scholarly journals Perceptions of the Role of Short-Term Volunteerism in International Development: Views from Volunteers, Local Hosts, and Community Members

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bethina Loiseau ◽  
Rebekah Sibbald ◽  
Salem A. Raman ◽  
Benedict Darren ◽  
Lawrence C. Loh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
International Development ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Skill Sets ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
International Volunteers ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Related Development

Background.Short-term international volunteer trips traditionally involve volunteers from high-income countries travelling to low- and middle-income countries to assist in service-related development activities. Their duration typically ranges from 7 to 90 days. The city of La Romana, Dominican Republic, receives hundreds of short-term international volunteers annually. They participate in activities aimed at improving conditions faced by a marginalized ethnic-Haitian community living inbateyes. Methods.This qualitative analysis examined perceptions of short-term international volunteerism, held by three key stakeholder groups in La Romana: local hosts, international volunteers, and community members. Responses from semistructured interviews were recorded and analysed by thematic analysis.Results.Themes from the 3 groups were broadly categorized into general perceptions of short-term volunteerism and proposed best practices. These were further subdivided into perceptions of value, harms, and motivations associated with volunteer teams for the former and best practices around volunteer composition and selection, partnership, and skill sets and predeparture training for the latter.Conclusion.Notable challenges were associated with short-term volunteering, including an overemphasis on the material benefits from volunteer groups expressed by community member respondents; misalignment of the desired and actual skill sets of volunteers; duplicate and uncoordinated volunteer efforts; and the perpetuation of stereotypes suggesting that international volunteers possess superior knowledge or skills. Addressing these challenges is critical to optimizing the conduct of short-term volunteerism.

Depression in the Developing World

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harry Minas
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
International Development ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Health And Social Services ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Culturally Informed ◽  
Global Understanding

This chapter provides an overview of what is known about prevalence, social determinants, treatment, and course and impact of depression in developing, or low- and middle-income, countries. The importance of culture in depression and in the construction and application of diagnostic classifications and in health and social services is highlighted, with a particular focus on the applicability of ‘Western’ diagnostic constructs and service systems in developing country settings. The role of international organizations, such as WHO, and international development programs, such as the SDGs, in improving our understanding of depression and in developing effective and culturally appropriate responses is briefly examined. There is both a need and increasing opportunities in developing countries for greater commitment to mental health of populations, increased investment in mental health and social services, and culturally informed research that will contribute to improved global understanding of mental disorders in general and depression in particular.

'Have a Pap smear!' – doctors, their clients, and opportunistic cervical cancer screening

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 233-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
L C Chingang ◽  
U Bischof ◽  
G Andall-Brereton ◽  
O Razum
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Cervical Cancer Screening ◽  
Pap Smear ◽  
Cervical Screening ◽  
Pap Test ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
High Incidence

In many middle-income countries with a high incidence of cervical cancer, organized screening programmes with the Pap test are being planned. We assessed the knowledge of, and attitudes towards, cervical screening among 63 doctors and 102 randomly selected community members in Trinidad where screening is still opportunistic. Doctors were well informed about cervical cancer, but not all knew the approximate specificity of the Pap test. Many did not routinely discuss the benefits and disadvantages of screening with their clients. Most women had heard of the Pap test, but only 56% knew its purpose; 25% would not participate in screening, stating reasons such as being in menopause or not having symptoms. More information about the aim of screening and the purpose of the Pap test must be communicated. Doctors need to keep their knowledge on screening up-to-date, and offer counselling that helps women to make an informed decision whether or not to participate in screening.

scholarly journals Tracing Long- and Short-term Migrants for Participation in Demographic and Epidemiological Studies: Evidence from Senegal

Field Methods ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-57
Author(s):  
Mufaro Kanyangarara ◽  
Laetitia Douillot ◽  
Gilles Pison ◽  
Cheikh Tidiane Ndiaye ◽  
Valerie Delaunay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Statistical Power ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Adult Mortality ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Contact Information

