Inappropriate Communication Research Articles

Life course prevention - challenges for public health lying ahead

Abstract Issue/problem Demographic and epidemiological transitions have now shifted the focus from vulnerable population groups onto the active population, in particular young adults. At the same time lessons from the covid-19 pandemic taught us about missing actions on the elderly. While the latter have shown compliance and have followed most preventative activities, we observe scepticism and reluctance in the young adults. Description of the problem The covid-19 pandemic showed that young to middle-aged adults were the most reluctant group to adhere to preventative measures but in complying to the recommendations concerning vaccination. Since European activities are now focusing on addressing determinants of NCDs and are hoping to mobilise all population strata, including young and middle-aged adults, it would be important to explore how this mindset might affect the overall attitude to prevention. Results Health policy should explore specifically the needs of young to middle-aged adults (e.g. ages 30 to 44) to list their specific needs, expectations from preventative activities. On the other hand, it would be necessary to find out about the concerns, reluctance, and objections. The interplay of these will play a significant role in acceptance of present and future preventative activities. Exploration on these topics presents the following challenges: 1. Multiple sources of information on given health problems; 2. Lack of structured accessible and well-understandable explanations of advantages and benefits; 3. Inappropriate communication by health professionals or agencies on their behalf; 4. Complexity of the problem, which is then translated into complex and not easily understood messages. Lessons Learning about the specific needs of young adults, their expectations from the health systems in terms of prevention and health care as these will shape their overall attitude to prevention and have an impact on their families, particularly children. Key messages • Knowledge about expectations, needs, concerns, and reserves with respect to prevention is essential for the future activities on prevention. • Involving young and middle-aged adults in the preparation of the future preventative activities for their population groups is essential.

Team-centered IDAC: Modeling and simulation of operating crew in complex systems - Part 2: Simulation aspects and application

Complex systems operations, such as Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs), generally require professional operating teams. Factors associated with teamwork, such as inappropriate communication and coordination, are important contributing factors to accidents and unsafe behavior. The impact of crew interactions on team effectiveness and, consequently, on the entire system, has yet to be fully and quantitatively explored in high-risk environments such as NPPs. Since a team is an interactive social system, team-specific issues must be studied and evaluated from a “team perspective”—based on team dynamics and processes. This paper is a part of a two-papers series that presents a simulation-based Team Model for NPP control room operations. Part 1 describes the theoretical fundaments of the model and details its elements. The current paper, Part 2, describes the simulation aspects and a full application of the method to an NPP four-steam generator feedwater system pipe break. It presents how to set up the simulation elements, such as hardware and humans within a team, using MATLAB Simulink. The method is demonstrated through a case study of an NPP four-steam generator feed water system pipe break. The results are discussed and assessed against theoretical and experimental findings.

Second Look Opportunity for Radiation Oncology Medical Residency During Virtual Interview Season

PurposeDespite easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions and social distancing, medical radiation oncology (RO) residency interviews for the 2023 Match remained exclusively virtual. Virtual interviews can be limited in providing program atmosphere, resident camaraderie, and city culture. Our institution offered a voluntary in-person second look (SL) to address these concerns and supplement the virtual interview. Methods and MaterialA voluntary in-person SL across 3 dates was offered to all applicants who successfully interviewed with the RO department for the 2023 Match (n=54). Attendees of the SLs (n=38) were invited to complete a voluntary 10-question anonymous survey after Match Day regarding their perspectives on this opportunity including motivations for attending, financial burden, and perceived benefits of SLs. Results38 individuals (70%) attended one of the departmental SLs with 19 participants (50%) completing the survey. 16 out of 19 (84%) participants traveled >200 miles to attend. All surveyed applicants were grateful for the in-person SL opportunity and agreed such opportunities should continually be offered with exclusively virtual residency interviews. All participants reported that their decision to attend the SL was affected by departmental financial support. Two applicants felt pressured to attend the SL to remain competitive to the program. Majority of applicants agreed that they achieved a better “feel” for the program culture and the larger institution, resident camaraderie, and the surrounding city from this in-person SL encounter, compared to virtual interview alone (18, 94%). ConclusionThese in-person second look opportunities were well-attended, well-received, and offered insights and experiences to RO resident applicants in the setting of exclusively virtual interviews. The cost of attendance may be a limiting factor when applicants are deciding to attend in-person SLs. Caution is needed to ensure applicants do not feel obligated to attend and SLs are not used as a platform for inappropriate post interview communication.

