Faith-based Organizations Research Articles

FAITH-BASED COMMUNITY OUTREACH TO INCREASE ALZHEIMER’S CLINICAL RESEARCH PARTICIPATION IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY

Abstract Issues: Despite the fact that African Americans are twice more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease (AD) compared to non-Hispanic whites, they are under-represented in AD clinical research. Lower representation exists in the AHEAD Study as well, which is an AD prevention clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of Lecanemab in 1400 study participants. We sought to raise awareness about AD and increase clinical research participation of African Americans in the AHEAD Study, through a community-based education and recruitment program (CERP). Description: Our diverse team from Eastern Virginia Medical School and Hampton University, a Historically Black College University (HBCU), established a Community Advisory Board and Ministerial Alliance with representation from faith-based, long-standing civic and fraternal organizations within the Greater Hampton Roads Black community. The alliance guided us to identify prioritization areas for addressing sociocultural barriers and increasing clinical research awareness and participation in traditional African American events, key historic community sites, and non-traditional community centers (i.e., YMCA, independent-living, assisted-living centers, Annual Juneteenth Celebration, Black fraternity, and sorority events.) Community health workers, embedded within the community, of the same cultural background and ethnicity, drove our CERP. Lessons Learned: As of July 2023, we offered our program at 45 community events, including community health fairs, civics events, and Purple Sunday luncheons and talks at Black churches in urban and localities in Hampton Roads, in partnership with fraternal and civic community organizations. Out of over 1700 participants, 177 community members have been prescreened for the AHEAD Study.

The dynamics of the relationship between religious organizations and the government on healthcare interventions in Tanzania since 1990s

The relationship between Faith Based Organisations (FBOs) and the government on healthcare provision in Tanzania has evolved over time. This study focused on examining how the new Faith Based Organisations relate with the government in their healthcare activities from 1990s to date. The results from this study are situated in the larger historical and theoretical underpinnings on the relationship between Faith Based Organisations and the government on healthcare activities in Tanzania. Using ethnographic approaches, this study aimed to uncover how the new FBOs and the government relate to each other on healthcare interventions since 1990s in the context of the changing social, economic and political contexts. Results showed that the socio-economic and political context since 1990s created more space for the new FBOs to strengthen their visibility on healthcare provision activities, as well as enhance their social, religious and policy agenda in the country. Furthermore, the relationship between the new FBOs and the government on healthcare provisions was embedded in longstanding history of religious diversity in Tanzania that was characterized by the need for the Muslim and Christian communities to harmoniously enhance their relationship with each other and the government based on power, faith and politics.

The multilevel correlates, contributions, and consequences of leader humility in humanitarian aid work.

Leader humility has been linked to many positive outcomes but not examined in humanitarian aid work. Three studies examined the multilevel correlates, contributions, and consequences of leader humility in Medair-a large, multinational, faith-based aid organization. Study 1 examined correlates of leader humility in a sample of 308 workers and 167 leaders. Study 2 explored multilevel contributions of leader humility in 96 teams comprised of 189 workers. Study 3 utilized a subsample (50 workers, 34 leaders) to explore consequences of Time 1 leader and team humility on outcomes 6 months later. Participants completed measures of humility (general, relational, team), leader and team attributions (e.g., effectiveness, cohesion, and growth-mindedness), organizational outcomes (e.g., job engagement and satisfaction; worker and team performance), and psychological outcomes (e.g., depression, anxiety, compassion satisfaction, and flourishing). Leader and team humility contributed to multilevel positive attributions about leaders (as effective and impactful), teams (as cohesive, psychologically safe, and growth-minded), and oneself (as humble), and those attributions contributed to organizational and psychological outcomes. Teams' shared attributions of their leader's humility contributed to higher worker job satisfaction and team performance. Longitudinally, for workers and leaders, leader and team humility were associated with some positive organizational and psychological outcomes over time. In humanitarian organizations, leader humility seems to act as an attributional and motivational social contagion that affects aid personnel's positive attributions about their leaders, teams, and themselves. In turn, these multilevel positive attributions contribute to several positive team, organizational, and psychological outcomes among workers and leaders.

