Southern District Research Articles

Molecular characterization of Begomovirus and Beta satellite virus associated with leaf curl disease of Chilli (Capsicum annum L.) in southern parts of Tamil Nadu

Chilli is one of the widely cultivated commercial vegetable crops in India. Chilli leaf curl is the most devasting disease and causes a yield loss of 100 per cent in Chilli. Fourteen begomovirus species cause chilli leaf curl disease (ChiLCD). An extensive survey was carried out in 2023 to determine the prevalence of the leaf curl disease of Chilli caused by begomovirus in major chilli-growing areas of the Southern Districts of Tamil Nadu. During the survey, 21 isolates of begomovirus infecting Chilli were collected. Among the 21 isolates, the isolate collected from Kalakudi village (BV-KI) exhibited severe symptoms.DNA extracted from 21 isolates of begomovirus were subjected to PCR by using Rojas universal primers, Chilli leaf curl virus (ChiLCV) Coat protein primers and beta satellite virus primers and obtained 1380 bp, 1100 bp and 1400 bp amplicons of top and coat protein region of DNA-A of begomovirus, Chilli leaf curl virus coat protein region and beta satellite virus associated with ChiLCV respectively. The 1380 bp, 1100 bp and 1400 bp amplicons obtained from the BV-KI isolate were sequenced and submitted to the NCBI. The sequences were blast analyzed, and it showed that the nucleotide sequence of the top and coat protein region of DNA-A of begomovirus and CP gene of ChiLCV BV-KI isolate was found to have 90.61 and 99.78% similarity with Bhavanisagar (NC 055130.1) isolate respectively. The nucleotide sequence of the beta satellite virus of BV-KI isolate was found to have 99.93% similarity with the Chilli leaf curl beta satellite virus Meerut (MH355642.1) isolate.

School health services in the Southern District of Israel—between privatization and nationalization

BackgroundFor decades, Israel’s economic policy has favored either outsourcing or privatization of public services, including healthcare, generating an ongoing and prolonged debate of this approach. In 1997 school health services (SHS) for elementary and middle school pupils was outsourced to a sub-contractor firm, reducing budget, but also standards, for nurses and physicians. Consequently, the service has dwindled and was focused more and more on vaccinations. Between 2007 and 2012, under full private contractor delivery, SHS quality diminished substantially, leading to a significant decline in vaccination coverage in the Southern District. In 2012, a decision was made to return SHS to state control.MethodsThis study analyzes the delivery parameters of SHS between the period when the service was operated by a private contractor from 2011to 2/2012, and the subsequent provision of the service directly by Ministry of Health (MoH) between 3/2012 and 2013. We compared the rates of vaccination coverage, screening tests and health education programs.ResultsA statistically significant increase in SHS delivery for vaccinations and screening was observed in the Southern District of MoH after the transfer of service from contractor. The increase was variable in different population subgroups, and especially notable in the Bedouin schools of the District, where the MMRV vaccination rose from 19.3% to 96.8%. However, a substantial and significant reduction in health education activities was also noted, overall from 24.9% to 5.0%.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that substantial benefits can be derived from direct provision of SHS by MoH and its regional offices, especially in the areas of reduced accessibility and lower socio-economic status. The case study of SHS in the Southern District of Israel can serve as an important example highlighting the impacts of privatization vs nationalization, with potential implications in other fields. These insights should be integral to future discussions of healthcare service provision.

Spatial inequality in sub-national human development index: A case study of West Bengal districts

Human Development and its regional disparity is an area of topical interest. In this paper, we consider space as an instrumental variable in understanding this disparity and explore spatial interdependence in human development across districts of West Bengal using alternate indicators of human development. This study uses both the standard United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) technique and an alternative methodology to construct a sub-national human development index. Spatial interdependence is measured using Moran's I coefficient and Local Indicators of Spatial Autocorrelation (LISA) cluster maps. Spatial regression is used to evaluate the spatial association between the Human Development Index as the dependent variable and a few independent variables. A high degree of clustering in all three dimensions of human development is observed among the southern districts of West Bengal. The pattern of cluster maps indicates the presence of both the growth pole process and the metropole-periphery process in the state. Spatial regression results indicate that the share of socially backward class population and urbanization rate are important variables affecting regional human development patterns. The findings of this study suggest policies targeted to promote social inclusion and urbanization linked with better access to economic opportunities in the lagging areas can help reduce regional imbalances.

