scholarly journals Social Anxiety among Chinese People

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qianqian Fan ◽  
Weining C. Chang
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Behavioral Inhibition ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Chinese People ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Attachment Parenting

The experience of social anxiety has largely been investigated among Western populations; much less is known about social anxiety in other cultures. Unlike the Western culture, the Chinese emphasize interdependence and harmony with social others. In addition, it is unclear if Western constructed instruments adequately capture culturally conditioned conceptualizations and manifestations of social anxiety that might be specific to the Chinese. The present study employed a sequence of qualitative and quantitative approaches to examine the assessment of social anxiety among the Chinese people. Interviews and focus group discussions with Chinese participants revealed that some items containing the experience of social anxiety among the Chinese are not present in existing Western measures. Factor analysis was employed to examine the factor structure of the more comprehensive scale. This approach revealed an “other concerned anxiety” factor that appears to be specific to the Chinese. Subsequent analysis found that the new factor—other concerned anxiety—functioned the same as other social anxiety factors in their association with risk factors of social anxiety, such as attachment, parenting, behavioral inhibition/activation, and attitude toward group. The implications of these findings for a more culturally sensitive assessment tool of social anxiety among the Chinese were discussed.

Indicators for Measuring Performance of Financial Cooperatives in Nepal

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 66-86
Author(s):  
Nav Raj Simkhada
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Performance Measurement ◽  
Performance Assessment ◽  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Expert Interviews ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Institutional Assessment ◽  
Financial Cooperatives

Comprehensive institutional assessment tool helps to appraise performance of an organization and adopt appropriate strategies for enhancing performance. Different organizations demand different indicators and standards for appraising performance. Different tools such as PEARLS and CAMEL have been prescribed measure performance of financial institutions. These tools were developed in different contexts and are not adopted in Nepali cooperative sector. The objective of this paper is to identify and recommend different indicators for measuring performance of financial cooperatives in Nepal. Expert interviews and focus group discussions were applied to explore the indicators for performance assessment. The identified indicators were piloted with randomly selected 210 cooperatives. The findings showed that 32 financial ratios under eight performance measurement dimensions and 25 self-governance related indicators are needed to assess the performance of financial cooperatives in Nepal and elsewhere. Implications of the findings are discussed and limitations of the study are highlighted,

Bar Victimization of Women

1997 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 509-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen A. Parks ◽  
Brenda A. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Sexual Aggression ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Physical Violence ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Alcohol And Drug Use ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Context ◽  
Preliminary Description

Little is known about the types and specific circumstances that surround the victimization of women who drink in the public context of bars. This study provides a preliminary description of the types of violence experienced by women bar drinkers and the roles of exposure and impairment as risk factors for encountering bar-related aggression. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 52 women bar drinkers through self-administered questionnaires and focus-group discussions about their lifestyles, alcohol and drug use, and patterns of bar drinking. Nearly half of the women (48.1%) had experienced physical violence (e.g., assault) and one third (32.6%) had experienced either attempted or completed rape associated with drinking in a bar. Our findings indicate that women who regularly drink in bars experience a substantial amount of physical and sexual aggression associated with these settings.

Identification and Evaluation of Ecosystem-based Approaches for Flood Risk Reduction in the Transboundary Lower Mono River Catchment in Benin and Togo

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorina Schudel ◽  
Yvonne Walz ◽  
Kokouvi Gbétey Akpamou
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Suitability Maps ◽  
Flood Risk Reduction

