Local Programs Research Articles

The Integrating Impacts of Extreme Weather Events and Shrimp Farming Practices on Coastal Water Resource Quality in Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam

Ninh Thuan is a coastal province in the central region of Vietnam and is characterized by a climate that is the hottest and driest in the country. Vietnam is also one of the top five countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change worldwide. The objective of this study was a thorough evaluation of the quality of water supply sources and the impacts of water effluents from shrimp farms in Ninh Thuan province. The comprehensive evaluation was based on an understanding of the water–wastewater cycle employed in coastal shrimp cultivation. We combined qualitative and quantitative analyses in undertaking this study. Secondary data of groundwater and coastal water from the local periodic water quality monitoring program and national technical regulations were collected in the qualitative approach. We also integrated participatory rural appraisal techniques and field observations to understanding shrimp cultivation and the environmental and social impacts of shrimp farm effluents. The quantitative assessment consisted of measuring groundwater and wastewater contamination from shrimp ponds. As a result, four main reasons for water pollution issues were determined including extreme weather events, shrimp cultivation practices, degraded infrastructure, and mismanagement by local governance. Shrimp cultivation practices (feeding, using chemicals) have resulted in elevated levels of suspended solid (TSS, total Coliform), organic and carbon matter (BOD5, COD), and excessive nutrients (total Nitrogen, NO2-N, NO3-N, PO4-P). According to a local monitoring program, the coastal water and groundwater have experienced nutrient pollution. Groundwater sampling near the shrimp farms identified salinization elevated levels of Coliform from local domestic sewage sources. This study resulted in an integrated approach that evaluated the combined effects of extreme weather events and shrimp farming practices on the quality of coastal water. Also, the finding can be useful in recommending remedial water treatment technologies as a follow-on phase.

Embracing Community-Centric Careers in a Post-<em>Barbie</em> World: Navigating Identity, Expectations, and Impact in Medicine and Veterinary Medicine

Navigating the intersection between personal aspirations and societal expectations poses a significant challenge. We as college students share our transformative journey toward embracing community-centric career paths in medicine and veterinary medicine amid the expectations of attending a prestigious institution. Through an educational neuroscience service-learning course led by Dr. Minna Ng, we partnered with our local YMCA AfterSchool Program, designing neuroscience-based activities and forging meaningful connections with students. Reflecting on our experiences, we challenge stereotypes surrounding “prestigious” specialties and female-dominated fields. We underscore the importance of aligning career aspirations with personal values and passions while celebrating the inherent value of community-centric professions within medical fields.

SANITATION-SAFETY- PLANNING (SSP), THE NEXUS FOR CLIMATE RESILENCE, SANITION AND HEALTH IN BAYELSA STATE

In recorded human history, climate-related hazardous events have always existed; however, climate change has proved to have the potential to increase their severity and the likelihood of creating public health risks. In Bayelsa State, a sizable portion of the population has been reported to be suffering from gastrointestinal disorders particularly diarrhea and a number of children have been diagnosed of gastroenteritis and helminthes infections in the year 2021. Again, preventing exposure and contact to human waste, especially in dense urban settings requires the safe management of the entire sanitation service chain involving multiple actors and exposed groups in the collection, transport, treatment, disposal and end use of sanitation waste. To that end, a review of scientific literature, particularly the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment Report (IPCC, 2014), the WHO discussion Paper on Climate, Sanitation and Health (WHO, 2019) and the Bayelsa State SSP zero draft of 2021, is undertaken to ensure that climate change outcomes are considered within the Sanitation Safety Planning (SSP) risk assessment, planning and management processes. The SSP is a WHO risk based management tool for the safe use and disposal of grey water, wastewater and excreta developed in 2006 because in 2018 the WHO concluded that sanitation interventions have shown lower than expected health outcomes. Evidently therefore, the Bayelsa State SSP zero draft of 2021 reports that between March and April 2021, over 200 cases were reported from over 30 communities arising from the outbreak of acute-gastroenteritis suspected to be of cholera, and casualty figures were over 26. Hopefully, the first comprehensive Guidelines on Sanitation and Health which aim to provide evidence-based recommendations and offer guidance to ensure international, national and local sanitation policies and programmes that effectively protect public health, was launched by the WHO in 2018. It is a step-by-step risk based approach to implementing local level risks assessment and a management tool for the entire sanitation service chain covering containment, conveyance, treatment and end use of disposal. Consequently, the SSP is hereby recommended for adoption in Bayelsa State and Niger Delta Region.

