Ethnic Groups Research Articles

Hospitalisation cost for paediatric osteomyelitis and septic arthritis in New Zealand.

Hospitalisation rates for paediatric bone and joint infection (BJI) in New Zealand (NZ) are among the highest globally. This study aims to quantify hospitalisation costs of BJI in 2018-2019. National hospitalisation data from the NZ Ministry of Health was used to describe costs associated with all paediatric hospitalisations coded for osteomyelitis or septic arthritis in those aged <16 years. Data included age, ethnic group, area level deprivation, diagnosis-related-group coding, admission length and cost-weight. Readmissions up to 24 months following the initial encounter were analysed for associated costs. More than ten million dollars was spent on hospitalisation for paediatric BJI over the study period (NZ$10 819 474). There were 869 primary hospitalisations and 229 related readmissions. Median length of stay was 7.4 days (95% confidence interval 6.8-7.9). Re-admission costs were NZ$1 196 640 within 24 months following diagnosis. Higher median hospitalisation costs occurred for children residing in the most deprived versus least deprived neighbourhoods (NZ$12 126 vs. NZ$9010, P < 0.01). NZ Māori compared with non-Māori children had longer length of stay (8.4 vs. 6.3 days, P = 0.04), more complex and severe illnesses (53% vs. 17%, P < 0.01), and higher median hospitalisation costs (NZ$11 796 vs. NZ$9581, P = 0.03). Direct BJI hospitalisation costs in 2018-2019 were NZ$10 819 474 with 11% of costs due to re-admission. Direct hospitalisation costs for paediatric BJI in NZ vary by deprivation and ethnic group. Illness complexity of paediatric BJI varies by ethnic group. Interventions are needed to reduce incidence and severity of these debilitating infections.

Effect of Foreign Direct Investment, Energy Consumption and Unemployment on Income Distribution in Malaysia

The paper analyses the relationships between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Energy Consumption, Unemployment, and their effects on Income Distribution in Malaysia from 1990-2022. Despite economic growth, Malaysia faces income inequality, especially among ethnic groups. The study uses ARDL regression to find that FDI promotes income distribution by creating jobs and facilitating technology transfer. Increased energy availability boosts industrial production, which is crucial for equitable income distribution. High unemployment, particularly among graduates, exacerbates income inequality. Government initiatives aim to address unemployment through skills enhancement and entrepreneurship. The study concludes that FDI and energy consumption positively influence income distribution, while unemployment has a negative impact. The findings are valuable for policymakers in fostering inclusive growth and equitable income distribution in Malaysia. As Malaysia is an export-oriented country, these insights can lead to impactful improvements in the export sector, further boosting employment opportunities and economic resilience.

Black Caregiver Perspectives During a Developmental Diagnostic Interview.

Despite increasing autism prevalence rates across racial and ethnic groups, research has traditionally overlooked the influence of culture on developmental diagnostic conversations. Addressing this gap in research is crucial to understanding and mitigating potential disparities in diagnostic experiences, especially among Black caregivers. Black caregivers encounter frustration and discrimination during the diagnostic process, citing dismissiveness and a lack of cultural competence from healthcare providers. To address these issues, this study centers the perspectives of Black caregivers as they participate in a developmental diagnostic program for toddlers under three years of age. This retrospective qualitative study, conducted exclusively by a Black research team, involved nineteen Black caregivers of thirteen toddlers as they participated in semi-structured interviews conducted by a multidisciplinary clinical team. The research team employed a conceptual content analysis to examine caregivers' descriptions of their children's behaviors and characteristics, as well as the factors and experiences associated with their descriptions. Caregivers provided distinct descriptions of behaviors and characteristics in the categories of language and communication, learning, and temperament, associating them with situational and dispositional factors and experiences. The findings offer valuable insights for implementing culturally responsive diagnostic practices. Additionally, these results may enhance the quality of caregiver-provider interactions during developmental assessment, leading to earlier and more accurate diagnoses for Black children.

