Primary Source Of Information Research Articles

Machine learning analysis of patients’ perceptions towards generic medication in Greece: a survey-based study

Introduction:This survey-based study investigates Greek patients’ perceptions and attitudes towards generic drugs, aiming to identify factors influencing the acceptance and market penetration of generics in Greece. Despite the acknowledged cost-saving potential of generic medication, skepticism among patients remains a barrier to their widespread adoption.Methods:Between February 2017 and June 2021, a mixed-methods approach was employed, combining descriptive statistics with advanced machine learning models (Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machine, Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, and XGBoost) to analyze responses from 2,617 adult participants. The study focused on optimizing these models through extensive hyperparameter tuning to predict patient willingness to switch to a generic medication.Results:The analysis revealed healthcare providers as the primary information source about generics for patients. Significant differences in perceptions were observed across demographic groups, with machine learning models successfully identifying key predictors for the acceptance of generic drugs, including patient knowledge and healthcare professional influence. The Random Forest model demonstrated the highest accuracy and was selected as the most suitable for this dataset.Discussion:The findings underscore the critical role of informed healthcare providers in influencing patient attitudes towards generics. Despite the study’s focus on Greece, the insights have broader implications for enhancing generic drug acceptance globally. Limitations include reliance on convenience sampling and self-reported data, suggesting caution in generalizing results.

Experience analysis of automation and robotization of the container terminal operation

The paper reviews the existing approaches to automation of both transshipment equipment and technological operations performed at container terminals. It is pointed out that automation and robotization of warehousing and port operational processes is one of the current global trends in the development of cargo transshipment and temporary storage technologies at seaport berths. Therefore, the search, accumulation and systematization of a lot of information about practical developments in this area of transport industry is one of the scientific tasks in choosing the direction of the dissertation research "Technology, arrangement and management of transshipment processes in ports". On the basis of the studied domestic and foreign experience in the field of arrangement of the management system of the sea container terminal the operational processes in which the object of automation was transshipment technology were classified. The unification of individual methods of automation of operational processes into groups (levels of automation) was made on the basis of the classification criteria "the number of automated equipment units ". Unstructured data presented as primary source information on the websites of manufacturers of transshipment equipment, as well as secondary open scientific data were the sources of information for the scientific research.

Assessment of community knowledge, attitude, and practice towards rabies and its determinants in Kersa District, East Hararghe Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Despite the prevention and control efforts against rabies, it remains a health problem for humans and animals in Ethiopia. A cross- sectional study design was employed from February to July 2022 to assess community knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards rabies and associated factors in the Keresa district of Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. Face-to-face interviews were used to collect data from 384 households, and logistic regression was employed in the data analysis. Fifty-three percent (95% CI= 47.9-58.1%), 62% (95% CI= 57.3- 66.9%), and 50% (95% CI= 45.1-54.9%) had adequate knowledge, a desirable attitude and good preventative practices towards rabies, respectively. 92.7% (95% CI= 90.1-95.3%) of participants had heard of rabies before, and 52.9% (95% CI= 47.9-58.1) of their primary source of information was the community. Nearly all respondents, 95% (95%CI= 93.8-97.7%), admitted to eating rabid animal flesh, and 56.3% (95%CI= 51-61.5%) believed that eating rabid animal meat may transmit the disease. One-fourth, 25.5% (95%CI=21.1-29.9%) of study participants believed that rabies is related to spirits, and 27.9% (95%CI= 23.4-32.6) claimed that holy water might treat rabies. Sex, level of education, occupation, and training status affect the knowledge of study participants. Age, family size, occupation type, and source of information were all linked to preventive practice, but sex and age were the only variables associated with attitude. Respondents having good knowledge and desirable attitudes had better preventive practices against rabies. Therefore, further awareness and disease-related training are needed for the district population and beyond to improve their knowledge of rabies prevention and control.

