Trained Volunteers Research Articles

Evaluating the evening carbohydrate dilemma: the effect of within-the-day carbohydrate periodization on body composition and physical fitness.

To assess the effects of carbohydrate timing and type on body composition and physical fitness. Forty-two healthy, trained male volunteers underwent a four-week intervention, randomly divided into three groups: (i) Sleep Low-No Carbohydrates (SL-NCHO): consuming all carbohydrate intake at regular intervals prior to evening training, (ii) Sleep High-Low Glycemic Index (SH-LGI), and (iii) Sleep High-High Glycemic Index (SH-HGI). In both SH-LGI and SH-HGI, carbohydrates were distributed throughout the day, both pre-(60% of total intake) and post-evening training (40% of total intake). The SH-LGI and SH-HGI groups diverged in evening carbohydrate quality, featuring LGI and HGI foods, respectively. All participants performed a standardized exercise program combining resistance exercise and high-intensity interval training. Body composition was assessed using skinfold measurements and bioelectrical impendence analysis. Physical fitness was assessed by measuring VO2max, Visual Reaction Time (VRT), Countermovement Jump (CMJ), and 1-repetition maximum (1RM) in hack squat, chest press, shoulder press, and lat-pulldown exercises. There was a significant time-effect on both body composition and physical fitness indices. Bodyfat percentage decreased by an average of 1.5% (p < 0.001), fat-mass by 1.4kg (p < 0.001) and fat-free mass increased by 0.9kg (p = 0.006). A time-effect was also observed in VO2max, CMJ, 1RM testing, and VRT (all p < 0.05). There were no significant differences among interventions. A balanced dietary plan with sufficient nutrient and energy intake promotes body composition optimization and physical fitness, independently of carbohydrate type or timing. This study points towards implementing flexible nutrition interventions, emphasizing the potential of tailored dietary strategies to optimize health and physical fitness. The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT05464342.

Volunteer Voices: building volunteer agency in the field of contemporary art in heritage

ABSTRACT Volunteers are a key but underexploited resource in advocating for and interpreting the contemporary artworks that are increasingly being commissioned for heritage places. Volunteers are not typically offered any training to help them talk about contemporary artworks with visitors or provided with much background information about the art or artists concerned. Nor is the organisation’s rationale for engaging with contemporary art well-understood by volunteers. While heritage organisations rely heavily on volunteers to provide high quality experiences for their visitors, in failing to adequately prepare volunteers, the full value of investment in a contemporary art project – time, money, organisational input, the creative energy of the artist – might not be properly realised. In this article, which draws on findings from a pilot volunteer training programme conducted in North East England in 2021–2022, we develop existing research into ‘serious leisure’ to suggest the value of building a community of practice through peer-learning that can offer a distinctive experience for volunteers, enhancing both their ownership and agency. We argue for the benefits of knowledge exchange across heritage sites and suggest that volunteers could be at the forefront in improving commissioning and exhibiting practices and visitor appreciation of contemporary art in heritage places.

Health Volunteers and E-Booklet Impact on Knowledge and Treatment Adherence in Hypertension Patient

Hypertension is a disease with a global prevalence of 1.3 billion cases in 2019, which is the leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of hypertension in Indonesia is 34.1% among the adult population, with a mortality rate of 427,218. The failure of hypertension patient management is mostly due to a lack of awareness of the importance of adherence to hypertension treatment and a lack of knowledge. This study aims to determine the effect of health education by health volunteers using e-booklet on the knowledge and adherence to treatment of hypertensive patients at Batujajar Health Center area. This study used a quasi-experimental design with intervention and control groups. The sample in this study consisted of 32 respondents, who were selected using the purposive sampling technique. The results showed that health education by health volunteers using e-booklet significantly increased the mean knowledge of hypertensive patients, with the mean value of knowledge rising from 75.6 to 86.8 after the intervention. Patients' adherence to treatment also increased, with the mean value rising from 4.4 to 6. The results showed a significant positive effect on both variables, with a p-value of 0.016 for knowledge and 0.001 for treatment adherence, respectively. Based on the findings, health education conducted by health volunteers using e-booklets significantly impacts the knowledge and medication adherence of hypertension patients in the Batujajar Health Center area. It is recommended that health volunteer training be conducted periodically by healthcare professional and that the e-booklet be utilized as an educational tool at the health center and as a credible reference source for the community.