Death acceptance among Lodha older adults: their perceptions of ‘good death’ during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT A ‘good death’, one that is natural and involves lesser suffering and distress, is elusive in the present time. Indiscriminate uses of life-sustaining medical technologies in present times only lead older people and their families to frantically search for ‘good death’. On the other hand, there is little information on ageing and dying in folk and indigenous societies. In response to the huge information deficit, this article attempts to explore perceptions about death in old-age among Lodhas, a Mundari-speaking tribal community of eastern India. Interacting with only living 15 elderly members in a hamlet let us know their beliefs like, 1. Death being inevitable, they do not seek medical interventions to postpone it; 2. Close connection with nature till death brings peace; 3. No compromise with personal autonomy; and 4. Filial piety in moments of dying. The study theorises their indigenous beliefs are keys to ageing and dying well in the Lodha community. Hopefully, the insights from the ethnic group will be a lesson for modern societies to overcome death anxiety in old-age.

Natural and socio-cultural factors of epidemics (plague, smallpox): The example of the Adyghe population of the Northwest Caucasus

Background. The article discusses the problem of the impact of epidemic diseases on ethnogenesis. As an ancient agricultural ethnic group in contact with nomadic and Mediterranean populations, the Adyghe were formed during periods of frequent epidemics of dangerous diseases caused by the process of animal domestication and subsequent impact of anthropogenic factors. The devastating effect of smallpox and measles pandemics was felt following the establishment of intensive trade exchange during the 2nd century CE by the Roman and the Han empires. The first plague pandemic (beginning with the “Justinianic Plague”, 542–543) mostly affected the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean. The second plague pandemic, the so-called “Black Death” (1346–1353), which appeared in the center of the Mongol Empire, quickly spread via caravan routes across most of Eurasia. The scale of the epidemic was influenced by the pathogenic complex that had developed by the 14th century, which included humans, the bacterial pathogenic agent itself, and its carriers (large rodents especially black rats, fleas). Factors such as famine caused by overpopulation, low standards of personal and public hygiene, the prevalence of wooden buildings in cities and towns, the fur trade, etc., also had contributory effects. Objectives. The study set out to identify the natural and the socio-cultural factors that influenced the spread of the plague and the smallpox epidemics in the North-West Caucasus. Methods. The data on which this study is based are formed from collections of narrative sources (Russian, Arabic-Persian, European), archaeological and historical-anthropological works, medical and genetic studies (electronic platforms: eLIBRARY.RU, Academia.edu, CyberLeninka, J-STAGE [Japan Science Technology Information Aggregator, Electronic]). Research methods: historical and comparative, on which basis a comparative analysis of the impact of the plague pandemic of the mid-14th century centering on contact between on nomadic and sedentary ethnic groups (Mongols and Russians, Mongols and Circassians) was carried out; the individualizing comparison method, which was used to identify the specific means by which the Circassian ethnic group overcame the Black Death pandemic; the systems analysis method, on which basis the roles of pathogenic complex and anthropogenic factors in the course of epidemics were compared. Results. The results of the analysis show that the population of the North-West Caucasus were affected by the Black Death plague of the mid-14th century to a significantly lesser extent than the urban centers of the Golden Horde, Rus’ and Europe. The serendipitous failure of the pathogenic complex in the former region was due to the following natural and anthropogenic factors: (1) the North-West Caucasus (more precisely, the entire area to the west of the Teberda River) was naturally bereft of effective carriers of the plague bacillus (marmots, gophers, etc.); (2) Matrega and Copa, the two contemporaneous Circassian towns serving as ports for the shipment of grain and other agricultural products, were located on the periphery of the Adyghe settlement area; (3) the dispersed, farmstead way of life among the estuaries and the complex network of peninsulas of the Kuban Delta, mountains and forests of the NWC contributed to the rapid adoption of quarantine measures; (4) a reliable vitamin-rich nutrition system (sturgeon and their caviar, goat meat and cheese, fruit, honey, etc.); (5) a well-developed system of hygiene and disease prevention (smallpox, malaria), whose existence was retrospectively established based on sources from the 17th–19th centuries. Conclusion. The plague pandemic that took place within the unified space of Mongol imperial communications had a huge impact on the historical fate of the Adyghe ethnic group, which was manifested in their paradoxical numerical growth against the backdrop of general depopulation. Against the backdrop of frequent epidemics, Adyghe developed strict and quite effective rules for preserving life and health, covering disease prevention, personal and public hygiene. Some particularly impressive practices, if not created by Adyghe folk medicine, then preserved there and later transmitted to Ottoman Turkey and Western Europe, was manifested in the original practice of smallpox inoculation.

The development and progression of albuminuria in South Asians with type 2 diabetes compared with Western Europeans. Results from the HinDu the Hague diabetes study.

