Upstream Social Marketing

The benefits of physical activity (PA) are well recognized. While the benefits of PA contribute to a higher quality of life, physical inactivity remains a population-wide plague around the world. The health risks associated with inactivity are disproportionately high among those with low-incomes. While the barriers hindering an active lifestyle among low-income persons are well known, there is a paucity of literature on the perspectives of those that are providing recreation services to low-income citizens. It is anticipated that understanding the professionals’ perspectives may help refine municipal recreation policies and procedures in order to better reach and serve low-income citizens. This study sought to understand the benefits of and challenges to implementing programs designed for low-income citizens. Framed by social marketing theory, key informant interviews and a focus group were conducted with recreation professionals from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada ( N = 9). Social marketing can be a powerful way to make sense of how policies and programs are positioned by recreation professionals and offered to their less well-resourced patrons. Implications for practice include delivering programs outside of facility walls, using word of mouth as a trusted communication method, developing subsidy policies, seeking external funding sources, and relying on partnerships to facilitate delivery and recruitment. By focusing on the recreation professional, this study reveals the importance of targeting upstream audiences in order to effect change for the end users. Future research in other social service professions might benefit from a similar approach to advancing service delivery.

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Approaching the wicked problem of obesity: an introduction to the food system compass

Journal of Social Marketing ◽

10.1108/jsocm-03-2017-0021 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 387-404 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Joy Parkinson ◽

Chris Dubelaar ◽

Julia Carins ◽

Stephen Holden ◽

Fiona Newton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Consumption ◽

Social Marketing ◽

Food System ◽

Systems Approach ◽

Wicked Problem ◽

Future Research ◽

Complex Interplay ◽

Effect Change ◽

Content Type ◽

Conceptual Paper

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to focus on food consumption as part of the wicked problem of obesity. Specifically, the authors seek to explore the complex interplay between stakeholders such as food producers, marketers, health and medical practitioners and policymakers and their influence on the ways in which individuals consume food and also chart a course forward using a systems approach, social marketing techniques and social enterprise to develop solutions to effect change. Design/methodology/approach This is a conceptual paper that proposes the food system compass to understand the complex interplay between stakeholders. Findings This new tool will provide social marketers with an improved understanding of the complexity of interactions between stakeholders and outcomes and integrating the necessity for coordination within and across micro, meso, exo and macro levels of the system as well as across sectors, institutions and stakeholders. Research limitations/implications This is a conceptual paper and proposes the food system compass which offers a foundation for future research to expand upon. Originality/value This paper seeks to advance the theoretical base of social marketing by providing new insights into the trans-disciplinary and dynamic circumstances surrounding food consumption and obesity and highlights leverage points where joint actions can be facilitated with actors across and between micro, meso, exo and macro levels.

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Insights into the complexity of behaviours: the MOAB framework

Journal of Social Marketing ◽

10.1108/jsocm-10-2015-0071 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 412-427 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Joy Parkinson ◽

Lisa Schuster ◽

Rebekah Russell-Bennett

Keyword(s):

Social Marketing ◽

Design Methodology ◽

Future Research ◽

Theoretical Base ◽

Marketing Theory ◽

Content Type ◽

Moa Framework ◽

Conceptual Paper ◽

Treat All ◽

Social Marketing Theory

Purpose This paper aims to integrate existing thinking and provide new insights into the complexity of behaviours to improve understanding of the nature of these behaviours. This paper expands social marketing theory by introducing the Motivation–Opportunity–Ability–Behaviour (MOAB) framework to assist in understanding the nature of social marketing behaviours by extending the Motivation–Opportunity–Ability (MOA) framework. Design/methodology/approach This is a conceptual paper that proposes the MOAB framework to understand the complexity of behaviours. Findings This new tool will provide social marketers with an improved understanding of the differences between behaviours targeted by social marketers. Specifically, it provides a definition and application of complexity in social marketing that will facilitate the development of consumer insights and subsequent social marketing programs that more sufficiently account for the complexity of target behaviours. Research limitations/implications This proposed MOAB framework offers a foundation for future research to expand upon. Further research is recommended to empirically test the proposed framework. Originality/value This paper seeks to advance the theoretical base of social marketing by providing new insights to understand the nature of the behaviour in social marketing to assist social marketers to move beyond attempts to treat all behaviours as if they are the same.

