Socioeconomic Effects Research Articles

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Election Postponements: Trends, Socio-Economic Effects and the Future of Nigeria’s Electoral Process

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Election Postponements: Trends, Socio-Economic Effects and the Future of Nigeria’s Electoral Process

Approaches to assessing the socio-economic effects of the implementation of strategic priorities in regional economic systems: The Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug case

Subject. The article deals with a review and formation of approaches to the assessment of strategic priorities of resource-oriented regions. Objectives. The study aims at preparation of systems approaches to the assessment of strategic priorities of resource-oriented regions and regional economic systems in general, for further implementation in the adapted model of interperiod choice. Methods. The study rests on the theory of strategy and methodology of strategizing by V.L. Kvint, a foreign member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and employs econometric, statistical, and cognitive methods. Results. I presented an overview of existing approaches to assessing strategic priorities, formulated proposals for formalizing and systematizing the priority assessment system based on specific and inclusive approaches. The paper shows how the results of this analysis can be implemented in the model of interperiod choice. Conclusions. The findings can be used by public authorities when devising strategies for socio-economic development, while theoretical insights can be adapted for use not only in regional economic systems, but also in the analysis of strategic development of other systems.

Gendered socio-economic and mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic among adults living in selected informal settlements in Kenya: an intersectional analysis

BackgroundCOVID-19 pandemic had devastating socio-economic and health effects, including mental health. This study examines the intersectionality between gender and mental health outcomes among Kenyan adults in informal settlements of Nairobi, Kisumu, and Kilifi Counties during the COVID-19 crisis. This is necessary to inform mental health response in case of another pandemic.MethodsWe analyzed data collected in a longitudinal survey between July 2020 (fourth round) and February 2021 (fifth round). The data covered COVID-19-related effects on job loss, food insecurity, access to health services, and mental health. Participants were randomly sampled from existing cohorts at the Population Council. The outcomes of interest were depressive and anxiety disorders, combined into a binary composite outcome variable. Descriptive statistics included means for continuous variables and frequencies and proportions for categorical variables. Chi-square tests were used to examine the differences between groups. The relationship between the gendered COVID-19 socio-economic effects and participants’ mental health was examined using modified Poisson regression.ResultsA total of 4,050 participants were interviewed, 66% female and median age 38 [interquartile range (IQR): 29–46]. Complete income loss was strongly associated with negative mental health outcomes in multiple intersections with varied magnitudes. The association was larger among older females (≥50 years) (PR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.17–1.51, p < 0.001) than older males (PR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.17–1.27, p < 0.001). Partial loss of income was protective against negative mental health outcomes among young males (18–29 years) (PR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.76–0.87, p < 0.001) but linked to negative outcomes among middle-aged males (30–49 years old) (PR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.12–1.16, p < 0.001). Skipping meals was associated with negative mental health outcomes for both genders particularly the married (married male: PR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.22–1.83, p < 0.001; married female: PR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.26–1.60, p < 0.001).ConclusionWe observed significant gender differences in the prevalence of depressive symptoms and anxiety disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring the importance of socio-economic factors and health services access in shaping mental health outcomes. Interventions targeting pandemic-related mental health issues should be gender-sensitive and address economic vulnerabilities such as job losses and food insecurity. Policies to mitigate these effects, especially for at-risk groups are crucial for reducing mental health burden in future crises.

Atrioventricular block as a common problem in elderly patients with coronary artery disease: clinical observation

Complete atrioventricular block is a dangerous complication in elderly patients with coronary artery disease that requires surgical treatment. Treatment of elderly patients with coronary artery disease and atrioventricular block is a debatable problem, and at the moment, there are no clear recommendations regarding the sequence of surgical interventions in this age group. In our opinion, in some cases it is advisable to perform epicardial lead placement during revascularization, because the risk of complications during the implantation procedure increases on the background of dual antiplatelet therapy, which is required after coronary artery bypass grafting. In addition, this approach provides a significant socio-economic effect, saving a patient from re-hospitalization and intervention for conduction disorders. This article presents a clinical observation with a step-by-step algorithm of actions in multivessel coronary artery disease with complete symptomatic atrioventricular block.

