Public Demand Research Articles

Assessing Communication Competencies in Canadian MPH Program Curriculum: A Content Analysis of Communication Courses.

Communication plays a pivotal role in addressing modern and complex public health challenges. Our study assessed the extent to which communication-related course outlines in Canadian master of public health (MPH) programs aligned with national and international public health competency frameworks in their coverage of communication competencies. We conducted an environmental scan and content analysis of MPH courses relevant to public health communication in 2022 and 2023. We used university and program websites and Google to conduct initial searches and obtain course outlines, supplementing these searches with a survey. We developed a codebook based on public health competencies and pedagogical best practices, capturing variables for communication competencies, audiences, channels, tools, and techniques. Two researchers independently coded course outlines. Descriptive statistics evaluated how these courses address communication-related public health competencies. We obtained 11 course outlines offered from 2010 through 2023. The focus of the included courses varied, with health communication (n = 3), knowledge mobilization (n = 3), and risk and/or crisis communication (n = 2) being the most common. All courses broadly aligned with communication competencies related to communication with different audiences (n = 11), and mobilizing (n = 9), interpreting (n = 11), tailoring (n = 9), and facilitating (n = 9) communication. Using technology (n = 4) and media (n = 6), addressing mis/disinformation (n = 1), and communicating with diverse audiences (n = 3) had less alignment. Findings revealed gaps in the coverage of key competencies, particularly in addressing mis/disinformation, leveraging technology and media, communicating with diverse populations, health literacy, and crisis communication. Ongoing review of curriculum would ensure alignment with evolving competencies and public health demands.

Factors associated with adolescent pregnancy among girls aged between 15 and 19 years in Muhanga district, Rwanda

BackgroundAdolescent pregnancy, also known as teenage pregnancy, is an unwanted pregnancy affecting girls aged 15–19 years. With a global prevalence of 25%, Africa has 18.8% of female adolescents become pregnant, preventing them from a better standard of living, such as good education and parental care, and adolescent pregnancy, which poses health risks, educational and career disruptions, financial strain, and lower academic achievement, while also increasing public costs and social service demand. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with adolescent pregnancy among girls aged 15–19 years in Muhanga district, Rwanda.MethodsThe study involved 392 female adolescents aged 15–19 years in Muhanga district, Rwanda. The participants were selected through a multistage sampling method, and the study ensured voluntary participation whereby the assent and consent forms were signed. Data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed via STATA v.18, and statistical analysis, including chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression, was used to control for confounders. Ethical approval was obtained from Mount Kenya University and Muhanga district administration.ResultsThe study reported an adolescent pregnancy rate of 10.7% (95% CI: 7.7–13.7). Adolescents financially supported by others (not their parents or guardians) had higher odds of having pregnancy (AOR = 3.9, 95% CI: 1.431–10.467, p < 0.01). Those not in school and primary school showed higher odds of having a pregnancy (AOR = 23.76, 95% CI: 6.833–82.630, p < 0.001) and (AOR = 25.60, 95% CI: 7.224–90.741, p < 0.001), respectively, compared to those in secondary school. Receiving SRH education was associated with lower odds of having a pregnancy (AOR = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.80–0.514, p < 0.001). Experiencing peer pressure increased the odds of having a pregnancy (AOR = 4.12, 95% CI: 1.521–11.131, p < 0.01).ConclusionsThis study highlights a significant adolescent pregnancy rate in Muhanga district, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions. Addressing educational gaps, improving financial support systems, and enhancing sexual and reproductive health education are crucial steps. Policymakers should focus on these areas to reduce adolescent pregnancies and improve outcomes for young girls. Future efforts should also include strategies to counteract peer pressure and integrate comprehensive support programs.

Polysaccharides and proteins based edible coatings for food protection: classification, properties, &amp; public demands (2020–2024)

Polysaccharides and proteins based edible coatings for food protection: classification, properties, &amp; public demands (2020–2024)

Evidence from China’s gender equality legislation: is responsive law reform always feasible?