Enhancing effectiveness of Extension program evaluations by validating the trustworthiness of self-reported measures of Extension program outcomes

Assessment of program outcomes in extension often relies on subjective measures, such as perceived or self-reported knowledge, which are criticized for potential bias and inaccuracy. Conversely, objective knowledge, i.e., how much an individual actually knows, is considered more accurate. Studies show varying associations between subjective and objective knowledge, ranging from no correlation to high correlation, and their influence on behavior change also varies. In this study, we aim to quantify the relationship between subjective knowledge, objective knowledge, and behavior change. Data were collected from Master Gardener Volunteer training attendees. We used Pearson correlation and hierarchical linear regressions to explore the relationship between subjective and objective knowledge and their influence on behavior, i.e., engagement in gardening practices. Our findings show that subjective and objective knowledge post-training were moderately correlated, indicating that participants' self-assessments were not entirely accurate before training. Interestingly, only subjective knowledge before training predicted engagement in gardening practices after training, highlighting the significant role of perceived understanding in behavior change. Based on the findings, we suggest that extension programs should focus on addressing participants' existing beliefs to foster enduring behavior change. By designing programs that consider these pre-existing perceptions, extension can more effectively translate knowledge into practical, lasting behaviors.

Факторная модель личностного выбора соучастия в экстремальном добровольчестве и его диагностика

The article is devoted to improving psychological support for volunteering in extreme conditions. The emphasis is placed on the establishment of predictors of personal choice of participation in volunteerism, the development of an integrative model and diagnostic tools for assessing readiness for participating activities. The subject of the study is a model of personal choice of participation in extreme volunteerism. The aim is to substantiate an integrative model of personal choice of participation in extreme volunteerism, to develop an appropriate diagnostic methodology based on it. The methodological basis is based on axiological, holistic, activity-based and subjective approaches. Semantic analysis of diagnostic constructs, as well as expert assessment and psychological testing were used (questionnaire «Scale of dispositional egoism» (K. Muzdybaev); questionnaire «Motivation for help» (S.K. Nartova-Bochaver); questionnaire of value orientations (adaptation of M. Rokich's methodology); indicative questionnaire «Personality orientation» (V. Smekal, M. Kucera adaptation by N.M. Peisakhov); questionnaire on motivation of volunteer activity (K.V. Gil); methodology for diagnosing achievement motivation (A. Mehrabian); methods of diagnosing personal maturity (V.A. Ruzhenkov); test of resilience (S. Muddy, adaptation by D.A. Leontiev, E.I. Rasskazova); questionnaire «Coping behavior» (R. Lazurus, S. Folkman, adaptation by S. Hobfall); value questionnaire (Sh. Schwartz); original author's methods – a questionnaire for assessing the propensity to extreme volunteering, an assessment of manifestations of professional personality deformation, a questionnaire for evaluating the choice of participation in extreme volunteerism). The sample size is 218 people. Applied: descriptive statistics, factor analysis, meta-analysis of data. According to the results of the study, the 16 factor structure of the choice of complicity is justified, which includes: «Prosocial value orientations», «Ideality», «Integrity of worldview», «Voluntary sense orientation», «Motivation», «Interest in volunteerism», «Propensity to extreme activity», «Dedication», «Critical thinking», «Extreme perceptual congruence», «Emotional stenicity», «Self-control», «Activity in extreme conditions», «Extreme vitality», «Self-organization», «Reliability». The novelty lies in the development of an integrative model and a questionnaire for evaluating the choice of participation in volunteerism. The results can be applied by psychologists of law enforcement agencies and volunteer organizations in conducting psychological selection and training of volunteers.

Influence of Gradient Milling on Cooking and Sensory Attributes of Chinese Black Rice: Insights into Volatile Flavor Compounds.

