The scale, scope and impact of alternative care for OVC in developing countries

This item is archived in the repository for materials published for the USAID supported Orphans and Vulnerable Children Comprehensive Action Research Project (OVC-CARE) at the Boston University Center for Global Health and Development.Over 145 million children worldwide have lost one or both parents due to various causes, 15 million of these are due to AIDS; and many more have been made vulnerable due to other causes. The global community has responded by putting in place various care arrangements for these children. However, the scale, scope and impact of these alternative care approaches have not been well summarized. The aim of this literature review is to synthesize and analyze available data on alternative care placements and their impact on the lives of orphans and other vulnerable children (OVC). Both the short-term and long term wellbeing of a child depends a lot on where they live and the care they receive in those settings.The USAID | Project SEARCH, Orphans and Vulnerable Children Comprehensive Action Research (OVC-CARE) Task Order, is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development under Contract No. GHH-I-00-07-00023-00, beginning August 1, 2008. OVC-CARE Task Order is implemented by Boston University. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funding agency

Children of female sex workers and injection drug users: a review of vulnerability,resilience, and family-centered models of care in low and middle-income countries

This item is archived in the repository for materials published for the USAID supported Orphans and Vulnerable Children Comprehensive Action Research Project (OVC-CARE) at the Boston University Center for Global Health and Development.Female sex workers (FSWs) and injection drug users (IDUs) are often categorized as two of the four populations “most-at-risk” for becoming infected with HIV due to behaviors that heighten their vulnerability to the virus. According to UNAIDS, the term “most-at-risk populations” refers to men who have sex with men, injection drug users, sex workers and their clients. Injecting drugs with non-sterile needles and unsafe sex between male couples and sex workers and clients are believed to drive the HIV epidemics in Western countries, former Soviet republics, and Asia. Interventions for most-at-risk populations tend to focus on the needs of adults with the objective of reducing their risk for HIV through prevention and behavior-change education and risk-reduction strategies. But, to date, little attention has been paid in the published literature to the vulnerabilities faced by their children or to interventions focused on keeping these potentially vulnerable families together, improving the wellbeing of both parents and children, and reducing the risk of both generations for becoming infected with or transmitting HIV.The USAID | Project SEARCH, Orphans and Vulnerable Children Comprehensive Action Research (OVC-CARE) Task Order, is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development under Contract No. GHH-I-00-07-00023-00, beginning August 1, 2008. OVC-CARE Task Order is implemented by Boston University. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funding agency

Honeywell Experion System: Configuration, simulation and process control software interoperability

The use of automated distributed control systems has become a widely discussed topic as industry attempts to maximise efficiency. An increase in automation technology has resulted in demand for “industry ready” graduate engineers with knowledge and experience with such technologies. Murdoch University (Murdoch) provides students with exposure to industry standard automation systems such as Honeywell’s Experion Process Knowledge System (PKS), a Distributed Control System (DCS) designed for the control and optimisation of industrial plants. Presently, Murdoch uses Experion to monitor and control its pilot plant, exposing instrumentation and control students to the configuration and control of an industrial plant. Additionally, Murdoch holds a second Experion simulation license providing the ability to program and simulate process and control strategies. This project scope was to explore several key areas of the Experion simulation system followed by the development of a series of learning materials to facilitate the teaching of the Experion system to students for a new unit to be introduced at Murdoch University in 2017. The methodology adopted to achieve the project outcome involved developing a comprehensive understanding of Experion and its associated applications, before building a series of example simulation programs for the purpose of implementing and testing a variety of Experion’s control strategies. Additionally, real-time control of the Experion simulation programs, using third party process control software, was achieved. The successful interoperability of MATLAB, Simulink, and LabVIEW with Experion provides an avenue for implementing advanced control strategies both in simulation and on Murdoch’s pilot plant. At the conclusion of the project, an extensive list of learning materials was produced, providing comprehensive procedures to enact tasks within the Experion system. This includes initial setup and configuration, development of simulated programs and associated Human Machine Interface (HMI) displays, the implementation of control strategies, and third party process control software interoperability. These learning materials provide students with an enhanced learning experience, giving them the skills and exposure required to thrive in the automation engineering industry as a Murdoch University graduate

Tailoring supported olefin polymerisation catalysts using non-equilibrium plasmas

