28 research outputs found
Correction:An exploration of mortality risk factors in non-severe pneumonia in children using clinical data from Kenya. [BMC Med. 15, (2017) (201)] DOI: 10.1186/s12916-017-0963-9
No full textThe original article [1] contains an omission in the Acknowledgements sub-section of the Declarations. The authors would like to acknowledge the work of the following members of the Clinical Information Network Author Group: David Githanga, Fred Were, Philip Ayieko, Grace Irimu, Sam Akech, Samuel Ng'arng'ar, Barnabas Kigen, Rachel Inginia, Nick Aduro, Grace Ochieng, Beatrice Mutai, Francis Kanyingi, Lydia Thuranira, Sam Otido, Magdalene Kuria, Peris Njiiri, Kigondu Rutha, Charles Nzioki, Martin Chabi, Supa Tonje, Joan Ondere, Caren Emadau, Cecelia Mutiso, Loice Mutai, Christine Manyasi, David Kimutai, Celia Muturi, Agnes Mithamo, Anne Kamunya, Alice Kariuki, Grace Wachira, Melab Musabi, Sande Charo, Naomi Muinga, Mercy Chepkirui, Wycliffe Nyachiro, Boniface Makone, Thomas Julius, George Mbevi, Morris Ogero, Susan Gachau, and James Wafula.</p
The interpersonal communication approach to HIV/AIDS prevention: strategies and challenges for faith-based organizations.
No full textThis study examines the interpersonal communication approach to HIV/AIDS prevention within Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) in Jamaica. Applying concepts from the social influence and social learning theories, the study examines communication strategies, challenges and concerns that religious leaders face in their communication efforts. Data gathered qualitatively through focus groups and in-depth interviews indicate that FBOs are social and cultural entities with potential to influence knowledge,attitude and behaviour for HIV/AIDS prevention. However, issues related to content, context, culture,
the prevailing AIDS-related stigma alongside religious leaders’ personal characteristics hamper their communication initiatives. Capacity building of leaders as HIV/AIDS communicators and behaviour change facilitators and a collaborative effort between FBOs and health organizations would enhance their HIV/AIDS response
Comparative studies of the microbial composition and diversity of container-dwelling mosquitoes
No full textThe growing problem of mosquito resistance to chemical insecticides has reinforced the urgent need to develop alternative vector control strategies that exploits current advances in mosquito biology including mosquito-microbe interactions. The goal of this research was to develop a better understanding of mosquito microbiota and how their composition and diversity is influenced by host species, life stage, larval habitat type, and larval exposure to commonly used pesticides. Analysis of the microbial communities of larval stages of Aedes japonicus and Aedes triseriatus collected from tree hole and waste tire habitats revealed the bacterial richness to be highest in Aedes japonicus, intermediate in Aedes triseriatus, and in water samples from their larval environment. The microbial communities also clustered by mosquito species, habitat type (used tires vs. tree holes) and study sites. Experimental microcosms were also used to evaluate how exposure of mosquito larvae to sublethal concentrations of atrazine, permethrin, and malathion affects the composition and diversity of mosquito gut microbiota. Bacterial community composition differed according to sample type (larval stage vs. adult stage vs. water sample), but not by pesticide treatment. Bacterial OTU richness was highest in larval samples receiving malathion and permethrin treatments, intermediate in the water and larval samples from the atrazine treatment, and lowest in adult samples irrespective of the treatment. Finally, the microbiota associated with egg rafts and midguts of Cx. pipiens L. and Culex restuans were characterized to gain insights into their community composition and diversity. For each mosquito species, bacterial richness was significantly higher in mosquito egg rafts compared to the midguts. The bacterial community composition differed significantly between egg raft and midgut samples for Cx. restuans, but not for Cx. pipiens L. samples. Overall, these studies have shown that mosquitoes harbor variable microbial communities that are also influenced by the host species, life stage, and the larval habitat. These results provide a basis for future studies aiming to leverage the understanding of mosquito host- microbial symbiont relationships for mosquito vector management.Submission published under a 24 month embargo labeled 'U of I Access', the embargo will last until 2022-05-01The student, Elijah Juma, accepted the attached license on 2019-12-17 at 17:57.The student, Elijah Juma, submitted this Dissertation for approval on 2019-12-17 at 18:10.This Dissertation was approved for publication on 2019-12-18 at 16:06.DSpace SAF Submission Ingestion Package generated from Vireo submission #14834 on 2020-08-25 at 17:26:19Made available in DSpace on 2020-08-26T23:51:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 3
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Alcohol consumption and reproductive health risks in rural Central Kenya
No full textObjective:
The goal of the current study is to explore the perceived reproductive health risks associated with alcoholism from the perspective of rural communities in Kenya where abuse of illicit liquor especially among men has become an epidemic.
