Rural Respondents Research Articles

The Digital Gender Paradox: A Reflective Analysis of Inequality in the Virtual Realm in India

V In the fast-evolving digital age, technology promises to break barriers and offer equal opportunities to all. Yet, within the virtual realm of India, a paradox emerges: digital platforms appear inclusive, gender-based disparities persist, reflecting deep-rooted societal inequalities. The research aims to explore the complexities of the "Digital Gender Paradox," focusing on how the digital world both empowers and marginalizes women. By analysing access to technology, participation in the digital economy, and online safety, the study uncovers the subtle and overt challenges women face in navigating the digital landscape. Through a reflective lens, it evaluates the extent to which digital spaces can become catalysts for gender equality or reinforce existing biases. There is significant relationships regarding access to digital resources and participation in the digital economy based on gender and LGBTQ+ identity, particularly influenced by geographic location. The findings shows a t-value of 3.607 and p-value of 0.001, indicating that rural respondents (mean = 2.7310) face more barriers than urban respondents (mean = 2.9877). Government initiatives positively impact online experiences, the F-value of 1.219 and p-value of 0.307 shows no significant age-related differences, emphasizing the need for tailored strategies to bridge the digital gender and LGBTQ+ gap in India.

Flood-induced mobility in rural and urban coastal jurisdictions: a homeowner’s perspective

AbstractCoastal flooding often exceeds homeowners’ capacity to cope with repetitive damages and profoundly disrupts their livelihoods. Permanent relocation has been proposed as a solution for some coastal areas experiencing recurrent flooding and anticipating acceleration of impacts. However, it is unclear if homeowners living in such areas would support this strategy, where they would choose to go, and why. This study evaluates the willingness to relocate and the reasoning behind it among rural and urban homeowners residing in coastal high-risk areas. The rural versus urban comparison explores how attitudes toward relocation differ between these settings with distinct sociodemographic, economic, and cultural profiles. A mail survey administered on the Eastern Shore, Maryland, and in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, Virginia, measured how willingness to relocate differs across the socioeconomic spectrum, prior flood exposure, concerns with flood impacts, and preferences for relocation destination. The survey responses were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results show that more than one-third of respondents would consider relocating. The willingness to relocate was marginally influenced by socioeconomic factors and flood experiences and instead was significantly correlated with the risk of disastrous flooding, inadequate insurance compensation, and worsening crime. However, data show a clear shift in relocation support and the distance of the preferred destination from minor to significant flooding. Rural respondents are slightly less likely to relocate than urban ones. Descriptive statistics indicate nuanced differences in flood experiences, reasons to relocate, and preferences for a new destination between rural and urban populations.

Attitudes towards air quality during outdoor exercise amongst habitual exercisers.

The effects of air pollution on health outcomes are well-established. However, little is known about perceptions of air pollution and how it may influence exercise behaviours. The aim of this study was to understand the perceived importance of air pollution during planned exercise, and where relevant, explore how those perceptions may differ between those living in different locations. A questionnaire was disseminated to several running and cycling clubs in the United Kingdom, covering population characteristics to determine urban, rural or coastal residents and exercisers, self-reported asthma, perceptions of air quality during active travel, planned exercise and attitudes towards learning more about the topic. Anonymised responses were gained from 381 adult participants (≥18years and 60% female), 119 of whom answered questions related to active travel. More than half (54%) of all respondents think about the air quality they are exposed to during exercise and how it may affect their health. More urban than rural respondents (59% vs. 47% and p=0.03) think about air quality and the impact it may have on their health when exercising. There were insufficient coastal respondents for direct comparison. Most survey respondents (57%) state that they would take the most severe course of action regarding exercise behaviour by avoiding it altogether during periods ofheavy road traffic. Individuals with self-reported asthma (n=60), irrespective of place of residence, are the most likely to be conscious of the potential effects of air pollution on their health and exercise performance compared to counterparts without self-reported asthma.

