E-Civic Engagement and the Youth

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 87-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kheir Al-Kodmany ◽  
John Betancur ◽  
Sanjeev Vidyarthi

This article explores how community-based organizations working in low-income residential neighborhoods of U.S. cities employ e-tools and social networking platforms to engage the youth. The authors interviewed representatives of community organizations that work with young adults from lower-income groups in Chicago to comprehend their actual usages and perceptions of electronic tools. These organizations facilitate a wide-range of initiatives including political and after-school education, gang-free spaces, crime intervention and prevention, and arts and media. They found that the organizations have internalized the idea of employing e-Engagement techniques to enhance communication with their constituents but use new technologies and social media in multiple ways. Many respondents posit that the presently available e-tools enable certain forms of civic engagement but require sustained resources. Also stressed is the roles of face-to-face communication, offline-meetings, and other traditional means of interaction to ensure the commitment and quality of effective engagement in this age of e-participations.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Schensul ◽  
Susan Reisine ◽  
James Grady ◽  
Jianghong Li

BACKGROUND Low-income older adults experience disparities in oral health problems, including caries and periodontal disease, that can exacerbate already high levels of chronic and acute health problems. Behavioral interventions have been shown to improve oral health status but are typically administered in institutional rather than community settings. Furthermore, multiple simultaneous interventions at different levels in the locations where people live and work are likely to have more impact and sustainability than single interventions in clinical settings. OBJECTIVE This paper outlines a protocol for conducting a bilingual 5-year community-based trial of a bilevel intervention that addresses community norms, beliefs, intentions, and practices to improve oral health hygiene of vulnerable older adults living in publicly subsidized housing. The intervention utilizes (1) a face-to-face counseling approach (adapted motivational interviewing [AMI]) and (2) resident-run oral health campaigns in study buildings. METHODS The study’s modified fractional factorial crossover design randomizes 6 matched buildings into 2 conditions: AMI followed by campaign (AB) and campaign followed by AMI (BA). The total intervention cycle is approximately 18 months in duration. The design compares the 2 interventions alone (T0-T1), and in different sequences (T1-T2), using a self-reported survey and clinical assessment to measure Plaque Score (PS) and Gingival Index (GI) as outcomes. A final timepoint (T3), 6 months post T2, assesses sustainability of each sequence. The intervention is based on the Fishbein integrated model that includes both individual and contextual modifiers, norms and social influence, beliefs, attitudes, efficacy, and intention as predictors of improvements in PS, GI, and oral health quality of life. The cognitive and behavioral domains in the intervention constitute the mechanisms through which the intervention should have a positive effect. They are tailored through the AMI and targeted to building populations through the peer-facilitated oral health campaigns. The sample size is 360, 180 in each condition, with an attrition rate of 25%. The study is funded by National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) and has been reviewed by University of Connecticut and NIDCR institutional review boards and NIDCR’s clinical trials review procedures. RESULTS When compared against each other, the face-to-face intervention is expected to have greater positive effects on clinical outcomes and oral health quality of life through the mediators. When sequences are compared, the results may be similar but affected by different mediators. The arm consisting of the BA is expected to have better sustainability. The protocol’s unique features include the comparative effectiveness crossover design; the introduction of new emotion-based mediators; the balancing of fidelity, tailoring, and targeting; and resident engagement in the intervention. CONCLUSIONS If successful, the evaluated interventions can be scaled up for implementation in other low-income congregate living and recreational settings with older adult collectives. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02419144; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02419144 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT DERR1-10.2196/14555


10.2196/14555 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. e14555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Schensul ◽  
Susan Reisine ◽  
James Grady ◽  
Jianghong Li

Background Low-income older adults experience disparities in oral health problems, including caries and periodontal disease, that can exacerbate already high levels of chronic and acute health problems. Behavioral interventions have been shown to improve oral health status but are typically administered in institutional rather than community settings. Furthermore, multiple simultaneous interventions at different levels in the locations where people live and work are likely to have more impact and sustainability than single interventions in clinical settings. Objective This paper outlines a protocol for conducting a bilingual 5-year community-based trial of a bilevel intervention that addresses community norms, beliefs, intentions, and practices to improve oral health hygiene of vulnerable older adults living in publicly subsidized housing. The intervention utilizes (1) a face-to-face counseling approach (adapted motivational interviewing [AMI]) and (2) resident-run oral health campaigns in study buildings. Methods The study’s modified fractional factorial crossover design randomizes 6 matched buildings into 2 conditions: AMI followed by campaign (AB) and campaign followed by AMI (BA). The total intervention cycle is approximately 18 months in duration. The design compares the 2 interventions alone (T0-T1), and in different sequences (T1-T2), using a self-reported survey and clinical assessment to measure Plaque Score (PS) and Gingival Index (GI) as outcomes. A final timepoint (T3), 6 months post T2, assesses sustainability of each sequence. The intervention is based on the Fishbein integrated model that includes both individual and contextual modifiers, norms and social influence, beliefs, attitudes, efficacy, and intention as predictors of improvements in PS, GI, and oral health quality of life. The cognitive and behavioral domains in the intervention constitute the mechanisms through which the intervention should have a positive effect. They are tailored through the AMI and targeted to building populations through the peer-facilitated oral health campaigns. The sample size is 360, 180 in each condition, with an attrition rate of 25%. The study is funded by National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) and has been reviewed by University of Connecticut and NIDCR institutional review boards and NIDCR’s clinical trials review procedures. Results When compared against each other, the face-to-face intervention is expected to have greater positive effects on clinical outcomes and oral health quality of life through the mediators. When sequences are compared, the results may be similar but affected by different mediators. The arm consisting of the BA is expected to have better sustainability. The protocol’s unique features include the comparative effectiveness crossover design; the introduction of new emotion-based mediators; the balancing of fidelity, tailoring, and targeting; and resident engagement in the intervention. Conclusions If successful, the evaluated interventions can be scaled up for implementation in other low-income congregate living and recreational settings with older adult collectives. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02419144; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02419144 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/14555