Although South Asians have an increased risk to develop diabetes, data on the difference in development and progression of diabetic nephropathy between ethnic groups are not consistent. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible differences in the development and progression of albuminuria in South Asians and Western Europeans (WE) with type 2 diabetes in a large closed cohort of South Asians with type 2 diabetes. Data on 1269 South Asians and 2272 Dutch adults with type 2 diabetes who were treated in our diabetes clinic in 2006 or referred thereafter were extracted from electronic medical records. Microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria were defined separately for men and women based on albumin/creatinine ratios in early morning urine samples. We defined 3 outcomes: (1) no albuminuria, (2) persistent microalbuminuria and (3) macroalbuminuria at the end of follow-up. Cox proportional hazard models were used to discriminate differences in time from diabetes diagnosis until development and progression of albuminuria between the two ethnic groups, adjusted for retinopathy, hypertension, smoking and age at diabetes diagnosis. South Asians have a higher adjusted risk for developing microalbuminuria: HR 1.4, (95% CI 1.2, 1.6) and macroalbuminuria: HR: 1.2 (1.0, 1.4) compared to Western Europeans. However, mean time to progress from micro- to macroalbuminuria was not different between the ethnic groups (3.9 ± 4.0 yrs vs. 3.4 ± 3.9 yrs respectively). South Asians have a higher adjusted risk to develop micro- and macroalbuminuria compared with Western Europeans. When microalbuminuria is present, time to progression from micro- to macroalbuminuria is not different between the two groups.

Hierarchical Social Distance: Social Attitudes Toward Ethnic and Immigrant Groups in a Midwestern City

Using the Bogardus social distance scale, the study examined residents' social attitudes toward 10 ethnic and immigrant groups. The analysis focused on Burmese immigrants, a rapidly growing ethnic group in the community. Findings suggest that residents consider whites the closest in social distance, followed by African Americans and Latino immigrants. Burmese immigrants are positioned only slightly closer than Russian immigrants and Muslims. Respondents who are male, Roman Catholic, hold a college degree or higher, and have a higher income demonstrate a greater level of social acceptance of Burmese immigrants. Those who had direct interaction with Burmese, support public resources for diversity and cultural events, maintain optimistic perspectives about the economy and community safety, and believe that immigrants strengthen American society also prefer a closer social distance with Burmese immigrants compared to their counterparts. When comparing these findings with previous research, the rank order of whites–African Americans–Latinos–Asians–Muslims on the social distance scale remains consistent across studies. We argue that social distance scores reveal hierarchical group positions in the larger society.

The diabetes cardiovascular outcomes trials and racial and ethnic minority enrollment: impact, barriers, and potential solutions

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) affects millions of individuals worldwide and is a well-documented risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) disease and chronic kidney disease, both of which are leading causes of mortality. Racial and ethnic minority groups in the US, including but not limited to Hispanic/Latino, non-Hispanic Black, and Southeast Asian individuals, are disproportionately burdened by both T2D and its adverse outcomes. In recent years, there have been numerous cardiovascular outcomes trials (CVOTs) on novel antidiabetic therapies, including the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (RAs), and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. CVOTs’s initial aim was to demonstrate the cardiovascular safety of these drugs. Unexpected CV and kidney protective effects were found, specifically among the GLP-1 RAs and the SGLT2 inhibitors. These benefits informed the new paradigm of the management of patients with T2D. However, some experts argued that the lack of racial and ethnic minority group representation in these trials represented a challenge. While the downstream effects of this lack of representation must be further elucidated, it is clear and recognized that efforts need to be made to include a more representative sample in future CVOTs, specifically including individuals from those groups most burdened by T2D and its complications, if clinicians are to have an accurate picture of the benefits and potential pitfalls of utilizing these drugs in a real-world setting. In this comprehensive review, we briefly summarize the significant findings from the CVOTs, report the lack of representation of Hispanic/Latino, non-Hispanic Black, and Southeast Asian individuals in the CVOTs, investigate the barriers to recruiting racial and ethnic minority groups into clinical trials, and suggest potential solutions to overcome these obstacles at the patient-, provider-, and sponsor/system-level in future trials.

