Community Stakeholders Research Articles

How can we improve support for women with perinatal anxiety in primary care? A qualitative study.

Perinatal anxiety (PNA) occurs during pregnancy and up to 12 months post-partum. PNA affects more than 21% of women and can impact adversely on mothers, children and their families. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance identified evidence gaps around non-pharmacological interventions for PNA. This qualitative study aimed to understand the perspectives of a variety of Perinatal Mental Health (PMH) stakeholders about non-pharmacological interventions for PNA. Ethics approval. Semi-structured interviews with women with lived experience of PNA, healthcare professionals (HCPs), voluntary community and social enterprise (VCSE) stakeholders and commissioners. Topic guide modified in response to emerging themes. Interviews digitally recorded with consent, transcribed, and analysed thematically. A patient advisory group was involved throughout the study. There were 25 interviews conducted. Women with PNA expressed a wish to choose from a range of non-pharmacological interventions, which are often delivered by VSCE organisations or not commissioned within the NHS. HCPs described a hierarchy of interventions that can be offered to women, often related to severity of a woman's PNA. PMH VCSE stakeholders emphasised that their services are flexible and accessible for women with PNA. Tension exists between what is currently recommended by NICE and thus commissioned, and the types of intervention that women want to access, including support from VCSE services. Clinicians should be aware of local VCSE organisations which provide care for women with PNA. There is an evidence gap around the effectiveness of various interventions delivered by VCSE organisations, which requires further exploration.

Developing an Evaluation Training Program for Community-Based Organizations: A Participatory Curriculum Development Approach

Community-based organizations increasingly recognize the value of evaluative insights in informing decision-making and improving their services. However, these organizations often lack the capacity to conduct and use evaluations, and traditional evaluation capacity building (ECB) activities are not always adapted to their particular contexts. This practice note introduces an innovative evaluation training program for small grassroots community-based organizations. Employing a participatory curriculum development approach, the training program was tailored to meet the specific needs and realities of the community sector. The authors first outline the collaborative process used to involve community and academic stakeholders in the program’s development. They then present the resulting training plan, consisting of seven self-directed online learning modules with chosen activities to foster learning and knowledge transfer into practice. The potential implications for designing, researching, and evaluating similar initiatives are explored and discussed.

The need for a whole-of-community, victim-centred approach to mass victimisation incident planning and response

There have been a large number of masscasualty incidents in recent years, including climate change-related disasters, mass shootings, terrorist attacks, transportation accidents and a global pandemic. Communities, families and friends have suffered grief and loss, while nations continue to bear the scars of trauma. Disasters caused by acts with criminality, although necessarily managed by the police for the investigative aspect, must be planned for, and responded to with victim-centred practices by the police, local government and other relevant community stakeholders for the duration of the response and recovery. Inconsistency and confusion over terminology and language in emergency management can lead to a lack of understanding about which stakeholders or agencies should be engaged in, and responsible for different aspects of the planning, preparedness, mitigation and response to a community disaster — regardless of what type of disaster it is, and irrespective of the disaster being caused by a person or persons with ill-intent. This paper discusses how a wholeof- community and victim-centred approach to criminal act disaster response should be applied to support those persons most adversely affected by the incident. It also promotes the application of victim-centred practices to ensure that the needs of victims are regarded ethically, and with compassion following any disaster caused by an act of criminality. The term ‘mass victimisation incident’ will be introduced and applied through a case study.

The case for change: Reimagining research to transform military culture

LAY SUMMARY The research community is encouraged to think about how their work contributes to military culture and how it can contribute to positive change. This article discusses the importance of meaningful inclusion by making stakeholder communities part of the research process: from thinking about the research questions that need to be asked to how research results can be shared and used across academic, government, and community sectors. It is critical to apply best practices that support meaningfully inclusive research, such as Sex and Gender Equity in Research guidelines and Gender-based Analysis Plus. It is also important that the defence research community establish quality assurance in following best practices to positively contribute to military culture change. Other ways in which research can be reimagined to transform military culture include critical methodologies and the co-production of research with affected communities.

