Group sex in the time of COVID: Intimacy, learning, and community-building in sexual communities during a pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. e20210014
Author(s):  
Anabelle Bernard Fournier ◽  
Karyn Fulcher ◽  
Leah Shumka ◽  
Nathan J. Lachowsky
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Community Building ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Community Advisory Board ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Key Informants ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Group Sex

Introduction: COVID-19 has had a profound effect on every aspect of contemporary life, including sexuality. Physical distancing measures and limitations on large gatherings explicitly restrict in-person group sex events. We sought to understand how the pandemic and associated public health control measures have affected group sex practitioners and activities. Methods: We used a community-based participatory research approach. In fall 2019, we recruited a Community Advisory Board (CAB) of group sex key informants via community agencies, social media, and relevant websites (e.g., FetLife, Squirt). To be eligible, participants had to be at least 18 years old and have recently participated in a local group sex event (i.e. sex, broadly defined, with more than 3 people). Ethics approval was secured for the CAB as a longitudinal focus group study. Focus group meetings were audio recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed. In December 2019, participants were asked about definitions of group sex. In May 2020, participants were asked about COVID-19 impacts. Results: Key informants shared that due to COVID-19 restrictions, group sex events were cancelled and participants only had sex with others they were isolating with. Participants emphasized the challenges of isolation, the need to be patient, but also the opportunities associated with isolation. Participants reported attending online group sex events (e.g. Zoom orgies) as well as skill-building classes (e.g. rope bondage). Participants anticipated in-person events in the future, but felt that moving online opened up new opportunities for community-building. Conclusions: Participants adhered to physical distancing protocols and quickly adapted to social isolation through innovative use of technology.

scholarly journals Blending Indigenous Sharing Circle and Western Focus Group Methodologies for the Study of Indigenous Children’s Health: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 160940692110151
Author(s):  
Sarah C. Hunt ◽  
Nancy L. Young
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Children's Health ◽  
Children’S Health ◽  
Community Advisory Board ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Sharing Circles

The primary objective of this systematic review was to investigate how Western focus groups and Indigenous sharing circles have been blended for the study of Indigenous children’s health. The secondary objective of this study was to propose recommendations for adapting focus groups to include elements of sharing circles. This systematic review was conducted using a systematic search of original research articles published between 2009 and 2020 that (a) focused on North American Indigenous children’s health and (b) used group-based qualitative methods including focus groups and sharing circles. Each of the articles was screened for relevance and quality. The methods sections were reviewed, subjected to qualitative content analysis, and codes were analyzed to identify common themes and synthesize results. We identified 29 articles, most of which followed a community-based participatory research approach. In these publications, most included a community advisory board, ethics approval was obtained, and in some cases, community members were included as research assistants. There was evidence that sharing circles and focus group methods had been blended in the recent Indigenous children’s health literature. This was particularly apparent in the authors’ approaches to recruitment, location, facilitation techniques, question format and reimbursement. Several groups have published results that describe approaches that successfully incorporated aspects of Indigenous sharing circles into Western focus groups, thus establishing a research method that is culturally safe and appropriate for the study of Indigenous children’s health.

scholarly journals Elementary school teachers’ perception of Dengue and its environmentally friendly prevention: A focus group study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilik Zuhriyah ◽  
Dearikha Karina Mayashinta ◽  
Nia Kurnianingsih ◽  
Holipah Holipah ◽  
Aulia Rahmi Pawestri
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Environmentally Friendly ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Inorganic Waste ◽  
Dengue Prevention ◽  
Prevention In Schools

Understanding teachers’ perceptions towards dengue prevention in schools is an important factor for an optimal implementation of dengue prevention and control measures. This qualitative study aimed to explore teachers’ perceptions of dengue and its prevention in an environmentally friendly manner. 31 informants were chosen from 6 elementary schools. Data were obtained by Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and then analyzed by using Systematic Text Condensation and an editing analysis style. The results showed that the teachers confirmed the presence of patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever from students and residents living around the school. Most teachers agree and want to know about ovitrap applications in school, which is environmentally friendly. However, most teachers refuse to manage inorganic waste because of the bad experience. Engaging teachers in dengue prevention in schools has a high potential for success as long as it is efficient in terms of time and effort.

