Average Annual Household Income Research Articles

"Black Women Should Not Die Giving Life": The lived experiences of Black women diagnosed with severe maternal morbidity in the United States.

We sought to understand the lived experiences of Black women diagnosed with severe maternal morbidity (SMM) in communities with high maternal mortality to inform practices that reduce obstetric racism and improve patient outcomes. From August 2022 through December 2022, we conducted a phenomenological, qualitative study among Black women who experienced SMM. Participants were recruited via social media and met inclusion criteria if they self-identified as Black cisgender women, were 18-40 years old, had SMM diagnosed, and lived within zip codes in the United States that have the top-five highest maternal mortality rates. Family members participated on behalf of women who were deceased but otherwise met all other criteria. We conducted in-depth interviews (IDIs), and transcripts were analyzed using inductive and deductive methods to explore birth story experiences. Overall, 12 participants completed IDIs; 10 were women who experienced SMM and 2 were mothers of women who died due to SMM. The mean age for women who experienced SMM was 31 years (range 26-36 years) at the time of the IDI or death. Most participants had graduate-level education, and the average annual household income was 123,750 USD. Women were especially interested in study participation because of their high-income status as they did not fit the stereotypical profile of Black women who experience racial discrimination. The average time since SMM diagnosis was 2 years. Participants highlighted concrete examples of communication failures, stereotyping by providers, differential treatment, and medical errors which patients experienced as manifestations of racism. Medical personnel dismissing and ignoring concerns during emergent situations, even when raised through strong self-advocacy, was a key factor in racism experienced during childbirth. Future interventions to reduce racism and improve maternal health outcomes should center on the experiences of Black women and focus on improving patient-provider communication, as well as the quality and effectiveness of responses during emergent situations. Précis statement: This study underscores the need to center Black women's experiences, enhance patient-provider communication, and address emergent concerns to mitigate obstetric racism and enhance maternal health outcomes.

Mediating Effect of Tobacco Dependence on the Association Between Maternal Smoking During Pregnancy and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Case-Control Study.

Maternal smoking during pregnancy (MSDP) is a known risk factor for offspring developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to explore whether the increased COPD risk associated with MSDP could be attributed to tobacco dependence (TD). This case-control study used data from the nationwide cross-sectional China Pulmonary Health study, with controls matched for age, sex, and smoking status. TD was defined as smoking within 30 minutes of waking, and the severity of TD was assessed using the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence. COPD was diagnosed when the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity was <0.7 in a postbronchodilator pulmonary function test according to the 2017 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease criteria. Logistic regression was used to examine the correlation between MSDP and COPD, adjusting for age, sex, BMI, educational attainment, place of residence, ethnic background, occupation, childhood passive smoking, residential fine particulate matter, history of childhood pneumonia or bronchitis, average annual household income, and medical history (coronary heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes). Mediation analysis examined TD as a potential mediator in the link between MSDP and COPD risk. The significance of the indirect effect was assessed through 1000 iterations of the "bootstrap" method. The study included 5943 participants (2991 with COPD and 2952 controls). Mothers of the COPD group had higher pregnancy smoking rates (COPD: n=305, 10.20%; controls: n=211, 7.10%; P<.001). TD was more prevalent in the COPD group (COPD: n=582, 40.40%; controls: n=478, 33.90%; P<.001). After adjusting for covariates, MSDP had a significant effect on COPD (β=.097; P<.001). There was an association between MSDP and TD (β=.074; P<.001) as well as between TD and COPD (β=.048; P=.007). Mediation analysis of TD in the MSDP-COPD association showed significant direct and indirect effects (direct: β=.094; P<.001 and indirect: β=.004; P=.03). The indirect effect remains present in the smoking population (direct: β=.120; P<.001 and indirect: β=.002; P=.03). This study highlighted the potential association between MSDP and the risk of COPD in offspring, revealing the mediating role of TD in this association. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the impact of prenatal tobacco exposure on lung health, laying the groundwork for the development of relevant prevention and treatment strategies.

