Action Approach Research Articles

Beliefs About Donating Human Milk to a Milk Bank: A Theory-Based Salient Belief Elicitation.

Pasteurized donor human milk provides a safe and desirable alternative when a parent's own milk is insufficient or unavailable. Currently, the demand for donor human milk exceeds the available supply. Little is known about the beliefs breastfeeding individuals have about milk bank donation. The aims of this exploratory study were to (a) provide a preliminary estimate of how well intention can be predicted, and to suggest which of the global constructs of the Reasoned Action Approach has the most influence on intention; and (b) identify the salient, top-of-the-mind beliefs underlying the intention to donate some of the milk an individual is currently producing to a milk bank. An exploratory, cross-sectional study design, based on the Reasoned Action Approach, was used to measure the theory's global constructs and elicit beliefs underlying the intention to donate milk of lactating individuals (N = 118) living in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and Kentucky. Thematic and frequency analyses and multiple regression were performed. Quantitative analyses found that injunctive norm and the autonomy component of perceived behavioral control were independently associated with intention. Qualitative analyses identified the advantages (e.g., help and save babies, won't waste milk), referents who support (e.g., husband, family), and facilitators (e.g., having a convenient, close location, having more knowledge and information) of donating milk. This research provides insight into how milk banks might recruit and retain donors. Additional quantitative research with a larger sample is necessary to confirm the preliminary findings of this study.

Engaging co-creators network in a public mental health intervention: MENTBEST

Abstract Background MENTBEST, a 5-year EU-funded project, addresses mental health challenges among vulnerable groups using community-based interventions and innovative technologies. It aims to mitigate adverse impacts, focusing on migrants, older individuals, younger individuals, long-term unemployed individuals, and those with mental disorders in Albania, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Greece, Ireland and Estonia. MENTBEST seeks to provide tailored support to vulnerable populations, promoting mental well-being and resilience through two interventions (a) Mentina a mobile app and (b) a complex community intervention based upon the European Against Depression 4-level intervention. Methods A Participatory Action Approach has been employed through each research stage of MENTBEST where stakeholders across Europe have become part of the research team and provide input towards designing and evaluating the two interventions mentioned above. The PRODUCES framework was used to establish the Co-creators Network, ensuring inclusivity and relevance through: stakeholder mapping, prioritization, and engagement strategies. An online platform has been established for the network to collaborate as a community of practice, but also as means of upskilling co-creators through MOOCs and brief courses. Results The Co-creators Network comprises 24 diverse members strategically distributed among vulnerable groups through all participating Mentbest countries. Engagement activities include workshop participation on taking decisions on a range of research topics such as designing content, evaluation of the interventions, implementation of the interventions etc. Conclusions The Co-creators Network represents a milestone for MENTBEST, ensuring a collaborative approach to public mental health intervention. Innovative strategies highlight the project’s commitment to addressing the mental health needs of vulnerable populations. Key messages • Collaborative approach in MENTBEST fosters inclusive public mental health interventions. • Co-creators Network drives innovative strategies to address mental health needs of vulnerable groups.

5.K. Scientific session: Health literacy in Ireland: A participatory action approach with Sláintecare Healthy Communities

