Low Perception Research Articles

A systematic review on risk factors and reasons for e-cigarette use in adolescents.

The aim was to establish EC use risk and protective factors, the reasons for use, associations with tobacco and other substance use, and use for smoking cessation. A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024532771). Searches in Web of Science and PubMed/MEDLINE (March-April 2024) used terms like 'electronic cigarette' and 'adolescents' with a PICO framework. Inclusion criteria covered studies on adolescents aged 10-19 years, published in English or Spanish (2018-2024). Three reviewers independently screened studies, achieving 96% inter-rater reliability. Data extraction followed standardized tables, and methodological quality was assessed using MMAT and GRADE tools, ensuring a robust evaluation of evidence on adolescent electronic cigarette use. From 895 studies, 50 met the inclusion criteria. The strongest risk factors for adolescent EC use include social acceptance and use within peer or family circles (13 studies), male gender (10 studies), low risk perception (6 studies), younger age (3 studies), and greater financial resources (3 studies). Motives for use include low perceived risk and appealing flavors, supported by both longitudinal and cross-sectional studies. EC use is significantly associated with smoking initiation (7 studies), cannabis consumption (8 studies), and alcohol use (4 studies). Evidence on the effectiveness of ECs as harm reduction or smoking cessation tools in adolescents remains inconclusive, with some cross-sectional studies supporting their utility and others finding contrary evidence. High-quality research indicates ECs are predominantly used alongside traditional cigarettes, with dual nicotine consumption patterns commonly observed. Evidence on adolescent EC use identifies risk factors, motives, and links to substance use. However, its role in harm reduction and smoking cessation remains insufficient and controversial. High-quality research is needed, as most studies are low quality. Targeted prevention strategies addressing social influences, perceptions, and accessibility are crucial to reduce adolescent EC use.

Enhancing the visual environment of urban coastal roads through deep learning analysis of street-view images: A perspective of aesthetic and distinctiveness.

Urban waterfront areas, which are essential natural resources and highly perceived public areas in cities, play a crucial role in enhancing urban environment. This study integrates deep learning with human perception data sourced from street view images to study the relationship between visual landscape features and human perception of urban waterfront areas, employing linear regression and random forest models to predict human perception along urban coastal roads. Based on aesthetic and distinctiveness perception, urban coastal roads in Xiamen were classified into four types with different emphasis and priorities for improvement. The results showed that: 1) the degree of coastal openness had the greatest influence on human perception while the coastal landscape with a high green visual index decreases the distinctiveness perception; 2) the random forest model can effectively predict human perception on urban coastal roads with an accuracy rate of 87% and 77%; 3) The proportion of low perception road sections with potential for improvement is 60.6%, among which the proportion of low aesthetic perception and low distinctiveness perception road sections is 10.5%. These findings offer crucial evidence regarding human perception of urban coastal roads, and can provide targeted recommendations for enhancing the visual environment of urban coastal road landscapes.

Cognitive and Affective Responses to the U.S. FDA E-Cigarette Addiction Warning and Advertisements among Young Adults in California: Product Design, Imagery, and Use.

The current study tested contextual features (product design, imagery, and use) of e-cigarette advertisements on responses to the mandated U.S. FDA addiction text warning. In a within-subjects experimental design, young adults (aged 18-24) living in California were categorized into those who use e-cigarettes (n = 149), use cigarettes (n = 66), and dual use (n = 204). They provided affective and cognitive responses to the addiction warning and e-cigarette products in advertisements. Cognitive and affective responses overall were moderately strong, and this pattern was generally consistent across product design and imagery. Those who use cigarettes (versus dual use) reported stronger feelings that they learned new information and lower perceptions that e-cigarettes help reduce cigarette consumption. Those who smoke also reported greater worry, discouragement, and perceived health benefits associated with e-cigarettes and lower perception of harmfulness of e-cigarettes than those who dual use, and evaluated the warning lowest on eliciting encouragement to use and feeling e-cigarettes are a healthy alternative to smoking. Few differences emerged between those who use e-cigarettes and dual use or smoke. The varied response patterns by the use group underline the regulatory challenges of developing strong e-cigarette warnings to deter e-cigarette use.

