Monthly Income Research Articles

Rural Households’ Preference and Consumption Patterns of African Breadfruit in Osun State, Nigeria: Implication for Food Security

The study assessed the acceptance, frequency of consumption and mode of consuming African breadfruit among rural households in Osun State, Nigeria. Specifically, it examines the socio-economic characteristics of the rural household; examines rural households’ frequency and mode of consumption of African breadfruit; and determines the attitude of rural households towards the production and consumption of African breadfruit in the study area. A multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted to select 288 respondents and a structural interview schedule was used to collect data for the study. Data collected was analysed using appropriate descriptive statistics such as mean, frequency count, and percentages and inferential statistics such as chi-square and correlation analysis. The results revealed that the mean age was 47.8 ± 1.32 years; the majority (62.2%) of the respondents were male. Also, the majority (85.4%) of the respondents were Yoruba, 12.2 percent were Igbo, and 2.4 percent were Hausa. The mean years of formal schooling was 9.7 ± 4.67 years. The mean average monthly income was ₦41,759 ± 19,461. Similarly, the findings indicated that boiling of breadfruit ranked first (mean =3.11) as the most preferred mode of consumption while puree ranked least (mean = 0.22) as the least preferred mode of consuming African breadfruit. The findings also indicated that the rural household had an indifferent attitude towards the production and consumption of African breadfruit. There was a significant relationship between level of education (r = 0.202), years of formal schooling (r =- 0.165) and cosmopoliteness (r = 0.172) and acceptance of African breadfruit in the study area at p ≤ 0.01. Also, there was a positive and significant relationship between rural households’ attitudes towards the production and consumption of African breadfruit and acceptance of African breadfruit (r = 0.219, p ≤0.01). The study concluded that African breadfruit has the potential to increase the health status of the inhabitants in the study area if well consumed, it can benefit the nation and possibly enhance food security among the Nigerian populace. The study recommended among others that agricultural and rural development stakeholders should help in the organisation of the rural households through training, seminars and so on about the importance of African breadfruit thereby promoting its acceptance.

Nurses' preferences for working in Uber-style ‘Internet plus’ nursing services: A discrete choice experiment

BackgroundChina's ‘Internet Plus’ nursing services, which are Uber-style home care services with an ‘online application, offline service’ approach, have been evolving over the past five years. Registered nurses' preference for these Uber-style Internet Plus nursing services are crucial for improving human resource management and service efficiency, yet research in this area remains scarce. ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore registered nurses' preferences for Uber-style Internet Plus nursing services and provide optimization recommendations from a supply-side perspective. DesignA cross-sectional study utilising a discrete choice experiment. Setting(s)Two public tertiary hospitals located in Tianjin, China, which have implemented Internet Plus nursing services. Participants211 registered nurses who participated in Internet Plus nursing services. MethodsThe survey was conducted anonymously using an online survey platform. Respondents were presented with choices between two alternatives, based on five key attributes: income, safety and security, patient and family cooperation, commute time, and service type. Mixed logit models estimated the stated preferences for attributes. Relative importance scores, willingness-to-pay estimates, and simulations of service-type uptake rates were calculated. Subgroup analysis and seemingly unrelated regression estimation were performed to examine heterogeneity in preferences. ResultsA total of 3202 choice observations were generated. When sorted by the strength of preference, the five attributes related to registered nurses' choice of Uber-style Internet Plus nursing services, measured by their relative importance scores, are as follows: safety and security (30.89 %), income (27.41 %), patient and family cooperation (18.47 %), service type (11.96 %), and commuting time (11.27 %). Elevating safety and security from low to high levels has the same utility as a 31.81 % increase in monthly income, equivalent to 2586.14 yuan. Subgroup analysis showed that senior nurses place more value on safety and security than junior nurses (β = 1.421 vs.β = 0.725; P = 0.011), and unmarried nurses had a stronger preference for family and caregiver cooperation (β = 1.105 vs.β = 0.314; P = 0.023). ConclusionsThe strength and heterogeneity of registered nurses' preferences should be highlighted in the dispatch algorithms model of Uber-style Internet Plus nursing services, thereby enhancing the efficiency and humanity of Uber-style Internet Plus nursing services. Tweetable abstractRegistered nurses prioritise safety and security, acknowledging heterogeneous preferences in Uber-style Internet Plus nursing services.

