Search Results (95)

Coyaima is a town in the department of Tolima, Colombia, that was prioritized in a pilot program under Colombia’s National Plan for the Control of the Taeniasis/Cysticercosis Complex, focusing on this neglected health issue. The project engaged local indigenous communities, promoting education and outreach within the One Health framework. The study included 444 randomly selected volunteers, who filled a Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) survey on the taeniasis/cysticercosis complex. The baseline study found no Taenia spp. eggs via microscopy on 383 stool samples examined, and no T. solium DNA was detected on human stool and soil samples by Copro-qPCR. However, seroprevalence was 8.5% for human cysticercosis and 14% for porcine cysticercosis, as detected by in-house ELISA testing for T. solium. Moreover, 57.9% of participants who provided a stool sample were positive for at least one parasite. Following the sampling and characterization activities, local health workers implemented mass treatment with Niclosamide, based on evidence of ongoing transmission, high porcine seroprevalence, poor basic sanitation, and the presence of free-roaming pigs reported in the KAP survey. These findings provide scientific evidence to apply national public health policies for controlling taeniasis/cysticercosis complex in Coyaima. Full article

The role of public housing in improving wellbeing for tenants and society is an important public policy issue. Public housing tenants in Aotearoa New Zealand have constrained incomes and their mode of transport has implications for their budgets, their wellbeing, and carbon emissions. Tenants’ daily life choices and wellbeing are influenced by the set of transport options available to them and the constraints and opportunities these options entail. What is important for wellbeing is also dependent on culture. Little is known, however, about the specific influences of transport on the wellbeing of public housing tenants and how that is mediated by the culture of particular groups, particularly Māori and Pacific people, who make up the majority of people in public housing in Aotearoa. In this article we review the literature on public housing, transport, and wellbeing, to establish what is known about how transport, and the access it affords, influence the wellbeing of public housing tenants. We searched Scopus and Web of Science for academic journal articles, published in English and available online, about public housing tenant wellbeing with regard to the transportation and location characteristics of public housing. We found that creating highly accessible public housing developments with options of various modes of travel is important for the wellbeing of tenants. We also found that understanding the specific needs and preferences of tenants, ensuring tenants have agency over how they travel, and engaging with tenants during transport decision-making are particularly important and often under-recognised for people in public housing. Finally, we identified substantial gaps in the literature around understanding transport needs and experiences from Māori and Pacific perspectives, emphasising the importance of including indigenous and ethnic minority views in future research. Full article

This article examines Healthy Homes, a program intended to initiate a new approach to housing repairs and maintenance in remote communities in the Northern Territory of Australia. It argues that while the evidence for associations between poor housing and poor health outcomes is clear, greater attention should be paid to the implementation of health-focused housing interventions. Healthy Homes was examined through interviews with public servants, Aboriginal community-controlled organisation staff, and householders, alongside participant observation during maintenance projects and Condition Assessment Tool inspections. Routine housing, inspections, and expenditure datasets were also analysed. Across 5498 houses subject to Healthy Homes and over a twenty-month period, only 1315 Condition Assessment Tool inspections were completed, which is the key mechanism for generating preventive maintenance work. Expenditure on repairs and maintenance was stable between the old maintenance model and under Healthy Homes. Most Healthy Homes remote housing maintenance contracts were awarded to Aboriginal business enterprises. This article finds that Healthy Homes did not effectively shift remote property management to prioritise preventive maintenance. Issues with data collection and monitoring, program implementation, and contractual arrangements impeded more consistent and effective attention paid to the condition of housing health hardware. Future investment into the implementation of health-focused remote housing preventive maintenance programs must attend to the details of program design, including the data collection processes and contractual terms for service providers. Full article

