Shoba Nayar - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Shoba Nayar

Health Promotion International, Aug 23, 2020

Summary The health of Pacific people is known to be at risk because of the onset of non-communica... more Summary The health of Pacific people is known to be at risk because of the onset of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes. The scale of the problem requires innovative approaches to bring about change. One such approach is the development of a sustainable food system in combination with the leadership of Pacific youth. This study sought to engage Pacific youth as part of the solution to reducing NCDs through social enterprise and championing of sustainable food systems. Four young Fijian vegetable and fruit entrepreneurs shared their stories as part of a participatory action research of Talanoa/storytelling, with social media workshops, networking and promotional opportunities. Findings revealed that youth entrepreneurs are passionate about food and health, family and tradition; some are already food influencers and champions and they are keen to grow their businesses. Yet, there is limited support for small business development with a social purpose and youth-led campaigns. The study indicates a growing potential to develop local youth-led social entrepreneurship and innovation to address NCDs in exciting new ways. There is an urgent need to support innovation interventions to advocate for sustainable food systems for the Pacific, that promote positive human health needs and address, more broadly, climate change effects.

Frontiers in Education, Mar 19, 2021

Key drivers of change in the 21st century-pandemic, technology advance, social disparity-are shap... more Key drivers of change in the 21st century-pandemic, technology advance, social disparity-are shaping the public health industry, including employment and education. In 2020, COVID-19 brought rapid change to the teaching of public health in higher education. In this reflective essay, we move beyond the delivery of existing curricula shifting from classroom to online, and consider the greater agenda of a transformative educational paradigm. This is broadly conceptualized as a shift from a "factory model education" to one of "personalized learning" with an emphasis on fostering creativity and heutagogical (student-driven) models, underpinned by technology, and real world application involving problem and project-based learning in a changing industry. Such change has stemmed both from the impact of COVID-19 on the education system, and in response to a more momentous transformation in public health careers and societal expectations of a public health workforce.

International Journal of Women's Health, Sep 1, 2017

Background: Participation is an accepted means of increasing the effectiveness of public health p... more Background: Participation is an accepted means of increasing the effectiveness of public health programs, and as such, it is considered an important component of HIV interventions targeting at-risk youth. The situation of young women sex workers in Thailand is alarming on many fronts, including that of HIV risk. As a result, HIV programs in Thailand are the key interventions undertaken in relation to young women sex workers' health. A small-scale study used semistructured interviews to explore the participation reports of five young women sex workers, as well as the related views of two community support workers, who lived and worked in Bangkok, Thailand. Discussion: This study is considered in the light of current research on-as well as new opportunities and challenges offered for-participation by vulnerable groups in the context of digital society. Thematic analysis of the interview data identified barriers to participation, including the illegality of sex work, fear, and lack of trust of the authorities, as well as widespread social stigma. Such barriers resulted in young women seeking anonymity. Yet, promisingly, young women positioned themselves as experts; they are involved in peer education and are supportive of greater involvement in HIV programs, such as further educational initiatives and collective actions. Conclusion: There is a need for a more empowerment-oriented participation practice positioning young women sex workers as expert educators and codecision makers within a model of participation that is also accountable, such as including young women as members of program boards. Beyond current norms, there are new opportunities emerging because of the increasing availability of smartphone/Internet technology. These can support activist and codesign participation by young women sex workers in HIV programs. However, any developments in participation must maximize opportunities carefully, taking into consideration the difficult social environment faced by young women sex workers as well as the need for strategies to address illegality and stigma.

Rangahau Aranga: AUT Graduate Review

Introduction. Transformative public health must move from its historically overly Eurocentric and... more Introduction. Transformative public health must move from its historically overly Eurocentric and professionally driven orientation towards local-contextualised, community-based health, empowerment and codesign of health research. Like many Pacific nations, Malawi is experiencing changes in its food systems which has health implications for Malawi people. This study sought to democratise and ‘open up’ the exploration of family eating through a photovoice collaboration with Malawian families with a view to understanding the links to a newly emerging and serious public health problem—that of diabetes. Methods. Four families located in a semi-rural district of Blantyre, Malawi were recruited and images were collected using phones by younger family members to create a photo food diary of breakfast, lunch, and dinner eaten in the home. Using the photos as a prompt, focus group discussions were undertaken with each family exploring past and current eating patterns, and eating concerns for...

