Moderate Income Levels Research Articles

Parental Awareness of Antibiotic Use for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection in Children in Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia.

Upper respiratory tract infections are a prevalent cause of morbidity in children, often managed in primary care settings. These infections are predominantly viral, but antibiotics are sometimes inappropriately prescribed. This misuse, driven by parental pressure and misconceptions, contributes to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. The impact of parental awareness on antibiotic use practices is significant, as gaps in knowledge can lead to inappropriate use. This study used a cross-sectional design to assess parents' awareness of antibiotic use for upper respiratory tract infections in children in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected via a self-administered online questionnaire distributed through social media platforms. Participants were parents aged 18 years and older residing in Jazan. A snowball sampling technique was employed. The questionnaire assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antibiotics. The study included 398 participants, with a nearly equal gender distribution of 198 females (49.7%) and 200 males (50.3%). Participants' ages were as follows: 148 (37.2%) were 18-30 years old, 162 (40.7%) were 31-40 years old, and 88 (22.1%) were over 40 years old. Regarding educational attainment, 29 (7.3%) mothers and 36 (9.0%) fathers had primary school education; 117 (29.4%) mothers and 128 (32.2%) fathers had secondary school education; 22 (5.5%) mothers and 33 (8.3%) fathers had intermediate school education; 209 (52.5%) mothers and 175 (44.0%) fathers held a bachelor's degree; and 21 (5.3%) mothers and 26 (6.5%) fathers had a master's degree. Most participants had a moderate income level (270, 67.8%) and resided in Bish (202, 50.8%). The main sources of information about antibiotics were doctors (242, 60.8%) and the internet (90, 22.6%). Perceptions varied, with 147 (36.9%) agreeing and 84 (21.1%) strongly agreeing that antibiotics can prevent complications from infections. A significant proportion believed that inappropriate use could lead to antibiotic resistance (172, 43.2% agreed; 129, 32.4% strongly agreed). Regarding the use of leftover antibiotics, 197 (49.5%) disagreed with using them without consulting a doctor. Interaction with pediatricians showed that 212 (53.3%) always followed pediatrician advice and instructions, while 66 (16.6%) rarely did. The study highlights significant gaps in parental awareness regarding antibiotic use for upper respiratory tract infections in Jazan. Despite some understanding of antibiotic resistance, misconceptions about the efficacy and appropriate use of antibiotics persist. Addressing these gaps through targeted education and improving communication with healthcare providers could enhance antibiotic stewardship and reduce the risk of resistance.

AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF BURIAL GROUND WORKERS IN VIRUDHUNAGAR DISTRICT, TAMILNADU

Burial ground workers has covered wide area of the economic analysis and therefore it is not possible to deal in the details of each them in this paper. We have tried to present some of these specific aspects of the total work. This study analyzed the socio economic analysis of burial ground workers in Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu. It is different types of burial grounds workers like manuval, gasifier and electric crematorium. Objectives of the study, to examine the characteristics of burial ground workers in Virudhunagar district and to study the burial ground worker income and expenditure pattern in Virudhunagar district. Result of the study, the income, saving, expenditure, and debt levels of crematorium of burial ground workers are influenced by a range of factors. While many workers have moderate income levels and save a significant portion of their income, they also tend to have high expenditure levels and carry some level of debt. Understanding these factors can help workers make informed financial decisions and achieve their financial goals. Finding of the study Challenges, the majority of participants (85%) reported feeling emotionally drained due to the nature of their work, while 70% reported experiencing physical exhaustion. Workload, Many participants (60%) reported feeling overwhelmed by their workload, citing inadequate staffing and inadequate training as contributing factors. Support, Only 30% of participants reported receiving adequate support from their employers or colleagues, leading to feelings of isolation and loneliness. Job Satisfaction, despite the challenges, 70% of participants reported being satisfied with their job, citing a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Suggestions for Improvement, Participants suggested improvements in staffing levels, training programs, and emotional support services. Conclusion of the study, while burial grounds present various economic challenges, they are integral to cultural heritage and societal values. The balanced approach that considers financial sustainability, environmental impact, and cultural significance is essential for the long-term management and preservation of these spaces. The findings suggest that burial ground workers in crematorium settings face significant challenges related to workload, emotional well-being, and support. Despite these challenges, many participants reported feeling satisfied with their job due to the sense of purpose and fulfillment it provides. KEYWORDS: manuval, gasifier, burial grounds workers, economic challenges, financial goals

