Socio-personal Factors Research Articles

Exploring the Socio-personal Factors Associated with the Prevalence of Symptoms of Reproductive Tract Infections among Sexually Active Married Women in Ernakulam District of Kerala, India

Abstract Background: Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs)/Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are the main cause of maternal mortality and morbidity in India. The prevalence of the symptoms of RTIs was found to be very high in community-based studies. However only a few studies have explored the factors associated with it. This study aims to determine the socio-personal factors associated with the prevalence of symptoms of RTIs among sexually active married women in Ernakulam district of Kerala. Material and Methods: The study adopted a cross-sectional approach and was conducted among 640 married women in the reproductive age group. Results: The prevalence of the symptoms of RTIs was found to be 56.9% and about 60.16% of them had experienced multiple symptoms. Multivariate analysis showed that those women living in the urban areas (OR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.334, 0.719), having no previous history of obstetric/gynecological risk factors (OR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.119, 3.19) and using both clothes and sanitary pads interchangeably during menstruation (OR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.282, 0.734) were found to be at less risk of contracting RTIs. Conclusion: The use of sanitary pads along with cloth pads can be enhanced rather than only using reusable cloths during menstruation. Also, efforts to improve the reproductive health of the women and reduce the obstetric/gynaecological risk factors should be devised to curtail the peak of RTIs.

Civic Education and Lebanon

The purpose of Civic Education in Lebanon includes the structure of the government and the way it functions. Isn’t it civic desert? One should consider then, the meaning of civics. Civics does not focus on a course or a book, but rather on fundamental social learning. It is the need to lay the foundation for communication and critical thinking when encountering traditions in conflict with what one’s own. Yet schools have their role to play, by revealing secular values, for conflict affected areas can easily regress to violence. A menu of civics implement classroom discussion of current critical events. Yet, Lebanese schools are overtaken by the baccalaureate program which hardly gives any time to controversial issues. Teachers are important elements in teaching civics. They have to believe in what they teach, display it verbally, nonverbally and add ‘mindful learning’. Yet, one can visualize an array of socio-personal factors when issues are controversial, knowing that humans are resistant to change. To conclude, teaching quality in civics is to be ranked highly on the scholarly agenda and research is needed to better understand the improvement of civic education.

The Factors Influencing Consumer Buying Decision of Electronic Products

Consumer behaviour study is an effort to understand the buying tendencies of buyers for their end use. Consumer buying decisions direct how healthy the company's selling policy fits market demand. The persistent invention in electronic products accompanied by great price war followed by various opponent products available in every market, has commanded sellers to focus on the consumers' buying behaviour. This study examines the effect of influencing determinants on consumer buying decision of electronic products amongst different socio-demographic profiles. The comprehensive analysis indicates that social and personal factors are strongly associated with the consumer buying decision of consumers which supports our previous study on similar ground and situational determinant is the new which play almost parallel role. The result also helps manufacturers and dealers in understanding consumer buying behaviour and assist in improvement on buyer gratification. It was recommended that sellers should take cognizance of the fact that socio-personal factors are the fundamental determinants of buyers' want and behavior and should therefore be considered when producing electrical products for semi-urban markets.

Income inequality among indigenous people dependent on traditional agroforestry system in Indian Himalayas

There is increasing concern about unequal distribution of income and wealth especially in developing economies, and to address this issue, there is greater thrust for inclusive development in the recent years. In this context, this paper looks into growing income inequality among the forest dwellers based on the empirical study conducted in North Eastern Hill (NEH) states of India. The primary data were collected through survey and personal interview covering a sample of 500 forest dweller households’ sampled during 2016-17 from 52 villages located across six NEH states (Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura). Further, various options of income generation by providing equal access to resources has been dealt in the paper. It was observed that the shifting cultivation (SC) remains the main source of livelihood in all the studied sites. The clear-cut inter-state income disparities among the forest dwellers were demonstrated by Gini ratios. The high variation in Gini ratios indicates higher disparities in nonfarm income and it may be because of unequal opportunities for non-farm activities. In addition, other factors which are contributing significantly to income inequality are socio-personal factors, policies and programmes on SC management. The understanding on the role played by such factors would greatly facilitate in evolving appropriate policy perspectives for reducing economic inequality through measures like increasing investment in human capital and thus ensuring a stable farm economy in this region.

