Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Rural communities'
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White-Davison, Patricia A. M. "Rural Views: Schooling in Rural/Remote Communities." Thesis, Griffith University, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/10072/367842.
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This study is based on data collected for a large project that investigated social literacies and various aspects of the literacy culture of members of three rural communities in Queensland. This study draws on ideas from current critical literacy theory and research and post-structural writings. It reports a distinctive set of observations which aim to contribute to social and educational knowledge in respect of centre-margin relationships, literacy-empowerment relationships, the changing socio-economic and political landscape in rural Australia, and the need for a new conceptual landscape to define the foundations of a 'postprogressive pedagogy'. This study delineates some of the distinctive features of rural communities, and investigates the connections that people construct between schooling and economic change and the future, and between literacy and schooling and various aspects of the culture of the community. It interprets how schooling and literacy are socially constructed by members of the rural communities studied. One hundred and fifty-eight residents of three rural/remote communities were interviewed and their responses recorded and analysed. The residents represented the full range of ages and occupations. A selection of data from these interviews is taken for this study, based on themes and issues emerging from the data. A theoretical and empirical framework for the study is provided by reviewing current literature on rurality and rural living, on communities and schooling and cultural practices; literature on qualitative research methodology, specifically ethnomethodology, methods of interview analysis and the application of these methods, is also reviewed. Ethnomethodology is used for this study and the specific analytic procedures of Membership Categorisation Analysis. This specific type of qualitative research methodology is chosen because of its power to take the everyday conversations of community members and, through analytical procedures, to make explicit in those members accounts the interaction of their experiences with the organisational and social forces (the social realities) which permeate their relationships with one another and with the context of the community where they live, work and recreate. This study makes use of recent systematic procedures developed for interrogating interview data. It adds to the research literature on ideologies of family and community literacies and social practices in Australian rural communities. The study provides information relevant to rural development planners, and education policy developers and curriculum writers, for the purpose of enhancing schooling for rural students and better understanding of rural lifestyles. This study's focus on rural communities has highlighted the complexities and diversities of the rural communities that are studied. The different approaches and debates about 'defining rural' must continue, and researchers must avoid promoting a unidimensional category of 'rural'. The changing and developing nature of the rural communities has also been prominent in this study. The implications of these complexities and changes are that rural communities should be studied regularly so that the effects of the changes can be traced and documented. There is a varied set of understandings among rural dwellers about education. For some, education is bringing knowledge and skills to life in the rural location and enabling residents to avail themselves of the urban offerings that may enhance their occupations and leisure activities thus utilising the benefits of two cultures to their best advantage. For others, there are the expectations that education will enable them to move away from the rural areas, to go to the city, to take up other careers, to lead a different lifestyle. Hypotheses and generalisations that express negative approaches to rural cultures and to rural education must be reduced and the positive aspects promoted. Any centre-margin discourse must be scrutinised for its relevance and the feasibility of the assumptions on which it is based. Education policy developers, social researchers and rural policy planners need to re-evaluate the philosophical premises on which the current concept of success is based: success for the individual school student, success for education and schooling, and success in adult life. A number of recommendations are developed in an attempt to make a vision of excellence in rural education a central part of rural agenda. Curriculum in rural schools needs to be matched to rural resources and rural occupations and lifestyles, and to encourage enterprise. While education remains a centralised provision, it needs to provide a context for training in the communication skills that shape rural people's views of their communities. Rural secondary students may be disadvantaged by not having access to a wide range of curriculum offerings, and at tertiary level by inequities (mostly financial) of access, but technology could be used to assist in broadening the range of offerings at secondary level, and library resources across the country could be better utilised. Social and education research could benefit from further studies using this methodology, for example, studies in mining communities, rural ethnic communities, rural tourist communities.Thesis (Masters)
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
School of Cognition, Language and Special Education
Arts, Education and Law
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Weierbach, Florence M. "Elder Friendly Rural Communities." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2012. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/7389.
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Denker, Amy E. "Public engagement in rural aging communities." Kansas State University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/17663.
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Master of Regional and Community PlanningDepartment of Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning
Katherine Nesse
Public engagement in rural, aging communities is often an after thought when creating plans, strategies, or projects in these communities. Initiatives that focus specifically on interacting with aging ruralites through new media is almost non-existent. However, engagement through web-based forums or social media is a growing trend. At the same time, older people have proven that they do not use the internet or social media as frequently as younger generations. To bridge the gap of inexperience with online forms of engagement, I investigate whether educational components introduced through traditional face-to-face forms of public engagement can increase the participation of older residents. To test this, I introduce social media and online engagement to older adults through an educational presentation at a public meeting in Council Grove, Kansas, in cooperation with the Flint Hills Regional Council. I monitored social media and online websites connected to the public meeting prior to and after the meeting to track changes in engagement that occurred due to the meeting. Though there was little change in engagement on the two websites I monitored, the survey results suggest that the people at the meeting appreciated the introduction and did have some familiarity with the internet and the online engagement environments. Unfortunately, this research does not definitively answer the question asked. It suggests that further education presented in future meetings may increase online engagement when implemented at a larger scale.
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Sandbulte, Natalie J. "Rural communities and mental health care." Theological Research Exchange Network (TREN), 2007. http://www.tren.com/search.cfm?p088-0180.
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Xu, Haiqing. "Rural industrialisation and urbanisation of the rural communities in China." Thesis, University of Sheffield, 1994. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.415173.
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Dzansi, Dennis Yao. "Social responsibility of SMMEs in rural communities." Thesis, Pretoria : [s.n.], 2004. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-03302005-112633.
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LaBrie, Sharon L. "Forming Family: Lesbian Mothers in Rural Communities." Fogler Library, University of Maine, 2008. http://www.library.umaine.edu/theses/pdf/LaBrieSL2008.pdf.
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Goetz, Marieta. "Mobile business models in African rural communities." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/2581.