The architectural artefacts, materials, and techniques used for constructing shelters may share some common properties derived from the architectural culture that has evolved within the human species. This article examines the material features and settlement organisations employed in the nest-building activities of early human species and the shelter forms of indigenous peoples residing in sub-Saharan Africa. It questions whether early modern human notions of architectural heritage, which lack substantiation, might have influenced nest construction, typological differentiation, material utilisation, and the transmission of practices to subsequent generations and habitats. The focus is on home-based spatial organisation and the construction of structures. We recognise the need to clarify some fundamental misunderstandings regarding the nature of cultural and archaeological taxonomies, as well as the misuse of analogical reasoning when comparing contemporary hunter–gatherer populations with certain hominin groups. The paper aims to explore whether the early ‘Homo architecture’ in Africa bears any resemblance to that of modern Africans. The central inquiry of this study is whether indigenous architectural artefacts, materials, and techniques have been passed down throughout the evolution of architectural culture. The discussion suggests that the architectural products found in the settlement remains of early Homo species may exhibit characteristics similar to the huts of the indigenous people, who live as hunter–gatherers in sub-Saharan Africa. Discussing the architectural activities of different human species proves fruitful, as early architectural understanding and principles can be adapted to contemporary placemaking scenarios, urban design approaches, and housing models. We believe that, with further evidence, this foundational idea has the potential to be developed further. Full article

Global environmental and climatic changes have become an ever-increasing trepidation worldwide due to the unprecedented changes in temperatures, precipitation, weather, and ecosystems at the international, regional, and local levels. This study attempts to find out the impacts and vulnerabilities of climate-induced hazards and environmental degradation on the lives of Indigenous people in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), along with finding out the factors of environmental degradation in Indigenous communities. This study also explores the adaptation strategies of Indigenous people in adverse situations in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. For conducting this study, a critical ethnographic approach is adopted, together with participant observation, in-depth interviews (N = 55), and focus group discussions (FGDs) (N = 5, 48 participants), following purposive sampling over one year (October 2019 to October 2020). The findings of this study indicate that climate-induced hazards and environmental crisis brings unprecedented suffering to the lives and livelihoods of Indigenous people. Climate change and variability together with human causes contribute to creating an environmental crisis that threatens food security, creates water scarcity, and disrupts agricultural activities and household properties in Indigenous communities. The findings also indicate that Indigenous people are bound to change their traditional jhum cultivation and adjust their traditional housing structure apart from searching for alternative livelihoods due to climatic events and environmental crises. However, Indigenous people try to adapt to this adverse situation following their life-long experiences and local knowledge. This study helps policymakers as well as governments to understand the major drivers of environmental crisis and climatic events in Indigenous communities, together with finding out the solutions and recuperating the living conditions of the marginalized groups in Bangladesh and beyond. Full article

The gut microbiota is pivotal to chickens’ overall health, influencing digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function. Dietary compounds significantly impact gut microbiota composition. House crickets (Acheta domesticus) have emerged as an alternative protein source for animal feed, rich in proteins and beneficial fatty acids. This study compared the gut microbiota in the cecum and ileum of Thai indigenous chicken breeds (Betong Chicken, white feather with black bone chicken, and black feather with black bone chicken) fed with or without house crickets. Using Oxford Nanopore Technology of 16S rDNA, this study found a similar relative abundance of gut bacteria across groups, with dominant bacteria including Firmicute, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. LEfSe analysis identified differential abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Ruminococcaceae, Rikenella, and Deferribacteres, in the cecum of the black feather with black bone chicken after cricket feeding. Additionally, Lactobacillaceae exhibited differential abundance in the ileum of this breed post-cricket diet. Consequently, this study provides new data into the gut microbiota of Thai indigenous chickens. It suggests that house cricket diets did not significantly alter microbiota diversity but may enhance beneficial bacteria in certain breeds. Full article

The colors of traditional dwellings are an extremely intuitive manifestation of regional culture and an important reference for guiding rural housing. This study takes the Gutian district as the research region and explores the internal influence mechanism of the “color perception–preference–supportive behavior” of the indigenous residents towards traditional dwellings, specifically rammed earth dwellings. After constructing a structural equation model, the results were as follows: (1) The color perception of the indigenous residents towards traditional dwellings has two dimensions: distinctiveness and rootedness. (2) The color perception of the indigenous residents towards traditional dwellings can significantly enhance their color preference, but the two dimensions of color perception have different effects on color preference. (3) Color perception has a direct impact on color supportive behavior, mainly reflected in the dimension of the perception of distinctiveness. On the other hand, the mediating role of color preference has a positive impact on color—supportive behavior, mainly reflected in the dimension of the perception of rootedness. This study constructs a positive—cycle model that goes from the strengthening of color perception to the promotion of color preference and finally to the enhancement of color supportive behavior. The aim is to deeply analyze the multiple values contained in the colors of traditional dwellings, which not only demonstrate regional characteristics but also closely meet the emotional needs of the indigenous residents and have broad application potential in rural housing and cultural inheritance significance. Full article

