Financial Support Research Articles

Enhancing family dynamics with a focus on fatherhood: An empirical and practical theological study in South Africa using the Fatherhood Training Manual

Over time, fatherhood has evolved, leading to significant challenges, repercussions, and difficulties for families in their local communities. The issue of fatherhood is a major challenge facing families today, as many fathers encounter serious obstacles, and often are not present during this period of reconceptualization. The fatherhood issue has disastrous ramifications, as struggles faced by men adversely affect families, society, and eventually the entire world. Family dynamics, encompassing the patterns of interactions between relatives, their roles and relationships, and the factors influencing these interactions, are indispensable. Family members are primary sources of relationship security, relying on one another for emotional, physical, and financial support. However, families are increasingly fading from our society, along with God's intended purpose for them. The fatherhood conundrum in many South African communities suggests that the fundamental problem lies in fathers failing to fulfill their essential roles. Therefore, from a biblical standpoint, the Fatherhood Training and Equipping Program (FTEP) is crucial for salvaging the male role and restoring a healthy and sane family and society. Research has shown that the FTEP not only addresses a major gap in the lives of families but also harnesses the strengths of fathers, enabling them to make significant contributions to their homes and communities. Its primary goals are to enhance family life and address the fatherhood issue. The curriculum consists of a well-defined set of fundamental exercises and activities designed to facilitate learning, foster interpersonal skills through interaction and sharing, and develop critical thinking, decision-making, coping mechanisms, motivation, and commitment to action.

Barriers to accessing abortion care: an analysis from the perspective of unintended pregnant women-findings from the ELSA study

Barriers to accessing abortion care can delay access to services, which can lead to delayed abortion and health risks. Barriers include geographical accessibility, confidentiality, waiting times, stigmatization, poor or inaccessible information and the cost of abortion. This article examines barriers to accessing abortion care in Germany. This includes barriers in the availability and accessibility of care services, access to information, costs associated with abortion and organisational barriers. The analyses are based on data from an online cross-sectional survey of 594 women in Germany who had an unwanted pregnancy terminated, which was conducted as part of the ELSA Study in 2021 and 2022. The findings indicate that access to abortion care in Germany is associated with various barriers for many women. Of the respondents, 80.1% reported at least one barrier to accessing abortion, 65.5% reported more than two barriers and 40.5% reported three or more barriers. In particular, the non-disclosure of the procedure and the associated fear of stigmatisation represented hurdles for many participants. The results of the study underline the need to improve access to safe abortions. Reducing access barriers therefore includes the decriminalisation of abortion, acomprehensive care structure, financial support services, improved information services and the reduction of stigmatisation and discrimination.

Voucher tokenisation using blockchain and smart contracts to support people in need

In South Africa, many people are homeless or doing informal work for which they receive small amounts of cash from caring individuals. The world is moving towards cashless transactions, but devices are needed to support that move. Many people in need cannot afford such devices and usually receive cash, but fewer donors carry cash. Consequently, people in need receive less informal financial support. We propose a system that allows donors to give digital vouchers that can be redeemed at participating stores and institutions of care. This study aimed to investigate the use of blockchain technology in digital voucher management and to demonstrate the application of smart contracts to disintermediate the value transfer process specific to the donation process. A demonstrator was built to include a front end for the user to interact with and a back end containing the application logic, which was built on the Polygon blockchain, a second-layer solution for the Ethereum blockchain. The model included tokenising vouchers as non-fungible tokens, and the smart contracts governed their logic and the conditions to be met. The demonstrator was validated using smart contract and unit tests to evaluate the security and functionality. While the model was not implemented in reality, a fully functioning demonstrator was developed. The platform achieved the aim of disintermediating the voucher management process. A real-world implementation could help many in need to receive tokens for food, shelter and clothing from direct, individual donors.

