Occupational Level Research Articles

Education and women in high-skill occupations in India

Purpose This paper aims to examine women’s likelihood of being employed in a high-skill occupation compared to men in India. It also analyses the impact of education on women’s likelihood of entering a high-skill occupation. Design/methodology/approach This study uses data from Periodic Labour Force Survey 2018–19. National Classification of Occupations 2004 is used to classify the occupations in three categories, i.e. high-skill, medium-skill and low-skill. The paper uses ordered probit with Heckman’s sample selection method to estimate the impact of gender identity and education on women’s likelihood of entering high-skill occupations. Findings The results show that female workers are more likely to be employed in high-skill occupations than male workers. Formal years of schooling and technical education further improve women’s probability of working in high-skill occupations compared to men. However, an increase in monthly per capita expenditure of the households improves men’s chances of being employed in high-skill occupations in comparison to women. It suggests that gender norms are still relevant. Originality/value Studies have found occupational segregation in India with a large share of women being employed in low-wage work. This study examines the issue by focusing on the skill level of occupations. It found that women have a higher likelihood of entering high-skill occupations in India and education is playing an important role in it.

Spatial analyses of archaeobotanical record reveal site uses and activities at Early to Middle Holocene Takarkori (Libya, Central Sahara).

This study investigates botanical remains from the Takarkori site in the Tadrart Acacus region (SW Libya) to reconstruct socio-economic and cultural characteristics of human groups during the Holocene. By analyzing micro- and macrofossils of plant origin, we aim to understand the availability and management of environmental resources and how plant taxa were used by humans. The exceptional preservation of archaeobotanical material across all occupation levels, facilitated by the region's geomorphological and environmental conditions, provides a unique opportunity to study pre-Pastoral and Pastoral Neolithic activities within a comprehensive diachronic framework. Our research extends previous investigations by examining the spatial distribution of archaeobotanical remains in association with site furniture and material correlates, offering insights into the functional use of space within the site. Also, the features of plant assemblages and their distribution patterns indicate the planning in the use of plant resources and the diverse uses beyond subsistence, including ritual and cultural practices. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of Holocene environmental and cultural dynamics, highlighting the importance of archaeobotanical data in archaeological research.

Toxicokinetic model of the pyrethroid pesticide lambda-cyhalothrin, main exposure route and dose reconstruction predictions in agricultural workers.

A toxicokinetic model of the pyrethroid insecticide lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT) was developed to relate absorbed doses to urinary cis-3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-en-1-yl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid (CFMP) metabolite levels used as a biomarker of exposure. The model then served to reconstruct absorbed doses in agricultural workers and their probability of exceeding the EFSA Acceptable occupational Exposure Level (AOEL). The toxicokinetic model was able to reproduce the temporal profiles of CFMP in the urine of operators spraying pesticides using the optimized model parameters (adjusted to human volunteer data). Modeling also showed that simulation of an inadvertent oral exposure mainly was the exposure scenario giving the best fit to CFMP urinary time-course data in applicators. With the dermal model parameters optimized from data in volunteers, simulation of a dermal exposure in applicators did not allow to reproduce the observed peak excretions and urinary metabolite levels; extremely high applied dermal doses would be required but still simulated dermal penetration rate would remain too slow. Simulation of an inhalation exposure allowed to reproduce the observed time-courses, but with unrealistic air concentrations. For applicators with the highest urinary concentrations, there was a probability of exceeding the AOEL at some points during the biomonitoring period [>50% probability of exceeding for 27% of 24-h samples]; for non-applicator workers the probability of exceeding the AOEL value was very low [corresponding value of 5%]. Furthermore, the median [95% CI] estimates of 10 000 Monte Carlo simulations led to a biological reference value corresponding to the AOEL of 116 [113-119] ng/kg bw/d and 7.5 [7.3-7.7] μg/L. Overall, 7% of applicators and 1% of workers performing weeding and strawberry picking had a probability of exceeding this biological reference value. As a next step, it would be interesting to apply these methods to multiple exposure to various contaminants.

