-nine solutions, spanning five thematic areas and five population groups, including software and hardware interventions, were compiled for potential use in Brazil and beyond. While suggested solutions have the potential to provide a cleaner and safer learning environment, it is essential to exercise caution when implementing these measures and adapt them to the specific circumstances of each school

Analysing the outbreaks of leptospirosis after floods in Kerala, India

A growing number of studies have linked the incidence of leptospirosis with the occurrence of flood events. Nevertheless, the interaction between flood and leptospirosis has not been extensively studied to understand the influence of flood attributes in inducing new cases. This study reviews leptospirosis cases in relation to multiple flood occurrences in Kerala, India. Leptospirosis data were obtained for three years: 2017 (non-flood year) and two years with flooding—2018 (heavy flooding) and 2019 (moderate flooding). We considered the severity of flood events using the discharge, duration and extent of each flooding event and compared them with the leptospirosis cases. The distribution of cases regarding flood discharge and duration was assessed through descriptive and spatiotemporal analyses, respectively. Furthermore, cluster analyses and spatial regression were completed to ascertain the relationship between flood extent and the postflood cases. This study found that postflood cases of leptospirosis can be associated with flood events in space and time. The total cases in both 2018 and 2019 increased in the post-flood phase, with the increase in 2018 being more evident. Unlike the 2019 flood, the flood of 2018 is a significant spatial indicator for postflood cases. Our study shows that flooding leads to an increase in leptospirosis cases, and there is stronger evidence for increased leptospirosis cases after a heavy flood event than after a moderate flooding event. Flood duration may be the most important factor in determining the increase in leptospirosis infections.</p

A Collaborative Process for Developing Map Symbol Standards

AbstractGeographic information is commonly disseminated and consumed via visual representations of features and their environmental context on maps. Map design inherently involves generalizing reality, and one method by which mapmakers do so is through the use of symbols to represent features. Here we focus on the challenges associated with supporting mapmakers who need to work together to reach consensus on standardizing their map symbols. Based on a needs assessment study with mapmakers at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, we designed a new, mixed-method symbol standardization process that takes place through a web-based, asynchronous platform. A study to test this new standardization process with mapmakers at DHS revealed that our process allowed participants to identify many issues related to symbol design, meaning, and categorization. The approach elicited sustained, iterative engagement and critical thinking from participants, and results from a post-study survey indicate that participants found it to be useful and usable. Results from our study and user feedback allow us to suggest multiple ways in which our approach and platform can be improved for future applications

Knowledge, protective behaviours, and perception of Lyme disease in an area of emerging risk: results from a cross-sectional survey of adults in Ottawa, Ontario

BackgroundThe number of Lyme disease risk areas in Canada is growing. In regions with emerging tick populations, it is important to emphasize peridomestic risk and the importance of protective behaviours in local public health communication. This study aims to identify characteristics associated with high levels of Lyme disease knowledge and adoption of protective behaviours among residents in the Ottawa, Ontario region.MethodsA geographically stratified web survey was conducted in November 2020 (n = 2018) to determine knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding Lyme disease among adult residents. Responses were used to calculate: (i) composite scores for knowledge and adoption of protective practices; and (ii) an exposure risk index based on reported activity in woodlands during the spring-to-fall tick exposure risk period.Results60% of respondents had a high knowledge of Lyme disease, yet only 14% indicated they often use five or more measures to protect themselves. Factors strongly associated with a high level of Lyme disease knowledge included being 55 or older (Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.04), living on a property with a yard (OR = 3.22), having a high exposure index (OR = 1.59), and knowing someone previously infected with Lyme disease (OR = 2.05). Strong associations with the adoption of a high number of protective behaviours were observed with membership in a non-Indigenous racialized group (OR = 1.70), living on a property with a yard (OR = 2.37), previous infection with Lyme disease (OR = 2.13), prior tick bite exposure (OR = 1.62), and primarily occupational activity in wooded areas (OR = 2.31).ConclusionsThis study highlights the dynamics between Lyme disease knowledge, patterns of exposure risk awareness, and vigilance of personal protection in a Canadian region with emerging Lyme disease risk. Notably, this study identified gaps between perceived local risk and protective behaviours, presenting opportunities for targeted enhanced communication efforts in areas of Lyme disease emergence

Navigating travel in Europe during the pandemic:from mobile apps, certificates and quarantine to traffic-light system

Background Ever since 2020, travelling has become complex, and increasingly so as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. To reopen Europe safely, a consensus of travel measures has been agreed between countries to enable movement between countries with as few restrictions as possible. However, communication of these travel measures and requirements for entry are not always clear and easily available. The aim of this study was to assess the availability, accessibility and harmonization of current travel information available in Europe. Methods We performed a systematic documental analysis of online publicly available information and synthesized travel entry requirements for all countries in the European Union and Schengen Area (N = 31). For each country we assessed entry requirements, actions after entry, how risk was assessed, and how accessible the information was. Results We found varying measures implemented across Europe for entry and a range of exemptions and restrictions, some of which were consistent between countries. Information was not always easy to find taking on average 10 clicks to locate. Twenty-one countries required pre-travel forms to be completed. Forty apps were in use, 11 serving as digital certification checkers. All countries required some form of COVID-19 certification for entry with some exemptions (e.g. children). Nineteen percent (n = 6) of countries used the ECDC risk assessment system; 80% (n = 25) defined their own. Forty-eight percent (n = 15) of countries used a traffic-light system with 2-5 risk classifications. Conclusion A comprehensive set of measures has been developed to enable continued safe travel in Europe. However further refinements and coordination is needed to align travel measures throughout the EU to minimize confusion and maximize adherence to requested measures. We recommend that, along with developing travel measures based on a common set of rules, a standard approach is taken to communicate what these measures are

Adverse childhood experiences increase HIV risk factors in Agbogbloshie, Ghana

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have been associated with increased risk factors for HIV transmission, but the causal pathway is uncertain. This study documents the prevalence of ACEs by gender and their association with HIV risk factors and assesses depressive symptoms as mediating this relationship. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2019 among a representative sample of men and women, aged 18–24 years, living in an informal settlement in Accra, Ghana. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, ACEs, ten HIV risk factors (five sexual behaviors, HIV/AIDS knowledge, sexual assault, three substance use behaviors), and depressive symptoms were collected. Multiple logistic regression models were estimated to assess the independent association between four or more ACEs and each of the ten HIV risk factors. Structural equation models examined depressive symptoms as a mediator in these associations. A third (34.6%) of participants reported four or more ACEs, and among those who experienced four or more ACEs 60% were men and 40% were women. Gender did not modify the effect of the association between four or more ACEs and HIV factors and therefore the multiple regression analysis was not stratified by gender. After controlling for sociodemographic covariates and depressive symptoms, having experienced four or more ACEs was associated with alcohol use (OR = 3.88; 95% CI: 1.34, 11.21), injection drug use (OR = 2.78; 95% CI: 1.15, 6.73), low knowledge of HIV (OR = 3.59; 95% CI: 1.43, 9.00), sexually transmitted infection (OR = 3.70; 95% CI: 1.15, 11.96), and sexual assault (OR = 3.58; 95% CI: 1.07, 12.05). There was some evidence that depressive symptoms could be mediating the association between reporting four or more ACEs and ever having a sexually transmitted infection. The mitigation of ACEs and depressive symptoms has the potential to decrease HIV risk factors and thus reduce the risk for HIV transmission among youth living in informal settlements