Public perceptions and attitudes of drive-through pharmacy services: Insights from a cross-sectional survey in Saudi Arabia.

Disease-related fatalities in Saudi Arabia (SA) are on the rise, with 28% of all deaths attributed to cardiovascular diseases, followed by cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disorders. In response to this issue, pharmacy dispensing practices have been significantly altered. One such innovative approach is the drive-through pharmacy service. This study aimed to assess the public perceptions and attitudes of drive-through pharmacy services living in Riyadh, SA. A cross-sectional, web-based study was conducted between October 2023 and December 2023 among adults living in Riyadh, SA to assess their perceptions and attitudes toward drive-through dispensing practice. A 19-item questionnaire, divided into 4 sections, was used to achieve the objectives. The first section focused on demographics and personal information. The second section included 3 questions about awareness, the population most benefited, and support. The final section assessed attitudes (5 items) of individuals toward drive-through pharmacy services. A response rate of 79.6% (n = 398) was achieved. A significantly high percentage of respondents, 86.2% (n = 343), reported being aware of drive-through pharmacy. Furthermore, 73.1% of them indicated that drive-through service benefits all populations, with 66.1% (n = 263) actually using the drive-through pharmacy service. In addition, 68.1% (n = 271) of individuals had positive perceptions. Positive perceptions were found to be higher among young adults aged 26 to 35 years compared with other age groups (P = .0001), among married individuals compared with unmarried individuals and others (P = .0001), as well as among housewives (P = .030). The results of the Student t test showed that males had a higher mean overall perception of drive-through pharmacy services (9.33) than females (9.26). Similarly, the analysis of variance analysis showed that individuals aged ≥46 years had a higher perception score (12.53) than other age groups. Furthermore, individuals with children had a lower perception (8.94) compared with those without children, indicating a statistically significant difference in mean perceptions of drive-through pharmacy based on gender (P = .002), age (P = .006), employment (P = .081), and presence of children (P = .001). Most respondents were aware of the drive-through pharmacy services and agreed that they would benefit the nation's entire population. The majority of individuals also supported the expansion of drive-through pharmacy services.

Inconspicuous taxa in citizen science-based botanical research: actual contribution, limitations, and new opportunities for non-vascular cryptogams

Citizen science (CS) has gathered an impressive wealth of open biodiversity data over the last decade, with demonstrated significant scientific contributions in biology and conservation science. However, the contribution of CS in botanical research, and more particularly regarding inconspicuous taxonomic groups such as cryptogams remains largely unexplored. Here we assess the current status and contribution of CS in botanical research, with a special focus on non-vascular “cryptogams” (bryophytes, lichens, fungi, and algae). We conducted a literature review for the period 2012 to 2022 to synthesize the use of CS in botanical studies. We found an increasing trend in the use of CS for botanical research (average annual increase of ∼40%), although highly biased towards vascular plants (246 papers). Cryptogams remained strongly underrepresented (58 papers), although receiving slightly growing attention since 2018. The inconspicuousness nature, high diversity, challenges with species identification, and low public perception of cryptogams not only restrict the contribution made by non-experts but raise concerns about the reliability and robustness of generated data. This is fueled by the scarcity of foundational methodological studies in cryptogams, which seems to undermine the scientific confidence in engaging volunteers for their research or using open data from CS platforms and tools. Despite this, our review showed a gradual adoption of CS approaches for cryptogam research, which is particularly led by mycologists. We highlight the versatility and potential of CS approaches for advancing cryptogam knowledge across various research subjects at spatial and temporal scales otherwise unfathomable by researchers, and provide insights on the opportunities of application and possible solutions to the discussed limitations. We hope our work motivates mycologists, phycologists, bryologists, and lichenologists to further embrace CS, and increase public awareness on these highly sensitive and ecologically important taxa.

