Local Commitment Research Articles

Promoting Male Involvement in Family Planning: Insights From the No-Scalpel Vasectomy Program of Davao City, Philippines.

Despite global consensus on the importance of male involvement in family planning, disparities persist in low- and middle-income countries, where women continue to bear the responsibility for these initiatives. The Philippines, with a high fertility rate and unmet family planning needs, exemplifies this challenge. We present the experiences and lessons learned from implementing the no-scalpel vasectomy (NSV) program in Davao City, showcasing its potential for increasing male engagement in family planning decisions. Launched in 2008, the program aimed to address gender disparity by promoting NSV as a safe and effective contraceptive alternative to female-centric methods. Through the use of culturally sensitive information campaigns and couple-focused counseling, the program challenged traditional notions of masculinity and encouraged shared decision-making. Strong local government commitment and public-private partnerships played key roles in driving the program's success. Results showed an average annual increase of 80% in NSV clients over the past 3 years compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring its effectiveness. The program presents a compelling intervention model for similar initiatives, highlighting how overcoming cultural barriers, infrastructure limitations, and budgetary constraints through policy advocacy, strategic partnerships, and tailored approaches can significantly boost male involvement in family planning and improve reproductive health outcomes within communities.

Evaluation of Tobacco Tax Funding to Eradicate Illicit Cigarettes in Indonesia: A Qualitative Approach.

The illicit cigarette trade endangers public health because it increases access to cheaper tobacco products, hence fueling the tobacco epidemic and undermining tobacco control policies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the execution of an illicit cigarette eradication program under the jurisdiction of the local government in Indonesia. We sought to provide insights into the effectiveness of current policies and their impact on the illicit cigarette trade in line with the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) protocol to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products. We conducted semistructured interviews with key policy-makers and semistructured FGDs with consumers and small- to medium-scale cigarette manufacturers at the district level. We indentified Pasuruan and Kudus as the districts or cities with the highest proportion of DBH CHT, and Jepara and Malang as a district with a highest illicit cigarette incident. We used reflective thematic analysis to identify the important opportunities and challenges facing illicit cigarette eradication programs in the three districts. We identified four opportunities and four challenges related to illicit cigarette eradication program implementation under the local government. The opportunities for illicit cigarette eradication lie in strong central government regulatory and multisectoral authority support, consumer awareness, and local governments' commitment to tobacco supply chain control. The key challenges facing illicit cigarette eradication include ineffective public dissemination programs, rapidly changing regulatory designs, consumers' preferences for illicit products, and a lack of industrial involvement in tobacco supply chain control programs. In addition to significant budget allocation and increasing consumer awareness, local programs to eradicate illicit cigarette production require considerable evaluation to rethink the program's design and external stakeholders' engagement within the local government's scope.

Variables Affecting Tourist Satisfaction at Tapeshwari Buffer Zone Community Homestay in Belaka Municipality

Tourist satisfaction is very important for local community to operate the homestay. This research paper focuses on investigating factors influencing tourist satisfaction in homestays. Its objective is to analyze these variables, understand the types of tourists choosing homestays, and assess the local community's commitment to ensuring tourist satisfaction. This article focuses on Belha village of Belaka Municipality, Udayapur. The research design incorporates both qualitative and quantitative methods, aiming for a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon through various theories and data collection approaches: preliminary interviews, telephonic interviews, structural interviews, Google surveys etc. have been used. The data collected from 82 participants indicates that Tangibles, Environment, Nutriments and Commitment are the significantly strong predictor of tourist satisfaction and this study further shows that commitment of the homestay operator is much stronger predictor of tourist satisfaction. This study explored the TENC Tangibles, Environment, Nutriments and Commitment) model with 25 measurement items to gauge the satisfaction of tourists staying in the homestay. This shows that Tangibles, Environment, Nutriments and Commitment (TENC) in a homestay lead towards the tourist satisfaction. The homestay should focus on exploring their culture and traditions, updating the tangible facilities and providing trainings to the homestay operators for the better service.

