Resilience and well-being among children of migrant parents in South-East Asia

There has been little systematic empirical research on the well-being of children in transnational households in South-East Asia—a major sending region for contract migrants. This study uses survey data collected in 2008 from children aged 9, 10 and 11 and their caregivers in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam (N=1,498). Results indicate that while children of migrant parents, especially migrant mothers, are less likely to be happy compared to children in non-migrant households, greater resilience in child well-being is associated with longer durations of maternal absence. There is no evidence for a direct parental migration effect on school enjoyment and performance. The analyses highlight the sensitivity of results to the dimension of child well-being measured and who makes the assessment.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Locating the place and meaning of physical activity in the lives of young people from low-income, lone-parent families

Background: In the United Kingdom (UK), it is predicted that economic cuts and a subsequent increase in child poverty will affect those already on the lowest incomes and, in particular, those living in lone-parent families. As a result, the informal pedagogic encounters within the family that contribute to the development of physical activity-related values, beliefs and dispositions from a very early age will be affected. Therefore, it is vital that we gain an understanding of the place and meaning of physical activity in the lives of young people, as well as the informal pedagogic practices and the socio-cultural forces that influence individual agency. Purpose: Based on Bourdieu's key concepts, this paper explores the interplay of structural conditions and personal agency with regard to physical activity in the lives of young people from low-income, lone-parent families. Methods: This study reports on the voices of 24 participants (aged 11–14) from low-income, lone-parent families in the West Midlands, UK. These participants were engaged in paired, semi-structured interviews to explore issues of personal agency by listening to how they reported on their present lives, past experiences and future possibilities with regard to physical activity. All corresponding interview data were analysed using analytical induction. Findings: This paper suggests that young people exhibited diminished desires to engage in activity due to structural constraints of time, parents' work commitments and a lack of transport that resulted in engagement in sedentary alternatives. Informal pedagogic practices within these families were restricted due to the associated structural conditions of living in a lone-parent family. As such, young people's choice to not seek out physical activities when at home reflected a ‘taste for necessity’ resulting from a lack of cultural and economic capital, placing restrictions on physical activity opportunities that stemmed from their family doxa. Conclusions: To succeed in fostering dispositions and opportunities to participate in physical activity, we must engage with young people from low-income, lone-parent families from an early age. Certainly though, further consideration of the informal pedagogic practices within, and the demands on, lone-parent families is required when designing any intervention or policy that seeks to enhance their current circumstances and provide opportunities for engagement in a variety of contexts

Ambient Air Quality of Nashik City 2017 (Maharashtra, India)

Ambient air quality of Nasik city was monitored during the year 2017. Criteria pollutants selected for the monitoring was, sulphur dioxide (SO2) & nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and PM10 (Particulate Matter having aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 µm) for the period of January 2017 to December 2017. Sampling was done for successive periods of about 4 hours for sulphur dioxides (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and 8 hours for Respirable suspended particulate matter (PM10) for 24 hours. For Air Quality Monitoring, four representative sites were selected i.e. Industrial-S1-I-VIP, Commercial- S2-R-RTO and Residential-S3-C-NMC and Industrial-S4-I-UB. High volume air sampler were used to measure the concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxides (SO2) and Respirable suspended particulate matter (PM10). The results reported pertain to an eight hour successive continuous air sampling exercise carried out at each of the four selected locations in Nasik city. The value of PM10 (Particles ≥ 10µ, PM 10µg/m3)  was  noted  to  be  crossing  the  permissible   limit   and  exceeded  the  National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) at all locations. The concentration of SO2 and NO2 was within the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS, National Ambient Air Quality Standers, November 18, 2009) at all the locations. Keywords: PM10, Ambient Air Quality (AQI), National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS), Pollutant, Urban air sampling, Transport emissions

Evolving water point mapping to strategic decision making in rural Malawi

There is a need to evolve from the simple mapping of water points, now often numerous, to effective decision making using these data. This paper outlines new developments of mWater as the preferred online Management Information System (MIS) tool to analyse significant volumes of water and sanitation data in Malawi. mWater exemplifies an evolving strategic decision-making tool used to formulate rural water supply investment strategies. A time series of 25,000 water points have been mapped since 2011 to build a complete asset register of water infrastructure to support government endeavours to reach Sustainable Development Goal 6. This comprehensive live database allows real-time analysis of over sixty variables, including linkage to concurrent mWater sanitation and waste data. This paper briefly illustrates several emergent uses of the facility to exemplify its potential in strategic decision making using Big Data. It is currently being rolled out across the entire country

Improving resilience management for critical infrastructures\u2014strategies and practices across air traffic management and healthcare

Recent natural and man-made disasters highlight that a more resilient approach to preparing for and dealing with such events is needed. To address this challenge, the main objective of the research and innovation H2020 project DARWIN is the development of European resilience management guidelines for Critical Infrastructures (CI). Based on a systematic literature survey with a world-wide scope and prioritization of resilience concepts, the guidelines have been developed taking into account everyday operations, contingency plans, training, etc. This paper describes insights gained from the adaptation of these guidelines in the domains of Air Traffic Management (ATM) and Healthcare (HC). A collaborative and iterative process has been defined involving relevant experts and practitioners. To ensure transnational, cross-sector applicability and uptake, a Community of Crisis and Resilience Practitioners (DARWIN DCoP) has been involved. The preliminary results indicate that a big step has been taken in moving from the resilience theory to practice. organization in the creation, assessment or improvement of its own reference guidelines, procedures and practices

