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Health and Safety Policies for Non-profit Secondary School Boarding Facilities in sub-Saharan Central Africa
Get PDFThis quantitative professional administrative study was conducted to identify a gap in policies that do not fully address or provide fact-based connections to the physiological health and safety needs of secondary grade (S1 to S6) school students to grow and learn while housed in on-campus boarding facilities located in the central sub-Saharan region of Africa. The practice-focused question was: What are the most effective policies for the health and safety of secondary grade students within the boarding facility of a secondary school in the sub-Saharan central African region? Secondary analysis, utilizing ANOVA testing, was conducted on data sets developed by the U.S. Agency for International Development Demographic and Health Survey-8 program. This body of work recognizes that the health and safety of students are foundational physiological and psychological necessities for students to grow and learn. From analysis of the data, seven statistically significant health and safety policies were created for the operation of on-campus boarding facilities for inclusion in the general operational policies of an organization by any school administrator: (a) water, (b) sanitation, (c) hygiene, (d) substance abuse prevention, (e) disease prevention, (f) gender-based violence, and (g) preventing food-borne illnesses. The seven policies are also aligned with five of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The findings of this study have potential implications for positive social change because the utilization of these policies will help African secondary school children achieve a higher attendance level and thereby become more academically prepared future community, business, and political leaders
Female Runners’ Perspectives of Coping With Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports (RED-S) Symptoms Through Instructor-Led Yoga
Get PDFRelative energy deficiency in sports (RED-S) impacts the physical, emotional, and psychological health of adult female runners. Previous RED-S inquiry has focused on identification and evaluation of symptoms, and although researchers have investigated ways in which yoga affects adult female runner’s physical and mental health, understanding about the potential impact of instructor-led yoga practice in the treatment and management of RED-S symptoms is limited. The purpose of this basic qualitative inquiry was to investigate the lived experiences of adult female runners practicing instructor-led yoga to cope with RED-S symptoms, using the health belief model as a framework. Eight volunteers shared their experiences by participating in a semi structured, one-on-one interview. Participants provided detailed, personalized accounts of their running and instructor-led yoga experience, interventions, and the strategies used to cope with RED-S symptoms. Participants also outlined the benefits and barriers encountered with instructor-led yoga and the factors involved in their decision to practice. Based on the interviews, instructor-led yoga was applied by all participants as an integrative coping strategy that included physical, mental, social, and emotional elements which exemplified how and why the women felt it impacted their symptoms. Findings indicate that instructor-led yoga may be an effective strategy to cope with RED S symptoms. This research has potential implications for positive social change because it adds to the limited data about female health issues from a woman’s perspective. Health education and promotion professionals may use the findings of this study to advance practice and policy to better support women experiencing RED-S symptoms
The Perspectives of African American Parents’ Decisions to Homeschool Children with Autism in New Jersey
Get PDFNew Jersey is an autism epicenter and may indicate future trends in the United States. The population of American families opting to homeschool is growing, especially among African-American families in New Jersey. The purpose of this narrative inquiry study was to examine the perspectives of African American parents’ decisions to homeschool their children with autism in New Jersey through storytelling. The conceptual framework used was the model of parental involvement developed by Hoover-Dempsey and Sandler. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 homeschooling African-American parents using a basic qualitative approach. The results were organized into five themes. One theme was the educational considerations; another time was social and emotional well-being; theme three was educational outcomes and progress. The fourth theme was parental involvement and empowerment, and the final theme was a personalized learning environment. This qualitative study promotes positive social change by increasing our understanding of African American parents’ decisions to homeschool their children diagnosed with autism; such knowledge has the potential to contribute to increased advocacy and awareness within the broader African American community
Depression Screening
