Civilian Population Research Articles

The effect of hopanthenic acid on the development of cognitive disorders in patients with a mine blast injury

Background. In the conditions of hostilities in Ukraine, the number of victims ofmine- explosive injuries among both the military and the civilian population is increasing. These injuries lead to serious damage to the organs and body systems, as well as to the development of various psychological disorders, such as cognitive disorders. The purpose of this paper is to study and correct cognitive disorders in patients with brain concussion due to a mine-explosive injury, using the calcium salt of hopantenic acid. Materials and Methods. For this, the patients underwent the Montreal scale of cognitive function assessment (MoCA), the short mental status assessment scale (MMSE), word encryption tests, and word recall tests. Results. The study was conducted three times, immediately after the injury, and 14 and 21 days later. In the course of the study, it was found that therapy with the calcium salt of hopantenic acid significantly improved neuropsychological indicators (increase in the total MMSE score) and reduced the patient’s cognitive deficit, improved concentration and short-term memory. Conclusions. Thus, the hopantenic acid effectively reduces cognitive impairment in patients with brain concussion due to a mine-explosive injury and is recommended for the treatment of this group of patients.

Participation of military logistics services in the provision of food in Warsaw in september 1939

The fighting in September 1939 has been the subject of a large body of historical literature. Nevertheless, due to the scattered and incomplete source base, many issues require further research and a deeper, broader treatment. This is all the more important because the course of contemporary conflicts, including the ongoing war in Ukraine with the Russian Federation, shows the recurring nature of many experiences in military history. On the basis of a historical analysis of unknown and hitherto unused accounts from the Polish Central Military Archives (PCMA), the Archives of the Polish Institute and the General Sikorski Museum, the Pilsudski Institute in London, supplemented by documents from the PCMA and the literature on the subject, the authors’ goal is to show the crucial problems of food supply for troops fighting in the defense of Warsaw in September 1939. As a research hypothesis, they assumed that despite the planning, organisational, formal and practical difficulties, it was mainly thanks to the initiative and resourcefulness of some officers of various levels and various supply branch structures that the initial chaos was eventually brought under control and food was provided to the fighting troops until the end of the struggle for the Polish capital. This, in turn, had a not insignificant impact on sustaining the high morale and fighting ability of individual units and subdivisions, as well as the civilian population encouraged by German propaganda to leave the city in exchange for - as the invaders put it - freedom and food.

Worry differentially mediates posttraumatic cognition and posttraumatic stress symptom relationships among veterans seeking treatment associated with military sexual trauma.

Research has established negative posttraumatic cognitions (NPC) affect the development and course of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) following trauma exposure (L. A. Brown et al., 2019). Previous studies in civilian and combat veteran populations also suggest positive associations among worry, NPC (Beck et al., 2004; Bennett et al., 2009), and PTSS (Fergus & Bardeen, 2017). However, little research has investigated the prevalence of worry in veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST), and no research has examined the role of worry in the relation between NPC and PTSS among veterans seeking treatment associated with MST. This project examined the prevalence of worry in a MST sample and whether worry mediated NPC-PTSS associations. Veterans (N = 91) seeking MST-related treatment presented to a Veterans Affairs Posttraumatic Stress Disorder specialty clinic for assessment and treatment recommendations. Veterans completed questionnaires assessing NPC, worry, and PTSS. Bootstrapped mediation analyses examined NPC-PTSS associations. Veterans reported similar levels of worry as nonveterans seeking treatment associated with generalized anxiety disorder. Mediation analyses showed worry significantly mediated NPC-PTSS relationships for beliefs about the world, self-blame, and coping competence but not for beliefs about the self or global NPC severity. Further, the degree of mediation differed by NPC type. Though a limitation of this study is the use of cross-sectional data, these results inform the use of clinical intervention strategies targeting worry in trauma-focused interventions and necessitate further research on whether trauma-focused interventions ameliorate co-occurring worry among veterans exposed to MST. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Accurate Detection of G-Series Agent Simulants by Pseudo-Multiple Reaction Monitoring on Miniature LIT-MS.

