Socioeconomic Communities Research Articles

Impact of Retrofitting Strategies for Sustainability of Building

In response to the urgent need for sustainability, the modernization of existing buildings has become a key strategy to improve the environmental protection of the built environment. The purpose of this study is to examine the multifaceted impact of modernization strategies on enhancing sustainability through a comprehensive synthesis of the existing literature. Combining empirical findings and theoretical insights, this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the environmental, economic and social impacts associated with modernization. The study begins by identifying the general goals and motivations that drive modernization efforts, including the need to reduce carbon emissions, optimize resource use and promote resilience in the face of climate change. Next, the study explores the various renovation methods and technologies available, from energy-efficient renovations to passive design strategies and renewable energy integration. Through a systematic review of empirical studies and case studies, the effectiveness of these measures in mitigating environmental impacts, improving user comfort and achieving long-term cost savings is identified. In addition, the research seeks to unravel the complex interaction between modernization strategies and broader socio-economic dynamics, including equity, affordability and community engagement. Critically assessing the impact of the proliferation of renovation projects, the research aims to identify potential barriers to equal access and participation, thus promoting inclusive and inclusive approaches to sustainable building development. In conclusion, this study contributes to the evolving debate on sustainable building practices by providing nuanced insights into the opportunities and challenges of renovation strategies. By synthesizing existing knowledge and highlighting critical gaps in understanding, research aims to inform policy. actors, actors and stakeholders in the field of the built environment, facilitating evidence-based decision-making and promoting the transition to a more sustainable built environment.

Achievement of Goal Orientation and Academic Engagement among Adolescents in Southwestern Uganda

Enhancing academic engagement is essential for improving the educational experiences of adolescents. Guided by Social Cognitive Theory, this study explored the relationship between achievement goal orientation and academic engagement among 510 secondary school students in Southwestern Uganda. The study focused on two forms of goal orientation—mastery-approach and performance-approach goals—and examined the mediating and moderating role of academic self-efficacy. The results, derived from self-reported data, indicate that approach achievement goals (mastery and performance) positively predict academic engagement, independently. Moreover, academic self-efficacy plays a dual role: while it mediates the relationship between approach achievement goals (mastery and performance) and academic engagement, self-efficacy also moderates the relationship between performance-approach achievement goals and academic engagement. These findings underscore the importance of academic self-efficacy and achievement goal orientation in enhancing academic engagement among adolescent students, especially in low socioeconomic status communities. This research contributes to the understanding of factors like teacher-student relationship, external support offered by Compassion International program, goal setting skills training and predetermined external rewards can enrich the educational experiences of students in low resource education contexts

Experiences of families living with Nyaope users in Tshwane, Gauteng province.

Nyaope is one of the commonly used drugs in many low socio-economic communities in South Africa. Because of its highly addictive properties, the vast majority of users are not able to quit, which results in long-term difficulties for their families. The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of families living with nyaope users in a township in Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. Data were collected at the Social Development Centre, which serves a variety of social needs of families, including the various needs of families whose problems emanate from nyaope use. The family members were recruited from the registry of the centre. A qualitative design and in-depth interviews were used to collect data from a sample of family members who were purposively sampled. NVIvo 12 was used for thematic analysis of the data. Three major themes emerged from the data, these being, consequences of nyaope use on the family, family interventions, and coping strategies. Although the families have devised interventions and developed coping strategies, nyaope use remains a serious mental health challenge in affected families. The study highlighted the negative impact of nyaope on the social and mental health of the families. The assistance offered at Social Development is broad and general for substance abuse, but does little to mitigate the complex difficulties brought about by nyaope use.

Dampak Perkembangan Teknologi Terhadap Mata Pencaharian Masyarakat

In our lives at this time of course we will not be separated by technology. Because it is an effort for humans to meet the needs of their lives both in terms of quality and quantity. Technology has many impacts on human life, both negative and positive impacts. This research was conducted in Dolopo Village, Dolopo District, Madiun regency, East Java province. The formulation of the problems that will be discussed in this study include: 1) the response of the Dolopo community to the entry of technology into people’s livelihoods. 2) on the impact of the use of technology on the socio-economic community in Dolopo Village. The type of research used is field research, while data collection techniques are carried out by observation, and interviews. The results of this study concluded that the impact of technological developments facilitate human activities but on the other hand also lead to loss of community livelihoods.

