Semi-structured Interviews Research Articles

Re-Thinking Monitoring, Evaluating, and Learning: Support Mechanisms For Cause Champions In Sport-For-Development—A Singapore Case Study

Effective monitoring, evaluation and learning in sport-for-development programmes requires an understanding of the contributing factors that are associated with impactful outcomes. Cause champions are social change agents who act as cultural experts and role models within communities. They play a crucial role in sport-for-development programmes. Despite their profound impact, our understanding of the managerial support mechanisms that serve as necessary conditions for cause champions to operate successfully and thrive within sport-for-development programmes remains limited. This study investigated the essential support mechanisms for cause champions, examine how these interact, and suggest ways to monitor them to enhance the effectiveness of a programme through a resource-based lens. This research is a case-study analysis of a SFD organisation from Singapore. Using semi-structured interviews were conducted with staff members (n = 7), coaches (n =3) and cause champions (n = 8). The data were examined using thematic analysis, which is in line with the resource-based view that observes critical resources and their interactions in relation to the effectiveness and sustainability of organisations. We have identified various critical support mechanisms that enable cause champions to thrive. This includes the investment and efforts of staff and boundary-spanning coaches, and social behaviours that foster a culture of care. This interconnected nature of support mechanisms highlights the importance for strategic alignment and targeted support to enhance the impacts of SFD initiatives. These findings provide insights for designing, managing and evaluating SFD programmes more effectively, both in Singapore and other contexts.

The enactment of political skills in community sport coaching

ABSTRACT Community sport coaches play a vital role in delivering sport and physical activity schemes to achieve (non)sporting government policy goals. While research has started to examine the social, relational and emotional features of this work, political skills remain underexplored. It is unclear which political skills are required and how they are enacted, learnt, and developed. This study addresses this gap through online semi-structured interviews with 17 community sport coaches, examining the political skills crucial for managing workplace dynamics, building relationships, and achieving professional goals. Through our conceptual application of political astuteness and political skill, the findings highlight: a) the importance of reading and building effective relationships with key stakeholders in response to organisational and policy demands, b) the personal and interpersonal skills required to achieve goals strategically, and c) how these skills are typically learnt on the job, outside of formal coach education. This study contributes new insights to the critical social analysis of sport work by identifying the political skills underpinning community sport coaching practice. It also highlights the need to develop these skills in the coaching workforce and raises important questions about coach education and professional development.

Medical technologists’ experiences handling medical specimens during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 virus (SARS-CoV-2) was highly infectious and had a high mortality rate. Globally, countries prioritised early disease detection through biological sample collection, analysis, and treatment. Understanding the physical and mental health outcomes that medical technologists experienced as a result of the increased risk of exposure is critical for making recommendations for the successful implementation of new workplace safety standards. Aim: This study attempts to provide a better understanding of medical technologists’ experiences and occupational exposure during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic. Setting: The study was carried out at a Gauteng public laboratory that is a component of South Africa’s national health laboratory services. Methods: The study design was qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual. Ten medical technologists were chosen using a purposive sampling technique. The data were gathered via in-depth, semi-structured interviews, which were audio recorded, professionally transcribed and coded. Tesch’s thematic coding method was used to perform a descriptive analysis. Results: Three key themes were identified: health and safety, negative experiences, and positive self-satisfaction. Medical technologists were concerned about their safety and health while handling COVID-19 specimens because of the challenging work environment caused by the pandemic. This resulted in negative experiences, including stress and anxiety. Despite this, several individuals felt their contributions throughout the pandemic were notable. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic required additional resources, expertise, and training for medical technologists to safely collect and analyse biological samples. Contribution: The study’s findings present an opportunity to develop work-related risk management and support plans for future pandemics.

‘Wild’ music-making: an investigation into the experiences of children (aged 7–10) when music-making in a woodland

ABSTRACT Music-making has long been associated with ways of knowing that enable enhanced experiences of reality. This study explores children’s (aged 7–10 years) experiences of music-making outdoors in a nature reserve and the potential for aesthetic ways of knowing affecting their musical experiences and sense of relationship with the more-than-human world. Three schools took part and groups of children were randomly selected from each school to undertake semi-structured interviews. Analysis of the transcribed interviews showed that children’s music-making afforded them artistic or aesthetic ways of knowing giving them an enhanced experience of the natural world, themselves and their music making.

