ORCID Profile
0000-0002-3559-2080
Current Organisation
Bu Ali Sina University
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Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 31-01-2020
DOI: 10.1186/S12889-020-8192-0
Abstract: Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) are the mainstay of disability responses worldwide. Yet there is no quantitative data assessing their effectiveness in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). The aim of this study was to measure the effectiveness of DPOs as a low-cost intervention to improve well-being and access to services and facilities for people with disabilities. We undertook a cluster randomised intervention control trial across 39 distinct rural villages in Uttarakhand State, North India. A total of 527 participants were included from 39 villages: 302 people from 20 villages were assigned to the intervention arm and 225 from 19 villages were assigned to the control group. Over a 2-year period, people with disabilities were facilitated to form DPOs with regular home visits. Participants were also given financial support for public events and exposure visits to other DPOs. Seven domains were used to measure access and participation. DPO formation had improved participation in community consultations (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.4 to 4.72), social activities (OR 2.46, 95% CI 1.38 to 4.38), DPOs (OR 14.78, 95% CI 1.43 to 152.43), access to toilet facilities (OR 3.89, 95% CI 1.31 to 11.57), rehabilitation (OR 6.83, 95% CI 2.4 to 19.42) and Government social welfare services (OR 4.82, 95% CI 2.35 to 9.91) in intervention when compared to the control. People who were part of a DPO had an improvement in having their opinion heard (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.16 to 3.24) and being able to make friends (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1 to 2.65) compared to those who were not part of a DPO. All other well-being variables had little evidence despite greater improvement in the DPO intervention group. This is the first randomised control trial to demonstrate that DPOs in LMICs are effective at improving participation, access and well-being. This study supports the ongoing role of DPOs in activities related to disability inclusion and disability services. This study also suggests that supporting the establishment, facilitation and strengthening of DPOs is a cost-effective intervention and role that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) can play. ISRCTN36867362 , 9th Oct 2019 (retrospectively registered).
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 15-10-2012
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.JCHROMB.2017.07.008
Abstract: trans,trans-Muconic acid (tt-MA) has been introduced as biological exposure index for workers exposed to benzene. In the present study, for the first time, a novel and easy-to-use analytical method based on molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) in microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS), followed by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultra-violet detection (MIMEPS-HPLC-UV) was developed to determine tt-MA in urine s les. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used for MIP characterization. The imprinting effect on the MIP was also evaluated. Furthermore, various parameters that affect the MEPS performance were investigated, including extraction cycles, s le volume, as well as the type and volume of washing and elution solvents. The optimised procedure was selective, sensitive, rapid and both user- and environmentally-friendly. A seven-point calibration curve was obtained in the range of 0.015-2μg/mL (R
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-2017
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2018
DOI: 10.1007/S00204-018-2153-8
Abstract: In the original publication of the article, there is an error in Fig. 2c. The authors would like to correct this error and the corrected version of Fig. 2c is as follow.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.DHJO.2016.05.010
Abstract: There are different estimates of disability prevalence reported in India due to the differences in definitions and methodologies. Reliable data is needed to plan effective disability inclusive strategies. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with disability among adults ≥18 years of age in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh using the Rapid Assessment of Disability (RAD) tool. The RAD survey was conducted in 50 villages (clusters) of Ongole ision of Prakasam district. A two-stage cluster random s ling was used. Within each village 80 participants were surveyed. Compact segment s ling was used to determine the houses included. A person was reported as disabled based on their responses to the functioning section of the RAD tool. A total of 4134 adults were included. The overall prevalence of disability was 10.4% (431 adults). The highest prevalence of functional impairment was related to mobility (4.7%) followed by vision (2.1%) and fine motor (1.8%). The prevalence of psychological distress was 2.3%. Disability was significantly more prevalent in the poor socio economic group (OR 2.8 95% CI: 1.5 5.0) and among unemployed (OR 3.6 95% CI: 2.3, 5.5). The prevalence of disability was strongly associated with age where, participants aged 70 years and over were eleven times more likely to report disability than younger age groups. The high prevalence of disability in the region points to disability being of public health concern and as a health condition needing urgent attention and specific interventions.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 04-09-2017
DOI: 10.1007/S00204-017-2057-Z
Abstract: Mandelic acid (MA) is a major metabolite of ethylbenzene and styrene. For the first time, a selective, fast, and easy-to-use procedure was developed for the determination of MA in urine s les. The new procedure is based on MIMEPS, the combination of a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) and microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS). High-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV) was used for the separation and determination of MA. The bulk polymerization method was used to synthesize the MIP, and the MIP and non-imprinted polymer (NIP) were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The selectivity of the MIP was investigated in the presence of interferents. In addition, we investigated the various parameters that affect the performance of the MEPS, including the pH of the s le, the number of extraction cycles, s le volume, and the types and volumes of the washing and elution solvents. A six-point calibration curve was obtained in the range of 0.2-20 µg/mL (R
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 27-02-2013
DOI: 10.1002/APP.39069
No related grants have been discovered for Abbas Afkhami.