Improving Safety through a Virtual Learning Collaborative.

Frontline healthcare safety leaders require expertise and confidence to manage local safety programs effectively yet are confronted with substantial challenges in identifying risk and reducing harm. We convened a multidisciplinary safety learning collaborative in a children's hospital pediatric department and used the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's Breakthrough Series model. Participants attended four virtual education sessions over 13 months (September 2020-September 2021) focused on identifying harm and using tools to improve safety. We analyzed departmental safety data monthly throughout the collaborative. The primary outcome was the development of improvement projects using direct application of the session content. The secondary outcome was participant confidence in improving safety via pre- and postsurveys. Seventy clinicians and quality consultants participated. Fifteen divisional safety improvement projects were initiated. The percentage of survey respondents who reported feeling "completely confident" in their ability to improve safety increased from 26% (n = 39) to 58% (n = 26) from September 2020 to September 2021 (P = 0.01) and maintained at 65% 1 year after the end of the collaborative. We observed a decrease in the mean rate of reported inpatient preventable and possibly preventable moderate/serious/catastrophic events per 1000 bedded days from 1.10 (baseline) to 0.71 (intervention period). Through a collaborative effort in a virtual learning environment, we facilitated the development of fifteen safety projects, increased leaders' confidence in improving safety, and saw improved inpatient safety. This approach, which involves healthcare professionals from various disciplines, may be effectively adapted to other settings.

Age- and gender-specific acute poisoning with drugs and medications affecting nervous system

BackgroundWe investigated acute poisonings resulting from medications affecting the nervous system and illicit substances at Loghman Hakim Hospital in Tehran.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed patient records at Iran’s largest tertiary toxicology referral center between January 2010 and December 2015. We analyzed the prevalence, trend, age and gender distribution of acute poisoning caused by nervous system agents.ResultsThe present study included 16,657 (57.27%) males and 12,426 (42.73%) females, resulting in 29,083 patients. The median age of men and women was 29 and 26 years, respectively (p < 0.0001). There were 12,071 (72.47%) men and 10,326 (83.10%) women under the age of 40 (p < 0.001). Most cases were intentional (69.38% in men and 79.00% in women, p < 0.001) and 44.10% had a history of poisoning. The proportions of men and women varied significantly between different age groups and nervous system agents. For women, the most common agent was alprazolam, whereas for men, methadone. The overall trend of acute poisoning with drug used in addictive disorders, opioids and alcohol was increasing but decreasing with benzodiazepines and antidepressants. Acute poisoning by nervous system agents led to more deaths in men (1.95% vs. 0.56%; p < 0.001).ConclusionsMethadone intoxication was common especially among young men and most of these intoxications were intentional. Women and men aged 20–29 most frequently suffer poisoning from alprazolam and clonazepam, respectively. Women over 60 and men over 30 used opium. Illicit drugs caused more than half of the deaths, and opium dominated. This study may create awareness and develop educational and preventive gender and age-specific local programs.

The Status of Nationwide Implementation of Integrative Medicine Programs by Japanese Local Government from a “Social Model” Viewpoint

Background: The world's demographics are transitioning, prompting governments globally to adopt diverse health promotion and disease prevention programs to enhance people's quality of life. While several integrative medicine (IM) programs, including traditional or alternative medicine, may be in place, the level of implementation nationwide is unknown. This research represents the first nationwide study in Japan, conducted in 2018 before local government health programs were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The study examines the use of IM by local government in Japan and its safety and effectiveness as a “social model.”Methods: IM programs for disease prevention and health promotion of all 1,944 Japanese local governments in 2018, were retrieved the using the Web Archive Project of the National Diet Library, which is a maintained website repository for all Japanese local government including IM and health programs.Results: A total of 1,739 IM programs were implemented in 537 local governments (27.6% among all Japanese local governments). These included programs for Yoga (1,242; 71.4% of the projects), Qigong (211; 12.1%), and Aromatherapy (145; 8.3%). Among the providers of the programs, only 16 (0.9%) were national medical-related license holders. The purpose of disease prevention or health promotion was not described with scientific basis (safety and effectiveness).Conclusion: Japanese local government conduct health-promoting IM programs, but untrained providers administer many of them. There needs to be more evidence to support the alleged health promotion objectives. Local governments require better support and evidence-based planning to rectify this situation.