Violence against Istanbul and strategies for resistance

This paper examines urban megaprojects and slow violence in Turkey through the case of Kanal Istanbul, situating it within broader authoritarian and neoliberal urban development policies in Istanbul. Drawing on thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with experts and activists, it explores how the proposed ‘alternative waterway’, effectively splitting the city, has been critiqued as an act of urbicide. The paper offers two main contributions: first, it traces urban resistance in Istanbul over the past 15 years, highlighting how past unrest connects with the present moment; second, it analyses urban megaprojects through the lens of slow and infrastructural violence, culminating in the concept of urbicide as a form of resistance. The paper argues that Kanal Istanbul is not an isolated rupture but part of a broader continuum of urban struggle shaped by past violences and emerging solidarities. It concludes by framing urbicide as both a diagnostic and strategic lens for understanding how Istanbul’s urban policies—neoliberal and more-than-neoliberal—have produced sustained cycles of violence and resistance. Thus, I approach the narrative of urbicide as both a diagnostic and strategic lens to trace the evolution of urban resistance in Istanbul.

Strategies and Difficulties of Madrasah Teachers in Teaching English Vocabulary for Young Learners

In early English language education, vocabulary instruction is fundamental to developing long-term language proficiency among young learners. This study examines the vocabulary teaching strategies employed by madrasah ibtidaiyah (Islamic primary school) teachers and how these strategies address the unique challenges encountered in their classrooms. Despite the critical role of vocabulary instruction, many teachers face persistent obstacles, including limited resources, overcrowded classrooms, minimal parental involvement, and restricted instructional time for English. Adopting a qualitative descriptive approach, data were collected through classroom observations and semi-structured interviews with several English for Young Learners (EYL) teachers. The findings indicate that commonly used strategies included "listening and repeating" and "question and answer," while others, such as "translation," "modeling," "brainstorming," and "outdoor activities" were applied selectively based on student grade level. Teachers reported challenges such as low student motivation, heterogeneous language proficiency levels, lack of teaching aids, and insufficient time allocation for English instruction. The study concludes that while teachers adapt their strategies to align with the cognitive and emotional development of learners, additional institutional support and instructional resources are essential to improving the quality and effectiveness of vocabulary instruction in Islamic elementary schools.

Risk perception, barriers, and working safely with silica dust in construction: a psychological network approach

BackgroundIn the construction industry workers are frequently exposed to hazardous substances. To explore and describe construction workers’ barriers and motives to (not) work safely with hazardous substances, we examined their perspectives on the health risks, perceived barriers, and intention to use preventive measures with regard to silica dust. Specifically, we studied perspectives on the use of face masks, dust collection on power tools, and using a vacuum cleaner instead of a broom.MethodSemi-structured interviews (n = 13) and a pen and paper survey (n = 187) were administered on construction and training sites. Only executive workers could participate in the study. We approached the behaviour of using specific preventive measures as an emergent property of a complex network of interacting psychological variables. To analyse the structure of these ‘behavioural decision networks’ we applied a psychological network.ResultsThrough the exploratory semi-structured interviews, we identified themes relevant for our survey, like perceived exposure, risk being considered as part of the job, and perceived barriers like time, effort, and properties of the work environment. Construction workers were generally aware their health is at risk due to occupational exposure to silica dust. At the same time, they are not overly concerned about that risk. Network analysis suggests that concern does play a moderate role in the behavioural decision networks, suggesting that a lack of concern may encourage unsafe behaviour. Construction workers’ level of automaticity to use specific preventive measures was relatively low. Barriers to use preventive measures such as time and effort play a relatively key role in the networks. A general intention to work safely hardly played any role in the networks, while a specific intention to use preventive measures played a more prominent role. Age and work experience did not play a role in the network. Non-parametric tests and descriptive comparison of networks suggest differences in for example the relative importance of specific variables.ConclusionsFor two preventive measures, different variables may be more successful intervention points to foster safe work. Increasing levels of concern, improving automaticity of use, addressing specific intention to use preventive measures in risk communication, and offering preventive measures at time and location where relevant tasks are performed, are discussed as possible intervention points to foster working safely with silica dust in construction. Future studies should further substantiate these findings.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-025-23347-2.

