Kaunas City Research Articles

Promoting Sustainable Mobility: A Perspective from Car and Public Transport Users.

Sustainable mobility is becoming a key factor in improving the quality of life of the residents and increasing physical activity (PA) levels. The current situation of sustainable mobility and its analysis is a first step in understanding the factors that would encourage residents to discover and choose alternative modes of travel. The present study examined the factors that encourage the choice of active modes of travel among urban adult population. Walking and cycling were analyzed as the most sustainable forms of urban mobility from the perspective of car and public transport (PT) users. Total of 902 subjects aged 18 years or older were analyzed in the study to assess commuting habits in Kaunas city, Lithuania. The majority (61.1%) of the respondents used a passenger vehicle, 28.2% used PT, and only 13.5% used active modes of travel. The results showed that safer pedestrian crossings, and comfortable paths were the most significant factors that encourage walking. A wider cycling network, and bicycle safety were the most important incentives for the promotion of cycling. Our findings show that the main factors encouraging walking and cycling among car and PT users are similar, however, the individual characteristics that determine the choice of these factors vary significantly.

Lowered cognitive function and the risk of the first events of cardiovascular diseases: findings from a cohort study in Lithuania

BackgroundThe purpose of this prospective cohort study was to examine whether the level of cognitive function at the baseline expressed as a cognitive function composite score and score of specific domains predict the risk of first cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in middle-aged and older populations.MethodsSeven thousand eighty-seven participants, men and women aged 45–72 years, were assessed in the baseline survey of the Health Alcohol Psychosocial Factors in Eastern Europe (HAPIEE) study in 2006–2008 in the city of Kaunas, Lithuania. During 10 years of follow-up, the risk of first non-fatal events of CVD and death from CVD (excluding those participants with a documented history of CVD and/or ischemic heart disease (IHD) diagnosed at the baseline survey) was evaluated. Cox proportional hazards regression models were applied to examine how cognitive function predicts the first events of CVD.ResultsDuring the follow-up, there were 156 deaths from CVD (49 women and 107 men) and 464 first non-fatal CVD events (195 women and 269 men) registered. The total number of first CVD events was 620 (11.5%). After adjustment for sociodemographic factors, biological and lifestyle risk factors and illnesses, a decrease per 1 standard deviation in different cognitive function scores significantly increased the risk of a first event of CVD (immediate verbal recall score - by 17% in men and 32% in women; delayed verbal recall score – by 17% in men and 24% in women; and a composite score of cognitive function – by 15% in men and 29% in women). Kaplan-Meier survival curves for the probability of a first cardiovascular event according to the categories of a composite score of cognitive function, revealed that a lowered cognitive function predicts a higher probability of the events compared to normal cognitive function (p < 0.05).ConclusionsThe findings of this follow-up study suggest that men and women with lower cognitive functions have an increased risk for a first event of CVD compared to participants with a higher level of cognitive functions.

The Relationship Between the Healthy Diet Index, Chronic Diseases, Obesity and Lifestyle Risk Factors Among Adults in Kaunas City, Lithuania.

A healthy and balanced diet is an important factor contributing to overall health and wellness. The aim of this study was to develop a Healthy Diet Index (HDI) score and assess its association with various chronic diseases and lifestyle risk factors. A cross-sectional survey included 1,111 adults aged 18 years and older. Information on dietary habits was collected using a questionnaire. Additional demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle risk factors data were also collected. Sixteen food groups were used to develop the HDI score for the residents of Kaunas city, Lithuania based on the national recommendations, World Health Organization (WHO) and other guidance on a healthy diet. We used logistic regression models to assess the association of the HDI score with chronic diseases, obesity and lifestyle risk factors. We found that both males and females were lacking the optimal consumption of the base components of a healthy diet–fruits and vegetables, starchy carbohydrates, and proteins. We also observed significant associations between the HDI score and several outcomes such as hypertension, arrhythmia, physical activity, and obesity. The suggested HDI score could serve as a valuable tool in assessing and improving dietary habits beneficial for promoting health and preventing many diseases.

