People In Countries Research Articles

Comparison of vitamin D status in healthy Bangladeshi urban and rural individuals and their association with serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase: A pilot study.

Vitamin D insufficiency is a worldwide problem that is likely underestimated since physical symptoms may only be apparent in individuals with severe deficiencies. Previously, people in South Asian countries were thought to be vitamin D sufficient because of plentiful sunshine, but vitamin D insufficiency has also been reported in these countries. In a South Asian country like Bangladesh, people living in the rural and urban parts of the country can have considerable differences in their sun exposure, types of clothing worn, and levels of air pollution. This pilot study aimed to explore the vitamin D status (measured by serum 25[OH]D) of healthy urban and rural Bangladeshi people and to examine the association of serum 25(OH)D concentration with calcium and alkaline phosphatase concentrations. A total of 101 apparently healthy adult individuals, aged 20-58 years, were enrolled from both urban and rural areas. The participants were selected from students, staff and patient attendants from the outpatient department (OPD) of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and Mirsarai Upazila Health Complex, Chittagong. The overall rate of vitamin D insufficiency was 39.6% and of vitamin D deficiency was 51.5%. However, it was observed that the proportion of vitamin D-deficient participants in urban areas (70.6%) was more than double that of participants living in rural areas (32%) and that serum 25(OH)D concentrations were higher in rural compared to urban participants with similar sunlight exposure times. However, participants aged 50 years or more showed similar concentrations of serum vitamin D levels irrespective of their habitat. This pilot study highlights the need for further larger-scale studies in Bangladesh to determine the reasons for the high rates of vitamin D inadequacy overall and the differences between rural and urban populations.

Strategies for Applying a Multi-Country Sport Education Approach in Elementary Schools

The implementation of projects that go beyond the boundaries of schools can connect people in different countries and enhance the development of the well-known objectives of physical education (e.g., health development, teamwork, or responsibility), with the addition of specific skills (e.g., intercultural awareness, language learning, or technological skills). Specifically, Sport Education, designed under the premises of a sport season, is a suitable model to promote the development of the above-mentioned skills due to its main purpose being based on developing competent, literate, and enthusiastic sportspersons. This article provides strategies for designing and implementing a multi-country Sport Education approach among different countries, with the purpose of developing students’ intercultural competence through the knowledge of other cultures and the interaction with other countries through the practice of EduCrossfit.

Prevalence of intestinal parasitic helminths and its associated risk factors in Mekaneselam Town, South Wollo, Ethiopia

BackgroundIntestinal parasitic (IP) infections caused by helminths are among the most significant public health concerns that mainly affect deprived people in Sub-Sahara African countries. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal parasitic helminths among patients attending Mekaneselam hospital.MethodIn this cross-sectional study conducted from August 2022 to February 2023, stool specimens were collected and examined microscopically to detect intestinal helminths using direct wet-mount and formal-ether concentration techniques. A structured questionnaire was employed to obtain information regarding the socio-demographic characteristics and associated risk factors. Data were analyzed via appropriate univariate and multivariable logistic regression methods using SPSS version 25.0.ResultThe overall prevalence of the parasitic helminths was 51 (12.6%) out of 404 patients attending in Mekaneselam town during the study period. In this study, seven species of intestinal helminths were detected, with Ascaris lumbricoides (5.7%) being the most prevalent followed by Trichuris trichiura (2.2%). Significant positive associations were observed between intestinal helminths infection and the socio-demographic characteristics including marital status (χ2 = 7.97, p = 0.047), educational level (χ2 = 9.34, p = 0.025) and residence (χ2 = 3.90, p = 0.048). The odds of being infected with IP were three times higher among divorced patients than married individuals (AOR = 3.21, CI = 1.15–8.96, p = 0.03). Illiterate individuals were three times (AOR = 2.61, CI = 1.24–5.49, p = 0.011) and those who attended primary school were two times (AOR = 2.3, CI = 1.029–5.143, p = 0.042), more likely to have helminthic infections. Participants who did not wash their hands after using the toilet were five times more likely to acquire IP helminths than those who did (AOR = 4.36, CI = 2.83–6.72, p = 0.000). In the case of the feeding habit, study subjects who ate unwashed vegetables were more likely to acquire helminths than those who did not eat unwashed vegetables (AOR = 5. 43, CI = 4.33–23.77, p = 0.000).ConclusionThis study highlighted a substantial prevalence of intestinal helminths infections (12.6%) in the study area, warranting the urgent need for attention and interventions from relevant public health authorities.

