Community Perceptions Research Articles

Drought Occurrence and Community Perceptions in the Upper Ewaso Ng’iro Basin, Kenya

Drought Occurrence and Community Perceptions in the Upper Ewaso Ng’iro Basin, Kenya

Social Awareness for Women’s Health: An Endline Study in Gazaria, Munshiganj, Bangladesh

Background: The “Social Awareness for Women’s Health: Gazaria Pilot” project aimed to address menstrual health awareness and distribute free sanitary napkins in the Gazaria region. This endline survey evaluates the project’s impact on menstrual health practices, knowledge, and socio-cultural barriers among women and girls. Objective: Baseline data highlighted critical challenges, including limited awareness about menstrual hygiene, widespread use of non-hygienic materials such as old cloths, and significant emotional distress associated with menstruation. Access to reliable menstrual health information was predominantly through informal channels, with cultural taboos further exacerbating the menstrual health crisis. Methodology: A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to gather data from community members participating in the Gazaria Pilot project. Surveys were conducted to assess changes in health behaviors and attitudes, while interviews provided insights into community perceptions and experiences with project interventions. Findings: Following the project’s implementation, there was a notable improvement in menstrual hygiene practices. The use of disposable sanitary napkins increased from 5.99% at baseline to 15.36% at endline, reflecting enhanced access and acceptance of sanitary products. Additionally, knowledge about the risks of unclean menstrual practices and the benefits of personal hygiene saw significant gains, with awareness rising from 55.5% to 72.66% and from 62.0% to 75.78%, respectively. Menstruation has decreased emotional reactions, promoting mental well-being, but challenges persist like reliance on old cloths, lack of medical advice, and socio-cultural taboos affecting health behaviors. Conclusion: The project emphasizes the need for community-based interventions and sustained engagement to improve menstrual health outcomes in Gazaria, highlighting the need for ongoing efforts.

Community Perceptions on Health Risks Associated With Toxic Chemical Pollutants in Kwekwe City, Zimbabwe: A Qualitative Study.

Globally, environmental pollution continues to be a significant public health problem, and according to the World Health Organisation, pollution-induced deaths account for 23% of deaths yearly, which could be prevented if people lived in healthier environments. Despite implementing multilateral agreements and international treaties such as the Bamako, Basel, Rotterdam, Minamata, and Stockholm conventions, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and national laws, toxic pollutants remain a serious environmental and public health problem in low-income countries. In the specific context of Kwekwe City, an industrial and mining area in Zimbabwe, where environmental and pollution-induced health problems associated with industries have been widely reported, this study was conducted in close collaboration with the local community. The study aimed to assess community members' perceptions regarding health risks associated with potentially toxic elements and cyanide pollution in Kwekwe City. An explorative cross-sectional study was conducted with key stakeholders and industrial settlements' residents. Face-to-face interviews with key informants and focus group discussions with residents and workers were used to gather data. A thematic approach was utilised in data analysis. Study participants, who played a crucial role in the research process, perceived that industrial pollution principally linked to cyanide, mercury and chromium posed significant environmental and health risks. This participatory approach in risk perception assessment is critical in providing insight into the scope of the problem and formulating intervention strategies. However, given that qualitative study results lack generalisability and replicability, quantitative studies need to be undertaken to determine environmental levels of toxic chemical pollutants as a complementary and validative measure.

‘Never cry for food’: food security, poverty, and recurring themes in news media regarding rabbit farming in East Africa

Abstract Rabbit farming is a form of low input agriculture that has potential to address food security and poverty in East Africa and beyond. For low input agriculture, farmers utilize local and affordable farm resources making it accessible across income levels. Understanding barriers and facilitators to rabbit farming could increase effectiveness of this form of low input agriculture in communities struggling with low food security and poverty, particularly for indigenous, smallholder farms. News media is an available source of data about community perceptions and practices on issues such as rabbit farming, food security, and poverty. For this qualitative study, researchers applied a priori and open coding text analysis to examine recurring themes in news media representations regarding perceptions of rabbit farming in East Africa. Results reveal that community members view rabbit farming as a community strategy that promotes better nutrition and food security while reducing poverty. Important themes included how gender and other cultural norms shaped efforts, and the role of sustainability and climate change on farming practices. Further, the easy cultivation of rabbits, funding, and protective policy and support of indigenous smallholder farms were perceived as facilitators for rabbit farming. Finally, investment in infrastructure for market, production, and knowledge-transfer of best production and business practices were considered critical to success for rabbit farmers throughout East Africa.

