scholarly journals 4480 Full STEM Ahead: An Innovative Approach to Translate Science into the School-community

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (s1) ◽  
pp. 85-85
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Hivner ◽  
William Calo ◽  
Alicia Hoke ◽  
Chelsea Keller ◽  
Jennifer Kraschnewski
Keyword(s):  
School District ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
School Community ◽  
Academic Community ◽  
Innovative Approach ◽  
Evaluation Data ◽  
School District Leadership ◽  
Qualitative Feedback

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: To provide a translation of health sciences and research to a low-income population and elevate the role of science in personal health and career pathways through the implementation of a STEM-focused, researcher-led, school-community event. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Through a strong school district partnership, families from two urban, low-income, high-minority middle schools were invited to attend an academic-community event entitled, Full STEM Ahead in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Thirty-five Penn State and community partners engaged participants in discovery-focused learning through activity stations. Topic areas included: 3D printing in medicine, herd immunity, HPV cancer prevention, lung health, and germ prevention. Evaluation data from participants and organizational partners was collected to assess process outcomes and qualitative feedback. This event was part of a randomized controlled trial to improve attitudes toward adolescent vaccination. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Seventy-four parents and students participated in the two-hour event. Evaluation data indicated that 100% of participants who completed the evaluation rated the event as “good” or “excellent” and agreed that they “learned something new.” Specific qualitative feedback indicated that participants enjoyed the STEM information and various learning activities offered. School district leadership hopes to continue the partnership to host the event in future years and expand to other schools, offering an opportunity for academic-community collaboration. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: This event was an innovative approach to connect low-income communities with science and potentially effective in engaging participants in learning. Similar opportunities should be explored to bridge the gap between research and community engagement, especially to increase research awareness.

scholarly journals Increasing demand for school counselling through a lay counsellor-delivered classroom sensitisation intervention: a stepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trial in New Delhi, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. e003902
Author(s):  
Rachana Parikh ◽  
Adriaan Hoogendoorn ◽  
Daniel Michelson ◽  
Jeroen Ruwaard ◽  
Rhea Sharma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
New Delhi ◽  
Stepped Wedge ◽  
Whole School ◽  
Cluster Randomised ◽  
Randomised Controlled

IntroductionWe evaluated a classroom-based sensitisation intervention that was designed to reduce demand-side barriers affecting referrals to a school counselling programme. The sensitisation intervention was offered in the context of a host trial evaluating a low-intensity problem-solving treatment for common adolescent mental health problems.MethodsWe conducted a stepped-wedge, cluster randomised controlled trial with 70 classes in 6 secondary schools serving low-income communities in New Delhi, India.The classes were randomised to receive a classroom sensitisation session involving a brief video presentation and moderated group discussion, delivered by a lay counsellor over one class period (intervention condition, IC), in two steps of 4 weeks each. The control condition (CC) was whole-school sensitisation (teacher-meetings and whole-school activities such as poster displays). The primary outcome was the proportion of students referred into the host trial. Secondary outcomes were the proportion of students who met mental health caseness criteria and the proportion of self-referred adolescents.ResultsBetween 20 August 2018 and 9 December 2018, 835 students (23.3% of all students) were referred into the host trial. The referred sample included 591 boys (70.8%), and had a mean age of 15.8 years, SD=0.06; 194 students (31.8% of 610 with complete data) met mental health caseness criteria. The proportion of students referred in each trial conditionwas significantly higher in the IC (IC=21.7%, CC=1.5%, OR=111.36, 95% CI 35.56 to 348.77, p<0.001). The proportion of self-referred participants was also higher in the IC (IC=98.1%, CC=89.1%, Pearson χ2 (1)=16.92, p<0.001). Although the proportion of referred students meeting caseness criteria was similar in both conditions (IC=32.0% vs CC=28.1%), the proportion weighted for the total student population was substantially higher in the IC (IC=5.2%, CC=0.3%, OR=52.39, 95% CI 12.49 to 219.66,p<0.001).ConclusionA single, lay counsellor-delivered, classroom sensitisation session increased psychological help-seeking for common mental health problems among secondary school pupils from urban, low-income communities in India.Trial registration numberNCT03633916.

scholarly journals Effect of intensive treatment for schistosomiasis on immune responses to vaccines among rural Ugandan island adolescents: randomised controlled trial protocol A for the ‘POPulation differences in VACcine responses’ (POPVAC) programme

