Transcript Assessment of a Theoretical Zika Intervention Using SMART Goals

Assessment of a Theoretical Zika
Intervention Using SMART Goals
Sarah Olafson
Abstract
As of February 2016, the Zika virus is present in over 20 countries in the Western hemisphere,
including many countries housing volunteers from the United States. While initially known to
cause physical symptoms similar to those of dengue and chikungunya; Zika has also been
associated with a significant rise in the number of babies born with microcephaly,
other neurological disorders, and has been declared a global health emergency by the World
Health Organization (Peterson et al., 2016). The association and significant increase of
microcephaly in areas where Zika is now endemic demands the attention of health authorities
(Martinez-Pulgarin et al., 2015 and Rodriguez & Alfonzo, 2016). The virus is known to be
transmitted by several Aedes species of mosquitos, although sexual intercourse, perinatal
spread and blood transfusions have also been described as additional means of transmission
(Martinez-Pulgarin et al., 2015). Health warnings caution pregnant women to avoid travel to
countries with Zika due to possible occurrence of infection. In the specific cases of Zika in
Brazil, the increase in congenital microcephaly cases observed during the last few months
have raised a profound concern for all other countries where this arbovirus has appeared and
where conditions for transmission are favorable (Rodrigues-Morales & Alfonzo,
2016). Because of this, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has developed interim
guidelines for health care providers in the United States who care for infants born to mothers
who traveled to or resided in an area with Zika virus transmission during pregnancy, (Staples
et al., 2016). For volunteers working abroad or individuals in the foreign service, how can the
use of SMART Goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results-focused, and Time- bound)
allow these individuals to facilitate Zika crisis interventions? In this poster, the country of
Guatemala will be used as a case study. In a 2006 study by Shiftman and Valle, it was found
that several factors put pregnant women at risk in Guatemala. A turbulent political history
with marginalized indigenous populations in the presence of a conservative Catholic Church
milieu, all play a role in marginalizing women's reproductive health. These three factors also
account for Guatemala's increased mortality of mothers when compared with neighboring
Honduras (Shiftman & Valle,2006). With these risk factors already in place, there seems to be
an unmet need for Zika virus screening in the region. Volunteers in the area will need a broad
range of culturally sensitive strategies to effectively create an intervention. All of the risk
factors described above must be addressed by increasing education and awareness within
communities, and the volunteers facilitating this work must avoid infection themselves. This
review assesses the use of SMART goals applied within a proposed intervention to
theoretically assess the Zika presence and threat within Guatemala.
Specific-
volunteers must
be able to set a specific effect size for the
intervention in the context of culturally
competent trainings that focus on family
planning, Zika transmission, and
education around problematic areas such
as standing water that allow for mosquito
breeding.
Measurable-
Soul, J. Boston Children’s Hospital. 2011. Microcephaly. Retrieved from
http://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions-and-treatments/conditions/microcephaly
Miami Herald. 2016, February 6, Mosquito that carries Zika virus has long, deadly history. Retrieved
from http://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article58868318.html
References
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A. E. et al. (2016). A bibliometric
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A
multiple month facilitation of the
development of a locally lead, grass
roots, and culturally sensitive Zika crisis
intervention. One that facilitates
education and outreach about the virus,
its effects, and modes of transmission; in
a way that resonates with Guatemalan
cultures. In order to do this, local
leadership training will be facilitated and
prioritized.
Realistic-
Goals may need
to be adjusted in accordance with
different population levels as well as
information saturation within different
venues. Local leadership must be
prioritized in order to achieve the long
term sustainability of the intervention.
Shiffman, J., & Valle A.G., (2006).
Political History and Disparities in Safe
Motherhood Between Guatemala and
Timely-
Two year launching
period to reach as many populations as
possible through the use of bimonthly
trainings that promote educational
outreach and grassroots development.
By beginning in areas with larger
populations, then becoming more locally
led as the outreach occur in more rural
areas, this intervention hopes to facilitate
the spread of information regarding Zika.
Honduras. Population and Development
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Wikipedia. (2016, March, 2).A language map of Guatemala, according to the Comisión de Oficialización
de los Dialectos Indígenas de Guatemala. The "Castilian" areas represent Spanish. Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Guatemala#/media/File:Idiomasmap_Guatemala.svg
trainings per month, fifty attendants each
until 80% of community has participated.
Then take 20% of the most
effective/enthusiastic community
participants and teach them how to
languages as intervention becomes
increasingly rural.
Achievable-
Rodriguez-Morales, & Alfonso. (2016).
Zika and microcephaly in Latin America:
An emerging threat for pregnant
travelers? Travel Medicine and Infectious
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M,. Cragan J.D., Rasmussen
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C.M., Lanciotti R.S., Muñoz J.L., Powers
A.M., Honein M.A., Moore C.A. (2016).
Interim Guidelines for the Evaluation and
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Two
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016, April 4). All Countries and Territories with
Active Zika Virus Transmission. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/active
countries.html