Search results for: forced expiratory flow rate

Authors: Oluwaseun Adeleke, Samuel O. Ikani, Fidelis Edet, Anthony Nwala, Mopelola Raji, Simeon Christian Chukwu

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Background The Delivering Innovations in Selfcare (DISC) project promotes universal access to quality selfcare services beginning with subcutaneous depot medroxy progesterone acetate (DMPA-SC) contraceptive self-injection (SI) option. Self-inject (SI) offers women a highly effective and convenient option that saves them frequent trips to providers. Its increased use has the potential to improve the efficiency of an overstretched healthcare system by reducing provider workloads. State Social and Behavioral Change Communications (SBCC) Officers lead project demand creation and service delivery innovations that have resulted in significant increases in SI uptake among women who opt for injectables. Strategies Service Delivery Innovations The implementation of the "Moment of Truth (MoT)" innovation helped providers overcome biases and address client fear and reluctance to self-inject. Bi-annual program audits and supportive mentoring visits helped providers retain their competence and motivation. Proper documentation, tracking, and replenishment of commodities were ensured through effective engagement with State Logistics Units. The project supported existing state monitoring and evaluation structures to effectively record and report subcutaneous depot medroxy progesterone acetate (DMPA-SC) service utilization. Demand creation Innovations SBCC Officers provide oversight, routinely evaluate performance, trains, and provides feedback for the demand creation activities implemented by community mobilizers (CMs). The scope and intensity of training given to CMs affect the outcome of their work. The project operates a demand creation model that uses a schedule to inform the conduct of interpersonal and group events. Health education sessions are specifically designed to counter misinformation, address questions and concerns, and educate target audience in an informed choice context. The project mapped facilities and their catchment areas and enlisted the support of identified influencers and gatekeepers to enlist their buy-in prior to entry. Each mobilization event began with pre-mobilization sensitization activities, particularly targeting male groups. Context-specific interventions were informed by the religious, traditional, and cultural peculiarities of target communities. Mobilizers also support clients to engage with and navigate online digital Family Planning (FP) online portals such as DiscoverYourPower website, Facebook page, digital companion (chat bot), interactive voice response (IVR), radio and television (TV) messaging. This improves compliance and provides linkages to nearby facilities. Results The project recorded 136,950 self-injection (SI) visits and a self-injection (SI) proportion rate that increased from 13 percent before the implementation of interventions in 2021 to 62 percent currently. The project cost-effectively demonstrated catalytic impact by leveraging state and partner resources, institutional platforms, and geographic scope to scale up interventions. The project also cost effectively demonstrated catalytic impact by leveraging on the state and partner resources, institutional platforms, and geographic scope to sustainably scale-up these strategies. Conclusion Using evidence-informed iterations of service delivery and demand creation models have been useful to significantly drive self-injection (SI) uptake. It will be useful to consider this implementation model during program design. Contemplation should also be given to systematic and strategic execution of strategies to optimize impact.

Keywords: family planning, contraception, DMPA-SC, self-care, self-injection, innovation, service delivery, demand creation.

Procedia PDF Downloads 79

Authors: Tanmoy Basu

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The dynamic theory of criminal psychology and its physiological effects on human organs presents a novel perspective that bridges the gap between behavioral sciences and medical research, with significant implications for judicial interpretation and global societal impact. This study seeks to explore the intricate interplay between psychological factors driving criminal behavior and their measurable effects on the human body, hypothesizing that psychological stressors inherent in criminal tendencies produce detectable physiological changes. These insights have the potential to reshape approaches to crime prevention, judicial fairness, and rehabilitation strategies worldwide. Criminal psychology, often confined to behavioral and cognitive dimensions, rarely considers its direct impact on human biology. This research proposes that criminal tendencies and behavior's, characterized by heightened psychological stress and deviant mental patterns, trigger physiological responses in the cardiovascular, endocrine, and neurological systems. The scientific questions addressed here are pivotal: Can criminal psychology leave biological imprints? If so, can these markers provide early warning systems or contribute to judicial evaluations of criminal accountability? Addressing these questions can transform the intersection of science, law, and society. Criminological theories traditionally focus on socio-economic, cultural, or psychological triggers for criminal acts. However, emerging research underscores the psychosomatic connections between mental states and bodily health. Psychological stressors such as anxiety, guilt, or fear—common in individuals predisposed to criminal behavior—may lead to systemic changes in hormone levels, cardiovascular strain, and neural activity. Despite these connections, their implications for understanding criminal behavior remain underexplored, leaving a critical gap in the literature. This study adopts a multidisciplinary, mixed-methods approach that combines empirical data collection with theoretical analysis. Neurological imaging, biomarkers, and physiological testing are employed to identify and quantify changes in the human body associated with individuals exhibiting criminal tendencies. These data are correlated with detailed case histories, enabling an integrative perspective on how psychological and physiological factors converge in criminal behavior. Complementary qualitative analyses provide insights into contextual factors, such as socio-environmental stressors, that influence these physiological responses. Preliminary results reveal a strong correlation between criminal psychology and physiological dysfunction. Specifically, individuals displaying persistent criminal tendencies exhibit elevated cortisol levels, irregular heart rate patterns, and abnormal neural activity in regions associated with impulse control and decision-making. These findings suggest that criminal psychology is not merely a cognitive or emotional phenomenon but one with tangible biological markers. The results are interpreted through the lens of judicial applications, suggesting that physiological markers could supplement psychological evaluations in assessing criminal intent and responsibility. This perspective raises ethical considerations about the use of biological data in legal systems, highlighting the need for careful policy-making. The study advocates for integrating scientific activism into judicial frameworks, enabling more evidence-based decisions that consider both psychological and physiological dimensions of criminal behavior. This research holds transformative potential for global society. By recognizing the biological underpinnings of criminal psychology, policymakers can devise more holistic crime prevention strategies and rehabilitation programmed. Furthermore, this understanding promotes equitable judicial interpretations, ensuring that decisions are informed by comprehensive, evidence-based analyses. This comprehensive investigation not only deepens the understanding of criminal psychology but also paves the way for innovative intersections between science, law, and societal reform.