Improving racial/ethnic health equity and naloxone access among people at risk for opioid overdose: A simulation modeling analysis of community-based naloxone distribution strategies in Massachusetts, United States.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a surge in opioid overdose deaths (OODs) in Massachusetts, USA, particularly among Black and Hispanic/Latinx populations. Despite the increasing racial and ethnic disparities in OODs, there was no compensatory increase in naloxone distributed to these groups. We aimed to evaluate two community-based naloxone expansion strategies, with the objective of identifying approaches that could mitigate mortality and racial and ethnic disparities in OODs. Individual-based simulation model. We measured naloxone availability using naloxone kits per OOD and evaluated scenarios of achieving higher benchmarks for naloxone availability (i.e. 40, 60 and 80 kits per OOD) from 2022 levels (overall: 26.0, White: 28.8, Black: 17.3, Hispanic/Latinx: 18.9). We compared two naloxone distribution strategies: (1) proportional distribution: achieving the benchmark ratio at the overall population level while distributing additional kits proportional to the 2022 level for each racial/ethnic group (at 40 kits per OOD benchmark: overall: 40, White: 44.3, Black: 26.6, Hispanic/Latinx: 29.1), and (2) equity-focused distribution: achieving the benchmark ratio among each racial/ethnic group (at 40 kits per OOD benchmark: 40 for all groups). Massachusetts, United States. People at risk of OOD. Annual number and rate of OODs, total healthcare costs of increasing naloxone availability. Both naloxone distribution strategies yielded comparable predicted reductions in total OODs in 2025 and incurred similar incremental costs. However, the relative reduction in the rate of OODs differed across groups. For achieving an 80 kits per OOD benchmark, proportional distribution resulted in a projected 6.7%, 6.5% and 7.1% reduction in annual OODs in 2025 among White, Black and Hispanic/Latinx populations, respectively. In contrast, equity-focused distribution achieved a reduction of 5.7%, 11.3% and 10.2% in the respective groups. In all scenarios, the cost per OOD averted was lower than the generally accepted thresholds for cost per life saved. An equity-focused naloxone distribution strategy designed to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in naloxone availability could improve health equity among racial and ethnic groups while potentially improving overall population health at lower healthcare costs per opioid overdose death averted than a proportional distribution strategy.

Double jeopardy? China’s minority migrant children in comparative perspective

ABSTRACT China has 125 million ethnic minority group members and an increasing number of minority children move to cities for better opportunities. Using data from the 2016 China Migrants Dynamic Survey and drawing on the theories of family migration, push-pull forces, and social capital, we compare migration patterns of minority and Han children in China. Results show minority children have a higher probability of joining migrant parents than Han children. However, this may not necessarily lead to more desirable outcomes. Due to limited urban educational resources and their special needs, many school-age minority migrant children work instead of attending school. They also tend to move to areas with higher minority concentrations, potentially reducing socioeconomic mobility. Compared to Han migrant children, who are already disadvantaged in many ways in urban China, ethnic minority children face additional challenges. This warrants increased attention from scholars and policymakers. While our measurement of ethnic networks has limitations and requires further research, our key conclusions about ethnic minority migrants are robust and well-supported.

Food and exercise practices among British Pakistanis; how can Bourdieu's theory of practice help to understand them?

The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are significant among the Pakistani ethnic group in the UK. Existing literature has identified food and exercise practices as contributing factors. This qualitative inquiry investigates food and exercise practices among this group. The study also identifies any cultural resistance to changing prevailing unhealthy practices. Five qualitative semi-structured interviews with local Pakistani community leaders, two focus group discussions, and 40 individual interviews with participants of both genders. Bourdieu's theory of practice was used to analyse the data. The lifestyle choices of the participants mainly follow the cultural practices of their home country. In particular, three cultural phenomena might have been contributing to CVDs among this community: a culture of consuming fatty and calorie-dense food, complexity in joint decision-making among family members, and a lack of motivation and cultural support for healthy physical activities, especially among women and older adults. It would be challenging to significantly influence this unhealthy lifestyle in the short term. Integrating religious discourse within health promotion, adopting a whole-family approach, and working with the community on healthier cooking and making exercise options culturally relevant could be helpful for reducing the prevalence of CVDs among the Pakistani community in the UK.

