Using Action Research to Address Poor Waste Management at Kijjabwemi C/U Primary School in Kijjabwemi Suburb, Masaka City.

Background: This action research (AR) project was carried out at Kijjabwemi C/U Primary school at Kijjabwemi suburb of Kimaanya-Kabonera division of the newly formed Masaka City to identify, analyze, prioritize and identify solutions to address a health problem of priority at this setting using the locally accessible and available resources. Methodology: A participatory rural appraisal approach (PRA) guided how this research achieved its objectives right from the collection of information about the health challenges faced by this school. Data was collected using Focus group discussions, interviewing, and transect walk methods. Although the majority of data is qualitative, quantitative data is as well used especially where voting on an issue took place. At prioritization, a two-phase approach conceptualized by 1) multi-level voting techniques and 2) the Hanlon method of specifying criteria, PEARL testing, and Priority scoring was adopted to priorities the most urgent, serious, and feasible problem. The five Why/What for the root cause analysis was used to analyze the problem. Results: Out of the twelve health problems enlisted as urgent and serious by over 50% of stakeholders in the first phase, Poor waste management was identified as a major and priority problem caused by the excessive distance between generation and final disposal point, lack of designated collection points as well as containers, time and irregularity of disposal, shallow waste disposal pit and lack of well develop enforceable guidelines. Conclusion and recommendation: Stakeholder-centered- learning about excellent waste management practices, utilizing transferable plastic bins of 40ml capacity, increasing the depth of the disposal pit as well as fencing it, and developing settings-oriented guidelines to increase vigilance for waste generation reduction, frequency of disposal, and burning of waste was implemented as interventions

Analytical study on Feasibility, Fidelity, Implementation cost, Demand and chronic pain outcomes associated with digital health interventions during COVID-19 in Australia regional health

Background: In Australia, up to 80% chronic pain patients miss effective treatments especially in regional areas. Digital health interventions (DHIs) - mHealth, Telehealth and syringe drivers can provide both intervention and strategic access solution to these patients in the multi-model-analgesic and biopsychosocial clinical modalities. New South Wales’ Australia digital inclusion index (ADII) score is 61.8 compared to the national average 61.9. Successful pain control depends on both these DHIs successful implementation and effectiveness - such evidence is lacking. Moreover, there is no evidence on the association between their implementation and chronic pain control outcome at a population level. Aims: This research will identify requisite necessities to the DHIs implementation process to attain chronic pain control during the pandemic and beyond.Methods: This is a two episodic three-monthly survey of randomly sampled New South Wales regional hospitals and purposively sampled clinicians, patients utilising atleast one DHI and their carers. A Modified Consolidated framework for Implementation Research will guide measurement for Feasibility, Fidelity, Implementation cost, Demand and pain outcomes. A chi-square test for independence and P-values at 95% Confidence interval will be calculated.  Results: None, It’s a proposed capstone project for a master of digital health at the University of Sydney.Conclusions: In regional populations with high ADII score, successful implementation of the three DHIs may effectively control chronic pain in a multi-model-analgesic and biopsychosocial clinical modalities