Program Retention Research Articles

Hightower Library Receives Grants to Support Continued Student Success and Retention Program

Hightower Library Receives Grants to Support Continued Student Success and Retention Program

Twelve-month analysis of real-world evidence from a telehealth obesity-treatment provider using antiobesity medications.

The objective of this study was to describe weight changes in members of a large-scale telehealth obesity-treatment provider who were using antiobesity medications (AOMs). This retrospective observational study analyzed real-world data from adults who initiated AOM treatment with the WW International, Inc. (formerly Weight Watchers) Clinic telehealth program between January 2022 and July 2023 (n = 53,590). The main outcomes were changes in body weight over 12 months, side effects over follow-up, and medication usage patterns. The 53,590 patients who initiated treatment were predominantly female (88.6%), with a mean BMI of 36.9 kg/m2. Mean (SD) treatment duration was 5.3 (4.3) months. Program retention rates based on the number of patients whose time from enrollment was at least 3, 6, 9, and 12 months were 78% (n = 39,907/51,247), 63% (n = 25,515/40,203), 58% (n = 15,472/26,794), and 77% (n = 6459/8394), respectively. Average weight loss was 8.9% at 3 months (n = 37,565), 14.1% at 6 months (n = 24,140), 17.7% at 9 months (n = 15,169), and 19.4% at 12 months (n = 6089). Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1-RA)-based treatments were predominant. Side effects were consistent with the classes of medications used, and frequency declined over time. This real-world analysis of a telehealth-delivered obesity-treatment program demonstrated outcomes consistent with recent phase 3 clinical trials of AOMs, suggesting generalizability beyond clinical trial and in-person settings.

Feasibility, acceptability, and initial outcomes of a psychological adjustment and reintegration program for transitioned military veterans

BackgroundReintegration and adjustment to civilian life after military service is crucial for veterans’ mental and physical health. However, there is a lack of evidence-based interventions in Australia that specifically address the psychological and cultural factors associated with improved adjustment and mental health in this group. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and initial outcomes of a novel group intervention program, developed to address this gap in supports and services for Australian veterans.MethodsA non-controlled, within-subjects longitudinal design was employed with a feasibility framework including assessment of demand, implementation, integration, experience, perceived effectiveness, and burden or discomfort. The program included eight weekly 2.5-hour group sessions using cognitive-behavioural and acceptance and commitment therapy techniques. Participants included 24 transitioned veterans who completed the Military-Civilian Adjustment and Reintegration Measure, Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire–Short Form, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21, and PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and three-month follow-up.ResultsHigh participant ratings of engagement, experience and usefulness of the program were found, as well as perceived improvement in adjustment to civilian life as a result of the program. Sound program retention (82.8%), completion (87.5%), and manual adherence rates (89.6%) were also found. Significant improvements were found in adjustment and reintegration scores from pre-intervention to post-intervention (p = < 0.001) and from pre-intervention to follow-up (p = < 0.05), with large effect size (ηp2 = 0.344). All participants who completed the program reported they would recommend the program to another veteran.ConclusionThis study demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of a novel group intervention program designed for military veterans in Australia. The program showed promising initial evidence of effectiveness in improving adjustment and reintegration to civilian life and provides an essential first step towards addressing a substantial gap in services for veterans struggling to adjust to civilian life. A randomised controlled trial may be an appropriate next step.ANZCTR registration numberACTRN12622000172707.Date of registration02/02/2022.Type of registrationRetrospectively registered.

