A Failed Water Intervention in the Haitian Central Plateau

Secular and non-secular mission efforts to developing countries continue to grow and voluntourism is at an all-time high. The literature is corpulent with examples of failed mission health interventions. However, a noticeable gap exists of studies that address conflict leading to intervention failures as a result of intercultural communication. The purpose of this exploratory is to better understand intercultural communication challenges existing in short-term medical missions (STMMs) by better understanding the lived experience of participants of a clean water intervention in the Haitian Central Plateau. The intervention was planned and executed after the devastating 2010 earthquake and resulting cholera outbreak. Within twelve months, non-compliance, hoarding, and alternative use of water filter parts was reported. My aim in this study was to more clearly understand how participants lived the clean water intervention, how it informed understanding of clean water, and what the analysis would reveal about communication dimension differences between the participants and the mission volunteers.To address my research questions, I performed a longitudinal ethnomethodological study in two phases using multiple data sources including interviews, focus groups, researcher and participant directed photographs, and journal notes. Under the umbrella of template analysis, I chose the PEN-3 cultural model as the framework for the study. With the lens built through analysis using the PEN-3 domains, I grew to better understand factors that directly contributed to the reported behaviors and their cause. First, with a strong desire to please mission volunteers, rooted in communication dimensions established through hundreds of years of colonialism, participants masterfully executed scripted-like facework as the grateful receiver. Second, avoidance of divergent topics led participants to evading important confounding factors like the old ways, or voodoo. Third, participants exhibited low uncertainty avoidance, making preventative health action less likely. Finally, participants demonstrated low expectations of control due to descriptions of powerlessness resulting from structural violence in rural Haiti. As researcher and volunteer, in ethnographic style, I also provide personal reflections on these and other personal thoughts at turns in the study

WHAT ROLE DO FATHERS CULTURAL EXPERIENCES PLAY IN THE DECISION TO SUPPORT BREASTFEEDING?

Breastfeeding is a global concern and a public health priority. Male breastfeeding support is evidenced to influence breastfeeding behaviors. Fathers play a vital role in determining women’s choice to breastfeed. Many studies regarding fathers’ breastfeeding influence included participants from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. Only a few studies examined African American men’s breastfeeding attitudes. Within the U.S. disparity context, Black African immigrant breastfeeding experiences have not been measured. This study examined what role fathers’ cultural experiences play in the decision to support breastfeeding. The social and cultural breastfeeding experiences of Congolese Immigrants compared to those of African Americans were explored, analyzed, and contrasted. Focus group analysis was performed separately to highlight the breastfeeding support distinctions of two Black groups. African American fatherhood practitioners were interviewed as Key informants to augment the knowledge on how to bring breastfeeding awareness in African American communities. The PEN-3 cultural model provided the framework for the data examination. In the immigrant study, the visibility of the breastfeeding cultural practice enable the breastfeeding perceptions of Congolese fathers. They identify their Congolese origin as a warrant for breastfeeding decision and practice. Breastfeeding is a natural process that does not require prior deliberations between expectant couples. Breastmilk is valued for its God-given virtues rather than its medical benefits. In the cultural context of African American, family and friends enable breastfeeding support perceptions. Personal experiences and knowledge of breastfeeding benefits are predictors of breastfeeding decision. However, there is not a cultural, existential framework supporting breastfeeding. African American fatherhood practitioners help frame the lack of those existential attributes within their communities such as the breakdown of the urban family unit or the lack of breastfeeding nurturers. The findings and recommendations of this study guided the development of a dynamic African American men breastfeeding support toolkit designed to be utilized on existing public health structures. Reaching Our Brothers Everywhere Inc. through the New Orleans Barbershop Initiative Program piloted the kit to educate, equip, and empower African American fathers for breastfeeding support in their neighborhood barbershops. This report also estimates an online toolkit development and its marketing to reach Black fathers everywhere.Doctor of Public Healt