Barriers to self-management engagement among community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a qualitative study

IntroductionSelf-management is crucial for individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to enhance cognitive health and mitigate the potential risk of dementia. However, maintaining consistent engagement in self-management strategies seems a challenge for older adults with MCI. This study sought to gain insights into the barriers to self-management engagement among community-dwelling older adults with MCI.MethodsThis qualitative study used a phenomenological approach. Purposive sampling was used to recruit a diverse group of participants with MCI, aged 60 and above, residing in the provinces of Hubei, Jiangsu, Henan, and Anhui in China. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between January and May 2023, allowing for an in-depth exploration of participants’ experiences and perceptions. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and subjected to thematic analysis to capture the essence of the participants’ narratives.ResultsTwenty-six participants participated in the formal semi-structured interviews. The following themes and subthemes were identified: “inappropriate perceptions of MCI” (“low perception of risk from MCI” and “supposition of little personal control over MCI”), “elder self-neglect”, and “lack of available information or support services about MCI”.DiscussionThis study highlights significant barriers to self-management engagement among community-dwelling older adults with MCI, emphasizing the importance of developing tailored interventions that address misconceptions and self-neglect and enhance the availability of information and support services. These findings suggest avenues for policymakers and healthcare providers to foster more effective self-management practices in this population, promoting cognitive health and slowing potential progression to dementia.

정규교과 연계 발명 교육 프로그램 개발·적용 사례를 통한 학생들의 정규 교과목에 대한 인식 탐색

The Korean Intellectual Property Office and the Korea Invention Promotion Association developed a ‘regular curriculum-linked invention education program’ from 2022 to 2024 to integrate invention education,into regular classes, moving traditional focus on of invention education centered on after-school programs. This study examined theperceptions of 256 students from four school subjects before and after the program’s implementation, investigating whether any changes occurred. A questionnairebased on the Semantic differential method (Osgood, Suci, Tannenbaum, 1957) was employed. the result shows that the students' perception sensitivity increased in ethics and physical education after the program, whereas mathematics and music displayed more adjective groups with low perception sensitivity both before and after. Notably, the number of adjective groups that showed statistically significant changes particularly in ethics, increased significantly post-program. espite the limitations of the pilot implementation, students overall demonstrated a positive changes in their perceptions of the subjects after participating in the program, offering meaningful implications for future policy implementation.

Rural residence and health-related quality of life in a sample of Spain perimenopausal women

Background The prevalence and severity of perimenopausal symptoms are typically associated with multiple factors, including demographic characteristics. The sociodemographic characteristics of women living in rural areas differ from those residing in urban areas, and it has been suggested that these differences could potentially influence the prevalence of symptoms experienced during perimenopause. Objectives To evaluate if perimenopausal women living in Spanish rural areas have a higher prevalence of perimenopausal symptoms and assess their influence on health-related quality of life. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 270 perimenopausal women residing in rural and urban areas. The participants completed the Cervantes Scale Short Version and Beck Depression Inventory 2. Results Perimenopausal women in rural areas reported a higher incidence of perimenopausal symptoms and a lower perception of health-related quality of life compared to those in urban areas, as evidenced by higher scores on the total Cervantes Scale Short Version scale (33.2 (±16.2) vs. 26.4 (±18.1), p = .001). No differences in the Beck Depression Inventory 2 score were detected. Conclusions Perimenopausal women residing in rural areas of Spain reported a higher prevalence of perimenopausal symptoms and experienced a poorer Health-Related Quality of Life compared to those living in urban areas of Spain.

Risk perception and mpox vaccine acceptability among people living with HIV in northern Nigeria.