Migration of participants in demographic and epidemiological studies results in missing data. One approach to reduce resulting losses in statistical power and potential biases is to follow up migrants at their new residence. We describe the follow-up of migrants who were eligible for participation in a trial of a new questionnaire to measure adult mortality in Niakhar, Senegal. We conducted a short inquiry in the migrant’s last known household to obtain contact information and then attempted to contact and interview 661 migrants who resided in Dakar, Mbour, and rural areas close to Niakhar. About two-thirds of migrants were successfully enrolled in the study. Having a contact phone number and knowing the name of the head of compound at destination increased the likelihood of successful enrollment. Following up migrants in demographic studies is feasible in low- and middle-income countries, including long-term migrants who have not been contacted for extended periods of time.

scholarly journals Best Practices of Blood Cultures in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sien Ombelet ◽  
Barbara Barbé ◽  
Dissou Affolabi ◽  
Jean-Baptiste Ronat ◽  
Palpouguini Lompo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Blood Cultures ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low And Middle Income

scholarly journals Short-term WASH interventions in emergency responses in low- and middle-income countries

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Travis Yates ◽  
◽  
Jelena Allen ◽  
Myriam Leandre Joseph ◽  
Daniele Lantagne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Short Term ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Emergency Responses ◽  
Low And Middle Income

scholarly journals Adolescent Sexual Wellbeing: A Conceptual Framework

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Kågesten ◽  
Miranda van Reeuwijk
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Young People ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Sexual Activities ◽  
Key Competencies ◽  
Sexual Wellbeing

Positive aspects of sexuality remain understudied among adolescents globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries. In particular, consensus is lacking on how to conceptualize different aspects of sexual wellbeing among young people. We propose a new conceptual framework for adolescent sexual wellbeing that draws on existing theories and definitions, grounded in theories related to positive youth development, empowerment, human rights, gender, social-ecological and life-course perspectives. The framework highlights six interrelated domains of key competencies that are central to healthy adolescent sexuality development, whether or not sexual activities occur: 1) sexual literacy, 2) gender equal attitudes, 3) respect for human rights and understanding consent, 4) critical reflection skills, 5) coping skills and 6) interpersonal skills. These competencies have the potential both to strengthen and impede adolescents’ sexual wellbeing in relation to both themselves and others. Personal sexual wellbeing includes, but is not limited to, having a positive sense of one’s own (sexual) self and body, and recognising and appreciating feelings of pleasure and desire. Relational sexual wellbeing can include developing and maintaining mutually respectful, gender equal relationships with other people that are that are part of young people’s sexual socialisation, such as peers, parents and community members. Over time, relational sexual wellbeing may also include outcomes related to intimate partners, such as equality in relationships, safe and pleasurable sexual interactions, free from violence and coercion. Whether young people are able to translate competencies into desired actions and achieve a sense of sexual wellbeing depends on the personal, social and economic resources available to them, their (sexual) agency, and on the influence of opportunity structures such as policies, laws and norms. We end with discussing the potential implications of the framework for public health programmes and research studies aiming to improve adolescent SRHR and wellbeing.

scholarly journals Undervisning og veiledning ved studentopphold i utviklingsland

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 70-79
Author(s):  
Ragnhild Dybdahl ◽  
Astrid Christensen
Keyword(s):  
International Development ◽  
Development Cooperation ◽  
Primary Concern ◽  
Security Risks ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Opportunities For Learning ◽  
Global Action ◽  
Student Projects ◽  
The University

We reflect on our experiences supervising students from Norwegian universities when they have intern-ships or do research projects in vulnerable contexts or low- and middle income countries (LMIC). Such stays may provide great opportunities for learning and for engaging in global action for sustainable devel-opment. However, there are also a number of challenges, including; unpredictability; poor governance and lack of available welfare structures; safety and security risks; as well as inequality and power differ-ences. We discuss the necessary preparation and supervision of students. Major questions are when, where and how to engage. Lessons learnt from international development cooperation appear useful, including relevance of activity, effectiveness and, efficiency, and sustainability. The choice of site and activity emerges as a primary concern; in particular partnerships and partner assessment. The role and responsibility of the university and the hosts in developing countries are central. Based on these reflections and our ex-periences, we propose a checklist to be used in selecting sites and assessing student projects suitability.

2020 guidelines for conducting plastic reconstructive short‐term surgical projects in low‐middle income countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. 1308-1321
Author(s):  
George D. Politis ◽  
George Gregory ◽  
Francine S. Yudkowitz ◽  
Quentin A. Fisher ◽  
Anisa Z. Bhettay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Short Term ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low Middle Income Countries
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