2021 ◽  
pp. 001312452110045
Author(s):  
Irma Y. Ramirez

This exploratory study examines the role community-based organizations have in bridging low-income students of color to postsecondary institutions. Data came from interviews with organization staff, high school students, and college students associated with three distinct community-based organizations located in a mid-size city. The findings suggest that organization staff are well-positioned in youth, academic, and community social networks. Staff become social brokers across these networks through three steps: cultivating authentic and safe relationships, lessons from students, and becoming advocates. Community-based organization staff strategically advocate for underrepresented student college enrollment and admissions by serving as social brokers between students, schools, and their communities.


BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. e020913 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrés Cabrera-León ◽  
Miguel Ángel Cantero-Braojos ◽  
Llenalia Garcia-Fernandez ◽  
Juan Antonio Guerra de Hoyos

ObjectivesTo estimate the prevalence of disabling chronic pain (DCP) in Spanish adults, to analyse its characteristics, to determine its multimorbidity and to identify its associated factors.Settings2011 Andalusian Health Survey, a cross-sectional population survey based on face-to-face home interviews.Participants6507 people aged 16 years or older and living in Andalusia, Spain.OutcomesThe response variable was disabling chronic pain. Multivariate multinomial logistic regression models were used to analyse the association of factors with disabling chronic pain. The sample design was considered throughout the statistical analysis.ResultsThe prevalence of disabling chronic pain in the Spanish adult population was 11.36% (95% CI 11.23 to 11.49), while that of non-disabling chronic pain was 5.67% (95% CI 5.57 to 5.77). Disabling chronic pain was associated with high multimorbidity (especially in women (51%) and in the elderly (70%) with three or more additional chronic diseases), as well as with disadvantaged social status (such as female gender (OR=2.12), advanced age (OR10-year increase=1.28), unemployment (OR=1.33), manual work (OR=1.26), low income (OR=1.14) and reduced emotional social support (OR=1.04)). Other influential factors were tobacco consumption (OR=1.42), sleeping ≤7 hours (OR=1.2)], environmental or work conditions (OR=1.16) and quality of life (ORmental=1.21, ORphysical=2.37).ConclusionsThe population with disabling chronic pain was associated with multimorbidity, vulnerable social status and an impaired quality of life. In contrast, the population with non-disabling chronic pain showed almost no differences when compared with the population without chronic pain. The association between DCP and mental disorders highlights the need for psychosocial services in the management of chronic pain.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 8-24
Author(s):  
Vyacheslav Bobkov ◽  
Nikolay Dolgushkin ◽  
Yelena Odintsova

The article is devoted to the study of the possible impact of the introduction of universal basic income on improving the standards of living and quality of life and sustainability of societies. The theoretical part of the article reveals the problems that require further study of the category of " universal basic income" (UBI), such as its relationship with the transformation of the state and society, labour and employment, the standards of living and quality of life; the reasons for the introduction and tasks that are solved with the use of UBI, contradictions and limitations of this tool of political, economic and social reforms. In the practical part of the article on the basis of systematization of the most important experiments on the introduction of UBI the conclusion of the transitional forms of its experimental implementation is made: the conditionality (for the target categories of citizens), not the unconditionality of payments, limited period of payment, small size, commensurate with the national subsistence minimum. All this does not allow us to consider this payment as a basic one with all its local impact on the transformation of social systems in the countries concerned. The conclusion is made about the embryonic practical application of UBI elements in Rossiya. A number of recommendations for additions to the testing elements of the universal basic income in our country have been elaborated: to increase per capita income after the provision of targeted social support to low-income sections of the population; to select the trajectories of employment for registered unemployed persons; to reduce the time transitions of graduates from educational institutions to stable or satisfactory employment; and to increase the level of security for the employed with a wide range of characteristics of precarity of employment. The Object of the Study is country societies and their separate regional and social groups.The Subject of the Study is the transformation of employment, social protection and sustainability of societies in connection with the introduction of elements of universal basic income.The Purpose of the Study is identifying hypothetical possibilities of influence on the improvement of the standards of living and quality of life and sustainability of societies by the introduction of universal basic income and analysing the results of testing its transitional forms.


