District Level Research Articles

All Lives Matter: A Model for Resource Allocation to Fire Departments in Portugal

Optimizing Resource Allocation in Fire Departments (RAFD) is crucial for enhancing Fire Protection Services (FPS) and ultimately saving lives. Efficient RAFD ensures that fire departments have the necessary resources to respond effectively to emergencies. This paper presents a method for optimizing RAFD based on performance assessment results, examining its impact on Fire Department (FD) efficiency in Portugal. Evaluating data from 353 FDs, two RAFD optimization methods were assessed: one adhering to Portuguese regulations and constraints, such as budget allocation limitations, and another without such constraints. Integrating a slack-based data envelopment analysis model and mixed-integer linear programming, the study found that incorporating FD efficiency scores in RAFD improved overall efficiency at national, district, and FD levels. While adherence to Portuguese regulations led to balanced resource allocation and a 4% performance improvement at the national level, relaxing constraints yielded an 8% improvement, albeit with potential performance deterioration in some FDs. The detailed budget and efficiency metric analysis provided in this paper offers actionable insights for fire protection services enhancement. This underscores the importance of diverse optimization strategies to enhance FD efficiency, with implications for decision-makers at the Portuguese National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection and similar organizations globally.

Efektivitas Pelimpahan sebagian Kewenangan Bupati Kepada Kepala Distrik di Kabupaten Jayapura

Since the implementation of Law Number 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Government, Jayapura Regency has adopted a policy of delegating authority as an effort to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government administration at the district level. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of the delegation of authority from the Regent of Jayapura to the District Heads based on the Jayapura Regent Regulation Number 13 of 2019 on the Delegation of Partial Authority from the Regent to the District Heads to Perform Certain Local Government Affairs. This study uses a qualitative approach with data triangulation methods, including indepth interviews, observations, and document analysis. The results show that although there are some successes in the implementation of delegated authority, various obstacles remain, such as mismatches between the delegated authority and district capacities, lack of trained and competent human resources, and budget limitations. Additionally, the delegation process often lacks adequate accountability and transparency systems. The study also found that unclear policies and regulations, as well as complex bureaucratic processes, hinder the effectiveness of the delegated authority implementation. Some district heads feel that the delegated authority is insufficient to enable them to make quick and accurate decisions to serve local community interests. Recommendations from this study include improving human resource capacity at the district level, enhancing accountability and transparency systems, and simplifying bureaucratic processes to support the effectiveness of delegated authority. Thus, it is expected that the delegation of authority from the Regent of Jayapura to the District Heads can run more optimally and contribute positively to regional development and the improvement of public service quality

Impact of Suaahara, an at-scale multisectoral nutrition programme, on health workers' maternal and child health, and nutrition knowledge and skills in Nepal.

Suaahara, an at-scale multisectoral nutrition programme in Nepal, aimed to advance knowledge and skills of frontline health workers to improve the quality of nutrition and health services at health facility and community levels. This study assessed the impact of Suaahara interventions on knowledge and skills of health facility workers and Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs). The study used a quasi-experimental design in which four Suaahara intervention districts were compared with pair-matched comparison districts. One health facility worker and three FCHVs from each survey cluster were included. Baseline survey consisted of 93 health facility workers (2015) and 118 FCHVs (2012), and endline survey (2022) consisted of 40 health facility workers and 120 FCHVs. Difference-in-differences regression models employing intent-to-treat analysis, accounting for clustering at the district level, assessed the impact of intervention. The intervention, relative to comparison, had no effect on health facility workers' knowledge. There was a positive effect, however, on FCHVs' knowledge in intervention relative to comparison areas on exclusive breastfeeding, timing of introduction of complementary feeding, sick child feeding and growth monitoring and promotion (GMP) for children under 2 years. Health facility workers and FCHVs in intervention versus comparison districts had higher endline scores for skills related to measuring the weight of children and pregnant women, measuring the height/length of children, conducting GMP for children under 2 years and identifying malnourished children. Suaahara interventions improved the capacity of health workers, particularly nutrition-related knowledge among FCHVs and GMP-related skills of both health facility workers and FCHVs.

