Monitoring Survey Research Articles

The Exposure Status of Environmental Chemicals in South Korea: The Korean National Environmental Health Survey 2018-2020.

In South Korea, a Human Biomonitoring (HBM) program, known as the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS), was launched in 2009. This study aims to provide an overview of environmental chemical exposures in South Korea based on data from the KoNEHS cycle 4 (2018-2020). To ensure population representativeness, Koreans aged 3 years and older were recruited from 426 sites across the country. A total of 6381 participants joined in the collection of biospecimens, which were subsequently analyzed for 33 environmental chemicals or their metabolites, including nine that were not included in the previous cycle. The five most common PFASs were detected in more than 99.7% of the participants. The GM of serum PFOS was the highest in adults at 15.1 µg/L (13.9, 16.4) and in adolescents at 7.97 µg/L (7.42, 8.56). In adults, there was a gradual decrease in the detection rate and concentration of some heavy metals and phthalate metabolites. In children and adolescents, the detection rate of BPA in urine decreased, while the rate of its substitutes BPF and BPS increased, and the rate of propyl paraben in urine decreased significantly. The results of the KoNEHS cycle 4 indicate that exposure levels to certain environmental chemicals are still high, highlighting further monitoring and on-going surveys to determine their trends, especially for newly investigated substances, such as PFASs.

DRONES4BLUECARBONSEAGRASS: A Capacity-Building Program for Mapping Seagrasses using Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Technology in the Philippines

Abstract. Coastal blue carbon ecosystems, such as mangrove forests and seagrass meadows, are important for various environmental functions, serving as habitats, food sources, and carbon sinks. Despite their importance, seagrass ecosystems are experiencing global decline due to numerous stressors, including anthropogenic activities. To address this, effective monitoring and management strategies are crucial. Traditional in situ surveys for seagrass monitoring are labor-intensive and time-consuming. Alternatively, remote sensing technologies, particularly satellite imagery, offer a more efficient means of mapping seagrass distribution over large areas. However, accurately assessing seagrass cover at a local scale remains challenging with satellite data alone. Recently, unmanned aerial system (UAS) technology has emerged as a promising approach for seagrass mapping. With its fine resolution and flexibility for image acquisition, UAS can provide more precise estimates of seagrass cover, complementing satellite data. This integration enhances accuracy assessments and expands data availability for training and validation purposes. Under the BlueCARES Project, a drone training program was developed to equip stakeholders with the skills needed for cost-effective UAS-based seagrass mapping. The drone training program encompasses lectures on UAS basics, flight planning, and image processing. Beyond training, collected data are used to create seagrass maps and assess seagrass density. This initiative not only advances seagrass conservation but also fosters collaboration between government agencies, academia, and local communities to achieve sustainable management of blue carbon ecosystems.

RUSNet: Robust fish segmentation in underwater videos based on adaptive selection of optical flow

Fish segmentation in underwater videos can be used to accurately determine the silhouette size of fish objects, which provides key information for fish population monitoring and fishery resources survey. Some researchers have utilized underwater optical flow to improve the fish segmentation accuracy of underwater videos. However, the underwater optical flow is not evaluated and screen in existing works, and its predictions are easily disturbed by motion of non-fish. Therefore, in this paper, by analyzing underwater optical flow data, we propose a robust underwater segmentation network, RUSNet, with adaptive screening and fusion of input information. First, to enhance the robustness of the segmentation model to low-quality optical flow inputs, a global optical flow quality evaluation module is proposed for evaluating and aligning the underwater optical flow. Second, a decoder is designed by roughly localizing the fish object and then applying the proposed multidimension attention (MDA) module to iteratively recover the rough localization map from the spatial and edge dimensions of the fish. Finally, a multioutput selective fusion method is proposed in the testing stage, in which the mean absolute error (MAE) of the prediction using a single input is compared with that obtained using multisource input. Then, the information with the highest confidence is selected for predictive fusion, which facilitates the acquisition of the ultimate underwater fish segmentation results. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed model, we trained and evaluated it using a publicly available joint underwater video dataset and a separate DeepFish public dataset. Compared with the advanced underwater fish segmentation model, the proposed model has greater robustness to low-quality background optical flow in the DeepFish dataset, with the mean pixel accuracy (mPA) and mean intersection over union (mIoU) values reaching 98.77% and 97.65%, respectively. On the joint dataset, the mPA and mIoU of the proposed model are 92.61% and 90.12%, respectively, which are 0.72% and 1.21% higher than those of the advanced underwater video object segmentation model MSGNet. The results indicate that the proposed model can adaptively select the input and accurately segment fish in complex underwater scenes, which provides an effective solution for investigating fishery resources.