Social determinants of health (SDHs) and the impact of colonization can make Canadian Arctic Indigenous communities susceptible to infectious diseases, including the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This scoping review followed the PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews and studied what is known about selected pandemics (COVID-19, tuberculosis, and H1N1 influenza) and SDHs (healthcare accessibility, food insecurity, mental health, cultural continuity, housing, community infrastructure, and socioeconomic status (SES)) for Canadian Arctic Indigenous communities. Original studies published in English and French up to October 2024 were located in databases (PubMed, Medline, and CINAHL), AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, and through reference tracking. We included 118 studies: 6 relating to COVID-19, 5 to influenza, 5 to TB, 27 to food insecurity, 26 to healthcare access, 22 to mental health, 9 to SES, 8 to housing, 7 to cultural continuity, and 3 to community infrastructure. SDHs affecting Indigenous individuals include food insecurity, limited healthcare access, mental health challenges, low SES, suboptimal housing, and limited cultural continuity. These findings are relevant to other Arctic regions. It is crucial to understand how SDHs impact the health of Arctic communities and to utilize this information to inform policy and practice decisions for pandemic prevention, management, and treatment. Many SDHs pose challenges for preventing and managing infectious diseases. Full article

Historically, the prevention of youth homelessness has not been a priority in Canada or the United States. In recent years, this has begun to change. While there is growing recognition that a shift by preventing homelessness is required to bring a substantive end to homelessness, a common and shared understanding of what prevention is and what it involves has remained largely absent or obscured in both policy and practice. In this paper, we focus specifically on the prevention of youth homelessness and set out to provide conceptual clarity through presenting a clear definition of what prevention is and what it is not. Accompanying the definition is a five-point typology that includes (1) structural prevention; (2) systems prevention; (3) early intervention; (4) crisis intervention, and (5) housing stabilization. Each of the five elements of the typology is defined, identifying who is responsible for implementation. In addition, the typology is populated with examples of different approaches to the prevention of youth homelessness. We conclude with some key considerations to guide the implementation of preventive interventions and present core principles designed to support the development of effective and quality prevention interventions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Despite national efforts, smoking rates during pregnancy remain high among certain demographics, particularly American Indian/Alaska Native and younger women. This study examines the causal link between maternal smoking, maternal and fetal mortality, and social determinants of health, highlighting disparities faced by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and American Indian/Alaskan Native (AIAN) pregnant persons. Methods: Data from various sources, including national reports and committee findings, were analyzed to assess trends in maternal smoking, mortality rates, and associated factors. While smoking rates among all groups have declined, disparities persist. Young women, BIPOC, and American Indian/Alaska Native women, and those with lower educational attainment, have higher smoking rates. Black women exhibit significantly higher maternal mortality rates, often linked to cardiac/coronary conditions. Stress, exacerbated by social determinants of health like poverty and housing insecurity, emerges as a key factor driving smoking behavior, particularly among African Americans. The leading causes of pregnancy-related deaths vary by race and ethnicity, with preventability noted in 80% of cases. Perinatal exposure to cigarette smoking is also identified as a leading cause of poor infant health outcomes, emphasizing the importance of addressing smoking behavior during and after pregnancy. Results: This report advocates for a comprehensive approach to reducing maternal and fetal mortality rates, with a focus on adapting existing smoking cessation programs to adopt culturally tailored agendas in order to address social and political determinants of health as well as behavioral drivers of tobacco use among pregnant persons. Full article

Dominican vernacular architecture, based on the Spanish-influenced indigenous bohio, is built with natural materials. This housing model has remained practically unchanged for five centuries, responding adequately to the tropical Caribbean climate. However, it is necessary to characterize this behavior to verify the indoor comfort conditions of this housing typology. The aim of this research is to evaluate the behavior of a vernacular house located in Villa Sombrero, Peravia Province, Dominican Republic, using a simulation model. For this purpose, a bohio was selected, which has a simple rectangular volume. Simulations were carried out using Design Builder software, considering the passive strategies incorporated in the bohio. The results indicate that indoor ambient temperature remains within the comfort range throughout the annual cycle. It was confirmed that the highest solar gain through exterior windows occurs in the warmer months. Lighting consumption varies between approximately 195 kWh and 220 kWh, with a more stable behavior during the middle months of the year. CO₂ emissions followed the same behavior as lighting consumption since it was the only energized element in the bohio. This research demonstrated that passive strategies implemented in the vernacular dwelling work correctly, except for the minimum illuminance level, which needs to be improved. Full article