Methods:
Data for the study were gathered qualitatively through focus groups among community members and in-depth interviews with opinion leaders and key informants who were selected through a snowball method. All recorded data were analyzed through constructivist and interpretive techniques, which started with a line-by-line examination of transcripts for identification of emerging themes.
Results:
Rural communities are aware of the lethal nature of the illicit liquor and the severe reproductive health problems associated with it among male consumers. Alcoholism also affects women’s sexual and reproductive needs and is attributed to risky sexual behaviors in alcohol-discordant relationships, which puts them at a higher risk of HIV infection.
Conclusions:
Results indicate a need to address alcoholism in rural Kenya as a public health problem focusing on education and understanding of the long-term health consequences. Addressing the impact on male reproductive health is crucial because it impacts the wider community. Given the complex relationship between alcohol abuse and HIV/AIDS, it is also important for prevention interventions to target married women and non-alcohol consumers. Furthermore, engaging communities will ensure development of culture- and gender-specific interventions. Such engagement requires facilitation of health practitioners for development of meaningful community-based initiatives
Communication for HIV/AIDS Prevention in Kenya: Social-Cultural Considerations
No full textThe acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic is spreading fast in Africa in spite of the
various efforts and resources put in place to prevent it. In Kenya, reproductive health programs have
used the mass media and other communication interventions to inform and educate the public about
the disease and to promote behavior change and healthy sexual practices. This effort has led to a
discrepancy between awareness and behavioral change among people of reproductive age. In this
article I examine the discrepancy in Kenya from a communications perspective addressing social
cultural and related factors contributing to the lack of change in behavior and sexual practices. I draw
on the theoretical framework of Grunig’s model of excellence in communication, the importance of
understanding and relationship building between programs and their stakeholders. Data were gathered
qualitatively using focus groups and in-depth interviews among men and women in rural Kenya. Key
findings indicate that although awareness of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS is high in Kenya, a majority of the population, particularly
those in the rural communities, lack understanding of the communicated messages. They also lack the
knowledge of other ways of transmitting HIV particularly among those not sexually involved. Cultural
beliefs, values, norms, and myths have played a role in the rapidly increasing epidemic in the rural
communities and yet HIV/AIDS communication programs have not addressed these factors
adequately. I conclude that successful behavior change communication must include strategies that
focus on increasing understanding of the communicated messages and understanding of the audience
through application of appropriate methodologies. Building a relationship with the audience or
stakeholders through dialogues and two-way symmetrical communication contributes toward this
understanding and the maintenance of the newly adopted behaviors and practices
HIV/AIDS Stigma and Religiosity among African American Women
No full textAfrican American women are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS compared to other
ethnicities, accounting for two-thirds (67%) of all women diagnosed with HIV. Despite their
increased risk of HIV infection, few studies have been conducted to understand culture-specific
factors leading to their vulnerability. Given the central role of religious organizations in African
American communities, this study explored whether and to what extent religiosity plays a role in
stigma toward HIV/AIDS. A survey of 205 African American women in two Midwestern cities
measured the following key variables: 1) religious stigma of HIV/AIDS, 2) religiosity, 3) personal
relevance of HIV/AIDS, 4) knowledge of HIV/AIDS, 5) perceived influence of religion on views
of people with HIV/AIDS, and 6) demographics. Results of hierarchical regression showed that
after controlling for key factors, religiosity was a significant factor predicting the level of religious
stigma (β=-.18, p <.05). Those with high religiosity displayed significantly higher stigma, associating
HIV/AIDS with a curse or punishment from God. Verbatim responses to an open-ended question
also revealed seemingly ingrained prejudice against HIV/AIDS from a religious perspective. The
findings point to the important role of faith-based organizations (FBOs) in addressing HIV/AIDS
issues within African American communities
Cultural competency, child protection intake workers, and northern British Columbia experiences.
