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Background: Household air pollution due to the burning of solid fuels is one of the leading risk factors for disease and mortality worldwide, resulting in an estimated three million deaths annually. Peru's national LPG access program, FISE, aims to reduce the use of biomass fuels and increase access to cleaner fuels for cooking in low-income Peruvian households through public-private partnerships. Perspectives from front-end program implementers are needed to better understand barriers and facilitators to program implementation and to identify strategies to strengthen program reach, uptake, and health impact. Methods: We conducted fourteen 30-60-minute, semi-structured interviews with FISE-authorized LPG vendors (also known as agents) in Puno, Peru from November to December of 2019. Questions focused on barriers and facilitators to program enrollment and participation as an LPG agent, and agents' motivations for participating in the program. Results: Overall, agents expressed satisfaction with the FISE program and a willingness to continue participating in the program. Distance from main cities and the homes of program participants, knowledge of FISE and LPG stoves among community members, cell service, and lack of communication with FISE authorities were cited as barriers to implementation and LPG distribution. Agents' previous experience selling LPG, as well as their social networks and understanding of the health impacts of household air pollution, aided agents in more effectively navigating the system of FISE rules and regulations and in better serving their clients. Many agents were motivated to participate in FISE because they saw it as a service to their community and were willing to find ways to prioritize the needs of beneficiaries. Conclusion: The FISE program provides an example of how a large-scale national program can successfully partner with local private enterprises for program implementation. Building upon the strengths of community-based LPG agents, educating community members on the use and benefits of LPG, incentivizing, and supporting delivery services, and improving communication will be key for increasing program utilization and exclusive use of LPG, and improving health outcomes among Peru's most vulnerable populations.

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INTRODUCTION: During the past few decades, health workers have come to agree that there is a very important place for preconception care (PCC) in improving maternal and infant pregnancy outcomes. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization issued recommendations encouraging countries to develop and implement preconception care programs. The reports include an in-depth discussion of the rationale and scientific evidence behind PCC as well as definitions, goals, components and recommended interventions to be included in PCC. These reports also offer very broad guidelines but do not offer details on how to develop and implement preconception care programsOBJECTIVE: The CDC and WHO reports identify the need for multi-sectoral engagement in developing and implementing preconception care programs and propose some activities and strategies to be considered in developing PCC programs. However, the recommendations fall short of specifying real steps that countries and regions should take in implementing PCC programs. In this publication we propose action steps for developing and implementing regional or national preconception care programsMETHODS: We reviewed the published and unpublished literature (using PubMed and the Internet) to identify reports that describe processes for developing and implementing PCC programs. We used information from the literature along with experiences we gained through our work and interaction with States and developing countries to prepare a detailed description of the steps involved in developing and implementing a PCC programRESULTS: We found very little in terms of "tools" for program managers and providers to use when developing and implementing PCC programs. We prepared a guide, including a summary of steps and a proposed timeline, for program directors to use for developing and implementing PCC programsCONCLUSION: Developing and implementing a sustainable PCC program should address issues related to educating the public, providers and policy makers about the benefits of PCC. It also includes establishing an infrastructure within the departments of health and ensuring resources to build, guide, monitor and evaluate the PCC program. Finally, implementation of a successful program depends heavily on the proper training of public health and clinical care providers in the delivery of the services included in the program

INTRODUÇÃO: Nas últimas décadas, os profissionais de saúde chegaram a um acordo sobre a importância dos cuidados preconcepção na melhoria dos resultados da gravidez materna e infantil. Os Centros dos Estados Unidos para Controle e Prevenção de Doenças (CDC) e a Organização Mundial da Saúde emitiram recomendações incentivando os países a desenvolver e implementar programas de assistência preconcepção. Os relatórios incluem uma discussão aprofundada da lógica e das evidências científicas por trás do PCC, bem como definições, objetivos, componentes e intervenções recomendadas a serem incluídas no PCC. Esses relatórios também oferecem diretrizes muito amplas, mas não oferecem detalhes sobre como desenvolver e implementar programas de assistência preconcepçãoOBJETIVO: Os relatórios do CDC e da OMS identificam a necessidade de envolvimento multissetorial no desenvolvimento e implementação de programas de assistência pré-conceitual e propõem algumas atividades e estratégias a serem consideradas no desenvolvimento de programas do PCC. No entanto, as recomendações não especificam as medidas reais que os países e regiões devem adotar na implementação de programas de assistência preconcepção. Neste artigo, propomos etapas de ação para o desenvolvimento e implementação de programas regionais ou nacionais de assistência pré-conceitualMÉTODO: Foi revisada a literatura publicada usando o PubMed para identificar relatórios que descrevem processos para o desenvolvimento e implementação de programas de assistência preconcepção. As informações da literatura foram utilizadas, juntamente com as experiências adquiridas por meio de nosso trabalho e interação com os Estados e os países em desenvolvimento, para preparar uma descrição detalhada das etapas envolvidas no desenvolvimento e na implementação de um programa de assistência preconcepçãoRESULTADOS: Pouco foi encontrado em termos de "ferramentas" para os gerentes e provedores de programas usarem ao desenvolver e implementar programas de assistência preconcepção. Este artigo foi preparado como um guia, incluindo um resumo das etapas e um cronograma proposto, para os diretores de programas usarem no desenvolvimento e na implementação de programas de assistência preconcepçãoCONCLUSÃO: O desenvolvimento e implementação de um programa sustentável do PCC deve abordar questões relacionadas à educação do público, fornecedores e formuladores de políticas sobre os benefícios do PCC. Também inclui o estabelecimento de uma infraestrutura nos departamentos de saúde e a garantia de recursos para construir, orientar, monitorar e avaliar o programa PCC. Finalmente, a implementação de um programa bem-sucedido depende muito do treinamento adequado dos prestadores de serviços de saúde pública e atendimento clínico na prestação dos serviços incluídos no programa