Potential impacts of artificial intelligence for management accounting in the perception of professionals in the field

Purpose: The objective of this research is to verify the potential impacts that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can have within the field of Management Accounting (MA) in the perception of professionals in the field. Methodology: The research is exploratory-descriptive and qualitative in nature, classified as a survey, an appropriate strategy for analyzing facts and descriptions (Martins & Theóphilo, 2009). Data collection took place through semi-structured interviews with seven professionals considered experts in the areas of study. The data was analyzed using content analysis. Results: The results show that some AI functions could potentially interfere with the business and converge with previous investigations, namely: process mining and machine learning. Among the activities that facilitate the insertion of artificial intelligence are budget preparation, custodial management (especially task processes) and preparation and use of management relationships. Another aspect addressed is the potential of technology and expanded as the variables used for analysis, dealing with a large quantity of data, in addition to factors such as time reduction, quality increase, greater process agility and error reduction. Furthermore, let us discuss the impacts on professional training in the face of the adoption of new technologies. Contributions of the Study: The main contribution of this research is the discussion about which MA practices can be effectively affected by AI, especially considering that it is not possible to guarantee the real impact of AI on management practices. Additionally, the opinion of experts, as people who experience or have experienced the topic closely, makes tangible knowledge that has been limited to the theoretical field in most of the research consulted during the execution of this study.

How can management accounting and control systems facilitate compliance with sustainability reporting regulations?

PurposeSustainability reporting has become essential for organisational transparency and accountability. However, regulatory compliance poses challenges, particularly in ensuring consistency and coherence in reporting practices. Management accounting and control systems (MACSs), designed to help organisations achieve their goals, may support efforts to meet these challenges. This paper explores how MACSs can facilitate compliance with sustainability reporting regulations, drawing on a case study of a leading French energy industry company.Design/methodology/approachGrounded in the management accounting and control literature and informed by an institutional theoretical lens, this qualitative study relies on semi-structured interviews and analysis of official sustainability documents from the case study, spanning the period 2021–2023.FindingsThis study sheds lights on how traditional MACSs facilitate compliance with sustainability reporting regulations. Particularly, planning, cultural, and administrative controls contribute as a strategic response to regulatory reporting demands. Within the case-study, MACSs are actively shaped to address sustainability reporting challenges, such as resource allocation, interdepartmental coordination, and system adaptation. This involves defining, educating, and vesting strategies for institutionalising MACSs to address sustainability reporting challenges.Research limitations/implicationsTheoretically, this study contributes to the ongoing discussion in the accounting literature about the role of traditional MACSs in supporting sustainability reporting challenges (Bezuidenhout et al., 2023; Bui and de Villiers, 2018). It demonstrates that these systems can play a foundational role in enabling sustainability reporting, even before bespoke sustainable MACSs can be institutionally embedded through specific strategies, building on and extending the findings of Carungu et al. (2021). Specifically, we extend the application of the Malmi and Brown (2008) framework by showing how planning, administrative, and cultural controls are selectively mobilised to meet the demands of sustainability-related disclosures. Additionally, by integrating Lawrence and Suddaby’s (2006) institutional work perspective, we highlight how actors engage in strategies to create, maintain, and disrupt control systems, thus advancing research at the intersection of institutional theory and sustainability control practices. This dual-theoretical contribution addresses the gap identified in prior studies, which have called for deeper insights into how MACSs evolve under regulatory pressure.Practical implicationsFrom a practical perspective, the findings offer actionable guidance for organisations facing regulatory complexity and seeking to improve their sustainability reporting practices. Integrating financial and non-financial data within existing MACSs can enhance transparency and support regulatory compliance. Particularly in organisations subject to sustainability reporting regulations (e.g. CSRD), our findings provide a practical framework to assess and redesign MACSs. By identifying how specific control elements can be adapted or newly introduced to meet reporting obligations, we offer a roadmap for aligning internal systems with external compliance requirements. Moreover, organisations can use MACSs to monitor sustainability performance, align reporting with financial controls, and promote cross-functional collaboration to ensure data reliability and consistency.Social implicationsSocial implications of our research extend to broader conversations surrounding corporate accountability. As organisations increasingly embrace sustainability reporting as a way to communicate their environmental and social impact, findings from our study contribute to fostering greater transparency and trust between organisations and society at large.Originality/valueThis research provides insights into how MACSs support compliance with sustainability reporting regulations. By focusing on a French energy sector leader, it provides a nuanced understanding of how organisations manage the complexity of sustainability reporting in a tightly regulated environment. It also contributes to the academic discourse by examining how MACSs support organisations in meeting sustainability reporting regulations– even though recent literature often emphasises the need for more innovative approaches.

