Implementation Of Action Plan Research Articles

Extending political will into action in African LMICs: abating global antimicrobial resistance

Extending political will into action in African LMICs: abating global antimicrobial resistance

Characteristics of Water-soluble Ions in an Autumn Haze Process in the Southern Sichuan Urban Agglomeration After the Implementation of China's Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan

To investigate the PM2.5 pollution in the southern Sichuan urban agglomeration after the implementation of China's Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan (APPCAP), PM2.5 samples were simultaneously collected in four cities (Neijiang, Zigong, Yibin, and Luzhou) from November 7 to 19, 2018. The pollution characteristics of PM2.5 and main water-soluble ions were analyzed in combination with the synoptic situation, and the influence of regional transport on atmospheric pollution was also discussed in this study. The results showed that the mean ρ(PM2.5) in this region was (67.2±38.3) μg·m-3, being highest in Luzhou and lowest in Neijiang. The proportion of SNA (SO42-, NO3-, and NH4+) in PM2.5 was 33.3%, among which NO3- was dominant. From the intermediate stage (2015) to the end(2018) of the implementation of APPCAP, ρ(PM2.5) values were increased by 13.8%, 47.2%, and 69.1% in Neijiang, Yibin, and Luzhou, respectively, though unchanged in Zigong. Due to the significant reduction in ρ(SO2) but slight decrease or increase in ρ(NO2), as well as the lack of controlling NH3 emissions, from 2015 to 2018, ρ(NO3-) had increased by 36.7%-116.0%, whereas ρ(SO42-) decreased by 19.8%-40.2%, and ρ(NH4+) changed slightly in four cities. On haze days, the nitrogen oxidation rate (NOR) increased by 60.0%-118.2%, whereas the sulfur oxidation rate (SOR) increased slightly or decreased, leading to a significant increase in ρ(NO3-) (2.7-3.0 times that on clean days) and NO3-/SO42- mass ratios (1.7-1.9 on haze days). These values indicated that the secondary formation of nitrate was the dominant chemical mechanism in this haze process. On haze days, the PM2.5 pollution in this region was mainly affected by the regional transport within Sichuan Basin, particularly by the northeasterly air masses passing through Chongqing.

Promoting an Emergency Action Plan for Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Youth Sports During a Pandemic.

Pandemic-related restrictions increased the risk of delayed emergency response of bystanders to sudden cardiac arrest among youth athletes. Education and SCA emergency preparedness, implemented by nurse leaders and adapted to environmental changes, can greatly reduce the risks associated with an SCA episode. A nurse-led, quality improvement pilot project was implemented in a recreational youth soccer league. The project included the implementation of an emergency action plan (EAP; with or without the pandemic and social-distancing restrictions) for bystanders responding to SCA. Participants showed significant improvement in knowledge and perceptions of SCA and emergency response (p < .001). Willingness to initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) improved (p=.127), and fear to engage in EAP decreased (p = .119) following an educational intervention on SCA. Nurse-led SCA education and implementation of youth league EAP successfully demonstrated safety in SCA preparedness and best practice recommendations for youth sports from the Interassociation Task Force.

Climate-resilience-oriented transformations of housing policy: strategic impulses from a multi-level real-world lab in the Ruhr

In response to the climate emergency declared in many German cities in 2019, political decision makers, planners and researchers began promoting climate resilience in policy areas such as housing. This article discusses the potential impact and implementation of housing-market monitoring and housing action plans on analytical and strategic capacities at local and regional levels by presenting findings from a transdisciplinary, multi-level real-world laboratory in the Ruhr city region in Germany. It proposes an integrated multi-level approach to raise awareness and provide an accessible database for housing policies in climate-resilient city regions across administrative levels and sectoral borders.

A case study on Participatory Health Planning and Budgeting in Somali Region of Ethiopia

Participatory planning and budgeting aims to democratically allocate public money for local services, enabling communities to decide how public funds are spent and the monitoring of the services. This case study described the process and outcome of a pilot project on participatory planning and budgeting in the health sector in 6 project woredas (districts) in Somali region of Ethiopia. The Social Accountability Committee members were selected using the World Bank’s framework on accountability. The community members represented by the actively participated in all stages of the planning and budgeting process leading to the development of woreda health Joint Action Plans (JAPs) which are community prioritized health activities. Eighteen (49%) of the 37 activities in the Joint Action Plans were included in the woreda annual health budget which ranged from 29% to 80% across the 6 woredas. In addition, during the first half of the fiscal year, implementation has started in 10 (56%) of the 18 JAPs activities budgeted in the annual health woreda plans and ranged from 0% to 75% across the 6 woredas. The study highlighted the feasibility of engaging the community in participatory planning and budgeting process which resulted in allocation of woreda annual health budget to some of the prioritized items in the Joint Action Plans. In the bid to ensure sustainability, government ownership and ensure citizens’ participation, the fund for the participatory budgeting process should be included in the woreda annual budget and proportion of the annual budget should be designated to the implementation and monitoring of the Joint Action Plans through appropriate legislation.

