Rural Residents Research Articles

Exploring the Impact of Digital Literacy and Policy Cognition on Rural Residents' Eco-friendly Behaviors.

The active participation of rural residents in ecological protection is crucial for preserving the rural environment and advancing ecological civilization. However, existing literature often neglects the impact of rural residents' digital literacy and policy cognition on their adoption of eco-friendly behaviors. In the digital age, rural residents can efficiently access and utilize ecological information, deepen their policy cognition, and consequently, become more actively involved in ecological protection through enhancing their digital literacy. This enhancement is crucial for ensuring the smooth implementation of rural ecological policies at the grassroots level, thereby providing a strong impetus for the further development of rural ecological protection. Therefore, based on survey data from 851 respondents in four counties and cities in Hainan Province, this paper uses the Ordered Probit model to analyze the impact of digital literacy on rural residents' adoption of eco-friendly behaviors, supported by theoretical mechanism analysis. The results indicate that: (1) Digital literacy enhances the adoption of eco-friendly behaviors among rural residents; (2) The mechanism analysis shows that digital literacy promotes such adoption through improved policy cognition. Consequently, the government should actively promote digital technology education and training to improve rural residents' digital literacy. Therefore, targeted digital skills training policies should be developed according to the individual characteristics of rural residents. Additionally, promoting digital literacy to improve policy cognition will likely lead to greater engagement in eco-friendly behaviors.

Urban-Rural Disparities in Community Participation after Spinal Cord Injury in Ontario.

Personal, social, and environmental factors may influence self-efficacy and social reintegration among people living with spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D) in urban and rural areas. Novel data collection methods have the potential to characterize community participation (CP) in diverse settings. The objectives were (1) to describe and compare self-reported community participation (Reintegration to Normal Living Index (RNLI) and Moorong Self-Efficacy Scale (MSES)) levels of individuals with SCI/D living in urban or rural Ontario, Canada; and (2) to determine the accuracy of an artificial intelligence (AI) optical mark recognition tool for extracting data from CP surveys conducted among participants after transitioning from inpatient rehabilitation to home and residing in the community. We partnered with SCI Ontario staff to collect MSES and RNLI survey data from adults with motor complete (e.g., AIS A-B) and incomplete (AIS C-D) SCI/D living in urban or rural Ontario, Canada, between January and October 2022. The Rurality Index of Ontario (RIO) from the postal code determined urban or rural residency. Optical mark recognition (OMR) software was used for survey data extraction. A Research Associate validated the extracted survey responses. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and non-parametric statistics were used to describe the participants, their impairments, and their reported CP levels across urban and rural settings. Eighty-five individuals with SCI/D (mean age 53.7 years, 36.5% female) completed the survey. Most of the participants resided in major urban areas (69.4%) and had traumatic injuries (64.7%). The mean total MSES score for Ontarians with SCI/D was 87.96 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 84.45, 91.47), while the mean total RNLI score for the same individuals was 75.61 (95% CI: 71.85, 79.37). Among the MSES domains, the lowest score was observed in response to sexual satisfaction (mean: 4.012, 95% CI: 3.527, 4.497), while the lowest RNLI domain item score was associated with the ability to travel out of town (mean: 5.965, 95% CI: 5.252, 6.678). Individuals with incomplete injuries in rural areas reported lower MSES and RNLI scores than those with complete motor injuries, whereas no significant differences were found in MSES and RNLI scores among urban residents based on impairment. These findings suggest that, depending on the environmental context (e.g., rural vs. urban areas), AIS categories may influence the perception of CP among people living with SCI/D. The OMR tool had 97.4% accuracy in extracting data from the surveys. The CP (MSES and RNLI) scores reported by individuals with SCI/D differ based on their living setting. In rural Ontario, individuals with greater functional ability reported lower CP than their counterparts living in urban settings. Although CP remains a challenge, the needs of individuals with motor incomplete SCI/D and heterogeneous levels of mobility residing in rural areas require exploration and targeted interventions. The OMR tool facilitates accurate data extraction from surveys across settings.

The Interaction Between Indigenous Identity and Rural Residency in Dementia Prevalence Among Ecuadorian Older Adults.

While recognizing the acknowledged difference in dementia prevalence between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations, most previous studies were conducted in the Global North. This study aims to examine the relationship between Indigenous ethnic identity and dementia status with a special focus on urban-rural differences among older adults in Ecuador. Data came from Ecuador's Survey of Health, Welfare, and Aging, derived from a probability sample of households in Ecuador. The final sample comprised 4,984 adults aged 60 or older. Dementia status was assessed through 3 indicators: low scores on a cognitive assessment, the number of difficulties in instrumental activities of daily living, and self-reported dementia diagnosis. Logistic regression and multivariate decomposition analyses were utilized. Indigenous participants, even after adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related factors, exhibited a higher likelihood of having dementia compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts. Among Indigenous participants, those residing in rural areas had a higher likelihood of having dementia status, while there was no significant urban-rural difference observed among non-Indigenous participants. Rural residency and covariates explain 91.0% of the observed difference in dementia prevalence between Indigenous and non-Indigenous older adults. Indigenous older adults who are living in rural areas are at particularly high risk of having dementia largely because they have presently recognized modifiable risk factors. These findings underscore the urgent need to prioritize provisions of appropriate and equitable service related to dementia for Indigenous people living in rural areas outside high-income countries.

Analyzing Unimproved Drinking Water Sources and Their Determinants Using Supervised Machine Learning: Evidence from the Somaliland Demographic Health Survey 2020

Access to clean and safe drinking water is a fundamental human right. Despite global efforts, including the UN’s “Water for Life” program, a significant portion of the population in developing countries, including Somaliland, continues to rely on unimproved water sources. These unimproved sources contribute to poor health outcomes, particularly for children. This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with the use of unimproved drinking water sources in Somaliland by employing supervised machine learning models to predict patterns and determinants based on data from the 2020 Somaliland Demographic and Health Survey (SHDS). Secondary data from SHDS 2020 were used, encompassing 8384 households across Somaliland. A multilevel logistic regression model was applied to analyze the individual- and community-level factors influencing the use of unimproved water sources. In addition, machine learning models, including logistic regression, decision tree, random forest, support vector machine (SVM), and K-nearest neighbor (KNN), were compared in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and other metrics using cross-validation techniques. This study uses supervised machine learning models to analyze unimproved drinking water sources in Somaliland, providing data-driven insights into the complex determinants of water access. This enhances predictive accuracy and informs targeted interventions, offering a robust framework for addressing water-related public health issues in Somaliland. The analysis identified key determinants of unimproved water source usage, including socioeconomic status, education, region, and household characteristics. The random forest model performed the best with an accuracy of 93.57% and an area under the curve (AUC) score of 98%. Decision tree and KNN also exhibited strong performance, while SVM had the lowest predictive accuracy. This study highlights the role of socioeconomic and community factors in determining access to clean drinking water in Somali Land. Factors such as age, education, gender, household wealth, media access, urban or rural residence, poverty level, and literacy level significantly influenced access. Local policies and resource availability also contribute to variations in access. These findings suggest that targeted interventions aimed at improving education, infrastructure, and community water management practices can significantly reduce reliance on unimproved water sources and improve the overall public health.

Online Health Information Seeking, eHealth Literacy, and Health Behaviors Among Chinese Internet Users: Cross-Sectional Survey Study.

The internet has become an increasingly vital platform for health-related information, especially in upper-middle-income countries such as China. While previous research has suggested that online health information seeking (OHIS) can significantly impact individuals' engagement in health behaviors, most research focused on patient-centered health communication. This study aims to examine how OHIS influences health behavior engagement among Chinese internet users, focusing on the role of eHealth literacy and perceived information quality in influencing relationships. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted in November 2021 among 10,000 Chinese internet users, using quota sampling based on sex, age, and urban and rural residence, in line with the 48th Statistical Report on Internet Development of China. Nonparametric tests were used to examine the differences in eHealth literacy across sociodemographic groups. Partial correlation analysis and stepwise linear regression were conducted to test the associations between key variables. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were conducted to test the hypotheses. Our study identified significant disparities in functional and critical eHealth literacy between urban and rural residents across age groups, income levels, education backgrounds, and health conditions (all P<.001). In terms of sex and regional differences, we found higher functional literacy among female users than male users, and critical literacy varied significantly across different regions. The proposed structural model showed excellent fit (χ2404=4183.6, χ2404=10.4,P<.001; root mean square error of approximation value of 0.031, 95% CI 0.030-.031; standardized root mean square residual value of 0.029; and comparative fit index value of 0.955), highlighting reciprocal associations between 2 types of eHealth literacy and OHIS. Participants' functional eHealth literacy, critical eHealth literacy, and OHIS have positive impacts on their health behavioral engagement. Perceived information quality was found to mediate the influence of OHIS on health behavior (b=0.003, 95% CI 0.002-0.003; P<.001). The study revealed the pathways linking sociodemographic factors, eHealth literacy, OHIS, and perceived information quality and how they together influenced health outcomes. The findings underscore the significance of enhancing eHealth literacy and improving information quality to promote better health outcomes among Chinese internet users.

Inadequacy of antenatal care attendance and its determinants amongst pregnant women in Ethiopia based on the 2019 Mini-Ethiopian demographic health survey: secondary data analysis

BackgroundInadequacy of antenatal care (ANC) utilization is a prominent public health problem, causing poor pregnancy outcomes. In developing countries, including Ethiopia, having ANC coverage, many pregnant women do not achieve the first ANC visits in the first trimester and receive at least four ANC visits. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the magnitude and identify determinants of inadequacy of antenatal care attendance amongst pregnant women in Ethiopia.MethodsInadequate ANC attendance was defined as combining starting ANC visits after the first trimester and having fewer than four visits together. The study used secondary data from the 2019 mini-demographic and health survey. A weighted sample of 3927 pregnant women was included in this study. Data management and further analysis were performed using STATA 14 software. A multivariable generalized estimating equation analysis was used to identify determinants associated with inadequacy of antenatal care attendance. The Adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used to identify significant variables for inadequate antenatal care visits.ResultOverall, 78.5% of pregnant women did not attend adequate antenatal care visits during pregnancy. In multivariable generalized estimating equation analysis, women aged 25 to 34 years (AOR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.61–0.95), being educated (AOR = 0.31; 95% CI: 0.22–0.45), and being wealthier index (AOR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.51–0.88) were less likely to inadequate antenatal care attendance. Whereas being rural residents (AOR = 1.49; 95% CI:1.08–2.07), no television exposure (AOR = 1.51; 95% CI:1.1–2.06), having more family members in the household (AOR = 1.81; 95% CI: 1.11–2.95), and women from semi-peripheral region (AOR = 1.92; 95% CI: 1.42–2.59) were higher odds of being associated with inadequacy of antenatal care attendance.ConclusionsThe prevalence of Inadequate antenatal care attendance amongst pregnant women in Ethiopia is still High. The study identifies significant variables that could be positively and negatively associated with inadequate antenatal care visits. Health education interventions should target uneducated, poorer, and rural women to attend early antenatal care and use at least four antenatal care utilization for early detection of complications during pregnancy and delivery.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Telehealth and In-Person Primary Care Visits for People Living with Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Disorders in the State of Nevada

To people living with Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Disorders (ADRD), timely and coordinated communication is essential between their informal caregivers and healthcare providers. In provider shortage areas, for example, the state of Nevada, telehealth can be an effective primary care delivery alternative to in-person visits. To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of telehealth visits for people living with ADRD in the state of Nevada, a decision-analytic Markov model was developed from healthcare system perspectives with a 10-year horizon/1-year cycle. To estimate the effects of demographic and geographic parameters on the Markov model, race parameters were divided into non-Hispanic White individuals vs. others and location parameters were divided into urban vs. rural. A 12-item short-version Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI-12) was applied to measure the informal caregiver burdens of non-institutionalized people living with ADRD. The values of mortality rate and healthcare utilization were obtained from healthcare systems’ publicly available payor administrative data and Nevada State Inpatient/Emergency Department datasets. Among urban-residing non-Hispanic White individuals, the Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) per modified ZBI-12 indicated a cost saving of USD 9.44 with telehealth visits; among urban-residing racial minorities, the ICER per modified ZBI-12 indicated a cost saving of USD 29.26 with in-person visits; and among rural residents, the ICER per modified ZBI-12 indicated a cost-saving of USD 320.93 with telehealth visits. Distributional differences in the cost-saving effects of telehealth primary care were noted in line with racial and geographic parameters. Workforce and caregiver training is necessary for reducing distributional differences, especially among urban-residing racial monitories living with ADRD in the provider shortage area of the state of Nevada.

Key Determinants of SARS-CoV-2 Testing Among Symptomatic Individuals During the Second Wave in Uttar Pradesh, India: An Analysis From Two Districts.

The COVID-19 epidemic caused significant disruptions worldwide, particularly in healthcare systems. India's second wave, driven by the Delta variant in 2021, severely affected healthcare capacity, leading to resource shortages and healthcare service disruptions. In this context, understanding the factors influencing SARS-CoV-2 testingis crucial for improving public health responses. This study investigates testing determinants in Uttar Pradesh, India, using Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use. We chose Lucknow and Sitapur districts in Uttar Pradesh based on the number of SARS-CoV-2 tests conducted per million people during the second wave of the epidemic. We conducted a cross-sectional study and surveyed 675 consenting respondents aged 18 and above from both districts. These respondents reported experiencing at least three COVID-19 symptoms between March and June 2021 (the second wave in the state). The survey was conducted face-to-face using a structured questionnaire on an electronic device. We used multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) to identify underlying factors, which were then utilized in a logistic regression model to assess their impact on SARS-CoV-2 testing. The testing rate in Lucknow (281, 84.6%) washigher than in Sitapur (117, 34.1%) (P < 0.001). Urban residents had a higher likelihood of being tested (188, 75.8%) than rural residents (210, 49.2%) (P < 0.001). Males (213, 63.0%) were more frequently tested than females (185, 54.9%) (P = 0.032). Postgraduates had the highest testing rate (49, 89.1%) compared to those without formal education (73, 44.8%) (P < 0.001). Individuals in regular jobs were more likely to be tested (171, 67.1%) compared to homemakers (128, 51.2%) and laborers (72, 57.1%) (P = 0.004). Smaller households (<5 members) had higher testing rates (146, 69.9%) than larger ones (252, 54.1%) (P < 0.001). Those living closer to a facility were more frequently tested (90, 64.3%) compared to those farther away (61, 34.1%) (P < 0.001). Additionally, individuals with access to public transport had higher testing rates (294, 62.0%) compared to those without (104, 51.7%) (P = 0.013). Higher-income groups were more likely to be tested (14, 93.3%) than low-income individuals (39, 36.8%) (P < 0.001). Psychological factors such as ease of testing (285, 72.5%) vs. (71, 38.6%) and perceived likelihood of needing testing (312, 90.7%) vs. (78, 25.1%) were strong predictors (both P < 0.001). Logistic regression identified urban residency and education as key determinants (odds ratio [OR] = 2.00, P < 0.001). This study identifies key sociodemographic, logistical, and psychological factors influencing SARS-CoV-2 testing during the second wave of COVID-19 in Uttar Pradesh, India. Addressing disparities in healthcare infrastructure, improving health literacy, and reducing psychological barriers are essential to enhancing public health responses in future pandemics. Expanding healthcare access in rural areas and targeted public health campaigns could help bridge the gap in testing utilization. Further research is needed to explore these factors longitudinally and in different regional contexts.

Are toddlers with neurosensory impairment more difficult to follow up? A secondary analysis of the hPOD follow-up study

ObjectiveTo describe strategies used to maximise follow-up after a neonatal randomised trial, how these differed for families of different ethnicity, socioeconomic status and urban versus rural residence and investigate relationships...

Research on Energy-Saving Transformation of Rural Residential Building Envelope Structures and Heating Modes in Northeast China

Rural areas in Northeast China present a large demand for heating energy in winter, but there are problems in such areas with poor thermal performance of building envelopes and poor indoor thermal comfort. In addition, coal-fired boilers are still widely used. China’s “Dual-Carbon Goals” and “Clean Heating” policy call for the creation of a green and comfortable living environment for rural residential buildings. This paper considers the impact of the improvement of the thermal performance of envelope structures on the initial investment of the transformation program and the rated power of the ASHP and proposes an energy-saving transformation method to replace traditional coal-fired boilers with the ASHP on the basis of the improvement of the thermal performance of envelope structures. By establishing a typical rural residential building model in Northeast China, this energy-saving method is simulated based on TRNSYS. The results show that the payback period of investment of the transformation method of “envelope structure + heating system” is not superior to that of the transformation method of only improving the thermal performance of the envelope structure, but it has advantages in the comprehensive life-cycle benefits and it has great advantages in improving the satisfaction of rural residents in the use of heating systems.

Interfacility Transfer of Children With Time-Sensitive Surgical Conditions, 2002-2017

Surgical care for children in the United States has become increasingly regionalized among fewer centers over time. The degree to which regionalization may be associated with access to urgent surgical care for time-sensitive conditions is not clear. To investigate whether transfers and travel distance have increased for 4 surgical conditions, and whether changes in transfers and travel distance have been more pronounced for rural vs urban children. This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed data from 9 State Inpatient Databases from 2002 to 2017. Participants included children aged younger than 18 years undergoing urgent or emergent procedures for malrotation with volvulus, esophageal foreign body, and ovarian and testicular torsion. Residential and hospital zip codes were categorized as rural or urban. Hospitals were categorized as pediatric hospitals, adult hospitals with pediatric services, and adult hospitals without pediatric services. Primary outcomes were transfer for care and travel distance between patients' home residences and the hospitals where care was provided. Transfer and travel distance were analyzed using multivariable regression models. Among the 5865 children younger than 18 years undergoing procedures for malrotation with volvulus, esophageal foreign body, ovarian torsion, or testicular torsion, 461 (7.9%) resided in a rural area; 1097 (20.5%) were Hispanic, 1334 (24.9%) were non-Hispanic Black, and 2255 (42.0%) were non-Hispanic White; 2763 (47.1%) were covered by private insurance and 2535 (43.2%) were covered by Medicaid; and the median (IQR) age was 9 (2-14) years. Most care was provided at adult hospitals (73.4% with and 16.9% without pediatric services); the number of hospitals providing this care decreased from 493 to 292 hospitals (2002 vs 2017). Transfer was associated with rural residence (adjusted odds ratio [aRR], 2.3 [95% CI, 1.8-3.0]; P < .001) and increased over time (2017 vs 2002: aOR, 2.8 [95% CI, 2.0-3.8]; P < .001). Similarly, travel distance was associated with rural residence (adjusted risk ratio [aRR], 4.4 [95% CI, 3.9-4.8]; P < .001) and increased over time (2017 vs 2002: aRR, 1.3 [95% CI, 1.2-1.4]; P < .001). Rural children were more frequently transferred (2017 vs 2002) for esophageal foreign body (48.0% [12 of 25] vs 7.3% [4 of 55]; P < .001), ovarian torsion (26.7% [4 of 15] vs 0% [0 of 18]; P = .01), and testicular torsion (18.2% [2 of 11] vs 0% [0 of 16]; P = .04). Travel distance for rural children increased the most for torsions, from a median (IQR) of 19.1 (2.3-35.4) to 43.0 (21.6-98.8) miles (P = .03) for ovarian torsion and from 7.3 (0.4-23.7) to 44.5 (33.1-48.8) miles (P < .001) for testicular torsion. In this cross-sectional study of children with time-sensitive surgical conditions, the number of hospitals providing urgent surgical care to children decreased over time. Transfers of care, especially among rural children, and travel distance, especially for those with ovarian and testicular torsion, increased over time.

Frequency of internet use, economic income, and health of the population-comparative analysis of urban and rural areas based on Chinese General Social Survey.

People's health is one of the important supports for China's economic development. This study uses the 2021 Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) data to empirically test the impact of residents' Internet use frequency and economic income on residents' health level, and analyzes the differences between urban and rural areas. The empirical test results show that, firstly, the frequency of Internet use can promote the health level of residents, and the promotion effect of Internet use frequency on the health level of rural residents is higher than that of urban residents; Secondly, economic income has a positive promoting effect on the health level of the entire sample of residents, but in urban samples, the regression between economic income and residents' health level is not significant. Third, in the heterogeneity test of region, gender and age, it is found that the impact of residents' Internet use frequency and economic income on residents' health level also has urban-rural differences. Based on this, this study suggests that the government can continue to make efforts to further promote the health level of residents by improving the Internet penetration rate, strengthening the use of Internet skills, carrying out Internet professional skills training and promoting the high-quality development of Internet content.

Free education policy and rural Residents' happiness: Financial perspective

Using data from the 2010–2015 China General Social Survey, we applied a propensity score matching difference-in-differences model to examine how a 12-year free-education policy reform affected the happiness of Chinese rural residents. We found that the 12-year free-education pilot will make rural residents happier if the local government's spending on education does not reduce spending on other public services. We also found that the policy has benefited the beneficiaries' grandparents, high-income rural families, and relatively well-educated groups mainly by improving family finances and health. We recommend expanding the pilot program to increase the number of beneficiaries. We suggest that China would be in a position to fully implement the 12-year compulsory education only when the central and local governments can support its implementation.

Quantitative tracing of typical herbicides and their metabolites in sorghum agrosystems for fate tendency and cumulative risk

Elucidating the combined exposure of agrochemicals is essential for safeguarding human health and agroecosystem safety. A rapid and high-sensitivity UHPLC-MS/MS method was developed for simultaneous quantification of nine compounds in sorghum by an assembly-line optimization process with a limit of quantitation of 0.001 mg/kg. The concentration variation of atrazine, quinclorac, fluroxypyr-meptyl and metabolites was reflected by terminal magnitudes of ≤0.0665 mg/kg. Additionally, atrazine was dealkylated to deethyl atrazine and desethyl desisopropyl atrazine at concentrations of 0.0014–0.0058 mg/kg during the sorghum harvest. Acceptable health hazardous of atrazine and quinclorac for all life cycle populations were comparatively assessed via deterministic and probabilistic models, in which atrazine gained an 83.55 % share of cumulative dietary risks. Rural residents had significantly higher risks than urban residents, and children were the most sensitive group. Despite the low health risks, combined exposure to herbicides and their metabolites should be continuously stressed, given their cumulative amplification effects.

Rural household resilience to food insecurity in Mekiet district, Ethiopia

IntroductionFood insecurity remains a global issue and a top national priority in Ethiopia. However, it continues to pose a serious challenge in rural areas. Therefore, this study investigated household resilience to food insecurity among rural residents in Mekiet district.MethodsA cross-sectional research design was used, focusing on two agroecological zones of Mekiet district—lowland and midland—involving 228 respondents. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Multistage sampling techniques were employed to select the sample households, and factor analysis was employed to analyze the data.Results and discussionThe results from the factor analysis using the TANGO approach showed that the latent variables of absorptive and adaptive capacities had factor loadings of 0.98 and 0.79, respectively. On the other hand, transformative capacity showed a negative loading (−0.78), with all variables being statistically significant. The mean household resilience capacity index was 0.51. The variables of absorptive and adaptive capacities were positively associated with household resilience capacity, while transformative capacity exhibited a strong negative association. All factor loadings were significant, exceeding the recommended absolute value of 0.364 for sample sizes of 200 or more. Additionally, these variables were also highly correlated with resilience capacity. The study recommends that resilience programs be implemented at district, community, and household levels to enhance resilience to food insecurity.

Exploring the determinants of fertility rates in Ethiopia: a decomposition analysis using count regression models with a focus on urban and rural residence, based on the 2019 Ethiopian demographic health survey

IntroductionFertility refers to the biological capacity to reproduce and have children. It is a key aspect of reproductive health influenced by various factors. Therefore, this study aims to explore the determinants of fertility rates based on urban and rural settings in Ethiopia.MethodA stratified two-stage cluster sampling approach was used, employing data from the 2019 Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Survey (https://dhsprogram.com). The study comprised 8,885 women aged 15 to 49 years. The study employed Stata 17, and the data was described using descriptive statistics. Associations were examined using decomposition analysis and negative binomial regression. The Incidence Rate Ratio and p-value were used to determine the statistical significance of the variables examined.ResultsThe negative binomial regression found that factors such as maternal age (IRR, 1.08, P-value,0.00), living in rural (IRR,1.09, P-value,0.00), being Muslim (IRR,1.13, P-value,0.00), being from other religious groups (IRR,1.16, P-value,0.00), having six up to nine household members (IRR,1.24, P-value,0.00), having greater than nine household member(IRR,1.14, P-value,0.04), having one child under five year (IRR,1.35, P-value,0.00), having two children under five year (IRR,1.77, P-value,0.00), and having more than two under five years (IRR,1.99, P-value,0.00), being currently pregnant (IRR,1.08, P-value,0.00), use of contraceptive(IRR,1.13, P-value,0.00) are positively associated with bearing more children. On the other hand, completing primary education (IRR,0.84, P-value,0.00), secondary education (IRR,0.61, P-value,0.00), being from the richest household (IRR = 0.94, P-value,0.00), and being single/divorced and widowed (IRR,0.49, P-value,0.00) are negatively associated with having more children because their IRR is less than one. The decomposition analysis also demonstrated that marital status has a stronger negative correlation with fertility in rural compared to urban settings. Additionally, the number of children under five exerts a greater influence on fertility in urban areas.Conclusionthe study found significant rural-urban differences in the factors shaping fertility in Ethiopia. While demographics like maternal age, education, and wealth influenced fertility in both settings, the relationships varied in nature and magnitude. To address this, Policymakers should develop targeted fertility programs that address the unique needs and challenges faced by rural and urban populations.

Prevalence of hypertension and factors associated with the utilization of primary health care services for hypertension among hypertensive population aged 40 years and above in Pyin Oo Lwin Township, Myanmar.

Utilization of hypertension services at primary health care levels has not been assessed at township level, since launching of PEN interventions in Myanmar. This study aimed to determine the factors associating with the utilization of primary health care services for hypertension among 40 years and above hypertensive population. Community-based cross-sectional study was done in Pyin Oo Lwin Township, 2023. Multi stage sampling was conducted to recruit 40 years and above participants; response rate was 85%. Joint National Committee (JNC7) classification was used to define hypertension. Among hypertensive participants, descriptive analysis, Chi squared test and multiple logistic models were conducted, with a significance level of 0.05. Out of 1001 screening participants, prevalence of hypertension was 38.6% (386). Among 386 participants, 51.8% (200) utilized primary health care services provided by public health facilities. Rural residents (AOR = 2.79, CI = 1.68, 4.67), known hypertension (AOR = 4.36, CI = 2.39, 8.23), good perception on hypertension (AOR = 0.30, CI = 0.14, 0.62), perceived cost of travel as necessary (AOR = 0.57, CI = 0.35, 0.92) and awareness of available services (AOR = 4.11, CI = 2.55, 6.71) were associated with the utilization of primary health care services for hypertension. This study provided context-specific scientific evidence to tackle existing problems of low utilization of PHC services for hypertension. Strengthening health care infrastructure for quality hypertension care at primary health care level was also recommended.

ДЕРЖАВНА КОНЦЕПЦІЯ «РОЗУМНОГО МІСТА» ТА «РОЗУМНОГО СЕЛА» ЯК ПРІОРИТЕТ НАЦІОНАЛЬНОЇ ЕКОНОМІКИ АЗЕРБАЙДЖАНУ

Along with the “smart city”, it is planned to implement the “smart village” project in post-conflict areas. In international practice, Smart Village means solving the main problems facing the rural population and, more importantly, creating new economic opportunities in rural areas. “Smart village” technologies are digitization, thinking beyond the boundaries of the village, a new format of cooperation between the village and adjacent regions. We can also block the possibility of a cycle of decline by applying smart village technologies in liberated areas. Also, the use of “smart village” technologies will create conditions for the widespread dissemination of social innovations, micro and small start-up businesses among the rural population of these territories. In conclusion, smart city and smart village, the application of technology can transform the Karabakh region into a tourism pearl created by the unity of artificial intelligence and the natural beauty of the world, and at the same time an innovative start. The aim of the article is analysis and characteristics of the state concept of "Smart city" and "Smart village" as a priority of the national economy of Azerbaijan. Methods used in the study: comparative analysis, gradient, detailing and generalization, rating and grouping, etc. The hypothesis of the study. One of the current areas of scientific research is the sphere of living environment, which from the field of Smart Homes is currently developing into the field of Smart City, Smart Transport System, etc. Presentation of the main material. Currently, there is a rapid change in information and communication technologies (ICT). The emerging changes affect network technologies, computing and communication devices themselves, as well as data processing. As a result, information technologies are used in more and more areas of human life and economic life. Today, cities have become a major force in economic development and are central to production, consumption networks, defining social and economic relationships, and now provide a significant share of the gross domestic product of many countries. Cities have come to play a major role in national, regional and global development. The quality of people's lives depends on them. Therefore, today, more than ever, they are subject to special requirements, such as the availability of accessible urban infrastructure, high mobility, safety of urban areas, environmental friendliness, and developed urban self-government. For example, there is a whole direction that studies the growth of urban settlements, population concentration, and socio-economic changes. This direction is called urbanization. In 2008, the urban population was equal to the rural population. According to UN forecasts, by 2050, 85% of the population will live in cities. Thus, governments and city authorities are faced with new tasks that must not only solve a whole range of emerging problems, but also carry out a radical transformation of cities. The important point is a detailed analysis, understanding of these problems, as well as the ability to consider various solution options. All of the listed problems as a result of active urbanization are the main triggers and forced processes of urban development and their transformation into “Smart Cities”. The originality and practical significance of the study. The main goal of Smart Village projects around the world is to prevent rural-to-urban migration. In other words, conditions must be created for residents of rural areas so that all the services that people can get in the city are easily accessible in villages. At the same time, it is necessary to create more income and employment opportunities for rural residents. The third point is the creation of full-fledged conditions to ensure access of rural residents to public services. In other words, in the Smart Village concept, the difference between rural and urban areas has practically disappeared in terms of service, profit generation, and use of public services. Conclusions. According to the Smart Village concept, process electronization expands production capabilities. “Smart Village” is an automated, centrally managed and jointly managed system of the entire platform, from irrigation to tillage, harvesting, and also involves the use of the most advanced technologies and technology transfer. Integration of this system into other areas of rural infrastructure – alternative energy sources and a modern transport system - will complete the Smart Village concept.

Коллективизация на страницах газеты «Знамя коммуны» Новочеркасского района в 1930 году

The paper for the first time considers the reflection of collectivization processes on the territory of the Novocherkassk region in 1930 in the local newspaper “Banner of the Commune”. Among the main subjects are the problems of increasing the pace of collectivization, the unbundling and consolidation of collective farms, the fight against the class enemy, the elimination of the Kulaks as a class, the role of the “red wagons” in collecting taxes in rural areas, and the economic education of rural residents. At the same time, the study reveals the agitation and propaganda capabilities of regional periodicals to mobilize the local population to implement the decisions of the party and government.

Hygienic Aspects of the Quality of Life of Residents of Yaroslavl and the Yaroslavl Region

Introduction. The relevance of the study is due to the need to conduct a scientific analysis of the quality of the country’s population life, improve the standard of citizens living through the implementation of medical measures, including medical and preventive work.The purpose of the work is to conduct a comparative analysis of the quality of life of urban and rural residents of the Yaroslavl Region based on physical and psychological well-being, determine the level of general health indicators of the working-age population, and analyze the role of organizational and preventive measures in improving the quality of life.Materials and methods. The SF‑36 questionnaire was used in the study to assess the quality of life. 600 residents (age (25.1±0.8) years) of Yaroslavl and the Yaroslavl Region took part in the survey. The ratio of men and women was 50 % and 50 %, respectively.Results. It was revealed that the quality of life of rural residents has lower values compared to city residents. This difference is especially noticeable in indicators that are directly dependent on the emotional and physical state of a person.Discussion. The conducted comprehensive analysis shows that as a result, the assessment of the quality of life of the population of the respondents was based on their subjective understanding and perception of their own situation in life, which is also typical for studies in other regions of the country. The indicators of the general health of the rural population of working age indicated insufficient access to medical care and a low level of literacy of the population in matters of maintaining and strengthening their own health, as well as medical activity.Conclusion. Hygienic assessment of the quality of the population life in terms of physical and psychological well-being made it possible to identify a number of differences in the assessment of the quality of urban and rural areas residents life at Yaroslavl and the Yaroslavl Region. Most of the considered characteristics of the quality of rural residents life had reliably significant low values in comparison with city residents.