‘Sheds for Life’: getting the balance right in delivering health promotion through Sheds in Ireland

Author(s):  
Niamh Bergin ◽  
Noel Richardson

Summary Men with the poorest health outcomes are, paradoxically, the least likely to access health services or to engage with health promotion interventions. This has focused attention on developing gender-sensitive and strengths-based approaches to engage so-called ‘hard-to-reach’ men. Men’s Sheds (‘Sheds’) are recognized as an alternative space in which to engage older and more marginalized groups of men in health. The aim of this study was to establish key principles that could align the ethos of Sheds with a national health promotion initiative (‘Sheds for Life’; SFL) in terms of methods of engagement, programme content and models of delivery. Qualitative methods incorporating semi-structured interviews, focus groups and observations were conducted with men in Sheds (‘Shedders’; n = 38), oversight/advisory groups (n = 11) and partner organizations (n = 8). The principles of grounded theory were used to inform data collection and analysis. Findings revealed a range of mediating factors in terms of how Shedders engage with or ‘do’ health that were grounded in a recognition of the health-enhancing ‘essence’ of Sheds and in ‘making men’s health men’s business’. Key learnings arising from the process of engaging with Shedders included the importance of investing in relationships, establishing credibility and tailoring SFL programme content and delivery to individual Sheds. In terms of conceptualizing SFL, attention was drawn to the need for a coherent and formalized SFL strategy and ‘rules of engagement’, as well as a robust and sustainable system for implementation. This is the first study that informs a more systematic and formal approach to health promotion in Sheds.

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 1150-1158
Author(s):  
Anne Møller ◽  
Camilla Hoffmann Merrild

Abstract Recently studies have focused on how health promotion interventions sometimes sideline issues of social context, framing health as a matter of individual choice and, by implication, a personal responsibility. Part of this criticism is that health promotion interventions often do not draw on situated understandings of the contextual aspects of health and illness practices. Theoretically, this study departs in practice theory and contemporary public heath discussions on targeted health promotion. Based on semi-structured interviews with 18 people living in a social housing association we explored the significance of participating in a preventive health check and how participation configured into everyday life. All participants in our study had been identified with a ‘risk’ health profile. Overall, we found that they were well aware of their health risks and challenges, and that they reflected a great deal on how their health status was intrinsically linked with their lifestyle and health practices, such as lack of exercise or smoking. The health checks were, however, not able to support or improve their general health, and did not seem to address the challenges the participants seemed to struggle with in life. By way of conclusion, we suggest that we implement a more practice-oriented form of public health that focus on the ‘lives’ that people live, and the problems that they face. Moreover, attention should be paid to how and to whom health promotion initiatives are offered, in order to ensure the relevance of targeted interventions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 75
Author(s):  
Ursula Trummer ◽  
Sonja Novak-Zezula

The current research note describes a process where by applying the qualitative method of expert interviews, researchers got confronted with a new topic in their area of expertise that was not on the radar of their research. In the framework of an evaluation study on health promotion interventions for migrants in an urban setting, researchers applied a mixed methods approach. Quantitative element was a self-assessment tool, where providers of health promotion measures described their clientele and rated the quality of their services along given categories. Qualitative element was a series of semi-structured interviews with management and front line service providers. While the self-assessment tool delivered expected results, the interviews revealed an aspect concerning needs and problems of a migrant group researchers had not thought of before. This is the group of immigrants from the 1960ies, coming mainly from Turkey and Former Yugoslavia, now reaching or having reached retirement age. This group was reported as being extremely vulnerable and at risk of a double discrimination as being “old” and “migrant”. Desk research was conducted in reaction to such data, showing that information on this group is scarce. Given the demographic developments with rising shares of (old) aged immigrants living in Austria, it will be important to improve the respective knowledge base.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johann Cailhol ◽  
Nichola Khan

