Changing perception and improving knowledge of leprosy: An intervention study in Uttar Pradesh, India

Introduction Since ancient times leprosy has had a negative perception, resulting in stigmatization. To improve the lives of persons affected by leprosy, these negative perceptions need to change. The aim of this study is to evaluate interventions to change perceptions and improve knowledge of leprosy. Methodology/Principal findings We conducted a pre-post intervention study in Fatehpur and Chandauli districts, Uttar Pradesh, India. Based on six steps of quality intervention development (6SQuID) two interventions were designed: (1) posters that provided information about leprosy and challenged misconceptions, and (2) meetings with persons affected by leprosy, community members and influential people in the community. The effect of the interventions was evaluated in a mixed-methods design; in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and questionnaires containing a knowledge measure (KAP), two perception measures (EMIC-CSS, SDS) and an intervention evaluation tool. 1067 participants were included in Survey 1 and 843 in Survey 2. The interventions were effective in increasing knowledge of all participant groups, and in changing community and personal attitudes of close contacts and community members (changes of 19%, 24% and 13% on the maximum KAP, EMIC-CSS and SDS scores respectively, p<0.05). In Survey 1, 13% of participants had adequate knowledge of leprosy versus 53% in Survey 2. Responses showed stigmatizing community attitudes in 86% (Survey 1) and 61% (Survey 2) of participants and negative personal attitudes in 37% (Survey 1) and 19% (Survey 2). The number of posters seen was associated with KAP, EMIC-CSS and SDS scores in Survey 2 (p<0.001). In addition, during eight post-intervention focus group discussions and 48 interviews many participants indicated that the perception of leprosy in the community had changed. Conclusions/Significance Contextualized posters and community meetings were effective in changing the perception of leprosy and in increasing leprosy-related knowledge. We recommend studying the long-term effect of the interventions, also on behavior.

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Radio Communication for Forest Conservation in Tanzania: a SWOC Analysis

The African Review ◽

10.1163/1821889x-12340010 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

pp. 120-140

Author(s):

Malima Zacharia ◽

Michael Andindilile

Keyword(s):

Focus Group ◽

Data Collection ◽

Forest Conservation ◽

The Other ◽

Radio Communication ◽

Community Members ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Conservation Action ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Key Informants

Abstract This study investigated the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges (SWOC) associated with the power of radio in communicating forests information to enhance community responsiveness to forest conservation in Tanzania. Data collection entailed the analysis of the content of a series of Urithi Wetu (Our Heritage) programme produced and aired by the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) radio, conducting interviews with key informants, administering questionnaires with citizens living adjacent to forests, and holding focus group discussions (FGDs) with the villagers in the study area. The study established that, to some extent, radio presents some opportunities for easy communication of forest conservation information in a bid to influence communities to take the intended conservation action. On the other hand, the study found that factors such as poor packaging of forest information, lack of participation of the rural-based citizens in the programmes, and poverty among community members limited the power of the radio to influence effectively citizens to conserve forests.

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Feasibility study of the secondary level Active School Flag programme: Study Protocol

Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology ◽

10.3390/jfmk4010016 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 16 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Kwok W Ng ◽

Fiona McHale ◽

Karen Cotter ◽

Donal O’Shea ◽

Catherine Woods

Keyword(s):

Focus Group ◽

Social Cognitive ◽

School Context ◽

Trial Registration ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

School Students ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Clinical Trial Registration ◽

Whole School

Taking part in regular physical activity (PA) is important for young adolescents to maintain physical, social and mental health. Schools are vibrant settings for health promotion and the complexity of driving a whole-school approach to PA has not been tested in the Irish school context. The feasibility of the pilot programme of the Department of Education and Skills second level Active School Flag (SLASF) is needed. SLASF is a two year process that consists of the Active School Flag (ASF) certificate programme (year 1) and the ASF flag programme (year 2). This protocol paper is specific to the first year certificate process. Three schools around Ireland were recruited as pilot schools to carry out the year-long SLASF programme with 17 planned actions involving the entire school. Students in the transition year programme have a particular role in the promotion of PA in SLASF. Data collection consists of physical measures, accelerometers, survey data and interviews at the beginning and the end of the academic year. The primary focus on the feasibility of the programme is through process evaluation tools and fidelity checks consisting of implementation of the SLASF programme through whole-school surveys, focus group discussions of key stakeholder groups, as well as one-to-one interviews with a member of management at each school and the SLASF coordinator of the school. Secondary outcomes include PA levels and its social cognitive theories based correlates through physical health measures, surveys carried out pre- and post-intervention, as well as focus group discussions of the students. The results of this study are needed to improve the development of the SLASF through a predetermined stopping criteria and inclusion into systems thinking approaches such as the Healthy Ireland Demonstration Project. Trial Registration: https://osf.io/keubz/register/5771ca429ad5a1020de2872e; Registered 24th September 2018; Clinical Trial Registration: NCT03847831.