Abstract This workshop offers a comprehensive exploration of the dynamics, challenges, and opportunities surrounding health literacy in Ireland. In 2023, Dublin City University and Sláintecare Healthy Communities, driven by a commitment to foster equitable healthcare access and outcomes, embarked on a research project aimed at deciphering the intricacies of health literacy and its implications for public health in Ireland. The series of interactive presentations will transparently share learnings from the process and outcomes of this project, which can be applied across different sectors, contexts, and countries. The workshop will begin with an overview of the rationale underpinning Sláintecare Healthy Communities’ engagement in this research project. This is one of the first pilot programmes of its kind. By transparently exploring the driving forces and strategic approaches of this organisation, participants will gain insight into the imperative of addressing health literacy from the perspective of a cross-government and multi-discipline initiative. Following from this, a series of presentations will detail the rigorous scientific approaches undertaken. This includes an umbrella review of international conceptualisations of health literacy and a systematic review of health literacy research conducted on the island of Ireland in the last decade. Findings from these reviews highlight the evolving challenges and emerging trends shaping health literacy practices nationally and internationally. It is also recognised that responsive health literacy development requires thoughtful involvement of diverse local communities. Programmes and actions that ‘leave people behind’ can exacerbate health inequalities. As a result, meaningful community based participatory research, including innovative design thinking approaches, were utilised throughout this project. The Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme identified two contrasting areas to participate in this work, presenting both an urban and rural context. The health literacy strengths, needs and issues encountered in these communities will be presented in the community members own words. This workshop will close with the presentation of a series of co-designed, and crucially actionable, recommendations for evidence-based best practices in health literacy promotion in Ireland. Leveraging the synthesis of research findings and stakeholder insights, a number of actions aimed at enhancing health literacy proficiency and fostering health equity will be detailed. This presentation in particular will be interactive, and will challenge participants to identify health literacy promoting actions that may be suitable for their own contexts. This workshop offers a timely and pragmatic exploration of health literacy promotion in Ireland. By fostering dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration, the workshop serves as a catalyst for transformative change, paving the way towards more inclusive, equitable, and health-literate societies, both in Ireland and beyond. Key messages • This workshop offers a timely and pragmatic exploration of health literacy promotion in Ireland. • Presenters from both practice and research will detail how the needs analysis was conducted, and how we suggest these co-designed recommendations can be actioned.

Co-designing health literacy actions: Connecting the dots to create meaningful impact

Abstract In closing the workshop, this presentation will bring together the participatory research recommendations for promoting and developing healthy literacy in Ireland, which will be led by Slaintécare Healthy Communities in practice, dissemination and scale up. In particular, a worked example from a third Slaintécare Healthy Community (Westmeath) will be presented; a healthy literacy “Train the Trainer” professional development course for local health literacy champions. In this presentation, we will also challenge attendees to offer suggestions of how to support and facilitate other recommendations suggested by our participants, and invite them to consider how this participatory action approach to a health literacy needs analysis could be utilised in their own contexts.

Integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) into Indigenous Education for Sustainability: The Development and Implementation of a Curriculum Based on Disaster Prevention for Young Children

There are differences between Western mainstream culture and traditional Indigenous culture in the way they address sustainable development. The spirit of sustainability has been emphasized and practiced by Indigenous cultures for hundreds or even thousands of years, but it is increasingly disappearing over time due to the threat of natural disasters. It is necessary to recover this practice of sustainable development from its roots in traditional Indigenous knowledge. This study considers the possibility and utility of incorporating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) into Indigenous education for sustainability, a topic that has not been addressed by other studies. Based on a literature review, the proposed framework and content for this study focus on Indigenous disaster prevention. The specific topic was chosen to be most relevant to young Indigenous children. STEM indicators from the US next-generation science standards (NGSS) were referenced to create the proposed STEM teaching objectives, which were designed to be specifically appropriate for Indigenous curricula and teaching activities. Additionally, the cultural curriculum model was adopted to reform the Indigenous curriculum and teaching model by utilizing the transformation and social action approaches. Finally, the five-stage learning cycle was used as the framework to implement the curriculum, intertwined with the principles of the spiral curriculum, to co-construct an instructional example of Indigenous education for sustainability for future reference.

The potency of culture, technology, and context in a biology classroom: Culturo-Techno-Contextual Approach in action

ABSTRACT This study sought to investigate the efficacy of the Culturo-techno-contextual approach (CTCA) as an intervention in enhancing the knowledge retention of secondary school students in biology. A quasi-experimental (pre-test post-test non-equivalent group) design was employed. A total of 103 biology students in senior secondary year II (11th grade), comprising 56 females and 47 males in education district V, Lagos, Nigeria, participated in the study. The average age of the students was 14 years. The Achievement Test in Tissue and Supporting System (ATTSS), which had a reliability coefficient of 0.80, was designed to collect data on students’ achievement. The study revealed that (a) students taught using the culture-techno-contextual approach had a higher knowledge retention ability than those in the comparison group and (b) CTCA had no differential impact on students in the experimental group based on gender. Hence, the study concluded that the CTCA approach is an effective tool for enhancing student knowledge retention in biology and can help bridge the gap between male and female students’ performance in biology. Recommendations were made for the implementation of the findings of this study and further research.