Snakebites in Three Districts of Rural Areas of Western India during Winter

Abstract Introduction: Snakebite is more of a seasonal problem in the state of Rajasthan, as is so in India. The peak incidence of snakebite occurs in the monsoons, with high frequency also reported during the harvest season. The estimated incidence of snakebite in India is 2–3 million, annually leading to 58,000 deaths. Rajasthan is the largest state by area in India and is one of the states that report a high incidence of death due to venomous snakebite in the One-million Death Study. Since snakebite is largely seen as a seasonal problem mainly concentrated in the rainy and summer seasons, the aim of the study was to assess the incidence and mortality of snakebites in winter. Materials and Methods: A telephonic survey of the snakebites in the rural areas of three selected districts of Rajasthan, Western India, chosen based on climatic and geographic conditions. Calls were made to medical officers/in-charge of different primary care centers (PHC)/community health centers (CHC) to report snakebites in the winter season. Medical officers in PHCs/CHCs were asked to report the number of cases reported, deaths, anti-snake venom (ASV) administration, and serious adverse reactions related to ASV administration. The medical officers were further asked if they were confident while administering ASV or not. Results: A total of two deaths were reported out of 39 snakebites (5.1%). ASV was administered to the majority of them (94.8%) with two of them showing adverse reactions to ASV (5.1%). Majority of the bites were reported from primary health centers. Conclusions: The present study suggests that snakebite is not a seasonal problem with significant cases occurring even during the winter months. The study highlights the need for creating awareness and taking adequate precautions among vulnerable population, even in the winter season. In addition, sentinel surveillance for snakebites could be strengthened at the district level.

A szlovákiai magyarsághoz tartozók számának, arányának változása járások szerint a 2011. és a 2021. évi népszámlálás adatai alapján

The study deals with the development of the number of Hungarians in Slovakia by districts based on the data of the 2011 and 2021 censuses. In a first approach, the data at the district level for ethnicity, mother tongue and 2nd ethnicity are examined. Then, based on combinations of these three ethnic indicators, the four types of Hungarian affiliation are analysed in relation to the proportion of Hungarians living in the districts. The differences in the number, composition and types of Hungarians living in Hungarian and non-Hungarian districts are examined. We will also examine the contribution of the three variables included in the analysis to the evolution of the number of Hungarians at the district level. The tables in the appendix provide a deeper understanding of the relationships presented in the study.

Agglomeration Economies and Rural-to-Urban Migration in India

<p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px"><span dir="ltr" lang="EN-US"><span style="color:black">Keeping in view the concept of agglomeration economies and the New Economic Geography (NEG) angle, this paper makes an attempt to examine the rural to urban population movement at the district level in India. The findings do not favour a strong positive association between levels of urbanization and migration rates.  However, there exists a cluster of districts which are able to attract migrants on a large scale in spite of being already urbanized. The work participation rate, share of services and construction work, and literacy rate all form parts of this positive nexus, indicating that opportunities exist with increased levels of urbanization which in turn prompt people to migrate. The positive spill-over effects of higher levels of urbanization are not limited to the urban spaces only as the adjoining rural areas also seem to have undergone   a significant transformation. The land use pattern and activities are changing and some of the developmental impact is evident. However, the regional variations in this respect are evident. There are sharp differences in the relationship between urbanization level and migration rates across regions. The nature of urbanization and its determinants and the outcome variables of urbanization and migration also unravel regional variations. Besides, there are many districts with higher levels of urbanization; yet, they are not able to attract migrants at a rapid pace. New investment opportunities can be created in these spaces to reduce the cost of growth and make employment generation process more effective, facilitating the rural population to take the benefits of agglomeration economies.</span></span></span></span></p>

