Higher Education Level Research Articles

Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding thirst management in surgical patients among intensive care unit nurses: A cross-sectional study.

The prevalence of thirst in intensive care unit (ICU) surgical patients is high, and its impact is significantly harmful. Nurses play a crucial role in managing thirst. It is essential to develop targeted training programmes for nurses, focusing on their knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP). To investigate KAP regarding thirst management in surgical patients among ICU nurses and the potential influencing factors related to demographic characteristics. This is a cross-sectional study. From August to September 2023, a self-developed questionnaire was distributed online in the ICUs of 14 tertiary general hospitals in Shanghai, China. This questionnaire aimed to assess the KAP of ICU nurses concerning thirst management. Influencing factors were analysed using ANOVA and the rank-sum test. Spearman correlation analysis and stratified regression analysis were employed to evaluate the relationship among KAP. The study was reported according to the STROBE checklist. A total of 530 valid questionnaires were obtained online with a response rate of 86.60%. While ICU nurses generally held a positive attitude towards thirst management, there was a noticeable deficiency in knowledge and a lack of standardization in practice. Nurses with higher educational levels, lower academic titles, who had received training and who were familiar with the consensus and guidelines on thirst management had better attitude towards managing thirst. Younger nurses, those with less ICU working experience, lower academic titles, who had received training and who were acquainted with the guidelines showed better practice. It was observed that knowledge and attitude both had a significant positive influence on practice. KAP regarding thirst management of surgical patients among ICU nurses are interconnected and require enhancement. Targeted training, focused on the identified weakness and influencing factors, needs to be carried out. An innovative and stratified training system can improve the quality of practice, as well as contributing to the professional development of ICU nurses. Further, the findings of the study provide a foundational understanding of thirst management, promoting the advancement of related scientific research.

Awareness of Osteoporosis among Postmenopausal Women in Najran Region, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Osteoporosis is characterized by a decrease in bone mass. Fractures due to osteoporosis are associated with chronic pain, limited mobility, increased mortality, and financial burdens. While osteoporosis is common in both genders, postmenopausal women are at increased risk. This study aims to evaluate the awareness of osteoporosis among postmenopausal women in the Najran region, Saudi Arabia, and to identify its associated factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2024. It evaluated osteoporosis awareness among 313 postmenopausal women in Najran, Saudi Arabia, excluding postmenopausal women who work as healthcare providers on hormone replacement therapy and with mental limitations. An online questionnaire assessed demographic and osteoporosis-related characteristics using the Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Tool (OKAT), an Arabic valid and reliable tool, had 20 questions rated on a three-point Likert scale (true, false, and I don’t know). Results: Out of 701 women, only 313 postmenopausal women were included. The median age was 53 years. Seventy-five percent (236) were married,145 (46%) had a university education or higher and 162 (52%) were housewives. Thirty-six percent (114) and 98 (31%) had a personal and family history of osteoporosis, respectively. The median age at puberty was 13 years, and 226 (72%) reported a history of regular menses previously. The mean knowledge score was 8.965±3.406. Among the participants, 43.5% had good knowledge of osteoporosis. Higher education levels were significantly associated with better knowledge (p=0.030), with those with a university education scoring higher than those with lower education levels. Conclusion: Although 43.5% of participants demonstrated good knowledge of osteoporosis, the majority had poor knowledge, highlighting a significant gap in awareness that needs to be addressed through targeted educational interventions

Evaluation of students’ digital literacy through an immersive university-high school collaboration