Sewage sludge as soil amendment in arid soils - A trace metal, nutrient and trace organics perspective

Sewage sludge management has emerged as a critical environmental challenge due to the large volumes generated globally. Valorization techniques, including energy production and agricultural applications, offer sustainable solutions, particularly in regions with low soil fertility. The sewage sludge utilization in the Middle East region is low. This paper presents a pragmatic risk-based assessment using the risk-based corrective action approach to evaluate sludge application in desert soils. This methodology focuses on the source-pathway-receptor interaction and assesses the likelihood of contaminants posing a real threat. In arid desert regions like Kuwait, where soil organic content and moisture are extremely low, the application of sewage sludge presents a feasible option to enhance soil quality and valorize unutilized sludge dumps which pose significant environmental concerns but are left to desiccate in the absence of any environmental regulation towards its utilization and due to religious apprehensions. Since the sludge characterization is not well detailed a brief review of the available data was included to establish the bounds of various organic, metal and nutrients that were used for generating the model. This study examines the changes in the physico-chemical properties of desert soils following sludge application, focusing on the likely fate of trace metals and organic contaminants. The alkaline desert soils of Kuwait, with a pH range of 7.7–8.9, are particularly suitable for sludge application due to the low mobility of metals in alkaline conditions. Additionally, sludge application lowers soil pH, improving conditions for plant growth. The region's deeper water table and scant annual precipitation (<0.15 m) further reduce the risk of groundwater contamination and deeper soil profile contamination. The presence of organic content, nitrates, Zn, and Cu in sludge can promote native vegetation growth. However, trace organic contaminants, including PAHs, PCBs, and pharmaceuticals, pose a potential risk to soil contamination, but since the geological section shows intervening impervious layers the contamination is going to be localized, even if there is sufficient leachable fraction. Given the minimal risk of contamination under the unique conditions of arid regions, this approach highlights the potential for eco-friendly sludge valorization, that will improve vegetation cover and arrest the suspended particulate suspension. However, before the large-scale implementation of this modelled concept, a detailed experimental study on the pilot scale or lysimeters is recommended to assess the long-term impacts of sludge application and to obtain data that can inform policy guidelines for sustainable sludge management in desert environments.

Ambidextrous approach in action: Mg(OMe)2-doped hierarchical porous zirconium MOFs for decontaminating toxic chemical agents in nonbuffered systems

Utilizing a ligand-truncation strategy, a hierarchically porous structure was engineered within MOF-808, designated as HP-MOF-808. Furthermore, Mg(OMe)2 doping yielded HP-MOF-808@Mg(OMe)2, materials with both hierarchical porosity and basic character, for decontamination of two types of toxic chemical agents in nonbuffered solutions. In aqueous solution, the HP-808-2 exhibited decontamination rate constants for dimethyl-4-nitrophenyl phosphate (DMNP) and the nerve agent soman (GD) that were 3.13 and 1.98 times higher than MOF-808, respectively. The decontamination half-lives of HP-808-2@Mg(OMe)2 1:2 for DMNP and GD were further reduced by 13.87 and 36.82 times compared to HP-808-2. The material retains its decontamination efficacy for DMNP even after 60-days exposure in air and maintains structural integrity in solvents devoid of labile hydrogen for at least 24 h. In methanol, HP-808-2@Mg(OMe)2 achieved 100% DMNP decontamination in 25 min, outperforming HP-808-2 at 31.8%, marking it as the fastest DMNP decontamination material in methanol. Theoretical simulations confirmed the experimental findings, clearly demonstrating the energy changes during reactions with various nucleophiles and revealing the degradation process and mechanism of DMNP on the active sites of MOFs. Moreover, these materials rapidly degraded 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES) through hydrolysis, dehydrohalogenation, and heterolytic cleavage, demonstrating great potential for dual decontamination of toxic chemical agents in unbuffered systems.

