scholarly journals P037 Indigenous Australians’ conceptualisation of sleep health differs from western interpretations

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A33-A33
Author(s):  
Y Fatima ◽  
S King ◽  
S Solomon ◽  
R Bucks ◽  
T Skinner
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Sleep Health ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Purpose Despite a significant burden of poor sleep, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ (Indigenous Australians) conceptualisation of sleep health is poorly understood. This research explored Indigenous Australians’ understanding and interpretation of sleep health and how that affects their health. Methods Indigenous people from remote Queensland were invited to participate in focus group discussions exploring their understanding of sleep health, the link between dreaming and sleep, and perceived implications of poor sleep. Participants were also asked to complete an adapted pictorial Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Descriptive statistics were used to summarise ESS data and participants’ demographic data. Thematic analysis was used to analyse focus group data. Results A total of 29 Indigenous Australians (82% females), median age 39 years (Interquartile range 26–51 years) from various geographical areas within North West Queensland participated in focus group discussions (n=6). The following themes emerged from the data: interconnection among sleep, emotional and physical health; challenges and successes in obtaining healthy sleep; the impact of dreams on waking life; and lack of support from health services in managing sleep issues. Scores from the modified pictorial scale indicate 24% of the participants had excessive daytime sleepiness (ESS score>10 points). Conclusion Indigenous Australians’ conceptualisation of sleep health is different from the western interpretation of sleep health. In particular, the connection between dreams and sleep is not adequately captured in current tools and resources to promote sleep health. This will limit effective prevention and management of sleep issues in Indigenous communities.

scholarly journals Promoting traditional foods for human and environmental health: lessons from agroecology and Indigenous communities in Ecuador

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Laura Deaconu ◽  
Geneviève Mercille ◽  
Malek Batal
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Indigenous People ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Traditional Food ◽  
Traditional Foods ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Dietary Practices ◽  
Production Diversity

Abstract Background: The displacement of traditional dietary practices is associated with negative nutritional consequences for rural Indigenous people, who already face the brunt of both nutritional inadequacies and excesses. Traditional food (TF) consumption and production practices can improve nutritional security by mitigating disruptive dietary transitions, providing nutrients and improving agricultural resilience. Meanwhile, traditional agricultural practices regenerate biodiversity to support healthy ecosystems. In Ecuador, Indigenous people have inserted TF agricultural and dietary practices as central elements of the country’s agroecological farming movement. This study assesses factors that may promote TF practices in rural populations and explores the role of agroecology in strengthening such factors. Methods: Mixed methods include a cross-sectional comparative survey of dietary, food acquisition, production and socioeconomic characteristics of agroecological farmers (n=61) and neighboring reference farmers (n=30) in Ecuador’s Imbabura province. Instruments include 24-hour dietary recall and a food frequency questionnaire of indicator traditional foods. We triangulate results using eight focus group discussions with farmers’ associations. Results: Compared to their neighbors, agroecological farmers produce and consume more TFs, and particularly underutilized TFs. Farm production diversity, reliance on non-market foods and agroecology participation act on a pathway in which TF production diversity predicts higher TF consumption diversity and ultimately TF consumption frequency. Age, income, market distance and education are not consistently associated with TF practices. Focus group discussions corroborate survey results and also identify affective (e.g. emotional) and commercial relationships in agroecological spaces as likely drivers of stronger TF practices. Conclusions: Traditional food practices in the Ecuadorian highlands are not relics of old, poor and isolated populations but rather an established part of life for diverse rural people. However, many TFs are underutilized. Sustainable agriculture initiatives may improve TF practices by integrating TFs into production diversity increases and into consumption of own production. Agroecology may be particularly effective because it is a self-expanding global movement that not only promotes the agricultural practices that are associated with TF production, but also appears to intensify affective sentiments toward TFs and inserts TFs in commercial spaces. Understanding how to promote TFs is necessary in order to scale up their potential to strengthen nutritional health.

scholarly journals Endogenous conflict resolution mechanisms of the San people at Platfontein

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Y Gebregeorgis
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Conflict Resolution ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
The State ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Inductive Thematic Analysis

The objective of this study was to explore the endogenous conflict resolution mechanisms and practices of the San people at Platfontein, South Africa. To this end, data were collected from 304 interviews and 26 focus group discussions. The collected data were analysed through Inductive Thematic Analysis. The findings show that the San people have endogenous conflict resolution mechanisms which basically aim at restoring peace and harmony within the community. The endogenous mechanisms were found to be fairly participatory and supplementary to the state machineries that work for justice, peace and harmony. However, the conflict resolution mechanisms of the San people are currently weakening due to the impact of modernisation and the leadership dispute among the sub-groups of the community.

