Low Levels Of Formal Education Research Articles

Exit to the right? Comparing far right voters and abstainers in Western Europe

This article compares far right voters in Western Europe with citizens who abstain from electoral participation. Political dissatisfaction is thought to motivate both forms of political behavior. Low levels of formal education are also significantly predictive of both abstention and far right support. This study implements a multilevel multinomial logistic regression comparing nonvoters, far right voters, and voters for other parties from 2002 to 2012. The results suggest that common predictors distinguishing far right voters, such as education and political distrust, do not distinguish far right voters from abstainers. However, measures of social integration, including union membership, self-reported social activity, and trust in other people, are positively predictive of far right over abstention. Conversely, far right party voters and voters for other parties display similar levels of political interest and social integration. Other issues, such as Euroskepticism and anti-immigrant attitudes are more common among far right voters, and distinguish them from both other voters and those who just stay home.

Analysis of landscape performance assessment by key stakeholders in a transfrontier conservation area

Stakeholder engagement has become an important aspect of sustainable natural resources management. This study analysed a landscape performance assessment by local and ‘external’ stakeholders in a transfrontier conservation area in Southern Africa. The landscape was divided into three agro-ecological zones and focus group discussions were facilitated for stakeholders to evaluate the landscape based on four ecoagriculture dimensions (production, conservation, livelihoods and institutions). The conservation dimension showed the best performance and the overall score for the landscape was 2.97, implying a fairly good performance. Perceptions and ratings did not significantly differ by age, gender or stakeholder groups. We conclude that despite their low levels of formal education and training, communal farmers can assess the performance of local landscapes in a consistent way. This study provides information about the degree to which the landscape under focus conformed to the main ecoagriculture goals and can guide development planning and extension service provision.

A Poc a Poc (Little by Little) Material for a Catalan Language Course Aimed at Adults with Low Levels of Formal Education

A Poc a Poc (Little by Little) Material for a Catalan Language Course Aimed at Adults with Low Levels of Formal Education

Knowledge and practice of the use of traditional eye medication in a semi-urban community

Background: Traditional eye medications may be harmful causing ocular morbidity. The aim of this study is to determine the knowledge and practice of traditional eye medication (TEM) among adults in a semi-urban community in Edo state. Materials and Methods: A 3 months cross-sectional descriptive study in Ekiadolor community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo state, Nigeria. A cluster sampling technique was used. Four hundred and thirty respondents aged between 18 years and above were included in the study. Results: A total of four hundred and thirty respondents (430) which comprised of 184 (42.8%) males and 246 (57.2%) females with a male to female ratio of 1:1.3 were studied. The age range of the respondents was 21 to 84 years, with a mean age of 49.83 ± 19.99 years (standard deviation). Three hundred and ninety-two (91.2%) of the respondents knew about TEM. Herbal extract was the most known (94.4%). Although 71.6% said TEM was harmful, the prevalence of use of TEM was 48.7%. The male gender, low socioeconomic class, and no or low level of formal education were more likely to use TEM (P = 0.001). Conclusion: The knowledge and practice of TEM are high in this community. There is a great need to educate the people on the overall harmful effect of this practice through public enlightenment campaigns.

Piloting participatory smartphone mapping of intertidal fishing grounds and resources in northern Mozambique: Opportunities and future directions

The participation of local communities in marine resource management can contribute to the sustainability and longevity of marine resources across diverse coastal settings. In contexts where there are low levels of formal education and high levels of illiteracy, and where marine resource management is governed predominantly by customary management systems, the introduction of formal marine resource management can be challenging. Maps are often required as the basis for spatial marine management measures, effective spatially-explicit fisheries monitoring, and for formal support from fisheries authorities. Our research with local women reef gleaners of Cabo Delgado, in northern Mozambique, pilots the potential uses of smartphones and digital mapping as a tool to allow fishers to map these understudied intertidal fishing grounds, and to understand the ecological dynamics as well as social uses of the intertidal resources. Even though women are key food and income providers through intertidal resource gleaning in this area of Mozambique, they have limited roles in fisheries management decision making. Therefore, we developed a participatory approach to mapping that could act as an entry point for their involvement in the design of a spatial fisheries management plan and associated community monitoring. Fisherwomen were trained to use smartphones with CyberTracker software for mapping intertidal fishing grounds in their village, and the locations of intertidal resources most important to their livelihoods, including octopus, pen shells and oysters. Interviews and focus groups were conducted throughout the mapping process to ascertain women's use and interest in the technology. We conclude that community-based mapping through simple tools as developed in this research can help connect local community groups, bridge traditional and formal governance systems and provide a positive example of co-management in practice.