ABSTRACT This article examines whether responsive law reforms can promote gender equality in authoritarian regimes, focusing on the challenges faced in advancing gender equality. Existing gender equality laws primarily strengthen women’s rights through private law but fail to clearly define governmental responsibilities. The authorities seek to enhance regulatory legitimacy through laws while relying on official cultural norms to support cultural legitimacy. However, the lack of coherence between regulatory and cultural legitimacy results in selective adherence to cultural norms rather than legal ones, hindering the implementation of gender equality. Therefore, responsive law reforms can improve women’s rights and interests in the private law sphere, but such reforms also tend to privatize public issues and require individuals to solve public problems through private gaming. The article further demonstrates that gender equality should aim at substantive equality, which requires the State to clarify governmental responsibilities and leverage cultural legitimacy to uphold this principle. Otherwise, it may result in the marginalization of vulnerable groups and the erosion of social trust, ultimately undermining public confidence in legitimacy. The article contributes by exploring the selective logic of authoritarianism in responding to public demands and its long-term effects, offering a complementary perspective on rule of law under authoritarian regimes.

Dynamics of urban green spaces in a megacity under the green economy framework and their influencing factors: a case study of Chongqing urban area

IntroductionIn the context of escalating public health crises in megacities, promoting green and healthy urban spatial development is crucial. It not only contributes to economic growth and environmental sustainability but also significantly impacts the public health of urban residents.MethodsThis study utilized land use data from 2000 to 2021 in Chongqing, China, to investigate the characteristics and patterns of change in urban green space distribution. Spatial analysis methods were employed, and an econometric model was constructed to analyze the mechanisms of these changes, considering factors such as economic drivers, governmental regulation, and social dynamics.ResultsThe results reveal that urban green spaces in the Chongqing metropolitan area are primarily concentrated in the inner suburbs with limited distribution in central urban areas, exhibiting a distinct spatial gradient. The overall size of urban green spaces has been decreasing, particularly in the inner suburbs. The primary patterns of this reduction include edge erosion in the inner suburbs, inward contraction in central urban areas, and minor perforation in new towns.DiscussionThe analysis indicates that economic drivers, such as industrial development and economic growth, are the dominant factors contributing to the reduction of urban green spaces. The impact of social dynamics, such as public demand, appears to be relatively insignificant. Conversely, government planning policies and public investments play a crucial role in the protection and development of urban green spaces. These findings emphasize the need for effective urban planning strategies that prioritize the conservation and expansion of green spaces to enhance public health and environmental sustainability in megacities.

Revenue-Maximizing Shared Parking and Electric Vehicle Charging Management in Multi-Unit Dwellings

In urban areas, searching for parking and electric vehicle (EV) charging can result in cruising, congestion, and environmental externalities. Recognizing the business opportunity of offering private parking and charging infrastructure access within multi-unit dwellings (MUDs) during daytime, we model a shared parking and EV charging management system. We maximize the revenue of MUD charging hubs in mixed land use, catering to public demand. Our approach accounts for the objectives of the two stakeholders involved: a demand model is fitted on the choices of EV charging users, and the supply model optimizes the allocation of parking and charging requests in an MUD parking lot. A binary integer linear programming model for the allocation of parking and charging spaces with a rolling horizon is integrated with matching rules that handle both parking and charging requests. In our numerical experiments in a neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, we estimate the performance of the MUD parking and charging system with metrics that include revenue, number of matchings, and utilization rates. At any given time, MUDs with lower prices attract more charging requests, particularly those of longer duration, resulting in higher revenue and greater charging utilization. Dynamic pricing facilitates a more equitable distribution of requests; as MUD parking lots reach capacity and their fees increase, other MUDs become more competitive, attracting additional requests. Comparing our method against first-come-first-served and optimal-solution benchmarks, we demonstrate our model’s effectiveness in dynamically managing mixed parking and charging demand in MUD charging hubs.

