Community Programs Research Articles

Mitigating Persistent Symptoms Following Rehabilitation in Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Scoping Review on After-discharge Strategies.

The majority of patients with musculoskeletal pain (62% to 64%) achieve their treatment goals upon completing rehabilitation. However, a high re-consultation rate after discharge is frequently reported. Numerous authors have recognized the necessity of secondary prevention programs (after-discharge strategy) to ensure that the gains are maintained or further pursued after the completion of a rehabilitation program. Little is known about the different strategies currently in use, and a detailed review of the existing strategies is needed for future integration into the healthcare systems. This review systematically scopes and synthesizes the after-discharge strategies reported in the literature following rehabilitation for individuals experiencing musculoskeletal pain. Four databases (OVID MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Sciences, and OVID PsycInfo) were screened from their inception until May 4, 2023. Literature search, screening, and extraction were performed according to the PRISMA extension for scoping review guidelines. Different after-discharge strategies were identified and grouped into 2 main categories: (1) in-person and (2) remote strategies. In-person strategies included (1.1) in-person booster sessions and (1.2) the use of existing community programs after discharge. Remote strategies included remote strategies that (2.1) involve a health care professional service or (2.2) strategies that do not involve any health care professional service. We identified various after-discharge strategies designed to sustain gains and improve patients' self-management skills following the completion of a rehabilitation program. The existence of numerous promising strategies suggests their potential suitability for various contexts.

Pendampingan Penguasaan Mufradat Melalui Ice Breaking Tebak Makna dalam Pengajaran Bahasa Arab di MDTA Madinatul Ulum Desa Margaluyu

For a student, increasing Arabic vocabulary is very important, especially for those who are involved in Arabic language education. The fewer vocabulary a student has, the slimmer his chances of mastering the context of Arabic sentences. Therefore, to make the learning process more interesting, media is needed in the learning process that is easy to understand and easy for students to master. So that the learning process can achieve the desired goals and be more dynamic, other tools or media are needed, such as audio-visual media, print projectors, films, games and so on. The opportunity to master the Arabic learning of vocabulary more easily if the learning media is better. The Arabic Language Education Study Program's Community Service uses the Participatory Action Research (PAR) method, namely a research method carried out in a participatory manner among MDTA Madinatul Ulum Margaluyu students. The service team will try to provide training and mentoring as a stimulus in an effort to improve students' abilities in mastering Arabic vocabulary through Picture Card Media.The results of the Arabic Language Education Study Program Service Team succeeded in improving the abilities of MDTA Madinatul Ulum City Margaluyu students regarding mastery of Arabic vocabulary at MDTA Madinatul Ulum Margaluyu.

Neighborhood environments underpin screen time intervention success in children: Evidence from a study of greenspace and community programming across 130 US communities

The goal of this study was to understand how neighborhood greenspace access may support or hinder the effectiveness of community programs and policies (CPPs) aimed at reducing racial and ethnic inequities in screen time among 4598 US children. We found higher CPP intensity was significantly associated with fewer screen time behaviors in high greenspace neighborhoods, but not neighborhoods with low or moderate greenspace. Moreover, there were significant differences in greenspace access by neighborhood-level race and ethnicity. Implementing CPPs without regard for racial and ethnic greenspace inequities may be an underlying cause in the perpetuation of inequities in childhood screen time.

Kegiatan Program Pengabdian Masyarakat Kelompok 073 Berbasis Masjid Di Kelurahan Jenggalu

This community service program, conducted by Group 073 of UINFAS Bengkulu, aimed to address several key issues in Kelurahan Jenggalu, including mosque cleanliness, religious education, and disaster relief. The primary objectives were to enhance mosque facilities, promote religious learning through regular Quranic studies, and provide support to flood victims. The program employed a participatory approach involving activities such as mosque cleaning, Quranic education sessions, a Muharram competition, health exercises, and assistance for flood-affected families. Data was collected through direct observation, questionnaires, and interviews with participants and mosque officials. The results indicated a significant improvement in mosque cleanliness, increased community engagement in religious activities, and positive feedback on disaster relief efforts. The activities successfully fostered greater community involvement and addressed the pressing needs of the local population, demonstrating the effectiveness of mosque-based community programs in enhancing social welfare.

