Sociodemographic Traits Research Articles

Determinants of body weight changes during COVID-19 pandemic in older urban residents.

COVID‑19 pandemic is associated with unfavorable body weight changes. However, little is known about these changes in older individuals, a particularly vulnerable group with limited representation in both direct and online research. The aims of the study were to assess changes in body weight and determinants of thesechanges, and to evaluate the prevalence of COVID‑19 history and its impact on the changes in body weight in older individuals. The analysis included 2076 residents of Kraków, aged 60 to 84 years. Data on sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, history of COVID‑19, and changes in body weight were collected in 2021 and 2022 by a postal survey. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used. COVID‑19 tests were performed in 29.3% of the participants, with one‑third of them being positive. A total of 14.3% of the participants had any history of COVID‑19. Almost two‑thirds of the study participants declared no change in their body weight during the pandemic, while 26.2% gained weight. The weight gain was associated with unfavorable sociodemographic and lifestyle conditions. Weight loss was reported by 11.3% of the participants, and it was associated with poor perceived health and a history of COVID‑19. After adjusting for covariates, the history of COVID‑19 was associated with about 4 times higher odds of weight loss in any case (odds ratio [OR], 2.69; 95% CI, 1.59-4.57 for nonhospitalized, and OR, 18.96; 95% CI, 5.64-63.73 for hospitalized individuals). Most people with a change in their body weight gained weight due to unfavorable lifestyle modifications, but the history of COVID‑19, especially hospitalization, was a strong determinant of body weight loss.

Modelling the Long-Term Expected Impact of the Covid-19 Crisis on Commute and Telecommute

The Covid-19 pandemic crisis has forced many people to work from home rather than at their regular workplace. This paper explores the expected long-term changes caused by the pandemic crisis in Israel on work-related travel patterns, that is, the shifts in commuting and telecommuting post- versus pre-pandemic. Methodologically, the analysis is based on two consecutive surveys (of the same respondents) that were distributed during the pandemic (April and June 2020) to evaluate the trends in commuting and telecommuting from pre- to post-pandemic, addressing revealed preferences on work habits before and during the pandemic and stated intentions about work patterns after the pandemic. Four models were estimated based on these data: two multinomial logit models analyzing the trends in commuting and teleworking from before to after the pandemic, and two ordered logit models addressing the frequency of the intended teleworking and commuting trips in the post-pandemic era. The results showed that the Covid-19 crisis is expected to have some long-term implications, specifically, based on our sample, a 5%–6% expected reduction in commuting trips, alongside an expected increase in teleworking. While several socio-demographic, work-related, and personality traits were found to significantly influence commuting/telecommuting trends and frequency, it is interesting to note that working solely from home during the lockdown was found to have a prominent impact on increasing teleworking while decreasing commuting. Quantitative consistency evaluation of behavioral-shift statements across the consecutive surveys revealed moderate consistency, which is very reasonable given the instability associated with the Covid-19 crisis and the inherent changes in human perceptions.

Investigating how the interaction between individual and circumstantial determinants influence the emergence of digital poverty: a post-pandemic survey among families with children in England

ABSTRACT This paper explores Digital Poverty (DP) in England by adopting the DP Alliance’s theoretical framework that includes both Individual Determinants (individual capability and motivation) and Circumstantial Determinants (conditions of action). Such a framework is interpreted as an expression of Strong Structuration Theory (SST), by situating the connection between social structure and human agency in an intertwined relationship. We focus on new potential vulnerabilities that are connected to DP in England by drawing on a survey conducted on a randomised stratified sample (n = 1988) of parents aged between 20–55 with children at school. Exploring parents’ experience in the COVID-19 era, we identified economic factors and having children with disabilities as important predictors connected to Digital Poverty. Additional socio-demographic traits (such as age and education), parental status, lifestyles and digital behaviours also play a role in predicting some of the determinants linked to Digital Poverty. This paper adds to SST by empirically exploring how individuals use the Internet according to their metabolised embodiment of external determinants.

