Group Discussion Sessions Research Articles

Psikoedukasi Mengenai Musyawarah Mufakat sebagai Perwujudan Demokrasi Pancasila pada Siswa di SMP Mardi Waluya

The Community Service (PKM) activity held at SMP Mardi Waluya Cibinong on November 22, 2024 aims to provide education on consensus as a manifestation of Pancasila Democracy in the school environment. This activity was attended by 206 grade VIII students divided into five groups. The method used in this activity is psychoeducation, which involves presentation techniques, group discussions, and interactive games. The activity began with a presentation of material on the importance of the value of consensus in everyday life, followed by a group discussion session to hone communication and tolerance skills. In closing, the interactive game session tested students' understanding of the concept of consensus. The results of this activity show that psychoeducation succeeded in introducing the concept of consensus in a practical and interesting way, as well as providing students with a better understanding of the application of Pancasila values ​​in everyday life, especially in the school environment. Through this activity, it is expected that students can internalize the value of consensus and make it a part of their attitudes and behavior in their social life.

Adequacy of Copyright Information or Documentation, the Need for Training in, and Evaluation of Mechanisms for Delivering Copyright Education in Academic Libraries in Ghana

Abstract With academic libraries becoming increasingly involved in copyright issues, the ability to responsibly identify a copyright-protected material is becoming important in the administration of reprographic materials in academic libraries. A mixed methods approach was employed to evaluate the adequacy of copyright information or documentation, the need for training, and the mechanisms for educating library users on responsible use of reprographic materials that ensures a balance of stakeholder rights. Quantitative data was collected from 38 library staff and 530 postgraduate students, while qualitative data was collected from four head librarians (through one-on-one interview sessions), and two groups of six postgraduate students each from two public and two private universities in Ghana (through focus group discussion sessions). Only 21.4 % stated that copyright information or documentation on copyright policies on their university campuses was adequate. Copyright education for both staff and students was generally low in all the four institutions. Only “classroom training” had significant impact on users’ understanding of copyright laws and policies. “Professional associations,” “study visits,” and “consultant training” had little impact on the understanding of students about copyright laws despite most library staff being either “comfortable” or “very comfortable” with their level of knowledge on copyright issues. There is therefore the need to incorporate copyright issues in the school curriculum for students as well as institute CPD programs for professional librarians if academic librarians are to efficiently and adequately play their roles as agents of copyright education to the university community.

Exploring self-care and self-development practices among refugee adolescents through photos: An art-based participatory qualitative study

Introduction Photovoice and photo-elicitation are art-based participatory methods aiming to enable community members to create powerful visual representations to highlight the community issues/manners. This paper attempted to investigate self-care/self-development (SC/SD) practices among refugee adolescents in Germany, as part of a needs assessment based on triangulation (including three qualitative datasets from in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and photographic data). Methods Sixteen male and female refugee adolescents (aged 14–19) from 4 countries participated in the study. Before research implementation, a briefing session was held to explain the details of the project. Participants were asked to take their photos within 6 weeks and send them to the research team along with the answers to 5 questions, following a modified version of PHOTO protocol. For the photo-elicitation study, the participants were invited to join a group discussion session. Results From the collected data including 41 photos and their related statements, four major themes of: “I adapt to the new situation”, “I start to learn again”, “I find new opportunities”, and “I love myself” emerged, illustrating how the refugee adolescents visualized their perspective and practices toward SC/SD. In the group discussion session, the participants mainly emphasized the importance of keeping the good aspects of the original culture in their SC/SD practices. Conclusions The results of this study improve the understanding about SC/SD practices among refugee adolescents and provide a support to the existing literatures for using art-based methods as an effective participatory tool to communicate with adolescents, especially in hard-to-reach populations. The findings also reveal the capacity of refugee adolescents to be involved in youth-based program planning, which can be a significant potential in health care services for this population.

Preventing occupational injuries in the informal construction industry: a study protocol for the development of a safety education intervention for bricklayers and carpenters in Osun State, Nigeria.

