Socio-Cultural Representations and Therapeutic Itineraries of Parents of Autistic Children Followed in the INSP’s Children’s Mental Health Services

Pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) remain little known to populations in developing countries. In black Africa their social representations remain strongly influenced by local belief systems. The general objective of this study was to understand the perceptions and representations of Ivorian parents vis-à-vis PDD. This was a mixed (qualitative and quantitative) prospective cross-sectional study with a descriptive aim that involved a sample of 49 parents. The sampling was of the qualitative type by multiple cases with reasoned choice by saturation. Our results showed that male parents were mostly aged between 40 - 49 years (48.98%) with a higher level of education (67.34%) while mothers were mostly aged between 30 - 39 (61.22%) and a higher level (30.61%). Autistic children were negatively perceived by their parents: either as a source of psychological suffering (82.85%), or as mysterious children who sacrificed their parents (44.66%), or as “bobo” children (mute children in common Ivorian language) (16.66%) or like rude children (13.34%). The supposed origin of the disorder according to the parents was mystical-religious (60.94%);natural (25%);hereditary (6.25%). In 6.25% of cases, PDD were assumed to be of unknown or iatrogenic origin attributable to vaccination (1.56%). 75.51% of parents said that in addition to conventional medical therapies, they also used traditional therapies. The use of this therapeutic alternative would be linked to the perceptions and beliefs that feed the socio-cultural representations of our respondents.

Major Problems in American Education: From a Socio-Cultural Perspective

American intellectuals of different generations and in various eras,with a strong sense of social responsibility and a critical mind,have dedicated themselves in revealing some major problems existing in American education,namely educational inequality,declining academic performance,inadequate funding,and school violence.By describing and probing into these problems from a socio-cultural perspective,they offer a solution of eliminating the socio-economic inequality in America,which is fundamental and essential.

Socio-Cultural and Economic Role and Importance of Biodiversity and Forest in the Democratic Republic of Congo:Case of the Upper-Katanga Province

Biodiversity plays a fundamental role in the life of the Congolese population in general and in that of the population of Upper-Katanga province in particular.The current study deals with the socio-cultural and economic role and importance of biological diversity and forest in the life of the population of Upper-Katanga province.The utilized methodology was based on observation,field investigation and bibliographic research.Investigations were concerned more particularly with wood and animal species which are significantly utilized in the province.The results reflect the use of wood and animals which are part of the province biological diversity.They are compiled under two segments,namely the socio-cultural importance of biodiversity with some species forbidden to the queen,those that are utilized to split couples,to give strength to children,to provide the king with authority power,etc.The second segment deals with the results which emphasize the socio-economic importance of biodiversity concerned with hunting,fishing,cutting of some wood species for sale,building houses,cooking food,producing heat during cold weather,making furniture and other finished products,and for personal use.

Socio-Cultural Barriers Influencing Utilization of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Information and Services among Adolescents and Youth 10 - 24 Years in Pastoral Communities in Kenya

Background: As in other developing countries, sexual and reproductive ill-health continues to mostly affect adolescents and youths. Samburu and Turkana counties in Kenya have some of the highest levels of total fertility rates (TFR) at 6.3 and 6.9 respectively placing them well above the national TFR of 3.9. Establishing factors that influence utilization of SRH services among adolescent and youth aged 10 - 24 years is critical in developing an effective program. Method: We used primary data from qualitative and purposeful study design. Data collection used Focus group discussions (FGD), In-depth interviews (IDIs) and Key informant interviews (IDIs). The target groups were adolescents and youth aged 10 - 24 years, health care providers, community health volunteers (CHVs), chemist assistants, parents of adolescents and youth, teachers, spiritual leaders and traditional activists. Findings and Conclusion: Socio-cultural factors were found to influence utilization of SRH services and information. Early marriage, being youth, male only decisions on sexuality matters and fear of family contribute to unprotected sex while myths and misconceptions on contraceptives affected utilization. The findings revealed that youth needs to know sources, how contraceptives work and how to use them. The findings suggest capacity building of health care providers, CHVs, teachers, parents and community leaders on adolescence, sexuality needs of adolescents and disadvantages of female genital mutilation (FGM) including early marriage.