Transformation of the Algorithm for Prioritising Clinical Trial Development in Kazakhstan Based on Practical Significance.

The research relevance is determined by the need for rational use of limited resources in the healthcare sector and the importance of implementing the results of scientific research into medical practice to improve the quality of medical care. The study aims to identify key criteria and develop a system for evaluating clinical trials to prioritise the most promising areas based on their practical applicability in healthcare. The expert evaluation method of 17 research projects in the field of clinical medicine funded by government grants, involving 37 experts, was used to achieve the objective. The experts conducted the assessment using a multi-criteria system, including 4 categories and about 20 individual indicators. The results showed that 58.8% of the projects required a change in the composition of the teams, and in 70.6% of cases, third-party organisations were involved for methodological support. About 41.2% of applications had a solid scientific basis, but the demand for the results of 17.6% of projects decreased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For 23.5% of projects, the proposed topics were of low public demand. Only 47.1% of the projects demonstrated interest in addressing national health issues. In 17.2% of fundamental projects, assessing the economic efficiency was difficult. In 23.5% of cases, projects could have been financed from other sources. The timeframe of 3years was assessed as insufficient for 76.5% of highly specialised projects. Based on the analysis, recommendations for improving processes to increase the practical significance of research are formulated. The study contributes to developing an evaluation methodology and improving the efficiency of grant funding in medicine.

Understanding system interdependencies in sustainable paper production from residue grass biomass: Insights from fuzzy cognitive mapping

This research investigates the pulp and paper industry's transition to sustainability by valorizing unused roadside and natural grasses for paper production. Large-scale production from residual grass poses multifaceted challenges, requiring collaboration across stakeholders, from biomass collection to manufacturing. To understand key drivers and barriers within this complex system, experts from various fields, including local farmers, researchers, policymakers, and industry executives were interviewed, leading to the development of a Fuzzy Cognitive Map (FCM). The analysis explores various scenarios to assess how socio-economic, technological, and political factors influence the transition to low-carbon practices. These scenarios highlight the effects of varying levels of technology development, economic conditions, and policy support on the transition's progress and outcomes. Results show that the system is highly sensitive to shifts in socio-economic and political conditions. Political interventions play a crucial role, especially during energy crises and increased public demand for sustainable solutions. Grass-based paper production is seen as a viable pathway, but challenges such as the economic feasibility of emerging technologies remain. We recommend targeted policies to improve the economic viability of grass-based products and optimize biomass allocation between energy and bio-based products, ensuring a more balanced and sustainable transition.

Analisis Yuridis Terhadap Tindak Pidana Penggunaan Ijazah Palsu: Studi Putusan Nomor 1583/Pid.Sus/2021/PT. MDN

A diploma is a letter of completion of study given to students who have successfully completed and taken a certain level of education. The levels of education are Elementary School (SD), Middle School (SMP), High School (SMA), and College. This diploma is used for various needs, one of which is to find work. However, along with the development of technology, many frauds have arisen such as forgery and the use of fake diplomas. Using a fake diploma is clearly a criminal offense because it is regulated in law. There are many types of misuse of fake diplomas in Indonesia that have been revealed and those that have not yet been revealed. This research aims to find out how the case sat and the basis for the judge's considerations in decision Number 1583/Pid.Sus/2021/PT. MDN. This research uses a type of normative juridical research using secondary data sources. Data collection techniques in research use library research. In normative juridical research, library research is used to collect legal materials or secondary data. The results of the research show that the judge in handing down a criminal decision against the defendant Suhardi, whose decision strengthened the Sei Rempah District Court Decision No. 328/Pid.Sus/2021/PN Srh because it has fulfilled the elements in article 69 of Law no. 20 of 2003 concerning the National Education System. The considerations in handing down this decision are correct, which can be seen from the public prosecutor's demands, the indictment, the public prosecutor's demands, the evidence at trial based on evidence, and the appeal file.

