United Nations Population Fund Research Articles

The Establishment Of Shelters as A New Paradigm Towards Struggling With Violence Against Women: A Literature Review

Objective: Shelters are an important part of a full response to survivors, as stated in many international conventions, such as the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BDPfA). This study aims to provide a comprehensive perspective on the establishment of shelters for women survivors of violence. Materials and methods: This narrative review was conducted based on the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA). The MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Embase, Ovid, and EBSCO databases in English and Magiran and Scientific Information Database (SID) in Persian were searched for related documents. Also, WHO, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the United Nations Population Fund's (UNFPA) guidelines and instructions for shelter services for women and girls who have been subjected were searched up to July 31, 2023. A qualitative synthesis was carried out on the 28 eligible articles and instructions out of the 420 retrieved documents. Results: "A "shelter" describes emergency and temporary "safe accommodation for women and children who have been subjected to or are at risk of (typically male) domestic abuse. Types of shelters include emergency shelters or safe homes, second-stage or transitional housing facilities, third-stage housing, and alternative accommodation during (and occasionally after) the period of residence. The shelter delivers a wide range of services, including health services, socio-economic services, and legal services. These principles consisted of a comprehensive perspective, quality of service, organization, funding, and the right issues. Conclusion: Women who are survivors need holistic, interdisciplinary, and specialist care that focuses on safety and needs. The adoption of regulations with robust enforcement guarantees and the facilitation of approvals for the construction of non-governmental shelters and safe houses should be on the agenda setting.

CNN 기반 위성 이미지를 활용한 북한의 도시 인구추정

North Korea does not officially disclose population data through formal procedures. However, information related to North Korea's population can be verified through KOSTAT or internet searches. Nevertheless, these data are based on population surveys conducted with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in 1993 and 2008, and are known to be of questionable reliability. In this study, as an initial attempt to estimate the current population of North Korea, we utilized daytime satellite images from 2023 to estimate the populations of Pyongyang and Kaesong at the grid level. The research resulted in the development of a gridded population estimation model based on a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). The model was trained on CNN using data from South Korea and aimed to be applied to North Korea. It employed the VGG16 model, a representative algorithm of CNN, for transfer learning. To account for seasonal differences in the images from daytime satellite data, a U-net was used for image adjustment. Furthermore, neighboring effects were incorporated to enhance the model's performance. The model fitting results indicated that the populations of the four major metropolitan cities in South Korea were estimated without significant differences from actual populations. The populations of Pyongyang and Kaesong in North Korea were also estimated to be similar to the 2008 census data, demonstrating satisfactory results.

IJCM_108A: A Community Based Cross-sectional Study on prevalence of Low Social Support Status of the Geriatric Age group in a Rural population of South India.

Background: The elderly above 60 years of age constituted 10.5% of India’s population according to the United Nations Population Fund India Ageing Report 2023. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of low social support of the geriatric age group in a rural population of South India. Methodology: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out on 200 elderly individuals including both genders in two villages of the field practice areas of the Rural Health Training Center of MAPIMS during the month of September & October 2023 with the use of the Multidimensional Scale Perceived Social Support questionnaire (MSPSS). Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis were carried out using SPSS version 24 software. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 66.33 ± 8.02 years and the majority of the study participants were females (62%). Out of 200 study Participants, 110 (55%) elderly were found to have low social support, 71 (35.5%) had moderate social support and 19 (9.5%) had high social support. The result also showed that the farmers, Illiterates, people belonging to low socioeconomic status and those married were significantly having low social support. Conclusion: The study concluded the prevalence of low social support is high among the geriatric population and emphasizes the need to create awareness among the people regarding the provision of social support to the geriatric population.

