11 research outputs found

    Understanding Poverty and Gender: Narratives from the Field

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    This mixed-method study presents findings of the two-phased multi-year, multi-country, interdisciplinary research project that sought to develop a new measure of deprivation that is genuinely gender-sensitive and responsive to the expressed interests and views of poor women and men. The presentation will highlight the research methodology and how context impacts people\u27s views on the gendered dimensions of poverty, hardship and deprivation and what these suggest as potential dimensions of a new gender-sensitive measure of poverty

    Reflexivity in Qualitative Research: A Journey of Learning

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    Conducting research, more so, fieldwork, changes every researcher in many ways. This paper shares the various reflexivities – the journeys of learning – that we underwent as field researchers. Here, we share the changes brought about to ourselves, as a result of the research process, and how these changes have affected the research process. It highlights the journey of discovering how we, as researchers, shaped and how we were shaped by the research process and outputs. All these efforts were done in our attempts to discover and understand various social phenomena and issues such as poverty, development, gender, migration, and ill health in the Philippines. This article includes the challenges encountered in our epistemological stance/s and personal and methodological concerns shown in our reflexivity notes/insights. Indeed, it is when researchers acknowledge these changes, that reflexivity in research constitutes part of the research findings. It is through this consciousness of the relational and reflective nature of being aware of personal and methodological concerns that we honor ourselves, our teammates/co-researchers and all others involved with the research project. As researchers, we need to be cognizant of our contributions to the construction of meanings and of lived experiences throughout the research process. We need to acknowledge that indeed it is impossible to remain “outside of” one\u27s study topic while conducting research

    Teaching and Mentoring Qualitative Research: A Journey of Struggles and Contradictions

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    The year 1992 introduced to me the world of qualitative research, the year I started my PhD in Australia. The only mode of inquiry I knew then was quantitative research. Since then, my life has never been the same. I came home with my PhD in 1995 and immediately started my crusade for Qualitative Research (QualRes). I am happy to say that after almost 2 and a half decades of advocacy, of struggles and contradictions in the process of having QualRes integrated into the health sciences curriculum, my colleagues and I are positive and contented at the advances we have gained and at the various trajectories, it is heading. Now I can say that QualRes in the health sciences is here to stay…not without frowns and smirks, but, yes, it is here to stay. This presentation will focus on the various struggles and contradictions in my journey of introducing and aiming at institutionalizing QualRes as a mode of inquiry on health sciences in the Philippines. A journey that frowned at QualRes as unscientific and unacceptable in the academe to one that is embraced now as scientific, relevant, empowering, necessary, complimentary and challenging

    025: Enhancing Public Participation Effectiveness: What Works, for Whom, in What Circumstances and Why?

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    BackgroundThis research sought to understand and explain the factors that generate the effectiveness of public participation in health policy. Researchers consider the role of the contextual factors as well as the participation process, especially participation techniques, to influence significantly the effectiveness of public participation. Although these are important factors to consider, these do not sufficiently explain what works, when and why. Objectives This investigation aimed to: (1) explain the causes of participation effectiveness and ineffectiveness, (2) understand the significance of context in achieving participation effectiveness, (3) understand the evidence of participation effectiveness. It ultimately aimed to contribute to the design of effective public participation practice in the Philippine health sector and elsewhere. Methods This study was conducted in two phases. The first phase was a realist synthesis of existing literature on public participation, which included the analysis of 83 journal articles. The result of this phase was a set of mechanisms and the context within which they worked, which have been shown in the literature to promote effective public participation. The second phase included 32 realist interviews of Philippine government leaders and health practitioners to understand which mechanisms from the realist synthesis were occurring or not present in the Philippine context and why. The synthesis of the two phases developed a refined explanation of the causes of participation effectiveness. Result Five key mechanisms were found in both the realist synthesis and the interviews in the Philippines that generate participation effectiveness: political will, partnership synergy, participative voice, inclusiveness and legitimacy. Political expediency and power-over were found to potentially block the effectiveness of public participation. A significant implication of these mechanisms relates to the crucial role of the discretionary power of public officials in aiming for an effective public participation practice. This study also highlighted the need for active populations as well as a diversity of perspectives as important contexts for these mechanisms to operate. Conclusion This study has highlighted that participation effectiveness in the Philippine health sector and elsewhere is caused by several key underlying mechanisms and the understanding of the significant contextual factors that influence the operation of these underlying mechanisms allows us to determine the appropriate interventions (including the participation techniques) that contribute to the generation of participation effectiveness. In a practical sense, this study has shown that understanding the interactions of the context, mechanism, and outcome can provide a direction for planners and practitioners in the design of an effective participation exercise. It clarified in what circumstances a particular participation intervention or strategy could be effective or ineffective by the activation of a particular mechanism

