Policy Development Research Articles

Exploring blue-green roof for a sustainable built environment in South Africa

PurposeThe current adverse changes in climatic conditions have necessitated innovative nature-based solutions like blue-green roofs to ensure sustainable built environments. The use of blue-green roofs in combating climate change issues has continued to grow, and its benefits are showcased in many countries' studies. However, there is an absence of reports on the use of this approach in South Africa. Therefore, in ensuring a sustainable built environment through nature-based solutions, this study explored the built environment professional’s knowledge of blue-green roofs, the hindrances to their use and motivations for much wider use of blue-green roofs in the country.Design/methodology/approachBased on the nature of the study, a quantitative design was adopted and data were obtained from professionals within the built environment through a questionnaire. Data analyses were conducted using the Cronbach alpha test, Kruskal–Wallis H-Test, exploratory factor analysis and fuzzy synthetic evaluation.FindingsThe findings revealed a growing knowledge of blue-green roofs, albeit its slow adoption in the country. Also, five critical clusters of hindrances affecting the use of blue-green roofs were identified. These are understanding the blue-green roof concepts, technical, economic, regulation and client hindrances. Furthermore, the ability to manage stormwater properly, provide climate change adaptation and deliver sustainable buildings were the key motivating factors that could drive the use of this innovative solution.Practical implicationsThis study offers actionable insights for built environment professionals and stakeholders to address the hindrances to using blue-green roofs in South Africa. Strategies such as improved education, financial incentives and policy development can help overcome some notable hindrances and promote the widespread adoption of blue-green roofs.Originality/valueThe slow adoption of blue-green roofs and the scant nature of research within the built environment required adequate attention to which this current research contributes. Theoretically, being one of the foremost studies in South Africa to explore blue-green roofs, the findings offer a foundation for future studies seeking to explore this roofing system in the country further.

Regional perspectives on patient safety policies and initiatives: a focus group study with patient safety leaders in the Middle East and Asian regions

Preventing and reducing risks and harm to patients is of critical importance as unsafe care is a leading cause of death and disability globally. However, the lack of consolidated information...

Factors affecting the intention to wear helmets for e-bike riders: the case of Chinese college students.

As the popularity of electric bicycles (e-bikes) continues to surge, the number of accidents involving them has commensurately increased. A significant factor contributing to the high fatality rate in these accidents is the low usage of helmets among e-bike riders. Helmets have been proven to reduce the severity of injuries, yet their usage remains unexpectedly low. This issue is particularly pronounced among college students, the primary buyer group for e-bikes. Regrettably, there is a lack of research exploring their intentions to wear helmets. Understanding determinants of their intentions to wear helmets is crucial in promoting safe e-bike travel. Therefore, the present study aims to develop an integrated theoretical model that combines the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Health Belief Model (HBM) to examine the factors influencing e-bike riders' helmet-wearing intentions among college students. Additionally, two variables-descriptive norms and law enforcement-are incorporated. The results indicate that the integrated model accounts for 76% of the variance in helmet-wearing intention, surpassing single-theory models. Specifically, the TPB accounts for 65%, while the HBM explains 53%. Notably, law enforcement emerges as the most influential factor, highlighting the crucial role of enforcing regulations and promoting awareness. Other significant factors include subjective and descriptive norms, attitudes, perceived benefits, perceived susceptibility, perceived barriers, and perceived severity. These findings provide valuable insights for policy development and targeted interventions aimed at improving helmet wear rates among e-bike riders, especially among the college student population.

‘In a very few years, we stepped several miles’: how eliminating gender-based violence became (and remained) public policy in Norway

Since the 1970s, important struggles were won to improve the ‘publicness’ of gender-based violence (GBV) in Norway. Since 2000, the Ministry of Justice has coordinated policy work to combat GBV for the Norwegian government. In 2010, a Shelter Act made the provision of domestic violence shelters by local governments mandatory. This article turns to the question of how a public responsibility for GBV was established, and how dedicated public policy, legislation, funding, and services were subsequently realised. This article identifies the crucial actors, factors, and conditions that have had the greatest influence on agenda-setting, policy development and decision making in the policy cycle. Analysis is based on 22 interviews, policy analysis and previous Norwegian studies that have theorised about the success, how it came about, and the decisive factors in achieving change. Participants of this study were academics, activists, specialist service providers, politicians, lawyers, survivor-advocates, and political advisors. In exploring campaigning for change with participants, the study uncovered fault lines within gender equality and violence scholarship and public policy in Norway that may help explain why GBV is still commonplace. The article offers future directions for policy and research that reflect on these discursive exclusions and normative assumptions.