Biodiversity Analysis of Protected Forests in Central Kalimantan: Implications for Conservation and Sustainable Management

Protected forests in Central Kalimantan are vital reservoirs of biodiversity, housing diverse flora and fauna crucial for local and global ecosystems. Despite their ecological significance, these forests face imminent threats from deforestation, illegal encroachment, and climate change, jeopardizing their biodiversity and ecological integrity. This study aims to assess the biodiversity of Central Kalimantan's protected forests and explore its implications for conservation and sustainable management. The research methodology employs a comprehensive approach, integrating field surveys, laboratory analysis, and community engagement. Field surveys involve transect walks, camera traps, and direct observations to inventory flora and fauna. Soil and water analyses assess habitat conditions, while participatory approaches engage local communities in forest management. Findings reveal a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including rare and endemic species such as Shorea stenoptera and Dipterocarpus grandiflorus. High Shannon-Wiener and Simpson diversity indices indicate a healthy ecosystem, but deforestation and illegal encroachment pose significant threats, fragmenting habitats and disrupting species survival. Climate change exacerbates these challenges, necessitating adaptation strategies for ecosystem resilience. Community participation emerges as pivotal in conservation efforts, leveraging traditional knowledge and fostering sustainable livelihoods. Collaboration among stakeholders is essential for effective forest management, emphasizing the need for holistic conservation strategies. In conclusion, this study underscores the urgent need for conservation action to safeguard the biodiversity of Central Kalimantan's protected forests. By integrating scientific research with community engagement, policymakers and stakeholders can develop effective strategies to conserve these invaluable ecosystems, ensuring their sustainability for future generations.

Scaling and sustaining research tested interventions: Lessons learned from Rhode Island Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration 3.0.

Childhood obesity is a significant health problem associated with negative physical and mental health outcomes. Although evidence-based family healthy weight programs (FHWPs), such as JOIN for ME, have been developed, there is a significant lag before these are disseminated more broadly. This study outlines the process of participating in the Speeding Research-tested Interventions (SPRINT) program, highlighting lessons learned, to increase the reach of a previously tested and efficacious FHWP, JOIN for ME. Qualitative interviews were conducted with policymakers, benefits providers, employers, philanthropists, community stakeholders, and medical providers to iteratively test the developed JOIN for ME business model and identify themes regarding effective scaling and sustainability of an evidence-based FHWP. Rapid qualitative analysis of 45 interviews identified four key themes regarding scaling of an FHWP. These were (i) virtual program delivery, (ii) focus on equity, (iii) return on investment, and (iv) tie-in to local community. The process of engaging stakeholders from multiple backgrounds is critical to refining an efficacious program to ensure scalability and sustainment. The SPRINT process allows researchers to understand the marketplace for evidence-based interventions and develop adaptations for sustaining and scaling research tested programs.

“Story-Mapping” Within a Local Festival Environment: A Method to Encourage Regenerative Tourism

Limited research has been conducted on the benefits of utilizing festival spaces for methodologies involving storytelling and narrative inquiry for use in other (related) areas of investigation (e.g., tourism). This article introduces a method, “story-mapping,” for the collection of locals’ stories during a combined arts festival. The intention was to capture place-focused data from community stakeholders from the case study destination, Bridgend County Borough, South Wales. Locals were encouraged to tell stories about the area, including specific grassroots elements using a map as a visual prompt. The process was designed to empower and involve the local community in defining and sharing a “sense of place” as part of a paradigm shift towards regenerative tourism. Utilizing “story-mapping” in the festival space proved effective but also presented some challenges. The article evaluates the method through the lens of narrative inquiry and makes recommendations for future researchers wishing to utilize this approach.