IntroductionRecent efforts including the U.S. Department of Education’s Raise the Bar: STEM Excellence for All Students, designed to strengthen Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, typify the development of effective outreach programs implemented in high school settings to increase STEM achievement and literacy and to promote future careers in STEM. Specifically, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are topics of great importance and interest but are often reserved for higher-level education. Introductions of complex subjects in high school promotes student efficacy, enthusiasm, and skill-development for STEM careers. Establishing strong partnerships between universities and high schools is mutually beneficial for the professional development of students, teachers, and professors. In this paper, we detail immersive outreach efforts and their effectiveness in a high school setting.MethodsFrom Spring 2021 to Spring 2024, we conducted eight data-science and analysis-coding style workshops along with two data science units, with 302 students participating in the data science workshops and 82 students in the data science units. All students who participated in the data science lessons completed a comprehensive final project. Surveys measuring knowledge and appeal to data science and coding were conducted both retrospectively and prospectively, before and after each workshop and the data science units. A 1 year follow up survey was conducted for students in the 2023 data science lessons (n = 23).ResultsOverall, average student interest significantly increased from 2.72 ± 1.08/5.0 (n = 205) to 3.15 ± 1.18/5.0 (n = 181, p = 0.001) during the data science workshops, while 70% of students expressed desire to continue with coding. Interest modestly increased in the data science lessons from 3.15 ± 0.65/4.0 to 3.17 ± 0.77/4.0 (n = 82, p = 0.8571), while knowledge significantly increased from 64.16% to 88.5% (% correct out of six questions) in the 2023 data science lessons and from 52.62% to 60.79% (% correct out of 29 questions) in the 2024 data science lessons.DiscussionIncreasing STEM exposure through outreach programs and a modified curriculum can positively alter students’ career trajectory and prepare them for the evolving technologically advanced world and the careers within it.

Predictive model for the risk of paediatric intensive care utilization in children with medical complexity: A longitudinal retrospective cohort study.

Children with medical complexity (CMC) are at increased risk of admission in intensive care. Despite improvements in mortality rates, there remains a burden of morbidity, long-term health care needs and hospital readmissions. Beyond clinical factors, socio-demographic determinants could impact utilization of acute services. To identify risk factors that can differentiate CMC who are admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). A 6-year longitudinal retrospective cohort study evaluated clinical, socio-demographic and health care utilization. A total of 248 CMC were included, with a median age of 13 years (9.75-17.00). Intensive care admission rate was 47.2%. The risk of PICU admission was higher for children undergoing surgical interventions (HR = 1.58, 95% CI 1.34-1.86, p < .001) and those using medical devices (HR = 1.81, 95% CI 1.54-2.13, p < .001). Mother's higher educational level was a protective factor (HR = 0.66, 95% CI 0.55-0.79, p < .001). Multivariable analysis revealed significant associations between risk of admission and the presence of malignancy, comorbidities, home medical devices, surgical procedures and higher health care utilization. Children's age and higher maternal educational level acted as protective factors. Socio-demographic factors should be considered in the provision of care to CMC. Individualized assessments to guide supportive interventions adapted to socio-economic factors may prevent PICU admissions. This study highlights the importance of integrating individualized assessments of socio-demographic risk factors, such as maternal educational level, into the clinical practice of paediatric nurses. Moreover, targeted interventions, including educational resources and community support programmes, may optimize care.

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV patients at a hospital in Tacna, Peru

ObjectiveThis study aims to provide an overview of antiretroviral therapy adherence and its related factors within a hospital in southern Peru. Materials and methodsWe conducted an analytical cross-sectional study spanning from April to October 2022. This study involved a review of medical records and the administration of a survey to individuals living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Adherence to antiretroviral treatment was assessed using the CEAT-HIV (Questionnaire for the Evaluation of Antiretroviral Treatment Adherence), and was categorized as high, adequate, insufficient, or low. The statistical analysis included the calculation of crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs). ResultsOur study comprised 300 participants, with a median age of 30 years, predominantly male (78.3 %). Among these individuals, 83 % exhibited low or insufficient adherence to antiretroviral treatment according to the CEAT-VIH scale. Notably, patients with a viral load >50,000 copies/ml scored higher on the CEAT-VIH scale than those with a viral load <400 (adjusted PR: 2.78, 95 % CI: 1.21 to 6.40). Furthermore, a higher level of education and a viral load below 400 copies/ml were associated to higher scores in the treatment compliance dimension of the CEAT-VIH scale. ConclusionEight out of ten evaluated patients exhibited low or insufficient adherence. While lower adherence was correlated with lower education, the connection between viral load and adherence remains inconclusive.