scholarly journals Bladder Health Experiences, Perceptions and Knowledge of Sexual and Gender Minorities

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (17) ◽  
pp. 3170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecilia T. Hardacker ◽  
Anna Baccellieri ◽  
Elizabeth R. Mueller ◽  
Linda Brubaker ◽  
Georgia Hutchins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minorities ◽  
Trans Men ◽  
Gender Minorities ◽  
Health Experiences ◽  
Gender Affirmation ◽  
And Gender

While recent efforts have been made to understand the bladder health experiences, perceptions, and knowledge of cisgender adolescent females and women, virtually nothing is known about the bladder health experiences of people who identify as sexual and gender minorities (SGMs). A community-based participatory research approach using a focus group methodology to engage 36 adult participants who identify as SGM, including individuals who identify as gender non-conforming, queer, transgender (trans) men, or lesbian, in one of six focus group discussions on bladder health. Using directed content qualitative data analysis from the six unique focus groups, three interrelated themes were revealed: gender socialization of voiding behavior and toilet environment culture producing identity threats, and risks to gender affirmation; consequences of hetero-cis normative bathroom infrastructure necessitating adaptive voiding behaviors; and, physical and psychosocial consequences of chronic anxiety and fear are associated with voiding experiences. Insight on how SGMs navigate voiding behaviors, toilet experiences, and health care seeking is needed to assure that bladder health promotion activities are inclusive of this population’s needs.

scholarly journals Young Adults, Technology, and Weight Loss: A Focus Group Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janna Stephens ◽  
Gyasi Moscou-Jackson ◽  
Jerilyn K. Allen
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Need Support ◽  
Smartphone Technology ◽  
Group Sessions ◽  
Weight Loss Interventions

Overweight and obesity are a major concern in young adults. Technology has been integrated into many weight loss interventions; however little is known about the use of this technology in young adults. The purpose of this study was to explore through focus group sessions the opinions of young adults on the use of technology for weight loss. A total of 17 young adults, between 18 and 25 years of age, participated in three focus group sessions. Major results indicated that young adults have very little knowledge on the use of Smartphone technology for weight loss but would like to use this type of technology to help them lose weight. Results also indicated that young adults struggle to make healthy food choices and have priorities that outweigh exercise and they need support and guidance to make better decisions. In conclusion, young adults would be open to using Smartphone technology for weight loss but also need feedback and guidance to help make healthy decisions.

scholarly journals Understanding How Communities Respond to COVID-19: Experiences from the Orthodox Jewish Communities of Antwerp City

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jef Vanhamel ◽  
Marie Meudec ◽  
Ella Van Landeghem ◽  
Maya Ronse ◽  
Charlotte Gryseels ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Involvement ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Community Advisory Board ◽  
Orthodox Jewish ◽  
Jewish Communities ◽  
Key Informants ◽  
Active Involvement ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: The importance of community involvement in the response against disease outbreaks has been well established. However, we lack insights into local communities’ experiences in coping with the current COVID-19 pandemic. This study explored both the impact of, and response to, COVID-19 within the Orthodox Jewish communities of Antwerp (Belgium) during the first lockdown period (March 2020 – May 2020).Methods: We conducted an explorative qualitative study using a participatory approach. First, we performed a community mapping to identify relevant stakeholders. Through the active involvement of a community advisory board and based on qualitative interviews with key-informants and community members, we elicited lived experiences, attitudes, and perceptions towards COVID-19. Interviews were conducted both face-to-face and using online web conferencing technology. Data were analyzed inductively according to the principles of thematic analysis.Results: Government-issued outbreak control measures presented context-specific challenges to the Orthodox Jewish communities in Antwerp. They related mainly to the remote organization of religious life, and practicing physical distancing in socially and culturally strongly connected communities. Key informants described how existing community resources were rapidly mobilized to adapt to the outbreak and to self-organize response initiatives within communities. This included the active involvement of community and religious leaders in risk communication, which proved to be of great importance to facilitate coverage and uptake of pandemic control measures while protecting essential community values and traditions. Creating bottom-up and community-adapted communication strategies, including addressing language barriers and involving Rabbis in the dissemination of prevention messages, fostered a feeling of trust in government’s response measures. However, unmet information and prevention needs were also identified, such as the need for inclusive communication by public authorities and the need to mitigate the negative effects of stigmatization.Conclusion: The experiences of Orthodox Jewish communities in Antwerp demonstrate a valuable example of a feasible community-centered approach to health emergencies. Increasing the engagement of communities in local decision-making and governance structures remains a key strategy to respond to unmet information and prevention needs.