Get PDFDepression is a common but serious mood disorder and healthcare professionals need to include depression screening during routine health visits. The gap in practice at a primary care clinic was the lack of routine screening and the lack of knowledge of the medical assistant staff in conducting and documenting depression screening. The purpose of this project was to develop, implement, and evaluate an education program on depression screening and appropriate documentation in the patient’s electronic medical record (EMR). The practice-focused question centered on whether healthcare staff demonstrated increased knowledge of depression screening and how to appropriately document in the patient’s electronic medical record (EMR). Six medical assistants in an internal medicine practice voluntarily participated in the education program. Data from the pre-test and post-test questionnaires were analyzed using the normalized learning gain of averages. The mean score from the pre-education surveys (M = 9.2) increased to a post-education mean score of (M = 15.0) resulting in a 100% learning gain from the education provided. These findings indicate that providing education can increase staff knowledge on depression screening and how to appropriately document in the EMR. This project aimed to create positive social change and increase equality and inclusion by promoting a change in practice for better patient outcomes for all. An improved depression screening and improved mental health care for all regardless of diversity or culture contributes to social justice and equitable care for all. Recommendations from this project include providing ongoing education and auditing EMRs to assess a change in practice
Exploring the Predictive Powers on Instructional Domain Scores for Universal Prekindergarten Programs
Get PDFThe problem addressed in this quantitative study was that 80% of universal prekindergarten (UPK) programs in the Northeast United States did not meet the quality threshold in the instructional supports (IS) domain of the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS). This study was grounded in systems theory and Garira’s unified framework for education quality to examine the relationship between child-to-teacher ratios and IS domain scores, with student-gender ratios as a moderating factor. Two research questions guided this study: (a) How does the child-to-teacher average UPK program ratios predict the UPK programs’ IS domain score of CLASS? and (b) How does the student-gender average program ratios moderate the influence of child-to-teacher average UPK program ratios on UPK programs’ IS domain score of CLASS? Data were drawn from 127 UPK programs rated good or excellent on CLASS from 2016–2021. Logistic regression revealed a significant inverse relationship between higher child-to-teacher ratios and IS domain scores (p =.018), emphasizing the impact of smaller ratios on instructional quality. Student-gender ratios did not significantly moderate the relationship (p =.372). Results support policy initiatives advocating for lower child-to-teacher ratios. Recommendations include targeted resource allocation for lower ratios, continuous educator training, and further exploration of gender dynamics in early childhood education, with implications for social change by promoting equitable and high-quality early childhood education for all students
Policy Models to Assist Transitioning of Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Get PDFIndividuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience a range of cognitive disorders and other health issues that pose significant barriers for transition from youth to adulthood, especially when they are attempting to secure employment, housing, and medical services. Federal, state, and local jurisdictions have created a patchwork of disparate standards and applications, leading to significant service gaps in needed to achieve a successful transition to adulthood. The problem is that there is a lack of criteria for service models for these individuals. The purpose of this general qualitative study was to examine the efficacy of models of assistance for individuals with ASD transitioning into adulthood. Normalization process theory was used to identify themes and criteria. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 11 participants, including eight individuals who were stakeholders with close familial connections of the targeted individuals, two program directors, and a counselor who specialized in counseling individuals with ASD between ages 16 and 22. Critical themes were identified. Findings indicated that effective service models include early engagement in the process of assistance. People with ASD should be treated individually to address special needs; attempts should be made to acknowledge that the individual as a whole person. Lack of coordination means that caretakers need to be the driver of the assistance and have a long-term plan or objective. Positive social change might be possible when key criteria are employed in useful models of assistance for neurodivergent individuals transitioning to adulthood
Effective Business Promotion Strategies Small Business Owners Use to Improve Revenue and Increase Business Viability
Get PDFSmall businesses are vital to national and local economies, yet many struggle to sustain operations in the long term. A significant concern for small business owners is the lack of effective promotion strategies, a key factor in business failure. Grounded in open system theory, the purpose of this multiple case study was to investigate the promotion strategies employed by small business owners to improve revenue and increase business viability. The participants were six small business owners from Sekondi-Takoradi in Ghana’s Western Region, who successfully utilized strategies to improve revenue and maintain their businesses. Data sources included semistructured interview data and business documentation. Through thematic analysis, five themes surfaced: (a) ensuring good customer relationship, (b) training personnel, (c) giving freebies/discounts, (d) exercising community engagement/corporate responsibility and (e) reducing operational costs. A key recommendation is for small business owners to ensure customer satisfaction for repeat business and word-of-mouth advertising. The implications for positive social change include the potential for small business owners to generate employment opportunities, boost local and national economies, and enhance productivity by implementing strategies; such as, fostering strong customer relationships, training personnel, offering discounts or freebies, engaging in community outreach, and reducing operational costs. By sustaining these practices, small businesses can ensure continued employment and contribute to reducing poverty rates
