Community Perceptions Research Articles

Global malaria vaccine research and community perception in Africa: a systematic review

Abstract Background Malaria vaccine is one of the critical areas in tropical health research, considering the success recorded in other vaccine-preventable diseases. This review provides an overview of global malaria vaccine research and systematically reviews community perception of the vaccine in Africa. Methods A validated search was conducted to identify scientific literature on malaria vaccines in the Scopus database from 2005. Bibliometric indicators explored include publication/citation indices over time and the overall research themes using VOSviewer. A further in-depth search was undertaken in five databases to identify studies on community perception of malaria vaccine in Africa. Studies were screened, quality appraised, and narratively synthesized. Results 6457 malaria-vaccine-related documents were found in 160 journals/sources from 189 countries/territories. There were 214,323 total citations, with 33.2 average citations per document and 167 documents’ h-index. The United States, United Kingdom and Australia combined produced more than 60% of the publication output. Six themes emerged from the global malaria vaccine research: Merozoite surface protein, characterization, trials, infant/children, traveler, and research/review. Twenty studies (n = 20) met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review. Overall perceptions of malaria vaccines varied in African communities (26.2-88.2%), in addition to higher willingness to accept the vaccines (32.3%-96.0%), poor knowledge/awareness (11%-60%) and misconceptions (19.2%-20.9%). Other issues identified include vaccine availability and logistics. Conclusions Malaria vaccine research and citations have increased considerably, mainly targeting vaccine development and safety/efficacy in Africa. African communities’ perceptions of the vaccine varied, with most of the population willing to accept the vaccine. Key messages • An increase in number of malaria vaccine research targeting vaccine development, and safety and efficacy in Africa. • Varried malaria vaccine perception in Africa, including willingness to accept the vaccine, awareness, misconceptions, availability and logistics.

A Pentahelix Model Approach: Creating Vilage Innovation Perception in Sokaraja Village Banyumas

The development of village innovation has become unsustainable, and the financial support provided by the government each year has become less effective in driving innovation. This study aims to identify the factors influencing village innovation development from the community’s perspective. The research was conducted in Sokaraja Village, Banyumas Regency, where two sub-tofu business group were selected: Tofu business group A, which has village assets, and Tofu business group B, which does not. Data was collected through a survey of 60 respondents, 30 from each tofu business group, chosen in collaboration with the village administration. The survey, conducted between January to May 2024, explored community perceptions using the Pentahelix model, which encompasses the roles of social institutions, government programs, market support, innovation sources, and communication media, across 22 indicators. Data was analyzed descriptively using Importance Performance Analysis (IPA). Although all aspects of the Pentahelix model play a vital role in fostering village innovation, several indicators still require performance improvement. Strengthening village-owned enterprises and empowering local economic institutions is crucial to enhancing innovation efforts, with the support of the village community and assistance from external stakeholders.

Gender Norms, Attitudes and Perceptions towards Male Involvement in Maternal Health in Kafue District, Lusaka

Male involvement in maternal health remains a major issue despite efforts by the international community. Despite the many benefits of male involvement in antenatal care there has been an observed low participation. Community gender norms, attitudes and perceptions towards male involvement in maternal health may affect the utilization of services offered by health facilities. The gap observed in many studies is that the attitude and perception of men regarding maternal health have largely been neglected. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the gender norms, attitudes and perceptions towards male involvement in maternal health in Kafue district of Zambia. The study adopted a descriptive research design. Both quantitative and qualitative paradigms were utilized in this study. A sample of 150 participants was used. Data was collected by the help of questionnaire and in-depth interviews. Results showed that respondents from Kafue were knowledgeable on antenatal care. Additionally, it was also revealed that respondents had a positive attitude towards male involvement in maternal health. However, due to gender norms their roles were limited when it came to delivery and child care. Nevertheless, the findings showed that men were involved in supporting their wives and helping out with house chores and providing money for antenatal care, skilled birth at a hospital, postnatal care, childcare and any necessities required for delivery. Men who were married were more likely to be involved in maternal health than men who were not married. The study also revealed that men were not comfortable with discussing their wives’ pregnancy with a health care provider due to lack of privacy. Findings suggested that there were many factors affecting male involvement in maternal health. Lack of messages and programs targeting men, health stuff attitude during delivery, gender norms such as men not being allowed to attend to women when in labor and hospital infrastructure were identified by the respondents as a cause to low male involvement. In this study, it was also revealed that men and women had a positive perception towards pregnancy being a shared responsibility, men supporting and caring for their wives during and after delivery. However, both men and women had a negative perception towards men’s presence in the delivery ward.

