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Background: Aedes mosquitoes are the main vector of dengue infection, a global health threat affecting millions of people annually. Conventional prevention and control methods against dengue outbreaks have only achieved marginal success. Recognizing the complex issue at hand, a multilevel participatory approach is crucial. Thus, alternative strategies that involve community engagement are increasingly being considered and attempted. While community-based vector control programs have been conducted, sustaining behavioral changes among the population remains a challenge. This study aimed to identify the specific community needs in combating Aedes mosquitoes and dengue fever as a basis to guide the development of community-driven initiatives and foster a deeper sense of ownership in the fight against dengue. Methods: Between 1 August 2022 and 30 November 2022, we conducted a study in Hulu Langat district, Selangor, using a mixed-method design. All participants consented to the study, which comprised 27 participants (FGDs) and 15 participants (IDIs). The IDIs included two participants with a history of dengue fever, one community leader, one faith leader, seven local authorities, and four district health officers. Semi-structured interviews and discussions were performed among stakeholders and community members recruited via purposive and snowball sampling techniques. All interviews were audio-recorded before being analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: These results derived from qualitative data explored the perspectives and needs of communities in combating Aedes mosquitoes and dengue fever. Interviews were conducted with various stakeholders, including community members, leaders, and health officers. The study identified the necessity of decisive actions by authorities to address the impact of the dengue epidemic, the importance of community engagement through partnerships and participatory approaches, the potential benefits of incentives and rewards to enhance community participation, and the need for sustained community engagement and education, especially via the involvement of young people in prevention efforts. These findings provide valuable insights into the design of effective strategies against Aedes mosquitoes and dengue fever. Conclusions: In short, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive approach involving multiple stakeholders in the fight against Aedes mosquitoes and dengue fever. The approach should incorporate efforts to raise awareness, provide practical resources, and foster community responsibility. The active involvement of teenagers as volunteers can contribute to long-term prevention efforts. Collaboration, resource allocation, and community engagement are crucial for effective dengue control and a healthier environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on essential health services is a source of great concern. Health gains made during the last 2-3 decades have been halted due to shifting of resources to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim and Objective: This study was conducted to identify community needs, demands, and perceptions regarding the effectiveness of using health services during the pandemic. Methodology: This was a qualitative study which was conducted through focus group discussions. The participants comprised of three groups: community leaders, healthcare providers, and field workers. Discussion among the participants was conducted using the standardized World Health Organization community assessment tool. Result: In our study, it was reported that most of the essential health services were disrupted due to COVID-19 pandemic. The barriers to accessing essential health services have been exacerbated and the provision of community-based services is effected due to this. In regard to COVID-19 vaccination also, there remain individuals who are reluctant to be vaccinated. Conclusion: Our study shows that the community faced barriers in accessing and using health services during the pandemic. To ensure the public's access to health services and strengthen healthcare preparedness strategies like health budget allocation, manpower, infrastructure, trainings, integration with primary healthcare, etc., need to be carried out during and after the pandemic. Thus, participation and inter-sectoral coordination across levels are required to overcome these barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The police killings of unarmed Black men and women, particularly in the year 2020, fueled a moral outcry for defunding the police. The defund movement asserts that divested police funds should be invested in communities most devastated by hyper-policing. However, decisions on which community services to finance are often void of community input. To fill this gap, the current study highlights responses from 50 Black fathers living in southwest Philadelphia on community resources necessary for themselves and their children to live safe and prosperous lives. The men explained that, to enhance public safety and recover from the devastation of social stigmatization and marginalization, funds need to be invested in resources beyond the 'basics' (i.e., housing, employment, health care). Specifically, the fathers wanted local educational and entrepreneurial opportunities that would allow community members to demonstrate their full potential. The current study informs policymakers on the importance of building community capacity rather than focusing solely on service delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nursing education in Iran is one of the disciplines of medical sciences and it needs a design tailored to the community needs in terms of theoretical and clinical approaches. This system is currently faced with various challenges. This study aims to explore the challenges of Iranian nursing education system to address community needs. Methods: A study was carried out through an exploratory descriptive qualitative design with content analysis method. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 participants from the nursing society, selected through purposive sampling. The interviews were continued until data saturation. Data analysis was performed simultaneous with data collection by using Graneheim & Lundman approach. Results: Based on the interviews and simultaneous analyses, a total of 471 codes, 14 subcategories, six main categories, and two themes were extracted. The first theme, "system structure," consisted of three categories: "the need for ongoing revision of curriculum," "the need to recruit qualified students," and "the need for a proportionate educational environment." The second theme was "the education process" with three categories "the need for purposive educational design," "the need for purposive monitoring and feedback," and "the need for appropriate and early interaction with the community." The participants emphasized the continuous revision of the educational curriculum based on the current needs of the community and community-based nursing education. Conclusions: In general, the results showed that Iranian nursing education system is faced with many challenges in the educational system structure and processes. It is necessary to make appropriate plans to enhance the status of the educational system structure and develop educational designs to address community needs using a hospital/community-based approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the perceptions and needs of local residents in three rural areas. It compares the opinions of the residents with the strategic plans previously adopted by Local Action Groups and Regional Development Agencies. The results highlight the differences and similarities between the views of the local population and the strategic plans, prompting a discussion on the effectiveness and direction of regional development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I study the relationship between changes in community needs and the supply of voluntary work. I present basic theoretical considerations, which suggest that the relationship between voluntary work and an increase in community needs is ambiguous. Then, I test the relationship empirically by proxying community needs with the number of needy people, i.e., refugees, in a county, and by exploiting the quasi-random allocation of refugees within Germany. I find that doubling the number of refugees increases the probability of volunteering by about 2 percentage points. These estimates imply that 1.45 million people additionally volunteered during the refugee crisis, i.e., more than one person per refugee. • In theory, volunteering is ambiguously related to the number of people in need. • This study focuses on refugees as aid recipients for the empirical investigation. • The quasi-random allocation of refugees in Germany enables causal identification. • As the number of refugees increases, people are more likely to volunteer. • Pure altruism appears to be a key motivation to volunteer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the socio-economic aspects of marine protected areas (MPAs) in South Africa is reviewed to guide evaluation and integration. After a brief international review, we used declaration notices and management plans to determine the extent to which social and economic objectives have been included in the purpose statements of MPAs. We then reviewed the current state of knowledge about the social and economic effects of South African MPAs. While many MPAs have purposes and objectives that include some social and economic objectives, these are limited in scope. Most of the MPAs that were declared before 2019 did not include objectives directly related to people or their needs. Social or economic research has been undertaken in fewer than half of the 23 coastal MPAs. Literature is largely limited to: (i) studies on negative impacts of MPAs on adjacent rural communities; (ii) selected aspects of tourism; and (iii) various aspects related to resource use. A wide range of other tangible and intangible effects, including those experienced by a broader set of stakeholders and over differing scales of time and space, have seldom been addressed. A case study on the Tsitsikamma MPA exemplifies challenges associated with understanding the full scope of social and economic aspects of MPAs. We conclude with recommendations to address the challenges of building a better understanding of the social and economic effects of MPAs, ensuring that these are addressed in establishing or revising objectives for each MPA, and assessing the extent to which the objectives meet both human and environmental needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the positivity Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) brings to the corporate table, scant attention has been paid to understanding its impact on the communities. CSR practice is relatively immature as most companies fail to understand the community needs and the method to satiate these needs effectively. It is also believed that the social work profession shares common values that CSR attempts to address. The present study is a pioneer attempt to understand the gap in CSR delivery through the lens of its recipients by investigating current practices and perceptions on CSR function and the potential involvement of social workers in this field. In-depth interviews were conducted with eight CSR recipient communities in Pulau Pinang. The finding provides fresh evidence that has broadened the understanding of how efficient CSR specialists can optimize their roles, providing a basis for establishing an appropriate curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LGBTQ individuals disproportionally experience a variety of adverse health outcomes as compared to heterosexual individuals with similar backgrounds. New Orleans has the fourth-highest concentration of LGBTQ individuals in