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Munthe-Kaas HM, Oxman AD, von Lieres B, Gloppen S, Ohren A. Public participation in decisions about measures to manage the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review. BMJ Glob Health 2024; 9:e014404. [PMID: 38830748 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-014404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic, governments and health authorities faced tough decisions about infection prevention and control measures such as social distancing, face masks and travel. Judgements underlying those decisions require democratic input, as well as expert input. The aim of this review is to inform decisions about how best to achieve public participation in decisions about public health and social interventions in the context of a pandemic or other public health emergencies. OBJECTIVES To systematically review examples of public participation in decisions by governments and health authorities about how to control the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN We searched Participedia and relevant databases in August 2022. Two authors reviewed titles and abstracts and one author screened publications promoted to full text. One author extracted data from included reports using a standard data-extraction form. A second author checked 10% of the extraction forms. We conducted a structured synthesis using framework analysis. RESULTS We included 24 reports (18 from Participedia). Most took place in high-income countries (n=23), involved 'consulting' the public (n=17) and involved public meetings (usually online). Two initiatives reported explicit support for critical thinking. 11 initiatives were formally evaluated (only three reported impacts). Many initiatives did not contribute to a decision, and 17 initiatives did not include any explicit decision-making criteria. CONCLUSIONS Decisions about how to manage the COVID-19 pandemic affected nearly everyone. While public participation in those decisions had the potential to improve the quality of the judgements and decisions that were made, build trust, improve adherence and help ensure transparency and accountability, few examples of such initiatives have been reported and most of those have not been formally evaluated. Identified initiatives did point out potential good practices related to online engagement, crowdsourcing and addressing potential power imbalance. Future research should address improved reporting of initiatives, explicit decision-making criteria, support for critical thinking, engagement of marginalised groups and decision-makers and communication with the public. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER 358991.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrew D Oxman
- Centre for Epidemic Interventions Research, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bettina von Lieres
- Department of Global Development Studies, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Siri Gloppen
- Centre on Law & Social Transformation, Department of Government, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Arild Ohren
- Department of Sociology and Political Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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Maritim B, Koon AD, Kimaina A, Goudge J. Citizen engagement in national health insurance in rural western Kenya. Health Policy Plan 2024; 39:387-399. [PMID: 38334694 PMCID: PMC11005831 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czae007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Effective citizen engagement is crucial for the success of social health insurance, yet little is known about the mechanisms used to involve citizens in low- and middle-income countries. This paper explores citizen engagement efforts by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and their impact on health insurance coverage within rural informal worker households in western Kenya. Our study employed a mixed methods design, including a cross-sectional household survey (n = 1773), in-depth household interviews (n = 36), six focus group discussions with community stakeholders and key informant interviews (n = 11) with policymakers. The findings reveal that NHIF is widely recognized, but knowledge of its services, feedback mechanisms and accountability systems is limited. NHIF enrolment among respondents is low (11%). The majority (63%) are aware of NHIF, but only 32% know about the benefit package. There was higher awareness of the benefit package (60%) among those with NHIF compared to those without (28%). Satisfaction with the NHIF benefit package was expressed by only 48% of the insured. Nearly all respondents (93%) are unaware of mechanisms to provide feedback or raise complaints with NHIF. Of those who are aware, the majority (57%) mention visiting NHIF offices for assistance. Most respondents (97%) lack awareness of NHIF's performance reporting mechanisms and express a desire to learn. Negative media reports about NHIF's performance erode trust, contributing to low enrolment and member attrition. Our study underscores the urgency of prioritizing citizen engagement to address low enrolment and attrition rates. We recommend evaluating current citizen engagement procedures to enhance citizen accountability and incorporate their voices. Equally important is the need to build the capacity of health facility staff handling NHIF clients in providing information and addressing complaints. Transparency and information accessibility, including the sharing of performance reports, will foster trust in the insurer. Lastly, standardizing messaging and translations for diverse audiences, particularly rural informal workers, is crucial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beryl Maritim
- Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA), P.O. Box 10787, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
- Centre for Health Policy, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 51 2193, 60 York Rd, Parktown, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
- Health Economics Research Unit, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, 00100, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
| | - Adam D Koon
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe Street, E8143, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Allan Kimaina
- Health Economics Research Unit, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, 00100, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
| | - Jane Goudge
- Centre for Health Policy, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 51 2193, 60 York Rd, Parktown, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
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Listl S, Baltussen R, Carrasco-Labra A, Carrer F, Lavis J. Evidence-Informed Oral Health Policy Making: Opportunities and Challenges. J Dent Res 2023; 102:1293-1302. [PMID: 37585875 PMCID: PMC10604434 DOI: 10.1177/00220345231187828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite a clear need for improvement in oral health systems, progress in oral health systems transformation has been slow. Substantial gaps persist in leveraging evidence and stakeholder values for collective problem solving. To truly enable evidence-informed oral health policy making, substantial "know-how" and "know-do" gaps still need to be overcome. However, there is a unique opportunity for the oral health community to learn and evolve from previous successes and failures in evidence-informed health policy making. As stated by the Global Commission on Evidence to Address Societal Challenges, COVID-19 has created a once-in-a-generation focus on evidence, which has fast-tracked collaboration among decision makers, researchers, and evidence intermediaries. In addition, this has led to a growing recognition of the need to formalize and strengthen evidence-support systems. This article provides an overview of recent advancements in evidence-informed health policy making, including normative goals and a health systems taxonomy, the role of evidence-support and evidence-implementation systems to improve context-specific decision-making processes, the evolution of learning health systems, and the important role of citizen deliberations. The article also highlights opportunities for evidence-informed policy making to drive change in oral health systems. All in all, strengthening capacities for evidence-informed health policy making is critical to enable and enact improvements in oral health systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Listl
- Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute of Health Sciences (RIHS), Department of Dentistry - Quality and Safety of Oral Healthcare, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - R. Baltussen
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - A. Carrasco-Labra
- Center for Integrative Global Oral Health, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - F.C. Carrer
- Department of Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - J.N. Lavis
- McMaster Health Forum, Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Tangcharoensathien V, Iamsirithaworn S, Rittirong J, Techanimitvat S, Vapattanawong P, Apiratipanya L, Chanthama T, Rueangsom P. Children orphaned from COVID-19 in Thailand: maximize use of civil registration database for policies. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1260069. [PMID: 37915817 PMCID: PMC10616892 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1260069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Orphans, especially those who experience maternal loss at a young age, face significant long-term negative impacts on their lives and psychological well-being, extending beyond the age of 18. As of July 2023, the global death toll of COVID-19 has reached 6.9 million, leaving behind an unknown number of orphans who require immediate attention and support from policymakers. In Thailand, from April 2020 to July 2022, the total number of COVID-19-related deaths reached 42,194, resulting in 4,139 parental orphans. Among them, 452 (10.9%) were children under the age of five, who are particularly vulnerable and necessitate special policy attention and ongoing support. While the provision of 12 years of free education for all and Universal Health Coverage helps alleviate the education and health expenses borne by households supporting these orphans, the monthly government support of 2,000 Baht until the age of 18 is insufficient to cover their living costs and other education-related expenditures. We advocate for adequate financial and social support for COVID-19 orphans, emphasizing the importance of placing them with relatives rather than institutional homes. In the context of post-pandemic recovery, this perspective calls upon governments and global communities to estimate the number of orphans and implement policies to safeguard and support them in the aftermath of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jongjit Rittirong
- Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | | | - Patama Vapattanawong
- Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | | | - Thiphaphon Chanthama
- International Health Policy Program, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Putthipanya Rueangsom
- International Health Policy Program, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
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Kita S, Ochiai K, Sato Y, Akiyama S, Abe M, Tashita K, Tanaka H, Matsumoto F, Hayashi S, Kohashi K, Tsujino K, Uchiyama K, Tsukamatsu K, Ikeda U, Ikeda M, Suzuki H. Development of the Training Program on Child Abuse Prevention for Citizens (TCAP-C) and Its Effects and Acceptability: Community-Based Participatory Research. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1414. [PMID: 36674179 PMCID: PMC9859189 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
AIM We developed the Training Program on Child Abuse Prevention for Citizens (TCAP-C) and tested its effects and acceptability among citizen leaders (CLs). METHODS Community-based participatory research using a pretest-posttest follow-up design was conducted in Tokyo, Japan from September 2021 to March 2022. Participants completed questionnaires before, upon completion, and one month and three months after TCAP-C. Recognition, knowledge, and behaviors regarding child abuse and community consciousness were collected and compared before and one and three months after TCAP-C, and the degree of satisfaction, understanding, and meaningfulness were collected upon completion. We analyzed data using repeated-measures ANCOVA. RESULTS A total of 111, 98, 101, and 94 participants completed the questionnaires before, upon completion, and one and three months after TCAP-C, respectively. Overall, the recognition, knowledge, and community consciousness scores significantly improved from before to one month and three months after TCAP-C. Regarding the behaviors, only the behaviors of learning and watching over were significantly improved from before to one month after TCAP-C; however, those behaviors were not different between before and three months after TCAP-C. Furthermore, 95% participants reported being entirely satisfied with TCAP-C, and 85% and 91% reported good understanding and meaningfulness of the program. CONCLUSIONS TCAP-C is acceptable and can improve CL recognition, knowledge, and community consciousness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachiko Kita
- Department of Family Nursing, Division of Health Sciences & Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 1130033, Japan
- Department of Health Quality and Outcome Research, Global Nursing Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 1130033, Japan
- Department of Health Policy, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo 1578535, Japan
| | | | - Yoichi Sato
- Kameido 6-Chome Higashi Town, Koto-City, Tokyo 1360071, Japan
| | - Saburo Akiyama
- NPO KOTO Parent-Child Center/Home Start KOTO, Tokyo 1360072, Japan
| | - Mitsushiro Abe
- Western Federation of Koto-City Juvenile Organization Liaison Council, Tokyo 1350016, Japan
| | - Keiichi Tashita
- Koto District Youth Committee, Koto-City, Tokyo 1350016, Japan
| | - Hiroko Tanaka
- Children and Youth Affairs, Koto-City, Tokyo 1350016, Japan
| | | | | | - Kosuke Kohashi
- Kamogawa Kokuho Municipal Hospital, Chiba 2960112, Japan
| | - Keiichiro Tsujino
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Tokyo Dental College, Tokyo 1010061, Japan
| | | | | | - Utako Ikeda
- Association Positive Discipline Community, Tokyo 4080307, Japan
| | - Mari Ikeda
- Department of Family Nursing, Division of Health Sciences & Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 1130033, Japan
- Department of Health Quality and Outcome Research, Global Nursing Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 1130033, Japan
| | - Hidehiro Suzuki
- College of Risk Management, Nihon University, Tokyo 1028275, Japan
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Listl S, Lavis JN, Cohen LK, Mathur MR. Engaging citizens to improve service provision for oral health. Bull World Health Organ 2022; 100:294-294A. [PMID: 35521040 PMCID: PMC9047427 DOI: 10.2471/blt.22.287944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Listl
- Department of Dentistry, Radboud University Medical Center, Philips van Leydenlaan 25, 6525 EX Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - John N Lavis
- McMaster Health Forum, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Lois K Cohen
- Paul G. Rogers Society for Global Health Research, Bethesda, United States of America
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