<p>Floods in West Africa repeatedly cause devastating impacts on human life and livelihoods, infrastructure and the environment and they are expected to increase in frequency and severity under a changing climate. Ecosystem-based approaches can be a cost-effective, efficient way to reduce flood risk while at the same time providing co-benefits. However, qualitative and quantitative assessments of ecosystem-based approaches that are suitable for the climatic conditions and socio-ecological system of the region are scarse. This study therefore identifies and evaluates climate-sensitive ecosystem-based approaches for the transboundary Lower Mono River Basin in Benin and Togo. The identification of ecosystem-based approaches has been done based on a review of scientific literature and complemented by a participatory approach with experts from the catchment. During focus group discussions, national stakeholders and policy makers identified, prioritized and mapped existing measures and provided their perspectives on prospective measures to reduce flood risk in the transboundary catchment. They include measures to reduce flow velocity, increase soil infiltration and improve water management. In a next step, we used a multi-criteria analysis considering ecological, climatic and flood hazard data to create suitability maps for different clusters of identified ecosystem-based approaches. This study is part of the CLIMAFRI project, which aims at creating a river basin information system for the Lower Mono Basin as well as creating a flood risk management plan. Through the integration of the suitability maps into the flood risk assessment tool, which has been created in the scope of this project, the ecosystem-based approaches are evaluated quantitatively. In a second round of focus group discussions with representatives from the local communities, feasibility of selected ecosystem-based approaches, co-benefits and trade-offs of the measures are discussed. Through the combination of qualitative and quantitative data, a holistic evaluation of ecosystem-based approaches and their contribution to hazard mitigation, increase of coping capacity, ecosystem resilience and overall flood risk reduction can be achieved.</p>

scholarly journals Knowledge, beliefs and attitudes of community health workers about hypertension in the Cape Peninsula, South Africa

Curationis ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M.J. Sengwana ◽  
T. Puoane
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Cape Peninsula ◽  
Beliefs And Attitudes

This article explores the perceptions and attitudes of community health workers (CHWs) about hypertension. The level of knowledge of hypertension, as well as their personal attitude towards this is crucial in the style and quality of their interventions. CHWs, whose role in health promotion is being increasingly recognised, can help contain or reduce the prevalence of hypertension by influencing the community to adopt healthy lifestyles. Forty-three CHWs employed by Zanempilo in two study areas, Sites B and C in Khayelitsha in the Cape Peninsula, South Africa, were included in the study. Firstly, focus group discussions were conducted with 17 purposively selected CHWs to explore attitudes, beliefs and perceptions of hypertension. Secondly, interviews were conducted to assess their basic knowledge about causes, prevention and control of hypertension. The focus group discussions revealed that CHWs were uncertain about the causes of hypertension. They also found it difficult to grasp the fact that people without risk factors, such as overweight or a family history of hypertension, could be hypertensive. Many CHWs believe in traditional medicines and home-brewed beer as the best treatment for hypertension. They believe that people who take medical treatment become sicker and that their health deteriorates rapidly. Risk factors of hypertension mentioned during the structured interviews include inheritance, lack of physical activity, consuming lots of salty and fatty food. Conclusions drawn from the findings of the CHWs’ responses highlighted their insufficient knowledge about hypertension as a chronic disease of lifestyle. Meanwhile they are expected to play a role in stimulating community residents’ interest in the broad principle of preventive health maintenance and follow-up. Data obtained from this research can be used for the planning of health-promotion programmes. These should include preventing hypertension and improving primary management of individual sufferers. Because of their working relations and close link with CHWs, community nurses in primary health-care facilities need to recognise these beliefs and attitudes since these may differ from their own.

scholarly journals Feeding practices and risk factors for chronic infant undernutrition among refugees and migrants along the Thailand-Myanmar border: a mixed-methods study

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. H. Hashmi ◽  
P. B. Nyein ◽  
K. Pilaseng ◽  
M. K. Paw ◽  
M. C. Darakamon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Infant Feeding ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Feeding Practices ◽  
Infant Feeding Practices ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Background This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of maternal risk factors, infant risk factors and maternal infant feeding practices among refugees and migrants along the Thailand-Myanmar border. Methods This study employed a mixed-methods approach with two components: (1) cross-sectional survey (n = 390) and (2) focus group discussions (n = 63). Participants were chosen from one of three clinics providing antenatal and delivery services for Karen and Burman refugees and migrants along the border. Participants were pregnant women and mother-infant dyads. Results Refugee and migrant mothers demonstrated high rates of suboptimal breastfeeding and low rates of minimum dietary diversity and acceptable diet. Multivariable regression models showed infant stunting (AOR: 2.08, 95% CI: 1.12, 3.84, p = 0.020) and underweight (AOR: 2.26, 95% CI: 1.17, 4.36, p = 0.015) to have increased odds among migrants, while each 5 cm increase in maternal height had decreased odds of stunting (AOR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.38, 0.66, p < 0.001) and underweight (AOR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.48, 0.85, p = 0.002). In addition, small-for-gestational-age adjusted for length of gestation, infant age and gender increased odds of infant’s stunting (AOR: 3.42, 95% CI: 1.88, 6.22, p < 0.001) and underweight (AOR: 4.44, 95% CI: 2.36, 8.34, p < 0.001). Using the Integrated Behavioural Model, focus group discussions explained the cross-sectional findings in characterising attitudes, perceived norms, and personal agency as they relate to maternal nutrition, infant malnutrition, and infant feeding practices. Conclusions Inadequate infant feeding practices are widespread in refugee and migrant communities along the Thailand-Myanmar border. Risk factors particular to maternal nutrition and infant birth should be considered for future programming to reduce the burden of chronic malnutrition in infants.