This study investigated the impact of gradient milling on the cooking properties and sensory characteristics of Yangxian black rice. The results showed that as the degree of milling increased, the gelatinization time decreased (36.85-23.54 min) and the water uptake ratio of whole black rice (188.29%) was significantly lower compared to that of refined grains (194.05%). Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was further used to monitor the water concentration and distribution of black rice during soaking and cooking. It was found that the bran layers of black rice, as a physical barrier, impeded the water penetration into the kernels for a given soaking and cooking duration. The sensory evaluation conducted by a panel of trained volunteers demonstrated a high score for all sensory attributes in slightly milled black rice, corroborating findings from the taste analyzer. Through correlation analysis of volatile components determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), smell scores in sensory evaluation, and electronic nose response values, 2-pentyl-furan (54.84-12.72 ng/g) and guaiacol (19.39-5.51 ng/g) were found to be the predominant volatile flavor contributors in cooked black rice. Overall, this study provides valuable insight into the intricate relationship between milling degrees and the cooking properties, sensory characteristics, and volatile flavor compounds of Yangxian black rice.

Validity of Force and Power Measures from an Integrated Rotary Encoder in a HandyGym Portable Flywheel Exercise Device

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the validity of the HandyGym portable flywheel device with an integrated rotary encoder in measuring force and power during iso-inertial exercises compared to a traditional reference system. Methods: In total, 10 trained volunteers (3 women, 7 men; age 25.2 ± 3.8 years) performed half-squats with five different load configurations using the HandyGym device. Concurrent measurements were obtained from HandyGym’s rotary encoder and a criterion system (MuscleLab 6000 strain gauge and linear encoder). Five load configurations were tested, with 15 repetitions recorded per condition. The validity of the HandyGym measurements was assessed through mean bias, typical error of estimation (TEE), and Pearson correlation coefficients, with Bland–Altman plots used to analyze the agreement between the two systems. Results: The HandyGym showed high correlations with the reference system for both force (r = 0.76–0.90) and power (r = 0.60–0.94). However, systematic biases were observed, with the HandyGym consistently underestimating force and power at lower loads and overestimating power at higher loads. The TEE values indicated moderate to large errors, particularly in power measurements. Conclusion: The HandyGym provides valid force measurements with moderate bias, suitable for general monitoring. However, power measurements are less consistent, especially at higher loads, limiting the device’s utility for precise assessments. Adjustments or corrections may be necessary for accurate application in professional contexts.

Analisis Manajemen Program Relawan Pengajar Sinode GPM Pada Sekolah Dasar YPPK Kapahewa Dr. JB Sitanala Klasis Seram Utara Barat

This study aims to analyze the management of the GPM Synod Volunteer Teaching Program at SD YPPK Kapahewa from the aspects of planning, organizing, implementing, supervising, as well as supporting and inhibiting factors that affect program control. The method used is qualitative with interview, observation, and documentation techniques. The subjects of the study included volunteers, principals, teachers, volunteer mentors, and students. The results of the study indicate that: i) the planning program includes a structured volunteer recruitment, provisioning, distribution process; ii) the organization of the program runs effectively with a clear structure and good communication between volunteers, teachers, and principals; iii) the implementation of the program challenges discipline, but collaboration between volunteers and the school continues to run well; iv) program supervision is carried out through periodic monitoring and evaluation by the GPM Synod; v) supporting factors include financial support and volunteer motivation, while inhibiting factors are low school discipline and interest in volunteer registration. This study provides suggestions for improving the quality of the management program, including strengthening volunteer training and closer collaboration with the local community.

