Advanced Countries Research Articles

Experiencing In-Vivo Dosimetry Verification in Malaysia: A Patient-Specific EPID-Based Approach

Real-time dosimetry is crucial for patient-specific quality assurance in radiotherapy facilities across Europe, and the same demand extends to advanced countries like Malaysia. Our study aimed to assess the need for in vitro diagnostic (IVD) testing in Malaysia, exploring the use of Electronic Portal Imaging Device (EPID)-based dose verification to simplify complex methods. In this research, we assessed the accuracy of in-vivo dose reconstruction using EPIgrayTM (DOSIsoft, Cachan, France) for 20 cohorts of patients who underwent breast and prostate Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT), and compared the results with the dose calculated by the Treatment Planning System (TPS). Initially, we set a default tolerance level of 7-10% for dose acceptance. Our study found that the majority of patients in the cohort met the 10% tolerance level when validated with EPIgrayTM in vivo dosimetry. Specifically, 12 out of 15 patients who underwent VMAT treatment were within this tolerance range. Additionally, for IMRT treatment, 4 out of 6 patients achieved the 10% tolerance level. These initial findings demonstrate the potential of EPIgrayTM as a valuable tool for verifying in vivo dosimetry for advanced treatment techniques. For VMAT plans, more than 85% of the points were in agreement with the 10% tolerance level for 11 out of 15 patients. For IMRT plans, more than 90% of the points met the set tolerance level for 4 out of 15 patients. By understanding the agreement and variability of EPID-based IVD, we can further refine the utilization of EPID-based IVD as a relevant tool in ensuring accurate and reliable dose delivery during radiotherapy treatments.

Creating a bridge between ESG and firm's financial performance in Asian emerging markets: catalytic role of managerial ability and institutional quality

PurposeThe study is aimed at examining the impact of ESG on the financial performance (FP) of firms and determining the difference between the impact of ESG on market-oriented financial performance measure (Tobin’s Q) and internal productivity-based financial measure (ROA). The study has also explored the influence of managerial ability and institutional quality as moderating variables on the relation between ESG and the financial performance of firms (both measures of FP: Tobin’s Q and ROA).Design/methodology/approachThe study is quantitative exploratory and uses panel data of 687 publicly listed companies from the year 2013–2023. Data has been acquired from the reputed data providers and OLS regression has been used for panel data analysis with fixed effects.FindingsThe study reaffirms the positive impact of ESG on the financial performance of firms. Each pillar of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) has been found positively related to both measures of financial performance (Tobin’s Q and ROA). The study reveals that managerial ability and institutional quality, acting as supplementary variables, moderate the relationship between ESG and financial performance of firms.Research limitations/implicationsA limited sample comprising data from only 687 firms was used for the analysis. The latest data was not available, therefore, data from 2013 to 2023 was used in the study.Practical implicationsThis study indicates that ESG practices, which are mostly discretionary in Emerging Economies, can be induced through institutional pressures and ensuring higher quality managers. Policymakers in government institutions have to determine the inefficiencies, corrupt practices, and inconsistencies in policies that lower the effectiveness of institutions making them business-unfriendly. At the organizational level, policymakers need to ensure that responsible positions in the organization are held by managers with higher managerial ability. It is also to be ensured by shareholders that managers do not over-invest in ESG-related projects, particularly in organizations with weaker financial status. For managers, it is important to understand the positive benefits associated with ESG, even though they are in the long term.Social implicationsIn Emerging Economies, the official monitoring and regulatory mechanisms are weak, and lack a supportive attitude toward ESG initiatives. Voluntary and proactive firm-level environmental and social initiatives need to be encouraged and rewarded by institutions with public acknowledgment. ESG should be given priority by organizations for improving the quality of services and better social impact of businesses on society.Originality/valueMost of the past research explored the impact of ESG on financial performance in advanced countries or in emerging markets in a single/limited number of countries or industries. Also, past studies investigated the impact of institutional quality and managerial ability on ESG/financial performance in separate models. Conversely, this study has used a multi-country and multi-industry sample for more generalizable findings. Against the backdrop of the institutional environment of Emerging Economies, the study extends Institutional Theory and Upper Echelon Theory to include the role of managerial ability and institutional quality in the relationship between ESG and firms’ financial performance.