scholarly journals Factors affecting the education of pre-employment paramedic students during the clinical practicum

2009 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise McCall ◽  
Natalie Wray ◽  
Bill Lord
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Student Perception ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Clinical Placement ◽  
Clinical Environment ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Clinical Practicum ◽  
The Impact

Introduction To identify factors that affect the education of pre-employment paramedic students during the clinical practicum. Methods A purposive sampling technique was employed to recruit undergraduate students from the Bachelor of Emergency Health (Paramedic) (BEHP) who had recently completed their first or final clinical placement. Qualitative data was collected via a total of 3 focus group discussions; two focus group discussions were conducted with students on completion of their final placement, and one focus group discussion was conducted with students who had recently completed their first placement. Participants were asked to share their career and placement expectations, placement experiences, career path intentions, and the impact of placements on their career decisions. Results This paper reports on student perception of education in the clinical environment and their impression of the strengths and weaknesses of this model. We identified four major themes: (1) communication, (2) appropriate placements, (3) capacity building and, (4) adequate preparation for students. Conclusion The University, ambulance service and students need to form a relationship to foster the quality of clinical education. Each party needs to adequately communicate and prepare for quality learning to occur in placements. Good mechanisms for the identification of problems early, particularly in relation to student support and case load are necessary. Ongoing evaluation of the quality of clinical placement education is required and should include all parties who are also committed to continuous improvement.

scholarly journals Promoting traditional foods for human and environmental health: lessons from agroecology and Indigenous communities in Ecuador

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Laura Deaconu ◽  
Geneviève Mercille ◽  
Malek Batal
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Indigenous People ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Traditional Food ◽  
Traditional Foods ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Dietary Practices ◽  
Production Diversity

Abstract Background: The displacement of traditional dietary practices is associated with negative nutritional consequences for rural Indigenous people, who already face the brunt of both nutritional inadequacies and excesses. Traditional food (TF) consumption and production practices can improve nutritional security by mitigating disruptive dietary transitions, providing nutrients and improving agricultural resilience. Meanwhile, traditional agricultural practices regenerate biodiversity to support healthy ecosystems. In Ecuador, Indigenous people have inserted TF agricultural and dietary practices as central elements of the country’s agroecological farming movement. This study assesses factors that may promote TF practices in rural populations and explores the role of agroecology in strengthening such factors. Methods: Mixed methods include a cross-sectional comparative survey of dietary, food acquisition, production and socioeconomic characteristics of agroecological farmers (n=61) and neighboring reference farmers (n=30) in Ecuador’s Imbabura province. Instruments include 24-hour dietary recall and a food frequency questionnaire of indicator traditional foods. We triangulate results using eight focus group discussions with farmers’ associations. Results: Compared to their neighbors, agroecological farmers produce and consume more TFs, and particularly underutilized TFs. Farm production diversity, reliance on non-market foods and agroecology participation act on a pathway in which TF production diversity predicts higher TF consumption diversity and ultimately TF consumption frequency. Age, income, market distance and education are not consistently associated with TF practices. Focus group discussions corroborate survey results and also identify affective (e.g. emotional) and commercial relationships in agroecological spaces as drivers of stronger TF practices. Conclusions: Traditional food practices in the Ecuadorian highlands are not relics of old, poor and isolated populations but rather an established part of life for diverse rural people. However, many TFs are underutilized. Sustainable agriculture initiatives may improve TF practices by integrating TFs into production diversity increases and into consumption of own production. Agroecology may be particularly effective because it is a self-expanding global movement that not only strengthens productive pathways toward TF promotion, but also intensifies affective sentiments toward TFs and inserts them in commercial spaces. Understanding how to promote TFs is necessary in order to scale up their potential to strengthen nutritional health.

scholarly journals PERCEPTIONS OF TEACHERS AND LEARNERS ON THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC LOCKDOWN ON RURAL SECONDARY SCHOOL FEMALE LEARNERS IN MATOBO DISTRICT, ZIMBABWE

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lwazi Sibanda ◽  
Joyce Mathwasa
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Design Data ◽  
Online Learning Resources ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Perceptions Of Teachers

