City Residents Research Articles

Distribution of pharmaceuticals in marine surface sediment and macroalgae (ulvophyceae) around Mombasa peri-urban creeks and Gazi Bay, Kenya.

Pollution in marine creeks has been increasing due to anthropogenic activities and has been a global concern. Limited research has been conducted on pharmaceuticals in marine sediment and macroalgae in African countries. In the present study, the levels of pharmaceuticals were assessed in surface sediment and different species of macroalgae (ulvophyceae; Cladophora sudanensis, Chaetomorpha crassa, Chaetomorpha indica, Enteromorpha kylinii, Ulva reticulate, Ulva lactuca and Cladophora sibugae) in Mombasa peri-urban creeks (Tudor, Makupa and Mtwapa creek) and Gazi bay during dry and wet seasons. The concentration of pharmaceuticals in the surface sediment during dry and wet seasons ranged between 0.04-686.8ng/g and 0.01-2580.6ng/g, respectively. The highest concentration of pharmaceuticals was observed in Tudor creek in dry and wet seasons, with a sum concentration of ∑1013ng/g and ∑3111ng/g, respectively. Gazi Bay was used as a reference environment for this study, and pharmaceuticals were detected in dry and wet seasons with a concentration of 0.10-686.8ng/g and 0.18-93.5ng/g, respectively. There was no seasonal variation in the pharmaceutical concentration during the dry and wet seasons. For macroalgae of ulvophyceae species, pharmaceutical concentration ranged below the detection limit (DL)-11059ng/g. Compared to surface sediment, macroalgae showed a high concentration of pharmaceuticals in Tudor, Makupa and Mtwapa creeks. Tetracycline was higher in sediment and macroalgae in all the creeks than other pharmaceutical compounds. A high concentration of pharmaceuticals confirms sewage effluent into the marine environment of Mombasa peri-urban creek. Pharmaceuticals (acetaminophen, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, carbamazepine and nevirapine) in sediment posed a medium (- 1 < Log10 RQ < 0) to higher risk (Log10 RQ > 0) to algae, invertebrates and fish in the dry and wet seasons. There is a need to sensitise the residents of coastal cities on the impact of sewage effluent into the marine environment and enact strict measures to limit the discharge of sewage effluents containing these contaminants into the marine environment. Nevertheless, it is recommended to conduct further research on the distribution of pharmaceuticals in the marine environment and the long-term combined impacts of these substances of these compounds on marine biota.

Unpacking the Chemistry of Urban Land Governance in Africa: In search of land governance

The purpose of the study was to interrogate the chemistry (best mix practices) and challenges (dilemmas) of urban land governance in Africa. We note that there is an increase in demand for good urban governance by city residents all over Africa. This paper briefly traces the current issues in the region in response to the growing quest for “good governance” in urban land affairs. The paper argues that the paradox of land management and distribution can no longer be taken for granted, given a series of land conflicts being handled every day. This study seeks to interrogate the urban land governance systems in Africa as is experienced in African countries and it then proposes the construction of an urban land governance framework that addresses African urban leadership and infrastructural challenges. An intensive desk review research was conducted by ploughing through various literature and empirical evidence from selected African countries. To complement literature findings (evidence) from secondary data, grey data and personal experiences in urban land governance, we conducted empirical studies in six countries namely Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Tanzania, Ethiopia and South Africa-part of the study triangulation efforts to validate already existing findings. Data were collected from 15 office holders in 8 Urban Councils and Land board chairpersons through questionnaires and face to face interviews. Besides, interviews were conducted with purposefully selected officeholders. The results of the data analysis were presented using mean, standard deviation, Pearson correlation, and logistic regression to see the relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variable. The major findings showed that the elements of good urban governance (participation, responsiveness, accountability, transparency, equity, and efficiency and effectiveness) are not practiced appropriately. The major challenges in good urban land governance included lack of resources, corruption, political interference and leadership incompetence.