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Thesis (MPhil (Information Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.Mobile telephone subscription in developing countries has increased by more than 500 percent since 2005, with Africa experiencing the highest growth rate globally. Amongst Africa’s 306.5 million subscribers, recorded in 2008, an unexpectedly high adoption rate of the technology by poor, often illiterate rural communities is observed. Mobile telephony generally provides African rural users access to electronic communication for the first time. Providing access to communication, information and knowledge, mobile phones present a platform for economic and social interaction in rural Africa. The extent of the resulting positive socio-economic impact on the developing world has lead to mobile telephony increasingly being viewed as a potential development tool for the socio-economic upliftment of the rural poor. This thesis is inspired by the potential for value creation to end users of mobile telephony, leading to the proposition that the rapid expansion of mobile telephony in rural Africa can contribute significantly to the sustainability of these communities’ rural livelihoods. For this proposition to be valid, mobile telephony has to provide value beyond being communication tool. It has to provide value in income generating activities by increasing opportunities for access to financial and social capital with mobile business models appropriate to the rural African context. To assess the appropriateness of mobile value offerings, the rural African context was analyzed using the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework. Through multi-level analysis, the challenges and issues that influence the lives of the rural poor were explored and the dominant livelihood strategies in terms of income generating activities were identified. Apart from agricultural income streams, waged labor, migration and micro-entrepreneurial activities provide non-agricultural income streams. Creating an appropriate mobile business ecosystem for rural Africa requires the collaboration of a complex network of actors within a value constellation to co-produce value for the end users. Three conditional factors were identified for mobile telephony and emerging mobile business models to contribute successfully to sustainable livelihoods: adaptation of the technology by providers, user appropriation to make the technology their own and the assimilation of it into their livelihood strategies. These factors were researched for validation through the study of existing literature and reported case studies. It was found that these three conditional factors were unequivocally met. Firstly, the mobile telecommunication industry active in Africa is seen to successfully adapt and innovate solutions that are relevant to African rural communities’ vulnerabilities and livelihood strategies. Secondly, African mobile phone users have successfully adopted and appropriated mobile telephony to create value for themselves in their livelihood strategies, often independent of external interventions. They are claiming ownership of the technology and not merely using it as a communication tool. Thirdly, by assimilating mobile telephony into their livelihood strategies, value-creation within their income generating activities have been made possible. This value creation is impacting users’ social and financial capital positively. This thesis concludes that mobile telephony and emerging mobile business models are contributing to increasing African rural dwellers’ income generating potential, reducing their vulnerability to shocks, and providing them with a voice; thereby contributing to sustainable rural livelihoods.
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Reitmaier, Thomas Oliver. "Designing digital storytelling for rural African communities." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/11508.
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Includes abstract.Includes bibliographical references.
This thesis situates digital storytelling in rural African communities to enable rural people to record and share their stories and to express their imaginations digitally. We explore the role of design and the methods and perspectives designers need to take on to design across cultures and to understand the forms and meanings behind rural African interpretations of digital storytelling. By integrating ethnographic insights with previous experiences of designing these kinds of systems, we implement a method using cell-phones to localize storytelling and involve rural users in design activities– probing ways to incorporate visual and audio media in storytelling. Our mobile digital storytelling system proved to be useable and useful, also allowing users to form their own interpretations of digital storytelling and (re)appropriate our system to alternative ends.
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Kurtzman, Judith A. "Utah's Rural Communities: Planning for the Future." DigitalCommons@USU, 1999. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/4946.
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Two of the biggest concerns facing communities in the Intermountain West are the dichotomies of rapid growth and development as opposed to economic decline and stagnation. Numerous strategies have been developed by social and economic scientists to help communities manage the many problems associated with these concerns. One strategy recommended by many researchers and used by numerous communities to stabilize their economies is economic diversification. For many rural communities in Utah, tourism and recreation have been used as part of that diversification effort. Recreation and tourism also play a role in the dichotomies of rapid growth and development by often serving as the antecedent to rapid growth, or serving as the antidote for economic stagnation and decline.
This thesis examined four rural communities in Utah which have diversified or are attempting to diversify their economies through incorporating tourism and recreation into their economies, which also include agriculture, ranching, and extraction of natural resources, as well as other industries such as manufacturing and services. Our purpose was to examine strategies used by these communities to make recreation and tourism compatible with other activities, as well as determining what tactics they drew upon to preserve the small town atmosphere and unique characteristics of their communities. Through understanding and sharing the problems encountered and strategies used by these four communities, we hoped to assist other communities attempting to integrate tourism and recreation into their economies and lifestyles.
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Ripplinger, David. "Organizing Transit in Small Urban and Rural Communities." Diss., North Dakota State University, 2012. https://hdl.handle.net/10365/26729.
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The justification of government support of rural transit on the basis of the presence of increasing returns to scale and the most efficient regional organization of transit is investigated. Returns to density, size, and scope at most levels of output were found. Cost subadditivity, where a monopoly firm can provide service at a lower cost than two firms, was found for many, but not all observations. The presence of natural monopoly in rural transit in a strict sense is rejected. The findings and implications are directly applicable to rural transit in North Dakota and should be helpful in informing future federal policy as well as rural transit policy, service design, and operation in other states.
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Munshaw, Vernon G. "Interdenominational local church mergers in rural Saskatchewan communities." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1997. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk3/ftp04/nq21872.pdf.
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Holden, Anna Dean. "Organizing Rural Communities for Effective Citizen Science Programs." The University of Montana, 2007. http://etd.lib.umt.edu/theses/available/etd-04252007-134546/.
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Citizen science, or the use of volunteers for scientific projects, is becoming a popular way for agencies and organizations to collect data. The benefits of citizen science include saving the agency or organization resources, educating the community about conservation issues, and promoting land stewardship. Currently, many citizen monitoring organizations are based in urban areas, whereas their projects are located near more rural towns. Research shows that demographics such as area of residence can be a factor in the publics attitude toward any scientific or land management project (Williams et al, 2002; Kellert, 1978, 1985; Vaske et al, 2001). This fact was supported by a citizen science project, led by the author, on the Clearwater National Forest. Currently, no citizen science organizing manuals address the issue of rural/urban difference in volunteer recruitment. Additionally, the question of what qualities citizen science must have to be used by government agencies must be determined so that non-governmental organizations can produce useful data. I interviewed 11 successful urban-based citizen science conservation organizations in order to establish the characteristics of successful volunteer recruitment and retention. Additionally, I interviewed five state or federal agencies that used citizen science data in order to establish the characteristics of effective citizen science programs. Using Glesne (1999) as a guide, interviews were numbered and coded. Results showed that successful recruitment methods differ between rural and urban areas, with word of mouth and local newspapers as most effective. Citizens must believe in the program, have a social atmosphere associated with the program, and have a personal relationship with the project organizer in order to volunteer again. There is a difference in rural and urban communities, having to do with different values, priorities, and environmental awareness. Effective citizen science programs share three main characteristics: a proper training program, scientific accuracy, and a quality control program.