Personal, Situational and Socio-Cultural Factors as Correlates of Intimate Partner Abuse in Nigeria

This study established the relationships between personal, situational and socio-cultural factors and intimate partner abuse among couples in Nigeria. A multiple regression statistical procedure was employed in analyzing the data collected from 200 participants randomly selected from five ministries in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. Results obtained indicated that the three variables when combined effectively predicted intimate partner abuse (F-ratio of 5.756 significant at 0.05 alpha level). Taken separately, situational and socio-cultural factors contributed significantly to the prediction (t = 2.146, p t = 2.284, p (t = 1.705, p > 0.05). On the basis of these findings it was suggested that counselling psychologists should design intervention strategies to promote life-skills training in schools and out-of-schools settings. These include age-appropriate content on sexuality, conflict resolution, building healthy relationships and personal safety. Also, it was suggested that couples should be informed on the long-term health and social consequences of physical and sexual abuse.

Socio-Cultural Identities, Perceptions of Sexuality/Sexual Behavior and Cultural Contexts as Determinants of HIV and AIDS Prevalence in Southern Africa

This paper attempts to examine the connection between one’s socio cultural setting and the prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Often, local communities form the contexts within which people negotiate their social and sexual lives and identities. These communities also play a key role in enabling or restraining people from taking control over their health. The paper will try to demonstrate through specific examples that in African societies, sexual behavior is a product of one’s socio-cultural environment and structural contexts and not the cognitive properties of the individual. The article draws from the qualitative study (Focus group sessions, individual interviews) conducted in three high schools in the Boland area of the Western Cape with about 18 learners, 3 Life skills teachers, 3 Performer-Educators on the efficacy of the HIV/AIDS intervention by The Centre for HIV/AIDS Management theatre group based at the University of Stellenbosch. The aim of the study was to ascertain the cultural content of their campaign model as well as their knowledge of the determinants of sex and sexuality of their target areas. Based on the findings of this study, I argue that theatre will achieve greater success in its campaign against HIV/AIDS in South Africa if the designers of the campaign models adopt a more participatory approach, make indigenous culture central to the design of their intervention model and pay closer attention to what Campbell refers to as “community level of analysis” which simply put implies a greater understanding of the target audiences local communities and its determinants of sex and sexuality.

Socio-Cultural Challenges of Small and Medium-Scale Batik and Tie-Dye Industry in Ghana

This paper investigates the socio-cultural challenges of the small-scale batik and tie-dye production and retailing industry in Ghana. The research is based on a qualitative research approach that employs interviews and observation for data collection. In all, sixteen (16) participants were sampled through purposive techniques. Data collected were transcribed, classified and analysed through thematic and descriptive analysis. The study found that family roles contradict the business role, pressure from family members, poor support from society members, some religious teachings, age, ethnicity and lifestyle of certain people among others. The study concludes that socio-cultural challenges have led to the collapse of most batik and tie-dye production and retailing sectors leaving thousands of Ghanaians jobless. It recommends among others that producers and retailers of batik and tie-dye must separate family roles from work responsibilities to enable them to perform effectively. Again, family members, parents and peers must desist from putting pressure on the entrepreneurs for freebies and the government must resource NBSSI, GEPA and GSB to have regular in-service training to batik and tie-dye producers and retailers to address poor financial management and technical challenges and also on product quality on the international market.

Socio-cultural features and help-seeking preferences for leprosy and tuberculosis: a cultural epidemiological study in a tribal district of Maharashtra, India

Background:India is a major contributor to the global burden of leprosy and tuberculosis(TB),which adversely affects the poorest tribal communities.Despite prioritisation by disease control programmes,programme performance for leprosy and TB in tribal communities continues to be a challenge.In addition to access to services and infrastructural limitations,socio-cultural concepts of illness causation and related help seeking(HS)rooted in distinct features of tribal culture need to be addressed to improve programme outcomes.Methods:A cultural epidemiological survey of leprosy and TB patients was carried out using a locally adapted,semi-structured explanatory model interviews.A total of 100 leprosy and 50 TB patients registered for treatment at government health facilities were selected randomly from tribal dominant blocks of the Thane district,Maharashtra state.The perceived causes(PCs)of leprosy and TB in patients were compared based on prominence categories.The relationship between PCs as predictors,and disease conditions and HS preferences as outcome variables were assessed using multivariate logistic regression.Results:In the multivariate logistic regression model with disease conditions as outcome variables,TB patients were significantly more likely to report PCs in the categories of ingestion;health,illness and injury;and traditional,cultural and supernatural.Tuberculosis patients more frequently first sought help from private facilities as compared to leprosy patients who preferred government health facilities.In a combined analysis of leprosy and TB patients employing multivariate logistic regression,it was found that patients who reported PCs in the environmental and contact-related categories were more likely to visit traditional rather than non-traditional practitioners.In another multivariate combined model,it was found that patients who reported PCs in the traditional,cultural and supernatural category were significantly more likely to visit private rather than public health facilities.Conclusion:Cultural concepts about illness causation and associated HS behaviours should be considered as priorities for action,which in turn would provide the necessary impetus to ensure that tribal patients seek help in a timely and appropriate manner,and could facilitate improvement in programme performance in general.

