scholarly journals Editorial: ‘In the half shadows’: Research with hard to reach populations. Part III

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gloria Kirwan
Keyword(s):  
Hard To Reach Populations

Mixed methods to assess the use of rare illicit psychoactive substances: a case study

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Janssen ◽  
Mike Vuolo ◽  
Clément Gérome ◽  
Agnès Cadet-Taïrou
Keyword(s):  
Crack Cocaine ◽  
Mixed Method Research ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Ethnographic Studies ◽  
Field Evidence ◽  
Capture Recapture ◽  
Hard To Reach Populations ◽  
Quantitative Results ◽  
Cocaine Users

Abstract This article presents original mixed method research to describe the use of rare illicit psychoactive substances, with special emphasis on crack cocaine in France. We first introduce a unique monitoring system committed to the observation of hard-to-reach populations. Qualitative findings rely, among others, on perennial ethnographic studies and field professionals’ knowledge to provide guidance to estimate the number of crack cocaine users. We then rely on a set of multilevel capture-recapture estimators, a statistical procedure to indirectly estimate the size of elusive populations. Since prior field evidence suggests an increasing diversity in crack cocaine users’ profiles, we provide a measure of heterogeneity to assess which estimator better fits the data. The calculated estimates are then critically reviewed and debated in light of the previously gathered information. Our results uncover both individual and institutional heterogeneity and suggest that the spread of crack cocaine in France initiated earlier than originally thought. Our case study underlines the need for field-driven assessments to put quantitative results into perspective, a necessary step to tailor efficient health policy responses.

scholarly journals An N-Pact Factor for Clinical Psychological Research

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Wade Reardon ◽  
Avante J Smack ◽  
Kathrin Herzhoff ◽  
Jennifer L Tackett
Keyword(s):  
Sample Size ◽  
Statistical Power ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Medium Effect Size ◽  
One Step ◽  
Hard To Reach Populations ◽  
Self Examination ◽  
Adequate Sample Size

Although an emphasis on adequate sample size and statistical power has a long history in clinical psychological science (Cohen, 1992), increased attention to the replicability of scientific findings has again turned attention to the importance of statistical power (Bakker, van Dijk, & Wicherts, 2012). These recent efforts have not yet circled back to modern clinical psychological research, despite the continued importance of sample size and power in producing a credible body of evidence. As one step in this process of scientific self-examination, the present study estimated an N-pact Factor (the statistical power of published empirical studies to detect typical effect sizes; Fraley & Vazire, 2014) in two leading clinical journals (the Journal of Abnormal Psychology; JAP, and the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology; JCCP) for the years 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2015. Study sample size, as one proxy for statistical power, is a useful focus because it allows direct comparisons with other subfields and may highlight some of the core methodological differences between clinical and other areas (e.g., hard-to-reach populations, greater emphasis on correlational designs). We found that, across all years examined, the average median sample size in clinical research is 179 participants (175 for JAP and 182 for JCCP). The power to detect a small-medium effect size of .20 is just below 80% for both journals. Although the clinical N-pact factor was higher than that estimated for social psychology, the statistical power in clinical journals is still limited to detect many effects of interest to clinical psychologists, with little evidence of improvement in sample sizes over time.

scholarly journals Cultural and Religious Belief Approaches of a Tuberculosis Program for Hard-to-Reach Populations in Mentawai and Solok West Sumatera, Indonesia

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rizanda Machmud ◽  
Irvan Medison ◽  
Finny Fitry Yani
Keyword(s):  
Communication Channel ◽  
Traditional Music ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Religious Leaders ◽  
Detection Rates ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
Informal Leaders ◽  
West Sumatra ◽  
Related Stigma ◽  
Hard To Reach Populations

Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading public health concern in Indonesia. It ranks second on the list of high-burden TB countries. In West Sumatra, 47% of TB cases are undetected, late diagnosed, and received incomplete treatment because of low-level awareness and knowledge and stigma, especially among the hardest to reach populations. The study aims to identify the best communication channel to reach those who live in vulnerable and remote areas. This study was a qualitative study applying in-depth interviews to the informal leaders, health officers, cultural artists, and religious leaders across districts in Mentawai and Solok Districts, which are remote and had the lowest case detection rates compared with other districts. The questionnaire was prepared with the perception of the channel to identify TB cases. The data were analyzed using the content analysis technique. Involving religious and informal leaders and using traditional music as a communication channel improved the population's awareness of TB symptoms and access to TB testing and treatment, as well as reduced TB-related stigma. This study found that the cultural and religious contexts play a major role in health communication on TB control for hard-to-reach populations in West Sumatera, Indonesia.