Yield Gap Assessment in Senegal and Senegal River Valley: Factors Affecting the Yield Gap and Postharvest Activities Impact on its Improvement

Senegalese agriculture relies mainly on seasonal production activities marked with low productivity. This contributes to high dependency on imports as far as food self-sufficiency is concerned. This dependency on cereal imports, primarily of rice, wheat and maize has increased gradually due to their low incentive to produce comparison with cash crops (e.g., peanut and cotton), inappropriate policies and failures in improving agricultural productivity. Domestic agricultural production of cereals in Senegal covers approximately 40% of the country’s demand. And it is characterized by a low level of fertilizer application and low accessibility of inputs such as seeds and fertilizer. Reflecting these obstacles, the dependency of rice and maize on imports in Senegal reaches up to 80% and 50%, respectively. At the country level, the gap between current and potential yield is estimated to be 49.75% and 79.75% for rice and maize production, respectively. But in the Senegal River Valley, these yield gaps are less severe; they are 37.9% and 58.8% respectively. These yield gaps are caused by biophysical, socio-economic and institutional factors. Among them, problems associated with harvest and postharvest hindrances need to be addressed. And, as domestic financial support for loosening up these constraints is not easy because of a lack of financial capacity of government and farmers, one must look for financial support from overseas. Without funding from outside, many governmental agricultural projects targeting to boost up domestic agricultural production are under danger of failure.

Status of inpatients with pediatric epilepsy in children's hospitals in China (2016-2021).

Pediatric epilepsy is the most common disease of pediatric neurological diseases in China. Current demographic characteristics and economic burdens are needed to guide public health policy. In this study, we provide the demographic characteristics and economic burden of pediatric epilepsy patients in China from 2016 to 2021, and describe the change trend and correlation of demographic characteristics and economic burden by province. Using data from the Futang Research Center of Pediatric Development, we conducted a demographic-based cross-sectional study of pediatric epilepsy patients in 29 children's hospitals in China to assess changes in the distribution and economic burden over 6 years and related factors. We obtained per capita disposable income information from the Economic Statistical Bulletin of the National Bureau of Statistics of China and the statistical bureaus of provincial administrative regions. Demographic, diagnostic classification proportion and distribution trends, and economic burden from 2016 to 2021 were verified for pediatric patients with epilepsy. From 2016 to 2021, there were 149,375 patients diagnosed with epilepsy. The proportion of patients younger than 3 years decreased significantly from 51.13% to 29.43% (P=0.00853, R2=0.9803). The root-mean-square-error between the Inter-Provincial Visits Indexes decreased from 1.70 to 0.90, decreasing significantly (R2=0.8306). The disease burden decreased from 17.26% to 12.11% with a significant upward trend (P=0.02417, R2=0.8817). A negative correlation between disease burden and the Inter-Provincial Visits Index (P=0.0383) was observed, along with a positive correlation with the proportion of patients younger than 3 years old (P<0.0001). From 2016 to 2021, the proportion of young patients, population mobility and economic burden on patients decreased, and healthcare level of pediatric epilepsy improved. In addition, based on the current observations, the healthcare level of pediatric epilepsy in Western and Central China is lower than in other regions, and the economic burden on patients is higher than in other regions. In the future, these areas require higher priority concerning policy and financial support.

Competition and cooperation mechanism of new energy vehicle policies in China’s key regions

New energy vehicles (NEVs) are crucial in addressing environmental pollution and energy shortages. Their widespread adoption has been hindered by challenges such as inadequate infrastructure and limited market competitiveness. To promote the development of NEV, local governments in China have implemented various policies. However, resource constraints within regions have created inherent conflicts among policy objectives, while regional disparities have emerged due to differences in development status and characteristics. This study aims to model the complex competitive and cooperative mechanisms among different NEV policy objectives and compare their variations across three key regions: the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH), Guangdong-Guangxi-Fujian (GGF), and Yangtze-River-Delta (YRD). Firstly, topic model Latent Dirichlet Allocation is applied on 857 local NEV policies from 2010 to 2021, identifying six core policy objectives, namely production technology, infrastructure, financial support, demonstration, industrial management and environmental protection. Then, the Lotka-Volterra model is employed to examine competitive and cooperative mechanism among these policy objectives. Key findings are: (1) infrastructure policies prevail across all regions; (2) regulation policies exhibit a comparative advantage in the BTH region, while implementation policies dominate in the GGF region and promotion policies in the YRD region; (3) cooperation among objectives is primarily observed in the BTH region, whereas competition plays a more dominant role in the other regions. This study fills a previous research gap and provides insights for researchers and policymakers, highlighting the development of customized strategies that consider the unique characteristics and requirements of each region.