Supported olefin polymerisation catalysts are used to produce more than 20 million tonnes of polyethylene a year. In this thesis, the application of non- equilibrium plasmas to Phillips, Ziegler-Natta, and metallocene catalysts is described. A Cr(acetate)/silica Phillips catalyst precursor was activated using either thermal, plasma, or combined activations. Oxygen plasma activation was found to completely oxidise the acetate ligands, but left a low chromium dispersion and high hydroxyl population on the support. This large hydroxyl population caused the resulting catalyst to display a low activity. Plasma dehydroxylation of the silica support was then studied with the aim of increasing the activity of the plasma activated catalyst. Non-isothermal CF4 plasma treatment of mesoporous silica decreased the total hydroxyl population to a level comparable to a 773 K thermal treatment. These optimum conditions were then applied to the catalyst precursor, which in combination with oxygen plasma activation, produced an active polymerisation catalyst. Also, it has been found that combined thermal and plasma activations produce catalysts of lower activity than when solely calcined, but the resulting polymers have a narrower molecular weight distribution. Next, it was shown that Zeigler-Natta catalyst supports can be prepared by ccl(_4) plasma chlorination of a dibutylmagnesium/silica precursor. This approach offers the benefits of fast reaction times and less chemical waste compared to conventional solution phase chlorination. Finally, the replacement of conventional inorganic supports by polymer analogues has been investigated. It has been shown that plasma fluorination can be used to passivate the internal pores of high surface area polystyrene beads, thereby providing an ideal inert high surface area medium for high activity metallocene catalysts. Overall, this work has demonstrated how non-equilibrium plasmas can be highly effective at chemically modifying porous media

Children of female sex workers and injection drug users: a review of vulnerability, resilience, and family-centered models of care in low and middle-income countries

This item is archived in the repository for materials published for the USAID supported Orphans and Vulnerable Children Comprehensive Action Research Project (OVC-CARE) at the Boston University Center for Global Health and Development.Background: Injection drug users and female sex workers are often categorized as two of the populations most at risk for becoming infected with HIV in countries with concentrated epidemics. Many of the adults who fall into these categories in low and middle income contexts are also parents, but little is known about the vulnerabilities faced by their children, their sources of resilience, or programs providing services to these often fragile families. Methods: We reviewed the peer-reviewed and gray literature to synthesize current knowledge on the situation of these children and families, and interventions currently in place in low and middle income countries. Organizational websites and references of all relevant sources were manually searched, and key informants from service organizations were contacted by phone and email. Results: A large amount of literature assessing the vulnerability and resilience of children of drug users and alcoholics in developed countries was found. Their children can face unique risks, stigma, and discrimination, but child vulnerability and resilience are associated in the substance abuse literature with the physical and mental health of parents and family context. Research on the situation of the children of sex workers is extremely limited. Interventions have been implemented in low and middle-income contexts but they tend to be small, piecemeal, struggling to meet demand; and undocumented, and most have not been evaluated. We present preliminary descriptive data from an organization working with pregnant and new mothers who are drug users in Ukraine and an organization providing services to sex workers and their families in Zambia. Discussion: Because parents’ drug use, sex work, or same sex relationships are often illegal and hidden, identifying their children can be difficult and may increase their vulnerability and marginalization. Therefore, researchers and service providers must proceed with caution when attempting to reach this population. Promising components of family-centered care include: strengthening family caring capacity through home visitation and peer support, providing early childhood development programs and crèches or drop-in centers for children; economic strengthening and job skills training for parents. Integration of legal assistance with health and other social services is also gaining increased international attention.The USAID | Project SEARCH, Orphans and Vulnerable Children Comprehensive Action Research (OVC-CARE) Task Order, is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development under Contract No. GHH-I-00-07-00023-00, beginning August 1, 2008. OVC-CARE Task Order is implemented by Boston University. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funding agency

Nigeria research situation analysis on orphans and other vulnerable children

This item is archived in the repository for materials published for the USAID supported Orphans and Vulnerable Children Comprehensive Action Research Project (OVC-CARE) at the Boston University Center for Global Health and Development.Addressing the needs of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and mitigating negative outcomes of the growing OVC population worldwide is a high priority for national governments and international stakeholders across the globe who recognize this as an issue with social, economic, and human rights dimensions. Assembling the relevant available data on OVC in one place, and acknowledging the gaps that still exist in our knowledge, will assist policy makers and program implementers to make evidence-based decisions about how best to direct funding and program activities and maximize positive outcomes for children and their caretakers.This Research Situation Analysis on OVC presents a program-focused summary of available information on: • Current policies, programs and interventions designed and implemented to assist them • Gaps in these policies, programs and interventions • OVC research conducted between 2004-2008 • Gaps in the Nigerian OVC evidence base. The Brief analyzes the available data for critical gaps in the national response and our understanding about whether current interventions are fulfilling the needs and improving the lives of vulnerable children. The report then recommends actions required to increase the knowledge base for improving the effectiveness and impact of OVC programs.The USAID | Project SEARCH, Orphans and Vulnerable Children Comprehensive Action Research (OVC-CARE) Task Order, is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development under Contract No. GHH-I-00-07-00023-00, beginning August 1, 2008. OVC-CARE Task Order is implemented by Boston University. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funding agency

