Levels Of Educational Attainment Research Articles

Education and Information to Improve Adherence to Screening for Breast, Colorectal, and Cervical Cancer-Lessons Learned during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The objective of this study was to determine the correlation between adherence to cancer screening programs and earlier diagnosis of the 14 most common types of cancers in the adult population, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. National data concerning number of admissions and operations in Italy for adult patients admitted with oncologic problems during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020 to 2022) and in the pre-pandemic period (2015 to 2019) were analyzed. We selected 14 types of cancer that present the most common indications for surgery in Italy. This study included 1,365,000 adult patients who had surgery for the 14 most common types of cancer in the period 2015-2022, and interviews concerning adherence rates to screening for breast, colorectal, and cervical cancer were conducted for 133,455 individuals. A higher decrease in the number of operations for the 14 types of cancer (-45%) was registered during the first three acute phases of the pandemic, and it was more evident for screenable cancers like breast, colorectal, and cervical cancer (p < 0.001). During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of screened individuals for breast, colorectal, and cervical cancer decreased by 33.8% (from 7,507,893 to 4,969,000) and the number of diagnoses and operations for these three types of cancer decreased by 10.5% (from 107,656 to 96,405). The increase and return to normality of the number of screened individuals in the last year of the pandemic (2022) and in the first post-pandemic year (2023) was associated with a return to the pre-pandemic levels of diagnoses and operations. The adherence rates were lower for individuals living in rural areas, with low socio-economic status, and unmarried persons; however, the most statistically significant factor for reduced adherence was a lower level of educational attainment. Free screening through nationally organized programs reduced social disparities. There were no significant differences between the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods for several types of cancers (stomach, esophagus, pancreas, liver) that are diagnosed for the occurrence of symptoms and for which nationally organized programs might increase the possibility of earlier diagnosis and improved clinical outcomes. Education, information, and appropriate expenditure for preventive care have the potential to reduce cancer mortality. Nationally organized screening programs for several types of cancers, which are often detected for the occurrence of symptoms, may increase the possibility of diagnosis at earlier stages.

Comparing the characteristics of firesetting and non-firesetting adults in a New Zealand un-apprehended community sample

This study examines the prevalence of deliberate firesetting in an un-apprehended New Zealand sample and factors that differentiate firesetting and non-firesetting individuals. An anonymous online survey assessing demographic and background characteristics, history of firesetting and psychological characteristics was advertised on Facebook community groups and pinboards across New Zealand. A total of 626 adults completed the survey. One-hundred and three participants (16.45%) self-reported having deliberately set at least one fire over the age of 14 years. When controlling for all other variables in a logistic regression model, having a high-school qualification as the highest level of educational attainment (odds ratio, OR = 2.24), history of a mental health diagnosis (OR = 1.91), fearful attachment style (OR = 1.16) and fire interest (OR = 1.05) showed the strongest unique association with un-apprehended firesetting. Further research is needed to examine the full range of behavioural and psychological characteristics associated with un-apprehended firesetting.

‘I’ve just heard that there are people who feel like they need to exercise’: a photo-elicitation study of values and priorities influencing physical activity in a socioeconomically disadvantaged neighbourhood in Uppsala, Sweden

ObjectivePeople living in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Sweden engage less in physical activity compared with the general population, contributing to an elevated risk of cardiometabolic diseases. To inform targeted and...

How does parental divorce affect children’s long-term outcomes?

Many papers report a negative association between parental divorce and child outcomes. To provide evidence whether this correlation is causal, we exploit idiosyncratic variation in the extent of gender balance in fathers’ workplaces. Fathers who encounter more women in their relevant age–occupation–group at work are more likely to divorce. This result is conditional on the overall proportion of female employees in a firm and on detailed industry affiliation. Parental divorce has persistent, and mostly negative effects on children that differ between boys and girls. Treated boys have lower levels of educational attainment, worse labor market outcomes and are more likely to die early. Treated girls also have lower levels of educational attainment, but they are also more likely to have children at an early age (especially in their teens). However, treated girls lose less in terms of employment. This could be a direct consequence of teenage motherhood, which initiates early entry into the labor market.

