Distribution Patterns of Human Elephant Conflict in Areas Adjacent to Rungwa Game Reserve, Tanzania

Abstract Human pressure on terrestrial ecosystems has caused loss and fragmentation of habitats for wildlife species. That has brought humans and wildlife in close proximity intensifying human wildlife conflicts, especially when wild animals with wide home ranges, such as African and Asian elephants, are involved. This study assesses distribution patterns of human elephant conflict (HEC) in areas adjacent to Rungwa Game Reserve (RGR) in Tanzania. Questionnaire survey was used as a tool for data collection from the people around the reserve. Results of the study inferred that, the elephant was a most problematic animal in the area with crop raiding as a prominent conflict. Distance from the villages to the protected area was a major factor affecting distribution of the conflict between humans and elephants, where people in villages close to the reserve were more affected by crop raiding elephants. Other factors are increasing human population associated with immigrants and farming activities close to Rungwa Game Reserve. It was also found that, awareness of HEC mitigations was higher in villages close to the park than in further away villages. However, the mitigation methods were not effective in controlling crop raiding elephants. Thus, application of effective mitigations is very important for sustainable co-existence between humans and elephants. Attitudes of local people were not affected by the effect of crop raiding elephants instead awareness of conservation benefits appeared to have a more important influence on attitudes. Tolerance of costs from problem elephants has its limit, so management of HEC is highly needed. Alleviation of HEC should go together with effective management of PA s, buffer zones, dispersal areas and wildlife corridors. Community-based conservation is among the best options that should be applied as it involves sharing of costs and benefits with local people around the PA s. Much should also be done on improving community based HEC mitigations in areas around RGR

Implementation of an innovative, integrated electronic medical record (EMR) and public health information exchange for HIV/AIDS

Louisiana is severely affected by HIV/AIDS, ranking fifth in AIDS rates in the USA. The Louisiana Public Health Information Exchange (LaPHIE) is a novel, secure bi-directional public health information exchange, linking statewide public health surveillance data with electronic medical record data. LaPHIE alerts medical providers when individuals with HIV/AIDS who have not received HIV care for >12 months are seen at any ambulatory or inpatient facility in an integrated delivery network. Between 2/1/2009 and 1/31/2011, 488 alerts identified 345 HIV positive patients. Of those identified, 82% had at least one CD4 or HIV viral load test over the study follow-up period. LaPHIE is an innovative use of health information exchange based on surveillance data and real time clinical messaging, facilitating rapid provider notification of those in need of treatment. LaPHIE successfully reduces critical missed opportunities to intervene with individuals not in care, leveraging information historically collected solely for public health purposes, not health care delivery, to improve public health

Building models, building capacity: A review of participatory machine learning for HIV prevention

A growing number of researchers and practitioners are embracing a “participatory turn” in machine learning (ML) to improve model development, prevent harm, and provide communities more influence over systems that impact them. In this paper, we explore the intersection of participatory practices in healthcare and the emerging focus on responsible AI with a focus on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care. We review the historical context of participation in HIV treatment and prevention, emphasizing how patient activism has shaped practices in this field. We then review participatory ML in HIV prevention and present a brief case study of a project designed to identify candidates for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in Louisiana. The review highlights the essential steps in conducting participatory ML. Finally, we draw lessons for future participatory ML projects, underscoring the importance of long-term collaboration, responsiveness to partner feedback, and the crucial role of capacity-building for individuals and organizations. Effective participation requires substantial resources and investment, which supports overall project goals beyond mere improvements in model performance. We also draw lessons for advancing the participatory ML field, including (1) the impact of funding mandates on fostering effective engagement; (2) the need to scale participatory processes rather than just technologies; and (3) the need for genuine participation to allow flexibility in project plans, timelines, and shifts in institutional power dynamics

Effect of telemedicine follow-up care of leg and foot ulcers: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Leg ulcers and diabetes-related foot ulcers are frequent and costly complications of their underlying diseases and thus represent a critical issue for public health. Since the population is aging, the prevalence of these conditions will probably increase considerably and require more resources. Treatment of leg and foot ulcers often demands frequent contact with the health care system, may pose great burden on the patient, and involves follow-up in both primary and specialist care. Telemedicine provides potential for more effective care management of leg and foot ulcers. The objective of this systematic review of the literature was to assess the effect of telemedicine follow-up care on clinical, behavioral or organizational outcomes among patients with leg and foot ulcers. METHODS: We searched Ovid MEDLINE (1980–), Ovid EMBASE (1980–), Clinical Trials in the Cochrane Library (via Wiley), Ebsco CINAHL with Fulltext (1981–) and SveMed + (1977–) up to May 2014 for relevant articles. We considered randomized controlled trials, non-randomized trials, controlled before-after studies and prospective cohort studies for inclusion and selected studies according to predefined criteria. Three reviewers independently assessed the included studies using the Cochrane Collaboration risk-of-bias tool. We performed a narrative synthesis of results and assessed the strength of evidence for each outcome using GRADE (grading of recommendations, assessment, development and evaluation). RESULTS: Only one non-randomized study was included. The study (n = 140) measured the effect of real-time interactive video consultation compared with face-to-face follow-up on healing time, adjusted healing ratio and the number of ulcers at 12 weeks among patients with neuropathic forefoot ulcerations. There were no statistically significant differences in results of the different outcomes between patients receiving telemedicine and traditional follow-up. We assessed the study to have a high risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS: There is insufficient evidence available to unambiguously determine whether telemedicine consultation of leg and foot ulcers is as effective as traditional follow-up