Burnout Level and Its Associated Factors Among Critical Care Nurses: A Literature Review

Burnout is defined as a prolonged response to ongoing interpersonal and emotional stresses at work and has three dimensions: emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and decreasing personal accomplishment (PA). Burnout is a condition that affects individuals working in a variety of professions, including healthcare, and is currently the subject of much national and worldwide interest. Burnout in critical care nurses can result from several different things. So, this review aimed to determine the prevalence of burnout among critical care nurses and the risk factors that affect it. The search, filtration, and selection procedures were carried out using the PRISMA 2020 flow diagram. The publications considered for the thematic review were located using Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, and Wiley Online Library. Items released in English between January 2010 and August 2020 were included in the inclusion period. The search criteria were selected by assessing the abstracts before studying the full-text documents. The keywords to be included in the final analysis were burnout, critical care nurses, critical care units, and the associated factor tied to burnout as the outcome. There was a total of 264 full texts discovered from the electronic databases searched. After the duplicate articles were eliminated and the initial examination of the abstract was finished, twenty studies satisfied the criteria for inclusion. Most of the research used the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) questionnaire. The prevalence of burnout ranged widely, from 8.7% to 84.4%, according to the findings. EE was shown to have the highest levels of burnout, with DP coming in second with ranges of 38.4% to 84.0% and 26.1% to 77.0%, respectively. The range for PA, on the other hand, was 15.0% to 77.1%. The main risk factors for burnout were age, gender, marital status, having children, education level, and sociodemographic traits. While working shifts, the number of years of experience, the working environment, the nurse-to-patient ratio, workload, job discontent, and workplace conflict were all occupational characteristics associated with burnout. Burnout is a threat to the critical care nurse. It is unknown whether the factors contributing to burnout pose a significant problem for nurses.

Immunoglobulin-M (IgM) antibody against cytomegalovirus among females of reproductive age in Buguma, Rivers State, Nigeria

Infection with the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), particularly in pregnant women, can result in congenital abnormalities and is frequently linked to significant side effects such as microcephaly, mental retardation, deafness, and spastic paralysis. In the Buguma city of Rivers State, a cross-sectional study was conducted to ascertain the seroprevalence of HCMV infection and related risk factors among females of reproductive age. A structured questionnaire was given to 93 females in Buguma of reproductive age and matched for socio-demographic traits between December 2021 and January 2023. By venous puncture, five millilitres (5 ml) of blood were obtained, centrifuged, and plasma was collected. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent test, plasma was analyzed for the presence of HCMV immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies (ELISA). SPSS Version 17 was used to analyze the data. There were 93 participants in all. The findings indicated that the highest proportions of participants were found in the age range of 31 to 40 years, the married (59.1%), those with tertiary education (64.5%), and business/traders (38.0%). Nineteen females (20.4%) tested positive for HCMV IgM antibodies. Compared to other age groups, the HCMV IgM age-specific seroprevalence was highest in people under 20 (25.0%) and closely followed by those in the 21–30 age range (23.3%). As people get older, HCMV infection rates decline. The frequency of HCMV IgM was higher in married people (21.8%) than in single people (18.4%). Compared to women with secondary education (12.1%), those with university education (25.0%) had a higher prevalence. Compared to other occupational groups, teachers had a higher frequency (33.3%). None of the patient demographic traits revealed a statistically significant correlation with HCMV serostatus. In the Nigerian town of Buguma, Rivers State, the investigation verified the existence of HCMV infections among females of reproductive age. The significant seroprevalence of anti-HCMV IgM antibodies in these females suggested recent virus exposure. This observation suggests that the virus is widespread in the research region. It is advised that routine CMV infection screening be adopted for all females of reproductive age across the state and the nation.

