Female Respondents Research Articles

The digital revolution in India: bridging the gap in rural technology adoption

This study investigates the factors that influence the adoption of digital technology in rural areas of India, with a focus on the Digital India Program (DIP). By analyzing the age distribution, education levels, technology adoption rates, and utilization patterns among rural populations, this research provides insights into the effectiveness of the DIP in targeting specific demographics and promoting digital inclusion. Quantitative data were collected from 400 respondents in Kalahandi District in the Odisha state of India. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS. The findings reveal a predominantly young population in rural India, indicating a workforce with significant economic potential and a higher likelihood of embracing digital technologies. Moreover, the study highlights the high levels of education among respondents, indicating a population well-equipped to understand and benefit from digital initiatives. Unexpectedly, the research shows a higher rate of digital technology adoption among female respondents, challenging the perception of gender disparities in technology access. This finding suggests that the DIP has played a vital role in bridging the gender gap and empowering women in rural areas. Additionally, the study uncovers a trend towards mobile-based services over computer-based services, signaling a shift in technology utilization patterns. This emphasizes the need to prioritize mobile technology and improve connectivity in rural areas to ensure wider access to digital platforms.

A Morphometric Study of Nasal Index among Owo Indigenes of Ondo State, Nigeria

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the morphometric characteristics of the nasal index among the Yoruba people of Owo, in Ondo State of Southern Nigeria, and to ascertain whether there is sexual dimorphism in their nasal characteristics.Methods: The study adopted the multistage, descriptive, cross-sectional survey design. A random sample of 130 males and 130 females between the ages of 18 – 55 years was taken.For each subject, the nasal height was measured and recorded as distance between nasion and subnasale while the nasal width was measured and recorded as distance between the most lateral points of right and left ala of the nose using a sliding digital caliper. Data obtained were analysed using both descriptive statistics (Mean and Standard deviation) and inferential statistics (t-test) to describe the nature of the data.Results: Data analyses showed that the mean nasal height was 42.34 ± 0.54 for males and 42.14 ± 0.56 for females and that the difference was statistically significant (p< 0.05). The mean nasal width was 40.77 ± 0.85 for males and 40.41 ± 0.42 for females and that the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). The mean nasal index was 96.68 ± 2.91 for males and 95.43 ± 1.66 for females, and that the difference between both groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). Among the male respondents, 3.8%, 24.6% and 71.5%exhibited the Leptorrhine, Mesorrhine and Platyrrhine nose types, while for the female respondents, the respective proportions were 5.4%, 28.5% and 66.1% for Leptorrhine, Mesorrhine and Platyrrhine nose types.Conclusion: We observed sexual dimorphism in the nasal characteristics of Owo indigenes in Nigeria and the Platyrrhine type of nose was prevalent among them.International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Vol. 08 No. 02 Apr’24 Page: 165-169

Teaching prudent antibiotic use on the go: a descriptive report on development, utilization and listener satisfaction of an educational podcast format for medical students and young professionals

BackgroundAn important component in fostering the responsible use of antibiotics is training of new and future prescribers in this interdisciplinary topic. Because podcasts are playing an increasing role in medical education, we aimed to develop and evaluate a podcast format with practice and guideline-oriented learning content on antibiotic therapy for medical students and young medical professionals.MethodsWe developed the concept for the podcast with the direct involvement of medical students and medical experts with teaching experience. We used video conferencing when recording the episodes in order to have quick, easy, and nationwide access to the experts involved. We released an episode every 2 to 4 weeks on the popular podcast platforms. The podcast was promoted through mailing lists, social and print media, and at conferences. The evaluation of episodes was based on user data provided by the platforms and an anonymous feedback questionnaire linked to each episode in the podcast notes.ResultsBetween December 2021 and December 2022 19 episodes of InfectEd: der Antibiotika-Podcast were released. The mean duration of an episode was 91 min. By March 9, 2023, a total of 38,829 downloads and streams had been recorded. The majority of users listened to the podcast on a mobile device. The average playing time per episode was 65%. The feedback questionnaire was completed 135 times. 60.7% of respondents were female, 38.5% male. The majority of respondents were in their twenties and thirties (66.7%). 31.1% were medical students, 25.9% were residents, and 25.2% were specialists. Listeners were asked to rate episodes on a scale from 1 to 6, where 1 was “very good” and 6 was “insufficient.” Ratings did not differ significantly between female and male respondents or between medical students and others. 118 respondents (87.4%) reported an increase in knowledge. Free-text feedback frequently emphasized clinical and also exam relevance.ConclusionOur podcast format, developed with a user-centered approach, was broadly distributed and has been well accepted by both medical students and physicians alike. It provides a large number of learners with low-threshold access to current, guideline-orientated content and could be a useful supplement to conventional teaching formats.