scholarly journals Community Immersion, Trust-Building, and Recruitment among Hard to Reach Populations: A Case Study of Muslim Women in Detroit Metro Area

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 24-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehri Mohebbi (Mehrsa) ◽  
Annulla Linders ◽  
Carla Chifos
Keyword(s):  
Target Population ◽  
Trust Building ◽  
Muslim Community ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Building Trust ◽  
Research Relationship ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Hard To Reach Populations

Scholars have identified a range of factors that influence the ability of researchers to access hard-toreach groups and the willingness of their members to participate in research. In this paper, we draw on insights from both ethnographic methods and participatory action research to demonstrate the importance of building trust in our relationships with hard-to-reach participants in research based on interviews. Such trust-building, we show, is greatly facilitated by pre-recruitment immersion that aids not only the recruitment of individual participants but also improves the quality of the data collected. These methodological concerns emerged from an interview study focusing on Muslim women’s use of urban public recreational spaces in South-East Michigan. Although the first author of this paper, as a woman and a Muslim, is a formal insider in the study population, her experiences with recruitment demonstrate that the access granted by insider status is insufficient as grounds for a research relationship based on trust. This is so especially when the target population is as marginalized and embattled as the post 9/11 immigrant Muslim community. With more than two years of community immersion, however, she was able to foster enough trust to secure a large number of committed participants that spoke freely and thoughtfully about the issues at stake (78 in all).

scholarly journals Relationship between high rates of intestinal parasitic infections and knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Ndelele Health District populations (East Region, Cameroon): a cross-sectional mixed approach

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viviane Ongbassomben ◽  
Cyrille Ndo ◽  
Ericka A. Lebon ◽  
Hugues C. Nana Djeunga ◽  
Albert L. Same Ekobo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Health District ◽  
Indigenous Populations ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Intestinal Parasitic Infections ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
East Region ◽  
Hard To Reach Populations

AbstractBackgroundIntestinal parasitic infections remain of public health concern worldwide, especially among rural and poorest populations as a consequence of precariousness, lack of sanitation, non-availability of potable water and poor hygiene conditions. The present study aimed to better understand the epidemiology of intestinal parasitic infections in rural areas of forested Cameroon.MethodologyA cross-sectional survey was conducted in three Health Areas (Ndelele, Kentzou and Lolo) of the Ndelele Health District (East Region, Cameroon). Information on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding intestinal parasitic infections were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Stool samples were collected and analyzed by the Kato-Katz and formalin-ether concentration techniques to complement simple direct examination.Principal FindingsA total of 406 individuals belonging to three main groups (Kako or Bantu, Baka or Pygmies and Central African Republic refugees) were enrolled in the study. The overall intestinal parasitic infection rate was 74.9%, including 57.2% cases of polyparasitism. Fourteen parasite species were identified, 89.1% being intestinal protozoa and 41.8% belonging to helminths. Infections with helminths were associated with Baka (P < 0.0001). Spring water consumption was associated with hookworm infection (OR = 3.87; P = 0.008). Garbage deposited near houses was positively associated with infection with Giardia lamblia (OR = 3.41; P = 0.003). Polyparasitism was positively linked to washing hand without soap before meal (OR= 11.64; p= 0.002).Conclusion/SignificanceIntestinal parasitic infections exhibited high rates in the Ndelele Health District, especially among indigenous and hard-to-reach populations (Pygmies). Hygiene measures appear as the main drivers sustaining transmission, and targeted strategies should be developed to efficiently fight against these debilitating diseases.Author summaryIntestinal parasitic infections such as soil transmitted helminthiasis and schistosomiasis, remain a public health concern in Cameroon. To better understand the epidemiology of these infections in hard-to-reach populations in rural areas, a cross-sectional study was carried out in three health areas of Ndelele health District in the Eastern-Cameroon. The rate of intestinal parasitic infections was high (74.9%) especially in indigenous populations (Baka-Pygmies) which exhibited high prevalence of soil transmitted helminth infections (83.3%). The study confirmed that the lack of sanitation and poor hygiene largely contribute to the endemicity of intestinal parasitic infections, particularly among indigenous populations. Targeted control strategies seem mandatory to reach these populations and offer them appropriate care to interrupt or reduce the transmission of these diseases.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document