Impact Of Program Research Articles

A new identity: Enhancing life skills and work-readiness for those with a sexual offending history

The purpose of this research was to examine the experiences of individuals, with a sexual offending history, who have engaged with a community-based life skills and work-readiness programme. With a view to understand the impact of such programmes on their rehabilitation and to inform a growing body of research around the approaches needed for promoting rehabilitation within this group. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four participants about their experiences of accessing a community-based charity and three themes were identified using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis: “a place to belong without fear or judgement;” “creating an identity away from offending;” and “space and time to realise own potential.” These findings were discussed in relation to the Good Lives Model; previously identified protective factors for people with a history of sexual offending; and desistance research. The research offers a number of recommendations for practice which can be used by organisations to help them develop an inclusive and meaningful approach to supporting individuals with a history of sexual offending.

Protocol: Assessing the outcomes and impact of professional doctorate programmes in health and social care on the individual, their profession, their employing organisation and wider society: A comprehensive systematic review.

This is the protocol for a Campbell systematic review. This review's objectives are to find out (in relation to health and/or social care): (1) What is known about the outcomes and impact of completing (or not completing) a professional doctorate in health and/or social care on the individual professional? (2) What is known about the outcome and impact of completing (or not completing) a professional doctorate in health and/or social care on the employing organisation? (3) What is known about the outcome and impact of completing (or not completing) a professional doctorate in health and/or social care on the profession? (4) What is known about the outcome and impact of completing (or not completing) a professional doctorate in health and/or social care on service users and the wider society? (5) How do we use the findings from this review to inform educators, higher education institutions, professionals, investors in employing organisations and policymakers? (6) What further research will be needed to answer any knowledge gaps or recommendations? (7) Where possible, we will identify and report on any demographic data and discuss their relevance to the impact and outcomes from professional doctorates.

Impact of colorectal cancer screening programme on survival and employment in Taiwan: A nationwide analysis of real-world data.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) leads to life loss and a significant economic burden, which could be reduced by CRC screening. We assessed the potential savings of lives and employment to evaluate the effectiveness of the Taiwan CRC Screening Programme. Through interlinkages among Taiwan Cancer Registry, National Mortality Registry, Taiwan CRC Screening Database, and National Health Insurance claim data, we enroled patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma, aged 50-74years and diagnosed during 2004-2017, and followed them up to 2018. Life expectancy (LE), lifetime employment duration (LED), loss-of-LE and loss-of-LED were calculated, compared with age-, sex- and calendar year-matched cohorts. Assuming no difference within a specific stage for screen-detected versus non-screen detected CRC and weighting them by different stage distributions, we compared the total loss-of-LE and loss-of-LED. The cohort enroled 77,169 patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma, which included 31,728 women (mean [SD] age, 62.5 [7.1] years) and 45,441 men (mean [SD] age, 62.8 [6.8] years). The mean loss-of-LE and loss-of-LED in women were 6.0 (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.7-6.3) and 1.0 (95% CI 0.8-1.1) year(s), whereas those in men were 5.1 (95% CI 4.9-5.4) and 1.1 (95% CI 1.0-1.2) years, respectively. Among the cohort, 53,678 cases had the screening information. On average, screening potentially saved 2.9 (95% CI 2.6-3.2) years of life expectancy plus 0.5 (95% CI 0.4-0.6) years of employment per case in women and 2.7 (95% CI 2.5-3.0) years plus 0.6 (95% CI 0.5-0.7) years in men, respectively. The Taiwan CRC Screening Programme is associated with the savings of lives and employment duration. Future studies are warranted to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of beginning screening at a younger age after accounting for saving employment loss and possibly adjusting lead time bias.

Assessing the Impact of Productive Safety Net Program on Soil and Water Conservation Practices in the Amhara Sayint Woreda, Ethiopia

Land degradation is a critical issue in Ethiopia, exacerbating food insecurity by reducing agricultural productivity. Soil and water conservation (SWC) practices are essential to control erosion and increase food production. However, there is a lack of comprehensive evaluations on the impact of Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) on SWC practices. This study aimed to assess the contribution of the PSNP to SWC in the Amhara Sayint Woreda. The researchers used a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data. Multistage sampling was used to select households, and data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, and observations. The study provided empirical evidence that the PSNP has a positive impact on SWC practices. Key factors influencing SWC participation include age, family size, education, plot size, livestock ownership, credit service, and access to extension services. The results suggest that the PSNP should improve payment for public work participants implementing SWC, undertake institutional reform, and increase public awareness of the benefits of SWC in reversing land degradation and improving food security. This study uniquely contributes to the understanding of how the PSNP influences the varying degrees of participation in SWC practices, filling a critical research gap. The findings can inform policymakers and program managers to enhance the PSNP’s effectiveness in promoting sustainable land management and food security in Ethiopia.