School canteens and public policies for the scaling up of agroecology (The experience of the Eco- School Canteen Programme in the Canary Islands)

ABSTRACT This paper deals with a case study that combines a local initiative, a short marketing channel and a public policy in favor of agroecology. The Programa Ecocomedores de Canarias (Canary Island Eco-School Canteen Programme) is a social collective catering initiative based on school meals, which focuses on the use of organic, local and seasonal food in school canteens. The programme has been promoted by the public administration and implemented in partnership with the organic farming sector. This case study evaluates some of the obstacles and difficulties faced with scaling up agroecology. Two research perspectives, structural and dialectical, have been combined in this study. Semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, participant observation and participatory workshops were carried out. This has enabled us to draw three main conclusions: 1) It is possible and feasible to conceive of school canteens as an opportunity for short marketing channels. 2) The Eco-School Canteen Programme can be considered a favorable policy for agroecology. 3) The Programme has been a step in the vertical and horizontal scaling up of agroecology in the Canary Islands, although it is a process that faces challenges and contradictions.

Patient Transfer Process From Pre‐Hospital to the Hospital Emergency Department: A Grounded Theory Study

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe transfer of patients from a pre‐hospital emergency environment to a qualified healthcare centre is a critical aspect of emergency care. Due to the unpredictable and uncontrolled nature of pre‐hospital environments, emergency care providers often encounter multiple challenges during the patient transfer process.Aim/ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the patient transfer process from pre‐hospital to the hospital emergency department, identify the areas of main concern, strategies that emergency care providers used to address these concerns and generate a coherent underlying theory.MethodsA qualitative research method using a grounded theory approach was carried out to develop a comprehensive theoretical framework based on the experiences of emergency care providers, patients and their relatives in pre‐hospital settings and hospital emergency departments. This study, conducted from September 2022 to January 2024, involved 24 participants: 18 emergency care providers, four patients' relatives and two patients with transfer experience. Sampling began purposefully and transitioned to theoretical sampling to ensure diversity and enrich the emerging theory. Data were collected through in‐depth, individual, semi‐structured interviews, along with note‐taking, observation and document review. The Corbin‐Strauss 5‐step analysis approach was used to develop a coherent theory capturing the essence of the study phenomenon. The steps included open coding to identify concepts, developing concepts based on their features and dimensions, analysing data for context, incorporating processes into the analysis and integrating categories.ResultsThe main category as the main concern of the participants was ‘the tension of delay in safe transfer and patient survival threat’. The central variable was ‘diligent avoidance of tense confrontation’, which was used as a conscious, deliberate and purposeful effort to prevent the escalation of tensions in various situations and included a set of different strategies such as situational resourcefulness, persuasive communication and forbearance. Ultimately, the emergency care providers' efforts caused different outcomes, from successful persuasion and safe transfer of the patient to unsuccessful persuasion, surrendering, escaping from responsibility and long‐lasting hidden tensions.ConclusionsEmergency care providers use different strategies to manage the tension of delay in safe transfer and patient survival threat as their main concern. While successful strategies can inform practical guidelines, negative consequences highlight the need for more efficient and effective approaches. A prescriptive model based on the contextual theory from this study can be designed. This model should take a comprehensive, multifaceted view of the underlying causes of tension, support emergency care providers and improve their experience of delays during patient transfers in pre‐hospital emergency settings, ultimately leading to safe care.Implications for the Profession and/or Patient CareEmergency care providers should balance the urgency of transfer with patient safety and the patient's relative concerns.ImpactThis study underscores the need for patient‐centred care, effective communication and practical strategies to improve patient transfer processes.Reporting MethodThis article has been presented based on the COnsolidated Criteria for REporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist.Patient or Public ContributionNo Patient or Public Contribution.