Process of Engaging Community and Scientific Partners in the Development of the CIRCL-Chicago Study Protocol.

Hypertension affects 1 in 3 adults in the United States and disproportionately affects African Americans. Kaiser Permanente demonstrated that a "bundle" of evidence-based interventions significantly increased blood pressure control rates. This paper describes a multiyear process of developing the protocol for a trial of the Kaiser bundle for implementation in under-resourced urban communities experiencing cardiovascular health disparities during the planning phase of this biphasic award (UG3/UH3). The protocol was developed by a collaboration of faith-based community members, representatives from community health center practice-based research networks, and academic scientists with expertise in health disparities, implementation science, community-engaged research, social care interventions, and health informatics. Scientists from the National Institutes of Health and the other grantees of the Disparities Elimination through Coordinated Interventions to Prevent and Control Heart and Lung Disease Risk (DECIPHeR) Alliance also contributed to developing our protocol. The protocol is a hybrid type 3 effectiveness-implementation study using a parallel cluster randomized trial to test the impact of practice facilitation on implementation of the Kaiser bundle in community health centers compared with implementation without facilitation. A central strategy to the Kaiser bundle is to coordinate implementation via faith-based and other community organizations for recruitment and navigation of resources for health-related social risks. The proposed research has the potential to improve identification, diagnosis, and control of blood pressure among under-resourced communities by connecting community entities and healthcare organizations in new ways. Faith-based organizations are a trusted voice in African American communities that could be instrumental for eliminating disparities.

Abstract C115: Framework for a community-based multiple myeloma screening program

Abstract Purpose: We develop a framework for a community-based screening program for multiple myeloma (MM). MM is known to be twice as common in Black/African American (B/AA) persons compared to white persons and B/AA patients have a higher risk of delay in initial treatment compared to white patients. Therefore, we developed a community-wide screening program for B/AA persons 50 years and older. As the first of these programs, we reveal an organizational framework that prioritizes engagement with key community partners who address barriers to cancer screening. Experimental Procedures: We expand organizational development knowledge about how to implement community-based MM screening and address barriers. The study uses an iterative and qualitative continuous improvement process. The study draws on literature review and multi-disciplinary team collaboration among clinicians, researchers, administrators, and the Cleveland Clinic Community Outreach Program (Cleveland Outreach). Data Summary: Our framework includes three interrelated partners and each address barriers to MM screening: 1) Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center. The multi-disciplinary team designs an educational brochure, secures pilot grant funding, plans for insurance/financial assistance as needed, develops care algorithms, and evaluates the impact of the program. Cleveland Outreach, a department within the Cancer Center, uses the Harold Freeman model as its foundational approach, which includes patient navigators and community outreach managers who are culturally/linguistically matched to medically underserved communities. The Cancer Center addresses barriers including program implementation despite a lack of national screening guidelines, insurance/financial barriers, and patient navigation to address fears and health literacy. 2) Faith-based organizations. Church leaders committed to cancer prevention participate in Cleveland Outreach’s faith-based outreach model. Faith-based partners address barriers of trust and fear. Also, by providing space at churches for on-site screening blood draws, they address transportation barriers. 3) Clinicians at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC’s). Providers and nurses at FQHC’s receive a Continuing Medical Education program about MM screening designed/funded by the Cancer Center. From within the community, providers notify medically underserved patients about the screening. With their primary care patient population, FQHC partners address barriers such as trust, health literacy, and fear of blood draws. They facilitate on-site screening at FQHC’s and health fairs, which addresses transportation barriers. Conclusions: Given that there are no universal guidelines for MM screening, we develop a novel approach to early disease detection in B/AA patients. Our framework is a partnership between the Cancer Center, faith-based organizations, and FQHC’s. Collaboratively, we address barriers to screening including fear, trust, insurance/financial, health literacy, transportation, and patient navigation if abnormal results suggest the need for further testing. Citation Format: Heather McKee Hurwitz, Kimberly Bell, Diana Basali, Raymond D. Jackson II, Jason Valent. Framework for a community-based multiple myeloma screening program [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr C115.

Faith-based organisations and their role in supporting vaccine confidence and uptake: a scoping review protocol

IntroductionFaith-based organisations (FBOs) and religious actors increase vaccine confidence and uptake among ethnoracially minoritised communities in low-income and middle-income countries. During the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent vaccine rollout, global...

Planning the Implementation of a Multilevel Blood Pressure Control Intervention in Chicago: Community and Clinical Perspectives.

Hypertension is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The complications of hypertension disproportionately impact African American residents in Chicago's South Side neighborhood. To inform the implementation of an evidence-based multilevel hypertension management intervention, we sought to identify community member- and clinician-level barriers to diagnosing and treating hypertension, and strategies for addressing those barriers. We conducted 5 focus groups with members of faith-based organizations (FBOs) (n=40) and 8 focus groups with clinicians and administrators (n=26) employed by community health centers (CHCs) located in Chicago's South Side. Participants across groups identified the physical environment, including lack of access to clinics and healthy food, as a risk factor for hypertension. Participants also identified inconsistent results from home blood pressure monitoring and medication side effects as barriers to seeking diagnosis and treatment. Potential strategies raised by participants to address these barriers included (1) addressing patients' unmet social needs, such as food security and transportation; (2) offering education that meaningfully engages patients in discussions about managing hypertension (eg, medication adherence, diet, follow-up care); (3) coordinating referrals via community-based organizations (including FBOs) to CHCs for hypertension management; and (4) establishing a setting where community members managing hypertension diagnosis can support one another. Clinic-level barriers to the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension, such as competing priorities and resource constraints, are exacerbated by community-level stressors. Community members and clinicians agreed that it is important to select implementation strategies that leverage and enhance both community- and clinic-based resources.

Abstract C065: Developing and sustaining an NCI U54 CPACHE partnership

Abstract Purpose: The South Carolina Cancer Disparities Research Center (SC CADRE) is a mature and vibrant multi-institutional Comprehensive Partnership to Advance Cancer Health Equity (CPACHE) enterprise between South Carolina State University (SCSU), an institution serving underserved health disparity populations and underrepresented students (ISUPS) and the Medical University of South Carolina-Hollings Cancer Center (MUSC-HCC), an NCI-designated Cancer Center. Methods: The SC CADRE was built on a foundational relationship that began in 2009, including three consecutive inter-institutional Department of Defense Summer Undergraduate Prostate Cancer Research Training grants and an NCI CPACHE P20 grant. Awarded in 2017, the inaugural U54 SC CADRE had four main goals: 1) further elucidating the biological and social contributors to cancer disparities; 2) enhancing the pipeline of diverse cancer researchers; 3) increasing the number of NIH research proposals led by SCSU faculty as independent investigators; and 4) including greater community engagement in cancer research. Results: Since 2017, the U54 partnership has produced 77 peer-reviewed publications (8 included inter-institutional co-authors) and, not counting the SC CADRE research project awards, 33 grants have been funded (9 were awarded to SCSU investigators as PIs or MPIs), and a national virtual cancer health equity symposium was established. Four ESIs were hired (three at SCSU). An inaugural Biorepository was created at SCSU. Cancer research education was provided for 640 undergraduate students at SCSU, including 22 SC CADRE Scholars. The SC CADRE team members serve as Advisory Board members of South Carolina’s statewide cancer control consortium, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, ISUPS and other colleges/universities in South Carolina, and statewide faith-based, professional, and civic organizations. These combined efforts have led to an overall 30% representation of diverse participants in the MUSC-HCC’s cancer clinical trial accruals. Conclusions: While much work remains, mammography and colorectal cancer screening rates, and HPV vaccination rates, are now higher in South Carolina than in the US. The longstanding academic partnership between SCSU and MUSC-HCC, leveraging each entity’s research and educational strengths and community relationships, has positioned the SC CADRE to transform cancer health outcomes in South Carolina and beyond. Citation Format: Marvella E. Ford, Tammy Loucks, James Stukes, Cammie Berry, Joni Nelson, Kathleen Cartmell, Audrey McCrary-Quarles, Amy Martin, Joseph Tahsoh, Alexander Alekseyenko, Janae Sweeney, Steven Carroll, Debra McAlister, Ellen Gomez, Yaoling Long, David P. Turner, Judith D. Salley. Developing and sustaining an NCI U54 CPACHE partnership [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr C065.