Using Photogrammetry and Deviation Analysis to Conduct Quantitative Monitoring Surveys of WWII Sites in the Pacific

Abstract In 2012 a program to investigate the management of underwater cultural heritage (UCH) related to the WWII battle for Saipan was developed with several collaborative partners. The program was conceptualized in response to the creation of the WWII Battle for Saipan Underwater Heritage Trail that launched in 2010 (McKinnon and Carrell in J Maritime Archaeol 10(1):11–27, 2015). With the creation of the trail there became a need to monitor and record both the benefits and impacts of promoting visitation at UCH sites. The monitoring program began on a five-year interval and included archaeological site inspections and the collection of in situ conservation data in 2012 and 2017. In 2017, as photogrammetric survey data was advancing and becoming more useful, it was added to the monitoring program. Again in 2023, site inspections, in situ surveys, and photogrammetric surveys were undertaken providing a total of 15 years of data at five-year intervals. This data has proved invaluable for recording both qualitatively and quantitatively how these WWII submerged sites are changing over time. This article reports on the development of photogrammetric surveys and the use of deviation analysis to demonstrate natural and cultural changes on UCH sites of a WWII battlefield from 2017 to 2023.

The impact of tax deduction on inequality in Russia

The article examines the impact of tax deductions for education and healthcare on income inequality in Russia. The objective of the study is to quantify the redistributive effects of this fiscal measure. Additionally, the paper assesses the potential effects of proposed reforms to tax deductions, with a particular focus on changes proposed in the President’s Address to the Federal Assembly in February 2023 and implemented in 2024. The study uses data from the Federal Tax Service and the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring survey of the National Research University Higher School of Economics (RLMS-HSE), in conjunction with the microsimulation model RUSMOD, which enables the estimation of the short-term redistributive effects of changes in taxes and transfers. The study demonstrated that the current tax deductions for education and health care have a marginal impact on income inequality. Conversely, if tax deductions are reformed in a manner that increases their limits and take-up, this may result in an increase in income inequality.

Subjective well-being indices in assessing happiness in Russia

Due to the multidimensionality and dynamism of today’s social life, there emerges the need to modify the principles of measuring the effectiveness of socio-economic policy. The article empirically tests and analyzes subjective metrics focused on “failures” in the socio-economic development which are impossible to identify through objective indicators only. These metrics are the subjective well-being indices for the Russian population in terms of gender and age, residence (by federal districts), level of education, marital status, presence of children, subjective health assessments, job and pay satisfaction. The methodological framework resides in Edward Diener’s subjective well-being theory. The method of index numbers and methods of descriptive statistics, including the multivariate frequency distribution of two attributes, are applied. The evidence base is comprised of panel data of The Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey – Higher School of Economics (RLMS-HSE) for 2013–2022. According to the research results, the minimum and maximum values of the life satisfaction index were observed in 2016 and 2022, respectively. The affective index of happiness was found to reach higher values compared to the cognitive assessment of it. The findings show that gender, age, region of residence, level of education, as well as satisfaction with health, job, wage and financial status affect the values and dynamics of happiness indices in Russia. A well-being measurement approach covering both objective and sub jective assessments of people’s life and its individual aspects allows identifying gaps in the system of socio-economic support for the population.

