International Festival of Public Health

LT 3 - Global Health

Asylum seekers' perceptions of health and wellbeing in Manchester and what they do when ill

Presenter: Sepeedeh Saleh, University of Liverpool

Other author(s): Kate Jehan

Abstract Text:

Title:Asylum seekers' perceptions of health and wellbeing in Manchester and what they do when ill.

Background:Asylum seekers are amongst the most vulnerable groups in the UK. They are a diverse group involving complex intersectionalities but tend to have complex health and emotional needs originating at, and potentially worsened by, factors occurring in any of the three phases of migration. There is a notable absence of literature examining individuals' own perceptions about health and illness, particularly around broader determinants of health and wellbeing.

Aim:To explore asylum seekers' perceptions of health and wellbeing, factors influencing good health and wellbeing and health seeking in their current lives in Manchester.

Methods:10 qualitative semi-structured interviews will be carried out with asylum seekers based in Manchester, aiming to explore perceptions of health and wellbeing and approaches to health seeking using an interpretivist approach. Qualitative thematic analysis will be done in an iterative process to draw out emerging themes in the data.

Results:The findings, a qualitative account of participants' perceptions of health and wellbeing and accounts of health seeking behaviours, will be presented orally with a discussion of the main findings of the work and future directions. This will provide an insight into the wide-ranging factors impacting on the lives of asylum seekers in Manchester, and indicate directions for future work on reducing inequalities in this group.

Human Rights and LGBT Public Health: A Global Perspective

Presenter: Megan Corder, University of Manchester

Other author(s): None

Abstract Text: Background:Worldwide, the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people are affected by human rights violations committed on the grounds of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This has profound repercussions for health; both directly and indirectly through social determinants of health. The relationship between health and human rights is increasingly recognised as a foundational platform for human development. However, political backlash has repeatedly excluded sexuality from international health and human rights discourse. This demonstrates a major limitation which must be addressed if human rights are to underscore development post-2015. Problem and methods:This study investigates the extent to which human rights can provide a framework to improve the public health of LGBT people. It engages with perspectives from a variety of fields, investigating the theoretical underpinnings of human rights and their practical applications to public health in relation to sexual minorities.

Findings:This study finds that human rights are a valid concept which can be usefully employed to guide public health policy. Furthermore, human rights jurisprudence supports the rights of LGBT people; including the right to health. Embedding post-2015 development in human rights principles provides a useful framework for promoting LGBT public health globally. The major barrier is political opposition from certain states towards LGBT rights, and reluctance of moderate states to challenge these positions. Incorporating the principle of intersectionality into rights-based development would help to challenge these power dynamics by channelling resources towards the most vulnerable.

Geographical variation and socioeconomic differential in the prevalence of malaria parasitemia among children in Madagascar: a multilevel analysis

Presenter: Dr. Olusike Omolara Aremu, Soderton University, Stockholm Sweden

Other author(s): None

Abstract Text:

Background:Malaria remains a major health issue in most developing countries. It is one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. Whilst malaria affects all age groups, children are at the most risks of severe malaria and even deaths due to lack of protective immunity. In 2008 alone, around 243 million cases of malaria episodes were recorded among children in SSA. By this figure, the region accounts for about 85% of all incidence of malaria worldwide. The economic burden imposed by malaria both at the individual and country is untold. It is estimated that on average, most households spent about 25% of their income on treatment at an annual cost of US$ 12 billion . This has been shown to be a major obstacle to economic progress in the region Given the economic implication of malaria burden, quantifying the distribution of malaria parasitemia among Children in Madagascar is of policy relevance.

Objectives: To explore variation in geographic and socioeconomic distribution of malaria parasitemia among a nationally representative sample of Madagascar under-five children.

Methods: A hierarchical mixed effect regression analysis was carried out using data from 5,260 children aged 6 month - 59 month of 5,477 women participated in Madagascan Malaria indicator survey 2013.

Results: Of the 5,260 children sampled, about 83% had malaria parasites. Malaria parasitemia is more prevalent among children from economic deprived communities, rural areas, born to mothers with low no education and from poorer households.

Conclusion: There is geographic and socioeconomic gradient in the prevalence of malaria parasitemia among children in Madagascar.

Creating wealth through Health - the role of NGOs

Presenter: Nana Nimo Appiah-Agyekum, Leeds Beckett University

Other author(s): None

Abstract Text:

Aims: The study investigates the role played by NGOs in promoting health as a tool for wealth creation in Ghana. It also delves into the successes and constraints faced by NGOs in creating health through wealth in Ghana.Design A qualitative approach was used by the study. Sampling was purposive and data was collected through in-depth interviews. Reports and other documentary evidence obtained from respondents were also used. The data was analyzed thematically and discussed within the context of relevant literature and evidence based practices.

Setting: The study set in the Dangme West (now Shai-Osudoku) District of Ghana and focuses on the local Area Development Programme (ADP) of World Vision Ghana. It covers the activities of the ADP in the district between 1996 and 2011.Participants The study interviewed 3 persons who had been involved in managing the ADP, 4 opinion leaders in the District and 3 representatives of the District Health Directorate.

Findings: World Vision was the key stakeholder of education, health and nutrition, agriculture, water and sanitation, emergency relief response and HIV/AIDS education and support in the district. Findings also show logistical, cultural and other resource barriers hamper the effective operations of NGOs in creating wealth through health. Limited community participation and commitment to World Vision's exit strategy were also major impediments.

Conclusion: NGOs are very instrumental in mitigating of the direct, indirect and intangible costs of health in rural areas of Ghana through capacity building, empowerment, public health interventions and Local economic development.

Understanding the links between women’s employment and child nutritional status in rapidly developing economies

Presenter: Stephanie Bispo, University of Southampton

Other author(s): None