Area In Southern Sweden Research Articles

Using a participatory action research approach to explore, understand and evaluate well-being among children living in socially deprived areas in Southern Sweden: a study protocol

IntroductionResearch suggests that participating in after-school leisure activities has been related to promoting health, well-being and safety among children living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. The United Nations Child Rights Convention emphasises...

Doing and belonging: A photo-elicitation study on place attachment of older adults living in depopulated rural areas

ABSTRACT Background The relationship between doing and belonging is rooted in individuals’ engagement in meaningful occupations, which contributes to their sense of connectedness. The meaningfulness of occupation relates closely to the context in which it is performed. However, despite its importance, context is often overlooked and underexplored. Aim To explore how older adults living in depopulated rural areas depict positive and negative features of their neighbourhoods and how belonging was connected to doing and participation. Methods We utilised data from photo-elicited interviews with 7 men and 10 women, aged 68 to 88 years, from depopulated rural areas in southern Sweden. Data were analysed using Rowles’ place attachment framework with a thematic analysis. Results The participants expressed how belonging was connected to doing by depicting resources in the area, how community was created through interaction, the importance of past actions for present belonging, how they acted on pride and feelings of obligation, as well as how they experienced challenges for doing and belonging. Discussion Our study revealed a reciprocal relationship of doing and belonging. Specifically, doing strengthened participants’ belonging, while feelings of belonging resulted in loyalty and motivated supportive community actions. Importantly, participants’ actions were more driven by a collective interest in community welfare than personal gain. Conclusions This study contributes to occupational science by knowing how doing supports belonging and vice versa. Furthermore, our study showed that belonging can serve as a catalyst for older adults to engage in their community, which likely reduces the risk of social exclusion.

Pollinator activity and flowering in agricultural weeds in Sweden.

The extent to which weeds in arable land are useful to pollinators depends in part on the temporal pattern of flowering and insect flight activity. We compiled citizen science data on 54 bees and hoverflies typical of agricultural areas in southern Sweden, as well as 24 flowering weed species classified as pollinator-friendly in the sense that they provide nectar and/or pollen to pollinators. The flight periods of the bees and hoverflies varied greatly, but there were also some consistent differences between the four groups studied. The first group to fly were the early flying solitary bees (7 species), followed by the social bees (18 species). In contrast, other solitary bees (11 species) and hoverflies (22 species) flew later in the summer. Solitary bees had the shortest flight periods, while social bees and hoverflies had longer flight periods. Flowering of weed species also varied greatly between species, with weeds classified as winter annuals (e.g., germinating in autumn) starting early together with germination generalists (species that can germinate in both autumn and spring). Summer annuals (spring germinators) and perennials started flowering about a month later. Germination generalists had a much longer flowering period than the others. Weekly pollinator records were in most cases significantly explained by weed records. Apart from early flying solitary bees, all models showed strong positive relationships. The overall best explanatory variable was the total number of weeds, with a weight assigned to each species based on its potential as a nectar/pollen source. This suggests that agricultural weeds in Sweden provide a continuous potential supply of nectar and pollen throughout the flight season of most pollinators.

Species-specific erosion of genetic diversity in grassland butterflies depends on landscape land cover

Changes in land cover, particularly agricultural intensification, are a primary cause of pollinator decline. Decline and isolation can reduce genetic diversity, reducing adaptive potential and unmasking genetic load. Maintenance of functional connectivity in changing landscapes is necessary to ensure persistence, but how land cover impacts genetic diversity and functional connectivity in butterflies remains poorly understood. We assess to which extent land cover functionally isolates grassland butterfly populations and what consequences isolation has for genetic diversity using whole genome and land cover data. We assess species-specific patterns across three butterfly species that vary in habitat specialization and mobility - Polyommatus icarus, Plebejus argus and Cyaniris semiargus - using samples from 6 to 11 populations across a ~25,000 km2 area in southern Sweden. We find that while generalist Po. icarus is nearly panmictic and heathland specialist Pl. argus maintains modest functional connectivity, grassland specialist C. semiargus exists in largely isolated populations. Genetic diversity in all species is positively related to grassland extent in the surrounding landscape. Arable and forest extent are positively and negatively related to genetic diversity in Po. icarus, while the inverse is true in C. semiargus. Lower functional connectivity in C. semiargus is coupled with higher rates of inbreeding, suggesting more urgent need of conservation action aimed at restoring functional connectivity in this species, illustrating how genetic data can reveal threats that may go unnoticed with abundance data alone. We conclude that specialist butterfly genetic diversity relies upon preservation of well-connected semi-natural grasslands to maintain functional connectivity at longer distances.