Uncomfortable prototypes： Rethinking socio-cultural factors for the design of public housing in Billiri, north east Nigeria

Public housing delivery in developing countries often involves the provision of government- funded housing units. Over time, occupants transform such units to suit their changing needs or to increase and improve housing stock-a practice that has been the focus of several documented studies intended to inform policy makers about changing housing trends. Abandoned units have, however, received comparatively less attention. The present paper reports findings from the documentation and analyses of abandoned and modified prototype units in Billiri, the main town occupied by the Tangale community in north east Nigeria. The methodology involves space syntax methods, as well as the analyses of space use patterns in 45 randomly selected compounds built by the community and in two sets of prototype housing units in the study area. Results suggest that socio-cultural factors related to kinship, security, and basic needs, which form part of the community heritage, are inadequately reflected in the location and design of the units, accounting for their abandonment and modification. These findings have implications for future housing policies in the area.

A typological,environmental and socio-cultural study of semi-open spaces in the Eastern Mediterranean vernacular architecture:The case of Cyprus

Semi-open spaces-largely incorporated in vernacular dwellings in Cyprus during the 19th and 20th centuries-formed diachronically significant socio-cultural, functional and environmental features of the vernacular architecture of the area. The climate of the Eastern Mediterranean region, i.e., hot summers and mild winters, encouraged the use of open weather protected spaces, thus leading to the widespread incorporation of such spaces in the vernacular architecture of the region. This paper focuses on the interconnections between architectural forms and human comfort, convenience or pleasure in relation to the semiopen spaces found in the vernacular architecture of Cyprus-an island in the Eastern Mediterranean region. For the purpose of this research, characteristic traditional settlements found in the coastal, lowland and mountainous areas-which represent three different climatic regions and topographies of the island-were selected for an in-depth investigation. The findings confirm a high frequency of semi-open spaces, as well as the existence of a remarkable richness of typologies. Although semi-open spaces constitute a fundamental part of the structure of these vernacular dwellings in all climatic regions examined, they dominate in the lowland regions due to the particularly hot climate, as well as the specific activities of the inhabitants of these areas. The prevailing architectural forms and constructions of these spaces in each climatic region under investigation was found to be closely adapted to the local resources, terrain and climate, while also being related to the social, household and agricultural needs of the inhabitants, thus underlining their sustainable and locus-specific conception. Research findings can contribute towards critically re-thinking semi-open spaces and their inherent value in rehabilitation projects, as well as in contemporary residential architecture.

Tracing the Feminine Participation in the Religio-Political Affairs in Kenya Upto 2010

Since the onset of the constitution 2010,the Kenyan community has put more weight on women empowerment.The emphasis is more on the girl child compared to the boy child.There are several steps that have been taken to uplift the status of the girl child;these include the creation of a special position in parliament just to deal with women matters.Apart from these there has been deliberate efforts put in place to bring women at per with their male counterparts by putting in place the one third gender.These efforts though laudable requires political good will.However,there is emerging a new phenomenon that seems to pose a challenge to these political-constitutional efforts.This is,the perception of religion and the equation of human equality.In this paper,I try to trace the female participation in the religious and political engagements in Kenya upto 2010.

The Relationship between the ESL Students' Prior Knowledge and Their Reading Comprehension

This article will firstly review literature about the readers' prior knowledge and its roles in reading comprehension.Secondly,it will explore the kind of prior knowledge which should ESL tertiary students have in their English reading comprehension.Thirdly,the essay will describe a research among the ESL tertiary students from China about their views on the relationship between prior knowledge and reading comprehension.

Predicting menopausal health in a diverse population group through a theoretical linear model——Theoretical model to predict menopausal health

With the increase in longevity and demographic shift, menopause is emerging as one of the major health issues affecting middle aged women in developing countries. In this study our aim was to define & develop useful predictive indicators to assess menopausal health status in women with diverse socio-economic & cultural backgrounds. The model was developed using the data drawn from known published works as well as our own epidemiological & clinical case records. A linear equation was derived and expected results were obtained and analysed. The outcome was measured in terms of menopausal health & wellbeing index. Wide cultural diversity, unequal socio-economic status and gender inequality are some of the sensitive multi factorial determinants that influence the menopausal health. Education and availability of optimal quality health care facilities positively influenced level of awareness and improved the health seeking behavior & health literacy. The menopausal health & wellbeing index can be used as a predictive tool to develop interventional management modalities to improve quality of life.

