Community Education Programs Research Articles

A Qualitative Inquiry Into the Occupational Challenges Faced by Home-Based Caregivers of People Living With HIV in South Africa’s Gauteng Province

Community home-based caregivers caring for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWHIV) are instrumental in relieving the demand pressures experienced by healthcare service centers. Although their contributions to the healthcare system are essential, they do so under difficult conditions necessitating social work support. This study was conducted in the Gauteng province of South Africa in 2017 to explore the occupational challenges faced by community home-based care caregivers of PLWHIV. Following the qualitative research approach, eighteen caregivers were identified and sampled using purposive and snowball sampling techniques in semi-structured interviews. The data was manually analyzed according to Tesch’s eight steps of qualitative data analysis. This gave rise to four themes: reception by community members, uncooperative clients and families, unsupportive healthcare professionals, and working in unsafe conditions. Following relevant ethical principles such as informed consent, confidentiality, and anonymity throughout the study, trustworthiness was continuously upheld through the principles of prolonged engagement, triangulation, member checking, thick description, and audit trail. The need for psychosocial support programs for caregivers, community and family educational programs, and strengthening partnerships for caregivers, communities, and healthcare professionals is recommended, given the success of community home-based care (CHBC) services for PLWHIV.

Unmasking the Dual Threat of Fentanyl and Xylazine Abuse in America

IntroductionThe United States of America are currently facing a public health crisis characterized by the abuse of synthetic opioids, notably Fentanyl, and the veterinary sedative Xylazine. While each of these substances has been associated with significant risks, their current misuse presents a formidable challenge to healthcare professionals, law enforcement agencies and policymakers. While the opioid epidemic has long held the nation in its grip, the emergence of Xylazine as complementary agent in substance abuse has added a disturbing layer of complexity to an already terrible situation, due to its cost-cutting, an increase in its addictive properties and its ability to extend the duration of the opioid with which it is combined.ObjectivesThe authors intend to review the relevant and current literature in order to extend the knowledge about this condition and find the best conducts for clinical practice.MethodsNon-systematic literature reviewResults Various regions of the United States are facing a troubling surge in the co-abuse of Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid many times more potent than morphine, and Xylazine, a veterinary sedative and muscle relaxant, particularly in urban areas. The motivations for this combination appear to vary, ranging from the enhanced euphoria to cost-saving measures, further fueling its prevalence. However, the consequences are devastating. Both substances depress the central nervous system, with a sharp increase in overdose deaths and emergency medical services are strained to their limits in responding to these crises. Law enforcement agencies are facing a daunting task in curtailing the distribution of these substances, often grappling with clandestine networks that exploit the accessibility of these drugs.Conclusions The concurrent abuse of Fentanyl and Xylazine represents a critical public health challenge in the United States of America, demanding immediate attention and a multidisciplinary response. Failure to address this issue comprehensively will have profound implications for the well-being of individuals, families and communities across the nation. It is imperative to mobilize resources, foster interdisciplinary collaboration and develop evidence-based policies to combat this dual-threat crisis. Novel intervention strategies, including community education programs, targeted outreach efforts, and supervised consumption facilities, are urgently needed to address this complex issue.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Malaria infection and predictor factors among Chadian nomads’ children

BackgroundIn Chad, malaria remains a significant public health concern, particularly among nomadic populations. Geographical factors and the mobility of human populations have shown to be associated with the diversity of Plasmodium species. The study aims to describe the malaria prevalence among nomadic children and to investigate its associated factors.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in February and October 2021 among nomadic communities in Chad. Blood sample were collected and tested from 187 Arab, Fulani and Dazagada nomadic children aged 3–59 months using malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT). A structured electronic questionnaire was administered to their parents to collect information about the socio‑economic data. Malaria testing results were categorized according to the SD BIOLINE Malaria Ag Pf/Pan RDT procedures. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine key risk factors explaining the prevalence of malaria. STATA version IC 13 was used for statistical analysis.ResultsThe overall malaria prevalence in nomadic children was 24.60%, with 65.20% being Plasmodium falciparum species and 34.8% mixed species. Boys were twice as likely (COR = 1.83; 95% CI, 0.92–3.62; p = 0.083) to have malaria than girls. Children whose parents used to seek traditional drugs were five times more likely (AOR = 5.59; 95% CI, 1.40–22.30, p = 0.015) to have malaria than children whose parents used to seek health facilities. Children whose parents reported spending the last night under a mosquito net were one-fifth as likely (AOR = 0.17; 95% CI, 0.03–0.90, p = 0.037) to have malaria compared to children whose parents did not used a mosquito net. Furthermore, Daza children were seventeen times (1/0.06) less likely (AOR = 0.06; 95% CI, 0.01–0.70, p = 0.024) to have malaria than Fulani children and children from households piped water as the main source were seven times more likely (AOR = 7.05; 95% CI, 1.69–29.45; p = 0.007) to have malaria than those using surface water.ConclusionsMalaria remains a significant public health issue in the nomadic communities of Chad. Community education and sensitization programs within nomad communities are recommended to raise awareness about malaria transmission and control methods, particularly among those living in remote rural areas. The National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) should increase both the coverage and use of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) in addition to promoting treatment-seeking behaviors in nomadic communities.