    Reflexivities and Fieldwork in Qualitative Research

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    Panel on: Reflexivities and Fieldwork in Qualitative Research This proposed session will be a panel presentation of three professionals – all three of us, nurses in their journey of conducting qualitative researches. In our conduct of fieldwork, we have realized the value of reflexivity in our journey of learning…not only about our respective researches but the rigor and trustworthiness of the data that emerged. This session will be our stories from the field and how it has changed us, our work and the people we journeyed with. A Journey of Learning and Trustworthiness Erlinda Castro-Palaganas, PhD, RN University of the Philippines Baguio Baguio City, Philippines [email protected] Conducting research, more so, fieldwork, changes every researcher in many ways. This paper shares the various reflexivities – the journeys of learning – that we underwent as field researchers. Here, we share the changes brought about to ourselves, as a result of the research process, and how these changes have affected the research process. It highlights the journey of discovering how we, as researchers, shaped and how we were shaped by the research process and outputs. All these efforts were done in our attempts to discover and understand various social phenomena and issues such as poverty, development, gender, migration, and ill health in the Philippines. This article includes the challenges encountered in our epistemological stance/s and personal and methodological concerns shown in our reflexivity notes/insights. Indeed, it is when researchers acknowledge these changes, that reflexivity in research constitutes part of the research findings. It is through this consciousness of the relational and reflective nature of being aware of personal and methodological concerns that we honor ourselves, our teammates/co-researchers and all others involved with the research project. As researchers, we need to be cognizant of our contributions to the construction of meanings and of lived experiences throughout the research process. We need to acknowledge that indeed it is impossible to remain “outside of” one\u27s study topic while conducting research. Reflexivity and Ethnonursing Carielle Joy Rio, PhD, RN Universitas Pelita Harapan Jakarta, Indonesia [email protected] The uniqueness of ethnographic studies lies on the fact the researcher attempts to gather data in the most natural way possible. Gathering data in the participants’ natural environment may require an ethnonurse researcher to be in an environment that is unnatural to him or her. In researches wherein the participants’ narratives and observable behaviors are the fundamental basis for truth, a mutual trusting relationship becomes the foundation in acquiring credible data. This presentation will focus on my stories while doing fieldwork as an indispensable component of any ethnographic research. I will share my perspectives and the highlights of my fieldwork laden with a multitude of unexpected challenges as well as serendipitous discoveries. The innumerable opportunities to acquire data and the diversity of data that can I acquired during fieldwork can be advantageous and challenging at the same time. Indeed, a well-founded understanding of the different philosophies that underpin the essential attributes of ethnonursing is crucial in addressing these challenges. Furthermore, the role of an experience ethnourse researcher as mentor was proven to be vital for novice ethnonurse researchers. Reflexivity: Grounding Data to the Break of Dawn Fatima Anquillano-Carsola, PhD, RN Union Christian College San Fernando, La Union, Philippines [email protected] Alley, Jackson and Shakya (2015) said that reflexivity is a practical tool that enables the researcher to identify, understand, and act in relation to the personal, professional and political challenges they face in practice. Furthermore, they forwarded the idea that reflexivity can increase self-awareness as they are to acknowledge biases and examine the nature of their work. Gerrish and Lacey, 2006) as cited by Lambert, Jomeen and McSherry (2010) likewise wrote that reflexivity is perceived as an integral part of qualitative research because the researcher can reflect continuously on how their own actions, values and impact of perception in research setting and can also affect data collection and analysis. This presentation will focus on my reflexivities as a novice researcher, my inspirations, my triumphs, my pitfalls, my overcoming the challenge to explore the magnificence of non-positivist inquiries amidst being educated in a university dominated by quantitative perspectives. You will hear me share the life-changing situations that really pushed me to endure and persevere. I will share how I grounded my data to the break of dawn

    An examination of the causes, consequences, and policy responses to the migration of highly trained health personnel from the Philippines: the high cost of living/leaving—a mixed method study

