Community Engagement Research Articles

Community participation and effective water management: A study on water user organizations (WUOs) in Thailand

This study examines the factors enhancing the effectiveness of Water User Organizations (WUOs) in Thailand, spotlighting the integration of geo-informatics and community involvement in water management. Employing a community-based participatory research approach, we assessed the impact of advanced technological tools and increased community engagement on WUOs' operations and sustainability. Our methodology included surveys, interviews, and an analysis of water management practices before and after geo-informatics implementation. Findings reveal a significant increase in community participation and an improvement in water management knowledge. The use of geo-informatics led to notable advancements in water allocation efficiency and conflict resolution, directly contributing to the financial sustainability of WUOs. Specifically, the application of geo-informatics facilitated more accurate and timely water resource allocation, evidenced by enhanced community engagement metrics and the resolution of longstanding conflicts. These results underscore the value of combining geo-informatics with community-driven approaches to water management, offering valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners. The study advocates for policies that support the adoption of technological innovations and promote community-centric governance, providing a scalable model for sustainable water resource management. This approach not only improves the functionality and sustainability of WUOs but also sets a precedent for holistic water governance practices globally.

Social Justice, Community Engagement, and Undergraduate STEM Education: Participatory Science as a Teaching Tool.

Social justice is increasingly being seen as relevant to the science curriculum. We examine the intersection of participatory science, social justice, and higher education in the United States to investigate how instructors can teach about social justice and enhance collaborations to work toward enacting social justice. Participatory science approaches, like those that collect data over large geographic areas, can be particularly useful for teaching students about social justice. Conversely, local-scale approaches that integrate students into community efforts can create powerful collaborations to help facilitate social justice. We suggest a variety of large-scale databases, platforms, and portals that could be used as starting points to address a set of learning objectives about social justice. We also describe local-scale participatory science approaches with a social justice focus, developed through academic and community partnerships. Considerations for implementing participatory science with undergraduates are discussed, including cautions about the necessary time investment, cultural competence, and institutional support. These approaches are not always appropriate but can provide compelling learning experiences in the correct circumstances.

Investigating Natural Polymer Nanocomposites in Relation with Eco-Friendly Potential in Environmental Contexts

Abstract: The escalating global waste crisis and precipitous decline in biodiversity have emerged as two of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. These interconnected issues pose grave threats to the delicate balance of ecosystems and the myriad species that inhabit them. This research Endeavor seeks to harmonize these critical spheres by proposing an integrated approach to waste reduction and wildlife preservation, recognizing their inextricable linkages within the intricate web of life. This research explores the synergistic potential of integrating waste reduction strategies with targeted wildlife preservation efforts. By promoting circular economies, sustainable production and consumption practices, and innovative recycling technologies, the influx of harmful pollutants into ecosystems can be mitigated, alleviating the burden on vulnerable species and habitats. Complementarily, robust conservation measures, ecosystem restoration initiatives, and the engagement of local communities can safeguard biodiversity, thereby maintaining the ecological integrity that underpins sustainable waste management.

Object Detection Driven Precision Forecasting in Curved Terrains

Abstract: This study introduces an inventive approach to avalanche forecast in fastener twist locales utilizing the You Simply See Once (YOLO) protest location system. Fastener twists, with their interesting geography, posture particular challenges for avalanche forecast, requiring a custom fitted arrangement that coordinating progressed computer vision strategies. The proposed technique combines high-resolution fawning symbolism information to make nitty gritty territory models of clip twist ranges. YOLO, known for its real-time question location capabilities, is adjusted to recognize potential avalanche triggers, counting slant flimsiness and changes in vegetation cover, inside these complex scenes. Real-time observing frameworks, counting ground-based sensors and climate stations, are deliberately put to ceaselessly capture natural conditions. Integration with the YOLO-based prescient demonstrate empowers the early recognizable proof of potential avalanche dangers, encouraging the usage of focused on early caution frameworks. Community engagement remains a pivotal perspective of this approach, including neighborhood inhabitants within the improvement of departure plans and readiness techniques. The cooperative energy between YOLO-based innovation and community association makes a comprehensive arrangement for proactively overseeing avalanche dangers in clip twists

Multilingual education and social equity: A comparative study of integration policies in multicultural societies

This paper examines the intersection of multilingual education and social equity in multicultural societies, focusing on implementing integration policies and multilingual education practices. Through case studies, policy analysis, and literature review, the study identifies common challenges multicultural societies face in promoting educational and social equity, such as language barriers, cultural differences, and socioeconomic disparities. It highlights the importance of comprehensive integration and multilingual education policies in addressing these challenges and fostering inclusive learning environments. The paper also provides recommendations for improving integration policies and multilingual education practices, including equitable funding, culturally responsive pedagogy, language support services, community engagement, and anti-discrimination measures. The study underscores the significance of multilingual education and social equity in creating more equitable and inclusive societies, emphasizing the value of linguistic diversity, cultural understanding, and equal opportunities for all students. The paper highlights the significance of understanding and addressing the complexities surrounding multilingual education and social equity in multicultural societies. It emphasizes the importance of comprehensive policies and practices that promote inclusive education environments while acknowledging the challenges faced in their implementation. The abstract sets the stage for further exploration into these crucial areas of education policy and practice by providing recommendations for policy improvement and emphasizing the value of linguistic diversity and cultural understanding. Multilingual education and social equity are critical components of inclusive education systems in multicultural societies. This paper focuses on the necessity of considering both educational policy and practice aspects. Acknowledging the challenges faced in implementing integration policies and multilingual education practices, the study encourages policymakers and educators to prioritize developing and implementing comprehensive strategies.

Chore or choice? Women and ethnic food entrepreneurship in the city

PurposeThis article explores in a qualitative manner the motivations of women entrepreneurs who start and run ethnic food businesses in London.Design/methodology/approachOur approach is qualitative and deploys phenomenographical analysis of interview narratives around categories of motivation.FindingsWe find that women ethnic food entrepreneurs are driven by a combination of desire for self-actualisation, identity-maintenance and community considerations. We demonstrate that women ethnic food entrepreneurs often go against the logic of the market, and they do so not because they lack other options, but for reasons that have to do with their (self-)identification as women and professionals, their prerogatives as mothers and daughters, their ethnic heritage, their emplacement in urban and global communities and their need to contribute. Our findings enrich understanding of female-led ethnic food entrepreneurship not as a demanding, overall unproductive undertaking for women with no other options, but as a realm of inspiration, community engagement and female-led innovation.Originality/valueOur main contributions are the qualitative interrogation of perceptions and experiences of identity and difference in urban entrepreneurship from the point of view of our interviewees; providing concrete empirical evidence for it through our sample and proposing an approach to thinking women-led ethnic food entrepreneurship as a vehicle for translating urban superdiversity into social interactions across barriers of difference. We speak to the field of women entrepreneurship studies but specifically to the understudied realm of women-led food entrepreneurship, and to the cross-disciplinary field of (im)migrant entrepreneurship.

Promoting healthy school food environments and nutrition in Canada: a systematic review of interventions, policies, and programs.

The school food environment is a critical interface for child and adolescent nutrition, and there is a need to understand existing literature on Canadian school food environments to identify equity gaps and opportunities, and empower decision-makers to plan for future action. Literature on Canadian school food and nutrition interventions, policies, programs, and their effects on diets and nutritional status are synthesized and appraised in this systematic review. A search strategy was developed for each database used (Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, ERIC, Cochrane Collaboration, Canadian Electronic Library, BiblioMap), with a combination of free text and controlled vocabulary, for articles published from 1990 to 2021. Unpublished data and grey literature were also searched. Quantitative and qualitative studies with an observational or intervention study design, reviews, or program evaluations conducted in Canadian schools with participants aged 5-19.9 years were included. Key study characteristics and risk of bias were extracted independently by 2 investigators using a standardized tool. A total of 298 articles were included (n = 192 peer reviewed and 106 from the grey literature), which were mostly conducted in Ontario (n = 52), British Columbia (n = 43), and Nova Scotia (n = 28). Twenty-four interventions, 5 nonevaluated programs, and 1 policy involved Indigenous populations. Overall, 86 articles measured and reported on effectiveness outcomes, including dietary intake; anthropometry; knowledge, attitudes, and practices; and physical activity. The literature remains largely heterogenous and primarily focused on nutrition education programs that use subjective assessments to infer changes in nutrition. A key facilitator to implementation and sustainability was community engagement, whereas key barriers were staff capacity, access to resources and funding, and consistent leadership. This review provides insight into Canadian school food and nutrition interventions, programs, and policies and uncovers important evidence gaps that require careful examination for future evaluations. Governments must create supportive environments that optimize nutrition for children and adolescents through equitable policies and programs. PROSPERO registration no. CRD42022303255.

Facilitators and barriers to implementing complex community-based interventions for addressing acute malnutrition in low- and lower-middle income countries: A scoping review.

Background: Community-based nutrition interventions have been established as the standard of care for identifying and treating acute malnutrition among children 6-59 months in low- and lower-middle-income countries. However, limited research has examined the factors that influence the implementation of the community-based component of interventions that address severe acute malnutrition and moderate acute malnutrition among children. Aim: The objective of this review was to identify and describe the facilitators and barriers in implementing complex community-based nutrition interventions to address acute malnutrition among children in low- and lower-middle-income countries. Methods: This review used a systematic search strategy to identify existing peer-reviewed literature from three databases on complex community-based interventions (defined as including active surveillance, treatment, and education in community settings) to address severe acute malnutrition and moderate acute malnutrition in children. Results: In total, 1771 sources were retrieved from peer-reviewed databases, with 38 sources included in the review, covering 26 different interventions. Through an iterative deductive and inductive analysis approach, three main domains (household and interpersonal, sociocultural and geographical; operational and administrative) and eight mechanisms were classified, which were central to the successful implementation of complex community-based interventions to address acute child malnutrition. Conclusion: Overall, this review highlights the importance of addressing contextual and geographical challenges to support participant access and program operations. There is a need to critically examine program design and structure to promote intervention adherence and effectiveness. In addition, there is an opportunity to direct resources towards community health workers to facilitate long-term community trust and engagement.

Tag! You’re Home! Reunification of Pet Cats with their Owners Using a Community Engagement Approach

Reunification of lost pets with their owners is a key function of municipal animal shelters but reported Return to Owner (RTO) rates are as low as 3% for cats. In contrast, the percentage of recovered pet cats found within their own neighborhoods has been reported as high as 66-75%. The purpose of this study was to measure the impact of an innovative program designed to reunite cats with their owners by returning them to their neighborhoods without intake to the shelter. Loudoun County Animal Services, a municipal open-admission animal shelter with an annual intake of 2,300 animals (46% cats), created the Tag!You’re Home! Program (TYHP) on the assumption of positive intent by finders of free-roaming cats. The TYHP engages finders to return un-microchipped healthy social adult cats to their neighborhood after being furnished with a tag and collar with the shelter's contact information. Finders are advised to place the cat back where it was found and not provide food. If the cat is still present after 5 days (mandated stray period) and an owner has not called the shelter, the finder can bring the cat back for intake. Between 7/1/2022 and 12/31/2023, 499 stray cats were admitted to the shelter, 273 of which were adults, and 32 cats were enrolled in the TYHP as an alternative to intake. Of these 32 cats, 10 (31%) were confirmed RTO via owner contact, 10 (31%) did not require additional services (not brought back by finder), 6 (19%) were brought back by the finder after 5 days for intake, 4 (13%) were kept by the finder, and 2 (6%) were rehomed by the finder. Of the 6 cats brought back to the shelter, 1 had an outcome of RTO through the shelter, and 5 had an outcome of adoption. Of the 493 stray cats (267 adults) admitted to the shelter that were not first enrolled in the TYHP, 79 (74 adults) had an outcome of RTO, resulting in a 16% overall RTO rate and 28% adult RTO rate. The most common outcome subtypes for cats RTOed through the shelter were owner called (20%) and microchip (48%). Cats RTOed through the shelter were found a median of 0.4 km (IQR 0.1-1.7), or approximately 4 city blocks, from home. Over 80% of cats enrolled in the TYHP did not require intake to the shelter, and over 30% had a confirmed RTO outcome through the TYHP. While this was very similar to the 28% adult RTO rate reported during the same period for adult cats with intake to the shelter, the TYHP provided a valuable tool to RTO cats without microchips and reduced shelter intake of adult stray cats by 10%.

Exploring existing malaria services and the feasibility of implementing community engagement approaches amongst conflict-affected communities in Cameroon: a qualitative study

BackgroundCameroon is one of the countries with the highest burden of malaria. Since 2018, there has been an ongoing conflict in the country, which has reduced access to healthcare for populations in affected regions, and little is known about the impact on access to malaria services. The objective of this study was to understand the current situation regarding access to malaria services in Cameroon to inform the design of interventions to remove barriers and encourage the use of available services.MethodsA qualitative research study was carried out to understand the barriers preventing communities accessing care, the uptake of community health worker (CHW) services, and to gather perceptions on community engagement approaches, to assess whether these could be an appropriate mechanism to encourage uptake of community health worker (CHW) services. Twenty-nine focus group discussions and 11 in-depth interviews were carried out between May and July 2021 in two regions of Cameroon, Southwest and Littoral. Focus group discussions were held with CHWs and community members and semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with key stakeholders including regional government staff, council staff, community leaders and community-based organisations. The data were analysed thematically; open, descriptive coding was combined with exploration of pre-determined investigative areas.ResultsThe study confirmed that access to healthcare has become increasingly challenging in conflict-affected areas. Although the Ministry of Health are providing CHWs to improve access, several barriers remain that limit uptake of these services including awareness, availability, cost, trust in competency, and supply of testing and treatment. This study found that communities were supportive of community engagement approaches, particularly the community dialogue approach.ConclusionCommunities in conflict-affected regions of Cameroon continue to have limited access to healthcare services, in part due to poor use of CHW services provided. Community engagement approaches can be an effective way to improve the awareness and use of CHWs. However, these approaches alone will not be sufficient to resolve all the challenges faced by conflict-affected communities when accessing health and malaria services. Additional interventions are needed to increase the availability of CHWs, improve the supply of diagnostic tests and treatments and to reduce the cost of treatment for all.

A Collective Action Formation to Address Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Health in Schools: The District 87 Wellness Collaborative

The District 87 Wellness Collaborative is a multi-dimensional, interprofessional initiative in the Midwest region of the United States that was co-designed to facilitate collaboration, civic engagement, and partnerships among university scholar-practitioners, community agencies, and school administrators and personnel. The primary aims of the Wellness Collaborative are to develop, enhance, and extend school initiatives that address mental, emotional, and behavioral health outcomes of school-age children, their families, and the education workforce. The Wellness Collaborative is composed of disciplinary expertise in kinesiology, school counseling and psychology, social work, nursing, geography, and community health. Broader campus and community partners include specialists from civic and community engagement offices, extension services, and healthcare providers. This ecologically framed initiative supports strategic and system-level change within the district (system) and individual schools (sub-systems). It addresses complex school-level organizational factors (i.e., environment, norms, organizational culture, incentives, etc.) that influence wellness behaviors that affect school and physical education workforce professionals.

Factors influencing adoption of sexual and reproductive health intervention for adolescents in Ebonyi, Nigeria.

School and Community-embedded reproductive health interventions have been implemented in developing countries, with evidence that they led to improved sexual and reproductive health among adolescents. However, this type of intervention is rarely evaluated for its potential adoption and use. This study evaluated the constraints and enablers of the adoption of a school and community-embedded intervention that used community engagement, capacity building, partnerships and collaborations to deliver sexual and reproductive health services to adolescents. The intervention was implemented between 2019 and 2021 in six local government areas in Ebonyi State. The results on adoption presented here were collected four months into the mid-phase of the project, targeting adolescents, parents, adult family members, healthcare providers, local authorities, and community members. Sixteen in-depth interviews were conducted with policymakers, 14 with health service providers and 18 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with parents, community leaders and adolescents who were part of the implementation process. The coding reliability approach, a type of thematic data analysis was used, that involves early theme development and the identification of evidence for the themes. The adoption of school and community-embedded reproductive health intervention was strong among stakeholders at the early stages of the implementation process. Multi-stakeholder involvement and its multi-component approach made the intervention appealing, thereby enabling its adoption. However, at the later stage, the adoption was constrained by beliefs and norms about sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and the non-incentivisation of stakeholders who acted as advocates at the community level. The sustainability of the intervention may be threatened by the non-incentivisation of stakeholders and the irregular supply of materials and tools to facilitate SRH advocacy at the community level. The inclusive community-embedded reproductive health intervention was adopted by stakeholders because of the enablers which include timely stakeholder engagement. However, for it to be sustainable, implementers must address the non-incentivising of community-level advocates which serve as constraints.

Connecting Bharat Social Media Site

This research paper delves into the multifaceted project, "Connecting Bharat" (A Social Media Web Site) which aims to enhance digital connectivity across India. The study explores the project's goals, methodologies, challenges faced, and potential socio-economic impacts. By investigating the project's various components, including infrastructure development, digital literacy, e-governance, and community engagement, this research seeks to provide a holistic understanding of the efforts to connect diverse regions of Bharat.

Towards a Communication Ecology in the Life of Rural Senior Citizens: How Rural Public Spaces Influence Community Engagement

The dilemma of weak participation and non-participation of rural communities is a universal topic of global development. The rural public space is an important field for local residents to interact, communicate, and engage with each other, and is an important place for the sustainable development of rural areas. However, previous studies have neglected to understand the intrinsic connection between rural public space and community participation from the perspective of community communication ecology. Based on the concept of age-friendly communities, this study’s fieldwork in rural Shanghai, China, using the methodology of grounded theory, found that physical, social, and psychological factors all have an impact on community engagement among rural residents. Specifically, environmental quality, facility support, community networks, social participation, call to action, place attachment, spatial perception, and self-transformation are identified as the core elements that significantly influence community engagement among rural residents. This study further reveals that the multiple factors influencing community engagement among rural residents are complex and interdependent rather than operating independently. Spatial support, communicative triggers, and symbolic identification, respectively, operate at the technological level (physical–social factors), social level (social–psychological factors), and discursive level (psychological–physical factors) to promote community engagement among older adults in Chinese rural areas. Through this research, we hope to further the realization of rural civic engagement and the sustainability of local communities and to provide scholarly insights into the promotion of more equitable community life.

Research ethics preparedness during outbreaks and public health emergencies: Focus on community engagement

Research represents an essential component of the response to infectious disease outbreaks and to other public health emergencies, whether they are localised, of international concern, or global. Research conducted in such contexts also comes with particular ethics challenges, the awareness of which has significantly grown following the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, the Zika outbreak in Latin America and the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges include the need for implementing meaningful community engagement with the researched communities, not just to build unidirectional trust towards the research team, but to achieve a genuine and mutually respectful partnership before, during and after the research. Here, we describe the real-life experience of 10 well-established research clinics in Nairobi, where a successful experience of community engagement linking prevention and care to research was interrupted during the COVID19 pandemic. We contrast this experience with the concept and processes of community engagement as described in selected scientific manuscripts and guidelines, to formulate some conclusions and recommendations. We contend that more action is needed, from research ethics committees and other key-research stakeholders, to align policies and practices with ethics guidance and with evidence-based recommendations from the academic literature, to achieve meaningful community engagement during emergency research, irrespective of the scale and location of an outbreak or public health crisis. Failure to do so, will aggravate the (postcolonial) asymmetries of power in global health and local systems.

Level of knowledge and awareness among parents regarding the care of children with thalassaemia

Background This study assessed parental knowledge and awareness of children with thalassemia. Thalassemia care among 65 parents at a Kota Kinabalu hospital focuses on parental knowledge and awareness of children with thalassemia. The objectives were to identify parents' level of knowledge of thalassemia care and assess their awareness of specific care needs. Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study of the thalassemia families of patients at Likas Women and Children's Hospital, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Using random sampling. The study involved 65 respondents from Sabah Women and Children in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Data from questionnaires and tests were processed using SPSS version 24, with descriptive statistics analysing frequency and percentage, expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Results Most respondents had a high level of knowledge about thalassemia, an inherited disease caused by insufficient red blood cell supply. They understood that untreated conditions could deteriorate thalassemia patients but could lead normal lives with proper therapy. They also knew that thalassemia could be detected through blood tests and that blood donation could be beneficial. However, they had moderate knowledge of the connection between thalassemia and anaemia, blood transfusions as the only treatment, and their ability to identify and avoid thalassemia during pregnancy. Conclusion This study emphasises the need for education, community engagement, and healthcare involvement to enhance the understanding and support of individuals with thalassemia, suggesting that comprehensive strategies, including education programs and collaborations with local organisations, can be implemented.

Does Copyright Imitation Impact Purchase Behaviour in the Entertainment Industry: A PLS-SEM Analysis of Gen Z’s Brand Recognition in Africa?

The entertainment industry has experienced remarkable growth, driven by technological advancements and changing consumer preferences, with revenue soaring to $31.23 billion in 2023 and anticipated growth at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10.64% through 2027. However, the industry’s significant sustainability issue is the widespread practice of copyright imitation, with Africa’s accommodated 2.5 billion unauthorised image imitations daily representing 1.48% global imitation index, causing substantial damages, notably affecting Gen Z with estimated losses of €532.5 billion, with Egypt experiencing the highest incidence of cases in Africa. This research delves into how copyright infringement impacts brand recognition, as a construct of purchase behaviour, among Gen Z in the African entertainment industry. By relying on post-positivism paradigm and planned behaviour theory, the research used questionnaire and collected 352 responses (92% sample rate) from tech-savvy Gen Z respondents, derived using Borden sampling model. The PLS-SEM (Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling) model reveals that copyright infringement substantially affects brand recognition, explaining 64.7% of the variance in consumer behaviour. Specifically, imitated corporate names, product ideas, and promotional tactics impact brand recognition by 11.1%, 9%, and 6.2% respectively, which refutes the initial assumption. Research recommendations include implementing stricter management protocols within the industry, fostering deeper community engagement, and differentiating products by using unique, high-quality materials. The study acknowledges potential biases in data collection due to unequal online access among Gen Z music enthusiasts in Africa, by possibly not fully reflecting the broader diversity of Gen Z behaviour across the continent in the world, considering the varying cultural, economic, and social dynamics that influence purchasing behaviours.

A Comparison of the Financial Performance of Telecommunication Companies Listed on the Jakarta Islamic Index Before and Amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic

Ever since the emergence of the Covid-19 virus in Wuhan, China in 2019, individuals have been compelled to carry out a majority of their activities from the comfort of their homes. This shift, coupled with the implementation of large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) later replaced by restrictions on community activities (PPKM), has resulted in a substantial increase in online community engagements. Consequently, there has been a surge in the demand for fast internet access. This growing necessity is expected to impact the profitability of companies providing internet services, consequently affecting their overall performance. Hence, this study aims to examine the disparity in the financial performance of telecommunication companies listed on the Jakarta Islamic Index ( JII) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sampling technique employed in this research is saturated sampling, where the entire population of telecommunication companies is included, resulting in a sample size of 10 companies for the study. The paired t-test is utilized as the data analysis tool. The findings of this study indicate that there is no significant distinction in the financial performance of telecommunications companies listed on JII before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, as evidenced by measurements of the Current Ratio and Net Profit Margin. Keywords: financial performance, telecommunications companies, Covid-19

Determining the optimal diagnostic and risk stratification approaches for people with hypertension in two rural populations in Kenya and The Gambia: a study protocol for IHCoR-Africa Work Package 2

Background Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has one of the highest prevalences of hypertension worldwide. The impact of hypertension is of particular concern in rural SSA, where access to clinics and hospitals is limited. Improvements in the management of people with hypertension in rural SSA could be achieved by sharing diagnosis and care tasks between the clinic and the community. To develop such a community-centred programme we need optimal approaches to identify and risk stratify patients with elevated blood pressure. The aim of the study is to improve the evidence base for diagnosis and risk estimation for a community-centred hypertension programme in two rural settings in SSA. Methods We will conduct a cross-sectional study of 1250 adult participants in Kilifi, Kenya and Kiang West, The Gambia. The study has five objectives which will determine the: (1) accuracy of three blood pressure (BP) measurement methods performed by community health workers in identifying people with hypertension in rural SSA, compared to the reference standard method; (2) relationship between systolic BP and cardiovascular risk factors; (3) prevalence of hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD); (4) accuracy of innovative point-of-care (POC) technologies to identify patients with HMOD; and (5) cost-effectiveness of different combinations of BP and HMOD measurements for directing hypertension treatment initiation. Expected findings This study will determine the accuracy of three methods for community BP measurement and POC technologies for HMOD assessment. Using the optimal methods in this setting it will estimate the prevalence of hypertension and provide the best estimate to date of HMOD prevalence in SSA populations. The cost-effectiveness of decision-making approaches for initiating treatment of hypertension will be modelled. These results will inform the development of a community-centred programme to improve care for hypertensive patients living in rural SSA. Existing community engagement networks will be used to disseminated within the research setting.

Agents of Change: The Role LEAD Plays in Identity Formation, Community Engagement, and Social Justice Advocacy

Agents of Change: The Role LEAD Plays in Identity Formation, Community Engagement, and Social Justice Advocacy