Urban planning and development in harmony with the geosciences

Urban geology is the study of the different geological elements that impact and restrict human activities in engineering and economics inside urban areas. Over half of the world's population, or 4.2 billion people, lived in urban areas in 2018. Projections suggest that by 2030, this figure will rise to nearly 5 billion. Notably, the majority of this urban growth is anticipated to occur in developing countries, with towns and cities in these regions accommodating around 80% of the urban population by 2030, as stated by the United Nations Population Fund in 2007. A quick and comprehensive review of the literature reveals the growing importance of urban geology as an emerging area of study as well as the vitality of geosciences for natural disaster mitigation, resource management, sustainability, and understanding geological processes and natural hazards. Interdisciplinary research and collaboration between geologists, engineers, architects, urban planners, and policymakers at the national and local levels is inevitable given the current acceleration of urbanization and rapid environmental degradation as a backdrop. Geology is also an essential part of site selection, infrastructure design, and construction, water resources management, land use planning, and environmental protection during the urban planning and development phases. Incorporating geoscience insights into planning processes and raising public awareness allows cities to be planned and managed in ways that promote sustainable development, and resilience to natural disasters, and safeguard residents' health and well-being. In order to construct safer, more resilient, and sustainable cities for our communities and future generations, geoscience education and research must be acknowledged within the scientific research agendas related to urban planning, development, and transformation endeavors. Given the above, this study aims to examine the close relationship of geosciences with urban planning and development activities and to investigate and analyze the impact of geological factors on the urbanization process. This research also aims to raise public awareness about the importance of geology among the people who live in urban areas.

Life style and problems of elderly people in Uzbekistan

The article deals with one of the main problems of gerontology and sociology. It is, in particular, about social activity of elderly people, motives and factors that induce them to social activity, as well as spheres in which their social activity is manifested. The statistical data of the Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the data obtained on the basis of sociological research conducted under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) Population Fund are analyzed. In addition, the author of the article reveals the nuances of the lifestyle of older people in Uzbekistan, shedding light on the unique challenges they face and the opportunities that lie ahead. As the demographic landscape around the world is undergoing significant changes, Uzbekistan is no exception, taking steps to combat the aging population. The study uses a multidimensional approach to comprehensively analyze the socioeconomic, health and cultural aspects that shape the lives of older people in this Central Asian country. Relying on a combination of quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews, the study reflects the multifaceted challenges faced by the older population. Economic constraints, access to health care and social isolation emerge as key themes with implications for their overall well-being. In addition, the article explores the cultural dynamics affecting the lifestyles of the elderly, traditional family structures, social relationships, and the process of how urbanization affects their daily lives. By bridging the gap between academic research and practical implications, the article contributes to a better understanding of the complex issues surrounding the livelihoods of the elderly population in Uzbekistan. The author offers insights that can help in policy implementation in close collaboration with the community.

Assessment of unintended pregnancies, contraception, and abortion in Botswana.

Botswana has a policy of contraception for all that is delivered through a rights-based family planning program. The program combines a "rights-based family planning approach" with "supportive policies for contraception," and "a commitment to promote equitable access to modern contraception, and expand availability, method mix and uptake of modern contraceptive methods for all women and girls." However, abortion is legally restricted up to 16 weeks of pregnancy provided that provisions of Section160-162 of the Botswana Penal Code Amendment Act 1991 are met, and that the termination of pregnancy is carried out by a registered medical practitioner in a health facility approved for the purpose. In 2020, the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Botswana, in collaboration with United Nations Population Fund and World Health Organization, conducted a strategic assessment of unintended pregnancies, contraception, unsafe abortion, and abortion services in Botswana. A consensus operational plan to address these issues was developed during a national stakeholder meeting in Gaborone, Botswana. The consensus reached was to avert unintended pregnancies, improve access to modern contraception, and open nationwide discussions around abortion in the community to enable positive change and decrease maternal morbidity and mortality from unsafe abortion. This article describes the findings of the assessment and outlines the foundation for new or modified services or practices to be developed and pilot tested.

