Community Programs Research Articles

Justice reinvestment—Local solutions for young people in contact with the criminal justice system, but should more be done?

AbstractJustice Reinvestment aims to prevent young people coming into contact with the criminal justice system through place‐based, data‐driven and evidence‐based community solutions developed through community‐based leadership and partnerships. The initiative also advocates for strategic changes to the justice system, with any savings reinvested into successful community programs. This paper will discuss the historical, international and local perspectives of Justice Reinvestment, recent Commonwealth funding opportunities, and how well these initiatives work for young people in New South Wales.

Workplace collaboration and overall job satisfaction of elementary school teachers at Indanan North District, Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education-Sulu

This study aimed to determine the extent of workplace collaboration and overall job satisfaction of elementary school teachers in Indanan North District, Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education-Sulu during the School Year 2023-2024. The study involved 100 teachers, mostly female, married, aged 31-40 and 41-50 years, with master's degrees and 5 years or less of teaching experience. On average, school administrators and teachers had good work relationships, and teachers were very satisfied with their teaching jobs. The study found that other variables, such as gender, age, civil status, and length of service, did not influence how teachers assessed the extent of workplace relationships. The study also found that the group of teachers who perceived workplace collaboration as very good likely had the same overall job satisfaction. The study supports Abun et al.'s Workplace Relationship Model, which posits that workplace relationships are characterized by employer-employee relationships and employeeemployee relationships. Employer-employee relationships involve open communication between supervisors and subordinates, while employee-employee relationships involve mutual respect and cooperation in community programs or activities.

A Survey Study of Motivators for Pediatric Hospitalists to Work in the Community.

The loss of pediatric beds in the community has contributed to decreased access to pediatric inpatient and emergency services. Community pediatric hospitalist programs could reduce the overhead of inpatient care, promoting the financial feasibility of caring for hospitalized children closer to home. This study aims to determine which career motivators are the most important for pediatric hospitalists to begin working in, remain in, and leave the community setting. A survey was sent to a convenience sample of 269 community hospitalists from 31 different sites. Sites were invited if the program director was known to the authors. Responses were evaluated and χ-square or Fisher's exact test were used to compare the differences. One hundred twenty six community pediatric hospitalists completed the survey (response rate 49.1%). The 3 most important motivators for pediatric hospitalists to begin working in the community were work-life integration (80%), geographic location (75%), and flexible hours (71%). Pediatric hospitalists who planned to leave the community setting were more likely to cite mentoring and teaching opportunities (76% vs 32%, P = .0002), opportunities for research and quality improvement (29% vs 10%, P = .021), and paid time for nonclinical interests (52% vs 26%, P = .02) as very important. This study demonstrates key motivators for pediatric hospitalists to work in the community and elucidates motivators for transitioning to larger pediatric centers. This knowledge may be used to guide community pediatric hospital medicine recruitment and program development that could lead to improved retention.

Health Literacy among Korean American Immigrant Women in the USA: Role of Social Support

ABSTRACT Health literacy is associated with health behaviors and outcomes. Using Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Health Services Use, this study examined the role of limited English proficiency (LEP) and social support for the health literacy of Korean American immigrant women, one of the most affected groups by LEP. Researchers surveyed 232 Korean American immigrant women in a metro area in a Southeastern state, U.S. Health literacy was measured by the CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Questionnaire and the California Health Interview Survey. Participants with better English proficiency and larger social support had higher health literacy. LEP and social support interaction was significantly associated with health literacy, illustrating social support as a buffer that mitigates the negative impact of LEP on health literacy. Community programs that enhance social support through community health advocates or peer educators may increase health literacy and reduce health disparities among Korean American immigrant women with LEP.

The Role of Primary Care in the Social Isolation and Loneliness Epidemic.

The United States is facing a social isolation and loneliness crisis. In response, the US Surgeon General issued an advisory in May 2023 recommending actions that health care, community programs, and social services can take to collaboratively improve social connection. Primary care has a critical role to play in implementing the Surgeon General's recommendations. We present social isolation and loneliness as medical issues and highlight next steps for the primary care sector to combat this epidemic.Annals Early Access article.

Mental health implementation research in Indigenous communities: creating culturally safe space to enhance collective strengths

In this article, we discuss the construct of cultural safety in relation to the ethics, politics, and practice of implementation research in Indigenous communities. We convened a 3-day workshop, bringing together 23 Indigenous and non-Indigenous collaborators from First Nation communities and universities across Canada to reflect on experiences with implementing an Indigenous youth and family mental health promotion program in First Nation communities. Participants identified three dimensions central to achieving culturally safe space in implementation research: (1) interpersonal dynamics of collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners; (2) structural and temporal arrangements necessary for collaborative work; and (3) the systematic recognition and incorporation of Indigenous cultural knowledge, values, and practices. Within implementation research, attention to cultural safety can mitigate the epistemic injustice that arise from research frameworks and methodologies that exclude Indigenous perspectives and values. Cultural safety can increase the likelihood that the research process itself contributes to mental health promotion.

