scholarly journals More than a meeting: identifying the needs of the community-based seniors’ services sector as providers of health promotion services

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine E. Tong ◽  
Joanie Sims-Gould ◽  
Sarah Lusina-Furst ◽  
Heather McKay

Abstract Objective Many economically developed countries have seen a decline in publicly funded community programming. Within this context, community-based seniors’ service (CBSS) organizations have been increasingly tasked to deliver programs to support the health and wellbeing of older citizens (e.g., home support, physical activity programs, and chronic disease management education). The primary objective of this study was to capture of the current needs of CBSS leaders in British Columbia, Canada, who attended a seminal event in the CBSS sector’s development—the inaugural Summit on Aging. Results Our evaluation of the Summit included: pre/post Summit surveys (N = 79/76), ethnographic observations, and follow-up interviews (n = 22). Our detailed evaluation plan may inform others undertaking similar data collection; the most informative results were derived from the follow-up interviews and our findings suggest that interviews may be sufficient for similar evaluations. Summit delegates identified key opportunities to strengthen the CBSS as a sector, including enhanced collaboration; improved mechanisms that foster connecting and collaborating; and more resources, including training and qualified staff, to increase their capacity to deliver community-based health services. These findings echo work already completed in the community-based health promotion sector.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Tong ◽  
Joanie Sims-Gould ◽  
Sarah Lusina-Furst ◽  
Heather McKay ◽  
Summit Planning Committee

Abstract Background : Through a weakening of the welfare state, many economically developed countries have seen a decline in publicly funded community programming. Within this context of hollowed-out services for community-dwelling older adults, community-based seniors’ service (CBSS) organizations have been increasingly tasked to deliver programs to enable independence, health and social connections for older citizens. In response, CBSS leaders have taken steps to organize as a unified sector and have expanded their partnerships with researchers and universities to enhance and track this work. The primary objective of this study was to capture of the current needs of CBSS leaders in British Columbia, Canada, who attended a seminal event in the CBSS sector’s development – the inaugural Summit on Aging (i.e. the Summit). Hosting and evaluating The Summit was a collaborative effort between CBSS organizations and a university-based research team. The secondary objective of this study was to understand the value of hosting the Summit for those who attended. Methods : We implemented a mixed-method evaluation plan, which included: a pre- (n=79) and post-event online survey (n=76); thematic notes from six breakout sessions, 4 large group sessions, and ethnographic observations from each day of the Summit; and a 6-month post-Summit semi-structured telephone interview (n=22). Results : Summit delegates identified key opportunities to strengthen the CBSS as a sector, including enhanced collaboration; improved mechanisms that foster connecting and collaborating; and more resources (i.e. funding, trained personnel) to increase their capacity to deliver respond to current and future service demands. Overall, participants found the Summit to be a worthwhile event; it provided a venue to strategize as to how to meet sector needs. Conclusions : In the context of aging societies and a decline in direct support from the state, we must more meaningfully invest and support the vital work that CBSSs are increasingly providing to older citizens. Here we determine key needs within the CBSS and highlight how an event such as the Summit, can help facilitate collaboration, connections and resources. Our community-based research partnership maximized our collective efforts to robustly capture the changing needs of an evolving sector.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. e0258406
Author(s):  
Mahesh Kumar Khanal ◽  
Pratiksha Bhandari ◽  
Raja Ram Dhungana ◽  
Pratik Bhandari ◽  
Lal B. Rawal ◽  
...  

Background Hypertension is a major global public health problem. Elevated blood pressure can cause cardiovascular and kidney diseases. We assessed the effectiveness of health education sessions and home support programs in reducing blood pressure among patients with uncontrolled hypertension in a suburban community of Nepal. Methods We conducted a community-based, open-level, parallel-group, cluster randomized controlled trial in Birendranagar municipality of Surkhet, Nepal. We randomly assigned four clusters (wards) into intervention and control arms. We provided four health education sessions, frequent home and usual care for intervention groups over six months. The participants of the control arm received only usual care from health facilities. The primary outcome of this study was the proportion of controlled systolic blood pressure (SBP). The analysis included all participants who completed follow-up at six months. Results 125 participants were assigned to either the intervention (n = 63) or the control (n = 62) group. Of them, 60 participants in each group completed six months follow-up. The proportion of controlled SBP was significantly higher among the intervention participants compared to the control (58.3% vs. 40%). Odds ratio of this was 2.1 with 95% CI: 1.01–4.35 (p = 0.046) and that of controlled diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was 1.31 (0.63–2.72) (p = 0.600). The mean change (follow-up minus baseline) in SBP was significantly higher in the intervention than in the usual care (-18.7 mmHg vs. -11.2 mmHg, p = 0.041). Such mean change of DBP was also higher in the intervention (-10.95 mmHg vs. -5.53 mmHg, p = 0.065). The knowledge score on hypertension improved by 2.38 (SD 2.4) in the intervention arm, which was significantly different from that of the control group, 0.13 (1.8) (p<0.001). Conclusions Multiple health education sessions complemented by frequent household visits by health volunteers can effectively improve knowledge on hypertension and reduce blood pressure among uncontrolled hypertensive patients at the community level in Nepal. Trial registration ClinicalTrial.gov: NCT02981251