Mustelid mugshots: photographing facial masks of European polecats (Mustela putorius) for individual recognition and density estimation using camera traps

Small carnivores play an important role in ecosystems, but their often hidden lifestyle makes them generally hard to observe. Camera-trapping methodology shows great promise as a standardized monitoring tool for small carnivores. The European polecat (Mustela putorius) is a species of conservation concern, listed on the Annex V of the EU Council’s Directive on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. Because of this, EU member states have to report the status of their polecat populations regularly. However, standardized methods to estimate the population size of polecat populations are currently lacking. We present a tube-based camera-trapping system, the Polecam, designed to obtain photographs of the facial masks of individual polecats. We tested the system in four study areas in southern Sweden during Spring and Autumn 2021. We obtained 52 observations of polecats, out of which we were able to identify 38 (73%) to individual. From these observations, we estimated area and season specific estimates of density for five season-area combinations using a multi-session spatial capture-recapture model. Density estimates ranged from 0.84 to 2.7 individuals/1000 ha, similar to the estimates from similar landscapes in other countries in Europe. We also obtained observations of six other species of small carnivores, suggesting that the Polecam could be used for multi-species monitoring, as well as density estimation of European polecats.

Has it always paid to be rich? Income and cause-specific mortality in southern Sweden 1905–2014

Socio-economic differences in mortality are among the most pervasive characteristics of Western societies. While the mortality gradient by income is well established for the period after 1970, knowledge about the origins of this gradient is still rudimentary. We analyse the association between income and cause-specific adult mortality during the period 1905–2014 in an area of southern Sweden, using competing-risk hazard models with individual-level longitudinal data for over 2.2 million person-years and over 35,000 deaths. We find that the present-day income gradient in adult mortality emerged only in the period after the Second World War and did so for the leading causes of death and for men and women largely simultaneously.

Spatial monitoring of flying insects over a Swedish lake using a continuous-wave lidar system.

We have used a continuous-wave bi-static lidar system based on the Scheimpflug principle in measurements on flying insects above, and in the vicinity of, a small lake located in a forested area in Southern Sweden. The system, which operates on triangulation principles, has a high spatial resolution at close distance, followed by a subsequent decline in resolution further from the sensor, related to the compact system design with a separation of transmitter and receiver by only 0.81 m. Our study showed a strong increase in insect abundance especially at dusk, but also at dawn. Insect numbers decreased over water compared to over land, and larger insects were over-represented over water. Further, the average size of the insects increased at night compared to day time.

‘No one size fits all’ – community trust-building as a strategy to reduce COVID-19-related health disparities

BackgroundCitizens with low levels of social capital and social status, and relative poverty, seem to have been disproportionally exposed to COVID-19 and are at greater risk of experiencing poor health. Notably, the incidence of COVID-19 was nearly three times higher among citizens living in socially vulnerable areas. Experiences from the African Ebola epidemic show that in an environment based on trust, community partners can help to improve understanding of disease control without compromising safety. Such an approach is often driven by the civil society and local lay health promoters. However, little is known about the role of lay health promoters during a pandemic with communicable diseases in the European Union. This study had its point of departure in an already established Community Based Participatory Research health promotion programme in a socially disadvantaged area in southern Sweden. The aim of this study was to explore how citizens and local lay health promoters living in vulnerable neighbourhoods responded to the COVID-19 pandemic a year from the start of the pandemic. MethodIn-depth interviews with the 5 lay health promoters and focus group discussions with 34 citizens from the neighbourhood who were involved in the activities within the programme were conducted in autumn 2020. The interviews and focus group discussions were transcribed verbatim and analysed using qualitative content analysis following an inductive approach. ResultsFour themes emerged including, ‘balancing between different kinds of information’, ‘balancing between place-based activities and activities on social media’, ‘bridging between local authorities and the communities and community members’, and ‘balancing ambivalence through participatory dialogues’.ConclusionThe study highlights that a Community Based Participatory Research programme with lay health promoters as community trust builders had a potential to work with communicable diseases during the pandemic. The lay health promoters played a key role in promoting health during the pandemic by deepening the knowledge and understanding of the role that marginalised citizens have in building resilience and sustainability in their community in preparation for future crises. Public health authorities need to take the local context into consideration within their pandemic strategies to reach out to vulnerable groups.