Quantitative Comparison of ROV and Diver‐Based Photogrammetry to Reconstruct Maerl Bed Ecosystems

ABSTRACTIn a time of ever‐increasing pressure on the coastal ocean and rising costs, the development of effective and efficient methods for assessing the health of marine ecosystems is becoming essential for continued conservation efforts. Taking advantage of technologies such as remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) may be a way of achieving this, but a quantitative check on the quality of ROV‐derived data is necessary. Here, using coralline algae reefs (maerl beds) as a model habitat, we compared 3D seabed reconstructions obtained from structure‐from‐motion photogrammetry surveys from diver‐held and ROV‐mounted camera systems. We found that both approaches achieved satisfactory alignment and mm‐scale resolution, allowing small‐scale features and individual organisms in the maerl bed to be resolved. The higher quality camera system available to divers resulted in generally lower modelling errors, but the spatial extent of surveys was highly restricted. In contrast, although associated with a slightly higher error, we show that much larger areas can be surveys by ROVs—we reconstructed 11,285 m2 of seabed in just 400 min of ROV deployment time. Moving forward, we recommend that a hybrid survey approach is adopted: utilising ROV surveys for large‐scale monitoring and diver surveys for higher detail insights that are informative for areas with highly complex and fine‐scale morphologies (like coralline algae reefs). Here, even small changes in complexity can be indicative of habitat change, and associated species can be small in size so multiscale visual assessment is beneficial.

Socio-Economic Determinants of the Physical Activity Intensity in Russia

The study examines the socioeconomic, demographic and health determinants of physical activity intensity in Russia. Using RLMS-HSE (the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey – Higher School of Economics) data for 2021 and indicators of six levels of physical activity intensity, the authors built ordered probit models and calculated average marginal effects for a set of covariates. The independent variables were selected based on the SLOTH microeconomic model describing individual preferences towards physical activity.The ordered probit regression provided empirical support for Meltzer and Jena's theoretical framework, stating that as income increases, with the pronounced substitution effect, the time spent on physical activity decreases, and the intensity of physical activity rises. In our study, the thesis about an increase in intensity with rising income was confirmed for a subsample of men but not women. For women, the intensity was determined by factors such as multiple morbidity and residing outside of Moscow or Saint Petersburg, which were not significant in the regressions for men.The study resulted in several important conclusions. The intensity analysis showed that physician recommendations regarding the type of physical activity should consider patients' workload. For individuals with a busy schedule, recommended types of exercise that require a long time (for example, walking) are not suitable. At the same time, intense workouts (such as tennis or gym classes) can be built into the schedule. There is a need to develop sports infrastructure at workplaces, allowing individuals to allocate time for classes without bearing additional time and monetary costs associated with travel to the location of workouts. As income increases, exercising near the workplace allows an individual to increase the intensity of physical activity without incurring additional time costs

A Drone-Based Structure from Motion Survey, Topographic Data, and Terrestrial Laser Scanning Acquisitions for the Floodgate Gaps Deformation Monitoring of the Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico System (Venice, Italy)

The structural deformation monitoring of civil infrastructures can be performed using different geomatic techniques: topographic measurements with total stations and levels, TLS (terrestrial laser scanning) acquisitions, and drone-based SfM (structure from motion) photogrammetric surveys, among others, can be applied. In this work, these techniques are used for the floodgate gaps and the rubber joints deformation monitoring of the MOSE system (Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico), the civil infrastructure that protects Venice and its lagoon (Italy) from high waters. Since the floodgates are submerged most of the time and cannot be directly measured and monitored using high-precision data, topographic surveys were performed in accessible underwater tunnels. In this way, after the calculation of the coordinates of some reference points, the coordinates of the floodgate corners were estimated knowing the geometric characteristics of the system. A specific activity required the acquisition of the TLS scans of the stairwells in the shoulder structures of the Treporti barrier because many of the reference points fixed on the structures were lost during the placement of elements on the seabed. They were replaced with new points whose coordinates in the project/as-built reference system were calculated by applying the Procrustean algorithm by means of homologous points. The procedure allowed the estimation of the transformation parameters with maximum residuals of less than 2.5 cm, a value in agreement with the approximation of the real concrete structures built. Using the obtained parameters, the coordinates of the new reference points were calculated in the project reference system. Once the 3D orientation of all caissons in the barrier was reconstructed, the widths of the floodgate gaps were estimated and compared with the designed values and over time. The obtained values were validated in the Treporti barrier using a drone-based SfM photogrammetric survey of the eight raised floodgates, starting from the east shoulder caisson. The comparison between floodgate gaps estimated from topographic and TLS surveys, and those obtained from measurements on the 3D photogrammetric model, provided a maximum difference of 1.6 cm.