Furry neighbours: Acceptability of feeding and managing free‐ranging dogs and cats in an urban area

Abstract There is an increasing interest in researching urban invasion. When invasive species establish and spread in urban areas, their management becomes particularly challenging given the influence of public presence and perceptions. Cultural, religious, and moral values play a crucial role in shaping public perceptions toward management strategies for invasive species. Free‐ranging dogs (FRDs) and free‐ranging cats (FRCs) are among the urban invasive species that bring health, safety, and wildlife conservation concerns. However, given their close relationship with people controlling their populations is challenging. We surveyed 500 residents of Karaj city in northern Iran to understand the behaviour of feeding FRDs and FRCs by people, as well as to uncover residents' acceptability of different control measures, focusing on culling FRDs and FRCs under different scenarios. We used generalized linear mixed models and cumulative link mixed models to address the issues of feeding FRDs and FRCs and acceptability of culling them respectively. We found that more than half of the respondents fed FRDs and FRCs (63% and 59%, respectively), and among those who fed FRDs and FRCs, 74.8% and 78.2% respectively used food leftovers from home to feed these animals. Furthermore, around half and one‐third of respondents provided FRDs and FRCs outside their neighbourhoods, respectively. We also found that the religious belief of dogs being ritually impure (Najis) was a significant predictor for both feeding and culling FRDs. People who held the belief that dogs are Najis were more inclined toward culling and less willing to feed FRDs. Moreover, we found polarized and conflicting views concerning culling in higher‐intensity scenarios involving attacks on people and disease spread. On the contrary, in less‐intense scenarios such as attacks on wildlife and population control in urban areas, most respondents disagreed with culling. In the end, we recommend (1) an improved waste management system for food residuals and leftovers that provide resources for FRDs and FRCs, (2) effective communication with pet‐owners to reduce feeding FRDs and FRCs and (3) bottom‐up de‐escalation of the conflict between polarized groups about culling FRDs and FRCs before it reaches to a destructive phase. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

A new STI in the city: MPOX in Barcelona. First outbreak (5/2022-5/2023) and subsequent resurgence.

In May 2022, after the suspension of the mobility restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first outbreak of MPOX virus, transmitted from human to human, was detected outside of Africa, affecting mostly sexually active men who have sex with men. Our aim is to report the first outbreak of MPOX in Barcelona city in the period from 5/2022 to 5/2023 and the subsequent surge of cases in 8/2023. We performed a descriptive study of all notified cases in city residents, obtained through epidemiological surveys. The analyses are presented for the hospitalized cases and the key population of men who have sex with men. Of 2037 notified cases, 82.6% were confirmed. The cumulative incidence in the general population was 1.03 (95%CI 1.00-1.06) per 1000 inhabitants and 2.13 (2.01-2.17) per 1000 in men. Men were older than women, with a median age of 37 years (interquartile range 31-43). While 84.5% of men reported having sex with partners of the same gender, 70.9% of women only reported sex with partners of the opposite gender. Complications occurred in 4.1% of infected persons, 1.6% required hospitalization, and no deaths were registered. Georeferencing was highly associated with gay venues. Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) accounted for most cases and severe cases, and were associated with attending public sex venues and not providing contact tracing information. Digital and printed prevention campaign materials were developed for GBMSM. The 2022 MPOX outbreak posed a major challenge to surveillance and sexual health services worldwide. With new cases and re-infections on the rise, MPOX may become a regular infection to be incorporated in STI testing and management guidelines. Barcelona has some characteristics that may facilitate the occurrence and spread of emergencies related to sexual health.

When aging meets digitisation: can urban digital technology innovations enhance the well-being of older adults?

