Author: Jackline Masetu

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Finale

My research  on Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in Sub-Saharan Africa was an enlightening and transformative experience that spanned eight weeks. This research courtesy of DSSRF  not only deepened my understanding of a critical health issue but also equipped me with valuable digital research tools and fostered meaningful interactions with peers and coordinators. Reflecting on this journey, I will explore the key aspects of my research, the digital tools and skills I acquired, the collaborative environment, and the overall impact of this experience on my personal and professional growth.One of the most significant findings was the lack of awareness and early diagnosis, which often leads to severe complications and high mortality rates. I also discovered that while there are promising interventions, such as newborn screening and hydroxyurea therapy, their implementation is hindered by limited resources and healthcare accessibility. 

I had the opportunity to learn new tools that helped enhance and visualize my data. Zotero was instrumental in managing and organizing my research sources. It allowed me to efficiently collect, categorize, and cite articles, ensuring a well-maintained bibliography. This tool helped me stay organized and streamlined the process of referencing during my writing. ArcGIS Online Tools (Mapping and StoryMaps): Using ArcGIS for mapping and creating StoryMaps was a transformative experience. These tools enabled me to visualize the geographic distribution of SCD cases and identify regional disparities. The interactive StoryMaps helped in presenting complex data in an accessible and engaging manner, making it easier to communicate my findings to a broader audience. Writing blog posts on WordPress was a valuable exercise in science communication. It taught me how to distill complex research findings into concise and reader-friendly content. Blogging also provided a platform to raise awareness about SCD and engage with a wider community.Creating timelines with Timeline JS helped contextualize the historical and current aspects of any research topic; however I did not utilize this in my project but I hope in the near future to use this tool. The additional workshops and feedback sessions were crucial for honing my research skills. 

Collaboration and teamwork were central to my research experience. Interacting with peers allowed for the exchange of ideas, fostering a collaborative learning environment. Working on group projects and participating in discussions enriched my understanding of different research approaches and methodologies. This program underscored the importance of teamwork and the value of diverse perspectives.The support and guidance from coordinators were invaluable. Their expertise and mentorship provided direction and clarity throughout the research process. I particularly appreciated their feedback sessions, where they offered constructive criticism and encouraged innovative thinking. 

This research program has significantly contributed to my personal and professional growth. On a personal level, it has deepened my empathy and understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with SCD in Sub-Saharan Africa. Professionally, I have acquired a robust set of research skills, from data analysis to digital storytelling, which will be invaluable in my future endeavors. Looking ahead, I am excited to apply the knowledge and skills gained from this program to future projects. I am particularly interested in continuing research on public health issues and exploring the use of digital tools for data visualization .

Reflecting on my research experience, I am grateful for the opportunity to delve into a critical health issue and develop a comprehensive skill set. The combination of in-depth research, digital tools, and collaborative interactions has profoundly shaped my understanding and approach to digital projects. This experience has not only enriched my academic journey but also reinforced my commitment to making a positive impact through research and advocacy. This is the link to my research https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/4d20159825684642bf08a6cf967190f6

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Feedback

Considering the feedback that has been given in the previous  weeks, I have obtained many insights that will prove useful in improving my project for the creation of awareness of sickle cell disease in Sub-Saharan Africa through the use of ArcGIS mapping and audio visuals like videos. This feedback from the project mentors as well as from the potential users of the project, peer reviews has helped to reveal major areas that may require amendment as well as received useful suggestions about how to improve the content, the form of the project and the overall penetration of the project in conveying complex information in a concise and comprehensive manner.

Among the provided pieces of feedback, one can identify the issue of the lack of clear maps as well as better navigation. To overcome this I will use labels clearly plus a legend. I also received valuable input on what kinds of maps to use in my project. This is useful to me as at first I had not planned to include a map of Africa highlighting the countries in Sub-Sahara and because of this feedback, I have been able to develop this map so that the reader is able to have a feel of my work. Another problem that intervened concerned the layout of the maps: changing the layout in the sidecar, from floating to docked, had the effect of avoiding superimposing the text onto the maps. Personally, I considered the notification valuable to me because it provided an insight on how to organize the mapped data on the website.

Information regarding accessibility has been useful when shaping up the work done for the creation of sickle cell disease awareness. This feedback has pointed out certain areas where adjustments are required in realization of the project goal of getting to and positively impacting as many beneficiaries as possible inclusive of those with disabilities. This feedback is critical for it would be ideal to make sure that all the arcs GIS mapping and the embedded videos within the providing web-links can be viewed by the target user group with impaired vision. This entails; availability of screen readers, text descriptions of all graphics among other things.

Therefore, the feedback obtained over the last two weeks has helped in establishing areas where my project addressing awareness of sickle cell disease in Sub-Saharan Africa could improve on.

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Tools

Mapping-ArcGis

First of all, GIS facilitates specific epidemiology mapping – a key attribute for  analyzing the cases of the sickle cell disease and its mortality rates in different areas. It enables the determination of areas of high incidence and disease prevalence for purposes of determining geographic inequality. When these data are set with the demographic factors one  can identify certain features and trends that cannot be identified with the help of typical analytical tools.