IMPLEMENTING AI-DRIVEN WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN THE USA

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies holds immense potential for revolutionizing waste management systems in underserved communities across the United States. This concept paper explores the feasibility, benefits, challenges, and implications of implementing AI-driven waste management systems in these communities. By leveraging AI capabilities such as predictive analytics, optimization algorithms, and IoT sensors, innovative solutions can be developed to enhance waste collection, recycling efficiency, and environmental sustainability. However, successful implementation requires careful consideration of socioeconomic factors, community engagement, privacy concerns, and infrastructure limitations. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the opportunities and considerations associated with deploying AI-driven waste management systems in underserved communities, ultimately striving to promote equitable access to efficient and sustainable waste management solutions. This concept paper provides a comprehensive framework for implementing AI-driven waste management systems in underserved communities in the USA. It examines various aspects including socioeconomic considerations, community engagement, privacy concerns, infrastructure requirements, policy frameworks, financing options, and sustainability measures. Through careful planning, collaboration, and innovation, AI technologies can be harnessed to address the unique challenges faced by underserved communities, ultimately leading to more efficient, equitable, and sustainable waste management practices.
 Keywords: AI, Community, Waste, USA.

The Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of the ‘Walk with Me’ Peer-Led Walking Intervention to Increase Physical Activity in Inactive Older Adults: Study Protocol for a Randomised Controlled Trial

Background: The proportion of the population aged 65 years or older is increasing. Typically, physical activity and health decline with age, which is why action to promote active ageing is a major public health priority, particularly due to health inequalities in older adults. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the Walk with Me peer-led walking intervention for older adults. Methods: This study is a two-arm, assessor-blind, randomised controlled trial. The intervention is a 12-week peer-led walking intervention based on social cognitive theory. Participants in the control group will receive information on active ageing and healthy nutrition. The study will target 348 community-dwelling older adults, aged 60 years or over living in areas of socio-economic disadvantage communities. Trained peer mentors will deliver the intervention. The primary outcome will be a mean between-group change in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity at 12 months from baseline, measured using an Actigraph accelerometer. Secondary outcomes will include quality of life, mental wellbeing, blood pressure, BMI and waist circumference. An embedded process evaluation will involve focus groups and participant diaries. Discussion: Evidence-based, cost-effective interventions to promote physical activity in older adults living in socio-economically disadvantaged communities are needed to address health inequalities.

Comparing population-level humoral and cellular immunity to SARS-Cov-2 in Bangalore, India

Two types of immunity, humoral and cellular, offer protection against COVID. Humoral protection, contributed by circulating neutralizing antibodies, can provide immediate protection but decays more quickly than cellular immunity and can lose effectiveness in the face of mutation and drift in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Therefore, population-level seroprevalence surveys used to estimate population-level immunity may underestimate the degree to which a population is protected against COVID. In early 2021, before India began its vaccination campaign, we tested for humoral and cellular immunity to SARS-Cov-2 in representative samples of slum and non-slum populations in Bangalore, India. We found that 29.7% of samples (unweighted) had IgG antibodies to the spike protein and 15.5% had neutralizing antibodies, but at up to 46% showed evidence of cellular immunity. We also find that prevalence of cellular immunity is significantly higher in slums than in non-slums. These findings suggest (1) that a significantly larger proportion of the population in Bangalore, India, had cellular immunity to SARS-CoV-2 than had humoral immunity, as measured by serological surveys, and (2) that low socio-economic status communities display higher frequency of cellular immunity, likely because of greater exposure to infection due to population density.

Piloting a T-Shaped Approach to Develop Primary Students’ Close Reading and Writing of Literary Texts

The study was a pilot intervention to develop Year 5–8 students’ close reading and writing of literary texts using the T-Shape Literacy Model (Wilson and Jesson in Set Res Inf Teach 1:15–22, 2019). Students analysed text sets to explore how different authors use language to engender mood and atmosphere. The study used a single-subject design logic for repeated researcher-designed and a quasi-experimental, matched control group design for repeated standardised measures of reading and writing. Nine teachers and their classes participated. The schools were part of a large school improvement programme using digital tools and pedagogy to accelerate students’ learning participated that the authors were research-practice partners in. The schools all served low socio-economic status communities and the majority of students were Māori (51%) and Pacific (28%). There was a large effect size on the overall score for the researcher-designed measure (effect size = 1.00) and for the close reading of single texts sub-score (effect size = 0.90). There was a moderate-to-high effect for students’ identification of language features (effect size = 0.75) but no significant effect on their synthesis scores. Students in the intervention significantly outperformed matched control group students in the standardised writing post-test (effect size = 0.65) but differences for the standardized reading comprehension test were not significant (effect size = 0.15). Results overall suggest the approach has promise for improving the metalinguistic knowledge, literary analysis and creative writing of younger and historically underserved groups of students.

Environmental Detection of Parasites in the Marginalized Paiute Reservations Compared to a Nearby Area.