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Vyas, Krutarth J. "HIV Stigma Within Religious Communities in Rural India." ScholarWorks, 2015. http://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/1725.
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This study was conducted to gain a better understanding of HIV/AIDS-related stigma within religious communities in rural Gujarat, India. This study used the hidden distress model of HIV stigma and the HIV peer education model as conceptual frameworks to examine a rural population sample of 100 participants. Regression analysis was conducted to test if school education had a moderating effect on the relationship between illness as punishment for sin (IPS) and HIV stigma. Religiosity was tested for mediating effects on the relationship between early religious involvement (ERI) and HIV stigma. The results of this study indicated that single unemployed men under the age of 28 were more likely to relate religiosity, IPS, and ERI to HIV stigma. Furthermore, education did not significantly moderate the relationship between IPS and HIV Stigma, and religiosity also did not mediate the relationship between ERI and HIV stigma. However, an additional mediation analysis showed that IPS did mediate the relationship between religiosity and HIV stigma in this study. The results of this study suggested that HIV/AIDS awareness programs may need to focus on young unemployed men because they may be the most susceptible to stigmatic thinking. It can be concluded that IPS was a major contributor in the proliferation of HIV stigma for participants in this study. Further research is needed to understand how belief in an authoritarian God could increase IPS, and how education initiatives may aid in decreasing IPS among inhabitants. This study strived to add to the existing body of knowledge and help improve the lives of those infected with HIV in rural parts of India.
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Beatty, Kate, Michael Meit, Emily Phillips, and Megan Heffernan. "Rural Health Departments: Capacity to Improve Communities' Health." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2017. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/6838.
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Local health departments (LHD) serve a critical role in leveraging internal and community assets to improve health and equity in their communities; however, geography is an important factor when understanding LHD capacity and perspective. LHDs serve a critical role in leveraging internal and community assets to improve health and equity in their communities; however, geography is an important factor when understanding LHD capacity and perspective. Data were obtained from the NACCHO 2013 National Profile of Local Health Departments Study. LHDs were coded as “urban”, “micropolitan”, or “rural” based on Rural/Urban Commuting Area codes. Results demonstrate that rural LHDs differed from their urban counterparts. Specifically, rural LHDs relied more heavily on state and federal resources and have less access to local resources making them more sensitive to budget cuts. Rural LHDs also rely more heavily on clinical services as a revenue source. Larger rural LHDs provide more clinical services while urban health departments work more closely with community partners to provide important safety net services. Small rural LHDs have less partners and are unable to provide as many direct services due to their lack of human and financial resources. LHDs residing in urban communities were 16.6 times (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.3-52.3) and micropolitan LHDs were 3.4 times (95% CI, 1.1-11.3) more likely to seek PHAB accreditation than rural LHDs.
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Mangokwana, Andries Mphoto. "Makgotla : a vehicle for development in rural communities?" Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 1996. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14278.
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Bibliography: leaves 136-141.This is an exploratory study using a qualitative approach. This study attempts to explore the nature of makgotla found in the rural community of Ramokgopa. It examines the structure and operation, nature of services rendered, successes, areas of concern as well as the role of makgotla played in community development. The primary objective was to assess the viability of makgotla as a vehicle for development in rural communities. Data was collected via in-depth interviews, and using a community-forum approach. Eleven headmen/key members and five consumers of services were selected for interviewing. Two community meetings were also held for the same purpose. The study found that makgotla have taken initiatives and efforts to develop their own community. This is in spite of the fact that there are areas of concern like gender sensitivity that need to be addressed. The study concludes with some recommendations, one of them being that local government officials be made aware of the presence of makgotla and how best to engage in a dialogue which will reap benefits for the community.
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Chappell, Darian Edward. "Prisons Used as Economic Development in Rural Communities." University of Toledo / OhioLINK, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1341089902.
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Scott, Jacqueline L. "Role strain and employed mothers in rural communities /." free to MU campus, to others for purchase, 1998. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/mo/fullcit?p9924954.
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Silburn, Linda Helen. "Rural women as leaders and decision-makers within rural family enterprises and communities." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2005.
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Welker, Lauren ELizabeth. "Rural Inequality in the Republic of Karelia: Considering Nonfarm Communities in Russian Rural Studies." The Ohio State University, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1293723070.
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Hirmer, Stephanie. "Improving the sustainability of rural electrification schemes : capturing value for rural communities in Uganda." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2018. https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/277685.
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This research investigates what rural villagers perceive as important and develops recommendations for improved electrification project implementation centring on user-perceived values (UPVs). UPVs capture more than the basic definition of value in the sense that they include benefits, concerns, feelings and underlying drivers that vary in importance and act as the main motivators in the lives of project beneficiaries as perceived at a given time. Low access to energy continues in rural sub-Saharan Africa despite significant investment by the development community. One fundamental reason is that energy infrastructure adoption remains low, as evidenced by the lack of project sustainability. To counter this, the challenge for energy project developers is to achieve sustainable long-term interventions through the creation of value for beneficiaries, rather than the traditional approach of focusing on short-term project outputs. The question of what is valuable to people in rural communities has historically not played into the design and diffusion of energy infrastructure development projects. This research drew on design and marketing approaches from the commercial sector to investigate the UPVs of rural Ugandans. To better understand the UPVs of rural villagers a new method, consisting of a UPV game and UPV framework, was developed. This method is suitable for capturing, understanding and mapping what rural populations perceive as important. Case study analyses were carried out in seven villages across rural Uganda. The case studies included the UPV game supplemented by non-energy-specific and energy-specific interviews with villagers. Additionally, interviews with experts were conducted to verify the UPV framework and to identify the gap between experts’ opinion and villagers’ perception of what is important. The research demonstrates the effectiveness of the UPV game in deducing the values of rural villagers. The findings demonstrate a disconnect in the ability to accurately capture and design projects which resonate with and respond to the UPVs of recipients of rural electrification projects. A comparison between the villagers’ statements and experts’ opinion regarding what is most valuable to rural communities reveals striking differences that point to a fundamental misunderstanding of rural community UPVs which are likely to be contributing to widespread electrification project failure.
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Keough, Erin M. "Telecommunications policy communities and policy options for rural areas." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1997. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp04/mq23150.pdf.
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McCallum, Maureen. "Believing is seeing, psychological wife abuse in rural communities." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2000. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp03/MQ47346.pdf.
