International Festival of Public Health

LT 4 - Social Responsibility

'Being different’: realities of life experiences as constructed by persons with albinism in Nigeria

Presenter: Anthony Olagunju (University of Chester)

Other Author(s): -

Abstract Text:

Background: Within the context of an African population, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights identifies persons with albinism (PWA) as a vulnerable group given the magnitude of discrimination and stigma experienced by PWA. Evidence indicate that the multiplicity of human rights violations experienced by PWA are attributable to numerous superstitions surrounding the aetiology of albinism across the African sociocultural landscape. Despite reports of violence to PWA from southern and eastern Africa, there is little research to conpetualise the realities of being a PWA in Nigeria as evidence of health and social insecurity which may be used to trigger appropriate interventions.

Aim: this study aimed to explore the life experiences of PWA in Nigeria in order to conceptualise the self-constructed perceptions of their social status and develop a theory about their social wellbeing.

Method: Forty-two semi-structured interviews were conducted with PWA in Abuja, Nigeria. Data analysis was inspired by constructivist grounded theory methodology.

Findings: Participants described that ‘Being different’ is what it means to be a PWA in Nigeria. Their perception of ‘Being different’ is derived from the realities of their social status which they attributed to how the Nigerian society treats them. The analysis of their stories from childhood through adolescence into present-day adulthood reflects several inter-related social disadvantages. Data revealed that injustices can start from within the family home and extend into the schooling, working and social environments where other life-determining interactional transactions occur. According to participants and as grounded in data, the realities of ‘Being different’ encompass a myriad of social injustices with which participants believe that the Nigerian society use in disempowering and reducing their social mobility.

Conclusion: This study concludes that the theoretical concept of ‘Being different’ is a clarion call to appeal to the moral and ethical conscience of decision makers and gatekeepers across all social institutions in Nigeria. In order to effectively tackle the realities of ‘Being different’ at the different life stages and ensure the overall health and social security of PWA, all social institutions must lean on each other in strategic collaboration.

The adverse social conditions amongst the homeless people: a cross-sectional study

Presenter: Mzwandile Mabhala (University of Chester)

Other Author(s): -

Abstract Text:

Background: A growing body of evidence identifies interconnected social indicators that can lead to homelessness. Several studies identify a catalogue of social disadvantages that starts from childhood and persist throughout the life course that leads to homelessness. Qualitative evidence indicates that their adverse childhood experiences(ACEs) and damage that occurred to them as children had major influences on their ability to negotiate their way through the education system, gain and sustain employment, make appropriate choices of social networks, and form and maintain healthy relationships as adults. However, very little research seeks to objectively investigate these issues. This study aims to use the cross-sectional study to document the cluster and frequency of adverse social conditions homeless people in the North West England between March and May 2019 were exposed to before becoming homeless.

Method: The study design was cross-sectional. We used IBM SPSS 21, with the significance level set at p < 0.05, CI 95% to analyse the data. The variables that we assessed were health, childhood living arrangement, education, criminal history and adverse childhood experiences.

Results: The sample comprised of 90.5% male. The mean age was 39.12 and the range 21-64. Health: 52% (χ2 = 33.4, df = 1, p = 0.001) described their health as poor. 90% (χ2= 61.85, df = 2, p = 0.001) smoked cigarette daily, 83.3% (χ2 = 76.4, df = 3, p = 0.001) used drugs daily, 78.6% (χ2= 13.7, df = 1, p = 0.001) saw a doctor in preceding 6 months. Childhood living: 21.4% were raised by single mother, 7% by the step parents, 4.8 in children care, 4. 8% in foster care (χ2= 54.5, df = 8, p = 0.001. Educationally, 63.4% (χ2= 73.8, df = 3, p = 0.001) left school before age 16; 26.2% (χ2= 37.7, df = 3, p = 0.001) left school at 16. In terms of criminal history- 11.9% (χ2= 33.1, df = 10, p = 0.001) encountered criminal justice system at the age of 11, 28.6% (χ2= 60.8, df = 8, p = 0.001) had reprimand/caution or conviction at 17. ACES: 57% (χ2= 34.7, df = 3, p = 0.001) experienced humiliation by adults in their household; 54% (χ2= 30.7, df = 3, p = 0.001) threatening behaviour, 50% (χ2 = 26.0, df = 3, p = 0.001) physical violence in their household

Conclusion: These early stage preliminary results indicate that adverse social circumstances that occur in childhood are disproportionately represented in homeless population.

“Can’t fool the youth? Young Men’s Engagement with Youth Justice Services”

Presenter: Stephen Mansfield (Edge Hill University)

Other Author(s): -

Abstract Text:

The voices of young male offenders (aged 14 to 24) in the youth justice system have been under-explored even though they constitute the majority of criminal rehabilitation service users. Much of the literature reinforces portrayals of such young men as aggressive, violent and anti-social and lacking the insight and agency required to change their behaviour (Baumgartner, 2014; Holligan and Deucher, 2014; Smith 2009). On the basis of semi-structured interviews with 26 young males attending three different youth justice services and two focus groups of three professionals in each, working with them, this paper proposes three arguments. Drawing on Bourdieu’s class theory, first I observe how study participants embody their masculinity through offending behaviour and examine the challenges this presents for their well-being and for communities. Second, despite the multiple disadvantages they face, I uncover (contrary to much of the literature) the reflexivity and agency of interviewees concerning their offending behaviour. This strand of argument also highlights some participants’ critique of the structural/class-based constraints. Third, rehabilitation services adopting a more authoritarian approach to rehabilitation fail to understand the young men’s concept of masculinity and their disadvantage and thus risk alienating them and reinforcing offending. Rather, I show that young male offenders respond more positively to more egalitarian services based on mutual respect and understanding and how this encourages reflexivity of the self/identity/practice in light of experiences and circumstances.

Future dentists - New emphasis on environmental sustainability and social responsibility

Presenter: Vitalia Kinakh (The University of Manchester)

Other Author(s): -

Abstract Text:

Background: The UoM is committed to the Education for Sustainable Development (Goal 3, Manchester 2020 Strategic Plan). Since 2014 here at the Division of Dentistry we also take into consideration the HNS Sustainable Development Strategy. The NHS realised that it needs a workforce with a range of skills to support its sustainable development objectives including green procurement, energy management, apt waste management and social inclusion. Graduates from the Division of Dentistry at the UoM who graduated in summer 2017 and 2018 had exposure to various ESD initiatives, which in our view help to prepare dental students to be more socially-responsible and to deliver a sustainable dental and oral health system. The UoM puts a lot of effort to educate students about Sustainable Development, in particular within the healthcare disciplines. Understanding long-term benefits of this to the NHS is paramount.

Aim: 1) to inform the strategy of the Division of Dentistry on its ESD initiatives; 2) to explore whether universities can measure the impact of these sustainability-minded graduates on the UK health services;

Design: educational research using qualitative approach;

Data collection: a focus group consisting of 6 participants, our alumni, who graduated in 2017 and 2018;

Results: thematic analysis allowed the generating of ideas/themes: - for the purpose of devising recommendations for future change and enhancement of the ESD activities within the Division of Dentistry at the UoM. - how the ESD initiatives carried out by universities make the healthcare provision more sustainable now and in the future. In addition, during this workshop various ESD initiatives will be presented/ good practice shared in relation to what embedding ESD could look like on Dental and Medicine and Health-related courses.