Unemployed Women Research Articles

Исследование показателей благополучия и ассертивности среди молодежи

<p><strong>Relevance</strong>. In the context of the rapid development of modern urban society, the issues of studying psychological well–being are becoming increasingly in demand. Of greatest interest is the problem of psychological well–being among young people who are just starting their professional careers. An important research component on this problem is assertiveness, which manifests as a certain interconnection with the individual’s psychological well–being. <strong>Goal.</strong> This study aims to estimate the well–being and assertiveness variables among young people. The study sample (N = 627) consists of young men and women aged 18–34. The study was conducted in Yerevan and some regions of Armenia. <strong>Methods</strong>. The study includes an assessment of well–being and assertiveness in the groups of employed and unemployed young men and women. We use the BBC Well–Being Scale, Rathus Assertiveness Schedule (RAS) and Sheinov Assertiveness Questionnaire. <strong>Results</strong>. The high scores (0,624*) on the psychological well–being variable are positively correlated (p<0,001) with young people’s assertive behavior. The study results showed that there is no statistically significant difference in the variables of gender, employment, and education. The Χ² test yielded p values ​​of 0,995 for the gender and education variables, and p values ​​of 0,996 for the employment and education variables. The study results open new opportunities for discussion of the issue from the perspective of the person’s educational attainment. Further discussions may deal with young people’s capacity to analyze situations creatively, find relevant means to achieve goals and manage their behavior. <strong>Conclusion.</strong> In the groups of young men and women, the variables of relationships, psychological well–being, and assertiveness positively correlated. This conclusion can be investigated in future studies to elicit the factors of young people's psychological readiness for a changeable labor market and to investigate the characteristics of perception of psychological well–being.</p>

A Comparative Analysis of the Factors Influencing Job Expectations among Unemployed Men and Women in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, persistent gender differences in unemployment rates exist, with women enduring greater rates of unemployment de-spite having a higher average educational attainment than men. Gender differences in job search intensity vary with attitudes to-ward employment or unemployment as attitudes play a significant role in employment decision-making. These differences are intimately linked to people's expectations and mindsets regarding their work, which are strongly influenced by societal and cultural gender roles. This study looks at how job expectations differ between unemployed men and women in Sri Lanka. This study relies on data from the Department of Census and Statistics Sri Lanka Labour Force Survey (2021) and a multinomial logistic model to analyse the total unemployed, male unemployed, and female unemployed separately while taking two dependent variables; job sector expectations and occupational expectations. The study's findings emphasise the pivotal role of gender in sharpening job expectations among the unemployed. Regarding job sector expectations, unemployed women are more inclined towards jobs in the public sector than those in the private sector because of the government's reputation for offering standardized working hours and a work-life balance conducive environment. Furthermore, there are noteworthy differences in occupational expectations as unemployed women are more likely to expect professional and managerial level jobs with the increase in higher education enrolment. This study offers a groundbreaking contribution to the literature by unveiling unique, gender-specific determinants of job expectations among Sri Lanka's unemployed, highlighting the influence of unemployment duration, and employing distinct analytical models to bridge significant theoretical, empirical and methodological gaps. Finally, this study puts forth the broader discourse on gender, unemployment, and labour market dynamics in Sri Lanka, offering gender-specific policy recommendations aimed at bridging the expectation gap between unemployed men and women in Sri Lanka.

Relationship between Health Literacy Level and Contraceptive Method Preferences: Intrauterine Device vs. Elective Curettage

Providing reproductive health services is essential to a healthcare system. Reproductive health is an important component of the World Health Organization, indicating that women and men have the right to information and access to safe and effective contraceptive methods. Unfortunately, not all individuals are aware of the reliable contraceptive methods currently available today; this is the main factor leading to unwanted pregnancy, which is terminated with Elective Curettage. The present study aims to compare the Health Literacy (HL) levels of patients who use intrauterine devices (IUD) for contraception with those who underwent Elective Curettage (E&C) to terminate unwanted pregnancies. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 467 participants who applied to the Family Planning Department to terminate unintended pregnancy with E&C (n=59) and those who used an IUD for contraception (n=408). The study shows no differences between the groups according to the HL level determined for the overall HL scale. However, the "Health Promotion" subscale's median score was higher in the E&C group (p=0.002). The logistic regression analysis showed that the tendency of unemployed women to prefer E&C was 11.15 times more than that of employed women. Moreover, those with a history of curettage were 4.95 times more likely to prefer the E&C method. In conclusion, "Health Promotion" is related to the ability to evaluate the health warnings of the environment. It can be interpreted that the environment influences women's E&C preferences. The frequent occurrence of E&C in unemployed women must also be examined in a sociocultural context.