Provider and community perceptions of integrated COVID-19 and routine childhood immunisation programmes in Nigeria: a qualitative exploratory study

BackgroundIn Nigeria, COVID-19 vaccines were delivered through outreach activities, as well as integrated within routine immunisation. However, evaluations of integrated approaches for novel vaccines are scarce. We aimed to understand the perceived benefits and challenges of integrating the COVID-19 vaccine within routine immunisation in Nigeria, and identify ways to strengthen this approach.MethodsWe conducted 30 semi-structured interviews with community members and healthcare workers in primary healthcare facilities (PHCs) in Jigawa (n = 16) and Oyo (n = 14) states, Nigeria from 08 August to 13 September 2022. Participants were selected purposively from PHCs. We obtained information on participants’ perception about routine immunisation, and perceived benefits and challenges associated with integrated COVID-19 vaccine delivery. Healthcare worker and community interviews were analysed separately following a thematic analysis approach.ResultsWe identified four themes that describe the community and healthcare workers’ responses, perceived impact, and the health system adaptions to the challenges associated with the integrated vaccine delivery approach. Community members expressed concern that children might be given COVID-19 vaccines instead of routine immunisations, while others appreciated the integrated approach due to their trust in the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, government, and healthcare providers. Healthcare providers perceived the integrated approach as improving vaccination coverage and awareness but noted additional problems of increased workload, vaccine scarcity, and prolonged clinic visits. Insufficient resources were subsisting barriers to effective integration in both states, but the provider’s gender was also a challenge in Jigawa state. Additionally, the use of incentives to generate demand had ambiguous effects in Jigawa state.ConclusionTaking an integrated approach to deliver COVID-19 vaccines was acceptable by healthcare providers but community members expressed concerns. Given existing vaccination programmes have persistent challenges, it is pertinent to address these barriers to enhance effectiveness of an integrated approach.

Media Coverage of Sports Concussion: An Experimental Study of Framing Effects on Community Injury Perceptions

The media portrayal of sports concussion (SC) contributes to community understanding of injury. However, this could be hampered by inaccurately framed (minimising) SC coverage. 157 volunteers were randomly allocated to one of six online survey conditions. The conditions used a brief written news sports report with a non-serious (MI) or serious (MA) SC frame. Additional conditions varied the injured player’s sex (male or female) or the sport (unnamed or basketball). Standardised measures were administered, including the Illness Perceptions Questionnaire-Revised, and a custom-measure of perceptions of SC seriousness (SISI). A series of one-way ANOVA’s revealed one statistically significant framing effect for the SISI ( p < .05, large effect). Post-hoc pairwise comparisons found higher SISI scores for MA compared to MI conditions. There was no difference in the player sex or sport variants. No differences were found on other outcome measures. This study replicated a MA versus MI framing effect on the SISI, however wider effects were not seen. The framing effect on community perceptions of SC may be more circumscribed than previously suggested. While this requires further investigation, minimising frames should still be avoided as per existing recommendations.