Development of Youth leadership Through Community-Based Participatory Action Research During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of Korean American Adolescents

The purpose of this study was to investigate the leadership development of Korean American youth who participated in a community-based participatory action research program designed to assist community members affected by COVID-19. Participants were drawn from a small town in the southeastern part of the U.S. Using a case study approach, multiple qualitative data (e.g., focus group conversations) and quantitative survey data were collected to explore the learning experiences of 15 Korean American adolescents. Qualitative data was analyzed following the six steps of thematic analysis, and descriptive statistics were performed to analyze quantitative data. Findings suggest that the program provided authentic learning opportunities in which participants researched the needs of community members and implemented action plans to help them. The program also helped participants improve communication skills and broaden their leadership perspectives. However, participants’ perceived leadership development differed depending on their self-identified ethnic identity, and those students who lacked Korean language abilities demonstrated difficulties in collaborating with fluent Korean-speaking peers in bilingual learning environments. This study addresses gaps in the youth development literature by describing how a community-based approach and culturally relevant practice can help Asian American youth develop leadership and inspire them to be change agents in their communities.

Community Empowerment In Establishing Entrepreneurial Behavior (Case Study At Pkbm Bina Mandiri Cimahi City And Pkbm Bina Warga Bandung District)

This research is generally to find out about community empowerment in establishing entrepreneurial behavior in PKBM Bina Mandiri Cipageran, Cimahi City and PKBM Bina Warga Ciparay, Bandung Regency. Specifically, it is to know the stages of community empowerment, including: (1) preparation stage,(2) assessment stage, (3) alternative program planning stage, (4) action plan formulation stage, (5) implementation stage, (6) stage evaluation and monitoring, and (7) the termination stage. The method used is a descriptive method with qualitative data types. Data was collected through observation, interviews, and documentation studies. The results of the study indicate that in general both PKBM have empowered the community as the target community quite effectively, being more empowered, both cognitively, affectively, psychomotorically and independently with their entrepreneurial behavior. Specifically, the stages of empowerment are in accordance with the stages, including: (1) preparations carried out by preparing officers and field preparations; (2) assessment, namely by identifying the problems of the target community that have the potential to become learning citizens; (3) planning alternative programs, namely facilitating learning residents in determining the right choice of learning programs to overcome problems; (4) formulation of action plans, namely by determining learning times, recruiting target communities, providing program information; (5) implementation, namely program implementation, which begins with socialization, implementation, identification of results, supporting and inhibiting factors, their contribution to the formation of entrepreneurial behavior and their impact on increasing income and welfare; (6) evaluation, through program evaluation and monitoring; and (7) termination or continuation of the program, namely by providing guidance and assistance to learning residents who have completed the Business Study Group program. These stages have been carried out by the two PKBMs in the implementation of learning programs and community empowerment in shaping entrepreneurial behavior.

The influence of Continuous Quality Improvement on healthcare quality: A mixed-methods study from Zimbabwe

In an effort to improve the poor quality of maternal, newborn, and child health services, the Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care implemented a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) pilot in 2016. Health workers and district managers were trained and supported to implement cycles of quality target setting, developing and implementing action plans, and tracking outcomes. The pilot was implemented in district hospitals and primary health centers in five districts as an arm of the performance-based health financing (PBF) program. This study uses mixed methods to estimate the effect of the CQI model on quality of care for various services and to identify factors that enabled or impeded quality improvements. We assessed changes in quality of care for seven services over a two-year implementation period and compared these changes against other PBF districts. We also conducted focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with district and facility-level health workers and managers after implementation to explore enabling and impeding factors affecting program performance. Among the seven services assessed, CQI was associated with quality improvement in primary health centers for two: postnatal care and maternal delivery care. Enabling factors included strengthened leadership, teamwork and joint decision-making at facilities; and supportive supervision. Impeding factors included fragmentation of quality assurance policies; staff shortages and turnover; and gaps in the CQI training. Improvements were limited when considering the full breadth of potential outcomes but arise in certain areas of core focus of the CQI program. In order to see large scale improvement in the quality of healthcare in Zimbabwe, CQI should be seen as one potential tool in a broader health systems quality improvement strategy.

