Factors influencing mothers’ decisions regarding obstetrical care in Western Kenya: a mixed-methods study

Abstract Background Siaya County in Western Kenya has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in Kenya. We sought to elucidate factors that influence mothers’ decisions regarding where to seek obstetrical care, to inform interventions that seek to promote effective use of obstetric services and reduce maternal mortalities. To guide our research, we used the “Three Delays Model”, focusing on the first delay—seeking care. While interventions to reduce maternal mortalities have focused on addressing delays in accessing and receiving care, context-specific data on drivers of the first delay are scarce. Methods We used a mixed-method study to assess how maternal decision-making of birth location is influenced by personal, contextual, and cultural factors. We conducted structured interviews with women aged 14 years or older living in Siaya, Bondo, and Yala, rural districts in Western Kenya. We then conducted focus group interviews with a subset of women to elucidate this question: How do drivers of the first delay (i.e., seeking care) affect the decision to seek home versus hospital delivery, potentially negatively influencing maternal mortality. Results Three hundred and seven women responded to the surveys, and 67 women (22%) from this group participated in focus group interviews. Although we focused on type 1 delays, we discovered that several factors that impact type 2 and type 3 delays directly contribute to type 1 delays. Our findings highlighted that factors influencing women’s decisions to seek care are not simply medical or cultural but rather contextual, involving many elements of life, particularly in rural communities. Conclusions It is imperative to address multiple-level factors that influence women’s decisions to seek care and have in-hospital deliveries. To curtail maternal mortality in rural Western Kenya and comparable settings, targeted interventions must take into consideration these important influencers.

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Challenges Facing the Effective Functioning of Ward Committees as a Mechanism to Promote Local Democracy in the Former Tlokwe Local Municipality (TLM)

Politeia ◽

10.25159/0256-8845/4287 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Melvin Diedericks ◽

Sello Seitlholo

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Focus Group ◽

Expert Knowledge ◽

Local Governance ◽

Local Democracy ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Focus Group Interviews ◽

Effective Functioning ◽

Local Municipality ◽

Group Interviews

This article investigates the challenges facing the effective functioning of ward committees as a mechanism to promote local democracy in the former Tlokwe Local Municipalityâ€™s (TLM) area of jurisdiction. Ward committees in South Africa (SA) were specifically established to strengthen the participation of communities in local governance. A qualitative research design was used to collect and analyse data for purposes of achieving the objectives of this study. This involved a literature review designed to contextualise effective ward committee functioning in a developing South Africa. Semi-structured interviews were held with senior officials from TLM. Officials were selected based upon their expert knowledge with regard to the facilitation of public participation and for being responsible for effective ward committee functioning within TLM. Focus group interviews were also held with at least four ward committees operating within the boundaries of the municipality. The purpose of using focus group interviews in this study was to identify specific operational challenges as experienced by the ward committees, including how these challenges affected the fulfilment of their responsibilities. Significant findings include that communication was a critical aspect to address challenges, and that a lack of resources was hampering ward committees in functioning more effectively in the area.

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Employment Relations System in the SMEs Sector: A Study on the Hospitality Sector

SMS Journal of Enterpreneurship & Innovation ◽

10.21844/smsjei.v3i02.9734 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 3 (02) ◽

Author(s):

Abhishek Mishra ◽

Partha Sarkar

Keyword(s):

Focus Group ◽

Special Reference ◽

Questionnaire Survey ◽

Employment Relations ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Focus Group Interviews ◽

Hospitality Sector ◽

Group Interviews

The present paper highlights certain aspects of employment relations in the SME sector in India with special reference to the hospitality sector. Based on the inputs obtained from the different stakeholders through structured interviews, the authors have analysed the ‘actors’, ‘context’ and the ‘processes’ in the perspective of employment relations system in the hospitality SME sector. Moreover, questionnaire survey and focus group interviews have been conducted with a group of employees with a view to recognise and analyse the relevant issues in a better way. The study has been carried out in select hotels in Varanasi. The unique aspects of the different ‘actors’ of employment relations in the Indian hospitality SME sector have been examined. The paper also highlights the relevance of ‘context’ in the employment relations system. Finally, the authors have developed a model on employment relations system in the hospitality SMEs sector.