Popular Knowledge of Hepatitis C Risk Factors Is Low but Correlates with Level of Formal Education

Introduction: Affecting approximately three million people, Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a major health concern in the U.S. Novel, tolerable, highly effective therapy is available. Because HCV is frequently asymptomatic, patients are identified by screening tests. Testing is indicated in high risk cohorts (e.g., those born between 1945-1965) and those with risk factors. Unfortunately, patients may have inadequate or inaccurate understanding of HCV risk factors. This study evaluated the effect of educational attainment on knowledge of HCV transmission within an historically underserved community with a high prevalence of HCV. Methods: Individuals attending a health fair sponsored by the Rodham Institute completed an anonymous survey. The exposition was hosted in an urban setting with a population that is 92% African American. The survey included questions on demographic information, access to primary care, insurance status, as well as knowledge of various topics related to Hepatitis C. Responses were excluded if they did not answer questions regarding education level or HCV transmission. The university institutional review board approved the study. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test, with significance set at p < 0.05 Results: Ninety-five responses were analyzed. All individuals reported access to Primary Care Provider (PCP). Twenty nine (30.5%) reported completion of college or graduate coursework and 17 (58.6%) understood that sharing intravenous needles was a risk factor for HCV transmission. Sixty six patients reports a lower level of formal education and 19 (28.8%) knew that shared needles could transmit HCV. Those with higher education were more likely to be aware of this risk factor (p=0.0107). Conclusion: Education is an important social determinant of health and may correlate with health literacy. This study found that, in a high-prevalence community, knowledge of HCV risk factors was low and that patients with less-than-college education levels failed to identify needle sharing as a mode of HCV transmission at twice the rate of the college educated respondents. These results indicate that outreach efforts should focus not only on the availability of treatment, but also on the risk factors HCV infection. Communities with lower levels of formal education may see even more benefits from such efforts. As many communities face a resurgence of injection opioid use, education about risks related to needle sharing becomes even more essential.

Stakeholder Participation in Wildlife Management: Adapting the Nominal Group Technique in Developing Countries for Participants with Low Literacy

ABSTRACTParticipatory methods for people with diverse literacy levels are needed for community-based wildlife conservation, particularly in developing countries. The Nominal Group Technique was adapted for 55 illiterate and semi-literate attendees across 10 stakeholder meetings with rural populations in Kenya. Ranking cards with different colors, sizes, and symbols were used concomitant with research assistants to engage community members and prioritize ideas. This Adapted Nominal Group Technique elicited 544 ideas in response to four discussion and ranking questions. This process facilitated participation by individuals with low literacy and those with low levels of formal education. This led to inclusive planning for community projects. This Adapted Nominal Group Technique appears to be promising for application in other developing country settings for rapid exploratory data collection.

Factors associated with Oral Health-Related Quality of Life of preschool children in Southern Brazil

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of socioeconomic factors and clinical conditions on the child oral health-related quality of life (COHRQoL) of preschool children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative sample of 547 children of 0-5-years-old from Santa Maria, RS, Brazil, in 2013. Data were collect in the National Children's Vaccination Day Program by calibrated dentists. Clinical examinations assessed the prevalence of dental caries and dental trauma. Information about children's socioeconomic status was collected through a structured questionnaire answered by parents/caregivers. The COHRQoL was measured using the Brazilian version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS). Multivariable Poisson regression models were performed to assess the association between clinical conditions, socioeconomic status and COHRQoL. Results: The prevalence of dental caries and dental trauma were 16.42 % and 22.49%, respectively. Higher means of the ECOHIS were found in older children, those with toothache and those whose mother had lower level of formal education. The clinical conditions that have been associated with negative impact on oral health related quality of life were experience caries (RR 4.12; 95% CI 3.10-5.46) and dental trauma (RR 1.37; 95% CI 1.01-1.86). Conclusion: Poor socioeconomic and clinical conditions had a negative impact on the COHRQoL, indicating the need of preventive strategies and policies aiming at improving the quality of life of this sample.

Accessibility of services for early infant diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

Background: Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is one of the major interventions for HIV and AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the coverage is still lower than the recommended levels. The objective of this review was to systematically assess factors associated with accessibility of EID services in sub-Saharan Africa.Methods: Scientific engines were searched from library catalogues and public databases. The review included free full text articles in English published from 1996 to 2015 and fitting to the objectives of the study.Results: A total of 1,039,715 results appeared on the databases after initial searching. Of these, 48 eligible articles were identified and reviewed. From 2004 to 2014, the proportion of HIV exposed infants who received a virological test within the first 2 months of life in sub-Saharan Africa varied from 3 to 58%, far below the 80% recommended level by the World Health Organization. EID services were not available in more than 30% of health facilities in most sub-Saharan African countries. Factors associated with accessibility of EID services included parents with low formal education level, maternal unemployment, geographical relocation, religious beliefs, lack of paternal support, insufficient awareness of HIV control and prevention services, poor compliance to prevention of mother to child transmission services, lack of general knowledge of HIV transmission, stigma and discrimination, inadequate human resource for health, weak infrastructure, inadequate supplies of laboratory materials and late feedback of HIV test results.Conclusion: Availability and accessibility of EID services in sub-Saharan Africa is still low despite the investment made during the past decade. Both individual and institutional factors affect the availability and accessibility of the services. It is important that these factors are urgently addressed to improve EID services.