Rapid and accurate on-site detection of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) could defend military and civilian populations against current and emerging chemical weapons. With the development of ambient ionization and linear ion trap technology, the rapid and accurate quantitative determination method of CWAs based on direct ionization and multistage mass spectrometry has attracted widespread attention. In this study, a microliter electrospray ionization-miniature linear ion trap mass spectrometry (LIT-MS) instrument was designed and constructed, and the effects of quadrupole enhanced dipole resonance excitation on the resolution and sensitivity were investigated; consequently, the parameters of CWAs detection were optimized. Based on the broad time-frequency ion excitation technology, accurate multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) quantitative analysis of DMMP (G-series agent simulants, m/z 125 → m/z 93) was obtained. The linear correlation coefficient in the concentration range of 1 to 20 μg/mL could reach 99.02%, and the relative standard deviations (RSD) of continuous repeatability, interday repeatability, and intraday repeatability were all less than 10%. The results showed that the accurate pseudo-MRM detection method based on miniature linear ion trap mass spectrometry for CWAs detection was feasible.

Don't Overlook Syphilis: An Atypical Rash in a Woman With Neurologic, Ocular, and Otic Involvement.

The manifestations of syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection caused by Treponema pallidum, can be divided into primary, secondary, or tertiary stages. In addition, syphilis can cause a latent infection with no clinical manifestations and be diagnosed solely by serologic testing. Secondary syphilis is especially known for causing a rash and diverse clinical manifestation which can make its diagnosis challenging-particularly in patients whose medical and sexual histories do not align with the classical epidemiologic and textbook description of secondary syphilis. We present a case of a 20-year-old immunocompetent heterosexual woman who presented with a rash atypical for secondary syphilis and accompanied by neurologic, ocular, and otic manifestations. This case highlights the importance of considering syphilis in the differential diagnosis of sexually active patients with a rash, even when their clinical presentations do not align with the textbook description of a syphilitic rash. Health care providers must remain vigilant for the diagnosis of syphilis in diverse clinical contexts, as early recognition and treatment are vital to prevent further syphilitic complications and transmission in military and civilian populations. Timely identification and intervention are crucial for both patient care and public health.

In utero exposure to violence and child health in Iraq

This paper examines the impact of exposure to violence during pregnancy on anthropometric and cognitive outcomes of children in the medium run. I combine detailed household-level data on more than 36,000 children with geo-coded information on civilian casualties in the aftermath of the US invasion of Iraq between 2003 and 2009 and exploit within-mother differences in prenatal exposure to violence. I find that one violent incident during pregnancy decreases height- and weight-for-age z-scores by 0.13 standard deviations and lowers cognitive and behavioral skills of children. Leveraging information on the severity, type and perpetrator of violence, I isolate the effect of stress from access to prenatal care. The analysis reveals that stressful events, particularly those involving direct threats to personal safety (violence directed at the civilian population and involving execution and torture), exert an even larger negative impact on child health than those incidents that disrupt health infrastructure and access to prenatal care.

THE IMAGE OF THE ENEMY IN SOVIET PROPAGANDA DURING THE TURNING POINT OF THE STRUGGLE AGAINST FASCISM (June 1942 – August 1943)