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Unprofessional behaviour of GP residents and its remediation: a qualitative study among supervisors and faculty

BMC Family Practice ◽

10.1186/s12875-021-01609-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Pieter C. Barnhoorn ◽

Vera Nierkens ◽

Marianne C. Mak-van der Vossen ◽

Mattijs E. Numans ◽

Walther N. K. A. van Mook ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Focus Group ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Exploratory Study ◽

Faculty Members ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Focus Group Interviews ◽

Unprofessional Behaviour ◽

Group Interviews ◽

Gp Training

Abstract Background Lapses in professionalism have profound negative effects on patients, health professionals, and society. The connection between unprofessional behaviour during training and later practice requires timely identification and remediation. However, appropriate language to describe unprofessional behaviour and its remediation during residency is lacking. Therefore, this exploratory study aims to investigate which behaviours of GP residents are considered unprofessional according to supervisors and faculty, and how remediation is applied. Methods We conducted eight semi-structured focus group interviews with 55 broadly selected supervisors from four Dutch GP training institutes. In addition, we conducted individual semi-structured interviews with eight designated professionalism faculty members. Interview recordings were transcribed verbatim. Data were coded in two consecutive steps: preliminary inductive coding was followed by secondary deductive coding using the descriptors from the recently developed ‘Four I’s’ model for describing unprofessional behaviours as sensitising concepts. Results Despite the differences in participants’ professional positions, we identified a shared conceptualisation in pinpointing and assessing unprofessional behaviour. Both groups described multiple unprofessional behaviours, which could be successfully mapped to the descriptors and categories of the Four I’s model. Behaviours in the categories ‘Involvement’ and ‘Interaction’ were assessed as mild and received informal, pedagogical feedback. Behaviours in the categories ‘Introspection’ and ‘Integrity’, were seen as very alarming and received strict remediation. We identified two new groups of behaviours; ‘Nervous exhaustion complaints’ and ‘Nine-to-five mentality’, needing to be added to the Four I’s model. The diagnostic phase of unprofessional behaviour usually started with the supervisor getting a ‘sense of alarm’, which was described as either a ‘gut feeling’, ‘a loss of enthusiasm for teaching’ or ‘fuss surrounding the resident’. This sense of alarm triggered the remediation phase. However, the diagnostic and remediation phases did not appear consecutive or distinct, but rather intertwined. Conclusions The processes of identification and remediation of unprofessional behaviour in residents appeared to be intertwined. Identification of behaviours related to lack of introspection or integrity were perceived as the most important to remediate. The results of this research provide supervisors and faculty with an appropriate language to describe unprofessional behaviours among residents, which can facilitate timely identification and remediation.

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Critical Success Factors of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems Implementation in Sri Lankan Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) Industry

Asia Proceedings of Social Sciences ◽

10.31580/apss.v2i1.365 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 69-72

Author(s):

Shanika Wijenayake ◽

H M R P Herath

Keyword(s):

Focus Group ◽

Enterprise Resource Planning ◽

Success Factors ◽

Resource Planning ◽

Organization Culture ◽

Erp Systems ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Focus Group Interviews ◽

Systems Implementation ◽

Group Interviews

Enterprise Resources Planning Systems (ERP) are implemented in organizations to optimize the supply chain to improve the overall performance. Yet, it is observed that many organizations have not achieved the desired level of performance through this strategic move. Literature suggest that the implementation barriers can be a main reason for this. Hence the problem centered in this study is to identify the success factors and challenges of ERP systems implementation in the FMCG industry in Sri Lanka. This study uses the case study approach for four companies in the FMCG industry. Focus group interviews were used to gather data and the participants of the focus group interviews were key users who had an important role during the implementation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted by an experienced interviewer using an interview guide with semi-structured questions. Success factors included the technological know-how, high management commitment, lesser government regulations, and experience of the process re-engineering. Challenges included investment in resources, information management, changing the organization culture to the best practices of the system, lack of the user training and limitation of the proper consultancy services. Findings of the study can be used as a framework to understand the ERP implementation success factors and the potential challenges faced by organizations in the FMCG industry.