P193: Participation of faith-based organizations in the secular health- and welfare- care system for the older people in Japan: evidence and challenges

Objective:Due to longevity, universal health coverage, declining population, and a stable society, it is estimated that the number of people with dementia will reach 10 million by the mid-21st century, accounting for 10% of the total population in Japan. To move toward a dementia-friendly community, it is essential to develop innovative and effective dementia care. However, human and economic resources are limited. Therefore, we focused on traditional Buddhist denominations that have organizations, educational systems, human resources, networks, and care venues. The fundamental question of this study is: Japanese Buddhism has created basis for mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, but is it also innovative in the care of older people?Methods:We looked for papers that 1) were written in a medical rather than a religious context, 2) were written in English, and 3) dealt with the care of the older people in Japan.Results:1) Institutional care workers’ need for Buddhist priests for helping anxiety of older residents was reported. 2) Effectiveness of community cafés for the family caregivers of people with dementia in the Buddhist temples were reported. 3) Potentials of monthly visit to bereaved families, Buddhist priests’ tradition, as the outreach of grief care was suggested. 4) Care workers’ own ideas about death after working in the landscape of dying and death was reported by the interview which used Buddhist priests as the interviewers.Conclusion:Participation of Buddhist priests as 1) spiritual cares for the residents in the institutions, 2) carers for the family carers in the community, 3) carers of the bereaved families in the outreach activity, and 4) carers for the care workers, were reported. However, robust evidence was not enough. From the standpoint of Japanese clinicians, there are too few papers compared to the actual contributions. More studies should be done which might also work as external monitoring. Traditional Buddhism in Japan has a closed membership system which is based on the family gravesite system and is generally not enthusiastic about propagation, which would also be compatible with a secular care system.

Mental health coaching: a faith-based paraprofessional training program

ABSTRACT The present study was undertaken to assess the feasibility and scalability of training volunteers in churches and faith-based nonprofit organisations to serve as mental health paraprofessionals. Feasibility was assessed using a post-training survey as well as participant feedback (n = 48). For the scalability phase, training was moved online and available on-demand. Participants who completed the training online were asked to complete an anonymous survey (n = 1024). Responses to post-training surveys during the feasibility phase were overwhelmingly positive as was participant written and verbal feedback. Responses to the online survey during the scalability phase showed that most mental health coaches were actively using the skills they acquired in the training to support individuals living with mental health concerns. Placing paraprofessionals in existing networks such as churches offers those in psychological distress an easily accessible form of support and may help to address the current mental health workforce gap.

Understanding Islamic-oriented non-governmental organisation and how they are contrasted with NGO in outdoing Malaysia LGBT phenomenon

The term non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has been well-known for the development of human rights, charity works and organisational developments. On the other hand, some NGOs also have their specialised roles to help the community such as in conflict resolution, cultural preservation, policy analysis and information provision. Apart from that, there are many categories of NGOs: Islamic-oriented non-governmental organisation (IONGOs), faith-based organisation (FBO), humanitarian NGOs (HNGOs) and government organised NGOs (GONGOs). However, in this research, the researchers focus on how IONGOs compare with NGOs in assisting the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community based on four hijrah NGOs: Persatuan Islah Movement, Persatuan Insaf Pahang, Hijrah Republique Network and Usrah Iqrak. These four NGOs were chosen because of their roles in assisting the LGBT community. In this research, the researchers adapt the qualitative research by using a case study method; phenomenological approaches and a document analysis have also been applied as well. The result shows that these four IONGOs are different from the NGOs based on the seven typologies applied: intersection, distinct, substantive, subset, co-existing, atomistic grouping and constitutive. The implications of this article highlight the fact that IONGOs are different from the LGBT NGOs in Malaysia as they focus more on spirituality and an Islamic pathway. Hence, future research should include focus group interviews with all the members in NGOs that assist the LGBT hijrah in the community.Contribution: This study contributes to LGBT hijrah community and its relationship towards the establishment of Islamic-oriented non-governmental organisation (IONGOs).