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“Our culture prohibits some things”: Qualitative inquiry into how sociocultural context influences the scale up of community-based injectable contraceptives in Nigeria

10.1101/19010587 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Oluwaseun Akinyemi ◽

Bronwyn Harris ◽

Mary Kawonga

Keyword(s):

Focus Group ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Health Workers ◽

Scale Up ◽

Community Members ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Community Based ◽

Injectable Contraceptives ◽

Depth Interviews

AbstractObjectivesTo explore how sociocultural factors may support or impede the adoption of community-based distribution of injectable contraceptives in Nigeria.DesignA qualitative study based on a grounded theory approach was conducted through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions.SettingMost participants lived in Gombe State, North East Nigeria. Other participants were from Ibadan (South West) and Abuja (Federal capital territory).ParticipantsThrough seven key informant interviews, 15 in-depth interviews and 10 focus group discussions, 102 participants were involved in the study.MethodsThis study, conducted in 2016 was part of a larger study on scale up of community-based distribution of injectable contraceptives. Qualitative data were collected from traditional and religious leaders, health workers and community members. The data were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed using a thematic framework method.ResultsSociocultural challenges to scale up included patriarchy and men’s fear of losing control over their spouses, traditional and religious beliefs about fertility, and myths about contraceptives and family planning. As a result of deep-rooted beliefs that children are ‘divine blessings’ and that procreation should not be regulated, participants described a subtle resistance to uptake of injectable contraceptives. Since Gombe is largely a patriarchal society, male involvement emerged as important to the success of meaningful innovation uptake. Community leaders largely described their participation in the scale up process as active, although they also identified scope for further involvement and recognition.ConclusionScale up is more than setting up health sector implementing structures, training health workers and getting innovation supplies, but also requires preparedness which includes paying attention to complex contextual issues. This requires the health system and those who work in it, to move beyond a narrow health ‘comfort zone’ by actively engaging with, and learning from, those who are leading, caring for and living in, the community.Strengths and limitations of this studyThe study participants represented a range of stakeholders - users of injectable contraceptives, community members, providers and health system managers.Our results highlighted that scale up is influenced by several socio-cultural factors; thus, showing the importance of paying attention to complex contextual issues during innovation uptake.The findings of our study emphasized how health systems and communities should interact in order to ensure successful scale up of health innovations.As with any qualitative study, the findings of this study are not statistically generalizable.FundingThis research was supported by the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA). CARTA is jointly led by the African Population and Health Research Center and the University of the Witwatersrand and funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York (Grant No--B 8606.R02), Sida (Grant No:54100113), the DELTAS Africa Initiative (Grant No: 107768/Z/15/Z) and Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD). The DELTAS Africa Initiative is an independent funding scheme of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS)’s Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa (AESA) and supported by the New Partnership for Africa’s Development Planning and Coordinating Agency (NEPAD Agency) with funding from the Wellcome Trust (UK) and the UK government. The statements made and views expressed are solely the responsibility of the authors.Declarations of interestNone.

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Engagement in a Diverse Urban Community to Describe Community Residents’ Perceptions of Pharmacists as Immunizers

INNOVATIONS in pharmacy ◽

10.24926/iip.v7i2.428 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Anthony Pattin ◽

Zachary Rowe ◽

Paul E Kilgore ◽

Nada Farhat ◽

Stephen Kaurala ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Focus Group ◽

Community Intervention ◽

Original Research ◽

Community Members ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Wayne County ◽

Diverse Community ◽

Study Participants ◽

Study Setting

Objective: To describe the perceptions of pharmacist-delivered vaccination services among community members that live in a diverse urban metropolitan area and to identify potential strategies to improve the use of vaccines provided by pharmacists. Design: Qualitative study. Setting: Metropolitan urban diverse community in Wayne County, MI. Participants: Individuals 50 years of age and older that reside in a defined urban metropolitan community. Intervention: Four, 45-minute, focus group discussions were conducted to gather the experiences and perceptions of participants around pharmacists that immunize. A focus group guide was developed to facilitate focus group sessions. Main Outcome Measures: Focus group discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed. Content analysis was used to analyze data and identify relevant themes. Results: Three main themes were identified related to the use of pharmacist-delivered vaccination services: trust with vaccine providers, interaction with pharmacy personnel, and the factor of accessibility. Conclusion: Study participants expressed views that will guide the development of interventions aimed to reduce disparities in vaccine utilization. It is suggested that future efforts improve accessibility to pharmacy-delivered vaccines in this community and enhance the interaction between patients and pharmacists. Type: Original Research

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The future of the Basic Education Assistance Module, a poverty alleviation strategy in Zimbabwe

Journal of Public Administration and Governance ◽

10.5296/jpag.v5i3.8331 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 155

Author(s):

Florence Mutasa

Keyword(s):

Focus Group ◽

Poverty Alleviation ◽

Basic Education ◽

Fundamental Aspect ◽

Community Members ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Group Discussions ◽

The Future ◽

The Government ◽

Insight Into

The aim of this article is to give an insight into the future of the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) by highlighting the problems faced in its implementation and mapping the way forward for the programme to be a success. Through a review of scholarly literature, an overview of the concept of 'beneficiary participation' which is the fundamental aspect of BEAM is given, and through interviews and focus group discussions, an assessment of the effectiveness of the BEAM programme is made. This article has shown that the implementation of BEAM is plagued with a plethora of problems. For BEAM to be effective, all stakeholders, that is the school authorities, teachers, parents and guardians, community members as well as the government have a significant role to play.

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Applying the Three Delays Model to understand emergency care seeking and delivery in rural Bangladesh: a qualitative study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042690 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. e042690

Author(s):

Bansari Shah ◽

Nandita Krishnan ◽

Stephen R. Kodish ◽

Gayane Yenokyan ◽

Kaniz Fatema ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Focus Group ◽

Emergency Care ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Care Seeking ◽

Community Members ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Rural Bangladesh ◽

Three Delays ◽

Depth Interviews

ObjectivesThe Three Delays Model has been commonly used to understand and prevent maternal mortality but has not been systematically applied to emergency medical conditions more generally. The objective of this study was to identify delays in emergency medical care seeking and delivery in rural Bangladesh and factors contributing to these delays by using the Three Delays Model as a framework.DesignA qualitative approach was used. Data were collected through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews using semistructured guides. Two analysts jointly developed a codebook iteratively and conducted a thematic analysis to triangulate results.SettingSix unions in Raiganj subdistrict of Bangladesh.ParticipantsEight focus group discussions with community members (n=59) and eight in-depth interviews with healthcare providers.ResultsDelays in the decision to seek care and timely receipt of care on reaching a health facility were most prominent. The main factors influencing care-seeking decisions included ability to recognise symptoms and decision-making power. Staff and resource shortages and lack of training contributed to delays in receiving care. Delay in reaching care was not perceived as a salient barrier. Both community members and healthcare providers expressed interest in receiving training to improve management of emergency conditions.ConclusionsThe Three Delays Model is a practical framework that can be useful for understanding barriers to emergency care and developing more tailored interventions. In rural Bangladesh, training community members and healthcare providers to recognise symptoms and manage acute conditions can reduce delays in care seeking and receiving adequate care at health facilities.

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Leprosy perceptions and knowledge in endemic districts in India and Indonesia: Differences and commonalities

PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

10.1371/journal.pntd.0009031 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. e0009031

Author(s):

Anna Tiny van’t Noordende ◽

Suchitra Lisam ◽

Panca Ruthindartri ◽

Atif Sadiq ◽

Vivek Singh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Focus Group ◽

Health Workers ◽

Behavioural Change ◽

Detailed Knowledge ◽

Community Members ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Level Of Knowledge ◽

Knowledge Levels

Background Understanding how knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding leprosy differ in endemic countries can help us develop targeted educational and behavioural change interventions. This study aimed to examine the differences and commonalities in and determinants of knowledge, attitudes, practices and fears regarding leprosy in endemic districts in India and Indonesia. Principle findings A cross-sectional mixed-methods design was used. Persons affected by leprosy, their close contacts, community members and health workers were included. Through interview-administered questionnaires we assessed knowledge, attitudes, practices and fears with the KAP measure, EMIC-CSS and SDS. In addition, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were conducted. The quantitative data were analysed using stepwise multivariate regression. Determinants of knowledge and stigma that were examined included age, gender, participant type, education, occupation, knowing someone affected by leprosy and district. The qualitative data were analysed using open, inductive coding and content analysis. We administered questionnaires to 2344 participants (46% from India, 54% from Indonesia) as an interview. In addition, 110 participants were interviewed in-depth and 60 participants were included in focus group discussions. Knowledge levels were low in both countries: 88% of the participants in India and 90% of the participants in Indonesia had inadequate knowledge of leprosy. In both countries, cause, mode of transmission, early symptoms and contagiousness of leprosy was least known, and treatment and treatability of leprosy was best known. In both countries, health workers had the highest leprosy knowledge levels and community members the highest stigma levels (a mean score of up to 17.4 on the EMIC-CSS and 9.1 on the SDS). Data from the interviews indicated that people were afraid of being infected by leprosy. Local beliefs and misconceptions differed, for instance that leprosy is in the family for seven generations (Indonesia) or that leprosy is a result of karma (India). The determinants of leprosy knowledge and stigma explained 10–29% of the variability in level of knowledge and 3–10% of the variability in level of stigma. Conclusion Our findings show the importance of investigating the perceptions regarding leprosy prior to educational interventions in communities: even though knowledge levels were similar, local beliefs and misconceptions differed per setting. The potential determinants we included in our study explained very little of the variability in level of knowledge and stigma and should be explored further. Detailed knowledge of local knowledge gaps, beliefs and fears can help tailor health education to local circumstances.

