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.

Volunteering and Depression among Older Adults: An Empirical Analysis Based on CLASS 2018

Introduction:Older adults are prone to high levels of depression due to their deteriorating physical functions and shrinking social networks after retirement.Volunteering as an important social activity is essential for alleviating depression by building social network.This paper aims to examine the effect of volunteering on depression among older adults by using China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey(CLASS 2018)data.Methods:This study uses descriptive analysis and chi-square tests to show differences in demographic factors of older adults’volun-teerism participation,followed by bivariate correlation analysis to examine the correlation between the vital vari-ables.Afterward,stratified linear regression analysis is used to research the significant level and impact between volunteering and degree of expertise,frequency,and variety of participation.Results:8,459 older adults are included in study.The research reveals that older adults who are younger,live in urban areas,are married,or have a higher degree of education tend to have fewer depressive symptoms.Meanwhile,participation in volun-teering(OR=0.90,95%CI:0.8,1.1,p<0.001),as well as that demands specialized skills(OR=0.51,95%CI:0.30,0.2,p<0.001),more frequency of participation(OR=1.85,95%CI:1.53,2.18,p<0.001),and a wider variety of activities(OR=0.21,95%CI:0.12,0.29,p<0.001),all have a positive influence on depression levels.Discussion/Conclusion:Older adults who participate in voluntary services have lower depression symptoms and should be encouraged to use their professional skills and increase participation frequency and variety in this process.This article suggests that governments should help older adults participate in voluntary services by time bank which will further strengthen social ties,rebuild social networks and alleviate depression symptoms of older adults.

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＂.

Expanding Older Adults’ Care Choices Utilizing the Proceeds of Reciprocated Volunteerism: Capitalizing on Ghana’s Digitalization Artillery

Ghana has been a collectivistic society. However, due to social change, this value is fast being replaced by individualistic tendencies with implications for age-oriented care provision and receipt. This paper investigates the participation in the socially productive strategy of using ageing-oriented volunteerism to leverage the receipt of care in later life utilizing a quantitative dataset. The results show that volunteering may be undertaken with old age in sight. This needs to take place under circumstances of good communication skills among others. The accumulated time needs to be recorded in a time bank and redeemed with a time bank card in later life. Two-dimensional leveraging points pertain in this context: first, leveraging volunteerism for short or long-term care in the nearest future;second, technological innovation’s facilitation of the same. Volunteerism in this context has the attribute of low levels of depression, with implications for quality of life. These are discussed in the light of the social care pillar of ageing social policy. The paper argues that adopting volunteerism with reciprocation as the ultimate goal constitutes a kickback model for care receipt in later life. It served as a choice of care in later life which is a shock absorber to inadequate formal support infrastructure and individualistic social tendencies in Ghana. It is reminiscent of resistance to the shrinkage of older persons’ social integration in their social world.

HCV infection and distribution character in volunteer blood donors from North of China

HCV is prevailed in the world as well as in China.Blood transfusion is one of the most common transmission pathways of this pathogen.Although data of HCVinfection character were reported during the past years,抗-HCV reactive profile of

Volunteering in the United Arab Emirates’ Health System—Motivations and Challenges

