scholarly journals Talking about Height and Quality of Life: A Content-Analysis of Focus Group Discussions with Short-Statured Children and Their Parents in the US

2016 ◽  
Vol 06 (11) ◽  
pp. 229-241
Author(s):  
Rachel Sommer ◽  
Monika Bullinger ◽  
Andreas Pleil ◽  
Nelly Mauras ◽  
Judith Ross ◽  
...  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rathi Ramji ◽  
Elisabeth Carlson ◽  
Anders Kottorp ◽  
Sergey Shleev ◽  
Eman Awad ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Despite numerous interventions aiming to improve physical activity in socially disadvantaged populations, physical inactivity remains to be a rising challenge to public health globally, as well as, in Sweden. In an effort to address this challenge, a community-based participatory intervention was developed through active community engagement and implemented in a socially disadvantaged neighborhood in Sweden. The current study aims to present the development and initial evaluation of a participatory research driven physical activity intervention. Methods Fifteen participants (11 females and 4 males) aged 17–59 years volunteered to participate in the physical activity intervention program. The intervention program was evaluated using a longitudinal mixed methods design measuring health impact changes over time through focus group discussions and quality of life surveys. Further additional biomedical health parameters such as levels of glycosylated hemoglobin, blood pressure, levels of oxygen saturation and body mass index were monitored before and after the intervention. Focus group data were analyzed using content analysis with an inductive approach. The pre-and post-test scores from the survey-based quality of life domains, as well as the health parameters were compared using non-parametric and parametric statistics. Results Four themes emerged from the analysis of the focus group discussions including sense of fellowship, striving for inclusion and equity, changing the learner perspective and health beyond illness. The scores for the domains Physical Health, Psychological Health, Social Relationships and Health Satisfaction where significantly higher after participation in the physical activity intervention program compared to the pre-test scores (p < .05)s. There were however, no significant changes in the scores for the environmental domain and overall quality of life after intervention compared to that prior to intervention start. Overall, the biomedical health parameters remained stable within the normal ranges during intervention. Conclusion The focus group discussions and results from the surveys and biomedical measures reveal important findings to understand and further develop the intervention program to promote health equity among citizens in disadvantaged areas. Evaluating the feasibility of such an intervention using multiple approaches contributes to effective implementation of it for larger communities in need.


2015 ◽  
Vol 76 (14) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahid Sultan ◽  
Mehdi Moeinaddini ◽  
Zohreh Asadi-Shekari ◽  
Muhammad Zaly Shah

Using a qualitative methods approach, this study explores the key factors that influence household neighbourhood choice. Three newly developed residential neighbourhoods have been studied to examine resident decision making around their neighbourhood preferences. Four focus group (n = 4) discussions with 29 individuals who were recent movers to the study areas were conducted to examine the reasons behind neighbourhood choice and the needs of the household. The results revealed that household neighbourhood choice decisions were multi-faceted and complex. The key findings can be classified into six categories: safety, residential environment, neighbourhood facilities, accessibility, economic and demographic factors. Residents emphasised that the combination of land-use and transportation planning may be one important part of multi-layered solutions to improve quality of life in residential neighbourhoods. 


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 102s-102s
Author(s):  
C. Asuzu ◽  
E. Akin-Odanye ◽  
A. Ntekim ◽  
A. Ogundiran ◽  
M. Asuzu ◽  
...  