The Role of Cepagan Village Weaving in the Development of the Creative Economy in Warungasem District

This study examines the role of Cepagan Village weaving in the development of the creative economy in Warungasem District, Batang Regency, Central Java. Using a qualitative approach and case study design, this study explores the economic and social contributions of the weaving industry, the challenges faced, and development strategies in the context of the creative economy. The results of the study show that Cepagan weaving plays an important role in cultural heritage preservation, product innovation, and cross-sector collaboration. This industry has a significant impact on job creation, increasing regional income, and economic multiplier effects. However, challenges such as competition with modern products, regeneration of artisans, and limited market access need to be overcome. Development opportunities through digitalization, ecotourism, and collaboration with the fashion industry open up new prospects for the sustainability of the weaving industry. This research provides valuable insights into the integration of traditional crafts into the modern creative economy and can be a reference for the development of local wisdom-based community empowerment policies and programs.

Key udder health parameters on dairy farms with an automated milking system

Despite the increasing use of automated milking systems (AMS), udder health performance of farms has only been limitedly quantified on farms with a milking robot. The objective of this study was to quantify udder health parameters (UHP) at test-day and at herd level on robotic farms using routinely collected somatic cell counts (SCC) from test-day data, and to study the correlations between these UHP. Additionally, the associations between UHP and season, year and farm size as well as the association between the daily milk production and the herd milk SCC were investigated. To this end, we collected SCC test-day data from 48 Belgian and Dutch farms participating in the milk recording of a local dairy herd improvement program. The UHP were calculated based on individual animal records at each test day over three years (2017 until 2019). These UHP included herd milk SCC, average heifer SCC, average cow SCC, percentage of high SCC, percentage of new high SCC, percentage of chronic high SCC, percentage of high SCC cows after calving, and percentage of recovery during the lactation. By fitting a linear mixed model effect for each of the different UHP, significant associations between the UHP and season, year and farm size were observed at test-day level. A poorer udder health was observed during summer compared to other seasons and generally, larger farms performed worse than smaller farms. Using a linear regression model, a significant negative correlation between herd average SCC and average daily milk production was found: an increase of 6,085 cells/mL was associated with a decrease of one kg of milk production. Finally, the cow-level UHP were averaged over all test days of the entire study period per farm to investigate the farm-level udder health performance and correlations between them. At the farm level, UHP analysis revealed most farms had poor udder health performance (i.e. the herd milk SCC, average heifer SCC, average cow SCC, percentage of new high and chronic high SCC were all higher than their target values) as proposed by Barkema et al. (2013). Both at the farm and at test day level, strong correlations were found among the UHP. Similar to studies on farms with conventional milking systems, a strong correlation between herd milk SCC and the percentage of new and chronic high SCC cows was found. This study gives new insights into udder health performance on farms with an AMS and provides veterinarians and other dairy industry stakeholders with concrete benchmarks for udder health performance on farms.

Implementasi Modal Sosial Dan Tata Kelola Desa Wisata Terhadap Peningkatan Pendapatan Masyarakat Kabupaten Garut