Addressing Mental Health Challenges in Nepal: A Review of Policies, Status, and Strategies for Improvement

Mental health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, encompassing an individual's emotional, psychological, and social well-being. In Nepal, mental health issues are a significant concern, with challenges related to governance, policy implementation, and service delivery. This review examines the mental health status in Nepal, analyzes existing policies, and proposes strategies for improvement. Databases, including ScienceDirect, Springer, NepJol, PubMed, and Google Scholar, were searched to gather relevant literature. The review identified key challenges in Nepal's mental health system, including the lack of a revised and fully implemented mental health policy, discriminatory provisions in the legislation, inadequate planning and funding at the district level, and limited workforce and resources. Despite positive developments, such as including mental health in general health policies and NGO involvement, significant barriers remain. To improve mental health in Nepal, it is essential to implement public policies favoring mental health, train individuals in personal skills, promote healthy lifestyles, and intervene through community actions. These strategies aim to create supportive environments and increase awareness of mental health issues, ultimately improving the population's overall well-being.

Comparing lagged impacts of mobility changes and environmental factors on COVID-19 waves in rural and urban India: a Bayesian spatiotemporal modelling study.

Previous research in India has identified urbanisation, human mobility and population demographics as key variables associated with higher district level COVID-19 incidence. However, the spatiotemporal dynamics of mobility patterns in rural and urban areas in India, in conjunction with other drivers of COVID-19 transmission, have not been fully investigated. We explored travel networks within India during two pandemic waves using aggregated and anonymized weekly human movement datasets obtained from Google, and quantified changes in mobility before and during the pandemic compared with the mean baseline mobility for the 8-week time period at the beginning of 2020. We fit Bayesian spatiotemporal hierarchical models coupled with distributed lag non-linear models (DLNM) within the integrated nested Laplace approximate (INLA) package in R to examine the lag-response associations of drivers of COVID-19 transmission in urban, suburban, and rural districts in India during two pandemic waves in 2020-2021. Model results demonstrate that recovery of mobility to 99% that of pre-pandemic levels was associated with an increase in relative risk of COVID-19 transmission during the Delta wave of transmission. This increased mobility, coupled with reduced stringency in public intervention policy and the emergence of the Delta variant, were the main contributors to the high COVID-19 transmission peak in India in April 2021. During both pandemic waves in India, reduction in human mobility, higher stringency of interventions, and climate factors (temperature and precipitation) had 2-week lag-response impacts on the R t of COVID-19 transmission, with variations in drivers of COVID-19 transmission observed across urban, rural and suburban areas. With the increased likelihood of emergent novel infections and disease outbreaks under a changing global climate, providing a framework for understanding the lagged impact of spatiotemporal drivers of infection transmission will be crucial for informing interventions.

Developing a framework for understanding policy decision-making behaviors in the transition of an HIV prevention program towards sustainability: a case study from Zambia’s voluntary medical male circumcision program

Faced with declining donor funding for HIV, low- and middle-income countries must identify efficient and cost-effective ways to integrate HIV prevention programs into public health systems for long-term sustainability. In Zambia, donor support to the voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) program, which previously funded non-governmental organizations as implementing partners, is increasingly being directed through government structures instead. We developed a framework to understand how the behaviors of individual decision-makers within the government could be barriers to this transition. We interviewed key stakeholders from the national, provincial, and district levels of the Ministry of Health, and from donors and partners funding and implementing Zambia’s VMMC program, exploring the decisions required to attain a sustainable VMMC program and the behavioral dynamics involved at personal and institutional levels. Using pattern identification and theme matching to analyze the content of the responses, we derived three core decision-making phases in the transition to a sustainable VMMC program: 1) developing an alternative funding strategy, 2) developing a policy for early-infant (0–2 months) and early-adolescent (15–17 years) male circumcision, which is crucial to sustainable HIV prevention; and 3) identifying integrated and efficient implementation models. We formulated a framework showing how, in each phase, a range of behavioral dynamics can form barriers that hinder effective decision-making among stakeholders at the same level (e.g., national ministries and donors) or across levels (e.g., national, provincial and district). Our research methodology and the resulting framework offer a systematic approach for in-depth investigations into organizational decision-making in public health programs, as well as development programs beyond VMMC and HIV prevention. It provides the insights necessary to map organizational development and policy-making transition plans to sustainability, by explaining tangible factors such as organizational processes and systems, as well as intangibles such as the behaviors of policymakers and institutional actors.