The article examines the problems of the enemy image evolution during the turning point of the struggle of the Soviet people against fascism. The most important aspects of the ideological struggle between Germany and the Soviet Union in June 1942 – August 1943 are studied. The reasons for the transformation of the enemy’s image are substantiated based on the analysis of the wartime events that took place. The relevance of this issue is determined primarily by the importance of preserving the memory of the Great Patriotic War, in which knowledge about the enemy played a decisive role. This victorious experience can help to counteract the resurgence of the Nazi ideas in the modern world. Thanks to deep and comprehensive studying the mechanism of military patriotic propaganda and the introducing new technologies into it, the tasks of preserving identity and developing our society were solved. Currently, these historical processes will help to broaden the horizons and develop moral and patriotic values in modern youth. The purpose of the article is to consider the transformation of the enemy image the during the radical turning point in the Great Patriotic War in June 1942 – August 1943 in order to identify the most characteristic features of its depiction in various materials of Soviet patriotic propaganda. Materials and methods. The methodological basis of this research is both general scientific and special historical principles and methods of cognition, including the principles of historicism, objectivity and consistency, as well as a set of methods that made it possible to conduct a comprehensive analysis of archival and other research sources, including historical-genetic, historical-typological, historical-systemic and others. The work is based on archival documents and periodical materials. Study results. The most important circumstances of this period are noted, which played a decisive role in the development of the enemy image in the Soviet propaganda. The article presents the most characteristic features of the enemy’s image created by the Soviet propaganda. The article examines the changes in German propaganda among the population of the occupied territories. A comparative analysis of the activities performed by propagandists of the Nazi Germany and the USSR is carried out. The author provides examples of creating the enemy image based on the study of documentary sources, embodied in works of literature and art. The metaphorical image of the enemy reflected in the Soviet propaganda is revealed based on the study of archival materials and periodicals. At this, the importance of naturalistic description of the crimes committed by the fascists against the civilian population of the occupied territories is assessed in order to present the true face of the invaders and mobilize the society to fight the enemy. The issues of the legitimacy of the power of the warring parties are revealed. Conclusions. During this crucial period of the Great Patriotic War, significant changes are taking place in the image of the enemy. The original image of an inhuman, bestial enemy enslaving more and more lands, after the defeats suffered by the German army, is transformed into a caricature of a defeated cowardly enemy. The enemy is still strong, cruel and insidious, but the image of the defeated enemy is becoming dominant in the works of the Soviet propaganda and in public mind. The inevitability of victory becomes the dominant leitmotif in the Soviet propaganda and the enemy in the images created by propaganda should cause a feeling of disgust. Naturalization of the submitting the information about crimes committed by fascists and their accomplices becomes an important factor. It is referred to the development of a counter-propaganda system that convinces people that an inhuman enemy who kills women and children cannot be trusted. The images created in Soviet propaganda works achieved their goal and were firmly rooted in the public consciousness.

A Generalizable Theory-Driven Agent-Based Framework to Study Conflict-Induced Forced Migration

Large-scale population displacements arising from conflict-induced forced migration generate uncertainty and introduce several policy challenges. Addressing these concerns requires an interdisciplinary approach that integrates knowledge from both computational modeling and social sciences. We propose a generalized computational agent-based modeling framework grounded by Theory of Planned Behavior to model conflict-induced migration outflows within Ukraine during the start of that conflict in 2022. Existing migration modeling frameworks that attempt to address policy implications primarily focus on destination while leaving absent a generalized computational framework grounded by social theory focused on the conflict-induced region. We propose an agent-based framework utilizing a spatiotemporal gravity model and a Bi-threshold model over a Graph Dynamical System to update migration status of agents in conflict-induced regions at fine temporal and spatial granularity. This approach significantly outperforms previous work when examining the case of Russian invasion in Ukraine. Policy implications of the proposed framework are demonstrated by modeling the migration behavior of Ukrainian civilians attempting to flee from regions encircled by Russian forces. We also showcase the generalizability of the model by simulating a past conflict in Burundi, an alternative conflict setting. Results demonstrate the utility of the framework for assessing conflict-induced migration in varied settings as well as identifying vulnerable civilian populations.

IMPACT OF THE WAR IN THE BETWEEN RUSSIA AND UKRAINE 2014-2024 PERIOD ON THE MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL STATE OF STUDENTS

The military conflict in Ukraine became a serious test for our country and its population, marking the beginning in 2014 after the annexation of Crimea by Russia and the events in the east of Ukraine. Donetsk and Luhansk became centers of armed conflicts with illegal armed formations.
 In 2022, the situation only worsened, when the aggressor country launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, deepening the humanitarian crisis and increasing the scale of the disaster.
 The duration of this military conflict is already almost 10 years, during this period it led to significant human losses, covering both the civilian population and military personnel. Many people were forced to leave their homes and become internally displaced persons of their own country.
 War not only has material losses and physical consequences, but also seriously affects the mental health of a nation. After two years of martial law, the deterioration of the mental state of the entire population is noticeable. War events cause stress reactions and trauma that persist long after hostilities have ceased.
 Everything said earlier indicates that it is necessary not only to restore destroyed houses and infrastructure, but what is especially important is to develop a methodology and create a system of psychological and psychiatric support for people who suffered from the military conflict. The need for rehabilitation programs and counseling becomes an important step in ensuring further recovery and strengthening of the nation's mental health [3].