Occupational injuries are a growing public health problem. Approximately 1,000 workers die daily from occupational injuries globally. Artisans working in the informal sector of the construction industry in many low/middle income countries like Nigeria have a higher injury predisposition. This study will assess the determinants of occupational injuries and design a safety intervention for informal sector artisans in the Nigerian construction industry. A sequential mixed-methods design will be employed to study 840 bricklayers and carpenters (420 per artisan group) in Osun State, Nigeria. Quantitative data will be collected first while qualitative data will be collected thereafter. Thirdly, a modified Delphi-technique will be employed to co-design a safety education intervention. For the quantitative study, artisans will be recruited via multi-stage sampling and a semi-structured questionnaire will be administered to obtain information on artisans' socio-demographics, work-patterns and occupational injuries. A multivariable regression model will be used to determine the association between injury occurrence and independent variables. Twelve to sixteen focus group discussion (FGD) sessions will be conducted for artisans to obtain group perspectives about injuries and preferred safety training topics. From the FGD and quantitative study findings, a list of items for the safety training module will be compiled for the modified-Delphi process. Thereafter, the content validation index (CVI) will be derived and items with CVI of ≥0.80 will be included in the final safety training module. This paper describes the process required to assess the determinants of occupational injuries among artisans in the informal sector of the construction industry in Nigeria and further proposes the design of a context-relevant safety training intervention. The information from this study will be essential in promoting safe working environments for construction artisans.

Co-creating innovative and accepted legume-based dishes for school canteens with adolescents in a low socioeconomic area

The promotion of sustainable diets, that valorise and give stage to plant-based foods, is beneficial for both human and environmental health. Adolescence is crucial to support healthy and sustainable eating. Despite this, adolescents remain an understudied group, especially those with a lower economic status. This study aimed to develop innovative, sustainable and healthy legume-based dishes for school canteens through co-creation with adolescents in a low socioeconomic status area with high immigration rate.Nineteen adolescents and four chefs participated in iterative sessions of focus group discussions using a combination of methods (Jobs-To-Be-Done, free association tasks, SCAMPER (Substitute-Combine-Adapt-Modify-Purpose-Eliminate-Rearrange) technique) to identify ideas of new legume-based dishes. Subsequently, 91 adolescents rated their willingness-to-try 28 dish concepts based on these ideas. Six concepts were selected and translated into prototypes that underwent further evaluation by 138 adolescents who assessed their liking, sensory and emotional responses.Results showed that all dishes were well-received, with lower acceptance among high-neophobic adolescents, yet none of the selected dishes were rejected. Exploring individual differences in liking identified two clusters with different hedonic patterns. Emotional characterization of dishes showed those that elicit positive emotional responses high in arousal and novelty in all adolescents, independently from food neophobia, increasing their likelihood of acceptance.The study shows that co-creation with adolescents, in combination with understanding individual differences, are promising strategies to develop innovative, healthy and well-received legume-based dishes for school canteens.

Examining the roles and relationships of actors in community health systems in Nigeria through the lens of the expanded health systems framework

BackgroundCommunity health system (CHS) exists through the actions and activities of different actors within and outside communities. However, these actors, their roles and their relationships with one another have not...

Developing a city-wide, community-engaged cancer disparities research agenda.

In response to high levels of cancer disparities in Philadelphia, PA, three NCI-designated clinical cancer centers formed Philadelphia Communities Conquering Cancer (PC3) to bring stakeholders together and establish infrastructure for future cancer reducing initiatives. The PC3 coalition aimed to develop a prioritized cancer disparities research agenda in order to align cancer center resources and research interests with the concerns of the community about cancer, and to ensure that initiatives were patient- and community-centered. Agenda development activities culminated in a city-wide cancer disparities conference. The conference, attended by 55 diverse stakeholders, was the venue for small group discussion sessions about cancer concerns related to prevention, early detection, treatment, survivorship, and quality of life. Sessions were guided by a moderator guide and were audiorecorded, transcribed, and analyzed by the PC3 leadership team. Results were reviewed and consensus was achieved with the help of PC3's Stakeholder Advisory Committee. Stakeholders identified four thematic areas as top priorities for cancer disparities research and action in Philadelphia: communication between patients, providers, and caregivers; education that reaches patients and community members with tailored and targeted information; navigation that assists people in finding and accessing the right cancer screening or treatment option for them; and representation that diversifies the workforce in clinics, cancer centers, and research offices. A community-informed, prioritized research agenda provides a road map for the three cancer centers to collaborate on future initiatives that are important to patients and stakeholders, to ultimately reduce the burden of cancer for all Philadelphians.

