Residents Of Rural Communities Research Articles

Vietnamese rural communities in the context of youth labor migration: current state and prospects

Migration is a process that has many positive and negative consequences not only for migrants themselves but also for their own families living in modern Vietnam. In the context of the migration of young people from rural areas to cities, changes are observed in rural communities, both in their physical and spiritual lives. In this vein, this article defines the state and prospects for the development of rural communities in the context of youth migration from rural areas to cities in modern Vietnam on the example of the commune of Vinh Trach Dong, Bac Lieu province, in order to more clearly see changes in the economic, cultural, social life and living space of rural communities. The main methods used in this study are a survey (N=811) of households with young people migrating from rural areas to cities, and in-depth interviews (N=10) among residents of rural communities to refine the analysis of available data to explain the changes characteristic of rural communities. This study uses quantitative and qualitative methods aimed at clarifying the characteristics of the rural community; in order to analyze the impact of young migrant workers on rural communities and assess the situation of rural communities in the province of Bac Lieu in the context of youth migration from rural to urban. Based on the results of the study, the author determines the prospects for the development of Vietnamese rural communities.

Supporting Community-Based Family Medicine Residency Training Programs in North Carolina and their Potential Impact on Healthy NC 2030.

North Carolina is a leader in family medicine, but a growing health care chasm exists between the state's urban centers and rural areas. Training family medicine residents in rural communities can address disparities in health care access and improve rural population health metrics for all subsets of the population, goals that align well with renewed state and national strategies.

Internet access is a necessity: a latent class analysis of COVID-19 related challenges and the role of technology use among rural community residents

BackgroundRural and remote communities faced unique access challenges to essential services such as healthcare and highspeed infrastructure pre-COVID, which have been amplified by the pandemic. This study examined patterns of COVID-related challenges and the use of technology among rural-living individuals during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA sample of 279 rural residents completed an online survey about the impact of COVID-related challenges and the role of technology use. Latent class analysis was used to generate subgroups reflecting the patterns of COVID-related challenges. Differences in group membership were examined based on age, gender, education, race/ethnicity, and living situation. Finally, thematic analysis of open-ended qualitative responses was conducted to further contextualize the challenges experienced by rural-living residents.ResultsFour distinct COVID challenge impact subgroups were identified: 1) Social challenges (35%), 2) Social and Health challenges (31%), 3) Social and Financial challenges (14%), and 4) Social, Health, Financial, and Daily Living challenges (19%). Older adults were more likely to be in the Social challenges or Social and Health challenges groups as compared to young adults who were more likely to be in the Social, Health, Financial, and Daily Living challenges group. Additionally, although participants were using technology more frequently during the COVID-19 pandemic to address challenges, they were also reporting issues with quality and connectivity as a significant barrier.ConclusionsThese analyses found four different patterns of impact related to social, health, financial, and daily living challenges in the context of COVID. Social needs were evident across the four groups; however, we also found nearly 1 in 5 rural-living individuals were impacted by an array of challenges. Access to reliable internet and devices has the potential to support individuals to manage these challenges.

Beliefs about marijuana use during pregnancy and breastfeeding held by residents of a Latino-majority, rural region of California

Marijuana use among pregnant and breastfeeding women is on the rise and carries risks for infant health and well-being. Decisions to use marijuana while pregnant and breastfeeding are motivated by beliefs that use poses minimal risk to infants and offers benefits to maternal users. Misperceptions and usage trend higher among disadvantaged populations. This study surveyed 401 community residents on beliefs about risks and benefits of marijuana use by pregnant and breastfeeding women. The study utilized techniques to enhance recruitment of Latino and disadvantaged residents of rural communities in California, a state where recreational marijuana use is legal. Analyses revealed substantial endorsement of beliefs about benefits and low risks of marijuana use while pregnant and breastfeeding, many of which run counter to current evidence. Misperceptions were particularly prevalent for cannabis users and male respondents. Trends in valid beliefs, while modest, were higher for Latinos and parents.