ІНКРЕМЕНТНИЙ ПІДХІД ДО ПЛАНУВАННЯ РОБОТИ СТУДЕНТІВ НАД СПІЛЬНИМ ПРОГРАМНИМ ПРОЄКТОМ

As of today, well-known product and outsourcing IT companies use Agile models for the software development life cycle (SDLC), the advantages of which include rapid adaptation to changes, continuous feedback, improved product quality, increased team engagement, focus on customer value, transparency and control, as well as the reduction of internal and external risks. All Agile models are iterative, meaning the development process is divided into separate, similar iterations, which have different names in different models. Familiarization with and practical application of modern Agile models by students at the first (bachelor’s) level of higher education in the field of information technology is an important task for future IT specialists. To achieve this task, the most popular Agile model, Scrum, was chosen, which is also incremental, meaning that each iteration delivers additional functionality that is ready for use. The main roles of participants and their responsibilities, artifacts, and ceremonies of the Scrum process are reviewed. The article proposes applying the Scrum model for iterative and incremental software development that will solve a multi-criteria optimization problem using a game-theoretic approach. The formulation and general algorithm for solving the multi-criteria optimization problem using a game-theoretic approach are presented, as well as an example of formulating the Product Backlog, which contains twelve functional requirements to be implemented by the student Scrum team over twelve iterations (sprints). The recommended process for dividing students into Scrum teams and assigning roles to participants is described. An example of incremental implementation based on the Scrum model of the SDLC for solving the multi-criteria optimization problem using a game-theoretic approach is also provided.

Penerapan Teknik Relaksasi Benson Untuk Menurunkan Nyeri Pada Pasien Post Sectio Caesarea di RSUD dr. R Goeteng Taroenadibrata Purbalingga

Introduction: The number of SC deliveries in recent times has increased tremendously. This is a variable phenomenon related to social, economic and cultural levels SC has become a very safe procedure in many parts of the world so it is considered almost perfect. Procedures, operations may cause discomfort and alter tissue continuity. (Number, 2022). Objective: Based on this PkM, namely to determine the results of the application of benson therapy to reduce pain levels in post SC patients. Methods: The upcoming PKM method applies the benson relaxation technique as a nursing care approach to post SC surgery patients who experience pain. After being given benson relaxation therapy there was a decrease in the pain scale from 6 to scale 3. Community service activities are carried out by implementing directly by applying the Benson Relaxation technique. The target audience of this PkM is pregnant women who have undergone labor through the SC technique at RSUD dr. R Goeteng Taroenadibrata Purbalingga. Results: The results that have been carried out participants experienced an increase in pain before being given the application of benson relaxation techniques as many as 27 participants (90%) experienced moderate pain (4-7), after being given benson relaxation participants experienced a decrease in pain levels, namely 25 participants (83%) experienced a decrease to mild pain (&lt;4). Outputs: The output of the activity used is a publication article that is expected to be able to hunt down Objective: This community service activity aims to help reduce post-SC pain with benson relaxation, patients can overcome it with non-pharmacological therapy independently. Method: This community service activity is carried out directly by providing the application of the benson relaxation technique, then continuing to evaluate so that the giver of the application of the benson relaxation technique can find out whether the target has decreased pain or not. The activity of applying the benson relaxation technique was carried out for 1 day for 10-15 minutes in the afternoon. The activity measures the patient's pain intensity using the VAS (Visual Analog Scale) measuring instrument. this activity is implemented directly to reduce pain in post SC patients at Dr. R Goeteng Taroenadibrata Purbalingga Hospital in the Bougenvile Room from July 15-28, 2024. Result: Participants experienced an increase in pain before being given the application of benson relaxation techniques as many as 27 participants (90%) experienced moderate pain (4-7), after being given benson relaxation participants experienced a decrease in pain levels, namely 25 participants (83%) experienced a decrease to mild pain (&lt;4). Conclusion: Community Service participants in the application of benson relaxation techniques to reduce pain in SC patients in the Bougenvile Ward Room of RSUD dr. R Goeteng Taroenadibrata Purbalingga as a whole amounted to 30 participants, most in the age range 21-35 as many as 22 participants (73%), and the highest level of education is high school education as many as 14 participants (46.7%), with the most history of previous operations there has never been a history of previous operations as many as 21 participants (70%). Participants experienced increased pain before being given the application of benson relaxation techniques as many as 27 participants (90%) experienced moderate pain (4-7), after being given benson relaxation participants experienced a decrease in pain levels, namely 25 participants (83%) experienced a decrease to mild pain (&lt;4).