Abstract Background Seine-Saint-Denis is a deprived departement (French administrative unit) in the North-East of Paris, France, hosting the majority of South Asian migrants in France. In recent years, the number of migrants from Pakistan, which has a high prevalence of hepatitis C globally, increased. As a corollary, this study addressed the high proportion of Pakistani patients in the infectious diseases clinic of a local hospital, diagnosed with hepatitis C, but also hepatitis B and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). It explored genealogies and beliefs about hepatitis and HIV transmission, including community, sexual and blood risk behaviours. The aim was to understand the ways these risk factors reduce or intensify both en route and once in France, in order to devise specific forms of community health intervention. Methods The study took place at Avicenne University-Hospital in Seine-Saint-Denis, and its environs, between July and September 2018. The design of the study was qualitative, combining semi-structured interviews, a focus group discussion, and ethnographic observations. The sample of Pakistani participants were selected from those followed-up for chronic hepatitis C, B, and/or HIV at Avicenne, and who had arrived after 2010 in Seine-Saint-Denis. Results Thirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted, until saturation was reached. All participants were men from rural Punjab province. Most took the Eastern Mediterranean human smuggling route. Findings suggest that vulnerabilities to hepatitis and HIV transmission, originating in Pakistan, are intensified along the migration route and perpetuated in France. Taboo towards sexuality, promiscuity in cohabitation conditions, lack of knowledge about transmission were amongst the factors increasing vulnerabilities. Participants suggested a number of culturally-acceptable health promotion interventions in the community, such as outreach awareness and testing campaigns in workplaces, health promotion and education in mosques, as well as web-based sexual health promotion tool to preserve anonymity. Conclusions Our findings highlight the need to look at specific groups at risk, related to their countries of origin. In-depth understandings of such groups, using interdisciplinary approaches such as were employed here, can allow for culturally adapted, tailored interventions. However, French colour-blind policies do not easily permit such kinds of targeted approach and this limitation requires further debate.


Author(s):  
Djoeke van Dale ◽  
Lidwien Lemmens ◽  
Marieke Hendriksen ◽  
Nella Savolainen ◽  
Péter Nagy ◽  
...  

The burden of chronic disease in Europe continues to grow. A major challenge facing national governments is how to tackle the risk factors of sedentary lifestyle, alcohol abuse, smoking, and unhealthy diet. These factors are complex and necessitate intersectoral collaboration to strengthen health promotion, counter-act the social determinants of health, and reduce the prevalence of chronic disease. European countries have diverse intersectoral collaboration to encourage health promotion activities. In the Joint Action CHRODIS-PLUS success factors for intersectoral collaboration within and outside healthcare which strengthen health promotion activities were identified with a mixed method design via a survey of 22 project partners in 14 countries and 2 workshops. In six semi-structured interviews, the mechanisms underlying these success factors were examined. These mechanisms can be very context-specific but do give more insight into how they can be replicated. In this paper, 20 health promotion interventions from national programs in CHRODIS PLUS are explored. This includes community interventions, policy actions, integrated approaches, capacity building, and training activities. The interventions involved collaboration across three to more than six sectors. The conclusion is a set of seven recommendations that are considered to be essential for fostering intersectoral collaboration to improve health-promoting activities.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johann Cailhol ◽  
Nichola Khan

Abstract Background Seine-Saint-Denis is a deprived departement (French administrative unit) in the North-East of Paris, France, hosting the majority of South Asian migrants in France. In recent years, the number of migrants from Pakistan, which has a high prevalence of hepatitis C globally, increased. As a corollary, this study addressed the high proportion of Pakistani patients in the infectious diseases clinic of a local hospital, diagnosed with hepatitis C, but also hepatitis B and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). It explored genealogies and beliefs about hepatitis and HIV transmission, including community, sexual and blood risk behaviours. The aim was to understand the ways these risk factors reduce or intensify both en route and once in France, in order to devise specific forms of community health intervention. Methods The study took place at Avicenne University-Hospital in Seine-Saint-Denis, and its environs, between July and September 2018. The design of the study was qualitative, combining semi-structured interviews, a focus group discussion, and ethnographic observations. The sample of Pakistani participants was selected from those followed-up for chronic hepatitis C, B, and/or HIV at Avicenne, and who had arrived after 2010 in Seine-Saint-Denis. Results Thirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted, until saturation was reached. All participants were men from rural Punjab province. Most took the Eastern Mediterranean human smuggling route. Findings suggest that vulnerabilities to hepatitis and HIV transmission, originating in Pakistan, are intensified along the migration route and perpetuated in France. Taboo towards sexuality, promiscuity in cohabitation conditions, lack of knowledge about transmission were amongst the factors increasing vulnerabilities. Participants suggested a number of culturally-acceptable health promotion interventions in the community, such as outreach awareness and testing campaigns in workplaces, health promotion and education in mosques, as well as web-based sexual health promotion tools to preserve anonymity. Conclusions Our findings highlight the need to look at specific groups at risk, related to their countries of origin. In-depth understandings of such groups, using interdisciplinary approaches such as were employed here, can allow for culturally adapted, tailored interventions. However, French colour-blind policies do not easily permit such kinds of targeted approach and this limitation requires further debate.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 103-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dave A. Bergeron ◽  
Lise R. Talbot ◽  
Isabelle Gaboury