A Survey of Knowledge and Use of Academic Library Services at a Pseudo-Satellite Location

Objective – Following a rapid increase in student population over a five-year period, Cape Breton University leased additional teaching space from a nearby cinema chain but did not account for students’ library needs. The local nature of the venue, combined with issues in transit to the main campus, created “local-distance” students. These students were surveyed on awareness and use of library resources and services to inform future services. Methods – Students whose classes were primarily located at the cinema chain were engaged in an anonymous survey regarding their knowledge and use of library services. These data were then analyzed for common themes and recommendations. Results – There were notable gaps in student knowledge and use of library resources and services, perhaps owing to the primary source of information regarding these – namely, friends, professors, and the website. The need for further outreach and onsite library workers was highlighted, as was the importance of library as space. Conclusion – While the library handled the new venue as well as possible, it is crucial for administrators involved in change management to remember that student learning involves more than individuals in a classroom seat.

EXPLORING INFORMATION MEDIA PREFERENCES AMONG GOAT AND SHEEP FARMERS : A CASE STUDY IN DAERAH ISTIMEWA YOGYAKARTA PROVINCE

Goats and sheep are small ruminants with positive growth values in Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta Province (DIY). Goats and sheep development in DIY is necessary since these two livestock might be profitable to farmers. Information media have a significant role in disseminating knowledge and innovation to farmers quickly and effectively. However, information access fulfillment for the farmers is the weakness of livestock development. The aims of this research are to analyze farmers’ information media preferences and the factors influencing them. The information media in this study are dummy, namely person media with code zero (0) and ICT media with code one (1). The data was collected through a survey method that involved face-to-face structured questionnaire interviews to goat and sheep farmers in DIY who have at least one year of experience raising goat and or sheep. Farmers in DIY used personal media as their primary information source (86.42%), with fellow farmers being the most popular choice among farmers. Only 13.58% of farmers choose ICTs, with mobile phones being the preferred ICT over computers, radio, and television. The preference for using ICT is influenced by farmer characteristics: age (p < 0.01), livestock experience (p < 0.05), costs (p < 0.1), and ICT number (p < 0.05). Information dissemination using ICT media will be more appropriate for young farmers who are just starting their business.

Who Relies on Social Media Influencers for Political Information? A Cross-Country Study Among Youth

Social media influencers (SMIs) are defined as regular individuals who become well-known via self-branding on social media. Youth use content posted by SMIs not just for entertainment, but also for political information. However, we know little about which groups of young people are most likely to be exposed to their political messages or why some youth seem to favor SMIs’ political information over news content from other sources. Inspired by the selective exposure paradigm, this cross-country study conducted between April 2022 and March 2023 explored which variables positively relate to selecting SMIs as primary political information sources among a quota-based sample of emerging adults (16–22 years old) in Germany ( N = 559) and Belgium ( N = 495). We focused on dispositional factors, namely young people’s political predispositions (e.g., subjective political knowledge, institutional mistrust) and source perceptions (e.g., perceived expertise, perceived opinion leader functions), that may be associated with selecting SMIs for political information. Overall, 59 percent of youth in our study were able to name a favorite political SMI. In this analytical sample, youth who were male, politically active, or ascribed opinion leader functions to SMIs were likely to consider them central political information sources. Moreover, country-specific multi-group analysis showed that, in Germany, low subjective political knowledge and parasocial relationships developed with SMIs were linked with relying on them for political information.

Factors Influencing Women's Attendance to Postnatal Clinics in the Primary Healthcare Centers in the Kingdom of Bahrain, 2023.

Despite the significance of postnatal care for maternal health, the attendance rate of mothers at postnatal clinics (PNCs) in primary healthcare (PHC) centers in Bahrain is low. This study aims to identify factors influencing women's attendance at PNC in PHC centers in the Kingdom of Bahrain and to propose strategies for service improvement. In January 2023, we conducted a cross-sectional study. We selected mothers who gave birth between six and 12 months before the survey and met inclusion criteria using systematic simple random sampling and obtained consent (n = 319). Data collection utilized an electronic, structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire, and analysis was carried out using SPSS version 28 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Out of the 319 participants, 31% were unaware of the existence of PNC, 42% were aware but did not attend, and 27% were aware and had attended the clinic. Mother and child department clerks, doctors, health education boards, and midwives served as the primary sources of information about the PNC for only 34%, 16%, 16%, and 11% of participants, respectively. Understanding the importance of PNC, the services offeredby a healthcare worker,the booking process, having a vaginal delivery, and prior experience with a PNC visit were significantly associated with PNC attendance (p = 0.0046, p = 0.027, p < 0.001, p = 0.028, and p < 0.001, respectively). The attendance of 81 mothers, representing 94% of the total women who attended the clinic, was driven by their acknowledgment of the service's importance. Childcare responsibilities, perception of the visit as unimportant, and reluctance to undergo a pelvic examination were the top reasons for not attending the clinic, despite 41%, 38%, and 37% of participants being aware of it. Postnatal care attendance remains suboptimal for mothers in Bahrain. Awareness of the clinic's presence, counseling by healthcare providers, and prior experience with PNC visits were found to be significant determinants of attendance.