Detecting Vicious Cycles in Urban Problem Knowledge Graph using Inference Rules

Abstract Urban areas have many problems, including homelessness, graffiti, and littering. These problems are influenced by various factors and are linked to each other; thus, an understanding of the problem structure is required in order to detect and solve the root problems that generate vicious cycles. Moreover, before implementing action plans to solve these problems, local governments need to estimate cost-effectiveness when the plans are carried out. Therefore, this paper proposed constructing an urban problem knowledge graph that would include urban problems' causality and the related cost information in budget sheets. In addition, this paper proposed a method for detecting vicious cycles of urban problems using SPARQL queries with inference rules from the knowledge graph. Finally, several root problems that led to vicious cycles were detected. Urban-problem experts evaluated the extracted causal relations.

In Situ Simulation as a Tool to Longitudinally Identify and Track Latent Safety Threats in a Structured Quality Improvement Initiative for SARS-CoV-2 Airway Management: A Single-Center Study.

In situ simulation has emerged as a powerful tool for identifying latent safety threats (LSTs). After the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, an urban community emergency department (ED) identified opportunities for improvement surrounding acute airway management and particularly focused on infection control precautions, equipment availability, and interprofessional communication during acute resuscitation. Using the Model for Improvement, a hybrid in situ/quality improvement initiative was implemented using Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles to enhance systems for intubating patients with SARS-CoV-2. Three PDSA cycles consisting of 10 simulations each were conducted from June 2020 through February 2021. Latent safety threats (LST) were identified through an in situ simulation scenario involving a patient with SARS-CoV-2 in acute respiratory failure. LSTs were collected through structured debriefs focused on (1) infection control, (2) equipment availability, and (3) communication. The SAFER-Matrix was used to score LSTs according to frequency and likelihood of harm by members of the ED QI team (SAFER score). The research team worked with the same QI leaders to implement action plans based on scored threats using cause-and-effect and driver diagrams. The Donabedian model was used to conceptually evaluate the quality of interventions upon conclusion of the third PDSA cycle. The median SAFER score decreased from 10.94 in PDSA cycle 1 to 6.77 in PDSA cycle 2 to 4.71 in PDSA cycle 3. Across all identified LSTs, the SAFER score decreased by 3.114 for every additional PDSA cycle ( P = 0.0167). When evaluating for threats identified as being primarily structure based, there was a decrease in SAFER score of 1.28 per every additional PDSA cycle ( P = 0.001). There was a decrease in total count of LST of 0.20 per additional simulation run ( P = 0.02) after controlling for shift type, census, perceived workload, team size, and prior attendance in simulations across all PDSA cycles. This study presents a blueprint for the utilization of in situ simulation through multiple waves of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic to identify LSTs and use the SAFER score as a surrogate marker to monitor the impact of interventions for a safer environment for both medical staff and patients.

MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTION OF FOREST FIRE AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IN TROPICS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO WESTERN GHATS OF KERALA REGION, INDIA

Management of forest fire is one of the top priority activities of forest departments, both in tropics and temperate regions. Extensive amount and intensive efforts are deployed to combat fire. The results of a case study on forest fire prone mapping conducted at Periyar tiger reserve in Western Ghats of Kerala, India, was highlighted, and based on the study, the implementation of fire management strategies were discussed. The fire risk map was validated with the forest fire inventory points of Forest Survey of India. Forest fire is a frequent occurrence in tropical forests, especially in moist deciduous and dry deciduous regions. Though forest fire management is one of the major activities of forest departments, the forest fire mitigation is not 100% successful. The magnitude of forest fire, its frequency, potential location, etc., can be assessed using Geoinformatics techniques, by giving different weightage status to fire controlling factors. A case study was conducted on these lines and control measures were highlighted using different management strategies. The implementation of the desired action plan for sustainable development and conservation of forests can be successful only by getting the full support and confidence of the stakeholders. The stakeholder support for environmental management aspects is possible only by convincing them that they are directly or indirectly getting the benefits by the proposed action. Usually, most of the environmental management activities may lead to nontangible benefits, which is apparently non-visible, hence getting stakeholder support may not be an easy task. Various marketing strategies needs to be used to convince the beneficiaries to implement good conservation practices for the betterment of the local inhabitants.

