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Reimagining Innovation in Health Equity: Making a Case for a Community-embedded Participatory Learning Site for Adivasi Health Research
Get PDFIntroduction: This paper explores the development of the Realist Implementation Action Research Lab (RIAL), a participatory learning site aimed at addressing health disparities among Adivasi communities in India. Despite national health improvements, Adivasis face significant health inequities. RIAL employs a realist-inspired, theory-driven design to co-create solutions with communities, fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders. The paper discusses insights from the establishment of RIAL, focusing on strategies implemented, opportunities identified, challenges encountered, and lessons learned to inform public health research and practice for Adivasi populations.Methods: We utilized processual analysis to examine the evolving dynamics of RIAL, combining historical and current documentation with collaborative team reflections. Context-Mechanism-Outcome (CMO) configurations were developed to tailor interventions to community needs and foster stakeholder engagement. These methods emphasized the contextual nature of health interventions, aligning with a systems-oriented, participatory approach. The establishment of RIAL involved consultations with community-based organizations, capacity-building workshops, and collaborative platforms to engage community leaders, healthcare providers, and policymakers, ensuring a participatory and contextually relevant foundation.Results: RIAL’s implementation highlighted the importance of reconfiguring power dynamics and fostering participatory processes. Strategies included co-design workshops, town hall assemblies, and capacity-building sessions, which enhanced community ownership and engagement. Challenges such as gender norms, logistical barriers, and resistance from non-Adivasi stakeholders were encountered, but iterative adaptation allowed for overcoming these barriers. Key findings included improved intervention receptivity, such as the successful relocation of a deaddiction clinic to a community-trusted NGO hospital and the implementation of sports-based psychosocial interventions for Adivasi youth, which demonstrated increased mental health awareness and reduced stigma.Conclusion: RIAL exemplifies the potential of participatory and context-aware methodologies in addressing health inequities among marginalized populations. Although scalability and resource availability pose limitations, this paper advocates for a shift from techno-centric solutions to those that are participatory, emphasizing sustained community engagement and co-creation of health interventions. The insights from RIAL's implementation offer potential implications for adapting similar models in other contexts, aiming to reduce health disparities through inclusive research practices
What is the effect of strength and conditioning training interventions on mechanical stiffness?:A systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textMechanical stiffness, including vertical (Kvert), leg (Kleg), and joint (Kjoint) stiffness, is an important mechanical determinant associated with neuromuscular and athletic performances that influences force production and energy transformation. Strength and conditioning (S&C) coaches employ diverse training methods to improve athletes’ mechanical stiffness. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effect of S&C interventions on mechanical stiffness. A comprehensive search across six electronic databases, including CINAHL, COCHRANE LIBRARY, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, SPORT DISCUSS, and WEB OF SCIENCE, identified 23 studies (40 intervention groups, 632 subjects) for the systematic review, with 12 studies (20 intervention groups, 420 subjects) included in the pre-post or/and control-intervention random effects meta-analysis. Plyometric or jump-related training had a significant and small effect on Kleg (SMD = 0.38; Z = 2.61, p = 0.009). When plyometrics training was combined with balance training, a significant and large effect on Kleg occurred (SMD = 0.80; Z = 2.93, p = 0.003). Resisted sprint training had a significant and large effect on Kleg (SMD = 0.80; Z = 6.07, p < 0.0001). These findings provide initial guidance for S&C coaches in designing programs to enhance mechanical stiffness. Future research directions are suggested to further explore the impact of S&C interventions on stiffness.</p
Building the Australian Counselling Profession's Research Capacity for the Future: A Collaborative Strategic Approach
No full textBackgroundThis paper presents an analysis of the current research landscape within the Australian counselling profession, identifying key challenges and proposing a strategic approach to building research capacity.Problem StatementWritten by a taskforce of educational leaders, it reports their perceptions and experiences of the multifaceted challenges hindering research development. These challenges encompass the limited pipeline of future doctoral-trained counselling educators, the barriers to promotion opportunities for current counsellor educators, and the impact these deficits may have on the profession overall.Proposed SolutionsTo address these challenges, the paper proposes a series of targeted strategies aimed at stakeholders across the research ecosystem.ConclusionThe intention of disseminating these strategies is to support counselling professionals in other regions who may be interested in further development of their own research capacity
Master of Nursing Students’ (MNS) Experiences With Online Learning During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study in an Australian University