Depression and suicidal ideation among Black individuals in Canada: mediating role of traumatic life events and moderating role of racial microaggressions and internalized racism.

Although suicidal ideation (SI) is a serious concern in Canada, its prevalence and related factors among Black individuals are poorly documented. Using data from the Mental Health of Black Communities in Canada project (BeCoMHeal), this study aimed to assess the prevalence of SI in Black individuals aged 15-40 years old in Canada, the mediating role of traumatic life events in the association between depression and SI, and the moderating role of racial microaggressions and internalized racism. Eight hundred and sixty participants aged between 15 and 40 years (Mage =24.96, SD = 6.29) completed the online questionnaire assessing sociodemographic data, depression symptoms, traumatic life events, racial microaggressions, internalized racism, and SI. Findings showed that 25.7% of the participants reported having experienced SI (26.5% women, 22.7% men, 𝛘2 = 1.08, p = .299). The moderated-mediation model revealed that traumatic life events fully mediated the association between depression and SI (B = 0.12, p = .004; 95% CI, [0.04, 0.20]) and that racial microaggressions (B = - 0.03, p = .042; 95% CI [-0.07, - 0.00]) and internalized racism (B = 0.06, p = .006; 95% CI [0.02, 0.10]) moderated this relationship. These findings underscore the importance of addressing racial microaggressions and internalized racism in therapy contexts among Black individuals to mitigate the potential negative impacts on their mental health. They also emphasize the need to develop effective, culturally sensitive, and racially adapted suicide prevention and intervention programs for Black communities in Canada.

Current Procedural Practices of Family Medicine Teaching Physicians.

Proficiency in procedural care achieved during residency is a major driver of family physician scope of practice. To date, no inventory exists of the advanced procedures and clinical skills performed by teaching family physicians. This study comprises the first such survey and assesses the attitude of respondents toward the importance of family physicians performing procedures. We sent a clinical skills inventory to a convenience sample of teaching family physicians employed at 18 medical school-affiliated, community, and military residency programs across the United States. The overall response rate was 46% (N=337). Respondents performed a median of 12 advanced procedures and clinical skills (IQR: 8-18). Endorsed procedures ranged from skin biopsy (n=316, 93.8%) and joint injection (n=279, 82.8%) to colonoscopy (n=21, 6.2%) and cesarean delivery (n=23, 6.8%), and reported skills ranged from medication-assisted treatment (n=181, 53.7%) to highly active antiretrovial therapy (n=35, 10.4%). Gender and career stage were associated with statistically significant differences in endorsement of specific procedures. For example, fracture management was more likely to be performed by late- versus early-career faculty (54.1% vs 24.2%, P<.001) and by male versus female respondents (54.9% vs 24.2%, P<.001). Most respondents (84.3%) agreed that future family physicians should learn procedures and advanced clinical skills. Family medicine teaching faculty perform a wide array of procedures and advanced skills. Apparent differences by career stage and gender identity in the performance of some of the procedural and skill areas may portend a shift in the procedural training of future family physicians.

Turning community stories into community art1

A broad range of community art projects and programmes have been documented around the world since I first reported on this project in 2012. However, it still remains that lack of time and/or funding means that most art teachers are unable to engage in community arts or generate resources and opportunities to teach community arts. This means that unless community art projects directly engage schools and teachers in their projects and time is put aside for students and teachers to go on excursions, visit sites and engage with these communities, there are few opportunities for students to engage in community arts-based learning. This article reports on an innovative community art project that engaged narrative, and sculptural form, as a way of learning about community, place and identity. The project is explained from the perspective of an art educator, researcher and artist who was employed in the project both as community artist and as facilitator. This ‘insider’s perspective’ aims to afford some context to relevant theories through which such projects can be understood as potentially beneficial to art education – particularly in the way people have used narrative to communicate issues of place and the ways in which artists have translated community narratives into sculptural form. The author’s insider perspective offers insight into this project to share how a community art project could be designed and facilitated for students to engage in their local region and therefore a way forward for teachers and students to engage in something similar, to learn about how community stories can be translated into contemporary art, and the important role of place and identity in this work.

A Mixed Methods Examination of Decision-Making During Program Exploration and Implementation in Schools.