Gene expressivity on educational attainment increases with age, and then slows

The relative contributions of genetic and environmental influences to phenotypes vary with age. A Wilson effect denotes age-related increases in heritability, and an anti-Wilson effect the opposite (specifically a decline in heritability in late life). To date, few molecular-genetic studies of these effects have been conducted. Here we tested for Wilson effects on educational attainment (EA), leveraging a dataset with a wide age range (18–60 years) and polygenic scores (PGSs) for EA. Using a two-way interaction model, we estimated changes in the predictive power of one such PGS (specifically EA3) for EA as a function of aging. We found that the PGS predicted EA better in older participants (semi-partial regression coefficient [sr] = 0.05, 95%CI = 0.00, 0.10), potentially consistent with a Wilson effect. The effect of EA32 had a further independent negative effect on EA in older participants (sr = −0.06, 95%CI = −0.11, −0.01), indicating that the Wilson effect slows with greater age. The findings suggest that PGS expressivity increases as individuals attain an educationlevel in line with their abilities and preferences as they age. But past a relatively early age (in almost all cases), the maximal level of education in line with genetic liability is reached, and PGS expressivity plateaus. Beyond this point PGS expressivity may even start to decline (an anti-Wilson effect), which, rather than reflecting the developmental dynamics of EA itself, could result from the known tendency for episodic and semantic memory to decline later in life, leading to misrecollection of certain life events (which could cause erroneous recall of level of EA). Caution is warranted in interpreting these results, however, since, owing to the cross-sectional nature of our study, there are potential confounding factors at play.

Factors Associated with HPV Vaccination Among Middle-Aged Adults in the United States.

To examine prevalence of partial and complete HPV vaccination among middle-aged adults and factors associated with vaccination status. Nationally representative cross-sectional survey. United States. Cohort includes adults aged 30 to 44 years from 2018 to 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey who completed questions about HPV vaccination status. Survey-weighted multivariable logistic regression was utilized to explore factors associated with partial and complete HPV vaccination status. In this nationally representative cohort of 26,470 US middle-aged adults, 15.8% [95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.1%-16.6%] reported any HPV vaccination, and 6.5% [95% CI: 6.0%-7.0%] reported complete HPV vaccination. On multivariable regression, younger age, female sex, residence in the West or Northeast, higher educational attainment, unmarried status, having a personal healthcare provider, and gay or lesbian sexual orientation were associated with increased likelihood of vaccination. Race was variably associated with vaccination status. Annual income, insurance status, cancer history, head and neck cancer history, and time of last physician checkup were not associated with HPV vaccination status. HPV vaccination among middle-aged adults who were not previously vaccinated should be based on risk for new HPV infection and possible benefits of vaccination. While our analysis shows that consideration of personal factors likely plays a role in HPV vaccination in this cohort, we also find that gaps in vaccination may exist due to other socioeconomic disparities between sexes, educational attainment levels, racial/ethnic groups, geographic regions, and access to a personal healthcare provider. These factors' influence suggests potential room for improved public health measures.

Factors Predicting the Choice of Specialization Among Medical Students and Junior Doctors in Oman: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Choosing a medical specialization is a crucial, career-defining decision for medical students and junior doctors. Objectives: This study aimed to identify variables impacting junior postgraduate doctors' and medical students' choice of specialty in Oman. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) and the Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB) in Muscat, Oman. A two-part, self-administered questionnaire was electronically distributed to 247 respondents of different positions and levels of education, including doctors enrolled in the General Foundation Program, interns, and medical students undergoing their junior and senior clinical rotations. Sociodemographic characteristics were compared to determine factors influencing the choice of medical specialization. Results: The most popular choice of specialty was pediatrics (14.6%), followed by family medicine (10.9%), psychiatry (9.3%), and general medicine (8.5%). Medical specialties were chosen more frequently than surgical or diagnostic specialties (60.7% vs. 27.5% and 10.9%, respectively), regardless of gender or current position/level. Significant variations in specialty preferences were observed based on the respondents’ level of paternal educational attainment (P = 0.026) and future desired location of residency (P &lt; 0.001). The factors identified by the participants as most important when selecting preferred specialties were working hours/lifestyle after completion of training (77.3%), positive experiences with a clinician/teacher of a particular specialty (72.5%), and income potential (70.9%). Conclusions: The findings of this study may contribute to healthcare workforce planning strategies aimed at supporting insufficiently staffed specialties, taking into account the needs of patients as well as the interests and preferences of future doctors.

Medical Mistrust Among Black Patients with Serious Illness: A Mixed Methods Study.

