scholarly journals Social networks, health and identity: exploring culturally embedded masculinity with the Pakistani community, West Midlands, UK

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Farina Kokab ◽  
Sheila Greenfield ◽  
Antje Lindenmeyer ◽  
Manbinder Sidhu ◽  
Lynda Tait ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Migrants from South Asia living in developed countries have an increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), with limited research into underlying social causes. Methods We used social capital as an interpretive lens to undertake analysis of exploratory qualitative interviews with three generations of at-risk migrant Pakistani men from the West Midlands, UK. Perceptions of social networks, trust, and cultural norms associated with access to healthcare (support and information) were the primary area of exploration. Results Findings highlighted the role of social networks within religious or community spaces embedded as part of ethnic enclaves. Local Mosques and gyms remained key social spaces, where culturally specific gender differences played out within the context of a diaspora community, defined ways in which individuals navigated their social spheres and influenced members of their family and community on health and social behaviours. Conclusions There are generational and age-based differences in how members use locations to access and develop social support for particular lifestyle choices. The pursuit of a healthier lifestyle varies across the diverse migrant community, determined by social hierarchies and socio-cultural factors. Living close to similar others can limit exposure to novel lifestyle choices and efforts need to be made to promote wider integration between communities and variety of locations catering to health and lifestyle.

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. e016560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel M Hiller ◽  
Sarah L Halligan ◽  
Mark Tomlinson ◽  
Jackie Stewart ◽  
Sarah Skeen ◽  
...  

ObjectiveCompared with knowledge of the post-trauma needs of young people living in developed countries, little is known about the needs of those in low-middle-income countries. Such information is crucial, particularly as young people in these environments can be at increased risk of experiencing trauma, coupled with less available resources for formal support. The aim of this study was to explore post-trauma coping and support-seeking of young people living in a high-adversity settlement in South Africa.DesignSemistructured qualitative interviews analysed using thematic analysis.SettingAn urban settlement (‘township’) in Cape Town, South Africa.Participants25 young people, aged 13–17 years, who had experienced trauma. Events included serious car accidents, hearing of a friend’s violent death, and rape, and all reported having experienced multiple traumatic events. All participants identified as black South African and spoke Xhosa as their first language.ResultsSocial support was considered key to coping after trauma, although the focus of the support differed depending on the source. Parents would most commonly provide practical support, particularly around safety. Peers often provided an avenue to discuss the event and young person’s emotional well-being more openly. Outside of social support another key theme was that there were numerous community-level barriers to participants receiving support following trauma. Many young people continued to be exposed to the perpetrator of the event, while there was also the realistic concern around future traumas and safety, community stigma and a perceived lack of justice.ConclusionThis study provides insight into how young people cope and seek support following trauma when they are living in a context of significant adversity and risk. Overall, most young people identified helpful sources of support and thought talking about the event was a useful strategy, but concerns around safety and trust could impede this process.


2020 ◽  
pp. 49-57
Author(s):  
S. V. Orlova ◽  
E. A. Nikitina ◽  
L. I. Karushina ◽  
Yu. A. Pigaryova ◽  
O. E. Pronina

Vitamin A (retinol) is one of the key elements for regulating the immune response and controls the division and differentiation of epithelial cells of the mucous membranes of the bronchopulmonary system, gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, eyes, etc. Its significance in the context of the COVID‑19 pandemic is difficult to overestimate. However, a number of studies conducted in the past have associated the additional intake of vitamin A with an increased risk of developing cancer, as a result of which vitamin A was practically excluded from therapeutic practice in developed countries. Our review highlights the role of vitamin A in maintaining human health and the latest data on its effect on the development mechanisms of somatic pathology.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e044622
Author(s):  
Catherine Heeney ◽  
Stephen Malden ◽  
Aziz Sheikh