A realist change model for community-based perinatal mental health peer support from peer volunteers

ABSTRACT Aims To investigate what it is about community-based perinatal mental health peer support from trained volunteers that works, for whom, in what circumstances, in what respects, and why; and build a change model that includes positive and negative mechanisms and outcomes. Methods Realist evaluation methods based on semi-structured interviews were used to create a change model for a third sector programme in England. Results Mothers who received peer support (n = 20), peer support volunteers (n = 27), and programme staff (n = 9) were interviewed. Positive impact on mothers was primarily based on feeling understood and accepted, social comparison (including normalisation, hope, and gaining perspective) and sharing non-directive information from experiential knowledge. Negative impact on mothers was based on negative social comparison, or absence of key peer support mechanisms. Mothers were affected in different ways, depending on individual contexts: their backgrounds, personalities, social situations, resources, experiences, beliefs, and needs. Some different mechanisms were present in one-to-one and group situations. All participants considered the benefits of peer support to greatly outweigh the risks. Conclusion Individual contextual factors affect the multiple mechanisms through which mental health peer support can improve mothers’ emotional wellbeing and social participation. Peer support has potential risks as well as benefits, which can be mitigated. Programmes could use this understanding of how contexts and mechanisms interact to produce peer support outcomes to improve training for peer support volunteers and to design future evaluations that take into account diversity of peer support experience.

The Role of the Civil Service Police Unit in Public Order and Community Peace

The general background maintenance of public order and community peace is a critical aspect of local governance, particularly in urban settings where diverse populations coexist. Specific background reveals that the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) plays a significant role in upholding these values, yet there is limited research examining their effectiveness in specific districts. Knowledge gap persists in understanding the comprehensive functions and impacts of Satpol PP in maintaining public order within local communities. This study aims to analyze and describe the role of the Satpol PP in implementing public order and community peace in a specific district. Results indicate that the Satpol PP engages in various activities, including community outreach, training for local volunteers, and proactive measures to prevent disturbances, demonstrating a multi-faceted approach to their responsibilities. Novelty lies in the identification of active, participatory, and passive roles that the Satpol PP adopts, which offers a more nuanced understanding of their functions. Implications of this research suggest that strengthening the capacity of the Satpol PP could enhance community engagement and further improve public safety. By providing a detailed examination of their roles, this study contributes to the broader discourse on local governance and community development, offering insights that may inform policy and practice in similar contexts. Highlights: Active role in maintaining public order through various strategies. Community participation in reporting issues to the Satpol PP. Training programs to enhance the capabilities of Linmas and Satpol PP personnel. Keywords: Satpol, Community, Public Order, Participation, Capacity Building

The Role of NGOs in Health Capacity Building for Organizational Staff and Volunteers in Myanmar

The role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in health capacity building for trained community volunteers in Myanmar, a Least Developed Country (LDC) is significantly noteworthy. The study highlights the training programs and initiatives conducted by NGOs in areas such as sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention, addressing critical needs in family planning, maternal health, GBV prevention, and the prevention of TB, HIV/AIDS, and other infectious diseases. The training programs and packages are designed to equip healthcare providers and community volunteers with fundamental skills, thereby enabling them to effectively address the health issues facing by the community especially among the vulnerable population. The study also points to the effective use of participatory learning methods by NGOs, such as interactive workshops, role-plays, case studies, and group discussions, which actively engage participants and promote an environment conducive to collective learning and knowledge sharing. Furthermore, through FGD, it was found that NGO interventions contribute to positive changes in health behaviors, such as increased awareness of preventive measures and adoption of healthier lifestyles.

Interactions between reptiles and people: a perspective from wildlife rehabilitation records.

As urbanization expands globally, human-wildlife interactions will inevitably increase. Here, we analysed 10 years of wildlife rehabilitation records of squamate (snake and lizard) reptiles (n = 37 075) from the Greater Sydney region, New South Wales, Australia, to explore their value to address management and conservation issues. Rescues were highly non-random regarding taxonomic focus, spatial occurrences and temporal trends due to the combined influence of (i) reptile phenology and behaviour and (ii) human perceptions of reptiles. Seasonal peaks in rescues reflect reptile and, to a lesser extent, human activity. Spatial patterns of rescues were informative about distributions and presence of easily identified taxa but were primarily driven by human presence. Larger squamate species were rescued more frequently, potentially reflecting a perception of greater danger or rescue priority. While uncommon species were often misidentified, accurate reports of these taxa may guide targeted surveys. The value of these data for conservation and management could be enhanced by emphasizing reptile identification training of volunteers and use of applications for informed species identification. Wildlife rehabilitation data offer a cost-effective means of quantifying thousands of human-reptile interactions, identifying foci (in both time and space) of human-wildlife conflict such as snakebite risk and roadkill-related reptile mortality.