How Recreational Therapists with a Disability Perceive Their Current Workplace: Perception of Climate of Inclusion, Self-Advocacy, and Occupational Self-Efficacy

High perceived levels of climate of inclusion, occupation-al self-efficacy, and self-advocacy skills in employees are beneficial to employers. Yet, it is unclear how recreational therapists with disabilities perceive their workplace's cli-mate of inclusion as well as their own self-advocacy skills and occupational self-efficacy. Therefore, the purpose of this study was two-fold: (a) to investigate the extent to which Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRSs) with a disabling condition perceive climate of inclusion, self-advocacy, and occupational self-advocacy in their current workplace; and (b) to explore if there are associations between climate of inclusion, self-advocacy, and occupational self-efficacy in the workplace. A con-venience sample of 77 CTRSs who identified as having a disability participated in this study. Results indicated that participants were neutral regarding the climate of inclusion at their current workplaces, are confident with their self-advocacy skills at work, and perceive their occupational self-efficacy levels to be fairly high. There are also positive associations between the three concepts of climate of inclusion, self-advocacy, and occupational self-efficacy. Future research is needed to better understand the neu-trality recreational therapists with disabilities perceive of their workplace as well as to conduct more robust studies.

Dietary Patterns Associated with Body-Composition Phenotype in a Middle-Aged and Elderly Population: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background/Objectives: There is currently limited understanding of the intricate dynamics between fat and muscle mass and the potential effect of dietary patterns. This study aimed to investigate the effects of overall dietary patterns on four body composition phenotypes associated with central obesity and low muscle mass in the middle-aged and elderly population of Korea. Methods: We examined data from 6120 adults aged ≥ 50 years, collected during the 4th (2008–2009) and 5th (2010–2011) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Participants were classified into four groups according to their combined status of central obesity and low muscle mass: healthy control, central obesity, low muscle mass, and sarcopenic obesity. Using factor analysis on the twenty-two pre-defined food groups, we identified three distinct dietary patterns: the “Healthy dietary pattern”, “Convenience-based dietary pattern”, and “Alcohol and side dish pattern”. Multivariate analysis included potential confounders such as age, sex, place of residence, marital status, educational level, occupation, household income, and physical activity level. Results: Higher scores in the “Healthy dietary pattern” were associated with lower odds of sarcopenic obesity (OR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.40–0.92, p for trend = 0.018). For the “Convenience-based dietary pattern”, individuals in the third tertile of the dietary pattern score showed a marginal association with low muscle mass (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 0.99–1.41, p for trend = 0.056). The “Alcohol and side dish pattern” was linked to higher odds of central obesity (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.03–1.44, p for trend = 0.016) and low muscle mass (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.01–1.45, p for trend = 0.043). Conclusions: The drinking practice of consuming foods high in saturated fats and salt alongside alcoholic drinks may negatively affect fat accumulation and muscle composition among older adults. Adopting a healthy eating pattern characterized by grains, vegetables, legumes, fruits, fish, and seaweed could be notably advantageous for promoting and maintaining healthy body composition and optimal skeletal muscle health.

The Impact of Genetic Polymorphisms for Detecting Genotoxicity in Workers Occupationally Exposed to Metals: A Systematic Review.

The present study aims to provide a systematic review of studies on the essential and nonessential metal exposure at occupational level, genotoxicity, and polymorphisms and to answer the following questions: Are genetic polymorphisms involved in metal-induced genotoxicity? In this study, 14 publications were carefully analyzed in this setting. Our results pointed out an association between polymorphism and genotoxicity in individuals exposed to metals, because 13 studies (out of 14) revealed positive relations between genotoxicity and polymorphisms in xenobiotics metabolizing and DNA repair genes. Regarding the quality of these findings, they can be considered reliable, as the vast majority of the studies (12 out of 14) were categorized as strong or moderate in the quality assessment. Taken as a whole, occupational exposure to metals (essentials or not) induces genotoxicity in peripheral blood or oral mucosa cells. Additionally, professional individuals with certain genotypes may present higher or lower DNA damage as well as DNA repair potential, which will certainly impact the level of DNA damage in the occupational environment.