Background: Breast cancer is a global health problem of the 21th century. In developing countries, it is the third most common cause of death after infectious, parasitic, and cardiovascular diseases. Experience of late stage cancer carries a high emotional burden, due to poor outcomes and lack of comprehensive care. Currently in Nigeria, most cancer patients are looked after almost solely by their primary clinical oncologists, with minimal psychological and social care. There is a great need to broaden the care to include the psychosocial component now, considered a priority in clinical practice guidelines worldwide. Aim: To assess distress levels and improve quality of life of metastatic breast cancer patients through a continued support group system and psychotherapy. Produce field-tested audio-visual community education, psychosocial support and advocacy materials aimed at improving early diagnosis and reducing breast cancer death. Methods: This is a mixed-methods design study including a prepost design and qualitative focus group discussions. The study will enroll all consecutive patients in advanced stages 3 and 4 of their illness who consent to be included in the study until the estimated sample size of about 100 for the given period of the study is attained. The knowledge and attitude questionnaires, quality of life instruments as well as the distress thermometer will be administered to the patients to ascertain both their levels at baseline presentation as well as identify those who may benefit from psychotherapy. The eligible (stage 3 and 4) patients will be exposed to group psychosocial supportive interventions for three months before reassessment of the baseline parameters to ascertain the value of these interventions for the patients. Breast cancer education tools will be developed during the group interactions and construct validated with nonbreast cancer patients in the community. Results from focus group discussions will be used to triangulate the findings from the other aspects of the study. Data will be analyzed both descriptively and inferentially. Results: Progress to date includes obtaining ethical committee approval for the study protocol with the registration number NHREC/05/01/2008a from the UI/UCH Joint Research Ethics Committee. The research nurses have been trained in distress assessment. Their sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge and attitudes in regard of cancer, distress states, effects of the various psychological and social interventions on the patients and advocacy tools from the group therapy will be the products of this research. Conclusion: The results of this work will be used to advance cancer care and promote advocacy in the UCH and other similar cancer care settings in Nigeria and other developing countries.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e000822
Author(s):  
Robert C Hughes ◽  
Patricia Kitsao-Wekulo ◽  
Sunil Bhopal ◽  
Elizabeth W Kimani-Murage ◽  
Zelee Hill ◽  
...  

IntroductionThe early years are critical. Early nurturing care can lay the foundation for human capital accumulation with lifelong benefits. Conversely, early adversity undermines brain development, learning and future earning.Slums are among the most challenging places to spend those early years and are difficult places to care for a child. Shifting family and work structures mean that paid, largely informal, childcare seems to be becoming the ‘new normal’ for many preschool children growing up in rapidly urbanising Africa. However, little is known about the quality of this childcare.AimsTo build a rigorous understanding what childcare strategies are used and why in a typical Nairobi slum, with a particular focus on provision and quality of paid childcare. Through this, to inform evaluation of quality and design and implementation of interventions with the potential to reach some of the most vulnerable children at the most critical time in the life course.Methods and analysisMixed methods will be employed. Qualitative research (in-depth interviews and focus group discussions) with parents/carers will explore need for and decision-making about childcare. A household survey (of 480 households) will estimate the use of different childcare strategies by parents/carers and associated parent/carer characteristics. Subsequently, childcare providers will be mapped and surveyed to document and assess quality of current paid childcare. Semistructured observations will augment self-reported quality with observable characteristics/practices. Finally, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with childcare providers will explore their behaviours and motivations. Qualitative data will be analysed through thematic analysis and triangulation across methods. Quantitative and spatial data will be analysed through epidemiological methods (random effects regression modelling and spatial statistics).Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been granted in the UK and Kenya. Findings will be disseminated through journal publications, community and government stakeholder workshops, policy briefs and social media content.


BMJ Leader ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. leader-2021-000458
Author(s):  
William O Cooper ◽  
Nancy M Lorenzi ◽  
Heather A Davidson ◽  
Cynthia A Baldwin ◽  
Daniel M Feinberg ◽  
...  

BackgroundCrisis plans for healthcare organisations most often focus on operational needs including staffing, supplies and physical plant needs. Less attention is focused on how leaders can support and encourage individual clinical team members to conduct themselves as professionals during a crisis.MethodsThis qualitative study analysed observations from 79 leaders at 160 hospitals that participate in two national professionalism programmes who shared their observations in focus group discussions about what they believed were the essential elements of leading and addressing professional accountability during a crisis.ResultsAnalysis of focus group responses identified six leadership practices adopted by healthcare organisations, which were felt to be essential for organisations to navigate the crisis successfully. Unique aspects of maintaining professionalism during each phase of the pandemic were identified and described.ConclusionsLeaders need a plan to support an organiation’s pursuit of professionalism during a crisis. Leaders participating in this study identified practices that should be carefully woven into efforts to support the ongoing safety and quality of the care delivered by healthcare organisations before, during and after a crisis. The lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic may be useful during subsequent crises and challenges that a healthcare organisation might experience.