THE IMPORTANCE OF A CONTINGENCY PLAN

The dissertation titled “The Importance of a Contingency Plan: For the Residents of Vila Bom Jesus in the Municipality of Canaã dos Carajás-PA in Cases of Dam Rupture” addresses the urgent need for an effective contingency plan for this vulnerable community. The social relevance of the topic is unquestionable, given the increasing incidence of natural and technological disasters. The Brumadinho tragedy in 2019 highlighted the devastating consequences of dam failures, underscoring the importance of preventive measures. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of current contingency plans and propose recommendations to improve the preparedness and resilience of Vila Bom Jesus residents. Specific objectives include analyzing the structure of existing plans, assessing community perception, and proposing strategies for continuous improvement. The methodology used is based on a literature review, with strict inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure the relevance and quality of the analyzed articles. The thematic analysis of the data facilitates the identification of patterns and critical elements for the development of effective plans. The results reveal that although contingency plans exist, the lack of knowledge and adequate preparation among residents compromises their effectiveness. Anderson Vasconcellos Amaral’s research highlights the transformation of Canaã dos Carajás landscapes due to mining and agriculture, and the social and environmental implications of these activities. The dissertation concludes that contingency plans need to be continuously reviewed and updated, incorporating new information and best practices. The contributions of this study are significant for the protection of vulnerable communities, providing practical guidelines that can be adapted to different contexts.

Residents’ perceptions of tourism development in the context of a new governance framework for Portuguese protected areas: The case of a small peripheral natural park

Historically, Portuguese protected areas (PAs) have been operating under top-down governance, often neglecting local communities. In 2019, the Portuguese government established a new governance model for PAs, based on co-management. The new co-management approach emphasises collaborative and participatory governance and positions sustainable tourism as a catalyst for territorial revitalisation and local development. However, local communities' attitudes and perceptions regarding tourism in these areas remain largely uncharted. This study focuses on the Alvão Natural Park (PNAL), a small rural and mountainous Portuguese PA, which is currently in the early stages of co-management implementation. Our goal was to investigate local residents' perceptions of tourism's impacts and identify potential divergence among resident groups and their level of support for tourism development. These insights are crucial because the active engagement of local communities is a key element for sustainable tourism development and the successful implementation of co-management. The study employed a self-administered survey, garnering responses from 250 PNAL residents representing over half of the park's population. Factor analysis identified four primary perceptual dimensions and cluster analysis classified residents into three distinct groups based on their tourism perceptions. While most PNAL residents express support for tourism development, there is a resounding call for new policies to revert the legacy of top-down governance. This research provides essential insights for shaping effective tourism policies, planning and development strategies, and ensuring the active involvement of local communities in co-management and sustainable development efforts within the PNAL. Moreover, this study demonstrates the applicability of this research approach in the context of evolving governance models with the potential for adaptation to other PAs across Portugal and other countries undergoing similar governance transitions.

On the brink of social resistance: local community perceptions of mining company operating permits in East Luwu, Indonesia

On the brink of social resistance: local community perceptions of mining company operating permits in East Luwu, Indonesia

Coastal communities' perceptions on coastal erosion and the protective role of seagrass meadows in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Seagrasses are recognized as a nature-based solution for mitigating coastal erosion. However, knowledge on coastal community perceptions regarding coastal erosion causes, impacts, potential mitigation, and the protective role of seagrass meadows is limited in Tanzania. Using stratified random sampling, 323 resident fishers from the Kinondoni and Kigamboni coastal municipalities of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, were selected to participate in a questionnaire survey to understanding their perceptions of coastal erosion impacts and the protective role of seagrass meadows. Further insights were obtained through key informant interviews with village leaders, elders, and BMU leaders, as well as through nominal group technique involving various beach user groups, and non-participant observation. The study found that coastal communities are highly aware of the causes, impacts, and mitigation measures of coastal erosion, with a notable 85.1 % of survey respondents identifying increased wave energy as the main cause. Nominal group technique revealed various categories affected by erosion, including social activities, properties, sacred sites, livelihood stability, and future development opportunities. The key functions of seagrass meadows as perceived by respondents, including enhancing the natural beauty of coastal waters (97.8 %), supporting fisheries (94.4 %), and providing coastal protection (87.0 %), which ranked third. Destructive fishing was identified as the primary cause of seagrass degradation, notably more severe in Kinondoni. Based on the findings, this study recommends regular awareness campaigns on seagrass preservation. Policymakers should integrate seagrass preservation into broader coastal management plans, promote sustainable fishing, and engage communities to ensure the long-term protection of seagrass meadows as nature-based coastal protection solution.

