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Abstract Background Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) production has decreased over the years due to several constraints, including insect pest attacks, which contribute to its status as neglected and underutilized species in Benin. In order to develop an integrated pest management strategy, we documented farmers’ post-harvest conservation practices, perceptions, and management of storage insect pests. Four hundred millet producers were surveyed using a semi-structured questionnaire in 76 villages in northern Benin. The entomofauna associated with stored pearl millet was identified by extracting samples from farmers’ storage structures and incubating them for a month in the laboratory. Results Our results showed that farmers perceived insect pests as the most important constraint to pearl millet storage. Vernacular taxonomy and local nomenclature of insect pests of stored pearl millet varied among sociolinguistic groups. Four species of insects were associated with stored millet with the weevils Sitophilus oryzae L. and Sitophilus zeamais L. as the most important ones. Three storage structures (attic, bedroom, and store) and a storage tool (polypropylene bags) were inventoried. Synthetic chemical insecticides were the most commonly used method for protecting stored millet. Also, farmers employed four plants that repel and kill insects to safeguard stored pearl millet. A differential sensitivity of pearl millet varieties to storage insect attacks was reported with four potential resistant varieties. Some factors that influence the use of a pest management method were determined. Conclusions The development of an integrated pest management needs to test the sensitivity of resistant varieties and the bioactivity of recorded insecticidal plants. The farmers’ perception suggests that the Souhoun n’nin gberenou landrace and the usage of bark of A. senegalensis and leaves of A. indica are the best ways to preserve millet for a long time. Raising awareness among pearl millet producers on good storage practices and the biological management of storage insect pests were recommended. Factors that influence the use of pest management methods must be integrated into the development of national strategies.

Abstract Background Occupational injuries (OI) remains a global health issue, claiming approximately 1000 lives daily. More needs to be known about OI burdens among artisans in low-income settings. Therefore, this study assessed the factors influencing OIs among carpenters and bricklayers, who are informal artisans in Nigeria. Methods This mixed-methods survey was conducted in Osun state, Nigeria. The quantitative component entailed a comparative cross-sectional study of 421 bricklayers and 425 carpenters selected via simple random sampling. Information on socio-demographics and OI prevalence was obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire. The qualitative aspect comprised 12 focus group discussions (FGD) among artisans who did not participate in the quantitative aspect of the study. Thematic analysis of the qualitative data was conducted to identify pertinent themes and subthemes. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the factors influencing OIs, p-value less than 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results All respondents were male. The mean age was 51.3.7 ± 14.7 years for bricklayers and 50.0 ± 11.5 years for carpenters. The 3-month prevalence of OI was 39.9% for bricklayers and 51.8% for carpenters. Factors associated with OI among bricklayers included being aged 20–39 years (AOR:6.9, 95% CI:3.1–15.3) and 40–59 years (AOR:2.9, 95% CI:1.5–5.6), earning less than N50,000 (US$67) monthly (OR:2.3, 95% CI:1.2–4.7), earning N50,000-N99,000 (US$67-US$133) monthly (AOR:2.5, 95% CI: 1.2–5.2), and handling ≥ 200 kg per day at work (AOR:2.1, 95% CI:1.3–3.5). For carpenters, factors associated with OI were being aged 20–39 years (AOR:4.1, 95% CI:2.0-8.5), age 40–59 years (AOR:2.1, 95% CI:1.2–3.6) and handling 100–199 kg per day at work (AOR:1.9, 95% CI:1.02–3.4). FGD findings revealed that the use of substandard building materials, poor use of personal protective equipment and working at heights may predispose to OIs. Conclusion The burden of OI is high among informal construction artisans in Nigeria. Safety interventions should target persons 100 kg) and bricklayers earning

Abstract Background Access to healthcare is a major challenge in South Sudan, but evidence on the factors influencing health seeking behaviour (HSB) and the magnitude of their effect is limited. This study aims to identify which determinants are associated with seeking care for perceived health needs and with seeking care at private or public healthcare facilities in South Sudan. Methods A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in three purposefully-selected states (Central Equatoria, Western Equatoria and Warrap). A multi-stage, cluster sampling design was used. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were computed to explore the relationships between seeking care for perceived health needs and choice of facility, and individual and household characteristics based on an adapted Levesque framework. Results We identified that individuals who obtained medication (OR 2.45, 95% CI 1.15–5.23), obtained and paid for medication (OR 4.26, 95% CI 2.08–8.74), lived in Western-Equatoria (OR 9.05, 95% CI 2.35–34.54), and were aware of community health workers (CHWs) (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.08–2.67), were significantly more likely to seek care for a perceived health need. Individuals who obtained and paid for medication (OR 3.03, 95% CI 1.59–5.81) and who lived further from a public health centre (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.09–1.31) were more likely to seek care at a private facility, while individuals who had used the provider before (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.34–0.78), lived in Western Equatoria (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.13–0.46), lived in a rural household (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.23–0.70) and had a longer travel time to the visited health facility, were less likely to seek care at a private facility. Conclusions Survey respondents’ state of residence and awareness of CHWs were associated with health seeking, while their state of residence, age, whether they paid for medication or not, travel time and distance to facilities were associated with choice of facility. Our results suggest differences in patterns of HSB between states, but studies with larger sample sizes are needed to analyse this. Furthermore, qualitative studies into access to healthcare in South Sudan could help characterise the nature of determinants and their relationship.