Micro-scale spatial preference and temporal cyclicity linked to foraging in harbour porpoises

Habitat heterogeneity is a crucial driver for species distribution across scales. Harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena basin-wide distribution is linked to prey availability, and small-scale (kilometres to tens of kilometres) differences in distribution are prevalent. However, information on porpoise distribution and foraging-behaviour variations on a micro-scale (~100 m to kilometres) is limited. To monitor harbour porpoise distribution and foraging activity on a micro-scale, we deployed passive acoustic dataloggers, logging porpoise acoustic activity at 6 sites in a small, high porpoise-density area in southern Sweden. Data were collected for almost a year, giving detailed time series on porpoise activity. The time series were analysed using dynamic time warping to compare activity patterns between sites. Large differences were found between sites separated by only a few hundred meters, indicating micro-scale spatial preference. Spectral analysis for temporal cyclicity in activity revealed a dominant peak for 24 h cycles with higher activity at night for all sites. All sites also had a second peak for 29.5 d, linked to the lunar cycle with higher activity during full moon. Activity was overall highest during autumn and winter (September-December). Spatial and temporal patterns were linked to foraging, showing a positive correlation between porpoise presence and the percent of time present with detected foraging. The study demonstrates that harbour porpoise spatial distribution on a micro-scale should be considered in e.g. behavioural, management and conservation studies and actions. In addition, we show that time series statistical methodology is informative and appropriate for analysis of acoustic temporal data.

Surveillance of tick-borne encephalitis in emerging risk areas in southern Sweden: a retrospective case finding study

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is an emerging infection causing CNS infection of various severity. Good knowledge of the incidence in the population and defined risk areas is important in risk communication and vaccination recommendations. The aim of this study was to investigate potential underreporting by retrospectively diagnose TBE among patients with viral CNS infections of unknown etiology in a region with emerging risk areas for TBE, and define variables associated with performed TBE serology at the time of infection. Epidemiological data and microbiological diagnostics of cases with viral CNS infection of unknown etiology treated at departments of infectious diseases and pediatrics in Skåne County during 2000–2012 were investigated. Analyses to evaluate variables associated with performed TBE serology at the time of infection were performed. Retrospective TBE serology was performed on stored blood samples when available. TBE serology was already performed at the time of CNS infection in 193 out of 761 cases. Department, type of clinical manifestation, time period of illness, and whether Borrelia serology had been performed were independent variables associated with having had TBE serology performed or not at the time of illness. Only one of 137 cases, where samples could be retrospectively analyzed for TBE, turned out positive. This study shows a low frequency of TBE sampling among patients with meningoencephalitis in a region with emerging risk for TBE. A higher awareness of TBE as differential diagnosis could contribute to earlier detection of new risk areas and adequate preventive advice to the public.

Knowledge co-production in the Helge å catchment: a comparative analysis

ABSTRACT Addressing sustainability challenges in landscape management requires processes for co-producing usable knowledge together with those who will use that knowledge. Participatory futures methods are powerful tools for attaining such knowledge. The applications of such methods are diverse and understanding the intricacies of the knowledge co-production process is important to further develop these research practices. To improve participatory futures methods and contribute to systematic and critical reflections on methodology, we present a comparative analysis of four research projects that applied participatory futures methods in the same study area. Conducted between 2011 and 2020, these projects aimed to co-produce knowledge about the future provision of ecosystem services in the Helge å catchment area in southern Sweden. For structuring the post-hoc, self-reflexive analysis, we developed a framework dividing the knowledge co-production process into three dimensions: settings, synthesis and diffusion. We based the analysis on documentation from the projects, a two-step questionnaire to each research team, a workshop with co-authors and interviews with key participants. The comparison highlights steps in project decision-making, explicit and implicit assumptions in our respective approaches and how these assumptions informed process design in the projects. Our detailed description of the four knowledge co-production processes points to the importance of flexibility in research design, but also the necessity for researchers and other participants to adapt as the process unfolds.