Can migraine be triggered by unemployment in France? A Bi-Probit/Multinomial probit approach

ABSTRACT Migraine is a major public health issue with massive human, économic and social costs, particularly for women. However, the effects of the labour market on this disease are to date little studied. Because unemployment may trigger migraine due to induced stress, we present in this empirical study estimates of the impact of unemployment on migraine using French household data. The causal impact of unemployment is established using instrumental variable methods. We use a rich database (Health and Professional Itinerary Survey) that allows to measure the presence of migraine, mental health and labour market variables, including working conditions. We show that unemployment increases the probability of migraine among women, with an important marginal effect of 14.4% points. We also show that although the issue is unemployment, inactivity must also be included and instrumented, which leads to estimate a generalization of the bi-probit model in which the first step is a multinomial probit. From a public policy perspective, the results show that prevention and care policies must be put in place and target unemployed women.

Exploring factors associated with uptake of breast cancer screening among a subset of women in a South African metropolitan area: research to inform public health interventions

Aim Breast cancer represents a significant global health concern and remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, particularly among women in developing countries. Despite the South African Department of Health recommending early breast cancer detection to improve overall survival rates and enhance patients’ quality of life, there is lack of awareness among women regarding the importance of regular breast cancer screening and available options. This study investigates the factors associated with breast cancer screening uptake among a subset of women attending public health services in a South African metropolitan area. Methods A cross-sectional survey of adult women attending primary health care services at a community health centre was conducted in February-March 2020. Data on sociodemographics, health beliefs, access to information, and breast cancer screening uptake were subjected to descriptive and logistic regression analyses. Results Out of 252 women, 48.0% were older than 30 years, 69.4% were unemployed, and 56.0% self-reported breast cancer screening non-uptake. After adjusting for other variables, marital status, employment status, home language, and perceived breast cancer screening benefits were significantly associated with breast cancer screening uptake. Married women were twice (AoR: 2.3; CI: 1.19-4.58) as likely to self-report breast cancer screening than their unmarried counterparts. Employed women were almost thrice (AoR: 2.6; CI: 1.41-4.83) as likely to self-report breast cancer screening uptake relative to unemployed women. Women whose home language was Sesotho were almost twice (AoR: 1.9; CI: 1.05-3.43) as likely to self-report breast cancer screening than women reporting other home languages. Self-reported uptake of breast cancer screening was also more likely with every unit increase in perceived benefit scores (AoR: 1.1; CI: 1.02-1.16). Conclusions A significant proportion of women were in the age range where breast cancer screening is typically recommended, with more than half self-reporting breast cancer screening non-uptake. Results highlight the necessity of addressing socioeconomic, cultural and individual perceptions to improve breast cancer screening rates and promote early detection.

Cross-sectional study of predictors of infant nutrition knowledge among new mothers in Iraq

Background: Despite recent improvements, infant and young child feeding (IYCF) remains a challenge in Basra, Iraq. Aim: To describe the predictors of IYCF knowledge among new mothers in Basra City, Iraq. Methods: This cross-sectional study collected data on infant nutrition knowledge from 400 new mothers attending 12 primary health care centres in Basra, Iraq, between February and June 2023. Jamovi version 2.3 was used for statistical analyses. Predictive analysis was performed with univariable and multivariable ordinal logistic regression, and the results were reported as crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence interval. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Most (60%) of the women interviewed were younger than 19 years, married (98%), living in an extended family setting (93%), and in the lowest income level (76%). Age ≤19 was a significant predictor of knowledge about breastfeeding, formula feeding, complementary feeding, water and supplements, and food allergies (adjusted odds ratio range 2.24–5.30). Unemployment and low education status predicted lower knowledge about breastfeeding, complementary feeding, water and supplements, and food allergies, but neither unemployment nor low education status predicted lower knowledge about formula feeding. Receiving information from doctors or healthcare workers and social media or the internet was associated with better maternal IYCF knowledge while receiving information from family and friends predicted poorer knowledge about food allergy and water and supplements. Conclusion: IYCF education in Basra should be improved, with particular attention to healthcare worker-mediated and social media- and family systems-based approaches. Priority should be given to the less educated, younger and unemployed women and those in the lower income group.