Young children may experience higher per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure than adults due to breastfeeding, higher dust ingestion rates, and frequent hand-to-mouth activities. We explored temporal trends and determinants of child serum PFAS concentrations and their correlations with paired maternal PFAS concentrations. From 2009 to 2017, we collected one blood sample from each of 541 children aged 2-5 years participating in the Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and Environment (CHARGE) study and quantified 14 PFAS in serum. For nine frequently detected PFAS (>65% of samples), we performed multiple regression adjusting for potential determinants to estimate mean percent concentration changes. For a subset of 327 children, we also quantified nine PFAS in their mother's serum collected at the same visit and computed Spearman correlation coefficients (rsp) between maternal and child PFAS concentrations. During 2009-2017, child serum concentrations of all nine PFAS decreased by 6-25% annually. Several PFAS concentrations were higher among non-Hispanic white children and those with highly educated parents. Most maternal and child PFAS concentrations were moderately correlated (rsp = 0.13-0.39), with a strong correlation for N-methyl perfluorooctane sulfonamido acetic acid (rsp = 0.68). Breastfeeding duration appeared to contribute to higher child and lower maternal PFAS concentrations, resulting in relatively weak correlations between maternal and child PFAS concentrations for samples collected in early childhood. Considering that more than half of our study children had neurodevelopmental concerns, the generalizability of our findings might be limited.

BackgroundImplementation science scholars have made significant progress identifying factors that enable or obstruct the implementation of evidence-based interventions, and testing strategies that may modify those factors. However, little research sheds light on how or why strategies work, in what contexts, and for whom. Studying implementation mechanisms-the processes responsible for change-is crucial for advancing the field of implementation science and enhancing its value in facilitating equitable policy and practice change. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality funded a conference series to achieve two aims: (1) develop a research agenda on implementation mechanisms, and (2) actively disseminate the research agenda to research, policy, and practice audiences. This article presents the resulting research agenda, including priorities and actions to encourage its execution.MethodBuilding on prior concept mapping work, in a semi-structured, 3-day, in-person working meeting, 23 US-based researchers used a modified nominal group process to generate priorities and actions for addressing challenges to studying implementation mechanisms. During each of the three 120-min sessions, small groups responded to the prompt: "What actions need to be taken to move this research forward?" The groups brainstormed actions, which were then shared with the full group and discussed with the support of facilitators trained in structured group processes. Facilitators grouped critical and novel ideas into themes. Attendees voted on six themes they prioritized to discuss in a fourth, 120-min session, during which small groups operationalized prioritized actions. Subsequently, all ideas were collated, combined, and revised for clarity by a subset of the authorship team.ResultsFrom this multistep process, 150 actions emerged across 10 priority areas, which together constitute the research agenda. Actions included discrete activities, projects, or products, and ways to shift how research is conducted to strengthen the study of implementation mechanisms.ConclusionsThis research agenda elevates actions to guide the selection, design, and evaluation of implementation mechanisms. By delineating recommended actions to address the challenges of studying implementation mechanisms, this research agenda facilitates expanding the field of implementation science, beyond studying what works to how and why strategies work, in what contexts, for whom, and with which interventions.

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Inspired by the works of L. Carlitz [Acta Arith. 5 (1959), pp. 293–308] and Z.-W. Sun [Finite Fields Appl. 56 (2019), pp. 285–307] on cyclotomic matrices, in this paper, we investigate certain cyclotomic matrices involving Gauss sums over finite fields, which can be viewed as finite field analogues of certain matrices related to the Gamma function. For example, let q=p^n be an odd prime power with p prime and n\in \mathbb {Z}^+. Let \zeta _p=e^{2\pi \mathbf {i}/p} and let \chi be a generator of the group of all multiplicative characters of the finite field \mathbb {F}_q. For the Gauss sum \begin{equation*} G_q(\chi ^{r})=\sum _{x\in \mathbb {F}_q}\chi ^{r}(x)\zeta _p^{\mathrm {Tr}_{\mathbb {F}_q/\mathbb {F}_p}(x)}, \end{equation*} we prove that \begin{equation*} \det \left [G_q(\chi ^{2i+2j})\right ]_{0\le i,j\le (q-3)/2}=(-1)^{\alpha _n}\left (\frac {q-1}{2}\right)^{\frac {q-1}{2}}2^{\frac {p^{n-1}-1}{2}}, \end{equation*} where \begin{equation*} \alpha _n= \begin {cases} 1 & \text {if } n\equiv 1\pmod 2,\\ (p^2+7)/8 & \text {if } n\equiv 0\pmod 2. \end{cases} \end{equation*} [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the determinants and perceptions of incest in family relationships within Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Despite strong cultural and legal taboos, incest persists, necessitating an exploration of its root causes and societal views. Using a cross-sectional survey of 800 respondents (382 males, 418 females), the research identifies key determinants of incest, including poverty (15%), depression (14%), and alcoholism (16%), as well as factors like single parenting (15%) and divorce/separation (20%). A factor analysis groups these causes into psychological, socioeconomic, and behavioral factors, revealing that emotional instability, financial hardship, and environmental vulnerabilities significantly increase the risk of incestuous behavior. Regarding perception, 51% of respondents strongly agreed that incest occurs frequently, with 50% specifically acknowledging its prevalence in Uyo Capital City. The study highlights the role of stigma, cultural sensitivity, and under-reporting as major barriers to addressing incest cases. Incest was perceived as particularly prevalent during periods of social or economic instability, such as the COVID-19 lockdown, with 50% of respondents strongly agreeing that cases increased during this time. The findings underscore the need for a multi-faceted intervention strategy involving community leaders, policymakers, and mental health professionals. This study provides a critical framework for developing policies aimed at preventing incest and promoting healthier family dynamics in Uyo and similar regions.

