Citizen science participation in research in the environmental sciences: key factors related to projects' success and longevity

ABSTRACT The potential impacts of citizen science initiatives are increasing across the globe, albeit in an imbalanced manner. In general, there is a strong element of trial and error in most projects, and the comparison of best practices and project structure between different initiatives remains difficult. In Brazil, the participation of volunteers in environmental research is limited. Identifying the factors related to citizen science projects' success and longevity within a global perspective can contribute for consolidating such practices in the country. In this study, we explore past and present projects, including a case study in Brazil, to identify the spatial and temporal trends of citizen science programs as well as their best practices and challenges. We performed a bibliographic search using Google Scholar and considered results from 2005-2014. Although these results are subjective due to the Google Scholar's algorithm and ranking criteria, we highlighted factors to compare projects across geographical and disciplinary areas and identified key matches between project proponents and participants, project goals and local priorities, participant profiles and engagement, scientific methods and funding. This approach is a useful starting point for future citizen science projects, allowing for a systematic analysis of potential inconsistencies and shortcomings in this emerging field.

Community Based Monitoring Under National Rural Health Mission in Maharashtra: Status at Primary Health Centers.

This study compares the implementation of community-based monitoring (CBM) in 45 primary health centers (PHCs) in the pilot phase in Maharashtra with the equal number of randomly selected PHCs not implementing CBM (non- CBM) from the same districts. Information was collected by teams from Community Medicine Departments by visiting selected PHCs. Establishment of monitoring committees and training of medical offi cers (MOs) had been completed as required but only 36.36% MOs were trained. Only 43.18% MOs received the facility report card. Most of the MOs (90.90%) attended Jansunwai and opined that it had increased community awareness and the barriers between the people and PHC staff were broken. There was no difference in fund utilization and meetings of Rugna Kalyan Samittees. Percentage of Institutional deliveries and women receiving Janani Suraksha Yojana benefi ts among home deliveries was more in the non-CBM group of PHCs.

Community Based Monitoring under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) at Village Level in the State of Maharashtra, India.

Background: Government of India, under National Rural Health Mission has established Village Health Sanitation Nutrition Committees (VHSNCs) and appointed Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) in all the villages. Government of India also started Community Based Monitoring (CBM) project through Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). State of Maharashtra was one of the nine states selected for implementation of the pilot project. Objectives: To assess the effect of training and implementation of CBM on Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of VHSNC members including ASHAs. Design: It is a descriptive study using comparison group. Settings: The study was carried out in 90 villages, 45 each from study and comparison group, in the State of Maharashtra, India. Interventions: The study was conducted with the help of the Community Medicine Departments from nearby Medical Colleges. From each village one ASHA and three members of VHSNC were interviewed. An assessment instrument was developed having some parameters. Based upon responses to each parameter, a scoring system was also developed. Then comprehensive score was calculated for each respondent. Main Variable: Comprehensive score obtained by the interviewed individual was studied. Results: Only 41% ASHAs and 28% VHSNC members were trained in CBM by the concerned NGOs. The Mean score of ASHAs’ was 7.52. The mean score was 6.55 for trained members of VHSNC and 5.00 for un-trained members. Discussion: The interviewed members were lacking in core areas. The members are not ready to take ownership and to monitor services. Conclusions: The training and implementation of CBM did not have any difference in awareness and active participation of ASHAs. This may be due to improper coverage of training. The training helped VHSNC members in improving score but actual implementation of project did not improve the score.