Socio-demographic, psychosocial, and suicidal behavior correlates of stigma among people with physical disabilities in Northwest Ethiopia

BackgroundPeople with physical disability may experience stigma in various ways, including social avoidance, negative attitudes and discrimination. Stigma among people with physical disability can vary based on study participants’ socio-demographic, behavioral and psychosocial factors. Therefore, identifying the socio-demographic, behavioral and psychosocial correlates of stigma is important because the findings of the study can help inform future interventions aimed at reducing stigma among individuals with a physical disability.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the psychosocial, suicidal behavior, and socio-demographic correlates of stigma among people with physical disabilities in the University of Gondar communities, northwest Ethiopia.MethodData collection was conducted among 269 participants who had a physical disability within University of Gondar communities in Northwest Ethiopia. The participants, who included students and employees at the University completed the stigma scale for chronic illness (SSCI-8), which was used to measure stigma. The participants also completed four other questionnaires, including the perceived social support, the Kessler − 10, and the WHODAS. We used independent sample t-tests and ANOVA to examine group differences in stigma, while Pearson correlation analysis identified the correlates of stigma with other continuous variables.ResultThe overall mean stigma score among people with a physical disability was 14.68 with 95% CI (13.98, 15.38). About 90.71% of people with physical disability had stigma. Stigma varied along socio-demographic variables, including marital status (single) with a mean (SD) score of 15.17 ± 5.64, educational level (diploma and above) with a mean (SD) score of 14.99 ± 5.89, and occupational status with a mean (SD) score of 15.54 ± 5.79 (p < 0.001). In addition, stigma varied among participants with suicidal ideation with a mean (SD) score of 16.93 ± 7.43 and attempt (18.74 ± 8.41), levels of psychological distress (severe) with a mean (SD) score of 20.88 ± 6.94 (p < 0.001), low perceived social support with a mean (SD) score of 18.60 ± 7.54 (p < 0.001), and moderate/severe level of functional impairment with a mean (SD) score of 21.76 ± 7.34 (p < 0.001). Moreover, stigma was positively correlated with psychological distress (r = 0.42, p < 0.001) and WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (r = 0.5, p < 0.001). Conversely, it was negatively correlated with perceived social support (r=-0.31, p < 0.001).ConclusionOur findings indicate that stigma is prevalent among people with physical disabilities, with variations observed based on marital status, occupation, and education level. Additionally, stigma showed significant correlations with functional impairment, psychological distress, perceived social support, and health related quality of life. Therefore, addressing stigma, promoting social support and providing appropriate interventions can help improve the psychological well-being and quality of life of individuals with physical disabilities.

The Effect of Adding Agomelatine to Escitalopram in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a psychiatric illness that imposes a high cost on the patient and the community. Over the past few decades, a variety of treatments have been used to treat depression. One of the most common treatments for depression is medication. Today, specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the first line of treatment for major depression. Another drug that has been considered in the treatment of depression is agomelatine.Objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding agomelatine to Escitalopram in treatment of major depressive disorder.Materials and methods. This study was a double-blind randomized clinical trial with before and after designs (b and a). In this study, 70 patients with MDD referred to psychiatric clinics affiliated with Yazd University of Medical Sciences were studied. Patients were randomly divided into two groups of 35 patients (agomelatine + Escitalopram and Escitalopram + placebo) and were treated for 12 weeks. Depression Scale was the Hamilton Depression Inventory and was assessed before treatment, 1, 2, and 3 months after treatment. Variables such as gender, age, marital status, level of education, occupation, and duration of illness were also collected. The data were entered into SPSS version 18 software and analyzed using statistical tests.Results. Of the 70 patients studied, 31 (44.3%) were male and 39 (55.7%) were female. There was not significant difference between gender distribution (p=0.810), marital status(p=0.789), job (p=0.651) and educational level (p=0.794). Also, no significant difference was found between the mean variables: age (p=0.563) and duration of depression (p=0.958). There was a statistically significant difference between the mean score of depression 2 months after treatment (p=0.10) and 3 months after treatment (p=0.023) in the two groups. Also the mean depression score after treatment compared to before, was significantly lower in both groups (p=0.000). Also, no significant difference was found between the frequency of drug side effects in the two groups (p=0.970).Conclusion. Adding agomelatine to Escitalopram is more effective than mood-boosting depression as a result of depression or depressive disorder alone.Future researchers in the field of MDD treatment could consider investigating the long-term effects and comparative efficacy of combining agomelatine with other antidepressants beyond Escitalopram to further enhance treatment outcomes for patients with MDD.

Stem cell treatment for regeneration of the rotator cuff: study protocol for a prospective single-center randomized controlled trial (Lipo-cuff).