Feasibility of a complex psychosocial intervention for families with parental cancer: acceptability, suitability, implementability, and perceived support

PurposeThis study aimed to assess the feasibility of a comprehensive psychosocial intervention for families coping with parental cancer.MethodsA quasi-experimental trial with intervention and control group, employing a mixed-methods approach, was conducted. A total of 472 families affected by parental cancer participated. The feasibility of the intervention was evaluated based on study monitoring measures (on-site visits, team supervision meeting observations, case conference observations, best practice workshops, coordinating information exchange between intervention sites, and reviewing intervention documentation), process evaluation (semi-structured interviews, focus group discussion) and survey data. Data analysis involved thematic coding and descriptive statistics.ResultsThe intervention was well-received by the participating families, with a high degree of acceptance observed. The feasibility of the intervention was found to be associated with specific dynamics within each family system and the motivation of the family members. The success of the intervention was described as dependent on the family-centered arrangement of the encounters, including factors such as frequency, duration, and mode, which greatly influenced its overall acceptability.ConclusionThe family-scout intervention demonstrates its feasibility as an effective intervention to reduce the burden experienced by families coping with parental cancer. Psychosocial oncology services should continue to develop and implement family-centered interventions to offer support to families during their cancer journey.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04186923. Retrospectively registered on 4 December 2019.

A Study of the Connection Between Health Insurance Literacy and Health Status: Evidence from the US Healthcare Reform Monitoring Survey.

This study examines the relationship between health insurance literacy, as indicated by confidence in comprehending health insurance terms, and health status using cross-sectional data from 8 waves of the Health Reform Monitoring Survey (HRMS), covering 61,895 individuals from 2013 to 2017. An ordered logistic regression model was employed with self-rated health status on a five-point Likert scale as the dependent variable and the score of confidence in understanding health insurance terms as the primary independent variable. The model adjusts for variables such as access to care, insurance status, concerns about affordability leading to missed care, household size, family income, employment, education, race, marital status, and gender. Results suggest a positive association between higher confidence in understanding health insurance and superior health statuses. These findings underscore the significance of improving health insurance literacy and advocating for potential policy interventions to enhance public understanding of health insurance benefits and coverage options.

The consideration of a simplified method for predicting aircraft noise

The Japanese segment model focuses on understanding noise impacts in the surrounding areas relatively close to the airport. The basic data to be prepared for predicting are usually the results of measurements and analysis in the area near the airport. In areas farther away from airports, the altitude of aircraft is higher, there is an issue that prediction results based on the basic data collected near airports accurately reflect the reality. Often, areas far from airports get complaints even if noise exposure was not high. There is a desire for a model that can predict with relatively high accuracy and ease even in locations far from airports like this. Based on this background, we have developed a simple prediction model based on actual observation results of noise and flight paths, which can be used as basic data for aircraft noise prediction. In this approach, a database is created using noise measurements obtained from unattended noise monitoring and short-term survey results and aircraft position information from the ADSB. In noise propagation calculations, predictions are made considering factors such as lateral attenuation of ground surfaces, air absorption, and variability in flight paths by a simple method.

Natural sorting of sediments in the wave run-up zone works for microplastics as well

The distribution of plastic pollution in the marine environment is highly variable in time and space, making it difficult to assess pollution levels. This study shows that mixing and natural sorting of material in the wave run-up zone of a sandy beach results in a relatively stable abundance of microplastics in the size range 0.5–2 mm (S-MPs). Based on 175 samples collected over 14 months during 42 monitoring surveys at 6 stations along the shore of the Vistula Spit (Baltic Sea), the mean abundance of S-MPs was found to be 64 ± 36 items/kg DW (98.6 % fibers), with a coefficient of variation of only 56 % over more than one year. Statistical tests confirmed its independence from current wind speed, significant wave height, mean sediment grain size, sediment sorting, percentage of certain sand fractions, month, season, or location along the shore. It can therefore be used as a suitable indicator for long-term monitoring of increasing plastic pollution in the marine environment.