Abstract 814: Bridging the gap: Informal caregivers' access to information on genetic testing for cancer risk

Abstract Introduction: Cancer risk genetic testing (referred to as genetic testing thereafter) benefits patients by allowing them to make informed behavioral and medical decisions to reduce cancer risk and by facilitating surveillance and earlier detection. Informal caregivers, who often serve as primary advocates for those at risk, play a pivotal role in supporting behavioral and medical decisions based on genetic testing information. Assessing caregivers’ knowledge of genetic testing can guide future interventions supporting informed decision-making to ensure that all groups benefit equally from advances in genetic testing. We examined the association between caregiving and knowledge of genetic testing as well as other individual and socioeconomic factors. Methods: Secondary data analysis was conducted using the 2020 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 5 Cycle 4). HINTS is a nationally representative survey of adults in the civilian non-institutionalized US population. Exposure variable was caregiving (yes/no) assessed with the question “Are you currently caring for or making health care decisions for someone with a medical, behavioral, disability, or other condition?”. The outcome variable was genetic testing knowledge (yes/no) assessed with the question “have you heard of high-risk cancer genetic testing - e.g., BRCA 1/2". Weighted, multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the association between caregiving and genetic testing knowledge adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, marital status, education level, having a regular provider, rural-urban residence, and self-reported general health status. Results: A total of 3,136 participants aged ≥18 were included in the study, of whom 16.4% were caregivers and 35.9% had heard of genetic testing. In the adjusted analysis, there was no statistically significant difference between caregivers and non-caregivers in relation to genetic testing knowledge (P=0.7881). However, respondents who were ≥65 years old (aOR=0.54, 95% CI: 0.40-0.72) were less likely to have heard about genetic testing compared to those aged 18-49, as were respondents who had no regular provider (aOR=0.71, 95% CI: 0.53-0.95) compared to those with a regular provider. Compared to non-Hispanic White respondents, non-Hispanic Black (aOR=0.45, 95% CI: 0.31-0.66) or Hispanic respondents (aOR=0.44, 95% CI: 0.29-0.68) were less likely to have heard about genetic testing. Female respondents (aOR=2.02, 95% CI: 1.55-2.61) were twice as likely to have heard about genetic testing than their male counterparts. Conclusions: We found that about a third of Americans had heard about genetic testing; patients who were younger, female, White, and those who had access to a regular provider were more likely to be aware of testing. Interventions targeting under-resourced caregivers are urgently needed to promote equity in genetic testing and its benefits. Citation Format: Eric Adjei Boakye, Pranali G. Patel, Chaitali S. Dagli, Sarah Wagoner, Mrudula Nair, Nosayaba Osazuwa-Peters, Veronica Bernacchi, Samantha H. Tam. Bridging the gap: Informal caregivers' access to information on genetic testing for cancer risk [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 814.

Recognising Cyber Blockades as Crimes Against Humanity: Can International Criminal Law Keep Up?

As a result of the heavily digitalised world on top of our increasing online presence and interconnectedness, states and civilian populations are becoming more and more vulnerable to cyber attacks. It is thus imperative to examine the dangers large scale cyber attacks pose with respect to their contribution to potential human suffering. As such, these large scale cyber attacks, especially a cyber blockade, may be able to constitute an international crime. The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court announced at the Digital Front Lines conference that his office is willing to investigate cyber operations as potential war crimes given that they are capable of causing severe consequences akin to kinetic warfare. (Yoon Onn, 2023) This is the first significant step towards recognising the harmful effects of malicious cyber operations as international crimes. However, not only is the Rome Statute itself silent on cyber operations as potential international crimes, the ICC has not yet seen a case concerning malicious cyber activities as either a war crime or as a crime against humanity. As such, the central question the paper seeks to answer is whether the Rome Statute could potentially encompass cyber blockades as the crime against humanity of “other inhumane acts” under Article 7(1)(k) of the Rome Statute. The paper looks at crimes against humanity for three reasons: firstly, Karim Khan KC has already touched on cyber attacks potentially prosecuted as war crimes, as mentioned above, thus the knowledge gap is gradually being bridged with respect to war crimes. Secondly, there is an absence of any regulatory framework should a cyber blockade be unleashed in peacetime, where international humanitarian principles do not apply. Thirdly, establishing a cyber blockade as a crime against humanity would lead to greater individual criminal responsibility as opposed to a war crimes conviction. This, in turn, would send a strong deterrent message in both war and peace.

