The Interventional Capacity of Community Health Volunteers for Screening and Linkages of Non-Communicable Diseases in Nyeri County, Kenya

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 63% of mortalities. Approximately 80% of these NCD-related deaths occur in LMICs. A quasi-experimental study utilizing a non-equivalent pre-and post-test was conducted from May 2022 to March 2023 with 370 study participants. Multistage cluster and random sampling were used to select ten community units, and therefore, 150 CHVs were chosen for the control unit, and 150 were used to form the interventional group. Data was collected from the KOBO app. Six (6) homogenous FGDs comprised ten members, and 10 KII were conducted across study sites. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 28.0, and qualitative data was audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed via N-Vivo 12. The study shows that 59.3% of respondents have minimal information, and 92.7% (n = 139) have no clear understanding of NCDs, with a pre-intervention capacity of 48.8%. Independent sample t-test showed a significant difference in capacity from a pre-intervention average of 48.75 (SD ± 5.7)%, which increased to 68.28 (SD ± 7.6)%, p < 0.001. A well-designed community interventional model plays a pivotal role in grassroots healthcare delivery but requires optimization for NCD management.

Nursing student volunteers and their level of involvement during the COVID-19 pandemic:a systematic review

Objective:Many strategic efforts were made to address nurses'shortage in controlling Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),including recruiting student health volunteers.This review aimed to explore the contribution and involvement of nursing student volunteers during COVID-19.Methods:A systematic review was registered in PROSPERO International CRD42021283069.Electronic databases for ar ticle search included:SCOPUS,EBSCO MEDLINE,Pub Med,Pro Quest,Springer,Sage Pub,and hand searching.The critical appraisal study quality using The Joanna Briggs Institutes.Data extraction and synthesis used Population,Intervention,Comparison,Outcome,and Design(PICO and D)framework with thematic analysis.Results:Twelve studies were enrolled from 2545 retrieved,with 4 synthesized themes:(1)determinant of the involvement of nursing student volunteers during COVID-19,which includes 3 subthemes:motivations,perception,and barriers,(2)expectations and actual condition of nursing students as volunteers,(3)the need for nursing student volunteers,and(4)the impact and level of student volunteers'contribution.All student volunteers contribute to providing direct or indirect services to patients.Conclusions:This review provides an overview of nursing student volunteers'needs useful in developing competency frameworks and the role of culturally sensitive volunteers in education and training.In the future,student volunteers could choose the appropriate volunteer program and location according to their competence.

English Training for College Student Volunteers at Sports Events

This paper studies English training for student volunteers at large scale sports events with a comprehensive investigation of the undergraduate student volunteers from Capital University of Physical Education who have taken part in large scale sports events.By examining the current volunteer training situation,the author finds that there is a sever lack of professional and systematical English training for student volunteers at large scale sports events.The study shows focusing on sports events knowledge and requirements of the volunteers’specific job is crucial to the service level of the volunteers.The study concludes that the problem can be solved by developing new course books,innovating new flexible training methods,and offering more comprehensive training content.The recommended training methods include intensive group training,computer aided teaching,task training and on-the-spot training to make them fit their work soon.

Volunteers as caregivers for elderly with chronic diseases:An assessment of demand and cause of demand

Objective:We sought to examine the demand of volunteers on long-term care of elderly patients with chronic diseases.Further,we evaluated patients'reasons to want long-term care volunteers as well as socioeconomic factors affecting these needs.Methods:Questionnaires were distributed to 516 elderly with chronic diseases from nursing homes,hospitals,and elderly living with relatives.Patient questions dealt with basic socioeconomic questions,their reasons to want care volunteers,and the nature of chronic disease,and their motivation to volunteer and which sorts of activities they perform while volunteering.Results:73.4%of the elderly patients with chronic diseases desired to have volunteers for long-term care.The most desired services were care visits,transportation,and leisure/recreation activities.The number of chronic diseases they had,their marital status,education level,and social support system were all statistically important.Conclusion:The data presented here suggest that the government should actively advocate for volunteer service for elderly with chronic diseases.Additional support is needed in terms of financial support,incentive measures,professional training for volunteers,and supervision of volunteers.Such developments are needed to improve volunteer service standards.

