scholarly journals Co-developing peer interventions in health-related contexts: A case study from exercise referral

2021 ◽  
pp. 001789692110451
Author(s):  
Robert M Portman ◽  
Andrew R Levy ◽  
Anthony J Maher ◽  
Stuart J Fairclough
Keyword(s):  
Peer Support ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Peer Intervention ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Peer Interventions ◽  
Exercise Referral

Objective: Peer support interventions can be successful in enhancing physical activity (PA) in a variety of health-related contexts. However, the evidence base remains equivocal, and ways to integrate structured peer support within the context of exercise referral schemes (ERSs) remain unexplored. In this regard, few studies consider the prospective acceptability of peer support interventions. Prior qualitative exploration can elicit insight into factors likely to influence peer intervention success, thus maximising the likelihood of developing and implementing effective peer support interventions. This study assessed the prospective acceptability of a peer support intervention for exercise referral. Design/Setting: Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 ERS clients ( n = 10) and providers ( n = 4) across two ERS sites in the North West of England, UK. Method: Interviews covered preferred demographic and personal characteristics of ERS peers and prospective peer roles. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: A desirable ERS peer was perceived as someone who was positive and empathetic, with good interpersonal skills. ERS peers were considered to present a promising opportunity to enhance the accessibility of emotional, motivational and informational support among ERS clients while alleviating burden on ERS providers. Conclusion: Study findings have relevance to the integration of peer support in comparable ERS contexts, highlighting the value of developmental research to refine peer recruitment criteria and to facilitate ownership and support among providers across a variety of health-related contexts.

scholarly journals Veterinary needs of dogs in two resource-limited communities in the Gauteng and North West provinces of South Africa

2001 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
W.N. Minnaar ◽  
R.C. Krecek
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Veterinary Services ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Deficient Diet ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Protein Deficient Diet

Information on the socioeconomic aspects and the health status of dogs in 2 resource-limited communities in the North West and Gauteng provinces of South Africa was gathered using semi-structured interviews and a standardised questionnaire. The dogs were examined clinically to determine their health status, and their body condition and age were scored. Most of the dogs (93 % in Jericho and 90 % in Zuurbekom) were infected with hookworm, which poses a threat to animal and human health in the 2 study areas. Many dogs were also being given a protein-deficient diet, which together with hookworm parasites would impact considerably on the dog's health. Dogs were mainly kept for security reasons. The need indicated to be most important by the residents of the 2 commnities was a lack of available and affordable veterinary services.

scholarly journals The Health Inequalities Assessment Toolkit: supporting integration of equity into applied health research

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Porroche-Escudero ◽  
Jennie Popay
Keyword(s):  
Health Inequalities ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Public Involvement ◽  
Routine Data ◽  
Positive Contribution ◽  
Political Commitment ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Applied Health Research

Abstract Background Despite insistent calls for more and better evidence to inform action to reduce health inequities, applied health research sensitive to these inequalities is rare. Recognising this problem, the Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Research and Care in the North West Coast (England) developed the Health Inequalities Assessment Toolkit (HIAT) to support those involved in health research to integrate equity into their work. Objective This paper reports on an evaluation of the extent to which HIAT enhances the equity focus of the work of users. Methods The evaluation used semi-structured interviews, focus groups and workshops (n = 131 respondents including Public Advisers, university, NHS and local government partners). Routine data included HIAT feedback forms. Findings HIAT can help to strengthen the equity focus of applied health research by: increasing understanding of how socioeconomic inequities impact on health; building capacity for integrating equity into all aspects of research, implementation and capacity building; stimulating thinking on action to address local structural drivers of health inequalities; and increasing understanding of the positive contribution public involvement can make to research. Conclusion If we are to advance health equity goals delivering research and training needs to be combined with political commitment to create more equal societies.

ICTs and Improvement of Agriculture in the North West Region of Cameroon

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Wuchu Cornelius Cornelius Wutofeh
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Agricultural Activities ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
West Region ◽  
Research Designs ◽  
To Come

This chapter evaluates the link that exists between ICTs and the promotion of agricultural activities. It presents forms of ICTs within the region, agricultural practices, and how they interact to enhance development. Qualitative and quantitative research designs were adopted with the use of semi-structured interviews and observation and questionnaires. Data derived was coded and analyzed using appropriate statistical procedures to come out with the following findings: diverse forms of ICTs, both traditional and modern, are available for the population of the North West Region; agricultural activities in the North West Region were found to be diverse though subsistence; ICTs present were found to be very significant in promoting agricultural activities in the region. Despite the problems that hinder the integration of ICTs in the agricultural sector of the region, increased capital and training will help boost this sector and enhance the socio-economic development of the region.

scholarly journals The effect of a total rewards strategy on school teachers’ retention

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Boitomelo Makhuzeni ◽  
E. Nicolene Barkhuizen
Keyword(s):  
Performance Management ◽  
Turnover Intentions ◽  
Teaching Profession ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
School Teachers ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Total Rewards

