Community Leaders Research Articles

Enhancing Awareness and Understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Minchinabad A Participatory Action Research Approach

This study investigates the effectiveness of interventions aimed at enhancing awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Minchinabad through a participatory action research approach. A total of 100 participants were included in this research. They were Community Leaders, Healthcare Professionals, Religious Leaders, and Educators picked through Convenience Sampling. Initial data collection reveals prevalent misconceptions and barriers surrounding ASD awareness. Among them, 89% of respondents expressed a lack of sufficient awareness and 85% attributed ASD to divine factors. Subsequently, community-led workshops, social media campaigns, and Religious institutions-based awareness activities were implemented to address these challenges. Evaluation indicates a significant improvement in awareness levels. Improvement with 53% acknowledging adequate awareness. However, more than 40% still perceive a stigma associated with seeking an ASD diagnosis. While cultural beliefs persist, such as 60% to 68% believing in the divine causation of ASD. The interventions have contributed to a positive shift in community perceptions. The findings underscore the importance of sustained efforts to promote understanding and acceptance of ASD within the community, emphasizing the need for continued engagement and advocacy for ASD Awareness.

Gendered socialization and sexual violence - A socio-anthropological study in Togo.

This article bases its argument on the social representations that justify sexual violence against adolescent girls and women and make it commonplace. It looks at the constructions of masculinity and femininity and their potential effects on the occurrence of sexual violence among adolescent girls. This is a socio-anthropological study carried out in the plateau regions of Togo. The empirical data came from individual semi-directive interviews (55), life stories (4) of adolescent rape victims and group interviews (40) with several stakeholders (adolescents, parents of adolescents, educators, community leaders and religious leaders). The results show that despite the efforts of the State and non-governmental organisations, local sexuality logics often have an impact on the persistence of sexual violence. (.

Sense of Community dalam Memediasi Hubungan Kepemimpinan dan Konflik Peran dengan Kepercayaan Anggota Organisasi Pada Paguyuban Wonogiri Manunggal Sedya (PAWONMAS)

The aim of this study is to the direct correlation between leadership and role conflict with the trust of organizational members and indirect correlation through the role of sense of community as an intervening variable in the Paguyuban Wonogiri Manunggal Sedya (Pawonmas) organization. The research method was quantitative with a cross-sectional approach and used path analysis method using SMART-PLS. According to the study's findings, the majority of respondents (65%) have been members for five to eight years, and 41% are between the ages of 46 – 55 year old. Member trust is strongly correlated with leadership, role conflict, and sense of community; however, sense of community does not have a strong role in the indirect correlation between leadership and role conflict and member trust. In conclusion, it is necessary to attempts the sense of community among members in order to strengthen members' trust in the organization. Keywords: Leadership, Role Conflicts, Member’s Trust, Sense of Community, Pawonmas

Strategi Public Relations Partai Keadilan Sejahtera (PKS) untuk Meningkatkan Partisipasi Politik Perempuan: Studi Kasus Partai Keadilan Sejahtera (PKS) Kabupaten Semarang

Some groups, particularly those rooted in conservative Islamic interpretations, argue that Islam does not recognize gender equality in political practice. However, the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), as an Islamic-oriented party, holds a different view. The issue in this research is the lack of awareness and knowledge about women's roles in politics. Many women may not fully understand the importance of their involvement in politics or know how to participate effectively. To address this, PKS needs to launch an educational campaign aimed at increasing understanding of women's political rights and ways to participate. This research aims to identify and outline the Public Relations strategies employed by the Prosperous Justice Party in Semarang Regency to enhance women's participation and create an inclusive society. The research uses a qualitative method. Data collection techniques in this study include interviews, observations, and documentation. Data analysis techniques consist of data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. Data validity reflects how accurate and precise the data obtained from research subjects are compared to the data revealed by the researcher. The research findings show that the public relations strategies implemented by PKS in Semarang Regency—namely strategy of publicity, strategy of persuasion, strategy of argumentation, and strategy of image—are effective in increasing women's political participation. PKS has successfully carried out effective educational campaigns through seminars, workshops, and social media to raise awareness and knowledge among women about their political roles, positively impacting increased participation. PKS has addressed the issue of limited information reach by utilizing various communication channels, including local and digital media, and establishing partnerships with community leaders, thereby broadening the dissemination and accessibility of information regarding political opportunities for women. These strategies significantly enhanced women's political engagement in Semarang Regency.

Adapting rural communities to climate change: The undervalued potential of agricultural land

Rural municipalities in the Czech Republic (central Europe) are important owners of agricultural land, which, if managed appropriately, can be a means of reducing the local impacts of climate change. Previous research has not paid enough attention to rural municipal approaches to farmland management and their role in addressing local climate impacts. The aim of this paper is thus to capture the possible approaches and roles of municipalities in reducing the local impacts of climate change and to show how municipalities, as significant landowners, respond to these impacts. The research is based on semistructured interviews with representatives of rural municipalities and these results are further triangulated through focus groups with farmers in three model areas with different climatic and natural conditions for agriculture. The results showed that rural community leaders are generally unwilling to farm their agricultural land. They mostly lease land to farmers but at the same time do not understand the potential of tenancy agreements to influence farming to mitigate the impacts of climate change locally. Although the communities do not have a systematic and strategic approach to climate adaptation measures, the findings showed the implementation of a range of activities that effectively respond to climate change. Finally, the potential for strengthening governance and consequently rural sustainability lies in systematic counselling to leaders and communities and institutional support.

Nilai Karakter Pada Kearifan Lokal Nyadran Sebagai Sumber Pembelajaran IPS

Nyadran local wisdom is a routine because it is a form of community gratitude for the results of natural resources, especially in the fisheries sector. The aim of this research is to study and analyze the Nyadran tradition in Balongdowo Village, Sidoarjo. This research uses a qualitative method with a descriptive approach supported by participant observation, in-depth interviews with community leaders, and analysis of documentation related to the Nyadran tradition. The research results explain that the Nyadran tradition in Balongdowo Village is still carried out regularly every year as a way to honor ancestors and local traditions. However, the practice and meaning of this tradition have been influenced by modernization and social change. Despite this, the people of Balongdowo Village continue to try to maintain and harmonize Nyadran traditions with current social and cultural dynamics. The Nyadran tradition contains social, religious, and historical values ​​which are useful as teaching materials for social studies learning, especially in social and cultural change material. There needs to be efforts to preserve and adapt the Nyadran tradition so that it remains sustainable and meaningful for future generations.

Community participatory mapping of malaria mosquito breeding sites in Mozambique

BackgroundThe community involvement and the people’s knowledge allow detailed information about the distribution, location, and identification of mosquito breeding-sites. Information which is fundamental for their efficient management and elimination. Since participatory mapping has proven to be an effective tool to identify health determinants, the study aimed to apply the methodology to identify and map potential mosquito breeding-sites in Tambai, Nhamatanda, Mozambique.MethodsA study was conducted using an open-question guide. Discussions were held with 94 participants within ten focus groups, selected in collaboration with local community leaders. A thematic content analysis was performed. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize sociodemographic data. Geographic Positioning System (GPS) was used to compare and map potential breeding-sites. Children under 5 years of age who tested positive for malaria, were georeferenced to the maps.ResultsParticipants were aware of causes and transmission of malaria, no major differences between groups were observed regarding knowledge and identification of principal potential breeding sites. Gender and age determined specific information, number, and diversity of identified potential breeding sites. A total of 125 potential breeding-sites (36 permanent and 89 temporary) were mapped.ConclusionsSeveral potential mosquito breeding-sites were identified, located throughout the community, often near house conglomerates and malaria cases. Community participatory mapping could be used to identify potential mosquito breeding-sites by the national malaria control programmes to establish an efficient larval surveillance system, while improving community engagement and control strategies.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04419766.

