Risk Reduction Programs Research Articles

Effectiveness of a risk reduction program for women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and gestational diabetes

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) (i.e., preeclampsia, gestational hypertension) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) significantly increase a woman’s risk of premature cardiovascular disease (CVD). CardioPrevent is a standardized primary prevention intervention delivered by trained coaches designed to reduce CVD risk. This evaluation estimated the effect of CardioPrevent PostPartum (CPPP) on health outcomes in high-risk postpartum women.

At the Water's Edge: Coastal Settlement, Transformative Adaptation, and Well-Being in an Era of Dynamic Climate Risk.

With accelerating climate change, US coastal communities are experiencing increased flood risk intensity, resulting from accelerated sea level rise and stronger storms. These conditions place pressure on municipalities and local residents to consider a range of new disaster risk reduction programs, climate resilience initiatives, and in some cases transformative adaptation strategies (e.g., managed retreat and relocation from highly vulnerable, low-elevation locations). Researchers have increasingly understood that these climate risks and adaptation actions have significant impacts on the quality of life, well-being, and mental health of urban coastal residents. We explore these relationships and define conditions under which adaptation practices will affect communities and residents. Specifically, we assess climate and environmental stressors, community change, and well-being by utilizing the growing climate change literature and the parallel social science literature on risk and hazards, environmental psychology, and urban geography work, heretofore not widely integrated into work on climate adaptation.

Humanitarian engineering at the sustainability-development nexus: mapping vulnerability and capability factors for communities at risk of water-based disasters.

Access to resources that is equitable and sustainable provides a critical foundation for community harmony and development. Both natural and human-induced disasters present major risks to sustainable development trajectories and require strategic management within regional and local plans. Climate change and its impacts, including intensified storms, flash floods, and other water-based disasters (WD), also pose a serious and increasing threat. Small, remote communities prone to weather extremes are particularly vulnerable as they often lack effective early warning systems and experience energy insufficiency. Humanitarian engineering provides a transdisciplinary approach to these issues, supporting practical development resources such as renewable energy, which can also be adapted for disaster response. This study details an exploratory investigation of community vulnerability and capability mapping (VCM) that identifies communities with high WD risk and limited response capability which may benefit from risk reduction engagement and program co-development. By presenting criteria appropriate for VCM, we highlight the anthropocentric characteristics that could potentially be incorporated within community-led action as part of a comprehensive scheme that promotes sustainable development.

Patient-Related Risk Factors for Unplanned 30-Day Hospital Readmission Following Primary and Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a highly effective procedure for advanced osteoarthritis of the knee. Thirty-day hospital readmission is an adverse outcome related to complications, which can be mitigated by identifying associated risk factors. We aimed to identify patient-related characteristics associated with unplanned 30-day readmission following TKA, and to determine the effect size of the association between these risk factors and unplanned 30-day readmission. We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE from inception to 8 September 2020 for English language articles. Reference lists of included articles were searched for additional literature. Patients of interest were TKA recipients (primary and revision) compared for 30-day readmission to any institution, due to any cause, based on patient risk factors; case series were excluded. Two reviewers independently extracted data and carried out critical appraisal. In-hospital complications during the index admission were the strongest risk factors for 30-day readmission in both primary and revision TKA patients, suggesting discharge planning to include closer post-discharge monitoring to prevent avoidable readmission may be warranted. Further research could determine whether closer monitoring post-discharge would prevent unplanned but avoidable readmissions. Increased comorbidity burden correlated with increased risk, as did specific comorbidities. Body mass index was not strongly correlated with readmission risk. Demographic risk factors included low socioeconomic status, but the impact of age on readmission risk was less clear. These risk factors can also be included in predictive models for 30-day readmission in TKA patients to identify high-risk patients as part of risk reduction programs.

Analysis of Hay Demand from Pastoralism Systems on Viability of Hay Production as a Climate Adaptation Strategy in Kajiado County, Kenya

