Average Family Income Research Articles

Relationship between shift work and overweight/obesity in male steel workers

Objective: To investigate the relationship between shift work and overweight/obesity in male steel workers. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among the male steel workers selected during health examination in Tangshan Steel Company from March 2015 to March 2016. The relationship between shift work and overweight/obesity in the male steel workers were analyzed by using logistic regression model and restricted cubic splinemodel. Results: A total of 7 262 male steel workers were surveyed, the overall prevalence of overweight/obesitywas 64.5% (4 686/7 262), the overweight rate was 34.3% and the obesity rate was 30.2%, respectively. After adjusting for age, educational level and average family income level per month by multivariable logistic regression analysis, shift work was associated with overweight/obesity and obesity in the male steel workers. The OR was 1.19(95% CI: 1.05-1.35) and 1.15(95% CI: 1.00-1.32). Restricted cubic spline model analysis showed that the relationship between shift work years and overweight/obesity in the male steel workers was a nonlinear dose response one (nonlinear test χ2=7.43, P<0.05). Restricted cubic spline model analysis showed that the relationship between shift work years and obesity in the male steel workers was a nonlinear dose response one (nonlinear test χ2=10.48, P<0.05). Conclusion: Shift work was associated with overweight and obesity in the male steel workers, and shift work years and overweight/obesity had a nonlinear relationship.

A survey of illness uncertainty and its influencing factors among family members of patients insurgical intensive care unit

Objective To investigate the level of illness uncertainty among family members of patients in surgical intensive care unit (ICU) and analyze its potential influencing factors based on Mishel's theory. Methods A sample of 260 family members were recruited from the surgical ICU during the period from September 2014 to June 2015. Illness uncertainty was assessed by the Mishel Uncertainty of Illness Scale-Family Member. General variables questionnaire, Social Support Rating Scale, Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire were also examined to explore the influencing factors. Results The score of illness uncertainty was (96.75±13.90 ) points in family member of patients in surgical ICU, at a high level. Multiply liner regression showed that social support (P=0.011), positive coping style (P=0.027) and average family income (P=0.033) were significant influencing factors of illness uncertainty. Conclusions The level of illness uncertainty is high among family members of patients in surgical ICU. There is a need for nurses to provide accessible social support and psychological intervention, help them cope with illness uncertainty positively. Key words: Intensive care unit; Family member; Illness uncertainty; Cope; Support

Socioeconomic Status and the Quality of Acute Stroke Care

The association of socioeconomic status (SES) with quality of stroke care is not well understood, and few studies have examined the association with different indicators of SES simultaneously. We assessed the impacts of low levels of education, occupation, and income on the quality of stroke care. We examined data from the China National Stroke Registry recording consecutive stroke patients between September 2007 and August 2008. Baseline low SES was measured using educational level <6 years, occupation as manual workers or no job, and average family income per capita at ≤¥1000 per month. Compliance with 11 performances was summarized in a composite score defined as the proportion of all needed care given. Poor quality of care was defined as having a composite score of 0.71 or less. Among 12 270 patients with ischemic stroke, 38.6% had <6 educational years, 37.6% had manual workers/no job, and 34.7% had income ≤¥1000 per month. There was an increased chance of receiving poor quality of care in patients with low education (adjusted odds ratio 1.15, 95% confidence interval 1.03-1.28), low occupation (adjusted odds ratio 1.16, 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.32), and low income (adjusted odds ratio 1.18, 95% confidence interval 1.06-1.30), respectively. People with low SES had poor performances on some aspects of care quality. Combined effects existed among these SES indicators; those with low SES from all 3 indicators had the poorest quality of care. There was a social gradient in the quality of stroke care. Continuous efforts of socioeconomic improvement will increase the quality of acute stroke care.