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Socioeconomic Disparities in Foods/Beverages and Nutrients Consumed by U.S. Adolescents When Snacking: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2018

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13082530 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (8) ◽

pp. 2530

Author(s):

Navika Gangrade ◽

Janet Figueroa ◽

Tashara M. Leak

Keyword(s):

National Health ◽

Low Socioeconomic Status ◽

Low Income ◽

High Income ◽

Future Research ◽

Nutrition Examination Survey ◽

Middle Income ◽

Low Socioeconomic ◽

Health And Nutrition ◽

Income Ratio

Snacking contributes a significant portion of adolescents’ daily energy intake and is associated with poor overall diet and increased body mass index. Adolescents from low socioeconomic status (SES) households have poorer snacking behaviors than their higher-SES counterparts. However, it is unclear if the types of food/beverages and nutrients consumed during snacking differ by SES among adolescents. Therefore, this study examines SES disparities in the aforementioned snacking characteristics by analyzing the data of 7132 adolescents (12–19 years) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2018. Results reveal that adolescents from low-income households (poverty-to-income ratio (PIR) ≤ 1.3) have lower odds of consuming the food/beverage categories “Milk and Dairy” (aOR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.58-0.95; p = 0.007) and “Fruits” (aOR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.50–0.78; p = 0.001) as snacks and higher odds of consuming “Beverages” (aOR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.19-1.76; p = 0.001) compared to those from high-income households (PIR > 3.5). Additionally, adolescents from low- and middle-income (PIR > 1.3–3.5) households consume more added sugar (7.98 and 7.78 g vs. 6.66 g; p = 0.012, p = 0.026) and less fiber (0.78 and 0.77 g vs. 0.84 g; p = 0.044, p = 0.019) from snacks compared to their high-income counterparts. Future research is necessary to understand factors that influence snacking among adolescents, and interventions are needed, especially for adolescents from low-SES communities.

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Integrating Theory in Co-design: An Abductive Approach

Australasian Marketing Journal ◽

10.1177/1839334921998541 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 66-77

Author(s):

Erin Hurley ◽

Timo Dietrich ◽

Sharyn Rundle-Thiele

Keyword(s):

Social Cognitive Theory ◽

Design Process ◽

Social Marketing ◽

Social Cognitive ◽

Cognitive Theory ◽

Expert Knowledge ◽

Future Research ◽

Abductive Inference ◽

Design Framework ◽

Research Recommendations

Co-design empowers people, giving them a voice in social marketing program design; however, approaches have mostly excluded expert knowledge. An abductive approach to co-design allows for inclusion of expert knowledge, providing theoretical guidance while simultaneously investigating user views and ideas extending understanding beyond known effective approaches. We use the seven-step co-design framework and outline how an abductive inference can be applied to co-design. Social cognitive theory constructs were integrated into the seven-step co-design process. The abductive approach to co-design was tested in two co-design sessions involving 40 participants. Findings demonstrate that theory can be successfully integrated into the seven-step co-design process through utilization of theory-mapped activity cards. This article provides guidance on how theory can be incorporated into ideation and insight generation. Limitations and future research recommendations are provided.

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COVID-19 pandemic: the implications of the natural history, challenges of diagnosis and management for care in sub-Saharan Africa

Beni-Suef University Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences ◽

10.1186/s43088-021-00106-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lawrence Omo-Aghoja ◽

Emuesiri Goodies Moke ◽

Kenneth Kelechi Anachuna ◽

Adrian Itivere Omogbiya ◽

Emuesiri Kohworho Umukoro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Natural History ◽

Low Income ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Low Income Countries ◽

Diagnosis And Management ◽

Severe Acute Respiratory Infection ◽

Identification Technique ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Policies And Programs

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a severe acute respiratory infection which has afflicted virtually almost all nations of the earth. It is highly transmissible and represents one of the most serious pandemics in recent times, with the capacity to overwhelm any healthcare system and cause morbidity and fatality. Main content The diagnosis of this disease is daunting and challenging as it is dependent on emerging clinical symptomatology that continues to increase and change very rapidly. The definitive test is the very expensive and scarce polymerase chain reaction (PCR) viral identification technique. The management has remained largely supportive and empirical, as there are no officially approved therapeutic agents, vaccines or antiviral medications for the management of the disease. Severe cases often require intensive care facilities and personnel. Yet there is paucity of facilities including the personnel required for diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It is against this backdrop that a review of key published reports on the pandemic in SSA and globally is made, as understanding the natural history of a disease and the documented responses to diagnosis and management is usually a key public health strategy for designing and improving as appropriate, relevant interventions. Lead findings were that responses by most nations of SSA were adhoc, paucity of public health awareness strategies and absence of legislations that would help enforce preventive measures, as well as limited facilities (including personal protective equipment) and institutional capacities to deliver needed interventions. Conclusion COVID-19 is real and has overwhelmed global health care system especially low-income countries of the sub-Sahara such as Nigeria. Suggestions for improvement of healthcare policies and programs to contain the current pandemic and to respond more optimally in case of future pandemics are made herein.

