Community Engagement Research Articles

Global artistic citizenship: (Re-)imagining interculturalism, collaboration, and community engagement as central elements of higher music education

Global artistic citizenship: (Re-)imagining interculturalism, collaboration, and community engagement as central elements of higher music education

Civic and Community Engagement among Poor Rural Women in Bihar: A Pilot Study

Civic and Community Engagement among Poor Rural Women in Bihar: A Pilot Study

RDBSB: a database for catalytic bioparts with experimental evidence.

Catalytic bioparts are fundamental to the design, construction and optimization of biological systems for specific metabolic pathways. However, the functional characterization information of these bioparts is frequently dispersed across multiple databases and literature sources, posing significant challenges to the effective design and optimization of specific chassis or cell factories. We developed the Registry and Database of Bioparts for Synthetic Biology (RDBSB), a comprehensive resource encompassing 83 193 curated catalytic bioparts with experimental evidences. RDBSB offers their detailed qualitative and quantitative catalytic information, including critical parameters such as activities, substrates, optimal pH and temperature, and chassis specificity. The platform features an interactive search engine, visualization tools and analysis utilities such as biopart finder, structure prediction and pathway design tools. Additionally, RDBSB promotes community engagement through a catalytic bioparts submission system to facilitate rapid data sharing and utilization. To date, RDBSB has supported the contribution of >1000 catalytic bioparts. We anticipate that the database will significantly enhance the resources available for pathway design in synthetic biology and serve essential tools for researchers. RDBSB is freely available at https://www.biosino.org/rdbsb/.

Exploring the Broader Benefits of Obesity Prevention Community-based Interventions From the Perspective of Multiple Stakeholders.

Community-based interventions (CBIs) show promise as effective and cost-effective obesity prevention initiatives. CBIs are typically complex interventions, including multiple settings, strategies and stakeholders. Cost-effectiveness evidence, however, generally only considers a narrow range of costs and benefits associated with anthropometric outcomes. While it is recognised that the complexity of CBIs may result in broader non-health societal and community benefits, the identification, measurement, and quantification of these outcomes is limited. This study aimed to understand the perspectives of stakeholders on the broader benefits of CBIs and their measurement, as well as perceptions of CBI cost-effectiveness. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants from three stakeholder groups (lead researchers, funders, and community stakeholders of CBIs). Online semi-structured interviews were conducted, taking a constructivist approach. Coding, theme development and analysis were based on published guidance for thematic analysis. Twenty-six stakeholders participated in the interviews (12 lead researchers; 7 funders; 6 community stakeholders). Six key themes emerged; (1) Impacts of CBIs (health impacts and broader impacts); (2) Broader benefits were important to stakeholders; (3) Measurement of benefits are challenging; (4) CBIs were considered cost-effective; (5) Framing CBIs for community engagement (6) Making equitable impacts and sustaining changes-successes and challenges. Across all stakeholders, broader benefits, particularly the establishment of networks and partnerships within communities, were seen as important outcomes of CBIs. Participants viewed the CBI approach to obesity prevention as cost-effective, however, there were challenges in measuring, quantifying and valuing broader benefits. Development of tools to measure and quantify broader benefits would allow for more comprehensive evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of CBIs for obesity prevention.

Time to STEP UP: methods and findings from the development of guidance to help researchers design inclusive clinical trials

BackgroundIt is important to design clinical trials to include all those who may benefit from the intervention being tested. Several frameworks have been developed to help researchers think about the barriers to inclusion of particular under-served groups when designing a trial, but there is a lack of practical guidance on how to implement these frameworks. This paper describes the ACCESS project, the findings from each phase of the project and the guidance we developed (STEP UP) on how to design more inclusive trials.MethodsDevelopment of the STEP UP guidance had five phases: (1) Scoping literature review, (2) ‘roundtable’ discussion meetings, (3) redesign of trials, (4) interviews and (5) guidance document development, with input from public contributors and the ACCESS team.ResultsOver 40 experts contributed to the ACCESS project—patients and the public, clinicians, NHS research staff, trialists and other academics. The scoping review identified several strategies being used to improve inclusion, mostly around recruitment settings, but there was little evaluation of these strategies. The ‘roundtable’ discussions identified additional strategies being used across the UK and Ireland to improve inclusion, which were grouped into: Communication, Community engagement, Recruitment sites, Patient information, Flexibility, Recruitment settings, Consent process, Monitoring, Training for researchers and Incentives. These strategies were used to redesign three existing trials by applying one of the three INCLUDE frameworks (ethnicity, socioeconomic disadvantage, impaired capacity to consent) to one trial each, to produce the key recommendations for the guidance. Issues around implementation were explored in stakeholder interviews and key facilitators were identified: funders requesting information on inclusion, having the time and funding to implement strategies, dedicated staff, flexibility in trial protocols, and considering inclusion of under-served groups at the design stages. The STEP UP guidance is freely available at http://step-up-clinical-trials.co.uk.ConclusionResearchers should consider inclusivity to shape initial trial design decisions. Trial teams and funders need to ensure that trials are given both the resources and time needed to implement the STEP UP guidance and increase the opportunities to recruit a diverse population.

