Perception Of Respondents Research Articles

Poster 398: Patient Perceptions of Social Media Use by Orthopaedic Surgeons: Comparing Responses Across the US

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to characterize content posted by orthopaedic surgeons on social media (SM) while investigating patient perceptions of this content from various regions of the United States. Analysis was included regarding how this content may influence the respondents’ healthcare decisions. Methods: SM posts by orthopaedic surgeons were reviewed and categorized. A patient survey was written to assess respondent SM usage practices as well as respondent perceptions of these categories. The survey was administered in the clinic of 13 separate orthopaedic surgeons via QR code. Survey results were analyzed for differences in SM utilization. Patient responses were assessed to judge perception of social medial content types. Results: There were 674 completed patient surveys. The 18-24 (89.3%) and 25-34 (87.6%) age groups were more likely to report daily use (p=0.002), but SM utilization was high among all age groups. 23% of patients reported using SM to see information about their healthcare at least once per month, 38% of patients reported reviewing the SM account of a physician at least once per month, and 23% of patients reported that they were likely or very likely to view the SM account of their own physician. 26% of patients reported that SM content is likely or very likely to influence which physician they see. Patients held the most consistently positive view of posts educating patients regarding common injuries, discussing sports team coverage, providing patient testimonials, and posts illustrating examples of imaging used to diagnose and treat patients. Patients held consistently neutral views of posts educating colleagues, discussing research and presentations at national meetings, displaying aspects of surgeons’ personal lives, and supporting marginalized groups. Several post categories elicited negative or highly polarized responses including those discussing research publications, showing surgical techniques or pictures/videos taken during surgery, or political statements. Conclusions: SM is an increasingly useful tool to help physicians interact with patients or build a practice. Physicians who wish to interact with patients should consider posting content viewed most positively including posts educating patients, discussing sports team coverage, and patient testimonials. Content that is viewed less favorably should be posted sparingly or with a sensitive tag. The most effective way to reach large patient populations appears to be through Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, Snapchat, and LinkedIn, in that order. Further ongoing study is required to understand the differences between physician SM content focused on interacting with patients compared to content focused on interacting with other physicians.

A STUDY ON THE WORK LIFE BALANCE OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DISTRICT

Work Life balance varies from person to person. However, it is essentially the amount of time and focus a person gives their work versus other aspects of their Life. It is most challenging issue faced by the women in this century. This problem is a very vital one because women have to manage both the home environment and working environment equally. So, in this scenario the work life balance of women entrepreneur is an essential study. This article focused on the objective such to find out the perception of respondents on specific areas of work life balance in business sector and analyses the effectiveness of work life balance. The Women entrepreneurs in different business area in Trivandrum district is taken as population. The sample has drawn 50 entrepreneurs. Primary and secondary data is used for this study. Data was collected with the help of a structured questionnaire and data was analysed using statistical tools like percentage and weighted Average. The recommendations based on the findings will also be discussed in this paper.

Pilot Testing on The Level of Knowledge and Perception of Green Practices in Livestock Sector Among Local Consumers

The livestock sector is vital to the global food chain. The demand for livestock products increases proportionally with the global population. Rearing livestock animals comes with inevitable environmental impacts. Adopting green practices in the livestock production chain may help lessen the impact. This pilot study aims to identify local consumers' level of knowledge and perception of adopting green practices in the livestock sector. A questionnaire consisting of three sections (Demography, Knowledge, Perception) was developed. Thirty-two respondents who are the primary decision-makers for household grocery shopping participated in the study. The respondents comprise 50.00% private sector employees, 28.13% government servants, and the rest are unemployed. The education level of the respondents is 40.63% with a diploma or equivalent, 34.38% with a higher degree, while the rest completed either secondary or primary education. The majority of the respondents (75.00%) chose price as the main criteria they considered when buying livestock products, followed by quality (68.75%), origin (46.88%), certification (31.25%), and only 12.55% included environmental impacts in their decision making. An average of 73.61% of the respondents have general knowledge of the green practices in the livestock sector. About 78.65% of the respondents positively perceive the idea of adopting green practices in the livestock sector. The correlation between education level and the respondents' knowledge and perception of green practices in the livestock sector was also evaluated. Overall, the study revealed a strong positive correlation between education level and green practices knowledge and education level with positive perception towards adopting green practices in the livestock sector. Based on the data collected, it is recommended that the study be conducted with a larger population to give a more accurate representation of the livestock consumer in Malaysia.

