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Ramji R, Rämgård M, Carlson E, Shleev S, Awad E, Cirovic S, Kottorp A. Health and quality of life among women after participation in a CBPR-informed physical activity intervention: with a pandemic perspective. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17972. [PMID: 37863947 PMCID: PMC10589350 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45239-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The lack of culturally and contextually oriented interventions promoting physical activity (PA) has led to increased physical inactivity among women living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Sweden. In this study one such intervention informed by community-based participatory research (CBPR) has been evaluated among 34 women from a disadvantaged neighbourhood before and during COVID-19. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL), behavioural and biomedical outcomes were assessed directly prior and post-intervention, followed by evaluations at 6-months and 18-months follow-up during COVID-19. The results revealed that HRQOL, particularly psychological, social, and environmental health significantly increased post-intervention compared to prior to intervention but reversed back at 6-months follow-up. Perceived health satisfaction and environmental health increased at 18-months follow-up during COVID-19. Participation in PA improved post-intervention and at 6-months follow-up. Everyday activities and fruit and vegetable intake continued to increase through all timepoints. Systolic blood pressure significantly decreased post-intervention and 6-months follow-up; blood flow rate increased significantly at all timepoints. Overall, the findings underscores the potential effectiveness of CBPR approaches in promoting and sustaining healthy lifestyles, even during acute situations such as the COVID-19. It may even serve as a future model for promoting health and addressing health disparities in similar groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rathi Ramji
- Department of Care Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Jan Waldenströms Gata 25, 20506, Malmö, Sweden.
| | - Margareta Rämgård
- Department of Care Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Jan Waldenströms Gata 25, 20506, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Elisabeth Carlson
- Department of Care Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Jan Waldenströms Gata 25, 20506, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Sergey Shleev
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Jan Waldenströms Gata 25, 20506, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Eman Awad
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Jan Waldenströms Gata 25, 20506, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Stefan Cirovic
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Jan Waldenströms Gata 25, 20506, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Anders Kottorp
- Department of Care Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Jan Waldenströms Gata 25, 20506, Malmö, Sweden
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Korndörffer L, White C, Mackelprang JL. Psychological First Aid principles within a community-led arts initiative: lessons from the Blacksmiths' Tree. DISASTERS 2023; 47:806-829. [PMID: 36208417 DOI: 10.1111/disa.12564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Psychological First Aid (PFA) is widely used in the early phases of disaster recovery, despite limited empirical evidence supporting its application. PFA aims to reduce distress and encourage adaptive coping and is grounded in five principles: the promotion of hope, self- and collective efficacy, social connectedness, safety, and calm. Drawing on a constructivist perspective, this study analysed interview transcripts from Forged from Fire: The Making of the Blacksmiths' Tree, a documentary film about a community-led arts project initiated after the 2009 bushfires in Victoria, Australia. Using a reflexive process that employed deductive and inductive coding, the research investigated the presence of PFA principles in participants' experiences of the Blacksmiths' Tree project and whether themes not accounted for by PFA were also salient. The findings supported the PFA principles and generated two additional themes: grassroots and community leadership; and healing through creation and expression. The implications for disaster recovery in community settings are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilith Korndörffer
- Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) Student, Department of Psychological Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology
- Bushfire Recovery Practitioner, Victorian Department of Education, Australia
| | - Carolynne White
- Participation and Co-design Manager, Mind Australia
- Adjunct Research Fellow, School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
| | - Jessica L Mackelprang
- Senior Lecturer, Department of Psychological Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
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Ramji R, Carlson E, Kottorp A, Rämgård M. Impact of a CBPR-informed physical activity intervention before and during COVID-19 among women from a disadvantaged neighborhood in Sweden. Front Public Health 2022; 10:997329. [PMID: 36478727 PMCID: PMC9719947 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.997329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Public health practitioners have been striving to reduce the social gradient and promote physical activity among citizens living in disadvantaged neighborhoods. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected these citizens extensively, has posed a significant challenge to efforts to maintain a physically active lifestyle. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the impact of a CBPR-informed physical activity intervention before and during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of women from a socially disadvantaged neighborhood. Methods A total of 34 women participated in a CBPR-informed physical activity intervention previously developed in collaboration with lay health promoters and other citizens from the same neighborhood. Focus group discussions were conducted at four time points, namely, at baseline prior to the intervention, post-intervention, 6 months after the intervention ended, and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis following an inductive approach. Results In total, four themes emerged from the discussions: "Wavering between frustration and action," "Shifting from prioritizing family needs to taking control of self," "Between isolation and social support," and "Restricted access to health-related knowledge vs. utilizing internalized knowledge". Conclusion The results of this study reveal that building on CBPR-informed health promotion initiatives has the potential to foster individual empowerment and assist during acute situations like the COVID-19 pandemic through mobilizing communities and their resources, which leads to increased community resilience and health. This study is regarded as unique in that it involves evaluation of a CBPR intervention that was initiated ahead of the pandemic and followed even during the pandemic.