Elucidations of Present Situation of Preparedness for Natural Disasters at Home in Japan and its Effective Factors

This study elaborates on the measures to improve preparedness for natural disasters by elucidating the present situation of preparedness for natural disasters at home in Japan as well as the effective factors to promote such preparedness. An Internet monitoring survey was conducted throughout Japan, and valid responses (n=1,599) were obtained. To measure preparedness for natural disasters at home, we used 31 items, including the ones in the “public opinion poll on disaster management” conducted by the Cabinet Office, Government of Japan. The Internet monitoring survey revealed that approximately 30% of the respondents arranged for articles they may require in the event of a disaster and had contemplated their evacuation actions immediately after a disaster. The Internet monitoring survey results were compared with the results of the Cabinet Office, Government of Japan’s public opinion poll. It revealed that the internet monitoring survey results better represent the tendency of the Japanese people as a whole. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine six independent variables—age, marital status, prior disaster experience, awareness of hazard maps, disaster imminence, and communal exchanges—statistically significant as effective factors to improve preparedness for natural disasters at home. Particularly, considering a large standardizing coefficient (β) for awareness of hazard maps, it is proposed that the most effective measure to improve preparedness for natural disasters at home to comprehend the risks posed to one’s community and own house is by using the opportunities of disaster prevention education and drill rather than simply viewing the hazard maps aimlessly.

Effects of recirculation dredging on density, strength, settling and oxygen concentration of fluid mud in the port of Emden

Abstract Purpose Recirculation dredging is a port maintenance concept developed in the Port of Emden, Germany to create a navigable fluid mud layer. This study investigates the effects of recirculation on key sediment properties, including density, yield stress, and oxygen concentration. Methods Six field monitoring surveys were carried out at two locations at different times of the year to assess changes before and after recirculation. Bathymetry, bulk density, yield stress, and oxygen concentration profiles were measured in situ. The settling properties and oxygen concentration levels on collected fluid mud samples were analyzed in the laboratory. Results The investigation reveals minimal changes in the density of recirculated fluid mud. However, the post-recirculation measurements showed a decrease in yield stress, ranging from 18 to 51% at Große Seeschleuse (GS) and 36% to 52% at Industriehafen (IH). The yield stress and density vary depending on the frequency of dredging. After structural density (1166 kg m−3 in GS and 1173 kg m−3 in IH), the yield stress of fluid mud increased exponentially. Therefore, monitoring of the yield stress is important for recirculation. A slight increase in oxygen concentration was observed post-recirculation, especially during winter. Yet, the rapid decline in oxygen levels post-mixing in the laboratory showed that sustaining long-term elevated oxygenation levels is not feasible by recirculation dredging alone. Conclusions The findings highlight the effectiveness of the recirculation on the yield stress, density, and oxygen concentration of fluid mud and illustrate the importance of considering both density and yield stress in sediment management practices. Future research should address the temporal evolution of density, yield stress, and oxygen levels following a dredging intervention and the influence of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and organic matter decay on sediment behavior.

Analysis of the mass survey data reliability (using the example of smoking prevalence in Russia estimates)