Young Adult Obesity Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors, A Cross-Sectional Anthropometric Study in local Population

Objective: This study was carried out to assess the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and risk factors among young adults in Pakistan. Study Design: A cross-sectional anthropometric study in local population to assess the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and risk factors among young male and female. Place and Duration: Present study was conducted in 25 high schools of Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi from January 2022 to November 2022. Methodology: In this study 1000 young adults (500 girls and 500 boys) of age 15-17 years were selected and used population-based stratified cluster sampling method. To determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity, the participant’s body mass indices (BMI) were compared to the BMI guidelines for Pakistani children and adolescents. In order to gather information about the study group's sociodemographic traits, Internet use, TV watching, physical activity, and family history of obesity, a standardized questionnaire was administered. Results: According to the findings, there were 8.9% of teenagers who were obese overall (9.6% of females and 7.2% of boys). It was shown that BMI went up when computer use did. Compared to their peers who were of normal weight, a higher percentage of overweight and obese teenagers watched TV and used computers for longer than two hours each day. It was discovered that the patients with normal weight participated more frequently in regular physical activity. 59.6% of the households of overweight adolescents were obese. Practical Implication:It will spread awareness among community about obesity prevalence in young adults and the risk factors associated with them ,controlling methods and things to prevent. Conclusion: Comparatively it was concluded that Pakistan has lower frequency of adolescent obesity than several developed countries. The usage of computer, mobile, television, physical exercise, and family dynamics are all significant risk factors for obesity. Keywords: Adolescent, Obesity, Body mass indices, Risk factors, Anthropometric

The Influence of Probiotic Supplementation on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Level, as well as Inflammation, Anthropometric and Metabolic Parameters in Patients with Depressive Disorders - preliminary results of an RCT

IntroductionThere is a huge need to search for new treatment options for depression but as well as its comorbidities. Particularly, depression and metabolic abnormalities often coexist, while a pathophysiological overlap, including microbiota changes, may play a role. Thus, the trials of microbiota interventions (e.g., probiotics) may establish a safe and easy-to-use treatment option as an adjunctive therapy in patients only partially responsive to pharmacological treatment.ObjectivesThe paper presents preliminary results of an RCT on the effect of probiotic supplementation on depression, anxiety and stress level, anthropometric, metabolic, and inflammatory parameters in adult patients with depressive disorders.MethodsThe trial was a two-arm, parallel-group, prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled design that included 43 participants and lasted 60 days. The probiotic preparation contained Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell®-52 and Bifidobacterium longum Rosell®-175 in the amount of 3 × 109 colony forming units (CFU). We assessed depression level with Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), depressiveness, anxiety and stress level with 21-item version of Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), quality of life, blood pressure, body mass index and waist circumference, complete blood count, serum levels of C-reactive protein, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose, selected secondary markers of inflammation and metabolic risk, as well as noninvasive biomarkers of liver fibrosis (APRI and FIB-4).ResultsThere were no differences in sociodemographic traits and psychometric questionnaires scores, as well as in anthropometric and basic laboratory findings between placebo and probiotic group at the start of the intervention period. Interestingly, there was a statistically significant improvement in MADRS score in both, placebo (p=0,010) and probiotic group (p=0,037) after intervention (see figure). The same finding was observed in total DASS-21 score as well as anxiety subscale of DASS-21. However, there were no differences in anthropometric, inflammation or metabolic laboratory parameters at the end of the study regardless of intervention.Image:ConclusionsWhilst probiotics may benefit some individuals who do not fully respond to antidepressant medications, our study did not show the superiority of probiotics over placebo in managing depressive and anxiety symptoms. However, the target clinical sample, as well as the intervention period and dosage of preparation for this intervention is not fully recognized. Moreover, larger clinical sample may be needed to detect differences between placebo and probiotics.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Relationship between Sociodemographic Factors and Cognitive Failures among Employees

Cognitive functioning is essential for handling both job and daily life. However, a cognitive failure characterised by self-perceived issues with focus, memory, decision-making, and clear thinking, is prevalent in both the general population and the working population and can be accompanied by both decreased well-being and job competence. Given the significance of people’s health, this study investigated the connection between sociodemographic factors and cognitive failures by conducting a cross-sectional study that involved 327 employees from the health department. Forgetfulness, Distractibility, and False Triggering were measured using a 25-item cognitive failure questionnaire. Information on sociodemographic and professional traits was obtained using the questionnaire. The association between cognitive failure and sociodemographic was established by descriptive analysis and a parametric test. The results of the cognitive questionnaire showed that most respondents (89%) had normal scores for cognitive function. A study using logistic regression found a link between Distractibility during sleeping, exercising, and residing with relatives. These findings may facilitate the development of effective strategies for preventing cognitive dysfunction and its negative effects on employees.