Introduction: Certain social determinants like poverty, malnutrition, indoor air pollution, male gender, diabetes, and cancer are some identified risk factors of TB. The tea garden population as it is socio- economically backward are more vulnerable to get infected. Objective: To estimate the determinants of tuberculosis treatment outcomes among patients belonging to the tea tribe community in Dibrugarh District of Assam and to assess the quality of life using WHO-QoL (BREF) instrument. Method: A Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Dibrugarh District of Assam. A sample size of 930was calculated using nMaster2.0 software, CMC, Vellore, India. From the list of registered TB cases whose treatment was assigned hailing from tea estates,a required sample was selected using a computerized random number. Predesigned, pretested questionnaire was used to assess the demographic, socio-economic, environmental and health- seeking behaviour of the participants. Univariate and bivariate analysis was done. Results: Total participation was 785. Regarding environmental determinants, ventilation was very poor and 98.5% used firewood as fuel for cooking. The risk of passive smoking was present in 7.6% of households. Respondents who had a history of family members with chronic cough were present in 5.9%. Loss to follow up rate was 2.9% (23/786). Lack of energy and fatigue was experienced by 83.6%. Marital status, occupation, monthly income, type of family and ventilation were associated with treatment outcome. Gender and socio-economic status of the respondents were associated with knowledge attitude and practice on Hepatitis B among participants which was found to be statistically significant (p-value < 0.0001). Conclusion: Certain social and environmental determinants like monthly income, type of family, and inadequate ventilation influence the treatment outcome in the tea garden population. Knowledge and practice pattern for tuberculosis needs to be improved to prevent transmission and alteration in quality of life.

Background. Effective and efficient sharing of knowledge in health care can lead to the clarification of health data and dissemination of up-to-date health information among employees, decision-makers, and other stakeholders, thereby improving the probability of occurrence of desirable health outcomes. The current study aimed to identify the determinants of effective knowledge management and sharing in healthcare. Methods. This study was conducted to identify the facilitators and barriers of knowledge sharing in healthcare and also identify successful strategies in this field using the approach of review studies in 2023. A thorough literature review was conducted using relevant keywords in PubMed, Scopus, and SID databases and the Google Scholar search engine. Data extraction was done by two researchers using the data extraction table. The content analysis method was used to analyze the data. Results. Reviewing 21 studies revealed 176 determinants of knowledge management and sharing in healthcare organizations. Among the determining factors, 96 were facilitators, and 80 were barriers to knowledge sharing. After removing duplicate factors and merging similar cases, 54 facilitators and 55 barriers were obtained uniquely. The determining factors were classified into four categories: organizational factors, infrastructure factors, individual factors, and factors related to the information system. Also, 35 effective strategies for knowledge management in healthcare organizations were identified, the most important of which was related to the empowerment of managers in information technology (IT). Conclusion. The success of knowledge sharing in healthcare requires a strong IT infrastructure, supportive leadership, an organizational culture that governs knowledge development, commitment and cooperation among healthcare team members, and effective knowledge management.

Introduction. The relevance of the study of theoretical and methodological problems of capital dynamics and the factors that determine it is due to the permanent existence of imbalances and problems in the field of investment in Russian economy. Theoretical analysis. Capital is one of the main factors of production and economic development that determine the level of labor productivity, innovation and social progress of society, and acts not only as a tool for production, but also as a source of income and well-being for society as a whole. This is not only accumulated material and financial resources that are used to produce goods and services in order to make profit or income, but also self-reproducing value that has the potential for capitalization, contributing to the increase in value, the generation of positive effects. Empirical analysis. Key determinants that formed current trends are identified, and an analysis of the impact of institutional factors, monetary policy, foreign investment, and the volume of money on the dynamics of capital is carried out. Conclusion. The article presents recommendations on the need to revise government regulation measures and develop mechanisms for transforming savings into investments, as well as the formation of a diversified policy that will change the existing capital structure and achieve its positive dynamics necessary to ensure further growth and development of the Russian economy.

Abstract The imperative use of pesticides for enhancing agricultural productivity has become inevitable. Unfortunately, the unregulated and indiscriminate application of these pesticides extends beyond the intended target areas, with residues persisting for months to even years. This lack of precision and information has triggered widespread pest outbreaks, posing significant health risks to both humans and other organisms due to pesticide residues in food. The presence of even trace amounts of these residues has emerged as a major impediment to international trade in food commodities. To address these challenges and align with sustainable practices, the article highlights the urgent need for controlled pesticide techniques, including organic farming, safe harvest indices, and bioremediation, which are crucial aspects of mitigating admixed micropollutants in the environment. The discussion covers the impact of pesticides on food quality, effective residue management, and the vital role of regulatory bodies. Drawing from diverse sources, the work seeks to provide a concise yet comprehensive overview and solutions to the challenges of pesticide management. Graphical abstract

Abstract Background Maternal and child health remains a global priority, with antenatal care (ANC) recognized as essential for ensuring positive pregnancy outcomes. Despite significant improvements, in low- and middle-income countries, ANC service utilization remains low in Sub-Saharan Africa. This paper contributes to the understanding of the evolution and determinants of ANC service utilization among women of reproductive age in Rwanda. Methods This review focused on studies published between 2010 and 2024 and examined the factors associated with ANC utilization in Rwanda. Two reviewers independently performed screening of the abstracts and full texts and conducted data extraction and synthesis. The aggregated odds ratios for various factors associated with ANC service utilization were presented in forest plots, created using GraphPad Prism version 10. Results The review included 11 studies and 1 report on ANC service utilization in Rwanda. By 2019–2020, 47% of women had received ANC in the first trimester, and 59% had four or more visits. Higher education levels, better wealth status, health insurance coverage, and small household size are associated with adequate ANC service utilization. Conversely, a significant distance from health facilities and unwanted pregnancies were associated with lower odds of adequate ANC utilization. Delayed ANC was more likely among women with higher parity, those who lacked social support, and those with no or only primary education. Conclusion Rwanda has made considerable strides in improving ANC services. Addressing barriers such as distance to healthcare facilities, education, and economic disparities is crucial for enhancing maternal and child health outcomes. This review underscores the need for targeted interventions to achieve the World Health Organization recommendations of 8 antenatal care visits and sustainable development goals related to maternal and child health in Rwanda.