Tourism is believed to be an economic activity that drives the regional economy in an effort to improve community welfare through sustainable tourism development with natural and human aspects over a long period of time through a sustainable tourism agenda with elements of building, managing related to the environment, economy, social, nature and culture. The concept of tourism refers to community empowerment (community-based tourism) with the community acting as the determinant of development (Tamrin et al., 2021), including through Desa Wisata. The local wisdom Tourism Village program is part of sustainable tourism development with a rural concept with aspects of customs, socio-culture, traditional architecture, daily life, and integrated village spatial structure supported by social capital to encourage the formation of social relations and become energy for the implementation of social networks for marketing. The urgency of this research is to develop social capital in the community as the driving force for various social actions and cooperation networks as the glue that glues a community together in social rules, culture, belonging and mutual support, to achieve goals that are still low in the community. Meanwhile, the governance of the Tourism Village is still not optimal, because it does not know the proper management of tourism potential that can increase local community income. The purpose of the study was to determine the implementation of social capital and tourism village governance to increase community income in Garut Regency 2024. This quantitative research uses primary data obtained from respondents spread across 5 Tourism Villages in Garut Regency with multiple linear regression analysis techniques through SPSS software. This research is expected to be an input for regional policies and stakeholders in Garut Regency.

The Role of Regional Development Banks (BPD) In Enhancing Community Welfare: A Case Study in West Kalimantan

Regional banks, known as Bank Pembangunan Daerah (BPD), play a vital role in regional economic development in Indonesia, particularly in supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (UMKM) and various local development programs. This study focuses on the BPD in West Kalimantan, examining its contribution to economic development and community welfare. Utilizing a literature review methodology, we analyzed various studies and data from 2010 to 2017, highlighting the performance and impact of Bank Pembangunan Daerah Kalimantan Barat (Bank Kalbar). The findings reveal significant growth in Bank Kalbar's assets, third-party funds, and credit disbursements, reflecting its commitment to supporting UMKM. Additionally, the bank’s initiatives in sustainable finance, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and inclusive finance have enhanced local economic development and social infrastructure. Programs aimed at promoting technopreneurship, financial inclusion, and environmental sustainability have bolstered community welfare, demonstrating the bank's role in improving living standards and environmental conservation. The study underscores the importance of Bank Kalbar’s role in providing financial services and support for local communities, contributing to economic resilience and poverty alleviation in West Kalimantan. Furthermore, the research highlights challenges faced by BPDs, including the need for better regulatory support and operational efficiency. The study concludes with recommendations for optimizing the role of BPDs in sustainable development, emphasizing the importance of effective governance, risk management, and community engagement to enhance their impact on regional development and welfare.

Penyuluhan Program Pemberian Makanan Tambahan Lokal sebagai Penanggulangan Stunting di Kota Kediri

Stunting is a chronic nutritional problem that significantly affects children's growth and development. This community service activity aims to evaluate the impact of education on local Supplementary Feeding (PMT) in combating stunting in Kediri. The method used is education about local PMT as a measure to combat stunting. The study subjects consisted of members of Ibu Persatuan Istri Tentara (Persit) Yonif 521: Dadaha Yodha in Kediri. Data were collected through self-data questionnaires, pretests, and posttests. The results of this activity showed a significant relationship between income, health cadre status, prior knowledge about local PMT and stunting, and the level of knowledge of Ibu Persit members. Moreover, there was an increase in the Ibu Persit member’s knowledge about the role of local PMT in combating stunting and a statistically significant difference in their knowledge levels before and after the education. Education on local PMT has proven effective in enhancing Ibu Persit members' understanding of nutrition and proper dietary practices, contributing to the reduction of stunting prevalence. These findings suggest the need for the widespread implementation of local PMT education programs as a strategy to combat stunting in other areas facing similar problems.

Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors Trends Among Black High School Students, 2009–2019

ABSTRACT Purpose: Physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors are key contributors to the rising rates of childhood obesity. Though many adolescents are aware of the benefits of exercise, youth in America are not sufficiently active. This study examined changes in physical activity (PA), physical education (PE), and sedentary behaviors among Black adolescents. Methods: Pooled data from Black high school students (n = 2,233) who completed the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) from 2009–2019 in Broward County, Florida, were analyzed. Logistic and linear regression models examined trends in selected physical activity indicators. Results: There were no significant changes in recommended physical activity levels (p = .829), daily physical activity (p = .44), PE class attendance (p = .054), or the average number of days of PA engagement (p = .304) for this time period. However, there was a significant decline in daily PE class attendance, the average number of days of PE attendance, and excessive television watching (p < .001). There were also increases in excessive video gaming and computer usage (p = .002). Conclusion: Adolescents’ physical activity behaviors have not declined substantially over the past decade. However, sedentary behaviors, such as computer use and video gaming, have markedly increased. Results presented here should assist in broadening the understanding of Black adolescents’ views on weight and physical activity and developing local programs and interventions to promote regular physical activity aimed at this population.