Distribution and risk factors of Trichomonas vaginalis infection with relevance to interleukin profile among population in Duhok city, Iraq

BackgroundVaginal trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease causes adverse health outcomes, the causative agent is Tichomonas vaginalis. Infected women develop abnormal vaginal discharge with vaginitis. While, men mostly suffer from prostatitis and urethritis. ObjectivesThis study aimed to detect the rate of T.vaginalis infection in association with risk factors, measurement of blood parameters, interleukine-2 (IL-2) and interleukine-8(IL-8) levels among individuals. MethodsA total of 500 females were tested, a vaginal swab and blood were collected from the participants, and they were within the age range of 18–70 years old. High vaginal swabs were examined microscopically using wet mount preparation, the blood used for measurement of blood parameters using coulter count machine and IL-2 and IL-8 levels were evaluated using ELISA technique. ResultsOut of 500 individuals, the prevalence of T. vaginalis infection was 45(9.0 %). The maximum infection rates were reported among age group (18–28) years, rural residents, illiterates, married women (16.7 %), (15.9 %),(30.0 %),(11.7 %),respectively. Moreover, high positivity of infection revealed among low economical level 12.5 % compared to only 1.7 % in high economy group. Unemployed women, those with bad vaginal hygiene showed high incidence of infection 10.5 % and 6.3 %, respectively. It was noted a significant decrease in red blood cells and hemoglobin concentration, however, there was a significantly increased in white blood cells among infected subjects. Furthermore, the levels of both interleukin-2 and interleukin-8 were significantly higher among infected individuals compared to healthy ones. ConclusionsEffective strategies for disease awareness are needed and should include health promotion, education, and prevention.

Perceived Control, Marital Satisfaction, Social Support and Infertility Related Stress: A Mediated Moderation

Infertility can be a significant source of stress, affecting not only individuals but also their relationships and overall well-being. This study examines the relationship between perceived control, marital satisfaction, social support and infertility-related Stress in women seeking fertility treatment. A correlational research design with a non-probability purposive sampling strategy was used. One hundred ten diagnosed infertile women were recruited at age 35 years and above. The Urdu version of all scales was administered for pilot testing to 10 diagnosed infertile women taken from Government hospitals in Lahore. For statistical analysis, SPSS version 26 was used to analyze the data by applying mediated moderation by process macro and independent sample t-test. A total of 110 responses were received. The overall perceived control score was found to be 12.10 ± 6.53, marital satisfaction score of 10.40 ±5.24, social support score of 10.92 ±4.62 and infertility related Stress score of 55.91 ±7.90. Perceived control has a significant impact on infertility-related Stress (β=-.81***). The overall difference in perceived control score (p<0.05) marital satisfaction score(p<0.05) and infertility-related Stress score (p<0.05) in employed and unemployed women was also significant. Overall, perceived control has a direct relationship with marital satisfaction and with infertility-related Stress. The interaction between marital satisfaction and social support (MS*SS) is also significant. Significant employment differences in perceived control, marital satisfaction, and infertility-related Stress were found. Implications for therapeutic interventions and support programs for women facing infertility are discussed, highlighting the need for a holistic approach to mental health and relational well-being in this context.

Self-perception of oral health, gender and employment among Brazilian population.

Self-perception of oral health is a recognized indicator, based on a single question. Association among oral health and socioeconomic status has been well established, however in Brazil, no results were found on the relation with type of insertion in labor market. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of negative self-perception of oral health and associated factors, according to gender among Brazilian workers population, in 2019. The National Health Survey, nationwide household-based survey, carried out in 2019, was used as source of data. Absolute and relative frequencies were calculated to understand the distribution of variables of interest and characterize the sample (n = 54,343). Binary logistic regression was used in the analyses. Odds ratio (OR) was estimated using a 95% confidence interval in bivariate and multivariate analyses. The prevalence of negative self-perception of oral health was 29.3%; in that, 31.0% among men and 27.2% among women. Compared to formal employees, the chance of negative self-perception of oral health among the informal workers was almost 20% higher among men and 13% among women after adjusting for all confounding factors. Unemployed women were 33% more likely to have negative self-perception of oral health. Self-reported unemployment increased the chance of a negative self-perception of oral health among women; however, the same effect was not observed among men. Why is there a difference? The association between informal work and negative SEOH is relevant in the Brazilian context of work deregulation and growth in the number of people without access to formal employment. The results suggested addressing employment conditions in adult oral health promotion actions, with emphasis on gender differences.