What Is on the Horizon for Treatments in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis?

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and often fatal lung disease most commonly encountered in older individuals. Several decades of research have contributed to a better understanding of its pathogenesis, though only two drugs thus far have shown treatment efficacy, i.e., by slowing the decline of lung function. The pathogenesis of IPF remains incompletely understood and involves multiple complex interactions and mechanisms working in tandem or separately to result in unchecked deposition of extracellular matrix components and collagen characteristic of the disease. These mechanisms include aberrant response to injury in the alveolar epithelium, inappropriate communication between epithelial cells and mesenchymal cells, imbalances between oxidative injury and tissue repair, recruitment of inflammatory pathways that induce fibrosis, and cell senescence leading to sustained activation and proliferation of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. Targeted approaches to each of these mechanistic pathways have led to recent clinical studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of several agents. This review highlights selected concepts in the pathogenesis of IPF as a rationale for understanding current or future therapeutic approaches, followed by a review of several selected agents and their recent or active clinical studies. Current novel therapies include approaches to attenuating or modifying specific cellular or signaling processes in the fibrotic pathway, modifying inflammatory and metabolic derangements, and minimizing inappropriate cell senescence.

Communication Model in Managing Geothermal Power Plant Conflicts on Serang Regency, Indonesia

Aims: The construction of Geothermal Power Plants in several regions in Indonesia is currently always characterized by conflict and opposition from local communities, including in Serang Regency. One of the main issues is the company’s inappropriate communication strategy, resulting in a lack of community acceptance and leading to conflicts. The research focuses on the different stages of conflict, behavior and communication of conflicting parties within managing conflict strategies. Researchers utilize Galtung's conflict model and the convergence-divergence communication theory. Methodology: The research method used is qualitative research through the examination of case studies. This was done because the problems in this research remained unclear, holistic, complex, dynamic and full of meaning. Meanwhile, the data collection techniques used in this research were documentation obtained 73 news published by 35 online media covering statistics on yearly citizen actions and newspaper publications, news topics or discussions, and online news coverage on the construction of the Geothermal Power Plant in Serang regency, Indonesia. Also, with direct field observations and in-depth interviews with several informants at the study location. Results: Based on research findings, the Geothermal Power Plant conflict went through 4 stages, including the initial conflict phase; conflict phase; the trust-building phase leading to conflict resolution; and the conflict resolution phase. Meanwhile, based on Galtung's theory, conflict occurs when there is a discrepancy between the socialization provided by the company and the community’s direct experiences, leading to rejection through various actions. The divergent communication approach utilized by the company towards the affected communities resulted in different interpretations, ultimately causing the root of the conflict. Conclusion: The conflict stages in the Geothermal Power Plant development project in Serang regency are divided into several phases that closely related with communication occurred between company, government and the local communities. Lack of communication formed negative opinions about the project developers, leading them to oppose the construction of the Geothermal project. The convergent communication model combined with other communication models such as open, participatory and supportive communication is considered to be highly effective in addressing conflicts.

Informational continuity of medication management in transitions of care: Qualitative interviews with stakeholders from the HYPERION-TransCare study.