Treatment access and satisfaction on disease-modifying therapies of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients in China: a cross-sectional survey.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare and debilitating disease that has become more widely recognized in China. Legislative measures have been implemented by the government to improve treatment access for rare diseases. To investigate the diagnostic journey, treatment status, treatment accessibility, and treatment satisfaction of the NMOSD patients on disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in China. A patient online survey. This cross-sectional online survey was conducted between November 2022 and January 2023. Patients over 18 years old and diagnosed with NMOSD were included. The questionnaire consisted of five sections covering demographics, diagnostic and treatment experiences, DMTs availability, cost and affordability, and treatment satisfaction using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (version II). Patient opinions and demands were also collected at the end of the survey. A total of 375 patients diagnosed with NMOSD were recruited, of which 321 patients used DMTs. It required 1.22 ± 3.22 years and 3.58 ± 4.24 hospital visits for a definitive diagnosis. One-third of the patients still needed to travel for over 2 h to access DMTs. The total treatment expenditure was estimated to be CNY 59,827.00 (USD 8315.95) a year. Drug expenses alone accounted for 52.22% of the average annual household income. The most common challenges perceived were the inability to afford treatment and a lack of effective options. No significant difference was found in treatment satisfaction among DMTs, except that rituximab scored lowest in convenience compared to other DMTs. Patients' age and travel time required to obtain medications were negatively associated with global treatment satisfaction. In China, patients with NMOSD face challenges in obtaining proper treatment due to diagnostic difficulties, distant medication access, and high costs. Policies should prioritize improving disease education and alleviating financial burdens for the patients.

Income inequalities in exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals among pregnant women in Taiwan

BackgroundExposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is being rigorously studied in associations with various health outcomes, however less attention has been paid to its socio-economic determinants. This study investigated how EDCs exposure levels in pregnant women could differ on individual- and area- level income in Taiwan. MethodsUrinary measurements of phthalates, nonylphenol, bisphenol A, parabens and individual socio-economic variables (income, education, etc.) of pregnant women from Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study (TMICS) were linked via residence to area-level average annual household income. EDCs concentrations were compared between the four main Taiwan regions (North, Central, South and East) and between individual income groups. Lorenz curves were plotted to describe inequalities in EDCs exposure, and EDCs exposure related to income. Concentration indexes (CIx) were calculated and compared between the four regions. ResultsNo significant differences between EDCs concentrations adjusted for molar mass and creatinine across individual-level income groups were detected. Exposure inequalities were highest for parabens (CIx = 73.6 %), BPA (CIx = 73.6) and low molecular weight (LMW) phthalates (CIx = 63.3 %). Lorenz curve for LMW phthalates distribution across area-level income was significantly above the equality line (CIx = -21.9 %, p-value < 0.05). Stratification showed significant differences in inequality (p = 0.046) in LMW phthalates exposure across area-level income between South (CIx = -23.1 %), East (CIx = -35.3 %), North (CIx = -3.3 %) and Central (CIx = -6.5 %) regions. ConclusionInequalities in LMW phthalates exposure related to area-level income in East and South regions suggest target areas for public health interventions in terms of environmental regulations and health promotion. Using Lorenz curves and CIx to describe inequalities can be useful in case of inadequate sample sizes in costly human biomonitoring studies, however this method needs to be further developed and validated using human biomonitoring datasets in more diverse populations with larger socio-economic inequalities.

Forest products monetary contribution to households’ income: A means to improve the livelihood of a low-income rural community in South Ethiopia

Forest products and forest-based activities in Ethiopia play a substantial economic contribution to the livelihoods of rural households. Despite its pivotal role, empirical data are inadequate on forests' monetary contribution across a range of ecological locations and social situation, particularly for rural agrarian communities of the developing nations, like Ethiopia. We estimated the economic contributions of forest products and forest-based activities to forest-dependent rural households’ income and highlighted key socioeconomic characteristics in Wolaita, Ethiopia. We collected demographic, socioeconomic, and forest use data using a semi-structured questionnaire survey of 384 households, and surveyed markets to determine the prices of forest products for the valuation of forest use in three districts. We used descriptive statistics, the Chi-square test, the two-sample t-test, and one-way ANOVA to analyze the data. Findings showed that all respondents were engaged in one way or another in forest-based activities, while 84.6 % were involved in farming. The annual average income from forest products was 252.7US per household, contributing to 28.1 % of the total yearly average income (989.4US$), and 38.3 % relative forest income (RFI). Annual mean household income from crops was 648.1US$. Average annual household income from grazing, charcoal, firewood, woodcutting, cut-and-carry, NTFP, seed selling, medicinal plants, and seedling selling was 77.3 %, 58.4 %, 50.2 %, 24.1 %, 18.5 %, 12.7 %, 7.1 %, 6.8 % and 5.4 % of the total annual mean income, respectively revealing a significant difference (p < 0.05). Family size, farmland size, distance to the forest, and occupation were the determinants of the contribution of forest products to household income. In general, poor households derive the highest relative forest income implying high dependence of the poorer on forest resources in the study area. The findings provide useful information for developing sustainable forest management policies and strategies to enhance the economic and ecological benefits of forests, and highlight the need for funding projects to pay attention to the specific household variables that affect forest use. Mainstreaming conservation activities in development sectors and integrating development and conservation projects may improve the livelihood of the low-income family in the region.