Unveiling Student Segments: Leveraging Clustering Analysis of Registration Data for Enhanced Recruitment Strategies

Recruiting the right students is crucial for higher education institutions to achieve their goals of attracting talented individuals and fostering academic success. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of data-driven recruitment strategies in identifying target student populations and tailoring recruitment efforts accordingly. By utilizing K-means clustering analysis on a dataset of student profiles, this research identifies distinct clusters based on factors such as province of residence, parent occupation, and parent revenue. The findings reveal valuable insights into the characteristics and preferences of different student clusters, enabling the development of targeted recruiting strategies. The results indicate that a significant number of students in specific clusters are from Songkhla Province, have parents predominantly engaged in the private sector, agriculture, and fishery occupations, and come from families with moderate income levels. Building upon these findings, several recommendations for recruiting strategies are proposed. These include focusing marketing efforts in the identified regions, forging partnerships with local businesses, offering financial aid programs, and establishing connections with agricultural and fishing communities. This can involve targeted online advertisements, promotional campaigns in local schools, and active participation in career fairs or educational expos held in Songkhla Province. This study contributes to the field of higher education recruitment by leveraging data-driven approaches to identify target student populations and develop tailored strategies.

THE IMPACT OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' INDIVIDUAL HEALTH PERCEPTIONS ON INTERNET ADDICTION LEVELS

The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of university students' individual health perceptions on the level of internet addiction. Additionally, the study aims to reveal differences in internet addiction and individual health perceptions among students based on various demographic variables. A total of 286 students from Düzce University participated in the study. The data collection tools used were the Internet Addiction Scale and Individual Health Perception Scales. It was found that the students' levels of internet addiction were low, while their individual health perceptions were at a moderate level. The average internet addiction scores were relatively higher for male students, those enrolled in formal education, and those with a moderate income level compared to other groups. It was observed that the level of health perception did not vary according to students' income status, gender, type of settlement, and type of education. A weak relationship was identified between university students' health perceptions and internet addiction. These findings contribute significantly to understanding the relationship between internet addiction and health perceptions among university students. However, it should be noted that further research is needed to better comprehend the complexity of this relationship. This study may serve as a foundation for future research aiming to develop effective intervention strategies against internet addiction.

The Role of Women Involvement in Healthcare Sector and its Impact on Their Socioeconomic Development in Kabul, Afghanistan

This study investigates the socioeconomic status and discrimination experienced by women in the healthcare sector in Kabul. Through a comprehensive survey, data was collected on household income, job satisfaction, career progression, and instances of gender-based discrimination. Findings indicate a moderate household income level with variations among respondents. Women with higher incomes tend to perceive their earnings aligning with qualifications. Additionally, the study uncovers a nuanced relationship between years of employment, satisfaction, and stability. Gender-based discrimination remains a concern, impacting reporting comfort and influencing perceptions of professional development opportunities. Correlation analyses reveal positive links between beliefs in equal career opportunities, job stability, diverse job roles, and satisfaction. The study suggests interventions to address discrimination, enhance career opportunities, and improve financial literacy.