Parenting Desire and Intention in the Health Trajectories of Transgender and Gender Diverse People: A Systematic Review

The present study aimed at systematizing the psychological contributions on parenting desires and intentions of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals from a minority stress perspective and considering the cis-heteronormativity of our societies. A systematic search was conducted on February 2, 2024, in four databases: Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycInfo. The inclusion criterion consisted of selecting peer-reviewed, indexed English articles specifically addressing the parenting desire and intention in TGD individuals. Thirty-nine records were included in the review, which highlighted that TGD individuals desire and/or intend to have children through a variety of ways (e.g., sexual intercourse, surrogacy, adoption, etc.). The findings are mixed in relation to various sociodemographic variables of the TGD population, which vary based on individual differences. Overall, hindrances due to fertility preservation and the scarce information provided, along with legislative policies prohibiting filiation and other ways to have children (e.g., adoption or surrogacy) to TGD people in various countries can render TGD people’s parenting desires and intentions unattainable phantasies. The reproductive path of TGD individuals is influenced by the cis-heteronormative norms of our society. Gender minority stress and resilience factors can have a significant impact on the TGD individuals’ desire or intention to have children.

Indigeneity in Context—Evolving Maya Ch’orti’ Notions of Cultural Identity: A Qualitative Study From 1993 to 2019

The Maya Ch’orti’ people are Indigenous to the border regions of Honduras and Guatemala. For a great number of years, they have faced structural racism and discrimination combined with continued land dispossession. In the contexts of colonization and the creation of the modern Honduran state, any identification with Indigenous groups has generally had negative connotations. Since the advent of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Discourses (IPRD), however, more communities have actively aligned with the Maya Ch’orti’ people. In our investigation of the ways in which cultural identity and belonging to a Maya Ch’orti’ community have shifted and evolved over time, we analyzed a total of 45 interview transcripts across three time points (1990s: n = 15, 2003–2004: n = 15, and 2018–2019: n = 15) using thematic analysis and a cross–data set analysis. Five major themes were developed: “Our land,” “In the past, we were oppressed and ashamed,” “Difficult present life: We are still oppressed,” “Maya Ch’orti’ revitalization and empowerment,” and “Being Indigenous.” As we compared these themes across our time points, it became apparent that notions of cultural identity have evolved in the Maya Ch’orti’ community from a negative appraisal to a positive, empowered, and confident notion. Our findings are being discussed in connection to the context of the IPRD and Indigenous peoples in other countries.

Characteristics Of Minh Huong People Living In Vietnam There Are Chinese People In Southeast Asia Countries

Minh Huong is the name of a part of the Chinese ethnic group in the Southern region - Vietnam. The Ming Huong people originated from the Ming Dynasty - China. When the Qing Dynasty replaced the Ming Dynasty, the political system was disrupted, forcing them to go into exile to live in Vietnam. The Southern region - Vietnam at that time, since the Vietnamese King Nguyen allowed people to explore around 1690, including the Minh Huong people. Through the process of living, between the Chinese Minh Huong people and the Vietnamese people, there has been a hybridization of marriage and family customs that has been maintained until today. In this article, the researcher wants to clarify the characteristics of the Minh Huong ethnic group in terms of economics, social culture, politics and some Minh Huong people, also known as Chinese people in Vietnam and some countries in Southeast Asia From there, we can see that they work together to improve a new land in Vietnam to become more prosperous, creating a multi-ethnic cultural community. They live in harmony with each other, with their characteristics being always liberal, hospitable and peace-loving

Analysing Amitav Ghosh’s <i>Gun Island</i> as a Climate Fiction: Transgressing ‘Borders’ and ‘Orders’ by the Humans and Nonhumans