Hay production is a flagship project under drought risk reduction and climate change adaptation programs in pastoralism livestock systems in Kenya. For decision-makers to plan and evaluate their projects, they need localized data on hay production and supply and to understand what attitudes influence demand for hay by pastoralists. A cost-benefit analysis on 23 hay farms and a questionnaire knowledge, attitude and practice survey on 340 pastoralists in Kajiado Central were undertaken. This study provides the hay production versus hay deficit figures in Kajiado Central County. The study also measures the financial losses livestock keepers incur during drought migration and correlates these losses against livestock keeper’s decision to buy hay for their animals. The study established that the drought in 2017, Kajiado Central County had a 48% hay deficit (2,580,000 hay bales) worth about KES 902 million needed to cover three months of the severest period of the drought. At the same time, hay production and supply were 49,138 grown hay and 3292 purchased hay bales and 6177 bags of commercial feeds and forage. The study also found that 86% of livestock keepers buy hay only when their animals started dying at the severest period of the drought. Hay buying mainly occurs in drought years, and averagely for three months only. From 2005 to 2020, there have been five years of severe drought. Because hay production is a critical climate change adaptation and mitigation strategy for droughts, Kajiado needs to reduce the hay deficit by 67% (average of 2015 & 2017), disaster management planners need to align the hay supply to hay purchasing practices. In addition, decision-makers need to address the low hay supply by tackling the challenges of hay production. Furthermore, disaster management planners could use the study to determine the trigger points to start disaster response for livestock feed.

Community Preparedness towards Dam Disaster: Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Program in Cameron Highlands

Dam disaster occurrences are an unexpected event that occurs suddenly without warning. It has become very alarming, resulting in a catastrophic break followed by a flood wave at high speed with considerable loss of life and catastrophic damages to infrastructure and the environment. Given these circumstances, the community preparedness for disaster risk reduction (DRR) is important to strengthen disaster response strategies. It helps the community to understand the situations to face disaster and interact with present conditions with efficient manners. The research aims to investigate the community awareness and preparedness and the effectiveness of the DRR program toward dam-related disaster. In this research, two dams in Cameron Highland have been selected as sites study: Sultan Abu Bakar (SAB) Hydroelectric Scheme and its vicinity in Lembah Bertam; and Susu Dam and its vicinity in Pos Telanok. The research utilised questionnaire surveys as a data collection method, where Statistical Package Software SPSS Version 25 was used to analyse data. The finding indicates that an integrated community-based program is an effective approach to increase people's preparedness for the disaster. The result can assist local agencies and dam owners in formulating strategies for future DRR programs. Identifying these pertinent factors enables a greater understanding of the community's preparedness for disaster risk reduction (DRR) in both dams of Cameron Highlands.

Effectiveness of Drought Risk Reduction Policies: Case Study of Hay Production in Kajiado County, Kenya

Kenya has integrated several international, continental, and regional strategies and policies into its national and county programs to address climate-related disasters in livestock systems in pastoralism. This study reviews how these policy instruments have been integrated into local laws and the viability of hay production, a drought risk reduction strategy. The methodology used was a desktop review of policies, a KAP survey using a quantitative and qualitative questionnaire on 354 pastoralists and key informants selected using stratified random sampling, and a cost-benefit analysis of 23 hay farms in Kajiado-Central sub-county. The findings established that Kenya had adopted adequate legal instruments to support disasters in general and droughts specifically. However, the strategies are not elaborated into practical guidance resulting in poor implementation. For instance, the flagship hay production project in Kajiado focuses on building infrastructure on the government farms, with little support going to the actual hay farmers. In addition, staffing levels of technical officers are too low to adequately translate the strategies into activities that address the hay farmer’s pain points, namely the lack of a stable hay market, expensive capital assets and machinery, lack of quality forage seeds, and extension education. This paper recommends reviewing the implementation of the ongoing hay flagship projects to address the hay enterprise’s profitability and elaborating the strategies down to guidance that can be easily rolled out cognizant of the low staffing levels. Public-private partnerships can also address some challenges by stabilizing the hay markets, providing storage, and maintaining good-quality hay. In addition, the strategic feed reserve should include hay for pastoral livestock systems under drought risk reduction programs. Thus, targeted, relevant projects are critical if private hay enterprises are a sustainable drought risk reduction strategy.

Seismic hazard on West Bandung district using non-linear earthquake response analysis

West Bandung District is one of the government areas that grow rapidly in West Java. Here several infrastructures such as Highspeed Rail Development, Modern Residences, Tourist Attractions Area, and International Retail Company supply major contributions to economic development. Rapid construction in Bandung Basin caused the government to pay attention to risk factors, especially building structures. One of the natural hazards that must be considered is the presence of an active Lembang fault. Therefore, there is a need for a study that takes into account how the earthquake waves damaged the buildings. In this study, an analysis of the soil dynamics due to earthquake ground motion from bedrock was carried out. The analysis is carried out using the wave propagation method, which is a non-linear analysis of the soil response. The research was conducted at 12 points locations in West Bandung District. As the result, the location with the highest PGA surface value is in the Mekar Jaya area, while the lowest risk is found in the Cililin area. Furthermore, this study provides scientific information on seismic hazards to support government disaster risk reduction programs.