Schools are a critical setting to promote healthy youth development through the provision of evidence-based programs (EBPs), yet preventive EBPs in schools are underutilized. The Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment (EPIS) framework highlights numerous factors that may influence program adoption during the Exploration phase and progress monitoring during the Implementation phase. However, no research has systematically and simultaneously identified the factors that influence school administrators' decision-making during these important processes. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 24 school administrators in the Midwestern region of the U.S. to understand how they weigh various considerations that inform their adoption and progress monitoring of prevention programs. Results indicated that school administrators consider five separate factors during the adoption decision, prioritized in the following order: need for the program, school community buy-in, contextual fit, resources, and program characteristics (including the evidence-base). Further, administrators consider five indicators to monitor program performance, prioritized as follows: intervention fidelity, quantitative and qualitative data that determine if the identified need was met, school community buy-in, resource consumption, and program characteristics. Implications for prevention scientists and suggestions for future research are discussed.

문화도시 사업의 사회적 효과 분석

Korea's cultural city project has been promoted since 2019 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Although this project has been in progress for four years, there is little empirical analysis of performance or effectiveness. Chuncheon City was selected as a preliminary cultural city in 2019 and then designated as a cultural city in 2020. The purpose of this study is to empirically analyze the social effects of the Chuncheon Cultural City project “Dosiga Salon”. This study established factors at the individual level(cultural enjoyment, happiness, domiciliation factors, awareness of exchange, connectedness), regional level(social capital), and project level(recognition of program effectiveness). In addition, the effect was estimated based on the accumulated experience of the program(frequency or period of program participation). The survey was conducted on 260 space owners, professionals, and residents who participated in this project, and social effects were analyzed through independent sample T-Test and one-way ANOVA. As a result of the analysis, the group that participated in this project frequently or for a long time generally had a higher average score than the group that did not participate, and the results were statistically significant. These results show that the cultural city project is leading to positive changes in local residents. The results were consistent with the goals of the cultural city project: ‘expanding the enjoyment of culture by local residents’ and ‘creating a local cultural foundation and strengthening capabilities’. Based on these results, we proposed the need to establish a mid-term plan for this project, develop community programs, and build social capital.

Evaluating a peer-to-peer health education program in Australian public housing communities during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundThe cohealth Health Concierge program operated in Melbourne, Australia from July 2020 to 30 June 2022. It provided peer-to-peer support to culturally and linguistically diverse residents of high-rise public housing. During this time, the COVID-19 public health response changed frequently and included movement restriction, testing and vaccination. We conducted a mixed-methods evaluation to determine the Health Concierge program’s impact on residents’ engagement with health services and public health activities.MethodsThe evaluation, informed by a Project Reference Group, used the RE-AIM framework. We analysed data from 20,901 routinely collected forms describing interactions between Concierges and residents from August 2021 to May 2022. Additional evaluation-specific data were collected between March and May 2022 in four housing estates; we surveyed 301 residents and conducted 32 interviews with residents, Concierges and program stakeholders.ResultsConcierges promoted COVID-safe behaviours; linked residents with support, testing and vaccination services; and disseminated up-to-date information. Of the 20,901 recorded interactions, 8,872 (42%) included Concierges providing support around COVID-19 vaccination. Most surveyed residents (191/301, 63%) reported speaking with a Concierge in the previous six months. The self-reported two-dose COVID-19 vaccine uptake was 94% (283/301). Some residents described having meaningful, appreciated conversations with Concierges, and some described superficial interactions. While residents initially welcomed the program, many felt it failed to evolve. Poorly defined management and hiring criteria led to variable program implementation. A need for bicultural workers to continue linking residents with services was discussed.ConclusionsConcierges’ impact on residents may have contributed to high community uptake of COVID-19 testing and vaccination, and had benefits beyond the COVID-19 remit. We recommend the program be revised and continued to inform further preparedness planning and support service access generally. Program models such as this have potential to inform and reassure high-risk communities during a pandemic. In addition, such programs can help overcome vaccine hesitancy and promote protective health behaviours, regardless of whether a pandemic is currently occurring. Ensuring these programs remain responsive to the changing needs of end-users needs over time is imperative.

Community Support for Harm Reduction and Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder.