The amounts of parasite DNA in soil samples from different playgrounds and other public areas can help identify areas of possible microbe transmission and give indications of the possible occurrence of parasite infection in nearby communities. We collected 207 soil samples from parks in Paiute indigenous tribal areas in southwestern Utah and from the higher income city of St. George, Utah, and tested them for 11 parasites that can cause human disease. Molecular tests revealed an elevated odds ratio (OR) of 3.072 (range, 1.114-8.065) for detecting the helminth Trichuris trichiura and an elevated OR of 3.036 (range, 1.101-7.966) for any protozoa (not including Acanthamoeba) in the tribal land playgrounds compared with St. George parks. These findings support previous studies showing that areas in lower socioeconomic communities, especially marginalized communities, tend to have more parasites in the soil, which may lead to higher disease prevalence rates.

The Impact of Environmental Factors on Adolescents’ Involvement in School Bullying

This article analyzes the environmental factors contributing to adolescents’ school bullying involvement. Compared with internal factors such as psychosocial factors, environmental factors are more likely to be manipulated, so the study of environmental factors of school bullying is of profound practical significance for the prevention and control of school bullying. Through systematic analysis and conclusion of relevant literature on environmental factors that cause school bullying in Google Scholar, these environmental factors are frequently influencing aspects of bullying, such as social context: (immigration issues, poor academic achievements, low socioeconomic status, community, and inferiority), school: (physical, emotional, and social environment), peer influence: (normative social influence and group think), family: (family economic conditions, parental conflict and the quality of the family environment and family-of-origin parenting styles). Those environmental factors that have potential negative effects on the physical and mental health of adolescents are revealed so as to offer insight into finding feasible ways to reduce campus violence.

Sense of community and residential well-being among rural-urban migrants in China

This paper aims to provide an empirical prediction of residential well-being (RWB) and sense of community (SoC) among Chinese rural-urban migrants (RUMs). Multiple linear regressions are used with survey data derived from a representative sample of 15 migrant villages located in three major urban regions of China in order to evaluate the contributions of socioeconomic factors, living conditions, and neighborhood conditions to the SoC score and RWB score. The majority of the sample consists of middle-aged, married men who live in shared housing, are registered in the agricultural Hukou (household registration) system, and have subpar housing. Empirical analyses show that, after adjusting for socioeconomic factors, living conditions, and community neighborhood conditions, Hukou status (urban or rural) significantly influences the RWB score rather than the SoC score. In the simultaneous equation models, the following factors can predict the SoC score and RWB score: age, gender, educational attainment, home ownership, number of housing facilities, monthly household income, number of living rooms, number of problem-solving channels, and converted residences. The SoC score and RWB score have a moderately strong correlation. Therefore, improving the living, institutional, socioeconomic, and neighborhood conditions will help to improve the SoC and RWB of RUMs.

Enterobius vermicularis infection at time of appendicectomy: is it a neglected risk factor?

Obstruction of the appendiceal orifice is well established as a potential cause of appendicitis. However, it remains debated as to if appendiceal orifice obstruction secondary to Enterobius vermicularis is considered a risk factor for appendicitis or appendiceal colic. Enterobius vermicularis maintains an increased prevalence within lower socioeconomic and human development index regions. Whilst Australia has an overall high human development index it has significant variability in health literacy and socioeconomics. The purpose of this literature review is to evaluate the relationship between Enterobius vermicularis and appendicitis, to review the prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis appendicectomies in lower human development index and socioeconomic status communities, and to review the Australian based Enterobius vermicularis literature available. A comprehensive review of the literature was performed to review the prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis at time of appendicectomy. PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases were investigated for applicable studies published until December 2023. Enterobius vermicularis within the appendiceal lumen may cause irritation and lymphoid hyperplasia resulting in appendiceal colic with a similar clinical presentation to that of acute appendicitis. An increased association between Enterobius vermicularis, low human development index, and socioeconomic status is suggested. Public health interventions reduce Enterobius prevalence. A single Australian based study from 1994 was identified. Enterobius vermicularis infection is a neglected risk factor for appendiceal colic. A high index of suspicion for Enterobius vermicularis infection should be taken for clinically stable patients with normal inflammatory biochemistry and low human development index. Further research is required to assess if there is a disparity in Enterobius vermicularis in relation to human development index, socioeconomic status, and remoteness within Australian communities.