'It's especially good just to know that you're not the only one': a qualitative study exploring experiences with online peer support programmes for the Fragile X community.

Accessing peer support can be difficult for people with, or carers of people with, inherited intellectual disabilities. One way to improve access is to provide services online, yet few studies have explored people's experiences with online peer support programmes. We aimed to explore experiences with such programmes for communities affected by fragile X-associated conditions. Qualitative study involving individual semi-structured interviews with 16 people with, or carers of people with, a fragile X-associated condition (n=4 adult premutation carriers; n=12 parents/carers of children/adults), who participated in at least one of three online peer support programmes: educational webinars, Facebook discussion group and small peer group sessions via Zoom. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to develop themes. Three overarching themes relating to experiences were as follows: (1) uncertainty and value of shared experiences, (2) support navigating healthcare, (3) advantages being online, but still a place for in-person events. Educational webinars were perceived to be a valuable source of information about fragile X-associated conditions although people had variable information needs. Facebook discussion groups enabled people to connect with others, although participants expressed some competing preferences for how the groups were organised. Zoom peer group sessions were perceived to help participants feel supported by others, but that consistency in organisation was important. Online peer support programmes were perceived to be beneficial, bridging informational gaps and facilitating social connection. However, participants believed there was still a place for in-person events, some felt educational webinars did not always meet their needs and some had privacy concerns.

Agriculture 4.0 adoption challenges in the emerging economies: Implications for smart farming and sustainability

To ensure food security in this age of production and supply disruption, the agricultural sectors of emerging economies are gradually adopting more smart technologies to achieve sustainability. However, literature on the challenges of adopting Agriculture 4.0-based smart farming technologies is still very limited. This research, therefore, explores the contextual interrelation among the challenges to adopting Agriculture 4.0-based smart technologies in the agricultural production system from a developing country's perspective and prioritizes the identified challenges. A case study was conducted in Bangladesh, an emerging economy, where data was collected through interviews and focus group discussion sessions. A total of 21 challenges were finalized as relevant to the country's context. The Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) technique was deployed to develop a hierarchical structure depicting the challenges' interrelations. The challenges were later ranked based on their relevant weight using the Best-Worst Method (BWM). This study finds technological complexity, lack of collaboration among different stakeholders, inadequate support from the government, and lack of action plans to have very high driving power. Challenges such as high initial investment and operational costs, lack of skilled workforce, and farmers' resistance were found to be dependent challenges. This study is expected to contribute by providing a deeper insight into the challenges of adopting Agriculture 4.0 in emerging economies so that practitioners can take effective mitigating measures to streamline the plant-based agricultural production systems to promote food security and sustainability.

Factors affecting infant feeding choices with a focus on barriers to exclusive breastfeeding in Western Jamaica: a qualitative study

BackgroundDespite the many benefits of exclusive breastfeeding to infants and mothers, only 33% of Jamaican infants are exclusively breastfed up to the recommend six months. This study was conducted to identify factors affecting mothers’ feeding choices focusing on barriers to exclusive breastfeeding of infants six weeks to less than six months old.MethodsA qualitative study consisting of four focus group discussion sessions was conducted among 22 mothers attending postnatal clinics in western Jamaica from May to August 2016. The transcripts were coded by three independent coders and content analysis conducted to generate themes.ResultsFour themes were identified namely, perceived advantages of breastfeeding centered mainly on the benefits of breastfeeding for the infant and mother, perceived barriers of breastfeeding highlighting physical pain and fatigue, supplementing culturally acceptable complementary foods and herbal remedies, and cultural norms including perception of how breastfeeding affects a woman’s body, societal sources of breastfeeding information, satiation of infants, and family and other support. Mothers overwhelmingly agreed that breastfeeding was inexpensive, allowed them to bond with their infants and was good for the overall health and intellectual development of the infants. They identified painful nipples, engorged breasts, lack of sleep, physical exhaustion and pressure to return to work as barriers to breastfeeding. Mothers named a number of complementary foods, such as pumpkin, carrots, potato, banana, and chocho (Chayote), that were culturally accepted for feeding infants in Jamaica and discussed herbs that were considered to aid in infants’ nutrition and overall health. Other cultural factors that were noted to influence exclusive breastfeeding were mothers feeling that breastfeeding would help their bodies, especially their bellies, go back to their pre-maternity figure, sources of breastfeeding information in the society including the internet, belief that breast milk alone does not satisfy babies, and family and other support.ConclusionMothers in this study identified unique challenges to exclusive breastfeeding that if addressed, would help to increase exclusive breastfeeding so that the World Health Organization’s exclusive breastfeeding recommendations can be achieved.