Environmental Sustainability and Solid Waste Management Procedures in Bukavu City, Democratic Republic of Congo

Environmental sustainability approaches such as effective solid waste management processes are indispensable for promoting sustainable urban development. Therefore, sustainable approaches to urban solid waste management are essential for every growing city. Bukavu City in Democratic Republic of Congo is a continuously growing city with a correspondingly increasing generation of solid waste which needs effective and sustainable management. This study engaged a mixed method model of both qualitative and quantitative approaches in assessing the perception of respondents on the sustainable aspect of the solid waste management procedures in the city of Bukavu. It administered 400 household questionnaires to residents, but also complemented the retrieved by interviewing key informants about the solid waste management approaches in the city. Results indicate inadequacy in the solid waste management processes in Bukavu City. Therefore, an inclusive and all-encompassing sustainable urban governance is proposed to encourage effective community participation in the management of the city environmental parameters alongside the enshrinement of a sustainable waste and environmental policy.

Fellow Perceptions of Program Culture Conveyed Through Virtual Interviews: Aligning Perceptions With Reality.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, medical education training programs had to rapidly switch to a virtual interview (VI) format for the 2021 application cycle. Studies have demonstrated a gap in applicant perceptions of program culture through the VI. The objectives of this study were to assess the perceptions of culture from VIs compared to direct experience after beginning training and explore VI gaps in representing culture. An anonymous questionnaire was emailed to first-year neonatal-perinatal medicine fellows who participated in the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 VI process. Demographic and interview data and information regarding the presentation of and gaps in the portrayal of program culture through VIs were collected. Responses were evaluated using descriptive statistics, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and qualitative analysis. Eighty-five survey responses were received. In determining how well the respondent perceptions of program culture from the VI aligned with their direct experiences, respondent scores showed a median of 80 (scale of 0-100%) with an IQR of 57.5-90. There were significant differences in the perception of fellow-faculty relationships (p = 0.044), the priority placed on fellow teaching (p < 0.001), respect and value for fellows (p = 0.001), and fellow work-life integration (p = 0.004). Nineteen percent of respondents reported not meeting with fellows during their VI and only 15% reported usage of social media in their VI. Respondents noted fellows to be the most important people contributing to perceptions of program culture and provided possible solutions to address challenges in representing culture. Despite the small number of respondents, the quantitative and qualitative results offer enlightening information on the gaps in presenting culture through VIs. Notably, the perception of program culture from the VI did not align well with direct experience, particularly in areas addressing fellow relationships and the value placed on fellow teaching, respect, and work-life integration. Increasing fellow involvement, arranging informal settings, and the usage of social media may be important tools to improve accuracy in the representation of culture through VIs.

Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: A Cross-Sectional Study in Three Communities in the United States and Lebanon.

The COVID-19 pandemic underscores the significance of vaccine hesitancy in shaping vaccination outcomes. Understanding the factors underpinning COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy is crucial for tailoring effective vaccination strategies. This cross-sectional study, conducted in three communities across the United States and Lebanon, employed surveys to assess respondents' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding COVID-19 infection and vaccination. Among the 7196 participants, comprising 6775 from the US and 422 from Lebanon, vaccine hesitancy rates were comparable at 12.2% and 12.8%, respectively. Notably, a substantial proportion of respondents harbored misconceptions, such as attributing the potential to alter DNA (86.4%) or track individuals (92.8%) to COVID-19 vaccines and believing in the virus's artificial origins (81%). US participants had more misconceptions about the COVID-19 vaccine, such as altering DNA or causing infertility. Lebanese participants were more likely to question the origins of the virus and the speed of vaccine development. Additionally, US respondents were less worried about infection, while Lebanese respondents were more indecisive but less likely to outright reject the vaccine. Primary determinants of hesitancy included perceptions that the vaccine poses a greater risk than the infection itself (aOR = 8.7 and 9.4, respectively) and negative recommendations from healthcare providers (aOR = 6.5 and 5.4, respectively). Conversely, positive endorsements from healthcare providers were associated with reduced hesitancy (aOR = 0.02 and 0.4, respectively). Targeting healthcare providers to dispel misinformation and elucidate COVID-19 vaccine risks holds promise for enhancing vaccination uptake.