Breaking the cycle: Presenting insights and strategies to overcome violent conflicts hindering social cohesion and progress in South African communities

ABSTRACT This study addresses the pervasive issue of violent conflicts that undermine social cohesion and hinder progress within South African communities. Thus, the study explores the root causes and contributing factors of these conflicts to provide a foundation for developing effective, evidence-based intervention strategies. The investigation revealed five critical themes: (1) community awareness and perceptions of safety, (2) communication and information to ensure safety, (3) causes of violent conflicts in South Africa, (4) community engagement and membership influence and (5) Five Year/third-quarter 2019/2023 Crime Statistics. These themes underscore the complexity of violent conflicts in post-apartheid South Africa, where the persistence of a violent culture, pervasive corruption, and connections between criminal syndicates and government officials exacerbate the situation. The methodology used is desktop research that combined critical review of literature, reports and discussions of identified themes. The study is centred around the concept of Conflict Transformation, which plays a crucial role in fostering relationships and facilitating reconciliation processes in society. This includes grassroots initiatives and the participation of leaders at different levels. The study concludes that that violent conflicts can be mitigated through informed actions and strategic interventions. With these insights, this study offers recommendations as a framework for policymakers and practitioners to develop targeted measures aimed at fostering a safer, more cohesive society. The goal is to break the cycle of violent conflicts to pave the way for sustainable social progress in South African communities.

Empowering Communities through Citizen Science: Dengue Prevention in Córdoba.

Traditional mosquito vector control methods have proved ineffective in controlling the spread of dengue fever. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of community engagement through student-led science in promoting dengue prevention and socioecological factors in the temperate urban city of Córdoba, Argentina. It assesses community perceptions, knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices regarding dengue fever and its vector. Results showed a significant increase in knowledge about the vector and the disease and respondents' adoption of good preventive practices. Student-led science was identified as a valuable tool for reaching households and leading to behavior changes at home. Furthermore, the findings highlighted the need for school programs to address vector biology and vector-borne disease prevention all year round. This study provides invaluable insights into the effectiveness of community engagement through student-led science to promote dengue prevention and socioecological factors. The findings suggest that this approach could be used to control the spread in other regions affected by the disease.

Community attitudes toward tourism and quality of life: a case study of Palangan village, Iran

Community perception is essential for influencing the physical, social, and environmental growth of a region and is key to achieving a high Quality of Life (QOL). Tourism serves as a common means of introducing outsiders to the area where the community lives. Embracing tourism in remote locations like small towns or rural areas can be difficult, and the success of tourism hinges on community attitudes towards it. The community's engagement and approval of tourism are dependent on the benefits such as how tourism improves their QOL in both the short. Therefore, this study aims to explore the local community's perceptions on how tourism influences various aspects of QOL. A survey of 160 households in Palangan Village was conducted to collect primary data, using a conceptual model with 16 indices to evaluate QOL. The findings indicate that the local community generally has a positive perception of the effects of tourism, especially on key QOL components. Civic and generative well-being are considered more significant than other aspects of QOL. Analysis of the data reveals differences in perception across the 16 QOL indices. The highest average ratings were for institutional participation (3.476), quality of employment (3.456), and individual capability (3.203), while the lowest ratings were for standard of living (1.883), social solidarity (2.289), and environmental resource quality (2.725). For instance, the institutional participation index received an average response rating of 3.476. Additionally, the dispersion coefficient index highlighted notable variations in perception, particularly for satisfaction with living conditions (0.488) and standard of living (0.488). Conversely, employment quality (0.360), institutional cooperation (0.385), and freedom of choice had the lowest dispersion coefficients (0.386). Other indices showed moderate levels of dispersion and distribution of perception. In conclusion, these results underscore the significance of community perception in tourism development and its affect on QOL. They also underscore the importance of strategic planning and balanced development to ensure that all aspects of QOL benefit from the expanding tourism sector, leading to a more sustainable and harmonious community.