Complementary Feeding Perception among Nursing Mothers in Nigeria

Complementary feeding is one of the top measures in Nigeria to reduce malnutrition. However, there is consistent evidence of poor practice in Nigeria. This study aims to evaluate how nursing mothers in Nigeria perceive complementary feeding and understand how their perceptions influence their complementary feeding practices. The study involved four sessions of Focus Group Discussions with a total of 31 participants. The findings revealed that mothers introduced complementary feeding early because they believed that breast milk alone was insufficient before the age of 6 months. Some mothers also perceived that non-infant cereals and milk were better than their infant counterparts, claiming that they aid weight gain. Additionally, some healthy foods were avoided due to myths, and local herbs, commonly known as agbo, were given to some children. To ensure that the World Health Organization guidelines on complementary feeding are accepted in Nigeria, policymakers need to target all those involved in caregiving for the child in the Nigerian setting. This includes health workers, mothers, fathers, and grandmothers.

Occurrence of Hypertensive Disorder of Pregnancy and its Preventive Strategies among Pregnant Women Attending Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital, Yemetu, Ibadan North Local Government, Nigeria

The study aimed at investigating the occurrence of preeclampsia and its preventive strategies among pregnant women attending Adeoyo Maternity Hospital. Yemetu, Ibadan, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted using a systematic random sampling technique to select 400 consenting respondents from the antenatal clinic records of the hospital. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to elicit information on respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics, Preventive Strategies against Pre-eclampsia (PSP) such as place of care, resting techniques and social habits using 30-point PSP scale. Preventive strategies score ≤ 15, >15 were categorised as poor, and good respectively. Blood pressure measurements taken with readings greater than 140/90 mmHg were considered to be elevated. Four Focus Group Discussion (FGD) sessions were conducted using an FGD guide. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test at p=0.05, while qualitative data were analysed using thematic approach. Incidence of elevated blood pressure was 4.5%. Twenty-one percent mentioned that they had experienced swelling of the feet, ankle, hand and face, while 8.5% had tested positive to protein in the urine during pregnancy. Few (0.8%) had experienced pre-eclampsia in their earlier pregnancy and had their deliveries through caesarean section. Many of the respondents had good preventive strategies (95.3%) while 4.7% had poor preventive strategies respectively. The hospital (92.4%) topped the list of places where respondents sought care whenever they experienced symptoms suggestive of pre-eclampsia, while 6.5% reported they rested at home. Routine clinical examination is recommended for early detection to curb the prevalence of preeclampsia among pregnant women while uptake of preventive strategies is hereby advocated.

THE EFFECT OF PROVIDING HEALTH LITERACY ON FAMILY SUPPORT AND STROKE RISK IN THE PRE AND POST-TEST AMONG THE DAYAK TRIBE AT THE BARONG TONGKOK COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER

Introduction: The Dayak tribe inhabits most of West Kutai Regency , East Kalimantan Province. Hypertension is a major health problem in the West Kutai area , one of the areas under which is the Barong Tongkok Community Health Center . The family has an important role as a facilitator and provider of support in reducing hypertension and preventing the risk of stroke in family members. Aim: The aim of this research is to analyze The influence and differences in providing health literacy on family support and the risk of stroke in pre and post tests in Dayak families in an effort to reduce the risk of stroke. Method: The method in this research is pre-post test control group with sampling techniques using questionnaires and interviews. Focus Group Discussion Method was carried out every 100 times _ Respondents included 50 people in the intervention group and 50 people in the control group, with the criteria being level 1 and level 2 hypertension patients. Questionnaire and blood pressure test results were taken before and after treatment in the form of a Focus Group Discussion session. Results: The results of this research It was found that providing health literacy on the level of family support was significant (p-value: 0.00), and could reduce the risk of stroke (p-value: 0.00). The results of the pre-post test on the intervention showed differences in health literacy (p-value: 0.00), family support (p-value: 0.02) and risk of stroke (p-value: 0.00), unlike groups control where there was no significant difference in the pre and post tests. Research implications: Suggestions for Community health workers can pay more attention to family support variables by providing counseling to family members of stroke patients or stroke symptoms, through a religious or sociological approach where family relationships are the key to an individual's recovery.

Strategies for scaling up pre-ART advanced HIV disease screening at a secondary referral hospital—Malawi: a qualitative study

BackgroundImplementation of the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended Advanced HIV Disease screening package, remains poor in most settings with limited resources. More than 50% of newly diagnosed-HIV clients are missed on screening as a result of implementation barriers. It is important to mitigate the existing barriers and leverage enablers’ inorder to maximize uptake of the advanced HIV disease screening. This study aimed to identify strategies for scaling up implementation of advanced HIV disease screening among newly HIV-diagnosed clients in pre-ART phase using a Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research-Expert Recommendation for Implementing Change (CFIR-ERIC) guiding tool.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted at Rumphi district hospital in Malawi (August – September, 2023). Two sessions of Focus group discussions (FDGs) involving key stakeholders were facilitated to identify specific strategies following the initial study on exploration of barriers and facilitators of advanced HIV disease screening package. Participants comprised healthcare providers, purposively selected from key hospital departments. A deductive approach was used to analyze FDG transcripts where emerging themes were mapped with ERIC list of strategies. CFIR-ERIC Matching tool version 1.0, was used to generate an output of the most to least expert-endorsed Level 1 and Level 2 strategies.FindingsAbout 25 key healthcare workers participated in FDGs. Overall, 6 Level 1 strategies (≥ 50% expert endorsement score) and 4 Level 2 strategies (≥ 20%, ≤ 49% expert endorsement score) were identified, targeting barriers associated with availability of resources, intervention complexity, access to knowledge and information, communication; and implementation leads. Most of the reported strategies were cross-cutting and aimed at enhancing clinical knowledge of the intervention (distributing training materials, educational meetings), developing stakeholders’ interrelations (network weaving) as well as improving clinical workflow (environmental restructuring). Use of evaluative and iterative strategies such as monthly data collection for evaluation were also recommended as part of continuous improvement while an AHD coordinator was recommended to be formally appointed inorder to spearhead coordination of AHD screening services.ConclusionThrough the involvement of key stakeholders and the use of CFIR-ERIC matching tool, this study has identified cross-cutting strategies that if well implemented, can help to mitigate contextual barriers and leverage enablers for an improved delivery of AHD screening package.

Exploring Impediments to Human Flourishing Across the Lifespan in Six African Countries

AbstractHuman flourishing (HF) is fundamental in fostering development in every sector of human communities throughout the world. Understanding the concept of human flourishing is essential in identifying and limiting practices that may impede human’s tendency to flourish. Most research on HF have been focused on the minority world and devoted to factors that foster it with minimal regard for the impediments and perspectives from the majority world. Based on this, the study aims to explore the impediments to human flourishing across the lifespan in Africa. Specifically, it examines factors that impede human flourishing in three age groups (children, adolescents, and adults). Empirical data were collected qualitatively through focus group discussion sessions and expert interviews with children, adolescents, and adults from communities in 6 African countries (Marachi, Eteso and Turkana of Kenya, the Sukuma of Tanzania, the Bantu and Nilo Hamites of Uganda, the Amhara of Ethopia, the Nso and Nweh of Cameroon and the Akan of Ghana). After the thematic analysis, the findings revealed that; inevitable factors like death and other issues that can be improved on like poverty, conflict, selfishness, immoral behavior and ill health impede human flourishing across the life span. However, other impediments identified were age specific. Marriage challenges impeded flourishing among adult folks while lack of sufficient play time impeded children’s flourishing. An intervention on coping strategies to deal with inevitable impeding factors to human flourishing like death and strategies to improve on all the other manageable impediments is vital for the enhancement of flourishing in Africa.