Class and Gender in Older People Care in Rural Yogyakarta

This article explores care arrangements for older people in rural Yogyakarta, comparing and contrasting the experiences of older people in three agrarian classes: significant landowners, petty commodity producers and ‘classes of labour’. The study was conducted in two villages in Kulon Progo and Sleman Regencies. Qualitative interviews, observations, life histories and information on the changing social and economic contexts are used to analyse older people’s roles in social reproduction, the dynamics of intergenerational dependency, and the practicesof older-people care. We found great variation in the age at which engagement in productive and reproductive work declines and people enter the state of dependency. Older people may be receivers, or providers of care for younger dependents. As older people live longer, complex tri- and even quadri-generational care arrangements become more common. Class, gender and intergenerational relations shape care relations and practices. State and community programmes for older people, when functioning properly, can be of great importance to poorer households,even though the access is uneven and they do not always match older people’s care needs. Commodified (purchased) care provision is found in some relatively prosperous households, but rarely in the ‘classes of labour’, the landless and near-landless peasants, and worker households that make up the majority of the population.

Identifying environmental education strategies for children with an emphasis on children under four years old: A qualitative study in Iran

BackgroundEnvironmental crises, on the one hand, and the impact of environmental protection education from childhood, on the other hand, have focused on the need for environmental education in early life, which tries to teach the concept that humans can live in harmony with nature. Therefore, this study aims to identify environmental education strategies for children with an emphasis on children under four years old in Iran. MethodsThe study was conducted using a qualitative method and through interviews with 14 experts and practitioners with ability and knowledge in environmental education for children. The text of the interviews was analyzed using the content analysis technique and MAXQDA-2018 software. ResultsBased on the study results, 216 codes were presented in the form of 15 subcategories and five main categories. The results showed that child empowerment, indirect education of the child, production of relevant content and reviewing existing content, environment-oriented socialization, and creating appropriate infrastructure are basic strategies for teaching the environment to children. Conclusionit is necessary to revise policies, interventions, and educational programs. For education to be effective for children, it is better to provide suitable conditions in both the individual and structural dimensions and the education should be done indirectly. Additionally, promoting a positive attitude towards the environment through the design and implementation of community programs can be beneficial.

Immigrant labour, rural economies, and the question of housing

AbstractThere is a renewed interest in policy initiatives that aim to ruralize and regionalize immigration in Canada. These efforts are visible through temporary foreign worker programs linked to Provincial Nominee Programs, as well as the increase in the number of refugee resettlement programs in smaller communities. Against this backdrop, cities in Canada are experiencing a housing crisis. There is a tacit assumption that immigrants in smaller and more rural settings will fare better with respect to housing. This paper examines the assumptions underpinning efforts to ruralize and regionalize immigration—namely that immigrants to smaller centres will find more affordable and available housing. By presenting two case studies of small towns that have successfully leveraged immigration to meet their labour market needs, this paper demonstrates that housing remains a critical issue for newcomers, even outside of large urban centres. Further, the paper argues that discussions about housing need to be linked to broader policy conversations about immigration and labour, especially in contexts where transnational corporations leverage immigration and temporary labour programs to secure their workforce, without parallel investments in infrastructure and housing.

Immigration Enforcement and the Criminal Record: Using the Secure Communities Program to Understand the Role of Criminal History in ICE Enforcement

Immigration Enforcement and the Criminal Record: Using the Secure Communities Program to Understand the Role of Criminal History in ICE Enforcement

Employment Among Women with Severe Mental Illness Availing Rural Community-based Rehabilitation Program: A Qualitative Study from South India

Background: Women in India are often disadvantaged in accessing education, employment, health services, and decision-making within families. This inequality is particularly pronounced among women with severe mental illness, especially those from rural areas. Methods: The study explored the employment status, facilitators, and barriers to employment among women with severe mental illness availing a rural community-based rehabilitation (CBR) program in Jagaluru, South India. Interviews were conducted with 15 women, their family caregivers, the CBR program social worker, and a community program coordinator of a nongovernmental organization partner. The study used a qualitative research design. Thematic analysis was used to identify emerging themes. Results: Ten women were employed. Among five unemployed women, two independently took care of household responsibilities, and one assisted the family. Medication compliance and the desire to earn money for oneself were significant facilitators. Employment opportunities for some women were hindered by poor bus connectivity in interior villages, patriarchal familial attitudes, and challenges in availing loans for livelihood ventures. Conclusion: Rural families access treatment for severe mental illness when it is available at the nearest government health facility. With symptom improvement, many women could avail themselves of local employment opportunities without additional inputs from the CBR team.