Abstract Background In many Asian jurisdictions, patients are required to obtain referrals from registered doctors before consulting physiotherapists. In contrast, countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia have a direct access model for physiotherapists designed across different healthcare settings and under prescribed conditions. While research has demonstrated the benefits of direct access, issues remain on the appropriate policy design for direct access in the context of patient safety and organizational challenges in the implementation. Recently the policy to allow direct access in primary care context is being considered in Hong Kong. This study aims to examine the intervention design options for the policy of direct access to physiotherapists and identify corresponding implementation strategies, to inform the appropriate intervention design for direct access to physiotherapists and the implementation strategies. Methods We adopt a systematic process for developing the design of the policy and the implementation strategies using an Implementation Mapping approach informed by Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). We will conduct literature reviews to understand the different aspects of policy intervention design and employ qualitative in-depth interviews and focus group discussions to understand key stakeholders’ perspectives related to the direct access model. The identified barriers and facilitators associated with policy implementation of an acceptable intervention design will inform the development of an effective implementation strategy tailored to the implementation context. Our approach will involve mapping the research evidence and the subsequent findings from the stakeholders’ deliberations into the CFIR domains and referencing the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) to develop the acceptable intervention characteristics and the corresponding implementation strategies. These insights will be further validated in a Delphi Expert Survey, for a consensus-based approach. Discussion This study employs a sequential mixed-method approach to explore the intervention characteristics for an acceptable intervention design in the policy formulation and the corresponding implementation strategy for direct access to physiotherapists. Integrating research insights into actionable policy recommendations and refining these recommendations in a Delphi Survey will inform the appropriate policy intervention design and implementation strategy for direct access to physiotherapy services.

Abstract Background Despite the integration of iron supplementation into routine antenatal care programs as a nutritional intervention to prevent anemia in pregnant women, the use of this supplement for the recommended duration remains low in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Evidence on maternal compliance with iron supplementation at the SSA level is lacking and most of the previous studies have been limited to specific geographic areas. Therefore, the current study used large population survey data from 35 SSA countries to estimate the pooled prevalence of non-adherence and its determinants. Methods A secondary analysis was conducted using data from the demographic and health surveys across 35 SSA countries. After excluding women with missing data on the outcome variable, a weighted sample of 158,941 women who received iron supplementation during their recent pregnancy was included in the analysis. Forest plot was used to present the pooled and country-level rates of non-adherence to antenatal iron supplementation. A multilevel mixed-effects Poisson regression with robust variance was done to identify determinants of non-adherence. Results The pooled prevalence of non-compliance to iron supplementation in SSA was 65.1% [95% CI: 64.9 − 65.3%], with the lowest level in Zambia (18%) and the highest in Burundi (97%). The analysis revealed that living in rural areas (aPR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.13–1.19), lack of access to mass media (aPR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.09–1.12), low household wealth (aPR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.09–1.14), late (aPR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.17–1.20) and frequent ANC visit (aPR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.26, 1.29), women’s employment status (aPR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.03–1.06), husband illiteracy (aPR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.10–1.13), and distance to a health facilities (aPR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01–1.05) were associated higher prevalence of non-adherence. Conversely, older maternal age was associated lower prevalence of non-compliance (aPR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.94–0.97). Conclusion More than six out of ten pregnant women in SSA do not take iron supplements for the recommended period, with substantial variations across the countries. The level of non-adherence was significantly varied by women’s sociodemographic and reproductive characteristics. This urges the need for strengthening community health interventions and other existing programs to reach women in rural and economically disadvantaged settings. Furthermore, promoting antenatal care services through mass media and community-based health education strategies is key for scaling up the utilization of the supplement. Our results also suggest the importance of establishing the community-based distribution of iron supplements to address women with limited access to the healthcare system.

The impacts of climate change on vegetable production in Ebonyi State, Nigeria, were investigated. With the use of questionnaire, 286 vegetable producers were chosen using multi-stage sampling. Primary sources were used for data collection. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, probit, beta and multiple regression methods. The study reveals that the vegetable growers were female (62.6%), married (75.9%), and in their prime age (47%). With greater mean outputs and a higher percentage of vegetable producers, fluted pumpkin (6943.63 kg), green pepper (6011.20 kg), garden egg (5976.52 kg), and okra (5874.53 kg) dominated vegetable cultivation. The outputs of vegetables were favorably influenced by age (P< 0.05), farm size (P< 0.01), and education (P< 0.01). Some of the adaptation measures utilized by vegetable producers were planting improved vegetable seeds (99.7%), modifying planting and harvesting dates (98.6%), and effective staking methods (100%). Age (P< 0.01), education (P< 0.01), household size (P< 0.01), farming experience (P< 0.05), and extension contacts (P< 0.01) served as important predictors of climate change adaptation. Vegetable production was negatively impacted by temperature, precipitation, and relative humidity, while sunshine fared well with vegetable yield. The study concludes that climate change poses negative impacts on vegetable production and advised vegetable producers to practice climate smart agriculture to mitigate climate change impacts on vegetable crops.