Sign Language, the Key to Improve the Health Knowledge of Deaf People

Background:Health literacy is one of the determinants of an individual's health. Deaf people, as a social minority, have limited access to information sources and healthcare providers. The present study aimed to examine the barriers, facilities and strategies of Deaf people health literacy promotion from points of view of this population and informants. Methods: A qualitative study using conventional content analysis was conducted. Focus group discussion sessions were held with 14 individuals (8 were men) with different occupational positions such as linguists, interpreter advisor, legal experts and heads of Deaf institutes. The participants were selected using a purposeful sampling method. Five FGD sessions were held. Data analysis accomplished according to conventional content analysis.

Effectiveness of Outreach Clinical Mentoring and Supportive Supervision on Biomedical Waste Management in Nasarawa State, North Central Nigeria: An Intervention Study

Introduction: Health care activities are essential because they restore health and save lives. At the same time however, they generate large quantity of wastes and by-products that need to be handled safely and disposed of properly. Proper health care waste handling is a worrisome issue around the world, especially in developing countries. This study is meant to determine the effect of clinical mentoring and supportive supervision on the knowledge of, attitude to and practice of biomedical waste management.  Method: A quasi-experimental study design with both qualitative and quantitative components was used. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 436 study participants who met the inclusion criteria. The data tools were pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaires and supervisory check lists for the quantitative component on the one hand, and a focus group discussion guide for the qualitative component on the other hand. The interventions were in the form of both physical and virtual mentoring and routine supportive supervision. The participants in the control arm of the study did not receive mentoring or supportive supervision. The study lasted for 24 weeks, within which there were weekly, scheduled mentoring/supportive supervisory visits to only the facilities in the study arm.  Data Analysis: Quantitative data was collated, checked for completeness and analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 23). Quantitative variables were described using frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations. Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test and Paired t test were used to test associations. At 95% confidence interval, p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Qualitative data was analyzed using Nvivo statistiscal software, version 11.  Result: The mean age group of the study participants was 33.30(±8.97). More females (50.80%) than males (49.20%) participated in the study. Majority of the participants had tertiary education (88.45%). The predominant occupation was community health work (30.75%). In the study group, 66.4% of the respondents had poor knowledge score pre-intervention. This decreased significantly to 10.0% post-intervention (p<0.05). In the control arm of the study, there was no significant difference in the findings at the start and after the study. The proportion of respondents who had positive attitude score in the study arm, increased significantly from 40.3% before intervention to 77.8% after intervention (p<0.05). In a similar vein, the proportion with appropriate practice in the study arm also increased from 32.7% before intervention to 88.3% after intervention with a statistically significant difference. In the control arm, there was no significant difference in the findings at the beginning of the study compared to the findings at the end of the study. In the study arm, majority of the respondents who demonstrated poor knowledge of, attitude to and practice of health care waste management at the baseline focus group discussion sessions, showed significant improvement at the post-intervention sessions. In the control arm, there was no significant difference in the focus group discussion findings. Conclusion: The findings above are suggestive of the fact that the interventions were effective. There is, therefore, the need for the establishment of incentive schemes like clinical mentoring and regular supportive supervision of health care workers on health care waste management in order to safeguard human, animal and environmental health.