E-cigarette use among Ecuadorian adults: A national cross-sectional study on use rates, perceptions, and associated factors.

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have emerged as a new paradigm in nicotine delivery systems. Although they are marketed as safer alternatives to tobacco, public perceptions of their safety and utility vary widely. This study aims to understand the percentage of use, factors associated, perceptions, and attitudes about e-cigarettes among Ecuadorian adults. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among the Ecuadorian population aged 18-65 years through a convenience sample, using a structured online questionnaire designed to collect responses from voluntary participants over three months, from February to April 2023. The questionnaire assessed the respondents' attitudes and perceptions towards e-cigarettes. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, and adjusted logistic regression analyses to identify factors associated with e-cigarette use. Out of a total of 3047 Ecuadorian adults, the percentage of e-cigarette ever use was 27.9% (n=850), with 19.4% being current users and 8.5% former users. A negative stance towards e-cigarettes was predominant, with 66.3% considering e-cigarette use a public health problem in Ecuador. A significant association was observed between e-cigarette use and perceived harmfulness (p<0.001). Among non-users, there was a predominant stance in favor of control measures and disapproval of e-cigarette use among minors (p<0.001). The factors associated with the use of electronic cigarettes included being health personnel (AOR=1.51; 95% CI: 1.26-1.80). Older age (aged >24 years) and a history of tobacco use were associated with lower e-cigarette use (current users, OR=0.31; 95% CI: 0.25-0.38; previous users, OR=0.23; 95% CI: 0.18-0.28). The findings highlight a significant percentage of e-cigarette use among Ecuadorian adults, especially among younger groups. There is a need for comprehensive public health education about e-cigarettes in Ecuador. There is strong support from the public for control measures, suggesting the potential acceptability of regulations concerning e-cigarettes.

Do green dynamic capabilities and absorptive capacity affect green innovation performance? A study on companies in Indonesia

Purpose: This study aims to empirically analyze the effect of absorptive capacity, green dynamic capability, and green manufacturing practices (GMP) on green innovation performance (GIP).Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative approach was employed in this study, with data collected through a questionnaire and analyzed for hypothesis using the partial least squares structural equation model. In order to enhance the depth of the analysis, in-depth interviews were conducted with experienced practitioners from three selected companies implementing green innovations.Findings: Empirical findings showed that reconfiguring capabilities positively affects GIP. Realized absorptive capacity positively affects GMP but does not affect GIP. Then, realized absorptive capacity positively impacts sensing and reconfiguration capabilities. GMP mediates the relationship between realized absorptive capacity and GIP. This study reveals the two pathways through which green dynamic capabilities affect realized absorptive capacity and GIP.Research limitations/implications: This study has yet to consider potential variations in company ownership, applied technology, and industry type that could lead to differences in green innovation characteristics. This study employed a small sample size and a Likert-scale questionnaire, possibly leading to respondent perception bias (although this is unlikely).Practical implications: The results of this study offered valuable insights into how companies developed dynamic capabilities to address essential green requirements in their product and processes. Thus, companies can prepare all available resources to adapt to various environment-related changes.Social implications: Companies with high green innovation performance will produce environmentally friendly products, conduct industrial activities without damaging the environment, and ultimately create a sustainable industry.Originality/value: What distinguishes this study is the division of green dynamic capabilities into three independent capabilities: SenCap, SeiCap, and Reconf, which had been described as a single capacity in previous studies. Furthermore, this study emphasizes GMP's position between absorptive capacity and green dynamic capability with GIP.