scholarly journals Critical Factors Causing Material Wastes in Building Construction Projects

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Shitaw Tafesse ◽  
◽  
Tamene Adugna ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Building Construction ◽  
Site Management ◽  
Critical Factors ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Waste Minimisation ◽  
Poor Site

Construction sites generate a large amount of material wastes and have become a common problem with associated risks in Ethiopia. However, the sources of such wastes are not well recognised. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to analyse the risk factors that contribute to material wastes in building construction projects. To achieve this goal, the factors that cause construction wastes were identified from literature and construction experts via focus group discussions and personal interviews. Following this, the factors were subjected to a questionnaire survey to identify the most critical factors of construction wastes. The questionnaire was distributed purposively to 85 construction experts representing contractors, consultants, and clients and 70 questionnaires were duly received for analysis. The data were analysed with a mean score and ranked to identify the most critical factors generating material wastes at construction sites. According to the results of the study frequent changes made to the design, poor strategies for waste minimisation, improper storage of material, poor site management, poor planning and supervision, and errors of contract document were the most critical factors causing construction wastes.

scholarly journals Employers’ Needs and Expectations for Qualified Employees (Case Study on the Opinions in One of the Regions in Latvia)

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-75
Author(s):  
Biruta Sloka ◽  
Ināra Kantāne ◽  
Ilze Buligina ◽  
Ginta Tora ◽  
Juris Dzelme ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Statistical Test ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Scientific Publications ◽  
Competence Motivation ◽  
Parametric Statistical Test ◽  
Descriptive Statistical Analysis

Abstract Qualified, loyal and motivated employees are highly demanded by employers and business promoters. The paper deals with employers’ needs and expectations for qualified and loyal employees, and investigates cooperation of employers, educators and municipalities. The following methods were used: analysis of scientific publications; focus group discussions; surveys of employers, teaching staff, students and graduates of VEI. For survey data analysis descriptive statistical analysis, non-parametric statistical test of Kruskal-Wallis and factor analysis were applied. The main findings indicate that besides professional skills and competence, social competence, motivation to work and responsibility are requested as well.

scholarly journals Drivers and Consequences of Recurrent Conflicts between Farmers and Pastoralists in Kilosa and Mvomero Districts, Tanzania

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Falanta ◽  
Kenneth Bengesi
Keyword(s):  
Unethical Behavior ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Analysis ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Participatory Approaches ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Single Strategy ◽  
The Government ◽  
Socio Economic Impact ◽  
Single Approach

Recurrent conflicts between farmers and pastoralists have brought significant impacts on both groups. In response to this situation, the government and other actors have taken several measures to mitigate such conflicts with little success. This paper examined drivers and consequences of recurrent conflicts between farmers and pastoralists in Kilosa and Mvomero districts. Covering a sample size of 203 respondents, data was collected using interview, documentary review, and focus group discussions. Collected data was analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative analysis. The findings revealed that weak governance structures associated with unethical behavior, regulatory deficiencies, socio-economic and environmental factors are responsible for the recurrence of conflicts between farmers and pastoralists. Consequently, the recurrent conflicts have resulted into major socio-economic impact that includes loss of lives and properties to both farmers and pastoralists. Drawing from conflict and conflict resolution theories, which advocates use of coercive power and participatory approaches to restore peace, respectively; this paper conclude that no single strategy fits all conflicts given the complexity in which such conflicts occurs. In the light of the results this paper recommends that the effective way to address farmers-pastoralists conflicts; actors should use both lenses of coercive and participatory approaches and the choice of appropriate strategy will depends on the context since no single approach fits all types of conflicts... 