Is the internet penetration pro-poor? Evidence from a panel data analysis

The impacts of internet use on income and poverty status are contentious despite extensive research efforts. This paper re-examines these influences using five-wave panel data extracted from the Vietnam Access to Resources Household Survey (VARHS). A two-step system called Generalized Methods of Moments (GMM) and Propensity Score Matching (PSM) is the primary metric for estimating internet-income and internet-poverty correlations. The analysis revealed that internet use assisted rural households, including the poor ones, in fostering their livelihoods in the 2008–2016 period: (1) internet access increased the average annual household income per capita by 4.5 million Vietnamese dongs, accounting for at least 17% of the overall income; (2) it decreased the probability of being poor by around 4%. This study suggests that the universalisation of the internet, along with improvements in digital literacy and digital applications provided for rural dwellers, particularly the needy, should be essential for poverty reduction programmes in the context of developing countries.

Gum and Resin Production and Marketing: Implications for Pastoral Livelihood in Adadle District, Somali Region, Ethiopia

Both locally and nationally, Ethiopia’s gum resin sector has a substantial economic impact. Even though collecting and selling gum and resin is one of the main livelihood activities in Ethiopia’s remote pastoral areas, there are few case studies that adequately reflect national realities. Therefore, the goal of this study is to pinpoint and evaluate gum and resin production and sale, as well as any implications for pastoral livelihood, in the Adadle district of the Somali Region. Both purposive and random sampling techniques were employed. The primary data gathering technique used were household surveys, key informant interviews, focus groups, market surveys, direct observation, and surveys of community-based organizations. Multiple response tests, one-way ANOVA, and descriptive statistics were used in SPSS Version 26 to statistically analyze the collected data. The study discovered many Acacia, Boswellia, and Commiphora tree species that are employed in the production of gum and resin. It was also found that natural oozing and artificial tapping were the methods used for collecting and harvesting gum and resin. The average amount of gum and resin/frankincense harvested annually by each family was 219.82 kg and 58.27 kg, respectively, with gum harvesting being substantially higher ( p 0.05 ) than resin harvesting. The recurrent drought, season, and awareness level of harvesters on taping were the factors affecting the quantity and quality of production. The average annual household income from gum and resin/frankincense was 18,684 Ethiopian Birr and 43,704 Ethiopian Birr, respectively. The mean annual income from resin was substantially larger ( p 0.05 ) than that of gum. The gum and resin market chain in the area comprises eight actors with five market channels. The research also demonstrates that the income made by selling gum and resin was used to pay for basic necessities for the family, save money for health care and medications, and pay for social concerns and educational expenses. Recurrent drought, lack of market access and market expertise, lack of institutional cooperatives, and lack of infrastructure and facilities were all determined to be obstacles to the production and sale of gum and resin. Generally, resources should be conserved and interventions should be done to ensure the sustainability of the resource base and improve production potential. Proper tapping techniques should be introduced to enhance production potential, and access to market information should be ensured to maximize primary producers’ income share insured for maximizing the income share of primary producers.

Impact of participation in community-based sheep breeding practice on the income of household: A case of Adiyo Woreda, Kaffa Zone, SNNPRS, Ethiopia

Community-based sheep breeding practice emerged in 2009 G.C as a possible option to understand the selection practices of the traditional breeders and to create genetic gains that improve sheep productivity and provides an important source of income for the household. This study was conducted in Adiyo woreda, to assess the impact of participation in community-based sheep breeding practice on the income of a household in southern Ethiopia. Adiyo was selected purposively, and simple random sampling techniques were employed to obtain the desired sample. Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey from a sample of 368 respondents, 165 of whom had participants and 203 non-participants. Primary data were collected through focused group discussion, key informant interviews, and questionnaires. Secondary data were collected from a review of related literature. Descriptive statistics and econometric models are used for analyzing quantitative data. A propensity score matching procedure was employed to decide the causal relationship between participant and non-participant households. The result of propensity score matching method analysis shows that participation in community-based breeding practice has increased average annual household income by 4,301.31birr for the participant than non-participants households and the value is significant at 1% level. The sensitivity analysis result showed that impact results estimated by this study were confident to unobserved selection bias. Hence, the community-based breeding practice has a positive and significant impact on the annual income of households. Hence improving the productivity of local sheep by organizing farmers in CBBP can significantly increase the income of smallholder farmers. Therefore, governmental and non-governmental should work on improving the productivity Bonga sheep breed performance.