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Are Nanobiosensors an Improved Solution for Diagnosis of Leishmania?

Pharmaceutics ◽

10.3390/pharmaceutics13040491 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 491

Author(s):

Sona Jain ◽

Wanessa Santana ◽

Silvio S. Dolabella ◽

André L. S. Santos ◽

Eliana B. Souto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

Diagnostic Techniques ◽

Cross Reactivity ◽

Low Income Countries ◽

Future Research ◽

Immunological Tests ◽

Diagnostic Approaches ◽

Signal Improvement ◽

Adequate Management

Leishmaniasis is one of the deadliest neglected tropical diseases affecting 12–15 million people worldwide, especially in middle- and low-income countries. Rapid and accurate diagnosis of the disease is important for its adequate management and treatment. Several techniques are available for the diagnosis of leishmaniasis. Among these, parasitological and immunological tests are most widely used. However, in most cases, the utilized diagnostic techniques are not good enough, showing cross-reactivity and reduced accuracy. In recent years, many new methods have been reported with potential for improved diagnosis. This review focuses on the diagnosis of Leishmania exploring the biosensors and nanotechnology-based options for their detection. New developments including the use of nanomaterials as fluorophores, fluorescence quenchers as reducing agents and as dendrimers for signal improvement and amplification, together with the use of aptamers to replace antibodies are described. Future research opportunities to overcome the current limitations on the available diagnostic approaches are also discussed.

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Scoping review protocol: bladder cancer in Nigeria: what are the gaps in clinical care and research?

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041894 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. e041894

Author(s):

Joyce Kibaru ◽

Pinky Kotecha ◽

Abdulkarim Muhammad Iya ◽

Beth Russell ◽

Muzzammil Abdullahi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bladder Cancer ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Low Income ◽

Clinical Care ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Case Series ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Future Research ◽

Scoping Reviews ◽

Local Risk

IntroductionBladder cancer (BC) is the 10th common cancer worldwide and ranks seventh in Nigeria. This scoping review aims to identify the gaps in clinical care and research of BC in Nigeria as part of the development of a larger national research programme aiming to improve outcomes and care of BC.Methods and analysisThis review will be conducted according to Arksey and O’Malley scoping review methodology framework. The following electronic databases will be searched: Medline (using the PubMed interface), Ovid Gateway (Embase and Ovid), Cochrane library and Open Grey literature. Two independent reviewers will screen titles and abstracts and subsequently screen full-text studies for inclusion, any lack of consensus will be discussed with a third reviewer. Any study providing insight into the epidemiology or treatment pathway of BC (RCTs, observations, case series, policy paper) will be included. A data chart will be used to extract relevant data from the included studies. Results will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews. A consultation process will be carried out with a multidisciplinary team of Nigerian healthcare professionals, patients and scientists.Ethics and disseminationThe results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications. By highlighting the key gaps in the literature, this review can provide direction for future research and clinical guidelines in Nigeria (and other low-income and middle-income countries), where BC is more prevalent due to local risk factors and healthcare settings.

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Feelings of safety during daytime walking: associations with mental health, physical activity and cardiometabolic health in high vacancy, low-income neighborhoods in Detroit, Michigan

International Journal of Health Geographics ◽

10.1186/s12942-021-00271-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Amber L. Pearson ◽

Kimberly A. Clevenger ◽

Teresa H. Horton ◽

Joseph C. Gardiner ◽

Ventra Asana ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Low Income ◽

Spatial Data ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Future Research ◽

