Economic Issues Research Articles

Spatiotemporal dynamics of malaria and climate influence on its incidence in Condorcanqui Province, 2005–2022

BackgroundAmazonas is a region in northern Peru with the second-highest incidence of malaria. Approximately 95% of the cases are reported in the Condorcanqui province, where native communities living along the banks of Santiago River lack access to potable water, sewage, and electricity. This study aimed to analyse malaria’s spatial, temporal, and climatic characteristics in Condorcanqui to guide future studies and prevention strategies.MethodsA database provided by DIRESA-Amazonas was evaluated. Database included cases from 44 health facilities serving 112 native communities. According to the malaria control programs implemented in Peru, the study was divided into three periods: 2005–2010, 2011–2016, and 2017–2022. A Spearman correlation analysis was also conducted to assess the relationship between malaria incidence and climate variables.ResultsDuring the study periods, 10,632 cases were reported, including Plasmodium vivax (84.87%), Plasmodium falciparum (14.91%) and Plasmodium malariae (0.23%) infections. Annual incidence rates (AIRs) significantly varied across the study periods (p < 0.001). A significant reduction in malaria incidence occurred during the first period, largely attributed to PAMAFRO programme interventions. Subsequent periods, showed a gradual increase in cases, with a peak of P. vivax in 2019 and the reintroduction of P. falciparum. Males and individuals aged 0–11 years presented the greatest number of cases. Significant correlations were found between malaria incidence and the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) at lag0 (ρ = 0.14, p = 0.037), corrected precipitation at lag1 (ρ = 0.16, p = 0.020), and minimum wind speed at lag1 (ρ = 0.15, p = 0.024).ConclusionsMalaria incidence in Condorcanqui has increased over the last 5 years, driven by climatic influences such as the ONI, precipitation, and low wind speeds. Without immediate preventive efforts, cases are expected to continue rising. Effective control strategies must tackle the social, economic, and political issues that heighten vulnerability, such as poverty and limited healthcare access. Maintaining control initiatives and tailoring them to local needs will be essential for achieving long-term reductions of malaria in Peru.

Beyond terrorist attacks: the impact of jihadist non-state actors on foreign policy

ABSTRACT What is the impact of jihadist non-state actors (JNAs) on foreign policy? We theorize that JNA operations follow a strategic logic, designed to create an unstable environment conducive to JNA survival. Employing an empirical case study using open-source intelligence (OSINT) data on Libyan foreign policy since the Arab Spring (2011), we demonstrate this logic, showing how through their violent and subversive activities, JNAs in Libya have strategically forced government constituents to overtly focus on security and counterterrorism while subsequently marginalizing more salient developmental concerns such as economic, social, and governance issues. The findings highlight how JNAs are incentivized to perpetuate violence and instability in their countries of operation and demonstrate how Western foreign policies are subsequently influenced by the presence and impact of JNAs in other countries as security concerns, particularly the continued threat of international terrorism, are prioritized. The findings have numerous policy implications, demonstrating the significant influence JNAs continue to have on the global foreign policy landscape, particularly on global counterterrorism efforts.

Analysis Factors Associated with Work Accidents Among House Construction Workers in Karang Ayu

Globally, work-related injuries are a significant public health and economic issue, with approximately 5-7% of all deaths in industrialized countries caused by work-related injuries. Each year, work accidents cause 350,000 deaths and 270 million non-fatal serious injuries. Due to its high burden of occupational hazards, the construction industry is more at risk than other industries. Compared with workers in different occupations, building construction workers are three to four times more likely to die and twice as likely to be injured than workers in other occupations. This study aims to analyze the factors associated with the incidence of work accidents among house construction workers in Karangayu, Semarang Barat. This study used descriptive qualitative methods, including observation, interviews, and questionnaires. The result of this study is that factors can cause work accidents, such as age, unsafe actions such as not using PPE properly, and worker knowledge, which leads to unsafe actions. Still, in this observation, there are driving factors behind workers' unsafe actions, one of which is the non-compliance of house construction workers in Karangayu, Semarang.

