Behavioral Program Research Articles

Implementing a Digital Child Behavioral Health Prevention Program in Faith-Based Settings in Uganda: A Feasibility Study

Background: The burden of pediatric mental disorders in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) is tremendous, but solutions for addressing the burden remain limited. Although digital solutions have potential to improve prevention services, such solutions have not been systematically tested in these countries. Objective: This study explores the use of a digital parenting intervention tool designed for pediatric behavioral health, known as the Pediatric-Behavioral Health Digital Tool, in a preventive service model for low resource communities. We study the feasibility of implementing this new digital health service model and preliminary estimate the potential impacts on parenting and child social emotional outcomes when the program is implemented in faith-based organizations in Uganda. The Pediatric-Behavioral Health Digital Tool is a preventive intervention designed to be implemented by trained community-health-workers to facilitate caregivers’ access to the preventive mental health service in community for their young children. The tool is based on the screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment prevention service model for promoting pediatric behavioral and mental health. Methods: The evaluation study was designed using a pre-post assessment design. The content in Pediatric-Behavioral Health Digital Tool was co-designed with local expert and iteratively adapted based on parents and caregivers as well as community-health-workers and experts who were invited to provide their feedback and suggestions for improvements in content, functions, and delivery model through a series of focus groups and workshops. This pilot evaluation focuses on the pre-post changes of the intervention families (91 families) and 10 community-health-workers. Results: We found high acceptability, appropriateness, and usefulness of the program based on the intervention families’ community-health-workers’ report. Intervention parents felt safe in using the digital toolkit. Parents felt comfortable for the CHWs asked them personal questions. In estimating the impacts, we found some expected findings on parenting and child social emotional health. Specifically, we found intervention parents become more mindful in their parenting (d=1.61, p=.049), and felt more effective in discipline their child’s misbehavior (d=1.29, p=.003) after they receive the intervention. For children, we found improvement on children’s social emotional outcomes, measured by decreased parent-child conflict (d=-1.08, p=.002) and increased child emotional regulation skills (d=1.0, p=.049) after their parents receive the intervention. Conclusions: Our Pediatric-Behavioral Health Digital Tool has potential to provide a cost-effective service solution to provide preventive mental health care in communities to promote child social-emotional and mental wellbeing in low-resource settings.

Diverse Preconception Cohort of Digital Health Platform Shows Promise for Addressing Fertility Care Gaps

About 10 percent of women (6.1 million) in the United States ages 15-44 have difficulty getting pregnant or staying pregnant. Addressing fertility challenges requires an understanding of not only the causes of infertility, but also modifiable risk factors that can impact the likelihood of pregnancy. However, current research on factors influencing conception is often conducted among people who are already engaged in medical fertility treatments. In addition, existing databases are not representative of the U.S. population demographically. This retrospective study describes the demographics of participants of a digital fertility platform who were seeking fertility guidance prior to conception. Demographic data collected from participants who enrolled in Doveras Fertility Inc. (Doveras)’s digital health offerings in 2023 and 2024 were analyzed. Doveras offers personalized preconception lifestyle and behavioral intervention programs, delivered through an innovative digital fertility health platform, for individuals and couples to improve various endpoints along the reproductive and maternal health journey. This paper reports on the inception cohort of the first 600 enrolled participants (Doveras Preconception Cohort I), a subset of a wider pool of Doveras participants enrolled. Doveras achieved this enrollment of a notably diverse and representative population: 65.9% of female-identifying participants identify as White and 34.1% as non-white; 60.5% of male-identifying participants identify as White and 39.5% identify as non-white. The cohort also demonstrates a wide geographical spread, with participants recruited from 46 U.S. states, and represents a population that may have limited access to preconception healthcare: more than half (61%) of participants live in states with 13 OBGYNS or fewer per 100,000 population. The Doveras digital fertility platform presented herein may provide an opportunity to reach a broader and more diverse U.S. population during the preconception period than currently has access to medical fertility care.