Effects of corporate social responsibility on sustained competitive advantage: a moderated mediation model

Purpose This study aims more than just assess the direct relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustained competitive advantage (SCA). It explores the subtleties of how these impacts might be amplified or altered by socially responsible leadership (SRL). The study emphasizes how important community service (CS) is mediating this complicated connection. Design/methodology/approach In this study, a survey instrument tailored for employees of Indian private multinational corporations (MNCs) and public sector undertakings/government organizations (PSU/Govt. Orgn.) was used. A total of 517 questionnaires were used for subsequent analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was then carried out on four self-reported scales to assess the discriminant validity of both samples. Subsequently, regression analysis was performed to check the effect of CSR on SCA, with CS acting as a mediator and SRL serving as a moderator. Findings The findings affirm that CS mediates the relationship between CSR and SCA. Simultaneously, SRL is identified as a moderator in the association between CS and SCA. The mediating role of CS in connecting CSR to SCA holds for both private and public sectors, highlighting the importance of community engagement. A notable observation is the limited prevalence of SRL among PSU/Govt. Orgn. respondents. Research limitations/implications This study emphasizes the pivotal role of CSR in transforming companies into socially responsible entities, thereby augmenting corporate reputation and goodwill. Furthermore, the influence of SRL is highlighted as a moderator in the CSR−SCA relationship, impacting both private and public organizations. This research presents a conceptual framework of moderated mediation, shedding light on the complex relationship between CSR and SCA. Originality/value This study illuminates the importance of CS and SRL as critical elements in achieving SCA by recognizing a gap in current research. This distinctive perspective enhances the study's originality, providing novel insights into the intricate interplay between CSR, CS, SRL and SCA.

Population-based cohort across stroke life course in India-The NIMHANS-NH-SKAN stroke project: A study protocol.

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. In India, it is the fourth leading cause of death and fifth leading cause of disability, posing a major public health concern. National surveys reveal an increasing trend in stroke risk factors such as tobacco use, physical activity, alcohol use, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. However, knowledge regarding the combined effect of these risk factors and their various combinations is limited. Understanding the individual, combined, and synergistic effects of known risk factors, along with new risk factors, is essential to address gaps in stroke epidemiology. This study aims to examine the effect of various risk factors of acute stroke and their association with stroke occurrence and its outcomes (survival, disability and quality of life). This retrospective-prospective cohort will be conducted in one taluka of Kolara district and two urban wards of Bengaluru with a total population of ~400,000. All stroke-free individuals above 30 years of age ~200,000 individuals in the selected sites will be participants of stroke-free period and all first ever stroke patients in the community will be part of stroke and post-stroke period respectively. The study subjects will be recruited through a complete house-to-house survey at baseline and undergo annual follow-ups during the stroke-free period, with specific assessments at defined time points during the stroke and post-stroke period for a period of one year. Efforts are implemented to minimize loss to follow-up, including community engagement, a helpline number, and hospital-based surveillance. This large population-based cohort study addressing stroke epidemiology in the country, is one -of-its-kind, attempting to fill certain critical gaps in the natural history, management, and outcomes of stroke in India. This research has the potential to provide important insights into the effect of novel risk factors of stroke and various combinations of risk factors of stroke. Furthermore, the development of a stroke risk predictability calculator will add value to the existing Indian National Programme for Prevention & Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) and offers a model for similar countries once developed.