Frequency and Clinical Outcomes of Facial Nerve Palsy at District Level Teaching Hospital, Pakistan

Background: Facial nerve palsy, characterized by the dysfunction of the seventh cranial nerve, is a common neurological disorder that significantly impacts patients' quality of life. It manifests as unilateral facial weakness or paralysis, with Bell's palsy being the most prevalent cause. This condition requires thorough clinical evaluation and appropriate management to ensure optimal recovery outcomes. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the frequency and clinical outcomes of facial nerve palsy in patients presenting to a district-level teaching hospital in Lakki Marwat, Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2023 to October 2023 at the Physiotherapy Department of District Headquarter Hospital, Lakki Marwat. Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of facial nerve palsy by a neurophysician were included, while those with congenital facial nerve palsy or upper motor neuron lesions were excluded. Ethical approval was obtained, and written informed consent was collected from all participants. Clinical assessments were performed using the House-Brackmann scale to evaluate the severity of facial nerve dysfunction. Data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations, were used to present the data. Results: Out of 102 patients, 59 (57.9%) were male, and 43 (42.1%) were female, with a mean age of 38.2 ± 10.36 years. The majority of patients (41.1%) were in the 31-40 years age group. Right-side facial palsy was more prevalent, affecting 64 (62.7%) patients. The House-Brackmann grading revealed that 49 (48.2%) patients were in Grade IV, 24 (23.5%) in Grade V, 15 (14.7%) in Grade III, 8 (7.8%) in Grade VI, and 6 (5.8%) in Grade II. Bell’s palsy was the most common cause, accounting for 52 (51%) cases, followed by external trauma in 22 (21.6%) patients, infections in 18 (17.6%) patients, and tumors in 10 (9.8%) patients. Treatment outcomes showed complete recovery in 65 (63.7%) patients, incomplete recovery in 28 (27.5%), and no recovery in 9 (8.8%). Conclusion: Facial nerve palsy was more common in male patients, with the right side of the face being predominantly affected. Bell’s palsy was identified as the leading cause. The study highlights the importance of early diagnosis and intervention, particularly physiotherapy, in managing facial nerve palsy. Further research is recommended to explore long-term outcomes and optimize treatment strategies.

Challenges in Sports Participation and Coping Mechanism towards Student-Athletes’ Achievement: Basis for Flexible Training Program

Sound mind and body is an important factor for greater winning opportunities for student-athletes in participating to school-initiated, district level, division, regional and up to national level sports competition. In order to come up with an appropriate sports training program, the researcher focused the study on the challenges being faced by the studentathletes on personal health particularly to mental, physical and emotional health and how do they cope with it. The study used descriptiv e research design participated by one hundred student-athletes from Recto Memorial National High School purposively chosen and enrolled during 2023-2024 school year. Based on the tallied responses, equal number of male and female studentathletes are the respondents who are in the age bracket of 14-15 and are Grade 8 students. As revealed, student-athletes did not have any physical challenges when participating in sports but underscores a significant emotional struggle which is handling pressure during competitions, which adversely affects athletic performance. They are also challenged emotionally that the findings highlight prevalent issue of nervousness and worry among participants during sports activities. Similarly, they are challenged emotiona lly that the prevalence of nervousness suggests underlying mental stressors impacting their performance. Further, it is depicted that there is no significant correlation between challenges of student-athletes in sports participation and studentathletes’ achievement. Finally, the correlation between coping mechanisms and student-athletes’ achievement are significantly related to each other as well.