Identifying pregnant and postpartum women’s priorities for enhancing nutrition support through social needs programmes in a resource-constrained urban community in South Africa

BackgroundMalnutrition remains a pressing public health concern for mothers and children in South Africa. Despite the government’s multisectoral response, unaddressed social needs prevent some mothers getting full benefit from interventions, spanning financial planning, income stability, housing, access to government services, social support, and provision of affordable, nutritious foods. Engaging with mothers and prioritising their concerns is important if we wish to overcome obstacles to women benefiting from government nutrition interventions. This study aimed to identify the programmes that women perceived as a priority in addressing the social needs of mothers of young infants and pregnant women to enhance nutrition in a resource-constrained urban township in South Africa.MethodsA cross-sectional study employed a quantitative preference elicitation survey, administered to 210 mothers and pregnant women from five primary healthcare facilities in Soweto. The survey tool was developed with the community to identify unmet social needs and potential solutions, which were synthesised with findings from the literature. The survey described 15 programmes, grouped into three delivery levels: clinics, community, and government. Participants were required to rank programme options in two stages. First, they selected their top two programmes within each delivery level. Subsequently, they allocated stickers to indicate the strength of their preference among the top programmes across the levels. Rankings were analysed using descriptive statistics.ResultsThe highest priority was given to five programmes. Two delivered at the community level: Women’s economic empowerment groups and Job search assistance, two at the clinic level: Social needs assessment and referral, and Prescription-based food, and one at the government level: Free quality childcare. The lowest-ranked programmes were two clinic-based programmes, specifically Maternal nutrition groups and Couple antenatal education.ConclusionWomen expressed strong views about which programmes should be prioritised to support mothers and pregnant women in addressing their social needs and improving nutrition. Key areas included providing support with job searching and entrepreneurship, accessing childcare and the healthy foods recommended at clinics, as well as finding information on available community and government services. Leveraging multisectoral collaboration, aligned policy objectives, efficient public financing, and strengthened implementation capacity will be pivotal in delivering these programmes.

How Individuals with Mental Health Challenges Coped During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

There is growing awareness of the significant mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on many Americans. Less is known about the effects on individuals who were living with mental health conditions prior to the pandemic's onset. In addition, little research has explored how this group is coping positively with the challenges of COVID-19. Understanding the strengths these individuals bring to pandemic demands and disruptions can inform recovery for these individuals in the aftermath of this public health emergency. Using results from a cross-sectional, online survey administered during April and May 2020, we use qualitative methods to examine how individuals with symptoms of depression and anxiety were coping with COVID-19. Participants were recruited from two networks of statewide behavioral health community programs in New Jersey and New York. Data come from 48 participants who reported current symptoms of anxiety assessed by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 Scale and/or depression assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-2. These respondents demonstrated resilience in navigating disruptions brought on by COVID-19 and reported a range of healthy coping strategies. We identified three themes characterizing successful coping strategies, including utilizing social support systems, practicing self-care, and adjusting one's mindset to deal with challenging experiences. When designing programs, policies, and clinical approaches to support people with mental health conditions, it is essential to focus on strengths. The coping strategies shared by the individuals in this study demonstrate and build on their resilience. More research is needed to discover the strengths people exhibit to deal with the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Risk and Protective Factors in Children Bullying Perpetration: Application of the Multiple Disadvantage Model.

This secondary study examined bullying perpetration's relationships with social disorganization, social structural factors, social relationships, mental health, and access to health insurance and care. A sample of 30,173 children age 6 to 17 years was extracted from the 2021 National Survey of Children's Health for secondary data analysis. Logistic regression results demonstrated that these children's likelihood of bullying perpetration was positively associated with racial discrimination, child age 6 to 10 years, child age 11 to 13 years, parent education level, employed parent, neighbor support, family violence, difficulty parenting the child, child difficulty with peers, child behavioral/conduct problems, family substance use problem, and child receipt of mental health services; such likelihood also had negative associations with safe neighborhood, Black, Asian, other non-Hispanic ethnic minority, parent age, and family cohesiveness. Implications included interventions to promote awareness of racial discrimination for families as well as bully prevention programs in schools and communities.