The tipping point: Financial and emotional costs of care for Medicare patients with cancer.

260 Background: As cancer-related health care expenses are increasing, a greater proportion of treatment costs are shifting directly to the patient, resulting in an increased financial burden for many patients. In addition to growing healthcare costs, the inflationary environment in the US has also increased the costs of daily living expenses. Although the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) encompasses measures for negotiating prices of specific high-cost medications within Medicare Parts B and D, given the expenses associated with cancer treatment IRA negotiation provisions will likely have limited impact on patients’ financial burden. We sought to capture the financial and emotional experiences of Medicare cancer patients about their costs of care prior to the implementation of the IRA. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis used data from a nationwide survey distributed in February 2024 by Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF). Inclusion criteria included a valid email address, age >19, self-reported cancer diagnosis and Medicare coverage. Frequencies were calculated for categorical variables. Additional information about financial challenges will be collected on a subset of cancer survey respondents in May 2024. Results: A total of 331 survey respondents with cancer completed the survey. Most respondents were female (61%), age≥56 (86%), white (73%), retired (59%), married (47%), household income <$48,000 (69%), and rural location (24%). The most common cancer types were multiple myeloma (47%) and breast (26%); 25% were diagnosed < 2 years prior, 87% were receiving cancer treatment and 52% experienced financial challenges prior to diagnosis. Almost half (45%) reported a negative change in their financial situation in the past 12 months; caused by increased living (63%), food (60%), medical care (47%) and medication (39%) costs. Overwhelming/above average financial stress (40%) was reported on the day of the survey; 30% reported spending at least 25% of their monthly income on medical costs; 69% reported financial burden due to their illness. Fifty-nine percent reported that finances impacted their emotional wellbeing. Common coping strategies to alleviate financial distress included positive attitudes, family/friend support and spiritual beliefs. Conclusions: To mitigate the impact of inflation on low-income cancer patients, it is essential for policymakers, healthcare providers, and community organizations to work together to ensure access to affordable healthcare, support services, and financial assistance programs. Additionally, raising awareness about the challenges faced by this vulnerable population and advocating for policies that address their needs can help alleviate some of the burdens imposed by inflation. While the IRA is a step in the right direction, its financial impact on patients appears limited.

Availability Problem of Drinking Water in an Urban Area - Effects of Family Size and Monthly Income: An Empirical Study

The availability of water is a major problem faced by the urban masses and policy makers. Bridging the gap between the demand for and supply of water is a major policy decision confronted by the urban authorities. The ever-increasing urban population and shift in occupational structure results in the increased demand which confronts with lagging supply of water which needs immediate policy attention. The present study is based on the survey of households in urban areas who have piped water connections in their homes. 600 households were selected at random from the total connections available. The data is analysed using the x2 test. The present study aims at examining the relation between size of the family and income of the respondents with that of severity of availability problem of water and comes to the conclusion that severity problem is not connected with the size of the family size but it is connected with the family income of the consumers.

NON-TIMBER FOREST AS AN ALTERNATIVE ECONOMIC SURVIVAL FOR INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY IN TERENGGANU, MALAYSIA: A CASE STUDY OF RATTAN

Rattan holds significant prominence as a non-timber forest product, primarily distributed and extensively traded within the Southeast Asian region. This research aims to examine the role of rattan as non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and to explore the significant economic value of rattan, in providing economic sustenance for the Orang Asli communities. The study is a case study with a mix method approach where 95 Orang Asli respondents from Kampung Sungai Berua, Hulu Terengganu, Malaysia participated. The collected data was analyzed by economic value analysis. The study found that the economic value of rattan is RM34224 per year where the highest monthly income earned by the Orang Asli is RM600 and the lowest is RM70 for each type of rattans. The Orang Asli community rely on rattan for a variety of purposes, which include selling them as raw materials, or personal use for craftsmanship, cultural practices, and the production of tools and equipment. As such, this study emphasizes the necessity of striking a balance between economic, ecological, and cultural considerations in harnessing the potential of rattan and other NTFPs to support the livelihoods and cultural heritage of Orang Asli communities.

Baseline characteristics of parents enrolled in ACCL20N1CD: Financial distress during treatment for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in the US.