What's Making a COVID-19 a dangerous disease for long time?

Objective: To evaluate COVID-19 complications among recovered patients and determine the association between these complications and patients' demographic data. Methodology: This descriptive retrospective study was conducted from December 15th, 2021 to May 1st, 2022 in the city of Al-Najaf. A convenience (non-probability) sampling was used and 157 patients with COVID-19 disease were enrolled. The information was gathered using a specially designed questionnaire that was divided into three sections: sociodemographic traits, medical history, and the systematic COVID-19 Complications. Results: Out of 157 patients, 73 were women and 84 men. Even after recovering from COVID-19, the patients continue to experience difficulties. Acute respiratory failure (46.5%), pneumonia (15.35%), blood hypercoagulability (35.7%), diarrhea (33.1%), myalgias (19.1%), and arthralgias (15.3%) were the most frequent consequences. Conclusion: The study concluded that COVID-19 is a deadly virus that affects every system of the body and might lead to serious consequences that could endanger the patients' lives.

Predictive influence of personality traits on retirement anxiety among universities staff in Osun State, Nigeria.

Retirement anxiety may occur in retirement-eligible staff, and their reaction may depend on their personality traits. This study examined the predictive influence of five-factor personality traits on retirement anxiety among non-academic staff in some selected universities in Osun State, Nigeria. The study utilized a multistage sampling technique. Two self-administered instruments, Redeemer's University Retirement Anxiety Scale and Mini-International Personality Item Pool were completed by 463 non-academic staff in five selected universities in Osun State, Nigeria. Descriptive statistics (frequency and percentages) and inferential statistics (hierarchical regression, two-sample t-test, and one-way ANOVA) were used to analyze data. The study found a high prevalence rate of retirement anxiety (85.1%) among university staff in Nigeria. In all, 13%, 16%, and 12.5% of the participants showed high levels of retirement anxiety dimensions (personal obligation, financial planning, and social detachment), respectively. Sociodemographic and personality traits jointly accounted for statistically significant (16%, 29%, and 22%) changes in personal obligation (R2 =0.16, P <.01), financial planning (R2 =0.29, P <.01), and social detachment (R2 =.22, P <.01), respectively. Personality traits (extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism) and socio-demographic variables (age, educational level, job tenure, and job status) jointly contributed to the prediction of retirement anxiety dimensions (obligation concerns, financial planning, and social detachment). The findings highlighted the need for psychosocial interventions targeting the at-risk population was highlighted.

Determinants influencing the food digestibility perception: A study based on consumer-stated preferences for sweet peppers

&lt;abstract&gt; &lt;p&gt;In recent years, there has been a growing focus on healthy eating. Concerns about general healthiness, food safety, evolving culinary preferences and the shift towards healthier lifestyles are shaping consumers' intentions when it comes to food purchases, impacting the demand for food items that are perceived as healthier than other options. This study aims to enhance our understanding of the significance that consumers place on perceptions of food digestibility, with a specific focus on sweet peppers as a case study. To explore signals linked to consumers' perceptions of digestibility, a questionnaire was administered to 582 Italian consumers. Employing an econometric estimation as the methodological approach, we aim to elucidate the relationship between various factors and the perception of digestibility. The results suggest that intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics of sweet peppers, culinary preparations and sociodemographic traits of consumers may influence perceived digestibility. In conclusion, the study finds that Italian consumers pay significant attention to the digestibility of sweet peppers, and these insights can serve as a valuable tool for the gastronomy sector. This paper introduces novel aspects to the literature, as–to the best of the authors' knowledge–no previous study has explored consumers' perceptions of food digestibility.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/abstract&gt;

The outcome of medical nutrition therapy on glycemic control among type 2 diabetic patients.