Nerve compression and pain in human volunteers with narrow vs wide tourniquets

AIM: To assess the clinical effects and the morphological grade of nerve compression.METHODS: In a prospective single-center randomized, open study we assessed the clinical effects and the morphological grade of nerve compression during 20 min of either a silicon ring(group A) or pneumatic tourniquet(group B) placement variantly on the upper non-dominant limb in 14 healthy human volunteers. Before and during compression, the median and radial nerves were visualized in both groups by 3 Tesla MR imaging, using high resolutional(2.5 mm slice thickness) axial T2-weighted sequences. RESULTS: In group A, Visual analog pain scale was 5.4 ± 2.2 compared to results of group B, 2.9 ± 2.5, showing a significant difference(P = 0.028). FPS levels in group A were 2.6 ± 0.9 compared to levels in group B 1.6 ± 1, showing a significant difference(P = 0.039). Results related to measureable effect on median and radial nerve function were equal in both groups. No undue pressure signs on the skin, redness or nerve damage occurred in either group. There was no significant difference in the diameters of the nerves without and under compression in either group on T2 weighted images.CONCLUSION: Based on our results, no differences between narrow and wide tourniquets were identified. Silicon ring tourniquets can be regarded as safe for short time application.

A study on the correlation between function motivation and professional identity among nursing volunteers

Objective:The objective of this study is to understand the status quo of function motivation and professional identity among nursing volunteers and explore the correlation between the two.Materials and Methods:A total of 3375 nursing volunteers from Nightingale Volunteer Service Group in Shanxi Province were investigated by using Occupational Identity Scale and Volunteer Functional Motivation Scale.Results:A total of 3375 questionnaires were issued and 3330 were recovered,among which 3324 were valid,with an effective recovery rate of 99.82%(3324/3330).The overall score of professional identity of nurses was 110.31±18.71,and the score of each dimension was 32.17±6.62 for professional cognitive evaluation dimension,22.77±3.74 for professional social support,21.31±4.09 for professional social skills,22.78±3.79 for professional frustration coping,and 11.32±2.03 for professional self-reflection.The total score of function motivation was 157.12±29.92.The above five dimensions of nurse’s professional identity scale were positively correlated with the total score of function motivation of nursing volunteers(r=0.044,0.035,0.034,0.035,and 0.042,respectively,all P<0.05).Conclusion:The functional motivation and professional identity of nursing volunteers in Shanxi Province are in the middle level in China.Therefore,it is necessary for the hospital to stimulate nursing staff’s enthusiasm about participation by carrying out multi-channel and multi-form volunteer service projects,enhance their professional identity,and make them better give back nursing professional skills to the society.

Changes of microcirculation in healthy volunteers and patients with septic shock in Xining

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristic of microcirculation in healthy volunteers and patients with septic shock in both Xining(2 260 m) and Nanjing(10 m). Methods: A total of 62 cases, 33 healthy volunteers, 22 cases in Xining,(2 260 m above sea level) and 11 cases in Nanjing(10 m above sea level); and 29 septic shock, 13 cases in Xining and 16 cases in Nanjing were collected. The total vessel density(TVD), perfused vessel density(PVD), proportion of perfused vessel(PPV) and microcirculation flow index(MFI) of both healthy volunteers and septic shock had been investigated by using sidestream dark field(SDF). Analyzed and managed the image data by using AVA3.0 software. Results: In the healthy volunteers in Xining area(22 cases),the volume of TVD(15.59 ± 2.58 mm/mm^2), PVD(15.58 ± 2.58 mm/mm^2) and PPV(96.60% ± 4.63%) were significant higher than the volume of TVD(10.0 ± 2.10 mm/mm^2), PVD(10.81 ± 2.38 mm/mm^2) and PPV(84.24% ± 8.00%) of the volunteers(11 cases) in Nanjing(11 cases). But the MFI(2.17 ± 0.31) of the healthy volunteers in the Xining was significant lower(P<0.05) than the MFI(3.21 ± 0.34) in the healthy volunteers of Nanjing. In the septic shock group(13 cases) in the Xining, the volume of TVD(5.44 ± 1.94 mm/mm^2), PVD(4.18 ± 1.61 mm/mm^2), PPV(42.14%± 5.38%) and MFI(1.05 ± 0.32) compared with the volume of the healthy volunteers in Xining, the TVD(15.59 ± 2.58 mm/mm^2), PVD(5.58 ± 2.58 mm/mm^2), PPV(96.60% ± 4.63%) and MFI(2.17 ± 0.30) were significant lower(P<0.05). In the healthy volunteers compare with septic shock group in Nanjing area, the TVD(6.80±1.72 vs 10.00±2.10, P<0.05), PVD(5.86±1.58 vs10.81±2.38,P<0.05), PPV(45.42±4.86 vs 84.24±4.86, P<0.05), MFI(1.28±0.28 vs 3.21±0.34 P<0.05), there was significant decreased. In the septic shock group in the Xining compared with the septic shock in Nanjing, there was no significant difference. 10 of 13 patients with septic shock were survived in Xining. 13 of 16 patients with septic shock were survived in Nanjing. Conclusion: The changes of physiological and pathophysiological characteristic in microcirculation induced by hypoxia would be useful for clinical treatment of septic shock at high altitude.