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Penguatan Relasi Multikultural Dengan Literasi Digital Di Desa Pait Kasembon Malang

Dimas Jurnal Pemikiran Agama untuk Pemberdayaan ◽

10.21580/dms.2020.201.5278 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 75

Author(s):

Dien Nur Chotimah ◽

Sutaman Sutaman

Keyword(s):

Action Research ◽

Focus Group ◽

Group Discussion ◽

Web Design ◽

Community Members ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Assistance Program ◽

The People ◽

In The Beginning

This dedication’s to society activity that have been conducted in Pait Village, Kasembon District, Malang take the theme building and strengthening multicultural relations. The method used in dedication to society is the Participation Action Research (PAR) method, taking into account the conditions of assistance in the beginning and the conditions of assistance that are expected. Assistance was carried out in a number of Focus Group Discussions (FGD), socialization and some workshops. Strengthening multicultural relations in the people of Pait Village is very necessary given the diversity of different community backgrounds, especially from the religious aspect. This dedication program has resulted in the formation of a Multicultural Literacy Concern (PLM) community. In addition, the authorship assistance program was also carried out for the community members. Even expanding its influence by spreading their ideas through the website ikipait.com. This assistance resulted in a pretty good web design, displaying the writings of PLM community members. Kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat yang telah dilakukan di Desa Pait, Kecamatan Kasembon, Kabupaten Malang ini mengambil tema membangun dan menguatkan relasi multikultural. Metode yang digunakan dalam pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini adalah metode Participation Action Research (PAR), dengan memperhatikan kondisi dampingan di awal serta kondisi dampingan yang diharapkan. Pendampingan dilakukan dalam beberapa Focus Group Discussion (FGD) dan juga dalam bentuk sosialisasi serta pelaksanaan beberapa workshop. Penguatan relasi multikultural pada warga masyarakat Desa Pait sangat diperlukan mengingat keberagaman latar belakang masyarakat yang berbeda, terutama dari aspek agama. Program pengabdian ini menghasilkan terbentuknya komunitas Peduli Literasi Multikultural (PLM) yang berfungsi untuk menguatkan relasi multikultural. Selain itu, juga terlaksana program pendampingan kepenulisan kepada warga masyarakat. Bahkan meluaskan pengaruhnya dengan menyebarkan ide dan gagasan mereka melalui website ikipait.com. Pendampingan ini menghasilkan desain web yang cukup baik, dengan menampilkan tulisan-tulisan karya anggota komunitas PLM.

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Understanding community member and health care professional perspectives on gender-affirming care—A qualitative study

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0255568 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (8) ◽

pp. e0255568

Author(s):

Stephanie Loo ◽

Anthony N. Almazan ◽

Virginia Vedilago ◽

Brooke Stott ◽

Sari L. Reisner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Focus Group ◽

Health Services ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Catchment Area ◽

Community Outreach ◽

Theory Approach ◽

Community Members ◽

Focus Group Discussions ◽

Group Discussions

Background Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people experience significant barriers to accessing affirming health services. There is a paucity of literature examining how both community members and health care professionals (HCPs) understand potential causes and solutions for these barriers, particularly in non-urban settings. Objective We present the first systematic examination of perspectives from community members and HCPs regarding barriers to and solutions for promoting access to gender-affirming health care. Design Study activities were conducted through the Plan and Act for Transgender Health (PATH) Project, a health needs assessment of TGD people. Community members in the catchment area were recruited to participate in focus group discussions about access to gender-affirming health care and optimal health service delivery models in March-October 2019. HCPs were recruited to participate in focus group discussions or in-depth interviews about experiences working with TGD clients. Data were analyzed using an inductive grounded theory approach. Setting 25 rural counties in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, and New Hampshire. Participants Study participants included 61 adult TGD community members and 23 HCPs working in the catchment area. Results Both community members and HCPs spoke of the need for connectedness and linkages among disparate health system components for gender-affirming health care. Participants expressed this priority through calls for systems-level improvements within existing services (e.g., expanded data collection, expanded mental health services, inclusive and affirming health care environments, and TGD staff). They also expressed the need for expanded TGD community outreach and engagement (e.g., incorporation of a patient feedback process, TGD health navigators, and resource mapping). Limitations Findings specifically reflect the perspectives of community members and HCPs in the rural New England area. Furthermore, the study sample was predominantly White non-Hispanic. Conclusion Interventions to achieve accessible gender-affirming health care must address the diverse perspectives and needs of both community members and HCPs.

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