Соціальні особливості безробітних жінок

Unemployment is an urgent problem for Ukraine, especially in the conditions of martial law. In addition to socio-economic, it has a number of social problems that need to be solved. The purpose of the study was to analyze the social characteristics of unemployed women. Research task: analysis of social characteristics of unemployed women (educational level, motivation for leaving the previous job, motivation for acquiring a new position or profession, level of material harassment); analysis of the significance of differences in social characteristics of age groups of unemployed women of different ages. A survey of women who are registered at the Belotserki branch of the Kyiv Regional Employment Center showed that almost all of the respondents have been registered with the employment service for up to 1 year, most of them are middle-aged, with a higher education, and left their previous job due to low wages, so want to receive wages at the level of 10-20 thousand UAH. per month, but at the same time they do not want to acquire a new profession or specialty, but if necessary, they are ready to do it at the expense of the state. Among the interviewed young women, the majority are persons with a professional (vocational and technical) education, who lost their job less than a year ago, are dissatisfied with the offered vacancies due to low wages, want to change their profession at the expense of the state, but claim a salary of 10-20 thousand hryvnias. month. Among the surveyed middle-aged women, almost all of them lost their jobs less than a year ago, among whom there is a predominance of people with higher education, whose main reason for leaving their previous place of employment was dissatisfaction with wages, which is also the main reason for dissatisfaction with the offered vacancies. Most of them claim a salary of 10-20 thousand hryvnias. per month, but only a few want to acquire a new profession at the expense of the state. Among the surveyed women of pre-retirement age, almost all of them lost their jobs less than a year ago, most of them with higher education, who left their previous place of work due to low wages, which is also the main reason for their dissatisfaction with the jobs offered to them. The vast majority of them claim a salary of 10-20 thousand hryvnias. month. Significant differences were found between the age groups of unemployed women according to the following indicators: level of education, reasons for dismissal from the previous place of employment, reason for refusing the offered vacancies, desire to acquire a new profession or specialty. No significant differences were found between the age groups of unemployed women on other indicators: the time that passed after dismissal from work, the level of the desired salary, the level of readiness to acquire a new profession or specialty.

Socioeconomic Inequities in Pap Test Use Among Black Women in the United States: An Intersectional Approach.

Research investigating racialized inequities in cervical cancer screening has rarely considered the influence of socioeconomic position (SEP), a key social determinant of health that intersects with race/ethnicity and racism. Thus, data on socioeconomic inequities in Pap test use within racialized groups-including Black women, who are at elevated risk of cervical cancer morbidity and mortality-are limited. Using 2011-2019 data from the National Survey of Family Growth and guided by an intersectional framework, we used multivariable logistic regression to examine the association between educational attainment, employment status, and income and the adjusted odds of Pap test use in the last 3years among Black U.S. women. Compared to Black women with a bachelor's degree or greater, those with less than a high school diploma ([odds ratio] = 0.45; [95% confidence interval] 0.31-0.67) and a high school diploma/GED (0.57; 0.40-0.81) had significantly lower odds of Pap test use, adjusting for sociodemographic factors. Unemployed women had significantly lower adjusted odds of Pap test use compared to employed women (0.67; 0.50-0.89), and women living below 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL) had significantly lower adjusted odds of Pap test use relative to those living at or above 300% FPL (0.63; 0.45-0.88). Low-SEP Black women had significantly lower adjusted odds of Pap test use relative to their higher SEP counterparts. Interventions that address both racism and economic barriers to care are needed to facilitate access to regular cervical cancer screening among low-SEP Black women.

Employment and work intentions of refugee women. Evidence on Syrians in the Netherlands

ABSTRACT This study examines the employment and work intentions of Syrian refugee women in the Netherlands. While earlier studies showed that refugee women have dramatically low labor force participation rates, it remains poorly understood why this is the case. In this study, we provide new insights, using large-scale, nationally representative data on Syrian refugee women in the Netherlands. Our analyses provide evidence to suggest that beyond human capital characteristics, three gender-specific factors contribute to lower participation rates: discrimination of Muslim women who wear a veil, family constraints and traditional gender role attitudes. Among Syrian unemployed women, we find that wearing a veil or having young children is associated with an inability to work, whereas traditional gender role attitudes are significantly associated with unwillingness to work.