Cohort retention in a pandemic response study: Lessons from the SIREN study

Abstract Background Cohort studies represent an important research-tool, yet participant retention is difficult. SIREN followed a cohort of healthcare workers across 135 NHS sites in the UK during a pandemic. We designed an evolving retention programme, underpinned by our Participant Involvement Panel (PIP). We aimed to evaluate cohort retention over time and identify learnings. Methods Mixed method evaluation of our evolving retention programme in the 12 and 24-month cohort. We described cohort retention by demographics and site, using odds ratios from logistic regression. Withdrawal reasons were collected by survey. We collected participant feedback via cross-sectional survey using a behavioural science approach. We conducted focus groups with research teams and conducted thematic analysis. Results 37,275 (84.7%) participants at 135 sites completed 12-months of follow-up. 12,635 (85.5%) participants at 87 sites completed 24-months. Retention increased with age (24-months: &amp;gt;65 vs &amp;lt; 25 years OR = 2.92; 95%CI: 1.78-4.88; p &amp;lt; 0.001) and was highest in the Asian and Black ethnic groups (24-months OR = 1.78; 95%CI: 1.42-2.25; p &amp;lt; 0.001, and OR = 2.12; 95%CI: 1.41-3.35; p &amp;lt; 0.001, respectively, Ref=white). SIREN scored highly in participant feedback. Lessons for future studies include the need to monitor changing participant motivation; using inclusive and comprehensive communication; acknowledging the contributions of participants and investing in the skillset of research teams. Conclusions Despite challenges to running a large multicentre cohort study in an evolving pandemic, retention in SIREN has remained very high. Some factors impacting retention were outside of study control, including the altruistic motivation of participants. Participant feedback was positive, suggesting SIREN methodology will provide useful learning for future retention programmes. Site feedback provided learning for future multicentre research studies, offering insights into key facilitators and common challenges. Key messages • Cohort retention is difficult. Mixed methods evaluation shows SIREN achieved high retention while following a cohort of healthcare workers across 135 NHS sites in four UK nations during a pandemic. • Lessons learned include the need to monitor changing participant motivation; using inclusive communication; acknowledging participants contributions and investing in the research team skillset.

Enhancing Employee Retention: The Impact of Training, Career Development and Remuneration Benefits in Selected Manufacturing Companies of Johor Bahru

The lack of employee retention programs is the most persistent difficulty in most organizations today. Employees are a crucial and precious asset for an organization for them to achieve their company goals and objectives. This has raised the demand for staff training programs, career development, and remuneration benefits in most organizations to ensure employee retention. The study aimed to identify the influence of employee training, career development, and remuneration benefits on employee retention in selected manufacturing companies in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. For data collection, a structured questionnaire was administered to 152 employees from seven departments of manufacturing companies in Johor Bahru. All the data was analyzed using SPSS statistics. The finding implies that career development appeared to be the most significant variable among all independent variables. Therefore, organizations should put more focus on the improvement of career development among their employees. Top management should emphasize career development and regularly offer training programs to gain employees’ interest in staying in the organizations. Top management should also highlight the importance and benefits of the career development programs and encourage them to join. This in turn enhances retention and increases productivity at selected manufacturing companies in Johor Bahru, Johor.

Crisis, Confidence, and Conserving Resources: Examining How Adult Education Students Navigate Stressors and Marginalization

Social and systemic barriers contribute to students’ attrition from K-12 education and enrollment in adult basic education (ABE) via the reduction of available resources. Informed by Conservation of Resources Theory, the current study assessed the impact of stress-related risk factors, including trauma and COVID-19-related stress, on ABE students’ ( N = 227) vocational confidence. Understanding these factors can inform ABE program development and retention efforts. Survey methods with convenience sampling were used for data collection. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationship between trauma exposure and COVID-19-related stress on the outcomes of alcohol use, as a stress response, as well as vocational confidence. On average, past traumatic experiences were more common among ABE students who reported greater social or economic marginalization, especially those identifying as lesbian, gay, or bisexual or with a history of being unhoused. More past traumatic experiences predicted higher COVID-19-related stress and alcohol use. Higher COVID-19-related stress, in turn, predicted lower vocational confidence. ABE students experiencing marginalization face compounded barriers to achieving their educational and vocational goals when they experience trauma exposure and subsequent stressors. Based on findings, we make practice recommendations for ABE centers, including targeted psychoeducational resources to offset social and systemic stressors that may bolster the vocational confidence of enrolled students.