Applying Bourdieu’s Theory to Public Perceptions of Water Scarcity during El Niño: A Case Study of Santa Marta, Colombia

This study investigated the sociological dimensions informing public perceptions of water scarcity during the El Niño drought period in Colombia. We conducted this study in Santa Marta, Colombia, and surveyed 405 urban and rural residents to understand their perceptions of water scarcity, management, and the impacts of the El Niño phenomenon. The survey used a Likert scale to measure responses and employed a multivariate analysis of variance to analyze the data while considering factors such as location (urban versus rural) and gender. The study results indicated that urban residents often experience an irregular water supply all year, whereas most rural respondents noted a more consistent availability of water. The perception of water scarcity also differed notably between urban and rural areas due to their different historical and cultural experiences (habitus). Urban respondents mostly recognized the presence of water, while rural perspectives were less conclusive, likely influenced by their direct access to natural water sources. Participants across various demographics consistently reported that poor management by local, regional, and national governments contributes to the water scarcity crisis, highlighting the importance of improving communication about climate events like El Niño and water management to increase community engagement in public policies. Our research suggests that better understanding the social foundations of such perceptions using Bourdieu’s concepts of social fields, habitus, and capital forms can significantly enhance water management strategies.

Factors Influencing Farmers’ Adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture Practices in the Case of Ilu Aba Bora Zone, South West Ethiopia

To overcome the challenges of climate change, this study was intended to identify factors that affect the farmers’ adoption of CSA in the Ilu Aba Bora Zone of Southwest Ethiopia across varying agro-ecological zones. A mixed research design was used for this study. During this study, representative districts (Bure, Hurumu, and Nono Sale) were selected purposely based on their differences in agro-ecology, while rural kebeles and respondents were selected randomly from the districts to minimize the biases of the data. Data collection tools employed were a questionnaire, KKI, FGD, and field observations. A binomial logistic regression model was used to identify the interaction of response and explanatory variables and to draw a conclusion. The findings of this study revealed the majority (63.1%) of farmers did not have an understanding of the meaning, function, and goals of CSA practices. Existing CSA options in the study area were conservation agriculture, crop diversification, agro-forestry, early warning system, livelihood diversification, and improved livestock feed, which were practiced at different levels and by a few households. In particular, the early warning system and improved livestock feed were the least implemented CSA options, whereas livelihood diversification, conservation agriculture, and agro-forestry were the highly adopted practices in the area. Independent variables including on-farm income, farming experience, weather information, agro-ecology, farm land size, age, extension service, marital status, and off-farm income were the factors significantly affecting the adoption of CSA practices in the study area. Experts, governments, and nongovernmental organizations should improve farmers’ awareness of the benefits of CSA practices in ensuring food security, climate mitigation and adaptation through training and capacity building. The result of this study will show the direction for farmers, policy makers, planners, and other stakeholders to set up a solution in order to promote CSA practices and technologies based on agro-ecology.

Determinants of the Utilization of Skilled Birth Attendance among Women in Ogun East Senatorial District, Nigeria: A Rural-Urban Comparison

Background: Every woman needs access to skilled care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the following weeks. Recent estimates show that the proportion of deliveries attended by a skilled attendant in many African countries remains low. Objective: To identify the determinants of utilising skilled birth attendance (SBA) among women in Ogun East Senatorial District of Nigeria. Methods: A comparative, cross-sectional study was conducted among 375 women in each rural and urban community selected using multistage sampling. A pretested interviewer-administered, structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: A higher proportion of urban respondents (67.7%) utilised SBA compared to rural respondents (53.6%), p<0.001. The determinants of utilisation of SBA services included proximity and means of transportation to the facility (p<0.001). On multivariate analysis, health problems in the preceding pregnancy (AOR = 8.183, 95% CI = 2.621-25.545) and spousal support (AOR = 6.909, 95% CI = 2.013-23.705) remained significant determinants of utilisation of SBA in the rural area but not in the urban area. Conclusion: Rural dwellers face significant barriers in accessing the services of skilled birth attendance. Improving transportation infrastructure, engaging spouses in maternal health education and managing health problems during pregnancy could enhance SBA utilisation and reduce rural-urban disparities.