scholarly journals Competency Assessment for Community Health Nurses:A Focus Group Expert Panel Discussion

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramlah Kisut ◽  
Hajah Jamilah Haji Awang Sulaiman ◽  
Hanif Abdul Rahman ◽  
Khadizah H. Abdul-Mumin
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Expert Panel ◽  
Competency Assessment ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Health Nursing

Abstract Background: General Practice setting in the Primary Health Care Services are the utmost visited by the public. It is important that the nurses’ competencies in this area be assessed to ensure provision of safe and quality services.Aim/objective: To explore perceptions and experiences of competencies assessment tool for community health nurses working at the General Practice setting in the Primary Health Care Services.Methods: An exploratory qualitative study utilizing focus group discussions were conducted on purposive sample of 12 officers with expertise in competency assessment and community health nursing from higher nursing education institutions, the Nursing Training and Development Centre, the Nursing Board and the Community Health Nursing Services in Brunei Darussalam. The existing competencies assessment tool was revised, the participants were divided into two groups of expert panel review team and two focus group discussions were held with each team. The focus group discussions encompassed components and methods of assessment; methods of grading; and overall organization and structure of the revised competency assessment tool. Findings: Four themes emerged: 1) International equivalent core competencies components; 2) Multi-methods approach to assessment; 3) Definitive guidelines as framework for assessment; and 4) Understanding and acceptability of the competency assessment tool. Conclusions/Implications to practice: The expert panel reviews provide practical input that were inculcated in the preliminary developed competencies assessment tool. Identification of eligible assessors were recommended based on standardized criteria, and socialization and training held to set direction and guidance for implementing the utilization of the competencies assessment tool. Further studies are deemed important to critically evaluate and validate the preliminary competencies assessment tool for development of a more robust assessment instrument.

scholarly journals Influence of Emerging Economic Interests on Management of Resource Access in Awoja Watershed

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Aben ◽  
John James Okiror ◽  
Jacob Godfrey Agea
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Watershed Management ◽  
Household Wealth ◽  
Resource Exploitation ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Wealth Status ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Economic Interests

This study presents the contextual circumstances that define access in Awoja watershed, particularly the constellations of means, relations, and processes that enable various actors to derive benefits from resources in the Watershed. The objective of the study was to identify the influence of emerging economic interests on managing the access to resources in the watershed, thereby linking resource exploitation to watershed degradation. The study was carried out in Soroti, Katakwi and Amuria the hot spots of draughts and floods and the increasing degradation in Awoja. A cross sectional study design using both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods was employed. Factor Analysis and a Logistics Regression Model were used to analyze household survey data gathered from 180 randomly selected households. Focus Group Discussions and key informants’ interviews were also used to generate qualitative data used to explain relationships among variables and to analyze local perceptions on the relationships.From the factor analysis seven factors were perceived to have been linked to management of access to watershed resources of which four factors were significantly correlated: Increasing interests in watershed resources (r=0.425 P<0.001), stakeholder conflicts of interests (r=0.379 P<0.01), changes in economic trends in the watershed (r=0.482 P<0,001), and household wealth status (r=0.253 P<0.01). From the Logistical Regression results, increasing interests in the wetlands had significant negative influence on control of access to watershed resources.While changes in household needs, household wealth status and civil society interests in the watershed had increasing influence on watershed management the rest of the factors had a decreasing influence on watershed management.From focus group discussions and Key Informants Interviews revealed that commoditization rice and charcoal, fuzzy environmental protection rules and elite capture by watershed management institutions were some of the main emerging practices linked escalating degradation in Awoja. Dye to the increasing economic interests by communities and local leaders in Awoja watershed resources, reducing both degradation and marginalization of within the watershed can only be possible if a diversification program with alternative livelihoods are introduced within the watershed.

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