Effect of nutrition-related infodemics and social media on maternal experience: A nationwide survey in a low/middle income country.

Undernutrition is a crucial cause of morbidity and mortality among children in low- or middle-income countries (LMICs). A better understanding of maternal general healthy nutrition knowledge, as well as misbeliefs, is highly essential, especially in such settings. In the current era of infodemics, it is very strenuous for mothers to select not only the right source for maternal nutrition information but the correct information as well. To assess maternal healthy nutritional knowledge and nutrition-related misbeliefs and misinformation in an LMIC, and to determine the sources of such information and their assessment methods. This cross-sectional analytical observational study enrolled 5148 randomly selected Egyptian mothers who had one or more children less than 15 years old. The data were collected through online questionnaire forms: One was for the general nutrition knowledge assessment, and the other was for the nutritional myth score. Sources of information and ways of evaluating internet sources using the Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose test were additionally analyzed. The mean general nutrition knowledge score was 29 ± 9, with a percent score of 70.8% ± 12.1% (total score: 41). The median myth score was 9 (interquartile range: 6, 12; total score: 18). The primary sources of nutrition knowledge for the enrolled mothers were social media platforms (55%). Half of the mothers managed information for currency and authority, except for considering the author's contact information. More than 60% regularly checked information for accuracy and purpose. The mothers with significant nutrition knowledge checked periodically for the author's contact information (P = 0.012). The nutrition myth score was significantly lower among mothers who periodically checked the evidence of the information (P = 0.016). Mothers dependent on their healthcare providers as the primary source of their general nutritional knowledge were less likely to hold myths by 13% (P = 0.044). However, using social media increased the likelihood of having myths among mothers by approximately 1.2 (P = 0.001). Social media platforms were found to be the primary source of maternal nutrition information in the current era of infodemics. However, healthcare providers were the only source for decreasing the incidence of maternal myths among the surveyed mothers.

A two-stage framework for Arabic social media text misinformation detection combining data augmentation and AraBERT

Misinformation can profoundly impact the reputation of an entity, and eliminating its spread has become a critical concern across various applications. Social media, often a primary source of information, can significantly influence individuals’ perspectives through content from less credible sources. The utilization of machine-learning (ML) algorithms can facilitate automated, large-scale analysis of textual content, contributing to the rapid and efficient processing of extensive datasets for informed decision-making. Since the performance of ML models is highly affected by the size of the training data, many research papers have presented different approaches to solve the problem of limited dataset size. The data augmentation (DA) approach is one of these strategies, aiming to enhance ML model performance by increasing the amount of training data. DA generates new instances by applying different transformations to the original data instances. While many DA techniques have been investigated for various languages, such as English, achieving an enhancement of the classification model’s performance on the new augmented dataset compared to the original dataset, there is a lack of studies on the Arabic language due to its unique characteristics. This paper introduces a novel two-stage framework designed for the automated identification of misinformation in Arabic textual content. The first stage aims to identify the optimal representation of features before feeding them to the ML model. Diverse representations of tweet content are explored, including N-grams, content-based features, and source-based features. The second stage focuses on investigating the DA effect through the back-translation technique applied to the original training data. Back-translation entails translating sentences from the target language (in this case, Arabic) into another language and then back to Arabic. As a result of this procedure, new examples for training are created by introducing variances in the text. The study utilizes support vector machine (SVM), naive Bayes, logistic regression (LR), and random forest (RF) as baseline algorithms. Additionally, AraBERT transformer pre-trained language models are used to relate the instance’s label and feature representation of the input. Experimental outcomes demonstrate that misinformation detection, coupled with data augmentation, enhances accuracy by a noteworthy margin 5 to 12% compared to baseline machine-learning algorithms and pre-trained models. Remarkably, the results show the superiority of the N-grams approach over traditional state-of-the-art feature representations concerning accuracy, recall, precision, and F-measure metrics. This suggests a promising avenue for improving the efficacy of misinformation detection mechanisms in the realm of Arabic text analysis.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding zoonotic diseases among cat and dog owners in Bangladesh