A Survey of Patient Utilization and Trust of Emergency Medical Services

Little is known about patients’ decisions to come to the Emergency Department (ED) via emergency medical services (EMS) versus privately owned vehicle (POV); this is problematic as trust in EMS systems impacts patient care decisions. Furthermore, no studies exist that evaluate patients’ trust of the EMS system as it relates to a patient’s race. Patients completed a multi-method survey during their ED stay. Quantitative data included: patient demographics (age, gender, race) income, insurance status, previous medical training, highest level of education, self-reported medical and social history, number of ED visits in the past three months, and two scales assessing trust and empathy: the Group-Based Medical Mistrust Scale and the Jefferson Scale. Characteristics of patients who came to the ED via EMS versus POV were shown. A Wilcoxon signed rank test described differences in EMS trust scales by race. Logistic regression showed which factors contribute to the decision of EMS or POV. Qualitative comments described patients’ rationale for EMS versus POV. 23/72 (31.94%) patients utilized EMS transport and 49/72 (68.06%) utilized POV. 59.09% of patients self-identified as Black and 40.91% self-identified as White. The Group-Based Medical Mistrust Scale found Black patients had less trust in the EMS system (p=0.0001), while the Jefferson Scale of Patient Perception of Physician Empathy showed no significant difference in patient perceptions of EMS provider empathy (p=0.608). Logistic regression indicated that age predicted the use of EMS over POV (p&lt;0.001). Lack of access to POV, physical limitations, cost, speed, perception of emergency, and fear were identified as reasons that supportg patients’ decision to use EMS or POV. Many factors can influence patients’ transportation decisions and this study highlights trust, age, and other social and economic factors. These findings could inform policy decisions and ensure emergency care systems that are accessible for all patients.

Assessing the Dietary Practices and Anthropometric Outcomes of Students Consuming Mid-day Meals Versus Home-Cooked Meals.

Early childhood and adolescence are prime years that people spend in school. These formative years give the school ample opportunities to impart certain aspects of lifestyle and healthcare to the student, in addition to academics. School health programs are vital in providing comprehensive education and healthcare services. The objectives of the study are to enlist the socio-demographic factors affecting the nutritional level between students who enrolled for the mid-day meal scheme and those who did not. This is a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study, which was carried out between children who enrolled in the mid-day meal program and home-cooked meals for students from 3rdto 12thgrade in Faridabad. The study was conducted by the Department of Public Health Dentistry, Faridabad, from January to June 2024. It was determined that 162 (53.6%) males and 222 (74.9%) females were obese. 332 (55.3%) believed that social media had an impact on their dietary decisions, while 268 (44.7%) disagreed. When asked to rate how many healthy food alternatives were available at their school, 53 (8.8%) of them said it was great, 194 (32.3%) said it was good, 196 (32.7%) said it was fair, and 157 (26.2%) said it was poor. 236 (78.7%) parents of the mid-day meal group never had dietary supplemental education, which is why children have indigent nutritional status. The mean waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was calculated as 0.92 ± 0.43 and 0.88 ± 0.69 with significant values of 0.00 (p≤0.05) in the home-cooked and mid-day meal-consuming groups respectively. Students consuming home-cooked meals showed a better WHR for age than those consuming mid-day meals. Children of parents with high education levels have good nutritional status and are healthier as compared to children with parents who have low education levels. Thus, there is a dire need to include school health programs to provide healthy and nutritious food to children, in need.