There is a dearth of information regarding mpox risk perception and vaccine acceptance among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), especially in countries with a dual burden of HIV and mpox, such as Nigeria. We used an explanatory mixed methods design and structured questionnaires administered to a clinic-based sample of people living with HIV (n=430), followed by in-depth interviews with a purposive subsample (n=20). Data were analysed using binary logistic regression and the framework approach. More than one-third (38.1% [n=164]) of the respondents self-perceived a high risk of mpox and 64.4% (n=277) indicated a willingness to receive the vaccine. Willingness to accept the mpox vaccine was positively associated with male sex, older age, non-Muslim faith, unmarried status, post-secondary education and current civil service employment. The odds of accepting the mpox vaccine was also higher among respondents who perceived mpox as a serious disease (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.41 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.12 to 2.35]), self-assessed a higher risk (aOR 1.66 [95% CI 1.19 to 3.06]) and were concerned about contracting the disease (aOR 1.78 [95% CI 1.12 to 3.94]). Reasons for hesitancy included anxiety about vaccine-antiretroviral drug interactions, low risk perception, perceived protection from antiretroviral treatment, the newness of the vaccine, mistrust of authorities and pharmaceutical companies and concerns regarding vaccine safety. Mpox risk perception and vaccine acceptance were suboptimal. Vaccine acceptance was influenced by sociodemographic, perceived susceptibility and health behaviour-related factors. Targeted risk communication will enhance acceptance of mpox vaccination among people living with HIV in Nigeria.

Assessment of Nurses' Patient Safety Culture in Primary Health Care Centers in Saudi Arabia

Purpose: Patient safety culture emphasizes strategies to prevent harm, learn from errors, and strengthen healthcare systems, nurses play a crucial role in maintaining patient safety within health facilities. Assessing patient safety culture (PSC) among nurses is essential for identifying gaps, fostering improvements, and strengthening overall care delivery. This study aims to explore nurses' perceptions of patient safety culture in the primary health care centers (PHCs) in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study design was utilized to select 387 nurses employed in primary healthcare centers in Jeddah, using convenient sampling via an online survey. The Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC) questionnaire was used to evaluate the perception of patient safety culture. Data were saved and examined utilizing SPSS Ver.26 software. Along with descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests and ANOVA were employed to examine the significance of differences among subgroups. A p-value below 0.05 signifies statistical significance. Findings: The overall score representing nurse managers' perceptions of patient safety culture was a mean of 3.93 with a standard deviation of 0.44. Among the assessed domains, the teamwork support domain received the highest score, with a mean of 4.27 and a standard deviation of 0.587, while the nonpunitive response to error had the lowest score, with a mean of 2.44 and a standard deviation of 0.883. Nurses younger than 30 years reported a significantly lower overall score, with a mean of 3.74 and a standard deviation of 0.43. In contrast, nurses holding diplomas and those in clinical roles achieved higher scores, with means of 3.97 and 3.99, respectively, and standard deviations of 0.44 and 0.46. Scores increased notably with additional years of experience, particularly for nurses with ten or more years of experience, who achieved a mean score of 4.07 with a standard deviation of 0.62, compared to those with ten to less than fifteen years of experience, who achieved a mean score of 3.75 with a standard deviation of 0.33. The differences were statistically significant with a p-value of less than 0.001. Significant differences, also with a p-value of less than 0.001, were observed across departments. The WBC unit recorded the highest perception score, with a mean of 4.32 and a standard deviation of 0.50, followed by the X-ray unit, with a mean of 4.01 and a standard deviation of 0.33 Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Nurses viewed the safety culture positively in the primary health care centers. Less experienced and younger nurses indicated lower perceptions of PSC, whereas clinical nurses assessed it higher than non-clinical personnel. High-pressure areas such as the Operating Room encounter more significant PSC challenges than other departments. It is essential to create training programs that connect younger nurses with older professionals to boost their clinical confidence and safety skills, focusing on learning from errors instead of placing blame.

Barriers to PrEP use and adherence among adolescent girls and young women in Eastern, Southern, and Western Africa: a scoping review