Green innovation: a key strategy for enterprises and countries to gain a competitive edge in the global market

ABSTRACT Green innovation (GI) is an essential part of enterprises and countries for gaining a prior position in the global market. This study aims to investigate the nexus between the Five-Year Plan command-and-control environmental regulation (ER), GI, and global competitiveness. This research investigates the Five-Year Plan command-and-control environmental regulation's impact on high-polluting firms, research and development investments, and environmental concerns, exploring how emission reduction promotes innovation for global competitiveness. The Resource-Based View theory is employed to analyze how unique resources, such as the environmental Five-Year Plan and strategic research and development investments, lead to sustainable competitive advantages. The study gathered data from China Stock Market & Accounting Research, China's statistical yearbook, and Inco Pat databases, employing a continuous Difference-in-Differences (DD) model to assess the Five-Year Plan command-and-control ER's impact on GI Quality. Instruments included GI Quality, Official Promotional Pressure, financial development, and control variables. The findings highlight positive correlations between the Five-Year Plan command-and-control ER and GI, increased research and development investments in high-polluting enterprises, and the beneficial impact of local government commitment to economic development (ED). The practical implications guide enterprises in leveraging the Five-Year Plan command-and-control ER and research and development investments for enhanced competitiveness, while the theoretical contribution lies in illustrating how environmental initiatives serve as valuable strategic resources within the Resource-Based View framework. Researchers, policymakers, and businesses interested in leveraging environmental initiatives for competitive advantages would benefit.

What Should Healthcare Systems Consider When Modernizing Call Centers? Early Considerations From the Veterans Health Administration.

Growing numbers of hospitals and payers are using call centers to answer patients' clinical and administrative questions, schedule appointments, address billing issues, and offer supplementary care during public health emergencies and national disasters. In 2020, the Veterans Health Administration (VA) implemented VA Health Connect, an enterprise-wide initiative to modernize call centers. VA Health Connect is designed to improve the care experience with the convenience, flexibility, and simplicity of a single toll-free number connected to a range of 24/7 virtual services. The services are organized into four areas: administrative guidance for scheduling and general inquiries; pharmacy support for medication matters; clinical triage for evaluation of symptoms and recommended care; and virtual visits with providers for urgent and episodic care. Through a qualitative evaluation of VA Health Connect, we sought to identify the factors that affected the development of this program and to compile considerations to support the implementation of other enterprise-wide initiatives. The evaluation team interviewed 29 clinical and administrative leads from across the VA. These leads were responsible for the modernization of their local service networks. PhD-level qualitative methodologists conducted the interviews, asking participants to reflect on barriers and facilitators to modernization and implementation. The team employed a rapid qualitative analytic approach commonly used in healthcare research to distill robust results. A review of the early implementation of VA Health Connect found: (1) deadlines proved challenging but provided momentum for the initiative; (2) a balance between standardized processes and local adaptations facilitated implementation; (3) attention to staffing, hiring, and training of call center staff before implementation expedited workflows; (4) establishing national and local leadership commitment to the innovation from the onset increased team cohesion and efficacy; and (5) anticipating information technology infrastructure needs prevented delays to modernization and implementation. Our findings suggest that healthcare systems would benefit from anticipating likely obstacles (e.g., delays in software implementations and negotiations with unions), thus providing ample time to secure leadership buy-in and identify local champions, communicating early and often, and supporting flexible implementation to meet local needs. VA leadership can use this evaluation to refine implementation, and it could also have important implications for regulators, federal health exchanges, insurers, and other healthcare systems when determining resource levels for call centers.

Prevention and Enhancement of Housing Quality and Slum Settlements of Biawu-Biawao, Gorontalo City By IJISRT

This study aims to identify the slum conditions, develop a model of prevention, and improve the housing quality and the slum areas of Gorontalo City. The field survey with a proportional sampling of the Biwau and Biawao river banks was used as the slum identification area, prevention and improvement of housing quality and slum areas. Non-economic vitality criteria, economic vitality, land legality, location strategic value, population, condition of facilities and infrastructure, local government commitment, priority of prevention and quality improvement are used to analyse quantitative and qualitative descriptions. The results of the physical building planning strategies include building arrangements, density, and technical requirements. Facilities and infrastructure planning strategies include improving environmental roads, drinking water supply, environmental drainage, wastewater management, waste management and providing fire protection.