Amitav Ghosh has a tendency to write literary pieces focusing on climate issues. This aspiration is also manifested in his novel Gun Island (2019). The author allegorizes the myth of Manasa Devi, which creates a wonderful connection between humans and natural environment in this novel. Gun Island (2019) explores the conviction of diversified environmental issues, such as environmental injustice, migrant ecologies, and climate refugees. Although natural disasters occur more or less everywhere in the world, the poor pay the highest price. The harsh reality is that the most affected are the most marginalized regions of underprivileged countries. Developed countries can still cope with its effects, but people in poor countries are persistently being displaced. The Sundarbans is one such magnificent instance in Gun Island. Overall, Ghosh has shown that migration of humans and nonhumans occurs simultaneously as a result of climate change. Humans and nonhumans transgress the precincts of ‘border’ as well as ‘order’ to migrate from one place to another eco-friendly place. His perplexing story of Gun Island is inexplicably mythical but contextually practical because it resonates with a group of Asian and African people’s own experiences, emotions and their yearning for migration to Europe due to climate change. This borderless migration cannot be stopped by any means of order.

Quality indicators of long-term care for older people in OECD countries; a rapid scoping review

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerability of older people living in long-term care facilities (LTCF), highlighting the urgent need for research on the quality of care for this group of the population. There is no universal definition for quality of care in LTCF, and yet, multiple tools and indicators have been developed to measure it. In this rapid scoping review, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge on quality of care concepts and indicators for older people in LTCF in OECD countries. Methods This review follows the World Health Organization (WHO) guide for rapid reviews and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA-ScR) extension for scoping reviews, including protocol registration (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/34B2S). The electronic bibliographic databases MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, and CINAHL were searched in September 2023 for studies published between 2013 and 2023 for quality indicators in LTCF. Experts in quality of care in LTCF were contacted and consulted to retrieve sources of grey literature. Information on the definition or framework of quality of care, quality of care dimensions, measurement instruments, context and purpose of the measurement will be extracted. Results Of the 8,516 identified records, 6,449 were screened by title and abstract after removing duplicates. A total of 469 publications will be screened in full-text. Experts recommended 40 websites to be screened for quality indicators. The PRISMA flowchart diagram will be provided to describe the selection process. Conclusions This review aims to improve the quality of care for older people living in LTCF. Our results will identify which concepts and dimensions of care are currently being measured in OECD countries, whether they are backed by any definition and scientific framework of quality of care for older residents of LTCF, and whether there is consideration of closing gaps in quality measurement. Key messages • Quality of care is an understudied field in the context of long-term care facilities for older people. • In order to further improve quality in long-term care for older people, it is necessary to systematically review the current state of knowledge on quality concepts and indicators.

SCORE2-ASIA risk prediction algorithms: revised models to estimate 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease in the Asia Pacific Region

Abstract Background Most current cardiovascular disease (CVD) prediction tools have been developed and validated solely in Western countries, while there are significant differences between Asian and Western populations in risk factor distributions and CVD incidence patterns. This study outlines the recalibration and validation of the SCORE2-ASIA model to estimate 10-year fatal and non-fatal CVD risk among adults aged 40-69 years with no previous CVD or diabetes in the Asia Pacific Region. Methods The sex-specific and competing risk-adjusted SCORE2 models were systematically recalibrated to reflect CVD incidence in the Asian clinical practice. We defined four risk regions in Asia according to country-specific CVD mortality rates (low risk (<100 CVD deaths per 100,000), moderate risk (100 to <150 CVD deaths per 100,000), high risk (150 to <300 CVD deaths per 100,000), and very high risk (≥300 CVD deaths per 100,000)). Models were recalibrated using region representative data on expected incidences and risk factor distributions, utilising the methodological approaches developed in recalibration of the SCORE2 models for Europe. The SCORE-ASIA model was externally validated in all risk regions using population-based cohort data from independents cohort data. To ensure the European coefficients well applied to Asian populations, the SCORE2 model derivation process was repeated in external validation cohorts. Results Region-specific incidence was estimated using country-specific data on CVD mortality and data on the ratio of fatal to total events on 9,496,212 individuals from 5 Asian countries (496,212 CVD events). For external validation, we analysed data from 12 additional cohorts in 13 Asian countries (4,775,976 individuals, 176,011 CVD events). After applying the derived risk prediction models to external validation cohorts, the pooled external validation C-index was 0.709 (95%CI 0.676-0.743). In the nationally representative CDMD cohort from Singapore (population completely separate from recalibration data) there was adequate agreement between predicted and observed risks. Risk factor coefficients derived in Asian populations were largely similar to the original SCORE2 coefficients, indicating that the original SCORE2 coefficients apply well to the Asian population. Predicted CVD risk varied several-fold across Asian risk regions. For example, the estimated 10-year CVD risk for a 50-year-old non-smoker, with a systolic blood pressure of 140mmHg, total cholesterol of 5.5mmol/L, and HDL-cholesterol of 1.3mmol/L, ranged from 12% for men in low-risk countries to 26% for men in very-high-risk countries, and from 7% for women in low-risk countries to 26% for women in very-high-risk countries. Conclusions The SCORE2-ASIA model accurately predicts 10-year risk of CVD for apparently healthy people in Asian countries after systematic recalibration, thereby enhancing the identification of individuals at higher risk of developing CVD across the Asia Pacific Region.