scholarly journals Attitudes and Perspectives of Older Adults on Technologies for Assessing Frailty in Home Settings: A Focus Group Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao Bian ◽  
Bing Ye ◽  
Anna Hoonakker ◽  
Alex Mihailidis
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Consumer Involvement ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Attitudes And Perceptions ◽  
Group Interviews

Abstract Background The rapid development of technology such as sensors and artificial intelligence in recent years enables monitoring frailty criteria to assess frailty early and accurately from a remote location such as a home. However, research shows technologies being abandoned or rejected by users due to a lack of compatibility and consumer involvement with the technologies. This study aims to understand older adult’s perceptions and preferences of technologies that can be potentially used to assess frailty in home settings. Methods This study is a qualitative study in which data were collected through focus group interviews. We recruited 15 older participants. Questions were asked to achieve the goal of understanding their attitudes on the technologies. These questions include 1) the concerns or barriers of installing and using the presented technology in daily life at home, 2) the reasons participants like or dislike a particular technology, 3) what makes a particular technology more acceptable, and 4) participants’ preferences in choosing technologies. Data were transcribed, coded and categorized, and finally synthesized to understand the attitudes towards presented technologies.Results A total of 15 older adults aged 65 and older were recruited. Three focus group sessions were conducted with five participants in each session. In the findings, the attitudes and perspectives of participants on the technologies for assessing frailty were presented in four areas: A) general attitude towards using the technologies, B) concerns about the technologies, C) existing living habits or patterns related to using the technologies, and D) constructive suggestions related to the technologies.Conclusions This study focuses on understanding the attitudes and perceptions of older adults on several technologies that could potentially be used to assess frailty in home settings. Participants generally have positive attitudes towards allowing the technologies to be installed and used at their home. Some technologies were found to be more acceptable if used under certain conditions. However, questions and concerns still remain. The study also found the living habits or patterns of older adults could affect the design and use of technology. Lastly, many valuable suggestions have been made by participants.

scholarly journals Asthma in Children With Comorbid Obesity

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 880-890 ◽  
Author(s):  
Molly A. Martin ◽  
Eleanor C. Floyd ◽  
Sara K. Nixon ◽  
Sandra Villalpando ◽  
Madeleine Shalowitz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
School Level ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Key Informants ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Community Agencies ◽  
Low Income Children

This article describes formative work conducted to inform design of an intervention targeting asthma control in overweight/obese children. Using a PRECEDE-PROCEED framework and a community-based participatory research approach, investigators conducted key informant interviews and focus groups in a low-income urban community. Key informants ( N = 18) represented schools and community agencies. Focus groups were conducted with caregivers (4 groups, N = 31) and children (3 groups, N = 30). Focus group participants were low-income and African American, Puerto Rican, or Mexican. Children were age 5 to 12 years and overweight or obese with a diagnosis of asthma; caregivers had a child meeting these criteria. A range of issues competed with families’ day-to-day prioritization and management of asthma, with social limitations reported as the most important issue. Many school-level and individual-level barriers were described. Caregivers and children drew strong connections between asthma and obesity and described their need to comanage these conditions. The connection between the diseases was not as obvious for the key informants, many of whom control the services families receive. These results led to an understanding of key targets and components that are needed for a multilevel community-based intervention to be relevant and appropriate in low-income children with both asthma and obesity.

scholarly journals Adapting a home telemonitoring intervention for underserved Hispanic/Latino patients with type 2 diabetes: an acceptability and feasibility study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Renee Pekmezaris ◽  
Myia S. Williams ◽  
Briana Pascarelli ◽  
Kayla D. Finuf ◽  
Yael T. Harris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Advisory Board ◽  
Community Advisory Board ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Major Theme ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Home Telemonitoring