Level of eye healthcare utilisation and associated factors in Gamo and Gofa Zones, Southern Ethiopia: a community-based, cross-sectional study

ObjectiveAbout 90% of eye health problems are preventable or curable with existing cost-effective interventions. There is limited evidence on eye healthcare utilisation (ECU) and the factors influencing it in the...

Winged odyssey: Profiling bacterial vistas in migratory avifauna via 16S rRNA sequencing

Avian migration is an intrinsic biological phenomenon that involves trans-boundary movements to evade adverse ecological circumstances. During migration, avian gut bacterial taxa may serve as a potential source of bacterial dissemination via fecal contamination at stop-over sites. Therefore, bacterial taxa composition as well as diversities were investigated employing 16S rRNA sequencing in fecal samples collected from flocks of seven migratory avian species visiting southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The analysis revealed that Grus virgo exhibits the highest alpha diversity, followed by Aythya ferina while G. grus reflects lowest diversity among all the migratory avian fecal samples. The findings depicted significant variations in the bacterial beta diversities of migratory avifauna. At phylum level, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteriota showed the highest relative abundance in Plegadis falcinellus, Chlamydotis undulata and Aythya ferina respectively. Further exploration within phyla elucidates finer-scale taxonomic differences at the family and genus levels. This study identified potential pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Proteus, Clostridium sensu stricto 1, Fusobacterium and Escherichia that offers valuable insight into the microbiological hazards associated with migratory birds. Although pathogenicity was not directly assessed, the observed relative abundance of opportunistic bacterial genera suggests continuous surveillance of gut bacterial community during migration to safeguard avian biodiversity and mitigate escalating threats of infection emergence and dissemination.

Comprehensive Spatial-Temporal and Risk Factor Insights for Optimizing Livestock Anthrax Vaccination Strategies in Karnataka, India.

Anthrax, a zoonotic disease affecting both livestock and humans globally, is caused by Bacillus anthracis. The objectives of this study were the following: (1) to identify environmental risk factors for anthrax and use this information to develop an improved predictive risk map, and (2) to estimate spatial variation in basic reproduction number (Ro) and herd immunity threshold at the village level, which can be used to optimize vaccination policies within high-risk regions. Based on the anthrax incidences from 2000-2023 and vaccine administration figures between 2008 and 2022 in Karnataka, this study depicted spatiotemporal pattern analysis to derive a risk map employing machine learning algorithms and estimate Ro and herd immunity threshold for better vaccination coverage. Risk factors considered were key meteorological, remote sensing, soil, and geographical parameters. Spatial autocorrelation and SaTScan analysis revealed the presence of hotspots and clusters predominantly in the southern, central, and uppermost northern districts of Karnataka and temporal cluster distribution between June and September. Factors significantly associated with anthrax were air temperature, surface pressure, land surface temperature (LST), enhanced vegetation index (EVI), potential evapotranspiration (PET), soil temperature, soil moisture, pH, available potassium, sulphur, and boron, elevation, and proximity to waterbodies and waterways. Ensemble technique with random forest and classification tree models were used to improve the prediction accuracy of anthrax. High-risk areas are expected in villages in the southern, central, and extreme northern districts of Karnataka. The estimated Ro revealed 11 high-risk districts with Ro > 1.50 and respective herd immunity thresholds ranging from 11.24% to 55.47%, and the assessment of vaccination coverage at the 70%, 80%, and 90% vaccine efficacy levels, all serving for need-based strategic vaccine allocation. A comparison analysis of vaccinations administered and vaccination coverage estimated in this study is used to illustrate difference in the supply and vaccine force. The findings from the present study may support in planning preventive interventions, resource allocation, especially of vaccines, and other control strategies against anthrax across Karnataka, specifically focusing on predicted high-risk regions.