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Balde, Abdoulaye Diogo. "Speed management in rural communities using optical speed bars." Thesis, Kansas State University, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/7026.
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Master of ScienceDepartment of Civil Engineering
Sunanda Dissanayake
Speed management has been a challenge, particularly in places where high-speed highways pass through. Due to high rate of fatalities and low budgets available, it is therefore necessary to identify low-cost effective approaches in reducing speeds. Optical Speed Bar (OSB) treatment is one such technique. This research makes an attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of OSBs in reducing approach speeds on two-lane, rural highways approaching small communities. Speed data were collected and analyzed “before” and “after” periods at five sites. Effectiveness of OSBs was evaluated using changes in mean and 85th percentile speeds under different categories by considering all vehicles, vehicle classification (two axles vs. more than two axles), day of the week (weekdays vs. weekends), and time of day (daytime vs. nighttime), as well as proportions exceeding posted speed limit, using t-test mean speeds, F-test for analysis of variance, and Z-test for proportions of vehicles exceeding posted speed limit between “before” and “after” datasets. Even though motorists were found to slow down on the approaches, in response to speed zones, speeding was noted. “Before” speed data indicated higher speeds than desired at the sites. The 85th percentile speeds were between 50 and 63 mph while the posted speed limits on the approaches were 45 mph at four sites, and the 85th percentile speed was about 42 mph at one site with an approach posted speed limit of 30 mph. The “before” degrees of noncompliance were up to 90 % of free-flowing vehicles at the sites. Speed data analysis showed significant reductions in speeds at ends of OSBs at four test sites. Mean and 85th percentile speeds and standard deviations were found reduced in the after periods. Percent reductions in mean speeds were between 1.2 and 8.2 %, with 85th percentile reductions between 3.2 and 8.9 %. At one site, no notable change in mean and 85th percentile speeds occurred at the end of OSBs, but significant increases in standard deviations were noted. Speed reductions were higher for two-axle vehicles, during the daytime and on weekdays with few exceptions. Results of the study showed, as other previous studies did, OSBs may have some minor effects on vehicle speeds. The study provides an indication that it may be possible to create safety improvements as result of using OSBs on the approach to a rural community. However, magnitude of speed reductions was generally small, though the reductions were statistically significant at the 95% confidence level. Because of the non-consistence of the magnitude of speed reductions at the test sites, no conclusion can be drawn as to how much OSB treatment reduced speeds. These results were based on “after” periods up to five months. Therefore, further study would be required to determine whether these safety improvements are sustained over an even longer time period. Even though minor speed reductions occurred, speeds observed at the sites were still higher than the posted speed limits, indicating OSBs were not effective enough in providing the desired speed limit compliance. Additional studies would be helpful to identify combinations of countermeasures, for instance OSBs and other techniques, effective in providing speed limit compliance.
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Singh, Kamal. "Drought, relief and rural communities : special report no. 9." Association for Rural Advancement (AFRA), 1993. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/68651.
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The Association for Rural Advancement (AFRA) has run a Drought Project since October 1992. The project's primary focus was to monitor drought conditions in the AFRA's operational area and to assist communities to access relief through providing them with relevant information and helping them to submit proposals to relief agencies. In attempting to do this, it became clear that the effects of drought on rural black communities was not a well understood phenomenon. We also found that relief strategies were informed more by economic, agricultural and meteorological criteria than social ones. This Special Report aims to contribute to the development of a more appropriate drought management strategy, especially with regard to rural communities. In attempting to make this contribution, the Report examines the factors involved in redefining drought and drought relief perspectives in relation to rural communities. However, the range of factors involved and the scarcity of useful information on them, dictate that this is merely an introduction. The complexities and implications arising from the introduction of these factors into drought management in South Africa should be explored on an on-going basis. Because of the scarcity of relevant information about the effects of drought on black rural communities in South Africa, this Report has relied on AFRA's limited monitoring of such communities. Some information was also gathered through Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) methods. There were also difficulties in getting information about relief schemes and their operations as most relief agencies were reluctant to release this information. As a result, almost all the relief related information in this Special Report was obtained from publications and reports of the National Consultative Forum on Drought.
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Strommen, Jane M. "Changing Rural Communities: An Exploration of Older Adults' Experiences." Diss., North Dakota State University, 2013. https://hdl.handle.net/10365/26895.
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This research was designed to better understand the perceptions and experiences of older adults who live in small towns and rural areas. In this qualitative study, 13 individuals were interviewed to gain an in-depth understanding of their experiences related to aging, community change, and well-being. Participants ranged in age from 69 to 90. Two articles report the results of this research in Chapters Three and Four. The first article presents the themes that reflect the participants' perceptions of living in changing communities. Data analysis revealed five themes: elders were saddened by losses in their community but were resigned to accept them; diversity among the rural communities affected views about community; dwindling social networks and opportunities left elders feeling isolated and lonely; attachment to place was strong, and commitment to stay on despite concerns for the future. The second article focuses on the daily life experiences, challenges, and strategies of older adults living in rural communities. Four key themes emerged from participants' responses about their lived experiences in communities that have undergone long-term changes: social interactions were limited; sense of social connectedness had weakened; daily life experiences depended on community and individual characteristics; and elders sought to manage challenges. Overall, there was a strong desire to remain in rural areas in spite of challenging conditions, with attachment to place being a factor contributing to the commitment to age in place. Daily experiences and challenges for participants were influenced by both community and individual characteristics. Person-environment relationships served as environmental comfort, maintenance, or distress for rural elders. Participants expressed disappointment in the deteriorating social interactions and social connections in their communities, resulting in feelings of isolation and loneliness. Future research should include a closer examination of the environmental characteristics that serve as resources or stressors for rural elders and of the personal competencies that help older adults adapt to changing environments and manage their lives effectively. These studies help identify specific environmental and personal characteristics that either promote or hinder well-being for elderly living in rural communities.
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Kilby, Susan. "Encountering the environment : rural communities in England, 1086-1348." Thesis, University of Leicester, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/2381/36699.