Socioeconomic position and sports in the US today: the economic and cultural capital of sports followers

PurposeThis study aims to explore the relationship between social class and sports following in the United States, addressing a gap in research that has largely overlooked spectator sports in sociocultural analyses. The paper seeks to be an expanded update on previous work focusing on how socioeconomic factors such as income and education interact with sports engagement.Design/methodology/approachEmploying 2023 national survey data from the United States, this study analyzes the following of 31 different spectator sports in relation to income and education. The methods include the use of Cramer’s V statistic to assess associations between sports following and socioeconomic variables and multiple logistic regression analysis to understand the relative predictive power of these variables on sports following.FindingsThe study reveals significant socioeconomic associations in sports consumption patterns in American society, with higher income and education levels generally predicting an increased likelihood of following a wide range of sports. Notably, international soccer leagues like the English Premier League and La Liga showed the strongest associations with higher socioeconomic status, suggesting their following might serve as particularly potent markers of sociocultural distinction.Originality/valueThis research provides a contemporary empirical update to the study of social class and spectator sports in the US, expanding the understanding of the evolving landscape of sports consumption and its socioeconomic connections. It underscores the importance of considering sports following as a vital aspect of cultural engagement, reflecting and reproducing broader socioeconomic stratifications. The findings offer new insights into how factors of social class shape sports consumption today, highlighting the role of sports in the cultural life of different social classes in the US.

The impact of biodiversity information on willingness to pay

AbstractBiodiversity loss is one of the planetary boundaries that is most urgently in need of action. However, very little is known about the consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for products with higher (or lower) levels of biodiversity performance. Therefore, this research was conducted to investigate how consumers’ WTP is influenced by a product's impact on biodiversity. To address this question, we collected representative data from 524 German consumers in a survey‐based experiment. Drawing on prospect theory, we identified the shape of the WTP reaction function for a given product in relation to its biodiversity performance. We demonstrate that consumers with sufficiently high levels of education and concern about biodiversity loss are willing to pay more for products with above‐average biodiversity performance and less for products with below‐average biodiversity performance. However, the extent to which a product outperforms the industry average does not influence consumers’ increased WTP. From a sustainable development perspective, these observed patterns highlight the problematic contrast between the pressing need for substantial improvements in product biodiversity performance and the limited incentives provided by consumers. Consequently, the findings suggest that the incentives that consumers currently provide for corporate biodiversity management are insufficient to assist in staying within the planetary boundaries.

Exploring Gender Disparities in Digital Skills: Evidence from the Serbian Tourism Sector

The paper examines the digital skills of key stakeholders in the Serbian tourism industry (supply side) to identify potential gender gaps in digital proficiency. Employing a cross-sectional survey of 418 participants within the tourism industry, we utilized binomial logistic regression to parse out the effects of gender relative to other socio-demographic variables on digital skills. The descriptive results based on DigComp 2.0 methodology reveal notable gender differences, with women showing higher levels of information and communication skills but lagging men in problem-solving and content manipulation skills. However, the binomial logistic regression analysis indicates that gender does not significantly predict digital skill levels in the Serbian tourism sector. Instead, age and education are significant factors, with older individuals less likely to possess advanced digital skills and higher education levels correlating with greater digital proficiency. These findings underscore the critical role of education (formal and informal) in digital skills building, suggesting that comprehensive and targeted educational initiatives could effectively enhance digital skills and competencies across the sector.