Assessing Traffic Noise and Its Impact on High-Rise Apartment Buildings Adjacent to an Urban Expressway: A Case Study in Chengdu, China

With rapid urbanization, traffic growth has accelerated in some cities in China. Due to strict urban construction land utilization policies, many high-rise apartment buildings have been constructed adjacent to expressways. To better understand the impact of urban traffic noise on the residents of high residential buildings adjacent to expressways and the differences in noise impacts on different floors, on-site noise monitoring and questionnaires for building residents have been conducted. The characteristics of traffic noise were analyzed based on the measured data, and factors, including time periods and building floors, were considered. According to the results of the questionnaire survey, 56.06% of the male respondents and 54.55% of the female respondents think that the impact of traffic noise on high-rise buildings is “high” or “very high”; 50.53% of the respondents who were in “good” or “very good” condition thought that the traffic noise has a “significant impact” or “very significant impact” on their sleep and daily life. In addition, 25% of respondents living on floors 4–10 and 62.5% of respondents living on floors 11–20 considered the traffic noise to have a “significant impact” or “very significant impact” on their sleep and daily life. The on-site noise monitoring results show that the noise levels (LAeq) outside the windows of the studied buildings remain significantly elevated, with daytime noise on working days ranging from 56 to 70 dB(A), and on weekends ranging from 50 to 65 dB(A). During the four time periods on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and 10 p.m. to 12 a.m., the average LAeq levels on floors 11–20 are higher than those on floors 4–10 by 4.04 dB(A), 4.92 dB(A), 4.06 dB(A), and 2.67 dB(A), respectively. Similarly, during these time periods on weekends, the levels on floors 11–20 are higher than those on floors 4–10 by 4.96 dB(A), 6.32 dB(A), 5.28 dB(A), and 5.24 dB(A), respectively. This indicates that floors 4–10 of the building experience relatively lower noise levels, while floors 11–20 are subjected to comparatively higher levels of noise disturbance.

Does Farmers’ Cognition Enhance Their Enthusiasm for Adopting Sustainable Digital Agricultural Extension Services? Evidence from Rural China

The service model of digital agricultural technology extension, as a novel and sustainable approach, plays a pivotal role in facilitating the digital transformation of farmers’ agricultural practices. Leveraging survey data from 1475 farmers in China, the study employed a multivariate ordered logit model to investigate the relationship between farmers’ cognition and enthusiasm to adopt digital agricultural extension services. The findings revealed that subjective and objective cognitions positively influence farmers’ enthusiasm for adopting digital agricultural extension services. Furthermore, policy incentives, as a significant regulatory factor, effectively influence farmers’ cognition levels and enthusiasm to adopt digital agricultural extension services. Additionally, female respondents, farmers with higher educational levels, and membership in agricultural cooperatives all facilitate the adoption of these services. This study not only enriches the theoretical framework for agricultural technology promotion, aiding in the understanding of farmers’ decision-making processes when adopting digital agricultural extension services, but also provides a deeper insight into the role of digital agricultural technologies in promoting sustainable agricultural development, offering scientific evidence for relevant policy formulation and implementation.

Occupational Radiation Exposure During Pregnancy: A Survey of Urologists on Perception, Experience, and Practice Patterns.

Introduction: The field of urology is predominantly male; however, there has been an increasing number of women in the workforce. Peak reproductive years frequently overlap with residency training and early attending career timelines. Exposure to ionizing radiation is a common occupational hazard in many procedural specialties. The use of radiation, for example, in interventional cardiology and interventional radiology, has shown little adjustments in practice patterns, with no adverse outcomes reported among pregnant physicians in their fields in the setting of appropriate radiation safety measures. The impact of radiation exposure during pregnancy for urologists is largely unknown. Our objective was to determine attitudes and practices of urologists related to radiation exposure and to characterize the experience of urologists who have previously been pregnant. Methods: An anonymous online survey was distributed through relevant society membership bases, which included the Endourological Society and the Society for Women in Urology, and social media. Demographics, practice patterns, and changes to practice patterns were recorded for respondents. Statistical analysis was performed in R studio. Results: There were 384 respondents, 255 of whom identified as women. Of these, 164 had been previously pregnant. Female respondents were younger, completed training more recently, and were more likely to have adjusted their caseload due to radiation concerns compared with their male counterparts. Of women who had been pregnant, few had access to policies for who to notify (19%), policies for safety precautions (22%), custom-fitted lead (35%), and maternity lead (20%). Most women (66%) relied on their own research for guidance on radiation safety during pregnancy, while some (41%) also used information from colleagues or mentors. Forty-six percent of women would have taken greater precautions during pregnancy than they did. Conclusions: Access to the appropriate tools to safely navigate pregnancy is inconsistent among practicing urologists. Evidence-based guidelines are needed to better empower pregnant urologists.