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Our current understanding of the medieval local environment is largely based on scholarly writings focusing on the policies towards the landscape pursued by the social elite. This presents us with some obvious problems if we want to understand local places through the eyes of the lower orders. But that is exactly what this study aims to do. By re-examining a variety of sources this research seeks to reconstruct the physical—and in some respects, metaphorical—environment of three contrasting English villages, using this as the basis for determining how peasants perceived their natural surroundings, and how this led to the development of the local economic strategies and social structures that can be pieced together from the records of the medieval manor. Since the emphasis here is largely on attitudes toward local environment, the intellectual approach moves beyond more traditional English historical spheres regarding the peasantry to consider mentalities. This has rarely been a consideration for historians concerned with English medieval peasants. Indeed, one might ask just how we can hope to uncover the thoughts of those who left little documentary evidence behind? Reconsidering the records that survive, it is clear that peasants left a great quantity of material waiting to be uncovered. Hidden within seigneurial documents can be found direct peasant testimony, notably their personal names, and those they bestowed upon the landscape. Through these documents—alongside the physical environment—we find further signposts indicating how they felt, thought about, and commemorated their local landscape. This study reveals that some peasants used the landscape to set themselves apart from their neighbours. It shows that, although uneducated in the formal sense, some nevertheless had a strong grasp of contemporary scientific thought. It outlines the means through which locally important folk stories were embedded within the landscape itself. And it sees beyond the officially endorsed local village landscape, with its authorized roads and footpaths, to reclaim the real environment inhabited and traversed by English people over 700 years ago.
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Seipel, Michael F. "Social capital and school effectiveness in rural, Missouri communities /." free to MU campus, to others for purchase, 1997. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/mo/fullcit?p9841182.
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Mesa, Castrillon Carlos Ivan. "Prevalence and management of musculoskeletal pain in rural communities." Thesis, The University of Sydney, 2022. https://hdl.handle.net/2123/29629.
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The general aim of this thesis was to investigate the prevalence and management of chronic musculoskeletal conditions, such as low back pain and knee pain, in rural and remote communities. This thesis included one systematic review with a meta-analysis of observational studies, reported in Chapter Two, that compared the prevalence of physical activity, physical inactivity, and sedentary behaviour in a population of rural and urban Australian adults. Twenty-eight studies reporting data on a total of 515,532 people were included and found that the prevalence of physical inactivity was higher in rural populations (prevalence difference 4%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.4% to 8%), but the prevalence of physical activity was similar in both rural and urban populations (prevalence difference 1%; 95% CI = -3% to 5%). The implications of the study call to action to reduce the urban-rural inequality of different factors that are associated with physical inactivity, such as the promotion of current guidelines focused on leisure physical activity, and adequate infrastructure for the safe practice of sports and exercise.
The systematic review reported in Chapter Three includes a meta-analysis of observational studies reporting on the worldwide prevalence of musculoskeletal conditions, such as back, knee, hip, and shoulder pain in rural compared to urban populations. The review included 42 studies from 24 countries with a total sample of 489,439 people, and the results indicated that hip (mean odds ratio [OR]=1.62; 95% CI=1.23 to 2.15), shoulder (OR=1.42; 95% CI=1.06 to 1.90), and overall musculoskeletal pain ([OR]=1.26, 95% [CI]= 1.08 to 1.47; n=302,911) were more prevalent in rural compared to urban populations. Similarly, although not statistically significant, back (OR=1.18, 95% CI=0.97 to 1.43; n=225,950), and knee pain (OR=1.13; 95% CI=0.83 to 1.52), but not neck pain (OR= 0.89; 95% CI=0.60 to 1.32), were more prevalent in rural compared to urban populations. Interestingly, the meta-analysis showed that adults in rural areas were less likely to seek treatment for musculoskeletal conditions than their urban counterparts (OR= 0.76; 95% CI=0.55 to 1.03).
Lastly, a randomised controlled trial that included 156 participants was conducted and reported in Chapters Four and Five of this thesis. The trial aimed to assess the effectiveness of a physiotherapist delivered real-time eHealth intervention including a physical activity plan and a personalised resistance training program, compared with usual care on physical function in adults with chronic non-specific low back pain or knee osteoarthritis in rural Australia. The primary outcome of physical function was assessed with the Patient-Specific Functional Scale, which ranges from 0 to 30, with higher values indicating better levels of function. The secondary outcome of disability was assessed using the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire in participants with low back pain, which ranges from 0 to 24 with lower scores indicating lower disability, or with the Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index in participants with knee osteoarthritis, which ranges from 0 to 68 (function section) with lower scores indicating lower disability. Health-related quality of life was measured using the Assessment of Quality of Life 8D instrument, which ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better quality of life.
The findings reported in Chapter Five showed that the eHealth intervention provided greater clinically significant benefits in physical function at three months (mean between-group difference 3.63; 95% CI= 1.31 to 5.94), and at six months (mean between-group difference: 3.59; 95%CI= 1.14 to 6.05) compared to usual care. Disability (mean between-group difference 7.26; 95%CI= 2.14 to 12.38), and quality of life (mean between-group difference 4.51; 95%CI= 0.01 to 9.01) were statistically significantly higher in the eHealth intervention group at the three-month follow-up. No other between-group differences were found for the remaining outcomes or follow-ups. Results of this study showed that an eHealth intervention is effective to improve physical function, and can potentially complement and enhance face-to-face consultations, for people suffering from musculoskeletal pain in rural communities. These findings are important to inform rural and primary healthcare policy and clinical practice in Australia.
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Hanks, Kevin D. "By-Products: Immigration, Raids, and Meatpacking in Rural Communities." DigitalCommons@USU, 2011. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/1179.
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The purpose of this thesis is to show the short- and long-term responses and adaptations of workers and employers in the meatpacking industry to the new immigration enforcement strategy of the increased use of worksite immigration raids. Worksite raids have become part of the new immigration enforcement strategy of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (I.C.E.). A review of the literature regarding the meatpacking industry, its history, relocation to and impacts on rural communities, and of immigration policy over the last 70 years is conducted. A case study of the Swift & Co. meatpacking plant in Hyrum, Utah that experienced a worksite immigration raid in 2006 and in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with five current and former plant workers, one former member of plant management, and one local ecclesiastical leader.
The analysis reveals that the raid had strong impacts on the company, plant management, and workers. The company was sold the year after the raid due to financial losses suffered following the raid. Employers struggled to replace over 150 workers that were taken in the raid and to regain the trust of the remaining workers at the plant. Some workers lost close friends and family members in the raid and experienced instability and fear following the raid. It was found that employers made only one significant change following the raid in their hiring practices. They conducted more in-depth background checks with better follow-up with past employers of new applicants if the information was available. Workers were found to have made few changes after the raid since those not taken in the raid were confirmed as authorized workers and did not need to make many changes. The raid and more in-depth background checks led to more native-born workers being hired following the raid.