Effective multi-sectoral approach for rapid reduction in maternal and neonatal mortality: the exceptional case of Bangladesh

BackgroundBangladesh experienced impressive reductions in maternal and neonatal mortality over the past several decades with annual rates of decline surpassing 4% since 2000. We comprehensively assessed health system and non-health...

Analysing LULC transformations using remote sensing data: insights from a multilayer perceptron neural network approach

ABSTRACT The study examines the complex dynamics of changes in LULC over three decades, focused on the years 1992, 2002, 2012, and 2022. The research highlights the significance of comprehending these alterations within the framework of environmental and socio-economic consequences. The changes in land use and land cover (LULC) have significant and far-reaching effects on ecosystems, biodiversity, and human livelihoods. This study offers useful information for politicians, conservationists, and urban planners by examining historical patterns and forecasting future changes. The study utilized a Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network (MLP-NN), a well-known machine learning technique that excels at collecting intricate patterns. This model’s design had three layers: input, hidden, and output. The model underwent 10,000 iterations during its training process, and a thorough statistical analysis was conducted to assess the impact of each driving component. The MLP-NN model demonstrated impressive performance, with a skill measure of 0.8724 and an accuracy rate of 89.08%. The accuracy of the LULC estimates for 2022 was verified by comparing them with observed data, ensuring the model’s reliability. Moreover, the presence of evidence likely was found to be a significant factor that had a substantial impact on the accuracy of the model. The study highlights the effectiveness of the MLP-NN model in accurately predicting changes in LULC. The model’s exceptional accuracy and proficiency make it a powerful tool for future LULC forecasts. Identifying the primary causes of model performance and understanding their implications may help to enhance land management strategies, encourage spatial planning, guide accurate decision-making, and facilitate the development of policies that align with sustainable growth and development.

Innovation green technology in the age of cybersecurity: Balancing sustainability goals with security concerns

This study explores the critical intersection of cybersecurity measures and green technologies, aiming to assess their combined impact on sustainability goals and stakeholder implications. Employing a systematic literature review methodology, the research scrutinizes peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, and reports from reputable databases, focusing on publications from the year 2010 to 2024. The review identifies key themes, including the integration challenges and opportunities of cybersecurity within sustainable technologies, the evolving landscape of cybersecurity protocols, and the strategic implications for industry leaders, policymakers, and technologists. Key insights reveal the dual imperative of pursuing sustainability alongside security, highlighting the necessity of integrating robust cybersecurity measures without compromising the environmental benefits of green technologies. The study identifies significant challenges at this nexus, such as the rapid evolution of cyber threats and the complexity of embedding cybersecurity in green innovations. It also outlines opportunities for innovation and the development of a security-aware culture that supports environmental sustainability. Strategic recommendations are provided for stakeholders to navigate these complexities, emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary approaches, continuous learning, and the development of policies that encourage the adoption of secure and sustainable technologies. The study concludes that fostering innovation in green technology requires a concerted effort to integrate cybersecurity measures effectively, underscoring the need for future research to expand the knowledge frontiers in this critical area. This research contributes to the ongoing dialogue on achieving environmental sustainability and technological resilience, offering a foundation for further exploration and action towards these dual objectives. Keywords: Cybersecurity, Green Technologies, Sustainable Technological, Stakeholder Security Concerns.                                                               