Pengembangan Moderasi Beragama Bagi Pengajar TPA Dan Takmir Masjid Di Desa Lemahbang Kecamatan Jumapolo Kabupaten Karanganyar

The aim of this service is to increase religious moderation for teachers at the Al-Qur'an Education Park and Mosque Takmir in Lemahbang village, Jumapolo sub-district, Karanganyar district so that in carrying out their social activities they can provide coolness and provide a message of peace, especially for the children of the Al-Qur'an Education Park and the community. common for the Takmir of the Mosque. This service was carried out with consideration because Lemahbang village consists of many mass organizations, including Muhammadiyah, Nahdlatul Ulama, Al-Qur'an Tafsir Council, Indonesian Da'wah Council Institute and others. This service activity was carried out in Lemahbang village, Jumapolo subdistrict, Karanganyar district in February 2023. Lemahbang subdistrict consists of 20 RTs and 8 RWs and there are 8 villages in it. This activity involved Al-Qur'an Education Park teachers and mosque Takmirs throughout Lemahbang village which was carried out through three phases, namely preparation, implementation and evaluation. This religious moderation service activity is based on 4 things, namely tolerance, accommodating local culture, national commitment and non-violence. The results of this service show that the four things that underlie religious moderation are implemented well by the teachers at the Al-Qur'an Education Park and Takmir mosque in Lemahbang village. This happens because of their commitment to maintaining the calm of Lemahbang village where they live.

The role of International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) in advancing global childhood cancer care.

The Société Internationale d'Oncologie Pédiatrique [International Society of Paediatric Oncology] (SIOP), founded in 1969, aims to improve the lives of children and adolescents with cancer through global collaboration, education, training, research and advocacy. The annual congress provides the opportunity to share late-breaking research, clinical experiences and debate, with experts worldwide. SIOP's six Continental Branches represent their constituent members in North America, Oceania, Latin America, Africa, Europe and Asia and bring best practices and recent research findings of value to their specific patient populations. In 1990, the SIOP Board of Directors addressed the formerly predominantly European/North American society transforming into a global association by establishing a scholarship program to bring low- and middle-income country (LMIC) paediatric oncologists and nurses to SIOP meetings. A major achievement was SIOP's acceptance as a World Health Organisation (WHO) non-state actor in official relations in 2018, joining 220 non-governmental organisations, international business associations and philanthropic foundations with this privilege. SIOP supports advocacy with WHO member states and civil society to highlight the specific needs of cancer in this age-group through key programs especially supporting the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer. Sustained improvement in childhood cancer outcomes has paralleled the integration of research with care; thus, SIOP launched a Programme for Advancing Research Capacity for funding selected clinical trial groups in LMICs. SIOP supports south-south partnerships, and the principles elegantly expressed in SIOP Africa's checklist for co-branding projects, that include the prioritisation of local needs, cultivation of local expertise and commitment to equitable partnerships. SIOP now counts approximately 3,000 members from over 128 countries; 39% are from more than 60 LMICs. SIOP members have multidisciplinary expertise on all aspects of childhood cancer care working in collaboration with key stakeholders including governments, civil society organisations and funders to improve the lives of children/adolescents with cancer everywhere in all ways.

Use of nonpneumatic anti-shock garment and first response care bundle to improve maternal survival following obstetric hemorrhage in Migori County, Kenya