Keywords: behavioral science, criminal psychology, cognitive dimensions, dysfunction, dynamic theory, emotional phenomenon, global societal impact, human organs, judicial interpretation, psychological changes, rehabilitation strategies

Procedia PDF Downloads 19

Authors: Rajkumar Ghosh, Bhabani Prasad Mukhopadhay, Ananya Mukhopadhyay, Harendra Nath Bhattacharya

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This study investigates the global issue of electronic waste (e-waste), focusing on its prevalence in India and other regions. E-waste has emerged as a significant worldwide problem, with India contributing a substantial share of annual e-waste generation. The primary sources of e-waste in India are computer equipment and mobile phones. Many developed nations utilize India as a dumping ground for their e-waste, with major contributions from the United States, China, Europe, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan. The study identifies Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Mumbai, and Delhi as prominent contributors to India's e-waste crisis. This issue is contextualized within the broader framework of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which encompasses 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 associated targets to address poverty, environmental preservation, and universal prosperity. The study underscores the interconnectedness of e-waste management with several SDGs, including health, clean water, economic growth, sustainable cities, responsible consumption, and ocean conservation. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data reveals that e-waste generation surpasses that of plastic waste, increasing annually at a rate of 31%. However, only 20% of electronic waste is recycled through organized and regulated methods in underdeveloped nations. In Europe, efficient e-waste management stands at just 35%. E-waste pollution poses serious threats to soil, groundwater, and public health due to toxic components such as mercury, lead, bromine, and arsenic. Long-term exposure to these toxins, notably arsenic in microchips, has been linked to severe health issues, including cancer, neurological damage, and skin disorders. Lead exposure, particularly concerning for children, can result in brain damage, kidney problems, and blood disorders. The study highlights the problematic transboundary movement of e-waste, with approximately 352,474 metric tonnes of electronic waste illegally shipped from Europe to developing nations annually, mainly to Africa, including Nigeria, Ghana, and Tanzania. Effective e-waste management, underpinned by appropriate infrastructure, regulations, and policies, offers opportunities for job creation and aligns with the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for SDGs, especially in the realms of decent work, economic growth, and responsible production and consumption. E-waste represents hazardous pollutants and valuable secondary resources, making it a focal point for anthropogenic resource exploitation. The United Nations estimates that e-waste holds potential secondary raw materials worth around 55 billion Euros. The study also identifies numerous challenges in e-waste management, encompassing the sheer volume of e-waste, child labor, inadequate legislation, insufficient infrastructure, health concerns, lack of incentive schemes, limited awareness, e-waste imports, high costs associated with recycling plant establishment, and more. To mitigate these issues, the study offers several solutions, such as providing tax incentives for scrap dealers, implementing reward and reprimand systems for e-waste management compliance, offering training on e-waste handling, promoting responsible e-waste disposal, advancing recycling technologies, regulating e-waste imports, and ensuring the safe disposal of domestic e-waste. A mechanism, Buy-Back programs, will compensate customers in cash when they deposit unwanted digital products. This E-waste could contain any portable electronic device, such as cell phones, computers, tablets, etc. Addressing the e-waste predicament necessitates a multi-faceted approach involving government regulations, industry initiatives, public awareness campaigns, and international cooperation to minimize environmental and health repercussions while harnessing the economic potential of recycling and responsible management.

Keywords: e-waste management, sustainable development goal, e-waste disposal, recycling technology, buy-back policy

Procedia PDF Downloads 93