IntroductionElectronic prescribing (ePrescribing) is a key area of development and investment in the UK and across the developed world. ePrescribing is widely understood as a vehicle for tackling medication-related safety concerns, improving care quality and making more efficient use of health resources. Nevertheless, implementation of an electronic health record does not itself ensure benefits for prescribing are maximised. We examine the process of optimisation of ePrescribing systems using case studies to provide policy recommendations based on the experiences of digitally mature hospital sites.Methods and analysisQualitative interviews within six digitally mature sites will be carried out. The aim is to capture successful optimisation of electronic prescribing (ePrescribing) in particular health systems and hospitals. We have identified hospital sites in the UK and in three other developed countries. We used a combination of literature reviews and advice from experts at Optimising ePrescribing in Hospitals (eP Opt) Project round-table events. Sites were purposively selected based on geographical area, innovative work in ePrescribing/electronic health (eHealth) and potential transferability of practices to the UK setting. Interviews will be recorded and transcribed and transcripts coded thematically using NVivo software. Relevant policy and governance documents will be analysed, where available. Planned site visits were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Ethics and disseminationThe Usher Research Ethics Group granted approval for this study. Results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed journals in medical informatics and expert round-table events, lay member meetings and the ePrescribing Toolkit (http://www.eprescribingtoolkit.com/)—an online resource supporting National Health Service (NHS) hospitals through the ePrescribing process.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oladele A. Oluwayiose ◽  
Haotian Wu ◽  
Hachem Saddiki ◽  
Brian W. Whitcomb ◽  
Laura B. Balzer ◽  
...  

AbstractParental age at time of offspring conception is increasing in developed countries. Advanced male age is associated with decreased reproductive success and increased risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring. Mechanisms for these male age effects remain unclear, but changes in sperm DNA methylation over time is one potential explanation. We assessed genome-wide methylation of sperm DNA from 47 semen samples collected from male participants of couples seeking infertility treatment. We report that higher male age was associated with lower likelihood of fertilization and live birth, and poor embryo development (p < 0.05). Furthermore, our multivariable linear models showed male age was associated with alterations in sperm methylation at 1698 CpGs and 1146 regions (q < 0.05), which were associated with > 750 genes enriched in embryonic development, behavior and neurodevelopment among others. High dimensional mediation analyses identified four genes (DEFB126, TPI1P3, PLCH2 and DLGAP2) with age-related sperm differential methylation that accounted for 64% (95% CI 0.42–0.86%; p < 0.05) of the effect of male age on lower fertilization rate. Our findings from this modest IVF population provide evidence for sperm methylation as a mechanism of age-induced poor reproductive outcomes and identifies possible candidate genes for mediating these effects.


2021 ◽  
pp. 003022282110295
Author(s):  
Jung-Hwa Ha ◽  
Changsook Lee ◽  
Jennifer Yoo

This study examined cultural differences in advance care planning (ACP) and various strategies that social workers use to initiate conversations on ACP. We conducted qualitative interviews with 12 social workers in South Korea and the US and a thematic content analysis of the transcribed data. Our findings show that different cultural norms and generational viewpoints surrounding death and health-related decision-making influence how people prepare for end-of-life care (EOLC). Whereas principles of self-determination and autonomy guide ACP practices in the US, decisions regarding EOLC are more often made in consultation with family members in Korean and Korean-American communities. Nevertheless, social workers in both countries identified relationship-building, empowerment, and individualized approaches as common strategies in initiating discussions on ACP.