Recreational Leadership Behaviors of University Students and Entrepreneurial Levels: A Relationship Analysis

The aim of this study was to determine to what extent recreational leadership behaviors predict entrepreneurship characteristics. Following the comparison of recreational leadership behaviors and entrepreneurship characteristics with some socio-demographic variables, the extent to which entrepreneurship characteristics are predicted by recreational leadership behaviors was examined. Personal information form, Recreational Leadership Behavior Scale, and Entrepreneurship Scale for University Students were administered to the participants. In line with this objective, the relational screening model was used to identify and determine the existence and level of changes between two or more variables. The study group of the research consists of a total of 883 participants, including 691 females (78.3%) and 192 males (21.7%), who are studying in Ankara during the 2022-2023 academic year. To ensure the normal distribution of the data, skewness and kurtosis values were examined with the Shapiro-Wilk test. Descriptive information about the participants was presented as percentages and frequencies. In the solution and interpretation of the data, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient, multiple regression analysis, T-test, One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were utilized, and for determining the difference between groups, Tukey Test from Post Hoc Tests was applied with a significance level of p < 0.05. Excel and SPSS 25 software packages were used for data analysis. As a result of this study, it was found that there was no statistically significant difference in democratic leadership, autocratic leadership, and sub-dimensions of recreational leadership scores according to the gender variable. In the comparison of entrepreneurship score averages based on gender, a significant difference was determined in favor of males. In the comparison according to the income level variable, it was found that the entrepreneurship characteristics of participants with higher income levels were higher than those with moderate income levels. A positively moderate relationship between democratic leadership and entrepreneurship, a positively low-level relationship between autocratic leadership and entrepreneurship, and a positively moderate relationship between recreational leadership and entrepreneurship were observed. It was concluded that democratic and autocratic leadership explained entrepreneurship characteristics by 14%

The Prevalence of Refractive Errors Among Middle-Class Kids in and Around Dehradun

Background: Children living in countries with moderate income levels, such as India, who are born with untreated refractive abnormalities continue to face significant challenges. Despite the availability of low-cost remedial techniques like eyeglasses, uncorrected refractive defects cause vision loss for many children in India. This persists even though glasses may correct the problem. Aim: The aim of the present study is to investigate whether children from middle-income families exhibit any refractive errors. Materials & methods: The researchers conducted the present study after receiving approval from the institution’s ethics board. The research was carried out at Gautam Budha Chikitsa Mahavidyalaya, Jhajra, Dehradun, India. The study enrolled children from middle-income groups in and around the Dehradun city area. Results & Conclusions: The study revealed that refractive errors are the leading cause of visual impairment among school-age children, particularly those from middle-income families. Given that most refractive defects can be corrected with glasses, there is a need for cost-effective strategies to safeguard children’s eyesight. Such disabilities might impede a child’s development and education. There is compelling evidence supporting this treatable cause of blindness.

The Influence of Social Stratification on Trust in Recommender Systems

This paper examines the impact of social stratification on trust in recommender systems. Recommender systems have become an essential tool for users to navigate vast amounts of information online, but trust in these systems has become a concern. The focus of this study is to investigate whether social stratification, defined by socioeconomic status, affects trust in recommender systems. We first review the literature on trust in recommender systems and social stratification, highlighting gaps in the current research. We then describe the methodology used in our study, which involves the analysis of valid and consented responses received from 487 participants from different socioeconomic backgrounds, registered in an online survey. This study aimed to investigate the influence of social stratification, specifically income, on trust in recommender systems. Results showed a curvilinear relationship between income and trust in recommender systems, such that moderate income levels were associated with higher levels of trust, while both low- and high-income levels were associated with lower levels of trust. These findings suggest that income plays an important role in shaping users’ trust in recommender systems and highlight the need for future research to examine the complex interplay between social stratification and trust in technology.

The relationship between pain beliefs and anxiety levels in patients undergoing urologic surgery

Aim: The study was completed with a descriptive design with the aim of determining the effect of preoperative stress on pain beliefs and used a relationship seeking design with the aim of revealing whether there is a significant correlation between pain beliefs and surgery anxiety levels among patients about to undergo surgical procedures in the urology clinic. Material and method: With descriptive and relationship seeking type, the study was completed with 112 patients admitted to the urology clinic for surgical procedures. For collection of data, a personal information form, pain beliefs scale and preoperative anxiety scale were used. Results: The majority of volunteers participating in the research were male (62.5), married (74.1%), aged 51 years or older (56.3%), primary school graduates (28.6%) and retired (38.4%) with moderate income levels (48.2%). Most patients had spinal anesthesia (48.1%) administered. There was a significant difference found between the surgery anxiety levels and pain beliefs with the anesthesia type administered. There was a negative, low power and statistically very advanced correlation between surgery anxiety and pain beliefs (r: -0.445; p˂0.05). Additionally, among the pain belief subdimensions psychological beliefs were mostly correlated with surgery anxiety ( r: -0.546; p˂0.05) Conclusion: The research found a correlation between anxiety levels and pain beliefs of patients and concluded that researching this in different samples and nurses assessing the pain beliefs of patients will reduce anxiety. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 21 No. 02 April’22 Page : 271-278