Family support among young adults: The role of childhood maltreatment

BackgroundSuccess in young adulthood marked by independence and exploration is not universal. Parentification, when young people acquire adult roles before they are developmentally ready, and family support patterns suggest potential differences based on childhood maltreatment history hence widening inequalities. ObjectiveThis study aimed to describe family-of-origin support patterns among young adults with various levels of exposure to child maltreatment and child protective services (CPS). Participants & settingThe study leveraged Year 22 data of the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing dataset; a national, longitudinal, birth-cohort study of U.S. children born in 1998–2000. MethodsWe used bivariate statistics and logistic regressions to examine maltreatment exposure, socioeconomic conditions, and family-of-origin relationships. ResultsThose with out-of-home care and CPS contact without out-of-home care had lower odds of contact and feeling “extra” close to their caregiver compared to those without reported maltreatment, and those with out-of-home care had lower odds of receiving financial support from family for bills (OR = 0.62, 95 % CI [0.42, 0.92]). Those with out-of-home care had higher odds of providing dependent care to family members (OR = 1.67, 95 % CI [1.02, 2.72]); and those with CPS contact only had higher odds of supporting family members financially (OR = 1.79, 95 % CI [1.29, 2.47]). ConclusionFindings suggest the importance of public support programs to assist those with maltreatment histories susceptible to the absence of parental support and additional demands of support provision. Understanding young adult-parent relationships within the context of childhood maltreatment is critical to promote well-being.

Improving primary healthcare quality in China through training needs analysis

The diagnosis and treatment capability levels of healthcare professionals directly affect the overall quality of medical services. Enhancing these capability levels requires strengthening the professional skill training of healthcare workers, especially those in primary care settings in economically underdeveloped areas. To understand the actual needs for professional skill training among primary healthcare workers, thereby providing data support for targeted training initiatives. An online survey was conducted using convenience sampling and subsequently, snowball sampling from May 10, 2023 to January 31, 2024. The survey included 3811 healthcare workers across China, and 3617 valid questionnaires were recovered. Descriptive analysis was used to compare the professional backgrounds and training needs of healthcare workers at different medical facility levels. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to explore factors influencing the training of primary healthcare workers. The survey revealed that 70.1% of respondents were female, and 94.2% were from medical facilities below the provincial level, with 43.2% from township-level or lower medical facilities. Significant differences were found in age distribution, work experience, professional titles, educational levels, and training needs among provincial/national, prefectural/county, and township levels (P < 0.05). Busy clinical work schedules were the primary barrier to training participation. Most healthcare workers (78.7%) expected more than four training sessions per year, with the optimal frequency being quarterly. The most anticipated training topics among primary care workers were latest medical guidelines, new technologies/skills, and advanced management concepts, with over 80% interest. Compared with prefectural/county-level facilities, primary care workers at grassroots facilities are more significantly impacted by lower professional titles, lower education levels, weaker medical/technical skills, and insufficient specialized funding (odds ratio > 1, P < 0.001). Training should be tailored to the needs of healthcare workers at different medical facility levels. Particularly for primary care settings, providing special funding support and training in the latest medical guidelines, new technologies/skills, and advanced management concepts are important to improve the composition of titles, education, and professional technicians.

Intention to Seek Mental Health Services During the 2022 Shanghai COVID-19 City-Wide Lockdown: Web-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background The implementation of COVID-19 lockdown measures had immediate and delayed psychological effects. From March 27, 2022, to June 1, 2022, the Shanghai government enforced a city-wide lockdown that affected 25 million residents. During this period, mental health services were predominantly provided through digital platforms. However, limited knowledge exists regarding the general population’s intention to use mental health services during this time. Objective This study aimed to assess the intention of Shanghai residents to use mental health services during the 2022 Shanghai lockdown and identify factors associated with the intention to use mobile mental health services. Methods An online survey was distributed from April 29 to June 1, 2022, using a purposive sampling approach across 16 districts in Shanghai. Eligible participants were adults over 18 years of age who were physically present in Shanghai during the lockdown. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the associations between demographic factors, lockdown-related stressors and experiences, physical and mental health status, and study outcomes–mobile mental health service use intention (mobile applications and WeChat Mini Programs [Tencent Holdings Limited]). Results The analytical sample comprised 3230 respondents, among whom 29.7% (weighted percentage; n=1030) screened positive for depression or anxiety based on the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire or the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale. Less than one-fourth of the respondents (24.4%, n=914) expressed an intention to use any form of mental health services, with mobile mental health service being the most considered option (19.3%, n=728). Only 10.9% (n=440) used digital mental health services during the lockdown. Factors associated with increased odds of mobile mental health service use intention included being female, being employed, being a permanent resident, experiencing COVID-19–related stressors (such as loss of income, food insecurity, and potentially traumatic experiences), and having social and financial support. Individuals with moderate or severe anxiety, as well as those with comorbid anxiety and depression, demonstrated a higher intention to use mobile mental health services. However, individuals with depression alone did not exhibit a significantly higher intention compared with those without common mental disorders. Conclusions Despite a high prevalence of common mental disorders among Shanghai residents, less than one-fourth of the study respondents expressed an intention to use any form of mental health services during the lockdown. Mobile apps or WeChat Mini Programs were the most considered mental health service formats. The study provided insights for developing more person-centered mobile mental health services to meet the diverse needs of different populations.