The psychological conditions and social engagement in the Vietnamese older people

This study examines the psychological conditions and social engagement of older people in Vietnam. Population aging is occurring globally, including in Vietnam, necessitating an immediate supply of services to cater to the needs of the elderly. As individuals experience more significant advancements in their daily activities, the significance of mental health becomes a growing issue for the elderly population. We conducted a quantitative study on a sample of 100 senior individuals in Ben Tre province, Vietnam, to assess the psychological well-being of older adults. The findings suggest that older people frequently participate in sedentary activities such as reading newspapers, watching television programs, and listening to the radio. Additionally, older individuals expressed psychological conditions such as joy and happiness, a sense of respect, as well as feelings of helplessness, self-pity, and loneliness. In addition, older persons also expressed psychological conditions such as joy and happiness, being respectful, as well as feelings of helplessness, self-pity, and loneliness. This study emphasizes the significance of community policies and programs in consciously planning social activities to promote engagement among elderly individuals. To prevent dangerous situations, health professionals and clinicians should enhance the evaluation of psychiatric disorders in older people and direct those at risk to existing community resources.

Community-based Rehabilitation Support Programmes and Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Tigania East, Kenya

Community-based rehabilitation programmes (CBR) are considered fundamental in improving the well-being of persons with disabilities by facilitating access to basic services like healthcare, education, housing, and employment and fostering their participation in the community through the transfer of knowledge and skills concerning disability and rehabilitation to people with disabilities, their families and the community at large to enhance social inclusion. However, despite the existence of the Disability Community programmes, it is not clear how community-based rehabilitation support has fostered the social inclusion of persons with disabilities in Kenya. Based on the data from Tigania East, Meru County, Kenya, this paper explores the impact of community-based programmes on the social inclusion of persons with disabilities with a view to influencing policy formulation to foster livelihood and inclusion of the disability in the community agenda.

Mathematical Critical Thinking Skills through STEM/STEAM Approach: A Systematic Literature Review

The STEM/STEAM approach provides opportunities for students to develop critical thinking skills through the integration of different disciplines. This study aims to provide a comprehensive picture of the extent to which the STEM/STEAM approach develops critical thinking skills in mathematics teaching and learning. A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted using guidelines from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). We searched Springer Link, Eric, and Google Scholar for 21 articles on critical thinking published between 2018 and 2022. The results show that most of the lead authors studying critical thinking through STEM/STEAM are from Indonesia, with fewer contributions coming from the United States, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Japan, and Malaysia. The most common research methods used are quantitative research and R & D. These methods correspond to the types of data collection tools used by researchers and critical thinking tests to identify critical thinking skills for the cognitive aspect and questionnaires for the affective aspect. The best practice for improving learner’s mathematical critical thinking skills in STEM/STEAM is Project-Based Learning (PBL). However, this practice is not used by many development researchers. The authors find distinctive features in the interventions used by researchers to improve the critical thinking of learners from each country. The most common intervention was an analysis of the implementation of the STEM/STEAM approach in Indonesia. Many Indonesian researchers also developed learning models and media. Other countries focused more on computer-based activities, developing community programs, and identifying participants' perceptions of critical thinking. These differences give each country its own characteristics in improving and identifying the critical thinking skills of its people. These differences in practices and interventions can also provide alternatives for researchers in their research on critical thinking through the STEM/STEAM approach.

Cultivating Multifaceted Participation in the Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) Program in Communities of Northern Isabela

Cultivating Multifaceted Participation in the Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) Program in Communities of Northern Isabela

A narrative review of community wellbeing programmes and the reported outcomes for young carers

Wellbeing programmes have the potential to support young carers in their formative years. However, there is a scarcity of research into wellbeing programmes for young carers and their associated outcomes. This review aims to identify targeted community programmes that support the mental health and social wellbeing of young carers and their outcomes through the academic literature. An initial search of databases retrieved 335 articles, with ten meeting the inclusion criteria. Findings were organised thematically according to the programme outcomes: improvement in emotional wellbeing and quality of life; the development of new skills; respite from caring; and social connectedness and peer support.