Abstract Background Home telemonitoring is a promising approach to optimizing outcomes for patients with Type 2 Diabetes; however, this care strategy has not been adapted for use with understudied and underserved Hispanic/Latinos (H/L) patients with Type 2 Diabetes. Methods A formative, Community-Based Participatory Research approach was used to adapt a home telemonitoring intervention to facilitate acceptability and feasibility for vulnerable H/L patients. Utilizing the ADAPT-ITT framework, key stakeholders were engaged over an 8-month iterative process using a combination of strategies, including focus groups and structured interviews. Nine Community Advisory Board, Patient Advisory, and Provider Panel Committee focus group discussions were conducted, in English and Spanish, to garner stakeholder input before intervention implementation. Focus groups and structured interviews were also conducted with 12 patients enrolled in a 1-month pilot study, to obtain feedback from patients in the home to further adapt the intervention. Focus groups and structured interviews were approximately 2 hours and 30 min, respectively. All focus groups and structured interviews were audio-recorded and professionally transcribed. Structural coding was used to mark responses to topical questions in the moderator and interview guides. Results Two major themes emerged from qualitative analyses of Community Advisory Board/subcommittee focus group data. The first major theme involved intervention components to maximize acceptance/usability. Subthemes included tablet screens (e.g., privacy/identity concerns; enlarging font sizes; lighter tablet to facilitate portability); cultural incongruence (e.g., language translation/literacy, foods, actors “who look like me”); nursing staff (e.g., ensuring accessibility; appointment flexibility); and, educational videos (e.g., the importance of information repetition). A second major theme involved suggested changes to the randomized control trial study structure to maximize participation, including a major restructuring of the consenting process and changes designed to optimize recruitment strategies. Themes from pilot participant focus group/structured interviews were similar to those of the Community Advisory Board such as the need to address and simplify a burdensome consenting process, the importance of assuring privacy, and an accessible, culturally congruent nurse. Conclusions These findings identify important adaptation recommendations from the stakeholder and potential user perspective that should be considered when implementing home telemonitoring for underserved patients with Type 2 Diabetes. Trial registration NCT03960424; ClinicalTrials.gov (US National Institutes of Health). Registered 23 May 2019. Registered prior to data collection. https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03960424?term=NCT03960424&draw=2&rank=1

scholarly journals Attitudes and perspectives of older adults on technologies for assessing frailty in home settings: a focus group study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao Bian ◽  
Bing Ye ◽  
Anna Hoonakker ◽  
Alex Mihailidis
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Consumer Involvement ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Specific Technology ◽  
At Home

Abstract Background The rapid development of technology such as sensors and artificial intelligence in recent years enables monitoring frailty criteria to assess frailty early and accurately from a remote location such as a home. However, research shows technologies being abandoned or rejected by users due to a lack of compatibility and consumer involvement in selecting their assistive technology devices. This study aims to understand older adults’ perceptions and preferences of technologies that can potentially assess frailty at home. Methods This study collected qualitative data through focus group meetings with 15 participants ages 65 and older. Researchers asked participants questions to achieve the goal of understanding their attitudes on the technologies. These questions include (1) the concerns or barriers of installing and using the presented technology in daily life at home, (2) the reasons participants like or dislike a particular technology, (3) what makes a specific technology more acceptable, and (4) participants’ preferences in choosing technologies. Data were transcribed, coded and categorized, and finally synthesized to understand the attitudes towards presented technologies. Results Three focus group sessions were conducted with five participants in each session. In the findings, the attitudes and perspectives of participants on the technologies for assessing frailty were categorized into four themes: (A) general attitude towards using the technologies, (B) conditions for accepting certain technologies, (C) existing living habits or patterns related to using the technologies, and (D) constructive suggestions related to the technologies. Conclusions Participants generally had positive attitudes towards allowing the technologies to be installed and used at their homes. They would accept some technologies if used under certain conditions. However, questions and concerns remain, such as concerns about privacy, functionality, and aesthetics. The study also found that older adults’ living habits or patterns could affect the design and use of technology. Lastly, many valuable suggestions have been made by participants. These perspectives and insights can help improve the design and adoption of home-based frailty assessment technologies among older adults.

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