Background: Epidemiological transition is leading to an increased burden of cardiovascular disease among rural populations. Aim: The study evaluated the etio-clinical profile, prevalence, angiographic characteristics, and correlates of inferior wall myocardial infarction (IWMI). Materials and Methods: This was an institution-based, cross-sectional study among 103 consecutive patients. Regression analysis was done to find the correlates of IWMI. Results: The mean age was 59.14 ± 11.65 years. The study consisted of 86.4% males. 86 (83.5%) were smokers and 12 (11.7%) were alcoholics. 30 (29%) were hypertensive and 33 (32%) were diabetic. 41 (39.8%) had a family history of hypertension and an abnormal lipid profile. The mean body mass index was 23.09 ± 3.62 kg/m2. The mean systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were 127.23 ± 30.71 mmHg and 77.98 ± 15.83 mmHg, respectively. 4 (3.9%) had COVID-19 disease and 102 (99%) were vaccinated for it. The total occlusion of the vessel was found among 71 (68.9%) subjects. Single-vessel disease was the most prevalent condition – 39 (37.9%). Proximal site occlusion was found among 62 (60.2%) of subjects. Sinus bradycardia was present among 44.7% of subjects. Age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] =0.89, 95% CI: [0.82–0.97]), COVID-19 disease (aOR =0.011, 95% CI: [2.11e–0.58]), history of hypertension (aOR =11.18, 95% CI: [1.25–99.65]), and sinus bradycardia (aOR =10.41, 95% CI: [1.22–88.63]) were significant predictor of inferior wall ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (IWSTEMI). The most frequent complication was rhythm disturbances. Conclusion: More than four of five were smokers and rhythmic disturbances were present in nearly one-fifth of subjects. Young age, male sex, hypertension, COVID-19 disease, and sinus bradycardia were significant predictors of IWSTEMI.

One of the key challenges in achieving sustainable regional development is the effective utilization of labor potential within a territory. Major disparities in labor potential are observed across regions, driven by factors such as natural and climatic conditions, demographic trends, varying levels of industrial and transport infrastructure development, and government benefits. This issue is particularly pronounced in the Russian Arctic, a region of strategic importance to Russia. In the context of digital transformation, technological sovereignty, depopulation, and migration outflows, there exists a strong correlation between labor potential and workforce availability in these territories. The development of this macro-region necessitates a well-structured human resource strategy. This study aims to develop and test a methodology for forecasting labor potential levels in the context of digitalization and technological sovereignty, using data from regions within the Russian Arctic. The methodology comprises three stages: (1) identifying determinants and collecting relevant statistical data, (2) compiling a forecast data set based on dynamic series and calculating indices, and (3) utilizing a matrix framework to evaluate and rank territorial performance based on specified criteria. The study employs methods such as comparison, grouping, forecasting, visualization, and matrix techniques, as well as correlation and cluster analysis. Its scientific novelty lies in redefining the concept of “labor potential” within the framework of digitalization and technological sovereignty, and in creating a new typology of regions based on labor potential levels.

Abstract Introduction HIV/AIDS is a global public health concern that is closely related to other sociocultural problems. The prevention of mother to child transmission cascade often begins with and is integrated into antenatal care in order to ensure a high rate of case detection and optimal treatment coverage. Although guidelines suggest that all pregnant women should have HIV testing as part of their regular screening checks during antenatal care, a significant proportion of pregnant women were not tested for HIV during antenatal care follow-up in sub-Saharan Africa. Hence, this study was aimed at assessing the determinants of women not tested for HIV during antenatal care follow-up in sub-Saharan Africa. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the determinants of non-testing for HIV among women as part of antenatal care in sub-Saharan Africa, utilizing secondary data from the 2015–2022 Demographic and Health Surveys. The study included a weighted sample of 788,421 women who had antenatal care follow-up during their most recent pregnancy within five years preceding the survey. A multilevel mixed effect logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the determinants of non-testing for HIV among these women. The adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to determine the associations between the outcome and explanatory variables. Statistical significance was determined using a p-value of less than 0.05. Result The hierarchical analysis of this study identified several significant factors associated with women not being tested for HIV during antenatal care in sub-Saharan Africa. These factors include young age, low or no education, not being in a union, unemployment, and low household wealth index. Additionally, limited media exposure, stigmatizing attitudes towards people living with HIV, male-headed households, and rural residence were significant at the individual and household levels. At the community level, low media exposure and high illiteracy rates were significant, while at the country level, high fertility rates and low literacy rates were also associated with lower rates of HIV testing during antenatal care. Conclusion This study identified significant individual, community, and country-level factors associated with women not testing for HIV during antenatal care in sub-Saharan Africa. Key factors include young age, low education, unemployment, not being in a union, low household wealth, limited media exposure, stigmatizing attitudes towards people living with HIV, male household head, rural residence, low community media exposure, high community illiteracy, high fertility rates, and low literacy rates. These findings highlight the need for targeted, context-specific interventions to improve HIV testing rates and enhance maternal and child health outcomes in the region.