The substantiveness of school socioeconomic compositional effects: a response to Marks

The substantiveness of school socioeconomic compositional effects: a response to Marks

The impact of North American winter weather regimes on electricity load in the central United States

AbstractExtreme wintertime cold in the central United States (US) can drive excessive electricity demand and grid failures, with substantial socioeconomic effects. Predicting cold-induced demand surges is relatively understudied, especially on the subseasonal-to-seasonal (S2S) timescale of 2 weeks to 2 months. North American winter weather regimes are atmospheric tools that are based on persistent atmospheric circulation patterns, and have been linked to potential S2S predictability of extreme cold in the central US. We study the relationship between winter weather regimes and daily peak load across 13 balancing authorities in the Southwest Power Pool. Anomalous ridging across Alaska, the West Coast, and Greenland drive increases in demand and extreme demand risk. Conversely, anomalous troughing across the Arctic and North Pacific reduces extreme demand risk. Thus, weather regimes may not only be an important long-lead predictor for North American electricity load, but potentially a useful tool for end users and stakeholders.

Active travel in the university setting: Assessing the effects of social behavior, socioeconomics, and spatial location

University campuses are pooling efforts to promote active mobility to reduce their negative impacts on the urban environment, which is significantly influenced by the overreliance on motorized modes of transport. Providing sufficient and safe accessibility conditions for active travel has been highlighted as a crucial strategy for transforming campuses into more livable and sustainable areas in cities. To further explore the likelihood of active mobility uptake at university campuses, this study explored university students’ mobility patterns over time, examining the role of social behavior, socioeconomics, and spatial location factors. The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Porto, Greater Oporto, Portugal, provided the empirical focus for this research. The data analyzed were acquired through surveys of representative samples and spatial analysis over the academic years of 2012, 2017, and 2023. The statistical analysis explained the tendencies and multifactorial influences on travel behavior among university students. Results indicated that travel distance is associated with housing options and travel costs, whereas access to a metro station was associated with walking or cycling. Hence, this study contributed to a deeper understanding of active travel behavior. It provided insights to guide planning practitioners and decision makers in creating integrated transport policy packages that address the barriers and needs of the university community and the surrounding neighborhoods.

The role of migration-innovation nexus for population aging

AbstractImmigration can potentially address demographic challenges in developed countries by introducing young workers into the labor markets but, at the same time, it can increase competition for jobs with socio-economic effects that need to be carefully managed. Prior research has focused on the impact of immigration on local labor markets taking into account the skills of native-born inhabitants and immigrants. In contrast, analyses of age-specific effects are scarce despite the fact that immigration is likely to affect workers in different age-cohorts to different extents, with various policy implications. In addition, firms’ innovative capacity may contribute to shaping the effects of immigration. This work contributes to the existing literature by examining the relationships between immigration, labor market dynamics, and innovation in Western Europe between 2011 and 2019. The analysis uses microdata drawn from the Labour Force Surveys, from the OECD REGPAT database, and from the European Social Survey. The results show that immigrants are more likely to substitute younger native workers, while adult workers benefit from immigrants employed in complementary tasks. This substitution/complementarity nexus increases in the more innovative sectors. From a policy standpoint, these findings highlight the need for age-specific policies and training programs in order to mitigate the adverse effects of immigration and to maximize growth-promotion.

РОЛЬ СОЦИАЛЬНОЙ ИНФРАСТРУКТУРЫ В АГРАРНОМ ТУРИЗМЕ

This publication substantiates the hypothesis that agricultural tourism and the social infrastructure of rural areas have a mutual influence on each other, forming a synergistic socio-economic effect. The social infrastructure of the village is considered as part of the system of ensuring a high quality of life and an indicator of the level of development of the management of the labor and social spheres of the rural economy. Agrotourism is regarded as the most important driver of the development of rural regions of a country such as the Republic of Kazakhstan, which for many years was considered agro-industrial. Both spheres are closely connected, as shown by statistical analysis. In order for the development of tourism and the social sphere in rural areas of Kazakhstan to be sustainably effective and have positive dynamics, according to the authors, an optimal management mechanism is needed, the scheme of which was proposed in the study.

Gender and Lower Economic Status Moderate the Relation between Positive Youth Development and Mental Health.

