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Lifelong education has proven to be a significant challenge in the policy arena. The combination of formal education and labor-centered institutions has pressed the development of different mechanisms to understand the role of human capital accumulation in socioeconomic mobility and organizational performance. While the narratives of lifelong education have primed labor and educational studies across developed economies, in the case of developing economies, those logics appear contested by development economics conditions. In this paper, I use the context of the expansion of the graduate educational market and its policy reforms to analyze how a developing economy copes with a change in the availability of a highly educated workforce. Using panel and pseudo-panel data, I examine the evolution of educational returns for the graduate workforce in Chile between 1990 and 2018, considering the differences between industries and public and private sectors. The results point out that there are no public-private differences and high heterogeneity across economic sectors. The policy- and individual-level consequences are discussed.

Background: Despite the significant relationship between life satisfaction and education, less is known about the connection between life satisfaction and informal learning in the context of training and apprenticeship programs. This paper examines the influence of the LaunchCode program, a novel training and apprentice program in STEM, on participant's life satisfaction and optimism. We also explore mediating roles of STEM employment and earnings, as well as moderating role of participants' educational attainment levels. Results: We find high life satisfaction and optimism among those who completed both the training course and the apprenticeship component. In addition, we find a significant mediation effect of STEM employment on the relationships between program participation and current life satisfaction, as well as optimism, among the apprenticeship completers. Finally, we find a significant moderation effect of one's education level on the relationship between program completion and finding a STEM job, such that participants with a college degree are more likely to secure STEM employment through coursework alone. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the significance of apprenticeships in increasing life satisfaction and optimism, as well as the importance of STEM employment in explaining the significant effect of apprenticeships on life satisfaction and optimism. These findings suggest that what people do for a living is more important than how much they earn. However, while apprenticeships may offer an alternative route to the labor market, education may still facilitate connections to STEM employment in the absence of an apprenticeship.

The United States has long been a leading destination for immigrants looking for a better economic opportunity, refuge, or family reunification. The population of foreign-born residents in the US is immensely diverse in terms of country of origin, ethnicity, gender, age, and education. These characteristics can influence an immigrant's ability to integrate into American society. In this paper, I examine the impact of gender and level of education on the employment prospects of foreign-born residents from 2009 to 2022. First, my research concludes that higher levels of education lead to substantially better employment rates and wages for foreign-born residents. Second, my findings reveal that immigrant women, in comparison to their native-born peers, have made bigger strides in their labor participation, employment rates, and wages over the last decade versus immigrant men, who have remained more closely aligned with their respective native-born peers. I highlight some reasons why these two specific factors, gender and education, affect employment and wages and what policies could be adopted to improve the integration prospects for immigrants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of male nurses towards human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV vaccination and to examine whether knowledge about the HPV vaccine affects attitudes and beliefs about HPV vaccines. Background: HPV is responsible for ≈5% of all cancers worldwide. Therefore, vaccination against HPV is recommended to prevent HPV infections and HPV‐related cancers in men and women. Methods: The study group included 383 male nurses who were asked to complete online questionnaires. The data were collected using the following tools: a sociodeomographical characteristics form, the Human Papillomavirus Knowledge Scale (HPVKS), and The Carolina HPV Immunization Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (CHIAS). Results: It was determined that the general HPV knowledge of the male nurses participating in the study was at a moderate level, but their knowledge of HPV screening test, HPV vaccination, and current HPV vaccination programmes were at a low level. Male nurses' HPV vaccination rates were relatively low, and most of them did not intend to be vaccinated. In addition, CHIAS Attitudes and Beliefs scores of the male nurses were at an average level and HPV knowledge affected the attitudes and beliefs of the nurses. Conclusion: These results demonstrate an opportunity to improve information and awareness about HPV and vaccines by nursing education. Summary statement: What is already known about the topic? Although HPV vaccination is recommended to prevent HPV infections and HPV‐related cancers in men and women, vaccination rates are far behind the target, especially for men. What this paper adds? Findings showed that male nurses' HPV vaccination rates were relatively low.Male nurses' knowledge about HPV and HPV vaccine was not sufficient.HPV knowledge affected the attitudes and beliefs of these male nurses. The implications of this paper: Nurses need to be aware of the HPV vaccine during their undergraduate education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE Awareness and screening exercise on prostate cancer health related issues among the rural population is still interfered with by the socio-cultural and economic challenges affecting the developing nations. This is yet to be empirically explored in some regions such as southeast Nigeria. The paper explored prostate cancer awareness and screening exercise among some 1080 men (30+) in rural southeast Nigeria. METHODS The study was guided by Health Belief Model, while survey design and quantitative data gathering techniques were deployed in collecting data from the respondents. Descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized in probing the prevalence of awareness about prostate cancer/screening practices, and the relationship of these and other variables. RESULTS According to the findings, there is a poor awareness about prostate cancer and related symptoms (31.2%) and poor regular prostate cancer screening practices among the respondents (11%). Prostate cancer awareness is significantly correlated with age (p<0.000, b=-0.618, Exp(B)=0.539), marital status (p<0.000, b=1.239, Exp(B)=3.452), occupation (p<0.000, b=-2.474, Exp(B)=0.084), education (p<0.000, b=1.239, Exp(B)=3.452), income (p<0.002, b=-0.476, Exp(B)=0.621) and having seen someone living with prostate cancer (p<0.000, b=3.927, Exp(B)=50.742). Regular screening exercise is predicted by age (p<0.000, b=0.054, t=4.706), marital status (p<0.000, b=-0.110, t=-5.309), education (p<0.02, b=0.047, t=2.557), occupation (p<0.000, b=0.090, t=4.484) and source of prostate cancer awareness (p<0.02, b=0.052, t=2.366). CONCLUSION The study concludes that prostate cancer screening practices are heavily dependent on the socioeconomic realities among the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adverse maternal and infant health outcomes among African Americans are increasingly recognized as indicators of a critical public health crisis in the United States. Research has found that stress is related to structural racism and the social determinants of health (SDOH) that cause avoidable, unfair inequities in resources, education, power, and opportunities across ethnic groups. This paper describes the SDOH needs and experiences of pregnant Black women from the perspective of doulas and Birthing Beautiful Communities (BBC) clients. The design was a qualitative description, using data collected over time (2017–2018, 2020–2021, and 2023). This study took place in Cleveland and Akron, Ohio and the sample included 58 clients, 26 doulas, and 2 resource intake specialist assistants (RISAs). Qualitative data included individual client interviews, three doula focus groups, and one interview with two BBC RISAs. Three coders used content analysis to deductively identify SDOHs and calculate the number of interviews that contained information about specific SDOHs. Although the sample reported issues with all SDOH, particular ones caused a cascade of SDOH effects. Transportation issues, for example, impeded women from being able to make it to work, doctor's appointments, and to purchase essential baby items (e.g., food, infant supplies). An inability to work—whether because of transportation challenges or pregnancy-related health complications—led to unstable housing and an inability to deal with transportation challenges. Many clients mentioned that housing was a major issue, with many clients experiencing housing instability. Implications include ensuring SDOH information is collected from a trusted source who can advocate and ensure access to a wide range of local resources, ensuring policies protect pregnant women from experiencing a cascade of SDOH that may contribute to continuing health disparate infant and maternal health outcomes in African American women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on oral histories of first-generation migrant women, this paper explores Chinese women's role in financing migrant households, mothering children and promoting the well-being of the British Chinese community after 1945. It argues that, with better educational attainment and wider participation in professional occupations Chinese migrant women played an increasingly