Influence of Socio-Economic Factors and Region of Birth on the Risk of Preeclampsia in Sweden.

Objectives: To investigate the association between socio-economic factors and the risk of preeclampsia in Sweden, specifically investigating if this relationship is confounded by maternal region of birth. Study design: All singleton births between 1999 and 2009 in an ethnically diverse area in southern Sweden, totaling 46,618 pregnancies, were included in this study. The data on maternal pregnancy outcomes were retrieved from a regional birth register and socio-economic variables from Statistics Sweden. The risk ratios for preeclampsia were calculated for educational level and household disposable income, adjusting for maternal region of birth, maternal age, body mass index, parity, and smoking. Results: Low income levels were associated with a higher risk for preeclampsia, adjusted risk ratio (aRR) = 1.25 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.99, 1.59) and aRR = 1.36 (95% CI: 1.10, 1.68) for the two lowest quintiles, respectively, compared to the highest. There was an educational gradient in preeclampsia risk, although not all categories reached statistical significance: aRR = 1.16, (95% CI: 0.89–1.50) for low educational attainment and aRR = 1.23 (95% CI: 1.08, 1.41) for intermediate educational attainment compared to women with highest education. The socio-economic gradient remained after adjusting for region of birth. There was a lower risk for preeclampsia for women born in Asia, aRR = 0.60 (95% CI: 0.47, 0.75), regardless of socio-economic position. Conclusion: An increased risk for preeclampsia was seen for women with measures of lower socio-economic position, even in a universal, government-funded healthcare setting. The relationship was not explained by region of birth, indicating that the excess risk is not due to ethnically differential genetic pre-disposition but rather due to modifiable factors.

Brokerage activity, exclusivity and role diversity: A three-dimensional approach to brokerage in networks

The purpose of this paper is to connect central theoretical contributions to the study of brokerage and propose a novel conceptual and analytical approach for investigating it. On one hand, it builds on, and further substantiate the utility of, the innovation of conceptualizing brokerage activity and brokerage exclusivity separately, whilst analyzing them together. On the other hand, it also builds on the seminal notion of qualitatively different brokerage roles and introduces the conceptual innovation of brokerage role diversity to study the implications of and for actors occupying one or several roles to similar or varying degrees. These implications are further unpacked by analyzing the specific brokerage activity and exclusivity for each brokerage role separately, before reassembling the results into a rich description of the patterns of brokerage among different types of actors. This three-dimensional approach was applied to study brokerage in a network of individual actors governing flood risk mitigation in a catchment area in Southern Sweden. The results suggest that studying these three dimensions of brokerage simultaneously provides a sharper lens that picks up important nuances that available approaches may fail to reveal. The paper makes a substantive contribution to the knowledge of brokerage in collaborative governance of complex issues, as well as a methodological contribution to the study of brokerage in general.

Inequality in early life: Social class differences in childhood mortality in southern Sweden, 1815–1967

AbstractThis article analyses the long‐term development of social class differences in infant and child mortality in an area of southern Sweden, spanning from the early stages of the mortality transition at the beginning of the nineteenth century, to the late 1960s when both infant and child mortality had reached very low levels. Our findings show that infant and child mortality was fairly equal at the beginning of the study period. We find no clear pattern of class differentials in childhood mortality in the first half of the nineteenth century when both infant and child mortality declined. Later in the nineteenth century, class differences started to emerge. This is clear for both post‐neonatal mortality and child mortality, while we do not find any class differences in neonatal mortality. Over time, a more or less full gradient emerged for post‐neonatal mortality, and a weak gradient also emerged for child mortality. Strikingly, the disadvantaged position for unskilled and lower‐skilled workers remained throughout the 1960s, also at a time when mortality levels were very low, and living standards had increased dramatically for all classes in the population.