Recent Trends in Regional Disparity in India: A State-level Club Convergence Study Using Night-time Light Data

It is a consensus in academic discourse that regional disparity in India is not converging. Nonetheless, some studies argue that conclusions regarding regional convergence are sensitive to the measures employed to define regional disparities. In this study, we use night-time light radiance data from 2012 to 2021 to illustrate the converging pattern of regional disparity in India, specifically employing state-level VIIRS night-time light data for this purpose. Our analysis concludes that there is no regional convergence among all sample states in India. However, the club convergence hypothesis is relevant here, as 12 states form two clubs and exhibit convergence properties. In contrast, 13 major states in India show no signs of convergence. Furthermore, we identify three states that are diverging. Thus, based on night-time light data, we conclude that Indian states have not shown a convergence pattern recently, and regional disparity remains a significant issue in the Indian economy. This finding supports the existing literature in the Indian context, where regional convergence is absent among Indian states. JEL: O40, O47, R11, R12

Research on the Analysis Model of Regional Economic Growth Differences in China Based on Big Data and Intelligent Algorithms

China’s growing economy contributes significantly to worldwide consumption. Economic rebalancing promises opportunities for manufacturing exporters, and that can weaken commodity demand in the long term. China exerts increasing influence on emerging countries through trade, investment, and ideas. China faces several important economic issues that can hinder future development, including distortive economic policies that have evolved into an overreliance on fixed investment and exports for economic growth, government assistance for state-owned businesses, and a weak banking system. Building an information infrastructure and enhancing the technical level and application capability of big data (BD) remain under the purview of the Chinese Government. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based hybrid artificial neural network (HANN) might boost total factor productivity by a large margin, influencing many sectors in China in ways that official statistics would miss, including changes to the labor market, investment patterns, and overall productivity. Hence, BD-HANN has a coefficient of variation, quantity graph analysis, standard deviation, and entropy index, some of the most conventional quantitative research tools used to examine disparities in regional economic growth. According to the neoclassical growth model, regions with lower starting values of the capital-labor ratio anticipate higher per capita income growth rates. Thus, poor areas will grow faster than rich ones, assuming that the only difference between regional economies is the level of their initial stock of capital.

Qualitative modeling of factors affecting auditor’s judgment and decision-making

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a qualitative model in the field of factors affecting auditors’ judgment and decision-making. The current research follows a descriptive survey method. Design/methodology/approach A survey method was used to conduct this research, with a questionnaire as the primary tool. The statistical population consists of auditors with extensive knowledge and opinions on the research problem and its theoretical foundations. A sample of eight auditors was selected using the snowball sampling method. Findings The research results indicated that factors influencing auditors’ judgment and decision-making include reviewing audit reports from past periods, the knowledge and expertise of audit partners, input from the audit team, understanding social, cultural, political and economic environmental issues, auditor independence, technical and specialized skills of auditors, increasing experience, knowledge of business owners’ activities, rising audit fees and inhibiting forces in auditors’ judgment and decision-making. These inhibiting forces include lack of client knowledge, emotions, mental states, ethical considerations, business unit ownership structure, complexity of reviewed unit activities, state-owned business unit ownership, lack of understanding of employer activities and lack of expertise in the employer’s industry. Practical implications The model presented in this research aids in enhancing and refining the judgment and decision-making of independent auditors, resulting in more favorable financial reports for report users. Additionally, the theory developed through this research method can lead to the formulation of hypotheses that future researchers can test. Originality/value Auditor judgment is a vital aspect of independent audits, emphasized in auditing standards and professional codes of conduct.