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Interviews

Performing Music Research ◽

10.1093/oso/9780198714545.003.0006 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 129-154

Author(s):

Aaron Williamon ◽

Jane Ginsborg ◽

Rosie Perkins ◽

George Waddell

Keyword(s):

Focus Group ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Focus Group Interviews ◽

Different Types ◽

Research Interviews ◽

Music Research ◽

Characteristic Features ◽

Group Interviews

Chapter 6 of Performing Music Research sets out the characteristic features of research interviews, introducing four types of interview: open interviews, which often arise spontaneously or informally and which are largely unstructured or explore an overarching topic of interest; semi-structured interviews, an approach often taken in music research that relies on a predetermined yet flexible set of principal questions; structured interviews, which make use of fixed and unchangeable questions within an entirely predetermined format; and focus group interviews, which take place with groups of participants rather than individuals. The chapter addresses some of the challenges of using different types of interviews, presents ways to design and conduct interviews effectively, and considers ways to write about and report them.

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Factors Influencing Vaccination in Korea: Findings From Focus Group Interviews

Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.3961/jpmph.18.063 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 51 (4) ◽

pp. 173-180 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Bomi Park ◽

Eun Jeong Choi ◽

Bohyun Park ◽

Hyejin Han ◽

Su Jin Cho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Focus Group ◽

Focus Group Interviews ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Group Interviews

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Framing and switches at the outset of qualitative research interviews

Qualitative Research ◽

10.1177/1468794118816623 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 19 (6) ◽

pp. 635-652

Author(s):

Liselott Aarsand ◽

Pål Aarsand

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Research ◽

Focus Group ◽

Focus Of Attention ◽

Activity Type ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Focus Group Interviews ◽

Research Interviews ◽

Activity Types ◽

Group Interviews ◽

Contextualization Cues

The article focuses on the opening sequences in qualitative research interviews and in particular examines the interactive work of achieving ‘topic talk’. Using the concepts of activity types, activity frames and contextualization cues, a close-up analysis of eight focus-group interviews and 12 semi-structured interviews was conducted. The findings show that the interviewees display familiarity with the interview as an activity type and how it is to be socially organized. However, to create a joint focus of attention, thereby getting off to an adequate start, the participants also need to agree upon an activity frame and a distribution of positions to achieve a frame switch, which here emerges through the interactional work of announcing, customizing and approving. Accordingly, by highlighting the communicative and practical circumstances of qualitative research interviewing, the opening sequences are considered to be a delicate interactive affair, however, where the interviewer has to take the main responsibility.

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Home Education for Children with Newly Diagnosed Type-1 Diabetes-Exploring Needs and Experiences among Participants of Home Education Visits

Austin Journal of Nursing & Health Care ◽

10.26420/austinjnurshealthcare.2021.1060 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Truelsen MF ◽

◽

Christiansen SY ◽

Lundby-Christensen L ◽

Lehn SF ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Type 1 Diabetes ◽

Social Network ◽

Focus Group ◽

Diabetes Care ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Home Education ◽

Newly Diagnosed ◽

Focus Group Interviews ◽

Group Interviews

Objective: Type 1-diabetes is increasing among younger age groups and type 1-diabetes has a major impact on daily life of both the children and their families. The aim of the current study was to explore a family and network centered intervention to children with newly diagnosed type-1 diabetes. Home education visits performed by health care professionals were evaluated using focus group interviews. Method: We conducted five focus group interviews with 21 home education attendants and two individual interviews with health care professionals. Employing inductive content analysis. Results: Families of children who have newly been diagnosed with type 1-diabetes struggle to comply with diabetes care and, thus, leaving the children to the care of others is a major concern. Lack of knowledge among members of family and social network, adhere to an anxiety of doing something wrong in relation to diabetes care. Home education visits educate the wider family and social network about diabetes care. Focus group participants and health professionals describe that the education visits constitute a major support for parents in the task of instructing family and social network members. Additionally, family and social network members report that they feel more confident to contribute more to the care of the child with type 1-diabetes. Conclusion: Existing prejudices and lack of knowledge leads to stress and worry among the social network of children with type-1 diabetes. Home education improves knowledge and feeling of confidence concerning diabetes care among family and social network, with the potential to strengthen and maintain close social relations.

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