Optimalisasi Program Permaculture Melalui Adaptasi dan Mitigasi Berbasis Kearifan Lokal di Kelurahan Rejowinangun Selatan

The southern district of Rejowingan in Magelang faces challenges like large dumpstores, poor water quality, floods, and rising food needs. Villagers are working with the Ormawa DPM KM PPK team to address these issues. The government launched the Climate Village Program to improve the region's climate and resilience to natural disasters. Permaculture principles can be applied to organic waste management through maggot cultivation, which reduces waste volume and supports sustainable agriculture. This combination of permaculture and maggot cultivation can be an effective and environmentally friendly model for addressing organic waste and ecosystem sustainability.

The prevalence and clinical features of leflunomide-associated peripheral neuropathy in patients with rheumatic disease in a New Zealand cohort.

To identify the prevalence and clinical features of leflunomide-associated peripheral neuropathy in patients with rheumatic disease over a 42-month observational period between January 1, 2016 and June 30, 2019. A retrospective observational study was conducted using regional prescription data identifying all patients treated with leflunomide for rheumatic diseases in the Southern District Health Board of New Zealand. Medical records were used to identify patients who developed peripheral neuropathy while receiving treatment with leflunomide. Demographic characteristics, co-therapies, and additional risk factors for peripheral neuropathy were also recorded. A total of 482 patients were identified as receiving leflunomide for the treatment of rheumatic during the study period. In total, 23 patients developed leflunomide-induced peripheral neuropathy within the cohort giving a prevalence of 4.7%. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) performed in 18 (78.2%) of these patients confirmed a distal axonal, sensory, or sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy. The majority of patients (n = 22; 95.6%) either improved, stabilized, or resolved on cessation of the drug, with or without medication washout. Adverse symptoms were reported in association with peripheral neuropathy in 15 of the 23 patients (65.2%): these included pain, poor sleep, compromised skin integrity, poor balance, and a Charcot-like arthropathy. Additional treatment was required to manage symptoms of peripheral neuropathy including nine patients (39%) who received pain relief. This study supports the previously reported association between leflunomide treatment and the development of a peripheral neuropathy. However, our findings suggest that this is more common than the previous estimates. In patients with psoriatic arthritis and previous tarsitis, there appeared to be an association with a Charcot's-like arthropathy, a complication not previously noted in the literature.

Retrospective evaluation of the association between climate and seasonal change with idiopathic tinnitus

ABSTRACT Tinnitus, affecting 10–15% of adults, is a multifactorial disorder with a challenging etiology. It is often associated with sex, age, obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Current literature suggests that tinnitus could be associated with seasonal variability, exhibiting seasonal patterns. Although tinnitus is suggested to follow a seasonal trend conclusive evidence associating its onset to seasonality is lacking. This study aims to evaluate the impact of seasonal variability on the prevalence of tinnitus. Data was collected from MDClone platform regarding patients admitted to ‘Clalit medical services' in Israel's southern district due to the first emergence of tinnitus symptoms between the years 2005–2020. The comparison was relaying on difference in gender, age, known risk factors for tinnitus, and date of onset of tinnitus. A total of 56,315 patients were included in this cohort study. Winter is the most common season for first admissions due to tinnitus symptoms including 16,094 patients (29%). Summer (Beta = –3.037, p = 0.012) and autumn (Beta = –3.764, p < 0.001) show a negative effect on minimal mean temperature which suggest lower tinnitus incidence in a higher temperature. Humidity and maximal mean temperature did not show any statistical significance. Except for age (mean 51.73 ± 17.49), no statistical significance was found in the prevalence of risk factors related to tinnitus. In conclusion Our findings shows that tinnitus is associated with seasonality and its trends. The incidence of tinnitus is declining over the past two decades following a peak in the winter, with age being the only significant risk factor.