Administration of local taxes and fees: experience of European countries and current trends in Ukraine

The paper is devoted to the study of the experience of local tax administration in advanced European countries. The paper further delves into the intricacies of the local tax administration by examining the impact of cultural, economic, and political factors on the effectiveness of tax models in Germany, France, and Poland. It also explores the challenges and successes of implementing European practices within the Ukrainian framework, highlighting the need for a tailored approach that considers Ukraine’s unique socio-economic landscape. The purpose of the study is to analyze local taxation models in Germany, France and Poland, identify their advantages and disadvantages, assess the current state and prospects for the development of the local taxation system in Ukraine. A comparative analysis of legal frameworks, organizational structures and local tax administration processes in selected countries is carried out. On the basis of the collected data, a SWOT analysis is carried out, which allows to highlight the strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats of each of the administration models. Analysis of local tax administration models in selected countries showed that the German model is characterized by a high level of autonomy of local authorities, which contributes to the efficiency of tax collection and adaptability to local conditions. The French model is characterized by a centralized approach that ensures uniformity and control, but can limit local initiative. The Polish model integrates elements of decentralization and centralization, which allows adaptation to the specifics of the transition economy and contributes to the harmonization of the taxation system. In the Ukrainian context, modern reforms of local taxation are analyzed, introduced initiatives are studied, and the possibilities of applying the best European practices are considered. The results of the study make it possible to formulate recommendations for improving the system of local tax administration in Ukraine in order to increase its efficiency and transparency. The paper will be useful to scientists, practitioners in the field of local taxation, representatives of state bodies and all parties interested in improving the tax system.

Harm reduction strategies for cannabis-related problems: a literature review and typology.

Measures that seek to minimise the health and social consequences of substance use are an integral part of national drug strategies in many European countries. Against the backdrop of a high prevalence of cannabis use in the economically advanced countries, and increasing demand for treatment for cannabis-related problems, a range of harm reduction measures have been implemented by peers, statutory bodies and third-sector organisations. Based on a systematic review of the literature, the author describes these different forms of intervention, identifies innovative strategies and presents a simple typology that can be used when exploring existing measures or seeking to develop new policies. This typology covers different kinds of legal, socio-organisational and health-related interventions. All study designs were eligible for inclusion, with the exception of case reports, non-systematic reviews, editorials and news stories. Studies had to be published between 2011 and 2022, in English, and they had to refer to Europe, the Americas, Australia or New Zealand. A two-concept search was implemented using Embase.com and a number of other databases, combined with citation searches and manual website searching to improve coverage of research reports and advocacy documents. A total of 35 documents were deemed eligible, many of which rely on qualitative research methods.

Board gender diversity, nonmarket strategy and firm performance: Evidence from emerging markets MNCs

Firms operating in foreign markets often engage in nonmarket activity for various benefits, such as gaining legitimacy, reducing uncertainty and enhancing performance. This is particularly true for emerging markets multinationals corporations (EMNCs) in advanced countries, as they commonly experience liabilities and challenges due to their origin. Leveraging institutional theory, we conceptualize board gender diversity as a nonmarket strategy, and investigate its impact on the performance of EMNCs. Using data from a sample of Chinese and Indian foreign subsidiaries, we find that board gender diversity improves performance. This effect is stronger for firms having public relations functions and also for firms operating in foreign countries with high institutional gender parity. These findings, besides significantly adding to the literature, have practical and managerial implications.

The Cost of Dying Exhibition: public, professional and political reactions to a visual exhibition depicting experiences of poverty at the end of life

Public health approaches to palliative care are internationally endorsed for their potential to improve the social determinants of dying such as energy costs, transport and housing. Enhancing public understanding of...