Sexual health communication targeting adolescents in public service Media: the case of Finland

Abstract Background Given the substantial time adolescents spend online, sexual health promotion and education through online media constitute a promising public health action. However, monitoring of sexual health-related online media content is warranted, and considering the scope and aims of public service media, this forum can be regarded as being of particular interest. This study aimed to analyze how and to what extent sexuality and sexual health-related content targeting adolescents is communicated and portrayed in public service media in Finland, with a particular interest in health promotion perspectives and participatory practices. Methods Based on predetermined inclusion criteria and guidance from professionals at the Finnish public service company Yle, podcasts were specified as the media format of interest. Three Finnish podcasts (a total of 66 episodes) produced during the years 2021-2023, targeting young people and focusing on sexual health, were included in this study and subject to critical content analysis. Results Most podcast episodes focused equally on the sexual health resource and risk perspectives, while a third emphasized a resource perspective. Concerning participatory practices, adolescents participate in only five episodes in total, and most often, the podcast hosts’ own experiences are at the center of the episodes. Conclusions The findings highlight how sexuality and sexual health content is communicated in public service media podcasts targeting adolescents in Finland, as well as how the communication aligns with health education and promotion guidelines. The study sheds light on participatory practices, emphasizing a lack of stakeholder involvement, i.e., dialogue between podcast hosts and listeners. Results carry implications for developing sexual health promotion through public service media targeting young people in Finland and other European countries alike. Key messages • The findings highlight how sexuality and sexual health content is portrayed in public service media podcasts in Finland and how the communication aligns with health promotion values and principles. • The findings show a lack of participatory practices in Finnish public service media podcasts targeting adolescent sexual health - a health promotion concern also pertinent to other countries.

Health-Related Parameterization Evaluating Thermal Comfort in Urban Green Spaces: Data Sourced from a Global Database and Mapping at National Scale

Outdoor thermal comfort (OTC) is one of the most important issues for people exposed to urban green space (UGS). It is mainly evaluated by assessing equivalent meteorological factors that may combine and result in human responses of perceptions about comfortable vs. uncomfortable environments. The assessment of these responses is challenged by limits in a database that is powerful enough to support big-data analysis and an essential parameter that can evaluate health-related responses to OTC in urban forests. In this study, a meta-analysis was conducted by synthesizing studies of physiological and psychological health responses of green space (GS) visitors to meteorological factors in host cities on a global scale. A total of 15,000 numerical records about the psychological and physiological responses of UGS visitors were obtained from 105 papers across 68 global cities in 21 countries. A novel parameterization was developed to evaluate OTC by normalizing changes in health-related parameters and detecting their regressions against multiple meteorological factors. It was revealed that OTC resulted in more benefits in psychological health parameters than in physiological ones for UGS visitors worldwide. Globally, health-promoting OTC environments were more found in temperate countries than in countries subjected to other climates. People in Asian countries were indicated to live in environments with higher comfort that benefitted health states in cities at low latitudes. Thermal environments tended to be harsher and more challenging, mostly too chilling, in northern cities than in the south globally. A deep learning model using the ResNet algorithm was found to perform to an expected level with R2 as high as >70% and errors controlled generally lower than 0.01. Taking mainland China for instance, it was predicted that thermal environments in eastern cities of China highly challenged the psychological health of local UGS visitors across all seasons of the year. Northern cities of China were predicted to have satisfied thermal environments that benefited psychological and psychological health responses in spring. In summer, cities in West China were predicted to have comfortable thermal environments, and in winter, environments in the southwestern cities were more comfortable.