A Rural Community Readiness Assessment of Prehospital Telestroke Services in the Ambulance.

The research team assessed community acceptability of prehospital stroke telemedicine services in rural O'ahu communities. Tools were developed to evaluate patient-centered goals about implementing ambulance-based telemedicine which aimed to retain appropriate patients in community hospitals and improve thrombolytic treatment times. Using a mixed methods approach, the team surveyed well-appearing adults (ie, able to complete survey and interview) at O'ahu community events. Participants were asked to complete a short Likert-scale questionnaire (n=263) followed by a semi-structured interview (n=29). Data were summarized by descriptive and inferential statistics. Comparisons between rural and urban groups were made by chi-square analysis and Wilcoxon rank-sum 2-tailed test. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using inductive and deductive methods. The findings suggest that use of prehospital telemedicine for specialty care is viewed favorably by both rural and urban respondents. Additionally, most respondents felt comfortable staying at their local hospital if they had access to a specialist by telemedicine. However, mistrust in rural hospitals may be a potential barrier to implementation. Compared to urban respondents, rural respondents were less confident in their local hospital's resources and capabilities for stroke care. The findings identified a potential misalignment of the project's goal with some patients' goal to use emergency medical services (EMS) to bypass rural hospitals for stroke care. Future community outreach efforts are needed to encourage activation of EMS and highlight the advantages of utilizing prehospital telemedicine for accessing specialty care thereby improving treatment times.

Rural-urban differences in common mental disorders among Indonesian youth: a cross-sectional national survey.

The onset of common mental disorders (CMDs) is most prevalent among youth; thus, mental health management is crucial. We examined differences in risk and risk factor determinants regarding CMDs prevalence among youth in rural and urban Indonesia. This cross-sectional study utilized data from the 2018 Indonesia National Health Survey. The population comprised 122,114 respondents, aged 15 to 24 years, who had completed the 20-item Self-Report Questionnaire along with providing demographic and health behavior data. Chi-square testing and logistic regression were employed for analysis. The CMDs risk was higher among urban than rural youth. Risk factors impacting both populations included being female, having a lower education level, consuming fewer than 7 portions of vegetables weekly, smoking, and drinking alcohol (p<0.05). Consuming under 7 portions of fruit weekly and being in the highest or lowest wealth quintile were significant risk factors only in urban youth, while unemployment and divorce were significant only among rural respondents (p<0.05). Marriage was protective against CMDs among rural participants. Being male, possessing a college degree, consuming at least 7 portions of vegetables weekly, not smoking, and not consuming alcohol were associated with reduced CMDs risk in urban and rural youth. Among rural youth, marriage and employment were linked to decreased risk, whereas divorce displayed the opposite relationship. In urban populations, consuming at least 7 portions of fruit weekly and belonging to neither the highest nor the lowest economic quintile were protective factors. Management strategies for CMDs in young people must address these considerations.

Triple digital divide and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older Chinese adults: a disparity analysis

BackgroundThe triple digital divide refers to the lack of internet access, use and knowledge among specific populations. In China, middle-aged and older adults and those living in rural areas or...

Understanding Contraceptive Utilisation Patterns in Kerala: Insights from NFHS-5

Background: In the past decade, Kerala has witnessed an increase in the number of sexually transmitted diseases and unmet family planning needs. This study examines the knowledge of modern contraceptives, their use, and the current use of modern Keralite contraceptives against selected indicators. Methodology: The dataset from the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey was used for this study (N=10969). To analyse the factors associated with and affecting knowledge and use of contraceptives (current use of modern and ever use of any), chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used. Results: Wealth, age, and education level were positively associated with knowledge of modern contraceptives, whereas tribals were less aware than other castes. Wealthier, older, and less educated individuals had higher odds of using any/modern contraceptives than poor, younger, and higher educated individuals (odds&lt;1). Muslims are likely to use contraceptives but are less likely to use modern methods than other religions (odds ratio: 1.67 and 0.78). Tribals had higher odds of using contraceptives (odds: 2.13). Urban respondents had lower odds of using modern contraceptives than rural respondents (odds: 0.751). Conclusions: The higher odds of older, less-educated respondents using sterilisation over reversible contraceptives are likely due to social insecurities and misconceptions. Awareness and promotion of contraceptive use at the government level would help boost its use.