BackgroundAdolescent girls and young women (AGYW) are disproportionately affected by HIV. Globally, in 2022, an estimated 4000 AGYW 15–24 were newly infected with HIV weekly, and nearly 78% of these infections occurred in sub-Saharan Africa. Oral Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a key HIV prevention option within an overall HIV combination prevention approach with an efficacy of over 90% when taken correctly. However, uptake of and adherence to PrEP remains low, particularly among AGYW. This scoping review aims to map available evidence on factors that limit PrEP use among AGYW in Eastern, Southern, and Western African countries to inform research, policy, and practice on delivery of PrEP. Our review identified factors that affect PrEP journey among AGYW along the HIV prevention cascade.MethodsGuided by Arksey and O’Malley framework and using the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews, we searched the Web of Science, Global Health, and PubMed databases. Our review focused on oral PrEP, specifically papers reporting on barriers to PrEP experienced by AGYW, and peer-reviewed English-language articles published between 2012 and 2023.ResultsOf 1063 papers screened, 25 were included. Over half (60%) of the studies were qualitative; 72% were conducted in Kenya and South Africa. The barriers affecting motivation were, fear of side effects and pill burden, percieved low HIV risk, perceived stigma, PrEP use disapproval from parents and partners. PrEP access was limited by healthcare providers' stigma, isolated clinic setup, and lack of resources. Effective PrEP use was limited by a lack of parental or partner support, stigma, and lifestyle changes.ConclusionsAdolescent girls and young women face multiple and often intersecting barriers to effective PrEP use with stigma being a factor cross-cutting all steps of the prevention cascade. Similarly, lack of social support, reflected through disapproval and judgmental attitudes and low HIV risk perception, also affected two steps of the prevention cascade. Our review identified gaps in available evidence, with most studies conducted in only two countries and few quantitative studies available. Improving PrEP uptake and adherence requires interventions that address barriers across the cascade, with a particular focus on stigma and social support.

"A good socket fit can make you or break you": A multimethod study to explore the perceptions and experiences of socket fitting among people with lower-limb loss in Australia.

Iterative design and modification are used to manufacture lower limb prosthetic sockets that meet users' needs while also fulfilling safety and mobility criteria. Greater understanding of the expectations of prosthesis users regarding prosthetic fit as well as their experiences at the time of socket fitting is needed. Describe lower limb prosthesis user perceptions and experiences of socket comfort and discomfort during their last fitting and compare this to their expectations for a perfectly fitting socket and their satisfaction with the socket they had fitted. Mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative). A questionnaire was designed and administered in consultation with Amputees NSW (an amputee advocacy group) and distributed through their membership database. Qualitative responses were analyzed to explore prosthesis user experiences of socket fitting, general wear, as well as socket comfort, discomfort, and satisfaction. Quantitative responses were analyzed using descriptive, nonparametric methods. Thirty participants with a range of lived experiences completed the questionnaire. Reported comfort and discomfort varied across participants and indicated that expectations and experiences of fit varied and changed over time, with some participants anticipating adjustment over time would be necessary. Qualitative analysis found experiences of prosthesis socket comfort/discomfort on the day of fitting and general experiences of socket comfort related to 2 key factors-the prosthesis itself and the individual prosthesis user. Understanding the experiences and expectations of prosthesis users for comfort and intended activities is central to ensure success of the socket fitting approach. Investigation into fit changes over time could provide insights into follow-up requirements, user education, and funding mechanisms.

The effect of nursing care during pregnancy termination on women’s prenatal grief, depression, anxiety, stress and coping levels: A randomized controlled study

ABSTRACT The termination of pregnancy is considered an emotionally devastating experience. Early intervention and counseling are essential to prevent adverse complications following pregnancy loss. This study aimed to determine the effect of nursing care based on Swanson’s Theory of Caring on women’s prenatal grief, depression, anxiety, stress, and coping levels during pregnancy termination. The training and counseling program, based on Swanson’s Theory of Caring, included hospital care, a mobile application, and telephone follow-ups. We conducted this prospective randomized controlled experimental study in the gynecology and obstetrics clinic of a tertiary university hospital in Türkiye between September 2021 and May 2022. The study sample consisted of 50 women (intervention group: 25, control group: 25) whose pregnancy was terminated in the second trimester. The women were assigned to groups according to a randomization list created by a statistician. Data collection tools included a Personal Information Form, the Perinatal Grief Scale, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale, the Coping and Adaptation Process Scale, and the Numerical Rating Scale. We collected the data during hospitalization, between the 6th and 8thweeks after discharge, and at the 12thweek. We performed a chi-square test, a paired samples t-test, and an independent samples t-test on the IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Statistics 26. The intervention group had lower mean perinatal grief (54.76 ± 19.49), depression (2.56 ± 2.39), anxiety (2.08 ± 2.10), and stress (3.52 ± 1.78) scores and higher mean coping and adjustment scores (140.48 ± 11.47) than the control group(p < .05). The intervention group also had a lower perception of labor pain, shorter discharge time, and a higher level of readiness for a new pregnancy (p < .05). The program that we applied in the study was effective in managing the pregnancy termination and post-discharge period in the population we studied.