The transition of patients between inpatient and outpatient care can lead to adverse events and medication-related problems due to medication and communication errors, such as medication discontinuation, the frequency of (re-)hospitalizations, and increased morbidity and mortality. Older patients with multimorbidity and polypharmacy are particularly at high risk during transitions of care. Previous research highlighted the need for interventions to improve transitions of care in order to support information continuity, coordination, and communication. The HYPERION-TransCare project aims to improve the continuity of medication management for older patients during transitions of care. Using a qualitative design, 32 expert interviews were conducted to explore the perspectives of key stakeholders, which included healthcare professionals, patients and one informal caregiver, on transitions of care. Interviews were conducted between October 2020 and January 2021, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using content analysis. We narratively summarized four main topics (stakeholders' tasks, challenges, ideas for solutions and best practice examples, and patient-related factors) and mapped them in a patient journey map. Lacking or incomplete information on patients' medication and health conditions, inappropriate communication and collaboration between healthcare providers within and across settings, and insufficient digital support limit the continuity of medication management. The study confirms that medication management during transitions of care is a complex process that can be compromised by a variety of factors. Legal requirements and standardized processes are urgently needed to ensure adequate exchange of information and organization of medication management before, during and after hospital admissions. Despite the numerous barriers identified, the findings indicate that involved healthcare professionals from both the inpatient and outpatient care settings have a common understanding.

A Study of the Effect of Family Structure on Adolescents’ Commitment to Learning

Normalized population mobility leads to smaller family sizes, which in turn leads to changes in China's family structure, with nuclear and single-parent families becoming more common. Research has shown that family structure has an impact on parent-child communication and even on adolescents' commitment in learning, and the impact varies across different types of families. This study centers on the keywords of family structure and learning engagement by reading relevant literature in recent years. According to the study, it is found that adolescents aged 13-15 years old lack communication with their parents, which is often caused by inappropriate communication between the two parties, or other related reasons. Compared with other family structures, parent-child communication in nuclear families is more perfect because they have a simple structure, a better family atmosphere, and parents spend more time with their children. However, parent-child communication in single-parent families is less effective, and parental divorce also has a certain impact on communication, which affects the children's learning efficiency. From the above, it can be seen that family structure affects parent-child relationship, and a good family structure is conducive to the establishment of healthy parent-child relationship.

Communication Pattern between Regional Government and Local Government in Establishing Traditional Institution

Poverty alleviation is the government's effort to ensure the survival of the nation and state. One effort to maintain food security is to increase agricultural productivity in various sectors. In terms of agricultural management, Keujruen Blang is really needed as a Gampong traditional figure and institution whose function is to regulate and manage all problems related to the agricultural sector. Unfortunately, in Blang Geunang village, West Aceh, there is no Keujruen Blang, which has resulted in agricultural productivity decreasing and the community being below the poverty line. The aim of this research is to see the pattern of organizational communication relationships between regional governments and village governments in responding to the Keujruen Blang traditional institution as Goal-18 in the SDGs. This research method uses qualitative with a descriptive approach and uses purposive sampling technique. The research informants consisted of the Head of the Agriculture Service, the Head of the DPMG Service, the Aceh Traditional Council, the Head of Kaway XVI District, and the Village Head. The results show that communication patterns between regional governments regarding rice farming governance have not been optimally organized. This problem is due to the existence of inappropriate communication patterns between the regional government and the local government, which has an impact on the difficulty in establishing the legality of the Keujruen Blang traditional institution.

Communication to protect brand image during a terrorism crisis: Application of situational crisis communication theory

AbstractWe examined the impact of attributed responsibility and crisis communication for a terrorism crisis on brand image. This crisis scenario involved the loss of life. Using an experimental design methodology and based on the response of 209 respondents, we find that brand image, as expected decreases post‐terrorism. Various types of communication responses were ranked as appropriate and assessed as to impact on the brand. We found that during an event involving the loss of life, the public wanted the brand to apologize and compensate for the grief and loss, irrespective of attribution. The least appropriate communication strategies were justification and excuse and inappropriate communication decreased brand image more than after the attack. This could be because there was insufficient information at that moment to prove guilt or innocence, and the public wanted some form of retribution, perhaps as a method of dealing with the shock and grief. The communications perceived as more appropriate, for example, apology and compensation, were shown to increase the brand image to a higher level immediately after the attack than before the attack. This paper adds to our knowledge of situational crisis communication theory and extends the theory on definition of terrorism, complation of communication strategies, and on suggests how to prevent brand image loss or brand burn during a terrorism crisis.