Church partnerships: A holistic approach to addressing social issues in South Africa

For South African communities to achieve substantive progress, the establishment of strategic partnerships is essential for effectively addressing their complex social challenges. Churches, given their profound community presence and moral authority, are urged to join forces with other societal sectors, particularly government and business, to promote comprehensive community development. This article examines the potential for church partnerships with these sectors, investigating how such alliances can foster sustainable and holistic transformation. Central questions driving this inquiry include: What distinct contributions do churches bring to community development partnerships? and how can these partnerships efficiently combine their resources to tackle social, economic, and environmental issues? By assessing the role of the church alongside governmental frameworks and business resources, this study underscores the importance of an integrated approach to development. The church’s involvement not only provides essential support to vulnerable groups but also contributes strategically to the long-term empowerment of communities. This article ultimately underscores the need for combined engagement, demonstrating how a unified approach can amplify the collective impact on social well-being and resilience within South Africa. By highlighting the theological and organisational identities of churches, alongside the distinct capital and power each entity holds, the article seeks to identify common grounds for cooperation, with a particular focus on the church’s capacity to exert positive, morally guided influence within these partnerships.Contribution: The article highlights the significance of a holistic approach that utilises the strengths of churches, businesses and the government to boost social development in South Africa, thereby contributing to community development pathways.

Impact of Sand Mining on Bathymetry of the Meghna River

This study aims to evaluate the morphological changes of the lower Meghna River in Bhola district due to reckless sand mining from riverbeds. It has been done based on primary data collected from the field and secondary data, such as river bathymetry of 2006, 2012, and 2022 from BIWTA and Landsat Imageries of 2006, 2016, and 2023 from USGS Earth Explorer. The study demonstrates that extensive sand mining activities in the lower Meghna River significantly affect river bathymetry and accelerate riverbank erosion. Lower Meghna River experiences a higher erosion rate due to prolonged and intensive sand mining. The erosion rate increased significantly between 2020 and 2021, with the riverbed eroding at an accelerating rate, highlighting a critical situation in the region. However, FGD and case studies from the field show that the impact of sand mining is not only confined to river morphology change but many more ecological, socio-political, economic, environmental, and governance issues are also linked with sand mining activities. The Dhaka University Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Vol. 13(1), 2024, P 21-28

Basic sanitation evaluation model using Fuzzy Inference System

The debate on water supply and waste management is an economic and environmental issue that has been discussed since the earliest cities. Initially, sewage was dumped into rivers without treatment, but with scientific advances, new solutions have emerged. In Brazil, Law No. 11,445/2007 regulates basic sanitation, which includes water supply, sewage, solid waste management, and urban drainage. Investments in this area are essential for public health and sustainable development, but there are still many people without access to these services, which aggravates health problems and environmental degradation, according to UNICEF (2020). Technologies such as artificial intelligence and fuzzy inference systems have been applied to optimize the management of these services. This study developed a fuzzy inference model to assess the quality of basic sanitation services. The model analyzed indicators such as water supply, sewage, and waste management, using the fuzzy methodology to address uncertainties and generate more accurate diagnoses. The process included fuzzification of inputs, application of inference rules, and defuzzification to transform the results into interpretable data. The results demonstrated that fuzzy logic is effective in identifying critical points in sanitation, offering solutions to reduce costs and increase efficiency. The model is adaptable to different regional contexts, facilitating its application in other locations. With this tool, it was possible to direct corrective actions, contributing to the improvement of services and the universalization of sanitation. This supports the fulfillment of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which aims to ensure universal and sustainable access to water and sanitation.