Comparison of Postoperative Outcomes in Two Lip-Splitting Approaches for Buccal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Ablation.

The choice of surgical access for resection and reconstruction of buccal squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) with the lip-splitting incision is controversial. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the clinical and functional outcomes of midline lip split with lazy-S incision (MLSI) against the lateral lip-splitting incision (LLSI). A retrospective review was conducted on 41 patients with primary BSCC who underwent resection and reconstruction using MLSI approach (n = 19) and LLSI approach (n = 22) between 2022 and 2024. Functional outcomes, including skin sensitivity testing, oral competency, lip movement, cold perception, and other relevant measures, were evaluated with appropriate scales. Functional satisfaction and Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) were analyzed. None of the patients in either group demonstrated differences in sensation to light touch from baseline at 6 months postoperatively. Patients with MLSI approach reported higher lip function satisfaction (p = 0.037), and no patients in either group reported drooling. Besides, groove formation was significantly more common in the LLSI compared to the MLSI groups (50% vs. 15.8%, respectively; p = 0.046). A statistically significant difference was also observed in the self-assessment of mouth-opening movement among MLSI patients (p = 0.041). No significant differences were found in the mean POSAS scores, except that irregularity and surface area parameters were better in the MLSI group. Objective sensation deficits are reversible and do not impact long-term daily activities. The MLSI approach provides better postoperative outcomes and low disfigurement perception.

Centering autonomy and choice to support oral PrEP utilization among people who inject drugs: qualitative lessons from HPTN 094 INTEGRA

BackgroundOral Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective in preventing HIV transmission. However, despite high rates of HIV risk behaviors among people who inject drugs (PWID), this population remains underserved by current HIV prevention efforts in the United States. To address this challenge, we conducted an in-depth exploration of perspectives on using oral PrEP among PWID engaged in the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 094 INTEGRA Study.MethodsGuided by the Practical, Robust, Implementation, and Sustainability Model (PRISM), our qualitative study drew on semi-structured interviews conducted as part of the embedded implementation science evaluation of HPTN 094 INTEGRA. Seventy-seven PWID participants from five sites across New York City, Houston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Washington DC were interviewed to assess intervention delivery, care access, and engagement sustainability. Audio files were transcribed verbatim and analyzed via an inductive and deductive thematic approach.ResultsMost participants (n = 46, 59.7%) discussed oral PrEP during their interview, though not directly prompted. Participants discussing PrEP had a mean age of 41.6 years and were predominantly white (54.3%) and cisgender men (60.9%). Among these, 15 participants described using PrEP. All participants had facilitated access to oral PrEP. Yet, the choice to use PrEP was influenced by personal risk perceptions, (mis)information about PrEP, and external factors (i.e. housing, financial security), which, for some, limited the autonomy to use PrEP. Two key themes emerged among participants using PrEP: ease of access and perceptions of high HIV risk. Those not using PrEP described two themes: low risk perception and prioritizing more urgent needs. Among participants not using PrEP a subgroup commonly described ambivalent interest, PrEP knowledge gaps, and PrEP readiness (i.e., contemplation).ConclusionsQualitative findings highlight that facilitated PrEP access was insufficient to motivate use for many participants. Rather, PrEP decision-making process (i.e., choice) was linked to risk perception and individuals’ capability to leverage PrEP as a resource based on their circumstances (i.e., autonomy). Participants’ descriptions of the centrality of choice and autonomy for PrEP use underscore that ease of access is a necessary pre-condition, but person-centered interventions should also address housing, financial stability, and urgent medical conditions to promote PrEP utilization among PWID.Clinical trial registrationNCT04804027.