Financial analysis of PA lifetime earnings and debt.

This economic analysis of physician assistant/associate (PA) career earnings sought to assess the increasing effect of student debt, its potential effect on job selection, and whether such financial obligations may influence graduates to select higher-paying specialties. The model was a 30-year-old newly graduated PA who begins working in family medicine. A simulation included wages, student debt, national household expenditures, and real estate statistics. The scenario consisted of a high and middle cost of living in two geographic areas, a family of four, and an average life expectancy. Using a validated economic program, a series of calculations produced the financial effect on moderate-income levels and expenditures based on median PA earnings. On the deficit side is education debt, loan repayment, financing a house, college for children, retirement, and discretionary spending. Weighted variables were used to maximize the sensitivity effect of the simulation. A Monte Carlo probabilistic program predicted the likely outcome of income, expenses, inflation, and investments. Furthermore, the lifetime earnings of a PA who retires at age 67 years and lives to age 85 years falls in the 75th percentile of income of all Americans. The conclusion is that a full-time PA career in any clinical role is as economically rewarding as it is satisfying.

Financial analysis of PA lifetime earnings and debt.

This economic analysis of physician assistant/associate (PA) career earnings sought to assess the increasing effect of student debt, its potential effect on job selection, and whether such financial obligations may influence graduates to select higher-paying specialties. The model was a 30-year-old newly graduated PA who begins working in family medicine. A simulation included wages, student debt, national household expenditures, and real estate statistics. The scenario consisted of a high and middle cost of living in two geographic areas, a family of four, and an average life expectancy. Using a validated economic program, a series of calculations produced the financial effect on moderateincome levels and expenditures based on median PA earnings. On the deficit side is education debt, loan repayment, financing a house, college for children, retirement, and discretionary spending. Weighted variables were used to maximize the sensitivity effect of the simulation. A Monte Carlo probabilistic program predicted the likely outcome of income, expenses, inflation, and investments. Furthermore, the lifetime earnings of a PA who retires at age 67 years and lives to age 85 years falls in the 75th percentile of income of all Americans. The conclusion is that a full-time PA career in any clinical role is as economically rewarding as it is satisfying.

Social media use in patients with acne vulgaris: What do patients expect from social media?

Acne vulgaris (AV) may affect external appearance and significantly deteriorate the quality of life of patients. Therefore, patients make various inquiries about their disease and seek treatment options. To investigate the social media usage habits of patients with AV concerning their diseases, and their recommendations for dermatologists related to social media use. A total of 1609 patients with AV completed the survey prepared by the authors and the Cardiff Acne Disability Index questionnaire. The Food and Drug Administration severity scores and clinical information of the patients were noted by their physicians. Of the 1,489 patients who stated that they used social media, 46.31% regularly and 28.77% sometimes referred to these sources to make inquiries about AV. Social media usage for AV was statistically significantly higher in women, participants with short term and severe disease, those with a moderate income level, and those using topical treatment and cosmetics. They mostly used Google (67%), Instagram (54%), and YouTube (49%). While 76% of the participants stated that they did not share what they saw on the Internet with their doctor. Of the respondents, 18.5% were trying to contact their dermatologists through the Internet, and 69.73% would prefer experts such as dermatologists to post-AV-related content. Our study shows that patients frequently resort to social media to seek information about AV. In the changing digital world order, it is observed that there is a need for dermatologists to use social media more actively to share accurate information about AV.