As the opioid epidemic continues, availability of evidence-based strategies for harm reduction and treatment in communities is critical to reduce overdose and other consequences of opioid use disorder. Community members' support of harm reduction and treatment services is needed for new programs and to maintain existent programs. This study sought to understand beliefs and attitudes associated with support for three community-based strategies to address opioid misuse and addiction: naloxone, needle exchange, and medication-assisted treatment. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey with 545 adults. Results of the survey showed that participants supported all three strategies, with the strongest support for medication-assisted treatment. Multiple regression showed that stigma and perceived stigma were significant predictors for all three strategies, with inverse relationships. Stigmatizing beliefs predicted less support while perceiving stigma among others was associated with greater support for the strategies. Normative beliefs also significantly predicted support for all three strategies, such that stronger belief that others were supportive of each strategy was associated with greater support for that strategy. Other predictors varied across the three strategies. Support for harm reduction and treatment programs in communities affected by the opioid epidemic may be bolstered by reducing stigma and increasing normative beliefs. Stronger support for medication-assisted treatment may be leveraged and extended to harm reduction strategies. Results of our study contribute insights for bolstering community support for harm reduction and treatment, which is vital for adoption and maintenance of these important programs.

Factors Associated with Beneficiary Outcomes from Community Health Programs in Predominantly Low-Income African American Communities in Mississippi USA.

Community health programs (CHPs) can improve the conditions of disadvantaged populations through direct health and support services. We examine factors associated with two CHP beneficiary outcomes including program needs being met and satisfaction in the low-income and predominantly African American cities of Belzoni and Jackson in Mississippi, USA. A retrospective and cross-sectional design is implemented using chi squared tests and regression analysis of 108 survey responses from a convenience sample. Chi-squared test results associate program meeting needs with gender, participation, efforts towards financial success, and financial condition. Satisfaction is also associated with age, marital status, gender, years at address, degree of participation, ethnicity, efforts at financial success, and financial condition. Equally, logistic regression analysis associates satisfaction with marital status, gender, years at address, age group, ethnicity, education, and efforts at financial success. The negative relationship between participation in program activities and satisfaction, and the large size of participants (42-57%) who areless likely to report satisfaction with services, calls for an investigation of the causes of low levels of satisfaction. Immediate and long-term improvements needed to strengthen the fit between CHP services and beneficiary needs in Belzoni and Jackson are recommended.

Don't Say "Beans" When Promoting Plant Protein to Family Meal Planners.

To identify "headlines" that would engage recipients to consider plant protein over red meat. Mail and web survey. Urban Minnesota community. 144 survey respondents from our health plan and community program distribution lists who live with at least 1 other person and eat meat. We asked respondents how likely they would be to click on each of 24 headlines with a motivator (eating plant protein for health vs for environmental reasons) and a barrier (family preferences, knowledge about plant proteins, or cooking skills). 16 headlines contained the word "beans". We created categorical variables for each headline construct: (1) motivator, (2) barrier, and (3) reference to beans. Using a mixed model with random effects, we compared, for each construct, respondents' self-reported likelihood to click on a headline. Health-related headlines performed significantly better than environmental headlines (P = .0019, 95% CI .01, .11). Family-oriented headlines performed slightly better than skills-oriented (P = .0927, 95% CI -.01, .11) and knowledge-oriented (P = .0960, 95% CI -.01, .11) headlines. Headlines containing the word "beans" performed significantly worse than those not containing "beans" (P < .0001, 95% CI -.22, -.12). The population represented by our survey respondents report being most likely to click on headlines that emphasize health and family. They report they are significantly less likely to click on headlines that promote beans.

Effectiveness of a pharmacist-led, community group-based education programme in enhancing diabetes management: A multicentre randomised control trial

AimsThis study presents a protocol for the Pharmacy Integrated Community Care (PICC) program, meticulously designed to enhance Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and augment knowledge about diabetes mellitus (DM) among individuals diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in the Sarawak State of Malaysia. MethodsFrom 1 May to December 31, 2023, a prospective, multicenter, parallel-design randomised controlled trial will be conducted with two groups, each consisting of 47 participants. The intervention group will receive a structured, four-session group-based program guided by experienced pharmacists, focusing on medication adherence and diabetes management. The control group will follow the standard Diabetes Mellitus Adherence Clinic program. The primary outcomes of this study encompass enhancements in knowledge regarding diabetes medication management and adherence, followed by subsequent changes in HbA1c levels. ConclusionsThe successful implementation of the PICC program holds promise for enhancing health outcomes in the T2DM population, potentially leading to more effective diabetes management initiatives and better health practices in the community. Trial registration clinicaltrials.gov identifierNCT05106231.