Bhutan's Three-Pronged Strategy, Stifled Democracy and Human Rights Concerns

The assessment of human rights and social justice in Bhutan reveals numerous challenges. Developmental disparities are stark, with significant resources directed towards the western districts, home to the ruling elites. This exacerbates the development lag in the southern, eastern, and central districts. Tourism mainly benefits the western areas, concentrating the majority of tourists there and leaving limited opportunities for other regions. Gender inequality persists, with women underrepresented in political and leadership positions. Girls continue to face harassment in public, molestation in schools, and violence at home, without targeted political interventions. Ethnic minorities, religious groups, and residents of remote regions remain marginalized. Despite internal discontent and international pressure leading to a nominal political transition from an absolute monarchy to a democratic constitutional monarchy, the underlying power dynamics have not significantly shifted. There is a trend towards increased authoritarianism, surveillance, and opacity. Citizens advocating for democratic rights remain imprisoned for over three decades, despite the rulers' nominal embrace of democracy. While democratic institutions have been established, the monarchy wields more influence than before through the secret police (De-Suung), election interventions via the interim government, curtailing elected governments' autonomy, and preventing the introduction of ‘royal annuity bills’ in parliament to regulate the royal budget. This strategy has created a systematic authoritarian regime, cloaked as a constitutional monarchy for over sixteen years. Civil society organizations exist, but their leadership, often from the royal family, limits their effectiveness in addressing ordinary citizens' needs. These issues highlight profound governance, development, and gender equality challenges in Bhutan.

Projected future changes in food insecurity hotspots over the IGAD region of Eastern Africa

Food insecurity is a major issue in many parts of the world, driven by conflict, economic instability, environmental challenges, and poor governance processes. Understanding the impact of future rainfall extremes on areas already experiencing food insecurity is crucial. This study investigates how food insecurity hotspots (FIH), food crisis frequency, and duration will change in the near future (2021–2050) and far future (2071–2100) under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways scenarios (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5). The study utilizes precipitation data from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) and FIH data from the NASA Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC). To calculate future exposure and vulnerability to FIH, as well as food crisis frequency and duration, weighted sum models were used. The results indicate that arid and semi-arid areas in northeastern Kenya, most of Somalia, zones in southeastern Ethiopia, most of Djibouti, and central and northern Sudan are highly vulnerable to future extreme rainfall events, an increase in FIH cases, and longer food crisis frequency and duration in the near future (2021–2050) and far future (2071–2100) under all scenarios. On the other hand, most districts in Uganda, southern and southwestern South Sudan, counties in western Kenya, and the majority of zones in western Ethiopia are projected to have very few FIH cases, low food crisis frequency, and duration in both the near and far future under all scenarios. These findings are crucial for early warning systems, humanitarian responses, and food security interventions. We recommend harnessing projected increases in rainfall for water harvesting in Kenya, as well as promoting cash and food crop production in central and western Ethiopia, central and northern Uganda, and most of South Sudan.

Does academic motivation contribute to the self-esteem of students at the graduate level? A case study of universities in the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

This study explored the impact of students' academic motivation on self-esteem at the graduate level. The respondents of this study were 375 university students enrolled in a Bachelor of Science (BS) program in nine disciplines from all four public sector universities in the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Two standardized questionnaires, i.e., the Academic Motivation Scale, a tool consisting of 28 items for measuring academic motivation, and Rosenberg's Scale for measuring self-esteem, consisting of 10 items that measure self-respect by assessing both positive and negative emotional states about the self, were used. In light of the objectives and hypotheses, mean, and standard deviation (SD) were used to find out the level of academic motivation and self-esteem of the students. Linear regression was applied to find out the impact of students' academic motivation on their self-esteem. Moreover, an independent t-test was used to explore the difference in academic motivation and self-esteem between male and female students. There was no significant difference in the academic motivation and self-esteem of the students at the graduate level. The results showed that the university students at the graduate level had a high level of academic motivation and self-esteem. A unit change in overall academic motivation, knowledge, and stimulation parts of intrinsic motivation and identified and external regulation of extrinsic motivation bring 0.678, 0.218, 0.223, 0.122 and 0.172 change in self-esteem, respectively, while the constructs i.e., accomplishment (intrinsic motivation), introjected (extrinsic motivation), and amotivation are non-significant as p &amp;gt; 0.05.