Adherence to Essential Nutritional and Lifestyle Practices among the Residents of Urban and Rural Settings during COVID-19 at Jashore District in Bangladesh

Background: High population density makes Bangladesh more vulnerable to a pandemic situation like COVID-19. It is evident from the scientific literature that proper nutritional practices might be effective in preventing various infections. The objective of this research work was to explore the nutritional as well as lifestyle practices among the urban-rural residents of Jashore district and to assess the association of those practices with their residential settings. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study where about 134 respondents (18-50 years) were selected by convenience sampling method from eight rural and seven urban areas of Jashore district in Bangladesh. Association between residence type and various concerned practices have been explored by Pearson chi-square test, binary and multinomial logistic regression analysis. Results: It was found from the results of binary and multinomial logistic regression that, the intake of vitamin D rich foods (OR: 3.45; 95% CI: 1.48,8.07), folic acid rich foods (OR:0.20; 95% CI:0.09,0.46), vitamin B12 rich foods (OR:0.11; 95% CI:0.02,0.52), iron rich foods (OR:0.23; 95% CI:0.08,0.66), and melatonin rich foods (OR:0.15; 95% CI:0.05,0.40) were significantly associated (P&lt;.05) with residential area (urban and rural) of the respondents. On the other hand, no association was found (P&gt;.05) between other immune-boosting nutrient-rich foods such as complex carbohydrates, polyunsaturated fatty acid, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, Pyridoxine, zinc and selenium rich foods and respondents’ residential area. Moroever, the association was not observed (P&gt;.05) in case of supplement intake of various immune boosting nutrients and area. Among the lifestyle practices, no significant association was found regarding sleep patterns among the respondents but various daily physical movements (OR: 0.19; 95% CI:0.07,0.48) were found higher among the rural respondents. Conclusion: Daily intake of vitamin D rich foods was found higher among the urban respondents but daily intake of folic acid, vitamin B12, iron and melatonin rich foods were found higher among the rural residents. It was also observed that the physical activities were better maintained among the rural respondents than their urban counterparts. Bioresearch Commu. 10(2): 1545-1552, 2024 (July)

Men’s Involvement in Wives’ Contraceptive Choices: A Comparative Study in Rural and Urban Communities of Akure South Local Government Area

In rural Nigerian communities, men play a crucial role in family planning decisions, often determining if and how their wives can practice contraception. This study aimed to examine the extent of husbands&amp;apos; influence on their wives&amp;apos; contraceptive choices, comparing rural and urban areas in Akure South local government area. The research included a sample of 360 men, using a researcher-developed questionnaire and interview guide for data collection. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations were used to analyze the data, and chi-square inferential statistics tested the hypothesis at a 0.05 significance level using SPSS version 17. Findings revealed that only 46% of rural respondents participated in family planning practices. Men’s engagement in these activities showed low mean values (2.21, 2.11, 2.25), indicating minimal involvement, primarily due to lack of information (40.5%) and limited contraceptive options (34.8%). Most men used condoms (23.8%), a combination of condoms and withdrawal (27.5%), or vasectomy (13.1%). The study concluded that male participation in family planning was low. To improve this, communities need better access to information, education, and communication. Cultural and religious barriers hindering male involvement in family planning should be addressed, and more male contraceptive options should be made available.

