Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Reducing Barriers To Accessing Fistula Repair: Implementation Research In Katsina, Pooja Sripad, Emmanuel Nwala, Vandana Tripathi

Reproductive Health

Female genital fistula is preventable and surgically treatable, but women who lack access to quality health care often live with fistula for many years. For every 1,000 births, an estimated 2.11 women develop fistula in Nigeria and despite the establishment of internationally accredited national fistula centers across the country, the majority of women live with unrepaired fistula. The Population Council, in collaboration with EngenderHealth and the Fistula Care Plus project, conducted implementation research to understand whether a comprehensive information, screening, and referral intervention reduces transportation, communication, and financial barriers to accessing preventive care, detection, and treatment of fistula in Katsina …

Shifts In Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting In Kenya: Perspectives Of Families And Health Care Providers, Samuel Kimani, Caroline W. Kabiru

Reproductive Health

Despite compelling reasons and efforts to eradicate female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in Kenya, the practice has persisted, albeit with some changes. This study sought to understand the shifts in FGM/C among families and healthcare providers from selected Kenyan communities that practice FGM/C. Our findings highlight similarities and differences across three distinct Kenyan communities. FGM/C appears to persist through two models: first, shifts (changes) in the practice, notably cutting at a younger age, lesser cutting; and second, through stability and consistency with minimal change. The two diverse models appear to rely on and sustain social norms that support FGM/C in these …

Strengthening The Integration Of Family Planning And Hiv Services At The Community Level In Kenya, Wilson Liambila, Sara Chace Dwyer, Brian Mdawida, Charlotte E. Warren, Melsa Lutomia, Jane Koech, Elizabeth Washika, Aparna Jain

Reproductive Health

Study findings reveal that many Kenyan women living with HIV are comfortable receiving family planning (FP) services from community health volunteers and with proper training and support, community health volunteers have the potential to provide integrated FP/HIV services. Community-based integrated FP/HIV services could help connect women living with HIV who want to prevent or postpone a pregnancy to contraceptive services, which can reduce unintended pregnancies and in turn maternal mortality and vertical transmission of HIV. This implementation research study offers evidence of the feasibility, quality of care, and acceptability of using community health volunteers to integrate family planning into HIV/AIDS …

The Perspectives Of Men In Mexico City About Vasectomy, Isabel Vieitez Martínez, Adriana Ramos

Reproductive Health

As part of World Vasectomy Day, the Population Council Mexico conducted an exploratory study about the reasons and concerns that led men to seek a no-scalpel vasectomy (NSV) during the 24-hour “Vasectomy-athon” in Mexico City in 2017. This study was intended as the first part of a longer cohort study that would follow up with the men, and their partners, to learn about their experiences with the procedure and its effects, if any, on their relationships. Based on the findings, the report recommends that the Mexican Ministry of Health (SSA) continue integrating NSV information, counseling, and services within the National …

The Perspectives Of Men In Mexico City About Vasectomy—Brief, Isabel Vieitez Martínez, Adriana Ramos

Reproductive Health

On November 17, 2017, Mexico City took part in the global World Vasectomy Day campaign promoting men’s participation in family planning, especially through no-scalpel vasectomy (NSV). During the event the Population Council Mexico conducted an exploratory study to better understand the reasons men chose NSV, as well as their concerns before and after the procedure. The study found that the principal reason for seeking NSV among men surveyed was their achievement of a desired family size, for themselves and their partners. The study further reveals the need to disseminate information through mass media, social networks, and all levels of the …

The Rationale And Relevance Of Existing Cadres Of Frontline Health Workers And Potential For New Mid-Level Cadres, Oladimeji Oladepo, Ekechi Okereke, Akinwumi Akinola