Exploring key indicators of community engagement in protected areas and natural park: Towards an ecotourism sustainable and development framework

Exploring key indicators of community engagement in protected areas and natural park: Towards an ecotourism sustainable and development framework

How does community health feature in Global Financing Facility planning documents to support reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and nutrition (RMNAH-N)? insights from six francophone West African countries

ABSTRACT Background Community health is key for improving Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH-N). However, how community health supports integrated RMNCAH-N service delivery in francophone West Africa is under-researched. Objective We examined how six francophone West African countries (Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Senegal) support community health through the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children and Adolescents (GFF). Methods We conducted a content analysis on Investment Cases and Project Appraisal Documents from selected countries, and set out the scope of the analysis and the key search terms. We applied an iterative hybrid inductive-deductive approach to identify themes for data coding and extraction. The extracted data were compared within and across countries and further grouped into meaningful categories. Results In country documents, there is a commitment to community health, with significant attention paid to various cadres of community health workers (CHWs) who undertake a range of preventive, promotive and curative roles across RMNCAH-N spectrum. While CHWs renumeration is mentioned, it varies considerably. Most community health indicators focus on CHWs’ deliverables, with few related to governance and civil registration. Challenges in implementing community health include poor leadership and governance and resource shortages resulting in low CHWs performance and service utilization. While some countries invest significantly in training CHWs, structural reforms and broader community engagement are lacking. Conclusions There is an opportunity to better prioritize and streamline community health interventions, including integrating them into health system planning and budgeting, to fully harness their potential to improve RMNCAH-N.

Research Priorities in Pediatric Asthma Morbidity: Addressing the Impacts of Systemic Racism on Children with Asthma in the United States. An Official American Thoracic Society Workshop Report.

Background: In the United States, Black and Latino children with asthma are more likely than White children with asthma to require emergency department visits or hospitalizations because of an asthma exacerbation. Although many cite patient-level socioeconomic status and access to health care as primary drivers of disparities, there is an emerging focus on a major root cause of disparities-systemic racism. Current conceptual models of asthma disparities depict the historical and current effects of systemic racism as the foundation for unequal exposures to social determinants of health, environmental exposures, epigenetic factors, and differential healthcare access and quality. These ultimately lead to biologic changes over the life course resulting in asthma morbidity and mortality. Methods: At the 2022 American Thoracic Society International Conference, a diverse panel of experts was assembled to identify gaps and opportunities to address systemic racism in childhood asthma research. Panelists found that to examine and address the impacts of systemic racism on children with asthma, researchers and medical systems that support biomedical research will need to 1) address the current gaps in our understanding of how to conceptualize and characterize the impacts of systemic racism on child health, 2) design research studies that leverage diverse disciplines and engage the communities affected by systemic racism in identifying and designing studies to evaluate interventions that address the racialized system that contributes to disparities in asthma health outcomes, and 3) address funding mechanisms and institutional research practices that will be needed to promote antiracism practices in research and its dissemination. Results: A thorough literature review and expert opinion discussion demonstrated that there are few studies in childhood asthma that identify systemic racism as a root cause of many of the disparities seen in children with asthma. Community engagement and participation in research studies is essential to design interventions to address the racialized system in which patients and families live. Dissemination and implementation studies with an equity lens will provide the multilevel evaluations required to understand the impacts of interventions to address systemic racism and the downstream impacts. To address the impacts of systemic racism and childhood asthma, there needs to be increased training for research teams, funding for studies addressing research that evaluates the impacts of racism, funding for diverse and multidisciplinary research teams including community members, and institutional and financial support of advocating for policy changes based on study findings. Conclusions: Innovative study design, new tools to identify the impacts of systemic racism, community engagement, and improved infrastructure and funding are all needed to support research that will address impacts of systemic racism on childhood asthma outcomes.

Advancing Sustainable Higher Education: Embracing the Triple Bottom Line Integration in Uganda

The purpose of this conceptual paper was to revise Triple Bottom Line Theory of sustainable development as proposed by John Elkington, so as to propose ways of advancing sustainable higher education in Uganda. The major tenets of this theory are economic viability, environmental sustainability and social responsibility. Reduced fiscal spending by governments to higher education, the global calls for mitigation of climate change, youth unemployment and equity calls for higher education to be sustainable, including in Uganda. This paper concludes by proposing that sustainable higher education in Uganda is as a result of : Economic viability (job creation, skill development, research & innovation, community engagement, global education- partnerships with international institutions), environmental sustainability (integration of sustainability in curricula, use of experiential learning, collaboration with stakeholders, addressing resource limitations, empowerment and economic benefits) and social responsibility (community engagement, addressing local and global challenges, integrating social responsibility into missions, and merging social responsibility with internationalization efforts). The paper concludes by recommending empirical validation of the model, both in Uganda and outside Uganda