Pendampingan Penyusunan Laporan Keuangan bagi UMKM

This community service aims to strengthen the empowerment of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in South Sulawesi through assistance in preparing financial statements. Through a series of workshops, trainings, and individual mentoring sessions, we provide an in-depth understanding of the significance of financial statements and equip MSME owners with practical skills to compile, read, and analyze their financial statements. The mentoring method involves organizing interactive workshops led by experienced financial practitioners and individual mentoring sessions tailored to the needs of each MSME. In addition, we provide online resources as a learning platform that MSMEs can access flexibly, including guides, financial statement templates, and relevant case studies. Outcomes of the service include improved MSMEs' understanding of financial reporting, significant financial empowerment, and increased access to external financial support. MSMEs that participated in the program were able to produce clear financial statements, providing a basis for smarter decision-making and increasing their chances of securing financial support from financial institutions. With a focus on the context of South Sulawesi, this service contributes to the strengthening of the MSME sector in the region, supports local economic growth, and positively impacts the financial sustainability of MSMEs. Through assistance in preparing financial statements, it is hoped that MSMEs in South Sulawesi can develop sustainably and contribute optimally to regional economic development

How primary and tertiary care services collaborate in urgent care delivery: an evaluation of general practice advice lines

BackgroundTo address the rising demand for urgent care and decrease hospital use, health systems are implementing different strategies to support urgent care patients (i.e. patients who would have typically been treated in hospital) in the community, such as general practitioner (GP) advice lines. The aims of this study were to: identify the support and resources GPs need to manage urgent care patients in the community; assess the need for GP advice lines by primary care services in Australia; and identify the facilitators and barriers to adoption, and strategies to support the sustainability of GP advice lines.MethodsQualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with GPs, hospital-based healthcare providers, consumers, and healthcare management, recruited via existing investigator networks and snowballing approach. The interviews were conducted between February and August 2023. Major themes were identified by an iterative and inductive thematic analysis.ResultsWe interviewed 16 participants (median age 50, IQR 38–59). Based on the aims of the study, three themes emerged: support and resources for GPs; motivation for GP advice lines; and factors influencing the uptake and sustainability of GP advice lines. Participants reported that better communication from hospital services with GPs is critical to ensure continuity of care between tertiary and primary settings. They also noted that GP advice lines can help increase capacity to manage urgent care patients in the community by providing timely decision-support to GPs. However, a reported barrier to the uptake and ongoing use of GP advice lines was the limited hours of the service. To sustain GP advice lines, participants highlighted a need to broaden the scope of the service beyond the pandemic, conduct rigorous evaluation on health outcomes, and further digitise the service so that a tiered level of support could be provided based on risk stratification.ConclusionsThe benefits of GP advice lines are yet to be fully realised. With increasing technology sophistication, there remain opportunities to further digitise and optimise GP advice lines, whilst ensuring better integration within and across primary and tertiary care services. This is however dependent on continued financial and policy support from the government.

Assessing the relationship between organizational culture and strategic decision-making through the mediating effect of the dynamic environment in the Jordanian ICT industry

The need for organizations to remain flexible is crucial. This study aims to assess the way organizational culture, dynamic environments, and strategic choices can be related in the case of the Jordanian ICT industry with emphasis on the mediating effect of the dynamic environment. The paper employed a questionnaire sent to 256 employees from several ICT companies involved in strategic decision-making and planning. The analyses showed that organizational culture significantly affects strategic decision-making, with the dynamic environment serving as an important mediator. More precisely, it explained 50.6% of the variance in decision-making (R² = 0.506) and 52.2% of the variance in perceptions about the dynamic environment (R² = 0.522). Thus, consistency (p = 0.007) and adaptability (p = 0.006) emerged as critical cultural dimensions that enhance effective strategic decision-making. Additionally, the prominent effect of the dynamic environment on decision-making was identified (p = 0.000). Therefore, Jordan’s ICT companies can enhance their strategic decision-making and gain a competitive advantage in a sustainable manner by focusing on organizational culture with priorities on consistency and adaptability. This kind of culture ensures better alignment with strategies and quick responses to market or technological changes, contributing to long-term business sustainability. Acknowledgment Acknowledgments are expressed to Middle East University, Amman, Jordan, for the financial support to cover this article’s publishing fee.

Influential Factors in the Decision to Pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering and Artificial Intelligence at the School of Engineering and Technology, Walailak University

Background and Objectives: University education is essential for empowering individuals and fostering economic, social, and intellectual growth. In Thailand, fair and competitive university admissions are ensured across 75 institutions by the Thai University Center Admission System (TCAS). At the same time, each individual’s decision to pursue higher education is influenced by the quality of program’s curriculum and academic reputation, along with geographical considerations and parental guidance. This study investigates factors influencing the decision to pursue a bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering and Artificial Intelligence (CEAI) at Walailak University, focusing in particular on their revised curriculum. Insights gained aim to enhance curriculum alignment, boost recruitment, and meet the diverse needs of students. Methodology: This study employed an exploratory approach, using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The population consisted of 126 students enrolled in the CEAI program at Walailak University in 2022. A sample of 96 participants were randomly selected and voluntarily completed an online questionnaire. The questionnaire, distributed via academic platforms and social media, elicited demographic information and explored factors influencing participants’ decision to pursue this degree. Main Results: The results showed that curriculum factors had the greatest impact on the decision to pursue the program, followed by financial factors, educational institution factors, and personal reasons. The t-test results indicated that gender impacted decision regarding course enrollment and the total monthly income of the family affected the decision as to whether or not to enroll at a particular institution. Discussions: This study revealed key factors influencing enrollment decisions for CEAI students at Walailak University. Curriculum relevance, faculty expertise, and financial considerations emerged as their primary concerns. Notably, female students valued curriculum aspects more highly than their male counterparts, yet they remain underrepresented, highlighting persistent gender stereotypes in engineering. Income-related differences significantly impacted perceptions of financial factors. To address these findings, we recommend: (1) curriculum-focused marketing emphasizing industry relevance, (2) targeted outreach to female students, (3) expanded financial support and transparency, and (4) enhanced public relations leveraging social media and outreach programs. These strategies aim to create a more diverse and inclusive program, aligning with global trends in STEM education and workforce development. Conclusions: The study reveals that curriculum factors, particularly job market relevance and faculty expertise, are most important to students in Walailak University's CEAI program. Gender and income related differences significantly influence student perspectives. These insights can help improve program quality, develop targeted admission strategies, and better serve diverse student needs.

Impact of proximity from chemical and pharmaceutical universities on startup founding: empirical evidence from the Visegrad countries

This paper examines the spatial distribution of chemical startups in the Visegrad Countries (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary), highlighting their potential to drive technological innovation by creating new products or services under conditions of high uncertainty. The study focuses on the proximity of these startups to medical or chemical universities and those with biotechnological research fields to better understand their geographical patterns and potential knowledge spillovers. Data were drawn from Crunchbase, a comprehensive startup database, resulting in a final sample of approximately 333 operational chemical, pharmaceutical, or biotechnological startups. Companies were identified using keyword-based searches, while startup locations and distances to the nearest medical universities were recorded. Statistical methods were applied to assess spatial patterns. Results indicate that these startups are frequently located in cities with biotechnological, chemical, or medical universities. Our findings highlight different types of startup activities and levels of financial support across the Visegrad countries, emphasising the role of chemical startups in fostering technological advancement and sustainable development.

Study on the spatio-temporal coupling and drivers of agricultural carbon emission efficiency and food security

In light of global climate change and environmental challenges, reducing agricultural carbon emissions while maintaining food security has become a critical concern for sustainable agricultural development. This study examines 13 provinces in primary grain-producing regions, utilising data from 1999 to 2022 to analyse the spatio-temporal heterogeneity and driving factors of the coupled and coordinated development of agricultural carbon emission efficiency and food security. The findings indicate that: 1) The proportion of carbon emissions from agricultural inputs in primary grain-producing regions exceeds 80%, whereas the contribution of carbon sinks from rice, maise, and wheat surpasses 95%. Both agricultural carbon emissions and carbon sinks in the Yellow River Basin are significantly elevated; 2) The general trend of agricultural carbon emission efficiency and food security is increasing, spatially characterised by a pattern of high levels in the north and south, and low levels in the south and high levels in the north, respectively. The integration of the two systems is progressing positively, and the trailing form of food security has emerged as a developmental trend, with the degree of food security limiting the coordinated advancement of both. 3) The overall spatial disparity exhibits a declining tendency, with hypervariable density being the primary contributor to this spatial difference. The overall polarisation of the primary grain-producing regions has diminished. The level of heterogeneity in the Songhua River basin progressively intensifies; 4) Rural human capital and financial support for agriculture, urbanisation rate and soil erosion control, agricultural machinery power and soil erosion control are the main interaction factors. The economic status and rural human capital will facilitate the integrated and harmonious development of the two systems, while the agricultural disaster rate will impede this integrated and harmonious development. Ultimately, policy solutions are proposed to optimise agricultural inputs and raise their utilisation efficiency, adopt diversified regional development strategies, promote regional connection and coordinated development, and reinforce the management of drivers and policy support.

Learning Online vs. Learning in Person: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Understanding How Student Preferences and Perceptions have Evolved Since the Pandemic

Undergraduate enrollment in online courses has been trending upward over the past decade, despite declining enrollment overall. With the onset of COVID-19 during the Spring 2020 semester, more undergraduates were suddenly thrust into online courses. Although learning outcomes for face-to-face and online courses may not differ, some students may not be as efficacious or self-regulated in online contexts and thus, prefer to take classes face-to-face when possible. We aimed to understand undergraduates’ preferred course modality (online, face-to-face) and explored how those preferences may have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic. We also sought to determine whether students’ online self-efficacy and self-regulation skills varied by their preferred modality. Undergraduates (N = 1034) enrolled in various classes between 2019-2023 completed an online survey. Taking a convergent mixed-methods approach, we analyzed qualitative data related to reasons for their online or face-to-face preferences and quantitative data related to their self-efficacy and self-regulation for online learning. Results indicate student preferences have shifted from a clear preference for in-person classes to more equal distribution across modalities, with reasons related to perceived better support for learning, self-regulation, and need for human interaction (face-to-face) versus flexibility (online). Students’ self-regulation and self-efficacy for online learning did not consistently differ across preferred modality. Instructors can use these findings to inform course design, considering how they might incorporate such benefits regardless of their course modality. Institutions might also consider how to balance students’ need for flexibility but preference for face-to-face courses by implementing more hybrid options and providing various financial supports.

Impact of financial support on treatment outcomes of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: A population-based, retrospective cohort study in Shanghai, China

BackgroundTo date, the prolonged treatment duration and expensive second-line anti-tuberculosis drugs (SLDs) for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) can impose a significant financial burden, which may negatively impact treatment outcomes. This study examines the effect of a subsidy policy on treatment outcomes of MDR-TB patient.. MethodsWe collected demographic and drug resistance data of all registered MDR-TB patients between April 2011 and December 2019 in Shanghai, China. Documentation of financial support received was routinely maintained until December 2021. We employed multivariate logistic regression to assess the association between financial support and treatment outcomes, estimating odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). ResultsOf the 865 patients, 70.6% (611/865) achieved treatment success. The median amount compensated under the subsidy policy was 2359 United States dollar (USD), with an interquartile range from 1116 to 5652 USD. A positive association was found between benefiting from the subsidy policy and higher rate of treatment success, with an adjusted OR of 2.95 (95% CI, 2.03–4.28). Among the 641 patients covered by the policy, the adjusted OR comparing those with higher versus lower reimbursement was 1.74 (95% CI, 1.16–2.61). ConclusionsFinancial support policies for MDR-TB patients demonstrate a positive influence on treatment outcomes.

Tuberculosis treatment interruption: a qualitative exploration of barriers, challenges, coping strategies and facilitators in Malaysia.

Tuberculosis (TB) treatment interruption undermines the effectiveness of TB medications and jeopardizes treatment outcomes. This study aimed to explore barriers, challenges, coping strategies and facilitators of TB treatment interruption to understand the treatment pathway in achieving successful outcomes. In-depth interviews were conducted at public health clinics in Sarawak, Malaysia, utilizing a phenomenological approach. Thirty patients who experienced TB treatment interruption with eventual successful treatment were purposively selected based on various reasons for treatment interruption to obtain diverse viewpoints. The audio-recorded transcriptions underwent thematic and content analysis. Five major themes emerged under barriers and challenges: socioeconomic, patient, therapy, healthcare and condition-related factors. Notably, financial burdens led individuals to prioritize work over health. Adverse drug reactions resulted in inappropriate self-medication and healthcare dissatisfaction. Medication error with suboptimal dosing was another facet leading to treatment forfeiture. Lack of knowledge about treatment duration and medication adherence, along with negative personal factors such as laziness, dishonesty and forgetfulness were reported. Participants employed coping strategies to confront barriers and challenges, including acceptance and commitment to disease and treatment, self-adaptation in mental, physical and social aspects, and self-management of minor adverse events. Fear of disease worsening, previous experiences, social and financial supports, along with intrinsic motivators, were essential facilitators that prevented interruptions. Interconnectivity across the explored dimensions contextualized the understanding of TB treatment interruption and offered valuable information for designing patient-centered intervention strategies. Improving patient education coupled with tailored interventions addressing psychosocial and economic barriers is crucial for ensuring TB treatment completion.

'The Letter Says I May or May Not Be Eligible… It Is a Big Doubt and Frustrating:' A Qualitative Study on Barriers and Facilitators to Children's Oral Healthcare From the Perspective of Karen Refugee Parents in Victoria.

Australia has a longstanding tradition of resettling refugees and individuals in humanitarian need. Among these, the Karen community from Southeast Asia is rapidly growing in Australia. The absence of data on the barriers they face in accessing dental services is concerning. This study explores the barriers and facilitators Karen refugees encounter when seeking oral healthcare for their children in Australia, aiming to understand their experiences. Using a qualitative research design with a phenomenological approach, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 23 parents (17 females and 6 males) who had been in Australia for 1-17 years. Each interview, lasting between 35 and 60 min, was audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The transcripts were thematically analysed through an inductive, data-driven approach, focusing on open coding and participant-based meanings. Nine main themes were identified. At the individual level, cultural practices, parental behaviours and perceptions were the primary barriers. At the organisational level, long waiting lists in the public dental system were significant barriers. Additionally, a lack of knowledge about financial benefits and government support for children's dental care deterred refugees from seeking dental services. The results also highlighted the strengths of support networks, free dental care for children and school-based dental care programmes. Parents reported experiences of inadequate oral healthcare, citing issues such as insufficient cultural sensitivity training among dental service providers, interpreter problems and shortages. These experiences revealed gaps in the provision of oral healthcare services. When designing tailored oral health promotion programs, all stakeholders must consider the lived experiences of refugees as valuable sources of information. The authors thank the parents and carers from the Karen refugee community for sharing their experiences with the oral healthcare of their children. Recruitment was facilitated by the Karen Organisation of Bendigo and Bendigo Community Health Services. An interpreter from the Karen refugee community assisted in all the interviews.

Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs): A Legal Perspective on Corporate Governance, Securities Compliance, and Regulatory Challenges

Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) have emerged as a notable money related instrument, offering exclusive organisations an elective course to open up to the world without the complexities of standard Beginning public contributions. These limitless free pass associations raise upholds through a First sale of stock with the sole inspiration driving meeting with or obtaining an ongoing business. Nevertheless, SPACs in like manner raise essential real challenges associated with corporate organisation, legal administrator commitments, securities consistence, and market straightforwardness. Allies and administrators of SPACs ought to adhere to extreme organisation guidelines to avoid hostile conditions and assurance financial backer protection. Authoritative bodies like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the U.S. likewise, SEBI in India have analysed SPACs, focusing in on openness practices, the risks of debilitating, and monetary supporter assurances. The cross-line nature of some SPAC trades further jumbles the legal scene, requiring wary thought with respect to charge, new exchange, and combination control rules. As SEBI examines a design to work with SPACs in India, counterbalancing improvement with rule will be essential for empowering business area trust and efficient turn of events. This paper offers pieces of information into the progressing managerial environment and what the future holds troubles defying SPACs all over the planet.