#WhatWouldYouDo? A cross-sectional study of sports medicine physicians assessing their competency in managing harassment and abuse in sports

ObjectivesTo assess the clinical competence of sports medicine physicians to recognise and report harassment and abuse in sports, and to identify barriers to reporting and the need for safeguarding education.MethodsWe...

A scoping review of health models for the community mental health needs of the United Arab Emirates: Nurturing the social determinants of mental health through social prescribing in the Middle East

Despite the growing interest in social prescribing the diversification of health and social care strategies to support the well-being of patients has remained entrenched with a focus on the hospital setting within the Middle East. The United Arab Emirates has commenced progressing community mental health care to lead changes in how care and treatment are delivered within the United Arab Emirates. The authors adopted the use of the framework of Arksey and O’Malley (2005) to provide a systematic approach to searching the literature and creating a comprehensive foundation to guide the review. This scoping review provides a better understanding of the compatibility, content and outcomes of a selection of health models whilst also allowing further clarification before empirical studies. The scoping review findings will inform the proposed use of social prescribing as an actionable approach to create a focus on the need to include and empower the social determinants of mental health. This article proposes an evidence-based health strategy that supports and enhances recent additions to national legislation on the inclusion of the Mental Health Law within the United Arab Emirates to meditate and prevent inequities in addressing the mental health needs of citizens and residents within the nation’s diverse communities.

Earth Rights for the Advancement of a Planetary Health Agenda.

This article discusses Earth's Rights as an environmental justice mechanism of reparation, protection, and justice for indigenous communities, environmental defenders, and other populations in Latin America. We argue that Earth's rights encompass and include the right to health and can be integrated into international human rights frameworks to protect all forms of life, responding to colonial legacies of discrimination and violence. We respond to the scarcity of literature discussing Earth's rights in relation to situations where human rights and Earth's rights are violated. We ground our argument in the theoretical conceptualization of Latin American proposals of Earth's rights and its potential for actionable policy approaches that include human health as inevitably interconnected to our planet's well-being. We address the environmental injustices that affect the right to health and argue that an Earth's rights framework can support reparations for historically marginalized communities.

A geography of early vulnerabilities and exploitation in the narratives of adolescent males in England

Purpose The victimisation and criminal involvement of young people in organised criminal groups is a recognised form of child criminal exploitation (CCE) in the UK. Three phases of exploitation were identified (peer influence, adult street-level gangs and organised criminal groups). This paper aims to consider the locations associated with three stages of criminal exploitation and considers implications for safeguarding. Design/methodology/approach The research uses narratives of adolescent males and those of adults reflecting on their experiences as adolescents who had been immersed in street gangs and organised crime from northern England. Method Narratives of criminal action approach, a thematic analysis and multidimensional scaling (smallest space analysis) were undertaken to explore key locations in the planning and commissioning of a crime with at least one other person. Findings The narratives revealed that local and regional geographic locations relate to the stages of CCE. They offer an insight into the process of CCE and identify locations that could be used as a risk indicator for police forces and safeguarding teams. A clear pathway from involvement with street-level gangs to direct contact with organised criminal groups was found. This transition was represented by a move from outdoor to indoor locations. Research limitations/implications Out of the 30 participants, 29 came from the same region in Northern England, spanning a period of 30 years. It is possible that the findings may be limited to this region, or that there have been changes to criminal structures and opportunities over this time. Originality/value Although drug selling and the movement of victims across the UK is central to CCE, comparatively little attention has been given to the locations where early exploitation takes place at a micro level. Practical implications for policing and safeguarding will be discussed.