Investigating the Role of Virtual Reality to Support Community Engagement

Virtual Reality (VR) interfaces are known to provide users with immersive experiences to support tasks such as training or developing an understanding of topics in various domains. However, research relating to using VR to learn about unfamiliar settings and supporting attitudes towards these settings, particularly through lower-cost VR technology is limited in nature. In this article, we describe an exploratory study to investigate low-cost VR technology use on attitudes toward community engagement activities. We selected the issue of homelessness, due to the prevalence of this issue in the city where the study took place. We focused on the experiences of conducting community engagement activities as part of the study. Ten participants experienced becoming homeless through an immersive VR application. In order to investigate the impact on attitudes, a community engagement instrument along with perspective-taking subscale were presented to participants prior to and after the VR experience. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in both the attitude and behavior subscales, suggesting a positive change in intention to participate in their community and to make a difference based upon the VR experience. Implications from the work relate to the design of a procedure which can be used by educators and researchers alike, to determine the attitudinal impacts of VR environments, along with providing awareness of the benefits and practicalities of utilizing low-cost VR technologies within a classroom environment.

Complex Systems and Sustainable Leadership: Enhancing Resilience and Sustainability of Community-Based Social Enterprises in Soweto, South Africa

In urban South Africa, community-based social enterprises (CBSEs) face challenges at the intersection of financial and environmental sustainability and social purpose. These enterprises address social exclusion and community development within complex institutional environments. Despite increasing governmental support, CBSEs struggle with historical inequalities, resource limitations, high poverty levels, inadequate infrastructure, and complex social dynamics. These challenges contribute to a high failure rate among SMMEs, including CBSEs, which represent approximately 71% of community-level businesses. This study examines how complex system dynamics in marginalized South African suburbs impact the sustainable leadership and resilience of CBSEs. Utilizing a qualitative approach, the study conducted 15 in-depth semi-structured interviews with CBSE leaders. The findings revealed that effective leadership in CBSEs requires extraordinary abilities to traverse complexity, adapt to changes, and engage in dynamic organizational change. The key themes identified included adaptive and flexible leadership, interdependencies and network collaboration, community engagement and co-creation, continuous learning and feedback loops, policy influence and response, and resource utilization and constraints. By applying complex systems leadership theory (CSLT) and sustainable leadership principles, the research offers insights into the mechanisms enabling CBSEs to thrive in challenging environments. These findings contribute to Social Enterprise Management and Leadership Studies, providing practical implications for policymakers and practitioners to support CBSE development and sustainability in marginalized urban communities.

Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation and Sustainability of Community Development Projects in Kitui West Constituency, Kenya

There are significant challenges faced by project managers in Kitui west constituency when it comes to implementing sustainable projects, in particular, the Community Level Infrastructure Development Program was aimed at promoting equitable development across the entire constituency through implementing small scale infrastructure projects. However, there was a partial or no realization of the envisaged benefits. The aim of this study was therefore be to assess the impact on sustainability for Community Development Projects in Kitui West Constituency, Kenya from Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation. The study was based on theory of sustainability, the ladder of participation, stakeholder theory, modern organizational theory and real assessment theory. Research was conducted using a descriptive design for this study. 10 projects that have been operational within 2016 - 2021 was the target population of this study. The researcher targeted 87 respondents comprising of 20 project management committee and 67 constituency development committee members. The study conducted a census of 87 respondents. The study sample size was 10 projects with 87 respondents. For the purpose of collecting data in this study, a questionnaire was used. The study tested the instruments in Kitui central constituency involving 8 respondents. Research instruments were assessed for content, face, and criterion validity. Reliability was measured using Cronbach’s alpha. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (correlation, regression). Results, shown in tables and figures, indicated that community engagement, capacity building, resource use, and communication positively impacted project sustainability. The study concludes that involving community members in project planning, implementation, and evaluation fosters ownership and empowerment. The study recommends that the constituency should involve community members in the planning and decision-making processes is crucial which can be achieved through community meetings, workshops, and focus group discussions where residents can voice their needs, priorities, and ideas.

Adaptation of the RESPECT framework to prevent violence against women, Indonesia.