“It’s not the beds, it’s the people”: Building capacity to better host First Nation evacuations in northeast Ontario, Canada

This study explores preventive evacuation experiences hosting First Nation evacuees, focusing on the case study Timmins, Ontario, Canada. Using qualitative semi-structured interviews with staff responsible for delivering municipal hosting operations and business, municipal, and regional partners, this study examines how and why this small city hosted evacuees, how the city and partners were impacted by hosting, and challenges faced while hosting evacuees. The impacts on hosting partners’ operations varied between each evacuation and depended on the needs of evacuees. Study participants highlighted challenges related to preparing for back-to-back evacuations, a lack of familiarity with evacuating First Nations communities and partners, inadequate substance use and crisis supports, absence of community leadership from an evacuated community, increased needs for child and family services, limited provincial hosting capacity, pressures on regional services, and problems with cost recovery. The study offers recommendations for host communities, as well as areas for further research.

"Tai Muang Phrao" Cultural Identity and Economic Value Creation of Tambon Pa Tum, Phrao district, Chiang Mai Province

The objectives of this research were to examine identities regarded as local wisdom and cultural capital of Pa Tum Community in Phrao district, Chiang Mai province, to create a corporate identity set and sale promotion media for the community, and to assess the satisfaction of consumers with community products, the corporate identify set, and the sale promotion media. The research instrument: for the first objective, it was qualitative research to collect the data about community identities. The quota sampling method was applied to select the sample group, which included two community leaders, two folk scholars, four entrepreneurs, five community members, and two concerned state officials. An in-depth interview was used to collect the data and the SWOT Analysis. For the second objective, it was applied research, the process of applied art design, and modern marketing knowledge. The purposive sampling method was used to select the population and the sample group, which included one of the five community entrepreneur groups. An in-depth interview with semi-structured interview questions and an observation were used to gather the data. The data were then synthesized for creating the corporate identity set and the sale promotion media. The instrument was a quality assessment of the identity set by three experts on the beauty of the logo, colors, fonts, and other design components. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was applied to assess the quality of the instrument. For the third was also conducted a satisfaction assessment with the reliability of the questionnaire at 0.96 by applying the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The sample group was 100 tourists and the general public interested in the community products. The data were statistically analyzed for mean, percentage, and standard deviation. The results were discussed descriptively. The research results revealed that the food identity of the community is from cultivating sugarcanes and beans and the process of agricultural produce, which has led to the development of the community products: peanut bars in sugarcane molasses and local dishes for community tourism. The creation of the corporate identity set and the sale promotion media consisted of a product logo, packaging, 2D motion media, and video media for publicizing the products in various channels. The satisfaction assessment revealed that the satisfaction was highest with the mean of 4.6 on the continued development of local wisdom to produce value-added products and generate incomes to community members. It was followed by the satisfaction with the product logo designed with interesting and easy-to-understand images and conveying the products, community identity and entrepreneurs; with the graphic work on the packages designed with beautiful, interesting and clear messages; and with the graphic motions on the making of the blocked sugarcane molasses and the processing of the peanut bars in sugarcane molasses designed with interesting and easy-to-understand background of the products as well as clear sound and images, all of them with the mean of 4.5. In addition to business knowledge for community product development, developers and corporate identity communication must depend on creativity. Therefore, researchers collaborating with communities must emphasize creativity as well. It is not only new knowledge or innovation, but local culture, wisdom, and cultural identities must be exploited for economic values. For community product development to become sustainable, community cooperation must be established, because community residents are the ones who will continue the operations. As a consequence, researchers must coordinate and seek key successes, which may be community residents of working age or new generations who will pass on and preserve culture and arts, wisdom, and identities.

Exploring the Strategies for Promoting Academic Progression to thePost-Pregnant Students in Ilala District - Tanzania

This study explored the strategies that promote academic progression for post-pregnant students in Ilala District, Tanzania. The study employed a qualitative research approach, using a case study design. Data were collected from a purposive sample of 50 participants, including parents, teachers, community leaders, coordinators, and students, through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and observation. The data were analysed thematically. The findings showed that flexible class schedules, online courses, and alternative learning methods are essential to accommodate childcare responsibilities and recovery after childbirth, and on-campus childcare services emerged as pivotal in helping students balance parenting duties with academic studies, alleviating stress and enhancing academic focus. The study concludes that by supporting the aforementioned initiatives with financial aid and healthcare services, institutions can create a supportive environment that empowers post-pregnant students to pursue their educational goals effectively, potentially leading to a brighter future for these students. Therefore, the study recommended adopting comprehensive policies incorporating these measures into the educational system to provide post-pregnant students with ongoing assistance and achievement.

Cultural Memory and Trauma: Commemorating the Past in Post-Conflict Bosnia Herzegovina

Post-conflict societies grapple with the complex interplay of cultural memory and trauma. Bosnia and Herzegovina, marked by the devastating 1992-1995 war, provides a poignant case study. This research delves into how collective memory shapes commemoration practices and influences the ongoing process of healing and reconciliation. A mixed-methods approach was employed, incorporating qualitative data collection and analysis. In-depth interviews were conducted with survivors, community leaders, and cultural practitioners. Additionally, content analysis was performed on commemorative events, memorials, and public discourses. Findings highlight the dynamic nature of cultural memory. Commemoration practices serve as sites of contestation, reflecting diverse narratives and interpretations of the past. Trauma manifests in both individual and collective experiences, shaping identity and influencing social relations. In conclusion, the study underscores the crucial role of cultural memory in post-conflict societies. Commemoration serves as a vehicle for acknowledging suffering, promoting healing, and fostering reconciliation. However, it is essential to navigate the complexities of diverse narratives and ensure inclusive representation.

POLICY BRIEF: TACKLING THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND LEGAL IMPACTS OF ONLINE GAMBLING IN INDONESIA

Online gambling has rapidly become a pervasive issue in Indonesia, fueled by increased internet access and the widespread use of smartphones. This policy brief provides a comprehensive analysis of the social, economic, and legal impacts of online gambling in Indonesia, while offering actionable policy recommendations to mitigate its negative effects. This research synthesizes findings from six key studies and integrates insights from thematic analysis conducted through stakeholder interviews, including perspectives from psychologists, legal experts, law enforcement officials, and community leaders. The analysis highlights significant mental health challenges associated with online gambling, particularly among teenagers and family leaders, such as increased stress, anxiety, and family disintegration. Economically, online gambling leads to financial ruin for many families, resulting in debt accumulation, loss of assets, and broader community-level economic instability. Legally, the study identifies critical gaps in Indonesia's regulatory framework, which struggles to address the complexities of online gambling in the digital era. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive policy interventions, including updates to legal frameworks, enhanced law enforcement capabilities, public education initiatives, and community-based support systems. By implementing these strategies, Indonesia can more effectively combat the negative impacts of online gambling, protect vulnerable populations, and promote a healthier, more secure society.

The tale of two Badakhshans: Determinants of access and utilization of HIV preventive services along the Afghan-Tajik border.

Injection of opioids has contributed to growing HIV epidemics in Tajikistan and Afghanistan. This qualitative study explored determinants of access to primary prevention and screening for HIV among people who inject drugs (PWID) residing in border communities of Gorno-Badakhshan, Tajikistan and Badakhshan, Afghanistan. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with PWID, community leaders, and healthcare workers. The social-ecological model was used to inform a thematic analysis of determinants of access. There were no preventive or screening services for HIV in the border districts of Afghanistan. Barriers to accessing HIV-related services in Tajikistan, and to accessing general health services in Afghanistan, included: lack of knowledge about HIV, inaccessible communities with poor infrastructure, discrimination and violence against women, and stigmatization of PWID and people living with HIV. Access to HIV-related and other health services by PWID was facilitated by community leader support, family support, outreach services, and linkage of harm reduction services with HIV testing and care. Urgent interventions are needed to stem the escalating HIV epidemic in Afghanistan and enhance existing services in Tajik border communities. This qualitative study offers insights into barriers and facilitators for accessing HIV prevention and screening services among PWID, suggesting potential interventions.