Burnout levels and individual and organizational performances in Italian nurses: an investigatory study

BACKGROUND: Burnout syndrome negatively affected the individual’s social, physical and psychological life and it might be associated to overthrowing ethics, impaired work realization, work absence and inappropriate communication with patients, and a large number of job variations. The aim of the present study was to assess how burnout syndrome influenced both individual and organizational nursing performances according to sex and work experience.METHODS: An on-line questionnaire explored: demographic characteristics, as: sex, age and years of work experience, burnout levels among participants, individual and the organizational nursing work performances.RESULTS: Significant differences between burnout sub-dimensions and items belonging to the Nursing Individual Work Performance Questionnaire (P<0.05) and the organizational performance (P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: This study highlighted how both individual and organizational nursing performances were strongly influenced by burnout levels. Therefore, the issue of burnout was important as a research priority and further studies will be desirable to evaluate the uniqueness of impact of different factors on burnout, since the literature suggested the importance that nurses might become aware of their own sources of exhaustion of their work.

Peranan Keteladanan Dan Kecerdasan Interpersonal Seorang Guru Terhadap Karakter Siswa Di SD IT Ulul Albab

The teacher's example is very influential on the character of students because it will support their personal development as well as intelligence. Teachers who have good intelligence will give birth to students who are intelligent according to their nature. God bestows every human being with different intelligence. Intelligence referred to here is interpersonal intelligence. Interpersonal intelligence includes empathy, caring, sensitivity, good at communicating verbally/non-verbally. With this ability the teacher's role greatly influences students in their social interactions and increasingly their communication. The example of a teacher and the teacher's interpersonal intelligence influence the way students communicate and adapt to social interactions in society. If the teacher succeeds in being a good example then students will show the same attitude and vice versa if the teacher behaves badly then students will behave the same. Set good examples such as discipline, caring, attention, authority, empathy, and mutual respect. Honest, patient, fair, and speaking are qualities that must be exemplified and become a habit for teachers to their students. The problem in this study is how the role of role model and interpersonal intelligence of the teacher has on the character of students at the Ulul Albab Elementary School. The purpose of this study is to find out the answers to the problems above. Therefore, this study uses a qualitative approach by taking data sources from interviews, questionnaires, observation, and documentation. Data analysis techniques were obtained from data reduction, data presentation, and data verification. The informants in this study were class teachers, study teachers and upper class students. The results of the study found that the role of exemplary and interpersonal intelligence of teachers was partly good. but still needs coaching for some teachers who don't play a role in setting an example. There are some teachers who lack discipline, lack of attention to students, inappropriate communication, lack of teacher performance and others. Likewise, the character of some students is already good but there are still some students who are still not good in character. Habituation and exemplary methods and social customs such as communication ethics, how to speak to younger or younger people have not been implemented optimally.

Exploring Nursing Students’ and Faculty Members’ Perspective on Incivility in the Online Learning Environment: A Descriptive Qualitative Study

Background: Incivility is a kind of disrespect to people. Students and faculty members agree on the growing trend of incivility. Uncivil behaviors in online nursing classes are a serious global issue that can influence the learning-teaching process and threaten patient safety in the clinical setting. This study aimed to identify incivility in the online learning environment from the perspective of nursing faculty members and students. Methods: This descriptive qualitative study was conducted in 2021. A total of 20 participants were selected from among nursing students and faculty through purposive sampling. Data were collected using in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed via a qualitative content analysis approach. Results: Data analysis revealed five categories including ghost students, unconditional freedom, disruptive learning behaviors, academic dishonesty, and ignoring the rules of the online learning environment. Conclusion: Incivility in the online learning environment disrupts the teaching-learning process and undermines instructor-student relationships. Given that disrespectful and threatening behaviors, even to a small degree, can significantly affect the learning environment, it is essential to recognize such behaviors. As uncivil behaviors in virtual nursing education can affect education by developing inappropriate behavioral and communication patterns in students, leading to the violation of professional ethics and patients’ rights, it is necessary to pay attention to this critical issue by conducting further studies and designing interventions to correct it.