Community Education and its Role in Promoting Smart Cities within a Rapidly Changing Technological Environment

This study explores the role of community education in smart city development within the Indonesian context. The purpose is to understand urban residents' perceptions, attitudes, and barriers toward technology and smart city initiatives and evaluate the effectiveness of current community education programs. A cross-sectional research design was employed, involving surveys and interviews with residents from cities participating in Indonesia's 'Towards 100 Smart Cities' initiative. Thematic and statistical analyses were conducted to analyze the data collected. The findings reveal a mix of optimism and concerns among respondents regarding technology and smart city initiatives, highlighting the importance of addressing privacy, security, and inclusivity issues. While current community education programs effectively raise awareness about smart city concepts, gaps in accessibility and inclusivity persist, suggesting the need for targeted interventions. The study's novelty lies in its contextualized approach to understanding smart city development within Indonesia's diverse urban landscape. It provides practical insights for policymakers and urban planners, emphasizing the importance of community education in promoting inclusive and participatory smart city development. The study contributes to the growing literature on smart city development by offering valuable insights and recommendations for advancing sustainable and equitable urban development in Indonesia and beyond.

Hearing impaired persons' experiences with the online Swedish Individualized Active Communication Education (I-ACE) program: A feasibility study

Even with optimally fitted hearing aids, many individuals with hearing impairment struggle to hear in situations with difficult listening conditions. Active Communication Education (ACE) is an interactive group rehabilitation program aimed at helping people with hearing loss communicate more effectively using communication strategies to better cope with everyday life. To increase accessibility and allow more people to benefit from the ACE program, a modified individualized version was created. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of providing the Swedish Individualized Active Communication Education (I-ACE) program via an online platform and to explore hearing impaired persons' experiences with the program. For five weeks, ten participants completed the Swedish I-ACE through an online platform. The participants were assigned a new chapter to complete each week and later received individual feedback on their work via the platform. The participants were asked to complete an evaluation form regarding the content and their experiences during and after completing the I-ACE. They were later interviewed to provide more detailed information on their experiences with the program. The program completion rate was 80 %. Participants found the I-ACE program to be informative and relevant but somewhat repetitive. However, only a few participants thought of the repetitiveness as negative. Few participants reported difficulties using the platform. This study indicated that it is feasible to provide the I-ACE program via an online platform and that the content of the program is informative, relevant, and comprehensible. Further research evaluating the effects of the I-ACE is warranted.

Empathy and Hate Speech in Social Media: The Case of Indonesia

Hate speech on social media in Indonesia 10 years ago has become a very interesting topic of discussion. Many of these incidents occur and are perpetrated by teenagers, with implications for violence and their psychological well-being. Hate speech on social media, particularly in the Indonesian context, presents a multifaceted challenge that requires a combination of technological solutions, legal frameworks, and community interventions to effectively combat its spread and impact. By utilizing insights from research on hate speech detection, empathy promotion, and regulatory frameworks, stakeholders can work towards creating a safer and more inclusive online environment in Indonesia. Strengthening digital literacy, as suggested in the references, is essential to empower individuals to identify and respond effectively to hate speech. Legal measures, as emphasized in the references, play an important role in combating hate speech, with the establishment of specialized units such as the Indonesian Virtual Police contributing to monitoring and handling hate speech incidents. Community engagement and educational programs, as discussed in the references, are crucial in promoting dialogue, tolerance, and understanding to foster a culture of mutual respect and empathy.