Introduction. With the rapid advancement of urban digital transformation in China, the significance of innovation in urban digital technology has become increasingly pronounced in the lives of elderly individuals. However, existing research on its impact remains limited. This study investigates the profound influence of urban digital technology innovation on the well-being of elderly people in Chinese cities, elucidating key mechanisms and moderating factors. Method. This study collected data on 1,317,694 digital technology innovation patents in urban areas, the level of urban digital transformation, and factors such as social support and well-being among elderly residents in Chinese cities. Empirical analysis was conducted using an OLS mixed-effects model, yielding compelling and convincing results. Results. Urban digital technology innovation significantly and positively affects the well-being of elderly individuals. The widespread adoption of digital technology broadens the horizons of the elderly, providing increased opportunities for social interaction, knowledge acquisition and health management. Furthermore, we identify urban digital transformation as a mediating factor between urban digital technology innovation and the well-being of elderly individuals. Crucial elements in this mediation encompass the establishment of a digital society, efficient digital governance, and robust digital infrastructure. Intriguingly, social support, serving as a moderating variable, influences the extent to which urban digital technology innovation affects the well-being of elderly individuals. Conclusion. Our study highlights the crucial role of urban digital innovation in enhancing elderly well-being. It offers valuable insights for policymakers to promote digital inclusion, social support, and sustainable urban development strategies that benefit older adults.

CHALLENGES OF NATIONAL RECONCILIATION IN ETHIOPIA: REFLECTIONS ON ETHIOPIA’S CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION, NATIONAL COHESION AND PEACE BUILDING

Ethiopia has been struggling to achieve national reconciliation, conflict transformation, and peace-building since the 1974 revolution and regime changes in 1991 and 2018. Past Ethiopian governments have not given enough attention to reconciliation efforts, despite the urge for it and attempt to establish a reconciliation commission. The study in this article looks at the challenges facing national reconciliation, conflict transformation, social cohesion, and peace-building in contemporary Ethiopia. The researcher used interviews with key informants and qualitatively designed surveys with 165 randomly selected residents of Addis Ababa, Adama, and Mekelle cities. Analysis of documents, literature, research articles, and social media platforms helped to highlight various challenges, including historical context, political and constitutional issues, competing nationalisms, social factors, national identity conflicts, economic disparities, media influence, lack of civil society involvement, the spoiling role of the Ethiopian diaspora, and external pressures. The study recommends a strong political commitment and a comprehensive peace-building strategy involving all Ethiopian elites to achieve lasting political reconciliation, unity, and peace in the country through an elite based negotiated political settlement.

Optimization of Urban Fire Emergency Resource Allocation Based on Pre-Allocated Swarm Algorithm

As a high-frequency disaster with potentially devastating consequences, urban fires not only threaten the lives of city residents but can also lead to severe property losses, especially for hazardous chemical leaking scenarios. Quick and scientific decision-making regarding resource allocation during urban fire emergency responses is crucial for reducing disaster damages. Based on several key factors such as the number of trapped individuals and hazardous chemical leaks during the early stages of an incident, an emergency weight system for resource allocation is proposed to effectively address complex situations. In addition, a multi-objective optimization model is built to achieve the shortest response time for emergency rescue teams and the lowest cost for material transportation. Additionally, a pre-allocated bee swarm algorithm is introduced to mitigate the issue of local incident points being unable to participate in rescue due to low weights, and a comparison of traditional genetic algorithms and particle swarm optimization algorithms is conducted. Experiments conducted in a virtual urban fire scenario validate the effectiveness of the proposed model. The results demonstrate that the proposed model can effectively achieve the dual goals of minimizing transportation time and costs. Furthermore, the bee swarm algorithm exhibits advantages in convergence speed, allowing for the faster identification of ideal solutions, thereby providing a scientific basis for the rapid allocation of resources in urban fire emergency rescues.