essential yet unrecognised role in private and public lives. This paper expands knowledge of Chinese women's experiences in contemporary international migration and confirms the necessity of understanding migration through the lens of gender to reveal evolving gendered family roles within migrant households and migrant women's manifold but unrecognised merits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of NEETs, originating in the late 1990s, has garnered substantial focus over the past decade. This study endeavours to elucidate various facets of NEET, exploring the interrelation between youth mental ill‑health, substance use, and NEET status. It examines the progression of NEET rates within the European Union and its member states from 2012 to 2022 and investigates the correlation between NEETs and numerous variables such as age, educational attainment, gender/ sex, place of residence (level of urbanization), and associated risk factors. It further delves into the barriers maintaining NEET status and examines the subgroups within NEETs, along with their interaction with employment, education, and training systems. A detailed analysis of the interplay between NEETs and social work is presented, with the paper concluding with a set of informed recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper examines whether U.S./Mexico border residence in California is related to the prevalence of DSM-5 alcohol use disorder (AUD) among Whites and Hispanics. Household survey data were obtained from 1,209 adults (59.7% female) 18 to 39 years of age resident in four counties in California: Imperial on the U.S./Mexico border; and Kern, Tulare, and Madera in California's Central Valley. Households were selected using a list assisted sample, with data collected on the phone or online. Results show that AUD rates were not different between border and non-border location and between Whites and Hispanics. AUD was negatively associated with higher income ($20,000 to $60,000: AOR=.38; 95%CI=.17–.86; p<.01—more than $60,000: AOR=.27; 95%CI:.09–.81; p<.01) and poor risk perception (AOR=.86; 95%CI=.78–.94; p<.01). AUD was positively associated with continued volume of drinking (AOR = 1.05; 95%CI = 1.01–1.09; p<.01), drinking in Mexico (AOR = 4.28; 95%CI = 1.61–11.36; p<.01), marijuana use (AOR = 4.11; 95%CI = 1.73–9.77; p<.01), and impulsivity (AOR = 1.55; 95%CI = 1.23–1.94). Efforts to prevent AUD in the population in California, and especially among those who live close to the border with Mexico, should take into consideration factors such as impulsivity, marijuana use, border crossing to drink in Mexico, all of which increased risk of AUD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to examine the long-term influence of having a child at risk of different developmental delays (communication, mobility, self-care, relating, learning, coping, or behaving) on parental labor force participation as the child grows. Method: A retrospective cohort was conducted using data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children survey, Waves 1–8 covering birth to 15 years of age of children. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to explore the odds ratio of mothers being out of the labor force at different children's ages. Cox proportional hazards models were utilized to identify the 'risk' of mothers returning to the workforce after leaving. All models were adjusted for the mother's age, education attainment, and employment status at time of birth, as well as marital status at the current wave. Results: There were 5,107 records of children, and 266 of them were at risk of any developmental delays at age 4–5 years. This sample represents 243, 026 children born in Australia in 2003/04. After adjusting for potential confounders, mothers of children at risk of each type of developmental delay (except mobility and self-care) had greater odds of being out of, and not returning to the labor force from children aged 2–3 to 14–15 years, when compared to mothers of children who are not at risk of developmental delays. Similar differences were found for fathers but were distinctly small and with narrower fluctuations, compared to mothers. Conclusion: Policies and programs funded by the government are greatly needed to support the mothers of children at risk of developmental delays. Significance: What is already known: Maternal labour force participation has been negatively affected by having a child with chronic health conditions, whereas paternal labour force participation is not significantly influenced. What this paper adds: Having a child at risk of developmental delays negatively influenced maternal and paternal labour force participation, where the influence on fathers was distinctly small and with narrower fluctuations during the 14 to 15 years of follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study investigates who requests workplace accommodations and who is more likely to have requests granted. We investigate the role of demographic characteristics and their intersection, including disability, gender, race/ethnicity, and age. We also consider the role of other personal and job-related factors. Methods: We use the data from the Current Population Survey (CPS) 2021 Disability Supplement to estimate the odds ratio of having requested workplace accommodations and having such request granted during the COVID-19 pandemic when the survey was conducted. In supplementary analyses, we explore the relationship between remote work and flexible scheduling and workplace accommodations, as well as possible trends using CPS 2019 Disability Supplement. Results: Our results indicate that Hispanics with disabilities are more likely than others to request workplace accommodations, but they are substantially less likely to be granted accommodations. Consistent with other studies, our paper also finds that people with disabilities, women, and older people are more likely to request accommodations than their respective counterparts. Other personal and job-related factors such as higher education, parenthood, being single, being a citizen, and working in management-related occupations are associated with higher likelihood of requesting workplace accommodations compared to their counterparts, while receiving accommodations is largely explained by occupational differences. Conclusion: Our findings show that there are still disparities in the rates of workplace accommodation requests and provision for multiply marginalized groups, and as such, taking into account intersectional differences in addition and in relation to disability is important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION Food delivery drivers represent a rapidly growing occupational group in China in recent years. Their unique work patterns such as a complex work environment and high time-pressure may subject them to more severe tobacco use issues compared to other professions. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of tobacco use within this group and examine the underlying reasons behind it. METHODS A cross-sectional, multistage sampling design was conducted to select 1879 food delivery riders from Guangzhou and Shenzhen. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data from August to December 2022. Chi-squared analysis and binary logistic regression analysis, adjusted for factors including gender, education level, type of employment, alcohol use, job-related uncertainty stress, and emotional exhaustion, were used to explore the key factors associated with smoking among this occupational group. RESULTS Altogether, 65.5% of individuals in this sample were smokers, with 69.5% among males and 26.2% among females. Factors found to be significantly associated with smoking behavior were male sex (AOR=5.48; 95% CI: 3.74-8.02), education level of junior high school or lower (AOR=1.60; 95% CI: 1.21-2.11), education level of senior high school (AOR=1.52; 95% CI: 1.18-1.95), full-time job (AOR=1.39; 95% CI: 1.18-1.80), alcohol use (AOR=3.91; 95% CI: 3.14-4.87), moderate level of job-related uncertainty stress (AOR=0.58; 95% CI: 0.42-0.81), high level of emotional exhaustion (AOR=1.57; 95% CI: 1.17-2.10) and moderate level of emotional exhaustion (AOR=1.52; 95% CI: 1.00-2.30). CONCLUSIONS Demographic factors like gender, education level, job type, and substance use should be considered in designing smoking cessation campaigns for this group. Improving work conditions, reducing emotional exhaustion, and managing stress may also reduce smoking and enhance the well-being of these riders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Maternal healthcare service utilization is a pivotal indicator of a nation's progress in safeguarding the health and well-being of its women and children. In this context, women's empowerment emerges as a critical determinant influencing the utilization of maternal healthcare services. The study aims to assess the relationship between women's level of empowerment and utilization of maternal healthcare services among currently married women in India. Data and Methods: The study uses data from the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey conducted in 2019–2021 and analyzed 26,552 (15–49 aged) currently married women who had a live birth in the last 5 years preceding the survey. Additionally, univariate and bivariate analyses, multivariate logistic regression, and the SWPER index were used for the analysis. Results: Over the years, utilization of antenatal care, skilled birth attainment, and postnatal care has increased extensively in India. However, the study found that utilization of services was higher among empowered women, and it varies across the state with the extent of empowerment. State-level analysis shows that the extent of women empowerment was higher in Goa, followed by Tamil Nadu and Kerala, and lower in Jharkhand, followed by Tripura, so as the utilization of maternal and health care services. The extent of empowerment and utilization of services also varies by level of educational attainment, employment, and socio-economic status. Conclusion: There is a need for comprehensive strategies to enhance women's empowerment through education, employment, political participation, self-awareness, and reduction in gender-based violence and child marriages, which may improve awareness demand for better public health structure, and may ensure higher utilization of maternal healthcare services. Ultimately, these strategies may converse the higher maternal death and child mortality. Significance: What is already known about this subject? Existing literature in India mostly highlights a clear connection between women's autonomy and maternal healthcare services utilization. Women with higher autonomy, decision-making power, and mobility are more likely to use these services. However, in exploring the link between women's empowerment and maternal healthcare, some studies focus on education, employment, and media access among Indian mothers, sidelining broader empowerment dimensions. What this study adds? This study is likely the first to investigate the relationship between women's empowerment and the level of maternal healthcare service utilization in India. It covers key dimensions of women's empowerment, including Attitude to Violence, Social Independence, and Decision-making Power. Moreover, it is possibly the first Indian research paper to employ a survey-based women's empowerment index in this context. Notably, the assessment highlights Social Independence as a significant dimension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To describe how the UNC Horizons program, a comprehensive women-centered program for pregnant and parenting women with substance use disorders, and its patient population have changed over time and summarize basic neonatal outcomes for infants born to women in treatment at Horizons. Methods: Yearly Annual Reports from fiscal years of 1994 to 2017 were abstracted. Patient characteristics and infant outcomes compared to normative North Carolina data were examined. Results: Highlights of findings include: The percentage of women for whom opioids were the primary substance of use increased from 0% in 1995–1996 to 62% in 2016–17, while cocaine decreased from 66 to 12%. Intravenous substance use history increased from 7% in 1994–1995 to 41% in 2016–2017. The number of women reporting a history of incarceration rose from 10–20% in the early years to 40%-50% beginning in 2007–2008. The proportion of women reporting a desire to hurt themselves rose from 20% in 2004–2005 to 40% in 2016–2017. Self-reported suicide attempt history remained consistent at 32% across years. While reporting of childhood physical abuse remained at 38% across years, reporting of sexual abuse and domestic violence trended upward. Horizons did not differ from North Carolina in the likelihood of patients giving birth prematurely [χ2(13) = 20.6,p =.082], or the likelihood of a patient giving birth to a low birthweight infant [χ2(13) = 14.7,p =.333]. Conclusions for Practice: Breaking the cycle of addiction for women and children must focus on helping women with substance use problems develop a sense of hope that their lives can improve, and a sense of feeling safe and nurtured. Significance: Systematic examinations of programs that provide treatment services to pregnant and parenting women with substance use disorders have typically been focused on a limited set of outcomes and have been cross-sectional in nature. The current paper presents a detailed examination of the patient populations over a 23-year period, with particular attention to the changes over time in the women served. The birth weight and prematurity of infants born to the women in this program were likewise examined over time, and in comparison to state-level data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to assess the impact of output changes on gender-, age- and educational attainment level-specific employment considering two business cycle phases. It also aims to answer whether education is essential in reducing the risk of losing a job during an economic downturn. Methodology: We employ the first differences approach to evaluate the asymmetric response of different employment types to output changes in 27 EU countries from 2000 to 2020. The Eurostat database provides the data for this analysis, and we use the Pooled OLS estimation technique for our calculations, ensuring the robustness of our findings. Findings: The results of this study are significant, indicating that during periods of economic upturn, the reaction of employment to output changes is weaker than during economic downturn. This is a crucial insight, as it suggests that the negative impact on employment is more severe, particularly for young and less educated individuals, with men generally facing sharper declines in employment compared to women. However, older and more educated workers exhibit greater job stability during economic downturns, highlighting the protective role of higher education and experience. These findings underscore the importance of education in reducing the risk of job loss during economic downturns, a key point of this research. Originality: This research stands out for its comprehensive examination of how employment reacts to output changes in the EU, considering the asymmetric output-employment relationship and the various employment types segmented by age, gender, and educational attainment levels. The findings underscore the necessity for targeted measures to uphold employment stability across diverse economic circumstances and demographic groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION Epidemiological evidence regarding the relationship between smoking and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) has been limited in Asian populations. Employing baseline data from the Aidai Cohort Study, Japan, we evaluated the evidence in this cross-sectional study. METHODS Study subjects were 727 men aged 35--88 years and 1297 women aged 34--85 years. Information on smoking, SHS exposure, and confounders was obtained through a self-administered questionnaire. An automated carotid ultrasonography device was used to measure the right and left CIMT. The greatest CIMT measurement in the left or right common carotid artery was considered the maximum CIMT, and a maximum CIMT >1.0 mm was indicative of carotid wall thickening. Age, alcohol consumption, leisure time physical activity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, body mass index, waist circumference, employment, and education level were adjusted at one time. RESULTS The prevalence of carotid wall thickening was 13.0%. The prevalence of never smoking was 30.5% in men and 90.1% in women. Among those who had never smoked, the prevalence of never SHS exposure at home and work was 74.3% and 48.2% in men and 38.3% and 56.3% in women, respectively. Active smoking and pack-years of smoking were independently positively related to carotid wall thickening regardless of sex, although the association with current smoking in women was not significant. Independent positive relationships were shown between former smoking and pack-years of smoking and maximum CIMT in men but not in women. No significant relationships were found between SHS exposure at home and work and carotid wall thickening or maximum CIMT in either men or women. CONCLUSIONS Active smoking, especially pack-years of smoking, was positively associated with carotid wall thickening in both sexes. Such positive associations with maximum CIMT were found only in men; however, interactions between smoking and sex were not significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A scoping study provides a better understanding of how local authorities in China support care-experienced young people. • Twenty-two social policies in China are mapped and examined. • Across localities, housing and employment services are prioritised to support care-experienced young people. • Current policy responses are insufficient, and people's opportunities to access the stipulated support are quite limited. An increasing amount of attention is being paid to young people with care experience on an international scale. They are often associated with negative outcomes after leaving care, such as low educational attainment, unstable housing, job instability and social exclusion. While many countries have prescribed social policies for supporting them for a more fruitful transition out of care, there is little information available in the context of China at local levels. Given this, this paper maps and examines existing local policies, exploring how local authorities support care-experienced young people in China. To achieve, it adopts a scoping review. The findings highlight (i) China's local polices as a whole prescribe a variety of services, resources, and/or measures to support care-experienced young people, of which housing and employment are at the top of the list; (ii) current policy responses are insufficient, and opportunities of this group of people to access the stipulated support are quite limited. The findings of this study indicate that policymakers need to improve local policies in order to make them more operable, sophisticated, and comprehensive, so that care-experienced young people can reap the greatest benefits from them. Also, a national leaving-care policy that provides guidance to local authorities should be considered, adding consistency and clarity to relevant policies across the country. The limitations of this paper relate mainly to its review methods, which point to the need to expand data sources and conduct cross-reviews to enhance the findings' credibility and robustness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides the first rigorous account of the diverse characteristics of transgender individuals at the population level, using data from Danish population registers. We observe three transgender subpopulations within the same national setting: all who changed thier legal sex (T-Legal, n = 1,995), all who have been assigned trans-related diagnostic codes (T-ICD, n = 1,594), and those who self-identified as transgender in a representative survey (T-Survey, n = 197, weighted n = 44,958). Results show significant differences in the subpopulations' backgrounds, family, education and labour market characteristics, and healthcare use. These differences extend beyond comparisons with the general population to great variations between each of the transgender subpopulations. Individuals with legal sex changes, and particularly those with trans-related diagnostic codes, face substantial disadvantages across various outcomes. Compared to the general population and the T-Survey subpopulation, the T-Legal subpopulation and the T-ICD subpopulation have significantly higher numbers of psychiatric hospital visits, lower educational attainment, lower annual earnings, and reduced employment rates, also when controlling for background characteristics. Earnings and employment rates remained significantly lower also when controlling for educational attainment. Our results show that the strategy chosen to identify trans individuals in population data has a great impact on the characteristics observed, and that trans individuals captured by surveys do not necessarily represent all transgender individuals, including those who seek to medically or legally transition. Furthermore, our results indicate that high numbers of trans individuals observed in surveys do not necessarily correspond to high demands for gender-affirming treatments or legal sex change. Finally, we show that transgender individuals who seek gender-affirming healthcare constitute a distinct and significantly disadvantaged group, also compared to other trans subpopulations. • We identify three transgender subpopulations within the same national setting. • Subpopulations differ greatly in education, health care use, employment, and earnings. • Those with trans diagnostic codes make up the most disadvantaged subpopulation. • Those who self-identify as trans are largely similar to the general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies have shown that retired older adults are more likely to volunteer than their working counterparts. However, whether the transition to retirement is associated with increased volunteering frequency and whether this varies according to material and time resources of participants is unclear. We used four waves of data from the longitudinal Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, collected between 2011–2018 across 19 countries (n = 12,400 person-observations from 6200 individuals over 50). Within-person (or panel fixed-effect) regression analyses revealed that transition to retirement was associated with an increased volunteering frequency over time. This association was stronger among individuals with better health, higher education, improved financial situation and in countries with higher gross domestic product per capita. Overall, transition to retirement tends to open new ways of organizing everyday life and is associated with increased frequency of volunteering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The marital status of young medical workers deserves attention due to their working situation, occupational, and personal characteristics. This study investigated the marital decisions and the influencing factors of marital decisions (i.e., marital beliefs, marital policy, work stress, social support, and demographic variables) among 500 young medical workers in China. The results found that the majority of young medical workers decide to marry and have children, and most of them choose to marry or have children before the age of 30, have only one child, and have no preference for the sex of their child. Young medical workers placed the highest importance on marital relationships among the four dimensions of marital beliefs (i.e., marital salience, marital context, traditional norms, and marital relationships). The results further showed that marital salience, marital context, gender, age, educational level, job type, census register, and satisfaction with marital policy had influences on marital decisions. In the future, attention should be paid to different groups' marital beliefs and decisions, help young medical workers improve intimate relationships, enhance awareness of the importance of marriage and childbearing, and strengthen marital welfare policies and services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of sexual distress in women with a history of breast surgery is a critical issue that warrants investigation. Objectives: This study aimed to predict sexual distress in women with a history of breast surgery based on their self-compassion, considering the mediating roles of body image and emotion regulation abilities. Methods: This correlational descriptive study was conducted in 2022 - 2023. The participants comprised 160 patients with a history of breast surgery from Hazrat Rasool Akram, Bazarganan, and Tarbiat Modares hospitals, and Sepid Psychotherapy Clinic in Tehran. A purposive sampling method was employed. Questionnaires were distributed and completed both in-person and online. The instruments used included the Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FSDS-R), Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), and Body Image Scale (BIS). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients and structural equation modeling in SPSS 25 and R software. Results: The research results demonstrated satisfactory model fit. A positive and significant relationship was found between self-compassion and sexual distress, mediated by body image, in participants with a negative history of breast surgery (P < 0.01). Additionally, difficulties in emotion regulation significantly and negatively mediated the relationship between self-compassion and sexual distress (P < 0.01). Conclusions: The findings suggest that self-compassion and difficulties in emotion regulation, with the mediating role of body image, can predict sexual distress in women post-mastectomy. Self-compassion may shield against the impacts of mastectomy by fostering an empathetic and accepting view of oneself. This perspective helps patients adapt more easily to appearance changes, experience fewer emotional difficulties, and endure less sexual distress. Thus, to mitigate sexual problems, psychotherapists are encouraged to employ approaches that emphasize self-compassion, such as acceptance and commitment therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To examine the influence of sociodemographic factors on employment changes among adult children following onset of parental Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD). Methods: We used Health and Retirement Study (2010–2018; N = 20,110) data to examine adult child (ages 50–70) changes in employment and work hours at onset of parental ADRD and potential variation by gender, age, race, ethnicity, and education. Results: Parental ADRD onset was not associated with changes in adult child employment overall, although associations differed substantially across subpopulations defined by education level. Sons with the lowest education were least likely to cease employment, while daughters with the lowest education were most likely to reduce work hours. Sons at older ages were increasingly likely to reduce work hours or end employment following parental ADRD onset. Discussion: The potential impact of parental ADRD on adult child employment is complex and should be considered in the context of sociodemographic factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shared decision-making (SDM) is an essential component of patient-centered healthcare and disease management. However, the association of SDM with healthcare resource utilization and patient-reported outcomes among multimorbid individuals is not well understood. This study sought to evaluate the association of SDM with healthcare resource utilization and patient-reported outcomes among United States (US) adults with multimorbidity. Data were collected from the 2020 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) for this cross-sectional study. Eligible participants were US adults with two or more comorbidities. The predictor variable was SDM (optimal versus not optimal). The outcome variables were healthcare resource utilization and patient-reported outcomes. Logistic regression models, adjusted for demographic characteristics, assessed associations with SDM for each healthcare resource utilization and patient-reported outcome variable. The analysis maintained the complex survey data and was weighted to produce nationally representative estimates. Individuals who reported optimal SDM in adjusted analyses utilized more healthcare resources compared to those who reported not optimal SDM. Individuals with optimal SDM had more than one outpatient visit (odds ratio OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.03–1.47), emergency room visit (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.17–2.06), and inpatient discharge (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.05–1.96). Additionally, these individuals had higher odds of reporting limitations in their ability to work or engage in other activities due to their physical health in the past four weeks (OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.01–1.60). This study indicated evidence of increased healthcare resource utilization among patients who participate in SDM with their providers, which should be explored in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nursing educators play a critical role in training future nurses, and high turnover can disrupt the training quality and process. This study identified the institutional and personal factors influencing Canadian nursing educators' job satisfaction and turnover intention. Methods: This cross-sectional study used an online survey to obtain the levels of job satisfaction, turnover intention, role description, and institutional and personal/demographic characteristics of nursing faculty across Canadian institutions. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square, bivariate linear regression, and hierarchical linear regression. Results: A total of 645 participants, with a mean ± SD age of 48.82 ± 10.11 years, returned a completed questionnaire. The average/maximum job satisfaction and turnover intention scores were 12.59/20 ± 3.96 and 6.50/15 ± 3.05, respectively. Higher job satisfaction was significantly associated with lower turnover intention (β=-0.559, p < 0.001). The multivariate analysis showed that having a partner or being married (β = 0.086, p = 0.031), working ≤ 40 h weekly (β=-0.235, p < 0.001), teaching ≤ 4 courses annually (β=-0.115, p = 0.007), and having higher than bachelor's degree qualification (β=-0.091, p = 0.042) predicted high job satisfaction, while high turnover intention was associated with faculty in the Prairie region (β = 0.135, p = 0.006) and working ≥ 41 h weekly (β = 0.151, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Having a partner, manageable workload, and advanced qualifications positively influenced job satisfaction, while high turnover intention was associated with high workloads. Institutions may benefit from ensuring proportionate faculty workloads, fostering career advancement, and providing robust support systems that can stabilise the workforce and preserve the quality of nursing education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypertension imposes a significant public health burden. An increased awareness of hypertension complications within a population can positively impact patient care and prevent complications. This study seeks to assess the awareness of hypertension complications among the population of Bisha in Saudi Arabia in 2020. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020. A validated self-administered online-based questionnaire was sent to a sample of the adult population of Bisha to measure their awareness of hypertension complications. Results: Almost three-quarters of the population (72.2%) were aware of hypertension complications. The awareness level was significantly higher among male participants (p < 0.001), those aged 31–40 years, those who were married, those working as police officers or in civilian jobs, those living in urban areas (p = 0.04), those with a university-level education (p = 0.03), those with a medium family income (SAR 5000–14,999) (p = 0.001), and those with a history of hospitalization because of causes other than hypertension (p = 0.05). Marital status was independently predictive of awareness (B = 0.851, Wald test = 12.179, p = 0.000) among the respondents. Conclusion: The study concludes that the awareness of hypertension complications among the Bisha population in Saudi Arabia was deemed acceptable. Factors such as marital status, age, gender, a family history of hypertension, the duration of hypertension, and medication adherence positively influenced this awareness and served as predictors of hypertensive awareness. The findings highlight the importance of health authorities in ensuring the widespread awareness of hypertension complications, particularly among hypertensive individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many children with developmental language disorder (DLD) have emotion recognition and regulation difficulties, but there are currently no known interventions enhancing emotional awareness in this population. This study explores the impact of parents' perspectives regarding children with DLD emotional understanding through a parent-led online emotion recognition (ER) intervention. Ten parents of children with DLD aged 6–11 participated in the study. A nonconcurrent multiple baseline design was employed, allowing for a rigorous analysis of changes in parental beliefs over time. Weekly data were collected through the Parents' Beliefs About Children's Emotions Questionnaire. Interviews were also conducted to gain deeper insights into parents' perceptions regarding the ER skills of their children. Results indicated that parents' beliefs about the need for guiding and supporting their child's ER skills increased over the intervention. Interviews also supported this, and three main themes were generated. The intervention program increased parents' awareness of (a) the importance of ER for children with DLD, (b) emotion-focused communication and engagement with their child, and (c) the integration of emotions into daily life. This study is the first known study that explores parents' beliefs about children with DLD ER skills, highlighting the importance of supporting parents through accessible interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate whether resilience mediates the connection between caregiver burden and hope among caregivers of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Design: A cross‐sectional study. Methods: Two hundred patients with IBD were conveniently sampled from two tertiary hospitals in Jiangsu Province, China. The main instruments involved the Zarit Burden Interview, the 10‐item Connor‐Davidson resilience scale, and the Herth Hope Index. We conducted descriptive analysis and Pearson correlations using SPSS 25.0. The PROCESS v3.3 macro analysed the mediating effect. We report the results in line with the STROBE checklist. Results: Caregiver burden was significantly negatively connected with hope and resilience, whereas resilience positively correlated with hope. The mediation role of resilience was significant in the relationship between caregiver burden and hope, with mediating effects accounting for 47.86% of the overall effect. Conclusions: Resilience partially mediates the association between caregiver burden and hope among patients with IBD. This finding highlights the protective role of resilience in undermining caregiver burden and strengthening hope. Implications for Practice: In clinical practice, healthcare providers should perform routine psychological assessments for caregivers of patients with IBD. Furthermore, resilience training should be incorporated into interventions to alleviate caregiver burden and enhance hope. Patient or Public Contribution: None. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to assess mental health nurses' empathy towards consumers with dual diagnosis in Australian mental health settings. The research question was What is mental health nurses' empathy towards consumers with co‐existing mental health and drug and alcohol problems? Design and Methods: A cross‐sectional survey was carried out to understand mental health nurses' empathy. The convenience sample included 96 mental health nurses from various mental health settings with experience working with consumers with dual diagnosis. We assessed empathy using the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire. We utilised SPSS™ software to analyse both the descriptive data and multiple‐regression. Results: The mean empathy score was 47.71 (SD 8.28). The analysis of the association between demographic variables and individual subscales showed an association between the clinical setting and empathy (p =.031) and sympathetic physiological arousal (p =.049). The work sector was associated with sympathetic physiological arousal (p =.045) and conspecific altruism (p =.008). Emotional contagion (β =.98, p <.001), emotional comprehension (β = 1.02, p <.001), sympathetic physiological arousal (β = 1.01, p <.001) and conspecific altruism (β = 10.23, p <.001) predicted mental health nurses' empathy. Conclusions: This study found that most mental health nurses showed empathy towards consumers with dual diagnosis. Mental health nurses who are more empathetic towards their consumers experience emotional contagion. They understand emotions better, show sympathetic physiological responses and exhibit kind behaviour towards consumers. Implications for the Profession and Patient Care: Further research is required to understand how mental health nurses adapt to consumers' emotional states in different mental health settings. This information can help clinicians make better decisions about care quality for consumers with dual diagnosis. Impact: This study addressed mental health nurses' empathy towards consumers with dual diagnosis. Mental health nurses showed increased empathy towards consumers with dual diagnosis. The empathy levels vary based on age, clinical setting, work sector and work experience. Mental health nurses' empathy levels were predicted by emotional contagion, emotion comprehension, sympathetic physiological arousal and conspecific altruism. Empathy enhancement among mental health nurses, particularly towards consumers with dual diagnosis, is crucial and should be regarded as a top priority by healthcare leaders and educators. Reporting Method: Outlined by the Consensus‐Based Checklist for Reporting of Survey Studies (CROSS). Patient or Public Contribution: No Patient or Public Contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The escalating global concerns surrounding radicalization and violent extremism necessitate a comprehensive understanding and explanation. Identifying the risk factors associated with radicalism and violent extremism is critical to the development of risk assessment, prevention, and intervention strategies. It is imperative to distinguish these risks from civic responsibilities (i.e., activism) to safeguard individual rights. This study aims to examine the association between well-established risk factors for violence—personality disorder symptoms—and violent extremist attitudes, radicalism, and activism. Findings indicate that antisocial personality disorder symptoms were linked to violent extremist attitudes and radicalism, whereas obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms were related to activism. This suggests that obsessive-compulsive personality disorder may signify a readiness for legal and nonviolent political action; in contrast, antisocial personality disorder symptoms signify a readiness for extremist violence and illegal political action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2011, China implemented tougher driving-under-the-influence laws, which criminalized driving under the influence of alcohol for the first time and increased penalties. This paper provides the first comprehensive analysis of the effects of stricter drinking policies on men's smoking behavior by using data from the 2010 and 2012 waves of the China Family Panel Studies. The results show that stricter drinking policies reduced smoking initiation and the number of cigarettes smoked per day among men by reducing the frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption. Heterogeneity analyses show that the impact of the policy is more pronounced not only for men aged 41–55, but also for men who have higher educational qualifications, who are employed, or who are not members of the Communist Party. • Tougher driving-under-the-influence laws subject offenders to more severe penalties. • Stricter drinking policy affects men's smoking behavior. • Stricter drinking policy reduces frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption of men. • Policy effect is stronger for men aged 41–55, educated, employed, or party-affiliated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are the most prevalent communicable diseases that impact people’s health and wellbeing. One of the main obstacles to successful prevention and control of STIs is the delay in seeking healthcare, which can result in significant personal and economic losses. However, there are limited studies on the delay in healthcare seeking among STI patients in resource-limited countries such as Ethiopia. Objective: This study aims to assess delays in seeking healthcare and associated factors among patients presenting with STIs at public health facilities in the Horo Guduru Wollega Zone, Oromia, Western Ethiopia, 2022. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at public health facilities in the Horo Guduru Wollega Zone from 15 March to 15 May 2022. The study included 507 participants and used a consecutive sampling method. The outcome variable of the study was the delay in seeking healthcare among STI patients. A binary logistic regression model was used to identify candidate variables with a p-value of less than 0.25 after analyzing each variable separately. Finally, a multivariable analysis was performed to determine statistically significant variables at a p-value of less than 0.05, and an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) was reported. Results: The proportion of individuals with STIs who delayed seeking healthcare in the Horo Guduru Wollega Zone was 61.3% [95% confidence interval (CI): 57%– 65.5%]. Factors such as age >35 years (AOR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.26–3.95), higher educational level (AOR = 2.72, 95% CI: 1.55–4.74), lack of condom use (AOR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.05–2.55), and travel time to health facilities of >1 h (AOR = 4.30, 95% CI: 1.70–10.89) were found to be significantly associated with delayed healthcare seeking. Conclusion and recommendations: This study found that the magnitude of delay in seeking healthcare was higher than the national average and identified several contributing factors. Interventions such as developing educational programs and improving access to healthcare services are crucial for supporting patients with STIs. Enhancing healthcare accessibility in rural areas and promoting the use of condoms through targeted community outreach can reduce travel time and prevent delays in seeking healthcare for STIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inequity in healthcare utilisation refers to differences between groups that remain after adjustment for need for health care. To our knowledge, no previous studies have aimed to assess social inequity in chiropractic utilisation in a general population. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate social inequity in chiropractic utilisation in the general Danish population adjusted for health status as a proxy of need for chiropractic care. Methods: A population-based repeated cross-sectional study design was used based on the Danish National Health Survey in 2010 and 2017. Overall, we included 288,099 individuals aged 30 years or older in 2010 or 2017. For each individual, information on chiropractic utilisation, socioeconomic status, and health status as a proxy of need for chiropractic care was retrieved from nationwide registers using the unique personal identification number. Measures of health status included demographics, poor self-rated physical health, activity limitations, musculoskeletal pain, number of musculoskeletal conditions, and number of chronic diseases. We investigated social inequity in chiropractic utilisation (yes, no) using logistic regression adjusted for health status, stratified by sex and year. Three characteristics of socioeconomic status (educational level, employment status and income) were investigated. To further quantify the degree of social inequity in chiropractic utilisation, we estimated the concentration index of inequity for each of the three characteristics of socioeconomic status. Results: We found significantly higher odds of chiropractic utilisation among individuals with short or medium/long education compared with individuals with elementary education, and among employed individuals compared with individuals who were unemployed, receiving disability pension or retired. Furthermore, the odds of chiropractic utilisation increased with higher income. The concentration index indicated social inequity in chiropractic utilisation in favour of individuals with higher socioeconomic status, with income and employment status contributing more to inequity than educational level. Conclusion: The study demonstrated social inequity in chiropractic utilisation in Denmark beyond differences in health status as a proxy of need for chiropractic care in the general population. The results suggest that new strategies are required if equal treatment for equal need is the goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate household food security (access) level and the dietary diversity of households in the Nsukka Local Government Area in South‐eastern Nigeria. From 20 local communities of Nsukka, 390 women were randomly sampled from the women's group and asked to complete a survey that determined the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale scores and the Household Dietary Diversity Scores (HDDS). The descriptive results indicated a high level of food insecurity with 82.6% households reporting various degrees of food insecurity. Over half of the sampled population experienced insufficient food quality. They either ate unwanted food (65.9%), limited variety (63.1%), or unpreferred food (64.6%). Some households experienced insufficient food intake by going a whole day without food (38.2%), go to sleep hungry (45.1%), or have no food of any kind (49%). The analysis of variance showed no significant difference (p = 0.428) in the food security level of households headed by males as compared with those headed by females. Approximately 53.6% of households fell at or below the average HDDS; males headed 48% of these households, while females headed 64%. The chi‐square test indicated factors associated with household food security including age, education, work status and income, whereas the gender of the household head, household size and marital status were not significantly associated. Public–private partnerships, nutrition orientation and food intervention programs could improve food security in this area. Key messages: This study found a high level of household food insecurity in Nsukka Local Government Area (NLGA) at 82.6%, with 60.3% of households being severely food insecure and 13.3% and 9% mildly and moderately food insecure, respectively, resulting in anxiety for most households.The majority ate limited variety, unwanted and unpreferred food, with more households consuming starchy foods than protein‐rich foods. About 53.6% households fell at or below average dietary diversity.There was no difference in household food security based on the gender of the household head.Food security was associated with education, age, income and work status.Rural households within NLGA require food intervention programs to alleviate food insecurity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Parenting for Lifelong Health for Young Children (PLH-YC) is a program to prevent child maltreatment. This study aimed to examine the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effects of the adapted program for Chinese parents. Methods: A pre–post single-arm pilot trial was conducted with 21 Chinese parents. A mixed-method design was utilized to collect questionnaire-based quantitative data and qualitative data of interviews and focus group discussions. Results: Program implementation was feasible, with overall high recruitment, enrollment, attendance, acceptability and fidelity. Quantitative results demonstrated reductions in general child maltreatment, physical and emotional abuse, child behavioral problems, and improvements in positive parenting. Thematic analyses identified reduced violent discipline, psychological aggression, and child behavioral problems, strengthened parent–child bonds, increased parenting confidence, and decreased family conflict. Conclusion: The adapted PLH-YC program for Chinese parents has shown good feasibility and acceptability, and exhibited a significant association with reduced child maltreatment. Further randomized controlled trials are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyses how educational and initial vocational training systems in Europe vary regarding the way in which they structure educational routes for pupils of different academic ability. The study uses cluster analysis to explore the degree of similarity between 25 European countries, including variables related to: stratification within compulsory education; vocational orientation; links between initial vocational education and the labour market; transitions from secondary education; stratification within tertiary education; and links between educational qualifications and labour market outcomes. I identify three clusters of countries that have distinct patterns of stratification. This article contributes to the literature on educational regimes and school-to-work transitions by adding countries from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and integrating multiple dimensions pertaining to the link between educational and social stratification. Thus, it develops a more encompassing representation of the architecture of educational pathways in different European countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to explore the situations and socio-economic and health-related factors associated with employment of older men and women in Vietnam. Design/methodology/approach: This study used the nationally representative data in 2019 with a sample size of 3,049 older persons (those aged 60 and over). This study applied logistic regression analyses. Findings: This study found that there were significant differences in employment rates between various groups of older men and women in terms of age group, residential place, marital status and educational level. Controlling for age, education, marital status, place of residence and (in) sufficient income for daily living, the results from logistic models indicated that health issues were strongly associated with lower probability to be employed for both genders. In all tests and regression models, that age and health condition were consistently related with lower employment probability of older persons implied an important consideration in raising normal retirement ages for both men and women. Research limitations/implications: Due to limitation of the cross-sectional data, this research could not explore how health influences older people's employment overtime. Practical implications: Findings of this research provide important and adaptive policy insights for Vietnam to take advantage of older workers for economic growth under an aging population. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this has been among the first studies exploring the role of health, which was presented by different indicators, determining employment of older men and women in Vietnam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the association between parental employment status and education level and the prevalence of sensory reactivity (SR) in population-based sample of school-aged children. SR was assessed in 495 children using the parent-reported Short Sensory Profile (SSP) questionnaire. Children with SR were identified based on probable or definitive differences in total SSP and subscales. Association between parental employment and education level were explored using multiple Poisson regression models with robust variance, adjusted for potential confounders. The main findings showed that a mother's unemployment status was associated with higher prevalence of SR for the taste/smell sensitivity subscale (PR = 1.66, 95%CI: 1.08–2.56), and the low energy/weak (PR = 2.18, 95%CI: 1.31–3.49) subscale. A lower education level of a father was also associated with a higher prevalence of sensory problems on the tactile sensitivity subscale (PRprimary education = 2.68, 95%CI: 1.27–5.61; PRsecondary education = 1.96, 95%CI: 1.004–3.66) and the low energy/weak subscale (PRsecondary education = 1.95, 95%CI: 1.02–3.73). This study underscores the impact of parental employment and education on SR in school-aged children, offering insights for interventions and support systems aimed at improving their sensory functioning and overall well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aims to examine the interplay between COVID-19-related knowledge, anxiety, and preventive behaviors among individuals who have survived COVID-19. Material & Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design recruited 230 participants from three public hospitals through simple randomization. Participants completed a questionnaire via email and phone, comprising sections on personal information, the Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS), and COVID-19 knowledge and preventive behaviors. Data analysis utilized T-tests, ANOVA, and regression models. Results: Out of 230 individuals, 200 responded (an 87% response rate). Education level significantly correlated with COVID-19 knowledge and preventive behaviors. Job status also showed a significant association with participants' understanding and actions regarding COVID-19. Regression analyses revealed that higher levels of knowledge (β=0.5, p=0.001) and anxiety (β=0.182, p=0.001) were linked to increased engagement in preventive behaviors. Conclusion: This study focused on COVID-19 survivors, finding that anxiety may serve as a motivating factor for engaging in preventive behaviors. These findings hold implications for policymakers in promoting effective preventive measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study assessed knowledge, behaviors, and perceptions towards hypertension following community dissemination on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk within the Navrongo Health and Demographic Surveillance Site in Northern Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional mixed methods study was conducted among middle aged men and women following education on CVD and their risk factors. Knowledge and attitudes of participants regarding hypertension were measured in 310 participants using a survey tool and the resultant data was analyzed with descriptive statistics. Focus group discussions (FDG) were used to assess perceptions of 40 study participants on their lived experiences with hypertension. Recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded into themes using Nvivo 12 software before thematic analysis. Results: Of the 310 surveyed participants, 54% were women and the mean age was 50 ± 6 years. The results showed that 84% of participants had heard about hypertension, 70% knew it was an increase in blood pressure and could be caused by excess salt intake, poor diet and physical inactivity. About 22.3% of participants were aware of the had hypertension. In terms of management, majority of the participants were aware that hypertension could be treated with antihypertensive medication and that untreated or uncontrolled hypertension could result in adverse health consequences. Few participants had ever had their blood pressure measured and did not access screening or healthcare care services and rather perceived the health system as inadequate to screen, and manage hypertension. Conclusion: Though, knowledge on hypertension was high, awareness of hypertension status and access to screening and healthcare services was low. Community beliefs and perceptions strongly influence treatment, and control of hypertension. Effective sustained community dissemination efforts addressing misperceptions could improve hypertension treatment and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Family caregivers are family members or friends of care recipients who assist with activities of daily living, medication management, transportation, and help with finances among other activities. As a result of their caregiving, family caregivers are often considered a population at risk of experiencing increased stress, isolation, and loneliness. During the COVID-19 pandemic in the US, social isolation and decrease in social activities were a top concern among older adults and their family caregivers. Using secondary analysis of survey data as part of a multi-site implementation trial of a caregiver skills training program, we describe differences in caregiver experiences of loneliness before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Health and wellbeing surveys of family caregivers were collected on 422 family caregivers of veterans before and during COVID-19. Logistic regression modeling examined whether the loneliness differed between caregiver groups pre vs during COVID-19, using the UCLA 3-item loneliness measure. Rapid directed qualitative content analysis of open-ended survey questions was used to explore the context of how survey responses were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: There were no significant differences in loneliness between caregivers pre vs during COVID-19. In open-ended responses regarding effects of COVID-19, caregivers described experiencing loneliness and social isolation; why they were unaffected by the pandemic; and how caregiving equipped them with coping strategies to manage negative pandemic-related effects. Conclusion: Loneliness did not differ significantly between pre vs during COVID-19 caregivers. Future research could assess what specific characteristics are associated with caregivers who have resiliency, and identify caregivers who are more susceptible to experiencing loneliness. Understanding caregiver loneliness could assist other healthcare systems in developing and implementing caregiver support interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are structural factors that yield health inequities. Within the context of cancer, these inequities include screening rates and survival rates, as well as higher symptom burden during and after treatment. While pain is one of the most frequently reported symptoms, the relationship between SDOHs and cancer pain is not well understood. The purpose of this study is to describe and synthesize the published research that has evaluated the relationships between SDOH and cancer pain. A systematic search of PubMed, CINAHL, and Embase was conducted to identify studies in which cancer pain and SDOH were described. In all, 20 studies met the inclusion criteria. In total, 14 studies reported a primary aim related to SDOH and cancer pain. Demographic variables including education or income were used most frequently. Six specific measurements were utilized to measure SDOH, such as the acculturation scale, the composite measure of zip codes for poverty level and blight prevalence, or the segregation index. Among the five domains of SDOH based on Healthy People 2030, social and community was the most studied, followed by economic stability, and education access and quality. The neighborhood and built environment domain was the least studied. Despite increasing attention to SDOH, the majority of published studies use single-dimension variables derived from demographic data to evaluate the relationships between SDOH and cancer pain. Future research is needed to explore the intersectionality of SDOH domains and their impact on cancer pain. Additionally, intervention studies should be conducted to address existing disparities and to reduce the incidence and impact of cancer pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Young adults in Neither in Employment, Education nor Training (NEET) are at risk of adverse labour market outcomes. Earlier studies often measured NEET status at one time point or compared persistent NEETs with non-NEETs, neglecting other patterns of NEET status. Evidence on early life factors associated with NEET patterns is lacking. This study aims to (i) identify patterns of NEET status over time and (ii) examine whether factors in childhood and adolescence are associated with these patterns. Methods Data were used from 1499 participants of the TRacking Adolescents' Individual Lives Survey (TRAILS), a Dutch prospective cohort study with 15-year follow-up. NEET status was assessed at ages 19, 22 and 26. Socioeconomic status of parents (SES), intelligence and negative life events were measured at age 11, educational attainment at age 26 and mental health problems at ages 11, 13.5 and 16. Data were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression analysis. Results Four NEET patterns were identified: (i) non-NEETs (85.2%), (ii) early NEETs (4.5%), (iii) late NEETs (5.7%) and (iv) persistent NEETs (4.5%). Reporting internalizing problems at age 11 was a risk factor for early and late NEETs [odds ratio (OR) 2.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16–6.62; OR 5.00, 95% CI 2.22–11.3, respectively]. Low parental SES, lower intelligence scores and negative life events (≥3) were risk factors for persistent NEETs (OR 4.45, 95% CI 2.00–9.91; OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94–0.98; OR 4.42, 95% CI 1.62–12.08, respectively). Conclusions The results highlight the importance of timing and duration of NEET status and emphasize the need for tailored interventions to prevent specific NEET patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patient safety culture is relevant both in the delivery of care and in the training of nursing staff, its purpose being to prevent and reduce risks associated with health care. This research aims to evaluate patient safety culture from the perspective of the nursing teams in a highly complex public hospital in the city of Valparaíso, Chile. A cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach applying descriptive, bivariate, and inferential statistical analysis was conducted on 259 nurses and nursing assistants from 13 adult medical–surgical units of the Carlos Van Buren hospital. The participants were obtained through a non-probabilistic convenience sample, answering the hospital survey on Patient Safety Culture version 2.0 (HSOPS 2.0), adapted to the Chilean population. The best-evaluated dimension was communication and receptivity; the worst was the support administrators provide for patient safety. This study identified the weaknesses and strengths of the hospital, the most worrying weakness being the shortage of human capital, material, and financial resources necessary to improve patient safety. This study was not registered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This empirical research on children's poverty and the accompanying risk behavior was conducted in the Baktalórántháza micro-region, in one of the most disadvantaged micro-regions of Hungary. The study, completed in 2023, was conducted utilizing three methods, a questionnaire for families, interviews, and focus group interviews with social professionals working in the settlements. The region is one of the ten micro-regions with the highest poverty rate in the country. The majority of the population only has an elementary education, and the proportion of graduates is much lower than the national average. The proportion of households with three or more children is higher than the national average and the proportion of unemployed people in households with children is twice as high as the national average. Based on the experience of social workers working in the area, in addition to smoking and drinking alcohol, the consumption of psychoactive and psychotropic substances has increased among adolescents and young adults. Based on various indicators, children regularly consume illegal drugs. The origin and composition of these drugs are typically unknown. According to the reports by drug users, everyday life is easier, and they can escape from problems when under the influence of drugs. Based on the observations of experts, the consumption of various psychoactive substances has harmful effects on behavior, health, learning, and family life. School performance and the ability to think and learn decrease. Drug users are dissatisfied with their lives, have problems with social relationships, engage in partner violence, and may develop antisocial behavior in their lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Social isolation, which has numerous adverse effects on health status, is prevalent among cancer patients. This review proposes to identify the influencing factors of social isolation among cancer patients. (2) Methods: Articles published in English or Chinese from six electronic databases before December 2023 were identified via a systematic search. A manual search was also performed. (3) Results: Twenty-eight studies were identified in this systematic review. The factors associated with social isolation can be summarized into the following categories: demographic characteristics, having cancer, health status, coping, social support and social interaction. Despite the heterogeneity, 20 factors were significantly associated with social isolation, including age, gender, comorbidity burden, education level, residence, medical insurance, occupation status, personality, race, smoking status, having children, not living alone, household income level, marital status, the role of primary caregiver, physical health status, mental health status, social health status, coping styles, and the level of social support and social interaction. (4) Conclusions: The systematic review showed that cancer patients' social isolation was influenced by their demographic characteristics, cancer-related factors, physical condition, psychological status, social health status, coping styles, and level of social support and social interaction. In addition, future group intervention could be considered to improve social isolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the patterns of educational attainment and first employment among young Japanese, and their effects on the likelihood of first marriage, using micro-level data drawn from a national family survey in 2004 and its follow-up in 2007. Attainment of higher education increased dramatically in postwar Japan, and such gains were especially notable for women. Meanwhile, regular employment has decreased, and temporary employment has risen rapidly among young Japanese since the 1990s. The study reveals that obtaining regular employment as the first job strongly enhances the likelihood of first marriage for both genders although the marriage-enhancing effect is stronger for men than for women. First entry to the labor market as a temporary worker also significantly diminishes the likelihood of first marriage for men. Like other industrialized economies in Asia, improving educational attainment is found to be a factor causing declining first marriage among young Japanese women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In 2015, the term 'intrinsic capacity' (IC) was proposed by the World Health Organisation to promote healthy aging. However, the factors associated with IC are still discrepant and uncertain. Aim: We aim to synthesise the factors connected with IC. Methods: This scoping review followed the five‐stage framework of Arksey and O'Malley and was reported using PRISMA‐ScR guidelines. Results: In all, 29 articles were included. IC of older adults is associated with demographic characteristics, socioeconomic factors, disease conditions, behavioural factors, and biomarkers. Age, sex, marital status, occupation status, education, income/wealth, chronic diseases, hypertension, diabetes, disability, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and physical activity were emerged as important factors related to the IC of older adults. Conclusions: This review shows that IC is related to multiple factors. Understanding these factors can provide the healthcare personnel with the theoretical basis for intervening and managing IC in older adults. Relevance to Clinical Practice: The influencing factors identified in the review help to guide older adults to maintain their own intrinsic capacity, thereby promoting their health and well‐being. The modifiable factors also provide evidence for healthcare personnel to develop targeted intervention strategies to delay IC decline. No Patient or Public Contribution: As this is a scoping review, no patient or public contributions are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Canada, reports of nursing staff shortages, job vacancies and the use of private agency nurses, especially in hospitals, have increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Media reports suggest the pandemic exacerbated nursing shortages among other issues, and nurses are leaving their traditional positions to work at such agencies. Public spending on agency nurses has increased appreciably. Using 2011 to 2021 regulatory college data on all registered nurses (RNs) and registered practical nurses (RPNs) in the province of Ontario, Canada, we investigated trends in the count and share of nurses working for employment agencies. We also examined the rate at which previously non-agency employed nurses transition to employment in at least one agency job. We found the prevalence of RNs and RPNs reporting agency employment was relatively stable from 2011 to 2019, and decreased slightly in 2020 and 2021. However, there was a small increase in transitions from non-agency employment to working at an agency job. We also found the mean hours of practice in all jobs reported by agency and non-agency nurses increased during the pandemic. Based on these findings, an increase in hours and/or prices for agency nurses may explain the increase in public funding for agency nurses, but it was not driven by an increasing share of nurses working for employment agencies. To fully understand employment agency activity, policymakers may need to monitor hours of work and hourly costs rather than only costs. Further research is required to investigate any long-term effects the pandemic may have had on agency-employment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]