This study argues that port decarbonisation is not only a technological challenge, but also an implementation issue. Hence, other determinants of implementation should be considered. Yet, the existing scant literature has never addressed this phenomenon. The purpose of this study is to provide insights about determinants of port decarbonisation implementation. The implementation theory (ImpThry) lens and port decarbonisation literature were reviewed and then both bodies of literature were cross analysed to demonstrate the applicability of ImpThry to port decarbonisation and identify determinants of successful implementation. Results have presented six constructs, i.e., implementation schemes, level of governance, interorganisational relationships, disposition and commitment of managers, capacities and economic conditions, and engagement with target groups, as determinants of port decarbonisations. Additionally, measurement items were identified, and several hypotheses were proposed. While the results presented a new conceptualisation based on ImpThry and paved the way of empirical investigation in future research, it also has managerial implications. The various demonstrated determinants inspire and direct the attention of port business managers and decision-makers to implementation pathways to achieve the decarbonation goal. Also, determinants draw attention to why port decarbonisation implementation succeeds or fails. While this is the first study that addresses this topic, it is considered as an extended application of the ImpThry in port decarbonisation. Nonetheless, the findings from this research make a desirable contribution to smooth port decarbonisation implementation.

Stunting remains a significant public health challenge in Indonesia, with a prevalence of 24.4%, according to the 2021 Indonesia Nutrition Status Survey (SSGI). This high rate indicates the country's ongoing struggle to meet its 2024 target of reducing the stunting rate to 14%. Stunting, characterized by impaired growth and development due to chronic malnutrition, is influenced by various socioeconomic, environmental, and biological factors. Understanding these factors is essential for developing effective intervention strategies. This systematic literature review synthesizes current evidence on the determinants of stunting among toddlers in Indonesia, providing insights that can guide public health policies and programs. Using the PRISMA methodology, we comprehensively searched peer-reviewed articles published between 2018 and 2022 from databases such as Google Scholar and PubMed. The studies indicate that stunting is influenced by a complex interaction of factors, including maternal education, household income, sanitation practices, healthcare access, and the child’s age, gender, and health status. Notably, maternal education and household socioeconomic status emerge as critical determinants. The findings emphasize the need for multi-sectoral, community-based interventions that integrate these determinants. In conclusion, addressing these factors through integrated, community-based strategies is crucial for reducing stunting rates and improving child health outcomes in Indonesia.

Background: This study aims to describe the prevalence and associated factors of low birth weight (LBW) among neonates born in the maternity ward of Mirwais Regional Hospital in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Methods: A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from October 1st, 2023, to December 31st, 2023. A total of 423 mothers who recently gave birth were included using systematic random sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face maternal interviews and medical record reviews, focusing on socio-demographic, maternal, nutrition-related, and neonate-related factors. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS 16.0 to identify factors associated with LBW. Results: The mean age of the participants was 32 years, with most falling in the 21-30 age group. A significant majority of participants were from rural areas (74.5%) and belonged to the Pashtun ethnicity (84.6%). The prevalence of LBW among the neonates was 17.3%. Key factors associated with LBW included low maternal educational status, inadequate prenatal care, and poor nutritional status. Conclusion: The study identified a high prevalence of LBW in neonates born at Mirwais Regional Hospital. Maternal education, prenatal care, and nutritional status are significant predictors of LBW. Interventions focusing on improving maternal education, enhancing prenatal care, and ensuring adequate maternal nutrition are critical to reducing the incidence of LBW in this setting.

Abstract Background Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health challenge in Ethiopia. TB treatment outcomes were suboptimal compared to the expected target of the national TB control Program. The provision of standard anti-TB treatment is the primary component of the directly observed treatment, short-course strategy. The aim of this study was to assess the TB treatment outcomes and the determinants of an unfavorable treatment outcome. The study used a cross-sectional study design at baseline and record review to identify treatment outcomes. A total of 1,161 TB patients were recruited from eight randomly selected districts and one town administration in the Jimma Zone, Ethiopia. Treatment outcomes were grouped into favorable and unfavorable. Of the total participants, 86.9% had a favorable treatment outcome, and 5.7% an unfavorable treatment outcome. The rest were transferred out and not recorded cases. Women were more likely to experience an unfavorable treatment outcome [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.96, 95% CI 1.06, 3.64]. Patients who were perceived to not be stigmatized were less likely to have an unfavorable treatment outcome (AOR = 0.32, 95% CI 0.15, 0.73). Patients who had a monthly income of > 3,500 Ethiopian birr were less likely to have an unfavorable outcome than patients who did not have a regular income (AOR = 0.04, 95% CI 0.01, 0.45). The observed treatment success rate is lower than the World Health Organization’s target of successfully treating > 90% of detected TB cases. It is imperative to ensure that information, education and communication/behavior change communication strategies consider the needs of women and patients with perceived TB stigma. Furthermore, designing locally acceptable and affordable interventions may help to address the financial challenges of TB treatment adherence.

Abstract Despite extensive efforts, malnutrition persists as a critical public health concern, particularly in developing nations like Ethiopia. Concurrent occurrence of wasting and stunting poses severe consequences. Analyzing trends and factors contributing to this double burden is vital for evaluating and enhancing existing nutritional programs. Additionally, understanding the spatial distribution of malnutrition is crucial for targeted resource allocation, expediting progress towards optimal child growth. A 20-year trend and spatial analysis was conducted among 27,138 weighted samples of under-five children using EDHS (2000–2019). The data extraction was conducted between October 1 and November 1, 2023. STATA 18, ArcGIS Pro, and Sat Scan 9.6 were used for analysis. A logit-based multivariate decomposition analysis was used to identify contributing factors for the change in the double burden of wasting and stunting in the past 20 years. The statistical significance was declared at a P-value