This research indicates that the use of worksite raids has strong social and economic impacts on workers, employers, and local communities. More research is needed to better understand how the meatpacking industry and its workers are adapting to the new enforcement strategy and how effective this strategy has been, and will be in the future.
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Dickerson, Onetha. "Impact of Hospital Closures on Families in Rural Communities." ScholarWorks, 2017. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/3874.
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Closure of community hospitals directly impacts the health of rural populations and indirectly affects economic growth and access to medical services. The purpose of this doctoral project was to assess the causes and impacts of hospital closures on rural communities. The practice-focused question addressed the implications of hospital closures on individuals and families in rural communities. A systematic review of the literature, based on conflict theory, addressed populations that lack health care facility resources. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guided the selection of 8 journal articles for review. The inclusion criteria for articles encompassed the impact of closure of health care facilities on the rural community and if the information about the causes of closure of health care facilities provided recommendations about hospital closure. The John Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice Rating Scale framework was used to determine the level and quality of evidence of the journal articles selected for review. Findings indicated that hospital closure has a negative effect on rural residents' health due to prolonged travel time for patients to access care, deterioration of health when access is not possible and increased expenses for services from remote locations. Loss of jobs due to hospital closure results in loss of income and decreased access to affordable care for community members. Findings from this project may be used to promote social change for regional and national stakeholders as the project raises awareness of the need to be diligent in preserving and enhancing health services in rural areas.
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Sitton, Jennifer. "The Effects of Forestry Regulations on Rural Communities and the Urban-Rural Divide in Oregon." Scholarship @ Claremont, 2015. http://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/1069.
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This senior thesis is a study of federal forestry policy in Oregon and its effects on rural communities and the urban-rural division in the state. Looking specifically at the “Timber Wars” of the early 1990s, it delves deeper into the controversy over the protection of the northern spotted owl, the Northwest Forest Plan, and President Clinton’s efforts to solve the conflict between grassroots environmental activists and those with a vested interest in the timber industry. It also analyzes the federal timber payment system created by Congress to solve the problems for rural communities caused by forestry regulations. Lastly, it looks at the divisions between urban Oregonians and rural Oregonians on all issues, including environmental policy, in order to understand why Oregon is so divided and how this issue and conflict can be used as an example of a greater national conflict and recent trends of urban rural division across the country.
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Milic, Branislav <1974>. "Rural in-Migrations in Serbia. An Assessment of Social and Economic Implication on Rural Communities." Doctoral thesis, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, 2017. http://amsdottorato.unibo.it/7915/1/milic_branislav_tesi.pdf.
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Despite a great need for finding a new niche in deliberation of rural revival, in-migration and its possible role therein has not been assessed in Serbia until now. The aim of this Thesis is exploration of rural in-migrant households in Serbia and their contribution to the rural economy. Sample of 74 rural in-migrant households in two study areas, South-Bačka and Zaječar Districts met the definition’s parameters. The response rate was 81.1%. Survey findings suggest that young and educated families in-migrated from towns in Serbia. Participation of active and employed persons is higher compared to that of inactive and unemployed. Environmentalism have motivated almost half of sample. Family property associated with the loss of a job in the town motivated returnees, while housing was more likely to motivate newcomers. Almost 60% of rural in-migrant households’ farms are small, and around 12% are large holdings, sized 10.1 ha (mean). The total available land is dominated by private ownerships (95.6%), and arable land (70.7%). The majority generate income from agriculture to a certain degree, whereas agriculture is the main source of income for one-third. Four-fifths generate some sort of income within the households, dominated by that originating from agricultural activities. More than half of sample is involved in the output sales market. One third of mainly young and educated rural in-migrant households, is involved in private, micro or small business, providing employment for a total of 78 persons. The socio-economic characteristics and the way of involvement in rural economy is territorially specific, dependent on the factors that motivated migrations, and on general demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the household head. Level of satisfaction with the decision to migrate is very high. Better and much better quality of life in the new environment was reported by 83.3% respondents.
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Mbelu, Ntandokazi Busisa. "Exploratory study on empowering rural communities of O.R Tambo District with special reference to Mqanduli." Thesis, Walter Sisulu University, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1009453.
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The aim of the study was to explore development of rural communities in the Mqanduli Administrative Area. The exploratory study was further conducted to examine delivery of service to these rural communities. One of the objectives was to empower rural communities for purposes of improving their daily living standards and also to bring about social change.In determining the sample size, forty (40) respondents were selected from Mqanduli Administrative Area. Out of the forty (40) respondents, thirty (30) respondents were selected from the Mqanduli community members, five (5) were O.R.Tambo District Municipality stakeholders and the other five (5) were Social workers from Mqanduli Administrative Area. The instrument utilized to collect data was a questionnaire. Data was analysed using the quantitative and qualitative measure. The outcome of the study indicates that the majority of rural communities in the Mqanduli Administrative Area were in dire need of empowerment which will enable these disadvantaged communities towards development and social change.
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Thorpe, Alan, and n/a. "Sexuality and straightjackets : issues affecting gay men in rural communities : an exploratory investigation of homosexuality in rural areas." University of Canberra. Education, 1996. http://erl.canberra.edu.au./public/adt-AUC20061109.133331.
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This is a qualitative study forming half of a coursework/thesis MA in Community
Education (HRD). It investigates some of the influences affecting gay men growing up in
rural communities. It provides material that may be useful in developing education
programs for gay men themselves, for the general community and particularly for health
educators.
The study illustrates and highlights these issues by presenting extracts and case studies
from twenty indepth interviews with rural homosexually active men. It looks at factors
affecting homosexual identity formation in rural communities and finds there are common
influences of family, religion, school and role models. It also identifies and examines other
influences of a rural nature, including concepts of masculinity, heterosexism and
homophobia, which may have a very restrictive effect on an emerging homosexual
identity.
The effects of such influences are explored, revealing common issues of isolation,
loneliness and lack of self esteem. The study reveals some of the particular difficulties
faced by young men becoming aware of and dealing with their emerging homosexuality
particularly in a rural community. Resultant behaviour is investigated and found to include
for some a fairly successful integration of homosexuality into their lives, but for others
there are common behaviours of denial, moving away from the community, or
contemplation of suicide.
