Assessment of stigma and prejudice in the organization of care networks for drug users

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess stigma and prejudice in the organization of the Psychosocial Care Network for drug users. Methods: this is a qualitative study, developed through Empowerment Assessment. The survey was conducted in a municipality in Rio Grande do Sul, with 42 network workers. For data collection, participant observation, semi-structured interviews and open forum were used. For data analysis, thematic analysis was used. Results: the network’s mission involved a proposal for care without prejudice and judgments for drug users. It was identified that the composition of the network with training in multidisciplinary residency and psychiatry facilitates achieving the mission, and among the difficulties, the challenges to overcome prejudice were analyzed. Strategies for continuing education, seminars, and user empowerment in the community are suggested. Final considerations: stigma and prejudice need to be problematized in the networks for the organization of more inclusive and rehabilitating psychosocial care.

Editorial

El proceso de vacunación para poner freno a la pandemia por el SARS-CoV-2 avanza a pasos agigantados en muchos países, permitiendo ver la luz al final del túnel. Sin embargo, en otras latitudes, ya sea por menores recursos, desidia de las personas con el poder de tomar decisiones y el temor de la población, el porcentaje de vacunación deja mucho que desear. En estos tiempos modernos, donde la eficacia de la vacunación como la mejor medida preventiva para reducir la morbimortalidad global no debería ser puesta en dudas, es doloroso ver figuras públicas fustigar los distintos esfuerzos dirigidos a aumentar el número de personas vacunadas. Los argumentos usados por estas “autoridades” carecen de todo sustento científico y son fácilmente debatibles con evidencia mínima, pero vivimos en la era digital y el internet ha permitido que cualquier persona con una mínima habilidad lectora se sienta en capacidad de discutir con autoridades que han dedicado su vida a la investigación. Este fenómeno, conocido como el efecto Dunning-Krüger, postula que las personas sin conocimientos en un área específica desconocen los límites de su ignorancia. Claessens et al. publicaron los resultados de su investigación con esta premisa de fondo en la era COVID (Claessens et al. Open Forum Infectious Diseases, Volume 8, Issue 4, April 2021). Analizaron múltiples variables relacionadas con los conocimientos de 2487 sujetos en temas relacionas con el COVID. Como era de esperar, aquellos con los peores resultados usaban como fuente de información primaria el internet y las redes sociales y su nivel educativo era pobre. El promedio de percepción del nivel de conocimientos era elevado y para nada relacionado con la realidad. Las nuevas generaciones tienes millones de volúmenes de conocimiento al alcance de la mano, pero se decantan por las más accesibles. Las que les llegan en sus momentos de ocio en textos de corta duración, sin un solo artículo que sustente las palabras que emiten. Toman estas falacias como verdades absolutas y las diseminan como el virus que tanto dicen conocer. Es imperativo impulsar una reforma educativa a todo nivel, pero debemos empezar por nosotros mismos. Tenemos que aprender a olvidar lo aprendido y a partir de cero. Aceptar que lo postulado por un solo investigador o un solo artículo dista mucho de ser verdad, verificar la fuente de cualquier noticia que nos llegue y aprender a leer de manera crítica las investigaciones científicas. Mientras no hagamos eso, el problema seguirá, ya que las personas que deberían poner orden son víctimas de su propia versión de Dunning-Krüger y cuando una mentira viene de boca de una autoridad, el daño que provoca es peor. A veces tenemos que aceptar que no sabemos. Ese es el primer paso hacia el verdadero conocimiento.

Medical Library Association Diversity and Inclusion Task Force Report

The Medical Library Association (MLA) appointed a Diversity and Inclusion Task Force (DITF) in 2017. Sandra G. Franklin, AHIP, FMLA, chaired the task force and guided initiatives. From 2017 to 2020, the task force completed a review of MLA defining documents—including the mission, vision, values, and code of ethics—resulting in language updates to these documents. As MLA transitioned through the communities process, the DITF contributed to the transition. Other recommended essential changes to MLA profiles to promote awareness included updating pronouns to promote gender inclusivity and suggestions for the Annual Meeting Innovation Task Force. DITF members actively brought diversity and inclusion programming and engagement to MLA members at annual meetings. The task force held a fish bowl conversation, an open forum, and a Diversity Dialogues roundtable discussion; provided interactive discussion boards; and designed an MLA diversity button. Beyond MLA annual meetings, the task force hosted two critical librarianship meetings and a Twitter chat to engage MLA members with diversity and inclusion topics. Task force members promoted diversity and inclusion beyond their task force appointments with presentations at chapter meetings and other non-DITF MLA annual meeting programming. A notable task force accomplishment included completing a survey of MLA members to gather baseline demographic characteristics, including never before collected data about disability, socioeconomics, and caregiver status. This report provides an overview of DITF activities from 2017 to 2020.

LOCAL WISDOM OF NIAS TRADITION ORAHU

Orahu is a tradition of deliberation which is well known in the life system of the people of South Nias, especially in the areas of Maniamölö, Onolalu, To'ene and Mazinö. Orahu is carried out in every important activity in the community, for example discussing problems related to the village, death events, weddings, Fa'ulu and Mambu Ana'a parties (ceremony to increase social status or traditional parties) and others. Orahu to a large extent is called Orahua Mbanua, and is usually performed at Ewali Sawolo or Ewali Orahua (the courtyard in front of the house of the most influential nobleman or Balö Ji'ulu). The Orahua Mbanua was followed by the Si'ulu (nobles), Si'ila (traditional leaders) and Ono Mbanua (the whole community). This research was aimed at describing as well as revealing the local wisdoms of Orahu. This research applied qualitative descriptive method. The data in this study were collected using interview techniques and literature study. The research results shows that Orahu tradition emphasizes on the solidarity and wise decision taking which become a very important aspect in the life system of Nias people. It was in this open forum that all village problems were discussed, and decided how to handle them. In ancient times, Orahu was also used as a trial and for determining punishment for violators of village customs. Orahu is usually done at the bale (village meeting hall), but to a lesser extent, it can also be carried out at home.