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Wiloth SS, Kiefer A, Wittek M, Arroyo y Villora T, Obermeier M, Schmitt E, Kruse A. Rethinking a Traditional Method of Participation: “Town-Hall Meetings” to Support Family Carers of People with Dementia. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 87:981-990. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-215582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
A growing number of people with dementia, a simultaneous decline of professional caregivers, and changing family structures clearly illustrate the societal relevance of the question of how dementia care can be arranged and delivered in the future. The demand for innovative solutions especially to support family carers requires a deeper insight into their life situation and a focused perception of their needs. This article presents the main hypothesis that specific forms of social integration and participation based on an equal dialogue between family caregivers, the public, and policymakers is needed to achieve that. Therefore, the main point here is to give family caregivers of people with dementia a voice to learn how to better support them in caring as well as self-care. A learning process triggered by a dialogue might result in a higher level of community readiness to implement new forms of support or social innovations. The hypothesis will be supported by John Dewey’s theory of political and democratic learning and the model of transformative learning according to Jack Mezirow indicating that learning particularly succeeds in interpersonal communication. In this context, the Town-Hall Meeting method and its potential to promote interpersonal communication and reflexive learning is discussed. The article addresses an important debate, namely that of how dementia care and support of family carers can succeed. It also sets the direction for future empirical research as the Town-Hall Meeting method might be applicable for gerontological action and participatory research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Kiefer
- Institute of Gerontology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maren Wittek
- Institute of Gerontology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Monika Obermeier
- Institute of Gerontology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Philosophical Seminar, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Eric Schmitt
- Institute of Gerontology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas Kruse
- Institute of Gerontology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
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Tembo D, Hickey G, Montenegro C, Chandler D, Nelson E, Porter K, Dikomitis L, Chambers M, Chimbari M, Mumba N, Beresford P, Ekiikina PO, Musesengwa R, Staniszewska S, Coldham T, Rennard U. Effective engagement and involvement with community stakeholders in the co-production of global health research. BMJ 2021; 372:n178. [PMID: 33593805 PMCID: PMC7879275 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.n178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Doreen Tembo
- Wessex Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Gary Hickey
- Wessex Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- School of Health Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK
| | - Cristian Montenegro
- School of Nursing, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - David Chandler
- The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance, St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Erica Nelson
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Katie Porter
- Wessex Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | | | - Mary Chambers
- Clinical Research Unit, and Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University, Vietnam
| | - Moses Chimbari
- University of KwaZulu-Natal, School of Nursing and Public Health, South Africa
| | - Noni Mumba
- KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Kenya
| | - Peter Beresford
- School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex, Colchester, UK
| | | | | | - Sophie Staniszewska
- Warwick Medical School, Division of Health Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Tina Coldham
- National Institute for Health Research Centre for Engagement and Dissemination, London, UK
- School for Social Care Research, National Institute Health Research, London, UK
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Guzzardo MT, Todorova ILG, Engelman A, Polidoro Lima M, Dean-Olmsted E, Guzzardo Tamargo RE. Reflexivity and humility evoke a transformable methodology in a post disaster context. Health Psychol Behav Med 2021; 9:1-24. [PMID: 34104547 PMCID: PMC8158211 DOI: 10.1080/21642850.2020.1862661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The process of reflexivity is used to critically examine the experience of conducting qualitative research with functionally diverse older adults in a post disaster context. Methods The design of the study began with an interpretative phenomenological framework, using in-depth interviews. Fifteen individuals with functional and access needs living in Puerto Rico were interviewed regarding their experiences after Hurricane María of 2017. Findings In the field, it was necessary to expand the initial design, and adjust to participants' preferences and needs, as well as situational characteristics, without compromising ethical standards of practice. The methodology transformed because of the need for flexibility requiring humility from the researchers. A more relational form of inquiry was warranted, which acknowledged the intersubjectivity of human experience. This entailed adapting to community involvement, building rapport with community leaders functioning as gatekeepers, and integrating family or friends in interviews. Discussion The reflexive approach allowed for a better understanding of the researcher's positionalities and how they influence the ability or inability to develop trust (e.g. insider/ outsider status, Puerto Rican/ US, with functional and access needs/ without functional and access needs). Conclusions Given the shift toward relational inquiry and due to the challenges faced while carrying out the study, we suggest that post-disaster qualitative research would benefit from further including principles of indigenous decolonizing methodologies, which can be incorporated into studies using interpretative phenomenological analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana T Guzzardo
- Department of Human Development and Women's Studies, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA, USA
| | | | - Alina Engelman
- Health Sciences, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA, USA
| | - Manuela Polidoro Lima
- Psychology, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Enskär K, Isma GE, Rämgård M. Safe environments-Through the eyes of 9-year-old schoolchildren from a socially vulnerable area in Sweden. Child Care Health Dev 2021; 47:57-69. [PMID: 32901974 PMCID: PMC7756529 DOI: 10.1111/cch.12809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children are more vulnerable than adults to environmental risks. Also, children have little control over their environment. Unlike adults, they may be both unaware of risks and unable to make choices to protect their health. Children living in especially vulnerable areas might be even more at risk due to socio-economic factors, immigration and high crime rates. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the perceptions that schoolchildren from a socially vulnerable area have of safe environments. METHODS Fifty-two 9-year-old schoolchildren from a socially vulnerable area participated in this study. The data collection consisted of an environmental walk with photovoicing, followed by rating of the photos and a focus-group discussion elaborating on the photos and ratings. Six focus groups, with six to eight children in each group, were conducted and analysed using inductive content analysis. RESULTS The results show that, according to the children, places that they think are bright and beautiful, where they can do fun things with others and do not risk being exposed to danger, create safety. To increase safety, the children suggested cleaning up, making the environment beautiful with grass and flowers and painting it in nice colours. Furthermore, they suggested that building features that increase the opportunities to play and engage in activities together with others would improve safety and enhance protection and surveillance. CONCLUSIONS All children have the right to protection and safety. Therefore, it is important to create safe environments for all children by listening to children's own voices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Enskär
- Department of Care Science, Faculty of Health and SocietyMalmö UniversityMalmöSweden
| | - Gabriella E. Isma
- Department of Care Science, Faculty of Health and SocietyMalmö UniversityMalmöSweden
| | - Margaretha Rämgård
- Department of Care Science, Faculty of Health and SocietyMalmö UniversityMalmöSweden,The Health Promotion Platform in CollaborationMalmö UniversityMalmöSweden
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