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e040426
Author(s):  
Gyaviira Nkurunungi ◽  
Ludoviko Zirimenya ◽  
Jacent Nassuuna ◽  
Agnes Natukunda ◽  
Prossy N Kabuubi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Responses ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Interferon Γ ◽  
Population Differences ◽  
Vaccine Response ◽  
Vaccine Responses ◽  
Helminth Infections ◽  
Registration Number ◽  
Randomised Controlled

IntroductionSeveral licensed and investigational vaccines have lower efficacy, and induce impaired immune responses, in low-income versus high-income countries and in rural, versus urban, settings. Understanding these population differences is essential to optimising vaccine effectiveness in the tropics. We suggest that repeated exposure to and immunomodulation by chronic helminth infections partly explains population differences in vaccine response.Methods and analysisWe have designed an individually randomised, parallel group trial of intensive versus standard praziquantel (PZQ) intervention against schistosomiasis, to determine effects on vaccine response outcomes among school-going adolescents (9–17 years) from rural Schistosoma mansoni-endemic Ugandan islands. Vaccines to be studied comprise BCG on day ‘zero’; yellow fever, oral typhoid and human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccines at week 4; and HPV and tetanus/diphtheria booster vaccine at week 28. The intensive arm will receive PZQ doses three times, each 2 weeks apart, before BCG immunisation, followed by a dose at week 8 and quarterly thereafter. The standard arm will receive PZQ at week 8 and 52. We expect to enrol 480 participants, with 80% infected with S. mansoni at the outset.Primary outcomes are BCG-specific interferon-γ ELISpot responses 8 weeks after BCG immunisation and for other vaccines, antibody responses to key vaccine antigens at 4 weeks after immunisation. Secondary analyses will determine the effects of intensive anthelminthic treatment on correlates of protective immunity, on waning of vaccine response, on priming versus boosting immunisations and on S. mansoni infection status and intensity. Exploratory immunology assays using archived samples will enable assessment of mechanistic links between helminths and vaccine responses.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval has been obtained from relevant ethics committes of Uganda and UK. Results will be shared with Uganda Ministry of Health, relevant district councils, community leaders and study participants. Further dissemination will be done through conference proceedings and publications.Trial registration numberISRCTN60517191.

scholarly journals The ASHA (Hope) Project: Testing an Integrated Depression Treatment and Economic Strengthening Intervention in Rural Bangladesh: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 279
Author(s):  
Alison Karasz ◽  
Shabnam Anne ◽  
Jena Derakhshani Hamadani ◽  
Fahmida Tofail
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cash Transfer ◽  
Depression Treatment ◽  
Rural Bangladesh ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Low Income Women ◽  
Economic Strengthening ◽  
Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Depression, a debilitating disorder, is highly prevalent among low-income women in low- and middle-income countries. Standard psychotherapeutic approaches may be helpful, but low treatment uptake, low retention, and transient treatment effects reduce the benefit of therapy. This pilot randomized controlled trial examined the effectiveness and feasibility of an integrated depression treatment/economic strengthening intervention. The study took place in two villages in the Sirajganj district in rural Bangladesh. Forty-eight low-income women with depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) score ≥ 10) were recruited and randomized to intervention or control arms. The intervention included a six-month group-based, fortnightly depression management and financial literacy intervention, which was followed by a cash-transfer of $186 (equivalent to the cost of two goats) at 12 months’ follow-up. The cash transfer could be used to purchase a productive asset (e.g., agricultural animals). The control arm received no intervention. Findings showed significant reduction in depression scores in the intervention group. The mean PHQ-9 score decreased from 14.5 to 5.5 (B ± SE, −9.2 ± 0.8 95% CI −10.9, −7.5, p < 0.01) compared to no change in the control group. Most other psycho-social outcomes, including tension, self-esteem, hope, social-support, and participation in household economic decision-making, also improved with intervention. An integrated depression treatment and financial empowerment intervention was found to be highly effective among rural low-income women with depression. Next steps involve formal testing of the model in a larger trial.

scholarly journals Mitigating Childhood Food Insecurity during COVID-19: A Qualitative Study of how School Districts in California’s San Joaquin Valley Responded to Growing Needs

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Ashley H. Jowell ◽  
Janine S. Bruce ◽  
Gabriela V. Escobar ◽  
Valeria M. Ordonez ◽  
Christina A. Hecht ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
School District ◽  
School Districts ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Community Organizations ◽  
San Joaquin Valley ◽  
School Meal ◽  
Fresh Foods