Mood and anxiety disorders in very preterm/very low-birth weight individuals from 6 to 26 years

Background Very preterm (<32 weeks’ gestational age; VP) or very low–birth weight (<1,500 g; VLBW) birth has been associated with increased risk for anxiety and mood disorders and less partnering in adulthood. The aim was to test whether (a) VP/VLBW are at increased risk of any anxiety or mood disorders from 6 to 26 years compared with term-born individuals; (b) social support from romantic partners is associated with protection from anxiety and mood disorders; and (c) VP/VLBW adults’ lower social support mediates their risk for any anxiety and mood disorders. Methods Data are from a prospective geographically defined longitudinal whole-population study in South Bavaria (Germany). Two hundred VP/VLBW and 197 term individuals were studied from birth to adulthood. Anxiety and mood disorders were assessed at 6, 8, and 26 years with standardized diagnostic interviews and social support via self-report at age 26. Results At age 6, VP/VLBW children were not at increased risk of any anxiety or mood disorder. At age 8, VP/VLBW more often had any anxiety disorder than term comparisons (11.8% vs. 6.6%, OR = 2.10, 95% CI [1.08–4.10]). VP/VLBW adults had an increased risk for any mood (27.5% vs. 18.8%, OR = 1.65 [1.02–2.67]) but not for any anxiety disorder (33.0% vs. 28.4%, OR = 1.27 [0.82–1.96]). None of the significant differences survived correction for multiple testing. Social support was associated with a lower risk of anxiety or mood disorders in both groups (OR = 0.81 [0.68–0.96]) and mediated the association of VP/VLBW birth with any anxiety or any mood disorders at age 26. Conclusions This study does not show a persistently increased risk for any anxiety or mood disorder after VP/VLBW birth. Low social support from a romantic partner mediates the risk for anxiety or mood disorders after VP/VLBW birth

Making the case for improved planning, construction and testing of water supply infrastructure in Malawi

Detailed surveys of poorly functioning rural water supply points (boreholes fitted with handpumps) in the Southern Region of Malawi show that poor functionality is most commonly caused by a) poor water resource (quantity and quality) and b) sub-standard borehole construction. Only 24% of surveyed water points showed problems caused by poor handpump operation, maintenance and management. The majority of problems observed are caused by sub-standard construction of water points prior to commissioning for use, and are typically permanent and irremediable. These issues are contributing to excessive service delivery costs through a) extended down times, b) disproportionate maintenance requirements and c) abandoned infrastructure; the resulting burden precipitates the failure of community based management approaches. This burden could be dramatically reduced by ensuring water points are proven to comply with Malawian Government standards, prior to commissioning for use. Water points not meeting these standards must not be commissioned for use

Utilisation of sexual health services by female sex workers in Nepal

Background The Nepal Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) in 2006 showed that more than half (56%) of the women with sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, in Nepal sought sexual health services. There is no such data for female sex workers (FSWs) and the limited studies on this group suggest they do not even use routine health services. This study explores FSWs use of sexual health services and the factors associated with their use and non-use of services. Methods This study aimed to explore the factors associated with utilisation of sexual health services by FSWs in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal, and it used a mixed-method approach consisting of an interviewer administered questionnaire-based survey and in-depth interviews. Results The questionnaire survey, completed with 425 FSWs, showed that 90% FSWs self-reported sickness, and (30.8%) reported symptoms of STIs. A quarter (25%) of those reporting STIs had never visited any health facilities especially for sexual health services preferring to use non-governmental clinics (72%), private clinics (50%), hospital (27%) and health centres (13%). Multiple regression analysis showed that separated, married and street- based FSWs were more likely to seek health services from the clinics or hospitals. In- depth interviews with 15 FSWs revealed that FSWs perceived that personal, structural and socio-cultural barriers, such as inappropriate clinic opening hours, discrimination, the judgemental attitude of the service providers, lack of confidentiality, fear of public exposure, and higher fees for the services as barriers to their access and utilisation of sexual health services. Conclusion FSWs have limited access to information and to health services, and operate under personal, structural and socio-cultural constraints. The ‘education’ to change individual behaviour, health worker and community perceptions, as well as the training of the health workers, is necessary

Antibiotic use for community-acquired pneumonia in neonates and children: WHO evidence review.

Background Pneumonia is the most common cause of death in children worldwide, accounting for 15% of all deaths of children under 5 years of age. This review summarises the evidence for the empirical antibiotic treatment of community-acquired pneumonia in neonates and children and puts emphasis on publications since the release of the previous WHO Evidence Summary report published in 2014. Methods A systematic search for systematic reviews and meta-analyses of antibiotic therapy for community-acquired pneumonia was conducted between 1 January 2013 and 10 November 2016. Results The optimal dosing recommendation for amoxicillin remains unclear with limited pharmacological and clinical evidence. There is limited evidence from surveillance to indicate whether amoxicillin or broader spectrum antibiotics (e.g. third-generation cephalosporins) are being used most commonly for paediatric CAP in different WHO regions. Data are lacking on clinical efficacy in the context of pneumococcal, staphylococcal and mycoplasma disease and the relative contributions of varying first-line and step-down options to the selection of such resistance. Conclusion Further pragmatic trials are required to optimise management of hospitalised children with severe and very severe pneumonia