Health Policy, 2021

This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

Sexuality and Culture, Feb 4, 2017

Same-sex marriage within churches is an ongoing, highly contentious, and contested topic. A rich ... more Same-sex marriage within churches is an ongoing, highly contentious, and contested topic. A rich literature depicts dichotomised views, reflecting those of academics at denominational level, and addresses theological substance or denominational policies. Significantly less is known about the perspectives held on the issue by individual clergy at parishioner level. This paper provides a background on the subject of Christian clergy who support same-sex marriage. A review of the literature in this area reveals few sociological studies pertaining to clergy who are supportive of gay rights. No known studies in the combined sociological and psychology scholarship have yet exclusively examined clergy's perspectives on same-sex marriage. While previous study offers some understanding on religious attitudes toward gay individuals, it should not be assumed that attitudes of religious individuals toward same-sex marriage necessarily follow the same pattern. For many religious people it is more problematic to accept same-sex marriage than same-sex partnerships, as this challenges the definition of the institution of marriage. This paper presents a literature review which identifies a gap in knowledge regarding perspectives of clergy who support same-sex marriage. These perspectives are important to understand, as clergy hold influential positions as opinion leaders impacting both at individual and social level, and influence discourses within religion and beyond.

Journal of Systemic Therapies

There has been growing interest in the use of narrative therapy in various settings across India.... more There has been growing interest in the use of narrative therapy in various settings across India. This study sought to understand the benefits of narrative training programs, facilitated by the mental health team at Ummeed Child Development Center located in Mumbai, India; specifically, how program participants are using narrative ideas and practices in their work contexts. Twenty participants, who had completed different forms of long-term narrative training, were engaged in semistructured interviews. Thematic analysis of the data brought forward three themes: Shift in Practice and Philosophy, Shift in Stance as Therapist/Supervisor, and Shift in Personal Lives. Findings reveal that while narrative trainings are emergent in India, the use of narrative ideas and practices has brought encouraging outcomes in diverse work contexts. The study highlights that culturally relevant narrative trainings foster shifts in understanding of counseling, and invite collaboration and agency in ther...

Significant movement in educational practice within New Zealand schools, particularly evident in ... more Significant movement in educational practice within New Zealand schools, particularly evident in special education, has seen schools actively encouraged to mainstream students. Central to the success of this transition, is the facilitation of a child's acceptance and belonging within the school setting. Yet, there is a dearth of literature in New Zealand and internationally that directly addresses this topic. This study sought to answer the question: "How do New Zealand school settings help or hinder a sense of acceptance and belonging in children identified as having special education needs?" A total of six case studies were gathered from around the Auckland region to represent a typical sample of New Zealand students, classrooms and schools. A thematic analysis of interview data collected from the child, parent/guardian, teacher, and other professionals working within the child's school, classroom observations and document review, resulted in the emergence of a model: 5 Pillars of Acceptance and Belonging in School. The 5 pillars are: attitude, an individualised approach, teacher characteristics, effective teaching and learning techniques and law. Together these pillars form the foundation for enhancing acceptance and belonging, and ultimately inclusion, for children with special needs in the New Zealand education environment.

New Zealand journal of occupational therapy, 2013

Increasingly New Zealand is becoming home to immigrants arriving from parts of Asia. Among this i... more Increasingly New Zealand is becoming home to immigrants arriving from parts of Asia. Among this immigrant population is a growing community of Indian men. A review of current literature reveals that through the process of immigration, Indian men experience challenges and changes to three broad occupations: paid employment, socialising and parenting. This paper considers each of the aforementioned occupations and the implications for the health and wellbeing of Indian immigrant men. These understandings are important and raise questions for occupational therapists who are ideally positioned in practice to support immigrants' health, through engagement in occupation, during the settlement process.

Frontiers in Education, 2021

Key drivers of change in the 21st century—pandemic, technology advance, social disparity—are shap... more Key drivers of change in the 21st century—pandemic, technology advance, social disparity—are shaping the public health industry, including employment and education. In 2020, COVID-19 brought rapid change to the teaching of public health in higher education. In this reflective essay, we move beyond the delivery of existing curricula shifting from classroom to online, and consider the greater agenda of a transformative educational paradigm. This is broadly conceptualized as a shift from a “factory model education” to one of “personalized learning” with an emphasis on fostering creativity and heutagogical (student-driven) models, underpinned by technology, and real world application involving problem and project-based learning in a changing industry. Such change has stemmed both from the impact of COVID-19 on the education system, and in response to a more momentous transformation in public health careers and societal expectations of a public health workforce.