Public Perception Due To Noise (Case Study: AKSI ADB Project Of Malikussaleh University)

Malikussaleh University (Unimal) is one of the four universities selected to get a loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) related to the Advanced Knowledge and Skills for Sustainable Growth in Indonesia (AKSI) project. In the construction process, such as installation activities and building infrastructure from equipment, it can trigger unexpected noise, so it can have an impact on people's health and comfort. This research was conducted in five new building construction locations on the Bukit Indah campus of Malikussaleh University. The purpose of this study is to see the perception and attitude of the community around the construction project activities. The research method used was the distribution of questionnaires and using the Likert scale to measure the attitudes, opinions, and perceptions of the research respondents. The results of the questionnaire will be processed using SPSS software. The results showed that the overall average value of the respondents' perception of noise was 2.35. This figure shows that the current place of work/study/living does not feel noisy due to ongoing construction work.

Clinicians’ perceptions of “enhanced recovery after surgery” (ERAS) protocols to improve patient safety in surgery: a national survey from Australia

BackgroundSurgical patients are at risk of postoperative complications, which may lead to increased morbidity, mortality, hospital length-of-stay and healthcare costs. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS®) protocols are evidence-based and have demonstrated effectiveness in decreasing complications and associated consequences. However, their adoption in Australia has been limited and the reason for this is unclear. This study aimed to describe clinicians’ perceptions of ERAS protocols in Australia.MethodsA national online survey of anaesthetists, surgeons and nurses was undertaken. Invitations to participate were distributed via emails from professional colleges. The 30-item survey captured respondent characteristics, ERAS perceptions, beliefs, education and learning preferences and future planning considerations. The final question was open-ended for elaboration of perceptions of ERAS. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to describe and compare group differences across disciplines relative to perceptions of ERAS.ResultsThe sample included 178 responses (116 nurses, 65.2%; 36 surgeons, 20.2%; 26 anaesthetists, 14.6%) across six states and two territories. More than half (n = 104; 58.8%) had used ERAS protocols in patient care, and most perceived they were ‘very knowledgeable’ (n = 24; 13.6%) or ‘knowledgeable’ (n = 71; 40.3%) of ERAS. However, fewer nurses had cared for a patient using ERAS (p <.01) and nurses reported lower levels of knowledge (p <.001) than their medical counterparts. Most respondents agreed ERAS protocols improved patient care and financial efficiency and were a reasonable time investment (overall Md 3–5), but nurses generally recorded lower levels of agreement (p.013 to < 0.001). Lack of information was the greatest barrier to ERAS knowledge (n = 97; 62.6%), while seminars/lectures from international and national leaders were the preferred learning method (n = 59; 41.3%). Most supported broad implementation of ERAS (n = 130; 87.8%).ConclusionThere is a need to promote ERAS and provide education, which may be nuanced based on the results, to improve implementation in Australia. Nurses particularly need to be engaged in ERAS protocols given their significant presence throughout the surgical journey. There is also a need to co-design implementation strategies with stakeholders that target identified facilitators and barriers, including lack of support from senior administration, managers and clinicians and resource constraints.

Determinants of spatial distribution of trees outside forests along urban-rural gradients: A review

Urbanization can create uncertainty for biodiversity. Understanding the spatial distribution of trees along urban-rural gradients is crucial for sustainable land management and the conservation of biological diversity. However, limited information is available on the factors influencing the distribution of trees outside forests along urban-rural transition gradients. This paper uses the Preferred Reporting items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) to review how distance from urban centers, land use types, socio-economic disparities, and community attitudes and perceptions impact the spatial distribution of trees outside forests along urban-rural gradients. The review indicates that the species composition, diversity, density, and spatial arrangement of trees outside forests vary along the urban-rural gradient. The most commonly cited factors influencing this distribution are respondents' attitudes and perceptions of trees, socio-economic factors, and land use variations. Distance from the urban center was the least cited factor. However, there is significant variation in how different factors impact this distribution from study to study. Therefore, further research is needed to better understand the factors driving changes in the diversity of trees outside forests in various urban-rural contexts and to determine whether variations exist across different settings.