Developing an Assessment Frame for Tea Sector Farmer Organizations Based on Opinions of Agriculture Extension Personnel

Farmer based, Tea Smallholding Development Societies (TSDSs) were established to address resource limitation problems faced by individual farmers. Well established Farmer Based Organizations (FBOs) provide many services to the members, including the supply of inputs, capacity building, extension, processing and marketing, financial services, welfare and business activities. This study attempted to understand the relative importance of these tasks of the TSDSs. An opinion survey was conducted, using a self-administered structured questionnaire, with two groups of respondents, who were requested to give a rating for a set of functions. These two groups consisted of working extension officials (EO) and extension experts having close interactions with the tea sector. Results revealed that a majority of the extension officials prefer TSDS to be focused on need identification, extension activities and dealing with inputs and resources. The EOs affiliated to the two main extension organizations had similar opinion on the functions. The Chi-square test confirmed that the socio-personal factors did not differ in the two groups. In contrast with the opinion of the EOs, the Experts group expect the TSDS to be more committed to marketing related activities. This was in line with the ground situation of the success FBOs in the region. However, the Expert group has not undermined the importance of the three tasks that EOs valued. For-profit activities have received fairly good rating from the Experts than that of the other category. Other functions received a low rating by both parties except welfare activity which was slightly favoured by EOs. Based on the factor analysis, it appears that some of these dimensions may be grouped into two components, such as economic-oriented and service-oriented. This information on relative importance could be used in assessing the TSDS.

Transphobic Violence in Educational Centers: Risk Factors and Consequences in the Victims’ Wellbeing and Health

School violence and bullying re worrying problems due to their growing prevalence and severe consequences for adolescent and youth health and wellbeing. Sociocultural factors can contribute to, complicate, and increase the cases of violence in classrooms and spaces related to educational centers. Transphobic violence in this article is defined as the type of violence suffered by transgender and nonbinary adolescents and youth as a manifestation of the problem of discrimination and hate against gender and sexual diversity. This work intends to study the complex sociocultural dynamics of violence detected in educational contexts affecting transgender and nonbinary adolescents and youth identified by recent high- impact studies. At the same time, we aim to fill the gap in the scientific literature on transphobic violence and articulate successful strategies to prevent and combat it. In this review, transphobic violence is defined as the violence affecting transgender adolescents and youth, continuous in time, influenced by peers, and taking place in spaces or realities related to educational centers. The reviewed studies point at the complexity of this kind of violence due to the combination of socio-personal factors and its variety in manifestations. Furthermore, we study the consequences of transphobic violence for the wellbeing and health of transgender and nonbinary adolescents and youth to deepen the knowledge of their mental health repercussions. We end by providing suggestions for how this problem can be prevented in educational environments, grounded on scientific evidence in the materialization of a transformative approach.

Universitarios y Confinamiento. Factores Socio-personales que Influyen en sus Niveles de Ansiedad y Empatía

El cierre de los centros educativos, incluidas las universidades, y la orden de estado de alarma, con el consiguiente confinamiento de la población, ha afectado a todos los niños, adolescentes y jóvenes del territorio español. No obstante, mientras la comprensible preocupación por el estado emocional de los niños ha sido evidente por parte de las instituciones y la sociedad en general, menos atención ha recibido la salud mental de los jóvenes universitarios confinados. En el presente artículo exploramos los niveles de ansiedad y empatía de una muestra de n = 124 universitarios, residentes en Aragón, a partir de las escalas Beck-II Depression Inventory (BDI-II) y Baron-Cohen y Wheelwright's Empathy Quotient (EQ), y de los factores socio-personales que les están influyendo durante el estado de alarma. Para ello, tras un análisis preliminar descriptivo y mediante correlaciones, aplicamos un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales (SEM). Los resultados muestran, por un lado, que el sexo del entrevistado, el tipo de hogar (personas con las que convive) y el aumento en el consumo de TV influyen en los niveles de ansiedad. Por otra parte, los niveles de empatía vienen condicionados por la situación laboral de la madre durante el confinamiento y el tener que ayudar a otras personas fuera del hogar.