Improper communication starts arterial hypertension in a vulnerable individual

Background: People interact with or without words and sounds through their energy, and their appearance makes us think of them. People’s communication by terms represents a common and convenient channel to exchange ideas and deal with problems. Collaboration luxury relaxes and improves individual well-being; ill-mannered people interactions act in opposite directions. Provocative and scandalous debates go before various mental disturbs, following physical complaints according to existing fragile areas. Aim: To reveal the influence of communication skills on blood vessel control and how improper communication starts arterial hypertension in a vulnerable individual. Material&amp; Method: A qualitative study was performed by the author in the community from 2008 to 2023, relating to the people’s interaction influence on their health. People’s inappropriate communication effects on the individual were noticed, then corrected. Findings: man, aged 68, occasionally experienced unpleasant cooperation with some members of his large family. Each time, after offensive attitudes and forceful disputes, he presented tachycardia and increased blood pressure: 155/90 to 167/95 mmHg. On November 2022, following a violent discussion with a family member, he presented headache, high blood pressure, 180/103 mm Hg, tachycardia, and vertigo. Patient’s family medical history: Parents, brothers, and sisters: arterial hypertension. Patient’s medical history: Transient arterial hypertension, from 2009; permanent arterial hypertension: 2022; atrial arrhythmia, 2022.

Relationship Between Effective Communication About Sexuality in Family And Early Adolescent Attitudes About Free Association Of Students' Vii Grade of Junior High School

Background: Teenagers need parental guidance to deal with adolescent problems, while during the transitional period, a distance begins to appear between parents and children. And parents still consider it taboo to talk about sexuality with their children. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between effective communication about sexuality within the family and early adolescent attitudes about promiscuity at Sedati Islamic Middle School, Ngoro District, Mojokerto Regency. Research Methods: Analytical research design with a crossectional approach. The population was 170 students in class VII Islamic Middle School Sedati, Ngoro District, and a sample of 119 students was obtained, which was taken by cluster random sampling. The data was taken using a questionnaire. Results: The results showed that of the 119 respondents who had appropriate effective communication within the family and had a positive attitude, there were 41 students (56.2%), while 35 students (76.1%) had inappropriate effective communication and had a positive attitude. Conclusion: Based on the SPPS test, it shows p (0.001) &lt;alpha (0.05) so H0 is rejected, which means there is a relationship between effective communication about sexuality in the family and early adolescent attitudes about promiscuity at SMP Islam Sedati, Ngoro District, Mojokerto Regency. Effective communication can give appropriate because of openness, perception, media and the environment. However, the media and environment which are increasingly free, it has an impact on the many negative attitudes that arise even though a lot of effective communication is given appropriately. So it is hoped that parents will be more open to children and monitor children's development.

Selected community pharmacists' extent of knowledge, actions, and confidence in medication education to people with hearing disabilities

