Project Rafiki: Consumer and Provider Perspectives on Food Assistance and its Impact on Quality of Life for Individuals Living with HIV/AIDS

Project Rafiki was designed to provide nonperishable food assistance to individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Tanzania, East Africa. The research study was developed to examine the extent to which the Project Rafiki food assistance program had impacted its participants over the course of one year. The aim of this research can be divided into five smaller objectives: 1) to gage the effectiveness of the food assistance program; 2) to assist in the expansion of inter-professional knowledge of resource-development regarding health and nutrition for vulnerable communities or rural areas; 3) to involve and immerse students in learning on a global level; 4) to grow and develop cross-cultural collaborations; and 5) to improve the health and well-being of individuals living with HIV/AIDS. This study focuses on discussing whether the implementation of Project Rafiki made a difference, and to what extent, to the target population. Overall it is the research team’s aim to study the benefits and challenges of Project Rafiki in order to improve, sustain, and replicate the program in global communities. The goal is to be able to share findings, with the purpose of hopefully creating more and similar sustainable food assistance programs in order to assist people living with HIV/AIDS both in America and outside of the country. The project aims to utilize the pilot data that was collected in Tanzania to build a foundation for future studies in this area

TOWARDS NATURAL RESOURCE ACCOUNTING IN TANZANIA: A STUDY ON THE CONTRIBUTION OF NATUAL FORESTS TO NATIONAL INCOME

The aim of this study was twofold: valuation of non-marketed forest resources and proposing means for generation of modified national accounts that would cover the full value of forest resource production (and consumption). Land cover for the study area was studied for three points in time from 1975 to 1997

TOWARDS NATURAL RESOURCE ACCOUNTING IN TANZANIA: A STUDY ON THE CONTRIBUTION OF NATUAL FORESTS TO NATIONAL INCOME

The aim of this study was twofold: valuation of non-marketed forest resources and proposing means for generation of modified national accounts that would cover the full value of forest resource production (and consumption). Land cover for the study area was studied for three points in time from 1975 to 1997.Public Economics, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Patient satisfaction and its potential impact on refugee integration into the healthcare system

Background: Health care constitutes an important aspect of services in the resettlement processes for newly arriving and resettling refugees. Objectives: We conducted a study to investigate levels of satisfaction related to health services delivered to refugee populations in a resettlement community and its surrounding areas. Methods: We used the experience of 92 adult refugee patients to examine social-cultural, clinical and economic characteristics affecting satisfaction with health care. A cross-sectional study using the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ) was conducted. Item analysis was conducted by considering each question on the PSQ as an item and by developing dimensions of satisfaction. Chi-square analyses were used to assess the relationships between satisfaction and patient factors. Results: Patients were satisfied with the initial health assessment (90%) and overall quality (86%). Only 59% of the patients were satisfied with phone interpreters. The general satisfaction dimension had a score of 4.05 on a scale of 5, while time spent with the doctor had the lowest score of 2.98. Having pre-arrival medical conditions was associated with poor satisfaction with both the initial health assessment (χ2=10.260; p =.036) and regular health services (χ2=4.550; p =.033). Conclusion: Although patients were generally satisfied with health services, improvements are recommended in different aspects of care to create a favorable environment of care and increase levels of satisfaction and trust with the healthcare system among refugee populations

Community Stakeholders\u27 Perceptions of the Role of Family in HIV Prevention in Iringa, Tanzania

Although HIV is identified as a family disease, the overall response to the global HIV epidemic continues to predominantly focus on individuals. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore how the role of the family in HIV prevention is perceived by community-based stakeholders. Understanding the role of the family within the context of the HIV/AIDS is essential for community/public health nurses. In total, 34 stakeholders participated in the study. Three major categories were identified namely: fostering positive intra-familial relations, utilizing external resources, and barriers to family roles. The study findings have implications for community-based HIV family interventions

Community Stakeholders\u27 Perceptions of the Role of Family in HIV Prevention in Iringa, Tanzania

Although HIV is identified as a family disease, the overall response to the global HIV epidemic continues to predominantly focus on individuals. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore how the role of the family in HIV prevention is perceived by community-based stakeholders. Understanding the role of the family within the context of the HIV/AIDS is essential for community/public health nurses. In total, 34 stakeholders participated in the study. Three major categories were identified namely: fostering positive intra-familial relations, utilizing external resources, and barriers to family roles. The study findings have implications for community-based HIV family interventions

From images to voices: A photo analysis of medical and social support needs of people living with HIV/AIDS in Tanzania

Background Tanzania is one of the countries hardest hit by HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa. Since early 1980s, different levels of community interventions have been designed to provide care and address challenges faced by people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). These efforts are of little value, however, if they lack the opinion of PLWHA on their needs. We used photographs taken and selected by PLWHA to identify perceived needs and challenges related to daily living with the disease. Methods A qualitative, cross-sectional study using the Photovoice method was conducted to assess the perceptions of PLWHA relative to service needs associated with HIV care. Results Through the content analysis method, PLWHA needs were generated based on major categories of financial resources, psychological support, cultural competency and patient empowerment and engagement in HIV care and services. Conclusion This study generated information that could be useful in promoting increased awareness of PLWHAs’ service needs to the local and global communities. Of particular importance is the policy implication geared towards promoting advocacy with meaningful inclusion of the opinion of PLWHA in designing, delivery, and monitoring of HIV/AIDS-related social and health services

From images to voices: A photo analysis of medical and social support needs of people living with HIV/AIDS in Tanzania

Background Tanzania is one of the countries hardest hit by HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa. Since early 1980s, different levels of community interventions have been designed to provide care and address challenges faced by people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). These efforts are of little value, however, if they lack the opinion of PLWHA on their needs. We used photographs taken and selected by PLWHA to identify perceived needs and challenges related to daily living with the disease. Methods A qualitative, cross-sectional study using the Photovoice method was conducted to assess the perceptions of PLWHA relative to service needs associated with HIV care. Results Through the content analysis method, PLWHA needs were generated based on major categories of financial resources, psychological support, cultural competency and patient empowerment and engagement in HIV care and services. Conclusion This study generated information that could be useful in promoting increased awareness of PLWHAs’ service needs to the local and global communities. Of particular importance is the policy implication geared towards promoting advocacy with meaningful inclusion of the opinion of PLWHA in designing, delivery, and monitoring of HIV/AIDS-related social and health services