Socioeconomic status and emergency department visits in adults with a history of severe childhood asthma: a register-based study

ABSTRACT Background and Objective Our knowledge of socioeconomic status (SES) and emergency department (ED) visits in adults with a history of severe childhood asthma is limited. Our aim was, therefore, to investigate these variables in individuals with a history of severe childhood asthma compared to a control population. Methods The Kongsberg cohort comprises Danish individuals with a history of severe childhood asthma and a previous 4-month stay at an asthma care facility in Kongsberg, Norway, between 1950 and 1979. The cohort was compared 1:1 to sex and age matched controls with no previous diagnosis of or treatment for obstructive airway disease (OAD). Data from the national Danish health registries were used for comparing cases and controls. Results A total of 1394 adults from the Kongsberg cohort were alive and residing in Denmark (mean age 63 years, 43% females) at the index date (June 2022). A Charlson comorbidity index score of ≥1 was higher in the study cohort compared to controls (7% versus 3%) (p < 0.01). Cases had a 1.5-fold increased likelihood of having a high educational level (p < 0.001) compared to controls. Compared to the controls, cases had a higher risk of all-cause ED visits, with individuals having lower educational levels showing the highest proportion of ED visits. Furthermore, 31.2% and 22.9%, respectively, of cases and controls with high educational levels had had ED visits. Compared to controls, logistic regression analysis revealed a 1.7-fold higher risk of all-cause ED visits in cases (p < 0.001). Conclusions In adults with a history of severe childhood asthma, educational level, comorbidity burden, and risk of ED visit were higher compared to matched controls with no history of obstructive airway disease.

Role of sociodemographic characteristics on self-stigma among young MSM living with HIV in Yogyakarta, Indonesia: A cross-sectional study.

Our study aimed to determine the role of sociodemographic characteristics on self-stigma among young men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This cross-sectional observational study was conducted from August-November 2022. Participants were recruited from outpatient clinics at Dr. Sardjito, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The Indonesian version of the Berger HIV Stigma Scale measured self-stigma. The statistical analysis utilized a 95% confidence level and determined significance by p-values <0.05. 72 young MSM were enrolled and completed questionnaires assessing sociodemographic and self-stigma. The average self-stigma score was 98.97. Education level was significantly associated with severe self-stigma in the bivariate analysis (p < .05). In the multivariate analysis, those with higher levels of education were significantly more likely to experience severe self-stigma (r = 2.938, p < .05). Employment status, family support, and education level were significantly associated with increased concerns in the disclosure, negative self-image, and public attitudes subscales (all p < .05). The results demonstrate associations between sociodemographic and self-stigma levels among young MSM living with HIV in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Further research regarding the educational level, employment status, and family support that can influence the perception and quality of life of PLHIV may need to be carried out.

Age-Related Listening Performance Changes Across Adulthood.

This study compares auditory processing performance across different decades of adulthood, including young adults and middle-aged individuals with normal hearing and no spontaneous auditory complaints. We assessed 80 participants with normal hearing, at least 10 years of education, and normal global cognition. The participants completed various auditory tests, including speech-in-noise, dichotic digits, duration, pitch pattern sequence, gap in noise, and masking level difference. In addition, we conducted working memory assessments and administered a questionnaire on self-perceived hearing difficulties. Our findings revealed significant differences in auditory test performance across different age groups, except for the masking level difference. The youngest group outperformed all other age groups in the speech-in-noise test, while differences in dichotic listening and temporal resolution emerged from the age of 40 and in temporal ordering from the age of 50. Moreover, higher education levels and better working memory test scores were associated with better auditory performance as individuals aged. However, the influence of these factors varied across different auditory tests. It is interesting that we observed increased self-reported hearing difficulties with age, even in participants without spontaneous auditory complaints. Our study highlights significant variations in auditory test performance, with noticeable changes occurring from age 30 and becoming more pronounced from age 40 onward. As individuals grow older, they tend to perceive more hearing difficulties. Furthermore, the impact of age on auditory processing performance is influenced by factors such as education and working memory.

