Making+ Learning in Museums and Libraries A Practitionaer's Guide and Framework

Many libraries and museums have recently invesetd resources to implement maker programs or makerspaces. This project defines “making” as building or adapting objects using real tools and real materials and engaging learners in the process of using these tools and materials. While these programs and spaces serve a variety of goals, they overwhelmingly serve as sites of ambitious learning. As the maker movement grows by leaps and bounds, the field itself knows relatively little about how to support learning within these spaces. This report introduces a framework to support learning in library and museum makerspaces. There are three elements to the framework: purpose; people; and pieces and parts. Through a description of the framework, as well as case studies on how making and makerspaces are being implemented around the country, this document aims to share ways that we can nurture and grow conditions for learning within making experiences

Controversies in the management of twin pregnancy.

Despite many advances in antenatal care, twin pregnancies still experience more adverse outcomes, in particular perinatal morbidity and mortality. They also pose a multitude of challenges and controversies, as outlined in this Review. Moreover, they are less likely to be included in clinical trials. Many issues on classification and management remain under debate. Efforts in standardizing diagnostic criteria, monitoring protocols, management and outcome reporting are likely to reduce their perinatal risks. The top 10 most important research uncertainties related to multiple pregnancies have been identified by both clinicians and patients. More robust research in the form of randomized trials and large well-conducted prospective cohort studies is needed to address these controversies. © 2020 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Inequities in maternal and child health outcomes and interventions in Ghana

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>With the date for achieving the targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) approaching fast, there is a heightened concern about equity, as inequities hamper progress towards the MDGs. Equity-focused approaches have the potential to accelerate the progress towards achieving the health-related MDGs faster than the current pace in a more cost-effective and sustainable manner. Ghana's rate of progress towards MDGs 4 and 5 related to reducing child and maternal mortality respectively is less than what is required to achieve the targets. The objective of this paper is to examine the equity dimension of child and maternal health outcomes and interventions using Ghana as a case study.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data from Ghana Demographic and Health Survey 2008 report is analyzed for inequities in selected maternal and child health outcomes and interventions using population-weighted, regression-based measures: slope index of inequality and relative index of inequality.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>No statistically significant inequities are observed in infant and under-five mortality, perinatal mortality, wasting and acute respiratory infection in children. However, stunting, underweight in under-five children, anaemia in children and women, childhood diarrhoea and underweight in women (BMI < 18.5) show inequities that are to the disadvantage of the poorest. The rates significantly decrease among the wealthiest quintile as compared to the poorest. In contrast, overweight (BMI 25-29.9) and obesity (BMI ≥ 30) among women reveals a different trend - there are inequities in favour of the poorest. In other words, in Ghana overweight and obesity increase significantly among women in the wealthiest quintile compared to the poorest. With respect to interventions: treatment of diarrhoea in children, receiving all basic vaccines among children and sleeping under ITN (children and pregnant women) have no wealth-related gradient. Skilled care at birth, deliveries in a health facility (both public and private), caesarean section, use of modern contraceptives and intermittent preventive treatment for malaria during pregnancy all indicate gradients that are in favour of the wealthiest. The poorest use less of these interventions. Not unexpectedly, there is more use of home delivery among women of the poorest quintile.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Significant Inequities are observed in many of the selected child and maternal health outcomes and interventions. Failure to address these inequities vigorously is likely to lead to non-achievement of the MDG targets related to improving child and maternal health (MDGs 4 and 5). The government should therefore give due attention to tackling inequities in health outcomes and use of interventions by implementing equity-enhancing measure both within and outside the health sector in line with the principles of Primary Health Care and the recommendations of the WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health.</p

A cross-sectional survey of urinary iodine status in Latvia

Publisher Copyright: © 2014 Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. Copyright: Copyright 2018 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.Background and objective: A nationwide survey of schoolchildren was conducted to detect regional differences in urinary iodine excretion in Latvia and to compare the results with data from the newborn thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) screening database as well with the results of a similar study performed in Latvia 10 years ago. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional school-based cluster survey of 915 children aged 9-12 years in 46 randomly selected schools in all regions of Latvia. Urine samples, questionnaires on the consumption of iodized salt and information on socioeconomic status were collected. TSH levels in newborns were also measured. Results: The median creatinine-standardized urinary iodine concentration (UIC) in our study was 107.3 mg/g Cr. UIC measurements indicative of mild iodine deficiency were present in 31.6%, moderate deficiency in 11.9% and severe deficiency in 2.8% of the participants. The prevalence of iodine deficiency was the highest in the southeastern region of Latgale and the northeastern region of Vidzeme. The prevalence of TSH values >5 mIU/L followed a similar pattern. The self-reported prevalence of regular iodized salt consumption was 10.2%. Children from urban schools had a significantly lower UIC than children from rural schools. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that although the overall median UIC in Latvian schoolchildren falls within the lower normal range, almost 50% of the schoolchildren are iodine deficient, especially in urban schools and in the eastern part of Latvia. The absence of amandatory salt iodization program puts a significant number of children and pregnantwomen at risk.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Pressure and judgement within a dichotomous landscape of infant feeding: A grounded theory study to explore why breastfeeding women do not access peer support provision