Background: The volunteer role has been cited as an important in supporting healthcare organizations in diverse areas such as contributing to research, health professional’s education, health care delivery, health policy development and patient administration. Proper motivation of volunteers is required for sustaining volunteer performance, while encumbrances to optimal engagement in health systems need to be addressed. This study aimed to investigate the main factors that motivate volunteers to participate in the UAE healthcare system, along with exploring the barriers and challenges being faced. Methods: This study was designed as a quantitative cross-sectional study in United Arab Emirates (UAE). A purposive sample of the Adult citizens and residents using purposive sampling directed at all major health volunteer recruitment agencies in UAE, who have volunteered at least once in the health system over the preceding 12 months. Participants Adult UAE residents were selected by a purposive sampling method from February to April 2017. Data were collected through electronic questionnaires using modified Volunteer Motivation Inventory (VMI). Data were analyzed from 667 adults’ residents who were reported to volunteer at least once in healthcare opportunities. Results: About 53% (n = 290) of the volunteers in this sample were full time employed individuals. Almost 63% (n = 422) were female. Overall, assessed self-reported motivations of volunteer participants were high. The main motivation for volunteering in healthcare opportunities in the UAE was Understanding dimension (Mean = 4.68), followed by self-esteem dimension (Mean = 4.60). Eight elements of volunteer motivation showed no statistically significant differences between male and female respondents. Organization/system barriers dimension was the highest among respondents (Mean = 2.9), followed by individual barriers (Mean = 2.6), interpersonal (Mean = 2.06) and contextual (Mean = 2.04). Conclusion: UAE health sector volunteers who participated in this study appeared to be highly motivated. The main motivation factor was understanding dimension which allowed volunteers in healthcare to gain a new perspective on things, through practical training and learning new things, dealing with different groups in the health sector, for example doctors, nursing, patients. What makes the health sector volunteer understand them self and the world around them. Therefore the organization should focus on volunteer motivation to ensure future intensions of them. The four main barriers to volunteer were Individual barriers, Interpersonal barriers, contextual barriers and organizations system barriers. Concerted efforts are needed to raise awareness about available volunteer opportunities, and optimally align the motivations of volunteers with organizational objectives in the UAE health sector.

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.

Running a Volunteer Program for Palliative Care in a Chinese Hospital:Our Practice and Experience

The establishment and development of volunteer team are very important in the whole process of palliative care.The concept and practice of palliative care have been developed in Peking Union Medical College Hospital(PUMCH)since the end of2012.Great progress has been made in different aspects.Volunteers play an extremely important role in the development of palliative care in PUMCH.The whole work began with the establishment of volunteer teams.This article introduces the process of the establishment and development of palliative care volunteer team in PUMCH,aiming to provide practical references for hospitals in China's Mainland to develop their own palliative care volunteer team.

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.

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.

Improve the China Youth Volunteer Associations with the Help of Comparative Research on EU Experience

As a volunteer organization,NGO plays an important role nowadays for its unique social functions.In recent years,Chinese Young Volunteers Associations have made great progress,but compared with the EU countries,there is still a significant gap.This paper in cludes the result of the comparative researches on two aspects: Volunteer associations;Training systems.From the result,a relatively compre hensive reference can be provided for the development of the Chinese Youth Volunteers Associations.

Enhancing the observing capacity for the surface ocean by the use of Volunteer Observing Ship

Knowledge of the surface ocean dynamics and the underlying controlling mechanisms is critical to understand the natural variability of the ocean and to predict its future response to climate change.In this paper,we highlight the potential use of Volunteer Observing Ship(VOS),as carrier for automatic underway measuring system and as platform for sample collection,to enhance the observing capacity for the surface ocean.We review the concept,history,present status and future development of the VOS-based in situ surface ocean observation.The successes of various VOS projects demonstrate that,along with the rapid advancing sensor techniques,VOS is able to improve the temporal resolution and spatial coverage of the surface ocean observation in a highly cost-effective manner.A sustained and efficient marine monitoring system in the future should integrate the advantages of various observing platforms including VOS.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Path of Student Volunteer Organizations in Agricultural Universities for Serving Rural Left-behind Children: A Case Study of Northwest A&F University

Most volunteer organizations in universities focus their attention on urban communities and residents,but neglect rural residents.Agricultural universities have responsibilities and conditions to serve rural areas,and should bring into play their leading role. This study surveyed situations of volunteers of Northwest A&F University serving rural left-behind children,and found that there are problems including weak volunteer awareness,unstable organization members,imperfect organization construction,and lack of effect incentive mechanism. Finally,it came up four recommendations: strengthening " active service" ideological education,improving management system construction,establishing incentive mechanism,and setting up brand project,to provide feasible path for agricultural universities serving rural weak groups in a better way.