The Efficacy of Restorative Justice Programs in Reducing Recidivism Rates

Purpose: This study sought to assess the efficacy of restorative justice programs in reducing recidivism rates.  Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to restorative justice programs in reducing recidivism rates. Preliminary empirical review revealed that restorative justice interventions were effective in reducing reoffending and promoting positive outcomes for both offenders and victims. Through processes such as victim-offender mediation and family group conferencing, restorative justice provided opportunities for offenders to take responsibility, repair harm, and engage in rehabilitation. While acknowledging variations in effectiveness based on offender characteristics and program implementation, the study highlighted the importance of continued investment in restorative justice initiatives to create a more just and equitable criminal justice system. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Labeling theory, Social Learning theory and Routine Activities theory may be used to anchor future studies on restorative justice programs in reducing recidivism rates. The study offered recommendations that contributed to theoretical advancements, practical improvements, and policy developments in the field. It emphasized the importance of exploring underlying mechanisms, standardized training for practitioners, and integration of restorative principles into mainstream criminal justice policies. These recommendations were aimed at enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of restorative justice interventions in promoting positive outcomes for victims, offenders, and communities.

Technologies and policies for sustainable environment development and carbon footprint reduction

Technologies and policies for sustainable environment development and carbon footprint reduction

Groundwater recharge potential zone modeling in the Wadi Al-Lith Basin, Saudi Arabia

The management of groundwater resources is crucial in arid and semi-arid regions such as Al-Lith Basin, and therefore, the identification of suitable areas for groundwater recharge is important in solving the problem of water scarcity and ensuring the long-term sustainability of aquifers. In this study, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique, in conjunction with GIS, was applied to locate potential zones for groundwater recharge in the Al-Lith basin. The research methodology includes collecting the essential data, including lineament density, slope, rainfall, drainage density, LU/LC, soil, elevation, and TWI. AHP is used to assign relative weights to different qualities, considering their significance in influencing groundwater recharge. The ArcGIS was employed to process and analyze the weighted layers, which resulted in the creation of a comprehensive map illustrating the potential for groundwater recharge. The study results suggested that the Al-Lith Subbasin has several zones that exhibit different levels of groundwater recharge capability. The results obtained from this study indicated that 12.83% of the basin area has significant groundwater recharge potential zones (GWPZ), ranging from high to very high levels. The groundwater recharge potential zones in the basin are categorized as very poor to poor, covering 19.4% of the area, while the moderate groundwater recharge potential zones represent 67.77% of the basin area. The groundwater protection zones were validated using 19 wells distributed across the basin. The validation findings indicate there is an overlap between the GWPZ classes and the wells in the specified location. Overall, the findings of this study can enhance groundwater resource management and inform policy development for targeted interventions aimed at enhancing groundwater recharge.

Relationship between Artistic Expression and Mental Well-being

Purpose: This study sought to investigate the relationship between artistic expression and mental well-being. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to artistic expression and mental well-being. Preliminary empirical review revealed that engaging in creative activities offers therapeutic benefits such as emotional expression, self-discovery, and social connection. Through various forms of art, individuals were able to reduce stress, improve mood, and foster a sense of belonging within their communities. Moreover, artistic expression served as a catalyst for personal transformation and empowerment, enabling individuals to overcome challenges and find meaning in their experiences. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating arts-based interventions into mental health care to promote holistic well-being. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Art as Therapy theory, Flow theory and Socio-Emotional Selectivity theory may be used to anchor future studies. The studies exploring the relationship between artistic expression and mental well-being offered valuable recommendations that contributed to theoretical advancements, informed practical applications, and guided policy development. By elucidating the therapeutic mechanisms of artistic expression, practitioners integrated arts-based interventions into clinical practice, educators incorporated arts into school curricula, and policymakers advocated for increased funding and support for arts initiatives in healthcare and community settings. These efforts aimed to foster creativity, resilience, and social connection, ultimately enhancing mental well-being across diverse populations.

Human Capital at the Regional Level: Population Forecast Insights into Latvia from a Long-Term Perspective