Fiscal decentralization and citizens' satisfaction with public services: Evidence from a micro survey in China

Our study matches multiple rounds of China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) data from 2012 to 2020 with regional macro fiscal and economic data, and explores the impact of regional fiscal decentralization on citizens' satisfaction with public services from the subjective perception of individual respondents. The study found that the increase in regional fiscal decentralization has a significant positive effect on improving the satisfaction of citizens with public services. However, due to differences in individual characteristics among the surveyed individuals, this effect has obvious heterogeneity. Mechanism analysis showed that the enhancement of local government's awareness of public service supply and the increase of regional fiscal transparency have a promoting effect on the improvement of citizens' satisfaction with public services. From the perspective of the convergence in the perception of public service satisfaction among citizens within the same province, the increase of fiscal decentralization has not effectively promoted the equalization development of public services at the provincial level in China.

Surgical Residency Training in Nigeria: An Audit Through the Lenses of the Trainee and Trainer

IntroductionResident doctors constitute an important workforce of the Nigerian healthcare system wherein they undergo structured training to become competent specialists in different fields of medicine. The aim of this survey was to audit the surgical residency training process, incorporating both the trainer's and the trainee's perspectives, with a view to improving both residency training and overall patient care. MethodsThis was a multicenter descriptive cross-sectional study involving consultant surgeons and surgical trainees in selected tertiary healthcare institutions in Nigeria. A link to an online semi-structured and pretested questionnaire was sent to study participants whose agreement to fill out the questionnaire was taken as implied consent for the study. The perception of respondents on key areas of surgical residency training like the quality of training, skill acquisition, mentorship, supervision, operative exposures, research, funding, didactic sessions, and work schedule was assessed using a Likert scale. Their perceived challenges to training and measures to improve the quality of training were recorded. Data were analysed using version 23 of the SPSS. ResultsA total of 127 participants (25 trainers and 102 trainees) were recruited with a mean age of 34.8 ± 3.5 y for the trainees and 47.5 ± 6.9 y for the trainers. The majority of both the trainers and trainees (72%, n = 18 and 93%, n = 96, respectively) were dissatisfied with the quality of surgical residency training in Nigeria with the trainers (88%, n = 22) and trainees (97.1%, n = 99) mostly agreeing that surgical training should be standardized across training centres in Nigeria. The trainees and trainers rated mentorship, research, funding, and overall quality of surgical residency training as inadequate, while most of the trainees and trainers rated supervision of trainees as adequate. The trainees predominantly identified poor training facilities as the most important challenge to surgical residency, followed by high clinical workload, while the majority of the trainers identified workplace bullying and high clinical workload as being the predominant factors. The nine-pronged recommendations by both the trainers and trainees to improve surgical training in Nigeria include mentorship program for trainees, funding of surgical residency training, provision of facilities and equipment for training, adequate supervision of trainees by trainers, job description and defined work schedule for trainees, health insurance of patients, overseas training of trainees during the residency program, improved remuneration of trainees, and adequate motivation of trainers. ConclusionsThe quality of surgical residency training in Nigeria is perceived as suboptimal by trainees and trainers. Perceived common challenges to surgical residency training include poor training facilities, workplace bullying, and high clinical workload. Adequate funding of surgical residency program, standardized mentorship, and training of trainees with improved remuneration of trainees and motivation of their trainers would enhance the overall quality of surgical residency training in Nigeria.

Living beyond borders: the international legal framework to protecting rights to health of Indonesian illegal migrant workers in Malaysia

PurposeThis study aims to analyse in the health access of Indonesian illegal migrant workers in Malaysia, during which time they were not covered by Indonesia’s national social health insurance.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a sociolegal approach, the research approach is conducted to understand the effect of a law, policy and regulation on access to health-care access among Indonesian migrant workers working illegally in Malaysia. This research involved 110 respondents who work illegally in Malaysia. The research explored the perceptions of respondents concerning to health access services of illegal migrant workers.FindingsThe study demonstrated the weakness of provisions intended to guarantee the health access to health care of migrant workers from Indonesia illegally working in Malaysia. A decline in health status was observed, but it was not significant. Bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia is necessary to provide a framework for Indonesia providing health care to its citizens working in Malaysia, regardless of their legal status.Originality/valueThis paper concerns on the Indonesia illegal migrant workers experiencing illness and the access to the health service in Malaysia, and also the implementation of international regulation to protect Indonesian illegal migrant workers in Malaysia under ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers.