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    Abstract Background Dramatic increases in the migration of human resources for health (HRH) from developing countries like the Philippines can have consequences on the sustainability of health systems. In this paper, we trace the outflows of HRH from the Philippines, map out its key causes and consequences, and identify relevant policy responses. Methods This mixed method study employed a decentered, comparative approach that involved three phases: (a) a scoping review on health workers’ migration of relevant policy documents and academic literature on health workers’ migration from the Philippines; and primary data collection with (b) 37 key stakeholders and (c) household surveys with seven doctors, 329 nurses, 66 midwives, and 18 physical therapists. Results Filipino health worker migration is best understood within the context of macro-, meso-, and micro-level factors that are situated within the political, economic, and historical/colonial legacy of the country. Underfunding of the health system and un- or underemployment were push factors for migration, as were concerns for security in the Philippines, the ability to practice to full scope or to have opportunities for career advancement. The migration of health workers has both negative and positive consequences for the Philippine health system and its health workers. Stakeholders focused on issues such as on brain drain, gain, and circulation, and on opportunities for knowledge and technology transfer. Concomitantly, migration has resulted in the loss of investment in human capital. The gap in the supply of health workers has affected the quality of care delivered, especially in rural areas. The opening of overseas opportunities has commercialized health education, compromised its quality, and stripped the country of skilled learning facilitators. The social cost of migration has affected émigrés and their families. At the household level, migration has engendered increased consumerism and materialism and fostered dependency on overseas remittances. Addressing these gaps requires time and resources. At the same time, migration is, however, seen by some as an opportunity for professional growth and enhancement, and as a window for drafting more effective national and inter-country policy responses to HRH mobility. Conclusions Unless socioeconomic conditions are improved and health professionals are provided with better incentives, staying in the Philippines will not be a viable option. The massive expansion in education and training designed specifically for outmigration creates a domestic supply of health workers who cannot be absorbed by a system that is underfunded. This results in a paradox of underservice, especially in rural and remote areas, at the same time as underemployment and outmigration. Policy responses to this paradox have not yet been appropriately aligned to capture the multilayered and complex nature of these intersecting phenomena

    Randomized controlled trial on the effectiveness of web‐based Genomics Nursing Education Intervention for undergraduate nursing students: a study protocol

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    Aim: To describe a randomized controlled trial protocol that will evaluate the effectiveness of two web-based genomic nursing education interventions. Background: Preparing future nurses to be competent in genetic and genomic concepts is fundamental to ensure appropriate clinical application. However, genetics–genomics concepts are still new in the field of nursing. Little is known about what type and kind of web-based nursing education is effective in improving the knowledge of nursing students. To address these knowledge gaps, a web-based ‘Genomic Nursing Education Intervention’ will be developed and compared with an existing online education programme. Design: A randomized controlled trial of two groups with pre-test and repeated posttesting. Methods: The Genomic Nursing Concept Inventory, a validated tool, will be used to assess the genetics–genomics knowledge of nursing students. Participants will be randomly allocated to either a control or an intervention group. The control group will receive the standard web-based nursing education, while the intervention group will receive a newly developed web-based education intervention. Outcome measures include the students’ knowledge level of nursing genetics–genomics concepts. Participants will be retested at 3 and 6 months. Conclusion: Current evidence shows that ensuring nurses have adequate education in genetic–genomic concepts is challenging. This study will demonstrate which of two web-based nursing education methods is more effective in teaching genetic–genomic concepts. This research project will better prepare the nursing profession in their careers for the emerging advance technologies in genetics–genomics and personalized health care. Impact: Current evidence shows major challenges in ensuring that nurses have adequate education in genetics–genomics concepts. Less is known about what approaches to web-based education are effective to improve the knowledge gaps of nursing students in genetics–genomics concepts. This study will determine which type of web-based nursing education is effective in improving the genetics–genomics knowledge of nursing students. This research project will help better prepare nurses in dealing with advances in genetics–genomics in their careers

    Resilience level and its association with maladaptive coping behaviours in the COVID-19 pandemic : a global survey of the general populations