An MCDM Model for Sustainable Decision-Making in Municipal Residential Buildings Facilities Management

Measuring and monitoring sustainability plays an essential role in impact assessment of global changes and development. Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) represents a reliable and adequate technique for assessing sustainability, especially in the field of municipal buildings management, where numerous parameters and criteria are involved. This study presents an MCDM model for the sustainable decision-making, tailored to municipal residential buildings facilities management. The main outcome of this research concerned normalized and weighted decision-making matrixes, based on the complex proportion assessment (COPRAS) and weighted aggregated sum product assessment (WASPAS) methods, applied for ranking investment alternatives related to the management of the buildings. The delivered model was applied to 20 municipal buildings of Kaunas city municipality, located in Lithuania, which an EU member state employing practices and regulations in accordance with the EU acquis, as well as a former Soviet Republic. The proposed model aspires to enhance sustainability practices in the management of municipal buildings and to demonstrate a solid tool that will allow informed decision-making in the building management sector.

Partnership between Primary Health and Social Care Services in the Long-Term Care of Older People with Dementia: A Vignette Study.

Dementia is considered to be a significant cause of disability and dependency for older people worldwide and it raises difficulties in providing adequate formal and informal assistance. Research on the experience of long-term care (LTC)services for older people with dementia is scarce in Eastern European countries. This study aimed to understand the system of care for older people with dementia from the perspective of health and social care workers providing LTC services in Lithuania. A total of 72 primary health care and social care professionals from public and private institutions in Kaunas city participated in this study. One-to-one interviews were conducted with family physicians, community nurses, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, and social workers. A vignette situation of 2 fictitious patients with dementia and their informal caregiver was discussed during the interviews. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis by induction approach. The data revealed 2 main themes: LTC provision trajectory, and three-dimensional relationship perception in realization of LTC activities. LTC provision trajectory reflected activities performed as a response to the described situation embracing formal procedures for the endorsement of LTC needs as well as the range of LTC services. The three-dimensional perception of relationships in LTC services’ implementation reflected the participants’ personal approach toward LTC, relationship with different specialists, and the informal caregiver. Our study revealed the potential of complex measures that could be instrumental for the refinement of the caregiving process. First, a change in the additional care requirements endorsement logic is needed, shifting focus from medical diagnosis to functional abilities assessment. Second, to establish clear procedures for formal cooperation between the health and social care sectors in the trajectory of LTC service provision. Finally, to find an adequate balance between LTC and institutional care by creating a more comprehensive range of LTC services. A more consistent and coordinated delivery of services by both health and social care sectors seems to be an untapped resource for the improvement of the LTC potential.

Akušerių profesinės vertybės ir lūkesčiai darbinėje aplinkoje

Tyrimo tikslas. Nustatyti akušerių profesines vertybes. Profesinės vertybės labai priklauso nuo to, kiek individas yra priklausomas kitoms instancijoms, institucijoms arba dirba savarankiškai. Nustatyta, kad individo lygmenyje profesinės vertybės dažniausiai būna kylančios iš asmeninių vertybių poreikio ir egzistavimo, o ne iš priklausomybės organizacijai darbo poreikio. Organizacijoms ir įstaigoms vertybės dažniausiai būna kylančios iš tam tikrų naudingumo aspektų, pvz., pelnas, bendradarbiavimas, ryšių palaikymas, atnaujinimas arba naujų ryšių užmezgimas. Tuo tarpu visuomenės lygmenyje vertybės yra kylančios iš asmeninių ir profesinių vertybių samplaikos, kai socialiniai aspektai susipina su asmeninėmis vertybėmis. Šio tyrimo tikslas – ištirti ir išanalizuoti akušerių profesines vertybes. Atliktas momentinis tyrimas, atlikus anketinę apklausą raštu. Apklaustos 147 Kauno miesto gimdymo stacionaruose dirbančios akušerės.

Genetic variants of TCF7L2 gene and its coherence with metabolic parameters in Lithuanian (Kaunas district) women population with previously diagnosed gestational diabetes mellitus compared to general population