Interpersonal violence against women and maternity care in Migori County, Kenya: evidence from a cross-sectional survey

BackgroundInterpersonal violence (IPV) is an issue of major public health concern, with 24% of Kenyan women reporting physical violence perpetrated by a current husband or partner. IPV has profound impacts on physical and mental health outcomes, particularly for pregnant women; it has been found to increase the risk of perinatal mortality, low birth weight, and preterm birth. This study aims to identify variables associated with IPV and assess the effects of IPV experience on prenatal and peripartum maternal healthcare in Migori County, Kenya. Findings build on a previous study that investigated a smaller region of Migori County.MethodsResponses to cross-sectional household surveys conducted in six wards of Migori County, Kenya in 2021 from female respondents aged 18 and older were analyzed. The survey contained validated screening tools for interpersonal violence. Group-wise comparisons, and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to describe community prevalence, factors associated with IPV against women, and the effect of IPV exposure on prenatal and peripartum health care.ResultsThis study finds that 2,306 (36.7%) of the 6,290 respondents had experienced lifetime IPV. IPV experience was associated with the age group 25–49 (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.208; 95%CI: [1.045–1.397]; p = 0.011), monogamous marriage [aOR 2.152; 95%CI: (1.426–3.248); p < 0.001], polygamous marriage [aOR 2.924; 95%CI: (1.826–4.683); p < 0.001], being widowed/divorced/separated [aOR 1.745; 95%CI: (1.094–2.786); p < 0.001], feeling an attitude of “sometimes okay” toward wife beating [aOR 2.002 95%CI: (1.651, 2.428); p < 0.001], having been exposed to IPV in girlhood [aOR 2.525; 95%CI: (2.202–2.896); p < 0.001] and feeling safe in the current relationship [aOR 0.722; 95%CI: (0.609, 0.855); p < 0.001]. A depression score of mild [aOR 1.482; 95%CI: (1.269, 1.73); p < 0.001] and severe [aOR 2.403; 95%CI: (1.429, 4.039); p = 0.001] was also associated with IPV experience, and women who experienced emotional abuse were much more likely to have experienced IPV [aOR 10.462; 95% CI: (9.037, 12.112); p < 0.001]. Adjusted analyses showed that having experienced IPV was negatively associated with attending at least four antenatal care visits during the most recent pregnancy (OR 0.849, p = 0.044) and with having a skilled birth attendant (OR 0.638, p = 0.007).ConclusionsIPV is prevalent in Migori County, Kenya, with increased prevalence among women aged 25–49, those residing in West Kanyamkago, those in a monogamous or polygamous marriage, those who have been widowed/divorced/separated, and those with severe depressive symptoms. Further, IPV exposure is associated with lower use of maternal care services and may lead to worse maternal health outcomes. There is need for enhanced effort in addressing social and gender norms that perpetuate IPV, and this study can contribute to guiding policy interventions and community responses towards IPV.

Effect of authentic leadership on nurses' stress, burnout, presenteeism during COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has burdened the health-care system and exposed nurses to immense stress. This study therefore aims to investigate nurses' mental well-being who are working with COVID-19-positive patients. Burnout leads to decreased productivity and manifests as emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation (cynicism) and low personal accomplishment (professional efficacy). Authentic leadership is built on a humanistic value system, which is the core value of nurses and other health-care professionals. This study therefore used authentic leadership as the independent variable. A cross-sectional quantitative research method was adopted by distributing validated online questionnaires to 1,334 nurses in a private pathology laboratory and 241 questionnaires were analysed with 93.4% female respondents. Multiple linear regression model testing was conducted. Multiple regression analyses showed statistically significant negative correlations between authentic leadership and emotional exhaustion, cynicism, job stress and job-stress-related presenteeism, and a positive correlation between authentic leadership and professional efficacy. This study provides empirical data to encourage organisations to focus on developing authentic leaders to decrease nurses' burnout, job stress and presenteeism. The health-care sector should strive to create an environment where nurses are valued and their talent is recognised to increase employee engagement and commitment. There were two contributions in this study: first, to determine whether there is a relationship between authentic leadership job stress and job-stress-related presenteeism. Second, to determine whether there is a relationship between authentic leadership and the three sub-constructs of burnout.