The role of schooling in constructing gendered identities

Many research studies show that schools play an important role in constructing gendered identities of girls and boys in western contexts. In Pakistan, there are research studies on the construction of gender in textbooks but studies on the role of schools are either unreported or unavailable. To address this gap in the literature, an exploratory study was carried out in public sector schools in the urban and semi-urban areas of Karachi. The findings indicate that the inter-relationship of the structure of schools, the official curriculum, teaching and learning practices and teacher beliefs result in a gendered division of labor, gendered bodily and disciplinary regulations, gendered control of space, bodies and behavior, and teaching to perceived gender differential characteristics which serve to develop gendered identities of girls and boys

Exploring the Dynamics of Sexuality Conversations between Haitian and Jamaican Parents and Their Adolescents

Parent-teen sex conversations reduce Black adolescents’ HIV/STI risk. Nationally, most studies about Black teens’ sexual risk behaviors omit Afro-Caribbean groups whom are disproportionately burdened by HIV/STIs. Therefore, this exploratory study guided by the PEN-3 model (a) characterized the nature, perceptions, enablers, and nurturers of sexuality conversations between Haitian and Jamaican parents and adolescents and (b) explained the relationship between sexuality conversations and adolescent sexual activity. Using narrative inquiry, 6 Haitian and 8 Jamaican mother-teen dyads’ and triads’ (N=31) experiences were used to characterize the nature, perceptions, enablers, and nurturers of parent-teen sex conversations. Thematic content analysis generated common themes. In phase two, Black adolescents (African American, Haitian, and Jamaican) N=157, completed a validated 52-item questionnaire. Scales included ASAI; measuring recent pre-coital and coital activities; FSCQ measuring families’ orientation towards sex-conversations, and PTSRC-III measuring sexual topics discussed with each parent. Linear and logistic regression determined the relationship between parent-teen sex conversations and teens’ sexual activity. Mothers’ mean age was (41.85±5.50) and teens’ mean age was (16±1.31). Qualitative findings suggest that Afro-Caribbean mothers’ limited childhood and adolescent sex conversations and outcomes of those interactions shaped mothers’ existing attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors about sexual topics, and hindered their ability to discuss sex with their teens. Dyads believed modifying parents’ approach, improving parents’ sexual health knowledge, and increasing families’ comfort with sex- conversations would improve sexual discussions. Survey participants’ mean age was (16±1.49) and mean age of penile-vaginal/anal sexual debut was (14.95±1.71). Twenty percent of sexually active teens had their first parent-teen sex conversation after penile-vaginal/anal sexual debut, p=.01, and 27% after penile-oral/vaginal-oral sexual debut, p=.001. Haitians had lower comfort with family-sex conversations than African Americans, p=.03 and Jamaicans, p=.004. African American teens’ higher comfort for family-sex conversations was predictive of delayed penile-vaginal/anal sexual debut, p=.009 and virginity, OR=1.5, 95% CI [1.154, 1.866]. Teens who never spoke to their fathers about protection from HIV/STI were four times more likely OR= 4.41, 95% CI [1.466, 13.30] to not use condoms. In summary, culturally-responsive, family focused interventions are needed to equip Afro-Caribbean parents for sex conversations with their teens in order to reduce teens’ sexual risk

Restoring Fathers to Families and Communities: Six Steps for Policymakers

Presents a detailed strategy for legislative and administrative efforts that state and local officials can implement to promote father involvement, especially among low-income, unwed men

Breaking the Silence: Postpartum Depression Among Reproductive-aged Women in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Postpartum depression (PPD) is internationally recognized as one of the most prevalent and severe but neglected maternal mental health complications of childbirth. Previous studies have indicated that there is a high burden of disease associated with PPD in both developed and developing countries. However, there remain gaps in the current literature regarding the recognition and management of PPD in remote parts of the developing world. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand the perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs of health professionals towards PPD and examine the factors that either facilitated or hindered its recognition and management in a remote setting in Nigeria. The pen-3 cultural model was the conceptual framework used in this study. The study focused specifically on professionals with regard to the recognition and management of PPD in a rural hospital in Nigeria. Ten semi structured qualitative interviews were conducted with doctors and nurses from a rural hospital in Nigeria. Data were analyzed via phenomenological interpretative analysis. Results from the study revealed that health professionals in a remote setting in Nigeria have a working knowledge of PPD and perceived the condition as a serious public health concern, but were faced with numerous barriers from the institutional, organizational, and community level that hindered their ability to recognize and manage PPD in a timely manner. These results make an important contribution to the existing literature and can enhance social change initiatives through the enhancement of awareness of PPD, and the need for improvement of policies on comprehensive maternal mental health in remote parts of Nigeria