The purpose of the study was to examine the perceptions of teachers and learners on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on rural secondary school female learners in Matobo District. The study was qualitative in nature, entrenched on interpretivist paradigm and adopted a case study design. Data was collected using open-ended questionnaire and online focus group discussions from six teachers and eighteen learners who formed three focus group discussions. The participants were purposively sampled from three schools. The study found that a few teachers were able to conduct online lessons using WhatsApp platform during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in the selected schools though there was no consistence as teaching was not programmed and participation of female learners was low. The findings revealed that most of the parents could not afford to provide online learning resources for their children because of economic hardships. The study further established that rural female learners were at risk during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown as some of them were exposed to sexual abuse when they try to have access to smartphones and data bundles from some male adults. It was found that female learners have lost much of their learning time whilst on lockdown and many cases of pregnancy have emerged leading to dropping out of school. The study concluded that most of the rural secondary school female learners were excluded from education during lockdown due to poverty, unavailability of network or poor network coverage, lack of broadcast transmission services to enable them to access online lessons through the radio, lack of electricity, poor attendance due to lack of smartphones and data bundles, performance of all household chores including herding of cattle and lack of cooperation from some parents. The study recommended that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education should collaborate with stakeholders to provide necessary resources to enable all learners to access online learning despite geographical location. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0721/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Housing Design and Persons with Visual Impairment: Report of Focus-Group Discussions

1995 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.G. Long
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Everyday Functioning ◽  
Housing Design ◽  
Blind And Visually Impaired ◽  
The Everyday ◽  
The Impact

This article describes the impact of positive and negative housing-design features on the everyday functioning of persons who are blind and visually impaired in their homes based on information obtained in focus-group discussions with consumers, parents, and professionals.

scholarly journals Understanding the Impact of Subsidizing Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapies (ACTs) in the Retail Sector – Results from Focus Group Discussions in Rural Kenya

PLoS ONE ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e54371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah V. Kedenge ◽  
Beth P. Kangwana ◽  
Evelyn W. Waweru ◽  
Andrew J. Nyandigisi ◽  
Jayesh Pandit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Retail Sector ◽  
Combination Therapies ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Rural Kenya ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Strategies and challenges in Kerala’s response to the initial phase of COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative descriptive study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. e051410
Author(s):  
Kannamkottapilly Chandrasekharan Prajitha ◽  
Arya Rahul ◽  
Sujatha Chintha ◽  
Gopakumar Soumya ◽  
Meenu Maheswari Suresh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Health System ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
The State ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Depth Interviews

ObjectiveTo understand the structures and strategies that helped Kerala in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges faced by the state and how it was tackled.DesignQualitative descriptive study using focus group discussions and in-depth interviews.SettingState of Kerala, India.Participants29 participants: four focus group discussions and eight in-depth interviews. Participants were chosen purposively based on their involvement in decision-making and implementation of COVID-19 control activities, from the department of health and family welfare, police, revenue, local self-government and community-based organisations. Districts, panchayats (local bodies) and primary health centres (PHCs) were selected based on epidemiological features of the area like the intensity of disease transmission and preventive/containment activities carried out in that particular area to capture the wide range of activities undertaken in the state.ResultsThe study identified five major themes that can inform best practices viz social capital, robust public health system, participation and volunteerism, health system preparedness, and challenges. This study was a real-time exploration of the intricacies of COVID-19 management in a low/middle-income country and the model can serve as an example for other states and nations to emulate or adjust accordingly.ConclusionThe study shows the impact of synergy of these themes towards more effective solutions; however, further research is much needed in examining the relationship between these factors and their relevance in policy decisions.

scholarly journals The Management of Waqf Universities in Selangor, Malaysia

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-60
Author(s):  
Mohd. Ali Muhamad Don ◽  
Muhamad Rahimi Osman
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Model Theory ◽  
The State ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Management Issues

In Malaysia, waqf management including those in universities, is under the authority of the State Islamic Religious Council as a sole trustee waqf. This is to protect the waqf assets from any interventions by the heirs. Even so, one Malaysian university is said to manage the waqf scheme without the supervision of the Islamic Council which contradict with the provision of the State of Islamic Religious Council (SIRC) as the sole trustee of waqf. Thus, this study explores the management of waqf by several universities in Selangor and relation to SIRC as the sole trustee of waqf. A qualitative research approach was employed to collect data from focus group discussions and interviews with selected participants from the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Selangor IRC), selected universities and waqf experts in Malaysia. The findings show that University Kebangsaan Malaysia and University Putra Malaysia waqf funds are managed under the Selangor IRC monitoring while University Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia endowment or waqf fund is managed privately by the university. The impact of this is that several waqf management issues arose. Hence, the authors recommend the Model theory of al-wilayah to be applied in the management of waqf in the universities. Through this model, SIRC and the university can play a more significant role in the management of waqf, thereby promoting the development of waqf in Malaysia.

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