Rotator cuff tears (RCT) are a common musculoskeletal condition, especially in the aging population. The prevalence of rotator cuff tears varies based on factors like age, occupation, and activity level. In the general population, the prevalence of rotator cuff tears is estimated to be around 20 to 25%. Rotator cuff tears (RCT) have an impact in patients' pain level, shoulder function, sleep disturbance, and quality of life. Primary tendon surgery is in mostly cases necessary. This study aimed to examine if treatment of rotator cuff lesions with implantation of micro-fragmented adipose tissue can improve patients' reported pain and function compared to conventional surgery. The study is a prospective superiority parallel-group single-center randomized controlled trial including 30 patients between 40 and 69years of age in Denmark. Patients will be allocated 1:1 ratio to reconstruction of the supraspinatus tendon with an injection of micro-fragmented adipose tissue into the related muscle (stem cell treatment) or the standard of care (SOC), which is conventional surgery. Patients, project assistants, physicians, and outcome adjudicators are not blinded to randomization due to practical constraints. The radiologist and the statistician performing the analysis will be blinded. The primary outcome will be the Oxford shoulder score at 12months post-surgery. This study will assess whether adding micro-fragmented adipose tissue therapy to conventional rotator cuff tear treatment can enhance recovery, accelerate return to daily activities, and improve functional outcomes. The research will also determine if this minimally invasive procedure could be standardized for routine patient care. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06505135. Registered on July 10, 2024.

Health care seeking behaviour of patients reporting to a dental health Institution- A cross sectional study

This study aimed to assess the factors influencing healthcare-seeking behaviour among patients presenting to a dental institution. Oral diseases, such as dental caries and periodontal diseases are prevalent global health concerns, particularly in developed countries, whereas oral cancers are more common in developing countries. In India, there is observed lower utilization of dental care services and higher rates of dental problems. This descriptive study involved 220 patients who visited a dental college and hospital in India. Patients were interviewed to gather information on their chief complaint, history of previous treatment for the complaint, and reasons for delaying dental treatment. The study identified several key factors contributing to delays in seeking dental treatment. Negligence was cited by 27.1% of patients, absence of symptoms by 14.5%, and financial constraints by 9%. Gender, occupation, and education level of patients also showed varying impacts on healthcare-seeking behaviour. Negligence, lack of symptom awareness, and financial constraints, particularly in rural and suburban areas were the significant barriers to timely dental treatment among patients in a dental institution in India.

Knowledge of newborns’ mothers on breastfeeding during covid-19, hiv and tuberculosis infection attendee in selected hospitals

Background: Two-thirds of the HIV mothers planned to breastfeed their infants while one-third opted for formula feeding; same as during Tuberculosis or COVID-19 infection. What would be the mother do during breastfeeding? Whether the mother could breastfeed their newborn or not. For that it is necessary to assess the level of knowledge of newborns mother on breastfeeding during COVID-19, HIV and Tuberculosis. Methods: It was a descriptive type of cross sectional study was conducted at Maternal and Child Health Training Institute, Azimpur, Dhaka from 1st January to 31st December 2021. Mother of newborns who are willing to participate were conveniently selected. Around 289 sample was selected. Pre tested semi structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Level of knowledge was measured by knowledge score. Each question of knowledge carries one (01) mark. Each correct answer had 1 mark and incorrect answer had 0 mark. 1-11 score (&lt;60%) was categorized as fair knowledge; 12-15 score (60-79%) was categorized as good knowledge and 16-20% score (80% and above) had very good knowledge. Results: Age and knowledge of whether TB-positive mothers may breastfeed have an association (2=4.488, p = 0.034); age and knowledge of whether HIV-positive mothers can breastfeed have an association (2=9.632, p = 0.002). There is a correlation between occupation and knowledge of whether mothers who have COVID 19 positive status can breastfeed (5.044; p=0.046), as well as a correlation between occupation and knowledge of whether mothers who have TB positive status (9.365; p=0.002). Family income has a correlation with knowledge of whether mothers who are COVID 19 positive, HIV positive, or TB positive can breastfeed (2=17.695, p = 0.0001), COVID 19 positive mothers have a correlation with knowledge of whether they can breastfeed (2=7.511, p = 0.006), and HIV positive mothers have a correlation with knowledge of whether they can breastfeed (2=8.675, p = 0.003). Education level and awareness of whether COVID 19 positive mothers can breastfeed are correlated (2=10.315, p = 0.001), as are knowledge of whether TB positive mothers can breastfeed (2=10.880, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Develop targeted educational programs for mothers based on their demographic characteristics, such as age, occupation, and education level. JOPSOM 2023; 42(1):40-47

Association between cognitive reserve proxies and frailty phenotype: data from UK Biobank.