The predictive power of Dutch end of primary school tests for educational attainment in ninth grade

AbstractDutch secondary education is a multi‐tiered system, and many students are placed in a single track in the first year (seventh grade) of secondary education. As part of the placement procedure, all sixth‐grade students take an end of primary school test. Although these standardised attainment tests (SATs) are considered high‐stakes tests, the predictive accuracy of many of these SATs has not been studied comprehensively. In the current study, three SATs commonly used in The Netherlands (CET, IEP and R8) were compared on their predictive accuracy of educational attainment in ninth grade. The predictive accuracy was also investigated for particular track recommendations, using multiple cohorts of population data, each of around 160,000 students. For the two most recent cohorts, CET was overall a more accurate predictor of educational attainment in ninth grade than R8, which in turn was a more accurate predictor than IEP. All three attainment tests had only mediocre to acceptable predictive power overall. Furthermore, all three tests had very poor predictive power for certain single‐track recommendations. For these track recommendations, many students attained a lower or higher educational level in ninth grade. This study is the first to compare the predictive accuracy of these SATs. While statistical noise is normal when using tests, since different tests are used that vary widely in predictive accuracy, there is much more noise than is acceptable. As long as the predictive accuracy is poor to mediocre, these SATs should not have a large role to play in the Dutch placement procedure for secondary education.

Heterogeneous effects of information and communication technology development on digital financial consumer protection: Evidence from the global sample

ABSTRACT This study primarily examines the influence of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on Digital Financial Consumer Protection (DFCP), utilizing a dataset spanning 88 countries globally from 2014 to 2018, within the context of consumer welfare under diverse socioeconomic conditions. The research confirms a positive relationship between information and communication technology (ICT) evolution and digital finance consumer protection (DFCP) in OECD countries with inclusive institutions, competitive markets, and solid educational foundations. Conversely, a negative correlation is observed between ICT growth and DFCP in countries with moderate gender inequality. The study further confirms that ICT development positively influences DFCP due to contextual conditions (i.e. cybersecurity index, political stability, higher educational level, and market quality). Policy implications emphasize the need to address information inequality and protect consumer rights in the digital era. Measures to curb market monopolies of major tech companies and combat unauthorized data usage are recommended. Additionally, enhancing digital literacy is crucial for harnessing the benefits of ICT and promoting financial consumer welfare. Establishing a practical code of conduct aligned with market needs is also essential for ensuring consumer protection.

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Improvement After Treatment With Fixed and Removable Dental Prostheses.

Missing teeth negatively affect oral functions and masticatory efficiency, which in turn can reduce a person's quality of life (QoL). This study is aimed at evaluating the effect of dental prostheses on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in adults. This is an observational study to measure patients' OHRQoL using a cohort study design before and after treatment with different dental prostheses (fixed and removable). Ninety-seven patients who received dental prostheses responded to a questionnaire before dental prosthetic treatment and then after the completion of the treatment. The conduction was face-to-face or via telephone interviews. The questionnaire is divided into two parts to verify the demographic and the patient's related factors and to measure OHRQoL using the Oral Health Impact Profile-5 (OHIP-5). Descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and multivariable analysis were conducted using Stata Statistical Software: Release 14.2 (2016; StataCorp LLC, College Station, Texas, United States) and were at a 0.05 significance level. Data were collected from the 97 patients, of which 70% were male with a mean age of 39.5 and 30% were female with a mean age of 43. The educational level showed that only 15% of the patients received a bachelor's degree and that the remaining 85% stopped at a high school general educational level. The received prosthetic treatment consisted of 23% single crowns, 29% fixed partial dentures (FPD), 20% removable partial dentures (RPD), and 28% complete dentures. Self-reported overall health indicated that 64% of the patients had very good health and 36% had good health or a lower quality of health. There was a significant difference in OHIP scores before prosthetic treatment (M=5.4, SD=0.57) and after prosthetic treatment (M=3.2, SD=0.49) with no significant difference in the reduction in OHIP scores between fixed prostheses (M=-2.8, SD=0.64) and removable prostheses (M=-1.5, SD=0.74). The amount of improvement in OHIP answers after wearing a prosthesis was significant (p<0.0001). Linear regression indicated that having a history of discomfort from general oral health improved (decreased OHIP score) by 2.2 after prosthetic dental treatment compared to participants without a history of general oral health discomfort when all other variables are held constant. Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that restoration of missing teeth with a dental prosthesis has an immense impact on individuals' QoL, regardless of the type of dental prosthetic restoration.