2020 ◽  
pp. OP.20.00572
Author(s):  
Jorge G. Darcourt ◽  
Kalia Aparicio ◽  
Phillip M. Dorsey ◽  
Joe E. Ensor ◽  
Eva M. Zsigmond ◽  
...  

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of telemedicine amid the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in patients with cancer and assess barriers to its implementation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Telehealth video visits, using the Houston Methodist MyChart platform, were offered to patients with cancer as an alternative to in-person visits. Reasons given by patients who declined to use video visits were documented, and demographic information was collected from all patients. Surveys were used to assess the levels of satisfaction of treating physicians and patients who agreed to video visits. RESULTS: Of 1,762 patients with cancer who were offered telehealth video visits, 1,477 (83.8%) participated. The patients who declined participation were older (67.7 v 60.2 years; P < .0001), lived in significantly lower-income areas ( P = .0021), and were less likely to have commercial insurance ( P < .0001) than patients who participated. Most participating patients (92.6%) were satisfied with telehealth video visits. A majority of physicians (65.2%) were also satisfied with its use, and 74% indicated that they would likely use telemedicine in the future. Primary concerns that physicians had in using this technology were inadequate patient interactions and acquisition of medical data, increased potential for missing significant clinical findings, decreased quality of care, and potential medical liability. CONCLUSION: Oncology/hematology patients and their physicians expressed high levels of satisfaction with the use of telehealth video visits. Despite recent advances in technology, there are still opportunities to improve the equal implementation of telemedicine for the medical care of vulnerable older, low-income, and underinsured patient populations.


2003 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 39-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisa Sobo

In 1998, California launched Healthy Families/Medi-Cal for Children (HF/MCC). HF/MCC provides low- and no-cost insurance to low-income children. Six million dollars was budgeted for culturally appropriate outreach and enrollment activities and 72 community-based organizations (CBOs) were contracted to carry these out. The contracts were performance based and required measurable outcomes, such as successful enrollments, to increase local public awareness and generate enrollment in HF/MCC. Children's Hospital San Diego was hired (through the San Diego State Foundation) to evaluate the CBOs' performance. This article describes the fortuitous incorporation of a qualitative anthropological component. The protocol developed might be applied in other rapid health services evaluation contexts, especially when other members of the evaluation team (or the sponsors) have not yet been convinced of the usefulness of the qualitative approach.


1998 ◽  
Vol 4 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 33-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deede Gammon ◽  
Tore Sørlie ◽  
Svein Bergvik ◽  
Tordis Sørensen Høifødt

Psychiatry residents in Norway have 70 hours of mandatory psychotherapy supervision to develop insights into the therapeutic relationship. Six supervision pairs (six candidates and two supervisors) conducted five videoconferencing-based supervision sessions (384kbit/s) and five face-to-face sessions alternating weekly for 10 sessions. Following completion of the 10 sessions for candidates and supervisor B, and the 50 sessions for supervisor A, all subjects completed a semi-structured interview within two weeks. The eight subjects reported a wide range of experiences and attitudes. The results suggested that the quality of supervision can be satisfactorily maintained by using videoconferencing for up to half of the 70 hours required. The precondition for this estimate is that the pair in question have met face to face and established a relationship characterized by mutual trust and respect. Further studies, which include supervision pairs not having previously established relationships, are needed in order to indicate the generality of this precondition. The most obvious implication of this study is the potential for implementing decentralized models for recruiting and educating psychiatrists.


2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (04) ◽  
pp. 415-420
Author(s):  
Herchel Clarke ◽  
Miranda Voss

ObjectiveTo determine whether a community-based, multidisciplinary team consisting of home-based caregivers and supervised students could improve the functional status and quality of life of patients living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a low-income, peri-urban setting in South Africa.MethodsThis was a quasi-experimental study conducted over three months. Attention was paid to health literacy, inhaler technique, respiratory conditioning and nutrition.ResultsHealth literacy was poor and most patients were not using their inhalers correctly. Five of 12 patients found exercising challenging and withdrew from the study early. In the remaining seven patients, statistically significant improvements in FEV1%, and quality of life scores were seen at three months. Improvements in exercise tolerance and BODE prognostic index did not reach statistical significance.ConclusionA home-based multidisciplinary student team can improve the functional status and the quality of life in patients living with COPD in a low-income setting. This approach offers a suitable model for community-based service learning.


2019 ◽  

Focused on community play memories, the goals of this project were to (1) uncover the variety and degree of playful learning memories; (2) ascertain whether community members would spontaneously share memories of play, and (3) appraise whether memories differed between low-income and mixed-income communities. Results indicated that although community members freely shared play memories, the responses differed between the two communities. Those from the lower-income neighborhood were more likely to share experiences of playful learning; these embraced multiple dimensions of development (e.g. cognitive, social, physical); describing a rarely acknowledged strength of lower-income communities. It is concluded that a community project can elicit fond memories of playful learning and the wider range of play experiences. This portrait of a playful learning community can be achieved through a fun and rich neighborhood experience. This study has implications for community engagement and supporting play as a vehicle for community learning across diverse communities.


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