FACTORS AFFECTING ADOPTION OF FINTECH IN NEPAL

Fintech is the rapidly growing sector has had a profound impact on the global world, transforming various aspects of financial services and shaping the way people manage their money and engage in financial transactions. According to (Thakor, 2020) “FinTech is the use of technology to provide new and improved financial services by leveraging cutting-edge technologies to offer innovative, efficient, and user-centric solutions”. It's important to note that the FinTech landscape is constantly evolving, so there may have been further developments since then. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) is utilized to analyze the degree that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived risk, policy measures and the demographic profile has kinds of impact on the adoption of Fintech in Nepal. The total of 65 questionnaire sample was collected as verified samples for analysis. It was found that 3 factors had a significant positive relationship with the adoption except perceived risk which showed negative relationship. Nevertheless, male respondents were reported to have higher intention as compared to female respondents. Keywords: Fintech, TAM, UTAUT, Innovation

A cross-sectional mental-health survey of Chinese postgraduate students majoring in stomatology post COVID-19 restrictions

BackgroundThe psychological status of Chinese postgraduate students majoring in stomatology after the COVID-19 restrictions still remains unclear. The objective of this study is to evaluate the mental status through a cross-sectional survey and gather related theoretical evidence for psychological intervention on postgraduate students majoring in stomatology.MethodsAn online survey was administered, and subjective well-being, anxiety, stress and depression symptoms were assessed using the 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5), item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), respectively, wherein suicidal ideation and sleep-related problems were measured with PHQ-9 and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI).ResultsA total of 208 participants who completed one questionnaire were considered as valid. It was found that female respondents generally exhibited significantly higher levels of PSS-10, PHQ-9, and GAD-7 scores and shorter physical activity hours than male students. Students from rural areas demonstrated significantly higher levels of PHQ-9, suicidal ideation, and less portion of good or fair family economic support. Additionally, individuals from only-child families reported increased levels of activity hours (1.78 ± 2.07, p = 0.045) and a higher portion (55.10%, p = 0.007) of having clear future plan as compared with multiple-child families. The risk factors for anxiety symptoms (GAD-7 score) were higher scores of PSS-10 (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.09–1.22), PHQ-9 (OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.22–1.49), and ISI-7 (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.06–1.23), while owning a clear graduation plan was the protective factor (OR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.31–0.98). Moreover, the risk factors for depressive symptoms (PHQ-9) included PSS-10 (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.04–1.16), GAD-7 (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.25–1.52), suicidal ideation (OR = 5.66, 95% CI = 3.37–9.51), and ISI-7 (OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.09–1.25). Approximately 98.08% of Chinese postgraduates studying stomatology reported experiencing at least moderate stress after the COVID-19 restrictions.ConclusionWithin the limitations of this study, senior students were more inclined to stress, while anxiety symptoms were related to severer levels of stress, depression, and insomnia. Depressive symptoms were associated with higher levels of stress, anxiety, insomnia, suicidal ideation, and lower levels of self-reported well-being. Thus, psychological interventions for postgraduates should be timely and appropriately implemented by strengthening well-being, reasonably planning for the future, and good physique, thereby mitigating the psychological issues after COVID-19 restrictions.

Abstract PO3-05-14: Practice patterns for sequential use of antibody-drug conjugate after antibody-drug conjugate in metastatic breast cancer: results from a physician survey

