The Power of Radio to Promote Health and Resilience in Natural Disasters: A Review

Factors of early breastfeeding initiation among Filipino women: A population-based cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Early breastfeeding initiation (EBI) within the first hour after birth has the potential to reduce neonatal mortality. However, the prevalence of EBI still falls short of the 70 % target set by the WHO for 2030. Limited research has been conducted on this issue. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors of EBI in the Philippines.

METHODS

This study is a secondary analysis of the data from the Philippine National Demographic and Health Survey (PNDHS) in 2017. Women survey participants aged 15 to 49 (n = 3750) who had given birth within the two years prior to the survey were included in this study. A p-value < 0.05 was used to define statistical significance when identifying the factors associated with EBI using hierarchical logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Women who were more likely to practice EBI were those from the Cordillera Administrative Region, who read newspaper/magazines, and delivered infants at 2 or later birth order. On the contrary, women from Central Luzon, CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon provinces), Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao; who listen to the radio at least once a week; and give birth through cesarean section were less likely to practice EBI.

CONCLUSION

Channeling breastfeeding messages through printed mass media and provision of specialized breastfeeding support to mothers with cesarean section delivery may help in reducing the barriers to early breastfeeding initiation. Targeted interventions and strategies that promote breastfeeding practices, particularly among primigravida women and in regions with lower rates of EBI contribute to increased rate of optimal breastfeeding.

Assessing the choice of National Health Insurance Fund contracted outpatient facilities in Kenya: A qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

To assess National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) members' level of understanding, experiences, and factors influencing their choice of NHIF-contracted outpatient facilities in Kenya.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional qualitative study with NHIF members in two purposefully selected counties (Nyeri and Makueni counties) in Kenya. We collected data through 15 focus group discussions with NHIF members. Data were analysed using a framework analysis approach.

RESULTS

Urban-based NHIF members had a good understanding of the NHIF-contracted outpatient facility selection process and the approaches for choosing and changing providers, unlike their rural counterparts. While NHIF members were required to choose a provider before accessing care, the number of available alternative facilities was perceived to be inadequate. Finally, NHIF members identified seven factors they considered important when choosing an NHIF-contracted outpatient provider. Of these factors, the availability of drugs, distance from the household to the facility and waiting time at the facility until consultation were considered the most important.

CONCLUSION

There is a need for the NHIF to prioritise awareness-raising approaches tailored to rural settings. Further, there is a need for the NHIF to contract more providers to both spur competition among providers and provide alternatives for members to choose from. Besides, NHIF members revealed the important factors they consider when selecting outpatient facilities. Consequently, NHIF should leverage the preferred factors when contracting healthcare providers. Similarly, healthcare providers should enhance the availability of drugs, reduce waiting times whilst improving their staff's attitudes which would improve user satisfaction and the quality of care provided.

Experiences of the Ukrainian adolescents during the Russia-Ukraine 2022 War

Purpose

The study aims to explore the current experiences of Ukrainian adolescents affected by the Russia-Ukraine war. The study focused on the changes in adolescents’ lives caused by the war, adolescents’ emotional reactions to the disruptions caused by the war, coping strategies employed by adolescents in dealing with disruptions and the role of information technology in supporting new realities and coping strategies of adolescents.

Design/methodology/approach

This study relied on semi-structured interviews conducted on Zoom with 27 Ukrainian adolescents ages 10-18. Participants were recruited using the snowball sample and came from various regions of Ukraine. The interview notes and partial transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify the common and unique patterns in participant responses.

Findings

The interview data revealed the signs of traumatic experiences and various stages and methods of coping with them. Participants’ resilience was supported by external factors, including families, communities, continuous schooling, ability to talk to friends, information technology, as well as internal skills, including social competence, problem-solving, critical consciousness, autonomy and a sense of purpose. Participants shared specific recommendations for improving information platforms and online content, e.g. making them more accessible and affordable for Ukrainian users, improving content curation and personalization, creating and promoting Ukrainian content and others.

Research limitations/implications

Research relied on convenience sample of participants who had access to information communication technology (ICT), were aware and had an ability to participate. Field work is needed to reach out to participants without access to ICT.

Practical implications

This study contains broad recommendations for improving information technologies for the use of Ukrainian adolescents.