Development of a Roadmap for the Implementation of a Sustainable Mobility Action Plan in University Campuses of Emerging Countries

Universities are centers of knowledge and their Campuses are like small cities, thus making them the ideal place to develop, apply and evaluate policies and tools for innovative mobility solutions that can subsequently be extended to other contexts. A review of mobility measures in different European Universities has revealed that many of them apply policies to promote sustainable mobility, but there is a significant lack of standardized mobility plans and roadmaps for their successful implementation. The objective of the present work is to develop a successful roadmap, which is necessary for the smooth implementation of a mobility plan, as it has been found through a thorough review of good practices in Universities. Within this framework, a customizable standardized Roadmap design is proposed, which consists of two documents: a tactical document that provides a global and sequential vision of the entire plan, and an operational document that details the actions for each strategic line. This roadmap is accompanied by a catalog of objectives, measures, and cost and impact indicators. We consider this design instructive for universities because of its universal characteristics in Emerging Countries. To ensure this, it is necessary to apply this roadmap and carry out the corresponding evaluation.

Developing a tailored implementation action plan for a suicide prevention clinical intervention in an Australian mental health service: A qualitative study using the EPIS framework.

Background: Tailoring implementation strategies to local contexts is a promising approach to supporting implementation and sustainment of evidence-based practices in health settings. While there is increasing research on tailored implementation of mental health interventions, implementation research on suicide prevention interventions is limited. This study aimed to evaluate implementation and subsequently develop a tailored action plan to support sustainment of an evidence-based suicide prevention intervention; Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) in an Australian public mental health service. Methods: Approximately 150 mental health staff working within a regional and remote Local Health District in Australia were trained in CAMS. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups with frontline staff and clinical leaders were conducted to examine barriers and facilitators to using CAMS. Data were analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis approach and mapped to the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation and Sustainment (EPIS) framework and followed by stakeholder engagement to design a tailored implementation action plan based on a 'tailored blueprint' methodology. Results: A total of 22 barriers to implementing CAMS were identified. Based on the perceived impact on implementation fidelity and the feasibility of addressing identified barriers, six barriers were prioritised for addressing through an implementation action plan. These barriers were mapped to evidence-based implementation strategies and, in collaboration with local health district staff, goals and actionable steps for each strategy were generated. This information was combined into a tailored implementation plan to support the sustainable use of CAMS as part of routine care within this mental health service. Conclusions: This study provides an example of a collaborative approach to tailoring strategies for implementation on a large scale. Novel insights were obtained into the challenges of evaluating the implementation process and barriers to implementing an evidence-based suicide prevention treatment approach within a geographically large and varied mental health service in Australia. Plain language abstract: This study outlines the process of using a collaborative stakeholder engagement approach to develop tailored implementation plans. Using the Exploration Preparation Implementation Sustainment Framework, findings identify the barriers to and strategies for implementing a clinical suicide prevention intervention in an Australian community mental health setting. This is the first known study to use an implementation science framework to investigate the implementation of the clinical suicide prevention intervention (Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality) within a community mental health setting. This work highlights the challenges of conducting implementation research in a dynamic public health service.

Intergenerational, integrative and intellectual Pacific properties and pathways for life (IPforLife): a study protocol.

Introduction Chronic disease such as cancer, cardiovascular, diabetes, mental health and obesity have debilitating effects on sufferers with impacts seen increasingly at a younger age. A whole-of-family approach to life-course research is essential to inform health and wellbeing policies and programmes that make a difference for children, youth, adults, and later in life. Aim The aim is to present the research protocol about a study to understand the impact of chronic conditions on families, with an emphasis on outcomes that have life-long benefits, and co-develop a sustainable and culturally centred life-course programme for overall health and wellbeing. Methods The qualitative study will assess the family, household and community strengths that allow people in the Tokelau community to thrive despite the challenges of living in households with chronic disease. A total of 200 participants will be involved in family group and stakeholder focus group interviews, digital storytelling and community-based participatory action workshops, and the implementation and evaluation of action plans. The study will be augmented by Pacific research models, and the New Zealand Health Research Council Pacific guidelines. Results Research findings will have implications for policy and primary health-care delivery, and the potential to upscale and construct life-enhancing pathways across the life-course. Discussion Understanding Tokelauan families' health status, exposure to health hazards, access to health services and medicines, and the strengths of the family unit and community that allows them to thrive despite the challenges of living with chronic conditions, can help to inform policy and practice, and achieve better health outcomes for them.