Green Politics in the Political Agenda and Village Development Policies in Batu City

Village head elections (Pilkades) and village development policies are visual windows to see how green politics is implemented. Examining the implementation of Pilkades in three villages in Batu City and 2 years of leadership of the elected village head, this research aims to see the perspective of green politics, whether it is one of the main political agendas for candidates who are competing and policies by elected candidates during their leadership. The three villages were chosen because they have severe environmental damage problems. The research method applied in this study is qualitative and focused on content analysis of text data, both primary data, including observation data, interviews, and FGDs, and secondary data, including candidates' Vision-Mission, reports, news, and village government policies related to environmental protection. The results showed that only in Bulukerto and Sumber Brantas did the village head candidates specifically have a vision of environmental conservation, followed by concrete policies during their two years at the helm. Meanwhile, in Pandanrejo, despite facing the impact of environmental damage, the policies implemented are more focused on short-term economic development and have not systematically integrated nature conservation. Furthermore, the results of this study also show that the need for more awareness of the importance of sustainable conservation policies in Pandanrejo is closely related to the community's view that prioritizes economic and infrastructure issues.

Empowering Communities Through the Desa Berdaya Program: Lessons from Bligo Village

Desa Berdaya (Empowered Village) is an acceleration initiative in rural areas utilizing an integrated approach encompassing capacity building, economy, health, education, environment, and disaster preparedness. Its primary aim is to foster and develop local institutions to address community issues. This study seeks to portray the success of community empowerment through the Desa Berdaya program in Bligo Village, initiated by the private organization Rumah Zakat, by analyzing the 5P empowerment strategies: enabling, strengthening, protecting, supporting, and maintaining. A qualitative method with a case study approach was employed. Data collection was conducted using in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, observations, and documentation. Informants were selected purposively, including Bligo Village Government officials, Rumah Zakat facilitators, women’s farming groups, the Bligo Beriman waste bank, entrepreneurs, and local community members, totaling ten informants. The findings reveal that the implementation of the Desa Berdaya program in Bligo Village does not follow specific criteria but is based on program facilitators’ recommendations, often prioritizing their home villages. Based on the 5P empowerment strategy, the enabling stage involved dialogues with the village head, community leaders, and other key members deemed capable of implementing the Desa Berdaya program. During the strengthening stage, formal groups were formed, and collaborations with various internal and external parties were initiated. The protection stage was realized by issuing official decrees for the established groups, along with financial support from Rumah Zakat, Bligo Village Government, and the Magelang Regency Agricultural Office. The supporting stage was conducted through facilitation and guidance provided by program facilitators to the community. Finally, the maintenance stage was carried out by fostering a conducive atmosphere within the empowerment groups. The Desa Berdaya program positively impacts Bligo Village, particularly in social, health, environmental, and economic aspects. The reactivation of community groups and the establishment of a waste bank, which remains well-managed, are among the significant outcomes. The people of Bligo Village have become increasingly critical in addressing social and economic issues in their community due to the continuous empowerment process, which persists to this day.

Critical Analysis of Nutritional Factors in Disease Epidemiology and Prevention

The burden of NCDs, including obesity, diabetes, CVDs, and some cancers, has upped the importance of nutrition in the health of a nation. Malnutrition and over nutrition, which are the major nutritional factors, play important roles in disease distribution in the world. With regard to the analysis of this paper, the author has given a critical perspective on how dietary habits, socioeconomic factors, and cultural practices are determinants of the epidemiology of diseases. Therefore, the present paper employs a literature review, epidemiological data, and case studies to unveil the connection between diet and disease as well as the way forward. Some of the discoveries made include understanding that poor diets are the leading causes of NCDs, micronutrient deficiencies are still a problem with the poor, and processed foods are very much a threat. The discussion reviews the difficulties in shifting to a healthier diet. It presents solutions for the economic issue and the behavioral modification problem in policy-making, healthcare approaches, and public health practice.

Analysis of the Adaptation of the Belt and Road Initiative in the European Union: A Perspective Based on Multilateral Cooperation, Sociocultural and Sustainable Development

As the center of gravity of the global economy gradually shifts to Asia, China has strengthened its influence in the international economic system through the Belt and Road Initiative. As an important pole of the global economy, how to maintain the competitiveness of the EU in the new situation has become an important issue. There are significant differences between EU member states in terms of their level of economic development, foreign policies and attitudes towards China. This diversity makes it more difficult for the EU to coordinate its reaction to the Belt and Road Initiative. This complicates the EU's efforts to coordinate its reaction to the Initiative. As a result, this study investigates multilateral cooperation, socio-cultural, and sustainable development viewpoints, concluding that the EU must improve collaboration, maximize internal coordination, and adhere to the goal of sustainable development. The paper also discusses the major economic issues arising from the policy coordination of EU member states to adapt to the Belt and Road Initiative and the solutions required for these challenges.

