The Zika outbreak in Brazil caused congenital impairments and developmental delays, or Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS). We sought to ascertain whether a family support programme was needed and, if so, ...could be adapted from the Getting to Know Cerebral Palsy programme (GTKCP) designed for children with cerebral palsy (CP). We conducted a systematic review of the needs of families of children with CZS or CP in low- and middle-income countries and reviewed the findings of the Social and Economic Impact of Zika study. We undertook a scoping visit to three facilities offering services to children with CZS in Brazil to understand potential utility and adaptability of GTKCP. The literature review showed that caregivers of children with CZS experience challenges in mental health, healthcare access, and quality of life, consistent with the CP literature. The scoping visits demonstrated that most support provided to families was medically orientated and while informal support networks were established, these lacked structure. Caregivers and practitioners expressed an eagerness for more structure community-based family support programmes. A support programme for families of children with CZS in Brazil appeared relevant and needed, and may fill an important gap in the Zika response.
Gundo-So is a community-based programme developed by and for women living with HIV (WLHIV) in Mali through the ARCAD-Santé-PLUS association. It provides support, co-constructed with WLHIV, to develop ...strategies on whether or not to disclose their status. The aim of the ANRS-12373 research is to evaluate the impact of this programme in the short and medium term. As part of this research, semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants (14). These interviews were analysed thematically. Three themes are presented here: positive feedback from the programme, which enabled them to be listened to and supported them both psychologically and financially. The impact of the programme on the participants' social network is also described, in terms of the links made with peers met during the programme. Finally, a new perspective on issues such as disease management, which improved through the contribution of knowledge, and also through the development of psychosocial resources. The programme enabled participants to acquire psychosocial skills, the ability to effectively self-manage their condition, and strategies on whether or not to disclose their HIV status. Participants' empowerment and social support in relation to the disease were developed through the programme, particularly through the links created with other women living with HIV.
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DOBA, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
The objective of this study is to identify clusters of lifestyle changes after participating in 'Building My Future', a community group-based programme that aims to promote competences in adolescents ...at psychosocial risk, and to examine the contribution of the activities performed and the level of competences reached. Participants were 407 adolescents who reported on health-related lifestyle behaviours, self-concept, task-oriented strategy, empathy, and community participation and integration before and after the programme. Facilitators also filled out a checklist with the activities performed. Results revealed a profile with all-round healthy habit changes (72%), and another with unhealthy changes (28%). Carrying out learning activities, games, shared meals, and a higher level of empathy and community integration after the programme increased the odds of a healthy lifestyle change. These results are promising and indicate that the promotion of socioemotional competences at the community level can be an effective strategy to embrace healthier lifestyles.
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BFBNIB, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Background: There is considerable heterogeneity in long-term weight loss among people referred to obesity treatment programmes. It is unclear whether attendance at face-to-face sessions in the early ...weeks of the programme is an independent predictor of long-term success. Objective: To investigate whether frequency of attendance at a community weight loss programme over the first 12 weeks is associated with long-term weight change. Methods: Participants were randomised to receive brief support only (control, n = 211), or a weight loss programme for 12 weeks (n = 530) or 52 weeks (n = 528). This study included participants with data on session attendance over the first 12 weeks (n = 889) compared to the control group. The association between attendance (continuously) and weight loss was explored using a linear model. A multi-level mixed-effects linear model was used to investigate whether attendance (categorised as 0, 1, 2–5, 6—9, and 10–12 sessions) was associated with weight loss at 3, 12, and 24 months compared to the control. Results: For every session attended in the first 12 weeks, the average weight loss was –0.259 kg/session at 24 months (p = 0.005). Analysis by attendance group found only those attending 10–12 sessions had significantly greater weight loss (–7.5 kg 95% CI –8.1 to –6.9 at 12 months; –4.7 kg 95% CI –5.3 to –4.1 at 24 months) compared to the control group (–3.4 95% CI –4.5 to –2.4 at 12 months, –2.5 95% CI –3.5 to –1.5 at 24 months). Early attendance was higher for people ≥70 years, but there was no evidence of a difference by gender, ethnicity, education, or income. Conclusions: Greater attendance at a community weight loss programme in the first 12 weeks is associated with enhanced weight loss up to 24 months. Regular attendance at a programme could be used as a criterion for continued provision of weight loss services to maximise the cost-effectiveness of interventions.
•Describes methods used for evaluating a community-based mental health programme in India.•Describes the use of concurrent nested design with mixed-method approach to rapidly evaluate the ...programme.•Underlines the challenges of using such a methodology.•Provides an understanding of the importance of programme evaluation in overall service delivery.•Highlights key messages from a multifaceted programme to help future research.
