ABSTRACT
Malaria is endemic in French Guiana, in particular, where illegal gold mining activities take place. Gold miners travel from Brazil to remote camps in the Guiana forest to carry out mining activities, exposing themselves to the presumed contamination area. This article presents the results of a qualitative case study of the Malakit project, an intervention where health facilitators offer appropriate training and distribution of self-diagnosis and self-treatment kits to manage an episode of malaria at resting sites on the French Guiana borders. The objectives were: (i) Determine the contextual elements influencing the use of Malakit; (ii) Understand the way gold miners perceive Malakit; (iii) Identify the elements that are favorable and unfavorable to the use of Malakit; (iv4) Identify what can be improved in the project. The data were collected using three methods: on-site observation, semi-structured individual interviews (n = 26), and group interviews (n = 2). The results indicate that Malakit responds to the need for treatment and facilitates access to care. Gold miners say they trust the facilitators and receive accurate explanations, the kit is easy to use and carry, and explanations given are sufficient. Nonetheless, the results lead us to believe that contextual elements influence exposure to numerous risk factors and that malaria among gold miners working illegally in French Guiana is a question of social inequalities in health. Thus, malaria intervention practices such as Malakit cannot be carried out without considering the complexity generated by social inequalities in health.
Subject(s)
Malaria , Miners , Gold , Humans , Malaria/epidemiology , Malaria/prevention & control , Mining , Qualitative ResearchABSTRACT
Population Health Intervention Research (PHIR) is an emerging and distinct field that combines scientific research and public health practice. However, traditional academic training in research, which is founded on specific disciplinary orientations, does not sufficiently inform and prepare new PHIR researchers. In this commentary, we advance the idea that PHIR requires a broader range of competencies and knowledge that must be developed through a complementary and applied training program. Drawing on our experience as 4P Strategic Training Program fellows, we identified key elements of the program that have helped prepare us in our careers as future and new PHIR researchers. We believe that complementary and applied training programs such as the 4P Program are a promising strategy in training and supporting the next generation of PHIR researchers in their efforts to improve population health.
Subject(s)
Population Health , Research/education , Education/organization & administration , Humans , Professional Competence , Public Health PracticeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Prenatal education is a core component of perinatal care and services provided by health institutions. Whereas group prenatal education is the most common educational model, some health institutions have opted to implement online prenatal education to address accessibility issues as well as the evolving needs of future parents. Various studies have shown that prenatal education can be effective in acquisition of knowledge on labour and delivery, reducing psychological distress and maximising father's involvement. However, these results may depend on educational material, organization, format and content. Furthermore, the effectiveness of online prenatal education compared to group prenatal education remains unclear in the literature. This project aims to evaluate the impacts of group prenatal education and online prenatal education on health determinants and users' health status, as well as on networks of perinatal educational services maintained with community-based partners. METHODS: This multipronged mixed methods study uses a collaborative research approach to integrate and mobilize knowledge throughout the process. It consists of: 1) a prospective cohort study with quantitative data collection and qualitative interviews with future and new parents; and 2) a multiple case study integrating documentary sources and interviews with stakeholders involved in the implementation of perinatal information service networks and collaborations with community partners. Perinatal health indicators and determinants will be compared between prenatal education groups (group prenatal education and online prenatal education) and standard care without these prenatal education services (control group). DISCUSSION: This study will provide knowledge about the impact of online prenatal education as a new technological service delivery model compared to traditional group prenatal education. Indicators related to the complementarity of these interventions and those available in community settings will refine our understanding of regional perinatal services networks. Results will assist decision-making regarding service organization and delivery models of prenatal education services. PROTOCOL VERSION: Version 1 (February 9 2018).
Subject(s)
Education, Distance , Patient Education as Topic/methods , Prenatal Care , Female , Group Processes , Humans , Male , Models, Educational , Pregnancy , Prospective Studies , Quebec , Research DesignABSTRACT
In 2009, a group of researchers who gathered in the context of the Population Health Intervention Research Initiative for Canada (PHIRIC) agreed upon the need to define a specific set of competencies for population health intervention research (PHIR). Following this event, a consultative process allowed the definition of six domains of core competencies in PHIR, which were released for the first time last summer. In this comment, we would like to respond to this set of competencies and, more specifically, to the "reflective researcher" domain of the competencies. We believe that propositions in this domain are rooted in a narrow and oversimplified definition of reflexivity. Furthermore, we are concerned that disseminating such propositions is not only misleading but could also encourage a false practice of reflexivity, impeding the evolution of the PHIR field and its capacity to improve population health. In order to illustrate our point, we build on commonly accepted definitions of reflexivity to critically examine the initial propositions of the group and suggest new ones. As researchers in the population health intervention field, we believe that a more accurate definition of what is a reflective researcher is crucial in order to foster the continuous development of the field and its capacity to improve population health.