220 Background: Personal costs of childhood cancer can contribute to disparities in health outcomes. The purpose of ACCL20N1CD is to examine trajectories of parental costs and the associated financial distress, cost coping behaviors, and household material hardships (HMH) during treatment for pediatric ALL. Objective is to report baseline characteristics of the parents and their households. Methods: The study used a prospective cohort design with repeated measures. Setting was Children’s Oncology Group (COG) practices at National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) institutions. Parents who use English or Spanish, and have children newly diagnosed with ALL treated at COG NCORP practices were eligible. Parents were asked to complete surveys at 3 time points, including baseline (T1; during induction and <7 days after planned induction remission evaluation). Surveys included items about (a) parent socio‐economic status, financial distress measured by 8-item Personal Wellness Scale (PFWS), and cost coping behaviors, and (b) HMH. Factors related to high PFWS scores were evaluated by logistic regression. Results: Of 104 evaluable parents, most were female (83.7%), white (65.4%), non-Hispanic (48.1%), partnered (79.8%), > high school diploma (93.3%), used English (84.6%), worked full (48.1%) or part (5.8%) time, and paid for their child’s care with public insurance (57.7%). Median household income=$50,000 (Inter-Quartile Range/IQR 20,000-100,000) for 4 (IQR 4-5) people. Not including wages lost due to caregiving, out of pocket payments for medical care + other ALL-related costs in the prior month >15% of monthly income for 51.9% of households, which is considered financially catastrophic. 24.0% of households lacked food stability; 21% had housing insecurity. Conclusions: At baseline, sizeable proportions of parents exhibit high out of pocket costs, high financial distress level, and multiple cost coping behaviors with implications for future health and individual and household quality of life.

Study of Smoking Habit in Healthcare Workers in Police Academy Hospital

Abstract Introduction The act of smoking involves burning a substance and tasting or inhaling the smoke. More than 5 million fatalities worldwide each year are related to tobacco usage. Prevalence of tobacco use in healthcare workers (HCW) is influenced by country income level, occupation, and sex that enlightened us that this group of people uses tobacco is seriously unnoticeable area. Aim Aim of this work is to study the smoking habit among 110 male healthcare workers in police Academy hospital and their trend to quit. Patients and Methods Every participant in this study was subjected to full history taking, clinical examination, smoking questionnaire and chest X-ray for patients with respiratory symptoms. Results Starting smoking is at age ranging from 14 to 40 years with mean of 20.97 years. Age of participants ranged from 19 to 55 years with mean of 30.92 years All studied participants were current cigarette smokers. On asking participants about how they accept being smokers, 46.4% of them saw that smoking is acceptable. All participants agreed with discouraged picture on packs. There is statistically non-significant relation between previous attempts for smoking and either level of craving, smoking if ill or cannot stop smoking despite severe illness. Conclusion Healthcare professionals at Police Academy Hospital frequently smoke cigarettes, and this habit often develops at a young age mostly as a result of social influence. Health issues and financial concerns were the main factors that prompted them to try quitting, as the majority of them spend a sizeable portion of their monthly income on cigarette

Electronic cigarette use and consumption patterns in medical university students.

A major public health hazard is youth e-cigarette use. Although new, e-cigarette health hazards are becoming well-known in the literature. E-cigarette sale restrictions and laws differ globally. In this cross-sectional study, we studied medical university students' tobacco and e-cigarette use and characteristics in a country where sales and import of e-cigarettes are banned. The primary objective is to determine the prevalence of electronic cigarette use and understand consumption patterns among medical faculty students in this setting. The questionnaire was sent using a web-based student information system. Sociodemographic features, tobacco and e-cigarette use, consumption patterns, and e-cigarette risk perceptions were covered in 54 questions. The study comprised 1,054 students (48.7% male) aged 21.5 ± 2.6 years who completed the questionnaire. 37.7%, 20.9% and 23.6% have smoked cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or water pipes. Current cigarette smokers were 17.0%, e-cigarette users 4.0%, and water pipe smokers 4.5%. E-cigarette users were 52.3% dual smokers. The most common symptoms reported by e-cigarette users were cough (58.4%) and dyspnea (54.2%). Multivariable models showed that the male sex, greater monthly income, and a current smoker friend were independent risk factors for e-cigarette ever use, while the male sex, paternal current smoking, and close friends' current smoking status were risk factors for dual use among medical trainees. Many medical students who used electronic cigarettes underestimated nicotine's health hazards and harmful chemicals in e-cigarettes. Despite e-cigarette sales being prohibited in our country, 56.4% and 25.4% of e-cigarette users provided e-cigarettes from tobacco shops and through online sales, respectively. Medical university students use tobacco most often by smoking cigarettes. Despite medical university students being aware of the health hazards of e-cigarettes, the current use of electronic cigarettes is 4.0%. Male sex, greater monthly income, and having current smoker friends are independent risk factors for e-cigarette use, while paternal smoking is a risk factor for dual use among medical trainees. Although in the country, sales of e-cigarettes are banned, ever-use rates for e-cigarettes were remarkably high at 20.9%, and the ease of accessing e-cigarettes was striking.