Marburg virus in Tanzania: examining emergence, consequences, and mitigation approaches

The first-ever Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak in Tanzania serves as a stark warning of the vulnerability of the entire world to newly emerging infectious diseases. This article looks at the causes of Tanzania’s susceptibility to MVD, containment efforts, and strategies to stop further outbreaks. The analysis emphasizes the significance of addressing socio-economic variables, environmental issues, and community participation in addition to healthcare infrastructure and surveillance systems for long-term health security. It highlights the requirement for a concerted effort on the part of governments, international organizations, and local communities, as well as ongoing financial support for public health infrastructure. The opinion also urges regional collaboration and coordination, as well as the adoption of a learning attitude to incorporate lessons from this and other outbreaks for enhancing and perfecting public health policies. We can contribute to global efforts to prevent and limit future infectious disease outbreaks and protect the health of communities around the world by adopting a thorough, proactive, and evidence-based strategy.

Pancreatic tuberculosis: a case report

Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection secondary to Mycobacterium tuberculosis with highest burden within low socioeconomic communities. Most individuals with tuberculosis infection are immunocompromised due to underlying medical conditions such as human immunodeficiency virus. However, tuberculosis can manifest in immunocompetent individuals although the incidence is significantly less. Pancreatic tuberculosis is exceedingly rare with autopsy series revealing pancreatic tuberculosis <5% of tuberculosis infected individuals. This case report will discuss a 16-year-old female presenting with pancreatic tuberculosis masquerading as possible pancreatic malignancy. Emphasis is placed on the challenging diagnostic nature of pancreatic tuberculosis as it presents with non-specific clinical symptoms which are in keeping with a wide range of differential diagnoses. Once correctly diagnosed pancreatic tuberculosis presents the potential of cure. It is for this reason whilst a rare diagnosis clinicians should be mindful of pancreatic tuberculosis to ensure timely correct treatment is pursued and unnecessary surgical procedures avoided.

Socioeconomic Advantage or Community Attachment? A Register‐Based Study on the Difference in National Lutheran Church Affiliation Between Finnish and Swedish Speakers in Finland

AbstractSecularization theory has been challenged by research showing religious persistence and upswing in contexts across the world. In Europe, particularly in highly secular and historically religiously homogeneous Nordic settings, there has been little research, and representative data for minority groups are rare. We offer a pioneering study using national register data to study religious changes over the past five decades in Finland, where the two native ethnolinguistic groups—Finnish and Swedish speakers—offer a unique study context. We use register data with yearly information on every individual's religious affiliation to compare the two groups, exploring the mechanisms behind any differentials. Swedish speakers are found to be consistently more affiliated with the National Lutheran Church than Finnish speakers. This finding contradicts the expectation of modernization theory because the Swedish‐speaking population is, in some aspects, socioeconomically advantaged in Finnish society. The higher affiliation level of Swedish speakers can be partly explained by lower levels of internal migration, which is possibly driven by stronger community attachment. Our results suggest that community cohesion may help preserve the religious tradition of a minority group, even in the absence of socioeconomic disadvantages or threats from the majority.

Socioeconomic status, lake knowledge, and community participation in the sustainable Lake Limboto management, Gorontalo Regency

Lake Limboto, situated in Gorontalo, Indonesia, confronts severe threats jeopardizing its sustainability. Widespread deforestation in the watershed area has led to excessive sedimentation within the lake, consequently diminishing its water storage capacity and compromising its flood control function. This degradation has manifested itself in downstream droughts during the dry season and flooding during the rainy season. Historical data reveals a stark reduction in Lake Limboto’s size, plummeting from approximately 3,644.5 ha in 1991 to around 2,693.9 ha in 2017. This study aims to provide comprehensive examination of the interplay between the socioeconomic status of the local community and their understanding of the lake ecosystem. Furthermore, it delves into how these factors produce synergies that shape and impact community involvement in sustainable lake management initiatives. Hypothesis testing yielded significant results, affirming the existence of a positive correlation between socioeconomic status, knowledge of the lake ecosystem, and active community participation in sustainable lake management efforts. The findings underscore the critical importance of socioeconomic factors that need to be considered when designing strategies for the preservation and sustainable management of Lake Limboto. Integrating the community into conservation initiatives is necessary, given their intrinsic relationship with the lake. By acknowledging and leveraging the nexus between socioeconomic status, ecological knowledge, and active participation, stakeholders can formulate more effective and inclusive strategies for safeguarding Lake Limboto’s ecological integrity. This study contributes valuable insights for policymakers, environmentalists, and local communities alike, emphasizing the necessity of collaborative efforts to ensure the long-term resilience and vitality of Lake Limboto.

Exploring the relationship between the food environment and preferences among schoolchildren in a low socioeconomic community in Sri Lanka: A GIS-based assessment.