Teacher-Turnover In the Archdiocesan School System: A Basis for Faculty Retention Program

This study conducted an in-depth exploration into the phenomenon of teacher turnover within the nineteen member schools of the Tuguegarao Archdiocesan School System (TASS), focusing particularly on the interplay of motivation and hygiene factors and their impact on teacher retention. Utilizing a descriptive-correlational design and survey data gathered from 139 teachers who transitioned from TASS to public schools during the school years 2020-2021, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023, the research illuminated several critical aspects of the issue. There is a prevailing sense of motivation and satisfaction among TASS teachers regarding various aspects of their professional lives, particularly those linked to intrinsic rewards such as job fulfillment, recognition, and professional development opportunities. Results revealed that TASS schools generally perform well in providing hygiene factors, encompassing areas like working conditions, administrative policies, and interpersonal relationships. However, some areas are requiring significant attention, most notably concerning salary and benefits, suggesting that these factors contribute significantly to teacher attrition. There is a significant positive correlation between motivation and hygiene factors, indicating that enhancements in areas such as salary and benefits could not only elevate teacher satisfaction but also bolster their overall motivation levels. There is interconnectedness of these two factors in shaping the overall teacher experience and retention within TASS. The research proposes a comprehensive Faculty Retention Program tailored to the unique challenges and needs of TASS schools. This program underscores the importance of addressing both motivational and hygiene factors to cultivate a stable, supportive, and rewarding environment for educators within the Tuguegarao Archdiocesan School System.

An acceptability and feasibility investigation of a community-based motor program for autistic children with moderate and high support needs

BackgroundGeneral motor impairments are ubiquitous in Autism and are positively correlated with autism symptom severity. This study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of a 13-week community-based motor program for autistic children with moderate and high support needs (MHS). MethodIn this exploratory single arm within-subject study, 10 autistic children with MHS, ages 4–10 years, completed a community-based motor program delivered in a one-on-one format by therapists. Feasibility was determined through recruitment, retention, attendance, enjoyment, engagement and useability of motor, physical activity (PA), and behavioural assessment tools. Thematic analysis evaluated post-intervention semi-structured parent interviews. ResultsHigh program attendance and retention were demonstrated, and therapists reported child engagement and enjoyment were high. Identified themes revealed parents perceived unexpected substantial positive impacts including improvements in social, motor, and behavioural outcomes. They highly valued both the program and the therapeutic relationships fostered within it. Although parents of the children with the higher support needs reported the most substantial improvements, these children were unable to score on motor assessments due to difficulties following instructions and off-task behaviours. Additionally, only four participants wore an accelerometer-based PA monitor. ConclusionsThis community-based motor program was considered feasible and acceptable by the children’s parents, and qualitative findings provided valuable insights into clinical practice for children with MHS. However, recruitment challenges and assessment tools being unfeasible for children with higher support needs led to low participant numbers. Future evaluations should explore alternative assessment measures and study designs, given the challenges associated with studying such a heterogenous and complex group.

Optimising The Implementation Of A Dementia Care Education Programme For Healthcare Assistants (Home Support): Lessons From A Qualitative Study

Abstract Background Healthcare Assistants (Home Support) provide a significant level of non-clinical formal care to people with dementia at home. Training is paramount if this workforce is to provide care effectively and achieve the ideals of the Irish National Dementia Strategy. This study examined the process of implementing a QQI-FET level 5 accredited dementia home care education programme for Healthcare Assistants (Home Support), specifically designed with an emphasis on self-development and ethical and strengths-based approaches to care. Methods This study was primarily a qualitative study conducted over five months. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with stakeholders (n=16) involved in the programme’s implementation. Focus groups (n=3) were conducted with 11 programme learners. Data on programme take-up, completion and retention rates were available for review, as were reports from external reviewers, and a sample of evaluation forms completed by learners. Results The programme content and its delivery were highly regarded. Implementing the programme took much longer than planned due to the Covid-19 pandemic, putting recruitment processes in place, and problems recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals to facilitate supervisory sessions. Organizational support, and motivated healthcare assistants with positive attitudes towards training were perceived to facilitate programme uptake and completion. A range of barriers were perceived to act as disincentives to programme participation, e.g. lack of opportunities for career progression. There was strong support for rolling out the accredited programme nationwide and maintaining its in-person format. An alternative shortened non-accredited version of the programme would be welcomed by stakeholders in some areas. Conclusion This qualitative study provides a rich and nuanced perspective on a dementia home care education programme for healthcare assistants (Home Support), challenges encountered during programme implementation and changes needed to optimize implementation. The findings can be used to support strategic and operational decision-making for enhancing programme implementation.