No full textCultural and ethnic diversity as a principle feature in Canadian child protection services necessitates drastic continuous reviews of existing organization policies and frameworks. A case in point is the need to address the persistent disproportional representation of ethnic minority children in the British Columbia's provincial child welfare system. As the initial contact with families in the province, child protection intake social workers' cultural competency largely determines the effectiveness of the services provided to families. This qualitative study used content analysis to analyze interviews with six child protection social workers employed by the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). A thematic framework was developed that can be used to inform MCFD regarding the need for improvement of cultural competency among its workers. --P. i.The original print copy of this thesis may be available here: http://wizard.unbc.ca/record=b173649
Students’ expectations and motivation for service-learning in public relations
No full textThis study is based on a survey of public relations students and examines their attitudes, expectations, and motivations for participating in curriculum-infused service-learning projects. Results indicate that prior participation does not influence attitudes or expectations, but motivation to participate in the project was significantly associated with positive attitude and higher expectations. Students’ expectations, which include social and professional growth, and psychological and altruistic gratification through community contributions, indicate a need for discipline-focused service-learning programs and for a focus on civic engagement given the role of public relations in relationship building and in strategically addressing social issues that impact society
Direct and indirect effects of native and invasive plants on mosquito ecology
No full textContainer-breeding mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae), including the vectors of human and wildlife pathogens, interact with terrestrial plants throughout their life cycles. Inputs of leaf detritus into the aquatic habitat provide an energy base for developing larvae, and plants mediate the distribution of adult mosquitoes by influencing microclimate conditions, supplying sugar-feeding sources, and altering communities of wildlife blood-meal hosts. This dissertation examines direct and indirect effects of understory shrubs, including species both native and invasive to North America, on the ecology of Culex pipiens, an important vector of West Nile virus in the northeastern and midwestern United States. Laboratory and field bioassays demonstrated that leaf detritus from different plant species in the aquatic environment alter two key components of mosquito production (i.e., oviposition site selection and adult emergence) via the abundance and composition of bacterial flora that form on different leaf species as they decompose. In particular, an invasive plant (Lonicera maackii, Amur honeysuckle) yielded high oviposition and adult emergence rates, while in contrast, a native plant (Rubus allegheniensis, common blackberry) was identified to function as an ecological trap for Cx. pipiens, attracting gravid females to oviposit and yet deleterious to larvae yielding low emergence rates. Subsequent laboratory bioassays in which first instar larvae were exposed to mixtures of leaves from different plant species revealed that while leaf resource diversity generally yields an increase in Cx. pipiens adult emergence rates, addition of high-quality resources is not sufficient to offset the deleterious effect of R. allegheniensis leaves. I then explored two integrated vector management applications of these findings. First, a field experiment demonstrated the feasibility of exploiting a naturally-occurring ecological trap (R. allegheniensis leaves) and an artificial ecological trap (L. maackii leaves mixed with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis larvicide) for attract-and-kill mosquito control in storm water catch basins, in which gravid females are lured to oviposit in a low-quality environment. This result provides experimental proof of concept for a novel integrated vector management tool that may enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of existing mosquito abatement strategies with minimal non-target effects and reduced potential to select for insecticide resistance. A second field experiment showed that removal of L. maackii decreases abundance of adult Culex spp. mosquitoes in forest fragments within a residential neighborhood. The mechanisms underlying this reduction in mosquito abundance most likely include effects of L. maackii removal on microclimate conditions and the availability of avian blood-meal hosts. Collectively, these studies reveal multiple ecological pathways by which terrestrial plants interact with, and alter the abundance, distribution, and life history characteristics of mosquitoes, and suggest landscape modification strategies that may be used to manage an important disease vector species in residential ecosystems.Submission published under a 24 month embargo labeled 'U of I Access', the embargo will last until 2018-05-01The student, Allison Gardner, accepted the attached license on 2016-04-15 at 15:02.The student, Allison Gardner, submitted this Dissertation for approval on 2016-04-15 at 15:06.This Dissertation was approved for publication on 2016-04-20 at 10:19.DSpace SAF Submission Ingestion Package generated from Vireo submission #9240 on 2016-07-07 at 13:49:21Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-07T20:27:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 3
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The population and community ecology of small freshwater ponds: Assigning process to pattern
No full textEcologists have long been intrigued by patterns of spatial structuring for populations and communities inhabiting natural and, more recently, human-created ecosystems. Empirical and theoretical advancements have highlighted the importance of considering the effects of both historical (i.e., colonization history and priority effects) and contemporary processes (e.g., species sorting and interspecific interactions) when studying population and community dynamics. Multiple studies have documented that divergent population and community structures can arise in similar habitats when colonization history differs. For example, early colonists may hinder, inhibit, or in some cases facilitate colonization by later arriving taxa by altering the suitability of a habitat, especially in actively dispersing organisms. The importance of both abiotic and biotic factors on the establishment and subsequent success in a habitat has been well documented in a wide variety of taxa, though the relative importance of these processes has been shown to vary significantly among systems. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of patches in the landscape will shape the nature of these biotic interactions and thus have profound effects on local and regional processes. Given the complexity of these simultaneously acting factors, generating accurate predictions for the outcome of community and population structuring remains difficult for most systems.