Public health care in Afghanistan: An investigation in suboptimal utilization of facilities

Afghanistan has made strides in increasing access to health care services since 2001 however it is still battling with poor utilization of services. In order to enhance demand for services a study was conducted to explore answers to the questions on knowledge, attitude and practices of communities in relation to healthcare services. The study design was cross-sectional qualitative spanning in six provinces representing geographical and ethno cultural regions of the country. In each of the six provinces, two districts were selected through mixed sampling technique representing urban-rural population. A total of 48 villages were selected in twelve districts. The study was conducted from September 2009 to March 2010. The study highlights poor heath seeking behavior associated with physical accessibility including high cost of transportation, socio-cultural barriers for women, awareness and trust for public health facilities. The system based issues adds to prevailing access related barriers such as privacy, efficiency and availability within health facilities;lack of female physicians and, aspects of behavior and attitude, and governance issues.

Health related quality of life of women suffering from Uterine Prolapse before and after six months of surgery

One of the goals of health for everybody in 21st century is the improvement of quality of life. Thus, to find the best treatment for medical problems, it is not only enough to evaluate the results of interventions on morbidity and mortality in clinical studies, but also that the outcome of interventions in terms of socio-cultural aspect should be evaluated. Uterine Prolapse strikes at the heart of a woman’s sense of her own women nature and therefore her security along with her marital relationship should be guaranteed after the surgery process. After the removal of uterus women can’t find herself fulfilled though it is sick one as changes appear in women’s life both in understanding of her health as well as socio-cultural position that they gained after being as women. Many of the women who underwent surgery process are still suffering from both physical and psychological impairments. Some of them are experiencing psychological problem as they feel no longer a whole or real woman because of the removal of their reproductive organs, while others still had an orgasm from intercourse not just feeling dead. The changes to their sex life have created problem to them as they still struggle to cope with the loss they feel in their life as husbands always fed up as they argue with him. Such types of suffering and pain happen due to the socio-cultural circumstances in which a woman is brought up. They are seen as productive machine which had never been stopped though they are passing from pain and suffering. Thus, the overall issue of surgery process is to assure the quality of life of women to be them as a good wife and mother as well as good employer outside the home but before all this feeling of a whole womanhood in their life.

Women From Members of Parliament to Leaders of Parliament:A Comparative Analysis of India and Bangladesh

Empowerment is defined as a social action process that promotes participation of people,organizations,and communities in gaining control over their lives in their community and larger societies.Part of the problem stems from the unidentified interests of the women due to their under representation in the political institutions which marked their low level of mobilization and as well of their empowerment.It is generally said that mobilization of women depends on their identification of interests which may vary due to class structures of the society,but on the other hand,autonomous state apparatus had provided a space for the mobility to both privileged and under-privileged to get their targets.The issue of empowerment is being conceived in the perspective of gender related development which has been checked due to inequality in the socio-cultural patterns of the society and it inherited some of the cultural constraints before partition.This paper will analyze the steps of transformation of women from members of parliament to leaders of parliament in India and Bangladesh.

Effect of Globalisation on Food Behaviour Among Badagas

An ethnography study was conducted among five villages in Kotagiri district of Tamil Nadu,to identify“how globalisation affects the food behaviour of Badagas”.The research is a qualitative study,having implemented Vygotsky’s socio-cultural theory.The traditional food processed and prepared by women of Badagar community is intimately connected to their socio-cultural,ecological,and spiritual life and health.The processing and preparation of ethnic foods demonstrate not only the creativity and treasure of food heritage of tribal women,but also their incremental learning to sustain the life and ecosystem as a whole.Looking to the diversities in ethnic foods,an attempt has been made to explore the ethnic foods from five different villages in Kotagiri district.The food choices made by people,either as individuals or as a group,can reveal views,passions,background knowledge,assumptions,and personalities.Food choices tell stories of families,migrations,assimilation,resistance,changes over times,and personal as well as group identity.In each place,the processing method of these foods is somewhat different based on the growing international trade,migration,tourism,and globalisation.The food used in the dietary system was found to be nutritionally rich and culturally important in various festivals and ceremonies.Ethnic food prepared and consumed by women in the past cannot be seen in the isolated mode,instead it is a complex dynamics in which nutrition,health,food security,culture,ethics,subsistence economy,and ecological sustainability are integral components.This paper thereby determines and defines the behaviour and practice of food among the respondents,its change,and cause.