The study highlights the importance of contacts with gay-identified men for support and
the need to be exposed to role models with whom gay men can identify. In this respect,
the influence on smaller communities of the mass media is found to be having an
increasing significance Unfortunately, the study also postulates that broader and positive
changes in the wider community may have served to heighten difficulties faced by rural
men if such changes are not mirrored at the local level. An awareness of increasing
acceptance and support for gay men in the wider community may be frustrating at least, if
local support has not also developed. In fact the study finds support for the assertions by
other researchers that there are links between sexuality and recent increases in rural male
youth suicide. The findings support the view that sexuality may play a significant part in
the contemplation of suicide by young gay men.
The particular value of the study is in exploring the issues through the words of the men
themselves. The extracts and case studies offer rich and varied illustrations of growing up
gay in the country.
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Lau, Oi-ha Joanne. "Planning for the urban-rural fringe areas of Hong Kong : case study of Wo Yi Hop Village /." Hong Kong : University of Hong Kong, 2001. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk:8888/cgi-bin/hkuto%5Ftoc%5Fpdf?B23427036.
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Edwards, Sarah. "The appraisal of Rural Development Forestry in Scotland." Thesis, University of Aberdeen, 2000. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.311154.
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Rural Development Forestry (RDF) is being widely promoted in Scotland by both policy makers and pressure groups alike. The idea behind RDF is to recognise and respond to the needs and demands of local communities for forests and forest products. Despite publications and discussion regarding the relative merits of the adoption of an RDF-style of forest management, there is a lack of empirical studies on the subject. This study develops an appraisal technique to investigate forest benefits currently provided by forestry to local communities in Scotland. It examines the future benefits which these same local communities would like to see delivered by the forest and the level of participation in forest management and decision making which they would like, in order for this to be achieved. The appraisal was achieved through surveys, conducted at four different study sites throughout Scotland. The questionnaires utilised during the surveys explored the current benefits which individual respondents derive from their local forests and those delivered to the whole community. In most cases, these were benefits associated with recreational use or amenity values of the forests. For the majority of respondents the most important benefit for the forests to provide in the future is locally based employment. However, the recreational and amenity benefits are also afforded high priority for provision in the future. A contingent valuation survey was utilised to establish the level of demand for participation in forest management and decision-making by rural residents. The results demonstrate that although a number of respondents value the idea of being consulted and having some input into this process, the majority are not in favour of the community taking on responsibility for the forests. However, there is marked variation between the localities. The study highlights a number of implications for future forest policy, if RDF is to be carried forward. One of the most significant findings of the study is the heterogeneity within and between communities and thus the flexible approach which is required for the promotion of RDF.
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Guitner, Staci J. "Valued Spaces of Adolescents in a Rural Community." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/36598.
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This study was conducted with the recognition that adolescence is a developmental stage in the human life cycle and that during this stage adolescents have unique outdoor needs and preferences. In general, the social and emotional needs of adolescents require that their environments provide opportunity for companionship. Within this context, the purpose of this study was to provide designers with information that can be used to assess environmental preferences. With this information at hand, a landscape architect can begin to understand the intricacies of designing a place for adolescents that supports their developmental needs and will be a place that they enjoy.
This study was a partial replication of a study Venues and Values conducted by Patsy Eubanks Owens (1987) in which the valued spaces of suburban teens in California were explored. Rather than studying suburban adolescents, this study focuses on rural adolescents in a southwest Virginia town. Adolescents at a local high school are used as the subjects for this study. They were asked to take photographs of their two most valued outdoor spaces. A questionnaire was then given to each student to gain information about characteristics of each valued space.
This study was a partial replication of a study Venues and Values conducted by Patsy Eubanks Owens (1987) in which the valued spaces of suburban teens in California were explored. Rather than studying suburban adolescents, this study focuses on rural adolescents in a southwest Virginia town. Adolescents at a local high school are used as the subjects for this study. They were asked to take photographs of their two most valued outdoor spaces. A questionnaire was then given to each student to gain information about characteristics of each valued space.Master of Landscape Architecture
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Snider, Sherri A. "A Critical Analysis of Rural Teachers' Usage of Online Communities." Available to subscribers only, 2009. http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1967969511&sid=5&Fmt=2&clientId=1509&RQT=309&VName=PQD.
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Jabelian, Sybelle. "Impact of telemedicine on rural communities, Tatamagouche, a case study." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1997. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp01/MQ31590.pdf.
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Porter-Gibson, Jennifer S. "Assessing the flood vulnerability of rural communities in Huzhou, China." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2000. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk1/tape4/PQDD_0021/MQ55701.pdf.
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Schmidt, Brad Robert. "An analysis of the creative economy in rural Midwestern communities." [Ames, Iowa : Iowa State University], 2008.
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James, E. "Welsh rural communities : perceptions of the effects of in-migration." Thesis, Swansea University, 1998. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.637401.
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Rural Wales, like many other rural areas in the late twentieth century, faces the problem of in-migration as a by-product of counter-urbanisation. However, in Wales the main problems arise from the fact that the majority of in-migrants have settled in areas that are regarded as the cultural and linguistic 'heartland' of Wales. In-migration of English Incomers to Wales is perceived by the Welsh to be the catalyst for change within rural communities. This research adopts a multi-methods form of analysis that is predominantly qualitative, in order to consider the nature of the Welsh rural community through the perceptions of individuals who reside there. The thesis provides in-depth discussions with rural inhabitants regarding the issue of in-migration and its perceived impacts, against a quantitative background of census data analysis. Through the analysis of dialogues this research considers the connection between the Welsh rural community and 'Welshness' and understandings of this connection. It also considers the relationships that exist between local incomers, in relation to their perceptions and experiences of the Welsh rural community. Census data documents the increased influx of English-born migrants into rural Wales, and verifies the existence of economic and social differentials between the incomer and local populations. Despite in-migration to Wales occurring in parallel with the process of economic restructuring and social recomposition experienced in most rural areas of the UK since the 1970's, the resident population equates all changes with process of in-migration. Indeed in-migration is the key issue, which links all resident dialogues regarding change to the Welsh rural community, and the Welsh culture. These communities signify the 'core' areas of Welshness; any change is perceived as a threat to Welsh culture and as a result causes cultural conflict between the locals and the incomers.
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Robles-Zavala, Edgar. "Poverty in rural fishing communities : a view from the inside." Thesis, University of East Anglia, 2003. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.399846.