Medical mistrust among Black patients has been used to explain the existence of well-documented racial inequities at the end of life that negatively impact this group. However, there are few studies that describe patient perspectives around the impact of racism and discriminatory experiences on mistrust within the context of serious illness. To better characterize experiences of racism and discrimination among patients with serious illness and its association with medical mistrust. Seventy-two Black participants with serious illness hospitalized at an academic county hospital. This is a convergent mixed methods study using data from participant-completed surveys and existing semi-structured interviews eliciting participants' perspectives around their experiences with medical racism, communication, and decision-making. The experience of medical racism and its association with Group-Based Medical Mistrust (GBMM) scale scores, a validated measure of medical mistrust. Of the 72 Black participants, 35% participated in interviews. Participants were mostly men who had significant socioeconomic disadvantage, including low levels of wealth, income, and educational attainment. There were reported high levels of race-based mistrust in the overall GBMM scale score (mean [SD], 36.6 [9.9]), as well as high scores within the suspicion (14.2 [5.0]), group disparities in healthcare (9.9 [2.8]), and lack of support (9.1 [2.7]) subscales. Three qualitative themes aligned with the GBMM subscales. Participants expressed skepticism of healthcare workers (HCWs) and modern medicine, recounted personal experiences of discrimination in the medical setting, and were frustrated with poor communication from HCWs. This study found high levels of mistrust among Black patients with serious illness. Suspicion of HCWs, disparities in healthcare by race, and a lack of support from HCWs were overarching themes that influenced medical mistrust. Critical, race-conscious approaches are needed to create strategies and frameworks to improve the trustworthiness of healthcare institutions and workers.

Value of people - human capital in Serbia through the prism of educational attainment of young population

Human capital is an important determinant of individual and overall socio-economic development. In addition to economic parameters, human capital is significantly influenced by the level of formal and informal education attained. Previous research in this area has focused on formal education and the skills acquired concerning better positioning in the labor market. Accordingly, the main objective of the conducted research is to determine the state and level of educational attainment as prerequisite for the developm ent of human capital in Serbia. This analysis is based on a set of indicators that represent the achieved educational attainment with special focus on the young population. It is conducted for the territory of Serbia, on municipal level, which enabled the categorization of municipalities according to educational attainment. Most municipalities in Serbia are characterized by insufficient educational attainment in the local context, or in general. For the purpose of the regional disparities identification, the coefficient of human capital utilization was created, in order to identify the mismatch between education attainment and labor market demand. The research shows that it is crucial to change the general perception of demographic problems and challenges, which will allow the development of applicable and more realistic public policies in the future.

Challenges for Technical and Vocational Education in Achieving Gender Equality in Nigerian Polytechnic

Gender equality in Technical and Vocational Education should be viewed as both a fundamental aspect of the right to education and as rights inherent within the educational system. A balanced participation of both men and women in the education system can facilitate progress toward achieving the highest levels of educational attainment. This study aimed to elucidate the advancements made in promoting gender equality within Technical and Vocational Education in Nigeria. Both international and national consensus on priorities in Technical and Vocational Education emphasize the significance of achieving gender equality within educational spheres. To assess progress toward this goal, an evaluation was conducted on the nature of advancements made and the barriers impeding equal participation. While recognizing the efforts made by the Government of Nigeria and the governing councils of tertiary institutions to enhance gender equality across various courses offered at Polytechnics over the years, challenges persist, particularly in fields such as Engineering, Sciences, and others. The research methodology employed a questionnaire-based approach, where respondents provided information for further analysis, supplemented by observations and document analysis. It was observed that while Polytechnics have strived to enroll equal numbers of men and women, challenges remain, with disparities evident even from secondary school intake. Meaningful gender equality necessitates the establishment of mechanisms to ensure equal treatment. These mechanisms hinge on a commitment to non-discrimination, the eradication of social norms that perpetuate gender inequality, and the concerted effort of all stakeholders to eliminate stereotypes and attitudes that reinforce disparities in resource distribution.

Assessing the ability of self-directed learning as a prerequisite for active aging among middle-aged and older adult learners: cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT This study provides insights into the self-directed learning (SDL) abilities of middle-aged and older adult learners engaged in senior adult education. The study aims to explore both the levels of SDL abilities and the factors associated with these abilities. Additionally, this study delves into the demographic variations in SDL abilities, considering factors such as gender, age, and educational attainment. While active aging encourages middle-aged and older individuals’ engagement in social, physical, and intellectual activities, existing SDL scales mainly focus on healthcare, neglecting the learning needs of middle-aged and older adult learners in fostering active aging. A cross-sectional study approach was adopted. A purposive sample of 866 middle-aged and older adult learners (80.4% female) enrolled in senior learning centers. The data collected from the participants revealed an average SRSSDL score of 3.36 out of 5, indicating a moderate to high level of SDL proficiency. Furthermore, the results indicate significant differences between age groups and educational attainment levels. The study can help educators identify middle-aged and older adult learners enrolled in senior learning centers who lack SDL ability and design tailor-made educational interventions to promote self‐learning management and/or enable active aging.