Identifying the Impacts, Obstacles and Information Barriers for Parents of Children Living With Genetic Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACTBackgroundA genetic neurodevelopmental disorder (GND) impacts all aspects of a child's and family's life. GNDs are rare; most have limited natural history data. We aimed to understand the impacts, obstacles, information barriers and coping strategies developed through parents' experience of receiving and living with a child's diagnosis.Design and ParticipantsThis analysis is part of the UK multicentre observational study of children with rare GNDs (GenROC). We conducted 17 semi‐structured online interviews with parents of children with GNDs (aged 0–15 years) from November 2023 to March 2024. Data were analysed following the principles of thematic analysis.ResultsWe identified five themes. (1) Impact on the family around a genetic diagnosis: Distress begins well before a diagnosis is received; there is an impact upon the receipt itself and the ongoing impact on the family thereafter. (2) Impact of uncertainty, lack of data and ‘rareness’. The experience of parenting when so little is known about your child's condition. (3) Relationships with health professionals. Positive where parents are empowered and feel part of the team; negative where parents feel not heard/believed due to a professional lack of expertise/understanding. (4) Parent mental health: GNDs can be a significant burden to family life. The need to advocate for services has a negative impact. Feelings of isolation through rareness. (5) Coping strategies and factors that help: Support/Facebook groups are considered highly beneficial. Parents develop new positive identities, including that of advocate, professional and educator.ConclusionsGNDs represent a major challenge for families, clinicians and service providers. Distressed parents are struggling to cope with challenges and suffer from poor mental health. Psychosocial support, better signposting and health professional education may help.Patient ContributionPatient Participant Involvement group (comprising five mothers and one father of children with varying GNDs, one young person with a GND, and one genetics family charity representative) contributed to topic guide development and methodology and provided feedback on results.

Nurses’ Best Friend? The Lived Experiences of Nurses Who Utilized Dog Therapy in the Workplace

The aim of this work is to explore and understand the lived experience of nurses who chose to schedule visits with an Emotional Support Animal (ESA), i.e., a dog, during their working shift. Background/Objectives: Nursing practice is rigorous, weighted with intense responsibility that creates an environment conducive to stress and anxiety for the nurses, who have reported a higher level of work stress than other healthcare professionals. Knowing and addressing the factors impacting mental health/nurses’ well-being is crucial to providing care to patients. Stressful work environments result in burnout, compassion fatigue, depression, anxiety, suicide, and resignation. Understanding nurses’ perspectives on work related stress encourages hospitals to structure practices supporting nurses’ mental health and ability to provide quality care. Methods: A qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological approach was employed. Participants scheduled six weekly 10-min visits with Rex, a certified Service Dog for anxiety depression and PTSD, and registered ESA. A sample of 11 RNs participated in Rex visits at the workplace; field notes were taken during observations of visits. Semi-structured 30-min interviews conducted via Zoom, audio-recorded, and transcribed with NVivo were conducted. Results: Data were examined with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Four main themes emerged: Preparing for the unknown, Doing the work, Refueling and resetting-Visits with Rex, What about nurses? Conclusions: This study highlights the need for nurses and hospital systems to incorporate self-care/self-reflection, including time/opportunities for nurses’ stress management during their practice. Knowledge of nurses receiving ESA interventions sheds light on how to protect/preserve the well-being of nurses practicing in this demanding profession. ESAs for nurses in the workplace offers an option to utilize dog therapy to re-energize and continue their shift renewed and refreshed.

Towards Sustainable Urban Tourism: Addressing Environmental Degradation in Nairobi, Kenya

