Our Bodies Our Voice: A case study on utilization of governance streams to change the policy for prevention of sexual violence in universities and the role of grassroots organizations

Sexual violence (SV) is an issue of global importance, with significant prevalence in the EU generally and the Netherlands in particular. Stigma and taboo often result in underreporting and exacerbate the already substantial mental health consequences of SV. Universities are recognized as high-risk settings, but in general awareness, response and prevention in Dutch universities have been limited. This article analyzes a case study of key events over a number of years resulting in policy change and active response in one university in the Netherlands, focusing on the impact and role of the Our Bodies Our Voice foundation, which started as a grassroots student initiative, using the Kingdon model of policy change. The aim is to make explicit how governance streams need to be aligned to place the issue of SV on the agenda of higher educational institutions, and findings highlight the importance of media coverage, advocacy, awareness raising and perseverance on the part of initiatives like OBOV, while building towards a policy window

Stakeholders’ views on effective employment support strategies for autistic university students and graduates entering the world of work

Purpose This paper aims to examine effective support strategies for facilitating the employment of autistic students and graduates by answering the following research question: What constitutes effective employment support for autistic students and graduates? Design/methodology/approach Data were collected using the method of empathy-based stories (MEBS) as part of a multinational European project's Web-based survey. The data consisted of 55 writings about effective strategies and 55 writings about strategies to ]avoid when working with autistic students and graduates. The material was analysed using qualitative inductive content analysis. Narratives were created to illustrate desirable and undesirable environments and processes as they would be experienced by students, supported by original excerpts from the stories. Findings The analysis revealed that effective employment support for autistic students and graduates comprised three dimensions of support activity: practices based on the form and environment of support, social interaction support and autism acceptance and awareness. These dimensions were present in both recommended and not recommended support strategy writings. Originality/value The results add to the literature on autism and employment with its focus on the novel context of autistic university students and graduates. Effective strategies will be based on person-centred planning, to include not only the individual impact of autism but also individual career goals, workplace characteristics in the chosen field, employer needs and allocation of the right support. There is no one-size-fits-all strategy, but rather an individualized process is needed, focused on the identification of strengths, the adaptation of employment and work processes and improved understanding and acceptance of autism by management, colleagues and administration in the workplace.Peer reviewe

Cultural Phenomena Believed to Be Associated With Orthorexia Nervosa – Opinion Study in Dutch Health Professionals

Orthorexia Nervosa (ON) is a newly coined eating pattern which disproportionately affects Western countries. Research on the matter is scarce. This study aimed to investigate how the Dutch (mental) health professionals evaluate the influence of “Western culture” on the development of ON. This mixed methods study included interviews (n = 15) and a questionnaire (n = 157). The extent of influence of the “Western culture” was suggested to be quite high, with a score of 74 out of 100. The factors believed to affect Orthorexia included societal transitions (epidemiological and welfare) and cultural ideas (body ideal and control over life) which, in turn, are influenced by the internet and media. In addition, it was noted that ON is unique among the eating disorders since it does not carry the negative connotations of anorexia or obesity associated with “losing control.” The findings suggest that “Western culture” contributes to the establishment of a high-risk environment for the development of behaviors associated with ON

Exploring the shared decision making process of caesarean sections at a teaching hospital in Ghana: a mixed methods study

BACKGROUND: Caesarean section (CS) rates are rising. Shared decision making (SDM) is a component of patient-centered communication which requires adequate information and awareness. Women in Ghana have varying perceptions about the procedure. We sought to explore mothers' knowledge. perceptions and SDM-influencing factors about CSs. METHODS: A transdisciplinary mixed-methods study was conducted at the maternity unit of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana from March to May, 2019. Data collection was done in four phases: in-depth interviews (n = 38), pretesting questionnaires (n = 15), three focus group discussions (n = 18) and 180 interviewer administered questionnaires about SDM preferences. Factors associated with SDM were analyzed using Pearson's Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Mothers depicted a high level of knowledge regarding medical indications for their CS but had low level of awareness of SDM. The perception of a CS varied from dangerous, unnatural and taking away their strength to a life-saving procedure. The mothers had poor knowledge about pain relief in labour and at Caesarean section. Health care professionals attributed the willingness of mothers to be involved in SDM to their level of education. Husbands and religious leaders are key stakeholders in SDM. Insufficient consultation time was a challenge to SDM according to health care professionals and post-partum mothers. Women with parity ≥ 5 have a reduced desire to be more involved in shared decision making for Caesarean section. AOR = 0.09, CI (0.02-0.46). CONCLUSION: There is a high knowledge about the indications for CS but low level of awareness of and barriers to SDM. The fewer antenatal care visits mothers had, the more likely they were to desire more involvement in decision making. Aligned to respectful maternity care principles, greater involvement of pregnant women and their partners in decision making process could contribute to a positive pregnancy experience. Education, including religious leaders and decision- making tools could contribute to the process of SDM

Music Interventions and Child Development: A Critical Review and Further Directions

Research on the impact of music interventions has indicated positive effects on a variety of skills. These findings suggest musical interventions may have further potential to support educational processes and development of children. This paper reviews the latest evidence on the effect of musical interventions on the development of primary school-aged children. Four electronic databases were searched from January 2010 through June 2016 using music, music instruction, music education, music lesson, music training, development, child, student, and pupil as key words for the search. Two reviewers independently evaluated the studies to determine whether they met the stated inclusion criteria. Studies were compared on study setup, methodological quality, intervention components, outcome variables, and efficacy. A review of these selected studies (n = 46) suggestive beneficial effects of music intervention on development of children, although clear conclusions cannot be drawn. Possible influencing factors that might contribute to the outcome of intervention are reviewed and recommendations for further research are made