The Functioning of the English Language in the Educational, Political and Cultural Spheres of Belgium

Introduction. The English language continues to spread around the world, exhibiting a globalist function. The relevance of the presented research lies in the interest that follows from this fact in the positions of this language in countries where it is not a native or a state one. Belgium, as one of the important European centers from a socio-political point of view, is also a unique case due to the linguistic situation present in the country related to the Dutch and French languages. The purpose of this work is to analyze the position of the English language in Belgium in various areas and try to determine the trends in its development in the European state.Methodology and sources. The research materials include statistical data obtained as part of a study of the level of English language proficiency, recordings of speeches of the Prime Minister of Belgium at the UN, as well as information from the website of the Cannes Film Festival. Additionaly, results of the researchers Janssens and Hertogen concerning the language situation in Belgium are addressed. This work uses methods of synthesis and analysis, observational and descriptive methods, as well as a comparative method.Results and discussion. Belgium is one of the most advanced countries in terms of English language proficiency. Despite the existing ambiguous linguistic situation between the official languages of Belgium, English is not only able to make its way into this environment, but also has a fairly high influence. This is noticeable in the field of higher education, where, albeit with varying percentages by region, each of Belgium's most prestigious higher education institutions has programs in English. We can talk about a similar influence in the political sphere, since some major political figures in Belgium predominantly prefer English, even on those platforms where French is one of the languages of these platforms. However, the example of cinema shows that English is still poorly spread in the cultural sphere of life in Belgium.Conclusion. Younger generations of Belgium are accelerating their learning and mastery of English, playing a role in establishing very high levels of English proficiency. The contradictions that are reflected in the sphere of culture, partly in the sphere of higher education, as well as in the falling rates of language proficiency among older generations, ultimately do not alter those factors that allow us to say about the widespread and possible increase in the role of this language in the social language environment of Belgium.

CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS OF SUPER TAX DEDUCTION INCENTIVES FOR R&D ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR

In order to achieve Indonesia Gold 2045, with one of the missions being an advanced economy country, Indonesia needs to increase its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). One of the programs is to improve the quality of human resources and science and technology, which is carried out through increasing research and development activities. After further review, it turns out that spending on research and development activities compared to Indonesia's Gross Domestic Product is still low, private participation in research and development is still less than the government. The government makes a policy of providing super tax deductions to companies that carry out certain research and development activities in Indonesia. This research was conducted to determine the critical success factors (CSF) or success factors that must be considered by policy makers in implementing super tax deduction for research and development activities, which were carried out with a post positivist approach and data collection by in-depth interviews. Critical Success Factors (CSF) analyzed are divided into 3 dimensions, namely relevance, effectiveness, and efficiency. In the dimension of relevance, the form of super tax deduction incentives is the right form if the cost factor constraint in hindering research and development activities carried out by the industry applies ceteris paribus, and it is necessary to adjust the form of incentives according to industry needs. In addition, it is necessary to determine clear overall policy targets with the preparation of performance indicators. The dimension of effectiveness shows that in implementing the policy, it is necessary to conduct an evaluation to find out the cause of the company's low enthusiasm in conducting research and development activities and proposing incentives, and it is necessary to increase the intensity of socialization and adequate coordination between the ministries/agencies involved. In terms of efficiency, the use of the Online Single Submission (OSS) system in the implementation of incentive submissions needs to be optimized by developing a synchronized OSS system and supporting transparency in policy implementation.

The reform of consumer protection in mobile payment services in China: Legislation, regulation, and dispute resolution

In China, mobile payment services, based on a rapid development of financial technology, have been playing an essential role in Chinese residents’ daily life, creating a cashless society. Unlike many advanced countries having a clear legal definition of financial consumers and incorporating consumers of mobile payment services into financial consumers, China, as one of the largest markets for mobile payment services, has not had a clear legal definition of financial consumers with no clarity regarding whether consumers of mobile payment services belong to financial consumers. This article not only provides a legal analysis of consumers of mobile payment services in China, but also outrightly explores the prospective reform of financial consumer protection with reference to other countries’ successful experience and standards. By the analysis, this article attempts to find out solution for the Chinese financial consumer protection scheme and argues that the Chinese financial consumer protection scheme has to be well designed to maintain a balance between consumers and mobile payment giants.

Das House Kapital: A Long-Run Theory of House Prices and Housing Wealth

Abstract Over the last 70 years, many advanced countries have experienced growing real house prices and an increasing housing wealth-to-income ratio. To explain these long-run patterns, this paper introduces a novel multi-sector growth model where housing services are produced using non-reproducible land and reproducible structures. Land is also employed in the non-housing sector. First, we identify two fundamental mechanisms driving the long-run increase in the real house price: (i) technological progress in the construction sector lags behind the technological progress of the rest of the economy and (ii) housing production is more land-intensive than non-housing production. Second, we study transitional dynamics for the US, UK, France, and Germany. Our calibrated model explains most of the observed increase in the housing wealth-to-income ratio since 1950. Counterfactual experiments identify initially low stocks of residential structures and non-residential capital as key exogenous drivers for this increase. The associated investment incentives led to a long-lasting construction boom and steadily increasing land scarcity, boosting residential land prices.