Planning the Reading Corner Program in Cikeusi Village District. Darmaraja of Sumedang Regency

Reading is a path to success in life because by reading we can access all the knowledge that exists in this world. This activity aims to reactivate the previously activated reading corner, and increase literacy among the community in Cikeusi Village, District. Darmaraja District. Sumedang. In this research, the method used by researchers is descriptive qualitative research. Descriptive qualitative research aims to create a description or painting of the facts and characteristics of a particular population or area in a systematic, factual and thorough manner. Cikeusi Village has a reading corner but it is not utilized optimally. This is due to a lack of enthusiasm from village residents to read the books in the reading corner and also a lack of outreach from the village to village residents so that many village residents still have minimal knowledge, as well as the absence of a system applied to the operation of the reading corner, such as bookkeeping for borrowing books, sloppy organization and unkempt premises. The conclusions stated strengthen the urgency for active involvement of the Cikesi Village community in planning community education programs that have good and optimal results.

Assessing Impediments to Healthcare Access for Children Under Five in Larkana, Pakistan Using the Three Delays Model

Abstract:
 Background: Despite national improvements, Larkana district in Pakistan suffers from high under-five child mortality. This study employs the Three Delays Model (TDM) to identify impediments to healthcare access for children under five in Larkana, informing interventions to combat preventable deaths.
 Methods: A cross-sectional survey (January-April 2021) in Larkana hospitals recruited 390 parents/guardians via simple random sampling. Semi-structured interviews explored sociodemographics, care-seeking behaviors, and barriers across the TDM's three delays: 1) recognizing and acting on illness, 2) reaching care, and 3) receiving adequate care. Data was analyzed in SPSS v22 using frequencies, percentages, and chi-square tests for associations between sociodemographic factors and care-seeking patterns.
 Results: 47% of mothers and 29% of fathers lacked formal education. 49.7% of children were born at home. Delay 1 barriers included preference for traditional healers (36%). Delay 2 barriers included lack of transportation (17%) and long travel times (>3 hours for 84%). Delay 3 barriers included high healthcare costs (43% spending >1000 rupees). Illiterate mothers predominantly gave birth at home (44% vs. 13% matriculate mothers, p<0.001) and were less likely to recognize danger signs (61% vs. 89%, p<0.001). Rickshaws were the primary mode of transport (86%).
 Discussion: This TDM-based study reveals multiple intertwined barriers hindering child healthcare access in Larkana. Maternal education significantly influences care-seeking behavior and danger sign recognition, highlighting the need for targeted community education programs. High prevalence of home births necessitates interventions promoting institutional deliveries. Lack of transportation and high costs demand affordable options like government-subsidized transport or expanded health insurance coverage.
 Keywords: child health, access to care, Pakistan

A Survey on Situation-related Communication Educational Needs for Novice Intensive Care Unit Nurses

Purpose : This study sought to investigate novice nurses’ communication education needs in the intensive care unit (ICU) using Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) and Borich’s need assessment model. This study identified communication challenges in clinical settings to develop a simulation program that enhances communication competencies based on educational requirements.Methods : A descriptive research design and a self-report questionnaire were used. The latter was developed and administered to 121 novice nurses with less than one year of experience in the ICU at various university hospitals in Korea. Data were collected via the online open chatroom from June 24th to July 28th, 2023. The communication education needs were identified using descriptive statistics, t-tests, IPA, and Borich’s needs assessment model. Text analysis was used to categorize the participants’ communication experience.Results : The results revealed that “communication with physicians,” “communication with patients,” and “communication with nurse on another shift” domains contained the most substantial educational needs for novice nurses working in the intensive care units.Conclusion : The results provide fundamental data for developing and enhancing customized communication education programs for novice ICU nurses. This valuable information could help ICU nurses and educators improve new nurses’ communication skills, which would ultimately contribute to the advancement of nursing education and clinical practice.

Hydrogeochemistry, sources, enrichment mechanism and human health risk assessment of groundwater fluoride in Saboba District in the Oti sub-basin of the Volta River Basin, northern Ghana

This study was aimed at appraising the hydrogeochemistry of groundwater and the possible health hazards linked to elevated fluoride (F−) levels in the Saboba District within the Oti sub-basin of the Volta River Basin of northern Ghana. Multivariate statistical analysis, hydrogeochemistry, thermodynamic calculation of mineral saturation indices, and an evaluation of the risk to human health were all used in this assessment. A tFrilinear Piper diagram revealed that K–HCO3 was the predominant water type, reflecting the local geology. Groundwater F− content varied, with an average of 1.33 mg/L and a range of 0.6–4.7 mg/L, with elevated values mainly in the northwestern fringe of the district. Groundwater F− is mostly enriched by geogenic processes including mineral dissolution, ion exchange, and water-rock interaction. The non-carcinogenic risk of F− exposure followed the pattern: children > teenagers > adults > infants, indicating that children are more susceptible to health risks such as dental fluorosis that come with exposure to F−. Therefore, expert-led community education programs can be extremely important in spreading this important knowledge and sustainable F− remediation measures should be urgently put in place to curb the menace.