Building cross-sector recovery collaborations after Australian bushfires: the importance of embracing and linking diverse capitals and capacities

ABSTRACT The literature on disaster management highlights that communities that mobilise and integrate a range of local capacities, resources and knowledges tend to fare best. This demonstrates the critical, yet underappreciated, role these attributes play in disaster management. This paper contributes to scholarship by examining the conditions, values and practices for building effective cross-sector ties. Importantly, it highlights the need for decentralised, cross-sector supports for building community recovery (increasingly known as ‘polycentric’ disaster governance). It reports on the results of a local community engagement program after country-wide bushfires in Australia (2019–20). Participatory action planning is used in two regional communities and ethnographic methods are employed to glean the experience and learnings from local recovery workers (n = 5). Findings support calls for embracing and linking diverse capacities post-disaster to boost social capital and invest in local knowledges. Focus is given to bonding, bridging and linking capital, the importance of capacity ‘redundancy’, and the role of trust, serendipity, and ‘culture brokers’ in identifying, mobilising and integrating diverse capacities and resources to support community-centered disaster recovery. Findings are used to fine-tune understandings of cross-sector ties that enable communities to move beyond a passive stance.

Potential corruption in the stunting alleviation program: A cost-benefit analysis of local food-based feeding program

Potential corruption in the stunting alleviation program: A cost-benefit analysis of local food-based feeding program

Design of evolutionary computational intelligent solver for nonlinear corneal shape model by Mexican Hat and Gaussian wavelet neural networks

In this study, an integrated computational intelligence algorithm is implemented for the numerical treatment of the two-point boundary value problems that arise in the nonlinear corneal shape (NCS) model through the exploitation of wavelet neural networks including Mexican-Hat (MHWNNs) and Gaussian-wavelet (GWNNs) through global genetic algorithms (GAs) then hybridization with local sequential quadratic programming (SQP) solvers, i.e. MHWNNs-GAs, GWNNs-GAs, MHWNNs-GA-SQP, and GWNNs-GA-SQP respectively. The GWNNs and MHWNNs are applied to calculate the mean squared error of mathematical modeling of the proposed problem through objective functions while optimization of the fitness functions is initially conducted with an efficiency of global search GAs and then the efficacy of local search technique SQP for fine-tuning. A comparison of the proposed solutions of MHWNNs-GAs, GWNNs-GAs, MHWNNs-GA-SQP, and GWNNs-GA-SQP solvers with a reference solution of Adam’s method shows that the proposed schemes have better accuracy, stability, efficiency consistency on an independent number of runs analyzed through complexity analysis and different statistical operators.

Building a baby-friendly community: Development, strategy, implementation and evaluation of a BFCI program.