Factors Affecting Tree Husbandry and Woodlots Establishment in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania

The study on assessment of factors affecting tree husbandry and woodlots establishment was carried out between September and November 2014 in all seven districts of Kilimanjaro region, namely Hai, Siha Rombo, Mwanga, Same, Moshi Rural and Moshi Municipal Council (MMC). A purposive sampling design was employed whereby two wards per district were selected for the study. Household questionnaire survey was used in data collection. Results show that, factors affecting tree husbandry and woodlots establishment in Kilimanjaro region are gender, livelihood activities, access and ownership/land tenure, cultural factors, legal issues and by-laws insisting people to plant trees. About 32.4%, 32.4% and 30% of all respondents own land with size of 1.0 acre and below, 1.1 - 2.0 and 2.1 - 5.0 acres respectively. Respondents from Hai (55.3%), Same (26.3%), Rombo (11%) and MMC (8%) agreed that cultural issues affect tree husbandry. About 1%, 23%, 30% and 40.8% of respondents in Siha, Same, Hai and Rombo districts respectively agreed that some of by-laws insist people to plant trees on their environments. None of the respondents from any district reported labour availability to be one of the factors affecting tree husbandry. Other factors reported to affect tree husbandry in Kilimanjaro region were capacity building in tree planting and tending, insect pests, diseases and climate change. Formulation of by-laws which insist on tree planting and limit land degradation is recommended at village level. Every piece of land should be planned and used sustainably including area for tree planting. Custom and norms which inhibit women to plant trees should be prohibited through capacity building.

Autism Spectrum Disorder:The Dilemma of Untimely Recognition,Intervention and Diagnostic Scales Obtainable at Indian Sub-continent

The increasing prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder makes it as considerable issue worldwide.Recent studies addresses the hot topic of Mirror Neuronal System(MNS)confers behind the ASD.However,the cause is uncertain,Indian population prone to varied prenatal and postnatal factors of the condition.Indian parents and professional still be at the initial awareness phase of the spectrum.Years of delay in identification and intervention while comparing with world standards due to various Indian socio-economic and socio-cultural factors.Less availability of screening and diagnostic tools headed to relay on culturally irrelevant and expensive international tools.Government funded research initiatives developed ISAA,INDT-ASD,CASI and AIIMS Modified INDT-ASD as culturally relevant indigenous tools and available on practice.So far,the tools have their own advantages and limitations,requires further research and progression.Owing to scarcity of trained professionals for a wide population range,home based parent-mediated therapies be the most preferred mode of therapy.However,the therapeutic options vary with people.The study aimed to ascertain the present Indian scenario,look upon the awareness about the condition,availability of screening and diagnostic facilities,the early identification and timely intervention program.In addition,the study briefly confers the biological and clinical background of ASD.

Spatial Configuration of Traditional Dwellings in Riyadh Al-Khabra Traditional Town, Saudi Arabia

Traditional buildings, particularly residential dwellings, are spatio-temporal reflections of the society and culture in which they were originally sited. Understanding the nature of this built heritage thus fosters interpretation of previous generations’ experiences in these older settlements, all of which can thus be described as products of several different cultural dimensions. Qassim province, which sits in the central province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is distinguished by having retained various traditional towns and villages, including multiple dwellings representing important eras in the past. However, due to the local population’s abandonment of these traditional towns and movement to new urban areas, and related failures in conservation and restoration, some of these towns have lost many of their unique characteristics, especially with regard to their dwellings. This research thus attempts to interpret the relationships between the spatial configuration of traditional dwellings in Saudi Arabia and their socio-cultural principles and values, focusing on decoding their interior spatial constants and genotypes. The study proposes the use of space syntax theory, represented by the justified plan graph method, as an appropriate socio-spatial methodology for such work, targeting the traditional town of Riyadh Al-Khabra in Qassim province as a case study area, with eight dwellings built between 1900 and 1940 used as examples. Interpretation of analysis results enabled defining spatial constants digitally in these traditional dwellings through the benefit of syntactic analysis techniques, and the main findings of this research reveal the significance of various social and cultural factors and customs among inhabitants with regard to determining the spatial form and properties of traditional dwellings in towns such as Riyadh Al-Khabra.