Exploring the effect of ODA on poverty: insights from least developed countries

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the long run impact of official development assistance (ODA) on Poverty levels in a sample of 33 least developed countries (LDCs) from 1991 to 2018.Design/methodology/approachThis study employed second-generation panel econometric techniques like Westerlund (2007), Pedroni (2004) cointegration tests and the augmented mean group (Eberhardt and Bond, 2009); (Eberhardt and Teal, 2010) and fully modified ordinary least squares (Phillips and Hansen, 1990) estimations to ascertain the long-run nexus between the variables of interest.FindingsOur findings revealed that ODA has a significant and positive impact on poverty expansion in LDCs. This indicates that ODA perpetuates poverty in LDCs in the long run. While gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and trade openness significantly contributed to reducing poverty levels. Our findings have several policy implications.Originality/valueThis paper sheds light on a panel of LDCs on which research on the ODA–poverty nexus is sparse in prevailing literature. Although studies have documented the impact of single country episodes on LDCs, research on the panel of LDCs remains largely unexplored. This is surprising given the heightened economic and social issues faced by these cross-sections. Additionally, a sustained downturn in ODA flows to LDCs and the commitment to meet SDG Goal 1 underscore the need for comprehensive analysis on LDCs. Hence, our study aims to address the critical gap in the prevailing literature and contribute to the field.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-05-2024-0390

THE DYNAMIC CHANGES OF PARENTS’ ROLE IN WORK-FROM-OFFICE MOTHER AND WORK-FROM-HOME FATHER

Currently, a man is more flexible in carrying out his role as a breadwinner either outside the home or from home. This research aims to further understand the factors underlying these changes and their implications for family dynamics, gender roles, and societal norms surrounding decision-making processes in modern families. This research explores the decision-making process in a dynamic family consisting of a mother who works in the office (work-from-office mother) and a father who works at home (work-from-home father). This research uses a phenomenological and qualitative approach to look at the phenomenon of the role of fathers who work at home and mothers who work in the office. Data collection was carried out through in-depth interviews with eligible couples. This research examines how gender roles influence decision making regarding family economic issues, children's education and family planning. These findings reveal important shifts in decision-making dynamics, with women taking more significant roles in these key areas. In particular, women show higher consideration and involvement in family economic decisions, children's educational choices, and family planning strategies. This shift highlights a shift away from traditional gender norms and underscores the evolving roles and responsibilities within contemporary family units.

Socio-Economic and Environmental Interactions in the Maasai Mau Forest Kenya: A Comprehensive Household Survey Analysis