Experiences of central child health services teams regarding a special governmental investment in child health services

BackgroundHistorically marked by a high infant mortality rate, Sweden’s healthcare reforms have successively led to a robust, decentralized universal child health system covering over 97% of the population 0–5 years. However, inequities in health have become an increasing problem and the public health law explicitly states that health inequities should be reduced, resulting in various government initiatives. This study examines the experiences of Central Child Health Services (CCHS) teams during the implementation of the Child Health Services Accessibility Agreement between the State and the regions starting in 2017. The agreement aimed to enhance child health service accessibility, especially in socio-economically disadvantaged areas, but broadly stated guidelines and the short-term nature of funding have raised questions about its effectiveness. The aim of this study was to understand the experiences of CCHC teams in implementing the Child Health Services Accessibility Agreement, focusing on investment decisions, implementation efforts, as well as facilitators and barriers to using the funds effectively.MethodsCCHC teams were purposefully sampled and invited via email for interviews, with follow-ups for non-respondents. Conducted from January to October 2023, the interviews were held digitally and recorded with individuals familiar with the agreement’s implementation within these teams. Both authors analyzed the transcripts thematically, applying Braun and Clarke’s framework. Participants represented a cross-section of Sweden’s varied healthcare regions.ResultsThree main themes emerged from the thematic analysis: “Easy come, easy go,” highlighting funding uncertainties; “What are we supposed to do?” expressing dilemmas over project prioritization and partner collaboration; and “Building castles on sand,” focusing on the challenges of staff retention and foundational program stability. Respective subthemes addressed issues like fund allocation timing, strategic decision-making, and the practical difficulties of implementing extended home visiting programs, particularly in collaboration with social services.ConclusionsThis study uncovered the challenges faced in implementing the Child Health Services Accessibility Agreement across different regions in Sweden. These obstacles underline the need for precise guidelines regarding the use of funds, stable financing for long-term project sustainability, and strong foundational support to ensure effective interprofessional collaboration and infrastructure development for equitable service delivery in child health services.

An online delivered running and walking group program to support low-active post-secondary students' well-being and exercise behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Examine the feasibility and acceptability of a social identity-informed, online delivered, running and walking group program to support low-active post-secondary students' exercise behavior and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. A two-arm, non-blinded, parallel pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted whereby low-active post-secondary students at a Canadian university were equally randomized to an online delivered running/walking group program or an attention control condition. Primary feasibility and acceptability outcomes included program interest, study enrolment and retention, questionnaire completion, program attendance, program satisfaction, and affective exercise attitudes. Post-program interviews were conducted to ascertain participants' experiences with the program. Secondary outcomes included well-being, exercise behavior, social identity, social support, and exercise identity. Ninety-two individuals were screened for eligibility, and 72 were equally randomized to the online group program or attention control condition. Recruitment exceeded the target sample size (60), study adherence and questionnaire completion were above 90%, program attendance was moderate (M = 5.03/8), self-report program satisfaction was moderate-to-high (M = 4.13/5), and there was no condition effect for affective attitudes. During interviews, participants expressed satisfaction with the program. They also discussed challenges with developing a shared sense of identity and social connection with group members via online platforms. There were small condition effects for exercise-related well-being and exercise identity and no condition effects for the remaining secondary outcomes. Social identity scores were moderate (M = 4.63/7). The STRIDE program was feasible and acceptable but should be delivered and piloted in-person before a full-scale efficacy trial is conducted. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04857918; 2021-04-20.