Reproductive Health

Front-line health workers (FLHWs) are expected to perform necessary maternal, newborn, and child (MNCH) services appropriately and effectively; however, few studies have investigated the extent to which FLHWs perform requisite primary health care (PHC) services. This study seeks to better understand not only FLHWs’ knowledge and performance of MNCH services, but the factors promoting and inhibiting their services in selected rural local government areas of Nigeria’s Bauchi and Cross River states. It also investigates the potential for a new PHC worker cadre, soliciting stakeholders’ perceptions about its feasibility for addressing maternal and newborn disease burdens in rural communities. The study’s …

Tracing Change In Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: Shifting Norms And Practices Among Communities In Narok And Kisii Counties, Kenya, Dennis Matanda, Chantalle Okondo, Caroline W. Kabiru, Bettina Shell-Duncan

Reproductive Health

In Kenya, there has been a steady and marked decline in the prevalence of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) but there is great variance in the prevalence of FGM/C across the country, with prevalence remaining high among certain ethnic groups such as Somali, Samburu, Kisii, and the Maasai. The objectives of this study were: 1) to explore whether and how unprogrammed factors or programmed FGM/C interventions (alternative rites of passage, legal and policy measures, religious-oriented approaches, promotion of girls’ education, intergenerational dialogues, use of rescue centers, and other undocumented approaches) influence community values deliberation in Narok and Kisii counties; 2) to …

Trends In Medicalisation Of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: What Do The Data Reveal?, Bettina Shell-Duncan, Carolyne Njue, Zhuzhi Moore

Reproductive Health

Despite the emergence of international consensus that female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a violation of human rights, a focus on medicalization remains salient because of concerns that FGM/C is increasingly being performed by healthcare professionals and may be impeding progress toward abandonment of FGM/C. To investigate these claims, this study draws on nationally representative survey data from 26 countries, and addresses the following three questions: 1) What are the major patterns and trends in medicalisation? 2) Is there an association between medicalization and rates of change in prevalence of FGM/C? and 3) Is there an association between medicalization and support …

Understanding Medicalisation Of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (Fgm/C): A Qualitative Study Of Parents And Health Workers In Nigeria, Otibho Obianwu, Adetayo Adetunji, Osasuyi Dirisu

Reproductive Health

This community-based, cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted in four communities in Nigeria’s Delta, and was conceptualized to address gaps in our understanding of medicalization of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and to provide critical evidence needed to effectively design abandonment interventions. The study findings reveal that the social norms driving FGM/C practice remain entrenched despite a shift to medicalization. They also reflect the tendency of parents and health workers to view FGM/C, whether traditional or medicalized, as a minor procedure with few complications and significant benefits that would positively impact a daughter’s future status as a wife and mother. Findings reveal …

Understanding The Key Elements For Designing And Implementing Social Marketing Campaigns To Inform The Development Of Creative Approaches For Fgm/C Abandonment In Sudan, Widad Ali A/Rahman, Samia Al Nagar, Randa H. Gindeel, Arwa Salah

Reproductive Health

Social marketing campaigns (SMCs) have gained prominence in female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) abandonment efforts, but there is a dearth of information on how these programs are designed and implemented, and their perceived impact. Understanding the implementation process and the effectiveness of these campaigns is critical for drawing lessons to improve existing programs and inform the design and scale up of SMCs in other regions/countries. This mixed-method study sought to address this gap by assessing the design and implementation of existing SMC programs in Sudan. While the study findings demonstrate several strengths of existing programs, including strong partnerships and extensive needs …

The Spirit-Led Coach: An Alternative Approach To Athletic Coaching, Sean Silverii

Doctor of Ministry

The world of sports is an approximate 620 billion dollar industry, claiming an attendance of a little over 124 million fans in 2016 just within the top five professional sports leagues. In the United States alone, it is estimated 20 to 30 million kids play recreational sports, while another 10 million teenagers play interscholastically each year. With these factors in mind, all forms of power, greed, corruption, violence, selfindulgence, etc. has seeped its way into athletics and culture like a virus. Recently, a bleacher report revealed that findings of an FBI probe into college basketball is expected to be released …