2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 845-852 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan J. Curry ◽  
Robin J. Mermelstein ◽  
Amy K. Sporer

A national survey of 591 community-based youth smoking cessation programs provided an opportunity to assess the sustainability of health promotion programming over a 3-year period. Initial survey questions were mapped to five sustainability domains (local ownership, organizational alignment, resources, demand, and standard operating procedures) and examined to identify correlates of sustained operation. Follow-up surveys were completed with 305 programs. Assuming loss to follow-up indicated failure to sustain, the overall rate of program continuation was 32%. Baseline correlates of sustaining operation included the following: serving more youth, training staff in smoking cessation, longer time in operation at the initial survey, and receiving state funding as a sole source of support. Primary reasons for discontinuation related to lack of funding, insufficient enrollment, change of focus from tobacco cessation, and scheduling difficulty. Replication of studies like this survey of youth smoking cessation programs with other types of health promotion and public health programming can further test sustainability frameworks, provide validated measures, and ultimately inform a robust and replicable array of lasting, effective, evidence-based public health programs.


2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 662-669 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Stickley ◽  
C. F. S. Ng ◽  
C. Watanabe ◽  
Y. Inoue ◽  
A. Koyanagi ◽  
...  

AbstractAimsDeath ideation (thinking about/wishing for one's own death, thinking that one would be better off dead) is linked to an increased mortality risk. However, comparatively little is known about more general thoughts of death (GTOD) where no wish to die or life value is expressed. This study examined whether GTOD predicted mortality in a community-based cohort of older adults.MethodsData came from the Komo-Ise cohort study in Gunma prefecture, Japan. The analytic sample comprised 8208 individuals (average age 61.3 (range 47–77)) who were asked in wave 2 of the study in 2000 if they had ‘Thought about death more than usual, either your own, someone else's or death in general?’ in the past 2 weeks. Death data were obtained from the municipal resident registration file. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to examine associations.ResultsDuring the follow-up period (2000–2008), there were 672 deaths. In a model adjusted for baseline covariates, GTOD were significantly associated with all-cause mortality (hazards ratio 1.66, 95% confidence interval 1.20–2.29). Stratified analyses showed an association between GTOD and mortality in men, older subjects (⩾70 years), married individuals and those with higher social support.ConclusionsGTOD are associated with an increased mortality risk among older citizens in Japan. Research is now needed to determine the factors underlying this association and assess the clinical relevance of screening for GTOD in older individuals.


2003 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 44-51
Author(s):  
Kristine Brown ◽  
James Sturges

With the continued influx of Mexican immigrants to the United States, especially to Southern California, health concerns and needs have increased among this population over the last several years. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona) obtained a federal grant that provided resources to establish the Community Outreach Partnership Center (COPC). COPC consists of comprehensive efforts to improve the overall well-being of the Angela Chanslor area within the City of Pomona in East Los Angeles. Focus areas of the project include 1) Education and Integrated Services, 2) Community Planning and Capacity Building for Neighborhood Revitalization and Safety, and 3) Job Development and Training. The focus of this paper is health promotion activities within Education and Integrated Services. The primary objective of this portion of the program was to provide residents with physical examinations and health screenings, health education, and medical and social service referrals. Topics discussed are the target community, general overview of COPC, Family Services Information and Referral Program (i.e. health promotion program within Education and Integrated Services), program impact and results, and suggestions for continued implementation and future efforts. / Con la influencia continua de inmigrantes Mexicanos a los Estados Unidos, especialmente al sur de California, ciertas necesidades con respecto a la salud han incrementado en esta poblacion en los ultimos anos. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona). Obtuvo ayuda Federal para establecer El Community Outreach Partnership Center (COPC). El centro COPC consiste de esfuerzos conprensivos para mejorar el bienestar del area Angela Chanslor que esta ubicado en la Ciudad de Pomona en la parte Este de Los Angeles. Las partes enfocadas del proyecto incluyen, 1) Educacion y servicios Integrados, 2) Plan para la Comunidad y un Edificio de Capacitacion para la comunidad que dara revitalizacion y seguridad, 3) Y habrira trabajos y entrenamientos. El enfoque de este proyecto es de actividades en Promocion de Salud aliadas con educacion y Servicios Integrados. El objetivo principal de esta porcion del programa era de proveer a los residentes con examinaciones fisicas, educacion para la salud, y eran referidas a servicios medicos y sociales. Los topicos que son tratados son: La comunidad que sera ayudada, El enfoque general de COPC, informacion del programa para referir a servicios familiares, el impacto del programa y resultados, y sugerencias para implementar futuros esfuerzos.


2021 ◽  
pp. 000348942098742
Author(s):  
Stephen R. Chorney ◽  
Joanne Stow ◽  
Luv R. Javia ◽  
Karen B. Zur ◽  
Ian N. Jacobs ◽  
...  

Objectives: Tracheocutaneous fistula (TCF) is a common occurrence after pediatric tracheostomy decannulation. However, the persistence of TCF after staged reconstruction of the pediatric airway is not well-described. The primary objective was to determine the rate of persistent TCF after successful decannulation in children with staged open airway reconstruction. Methods: A case series with chart review of children who underwent decannulation after double-stage laryngotracheal reconstruction between 2017 and 2019. Results: A total of 26 children were included. The most common open airway procedure was anterior and posterior costal cartilage grafting (84.6%, 22/26). Median age at decannulation was 3.4 years (IQR: 2.8-4.3) and occurred 7.0 months (IQR: 4.3-10.4) after airway reconstruction. TCF persisted in 84.6% (22/26) of children while 15.4% (4/26) of stomas closed spontaneously. All closures were identified by the one-month follow-up visit. There was no difference in age at tracheostomy ( P = .86), age at decannulation ( P = .97), duration of tracheostomy ( P = .43), or gestational age ( P = .23) between stomas that persisted or closed. Median diameter of stent used at reconstruction was larger in TCFs that persisted (7.0 mm vs 6.5 mm, P = .03). Tracheostomy tube diameter ( P = .02) and stent size ( P < .01) correlated with persistence of TCF on multivariable logistic regression analysis. There were 16 surgical closure procedures, which occurred at a median of 14.4 months (IQR: 11.4-15.4) after decannulation. Techniques included 56.3% (9/16) by primary closure, 18.8% (3/16) by secondary intention and 25% (4/16) by cartilage tracheoplasty. The overall success of closure was 93.8% (15/16) at latest follow-up. Conclusions: Persistent TCF occurs in 85% of children who are successfully decannulated after staged open airway reconstruction. Spontaneous closure could be identified by 1 month after decannulation and was more likely when smaller stents and tracheostomy tubes were utilized. Surgeons should counsel families on the frequency of TCF and the potential for additional procedures needed for closure.


Pharmacy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
Fauna Herawati ◽  
Yuni Megawati ◽  
Aslichah ◽  
Retnosari Andrajati ◽  
Rika Yulia

The long period of tuberculosis treatment causes patients to have a high risk of forgetting or stopping the medication altogether, which increases the risk of oral anti-tuberculosis drug resistance. The patient’s knowledge and perception of the disease affect the patient’s adherence to treatment. This research objective was to determine the impact of educational videos in the local language on the level of knowledge, perception, and adherence of tuberculosis patients in the Regional General Hospital (RSUD) Bangil. This quasi-experimental study design with a one-month follow-up allocated 62 respondents in the intervention group and 60 in the control group. The pre- and post-experiment levels of knowledge and perception were measured with a validated set of questions. Adherence was measured by pill counts. The results showed that the intervention increases the level of knowledge of the intervention group higher than that of the control group (p-value < 0.05) and remained high after one month of follow-up. The perceptions domains that changed after education using Javanese (Ngoko) language videos with the Community Based Interactive Approach (CBIA) method were the timeline, personal control, illness coherence, and emotional representations (p-value < 0.05). More than 95% of respondents in the intervention group take 95% of their pill compared to 58% of respondents in the control group (p-value < 0.05). Utilization of the local languages for design a community-based interactive approach to educate and communicate is important and effective.


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