Developing a Circular Economy for the Data Centre Industry – how the CEDaCI project contributes to sustainable decision making

Data centres (DCs) house data processing and storage equipment. The data centre industry (DCI) is evolving rapidly, as society is becoming more dependent on digital technologies. Currently, there are 7.2 million DCs globally and provision is predicted to grow fivefold by 2030. The sector already utilises millions of tonnes of resources, including Critical Raw Materials, and the demand will only increase. DCI is based on a linear economy; recycling and materials reclamation infrastructure are also inadequate. At the end-of-life, many materials are either lost to landfill, incinerated, or unaccounted for. Furthermore, many virgin materials are located in geopolitically sensitive locations, which poses a threat to the supply chain that the sector relies on. The CEDaCI project aims to increase overall sectoral sustainability by addressing the various technical, cultural, and behavioural barriers across the DCI, such as fragmentation and sole focus on the energy efficiency. This paper describes the whole-systems approach and CEDaCI project outputs, including bespoke Eco-design guidelines, strategies, and digital tools to extend product life and recycling, and enable better decision-making to increase circularity in the DCI, prepare and support implementation of the EU Circular Economy Action Plan and ensure a secure, sustainable resource supply chain.

НОРМАТИВНО-ПРАВОВЕ ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ БУХГАЛТЕРСЬКОГО ОБЛІКУ ТА ЗВІТНОСТІ ЗОВНІШНЬОЕКОНОМІЧНИХ ОПЕРАЦІЙ

The article determines main factors having negative effect on the balance of external economic relations. To overcome negative consequences of corporate income ‘concealment” and its manual transfer to low-tax jurisdictions the main measures for implementation of Action plan on BEPS and main rules of transfer pricing have been analysed. It has been proved that the determining place in the issues of transfer pricing belongs to the creation of adequate information support of administrative decision taking process in the field of effective FEA operations, which generator is a qualitatively organized and legally regulated FEA record keeping system. The main changes pertaining currency supervision over compliance by residents and non-residents with the tax legislation according to the Law of Ukraine “On Currency and Currency Operations” have been studied. Ineffective organization of FEA operations accounting was proven to prevent establishment of a durable control system over currency operations for reduction of penalties. An important task of accounting system was found to be the provision of an adequate documentation process and establishment of a fault-free document circulation for implementation of border, customs and other types of control. In course of the study normative and legal regulation of the system of foreign trade operations record keeping and reporting was found to ensure the understanding of principles of organization of accounting and reporting on foreign economic activity of business entities, evaluate the effect of this activity on competitiveness of a company and efficacy of FEA operations on the international market, clearance of goods and cargo, crossing customs boarders, to facilitate acceleration of financial and other types of interaction of a large number of business subjects. The hierarchical scheme of normative and legislative provision of accounting of export, import, re-export, re-import and transit operations, in which international, national and company levels have been determined. Separate levels of legal provisions of accounting, which regulate foreign trade operations, will allow, depending on the objects involved in foreign trade operations, to strictly comply with the laws of Ukraine and other countries when keeping records of these transactions in the accounting system and transfer this information to financial statements and the Report country by country.

Investigation of Facilities Management Implementation Process for Malaysian State Mosque

The mosque has been a focal point of Islam since its inception, serving as a place of worship, a centre of education, economic pursuits, communal services, and spirituality. However, due to a variety of causes, the scope of mosque functions has been constrained as the world has developed rapidly. In summary, congregational capacity and facilities relating to hygiene, safety, and space utilisation are among the problems being closely examined in Malaysia. Based on the problems, the subject of mosque management's competencies that need to be improved in order to become more professional arises. Reviews of literature suggested that facilities management (FM) approach has the potential to be incorporated in the management of mosque. The purpose of this study is to examine the implementation of FM process in mosque in supporting the achievement of mosque’s functions. A quantitative approach was adopted in this study. The implementation of FM process from 12 state mosques in Peninsular Malaysia were investigated using questionnaire survey which distributed among the mosque management that manage mosque facilities. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the questionnaire survey data with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Results from the questionnaire survey revealed that, 50 per cent of the mosque has implemented most of the FM process model elements whereas other mosque still need further improvement to ensure the standards of FM process model is achieved. The results indicated that there is potential for improvement in mosque that possesses low position in implementing elements of FM process model that includes FM formulation strategy, requirement analysis of services, FM solutions development, FM solutions implementation and monitoring service provision. The finding could assist the top management level of the mosque in strategising the implementation action plan of mosque facilities management.