Medical students as disaster volunteers:A strategy for improving emergency department surge response in times of crisis

Disasters resulting in mass casualty incidents can rapidly overwhelm the Emergency Department(ED).To address critical manpower needs in the ED’s disaster response,medical student involvement has been advocated.Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School is in proximity to Singapore General Hospital and represents an untapped manpower resource.With appropriate training and integration into ED disaster workflows,medical students can be leveraged upon as qualified manpower.This review provides a snapshot of the conceptualization and setting up of the Disaster Volunteer Corps-a programme where medical students were recruited to receive regular training and assessment from emergency physicians on disaster response principles to fulfil specific roles during a crisis,while working as part of a team under supervision.We discuss overall strategy and benefits to stakeholders,emphasizing the close symbiotic relationship between academia and healthcare services.

Impact of endoscopy-based research on quality of life in healthy volunteers

AIM:To study the impact of an endoscopy-based long-term study on the quality of life in healthy volunteers(HV).METHODS:Ten HV were included into a long-term prospective endoscopy-based placebo-controlled trial with 15 endoscopic examinations per person in 5 different drug phases.Participants completed short form-36(SF-36) and visual analog scale-based questionnaires(VAS) for different abdominal symptoms at days 0,7 and 14 of each drug phase.Analyses wereperformed according to short-and long-term changes and compared to the control group.RESULTS:All HV completed the study with duration of more than 6 mo.Initial quality of life score was comparable to a general population.Analyses of the SF-36 questionnaires showed no significant changes in physical,mental and total scores,either in a short-term perspective due to different medications,or to potentially endoscopic procedure-associated long-term cumulative changes.Analogous to SF-36,VAS revealed no significant changes in total scores for pathological abdominal symptoms and remained unchanged over the time course and when compared to the control population.CONCLUSION:This study demonstrates that quality of life in HV is not significantly affected by a longterm endoscopy-based study with multiple endoscopic procedures.

Rural nurses’ perceptions of a volunteer program in an acute setting: Volunteers delivering person-centred care for patients with dementia and delirium

Community volunteers were recruited and trained to deliver person-centred care to patients with dementia or delirium in an acute hospital setting, in a small rural Australian hospital. The volunteer program was grounded in action research methodology, and modelled on a previous research project. As a form of evaluation, interviews were conducted with nursing staff eight weeks after implementation of the volunteer program to explore their opinions. Data were analysed through a collaborative process and findings revealed strong benefits from the perspectives of the nursing staff. These benefits included overall improved patient care and improved time management for nursing tasks.

Oral Pharmacokinetics of Mirodenafil in Mexican Healthy Volunteers

Mirodenafil is a 5-phosphodiesterase inhibitor that is currently marketed in Korea for the treatment of erectile dysfunction;however, no information in other populations is available. It has been described that Mirodenafil is metabolized by CYP3A4, a metabolic pathway in which interethnic differences have been reported. The purpose of this study was to characterize the oral pharmacokinetics of Mirodenafil in Mexicans. Seventeen male healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. After an overnight fast, volunteers received an oral 100 mg dose and blood samples were collected at selected times during 24 h. Plasma was stored frozen and analyzed by an HPLC method. Pharmacokinetic parameters obtained were: Cmax 331.129 ± 32.689 ng/mL, tmax 1.574 ± 0.293 h, AUC24h 883.293 ± 104.088 ng·h/mL, AUC￥ 976.477 ± 108.812 ng·h/mL and t1/2 1.807 ± 0.171 h. Parameter values observed in this study are similar to those reported in Koreans. Since efficacy and safety studies of Mirodenafil have been conducted in Koreans, it is expected that dosage regime to employ in Mexicans should be similar to the approved for Korean population.

Factors Affecting Disease Risk Perception and Self-Management Behaviors among Japanese Long-Term Overseas Volunteers