Competencia Sociolaboral en Relación al Nivel Formativo y Laboral del Alumnado de Formación Profesional de Ceuta

Uno de los aspectos principales, durante el proceso de formación del alumnado y de su inserción en el mercado laboral, es el nivel de desarrollo social del mismo. Mediante este estudio, con un diseño descriptivo, exploratorio y de corte transversal; se analizan las habilidades sociolaborales autopercibidas por el alumnado de formación profesional de un instituto de Ceuta. La muestra estaba formada por 100 individuos (86 mujeres y 14 hombres). El instrumento empleado fue el Test de factores sociopersonales para la inserción laboral de los jóvenes de Martínez-Rodríguez y Carmona (2010). En cuanto al nivel de estudios, el alumnado que procede de ciclos formativos de grado superior cuenta con mayor nivel de habilidades sociolaborales que aquel que accede con otras titulaciones. Respecto a la situación laboral del alumnado, quienes trabajan cuenta con mayores niveles de habilidades sociolaborales que los alumnos desempleados. One of the main aspects, during the student training process and its insertion in the labor market, is its level of social development. Through this study, with a descriptive, exploratory and cross-sectional design; the self-perceived socio-labor skills by the professional training students of a Ceuta institute are analyzed. The sample consisted of 100 individuals (86 women and 14 men). The instrument used was the Test of sociopersonal factors for the labor insertion of the young people of Martínez-Rodríguez & Carmona (2010). Regarding the level of studies, students who come from higher cycles of vocational training have a higher level of socio-labor skills than students who access other degrees. Regarding the work situation of students, students who work have higher levels of socio-labor skills than unemployed students.

Analysis of the Socio-Personal Profile of Latin Americans Living in Spain and the United States: Does It Justify the Differences in Attitude Toward Organ Donation?

IntroductionThere are differences in the attitude toward organ donation between Latin Americans living in Spain and those living in the United States. ObjectiveWe sought to analyze the socio-personal factors that can condition the difference in attitude toward donation between Latin Americans living in the United States and those living in Spain. Materials and MethodsParticipants in the study were Latin Americans living in Spain (group A; n=1237) and the United States (Florida) (group B; n=1450), extracted from the database of the International Collaborative Donor Project (PCID). Inclusion criteria were a sample population stratified by area, country of birth, age, and sex. The instrument used was a validated attitude questionnaire toward living kidney donation (PCID-DTO-Rios.) Participants were randomly selected to be surveyed according to stratification. ResultsThe attitude in favor of Latin Americans residing in Spain (group A) was 60% (n=745) vs 33% (n=485) of residents in the United States (group B) (P < .001). The socio-personal profile of the Latin Americans in Spain compared with those in the United States indicates that they are mainly women (63.5% vs 43.7%, respectively), younger (31.78 vs 37.31 years, respectively), have more secondary education (21.2% vs 16.3%, respectively) and university studies (11% vs 6%, respectively), are of South American origin vs those who are Mexican and Central American, respectively, and there is a higher percentage of atheists/agnostics (8.1% vs 3.7%). However, the personal profile toward donation is similar in both groups, both for and against organ donation. ConclusionsThe personal social profile of the Latin American resident in Spain is different from that of the resident in the United States. However, the psycho-social profile for and against organ donation is similar in both countries.

Are Ghanaians Residing in Spain Aware of the Donation of Living Related Kidney?