Exploring Business Indicator Benefits in Andalusia: Engaging in European Funded Environmental Projects for Regions in Transition

Business innovation policies in the field of environmental technology in Andalusia are evaluated through the implementation of the ERDF-Innterconecta Programme, which was a unique instrument of innovation policies financed by the Structural Funds of the European Union aimed mainly at the Spanish autonomous communities with Convergence Objective. The proposed analysis seeks to identify the impact of this multiannual programme on the main business indicators of growth, performance and innovation. To this end, we have differentiated between projects aimed at improving the environment and sustainability, and those which have not introduced this objective. The Propensity Score Matching methodology has been selected to contrast the impact of the policy analysed in the selected business indicators. The conclusions offer disparate results for the indicators analysed.

I Get by With a Little Help From My Friends: The Impact of a Gender-Tailored Group Mentoring Program on Peer Relationships

Adolescents face many difficulties when transitioning to high school, particularly when it comes to their social circles and maintaining friendships. As these challenges can have long-term consequences, providing support to youth during this period is essential. The YWCA Youth Education Programs (YEP) in Vancouver, BC offer group-based, after-school mentoring programs for 7th grade students to help them navigate the transition to high school. Survey data from 668 students (233 treatment group and 435 control group) were used to examine the impacts of the YEP on friend support. Multilevel regression models show that the YEP is effective at improving perceptions of friend support in the long term. More research is needed to explore potential gender differences in the experience of supportive friendships after youth transition to high school, as well as the impact of group-based mentoring for youth transitioning to the high school environment.

The Impact of Prophylaxis on the Quality of Life of Boys with Haemophilia—A Twin-centre Study from South India

Background and Aims: Quality of life (QOL) of boys with haemophilia was severely affected due to many reasons like frequent hospital visits and joint stiffness. This study aims to analyse the impact of the prophylaxis programme on the QOL of haemophiliac boys. Methods: This is a twin-centre cross-sectional study that included all boys with haemophilia aged between 4 and 18 years and receiving prophylaxis. The Canadian Haemophilia Outcome – Kids Life Assessment Tool (CHO-KLAT) Version 3 was used to compare pre-prophylaxis scores with post-prophylaxis scores obtained after four months of prophylaxis. Results: The mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of the study participants was 10.66 (1.28) years. About 88% had haemophilia A and 66.66% had good adherence to prophylaxis. The mean pre-prophylaxis total score was 45.6 (4.9) and the mean post-prophylaxis total score was 64.3 (5.4). Significant improvement in total scores and domain scores was observed in the post-prophylaxis group.

Pathways to Sustainability: Empowering Indigenous Communities through Recycling Education

Recycling is a critical component of sustainable waste management, helping to conserve resources, reduce pollution, and mitigate climate change. Despite its importance, awareness, and participation in recycling activities remain low, particularly among indigenous populations who often have limited exposure to modern environmental practices. This study investigates the impact of a recycling awareness program conducted within an indigenous community in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia. The program included a pre-program survey to assess participants' awareness, understanding, and participation in recycling activities, followed by an educational session on general recycling practices and e-waste management. A post-program survey was conducted to measure the effectiveness of the program. The use of paired sample t-tests reveals significant improvements in participants' knowledge and attitudes toward recycling. The findings provide compelling evidence that targeted educational programs can significantly enhance recycling awareness and participation within Indigenous communities, contributing to broader environmental sustainability goals. The study underscores the need for the implementation of similar programs in other less exposed communities as well as continuous engagement and collaboration with local authorities to sustain and expand recycling initiatives.