Orientation: South African schools are facing significant challenges to retain a talented pool of school teachers. A total rewards strategy could assist schools to reduce teacher turnover.Research purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a total rewards strategy on the turnover intentions of school teachers in the North-West province.Motivation: The under supply of quality teachers has negative consequences for both school pupils and the larger community.Research approach, design and method: A qualitative research approach was followed using semi-structured interviews to gather data from teachers in the North-West province (N = 6).Main findings: The findings showed that performance management, career development and compensations of teachers were poorly applied in schools. Teachers strongly considered leaving the teaching profession as a result of poor rewards. The participants were fairly satisfied with their work benefits and work-life balance.Practical/managerial implications: School management should implement reward practices and policies that will attract and enhance retention of school teachers.Contribution: This research highlighted the problematic areas in the reward systems for school teachers and the subsequent impact thereof on their turnover intentions.

scholarly journals Towards safe campus environments through environmental design: two universities as case studies

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 28-46
Author(s):  
Stephanus Coetzee ◽  
Karen Puren
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Security Measures ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
University Of Applied Sciences ◽  
Spatial Environment ◽  
The Individual

Universities are often considered to be safe sanctuaries. However, many higher education institutions have increasingly been confronted with crime and unrest. Violence and other crimes on campuses are currently an international concern. This paper reports on a study that investigated student’s perceptions of safety on two campuses namely Lahti University of Applied Sciences in Finland and the North-West University in Potchefstroom, South Africa. Theories from Environmental Psychology and Urban Planning are combined in this study in order to incorporate aspects of the individual, social setting and spatial environment. Increasing people’s safety help to optimise their experience of their environment and can in turn create an enabling context for people to flourish and improve their quality of life. The research followed a qualitative research approach. In this study, 21 participants from a Finnish university and 16 participants from a South African university were selected through purposive sampling. Data were generated through semi-structured interviews supported by visual data of the spatial environment. All data were transcribed verbatim and analysed through qualitative content analysis. The literature and findings of the research both support that the spatial and social environment influences safety. It is therefore recommended that safe campus environments require a multi-disciplinary and integrated approach to proactively develop a Comprehensive Safe Environment Plan (CSEP). From a planning perspective, students’ perceptions of campus environments’ safety may include the creation of compact dedicated campus areas, land uses, building placing and orientation, territoriality, landscaping, visibility, control over fear-inducing activities, maintenance, security measures and pedestrian orientated areas.

scholarly journals “How can you be allergic to peas?” – A qualitative study to explore food handler’s knowledge, attitudes and understanding of food allergens

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-24
Author(s):  
David Allen ◽  
Graeme Mitchell ◽  
Michael Pascucilla
Keyword(s):  
Learning Styles ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Food Allergies ◽  
Food Allergens ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Training Programmes ◽  
The Uk

AbstractIt is clear that there is an increasing proportion of the United Kingdom (UK) population who are suffering with food allergies and this combined with an increase in the frequency of eating away from home (where there is less control over the content of food) poses a significant risk. In December 2014, the European Union (EU) introduced legislation which aimed to ensure that customers with food allergens could make informed choices and safely consume food, without the risk of a potentially life-threatening reaction. The research used semi-structured interviews with staff from a BCB, located in the North West of the UK, as the aim of the research was to explore food handlers’ knowledge, attitudes and understanding of food allergens. The findings of the semi-structured interviews identified five themes: E-learning training programmes: the staff felt that these were ineffective and did not take into account individual learning styles. Responsibility: there is a lack of clarity as to who is responsible, with staff believing the key responsibility lies with the customer. Communication: similarly, communication, both within the kitchen and within the company was not clear and likely to give rise to confusion. Need to make a profit: the staff felt that the drive for profit meant that customer safety was being compromised, especially when staff numbers were reduced. Staff awareness: the staff felt confident in their own ability to prepare a safe meal but indicated that staff may be dismissive towards claims of allergen sufferers. In conclusion, these themes illustrate that a significant risk exists for allergen suffers, who rely upon the knowledge, attitudes and understanding of BCB staff to ensure their meals are safely prepared.

Rural Dwellers and Public Libraries in the North West Zone of Nigeria

Mousaion ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Badamasi Babangida Mohammed ◽  
Francis Garaba
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Computer Software ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Library Users ◽  
Rural Dwellers

This paper investigates the challenges faced by the rural dwellers in seeking and using information from public libraries in the North West zone of Nigeria. A quantitative research method was employed in the study. The population of this study consisted of 5 directors of state library boards and 10 574 registered library users as rural dwellers which comprised both literate and illiterate users. All five directors were chosen to form part of the sample size of the study. Similarly, a sample of 370 was drawn from the registered library users of the libraries under study. Semi-structured interviews were used for the directors. Two sets of questionnaires were used to collect data for the study. These included the English version and the Hausa version for the literate and illiterate library users respectively. The qualitative data were analysed using thematic and content analysis techniques. The quantitative data were also analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer software and descriptive statistics. Among the major challenges faced by the rural dwellers in seeking information from public libraries were the centralisation of the library services at the local government headquarters, the absence of library services in the rural communities, inadequate information resources, the absence of community information resource centres in rural communities, and the high illiteracy level among the rural dwellers. The study recommends adequate funding of public libraries to provide relevant and adequate information sources and effective services in various formats and languages among others.