Bereaved Respondent Perceptions of Quality of Care by Site of Death and Palliative Care in the Last Month of Life

Bereaved Respondent Perceptions of Quality of Care by Site of Death and Palliative Care in the Last Month of Life

The acceptance of tablet for note-taking in consecutive interpreting in a classroom context: The students' perspectives

This study aims to examine interpreting students' perceptions of using tablets for interpreting note-taking (INT). A mixed-method approach was adopted, including quantitative methods based on Gile's two-phase effort model of consecutive interpreting (CI) to investigate respondents' experiences and perceptions, as well as qualitative methods to explore differences between professionals and beginners regarding their preferences and user experiences with note-taking tools. Additionally, factors within the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) framework that significantly impacted the acceptance of tablet-based interpreting were analyzed. Our research findings reveal valuable insights into students' attitudes towards integrating technology into interpreter training programs while highlighting key factors influencing tablet-based note-taking adoption or rejection among participants. Moreover, this study emphasizes the importance of developing an application specifically designed for INT to meet the unique needs of interpreters and stresses that training plays an essential role in facilitating the adoption of tablet-based INT. Teachers are suggested to take the initiative to try tablet-based INT themselves before they make their decisions on whether to introduce the technology to their students.

A Serial Cross-Sectional Study Investigating Unrealistic Optimism, Risk Perception and Protective Behavior during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Protective behavior is crucial and needed when crisis conditions occur, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study wanted to examine whether (1) unrealistic optimism is significantly correlated to risk perception; (2) risk perception significantly affects protective behavior (3) risk perception mediates the relationship between unrealistic optimism and protective behavior and (4) whether they (unrealistic optimism, risk perception, protective behavior) are sifted from early phase to middle phase of COVID-19 Pandemic in Indonesia context. This study used a cross-sectional quantitative method, involving 549 respondents (age mean 26.02) obtained through a nonprobability (accidental) sampling technique. The study was divided into two-time windows; study I during the early period of the COVID-19 pandemic and study II when the pandemic had been running for more than 1 year. The results confirmed there was a relationship between unrealistic optimism and protective behavior, risk perception and protective behavior, but risk perception does not mediate the relationship between unrealistic optimism and protective behavior. There was a shift in the level of unrealistic optimism, risk perception, and protective behavior over time, specifically between Study I and Study II. Respondents' unrealistic optimism in Study I was at a higher level compared to Study II. The risk perception of respondents has increased along with the longer duration of the pandemic. Meanwhile, the level of protective behavior of respondents has decreased along with the longer the pandemic lasts.

Energy drinks in Tamale: Understanding youth perceptions, consumption patterns, and related factors.

Energy drinks (EDs) have become a popular choice for young people seeking physical and cognitive boosts, with ingredients such as caffeine, taurine, and B vitamins aimed at improving academic, athletic, and alertness levels. However, the popularity of these drinks is also driven by low prices, taste, brand loyalty, and gendered marketing, with boys being more likely to consume them. Despite the supposed benefits, EDs have been associated with high-risk behaviours, deaths, and adverse health effects, especially those related to cardiovascular risk. Meanwhile, in Ghana, the use of EDs is on the rise. Hence, this study aimed to examine the prevalence and consumption patterns, perceptions, and factors associated with ED consumption among the youth of the Tamale Metropolis. The study was cross-sectional, consisting of 541 participants. The group consisted of 340 males and 201 females, between the ages of 15 and 45. A questionnaire was utilized to obtain data on the respondents' consumption patterns and perceptions of EDs, as well as their socio-demographic characteristics. The results of the study indicated that a large percentage of the respondents, 98.7%, had consumed EDs before, while 78.7% currently consume them. Respondents believed that EDs provided additional energy (81.00%) and reduced stress (62.30%). However, they also perceived side effects such as insomnia (60.60%) and restlessness (51.40%). Also, the highest proportion of respondents (83.4%) had poor knowledge of EDs. They were unaware of the classification of EDs and their ingredients, side effects, and benefits. Age, marital status, level of education, work intensity, EDs served at gatherings, and knowledge of EDs was significantly associated with ED consumption (p < .05). Consumption was higher among those aged 26 to 35 years, singles, individuals with no formal education, and those with high work intensity. The high consumption was also associated with low knowledge levels. It is recommended that public health and nutrition professionals engage in further advocacy efforts to improve the youth's knowledge and perception of EDs in a positive manner. In addition, lawmakers should use legislation to influence consumption rates and safeguard the health of consumers.