No full textAim: To explore and collectively describe Master of Nursing Students’ (MNS) experiences with online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.Background: While undergraduate nursing students experiences with online learning are well-reported, there remains a lacuna in the literature about MNS experiences.Design: Descriptive, qualitative study guided by phenomenological approach.Methods: MNS participants were purposively recruited (n = 12) during the first and second semester of 2020-2021 academic year in an Australian university. We conducted five virtual, semistructured interviews and two focus group discussions. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were thematically analysed and validated via correspondence.Results: We identified five key themes: (1) “Kind of lost”: Unprepared for online learning, (2) “Out of control”: Longing for normality, (3) “I ended up enjoying it”: Adapting to online learning, (4) Opportunities to build connections, and (5) “Making it meaningful”: Connecting student with content.Conclusion: While initially felt unprepared and experienced challenges, participants adapted to the new online learning approach over time by gaining new digital literacy skills and self-regulated study habits
Global meta-analysis shows action is needed to halt genetic diversity loss
Get PDFMitigating loss of genetic diversity is a major global biodiversity challenge1-4. To meet recent international commitments to maintain genetic diversity within species5,6, we need to understand relationships between threats, conservation management and genetic diversity change. Here we conduct a global analysis of genetic diversity change via meta-analysis of all available temporal measures of genetic diversity from more than three decades of research. We show that within-population genetic diversity is being lost over timescales likely to have been impacted by human activities, and that some conservation actions may mitigate this loss. Our dataset includes 628 species (animals, plants, fungi and chromists) across all terrestrial and most marine realms on Earth. Threats impacted two-thirds of the populations that we analysed, and less than half of the populations analysed received conservation management. Genetic diversity loss occurs globally and is a realistic prediction for many species, especially birds and mammals, in the face of threats such as land use change, disease, abiotic natural phenomena and harvesting or harassment. Conservation strategies designed to improve environmental conditions, increase population growth rates and introduce new individuals (for example, restoring connectivity or performing translocations) may maintain or even increase genetic diversity. Our findings underscore the urgent need for active, genetically informed conservation interventions to halt genetic diversity loss.</p
Measuring physical activity, automaticity and memory are determinants for physical activity promotion among physical therapists in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation:a cross-sectional survey
No full textPurpose: The study aims to identify determinants of implementation behavior among physical therapists frequently promoting physical activity (PA) in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey incorporating the Determinants of Implementation Behavior Questionnaire (DIBQ) and anchored by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) was sent to physical therapists working in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation practices in Australia and Singapore. All items on the DIBQ were scored on a 7-point Likert scale from “Strongly Disagree” to “Strongly Agree.” Demographics and determinants were associated with frequency of PA promotion using logistic regression analysis with manual backward stepwise elimination. Differences between countries were measured using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Thirty-four Australia and 32 Singapore physical therapists responded to the survey. Seventy-four percent of them correctly identified the PA guidelines and almost all (98%) agreed that PA promotion was the physical therapist’s role. However, only 58% encouraged ≥ 10 patients monthly to be physically active. The logistic regression revealed that physical therapists with > 8 years of working experience (AOR = 8.08: 95% CI 1.69–38.67), currently measuring PA (AOR = 8.04: 95% CI 1.73–37.39) and who promote it automatically (Nature of Behaviors) (AOR = 8.57: 95% CI 0.66–111.55) were more likely to frequently promote PA. Similar determinants, except Belief about Consequences, were found between Australia and Singapore physical therapists. Conclusion: Currently measuring PA, automaticity and working experience influence PA promotion frequency among physical therapists working in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, regardless of PA guidelines knowledge, role awareness and countries they practice in.</p
Season and Flow Drive Productivity of a Regulated River
Get PDFFlow regimes of river ecosystems worldwide have undergone substantial changes because of water resource development, altering the way in which organic matter is generated and cycled throughout entire river catchments. Flow–ecology studies have focused on structural variables measured at small spatial scales. This creates a challenging mismatch when applying adaptive flow management for ecosystem functioning at a catchment or regional scale. Here, we sought to inform flow management by evaluating the drivers of ecosystem metabolism in a regulated river and assessing our ability to predict metabolism at unmonitored locations. We estimated rates of ecosystem metabolism from high-frequency monitoring of dissolved oxygen concentration at eight sites on the Lachlan River of Australia’s Murray–Darling Basin. We then applied a spatio-temporal stream network model to predict metabolism at unmonitored locations using only remotely sensed and gauging station predictor variables. Gross primary productivity (GPP) was higher at sites with lower mean annual discharge, and strong seasonal patterns in rates of productivity tended to be disrupted by rising flows. Similarly, ecosystem respiration (ER) was higher at sites with lower mean annual discharge and lower annual flow variation, but increased slightly in response to higher daily flows. Predictions at validation sites were generally accurate, albeit with substantial site-to-site variation. Our results suggest that flow changes may have altered metabolic rates from conditions prior to water abstraction and dam construction. These findings will assist in managing flows for ecosystem function outcomes and support extrapolation from monitored sites to the broad scales required for evaluating catchment-scale outcomes of river management.</p