ObjectiveTo determine the association of genetic variants rs7901695, rs7903146, rs7895340, rs11196205, rs12255372 of transcription factor 7 like 2 (TCF7L2) gene and its coherence with metabolic parameters in Lithuanian (Kaunas district) women population with previously diagnosed gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and to compare the prevalence of TCF7L2 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) results to general population. MethodsWomen with previously diagnosed GDM participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements were taken. Carbohydrate and fat metabolism were evaluated. TCF7L2 SNP common variants (rs7901695, rs7903146, rs7895340, rs11196205, rs12255372) were set.The prevalence of TCF7L2 the same SNP alleles were also evaluated for women of the general population. The results were compared to the main study group (women with previously diagnosed GDM). The results were calculated in a ratio of 1:2. General population group comprised 300 women who were selected from the random sample of the Kaunas city population.Statistical analysis was made with the statistical package IBM SPSS Statistics version 21. Quantitative parametric variables presented as mean and standard deviation, qualitative variables – as absolute numbers and percentage. ANOVA test was used, for the comparison between three or more groups. Quantitative variables were compared using Student’s t-test. Categorical variables were compared using chi-square test. Correlation analysis of parametrical data was performed by Pearson’s correlation. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% CIs were presented. The results were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05. Results158 women with previously (15–47 years ago) diagnosed GDM participated in the study. The mean age of participants was 53.0 ± 8.2 years and 60.2 ± 7.5 years (p < 0.001), BMI – 31.4 ± 7.9 kg/m2 and 29.9 ± 5.8 kg/m2 (p < 0.001) in GDM group and general population respectively. GDM group women had significantly larger waist, hip circumference and waist to hip ratio compared to general population women: 98.9 ± 18.1 cm vs. 89.2 ± 13.3 (p < 0.001), 112.5 ± 14.8 cm vs. 105.6 ± 10.9 cm (p < 0.001), 0.87 ± 0.08 vs. 0.84 ± 0.07 (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in blood pressure results between groups (p > 0.05).Carbohydrate dysmetabolism was set for 57.6% women with previously diagnosed GDM: 11 (7.0%) were diagnosed with impaired fasting glycemia (IFG), 14 (8.9%) with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) was diagnosed for 58 (36.7%), DM type 1 for 7 (4.4%), MODY2 (maturity onset diabetes of the young) – 1 (0.6%) patients. TCF7L2 SNPs in women with previously diagnosed GDM and various carbohydrate metabolism groups did not differed (p > 0.05).Body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumference in GDM group participants with different TCF7L2 SNP alleles did not differ (p > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in fasting plasma glucose (FPG), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) results, cholesterol levels and different TCF7L2 SNP alleles in GDM group (p > 0.05).We found higher prevalence of TCF7L2 SNP rs7901695 CC/CT, rs7903146 CT/TT and rs12255372 GT/TT alleles in women previously diagnosed GDM compared to general population women‘s group. The OR of being in GDM group with TCF7L2 SNP: rs7901695 CC/CT alleles, was 1.703 (95% CI 1.153–2.515); rs7903146 CT/TT – 1.708 (95% CI 1.149–2.538); rs12255372 GT/TT – 1.575 (95% CI 1.058–2.343). ConclusionsNo statistically significant difference in glucose, cholesterol levels and different TCF7L2 SNP alleles in GDM group was found. TCF7L2 SNPs did not differed in women with previously diagnosed GDM and various carbohydrate metabolism groups, though a significantly higher incidence of TCF7L2 rs7901695 SNP CC/CT, rs7903146 SNP CT/TT, rs12255372 GT/TT alleles in study subjects compared to the general population women were observed.

Ikimokyklinio ir priešmokyklinio amžiaus vaiko savo veiklos įsivertinimo procesas: pedagogų įžvalgos

Ikimokyklinio ir priešmokyklinio amžiaus vaiko savo veiklos įsivertinimo procesas yra svarbus, tačiau mažai tyrinėtas reiškinys. Todėl šio darbo tikslas – atskleisti ikimokyklinio ir priešmokyklinio amžiaus vaiko savo veiklos įsivertinimo procesą, remiantis ikimokyklinio ugdymo pedagogų įžvalgomis. Tyrimo duomenys rinkti atliekant interviu su 8 pedagogais, dirbančiais Kauno miesto ir Kaišiadorių rajono ikimokyklinio ugdymo įstaigose, o duomenų analizė atlikta naudojant kokybinės turinio analizės metodą.Remiantis pedagogų įžvalgomis, ikimokyklinio ir priešmokyklinio amžiaus vaikų įsivertinimo procesas gali būti apibūdinamas išryškinant jo koncepciją (tikslus ir gebėjimų sandarą) ir įsivertinimą ugdančius metodus. Pagrindiniai įsivertinimo tikslai, anot pedagogų, yra vaiko savivertės stiprinimas, atsakomybės už savo mokymąsi gebėjimų ugdymas bei vaiko savęs pažinimo auginimas. Vaikų įsivertinimo gebėjimų turinys apima keturis gebėjimus: gebėjimą vertinti savo veiklą, remiantis tam tikrais kriterijais, gebėjimą apgalvoti savo elgesio, veiklos pasekmes, gebėjimą pasidžiaugti savo veiklos rezultatais ir gebėjimą pastebėti savo pažangą.Atlikus kokybinį tyrimą nustatyta, kad ikimokyklinio ugdymo procese naudojami įvairūs įsivertinimo metodai (formalūs ir neformalūs), kurie gali sudaryti prielaidas sėkmingam vaikų ugdymui(si). Tai yra svarbu, nes, anot pedagogų, įsivertinimas stiprina vaiko pasitikėjimo savimi jausmą, atsakomybę, savęs pažinimą, padeda kritinio, reflektyvaus mąstymo pagrindus ir augina mokymosi motyvaciją.