Empowering youth as Changemakers for gender-transformative action: a play-based participatory approach in South-East Nepal.

This study explored how youth participatory action research (YPAR) methods, specifically play-based activities integrated with cricket, can engage adolescent girls in Nepal's Terai region to identify and address gender-related health challenges. It aimed to assess how these methods contribute to empowering girls, developing research capacities, and promoting gender equity through sports. Three interactive workshops were held with adolescent girls forming 'Cricket Changemakers' teams. Through a combination of cricket-based activities, participatory games, and discussions, the workshops aimed to build research skills and explore gender issues in their communities. Qualitative data were gathered through observations, reflective notes, and outputs from play-based tasks. Data were analysed using framework analysis to evaluate the contribution of these activities to key YPAR processes such as power sharing, communication, and strategic thinking. The play-based methods improved collaboration, networking, and communication among participants. The cricket activities fostered collective power and provided opportunities for girls to reflect on and challenge local gender norms. Participants identified issues including restrictions on mobility, societal expectations, and the unequal distribution of household chores. The workshops facilitated the development of research action plans focused on increasing girls' participation in cricket and shifting community perceptions of girls' roles. The integration of play-based YPAR methods shows promise for fostering gender-transformative change among adolescent girls in Nepal. These methods created a space for girls to express challenges and co-develop strategies for social change. Findings suggest that sports-based participatory research can be a valuable tool in public health interventions for gender equity, though more work is needed to address methodological challenges and ensure meaningful participation.

Community Perception on Rabies Prevention and Control Among the General Population in Puducherry: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Rabies, a deadly viral disease transmitted through animal bites, poses a significant public health challenge in many regions, including Puducherry. Effective prevention and control rely heavily on community awareness and perception. Understanding how the general population perceives rabies risk and prevention strategies is crucial for developing targeted public health interventions. Objectives: To describe the sociodemographic profile and to assess community perceptions of rabies prevention and control among the general population in Puducherry. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study, conducted in the rural and urban Puducherry region from October 2023 to December 2023. A total of 200 individuals were chosen from rural and urban Puducherry regions using a systematic random sampling technique. Individuals over 18 years of age residing in both rural and urban areas of Puducherry were included in the study. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data and entered in MS Excel 2019. Chi-square test was applied to test the difference in knowledge between urban and rural. Results: The majority of the study participants belonged to the age group of 18-29 years (55%), 152 were males and 48 were females. Most of the participants (99%) heard about Rabies and their source of knowledge about Rabies was from Doctors (40.5%), Newspapers & Media (39.5%), and Friends (19.0%). Approximately 82.5% of participants were aware of how rabies is transmitted, while 78.5% understood the signs of the disease. Conclusion: Education plays a significant role in the awareness of rabies as most participants were educated at least up to the primary level in the current study. According to our findings, clear gaps exist in rural people's understanding and attitudes toward rabies prevention and control.

Community perception towards mental illness and help-seeking intention in Southwest Ethiopian Peoples Regional State.