Gravitational spinoptics in a curved space-time

In this paper we discuss propagation of the weak high-frequency gravitational waves in a curved spacetime background. We develop a so-called spinoptics approximation which takes into account interaction of the spin of the field with the curvature of the background metric. This is achieved by modifying the standard geometric optics approximation by including the helicity sensitive terms of the order 1/ω in the eikonal equation. The novelty of the approach developed in this paper is that instead of study of the high-frequency expansion of the equations for the gravitational field perturbations we construct the effective action for the gravitational spinoptics. The gravitational spinoptics equations derived by variation of the effective action correctly reproduce the earlier obtained results. However, the proposed effective action approach is technically more simple and transparent. It allows one to reduce the study of the high-frequency gravitational waves to study classical dynamics of massless particles with internal discrete degree of freedom (helicity). The formalism is covariant and it can be applied for arbitrary vacuum space-time background.

Zero Produced Water Discharge Innovation in Production Fluid Management for Sustainability and Financial Efficiency

This paper will present the sustainability initiatives of PHI Tanjung Field obtained from the evaluation of existing oil and gas production activities. Through the Plan-Do-Check Action (PDCA) approach, based on the results of life cycle assessment and focus group discussions from managers and engineers in Tanjung Field, the identification of priority problems is related to the management of production fluid generated from outside the existing production facility process. Through a fishbone diagram approach to find out the root of the problem followed by Failure Mode Effect Analysis (FMEA) including Pareto diagrams and risk map analysis to get priority risk problems in the form of production fluid processing methods. Furthermore, through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach, the alternative solution taken is to modify the production fluid processing with CSSR (Contain, Sediment, Separate, Recovery) innovation. The results of this CSSR innovation are no more produced water is discharged into the environment so that the Tanjung Field Manager’s policy of moving towards zero produced water discharge is achieved. With this innovation, the processing efficiency of the production fluid in 2nd year (prediction) after innovation is 97.5%, up from 66.6% in initial year before innovation. By optimizing the use of produced water, the need for clean water for the injection program can be minimized. The reduction of clean water usage from Initial year to 2nd year (prediction) is 83.1%. The efficiency ratio of this innovation is 11.10 &gt; 1 indicates that the program generates more savings and revenue than its cost, making it a worthwhile investment. In energy reduction, the effectiveness of this innovation from Initial year to 2nd year (prediction) is reducing energy by 94.96%. In emission reduction, the reduction of CO2 emission load from Initial year to 2nd year (prediction) is 95%. This innovation contributes to the 6th Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) “Clean Water and Sanitation,” the 7th SDGs “Clean and Affordable Energy,” the 12th SDGs “Responsible Consumption and Production,” 13th SDGs “Handling Climate Change,” and the 14th SDGs “Ocean Ecosystems.”

Older Métis Adults’ Experiences of Physical Activity and Implications to Health Providers

Physical activity supports health and wellness, and specifically supports healthy aging. Little is known about the experiences of older Métis adults with physical activity through their lifespan and how this has impacted wellness. This study was co-constructed with 12 older Métis adults in Sakitawak (Île-à-la-Crosse) Saskatchewan using a participatory action approach, two-eyed seeing and the ontology of Breath of Life Theory, as described by Cindy Blackstock. Older Métis adults described physical activity within three themes, Wahkotowin (Related to Everything), Ahkameyimowin (Never Give up), and E ti Meyo Matshohot (Becoming/Living a Better Life). The results of this study have implications for health care professions which are founded within biomedical and biopsychosocial models. We consider the context and experiences of physical activity among Indigenous populations in Canada to better address the gaps and identify practices that aim to support population health.

Upaya Meningkatkan Kebugaran Jasmani Melalui Pendekatan Permainan Tradisional Kelas X-3 SMA Negeri 1 Gedangan Sidoarjo

This study examines the low interest of class X-3 students at SMAN 1 Sidoarjo in physical fitness activities. The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of traditional game-based learning methods in improving students' physical fitness. The research uses an action approach with stages of planning, implementation, observation, and reflection. The sample consists of 36 students from class X-3 SMAN 1 Sidoarjo who were observed during the pre-cycle, cycle 1, and cycle 2. Data was collected through observation, interviews, and documentation, then analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively using percentages. Research findings indicate an improvement in student learning outcomes after the implementation of traditional game-based learning methods in cycles I and II. This suggests that the approach is effective in increasing the level of physical fitness and student participation in physical education activities.