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    Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has induced a significant global concern on mental health. However few studies have measured the ability of individuals to “withstand setbacks, adapt positively, and bounce back from adversity” on a global scale. We aimed to examine the level of resilience, its determinants, and its association with maladaptive coping behaviours during the pandemic. Methods The Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) conducted a global survey involving 26 countries by online, self-administered questionnaire (October 2020-December 2021). It was piloted-tested and validated by an expert panel of epidemiologists and primary care professionals. We collected data on socio-demographics, socioeconomic status, clinical information, lifestyle habits, and resilience levels measured by the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) among adults aged ≥ 18 years. We examined factors associated with low resilience level, and evaluated whether low resilience was correlated with engagement of maladaptive coping behaviours. Results From 1,762 surveys, the prevalence of low resilience level (BRS score 1.00–2.99) was 36.4% (America/Europe) and 24.1% (Asia Pacific). Young age (18–29 years; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.31–0.58 in older age groups), female gender (aOR = 1.72, 95% C.I. = 1.34–2.20), poorer financial situation in the past 6 months (aOR = 2.32, 95% C.I. = 1.62–3.34), the presence of one (aOR = 1.56, 95% C.I. = 1.19–2.04) and more than two (aOR = 2.32, 95% C.I. = 1.59–3.39) medical conditions were associated with low resilience level. Individuals with low resilience were significantly more likely to consume substantially more alcohol than usual (aOR = 3.84, 95% C.I. = 1.62–9.08), take considerably more drugs (aOR = 12.1, 95% C.I. = 2.72–54.3), buy supplements believed to be good for treating COVID-19 (aOR = 3.34, 95% C.I. = 1.56–7.16), exercise less than before the pandemic (aOR = 1.76, 95% C.I. = 1.09–2.85), consume more unhealthy food than before the pandemic (aOR = 2.84, 95% C.I. = 1.72–4.67), self-isolate to stay away from others to avoid infection (aOR = 1.83, 95% C.I. = 1.09–3.08), have an excessive urge to disinfect hands for avoidance of disease (aOR = 3.08, 95% C.I. = 1.90–4.99) and transmission (aOR = 2.54, 95% C.I. = 1.57–4.10). Conclusions We found an association between low resilience and maladaptive coping behaviours in the COVID-19 pandemic. The risk factors identified for low resilience in this study were also conditions known to be related to globalization-related economic and social inequalities. Our findings could inform design of population-based, resilience-enhancing intervention programmes.Medicine, Faculty ofNon UBCPsychiatry, Department ofReviewedFacultyResearcherOthe

    Factors Associated with Vaccination Intention against the COVID-19 Pandemic : A Global Population-Based Study

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    Several vaccines have been developed for COVID-19 since the pandemic began. This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination intention. A global survey was conducted across 26 countries from October, 2020 to December, 2021 using an online self-administered questionnaire. Demographic information, socio-economic status, and clinical information were collected. A logistic regression examined the associations between vaccine intention and factors such as perceptions and the presence of chronic physical and mental conditions. The sample included 2459 participants, with 384 participants (15.7%) expressing lower COVID-19 vaccination intent. Individuals who identified as female; belonged to an older age group; had a higher level of education; were students; had full health insurance coverage; or had a previous history of influenza vaccination were more willing to receive vaccination. Conversely, those who were working part-time, were self-employed, or were receiving social welfare were less likely to report an intention to get vaccinated. Participants with mental or physical health conditions were more unwilling to receive vaccination, especially those with sickle cell disease, cancer history within the past five years, or mental illness. Stronger vaccination intent was associated with recommendations from the government or family doctors. The presence of chronic conditions was associated with lower vaccine intention. Individuals with health conditions are especially vulnerable to health complications and may experience an increased severity of COVID-19 symptoms. Future research should evaluate the effectiveness of interventions targeting the vaccine perceptions and behaviours of at-risk groups. As such, public awareness campaigns conducted by the government and proactive endorsement from health physicians may help improve COVID-19 vaccination intention.Medicine, Faculty ofNon UBCPsychiatry, Department ofReviewedFacultyResearche

    Factors associated with weight gain during COVID-19 pandemic: A global study.

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    BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in changes in lifestyle habits and experiences of mental health outcomes, some of which were possibly related to weight gain, leading to an increase in the prevalence of obesity, which is associated with the development of several severe diseases. Concerns regarding weight gain and its impact on health outcomes are prevalent worldwide, with obesity being one of the highest causes of mortality in current society.MethodsA self-reported questionnaire collected data from participants aged 18 years of age and above from 26 countries and regions worldwide. Post-hoc multiple logistic regression analyses have been done to evaluate the association between demographic and socioeconomic factors, and the perspectives that were identified to be associated with weight gain.ResultsParticipants belonging to a younger age group; with a higher level of education; living in an urban area; living with family members; employed full-time; and had obesity were found to be more vulnerable to weight gain. After adjusting for socio-demographic factors, participants who were quarantined; exercised less prior to the pandemic; consumed unhealthy foods; and reported negative thoughts such as helplessness and the perceived risk of COVID-19, were more likely to experience weight gain; while negative thoughts such as having no means of control over the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic will have great personal effect were associated with females, students, and people living in the rural area.ConclusionsWeight gain risk during the pandemic was significantly associated with certain socio-demographic and COVID-19 related factors. To improve public health outcomes, future research should conduct a longitudinal evaluation on the effects of COVID-19 experiences upon health choices. Streamlined mental support should also be provided to the vulnerable groups which were prone to negative thoughts that were associated with weight gain
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