Abstract Introduction: Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have become a key part of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) treatment. Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd), and Sacituzumab Govitecan (SG) are approved ADCs available for the treatment of MBC. Completed trials that led to the approval of these ADCs did not include patients who had received the other ADC as prior therapy. Little is known about the optimal sequencing of these agents and how clinicians are incorporating ADC sequencing decisions at bedside. Methods: An online survey regarding the use of sequential ADCs was distributed electronically from April 2023 to July 2023 among US clinicians who treat patients with breast cancer. The survey included eight questions assessing clinician practice settings and the use of ADC sequencing and five case-based scenarios (table 1). Descriptive statistics were used to assess survey responses. Results: 107 survey responses were received, out of which 72% were female responders and 93% were medical oncologists. The majority of responders practiced in an academic setting (83%) and reported being involved in clinical research (82%). 58% of responders have been in practice for >10 years and 68% treat >20 breast cancer patients per week. 87% had prescribed an ADC post-ADC for MBC. 46% of responders thought that the degree of benefit for an ADC post-ADC would be similar to the benefit noted in the pivotal ADC trials, and 54% thought that the degree of benefit with sequencing would be lower than in the pivotal trials. Regarding the case-based questions for patients with triple-negative breast cancer and HER2 low disease who had disease progression on first-line metastatic therapy, 64-71% of clinicians opted to give SG as the first ADC followed by T-DXd as the second ADC in sequence, regardless of age, PDL1 status and prior metastatic therapies. For a patient with hormone-positive (HR+), HER2 low MBC, who had received capecitabine as the first metastatic chemotherapy, 50% opted to give T-DXd as the first ADC followed by SG as the second ADC, and 40% opted to give weekly paclitaxel followed by SG as the first ADC. For a patient with HR+, HER2 low MBC who had received two prior chemotherapies for metastatic disease, 77% opted for T-DXd as the first ADC, followed by SG as the second sequential ADC. When grade 1 pneumonitis was added as a comorbidity to the case, only 16% opted to give T-DXd as the first ADC choice. Conclusion: Almost 90% of clinicians report prescribing sequential ADCs for MBC, yet there is little uniformity in how these ADCs are sequenced. More than 50% felt that the benefit of the second ADC in the sequence will be lower than the registration trials that led to the approval of the ADC in a setting of no prior ADC treatment. The optimal sequencing of ADCs remains an area of unmet need and further studies are needed to guide optimal medical decisions regarding sequential ADC-based treatment algorithms for patients with MBC. Table 1. Case-based scenarios for ADC sequencing Citation Format: Yara Abdou, Prarthna Bhardwaj, Rachel Abelman, Laura Spring, Aditya Bardia, Lisa Carey, Priyanka Sharma. Practice patterns for sequential use of antibody-drug conjugate after antibody-drug conjugate in metastatic breast cancer: results from a physician survey [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO3-05-14.

Demographic Correlates of Endometriosis Diagnosis Among United States Women Aged 15-50

To compare demographic characteristics for women with and without a diagnosis of endometriosis. Data were collected from the National Survey of Family Growth - a publicly available survey designed and administered by the Centers for Disease Control, which uses a nationally-representative sample of the United States population. Univariate data were reported as survey-weighted percentages and means, and were analyzed using chi-square, t-tests, and logistic regression. Analyses accounted for complex survey design. United States PARTICIPANTS: Interviews were conducted with 6,141 female respondents, aged 15-50, between 2017 and 2019. Data were collected through in-person interviews. Nationally, 5.7% reported a diagnosis of endometriosis (95% CI 4.6-6.9%). Those with endometriosis were older, with a mean age of 39 (95% CI 38.1-39.9), compared to 31.7 (95% CI 31.2-32.2) among those without (p < 0.0005). Endometriosis diagnosis was significantly associated with race. Compared to non-Hispanic White women, Hispanic women had an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 0.37 (95% CI 0.21-0.65) for diagnosis of endometriosis, and non-Hispanic Black women had an aOR of 0.54 (95% CI 0.35-0.84). We also observed a difference in diagnosis by health insurance: compared to those with private insurance or Medi-Gap coverage, those with Medicare or military insurance had an aOR for endometriosis diagnosis of 2.49 (95% CI 1.36-4.55). Finally, compared to those with less than a high school education, those who had completed high school or greater had an aOR for endometriosis diagnosis of 2.84 (95% CI 1.15-6.99). These disparities in endometriosis diagnosis suggest that intersecting barriers may preclude certain groups from accessing timely endometriosis diagnosis and management. Further studies are warranted to explore these hypothesis-generating data, and to identify and address specific barriers to equitable endometriosis diagnosis and management.