Abstract Objectives: To explore best practices and challenges in providing school meals during COVID-19 in a low-income, predominantly Latino, urban-rural region. Design: Semi structured interviews with school district stakeholders and focus groups with parents were conducted to explore school meal provision during COVID-19 from June to August 2020. Data was coded and themes were identified to guide analysis. Community organizations were involved in all aspects of study design, recruitment, data collection, and analysis. Setting: Six school districts in California’s San Joaquin Valley. Participants: School district stakeholders (n=11) included food service directors, school superintendents, and community partners (e.g., funders, food co-operative). Focus groups (n=6) were comprised of parents (n=29) of children participating in school meal programs. Results: COVID-19-related challenges for districts included developing safe meal distribution systems, boosting low participation, covering COVID-19-related costs, and staying informed of policy changes. Barriers for families included transportation difficulties, safety concerns, and a lack of fresh foods. Innovative strategies to address obstacles included pandemic-EBT, bus-stop delivery, community pick-up locations, batched meals, and leveraging partner resources. Conclusions: A focus on fresher, more appealing meals and greater communication between school officials and parents could boost participation. Districts that leveraged external partnerships were better equipped to provide meals during pandemic conditions. In addition, policies increasing access to fresh foods and capitalizing on USDA waivers could boost school meal participation. Finally, partnering with community organizations and acting upon parent feedback could improve school meal systems, and in combination with pandemic-EBT, address childhood food insecurity.

scholarly journals Digital support systems to improve child health and development in low income settings

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Wallenborn ◽  
D Mäusezahl ◽  
A Castellanos ◽  
D McCoy ◽  
C e Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Child Health ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Primary Study ◽  
Developmental Potential ◽  
Digital Platform ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Health And Development

Abstract About 250 million children under age five are at risk of not reaching their developmental potential due to continued exposure to ill health, malnutrition and lack of appropriate learning environments. A large number of initiatives have been launched in recent years to support early childhood development, with home visiting programs increasingly being recognized as a key strategy for improving child wellbeing. However, the most effective ways to reach families in low income settings remain unclear due to the large expense associated with personal family visits. In this project, we assess the effectiveness and equity of a newly developed digital platform designed to deliver evidence-based, individualized parenting support through automated services. The Afinidata platform uses state-of-the art machine learning algorithms to allow caregivers to get answers to questions about child health and development, while also identifying and promoting age- and development-appropriate activities for parents to support their children. We will collaborate with partners in Peru to rigorously assess the reach, impact and cost effectiveness of this digital platform in a poor rural population through a randomized controlled trial. Our work will follow a mixed-methods evaluation approach with repeated feedback into the Afinidata system. A total of 2,400 newborns will be enrolled in a randomized controlled trial in San Marcos, Peru, and followed up for two years. The primary study outcome will be children's healthy development at 24 months of age assessed through the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID-III). Secondary outcomes will be systems utilization, program coverage and cost-effectiveness, as well as caregiver satisfaction. If proven effective, this innovative digital platform may increase global access to low-cost parental support -a widely recognized key strategy for improving child well-being.

scholarly journals Meeting the Challenges of Longitudinal Cluster-Based Trials in Schools: Lessons From the Chicago Trial of Positive Action

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 450-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kendra M. Lewis ◽  
David L. DuBois ◽  
Peter Ji ◽  
Joseph Day ◽  
Naida Silverthorn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Statistical Power ◽  
Student Mobility ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Study Planning ◽  
Positive Action ◽  
Cluster Randomized

We describe challenges in the 6-year longitudinal cluster randomized controlled trial (CRCT) of Positive Action (PA), a social–emotional and character development (SECD) program, conducted in 14 low-income, urban Chicago Public Schools. Challenges pertained to logistics of study planning (school recruitment, retention of schools during the trial, consent rates, assessment of student outcomes, and confidentiality), study design (randomization of a small number of schools), fidelity (implementation of PA and control condition activities), and evaluation (restricted range of outcomes, measurement invariance, statistical power, student mobility, and moderators of program effects). Strategies used to address the challenges within each of these areas are discussed. Incorporation of lessons learned from this study may help to improve future evaluations of longitudinal CRCTs, especially those that involve evaluation of school-based interventions for minority populations and urban areas.

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