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The general wisdom around fishing dependent communities in the Third World has labelled them as the poorest and most vulnerable people, and fishing has being characterised as the 'last resort activity' in rural regions. Poverty has been closely related to communities engaged in small-scale fishing operations. In the light of these general assumptions, this thesis attempts to address the issue of poverty and livelihoods in two contrasting fishing dependent communities in coast of Oaxaca, Mexico: an indigenous community -San Mateo del Mar, and a mestizo communityPuerto Angel. For this, I carried out an extensive survey as well as participatory techniques to capture the vision that the labelled as 'poor' have about their assets and livelihood strategies, and the determinants (social, cultural and institutional) to command these assets and livelihoods. The results show that both communities are highly differentiated by wealth groups characterised by distinct livelihood strategies. Fishers in Puerto Angel have more diversified opportunities for livelihood in contrast to San Mateo del Mar, which economy relies almost exclusively in fishing. The analysis emphasises the key-role of the institutional arrangements in the use of natural resources, as well as the cultural issues that create and reproduce the conditions of poverty and marginalisation in these communities. The thesis concludes that the poverty conditions observed in both communities are more closely related to cultural factors as well as the social dynamic inside the villages than the fisheries resources, which constitute the principal activity in Puerto Angel and San Mateo del Mar
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Jay, Noah. "Illuminating Rural Poverty: Invisible Communities of the Eastern Coachella Valley." Scholarship @ Claremont, 2014. http://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/910.
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Rural poverty has been characterized as invisible. This has been true since Michael Steinbeck published The Grapes of Wrath in 1939. Building upon this characterization this thesis explores six pathways out of rural poverty in relation to the particular quality of invisibility. This study reviews scholarly literature and federal policy, as well as adds new interviews focused on a case study of Mecca and Thermal, two small, unincorporated communities in California’s Eastern Coachella Valley (ECV). Through these techniques I found that rural poverty is characterized by a unique invisibility and that although there are certain pathways out of this poverty, these pathways are unlikely, temporary, and too insubstantial to make significant change.
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Hale, Nathan, Tamar Klaiman, Kate E. Beatty, and Michael B. Meit. "Local Health Departments as Clinical Safety Net in Rural Communities." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2016. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/6824.
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Introduction: The appropriate role of local health departments (LHDs) as a clinical service provider remains a salient issue. This study examines differences in clinical service provision among rural/urban LHDs for early periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment (EPSDT) and prenatal care services.
Methods: Data collected from the 2013 National Association of County and City Health Officials Profile of Local Health Departments Survey was used to conduct a cross-sectional analysis of rural/urban differences in clinical service provision by LHDs. Profile data were linked with the 2013 Area Health Resource File to derive other county-level measures. Data analysis was conducted in 2015.
Results: Approximately 35% of LHDs in the analysis provided EPSDT services directly and 26% provided prenatal care. LHDs reporting no others providing these services in the community were four times more likely to report providing EPSDT services directly and six times more likely to provide prenatal care services directly. Rural LHDs were more likely to provide EPSDT (OR=1.46, 95% CI=1.07, 2.00) and prenatal care (OR=2.43, 95% CI=1.70, 3.47) services than urban LHDs. The presence of a Federally Qualified Health Center in the county was associated with reduced clinical service provision by LHDs for EPSDT and prenatal care.
Conclusions: Findings suggest that many LHDs in rural communities remain a clinical service provider and a critical component of the healthcare safety net. The unique position of rural LHDs should be considered in national policy discussions around the organization and delivery of public health services, particularly as they relate to clinical services.
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Gretak, Alyssa P., and Jill D. Stinson. "Examining Domestic Violence Patterns in Rural and Urban Tennessee Communities." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2018. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/7935.
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Nugent, Marion Elizabeth. "Exploring adult literacy issues within rural communities in Northern Ireland." Thesis, Queen's University Belfast, 2016. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.709686.
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This study is set against the backdrop of equity in education agendas and government policy focused on improving essential skills. The purpose of this study is to give a voice to rural adults with the aim of understanding through interviews and storied memoirs, the experiences and difficulties they face with literacy in relation to inclusion, participation and success in education and also how literacy has influenced and shaped the quality of their lives. From the literature review three research questions were generated. What barriers do the research subjects perceive to have contributed to preventing them acquiring confidence in reading, writing and communicating orally in a range of everyday contexts and how has this influenced their social behaviour and subsequent attainment? What are the current perceived barriers impeding their progress as rural adults towards literacy achievement and what is their perception of how this has impacted on their social behaviour and the quality of their adult lives? Can the research subjects identify a pivotal moment in their lives as rural adults in regard to their issues with literacy and how has this impacted on its quality? Key findings demonstrate that rural positioning (through life stages), school positioning and work positioning impacts on the social learning of rural adults influencing what and how rural individuals think and this subsequently impacts on the current position in their adult life. The collection of influences impacting on the current positioning of rural adults has an impact on their decision to seek help with literacy. This research emphasises that the nature of educational contact and opportunity is particularly crucial for rural adults if their lives are to be transformed for the better development of their achievements and sense of fulfilment.
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Aldrich, Celia I. "Life cycles of behavior settings : three rural communities in Kansas." Kansas State University, 1996. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/36072.
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Pringle, Rhona. "Moving towards whole settlement energy self-sufficiency in rural communities." Thesis, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10443/2883.
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Energy has become an important issue for governments, communities and individuals, as concerns about energy prices, security of supply and climate change increase. Community scale low carbon energy systems could play an important role in future energy systems, but until recently UK government policy focussed on centralised energy systems. A number of rural communities elsewhere in Europe have made transformational whole settlement transitions from fossil fuel dependent towards renewable powered energy systems; however, the number of these in the UK is limited. Using a case study approach of European and UK cases, this research examines: reasons why rural communities embark on journeys towards whole place energy self-sufficiency; what capacities are present and contributions of these on outcomes achieved; whether there are similarities or differences between Europe and the UK and whether these are generalisable. European cases are examined using secondary and UK cases mainly primary data sources. Cases had varying rationales for embarking on whole settlement approaches to energy self-sufficiency. Whilst these don’t appear to determine the degree of energy self-sufficiency achieved, a whole settlement approach was considered important. No cases achieved energy self-sufficiency, but most made significant progress towards this and the idea did function as a boundary object. A number of capacities were present across all the cases such as public funding for energy system delivery, some capacities were present in the majority of cases and there were differences in capacities between the European and UK cases including leadership by local government. If the UK is serious about whole place energy self-sufficiency there needs to be; a commitment to public funding and resolving whether local authorities at their current scale and resourcing can provide leadership, or if alternative forms of local governance need to be found.