Adverse life events among bedouin and jewish women and the risk for postpartum depressive symptoms.

Postpartum depression (PPD) affects 10-15% of postpartum women with increased risk among women with trauma history. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between adverse life events and postpartum depressive symptoms among Bedouin and Jewish women. A cross-sectional study was performed in a tertiary hospital in the southern district of Israel on women with singleton deliveries between November 2021 and March 2022. Eligible women completed two questionnaires to determine exposure to childhood trauma (CT) and other potentially traumatic events (PTE), including the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), and Lifetime Events Checklist questionnaire (LEC). To measure risk for PPD we used the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The associations between CT, PTE, and risk for PPD were analyzed and multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to control for potential confounders. A total of 201 women were included, 120 Bedouin (59.7%) and 81 Jewish (40.2%). In the entire study population, both CT and PTE were independently associated with risk for PPD (adjusted OR = 2.13, 95% CI 1.02-4.44, p = 0.043 and adjusted OR = 3.42, 95%, CI 1.46-8.00, p = 0.004, respectively). While among Bedouin women, PTE was independently associated with PPD risk (adjusted OR = 4.83, 95% CI 1.66-14.05, p = 0.004), no significant association was found among Jewish women. Both CT and PTE were associated with increased PPD risk in Bedouin and Jewish women. Only PTE, and not CT, was associated with PPD among Bedouin women. Understanding risk factors for PPD, and differences among minority groups, could promote prevention efforts for PPD.

Analysing the Factors Influencing the Inclusive Development of Fisher Folk Concerning Southern Districts of Tamil Nadu

The state’s economy depends significantly on the work of fishermen. The purpose of the Development of Fisher folk is to create a community of fishermen that is fully developed in all areas, including education, health, social standing, and economic development. The many Fisher community’s development programs are designed to aid all men, women, youth, and children who work in fishing activities and reside in coastal areas by enhancing their access to education, healthcare, culture, and employment possibilities. The paper examines the factors influencing the inclusive development of fisher folk in southerly districts of Tamil Nadu. Through field surveys, fundamental knowledge is gathered. To compile a thorough profile of the socioeconomic circumstances of the households of the fishermen, an interview schedule has been created. By using convenience sampling, 200 respondents from Tamil Nadu’s southern districts, were included in the final sample set. Therefore, the results revealed that climatic change and inadequate technology significantly impact the Fisher communities’ inclusive development. The outcome of the results also shows the insignificant relation between inadequate facilities for storing the catch impact and inclusive development of fishing communities. Factors influencing inclusive development include socio-demographic characteristics, climate change, lack of occupational return, inadequate storage facilities, lack of knowledge, technology, and financial institutions. Age, marital status, education, and involvement do not significantly impact development. The findings also show that the development of the fishing community is unaffected by a lack of financial institutions, expertise, or awareness. The results confirmed that state assistance was inefficient in reaching the targeted society and emphasised the need for further planned government intervention. By creating additional capacity structure initiatives that maintain and provide continuous social defence and engage the coastal community through an innovative alertness campaign, the authorities may demonstrate their commitment to the full development of aquatic fishermen.

Exploring Sleep Duration and Insomnia Among Prospective University Students: A Study with Geographical Data and Machine Learning Techniques.

