Exploration of better policies and programmes to improve socioeconomic status of hiv-affected individuals in nepal: a qualitative study.

The first case of HIV/AIDS in Nepal was reported in 1988. Since then, the HIV epidemic has moved from a ‘low prevalence’ to a ‘concentrated epidemic’ among injecting drug users, sex workers, and male labour migrants who travel between Nepal and India. Objectives of this study were to explore major problems faced by people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV); policy gaps, and recommendations of better policies and programmes to improve the current situation of PLHIV in Nepal. 18 in-depth interviews were conducted in Kathmandu in August 2016. A thematic analysis approach was applied to the information provided. Results of the study revealed that assistance provided to PLHIV by governmental, non-governmental and international organizations was limited. One-third of the participants reported that PLHIV could not continue their job, were not offered employment (33.3%), and they were removed from job by employers after finding out their HIV status (27.8%). One-third reported different types of stigma and discrimination towards PLHIV, including self-stigma. Over a fifth reported that children affected by HIV/ AIDS were discriminated in schools by teachers, fellow students, and school administrators. The study concludes that PLHIV are still facing a number of social and economic problems in Nepal. Although free treatment services are said to be available, they are not completely free. Stigma and discrimination are still highly prevalent in villages compared to cities, and among female compared to male PLHIV. Therefore, specific policies and programmes are recommended to relevant stakeholders to improve the socioeconomic status of PLHIV in Nepal

The process of establishing implementing and maintaining a social support infant feeding programme

Objective To describe the process of establishing and implementing a social support infant feeding intervention. Design This paper outlines the initial stages of a randomised controlled trial which assessed the effectiveness of a social support intervention on a range of infant feeding outcomes. Details are presented of the processes involved in recruiting, training and supporting a group of volunteers who provided support to the study sample. Setting Camden and Islington, London, UK. Results Initial networking with local agencies and organisations provided invaluable information and contacts. Employing a dedicated volunteer co-ordinator is vitally important in the recruitment, training and support of volunteers. Providing child care and travel expenses is an essential incentive for volunteers with young children. Advertisements placed in local newspapers were the most successful means of recruiting volunteers. Appropriate training is needed to equip volunteers with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide effective support. Particular emphasis in the training focused upon developing the necessary interpersonal skills and self-confidence. The evaluation of the training programme demonstrated that it improved volunteers’ knowledge and reported confidence. The provision of ongoing support is also essential to maintain volunteers’ interest and enthusiasm. The retention of volunteers is, however, a key challenge. Conclusions The processes outlined in this paper have demonstrated the feasibility of successfully establishing, implementing and maintaining a community-based social support infant feeding programme. The experiences described provide useful insights into the practical issues that need to be addressed in setting up a social support intervention

Systematic review of the role of social inclusion within sustainable urban developments

Rapid urbanisation presents multiple opportunities, but also poses challenges for equitable distribution of gains from socio-economic developments. This systematic review explored the role of social inclusion within the urban sustainability agenda. Sustainable urban developments were conceptualised as comprising environmental, spatial, social and economic perspectives; and social inclusion as entailing access to core services (healthcare) and resources (food). A search of five databases and grey literature returned 1,015 articles; 26 papers were included following screening using pre-determined criteria. Data was analysed thematically. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations were followed. Most included studies were from North America and few were from Africa and Asia. More empirical than conceptual studies were found, and more focused on food than healthcare. Social inclusion was generally included within the urban sustainability but was often an autonomous component, rather than mainstreamed, within urban sustainability. Social inclusion was mostly related to multiple elements of sustainability, with the greatest focus on combinations of environmental, social and economic opportunities for under privileged groups. However, less consideration was given to gender, ethnicity and other aspects of intersectionality. Multiple theories contributed to transferability of lessons. Key policy implications include prioritising the most vulnerable socially excluded populations, ensuring equal representation in urban planning, designing people-centred systems, building partnerships with communities, considering socio-cultural-political-economic contexts, and recognising both intended and unintended effects. More research is needed in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) on the role of social inclusion in achieving sustainable development, using cross-disciplinary approaches

Isolation of Leishmania promastigote flagella

Eukaryotic flagella are conserved multifunctional organelles with roles in motility, intercellular interactions and signal transduction. Leishmania possess a single flagellum at all stages of their life cycle. Flagella of promastigote forms in the fly are long and motile, with a canonical 9+2 microtubule axoneme and an extra-axonemal paraflagellar rod (PFR). This protocol describes a simple method for the isolation of Leishmania mexicana promastigote flagella, optimised to yield intact flagella that retain both the cytoskeletal elements (9+2 axoneme and PFR) and the surrounding membrane. The isolated flagella and deflagellated cell bodies are suitable for analysis by electron microscopy, protein mass spectrometry and lipidomics