Background: Despite targeted efforts by the Ministry of Health and nongovernmental organizations, the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) was 673 in 100,000 live births in Migori County, Western Kenya. The first confidential investigation into maternal deaths was a detailed review of half of the maternal deaths reported across Kenya in 2014. Approximately 40% of maternal deaths were due to obstetric hemorrhage (OH), and 90% were attributed to substandard care. Objectives: To evaluate the use of a nonpneumatic anti-shock garment (NASG) and first response bundle in maternal survival following postpartum hemorrhage. Methods: An implementation team trained maternity care staff at 104 participating facilities (responsible for 85% of facility births for the county) to use the first-response bundle, NASG, and uterine balloon tamponade (UBT) combined with NASG for uterine atony. The study had two phases, beginning July 1, 2020, and ending September 30, 2021. Results: 63,580 deliveries were reported, giving an OH rate of 1.32%. Of 838 women with OH, 51.8% showed signs of hypovolemic shock (n=434). NASG was applied per protocol to 56.5% (n=267) of women and preventively to 146 (36.1%) of the 404 women with OH. For most women with OH who did not receive NASG, the provider stated that it was not necessary. In three cases, NASG was not applied due to lack of a trained provider, and in four cases, NASG was not available at the facility. The use of the complete first-response bundle increased from 37.3% to 42.3% over time. For tranexamic acid (TXA), 40.8% of eligible women who received TXA had received the other three interventions. 86 were managed with both the UBT and NASG (22.5%). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the use of the NASG and PPH first-response bundle is feasible at tertiary and primary health facilities. The limitation to the use of a first-response PPH bundle is whether there is a local commitment to expand the availability of TXA.

Towards Inter-Village Collaboration In Sustainable Economic Development: How Does Local Commitment And Participation Make Everything Appear Simple?

Towards Inter-Village Collaboration In Sustainable Economic Development: How Does Local Commitment And Participation Make Everything Appear Simple?

Police-Community Relations in Baguio City: A Path Towards Accountability

Positive police-community relations are the cornerstone of a just and effective law enforcement system. They create a virtuous cycle of trust, collaboration, and accountability, leading to a safer and more equitable community. This qualitative descriptive study delves into the factors that promote positive police-community relations in Baguio City, Philippines. It further examines how improved relations impact accountability among officers of the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO). Focusing on firsthand experiences, the research interviewed key informants. These included three active members of BCPO’s Police Community Affairs and Development Group (PCADG) with at least two years of experience and a barangay official from Barangay Abanao-Zandueta-Chugum-Kayang-Otek (AZCKO). An interview guide explored their subjective experiences and perspectives on police-community relations. The study identified strong support from the local government, community cooperation and commitment, and efficient communication as key factors contributing to positive police-community relations. These improved relations led to increased community involvement as an oversight body of the organization, a shift towards responsive and proactive problem-solving, and a reduction in negative perceptions of police officers. Notably, active community participation creates a system of checks and balances, holding police accountable for their actions and promoting transparency in their operations. In essence, this study highlights the importance of investing in initiatives that nurture positive police-community relations. By breeding trust, collaboration, and accountability, such efforts can contribute to a safer and more just community for all residents of Baguio City.

The Rituals of Llazore and Rusica in the Village of Polena (Albania) between Past and Present

This paper provides an overview of two spring calendrical rituals, llazore and rusica, historically and contemporarily practiced in Polena, a village in Southeast Albania's Korça region. These rituals, linked to Orthodox Christian feasts, are vital to the community's cultural and religious life. Despite challenges like globalization, societal changes, and demographic shifts, the rituals persist, reflecting the local community's commitment to preserving and transmitting them. The study examines the rituals' historical context, evolution, and enduring role in maintaining cultural identity and social cohesion amid modern challenges.

Reducing Unmet Need for Family Planning in Indonesia: A Policy Analysis Report

The Indonesian government has already initiated many policies to reduce unmet need for Family Planning (FP), which is one of the three zeros commitment. It is crucial to understand whether a regulatory perspective is sufficient to solve the unmet need for family planning in Indonesia. This report explores the policy response to the unmet need of FP in Indonesia. This report draws from two sets of data. First, a document review contained 45 policies. The second set of data was qualitative interviews with the key informants collected as part of the policy analysis process of unmet need of FP. Forty five policies identified in the form of decrees, government regulations, and presidential regulations related to the unmet need for FP. Three themes emerged from the analysis: demand creation, supply side, and socio-demographic factors related to women. In the demand creation, we found varying commitments of the Provincial and District Governments in manage the FP programs. On the supply side, the government guaranteed the availability of contraceptives for all public and private health facilities, as long as they are registered in the BKKBN reporting system. However, there are still problems in distributing contraceptives, especially at the district level to the facilities. The last factors related to the unmet need for FP are the socio-demographic factors, such as fertility and socio-economic factors. In conclusion, at the national level, the policy covered has been adequate to address the demand creation and supply side, but not many about couple factors. The success of FP programs depends on the local government's strong commitment to including the unmet need of FP as their strategic plans