Empowerment of Posyandu Lansia cadres in overcoming depression and violence among elderly women after the Covid-19 pandemic in Dukuh Panggungan

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the mental health and safety of the elderly, particularly affecting elderly women. Research indicates a rise in anxiety and depression among older adults, with pre-existing elevated depressive symptoms exacerbating their resilience during this period. Increased isolation, financial strain, and restricted access to support services have led to a surge in elder abuse cases, disproportionately affecting women. Effective strategies, such as raising awareness and ensuring timely provision of resources, are crucial to safeguarding the mental well-being of the elderly. Indonesia's commitment to sustainable development and health equity, exemplified through initiatives like the Sustainable Development Goals, must address the specific challenges faced by elderly women in communities like Panggungan Village. The demographic shift towards an aging population, coupled with the pandemic's effects, further magnifies vulnerabilities. Empowering community-based resources can provide holistic support to elderly women, contributing to sustainable health development and social equity. Methods: The approach targets 15 Posyandu Lansia cadres and 20 elderly women in Panggungan Village through an offline community service program adhering to health protocols. Tools used in this study were the Mental Health Improvement Module, Geriatric Depression Scale questionnaire, and knowledge/skills assessment for Posyandu Lansia cadres. A combined quantitative and qualitative analysis was applied. Results: Results showed that 55% prevalence of verbal violence, 45% neglect, and 35% exploitation violence among elderly women. Post-training, these figures improved to 25% for verbal violence, 10% for exploitation violence, and 15% for neglect violence. Depression tendencies witnessed a 25% shift. Cadres’ knowledge increased from 58.2 to 82.1, and skills improved from 63.5 to 79.2. Conclusion: Elevated violence and depression tendencies that were quite high, negatively impact elderly women's mental health in Panggungan Village. Cadre’s training significantly enhances residents' well-being and mental health, offering a meaningful solution.

Survival Outcomes in Older Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patients Analyzed by Facility Volume and Type: A National Cancer Database Analysis

It is important to understand the outcomes of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients at different facilities as treatment paradigms change. Our primary objective was to determine adult ALL overall survival (OS) by facility volume and type. Secondary objectives included identifying sociodemographic factors that may have impacted outcomes and analyzing treatment patterns by facility volume and type. This was a retrospective analysis of the National Cancer Database (NCDB) that included patients ≥40 years diagnosed with ALL between 2004 and 2016. A total of 14 593 patients were included in this study. Univariate OS was greatest at low volume (LV) and community programs (CPs) and the least at high volume (HV) and academic programs (AP). This difference was lost after multivariable Cox proportional hazards model analysis, which found no difference in survival by facility volume or type, however, survival was significantly influenced by age, race, Hispanic ethnicity, insurance, and residence location (p < 0.05). Patients treated at HV and APs compared to LV and CP received more anti-neoplastic directed therapy. Our results suggest treatment facility volume and type do not impact older adult ALL patient (≥40 years) survival, however confounding sociodemographic differences do impact survival outcomes, despite more aggressive and novel treatment approaches provided at HV and APs.

Enhancing cultural humility in food is medicine services: A mixed-methods investigation of patient food and dietary preferences

Dietary inequities, influenced by sociocultural and economic factors, significantly affect health outcomes, particularly among underserved communities. To address these disparities, the Food is Medicine (FIM) movement strives to enhance access to nutritious food, provide education, and encourage behavioral changes. Boston Medical Center (BMC) ‘s Nourishing Our Community Program (NOCP) exemplifies this mission by offering FIM services such as an on-site food pantry, rooftop farm, and teaching kitchen. However, persistent barriers hinder the effectiveness of programs like NOCP. This quality improvement (QI) project employed mixed methods to refine existing and develop new patient-generated nutrition education materials and resources across various FIM services. MethodsThis QI project included surveys and focus groups conducted electronically and in person between January and May 2023. We analyzed the data using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. ResultsThe analysis of results revealed patient preferences and experiences regarding dietary patterns, food choices, and nutrition education. These findings enhanced existing handouts, websites, and group class curricula and forged new partnerships with local community-based organizations. ConclusionOur findings underpin the importance of co-designing interventions, dynamic and multimodal resources, and cultural humility in care to meet individual needs. ImplicationsThis initiative is a model for hospitals aiming to improve educational resources within FIM services and tailor content to the specific needs of diverse patient populations. This project is the first step in programmatic improvement, and continuous refinement is crucial for sustained improvements and advancing health equity at our institution.