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Student engagement research in university students has been scarce, despite its major positive role on performance, degree completion and mental health. Social and emotional competencies, which are currently called twenty-first-century skills, exert some impact on student engagement in youth. Since engagement is cultural-sensitive, individual (social and emotional competencies) and cross-cultural (human developmental index and unemployment rate) characteristics were examined in association with student engagement in youth. This study included 2,092 participants from nine countries/regions, aged between 17 and 27 years (M = 21.52, SD = 2.27), mostly cisgender woman (n = 1,035, 68.7%) and undergraduate (n = 1,401, 96.2%). Data were collected using a cross-sectional online survey that included the Student Engagement Scale, the Emotional Skills and Competence Questionnaire, and the prosocial behaviour/resources subscale of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Multilevel-models showed that social and emotional competencies were relevant predictors of student engagement independently of the country-level variables. Moreover, student engagement varied with country/region human development and unemployment rate, with students from higher developed countries/regions and lowered unemployment reporting lower engagement. This study reinforces the need to implement evidence-based social and emotional learning programmes in universities worldwide, as well as public policies that can influence engagement and protect youth.

Introduction: Mozambique is among the highest‐burden countries for drug‐resistant tuberculosis in the world. However, the spatial distribution of drug‐resistant tuberculosis, in the country is unknown. Therefore, we aimed to analyse the spatial distribution, predictors, and hotspot districts for drug‐resistant tuberculosis incidence in Mozambique. Method: We carried out an ecological study using the district as the unit of analysis where we included all cases of drug‐resistant tuberculosis diagnosed in Mozambique from 2016 to 2020. We obtained the data from the Minister of Health and other open sources. Parameters of interest were estimated through a spatial Bayesian Poisson regression model using Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulation. Results: A total of 5092 people with drug‐resistant tuberculosis in Mozambique were diagnosed during our study period. We found heterogeneity in the spatial distribution of drug‐resistant tuberculosis incidence across the country. Higher incidence rates were mainly observed in the south and central regions, and 26 (16.9%) districts out of 154 were identified as hotspot areas. The incidence of drug‐resistant tuberculosis increased with an increase in the HIV prevalence (Relative risk [RR]: 1.53; 95% Credibility Interval [CrI]: 1.32 to 1.76), electricity coverage rate (RR: 1.59; 95% CrI: 1.19 to 2.09), and population density (RR: 1.36; 95% CrI: 1.08 to 1.69) and decreased with an increase in the proportion of people with a bank account per district (RR: 0.71; 95% Crl: 0.51 to 0.96). Conclusion: The incidence of drug‐resistant tuberculosis was not homogeneous, and it was associated with social determinants of health. Targeting interventions in hotspot districts and addressing social determinants is crucial for tuberculosis elimination in Mozambique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the aftermath of 2019' tropical cyclones Idai and Kenneth, we assessed ground beetle communities of the Gorongosa National Park (GNP) in Mozambique. The influence of habitat shelters, namely the buffering role of closed microhabitat conditions on Alpha diversity and community trait values during a long period of drought, was evaluated across the main habitat types of the park: miombo forests, mixed forests, transitional forests, and grasslands (open savannas). These habitat types comprised a distance gradient in relation to lake Urema, in the center of GNP. Miombo forests were farther from the lake while grasslands and transitional forests were in the floodplain area. Ground beetle communities were sampled using pitfall traps set up at 25 sites of each habitat type along an environmental gradient of tree canopy cover during the last twenty days of the dry season. Higher species richness of ground beetles was found in closed habitat shelters along the distance gradient to lake Urema. A higher functional diversity was also found along the canopy gradient, with larger sized and wingless species being more abundant in closed habitats than in open areas. This result highlights the crucial role of habitat closedness in the protection of sensitive ground beetles. In particular, the buffer effect of tree canopy and the protection of the understory plants and the litter layer was critical for the survival of hygrophilous species and will be key in conservation strategies to face climate aridification and habitat fragmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Mozambique, women are the most affected by HIV/AIDS and heterosexual encounters remain the main route for HIV/AIDS. Condom use is the most effective method of HIV/AIDS prevention, and the intention to use and buy/get condoms has a significant role in safe sex behavior. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of two psychosocial interventions – the Didactic and ACCENT Interventions – to prevent HIV/AIDS among Mozambican Women. Participants were Mozambican women (n = 150), users of the gynecology clinic of the Central Hospital of Beira. The study design was a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with assignment to three groups: Didactic intervention, ACCENT intervention, and Control group. Measures were from an adaption of the Women's Health Questionnaire, which includes questions about sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral variables related to HIV prevention/risk. There was a significant group effect on condom use and safer sex preparatory behaviors, F(2, 146) = 6.45, p =.002, with Bonferroni post-hoc tests showing differences between the ACCENT vs. Control groups and ACCENT vs. Didactic groups (all p =.022). There were no statistically significant time effects on both condom use and safer sex preparatory behaviors. Results are promising for HIV/AIDS prevention in Mozambican women at sexual risk, but replication is needed for generalizability of findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the measurement invariance of the Portuguese version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) across three countries: Brazil (South America), Mozambique (East Africa), and Portugal (Southwest Europe). A total of 8694 participants were recruited through convenience sampling (7430 Brazilians, 387 Mozambicans, and 877 Portuguese adults). The unidimensional structure of the FCV-19S fitted well with each country's data. Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis showed that the FCV-19S was partially invariant across countries and fully invariant across gender and age groups, thus providing a solid basis for cross-group comparisons. Structural invariance tests revealed different levels of fear across countries and genders but not across age groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of two psychosocial interventions (Didactic and ACCENT) on socio-cognitive risk factors, in vulnerable Mozambican women at risk for HIV/AIDS infection. The study design was a randomized controlled trial on Mozambican women at HIV/AIDS risk (n = 150). The participants were randomized into three groups: Didactic Intervention (experimental group), ACCENT intervention (experimental group), and control group. We used an adapted version of the Women's Health Questionnaire, which includes a series of scales and questionnaires assessing psychosocial relevant dimensions to female protection towards HIV/AIDS: HIV/AIDS knowledge, condom use negotiation self-efficacy, and perceived barriers against safer sex. Both interventions were equally effective in increasing HIV/AIDS knowledge. The ACCENT intervention was especially effective in promoting condom use negotiation self-efficacy and in decreasing perceived barriers against safer sex, essential variables for sexual protection. These results support the adaptation of Western interventions to the African context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiences of modernizing agriculture in Brazil have served as a support for the Mozambican government to propose substantial changes in its agricultural model and in the structure of its agrarian space. As in Brazil, Mozambique becomes a disputed territory to serve the expansion of the world agricultural frontier. In the specific case of Mozambique, the discourse of eliminating hunger, boosting the economy, increasing GDP - Gross Domestic Product, are corollaries of the geopolitical endeavor of large international corporations in the USA - United States of America, Japan, China and Brazil for the purposes modernizing. The work developed by Brazilian and Mozambican researchers and students, in view of this condition, is being built based on the following questions: why does the process of creating better living conditions require violent methods that erodes the collective land ownership regime? To what extent can the "modernizing intention" be assumed and justified as true? Fieldwork, survey of sources, organization of workshops in Mozambican Machambas, organization of symposia in Brazil and Mozambique feed the research and lead to reflections on the relationship between geopolitics and modernization of agriculture in Mozambique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues for the methodological merit of photo-based projective techniques (PT) in formative HIV communication research. We used this technique in Mozambique to study multiple sexual partnerships (MSPs) and the roles of social and gender norms in promoting or discouraging these behaviours. Facilitators used ambiguous photographs and vignettes to ease adult men and women into discussions of sexual risk behaviour and HIV transmission. Visuals upheld a third-person perspective in discussions, enabling participants to safely project their worldviews onto the photographed characters, and indirectly share their attitudes, normative environments, personal and peer experiences, perceived risks and benefits, and theories about motivations for extramarital sex. Visually grounded storylines contained rich detail about the circumstances and interpersonal conversations that contextualise MSP behaviour and norms. The research yielded findings about conflicting social practices of public encouragement and private disapproval. Despite concerns around the verifiability of PTs, the repetition and convergence in the elicited conversations – and confirmation through subsequent campaign design and evaluation – suggest these techniques can reliably elicit information for formative public health and communication research on psychosocial and normative factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses articles in the issue on topics including Mozambican heroes, special education in Brazil and Brazilian politics.