Party politics and the effectiveness of local climate change policy frameworks: green influence from the sidelines

ABSTRACT Are national-level party political drivers of climate change performance reproduced locally? Here, I explore whether Greens’ ability to influence climate commitment nationally via legislative presence and coalition partnership is translated into English local government, using Climate Emergency gradings of local authority policy frameworks as the focus of comparative analysis. Scholarship on English local authority policy-making and performance suggests that, on balance, we should expect to see Green legislative presence and governing coalition effects translate to this level of government. While the finding of a positive Green legislative presence effect adds weight to the characterisation of local climate governance in England as a relatively collaborative process, the null finding on the coalition effect raises questions over the ability of junior coalition partners to realise preferences rapidly. Given the importance of sub-national politics to successful climate change transformation, it is vital that the factors associated with strengthened local commitment be further explored.

International Humanitarian Award: Garth Neufeld.

This award recognizes extraordinary humanitarian service and activism by a psychologist or a team of psychologists, including professional and/or volunteer work conducted primarily in the field with underserved populations. "As president of Shared Space for All (SSFA), a nonprofit organization that educates and mentors impoverished youth in a village in the province of Isaan, Thailand, Mr. Garth Neufeld has successfully and strategically led the organization. SSFA promotes safer futures for youth in a context where poverty limits education and promotes migration to cities where a lack of skills translates into vulnerability to recruitment into sex work and trafficking. Over 200 at-risk school-aged children have received a range of services through SSFA, including supervised care before and after school, social services such as transportation, and full scholarships for higher education. The organization is exemplary in partnering with the local community and privileging the wisdom of those it serves. Mr. Neufeld has assembled a board of Thai and American members, mobilizing local commitment and engagement, harnessing the power of volunteers both local and overseas, underscoring contextually and culturally appropriate approaches, and balancing when to lead from the front or from behind. Mr. Neufeld is a tenured professor of psychology at Cascadia College, managing an active academic career and commitment to SSFA. He is a leader in Division 2, where he is highly regarded by his colleagues and has received multiple awards for teaching. Mr. Neufeld's vision through SSFA has been described as transformative, creating change by investing in the next generation to build human capital. Mr. Neufeld stands as a shining example of how psychologists can bring their skills and passion to organize and mobilize partnerships that can make a lasting difference in a vulnerable community. For these reasons, American Psychological Association's (APA's) Committee for Global Psychology is honored to present this award to Garth Neufeld." (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Unveiling the Path to Sustainable Behavior in Tourism through a Systematic Literature Review

Environmental sustainability is a crucial focus in the contemporary tourism and hospitality industry due to its potential to protect the environment and benefit society. Despite extensive research on the environmental impact on the industry, there is a need for a comprehensive analysis. The lack of relevant studies on pro-environmental behavior of hospitality and tourism consumers underscores the importance of thorough review. This study utilized the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) protocol to conduct a systematic literature review, focusing on areas such as Local Communities' Commitment, Small Firms in Tourism, Consumer Behavior, and Sustainability Communication. The results of the studies suggest that various independent variables can influence sustainable behavior in tourism, including Difficulty Perception, Eco Concern, Effort Perception, and others. The dependent variables identified in this study are divided into three groups: Technology Adoption, Environmental Attitudes and Beliefs, and Self Expression and Well-being.

Effectiveness of ICM system and its contribution to local capacity development: Case study in West Papua Province

Integration and coordination of various coastal and marine management efforts is the major objective of the integrated coastal management (ICM) approach. In the implementation of the Raja Ampat’s COREMAP CTI activities, PKSPL IPB University replicates ICM practices, in Yensawai Village, Raja Ampat Regency. Those include cycle guidelines, structures, and models of ICM implementation at the local government level. The ICM cycle is very important because it provides a gradual and non-negotiable “must” to be able to proceed to the next several steps. The cycle must be done correctly to contribute to continuous improvement. The goal is to have a functioning ICM system to improve local government services and contribute to sustainable development. PKSPL IPB University has successfully demonstrated its effectiveness and impact on the implementation of the ICM program. This can be seen in the increasing adoption of the concept of sustainability in local governments as well as increasing local political commitment to the rehabilitation of sustainable coastal ecosystems in West Yensawai Village, Raja Ampat Regency. The experience of PKSPL IPB University in other ICM pilot sites in implementing ICM integration was replicated in the COREMAP CTI program in West Papua Province. Contribution factors adopted by ICM in local capacity building include: (i) local government involvement; (ii) the leadership role of the coordination mechanism; (iii) key steps of the ICM Cycle process; (iv) vision-led programs; (v) local champions; (vi) visible achievements and impacts; (vii) increased value of integrated planning and management approaches, and local and political commitments.

Evaluation of the Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care training in Gondar, Ethiopia; a mixed methods study.

In Ethiopia maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality remains high. Timely access to quality emergency obstetric and neonatal care is essential for the prevention of adverse outcomes. Training healthcare providers can play an important role in improving quality of care, thereby reducing maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate change of knowledge, skills and behaviour in health workers who attended a postgraduate Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care training in Gondar, Ethiopia. A descriptive study with before-after approach, using a mix of quantitative and qualitative data, based on Kirkpatrick's model for training evaluation was conducted. The evaluation focussed on reaction, knowledge, skills, and change in behaviour in clinical practice of health care providers and facilitator's perspectives on performance. A 'lessons learned approach' was included to summarize facilitators' perspectives. Health care providers reacted positively to the Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care training with significant improvement in knowledge and skills. Of the 56 participants who attended the training, 44 (79%) were midwives. The main evaluation score for lectures was 4,51 (SD 0,19) and for breakout sessions was 4,52 (SD 0.18) on scale of 1-5. There was a statistically significant difference in the pre and post knowledge (n = 28, mean difference 13.8%, SD 13.5, t = 6.216, p<0.001) and skills assessments (n = 23, mean difference 27.4%, SD 22.1%, t = 5.941, p<0.001). The results were the same for every component of the skills and knowledge assessment. Overall, they felt more confident in performing skills after being trained. Local sustainability, participant commitment and local context were identified as challenging factors after introducing a new training program. In Gondar Ethiopia, the Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care training has the potential to increase skilled attendance at birth and improve quality of care, both vital to the reduction of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity.

Strategy for Implementing the Recommendations of the Republic of Indonesia Audit Board on Financial Reports of the Regional Government of South Buton Regency

South Buton Regency has great economic potential but faces various challenges in managing government finances. Local government financial reports are a very important tool in decision-making, monitoring, and accountability to the community. The purpose of this study is to identify strategic factors, which are strengths and weaknesses as well as opportunities and threats, and then formulate a priority strategy for implementing BPK RI recommendations in the financial reports of the regional government of South Buton Regency. Primary data is used through field observations and interviews, while secondary data is obtained from previous research, books, and related agencies. The results of the study indicate alternative strategies that can be considered, including increasing transparency and effective cooperation with BPK RI, competency development and openness to organizational changes, strong local government commitment in dealing with legal threats, and transparency as protection from reputation threats and changes in priorities in economic conditions uncertainty and overcoming resistance within local government.

Dynamics of Local Government Policies in Providing Recognition and Protection of Customary Law Communities in Maluku

The problem of protecting and recognizing the rights of Customary Law Communities in Indonesia, including in Maluku, from the perspective of local government policies, is still being underestimated, even though Article 18 B paragraph (2) of the constitution has given recognition and respect to the unity of Customary Law Communities and their traditional rights, However is it that to get recognition of the status of customary villages in several negeri in the districts of Maluku and disputes over the mata rumah parentah still occur frequently. This study raises issues regarding legal protection and problems regarding the recognition of the rights of Customary Law Communities in districts/cities in Maluku by using statutory, conceptual approaches and case studies of court decisions relating to the rights of Customary Law Communities. Based on the results of the study it was found that the Provincial Government had issued a policy to provide customary law protection in Maluku which became the basis for establishing customary villages in Ambon City and Tual City, however, there are still regencies that have not provided recognition in the form of regional regulations for establishing customary villages, such as in West Seram Regency and Central Maluku Regency due to weak local government commitment and juridical problems.