Financial scarcity, psychological well-being and perceptions: an evaluation of the Nigerian currency redesign policy outcomes

BackgroundThe relationship between insufficient financial resources and psychological health has been extensively studied and established in various contexts. However, there remains uncertainty regarding the potential impact of the Nigerian naira currency redesign policy on the psychological well-being of Nigerians. This policy, which aimed to demonetize the economy and promote economic stability, involved changes to the physical appearance of some naira denominations (200, 500 and 1000). Understanding the effects of this policy on psychological health is essential for evaluating its overall societal impact and identifying potential areas for improvement in future currency redesign initiatives.MethodsThe study is a cross-sectional mixed-methods study involving 2237 respondents across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Utilizing the simple random, snowball and convenience sampling technique, social media platforms (Facebook and WhatsApp) were used to recruit respondents. Variables were analyzed at descriptive and inferential levels. The qualitative component comprised seven (7) in-depth interviews with participants across the geo-political zones.ResultsThe perceptions of respondents towards the policy were diverse across different demographic groups. It was widely perceived that the timing of the policy was inappropriate, considering the challenges faced in utilizing online payment platforms and the significant inaccessibility of cash. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that demographic variables played a role in explaining systematic variations in the experience of financial scarcity and its effect on psychological health during the cash crunch that ensued as a result of the Nigerian naira currency redesign policy.ConclusionsThis study identified a significant association between the psychological inventory of financial scarcity and psychological well-being among residents in Nigeria during the cash crunch resulting from the Naira redesign policy. The findings suggest that the financial scarcity experienced by Nigerians due to the policy had a substantial impact on individuals’ psychological well-being. We recommend that a holistic approach be undertaken by policymakers to ensure that policy actions not only address economic objectives but also safeguard the mental health and overall well-being of the population.

Ethnic differences in meat consumption attitudes, norms and behaviors: A survey of White, South Asian and Black ethnic groups in the UK

A reduction in meat consumption is necessary to mitigate negative impacts of climate change and adverse health outcomes. The UK has an increasingly multi-ethnic population, yet there is little research on meat consumption habits and attitudes among ethnic groups in the UK. We ran a survey (N = 1014) with quota samples for ethnic groups and analyzed attitudes, behaviors and norm perceptions of White, South Asian and Black British respondents. Most respondents believe overconsumption of red and processed meat has negative impacts on health (73.3%) and the environment (64.3%).South Asian respondents were statistically significantly less likely to be meat eaters than White respondents (OR = 0.44, 95% CIs: 0.30-0.65, t = −4.15, p = 0.000), while there was no significant difference between White and Black respondents (OR = 1.06, 95% CIs: 0.63–1.76, t = 0.21, p = 0.834). Both South Asian (OR = 2.76, 95% CIs: 1.89–4.03 t = 5.25, p = 0.000) and Black respondents (OR = 2.09, 95% CIs: 0.1.30–3.35, t = 3.06, p = 0.002) were significantly more likely to express being influenced by friends and family in their food choices than White respondents. South Asian (OR = 3.24,95% CIs: 2.17–4.84, t = 5.74, p = 0.000) and Black (OR = 2.02,95% CIs: 1.21–3.39, t = 2.69, p = 0.007) respondents were also both significantly more likely to report they would want to eat similarly to their friends and family than White respondents. Statistical analyses suggested some gender and socioeconomic differences across and among ethnic groups, which are reported and discussed. The differences in meat consumption behaviors and norm conformity between ethnic groups raises the prospect that interventions that leverage social norms may be more effective in South Asian groups than Black and White groups in the UK.