The Making of Vulnerable Workers: Uncredentialed Young Adults in Postindustrial, Urban America

ABSTRACTCommon explanations for the employment difficulties facing young adults without a secondary credential center on skill deficits, with little attention given to policies and practices that shape the nature of work. Using interview data from a participatory action research project, this article examines the employment experiences of 43 uncredentialed young adults in a deindustrialized, urban community. Contextualizing their accounts within shifts in job and labor markets in the postindustrial political economy and drawing on the “vulnerable workers” framework, it shows how participants were disenfranchised as workers and job-seekers. I argue that educators should more fully account for the challenges facing workers with low levels of formal education and engage with economic and labor policies and practices that make these workers economically vulnerable.

Population attributable risk estimates for factors associated with non-use of postnatal care services among women in Nigeria

ObjectivesTo determine population attributable risks (PARs) estimates for factors associated with non-use of postnatal care (PNC) in Nigeria.Design, setting and participantsThe most recent Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS, 2013)...

Bojkovice: Transformation of a peripheral micro-region at the Czech-Slovak border

Abstract The paper analyses the problem of a rural region in the peripheral position. Bojkovice micro-region on the Czech (Moravian)-Slovak border has been chosen as a case study. Economic transformation of productive and non-productive branches, demographic development (depopulation and aging) and networking in the area were characterized by using statistical data and field research. Development, understood as improvement in quality of life and not in sense of quantitative growth, is highlighted with regard to the changing perception of the countryside. The question remains: how to use peripherality for prosperity? Peripheral countryside is known as “the right countryside” in comparison to suburbanized and globalized countryside in core regions. Based on the research, production embedded in local sources and traditions, ecological agriculture using the protection of landscape and soft tourism are proposed as solutions. Networking like the association of municipalities, LEADER local action group or White Carpathian Euroregion could be the instruments of micro-regional collaboration. The human and social factors seem to be more important than objective conditions. Long-term population stability is the main advantage. However, a lower level of formal education could be a problem. The character of social capital is considered as a decisive circumstance - whether it is passive social capital resistant to outer innovations or active social capital open for now ideas.

Work Organisation, Forms of Employee Learning and National Systems of Education and Training

This article uses a multi‐level framework to investigate for 17 European nations the links between forms of work organisation and style of employee learning at the workplace on the one hand, and the characteristics of national educational and training systems on the other. The analysis shows that forms of work organisation characterised by relatively high levels of employee discretion and learning are more likely to be adopted in nations with broad‐based systems of education and training that recognise the value of both academic and vocational training and provide ample opportunities for continuing adult education. Furthermore, it shows that employees with low levels of formal education have better access to jobs involving organisational learning in countries with more developed adult education systems. The results point to the need to balance policies designed to increase tertiary education rates with a commitment of resources at both the EU and national levels to develop broad and inclusive systems of lifelong learning.

Why Do Some Consumers Make Unhealthy Food Choices?

ABSTRACTThis research examines the impact of gender, age, and education on food choices and addresses issues of causality in these observed relationships; a logit model was used to test the mediation effects and hypotheses. The results from a self-administered online survey indicate that gender and education are two key predictors of consumers’ food choices for their children. These findings are further explained by attitudes toward obesity. Specifically, female consumers and parents with lower levels of formal education tend to select food products that are nutritionally inferior because they are not necessarily concerned about their child’s weight and do not usually restrict their child’s food and diet. This research advances a causal mechanism that explains unexpected consumers’ food choices; it essentially proposes and tests two mediators—restrictions of a child’s weight and concerns about a child’s weight—of the relationship between key demographic variables and consumers’ food choices.