Health Education Nursing Based on BCW Theory Improve Negative Psychology, Sleep and Quality of Life in Elderly Patients After Cardiac Interventional Surgery: A Retrospective Study

Objective: Guided by Behavior Change Wheel (BCW) theory, a rehabilitation nursing intervention program for patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was constructed. This study aimed to explore the impact of this intervention program on the negative emotions, sleep quality, and quality of life of patients after PCI. Methods: Patients with coronary heart disease after PCI who visited the cardiology department in our hospital from September 2022 to February 2024 were selected as the research subjects. The patients were divided into two groups according to the order of the operation time: 57 cases in the conventional group and 56 in the BCW group. The systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and resting heart rate (RHR) of the two groups before the administration (T1) and at the end of 3 month administration (T2) were evaluated. The Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), self-rating depression scale, Pittsburgh sleep quality index, and quality of life scale were used in measuring the anxiety, depression, sleep quality, and quality of life levels of the two groups of patients at two-time points. Results: A total of 113 cases were included: 57 cases in the conventional group and 56 in the BCW group. The BCW group had larger improvements in RHR and blood pressure than the conventional group (p < 0.05). The SAS and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) scores of the BCW group were significantly lower than those in the conventional group (p < 0.05). After nursing based on the BCW model was implemented, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores of the patients in the BCW group were lower than those in the conventional group (p < 0.001). After 3 months of administration, the SF-36 total score and other dimensional scores in the BCW group were higher than those in the conventional group (p < 0.05), and no significant difference was observed between the groups before administration (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Intervention programs based on BCW theory may help to reduce patients' depression and anxiety levels, potentially exerting positive effects that improve RHR and cardiac function in patients after coronary intervention and improving patients' sleep and life quality.

A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Video Assisted Teaching on the Knowledge and Practice Regarding ECG among Student in Selected Nursing School of Greater Noida

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is simply one of many tools that medical professionals can use to evaluate heart function. The ECG is a highly technical and specialized diagnostic approach that is widely employed in modern healthcare; nonetheless, it does not provide a comprehensive evaluation of the heart. The present study aims to assess the effectiveness of video-assisted teaching on the knowledge and practice regarding EG among students in the selected nursing school of Greater Noida. objective: To find out the association between knowledge and practice (pre-test and post-test) among nursing students. To determine the impact of a video-assisted teaching programme on ECG among student nurses Quantitative research approach was adopted and a quasi- experimental between demographical data and a knowledgeable questionnaire on ECG. Methods: The target of this study is to provide knowledge on ECG. The sample size is 100 (hundred), and data analysis was done on the basis objective and hypothesis of the study. Results: The obtain was analysed based on objective and hypothesis using frequency and percentage of the data is p<0.05 level of significance the majority 34.5% of the participants poor level of knowledge, 34.5% had an average level of knowledge, 30% had a good level of knowledge

The Impact of Social Protection Programs on Community Welfare in the Tomini Bay Area

The Impact of Social Protection Programs on Community Welfare in the Tomini Bay Area

Examining impact of menstrual cup distribution programming on attitudes about menstruation

This study seeks to use a data science approach to explore the social impact of the CampusCup program on the attitudes about menstruation by analyzing differences between students who participate in CampusCup and those who do. The study found a statistically significant difference in attitudes about menstruation among individuals who participated in the CampusCup program and those who do not use menstrual cups. This study also found that in addition to menstrual cup usage, functionality appreciation, knowledge about menstrual health, and perceived university support for menstruators are all significant factors in the prediction of attitudes about menstruation.

Evaluating the Impact of a Rebt-Based Suicide Prevention Program for Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorders

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a suicide prevention program based on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) for individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder. Theoretical Framework: The study is grounded in the Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) framework, which aims to reduce irrational beliefs, one of the root causes of emotional disturbances, including depression and suicidal ideation. Methods: A nonequivalent quasi-experimental design was employed, involving participants from two Addiction Management Integrated Support Centers in K Province, South Korea. Forty-eight individuals were divided into two groups: 24 in the experimental group and 24 in the control group, each assigned to a different center. The experimental group underwent 10 REBT sessions over 5 weeks, in addition to standard interventions. The control group received only the usual interventions. Outcome variables measured included irrational beliefs, depression, suicidal ideation, and problem-solving ability. Data were collected at baseline and again five weeks after the program ended. Statistical analyses were conducted using chi-square, Fisher's exact test, and independent t-tests. Results: Prior to the intervention, no significant differences in demographic characteristics or baseline outcome variables were observed between the two groups. After the intervention, the experimental group exhibited a significant reduction in irrational beliefs (t=2.36, p=.023), depression (t=3.80, p<.001), and suicidal ideation (t=4.59, p<.001) compared to the control group. Additionally, the experimental group demonstrated a significant improvement in problem-solving ability (t=4.59, p<.001). Discussion/Implications: The study demonstrates that the REBT-based suicide prevention program was effective in reducing irrational beliefs, depression, and suicidal ideation, while also enhancing problem-solving ability in individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder. These results underscore the potential benefits of integrating cognitive-behavioral approaches like REBT into suicide prevention programs for this population. Originality/Value: This research contributes to the limited literature on suicide prevention programs tailored for individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder and offers valuable insights into the applicability of REBT in community-based mental health interventions. The findings suggest the importance of developing structured therapeutic programs that address both cognitive distortions and emotional well-being to prevent suicide in vulnerable populations.