Preterm birth and stillbirth rates associated with socioeconomic disparities during COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based cross-sectional study

BackgroundConflicting evidence exists on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on preterm birth (PTB) and stillbirth rates. We aimed to evaluate changes in PTB and stillbirth rates before and...

An Empirical Study on Physical Subhealth Risk Perception: A Physical Examination Data of Tertiary Grade-A Hospitals in Anhui Province, China.

Physical subhealth directly correlates to people's work effectiveness and quality of life, so subhealth prevention has become an urgent medical problem. A random sampling method was used to conduct a questionnaire survey of physical examinees from June to September, 2019. In total, 770 people participated in our study. The Pearson correlation and multiple stepwise regression analysis were used to explore the relationship among demographic variables, physical subhealth, and risk perception. Also, this study used a two-way interaction moderated multiple regression approach to examine the moderating effects of demographic variables on physical subhealth and risk perception. The risk perception level was negatively associated with physical health. Age, education level, and subhealth proportion in the work unit all significantly and positively influence physical health, whereas living place, subhealth duration, and marital status negatively influence physical health. Living place, average annual household income, number of employees in the work unit, and subhealth proportion in the work unit significantly and positively influence the risk perception, and only age negatively influences the risk perception. The number of children had a moderating effect on physical subhealth and risk perception (Interaction coefficient α = -0.3, P < 0.05). To achieve the overall improvement of public health, relevant management departments can provide targeted interventions for the public with different levels of risk perception. Also, the physical subhealth of the public can be addressed by encouraging the public to attach importance to education, improving the public living environment to build a livable city, strengthening psychological guidance and intervention for couples heading toward divorce to reduce the divorce rate, focusing on the health of work unit employees and regularly organizing employees to attend medical checkups, and actively responding to the national policy of family planning.

What is the relationship between ecosystem services and farmers’ livelihoods? Based on measuring the contribution of ecosystem services to farmers’ livelihoods

The relationships between ecosystem services and farmers’ livelihoods are important for ecological and livelihood sustainability. In this paper, Chongqing was picked up as a case to elucidate the contribution of ecosystem services to farmers’ livelihoods. First, we constructed a DPSIR (driver, pressure, state, impact and response) framework of ecosystem services and farmers’ livelihoods through participatory farmers’ livelihoods surveys and empirical data from the literature. Then, a 48-node Bayesian network model were used to explore the explicit and implicit impacts of both ecosystem services and farmers’ livelihoods, and to determine the key factors. Finally, we analyzed the contribution of ecosystem services to different types of farmers’ livelihoods. The results showed that ecosystem services have a significant impact on the farmers’ livelihoods. The probabilities of high state for ecosystem services and livelihood outcomes were 17.6% and 30.7%, respectively. While the probabilities of medium state were 51.2% and 45.4%, respectively. Particularly for low-income farmers, the impact on them increased with the increasing of ecosystem services (such as esthetic landscapes and food production). For different types of farming households, the most important contributor of ecosystem services-related income were pure farming households, part-time farming households and nonfarming households, accounting for 77.3%, 36.3%, and 14.8% of the total average annual household income, respectively. Our findings suggested that in promoting sustainable management of ecosystems, the contribution of ecosystem services to farmers’ livelihoods and their impact on farm income and the ecosystem services value should be considered.