The significance of local government in disaster management for international migrants: the case of Minoh City, Osaka Prefecture.

Disaster research predominantly focuses on citizens, not on migrants. This tilted spotlight needs to be readjusted, since many advanced countries around the world have become immigration countries, and safeguarding the lives of migrants at times of disaster has become an important and immediate policy issue. Hence, this research concentrates on disaster management to protect the lives of migrants in a disaster-prone and de facto immigration country. The particular country and event in question are Japan and the northern Osaka earthquake of June 2018. More than 100 migrants who lived near the earthquake's epicentre rushed to an evacuation shelter managed by the local municipal government of Minoh City, Osaka Prefecture. While non-governmental organisations attract more attention, this paper centres on a local government and demonstrates the key role that it can play in both bridging and building networks across different communities, and thus in safeguarding the lives of migrants at times of disaster.

Strategi Industrialisasi: Hubungan Dengan Sektor Lain

The industrial sector contributes greatly to national economic development through increasing added value, creating jobs and providing foreign exchange. The government and investors need to know the sectors that play an important role in the economy. An industrialization strategy is needed to overcome challenges in industrial development and achieve Indonesia's vision as a sovereign, advanced, just and prosperous country. Structural transformations are important in economic development, including changes from agriculture to non-agriculture and from industry to services. Industrialization is considered a path to advanced economic development. The government in Indonesia is trying to advance industry, especially in the agricultural sector which has great potential for economic development.

Policy Instruments to Improve Foreign Workforce’s Position and Social Sustainability of the Agriculture in Italy

Agricultural employment in advanced economies has been suggestively described as a “short and step” pyramid with only limited opportunities for workers to climb to higher positions, especially when they belong to the most vulnerable categories, such as migrants. The presence of poor jobs and living conditions for temporary agricultural workers reported by mass media, trade unions, NGOs, and international observers contrasts dramatically with the idea of a modern and thriving sector, as the Italian agricultural sector should be, and it represents a challenge for the social concerns that have been alongside environmental ones in the definition of sustainability since the Brundtland Report released in 1987 by the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED). Even mechanisation does not necessarily facilitate better working conditions. In fact, where the workforce is largely replaced by machineries, the remaining opportunities for paid workers are mainly for unskilled, physically demanding, and seasonal jobs. This has brought about the so-called “paradox of prosperity”, where the gap between farm and nonfarm workers in economically advanced countries has widened in terms of wages, benefits, and prospects for upward mobility. This in turn triggers a vicious circle with a structural lack of available workforce for the sector, which has been increasingly provided by migrants with very little bargaining power. On the other hand, the adoption of new technologies and digitalisation in agriculture is leading to an increasing demand for skilled workers, which often remains uncovered because of the low conditions offered. Against this background, the aim of our work is twofold. First, we characterise the role of the foreign workforce in relation to the structural changes in Italian agriculture and considering territorial differences. Second, we examine the main policy instruments to facilitate recruitment and tackle undeclared work and more specifically the Quality Agricultural Work Network (Rete del lavoro agricolo di qualità) launched in Italy in 2016 to tackle undeclared work and exploitative labour. We do so by conducting a literature review and semi-structured qualitative interviews with 16 farmers in Italy carried out in 2022 within the project Rural Social ACT funded by the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund (2021–2027). The results show that even though foreign workers are a key resource for agriculture in Italy, there remain severe recruitment issues and segregation in low-skilled and precarious jobs. Overall, it is necessary to improve the awareness of the key role of work in agriculture and to strengthen the effectiveness of tools to enhance the visibility of compliant farms. So far (January 2024), only 6600 farms have joined the Quality Agricultural Work Network, with an overall modest enthusiasm from the farmers interviewed about its current effectiveness. Other instruments are explored such as employee sharing contracts, and there clearly emerges a need for public support of professional training through the Common Agricultural Policy to improve both the bargaining power of foreign workers and the productivity of the sector.