IntroductionThe population of Ghana has an emerging migratory flow to Europe and especially to Spain. Therefore, there is an increase in waiting lists in kidney transplantation. ObjectiveTo analyze the attitude toward related living kidney donation (LKD) among the population born in Ghana and residing in Spain. Material and MethodsPopulation under study. Population born in Ghana and resident in Spain. Inclusion criteria. Sample of population over 15 years stratified by age and sex, according to census data and immigrant assistance associations. Instrument. Validated attitude questionnaire toward LKD “PCID-DVR-Ríos.” Field work. Random selection of people to be surveyed according to stratification. ResultsA total of 237 respondents have been included in the study. 72% are in favor of LKD, not just related. The remaining 28% do not accept the related living donation or have doubts about it. Respondents in favor of the related LKD have a more positive attitude toward ODT (P < .001). The attitude toward related LKD is linked to socio-personal factors, knowledge factors about the donation and organ transplantation process, social interaction factors, attitude factors toward the body, religious factors, and the risk assessment that comes with a living donation (P < .05). In the multivariate analysis persists: the attitude toward the cadaveric OTD (odds ratio [OR] = 6.993), perform pro-social activities (OR = 14.084), fear of body mutilation (OR = 20.408) and renal risk (OR = 29.411). ConclusionsThe Ghanaian population immigrating to Spain has an unfavorable attitude toward related LKD compared with existing studies of Western European and Spanish populations, which is conditioned by multiple psychosocial factors.

Population of Senegal Residents in Spain: Acceptance of Organ Xenotransplantation

IntroductionSpain is a great receptor of immigration from sub-Saharan people like the Senegalese. This population is not very familiar with the process of organ donation and transplantation, and even less toward new therapies related to transplantation, such as xenotransplantation (XenoTx). ObjectiveAnalyze the attitude toward XenoTx among the Senegalese population living in Spain. Material and MethodsPopulation under study. Population born in Senegal and resident in Spain. Inclusion criteria. Sample of population over 15 years stratified by age and sex, according to census data and immigrant assistance associations. Instrument. Validated questionnaire of attitude toward donation and organ transplantation “PCID-XenoTx-Ríos.” Field work. Random selection of respondents based on stratification. The support of immigration support associations was required to obtain sample locations. The completion was anonymous and self-administered. ResultsA sample of 468 Senegalese was obtained. Twenty percent (n = 92) would accept a solid organ xenotransplant if the results were similar to human organs, 40% (n = 188) have doubts, and 40% (n = 188) would not accept it. If the results were worse than with human organs, only 8% would accept it (n = 38). Respondents with a favorable attitude toward XenoTx presented a more favorable attitude toward cadaveric donation (70.5% vs 31.3%; P < .001).The attitude toward acceptance of XenoTx is related to socio-personal factors (P < .05), knowledge about the process of organ donation and transplantation (P < .05), social interaction factors (P < .001), and religious factors (P < .05). ConclusionsSenegalese residing in Spain do not have a favorable attitude toward XenoTx. A direct relationship between the attitude toward XenoTx and organ donation is observed.

Knowledge of the Concept of Brain Death: Is This an Obstacle in the Acceptance of Donation and Transplantation of Organs Among the Bolivian Population Residing in Spain?

IntroductionThe Bolivian population is growing in Spain. The knowledge and acceptance of the concept of brain death are fundamental. ObjectiveTo analyze the level of understanding of the brain death concept among the population of Bolivians residing in Spain. MethodsThe study population was Bolivians living in Spain. The inclusion criteria were being older than 15 years, being born in Bolivia, and residing in Spain; participants were selected randomly from this group and stratified by age and sex. Knowledge of the concept of brain death was assessed using a validated questionnaire on psychosocial aspects toward organ donation. A group of people to be surveyed was randomly selected. Assistance from immigration support associations in Spain was needed to advise on the location of potential respondents. The survey was self-administered and completed anonymously. ResultsOf the 206 respondents, 27% understood brain death (BD) and believed that this was the death of an individual. Of the rest, 18% did not understand it and the remaining 55% believed it did not mean the death of a patient. Those who understood the concept of BD were more in favor of deceased donation than those who did not (52% vs 47%; P = .886). None of the sociopersonal variables analyzed is associated with knowledge of the concept of BD. A high percentage of respondents indicated fear of apparent death during organ donation. ConclusionsThe majority of the Bolivian population residing in Spain does not understand the concept of BD. Contrary to most psychosocial studies, it is not associated with attitudes toward organ donation or other sociopersonal factors.