Clarifying covenants and delineating devotion: Explicating religious public relations relationship frameworks

Research on how religious and faith-based organizations practice public relations is steadily increasing and of particular interest. Public relations scholars have examined the applicability of public relations theories with religious organizations, and sought to develop new public relations theories, concepts, and models that are appropriate for the context of faith and religion. However, one set of public relations concepts has been limitedly studied, irregularly applied, and inconsistently explained regarding their definitions, how they work together, how they are distinct, and how they can be studied within and outside the narrow context of religious public relations. This conceptual framework essay explicates four constructs found in religious public relations scholarship to provide clarification regarding the application of these murky concepts and a roadmap for how public relations scholars can apply, study, and advance these concepts and models within and outside the context of religious public relations to advance public relations theorizing.

The Role of Faith-based Organisations in Childhood Malaria Management among Mothers of Under-five Children in Osogbo, Nigeria

Malaria remains a major health challenge in Nigeria despite efforts at reducing its prevalence. Previous studies on malaria focused mainly on the biomedical aspects. However, little is known about the role of faith-based organisations in malaria management. Health Belief Model (HBM) provided the framework explaining mothers understanding of malaria illness, while exploratory and descriptive designs were utilized. The study was conducted among selected mothers of under-five children in Osogbo using the qualitative method comprising twelve focus group discussions (FGDs); six among mothers 15-35years (three each among literates and non-literates); six among mothers 35years and above (three each among literates and non-literates mothers). Qualitative data were content analysed. Malaria treatment behaviour of the mothers was a complex process, assisted by faith-based organisations through the provision of insecticides treated net (ITNs), awareness campaigns, routine immunization of pregnant mothers, and more. However, hording militated against the effective use of ITNs by mothers in malaria management. This finding corroborates common understanding that faith-based organisations play important role in malaria management by actually providing biomedically accepted resources which led to the reduction of mosquito spread, hence increases the chances of the survival of both children and mothers. Therefore, increased collaboration between government and faith-based organisations is needed to improve malaria management facilities and avail mothers with appropriate education on malaria management strategies to reduce complications from malaria.

Experienced Social Support and Cultural Humility for Faith-Based Cross-Cultural Workers During COVID-19

Employees of faith-based international organizations have been shown to be uniquely at risk for mental health symptoms, including depression and posttraumatic stress, while social support has been demonstrated to be an important protective factor. Cultural humility, which is understood as an openness to appreciate and learn from others, has also been shown to contribute to wellbeing for cross-cultural employees. Eighty-eight cross-cultural faith-based workers completed the Hopkins Symptom Checklist, Social Provisions Scale, and Cultural Humility Scale as a part of a larger needs assessment conducted in late 2020 during the global COVID-19 pandemic. It was hypothesized that social support would relate inversely to mental health symptoms, and that cultural humility would moderate the relationship between support and symptoms. Path analysis confirmed this hypothesis. When participants reported moderate to high levels of cultural humility, there was a strengthened relationship between social support and lower mental health symptoms. Thus, cultural humility appears to activate the relationship between social support and reduced mental health symptoms. International organizations can contribute to employee resilience in traumatic contexts by promoting both cultural humility and social support.