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, elected multiparty assemblies have existed on average for no more than two decades. The following analysis seeks to comprehend and evaluate the links between citizens and their elected parliaments in 18 African countries with a particular focus on Mozambique and South Africa. It aims to address some of the scepticism, both within and outside these institutions and countries, surrounding the relationship between parliaments and citizens under these socioeconomic contexts. It does so by explaining the overall political and socioeconomic context of African multiparty parliaments and their citizens followed by a discussion of citizens' access to parliaments and, lastly, of citizens' perceptions of parliaments using a combination of descriptive, comparative and analytic techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Copyright of Diabetes & Metabolism is the property of Masson Editeur and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Maputo, the Mozambique capital, contrasts with the rest of the country with regard to its sociodemographic characteristics and patterns of tobacco exposure. We conducted a migrant study to compare the prevalence of manufactured-cigarette smoking and traditional forms of tobacco use among dwellers in the capital who were also born in Maputo City (MC/MC) with those born in southern (SP/MC) and northern (NP/MC) provinces, and additionally with inhabitants in the latter regions. Methods: In 2003, a representative sample of 12,902 Mozambicans aged 25-64 years was evaluated. We computed age- and education-adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) with 95%-confidence intervals (95%CI) using Poisson regression. Results: The prevalence of any type of tobacco consumption among Maputo City inhabitants born in other provinces contrasted with the pattern observed in locally born inhabitants (SP/MC vs. MC/MC: men, PR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.44-0.85; women, PR, 0.38, 95%CI, 0.18-0.79; NP/MC vs. MC/MC: men, PR, 0.66; 95%CI, 0.34-1.29; women, PR, 4.56, 95%CI, 1.78-11.69); the prevalence among city inhabitants born in other provinces resembled the pattern seen in inhabitants of their provinces of origin. Traditional forms of tobacco consumption among men were rare in Maputo City, which is in stark contrast to the situation in other provinces. Conclusions: Cultural background, affordability, and availability of different types of tobacco in urban Mozambique need to be considered when developing strategies to control the tobacco epidemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2005 we evaluated a nationally representative sample of the Mozambican adult population ( n = 2913; 25–64 years old) following the STEPwise approach to chronic disease risk factor surveillance to estimate urban–rural differences in overweight and obesity and waist circumferences. The prevalences of obesity and overweight were, respectively, 6.8% (95% CI: 5.1–8.6) and 11.8% (95% CI: 8.4–15.4) among women, and 2.3% (95% CI: 1.1–3.6) and 9.4% (95% CI: 5.7–13.1) among men. Overweight/obesity was more frequent in urban settings (age-, income- and education-adjusted prevalence ratios; women, 2.76, 95% CI: 1.82–4.18; men, 1.76, 95% CI: 0.80–3.85). The average waist circumference in Mozambique was 75.2 cm (95% CI: 74.3–76.0) in women, significantly higher in urban than rural areas (age-, income- and education-adjusted β = 3.6 cm, 95% CI: 1.6–5.5) and 76.1 cm (95% CI: 75.0–77.3) in men, with no urban–rural differences (adjusted β = 1.3 cm, 95% CI: −0.9 to 3.5). Our results show urban–rural differences, as expected in a country under epidemiological transition, with urban areas presenting a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity, but age- and education-specific estimates suggesting a trend towards smaller divergences. The development and implementation of strategies to manage the foreseeable obesity-related healthcare demands are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Until a few years ago, a limited number of epidemiologists or public health experts mentioned the words "diabetes." As new lifestyles, imported dietary practices, and globalization take roots in the developing world, as Africa is, today, diabetes and its complications are considered an epidemic in Africa, compelling African governments to start paying more attention to its impact as thousands of Africans run the risk of dying young. The potential severity of diabetes is such that some epidemiologists predict that its economic impact and death toll will surpass the ravages of HIV and AIDS in the near future. On the African sub-continent, present literature and the work of the World Diabetes Foundation have highlighted three countries, namely, Mali, Mozambique, and Zambia. However, the conditions in South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria, some of the most developed areas of the continent, provide a clue to how people are coping and how governments are responding to diabetes and its full impact. This study is, therefore, a meta-summary of the incidence and prevalence of today's emerging silent killer or diabetes in Sub-Saharan Africa. The theme is that time is running out for Africa and that, as was for HIV/AIDS, by the time the governments wake up and stop denying the catastrophic potential of the epidemic, diabetes will simply overwhelm the continent's resources, and the world will witness the death of millions of Africans. The last section is a call for action against diabetes in terms of advocacy, promotion of awareness, and public health policies that empower people to diabetes self-management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reconstructions of Gondwana place Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica (DML) adjacent to N. Mozambique prior to fragmentation. The Monapo Complex outlier klippen overlying the Nampula Terrane in N. Mozambique has been correlated with rocks in eastern and central DML. Metamorphic assemblages and P–T conditions from the two areas are compared as well the timing of metamorphism. Granulite grade assemblages preserved in the Monapo Complex suggest P–T conditions of ∼900°C and >10kb. Textures vary with reactions typical of isothermal decompression, isobaric cooling and hydration being recognized but also include equilibrium assemblages. P–T estimates from four samples suggest initial inversion of high pressure assemblages from at least ∼10kb and ∼900°C to mid-crustal levels where near isobaric cooling and hydration at between ∼4–7kb and 550–700°C is recognized. Granulite grade assemblages from Balchenfjella in eastern Sør Rondane, DML suggest initial P–T conditions of ∼900°C and >10kb. Textures vary with reactions typical of decompression, cooling and hydration being recognized but also include equilibrium assemblages. P–T estimates from four samples suggest initial inversion of high