Dataset Information

Applications of Systems Science to Understand and Manage Multiple Influences within Children's Environmental Health in Least Developed Countries: A Causal Loop Diagram Approach.

ABSTRACT: Least developed countries (LDCs) are home to over a billion people throughout Africa, Asia-Pacific, and the Caribbean. The people who live in LDCs represent just 13% of the global population but 40% of its growth rate. Characterised by low incomes and low education levels, high proportions of the population practising subsistence living, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of economic diversity and resilience, LDCs face serious health, environmental, social, and economic challenges. Many communities in LDCs have very limited access to adequate sanitation, safe water, and clean cooking fuel. LDCs are environmentally vulnerable; facing depletion of natural resources, the effects of unsustainable urbanization, and the impacts of climate change, leaving them unable to safeguard their children's lifetime health and wellbeing. This paper reviews and describes the complexity of the causal relationships between children's health and its environmental, social, and economic influences in LDCs using a causal loop diagram (CLD). The results identify some critical feedbacks between poverty, family size, population growth, children's and adults' health, inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), air pollution, and education levels in LDCs and suggest leverage points for potential interventions. A CLD can also be a starting point for quantitative systems science approaches in the field, which can predict and compare the effects of interventions.

SUBMITTER: Brereton CF

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8001252 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Applications of Systems Science to Understand and Manage Multiple Influences within Children's Environmental Health in Least Developed Countries: A Causal Loop Diagram Approach.

Brereton Claire F CF Jagals Paul P

International journal of environmental research and public health 20210315 6

Least developed countries (LDCs) are home to over a billion people throughout Africa, Asia-Pacific, and the Caribbean. The people who live in LDCs represent just 13% of the global population but 40% of its growth rate. Characterised by low incomes and low education levels, high proportions of the population practising subsistence living, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of economic diversity and resilience, LDCs face serious health, environmental, social, and economic challenges. Many communi ...[more]

PMID: 33804085

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Project description:IntroductionBurn-out leads to reduced worker well-being, long-term absenteeism, and high costs for employers and society. Determinants at different levels may affect burn-out in an interrelated and dynamic manner. The aim of the present study was to apply a broader systems perspective by exploring and visualizing the complex system of determinants at different levels (living conditions, working conditions, and societal developments) underlying the prevalence of burn-out in the Netherlands.MethodsDuring three group model building (GMB) sessions with in total eight experts on workers' mental health, a causal loop diagram (CLD) was developed and relevant feedback loops were identified. For the selection of determinants to be included in the CLD a recently published overview of determinants on burn-out at different levels was used. Experts could also add factors that were not listed in the overview.ResultsThe final CLD consists of 20 factors and depicts a central position of working conditions. Societal developments (e.g., access to mental health care, size of the working population, rougher social climate, etc.) were mostly located at the outside of the CLD and barely integrated in feedback loops. Several reinforcing feedback loops resulting in an increase of the prevalence of burn-out were identified in which the factors (very) high workload, imbalance between work and private life, and insufficient recovery time play an important role. Also, several balancing loops were found that visualize the crucial role of functional support from supervisors to prevent burn-out among workers.DiscussionApplying a broader systems perspective, including determinants at different levels, offers new insights into dynamic feedback loops that contribute to the prevalence of burn-out. Supervisors, amongst others, have a considerable impact on the system underlying the high prevalence of burn-out and may therefore contribute to its prevention. Even though societal developments were less integrated in feedback loops, they might be considered drivers of existing feedback loops. The results from this study confirm that determinants at various levels underly the prevalence of burn-out. To be able to address the diversity of determinants underlying a high prevalence of burn-out, a complex system approach can be helpful.

Project description:IntroductionPublic health policy and practice is strengthened by the application of quality evidence to decision making. However, there is limited understanding of how initiatives that support the generation and use of evidence in public health are operationalised. This study examines factors that support the internal functioning of a partnership, the Western Australian Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Applied Research and Evaluation Network (SiREN). SiREN aims to build research and evaluation capacity and increase evidence-informed decision making in a public health context.MethodsThis study was informed by systems concepts. It developed a causal loop diagram, a type of qualitative system model that illustrated the factors that influence the internal operation of SiREN. The causal loop diagram was developed through an iterative and participatory process with SiREN staff and management (n = 9) via in-depth semi-structured interviews (n = 4), workshops (n = 2), and meetings (n = 6).ResultsFindings identified critical factors that affected the functioning of SiREN. Central to SiREN's ability to meet its aims was its capacity to adapt within a dynamic system. Adaptation was facilitated by the flow of knowledge between SiREN and system stakeholders and the expertise of the team. SiREN demonstrated credibility and capability, supporting development of new, and strengthening existing, partnerships. This improved SiREN's ability to be awarded new funding and enhanced its sustainability and growth. SiREN actively balanced divergent stakeholder interests to increase sustainability.ConclusionThe collaborative development of the diagram facilitated a shared understanding of SiREN. Adaptability was central to SiREN achieving its aims. Monitoring the ability of public health programs to adapt to the needs of the systems in which they work is important to evaluate effectiveness. The detailed analysis of the structure of SiREN and how this affects its operation provide practical insights for those interested in establishing a similar project.

Dataset Information

Applications of Systems Science to Understand and Manage Multiple Influences within Children's Environmental Health in Least Developed Countries: A Causal Loop Diagram Approach.

Publications

Applications of Systems Science to Understand and Manage Multiple Influences within Children's Environmental Health in Least Developed Countries: A Causal Loop Diagram Approach.

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