The close relationship between human and companion animals like cats and dogs raises public health concerns regarding the potential transmission of zoonotic diseases in Bangladesh. The study aimed to evaluate the cat and dog owners' knowledge, attitudes, practices, and risk perception concerning zoonotic diseases for designing effective interventions and reducing disease transmission.A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 480 pet owners in various region of Bangladesh. For data collection, a structured, closed-ended questions were implemented. The data collection was anonymous and individuals were chosen through a random selection method. Responses were classified to evaluate comprehensive knowledge, using a threshold value of ≥65%. Quantitative score was created to measure Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices, and these scores were divided into categories of good and poor knowledge, positive and negative attitudes, as well as correct and incorrect practices. The analysis included the application of both descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis.The findings showed that females made up more than half of the survey participants (55.2%), with the predominant pet owned being cats (73.1%). Overall, only a small portion (21.25%) of the survey respondents demonstrated good knowledge about the topic as measured by a dichotomous outcome. A larger proportion of participants (84.58%) exhibited a positive attitude towards zoonotic diseases. However, when it came to correct practices, about one-third (29.79%) of performed satisfactorily. It is noteworthy that 90.4% of the participants exhibited a high level of understanding regarding the transmission of rabies through dog bites. The knowledge and practices of owners were markedly impacted by their education, occupation, and geographic location. Furthermore, 48.1% identified 'social media' as their primary source of information, and 80.0% regarded vaccination as a preventive measure.The study reveals gaps in knowledge and practices of risks regarding zoonotic diseases among pet owners in Bangladesh. It is crucial to implement focused educational initiatives and preventative measures to effectively tackle gaps in knowledge concerning zoonotic diseases and to avert potential infections.

Reporting assassinations in the Ethiopian press

This paper aims at analyzing the reporting of assassinations in the Ethiopian press from a discourse analytical perspective. The study attempted to answer three questions: 1) How are assassinations represented in the press? 2) What identities are set up for those involved in the assassinations? And, finally, how is meaning communicated in various discursive structures and communicative events? To that end, the study employed Jeffrie’s critical stylistics as an analytical framework within a qualitative design. The data were collected from five Ethiopian newspapers that were selected purposively in line with predetermined criteria. A corpus of 102 media stories that were published from June 2018 to June 2020 was setup. The findings show that each outlet reported the incidents synonymously, emphasizing a scapegoating process that could ideologically reaffirm the dominant political discourse. In doing so, four naming and labeling strategies were identified: lionizing (making the dead a hero), blaming and demonizing, victimizing (making the dead innocent and martyrs), and ethnification (connecting both the victims and offenders to their ethnic belongings). Polarized representations of actions, space, time, and society were evident in the selected stories. The government, together with its different organs and affiliates, was used as the sole and primary source of information. The voices of the government on the incidents were reported as widely accepted facts, as evidenced by the blurred line between direct and indirect speeches. This in turn helped to reaffirm the existing dominant political discourse – the status quo.

The effectiveness of treatment of chronic generalized periodontitis with the use of substitution therapy in women with hormonal status disorders

Relevance. In clinical observations, a combination of somatic pathology with various forms of periodontal tissue diseases has long been established. Hormonal status is of particular interest in this direction, since hormonal failure causes disturbances in the hormonal background of a person.Goal. The aim is to increase the effectiveness of treatment of women with chronic generalized periodontitis on the background of hormonal imbalance by correcting the receptor status of the gingival epithelium.Materials and methods of research. The research methodology provided for the integration of clinical, laboratory, histological and immunohistochemical methods. To realize the purpose of the study, a systematic approach was used, which was based on the analysis of the content of interrelated sources of primary information. The object of the study were women aged 18 to 59 years, who were assessed for periodontal status against the background of gynecological pathology and hormonal imbalance with the use of substitution therapy.Conclusions. The inclusion in the complex treatment of periodontal tissue diseases of drugs with receptor-modulating and anti-inflammatory effect normalizes the work of the receptor apparatus of the gingival epithelium, which increases the effectiveness of the treatment of periodontal pathology.

Sentence embedding to improve rumour detection performance model

&lt;span lang="EN-US"&gt;Recently, most individuals have preferred accessing the most recent news via social media platforms like Twitter as their primary source of information. Moreover, Twitter enables users to post and distribute tweets quickly and unsupervised. As a result, Twitter has become a popular platform for disseminating false information, such as rumours. These rumours were then propagated as accurate and influenced public opinion and decision-making. The issue will arise when a decision or policy with substantial consequences is made based on rumours. To avoid the negative impacts of rumours, several researchers have attempted to detect them automatically as early as feasible. Previous studies employed supervised learning methods to identify Twitter rumours and relied on feature extraction algorithms to extract tweet content and context elements. However, manually extracting features is time-consuming and labour-intensive. To encode each tweet's sentence as a vector based on its contextual meaning, we proposed utilising Bidirectional Encoder Representation of Transformer (BERT) as a sentence embedding. We then used these vectors to train some classifier models to detect rumours. Finally, we compared the performance of BERT-based models to feature engineering-based models. We discovered that the suggested BERT-based model improved all parameters by around 10% compared to the feature engineering-based classification model.&lt;/span&gt;

Health information sources and health-seeking behaviours of Filipinos living in medically underserved communities: Empirical quantitative research.

To describe sources of health information and health-seeking behaviours of adults (aged ≥18) living in medically underserved communities in the Philippines. This is a secondary, quantitative analysis from a cross-sectional parent study. Participants completed a 10-item, self-report survey on their sources of health information, healthcare providers sought for health and wellness and health-seeking behaviours when ill. Responses were evaluated across two age groups (<60 vs. ≥60 years) and genders using generalized linear mixed models. Surveys were completed by 1202 participants in rural settings (64.6% female, mean age 49.5 ± 17.6). Friends and/or family were their key source of health information (59.6%), followed by traditional media (37%) and healthcare professionals (12.2%). For health promotion, participants went to healthcare professionals (60.9%), informal healthcare providers (17.2%) or others (7.2%). When ill, they visited a healthcare professional 69.1% of the time, self-medicated (43.9%), prayed (39.5%) or sought treatment from a rural health clinic (31.5%). We also found differences in health-seeking behaviours based on age and gender. Our findings highlight the need to organize programs that explicitly deliver accurate health information and adequate care for wellness and illness. Study findings emphasize the importance of integrating family, friends, media and healthcare professionals, including public health nurses, to deliver evidence-based health information, health promotion and sufficient treatment to medically underserved Filipinos. New knowledge provides valuable information to healthcare providers, including public health nurses, in addressing health disparities among medically underserved Filipinos. This study addresses the current knowledge gap in a medically vulnerable population. Healthcare professionals are not the primary sources of health information. Approximately one-third of participants do not seek them for health promotion or treatment even when ill, exacerbating health inequities. More work is necessary to support initiatives in low- and middle-income countries such as the Philippines to reduce health disparities. We adhered to the reporting guidelines of STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) for cross-sectional studies. There was no patient or public contribution as our study design and methodology do not make this necessary.

Symphony of Digital Public Service Innovation in Indonesia: Evidence from Indonesia Public Service Innovation Competition 2014-2022

Investigating digital public service innovation in Indonesia is essential for improving practical applications and developing a unified theoretical understanding of digital innovation in the public sector. This research is particularly relevant in the global conversation about digital progress in both developed and developing nations. Indonesia's situation is uniquely instructive for several reasons: At the macro level, despite ambitions to become a digital economy, Indonesia faces the challenge of low internet penetration. At the meso level, governmental goals to digitize public services are hindered by unclear integration strategies within bureaucratic systems, revealing a gap between policy and execution. At the micro level, the need for digital literacy in the public sector is evident, but Indonesian civil servants currently fall short of the required standards, highlighting an urgent need for skill development. This study is crucial not only for enhancing local practices but also for contributing to a broader understanding of digital transformation in the public sector across different stages of national development. The research methodically reviews and maps digital public service innovation within the Indonesian context, employing a best practices approach and using the PRISMA flowchart for content analysis. Data was sourced from the Kemenpan-RB database on the Public Service Innovation Competition (KIPP) from 2014-2022. This database is a primary source of information on Indonesian Public Service Innovation and is noted for its reliability. The findings reveal a diverse range of strategies that balance interactivity with information delivery, internal efficiency with external engagement, and collaboration with self-reliance, providing a comprehensive view of the current state and potential future of digital public service innovation in Indonesia.

An Assessment of the Arabic-Language Informational Resources Available to Colon Cancer Patients Online

Background: The internet has become a primary source of health information, particularly for cancer patients. This study evaluated the quality of online health information related to colon cancer in Arabic. Objective: To assess the reliability, accountability, legitimacy, and readability of Arabic websites providing information on colon cancer. Methods: A search was conducted on major search engines using Arabic keywords related to colon cancer. After initial screening, 13 websites were selected for evaluation. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmarks, DISCERN instrument and website certification (Health on the Net - HON code) were used for assessment. Readability was analyzed using the Flesch Reading Ease Score and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level. Results: Non-government websites, particularly Wikipedia, msdmanuals.com, and primomedico.com, demonstrated higher compliance with JAMA benchmarks. Six websites scored high on the DISCERN instrument, indicating reliable treatment information. Only one website was HON-code certified. Readability analysis revealed that text comprehension is challenging for most websites. Conclusion: Private agencies and hospitals managed non-government websites generally outperformed government websites' reliability, quality, and readability. However, overall improvement in Arabic's online health information landscape is essential to enhance accessibility and credibility for colon cancer patients

An In-Depth Evaluation of Powdery Mildew Hosts Reveals One of the World's Most Common and Widespread Groups of Fungal Plant Pathogens.

Powdery mildews are highly destructive fungal plant pathogens that have a significant economic impact on both agricultural and ecological systems worldwide. The intricate relationship between powdery mildews and their host plants has led to cospeciation. In this study, we conducted an extensive evaluation of powdery mildew hosts to provide an updated understanding of the host ranges and distributions of these fungi. The "United States National Fungus Collections Fungus-Host Dataset" is the primary source of information for our analyses. The analysis of the dataset demonstrated the worldwide prevalence of powdery mildews; the data contained over 72,000 reports of powdery mildews, representing ∼8.7% of all host-fungal records. We have updated the taxonomy and nomenclature of powdery mildews. In total, powdery mildews infect ∼10,125 host taxa belonging to 205 families of flowering plants, which accounts for 1,970 genera in 200 countries across six continents. Furthermore, we estimate that powdery mildews infect approximately 2.9% of described angiosperm species. Our study underscores the need for regular updates on powdery mildew host information due to the continuously evolving taxonomy and the discovery of new host taxa. Since 1986, we estimate an additional 1,866 host taxa, 353 genera, and 36 families have been reported. Additionally, the identification of powdery mildew hosts provides valuable insights into the coevolutionary dynamics between the fungi and their plant hosts. Overall, this updated list provides valuable insights into the taxonomy and geographic distribution of powdery mildew species, which builds upon the previous work of Amano in 1986. Discerning the geographic spread and host range of economically significant plant pathogens is vital for biosecurity measures and identifying the origins and expansion of potentially harmful pathogens.

Self-identified barriers to health services among migrants 50 years of age or older: population-based survey study of Russian speakers in Finland

BackgroundThe compounded effect of a migratory background and ageing increases the risk of unequal medical treatment opportunities. The aim of this article is to investigate the social determinants of barriers to health services.MethodsThe study uses population-based survey data of Russian-speaking migrants (50 + years) residing in Finland (n = 1082, 57% of men, mean age 63 years). Multiple correspondence analysis was performed as a dimension reduction procedure on six barriers to health services. Multiple ordinary least-squares linear regression was used for the predicted score of the barriers as an outcome variable.ResultsMost of the sociodemographic characteristics were not associated with barriers to health services, except gender, as women tended to face more disadvantages. Migration-related factors, such as the need for interpreters for health services and experienced discrimination, were associated with an increased likelihood of reporting barriers to health services. Using the internet as a primary source of health information was associated with more access barriers to health services.ConclusionsMigrants 50 years of age or older face multiple barriers to health services. Given that the healthcare needs increase with age, addressing this issue becomes crucial, necessitating improved access to health services for older migrants.

Menstrual health and hygiene amongst adolescent girls and women of reproductive age: a study of practices and predictors, Odisha, India

BackgroundMenstruation is a major physiological change in a woman’s life, but lack of knowledge, poor practices, socio-cultural barriers, poor access to products and their improper disposal have significant consequences on health, dignity and well-being of women and adolescent girls.ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the knowledge and practices related to menstrual health and hygiene amongst females of 10–49 years of age; explore the experiences and challenges of women during menstruation; and identify the key predictors of healthy menstrual health and hygiene.MethodsUsing a cross-sectional study design, we adopted a mixed methods approach for data collection. For quantitative household survey, a total of 921 respondents were selected from three districts of Odisha. Qualitative findings through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews supplemented the survey findings and helped to identify the barriers affecting good menstrual practices. Epi data version 2.5 and R 4.2.2 was used for data entry and data analysis, respectively. Descriptive statistics was used to calculate proportion, mean and standard deviation; Chi square test was used to measure the association between categorical variables. Bivariate and multivariate logistics analyses were done to identify predictors of healthy menstrual health and hygiene. For qualitative data analysis, thematic analysis approach was adopted using software Atlas.ti 8.ResultsFor 74.3% respondents, mothers were the primary source of information; about 61% respondents were using sanitary pad. The mean age at menarche was 12.9 years and almost 46% of respondents did not receive any information about menstruation before menarche. Lower age and education up to higher secondary level or above had statistically significant associations with the knowledge about menstruation. Age, caste, respondent’s education, mother’s education, sanitation facility, availability of water, accessibility and affordability for sanitary pads were found to be strongly associated with good menstrual hygiene practices.ConclusionTraditional beliefs regarding menstruation still persists at the community level. Educating mothers, increasing awareness about safe menstrual hygiene, providing adequate water and sanitation facilities and ensuring proper disposal of menstruation products need priority attention.

A balanced treatment of perceived organizational politics: A review of the positive influences

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Purpose: &lt;/strong&gt;The purpose of this paper is to review literature in the area of perceived organizational politics (POPs) and to present a model that explains the positive role of the phenomenon in the work place. This involves understanding how POPs has evolved from playing a much-publicized destructive role to an emerging constructive one. &lt;strong&gt;Design/methodology/approach:&lt;/strong&gt; An integrative review method was used to review articles on POPs published over the last 13 years (2010–2022). The primary sources of information were several databases, such as ISI Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scopus. Specific search terms were considered to find relevant articles, leading to 7803 articles (3894 hits on Scopus, 1723 hits on Google Scholar and 2186 hits on Web of Science). These studies were further examined for their relevance to this study, and 103 articles were identified. The application of an exclusion criteria funneled them to 66 studies. The articles, employing quantitative, mixed, and qualitative approaches were coded. The themes were subsequently determined. &lt;strong&gt;Findings:&lt;/strong&gt; The review notes that the POPs literature emphasis is shifting from a negative and dysfunctional approach to one where positive organizational outcomes are possible. The review concludes that POPs has functional consequences too. The phenomenon could illuminate favorable workplace outcomes if viewed as an enhancer rather than a hindrance. POPs should be viewed as a phenomenon that for all purposes is essentially neutral. It is individuals who label the otherwise neutral construct as negative (negative POPs) or as positive (positive POPs). &lt;strong&gt;Practical implications:&lt;/strong&gt; The paper reveals how antecedents help organizational members label politics as positive. Perceived organizational politics is largely a neutral construct until the perceiver decides to label it otherwise. Positive perception of politics is significant in predicting important employee outcomes such as motivation, employee satisfaction, and job performance. Management needs to invest in antecedents and moderators, needed to help employees label the construct as positive rather than negative. &lt;strong&gt;Originality/value&lt;/strong&gt;: The study is an original review of the positive POPs literature to identify the significant antecedents, moderators, and work outcomes, vital to organizational success.&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;