Effectiveness of a pharmacist-led, community group-based education programme in enhancing diabetes management: A multicentre randomised control trial

AimsThis study presents a protocol for the Pharmacy Integrated Community Care (PICC) program, meticulously designed to enhance Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and augment knowledge about diabetes mellitus (DM) among individuals diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in the Sarawak State of Malaysia. MethodsFrom 1 May to December 31, 2023, a prospective, multicenter, parallel-design randomised controlled trial will be conducted with two groups, each consisting of 47 participants. The intervention group will receive a structured, four-session group-based program guided by experienced pharmacists, focusing on medication adherence and diabetes management. The control group will follow the standard Diabetes Mellitus Adherence Clinic program. The primary outcomes of this study encompass enhancements in knowledge regarding diabetes medication management and adherence, followed by subsequent changes in HbA1c levels. ConclusionsThe successful implementation of the PICC program holds promise for enhancing health outcomes in the T2DM population, potentially leading to more effective diabetes management initiatives and better health practices in the community. Trial registration clinicaltrials.gov identifierNCT05106231.

Abstract NS9: Nurse-Led Quality Improvement Initiative: Advancing Stroke Awareness in Communities Experiencing Racial and Ethnic Disparities

Background and Purpose: As a Joint Commission Comprehensive Stroke Center, the provision of community education is a priority goal of our program. The majority of our existing community education program takes place in locations where we receive requests to provide these sessions. Analysis of our Get With the Guidelines (GWTG) data reveals gaps in early arrival to the hospital and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) utilization among African American and Hispanic populations. Providing educational resources within these populations may help to close these gaps and foster trust in the healthcare system. The aim of this proposed nurse-led quality improvement project is to improve hospital arrival times of African American and Hispanic stroke patients living in zip codes where GWTG data have identified gaps, through provision of targeted community education. Methods: The top zip codes associated with our target outcomes for improvement will be identified using GWTG pre-data from 2022 and 2023. We will partner with our Community Outreach department. We will identify educational venues and stakeholders among African American and Hispanic populations in these zip codes. We will provide education tailored to our identified populations including early recognition of stroke signs and symptoms, activation of EMS, stroke risk factors, and opportunities for treatment. Post implementation, GWTG data will be reviewed for any changes. Results: Using GWTG data, arrival mode, last known well time, and symptom discovery time to Emergency Department arrival as it pertains to zip codes, race and ethnicity will be reviewed and analyzed. The target zip codes’ data will be compared pre- versus post-implementation of community education efforts. Discussion: Through community education and partnership with the Community Outreach department we hope to improve timeliness of arrival to hospital among disproportionately affected racial minorities in our community for early stroke evaluation and treatment consideration.

Effective Professional Interventions for Protecting Children and Families from Violence in Buraydah, Al Qassim

Addressing family violence in Al Qassim is critical for ensuring the well-being of children and encouraging stable households. This study explores effective professional interventions and innovative ways to protect and support families affected by violence, while considering the difficulties and critical aspects involved in their implementation. Family therapy, community education programs, trauma-informed care, and counseling services are described as useful interventions that improve communication, resolve problems, and create healthy relationships within families by the Osrah organization. Furthermore, technology-based therapies and arts-based therapy provide novel approaches to closing service gaps and promoting healing and resilience. Community empowerment, education programs, economic opportunities, and constant review are all part of long-term solutions. Al Qassim, specifically in Buraydah, may build a safer and more supportive environment by prioritizing the well-being of children and families and applying these techniques, fostering strong relationships within the community.

A Home-Based Free Play Journey of Parents and Children in Hong Kong: A Narrative Inquiry Approach

This study aimed to explore the process of co-creating free play experiences between parents and children in the context of the "PLAYBAG" project (a home-based free play intervention protocol) in Hong Kong. The study utilized the narrative inquiry approach and collected qualitative data from 24 parents who participated in the focus group interviews. This study has made significant contributions to social work practice in three ways. Firstly, it identified four core elements for parental education in kindergartens: relating rapport, capturing moments, co-creating new experiences, and re-authoring identity. These elements enhance parental education on home-based children's free play. Secondly, promoting free play in community education programs is crucial, emphasizing its benefits for mental health and parent-child relationships. Lastly, social workers can collaborate with designers to create suitable materials for home based free play. Overall, this study provides practical strategies to enhance social work practice and benefit children and families.