Analysis of methodological approaches to the construction of dynamic systems of investment in information development

The object of research is theoretical and methodological approaches to mathematical modelling of dynamic nonlinear systems to ensure dynamic management of the investment process of information development of enterprises. Methodological aspects of building dynamic investment systems, maximizing the effectiveness of system interaction in information development are considered. One of the most problematic places is the formulation of the optimal approach to the methods of system analysis of decision management.&#x0D; The paper provides an opportunity to solve a wide range of problems, related to the flexible management of investment projects in the implementation of information technology. The study used the economic component of the formation of information resources, which contains an integral investment component of the information system. This is due to the fact that the proposed discreteness of this approach in the complex dynamics of the value of the information system contains partial estimates. Therefore, there should be a scheme of constant review of its value, which contains a dynamic component of the investment value of the information system with properties.&#x0D; The axiomatic approach was used in one of the most common approaches in the formal study of systems. The peculiarity is that the model is based on certain basic assumptions that do not require theoretical justification – on axioms. The study identified the main characteristics of the dynamic investment component of the system.&#x0D; Investments will have the properties of assessing information flows as part of information development. In particular, the research used approaches to modelling many solutions of the investment resources management process. The stages of modelling the process of dynamics and state of the system, implementation of the information support system are determined. This provides an opportunity to identify and assess the stages of investment, analysis of key risks and existing opportunities, defining strategies and methods of response, system typing. As well as the development and implementation of action plans to minimize the variability of investment areas and information structure.

Effect of entrepreneurial orientation on business performance of young women agribusiness owners in Benin: Do social and business environments matter?

This research examined how key entrepreneurial orientation (EO) dimensions influence business performance of young women agribusiness owners, as well as the moderating effects of social and business environments on these relationships. Data were collected from a sample of 365 young women agri-food processing business owners in Benin. Moderated multiple regression methods were used to test multiple hypotheses including the interaction effects of social and business environments. The three EO dimensions identified in the context of young women agribusiness owners, namely Innovative EO, Pro-active EO and Risk-taking EO, positively influence business performance. The joint effect of EO and social environment on business performance was not significant. In contrast, the business environment negatively moderates the relationship between EO and business performance. Furthermore, there is a three-way interaction between EO, social and business environments, such that these young women entrepreneurs achieve low level of performance when adopting EO in social and business environments with high levels of barriers. The training of potential young women agribusiness owners on the appropriate EO, and the establishment of an innovation platform to jointly draft and implement action plans could enhance the performance of young women agribusiness owners. This study provides a critical understanding of what EO dimensions to stimulate for increased economic success of young women agribusiness owners. It also highlights the specific conditions for the effectiveness of EO on business performance of these entrepreneurs in developing contexts such as Benin.

Health effects of desert dust storm events in the south-eastern Mediterranean: perceptions and practices of local stakeholders.

The south-eastern Mediterranean experiences frequent desert dust storm events (DDS) that have been shown to be associated with adverse health effects. This study assessed the perceptions and practices towards DDS of local authorities and stakeholders from 3 countries in the region, Cyprus, Greece and Israel. Between October 2017 and April 2018, we administered a semi-structured questionnaire to regulatory authorities involved in public protection from DDS as well as social stakeholders in the 3 countries. The questionnaire addressed their knowledge regarding DDS, perceptions on the relationship between DDS and health effects and relevant actions taken towards public protection. Out of 58 stakeholders contacted, 49 participated in the study (84.5% response rate). Fourteen (28.6%) were regulatory authorities and 35 (71.4%) were social stakeholders. All responders were familiar with DDS but several underestimated the frequency of events while the majority (73%) instinctively reported that elders, children and respiratory patients are susceptible subpopulations. Nevertheless, 71% were unaware of a national policy on DDS, or considered that this was lacking in their country. Although several stakeholders reportedly receive questions from the public regarding DDS effects, only few reply according to a pre-determined action plan. Regulatory authorities and social stakeholders in Cyprus, Greece and Israel are characterized by good knowledge of DDS and associated health effects, although implementation of pre-determined action plans for public protection is limited. Future efforts should concentrate on increasing awareness among stakeholders and the public and developing national policies, including effective measures to minimize DDS exposure.