Community Climate Vulnerability Assessment (CCVA) to Climate Change of a Hilly Area of Rangamati District in Bangladesh

The global challenge of Climate change poses a significant threat to humanity, with its impacts already being felt in various parts of the world through unpredictable and severe weather events leading to property damage and loss of life (IPCC, 2014). Community resilience is vital in reducing the losses caused by climate change, and it depends on an understanding of perceived risks, vulnerabilities, and local efforts to mitigate them. The Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh is one of the regions that is particularly vulnerable to climate change, due to its geography, degradation of forests, sensitivity of livelihoods, and low capacity in comparison to other parts of the country (World bank 2018).Although vulnerability assessments to climate change have been conducted previously, there remains a gap in involving indigenous communities residing in hilly areas of Bangladesh. The recognition of climate change risks as perceived by local communities could serve as a foundation for developing locally-led adaptation plans aimed at building local resilience.The Basonto Mon watershed is located in Rangamati district of Bangladesh, with GPS coordinates of 22˚ 40.218"N 92˚ 16.620" E (GPS coordinates derived from Google Earth) and an elevation of 390 feet above sea level. The area comprises of five villages from varying elevations and is primarily inhabited by the Chakma community. There are 269 households in the region, primarily relying on Jhum cultivation, agriculture on fringe lands, and seasonal labor for their livelihoods, with an average annual household income of BDT 96000 (approximately US$ 1132). About 76% of the community consider themselves under serious threat from the effects of climate change, while 24% have limited understanding of the issue. Approximately 20% of the respondents believe that their livelihoods will be mostly affected by climate change, while 78% identified multiple impacts including health, disaster intensity, family workload, and more. The region is also facing severe soil erosion caused by deforestation, incorrect agricultural practices, and the monoculture of forest species such as teak. The community is at risk from agricultural drought, flash floods, landslides, cyclones, among other things, with the most impacted months being March to August.Climate drivers in the area include erratic rainfall, sudden heavy downpours, increased number of rainless days, and rising temperatures. Acute water scarcity caused by the drying of streams is another major concern for the community and has a widespread impact on women and their families. The most vulnerable sectors identified are the forest and ecosystem, livelihoods, and water security.Approximately 75% of the population is literate and has access to educational institutions and health clinics. However, the environment is fragile. To address this, there are three main priorities: 1) preserving the forests through cooperative efforts, reforestation, and public education, 2) promoting sustainable and climate-resistant agriculture, as well as alternative livelihoods and market access, and 3) improving access to clean water and preserving water sources through community-led management. Key stakeholders, such as the CHT institutions and local government bodies, are crucial in supporting the community in becoming more resilient to the effects of climate change.

Evaluation of the nonmarket value of livestock and poultry feces returning to farmland utilization using CVM in Heilongjiang, China

Aiming at a series of hot issues and topics, such as resource waste, environmental pollution, and Mollisol protection, related to the arbitrary discharge of livestock and poultry feces, livestock and poultry feces are taken as the research object, a questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate residents' cognition and willingness to pay (WTP) for the nonmarket value of livestock and poultry feces returning to farmland in Heilongjiang Province, China. The contingent valuation method (CVM) was used for the correlation analysis of WTP and socioeconomic characteristics, and correlation analysis of payment mode and socioeconomic characteristics. Meanwhile, the factors influencing WTP and payment mode were analyzed. The results show that the majority of the respondents are aware of the harmfulness of the arbitrary discharge of livestock and poultry feces and the importance of its nonmarket regeneration value. Approximately 90.09% of respondents were willing to pay for the return of livestock and poultry feces to fields. In 2020, the total value of WTP of livestock and poultry feces returning to farmland in Heilongjiang Province was 4.65 billion CNY, equivalent to 1.32% of the total agricultural production of Heilongjiang Province in the same year. And the nonmarket value of livestock and poultry feces is estimated to be 1456.69 CNY/t. The annual average WTP of rural and urban households is 286.42 CNY and 422.90 CNY per household, accounting for 0.46% and 0.52% of the average annual income of households, respectively. Therefore, the return of livestock and poultry feces to farmland utilization has a high nonmarket value. The analysis shows that the average annual household income is a significant factor in WTP, and the registered permanent residence type and the average annual household income are significant factors in payment mode. The research results should provide a scientific and theoretical basis for the government's policy and decision-making on the return of livestock and poultry feces to farmland. Keywords: nonmarket value, livestock and poultry feces, farmland utilization, CVM, WTP DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20231602.7588 Citation: Shang J J, Xie Y T, Guo L F, Fan J X, Liu H X. Evaluation of the nonmarket value of livestock and poultry feces returning to farmland utilization using CVM in Heilongjiang, China. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2023; 16(2): 48-56.