Edible caterpillars (Gonimbrasia belina and Gynanisa maja) as emerging source of nutrients and bioactive compounds

Globally, despite the commercial and cultural importance of edible caterpillars (Gynanisa maja and Gonimbrasia belina), comprehensive information on their dietary and therapeutic benefits has not been fully explored. The study was aimed at evaluating the nutritional composition and bioactive compounds profile of two important edible caterpillars (Gonimbrasia belina and Gynanisa maja) in Africa. Our results demonstrated that G. belina and G. maja are capable of amplifying host plant protein (17 %) by 4.3-folds [72.8 %] and 3.6-folds [61.3 %], respectively. Lysine (32.6 mg/g), methionine (12.5–27.1 mg/g) and valine (7.7–25.4 mg/g) value were significantly harnessed. Substantial amounts of ω−3 fatty acids (methyl 5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z-eicosapentaenoate and methyl 9Z,12Z,15Z-octadecatrienoate), minerals [iron (3.6–21.2 mg/100 g), zinc (7.1–17.3 mg/100 g), calcium (55.1–60.4 mg/100 g)] and vitamins [retinol (0.02–0.03 mg/kg), γ tocopherol (0.05–0.07 mg/kg) and α-tocopherol (1.2 mg/kg)] were detected. Important phytochemical [flavonoids: rutin (7.8–20.4 ng/g), quercetin (7.2–9.0 ng/g), luteolin (7.4–7.5 ng/g), apigenin (20.8–28.6 ng/g) and kaempferol (3.3–6.5 ng/g)] and phytosterols [stigmasta-3,5-diene, campesterol and sitosterol] were identified. These findings suggests that both edible caterpillars contain sufficient nutrients and therapeutic compounds, which when integrated into human food products, either whole, in-part, or processed will greatly contribute towards countering nutritional insecurity and improve livelihoods of people in many countries.

Implementation of Green Accounting to Support High-Quality SDGs Disclosure and Enhance Stock Prices

Natural resources are the primary raw materials produced by companies within the Mining Sector. Their products are not only needed by the Indonesian community but also by people in other countries. In the context of business expansion, the mining sector requires significant funding. In reality, based on data obtained from the Indonesia Stock Exchange, the stock prices in this sector continue to decline. The fact that many companies disclose Sustainability Development Goals in a non-detailed manner is a cause of the decline in a company's reputation in the eyes of the public. The suboptimal disclosure of Sustainable Development Goals is due to the fact that many companies in the mining sub-sector are neglecting their obligations for reclamation funds, commonly referred to as Green Accounting. The aim of this research is to analyze that relationship. The totalresearch observations are 45 companies and will be tested using path analysis. The research results indicate that the implementation of Green Accounting can enhance the quality of Sustainability Development Goals disclosure, High-quality Sustainability Development Goals disclosure can increase Stock Prices, and the implementation of Green Accounting can boost Stock Prices through high-quality SDGs disclosure.

Micro-loans, macro-impacts: Examining the reverberating gains for Habru Woreda’s small-scale agrarian households.

Background Most people in third-world countries are impoverished and rely on small-holder farming as a source of income. Due to a lack of working capital to diversify their sources of income and acquire new sources, farmers are highly dependent on financial institutions to access microcredit. Method This study utilized logistic regression and propensity score matching methods to analyze the primary data collected from a sample of 385 household heads. Results The Estimation results of the study shows that Gender, age, family size, and education, access to irrigation, extension services, dependency ratio, and distance to credit sources were among the significant determinants of access to microcredit service. Conclusion Although microcredit led to an increase in household spending, real asset holdings did not improve. In addition to the need for supplementary interventions like financial literacy training and asset-building programs to encourage asset accumulation among these small-scale agrarian households, high interest rates and repayment burdens are blamed for this uneven result.