Employment Among Women with Severe Mental Illness Availing Rural Community-based Rehabilitation Program: A Qualitative Study from South India

Background: Women in India are often disadvantaged in accessing education, employment, health services, and decision-making within families. This inequality is particularly pronounced among women with severe mental illness, especially those from rural areas. Methods: The study explored the employment status, facilitators, and barriers to employment among women with severe mental illness availing a rural community-based rehabilitation (CBR) program in Jagaluru, South India. Interviews were conducted with 15 women, their family caregivers, the CBR program social worker, and a community program coordinator of a nongovernmental organization partner. The study used a qualitative research design. Thematic analysis was used to identify emerging themes. Results: Ten women were employed. Among five unemployed women, two independently took care of household responsibilities, and one assisted the family. Medication compliance and the desire to earn money for oneself were significant facilitators. Employment opportunities for some women were hindered by poor bus connectivity in interior villages, patriarchal familial attitudes, and challenges in availing loans for livelihood ventures. Conclusion: Rural families access treatment for severe mental illness when it is available at the nearest government health facility. With symptom improvement, many women could avail themselves of local employment opportunities without additional inputs from the CBR team.

Comparative analysis of stress levels among working and non-working Indian women in rural Gujarat.

Stress is derived from the Latin word "stringers" manifests as the body's response to various demands and pressures, affecting individuals' health and well-being. Therefore, it is of interest to evaluate stress levels in employed and unemployed women, recognizing the differential stress experiences in various life domains. A quantitative non-experimental comparative research design was employed, with data collected through structured questionnaires from 120 women in Visnagar, Gujarat. Results: Non-working women demonstrated lower stress levels compared to working women in pre-test measures. Post-intervention, non-working women experienced a reduction in stress, while working women showed no change. Demographic factors like age, education, and family structure did not significantly influence stress levels, except for monthly income, which correlated with lower stress across both groups. The study underscores significant disparities in stress levels between employed and unemployed women in rural Visnagar. Tailored interventions effectively reduced stress among non-working women but showed limited efficacy for working women. Financial stability emerged as a crucial factor in mitigating stress. Younger working women reported higher stress levels, suggesting the need for targeted interventions addressing career and familial pressures.

Patterns of Nicotine Use Among Women in the Rural Population of Kolar: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background The prevalence of smokeless tobacco (SLT) use among Indian women, particularly those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds with little access to formal education, has been steadily increasing, which is a cause for concern. Women frequently use various forms and companies of powdered, rubbed, and chewed SLT, with or without betelnut and flavorings, often simultaneously, starting at an early age and persisting into their reproductive years. Consequently, they are vulnerable to both the chance of developing cancer and experiencing health issues during pregnancy and childbirth. The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence of women using SLT and the factors that were linked to these outcomes. Methodology The community-based analytical, cross-sectional study was carried out for four months (February-May 2024) in the selected rural areas of Kolar district, Karnataka, India. Women aged 15 years and above who lived in the selected rural areas of Kolar district as permanent residents and had a history of nicotine use were included. Women using smoked forms of tobaccoand bedridden or terminally ill cancer patients were excluded from the study. An interviewer administered a semistructured interview schedule to collect data. The questionnaire included sections on sociodemographic characteristics (age, education, occupation, marital status, socioeconomic status, and type of family), nicotine use patterns (types of SLT/nicotine products used and mode of use), maternal history, menstrual history, alcohol consumption history, morbidity conditions, and nicotine dependence, which were assessed by Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). Results The participants, 92 women, ranged in age from 15 to 80 years old, with a mean age of 41.2 years. Most of the participants were diagnosed with oral cancer (n = 19, 20.7%), followed by esophageal cancer (n = 13, 14.1%). When participants were enquired about the mode of usage of tobacco, most of them used chewable form (n = 43, 46.7%). When dependence was assessed by the Fagerstrom nicotine dependence scale, high dependence was observed in 83.7% of women (n = 77), whereas low-to-moderate dependence was observed in 16.3% of women (n = 15). Among the 92 participants, only 16 participants (17.3%) made attempts to quit using SLT. The sociodemographic factors associated with nicotine dependence included age between 41 and 60 years, illiteracy, lower economic status, widowhood, unmarried status, unemployment, Hindu by religion, nuclear family, non-alcoholic, irregular menstrual cycles, and significant maternal history (P-value less than 0.05). Conclusion The development of tailored interventions that address the specific needs of illiterate, unemployed, lower-class, and unmarried women in nuclear families was observed. These interventions should incorporate mental health screening, psychoeducation, and community-based support to promote cessation of SLT and improve their overall well-being.