An assessment of perceived patient satisfaction and glycaemic control pattern among adult diabetics attending a tertiary care clinic in north central Nigeria

Background: Patient satisfaction as one of the indicators of patient centered care, has taken a central point in the management of chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus. Aim/objectives: This study aimed to assess perceived patient satisfaction and glycaemic control among adult diabetics attending the General Out-Patient Clinic. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between September 2021 and November 2021 involving 134 adult diabetic patients selected by systematic random sampling. Data was collected by interviewer administered questionnaire. Height, weight, blood pressure measurements and fasting blood glucose assay were done. Data was analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Analysis was done at the 5% level of significance with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: A larger population (81) of the participants were females representing 60.4%. The mean age of the patients was 51.82 ± 12.19 years. The level of perceived patient satisfaction and glycaemic control were 88% and 37.3% respectively. Blood pressure status was the only independent predictor for patient satisfaction. Ethnicity, level of education, occupation and average monthly income showed statistically significant relationship with glycaemic control. Furthermore, comorbidity, perceived patient satisfaction, medication adherence, BMI and blood pressure status also showed statistically significant association with glycaemic control. Conclusion: Less than 40% of participants achieved good glycaemic control despite high level of perceived patient satisfaction (88%) in this study.

성인기 지체장애인의 생활체육 참여 정도가 주관적 건강 인식 및 행복감에 미치는 영향

The purpose of this study is to analyze the relative influence of the degree of participation in daily sports on the subjective health perception and happiness of adults with physical disabilities who exercise regularly. For the study, data from 1,783 adults with physical disabilities who responded that they exercised regularly in the past year were extracted from the raw data of the nation-wide 2023 Physical Education Survey for the Disabled and conducted a secondary analysis. The main results of the study are as follows. same. First, 71.3% of adults with physical disabilities who exercise regularly exercised more than 3 times a week, 46.4% exercised ‘30 minutes to less than 1 hour’ per time, 49.6% exercised at low intensity, and 48.0% did moderate intensity exercise. It was found that it does. Second, the subjective health perception of adults with physical disabilities who exercise regularly was 3.25 points on average, equivalent to 65 points out of 100, and the average happiness index was 3.33 points, equivalent to 66.6 points out of 100. Gender, lifetime There were significant differences depending on the cycle, degree of disability, marital status, employment status, and average monthly income. Third, the number, exercise time, and intensity of exercise among adults with physical disabilities who exercise regularly were found to have a positive effect on subjective health perception, and the number of exercise and exercise time were found to have a positive effect on happiness. Exercise intensity appeared to have no effect on happiness.

Metabolic syndrome clustering patterns and the association with cardiovascular disease among post-menopausal Korean women

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of diseases conceptualized as a clustering of risk factors, with the risks of developing MetS in women varying significantly before and after menopause. This study investigated MetS clustering patterns and their association with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among post-menopausal women (n = 2479) using data from the Korean Genome Epidemiology Study. Using latent class analysis, three groups emerged: diabetic (5.6%), hypertensive (35.2%), and low-risk (59.2%). Relative to the low-risk group, the diabetic group demonstrated associations with older age, a family history of chronic disease, an increased Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), an elevated white blood cell (WBC) count, experience with hysterectomy, being a non-drinker, more physical activity, and excessive sleep. The hypertensive group was associated with older age, lower monthly income, a family history of chronic disease, increased HOMA-IR, a higher WBC count, more physical activity, and excessive sleep. The diabetic and hypertensive groups had a significantly higher CVD risk than the low-risk group (diabetic: odds ratio [OR] = 2.41 [1.11, 5.27]; hypertensive: OR = 2.46 [1.33, 4.55]). This study identified potential markers for MetS screening in post-menopausal women, highlighting the need for early intervention and personalized healthcare for middle-aged women to reduce CVD risk following menopause.