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BACKGROUND: In Mexico, the fortification of corn and wheat flours with iron, zinc, and folic acid and the restoration of B-vitamins is a mandatory program. However, the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of this fortification process is not well understood. Thus, the purpose of the study was to understand the M&E of the food fortification program in Mexico, with an emphasis on technology research and development. METHODS: Open-ended exploratory interviews were conducted with food technology representatives (n = 9), food science academic faculty (n = 1), president of a private tortilla-making federation (n = 1), and representatives of the federal monitoring agency (n = 2). Interviews were transcribed and themes were identified using the content analysis methodology. Inter-rater reliability was assessed by calculating an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between the raters (n = 3). RESULTS: A total of 49 codes were identified that resulted in three overarching themes, manufacturing/processing, monitoring logistics, and nutrition. Overall, there is a need for more robust internal and external M&E with Mexico's fortification program to improve the manufacturing/processing of fortifying the tortillas, the monitoring of this fortification program, and the impact the fortified tortillas have on the nutritional status of the Mexican population. The overall ICC was 0.87. CONCLUSIONS: The present study can be used to gain insight into Mexico's fortification program and to inform food fortification policymakers of best practices.

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OBJECTIVE: To explore the degree and predictors of and barriers to school garden integration (termed success). DESIGN: A 30-item online survey consisting of demographic, garden characteristic, and barrier questions, as well as the School Garden Integration Scale, was conducted in 266 school garden organizations (13 national, 8 regional, and 245 state or local). PARTICIPANTS: A total of 414 school gardeners from 38 states and Puerto Rico. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: School garden success using the GREEN Tool. ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics were used to determine the degree of success of school garden programs and explore barriers. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine independent predictors of school garden success. RESULTS: The average score was 37 (range 1-53, of a possible 57 points), indicating moderate success. Operating budget (P < .001), operating time (P < .05), and planting in-ground (P < .01) had a positive significant influence on success score, whereas rural location (P < .01) and lacking community interest (P < .01) had a negative significant influence, controlling for race/ethnicity, region, total garden investment, and Community Need Index score (a proxy for socioeconomic status). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Results indicate that success of school garden programs may be more difficult for the schools located in a rural area or in the absence of school or community-at-large interest. This study found that race/ethnicity of students and socioeconomic status are not related to success score, which is promising as other research indicates that successful school gardens may be especially impactful for low-income people of color. Causal research is needed to identify strategies that increase school garden success, with a focus on engaging key stakeholders (administrators, teachers, parents, the community at large, and garden coordinators).

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Resumo Este estudo analisa a ação intersetorial desenvolvida entre os setores saúde e educação no processo de implementação do Programa Saúde na Escola em município de região metropolitana do Nordeste brasileiro. As dimensões de análise foram o processo político-gerencial, as práticas dos profissionais e a compreensão dos sujeitos sobre intersetorialidade. Os resultados apontaram que os sujeitos definem intersetorialidade como parceria e trabalho conjunto. No que diz respeito à tomada de decisão e à mobilização de recursos, na implementação do Programa notou-se liderança do setor Saúde, tendo o setor Educação uma atuação periférica. As atividades de saúde nas escolas possuem uma abordagem biomédica e são efetivadas através de palestras. Considera-se, que o programa fortaleceu a relação entre os dois setores, entretanto, aspectos da articulação intersetorial no processo político-gerencial e nas práticas mostraram fragilidades e limitações.

Abstract This study analyzed inter-sectoral activities between the health and education sectors in implementing the Health in Schools program in a city within a metropolitan region in northeast Brazil. Analysis of the political-management process looked at the following dimensions: professional practices and subject understanding of intersectorality. The results show that subjects define intersectorality as partnership and joint efforts. Regarding decision making and resource mobilization, during program implementation we noticed that healthcare leads, and education tends to play a more peripheral role. Health activities in the schools use a biomedical approach and primarily consist of lectures. We believe that the program strengthened the relationship between these two sectors. However, intersectoral coordination in the political-management process and practices show weaknesses and limitations.

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Initiation of family planning at the time of birth is opportune, since few women in low-resource settings who give birth in a facility return for further care. Postpartum family planning (PPFP) and postpartum intrauterine device (PPIUD) services were integrated into maternal care in six low- and middle-income countries, applying an insertion technique developed in Paraguay. Facilities with high delivery volume were selected to integrate PPFP/PPIUD services into routine care. Effective PPFP/PPIUD integration requires training and mentoring those providers assisting women at the time of birth. Ongoing monitoring generated data for advocacy. The percentages of PPIUD acceptors ranged from 2.3% of women counseled in Pakistan to 5.8% in the Philippines. Rates of complications among women returning for follow-up were low. Expulsion rates were 3.7% in Pakistan, 3.6% in Ethiopia, and 1.7% in Guinea and the Philippines. Infection rates did not exceed 1.3%, and three countries recorded no cases. Offering PPFP/PPIUD at birth improves access to contraception.

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