O-158 Social disparities in achieving a live birth after initiating ART treatment: a national register-based study among women in Denmark

Abstract Study question How are educational level, labor market attachment and income associated with achieving a live birth after initiating ART treatment among women in Denmark? Summary answer Higher educational level, labor market attachment and higher income were strongly associated with achieving a live birth after initiating ART treatment among women in Denmark. What is known already Infertility is increasing in populations worldwide with an estimated lifetime prevalence of 17.5%. Approaches to this issue differs between societies and healthcare systems. In the public Danish healthcare system, three fresh ART treatments are currently offered free of charge. Additional ART treatments are self-financed in the private healthcare sector. Socioeconomic disparities in health are widely recognized. Previous studies have indicated that higher socioeconomic position (SEP) is associated with a greater probability of achieving a live birth after initiating ART treatment. However, there is limited knowledge about SEP and its relation to outcomes of ART treatment. Study design, size, duration This is a national, register-based study based on the DANAC II Cohort. Women undergoing ART treatment during 1994–2017 registered in the Danish IVF register were individually linked with data from sociodemographic registries and the Medical Birth Registry using the Danish Personal Identification number. The study population consisted of 68,738 women treated with ART. The outcome was a live birth. The women were followed until outcome, death, migration, or end of study (31/12/2017). Participants/materials, setting, methods Women included in the analyses were aged 18–45 years. Overall associations between achieving a live birth after initiating ART treatment and educational level, labor market attachment and income were examined and further stratified by nulliparity at baseline and age group. Hazard ratios (HRs) with confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by Cox proportional hazards regression, and with adjustment for potential confounders age and ethnicity. Death was incorporated as a competing risk in all analyses. Main results and the role of chance Adjusted results showed that educational level, labour market attachment and income significantly determined the probability of achieving a live birth after initiating ART treatment. HRs of achieving a first live birth after initiating ART treatment increased stepwise with higher education and income level, respectively. Compared with primary school education the highest HR was found among women with a research education (HR = 3.02 [95% CI 2.71; 3.35]). Unemployed women had the lowest HR of achieving a live birth after initiating ART treatment (HR = 0.67 [95% CI 0.64; 0.69]) compared to employed women. Women in the highest income group had two times higher HR of achieving a live birth after initiating ART compared to women in the lowest income group. Analyses of different age groups showed that higher SEP was associated with a live birth after ART treatment in all ages. The same consistency was found for both childless women and women who had a child or children prior to ART treatment. Subanalyses showed that women with higher SEP were more likely to continue ART treatment after unsuccessful attempts, which could explain the observed social inequality in achieving a live birth after ART treatment. Limitations, reasons for caution The Danish IVF register did not register non-ART treatments (intrauterine inseminations) before 2007, thus these treatments are not included. Whether severity of infertility/prognosis differs among SEP groups is unclear. Also, geographical distance to fertility clinics could have provided additional perspectives. Wider implications of the findings Free access to fertility treatment in public healthcare should ideally provide equal access. Patients encounter barriers during treatment and, as shown, treatment success differs based on socio-economic background. Difficulties encountered during treatment that challenge certain patients more than others based on their socio-economic background needs to be addressed. Trial registration number Not applicable

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DETERMINATIONS OF RESERVATION WAGE EXPECTATIONS AMONG UNEMPLOYED MEN AND WOMEN IN SRI LANKA

The "reservation wage" concept indicates the minimum compensation a person is willing to accept when seeking employment. This study aims to determine how reservation wage expectations differ between unemployed men and women in Sri Lanka. This analysis used secondary data extracted from the Sri Lanka Labour Force Survey (2021), which was conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, and encompasses a sample size of 1,567 total unemployed, comprising 739 unemployed males and 828 unemployed females. A semi-log model was applied separately to the unemployed men, the unemployed women and the total unemployed to achieve the study's objective. The results indicated that gender significantly influences reservation wage expectations among unemployed men and women. Compared with women, unemployed men have a higher reservation wage expectation. Noteworthy variables, including household size, age, and unemployment duration, exhibit varying degrees of insignificance in shaping reservation wage expectations for both genders. Finally, this study concluded that the reservation wage expectations among unemployed men and women in Sri Lanka are significantly affected by various demographic, household socio-economic and regional geographical factors. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers to foster gender equality and labour market inclusivity to reduce the gender gap in Sri Lanka.