Faith, bordering and modern slavery: A UK case study

In this paper we consider the imbrication of UK immigration and border controls into support environments of the anti-modern slavery sphere. We draw on the findings of a 3.5 years ESRC-funded study to explore how the increasingly strident government anti-migrant agenda - broadly seen in the ‘hostile environment’, a culture of disbelief and an overarching preeminence of border controls over human rights protections - is percolating into care providers in the modern slavery sector. Bordering in this sector has not had the same level of scrutiny as within the asylum sector, yet is a particularly interesting site to explore due to the confluence of caring and control impulses. The fresh insight we bring to this context is a focus on the notable presence of faith-based organisations in this sphere. We consider the implications of the relationships between faith, support and bordering - both for those subjected to immigration controls, and those working inextricably within them to support individuals exiting exploitation.

Personal Agency and Social Supports to Manage Health Among Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic Men With Diabetes.

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is increasing among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic communities, especially among men who develop this chronic condition at earlier ages. Personal agency and social support are vital aspects to diabetes management. However, less is known about the relationship between these variables among men living with diabetes. The purposes of this study were to identify (1) levels of personal agency to manage health, (2) sources of social supports to manage health based on personal agency levels, and (3) factors associated with lower personal agency to manage health. Cross-sectional data from non-Hispanic Black (n = 381) and Hispanic (n = 292) men aged 40 years or older with T2D were collected using an internet-delivered questionnaire. Three binary logistic regression models were fitted to assess sociodemographics, health indicators, and support sources associated with weaker personal agency to manage health. About 68% of participants reported having the strongest personal agency relative to 32.1% reporting weaker personal agency. Men who relied more on their spouse/partner (odds ratio [OR] = 1.22, p = .025), coworkers (OR = 1.59, p = .008), or faith-based organizations (OR = 1.29, p = .029) for ongoing help/support to improve their health and manage health problems were more likely to have weaker personal agency. Conversely, men who relied more on their health care providers for ongoing help/support to improve their health and manage health problems were less likely to have weaker personal agency to manage health (OR = 0.74, p < .001). Findings suggest personal agency may influence men's support needs to manage T2D, which may also be influenced by cultural, socioeconomics, and the composition of social networks.

Effect of Leadership in Strategic Planning on Performance of Faith Based Health Care Institutions in Meru County, Kenya

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the impact of strategic planning drivers on the performance of faith-based healthcare institutions in Meru County, Kenya. There were four specific objectives: to assess the influence of leadership in strategic planning, environmental scanning, stakeholder involvement, and the strategic planning formulation process on the performance of faith-based healthcare institutions in Meru County, Kenya. The research drew upon the Strategic Fit Theory, Porter's Competitive Advantage Theory, and Institutional Theory. Adopting a descriptive research design, the study targeted 421 employees across 23 faith-based healthcare institutions in Meru County. Using Yamane's formula for categorical data, the study focused on a sample size of 205 respondents. Quantitative data was collected through questionnaires distributed to respondents using a drop-and-pick method, while qualitative data was gathered from hospital administrators using an interview guide. The study employed frequencies, means, and standard deviation to present descriptive results. For inferential statistics, correlation analysis, regression analysis, and analysis of variance were used. The study's results revealed a positive and significant correlation between leadership, environmental scanning, stakeholder involvement, the strategy formulation process, and the organizational performance of faith-based healthcare institutions in Meru County. Regression analysis indicated that strategic planning drivers accounted for 59.5% of the variance in organizational performance. The study found that stakeholder involvement did not exert a significant influence on the performance of faith-based healthcare institutions. As a recommendation, the study suggests that faith-based healthcare institutions should enhance their strategic planning by strengthening collaborations with stakeholders, improving resource mobilization, evaluating threats and opportunities, and involving employees in the strategic planning formulation process. Additionally, the study recommends further research to assess the impact of the internal organizational environment on the performance of faith-based healthcare institutions in other counties in Kenya. Policymakers in faith-based organizations are encouraged to support individual organizations in developing strategic management guidelines that promote regulation and control.