Health Care Utilization and Perceived Quality of Care in a Colombian Indigenous Health Organization.

Indigenous governance of health care has increasingly been advocated among Indigenous peoples in many countries. However, there is limited research that has empirically examined its benefits. In 2020/21, we conducted a survey of 2113 Indigenous Wayuu individuals in Colombia who received services from the Indigenous Wayuu led health care insurance organization Anas Wayuu and its network of service providers, and Wayuu individuals who received services from non-Indigenous health insurance organizations. We compared their health care utilization and perception of quality of care. A main finding of the study was that Anas Wayuu enrollees were more than twice as likely to access health care than enrollees from non-Indigenous health insurance organizations, even when controlling for the demographic and health characteristics. The study provided compelling evidence suggesting that Anas Wayuu, being an Indigenous led health organization improves access to, and quality of care, among Indigenous health service recipients.

Chen Zhiqian's Thoughts on Public Health in the 1920s

During his studies at the Peking Union Medical College (1921-1929),Chen Zhiqian formed his thoughts on public health under the influences of modern medical education and the advanced thinking of the times,which laid an ideological foundation for his later engagement in rural health care and reflected the medical progress in China at that time.In the 1920s,Chen Zhiqian's thoughts on public health mainly encompassed five aspects.First,health was a cornerstone of the country's wealth and people's well-being.Second,he belived in comprehensive "big medicine" which emphasized the combination of prevention and treatment.Third,he advocated the return of medicine to the state and the building of a medical system covering all people.Fourth,he advocated maternal training and institutional standardization,emphasizing child health protection.Fifth,he was committed to the popularization of health science and advocated health education reform.Summarizing the above five aspects is of great significance for enriching and improving the academic evaluation about Chen Zhiqian and provides a reference for today's work on public health.

Assessment of impacts of air pollution on people living in Ezza North close to quarry operation sites in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Quarrying activities have become lucrative work for low income people in low income countries most found in Africa. This study aimed assess the impacts of air pollution on people living in Ezza North close to quarry operation sites in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. A descriptive cross sectional study was used and pollution level was determined with the use of calibrated Handheld GPS, Amex multiple gas meter, Sound meter and interview of participants with a questionnaire on the health status. The collected data were entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software (version 21). The one sample T-test was used to test the hypotheses at 95% confidence interval and 0.05 level of significance. The results showed that 31–40 years had 19(5.37%) males and 20(5.65%) females as highest quarrying workers. The concentration of carbon monoxide was highest at 193ppm, Sulphur dioxide at 568ppm, nitrogen dioxide at 1.9ppm, Suspended particulate Matter (SPM) at 1982ppm and sound level at 82.9dB. The concentrations of these pollutants were found to be significantly higher (P<0.05) than normal levels apart from sound level without significant impact at P = 0.285. The 93.3% of the participants reported blasting of rocks produced highest air pollution, 87.5% that reported crushing, conveying, sieving produce a lot of dust. Also, 80% of participants reported high level of noise came from machinery blasting rocks, processing and haulage trucks. In all, 35% reported they had fair health condition when asked about the health status since they started quarrying work. In conclusion, the concentrations of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, particulate matter and nitrogen oxides were all higher than normal. It was observed air pollutants had association with respiratory system. Therefore, the air pollution at quarrying site can be mitigated through dust suppression techniques and treating quarry pit with water before discharging.

Antibiotic Residue in Milk and Meat Products: A Scientific Overview

The need for food is rising globally as the human population continues to rise. People in better socioeconomic countries have a tendency to substitute meat and high quality items for grains in their diets. Over the past thirty years, there has been a seventy percent increase in their choice of chicken as a protein source. Antibiotics accumulate in animal tissues as a result of overuse and misuse in treating illnesses and fostering animal growth. From there, they enter human bodies through the food chain. This study provides a detailed assessment of comparative studies on the dangers to human health posed by antibiotic residue (AR) in foods, including milk and meat from animal sources. The usage of several veterinary antibiotics in animal farms, which can result in ARs, is the main topic of this review's early section. Later on, there has been a thorough discussion of ARs in dietary items, such as milk and meat. People from underdeveloped and impoverished nations are particularly susceptible to infectious diseases brought on by bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, according to review research on the problems with antibiotic use and human health. Towards the conclusion of the review, a few alternative strategies are outlined, taking into account their potential exposure to substitute antibiotics as growth promoters and reducing the prevalence of antibiotic resistant genes. These strategies include the use of probiotics, prebiotics, organic acids, phytogenic feed additives, and other substances.