Service Quality Perceived by Athletes: The Case of Local Government Youth Centre

Meeting the needs in social life is given to local governments by the state. Local governments are responsible for meeting the social needs of individuals. Today, youth center areas are built by local governments to meet the social needs of young people and to create social areas. These are areas opened by local governments to protect the mental and physical health of all young people, to provide socio -cultural support, to contribute to the education of young people in line with their interests and to develop their skills. Athletes mostly use these areas for their physical development. These explanations and expressions, in our research, athletes local administrations youth in the centers perceived service of the quality examination is intended. In our research, we used a 10-question personal information forum (Gender, Educational Status, Branch, Monthly Income Status, Age, Your Mother's Educational Status, Your Father's Educational Status, Your Mother's Profession, Your Father's Profession) created by the researchers. The "Perceived Service Quality Scale in Youth Centers" , whose validity and reliability study was conducted by Polat et al. (2013), consisting of 23 items and a 5-point Likert type consisting of three sub-dimensions ( Physical Environment Quality , Interaction Quality, Output Quality ) , was used. The sample of the research consists of 349 (n=145 Female, n=204 Male) volunteer athletes who are actively involved in three different sports branches (n=177 Athletics, n=116 Table Tennis, n=116 Cycling). The data of the research, which was designed as an analytical cross-sectional type, was collected face to face after receiving approval from the Siirt University Social Sciences and Humanities Research Ethics Committee. The data obtained in the research were evaluated in the SPSS 25.0 package program. As a result of the normality analysis of the scale, it was seen that the significance values were greater than 0.05 and it was decided to use non-parametric analyzes in the analysis. In our research, Kruskal Wallis H Test and Man Witney U Test were applied. In the statistical analysis, there was a statistically significant difference in the variables of gender, education level, monthly income level, your mother's education level, your father's education level and the sub-dimensions of the perceived service quality scale in youth centers and the scale general scores. It was observed that there was no statistical difference in the sub-dimensions of the scale of perceived service quality in youth centers and the overall scores of the scale with the variables of profession, your father's profession. As a results;In line with the findings obtained in our research, athletes local administrations youth in the centers perceived service of the quality mom and father education status , gender , education status , monthly income status with statistical aspect difference it shows detection has been made .

Role of physical activity for glycemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: Lifestyle modification and physical activity are very important parts of diabetes management. Regular physical activity has been shown to improve glycemic control through increased insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. The aims of this study were to assess the glycemic level and pattern of physical activity among type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out from July 2022 to October 2022 among 305 purposively recruited diabetic patients who came to receive care at the outpatient department of a teaching hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to describe socio-demographic information. Physical activity was assessed using the validated version of international physical activity questionnaire short form/ global physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ/GPAQ). Glycemic control was measured by HbA1C report done within 120 days of the interview. Blood pressure and body mass index were also measured at the time of inclusion. The physical activity level was categorized according to IPAQ scoring protocol as high level, moderate level and low level. Chi square test was carried out to determine the association of physical activity with type-2 DM, body mass index, glycemic and blood pressure control. Statistical significance was defined as p<0.05. Results: Among the participants only 0.3% had high level of physical activity. Moderate level of physical activity was found among 32.8% and low level of physical activity has been found among 66.9%. Among the participants 92.1% spent their time sitting during the weekdays while the time spent at home, at work, while doing course or class and during leisure activities. Among them 21% had the maximum 10 hours sitting time during the last week. The study showed that the persons who spent walking on at least 7 days has negative correlation with blood glycemic level and among them who spent time on sitting has positive correlation with blood glycemic level. Nearly two thirds of the respondents were female. The mean age was 53.09 ± 12.15 years. Majority of the participants were from urban area (69.83%) and the rest are from rural (21.31%) and sub urban (8.2%) area. There was no significant relation of level physical activity with any sociodemographic factors except monthly income, which showed low monthly income was associated with higher level of physical activity. Conclusion: The findings of our study focus on developing more awareness and providing facilities for physical activity to achieve the glycemic goal. BIRDEM Med J 2024; 14(3): 143-150