Community pharmacists are accessible health care professionals to the public. With pharmacy services relying on communication, being proficient communicators enables them to provide medication education. However, it is a challenge for people with hearing disabilities to acquire medication education due to their unique language and preference in communication methods, thereby community pharmacists are needed to address the said issue. This study determined the selected community pharmacists’ extent of knowledge, actions, and confidence (KAC) in medication education to people with hearing disabilities through a descriptive quantitative-comparative research design. A convenience-purposive sampling technique was used to gather 200 Filipino community pharmacists who are currently working in the Philippines and had prior experience serving people with hearing disabilities. A survey questionnaire was used to gather data on their socio-demographic profile, seminar and/or training on disability sensitivity, and the extent of KAC in medication education to these people. Only the number of years in service (Sig.=0.029) had a significant difference in the respondents’ socio-demographic profile to the extent of confidence in communication methods. The respondents were also identified to be knowledgeable on the privileges in health services of these people. However, inappropriate communication strategies under action were still employed by the respondents, such as talking in a loud voice, speaking near the hearing ear, speaking solely to the companion, providing only written materials, and general use of Filipino Sign Language, despite their confidence in medication education to these people. Hence, improvement of their KAC through programs or training is important to ensure appropriate and more effective communication with people with hearing disabilities.

"Зеленая" коммуникация: реакция потребителей на маркетинговые усилия брендов компаний ТЭК в социальных сетях

The study examines the "green" communication activity of Russian fuel and energy companies through social media communities in the context of the global energy system transformation, where environmental communication is a means of transmitting sustainability, causing understanding and meaningfulness, benefiting both the company and the environment. The relationship between companies' messages about sustainable development and their impact on the target audience, as well as their perception and intentions to purchase from energy brands in the context of the transition to a low-carbon economy was analyzed. This study examines a new vector of "green" marketing in the way it manifests itself in the social networks of fuel and energy companies, by testing the perception of the brand and the intention to make a purchase based on environmentally conscious posts. The survey was analyzed based on the responses of 217 respondents using the products and services of Russian oil and gas companies on cultural, economic, environmental and social aspects of sustainability, showing that "green" communication is more effective for brands in an environment characterized by high awareness of the needs for sustainability and the need to change certain business processes. Successful "eco" communications contribute to building trust, reputation and a positive impact on the company and its ecosystem. While this tool can bring a lot of added value, inappropriate communication can cause great damage to business reputation. The study shows that oil and gas industry companies should take into account cultural peculiarities when providing information about the company's transition to the "green" side.

"Communication Is Not Exactly My Field, but It Is Still My Area of Work": Staff and Managers' Experiences of Communication With People With Traumatic Brain Injury.

Communication between people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and rehabilitation staff can be impacted by cognitive-communication disorders. Communication partner training (CPT) programs hold potential to improve communication between people with TBI and their communication partners. To tailor CPT programs to the rehabilitation environment, it is critical to understand the nature of communicative interactions for staff members. This study explores staff and managers' experiences of communication with people with TBI in the rehabilitation setting. Individual semistructured videoconference interviews were carried out with staff members (n = 22) and managers (n = 4) varying in terms of professions and length of work experience. Interviews were guided by a phenomenological approach to gain comprehensive knowledge of staff and managers' lived experiences of communication with people with TBI. Four themes with nine subthemes were generated: (a) cognitive-communication disorders challenge interaction (communication is socially inappropriate, the diversity of presenting symptoms associated with TBI is demanding), (b) staff struggle in communication (there is a breakdown of communicative collaboration, communication increases staff's workload, emotional well-being of staff is at risk), (c) communication context is crucial (tasks affect communication, extending the professional roles), and (d) staff want communication knowledge and skills (needs vary according to work experience, access to tailored strategies, and feedback). Staff and managers experienced communication with people with TBI as highly demanding. The socially inappropriate communication in people with TBI was perceived to disturb the collaborative aspects of communication and create negative emotional impacts for staff. Staff experiences varied according to discipline, work experience, rehabilitation tasks, and facility. Consequently, staff and managers expressed a need for specific communication strategies to help them overcome the communicative challenges. https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.21579159.

Digital Health Information Provided by Public Health Stakeholders on Colorectal Cancer Screening: A Systematic Evaluation.