Research on the construction of an urban underground parking space color system from the perspective of psychological perception.

Color, an intuitive element affecting human senses, can adapt to the environment of a space, evoke emotional responses, trigger and accumulate visual experiences, and enhance the effectiveness of color in shaping spatial atmosphere and reinforcing spatial divisions. In the context of rapid urban underground space development, examining the rational application of color in underground parking spaces is crucial for improving guidance, comfort, and aesthetics. This exploration is essential for achieving high-quality development in urban underground parking environments. Based on color psychology and using typical cities in China as case studies, this paper develops a color analytical framework for urban underground parking spaces through the process of "color field investigation-analysis of color influencing factors-color system construction-color application and control" and proposes a detailed chromatographic scheme. Within this framework, color field investigation serves as the foundation for determining color usage. Key influencing factors for color selection include color elements and their relationships, the type of underground parking space, and public color perception demands. The color system has been constructed including safe colors, prohibited colors, and theme colors, which has been further divided into basic, auxiliary, and accent colors. This study provides a replicable and practical theoretical and applied framework for urban underground space management and urban color planning. The framework facilitates the establishment of a standardized color system and chromatographic scheme that aligns with urban aesthetics and public psychology, thereby improving development quality and supporting the high-quality development of urban underground spaces.

Collaborative Governance in the Tourist Alley Innovation of Makassar City

The needs of the community in terms of public services have increased, so the government as a public service agency is trying to respond to all the community's needs in terms of public services. This condition is caused by the development of the global environment, which affects public services and demands the government to play a role in addressing various community interests. In implementing public services, the government cannot work alone. Cooperation or collaboration from various parties outside the government agency is needed as an effort in the government's response as a public servant to improve public services that meet what is needed by the community. The research method used in this study is a descriptive qualitative method. Data is obtained based on interview results, observation results, and a review of documents related to the research to describe and analyze phenomena and events individually or in groups. Data collection techniques are conducted through interviews, observations, documentation. In this research, the description/characteristics of informants consist of four (4) main elements, namely: Government element: Tourism Office, and Tallo District, Business/Practitioners: MSMEs, Academics: Lecturers involved in the implementation of Tourism Alley, Community: Community implemented for approximately one year in the city of Makassar, South Sulawesi Province. The selection of the study locus considers collaboration between sectors in improving public service innovation. The research result of collaborative governance on the innovation of tourism alley in Makassar city is that the collaboration that has been done in the tourism alley of Makassar city has been quite good, but still needs to be improved, especially the involvement of various stakeholders.

When Public Opinion Left Behind: The Case Rejection of Visa on Arrival for Russian Tourists

The Visa on Arrival is Indonesia's foreign policy instrument to boost tourism. Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 had an impact on the increasing arrival of Russian tourists to Indonesia. The increasing number of Russians was also directly proportional to the violative and negative sentiments about Russian tourists on social media, public demands to revoke their visa. Despite negative public opinion, the Indonesian government still maintained visa on arrival for Russians. This paper analysed the case study by using Doeser’s (2013) model on circumstances when democratic governments neglected public opinion in foreign policy, with its indicators: issue salience, elite debate, and elite perceptions of international gains. This qualitative research used social media analysis to deconstruct the public opinion on issue salience and causal process tracing was used to analyse the context and development of the case. Interviews were conducted to obtain information and confirm the findings. This study found that the neglected of public opinion was carried out because the case categorized as non-critical issue happened episodically thus had low salience. Low media coverage and asymmetrical elite debates resulted in elite consensus. Then, Indonesia avoided economic and political losses and maintained bilateral relations with Russia.