A Real-World Prospective Study of the Safety and Effectiveness of the Loop Open Source Automated Insulin Delivery System.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Loop Do-It-Yourself automated insulin delivery system.Research Design and Methods: A prospective real-world observational study was conducted, which included 558 adults and children (age range 1–71 years, mean HbA1c 6.8% ± 1.0%) who initiated Loop either on their own or with community-developed resources and provided data for 6 months.Results: Mean time-in-range 70–180 mg/dL (TIR) increased from 67% ± 16% at baseline (before starting Loop) to 73% ± 13% during the 6 months (mean change from baseline 6.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.9%–7.4%; P < 0.001). TIR increased in both adults and children, across the full range of baseline HbA1c, and in participants with both high- and moderate-income levels. Median time <54 mg/dL was 0.40% at baseline and changed by −0.05% (95% CI −0.09% to −0.03%, P < 0.001). Mean HbA1c was 6.8% ± 1.0% at baseline and decreased to 6.5% ± 0.8% after 6 months (mean difference = −0.33%, 95% CI −0.40% to −0.26%, P < 0.001). The incidence rate of reported severe hypoglycemia events was 18.7 per 100 person-years, a reduction from the incidence rate of 181 per 100 person-years during the 3 months before the study. Among the 481 users providing Loop data at 6 months, median continuous glucose monitoring use was 96% (interquartile range [IQR] 91%–98%) and median time Loop modulating basal insulin was at least 83% (IQR 73%–88%).Conclusions: The Loop open source system can be initiated with community-developed resources and used safely and effectively by adults and children with type 1 diabetes.

436 Diet for mental health in pregnancy: nutrients of importance based on large observational cohort data

The Barker hypothesis suggests an adverse environment in utero predisposes offspring to greater risk of metabolic syndrome in later life. Therefore, it is important to optimise maternal health in terms of diet and well-being, to facilitate better health outcomes for mother and child. We aimed to determine associations between dietary intakes and well-being in a pregnant cohort. This is retrospective cohort analysis of a combination of 3 studies; The ROLO Study (a Randomised cOntrol trial of a LOw glycaemic index diet in pregnancy), the PEARS study (Pregnancy Exercise And nutrition Research Study with smartphone app support) and an RCT of a probiotic study. All data were collected prior to intervention (approx. 16 weeks). 3 day food diaries were used to determine dietary intakes. The WHO-5 item Well-Being Index was used to determine mental well-being. Initial associations were determined using Pearson correlations, and further defined using multiple regression analysis adjusted for age, BMI, HP index and METs. There were 1521 women included in the analysis; mean age 32 years and BMI 27kg/m2. 96% were Caucasian and 60% had 3rd level education. Average HP index was 5.78 (moderate income level). Average activity level was 440 METs. 27% had low well-being, with 59% being the average score. Results of the regression analysis showed the following to have significant effect on well-being; fibre (B = 0.074, p=0.018), Magnesium (B=0.084, p=0.009), Niacin (B=0.092, p=0.004), thiamine (B=0.073, p=0.018) and folate (b=0.077, p=0.024). Nutrition and well-being appear to be related in early pregnancy, and may play a key role in creating a favourable in utero environment. The findings support research on the gut-brain axis demonstrating fibre can modulate gut microbial health, a determinant of well-being. Fibre and Magnesium are principle nutrients in both the DASH and Mediterranean diets, which have can improve mental health. These data suggest nutritional intervention strategies may improve mental and physical health in mothers which may in turn benefit offspring.