A cross-sectional study of community-level physician retention and hospitalization in rural Ontario, Canada.

Many rural communities experience poor family physician retention. We examined the association between community-level physician retention and hospitalization for all causes and ambulatory care-sensitive conditions (ACSCs) in 2017 among residents of rural communities in Ontario, Canada. We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study by linking administrative data from the public health insurance program in Ontario. To create the physician retention measure for each rural community, we divided the number of family physicians who worked in the community in both 2016 and 2017 by the total number of unique family physicians in the community in either year. We grouped retention level by tertile and added a fourth category, "no physician" to include communities that did not have any residing physicians in either 2016 or 2017. Outcomes were all-cause hospitalization and ACSC hospitalization between April 1, 2017 and March 31, 2018. Among 1,436,794 rural residents, there were 93,752 all-cause hospitalizations and 8,691 ACSC hospitalizations in 2017. After controlling for other predictors, compared to residents in low-retention communities, residents of medium- and high-retention communities were 0.888 (95% CI: 0.868-0.909) and 0.937 (95% CI: 0.915-0.960) times as likely to have all-cause hospitalization, and residents of high-retention communities were 0.918 (95% CI: 0.858-0.981) times as likely to have ACSC hospitalization in 2017. Community-level physician retention is significantly associated with all cause and ACSC hospitalization in rural communities in Ontario, and may serve as an alternate measure to assess the impact of disrupted continuity of care.

To participate, or not to participate – That is the question. (Non-)participation of older residents in rural communities

In recent years, rural residents' participation within their local communities has attracted attention within scientific and political debates that focus on sustaining or improving the quality of life in villages. Retired older people feature centrally in these discussions, as they are perceived to have the time and life experience to participate in various local activities. This paper contributes to the existing literature through an examination of older villagers’ participation and non-participation within their communities in a strongly ageing rural area in Germany. Applying mixed methods and using survey data compiled for older residents, we identified six groups differentiated according to four types of participative practices and two main rationales for non-participation within villages in this region, thus introducing nuances and complexity to both sides of the participation/non-participation dichotomy. Our comparison of these six groups, considering their socio-economic characteristics and residential histories, revealed that women were underrepresented in positions of responsibility and that poor health and advanced age were primary reasons for non-participation. There were minor differences in the participation of village stayers and incomers, who accounted for a larger share of non-participants. As strategies to sustain or improve local quality of life should accommodate the interests of all residents, we advocate raising awareness regarding non-participant groups within research and policy contexts.

Profiling the Wellbeing of Residents in Peri-urban Villages and Rural Communities

Financial income and household status are common yardsticks for defining household living conditions and wellbeing. The study examined the livelihood conditions of selected peri-urban villages and rural communities in the Southwestern region of Nigeria. The triangulation of methods which included four hundred and seventy-two (472) household questionnaires survey provided a thematic understanding of the study area. This study termed many villages as “Few Excluded among the Commonly Excluded”. The study argues that rather than urbanisation positively improving households; financial situation within the peri-urban areas in the State; evidence from sampled communities reveals a negative income and poverty profile effect. Likewise, distance was a predictor of credit access among rural households. This study concludes that capital and income flight due to urban infrastructure demand is common among rural households.

Social sanctions and violent mobilization: lessons from the Crimean Tatar case

ABSTRACT How do social sanctions affect individual participation in civil war violence? Which mechanisms facilitate implementation of social sanctions in times of crises? This study draws on unique in-depth interview data with former ethnic Crimean Tatar combatants in Ukraine to flesh out specific mechanisms that enable social sanctions to function as an effective instrument of violent mobilization, facilitating individual participation in high-risk collective action. Empirical findings demonstrate that in the Crimean Tatar case (non)participation in high-risk collective action had an effect on individuals’ family honor within the community, and on their access to community-distributed public goods, such as jobs and social benefits. The effect of social sanctions on violent mobilization remains particularly strong among traditionalist societies with higher levels of adherence to social norms, local customs, and traditions. The findings reveal that while social sanctions remained effective among rural community residents, their effect was limited on non-community urban settlers.

