California Rural Indian Health Board

The Bangladesh government took an important step towards preventing cervical cancer by initiating a widespread HPV vaccination campaign directed at girls aged 10 to 14. The campaign aims to reach 10 million girls in three phases. Assessing knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer and willingness to get vaccinated is essential for government success. This study examines Bangladeshi girls' knowledge about human papillomavirus (HPV), cervical cancer, and their willingness to receive the HPV vaccine, providing information needed to improve vaccination strategies and programs. We used a communitybased cross-sectional survey of 416 girls aged 10 to 15 years to assess their knowledge of cervical cancer, vaccination against HPV, and factors influencing their willingness to vaccinate. Parental consent was obtained from all participants before data collection, ensuring ethical compliance for the study. Logistic regression models and descriptive statistics were used to find significant predictors of vaccine uptake. The study's findings highlighted that awareness levels regarding cervical cancer and HPV vaccination were low among Bangladeshi girls. Among participants, only 23% identified HPV as the primary cause of cervical cancer. Overall, 45% of the girls expressed a willingness to receive the HPV vaccine. This willingness was significantly associated with discussions with their mothers (aOR = 6.64, 95% CI: 2.65-22.3, p < 0.001) and living in urban areas (aOR = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.04-0.32, p < 0.001). Participants who had heard about the HPV vaccination had 2.28 times the odds of being willing to receive the HPV vaccine (aOR: 2.28, 95% CI: 1.27-4.29, p = 0.007). Despite moderate willingness to vaccinate, substantial knowledge gaps remain among Bangladeshi girls. This study highlights the necessity for comprehensive education and awareness programs. These conversations with mothers and healthcare providers can significantly increase vaccine acceptance, emphasizing the critical role of targeted communication in the success of vaccination campaigns.

The present study explored perspectives on COVID-19 vaccine acceptability, access, and strategies for pandemic recovery among rural and urban/suburban American Indian (AI) community leaders and members in California. The qualitative study was initiated by a community-academic partnership with a large AI health organization and two universities and included virtual focus groups focused on COVID-19 vaccine acceptability (concerns, risks, benefits), initial vaccine rollout accessibility (vaccination site preferences, accessibility, strategies for improving vaccination), and recommendations for pandemic recovery. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to generate themes. In Fall 2021, three urban/suburban (n = 9) and three rural (n = 9) AI focus groups in California were held virtually. A majority of participants were Tribal or community leaders (n = 12). Participants in both urban/suburban and rural settings reported preferences for Tribal or Indian Health Service clinics for vaccination and recommended culturally tailored COVID-19 educational materials, health services, and community events to promote pandemic recovery. Participants in rural groups provided examples of tailored community-led pandemic care but illustrated how health care access limited vaccination, how basic needs affected vaccine prioritization, and how gaps in data on AI communities limited local informed decision-making. Findings demonstrate differences in the COVID-19 experience among AI adults living in urban/suburban and rural regions, including vaccine access and basic needs concerns. Findings also highlight local preferences in the pandemic community response and recommendations for culturally tailored health information, health services, and gatherings. Public health campaigns may require additional resources for AI communities to improve equitable distribution and uptake. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Habitual betel quid consumption and spitting contribute to tuberculosis (TB) transmission due to direct exposure to pathogens, immunosuppression, and social contact. Despite betel quid being classified as a group 1 human carcinogen and a high prevalence of betel quid consumption in patients with TB, there exists a knowledge gap in the relationship between quid use and TB, which presents as a neglected opportunity to address the global burden of TB in low- and middle-income countries. Understanding such a knowledge gap is crucial when taking measures at various levels, including research prioritization, behavior change communication, and legislation to address the availability and access of quid products, coupled with community-based interventional strategies. This article thus presents empirical evidence on quid use and its effects on TB spread and identifies feasible, applicable changes required at various levels to curtail the spread of TB among betel quid users.

Journal Article Traditional Life Styles and Freedom from The Dark Seas of Disease Get access Raymond Obomsawin Raymond Obomsawin Raymond Obomsawin, until recently Executive Director of the California Rural Indian Health Board, Ukiah, a programme involving a primary health care outreach programme, was previously Manager of Overseas Operations for CUSO, Canada's largest non-governmental development organization and Chairman of the National Commission Inquiry on Indian Health, Ottawa, Ontario, 1978–80. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Community Development Journal, Volume 18, Issue 2, April 1983, Pages 187–197, https://doi.org/10.1093/cdj/18.2.187 Published: 01 April 1983