Luxury Perception of Low and Middle Income Generation Z and Their Luxury Consumption Motivations

Purpose: This study examined Generation Z with low and moderate income levels in terms of their perception of luxury, knowledge of luxurious products and motivation of consuming luxurious products. Design/methodology/approach: The research was conducted in two stages: in-depth interviews and structured observations. Structured observations were carried out on 37 teenage participants at the ages of 17-21 (25 female and 12 male consumers). The data were collected between July and August 2020 in Turkey. Findings: According to the results of the study, this generation’s perception of luxury is divided into three categories based on concept, service and product. Females perceive luxury as flamboyance, wealth and ability to get whatever is desired, while males consider the same concept as comfort, brand quality and products that are hard to get. The participants’ knowledge of luxurious brands generally covers inaccessible brands such as Rolex, Ferrari and Christian Dior and new luxurious brands Nike, Puma and Polo. Among the participants, 54.1% planned to buy luxurious products in the future. The main factors that drive them to buy luxurious products in the future were as follows: quality of product, comfort of product, durability of product, beauty of product, elegance of product, conspicuous consumption, self fulfilment, feeling good, power of desire, having social status and improvement in economic situation. The products they consider as luxurious and plan to buy included luxurious cars, houses, clothes, jewelry and travels. Research limitations/implications: The limitation of the study is that it was a convenient sample. Therefore, the findings cannot be generalized. Practical implications: Luxury product/service providers can market new luxury products/services that are more affordable to low and middle-income Generation Z. Originality/value: Studies conducted in regard to the concept of luxury consumption and consumer perceptions have been mostly performed with participants with high income levels. This study tries to fill the gap in the literature by investigating the low and middle-income Generation Z. The main objective of this study was to examine the luxury-related attitudes and perceptions of Generation Z members who have been raised in families that have low and moderate income level, and their intentions of purchasing luxurious products/services.

Prevalence, Predictors, and Awareness of Coffee Consumption and Its Trend among Saudi Female Students

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, trends, and predictors of coffee consumption among Saudi female students and its association with anthropometric and demographic variables. A survey-based study using a face-to-face interview was designed, and 930 (aged 21.5 ± 2.1 years) apparently healthy female students from different departments of King Saud University participated. The prevalence of coffee consumption was significantly higher (88.2%, p < 0.03) in the central Riyadh region. Coffee consumers had significantly higher prevalence of being overweight than non-consumers (p = 0.02). The frequency of coffee consumption was significantly higher (p < 0.02) in students who were single and belonged to families with a moderate income level. Coffee consumption was significantly higher among first-year students with a high-scale grade point average (GPA) (p < 0.001 and p = 0.03, respectively). Increased coffee consumption during exam and stress conditions was associated with unhealthy dietary habits such as using more sugar and spices. The prevalence of coffee consumption was high among Saudi females. High body mass index (BMI) and increased family income level were strong determinants for coffee consumption. Continued nutritional education and awareness about the potential positive and negative health effects of coffee consumption and the importance of food label use should be provided to younger generations in order to correct the wrong perceptions.

Analysis on professional identity and related factors among Chinese general practitioners: a National Cross-sectional Study

BackgroundStudies on professional identity and related factors among Chinese general practitioners (GPs) are unavailable. The objective of this study was to investigate the professional identity level of GPs in China and explore factors associated with GPs’ perceptions of their professional identity.MethodsA multistage stratified random sampling method was used to collect data with a structured self-administered questionnaire from 3236 GPs working in community health service institutions (CHIs) in China between October, 2017 and February, 2018. Professional identity was measured by the 13 items scale. Descriptive statistics were calculated and groups’ differences were estimated using nonparametric tests. Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis was used to analyze factors associated with professional identity among GPs.ResultsBased on a total score of 65 on the professional identity scale, the average score for GPs’ professional identity was 51.23 (SD = 6.56). Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis showed that GPs who practiced in Central China, with an administrative responsibility, at a moderate or higher income level, who frequently worked overtime, had more occupational development opportunities, with a higher level of job satisfaction and older GPs had higher levels of professional identity.ConclusionsProfessional identity level among GPs in China is high. Region, administrative responsibility, income level, working overtime, occupational development opportunities, age, and job satisfaction were significant predictors of professional identity.