Optimized locations of landings in forest operations

In recent years, increasing attention has been drawn to improving productivity in logging passages while reducing negative impact on soil and water. The position of landings and extraction routes is crucial in these efforts, as it has a huge impact on efficient and sustainable forwarder passages. In this paper, we propose a two-phase approach to identify the best possible landing locations integrated with log extraction route design. The first phase identifies potential landing zones adjacent to forest roads. It considers practical restrictions such as slopes, stoniness, and closeness to infrastructure. The second phase uses an optimization model to evaluate the potential impact of each zone and aggregate zones, selecting one or two complete landings. This model is a relaxation of a formulation for an extraction route design; it is used to minimize a weighted objective of the total driving distance, avoid steep terrains and impact on soil and water. The proposed approach has been tested on a set of harvest areas in southern Sweden. The results not only show the potential to identify feasible landing zones but also identify a shorter driving distance and hence lower contractual cost with optimized positioning. The possibility to increase efficiency in forest operations by performing scenario analysis and thus forwarding distances with different landing sites is among the results.

Sarcoptic mange in the wild boar, Sus scrofa, in Sweden

Sarcoptic mange caused by Sarcoptes scabiei has been present in the Swedish red fox (Vulpes vulpes) population since the 1970s. The disease has been described in other Swedish wildlife species, but not in the wild boar, Sus scrofa, until 2009. Single cases of sarcoptic mange have been diagnosed the last years in the expanding population of wild boar. This study aims to describe the histopathological lesions found on mangy wild boar and compare, by molecular methods, mites from wild boar cases with mites from mangy red foxes, raccoon dogs, and domestic pigs. Mangy wild boar with focal alopecia and clinical signs of pruritis were reported or submitted from various areas in southern Sweden to the National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala. The examined skin samples of wild boar infected with S. scabiei showed limited gross skin lesions, except for cases with severe exudative dermatitis. Histopathology of the affected wild boar skin samples showed an eosinophilic dermatitis with a variable hyperkeratosis and often low number of mites present. To study the relationship of S. scabiei mites isolated from different host species, a population genetics investigation was performed based on microsatellite markers. In total, 225 individual mites from eight individuals of four different host species; red fox (48 mites), wild boar (80 mites), domestic pig (48 mites) and raccoon dog (43 mites), were included in the study. In the phylogenetic analysis, all mites isolated from wild boar clustered together even though they originate from different geographical regions in Sweden. Mites from each individual host showed high similarity. The results indicate that wild boar mites differ from mites both from the red fox, raccoon dog, and domestic pig.

The Problem of Fit in Flood Risk Governance: Regulative, Normative, and Cultural-Cognitive Deliberations

Flood risk is a growing global concern that is not only affecting developing countries, but also the sustainable development of the most affluent liberal democracies. This has attracted attention to the systems governing flood risk across administrative levels, which vary between countries, but are relatively similar in the Nordic region, with both responsibilities and resources largely decentralized to the municipal level. However, floods tend not to be bounded by conventional borders but demand attention to the catchment area as a whole. Influential voices have long argued the importance of fit between the biophysical basis of an issue and the institutional arrangements of actors engaging in its governance. The article investigates such institutional fit in flood risk governance, based on a case study of flood risk mitigation in the Höje Å catchment area in Southern Sweden. Analyzing a unique dataset comprising 217 interviews with all individual formal actors actively engaged in flood risk mitigation in the catchment area illuminates a ‘problem of fit’ between the hydrological system behind flood risk and the institutional arrangements of its governance. This ‘problem of fit’ is not only visible along the borders of the municipalities composing the catchment area, but also of the spatial planning areas within them. The article deliberates on regulative, normative, and cultural-cognitive elements that align to lock flood risk governance into a regime of practices that, if not addressed, continues to undermine society’s ability to anticipate and adapt to the expected escalation of flood risk in a changing climate.