Community perception of mental illness is a collective belief system and attitude about mental disorders; it affects the availability of services, the level of stigma, and the help-seeking intention. This study assessed community perceptions towards mental illness and help-seeking intentions in Southwest Ethiopia. A community-based analytical cross-sectional study was done in Southwest Ethiopian People's Regional State (SWEPRS), from March 1st to June 30th, 2021. All adult individuals >18 years old living in the region were the source population, while all adult >18 years old living in the selected household were the study population. The calculated sample size was 1028. Participants were selected using a multistage sampling technique. A structured, interview-based questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data were entered into Epidata Manager and exported to SPSS for analysis. The response rate for this study was 95.4%. The prevalence of poor perception and unfavorable help-seeking intention of mental illness were 45.8%, 95% CI (42.6, 48.9), and 49.5%, 95% CI (46.4, 52.7) respectively. Being rural [AOR = 1.94 (95% CI:(1.41, 2.66)]c, lack of information [AOR = 4.82(95% CI: (3.39,6.83)], exposure to mental illness [AOR = 4.11(95% CI:(2.64,6.38)] were significantly associated with poor perception of mental illness. Also, gating mental illness information [AOR = 0.40 (95% CI: (0.19, 0.83)], and being exposed to mental illness [AOR = 0.56 (95% CI: (0.41, 0.79)] were significantly associated with unfavorable help-seeking intentions for mental illness. The high prevalence of poor perceptions and unfavorable help-seeking intentions for mental illness can be minimized through providing tailored information regarding the cause, type, and severity of the problem, particularly in the rural areas.

British South Asian and Muslim Community's Perceptions and Experiences of Addiction and Traditional Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services.

Within traditional drug and alcohol (D&A) treatment services, the majority of those accessing support are of white ethnicity, with only a small percentage of people from the British South Asian (BSA) and Muslim community engaging in treatment services. This paper aims to explore perceived barriers to accessing traditional D&A services within the British South Asian and Muslim communities, based on qualitative data from interviews with family members and a practitioner. Qualitative data were obtained via 11 semi-structured interviews involving a practitioner (n = 1), and family and friends (n = 10) of those with historic and current D&A use in the community. Reflexive thematic analysis revealed four themes: (1) awareness of drug and alcohol use in the community, (2) drug and alcohol use as a taboo topic and the impact of admitting use, (3) knowledge of services for treatment, (4) how to increase awareness and accessibility of treatment. There was an increasing awareness of D&A use in the BSA and Muslim community. Despite this, limited conversations and misconceptions around D&A use and recovery led to those using D&A and their family members feeling stigmatised within their community and unable to seek support. This paper concludes by recommending increased communication between the BSA and Muslim communities and D&A treatment services to ensure accessibility of treatment by improving cultural competency.

Attribution of environmental outcomes to climate change: Perceptions of coastal communities in the Caribbean

Attribution of environmental outcomes to climate change is a live debate in scholarly and policy circles. Non-scientific attribution by the lay public has value for enriching the discourse, engagements, and decisions on loss and damage, adaptation and mitigation, communication strategies, and the science-policy interface from local to international levels. There is a need for context-specific studies on perceived climate attribution by the lay public. Unlike the few previous studies that focused on attribution of extreme events to climate change by the lay public, the current paper assessed the key compositional and contextual factors that influence the attribution of environmental outcomes with slow onset to climate change. This study surveyed 441 households in eight small coastal communities in three Caribbean countries and applied a generalized linear regression model with a complementary log-log link to assess the relationship between compositional and contextual factors that influence perceived linkage between climate change and environmental outcome. At the bivariate level, the results showed that ethnicity, marital status, household head highest education, household income, and community of living were significant predictors of the likelihood of the perceived linkage between climate change and worsening environmental outcome. At the multivariate level, when all factors have been accounted for, we found that respondents with higher education were 160% more likely to indicate that climate change has adverse effects on environmental outcomes. Respondents with 10 or more years of experience in their present occupation were 73% more likely to suggest a linkage between climate change and worse environmental outcomes. Other strong predictors included income, ethnicity and community of residence. The perceived relationship between climate change and environmental outcomes differed systematically based on the compositional and contextual attributes of respondents. Several significant relationships at the bivariate level persisted at the multivariate level, indicating that the perceived linkages are robust and entrenched. It is concluded that there are heterogeneities in the perceived relationship between climate change and environmental outcomes based on the compositional and contextual factors of the households. Higher education and longer experience in the same occupation contribute significantly to climate attribution by the lay public.

