Volunteerism, psychological well-beings and health prevention measures: an Awareness campaign layout addressed to university students

ABSTRACT

Non governmental organizations [NGOs] are playing an important role in community development. Their activities and initiatives are depending mainly on volunteering efforts. The present study aims at developing an awareness campaign layout to promote volunteerism for health prevention and continuity of care among university students. An explorative, descriptive, cross sectional design was adopted in the course of this study. Sample a] a purposively selected convenient sample of 117 volunteers were the study subjects. B] Jury group [experts] with representation from different NGOs and university staff [30 members]. Volunteering organizations affiliated to mosques, churches, NGOs, political party were the study settings. Three tools were used to achieve the purpose of the study 1] A self - administered questionnaire format 2] A depression state symptomatology scale format 3] A self administered opinionnaire format and a proposed campaign layout for promoting volunteerism among university students. 1-A-self administered question naire format reflecting socio-demographic characteristics, of study subjects. 2- A depression state symptomiatology scale format [Radolff, 1977]. It was used for the purpose of investigating the effect of voluntarism on the depressive symptoms, self- expression by the three study groups namely, current volunteers [n = 34], willing to volunteer [n = 31] and never been volunteers attending first orientation sessions [n = 106]. 3- An opinionnaire sheet addressed to jury members to test the validity of the proposed Campaign layout. Technique approvals were obtained from top level managers in each study setting. Aim of the study was explained. A pilot study was performed. Subjects were guided for the proper use of the study tools. Study subjects age ranged from 20-60 years, 55.7% of them were under 30 years of age with nearly equal representation of males and females, Finding of the present study emphasized the positive impact of volunteering on the psychological well-being of all participants in volunteering activities with greater significance to those who were then in current volunteering status. The study findings also, indicated that the proposed campaign layout is valid to be used to promote volunteerisin among university students. These studies [phase 1 and 11] are reflecting a significant mutual gain for both the volunteers and the community served therefore the proposed campaign layout targeting university students will be of great help in future integration of structured voluntary services. Coordination,collaboration between faculty of nursing and Ain Shams university for the application of the proposed campaign- Initiation of volunteer center affiliated to Aim- Shams university campus and managed by faculty of nursing. Further researches that shed the light on this important issues are needed