Factors influencing senior care and living preferences among older adults in Jiangsu, China: a cross-sectional survey study

BackgroundAs the population ages, senior care for older adults in China has become increasingly important and has attracted the attention of both government and society. This study aimed to explore preferences and influencing factors related to senior care among older Chinese adults and thus propose effective and targeted strategies for the development of a comprehensive care system for older adults in the aging Chinese population.MethodsData were obtained from a cross-sectional survey conducted in sixteen communities or villages in Jiangsu Province, China, from July to September 2021. Guided by the Andersen Behavioral Model, multivariate logistic regression was conducted to identify factors associated with preferences for senior care arrangements.ResultsA total of 870 respondents were included in the study, 60.11% of whom preferred receiving care in their own homes, while only 13.68% chose residential care facilities (RCFs). For predisposing factors, rural respondents preferred receiving care in their own homes compared to urban respondents (children’s home: OR = 0.55, P < 0.01; RCF: OR = 0.58, P < 0.01). Concerning enabling factors, respondents who were not employed (OR = 2.30, P < 0.01) and those without financial support (OR = 2.73, P < 0.05) preferred RCFs to their own homes. Respondents receiving life assistance (sometimes: OR = 2.76, P < 0.001; regularly: OR = 2.57, P < 0.01; every day: OR = 3.57, P < 0.001) preferred their children’s homes to their own homes. In terms of need factors, respondents with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs, OR > 1, P < 0.05), those who knew about RCFs (some: OR = 0.53, P < 0.005; no: OR = 0.10, P < 0.001) and those with a good impression of RCFs (fair: OR = 3.72, P < 0.05; good: OR = 11.91, P < 0.001) preferred receiving care in RCFs compared to their counterparts.ConclusionsOlder Chinese adults’ senior care preferences were affected by predisposing factors, enabling factors, and need factors. Policy-makers should consider targeted measures to identify more precise senior care services and thus address aging challenges in China.

Food insecurity and its contributing determinants among rural households in the south-western region of Bangladesh, 2021: A cross-sectional study

IntroductionThe onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted food access, resulting in substantial consequences for food insecurity and contributing to adverse individual and public health outcomes. To comprehensively evaluate these challenges and grasp their implications for food security, this study aimed to evaluate the contributing determinants of food insecurity among rural households in the southwestern region of Bangladesh. Study designA cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated questionnaire in selected 310 rural household respondents from the southwestern region of Bangladesh. MethodsHousehold food insecurity status was the outcome variable for the analysis. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to explore and predict risk factors correlated with food insecurity among southwestern Bangladeshi households. ResultsWe found that 59 % and 27.5 % of households were suffering from moderate food insecurity and severe food insecurity, respectively. The multinomial regression model revealed that respondents residing in Kusthia (RRR = 5.56 CI:2.67–8.4 and RRR = 6.65, CI:3.37–9.22) aged between 30 and 40 years (RRR = 2.32, 95 % CI:1.84–3.77 and RRR = 1.87, 95 % CI:1.48–3.97) and 40–50 years (RRR = 1.86 95 % CI:1.46–3.82 and RRR = 1.95, 95 % CI:1.75–3.26) were significantly associated with mild-to-moderate and severe food insecurity. Respondents with a monthly family income of <58.96 USD (3.38 times and 2.18 times), had ≥5 family members (2.68 times and 1.89 times), and had poor income during the pandemic (4.25 times and 2.75 times) more likely to be moderate and severe food insecure. ConclusionThe results emphasized that during the COVID-19 lockdown in Bangladesh, rural households faced diverse levels of food insecurity, ranging from moderate to severe. It suggests that efforts to raise awareness and implement support strategies for those at higher risk should not only focus on income but also consider additional factors such as family size, adults aged 30–40 years, and occupation.