Role of multi-level institutions in facilitating innovation and adaptation technologies for reducing climate risk and impact: Evidence from coastal communities of Bangladesh

While the role of innovation and adaptation technology in reducing climatic risks is widely recognized, few studies have investigated the role of formal, quasi-formal, and informal institutions in facilitating the adoption of such technology at the local level. The novel contribution of this study is in offering explanations of how local institutions facilitate or create barriers against innovation and implementation of climate adaptation technologies. In this study, we employ a mixed-methods research technique to empirically examine the roles of local institutions in two coastal communities in Bangladesh in facilitating reduction of the impacts of climate hazards. Primary data were collected via interviewing 300 household heads, 26 key informant interviews, and 2 Focus Group Discussion sessions. The findings reveal that local institutions (i.e., formal, quasi-formal, and informal) are actively involved in various partnership-building processes and actions to promote innovation and adaptation technologies at the community level. For example, in the study area of Satkhira District, in collaboration with local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as well as national level government organizations, such as Bangladesh Meteorological Department, Union Parishad Disaster Management Committees are deeply engaged in mobilizing local volunteers to effectively disseminate cyclone-related early warnings. However, significant institutional fragmentation in the country remains a major barrier to the sustainable implementation of various programs related to climatic hazards. For institutions to play their roles sustainably, it is recommended that national policies place greater emphasis on nurturing partnerships among regional stakeholders, as well as facilitating collective action for climate-induced disaster risk reduction and participatory community development.

Safe use elements of finished herbal products: insights from consumers and practitioners in Malaysia

BackgroundThe use of finished herbal products (FHPs) among Malaysians today is expanding rapidly leading to a huge market of FHPs in the country. However, the mass production of FHPs in today’s market is alarming due to safety-use issues that could lead to serious adverse effects. Nevertheless, demands are still high for FHPs as most consumers perceived it as safe to consume as it is made from natural substances as the active ingredients. This study aims to explore the safe use elements of FHPs identified by two stakeholders: consumers and practitioners in Malaysia and further compare these elements with the current regulations.MethodsAs an exploratory study, its approach is to investigate at an in-depth level of understanding of safe use elements from the involved stakeholders: consumers and practitioners. We had a total of 4 focus group discussion sessions (1 FGD session with consumer and 3 FGD sessions with practitioners) as a method of collecting data from the participants. The FGDs were conducted in local native Malaysian and then being translated by researchers without changing their meanings. Thematic analysis was done which involves methodically reading through the verbatim transcripts and consequently segmenting and coding the text into categories that highlight what the participants have discussed.ResultsFrom the result, we found that both practitioners and consumers agreed a safe FHP must be in compliance with the guidelines from the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH). There are other safe use elements highlighted including halal certification, trusted over-the-counter outlets, and published reports on the safety, efficacy, and quality.ConclusionsIn conclusion, both practitioners and consumers agreed that the most important safe-use element is compliance with MOH guidelines, but the depth of discussion regarding the safety elements among these stakeholders holds a very huge gap. Thus, initiatives must be planned to increase the knowledge and understanding about the MOH guidelines towards achieving a sustainable ecosystem in the safe use of FHPs.

Intention for internal whistleblowing to report sexual violence in higher education institutions: a Nigerian national study.

Sexual violence is prevalent in higher education institutions in Nigeria and stakeholders have encouraged staff and students to blow the whistle whenever they fall victim to or are aware of any sexual violence case. However, there is lack of data about whether the staff and students of these institutions have the intention to blow the whistle internally (within the institution) or not. There is also a lack of data on the existing reporting mechanisms or preferred whistleblowing mechanisms in these institutions. These have hindered the analysis of stakeholders' opinions on this topic. This data note presents a comprehensive quantitative and qualitative data set collected from staff and students of three categories of government owned higher education institutions (Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education) in Nigeria. Data collection was between February and December, 2021, during which quantitative data were collected from 21,937 students and 3,108 staff. Qualitatively, 138 students and 111 staff participated in a total of 35 focus group discussion sessions. The study provides unique information on respondents' attitude, self-efficacy, and subjective norm to sexual violence whistleblowing. It also provides information on self-reported sexual violence experiences, whistleblowing intention, reporting systems in higher institutions and the preferred sexual violence whistleblowing mechanisms. In this data note, we provide a detailed account of the variables in the dataset and then highlight the potential of this study to contribute to improved sexual violence reporting in higher education institutions, thereby reducing the occurrence of the social menace.