In Mexico, 1.9% of child mortality among children aged 3 to 15 years is attributed to waterborne gastrointestinal diseases (WGD). This study employs a generalized bivariate logit econometric model to simulate the relationships between mortality risks and seven explanatory variables. Based on the model results and sensitivity analysis of the estimated parameters, a set of policies was designed to reduce the likelihood of child mortality. The proposed strategy involves implementing the following public policies, primarily targeting communities with extreme and high marginalization: increasing access to drinking water, improving housing conditions, expanding parental basic education coverage, and providing nutrition and healthcare to children from an early age. The findings reveal that children who speak an indigenous language face a mortality risk from WGD that is three times higher than those who do not, while children who receive medical services have a 29% lower risk of mortality compared to those who do not have access to them. It is recommended to offer free medical care in indigenous languages within high-marginalization communities. The combined impact of these policies is expected to significantly reduce child mortality due to WGD. Full article

Group A Streptococcus (Strep A) skin infections (impetigo) can contribute to the development of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD). This is of particular concern for Indigenous residents of remote communities, where rates of ARF and RHD are much higher than their urban and non-Indigenous counterparts. There are three main potential Strep A transmission pathways: skin to skin, surface to skin, and transmission through the air (via droplets or aerosols). Despite a lack of scientific certainty, the physical environment may be modified to prevent Strep A transmission through environmental health initiatives in the home, identifying a strong role for housing. This research sought to provide an outline of identified household-level environmental health initiatives to reduce or interrupt Strep A transmission along each of these pathways. The identified initiatives addressed the ability to wash bodies and clothes, to increase social distancing through improving the livability of yard spaces, and to increase ventilation in the home. To assist with future pilots and evaluation, an interactive costing tool was developed against each of these initiatives. If introduced and evaluated to be effective, the environmental health initiatives are likely to also interrupt other hygiene-related infections. Full article

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders (NHPIs) are overrepresented in Hawai‘i’s houseless population. Indigenous populations, such as NHPIs, may encounter experiences of historical trauma that impact their well-being. This original research project examines how NHPI identity and houselessness compound to affect the perceived stress and historical trauma of transition-aged youth. Fifty-one participants aged 18 to 24 (M = 21.37, SD = 1.93) completed a survey that included the historical traumatic events scale, historical loss scale, perceived stress scale, and a demographic questionnaire. Over half (n = 26, 51.0%) of the participants identified as NHPI. A two-way ANOVA indicated a non-significant effect of NHPI identity and housing status on perceived stress. However, housed participants scored significantly higher than participants experiencing houselessness on the historical traumatic events scale (p = 0.006). Our findings elucidate the role of knowledge in the experience of historical trauma. Further results, limitations, and future directions are offered. Full article

Architecture can be very influential in enabling health and wellbeing in the residential built environment. In arid regions, health-supportive design would consider major environmental hazards, such as heat and dust, as well as social and cultural factors that influence household size and composition. Under current and projected conditions, the effects of climate change will increase, presenting opportunities and challenges to architects to demonstrate and deliver best practice in climate-appropriate and culturally appropriate housing design. This paper brings together a multidisciplinary team of researchers to identify the current and future needs for tropical semi-arid zone design with a focus on Indigenous communities in northern Central Australia. In a narrative review of the literature and exploratory fieldwork, current and projected impacts of climate change on housing, health, energy systems and behavioural practices are explored in a holistic way. Our findings demonstrate the growing awareness of climate-related issues for remote Indigenous housing but also the lack of place-based studies that might inform adaptation strategies. Overwhelmingly, there is limited understanding of local lived experiences that may be highly significant for developing resilience in a changing climate. Consideration of the beliefs, values and practices of Indigenous people will be integral to design solutions. Full article