Abstract Background We aimed to investigate how self-reported physical and cognitive limitations (challenges), self-efficacy, and social support interacted with life satisfaction in adolescents and young adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) or acquired heart disease, among whom life satisfaction may be impaired. Methods “Adolescence with Heart Disease” was a cross-sectional, nationwide survey of patients with CHD or early acquired heart disease aged 15–25. Structural equation modeling was used to test the implied latent variable mediation model between the main outcome of interest (life satisfaction) and challenges, social support, and self-efficacy. The correlation factors between life satisfaction and the latent variables with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results A total of 1691 patients were included: 72% had CHD, 52% were females, the median age at response was 20 years [interquartile range: 18;23], and 69% reported high life satisfaction. In the univariate models, high life satisfaction was significantly associated with low challenges (-0.5 [CI: -0.6;-0.5]), high self-efficacy (0.8 [CI: 0.7; 0.8]), and high social support (0.4 [CI: 0.3; 0.5]). In the multivariate model, only self-efficacy remained significantly associated with life satisfaction (0.8 [CI: 0.7; 0.9]). Furthermore, there was a significant negative covariance between challenges and both self-efficacy (-0.67) and social support (-0.4), while the two latter variables had a positive covariance (0.55). Conclusions In adolescents with heart disease, high life satisfaction was associated with high levels of self-efficacy. High levels of self-efficacy and social support attenuated the association between physical and cognitive challenges and life satisfaction. In this group that may face higher challenges than their peers, future interventions should aim to increase their self-efficacy to improve their life satisfaction, potentially through promoting social support.

In the era of globalisation, diaspora is seen as a driving force for economic development in the countries of origin and for positive changes in the host countries. The Algerian diaspora represents a real opportunity and potential of entrepreneurs that are not exploited. This article attempts to explore the factors that encourage or hinder the entrepreneurial activities of the Algerian diaspora in its country of origin through a field survey based on 142 entrepreneurs from the studied diaspora. To do this, a logistic econometric modelling has been implemented to explain the entrepreneurial event (business creation), and the explanatory variables are the following factors: psychological (experience, training), contextual (discrimination, opportunities, and patriotism) sociological (help of relatives and other contacts) and economic (personal resources and those of the state). It appears that the probability of the project in Algeria is stronger as its leader from the Algerian diaspora has a great entrepreneurial potential and financial means, is an opportunist and patriot, benefits from the help of the state and knows how to activate, in case of difficulties, their personal contacts.

Abstract Background The operationalization of universal health insurance in Burkina Faso represents a significant challenge for health coverage. The willingness of households to pay is a crucial aspect of the process. This highlights the necessity of examining the factors that may explain their willingness to pay. The objective of this study is to analyze the determinants of households’ willingness to pay for health insurance in Burkina Faso. Methods The data used in this study were collected between March and September 2017 in the territory of Burkina Faso, covering six administrative regions. A total of 211 households were surveyed, 71 in urban areas and 140 in rural areas. The Tobit model was employed to analyze the determinants of willingness to pay, with the contingent valuation method used to obtain willingness to pay. Results The results of the descriptive analysis indicate that households are willing to pay approximately 7,600 F CFA on average for health insurance. The estimation results demonstrate that income has a positive effect on households’ willingness to pay. Additionally, the occupation of the head of household and the insurance reimbursement rate are identified as determinants of willingness to pay. Conclusion The findings of this study indicate that income, the rate of repayment and the occupation of the head of household are the primary determinants of willingness to pay. In terms of implications, it is essential to ensure that the rate of protection is high, which could encourage households to pay the premium. Furthermore, the results of the evaluation suggest that interventions to increase household income may be beneficial.

Abstract Despite devoting significant efforts to develop and implement policies aimed at enhancing the sustainability of its food systems, promoting resilience, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Ethiopia encounters constraints with these approaches. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the determinants of smallholder farmers’ participation in wheat cluster farming in the Lemu-Bilbilo and Hetosa Districts of Arsi Zone, Ethiopia. The study utilized cross-sectional data and a multistage sampling procedure to select a total of 381 respondents from the two districts of Arsi Zone, Ethiopia. The study employed a binary probit regression to achieve the research objectives. The study indicates that sex of household head, farm size, household head education level, access to credit, membership in farmer’s cooperative, access to information from government extension, access to information on climate, and farmers climate perception were significant and positively affecting cluster farming participation, whereas distance from the nearest market and off-farm activities participation had a negative relationship with cluster farming participation decision. Cluster farming practices provide a practical means of lessening the effects of stresses related to climate change. Therefore, to increase participation in cluster farming, it is essential to strengthen efforts to raise awareness about climate change and its impacts among farming communities. The study also recommends that institutional and governmental support is essential in the areas of cooperatives, education, extension services, credit availability, climate-related information, and infrastructure development, especially in the area of market accessibility. Furthermore, the issue of gender differences in CF involvement should be addressed by policy and development initiatives.