The Sociocultural Basis of Epidemiology of Hypertension Among Residents of Ogun State

There is a high prevalence of hypertension in Nigeria. Limited knowledge of hypertension, how to prevent it, its outcomes, rapid urbanization, and the adoption of Western eating habits are implicated. Hypertension is an important issue because chronic disease places economic, social, and disease burdens on society. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to investigate lifestyle practices, knowledge, and attitudes on risks and prevention of hypertension among residents of Ogun State, Nigeria (N = 79). The conceptual framework for this study focused on how knowledge, attitudes, and practices influence the dietary habits, behaviors, and ultimately blood pressure . The PEN-3 model was also used as the theoretical framework for research. The general linear regression model with sums of squares and Pearson\u27s product correlation were used in quantitative analysis of diet, blood pressures, educational attainment, height, physical exercise, and weight to determine the factors that were predictive of hypertension. The main predictors of hypertension were age (p \u3c 0.03), BMI (p \u3c.024), and educational attainment (p \u3c 0.02). Deductive analysis of qualitative data from focus group discussions revealed mothers are a primary source of health knowledge. Also, Babcock University has made a major impact on community health by providing free health lectures. This study contributes to social change by extending the PEN-3 model with two new domains, support for health behavior, and power to change health behavior. This information can be used to help focus government health outreach programs for improved support of individual and community change

Women in the Workplace: The Impact of Earning Potential Empowerment and the Work-Life Balance

Gender inequalities may be observed in different fields. When women choose to pursue career growth, they need to be ready to encounter significant challenges to find the balance between their professional and personal lives. This thesis discusses the hypothesis that modern US women occupying executive positions in the field of finance may achieve a work-life balance if certain internal and external factors are taken into consideration and evaluating the situation when women can or cannot achieve a work-life balance. The purpose of this thesis is to examine the role of earning potential in women’s careers as a factor in navigating the conflicting dynamics between career and family without having to make any sacrifices such as relocating or traveling for their career or having less face time with their children. This thesis will explore the background to women’s search for a work-life balance and their approach to inequalities in the workplace and analyze the literary sources published after 2000 about women and their attempts to achieve equality with men in finance

Try to be healthy, but don't forgo your masculinity: deconstructing men's health discourse in the media

The emergence of discourse around men’s health has been evident now for at least 10 years across academic, policy and media texts. However, recent research has begun to question some of the assumptions presented concerning masculinity and men’s health, particularly within popular media representations. The present paper builds on previous research by interrogating the construction of men’s health presented in a recent special feature of a UK national newspaper (The Observer, November 27, 2005). The dataset was subjected to intensive scrutiny using techniques from discourse analysis and several inter-related discursive patterns were identified which drew upon essentialist notions of masculinity, unquestioned differences between men and women, and constructions of men as naïve, passive and in need of dedicated help. The implications of such representations for health promotion are discussed

The imperfect observer: Mind, machines, and materialism in the 21st century

The dualist / materialist debates about the nature of consciousness are based on the assumption that an entirely physical universe must ultimately be observable by humans (with infinitely advanced tools). Thus the dualists claim that anything unobservable must be non-physical, while the materialists argue that in theory nothing is unobservable. However, there may be fundamental limitations in the power of human observation, no matter how well aided, that greatly curtail our ability to know and observe even a fully physical universe. This paper presents arguments to support the model of an inherently limited observer and explores the consequences of this view