Placing community supported agriculture in local food systems

ABSTRACT Community supported agriculture (CSA) has grown in recent years as a marketing and distribution option for farmers. CSA involves ‘shareholders’ subscribing to a regular share of a farm’s harvest. The experiential structure of CSA provides opportunities for farmers to develop relationships with consumers and strengthen their local food systems (LFSs). By bringing consumer perspectives into view, LFS development personnel and other stakeholders may better understand where their residents place value within their unique systems. In this manuscript, we focus on the place of CSA in LFSs. Using survey responses from 13 communities in the Southeastern United States, we ask how different aspects of LFSs are perceptually linked to CSA by consumers. From these responses, residents seem to be more aware of CSA if they have knowledge about other direct markets – such as farmers markets or specialty retail stores – or are exposed to local food campaigns and branding efforts. Similarly, residents more positively evaluate CSA performance if they have similar evaluations of direct markets and experience with on-farm activities. These patterns differ depending on the location of the respondent. We see a role for place-based LFS promotion activities and consumer education programmes in most communities.

Preventive Nursing, Community Engagement, Health Promotion: The Pathway to Improving Health Care in Nigeria

The article explores the many obstacles that the Nigerian healthcare system encounters and suggests a holistic strategy that includes preventive nursing, health promotion, and community participation to improve healthcare provision. The research underscores the significance of community participation, emphasising its function in cultivating a feeling of affiliation and possession, as well as establishing a connection between the community and healthcare programmes. The text extensively examines the notion of preventative nursing, highlighting its multiple character as both a specialised nursing practice and a subject rooted in public health. The objectives and constituents of preventive nursing are delineated, highlighting its function in timely identification, proactive interventions, and its influence on national health results. Health promotion is presented as a vital component of healthcare reforms, with the goal of enabling people to make knowledgeable decisions about their well-being. The article outlines the objectives of health promotion, with a particular focus on minimising risk factors and encouraging a proactive approach to maintaining good health. The text discusses strategies for efficacious health promotion in Nigeria, including the engagement of community leaders and the use of both conventional and digital approaches. The text examines the notion of community participation, characterising it as a multifaceted and all-encompassing process that entails a dynamic interchange of ideas and resources among many stakeholders. The research highlights the significance of active community engagement in decision-making processes, emphasising its role in fostering inclusivity and collaborative decision-making. The paper finishes by underscoring the crucial significance of nurses in the domains of preventive nursing, health promotion, and community involvement. This highlights the need of adopting a comprehensive and interdisciplinary strategy to tackle the difficulties encountered by the healthcare system in Nigeria. The report promotes urgent and cooperative measures, emphasising the potential of the suggested ways to improve healthcare in Nigeria.

PENYULUHAN PERILAKU HIDUP BERSIH DAN SEHAT (PHBS) DI SDN 2 ULIM PIDIE JAYA

Clean and healthy living behavior (PHBS) is a series of actions implemented based on awareness, which is the result of the learning process. This behavior is key to shaping individuals, families, groups, or communities capable of maintaining their own health and actively contributing to creating optimal health conditions in their surroundings. For example, PHBS activities are carried out at SDN 2 ULIM involving 29 students from the 6th grade. The students' participation in these activities proves that health education significantly contributes to improving their understanding of clean and healthy living behavior. Through these activities, students can comprehend the importance of maintaining personal and environmental hygiene and put it into practice in their daily lives. Therefore, it is crucial to broaden the scope of health education activities so that more students can gain in-depth knowledge about PHBS. Involving more participants, such as families and communities, can be a strategic step in creating an environment that supports a healthy lifestyle. Awareness of the importance of clean and healthy living behavior also needs to be widely socialized, perhaps through community programs or public campaigns. Thus, health messages can penetrate and be implemented by the wider community. In other words, health education activities not only serve to enhance knowledge but also as part of the effort to form sustainable positive behaviors towards achieving optimal public health

Dynamics of Cultural Diversity and Intercultural Communication in the Era of Multiculturalism and Cosmopolitanism in Brazil

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate dynamics of cultural diversity and intercultural communication in the era of multiculturalism and cosmopolitanism&#x0D; Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.&#x0D; Findings: Brazil showcases a vibrant blend of cultural diversity and cosmopolitanism, where various traditions coexist. While cosmopolitanism fosters openness to global perspectives, social and economic inequalities persist, impacting access to opportunities. Ethnic and racial tensions remain, particularly affecting marginalized communities. In summary, Brazil's multicultural landscape presents a dynamic mix of cultural influences, but challenges related to inequality and cultural identity preservation persist.&#x0D; Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Cultural pluralism theory, cosmopolitanism theory &amp; contact theory may be used to anchor future studies on dynamics of cultural diversity and intercultural communication in the era of multiculturalism and cosmopolitanism. Organizations, educational institutions, and community programs should prioritize intercultural competence training. Advocate for multicultural policies that recognize and celebrate cultural diversity within societies.