Purpose: This paper investigates the various harmful effects of tourism on urban environments, which encompass pollution, habitat destruction, resource depletion, and strains on infrastructure. It also underscores the necessity for sustainable tourism practices that reconcile economic advantages with environmental conservation Methodology: This study utilized a qualitative approach to fulfill its exploratory objectives, incorporating semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and informal discussions. It was conducted in Nairobi City County. The research engaged 24 local urban tourism stakeholders, revealing that an increase in visitor numbers contributes to pollution, habitat destruction, and disturbance of wildlife. Main Findings: Nairobi, affectionately known as the ‘Green City in the Sun’, is a dynamic and multicultural metropolis that uniquely combines urban living with unparalleled access to wildlife and natural landscapes. However, the city faces significant environmental challenges. These include pollution stemming from tourism (54%), overcrowding at green spaces (33%), depletion of natural resources combined with physical degradation of ecosystems, biodiversity loss (29%), and problems associated with solid waste and littering (21%). Implications: The substantial increase in tourist arrivals is placing considerable stress on Nairobi City County infrastructure, particularly solid waste management systems. This strain, in turn, results in environmental degradation and heightened pollution levels, ultimately impacting the quality of life for both permanent residents and temporary visitors. Novelty: Integrating environmental management practices into urban development offers the county a path to achieve immediate environmental improvements, build long-term resilience, and protect its vulnerable urban resources through strategic planning and collaboration

The role of online groups for autistic people in users’ autism information journeys

PurposeThe numbers of people with both diagnosed and suspected autism have risen exponentially worldwide over the last few decades. Autistic individuals face significant health and social disparities, including higher rates of poor health, early mortality and limited access to essential services. Understanding autistic people’s information needs and information journeys is therefore crucial.Design/methodology/approachThe research consisted of two consecutive qualitative studies. First, a sample of posts from an online autism group, made by group users who described themselves as autistic, was generated and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were then undertaken with adults who used online groups for autistic people and stated that they had received a professional diagnosis of autism or were awaiting an autism assessment. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.FindingsThe results identified some distinctive information behaviours connected by the participants to autism. A descriptive model was developed to represent the information journeys of people who use online groups for autistic people and are autistic or believe that they might be. The model shows how people who have been diagnosed with autism or who are awaiting professional assessment, seek and encounter online information about autism and the role of online groups for autistic people within users’ information journeys.Originality/valueThis research is the first attempt within the literature to describe and model the information journeys of people who are autistic or likely to be autistic and use online groups to find and share information. This is also the first study focussing specifically on the information behaviours of autistic adults.

A Qualitative Exploration of Support Groups for Parents of Children With Developmental Language Disorder.

Parents of children with developmental language disorder (DLD) have unique support needs. While support groups have a strong evidence base, they have not been adapted for use with this population. Our goal was to explore support needs among parents of children with DLD and their perspectives on participating in a support group. We conducted semistructured interviews with 12 caregivers of children with DLD. We asked questions about existing support needs, coping strategies, and hypothetical participation in a support group. Systematic text condensation was used to identify themes and subthemes within parent responses. Participants reported that systemic issues (e.g., Individualized Education Program processes, insurance coverage) hindered their ability to access evaluation and treatment services for their child. They also reported informational needs, such as wanting to know more about DLD, and challenges locating trustworthy resources. Emotional support needs included mental health challenges, as well as feelings of isolation and guilt. Finally, participants expressed interest in joining support groups and identified ways in which attendance would address emotional and informational needs. Within our sample, participants were dissatisfied with practices in evaluation and treatment for children with DLD. They wanted more information from speech-language pathologists and other service providers and described difficult emotions that accompanied raising a child with DLD. We propose that parent support groups, a flexible and low-cost option, may address these needs from parents of children with DLD. https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.29373977.

Disability group home residents and support worker perceptions of health communication during an infection outbreak: “Junk mail”

ABSTRACT Background During infection outbreaks people with intellectual disability face numerous challenges in accessing appropriate health information and guidance. This research sought to understand how information about infectious diseases was shared in Australian group homes, and what helps or hinders information access. Method Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six residents and eight support workers during the COVID-19 pandemic (2021–2022), and observational tours of two residential group homes were also completed. Interviews and observations underwent thematic and content analysis. Results Findings centred around five key themes: (i) the COVID-19 context; (ii) living in an information soup; (iii) seeking information from trusted sources; (iv) sharing information with others; and (v) the value of tailored communication support. Conclusion Our study found that information sharing about infectious diseases in disability group homes was multidirectional and drew on both formal and informal sources. Inclusive information sharing in these settings demands a coordinated and tailored approach.