Second, GIS is used significantly in measuring the attainment of healthcare facilities. Through such mapping of the institutions attending to patients with sickle cell disease, one is  able to come up with areas where access to quality health is a major issue. Hypothesis testing of travel distances to these facilities, beyond that, helps to benchmark areas within which the patient encounters difficulties in getting appropriate health care. The information is useful to those in the policymakers and healthcare institutions who have an interest in upgrading the existing healthcare systems and eliminating various barriers to the accessing of healthcare facilities.

Audio-visual tools

Audio-visual tools can make a great impact on the education of the general public, especially individuals who have not heard about sickle cell diseases . They enable the depiction of morphological and biochemical phenomena or therapy methods and, as such, enhance the learning experience as compared to conventional textual instruction. Also, it must be stated that audio-visual aids are invaluable when it comes to patient education, especially young patients who are just getting to know of their condition. It has been established that patients suffering from sickle cell disease and their families have difficulties developing knowledge about this disease and its manifestations. The development and usage of educational videos and animations helps in elaboration and disseminating some medical information and knowledge to the wider community. These will enable me to showcase the struggles of the patients better compared to traditional text.

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REVIEW: The Factors Affecting Vaccine Distribution in Sub-Saharan Africa

Project

Factors Affecting Vaccine Distribution in Sub-Saharan Africa

Project Director

Emilia Blechschmidt

Faculty Advisors

Carrie Pirmann

Claire Cahoon

Project URL

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/ebfde8e27c5c42339afad23295731bed

Project Reviewer

Jackline Masetu

Project Overview

The Factors Affecting Vaccine Distribution in Sub-Saharan Africa project is a digital humanities research that investigates the factors affecting vaccine distribution in Sub-Saharan Africa. The project starts by introducing the importance of vaccinating the world and emphasizes on the  number of deaths averted due to vaccinating. Vaccine inequality is one of the concerns that the author of the research brings to focus the inequality of vaccine distribution in Sub-Saharan Africa. The major issues discussed in this research  are that high-income nations should provide vaccines to low and middle income countries for ethical and financial reasons, immunization reduces the need for expensive medical care and stops the spread  of new strains. The research indicates that population health improves global economic output. Problems affecting vaccine distribution are highlighted and the feasible solutions to these problems. There are organizations that are responsible for the distribution of vaccines in Sub-Saharan Africa and the countries affiliation with the different organizations influences accessibility to vaccines. The COVID-19 pandemic created a huge wave in the health sector and the world in general thus the research analyzes the COVID vaccine distribution worldwide. The results of this analysis was that only 0.1% of Africa got access to the vaccine. There is an emphasis and direct comparison between economic capacity of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa and

Project Review

The introduction of the project provides a strong foundation by highlighting the significance of vaccines in preventing deaths and the challenges that hinder global vaccination efforts. The statistics provided effectively underscore the gravity of the issue, setting the stage for the study’s exploration of factors influencing vaccine distribution in sub-Saharan Africa. The section on moral and economic reasons for global vaccination is well-articulated. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of global health and economies, making a compelling case for high-income countries to support vaccination efforts in low- and middle-income countries. The benefits of vaccination, such as preventing outbreaks, saving on treatment costs, and boosting economic productivity, are clearly presented. The discussion on vaccine inequality is critical and timely, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The statistics contrasting vaccine distribution between Europe and Africa starkly illustrate the disparities. This section effectively highlights the urgent need to address these inequalities to prevent wastage and ensure equitable access to vaccines. The section on how it works  outlines the reliance of low-income countries on vaccine donations and the challenges they face in distribution. It provides a clear overview of the logistical hurdles, such as unreliable supply chains and transportation issues, setting up the subsequent discussion on potential solutions. The identification of problems and corresponding solutions is well-structured. The solutions proposed are practical and address the root causes of the issues identified The selection of GAVI-eligible countries in sub-Saharan Africa for the study is appropriate given their low Gross National Income. The examination of historical campaigns, like polio eradication efforts and COVID-19 vaccination goals, provides valuable context. The acknowledgment of methodology issues is an important aspect of the project. The call for a more quantitative approach to factor analysis and the consideration of additional factors, such as epidemic history and advertising extent, indicates a reflective and thorough approach to the research. The conclusion succinctly reiterates the importance of vaccination for public health and economic stability. The emphasis on the need for systemic changes and culturally appropriate strategies reflects an understanding of the complexities involved in vaccine distribution. This section effectively ties together the findings and proposed solutions, emphasizing the urgency of improving vaccine distribution in sub-Saharan Africa. The project is comprehensive and well-organized, addressing a critical global health issue with clarity and depth. The images used in the project are clear and well contextualized. I think for better understanding as one reads through the project, the numbers references to the lines where certain things have been discussed should be given more description on what is their purpose otherwise the project is accessible to most of the audience.