2012 ◽  
Vol 56 (1-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Reps ◽  
Boris Braun

Going green - environmental upgrading and value chain coordination in the Indian automotive industry. Previous debates have linked environmental upgrading processes in global value chains above all to the influence of powerful lead firms from developed countries. In this paper, we argue that the Indian automobile sector, too, shows a growing tendency for more environmental protection. However, the decisive impetus is often not given by international lead firms.Applying the concept of global value chains, this paper aims to identify both the dominating coordination mechanisms in the Indian automobile chain, and the strategies of different actors for environmental upgrading. The empirical section draws on findings from 130 qualitative interviews with eight vehicle manufactures, 54 component suppliers and several industry experts held between 2009 and 2011. Our results indicate that Indian vehicle manufacturers are presently more pivotal to driving “green” supply chains than international players. Our findings suggest that especially the strong technical and organizational support provided by Indian lead firms is the crucial factor to push component suppliers to improve their environmental performance. On this account, the recent debate on greening of supply chains seems to be led too much from a western perspective. Rather, it appears that many environmental upgrading processes in automobile supply chains occur independently of western lead firms. In fact, they are mostly initiated and implemented by local lead firms.


Plural ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-144
Author(s):  
Angelo Martins Junior

This article question generic homogenising representations of ‘the migrant’ by providing an examination of the multivalent ways in which social differences contours migration processes. Migration scholars often reproduce generic homogenising typologies of ‘migrants’, such as the two opposing migrant analogies ‘from the Global South’ (‘the transnational migrant’, who flows through social networks from the Global South to the developed North, seeking economic gains) and ‘from the Global North’ (‘the lifestyle migrant’, who chooses to migrate from developed countries to places they believe offers them the potential of a better quality of life). Through the examination of the journeys of Brazilians in London, this article draws attention to the connections and contexts of both sending and receiving societies, as well as the diversity existing within the Brazilian population abroad. As is argued within this paper, such an analysis allows for better understanding of how the experiences of Brazilians in London are directly shaped by the intersection of multiple social markers, resulting in what I call ‘differentiated journeys’. Brazilians navigate different levels of constraints and constantly re-formulate their journeys due to their class, gender, nationality and documental status. This allow us to frame migratory experiences beyond generalizing and homogenising representations. The empirical research combines an 18-month ethnography in places of leisure with 33 in-depth interviews with Brazilians in London.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara Vivero Couto ◽  
Elena Planells del Pozo ◽  
José Ignacio Salmerón Escobar ◽  
Jorge Molina López ◽  
Ángela Ruiz-Extremera ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Preterm delivery, defined as delivery occurring before a gestational age of 37 weeks, represents 6-10% of all births in developed countries. Preterm infants are characterized by a short prenatal development period and are at an increased risk of systemic disorders as a result of their immaturity. Few studies have analyzed oral alterations among preterm infants. This systematic review examines the orofacial characteristics most commonly found among preterm infants versus infants born at term and evaluates their repercussions upon oral health and quality of life.Methods The search was limited to articles published in English or Spanish that compared orofacial characteristics of preterm infants versus infants born at term. Their methodological quality was assessed based on the guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI).Results Most of the studies found the prevalence of structural enamel defects of the primary dentition to be greater among preterm infants. Other disorders such as structural enamel defects of the permanent dentition, caries, malocclusions or alterations in dental composition, size and development also appeared to be more frequent among preterm infants, though the supporting evidence was weak.Conclusions Further studies are needed, analyzing the association between preterm delivery and certain orofacial disorders such as caries, malocclusions and dental anomalies.


Author(s):  
Ester Villalonga-Olives ◽  
Ichiro Kawachi ◽  
Ildefonso Hernández-Aguado

The rapidly evolving coronavirus pandemic has drastically altered the economic and social lives of people throughout the world. Our overall goal is to understand the mechanisms through which social capital shaped the community response to the pandemic on the island of Menorca, Spain, which was under a strict lockdown in 2020. Between April and June 2020, we performed qualitative interviews (n = 25) of permanent residents of the island. From the findings, it is evident that social capital is an important resource with the capacity to organize help and support. However, the dark sides of social capital, with lack of social cohesion and lack of trust, also emerged as an important negative issue. We identified sources of tension that were not resolved, as well as important sociodemographic differences that are primary drivers for health inequalities. The investment in social networks and social capital is a long-term need that should consider sociodemographic vulnerability.


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