Distribution Patterns of Human Elephant Conflict in Areas Adjacent to Rungwa Game Reserve, Tanzania

Abstract Human pressure on terrestrial ecosystems has caused loss and fragmentation of habitats for wildlife species. That has brought humans and wildlife in close proximity intensifying human wildlife conflicts, especially when wild animals with wide home ranges, such as African and Asian elephants, are involved. This study assesses distribution patterns of human elephant conflict (HEC) in areas adjacent to Rungwa Game Reserve (RGR) in Tanzania. Questionnaire survey was used as a tool for data collection from the people around the reserve. Results of the study inferred that, the elephant was a most problematic animal in the area with crop raiding as a prominent conflict. Distance from the villages to the protected area was a major factor affecting distribution of the conflict between humans and elephants, where people in villages close to the reserve were more affected by crop raiding elephants. Other factors are increasing human population associated with immigrants and farming activities close to Rungwa Game Reserve. It was also found that, awareness of HEC mitigations was higher in villages close to the park than in further away villages. However, the mitigation methods were not effective in controlling crop raiding elephants. Thus, application of effective mitigations is very important for sustainable co-existence between humans and elephants. Attitudes of local people were not affected by the effect of crop raiding elephants instead awareness of conservation benefits appeared to have a more important influence on attitudes. Tolerance of costs from problem elephants has its limit, so management of HEC is highly needed. Alleviation of HEC should go together with effective management of PA s, buffer zones, dispersal areas and wildlife corridors. Community-based conservation is among the best options that should be applied as it involves sharing of costs and benefits with local people around the PA s. Much should also be done on improving community based HEC mitigations in areas around RGR

Human-elephant interactions in areas surrounding the Rungwa, Kizigo, and Muhesi Game Reserves, central Tanzania

This study assesses the patterns of crop damage by elephants Loxodonta africana in areas adjacent to the Rungwa, Kizigo and Muhesi Game Reserves in Tanzania. We used a questionnaire survey to collect data from a total of 210 household heads from seven villages, with 30 household heads in each village, during June–August 2015. Proximity was a significant factor influencing losses, with crop farms within 5 km distant. Most households (81.0%) 5 km (20.0%) reported less damage. Most of the losses (79.8%) occurred in the first half of the year (the wet season). Immigrants reported higher average losses to crops than Indigenous respondents. Noise making, flashlights, setting fire around fields and disturbance by shooting were the methods used to deter elephants from entering crop fields. We recommend that communities around these game reserves avoid areas that are < 1 km from the reserve boundary, plant crops such as chilli, use honeybee Apis mellifera fences to deter elephants from their crops, and receive education on available mitigation methods, to help minimize crop losses to elephants

Human–elephant interactions in areas surrounding the Rungwa, Kizigo, and Muhesi Game Reserves, central Tanzania

AbstractThis study assesses the patterns of crop damage by elephants Loxodonta africana in areas adjacent to the Rungwa, Kizigo and Muhesi Game Reserves in Tanzania. We used a questionnaire survey to collect data from a total of 210 household heads from seven villages, with 30 household heads in each village, during June–August 2015. Proximity was a significant factor influencing losses, with crop farms within &lt; 1 km from the reserves having higher losses, followed by those 1–5 km and &gt; 5 km distant. Most households (81.0%) &lt; 1 km from a reserve reported crop damage whereas those within 1–5 km (65.9%) and &gt; 5 km (20.0%) reported less damage. Most of the losses (79.8%) occurred in the first half of the year (the wet season). Immigrants reported higher average losses to crops than Indigenous respondents. Noise making, flashlights, setting fire around fields and disturbance by shooting were the methods used to deter elephants from entering crop fields. We recommend that communities around these game reserves avoid areas that are &lt; 1 km from the reserve boundary, plant crops such as chilli, use honeybee Apis mellifera fences to deter elephants from their crops, and receive education on available mitigation methods, to help minimize crop losses to elephants.</jats:p