The Practice of Hiring, Training and Promoting Less-Educated Workers in Malaysian-Based Manufacturing Companies

&lt;p&gt;This paper reports a qualitative study on the experience of Malaysian employers in hiring, training, and promoting workers with low levels of formal education. Data for this study were obtained from interviews with six individuals who have experience in hiring and supervising less-educated workers. They are managers and executives from three different manufacturing companies: a fabric company, a steel company, and an automotive company. The findings show that less-educated workers are hired for entry-level jobs because they are less demanding and are more likely to stay at the same company for a longer period of time. To compensate for the workers’ lack of education, the employers provide learning opportunities, mostly through on-the-job training. Lack of education is not a barrier to career progression at these companies, because workers are promoted based on performance rather than qualifications.&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Sex, love and money along the Namibian-Angolan border

In sub-Saharan Africa, young women engaged in relationships with multiple partners in order to gain material benefits play a key role in local HIV dynamics. This paper is based upon field observations and interviews with 38 young women who live along the Angolan-Namibian border. In the last 10 years, rapid urbanisation has attracted migrants in search of opportunities to do business in the region. Our findings show that sexual-affective economic networks reflect these socioeconomic changes. Women, particularly those from particular ethnic groups and/or from Namibia, with low levels of formal education and social support are often excluded from the labour market and turn to emotional-sexual male-centred networks for material and financial benefits. Men in these networks tend to be older, have higher socioeconomic status and greater geographic mobility. This ‘capitalisation’ of intimate relationships is material and symbolic; it enables women to acquire goods and access to services identified with an urban and globalised lifestyle. It is also emotional because relationships include affection and pleasure. Engaging in these relationships involves some social risks (bad reputation, family rejection, discrimination and violence), but maintaining ties often takes priority over safer sex and social sanctions.

To fish or not to fish? Resource degradation and income diversification in Benin

AbstractThe authors study the impact of natural resource degradation on income diversification in Beninese fishing communities. Using survey data and econometric analysis, they show that fishermen are more likely to diversify their income when the degradation of the fish stock is more severe. However, the level of income diversification that they find is surprisingly low and far from sufficient to relieve the stress on the lakes. The latter relates to low levels of formal education among fishermen and the unregulated use of highly productive, but damaging, fishing gear. These two factors result in a high return to fishing relative to non-fishing activities, even amid degradation.

Competition and switching in public service markets: Can they reduce inequalities?

AbstractRegulatory reforms to public infrastructure services across European Union (EU) countries were aimed at increasing consumer welfare by introducing competition and choice into service markets. However, empirical evaluations have questioned whether these reforms have benefitted all consumers, suggesting that vulnerable groups of service users (especially those with lower levels of formal education), might be locked into poorly performing services. We assess the relationship between the level of competition in electricity and fixed telephony markets in EU countries and evaluate the affordability of these services for different socio‐educational layers. Our findings show that – although in countries where there is a relatively high frequency of switching, inequalities between socio‐educational groups are smaller and eventually disappear – competition as such does not play a part. These results suggest that demand‐side regulation that successfully enables consumer switching has the potential to equalize social welfare, thereby reflecting a possible convergence of regulatory instruments and the central aims of the welfare state in this context.

The impact of Tailor-Made skills based training programmes on the performance of municipalities: The case of the city of Tshwane

Various South African municipalities are under close scrutiny due to widespread protests over poor quality of municipal services. Prior studies that examined situations in municipalities recommend training and development as the most apposite strategic tool for raising municipal performance. This study aimed to determine whether there is a statistically significant association between the provision of adequate training and development programmes and satisfactory performance at municipal level. A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analyses were used in the study in which data was collected from n=131 respondents (119 questionnaires + 12 in-depth interviews). Purposive sampling was used for selecting eligible respondents. The results showed that 49% of respondents have had past training opportunities. The percentage of employees with satisfactory performance was equal to 52%. The study found a significant association between the provision of training and development programmes and satisfactory performance among municipal employees. At the 5% level of significance, the results show that inadequate performance was significantly associated with lack of training opportunities, low level of formal education, and lack of job satisfaction, in a decreasing order of strength. A model has been proposed for ensuring adequate performance by municipal employees, and for monitoring and evaluating progress on a quarterly basis.

Test modificado de clasificación de tarjetas de Wisconsin: normalización y estandarización de la prueba en población española

The Modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (M-WCST) is a shorter, modified version of the WCST that assesses executive functioning and mental flexibility. The M-WCST presents some differences and advantages compared to other versions of the WCST, as previously described in the scientific literature. To standardize and develop demographically-calibrated norms for the M-WCST in a sample representing of the population of Spain. This study is part of the multisite Normacog project. Seven hundred participants from 18 to 90 years old were assessed using the M-WCST. The effects of age, sex, and educational level on M-WCST performance were analyzed, and demographically-calibrated percentiles and scaled scores corresponding to each raw score were created. The effect of age and level of education on the M-WCST variables analyzed (correct categories, perseverative errors and total errors) was statistically significant, whereas sex was not significant. Age and education explained 5.0-21.2% of the variance in M-WCST performance. Older participants with lower level of formal education completed fewer category sorts and made more errors than younger and more educated participants. This study reports the first normative data for the M-WCST in a contemporary Spanish sample, taking socio-demographic characteristics of the population into account. The influence of age and level of education on the M-WCST performance was confirmed.