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conferenceseries.com
October 24-25, 2016 | Valencia, Spain
International Conference on
Environmental Health & Safety
Volume 4, Issue 5 (Suppl) Occup Med Health
ISSN:2329-6879 OMHA, an open access journal Environmental Health 2016
October 24-25, 2016
Occup Med Health Aff 2016, 4:5 (Suppl)
ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE OF TRANSMISSION OF SCHISTOSOMIASIS AND
ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG THE PEOPLE OF MWALUPHAMBA LOCATION , KWALE
COUNTY-KENYA
Ahmad Jumaa , Ng’etich Saitabau Kipkemoi Arthura, Violet Naanyu a and Ann Mwangia
aMoi University, Kenya
The study aimed at assessing the level of knowledge of transmission of schistosomiasis and the other associated factors amongst
communitymembers inMwaluphamba Location of Kwale County. A cross-sectional study design was adopted. Data was collected
using a structured questionnaire. Results showed that a majority of the community members (98%) knew about schistosomiasis
but did not know the mode of infection as only 29% knew how the parasite was transmitted to the human body. A majority (96%)
of the respondents also knew of the signs and symptoms of schistosomiasis. A small proportion (10%) of the respondents had
access to safe water for domestic use. Most (63%) schistosomiasis infections occurred during the wet season and a majority (69%)
of the community members reported contact with domestic water activities more than four times a week. In conclusion, the level of
knowledge on transmission of schistosomiasis was quite low and there was a significant association between the environmental factors
and transmission of urinary schistosomiasis. There is need to mobilize and educate the community on the modes of transmission
of schistosomiasis infection and concerned stakeholders should come up with strategies for ensuring that the community uses safe
water for domestic use.
STATE OF THE FIELD: PAY FOR SUCCESS TO IMPROVE ASTHMA OUTCOMES IN THE
UNITED STATES
Ruth Ann Nortona , Kevin Chana and Brendan Browna
aGreen & Healthy Homes Initiative, USA
Impact investment is an increasingly popular global trend in which socially-minded investors look to fund businesses and project
that not only have the potential for financial return, but also producing societal benefits as well. In the United States, environmental
health is a field that has seen limited investment from the private sector, but recent project developments look to change this status
quo. Jurisdictions across the country are studying the potential application of Pay for Success (also known as Social Impact Bonds)
as a financing mechanism to fund environmental health interventions which result in improved health outcomes for persons with
severe asthma. Asthma is the most common chronic health condition for children in the United States, often prevalent in low-income
communities with poor housing quality. It is linked to staggering healthcare costs and other related societal burden-- the estimated
total incremental cost of asthma in the United States was USD 56 billion in 2007 . The United States healthcare system currently
does not provide funding to address the environmental triggers of asthma, and this gap provides an opportunity for Pay for Success
to bridge private investment dollars to preventative environmental health services. This paper provides insight into the progress that
local communities are making in the development of Pay for Success projects across the country. While each project is unique based
on local contexts, there are some shared themes that may inform the further development of these types of projects in the United
States and abroad.