Quality of life and associated factors among primary caregivers of children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders attending public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

Neurodevelopmental disorders are a set of disorders that negatively affect the acquisition of skills in a variety of developmental domains, including motor function, learning, socialization, language and cognition. However, there is no information available on the standard of living of Ethiopian primary caregivers of children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the quality of life (QOL) and associated factors among primary caregivers of children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted during 1-30 May 2022. Systematic random sampling was used to obtain 352 samples. QOL was measured using the WHO Quality of Life Brief. The gathered information was coded, entered into EpiData 4.6.0.2 and analyzed with SPSS version 26. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify the correlates of QOL and the strength of the correlation was measured by β coefficient with 95% CI. The mean score of the overall QOL was 62.61 with a SD of 5.17. The mean (±SD) scores for the physical health, psychological, environmental and social relationship domains of primary caregivers were 57.36±9.98, 66.98±9.39, 66.06±12.91 and 60.02±9.14, respectively. Age was significantly associated with physical domain (β=-0.25, 95% CI -0.43 to -0.07) and with environmental domain (β=-4.57, 95% CI -9.06 to -0.09). Being divorced/widowed was negatively associated with psychological health (β=-2.99, 95% CI -5.82 to -0.17) and social health (β=-0.62, 95% CI -1.33 to -0.10). The presence of medical illness was negatively associated with the physical health domain (β=-4.32, 95% CI -7.64 to -2.91) and the environmental domain (β=-3.11, 95% CI -5.71 to -0.51). Poor social support was negatively associated with psychological health (β=-3.25, 95% CI -5.89 to -0.61) and the social health domain (β=-3.39, 95% CI -11.3 to 4.6), and moderate social support (β=8.62, 95% CI 3.15 to 14.09) was positively associated with physical health. Depression (β=-6.32, 95% CI -11.96 to -0.67) and anxiety (β =-3.07, 95% CI -5.80 to -0.34) were negatively associated with physical health and the psychological health domain, respectively. The findings from this study indicate that all dimensions of QOL of primary caregivers of children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders in this study setting were compromised. Being divorced or widowed, lack of formal education, age, average monthly income, poor social support, depression, anxiety and the presence of medical illness were factors associated with QOL in all domains. This requires integrating a bio-psychosocial perspective, a positive mental health strategy and pharmaceutical therapies to enhance QOL for caregivers of children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Household Waste Segregation in a Ward of a Budhanilkantha Municipality, Kathmandu, Nepal

The process of urbanization, which is perceived as a sign of progress, results increased number of households and their increased consumption of goods and services. This increases the volume of daily household waste which if not properly managed, can lead to various diseases and epidemics. Segregation of household waste into biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes can make household waste management easier as the biodegradable waste whose proportion is more than 60 % of the daily household waste, can be managed at household or local level. Similarly, a large proportion of non-biodegradable waste can be recycled. This would remove great burden faced by the distant landfill sites where urban wastes are disposed on a regular basis. A study done in a ward of Budhanilkantha Municipality, an urban municipality of Kathmandu valley, which involved 592 households showed that 65% of the total households practiced waste segregation. However, the practice of household waste segregation was not significantly associated with different levels of education status or the monthly income of the family. It was also not significantly associated with the presence of open area around the house.

How does family resilience develop among stroke survivors and their caregivers? A mixed-method study using a chain mediating model

BackgroundWalsh's family resilience theory indicated that families could foster resilient outcomes among their members when they are facing changes or crises. However, little is known about family resilience among Chinese stroke survivors and their caregivers. ObjectivesTo explore the direct and indirect relationships between the family resilience of stroke survivors, perceived social support, self-perceived burden, self-efficacy, and the burden on their principal caregivers, and to examine the journey of adapting to family resilience among stroke survivors. DesignAn explanatory sequential mixed-method study. MethodsA quantitative assessment of perceived social support, self-perceived burden, self-efficacy, and family resilience was conducted among a cohort of stroke survivors. For a deeper understanding of the family resilience formation process, semi-structured, in-depth interviews were undertaken with a purposefully selected subset of participants, consisting of 15 stroke survivors and their principal caregivers who met the study criteria. Data analysis encompassed descriptive statistics, mediation models, and content analysis to integrate and interpret both quantitative and qualitative data. ResultsIn a comprehensive hospital in Guangdong Province, China, 379 participants—229 men (60.4%) and 150 women (39.6%)—completed a cross-sectional questionnaire survey. The quantitative phase revealed significant statistical differences (p < 0.05) in total family resilience scores among stroke survivors related to various factors, such as age, marital status, educational level, occupational status, average monthly income per capita, first-time onset, and types of stroke. Self-perceived burden and self-efficacy partially mediate the relationship between perceived social support and family resilience, contributing to a sequential chain-mediated effect. During the qualitative phase, in-depth interviews revealed a progressive trajectory from the initial shock of diagnosis through the ongoing presence of stress and challenges to the ultimate development of family resilience and an adaptive perspective toward the future. ConclusionsExploring the factors influencing family resilience in stroke survivors could assist healthcare professionals developing interventions to enhance family resilience and lessen the burden on principal caregivers from individual, family, and social perspectives.