SCHOOL PRINCIPAL LEADERSHIP IN REMOTE SOUTH AFRICA: A LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT CHALLENGE

2021 ◽  
pp. 301-309
Author(s):  
Leentjie Van Jaarsveld ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Small Towns ◽  
School Principal ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Technology Infrastructure ◽  
Leadership And Management ◽  
North West ◽  
Remote Areas ◽  
The North ◽  
Northern Cape

To understand the circumstances under which principals in remote areas exercise their leadership and management, an investigation was conducted in the Northern Cape province, South Africa. This province is characterised by small towns with few residents. The infrastructure is not up to par, and in some cases, the socio-economic conditions are extremely poor. Unemployment is a big problem in the villages. The uniqueness of this study lies in the fact that after 1994, with the abolition of apartheid, the farmers withdrew their children from the schools and no longer supported the schools as before. As a result, the principals experienced many more challenges. The study followed a qualitative, phenomenological design from the interpretivist paradigm. The sample consisted of ten principals. Semi-structured interviews were conductedwith the principals. The inductive data analysis process was used. The required ethical clearance was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee of the North-West University and the Department of Education of the province. The results reveal that principals in remote areas, in the absence of technology, infrastructure, and support bases, have to use their skills creatively, and they need the support of the community, teachers, school management, and governing body.

scholarly journals Using the behaviour change wheel to explore infant feeding peer support provision; insights from a North West UK evaluation

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gill Thomson ◽  
Nicola Crossland
Keyword(s):  
Infant Feeding ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Support Service ◽  
Service Planning ◽  
North West ◽  
Behaviour Change Wheel ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Peer Support Service

Abstract Background Breastfeeding peer support is advocated in national and international guidelines, but the evidence base is mixed. In the UK, breastfeeding peer support was found to be ineffective in randomised controlled trials, while women report positive impacts on breastfeeding experiences in qualitative studies. A key criticism levied against breastfeeding peer support is the lack of theory underpinning intervention design. Here we use the Behaviour Change Wheel to structure the analysis of evaluation data from an infant feeding peer support service in one area in North West England. We aimed to provide theoretically informed insights into how peer support can be operationalised to influence women’s breastfeeding experiences. Methods A 2 year mixed-methods evaluation (2014–2016) comprised surveys and interviews (individual or group) with peer supporters, health and community professionals, project leads and women, and routinely collected infant feeding data. We used the three layers (policies, intervention functions and behaviour-related components) of the Behaviour Change Wheel to structure and interpret the data. Results Overall data comprised 23 interviews (n = 14 - individual; n = 9 - group) and 409 completed surveys. The findings are presented in three sections. First, the ‘policies’ (outer) layer of the Behaviour Change Wheel provides insights into the existing context, infrastructure and resources that underpinned peer support delivery. Then the second (intervention functions) and inner (behaviour components) layers of the Behaviour Change Wheel are used to present three themes, ‘developing capabilities for infant feeding’, ‘motivating guidance and support’ and ‘opportunities for support’. These findings highlight that a peer support service delivered in a context of effective interdisciplinary partnerships, Baby Friendly Initiative accreditation, and flexible service planning, with peer support provided via different types of instrumental, social, practical and emotional support was perceived to be highly beneficial on women’s breastfeeding experiences. In the final section key challenges faced by the service are outlined.  Conclusion While gaps and areas for development were highlighted, the service enhanced women’s capabilities, motivations and opportunities for breastfeeding. These theoretically informed insights into an organic and responsive peer support service help build the evidence base for breastfeeding peer support and to identify positive delivery features for future testing.

General practitioners’ beliefs about the clinical utility of complementary and alternative medicine

2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (03) ◽  
pp. 246-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aron Jarvis ◽  
Rachel Perry ◽  
Debbie Smith ◽  
Rohini Terry ◽  
Sarah Peters
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Limited Evidence ◽  
North West ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
The North ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

AimTo investigate GPs’ beliefs about complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and its role in clinical practice.BackgroundDespite the prevalence of CAM in the United Kingdom, little is known about GPs beliefs regarding these alternative approaches to patient management and how they view it in relation to their clinical conduct and practice.MethodA qualitative study conducted on 19 GPs recruited from the North West of England. Semi-structured telephone interviews were analysed using an inductive thematic analysis.ResultsThree themes emerged from the data: limited evidence base, patient demand and concerns over regulation.ConclusionDespite recognising the limited evidence base of CAM, GPs continue to see a role for it within clinical practice. This is not necessarily led by patient demand that is highly related to affluence. However, GPs raised concerns over the regulation of CAM practitioners and CAM therapies.

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