Investigating various factors that influence perceived mental health in physical activity participation in West Sumatera, Indonesia: An approach using SEM-PLS

Problem Statement. Individual involvement in physical activity or sports is very important for the survival of a healthy and quality life, so the supporting and influencing factors need to be investigated. Purpose. This study aims to test a model related to factors that influence perceptions of mental health, including cognitive awareness, emotions, spirituality, and social environment for sports participants. Methods. A total of 1,351 volunteers from 18 regions in West Sumatra participated in this study. The data collection technique used a survey via Google Forms, distributed via WhatsApp social media. Data were analyzed using the Partial Least Square (PLS) method by assessing content validity, Average Variance Extracted (AVE), Inner Model, and hypothesis testing. Result. The results showed that cognitive awareness significantly affects awareness of the social environment (t = 13.142; P<0.05) and perceptions of mental health (t = 4.458; P<0.05). Emotional awareness significantly affects the relationship of awareness of the social environment (t = 5.572; P<0.05) and perceptions of mental health (t = 4.870; P<0.05). Environmental and social awareness significantly affects mental health perceptions (t = 7.397; P<0.05). Spiritual awareness significantly affects awareness of the social environment (t = 4.014; P<0.05) and perceptions of mental health (t = 5.851; P<0.05). Conclusions. It can be concluded that aspects of cognitive, emotional, and spiritual awareness and social environment are essential in influencing perceptions of mental health in individuals participating in sports. The findings highlight the importance of paying attention to cognitive, emotional, spiritual, and social environmental aspects of mindfulness for the sports community or other stakeholders to help create an environment that supports the quality of life of participants involved in sports

Health and wellbeing in the face of crises associated with climate or conflict: how can knowledge from the humanities and social sciences help us respond to disasters?

This commentary considers how SHAPE (Social-Sciences Humanities & the Arts for People and the Economy) disciplines contribute to interdisciplinarity, inclusiveness and international cooperation in work to address the challenges to health and wellbeing arising from crises and to inform strategies for crisis preparation, response and recovery. It reviews examples of strategies to address growing international concerns about the global challenges we face, given the increasing scale and frequency of crises arising due to geopolitical conflicts and climate change. In spring 2023, the British Academy, aided by funding from the Wellcome Trust, held three virtual workshops to discuss how we can protect and sustain good health during and after crises precipitated by extreme events associated with climate change or conflicts in various settings around the world. The discussion highlighted the need for Interdisciplinary perspectives, and how knowledge and experience from SHAPE disciplines can complement STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) perspectives, helping to inform disaster response strategies and to develop more ‘systemic’ preparedness to protect health during crises. The significant roles of governmental agencies and non-governmental organisations, and the importance of international cooperation were acknowledged. The discussion also emphasised the need to acknowledge the importance of using effective means to engage with stakeholders in communities at the local scale, whose lived experience and knowledge, often embedded in cultures and traditions, can usefully inform ‘joined-up’ policy and practice. A case was also made for more inclusive strategies: for example, acknowledging the vital roles of women during and after disasters.

Empowering School Nurses: Enhancing Child Trafficking Awareness and Preparedness in American Public Schools.

Child trafficking poses a momentous public health threat to students in public schools. Although school nurses are exceptionally positioned to identify and respond to trafficking, most lack training and resources in this critical area. This project aimed to evaluate the impact of a multifaceted intervention on school nurse preparedness and practices related to child trafficking in an Oklahoma public school district. The project involved Unbound Now's nationally accredited training program for school nurses, implementation of the Fuentes et al.'s Toolkit for Building a Human Trafficking School Safety Protocol (HTSSP) funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and facilitation of a roundtable discussion to initiate community collaboration. The results of the pretraining Fraley and Aronowitz School Nurses' Awareness and Perceptions Survey (SNAPS) illuminated variations in school nurses' knowledge and awareness of child trafficking, demonstrating the need for continued training. Post-training evaluations exhibited highly positive feedback, suggesting its effectiveness in meeting the training's objectives. Following the community stakeholder roundtable, the lead school nurse employed the HTSSP toolkit and directed efforts in successfully constructing and implementing a district-wide policy of procedures to respond to suspected cases of human trafficking. However, the project's limitations include a small sample and a single-school district focus. Despite these limitations, this project delivers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities for enhancing school nurse preparedness in addressing trafficking. This project serves as a foundation for future initiatives to improve students' safety and wellbeing in public schools.