Lack of support is reported as a key reason for early breastfeeding cessation. While breastfeeding peer support (BPS) interventions are a recommended tool to increase breastfeeding rates, intervention studies identify that engagement with BPS is problematic. Due to a paucity of research in this area, this study explores why breastfeeding women do not access BPS in South-West England. Utilising Charmaz’s (2006) constructionist grounded theory approach, twenty-four semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 33 participants (13 women, six health professionals and 14 peer supporters). Analysis involved open coding, constant comparisons and focussed coding. One core category and three main themes explicating non-access were identified. The core category concerns women’s experiences of pressure and judgment around their feeding decisions within a dichotomous landscape of infant feeding language and support. Theme one, ‘place and space of support’, describes the contrast between a perceived pressure to breastfeed, and a lack of adequate and appropriate support. Theme two, ‘one way or no way’, outlines the rules based approach to breastfeeding adopted by some health professionals, and how women avoided BPS due to anticipating a similar approach. Theme three, ‘it must be me’ concerns how a lack of embodied insights could lead to ‘breastfeeding failure’ identities. A background of dichotomised language, pressure, and moral judgement, combined with the organisation of postnatal care and the model of breastfeeding adopted by health professionals, may prevent women’s access to BPS. A socio-cultural model of breastfeeding support providing clear messages regarding the value and purpose of BPS should be adopted

Development and validation of the needs of children questionnaire: An instrument to measure children\u27s self-reported needs in hospital

AIM: To develop and psychometrically test the needs of children questionnaire (NCQ), a new instrument to measure school-aged children\u27s self-reported psychosocial physical and emotional needs in paediatric wards. DESIGN: This is an instrument development study based on recommendations for developing a reliable and valid questionnaire. METHOD: The NCQ was developed over three phases between February 2013-April 2017 and included item generation; content adequacy assessment; questionnaire administration; factor analysis; internal consistency assessment and construct validity. Psychometric properties were assessed after 193 school-aged children completed the needs of children\u27s questionnaire in four paediatric areas in Australia and New Zealand. RESULTS: The development and validation of the NCQ over two countries resulted in a 16-item, four-category tool to measure the self-reported importance and fulfilment of school-aged children\u27s needs in hospital. Cronbach\u27s alpha for the combined samples was 0.93. CONCLUSION: The NCQ bridges a gap to measure the level of importance and fulfilment of school-aged children\u27s self-reported needs in hospital. Future testing and validation is needed in other paediatric areas and countries. IMPACT: The 16-item NCQ is a valid measure to evaluate if the quality of care delivered and received in hospital is in line with what children self-report as important and required and to date indicates good usability and utility. Child self-reports are essential to inform healthcare delivery, policy, research and theory development from a child and family-centred care lens that honours the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the best interests of the child

India's JSY cash transfer program for maternal health: Who participates and who doesn't - a report from Ujjain district

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>India launched a national conditional cash transfer program, Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), aimed at reducing maternal mortality by promoting institutional delivery in 2005. It provides a cash incentive to women who give birth in public health facilities. This paper studies the extent of program uptake, reasons for participation/non participation, factors associated with non uptake of the program, and the role played by a program volunteer, accredited social health activist (ASHA), among mothers in Ujjain district in Madhya Pradesh, India.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to May 2011 among women giving birth in 30 villages in Ujjain district. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 418 women who delivered in 2009. Socio-demographic and pregnancy related characteristics, role of the ASHA during delivery, receipt of the incentive, and reasons for place of delivery were collected. Multinomial regression analysis was used to identify predictors for the outcome variables; program delivery, private facility delivery, or a home delivery.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The majority of deliveries (318/418; 76%) took place within the JSY program; 81% of all mothers below poverty line delivered in the program. Ninety percent of the women had prior knowledge of the program. Most program mothers reported receiving the cash incentive within two weeks of delivery. The ASHA's influence on the mother's decision on where to deliver appeared limited. Women who were uneducated, multiparious or lacked prior knowledge of the JSY program were significantly more likely to deliver at home.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In this study, a large proportion of women delivered under the program. Most mothers reporting timely receipt of the cash transfer. Nevertheless, there is still a subset of mothers delivering at home, who do not or cannot access emergency obstetric care under the program and remain at risk of maternal death.</p

Taking a Long View in Child Welfare:How Can We Evaluate Intervention and Child Wellbeing over Time?

This paper synthesises ideas generated from an international knowledge exchange seminar series to explore the potential and pitfalls in utilising routine administrative data and survey data for longitudinal research about children involved in public child welfare services. Methodological, technical and ethical issues are explored, including the challenges in capturing the nature, focus and intensity of intervention. It is suggested that assessing child wellbeing across a range of dimensions in the short, medium and long term may provide a better conceptual basis for research than defining specific outcomes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd