Community Programs Research Articles

Community-based Rehabilitation Support Programmes and Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Tigania East, Kenya

Community-based rehabilitation programmes (CBR) are considered fundamental in improving the well-being of persons with disabilities by facilitating access to basic services like healthcare, education, housing, and employment and fostering their participation in the community through the transfer of knowledge and skills concerning disability and rehabilitation to people with disabilities, their families and the community at large to enhance social inclusion. However, despite the existence of the Disability Community programmes, it is not clear how community-based rehabilitation support has fostered the social inclusion of persons with disabilities in Kenya. Based on the data from Tigania East, Meru County, Kenya, this paper explores the impact of community-based programmes on the social inclusion of persons with disabilities with a view to influencing policy formulation to foster livelihood and inclusion of the disability in the community agenda.

Mathematical Critical Thinking Skills through STEM/STEAM Approach: A Systematic Literature Review

The STEM/STEAM approach provides opportunities for students to develop critical thinking skills through the integration of different disciplines. This study aims to provide a comprehensive picture of the extent to which the STEM/STEAM approach develops critical thinking skills in mathematics teaching and learning. A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted using guidelines from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). We searched Springer Link, Eric, and Google Scholar for 21 articles on critical thinking published between 2018 and 2022. The results show that most of the lead authors studying critical thinking through STEM/STEAM are from Indonesia, with fewer contributions coming from the United States, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Japan, and Malaysia. The most common research methods used are quantitative research and R & D. These methods correspond to the types of data collection tools used by researchers and critical thinking tests to identify critical thinking skills for the cognitive aspect and questionnaires for the affective aspect. The best practice for improving learner’s mathematical critical thinking skills in STEM/STEAM is Project-Based Learning (PBL). However, this practice is not used by many development researchers. The authors find distinctive features in the interventions used by researchers to improve the critical thinking of learners from each country. The most common intervention was an analysis of the implementation of the STEM/STEAM approach in Indonesia. Many Indonesian researchers also developed learning models and media. Other countries focused more on computer-based activities, developing community programs, and identifying participants' perceptions of critical thinking. These differences give each country its own characteristics in improving and identifying the critical thinking skills of its people. These differences in practices and interventions can also provide alternatives for researchers in their research on critical thinking through the STEM/STEAM approach.

Cultivating Multifaceted Participation in the Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) Program in Communities of Northern Isabela

Cultivating Multifaceted Participation in the Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) Program in Communities of Northern Isabela

Empowerment of Posyandu Lansia cadres in overcoming depression and violence among elderly women after the Covid-19 pandemic in Dukuh Panggungan

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the mental health and safety of the elderly, particularly affecting elderly women. Research indicates a rise in anxiety and depression among older adults, with pre-existing elevated depressive symptoms exacerbating their resilience during this period. Increased isolation, financial strain, and restricted access to support services have led to a surge in elder abuse cases, disproportionately affecting women. Effective strategies, such as raising awareness and ensuring timely provision of resources, are crucial to safeguarding the mental well-being of the elderly. Indonesia's commitment to sustainable development and health equity, exemplified through initiatives like the Sustainable Development Goals, must address the specific challenges faced by elderly women in communities like Panggungan Village. The demographic shift towards an aging population, coupled with the pandemic's effects, further magnifies vulnerabilities. Empowering community-based resources can provide holistic support to elderly women, contributing to sustainable health development and social equity. Methods: The approach targets 15 Posyandu Lansia cadres and 20 elderly women in Panggungan Village through an offline community service program adhering to health protocols. Tools used in this study were the Mental Health Improvement Module, Geriatric Depression Scale questionnaire, and knowledge/skills assessment for Posyandu Lansia cadres. A combined quantitative and qualitative analysis was applied. Results: Results showed that 55% prevalence of verbal violence, 45% neglect, and 35% exploitation violence among elderly women. Post-training, these figures improved to 25% for verbal violence, 10% for exploitation violence, and 15% for neglect violence. Depression tendencies witnessed a 25% shift. Cadres’ knowledge increased from 58.2 to 82.1, and skills improved from 63.5 to 79.2. Conclusion: Elevated violence and depression tendencies that were quite high, negatively impact elderly women's mental health in Panggungan Village. Cadre’s training significantly enhances residents' well-being and mental health, offering a meaningful solution.

Survival Outcomes in Older Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patients Analyzed by Facility Volume and Type: A National Cancer Database Analysis

It is important to understand the outcomes of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients at different facilities as treatment paradigms change. Our primary objective was to determine adult ALL overall survival (OS) by facility volume and type. Secondary objectives included identifying sociodemographic factors that may have impacted outcomes and analyzing treatment patterns by facility volume and type. This was a retrospective analysis of the National Cancer Database (NCDB) that included patients ≥40 years diagnosed with ALL between 2004 and 2016. A total of 14 593 patients were included in this study. Univariate OS was greatest at low volume (LV) and community programs (CPs) and the least at high volume (HV) and academic programs (AP). This difference was lost after multivariable Cox proportional hazards model analysis, which found no difference in survival by facility volume or type, however, survival was significantly influenced by age, race, Hispanic ethnicity, insurance, and residence location (p < 0.05). Patients treated at HV and APs compared to LV and CP received more anti-neoplastic directed therapy. Our results suggest treatment facility volume and type do not impact older adult ALL patient (≥40 years) survival, however confounding sociodemographic differences do impact survival outcomes, despite more aggressive and novel treatment approaches provided at HV and APs.

Enhancing cultural humility in food is medicine services: A mixed-methods investigation of patient food and dietary preferences

Dietary inequities, influenced by sociocultural and economic factors, significantly affect health outcomes, particularly among underserved communities. To address these disparities, the Food is Medicine (FIM) movement strives to enhance access to nutritious food, provide education, and encourage behavioral changes. Boston Medical Center (BMC) ‘s Nourishing Our Community Program (NOCP) exemplifies this mission by offering FIM services such as an on-site food pantry, rooftop farm, and teaching kitchen. However, persistent barriers hinder the effectiveness of programs like NOCP. This quality improvement (QI) project employed mixed methods to refine existing and develop new patient-generated nutrition education materials and resources across various FIM services. MethodsThis QI project included surveys and focus groups conducted electronically and in person between January and May 2023. We analyzed the data using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. ResultsThe analysis of results revealed patient preferences and experiences regarding dietary patterns, food choices, and nutrition education. These findings enhanced existing handouts, websites, and group class curricula and forged new partnerships with local community-based organizations. ConclusionOur findings underpin the importance of co-designing interventions, dynamic and multimodal resources, and cultural humility in care to meet individual needs. ImplicationsThis initiative is a model for hospitals aiming to improve educational resources within FIM services and tailor content to the specific needs of diverse patient populations. This project is the first step in programmatic improvement, and continuous refinement is crucial for sustained improvements and advancing health equity at our institution.

Usability and Feasibility of the Antipsychotic Medication Decision Aid in a Community Program for First-Episode Psychosis.

Although antipsychotic medications are considered first-line treatment for psychosis, rates of discontinuation and nonadherence are high, and debate persists about their use. This pilot study aimed to explore the usability, feasibility, and potential impact of a shared decision making (SDM) intervention, the Antipsychotic Medication Decision Aid (APM-DA), for decisions about use of antipsychotic medications. A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted with 17 participants in a first-episode psychosis program. Nine participants received the APM-DA, and eight received usual care. After their appointments, intervention group participants had less decisional conflict and greater satisfaction with decisions than control group participants had. Use of the APM-DA did not increase appointment length. Comparison of the intervention outcomes with the control outcomes was limited because of the small sample. The results support the feasibility and usability of an SDM process via the use of the APM-DA in routine community psychosis care.

The Stroll Safe Outdoor Falls Prevention Program: Participant Experiences in Naturally Occurring Retirement Community Program Sites

Abstract Date Presented 03/21/24 The qualitative findings from an efficacy trial for the Stroll Safe outdoor falls prevention program will be presented. Results reveal a number of program benefits, including increased safe community mobility strategy use. Primary Author and Speaker: Tracy Chippendale Contributing Authors: Szu-Wei Chen

Incorporating a One Health Approach Into the Study of Environmental Crimes and Harms: Towards a ‘One Health Green Criminology’

Abstract Amid increasingly intense and frequent Emerging Infectious Disease events, such as COVID-19, it is evident that the current global ecological crisis poses a threat to the health and well-being of humans, non-human animals and ecosystems. This paper aims to expand existing green criminological scholarship by arguing for the incorporation of a ‘One Health’ perspective. This would (1) enable the integration of scientific knowledge to better address threats, harms and crimes to health and well-being; and (2) contribute to the advance of Eco-justice. The study identifies four areas where a One Health perspective within green criminology may reveal overlooked harms and threats to health and well-being. Conversely, integrating green criminology would benefit the One Health scientific community and specific programs.

Health and well-being of refugee women in sex work: A systematic literature review

Introduction: Refugees face many barriers when arriving in a new country, and these barriers are especially felt by women, who often travel alone or with children. These barriers create a situation where some women turn to sex work, either voluntarily or involuntarily. Both refugees and sex workers face adversities related to their mental health and well-being, however little research has examined the intersections between both identities outside of STI incidence and violence. Objective: This systematic literature review aimed to explore mental health and overall well-being of women refugees who engage in sex work. Themes were extracted to better understand experiences to inform clinical and community practice. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using PsycInfo, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, ProQuest, and Medline, as well as grey literature for articles published between 2013 and 2023. The JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research was used to evaluate the quality of the primary research articles. 11 articles were included in the final synthesis. Results: The five themes included Fear, Mental/Psychological Health, Social Well-being, Economic/Financial Well-being, and Spiritual Struggles. These themes were interconnected to shape the experiences of these women within their circumstances. Engaging in sex work as a refugee, particularly in instances of sex trafficking, created significant challenges in all aspects of well-being, and the circumstances related to being a refugee often increased vulnerabilities to become involved in sex work for survival. Conclusion: These results suggest the need for policies, community programs, and clinical practice protocols to address the unique needs of women refugees to mitigate factors drawing them to sex work, and better support those who are currently involved in it.

INFLUENCE OF DIETARY HABITS ON BODY COMPOSITION IN LEBANESE ACTIVE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: A GENDER SPECIFIC ANALYSIS

Problem Statement: The unhealthy lifestyle behaviors that university students face comprising sedentary behaviors are associated with weight gain and obesity in this critical life age. Purpose: The purpose of the study is to explore the effect of dietary habits on body composition parameters in Lebanese Active University Students according to gender. Methods: A sample of 200 students from the Lebanese University, faculty of education, physical Education department were studied. The standardized Dietary questionnaire (Turconi et al., 2003) was used to assess the dietary habits of the participants. Body Composition was assessed using the method of multifrequency bioelectrical analysis. Five body composition parameters were assessed: Body Height, Body Mass, Body mass index, Percentage Body Fat mass, and percentage of Skeletal Muscle mass. Results: Lebanese Physical Education students showed satisfactory results and scored above average in the four sections of the nutrition survey. Regarding gender-based classification, males showed better scores in sections of dietary habits and nutrition knowledge, while females showed better scores in physical activity rated level, and nutrition beliefs. Regarding Body Composition, Lebanese students were found in normal body weight. The multiple regression analysis technique showed that the dietary habits factor has mild to moderate influence on body composition specifically on its three tested dependent variables: BM, BFM, and SMM. Conclusion: Findings support the need from educational and health authorities to develop and evaluate health-promotion and obesity-prevention programs for university communities especially for female gender with regular healthy lifestyle monitoring and standardized assessments.

Leveraging Patient Education to Amplify Colorectal Cancer Screening in the United States: Strategies and Implications.

Despite several available screening modalities, colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer deaths, especially among populations with lower screening rates. Barriers to screening include cost, access, awareness, and education disparities, with interventions such as patient education programs and mailed screening kits showing promise in increasing participation rates. The current review elucidates the correlation between patient awareness/knowledge and screening rates in the United States, highlighting the pivotal role of education in mitigating these deficiencies. Different educational models, including online resources, mailed information, community programs, direct provider-based interventions, and narratives, are explored in terms of their effectiveness and limitations. We also offer a blueprint for primary care providers (PCPs) that highlights the importance of tailored education, barrier identification, and utilization of available resources to enhance CRC screening uptake. Large-scale adoption of educational strategies has the potential to significantly increase CRC screening rates and consequently reduce mortality associated with this preventable malignancy.

25-Year Evaluation of an In-Person Therapeutic Community Program in the Southwest United States between 1994 and 2019

This study investigated the effect of therapeutic community programming and aftercare treatment completion on rearrest rates in the Southwest United States across 25 years. The asymptote of rearrest trajectories did not occur until 10 years post-release, although this varied by risk classification. Treatment receipt was not related to 25-year rearrest trajectories. However, people classified as higher risk were more likely to be rearrested than those classified a low risk while controlling for treatment receipt. Aftercare completion extended the time to arrest; individuals completing an aftercare program were less likely to be arrested, and high-risk participants that completed aftercare showed a similar rearrest trajectory as low-risk participants.

Reaching out to fathers in Afro-Caribbean contexts: a case study review of best practices from the Fatherhood is Sacred program in native communities.

Historical trauma has played a significant role in the difficulties of fathers to fulfill their coparenting roles in Native American communities. This pattern is also true for men in Afro-Caribbean communities. Fatherhood programs developed by the Native American Fatherhood and Family Association (NAFFA) have shown effectiveness in supporting fathers, enhancing their confidence and coparenting skills, and overcoming trauma in Native communities. This paper seeks to identify the opportunities and best practices for cross-cultural adaptation of the Fatherhood is Sacred program to Afro-Caribbean families and contexts.

Natural Health Community Program and Well-Being: An Uncontrolled Study of Women Survivors of Domestic Violence.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a local natural healing service program and to explore how engagement in natural healing services related to the well-being of survivors of domestic violence. Using longitudinal secondary data, we conducted t-tests, regression, and correlation analysis on three measures (hope, distress, and empowerment) that were completed by the participants (N = 31). We provided evidence of the positive impact of a community-based natural healing services program on the well-being of survivors of domestic violence, specifically their sense of hope. This research represents the potential for natural healing services provided at the community level.

Willingness and capacity of publicly-funded vector control programs in the USA to engage in tick management

BackgroundThe vast majority of vector-borne diseases in the USA are associated with mosquitoes or ticks. Mosquito control is often conducted as part of community programs run by publicly-funded entities. By contrast, tick control focuses primarily on individual residential properties and is implemented predominantly by homeowners and the private pest control firms they contract. We surveyed publicly-funded vector control programs (VCPs), presumed to focus mainly on mosquitoes, to determine what tick-related services they currently offer, and their interest in and capacity to expand existing services or provide new ones.MethodsWe distributed a survey to VCPs in the Northeast, Upper Midwest and Pacific Coast states of the USA, where humans are at risk for bites by tick vectors (Ixodes scapularis or Ixodes pacificus) of agents causing Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases. The data we report are based on responses from 118 VCPs engaged in vector control and with at least some activities focused on ticks.ResultsDespite our survey targeting geographic regions where ticks and tick-borne diseases are persistent and increasing public health concerns, only 11% (12/114) of VCPs reported they took direct action to suppress ticks questing in the environment. The most common tick-related activities conducted by the VCPs were tick bite prevention education for the public (70%; 75/107 VCPs) and tick surveillance (48%; 56/116). When asked which services they would most likely include as part of a comprehensive tick management program, tick bite prevention education (90%; 96/107), tick surveillance (89%; 95/107) and tick suppression guidance for the public (74%; 79/107) were the most common services selected. Most VCPs were also willing to consider engaging in activities to suppress ticks on public lands (68%; 73/107), but few were willing to consider suppressing ticks on privately owned land such as residential properties (15%; 16/107). Across all potential tick-related services, funding was reported as the biggest obstacle to program expansion or development, followed by personnel.ConclusionsConsidering the hesitancy of VCPs to provide tick suppression services on private properties and the high risk for tick bites in peridomestic settings, suppression of ticks on residential properties by private pest control operators will likely play an important role in the tick suppression landscape in the USA for the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, VCPs can assist in this effort by providing locally relevant guidelines to homeowners and private pest control firms regarding best practices for residential tick suppression efforts and associated efficacy evaluations. Publicly-funded VCPs are also well positioned to educate the public on personal tick bite prevention measures and to collect tick surveillance data that provide information on the risk of human encounters with ticks within their jurisdictions.Graphical

The supervision gap in peer support workforce: implications for developing effective peer support programs in Native American communities

The article addresses the critical role of peer support programs in the delivery of behavioral health services. Peer support is instrumental in fostering mental health and overall wellness. Its efficacy is widely recognized in the broader population, including minority groups and communities. Peer support programs also offer distinct benefits for the health of Native American communities. When specifically tailored to these communities' needs, they address individuals' unique cultural, historical, and social challenges during their recovery journey. However, the persistent supervision gap in the peer support workforce poses a significant challenge to implementing these programs. This gap not only hampers the effectiveness of the programs but also limits their potential benefits. The paper conducts a comprehensive exploration of the causes and consequences of this supervision gap, underscoring the urgent need to address it and its implications for the mental health of Native American communities. The urgency of addressing this supervision gap is paramount, as it directly impacts the mental health and wellness of Native American communities. Also, it identifies and advocates for best practices in supervising peer support workers, explicitly focusing on Native American individuals and communities. In this vein, it raises awareness for more culturally sensitive, effective, and impactful peer support programs for Native American communities. The main objective is to improve Native communities' mental health and wellness by harnessing the power of peer support and ensuring its effective implementation through adequate supervision.

Self-efficacy of physical education teachers: how does it contribute to achieving the overarching objectives of national sport?

Self-efficacy is the conviction that one can perform the tasks required to accomplish specific goals. Teachers' self-efficacy is crucial in the physical education environment to promote active engagement in achieving the objectives of the Great Design of National Sport (DBON). This study aims to examine physical education teachers' self-efficacy and how it affects their participation in DBON implementation. The research method used was a descriptive survey with a quantitative approach. The research sample consisted of 40 physical education teachers in Cilacap district at the elementary school level selected by random sampling. Data were collected through questionnaires measuring the level of self-efficacy and teachers' participation in DBON programs. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. This study revealed that the average self-efficacy of sports teachers in contributing to achieving the goals of the National Sports Grand Design (DBON) related to increasing sports culture in the community was 90.78%. In addition, the average self-efficacy of sports teachers in terms of capacity, synergy, and productivity of national achievement sports is 88.12%. The average self-efficacy of sports teachers related to improving the sports-based economy is 87.08%. These results indicate that the level of self-efficacy of physical education teachers is in the moderate to high category. There is a significant positive correlation between teachers' self-efficacy and their level of participation in DBON activities, where teachers with high self-efficacy are more likely to be actively involved in sports development programs in schools and communities. The conclusion of this study is that increasing physical education teachers' self-efficacy can significantly contribute to the successful implementation of the National Sport Grand Design. Recommendations include training and workshops to improve teachers' self-efficacy as well as support from the school and government to facilitate teachers' active participation in DBON programs. Keywords: Self-efficacy, Physical Education, Teachers, National Sport Grand Design

Care in the Community: A COVID-19 initiative to reduce hospital re-presentations among community-dwelling people.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on the utilisation of hospital and emergency department (ED) services. We examined the effect of a rapid response service on hospital re-presentations among people discharged from the ED and short-stay wards at a tertiary referral hospital. This retrospective cohort study compared 112 patients who completed the Care in the Community program with 112 randomly selected controls. Both cases and controls were discharged from hospital between September 2020 and June 2021. Intervention patients were evaluated by a multidisciplinary team, who implemented a goal-directed program of up to 4-weeks duration. Logistic regression, negative binomial regression and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to evaluate outcomes at 28 days and at 6 months. The median time between referral and the first home visit was 3.9 days. In adjusted analyses, the intervention reduced hospital re-presentations at 28 days (odds ratio: .40, 95% confidence interval (CI): .17-.94) and lengthened the time to the first hospital re-presentation (hazard ratio: .59, 95% CI: .38-.92). Although the intervention did not reduce the total number of hospital re-presentations at 6 months (adjusted incidence rate ratio: .73, 95% CI: .49-1.08), it reduced total time spent in hospital by 303 days (582 vs. 885). This study is among the first to investigate the effect of a community-based intervention on hospital re-presentations during the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides evidence that a sustainable 4-week intervention is associated with reduced hospital re-presentations and time spent in hospital.

학습공동체 프로그램 참여가 대학생들의 학업적 자기효능감, 회복탄력성, 대학몰입, 학업 성취도에 미치는 영향

Objectives This study investigated the effects of university students’ participation in learning communities as extracurricular programs on their academic self-efficacy, resilience, institutional commitment, and academic achievement. Methods A total of 72 undergraduate students attending a 4-year university in Korea participated in the study. They all have participated in learning community programs for one semester and were tested for their academic self-efficacy, resilience, institutional commitment, and academic achievement before and after their learning community experiences. Pre- and post-test data for these dependent variables were analyzed using SPSS 28.0 through paired sample t-tests. Results The analysis found that the participating students’ overall academic self-efficacy and all of its three sub-factors showed a statistically significant increase. Similarly, the resilience area also showed a significant increase in pre-post comparison, and significant increases were confirmed in the control and sociability sub-factors. The participating students’ level of university engagement in total and in two of the three sub-factors showed a significant increase. No significant difference was found in academic achievement between pre-test and post-test results. Conclusions The results of this study confirm that learning community programs in universities can have a positive impact on important areas for university students such as academic self-efficacy, resilience, and university engagement. This suggests that various learning community programs be facilitated in many universities to promote improvement in these areas.