PERSEPSI MASYARAKAT TERHADAP PEMANFAATAN TANAMAN AREN (Arenga pinnata Merr) DI DESA SEKABUK KECAMATAN SADANIANG KABAUPATEN MEMPAWAH

This research is aimed at describing people’s perceptions of utilization sugar palm plants in the village of Sekabuk Sadaniang sub-district, as well as analyzing the relationship of each of the factor of age, knowledge, and income with people’s perceptions of the utilization of palm plants in the village of Sekabuk Saadaniang sub-district. This research uses direct interview technique method with questionnaire tool, determination of respondents carried out by purposive sampling based on slovin formula amounting to 83 respondents, the criteria of respondents in the research are people who live in the village of Sekabuk, people who know about the use of palm trees, at least 15 years old (already married), physically and mentally healthy. Data analysis consisted of community perceptions of the use of palm trees and the relationship between age, knowledge, and income with community perceptions of the use of palm trees in Sekabuk village. Based on the results of data and calculations of the three variables, forage and knowledge categories there is no relationship with community perceptions, while the income category is related to people’s perceptions. The results of the study showed that community perceptions of the utilization of sugar palm plants tended to be positive namely 77 respondents (92,77%), neutral 6 respondents (7,23%), and negative 0 respondents (0,00%). Characteristics of Sekabuk village respondents based on age levels dominated by young and adult levels each of 30 respondents (36,14%). Characteristics of respondents based on the level of knowledge dominated by people with a high level of knowledge of 81 respondents (97,60%), and for the characteristics of respondents based on the level of income dominated with a moderate income level of 65 respondents (79,52%).Keywords: Community perception, Utilization Of Palm Sugar Plants

Practical Solutions to the Problem of Mirrlees - Optimal Labor Income Taxation in Poland

The optimal labor income taxation problem is cast in the context of the Polish economy. We use the actual Polish data on labor income and the corresponding tax revenue provided by the Polish Tax Authority to calibrate the optimal taxation Problem of Mirrlees to the Polish data. We solve the optimal taxation problem in a variety of contexts using numerical techniques. We provide solutions to the optimal labor income taxation problem, examine the sensitivity to the underlying parameters. In general, our numerical results confirm that the solutions are affected, in particular, by the elasticity of labor supply with respect to the wage, and by the preferences of policy makers. Still, in the qualitative sense the optimal marginal tax rates normally take the form of an inverted U-shaped curve when depicted in terms of income earned. We establish that the quantitative results are sensitive to the underlying parameters. In one extreme, the optimum calls for high optimal marginal tax rates reaching nearly 75% for moderate income levels when the elasticity of labor supply is low and the degree of aversion towards inequality is high. On the other hand the optimal marginal tax rates can be low for moderate income levels when the elasticity of labor supply with respect to the wage is high and when the aversion towards inequality is low. In addition, we show that marginal tax rates at low income levels can be high, which is supposed to encourage higher labor supply by low earners. Finally, our solutions reveal that universal basic income is a part of the optimum regardless of the values of the underlying parameters.

Effects of income and residential area on survival of patients with head and neck cancers following radiotherapy: working age individuals in Taiwan.

ObjectivesThe five-year survival rate of head and neck cancer (HNC) after radiotherapy (RT) varies widely from 35% to 89%. Many studies have addressed the effect of socioeconomic status and urban dwelling on the survival of HNC, but a limited number of studies have focused on the survival rate of HNC patients after RT.Materials and methodsDuring the period of 2000–2013, 40,985 working age individuals (20 < age < 65 years) with HNC patients treated with RT were included in this study from a registry of patients with catastrophic illnesses maintained by the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD).ResultsThe cumulative survival rate of HNC following RT in Taiwan was 53.2% (mean follow-up period, 3.75 ± 3.31 years). The combined effects of income and geographic effect on cumulative survival rates were as follows: high income group > medium income group > low income group and northern > central > southern > eastern Taiwan. Patients with moderate income levels had a 36.9% higher risk of mortality as compared with patients with high income levels (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.369; p < 0.001). Patients with low income levels had a 51.4% greater risk of mortality than patients with high income levels (HR = 1.514, p < 0.001).ConclusionIn Taiwan, income and residential area significantly affected the survival rate of HNC patients receiving RT. The highest income level group had the best survival rate, regardless of the geographic area. The difference in survival between the low and high income groups was still pronounced in more deprived areas.