Abstract IA-08: Syndecan 1 is a therapeutic target for KRAS-driven pancreatic cancer

Abstract KRAS inhibitors targeting G12C mutation have been approved by FDA for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancers and have shown promising clinical responses in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). RAS inhibitors targeting additional KRAS mutations or multiple RAS isoforms are under clinical development. Although targeting KRAS exhibits anti-tumor effect in PDAC, majority of tumors inevitably develop resistant disease, as is the case for most targeted therapies. In this new era of targeting KRAS driven cancer, understanding mechanisms driving this resistance to RAS targeted therapies and further devising combination strategies to overcome it have become a necessary, though challenging, task to achieve long term disease control. To tackle this problem, we employed various in vitro and in vivo preclinical model systems to explore the development of resistance to both genetic and pharmacological KRAS blockade. Our previous work identified the membrane proteoglycan Syndecan 1 (SDC1) as a KRAS downstream surrogate whose cell surface localization is tightly controlled by oncogenic KRAS signaling and is critical for KRAS-driven tumor development. Here, our analysis of KRAS driven genetically engineered PDAC mouse model and human pancreatic or colorectal cancer (CRC) cells with KRASG12C mutation discovered that, while cell surface SDC1 is reduced upon acute genetic or pharmacological inhibition of oncogenic KRAS, plasma membrane SDC1 is recovered in tumor cells that become resistant to KRAS inhibition (KRAS-bypass cells). Surface localization of SDC1 leads to the activation of multiple receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and macropinocytosis, resulting in the resistance to KRAS blockade. We further identified that the recovery of plasma membrane SDC1 in KRAS-bypass cells is driven by YAP1 oncogene, which induces the downregulation of ARF6 GAPs, leading to the activation of ARF6, a small GTPase required for SDC1 membrane recycling. To therapeutically targeting SDC1, we have successfully developed a monoclonal antibody (22B mAb), which exhibits remarkable sensitivity and specificity for human SDC1. Our results indicate that 22B mAb exerts substantial inhibition of PDAC cell growth in vitro and desirable tumor inhibitory effects in vivo in murine PDAC tumors and human PDAC cell-derived xenograft tumors. Importantly, our 22B mAb synergizes with KRAS inhibitors, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy, resulting in significantly enhanced therapeutic effects. Taken together, our study identified SDC1 as a functional driver for the bypass of KRAS-dependence and therapeutically targeting SDC1 with a novel mAb will overcome the acquired resistance to KRAS targeted therapy. As such, our research yields important new insights in the fields of cancer biology regarding mechanisms of resistance employed by human cancers, and identifies new actionable therapeutic targets and approaches to overcome resistance to KRAS inhibition. Citation Format: Mitsunobu Takeda, Zecheng Yang, Madeline S Theardy, Alexey Sorokin, Oluwadara Coker, Shuaitong Chen, Long T Vien, Laura Bover, Haoqiang Ying, Scott Kopetz, Wantong Yao. Syndecan 1 is a therapeutic target for KRAS-driven pancreatic cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Advances in Pancreatic Cancer Research; 2024 Sep 15-18; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(17 Suppl_2):Abstract nr IA-08.

Patient engagement as a collaborative process in a large Dutch COVID-19 vaccination study (RECOVAC) – insight into the contribution of patient engagement and learnings for the future