Neighbourhood-scale urban riparian ecosystem classification

Urban riparian ecosystems are now recognized as essential components in determining the vulnerability of nature and human systems to climate change, but still remains uncertainty concerning how to stratify and classify urban riparian landscapes into units of ecological significance at spatial scales appropriate for management. Ecosystem classification presents a tool that allows for quantifying the social and ecological processes of ecosystems so as to shape them into relatively homogeneous management objectives, and provides the potential of offering decision support to urban planners based on urban ecological principles. The purpose of this study is to explore and develop a framework for urban riparian ecosystem classification. The classification framework integrates 9 ecosystem components and 29 spatially-explicit variables that characterized by the biophysical landscape, built environment and human population. Then this framework is applied at the neighbourhood scale in Huangpu River basin, Shanghai city, China, employing hierarchical cluster analysis. The results of the ecosystem classification show that the riparian ecosystems in the Huangpu River could be grouped into three principal categories and these ecosystems are aligned along a gradient of increasing urbanization. We highlight the conservation and payment for riparian ecosystem services delivered in the upstream of Huangpu River, and revegetation and enhancement of riparian ecosystems in the more urbanized downstream area. We also find that riparian vegetation connectivity and coverage were negatively related to land use mix, built environment density, and economic wealth. In terms of riparian vegetation ecology, neighbourhood scale land use mix and built environment density are more influential than socioeconomic background (such as average family income and immigrant status).

Analysis of Large Mega Millions Rollovers

From May 17, 2002 to December 30, 2014, there were 1,318 Mega Millions drawings and 153 were winning drawings. In 148 out of 153 winning drawings, there was no winner(s) in the first drawing and the jackpot prize was rolled over and added to the next drawing. Since the Mega Millions does not have a rollover limit, this process continues until there is an eventual winning ticket. If there are no winners over a month, the jackpot prize will approach $100 million. As the jackpot prize approaches $100 million, significantly larger additional cash flows into the lottery. Based on the analysis of 29 large Mega Millions winning drawings (jackpot prize ≥ $100 million), we report the following findings. First, significantly larger additional money flows into the lottery as the jackpot prize gets larger, and over 90% of the additional cash inflow is spent on Mega Millions tickets. Second, for the entire sample there does not appear to be reallocating of funds taking place within lottery games. However, when total sales declines or changes in Mega Millions sales is greater than changes in total lottery sales, a small amount of money (less than $0.20 per capita) being transferred from Instant Games to Mega Millions appears to take place. Third, zip-codes with a higher average family income or residents with more years of schooling experience a significantly higher demand for Mega Millions tickets. In addition, as the percentage of white or Asian-Americans in an area increase, the demand for Mega Millions increases by a significant amount. Lastly, as the jackpot prize gets larger, lottery players from all income levels spend more money on Mega Millions, but over 80% of the additional money comes from consumers belonging to the upper-middle or higher income brackets.

Relation between University Life Adaptation and Future Aspiration of Art Majoring University Students

Background/Objectives: This study has purpose to investigate the relation between university life adaptation and future aspiration of art major university students. Methods/Statistical Analysis: Art major university students were selected as a population in which a total of 367 subjects were gathered with 122 dance majors, 87 music majors, and 158 design majors. Questionnaires were used as the investigation tool in this research as a purposive sampling method. Collected data were analyzed by exploratory factor analysis and reliability analysis, correlation analysis, one-way ANOVA, t-test, and multiple regression analysis. Findings: First, music majors showed higher difference between university life adaptation and future aspiration, university satisfaction, academic adaptation, and major job satisfaction aspiration than dance or design majors in which dance majors showed higher socioeconomic status aspiration than music majors or design majors. Also, higher family average income showed higher university satisfaction, academic adaptation, and socioeconomic status aspiration. Academic ability of fathers showed difference in academic adaptation. Students with fathers of academic ability of high school graduation or higher are showed higher academic adaptation than middle school graduation. Second, as a result of looking into the difference between university life adaptation and future aspiration according to participation in majors of art major university students. Generally, higher practice frequency showed higher academic adaptation, university satisfaction, and major job satisfaction aspiration. Third, academic adaptation showed to have positive influence on socioeconomic status aspiration. Academic adaptation and university satisfaction showed to have positive influence on job satisfaction aspiration of art majoring university students. Application/Improvements: The job of art majoring students already demand keen competition. Therefore this research is provided students majoring in art with new art field jobs and employments information.