World Heritage: features, composition, and tourist significance

It is proved that the idea of world heritage and its conceptual form of legal imple- mentation created a new institution of world heritage in international law. At the end of the 20th century for the first time, the term «world cultural and natural heritage» became widely used to define those natural and cultural objects that are of outstanding importance not only for the people of a certain country but also for all humanity as a whole. Among the main advantages of granting the status of a world heritage site are the following: additional guarantees of preservation and integrity of unique natural and cultural complexes; increasing the prestige of the territories and institutions that take care of them; promoting the promotion of objects included in the List and the development of alternative types of nature use (primarily, ecological tourism); ensuring priority in attracting financial funds for the support of objects of world cultural and natural heritage, first of all, from the World Heritage Fund; promoting the organization of monitoring and control over the state of preservation of natural and cultural objects. Currently, the World Heritage List consists of three categoriesof objects: cultural heritage, natural phenomena, and cultural-natural (mixed) objects. It is noted that every year the number of world heritage sites is steadily increasing, and by 2020 their number has already reached 1,121 sites, including 869 cultural sites, 213 natural sites, and 39 mixed sites. From 1978 until now, the number of nominated objects has constantly increased. However, in order to achieve representativeness, balance, and credibility of the UNESCO Heritage List, certain restrictions on the number of nominations per year have been introduced since 2018. Now their total number cannot exceed 45 nominations per year and only one nomination from the state. They are distributed very unevenly by regions of the world. More than 75% of the world’s cultural heritage is concentrated in Eurasian countries. The countries of America and Africa hold the leadership in the number of natural monuments in the world. The basis of the interest of the countries of the world in the inclusion of objects in the List of World Heritage is the possibility of obtaining profits from the visit of numerous tourists to this cultural or natural attraction. About 225 historic centers of cities around the world are included in the UNESCO Heritage List, including Paris, London, Istanbul, Vienna, Athens, Florence, Venice, St. Petersburg, Krakow, Riga, Jerusalem, Mecca, Mexico City, Quito, Quebec, Rio de Janeiro -Janeiro, etc. It was found that individual objects of cultural heritage are also very popular (the Great Wall of China, St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, the Colosseum, etc.).

Awareness, experiences, and beliefs related to ultra-processed foods among young people in Cebu, Philippines

Ultra-processed food (UPF) intake is rising in low- and middle-income countries, where non-communicable diseases are now the leading contributor to disease burden. The purpose of this study was to assess awareness and knowledge of UPFs, factors that influence consumption of UPFs, and beliefs about the relationship between UPF intake and health among young people (18–20 years old) in a metropolitan area of the Philippines, a lower middle-income country. We conducted eight focus group discussions across four strata defined by gender and urban-rural neighborhood designation. We applied deductive and inductive codes to transcripts and organized codes into themes. Sixty participants were included in the study. Although most were unfamiliar with the concept of UPFs, participants demonstrated an intuitive understanding of the meaning of the term. Vendors in or around schools were commonly reported as a source of UPFs, though most participants reported consuming UPFs at home as well. Factors that were reported as having influence over participants’ UPF intake included taste, convenience, cost, influence from parents, peers, and others, and health knowledge and status. Participants expressed various beliefs about the link between overconsumption of UPFs and risk of multiple health outcomes, including diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease. Some males, but not females, believed that some UPFs were neutral or beneficial with respect to health. Commonly cited sources of information about UPFs and their link to health included parents, schools, and social media. This study provides important insights into the factors that drive UPF consumption among young people in a lower middle-income country and should inform efforts to reduce UPF intake among young people in this and similar settings.