American metropolitan areas. This research defined, measured, and prioritized LGBTQ community needs based on reports from professionals currently involved in healthcare and social service provision. A total of 22 interviews were completed with service providers located in the Greater New Orleans area. The project outlines the greatest programming needs to reduce health and quality of life disparities currently observed in LGBTQ populations. Major service barriers and considerations for research with minority populations are also discussed. Affordable housing, mental health service accessibility, service provider cultural competence, and transportation management were found to play major roles in LGBTQ focused program efficacy. Researchers include suggestions for implementing participatory research methodology into future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic brought the urgency in the search for innovative solutions in different areas of knowledge to mitigate the effects and impacts of the disease, whether on health, social or economic terms. Urban and socio-economic determinants of informalsettlement communities make COVID-19 challenges even harder to be overcome, requiring local and situated solutions that consider their livelihood diversity. This manuscript shows the results of an exploratory pilot study which addressed the potential of participatory design to contribute to mitigating COVID-19 effects and impacts, identifying the problems, adaptative strategies, challenges for and needs of Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte communities. It was drawn from triangulation of methods and analysis of multiple (primary and secondary) data sources. The needs of communities were raised through online roundtables with community members, representatives of NGOs, designers, architects and researchers. Analysis of the roundtables was conducted collaboratively by the researchers through online tools, including Affinity Mapping, and 5 Whys. The findings point out the needs of communities clustered in 6 major themes, five of which indicate potential areas in which participatory design can play a meaningful role and need to be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

You must learn from company models and strategies, because many of the answers to current difficulties and changes may be outside the library world in other organizations that also feel the effects of change and competition. While many believe that there is no relationship between the organization's field of work and the use of quantitative methods, and saying specialization does not negate the necessity And its importance should translate the concept of service mentality of companies that have adopted the field to libraries and information centers, so this study aims to highlight the role and importance of the application of quantitative methods using the models of operations research in improving the performance of libraries, We have studied the quantity through the various calculations and analysis according to this model followed by a qualitative study to identify the characteristics and main features of the collection under study and determine their behavior to be guided by a comprehensive development policy successful library, and the study reached several results, Mathematical Models of Operations Research Tools for evaluating, managing, and managing collections in libraries, contributing to decisionmaking and problem solving in various collection development processes, and contributing to the development of long-term goals for strategic planning by studying expectations And the development of various scenarios and possibilities and concluded a set of suggestions and recommendations in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a brief introduction to flow battery technology as an energy storage device, with a particular focus on the all-vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB). These rechargeable batteries are well suited for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for small commercial or multi-family residential dwellings. This paper will explore, in greater depth, the specific industrial and marketing mechanisms by which a storage battery, that does not generate electricity, is able to actually reduce CO 2 gas emissions, while at the same time benefiting all stakeholders. The startup company, Ashlawn Energy, is discussed by way of example of the process being followed to push this technology into the mass market, and thus realize this technology's full potential. • Redox flow batteries as a power source. • Vanadium redox flow batteries in the marketplace. • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions using redox flow batteries. • Industrial production of redox flow batteries for commercial and residential applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is worldwide geographic variation in the epidemiology of traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI). The aim of this study was to determine whether environmental barriers, health status, and quality-of-life outcomes differ between patients with tSCI living in rural or urban settings, and whether patients move from rural to urban settings after tSCI. A cohort review of the Rick Hansen SCI Registry (RHSCIR) was undertaken from 2004 to 2012 for one province in Canada. Rural/urban setting was determined using postal codes. Outcomes data at 1 year in the community included the Short Form-36 Version 2 (SF36v2™), Life Satisfaction Questionnaire, Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors-Short Form (CHIEF-SF), Functional Independent Measure® Instrument, and SCI Health Questionnaire. Statistical methodologies used were t test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Fisher's exact or χ2 test. In the analysis, 338 RHSCIR participants were included; 65 lived in a rural setting and 273 in an urban setting. Of the original patients residing in a rural area at discharge,10 moved to