Background: Intersectoral oral health promotion entails the participation of local communities. IOHP interventions were introduced in Peru in primary schools in 2013 but oral health among schoolchildren living in rural Andean communities remains suboptimal. Objectives: To understand the contextual elements and the underlying mechanisms associated with intersectoral oral health promotion interventions’ current effects on schoolchildren living in remote rural Andean communities. Method: A realist evaluation was carried out in three rural Andean communities where intersectoral oral health promotion interventions aimed at schoolchildren have been implemented. Following an evaluation of the effects among schoolchildren, contextual elements and mechanisms were explored with various stakeholders involved in intersectoral oral health promotion through focus groups and semi-structured interviews. Subsequently, an iterative data analysis and a validation process resulted in the identification of context-mechanism configurations. Results: Previous positive experiences of collaboration, a focus on communication, feelings of being respected and considered, and development of leadership and trust among stakeholders involved in intersectoral oral health promotion were elements of configurations that positively influence intersectoral oral health promotion. On the other hand, unfavorable physical, social and political environments, previous negative health experiences, feelings of not being respected or considered, demotivation, development of mistrust and insufficient leadership were shown to negatively influence outcomes. Conclusion: This research highlights the complexity associated with the deployment of intersectoral oral health promotion interventions in rural communities. Local stakeholders should be further involved to build trust, to facilitate coordination processes among remote rural communities and oral health professionals, and to optimize deployment of intersectoral oral health promotion interventions.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johann Cailhol ◽  
Nichola Khan

Abstract BackgroundSeine-Saint-Denis is a deprived departement (French administrative unit) in the North-East of Paris, France, hosting the majority of South Asian migrants in France. In recent years, the number of migrants from Pakistan, which has a high prevalence of hepatitis C globally, increased. As a corollary, this study addressed the high proportion of Pakistani patients in the infectious diseases clinic of a local hospital, diagnosed with hepatitis C, but also hepatitis B and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). It explored genealogies and beliefs about hepatitis and HIV transmission, including community, sexual and blood risk behaviours. The aim was to understand the ways these risk factors reduce or intensify both en route and once in France, in order to devise specific forms of community health intervention.MethodsThe study took place at Avicenne University-Hospital in Seine-Saint-Denis, and its environs, between July and September 2018. The design of the study was qualitative, combining semi-structured interviews, a focus group discussion, and ethnographic observations. The sample of Pakistani participants were selected from those followed-up for chronic hepatitis C, B, and/or HIV at Avicenne, and who had arrived after 2010 in Seine-Saint-Denis.ResultsThirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted, until saturation was reached. All participants were men from rural Punjab province. Most took the Eastern Mediterranean human smuggling route. Findings suggest that vulnerabilities to hepatitis and HIV transmission, originating in Pakistan, are intensified along the migration route and perpetuated in France. Taboo towards sexuality, promiscuity in cohabitation conditions, lack of knowledge about transmission were amongst the factors increasing vulnerabilities. Participants suggested a number of culturally-acceptable health promotion interventions in the community, such as outreach awareness and testing campaigns in workplaces, health promotion and education in mosques, as well as web-based sexual health promotion tool to preserve anonymity. ConclusionsOur findings highlight the need to look at specific groups at risk, related to their countries of origin. In-depth understandings of such groups, using interdisciplinary approaches such as were employed here, can allow for culturally adapted, tailored interventions. However, French colour-blind policies do not easily permit such kinds of targeted approach and this limitation requires further debate.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johann Cailhol ◽  
Nichola Khan