To remain prosperous and competitive, modern regions must meet the challenge of becoming smart and sustainable, and human capital has a key role in this context. Depopulation increases risks of human capital availability and emigration is a primary reason. Regions that are experiencing a decreased population must develop strategic sustainable regional development policies that consider scientifically based population forecasts. The youth population characterises regional potential for long-term human capital availability. First, children represent a region’s future employees and entrepreneurs. Second, children require availability of educational services at regional level, which promotes regional vitality. Third, the youth population indirectly demonstrates a region’s socio-economic attractiveness for living and working. This study employs the system dynamic method to forecast different population change scenarios at the regional level in Latvia. The results reveal a declining, long-term population tendency for working age and youth populations in Latvian regions. Overall, Latvian regions will remain extremely homogeneous in the long term, with minor differences in the short term. In conclusion, despite regional disparities in terms of quality of life with some leading examples, all regions will experience high emigration loss. Regional social, economic and environmental characteristics demonstrate a need to assess population change trends in a complex manner. This study provides data for understanding short- and long-term perspectives that must be addressed through sustainable regional development policies.   Received: 27 October 2023 / Accepted: 24 March 2024 / Published: 5 May 2024

Feminization of poverty: an analysis of multidimensional poverty among rural women in China

Few studies from an individual perspective have analyzed the multidimensional poverty of rural women in China. Therefore, based on the CFPS data from 2010 to 2020 and the Alkire-Foster approach, this study built a six-dimensional system to portray the status of multidimensional poverty among rural women. The overall comparisons found that rural women were more likely to be multidimensional poor than other subgroups. And the results of rural women showed significant demographic and spatio-temporal differences. That is, older rural women were more deprived than younger rural women. Rural women with spouses or confidence were less deprived than those without spouses or confidence, respectively. From the spatial perspective, the censored headcount ratios of rural women in descending order were Western Region, Central Region and Eastern Region. From the temporal perspective, the risk of rural women’s multidimensional poverty decreased significantly from 2010 to 2020. The importance of non-material indicators was gradually becoming prominent, including education, health and subjective wellbeing. The conclusions can contribute to the development of policies, even if some limitations need to be further improved.

Conspiracy Theories, Vaccine Hesitancy and Determinants of Vaccination Acceptance in Nigeria: A Conceptual Review

Purpose: This conceptual review aims to dissect the intricate web of conspiracy theories, vaccine hesitancy and determinants of vaccination acceptance within Nigeria's socio-cultural context, shedding light on their genesis, propagation and impact on public health outcomes. Methodology: Employing a multidisciplinary approach, this study synthesizes existing literature and theoretical frameworks from various disciplines, including sociology, anthropology, public health, and communication studies. Methodological rigor is ensured through comprehensive literature review and critical appraisal of relevant studies, enabling a holistic exploration of the subject matter. Findings: Through a systematic analysis, the review identifies and examines socio-cultural, economic and political influences that shape vaccination behavior in Nigeria. It illuminates the multifaceted determinants contributing to vaccine hesitancy, ranging from religious beliefs to historical legacies to socio-economic factors and healthcare accessibility challenges. The review also highlights the genesis and propagation of conspiracy narratives, their impact on public trust in vaccination and consequent implications for immunization uptake. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: This review makes several contributions to theory, policy, and practice in the field of vaccination and public health. Firstly, it advances theoretical understanding by synthesizing existing knowledge and proposing conceptual frameworks that elucidate the socio-cultural, economic, and political determinants of vaccination behavior in Nigeria. Secondly, it informs policy development by identifying key areas for intervention, such as addressing vaccine hesitancy, countering misinformation, and strengthening healthcare infrastructure to enhance vaccine delivery. Finally, it offers practical insights for public health practitioners and policymakers, providing evidence-based recommendations for designing effective vaccination campaigns, communication strategies, and community engagement initiatives tailored to the Nigerian context.

A Review of the Coronavirus Epidemic in Nigeria

Nigeria has experienced serious difficulties as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic, which has affected the entire world. With a focus on public health response, socioeconomic effects, and epidemiology, this thorough review aims to offer an in-depth review of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. The epidemiological overview examines the COVID-19 pandemic's spread in Nigeria. This research aims to provide an in-depth review of Nigeria's techniques and efforts in fighting COVID-19, focusing on what contributes to Nigeria's low COVID-19 mortality toll compared to other nations. In summary, the review concludes with recommendations for future approaches to managing the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, highlighting the significance of ongoing public health initiatives, fair vaccination programs, and international cooperation. It emphasizes how adaptive techniques are necessary to deal with changing issues and guarantee that the nation is ready for future health emergencies. This comprehensive review, in its entirety, provides insightful information about the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, laying the groundwork for well-informed policy development, research projects, and decision-making targeted at halting the pandemic and preserving public health in the country.