Sleep disruptions among prospective university students are increasingly recognized for their potential ramifications on academic achievement and psychological well-being. But, information regarding sleep issues among students preparing for university entrance exams is unknown. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with sleep duration and insomnia among university entrance test-takers in Bangladesh, utilizing both traditional statistical analyses and advanced geographic information system and machine learning techniques for enhanced predictive capability. A cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2023 among 1496 entrance test-takers at Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka. Structured questionnaires collected data on demographics, academic information, and mental health assessments. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and logistic regression, were performed using SPSS, while machine learning models were applied using Python and Google Colab. Approximately 62.9% of participants reported abnormal sleep duration (<7 hours/night or >9 hours/night), with 25.5% experiencing insomnia. Females and those dissatisfied with mock tests were more likely to report abnormal sleep duration, while repeat test-takers, those with unsatisfactory mock test results, or anxiety symptoms had a higher risk of insomnia. Machine learning identified satisfaction with previous mock tests as the most significant predictor of sleep disturbances, while higher secondary school certificate GPA had the least influence. The CatBoost model achieved maximum accuracy rates of 61.27% and 73.46%, respectively, for predicting sleep duration and insomnia, with low log loss values indicating robust predictive performance. Geographic analysis revealed regional variations in sleep disturbances, with higher insomnia prevalence in some southern districts and abnormal sleep duration in northern and eastern districts. Sleep disturbances are prevalent among prospective university students and are associated with various factors including gender, test-taking status, mock test satisfaction, and anxiety. Targeted interventions, including sleep education and psychological support, hold promise in ameliorating sleep health and overall well-being among students, potentially enhancing entrance test performance.

Downscaling urban resilience assessment: A spatiotemporal analysis of urban blocks using the fuzzy Delphi method and K-means clustering

The spatiotemporal assessment of urban resilience is crucial for planning and policy-making toward addressing climate change and other societal challenges. However, our comprehension of urban resilience at smaller scales is limited. This study not only advances urban resilience research by developing an efficient measurement approach but also contributes to practice by evaluating resilience at the city block level, thereby informing targeted interventions. Our study aimed to downscale the unit of analysis for urban resilience assessment by focusing on the social, economic, housing and infrastructural, and environmental dimensions of blocks in the southern districts of Tehran between 2006 and 2016. The Fuzzy Delphi Method was utilized to determine the indicators for urban resilience assessment. The Analytic Hierarchy Process technique was employed to weigh these indicators. Subsequently, the PROMETHEE technique was applied to evaluate the resilience of urban blocks. Finally, the K-Means algorithm was utilized to cluster the urban blocks. The results indicate that from 2006 to 2016, the southern districts of Tehran saw a marked reduction in overall resilience. This decline affected 48 % of the urban blocks, encompassing 60 % of the area and 62 % of the population. The results of applying the K-means algorithm for urban block clustering did not align with the boundaries of the southern districts of Tehran. This finding highlights that assessing resilience on smaller scales could lead to more accurate conclusions.

District-level epidemiology and sociodemographic determinants of noncommunicable diseases - results the National Family Health Survey −5 (2019–21)

BackgroundNoncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of adult mortality in India. However, the data regarding the prevalence of NCD risk factors at district level is scarce. This study aims to analyse and map NCD risk factors at the state and district levels, exploring sociodemographic influences on these risks in Indian males and females. MethodsWe analyzed National Family Health Survey-5 database and used the prevalence estimates to create choropleth maps, enabling us to examine the geographical variations in NCD risk factors at the district level in India. ResultsDistricts in the Satluj-Yamuna plains, western Rajasthan, and the northeastern regions exhibited clusters with a prevalence of high blood pressure exceeding 30.1 %. Northeastern districts showed over 40 % prevalence of current tobacco use, while high alcohol consumption clusters were observed in the northeastern and Telangana districts. Southern districts showed clusters of both obesity (as measured by BMI) and highest rates of oral, breast, and cervical cancer screening, moreover districts in Tamil Nadu exhibited notable clusters of raised blood glucose prevalence. ConclusionOur analysis revealed variations in the prevalence of NCD risk factors at both the state and district levels. Accordingly, this study ranks districts based on the NCD burden, offering valuable insights to state and district teams to devise targeted measures for the prevention and control of NCDs, particularly in the most heavily affected districts.

Impact of Transformational Leadership Style of School Heads on Altruism Organizational Citizenship Behavior of Teachers.