the global prevalence of type 2 diabetes in adults is estimated to be 6.4%. The current prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Egyptians aged 20 to 79 is approximately 15.6%. The objective of medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is to optimize the management of the "ABC" for diabetes control, glycated hemoglobin, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Our study aimed to assess the effect of MNT on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes attending the family practice clinic. a quasi-experimental intervention trial was conducted with 40 diabetic patients seeking medical service in the Suez Canal University Hospital family practice clinic. The participants were over 20 years old and had uncontrolled type 2 diabetes. Patients were surveyed using El-Gilany questionnaire to evaluate the socio-demographic traits, physical examination data, and laboratory investigations at baseline and after 12 weeks. medical nutrition therapy (MNT) significantly reduced glycated hemoglobin level (p<0.001); the median level of glycated hemoglobin was 10% with a minimum level of 7.5% vs. a maximum of 14% in the pre-intervention phase. In comparison, the median glycated hemoglobin level was 9.5%, with a minimum level of 5.6% vs. a maximum of 13.5% in the post-intervention phase. In addition, there was a significant improvement in blood pressure, weight, body mass index, fasting plasma glucose, and lipid profile. Conclusion: there is evidence that MNT is a crucial component of type 2 diabetes therapy.

Factors Influencing the Types of Merchandise Purchased Online: Evidence From the 2018 California Survey of Emerging Transportation Trends

Understanding consumer preferences has become increasingly important with the growth of e-commerce. This study leverages the 2018 California Panel Study of Emerging Transportation Trends to analyze the factors that influence consumer decisions to purchase different merchandise online. Diffusion of innovations theory and efficient market hypothesis guide the execution of our research. According to our findings, two hypotheses can explain the links between neighborhood characteristics and online shopping frequency for different types of merchandise: 1) Physical books and DVDs, 2) E-books, digital movies, TV shows, 3) Clothing, shoes, 4) Groceries, fresh produce, flowers, and 5) Electronics. People's online purchasing behaviors are significantly influenced by sociodemographic traits. Online shopping is less popular among people who drive more frequently. The research results can provide valuable insights and help assess the impacts of e-shopping behaviors.

Discrimination in marketized welfare services: a field experiment on Swedish schools

AbstractProviders’ tendency to cream skim clients according to certain sociodemographic traits is widely believed to increase under marketization, and therefore also discrimination. However, due to a lack of experimental research, little is known about the presence of discrimination in marketized welfare services and of the potential drivers of such biased treatment. The lack of research is particularly evident in regard to socioeconomic status (SES) discrimination and publicly financed for-profit providers. Moreover, competition, an important aspect of marketization, has not been investigated. Focusing on the interesting case of the Swedish school sector, we aim to improve knowledge on these matters. In a field experiment, 3,430 elementary school principals were randomly contacted though e-mail by parents with Arabic- or Swedish-sounding names and in low- or high-socioeconomic professions. The fictional parents were interested in placing their children at the school. The Swedish school sector resembles marketized public services in several Western countries. The results show clear signs of ethnic as well as SES discrimination, particularly in regard to more qualitative aspects of the replies. However, we find no significant differences in discrimination between public and private/for-profit schools and depending on the degree of competition in the school market.

Socio-demographic characteristics and their relation to medical service consumption among elderly in Israel during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 as compared to the corresponding period in 2019.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the isolation of the population in Israel, including the elderly. The present study aimed to compare the consumption of medical services among adults over the age of 65 in Israel at the time of the first COVID-19 lockdown relative to the corresponding period the year before. We conducted a retrospective longitudinal observational quantitative research based on the Natali Healthcare Solutions Israel database of subscribers. Company subscribers over the age of 65 (N = 103,955) were included in the sample (64.5% women) in two time periods, before the COVID-19 outbreak-P1, in 2019, and during the first COVID-19 lockdown- P2 in 2020. Logistic regression was applied to examine service consumption for study variables. The average number of referrals to services was lower during the COVID-19 lockdown period (M = 0.3658, SD = 0.781) compared to the corresponding period in the previous year (M = 0.5402, SD = 0.935). The average number of ambulance orders, doctor home visits and service refusals were higher when compared to the same period in the previous year. During both time periods, women (P1- M = 0.5631, SD = 0.951; P2- M = 0.3846, SD = 0.800) required significantly more (p < .000) services than men (P1- M = 0.5114, SD = 0.910; P2- M = 0.3417, SD = 0.753). Older, widowed people, living in non-Jewish/mixed localities, or in average or below average socioeconomic status localities required relatively more services to those with opposite socio-demographic traits (p < .000). In a large sample of elderly in Israel, findings indicate a decrease in referrals to medical care during the first COVID-19 lockdown period, yet an increase in ambulance orders, doctor visits and service refusals. Socio-demographic characteristics showed a similar effect in both time periods. The period of the first COVID-19 lockdown was characterized by a higher incidence of medical service refusals as compared to the equivalent period in the previous year.