TIME-SERIES ANALYSIS OF FEMALE EMPLOYMENT IN JAPAN

In Japan, the declining birthrate and an aging population have made the labor supply by women very important. Numerous studies have analyzed the choice of women in having children or continuing to work. These studies provide very important insights into the employment choices of Japanese females. However, they mainly use micro data and focus only on specific time points. In this study, we investigate the effects of the average income, tax rate, and rate of advancement to university on employment behavior among Japanese women using time-series data. The results of multiple regression analyses suggest that male regular employment rate, average annual household income, female university advancement rate, and consumption tax rate have different effects on regular and non-regular employment rates of Japanese women. The male regular employment rate has positive effects on female regular employment rate, but it has no effect on female non-regular employment rate. The high household income seems to reduce the probability of women working as non-regular workers but does not seem to reduce the probability of them working as regular workers. The consumption tax rate has effects only on female non-regular employment rate. A high consumption tax rate promotes the female labor supply as non-regular workers.

Socioeconomic Status and Kawasaki Disease Outcomes in a Single-Payer Health Care System.

For patients with Kawasaki disease (KD), lower socioeconomic status (SES) may adversely affect the timeliness of presentation and initiation of intravenous immune globulin, and coronary artery outcomes. Multipayer systems have been shown to affect health care equity and access to health care negatively. We sought to determine the association of SES with KD outcomes in a single-payer health care system. Patients with KD presenting from 2007 to 2017 at a single institution were included. SES data were obtained by matching patient postal code district with data from the 2016 Census Canada. SES data were linked for 1018 patients. The proportion of households living below the after-tax low-income cutoff in the patient's postal code district was 13% for not treated, 13% for delayed intravenous immune globulin treatment, and 12% for prompt treatment (P= 0.58). Likewise, the average median annual household income was unrelated to delayed or no treatment. The percentage >15 years of age with advanced education differed between groups at 33%, 29%, and 31% for delayed treatment, prompt treatment, and missed groups, respectively (P= 0.004). SES variables were not significantly different for those with vs without coronary artery aneurysms (max Z-score: >2.5), including the proportion of households living below low-income cutoff (12% vs 13%; P= 0.37), average median annual household income (CAD$81,220 vs $82,055; P= 0.78), and proportion with a university degree (33% vs 31%; P= 0.49), even after adjusting for sex, age, year, and KD type. Timeliness of treatment for KD and coronary artery outcomes were not associated with SES variables within a single-payer health care system.

Prediction of suicidal ideation among Chinese college students based on radial basis function neural network.

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death for college students. The predictors of suicidal ideation among college students are inconsistent and few studies have systematically investigated psychological symptoms of college students to predict suicide. Therefore, this study aims to develop a suicidal ideation prediction model and explore important predictors of suicidal ideation among college students in China. We recruited 1,500 college students of Sichuan University and followed up for 4 years. Demographic information, behavioral and psychological information of the participants were collected using computer-based questionnaires. The Radial Basis Function Neural Network (RBFNN) method was used to develop three suicidal ideation risk prediction models and to identify important predictive factors for suicidal ideation among college students. The incidence of suicidal ideation among college students in the last 12 months ranged from 3.00 to 4.07%. The prediction accuracies of all the three models were over 91.7%. The area under curve scores were up to 0.96. Previous suicidal ideation and poor subjective sleep quality were the most robust predictors. Poor self-rated mental health has also been identified to be an important predictor. Paranoid symptom, internet addiction, poor self-rated physical health, poor self-rated overall health, emotional abuse, low average annual household income per person and heavy study pressure were potential predictors for suicidal ideation. The study suggested that the RBFNN method was accurate in predicting suicidal ideation. And students who have ever had previous suicidal ideation and poor sleep quality should be paid consistent attention to.

Socio-Economic Contribution of Zanthoxylum armatum (Timur) in the Rural Household Income of Myagdi District, Nepal

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) contribute to livelihood of rural communities which is influenced by numerous socio-economic variables. This study assessed the financial contribution of Zanthoxylum armatum and the influence of respondents’ various socio-economic characteristics on such contribution in Ghatan of Beni Municipality, Myagdi District, Nepal. For this study, we used semi-structured questionnaires to 80 purposively selected households, followed by 10 key informant interviews, four focus group discussions, and direct field observations. A Pearson correlation matrix was used to determine the dependence of several socio-economic variables on average annual household income from the sale of Z. armatum. The average annual income per household from the sale of Z. armatum was found to be the highest (494 USD) in Brahmin/Chhetri households and the lowest (372 USD) in Dalit households. Among five variables used in the regression model, only three of them: land holding size (khet), time taken to harvest (days), and wealth ranking (rich) were found positively significant with p-values of 0.042, 0.000, and 0.064 respectively. Whereas, the education status of the respondents (literate) and the main income source (agriculture) were found negatively significant with p-values of 0.046 and 0.064, respectively. Furthermore, we believe that this result will help to promote the conservation of Z. armatum and other valuable medicinal plants as well as their sustainable management in the study area and similar areas.