Introduction: Many overseas volunteers have worked in low and middle-income countries. However traveling abroad and staying in an unfamiliar environment with inadequate medical infrastructure exposes volunteers to a wide range of health risks. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationships among disease knowledge and symptoms, disease risk perception, and self-management skills. Methods: This was a questionnaire survey of 189 Japanese who were preparing to volunteer abroad. A factor analysis was conducted on 13 items (six general risk events and seven major diseases) of risk perception. Correlation analysis was performed between the identified risk perception factors and disease knowledge and symptoms. Risk perception scores by factors from the seven disease items were compared between the Self-management Score (SMS) group and disease knowledge and risk of symptoms group, using T-tests. St. Luke’s International University Ethics Committee (19-A092) approved this study. Results: Many participants expected to suffer from digestive diseases (69.3%) and dermatitis (55%) in the field. On the other hand, few expected high risk of malaria (26.5%) or dengue fever (36%). Factor analysis yielded robust factor loadings creating a “Dread” and an “Unknown” factor accounting for 62.2% of total variance. Strong correlation was not found between SMS and disease risk perception. A weak negative correlation was observed in dengue fever, digestive disorders, and dermatitis (r = −0.20 to −0.25, p < 0.001) on the “Unknown” factor. A high SMS score was associated with a lower “Unknown” factor score for malaria, diarrhea, dermatitis, and dental disorders. In addition, higher disease knowledge was significantly associated with higher “Dread” factor score for dental disorders. Conclusions: Self-management skills and disease knowledge will enable higher risk awareness of common diseases and high lethality diseases.

Expression of mRNA of chemokines and chemokine receptors and cytokines amount in the blood of healthy volunteers

Background: Chemokines are small proteins that activate immune system in normal and pathological conditions. The induction of chemotaxis is a well-established role of chemokines. Moreover chemokines are important mediators of angiogenesis, implantation of fetus, and maturation of immune cells. In human body many types of cells express chemokines and cytokines at level of gene and protein. In blood cells chemokine and chemokine receptors mRNA level is a one of crucial points of chemokine system condition. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between plasma concentration of cyto- kines and chemokines/chemokine receptors mRNA level in blood of healthy volunteers. Results: Gene expression of eotaxin, eotaxin-2, IL-8, MIP-1α, MIP- 1β, RANTES, CCR1, CCR3, CCR5, CXCR1, and CXCR2 was measured in peripheral blood cells, as well as the concentration of IL-1β, IL-1ra, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12 (p70), IL-13, IL-15, IL-17, eotaxin, FGF-2, G-CSF, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, IP-10, MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, PDGF-BB, RANTES, TNF-α, and VEGF was evaluated in the plasma of 19 healthy individuals. We studied rela- tionship between mRNA levels of chemokines/recaptors and cytokine concentration in blood of healthy volunteers. Conclusion: These data are allowed to assess chemokines impact in the cytokine regulation of healthy subjects. These results indicate that chemokines and their receptors is diverse and redundant system of immune reactivity in response to internal and external challenges.

Implementation and evaluation of the peer-training program for village health volunteers to improve chronic disease management among older adults in rural Thailand

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the effect of a peer-training program for village health volunteers(VHVs)to improve chronic disease management among older adults in rural Thailand.Methods The study was guided by community-based participatory research(CBPR).The peer-training program was developed by engaging diverse stakeholders,including community organizations,healthcare services,VHVs,older adults with chronic illnesses,and folk scholars in remote communities with high healthcare needs.The peer-training program comprised a three-day training workshop that convened once a week for three weeks with the following six sessions:knowledge sharing,peer support and empowerment,health literacy and health behavior,the general caring procedure for older adults with chronic illnesses,information sharing and communication,and home visit.From January to April 2021,a total of 28 VHVs completed the peer training program in a rural area in Chiang Rai province,Thailand.The Health Literacy and Health Behavior-3E2S(HLHB-3E2S),the Management of Non-Communicable Diseases Questionnaire(MNCDQ),and a self-confidence questionnaire were used to survey pre(week 1)and post-intervention(week 12),respectively.Then VHVs were interviewed to collect attitudes,and opinions about the intervention.Results After the intervention,the HLHB-3E2S scores(49.39±5.54 vs.52.35±4.26,P=0.001),the MNCDQ scores(44.10±6.27 vs.50.60±4.84,P<0.001),and the self-confidence questionnaire scores(22.28±2.46 vs.23.21±1.81,P=0.01)of VHVs significantly increased.VHVS also reported that the peer-training program enhanced their healthcare services,including health education,chronic disease management,leadership skills,and improving their relationship with healthcare providers.Conclusion Peer training programs are a practical strategy to improve VHVs’capacities.Healthcare professionals should provide a continuous training program for VHVs with their peers to increase capacities,confidence,and satisfaction in caring for the older adults with chronic diseases in the community.