Replacing regional bus services with rail: Changes in rural public transport patronage in and around villages

Removing bus stops is often a prerequisite for introducing faster, more reliable, and more frequent rail or coach services in rural areas. Despite the potentially higher quality of service through trains or coaches, however, the bus-stop removals often become stumbling blocks. It is sometimes feared that the alterations to the public transport network will pose a threat to the possibilities of living in rural areas outside villages. In this study, we investigate how travel by public transport is affected in areas where bus services are substantially reduced in connection with the introduction of rail services with fewer stops. Through an analysis of access trips from rural areas surrounding the train stations, we are able to study the development of public transport patronage in these areas in comparison with a control group with retained rural bus services. A total of 28 villages with surrounding rural areas in southern Sweden are included in the study. Our results reveal a significantly larger patronage increase around new train stations compared to areas where regional bus services are kept, and importantly, the patronage increase does not only occur in the immediate surroundings of the stations. Outside the villages, in the rural areas where public transport services have been cut, the increase is of equal magnitude. Hence, our results oppose the idea of distortion between the villages and their surrounding rural areas, at least in terms of net effect on public transport usage.

\u201cStanding on common ground\u201d - a qualitative study of self-management support for patients with multimorbidity in primary health care

BackgroundMultimorbidity, the co-existence of two or more chronic conditions in an individual, is present in most patients over 65 years. Primary health care (PHC) is uniquely positioned to provide the holistic and continual care recommended for this group of patients, including support for self-management. The aim of this study was to explore professionals’, patients’, and family caregivers’ perspectives on how PHC professionals should support self-management in patients with multimorbidity. This study also includes experiences of using telemedicine to support self-management.MethodsA mixed qualitative method was used to explore regular self-management support and telemedicine as a tool to support self-management. A total of 42 participants (20 physicians, 3 registered nurses, 12 patients, and 7 family caregivers) were interviewed using focus group interviews (PHC professionals), pair interviews (patients and family caregivers), and individual interviews (registered nurses, patients, and family caregivers). The study was performed in urban areas in central Sweden and rural areas in southern Sweden between April 2018 and October 2019. Data were analyzed using content analysis.ResultsThe main theme that emerged was “Standing on common ground enables individualized support.” To achieve such support, professionals needed to understand their own views on who bears the primary responsibility for patients’ self-management, as well as patients’ self-management abilities, needs, and perspectives. Personal continuity and trustful relationships facilitated this understanding. The findings also indicated that professionals should be accessible for patients with multimorbidity, function as knowledge translators (help patients understand their symptoms and how the symptoms correlated with diseases), and coordinate between levels of care. Telemedicine supported continual monitoring and facilitated patient access to PHC professionals.ConclusionThrough personal continuity and patient-centered consultations, professionals could collaborate with patients to individualize self-management support. For some patients, this means that PHC professionals are in control and monitor symptoms. For others, PHC professionals play a less controlling role, empowering patients’ self-management. Development and improvement of eHealth tools for patients with multimorbidity should focus on improving the ability to set mutual goals, strengthening patients’ inner motivation, and including multiple caregivers to enhance information-sharing and care coordination.

The Human Biting Culex pipiens Bioform molestus Detected in Several Areas in Southern Sweden.

Background: The mosquito species Culex pipiens is a known vector of several pathogens and occurs in two distinct bioforms, pipiens and molestus. The bioform molestus thrives in urban environments where there are below-ground habitats; it can mate in confined spaces and feed on mammals as well as birds. In contrast, the bioform pipiens is found above ground, is thought to require more space for mating, and mainly feeds on birds. The pipiens bioform is present in large parts of Sweden but the molestus bioform has previously only been found in major cities. Materials and Methods: People experiencing mosquito nuisance in southern Sweden submitted mosquito samples as part of a citizen science project, and these samples were analyzed to determine the geographical distribution of the molestus bioform of Cx. pipiens. Mosquito specimens were identified to the species level by DNA barcoding of the cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, and the bioforms were determined through the CQ11 microsatellite marker. Results:Culex pipiens f molestus was observed to be spread across large parts of Gothenburg as well as in the suburbs. This bioform was found both in urban and rural areas at several sites across southern Sweden. In one site, hybrids between the two bioforms were found. Conclusions: The detection of Cx. pipiens f molestus in several rural areas was surprising, indicating that it may be more widely spread than urban areas alone, where it has been previously reported.