The Utilization of Herbal Products for Public Health in Indonesia: The Role of Social Influence and Health Value on Intentions to Use Herbal Products

Background:The utilization of herbal products has gained increasing recognition within the healthcare sector. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly influenced public demand and behavioral shifts toward herbal product usage. Additionally, the distribution of these products has become more widespread. Objective:This study aims to identify the factors influencing public intentions to use herbal products, with a particular focus on the roles of social influence and health value. Method:The study utilized a sample of 275 primary data points collected from consumers of herbal products in major cities across Indonesia. Responses were measured using a five-point Likert scale. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to examine the relationships between social influence, attitudes, health value, and the intention to use herbal products. The survey consisted of two parts: the first gathered demographic and personal information for classification purposes, while the second comprised questions related to four variables that explored respondents' perceptions of herbal products. Partial Least Squares (PLS) analysis was used to investigate these phenomena. Results:The findings revealed that health value significantly influences the intention to use herbal products (p-value = 0.000; t-statistic = 26.909). Similarly, attitudes were shown to have a significant effect on intention (p-value = 0.038; t-statistic = 2.083). Conclusion:The study demonstrates that health value and attitude positively influence the intention to use herbal products. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of trends in herbal product consumption and their implications for public health in Indonesia. Keywords:herbal products; social influence; health value; public health; Indonesia

Untangling the differential drivers of protest participation: survey evidence from Extinction Rebellion’s arrestable and lawful actions (2019 and 2023)

ABSTRACT Broad-based climate movements are important shapers and signallers of public demand for efficacious policies to tackle climate change and, through demonstrative and disruptive action, creating windows for policy change. Here, we use a unique protest survey dataset to develop a comparative framework for understanding the drivers of protest participation in two tactically different major climate protests in London staged by the same organisation. Crucially, these protests take place at different phases of the policy window and have different action premises: Extinction Rebellion’s (XR) ‘arrestable’ protests in 2019, and its much more conventional and lawful actions in 2023. By focusing on action design we are able to compare across cases and contrast the drivers of participation in arrestable and lawful actions respectively. By disaggregating variables through bivariate and multivariate analysis, we develop an authoritative approach to the drivers of protest, teasing out the respective importance of different elements of biographical, structural and political availability. We find that, aside from part-time working, biographical availability is not a reliable predictor of participation in the different forms of protest. In contrast, structural availability, and bonding capital in particular, matters more. XR’s arrestable 2019 protests, which had significant policy influence, successfully mobilised more strongly committed participants than its lawful 2023 protests.

中國生命倫理學的論域擴展與論題更新

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in Chinese; abstract also in English. Although bioethics has traditionally concentrated on the moral consequences of biotechnologies and clinical decisions at the individual level, I maintain that the domain of bioethics should and could be expanded to incorporate discussions on public health issues for two reasons. First, a universalistic and individualistic approach to bioethics can be Eurocentric and culturally narrow-minded. A more reflective and culturally sensitive approach to bioethics, as demonstrated by the development of Confucian bioethics, would be beneficial. Second, the extensive application of biotechnologies to populations raises concerns regarding public health and demands technical governance that integrates moral considerations. It necessitates an updated understanding of bioethics that address both individual and population concerns.

Mpox: a public health emergency demands, urgent action

Mpox: a public health emergency demands, urgent action

Exposure to Mass Shootings and Voting Directly on Gun Policy

Recent scholarship finds that exposure to mass shootings has no effect on Democratic vote shares. While arguably a reasonable proxy for public demand for heightened gun control, this outcome nonetheless reflects myriad issue concerns, with guns being just one issue typically dwarfed in importance by the attention given in electoral campaigns to jobs, the economy, and other social issues. Our research improves the issue-domain correspondence between treatment and outcome by analyzing voting directly on gun policy. We leverage a mass shooting that occurred in Washington state shortly before residents voted on a ballot measure to regulate firearms. Critically, a previous measure on firearms appeared on the ballot in Washington 2 years prior, enabling our analysis to control for pretreatment support for gun control. Across various model specifications, we find that proximity to the shooting was associated with increased support for gun control. We replicate this finding with three additional shootings.