Enacting Worldmaking Agency: Navigating and Negotiating Precarious Tourism Work and Lifestyle Mobilities in Lunenburg

Worldmaking for and through tourism often produces a reality that is advantageous to some populations and suppressive to others. Indeed, the production of precarious and feminized tourism labor is evidence of the tourism industry’s simultaneous reliance upon and re-creation of the system of global capitalism. However, tourism is fundamentally relational, meaning it is constituted by, and relies upon, the very peoples and places it (re)produces. Herein lies the multiplicity and simultaneity of situated tourism life-worlds, as well as the potential for progressive detachment from dominant representations. Ethical worldmaking is presented as a threefold system involving the conception of tourism beyond or outside of global capitalism; the appropriation of our inescapable role in the production of tourism worlds; and the recognition that a multiplicity of tourism community stakeholders simultaneously interprets and shapes tourism worlds according to such intersecting differences as gender, race, class, age, nationality, sexuality, and so forth. Applying this framework to an empirical study, the lived experiences of regionally mobile woman working in tourism provide insight into the tension and contradiction underpinning cultural tourism production in Lunenburg, Canada. Thus, a series of coping strategies are enacted in order to navigate and negotiate their complex positionality, blurring the boundaries between leisure and labor, travel and migration, subjugation and empowerment.

A new approach to entrepreneurship and regional development: key roles of purpose and well-being in the Swansea Bay City Region

PurposeThis paper critically evaluates regional development through the lens of well-being and purpose. The paper provides insight into the key roles that well-being and purpose play in regional development and the way in which various actors are engaged in this process. This paper focuses on the Swansea Bay City Region within Wales, a country at the forefront of well-being legislation.Design/methodology/approachThis paper analyses a case study of 4theRegion, a membership organisation that undertakes regional development activities underpinned by a social purpose and well-being across the Swansea Bay city region. 4theRegion has been selected due to (1) its unique business model; (2) its clear focus on well-being and purpose; and (3) the influence of its regional development actions bringing together various stakeholder groups under a common aim.FindingsThis paper extends existing debates on collaborative development approaches and underlines the unique emphasis on asset-based local development influenced by well-being, which seeks to engage with a variety of community stakeholders to derive “holistic flourishing”. This emphasises inclusive development activities across the region, through people, place, process and purpose, underpinned by well-being. The research also underlines debates about the subjectivity of well-being and how the impact of well-being legislation can be evaluated.Originality/valueThis research provides a new way of looking at regional development, through the lens of well-being and purpose and provides insight into the way in which various actors are engaged in this process. Implications of this research could influence policymaking in supporting regional development activities, as well as practical lessons for those involved in place-based development.

Jon’s Heroes in Training: A Cross-Sector Collaboration Serving University and Community Stakeholders

Jon’s Heroes in Training (JHT) represents a strong cross-sector collaboration that was created and has evolved over the past five years. JHT is an after-school program where children (ages 3–22) with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis come to the local university to engage in high-quality physical education lessons designed and implemented by physical education teacher education (PETE) students currently taking a required Adapted Physical Education class. This article discusses (a) the process required to establish the shared mission and vision of JHT and the role of the Office of Civic Engagement (OCE); (b) the negotiated roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, including university faculty from PETE, PETE students, children with ASD and their families, and local non-profit organizations; (c) the impact of JHT on its stakeholders; and (d) lessons learned and future directions.

Citizen science as a vehicle to address multiple policy objectives: Case studies from Australia.