Community Perspectives on the Environmental, Social, and Economic Impacts of the Tomohon International Flower Festival

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to evaluate the perceptions of the local community regarding the economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts of the Tomohon International Flower Festival (TIFF). Specifically, the study aims to understand how the residents of Tomohon view the festival's contributions to their economic well-being, social cohesion, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability. Research methodology: This research used an exploratory approach to analyse residents' perceptions of the economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts of festival activities in Tomohon. Results: The results of the research indicate that the Tomohon International Flower Festival (TIFF) is perceived positively by the local community across several dimensions. Economically, TIFF is seen as a significant contributor to local income, job creation, and regional revenue. Socio-culturally, the festival enhances social interactions, fosters cultural pride, and supports cultural and educational development. However, the community also expressed concerns about environmental sustainability, particularly regarding waste generation and its negative impact on the city’s aesthetics. Limitations: The data gathered reflects the views of the respondents at a specific point in time and may be influenced by personal experiences, biases, or limited knowledge about broader economic, socio-cultural, and environmental factors. Additionally, the sample size, though sufficient for exploratory analysis, may not be fully representative of the entire Tomohon population, potentially limiting the generalizability of the findings. Contribution: This article contributes to the broader understanding of the socio-economic and environmental impacts of large-scale cultural events like the Tomohon International Flower Festival (TIFF) from the perspective of local communities. This research also serves as a guide for event organizers and policymakers in optimizing the benefits of festivals while addressing community concerns, thereby promoting more sustainable and inclusive event planning.

Energy Service Security for Public Health Resilience: Perception and Concerns in Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan☆

AbstractThe Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan includes six rural counties and one Tribal Nation. The region is characterized by long winters, legacies of the extractive mining economy, and the infrastructural features of extreme rurality, including aging housing and low health service density. The region also faces exceptionally high electricity prices. There is limited research on the public health implications of energy service disruption in rural regions resulting from the increasing intensity and frequency of weather events caused by climate change. This article presents research findings examining the readiness of health facilities in this area to manage the rising intensity, severity, and frequency of severe weather that could disrupt energy services. The study also considers how this knowledge can guide decision‐making to improve energy service access and maintain resilient public health services in the region. This exploratory study utilized a qualitative approach that combines semi‐structured interviews with public health stakeholders and a short survey to triangulate the findings from health facilities. Given the pivotal role of dependable energy services in community health, these findings underscore the community's perception of self‐reliance as both an asset and a hurdle. This perception aligns with the realities of rural communities at the “end of the line” regarding critical infrastructure, which also serves as a formidable barrier to social organization and infrastructure access during energy service disruptions that can severely impact public health.

Parental Perceptions of Community and Professional Attitudes Toward Autism.

The purpose of this study was to examine parent perceptions of professional and community attitudes about autism through the lens of parenting their autistic children from birth through adulthood. Implications of this research may assist with future development and study of professional and community supports of individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. The study participants consisted of 51 parents who had an adult-aged child on the autism spectrum. One-on-one interviews were conducted with parents about their experiences raising a child with autism. Data were double-coded and analyzed using a qualitative, phenomenological approach to explore parents' experiences with and perceptions of society members' attitudes towards autism. Positive and negative themes were identified across parents' perceptions of professionals and of community members. Themes regarding professional attitudes included cooperating with family requests, presuming competence of individuals with autism, complacency towards the needs of families and individuals with autism, and discrimination towards the individual with autism based on age or level of need. Themes regarding community member attitudes included valuing the strengths of individuals with autism, accommodating autistic differences, intolerance of autistic traits, and prejudice towards individuals with autism. Findings indicate that professional and community members presented with both positive and negative attitudes towards autism and individuals on the autism spectrum, with negative attitudes proving more prevalent in parent recollections. Results suggest a need for further research and related training to improve interactions with and support of individuals with autism and their families.