Mental disorders impose an enormous burden on society. In developing countries like India, there is a lack of adequate number of trained mental health professionals to provide specialized care and 75–85 % of affected individuals do not have access to appropriate mental health services. The National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) is being implemented by the Government of India to support state governments in providing mental health services in the country. The Urban Mental Health Programme (UMHP) is a pilot initiative that has attempted the integration of mental health services in primary health care settings in two municipal wards in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. The overarching aim of this paper is to describe the methodology used for the evaluation of the community based mental health programme and to understand the processes of the programme in terms of barriers and facilitators. The current evaluation is based on a concurrent nested design, where qualitative and quantitative data are both collected at the same time but analysed separately and priority was given to qualitative data. This experience will contribute in helping other researchers to make some evaluations more effective, useful and manageable. Ethics approval was obtained from an institutional ethics committee of an organization (Ekjut) based in Ranchi, Jharkhand, India. The evaluation was undertaken by the George Institute for Global Health, New Delhi from February- June 2016.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The Aboriginal Family Planning Circle (AFPC) programme is an Aboriginal-led community programme, which works with Aboriginal families in Western Sydney to address their complex needs and reduce the ...risk of having their children put into out-of-home care (OOHC). This article explores two external evaluations undertaken by WESTIR Limited (WESTIR), a non-Aboriginal research service, on the AFPC programme. The purpose of the first evaluation was to provide an assessment of how effective the AFPC programme had been for participants and identify programme aspects that could be improved or developed. The second evaluation was undertaken to examine whether the AFPC programme had continued to meet its objectives and address some knowledge gaps, particularly the estimated savings and return on investment that the programme created for the OOHC system in New South Wales (NSW). The evaluations used qualitative and quantitative techniques, including interviews, focus groups and a return on investment analysis. This article outlines methods, results and recommendations from both evaluations, along with lessons learned to better inform evaluation practice. This case study shows that culturally responsive evaluations can provide an avenue for Aboriginal communities to advocate for the continued funding of their programmes. It also emphasises the need to adequately resource Aboriginal programme evaluations in the community services sector now and in the future.
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NUK, OILJ, SAZU, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The national supervised toothbrushing programme was implemented in 2015-2016 among 3- to 4-year-old children attending 600 nurseries in Israel. The objectives of this study were to assess factors ...associated with sustainability of programme implementation, based on nursery teachers' attitudes towards the programme, beliefs in its success and willingness to continue it in in the future.
A phone survey was conducted among nursery teachers participating in the programme. Study objectives were assessed using a 19-item structured questionnaire. A linear regression model was built to identify factors which contributed to the positive attitude of the teachers towards programme sustainability.
Some 300 teachers were interviewed over the telephone. The programme was implemented daily or several times a week in 66% of the nurseries. Around 70% of teachers reported willingness to continue the programme in the future. Teachers' confidence in programme success (r = 0.73), acknowledgment of their role in teaching children to brush their teeth (r = 0.53), tendency to like teaching toothbrushing (r = 0.59) were positively associated with their willingness to continue the programme. Teachers who anticipated more problems were less willing to implement the programme in the future (r = -0.34). Statistically significant differences in frequency of programme implementation were found according to teachers' attitudes towards the programme. A strong relationship (adjusted r2 = 0.71) was found between the teacher's positive perception of programme sustainability and the attribute variables. The degree of interest in continuing a programme and the belief in their ability to operate it attributed most to teachers' positive perception of programme sustainability.
A high percentage of teachers expressed a positive attitude towards the programme. Factors contributing to the positive attitude of teachers towards programme sustainability were identified. The survey's results may help in the implementation of similar programmes and contribute to their future success.
Adults with learning disabilities may be at higher risk of poor oral health. The community outreach programme attached to Plymouth University Peninsula Dental School used established links with local ...agencies for this group to try out an intervention using service users as dental ambassadors. A programme was developed to meet the needs of the group and training in oral health key messages was provided along with support in presentation skills. Early evaluation shows promise in terms of feasibility, interest and improved self-care. Public health competencies being illustrated: Strategic leadership, communication, teaching and training, and collaborative working for health and oral health improvement.
The String Project construct was conceived at the University of Texas in 1948 before being adopted by music faculty at the University of South Carolina (USC) in 1974. For 38 years, we have provided ...affordable instruction on stringed instruments and also given our music education majors
essential teaching experience prior to graduation. Between 25 and 30 undergraduate and graduate university students serve over 350 students from the community each year. Due to the efforts of the National String Project Consortium, 39 other universities have adopted the models pioneered first
by the University of Texas and subsequently, by USC. We believe the String Project construct is one solution to provide access to students who may not otherwise be able to afford instrumental music instruction and at the same time, prepares teachers for teaching in the public schools
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Background
Based on an organic farm and education centre, Grow2Grow offers young people with complex mental health needs both clinical mental health support and vocational opportunities.
Methods
...Change in functioning (CGAS), vocational outcomes and client satisfaction were assessed for all young people completing Grow2Grow placements between June 2010 and July 2014.
Results
Twenty‐one young people completed Grow2Grow placements, achieving increased CGAS scores (p < .001) and reporting high levels of satisfaction with the project. Eighty‐one per cent achieved educational and/or employment outcomes.
Conclusion
This innovative approach to working with hard‐to‐reach young people is achieving high levels of engagement and positive vocational and mental health outcomes.
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DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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