The scale, scope and impact of alternative care for OVC in developing countries

This item is archived in the repository for materials published for the USAID supported Orphans and Vulnerable Children Comprehensive Action Research Project (OVC-CARE) at the Boston University Center for Global Health and Development.Over 145 million children worldwide have lost one or both parents due to various causes, 15 million of these are due to AIDS (1,2); and many more have been made vulnerable due to other causes. The global community has responded by putting in place various care arrangements for these children. However, the scale, scope and impact of these alternative care approaches have not been well summarized. The aim of this literature review is to synthesize and analyze available data on alternative care approaches and the impact of these placements on the lives of orphans and other vulnerable children. Both the short-term and long term wellbeing of a child depends a lot on where they live and the care they receive in those settings.The USAID | Project SEARCH, Orphans and Vulnerable Children Comprehensive Action Research (OVC-CARE) Task Order, is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development under Contract No. GHH-I-00-07-00023-00, beginning August 1, 2008. OVC-CARE Task Order is implemented by Boston University. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funding agency

Health and the Economy : a statement of concern

The relationship between health and the economy is an intimate and complex one. The economy of health and the apportioning of funds to different medical services and health care programs are issues that depend on the health profile of a given community as well as the expectations of its members. Decisions ultimately depend on available resources and political priorities. Health and the economy cannot be isolated and contrasted, as the integrity of a given economic system clearly depends on the state of health of the community both at an individual level as well as at a population level.peer-reviewe

Kenya research situation analysis on orphans and other vulnerable children

This item is archived in the repository for materials published for the USAID supported Orphans and Vulnerable Children Comprehensive Action Research Project (OVC-CARE) at the Boston University Center for Global Health and Development.Addressing the needs of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and mitigating negative outcomes of the growing OVC population worldwide is a high priority for national governments and international stakeholders that recognize this as an issue with social, economic, and human rights dimensions. Assembling the relevant available data on OVC in one place, and acknowledging the gaps that still exist in our knowledge, will assist policy makers and program implementers to make evidence-based decisions about how best to direct funding and program activities and maximize positive outcomes for children and their caretakers. This Research Situation Analysis, Kenya Country Brief, presents a program-focused summary of available information on: • The number of orphans and vulnerable children in Kenya. • Current policies, programs and interventions designed and implemented to assist them. • Gaps in these policies, programs and interventions. • OVC research conducted between 2004 and 2008. • Gaps in the Kenyan OVC evidence base.The Brief analyzes the available data for critical gaps in the national response and our understanding about whether current interventions are fulfilling the needs and improving the lives of vulnerable children. The report then recommends actions required to increase the knowledge base for improving the effectiveness and impact of OVC programs.The USAID | Project SEARCH, Orphans and Vulnerable Children Comprehensive Action Research (OVC-CARE) Task Order, is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development under Contract No. GHH-I-00-07-00023-00, beginning August 1, 2008. OVC-CARE Task Order is implemented by Boston University. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funding agency

Zambia research situation analysis on orphans and other vulnerable children

This item is archived in the repository for materials published for the USAID supported Orphans and Vulnerable Children Comprehensive Action Research Project (OVC-CARE) at the Boston University Center for Global Health and Development.Addressing the needs of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and mitigating negative outcomes of the growing OVC population worldwide is a high priority for national governments and international stakeholders across the globe who recognize this as an issue with social, economic, and human rights dimensions. Assembling the relevant available data on OVC in one place, and acknowledging the gaps that still exist in our knowledge, will assist policy makers and program implementers to make evidence-based decisions about how best to direct funding and program activities and maximize positive outcomes for children and their caretakers. This Research Situation Analysis, Zambia Country Brief presents a program-focused summary of available information on: • The number of orphans and vulnerable children in Zambia • Current policies, programs and interventions designed and implemented to assist them • Gaps in these policies, programs and interventions • OVC research conducted between 2004-2008 • Gaps in the Zambian OVC evidence base. The Brief analyzes the available data for critical gaps in the national response and our understanding about whether current interventions are fulfilling the needs and improving the lives of vulnerable children. The report then recommends actions required to increase the knowledge base for improving the effectiveness and impact of OVC programs