The impact of tobacco tax on the cardiovascular health: evidence from China

ABSTRACT Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. At the same time, tobacco consumption plays a key role in cardiovascular diseases. This study examines the impact of tobacco tax, a widely used tobacco control tool, on cardiovascular health based on survey data in China from 2011 to 2020. By exploring a tobacco tax reform in 2015, we show that tobacco tax has a positive effect on cardiovascular health because it could lower tobacco consumption at extensive and intensive margins. Moreover, the policy impact concentrates on vulnerable groups, such as males, the less-educated, and rural respondents.

Prevalence and associated factors of family planning among students of health training institutes in Juba: A cross sectional descriptive study

Introduction: Family planning (FP) is less prevalent in South Sudan yet information on the subject is scarce and varied from one source to another. This study assessed the prevalence and associated factors in family planning among students at health science training institutes in Juba City. Method: This was a cross-sectional survey of students’ self-reported utilisation of FP methods. Four hundred randomly selected students from five health training institutes (HTIs) in Juba City participated. Data collection was done using a pretested structured questionnaire. IBM SPSS 23 software was used for data analysis. Chi squared tests and regression analyses were performed to determine the associated factors. Results: Among the 400 participants, the lifetime prevalence of FP methods was 77.3%, of which modern contraceptive use was 22%. FP was more prevalent among participants aged 45-50 (85.7%) and females (80.7%). Eighty-seven percent of divorced couples and 91.3% of traditional believers reported practicing FP. More nursing/midwifery cadres within the professional category reported practicing FP, as well as 90.4% of rural respondents. Eighty-three percent of respondents working in pharmacies said they practice FP, compared to 68.1% of those working in clinics. FP practice was similar among participants who were aware (78.9%) and those who denied being aware (72.5%). Marital status (p &lt; 0.001), religion (p &lt; 0.001), residence (p &lt; 0.001), and place of work (p = 0.037) were significantly associated with FP. Conclusion: The prevalence of family planning among students at Health Training Institutes in Juba City is high compared to national estimates, but the contraceptive overall prevalence rate is still low. It is significantly associated with marital status, religion, residence, and place of work. There is a need to continue the effort.

Continuance intention of Fintech Peer-to-Peer (P2P) financing Shariah: Moderation role of brand schematicity and digital financial literacy

This research examines the continuance intention of Fintech Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Financing Shariah by considering the moderating roles of brand schematicity and digital financial literacy. This study will explore consumers' psychographic and demographic segmentation utilizing Fintech services, focusing on brand schematicity and digital financial literacy. The research adopts a quantitative approach and collects data through a survey questionnaire from 386 respondents in Indonesia. The data is analyzed using structural equation modelling (SEM) to test the proposed direct, moderation, and multigroup hypotheses. The results indicate that the commitment to status quo has a direct, positive, and significant impact on continuance intention. The relationship between use behaviour and continuance intention is significantly strengthened by brand schematicity, facilitating conditions, and value of status quo. Furthermore, the findings from the multigroup analysis reveal a significant difference in the relationship between digital financial literacy and continuance intention among rural and urban respondents. This research provides valuable insights for Fintech companies and policymakers looking to develop strategies that enhance individuals' continuance intention, promote the adoption of Shariah-based P2P financing platforms, and improve customer loyalty through brand schematicity.

The sociological assessment of psycho-emotional status after mastectomy as one of main indicators of life quality of women with breast cancer: ways of correction