The Effect of Inclusive Leadership on Student Participation and Retention in Distance Higher Education Programs

The Effect of Inclusive Leadership on Student Participation and Retention in Distance Higher Education Programs

A qualitative evaluation of a fentanyl patch safer supply program in Vancouver, Canada

BackgroundThe ongoing overdose crisis in Canada has prompted efforts to increase access to a “safer supply” of prescribed alternatives to the unregulated drug supply. While safer supply programs predominantly distribute hydromorphone tablets, the Safer Alternatives for Emergency Response (SAFER) program in Vancouver, Canada offers a range of prescribed alternatives, including fentanyl patches. However, little is known about the effectiveness of fentanyl patches as safer supply. Drawing on the perspectives and experiences of program participants, we sought to qualitatively evaluate the effectiveness of the SAFER fentanyl patch program in meeting its intended aims, including reducing risk of overdose by decreasing reliance on the unregulated drug supply. MethodsAs part of a larger mixed-methods evaluation of SAFER, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 17 fentanyl patch program participants between February 2022 and April 2023. Thematic analysis of interview data focused on program engagement, experiences, impacts, and challenges. ResultsThe flexible program structure, including lack of need for daily dispensation, the extended missed dose protocol, and community pharmacy patch distribution fostered engagement and enhanced autonomy. Improved management of withdrawal symptoms and cravings due to steady transdermal dosing led to reduced unregulated drug use and overdose risk. Participants also experienced economic benefits and improvements in overall health and quality of life. However, skin irritation and patch adhesion issues were key barriers to program retention. ConclusionOur findings demonstrate the value of including fentanyl patch safer supply in the substance use continuum of care and offer insights for innovations in delivery of this intervention.

Evaluating the feasibility and preliminary effects of an online compassion training program for nursing students: A pilot randomized controlled trial

ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the feasibility of an online compassion training program for nursing students and preliminarily investigate its effects on mindfulness, self-compassion, and stress reduction. MethodsThis study employed a randomized controlled trial design. Second-year students from a nursing college in Guangzhou, China, were recruited as research participants in August 2023. The intervention group participated in an 8-week online compassion training program via the WeChat platform, comprising three stages: mindfulness (weeks 1–2), self-compassion (weeks 3–5), and compassion for others (weeks 6–8). Each stage included four activities: psychoeducation, mindfulness practice, weekly diary, and emotional support. Program feasibility was assessed through recruitment and retention rates, program engagement, and participant acceptability. Program effectiveness was measured with the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, Self-Compassion Scale - Short Form, and Perceived Stress Scale. ResultsA total of 28 students completed the study (13 in the intervention group, 15 in the control group). The recruitment rate was 36.46%, with a high retention rate of 93.3%. Participants demonstrated high engagement: 69.2% accessed learning materials every 1–2 days, 93.3% practiced mindfulness at least weekly, with an average of 4.69 diary entries submitted per person and 23.30 WeChat interactions with instructors. Regarding acceptability, all participants expressed satisfaction with the program, with 92.4% finding it “very helpful” or “extremely helpful.” In terms of intervention effects, the intervention group showed a significant increase in mindfulness levels from pre-intervention (51.54 ± 10.93) to post-intervention (62.46 ± 13.58) (P < 0.05), while no significant change was observed in the control group. Although there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in post-intervention self-compassion and perceived stress levels, the intervention group showed positive trends: self-compassion levels increased (35.85 ± 8.60 vs. 40.85 ± 5.54), and perceived stress levels slightly decreased (44.77 ± 8.65 vs. 42.00 ± 5.77). ConclusionsThis pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of an online compassion training program for nursing students and suggested its potential effectiveness in enhancing mindfulness, self-compassion, and stress reduction. Despite limitations such as small sample size and lack of long-term follow-up, preliminary evidence indicates promising prospects for integrating such training into nursing education. Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and assess the sustained impact of this approach on nursing education and practice.

Effectiveness of the Korean-Patient Placement Criteria for Alcohol Use Disorders: A Prospective Exploratory Study.

Various patient placement criteria (PPC) have been developed to address alcohol use disorder (AUD), which has a high relapse rate and imposes substantial socioeconomic costs. Although research has shown PPC to be an effective tool, evidence supporting the Korean-PPC (K-PPC) is insufficient. This paper investigated whether treatment matching with the K-PPC was effective, based on variables related to AUD. In total, 524 participants were evaluated using the 6 dimensions of the K-PPC and levels of care (LoC) were recommended based on the results. Participants whose treatment matched with the recommended LoC were classified into the matched group, and those whose treatment did not match were classified into the mismatched group. Subsequently, treatment was planned according to the determined LoC, and a total of 3 follow-up evaluations were conducted at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. There was no significant difference in the follow-up rate between the K-PPC matched group and the mismatched group. Of the variables measured by the 6 dimensions of the K-PPC, alcohol-related variables, depression, insight, and biomedical outcomes showed the most significant results (especially alcohol-related variables) from the baseline evaluation to the 6-month follow-up. In addition, the average adherence to the treatment program in the 6-month period was found to be higher in the matched group than in the mismatched group. The K-PPC could be effective for placing patients and providing treatment by matching patient characteristics. Enhancing treatment program retention can also have a positive effect on clinical outcomes.