A Cross-Sectional Study of Mental Illnesses Among Infertile Women in Saudi Arabia.

Infertility is a global issue and carries significant mental health implications. Data on mental health among infertile women in Saudi Arabia are limited. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of depression, anxiety, and stress among infertile women in Saudi Arabia. This analytical cross-sectional study included women of reproductive age visiting governmental hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The participants were asked to fill out a pre-structured questionnaire, which included the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) to assess their mental health status. Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics, Version 29.0 (released 2023, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). The three outcome variables derived from the DASS-21 were categorized into five distinct groups for descriptive purposes. In this study, infertile women had significantly higher median scores for depression (18), anxiety (15), and stress (20) compared to fertile women who had median scores of 8, 8, and 10 for depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. The differences between these two groups were statistically significant (p-value < 0.001). Furthermore, employed infertile women reported higher median scores for depression (87), anxiety (84.5), and stress (84.5) compared to unemployed women. In addition, infertile women with a monthly income of 10,001-20,000 SAR had notably higher median scores for depression (89.56), anxiety (90.22), and stress (89.94) compared to other income groups. These differences were statistically significant (p-values < 0.05). Infertility significantly contributes to mental health issues among women in Saudi Arabia. The findings highlight the need for targeted psychological interventions alongside infertility treatment to enhance the quality of life of these women.

Factors associated with suicidal ideation among puerperal women in the context of public health: integrative review

Objective: To synthesize scientific evidence about the factors associated with suicidal ideation in the puerperal period in the context of public health. Methods: Integrative review conducted by the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol, carried out in July 2022, in the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Web of Science, Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences, Nursing Database, Spanish Bibliographic Index of Health Sciences, PsycINFO and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. Results: Seven studies were selected to compose this review. Factors associated with suicidal ideation in the puerperal period were younger, single, unemployed women, having an unemployed partner, having experienced intimate partner violence, having faced stressful events during pregnancy, previous experiences of abortion and marital dissatisfaction, depressive symptoms and other mental disorders (mood disorders, hypomanic symptoms, neuroticism and psychoticism). High self-esteem aimed to reduce ideas of suicide during the postpartum period. Being primigravid, having a harmonious relationship with the mother-in-law, and marital satisfaction were presented as protective factors. Conclusion: The synthesis of the studies showed the association of psychosocial, physiological and sociodemographic factors with suicidal ideation among puerperal women, as well as protective factors.

Defying the odds? Multiple disadvantage as a source of entrepreneurial action

Purpose The link between entrepreneurial intention and positive attitudes towards entrepreneurship for established and nascent entrepreneurs has been well documented in the extant literature, with the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) viewing entrepreneurial intention as a pre-requisite for entrepreneurial pursuit. Whilst scholars generally agree on these insights, little empirical evidence exists on how marginalised social groups can convert their intentions into action. This study aims to understand to what extent the elements of TPB, the attitudes towards entrepreneurship, self-efficacy and subjective norms, help explain the emergence of entrepreneurial activity amongst marginalised demographic groups.Design/methodology/approach This research focuses on unemployed women residing in social housing located in a deprived urban area of the United Kingdom to empirically examine how multiple layers of disadvantage faced by this group shape their motivations and intentions for entrepreneurial pursuit. A multi-source qualitative methodology was adopted, drawing upon inductive storytelling narratives and extensive fieldwork on a sample of unemployed ethnic minority women residing in social housing in a deprived urban area of the United Kingdom. Community organisation representatives and housing association employees within the social housing system were included to assess the interpretive capacity of TPB.Findings The findings display that TPB illuminates why and how marginalised groups engage in entrepreneurship. Critically, women’s entrepreneurial intentions emerge as a result of their experiences of multiple layers of disadvantage, their positionality and the specificity of few resources they can activate from their disadvantageous position for entrepreneurial activity.Originality/value By illuminating the linkages between marginalised women’s positionality and their associated access to the limited pool of resources using the TPB lens, this study contributes to emerging works on disadvantaged populations and entrepreneurial intention-action debate. This work posits that despite facing significant additional challenges through their positionality and reduced ability to mobilise resources, women in social housing can defy the odds and develop ways to overcome limited capacity and structural disadvantage.