FIRE PREVENTION AND HANDLING TRAINING FOR RESIDENTS OF BATU MERAH VILLAGE, SIRIMAU DISTRICT, AMBON CITY

Fires can occur unexpectedly, even if you have been careful to use appliances that produce fires in the house, some of the sources of fire are electrical short circuits, gas stoves, burning garbage, cigarette butts and candles when the lights go out. The purpose of the training in community service is to provide knowledge about the causes of fires and their preventive measures. Participants involved in the training included students of the Public Health Department of STIKes Maluku Husada, Instructors from the Ambon City Fire Service Tribe and residents of Batu Merah Village, Sirimau District, Ambon City. Training techniques with material presentation, practice and review of results. The implementation method is by identifying problems that occur in objects, determining the priority scale of improvement and providing problem solving and feedback in the form of result evaluation. The implementation of training can provide knowledge about the factors that cause fires at home, so that it can encourage public awareness of the importance of preventive measures to avoid fires. The conclusion of the training in community service is that it can provide knowledge about the factors that cause fires and know preventive measures to minimize the occurrence of fires and can encourage concern in fire prevention in the community.

Characteristics of Elevated PM2.5 Events Driven by Enhanced Organic Compound Concentrations in a South Korean Residential City

Characteristics of Elevated PM2.5 Events Driven by Enhanced Organic Compound Concentrations in a South Korean Residential City

Asymptomatic Malaria Infection and Hidden Parasitic Burden in Gabonese Schoolchildren: Unveiling Silent Co-Infections in Rural and Urban Settings.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of co-infection with malaria and intestinal parasites and assess its association with anemia in school-aged children from rural and urban settlements in Gabon. This cross-sectional study involved afebrile school children recruited at schools between May and June 2021. Blood and stool samples were collected from participants whose parents or legal guardians provided informed consent to participate in the study. Hemoglobin concentration (Hb) was measured using a HemoCue photometer (HemoCue 201, HemoCue, Angelholm, Sweden). Giemsa-stained blood films were examined to detect malaria parasites and any filarial infections, while the merthiolate-iodine concentration (MIC) method was used to identify intestinal parasitic infections (IPI). A total of four hundred and seventy (470) school-aged children were successfully enrolled in this study. The observed prevalence values were as follows: malaria infection at 69.6%, IPIs at 19.1%, filaria at 5.1%, Schistosoma infection at 15.0%, and anemia at 29.0%. Co-infections of malaria with IPIs, filaria, and Schistosoma were present in 12.3%, 4.7%, and 6.6% of the children, respectively. Malaria and filaria infections were associated with residing in Lastourville city (p < 0.05) and were also correlated with age (p < 0.05), whereas IPIs were associated with male gender and living in the city of Lastourville. Anemia was linked to malaria infection (p < 0.05) and was more prevalent among children living in rural areas. The findings of this study indicate that malaria, IPIs, and Schistosoma infections continue to pose a significant public health problem in the study area, even though only malaria infection appeared to be associated with anemia. Nevertheless, these results highlight the need for implementing control measures to reduce the prevalence of malaria, IPIs, filaria, and Schistosoma, particularly in Lastourville.

Climate resilient urban regeneration and SDG 11 – stakeholders’ view on pathways and digital infrastructures

ABSTRACT Urban areas grapple with escalating challenges due to climate change, rapid urbanisation, and shifting demographics. Collaborative efforts and innovative applications of big earth data analytics and digital infrastructures are imperative in tackling the issues facing cities and advancing SDG 11. Modernising urban infrastructure is essential, coupled with a focus on people-centric urban regeneration to enhance the well-being of city residents. Urban resilience, encompassing diverse social, economic, environmental, and governance facets, lies at the core of this mission. A resilient city can endure and recover from disruptions, be they natural disasters or human-made crises. Stakeholder engagement, bridging top-down and bottom-up approaches, is pivotal in fostering the use of earth data to promote sustainability and urban resilience. A literature review and on-going research underscores digital infrastructure's potential in fortifying resilient, sustainable cities. Insights from an international forum on ‘Digital Infrastructure for Climate Resilience’ held in Melbourne, Australia in 2023 inform this perspective. Big earth data analytics combined with Urban Digital Twin technologies, emerge as potent tools for urban stakeholders and decision-makers. Despite challenges, opportunities abound to leverage data and digital platforms to bolster sustainable urban development. Effective leadership, government regulations, standards, and cross-sector collaboration are essential for realising this potential.