Mahjong and health: a public health perspective

ABSTRACT As a quintessential form of socially embraced leisure activity among the elderly, mahjong has the potential to address challenges related to the ageing population in China. This study presents an in-depth analysis of elderly participation in mahjong gambling from a public health perspective. The following conclusions were drawn through analysis of semi-structured interview data: Firstly, when examined as an agent, mahjong acts as a mild (i.e. small dose of a less virulent) gambling virus, as its negative impact on the host remains minimal without repeated exposure. Secondly, the elderly, or ‘hosts’, exhibit restrained behaviour during mahjong gambling. Thirdly, the impact of the environment on mahjong gambling is profound. Societal and familial recognition of mahjong is a primary catalyst for elderly involvement. Elderly individuals who are consistently exposed to mahjong develop a certain level of immunity against the gambling virus. This study proposes management strategies to support establishing a successful ageing society in China from a gambling-oriented standpoint.

Suboptimal Patient-Provider Communication About Undetectable = Untransmittable and HIV Transmission Risk in Australia and the US.

The Undetectable = Untransmittable (U = U) campaign aims to raise global awareness that people living with HIV whose viral load is undetectable cannot sexually transmit HIV. Healthcare providers are uniquely positioned to disseminate the U = U message. Our study explored patient-provider communication about U = U and HIV risk from the perspectives of gay, bisexual, and other men living with HIV (MLHIV) and healthcare providers engaged in HIV treatment and prevention service delivery. We conducted 40 semi-structured interviews with key informants recruited through HIV community-based and professional organizations in Australia (n = 20) and the US (n = 20). Key informants included 20 MLHIV and 20 providers. Data were analyzed thematically. MLHIV were cisgender men aged 29-67 years (M[SD] = 52[13.1]). Providers were cisgender adults aged 30-65 years (M[SD] = 38[9.0]). MLHIV preferred that providers use clear and direct language to explain U = U. When prompted to explain U = U as they would to patients, 8 of 10 Australian and 4 of 10 US providers used language consistent with those preferences. MLHIV, especially US MLHIV, reported that their providers' explanation of the U = U message was often absent, ambiguous, or inaccurate in practice. Such suboptimal communication aligned with the skepticism about U = U and concerns about patient behavior (e.g., adherence) expressed by several providers in the study. Providers relayed multiple reservations regarding new World Health Organization recommendations about informing patients that low-level viremia (detectable viral load ≥ copies/mL) conferred "almost zero" risk. Many Australian and US providers would benefit from training developed in collaboration with people living with HIV to improve patient-provider communication about U = U and HIV transmission risk.

“He shall rule over thee”? Toward the theorization of gendered religious domestic violence

PurposeThis study aims to develop and broaden the understanding of religious domestic violence (RDV) as an entrenched phenomenon, especially in religious communities that affect women and men. Centered on a case study of the Jewish Haredi community – an insular enclave society with internal mechanisms of religious–social control and minimal state intervention – the study focuses on the role of formal and informal religious institutions in interpreting theological texts and enforcing these interpretations in their communities. We delineate a comprehensive array of RDV practices, distinguish between those targeting women and men and elucidate the social conditions enabling such violence despite broader social and legal condemnations.Design/methodology/approachThe study utilizes a thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 34 Haredi men and women whose divorces were attributed to incidents of RDV.Findings(1) The containment of RDV hinges on the interplay between theology and hierarchical social dynamics rooted in perceived theological expertise and the social standing of extended family networks in the community. (2) Key RDV practices include the exploitation of husbands’ purported superior theological knowledge, religious rhetoric and gender norms to enforce behaviors and administer various forms of punishment. (3) Religious institutions not only legitimize RDV practices but sometimes also perpetrate them.Research limitations/implicationsThe study focuses on a single community and is based on qualitative interviews. Future research should examine the issue of religious violence in additional communities.Practical implicationsIntervention strategies should engage religious authorities and reinterpret religious texts and prevailing norms to promote nonviolent familial relations.Social implicationsSuggestions regarding potential measures that can be applied to reduce RDV are provided.Originality/valueThe study offers a broader, more nuanced definition of RDV, affording more comparative and in-depth future research in this field. We systematically examine the relationship among the objectification of gender relations, characteristics of major religions and patterns of RDV in specific religious contexts. A deeper understanding of how RDV is embedded in specific features of religious institutions and theology may inform public policies aimed at reducing such violence.