A Study on the Performance Evaluation System of Microfinance Companies Under Dual Objectives

Microfinance companies are the result of China’s rural financial reform. Since their creation, they have been undertaking the responsibility of effectively allocating financial resources and guiding the flow of funds to rural areas and underdeveloped areas through the introduction of private capital. The emergence of microfinance companies has intensified the competition in rural financial market and built a new pattern of rural financial service systems. As a result driven by multiple objectives, these microfinance companies must face the issue of how to integrate microfinance services for the “three rurals” (rural economy, rural community, and rural residents) as well as small, medium, and micro enterprises with their own finances in a sustainable and effective manner. On the basis of dual objectives and with full consideration of the characteristics of China’s microfinance companies, this study has constructed a performance evaluation system exclusively for commercial microfinance companies in China by drawing on the performance evaluation system of foreign micro-credit institutions through analytic hierarchy process and Delphi method.

Effect of High Temperature on Walking among Residents of Rural and Urban Communities.

This study aimed to establish the association between high temperature and walking among residents of rural and urban areas. This cross-sectional study used data from the Korea Meteorological Administration and the 2018 Community Health Survey to confirm the association between temperature and walking practice. The dependent variable was walking practice. Walking practice was considered if the participants walked for more than 30 minutes a day or more than 5 days a week. The independent variable was the daily maximum temperature (℃) for the preceding 7 days, calculated from the survey date of each participant. A multilevel analysis was conducted to simultaneously consider the individual- and neighborhood-level variables that could affect determining the association between daily maximum temperatures and walking practice. When the daily maximum temperature increased by 1℃, the odds ratio of walking practice decreased to 0.95 (95% confidence interval 0.94-0.97) in rural areas. In contrast, it decreased to 0.98 (95% confidence interval 0.97-1.00) in urban areas, considering both individual- and neighborhood-level factors. Individual- and neighborhood-level determinants of walking practice in rural areas, including educational attainment, marital status, driving a car, subjective health, depression, and meeting neighbors and friends, were confirmed. This study confirmed that increased temperature led to more decrease in physical activity levels in rural areas than in urban areas. Physical and environmental approaches to avoid heat are needed to maintain and promote physical activity, since temperatures can reduce physical activity during the hot summer months.

Association between tea drinking and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus among rural adults in Deqing County:a prospective cohort study

To explore the associations between tea drinking and the incident risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2 DM). A dynamic prospective cohort study among a total of 27 841 diabetes-free permanent adult residents randomly selected from 2, 6 and 7 rural communities between 2006-2008, 2011-2012 and 2013-2014, respectively. Questionnaire survey, physical examination, and laboratory test were carried out among the participants. In 2018, we conducted a follow-up through the electronic health records of residents. Cox regression model were applied to explore the association between tea drinking and the incident risk of T2 DM and estimate the hazard ratio(HR), and its 95%CI. Among the 27 841 rural community residents in Deqing County, there were 10 726(38.53%) were tea drinkers, 8215 of which were green tea drinkers, accounting for 76.59%. Totally 883 new T2 DM incidents were identified until December 31, 2018, and the incidence density was 4.43 per 1000 person years(PYs). The incidence density was 4.07/1000 PYs in those with tea drinking habits and 4.71/1000 PYs in those without tea drinking habits, among which the incidence density was 3.79/1000 PYs in those with green tea drinking habits. After controlling for sex, age, education, farming, smoking, alcohol consumption, dietary preference, body mass index, hypertension, impaired fasting glucose, family history of diabetes, the risk of T2 DM among rural residents with tea drinking habits in Deqing County was 0.79 times higher than that among residents without tea drinking habits(HR=0.79, 95%CI 0.65-0.96), and the risk of T2 DM among residents with green tea drinking habits was 0.72 times higher than that among residents without tea drinking habits(HR=0.72, 95%CI 0.58-0.89). However, no significant associations were found between other kinds of tea and the risk of T2 DM, nor the amount of green tea to drink. Drinking green tea may reduce the risk of T2 DM among adult population in rural China.