Multiple chronic conditions among older adults in China: differences in socio-demographic characteristics

ObjectiveThere are relatively few studies on multiple chronic conditions (MCC) among older adults in China. This study sought to assess the potential differences in the risk of MCC among different elderly populations, and thus to identify the most vulnerable populations at higher risk of developing the MCC. MethodsA sample of 5320 adults aged 60 years or above from the China's Health-Related Quality of Life Survey for Older Adults 2018 (CHRQLS-OA 2018) were included in this study. Descriptive statistics frequencies and proportions were used to summarize the sample characteristics, and logistic regression models were conducted to identify the differences in the risk of having MCC among different populations. ResultsOverall, 52.6% of respondents had been clearly diagnosed with at least one chronic disease with 25.3% having MCC. The males ((adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.73–0.98) were less likely to have MCC. This was also true among female elderly with a non-agricultural hukou (AOR = 0.75; 95% CI = 0.57–0.99). The elderly with a non-agricultural hukou aged 60–64 (AOR = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.34–0.88) had a lower risk of having MCC. Those whose average annual household income per capita were 15,000–30,000 RMB (AOR = 1.42; 95% CI = 1.03–1.96) were more likely to suffer from MCC. The odds ratios of having MCC were smaller as the personal savings increases in total samples (all P < 0.05). ConclusionsThe findings suggest that different policies or approaches should target these specific populations who are most in need and are most likely to suffer from MCC.

​​Impact of Nagaland State Rural Livelihood Mission (NSRLM) on Livelihood Status of Women in Nagaland

Background: The Nagaland State Rural Livelihood Mission is the implementing agency for the NRLM in the state and embodies the principles and vision of NRLM while keeping in mind the unique features of the state. The Mission aims at bringing about sustained improvement in the household incomes, livelihood, well-being and empowerment status of the rural poor through sustained livelihood enhancements and improved access of financial and non-financial services. The present study was about an impact of NSRLM on socio-economic and livelihood status of rural women in Mon District of Nagaland. Methods: A total of 100 respondents (80 beneficiary and 20 non beneficiary respondents) were surveyed. Ex post facto research design was used for the study. Both primary and secondary data were used. Collected data were scrutinized and statistically analyzed using statistical tools like t-test, Pearson’s correlation analysis and index analysis to draw valid conclusions. To measure the impact, six types of assets viz., human assets, physical assets, natural assets, social assets, financial assets and food security were considered. Result: Annual income earned from different sources, expenditure and saving of NSRLM beneficiary respondents found increase in comparison to non beneficiary respondents. The average assets value, average annual household income and average annual household expenditure per household of the beneficiary respondents were found comparatively greater than that of non-beneficiary respondents. Beneficiary respondents remained significantly better off than that of non-beneficiary respondents in all six types of asset creation. Some of the independent variables viz., age, income and expenditure were found positively and significantly associated with creation of human assets, financial asset and food security among the beneficiary respondents.

Analysis of Urban Residents' Consumption Behavior and Influencing Factors of Ecological Agricultural Products in the Post-Pandemic Era of COVID-19.

Based on consumer survey data in the post-pandemic era of COVID-19, a binary Logit model was used to analyze the consumers' consumption behavior and the influencing factors of ecological agricultural products in the post-pandemic era. The results showed that: family size, average annual household income, gender, and education level would not affect the consumers' behavior in purchasing ecological agricultural products after the pandemic; age and whether consumers have purchased agricultural products before had a significant negative impact on consumption behavior; the degree of consumers' skepticism about agricultural products in the market after the pandemic had a significant positive impact on their purchase behavior. According to the analysis results, it is proposed that: we should vigorously develop the connection between agricultural socialized service industry and large supermarkets, improve the online and offline sales model of ecological agricultural products, establish an ecological agricultural product service platform, and enhance the scientific and technological researches and their application to ecological agricultural products.