Time-series comparison of COVID-19 case fatality rates across 21 countries with adjustment for multiple covariates.

Although it is widely used as a measure for mortality, the case fatality rate (CFR) ofcoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can vary over time and fluctuate for many reasons otherthan viral characteristics. To compare the CFRs of different countries in equal measure, weestimated comparable CFRs after adjusting for multiple covariates and examined the mainfactors that contributed to variability in the CFRs among 21 countries. For statistical analysis, time-series cross-sectional data were collected from OurWorld in Data, CoVariants.org, and GISAID. Biweekly CFRs of COVID-19 were estimated bypooled generalized linear squares regression models for the panel data. Covariates includedthe predominant virus variant, reproduction rate, vaccination, national economic status,hospital beds, diabetes prevalence, and population share of individuals older than age 65. Intotal, 21 countries were eligible for analysis. Adjustment for covariates reduced variation in the CFRs of COVID-19 across countriesand over time. Regression results showed that the dominant spread of the Omicron variant,reproduction rate, and vaccination were associated with lower country-level CFRs, whereasage, the extreme poverty rate, and diabetes prevalence were associated with higher countrylevel CFRs. A direct comparison of crude CFRs among countries may be fallacious, especiallyin a cross-sectional analysis. Our study presents an adjusted comparison of CFRs over timefor a more proper comparison. In addition, our findings suggest that comparing CFRs amongdifferent countries without considering their context, such as the epidemic phase, medicalcapacity, surveillance strategy, and socio-demographic traits, should be avoided.

Working Across Differences While Online: Examining the Experience of Facilitating a Virtual Group.

A growing body of literature illustrates the benefits of online groups for clients, but few studies have examined counselors' experience facilitating such groups, particularly in regard to counselor work with clients of differing sociodemographic traits. In this study, graduate-level counseling students facilitated two psychoeducational college counseling groups via an online platform. Groups were tailored for Black and/or African American first-generation college students (FGCS) enrolled in urban high schools. Facilitator experiences using an online platform and counseling across sociodemographic variables were explored. Themes included barriers to cohesion building, difficulty of power/oppression discussions via a virtual setting, and adjusting tactics and expectations.

Association of US County-Level Eviction Rates and All-Cause Mortality.

Housing instability is a key social determinant of health and has been linked to adverse short- and long-term health. Eviction reflects a severe form of housing instability and disproportionately affects minority and women residents in the USA; however, its relationship with mortality has not previously been described. To evaluate the independent association of county-level eviction rates with all-cause mortality in the USA after adjustment for county demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related characteristics. Cross-sectional. Six hundred eighty-six US counties with available 2016 county-level eviction and mortality data. 2016 US county-level eviction rate. 2016 US county-level age-adjusted all-cause mortality. Among 686 counties (66.1 million residents, 50.5% [49.7-51.2] women, 2% [0.5-11.1] Black race) with available eviction and mortality data in 2016, we observed a significant and graded relationship between county-level eviction rate and all-cause mortality. Counties in the highest eviction tertile demonstrated a greater proportion of residents of Black race and women and a higher prevalence of poverty and comorbid health conditions. After adjustment for county-level sociodemographic traits and prevalent comorbid health conditions, age-adjusted all-cause mortality was highest among counties in the highest eviction tertile (Tertile 3 vs 1 (per 100,000 people) 33.57: 95% CI: 10.5-56.6 p=.004). Consistent results were observed in continuous analysis of eviction, with all-cause mortality increasing by 9.32 deaths per 100,000 people (4.77, 13.89, p<.0001) for every 1% increase in eviction rates. Significant interaction in the relationship between eviction and all-cause mortality was observed by the proportion of Black and women residents. In this cross-sectional analysis, county-level eviction rates were significantly associated with all-cause mortality with the strongest effects observed among counties with the highest proportion of Black and women residents. State and federal protections from evictions may help to reduce the health consequences of housing instability and address disparities in health outcomes.