Impact of a poverty simulation program on the unconscious biases – A multi-site study

Impact of a poverty simulation program on the unconscious biases – A multi-site study

Community Education and Diabetic Retinopathy: Effects on ERG Responses and Visual Acuity

The study investigates the impact of a community education program on diabetic retinopathy by analyzing changes in Electroretinogram (ERG) responses and visual indices. A purposive sampling method was used to target adults aged 20 to 50 at eye care centers, ensuring a demographically diverse group, including individuals without diabetes. The final sample included 195 participants, equally divided into healthy controls, diabetic patients, and high-risk individuals. Significant differences were found in ERG parameters and visual indices across healthy, diabetic, and high-risk groups, indicating that education programs may positively affect retinal function. Additionally, the study explores the correlation between ERG responses and visual indices, revealing significant positive relationships. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA and regression, were performed using SPSS (version 29), which confirmed improvements in retinal health, supporting the study's hypotheses. The findings suggest that educational programs can have a meaningful impact on visual health outcomes for diabetic patients.

A Service-Learning Program to Prevent Online Hate Speech Perpetration Among Secondary Education Students: A Pilot Study.

The evolution and rapid expansion of online hate speech perpetration (OHSP) behaviors among adolescents toward different groups contrast with the lack of theory-based and empirically evaluated programs targeting this phenomenon. This study, developed by the Spanish Volunteering Platform, contributes to reversing this situation by investigating the impact of a service-learning program to prevent OHSP among students in secondary education. To do so, a cluster-randomized research design was adopted with a sample of secondary school students (n = 60) from two public schools. After the random assignment of each class group to either the intervention or control condition, the service-learning program previously designed was implemented for 3 months. Regression results in model 7 with all predictors and controls yield a significant effect on the variable experimental group = 0.803, p < .05, and gender = 0.987, p < .05, explaining 45.9% of the variance. The effect size for this intervention was 0.42. From a theoretical perspective, participants are moving in the right direction to reduce and/or prevent OHSP behaviors, which demonstrates the theoretical utility of the theory of planned behavior in hate speech research. Finally, several recommendations are made to improve the impact of future replications or adaptations of this program.

Telehealth Lifestyle Pilot Study for Improving Occupational Performance in Older Adults.

Occupation-centered lifestyle interventions improve health and delay age-related declines in older adults; however, little is known about the impact of a brief telehealth lifestyle program delivered individually. This pilot investigated the Holistic Occupational Performance Empowerment (HOPE) program on occupational performance and health-related quality of life. Twelve community-dwelling older adults completed six weekly lifestyle sessions to enhance behavior change toward individualized health goals. Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) and the Short Form 20-Item Survey (SF-20) were administered preintervention and postintervention to measure program outcomes. Among 36 health-related goals, 69.4% achieved or exceeded the expected level of attainment. A paired samples t-test revealed statistically higher posttest GAS scores compared with pretest scores, indicating significant improvements in occupational performance. SF-20 mental health scores increased postintervention, although not significantly. Preliminary findings suggest that HOPE could positively impact occupational performance in community-dwelling older adults warranting a future large-scale randomized controlled trial.

Caregivers on point: a randomized treatment–control prevention trial for foster and kinship caregivers to reduce behavior challenges among children in foster care

BackgroundChildren in foster care who are newly placed with licensed or kinship caregivers are often vulnerable to increased behavior problems associated with trauma and social disruptions. When those issues are not addressed, children are susceptible to placement disruptions that exacerbate behavior problems. Few preventive interventions are available for foster and kinship caregivers, and none are designed to be delivered at the time of a child’s placement into the home. This study aims to examine the impact of the Chicago Parent Program adapted and customized for foster and kinship caregivers (CPP-FC), locally branded as Caregivers on Point, on caregiver stress, parenting confidence and strategies, children’s behaviors, and placement stability.MethodsCaregivers (N = 300) are being recruited from a specialized foster care clinic that sees children and caregivers within five business days of a new placement. Upon completing baseline surveys and behavioral observation, caregiver-child dyads are randomized to receive CPP-FC (n = 150) or usual care (n = 150). Those in the treatment condition will complete 11 weekly sessions addressing child behavior management and caregiving approaches. A booster session will occur one month after the weekly sessions conclude. A mid-point assessment and behavioral observation will be collected four months after the baseline assessment for all participants, coinciding with the completion of the CPP-FC programming. At 6 months post-baseline, an end-of-study assessment will be collected. Administrative data will be extracted from the child welfare record to determine placement stability for the 12 months following enrolment. The primary outcome of interest is child behavior, indicated by changes in caregiver reports and objective ratings of behavior from observations, where raters are blinded to the treatment arm and timing of data collection. Secondary outcomes include placement stability and changes in caregiver stress and confidence in managing children’s behavior.DiscussionIf found to be effective, CPP-FC would be helpful for families involved with child welfare. It could be delivered by child welfare agencies, licensing and kinship navigator agencies, and foster care clinics and may be eligible for government reimbursement as a preventive intervention for children in foster care.Trial registrationThis study was prospectively registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT06170047.

Educating and Retaining the Cancer-Focused Biomedical Workforce from Rural Appalachian Kentucky: The Impact of Experiential Learning and Scholarship Funding.

Kentucky postsecondary education levels are significantly below the national level, with lower levels in the Appalachian region of the state. Health disparities, including high cancer incidence and mortality, make educating and retaining students from the region a priority. The Appalachian Career Training in Oncology (ACTION) program offers cancer-related experiential opportunities and scholarships to Appalachian students. This study examines the ACTION program and its scholarship impact on undergraduate and professional school students' decisions to attend the University of Kentucky, pursue a career in science/medicine, and pay for schooling. Thirty-three ACTION participants and alumni received scholarships through a need-based application process in academic years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025. All students receiving the scholarship were asked to complete a REDCap survey. The survey evaluated both quantitative and qualitative variables, such as the impact of various factors on college decision, the influence of ACTION programs on career choice, and the effect of ACTION scholarship on financial burden. The two most influential factors affecting students' college choice are finances and experiential opportunities. Students in both the high school and undergraduate programs said their experiences significantly encouraged them to attend the University of Kentucky and pursue a career in science/medicine. Although the scholarship did not eliminate financial concerns, it lessened the burden. The ACTION program and scholarship encouraged Appalachian Kentucky students to attend the University of Kentucky and ameliorated financial concerns. This research demonstrates the program's positive impact on rural, Appalachian students and provides evidence for similar programs that may benefit underserved communities.

An Adjustable Positivity Threshold for Non-invasive Screening Tests for Colorectal Neoplasms Can Improve Screening Program Effectiveness and Feasibility.

In two-step population screening for colorectal cancer (CRC), a simple non-invasive test, commonly a fecal immunochemical test for hemoglobin (FIT), is first undertaken to predict, based on the fecal hemoglobin concentration (f-Hb), who is more likely to have colorectal neoplasia and needs colonoscopy. To evaluate the importance of being able to adjust the f-Hb threshold that triggers follow-up colonoscopy (the "positivity threshold"), we evaluated the predictive value of f-Hb for colorectal neoplasia and its implications for the configuration of new non-invasive tests. A literature review was conducted on the use of quantitative FIT to select the positivity threshold, followed by using f-Hb from a large population to model how adjusting the positivity threshold enabled achievement of the desired program outcomes in a feasible manner. The literature review and the modeling found that while the f-Hb positivity threshold is predictive for colorectal neoplasia across a wide range of f-Hb, there is a complex relationship between program outcomes and f-Hb. The threshold determines not just clinical accuracy (including true- and false-positive results for CRC and/or advanced precursor lesions), but also the colonoscopy workload. A lower f-Hb threshold is associated with a higher sensitivity for neoplasia but a lower specificity and a heavier load of follow-up colonoscopies. Consequently, the threshold determines a program's impact on population CRC mortality and incidence, but also its feasibility and cost-effectiveness within a health-care system. We are entering a new era of non-invasive screening tests, where multiple biomarkers found in biological samples such as blood as well as feces, are being developed and evaluated. These typically specify a non-transparent algorithm, developed with machine learning, to provide a predictive dichotomous positive/negative result with a fixed associated clinical accuracy and colonoscopy workload. This will restrict use of new tests in jurisdictions where the accuracy and workload implications do not match the desired screening program outcomes. However, similar to flexible FIT positivity thresholds, it would be ideal if new tests also provide capacity for screening program providers to select the positivity threshold that delivers their desired screening outcomes in a feasible manner. How marketing, distribution and reimbursement of non-invasive tests are approved, funded and implemented varies widely across jurisdictions and must be taken into account.