Peadiatric amputation from traditional bone setters’ gangrene in Ibadan: a malady

Background: Pediatric amputations resulting from gangrene pose a significant medical challenge, especially in resource-limited settings. In Nigeria, traditional bone setters (TBS) often serve as the first point of contact for musculoskeletal injuries, but their practices can lead to severe complications, including gangrene. Our hospital manages many of such cases. This study aims to explore the epidemiology, clinical presentation, and outcomes of pediatric patients who developed gangrene requiring amputation following TBS treatment, with the goal of informing public health strategies and improving pediatric care quality. Methods: The study is a retrospective study which seek to extract the data from the hospital record all the patient who underwent amputation due to gangrene after initial TBS treatment. All the case notes were retrieved and data was extracted and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study adhered to ethical standards and anonymized data to protect patient confidentiality, ensuring the study's integrity. Results: The study involved 33 pediatric patients aged 8.3 years, with a significant gender disparity. Most patients were from the Yoruba ethnic group and practiced Islam. 87.9% of parents had no formal education. Gangrene was most common in the left hand, and falls were the leading cause of initial injury. The average surgery time was 81.2 minutes, with a 13-day hospital stay. Post-operative complications occurred in 43.5% of patients, with surgical site infections (SSI) being the most common. Only 8.7% received occupational therapy. Conclusions: The study highlights post-operative care challenges in pediatric amputations, including high complications and limited access to services. It suggests targeted interventions, infection control, and public health campaigns to improve outcomes. Future research should include long-term follow-up studies.

Human–wildlife interactions on the tidal flats of the Bijagós Archipelago: does shellfishing affect migratory shorebirds?

The Bijagós Archipelago in West Africa is home to an ethnic group with a rich cultural heritage that is tightly linked to nature. The Bijagós people have a shared cultural identity, but management of natural resources varies between islands due to island‐specific context with regards to socio‐political organization and strength of cultural heritage. Across the archipelago, bivalves harvested manually from the mudflats are an important part of the Bijagós people's diet, economy, and culture. Migratory shorebirds share the use of these mudflats during their non‐breeding season, consuming macrobenthos such as crustaceans and bivalves, including those harvested by local people. At the end of their stay in the Bijagós, just before taking off for their migratory flight, it is particularly important that shorebirds have access to undisturbed feeding areas with suitable food resources. In this study we start by exploring shellfishing patterns across different management regimes (via questionnaires to local shellfishers), then assess seasonal variation in the direct impact of shellfishing on shorebirds (through competition for resources and space), and finally quantify the indirect impact of sediment disturbance due to shellfishing upon shorebird prey availability with an experimental approach. Results indicate that bivalve resources are better managed in areas with formal protection, while traditional management based on cultural beliefs results in poorer stock conditions. Interestingly, the high density of shellfishers in mid‐winter (14.4 ind. km−2) decreased markedly towards shorebirds' fuelling period, when they benefit the most from reduced disturbance on the mudflats. Regardless of the season, no direct competition for resources was detected due to differences in targeted sizes. Indirect impacts caused by sediment disturbance during shellfishing were also mostly absent, causing only a small reduction on shorebirds prey density but with no effect on the available biomass.

Acute Ear, Nose and Throat Pain in Children in Brazzaville

Objective: To evaluate the intensity of acute pain associated with ENT conditions during consultations and the effectiveness of the analgesic prescribed. Patients and Methods: We conducted a prospective, experimental, randomised, double-blind study in the ENT CCF department of the CHUB. The study took place over a period of 9 months (01 March to 30 November 2021) and involved only children aged 2-12 years presenting with an acute ENT complaint and having been treated in the ENT consultation department of the CHUB. Paracetamol and ibuprofen were administered after pain assessment. Results: During the study period, 60 patients presented with acute ENT complaints and were managed on an outpatient basis. The mean age was 7.7 +/- 31 years, with extremes ranging from 2 to 12 years. Tekes were the most represented ethnic group at 58.4%. Schoolchildren represented the most common school level. Acute pain affected patients' life activities. Acute pharyngitis was the most common pathology. Acute ENT pain. Paracetamol and ibuprofen were the molecules most frequently used, and pain was virtually absent on the 3rd day of use (96.7% and 75% respectively for paracetamol and ibuprofen). Conclusion : Acute pain in children is often underestimated or sometimes inadequately treated.