Abstract Background Seine-Saint-Denis is a deprived departement (French administrative unit) in the North-East of Paris, France, hosting the majority of South Asian migrants in France. In recent years, the number of migrants from Pakistan, which has a high prevalence of hepatitis C globally, increased. As a corollary, this study addressed the high proportion of Pakistani patients in the infectious diseases clinic of a local hospital, diagnosed with hepatitis C, but also hepatitis B and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). It explored genealogies and beliefs about hepatitis and HIV transmission, including community, sexual and blood risk behaviours. The aim was to understand the ways these risk factors reduce or intensify both en route and once in France, in order to devise specific forms of community health intervention. Methods The study took place at Avicenne University-Hospital in Seine-Saint-Denis, and its environs, between July and September 2018. The design of the study was qualitative, combining semi-structured interviews, a focus group discussion, and ethnographic observations. The sample of Pakistani participants were selected from those followed-up for chronic hepatitis C, B, and/or HIV at Avicenne, and who had arrived after 2010 in Seine-Saint-Denis. Results Thirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted, until saturation was reached. All participants were men from rural Punjab province. Most took the Eastern Mediterranean human smuggling route. Findings suggest that vulnerabilities to hepatitis and HIV transmission, originating in Pakistan, are intensified along the migration route and perpetuated in France. Taboo towards sexuality, promiscuity in cohabitation conditions, lack of knowledge about transmission were amongst the factors increasing vulnerabilities. Participants suggested a number of culturally-acceptable health promotion interventions in the community, such as outreach awareness and testing campaigns in workplaces, health promotion and education in mosques, as well as web-based sexual health promotion tool to preserve anonymity. Conclusions Our findings highlight the need to look at specific groups at risk, related to their countries of origin. In-depth understandings of such groups, using interdisciplinary approaches such as were employed here, can allow for culturally adapted, tailored interventions. However, French colour-blind policies do not easily permit such kinds of targeted approach and this limitation requires further debate.


2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin K. Tagai ◽  
Cheryl L. Holt ◽  
Mary Ann Scheirer ◽  
Sherie Lou Z. Santos ◽  
Nancy Atkinson ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 9-20
Author(s):  
Claudia Bale

Objective: The aim of this mixed-methods study is to capture and understand impoverished Guatemalan community members’ perspectives of their own health needs on a community level in order to guide Hope of Life (HOL) Non-Profit organization’s health promotion interventions in the villages they serve. Methods: A modified health needs assessment survey was conducted with 96 participants from four impoverished villages in the department of Zacapa, Guatemala. Survey responses were analyzed for significant differences in 4-item individual, family, and community health scores across demographic variables and significant correlations with reported personal health conditions and children’s health conditions. Five semi-structured interviews were also conducted with community leaders from three of the villages surveyed. Interviews were audio recorded and responses were transcribed verbatim and translated from Spanish to English. Thematic analysis using HyperRESEARCH qualitative analysis software version 4.5.0. was conducted to identify major themes. Results: The mean age of the 96 participants surveyed was 40.4 years and the majority were women, married or in Union, and have children. Women reported a significantly lower individual and family health score than men. The most rural village included in the study had significantly lower family health scores than the three sub-urban villages in the study. Among the personal health problems reported by participants, alcohol consumption, dental problems, and malnutrition were significant predictors of lower individual health scores. Themes that emerged from the interview analysis included the greatest community health needs, perceived negative community health behaviors, barriers to health care access, HOL’s impact, and suggestions for community health promotion.   Conclusion: The results of this study reveal many unmet health needs and barriers to healthcare that Guatemalan village communities face. Community-based participatory research using a mixed approach voices communities’ perspective on their perceived needs and is an important tool to guide non-profit aid and intervention serving impoverished communities.


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