Re‐examining the effect of heat and water stress on agricultural output growth: How is Sub‐Saharan Africa different?

AbstractWe examine the impact of climate driven heat and water stress on aggregate crop production growth, paying particular attention to the Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) region as opposed to studies with a global or Non SSA focus. Using gridded data on temperature and precipitation, which is crop weighted and averaged to the national level, we generate measures of stressors that capture average temperature and precipitation shocks, and extreme punctuated events like dry spells and heat waves for 38 countries in Sub Saharan Africa between 1979 and 2016. We find in general that compared to estimates with a global or non SSA focus, the detrimental effect of increased annual temperature has been overstated, while the damage caused by shorter‐term extremes like dry spells and heat waves has been understated. This implies that region specific analysis is key in developing a more comprehensive understanding of climate change. Such analyses are pivotal for climate policy development allowing for more spatially efficient allocation of limited financial resources, and greater accuracy in estimating adaptation effects.

Risks of pesticides on aquatic ecosystems and pesticide management effectiveness in Ethiopia: review

AbstractDespite their significance in food security, pesticides have the potential to seriously harm both the environment and human health. It may lower the rates of egg hatching, offspring growth, vision, illness resistance, predator avoidance, and overall population survival. Nevertheless, over 75% of Ethiopian farmers lack the literacy to read pesticide labels and comprehend the consequences of pesticide residues on the environment. Pesticides are mixed and applied in close proximity to bodies of water, including sources of drinkable water. Farmers in the country overuse and misuse the pesticides without worrying about its negative effects. Ethiopia failed to adequately enforce its environmental protection laws to reduce the harmful effects of pesticide residues. The aim of this review is to summarize the trends of pesticide use, the effects of pesticide residues on aquatic ecosystems, the pesticide application practices, and the level of enforcement of pesticide laws in the country. The literature search was done using different search engines. Disagreement among policies, absence of liability for overlooking duties, negligence of the pesticide effects on human health and the environment, and a strong commitment to short-term economic growth are reasons for ineffective law enforcement. Regular supply chain inspections, management of pesticide use, and widespread awareness campaigns are crucial steps to reduce the harmful effects of pesticides on the environment, living things, and humans. Establishing pesticide-free buffer zones for water bodies, replacing the contradictory sectorial policies with integrated development policy, and executing the policy objectives are also crucial steps that need to be taken.

Ethical Implications of Environmental Policies and Practices

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the ethical implications of environmental policies and practices. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to the ethical implications of environmental policies and practices. Preliminary empirical review revealed that environmental decision-making is complex, involving trade-offs between competing values. It emphasized the importance of incorporating principles of justice and equity into governance processes, recognizing the disproportionate impact of environmental degradation on marginalized communities. The study identified gaps and shortcomings in current policies, highlighting the need for enhanced accountability and inclusivity. It advocated for a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to environmental governance, involving collaboration across diverse stakeholders to develop more effective and morally defensible strategies for addressing environmental challenges. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Environmental Justice theory, Ethical Decision- Making theory and Sustainability theory may be used to anchor future studies on the ethical implications of environmental policies and practices. The study made several recommendations, contributing to theory, practice, and policy. It recommended integrating ethical frameworks into policy development, strengthening community engagement, promoting environmental justice and equity, enhancing transparency and accountability, implementing ethical education and training, and fostering international cooperation. These recommendations aimed to ensure that environmental policies reflected ethical considerations, empowered communities, addressed systemic inequalities, promoted democratic governance, enhanced ethical awareness, and facilitated collaborative solutions to global environmental challenges. Keywords: Ethical Implications, Environmental Policies, Sustainability, Environmental Justice, Equity, Community Engagement, Transparency, Accountability, Policy Development, Participatory Governance, Democratic Deliberation, Environmental Inequalities, Ethical Frameworks, Education And Training, International Cooperation, Solidarity, Stakeholders, Decision-Making Processes, Global Environmental Challenges

Current and future development of thermal grids in Switzerland: an organizational perspective