Exploration of barriers and enablers to diabetes care for Aboriginal people on rural Ngarrindjeri Country.

Addressing the disproportionate burden of type 2 diabetes prevalence in Aboriginal communities is critical. Current literature on diabetes care for Aboriginal people is primarily focused on remote demographics and overwhelmingly dominated by Western biomedical models and deficit paradigms. This qualitative research project adopted a strengths-based approach to explore the barriers and enablers to diabetes care for Aboriginal people on Ngarrindjeri Country in rural South Australia. Knowledge Interface methodology guided the research as Aboriginal and Western research methods were drawn upon. Data collection occurred using three yarning sessions held on Ngarrindjeri Country. Yarns were transcribed and deidentified before a qualitative thematic analysis was conducted, guided by Dadirri and a constructivist approach to grounded theory. A total of 15 participants attended the yarns. Major barriers identified by participants were underscored by the ongoing impacts of colonisation. This was combated by a current of survival as participants identified enablers to diabetes care, namely a history of healthy community, working at the knowledge interface, motivators for action, and an abundance of community skills and leadership. Despite the raft of barriers detailed by participants throughout the diabetes care journey, Aboriginal people on Ngarrindjeri Country were found to be uniquely positioned to address diabetes prevalence and management. SO WHAT?: Health promotion efforts with Aboriginal people on Ngarrindjeri Country must acknowledge the sustained impacts of colonisation, while building on the abundance of community enablers, skills and strengths. Opportunities present to do so by adopting holistic, community-led initiatives that shift away from the dominant biomedical approach to diabetes care.

Barriers to Childhood Immunization in Rural and Remote Areas: A Qualitative Exploration From the Perspectives of Community Leaders in Sindh, Pakistan.

Despite overall improvements observed at the national level, there is a significant disparity in childhood vaccination coverage rates between urban and rural regions, particularly within tribal and remote areas in Pakistan. Our study aimed to explore the views of community/tribal leaders concerning barriers and their local solutions for improving vaccine uptake, with a specific focus on remote settings. An exploratory qualitative research study was conducted from July to September 2019 in Shikarpur, Sindh, Pakistan. We interviewed 11 community leaders, after developing a semi-structured interview guide based on the health belief model. Following validation, the collected data was transcribed and subsequently translated into the English language. A stepwise process of manual familiarization, coding, theme generation, and theme review using an inductive approach was followed. While most of the rural community leaders expressed a willingness to support vaccinations, numerous unexplored barriers were identified. These barriers included an unsustainable communication system heavily dependent on polio mobile teams, discourteous behavior of healthcare personnel, cultural restrictions that limited women's involvement, economic hardships, limited transportation options, insufficient collaboration with the education sector, poor knowledge among community leaders, and security concerns. Additionally, they proposed some innovative solutions of information dissemination methods through the Ottaque system, ethics-based training, subsidized transportation services or voucher system, and addressing security concerns in collaboration with community leaders. Our findings suggest policymakers take both community leaders and members for an inclusive policy-making process to redraft the special policy for these remote and rural areas.

The Impact of Implementing Premarital Health Test Certificate Requirements on Unregistered Marriage Practices

This research aims to understand the impact of implementing premarital health test certificate requirements on unregistered marriage practices in Ujung Batu III Village. This study combines normative and empirical research methods. Subsequently, the collected data were analyzed qualitatively to describe the problem and address the research purposes. The results show that implementing premarital health test certificate requirements in Ujung Batu III Village has a complex impact on unregistered marriage practices. Although this policy aims to raise awareness about the importance of reproductive health and prevent early marriage, it has become an obstacle for some prospective couples who choose unregistered marriage. This is due to several factors, such as a lack of understanding about the importance of health tests, concerns about privacy and social stigma, conflicts between state law and religious law, and the prevalence of early marriage. Therefore, it is recommended that the Religious Affairs Office of Hutaraja Tinggi Sub-district intensify outreach and education about the importance of premarital health tests and their implications, especially for couples potentially engaging in unregistered marriage. The Ujung Batu III Village Government needs to strengthen coordination with the Religious Affairs Office and health institutions and involve community and religious leaders in disseminating the policy and providing guidance to prospective couples. Health institutions must improve the accessibility and quality of premarital health test services, including expanding the scope of examinations and providing comprehensive counseling. Community and religious leaders should play an active role in educating the public about the importance of healthy and registered marriages and help eliminate the stigma associated with health tests and early marriage. The community needs to proactively seek information about reproductive health, understand the importance of premarital health tests, and support government efforts in preventing early marriage and unregistered marriages.

Impediments to Effective Leadership in Public Service: A Case of Administrative and Political Challenges in County Governments in Kenya

This study addresses the substantial challenges facing leadership effectiveness in Kenya's county governments, focusing on bureaucratic inertia, political interference, resource limitations, and issues with meritocratic appointments that undermine governance and public trust. The research aimed to comprehensively analyze these barriers and propose actionable strategies for improvement. What are the primary administrative impediments to effective leadership in public service within county governments in Kenya? How do political dynamics influence leadership effectiveness in the public service sector at the county level? And what strategies can be implemented to overcome these impediments and enhance leadership effectiveness in county governments? The research questions were: Grounded in theories of transformational and transactional leadership the study explores the contrast between these leadership styles in overcoming the identified challenges. The study employs a mixed-methods approach. Qualitative data from interviews and case studies, alongside quantitative insights gathered through surveys of county officials, public servants, and community leaders, provide a holistic perspective. Purposive sampling ensured diverse participant viewpoints were captured because it allows for targeted sampling. Key findings using Likert scale of 1-5 underscore significant impediments to effective leadership: bureaucratic inertia (rated 4.0), political interference (3.9), resource constraints (3.8), insufficient training (3.7), and political appointments lacking meritocracy (4.2), corruption (4.1), fraudulent academic credentials (3.5), patronage (3.8), and tribalism (3.7). These findings reveal systemic challenges that hinder leadership effectiveness and governance outcomes. In conclusion, entrenched bureaucratic practices, external political pressures, and systemic flaws in leadership appointments hinder effective governance in Kenyan county governments. Addressing these issues necessitates comprehensive reforms, including transparent appointment processes, strengthened anti-corruption measures, strategic resource allocation, and enhanced professional development for public service leaders. From the findings the study recommends implementing transparent and merit-based appointment systems, bolstering anti-corruption efforts, prioritizing targeted resource allocation, and investing in continuous leadership development programs. These measures are crucial for fostering transparency, accountability, and sustainable development in Kenya's county governments

Project SIGNAL: A Dashboard for Supporting Community Confidence in Making Data-Driven Decisions.

Data dashboards have emerged as critical tools for surveillance and informing resource allocation. Despite their utility and popularity during COVID-19, there is a growing need to understand what tools and training are tailored to nonprofit community-based organizations that may partner with public health officials. In June 2021, the Rhode Island Department of Health and Brown University partnered to create Project SIGNAL (Spatiotemporal Insights to Guide Nuanced Actions Locally), which utilizes spatiotemporal analytics to identify Rhode Island's largest disparities in COVID-19-related outcomes (eg, testing, diagnosis, vaccinations) at the neighborhood level. Results were hosted in an interactive online dashboard (signal-ri.org) designed using principles of the CDC Clear Communication Index. The target audience included a network of 15 geographic areas called Health Equity Zones, funded by the health department to provide critical grassroots public health programs to address social, health, and economic outcomes in their communities. To disseminate the dashboard, a 6-hour virtual workshop series was created to train leaders to use the dashboard and increase their confidence in understanding common public health data terminology and concepts and better prepare attendees for rapid decision making during future public health emergencies. The Project SIGNAL dashboard was launched in August 2022 and has been accessed over 7500 times. A total of 84 community leaders were trained to use this dashboard, increasing their confidence in applying common public health metrics to make decisions about their COVID-19-related activities. While several studies have outlined best practices for data dashboards, this is among the first to examine incorporating these practices into a spatiotemporal decision tool designed specifically for community organizations. Project SIGNAL demonstrates that by incorporating design best practices and pairing data dashboards with hands-on training, we can empower community leaders to utilize advanced spatiotemporal methods to identify health disparities and take localized action.

Preventing overdoses involving stimulants: the POINTS study protocol

BackgroundIn recent years, overdoses involving illicit cocaine, methamphetamine, and other stimulants have increased in the U.S. The unintentional consumption of stimulants containing illicit fentanyl is a major risk factor for overdoses, particularly in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Understanding the drug use patterns and strategies used by people who use stimulants (PWUS) to prevent overdose is necessary to identify risk and protective factors for stimulant and opioid-involved overdoses. Mixed-methods research with people who distribute drugs (PWDD) can also provide critical information into the mechanisms through which fentanyl may enter the stimulant supply, and the testing of drug samples can further triangulate PWUS and PWDD perspectives regarding the potency and adulteration of the drug supply. These epidemiological methods can inform collaborative intervention development efforts with community leaders to identify feasible, acceptable, and scalable strategies to prevent fatal and non-fatal overdoses in high-risk communities.MethodsOur overall objective is to reduce stimulant and opioid-involved overdoses in regions disproportionately affected by the overdose epidemic. To meet this long-term objective, we employ a multi-pronged approach to identify risk and protective factors for unintentional stimulant and opioid-involved overdoses among PWUS and use these findings to develop a package of locally tailored intervention strategies that can be swiftly implemented to prevent overdoses. Specifically, this study aims to [1] Carry out mixed-methods research with incarcerated and non-incarcerated people who use or distribute illicit stimulants to identify risk and protective factors for stimulant and opioid-involved overdoses; [2] Conduct drug checking to examine the presence and relative quantity of fentanyl and other adulterants in the stimulant supply; and [3] Convene a series of working groups with community stakeholders involved in primary and secondary overdose prevention in Massachusetts and Rhode Island to contextualize our mixed-methods findings and identify multilevel intervention strategies to prevent stimulant-involved overdoses.DiscussionCompletion of this study will yield a rich understanding of the social epidemiology of stimulant and opioid-involved overdoses in addition to community-derived intervention strategies that can be readily implemented and scaled to prevent such overdoses in two states disproportionately impacted by the opioid and overdose crises: Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

From Patrilineal Tradition to Gender Equity: The Evolution of Inheritance Law in Indonesia’s Batak Toba Community

The Batak Toba community in Indonesia, traditionally governed by a patrilineal kinship system, has historically excluded women from inheritance rights. This deeply ingrained custom has perpetuated gender inequality within the community. However, the landscape of inheritance law has undergone significant transformation due to the influence of national legislation and landmark court rulings. This study explores the dynamic evolution of inheritance practices among the Batak Toba, tracing the shift from a patriarchal tradition to a more equitable system that recognizes the rights of women. This research employs a qualitative approach, combining legal analysis with empirical data gathered through interviews and case studies within the Batak Toba community. The study examines customary laws, national legislation, and judicial decisions to understand the legal framework governing inheritance. Additionally, it delves into the lived experiences of individuals within the community to capture the social and cultural dimensions of inheritance practices. The findings reveal a gradual but significant shift in inheritance practices among the Batak Toba. While the patrilineal tradition remains influential, there is growing recognition of women's inheritance rights. This change is attributed to several factors, including increased education, economic empowerment of women, and greater awareness of gender equality principles. The study also highlights the role of legal reforms and judicial activism in challenging discriminatory customary laws and promoting a more inclusive approach to inheritance. The evolution of inheritance law in the Batak Toba community reflects a broader societal transformation towards gender equity. While challenges persist, the study underscores the importance of continued legal reforms, community engagement, and education to ensure the full realization of women's inheritance rights. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, legal practitioners, and community leaders working towards a more just and equitable society.