Malnutrition, protein energy wasting and sarcopenia in patients attending a haemodialysis centre in sub-Saharan Africa

BackgroundHaemodialysis (HD) patients are reported to be at greater risk of malnourishment, and at risk of increased morbidity and mortality. However, most studies report from economically advanced countries. We therefore assessed the nutritional status and diet among HD patients attending a public university hospital in a sub-Saharan African country.SubjectsWe performed nutritional assessments in HD patients attending the largest dialysis centre, in the country, collecting demographic and clinical data, dietary intake, along with anthropometric and bioimpedance body composition measurements in May 2022. Malnutrition was classified according to subjective global assessment score (SGA). Additional assessments of protein energy wasting (PEW), clinical frailty, and sarcopenia were made.ResultsAll 97 HD patients were recruited, mean age 44.7 ± 12.2 years, with 55 (56.7%) males. Malnutrition was present in 43.8%, PEW 20.6%, frailty 17.6% and sarcopenia 4.1%. On multivariable logistic regression higher serum albumin (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.89, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.85-0.95, p < 0.001), creatinine (AOR 0.99, 95%CI 0.98–0.99, p < 0.001), greater mid upper arm circumference (AOR 0.89, 95%CI 0.83–0.95, p = 0.001), body cell mass (BCM) (AOR 0.79, 95%CI 0.67–0.95, p = 0.013) and employment (AOR 0.45, 95%CI 0.23–0.87, p = 0.017), were are all protective against malnourishment. Almost 75% had reduced dietary protein intake.ConclusionsDespite a younger, less co-morbid patient population, malnutrition is common in this resource poor setting. The staple diet is based on maize, a low protein foodstuff. Employment improved finances and potentially allows better nutrition. Further studies are required to determine whether additional dietary protein can reduce the prevalence of malnutrition in this population.

Indignity of Nazi data: reflections on the utilization of illicit research

Human rights may feel self-apparent to us, but less than 80 years ago, one of the most advanced countries at the time acted based on an utterly contrary ideology. The view of social Darwinism that abandoned the idea of the intrinsic value of human lives instead argued that oppression of the inferior is not only inevitable but desirable. One of the many catastrophic outcomes is the medical data obtained from inhuman experiments at concentration camps. Ethical uncertainty over whether the resulting insights should be a part of the medical literature provides a chance to consider the seemingly irreplaceable social construct of human dignity. Would any medical benefit justify the utilization of this illicit data? Would utilization even qualify as an insult to the dignity of the exploited subjects, or is this a question about intersubjective meaning? This work discusses the wisdom in blind adherence to human dignity, the possibility of retrospective insults, moral complicity, contrary viewpoints, and possible resolutions.

Risk factors of developmental delay in children from the age group of 6 months to 6 years

Background: Infants at risk for developmental delay (DD) have a history of one or more risk factors that occurred during pregnancy, the perinatal period, or after birth. Despite numerous studies on high-risk pregnancies and child development in advanced countries, there is scanty data from developing nations like India. Objectives: To determine the antenatal, natal and postnatal risk factors of DD in children aged 6 months to 6 years. Method: A case-control study comprising 61 infants with DD and 61 controls was carried out at Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital, Sawangi (Meghe) in Maharashtra from December 2019 to May 2020. Children with DD were taken as cases and children without DD as controls. A questionnaire delivered to mothers was used to gather data. Data analysis was carried out using STATA, version 10 software. Results: Common risk factors were caesarean sections (55%), infections (58%), and chronic disorders during pregnancy (49%). Maternal infections, chronic diseases during pregnancy, caesarean section, failure to cry after birth and absence of breastfeeding were significantly more in cases compared to controls. Conclusions: In this case-control study, maternal infections, chronic diseases during pregnancy, caesarean section, failure to cry after birth and absence of breastfeeding were risk factors of DD in children aged 6 months to 6 years.

Current Evidence: Seizures in Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborns (ELGANs).