Expanded Newborn Screening Using Genome Sequencing for Early Actionable Conditions

The feasibility of implementing genome sequencing as an adjunct to traditional newborn screening (NBS) in newborns of different racial and ethnic groups is not well understood. To report interim results of acceptability, feasibility, and outcomes of an ongoing genomic NBS study in a diverse population in New York City within the context of the New York State Department of Health Newborn Screening Program. The Genomic Uniform-screening Against Rare Disease in All Newborns (GUARDIAN) study was a multisite, single-group, prospective, observational investigation of supplemental newborn genome screening with a planned enrollment of 100 000 participants. Parent-reported race and ethnicity were recorded at the time of recruitment. Results of the first 4000 newborns enrolled in 6 New York City hospitals between September 2022 and July 2023 are reported here as part of a prespecified interim analysis. Sequencing of 156 early-onset genetic conditions with established interventions selected by the investigators were screened in all participants and 99 neurodevelopmental disorders associated with seizures were optional. The primary outcome was screen-positive rate. Additional outcomes included enrollment rate and successful completion of sequencing. Over 11 months, 5555 families were approached and 4000 (72.0%) consented to participate. Enrolled participants reflected a diverse group by parent-reported race (American Indian or Alaska Native, 0.5%; Asian, 16.5%; Black, 25.1%; Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, 0.1%; White, 44.7%; 2 or more races, 13.0%) and ethnicity (Hispanic, 44.0%; not Hispanic, 56.0%). The majority of families consented to screening of both groups of conditions (both groups, 90.6%; disorders with established interventions only, 9.4%). Testing was successfully completed for 99.6% of cases. The screen-positive rate was 3.7%, including treatable conditions that are not currently included in NBS. These interim findings demonstrate the feasibility of targeted interpretation of a predefined set of genes from genome sequencing in a population of different racial and ethnic groups. DNA sequencing offers an additional method to improve screening for conditions already included in NBS and to add those that cannot be readily screened because there is no biomarker currently detectable in dried blood spots. Additional studies are required to understand if these findings are generalizable to populations of different racial and ethnic groups and whether introduction of sequencing leads to changes in management and improved health outcomes. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05990179.

Ethnic discrimination, cultural identification, and well-being among undocumented Hispanic immigrants in the United States: A test of the rejection-identification model.

This study aimed to examine the rejection-identification model (RIM) within a community sample of undocumented Hispanic immigrants in the United States, a unique and vulnerable population who face distinct legal and sociopolitical challenges. The RIM posits that ethnic discrimination is associated with increased identification with one's ethnic group, which, in turn, is positively associated with well-being. Data were collected from a community sample of 140 undocumented Hispanic immigrants living in the South-Central United States during the height of the 2015 Trump presidential campaign. Path analysis was employed to examine direct and indirect effects of perceived ethnic discrimination vis-à-vis ethnic identity, U.S. identity, and two forms of well-being (life satisfaction and flourishing). Age (M = 34.83), gender (50% men), and time spent in the United States were included as covariates. Higher ethnic discrimination was associated with lower U.S. and ethnic identity. Both ethnic and U.S. identity were positively associated with flourishing, whereas only U.S. identity was positively associated with life satisfaction. We also found a significant indirect effect of ethnic identity in the relationship between ethnic discrimination and flourishing. Findings are inconsistent with the RIM, as ethnic discrimination was negatively rather than positively associated with ethnic group identification. Undocumented Hispanic immigrants are a vulnerable population who may experience dual disidentification from both U.S. and ethnic cultural streams when perceiving ethnic discrimination during adverse sociopolitical periods. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Mitigating social bias in sentiment classification via ethnicity-aware algorithmic design

Sentiment analysis tools are frequently employed to analyze large amounts of natural language data gathered from social networks and generate valuable insights on public opinion. Research has discovered that these tools tend to be biased against some demographic groups, based on social attributes such as gender, age, and ethnicity. Sentiment classification works dealt with this issue by means of data balancing and algorithmic approaches. However, one crucial limitation of existing methods is the inability to tackle social bias while maintaining satisfactory model performance. In this paper, we aim to fill this gap by proposing a sentiment classification method that entails ethnicity-aware algorithmic design. Specifically, our method involves balanced training and a custom ethnicity-aware loss function that leverages ethnicity group information to foster a fair model optimization process. The proposed loss incentivizes the model to iteratively improve accuracy for currently underperforming demographic or social groups, therefore simultaneously decreasing social bias and boosting overall performance. Our extensive qualitative and quantitative experimental evaluation involving a large corpus of user reviews demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed method, also when compared to popular baselines for sentiment classification.