In the federal state of Germany, Saxony-Anhalt, colorectal cancer is the second most frequent cause of death among cancer patients. In order to identify cancer precursors early, colorectal cancer screenings are essential. In this context, health information contributes to informing individuals and imparting them with necessary knowledge to make a decision about (non-)utilization of preventive services. Numerous public health stakeholders (e.g., statutory health insurances) provide health information. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of web-based health information offered by public health stakeholders in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. A systematic evaluation was used. A search was performed using pre-defined eligibility criteria and search terms. Two independent reviewers assessed the search results based on seven main categories (60 items) developed by the study team in line with the "Guideline Evidence-based Health Information". In total, 37 materials from 16 different stakeholders were included and yielded a "mediocre quality" (median = 69%). The materials had only partially fulfilled the requirements of national recommendations for evidence-based health information. Access to digital health information regarding colon cancer screening was unsatisfactory, especially for individuals with auditory or visual impairments, due to use of inappropriate communication technologies. Further efforts are required to improve digital health information about colorectal cancer screening.

The “Blessing” of Pregnancy? Barriers to accessing adequate maternal care in Poland: A mixed-method study among women, healthcare providers, and decision-makers

ObjectiveAll women should have access to adequate and respectful maternal care to maximise health outcomes. In Poland, there is a mismatch between good maternal health indicators and poor care experiences. This study examined stakeholder views on access to adequate maternal care in Poland in terms of availability, appropriateness, affordability, approachability, and acceptability. DesignA mixed-methods study. SettingOnline survey and online semi-structured interviews conducted between March 2021 and May 2021. ParticipantsFive-hundred fifty-seven (557) women who recently gave birth in Poland, maternal care providers and decision-makers active in the field of maternal health. FindingsThe main barriers to adequate care were inappropriate communication of maternal care providers, insufficient compliance with standards of care, over-medicalisation of childbirth and suboptimal engagement of women in care provision, and high levels of out-of-pocket spending on maternal care services. Other barriers included limited availability of maternal care providers, particularly midwives, and low reproductive health literacy in women. Key conclusionsProvision of adequate and women-centred maternal care remains erratic, despite substantial care provision advancements in recent years. Addressing the barriers could substantially improve the experience of and access to adequate maternal care in Poland. Implications for practiceBarriers identified in the survey with women largely converged with those highlighted in the interviews. In addition, maternal care providers and decision-makers provided context-specific information and explanation of the current state of maternal care system. Consequently, this study provides direction-setting information for policy and practice in Poland and other Central and Eastern European countries, which share similar shortcomings related to adequate maternal care provision.

Effect of Parental Communication on Learner Achievement in Mathematics Activities in Chwele Zone, Kabuchai Sub-County, Bungoma County, Kenya

Parental Communication (PC) in children’s education is instrumental in determining achievement in learning outcomes; while appropriate parental engagement is related to positive learner achievement, inappropriate communication inhibits learner achievement in education. Parents in Chwele zone ECDE centres hardly provide feedback following communications from the school concerning their children’s progress, a scenario thought to be attributed to by lack of awareness. This study examined the effect of parental communication on learner achievement in mathematics activities in the Chwele zone. A descriptive survey design was employed, targeting 27 teachers in charge, and 2097 parents in 27 preschools. Convenience sampling was used to get 10 teachers in charge of preschools and 150 parents from the 10 centres as respondents. Questionnaires and interview guide tools were administered to the teachers in charge, and parents, respectively to collect data. The instruments were formulated from the study’s objectives and given to an expert to check their appropriateness. Some qualitative data were sorted, coded, and organised into various themes to quantify them. The quantitative data were analysed using means, frequencies, and percentages, presented by the use of tables, graphs, charts and descriptions guided by Lev Vygotsky’s theory of childhood psychological development. Findings indicated that the common form of communication by parents was note writing, at only 28% parents, or else only 19% parents visited centres, and 53% parents did not have time for that, registering a considerable rate of ignorance, as a hindrance in children’s mathematics activities’ instruction. It was concluded that parents communicated poorly in preschool mathematics activities matters. The study recommended that teachers should intensify parental sensitisation on fruitful modes of communication in order to maximise parental involvement in children’s satisfactory achievement in Mathematics activities