A potential protective role of cognitive reserve proxies against frailty has been suggested in older adults. We explored the cross-sectional association between cognitive reserve indicators and frailty phenotype. Data were obtained from the UK Biobank. We included 31,975 dementia-free participants aged ≥ 60years (50.7% females, 2.2% frail) who completed a web-based cognitive assessment (fluid intelligence, working memory, visuospatial attention and processing speed, and executive functioning). Frailty was defined according to the Fried's phenotype (unintentional weight loss, exhaustion, low physical activity, slowness, and weakness). Participants meeting three or more criteria were classified as frail. Cognitive performance was compared between nonfrail and frail groups, and regression models were employed to analyze the associations between cognitive reserve proxies (education, skill level of occupation, social support, and multiple deprivation index (MDI)) and the likelihood of frailty. Frail and nonfrail groups significantly differed on cognitive function, with frail individuals demonstrating poorer performance on all cognitive functions (all p < .05) except fluid intelligence. Regression analysis showed that, after adjusting for age and sex, a lower educational level (odds ratio (OR) .797, 95% confidence interval (CI) .673-.944, p = .009), having maintained occupations with low cognitive requirements (OR .790, 95% CI .668-.936, p = .006), having less social support (OR .755, 95% CI .631-.903, p = .002), and living in a region with a high rate of multiple deprivation (OR 1.025, 95% CI 1.019-1.031, p < .001), significantly increased the probability of experiencing frailty. Our findings support the relationship between declined cognitive functions and frailty emphasizing the importance of implementing public health measures to enhance cognitive reserve.

Indoor occupancy monitoring using environmental feature fusion and semi-supervised machine learning models

Smart buildings optimize energy consumption and occupant comfort through Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning, and lighting management. Nevertheless, large venues require data fusion techniques to improve analysis and forecasting. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of using different feature fusion techniques, environmental sensors, and semi-supervised learning to estimate indoor occupancy in a 230 m2 office. Using five Internet of Things devices measuring air temperature, relative humidity, and barometric pressure, data was collected for 99 days with 6800 entries (on average) and only 14% labeled. Eight feature selection methods were evaluated along with three supervised and two semi-supervised classification methods. Results indicate that the Chi-squared-based approach for feature fusion outperformed others. Similarly, the semi-supervised Self-Training model achieved better performance than the supervised methods. This research shows that combining semi-supervised learning and data fusion allows for estimating the occupancy level in large indoor spaces with high accuracy and low labeling costs. Highlights This study pioneers in exploring semi-supervised learning and distinct feature fusion methods for estimating indoor occupancy levels in a 230 m 2 open office using only Internet of Things (IoT) environmental sensors (air temperature, relative humidity, and barometric pressure). A comprehensive comparison of statistical methods, feature selection, and dimensionality reduction techniques are conducted to determine their ability to generate robust feature fusion sets. The feature fusion selected through the Chi-squared test stood out with a high accuracy F1-score (average of 0.95) and an average accuracy of 0.99. The Self-Training model reached the best performance from semi-supervised learning, with an average F1-Score of 0.90 and an average accuracy of 0.97, based on a dataset with a large proportion of unlabelled data (16,847 entries) and only 9367 labels. For supervised learning, Random Forest achieved a high accuracy (average of 0.98) and F1-score (average of 0.93) across various feature sets.

Association of solid fuel use for heating and smoking with respiratory diseases: a prospective cohort study

Objective: To investigate the association between solid fuel use for heating, smoking, and respiratory diseases. Methods: This study is based on the Qingdao project of the China Kadoorie Biobank. After screening, 26 165 individuals were included in the study. We employed Cox proportional hazards regression models, stratified by risk age (in 5-year intervals) and sex while adjusting for confounding variables such as occupation and physical activity level to analyze the association between solid fuel use for heating, smoking, and increased risk of respiratory diseases. Results: Among the 26 165 participants, the average age of those using solid fuel for heating was (52.57±10.31) years, with females constituting 58.04% and former/current smokers accounting for 65.38%. The results indicated that both the solid fuel group and the former/current smoking group had a higher risk of respiratory diseases, with hazard ratios (HR) (95%CI) of 1.21 (1.04-1.41) and 1.41 (1.16-1.71), respectively. For the duration of solid fuel use, the HR (95%CI) for 20 years or more, it was 1.27 (1.07-1.51). The multiplicative interaction term between solid fuel use and smoking was statistically significant. Conclusions: The use of solid fuel for heating and smoking significantly increases the risk of respiratory diseases, and there may be a multiplicative interaction between solid fuel use and smoking.

Chemical Composition of Clay Soil Analysis and Potential Health Risks: Experimental Study in Tshwane District, Gauteng Province

The practise of geophagy is common amongst women of childbearing age from different geographic locations, including South Africa, regardless of their social and economic status such as their level of education, race, marital status, income or occupation. This study aimed to examine the women of childbearing age in Tshwane District, Gauteng Province, South Africa. An experimental study was conducted at the laboratory to examine the chemical composition of clay soil ingested by geophagic women of childbearing age. Thirty-nine clay soil samples were collected from study participants attending antenatal care services and family planning at public healthcare facilities of Tshwane District, Gauteng Province, and subjected to geochemical analysis. The concentrations of vanadium, manganese, chromium, and barium were detected in quantities exceeding 100 mg/kg in almost all samples. Cadmium, mercury and silver were detected in low concentrations below 1 mg/kg in all samples. The practice of geophagy amongst women of childbearing age has been reported to be associated with detrimental health outcomes and risks such as iron deficiency anaemia, constipation, shortness of breath, maternal and childhood mortalities and morbidities, neurological and central nervous system disorder, death, appendicitis, cancers, teratogenic risks, and ulcers. The chemical composition of clay soil eaten by geophagic women of childbearing age contains potentially harmful substances, thus the practise of geophagy is toxic and should be discouraged to protect public health.

Differences in SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence at the end of the pre-vaccination period between age groups: A cross-sectional analysis of the multi-ethnic population-based HELIUS study.

During the first waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence (seroprevalence) was lower in older compared to younger adults. We studied age group differences in SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence, across ethnic groups, and assessed the explanatory value of factors that increase the exposure to the virus, and factors related to susceptibility, given the level of exposure. We analysed cross-sectional data from 2,064 participants from the multi-ethnic HELIUS study (Amsterdam, The Netherlands). SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence at the second wave of infections was compared between age groups (<40, 40-54, and ≥55 years), within ethnic groups, using Poisson regression with robust standard errors. To determine whether age group differences were explained by differences in exposure and in susceptibility, we sequentially adjusted for exposure (job setting, occupation level, health literacy, household size, household member with suspected infection), education level, and susceptibility (vitamin D intake, BMI, systolic blood pressure, haemoglobin level, number of comorbidities). SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence did not statistically differ across age groups (p>0.05), but age patterns varied across ethnic groups. Age group differences in SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence were most pronounced in the Dutch majority group, with the highest prevalence ratio in the youngest group (2.55, 95%CI 0.93-6.97) and the lowest in the oldest group (0.53, 95%CI 0.16-1.74), compared to the middle-aged group. In ethnic minority groups, age group differences were smaller. In all groups, patterns did not substantially change after adjustments for exposure and susceptibility variables. We found no evidence of age group differences in SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence, particularly for ethnic minority groups, even when accounting for exposure and susceptibility. While early prevention strategies particularly aimed at protecting older adults against SARS-CoV-2 infections, seroprevalence was similar across age groups in ethnic minority groups. Thus, older adults in ethnic minority groups may pose a target group for additional prevention strategies for future infectious disease outbreaks.

Analyzing the impact of classroom design factors on acoustic comfort in higher education hybrid learning environments

The vitality of hybrid learning classrooms has escalated due to enabling factors including advancements in technology, the demand for flexible education, and responses to global crises. However, the inadequate preparation for implementing hybrid classrooms raises concerns about students' ability to understand speech due to a lack of attention to the importance of acoustic quality. As a result, this study aims to investigate the impact of classroom design factors, such as ceiling height, occupancy, and spatial layout configuration, on hybrid classroom acoustic performance. The field measurement data acquired from multiple classrooms was utilized for analysis. The impact of design factors on acoustic parameters, which comprise reverberation time (RT), speech transmission index (STI), and speech clarity (C50), was analyzed through simulation using ODEON room acoustic software. The simulation was conducted based on two distinctive categorizations, which were determined by the size of the classrooms. The outcomes revealed that the design factors consisting of ceiling height, occupancy level, and spatial layout arrangements influenced the acoustic performance at various microphones' locations in hybrid learning classrooms. Although the analysis effectively upholds students' learning experience and performance, it is valuable for designers and educational institutions to establish adequate acoustic qualities for hybrid learning environments.

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 &lt; 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.

Evaluating The Implementation of The Newa Concept To Sustain Hotel Occupancy at Sanctoo Suites &amp; Villas

Purpose: This research examines implementing the NEWA concept to maintain occupancy at Sanctoo Suites &amp; Villas. The hotel industry faces significant challenges sustaining occupancy levels due to fluctuating demand and intense competition, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The research originates from the need to enhance occupancy rates, which are critical for the hotel's success. It addresses the problem of fluctuating occupancy rates and aims to develop effective improvement strategies. Research methods: This mixed-method research employs a qualitative approach supplemented by quantitative methods and the Servqual model, conducted over six months. Data collection methods include interviews, surveys, observations, document studies, and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) involving executive management and hotel staff. Results and discussion: The research highlights a unique marketing concept aimed at delivering new extraordinary experiences while maintaining guest satisfaction. It underscores the importance of a comprehensive approach integrating high-quality service and innovative offerings to meet diverse guest needs. This strategy enhances the hotel’s market competitiveness and ensures long-term success. Key components of the implementation include personalized guest experiences, an efficient booking system, and a proactive marketing strategy emphasizing the NEWA (Nature et al. &amp; Adventure) concept. Implication: The findings demonstrate that implementing NEWA can significantly benefit hotel occupancy, providing valuable insights for industry practitioners.

Влияние глубины и интенсивности сезонных колебаний на деятельность гостиниц

Currently, hospitality enterprises are faced with the problem of loading the number of rooms. At the same time, many hotels are faced with seasonal fluctuations in the volume of sales of hotel services. This situation leads to a lack of profit in certain periods, uneven workload on the enterprise and personnel, etc. Different types of hotel enterprises are affected by seasonality to varying degrees. Seasonality is relevant for various hotels, both resort and city. At the same time, each hotel may have its own seasonality: the factors that caused seasonal fluctuations differ. In some cases, these are climatic conditions, in others, event events in the region, focus on serving a certain segment, etc. Thus, the impact of seasonality on hotel operations should not be underestimated. The main problem here lies in the need to forecast the volume of sales of services, taking into account seasonal fluctuations. When assessing the impact of seasonality on sales volumes of hotel services, it is necessary to take into account such parameters as the depth, intensity, and duration of seasonal fluctuations. The object of research in this article is the GRINN hotel complex, located in the city of Orel. The study of seasonal fluctuations for this hotel enterprise is relevant. The work uses a method for determining seasonal fluctuations, which consists in calculating seasonality indices. They were calculated as a percentage of average monthly levels for a number of years to the total average monthly volume of services sold for the entire billing period. For the calculation, reporting data provided by the GRINN Group of Companies for six years (2017-2022) were used. First of all, the attendance of the GRINN Group of Companies was analyzed, as well as load factors. The data obtained made it possible to calculate seasonality indices. On their basis, “seasonal waves” were built. At the same time, a comparison was made between the pre-pandemic period and the pandemic period. Next, we compared the load factor and turnover in the GRINN Group of Companies. During the research, the following results were obtained. The maximum attendance of the hotel complex was noted in 2022 (38,832 people), the maximum average annual occupancy rate was in 2019 (50.3%). The year 2020 was the least successful year for the company, which was due to the coronavirus pandemic. In 2021-2022, a gradual recovery of indicators begins. In general, the following conclusions were drawn. The GRINN Group of Companies is characterized by minor seasonal fluctuations. They are determined by the specifics of this hospitality enterprise. Since the company is focused on serving organized groups and business tourists, attendance is influenced by the business activity of the region, as well as event events. In addition, it was established that there is no close connection between the occupancy level of a hotel and its profitability. It was proven that fewer customers can generate more revenue and vice versa. It was determined that the GRINN Group of Companies has the necessary potential to combat seasonal fluctuations.