Violence against women is a global health problem. Effectively preventing such violence requires locally adapted strategies. The World Health Organization in Indonesia, in collaboration with United Nations (UN) Population Fund, UN Women, United Nations Children's Fund, United Nations Development Programme and Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, launched capacity-building initiatives to introduce RESPECT as an evidence-based framework to address violence against women. The initiatives included stakeholder engagement, module development, sensitization training, a workshop and evaluation sessions. These sessions introduced RESPECT strategies to government officials, UN officers and community representatives, mapped best practices and developed action plans. Indonesia has a substantial burden of violence against women, despite numerous laws and policies to combat it. The 2021 Indonesian violence against women survey showed that 26.1% (3341/12 800) of women aged 15-64 years had experienced violence in their lifetime, with 8.7% (1114/12 800) experiencing violence in the past year. The initiatives to introduce RESPECT led to securing government support, and verbal commitment was given by the Director for the Protection of Women's Rights against Domestic Violence and Vulnerability to integrate RESPECT into the 2025-2029 National Development Plan and National Strategy for Reducing Violence Against Women. RESPECT can be adapted to local contexts through customization and capacity-building and by ensuring initial government support, dedicated personnel, resource allocation and use of established relationships with key stakeholders. Improved research, monitoring and evaluation are vital to promote evidence-informed decision-making, together with community engagement and multistakeholder collaboration. The UN can facilitate these efforts.

Community engagement in WHO guideline development.

Community engagement in WHO guideline development.

Epidemiological overlaps in COVID-19 and malaria within healthcare and community settings of Southern Ghana

BackgroundCOVID-19 disruptions including lockdowns and prioritization of COVID-19 control programs in Africa in 2020–2022 contributed to reductions in malaria control activities including malaria diagnosis, treatment and resistance monitoring. This study investigated the malaria burden and distribution on the background of active transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Southern Ghana; utilizing community health education and medical screening (CHEMS) approach to determine epidemiological overlaps in COVID-19 and malaria.MethodsBetween October–December 2022, prospective cross-sectional surveys, with CHEMS were conducted in Greater Accra and Central regions, where 994 participants enrolled either at a hospital or community setting provided demographic and clinical data including history of clinical malaria infection and antimalarial treatment in the past 2 weeks. Of this study population, 953 provided nasal/throat swabs for COVID-19 RT-PCR testing, with a subset of 136 participants also providing finger-prick blood for malaria RDT testing.ResultsThe study population comprised of 73.6% adults, with 54.6% COVID-19 vaccination rate. Overall, 18.1% of participants had a history of clinical malaria, which was associated (adjusted odds ratio > 1.50, p-value ≤0.022) with COVID-19 symptoms and positivity, study area and hospital setting, suggestive of overlaps in the epidemiological risk for malaria. On a background of widespread SARS-CoV-2 infections (12–37%), malaria parasitaemia was detected in 6%, with 2% being co-infections with SARS-CoV-2. Among the malaria positives, 9.5% had a history of antimalarial treatment, which suggested that their infections were recrudescent parasitaemia.ConclusionThe epidemiological and clinical overlap between malaria and COVID-19 within the hospital and community settings underscores the need for accurate case diagnosis to inform effective clinical treatments. Innovative surveillance programs, with community engagement are needed to maximize control interventions including treatment of asymptomatic malaria infections.

DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES FOR BACKPACKER TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN KOTA KINABALU, SABAH, MALAYSIA

This study investigates the development strategies aimed at enhancing backpacker tourism in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, with a focus on social, environmental, and economic dimensions. This study uses quantitative methods through the distribution of questionnaires to study the behaviour and opinions of backpackers in Kota Kinabalu. This study focuses on respondents at backpacker accommodation and tourist destinations in Kota Kinabalu. A total of 228 backpackers participated in this study. These strategies encompass social development, environmental development, and economic development, and encompass initiatives such as community engagement, environmental conservation, and collaboration with local businesses. Achieving a balance between economic growth and social and environmental sustainability is crucial in maximizing the potential of backpacker tourism. Successful implementation of these strategies necessitates the active involvement of various stakeholders, including government agencies, local communities, and the tourism industry. Integrating these strategies into destination management plans will elevate the backpacker tourism experience and facilitate sustainable growth. Further research and collaboration among stakeholders are imperative to effectively implement these strategies and harness the opportunities presented by backpacker tourism in the region.

Local community engagement in managing the marine heritage “A case study Ras Mohamed National Park, Egypt”

Local community engagement in managing the marine heritage “A case study Ras Mohamed National Park, Egypt”

Engaging with the Community Before Deploying a Rural Mobile Health Unit

Before implementing health care services, such as a mobile health unit (MHU), it is essential to assess community needs and develop reciprocal community partnerships, develop a strategy for community engagement, and provide longitudinal service-learning opportunities for students. An MHU providing a comprehensive range of in-person health care services and telehealth capabilities was launched October 2023 in rural Tennessee. More than 100 undergraduate nursing and nurse practitioner students have rotated on the MHU and in nearby rural clinics. Assessing and engaging with the community before deploying a MHU can increase trust and establish relationships while providing learning opportunities in rural settings.