Technology, Institutions and Their Interactions: How Do These Explain E-Participation Degree and Levels? A Cross-Country Analysis

This dissertation aims at explaining the difference in the degree of e-participation across countries using institution and technology variables. It further looks at how the factors differ in their influence across the three levels of e-information, e-consultation, and e-decision making. Institutional and technology variables are identified using the literature review of offline and online public participation (or e-participation). Using the policy feedback theory and Giddens’ structuration theory a conceptual model depicting the complex relationship between institutional and technology variables is developed. The dimensions of digital divide, namely ICT affordability and skills, are found to be the most important explanatory variables. However, the most significant finding of the current study is the role of institutions as the antecedent to technology resources for promoting e-participation. Previous cross-national studies have not looked at this relationship between the institution and technology variable. The results of data analysis inform that ICT affordability and skills in a country act as mediator for the institutions to promote e-participation. At the same time ICT skills and the political rights and civil liberties interact to generate a greater impact on e-participation than their solo effect. Although the magnitude of influence of previous e-participation score increases as one progresses to more complex e-participation levels, but its marginal effect reduces considerably at the advanced level of e-decision making

Investment in technology is not enough to guarantee e-participation in politics

There have been a number of efforts to promote ‘e-participation’ in politics to give citizens a better voice in policymaking. Yet the success of these initiatives has varied substantially across the world. Pragati Rawat and John C. Morris argue that investment in technology alone is not enough for citizens to embrace these new avenues for participation. Governments must also provide a supportive environment with institutional structures that can facilitate the process

Comparative study of oral iron (ferrous sulphate) versus intravenous (iron sucrose) therapy in treating iron deficiency anaemia in puerperium

Background: Iron deficiency anaemia is one of the major morbidities during post-partum period. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy, safety and compliance of intravenous iron sucrose complex with oral Iron therapy in treatment of postpartum anemia.Methods: 100 postpartum anaemic patients randomized into two groups. In Group I oral iron ferrous sulphate tablets twice daily and in group II 200 mg of iron sucrose on every alternate day up to total calculated dose for 6 weeks. Hemoglobin and serum ferritin were measured on day 0, 2 week and 6 weeks. The side effects in both groups were noted.Results: Majority of patients are multiparous, illiterate and belonged to low socioeconomic. Mean baseline hemoglobin in oral group (Group I) was 7.90±0.905 gm /dl and in i/v group (Group II) was 7.81±0.849 gm /dl. There was significant rise in hemoglobin and hematocrit in both groups after 2 weeks and 6 weeks. However, efficiency of iron sucrose was greater in between the groups (p value=0.0000). There was a rise in serum ferritin to 58.35±14.537μg/L from 8.30±1,461μg/L after 6 weeks in intravenous group with shorter duration of treatment indicating a high efficacy (p<0.001). Intravenous iron sucrose did not result in any serious adverse reactions.Conclusions: This study illustrates clearly that intravenous iron sucrose complex is safe, convenient and effective in postpartum anemic women as compared with oral ferrous sulphate

A comparative study between active and expectant management of premature rupture of membranes at term on fetomaternal and perinatal outcome in rural population

Background: Premature rupture of membranes at term (PROM) is defined as a spontaneous rupture of membranes after 37 completed weeks of gestation and before the onset of regular painful uterine contractions. PROM occurs in 5-10% of all pregnancies of which approximately 80% occur at term. The study aimed to compare the maternal and neonatal outcome in patients with term PROM receiving active induction versus expectant management.Methods: The present study was a prospective randomised controlled trial, conducted on 100 term antenatal women with PROM in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, UPUMS, Saifai from January 2016 to June 2017. 50 antenatal women received immediate induction with oral misoprostol while another 50 antenatal women were expectantly managed for 24 hours. The latency period, PROM delivery interval, maternal and neonatal outcome were compared and subjected to statistical analysis.Results: 42% of active management group and 30% of expectant management group had a latency period of 12-20 hours and results were found to be statistically significant (p value = 0.005). There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of caesarean section, maternal and neonatal morbidity in both the groups.Conclusions: Immediate labour induction in patients with term PROM resulted in significant shortening of latent period and PROM to delivery interval without any increase in caesarean section rate as compared to expectant management group

Cross sectional study for contraceptive practices in antenatal women at tertiary rural institute

Background: Objective of the study was to assess the awareness and acceptance for contraceptive practices amongst the women attending the routine antenatal outpatient services at our tertiary rural institute.Methods: It was a cross sectional study done in UP University of Medical Sciences (UPUMS) Saifai. Three hundred fifty (350) patients aged between 18 -40 years were enrolled in the study after written informed consent. A self structured pre formed questionnaire was provided regarding demographic profile, obstetric profile, contraceptive practices and reasons for not using any contraception. Then data were analysed statistically.Results: Majority of the women were between the age group of 30-35 years and had basic level of education. In our study 90% women were aware of one or more methods of contraception. 86.5% accepted the contraceptive practices and 81.43% followed the contraception. 81.43% used temporary methods of which OCPs, IUCDs, and Condoms were common.Conclusions: Majority of the women were between 30-35 years of age. 90% women knew about some method of contraception. 81.4% women followed the temporary method of contraception. Among non users the main reason for not using contraceptive method were mainly lack of knowledge and they wanted more children

Risk Management and Biases in How Drivers Respond to Nuisance Flooding

Nuisance flooding, or recurrent flooding, occurs during high tide and may be exacerbated when combined with other events such as heavy precipitation, strong winds, or storm surge. Sea level rise has contributed to increased frequency and duration of nuisance flooding in low-lying coastal areas and is causing community-specific impacts such as transportation disruption, road closures, compromises to life and property, overwhelmed storm water systems, and infrastructure damage. This chapter focuses on how drivers respond during nuisance flooding events. Specifically, we discuss how drivers in the Hampton Roads region of southeastern coastal Virginia obtain information about road flooding, how they respond, and the factors that influence their responses. The chapter builds on risk perception research and recognizes that risk management is influenced by the perceived ability to efficaciously address risks. The chapter’s practical discussion focuses on implications of (1) how individuals gather information about a potential risk, (2) how they attempt to use that information to manage the risk, and (3) how current information sources appear to be inadequate for helping individuals to gauge the extent of real risk and take effective adaptive measures. Challenges for risk communication purveyors (e.g., public officials, media outlets, local businesses) are also noted

Communicating and Co-Producing Information with Stakeholders: Examples of Participatory Mapping Approaches Related to Sea Level Rise Risks and Impacts

This chapter discusses practical approaches for using participatory mapping as a tool to visualize and communicate sea level rise (SLR) and climate change risks, to share information about the vulnerability to, and threats of, climate change, and to co-produce knowledge with stakeholders. The examples presented in this chapter are from demonstrated applications in communities in Virginia (USA) that involve participatory mapping and that utilize a web-Geographic Information System (GIS). The web-GIS is innovatively combined with other technologies and participatory processes to create low-cost high-tech approaches so that even people with little to no knowledge of GIS can interact with maps and can contribute to knowledge creation in the complex issues of SLR and climate change

A Demonstration Project of the Action-Oriented Stakeholder Engagement for a Resilient Tomorrow (ASERT) Framework: Effectiveness

Poster presentation by the Research Team of the ODU Resilience Collaborative used from March-May, 201

A Demonstration Project of the Action-Oriented Stakeholder Engagement for a Resilient Tomorrow (ASERT) Framework: Efficacy

Poster presentation by the Research Team of the ODU Resilience Collaborative used March-May 2016. This poster focuses on efficacy of the ASERT Framework and includes charts