Adolescent mental health problems account for almost half of overall health problems globally with a risk to mental health in adulthood. Since most mental health problems begin in adolescence, this developmental period should be a focus of strengths-based approach and prevention. The most researched positive youth development framework shown to be associated with youth mental health is The Five C model which distinguishes five indicators: competence, character, confidence, caring, and connection. The aim of the present study is to examine whether sociodemographic differences moderate the association of Five Cs positive youth development indicators and depression and anxiety symptoms in adolescence. The participants of the study were 3,438 students enrolled in the first year of secondary schools in Croatia who completed the Short Measure of the Five Cs, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales and reported the perception of the socioeconomic status of their family. Gender and socioeconomic status main effects were shown for seven out of ten models with depression and anxiety as criterion variables. Results show that girls with lower levels of competence, confidence, and connection and lower socioeconomic status reported the highest depression and anxiety scores. These results imply that confidence, competence, and connection could be sensitive to equality and distribution of resources for youth. Reducing youth mental health problems should include social justice perspective and more available public services for families. Supportive environments are key for positive development; therefore, promotive and preventive efforts should target factors operating on societal level as well.

Improving ecosystem services through applied agroecology on German farms: costs and benefits

Under the EU’s new “Farm to Fork” strategy, crop production systems should rapidly become more environmentally friendly. In particular, by adopting agroecological measures that support functional biodiversity and improve ecosystem services for crop production, this paper contributes to the ongoing efforts in characterizing the socio-economic effects that the upscaling of these measures entails, by looking into two key measures: flower strips and mulching. One important socio-economic aspect of their adoption is their potential impact on agricultural income; however, knowledge on costs and benefits of measures enhancing functional biodiversity at the farm level is still limited. In order to improve these shortcomings our approach makes use of data from field experiments completed with interviews to provide cost–benefit results for flower strips and organic mulching. The estimations show that for “flower strips,” on average costs could be covered by compensation payments. Regarding the in-crop measure “organic mulching,” the benefits potentially outweigh the costs under the frame conditions of organic agriculture. The analysis also highlights some obstacles and knowledge gaps in the estimation of benefits, especially for off-crop measures like flower strips.

The effects of commercial vessel anchorages span ecological, cultural, and socio-economic endpoints

Anchorages are specific areas used by vessels to maintain position and are used as waiting areas for freighters wanting to enter ports. The surge in demand experienced by ports from 2019 to 2022 significantly extended wait times at anchorages, heightening concerns of potential ecological and socio-economic effects among coastal communities. Effective anchorage management requires a connected and holistic approach to understand these diverse and complex effects. We summarise current knowledge on the cumulative effects of anchoring on ecological and socio-economic endpoints in a Pathways of Effects conceptual model informed by scientific literature and public consultation documents. We developed a Pathways of Effects Matrix (PoEM), a graphical advance designed to concisely visualise complex effects and explore mitigation scenarios, demonstrated in the example for commercial anchoring in Pacific Canada. In addition to supporting management decisions, this simple visual tool can also provide a way for communities to communicate their concerns in a structured way.

Adult Socioeconomic Position Mediates the Association between Childhood Socioeconomic Position and Later-Life Frailty Trajectory: A Nationally Representative Cohort Study

Abstract Background and Objectives Early life risk factors influence the aging process in the short term and shape its trajectory in the long term. We aim to 1) explore the association between childhood socioeconomic position and frailty trajectories and 2) test whether adult socioeconomic position mediates the association between childhood socioeconomic position and frailty trajectories. Research Design and Methods We analysed four waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study data. The frailty index was estimated based on the number of individual deficits across 40 indicator variables. Principal component analysis was used to generate childhood socioeconomic position and adult socioeconomic position. Group-based trajectory models were used to identify the patterns of frailty trajectories over time. Causal mediation analysis was conducted to determine whether the adult socioeconomic position mediated the association between childhood socioeconomic position and frailty trajectories. Results We identified three distinct trajectories of frailty progression. Low childhood socioeconomic position was significantly associated with “High and increasing frailty trajectory” (OR = 1.76, 95%CI 1.38-2.23; adjusted OR = 1.55, 95%CI 1.22-1.97). About 30% of the childhood socioeconomic position effect on rising frailty trajectory was mediated through the adult socioeconomic position, and there is a significant gender disparity in the mediating effect of adult socioeconomic position (18% among men and 51% among women, respectively). Discussion and Implications Our findings suggest that policies that initially benefit children will yield well-being benefits as they reach adulthood. Promoting ongoing childhood socioeconomic position advantages increases the likelihood of delaying frailty progression in later life. This study underscores the critical importance of addressing social determinants of health throughout one's life course to foster healthy aging and diminish health disparities in later stages of life.