Talk Time Differences Between Interregional and Intraregional Calls to a Crisis Helpline: Statistical Analysis.

National suicide prevention strategies are general population-based approaches to prevent suicide by promoting help-seeking behaviors and implementing interventions. Crisis helplines are one of the suicide prevention resources available for public use, where individuals experiencing a crisis can talk to a trained volunteer. Samaritans UK operates on a national scale, with a number of branches located within each of the United Kingdom's 4 countries or regions. The aim of this study was to identify any differences in call duration across the helpline service in order to determine whether service varied interregionally and intraregionally and to determine the impact of calls answered in the same region as the caller, compared with calls answered in a different region on the duration of calls made from landlines to Samaritans UK. Calls may be routed by Samaritans, wherein the telephony system sends the call to the next available volunteer, irrespective of location; therefore, individuals may be routed to a branch within the same region as the caller's current region (intraregional calls) or routed to a branch that is in a different region from that of the caller's current region (interregional calls). The origin of calls by region was identified using the landline prefix of the anonymized caller identifier, along with the region of the destination branch (as branch details are recorded in the call details record). First, a Levene's test of homogeneity of variance was carried out for each condition, that is, England calls and Scotland calls. Thereafter, for each condition, a one-way ANOVA or one-way analysis of means was carried out to evaluate any significant differences in call duration. ANOVA results showed that there are significant differences in call durations between intraregional calls and interregional calls (P<.001). Across all conditions within this study, callers stayed on the phone for a shorter period of time when routed to a branch that is within the same region as the call origin than if they were put through to a branch within a different region than the call origin. Statistical analyses showed that there were significant differences between interregional and intraregional calls. On average, callers to crisis helplines stayed on the phone for a shorter period of time if they were routed to a branch within the same region in which the call originated than if they were routed to a branch in a different region of origin. The findings from this study have practical applications, which may allow crisis helplines to manage their resources more effectively and improve caller satisfaction with the service.

A parenting program delivered through existing community-based peer groups to improve early child development in Homabay and Busia Counties, Kenya: study protocol for a cluster-randomized controlled trial

BackgroundPoor early childhood development (ECD) is a major global health concern that is associated with various adverse outcomes over the lifecourse. Parenting interventions especially during the earliest years of life can benefit ECD. However, there is limited evidence from Kenya about the effectiveness of parenting interventions for improving ECD outcomes especially across rural disadvantaged communities. This paper describes the study protocol for an impact and implementation evaluation of a community-based group parenting program that aims to improve ECD in rural Kenya.MethodsWe will conduct a cluster-randomized controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of a parenting program for caregivers of young children in Homabay and Busia counties in Western Kenya. Sixty-four village clusters will be randomly assigned to either the parenting intervention arm or the waitlist control arm with stratification by county. In each village, 10 primary caregivers with a child aged 0–24 months will be enrolled. The parenting program will be delivered through existing peer groups within communities whereby caregivers will receive counseling and psychosocial support to enhance their parenting skills and wellbeing to in turn promote ECD. The intervention curriculum comprises 21 sessions targeting various nurturing care messages, including early learning, responsive caregiving, child nutrition, health, protection, and caregiver mental health. Group sessions are facilitated by a trained volunteer biweekly for a total of 11 months. The primary trial outcome is an overall measure of ECD using the Global Scales of Early Development long form version. Secondary outcomes include various caregiver outcomes (e.g., parenting practices, mental health) and other child outcomes (e.g., socioemotional development, dietary diversity). All outcomes will be assessed at baseline and endline. We will also conduct a qualitative implementation evaluation at endline and interview various stakeholders to assess program fidelity, quality, and sustainability.DiscussionThis trial will evaluate the effectiveness of a parenting intervention on ECD and caregiving outcomes and assess program implementation quality as delivered through existing community-based peer groups. This study will provide rigorous evidence that can be used to inform scale-up of this program model that leverages existing community social networks and resources for improving caregivers’ parenting skills and promoting ECD in rural Kenya and other similar settings across LMICs.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov #NCT06165315. Registered on December 11, 2023.