How migrant composition affects attitudes of urban locals in urban China: A two-scale study

Scholars have shown increasing interest in how inter-group interactions in different spaces influence inter-group relations. However, there has been limited recent knowledge from China on this topic. In China, its hukou system has differentiated internal migrants and urban locals in many spheres for over 40 years, causing significant social exclusion and persistent prejudice towards internal migrants in cities. However, surveys and research on inter-group relationships have mainly focused on investigating migrants, neglecting urban locals. In essence, how the diverse compositions of the migrant population have influenced natives' attitudes towards immigrants needs further examination. Using the China Migrants Dynamic Survey 2017, this study applies multi-level mixed-effects ordered logistic regression models to examine how six aspects of migrant composition at the neighborhood and district levels affect urban locals' three attitudes towards migrants: hostility, superficial acceptance, and deep acceptance. This study addresses the demographic transitions of the migrant population and the socio-economic context of contemporary China and applies the contact and conflict theories to interpret the results. Findings reveal that exposure to the migrant population with a high share of rural-hukou migrants and inner-province migrants harms inter-group understanding. Exposure to blue-collar migrants, above-college education migrants, and migrants who frequently communicate with locals leads to positive contacts and improves urban locals’ attitudes towards migrants. The effect of migrant compositions on hostility, superficial, and deep acceptance varies. In addition to the frequently studied neighborhood level, migrant composition at the district level is also vital in influencing inter-group relationships. Last, the effects of migrant composition also vary among different sub-groups of urban locals.

How does broadband supply affect participation in panel surveys?: Using geospatial broadband data at the district level to analyze mode choice and panel attrition

AbstractGood broadband supply is crucial for different aspects of participation behavior in web surveys. In this study, we combined geospatial broadband data and the survey data of 16 waves of the mixed-mode GESIS Panel to investigate mode choice and panel attrition. Since small-scale geospatial data is often unavailable or difficult to access for research purposes, we report here results of a feasibility study investigating whether publicly available broadband data at the district level are sufficient to draw meaningful conclusions about participation behavior. In the first part of the analysis, we investigated the effects of broadband supply on mode choice. The results showed a positive effect of the broadband category with the highest coverage rate on choosing the online mode. We also found effects for internet familiarity, age, and education. In the second part, we investigated the effects of broadband supply on panel attrition within the 16 survey waves. We did not find significant effects of broadband supply on panel attrition. However, we found effects for evaluation of duration, measured duration, and age. Overall, we conclude that the granularity of the geospatial data on broadband supply is not ideal. A detailed discussion on the granularity of the broadband data in the context of the general availability of fine-grained geospatial data is provided at the end of this study.

The effects of teacher tenure on productivity and selection

I examine productivity and selection effects of K-12 teacher tenure by leveraging variation from New Jersey’s TEACHNJ Act, which extended the pretenure period. Using a difference-in-differences design, I evaluate the productivity effects of tenure by comparing fourth-year tenured and pretenured teachers. I find math value-added declines but English language arts value-added and ratings remain unchanged. Focusing on labor market effects, I compare teachers hired before and after TEACHNJ within the same district and experience level. TEACHNJ disproportionately increased male and Black teacher turnover, as the policy was tied to subjective evaluation criteria. TEACHNJ did not impact the quality of the teacher labor market as measured by value-added, though higher rated teachers often filled new vacancies. This matches principal–agent models where schools only use ratings to guide personnel decisions. Overall, tenure generates small declines in math value-added, while reforms tied to subjective evaluations disproportionately increase male and Black teacher turnover.