The psycho-emotional status of women after radical surgery for breast cancer was assessed. The international questionnaire FACT-G and module FACT-B module were applied to investigate life quality of 186 women under dispensary monitoring concerning breast cancer of stage I-II. The respondents were aged 30-40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70 and 71 years and older. In women who underwent radical surgery for breast cancer, psycho-emotional status is manifested most vividly as compared with other perceptions in the postoperative period and decreases quality of life. The overwhelming majority of women with breast removal experiences feeling of inferiority and depression, despair, fear of health deterioration and death that increase with age. The percentage of women satisfied with their coping with illness is 64.8% among 30-41 years old, 45.8% among 51-60 years old and 4.2% among 70 years and older. The impact of stress on disease is most felt in women of 51-60 years old (63,6%) and 61-70 years old (58,8%). No reliable differences in level of emotional condition of urban and rural respondents was established. The attitude of women to methods of postoperative correction through formation of breast lost depends on their age, place of residence, level of education. More than 60% of respondents under age of 50 years consider solution of aesthetic problem in endoprosthesis replacement with implants. Among respondents aged 51-60 years, 25.0% preferred simultaneous mastectomy and breast reconstruction and 10.1% - breast plastic surgery. The endoprosthesis replacement is more often resorted by women older 60 years and rural residents. The choice of mode of breast correction often depends on financial possibilities of patients. The study of quality of life of women with post-mastectomy syndrome is valuable component of integrated approach to dispensary monitoring that individualizes rehabilitation measures. The effectiveness of psychological rehabilitation of women requires involvement of clinical psychologists and medical social services.

Knowledge, Perception, and Attitudes of Residents of Northern Region of Ghana Towards COVID-19

Background: Africa is gradually becoming an epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the current disease trend, Africa might be the last hardest-hit continent. While scientific investigations continue to develop effective management through medications and vaccines, existing knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes could be harnessed to develop an effective strategy to curb community transmission of COVID-19. The present study assessed the awareness level, perceptions, and attitudes of people living in rural, peri-urban, and urban communities in Northern Ghana and their preparedness for the prevention and containment of COVID-19. Methods: We conducted a face-to-face interview and administered 553 semi-structured questionnaires in 18 rural, peri-urban, and urban communities in Tolon District, Kumbungu District, Sagnarigu Municipality, Savelugu Municipality, and Tamale Metropolis from April 23 to June 8, 2020. Results: The percentages of males and females among the respondents were 56.8% and 43.2%, respectively. Nearly half (41%) of the respondents had no formal education, and 91.3% of them were Muslims. Most respondents (85%) believed that COVID-19 is a punishment from God. There was a significant difference (P&lt;0.001) between the first-time rural, peri-urban, and urban communities heard of COVID-19. The majority (63%) of the rural respondents depended on radio, while the peri-urban and urban respondents (51%) relied on TV for information on COVID-19. All respondents were aware of COVID-19, and 91.7% could mention at least two symptoms of the disease. However, 18% believed there was no COVID-19 in Ghana. Most respondents (69.6%) thought they would not contract the virus. Conclusion: Our findings may provide valuable data to the government and other stakeholders to control COVID-19.

Health Security of Unorganised Construction Workers Through Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) Special reference to the Haldwani Development Block

Purpose of the study – This study explores the Ayushman Bharat Scheme (PM-JAY) in the Haldwani Development Block of Uttarakhand, focusing on awareness, utilization, and impact among unorganized construction workers. It also assesses the scheme's accessibility in rural and urban areas within the study area. Design/methodology/approach – The present study is based on descriptive and analytical research design. The cross-sectional study was conducted within the rural and urban parts of the study area. The study is based on primary data and the data was collected through a close-ended interview schedule with the sample size of N = 384, which is determined through William Cochran’s methods for infinite population size. Statistical tool – Descriptive statistics has been used for summarizing the result of the study and in the inferential statistics Spearmen’s rank correlation, Chi-Square, one sample t-test and Likert Scale Analysis have been used. Conclusion - The study reveals that in the case of awareness, the schemes were successful but there is substantial gaps exist in the utilization of Ayushman Bharat Schemes (PM-JAY) among the unorganised construction workers. The researcher found a weak negative correlation coefficient between the level of education and awareness, enrollment and availing the benefits of the Ayushman Bharat schemes. Rural respondents have received more benefits than urban respondents. Enrolment in Ayushman Bharat leads to significant reductions in annual healthcare expenditure. This suggests that PM-JAY helps reduce out-of-pocket healthcare costs, making medical services more affordable to unorganised construction workers. On average, respondents reported a moderately positive perception regarding the shift of their healthcare utilization from informal to formal channels due to PM-JAY.