Factors That Condition the Attitude Toward Living Related Kidney Donation Among Santiago of Cuba's Population

IntroductionLiving kidney donation is currently the most important kidney donor source in Latin America, and it is necessary to further increase its rates. ObjectiveTo analyze the attitude toward living kidney donation among the Santiago de Cuba's population and to determine the sociopersonal factors with which it is associated. MethodThe population over 15 years old residing in Santiago de Cuba, stratified by sex and age, was screened. The “PCID—LKD Ríos” attitude questionnaire toward living kidney donation was administered to a random selection of the people surveyed according to the stratification and the census data. The completion was anonymized and self-administered. Verbal consent was obtained. ResultsThe study was completed by 445 people, of whom the 86% (n = 389) were in favor of living related kidney donation. This attitude is associated with the level of education (P < .001); previous experience with organ donation (P = .006); attitude toward cadaveric organ donation (P < .001); carrying out of prosocial activities (P = .010); discussion of the issue with the family (P < .001) and the significant other (P < .001); concern about mutilation after donation (P = .001); religious beliefs (P = .001); and assessment of the risk of living kidney donation (P < .001). In the multivariate study, the following variables persisted: (1) level of education; (2) attitude of cadaveric donation; (3) carrying out of prosocial activities; and (4) risk assessment of living donation. ConclusionsLiving related donation is very well accepted among the Santiago de Cuba's population.

A Path Analysis of the Effects of Mental Health and Socio-personal Factors on Breastfeeding Problems in Infants Aged Less than Six Months

Background: Despite the large number of studies conducted on breastfeeding, no studies have yet examined the direct and indirect effects of socio-personal factors and mental health on breastfeeding. Aim: This study aimed to analyze of the effects of mental health and socio-personal factors on breastfeeding in infants aged less than six months. Method: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 465 eligible mothers visiting general health centers in a northern city of Iran, in 2015. Data were collected using the researcher-made scale of socio-personal factors of breastfeeding, Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck’s Depression Inventory, Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale, the Breastfeeding Difficulties Questionnaire, the Access to Healthcare Questionnaire, and the Poor Health Behaviors Questionnaire. Results: The path analysis of the mental health variables showed that breastfeeding problems are associated through a direct path with depression, through an indirect path with stress, and through both paths with anxiety; a positive correlation was thus observed between these variables and breastfeeding problems. Poor health behaviors also contributed to mothers’ breastfeeding problems through a direct path and indirectly by affecting their level of depression. Income had the highest positive effect (B=0.66), while the number of children had the highest negative effect (B=-3.16) on breastfeeding problems through a direct path. Poor health behaviors had the highest positive effect (B=0.75) and family support had the highest negative effect (B=-0.11) on breastfeeding. Implications for Practice: The early diagnosis of poor postpartum mental health in mothers can help reduce breastfeeding problems.

Effect of Socio-Personal factors on goal setting pattern of farm families

The present study was undertaken to study the existing attitude and career goal setting pattern, effect of socio-personal factors of the homemakers on the attitude and career goal setting pattern and explore the constraints in goal setting and attainment of farm families. Results revealed that overall goal setting pattern of farm families was quite erroneous (overall SMART percent score of 11.39) with attitude goal setting per cent score of 5.86 and career 16.89. A positive non significant relationship between the age (0.10), education (0.07), family type (0.10), family size (0.12) and family income (0.09) of the respondents and their goal setting pattern was found. Major constraint faced by the respondents while setting the goals was lack of training to set goals (94.66%), ambiguous goals, frustration due to successive failure in goal achievement and hopelessness due to persistent struggle with uncertainties (82.66%).