Brexit and the EU Settlement Scheme: Continuity and rupture with the European Union

ABSTRACT The EU Settlement Scheme, a product of Brexit, both continues and breaks with the EU legacy, offering dismantlement for the vulnerable and continuity for the rest. In its attempt to keep the rights of EEA and Swiss citizens as close to their EU format as possible, it borrows from Directive 2004/38 and, in doing so, manages to enhance the conditionality ingrained in the Directive, discriminating against the most vulnerable. At the same time, by breaking with the EU legacy, it also moves the most vulnerable even farther away from the ideal of an unconditional right to return. Through an exploratory opt-in online survey, I observe the Scheme’s intrinsic tension of offering both continuity and dismantlement and the emergence of some vulnerability traits. Non-linear employment histories, older age, and lower levels of educational attainment enhance the difficulty of the process and create the prospects for disentitlement.

Widening Educational Disparities in Health and Longevity

Educational attainment level has long been a strong predictor of adult health and longevity in the United States. Interestingly, the association between education and these outcomes has strengthened in recent decades. Since the 1980s, higher-educated adults have experienced favorable trends in health and longevity, while lower-educated adults have experienced stagnation or unfavorable trends. Studies have provided important clues about why the association between education and health and longevity has strengthened over time. However, explanations remain incomplete and contested. This article discusses key findings and debates about why the association has become stronger and offers recommendations to advance robust explanations. Two key recommendations call for a fundamental shift in how researchers conceptualize and study the increasingly strong association. These include (a) reconsidering which education groups should be viewed as normative in analyses of the trends and (b) elevating attention on contexts, institutions, and actors that have had an outsized influence on the trends.

Una caracterización de los flujos migratorios hacia España y otros países de la Unión Europea

Rationale Spain has become one of the European countries with the highest inflows of immigrants relative to its population. This article compares the characteristics of immigrants to Spain with those to other European Union (EU) countries, by origin, gender, age, education and labour-market contribution. Takeaways •In Spain immigrants are mainly from Latin America and are a more homogeneous and culturally proximate group to the destination country than in other European countries. In general, they are older, have a higher educational attainment level and women account for a larger share. •Since the global financial crisis, the average age and the educational attainment level of immigrants in the four main EU countries has risen, doing so more sharply in Spain. •The participation rate of non-nationals residing in Spain is one of the highest in the EU and, unlike in other countries, it is higher than that of the nationals, meaning they contribute more to the increase in labour supply. •Non-national workers tend to be concentrated in activities that do not require a high level of education, although recently there are indications of a slight shift to higher-qualified sectors.

Asymmetric effects of GVC on poverty in ASEAN and OECD

PurposeThis study aims to analyze the relationship between global value chain (GVC) participation and poverty levels. Additionally, it investigates the impact of education levels, specifically analyzing literacy rates and tertiary education rates, on the correlation between GVC participation and poverty in Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries.Design/methodology/approachFixed effect and random effect models will be employed to quantify the relationships between the dependent and independent variables. The Hausman test is applied to determine the appropriate estimator between fixed and random effects. Also, in the model, time-fixed effect or two-way fixed effect has been used to control for unobserved heterogeneity both across entities and over time in panel data analysis.FindingsThe findings demonstrate that engagement in GVCs presents a promising avenue for stimulating development, advancing income per capita growth and facilitating job creation. Notably, the results illuminate that the poverty-alleviating impacts of GVC participation are most conspicuous in nations boasting elevated levels of educational attainment among their populace.Originality/valueThis research aims to promote a better understanding of the connection between GVC participation and the level of poverty, with GVC participation decomposed into forward participation and backward participation.

Assessment of patients' knowledge and perceptions of MRI scans and safety in Saudi Arabia.

This study was conducted to assess the levels of knowledge about MRI scans and safety measures among patients in Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional study was conducted at nine Saudi Arabian hospitals and utilized a questionnaire comprising 22 items that evaluated patients' knowledge regarding MRI scans and safety measures, divided into four sections. The questions encompassed patients' sociodemographic data (A), knowledge about MRI (B), safety measures (C), and communication (D). Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the participant demographics and responses. Out of 446 MRI patients, 60.5% correctly identified that MRI does not involve ionizing radiation, and 78% recognized MRI as a diagnostic tool. Further, 94.2% knew that metal objects are not allowed in MRI rooms. However, 80.3% incorrectly believed that pregnant patients cannot undergo MRI at any time, 57% thought the MRI scanner is turned off when not in use, and 72.6% did not recognize any MRI-compatible devices. About 62% were unaware of the need for kidney function tests with contrast agents, and 43% reported anxiety during MRI scans. Overall, 57% of the patients had limited knowledge of MRI safety, with 39.5% considering their understanding adequate. Educational attainment and employment status were significantly associated with improved MRI knowledge. Most participants sought information from healthcare professionals. This study highlights the need to educate patients about MRI procedures and safety protocols. Significant gaps remain in patients' knowledge, especially regarding safety measures. Higher levels of educational attainment and employment status were linked to greater levels of MRI knowledge, suggesting the importance of targeted educational interventions. Healthcare professionals were the patients' main information sources; nevertheless, comprehensive and accessible information is necessary. Improved communication and training for healthcare providers can enhance patient understanding and experiences during MRI scans.