Correlation between Vegetable and Fruit Intake and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study in Chongqing, China.

To explore the correlation between different types of vegetable and fruit intake and cognitive function among the older adults in Chongqing, China, and to provide a scientific basis for developing efficient lifestyle interventions for the prevention of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Approximately 728 older adults in urban and rural areas of Chongqing were surveyed using face-to-face questionnaires. Cognitive function was assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic (MoCA-B) scale, and the vegetable and fruit intake groups were investigated with the Simple Food Frequency Counting Survey Scale. Binary logistic regression was used to explore the effect of the vegetable and fruit intake group on cognitive function. Subgroup analysis was used to demonstrate the robustness of the results. Of the 728 participants in the study, 36.40% were likely to have MCI, which is higher than the national average for this condition. After adjusting for confounders, compared to the Q1 group, fruit and root vegetable intake was a protective factor for MCI, showing a dose-response relationship (p < 0.05). Only lower intake (Q2) of total vegetables, medium intake (Q2, Q3) of solanaceous vegetables, and medium-high intake (Q2, Q4) of fungi and algae was protective against MCI, whereas the leafy vegetables showed no relation to MCI. Apart from this, participants who were older, female, unmarried, non-smoking, and engaged in physical labor, and who had an average monthly income of less than 3000 RMB were more likely to suffer from cognitive impairment. This suggested that the fruit-intake groups and some vegetable-intake groups showed a protective effect on cognitive function, and might behave differently depending on their different intake and demographic characteristics. A sensible, healthy diet can help prevent MCI.

Drivers of variation in fuel choice for cooking: From the selected towns of North Shoa, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

This study aimed to examine household fuel choice behaviour and drivers of variation in fuel choice for cooking. It utilizes descriptive statistics, ordered logit model and generalized ordered logit model to analyze the influence of independent variables upon dependent variables. The result shows that, mixed fuels are the dominant sources of energy with 43.75 % followed by unclean fuel with 33.25 % and then clean fuel with 23 %. This confirms ‘households’ Fuel-Stacking behaviour. The result of the ordered logit model suggest that variables like family size, per monthly income, the gender of household head, household ownership of electric meter, ownership of housing unit, marital status, age, occupation, educational levels of household heads, and the number of the adult females are statistically significant at 1 %, 5 %, and 10 % while, place of residence and occupation (self-non agriculture) are statistically insignificant to determine fuel choice. Identifying the fuels which are chosen by households should serve as a guide for government and policymakers in the formulation and implementation of policies and strategies that will guarantee optimal access to clean energy sources. Therefore, the government should improve the supply and distribution of electric meters by subsidizing them.

Factors Affecting Students Dropout as Perceived by the Senior High School Students of MSU Marawi City. A Basis for a Proposed Guidance and Counseling Intervention Program and School Community Partnership