A Relationship of Socio-Personal Factors with Job Satisfaction of Veterinary Officers in Punjab

Job satisfaction has emerged as one of the most important aspects of human resource management in recent times. The purpose of the study was to find a relationship of socio-personal factors and job satisfaction of Veterinary Officers in Punjab. Job satisfaction was operationalised as the cumulative score obtained by the respondents in relation to selected facets of the job. It was found that the veterinarians were partially satisfied with their job with a mean score of 3.49 on a scale of 1–5. Job satisfaction had a positive and significant association with experience. It was found that job satisfaction had a negative significant association with distance of place of posting. There was no significant relationship between age, gender, qualification, background and marital status of the veterinarians and the level of job satisfaction.

Socio personal factors affecting academic performance of undergraduate students of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana

The present study was conducted to know and compare the factors affecting academic performance and aspirations of undergraduate students of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. A sample of 150 students was selected through purposive sampling technique from three colleges of PAU, Ludhiana having Government funded programmes namely B.Sc. (Hons.) Home Science, B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture, B. Tech. (Agricultural Engineering and Technology). Data were collected with the help of specially prepared questionnaire. The findings revealed that 53 percentage of students had medium and 19 per cent had high level of academic performance. Significant relationship was observed between academic performance of the students and their health status. Family type, family size, use of internet were significantly associated with academic performance of the students. Significant variations were found among students of different colleges in relation to father’s education, father’s occupation and health status. Health status of students had significant and positive relationship with academic performance of the students. Students should be encouraged to improve their health status.

Association of socio-personal factors with the defense mechanisms used by infertile women

Parenting is viewed by most of the couples as their central role in life, and the thought of not achieving it can be very upsetting. Infertility is a stressor that often taxes a couple’s personal and relational resources such that defense mechanisms are a natural outgrowth of the experience. Social and personal factors play a huge role in an individuals’ life and studying their association with the defense mechanisms can help to gain a deeper understanding of infertility experience of women. The present study is an attempt to explore the association between socio-personal factors and defense mechanisms used by rural and urban infertile women of Ludhiana district. The study was based on a sample of 180 infertile women (90 rural and 90 urban). Socio-personal profile was assessed by using self-structured Interview Schedule. Defense mechanisms were explored by using Defense Mechanisms Inventory by Mrinal and Singhal (1984). Results revealed that there is a non-significant difference in the use of defense mechanisms as per the socio-economic strata of the respondents. It was also revealed that socio-personal factors like duration of infertility and educational qualification are significantly associated (p<0.01) with principalization and the defense turning against self is significantly associated with family type and working status of the respondents.

Socio-personal factors affecting parental perception towards contribution of non-resident Indian children

A study was planned to see the effect of topic socio-personal factors affecting parental perception with respect to contribution of non-resident Indian Children. The sample of 200 parents were drawn from 150 families for which, 28 villages were covered to finalize the sample. The findings revealed that maximum numbers of parents were middle passed, whose children had migrated to overseas. As education of parents increased, less number of children had migrated to overseas. Maximum number of children had migrated from Jat families and minimum from Khatri families. Maximum number of children had migrated from families having small land holding (<5) ha.

Factors influencing perceived access to urban parks: A comparative study of Brisbane (Australia) and Zhongshan (China)

Previous research indicates that perceived access to urban parks is influenced by both physical and non-physical variables. However, research to date on park access has involved case studies conducted in Western countries that are not directly comparable to non-Western cases. The extent to which park access may be influenced by the larger social and cultural context of the urban setting is unknown. This study uses a comparative research design by applying the same multidimensional model of urban park access to community-level survey data collected in the cities of Brisbane (Australia) and Zhongshan (China). Our results indicate that lower income groups perceive significantly lower access to urban parks than higher income groups in both cities with Brisbane residents reporting greater overall park access compared to Zhongshan residents. The respondents from both cities reported preferences for sustainable transport modes (e.g., walking and cycling) to visit parks. The more frequently people visit a park by walking, the greater the self-reported park access. The results from both cities confirm that physical and locational features of parks (e.g., proximity and travel time) are the most important factors influencing perceived access. Our results indicate that both physical and socio-personal factors significantly contribute to self-reported park access in both urban contexts, supporting the hypothesis that the accessibility concept is a complex multi-dimensional construct that can be applied cross-culturally. We discuss the implications of our findings for park planning in urban areas.