Maasai Mau Forest contains a diversity of flora and fauna, which are a source of livelihood for the local communities and provide various valuable ecosystem services. However, it is under threat from illegal subsistence farming in the Mau catchment and its surrounding areas due to anthropogenic activities leading to deforestation. The main objective of the study was to look at socioeconomic and environmental contexts of the households to inform sustainable land management (SLM) and conservation efforts. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was employed with a study area located in the Maasai Mau Forest region, Narok County, Kenya, which comprises of communities living within and around the Maasai Mau Forest. The study participants included Maasai communities, with a study population being mainly household-headed in the Maasai Mau Forest, which mainly depended on agriculture and animal farming for their livelihoods. A multi-stage sampling approach was also used in selecting the sampling units, such as villages, which were then further stratified into different areas or locations depending on the boundaries. The final sample size comprised of 385 households. Data were collected using semi-structured household questionnaires. Data was analyzed by the software SPSS using frequencies and percentages for nominal data and means for numeric data. About 59.5% of the respondents were women, a higher proportion compared to male-headed households of 76.1%. The major source of education of respondents was primary education (49.9%) followed by secondary education (29.6%) while only 14% had no formal education. Sources of income included crop farming (37.4%); livestock production (28.2%) followed by casual employment (15.8%). About 77.9% of the households had monthly incomes of below KES 15,000. Land ownership was freehold with 97.7% of the land in the freehold status and an average of a freehold land size at 1.4 acres. Most households kept various livestock including cattle (71.7%), poultry (12.5%) followed by other livestock kept. Crop production declined from the past years; with maize (96.4%) and beans (90.9%) being the main crops grown followed by potatoes (30.6%) and wheat (29.8%). Food security was a main concern with 54% of households indicating a downward trend in crop production over time. The survey objectives were met, showing that there are challenges with socio-economic issues, resource base, agricultural productivity and food security impacting the Maasai Mau Forest. However, there are opportunities for investing in sustainable agriculture and enhancing community involvement in conservation. The study recommended an integrated conservation approach that addressed the economic related issues, improved sustainable farming practices and enhanced community involvement, by: Improving land use planning and its management; Improving agricultural productivity and increasing market access; and Increasing food and water security to support improved sustainability of the Maasai Mau Forest Ecosystem.

A Study of Crisis Discourse on the COVID‐19 in Brazil: Discourse Manipulation and Power Struggles

ABSTRACTPublic health safety belongs to the category of ‘securitization’. However, in some countries, there is a tendency of discourse manipulation and desecuritization in COVID‐19's discourse. This paper first embarks from the perspective of the Copenhagen School's securitization theory and employs an analytical framework of discourse manipulation to deconstruct the process of Bolsonaro's ‘desecuritization’ crisis discourse construction in response to the COVID‐19 threat in his country, which consists in discourse restraint, discourse framing, discourse positioning. The results show that: in terms of discourse restraint strategy, Bolsonaro's government realizes this strategy by reducing the frequency of epidemic topics, continuously suppressing scientific discourse on epidemic prevention and control and suppressing public health and safety discourse through political discourse. In terms of framing strategies, the nature, severity, causes and responsibilities of COVID‐19 problem are diagnosed, respectively. Through the negative frame of other programmes and the positive frame of the epidemic plan, the president constructs the expected frame of COVID‐19 problem. Through incentive framing, his discourse stimulates Brazilian people's support for the federal government and the president himself and enhances public confidence in Brazil's success in overcoming the epidemic. In terms of discourse positioning strategy, the plots of ‘focusing on economic issues’, ‘life first’, ‘freedom first’ and ‘sovereignty first’ are adopted, respectively. Drawing on the three‐dimensional analytical framework as a Critical Discourse Analysis tool, Bolsonaro's discourse manipulation and desecuritization strategies reflect an antagonistic regard towards the relations between economic development and epidemic prevention and a rival perspective towards the relationship between administrative authority and professional authority, and furthermore, the overlapping left‐right power struggles under the crossover of the era of ‘Great changes not seen in a century’ and the COVID‐19's non‐traditional security crisis.

The Mediating Roles of Self-Compassion and Emotion Regulation in the Relationship Between Psychological Resilience and Mental Health Among College Teachers.