Community Participation in Decision Making Processes in Urban Planning: The Case of Kaunas

Participation in decision-making processes foreshadows enabling citizens, communities, non-governmental organizations and other interested parties to influence the formulation of policies and laws affecting them. The purpose of this study is not only to review Lithuanian legal documents but also to analyse recent processes in Kaunas city planning. Kaunas city is undergoing various urban processes, which do not always meet the needs of the community. This study presents an analysis of the forms of community involvement in the urban planning processes and survey data on the effectiveness of community involvement. The methodology requires using a sociological survey with representatives of the city community and a comparative analysis between legal obligations and actual urbanization process.

Assessment of the Impact of Experience Marketing Dimensions on City Loyalty

Abstract The article aims to identify the importance of experience marketing dimensions for city residents’ and visitors’ loyalty. The theoretical part of this article analyses the concepts of experience and city marketing, city customers and their importance to the city, and distinguishes the main dimensions of experience marketing in the city. During the quantitative research, the impact of experience marketing dimensions on the loyalty of Kaunas city residents and visitors was determined. Also, using regression analysis the relation between the evaluation of experience marketing dimensions of Kaunas city residents and visitors and the behavioural and attitudinal loyalty was established.

Urban metabolism: measuring the Kaunas city sustainable development

Urban metabolism seeks to assess the amount of resources produced, consumer and disposed of in the city. Material and energy flow analysis becomes an important tool to understand the city’s environment and propose the more sustainable urban design and planning to improve residents’ health, ensure sustainable production and consumption. The purpose of this study is to measure the changes in Kaunas city material and energy use in period from 2010 to 2018. Kaunas city urban metabolism analysis is based on energy production and outflows data analysis with the city’s waste management analysis from an urban metabolism perspective. To understand the city social and economic transformation, it is also including social and economic aspects analysis. Research results have revealed better living conditions and a growing economy increase energy production and demand, construction materials, and waste flows along with rising environmental issues. Air pollution analysis has shown that SO2, CO2, NO2 and O3 emissions in the city remain stable. The paper helps to understand the importance of assessing city’s environmental impact and highlights the necessity of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) implementation.

Application of satellite data and GIS services for studying air pollutants in Lithuania (case study: Kaunas city)

Satellite remote sensing, with its relatively short history, is going to play a major role in the fields that encompass topics related to place and space. Through this innovation in technology, real-time monitoring and mapping of changing phenomena on the surface of the earth has been possible. The purpose of this study was to investigate and evaluate the Kaunas city air pollutants between 14 and 25 October 2019 using environmental station data and satellite data (Terra, Aqua, OMI, and Sentinel-5P). The data obtained from satellite and the pollutant data gathered from air quality monitoring stations located in different parts of Kaunas were used. The data was downloaded for days mentioned above for the geographical bound of Kaunas city. Each data file covered an area of the size of Lithuania; hence, we should have extracted data for the area of interest, which was Kaunas city. The overall results of this study confirmed the capability of Sentinel-5P data to be used in monitoring the air quality and air pollution over the Kaunas local area. The existence of strong and acceptable correlations between satellite data and in situ measurements was indicative of the ability of satellite images to monitor air pollution, particularly over Kaunas urban areas during the fire incident in the city of Alytus.

Neighborhood Social and Built Environment and Disparities in the Risk of Hypertension: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Citizens’ participation in urban environmental quality assessment is important when identifying local problems in the sustainable development and environmental planning policy. The principal aim of this study was to analyze whether any social differences exist between the joint effect of built neighborhood quality and exposure to urban green spaces and the risk of hypertension. The study sample consisted of 580 participants residing in 11 districts in Kaunas city, Lithuania. Using geographic information systems (GIS), individual data on the socioeconomic status (SES) and health were linked to the participants’ perceptions of the environmental quality and exposure to green spaces (NDVI). We used multivariate logistic regression to estimate associations as odds ratios (OR). Those study participants with lower education and those study participants with higher education on low incomes rated their health significantly worse. Low SES persons residing in areas with low exposure to green spaces had a significantly higher risk of hypertension when sex, age, family status, smoking, and income were accounted for (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.01–3.36). This citizen science study provided evidence that the social environment and the quality of the built environment had a complex effect on disparities in the risk of hypertension.