Barriers and facilitators of HIV partner status notification in low- and lower-middle-income countries: A mixed-methods systematic review

BackgroundThe uptake of HIV partner status notification remains limited in low- and lower-middle-income countries. This mixed-methods systematic review aims to summarize the barriers and facilitators of HIV partner status notification in these settings.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science from January 01, 2000, to August 31, 2023, for empirical qualitative and quantitative studies. Two independent reviewers completed the title, abstract, full-text screening, and data extraction. The risk of bias was assessed using a mixed-methods appraisal tool (MMAT), and the study findings were summarized narratively.ResultsOut of the 2094 studies identified, 59 relevant studies were included. Common barriers included fear of stigma and discrimination, violence, abandonment, breach of confidentiality and trust, low HIV-risk perception, and limited knowledge of HIV and HIV testing. Facilitators of HIV partner status notification were feelings of love and closeness in marital relationships, feelings of protecting self and partners, and HIV counseling services.ConclusionEfforts to improve HIV partner status notification in low- and lower-middle-income countries should consider barriers and facilitators across all its components, including notification, testing, and linkage to treatment. In addition, HIV partner services must be adapted to the unique needs of key populations.

Risk of Aedes-borne diseases in and around the Tanzanian seaport of Tanga despite community members being more concerned about malaria

BackgroundIncreased global trade, while beneficial economically, can also increase the spread of vector-borne diseases, particularly those transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes spreading via trade routes. Given the heightened trade-induced activity at ports of entry, it is particularly crucial to assess the risk of mosquito-borne diseases in these settings. This study compared the risks of Aedes-borne disease in and around the eastern Tanzanian seaport of Tanga.MethodsA 200 m × 200 m grid-based system was used to sample mosquitoes within the port area, and in surrounding areas at 2 km, 2.5 km, and 5 km away, between June and December 2023. We characterized mosquito breeding habitats, collected mosquito larvae using standard dippers and tested susceptibility of raised adult Aedes aegypti populations to different insecticides. Adult mosquitoes were collected using BG sentinel traps (daytime) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) light traps (night-time). Additionally, more than 200 port users and neighboring residents were surveyed to assess their experiences with and perceptions of mosquito biting and disease risks.ResultsThere were 2931 breeding sites, with (60.8%, n = 1782) positive for Aedes larvae. The percentage of water-holding containers infested with Aedes immatures, i.e., the container index (CI), was highest in the port area (66.2%), and lowest 5 km away (44.6%). The port area also had a greater proportion of temporary breeding sites (64.9%) than did the surrounding areas. The adult mosquito surveys revealed 20,449 mosquito species including: Culex quinquefasciatus (56.2%), Mansonia uniformis (38.6%), Ae. aegypti (5.1%), Anopheles gambiae (0.1%), and Anopheles funestus. Ae. aegypti were more abundant in the port area than in the surrounding areas (P < 0.001), whereas Culex sp., and Mansonia sp., were significantly outside (P < 0.001). Adult Anopheles sp., were found only in the port area, but Anopheles larvae were found both within and outside the port areas. Tests on Ae. aegypti sp., revealed susceptibility to bendiocarb and DDT, and resistance to permethrin. Awareness of mosquito-borne diseases among respondents was high for malaria (64.8%), but low for dengue (26.3%) and Chikungunya (1.7%). Most respondents reported being bothered by mosquitoes mostly at night (53.4%) or in the evening (40.7%). In addition to insecticidal bednets, which are used primarily against malaria, preventive measures for Aedes-borne diseases are limited.ConclusionsThis study identified significant potential risk of Aedes species, specifically Ae. aegypti sp., and associated diseases, but low perception of risk and inadequate personal protection measures in the study area. This low perception of risk highlights the need to improve public knowledge of the transmission and control of Aedes-borne diseases.Graphical

Driving Change in Corporate Mobility Management — Comprehensive Perspectives on Mobility Budgets for Employees