Social Work Field Education and Supervision: What a Global Pandemic Taught Us
Get PDFSocial work field education programs have experienced changes throughout time, including adaptations to supervision of students in field education settings. Monitoring and developing field education supervision is an essential component of ensuring high-quality practicum experiences and satisfaction among both social work students and field instructors. Most recently, the COVID-19 global pandemic led most social work students and field instructors to a rapid shift in practicum placements from in-person to virtual learning; within the process, supervision changed as well. This study includes feedback from a small group of BSW students, MSW students, and field instructors regarding this transition in placement and supervision. The study’s framework investigated the modalities of supervision used, as well as perceptions of the quality of supervision, both before and after the adjustments resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supervision approaches used were developmental, didactic, strengths-based, and trauma-focused. Research findings will be used to enhance BSW and MSW field education within this specific Midwestern university and will aim to provide considerations and recommendations for the development of field education programs in other social work education programs
Factors Related to Employment of Previously Incarcerated Individuals
Get PDFEmployment amongst previously incarcerated individuals is a concern of the criminal justice system because being employed is considered a mitigator of reincarceration. While there is research about the stigma of incarceration in gaining employment, little is known about the factors associated with individuals being able to find employment. The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to identify whether there is a direct correlation between individual demographic features and employment status of individuals after 1 year or more of previously being incarcerated in North Carolina. General strain theory was the theoretical framework. The key research question focused on how release status (probation, parole, or postrelease) corelates to employment status after controlling for an individual’s age when they entered the criminal justice system, race, and gender. Archival data from the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections were analyzed using t tests and chi-square tests to examine the relationships. There were no significant correlations found among the data analyzed to indicate that release status is a factor in employment. The findings suggested little differentiation in employment opportunities among all those who had been incarcerated. The findings of this study may contribute to a positive social change by informing programming and planning for all being released from incarceration. These findings relate to relate to the social determinants of health by highlighting the role that systematic barriers and societal conditions, such as employment opportunities and stigma, play in shaping the health and socioeconomic outcomes of previously incarcerated individuals
An Educational Intervention Focused on the Care of Older Adults
Get PDFIt is estimated that by 2050, individuals ages 65 and older will comprise 20% of the U.S. population. Further, research has demonstrated that among these aging adults, 80% have one chronic condition with 77% having at least two chronic conditions. Given this, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) developed the Age-Friendly Health System framework for the care of older adults centering on what matters, medication, mentation, and mobility, or the 4Ms. In the local organization, leadership determined there was a need for an older adult-centered care model given their population includes aging individuals. Thus, the purpose of this doctor of nursing practice (DNP) project was to determine if an educational intervention focused on the IHI’s 4Ms increased knowledge and awareness among nurses and nursing assistants working in a long-term care facility. Forty-one individuals were able to attend the education intervention. The average age of the participants was 48.43 years (SD = 12.54), and 85% (n = 35) of the participants identified as female. The mean pretest score for knowledge was 6.83 (SD = 1.90) and the mean posttest score was 8.93 (SD = 1.01). Using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test to estimate the data, there was a statistically significant difference between the pretest and posttest scores (z = -4.66, p \u3c 0.001) indicating an increase in knowledge. Participants were also asked to rate their awareness of four specific content areas on a Likert scale from 1 to 7 where 1 = no awareness and 7 = full awareness. Using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test, there was a statistical difference between pretest and posttest scores among all four areas, indicating an increase in awareness among the participants. It is hoped that the increased knowledge and awareness among the participants translates into practice that will then lead to positive patient, provider, and organizational outcomes