Challenges Facing Young Adults with Complex Communication Needs Entering the Adult Health Care System

Barbara Abbott, PhD, OTR/L is a school-based occupational therapist currently working with students grades K-12 in four schools in Kent, WA. The purpose of our project was to identify the most effective service delivery models and/or components of interventions for young adults with complex communication needs to understand their health information. We conducted a systematic review to critically appraise literature published between the years of 1990-2018 to address our research question. Our research yielded a total of seven qualitative and 12 quantitative studies to address our research question. Qualitative data found that individuals with complex communication needs (CCN) experience significant challenges in adulthood with managing and communicating their health needs. Quantitative research identified seven evidence-based interventions that improved health knowledge, health literacy, and health advocacy skills for improving participation in the adult healthcare system. The overarching recommendation from the studies highlighted the importance of promoting self-advocacy and self-determination to navigate the system and manage individual health needs. There is a need for professionals to help prepare these young adults throughout the transition phase from pediatric to the adult healthcare system. Our subsequent knowledge translation product entailed developing a tri-fold pamphlet intended for school administrators and school-based occupational therapists. It includes qualitative data and evidence based interventions to improve health literacy and self-advocacy skills for young adults with communication challenges in the school setting. Outcomes data collected from school based occupational therapists indicated that the research findings in the pamphlet were widely new information for them. Additionally, they reported positive reactions to the pamphlet. Occupational therapists surveyed agreed that teaching health education is within their scope of practice in the school setting, and reported an interest in incorporating a health education intervention for students with disabilities into their services. Future research is recommended for developing additional evidence-based interventions for preparing these young adults to advocate for their health needs. Recommendations for future translation of knowledge include catering the information in the pamphlets to specific audiences, such as one pamphlet for occupational therapists and a separate pamphlet for school administrators, with suggestions regarding support for families and educators

Grassroots Communities’ Perceptions Relating to Extent of Control as A Pillar of Women Empowerment in Makhado Municipality of South Africa

Empowerment aims at assisting the disadvantaged members of society to take control of their livelihoods. However, questions still arise as to whether women have full control of their lives given the socio-cultural dynamics that are at play in their communities. The study examined the extent to which ‗control‘ was a factor in the empowerment of women in some rural areas of South Africa. A total of 5 924 participants took part in a village-level confirmatory study in which data were collected through questionnaires. The Categorical Data Modelling technique and the pseudo Duncan multiple range procedure were used for data analysis. Significant Interest Group differences were detected (P < 0.10) among the participants‘ responses. Also, significant inter-Ward differences were detected for the perception; women are excellent role models for children and youth. Results showed that much still needed to be done in as far as women‘s control of resources was concerned. Keywords: control, Interest groups, women empowermentGender & Behaviour, 10(2), December 201

Perceptions of community-based field workers on the effect of a longitudinal biomedical research project on their sustainable livelihoods

Abstract Background Researchers involved in biomedical community-based projects rarely seek the perspectives of community fieldworkers, who are the ‘foot soldiers’ in such projects. Understanding the effect of biomedical research on community-based field workers could identify benefits and shortfalls that may be crucial to the success of community-based studies. The present study explored the perceptions of community-based field workers on the effect of the Etiology, Risk Factors and Interactions of Enteric Infections and Malnutrition and the Consequences for Child Health and Development Project" (MAL-ED) South Africa on their tangible and intangible capital which together comprise sustainable livelihoods. Methods The study was conducted in Dzimauli community in Limpopo Province of South Africa between January-February 2016. The sustainable livelihoods framework was used to query community-based field workers’ perspectives of both tangible assets such as income and physical assets and intangible assets such as social capital, confidence, and skills. Data were collected through twenty one individual in-depth interviews and one focus group discussion. Data were analysed using the Thematic Content Analysis approach supported by ATLAS.ti, version 7.5.10 software. Results All the field workers indicated that they benefitted from the MAL-ED South Africa project. The benefits included intangible assets such as acquisition of knowledge and skills, stronger social capital and personal development. Additionally, all indicated that MAL-ED South Africa provided them with the tangible assets of increased income and physical assets. Observations obtained from the focus group discussion and the community-based leaders concurred with the findings from the in-depth interviews. Additionally, some field workers expressed the desire for training in public relations, communication, problem solving and confidence building. Conclusions The MAL-ED South Africa, biomedical research project, had positive effects on tangible and intangible assets that compose the sustainable livelihoods of community-based fieldworkers. However, the field workers expressed the need to acquire social skills to enable them carry out their duties more efficiently

Impact of a biomedical research project on the human capital development of emerging researchers

Various evaluative studies have been carried out to obtain the views of multiple stakeholders involved in community-based biomedical research projects. However, rarely have the viewpoints of postgraduate students and junior faculty involved in such initiatives been explored. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the views of postgraduate students and junior faculty at a rural-based university on the effect of a longitudinal biomedical research project on their acquisition of relevant skills. In-depth interviews and a focus group discussion were conducted. The thematic content analysis technique was used to analyse the qualitative data. Both postgraduate student and junior faculty groups indicated that they had acquired considerable research skills and knowledge; gained experience; were exposed to practical reality; and strengthened their interpersonal skills and general personal development. However, some respondents highlighted that they still believed that training in data analysis and exposure to new laboratory techniques would have strengthened their individual capabilities to conduct cutting-edge research. The results of this study highlight the need for community-based biomedical researchers to equip members of their teams with the skills and knowledge that will help them achieve their academic and career goals. Significance: The importance of engaging study participants to get their views on the ‘hidden’ value of biomedical research projects has been identified. The need for community-based researchers to equip members of their teams with relevant research skills and knowledge has been emphasised. The results of this study can be useful in the planning and implementation of similar projects in the future