The impact of air pollution on urban health in Nigeria: Possible solutions

Air pollution has been a major topic of discussion due to its detrimental impact on health and the environment as a result of the urban population's explosive development and associated human activities. The main objective of the study is to give a critical review of the causes, impacts, and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for reducing air pollution with an emphasis on urban centers in Nigeria. The study adopted natural approaches to address/improve air quality and lessen health risks related to the emission of hazardous substances. To work with nature rather than against it, however, there must be cooperation between the government and its agent, the community, non-governmental organizations, civil society, faith-based organizations, associations, union bodies, young people, women, and people with disabilities, as well as support from international organizations. The study carried out showed that human activities are the major source of air pollution in Nigeria through the release of harmful gaseous substances, carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxide (NO2) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission, particles and heavy metal and this pollution is extremely dangerous due to the particles and substance discharged into the atmosphere. The findings contribute to the limited body of literature that already exists on the detrimental effects of ambient air pollution on respiratory health that are experienced by residents of urban cities in specific regions of Nigeria and other cities that are similar to those in Nigeria. In order to reduce air pollution in our urban centers, the study suggested adopting Nature-based Solutions (NbS).

Faith-based organizations and poverty alleviation: a scoping review on definitions and terminology (2010–2021)

ABSTRACT In this paper, we present the results of a scoping review in which we examined the scientific literature (2010–2021) on faith-based organizations (FBOs) working within the field of poverty alleviation, focusing on the way studies define and use the term FBO. Fifty-two relevant studies were identified and included. Our research shows that the term FBOs is primarily used in American studies. Moreover, there is no broad consensus on the exact definition or meaning of the term nor on its scope. Because of this lack of consensus and the inherent shortcomings of the term, we suggest to replace the term FBO by the term “religion-based solidarity initiatives” (RSIs), We define RSIs as: “Initiatives that, from a religious inspiration, aim at organizing collective action for and/or providing support or services to people in vulnerable positions.” These initiatives can range from small scale ad hoc initiatives till large scale formal organizations.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of hypertension interventions in faith-based organisation settings.

Hypertension is the global, leading cause of mortality and is the main risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Community-based partnerships can provide cost-saving ways of delivering effective blood pressure (BP) interventions to people in resource-poor settings. Faith-based organisations (FBOs) prove important potential health partners, given their reach and community standing. This potential is especially strong in hard-to-reach, socio-economically marginalised communities. This systematic review explores the state of the evidence of FBO-based interventions on BP management, with a focus on randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and cluster RCTs (C-RCTs). Seven academic databases (English = 5, Chinese = 2) and grey literature were searched for C-/RCTs of community-based interventions in FBO settings. Only studies with pre- and post-intervention BP measures were kept for analysis. Random effects models were developed using restricted maximum likelihood estimation (REML) to estimate the population average mean change and 95% confidence interval (CI) of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP). The overall heterogeneity was assessed by successively adding studies and recording changes in heterogeneity. Prediction intervals were generated to capture the spread of the pooled effect across study settings. Of the 19 055 titles identified, only 11 studies of fair to good quality were kept for meta-analysis. Non-significant, average mean differences between baseline and follow-up for the intervention and control groups were found for both SBP (0.78 mm of mercury (mmHg) (95% CI = 2.11-0.55)) and DBP (-0.20 mm Hg (95% CI = -1.16 to 0.75)). Subgroup analysis revealed a significant reduction in SBP of -6.23 mm Hg (95% CI = -11.21 to -1.25) for populations with mean baseline SBP of ≥140 mm Hg. The results support the potential of FBO-based interventions in lowering SBP in clinically hypertensive populations. However, the limited evidence was concentrated primarily in Christian communities in the US More research is needed to understand the implications of such interventions in producing clinically meaningful long-term effects in a variety of settings. Further research can illuminate factors that affect success and potential expansion to sites outside the US as well as non-Christian FBOs. Current evidence is inadequate to evaluate the potential of FBO-based interventions in preventing hypertension in non-hypertensive populations. Intervention effects in non-hypertensive population might be better reflected through intermediate outcomes.