Role of Social Support in Reducing the Severity of Menopausal Symptoms among Women Living in Rural Mysuru, Karnataka: An Analytical Cross-sectional Study.

Menopause is an unspoken and unaddressed aspect of a women's life, surrounded by many myths and taboos within the Indian context. Although a majority of menopausal women experience moderate to severe symptoms that can affect their physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being, there is poor health literacy as well as health-seeking behavior among them. The importance of social support, especially at a difficult time like menopause, is bound to minimize the severity of menopausal symptoms. The objective is to assess the severity of menopausal symptoms among women living in rural communities of Mysuru district, and to examine the relationship of perceived social support during menopausal transition to severity of the symptoms. Between May 2022 and December 2022, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 women living in rural communities of Mysuru district, Karnataka. An interviewer-administered survey in Kannada was used to record the severity of menopausal symptoms and associated determinants after completion of informed consent process. The average age of study participants was 50.9 (standard deviation [SD] ±4.6) years. While 77.2% were married, 20.8% were widows. About half (53.6%) belonged to lower socioeconomic class and another 28% belonged to middle class. The mean age at menopause was 47.6 (SD ± 4.24) years; 56.8% reported experiencing moderate-to-severe symptoms; 75.6% reported high social support while 24.4% of women low-to-medium social support. The odds of experiencing moderate-to-severe menopause symptoms were 4.51 (95% confidence interval: 2.337-8.690) times higher among women who received low-to-medium social support as compared to those with high social support. The social support obtained was directly proportional to socioeconomic status and living with spouse. The health system should emphasize the role of social support while counseling postmenopausal women. There is a dire need for both community and physician education programs on the social and medical needs of postmenopausal women.

Spatial variations and determinants of bottle feeding among children aged 0-23 months in Ethiopia in 2019: A spatial and multi-level analysis.

Bottle feeding should be avoided since it interferes with optimal breastfeeding and it causes diarrheal-related morbidity and mortality. Despite the WHO's recommendation that children to avoid bottle feeding, it is still widely practiced in developing countries including our country, Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the spatial variations, and determinants of bottle feeding among children aged 0-23 months using the recent demographic and health survey data for Ethiopia. A secondary data analysis was conducted using the 2019 Ethiopian mini demographic and health survey data. The total weighted sample of 2067 children aged 0-23 months was included in this study. Spatial analysis was done to identify the hotspot areas of bottle feeding among children in Ethiopia. Multivariable multilevel logistic regression was used to identify predictors of bottle feeding. The spatial analysis was done using ArcGIS 10.7 and Sat Scan 9.6 software. The prevalence of bottle feeding among children aged 0-23 months was 21.52% with 95% CI(19.80%, 23.34%). Age of the child from 6-11 months, and 12-23 months age, having secondary and above education [AOR = 2.09; 95%CI; 1.31, 3.32], being from middle and rich household [AOR = 2.14; 95%CI; 1.37, 3.34] and [AOR = 2.30; 95%CI; 1.46, 3.63], and twin birth [AOR = 8.06; 95%CI; 2.87, 22.58] were significant predictors of bottle feeding. Hotspot areas of bottle feeding were observed in Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, Harari, and Afar regions of Ethiopia. Bottle feeding practice was found to be spatially clustered in Ethiopia. Education, wealth index, parity, and child's age were significant predictors of bottle feeding. Hotspot areas of bottle feeding were observed in Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, Harari, and Afar regions. Special attention should be directed towards mothers residing in hotspot areas, educated mothers, mothers of multiple births, and mothers from rich households through community education programs focused on child feeding practices to reduce the practice of bottle-feeding in Ethiopia.

청소년의 타인정서 인식역량이 학업성취 자아개념을 매개로 하여 학업 무기력에 미치는 영향: 부모의 타인정서 인식역량과 자녀 학업성취 평가의 영향을 기반으로