an urban area by 1 year. Those who moved from a rural to urban area reported a lower SF-36v2™ Mental Component Score (MCS; p = 0.04) and a higher incidence of depression at 1 year ( p = 0.04). Urban patients also reported a higher incidence of depression ( p = 0.02) and a lower CHIEF-SF total score ( p = 0.01) indicating fewer environmental barriers. No significant differences were found in other outcomes. Results suggest that although the patient outcomes are similar, some patients move from rural to urban settings after tSCI. Future efforts should target screening mental health problems early, especially in urban settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Home to almost 600,000 people, Glasgow is a vibrant city with a long history of public library provision. Today, the city boasts Scotland’s largest public library service. However, over the past ten years it has become increasing apparent that libraries in Scotland and indeed worldwide must adapt in order to stay relevant to society’s changing needs. Glasgow Libraries’ comprehensive Vision for Glasgow Libraries, developed through detailed research and consultation, seeks to address these challenges to ensure that the city’s vital, life changing library service remains integral to the needs of the people of Glasgow for years to come. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The present Prescott Valley Public Library facility was created in 2009 as a space that was meant to be shared. The building was designed to be aesthetically unique and people friendly. Key elements include an auditorium for Town Council, a multifunctional meeting room with a kitchen and multimedia projection capabilities, a roof top terrace, outside patios, PC lab, Digital Media Lab, and a variety of smaller gathering spaces. Additionally, we share our facility with a satellite campus of Northern Arizona University, which affords frequent opportunities to collaborate in novel ways to connect with our community. Sharing is a value we learn early in life and it is the hallmark of professional librarianship. It is challenging, sometimes frustrating work. But the rewards far outweigh the risks. Those rewards extend to every citizen in our shared, county network—Yavapai Library Network. Throughout this article, we present a variety of practical aspects related to our experience, which may guide and inspire others to share their library space within their community. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Youth-focused comprehensive community initiatives (CCIs) exist to create the conditions so all young people may have the developmental supports needed to thrive. Research shows alignment is a key ingredient for meaningful change in a community. The current study discusses the theoretical basis for the importance of alignment, and provides a method to measure alignment of perceived needs in the community using semi-structured interview data. Our results suggest a method of using the perceptions of multiple stakeholders to reveal that there are alignments and misalignments across the levels of a community. Direct service providers (DSP) and families had the most alignment, while the least alignment was between the CCI leadership and families. Further, DSP and families stressed basic needs (such as needing to pay bills and buy food, or needing transportation), while CCI leadership stressed the need for the creation and/or implementation of academic programmatic efforts to ensure positive developmental outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The last decade has seen significant growth in scientific understanding and public awareness of autism. There is still a long road ahead before this awareness can be matched with parallel improvements in evidence-based practice. The process of translating evidence into community care has been hampered by the seeming disconnect between the mainstream scientific research agenda and the immediate priorities of many communities. The need for community engagement in the process of translating knowledge into impact has been recognized. However, there remains little consensus or empirical data regarding the process of such engagement and how to measure its impact. We shed light on a number of engagement models and tools, previously advocated in health research, as they apply to autism research. Furthermore, we illustrate the utility of such tools in supporting identification of knowledge gaps and priorities, using two community-based case studies. The case studies illustrate that information generated from research is indeed relevant and critical for knowledge users in the community. Simple and systematic methods can support the translation and uptake of knowledge in diverse communities, therefore enhancing engagement with research and bridging research findings with immediate community needs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Since 1994, 14 reliable national studies have provided longitudinal data revealing and analyzing trends in the public access computing, Internet access, and technology assistance and training that public libraries make available to the communities they serve. This article provides an overview of selected data from the 2012 study; examines major issues that have emerged from the data in the most recent studies; identifies key trends and changes in Internet-enabled services and resources provided by public libraries to their communities over the course of the 18 years of conducting the national surveys; and discusses selected future issues and challenges regarding public library Internet-enabled services. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper aims to explore the success of the recent regeneration efforts in building sustainable communities in historic housing areas of Istanbul that have suffered from growing problems of urban deprivation and poverty. It explains the interplay between conservation, community needs and sustainability, based on the assumption that finding a balance between the needs, aspirations and concerns of local communities and the conservation of the built environments will lead to the creation of more equitable and sustainable communities in Istanbul's historic quarters. After investigating the Turkish urban conservation policy agenda, and the recent changes in the urban and socio-spatial structure of Istanbul, it examines the European Union-funded regeneration initiative of Fener and Balat, a declining neighbourhood in the Historic Peninsula. Debating the strengths and weaknesses of the community-based and participatory programme, the paper attempts to give clues for future regeneration initiatives to develop sustainable community policies in the historic neighbourhoods of Istanbul. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study design:Multi-centre, single cohort.Objectives:To assess the needs, perceived environmental barriers, level of participation and psychological function of spinal cord injured patients living in the community 3–18 months after discharge.Setting:The National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville, UK.; Princess Royal Spinal Injuries Centre, Sheffield UK.; Midlands Centre for Spinal Injuries, Oswestry, UK.Method:Participants sustaining injury aged 18 or above were recruited from one of three spinal cord injuries units 3–18 months after discharge. Postal packs containing questionnaires, consent forms and information were distributed and a 2-week reminder was sent.Results:Main findings showed community needs to be generally well addressed however psychosocial needs were rated significantly lower than physical. Responses suggested no environmental impact on participation levels, however, qualitative data highlighted delays in accommodation, adaptations and availability of equipment to interfere with transition to community living. A substantial amount of respondents reported significant impact on independence and activity from secondary conditions and pain. Nearly all the sample reported dissatisfaction with their sexual life and these needs were not well addressed.Conclusions:Societal participation continues to be affected by secondary conditions and pain, whereas delays in equipment and structural adaptations impact on the transition to community living. Sexual needs and problems remain an issue for the spinal cord injured population and a need which is left unaddressed in the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Practicing psychologists in rural and urban Oregon were surveyed about their perceptions of psychological needs and resources in their communities. Both groups indicated the most salient unmet community needs as adequate access to appropriately trained medication prescribers, comprehensive psychological assessment services, and psychological services for children. When compared with urban communities, those in rural communities have more difficulties with accessing all professional services, and rural psychologists have access to fewer professional resources. However, there appear to be few differences between perceived needs and resources in rural and urban communities. Psychologists who practice in these communities perceive a strong need for more access to psychological services in both settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study design:Cross-sectional or psychotherapy, questionnaire.Objectives:To examine the community needs of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) across four European countries and to identify areas of unmet needs. It is intended that this information will be of use to rehabilitation professionals in fostering greater social participation among SCI individuals.Setting:United Kingdom, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.Methods:Self-report questionnaires were sent to 1000 people with SCI resident in the community in the UK, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Questionnaires measured current needs, community integration, mood, appraisals, coping strategies, functional independence and perceived manageability.Results:Occupation, sexual activity and pain relief were areas indicative of highest community needs in all four countries. Most participants were psychologically well adjusted and socially integrated into the community. Well-addressed needs were skin management, wheelchair needs and accommodation. Some differences that occurred in certain areas across the four countries were found.Conclusion:This study has highlighted that the main areas of unmet needs for a European community sample of people with SCI includes levels of occupation, sexual activity and pain relief. The findings will be of interest to those involved in rehabilitation of newly as well as long-term injured people and demonstrate the need to consistently readdress such issues as part of a person's long-term rehabilitation in order to achieve and maximise effective social participation.Spinal Cord (2006) 44, 95–105. doi:10.1038/sj.sc.3101787; published online 30 August 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an effort to assess the level of community need and inform responsive resource allocation, Larimer County, Colorado developed a county-level index of well-being. This paper describes the development of that index including the selection of indicators and the methodology for scoring and presenting those indicators. We also present how the local community used the information and describe problems we found while aggregating indicators. Next, we show the results of evaluating our index using Hagerty et al.’s (2001, Social Indicators Research 55, pp. 1–96) 14 criteria for determining validity and usefulness of quality of life indices. The Larimer County index performed above both the “satisfactory” rating and the mean of the 22 indices evaluated using Hagerty et al.’s. We conclude that the Larimer County index is based on a solid approach that will be helpful to local policy makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]