The Value of Sport:Insights
No full textThis concise and thought-provoking book examines the myths and realities surrounding the value of sport. It asks a fundamental question: what is it about sport that leads to grand claims about its supposed capacity to do so many good things for society? Examining the evidence from sport around the world, at all levels, the book challenges the commonly held, uncritical assumptions about the value of sport. It looks closely at the claims that sport is likely to improve physical and mental health and social cohesion or that there are demonstrable economic benefits to local communities and positive legacy effects from international sporting events and elite athletic successes. Adopting a value-adding perspective, the book argues that governments and policy-makers must strip away the myths, be more critical in their thinking, and recognise the counter-argument that sport is also associated with negative effects, whether that’s the opportunity costs of allocating public funds to sport or the social harms for which sport can be responsible, such as drug use, violence, misogyny, racism, injury, or abuse. The book presents a broad-based framework for assessing the value of sport that focuses on citizen well-being, where a mix of collaborative public and self-organised regulation is used to help sport avoid becoming an infamous case study in market failure. Presenting fresh thinking on an important topic, this book is essential reading for anybody working in sport policy, sport governance, sport management, or wider public policy spaces.</p
Cross-national variation in how members of the community define flourishing mental health
No full textBACKGROUND: The experience of flourishing (i.e. high wellbeing) is informing our understanding of psychological health beyond psychopathology.AIMS: This study examines whether community members define their sense of flourishing in terms of the presence of wellbeing and/or the absence of psychopathology.METHODS: Participants ( n = 1,094) were stratified by sex and age (18-39 years, 40-59 years and 60 years+), resided in Australia, the United Kingdom, Singapore, South Africa and Malaysia. Participants were presented with 12 items from the European Social Survey Wellbeing Module and 9 symptoms from the Diagnostic Statistical Manual for Major Depressive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder; mental health items were rephrased to reflect an absence of psychopathology. Respondents selected and ranked the five statements that best reflected their sense of flourishing. RESULTS: Wellbeing statements were the most frequently endorsed items for example, 'Feeling calm and peaceful', 'Life is valuable and worthwhile', 'Having people who care' and 'Feeling positive about oneself', but they were only endorsed by approximately 35% to 38% of respondents. Three pathology items were amongst the top 10 items endorsed.CONCLUSIONS: That not one indicator was endorsed by the majority of respondents suggests that flourishing definitions of positive mental health need to be defined by both the presence of wellbeing and absence of psychopathology. Notably, there were few between-nation differences in items endorsed, and those differences reported were not of a large magnitude suggesting consistency in the endorsement of indicators between nations.</p
Mapping malaria in Thailand:A Bayesian spatio-temporal analysis of national surveillance data
No full textOBJECTIVES: Malaria, caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium, remains prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions. This study employed Bayesian spatio-temporal analysis to assess malaria incidence patterns and identify environmental and climatic correlates across Thailand at the district level.METHODS: We analysed national malaria surveillance data using Bayesian hierarchical models to examine spatio-temporal patterns in malaria incidence. The model incorporated random effects to account for unobserved heterogeneity across locations and over time, enabling robust inferences on the relationships between environmental and climatic factors and malaria incidence.RESULTS: This analysis revealed seasonal malaria incidence patterns related to environmental and climatic factors, particularly Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum. A 1°C increase in maximum temperature at a 6-month lag was associated with an 8% increase in P. vivax incidence (relative risk [RR] = 1.08; 95% credible interval [CrI]: 1.06-1.10). Additionally, a 0.1-unit increase in normalised difference vegetation index corresponded to an 11.96-fold increase in P. vivax cases (95% CrI: 9.36-15.38), while each 100 mm increase in precipitation led to an 8% rise (RR: 1.08; 95% CrI: 1.06-1.09). For P. falciparum, a 0.1-unit increase in normalised difference vegetation index correlated with an 11.59-fold increase in incidence (95% CrI: 8.29-16.16). The risk of P. falciparum increased by 15% per 100 mm increase in precipitation (RR = 1.15; 95% CrI: 1.13-1.17) and by 4% for each 1°C rise in maximum temperature (RR = 1.04; 95% CrI: 1.02-1.06). Elevated incidence was predominantly observed along the Thai-Cambodian and Thai-Myanmar borders, with central Thailand classified as low risk.CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the significance of integrating environmental and climatic factors into malaria control strategies. The insights gained can guide the Thai government's resource allocation for effective surveillance, treatment, and preventive measures, ultimately supporting malaria control and elimination efforts in the region.</p