Survey-based estimates of smoking prevalence in Russia, given by various quite respectable organizations for the same period, range from less than 20% to more than 50%. This scatter cannot be explained by differences in the conceptualization of the indicator (who is considered a smoker) and significantly affects the overall picture of smoking in Russia and the assessment of the success of anti-tobacco policy. This raises questions about the reliability of the relevant survey data. It can be solved in at least two ways: by analyzing and eliminating discrepancy factors or by choosing one of the studies as a reference with a thorough check of the reliability of its data. The article substantiates the choice of the second path and the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS) as a reference. To check its reliability, three criteria were used: analysis of critical publications about research errors, methodological triangulation (comparison with data from other methods) and analysis of correlation with the consequences of smoking. All three criteria showed a high level of reliability of the RLMS data. The hypothesis about the research error put forward in critical publications does not find empirical confirmation. Comparison with other supposedly reliable data (both survey and non-survey) shows discrepancies below the margin of statistical error. The correlation of RLMS data on smoking with mortality from diseases of the circulatory system turns out to be extremely high. Therefore, it is advisable to consider the RLMS as a reference source of data on the prevalence of smoking in Russia, and indicators from other surveys that differ significantly from it as potentially questionable in their methodological decisions.

Distribution and duration of chores in married couple households

Based on data from the “Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey” ( RLMS-HSE), this article analyzes the gender distinctions and tendencies that characterize changes in the structure of how chores are assigned, and how much time is allocatedto them, in households that consist solely of married couples, during the years 19942021. As it turns out, in such households women tend to do much more work around the house than do men. However, both men and women have been spending more time working for pay outside of the home, though simultaneously the overall amount of time spent doing work outside of the home, as well as on household chores, has decreased. Other changes that were observed include a decrease of over twofold in the time spent on performing household chores by either men or women, and a somewhat less substantial reduction of the difference in time spent doing chores between women and men. Distribution of household chores by gender during the time period in question has become more equal mostly due to the fact that the time women used to spend performing household duties has been decreasing at a more rapid rate than in the case of their partners. The results of the study also point towards variability and a considerable decrease in the time spent on performing various household duties by the women and men who form families consisting of just the married couples. Where the discrepancy between genders is the greatest is when it comes to time spent on those chores that involve monotonous, tedious and exhausting work around the house.

Obesity in Russia: prevalence dynamics and sex and age structure since the end of the 20th century

Introduction. The growing prevalence of obesity in the world and the accumulated scientific data and practical knowledge have prompted the World Health Organization to declare obesity a global pandemic and a worldwide public health crisis. According to research, in 2015, 603.7 million adults and 107.7 million children worldwide were obese, and the overall prevalence of obesity was 12.0 and 5.0 %, respectively, while overweight caused 4.0 million deaths and 120 million lost years of life. The purpose of the study: to assess trends and age and sex structure of obesity prevalence in Russia according to different sources. Materials and methods. We calculated the prevalence of obesity using data from Rosstat (2018–2023) and the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (1994–2022), as well as the structure of obesity by sex and age groups in dynamics, and the structure of obesity by degree (2022). Results. According to the results of calculations based on Rosstat data, the prevalence of obesity among men increased from 17.8 % in 2018 to 20.9 % in 2023, and among women from 24.5 % to 28.6 %, respectively. According to calculations based on data from the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey, the prevalence of obesity among men increased from 8.5 % in 1994 to 16.6 % in 2022, and among women from 21.1 % to 27.5 %, respectively. After 2012, there was no significant increase in obesity prevalence in any of the age groups, with the possible exception of 15–24-year-old men and women aged 65 and older. The data suggests that the obesity epidemic in Russia has stabilized and the increase in the prevalence of obesity in recent years was largely due to the population aging. Also, Rosstat data show an increase in obesity prevalence during the COVID-19 pandemic from 23.0 % in 2019 to 25.0 % in 2021, while the rate remained at the same level (24.9 %) in 2022. In the structure of obesity calculated on the basis of Rosstat data, obesity of the I degree prevails both among men (80.5 %) and women (68.1 %). Conclusion. The growing prevalence of obesity in Russia, given the associated risks of morbidity and mortality, raises concerns and requires appropriate public health measures.