This study aimed to determine the Factors affecting Students Dropout as Perceived by the Senior High School Students of MSU Marawi City. A Basis for a Proposed Guidance and Counseling Intervention Program and School Community Partnership. This study undertaken to highlight the answers of the following questions. First, what is the profile of the respondents in terms of Age, Gender, Civil Status, Religion, Affiliation, Ethnicity, Scholarship, Number of Siblings, Siblings Rank. The Father’s Educational Attainment, Father Occupations, Mothers Educational Attainment, Mother’s Occupation and Family Monthly Income. Second, what are the causes and factors affecting drop out in school among the graduating students of Senior High School of MSU Marawi City in relation to the following, Family Related factors, Peers Related Factors, School Related Factors Personal Problems Related Factors, Peace and Order and Ridu. Third, what is school community partnership and intervention program may be formulated based on the findings of the study. This study was conducted in MSU Marawi City Senior High School where three hundred forty-one students served as the respondents. A descriptive design was used in this study. SelfConstructed questionnaire was the main instrument used to gather data for this study. After administering, recording, tabulating and interpreting the data gathered the following finding were drawn: Many (41.64%) of the respondents were between 18 to 20 years of age, (56.89%) of the respondents were female, Majority (64.81%) of them belong to Islam religion. Majority (57.77%) were Meranao. Therefore, Senior High School of MSU Marawi City has an age of brackets of 18 to 20 years old, a female, with a religious affiliation of Islam, a Meranao, and ESC Grantees status, with 6 or more siblings, probably 3rd or 5th in rank, where father’s and mother’s Educational Attainment is college graduate both working in government office with a monthly income of above P 15, 000.00 The researcher observed that the factors related to students dropout was Ridu (3.11%) and peace and order ( 2.77%) family (2.76%) personal( 2.73%) peer ( 2.73%) and School (2.72) were sometime related to students’ dropout in school. As such, there is no one causes and factor that could contribute to dropouts of the students. Studies yielded that no single factor can completely account for student’s performance and decision to continue in school until they finish their senior high school. Just as a student they report a variety of reasons for not pursuing their academic. The decision to drop out is not simply a result of what happens in school. Clearly student’s behavior and performance in school influences their decision to stay or leave, but students’ activities and behaviors outside of school particularly engaging in deviant behavior also influences their determination to pursue their academic. Thus, this study is primarily recommended to the school heads, curriculum makers, guidance counselor, parents, community, teachers, students and to the future researchers to really assess, properly monitor the students’ performance will help them focus their studies and pursue to graduate. The benefits of this study greatly help in motivating the students to stay in school and graduate. Planning and decision making should consider the background knowledge, and culture of the students prior to his needs.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices related to AIDS amongst transgender women in Chongqing, China: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundTransgender women (TGWs) constitute one of the key populations for HIV prevention and control and constitute a high-risk group due to a lack of health services. The aim of this study was to investigate knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) related to HIV and knowledge access and needs amongst transgender women in Chongqing, China.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2022 to March 2023. A total of 128 self-identified TGWs were recruited in Chongqing, China, via snowball sampling, and a KAP-related questionnaire was completed via Questionnaire Star.ResultsFor the 128 TGWs surveyed effectively, the total knowledge of AIDS-related knowledge was 82.03%, with significant differences in age, education level, marital status, occupation and average monthly income (p < 0.05). Significant differences were obtained in terms of personal attitudes toward AIDS and place of domicile and literacy (p < 0.05) and subjective norms in terms of literacy (p < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of HIV-related practices. The corresponding values were assigned to knowledge, attitudes or practices. The total scores of the three aspects were 6.77 ± 1.47 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.89–9.65) (range: 0–8), 14.22 ± 2.37 (95% CI: 9.57–18.87) (range: 0–18) and 6.66 ± 1.79 (95% CI: 3.16–10.17) (range: 0–9), respectively. The main approaches for TGWs to acquire AIDS knowledge are ‘Internet/smartphone’ (81.68%), ‘TV/radio’ (49.62%) and ‘special education on AIDS prevention in schools’ (48.09%). TGW is more inclined to accept promotional activities such as ‘WeChat push’ (58.02%), ‘peer education’ (44.27%) and ‘mobile app management’ (37.40%). AIDS knowledge indicates that TGW needs to strengthen publicity, including ‘transmission routes’ (71.76%), ‘voluntary counselling and testing knowledge’ (67.94%) and ‘virus-related knowledge’ (64.89%).ConclusionsFirst, the knowledge rate of AIDS amongst TGWs in Chongqing, China, still has room for improvement, and there is a gap between knowledge and behavior. Second, TGWs are tolerant of AIDS and people living with AIDS and have a strong awareness of AIDS prevention. Third, the health department should attach importance to the group of TGW over 35 years old, low-income, and low-educated, and promote social organizations and network platforms to further strengthen the health education and publicity of AIDS from the perspectives of knowledge acquisition and needs.