Is Egypt leaving no one behind? Tracing Egypt’s progress in SDG indicators

The Sustainable Development Goals SDGs are the latest of a series of global attempts by the United Nations to persuade nations around the globe to work towards a more sustainable future. In 2019, the Egyptian ministry for planning and economic development signed a partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to create a series of reports on Sustainable Development Goals SDGs localization in Egypt. The series consists of a report for each of the 27 governorates covering the progress in SDG indicators. Each report identifies SDGs indicators and their targets tailored according to the governorate’s conditions. This paper traces the progress in these indicators with special focus on Egypt’s governorates with the largest vulnerable populations namely El-Menya, Sohag and Assiut governorates in Upper Egypt. The results show that the rate of progress varies across governorates and indicators. A notable remark is that not all seventeen SDGs are included in the report. The report discusses only eleven of the SDGs while disregarding the remaining six i.e. goals 9,10, 12, 13,14, 15. This in itself can be an indicator of the need for more progress in these areas specifically. Moreover, in the goals discussed in the report not all the indicators proposed by the UN are introduced and reported. The paper shows that Egypt’s most vulnerable governorates are working on achieving the SDGs but still have a long way to go.

Climate Smart Agriculture Practices in India

According to the World Bank, Climate-smart agriculture encompasses the comprehensive management of landscapes, including land under cultivation, livestock, woodland areas, and aquatic resources, addressing the interconnected issues of food security and climate change. United Nations Population Fund or UNFPAs Population dashboard shows India’s population at 1406.6 million with an annual average rate of population increase at 0.9% from 2020-25. To meet this food demand, it is imperative for India to adapt sustainable agricultural practices. The IPCC (Inter-governmental panel on climate change) report has pointed out that climate change has affected food security due to global warming and extremes of temperatures around the World. In light of these facts, India faces the unique challenge of developing a path of enhancing the country’s food supply, ensuring water availability while minimizing agricultural GHGs (Greenhouse emissions) which are estimated to be 14% of its total GHG emissions. In the 2021 Global Climate Risk Index (CRI), India was ranked 7th, with a CRI score of 16.67. This paper aims at understanding the theoretical and conceptual framework of climate smart agriculture and presents an insight into how the objectives of food sufficiency, change in climatic conditions and greenhouse gas emissions are being met in India through policies, institutions and financial models.

Meta-evaluation: Validating program evaluation standards through the United Nations Evaluation Quality Assessment (EQAs)

The 2015 United Nation’s ‘Eval Year’ declaration heightened program evaluation’s significance in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. However, uncertainties persist regarding evaluating high-quality evaluations and addressing social justice concerns in meta-evaluations. The field lacks consensus on both conducting meta-evaluation and the standards to use. To address this, we reviewed meta-evaluation literature, mapped the American Evaluation Association’s foundational documents with the United Nations Evaluation Group’s Norms and Standards to explore their intersectionality on social justice, and analysed 62 United Nations Population Fund evaluation reports alongside their management responses. Our findings indicate that addressing social justice concerns in meta-evaluation is contingent on context rather than established standards. Thus, it’s crucial for evaluators to prioritise social justice in evaluation design and implementation, and to select quality assurance tools that match the evaluation context and professional association guidelines, especially in the absence of standardised guidelines.

Update on HPV Vaccination Policies and Practices in 17 Eastern European and Central Asian Countries and Territories.

In 2021, a survey was conducted as part of the regional program of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) to assess the policies and practices relating to HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening in the 17 countries and territories included in this region. Since then, very substantial progress has been made with HPV vaccination across the region so another survey was conducted establish the current situation. A 10 question survey covering the policies, plans and practices for HPV vaccination was prepared. As cervical cancer prevention is a priority for the UNFPA, its offices in the 17 countries and territories included in this study are well placed to identify the people who can provide authoritative data for this survey. Working with the UNFPA offices, the questionnaires were sent to these national experts in May 2023, with data collected until 30 June 2023. All countries and territories returned completed questionnaires. In the period from 30 June 2021 to 30 June 2023, the number of countries and territories that have implemented or are implementing HPV vaccination programs has doubled. As of 30 June 2021, only 6 of 17 countries and territories had implemented national HPV vaccination programmes, and by 30 June 2023, another 6 could be added to this list. Of the 4 countries with sub-optimal vaccination coverage rates in 2021, none showed substantial improvement over the 2-year period. The implementation of HPV vaccination programs across the region is progressing very rapidly with ≈70% of the countries and territories implementing or having implemented national programs. However, greater attention needs to be given to ensuring that both the old and the new programs will achieve high coverage rates.