Happy People in Russia: The Role of Economic and Social Capital

Amid conditions of global instability in recent years, approximately one-tenth of the residents of Russia consistently report high levels of subjective well-being. The aim of this article is to analyze the socio-demographic characteristics of the “happy and satisfied” segment of Russians and the influence of economic and social capital on their high level of affective and cognitive components of subjective well-being. This study is based on data from the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey – Higher School of Economics (RLMS-HSE), with surveys conducted from 2016 to 2020. For the purposes of analysis, a stable segment of "fully satisfied with life" and "very happy" Russians (10–12% of 5–6 thousand respondents annually) was selected from the sample array. Economic capital in the study is measured through indicators such as absolute income, assessment of material well-being and remuneration, and perception of economic inequality, while social capital is measured through the structure, intensity, and quality of social connections and the nature of group identity. The analysis of the empirical data shows that people who are fully satisfied with life and happy are aged 25–34, married, have children, and possess average incomes. Low incomes are associated with subjective disadvantage, but for maximum happiness and life satisfaction, it is quite enough to have an average income level. Additionally, the cognitive component of subjective well-being assessments is more related to material and financial factors than the affective component. It is demonstrated that high levels of subjective well-being are more influenced by parameters of social, rather than economic, capital. Representatives of the predominantly happy segment of Russians communicate more frequently with family members and friends, care for young children or grandchildren, and feel a sense of belonging to broader social communities (professional, national, or territorial).

Validation of Administrative Data and Timing of Point Prevalence Surveys for Antibiotic Monitoring

Point prevalence surveys (PPSs) are used globally to collect data on antibiotic prescriptions. However, the optimal frequency for data collection to ensure comprehensive understanding of antibiotic use and to target and monitor stewardship interventions remains unknown. To identify the optimal frequency for collecting data on antibiotic use among the pediatric population through PPSs leveraging administrative data. This prognostic study used a cross-sectional validation approach and was conducted in pediatric outpatient and inpatient settings in the Veneto region of Italy. Antibiotics were classified according to the World Health Organization Access, Watch and Reserve criteria. Prescribing rates of access antibiotics were analyzed for pediatric inpatients with records dated between October 1, 2014, and December 31, 2022, and outpatients with records dated between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2022. The study included children younger than 15 years with an antibiotic prescription who were admitted to the pediatric acute care unit or evaluated by a primary care pediatrician. Data analysis was performed from October 2023 to January 2024. An algorithm was developed to identify optimal time frames for conducting PPSs. This approach sought to minimize the discrepancy between quarterly and yearly PPS results, aiming to accurately estimate annual antibiotic prescribing rates in both inpatient and outpatient settings (primary outcome). External validity of the optimal PPS time frames derived from outpatient data when applied to the inpatient setting was also investigated. Validation involved assessing the effectiveness of administrative data in identifying strategic PPS periods for capturing inpatient antibiotic use patterns (secondary outcome). This analysis included 106 309 children: 3124 were inpatients (1773 males [56.8%]) and 103 185 were outpatients (53 651 males [52.0%]). A total of 5099 and 474 867 antibiotic prescriptions from inpatients and outpatients were analyzed, respectively. Outpatients tended to be older than inpatients, with a median age of 3.2 (IQR, 1.3-6.3) years vs 2.6 (IQR, 0.6-6.6) years, respectively, and with a lower burden of clinical comorbidities (≥1 comorbidity: 6618 [6.4%] vs 1141 [36.5%], respectively). The algorithm successfully identified distinct time frames within the calendar year from inpatient and outpatient records optimized for PPS data collection. Rates obtained from the quarterly PPS during these identified periods exhibited greater agreement with annual antibiotic prescribing rates (inpatient: r = 0.17, P < .001; and outpatient: r = 0.42, P < .001) than those derived from the yearly PPS (inpatient: r = 0.04, P = .58; and outpatient: r = 0.05, P = .34), with a Δ reduction of up to 89.8% (where Δ represents the percentage point change in antibiotic prescribing rates). Furthermore, the optimal PPS time frames gleaned from the outpatient data demonstrated robust applicability to the inpatient setting, yielding comparable results in both scenarios. This study evaluated the potential of administrative data in determining the optimal timing of PPS implementation. The quarterly PPS balanced precision and sustainability, especially when implemented during strategically selected periods across different seasons. Further studies are needed to validate the algorithm used in this study, especially in post-COVID-19 pandemic years and different settings.