4-H Volunteer Training Series: The ABCs of 4-H: A Primer for 4-H Volunteers

This information sheet is the introduction to the 4-H Volunteer Training Series (VTS). The series contains a wealth of information, from how to start a club, to planning field trips, to how to work with youth. This part was originally published in July 2014 and then revised in July 2018. It was updated in the summer of 2023 and is now revised in September 2024.

4-H Volunteer Training Series: How to Start a 4-H Club (for Youth Ages 5-18)

This is one part of the 4-H Volunteer Training series. It was originally written in 2005, adapted in 2014, and updated in 2023.

4-H Volunteer Training Series: Selecting a Name for a 4-H Club

This is one part of the 4-H Volunteer Training series. It was originally published in 2005 and revised in 2012. It was updated in the summer of 2023 and is now published in 2024.

P086 MAY MEASURE MONTH 2023: AN ANALYSIS OF BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING RESULTS FROM NEPAL

Background and Objective: May Measure Month (MMM) is a global annual blood pressure (BP) screening campaign raising awareness about prevention and control of hypertension. Nepal has been participating in this campaign since 2017. We present the results of MMM2023 in Nepal. Methods: Opportunistic BP screening was conducted among adults aged ≥ 18 years from May-August 2023 in Nepal. Participants, selected with convenient sampling, were administered a questionnaire developed by the May Measure Month. Three BP measurements were taken by trained volunteers using digital or manual BP devices. Hypertension is defined using both definitions: 1) BP ≥140/90 mm Hg or currently under antihypertensive medication 2) ≥130/80 mm Hg or currently under antihypertensive medication. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with hypertension. Results: A total of 7,573 adults participated. The mean (SD) systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were 119.0 (15.9) and 79.8 (10.6) mm Hg, respectively. 22.3% and 50.1% participants were hypertensive using thresholds of 140/90 mmHg and 130/80 mmHg, respectively. Proportion of hypertension, overweight (BMI≥ 25 kg/m2), tobacco use, e-cigarette use, alcohol use, diabetes, and mean SBP/DBP were statistically significantly higher among males than females. Among hypertensive individuals, 48.9% were aware of their condition, and 42.1% were receiving pharmacological treatment. Among those under treatment, 60.1% had BP under control (&lt;140/90 mm Hg). Factors associated with hypertension were age ≥40 years (OR 4.91, [95%CI 4.28-5.64]), history of cardiovascular diseases (2.15 [1.30-3.56]), diabetes (1.83 [1.52-2.21]), male sex (1.61 [41.41-1.84]), and overweight (1.60 [1.42-1.80]. Conclusions: The MMM 2023 underscored the ongoing challenge of hypertension management in Nepal, reaffirming the strong association of hypertension with risk factors including age, male sex, history of CVDs, diabetes, and overweight. Despite higher proportion of hypertension among males, their awareness, treatment, and control levels were significantly lower than in females. This study highlights the need to strengthen community-based programs to enhance the continuum of hypertension management.

Using Existing Resources to Create a Successful End-of-Life Doula Program

The end-of-life doula role has emerged as an integral part of the interdisciplinary team caring for patients. The doulas provide an extra layer of support from a non-clinical lens to prevent crises, follow-up with families, and guide them through their journey. This manuscript describes how a hospice agency developed a performance improvement project to train volunteers to become end-of-life doulas through a rigorous training program, based on the Doula Model of Care. The implementation of the program was evaluated based on caregiver and staff satisfaction, and volunteer knowledge competency. The results from the pilot program showed mixed outcomes for patient and staff satisfaction, but created a rigorous training program for hospice volunteers. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted data gathering and implementation of the program, so outcomes were varied. However, the program remains successful with ongoing training of the end-of-life doulas and an increase in new volunteers to support the program.

P.106: Creation of organ donation ambassadors through an online volunteer training program.

P.106: Creation of organ donation ambassadors through an online volunteer training program.