A Qualitative Inquiry into Nurse-Family Partnership Black Client Perspectives.

Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) is a home visiting program designed to improve pregnancy outcomes, child health and development, and life course outcomes for families facing socioeconomic inequalities through support and education provided by nurses to first-time mothers during pregnancy and up to 2years postpartum. Studies show that home visiting programs like NFP have positive outcomes, but attrition remains a concern which may impact the desired health equity goals. Black mothers are more likely to withdraw from the NFP program, and research is lacking regarding their experiences in home visiting programs despite facing maternal health inequities rooted in racism. The present study aimed to understand factors that influenced program continuation and provide insights for program improvement. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 21 Black NFP clients from multiple sites. Key findings include the importance of the nurse-client relationship, access to reliable health information, and racial concordance in the nurse-client pairing. Clients valued supportive, nonjudgmental nurses who provided dependable support and education. Racially concordant partnerships were perceived as more comfortable and understanding, fostering trust and open communication. Clients also suggested that invasion of privacy during home visits and a lack of connection with their nurse could contribute to program discontinuation. Efforts to increase program retention of Black clients should focus on fostering a strong nurse-client alliance. Recommendations include increasing racial diversity in the nurse workforce, implementing a nurse-client matching system, and allowing clients to request a new nurse if needed.

A Scoping Review of Tailoring in Pediatric Obesity Interventions.

Background: Families with children who have or are at risk for obesity have differing needs and a one-size-fits-all approach can negatively impact program retention, engagement, and outcomes. Individually tailored interventions could engage families and children through identifying and prioritizing desired areas of focus. Despite literature defining tailoring as individualized treatment informed by assessment of behaviors, intervention application varies. This review aims to exhibit the use of the term "tailor" in pediatric obesity interventions and propose a uniform definition. Methods: We conducted a scoping review following PRISMA-ScR guidelines among peer-reviewed pediatric obesity prevention and management interventions published between 1995 and 2021. We categorized 69 studies into 6 groups: (1) individually tailored interventions, (2) computer-tailored interventions/tailored health messaging, (3) a protocolized group intervention with a tailored component, (4) only using the term tailor in the title, abstract, introduction, or discussion, e) using the term tailor to describe another term, and (5) interventions described as culturally tailored. Results: The scoping review exhibited a range of uses and lack of explicit definitions of tailoring in pediatric obesity interventions including some that deviate from individualized designs. Effective tailored interventions incorporated validated assessments for behaviors and multilevel determinants, and recipient-informed choice of target behavior(s) and programming. Conclusions: We urge interventionists to use tailoring to describe individualized, assessment-driven interventions and to clearly define how an intervention is tailored. This can elucidate the role of tailoring and its potential for addressing the heterogeneity of behavioral and social determinants for the prevention and management of pediatric obesity.

Applying the multiphase optimization strategy to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of an online road safety education intervention for children and parents: a pilot study

BackgroundReports of children’s engagement in active transportation outline low participation rates in many countries despite many associated mental, physical, and social health benefits. One of the main contributors to this phenomenon is a cited lack of education and knowledge among children regarding active travel (AT), specifically road safety. To address this issue, the aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of an online road safety education intervention to promote AT among children and their parents.MethodsApplying the Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) for intervention development, implementation, and evaluation, we designed and assessed a four-module online road safety education intervention with a sample of 57 parent-child dyads using a 23 factorial design featuring both qualitative and quantitative analyses.ResultsMain intervention feasibility findings include positive and critical feedback on the program’s content and design, and moderate participant engagement as reflected by program retention and completion rates. With respect to the preliminary intervention effectiveness on children, a significant improvement in road safety knowledge scores was observed for groups that feature the “wheeling safety and skills” module. Slight improvements in AT knowledge scores across all the intervention groups were observed, but were not of significance. Preliminary intervention effectiveness on select parental AT practices and perceptions saw significant improvements in some groups. Groups that featured the ‘wheeling safety and skills’ module exhibited significantly higher guided choice scores upon completion of the program than those who did not receive this component.ConclusionThe MOST framework allowed us to design and evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of an online road safety education intervention. The developed intervention has demonstrated that it has the potential to improve children’s road safety knowledge and some areas of parental AT practices and perceptions, to which improvements may be attributed to the inclusion of the “wheeling safety and skills” module, suggesting that the targeted focus on cycling skills is a prioritized area. AT programming and practice implications are discussed. Future research is encouraged to refine modules to better reflect the priorities of children and parents and to test these refined components among larger samples.Word count9,391 (excludes abstract, tables, figures, abbreviations, and references).

The influence of humidity gradient in a forest on ground spider assemblages: a preliminary study

A forest is a dynamic formation developed through evolutionary transformations that have progressed over a long time. Bioindication can help us understand changes occurring in a forest. Spiders play a significant role in biomonitoring. The presence of stenotopic spiders is affected by several factors, of which water availability is vital. According to the assumptions underlying water retention programs, water accumulated in retention reservoirs is expected to stimulate higher biodiversity of habitats. An analysis of the effect of a moisture gradient on the appearance of epigeic spiders in the Dąbrówka Forest Subdistrict has demonstrated the highest species diversity in the transect located closest to retention reservoirs (93 species). The species diversity of epigeic spiders decreased with the growing distance from these water reservoirs (transect B: 84 species; transect C: 70). Inverse relationships were determined with regard to the numbers of captured spiders (transect A: 927 specimens; B: 1134; C:1288). The spider species that dominated quantitatively was the forest species Pardosa lugubris, caught most abundantly in the area assigned to transect C (76.28%). A higher humidity gradient of a habitat (transects A and B) favors the occurrence of characteristic species with specific habitat and moisture requirements, which are ecologically valuable.

A WIC Agency Drip Marketing Campaign Is Well Received and Improves Program Participation and Retention: A Quasi-Experimental Study

BackgroundLittle is known about text messaging’s influence on child retention in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the influence of WICBuzz, a WIC agency drip marketing texting campaign, on retention and participation compared with a comparison WIC agency and to assess WIC participants’ perceptions of the campaign’s added value. DesignA quasi-experimental design, with pre- and postimplementation measurement, was used to compare innovation and comparison groups’ outcomes. Outcome evaluation integrated quantitative analysis of WIC management information system data and survey data of WICBuzz recipients’ perceptions. Participants/settingData obtained for baseline (2019 calendar year) and implementation periods (March 1, 2020, to February 28, 2021), included WIC participation for children who were WIC active at the beginning of each period. WIC agency sample sizes were 6780 to 7452 children from 5189 to 5832 households (baseline) and 4599 to 5004 children from 3186 to 4297 households (implementation). InterventionWICBuzz, a drip marketing text message campaign with targeted nutrition education and WIC brand awareness messages was the intervention. The comparison agency received standard WIC care. Main outcome measuresMain outcome measures included recertification (re-enrollment during the implementation period), timely recertification (within 60 days of prior certification’s termination), retention (WIC active at the study period’s end), household WIC participation (continuous benefit issuance), and WICBuzz recipients’ WIC perceptions. Statistical analyses performedStatistical analysis included propensity score weighting and difference-in-difference modeling. Thematic analysis using a deductive approach was used to analyze the process evaluation findings. ResultsThe influence of WICBuzz on outcomes included 6.7% (95% CI 3.8% to 9.5%) higher recertification, 7.4% (95% CI 4.5% to 10.3%) higher retention, and 10.9% (95% CI 8.0% to 13.8%) higher participation compared with the comparison agency. Most WICBuzz recipients reported added value regarding WIC knowledge and perceptions. ConclusionsWIC text message campaigns can improve participation and retention and improve participant perceptions of WIC’s value.