Wrestling For The Souls Of The Survivors: Helping Partners Who Are Married To Survivors Of Childhood Sexual Abuse, John N. Raymond

Doctor of Ministry

For some who partake in the wonders of marriage, the experiences of pleasant memories and successful challenges mark their dreams in their twilight years. For couples where one or both experienced childhood sexual abuse (CSA), marital challenges have far greater negative effect on each of the marital partners—their twilight dreams may not be so pleasant. Although many couples experience setbacks and hardships, for the couple affected by CSA, the setbacks are experienced with greater intensity and duration. This dissertation will highlight research quantifying the negative long-term consequences of CSA. I also will give examples of qualitative research that describes the …

Res Publica Cover 2018, Anneke Nilles

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

Title Page

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

Table Of Contents

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

Letter From The Political Science Department Chair, Kathleen Montgomery

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

Editors' Introduction, Brianna Bacigalupo, Zoe Bouras

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

Author Biographies

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Partisanship On The Passage Of Environmental Legislation, Samantha Yoest

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

This paper addresses the question of how partisanship plays a role in congressional productivity by looking at the number of environmental laws passed each year. This includes analysis of anti-environmental legislation and the connection to party. It was found that, on average, Democratic majorities produce more environmental laws than Republican majorities. Not only that, but polarization has the largest influence on environmental legislation. With an increase in polarization on environmental issues, more anti-environmental legislation is being voted on in Congress, and fewer environmental laws are being passed per year. Ultimately, the conditions producing the lowest number of roll-back environmental bills …

The Other Women’S Movement: Analyzing Women’S Support For Populist-Radical Right Parties And Candidates, Katelyn Schwiderski

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

This study seeks to answer the question of why women vote for populist-radical right (PRR) parties or candidates, which are often depicted as uniquely sexist “men’s parties.” Using survey data from the 2014 European Social Survey (ESS Round 7), a binary logistic regression analyzes the relationship between PRR attitudes, individual demographic characteristics, and the probability of expressing affinity with a PRR party. This study ultimately finds that women who hold a traditional gender ideology and strong populist anti-elite views are more likely than other women to support a PRR party. The findings also show that low levels of education are …

Critical Discussion: Civil Disobedience - Note Of Introduction, James Simeone

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

PSCI 315 Classical Political Thought: Democracy in Athens and America is a foundational course in the political science major, and one option in the required political theory sequence at Illinois Wesleyan. One of the goals of the course is to introduce students to some of the fundamental problems in political thought. The issue here was the nature and extent of civil disobedience. This assignment began with the queries: when are we justified in disobeying the law? Do democratic lawmaking procedures and the opportunity to dissent before the law is passed make a difference in assessing the warrant of disobedience? Students …

In Between The Lines, Hannah Lyons

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

Is respect for the law valuable when it infringes upon human rights? At first glance, Howard Zinn’s passion against injustice seems to override Fortas’ reserved and technical argument. This essay will show that the position of Judge Fortas is superior to that of Howard Zinn because he proves there are sufficient legal means to successfully propagate change in the modern American system. Furthermore, his distinction between protesters and revolutionaries provides unexpected space for the dictates of individual conscience.

The Duty To Disobey, Megan Baker

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

America is a country founded on revolution. In fact, our founding fathers valued this right to dissent so highly, that they wrote it into our first amendment. In recent years, America has come to fear the very same kind of civil disobedience on which the country was founded. Now, citizens are expected to balance their dissent within the parameters of law, and this is exactly the view of past Supreme Court Justice Abe Fortas. He stands for civil disobedience that follows the processes outlined in the Constitution and expects that dissenters accept their punishments when they step out of the …