Extremely low gestational age newborns (ELGANs) are born at or below 28 weeks of gestational age. Despite improved obstetric care, the incidence of preterm birth continues to rise in advanced countries. Preterm birth remains a major cause of infant mortality, and for infants who survive, neonatal seizures are a significant predictor of later neurologic morbidity. However, little is known about risk factors for neonatal seizures in ELGANs. Understanding the association between neonatal seizures and the development of other neurologic disorders is important given the increasing prevalence of ELGANs. Identifying risk factors that contribute to the development of neonatal seizures in ELGANs may offer insights into novel mechanisms of epileptogenesis in the developing brain and improvements in the prevention or treatment of seizures in preterm infants, including ELGANs. In this literature review, we outline the limitations of epidemiologic studies of neonatal seizures in ELGANs and discuss risk factors for neonatal seizures.

Fiscal decentralization and economic growth: Empirical evidence from European countries

In this paper we empirically investigate the relationship between fiscal decentralization and economic growth in the European countries, using panel dataset for 31 European countries, over the period 1972-2012. Our empirical results indicate that fiscal decentralization, quantitatively measured as the ratio of local government expenditures and revenues in general government expenditures and revenues has a favorable impact on economic growth in the European countries and also that revenue decentralization is shown to be more effective than expenditure decentralization in terms of stimulating economic growth. Further, our empirical results also suggest that the relationship between decentralization and economic growth is nonlinear, i.e. there is a certain optimal level of fiscal decentralization in terms of economic growth. This means that fiscal decentralization is expected to have a more pronounced positive impact on growth in less decentralized countries, while in more decentralized countries, a further increase in decentralization starts to hinder economic growth. In addition, the growth-enhancing effect of fiscal decentralization is even strongly confirmed in our subsample of advanced European countries, when long termed effect of decentralization was examined. Therefore, compared with our previous findings on the impact of fiscal decentralization on growth in Central and Eastern European countries, we find that fiscal decentralization has a different impact on economic growth in advanced European countries vis-à-vis Central and Eastern European countries, i.e., while it enhances growth in the former, it hindered growth in the latter.

자율주행자동차 상용화에 대비한 자동차보험제도 연구

On May 7, 2016, in the state of Florida, USA, a fatal accident occurred involving an autonomous vehicle and a large truck, leading to the death of the driver. This incident heightened interest in autonomous vehicles and sparked discussions on their implications, including the challenges and liability issues in the event of accidents during autonomous operation. The application of existing legal frameworks, such as Article 750 of the Civil Code on tort liability and Article 3 of the Automobile Damage Compensation Guarantee Act on operator liability, to accidents involving autonomous vehicles raises questions about identifying responsible parties and compensating victims. This study examines the applicability of these legal principles to accidents occurring during autonomous driving and proposes the introduction of a No-Fault insurance system as a novel automotive insurance mechanism to address these issues. The analysis revealed that the No-Fault insurance system, a solution to the problems posed by the current fault-based liability system and already implemented in several advanced countries since the early 2000s, was considered but ultimately not adopted in South Korea due to challenges in amending existing legislation, limitations in calculating insurance rates, and concerns over moral hazard, among other issues. However, as autonomous vehicles are poised to integrate into our lives more rapidly than anticipated, and the social concerns regarding traffic accidents during autonomous operation deepen, it is imperative to form a task force comprising the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, the Financial Supervisory Service, the General Insurance Association, among others, before it's too late. This task force should engage in research and discussions, while building a consensus among the public, to prepare for the new automotive market driven by the autonomous vehicle industry.

Self-perception of health and physical activity levels among the youth and adults before and amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Emerging research indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions led to decreased physical activity levels and poorer health globally. However, most studies on this topic have focused on advanced countries, leaving a gap in understanding the impact in countries like Ghana. This study aimed to fill this gap by assessing self-perceived health status and physical activity levels among youth and adults in Ghana before, during, and after the COVID-19 restrictions. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for informing public health interventions and policies to promote well-being during and beyond the pandemic. A cross-sectional survey using online data collection methods was conducted, involving 937 participants. Data included demographic information, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Analysis was done using SPSS version 25, with descriptive statistics and multinomial regression. Most participants (89.6%) reported good health. Male participants were significantly more likely to engage in moderate (1.78 times) and high (3.17 times) physical activity during the COVID-19 period compared to females. This study highlights gender disparities in physical activity levels during the pandemic in Ghana. Addressing these disparities and promoting healthier lifestyles, especially during crises, is crucial for general and mental health. Further research should explore socio-demographic factors' role in health behaviors during pandemics.