Corporate Mobility Management (CMM) is a key part of the transformation towards sustainable mobility and has an impact on emissions and employee satisfaction. Mobility budgets (MBs), categorized as employee benefits, offer a unique solution for transforming employee mobility. This article summarizes the results of two studies and provides a comprehensive overview. Study I, a representative survey (n=994) in Germany, examines the differences between MB users (MBN) and non-users (NU). NU show longer commuting distances and a lower perception of sustainability, which underlines the transformative effect of MB. Socio-demographic nuances, including gender and socio-economic factors, further influence mobility choices. Study II focuses on three case studies presenting different MB implementations. Overall, our results underline the transformative potential of MBs regarding the change towards sustainability. Policy makers and companies should develop solutions for different socio-demographic groups, take gender preferences into account and consider the impact on commuting behavior. The presented holistic framework contributes to a more sustainable and satisfying mobility experience for workers and is in line with broader environmental goals.

IFAL-SLAM: an approach to inertial-centered multi-sensor fusion, factor graph optimization, and adaptive Lagrangian method

Abstract In response to the issues of low accuracy, perception degradation, and poor reliability of single-sensor SLAM technologies in complex environments, this study presents a novel IMU-centered multi-sensor fusion SLAM algorithm (IFAL-SLAM) integrating LiDAR, vision, and IMU, based on factor graph elimination optimization (\textbf{I}MU-centered multi-sensor \textbf{F}usion, \textbf{A}daptive \textbf{L}agrangian methods). The proposed system leverages a multi-factor graph model, centering on the IMU, and applies a covariance matrix to fuse visual-inertial and LiDAR-inertial odometries for bias correction, using loop closure factors for global adjustments. To minimize the optimization costs post-fusion, a sliding window mechanism is incorporated, coupled with a QR decomposition elimination method based on Householder transformation to convert the factor graph into a Bayesian network. Finally, an adaptive Lagrangian relaxation method is proposed, employing matrix-form penalty parameters and adaptive strategies to enhance convergence speed and robustness under high rotational dynamics.Experimental results indicate that the proposed algorithm achieves absolute trajectory errors of approximately 0.58 m and 0.24 m in large and small complex scenes, respectively, surpassing classic algorithms in terms of accuracy and reliability.

Contextual and psychosocial factors associated with latrine utilization in rural communities in Ethiopia.

Although proper latrine utilization is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of infection, it remains a challenge in the majority of rural communities in developing countries such as Ethiopia. Studies have demonstrated the link between individual behavior and latrine use, but there is a paucity of evidence on individual risk perception, perceived social pressure norms, social identity, and perceived ability, which plays an indubitable role in health and behavior change, especially in rural communities. This study aimed to identify contextual and psychosocial factors associated with latrine utilization among rural communities in Lomabosa district, Ethiopia. A rural community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2022 among rural households (HHs) in Lomabosa district, Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling method was used to select participant households. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire via face-to-face interviews and on-the-spot observations. Stata version 14.1 software was used for statistical analysis. A binary logistic regression model was used to run the bivariable and multivariable analysis of the data. Variables with p < 0.25 at bivariable logistic regression analysis were entered into the multivariable analysis. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to show the strength of the association, and the statistical significance was declared at p < 0.05. Of the 682 computed sample sizes, 665 households participated in this study with a response rate of 97%. Accordingly, our analysis found that 67% (95% CI, 63.7-70.5) of households utilize their latrine properly. Educational status (AOR = 2.01; 95% CI: 1.01-2.08), wealth index (AOR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.23-3.58), perceived susceptibility (AOR 3.2; 95% CI: 1.26-5.14), injunctive norm (AOR 1.9; 95% CI: 1.13-3.18), and perceived ability (AOR 1.9; 95% CI: 1.04-3.79) were identified as contextual and psychosocial factors associated with latrine utilization. This study found that educational status, wealth index, perceived susceptibility, injunctive norm, and perceived ability were the contextual and psychosocial factors associated with latrine utilization. Therefore, information intervention for the low perception of health risk, persuasive and normative interventions for changing norm factors, and infrastructural and other ability support for ability factors should be addressed.