Relationship between negative affect, stress and body image in adolescent girls

Abstract&#x0D; In recent decades, concerns about body image and dissatisfaction with it, especially significant increase in adolescents (Mousa, Mashal, Al-Domi HA, Jibril MA, 2010). According to studies, concerns about body image dissatisfaction has become a global phenomenon (Swami, Smith, 2012).&#x0D; The aim of the study was to determine differences of body image satisfaction in adolescent girls with regard to stress and negative affect. The respondents were 80 adolescents from Kaunas city, who were enrolled in grades 8 and 10 (mean age =15.57 years;). Respondents completed the The Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ), PANAS-X Negative Affect scale and Reeder Stress inventory.&#x0D; The results of this study showed that participants with higher stress were more dissatisfied with their body areas and less satisfied with their appearance compared to those who reported feeling less stressed. Girls with higher negative affect were more dissatisfied with their body areas, tended to invest less in their appearance, they also thought they weight is bigger, furthermore were more concerned with their weight and in general were less satisfied with their appearance.&#x0D; The result of the present study demonstrate that as well as examining negative affect, it is also important to investigate other emotional components, which could be related to body image dissatisfaction, such as perceived stress.

Health promotion and disease prevention of people aged 60 year or older

Abstract The number of people aged 60 years or older is increasing over the world. According to the World Health Organization, keeping the health and functional independence of older people is one of the major challenges facing the European region. Older people in Lithuania are not linked to take care of their health. As a result, most of the people aged 65 years or older have a poor health. In 2018, 51.6 % of people aged 65 or older had limited knowledge of health literacy in health promotion. In order to change health-related behavior, Kaunas city municipality Public health bureau started to run a healthy ageing project. The project started in September 2018 and finished in December 2020. The aim of the project was to improve the health literacy level of Kaunas city citizens aged 60 years or older and to form positive changes in their health behaviour by implementing public health promotion program in Kaunas city. Different evidence-based physical activities were organized during the project: taichi, line dancing, aquatic exercise, functional training, and physiotherapy exercise. 888 residents aged over 60 years participated in 816 project activities. Healthy cooking classes with professional chefs were also organized for older people. As a result, 120 elderly people gained knowledge and skills in property nutrition during 40 healthy cooking classes. To improve older people's mental health, psycho-emotional activities such as mindfulness-awareness and brainstorming sessions were organized. A total of 314 older people participated in the 37 trainings of improving the psycho-emotional state. Women were more likely to participate in health promotion activities. In order to attract more men, collaboration and involvement of local communities was outgoing. Key messages Empowering older people to make healthy choices can help to prolong the autonomy of older people and thus bring significant economic and social benefits. Collaboration and involvement of local communities can bring relevant effect for public health in building complex strategy of healthy aging.

Mapping Technology Based Tools of Audience Engagement

In order to survive or adapt to new tendencies, cultural organisations must enhance audience engagement. This article proposes a new look at the concept of audience engagement from an integral point of view evaluating and analysing it by means of the conception of a map. The prototype of mapping audience engagement tools created in this article can help cultural organisations to effectively measure and evaluate actions in order to coordinate and select effective audience engagement tools. The empirical part of the article introduces a study of 18 Kaunas City (Lithuania) cultural organisations which reveals that organisations mostly focus on online activities, especially in the categories of accessibility and cognition, and there is a lack of collective development and more active audience engagement in programme development as well as promotion of discussions and original additional context.

IDENTIFICATION OF PROBLEMS OF FINANCIAL AUTONOMY IN LITHUANIAN RURAL MUNICIPALITIES

The scientific problem addressed by the article is the lack of the ways for identification and solution of the issues of financial autonomy in rural municipalities. The aim of the article is to identify the problem areas of financial autonomy in Lithuanian rural municipalities. The problem areas of financial autonomy in rural municipalities have been identified under the methods of scientific literature analysis, document analysis, and statistical data analysis, and comparative analysis. The problematics of definition of the phenomenon of financial autonomy of rural municipalities has been noticed; problem areas of expenditure, revenue, financial transfers and borrowing in the municipalities have been identified. The empirical study of the data on 50 Lithuanian rural municipalities reflecting their respective financial autonomy in the period 2014-2018 (municipality revenue structure, revenue per capita, the dynamics of the share of the personal income tax (PIT)) revealed that the major share of the revenues of rural municipalities is collected by means of the PIT. There are four donor municipalities in Lithuania – Vilnius city, Kaunas city, Klaipėda city and Neringa municipalities – with their PITs used to support rural municipalities. The central authorities of Lithuania apply inter-budgetary reallocation of funds in order to introduce the financial equalization measures to adjust for the unequal allocation of potential financial resources between the municipalities with the ultimate objective of eliminating the territorial, social and economic disparities between the municipalities. However, the revenue and expenditure remain unequalized between the municipalities.

