Community Participation Strategies Research Articles

Children’s Exposure Factors and Risk Perception of Sanitation Challenges Along the U.S.–Mexico Border

ABSTRACT In the rural U.S.–Mexico border towns, transboundary sanitary sewage overflows (SSOs) are of concern. The high concentrations of pathogens present in SSOs poses a threat to the shared ecosystem and communities’ health and well-being. Concerns related to an SSO effluent situated adjacent to a school in Naco, Arizona led to an academic-government-school partnership to assess children’s exposure factors, environment and health related risk perceptions, and risk communication preferences. A survey administered to school staff (n = 9) and parents (n = 31) observed a lower hand/object-to-mouth behavior for children ages 4–6 compared to values in the literature, and the need to further assess exposure factors for children over six. While there was a general negative risk perception to SSOs, approximately half of respondents did not have/were not sure of any SSO-related events. Using the Bioregion/One Health and cross-border governance frameworks, this study highlights the governing barriers that exist during SSO events and underscores the need for community participation, effective intervention, and risk communication strategies.

Community Participation in Qanun Formulation in Gayo Lues Regency

https://jurnal.usk.ac.id/riwayat Community participation is a public administration perspective, in the formulation of qanun it is a form of public policy at the regional level which includes the regulation of various aspects of local life with all the benefits needed in the process of administering government. The aim of this research is to analysed and determine strategies for community participation in the formulation of qanun in Gayo Lues Regency. The research method used in this research is a qualitative approach. Primary data in this research was obtained directly through interviews about the research theme. Data collection techniques were carried out using Library Research (library research) and Field Research (field research). Data analysis uses qualitative analysis which is presented and explained in the discussion. The results of this research are that the process of formulating qanuns should not be carried out by one party alone, but requires the involvement of all parties both within the state structure and outside the state structure as a form of community participation in the development process. Participating in the formulation of qanuns is a community right that can be exercised both in the preparation and discussion stages, so that every community member needs their presence, both physical and conceptual, to provide substantial input into each qanun that is formed. Strategies to increase community participation in the formulation of qanuns in Gayo Lues Regency and what forms of participation the community can take in the process of forming qanuns. Several conclusions can be made, including, Qanun is the highest policy at the regional level, therefore community and stakeholder participation is absolutely necessary to ensure that the qanun is in Favor of the community, as well as guaranteeing the possibility of the qanun being enforced. A policy is needed to increase public participation in the formation of qanuns, namely, the government must provide education about the step by step process of forming qanuns, and there needs to be a clear and firm mechanism regarding the urgency of the intended participation. Forms of participation that can be carried out by the community include, taking part in public hearings either in the council building or going directly to the location of the relevant community or through seminars or workshops, attending trials at the DPRK building, conducting opinion polls, contacting the public through the mass media.

The Strategy for Local Community Participation in Tourism Planning Around Conservation Areas in Indonesia

Taman Nasional Bali Barat (TNBB) is a nature conservation areas in Indonesia. TNBB has been designated by the government as a nature tourism destination that admits development precedence because it is one of the national tourism strategic areas (NTSA). The sustainability of tourism in conservation areas is significantly determined by the level of local community participation in the tourism planning process. However, based on previous research, the level of local community participation in the tourism planning process in TNBB is low. This research aims to formulate a strategy for local community participation in the tourism planning process around the conservation areas. The method employed to achieve this objective is Appreciative Inquiry (AI). AI is a qualitative approach in participatory tourism planning. Data is collected and analyzed by following the AI stages or 4D cycle. The results show that local communities participate in tourism decision-making. The level of dialogue that has been taking place so far shows a pattern of decision-making or tourism planning process based on conservation areas. Starting from personal conversations in the context of friendship, then developing into organizational discourse, and later formulated as a shared vision and mission to optimize the function of conservation areas as tourism destinations. The involvement of local communities in the level of dialogue is a strategy for local community participation in the tourism planning process in TNBB.

Impact of health system governance on healthcare quality in low-income and middle-income countries: a scoping review

IntroductionImproving healthcare quality in low-/middle-income countries (LMICs) is a critical step in the pathway to Universal Health Coverage and health-related sustainable development goals. This study aimed to map the available...

Migrants' community participation and social integration in urban areas: A scoping review

Social integration is a growing concern in global migration studies, and community participation is a way to promote migrants' social integration. This scoping review aims to determine how migrants' community participation influences their social integration in urban areas. A literature search was conducted to identify studies in English published between January 2011 and July 2021. Twenty-eight documents met the inclusion criteria. Three key elements of community participation were identified: 1) social capital, 2) the way of using public space, and 3) community participation strategies. Community participation assists migrants in dealing with inequality, marginalization, and rural-urban adaptation in developing countries. Furthermore, it exercises a mediating role in solving community problems and alleviating tensions between migrants and locals in developed countries. Community participation also helps international migrants tackle cross-cultural/ethnic challenges and compensates internal migrants for institutional segregation. Overall, community participation can fulfill migrants' instant needs, expand their social network, and facilitate psychological integration; however, it does not necessarily contribute to social integration when the participation environment is biased and lacks meaningful encounters. Finally, three research gaps are highlighted: the distinction between integration into a migrant community and broader society, the degree of participation, and a gender perspective.

Towards Sustainable Service Delivery by South African Local Authorities: A Community Participation Strategy

With the advent of democracy in 1994, the South African government introduced various initiatives as part of youth skills development intervention programmes, and one of such programmes is the internship programme, which is aimed at exposing graduates to workplace dynamics and getting young people to develop their practical skills to nature careers. This programme, however, has its own challenges, especially on the part of the students, who, after completion, appear to struggle finding sustainable employment, which, in turn, renders the programme questionable. The aim of this study is to analyse the skill relevance of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) internship programme in preparing interns for permanent employment in the employment sector. This study was empirical and used qualitative methods to analyse the skills acquired by interns during the internship programme at DHET. The sample from which data was gleaned consisted of senior managers and interns placed in different units within the department. While the concept of an internship is admirable for exposing graduates to various employment sectors, the study discovered some flaws in its implementation. For example, it was established that the process of placing interns in the DHET was almost done haphazardly, with little consideration of the linkage between their educational background and the units where training occurs. Therefore, this defeats the general mission of the programme itself and is the cause of the diminished future employment prospects of the students. The study recommended, among other things, that DHET provide graduate interns with technical and strategic training opportunities tailored to their specific career needs in order to improve their employability prospects. Possible ways to overcome the internship-related problems identified in the study are outlined towards the end of this article.

Strategi Promosi Kesehatan terhadap Partisipasi Masyarakat dalam Pencegahan Diare pada Anak Balita

This study aims to determine the health promotion strategy for community participation in preventing diarrhea in children under five in the working area of the Tomuan Siantar Public Health Center. The method used is quantitative observational with a cross-sectional approach. The results showed that the value of p advocacy was 0.001, social support was p = 0.008, and community empowerment was p = 0.005. In conclusion, advocacy, social support, and community empowerment influence community participation in preventing diarrhea in children under five in the working area of the Tomuan Health Center.
 
 Keywords: Toddlers, Prevention of Diarrhea, Promotion Strategy

The Impact of Mass Drug Administration on Lymphatic Filariasis

Mass drug administration (MDA) has made a significant impact on the control of lymphatic filariasis (LF) since the establishment of the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis. However, its implementation is associated with several challenges, hampering interruption of parasite transmission and LF elimination in endemic areas. This study assessed the impact of MDA by comparing baseline microfilaria and antigen prevalence with those after three years (mid-term) and ≥5 years of MDA implementation and their respective prevalence reductions and identified specific challenges that may hinder its effective implementation. Three years of MDA implementation were observed to have microfilaria prevalence reductions (88.54% to 98.66%) comparable to those of studies that implemented MDA for five to 10 years (≥5 years, 79.23% to 98.26%). Inadequate community understanding of and participation in the LF MDA programme are major drawbacks to its effective implementation. The implementation of MDA that incorporates community participation, incentivisation, education, and training strategies has the potential of increasing MDA coverage and compliance, thereby interrupting parasite transmission and reducing microfilarial prevalence to levels that warrant LF elimination.

The Long and Winding Road of Coral Reef Recovery in the Anthropocene: A Case Study from Puerto Rico

The persistence and resilience of marginal shallow coral reefs at their limits of environmental tolerance have declined due to chronic environmental degradation and climate change. However, the consequences for the natural recovery ability of reefs of disturbance remain poorly understood. This study considered the potential for natural recovery through coral recruitment on fringing reefs across different geographic regions under contrasting environmental conditions in Puerto Rico. Reefs in areas with significant water quality degradation and more severe physical impacts of hurricanes were expected to have lower coral recruit density and diversity, and therefore less potential for recovery. Sixteen reefs were assessed across three geographic regions. Degraded reefs sustained a lower percentage of live coral cover and had higher macroalgae and turf algae abundance. Locations affected by high PO4, NH3+ and optical brightness concentrations, high turbidity, and high sea surface temperature anomalies, chlorophyll-a concentration and light attenuation Kd490 evidenced significantly lower coral recruit density and diversity. Hurricane-decimated reefs also exhibited impoverished coral recruit assemblages. Low coral recruitment could have important long-term implications under projected climate change and sea level rise, particularly in coastal urban habitats. There is a need to implement effective environmental conservation, ecological restoration and community participation strategies that facilitate enhanced coral recruitment success and assisted recovery processes.

Community Participation Strategy for Sustainable Urban Regeneration in Xiamen, China

Urban regeneration is an important strategic choice in promoting urban development globally. Existing research on urban regeneration mainly focuses on the community’s economic benefits. However, less research concentrates on how community participation contributes to the sustainable development of communities. The aim of this study is to explore the community regeneration approach in the context of urban regeneration in a typical village community in China. This study finds that participatory planning, which is mainly characterized by public participation, can be an effective way of communication and cooperation. The collaborative workshops provide a participatory platform for stakeholders and promote sustainable community development. Therefore, traditional planning approaches may need to be changed. The contribution of this article is to develop a collaborative planning approach for sustainable community development, which can serve as a reference for community governance in China and other developing countries.

Incidence of clinical malaria, acute respiratory illness, and diarrhoea in children in southern Malawi: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundMalaria, acute respiratory infections (ARIs) and diarrhoea are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among children under 5 years old. Estimates of the malaria incidence are available from a previous study conducted in southern Malawi in the absence of community-led malaria control strategies; however, the incidence of the other diseases is lacking, owing to understudying and competing disease priorities. Extensive malaria control measures through a community participation strategy were implemented in Chikwawa, southern Malawi from May 2016 to reduce parasite prevalence and incidence. This study assessed the incidence of clinical malaria, ARIs and acute diarrhoea among under-five children in a rural community involved in malaria control through community participation.MethodsA prospective cohort study was conducted from September 2017 to May 2019 in Chikwawa district, southern Malawi. Children aged 6–48 months were recruited from a series of repeated cross-sectional household surveys. Recruited children were followed up two-monthly for 1 year to record details of any clinic visits to designated health facilities. Incidence of clinical malaria, ARIs and diarrhoea per child-years at risk was estimated, compared between age groups, area of residence and time.ResultsA total of 274 out of 281 children recruited children had complete results and contributed 235.7 child-years. Malaria incidence was 0.5 (95% CI (0.4, 0.5)) cases per child-years at risk, (0.04 in 6.0–11.9 month-olds, 0.5 in 12.0–23.9 month-olds, 0.6 in 24.0–59.9 month-olds). Incidences of ARIs and diarrhoea were 0.3 (95% CI (0.2, 0.3)), (0.1 in 6.0–11.9 month-olds, 0.4 in 12.0–23.9 month-olds, 0.3 in 24.0–59.9 month-olds), and 0.2 (95% CI (0.2, 0.3)), (0.1 in 6.0–11.9 month-olds, 0.3 in 12.0–23.9 month-olds, 0.2 in 24.0–59.9 month-olds) cases per child-years at risk, respectively. There were temporal variations of malaria and ARI incidence and an overall decrease over time.ConclusionIn comparison to previous studies, there was a lower incidence of clinical malaria in Chikwawa. The incidence of ARIs and diarrhoea were also low and decreased over time. The results are promising because they highlight the importance of community participation and the integration of malaria prevention strategies in contributing to disease burden reduction.

Implementation Strategies and Performance of Non-Governmental Organization Projects in Rwanda: A Case of Faith Victory Association Projects, Kayonza District

The general objective of this study is to assess the effect of implementation strategies on performance of NGO projects with specific reference to Gikuriro project implemented by Faith Victory Association in Kayonza. The specific objectives were to examine the community empowerment, capacity building and community participation on performance of NGO projects. The study played a significant role to various people including researcher, the management of the project itself, government and academic researchers. When conducting this study, a descriptive research design with two mixed methods such quantitative and qualitative approach was used. The target population was project beneficiaries who were given questionnaires and the project administrators as well as staff who were interviewed. In total the total target population was 13250 people, from whom a sample of 400 was selected using Sloven’s formula. The study used a stratified random sampling technique and data were collected using questionnaires and interviews .The analysis of data was done using SPSS version 22.0 and Microsoft Excel. Both inferential (correlation and regression analysis)and descriptive statistics(mean and standard deviation) were used. The findings pertaining research objectives showed that the community empowerment, capacity building and community participation affect performance of NGO projects. On community empowerment 95% of the respondents Community training, Farmer learning schools, Village NS as capacity building strategies affected performance of NGO projects. The study findings further showed that 89%) of respondents community empowerment through saving groups affected performance of NGO projects. The study findings showed the community participation in utilities or consumable types agriculture was e 61% community participation animal type of assets wwas24% community participation in agricultural tools represent 47% while community participation in house and land 54.8%. When assessing the relationship between implementation strategies and performance of NGO projects with specific reference to Gikuriro project implemented by Faith Victory Association in Kayonza, the study findings showed that there is a significant relationship between implementation strategies and performance of NGO projects presented a positive correlation with p-value (r = 0.092, p = 0.067), (r = -0.008, p = 0.000), (r = 0.016, p = 0.000), (r = 0.042, p = 0.000), (r = 0.006. p = 0.000) and (r = -0.036, p = 0.000). The study concludes that community empowerment, capacity building and community participation on performance of NGO projects are important strategies for ensuring project sustainability. The study, recommended that NGO funded projects in Kayonza District should be have clear guiding implementation strategies and procedure, community participation strategy in place and integrating monitoring in their implementation strategies at all stages.

A Reflection on the Role of Communal Resource Mobilization on Project Performance for Rural Development, Evidence from Kalungu District

The study was conducted to establish the relationship between communal resource mobilization and rural development in Kalungu district. It adopted a case study research design which was both quantitative and qualitative to describe data and its characteristics: 332 respondents were selected for research using simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques. Close ended questionnaires were further used to harvest information from respondents and data was analyzed using frequencies, percentages, bar graphs (SPSS) and Pearson linear correlation coefficient. The study found out that the triumph or failure of any development project depended largely on the rate at which the community was involved thus understanding techniques through which community participation can spearhead rural development is essential both for scholars and rural development practitioners. The study recommended government and all rural development practitioners to embrace communal resource mobilization as an effective community participation strategy. Conclusively, the purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the working community participation strategies for rural development.

Feasibility and acceptability of environmental management strategies among artisan miners in Taita Taveta County, Kenya

Artisanal mining employs many people across the globe. In Kenya, it provides vocational jobs which represent the livelihood of poor communities. In spite of the economic value that could be attached to the artisanal mining activities in Taita Taveta County, these activities have resulted in environmental degradation; thus, calling for necessary interventions. It is for this reason that this study intends to examine effective strategies that could be adopted to reduce environmental degradation in the county as a result of artisan mining. The key objective therefore is to test the feasibility and acceptability of community participation, partnerships, modern technology and quarry management strategies on the reduction of environmental degradation by artisan miners in Taita Taveta County. A descriptive case study research design was adopted, and the target population for the study was 451 registered artisan miners and 13 environmental bodies operating in the area. A simple random sampling technique was used to draw a sample of 218 artisan miners and 13 environmental body heads. Questionnaires were the main tool for data collection from which a response rate of 95% was achieved. The study deduced that community participation, partnerships, modern technology adoption and quarry management strategies, are key influences on the reduction of environmental degradation in the artisanal mining sector if adopted, going based on the high level of agreement and the reasoning exhibited among the artisan miners in the findings. The following policies may be inferred from the study: to set a framework to enable the community to participate in environmental conservation, to enhance partnerships between NGOs, CBOs, the Government and Universities within artisan mining areas, to introduce Government subsidies for modern technology for affordability and to introduce a framework for quarry management.

Supporting community participation in a pandemic

The invariable governmental approach to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been to effect the White Knight stance of Don Quixote, defending the population from the “Virus Dragon” and dedicating its knight-errantry to the damsel Dulcinea. Though essential, new therapeutics, vaccines, physical distancing, rigorous hygiene standards and efficient health systems are not sufficient to counter the effects of the virus. Individual compliance to public health guidelines also matters, while remaining similarly insufficient to diminish the threat. Earthier, citizen-led, community participation strategies, however, lead to innovative, tailored solutions that better fulfil the needs of diverse neighbourhoods and assures greater virus resistance and increase in population health compared to a top-down, knightly approach or isolated individual efforts. The challenge of COVID-19 offers communities a moment to build more resilient, antifragile communities that not only survive the current crisis, but that thrive after it, and that are better equipped for the next challenge. This is not the time for the singular heroics of the White Knight, or the antics of Don Quixote, tilting at windmills. It is the time of Sancho Panza, which is to say of regular non-credentialed citizens, and their collective efforts, who up to now have largely been considered pawns in this contest. Asset-based community development (ABCD) rejects both the individual as an island and the institutional, knightly emphasis on assessing needs and deficits within communities. It favours identifying and mobilising available and latent assets within a community to forge closer connections among all people, the better to collectivise problem-solving efforts. Community-driven initiatives are assisted in this by localised not-for-profit agencies that practice subsidiarity.

Strengthening policy- and decision-making processes through community participation: A municipal perspective

Background: Post-apartheid South Africa has been experiencing massive service delivery protests where local communities express their disenchantment with municipal service provision. The critical component of the latter is supposedly the result of lack of sufficient and adequate community consultation when municipalities take decisions or formulate policies.Aim: It is against this background that this article explored the extent of community participation in local government (local municipalities), with specific attention to policy- and decision-making, using Mbombela Local Municipality as a case study.Setting: The study focused on the local government administration, with specific reference to policy- and decision-making process in local municipalities using the notion of community participation.Methods: The study used both qualitative and quantitative research approaches using semi-structured questionnaires (quantitative) and in-depth personal face-to-face interviews (qualitative) as data collection methods. The sample groups of the study were community members of the Mbombela Local Municipality and municipal officials. The findings derived from these sample groups.Results: The study found that there was little to no community participation.Conclusion: Inter alia, the recommendation is that local municipalities should adhere strongly to community participation strategies.

Could health information systems enhance the quality of Aboriginal health promotion? A retrospective audit of Aboriginal health programs in the Northern Territory of Australia

BackgroundIn Australia, health services are seeking innovative ways to utilize data stored in health information systems to report on, and improve, health care quality and health system performance for Aboriginal Australians. However, there is little research about the use of health information systems in the context of Aboriginal health promotion. In 2008, the Northern Territory’s publicly funded healthcare system introduced the quality improvement program planning system (QIPPS) as the centralized online system for recording information about health promotion programs. The purpose of this study was to explore the potential for utilizing data stored in QIPPS to report on quality of Aboriginal health promotion, using chronic disease prevention programs as exemplars. We identify the potential benefits and limitations of health information systems for enhancing Aboriginal health promotion.MethodsA retrospective audit was undertaken on a sample of health promotion projects delivered between 2013 and 2016. A validated, paper-based audit tool was used to extract information stored in the QIPPS online system and report on Aboriginal health promotion quality. Simple frequency counts were calculated for dichotomous and categorical items. Text was extracted and thematically analyzed to describe community participation processes and strategies used in Aboriginal health promotion.Results39 Aboriginal health promotion projects were included in the analysis. 34/39 projects recorded information pertaining to the health promotion planning phases, such as statements of project goals, ‘needs assessment’ findings, and processes for consulting Aboriginal people in the community. Evaluation findings were reported in approximately one third of projects and mostly limited to a recording of numbers of participants. For almost half of the projects analyzed, community participation strategies were not recorded.ConclusionThis is the first Australian study to shed light on the feasibility of utilizing data stored in a purposefully designed health promotion information system. Data availability and quality were limiting factors for reporting on Aboriginal health promotion quality. Based on our learnings of QIPPS, strategies to improve the quality and accuracy of data entry together with the use of quality improvement approaches are needed to reap the potential benefits of future health promotion information systems.

Healthcare and Health Problems from the Perspective of Indigenous Population of the Peruvian Amazon: A Qualitative Study.

Indigenous communities usually experience higher levels of mortality and poorer access to healthcare services compared to non-indigenous communities. This study aims to understand the most prevalent health problems and their treatment in the Asháninka indigenous communities of the Peruvian Amazon. We conducted an ethnographic study in order to explore the perceived health problems, the use of traditional medicine and the resources offered by the official Peruvian healthcare system. Field notes and semi-structured interviews were used. A total of 16 indigenous and four non-indigenous people were interviewed, and interpretative analysis was used to identify themes. The Asháninka community is an overlooked population, which, due to distance restrictions, misconceptions and ethnical disparities, is far away from an appropriate healthcare system and is subjected to acute medical conditions such as infections and gastrointestinal problems. This group tends to seek traditional medicine, mostly herbal medications and traditional healers. The use of a health professional is seen as a last resort. Although the official Peruvian health system incorporates community participation strategies to improve the healthcare of indigenous people, the shortage of material, human resources and cultural sensitivity makes this difficult. Healthcare strategies should be devised and implemented in order to minimize health inequality in this population.

The Role of Social Movements in Strengthening Health Systems: The Experience of the National Health Forum in El Salvador (2009-2018).

In 2009, the newly elected FMLN government of El Salvador launched a comprehensive health reform, which gave the National Health Forum (NHF) a key role in developing community participation. This study aims to examine and analyze the content and impact of this social movement during the study period 2009–2018. The context was analyzed through relevant documents, which helped identify key stakeholders. Semi-structured interviews took place at 3 levels of decision making: the political level, the health professionals, and the community. Data were analyzed using a qualitative methodology. Participation is carried by a structure created by the Ministry of Health, the National Health Forum. The NHF developed 3 strategies: (1) leadership building in the communities through the strengthening of social, political, and economic skills, where they developed social accountability mechanisms at all decision-making levels of the health system; (2) the strategy carried by the sectoral working groups, where they responded to prioritized needs identified by the community; and (3) advocacy for human rights-based policies. The NHF, and its role in the strengthening of the National Public Health System, provides strong evidence of community participation strategies and co-governance with the health system within the social determinants of health scope.

Influence of public relations’ media public enlightenment campaign and community participation strategies on waste management

Waste management has posed a lot of threats to both humanity and the stability of the natural environment. This study specifically investigated whether public relations’ media enlightenment campaign has any significant influence on waste management and also studied whether public relations’ community participation has any significant influence on waste management. The population of the study consists of residents of Enugu metropolis. Survey method was adopted for the study, and the sample size of 384 residents were determined using Cochran’s method. Cronbach’s Alpha was used to determine the reliability of 0.980. Using the convenience sampling technique, the questionnaires were distributed to 384 residents, and 295 of them were duly filled and validated. Using simple linear regression for data analysis, the findings revealed that public relations’ media public enlightenment campaign strategy has a significant influence on waste management (r = 0.933; t = 76.736; F = 5888.365; p < 0.05). Similarly, it was revealed that public relations’ community participation strategy has a significant influence on waste management (r = 0.930; t = 76.280; F = 5667.029; p < 0.05). Ergo, there is a need to improve on media public enlightenment campaign strategy towards educating and encouraging waste management behavior among residents through an adequate traditional and social media awareness campaign. Also, residents should be encouraged to participate actively and meaningfully in environmental waste management issues in Enugu metropolis. The implication is that residents will be more conscious of managing their wastes effectively as a result of adequate information gathering from the media and participation in waste management activities. AcknowledgmentIn the course of this study, a few research assistants contributed immensely in gathering primary data from the districts where the study was conducted. They include Ayogu Victor, Ayogu Boniface, Okolo Valentine, and Agu O. Agu.