Why Insisting in Being Volunteers? A Practical Case Study Exploring from Both Rational and Emotional Perspectives

This study explored the mechanism on how volunteers as rationalists use rationalism during their cognitive appraisal process when dealing with emotional events in their social helping behavior such as international rescue events.The authors used the triangulation method to include three studies(Study 1 is a qualitative research which explored ways of TCF leader’s inspiring their volunteer workers;Study 2 is a quantitative research on the decision-making process of volunteer individuals involving in international rescue activities;Study 3 is a quantitative research on individuals’motivation for joining social helping behavior)for validation of Tzu Chi Foundation(TCF),which is a famous non-profit organization worldwide,to prove that volunteers as rationalists rely on the reasonable cognitive appraisal method to substantially evaluate the necessity of social helping behavior,including their emotional responses and arousals.Economic evaluation theory was used to depict volunteers as volunteers as rationalists’way of cognitive appraisal perspective towards emotional events such as international rescue cases or when participating in activities by non-profit organizations.Accordingly,this study found that volunteers as rationalists adhere to the principles of altruism,egoism,compensation,and reciprocity as part of their cognitive appraisal when responding to emotional situations.The researchfindings of this study depicted the volunteers’behavioral intention as volunteers as rationalists in responding to emotional events in the form of NPO helping behaviors and international rescue events.Social helping behaviors often rely on people’s emotional compassion and empathy at the beginning,but social helping behaviors cannot rely solely on emotional support.To create long-term support for non-profit organizations’action plans,it is still neces-sary to plan rationally,turning the actions of volunteers into reasonable plans.In this way,even if the volun-teers have experienced many difficulties during devotion,hindrance,and stress afterward,they can still keep in a rationalist’mindset continuously.This paper provided directions for volunteer training for non-profit organizations.

Impact of humic acids on the colonic microbiome in healthy volunteers

AIMTo test the effects of humic acids on innate microbial communities of the colon.METHODSWe followed the effects of oral supplementation with humic acids (Activomin®) on concentrations and composition of colonic microbiome in 14 healthy volunteers for 45 d. 3 × 800 mg Activomin® were taken orally for 10 d followed by 3 × 400 mg for 35 d. Colonic microbiota were investigated using multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of Carnoy fixated and paraffin embedded stool cylinders. Two stool samples were collected a week prior to therapy and one stool sample on days 10, 31 and 45. Forty-one FISH probes representing different bacterial groups were used.RESULTSThe sum concentration of colonic microbiota increased from 20% at day 10 to 30% by day 31 and remained stable until day 45 (32%) of humic acid supplementation (P < 0.001). The increase in the concentrations in each person was due to growth of preexisting groups. The individual microbial profile of the patients remained unchanged. Similarly, the bacterial diversity remained stable. Concentrations of 24 of the 35 substantial groups increased from 20% to 96%. Two bacterial groups detected with Bac303 (Bacteroides) and Myc657 (mycolic acid-containing Actinomycetes) FISH probes decreased (P > 0.05). The others remained unaffected. Bacterial groups with initially marginal concentrations (< 0.1 × 109/mL) demonstrated no response to humic acids. The concentrations of pioneer groups of Bifidobacteriaceae, Enterobacteriaceae and Clostridium difficile increased but the observed differences were statistically not significant.CONCLUSIONHumic acids have a profound effect on healthy colonic microbiome and may be potentially interesting substances for the development of drugs that control the innate colonic microbiome.

Analysis of gender＇s role on voluntary tendency of potential/active volunteers via logistic regression modeling： The case of Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University

From economy to political administrations, education to health, environment to human rights, many problems we met have gained a global importance in recent days. Existing state systems, political parties and nation states are not adequate for solving these problems in question effectively on their own. Not only governments and local authorities but also voluntary organizations based on completely voluntary activities have significant roles in solving these problems. Effective performance of voluntary organizations depends on increasing volunteer population. Individuals＇ attitudes or their perception of understanding volunteerism play an important role in their contributions to voluntary organizations. The aim of this study is to determine individuals＇ ways of perceiving volunteerism concept and their tendency towards it. Furthermore, differences between men and women＇s perception and attitudes towards volunteerism concept have been examined. For this purpose, a survey has been conducted over university students of bachelor＇s degree. Tendencies and attitudes towards volunteerism compared to gender differences have been tested via logistic regression method. Research results reveal that women take part in voluntary activities more than men and women perceive volunteerism as ＂a political position＂ while men perceive volunteerism as ＂a learning atmosphere and learning process＂.

LESSONS FROM THE HEART--Young Chinese volunteers’ tales of teaching in Southeast Asia

As the invigorating early autumn climate begins emanating fresh feelings in Beijing, the students of Peking University (PKU) return to the campus to begin a new school year.

Kudos to the volunteers of Qingdao Marine ProductMuseum

This paper gives a brief introduction to the organization structure, personnel management and dis -tinctive services of the volunteers of Qingdao Marine Product Museum, and shows the effect of their work onscientific popularization and social responsibility.