Conditioning for Strength, Power, and Aerobic Fitness for Specialist Police Tactical Groups

ABSTRACT Police officers serving in specialist Police Tactical Groups (PTG), including Special Weapons and Tactics teams, are called on to perform tasks in highly volatile and unpredictable situations beyond those of general duties police officers. In addition to carrying loads of 20–25 kg, these officers have, and require, levels of fitness above that of the civilian population, general duties police, and even elite athletes. Through the PTGs' occupational lifespan, from initial selection to operational duties, candidates and serving officers require strength (both absolute and relative), power, and metabolic fitness (aerobic and anaerobic) to pass selection, mitigate injury, and perform occupational tasks. Given the complexities of conditioning these officers, including shift work and unpredictable job demands, a conjugate block periodization approach may be of value. Evidence suggests that a block periodization approach of 3 to 4 mesocycles, including an accumulation phase, a transmutation phase, a realization phase, and potentially a deloading or recovery phase may ensure an adequate training stimulus for these specialist officers. This is especially the case when supported by a dedicated and experienced strength and conditioning coach.

Protecting Civilians against Digital Threats during Armed Conflict: Final report of the ICRC's Global Advisory Board

In situations of armed conflict, access to digital technology can save lives. However, the digitalization of armed conflict also brings new threats for civilians. Over the past decade, digital technologies have been used in armed conflict to disrupt critical civilian infrastructure and services, to incite violence against civilian populations, and to undermine humanitarian relief efforts. Moreover, in ever-more interdependent digital and physical environments, civilians and civilian infrastructure are not only in the crosshairs of hostile operations but also increasingly drawn upon to support military operations, blurring the lines between what is military and what is civilian.

Developing a Text Messaging Intervention to Prevent Binge and Heavy Drinking in a Military Population: Mixed Methods Development Study.

Alcohol misuse is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and a significant problem in the US military. Brief alcohol interventions can reduce negative alcohol outcomes in civilian and military populations, but additional scalable interventions are needed to reduce binge and heavy drinking. SMS text messaging interventions could address this need, but to date, no programs exist for military populations. We aimed to develop an SMS text messaging intervention to address binge and heavy drinking among Airmen in Technical Training in the US Air Force. We implemented a 2-phase, mixed methods study to develop the SMS text messaging intervention. In phase 1, a total of 149 respondents provided feedback about the persuasiveness of 49 expert-developed messages, preferences regarding message frequency, timing and days to receive messages, and suggested messages, which were qualitatively coded. In phase 2, a total of 283 respondents provided feedback about the persuasiveness of 77 new messages, including those developed through the refinement of messages from phase 1, which were coded and assessed based on the Behavior Change Technique Taxonomy (BCTT). For both phases, mean persuasiveness scores (range 1-5) were calculated and compared according to age (aged <21 or ≥21 years) and gender. Top-ranking messages from phase 2 were considered for inclusion in the final message library. In phase 1, top-rated message themes were about warnings about adverse outcomes (eg, impaired judgment and financial costs), recommendations to reduce drinking, and invoking values and goals. Through qualitative coding of suggested messages, we identified themes related to warnings about adverse outcomes, recommendations, prioritizing long-term goals, team and belonging, and invoking values and goals. Respondents preferred to receive 1 to 3 messages per week (124/137, 90.5%) and to be sent messages on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (65/142, 45.8%). In phase 2, mean scores for messages in the final message library ranged from 3.31 (SD 1.29) to 4.21 (SD 0.90). Of the top 5 highest-rated messages, 4 were categorized into 2 behavior change techniques (BCTs): valued self-identity and information about health consequences. The final message library includes 28 BCTT-informed messages across 13 BCTs, with messages having similar scores across genders. More than one-fourth (8/28, 29%) of the final messages were informed by the suggested messages from phase 1. As Airmen aged <21 years face harsher disciplinary action for alcohol consumption, the program is tailored based on the US legal drinking age. This study involved members from the target population throughout 2 formative stages of intervention development to design a BCTT-informed SMS text messaging intervention to reduce binge and heavy drinking, which is now being tested in an efficacy trial. The results will determine the impact of the intervention on binge drinking and alcohol consumption in the US Air Force.

Features of physical education and sports rehabilitation for combat veterans with traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common consequence of combat actions, leading to significant disability of military personnel. The purpose of the article was to characterize the features of physical culture and sports rehabilitation of combatants with TBI. Scientific publications on medical and physical rehabilitation of individuals with traumatic brain injuries were analyzed. It was found that the integrated use of kinesitherapy, physical exercises, motor learning, sensory stimulation and cognitive training is effective. It is indicated that mine-explosive injury, which dominates among combat injuries, is often combined and accompanied by damage to several anatomical areas. It is the main cause of military casualties. Combat traumatic brain injuries cause severe and combined injuries, which causes high mortality and disability due to the development of a wide range of disorders. This significantly worsens the quality of life of victims. Emphasis is placed on the fact that the Ukrainian health care system will continuously face the consequences of war for the civilian population and military. Veterans will need not only timely and highly qualified medical care, but also long-term rehabilitation, which will contribute to their full reintegration into post-war society. The features of the development of long-term consequences of TBI in combat veterans have been insufficiently studied and need to be investigated to improve the rehabilitation and quality of life of victims, return them to labor and social activity. It is concluded that it is necessary to develop a special program of physical culture and sports rehabilitation for this category of combat veterans.

Analysis of the Extent of Protection Accorded to Civilians, Civilian Populations, and Civilian Objects by International Humanitarian Law in Armed Conflicts

Protecting civilians, civilian populations, civilian objects, and other persons who do not actively participate in hostilities is a cornerstone of International Humanitarian Law. The 1949 Geneva Conventions and the 1977 Additional Protocols I and II constitute an international humanitarian legal framework for protecting civilians, civilian populations and civilian objects during armed conflicts. Facts have it that civilians, civilian populations, and persons who no longer take an active part in warfare are the ones who suffer the most from the effects of war. International Humanitarian law seeks to ensure that civilians and civilian populations are not subjected to attacks, actual violence, or threats of violence during armed conflicts of international and non-international nature. This Article analyzes the extent to which civilians, civilian populations, and civilian objects are protected by International Humanitarian Law whereby more specifically, the author analyzes relevant provisions of Geneva Convention IV Relative to the protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 1949, Additional Protocol I relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts, of 1977, and Additional Protocol II relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts, of 1977 and finally recommends inter alia that international humanitarian law should develop a new body of Law to protect innocent civilians following the emerging global war on terrorism owing to increased difficulties of distinguishing terrorists from civilians

PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN THE LIGHT OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION PROCESSES

The aim of the article is to thoroughly characterize the rights of all health care workers in accordance with the current legislation of Ukraine, as well as to identify problems that arise in the process of protecting the rights of health care workers and to propose ways to eliminate them. Materials and methods. In the course of the research 1,000 healthcare workers were interviewed and surveyed regarding the violation of their fundamental rights in the city of Kyiv and medical and preventive institutions of the Kyiv region. Evaluating the violation of the rights of health care workers, it was found that every fifth medical worker notes the violation of his rights by patients, which is 70%, and by health care institutions – 25%; from colleagues – 3%; the other 2% refrained from answering. The results. As of January 1, 2024, according to the statistical data of the National Health Service of Ukraine, it is stated that from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023 in Ukraine: the number of specialist doctors increased by 5.2% (+4667), by 4.9% (+1280) – primary care physicians (PHC), by 6.7% (+9961) – secondary medical personnel [1]. Thus, the number of medical workers (doctors, middle and junior staff (without pharmacists)) in the Electronic Health Care System as of January 1, 2022 was more than 288000, as of January 1, 2024 – 345000, and medical institutions – 7,393. In July 2023, the number of medical workers was already 396000, and the number of medical institutions was 6559. Whereas in December, the number of medical workers increased to almost 520000, and medical institutions – to 8444 [2]. Conclusions. In order to improve the protection of the rights of healthcare workers, it is necessary to implement at the legislative level the concept of medical neutrality, which should apply in all democratic countries, regardless of the situations that arise in society. The authors formulated the main principles of medical neutrality, in particular: protection of medical workers, patients, health care institutions and other medical formations, medical vehicles from attacks or from illegal interference; free access to medical care, in particular treatment, as well as necessary medicines and medical devices; humane treatment of the entire civilian population; lack of discrimination in the treatment of the sick or injured; observance of the rights of patients, in particular, to keep a secret about the state of health, to refuse treatment.

RECORDING AND REPRESENTATION OF WAR CRIMES OF THE RUSSIAN ARMY ON THE TERRITORY OF UKRAINE: EXPERIENCE OF UKRAINIAN JOURNALISTS

The article emphasizes that journalists play an important role in the process of recording war crimes and in the further processing of the collected material for representation in specific genre formats available for perception by the audience. The coverage of war crimes by the Russian military, on the one hand, problematizes the bloody Russian-Ukrainian war, reflecting the tragic experience that Ukrainian society is currently living, and at the same time – it records the evidence base regarding Russia’s disregard of international conventions, in particular the general rules and customs of warfare, as well as in the context protection of the civilian population during the war, treatment of prisoners of war, etc. This problem needs to be fixed, understood, evaluated, updated and explained both for the Ukrainian audience and the world community, which explains the professional interest of Ukrainian and foreign journalists, the rapid increase in the number of publications on this topic. It is emphasized that journalists must have special training, that is, a basic understanding of International Humanitarian Law, international conventions, as well as be able to navigate freely in the recommendations for covering the stories of victims and victims of war crimes.

Quality of life among residents of Gaza, Palestine: the predictive role of mental distress, fear of COVID-19, and social support

BackgroundLiving under siege and deteriorated health, social, educational, and economic conditions and isolation with scarce opportunities to fulfil basic needs and aspirations affect the civil population's mental health and perceived quality of life. In this cross-sectional investigation, we explored the consequences of mental distress, fear of COVID-19, and social support for QoL in the Gaza strip.MethodsNine hundred seventy nine (32.9% males; 67.1% females; mean age was 35.2 years; s.d. = 11.4) adults were recruited in the Gaza strip. We used the Fear for COVID-19 scale (FCS-19), The WHOQOL-BREF Scale, Berlin Social Support Scale (BSSS), Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS). Pearson correlation coefficient was computed to assess relationships between quality of life, fear of COVID19, mental distress, and social support; a hierarchical regression analysis was used to assess the association between QoL as the dependent variable and demographic variables and fear of COVID19, mental health, and social support as the independent variables.ResultsQoL was positively associated with perceived emotion, instrumental, and support seeking. Depression, anxiety, stress, and fear of COVID19 were negatively associated with quality of life. Gender was significantly associated with lower QoL. The study highlighted that the level of fear of COVID-19 was negatively influencing individuals' quality of life (QoL). This fear was negatively associated to psychological distress, gender, place of residence, and family type. Lower-educated and poorer participants had lower QoL scores. Conversely, female gender was notably linked to a lower QOL. The hierarchical regression confirmed that COVID-19 was an added burden for the Palestinian population. The fear of COVID-19 term added a 6.2% variance in QoL. In the final analysis, all predictors were statistically significant, with the fear of COVID-19 term recording a higher contribution of 22.5%, followed by depression term with 21.5%, perceived emotional 18.5%, income at 15.4%, and perceived instruments at 14.8% towards QoL.ConclusionsPractitioners and policymakers must consider the severe violation of human rights when developing psychosocial programs to intervene in the COVID-19 crisis.

Place attachment, storms, and climate change in the Faroe Islands

Globally, people have always had to deal with climate-related hazards, and in the majority of places, they have adapted gradually. However, these gradual adaptations may not be enough to withstand the expected intensity of climate-related hazards in the future. In this paper, our focus is on the effect of storms in the Faroe Islands. The islands are highly exposed to storms, which are projected to increase in intensity and potentially also in frequency in this region. The islands are characterized by being small, remote, and with a rough terrain, which makes it difficult for external actors to provide assistance. As a result, the civilian population—especially in the outer regions—often have to deal with storms and their consequences themselves. The geographical focus in this paper is the Northern Islands, and in particular the communities of Viðareiði and Hvannasund. The approach applied is qualitative, and the central question this paper tries to answer is how aspects of place attachment (social, physical, functional) affect the way in which the local population handle storms. The findings show communities that are impacted by storms, but also that their previous experiences with storms have led to an improved adaptation level, which today enables them to cope with more severe storms. The attachment they have to where they live will assist them in coping with future storms, although it can also be a hindrance to the implementation of the necessary adaptation and preparedness measures, since they presume that they are already safe.