Village fund asymmetric information in disaster management: Evidence from village level in Banda Aceh City

The Village Fund in Indonesia is one of the instruments for budgetary decentralization to accelerate development and community empowerment at the village level. Under the regulation of the Minister of Village and Development of Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration No. 16, the year 2019, one of the priorities for the use of the village funds is for disaster management. In the implementation, however, asymmetric information and misperception towards the regulation allegedly caused the management of village funds not to be connected with disaster risk reduction programs. This study aims to identify priorities for allocating village funds related to disaster management programs. Furthermore, this study will also determine the factors that cause information asymmetry at each level of policymakers. This research was conducted in 7 villages located in three sub-districts, which were severely affected by the 2004 tsunami in Banda Aceh City. The results of this study show the asymmetry of perceptions exists among the policymakers from the city to the village levels. This asymmetry has led to disaster management programs not being a priority in the use of village funds. The absence of regulation in the city levels hinders village leaders to use of village funds for disaster management.

Faith Community Nursing: Faith Element Enhances Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Program Outcomes.

The high prevalence of hypertension among African Americans makes faith-based education programs culturally appropriate. Faith-enhanced health education is a way to reach these often healthcare-disenfranchised populations. With Every Heartbeat is Life (WEHL), a community-based heart health program, was enhanced with Scripture and prayer for this project. The program took place in an African American nondenominational church. The Scripture-enhanced WEHL program emphasized biblical teachings of self-care with standard lessons on nutrition, exercise, smoking cessation, and disease management interventions that increased knowledge of hypertension and associated cardiovascular risks.

The Contribution of Eight Modifiable Risk Factors to Dementia Prevalence in Jamaica

The number and proportion of dementia cases in Jamaica attributable to eight modifiable lifestyle factors was calculated using factor analysis in Stata and Levin’s Attributable Risk formula (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, depression, low educational attainment, smoking, overweight, obesity and vision problems). Four sources of data were used: (1) risk factor prevalence data were obtained from the Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey, 2008, (2) relative risk data were sourced from published meta-analyses, (3) factor analysis in Stata version 15 was performed to estimate shared variance among risk factors utilising data from the Health and Social Status of Older Persons in Jamaica Study and, (4) estimated prevalence of dementia in Jamaica in 2012 was obtained from a 2018 publication by Shearer et al. Obesity was found to be responsible for the largest proportion of dementia cases (13.94%; 2508 cases) followed by hypertension (10.64%; 1917 cases), low educational attainment (7.21%; 1299 cases), overweight (6.42%; 1156 cases), smoking (3.90%; 702 cases), diabetes (3.38%; 608 cases), depression (1.00%; 181 cases) and impaired vision (0.002%; 34 cases%). Using this largely theoretical model, the eight factors examined account for approximately 46.0% of dementia cases. Dementia risk reduction programs that target even one of these factors has the potential to result in significant reduction in future dementia prevalence as they are all interrelated. In future work, as these data become available, the contribution of mid-life obesity, mid-life hypertension and physical inactivity will also be taken into consideration.

Community-Based Disaster Preparedness of Valenzuela City and Iriga City

The Philippines is a disaster-prone spot in the Asian continent, which calls for proactive response vital in disaster mitigation and adaptation. For a program to be successful, it must involve the citizens from the national to the barangay level. This descriptive study investigated the perceptions of community residents of San Francisco, Iriga City, and Karuhatan, Valenzuela City, towards Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) programs as proactive measures in promoting a culture of safety and community resilience in times of disaster or emergency. Thirty residents from each community answered a community survey. The responses underwent frequencies, and the percentage calculation. The study results showed a generally affirmative perception of both groups on the citywide disaster preparedness campaign through DRRM programs. However, the community responses on four categories: (1) Disaster Legislation, (2) Vulnerability to Disaster, (3) Disaster or Emergency Awareness, and (4) Disaster or Emergency Preparedness were relatively high in the Iriga group, which indicated a relatively high level of involvement in DRRM programs and a high level of preparedness for disasters. The Valenzuela group turned out to be high in disaster legislation and moderate in the other three areas, which indicated a moderately high level of involvement and preparedness. Thus, more efforts were needed to increase community understanding and resiliency.