IntroductionThermal grids are key to decarbonizing heating and cooling. However, their development is a complex socio-technical process. This study aims to (1) understand the thermal grid ecosystem’s development under changing political, economic and cultural frame conditions, (2) elicit actors’ perception of options for future development, and (3) identify concrete problem situations for the future development of thermal grids and describe how to address them.MethodsWe draw on 18 semi-structured interviews with decision-makers in utilities, municipal administrations, planning and engineering companies and intermediary organizations.ResultsWith increased strategic importance of thermal grids, the ecosystem has been in a phase of rapid growth and professionalization in the last 10–15 years. This is reflected in a rapid increase in the number of grids, but also in capability and capacity building and greater quality standards. This transformation has been supported by a resource pool (e.g., knowledge base, capacities and capabilities, networks or decision-support tools), built partly through the value network’s activities and partly through purposeful orchestration by associations, authorities, utilities and other actors. While policy developments, energy price fluctuations and changes in customer perceptions spurred demand, thermal grid development is limited by supply-side constraints, especially a skill shortage. Four interrelated problem situations were identified: (1) Municipalities lack the resources to manage the implementation of their energy strategies. (2) The modernization of thermal grids and integration of low-carbon heat sources entails high transaction costs. (3) The implementation of thermal grids is subject to delays and quality risks, with consequences for the timely achievement of decarbonization goals. (4) Customers face uncertainty on available options, as well as on the systemic impacts of their decisions.DiscussionBased on current practices, suggestions by the interviewees, as well as a comparison with the international literature, we identify four development areas to address these problem situations: (1) Empower and support municipalities. (2) Manage the scarcity of qualified workforce. (3) Leverage digital technology for the planning, realization and operation of thermal grids. (4) Pilot technological and organizational innovations together. This complements the set of previously suggested measures to support the development of thermal grids, which focused strongly on technical and regulatory aspects.

Bronchiectasis in Türkiye: Data from a Multicenter Registry (Turkish Adult Bronchiectasis Database).

Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung disease characterized by permanent bronchial wall dilatation. Although it has been known as an orphan disease, it has recently gained attention because of registry-based studies and drug research. We aimed to use a multicenter database to analyze and compare data regarding the etiology, associated comorbidities, microbiological characteristics, and preventive strategies of bronchiectasis in Türkiye to those of other countries. A multicenter prospective cohort study. The multicenter, prospective cohort study was conducted between March 2019 and January 2022 using the Turkish Adult Bronchiectasis Database, in which 25 centers in Türkiye participated. Patients aged > 18 years who presented with respiratory symptoms such as cough, sputum, and dyspnea and were diagnosed with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis using computed tomography were included in the study. Demographic information, etiologies, comorbidities, pulmonary functions, and microbiological, radiological, and clinical data were collected from the patients. Of the 1,035 study participants, 518 (50%) were females. The mean age of the patients was 56.1 ± 16.1 years. The underlying etiology was detected in 565 (54.6%) patients. While postinfectious origin was the most common cause of bronchiectasis (39.5%), tuberculosis was identified in 11.3% of the patients. An additional comorbidity was detected in 688 (66.5%) patients. The most common comorbidity was cardiovascular disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis was identified in 19.5% of the patients. The most commonly detected microbiological agent was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (29.4%). Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) were used in 70.1% of the patients, and the frequency of exacerbations in the last year was significantly higher in patients using ICS than in nonusers (p < 0.0001). Age [odds ratio (OR): 1.028; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.005-1.051], cachexia (OR: 4.774; 95% CI: 2,054-11,097), high modified medical research council dyspnea scale score (OR: 1,952; 95% CI: 1,459-2,611), presence of chronic renal failure (OR: 4,172; 95% CI: 1,249-13,938) and use of inhaled steroids (OR: 2,587; 95% CI: 1,098-6,098) were significant risk factors for mortality. Mortality rates were higher in patients with COPD than in those with no COPD (21.7-9.1%, p = 0.016). Patients with bronchiectasis and COPD exhibited more frequent exacerbations, exacerbation-related hospitalizations, and hospitalization in the intensive care unit in the previous year than patients without COPD. This is the first multicenter study of bronchiectasis in Türkiye. The study results will provide important data that can guide the development of health policies in Türkiye on issues such as infection control, vaccination, and the unnecessary use of antibiotics and steroids.