The Use of Pesticides Chemicals in Fruits and Paddy Fields Sananrak Sub-District, Thanyaburi District, Pathumthani Province, Thailand

The study intended to analyze and explore the utilization of pesticides and chemicals through qualitative analysis in agricultural profession of Sananrak Sub-District, Thanyaburi District, Pathumthani Province. Local agriculturists’ are subjected to study their usage of pesticide chemicals, procedures and behaviors of Sananrak Sub-District by using qualitative method. A total of 18 farmers were selected to study their farming activities, lesson learnt brainstorming, observation and in-depth interviews.From results of the study it was found that majority of the farmers are males, aged between 40-49 and are graduated from primary education with average family income of more than 10,000 Baht per month. Thus, local farming community prefer to grow tangerines, rice, limes, guavas and papayas respectively. However, most of the farmers has 6-10 years of farming experience in the study area. It was found that abamectin is the most used insecticide amongst the other insecticides, which apply for tangerines, limes, guavas and paddy fields. On the other hand, they will use methamidophos insecticides in papayas field. And for herbicides, they will mostly use glyphosate and paraquat chemicals. (Metro Zone, Gramoxone).Behavior in using chemical, in general agriculturists choose to use chemicals by means of spray by using spray towing machine. Researchers found that when agriculturists apply for insecticides, they will use the spray type of pesticides and if some field areas are furrows, they will use tug boats in spraying insecticides. However, the agricultural farmers themselves choosing their chemical pesticides. This attitudes of farming community in the study area may leads local Thai-people to expose pesticide residues via food chain and consumption of local foods. Hence government of Thailand should promote the use of Bio- pesticides and fertilizers and subsidize the cost of Bio-pesticides to encourage the marginalized agricultural farmers.

Socioeconomic status and substance use among Swiss young men: a population-based cross-sectional study.

BackgroundSocioeconomic status (SES) is often inversely related to health outcomes and is likely to play a role in the use of psychoactive substances among young individuals, although little consensus exists on the association between SES and substance use.The purpose of the study was to determine the association of three SES indicators (perceived family income, education level of participants, and parental education level) with past year use of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, other illicit drugs and non-medical use of prescription drugs (NMPD) among Swiss young men.MethodsPopulation-based cross-sectional study of 5,702 men at mean age twenty. Associations between SES indicators and substance use were assessed with regression models adjusted for age and linguistic region.ResultsParticipants with average or below average perceived family income were less likely to report any use of alcohol (OR = O.75) but more likely to use tobacco daily (OR = 1.31) and cannabis weekly (OR = 1.27) compared to those with perceived above average family income.Participants whose parents had only achieved obligatory education were less likely to engage in any use of alcohol (OR = 0.30), monthly risky single occasion drinking (RSOD, defined as 6 or more drinks per occasion) (OR = 0.48), any use of cannabis (OR = 0.53) and other illicit drugs (OR = 0.58), whereas those whose parents had only achieved secondary education were less at risk of engaging in cannabis (OR = 0.66 for any use and OR = 0.77 for more than once a week use) and other illicit drugs (OR = 0.74) use, compared to those whose parents had achieved tertiary education. Compared to participants who completed secondary or tertiary education, those who completed only obligatory education reported a higher risk of tobacco (OR = 1.18 for any use, OR = 1.31 for daily use), cannabis (OR = 1.23 for any use, OR = 1.37 for more than once a week use), and other illicit drugs (OR = 1.48) use. No association was found between NMPD and the studied SES variables.ConclusionThe relationship between SES and substance use was complex in this sample. Higher socioeconomic status was associated with more alcohol and other illicit drugs use, while lower socioeconomic status was related to more tobacco use. Education level and perceived family income may have different impacts on substance use and may vary by substance.

Universality, correlations, and rankings in the Brazilian universities national admission examinations

We analyze the scores obtained by students who have taken the ENEM examination, The Brazilian High School National Examination which is used in the admission process at Brazilian universities. The average high schools scores from different disciplines are compared through the Pearson correlation coefficient. The results show a very large correlation between the performance in the different school subjects. Even though the students’ scores in the ENEM form a Gaussian due to the standardization, we show that the high schools’ scores form a bimodal distribution that cannot be used to evaluate and compare students performance over time. We also show that this high schools distribution reflects the correlation between school performance and the economic level (based on the average family income) of the students. The ENEM scores are compared with a Brazilian non standardized exam, the entrance examination from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. The analysis of the performance of the same individuals in both tests shows that the two tests not only select different abilities, but also lead to the admission of different sets of individuals. Our results indicate that standardized tests might be an interesting tool to compare performance of individuals over the years, but not of institutions.

Socioeconomic deprivation and mortality in people after ischemic stroke: The China National Stroke Registry.

Previous findings of the association between socioeconomic deprivation and mortality after ischemic stroke are inconsistent. There is a lack of data on the association with combined low education, occupational class, and income. We assessed the associations of three indicators with mortality. We examined data from the China National Stroke Registry, recording all stroke patients occurred between September 2007 and August 2008. Baseline socioeconomic deprivation was measured using low levels of education at <6 years, occupation as manual laboring, and average family income per capita at ≤¥1000 per month. A total of 12,246 patients with ischemic stroke were analyzed. In a 12-month follow-up 1640 patients died. After adjustment for age, sex, cardiovascular risk factors, severity of stroke, and prehospital medications, odds ratio for mortality in patients with low education was 1.25 (95%CI 1.05-1.48), manual laboring 1.37 (1.09-1.72), and low income 1.19 (1.03-1.37). Further adjustment for acute care and medications in and after hospital made no substantial changes in these odds ratios, except a marginal significant odds ratio for low income (1.15, 0.99-1.33). The odds ratio for low income was 1.27 (1.01-1.60) within patients with high education. Compared with no socioeconomic deprivation, the odds ratio in patients with socioeconomic deprivation determined by any one indicator was 1.33 (1.11-1.59), by any two indicators 1.36 (1.10-1.69), and by all three indicators 1.56 (1.23-1.97). There are significant inequalities in survival after ischemic stroke in China in terms of social and material forms of deprivation. General socioeconomic improvement, targeting groups at high risk of mortality is likely to reduce inequality in survival after stroke.

Socio-demographic Characteristics and Behavioural Risk Factors in Selected Tribal Community in Bangladesh

Tribal and minority populations are increasingly exposed to risk factors as a result of urbanization. The study was conducted in the Rakhain community in Cox's Bazar district, Bangladesh, with the aims of determining the socio-demographic characteristics and behavioural risk factors. This cross-sectional study was done among 287 Rakhain individuals. Data were collected by face to face interview using pretested structured questionnaire. More than one third respondents were from the age group of 35-44 years. Their mean age was 40.66 (±11.275) years. Majority of the respondents were male 148(52%), married 222(77.4%) and educated up to primary level 179(62.4%). The highest proportion 68(23.7%) of the respondents were housewife and day laborer and lowest were unemployed 26(9.1%). Their average monthly family income were 17874.56 (±7208.553) Taka. Statistically significant association were found between their smoking status and socio-demographic characteristics (p &lt;0.001). The high burden of behavioral risk factors in Rakhain community was observed in the present study.&#x0D; CBMJ 2016 January: Vol. 05 No. 01 P: 04-08

Brazilian immigrants' oral health literacy and participation in oral health care in Canada.

BackgroundInadequate functional health literacy is a common problem in immigrant populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between oral (dental) health literacy (OHL) and participation in oral health care among Brazilian immigrants in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.MethodsThe study used a cross-sectional design and a convenience sample of 101 Brazilian immigrants selected through the snowball sampling technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression modeling.ResultsMost of the sample had adequate OHL (83.1 %). Inadequate/marginal OHL was associated with not visiting a dentist in the preceding year (OR = 3.61; p = 0.04), not having a dentist as the primary source of dental information (OR = 5.55; p < 0.01), and not participating in shared dental treatment decision making (OR = 1.06; p = 0.05; OHL as a continuous variable) in multivariate logistic regressions controlling for covariates. A low average annual family income was associated with two indicators of poor participation in oral health care (i.e., not having visited a dentist in the previous year, and not having a dentist as regular source of dental information).ConclusionLimited OHL was linked to lower participation in the oral health care system and with barriers to using dental services among a sample of Brazilian immigrants. More effective knowledge transfer will be required to help specific groups of immigrants to better navigate the Canadian dental care system.

Associated factors related to first spermatorrhea and menarche among high and primary school students, in Chongqing

To understand the status and correlative factors on menarche and first spermatorrhea among children and adolescents, in Chongqing, in order to provide theoretical basis for carrying out sex and health education in this population. By random stratified and cluster sampling, 10 498 students (5 372 boys and 5 126 girls), 5 to 18 years old and living in Chongqing urban districts, were enrolled. General situation and physical features of the population were studied. Statistics analysis system included logistic regression methods, t-test and chi-square test. For urban kids, first experience of spermatorrhea was 0.218 years later than those living in the rural areas (Z=-73.287,P<0.001), but median age for girls in urban areas was 0.073 years earlier than in rural areas (Z=-71.589,P<0.001). Except for factor as mother's education level in the family (χ(2)=21.564, P<0.001), other family or environment related factors did not show significant difference between the two groups of boys (P>0.05). However, significant difference appeared in average family income (χ(2)=6.175,P=0.046) between two groups of girls. Data from the logistic analysis showed that BMI, hip circumference, height, weight, number of children in the family, time of sleep and the diet structure were associated with menarche. Correlative factors of boys' first spermatorrhea would include: high-energy snacks, hip circumference, weight, height, school type and mother' s education level (P<0.05). First spermatorrhea and menstruation of boys and girls were closely related to environment of the family, diet and the time of sleep.

On Application of E – Linmap Model for Optimal Decision Making on Location of VIP Fast Food Restaurant in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

In this paper, the extended LINMAP model developed in (Effanga and Okpara, 2015) is applied to make optimal decision on location of VIP fast food restaurant in Akwa State of Nigeria. The management of the VIP fast food restaurant considered extending their services to five towns (Uyo, Eket, Ikot Ekpene, Oron and Ikot Abasi) in Akwa Ibom State. The attributes considered in the evaluation of the locations are Population, Number of retail outlets, Average family income, Start-up cost, and Taxes. The solution of our model identifies Eket as the best town to operate the business followed by Ikot Abasi, Uyo, Oron and Ikot Ekpene.

Are Free Maternity Services Completely Free of Costs?

ObjectivesThe Government of Nepal revised free maternity health services, “Aama Surakshya Karyakram”, beginning at the start of Fiscal Year 2012/13, which specifies the services to be funded, the tariffs for reimbursement, and the system for claiming and reporting on free deliveries each month. This study was designed to investigate the amount of monetary expenditure incurred by families using apparently free maternity services. MethodsBetween August 2014 and December 2014, a hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Manipal Teaching Hospital and Western Regional Hospital. Nepalese women were not involved with family finances and had very little knowledge of income or expenditures. Therefore, face-to-face interviews with 384 postpartum mothers with their husbands or the head of the family household were conducted at the time of discharge by using a pre-tested semi-structural questionnaire. ResultsThe average monthly family income was 19,272.4 NRs (189.01 US$), the median duration of hospital stay was 4 days (range, 2−19 days), and the median patient expenditure was equivalent to 13% of annual family income. The average total visible cost was 3,887.07 NRs (38.1 US$). When the average total hidden cost of 27,288.5 NRs (267.6 US$) was added, then the average total maternity care expenditure was 31,175.6 NRs (305.76 US$), with an average cost per day of 7,167.5 NRs (70.29 US$). The mean patient expenditure on food and drink, clothes, transport, and medicine was equivalent to 53.07%, 9.8%. 7.3%, and 5.6% of the mean total maternity care expenditure, respectively. The earnings lost by respondent women, husbands, and heads of household were 5,963.7 NRs (58.4 US$), 7,429.3 NRs (72.9 US$), and 6,175.9 NRs (60.6 US$), respectively. ConclusionThe free maternity service in Nepal has high out-of-pocket expenditures, and did not represent a system completely free of costs. Therefore, arrangements should be made by hospitals free of cost to provide medicine that is not included as essential during the hospital stay and at discharge time. Similarly, arrangements for liquid, food, and hot water, as well as clothes for mothers and newborns, should be made by the hospital in order to enhance hospital attendance.

Prevalence study of compulsive buying in a sample with low individual monthly income

Compulsive buying can be characterized as an almost irresistible impulse to acquire various items. This is a current issue and the prevalence rate in the global population is around 5 to 8%. Some surveys indicate that the problem is growing in young and low-income populations. To evaluate the prevalence of compulsive buying among people with low personal monthly incomes and analyze relationships with socio-demographic data. The Compulsive Buying Scale was administered to screen for compulsive buying and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to assess anxiety and depression in a sample of 56 participants. Pearson coefficients were used to test for correlations. The results indicated that 44.6% presented an average family income equal to or greater than 2.76 minimum wages. It is possible that compulsive buying is not linked to the purchasing power since it was found in a low-income population. Despite the small sample, the results of this study are important for understanding the problem in question.

Economic, structural and socio‐psychological determinants of protests in Russia during 2011–2012

AbstractThis empirical analysis is based on the latent variable framework to identify key determinants of protests in Russia during 2011–2012. We derive logistic regressions from the revolution constraints based on economic (the political Kuznets Curve) and socio‐psychological (grievance) theories of protest. Our findings suggest a positive linear relationship between income and income inequality, contradicting the Kuznets curve. Our estimations show that inequality, share of the poor, the relation of the governor's family income to the average family income, distance to Moscow and accumulated human capital increase the risk of protest, whereas transfers and subsidies decrease these risks.

Farmers’ Changing Awareness of Environmental Protection in the Forest Tenure Reform in China

This study assesses changes in Chinese farmers’ environmental protection awareness caused by the recent forest tenure reform. Surveys and ridit analysis were conducted in five provinces and cities of China. Results show that the tenure reform improved farmers’ environmental protection awareness. This was measured through questionnaires by six topics: the awareness that forests help in protecting biodiversity, preventing soil erosion, air purification, acting as carbon sinks, supporting forest tourism, and protecting water resources. The most significant improvements in environmental awareness concern the biodiversity protection and air purification. Fully 81% of farmers report that the forest tenure reform has made them more aware of biodiversity protection. Awareness improvement is related to factors such as farmers’ educational level, average annual family incomes, places of residence, gender, and so on.

Avaliação de um programa de promoção de saúde bucal em creches públicas: Estudo longitudinal

Objective: To evaluate the oral health of children who participated in a preventive/educational program applied in eight years before. Methods: The study was conducted for 12 months in public day care centers. Children were located by telephone for clinical examinations (DMFT, caries white spot), dental erosion index (BEWE) and filling a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using chi-square and t-student tests, with 5% significance level. Results: 33 children with a mean age of 10.5±1.3 years were recovered, the majority being female (54.5%, n=18). Considering the caries activity in 2011, there was no statistically significant difference regarding age, sex, average family income, frequency of brushing per day and presence of cariogenic diet (p>0.05). The mean ±SD of CEO (2003) and DMFT (2011) was 1.97±2.37, there being statistical difference (p<0.05). For night hygiene, it was observed that most performed brushing before sleeping and had no dental caries in 2011 (73.7%, p=0.02). Considering the presence of dental erosion in permanent teeth, there was association with erosive diet (soft drinks and juices) (p=0.001). Conclusion: The preventive/education program performed in 2003 was effective, since most of children remains without tooth decay.

The effectiveness of interventions to improve access to and utilization of prenatal care: a systematic review protocol

The effectiveness of interventions to improve access to and utilization of prenatal care: a systematic review protocol