Journal of Occupational Science, 2018

Positionality is a key issue within occupational science. Appropriately, this issue of the Journa... more Positionality is a key issue within occupational science. Appropriately, this issue of the Journal of Occupational Science brings perspectives from researchers located outside the Anglophone contexts that have dominated the discipline's literature. The first seven feature articles break new ground for the journal, being simultaneously published in both Spanish and English. They originated as presentations to the first Occupational Justice and Social Inclusion Symposium, convened by Eugenia Paz Pizarro in Valdivia, Chile in 2016. Valdivia is in the southern region of Chile, known for its rainy climate and beautiful landscapes. Despite its natural beauty, there are enduring occupational justice challenges, with significative levels of poverty and unemployment as well as socio-environmental issues. The purpose of the Symposium was to bring together scholars and local community leaders to establish a dialogue regarding occupational justice and social inclusion. The event was funded by the School of Medicine of the Universidad Austral de Chile and organized by its Occupational Study Group, with the invaluable

JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, 2017

The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply t... more The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Dotted and dashed lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement. The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers' products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the World Health Organization in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. Errors and omissions excepted, the names of proprietary products are distinguished by initial capital letters. All reasonable precautions have been taken by the World Health Organization to verify the information contained in this publication. However, the published material is being distributed without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. The responsibility for the interpretation and use of the material lies with the reader. In no event shall the World Health Organization be liable for damages arising from its use.

To produce rigorous and credible research, occupational therapists need a solid understanding of ... more To produce rigorous and credible research, occupational therapists need a solid understanding of the match between topic, methodology, and methods. Sometimes the fit between the topic, the methodology and its associated methods is poor, diminishing the rigour and quality of the research evidence that will potentially be used to inform practice. In this article three research approaches: grounded theory, phenomenology, and qualitative descriptive, are examined in terms of the link between theoretical orientation and the chosen approach, and the congruence between the methodological decisions and the chosen approach. Recommendations for occupational therapists reading and conducting qualitative research are offered.

International Journal of Inclusive Education, 2019

Acceptance and belonging are essential to human growth and development. Currently, there is limit... more Acceptance and belonging are essential to human growth and development. Currently, there is limited literature regarding acceptance and belonging in the field of special education and what facilitates this experience within the classroom. This research study asks: 'How do New Zealand school settings help or hinder a sense of acceptance and belonging in children identified as having special education needs?' Six case studies representing a typical sample of students within New Zealand schools and classrooms were recruited. Interviews were organised with the child, parent/guardian, teacher, teacher aide and other professionals. A thematic analysis identified seven themes, of which the role of the teacher in facilitating acceptance and belonging emerged. The teacher's ability to monitor and provide feedback to the child in the classroom, action targeted teaching skills such as scaffolding and repetition, and fostering inclusion through enabling fun activities, group work and incentives emerged as key strategies. In addition, being able to manage the environment with respect to seating arrangements and integrating the child into classroom activities were important. Ultimately, any teacher strategies must be child centred to ensure optimal inclusion through acceptance and belonging.

Frontiers in Education, 2021

Pacific Health, 2018

In 2016 UNICEF reported on the continuing scale and persistence of female genital mutilation glob... more In 2016 UNICEF reported on the continuing scale and persistence of female genital mutilation globally, currently known as female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), and the need to intensify efforts to eliminate the practice. New Zealand has made provision for communities in preventing FGM/C through legal and educational means. Yet, the challenge continues. The purpose of this paper, drawing on the voices of women from FGM/C practicing communities in New Zealand, is to consider areas where the health system can partner with affected communities to better help in preventing FGM/C. New Zealand needs to intensify efforts locally working hand-in-hand with refugee and migrant communities to promote open dialogue, counter stigma, and prevent the next generation for a life without FGM(C). In addition, training for key workers in culturally sensitive approaches is needed so that they can take better care of those who are living with FGM/C. New Zealand is a signatory to a number of internati...