The this study aims to investigate the direct impact of adolescents' competencies to perceive the emotions of others influenced by parental its on academic helplessness. Additionally, it explores whether adolescents' academic achievement self-concept, influenced by parental evaluations, mediates this relationship. To achieve this, I analyzed the structural relationships using data from the 4th wave (2021) of the Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey (KCYPS).
 The results of the study are as follows. Firstly, it was found that higher levels of parental competencies to perceive the emotions of others are associated with increased adolescents’ competencies. Additionally, as parents provide higher evaluations of their children's academic achievements, adolescents tend to have higher academic achievement self-concepts. Furthermore, it was observed that as adolescents' competencies to perceive the emotions of others and academic achievement self-concepts increase, academic helplessness tends to decrease.
 Secondly, in middle school students, academic achievement self-concept did not mediate competencies to perceive the emotions of others and academic helplessness. However, in high school students, it was found that academic achievement self-concept partially mediated the relationship between competencies to perceive the emotions of others and academic helplessness. Higher competencies to perceive the emotions of others in high school students were associated with lower academic helplessness, but the indirect effect showed that elevated competencies to perceive the emotions of others were linked to increased academic helplessness by lowering academic achievement self-concept.
 Based on these research findings, I proposed providing communication and self-understanding education programs for middle school students, and for high school students, integrating emotion regulation strategy learning programs alongside these. Additionally, I suggested that parents participate in these educational programs to not only learn about understanding others' emotions and providing feedback to their children but also to create opportunities for mutual understanding between parents and children.

Planning of Units and Program Quality Mapping in PKBM in West Java

The implementation of the quality mapping program for PKBM units answers the facts of problems that often occur in every non-formal institution, in particular, problems in institutional operations. Based on the preliminary study, the reasons that often emerge raised by PKBM managers are the need for costs for institutional operations, the competence of educators who do not understand the andragogical approach to the implementation of learning, then the concern of the government in the world of non-formal education. Through this study, trying to create based on the analysis of community needs. This study aims to describe the quality management of the PKBM units and programs that emphasize the principles of managing community education programs. To reveal the data and information, the researcher applied a descriptive study with a qualitative approach, which was to reveal the depth of data and information based on the research formulation and the research questions to be revealed, namely how to manage the quality mapping of units and the PKBM program. Program management is divided into three stages, namely, the planning, implementation, and evaluation stages. Of the three stages in its implementation, it always begins with analyzing needs, then compiling a recommended forum design with the development of discussion materials, then ending with an evaluation

Perceived Life Satisfaction and Illegal Forest Use in the Virunga Landscape of Rwanda and Uganda

Understanding the direct and positive impact of conservation incentive programs in the tropics is essential. Typically, conservation incentive programs in the tropics aim to enhance residents’ access to material resources, with the ultimate goal of improving human well-being. These programs are also intended to reduce human-induced threats to wildlife. However, access to material livelihood resources as a means to improved life satisfaction is a human-centered goal that may or may not benefit wildlife conservation. Using structural equation modeling, this paper examines the potential of life satisfaction to significantly reduce illegal forest use behavior of residents neighboring the Virunga Landscape parks in Uganda and Rwanda. The findings indicate that improved life satisfaction significantly reduces livelihood-based illegal forest use. However, improved life satisfaction was not found to reduce illegal forest use driven by traditional values and practices. The findings also indicate that illegal forest use driven by traditional values and practices significantly increases illegal forest use for livelihoods. Ultimately, this study suggests that although incentive-based programs in the Virunga Landscape may be helping to reduce illegal forest use for livelihoods, they may not be addressing traditional forest use practices. This paper recommends supplementing conservation incentive programs with community education programs and law enforcement to effectively control the dimensions of illegal forest use and its negative impacts on wildlife.

THE MAKING OF AFRICAN MADE: MEMORY AND DEMENTIA EDUCATION BY AND FOR THE AFRICAN IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY

Abstract African immigrants are a fast-growing segment of the U.S. Black population but dementia literacy and care needs of this population are not fully understood. A dementia care assessment in the community highlighted dementia education as a high priority need in the African immigrant community in Minnesota. This presentation will describe the collaborative process between the research team and a community project advisory board (PAB) to develop a culturally tailored dementia education program and booklet. Following several meetings and reviews, the PAB approved an interview guide that was used to conduct 10 key informant interviews (with leaders including priest, executive directors etc.) and three community conversations (30 participants). This data was used to identify important cultural dimensions for incorporation into the education program. Themes identified were need for respect, attitudes, beliefs and challenges related to dementia care. Identification and debunking of dementia and dementia care myths were also highlighted. The resulting educational content has been presented at 3 community events/organizations with many more scheduled in spring 2023. The African community in Minnesota is very receptive of the education program with many individuals noting that it truly captures African immigrant cultural norms and values. The collaborative process between the research team and the advisory board could serve as a model for creating culturally tailored dementia education programs in other communities. Additionally, successful implementation of this education program has implications for improving dementia care among African immigrants and reducing health disparities in this population.