Protocol: A mixed methods evaluation of an IPS program to increase employment and well-being for people with long-term experience of complex barriers in Vancouver's downtown and DTES.

BACKGROUND: Employment improves mental health and well-being by providing financial security, daily structure, a sense of identity and purpose, and social engagement. However, securing and sustaining employment is exceptionally challenging for vulnerable populations who experience persistent and multiple barriers, such as mental illness, homelessness, food and housing insecurity, and marginalization. Evidence-based supported employment programs, most notably individual placement and support (IPS) are becoming a more common approach for addressing the needs of these high-risk individuals. The aim of this paper is to outline the protocol for evaluating an IPS program in Vancouver's downtown and Downtown Eastside (DTES). METHODS AND DESIGN: This prospective quasi-experimental study of persons with persistent and multiple barriers to employment will use a mixed-methods approach for evaluating a novel IPS program. The evaluation will consist of survey packages and interviews that will capture outcomes related to employment and well-being, as well as the experiential process of receiving individualized and integrated supports through the IPS program. A mixed-methods approach is appropriate for this study as quantitative data will provide an objective assessment of program impacts on employment and well-being outcomes over time, while qualitative data will provide an in-depth understanding of continued barriers and experiences. DISCUSSION: The results from this evaluation will contribute evidence within a local British Columbian (BC) context that may increase access to meaningful employment for those with long-term experience of complex barriers to employment. Further, the findings will support continued improvements, and guide decision-making around practices and policy for future implementation of IPS and employment supports across BC.

Hábitos de alimentación en madres de colonias marginadas de Guadalajara / Feeding habits of mothers living in the poorest neighborhoods of Guadalajara city

Se realizaron 693 encuestas alimentarias por recordatorio de 24 horas a las madres de colonias marginadas de Guadalajara. La información obtenida se comparó con las Tablas de Valor Nutritivo de los Alimentos Mexicanos, para evaluar el contenido nutrimental de las dietas. Se obtuvo además información acerca de las características familiares, características de vivienda y estado nutricional de los hijos. Los alimentos que se consumieron con mayor frecuencia fueron: las tortillas, frijoles y leche. El aporte calórico promedio fué de 1.625 Kcal/día, cubriendo el 81%de la ingesta recomendada, el aporte de proteinas cubrió el 92%, el de vitamina C el 64%el de riboflavina el 60%y el de vitamina A el 28%. El 17.3%de las madres encuestadas no consumieron proteínas de origen animal y el 16.4%no cenaron. Número de hijos vivos, ocupación y escolaridad paterna tuvieron asociación significativa con el consumo de proteinas de la madres (P<0.025). No hubo correlación entre ingesta de calorías y proteinas de la madre con el estado de nutrición de sus hijos. Es recomendable mejorar la ingesta calórica total de esta población, así como intensificar las campañas de eduación nutricia dirigidas a la misma. Hábitos de alimentación; colonias marginadas, encuestas alimentarias