Exploring peer navigation and support in the quality of HIV care experiences of female sex workers in the Dominican Republic

Background Despite evidence on peer navigation’s association with positive HIV outcomes, such as engagement in HIV care and antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation, the mechanisms through which peer navigation may influence these outcomes have been less explored. The purpose of this study is to describe the role of peer navigation and support on enhancing the quality of HIV treatment and care services experienced by female sex workers (FSWs). Methods Survey data was derived from a quantitative cohort (n = 211) of FSWs living with HIV in the Dominican Republic and complemented with data from two rounds of in-depth interviews (IDIs) from a qualitative subsample (n = 20 per round). Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regressions were used to explore the association between peer navigation and relational aspects of care and overall satisfaction of the quality of HIV treatment and care. Thematic analysis was employed to code and synthesize textual data from IDIs. Results 41.2% of the participants reported having had contact with a peer navigator in the last 6 months. Qualitative data revealed that peer navigation and support was instrumental in assisting FSWs linkage to HIV care after diagnosis, elevating FSWs’ ability to access more comprehensive clinical care facilities, and promoting agency by improving FSWs’ skills to more strategically and effectively engage with the clinic environment and health care providers. Peer navigation was positively associated with experiencing more respectful treatment by clinic staff (AOR: 6.65, 95% CI: 2.32–19.02), and greater satisfaction with overall HIV care services (AOR: 2.57, 95% CI: 1.77–3.74). Conclusion Promoting the full integration of peer navigation into healthcare structures is a strategic approach to enhance the quality of HIV care experienced by FSWs and improve their HIV-related outcomes.

Psychometric properties of the Adolescents’Academic Motivation Scale (AAMS) in a representative sample of Dominican Republic high school students

Within the growing body of research that has focused on academic success, academic motivation has gathered considerable attention. The aim of this this research is to present the first validation of the Adolescents’ Academic Motivation Scale (AAMS). Total sample was composed by 1712 students of secondary education from two districts in the Dominican Republic. The main measurement outcome was the AAMS. Results from the CFA were satisfactory: χ2(5) = 57.73, p < .001; CFI = .970; RMSEA = .079 [.061, .097], and SRMR = .024. IRT analyses favored the two-parameter logistic model, indicating that items were not equally discriminant. Structural Equation Model with latent variables in which academic motivation was a significant predictor of grades resulted in excellent fit: χ2(53) = 182.76, p < .001; CFI = .980; RMSEA = .038 90% CI [.032, .044], and SRMR = .025. In sum, this work presents an exhaustive psychometric analysis of the AAMS in a representative sample of high school Dominican students. Entre el creciente cuerpo de investigación que se ha centrado en el éxito académico, la motivación académica ha captado considerable atención. El objetivo de esta investigación es presentar la primera validación de la Escala de Motivación Académica de los Adolescentes (EMAA). La muestra total estuvo compuesta por 1712 estudiantes de secundaria de dos distritos de la República Dominicana. La medida principal fue la EMAA. Los resultados del AFC fueron satisfactorios: χ2(5) = 57.73, p < .001; CFI = .970; RMSEA = .079, 90% CI [.061, .097], y SRMR = .024. Los análisis de TRI favorecieron al modelo logístico de dos parámetros, indicando que los ítems no fueron igualmente discriminativos. El Modelo de Ecuaciones Estructurales en el que la motivación académica predecía de forma estadísticamente significativa las calificaciones obtuvo un ajuste excelente: χ2(53) = 182.76, p < .001; CFI = .980; RMSEA = .038 [.032, .044], and SRMR = .025. En resumen, este trabajo presenta un exhaustivo análisis psicométrico de la EMAA en una muestra representativa de estudiantes dominicanos de instituto.

Participatory Budgeting Within the Framework of Open Government

Participatory budgeting is a public policy and management instrument as well as a mechanism to help develop citizen participation and transparency. This chapter examines participatory budgeting from its origins, evolution, and the way in which it has contributed to make management transparent at the local government level, appropriately guiding the use of financial resources while contributing to the fight against corruption. This work demonstrates how the Dominican Republic is implementing participatory budgeting policies and their impact on the administration of local municipalities, quality of life improvements, and citizen participation as a core democratic principle of direct open government. This chapter presents a strong case, based on the example of municipal-level governments in the Dominican Republic, that participatory budgeting at the local level is one of the most important direct democratic instruments of Open Governments after the right to vote to create a solid foundation for good governance at the local level.

Old World Methods, New World Pots. The Introduction of the Potter’s Wheel to the Spanish Colonies of Concepción de la Vega and Cotuí (Dominican Republic 1495–1562)

Wheel-made ceramics from early colonial Caribbean sites (1492–1562) have traditionally been labelled as European imports. This paper challenges that assumption, as the intercultural interactions within colonies in the New World have led to the creation of new social identities and changing material culture repertoires. Macro-trace ceramic analysis from the sites of Concepción de la Vega and Cotuí (Hispaniola, present-day Dominican Republic) show that the potter’s wheel was in fact introduced to the Spanish colonies at an early stage. The evidence of RKE (rotative kinetic energy) on sherds and the discovery of parts of a potter’s wheel are the earliest traces of the potter’s wheel found in the Americas. Here we aim to present how the potter’s wheel was introduced within the context of transcultural pottery forming. This paper will show that traditional coiling techniques were supplemented with finishing techniques on the wheel. The transformation processes within ceramic repertoires are assessed through theories of colonialism and learning processes, combined with archaeological and ethnoarchaeological assessment of the ceramic chaîne opératoire. Evidence from ceramic analysis is combined with historical sources to understand social processes surrounding the technological changes behind the introduction of the potter’s wheel to the New World colonies.