Spatial clustering in vaccination hesitancy: The role of social influence and social selection.

The phenomenon of vaccine hesitancy behavior has gained ground over the last three decades, jeopardizing the maintenance of herd immunity. This behavior tends to cluster spatially, creating pockets of unprotected sub-populations that can be hotspots for outbreak emergence. What remains less understood are the social mechanisms that can give rise to spatial clustering in vaccination behavior, particularly at the landscape scale. We focus on the presence of spatial clustering, and aim to mechanistically understand how different social processes can give rise to this phenomenon. In particular, we propose two hypotheses to explain the presence of spatial clustering: (i) social selection, in which vaccine-hesitant individuals share socio-demographic traits, and clustering of these traits generates spatial clustering in vaccine hesitancy; and (ii) social influence, in which hesitant behavior is contagious and spreads through neighboring societies, leading to hesitant clusters. Adopting a theoretical spatial network approach, we explore the role of these two processes in generating patterns of spatial clustering in vaccination behaviors under a range of spatial structures. We find that both processes are independently capable of generating spatial clustering, and the more spatially structured the social dynamics in a society are, the higher spatial clustering in vaccine-hesitant behavior it realizes. Together, we demonstrate that these processes result in unique spatial configurations of hesitant clusters, and we validate our models of both processes with fine-grain empirical data on vaccine hesitancy, social determinants, and social connectivity in the US. Finally, we propose, and evaluate the effectiveness of two novel intervention strategies to diminish hesitant behavior. Our generative modeling approach informed by unique empirical data provides insights on the role of complex social processes in driving spatial heterogeneity in vaccine hesitancy.

A comparative assessment of multi-criteria decision-making analysis and machine learning methods for flood susceptibility mapping and socio-economic impacts on flood risk in Abela-Abaya floodplain of Ethiopia

Floods have a terrible impact on people's lives and property all around the world. In this study, we evaluated the modeling capabilities of two Machine Learning (ML) approaches such as Naive Bayes Tree (NBT) and Naive Bayes (NB) and four Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) analysis techniques MABAC (multi-attributive border approximation area comparison), TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution), VIKOR (Vise Kriterijumska Optimizacijaik Ompromisno Resenje), and SAW (Simple Additive Weighting) were applied in Abela-Abaya floodplain of Ethiopia. Sixteen flood influencing factors such as elevation, land use/cover (LULC), soil, aspect, geomorphology, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), rainfall, distance from river (DR..), topographic wetness index (TWI), sediment transport index (STI), stream power index (SPI), geology, curvature, flow accumulation (FA), slope and flow direction (FD) were used as input parameters. Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve was used to assess and validate the models' predictive power (AUC). The NB model performed the best (AUC = 0.92), indicating that it is a viable strategy for determining flood-prone locations in order to properly plan and control flood hazards. Face to face interactive sessions were conducted with 160 respondents to find a coordinated analysis between the impact issues and the community's apprehension of flood danger and to analyze the socioeconomic impact of flood risk. The findings revealed that respondents' socio-demographic traits, flood experience, flood awareness, flood prevention responsibility, and government confidence building were all cohesively related to their opinion of flood danger. The estimated damage for households and farmland were $6249 and $5326 respectively by 2016 flood. The compilation of the findings of this study on flood susceptibility mapping and socioeconomic impact of flood risk seeks to enhance human perceptions of flood risk to minimize flood risk by enhancing communication about the issues and inspiring people of flood-prone areas to take measures for mitigating flood damage.