Despite increasing interest in citizen science as an approach to engage members of the public in research and decision making about health and wellbeing, there is a lack of practical evidence to guide policy and practice organisations to utilise these approaches. In this study we investigated how and why citizen science came to be incorporated into the work of two policy organisations. We offer two in-depth case studies of Australian government organisations which have utilised citizen science in environmental and healthy ageing policy. Interviews with organisational informants and relevant documents were analysed inductively to explore how citizen science came to be adopted, legitimised and supported. Citizen science was utilised to address multiple organisational objectives, including increasing community participation in science; enhancing individuals' wellbeing, learning, and skills, and generating data to support research and policy in a relatively cost-effective manner. In both cases, grant funding was a mechanism to support citizen science, with project delivery facilitated through academic-policy partnerships and led by external academic or community partners. Although citizen science is relatively new in policy and practice settings, this study underscores the value of these approaches in realising co-benefits for organisations, academics, and community members. The support and advocacy of senior managers as 'champions', and a willingness to invest in trialling new approaches to address policy problems are necessary ingredients to foster acceptance and legitimacy of citizen science. SO WHAT?: Citizen science initiatives can be strategically utilised by health promotion organisations to enact priorities related to genuine community involvement, support research and innovation and facilitate collaboration and partnerships between academic, policy and community stakeholders.

Critical Rhetoric Meets Community-Based Participatory Research

ABSTRACT This project responds to a set of methodological challenges for the critical commitments of rhetorical fieldwork and investigates how community-based participatory research (CBPR) methods can help address them. As an example, we draw on Bailey Flynn’s CBPR research with Resilience, a not for-profit “rape crisis center” that provides services and therapy to thousands each year in Illinois. CBPR, like participatory critical rhetoric (PCR) methods, privileges field data as objects of rhetorical analysis. Unlike PCR and other approaches, CBPR methods prioritize the formalization of collaborative relationships with community stakeholders at every stage of research. We argue that greater integration of CBPR methods in rhetorical field methods will aid in privileging the epistemological perspectives of community stakeholders, solidifying critical communication scholarship’s commitment to conducting research with consequences, and providing a common ground for interdisciplinary exchange between critically trained rhetoric scholars and qualitative communication researchers.

Analyzing the Economic Impact of Airport Expansion Projects on Local Communities

Airport expansion projects have significant economic implications for local communities, ranging from job creation and increased tourism to enhanced infrastructure and property development. However, the economic impact of such projects is complex and multifaceted, influenced by factors such as location, scale, and community characteristics. This research paper examines the economic effects of airport expansion on local communities, drawing on empirical evidence and case studies to explore the opportunities and challenges associated with these projects. By analyzing various dimensions of economic impact, including employment, tourism, and infrastructure development, this paper aims to provide insights for policymakers, urban planners, and community stakeholders engaged in airport expansion initiatives.

Rural tourism: Nurturing prosperity and community resilience

Rural tourism entails visiting rural regions for leisure, recreation and cultural immersion. It is valued for its potential to generate economic opportunities, preserve cultural heritage and conserve natural resources while empowering local communities. It offers potential for economic development by creating employment opportunities and generating income for rural residents through various tourism-related activities. This paper investigates the benefits to local communities of rural tourism development through a comprehensive review and insights from community stakeholders. The research was based on existing literature and employed a survey using a structured questionnaire and rigorous data analysis techniques. The survey included three well-known villages for their tourism experiences in the Korça region located in the southeastern part of Albania. The primary research targeted 200 members of the local communities aiming to analyze their perceptions of the benefits that rural tourism brings to their communities both in terms of income generation and socio-economic benefits. The study revealed that rural tourism has positively contributed to the economic development of these communities through revenue growth, the generation of employment and self-employment opportunities as well as the improvement of infrastructure through the lens of community perspectives. Rural tourism holds considerable promise for advancing sustainable development by offering economic, social and environmental benefits to rural regions. However, careful planning, community involvement and adherence to sustainable tourism principles are required.