In much of the developed world, human alteration of the landscape has necessitated the creation of safe and efficient stormwater management infrastructure. However, a by-product of this practice has included the development of newly created small ponds, which have been shown to harbor larval mosquitoes and other insects, crustacean zooplankton, and a wide range of other vertebrate and invertebrate organisms. Given their ubiquity and potential to harbor diverse communities, small stormwater ponds provide a unique opportunity in which to study the mechanisms underlying the formation and dynamics of populations and communities. To this end, I use mosquito and zooplankton communities inhabiting newly created ponds as a model system to empirically and theoretically explore the factors underlying population and community structure. In Chapter 1, I use a stochastic and spatially explicit model to examine how pond network structure and the number and identity of ponds stocked, or removed, from the landscape contributes to overall patterns of metapopulation occupancy and robustness in a focal zooplankton species, Daphnia pulex. I parameterize this model with four-years of D. pulex occupancy data from a small network of 38 newly-constructed forested ponds at Svend O. Heiberg Memorial Forest (Tully, NY, USA). I show that the location of patches stocked or removed from the pond network has contrasting effects on metapopulation occupancy and persistence. When centrally-located ponds were removed from the network, the metapopulation collapsed rapidly. However, when initially founding a metapopulation, the location of ponds stocked does not appear to play an important role. Furthermore, I introduce a simple differential equation model that qualitatively matches results predicted by the stochastic simulations, but is less time intensive and computationally expensive to analyze. Chapters 2 and 3 examine larval mosquito and zooplankton communities inhabiting subsets of a 37 stormwater pond network in Champaign County, Illinois (USA) and provide insights as to the relative importance of the biotic and abiotic environment on the abundance and distribution of larval mosquitoes. In Chapter 2, I show that interspecific variation in predator- and competitor- avoidance behavior during the initial colonization by ovipositing mosquitoes may explain the negative association between zooplankton and mosquitoes in a multi-year field survey. In Chapter 3, I use structural equation modeling to explore the direct and indirect effects of multiple biotic and abiotic factors on the larval abundance of three common species of culicine mosquitoes (Culex pipiens, Culex restuans, and Aedes vexans). I found that the three species varied in response to these factors. Predator abundance, which was driven by hydroperiod, was negatively correlated with Cx. pipiens abundance and positively correlated with Ae. vexans abundance. However, we found no variables that explained variation in the abundance of Cx. restuans. Combined, these studies highlight the complexity of ecological interactions that may occur in small ponds and how the relative importance of these interactions may vary among closely related species.Submission published under a 24 month embargo labeled 'Closed Access', the embargo will last until 2021-05-01The student, Christopher Holmes, accepted the attached license on 2019-04-09 at 16:30.The student, Christopher Holmes, submitted this Dissertation for approval on 2019-04-09 at 16:31.This Dissertation was approved for publication on 2019-04-10 at 11:01.DSpace SAF Submission Ingestion Package generated from Vireo submission #13541 on 2019-08-22 at 16:20:56Made available in DSpace on 2019-08-23T20:44:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 3
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