Male Linear Anthropometrics of Selected Nigerian Ethnicities: A Cross - Sectional Analysis

Introduction: This study aims at evaluating selected linear anthropometrics of three Nigerian ethnic groups to provide baseline data for the creation of 3D Negroid anatomic models. Methods: The research design was a cross-sectional design. The sampling technique was multistage proportionate random sampling. The places of study were Imo, Oyo, and Kano States of Nigeria. The study lasted for one (1) year. Random selection of 1500 adult males from three major tribes (500 Igbo, 500 Yoruba, and 500 Hausa between the ages of 18 and 40 years). Tukey’s Post Hoc test of multiple comparisons was carried out to determine the specific ethnic groups that differ in specific anthropometric parameters. Results: The differences in standing height, arm length, and thigh length across the Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba ethnic groups are statistically significant (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: The study concluded that the Igbo and Yoruba groups had higher standing heights compared to the Hausa group. Arm length was longer in the Igbo and Yoruba groups compared to the Hausa group. However, thigh length was greater in the Hausa group compared to both the Igbo and Yoruba groups, while the Hausa group had longer thigh lengths than both the Igbo and Yoruba groups. The Igbo group displayed the largest arm span, whereas the Hausa group had the widest shoulder breadth. However, the Hausa group had a lower bi-iliac breadth in comparison to the other two ethnic groups.

Prevalence and Determinants of Ideal Cardiovascular Health in Kenya: A Cross-Sectional Study Using Data From the 2015 Kenya STEPwise Survey.

Kenya is experiencing a rising burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) due to epidemiological and demographic shifts, along with increasing risk factors. Ideal cardiovascular health (iCVH), defined by the American Heart Association (AHA), encompasses eight metrics to evaluate cardiovascular well-being. This study assessed the prevalence and determinants of iCVH in Kenya. Data from the 2015 Kenya STEPwise survey on non-communicable disease risk factors, including 4,500 adults aged 18-69, were analysed. iCVH was assessed using 2022 AHA criteria based on seven factors: nicotine exposure, physical activity, diet, BMI, blood pressure, glucose, and lipid levels. A cardiovascular health (CVH) CVH score of ≥80% classified individuals as having iCVH. Multivariable binary and ordinal logistic regression identified factors associated with iCVH. The mean CVH score in Kenya was 78.6% (95% CI: 77.9,79.2%), higher in females (79.3%), rural areas (79.5%), and non-drinkers (79.6%) than in males (77.9%), urban residents (77.0%), and alcohol drinkers (75.4%), respectively. The prevalence of iCVH (CVH score ≥80%) was 45.6%, while 6.4% had poor CVH (CVH score <50%). Only 1.2% achieved the maximum CVH score. iCVH prevalence declined with age and was lower among married individuals (43.7%), alcohol drinkers (32.3%), and urban residents (39.7%). Older adults had 50-80% lower odds of iCVH compared to those under 30 years. Alcohol users (AOR 0.5; p < 0.001) and urban residents (AOR 0.6; p < 0.001) were less likely to have iCVH. Residents of Nairobi and Central regions had 40-60% lower odds of iCVH compared to those in Rift Valley. The Kalenjin (AOR 0.5; p = 0.027) and Turkana (AOR 0.3; p = 0.002) ethnic groups had lower odds of iCVH compared to the Kisii. Less than half of Kenyan adults have iCVH, with poorer CVH status among older adults, urban residents, and alcohol users. Targeted public health interventions could mitigate the CVD burden and enhance health outcomes in Kenya.

Do immigrant women spend more time on unpaid labor? Generational differences by race, ethnicity, and household composition in household work within the United States

ABSTRACT Despite relative progress, it is an overt fact that women still take on the heavier burden of unpaid work in the household compared to men in the United States. Our study expands the horizons of previous studies by looking at women specifically and analyzes how women’s performance of unpaid labor differentiates based on various contexts such as generational status, household composition, race, and ethnicity. Using the pooled cross-sectional data from the 2011-2021 American Time Use Survey (ATUS), we test hypotheses derived from an absolute resources perspective and a structural perspective to examine migrant generational differences among married, cohabiting, and single women as well as investigate the intra-group differences of racial and ethnic groups. From our descriptive analysis and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analyses, we find support for the structural perspective for housework, as the generational differences remain even after controlling for socioeconomic factors, but only for first-generation married women. However, socioeconomic factors account for the differences between cohabiting or single first-generation women, which is supported by the absolute resources perspective. Our intra-group analysis by racial and ethnic groups yielded similar findings but found that Hispanic and Asian first-generation women take on a larger proportion of housework, relative to later-generation women.