Earthquake Hazard Knowledge, Preparedness, and Risk Reduction in the Bangladeshi Readymade Garment Industry

The Bangladeshi readymade garment (RMG) industry is considered the main driver of economic transformation, as it employs many unskilled and underprivileged people. However, recently, the RMG industry has faced international concern because of several building collapses and fire incidents, indicating inadequacy in the structural design and preparedness measures in the factory buildings. This research aims to understand earthquake hazard knowledge, preparedness, and emergency response, which may contribute to earthquake risk reduction in the RMG industry in Bangladesh. A survey using the methods of structured and semi-structured interviews and field observations was carried out to achieve the aims of this research. The findings suggest that 43% of these workers perceived their workplace as being a highly fire-prone environment, while 55 respondents believed that they were at risk of both fires and earthquakes. Only two percent believed that the workplaces are only at risk of earthquakes because the industries they work for have a zero-tolerance policy toward fire hazards. It was noted that the preparedness and improvement strategies were exclusively focused on fire hazards and related safety programs. Finally, the research suggests that the RMG industry may strengthen its earthquake risk reduction program by improving preparedness within the current workplace safety manuals without incurring extra effort and cost.

Considerations and principles for conducting a participatory capacity and vulnerability analysis (PCVA) for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation

Purpose While there are many such toolkits on community-based participatory methods, the key considerations and principles of conducting a participatory capacity and vulnerability analysis (PCVA) are less covered, yet they are central to the effective conduct of a PCVA, the reason why this paper focuses on such issues. Design/methodology/approach This paper is derived from a toolkit that was produced for Oxfam Australia. Disasters and climate change are major drivers of poverty and significantly affect the communities that development programs of Oxfam Australia aim to assist. Recognising the importance of building its organisational capacity to address these risks, Oxfam Australia initiated and commissioned the production of a PCVA toolkit to support disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation programs; the production of the toolkit was led by the author. The methodology of producing the toolkit consisted of discussions with experts and a review of similar toolkits. Findings Details of the PCVA process and how to conduct one in a community setting are provided including PCVA concepts, briefing, logistics and management and principles of working with communities. Importantly, the different stages of conducting a PCVA are explained, and some selected tools are presented as illustrative examples. In conclusion, the importance of the PCVA considerations and principles are reaffirmed vis-à-vis the sensitivity and soft skills required in a low-income developing country setting. Originality/value The participatory development approach, which the toolkit follows, has been widely advocated for the past few decades and most non-governmental organisations involved in community development espouse this approach. Consequently, a wide range of participatory development toolkits have been developed, many of which relate to disasters and climate change. The PCVA toolkit discussed in this paper draws on the repertoire of toolkits already available and used over a long time. Nonetheless, effort was given to assembling a range of tools that were most suitable for the purpose of this particular PCVA toolkit. Instead of focussing on the tools, which are available from the freely downloadable toolkit and available in the public domain, in this paper, the PCVA process and its main principles are explained, and the key considerations to carry out an effective PCVA is discussed. Perhaps even more than the actual tools, these considerations and an understanding of the PCVA principles are significant because they underpin the utilisation of the toolkit.

Demin: Design and baseline results of a cluster randomized controlled trial investigating the uptake and effectiveness of a dementia risk reduction program in middle‐aged descendants of people with recently diagnosed Alzheimer disease or vascular dementia

AbstractBackgroundAs no curative treatments for dementia are yet available, prevention is a key element to counteract the dementia epidemic. Our aim is to investigate the uptake and effectiveness of a tailor‐made online‐lifestyle‐program for dementia‐risk‐reduction targeting risk and protective factors for dementia among middle‐aged descendants of people with recently diagnosed late‐onset‐dementia.MethodDemin is a cluster‐randomized‐controlled‐trial(RCT) with one‐year follow‐up, including 21 memory clinics which are randomized to a passive or active recruitment‐strategy (poster and flyer in waiting room of memory clinic; or with additional personal invitation by the medical doctor). We aim to recruit 378 participants, aged 40‐ 60 years, with a parent who is recently diagnosed with Vascular Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease at one of the participating memory clinics. All participants will receive the tailor‐made online‐lifestyle‐program for dementia‐risk‐reduction, consisting of a dementia‐risk‐assessment (online questionnaire, physical examination and a fasting blood sample) and a tailor‐made online‐lifestyle‐advice for dementia‐risk‐reduction targeting protective (Mediterranean‐diet, low/moderate alcohol use, cognitive activity) and risk‐factors (physical inactivity, smoking, loneliness, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, renal dysfunction, depression) for dementia. Dementia‐risk‐assessment will be repeated four times (3, 6, 9 and 12 months after baseline) during follow‐up. The primary outcome is the difference in uptake (proportion that signed online‐informed‐consent(IC)‐form of all potential eligible participants that received the patient‐information‐form) between the passive and active recruitment‐strategy. Secondary outcomes include change in 1) the Lifestyle‐for‐Brain‐Health(LIBRA)‐score, 2) individual health‐behaviors, 3) beliefs‐and‐attitudes with regard to dementia‐risk‐reduction and 4) compliance to the online‐health‐advice and that of the general‐practitioner.ResultSetting up a multicenter cluster‐RCT is a challenge. Twenty out of 79 approached memory clinics in the Netherlands participate in the Demin‐study. The participant recruitment started in December,2018 and will continue until July 1st,2020. Within one year, 436(60%) of the 729 potential eligible participants received a patient‐information‐form of which 69(16%) signed the online IC‐form using SMS‐tan.ConclusionThe primary outcome(uptake) and baseline results will be presented at the conference. In addition, we will pay attention to the challenges of setting up a multicenter cluster‐RCT pertaining to the required approval of the Dutch ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport according to the population‐screening‐act was needed.

Analysis on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Level of Hospitality Industry in Palu and Gorontalo Cities

Palu and Gorontalo cities are provincial capitals located on Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. In 2018, the city of Palu was hit by the earthquake that was followed by tsunami disaster and liquefaction, causing thousands of people to die and hundreds of thousands were displaced. These types of disasters and emergencies may also potentially strike Gorontalo City due to its geographic similarity to Palu City. Natural disasters affect workers and companies, including those working in the hospitality industry. Natural disasters are not the only cause of emergencies in the hospitality industry. Emergencies in this industry can also be caused by non-natural disasters, including by social disasters. This study aimed to assess the level of emergency and disaster preparedness in the hospitality sector in Palu and Gorontalo cities using a questionnaire adapted from the APEC tourism risk management and tourism resilience index. Focus Group Discussions and interviews were also performed to discuss the implementation of emergency and disaster management in the workplace. The results of the multiple correspondence analysis of emergency preparedness and disaster management factors in hotels in Palu shows that they are relatively closer to the moderate rating. Meanwhile, the same variables in Gorontalo are found to be in the low category. Based on these results, the participation of the private sector (hospitality industry) and the government is needed to build a good synergy in disaster risk reduction programs both locally and nationally.

The role of Community-Based Disaster Preparedness and Response Team in building community resilience

The community and government of Kalipancur Village have realised and implemented the landslide disaster mitigation efforts known as Community-Based Disaster Preparedness and Response Team (SIBAT Team) as a part of the Disaster Risk Reduction Forums (FPRB) in Kalipancur Village. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of the SIBAT Team in implementing the resilience of the community of Kalipancur, especially the residents of RW 1, who live in landslide-prone areas. The sample in this study consisted of the SIBAT Team and residence of Kalipancur Village from RW I that were chosen using proportional random sampling. Data collection techniques used were observation, tests, questionnaires, and interviews. The data analysis techniques used consisted of qualitative data analysis technique with interactive methods and quantitative data analysis with descriptive analysis technique. The results showed that the SIBAT Team has a big role in building community resilience in Kalipancur Village in disaster mitigation education and emergency response efforts. The magnitude of the role of the SIBAT Team is directly proportional to the high level of community resilience in all aspects of the Kalipancur community. This research exemplifies that the Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRR) program is a strategic effort in building community resilience. Therefore, the sustainability of the CBDRR program is a necessity, and collaboration between the government, NGOs, and communities that combines bottom-up and top-down approaches will be an effective effort to build community resilience. Keywords: community resilience, disaster, Kalipancur village, landslide, SIBAT Team

DAM RELATED DISASTER FRAMEWORK FOR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Continuous approach and solution in solving resilience over a few decades are yet to resolve the main issue in developing sustainable development, disaster risk reduction and new challenges on climate change. Current frameworks that have been developed tend to be over-generalized which required major changes in developing effective frameworks appropriate for specific disaster phenomena. To address this issue, a clear objective and approach are required to help the community, authorities and government to enhance preparedness and response in case of disaster. The main objective of this paper is to present the theory and analysis in the development of effective disaster risk reduction framework for dam related disaster (DRD). With the intention of strengthening societal capacity for resilience, this paper will introduce the framework for disaster preparedness to bridge readiness among community, agency and dam owners. The methodology employed to develop a framework based on ICBDM model conducted in the study area, utilising surveys questionnaire, FGD and hazard assessment. The framework established detailed flow of response throughout all phases including pre-event, during event and post event which include hazard assessment, community and authority planning, establishment of emergency and safe passage, and aims to minimize loss of life and injury. In practice, this framework poses as an interactive and cohesive community approach to face dam related disasters (DRD) which will enhance overall response in disaster risk reduction programs.

Intersectionality of cultural norms and sexual behaviours: a qualitative study of young Black male students at a university in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

BackgroundSexual risk behaviours that occur among young men are based on dominant notions and practices that prevail in cultural contexts. As such, understanding the intersection of cultural norms and sexual risk behaviours among young men is very important.MethodsThe study used a qualitative design and conducted four focus group discussions with 36 male students who were purposively selected from different levels of study at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Data were analysed through line-by-line coding, and grouped into emerging themes and sub-themes facilitated by the use of Atlas.ti.ResultThe findings emphasize that socialisation agents such as the family, peers and community play an important role in prescribing acceptable and unacceptable sexual behaviour of young men. Some of the young men seemed to adhere to prescribed gender norms of what it means to be a man while some rejected them for alternative versions of being a man. In the context of the university environment, these findings reveal that male students cannot make informed decisions regarding condom use when they are intoxicated, and thus expose themselves to sexually transmitted infections and other risks.ConclusionUniversity sexual risk reduction programs should be developed considering the specific cultural context, using strategies that empower young men to challenge the widely accepted cultural norms that may predispose them to sexual risks.Plain English summarySexual behaviours and cultural norms are interconnected, it is through culture that people learn how to behave and understand the world around them. In many cultural contexts, young men are taught from a very young age how to behave based on dominant notions of what it means to be a man in that particular context. As such, in some cultural context sexual risk-taking such as having multiple sexual partners and unprotected sex are perceived as normal behaviour for men. Some young men embrace such normalised sexual behaviours which often has negative implications on their future. This study explored the influence of cultural norms on the sexual behaviour of young men. This qualitative study was conducted at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Four focus group discussions were conducted among first-year students to postgraduate students who were between the ages of 18 to 30 years. Our findings revealed that there other influences on the sexual behaviours of the young men, which included family, community and peers. It also emerged that gender norms regarding what it means to be a man still prevailed which some of the young men in the study adhered to, notably such notions seemed to be rejected by some of them. The university setting appeared to be space where a lot of sexual risk-taking took place, which potentially exposed the young men in the study to many sexual risks. In conclusion, targeted programs for the university setting should aim to challenge gender norms that expose young men to sexual risks.

The Effect of Tropical Cyclone Nicholas (11–20 February 2008) on Sea Level Anomalies in Indonesian Waters

As reported extensively in both electronic and print media in Indonesia, high wave and anomalously high sea level phenomena occurred in February 2008 in Indonesian waters, mainly along the western coast of Sumatra and the southern coasts of Java-Bali. Tropical Cyclone (TC) Nicholas, occurring in northwestern coastal waters of Australia between 11 and 20 February 2008, might have contributed to the existence of these phenomena in the Indonesian region. This study focused on investigating the effect of TC Nicholas on the increases in sea levels in the Indonesian waters by analyzing residual water levels (non-astronomic tide). In this regard, a storm tide event (the sum of the astronomical tide and storm surge generated by the TC Nicholas) was simulated in this region using the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS). The residual water levels were obtained by removing the tidal part (astronomic tide) from the ROMS simulated total water levels. In addition, to confirm possible influences of TC Nicholas, a lagged correlation analysis was applied between atmospheric pressure at the center of TC Nicholas and residual water level oscillations in the Indonesian waters. It was found that the residual water levels showed a strong correlation with the atmospheric pressure at the center of TC Nicholas in some areas of the Indonesian seas, such as the western coast of Sumatra, the southern coast of Java, Lesser Sunda Islands, and the southern coast of Papua. The increased sea levels on the western coast of Sumatra are up to 16 cm, with TC Nicholas leading the residual water level by 4.18 days (TL: time lag). Meanwhile, they are up to 20 cm (TL = 5.75 days), 21 cm (TL = 1.12 days), and 38 cm (TL = 3.96 days) on the southern coast of Java, the Lesser Sunda Islands, and the southern coast of Papua, respectively. The results of this study could be used as an initial assessment to investigate the most vulnerable Indonesian coastal areas to the impact of the TC and they might be significantly beneficial for designing both a proper disaster risk reduction program and investment policies in the region, particularly in the context of flood risk reduction and adaptation.