The food environment in school neighborhoods plays a crucial role in manipulating the food choices of schoolchildren. This study investigated the relationship between the food environment in neighborhoods and the dietary practices of government school students in a low socioeconomic setting in Sri Lanka. This cross-sectional study surveyed the neighborhood food environment of selected schools (n = 30) in the Monaragala District, Sri Lanka, using geographical information system (GIS) data and collected dietary information from a representative sample of schoolchildren (n = 603). Chi-square and Spearman correlation tests were performed using SPSS version 23.0 to estimate the associations between the food environment and BMI, while ArcGIS 10.4.1 was used to analyze the GIS data. The majority of the students (35.5%) were 15 years old, and approximately 51% were females. The mean BMI of the study participants was 18.14 (±3.28). More than 90% of outlets within proximity sold unhealthy foods. Consumption of confectionaries was 72.3% of the students, whereas healthy food choices ranged from 5% to 12%. A positive correlation between consuming unhealthy food and distance to outlets from school was observed (p<0.05). The risk of consuming low-nutrition food doubled (OR = 2.47, 95% CI: 1.52-3.89) among the students studying in schools where a larger proportion of energy-dense food was sold in closer proximity. In conclusion, the density and proximity of outlets that sell food with low nutrients in the school neighborhood environment were positively associated with students' unhealthy food item choices.

Assessing inequalities in access to the city’s green and blue spaces through the experiences of its residents

&lt;p&gt;We report on the findings of a qualitative research study exploring the benefits to mental, physical, and social well-being of regular interaction with the city’s green and blue spaces using a walking interview method to gauge the views of fifty frequent visitors to the city’s parks. This was followed by a second phase of research consisting of four focus groups exploring the experiences of those whose access to the city’s green and blue spaces is restricted, noting the effects of these limitations on their general well-being. Despite government-backed urban sustainable redesign initiatives to promote greater access to the city’s biodiversity, its elderly, disabled, and poorer socio-economic communities continue to encounter restrictions regarding their access to its green and blue spaces. By highlighting these issues, our aim is to show how a partial membership of the city’s sustainable development plan is enacted (i.e., a simultaneous inclusion of all community members rhetorically and an exclusion of the needs of many in practice) and reinforced in ways that reproduce socially embedded patterns of inequality. It calls for a more sociologically grounded analysis of the persistence of such inequalities as an important appendage to current discourse on the restorative benefits of the ‘15-minute city’ and as a corrective to current public participation measures that fail to incorporate lived experiences of unequal access to the city’s nature. It proposes a framework that addresses more effectively the distributive, recognition, and procedural dimensions of inclusive, sustainable city living.&lt;/p&gt;

Risky Choices – Autonomy and Surveillance in Secondary English Classrooms

Achievement data from New Zealand secondary schools suggest that students from lower socio-economic communities have fewer opportunities to engage with complex content in subject English. This article examines this phenomenon by drawing on Foucault’s notion of governmentality and considers how a context of simultaneously increased autonomy and surveillance may shape curriculum and assessment choices. To explore these ideas, I use interview data from ten secondary English teachers in the wider Auckland region. I complement Foucault’s (1982) explanation of governmentality with Ball, Maguire, and Braun’s (2012) notion of policy enactment to explore spaces of both compliance and resistance.

Landscape, Socioeconomic, and Meteorological Risk Factors for Canine Leptospirosis in Urban Sydney (2017-2023): A Spatial and Temporal Study.

Leptospirosis is a potentially fatal zoonotic disease caused by infection with pathogenic Leptospira spp. We described reported clinical cases of canine leptospirosis in the council areas of the Inner West and the City of Sydney, Australia, from December 2017 to January 2023 and tested the association with urban spatial (landscape and socioeconomic factors, community seroprevalence, and urban heat island effect) and temporal (precipitation and minimum and maximum temperature) factors and the cases using log-transformed Poisson models, spatially stratified population-adjusted conditional logistic models, General Additive Models (GAMs), and Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models. The results suggested that canine leptospirosis is now endemic in the study area. A longer distance to the nearest veterinary hospital (RR 0.118, 95% CI -4.205--0.065, p < 0.05) and a mildly compromised Index of Economic Resources (IER) (RR 0.202, 95% CI -3.124--0.079, p < 0.05) were significant protective factors against leptospirosis. In areas proximal to the clinical cases and seropositive samples, the presence of tree cover was a strong risk factor for higher odds of canine leptospirosis (OR 5.80, 95% CI 1.12-30.11, p < 0.05). As the first study exploring risk factors associated with canine leptospirosis in urban Sydney, our findings indicate a potential transmission from urban green spaces and the possibility of higher exposure to Leptospira-or increased case detection and reporting-in areas adjacent to veterinary hospitals.