The periphery as a tourism market?

ABSTRACT Most tourism research examines peripheral areas as destinations that are often exploited by the dominant, urban core. Little, if any research has considered peripheral areas as potential source markets. Yet, in Australia, some 30% of the population live outside of major urban centres. This study determined that residents of regional centres and rural communities have as much interest in travel as their urban cousins, have similar attitudes to and motivations for travel and moreover travel at the same level of propensity and intensity. Differences are noted in destination choice, though, suggesting an opportunity exists to better market a wider variety of tourism products in peripheral areas.

NGOs schools are promoting education for sustainable development in rural areas

ABSTRACT During the last decade, provision of education has become a primary indicator for Sustainable Development as the key agenda under the United Nations SDGs. The essence of this goal is to enable upward socio-economic mobility and is a key to alleviate poverty, provide free primary and secondary education, access to technical and higher education, expand scholarships for developing countries, improve the infrastructure of schools, and ensure the literacy among men and women globally. The current research was conducted to investigate the role of NGOs in provision of education at primary level operating in rural communities in Pakistan. This cross-sectional study opted quantitative research design where purposive sampling technique was used to draw the sample from the population. The findings of the study conclude that NGOs are playing a vital role in providing educational facilities to the residents of rural communities where both communities and students are participating in multiple learning-based educational activities. The study also revealed that the parents of school-going children show a higher level of satisfaction from these formal educational institutes and agree that it is also supporting the local community to learn school management system by arranging close coordination between parents and teachers (PTA – parents-teacher association).

A Band-Aid fix to a problem that's going to be persistent”: The influence of social place attachment on rural residents' perceptions of natural hazard relief efforts

Residents in rural communities are more likely to face greater impacts from natural hazards and will likely be burdened by a slower recovery process compared to their non-rural peers. As the number of hurricanes are expected to increase along with catastrophic impacts from climate change, policies are needed to remedy and improve relief efforts of natural hazards, specifically those located in rural, low-income communities. This paper presents a critical review of how rural residents perceive relief efforts from local and federal organizations inside and outside of their communities. The research team conducted 20 structured interviews with individuals heavily impacted by Hurricanes Matthew (2016) and Florence (2018) across four counties in Eastern North Carolina to gauge their level of satisfaction with organizational support. Our findings suggest that residents who have a stronger social place attachment to their community are more likely to look favorably on local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as compared to federal agencies and national organizations. Emergent policy implications show that local and national organizations would benefit from building relationships with rural residents to assist with reducing communication barriers, especially following a natural hazard.

Implementation of Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) Training in Large Cohorts of Second Year Medical Students

ABSTRACT Substance use disorders are debilitating disorders with far reaching effects. However, many healthcare providers do not receive sufficient training on how to identify or respond to individuals who are at risk for SUDs. Because of this, residents of rural communities, who are served by fewer healthcare providers, are unlikely to encounter providers who are trained to respond effectively to SUDs. SBIRT is a tool used to intervene among patients engaging in risky substance use. Although numerous SBIRT training programs exist across the country, most have focused on relatively small groups of trainees, and have prioritized the training of mental health professionals. In response to this finding, we implemented a large-scale SBIRT training program designed to prepare approximately 540 medical students to meet the needs of patients at risk for or suffering from SUDs in West Texas. In this paper, we focused on medical student perceptions of the quality and utility of our SBIRT educational initiative. Student evaluations of the SBIRT training remained high across three cohorts of second-year medical students. The goal of this report is to provide recommendations to help enable any group to develop, adapt, and implement large-scale SBIRT training programs in other locations.