The Transformative Power of Information and Communication Technology in Empowering Women in Afghanistan

This study explores ICT's impact on women's empowerment in Afghanistan, aligning with global initiatives and SDGs. Using various statistical methods, it assesses digital platforms, literacy programs, and online courses. Findings show a consensus on ICT's positive influence on financial independence, economic empowerment, and health outcomes. A notable association is found between telemedicine, digital health, and improved women's health. Binomial tests indicate success in bridging the digital gender gap and enhancing awareness. Descriptive statistics reveal positive perceptions of social media, online communities, and digital advocacy in promoting gender equality. In conclusion, this research contributes to the discourse on ICT and women's empowerment, offering insights for policymakers. The study underscores ICT's transformative potential in addressing disparities and fostering positive societal changes in Afghanistan.

Evaluating local perceptions of sustainable utilisation of non-timber forest products and their potential to improve livelihoods in Ghana's forest fringe communities

The sustainable utilisation of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) holds significant promise for livelihood improvement within forest fringe communities in Ghana. While local communities benefit from NTFPs, there is limited understanding of the locals' perceptions with regard to the potential of NTFPs to alleviate poverty. This research evaluated the intricate interplay of local perceptions with regard to climate change, value addition and the multiple uses of NTFPs, and their influence on livelihood improvement. The study employed a multidimensional approach, incorporating quantitative, qualitative and systematic review methodologies. Surveys and interviews were conducted to gather data on the perceptions of local communities of climate change, value addition to NTFPs and the multiple uses of NTFPs, as well as social factors that influence their perception. In addition, a systematic review using the PRISMA method was used to assess the potential of NTFPs to alleviate poverty. The findings underscored the significance of education, religion and gender, which are pivotal in shaping local perceptions of NTFPs and their potential to improve livelihoods. The systematic review showed the potential of NTFPs to alleviate poverty in Ghana and in other parts of the world. Initiatives that enhance market accessibility and create value-addition opportunities should be considered to uplift communities economically. Furthermore, policy frameworks and institutional support can emerge as essential elements in shaping local perceptions. In conclusion, this research elucidated the vital role of local perceptions for the sustainable utilisation of NTFPs to improve livelihoods within Ghana's forest fringe communities.

Countering Cultural Hegemony: The Bharia Community in Central India

Researching with the Bharia in Central India was a rare opportunity as it is perhaps the only tribal community in the region who are not dispossessed from their habitat in Madhya Pradesh, the Indian province with the largest number of tribal people. Dominant debates rarely take cognisance of the perceptions of the tribal communities. The article tries to map the Bharia voices, their worldview and knowledge that counter the processes of hegemony thrust upon them by the state, the market and non-state players.

The Innovative Impact of Trust in Social Government: An Analysis During COVID-19 Crisis

This article investigates previously unexamined elements of the impact of trust in Social Government (s-government) on people's sense of community responsibility and their willingness to continue interacting with them during pandemic crises. It also examines the influence of the sense of community and risk perception on intentions to continue interacting. Data were obtained from 493 participants using an online questionnaire. Structural equation modeling was employed for analyzing the data and testing the research model. The findings confirm the impact of trust in s-government on the sense of community, risk perception, and citizens’ willingness to continue interacting with s-government. The findings also show that risk perception and sense of community significantly impact people's intentions to continue interacting. The results show that trust in s-government accounts for 37.5% of variances of risk perception. Trust in s-government and risk perception explain 51.7% of variances of sense of community. The results also show that trust in s-government, sense of community, and risk perception predict 52.5% of variances of citizens' intentions to continue interacting with s-government. Our article adds valuable insights to the literature of s-government, trust, sense of community, and risk perception during unprecedented crises. It also presents valuable guidance for public administrators developing active s-government solutions during pandemics.

Stakeholder perspectives of PBL and their involvement in the implementation of play pedagogy in selected Schools offering ECE in Southern and Central Zambia

While several studies have been done on parental involvement in early childhood education, gaps still exists relating to the conceptualisation of play and play-based learning in different contexts. The various perceptions of play and play- based learning have a strong influence on their involvement in play-based learning activities involving children in Early Childhood Education. Using a qualitative approach, framed within the interpretive research paradigm, this study revealed a disjuncture between the positive perception held by the stakeholders on play and PBL to the reality of play-based learning in the ECE schools. The researchers asked three questions: 1. What are the perceptions of parents, community, and school administrators (teachers and administrators) regarding play and play-based learning? 2. How do these stakeholders get involved in PBL? 3. And what factors influence their involvement? The researchers collected data through key informant interviews (KII), focus group discussions and classroom observations. The study established that the involvement in PBL varied among stakeholders. For parents and community members their involvement was often based on solicitation by the school administrators and external development agencies - as opposed to volunteering postulated by Epstein’s theory of parental involvement employed in the study. Among the factors that influenced their participation was a general lack of a clear understanding of PBL and their role and functions in PBL and ECE in general. Thus, the study recommends capacity building in PBL for parents, community members and school administrators.

Community awareness, perceptions, and behavior regarding antibiotic consumption in an urban area of Pondicherry

Community awareness, perceptions, and behavior regarding antibiotic consumption in an urban area of Pondicherry

The role of community resilience as a protective factor in coping with mental disorders in a sample of psychiatric migrants.

Over the past decade migration to Italy has increased significantly for various reasons including armed conflicts. Generally, the migration process is exposed to different risk factors during different periods of migration, which can compromise well-being and promote the onset or exacerbation of mental disorders. A community with resources and the perception of one's community as resilient can be important protective factor in the context of migration. This study aims to understand which variables in migration predict an increase in perceived community resilience and to understand the role of community resilience in the relationship between mental disorders and subjective well-being in a sample of 100 adult migrants at the first consultation interview in the ambulatories of Psychiatry Unit. After defining the inclusion and exclusion criteria, migrants were asked to fill out self-report questionnaires to collect socio-demographic data and to assess perception of mental disorders, perceived community resilience and perception of subjective well-being. Descriptive analysis, simple regression, and moderation analyses were conducted to test the hypotheses. The results show that the variable meaning attributed to the community with reference to the host community, migration with someone, and longer duration of stay in Italy contribute to increased perceptions of community resilience. In addition, a direct negative effect of mental disorders on subjective well-being and the moderating role of community resilience in relationship between mental disorders and subjective well-being have been demonstrated. This result underscores the importance of perceived community resilience in mitigating the negative effects of mental disorders on subjective well-being. Perceiving one's community as more resilient seems to protect against the impact of mental disorders on subjective well-being. Our results support an ecological model of migrants' mental health that values the community and its resources in coping with mental disorders in the context of migration.

The Trust and Solidarity as Factor Influencing Community Perceptions of the Effectiveness Covid-19 Vaccine in Indonesia

The Trust and Solidarity as Factor Influencing Community Perceptions of the Effectiveness Covid-19 Vaccine in Indonesia

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Marshallese in Northwest Arkansas (USA).

COVID-19 has disproportionately affected Pacific Islander communities, with disparities in the prevalence of infection, serious illness, and death compared to non-Hispanic whites in the US. Marshallese Pacific Islanders face significant COVID-19 disparities. This exploratory study aimed to understand Marshallese community attitudes about the COVID-19 vaccine to identify and implement culturally relevant strategies to encourage vaccine uptake. Data were collected from 17 participants in three focus groups. Using content analysis, researchers identified two global themes: (1) barriers to vaccination and (2) facilitators of COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Within these themes, participants described fear, lack of knowledge about vaccines, negative perceptions of the COVID-19 vaccine, health concerns, and transportation as barriers to vaccination. Participants described several factors influencing vaccine behavior, including location of and personnel at vaccine clinics, vaccine experiences, the need for trusted information, positive perceptions, cultural leaders, and mandates. The qualitative study makes a significant contribution as the first to report community perceptions and experiences related to the COVID-19 vaccine in Marshallese participants' own words. Findings show that cultural influencers and brokers are crucial bridges for public health messaging related to COVID-19 vaccination targeted to this vulnerable and underserved population. Culturally appropriate and effective public health messaging can help achieve vaccine equity and improve COVID-19-related health disparities in the Marshallese community.

“Here, Kitty, Kitty.” Community Perceptions of Free-Roaming Cats: A Northern Canadian Case Study

“Here, Kitty, Kitty.” Community Perceptions of Free-Roaming Cats: A Northern Canadian Case Study

Teenage Pregnancies and the Re-Entry Policy into Schools: Perceptions from the Education Stakeholders in Umguza District

Despite the ramifications of international protocols and conventions which spearheaded the introduction of the school’s re-entry policy, gender disparities in accessing education continue to hinder the girl child from accessing education which is a fundamental right. Therefore, this research was triggered by the realization that there is continuous dropout of pregnant and mothering girls from school hence, the need to research on the perceptions of education stakeholders on the schools’ re-entry policy. The theory of action was used to form the basis of the study and qualitative research methodology was utilized to capture both the views and perception of the community in tapping into the school’s re-entry policy. This study was of significance to the Government of Zimbabwe in general, and to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in particular, as it offered an opportunity to get public feedback on the policy and recommendations on strengthening the enforcement of the policy. Purposive sampling was used in the study to target various girls who has fallen pregnant during their studies using the key informant guide and focus group discussions were used to gather the community perceptions on the school’s reentry policy. A sample of 20 people was used to draw up the findings of the study. The research managed to reveal that communities are deeply entrenched in patriarchal systems that promote early child marriages. The education stakeholders have conflicted perceptions on the policy as they acknowledge the benefits of the policy but then these are overridden by the negative perceptions that view the policy as promoting promiscuity and delinquent behavior among young people. It was also revealed that communities are less knowledgeable about all the facets of the policy. The study revealed that pregnant and mothering girls fail to get support from the immediate family, community and friends hence perpetuating child marriages. It can be noted that the policy is a great initiative in promoting access to education for girls but there is need to create conducive environment for the pregnant and mothering girls to be supported in their studies. There is also a need for the government to strengthen community structures to ensure that it’s mandatory for pregnant and mothering girls to go to school.

Community Perception of Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Kenya

Community Perception of Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Kenya

Living in the ‘Blue Zone’ of a sea-level rise inundation map: Community perceptions of coastal flooding in King Salmon, California

As sea-level rise (SLR) inundation maps proliferate, it is important to study their politics – both how they are created and how they act upon and shape various lives and places. This paper uses the example of King Salmon, CA – a rural, low-income residential area projected to be one of the most at risk to SLR on the US West Coast – to examine how a community responds to external projections showing SLR risk to their homes and businesses. Through interviews with 17 King Salmon community members and observation of a county-hosted ‘communities at risk’ workshop, we examined the community’s social context, their past experiences with flooding, and their reaction to SLR projection maps including what next steps they would like to see taken. Residents expressed a strong connection to the place, noting that it is one of the few affordable places to live on the coast in California. We found that residents already live with regular flooding during larger tides of the year and have taken steps to adapt. We observed a strong generational component in responses to projection maps with many older respondents believing or hoping that the worst effects from SLR would not come until after they passed away. Residents expressed a lack of faith in government to address flooding concerns both at present and into the future, noting that general maintenance issues have gone unaddressed for decades. Many residents interviewed and observed seemed open or at least resigned to the possibility of relocation at a future undetermined time. This work reveals the power dynamics inherent in climate projections like SLR maps, which, due to their technical nature and mobility, can leave communities out of conversations related to potential futures. Findings also have implications related to climate and SLR work – highlighting the importance of understanding community context; contributing to equity considerations about how wealth and other demographic factors shape how communities interact with SLR planning; and spotlighting the need for sustained learning, engagement, and co-production with communities in the ‘blue zones’ of SLR inundation maps.

Community Perceptions Of Honey Bee Cultivation In Angkah Village, West Selemadeg Sub-District, Tabanan District

Community Perceptions Of Honey Bee Cultivation In Angkah Village, West Selemadeg Sub-District, Tabanan District

Distribution Analysis of Green Mussels (Perna viridis) in Banyuurip Village, Ujung Pangkah District, Gresik Regency

The aim of the research was to determine the Distribution analysis of Perna viridis diversity based on the suitability map for green mussel cultivation, analysis of community perceptions and the condition of water bodies. Perna viridis aquaculture is suitable for the waters of Banyuurip village based on the variables of sea depth, sea surface temperature, chlorophyll a concentration, and substrate radiance data. Heavy metal content of Pb is located and distributed in polluted areas. It was found that the potential for green mussel aquaculture is greater in warm water habitats, i.e. closer to the coast. In addition, the northeast was identified as a suitable habitat for green mussels. The mid-ocean area in the north-west is of low suitability due to the lack of substrate and chlorophyll. Analysis of community attitudes and behaviour showed that people remain enthusiastic about green mussel farming, although green mussel shell waste remains an environmental problem. Heavy metal analysis of green mussel samples showed that green mussels are still safe for consumption. Therefore, the main conclusion is that the habitat of Perna viridis in the waters of Banyuurip Village still has potential for cultivation, but the waters must be free from pollution.

Community perceptions of public library services in rural communities in Edo State

This study evaluates the effectiveness of public library services in promoting community development in Edo State, Nigeria. Utilizing a quantitative survey approach, the research assesses key areas including resource utilization, facility adequacy, staffing levels, infrastructure, and the availability of materials for personal and community development. Analysis of the data collected from the Ulemon community members across different age groups highlight significant challenges such as inadequate resources, insufficient staffing, and gaps in the provision of essential information for community development, while the facilities and infrastructure were found to be in a good state that is well above average, but not in an excellent state. The findings underscore the need for a comprehensive strategy to enhance library services, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 4, Target 4.6. This study recommends adopting sustainable community engagement with Strategic actions. By implementing the recommendations, public libraries in Edo State can significantly improve their role in fostering lifelong learning and community development, and this transformation will contribute to broader social, economic, and environmental benefits, positioning libraries as vital components of sustainable community development in the region.