pressure assemblages from at least ∼10kb and ∼900°C to mid-crustal levels where retrogression at between ∼6–7kb and 600–700°C is recognized. SHRIMP zircon data from six samples from eastern Sør Rondane show episodic zircon growth over a period from ∼630Ma to ∼530Ma with five metamorphic pulses being defined. Undeformed granitic intrusions with ages of ∼550Ma intrude Sør Rondane. SHRIMP zircon data from samples from alkaline intrusions and mafic granulites in the Monapo Complex yield crystallization and metamorphic ages of ∼635Ma and 570-590Ma respectively. The complex is intruded by granitic veins with ages of ∼550Ma. The similarities in metamorphic mineral assemblages, P–T estimates and zircon geochronology data indicate a common geological history between Sør Rondane and the Monapo Complex of northern Mozambique. This common history is interpreted to result from both areas being part of a mega-nappe structure which was emplaced in a transpressional setting involving collision between N. Gondwana (comprising rocks of the East African Orogeny) and south Gondwana (comprising the Nampula Terrane of northern Mozambique and the Maud Province of western Dronning Maud Land) along the Damara-Zambesi-Lurio-CDML collision boundary. Other erosional remnants of this nappe include the Mugeba Complex in northern Mozambique, the Kataragama klippe in Sri Lanka, the Urungwe klippe in Zimbabwe, the Masosa Suite and Mavhuradohna Complex in western Mozambique and NE Zimbabwe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mozambique and Madagascar margins present major rivers that are responsible for the discharge of large amounts of terrestrial organic matter (OM) which can influence carbon cycling in marine environments. Therefore, the Mozambique channel represents a unique case to study the fate of the organic carbon in deep-water domains. Using a new and extensive data set of sedimentary OM collected from sediment traps, seafloor sediments and core sediments, we address the origin of the OM that is transported and deposited in the Mozambique Channel, its degradation state and preservation conditions. A Rock-Eval 6 survey allowed us to characterize the origin and amount of OM from shallow to deep-water turbidite systems, between 500 and 4400 m water depth. Rock-Eval 6 performed on suspended sediments within particle traps at 47 m above the seabed show that the OM is transported into the deep-water domain with relatively high TOC (between 1.5 and 2.5%). However, the OM is largely oxidized close to the water-sediment interface (Oxygen Index >300 mg CO 2 /g TOC). Seafloor sediments sampled to a maximum depth of 40 cm show lower TOC values compared to those collected from particle traps suggesting that the degradation of the OM is mainly active at the water-sediment interface. Small concentrations of OM are preserved within the recent sediments of the distal area of the Zambezi turbidite system below 2500 m water depth (TOC < 0.5%). Rock-Eval results show that core sediments from the Majunga slope (NW margin of Madagascar) and the Zambezi slope (Mozambique margin) contain the highest concentration of terrestrial OM (TOC between 1 and 2%). However, the OM within core sediments from the deep-water domain is largely oxidized and degraded, probably due to the conjugate effect of low sediment accumulation rates (SARs) and high permeabilities of the coarse-grained sediments. Consequently, the deep-water domain of the Mozambique Channel does not seem to be an important sink of terrestrial OM. This process is reinforced by important bottom water currents which induce the remobilization and transport of seafloor sediments that lead to higher oxygen exposure time in the uppermost centimeters of sediments. • Origin and deposition of the Organic Matter in the main physiographic provinces of the Mozambique Channel • Rock-Eval 6 data and δ13C isotopic signature to analyse the OM composition within suspended, seafloor and core sediments • EDS-SEM analysis, SARs and OET to assess the preservation condition of the OM in the Mozambique Channel • Important bottom currents are prone to maintain higher OET by the remobilization of the uppermost sediments and its OM • Small concentrations of terrestrial OC (TOC < 0.5%) are preserved in seafloor sediments of deep-water domain [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: To describe the use of different types of tobacco (manufactured and hand-rolled cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco) in the adult Mozambican population, across regions. Methods: A representative sample of 12,902 Mozambicans aged 25–64 years was evaluated in a national household survey conducted in 2003 using a structured questionnaire. The patterns of tobacco consumption were described to highlight the sex-specific differences by age and between urban and rural settings, and between the north, where most of the country''s tobacco production is concentrated, and the south of the country, where the wealthiest provinces, closer to the city capital, are located. Results: The prevalence of current tobacco consumption was 39.9% in men and 18.0% in women. Women consumed predominantly smokeless tobacco (prevalence: 10.1%), especially in the north. Hand-rolled and manufactured cigarettes were the most frequently consumed among men (prevalences: 18.7% and 17.2%, respectively). Additionally, hand-rolled cigarette consumption predominantly occurred in the northern provinces and rural settings, whereas manufactured cigarette consumption predominated in the south and urban areas. Conclusions: The overall tobacco consumption was higher than expected for an African country with scarce economic resources, mostly due to traditional forms of consumption. The gender and regional specific patterns of consumption identified in Mozambique may contribute to the development of culturally adapted and locally grounded actions for tobacco control, and stress the need of locale-specific surveillance data and public health action in this field. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]