RELATIONSHIP OF THE MEDIA IMAGE OF THE CITY WITH THE IMAGE AND BRAND OF THE TERRITORY IN THE REGIONAL MEDIA

The media image changes all year round, it is formed due to many factors. The proposed work considers the concepts of brand and image of the region’s territory. The process of image and brand formation, their components and the difference between the two concepts. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate and analyze the relationship of the city’s media image with the image and brand in regional media. The article provides a review of the literature on the topic of the study: brand creation strategies, brand objectives in the territorial aspect and the algorithm for its construction are considered. The relationship of the city’s media image in the media with the brand and image is analyzed. The author focuses on the factors influencing the image in the media: residents, comments, ratings, etc. The article analyzes four communities in the VKontakte social network: “Chelyabinsk memes for every day”, “Our Chelyabinsk”, “Channel 31”, “1obl.ru | Chelyabinsk News”. The article examines what city residents and authors of posts pay attention to, what materials receive the most feedback, where, how and with the help of what the region’s media image is formed in the social network. The author of the article comes to the conclusion that both concepts complement each other and are directly related to the media and the city’s media image. Residents and authors of communities also have a direct influence on the media image, since it is with their help that the region’s image is directly transmitted in the media space. The brand and image of the territory, their development contribute to the improvement of the overall media image, competitiveness with other regions and the attraction of tourists.

The Freimann Square in Frankfurt am Main: Honoring Therese and Aron Freimann

This essay describes the lifelong achievements of Therese and Aron Freimann and the naming of the public square adjacent to the Frankfurt University Library after the couple. Therese Freimann (1882–1965) was a social activist whose initiatives benefited the residents of Frankfurt am Main and later New York City. Aron Freimann (1871–1948) was a renowned Wissenschaft des Judentums scholar and bibliographer whose work enabled and advanced the development of modern Jewish studies. His 1932 Judaica Catalogue of the Frankfurt Library collection played a key role in the survival of the collection during the Nazi era.

IMPLEMENTASI KEBIJAKAN BEASISWA PEMUDA TANGGUH DALAM MENDORONG PENINGKATAN KUALITAS PENDIDIKAN

This research aims to determine how the Resilient Pemuda Tangguh Scholarship policy is implemented to encourage improvements in the quality of education, especially expanding access to education for Surabaya City residents from underprivileged family backgrounds. Qualitative methods with primary and secondary data were applied in this research. Primary data was obtained from interviews, observation and documentation. Meanwhile, secondary data was obtained from other research documents, documents from related agencies, and online news related to the Resilient Pemuda Tangguh Scholarship. After the data is collected, analysis is carried out through data reduction, data display, and inference/verification stages. The informants used by researchers include students from schools who have not submitted monthly reports for the last three months, and staff of the Sub-Coordinator of Public Welfare as the party responsible for the Resilient Pemuda Tangguh Scholarship policy. Based on the analysis of Smith's four theoretical variables, namely ideal policy, target group, implementing organization, and environmental factors, this policy is considered successful in improving the quality of education for underprivileged families, although there are still 1,800 participants who do not submit monthly reports due to lack of awareness of this obligation.

Prerequisites Involving Information and Educational Activities to Promote a Healthy Lifestyle for Muscovites: Sociological Analysis

Introduction. In the context of urbanization, it seems appropriate to improve the infrastructure for information and educational initiatives aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle among city residents. To implement city policies focused on health preservation, it is necessary to study the prerequisites that contribute to the formation of a healthy lifestyle.The purpose of the study was to identify the prerequisites for improving the infrastructure of information and educational activities to promote a healthy lifestyle for Moscow residents.Materials and methods. The research employed a comprehensive design that integrated quantitative and qualitative research methods. The analysis included: 1) media analysis of social media content from 2019 to 2024; 2) the results of the “Moscow is a healthy city” survey conducted by VCIOM in 2018; 3) a pilot questionnaire survey of Muscovites conducted by the author of the article (762 respondents); 4) interview materials collected by the author of the article (6 experts knowledgeable about health preservation in Moscow).Results. The study showed an increase in the number and diversity of the relevant subjects. It was revealed that the topic of health preservation is covered not only in specialized media but also in mainstream news or those focusing on other topics that are not directly related to health. However, media content presents both a positive description of events related to the health of Moscow residents and a negative one, reflecting the causes of health deterioration. It was revealed that Muscovites receive the necessary information about health preservation only when they have already become patients of Moscow clinics or clients of social services.Conclusion. Moving forward, Moscow authorities should pay closer attention to targeted preventive educational work with citizens before they face severe health problems and seek help from medical and social organizations.

Development of the Information and Network Environment and Deviant Behaviour: Cybercrime as a New Social Threat

The presented article considers the problem of new digital threats. The study focuses on the main trends in the development of cybercrime in Russia and its specific country features. The authors' analysis of statistical data from various departments (the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Prosecutor General's Office, Roskomnadzor) on the state and structure of crime showed that cybercrime in Russia has increased significantly in recent years, especially in the field of telecommunications and computer information. The most common types of cybercrime in Russian society are identified and analysed - various types of fraud and theft committed using information and communication technologies. For the empirical basis of the study the data of an online survey of the urban working-age population (18-60 years old), conducted by employees of the Sector of Sociology of Deviant Behaviour of the Institute of Sociology of FCTAS RAS using a multi-stage quota sample (March-May 2024) is used. The attitude of city residents to various types of digital crime was assessed. It was found that many respondents consider the probability of becoming a victim of cyber fraud to be high, especially with regard to the illegal use of personal data and hacking of email. It was found that the number of respondents who fear becoming a victim of cyber-crime increases with age. At the same time, these fears decrease in the oldest age groups. The level of education is also an important differentiating factor in relation to encountering cyber threats - the higher its level, the more often respondents have experience of encountering cyber crime. A survey of experts was conducted to identify the key features of cyber-crime in Russia. Specialists from various fields were involved in the examination - from deviant researchers to practitioners involved in information security and with experience in working with cyber-crime. Their forecast for the coming years is disappointing - a further increase in cyber-crime is expected, the complexity of the techniques used, including the use of artificial intelligence, and therefore the development of specialised security solutions is necessary. It is shown that the main factors in the growth of cybercrime in Russia are its dual nature, manifested in simultaneous organisational complexity and structure, on the one hand, and flexibility and adaptability, on the other. In addition, cybercrime exacerbates an important social problem - growing digital inequality. Thus, cyber-crime in Russia poses a serious threat that requires a comprehensive approach and coordinated efforts at all levels of society to effectively suppress it.

Urban Spaces that Promote Reduction of Body Mass Index of Residents

In modern society, the issue of excess weight is becoming increasingly important. The growing number of people suffering from obesity is a growing concern among specialists as well as among the general population. Therefore, closer attention is paid to various approaches and measures aimed at increasing the level of physical activity, thereby preventing overweight and obesity. It can be assumed that urban infrastructure and transportation play a significant role in this process, and since environmental factors are largely modifiable, they seem to be promising means for solving the problem.This study aimed to analyze scientific data related to urban space planning on obesity incidence and to identify key recommendations for environmental planning that promotes obesity management.An analysis of international practices showed that effective urban design —such as transitioning from sprawling cities to more compact communities—can enhance physical activity levels and reduce air and noise pollution, potentially leading to lover obesity rates among city residents. Such methods of urban infrastructure management as sustainable transportation (shifting from car to public and active transport), improvement of walking areas, creation of green spaces and water spaces, traffic safety and availability of healthy food could encourage healthier lifestyle and significantly reduce obesity prevalence. An important aspect of this planning is the involvement of specialists of various profiles, as well as participation of citizens in the project development phase.

‘You fine an industry, then return the funding to them’: State‐facilitated corporate crime and Colorado's Suncor Oil Refinery

AbstractIn Commerce City, Colorado, residents contend with multiple environmental hazards and live in the most polluted zip code in the US. Perhaps no source of environmental harm is more visible than the imposing, aging Suncor Oil Refinery. The refinery dominates entire city blocks and residents' daily lives. Since 2005, the refinery has been cited for over nearly 60 environmental and safety violations. Despite this, it continues operating with minor penalties, exemplifying how the state's neoliberalized regulatory approaches prioritize corporate profit over social–environmental protections. We examine how the Suncor Oil Refinery creates harmful environmental injustices, representing a significant instance of state‐facilitated corporate crime, as the state leaves the industry to self‐regulate and violate (or operate without) permits. Bridging green criminology and environmental justice literatures, our findings emphasize the importance of recognizing state‐facilitated corporate crime as a key driver of environmental injustice. Drawing on interviews with 53 community members, educators, and elected officials, this study provides firsthand accounts of the detrimental effects of the refinery's operations on nearby residents and documents their lived experiences of environmental injustice. Our findings illustrate harmful impacts of state‐facilitated corporate crime and contribute to scant research examining people's experiences of harm from living or working near oil refineries.

ASSESSMENT OF ORAL HEALTHRELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN PERIODONTITIS

Purpose of the study. Study of the quality of life of patients with periodontitis of varying severity. Material and methods of the study. 200 residents of Baku city with periodontal diseases took part in the study The quality of life indicators were studied according to the Nottingham Health Profile system, which includes the following parameters: vigour, pain, emotional reactions, sleep, social isolation, physical activity and health status. Additionally, a special questionnaire was used for the subjective assessment of oral health, including the following aspects: bleeding gums, breath odour (halitosis), tooth mobility, gum pain, tooth hypersensitivity, changes in tooth position and plaque. Results. The mean score for the general assessment of quality of life (QoL) among patients with mild, moderate, and severe periodontitis was 4.4±0.69, 7.4±1.25, and 23.2±1.791, respectively. The highest score, exceeding 30 points, was observed in patients with severe periodontitis. The most pronounced effects were observed in the domains of pain, physical activity, and health status. The items vitality and social isolation were less affected. The total score for oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) as assessed by patients was 3.85±0.192 for mild periodontitis, 5.63±0.190 for moderate periodontitis and 11.43±0.499 for severe periodontitis. Comparatively elevated scores were observed in patients with severe periodontitis. The highest mean scores were observed for items such as bleeding, tooth mobility, tooth hypersensitivity and plaque. Conclusions. As the degree of periodontitis worsened and the QoL worsened also. This was particularly reflected in such indicators as pain, physical activity, health status and sleep. Assessment of oral health-related QoL is necessary to determine the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving and maintaining health. The results of the self-assessment study can be used to determine patients’ subjective perceptions of the impact of periodontal disease on oral health.

The Seen and Unseen: Visitors of the “Rescue Hangar”

The article discusses a field study of the “Rescue Hangar” — a day care center in Moscow, where people in need can get low-threshold help. The article illustrates how the “Hangar” is integrated into the urban environment and what this proximity means for both its visitors and for the people who live and work in the area. The main feature of the “Hangar’s” location and its visitors in this area is invisibility — existing outside the field of view and attention of local residents. The article describes three reasons for this invisibility: the appearance of the visitors, which is not significantly different from that of other passersby; the limited number of potential “meeting points” between the “Hangar’s” visitors and local residents; and the “Hangar’s” hidden location, which is in a space cut off from its surroundings and is not perceived as either a place of assistance or a dangerous area. These three factors are both a drawback and an advantage of the “Hangar”. It is hidden both from the eyes of those who live and work nearby and from those who come seeking help. On the one hand, this makes it harder for people to access assistance, and on the other hand, it prevents city residents from forming any preconceived notions about what a place that helps the homeless looks like or what the homeless themselves look like. This ultimately has a positive effect on the organization’s work but may possibly reinforce the stigmatization of homeless people throughout the city.