Geográfia és turizmus. Interjú Hanusz Árpád professzorral [Interjú] = Geography and Tourism: Interview with Professor Árpád Hanusz [Interview

Árpád Hanusz was born in 1946 in Ipolytölgyes. His talent was noticed early on, and at the recommendation of his headmaster, he continued his secondary school studies at the Sztáron Sándor High School, where he graduated in 1964. He completed his higher education at the Nyíregyháza Teacher Training College, majoring in Geography and Biology, and even when he was a college student he considered it important that, in addition to acquiring theoretical knowledge, it is also necessary to make use of practical experience. In 1994, he defended his PhD thesis and successfully completed his habilitation. He was appointed university professor in 2001 in recognition of his decades of teaching and research work of an exceptionally high standard. His field of research changed over time, his interest turned from caving to exploring the issues in human geography. This is how he became a nationally recognized specialist on the socio-economic effects of tourism and its consequences on rural development. Professor Hanusz, known as the ”Teacher of Szatmár”, did a lot for the development of rural tourism not only in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county, but also beyond the borders of Hungary.

Assessing the validity of social media in fighting COVID-19 in Africa

The severe outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on global health, the economy, and society as a whole. To this effect, various measures both national and international were taken to respond to the pandemic. Among these measures was the rapid involvement of social media which played a vital role in the context of information dissemination, coordination of medical resources, promotion of public health campaigns, and population management and disease tracing. Besides these facilities put forward by social media, there were some weaknesses like misinformation, lack of guidance, and information leakage. Based on these numerous controversies brought about by social media during the pandemic periods, we aim to examine in this study the socio-economic effect of social media in the fight against Pandemics with particular attention on the case of the COVID-19 outbreak in Africa. Using Driscoll and Kraay's fixed effects and the Lewbel-2SLS estimators on 30 African countries, the results reveal that social media in Africa through the penetration rate of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube contribute significantly in disseminating COVID-19 in Africa. The findings equally reveal the mixed effect of other determinants of COVID-19 in this nexus. While Diabetes prevalence, the proportion of people aged 65 + , and population density contribute to the increased spread of the disease, GDP per capita and Hand Washing facilities instead prove a reducing effect of the disease. Sensitivity analysis reveals that this effect is homogenous for regional considerations of the overall sample. Based on this, appropriate suggestions are made to the various governments regarding the use of social media to prevent pandemics in the future.

A methodology to assess the maturity level of the digital ecosystem and its testing on the IT parks case

Subject. The article addresses a technopark as a form of a digital ecosystem that has a certain structure and is characterized by the features of structural components and their interrelationships. Objectives. The study aims to develop a methodology for assessing the maturity level of digital ecosystem, which enables to determine the stage of ecosystem's life cycle and the level of its development. Methods. The assessment rests on the developed multifactorial methodology. It includes three interrelated complex parameters (resource and infrastructure security, the level of development of central relational mechanisms, and ecosystem productivity). The methodology is based on methods of scoring and identifying correlation between indicators characterizing the maturity level of each component of the ecosystem. Results. From a theoretical perspective, we developed an assessment methodology. It is unique in its multifactorial and structural approach to assessing the maturity of ecosystems. From a practical point of view, we built ratings of IT parks, which clearly reflect the stage of ecosystem development, factors ensuring the growth of productivity, and socio-economic effect from ecosystem mechanisms of the IT park. The study identifies the best ecosystems of IT parks and ecosystems that need to be developed and supported financially and institutionally. Conclusions. The assessment methodology is applicable for monitoring and evaluating the stage of development of IT parks as digital regional ecosystems.

Inter-Group Relations and Conflicts in Jos Metropolis: A Study of Hausa Migrants and Host Community, 1915-2022

The study of inter-group relations in Nigeria is a heavily tasked subject because of the impact it has had in the nation in the area of group conflicts, bitterness, rivalries and hatred. It is rather unfortunate that the various Nigerian groups, which in the past lived in harmonious and cooperative relations, now live in animosity. This paper is an attempt to examine the nature and significance of Inter-group Relations in Jos Metropolis with focus on Hausa Migrants and the Host Community between 1915 and 2022. Structurally, the paper is divided into several parts, the first of which is the introduction, sections two and three examine the settlement of Hausa community in Jos metropolis and brief explanation on the introduction of Islam to Jos and economic contributions of Hausa migrants to the growth of Jos metropolis. Part four examines the causes and course of conflicts between the Hausa migrants and their Jos hosts. Section four shed some light on the socio-economic effects of Jos conflicts on migrant groups and the host community, while the last section is the conclusion. The paper depends largely on primary and secondary sources of history. The field work conducted shows that inter-group relations between the Hausa and the host community have led to the loss of lives and properties destroyed. The paper in the final analysis put forward certain recommendations on how to maintain peace for sustainable development in the town.