Improved drinking water, healthier children? Evidence from Pakistan

Purpose One of the United Nations’ sustainable development goals is to ensure the availability of improved drinking water for everyone. In this study, we examine the association between access to improved drinking water at the district level and child nutritional outcomes in Pakistan.Design/methodology/approach We employ district-level unbalanced panel data from Pakistan from various rounds of Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement Surveys and Multiple Indicators Cluster Surveys compiled by the Data4Pakistan, Pakistan District Development Portal. We examine the impact of the percentage of the population in a given district with access to clean drinking water on the percentage of stunted, underweight and wasted children in the district. The analysis proceeds in two steps. In the first step, we explore the spatial distribution of improved drinking water coverage and child development outcomes across districts. In the second step, we study their relationship by employing standard panel estimation methods and controlling for district characteristics.Findings The spatial analysis reveals the large disparity among districts and provinces in terms of improved drinking water coverage and child nutrition. The estimation results indicate that there is a significant association between the accessibility of improved drinking water and child development outcomes. The effect is significant for child stunting and underweight but not for child wasting. The impact appears to be stronger in rural districts. These findings are robust to alternate empirical strategies.Originality/value This is the first such study to examine the provision of improved drinking water at the district level in relation to child developmental outcomes in a developing country context.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-09-2023-0739

Addressing multicollinearity in spatial modelling: A district level spatial analysis of pandemic COVID-19 in India.

This study focuses on conducting spatial analysis of COVID-19 at the district level in India. Leveraging data from www.covidindia.org for confirmed cases and deaths, and integrating population characteristics from the National Family Health Survey 5 (2019-2021) and supplementary sources. The objective is to identify risk factors using spatial modelling techniques while addressing multicollinearity through principal component analysis (PCA). This study utilizes spatial analysis to identify COVID-19 hotspots and coldspots at the district level in India. It highlights highly affected districts such as Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru, as well as low affected districts in central and north-eastern regions. The study utilized the spatial lag model (SLM), spatial error model (SEM), geographical weighted regression (GWR), and multiscale geographical weighted regression (MGWR) models to analyse the impact of demographic, socioeconomic, climatic, and comorbidity factors on COVID-19, accounting for spatial proximity. Among these models, MGWR exhibited superior performance. Key risk factors associated with the COVID-19 phenomenon identified, providing insights into the impact of household conditions, educational level of women, tobacco and alcohol consumption rates, number of health centres, and climatic factors. Moreover, the local coefficients estimated by MGWR model furnish detailed information regarding the strength and direction of the relationships between predictors and COVID-19 cases and deaths within each spatial unit. The findings emphasize the significance of addressing multicollinearity in spatial modelling. It is beneficial for accurate parameter estimation, proper interpretation of coefficients, improved spatial analysis, and providing reliable insights to support decision-making in spatial contexts.

Study of Small Area Estimation when Nighttime Lights as an Auxiliary Information is Measured with Error

The need for accelerated development requires rapid data collection. In today's increasingly advanced technological landscape, the utilization of big data emerges as a highly reliable solution for data collection. One exemplary form of big data is the daily capture of satellite imagery, particularly nighttime lights (NTL). NTL serves as a valuable product derived from satellite imagery and can be employed as an alternative dataset for analysis. This research utilizes Nighttime lights as an auxiliary variable to estimate the average household per capita expenditure in small areas, namely districts, employing the empirical best linear unbiased prediction Fay Herriot (EBLUP FH) method and small area estimation by incorporating measurement error effects on the covariate (SAE-ME). The study demonstrates that Nighttime lights can be employed as an alternative auxiliary variable for estimating the average per capita expenditure in districts, as evidenced by a lower RRMSE compared to direct estimation results. However, the measurement error effects on the NTL covariate should be considered by employing a model that takes into account measurement errors. The SAE-ME method provides estimated average expenditure values at the district level that closely align with BPS publications, with an average RRMSE per district of 7.5 percent.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Healthcare Services in Bangladesh: A Qualitative Study on Healthcare Providers' Perspectives.