The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of the use of baby-friendly community initiative (BFCI) model on various stakeholders in the community. Quasi-experimental research design. The study was conducted in public premises and online workshops from April 2019 to September 2022. Participants were followed up for a period of 1 month, except for those employed at public premises. The program involved training based on an accredited BFCI framework to cultivate a breastfeeding-friendly attitude and knowledge. A paired sample t-test was used to examine breastfeeding attitude and knowledge scores before and after BFCI training among staff employed from public premises. An analysis of variance was conducted to examine the breastfeeding self-efficacy and attitude scores, measured repeatedly at different timepoints over 1-month timepoint (T0, T1 and T2) among pregnant and postpartum women. A total of 2340 perinatal women and 1339 staff from public premises were recruited. For staff, there was an increase in the mean score of breastfeeding knowledge and attitude by 5.8 and 6.1, respectively, at T1. Similarly, for perinatal women, there was an increase in the mean score of breastfeeding self-efficacy and attitude by 6.6 and 3.3, respectively, at T1. In summary, a BFCI model, with active community participation, accreditation and an award system, has been effective in promoting breastfeeding. Adapting the baby-friendly hospital initiative to local contexts and employing a social theory model can enhance breastfeeding promotion and improve infant health outcomes. Prioritizing culturally sensitive breastfeeding education is crucial for successful BFCI implementation. Healthcare professionals should consider clients' culture and socio-economic backgrounds when providing breastfeeding education to maximize effectiveness. The target audience for breastfeeding education should be expanded to include various community stakeholders beyond families. What problem did the study address? This study addressed the problem of knowledge gaps among stakeholders in building a breastfeeding-friendly community, particularly in implementing a baby-friendly community initiative (BFCI) as part of a baby-friendly hospital initiative (BFHI). The research filled a service gap by providing effective interventions targeting community stakeholders and assessing the impact of a BFCI program on their knowledge and attitudes towards breastfeeding. What were the main findings? The findings highlighted the effectiveness of a BFCI program in enhancing breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes among frontline staff and increasing breastfeeding confidence among mothers. These findings contribute to the understanding of the program's impact on different stakeholders in the community. Where and on whom will the research have an impact? It impacts on global policymakers by providing insights for developing comprehensive guidelines for future BFCI implementations. It also contributes to the creation of a more baby-friendly community, benefiting breastfeeding families and their infants by promoting and supporting breastfeeding families. This study has adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines using the TREND reporting guideline. No patient or public contribution. WHAT DOES THIS PAPER CONTRIBUTE TO THE WIDER GLOBAL CLINICAL COMMUNITY?: This study provides an overview of the establishment of a localized BFCI program. It also opens up a new direction for the community to investigate BFCI strategies for community stakeholders. It also provides evidence to support other countries in following a similar process, as each country approaches becoming breastfeeding-friendly in its own unique way. No protocol.

Drought-tolerant peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) varieties can mitigate negative impacts of climate change on yield in the Southeastern U.S.

Rising temperatures and varying precipitation patterns in future climates pose huge challenges to the peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) production in Southeastern U.S. (SEUS), which was characterized by hot summers and mild winters. This will require genetic improvement of peanut varieties for adapting to future climates for higher yields. Recently, several novel peanut varieties were found to exhibit higher yield and maintain photosynthesis during drought. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the spatial and temporal patterns of peanut yield response to future climate changes for peanut varieties with and without the drought tolerant trait of maintaining photosynthesis (MPh) under drought in the SEUS and evaluate the relative importance of yield related traits for enhancing yield advantage of peanut under future climate conditions. A modified version of the CROPGRO-Peanut model incorporating the drought tolerant factor was developed and validated using field trail data collected from distinct experimental sites under both rainfed and irrigated conditions. Yield was then simulated for the historical baseline period (1990–2021) and future (mid-century/2050s, late-century/2080s) climate scenarios across the SEUS. The results showed that peanut yield in the Northern SEUS was expected to benefit from climate change in the 2050s (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5), but Middle SEUS and Southern SEUS would experience high probability of yield loss in the future. Comparing to the reference variety (C4), the drought tolerant peanut varieties (C1, C2 and C3) with the trait of MPh under drought could enhance the yield gains due to future climates in the 2050s (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) in Northern SEUS (yield increases from 5% to 10% for C1-C3, and 2% to 3% for C4) and mitigate the negative impacts of climate change in the 2080s (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) in the Middle (yield changes from −26% to −1% for C1-C3, and −37% to −11% for C4) and Southern SEUS (yield changes from −24% to 1% for C1-C3, and −35% to −7% for C4). The yield advantage of the drought tolerant peanut varieties in future climates was strongly associated with the higher water use efficiency (WUE), harvest index (HI), seed size, seed number, and biomass with significant P values (p < 0.001). These findings are important for local breeding and management programs to mitigate the potential impacts of climate change on peanut yield in SEUS.

Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the Arabian Gulf Region Over a 12-Year Period (2010-2021).

To evaluate literature from a 12-year period (2010-2021) on the antimicrobial resistance profile of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from the Arabian Gulf countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates). An electronic literature search was conducted for articles on antimicrobial resistance in P. aeruginosa and associated phenotypes, covering the period of 1st January 2010 to 1st December 2021. Antimicrobial resistance in the Arabian Gulf was highest to meropenem (10.3-45.7%) and lowest to colistin (0.0-0.8%), among the agents tested. Annual data showed that ceftazidime resistance (Kuwait), piperacillin-tazobactam non-susceptibility (Qatar), and aztreonam, imipenem, and meropenem resistance (Saudi Arabia) increased by 12-17%. Multiple mechanisms of carbapenem resistance were identified and multiple clones were detected, including high-risk clones such as ST235. The most common carbapenemases detected were the VIM-type metallo-β-lactamases. Among P. aeruginosa in the Arabian Gulf countries, resistance to meropenem was higher than to the other agents tested, and meropenem resistance increased in Saudi Arabia during the study period. Resistance to colistin, a classic antibiotic used to treat Pseudomonas spp. infections, remained low. The VIM-type β-lactamase genes were dominant. We recommend local and regional antimicrobial resistance surveillance programs to detect the emergence of resistance genes and to monitor antimicrobial resistance trends in P. aeruginosa.

A COMPARISON OF ZAKAT MANAGEMENT IMPLEMENTATION IN EAST LOMBOK, TEGAL AND PADANG PANJANG DISTRICTS

This study aims to analyze the differences in the implementation of zakat management in three different regions, namely East Lombok, Tegal, and Padang Panjang districts. Different approaches, such as economic empowerment, information technology, and integration with local government programs, underlie the implementation of zakat in each region. The research method used is a qualitative approach with data collection through in-depth interviews and document analysis. The results of zakat implementation in the three regions reflect variations in community empowerment. In East Lombok Regency, the economic empowerment approach has successfully increased the economic independence of zakat recipients through business training. In Tegal, information technology is used to facilitate zakat collection and distribution, creating efficiency and transparency. In Padang Panjang, the integration of zakat with local government programs resulted in the synergy of broader empowerment. The determinants of successful implementation include regional context, commitment to zakat institution, and community participation. Similar research by Muhammad Zumar Aminudin, Lila Pangestu Hadiningrum (2019) has described zakat approaches in different contexts, providing in-depth insights into variations in zakat implementation. The theoretical implication of this research highlights the importance of a contextual approach in zakat implementation. The practical implication provides guidance for zakat institutions, local governments, and communities in improving the effectiveness of zakat programs. In conclusion, the successful implementation of zakat requires an in-depth understanding of regional characteristics, selection of appropriate approaches, and adaptation to social and economic dynamics.

Simulation-based economic evaluation of the Wolbachia method in Brazil: a cost-effective strategy for dengue control

Dengue virus (DENV) is an arbovirus transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which can cause severe conditions such as hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. These conditions are associated with adverse social, clinical, and economic consequences in Brazil. Herein, the Wolbachia mosquito replacement method is a promising dengue control strategy. We estimated the economic impact of implementing the Wolbachia mosquito replacement method in seven Brazilian cities. A mathematical microsimulation model tracked nearly 23 million inhabitants over a 20-year period, considering the transitions between five different health states (susceptible, inapparent, outpatient, hospitalised and death). Direct costs included local dengue control programs, Wolbachia implementation and dengue care. Indirect costs related to death and productivity loss, as well as disability-adjusted life-years (DALY) averted were also considered. Without Wolbachia, the model projected 1,762,688 reported dengue cases over 20 years. Implementing the Wolbachia method would avert at least 1,295,566 dengue cases, resulting in lower costs and greater effectiveness in all simulated cities. On average, for every 1000 inhabitants followed for 20 years, the Wolbachia method yielded a cost difference of USD 538,233.68 (BRL 2,691,168.40) and averted 5.56 DALYs. Net monetary benefits (NMB) were positive in all seven cities, ranging from USD 110.72 (BRL 553.59) to USD 1399.19 (BRL 6995.95) per inhabitant. Alternative scenarios have also shown a favourable return on investment with a positive benefit-cost ratio (BCR). Wolbachia is likely a cost-effective strategy in the Brazilian context, consistent with international studies. Sensitivity analysis and alternative scenarios confirmed the robustness of the results. This study was funded by the Wellcome Trust under a grant (224459/Z/21/Z).