Exploring the consent process among pregnant and breastfeeding women taking part in a maternal vaccine clinical trial in Kampala, Uganda: a qualitative study

BackgroundThe involvement of pregnant women in vaccine clinical trials presents unique challenges for the informed consent process. We explored the expectations and experiences of the pregnant women, spouses/partners, health workers and stakeholders of the consent process during a Group B Streptococcus maternal vaccine trial.MethodsWe interviewed 56 participants including pregnant women taking part in the trial, women not in the trial, health workers handling the trial procedures, spouses, and community stakeholders. We conducted 13 in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 23 women in the trial, in-depth interviews with 5 spouses, and 5 women not in the trial, key informant interviews with 5 health workers and 5 other stakeholders were undertaken.ResultsDecision-making by a pregnant woman to join a trial was done in consultation with spouse, parents, siblings, or trusted health workers. Written study information was appreciated by all but they suggested the use of audio and visual presentation to enhance understanding. Women stressed the need to ensure that their male partners received study information before their pregnant partners joined a clinical trial. Confidentiality in research was emphasised differently by individual participants; while some emphasised it for self, others were keen to protect their family members from being exposed, for allowing them to be involved in research. However, others wanted their community participation to be acknowledged.ConclusionWe found that pregnant women make decisions to join a clinical trial after consulting with close family. Our findings suggest the need for an information strategy which informs not only the pregnant woman, but also her family about the research she is invited to engage in.

The Billion Oyster Project and Curriculum and Community Enterprise for Restoration Science Curriculum: Summary of STEM+C and ITEST Program Impacts on NYC Teachers and Students

For over a decade, the Billion Oyster Project and Curriculum and Community Enterprise for the Restoration of New York Harbor (BOP-CCERS) Educational Program has supported New York City teachers and students through experiential learning in science education. The program has been supported by over $10 million dollars of award support from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and has involved multiple community stakeholder collaborations led by Pace University. Within the University, the initiative spanned three different schools and colleges with collaboration through many academic departments. Two grants in the project have been the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics plus Computing (STEM+C) and Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) program. The purpose of this article is to summarize the major impacts this integrated program has had on New York City teachers and students designed to provide teachers with experiential education support and engage students to improve their STEM education and encourage further STEM studies and career pathways. Results from over a decade of programming, vast amounts of data collection and analysis, and multiple research studies have indicated considerable achievements for the program involving both support for teachers and engagement for students. The long-term outcome is improved student STEM achievement and recruitment and retention of diverse students in STEM college programs and careers.

Supercapacitor performance enhancement with the BaS3:Cu2S:Mn2S trichalcogenide semiconductor synthesized via dithiocarbamate precursors

AbstractDue to its potential uses, including e‐vehicles, electrochemical energy storage has attracted a lot of interest from the scientific community and energy stakeholders. With the usage of the novel semiconductor chalcogenide BaS3:Cu2S:Mn2S, which is synthesized by chelating with diethyldithiocarbamate ligand, the current work seeks to enhance the performance of charge‐storage devices. An energy band gap of 2.57 eV was found for this semiconductor, which showed remarkable photoactivity. The chalcogenide that was produced had favorable crystallinity, with an average crystallite size of 26.92 nm and mixed crystalline phases. Additionally, metallic sulfide linkages were identified using infrared spectroscopy, and they were reported to range from 400 to 845 cm−1. Thermal breakdown in two steps was verified using thermogravimetric analysis. Particles with different forms and a rod‐like fusion suggested a higher volume–surface area ratio and many locations. The electrochemical performance of the BaS3:Cu2S:Mn2S was evaluated using a traditional three‐electrode setup with a background electrolyte of 1‐M KOH. BaS3:Cu2S:Mn2S is a great electrode material for energy storage applications, with a specific power density of 10 618 W kg−1 and a specific capacitance of up to 694 F g−1. The same series resistance (Rs) = 0.46 Ω further supported this remarkable electrochemical performance.