The Dichotomy Of Justice, Yovana Milosevic

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

The history of disobedience is as lengthy as the history of legislation. For as long as there have been laws, there have been those who oppose them. Civil disobedience, as Howard Zinn defines the term, is the “deliberate violation of law for a vital social purpose” (Zinn 2002) - a definition broader than that of Abe Fortas. Fortas’ definition of civil disobedience is the “peaceful, nonviolent disobedience of laws which are themselves unjust and which the protester challenges as invalid and unconstitutional." (Fortas 1968). The dilemma of which conditions under which dissenters against democratic states are justified lies precisely within …

The Persuasive Brilliance Of Fortas, Ethan Pogge

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

The central question of this piece is how to strike a balance between radical civil disobedience and adherence to the laws put in place by government. Multiple schools of thought on how to obey and protest laws are discussed. Abe Fortas contends that peaceful, non-violent measures must be taken to protest and remedy laws that people support. Howard Zinn argues that more radical measures need to be taken in order to remedy unjust laws. Ultimately, Zinn’s concept of radical disobedience misses its mark because the concept of justice is too subjective. The breaking of laws requires a punishment which lends …

Civil Disobedience: A Necessary Evil, Benjamin Nielsen

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

As Socrates sits awaiting his death, he argues with Crito about the cons of escaping this punishment. Socrates argues that escaping without the consent of Athens would be trying to have two wrongs equal a right, which he explains to Crito only puts Athens in greater danger, even though Socrates admits that this ruling is unjust because it is the popular majority that wishes to see him put to death. “What we ought to worry about is not so much what people in general will say about us but what the expert in justice and injustice says, the single authority …

Dom Pérignon Vs. Miller Lite: Investigating Anti-Elite Sentiment At The Individual Level, Zoe Bouras

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

As right-wing populism has gained a stronger footing globally, so have the ideas that right-wing populists support. Developed democracies are exhibiting high levels of political distrust and anti-elite sentiment, which pose a serious threat to the health of democracy and existing political systems. While there are system-level trends that contribute to anti-elitism, there remain variations in individual anti-elite sentiment. Two broad schools of thought suggest explanations; one contending that the way an individual perceives and responds to their economic situation leads to anti-elite sentiment, and the other, that anti-elite sentiment has risen as a reactionary undercurrent to the “silent revolution” …

The Role Of Social Integration And Anti-Immigration Attitudes In Motivating Support For Brexit, Olivia Heffernan

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

Right-wing populism has experienced a surge in popularity among advanced democracies around the world. The success of right-wing populism has changed the course of history for the United Kingdom, which, due to the success of Brexit, will become the first state to ever leave the European Union. Recent research has identified several potential grievances that have motivated support for right-wing populism. The first theory points to the economic grievances that result from the economic displacement that accompanies modernization. The second theory emphasizes cultural grievances, with those that feel their traditional values have been challenged and displaced taking part in a …

Blaming Mr. Taxman Do Regressive State Tax Codes Impact K-12 Education Spending Per Student?, Alex Stogin

Res Publica - Journal of Undergraduate Research

This paper seeks to understand the impact that state tax code structuring has on a state’s ability to fund K-12 education using a multiple regression model to evaluate the regressivity of a state’s tax code on it’s per student funding for K-12 education. Using empirical data collected and analyzed by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP), this paper first utilizes a bivariate correlation matrix and then an ordinary least squares regression model to explain if tax code regressivity, or any other controlled variables, have any impact over spending per student in K-12 education by the state. The findings …

Solidarity In Action: Norwegian People's Aid Annual Report 2018, Npa

Global CWD Repository

Norwegian People’s Aid is the labour movement’s humanitarian organisation for solidarity. Norwegian People’s Aid works both nationally and internationally to improve the living conditions of vulnerable groups and to contribute to a fairer society. Norwegian People’s Aid is a membership organisation with 4 main priority areas:

(a) First aid and rescue services (b) Social inclusion work and work with refugees

(c) Work with mines and explosives (d) Long-term development and humanitarian cooperation

This work is organised in two core areas:

• Protection of life and health

• Fair distribution of power and resources

A large part of our activities in …