Potential Benefits of Metaverse Concept Implementation in English for Tourism Course: A Case Study in Indonesian Higher Education Contexts

This study described the potential benefits of implementation of the Metaverse concept in English for Tourism course revealing views from the students’ perception. This research used a qualitative descriptive case study to investigate the phenomenon of the use of metaverse at higher educational levels in the Indonesia context. During data collection, an interview was conducted to gather the student's perspective on the notion of metaverse in English for the Tourism course, and the document served as secondary data as the artifact utilized in the subject's classroom activity. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data. Based on the findings, there are two benefits of implementing metaverse concepts in English for tourism course. The study implemented two metaverse platforms namely spatial.io and readyplayerme. The study showed that the students showed their positive perception towards the use of these platforms. Integrating a virtual environment in a metaverse concept gives prospects for immersive and interactive learning enhancing the students’ learning engagement. In addition, since the students need to have the capability to use the platform, their digital literacy was also developed.

6894 Disparities in Continuous Glucose Monitor Utilization and Real-Time Remote Sharing in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Treated with Insulin on Medicare

Abstract Disclosure: K.L. Flint: None. T. Ting: None. K. Rivera: None. P. Tamang: None. C.A. Colling: None. J.H. Li: None. M.S. Putman: Consulting Fee; Self; Synspira Therapeutics. Research Investigator; Self; Dexcom. Other; Self; Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. Introduction: Continuous glucose monitors (CGM) are FDA-approved for the management of diabetes and have been shown to improve glycemic control. For optimal utilization, CGM can be connected to cloud-based clinic portals for real-time sharing of glycemic data with clinicians to guide clinical care. Although studies have previously identified disparities in access to CGM for patients who receive Medicare, limited data are available examining disparities in CGM utilization and data sharing. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that racial and socioeconomic disparities in CGM access exist both in utilization and in real-time remote sharing of CGM data. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study examining patients with type 2 diabetes on insulin using Medicare as primary or secondary insurance in a single diabetes clinic affiliated with a tertiary care medical center. Clinical data extracted from the electronic health record (EHR) included age, self-reported race and ethnicity, sex, preferred language, education level, ZIP code-based median household income, and enrollment in the EHR-patient portal. The most recent diabetes clinic note for each patient as of October 2023 was reviewed to assess whether each patient was using CGM at the time of the visit. The clinic’s CGM portal accounts were reviewed to assess whether the patient was connected to and actively sharing CGM data with the clinic. Two sample t-tests and chi-square tests were used to evaluate continuous and categorical predictors of CGM use and real-time remote sharing, respectively. Results: Of the 847 patients who qualified for inclusion, 420 (49.6%) were using CGM and 213 (25.1%) were sharing CGM data in real-time. Compared to patients not using CGM (n=427), patients using CGM were younger (70.8 years vs 73.5 years, p&amp;lt;0.001) and more often enrolled in the EHR-based patient portal (91.9% vs 84.1%, p&amp;lt;0.001); however, there were no differences in racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic factors between the groups (p&amp;gt;0.05 for all). Of the patients using CGM, remote sharing of data was associated with younger age (69.5 years vs 72.3 years, p&amp;lt;0.01), identifying as White (74.2% vs 65.0%, p=0.04), using English as preferred language (92.5% vs 84.2%, p=0.02), higher levels of education (p=0.01), and using the EHR-based patient portal (97.2% vs 86.7%, p&amp;lt;0.001). Conclusions: In this cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes on insulin receiving Medicare, there were no significant socioeconomic disparities in CGM utilization. However, racial and socioeconomic disparities were pronounced in real-time remote sharing of CGM data, suggesting that patients from minoritized racial backgrounds, patients who do not use English as their preferred language, and patients with less education may benefit from additional support and training to connect and share their CGM with their providers. Presentation: 6/2/2024