Improving the health status of Afghan mothers living in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The healthcare system of the Islamic Republic of Iran provides special maternal health care services for mothers, regardless of their nationality. This study, supported by the United Nations Population Fund, was conducted to review available data associated with health indicators of Afghan mothers living in Islamic Republic of Iran. This descriptive study used data from the electronic registration system of the Maternal Health Office of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education on characteristics, morbidity and mortality among Afghan mothers in the Islamic Republic of Iran from 2017 to 2019. The data were analysed using SPSS version 23.0. Based on the results, we propose interventions to improve health services for vulnerable Afghan mothers. There were 168 488 deliveries over the 3 years of the study (2017-2019). Deliveries by Afghan women increased from 3.4% in 2017 to 5.2% in 2019, and more than 70% of these Afghan women were vulnerable. Ten percent of deliveries among Afghan mothers were performed by traditional birth attendants. The rate of caesarean section among Afghan mothers was 30%. Maternal mortality ratio among the Afghan mothers was 43 per 100 000 for the 3 years. Afghan mothers in the Islamic Republic of Iran use primary health care services provided for mothers in the country. However, healthcare delivery to these mothers is inadequate, although considered better than the care provided to Afghan mothers living in Afghanistan. We recommend targeted interventions to improve the health status of Afghan women living in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

6.O. Workshop: Overview of Comprehensive Sexuality Education Status in Moldova, Georgia, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan

Abstract Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is a key dimension of overall health and wellbeing of individuals. Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) is one of the most important means of promoting and supporting youth is their sexual and overall development, and a key component of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) prevention. It is widely recognised that school plays a central role in learning about health and health promotion skills, including sexuality and sexual health. Nevertheless, there is often a lack of evaluation of CSE implementation in school curriculums. This is why UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) and BZgA (Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung), in cooperation with UNESCO((United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), WHO (World Health Organization) and IPPF EN (International Planned Parenthood Federation), conducted a study in Moldova, Georgia, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to assess the status of CSE. In this workshop, we will describe the study process, reflect on the main findings in four countries and discuss two case studies of Moldova and Georgia. The speakers will also share their experiences of translating these findings into advocacy measures and achievements since the study conducted in 2022. The data was collected using the standardized Sexuality Education Review and Assessment Tool (SERAT) via desk reviews of relevant policies, curricula and national data, questionnaires, stakeholder interviews (e.g., with teachers, representatives of technical working groups and ministries of education, young people) and discussions to validate the findings. Overall, we have seen that all four countries teach sexuality education, which is supported by adequate legal and policy frameworks, and integrate it into their school curricula. The comprehensiveness of the curriculum, teacher training and learning methods differ across the four countries. In Georgia, the biggest CSE-related challenge is that there is a stigma in society around sexuality-related issues and there is a need to support an open dialog with key stakeholders. In Moldova, this was the second SERAT assessment within 5 years, which demonstrated a significant progress in the development of sexuality education program since 2017, achieving a much higher score of compliance with the international standards for CSE. Key messages • This study shows that the four countries assessed are on a positive track in implementing and expanding their sexuality education programmes, which are supported by a legal and policy environment. • Gaps still remain in teacher training, monitoring and evaluation, and the comprehensiveness of the delivered content.

Women-led organisations leading from the front: Coordinating responses to gender-based violence in Somalia and South Sudan

abstract Responding to gender-based violence (GBV) in fragile and conflict affected states is highly complex and coordination is critical. Both South Sudan and Somalia have unique challenges in providing services. Despite women being disproportionately affected by GBV, there are many barriers to women-led organisations (WLOs) taking leadership roles. Through a feminist participatory action research project with Women for Change (WFC) in South Sudan and Active in Development Aid (ADA) in Somalia (supported by Trócaire, United Nations Population Fund and the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance), barriers to the participation of WLOs in leadership structures coordinating responses to GBV were identified and addressed, and a resource package was produced. WFC and ADA both went on a unique journey in asserting their leadership roles, developing their leadership skills, and raising the voices of WLOs. The impact of their leadership positions through the project had a knock-on effect, and both organisations have increased visibility and been able to insert women’s realities — including GBV — into other interventions. This article discusses the importance of women-led solutions addressing GBV in fragile and conflict-ridden states, and provides recommendations for increasing women’s voice, leadership and action.

Appalling pregnancy outcomes in flood-affected areas.

Respected Madam, Floods are one of the most common types of natural disasters leading to enormous morbidity and mortality in a developing country like Pakistan. Pakistan is ranked 9th among flood-affected countries worldwide and in 2022 floodwater has submerged over one-third of the country in water, killing over 1,000 and impacting 33 million people. (1) Flood-affected areas serve as ideal breeding grounds for pathogens, severely disrupting livelihoods and impacting the health of the vast majority and adversely influencing the lives of pregnant women. In 2021 Erin et al. reported the impact of the flood on pregnancy, health, birth outcomes and postpartum mental health. They stated that pregnant women in the first trimester are at high risk of having low birth weight (LBW) babies and a reduction in fetal growth rate in areas of major floods. (2) This is not the only study to show these results. A systematic review shows the increased prevalence of preterm birth, at the same time, highlighting increasing incidents of gestational hypertension, increased rate of LBW birth, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia and eclampsia after the flood. (3) A study published after the 2012 floods in Pakistan raised serious concerns regarding diarrhoea, skin & eye infections, leptospirosis, malaria, leishmaniasis, respiratory infections and hepatitis being prevalent in flooded areas of Pakistan. (4) The major concern author wants to highlight is the health of pregnant women and growing fetuses being particularly vulnerable to direct and indirect impacts of natural disasters. The poor standards of hygiene in camps set up for women displaced by the floods also contribute to pregnancy-related complications including sepsis. A recent report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has stated s a need for providing healthcare facilities to almost 650,000 pregnant women in flood-affected areas in Pakistan. (5) Flood-affected areas need medical aid to mitigate pregnancy-related complications in relief camps. But no research done on the Pakistani population in flood-affected areas directly highlights the outcome of flood on pregnancy and fetal well-being. The author suggests a data collection and assessment approach and reporting system to evaluate pregnancy-related complications in flood-affected areas; so that future policy, clinical and research strategies are based on research and get adopted to mitigate the effects of future floods on pregnancy outcomes. In addition to this, trained healthcare workers, robust health systems and gender-sensitive responses should be set in place in responding to flood emergencies.

Monsoon Floods: A Challenge To Pakistan's Already Fragile Healthcare Infrastructure.

Madam, This monsoon season's floods from mid-July 2022 onwards have proven to be the most catastrophic climate disaster in Pakistan's history, flooding a third of the country, killing more than 1290 people, and forcing a staggering 634,000 people to take refuge in relief camps [1]. Furthermore, of greater concern is the implications of the floods on already fragile healthcare infrastructure in a country with a weak economy and limited fund allocation for Health Services. In this regard, the World Health Organization has reported damage to 1460 health facilities; 432 are inoperable and 1,028 were partially destroyed [1]. Considering the deficit of healthcare centres, and medical professionals and the availability of medications in low-lying, agricultural, and rural setups of the major provinces, the transmission of infectious diseases is inevitable. Subsequently, there is a significant concern surrounding the feasibility of relief camps set up, where overcrowding of displaced individuals, lack of proper sanitation and sewage systems, and inadequate hygienic food further stimulate communicable disease spread. Notably, the stagnant water surface remaining after flood water recedes serves as an ideal reservoir for mosquito vector growth and hence transmission of infectious diseases such as malaria and dengue affecting vulnerable populations, primarily the refugees in congested camps lacking basic sanitation and insecticidal net beds to sleep under. Moreover, overcrowding and destruction of sewage systems causing water contamination could lead to the oral-faecal transfer of gastrointestinal pathogens, causative agents of diarrheal diseases [2]. Cholera is the most prevalent infectious disease outcome of the floods as evidenced by reports of 115 922 cases of acute diarrhoea in KPK in the aftermath of the summer 2010 floods [2]. In addition, one of the major concerns identified among the displaced population is the alarming number of pregnant women in dire need of proper medical and residential facilities to facilitate their infants. In this context, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), released a startling estimate of 650,000 pregnant women affected by floods of which over 73,000 are expected to deliver within a month [3]. UNFPA has set a precedent by providing 8,311 dignity kits, 7,411 newborn baby kits, and 6,412 clean delivery kits. However, this would not be enough considering the magnitude of mass displacement [3]. ---Continue

Novel gonorrhea strain in the United States of America leading to increase of sexually transmitted diseases load: is it an outcome of inexorable process of developing antibiotic resistance?

Novel gonorrhea strain in the United States of America leading to increase of sexually transmitted diseases load: is it an outcome of inexorable process of developing antibiotic resistance?

The Migration Risk Environment: Challenges to Human Security for Venezuelan Migrant and Refugee Women and Girls Pre- and Post-Migration to Colombia

The Venezuelan crisis has unleashed multiple forms of sociopolitical violence against its population and created a context of unmet needs, insecurity, and human rights violations. Outward migration caused by this situation has been linked to health emergencies in neighboring countries. Venezuelan migrant and refugee women and girls (VMRWG) are among the most affected. We conducted a cross-sectional qualitative and Participatory Action Research (PAR) project to characterize the risk environments for VMRWG across migration phases, analyzing pre-departure, transit, border crossing, and resettlement risk factors for health and security through semi-structured interviews ( n = 30) and human cartographies ( n = 16). We found cross border risk and protective factors that inform cross-border health initiatives, migration policies, and human rights efforts for both the migrant and host communities. Findings and Recommendations Migratory trajectories of VMRWG from Venezuela to Colombia represent a risk environment for women and girls, connecting cross-border contexts through armed actors’ control, culturally reinforced gender roles and limited social and economic resources. Long-term sustainable migratory policies that are culturally sensitive and include a gender-approach to health should operationalize how gender roles are intimately connected to HIV risk and mental health disparities through reinforced structural factors. Such policies must address these structural factors. The public health system needs to incorporate and align with programmatic efforts implemented by international platforms (United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), AID4AIDS, and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) also known as Doctors Without Borders) targeting screening for infectious diseases (including HIV and mental health disparities) in border crossings and borderlands. Sustainable policies to bridge gaps between services and populations and to decrease growing HIV cases depends on these strategies. Policies and programs of local governments (city and municipality level) addressing mental health disparities need to be expanded through peer leaders and civil society networks of care to guarantee wellbeing and quality of life after resettlement. International efforts and collaborations should capitalize on the re-opening of the border to establish inter-sectoral collaborations with Venezuelan NGOs and civil society organizations on both sides of the border to address gender-based violence, follow-up of cases, and access to services in sending and receiving communities. In order to broach gaps and tackle access barriers in resettlement communities in Colombia, services must be provided in peripheric territories and neighborhoods where some vulnerable migrants resettle. These services must rely on health sector-community collaborations. Public health sector efforts should be integrated and coordinated with family and child services on a local and national level Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar (ICBF), gender working groups, shelters, and citywide supported initiatives like the House of Women) to provide and promote access to social resources (education, jobs, and housing) for migrant women. Health promotion strategies are necessary to decrease infectious diseases and violence-related trauma among migrants across borders. These strategies can include outreach through peer leaders, civil society organization campaigns, and HIV mobile testing and counselling. These services should be delivered in a culturally sensitive manner, capitalizing on in-place cross-border networks of support. In Colombia, sustainable efforts in policy and programs have been made to provide Venezuelans with access to health care and social services with the help of inter-sectoral working groups, national laws, and border commissions. However, there is an urgent need to expand the humanitarian response and the health sector coverage to gender-based violence impacting infectious disease risk and mental health trauma in host communities. Connecting pre- and post-migration contexts in South-to-South migration is paramount. Tackling these issues can improve the protection of human rights and resettlement conditions in host communities.

Leadership and Governance Effect in Implementing the IMPACT Approach: A Retrospective Observational Study in Simiyu Region

The Government of Tanzania in collaboration with USAID Global Health Supply Chain-Technical Assistance-Tanzania (USAID GHSC-TA -TZ), JSI-InSupply Health and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) rolled out the IMPACT approach in Simiyu Region in 2019. For the purpose of improve data management and visibility of vertical health commodities supply chain system. The objective of this study was to highlight leadership engagement in implementation of IMPACT Approach to improve reporting rates for vertical health commodities. Since introduction of this approach indicators monitored were not improving; the region facilitated the response performance monitoring processes, through IMPACT approach integrating with performance Scorecard as a visual performance tool for some of the indicators, including the process indicators, and used feedback meetings attended by senior leaders in the region to discuss indicator results and identify areas for improvement for councils. The results of this study revealed that, engagement of leaders in decision making influenced positively the IMPACT meetings conducted by teams whereby supply chain challenges including reporting rates discussed. At a Councils level the meetings conducted as per calendar increased from 6.1% April-June 2021 to 84.9% October- December 2022. Moreover, reporting rate of four (4) vertical health commodities which include (Malaria, HIV/AIDS, TB/L and RMNCAH) demonstrated positive increase from 60.5% January 2021 to 84.7 December 2022, and availability of all four vertical health commodities increased from 85% January 2022 to 93% December 2022. The availability of these commodities resulted into improved service delivery at health facility level. The study was a retrospective observation of the implementation of the IMPACT team approach in Simiyu region. It assessed the availability of vertical health commodities as a function of the number of items reported, data used for computation of reporting rate, availability of health commodities and improved service delivery were retrieved from eLMIS and DHIS2. Action and performance improvement plans were developed and tracked using scorecards to ensure that each planned activity is implemented accordingly and the desired supply chain outcomes are achieved. This was followed by convening leadership engagement forums where underperforming councils had to explain and articulate the reasons for their unsatisfactory performance and eventually commit to improving the required indicators. The study concluded that, good governance and leadership engagement played a major role in implementation of IMPACT Approach and achieve the raised outcomes of availability of vertical health commodities, reporting rates for vertical health commodities and improved service delivery.

Increasing rate of road traffic accidents in Sub Saharan Africa, an issue of negligence or carelessness? Case study, Cameroon

Objective: Road traffic injuries (RTIs) have over the years been on the rise with most casualties coming from the African region, even though they possess and utilize less cars than the developed countries. The purpose of this paper was to highlight the government's and civilians' negligence and carelessness in reducing the incidence of RTIs in Africa, using Cameroon as a case study. Methods of Review: This paper examined various literature searches from Science Direct, PubMed, World Health Organization official reports, Ministry of Public Health Cameroon reports, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Scopus. Results: The burden of RTIs is not only felt medically but economically as most victims are often left to cater for their injuries from their personal expenses with little or no government assistance. Although there is a significant lack of data on the exact number of deaths related to road traffic accidents due to poor reporting systems, a variety of factors account for this including; unequitable resource distribution, lack of well-trained paramedics, mismanaged funds, and improper, control, and management of existing road traffic policies. Conclusion: The steady rise in RTIs in Cameroon has cut short the lives of most young people, adversely affected Quality of Life, increased economic burden, we are confident that the best approach to reducing the fatality rate from road accidents is by reviewing and amending policies governing transport systems in Cameroon.

Charging Complicity in Abuses, Ignoring Beneficial Engagement: How American Conservatives Secured the Blocking of U.S. Funds for the UNFPA by Misrepresenting the UN’s Efforts to Reform China’s One-Child Policy

We describe a key moment during the world’s attempt to come to terms with enormously expanding populations. China was an extreme case, both in the magnitude of its population explosion and in its government’s control of reproduction through the One-Child Policy (OCP). The U.S. had been a founder and the main financial supporter of The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Starting in 1998, UNFPA’s program in China attempted to move the OCP away from two decades of coercive family planning and toward acceptance of the women’s rights–centered global consensus that emerged from the 1994 Cairo Conference on Population and Development. In 2001, a conservative U.S. organization, the Population Research Institute, claimed to have gathered evidence of UNFPA’s involvement in Chinese coercion. Although several investigations, including one sent by President George W. Bush himself, refuted this evidence, and UNFPA had used no U.S. funds in China, conservative political power was sufficient to cause President George W. Bush to eliminate all U.S. funding for UNFPA’s activities everywhere in the world. Ironically, this period was exactly when the UNFPA project had shown that coercion was unnecessary. China eventually followed the UNFPA’s lead, liberalizing and eventually ending the OCP.