Perceived Barriers to Pursuing a Career in Neurosurgery in Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Nigerian Medical Students and Unspecialized Physicians

Nigeria has an inadequate number of neurosurgeons to meet the population's demand for neurosurgical care. Furthermore, few Nigerian neurosurgeons are female. This study sought to evaluate perceived barriers to pursuing neurosurgery among Nigerian trainees. A 60-question survey was distributed electronically to medical students at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, and unspecialized intern physicians at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Participation was voluntary. One hundred fifty-seven respondents participated in the survey. A greater proportion of males indicated an interest in neurosurgery than females (40% vs. 18%, P= 0.010). Over 75% of respondents identified decreased family and personal time, long work hours, and limited access to maternity or paternity leave as potential barriers to neurosurgery, with no differences by gender. Respondents overall saw being female and low-income as disadvantageous to pursuing neurosurgery in Nigeria. Although they universally viewed research as important in neurosurgery, 59% of respondents reported inadequate access to research opportunities; this did not vary by gender. However, 65% of female respondents reported that having a female neurosurgery mentor would increase their interest in neurosurgery (vs. 37% of males, P= 0.001). Nigerian medical trainees perceived the time commitment of neurosurgery as a major barrier to pursuing the specialty. Regardless of gender, they also reported low exposure to neurosurgery and inadequate access to research and mentorship opportunities. However, we found that enhanced female representation among neurosurgery mentors and improved work-life balance could increase interest in neurosurgery and help expand Nigeria's neurosurgical workforce.

Determination of Relationship Between the Application of ICT and Decision-Making Federal Universities of Northern Nigeria

This study examines how Federal Universities of Northern Nigeria use ICT to make decisions. Technology in data storage, analytics, and decision support systems has transformed decision-making, according to the introduction. We examine how ICT improves decision-making through data gathering, analysis, and communication. The hypothesis is that ICT use does not affect decision-making in these universities. The correlational study included 2,114 workers from all Northern Nigerian Federal Universities. The sample procedure selected states from each geopolitical zone and seven federal institutions from each state. Data was collected using a questionnaire on ICT in Effective Planning (QAICTEP). The null hypothesis was tested using Pearson's Product Moment Correlation coefficient (PPMCC). The respondents' age, experience, and qualifications were diverse. Male respondents outnumbered female respondents 75% to 25%. The null hypothesis was rejected since the PPMCC analysis showed a positive correlation (r = 0.609) between ICT application and decision-making. The conclusion shows that ICT use improves decision-making. ICT infrastructure investments, training, enhanced Decision Support System integration, and strong data governance regulations are recommended. at conclusion, this study sheds light on strategic ICT integration and decision-making at Federal Universities in Northern Nigeria, emphasising the need to improve decision-making quality and efficiency.

Socio-Economic Status of Women Teachers Employees in India

Abstract: Sexual orientation discrimination in India is the chief reason that has influenced women's socio- economic turn of events. Women in country territories are known to need sufficient offices and education for their turn of events. Most women in country zones have less access to social insurance. Most of women in towns are housewives and work for their occupation in the homestead division. In this study we concentrated on the socio-economic status of women employees of women teachers. The point of this study is to choose the distinction between the economic and cultural position, the association between the fragment status of women teachers and their economic prosperity, the association between the portion status of women teachers and their economic status, and to study the association between the profile components of women teachers and their social position. In the current study we inspect the relationship between the elements of the profile of the female teachers and their satisfaction at work. For this study the A pilot test was conducted and corrections were made in the questionnaire, as were other sources, for example, journals, papers, diaries, reports, articles and related investigations. The scientist gathered information from 300 female respondents picked utilizing a delineated irregular inspecting method. Among the 300 women respondents, 245 are working on a regular basis and 55 are on temporary/Guest basis. Random sampling method to distribute questionnaires was followed by the researcher, and user data was obtained. From the study one can see that strong measures are expected to upgrade the socio-economic status of women instructor employees. Women are intensely tried out advanced education and business. It might be because of government concerns in education and work, and Women's Universities and Colleges being established. In spite of the fact that their proportion is high, contrasted with that of guys, their rank isn't high. Various factors, for example, age, sexual orientation, religion, conjugal status, number of wards, scholarly qualifications, specialized qualifications, position, sort of school, nature of occupation and number of long stretches of experience influence the status of women instructor employees. Along these lines it is essential to improve the socio-economic conditions of women teachers. Female teachers ought to endeavor to find some kind of harmony between their work and family jobs. In addition to encouraging they ought not stop for a second to accept obligations. It builds their organizationalstatus as well as energizes their trust in themselves. Through taking part in different preparing programs, addresses, conferences, workshops and taking up further study courses they can findout to an ever increasing extent

Temporal Shifts in E-Scooter Rider Perspectives: A Longitudinal Investigation in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Shared electric scooters (e-scooters) have rapidly gained prominence as a first/last-mile mobility solution globally, with over 66,000 systems operating in 88 cities across 21 countries in 2019. While recognized for their flexibility, accessibility, and environmental benefits, concerns such as safety, parking issues, and infrastructural challenges accompany the operation of shared e-scooter systems. This research investigates the evolving perceptions of e-scooter users in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, comparing pre-survey results with a recent study following the official deployment of e-scooters as a transportation mode in 2022. The analysis reveals significant shifts in user behavior, preferences, and perceptions. The findings indicate increased familiarity with e-scooters, heightened usage rates, and notable changes in domestic e-scooter use. Furthermore, the study identifies variations in willingness to use e-scooters across genders. A notable shift is observed in riders’ perceptions, transforming from viewing e-scooters primarily as entertainment tools to embracing them as a reliable mode of transportation. The results show that the percentage of female respondents using e-scooters increased from 3% to 13%, representing over four times the post-survey numbers. Additionally, the percentage of individuals perceiving e-scooters as safe decreased from 28.2% in the pre-survey to 14.9% in the current survey (post-survey) among those who had used e-scooters. The regression analysis demonstrates a historical uptrend in the utilization of e-scooters, juxtaposed with a discernible decline projected for forthcoming usage (odds ratio [OR] = 0.74). Intriguingly, there is evidence indicating an enhancement of riders’ confidence towards e-scooters, as reflected by an augmented perception of safety (OR = 1.48).

Postharvest practices and loss determinants for interventions among smallholder potato farmers in Tiyo district, Arsi zone, Ethiopia

Postharvest loss reduction, which will contribute to several sustainable development goals (SDGs) including SDG 1, 2, 3, 9, 12 and 13, is an important strategy for food and nutrition security. It requires interventions designed based on timely and reliable statistical data. However, lack of produce-specific loss data and associated factors along the postharvest value chain stages remains a challenge to implement appropriate interventions. Therefore, a survey was conducted on socio-demographic characteristics, postharvest practices, extent and causes of losses, and factors influencing postharvest loss of potato crops in Tiyo district of Arsi Zone, Ethiopia in 2022. A multistage sampling method was used to select a total of 209 smallholder potato farming household heads through a combination of purposive and simple random sampling techniques. Quantitative data collection was carried out online using computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) by programming a semi-structured questionnaire in KoboCollect software for tablets. Descriptive statistics and ordinal probit regression model were used to analyze the collected data and determinant factors influencing postharvest loss of potatoes at various farm-level stages, respectively. An aggregate of 15-46% loss exists between harvesting and marketing. Losses during harvesting, sorting, cleaning, packaging, field-to-storage transport, storage, and storage-to-market transport were 58.9%, 6.2%, 2.9%, 2.4%, 3.8%, 20.1%, and 5.7%, respectively. Elevated loss during harvesting and storage in the area is likely to reflect poor handling and storage practices. The primary causes of losses were poor harvesting and handling techniques, poor storage facility, and insects and worms. Moreover, regression model estimations of categorical losses, as perceived by farmers, reveal that socio-demographic variables and postharvest factors influenced potato loss. During the harvest stage, working family members significantly (p&lt;0.01) increased loss while years of schooling (p&lt;0.05) significantly reduced loss. In addition, harvesting using leaf color change observation as a criterion had significantly (p&lt;0.01) mitigated potato loss. In storage, female respondents (p&lt;0.05), land size (p&lt;0.05), and lack of training (p&lt;0.1) had accentuated loss. During transport, the age of household reduced (p&lt;0.1) loss whereas farming experience promoted (p&lt;0.1) it. To reduce the existing losses, farmers’ awareness should be increased concerning each stage. The study recommends the need for stakeholders’ intervention focusing on postharvest knowledge and skill capacity building, demonstration of simple innovative ventilated storage construction using locally available materials, appropriate packaging (such as reusable plastic crates) and transport methods, and simple value addition methods (such as potato drying using indirect solar dryers and potato flour processing for fortifying local cereals). Key words: CAPI, Ethiopia, ordinal probit regression, postharvest practices, potato loss determinants

Utilisation of services provided at an outreach healthcare facility and its associated factors among residents in a coastal taluk of southern Karnataka: A cross-sectional study.