The Effects of Cognitive-Enhancing Activities in Senior Canine Patients

Aging process in dogs seem to be like aging in people. Human Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative condition very similar to the disorder in dogs, Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD). CCD affects several areas of the brain, mainly ones responsible for regulating locomotion, problem-solving, navigation, and long-term memory. The onset of the disease occurs when neurotoxins are released into the brain. The presence of these toxins is manifested through symptoms including restlessness or lack of movement, disorientation, decreased ability to recognize family members, changes in patterns of interaction, sleep pattern alterations, and loss of house training. Treatment for this disorder is multimodal, including behavioral modification intended to stimulate the brain. In the present study, the canine cognition program, Dognition® was tested for its possibility to aid as a behavioral modification treatment plan to ameliorate symptoms of CCD assessed by a validated scale. We found that after the Dognition® activities, over half of the participants in the trial improved their scores for memory and communication. Additionally, before and after treatment, we found that that over half of the participants also improved their cognition scores. Implementation of diagnostic methods and behavioral modification programs is necessary to recognize and treat CCD in dogs.

Poor sleep and inflammatory gene expression among care partners of persons living with dementia: a pilot trial of a behavioral sleep intervention.

Poor sleep is associated with increased inflammation, thereby increasing the risk of chronic diseases and mortality. However, the effects of behavioral sleep interventions on the upstream inflammatory system are unknown among family care partners (CP). The present study explored the role of a behavioral sleep intervention program on inflammatory gene expression. This was part of a randomized controlled trial of a sleep intervention for dementia care dyads with sleep problems. Thirty dyads were randomized to sleep intervention or control groups. Sleep outcomes for CP were assessed with 1 week of actigraphy and sleep diary, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Other information included CP demographics, body mass index, and intensity of caregiving tasks. All outcomes were collected at baseline, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up. Neither group showed any significant differential changes in gene expression from baseline to post-treatment or 3-month follow-up. A decrease in inflammatory gene expression was significantly associated with more nights of good sleep (i.e. nights without trouble falling or staying asleep at night). This finding remained significant after controlling for group (intervention/control), timepoint (baseline, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up), and CP characteristics (e.g. age and ethnicity). Although better sleep was associated with decreased inflammatory gene expression, this study did not demonstrate any benefits of a behavioral sleep intervention over control, most likely due to a small sample. Studies with larger sample sizes are needed to test the specific aspects of disturbed sleep that relate to inflammatory biology among CP of persons living with dementia.

Towards Shared and Effective Self-Care: A User-Centric Framework for Enhancing HIV Prevention

Background: Despite a declining trend in Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence across sub-Saharan Africa, specific vulnerable groups continue to be disproportionately impacted (29.9% for sex workers, 12.9% for gay men having sex with men (MSM) vs 5.9% for adults). In the face of this challenge, it is critical to tailor demand creation for prevention, in particular self-care, for maximum impact and cost-efficiency. This study seeks to provide a behavioral understanding towards HIV prevention that shape the efficacy of prevention strategies among priority populations (female sex workers, MSM and adolescent girls and young women) in southern and eastern Africa. Methods: This study involved a literature review of 110 articles, focusing on HIV prevention in priority populations, behavioral interventions, and policy priorities from governments and funders. Additionally, insights were gained from 11 in-depth interviews and a workshop with 10 experts at the AIDS Impact 2023 conference. Participants included behavioral researchers and program leaders from Global Fund, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, FHI360, Population Services International and Genesis Analytics. A user-centric behavioral framework was devised to identify actionable drivers and barriers in HIV prevention during the consultation exercise. Results: The study highlights the importance of shared and effective self-care in enhancing HIV prevention, particularly in vulnerable groups. The behavioral framework integrates the decision-making contexts and the health ecosystem layers to inform research and demand strategy. Key findings include: (1) effective self-care is not the same as continuous use of Pre-exposure prophylaxis and therefore, programs and policies need to measure them differently; (2) users exercise choice through a combination of prevention products and focus on a few may be sub-optimal, and (3) perceived risk is transient and hence risk-based messaging lacks sustained relevance. Conclusion: Effective self-care strategies extend beyond overcoming access and availability issues. Examining the underlying factors causing the barriers is essential. The behavioral framework presented here suggests that: (a) Self-care is a shared responsibility between the user and healthcare system and (b) demand creation should be de-medicalised, away from products and towards meeting the needs and preferences of users.

Lifestyle intervention and support preferences to maximize health outcomes in adolescent bariatric surgery patients.

Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is safe and efficacious for adolescents with severe obesity. Pairing MBS with behavioral lifestyle interventions may be effective for optimizing treatment outcomes. However, no standardized program exists. Adolescent perspectives are critical to understanding how to design interventions to enhance engagement, sustain motivation, and meet informational needs for pre- and post-MBS self-management behaviors. The aim of this study was to develop an MBS lifestyle support intervention built on evidence-based content with input from adolescents and their families. A mixed-methods design identified adolescent preferences for MBS lifestyle support. Data were collected from a racially and ethnically diverse sample of adolescents (N = 17, 76% females, 24% males 41.2% non-Hispanic Black, 41.2% Hispanic/Latino, 11.8% non-Hispanic White, 5.8% Other) and their mothers (N = 13, 38.4% Hispanic) recruited from an MBS clinic. Quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews assessed preferred types of pre-post MBS content, modality, frequency, and delivery platforms to inform the design of the intervention. Mixed methods data were triangulated to provide a comprehensive understanding of adolescent/parent preferences. Adolescents prioritized eating well, managing stress, and maintaining motivation as desired support strategies. Parents identified parental support groups and nutrition guidance as priorities. Peer support and social media platforms were identified as key approaches for boosting motivation and engagement. The patient voice is an important first step in understanding how, and whether behavioral lifestyle programs combined with MBS for weight management can be optimized. Adolescent preferences may enhance program fit and identify health behavior supports needed to sustain behavior change.

Development of a Comprehensive Cough Therapy Program (CCTP) for chronic cough in India: a qualitative study.

Chronic Cough (CC) is an emerging area of practice in speech language pathology. Behavioral treatment for managing CC has gained attention in the recent past. This study aimed to devise a comprehensive behavioural therapy program for CC by involving allied health professionals (AHPs), who are typically involved in management of CC. A qualitative methodology was used to devise a behavioral treatment module for CC. Practice patterns of medical professionals, AHPs and yoga practitioners for CC were gathered through semi-structured interviews. A constant comparative framework was used to recruit participants until data saturation was achieved. The interview transcripts were analyzed to identify relevant components for the module. A post-interview survey was conducted to finalize the module through a consensus-based approach. Three themes and respective sub-themes were identified from analysis. The module was developed based on the treatment strategies followed by professionals and was labeled 'Comprehensive Cough Therapy Program (CCTP)'. This comprised four components - similar to what is available in literature - patient education, breathing exercises, laryngeal hydration, and cough control strategies. This was devised using inputs from the interviews and evidence in the literature. In line with global guidelines, this behavioral treatment module can serve as a possible management option for CC.

A Service Evaluation of More Than 27 000 Adults Referred to a Community Weight Management Program: 24-Month Outcomes.

Obesity has a significant impact on healthcare resources with limited accessible support available through the NHS. This service evaluation determines 24-month efficacy of referral to an open-group behavioral program by BMI category and socioeconomic status. This retrospective, longitudinal study examined weight outcomes of adults living in England referred by healthcare professionals to Slimming World during 2016 who recorded at least 1 weight change. Primary outcome was % weight change at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Socioeconomic status was measured using the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD). Data from a post-referral questionnaire investigated self-reported changes in dietary and activity behaviors. Twenty-seven thousand five hundred sixty (15.6% male) records were analyzed. Mean (SD) age and BMI on joining were 48.6 (14.80) years and 37.1 (6.31) kg/m2; 91.7% had a BMI > 30 kg/m2. Mean (SD) % weight change was -5.6 (3.79), -7.1 (5.71), -7.5 (6.88), and -7.3 (6.88) at 3, 6, 12, and 24-months, respectively. At 24- months, differences in weight loss between BMI category were significant, ranging from 0.29% (35-<40 vs 40+) to 1.33% (25-<30 vs 40+). For IMD quintile only comparisons against Q1 and Q2 were significant, ranging between 0.36% (Q2 vs Q3) to 0.94% (Q1 vs Q5). Five thousand eight hundred sixty-two (21.2%) completed the post-referral questionnaire. There were no BMI category effects on dietary behaviors but changes in physical activity behaviors were lower within the higher categories albeit effect sizes were small (all ges < 0.001). IMD quintile influenced changes for sugary drinks, watching TV and avoiding moderate activity although effect sizes were small (all ges < 0.01). Following 12-week referral to a commercial weight management organization, a mean weight loss of over 7% was reported at 24-months. Adults with higher BMIs and a greater level of deprivation can benefit from the practical support offered as part of the referral, supporting weight loss and weight loss maintenance albeit with some inequality.

The Effectiveness of a Behavioural Program in Improving the Executive Functions of Students with Intellectual Disabilities

The Effectiveness of a Behavioural Program in Improving the Executive Functions of Students with Intellectual Disabilities

Development and Effectiveness of an Individual Cognitive Behavioral Program for Suicide Attempters

Purpose: Suicide attempters experience high levels of psychological stress such as depression, anxiety, hopelessness, guilt. The study aimed to develop an individual cognitive behavioral program for suicide attempters and verify its effectiveness. Methods: This study was an experimental design before and after nonequivalent control group. The participants were 18 suicide attempters(experimental group: 10 persons, control group: 8 persons). Experimental group participated in the individual cognitive behavioral program (8 sessions) for 8 weeks and the control group attended post suicide attempt, case management (8 sessions) for 8 weeks. Data collection was conducted by a structured questionnaire about depression, suicidal ideation, feelings of hopelessness, life satisfaction and expectations, and quality of life. Results: The individual cognitive behavioral program significantly reduced suicidal ideation (t=-2.12, p=.005), depression (t=-5.42, p&lt;.001), and hopelessness (t=-7.59, p&lt;.001) in suicide attempters compared to the usual case management. Conclusion: Our findings provide the valuable support that in suicide attempters, cognitive behavioral program reduces risk of suicidal reattempt via alleviating suicidal ideation, depression, and feeling of hopelessness.

Effectiveness of an internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy program enriched with inferential confusion for obsessive-compulsive disorder

Effectiveness of an internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy program enriched with inferential confusion for obsessive-compulsive disorder

The effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral program to develop psychological and environmental compatibility for security guards in light of the quality of life &amp;quot;a field study on the National Security Institute in the UAE&amp;quot;

the effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral program to develop psychological and environmental compatibility for security guards in light of the quality of life &amp;quot;a field study on the National Security Institute in the UAE&amp;quot;

Penerapan Program PHBS Pada Masa Covid-19 Di Indonesia Sebagai Upaya Pemberdayaan Masyarakat (Literature Review)

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). SARS-CoV-2 is a new type of coronavirus that has never been previously identified in humans. Corona virus or what is known as Covid-19 is a new case of pneumonia that was first reported in Wuhan, Hubei Province. Within a month, this disease had spread to various other provinces in China, Thailand, Japan and South Korea. Implementing clean and healthy living behavior (PHBS) during the Covid19 pandemic can break the chain of virus spread. The aim of this literature review is to see how the Indonesian people implemented clean and healthy living behavior programs during the Covid-19 pandemic. The methodology used to write this article is based on a literature review approach. The journal collection process is based on criteria determined in literature research. Participation criteria are journals published in the last 5 years and indexed in Google Scholar. The results of this article explain the clean and healthy living behavior of the community during the Covid-19 period. Based on the results of this research, it can be concluded that there has been a change in clean and healthy living behavior in Indonesian society during the Covid- 19 period.

Criminogenic Needs andLegal Problem Severity Among Legal System Involved Veterans.

Many veterans seeking behavioral health services have history of criminal-legal involvement. Research on criminogenic needs of legal system involved veterans is burgeoning. However, most research has relied on cross-sectional examinations and the vast majority of prior work has focused assessment on just one criminogenic need per study. The present study evaluated seven key criminogenic needs of legal system involved veterans (N = 341) enrolled in one of three U.S. Veterans Health Administration residential behavioral health treatment programs. Criminogenic needs and legal problem severity were assessed at baseline, and at 6 months and 12 months post-baseline. Directionality of associations between participants' criminogenic needs and legal problem severity was examined using latent change score models. Results revealed having more antisocial associates at a previous timepoint was associated with greater subsequent improvements in legal problem severity ($\beta $=-0.01, P < 0.02) and greater improvements in legal problem severity predicted greater subsequent improvements in alcohol problem severity ($\beta $=0.13, P < 0.01). In one of the most comprehensive single-study assessments of criminogenic needs among a sample of legal system involved veterans, results highlight links between antisocial associates and alcohol problem severity with legal problem severity.

PATHOGEN APATHY RESULTING FROM SKN-1 ACTIVATION: A MARK OF RESILIENCE OR A RATTLED GUT FEELING?

Abstract Innate immunity is a key driver in promoting survival against xenobiotic stressors and hostile environments and an appropriate immune response is essential to organismal health across lifespan. Caenorhabditis elegans encounter pathogens in their natural environment and initiate cytoprotective and immune responses that can have long-lasting effects on health, even after the pathogen has been neutralized. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA14) is an opportunistic pathogen that is lethal to C. elegans with prolonged exposure. C. elegans employ multiple defense mechanisms to ensure survival upon exposure to pathogens to defend against the current infection and to avoid continued exposure, including activation of the key cytoprotective transcription factor SKN-1 (mammalian homologue Nrf2). Although wild type C. elegans quickly learn to avoid pathogens, our current work documents a peculiar apathy to pathogen in animals with constitutive activation of SKN-1. The outcome is surprising as the role of SKN-1 is to protect an animal from intracellular and environmental insults. This behavior is mediated by tissue specific actions of SKN-1 that initiate cell non-autonomous responses for pathogen avoidance, survival, and metabolic adaptation. Based on transcriptional signature of animals with SKN-1 activation upon exposure to PA14 we observed that the apathy behavior is independent of somatic lipid depletion, thus uncoupling these two exceptional physiological responses. Further, we define the role of neurosignalling molecules in the gut-brain axis that drive the apathy response to pathogens. Our work reveals new insights into how animals perceive pathogens in the environment and subsequently alter behavior and cellular programs to promote survival.

Comparing clinical decision-making of AI technology to a multi-professional care team in an electronic cognitive behavioural therapy program for depression: protocol.

Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting up to 300 million people globally. Despite its high prevalence and debilitating effects, only one-third of patients newly diagnosed with depression initiate treatment. Electronic cognitive behavioural therapy (e-CBT) is an effective treatment for depression and is a feasible solution to make mental health care more accessible. Due to its online format, e-CBT can be combined with variable therapist engagement to address different care needs. Typically, a multi-professional care team determines which combination therapy most benefits the patient. However, this process can add to the costs of these programs. Artificial intelligence (AI) has been proposed to offset these costs. This study is a double-blinded randomized controlled trial recruiting individuals experiencing depression. The degree of care intensity a participant will receive will be randomly decided by either: (1) a machine learning algorithm, or (2) an assessment made by a group of healthcare professionals. Subsequently, participants will receive depression-specific e-CBT treatment through the secure online platform. There will be three available intensities of therapist interaction: (1) e-CBT; (2) e-CBT with a 15-20-min phone/video call; and (3) e-CBT with pharmacotherapy. This approach aims to accurately allocate care tailored to each patient's needs, allowing for more efficient use of resources. Artificial intelligence and providing patients with varying intensities of care can increase the efficiency of mental health care services. This study aims to determine a cost-effective method to decrease depressive symptoms and increase treatment adherence to online psychotherapy by allocating the correct intensity of therapist care for individuals diagnosed with depression. This will be done by comparing a decision-making machine learning algorithm to a multi-professional care team. This approach aims to accurately allocate care tailored to each patient's needs, allowing for more efficient use of resources with the convergence of technologies and healthcare. The study received ethics approval and began participant recruitment in December 2022. Participant recruitment has been conducted through targeted advertisements and physician referrals. Complete data collection and analysis are expected to conclude by August 2024. ClinicalTrials.Gov, identifier NCT04747873.

PATHway: Intervention optimization of a prevention program for adolescents at–risk for depression in the primary care setting

With as many as 13% of adolescents diagnosed with depressive disorders each year, prevention of depressive disorders has become a key priority for the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Currently, we have no widely available interventions to prevent these disorders. To address this need, we developed a multi-health system collaboration to develop and evaluate the primary care based technology “behavioral vaccine,” Competent Adulthood Transition with Cognitive-Behavioral Humanistic and Interpersonal Therapy (CATCH-IT). The full CATCH-IT program demonstrated evidence of efficacy in prevention of depressive episodes in clinical trials. However, CATCH-IT became larger and more complex across trials, creating issues with adherence and scalability.We will use a multiphase optimization strategy approach to optimize CATCH-IT. The theoretically grounded components of CATCH-IT include: behavioral activation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, and parent program. We will use a 4-factor (2x2x2x2) fully crossed factorial design with N = 16 cells (25 per cell, after allowing 15% dropout) to evaluate the contribution of each component. Eligible at-risk youth will be high school students 13 through 18 years old, with subsyndromal symptoms of depression. The study design will enable us to eliminate non-contributing components while preserving efficacy and to optimize CATCH-IT by strengthening tolerability and scalability by reducing resource use. By reducing resource use, we anticipate satisfaction and acceptability will also increase, preparing the way for an implementation trial.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN KNOWLEDGE LEVELS AND CERDIK BEHAVIOR IN HYPERTENSION PATIENTS DURING THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC IN THE COMMUNITY RT 011 PLERED PURWAKARTA

The presence of the Covid 19 pandemic certainly affects many aspects of people's lives, one of which is the health aspect, the number of cases of Covid 19 makes people feel worried, anxious, and stressed. This has resulted in people being afraid to check their health conditions to health services for the reason of being afraid of contracting covid 19, so that many diseases are not well controlled, one of which is hypertension. Hypertension is known as the Silent Killer because it often causes no symptoms until it becomes more serious. Hypertension is characterized by measurement results showing systolic blood pressure above 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure above 90 mmHg. The Indonesian government has given serious attention to the prevention and control of hypertension by holding the CERDIK behavior program, while CERDIK behavior is to check health regularly, get rid of cigarette smoke, be diligent in physical activity, diet, get enough rest and manage stress. The research method used is quantitative with cross-sectional analytic research. It was found that the value of 5% (0.05) Chi-Square Test results obtained p-value (0.000) &lt; value (0.05) so that it can be concluded from these results H0 is rejected and Ha is accepted. This means that there is a relationship between the level of knowledge and CERDIK behavior in patients with hypertension during the covid 19 pandemic in the community RT 011 RW 03 Plered Purwakarta.

Repositioning for the future: African hand-washing innovation Shesha Geza streamlines its strategic direction

Learning outcomes After completion of this case study, students should be able to reflect on the concept of creating shared value and then determine whether Shesha Geza can be referred to as a shared value company and, if so, what level of shared value it demonstrates. They will be able to subjectively and objectively understand the possible meaning of when a social enterprise embarks on a strategy to scale the organisation; clarity of construct will enable managers to better plan and successfully implement scalability goals. They will also be able to recognise, once scalability goals are better understood and planned, that there are a multitude of intra-organisational levers and drivers that may contribute to the organisation’s ability to scale its operations, which are related to specific internal organisational capabilities of social enterprise companies. In addition, there are situational factors that may affect the business either positively or negatively in relation to the scalability success of which a social entrepreneur should be aware. Case overview/synopsis In April 2021, Dean Boniface and his brother, Roger, had just signed off a new informational video for their Shesha Geza innovation, a low-cost hand-washing station designed for use at commuter hubs and high-traffic areas across the African continent. The unit used diluted chlorine instead of alcohol-based sanitisers to ensure a more expedient and sustainable solution, one better suited to Africa’s logistical challenges. Boniface, the co-founder of Vue Architects, had conceptualised the idea of the hand-washing hub during South African Government’s enforced COVID-19 lockdown from 27 March 2020 to 1 May 2020. Shesha Geza’s speed to market was a key contributor to its successful response in solving a critical social need. Throughout 2020, Boniface and his team built successful partnerships and secured an impressive order pipeline within a short span. Export opportunities across Africa, installations and maintenance of a sizable number of units across South Africa and the development of a behavioural change programme aimed at hygiene in schools kept the momentum going in the business. However, a year into the business and the future sustainability of a crisis–response enterprise and the ability of a shared value enterprise to scale were playing on Boniface’s mind. He was worried about the future of the small resource-constrained business. Holding onto the mental map of everything the team had learned over the past year, Boniface was confident about one thing: “All the programmes we build around Shesha Geza are value-adds to our current business. Hand hygiene will not diminish after COVID-19; it will continue to be an important social issue across the African continent.” Complexity academic level This case is intended for discussion in post-graduate-level courses such as an MBA and in postgraduate courses focused on business model innovation or on creating shared value. This case is suitable for use in the environment of business courses in relation to environmental situational factors that may affect the ability to scale social enterprises or strategic implementation courses, considering the still pervasive challenge of scaling increasingly important social impact enterprises. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 11: Strategy.

Convolutional neural networks for classifying healthy individuals practicing or not practicing meditation according to the EEG data

Convolutional neural networks for classifying healthy individuals practicing or not practicing meditation according to the EEG data