Methodology for improving the assessment of the economic efficiency of transport infrastructure development

Transport infrastructure, especially railway infrastructure, plays a key role in economic development, ensuring efficient movement of goods and people. It is characterised by high capital intensity, long operational lifespans, and generation of socio-economic effects. Therefore, there is a need to improve the methodology for assessing the economic efficiency of creating and developing transport infrastructure objects. The traditional approach to evaluation is based on discounting cash flows. When applying this method, significant capital investments are compared with devalued effects in subsequent years due to discounting, during which the infrastructure object reaches the specified estimated load. Moreover, it does not consider the fact that the transport infrastructure benefits and holds value not only for the current generation but also for the future one. Additionally, it, as an economic good, cannot be seen as a one-timely consumed product: this transportation service cannot be accumulated. For a more accurate and comprehensive assessment of the efficiency, particularly in the case of railway transport, it is proposed to consider the results of long-term operation of the transport infrastructure at full (estimated) load not in the future but in the present (present сontinious). The economic assessment indicators include initially invested and adjusted capital, annual effect, efficiency ratio, and the value of the transport infrastructure object. The research results aim to provide an adequate assessment of project implementation efficiency in the field in question. In the future, the methodology can be enhanced by defining risks of not ensuring normal infrastructure load throughout the entire calculation period as well as by assessing the reduction in profitability or increase in transportation costs.

Do public governance and financial shocks effect public health? Empirical evidence from MENA region

Financial shocks have an incredible socioeconomic effect on both developed and developing countries. Various recent studies demonstrated that bad public governance impacted public health across all nations. In fact, this study aims to use panel data for 21 countries from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region over the period 2000–2020 to scrutinize the effect of both governance and financial crises on public health. We use the generalized method of moments (GMM) approach to carry out the empirical analysis. The objective of using this method is to deal with the issue of endogeneity between exogen variables. Results outline that there is a significant positive association between public governance indicators and public health. Moreover, we found a strong negative association between financial shocks and public health. Thus, the direct negative impact of financial crisis on public health could be mitigated by the indirect positive impacts via institutions and good public governance. This study gives insights to policymakers to take appropriate measures to decrease the severity of the financial shocks and improve healthcare services.

Synergies quantification and evolution on air pollutant and CO2 emissions driven by different socio-economic effects

Realizing a synergistic reduction of air pollutant and CO2 emissions (APCE) is an important approach to promote a green socio-economic transformation in China, and it can provide a solid foundation for the achievement of clean energy production and climate action under a sustainable development goal framework. The objective of this study is to explore the quantitative relationship and evolution of synergies between APCE in industrial sectors driven by different socio-economic effects from 2007 to 2020 in China. The results indicated that the main sectors of pollutant emissions had consistency, however, large differences in the reduction efficiency of emissions exist among pollutants. The efficiency in reducing CO2 emissions was about 48% lower when compared with reductions of SO2 (95%), NOx (86%), and smoke and dust (83%) emissions from 2007 to 2020. The effects of improved technology were the main contributor to a reduction in pollutant emissions, but the synergies between APCE driving by it were not achieved. While the synergies between APCE driven by structure and final demand effects were significant. The synergies between NOx and CO2 emissions were stronger driven by final demand structure and type effects, with correlation coefficients of 1.06 and 1.13, respectively. Besides, the degree of synergistic reduction between APCE in most industrial sectors was around zero. Therefore, the efficiency of synergistic pollution reduction should be improved with the development of a synergistic governance system for industrial sectors. The structural decomposition analysis based on input-output model combined with the cross-elasticity analysis method to quantitively synergies between APCE from the consumption (demand) perspective, considering the connections between industrial sectors with socio-economic developing, which would contribute to the industrial synergistic reduction and green transformation as the consumption driven gradually increasing.