Environmental Quality Perceptions and Health: A Cross-Sectional Study of Citizens of Kaunas, Lithuania.

The perception of urban environmental quality is an important contributor when identifying local problems in sustainable development and environmental planning policy. This study examined the associations between environmental and social residential characteristics, physical activity, obesity, and hypertension in Kaunas city, Lithuania. This cross-sectional study analyzed 580 citizens’ demographic-, socioeconomic-, health-, and lifestyle-related factors, environmental health concerns, and environmental quality perceptions. Using Geographic Information Systems and the multivariate logistic regression, we found that the less physically active group more often presented lower than mean ratings of the quality of pathways and cycling routes (32.9% and 45.6%, p = 0.042) and only irregularly visited the natural environment. Obese participants presented poorer ratings of air pollution, the quality of pathways and cycling routes, their possibility to reach green spaces by walking, and the available relaxing areas. The environmental issues associated with hypertension were poor possibilities to reach green spaces by walking (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.14–3.32) and the availability of relaxation areas (OR 2.30, 95% 1.34–3.95). The quality of the neighborhood and individual-level characteristics were the factors that influenced a higher prevalence of health problems at the district level. Our findings suggest that a public health policy to improve the physical and social environment of the neighborhood would have a potential to increase citizens’ physical activity and health.

Dependence between travel distance, individual socioeconomic and health-related characteristics, and the choice of the travel mode: a cross-sectional study for Kaunas, Lithuania

The aim of this study was to analyse the associations between individual socioeconomic and health-related characteristics, travel distance, and the choice of different travel modes in urban population. A cross-sectional study included 932 adults of Kaunas city, Lithuania. The choice of the travel mode and individual characteristics were self-reported by the participants, and their travel routes were calculated using the geographic information system. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the most significant factors determining the choice of a car, cycling, walking, or public transport. In total, 529 participants reported using a car, of whom 65.8% had medium or high education levels. These participants were more likely to be younger, male, married, and employed. Among bicycle users, statistically significant differences between the employment status, body mass index, and travel distance were observed. Walkers were significantly more likely to be older, those with lower incomes, unemployed, and travelling the shortest distances. The analysis of the travel distance on the choice of the travel mode revealed that men travelled longer distances with a car compared to women. The employment status was significantly associated with travel distance by car or public transport. Employed individuals travelled longer distances by public transport or by car, compared to unemployed individuals. Among bicycle users, we found that people with higher levels of education and overweight individuals cycled the longest distances. Our study emphasizes the importance of considering different individual characteristics when analysing the choice of transport modes. It provides evidence that is relevant for all urban populations on the choice of the transport mode, particularly considering active versus passive transport.

VOCATIONAL TEACHERS’ OPINIONS ABOUT THE ALREADY ACQUIRED AND YET TO BE IMPROVED COMPETENCES IN THE CONTEXT OF THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

The fourth industrial revolution is associated with the ever-increasing requirements for vocational training. The important factors that are required for the qualitative change of vocational training include increasing the diversity of the vocational training programs, optimization of the school network, increasing the effectiveness and interaction between primary vocational training and the training systems of the labor market, and effective improvement of the qualification/competences of vocational teachers. The understanding of the changing role of vocational teachers and the expression of their competences are directly related to the learning motivation, self-education, striving for continuous education, and orientation towards the improvement of the acquired professional qualification among the learners of vocational training centers. This paper presents theoretical insights into the vocational teachers’ competences, comparing the documents that regulate European and Lithuanian vocational training, and presents the results of the interview of a focus group with vocational teachers of Kaunas city vocational training centers. The qualitative study aimed at revealing which competences were expressed among vocational teachers in the context of the fourth industrial revolution. The study showed that the vocational teachers regarded the group of functional (activity) competences as most important for the quality of their work and recognized the influence of the fourth industrial revolution on changes in their competences.