The compromised well-being of educators engenders a range of educational, social, and economic issues that cannot be adequately addressed through the mere awareness of risk factors. The present research explores the mediating roles of self-compassion and emotion regulation strategies (cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression) on the relationship between academic teachers' psychological resilience and mental health. A total of 405 academic teachers from four colleges in Tabuk City, Saudi Arabia, participated in the study between September and November 2023. The standardized questionnaires measuring psychological resilience (The Brief Resilience Scale- BRS), self-compassion (The Self-Compassion Scale-SCS), emotion regulation (The Emotion Regulation Scale-ERS), and mental health (General Health Questionnaire-12) were used to collect data. The bivariate correlation, regression, and path analysis were employed to investigate their associations. The findings demonstrated a significant positive impact of psychological resilience on mental health (β=0.39, p<0.001). Self-compassion emerged as a significant positive mediator, strengthening the association between resilience and mental health (β=0.18, p<0.01). Cognitive reappraisal was found to have a positive mediating effect on this relationship (β=0.16, p<0.01), highlighting its functional significance in regulating emotions. Conversely, expressive suppression was found to negatively mediate the relationship, with an indirect effect of β=-0.12 (p<0.05), indicating a maladaptive influence on mental health. The research emphasizes the significance of fostering self-compassion and adaptive regulatory strategies, like cognitive reappraisal, while mitigating maladaptive approaches, including expressive suppression, in order to enhance the mental health of university educators. These findings underscore the necessity for culturally sensitive mental health interventions within educational institutions in Saudi Arabia.

Assessing School Managers Occupational Stress and Coping Strategies: Their Influence on Managerial Competence

Occupational stress is a pervasive concern across various professions, significantly impacting individuals' well-being and job performance. In the educational sector, school managers, including principals, head teachers, and teachers-in-charge, face unique challenges that contribute to high levels of stress and lead to unfavorable working conditions and significant occupational stress. The study aimed to examine the level of occupational stress experienced by school managers in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, identify their coping strategies, and assess how these factors influence their managerial competence. A purposive sampling technique was used to select participants who could provide the most relevant information for the study's objectives. It employed a descriptive correlational survey design to assess the relationship between occupational stress, coping strategies, and managerial competence among school managers in Guiuan. The respondents include 48 school managers from three school districts within Guiuan. Findings revealed that school managers in Guiuan experience high levels of occupational stress due to factors such as poor working environments, curriculum implementation challenges, and economic issues. Effective coping strategies identified include delegation of duties, developing close staff relationships, and practicing good time management. Furthermore, a significant majority of school managers demonstrate outstanding managerial competence, indicating strong leadership abilities despite the high levels of stress. It concluded that while school managers in Guiuan face significant occupational stress, they employ commendable coping strategies and exhibit high levels of managerial competence. The importance of addressing occupational stress and supporting school managers in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, through targeted interventions and policies aimed at enhancing their coping strategies and managerial competence.

Obstacles to the Development of the Use of Artificial Intelligence from the Point of View of Physicians Working in Selected AJA Medical Centers: A Qualitative Content Analysis Study

Background: Considering the increasing use of decision support systems, specifically artificial intelligence (AI), in the field of medicine, our goal in this study was to identify, from the perspective of physicians working in AJA medical centers, the obstacles hindering the adoption and use of AI in the treatment and diagnosis of patients. Objectives: This study investigated the obstacles faced by specialist physicians working in AJA medical centers regarding the implementation of AI in their professional practice. Methods: A qualitative approach using contractual content analysis was employed. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews and analyzed using the qualitative analysis method of Granheim and Lundman (2004) from May to July 2022. The study included 20 physicians working in selected AJA medical centers in Tehran. Sampling was conducted based on entry criteria and targeted to ensure maximum diversity. Results: The study involved 20 specialist physicians (15 men and 5 women) from selected AJA medical centers in Tehran, with an average age of 42 years and an average work experience of 14 years. The identified obstacles to the development of AI in these medical centers were categorized into three main groups: Extra-organizational and organizational factors, individual factors, and educational factors. These categories included 10 subcategories: Sanctions and economic issues, organizational attitudes, rules and regulations, available facilities, quality of facilities, knowledge and attitude, individual resistance to change, education quality, educational curriculum, and clinical professors. Conclusions: Iran's unique conditions pose challenges to the development and implementation of AI in its medical centers. This study highlights the need to address these obstacles by revising organizational rules and regulations and educating stakeholders on the benefits of AI. These measures could promote the use of AI in military medical centers and improve the quality of care.