Understanding the patterns of utilisation of primary health services can help to improve service delivery and utilisation, thereby reducing common morbidities in the community. The study aimed to assess the patterns of utilisation of services provided at an outreach healthcare centre. A community-based survey was conducted among families residing in the field practice area of an outreach centre for more than a year. Data were collected using a questionnaire administered to adults aged >18 years. Collected data were entered into and analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 16.0. Approximately 65.1% of the respondents were aged 31-59 years, and 67.4% were women. Among 126 surveyed households, 50.7% had utilised services from the outreach centre. The facilitators of utilisation among 64 households included proximity to their area of residence (90.6%) and availability of good-quality services (40.6%). The most common barriers included a lack of awareness (30.9%) and inconvenient timings (18.2%) of the healthcare centre. The respondents aged <18 years (odds ratio [OR]=7.64; 95% confidence interval [CI]=4.37-13.37) and >45 years (OR=2.65; 95% CI=1.57-4.47) had higher odds of utilising services than those aged 18-45 years. The female respondents (OR=2.89; 95% CI=1.86-4.51) were more likely to utilise services than the male respondents. Creating awareness regarding the outreach healthcare centre and designing services based on the observed needs of the community can further improve the utilisation of services provided at the healthcare centre.

Integrating spatial patterns and driving factors of cultural ecosystem services into territorial spatial governance: A case study of the Horqin Sandy Land with multi-ethnic settlements

Although the spatial patterns of cultural ecosystem services (CES) are often considered in land use management, there is a noticeable disparity in research coverage compared to biophysical ecosystem services (BES). Moreover, there is a lack of research focusing on human perceptions of CES. To address this gap, this study proposed a CES-BES framework that integrates spatial patterns, driving factors of CES, and their interactions with BES, based on the general framework of social and ecological systems. To alleviate the dual pressures of ecological degradation and cultural preservation, this study utilized the constructed CES-BES framework to offer land use recommendations aimed at promoting sustainable development in the Horqin Sandy Land. CES and BES were quantified through a combination of questionnaire surveys, SolVES model and process modeling, including aesthetic, biodiversity, cultural, economic, future, and historical values, as well as net primary productivity, crop production, wind protection, and sand fixation. The results revealed that CES in the Horqin Sandy Land exhibited a discernible pattern of "high in the west and low in the east." Notably, the factors perceived by respondents exerted a more substantial influence on CES than non-perceptual factors. Female respondents showed relatively lower sensitivity to CES overall, but higher sensitivity to biodiversity. Han respondents tended to prioritize biodiversity, while Mongolian respondents were more sensitive to cultural and historical values. Herders exhibited higher sensitivity to biodiversity, while respondents from other occupations showed higher sensitivity to cultural and future values. The influence of land use, topography, and accessibility on different CES was generally similar. All CES showed a positive correlation with elevation, slope, and distance to water, while they showed a negative correlation with distance to roads. Based on the results, the Horqin Sandy Land has been divided into five regions, with development recommendations provided for each region to ensure sustainable development. This study provides a novel perspective and methodological framework for CES supporting territorial spatial governance and land use management, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of CES.

Spatial distribution and determinants of HIV high burden in the Southern African sub-region.

Spatial analysis at different levels can help understand spatial variation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, disease drivers, and targeted interventions. Combining spatial analysis and the evaluation of the determinants of the HIV burden in Southern African countries is essential for a better understanding of the disease dynamics in high-burden settings. The study countries were selected based on the availability of demographic and health surveys (DHS) and corresponding geographic coordinates. We used multivariable regression to evaluate the determinants of HIV burden and assessed the presence and nature of HIV spatial autocorrelation in six Southern African countries. The overall prevalence of HIV for each country varied between 11.3% in Zambia and 22.4% in South Africa. The HIV prevalence rate was higher among female respondents in all six countries. There were reductions in prevalence estimates in most countries yearly from 2011 to 2020. The hotspot cluster findings show that the major cities in each country are the key sites of high HIV burden. Compared with female respondents, the odds of being HIV positive were lesser among the male respondents. The probability of HIV infection was higher among those who had sexually transmitted infections (STI) in the last 12 months, divorced and widowed individuals, and women aged 25 years and older. Our research findings show that analysis of survey data could provide reasonable estimates of the wide-ranging spatial structure of the HIV epidemic in Southern African countries. Key determinants such as individuals who are divorced, middle-aged women, and people who recently treated STIs, should be the focus of HIV prevention and control interventions. The spatial distribution of high-burden areas for HIV in the selected countries was more pronounced in the major cities. Interventions should also be focused on locations identified as hotspot clusters.