Anxiety and Depression amongst African-Americans Living in Rural Black Belt Areas of Alabama: Use of Social Determinants of Health Framework

Abstract The present study utilised the social determinants of health (SDH) framework to see whether indicators of the framework have an impact on anxiety and depression of people living in rural Black Belt communities in Alabama. Data from a convenient sample of 159 African-Americans aged 18 or older were from two sites in rural Alabama. The levels of anxiety and depression were measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ9). Multiple linear regression model was used to examine the association between SDH and anxiety and depression level of participants. The mean PHQ9 score of participants was 5.57 out of twenty-seven. Four SDH were significantly related to PHQ9 levels amongst participants: participants with higher food insecurity scores, higher transportation needs and higher threats to interpersonal safety tended to have higher scores in PHQ9. Moreover, health literacy levels were negatively associated with PHQ9 scores amongst participants. Our study highlights understanding SDH specifically for residents in rural communities that are socially and culturally isolated is important for developing preventive approaches that enhance access to mental health treatments. A comprehensive public health policy that incorporates our study findings is needed for the rural areas of the USA.

Exploring Pharmacy Trainee Experiential Learning in a Full Scope Collaborative Rural Primary Care Practice: A Retrospective Chart Review.

Despite reported benefits of pharmacy trainees (e.g., pharmacy students, pharmacy residents) in hospital settings, limited research on the impact of these trainees has been conducted in rural primary care. To explore the potential benefits and impact of pharmacy trainees practicing in a supervised collaborative rural primary care setting, a retrospective chart review was conducted. Drug therapy problems (DTPs) were classified using the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe (PCNE V9) system. Valuation was measured using a validated tool developed by Overhage and Lukes (1999). Over 16 weeks on a part-time basis, pharmacy trainees (n = 3) identified 366 DTPs during 153 patient encounters. The most common causes for DTPs were related to patient transfers and the need for education. Drug level interventions carried out directly by trainees under supervision accounted for 13.1% of total interventions. Interventions that required prescriber authorization had an acceptance rate of 83.25%, 25% higher than previous acceptance rates found in urban primary care settings. About half (51%) of the interventions proposed and made by pharmacy trainees were classified as significant or very significant, suggesting these trainees added significant value to the pharmacy service provided to rural community residents. This study suggests that pharmacy trainees can be effective resources and contribute meaningfully to patient care in a collaborative rural primary care team setting.

Metal exposure and oxidative stress biomarkers in a Brazilian agricultural community

We examined the association between exposure to metals, metalloids, and oxidative stress biomarkers among rural community residents in Brazil. Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate associations between serum metal and metalloid concentrations and blood oxidative stress biomarkers, adjusting for sex, age, education, smoking, and alcohol use. After adjustment for covariates, glutathione peroxidase activity (GPx) was inversely and significantly associated with an increase in serum arsenic (As) levels. Positive and significant associations were seen between elevated glutathione reductase (GR) activity and serum cadmium (Cd), barium (Ba), and lead (Pb) concentrations. In addition, we observed a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in association with an increase in Ba levels. These findings suggest that toxic metals and metalloids such as As, Ba, Cd, and Pb alter antioxidant enzyme activities. In addition, Ba seems to promote lipid peroxidation.

Estimated total cardiovascular risk in a rural area of Bangladesh: a household level cross-sectional survey done by local community health workers

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to estimate 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among Bangladeshi rural community residents, using the 2014 WHO/International Society of Hypertension (WHO/ISH) risk prediction charts.Study designCross-sectional...

Village-to-village screening for hepatitis B and C using quantitative HBsAg and anti-HCV testing with reflex HCV core antigen tests in the remote communities of a resource-rich setting: a population-based prospective cohort study

ObjectivesCommunity-based screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) is essential for hepatitis elimination. This study attempted to increase screening accessibility and efficacy by using alternative tools.DesignPopulation-based...