Legal liability for theft under martial law: substantive and procedural aspects

Purpose. The purpose of the work is to analyze changes to criminal legislation and legislation on administrative liability for the secret theft of someone else’s property, further judicial practice on this issue. To identify certain trends in the application by courts of legislation establishing liability for theft under martial law. To analyze the specified changes for their relevance and compliance with the basic principles of liability. The basis for such analysis is the practice of the courts of Ukraine, which is posted in the Unified Register of Court Decisions and previous theses of the author’s conferences, covering individual aspects of the problem under study. Methodology. The methodology includes a comprehensive review and generalization of the available scientific and theoretical material and the formulation of relevant conclusions and recommendations. The following methods of scientific knowledge were used during the study: terminological, systemic and structural, comparative legal and analytical methods (when analyzing and comparing existing judicial practice for several years). Results: During the research, it was recognized that changes to the legislation that provide for legal liability for the secret theft of someone else’s property are hasty, unfounded, and create new problems in law enforcement practice without solving existing ones. Originality. The research found that legislative work on legal liability, as a prerequisite for proper law enforcement, needs to be improved. The research perspective indicated that changes prompted by public demand did not respond to this demand, but were essentially a populist solution. Practical significance. The results of the study can be used in lawmaking activities to develop the necessary changes to the current legislation of Ukraine on criminal and administrative liability, as well as to continue further theoretical research in this area.

Public Transport Demand Elasticities in Developing Agglomerations: The Case of Tunisian Regions

Abstract This paper examined the characteristics of public transport demand in some major Tunisian cities. It followed the research trend which calculated the public transport demand elasticities. The adopted procedure in this study consists in estimating a log linear dynamic panel model relating per capita bus patronage to bus fares, users’ income, and service quality. Two variants of the basic model were estimated for the most important Tunisian agglomerations for the period 2003-2020. In the first variant, this paper considered the same fare elasticity value for the different regions, whereas in the second it’s proceeded to the calculation of specific fare elasticity values for each region. The estimation results show interesting and different elasticities compared to those revealed by earlier studies for occidental agglomerations. This result can be explained by specifics users’ characteristics and networks’ configuration. Although these results may sometimes contradict the theoretical suggestions, they still highlight the specificities of the public transport demand in Tunisia and its users’ characteristics. The demand for public transport in large Tunisian agglomerations is not very sensitive to fares changes. Second, income does not have the same effect as that advocated by economic theories. Indeed, we have found a positive impact of income on demand for public transport. Finally, the quality of service has the most important effect on demand. Changes in travel habits and cultures, improvements in the quality of services and their differentiation can be more effective for public transport than fares changes.

Behaviour change interventions addressing antibiotic treatment seeking behaviour for respiratory tract infections in primary care settings: A scoping review protocol

Objective This scoping review aims to synthesise the extent and type of evidence on behaviour change interventions which address antibiotic treatment seeking behaviour for respiratory tract infections in primary care and/or community care settings. Introduction Antimicrobial Resistance is recognised as a global health and economic threat by the World Health Organization and World Bank. Multiple factors, including patient and public demand, may contribute to unnecessary prescribing practices, which can lead to an overuse of antibiotics, and affect AMR. Current policy initiatives acknowledge the need to prepare for the future by managing public expectations regarding antibiotics, especially for influenza-like illness and other respiratory tract infections. These initiatives emphasise the importance of designing and evaluating effective interventions that generate actionable knowledge for policy and practices related to the appropriate use of antibiotics. Behaviour change interventions, in this context, can aim to modify patients' attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours regarding antibiotics. Inclusion criteria Identified studies will describe behaviour change interventions aimed at potential patients and/or carers within the primary care and/or community care setting that address antibiotic treatment seeking behaviour for respiratory tract infections. Methods This scoping review will search the literature in Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, EThOS, and Google Scholar to explore behaviour change interventions used to reduce expectations of antibiotics for respiratory tract infections in primary care. This review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines for scoping reviews. It will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews.