Ongoing Economic Crisis Research Articles

Challenges in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 in Ghana: An assessment of the impact of economic crisis on urban household food security

There is an ongoing economic crisis in Ghana which has the potential to strain household finances, alter dietary patterns, and push people into a state of food insecurity. While rural areas have traditionally been the focus of food security research and interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa, there is growing evidence of the challenges faced by urban residents which warrants investigation. This study aims to assess the current status of food security among urban households in Ghana, and examine the impact of the economic crisis on food dietary decisions and food security. This study surveyed 401 random sampling participants in two major urban areas, Accra and Takoradi. The structured questionnaire included the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES), and additional questions on income allocation to food and dietary changes. The results show a significant prevalence of food insecurity among urban households in Ghana, with over half of the respondents experiencing moderate to severe food insecurity. The economic crisis has notably impacted food expenditures, with 81 % of participants reporting changes in their income allocation to food, and 75 % reducing the variety of foods they consume. A substantial portion of respondents now spends between 31 and 50 % of their total income on food which is an indication of the financial burden they face. Ordinal logistic regression identified household income as a critical factor influencing food security, with unemployed and lower-income individuals facing a significantly higher risk. These results emphasize the urgent need for both immediate food assistance, and long-term strategies to strengthen food systems and improve the economic situation to reduce vulnerability. Implementing the recommendations from these findings could contribute towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 in Ghana.

The Level of Perceived Stress and Affecting Factors due to Current Economic Crisis Among Undergraduates in Faculty of Health-Care Sciences, Eastern University Sri Lanka

Abstract In 2021, the Sri Lankan government officially declared the worst economic crisis in the country. The ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka has been affecting the whole sector of the country. The undergraduate students who stayed in hostels had to suffer a lot due to restrictions of family income. The parents face difficulties in affording all expenses required by their children as university students. As a result, students had to cut down their daily expenditures. Due to this crisis, the students had to be affected by various levels of stress leading to disruptions in both physical and mental health. It also caused poor academic performance. Some students had to quit their studies. Stress is an emotional feeling affecting all ages and it appears at any time of the life cycle. The purpose of this study was to identify the level of perceived stress and affecting factors due to the current economic crisis among undergraduates in the Faculty of Health-Care Sciences (FHCS), Eastern University Sri Lanka (EUSL). A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using a self-administered online questionnaire to gather information and a complete enumeration was done. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) instrument was used to assess the severity of the undergraduate perceived level of stress-related current economic crisis. Demographic variables and affecting factors due to the current economic crisis were considered. The overall mean stress score in the study population was 22.91(SD=5.386). The majority of undergraduates reported moderate stress 70.8% (N=240). A multiple linear regression analysis was applied, Pearson correlation was used, and all necessary tests were performed. There was a statistically significant, positive correlation between the level of perceived stress and their family income per month (p=0.000). The contributing factors correlated with perceived stress were unable to enjoy meeting people, unable to frequently visit home, unable to take meals from outside and instead of cooking, trying to save extra expenditure money, unable to frequent shopping for dresses, cosmetics, jewelry. The level of perceived stress reported by the majority of the students was moderate. Mainly their family income per month contributed to stress among them. Policymakers and the university administration have to consider more about the stress levels of the students and plan suitable programs like scholarships to manage stress.

PERAN PROFITABILITAS DALAM MEMODERASI PENGARUH FIRM SIZE DAN LEVERAGE TERHADAP NILAI PERUSAHAAN PADA PERUSAHAAN TRANSPORTASI DAN LOGISTIK YANG TERDAFTAR DI BURSA EFEK INDONESIA TAHUN 2019-2022

Indonesia has entered the era of the industrial revolution 4.0 which is clearly visible with an increase in connectivity, interactivity, and boundaries between humans, machines, and resources on information technology and other communications. Judging from the current business world on the aspect of competition, the Indonesian economy is increasingly experiencing major developments. The transportation and logistics sector has an important role in people's lives driven by the increasing needs of the community for mobility and transportation of goods to all regions. Despite the ongoing economic crisis, transportation services will continue to operate smoothly because people will continue to use them to send goods from producers to consumers, regardless of the conditions in which they work. The purpose of this study was to analyze and test the role of Profitability in Moderating the effect of Firm size and Leverage on Firm value. The population in this study were transportation and logistics companies with 37 companies listed consecutively on the Indonesia Stock Exchange during 2019-2022. The sampling technique was determined by purposive sampling. Data analysis and hypothesis testing using Structural Equation Analysis - Partial Least Square (PLS-SEM). The results of research hypothesis testing using the Smart PLS 3.0 application, show that Firm size has a significant negative effect on firm value, Leverage has a significant positive effect on firm value, Profitability does not significantly moderate the effect of Firm size on firm value, Profitability does not significantly moderate the effect of Leverage on firm value.

Aspirations versus adaptive achievements in the face of climate change in Sri Lanka

This research explores the linkages between threat perception and adaptive behaviour in the face of climate change in Galle, Sri Lanka. We use an analytical framework to analyse the complexity of aspiration versus adaptive practices, centring around the synthesis of threat perception, vulnerability, adaptive capacity and livelihood resilience. Our findings reveal that individual threat perception incentivises climate adaptation strategies, bolstering livelihood resilience. However, unfavourable societal circumstances affecting the participants significantly impede the implementation of these resilience strategies. In addition to a knowledge gap and lack of climate change awareness in popular discourse, we observe a conspicuous discrepancy between individual aspirations and adaptive capacity with the ongoing economic crisis and the need for governmental climate legislation at the time of research. This research, therefore, emphasises a nuanced approach to researching climate change adaptation, considering the gravity of societal circumstances that delimit how individuals can engage in livelihood resilience strategies.

Impact of job satisfaction on teacher well-being and education quality

The occupational well-being of teachers and their job satisfaction are interconnected, both influencing teacher performance and student well-being. After several years of ongoing economic and financial crises, this cross-sectional descriptive study highlighted several factors that impact the quality of education in relation to these concepts. To achieve this, a scale created through principal component analysis was distributed online. The responses of 297 school teachers, from both the public and private sectors were subjected to analysis using descriptive and logistic regression tests. The findings revealed a strong sense of self-efficacy among teachers, indicating their dedication to providing quality instruction to students on the one hand and helping them overcome challenges on the other. Additionally, the factor of income and financial security emerged as the primary concern for teachers, with approximately 80% of respondents expressing this sentiment. Similarly, collegiality, working conditions, and attitudes towards teaching itself were also sources of concern.

Vulnerability and Resilience of Slovak Municipalities in the Era of Austerity

Abstract The consequences of periods of austerity, generally connected with economic crises, are not only reflected in the financial performance of local governments but also in the range in which they can face shocks. Monitoring the vulnerability and resilience associated with these shocks and the subsequent impacts on the financial situation of Slovak municipalities points to financial resilience, the ability to be proactive or, on the contrary, to be passive as a reaction to evolving environmental conditions. The paper examines the ability of 2,923 Slovak municipalities in the period 2005 - 2022, according to their size categories, to respond to periods of austerity in the economic reality of the Slovak Republic: The Global Financial Crisis from 2009 and the recent ongoing economic crisis arising from the crisis COVID-19, the subsequent military crisis in Ukraine, and the related energy crisis (multi-crisis). The resilience and vulnerability of Slovak municipalities, considering the size categories, are measured by employing a primary dispersion measure as the standard deviation of six financial indicators mirroring the local government’s performance in the form of indexes linked to 2005. The results confirm the vulnerability of Slovak local governments in considered eras of austerity with relevant recovery periods, demonstrating a considerable degree of resilience. Besides, we reveal other structural breaks in the monitored period, which influenced the economic circumstances of Slovak municipalities, too.

Integrating Syrian refugees into Lebanon’s healthcare system 2011–2022: a mixed-method study

IntroductionThe Lebanese government estimates the number of Syrian refugees to be 1.5 million, representing 25% of the population. Refugee healthcare services have been integrated into the existing Lebanese health system. This study aims to describe the integration of Syrian refugee health services into the Lebanese national health system from 2011 to 2022, amid an ongoing economic crisis since 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThis paper employs a mixed-methods approach drawing upon different data sources including: 1- document review (policies, legislation, laws, etc.); 2- semi-structured interviews with policymakers, stakeholders, and health workers; 3- focus group discussions with patients from both host and refugee populations; and 4- health systems and care seeking indicators.ResultsAlthough the demand for primary health care increased due to the Syrian refugee crisis, the provision of primary health care services was maintained. The infusion of international funding over time allowed primary health care centers to expand their resources to accommodate increased demand. The oversupply of physicians in Lebanon allowed the system to maintain a relatively high density of physicians even after the massive influx of refugees. The highly privatized, fragmented and expensive healthcare system has impeded Syrian refugees’ access to secondary and tertiary healthcare services. The economic crisis further exacerbated limits on access for both the host and refugee populations and caused tension between the two populations. Our findings showed that the funds are not channeled through the government, fragmentation across multiple financing sources and reliance on international funding. Common medications and vaccines were available in the public system for both refugee and host communities and were reported to be affordable. The economic crisis hindered both communities’ access to medications due to shortages and dramatic price increases.ConclusionIntegrating refugees in national health systems is essential to achieve sustainable development goals, in particular universal health coverage. Although it can strengthen the capacity of national health systems, the integration of refugees in low-resource settings can be challenging due to existing health system arrangements (e.g., heavily privatized care, curative-oriented, high out-of-pocket, fragmentation across multiple financing sources, and system vulnerability to economic shocks).

Impact of the economic crisis and drug shortage on Lebanese cancer patients' care.

As a consequence of the economic crisis, the sociopolitical instability and the advent of the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic, nested challenges faced the Lebanese healthcare system. These have resulted in critical shortages of essential resources, including medications vital for oncologic patients. To assess the ramifications of the ongoing economic crisis on oncology patient care focusing on our outpatient oncology department. A questionnaire was distributed during the month of February 2022 to oncology patients in Hôtel Dieu de France University Hospital in Beirut during their outpatient therapy. The primary objective was to assess the far-reaching impact of the economic crisis on patient care and the resulting psychological implications. Among 182 interviewed patients, 31.87% experienced treatment interruption mainly due to acute drug shortages. Despite 87.91% of the patients benefiting from third-party coverage, 69.60% had to self-pay for their medications leading to 69.78% of patients perceiving that healthcare was more difficult to access after 2020. Psychologically, one-third of the patients exhibited symptoms of anxiety and/or depression, with 7 patients reporting suicidal ideations. Notably, 37.93% of patients who interrupted cancer treatment reported a history of comorbidities, and 89.66% who altered their treatment cited financial difficulties. Lebanese cancer patients face complex challenges spanning economic, healthcare, and psychological realms. Income inequalities exacerbated by the economic crisis hindered healthcare access.

¿Pa ‘rriba o pa ’bajo? Upward mobility, anti‐Blackness, and the independence question among Puerto Ricans in NYC: A decolonial psychoanalytic study

AbstractPuerto Rico is one of the world's oldest colonies, with thousands of its people dislocated to the United States (U.S.) mainland in the wake of Hurricane Maria and the ongoing economic crisis. However, since the 2019 protests ousting then governor Rosello, Puerto Ricans across the Diaspora are imagining new emancipatory realities, including the possibility of independence. This paper draws on data from the Colonial Mentality Study in New York City (CMS‐NYC, N = 19) to explore how Puerto Ricans in the Diaspora narrativize new political possibilities despite the challenges posed by post‐disaster migration and racial and economic inequality. Using a decolonial psychoanalytic approach, we show how two colonial logics—moving “up and out” of Puerto Rico and “up and in” American capitalism—are textured by discourses of racial inferiority and upward mobility, and illustrate how these are experienced by Puerto Ricans who identify as Multiracial (Multiracial‐Identified Puerto Rican, N = 11), and Puerto Ricans who identify as Black (BIPR, N = 8). Reading our findings in the sociogenic context of race, class, and colonialism in Puerto Rico, and race and class among Puerto Ricans in NYC, we explore how racism toward Puerto Ricans and racism among Puerto Ricans intersect with notions of upward mobility, revealing how anti‐Blackness supports economic inequality in the U.S. mainland alongside with Puerto Rico's colonial situation. Complementing decolonial psychoanalytic theory with the Afro‐Puerto Rican radical tradition, we outline the implications of this research for future scholarship, clinical practice, and political action.

Assessment of Poland’s fiscal position in the European Union in the face of crisis conditions

Crisis conditions in the 21st century also reached the European Union countries, including Poland, and were reflected in the nominal and real economy. In particular, what suffered most was the fiscal condition of individual countries. To support the state of the economy, the economic authorities often took extraordinary, unconventional actions, which unfortunately resulted and still result in a deterioration of the state of public finances. It is therefore worth referring to this research and empirical problem from the perspective of the current and ongoing economic crisis.

Positive Thinking and Laughter Therapy

This manuscript investigates the efficacy of laughter therapy and positive thinking as complementary treatments for individuals with chronic diseases in Lebanon, amidst an ongoing economic crisis. Chronic diseases are a significant public health issue globally and in Lebanon, where the economic situation exacerbates healthcare challenges. Traditional biomedical treatments, while essential, are becoming increasingly costly, highlighting the need for cost-effective, alternative therapeutic approaches. Through qualitative methodology, including semi-structured interviews with a medical doctor and a clinical psychologist, and a case study of a Lebanese woman with a ruptured disk, this study explores the mental, physical, and economic impacts of laughter therapy and positive thinking. Findings suggest these therapies can enhance psychological well-being, manage symptoms, and potentially reduce healthcare costs, offering a holistic approach to chronic disease management. The study emphasizes the importance of integrating these complementary therapies into standard medical care, proposing a promising avenue for improving the lives of individuals with chronic diseases in Lebanon and beyond.

Shortage of Plastic Surgeons in Lebanon: Impact of the 2019 Economic Crisis.

Lebanon's ongoing economic crisis since 2019 has seen an unprecedented migration of professional healthcare workers. This article analyzes the adequacy of registered plastic surgeons in Lebanon in 2023. A list of registered plastic surgeons was obtained from the Lebanese Order of Physicians. Registered plastic surgeons were contacted via email or phone and were asked to fill in a survey questionnaire addressing their work status. Additionally, the number of plastic surgeon graduates, between 2018 and 2022, was obtained from Lebanese medical schools. Of the 162 plastic surgeons registered with the Lebanese Order of Physicians in 2023, 158 responded to the survey (97.5%). The work settings of the active plastic surgeons fell into three categories: working in Lebanon full time, splitting work between Lebanon and abroad, and exclusively working abroad. The ratio of plastic surgeons practicing full time in Lebanon is 1.11 per 100,000 inhabitants, which is significantly below the recommended ratio of 2.01. Twenty eight percent of the plastic surgeons working in Lebanon are aged between 65 and 75 years. Meanwhile, an average of only three graduates (2018-2022) enter the workforce annually after completing training in plastic and reconstructive surgery residency. Among the various subspecialties within plastic and reconstructive surgery, aesthetic surgery was the most commonly practiced by those surveyed. There is a relative shortage of plastic surgeons in Lebanon that is compounded by a significant focus on aesthetic procedures. Implementation of strategies is needed to bridge this gap and meet the needs of the underserved people of Lebanon.

Cytotoxicity of water supply in a Palestinian refugee camp and a Syrian informal tented settlement in Lebanon.

Deficient water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) significantly account for a high burden of disease across the globe. Lebanon, an Eastern Mediterranean lower-middle-income country with a polluted environment, a fragmented healthcare system, and an ongoing severe economic crisis, faces serious challenges in sustaining safe water supplies, especially in vulnerable communities, while also hosting the world highest refugee population per capita. This study aimed to examine the mutagenicity, and the estrogenic and androgenic activities of water supplies, across both a Palestinian refugee camp and a Syrian informal settlement. Water samples were collected from two targeted camps in Dbayeh and Choueifat, North and South of the Capital City Beirut, respectively, between the months of September and October 2022. Microbial and physicochemical properties of samples were determined, including fecal contamination, total dissolved solids, and various minerals and salts. Organic pollutants were extracted using pre-packed solid phase extraction (SPE) columns, and then mutagenicity of extracts was examined using the Ames test in two Salmonella typhi bacterial strains. The estrogenic and androgenic activities of extracts were assessed using the yeast estrogen and androgen screen tests assays (YES/YAS). Results show excessive levels of total coliforms and total dissolved solids (TDS) in samples from both sites. In addition, the water supply from the Dbayeh Palestinian refugee camp is mutagenic, while the water supply from the Choueifat Syrian informal settlement shows anti-androgen activity. Our findings provide valuable WASH baseline data in two major vulnerable communities in Lebanon, and highlight the importance of a water toxicity testing approach concomitant with a water safety plan, based on a holistic strategy that covers all stages of the water supply chain.

1998 Reform Movement

The 1998 reform movement was a social movement that was born from the demands of young intellectuals in the campus community. In historical records, the New Order student movement in Indonesia reached its peak in 1998, to demand reform of the New Order government with the removal of Soeharto from his position as president, and demands for improvements such as amendments to the 1945 Constitution, an end to the ongoing economic crisis, and other similar things. This movement carried out by students gained momentum when the monetary crisis occurred, prices of necessities soared, and people's purchasing power decreased. The demand to remove President Soeharto became a national agenda by the student movement who wanted reform and this of course received sympathy and support from the people. The aim of this research is to determine the occurrence of the 1998 reform movement and the role of pupils, students and society in facing the 1998 reform movement. The method used in this research uses a descriptive analysis method, namely research by collecting data according to the truth, then the data is compiled, processed and analyzed to be able to provide an overview of the existing problem, using several previous literature sources.

Investigating the changes in travel behaviour during an economic crisis in a developing country: A case study of the Greater Beirut Area, Lebanon

Lebanon is currently facing one of the worst economic crises in its history, which has been compounded by the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating explosion at the Port of Beirut in August 2020. This research focuses on the Greater Beirut area in Lebanon, aiming to examine the impact of the ongoing economic crisis on travel behavior. The study analyzes changes in travel behavior before and during the crisis for various trip purposes, including the number of trips and modes of transportation used. Socio-economic factors that may have influenced these changes are also considered. Descriptive analyses and multivariate statistics reveal that the economic crisis had a significant influence on people's travel behavior. Multinomial logistic regression models highlight the impact of factors such as age, nationality, occupation, household size, income, and spending fluctuations on trip frequency changes during the crisis. The analysis of the data indicates a decrease in all trip types during the crisis, partly due to the adoption of online study and work, resulting in fewer commuting trips. Private car usage declined for shopping trips, while motorcycles and public transport witnessed an increase. Recreational trips reduced significantly, with more respondents opting for fewer trips per year, showing a noticeable preference for buses. Despite the shift away from private cars, the adoption of public transport remains modest, partly due to limited accessibility, safety concerns, and unreliable services.

Performance appraisal of selected first-generation private commercial banks in Bangladesh

The motive of this study is to appraise the performance of selected first-generation private commercial banks in Bangladesh. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were used. The performance of the banks was tested through several variables, such as Deposits, Investments, Loan-to-Deposit ratio, Imports, Exports, Return on Assets (ROA), Return on Equity (ROE), Net income, Earnings per Share (EPS), etc. These variables were then examined using statistical measures, such as growth percentage, trend equations, the square of the correlation coefficient, and a correlation matrix. Sixty trend equations and R-squared were tested for twelve different banks’ activities. From the study, it has been found that banks are facing some challenges due to ongoing economic crisis and liquidity crisis. However, all the banks are trying to recover from the economic crisis, and some banks are doing very well, while some banks are facing hardships to cope with the situation. The findings of the trend analysis and correlation matrix of the study are expected to direct the first-generation commercial banks of Bangladesh to improve their performance. We are quite optimistic that if the selected banks tried to overcome the identified problems, then their performance will improve, and they may give rise to accelerated development of Bangladesh’s economy.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN CRISIS SITUATIONS

The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of the ongoing economic crisis and increasing social tension among the working population in the Republic of Kazakhstan, which is of great importance for the development of the country's economy.Methodology. In the process of research, general scientifi c methods such as analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction and comparison are applied. A special method of quantitative analysis is also actively involved, including grouping of primary data and statistical observation.The originality / scientifi c value of this work is due to the growth of problems in the economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan caused by the global crisis and, as a consequence, the formation of anti-crisis management and the development of human resource management methods in a crisis.Findings. The scientifi c value of this work is due to the growth of problems in the economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan caused by the global crisis and, as a result, the formation of anti-crisis management and the development of human resource management methods in a crisis.

Climate Rage

“Climate Rage: Extractivism and Dispossession in The Olive Tree” is a video essay analyzing the film El Olivo (The Olive Tree, 2016) to explore anger as a response to ecological degradation. The video essay examines the anger of a young, female protagonist in response to the sale of her grandfather’s olive tree within the context of Spain’s ongoing economic and environmental crisis. The essay considers the impacts of environmental violence on human bodies, particularly women and marginalized groups, and emphasizes the interdependence of self and environment. Introducing the term “ecopathy” to refer to the awareness of being embedded in the environment and the range of emotions it evokes, the essay draws from the foundational work of Black feminist authors like Audre Lorde, who study rage as a transformative emotion and applies this methodology to environmental studies, embracing rage’s potential to mobilize communities and challenge the status quo.

THE CULTURE OF LEGAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES FROM COACHING

This article explores the development of legal entrepreneurship culture in public universities through coaching. While the relationship between public universities and productive sectors in Brazil is limited, in the United States, this culture is more pronounced, having a global influence since the 20th century. Universities are hubs for knowledge production and professional advancement. However, depending on a country’s political perspective, academic entrepreneurship can either be readily embraced or face cultural barriers. For instance, while the U.S. boasts a strong tradition of academic entrepreneurship, Brazil, despite progress, still finds this culture hindered by political and economic factors. Particularly in Brazil, debates about the state’s role in the economy, especially education, are exacerbated by ongoing political and economic crises. This context raises questions about promoting entrepreneurship, specifically in the legal field, within public universities. How can coaching assist in this endeavor, bridging the gap between academia and productive sectors? This paper argues that entrepreneurship, prevalent in the business world, is vital in the academic setting, especially in the legal domain traditionally oriented towards public service. A further rationale for this study is the rising global significance of coaching and its benefits for human and institutional development. The article employs the inductive method by Francis Bacon, examining how coaching can cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit in academia, specifically at the State University of Bahia in Itaberaba.

Exploring the Impact of Ecuador´s Policies on the Right to Health of Venezuelan Migrants during the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review.

Venezuela's ongoing economic and political crisis has forced more than 6 million people to emigrate from the country since 2014. In the Andean region, Ecuador is one of the main host countries for Venezuelan migrants and refugees. During the COVID-19 pandemic, specific measures were implemented in the country to control the spread of the disease and its associated impacts. In this context, we conducted a scoping review to understand how policies implemented by the Ecuadorian government during the pandemic impacted Venezuelan migrants' right to health. The literature search focused on scientific and grey publications between 2018 and 2022 in electronic databases and institutional websites, complemented by snowball sampling and expert advice. Our thematic analysis revealed discrepancies between the rights granted to migrants in Ecuador's legal framework and their practical implementation during the pandemic, with several instances of policy and programmatic infringement. Disruption of services further complicated migrant's options for regularization. Some measures, like border closures, negatively impacted migrants' health, including increased exposure to abuse and violence. While migrants were included in the country's COVID-19 vaccination plan, they were excluded from other national aid programmes. There are indications of an increase in xenophobia and discrimination stigmatizing migrants as "disease carriers" and "resource takers", resulting in a prioritization of services for the Ecuadorian population. We found limited research on the emergent topic of migrants' vulnerability and related health system challenges. Future research should include working in border zones, consider socioeconomic factors, and further explore the poor implementation of Ecuador's legal framework towards upholding of migrants' right to health.