Cardiometabolic Health ◽

Multilevel Regression ◽

Critical Pathway ◽

Perceived Safety

Abstract Introduction Individuals living in low-income neighborhoods have disproportionately high rates of obesity, Type-2 diabetes, and cardiometabolic conditions. Perceived safety in one’s neighborhood may influence stress and physical activity, with cascading effects on cardiometabolic health. Methods In this study, we examined relationships among feelings of safety while walking during the day and mental health [perceived stress (PSS), depression score], moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (PA), Body Mass Index (BMI), and hemoglobin A1C (A1C) in low-income, high-vacancy neighborhoods in Detroit, Michigan. We recruited 69 adults who wore accelerometers for one week and completed a survey on demographics, mental health, and neighborhood perceptions. Anthropometrics were collected and A1C was measured using A1CNow test strips. We compiled spatial data on vacant buildings and lots across the city. We fitted conventional and multilevel regression models to predict each outcome, using perceived safety during daytime walking as the independent variable of interest and individual or both individual and neighborhood-level covariates (e.g., number of vacant lots). Last, we examined trends in neighborhood features according to perceived safety. Results In this predominantly African American sample (91%), 47% felt unsafe during daytime walking. Feelings of perceived safety significantly predicted PSS (β = − 2.34, p = 0.017), depression scores (β = − 4.22, p = 0.006), and BMI (β = − 2.87, p = 0.01), after full adjustment. For PA, we detected a significant association for sex only. For A1C we detected significant associations with blighted lots near the home. Those feeling unsafe lived in neighborhoods with higher park area and number of blighted lots. Conclusion Future research is needed to assess a critical pathway through which neighborhood features, including vacant or poor-quality green spaces, may affect obesity—via stress reduction and concomitant effects on cardiometabolic health.

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Discrepancies between Global Forest Net Primary Productivity Estimates Derived from MODIS and Forest Inventory Data and Underlying Factors

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs13081441 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (8) ◽

pp. 1441

Author(s):

Jin Han Park ◽

Jianbang Gan ◽

Chan Park

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Primary Productivity ◽

Carbon Stock ◽

Forest Cover ◽

Net Primary Productivity ◽

Estimation Methods ◽

Future Research ◽

Important Indicator ◽

Sequestration Potential ◽

Carbon Losses

The net primary productivity (NPP) of a forest is an important indicator of its potential for the provision of ecosystem services such as timber, carbon, and biodiversity. However, accurately and consistently quantifying global forest NPP remains a challenge in practice. We converted carbon stock changes using the Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) data and carbon losses associated with disturbances and timber removals into an NPP equivalent measurement (FRA NPP*) and compared it with the NPP derived from the MODIS satellite data (MOD17 NPP) for the world’s forests. We found statistically significant differences between the two NPP estimates, with the FRA NPP* being lower than the MOD17 NPP; the differences were correlated with forest cover, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and GDP per capita in countries, and may also stem from the NPP estimation methods and scopes. While the former explicitly accounts for carbon losses associated with timber removals and disturbances, the latter better reflects the principles of photosynthesis. The discrepancies between the two NPP estimates increase in countries with a low income or low forest cover, calling for enhancing their forest resource assessment capacity. By identifying the discrepancies and underlying factors, we also provide new insights into the relationships between the MOD17 NPP and global forest carbon stock estimates, motivating and guiding future research to improve the robustness of quantifying global forest NPP and carbon sequestration potential.

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Bridging Science and Practice-Importance of Stakeholders in the Development of Decision Support: Lessons Learned

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13105744 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (10) ◽

pp. 5744

Author(s):

Innocent K. Tumwebaze ◽

Joan B. Rose ◽

Nynke Hofstra ◽

Matthew E. Verbyla ◽

Daniel A. Okaali ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Decision Support ◽

Stakeholder Participation ◽

Scientific Data ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Future Research ◽

Decision Support Tools ◽

Local Data ◽

Funding Sources ◽

Sanitation And Hygiene ◽

Support Tools

User-friendly, evidence-based scientific tools to support sanitation decisions are still limited in the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector. This commentary provides lessons learned from the development of two sanitation decision support tools developed in collaboration with stakeholders in Uganda. We engaged with stakeholders in a variety of ways to effectively obtain their input in the development of the decision support tools. Key lessons learned included: tailoring tools to stakeholder decision-making needs; simplifying the tools as much as possible for ease of application and use; creating an enabling environment that allows active stakeholder participation; having a dedicated and responsive team to plan and execute stakeholder engagement activities; involving stakeholders early in the process; having funding sources that are flexible and long-term; and including resources for the acquisition of local data. This reflection provides benchmarks for future research and the development of tools that utilize scientific data and emphasizes the importance of engaging with stakeholders in the development process.

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