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of principals' transformational headship style on teachers' Altruism organizational citizenship behavior (AOCB). This specific research fills the existing gap in the relationship between these variables. The study included entire Heads and Teachers of Public Sector Secondary Schools in 4 Southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as the population. By using L.R Gay's (2003) sample size ratio formula, 8% of the population was selected as samples for the study. For data collection,the first instrument was the Short Form Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) 1995 developed by Bass and Avolio to test the transformational leadership behavior of Heads and the second instrument was the organizational-citizenship-behavior scale (OCBS), produced by Podsakoff &amp; colleagues (1990) to assess the rank of the Altruism citizenship behavior of teachers in Southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The data were organized and the responses to each item were analyzed using relevant statistics. The findings of the study exposed that there is a significant relationship between the Transformational Leadership behavior of Heads and the Altruism Organizational-Citizenship Behavior(AOCB) of Teachers of Secondary Schools in the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province

Prevalence of insufficient physical activity among adult residents of Tehran: a cross-sectional report from Tehran Cohort Study (TeCS)

BackgroundInsufficient physical activity (PA) is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and one of the leading causes of premature mortality worldwide. This study examined the prevalence and independent determinants of insufficient PA among adults resident of Tehran utilizing Tehran Cohort Study Data (TeCS).MethodWe used the recruitment phase data from the TeCS with complete data on PA. PA was assessed through a Likert-scaled question and categorized into three groups. Utilizing data from the 2016 national census, the age- and sex-weighted prevalence of insufficient PA in Tehran was determined. The adjusted logistic regression model is used to neutralize influencing factors and determine the factors associated with insufficient PA.ResultThe weighted prevalence of insufficient PA was 16.9% among the 8213 adult citizens of Tehran, with a greater prevalence among females (19.0% vs. 14.8% among males). Additionally, older age groups, unemployed, housewives, and illiterate educated participants displayed a much higher prevalence of insufficient PA (p < 0.001). Moreover, Tehran’s central and southern districts had higher rates of insufficient PA. Concerning the adjusted regression model, older age (Odds ratio [OR]: 4.26, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 3.24–5.60, p < 0.001), a lower education level (p < 0.001), unemployment (OR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.28–2.55, p = 0.001), being a housewife (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.15–1.80, p = 0.002), higher body mass index (BMI) (OR for BMI > 30: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.56–2.18, p < 0.001), opium consumption (OR: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.46–2.52, p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.06–1.48, p = 0.008), hypertension (OR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.11–1.50, p = 0.001), and coronary artery diseases (OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.05–1.61, p = 0.018), were significantly associated with insufficient PA.ConclusionsThe identified associated factors serve as a valuable guide for policymakers in developing tailored intervention strategies to address the needs of high-risk populations, particularly among older adults and females.

The current epizootic and epidemiological situation of coxiellosis in the territories of the Southern, North Caucasian Federal Districts, Donetsk, Lugansk People's Republics, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions

Objective: to characterize the dynamics and intensity of the incidence of Q fever for the period from 2015 to 2022, to determine the risk areas for human infection in the Southern and North Caucasian Federal districts and in the new subjects of the Russian Federation.Materials and methods: for epidemiological analysis, materials from analytical reviews "The epidemiological situation of natural focal infectious diseases in the Southern and North Caucasus Federal Districts" and state reports "On the state of sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population" for 2015-2022, reporting data from the Rospotrebnadzor Department for the Rostov region, «Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology in Russia Rostov region» and the Departments of Rospotrebnadzor for the DPR and LPR. From 2022–2023 PCR study was conducted for the presence of Coxiella burnetii DNA in samples of ixodic mites and small mammals in the Rostov region and in 2023 – in the DPR, LPR, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions.Results: the analysis of the territorial distribution of cases of Q fever in the Astrakhan region and Stavropol Territory revealed a cluster of the most disadvantaged areas. An analysis of the conditions of infection of patients with Ku fever in the Rostov region has established that the most likely transmission factors are environmental objects in private farms. The circulation of C. burnetii in natural biotopes of the Rostov region, DNR and LNR regions.Conclusions: the epidemic process of Ku fever is mainly local, limited in the context of municipal districts of Astrakhan and Rostov regions, Stavropol Territory. The sporadic incidence of Ku fever does not reflect its actual level. There is no convincing evidence indicating the leading role of farm animals as a primary link in the formation of the epizootic process of Q fever in anthropurgical foci.