Social implications

This research offers three timely account of the first-hand experiences of Ukrainian adolescents affected by the Russia-Ukraine war and can inform future work aimed at improving life conditions for teen population.

Originality/value

This study relied on first-hand reports of Ukrainian adolescents’ experiences, feelings and coping strategies during the first three months of Russia-Ukraine war. The study applied war trauma and resilience frameworks to interpret the findings and translate some of the findings into practical recommendations for the information science community.

A Social Vulnerability Index for Air Pollution and Its Spatially Varying Relationship to PM2.5 in Uganda

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a ubiquitous air pollutant that is harmful to human health. Social vulnerability indices (SVIs) are calculated to determine where vulnerable populations are located. We developed an SVI for Uganda to identify areas with high vulnerability and exposure to air pollution. The 2014 national census was used to create the SVI. Mean PM2.5 at the subcounty level was estimated using global PM2.5 estimates. The mean PM2.5 for Kampala at the parish level was estimated using low-cost PM2.5 sensors and spatial interpolation. A local indicator of spatial association (LISA) was performed to determine significant spatial clusters of social vulnerability, and a bivariate analysis was performed to identify where significant associations were between SVI and annual PM2.5 mean concentrations. The LISA results showed significant clustering of high SVI in the northern and western regions of the country. The spatial bivariate analysis showed positive linear associations between SVI and PM2.5 concentration in subcounties in the northern, western, and central regions of Uganda, as well as in certain northern parishes in Kampala. Our approach identified areas facing both high social vulnerability and air pollution levels. These areas can be prioritized for health interventions and policy to reduce the impact of ambient PM2.5.

Health protection messaging for populations susceptible to air pollution during landscape fire smoke events: an integrative review

Public health communication strategies to protect against the health impacts of air pollution due to landscape fire are becoming increasingly urgent in Australia. How well the public, particularly susceptible populations, are receiving, understanding and acting upon health protection messages related to smoke events is poorly understood. This integrative review sought literature relevant to health protection messaging for smoke events, including appropriate message content and suitable message delivery, with a focus on vulnerable and sensitive populations. Using an exhaustive search strategy of databases and grey literature, 26 relevant articles were identified and thematically analysed to produce a synthesis of findings on key themes. Findings indicated that a variety of traditional and modern communication channels are needed to ensure health messages are received by those most at-risk and should consider locally relevant information. A key theme to emerge in this review was the need for health messaging to susceptible populations to commence in advance of bushfire seasons to facilitate health protective actions being taken. During the acute-phase of smoke events, messages that were short with non-technical advice, were recalled and complied with more often. The need to improve the consistency of message content was a recurrent theme in the literature and suggested a need for greater interagency collaboration and communication. Preliminary evidence from smartphone app studies show promising results for targeted communication, however, more robust research is needed on the efficacy of these communication channels. Further research is also needed on the health impacts of smoke events, related compounding issues and strategies to reduce health risks, to better inform health protection messaging to susceptible populations.

Efficacy of Communication Techniques and Health Outcomes of Bushfire Smoke Exposure: A Scoping Review

Public health officials communicate the relevant risks of bushfire smoke exposure and associated health protection measures to affected populations. Increasing global bushfire incidence in the context of climate change motivated this scoping review. English-language publications related to adverse health outcomes following bushfire smoke exposure and publications relating to communication during natural disasters were included. Bushfire smoke events potentially increase healthcare contact, especially presentations triggered by respiratory illness. At-risk populations include those with underlying cardiorespiratory disease, elderly, paediatric, pregnant persons, and First Nations people. We found that social media, television, and radio are among the most common information sources utilised in bushfire smoke events. Message style, content, and method of delivery can directly influence message uptake and behaviour modification. Age, rurality, and geographical location influence information source preferences. Culturally and linguistically diverse groups and those with hearing, vision, and mobility-related disabilities may benefit from targeted health recommendations. This review emphasises the health effects of bushfire smoke exposure and related communication recommendations during and after bushfire smoke events. Additional investigation may further clarify the health effects of bushfire smoke exposure and efficacy of related health messaging, particularly in at-risk populations. Quantitative comparison of communication methods may yield more specific recommendations for future bushfire smoke events.