Human Affairs ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ferdinand Salonna ◽  
Natália Vendelová ◽  
Jozef Benka ◽  
Mária Bačíková

AbstractThe vast majority of studies focusing on alcohol consumption among university students are based on US and Canadian samples and employ a quantitative approach. Universities from the US and Canada also have a longer tradition in implementing alcohol policies. The alcohol policies at universities in Slovakia are mostly non-systematic and often not implemented in practice. The objective of this study was to explore Slovak university students’ experiences towards alcohol policy on their campuses using a qualitative approach. Eight focus group discussions were conducted among university students (n=64; 38 female; 2011; Slovakia). The key questions were (1) “Is there a policy concerning alcohol on your campus and what are the consequences of not complying with it?”, and (2) “How should an on-campus alcohol policy be developed and what should it include?” The students knew of few, if any, rules concerning alcohol. Student participation was considered important in policy development and implementation. Slovak universities should be more active in forming alcohol policies. A preventative policy which actively involves students was emphasized as optimal.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fredrik Rücker ◽  
Maria Hårdstedt ◽  
Sekai Chenai Mathabire Rücker ◽  
Emma Aspelin ◽  
Alexander Smirnoff ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused overwhelming challenges to healthcare systems worldwide. Healthcare workers (HCWs) have faced particular challenges: being exposed to the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and caring for patients having a new and potentially life-threatening disease. The aim of this study was to explore how HCWs in the Swedish healthcare system perceived their work situation during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Methods Focus group discussions and interviews with HCWs were performed from June to October 2020 in one Swedish healthcare region. A purposeful sampling approach was used to select a variety of professions (physicians, nurses, nurse aides and cleaners) and workplaces (hospital inpatient wards, emergency department, nursing home and home care service). Qualitative content analysis was used for data analysis. Results In total, 51 HCWs participated in eight focus group discussions and one HCW participated in an individual interview. The content analysis identified two main categories: ‘Concerns about the risk of infection and transmission of infection to others’, and ‘Transition from chaos to managing in a new and challenging work situation’. The findings revealed how HCWs perceived working conditions, including experiences of fear for personal health, confusion and uncertainty regarding personal protective equipment and infection prevention and control (PPE/IPC), and fear of infecting others. Both fearful and appreciating attitudes were achieved from the surrounding community. Helpful strategies for transition from chaos to control were lifted i.e. present and supportive leadership, and finding comfort and strength in the working team. Both helplessness and meaningfulness were described when caring for COVID-19 patients. Conclusions This study provides unique insights into HCWs experiences of an extremely challenging work situation during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, including feelings of stress and insecurity in a chaotic and hazardous working environment. But there is also mitigation of these challenges and even positive experiences including feelings of safety and meaningfulness. To enhance safety among HCWs in healthcare crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the findings highlight the importance of avoiding confusion about PPE/IPC, having a supportive healthcare leadership and ensuring accurate information provision about virus transmission to the public.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 211-216
Author(s):  
Diana Sri Pujiastuti ◽  
M.R. Nababan ◽  
Riyadi Santosa

This study is aimed to identify the translation techniques used in the female characters of the comic of Pasutri Gaje which contain annoying speech. This research is embedded in a descriptive qualitative approach conducted and the purpose of the research is to identify the translation techniques used in translating sentences accomodating expression of annoyance in the conversations of female characters in the comic pasutri gaje. Data were collected through content analysis and validated by rater through focus group discussions (FGD). The results show that there were 160 data in comic Pasutri Gaje which used 13 translations techniques, namely established equivalence, explicitation, modulation, paraphrase, implications, compensation, pure borrowing, variant borrowing, transposition, adaptation, reduction, literal, discursive creation, literal.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Menti Lastone Ndile ◽  
Britt-Inger Saveman ◽  
Gift G. Lukumay ◽  
Dickson A. Mkoka ◽  
Anne H. Outwater ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends involving lay people in prehospital care. Several training programmes have been implemented to build lay responder first aid skills. Findings show that most programmes significantly improved participants’ first aid skills. However, there is a gap in knowledge of what factors influence the use of these skills in real situations. The current study aimed to describe police officers’ views on and experiences of factors that facilitate or hinder their use of trained first aid skills at work. Methods Thirty-four police officers participated in five focus group discussions. A structured interview guide was used to collect data. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: We identified five categories of facilitators or hindrances. Training exposure was considered a facilitator; work situation and hospital atmosphere were considered hindrances; and the physical and social environments and the resources available for providing first aid could be either facilitators or hindrances.Conclusion: Practical exposure during training is perceived to improve police officers’ confidence in applying their first aid skills at work. However, contextual factors related to the working environment need to be addressed to promote this transfer of skills.


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