The objective of this study was to explore healthcare providers' experiences in managing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its impact on healthcare services. A qualitative study was conducted with 34 healthcare professionals across 15 districts in Bangladesh. Among the participants, 24 were health managers or administrators stationed at the district or upazila (sub-district) level, and 10 were clinicians providing care to patients with COVID-19. The telephone interviews were conducted in Bangla, audio-recorded, transcribed, and then translated into English. Data were analyzed thematically. Most interviewees identified a range of issues within the health system. These included unpreparedness, challenges in segregating COVID-19 patients, maintaining isolation and home quarantine, a scarcity of intensive care unit beds, and ensuring continuity of service for non-COVID-19 patients. The limited availability of personal protective equipment, a shortage of human resources, and logistical challenges, such as obtaining COVID-19 tests, were frequently cited as barriers to managing the pandemic. Additionally, changes in the behavior of health service seekers, particularly increased aggression, were reported. The primary motivating factor for healthcare providers was the willingness to continue providing health services, rather than financial incentives. The COVID-19 pandemic presented a unique set of challenges for health systems, while also providing valuable lessons in managing a public health crisis. To effectively address future health crises, it is crucial to resolve a myriad of issues within the health system, including the inequitable distribution of human resources and logistical challenges.

Determining skills of basic schoolteachers in test item construction

AbstractAssessment practices play a crucial role in fostering student learning and guiding instructional decision‐making. The ability to construct effective test items is of utmost importance in evaluating student learning and shaping instructional strategies. This study aims to investigate the skills of Ghanaian basic schoolteachers in test item construction. The study focused on the revised Bloom's taxonomy. A cross‐sectional survey design was employed, and a questionnaire was developed and used to collect the needed data. The data were collected from 560 basic schoolteachers selected by using a simple random sampling technique. The participants comprised 280 male teachers and 280 female teachers. The data were collected and subjected to descriptive statistics analysis via mean, and standard deviation. While the p‐value (α ≤ 0.05) was used to determine the differences in the teachers' test item construction skills, the independence t‐test was used to compare the differences between the proficiency of male and female participants. The analysis revealed a notable contrast in how participants perceived their abilities in constructing test items, indicating a statistically significant difference. Specifically, female teachers demonstrated a stronger proficiency in test item construction skills compared to their male counterparts. Also, most teachers prioritised the lower levels within Bloom's taxonomy while crafting test items. Regular in‐service training on test item construction was recommended at the district level for teachers to update and upgrade their skills.

Spatiotemporal Analysis of Surface Urban Heat Island Dynamics in Central Yunnan City Cluster

The acceleration of urbanization has led to an increase in urban expansion and population density, exacerbating the urban heat island (UHI) effect. Moreover, the phenomenon has a significant impact on urban ecological environments and human health. Consequently, mitigating the UHI effect and enhancing the ecological environment is crucial. However previous research has primarily focused on individual cities or regional scales, with few studies analyzing all cities within urban agglomerations. This paper conducts a fine-grained spatiotemporal analysis of surface urban heat island (SUHI) effects in the Central Yunnan City Cluster from 2000 to 2021 using Landsat satellite data. We calculate the surface urban heat island intensity (SUHII) for 44 cities at the county or district level and discuss the quantitative estimation of overall SUHII changes and driving factors in the Central Yunnan City Cluster. Our findings are as follows: 1. Small cities also exhibit UHI effects, with a 75.4% probability of occurrence in the Central Yunnan City Cluster from 2000 to 2021, resulting in an overall decrease in SUHII of 1.21 °C. 2. The temperature increase rate in urban extension areas and suburban areas is faster than that in urban central areas, which is the main reason for the decreasing trend of SUHII. 3. Land use change inhibits the weakening of the SUHI effect, and population change contributes to the formation of this phenomenon. Additionally, the methods and results of this study can provide reasonable and effective insights for the future development and planning of the Central Yunnan City Cluster, thus promoting urban sustainable development.