Nursing Open, 2019

The Essentials of Magnetism II (EOMII) scale was developed in the United States by Schmalenberg a... more The Essentials of Magnetism II (EOMII) scale was developed in the United States by Schmalenberg and Kramer (2008), based on the characteristics of Magnets hospitals and was designed to measure healthy, attractive and productive, clinical work environments. Magnet hospitals define hospitals that attract and retain highly skilled professional nurses by providing positive working environment which promotes high job satisfaction for nurses and excellent patient care (Schmalenberg & Kramer, 2008). Magnet accreditation (American Nurses Credentialing Center [ANCC] (2017)) currently provides the only system for benchmarking nursing internationally without an equivalent alternative, although Health Education England (2016) is currently working with the Florence Nightingale Foundation to explore how the nursing excellence standards developed by the ANCC can be applied in England to promote learning and excellence in health and care practice. The EOMII is a 58-item four-point, rating scale based on the process element of the Donabedian's (1992) Structure-Process-Outcome model. This model is linear and presumes that structure affects process and process, in turn, affects outcome (Donabedian, 1980), as shown schematically in Figure 1. The EOMII scale measures the following eight attributes: (a) nurse-physician relationships; (b) clinical autonomy; (c) patient-centred culture; (d) working with clinically

International Journal of Women's Health, 2017

Journal of Occupational Science, 2017

New Zealand's political, civic, health and social institutions have been criticised as being ill-... more New Zealand's political, civic, health and social institutions have been criticised as being ill-prepared to serve the health and social needs of the country's increasingly diverse ageing population. This grounded theory study examined how late-life Asian immigrants participate in community to influence their subjective health. Bilingual Chinese, Indian, and Korean local intermediaries and research assistants were engaged as collaborative research partners. Purposive recruitment, and later theoretical sampling, were used to identify the 24 Chinese, 27 Indian, and 25 Korean participants, aged 60-83, who were 1-19 years post-immigration. Data were gathered through nine focus groups, and 15 individual interviews in the participants' language of choice. All data were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and translated to English for analysis. Data analysis was done using open coding, constant comparative analysis and dimensional analysis. Strengthening community was the core social process in the substantive theory developed. The participants actively advanced cultural connectedness and gave service with, and for, each other. Over time, they extended their focus toward doing so for the wider community. They purposely used long-standing, occupation-related skills to resource how they and their co-ethnic groups contributed to community health. Additionally, they sought novel opportunities to diversify their contributions. These late-life immigrants intentionally strove to stay healthy through doing. Achieving collective, as well as personal, health through community participation was for the sake of minimising potential burdens on the country's health system. The results indicate good health promotion policies would aim to advance co-ethnic, socially embedded networks for late-life Asian immigrants.

BMC Psychiatry, 2016

Background: Screening children for behavioural difficulties requires the use of a tool that is cu... more Background: Screening children for behavioural difficulties requires the use of a tool that is culturally valid. We explored the cross-cultural acceptability and utility of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for preschool children (aged 3-5) as perceived by families in New Zealand. Methods: A qualitative interpretive descriptive study (focus groups and interviews) in which 65 participants from five key ethnic groups (New Zealand European, Māori, Pacific, Asian and other immigrant parents) took part. Thematic analysis using an inductive approach, in which the themes identified are strongly linked to the data, was employed. Results: Many parents reported they were unclear about the purpose of the tool, affecting its perceived value. Participants reported not understanding the context in which they should consider the questions and had difficulty understanding some questions and response options. Māori parents generally did not support the questionnaire based approach, preferring face to face interaction. Parents from Māori, Pacific Island, Asian, and new immigrant groups reported the tool lacked explicit consideration of children in their cultural context. Parents discussed the importance of timing and multiple perspectives when interpreting scores from the tool. Conclusions: In summary, this study posed a number of challenges to the use of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in New Zealand. Further work is required to develop a tool that is culturally appropriate with good content validity.

Health Promotion International, Aug 23, 2020

Frontiers in Education, Mar 19, 2021

International Journal of Women's Health, Sep 1, 2017

Rangahau Aranga: AUT Graduate Review

Health Policy, 2021

Sexuality and Culture, Feb 4, 2017

Journal of Systemic Therapies

New Zealand journal of occupational therapy, 2013

Frontiers in Education, 2021

Journal of Occupational Science, 2018

JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, 2017

International Journal of Inclusive Education, 2019

Frontiers in Education, 2021

Pacific Health, 2018

Nursing Open, 2019

International Journal of Women's Health, 2017

Journal of Occupational Science, 2017

BMC Psychiatry, 2016