Adult child educational attainment and older parents’ psychosocial outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundOlder adults’ psychosocial outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic have been inequitable by socio-economic status (SES). However, studies have focused solely on own SES, ignoring emerging evidence of the relationship between adult child SES and late-life health. We evaluated whether adult child educational attainment – a core marker of SES – is associated with older parents’ psychosocial outcomes during the pandemic.MethodsWe used data from the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) 2004–2018 and the SHARE Corona Surveys (SCS) 2020 and 2021. We included 40,392 respondents ≥ 65 years who had pre-pandemic information on adult child educational attainment and self-reported psychosocial outcomes during the pandemic, including self-assessments of worsened psychosocial outcomes compared to the pre-pandemic period. We used generalized estimating equations with a Poisson distribution and a log link, adjusted for respondent and family-level characteristics, including respondents’ own educational attainment.ResultsOlder adults whose adult children averaged levels of educational attainment at or above (vs. below) their country-specific mean had a lower prevalence of feeling nervous (Prevalence Ratio [PR]: 0.94, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.90, 0.97), sad or depressed (PR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.91, 0.98), and having sleep problems (PR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.90, 0.97) during the pandemic. Additionally, higher adult child educational attainment was associated with a lower risk of perceiving worsened feelings of nervousness (PR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.90, 1.01) and worsened sleep problems (PR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.82, 1.01) as compared to the pre-pandemic. In stratified models, protective associations were observed only in countries experiencing “high” levels of COVID-19 intensity at the time of the survey. All of these results are derived from adjusted models.ConclusionsAdult child SES may have “upward” spillover effects on the psychosocial wellbeing of older parents during periods of societal duress like the pandemic.

Religiusitas Dan Pencapaian Pendidikan Padamasyarakat Sumatera Barat

Religiosity is the dominant factor that determines the level of educational attainment in West Sumatra. Through literature study using the meta-analysis method of ten relevant international and national journals. Religiosity is seen as a potential factor influencing educational attainment in various cultural contexts, including in West Sumatra, which has a rich cultural and religious background. The meta-analysis method is used to integrate and analyse findings from various existing studies, with a focus on variables related to the level of religiosity of individuals or communities and their impact on educational attainment, such as academic achievement, learning motivation, and educational aspirations. The findings of this research are that religiosity factors influence educational attainment in West Sumatra, and there are implications for educational policy and social practice in the area. This research also provides a strong theoretical basis for further research in this area, and can be an important reference for decision makers in developing more inclusive and sustainable education strategies in Indonesia. Keywords : Religiosity, Education, West Sumatra.

Why has Europe become the concentration area of multi-party states: A novel explanatory model of multifactorial mechanism

The existence of a multi-party system is one of the most important criterion for assessing the degree of democratization of a state. In contemporary democratic republics, the multi-party system has become a formalistic representation. However, in Europe, the de facto multi-party systems are extensively retained, making Europe a veritable concentration area of multi-party states. This research delved into the phenomenon and conducted a qualitative comparative analysis on the cases of 44 European countries to explore the factors contributing to multi-party states’ agglomeration in Europe. The findings demonstrate a novel explanatory model of multifactorial mechanism of Europe becoming the concentration area of multi-party states, whose solution coverage is 0.7 and solution consistency is 0.954545. According to the model, a developed country with a tradition of parliamentary government is more likely to possess a well-established multi-party system in a non-religious environment. High levels of educational attainment and political participation of the population allow a multi-party system to emerge and continue. Furthermore, the model indicates that a strong Christian culture hinders the development of multi-party systems to some extent, while economy growth has a direct and positive relationship with the formation and continuation of multi-party systems.

DO PEOPLE SUPPORT MULTILATERALISM?

The main contribution of this research is to provide evidence on the key drivers that shape individual opinions toward multilateralism. In particular, we show that even when people consider that international organizations take away too much power from the governments, this fact is not necessarily seen as a negative aspect. People’s opinions are relevant given that, in the decision-making process, governments should balance several elements and the opinion of voters may be a key driver. The goal of this analysis is to show that there is a robust U-shaped effect in the case of the level of educational attainment.