BackgroundThe need for patient engagement in health research has been increasingly acknowledged and accepted in recent years. However, implementation is still limited due to lack of evidence on its value and lack of guidance on how to implement patient engagement. This study aims to provide insight into the contribution of patient engagement in the RECOVAC project, which studied COVID-19 vaccination in kidney patients, and formulate concrete practice-based action perspectives for patient engagement.MethodsWe used a qualitative participatory mixed methods approach, based on the Patient Engagement Monitoring and Evaluation (PEME) framework. Patient engagement and data collection were based on the Reflexive Monitoring in Action (RMA) approach. Data collection included participant observations, open ended questionnaires and interactive reflection sessions. Qualitative analysis was done via a thematic approach.ResultsWe have described the process of patient engagement systematically, provided insight in its value and found that there is a need for clear aims, expectations and preparations from the start of the engagement process. We have shown that reflection throughout the process is of utmost importance and the same applies to clear communication between researchers and patient representatives. By being part of the consortium patient representatives had direct access to information, straight from the source, on for example the vaccination schedule and medication availability and had indirect influence on decisions made by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) on preventive measures and treatment against COVID-19. Having experienced patient representatives is important, otherwise training needs to be provided. We also found that patient engagement had impact on conduct and outcomes of research activities itself and may have impact on future research and patient engagement activities in general.ConclusionPatient engagement has changed the course of the project. Concrete practice-based action perspectives have been formulated, which are already being implemented by the Dutch Kidney Patients Association (NVN). Studying patient engagement in a high pace project with high public interest has resulted in lessons learned and will help prepare and implement patient involvement in future research projects.Clinical trial registrationThe RECOVAC studies in which the patient engagement took place are registered at clinicialtrial.gov (NCT04741386 registration date 2021-02-04, NCT04841785 registration date 2021-03-22 and NCT05030974 registration date 2021-08-20).

Integrating social sciences in community engagement in humanitarian action: benefits and challenges seen from the field

The application of social sciences has been recognized as valuable to inclusive humanitarian programming that aims to be attentive to the needs and initiatives of affected communities. However, the integration of social science-informed community engagement (CE) approaches in humanitarian action remains episodic, fragmented, and under-resourced. This research article provides insights from a study that reviewed existing and needed capacities for the systematic integration of social sciences for community engagement in humanitarian action. We examined what capacity resources exist and what resources need to be developed for strengthening social science integration into humanitarian programming for improved engagement of affected and at-risk communities in conflict and hazard contexts. A mixed method approach was used, including twenty-two key informant interviews and a focus group discussion with social scientists and humanitarian practitioners, an online survey with 42 respondents, a literature review, and a year-long monthly consultation with social scientists and humanitarian practitioners in a UNICEF-led global technical working group. Results illustrate insights on the value of the “social science lens” in humanitarian action and current usage of different social science disciplines. Challenges found include different understandings (e.g., on standardization), languages and methods used by practitioners and social scientists, and how to integrate the seemingly “slow” processes of social sciences to fit emergency response. Institutional barriers to mainstream community-centered humanitarian action facilitated by the social sciences include top-down decision-making and resourcing, lack of localization, and many siloed, dispersed, and episodic efforts.

Exploring the health and wellbeing landscape at a third level institution

In line with the Healthy Campus framework, this study explored the health, health literacy, and wellbeing landscape for students at an Irish third level institution using a participatory action research approach with the aim to identify potential need, and inform future health promotion action(s). Methods. This mixed-method study involved three phases; (1) a scoping review to audit what activities are currently available to support student health and wellbeing on campus, (2) assessment of students’ current health literacy using the Health Literacy Questionnaire, analysed using Cohen's d to investigate the magnitude of differences between student groups, (3) qualitative discussions with university stakeholders, analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, to provide greater understanding and context to the results of the previous phases. Results. The scoping review identified 151 activities on campus to support students’ holistic health, with the majority focused on individual support. Students’ health literacy scores were in line with the broader literature. A number of themes were identified within the qualitative data; i) the need for an ‘opt-in’ approach to support a health-integrated culture, ii) barriers and facilitators to health information, iii) the importance of ‘walking the walk’, iv) the specific university experience of 2022 as society emerged from Covid-19, and v) factors that influence student engagement. Conclusion. Insight into the participatory action approach undertaken in this study may be useful to inform other higher education institutions (HEIs) interested in undertaking similar work. Thorough description of the findings may also allow these to be transferred to other contexts. The findings of this study can help inform and direct the current university's, and potentially other HEIs, future actions in regards to enhancing the health and wellbeing of its stakeholders. To foster an authentic ‘Healthy Campus’, a whole-university approach is needed HEIs, supported by open dialogue between stakeholders and senior leadership commitment.