Abstract Background Macrosomia is a forgotten health problem that directly or indirectly affects maternal and neonatal health outcomes. There is a lack of evidence on the factors that affect macrosomia in eastern Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the determinants of macrosomia among newborns delivered in Jigjiga City, Eastern Ethiopia. Methods An institutional-based case-control study was conducted among 82 cases and 164 controls in Jigjiga City from June 25 to August 24, 2023. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify the determinants of macrosomia. An adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval was used to report the strength of the association, and the statistical significance was declared at a p-value

Abstract Introduction Retroplacental hematoma is a paroxysmal accident that threatens maternal and fetal prognosis. It is a major emergency in obstetric pathology. The objective of this study was to identify the factors associated with retroplacental hematomas at the Maradi Mother and Child Health Center in 2022. Methods This was a case‒control cross-sectional analytical study that used patient records for the year 2022 from September 20 to October 20, 2023. The presence of a retropl placental hematoma was the outcome variable and was measured by a case (yes) or control (no) response. The exposure variables included sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric characteristics, care, progression of patients and neonatal characteristics. Pearson’s chi-square tests at the 5% significance level were used to analyze differences between categorical variables. All variables that had a bilateral p value

In many parts of the world, firewood and charcoal are used as wood fuel by approximately 2 billion people. Wood fuel consumption in Africa, specifically in Ethiopia is quite high. However, there is limited information on the socio-economic and institutional factors that influence wood fuel extraction in the dry land regions of Ethiopia. To address this gap, the current study aimed to examine the determinants of wood fuel production among rural households in the Abela Abaya District of Southern Ethiopia. Using snowball and simple random sampling techniques, data were collected from a total of 160 respondents (80 producers and 80 non-producers) from four kebeles in the district. The collected data was analyzed by using descriptive statistics and binary logistic model was employed to examine the factors influencing wood fuel extraction. The study found that wood fuel production is an important economic activity in the area, with tree species named locally Bedena being the most preferred for firewood and charcoal making. Wood fuel production was regarded as the most favourable primary means of making a living among the participants, despite the fact that it has a negative impact on the environment. The findings suggest that crop farming, alternative income sources, tree species, and market access are significant factors that affect wood fuel extraction. The findings of the study have the potential to provide policymakers with valuable insights into the development of effective energy and forest policies, which can promote sustainable wood fuel extraction practices while ensuring the preservation of the environment for future generations.

Abstract Aim To assess food and nutrition literacy status and its determinants among elementary school students in El-Beheira Governorate, Egypt. Background Developing strategies to enhance food and nutrition literacy necessitates a deeper understanding of the food and nutrition literacy situation among elementary school students and associated factors. Design A cross-sectional descriptive research design was adopted. Methods A final sample of 400 primary school students (aged 6–12 years) at Itay El Barud public elementary schools in El-Beheira Governorate were administered (1) a socio-demographic characteristics and anthropometric measurements questionnaire developed by the researchers, and (2) the Food and Nutrition Literacy Scale. The derived data were analyzed using descriptive and non-parametric tests. Results The majority (61%) of students had low food and nutrition literacy scores. The results have shown that overall socio-demographic variables were significant in predicting understanding food and nutrition information, nutritional health knowledge, interactive functional and nutritional literacy, critical food and nutritional literacy, and food labeling. Conclusion The study reveals that elementary school students in Egypt have poor knowledge and skills in food and nutrition literacy, largely due to a lack of nutrition education and family awareness. Factors like residential location, income, and education level also contribute to this disparity. Implications for the profession To improve nutrition literacy among students, a nursing approach involving community stakeholders and school nurses is recommended. This includes integrating nutrition-related topics into the school curriculum, organizing workshops, and conducting age-appropriate health education sessions. Active engagement between community health and school nurses is crucial for raising awareness about healthy nutritional choices. Impact These findings hold an important impact on the education system and those designing curricula, emphasizing the need for significant incorporation of knowledge and skills related to food and nutrition within schools. Reporting method Compliance with the STROBE checklist for cross-sectional studies was maintained throughout the research. Patient or public contribution No Patient or Public Contribution.

Abstract Background Despite the positive impact of adhering to the new antenatal care model on pregnancy outcomes and maternal health service uptake, women in resource-limited settings exhibit low levels of compliance with this recommendation. Previous studies on women’s adherence to the new antenatal care recommendation have been limited to individual countries, with no evidence available at Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) level. Therefore, this study sought to investigate compliance with the 2016 WHO’s recommendation of at least eight antenatal care contacts among women in SSA countries and identify its determinants. Methods The study utilized a weighted sample of 101,983 women who had received antenatal care during their index pregnancy, drawn from recent DHS data of sixteen SSA countries. A multilevel mixed-effect analysis was conducted to identify factors that influence compliance with new antenatal care recommendations. Model comparison was performed using deviance and log-likelihood values, and statistical significance was determined at a P-value of less than 0.05. Results The level of compliance with the recommended antenatal care contacts among women in SSA was 9.9% (95% CI: 9.7-10.1%), with the highest rate in Sierra Leone (26.1%) and lowest in Rwanda (

Abstract Background Marriage is a significant milestone in one’s life, and the age at which individuals choose to get married can have various implications. By examining the age at marriage and its determinants in different regions, such as Kerala and Bihar, we can gain insights into Socio-demographic factors that influence this decision. Methods The National Family Health Survey (2019–2021) data was used. A total of 41,392 ever married women from Kerala (8, 579) and Bihar (32,813) were analysed using bivariate and multiple binary logistic regression approaches to meet the study aim. Result The significant association was found between explanatory factors and age at first marriage in Karala and Bihar. In Bihar, educated women from the poorest families had a higher rate of early marriages. Conversely, in Kerala, uneducated women from non-majority religions and larger households (more than 6 members) were more likely to be married before18. After accounting major effects of background characteristics, the adjusted odds ratio showed that In Kerala Muslim religion women have significantly higher odds of getting married before 18 (OR: 3.09, CI 2.67–3.57) then the Hindu women whereas in Bihar Muslim religion women has the significantly lower chance of getting married before turning 18 (OR: 0.87, CI 0.81–0.93) compared to Hindu. In both the states Kerala and Bihar General social group women had the significantly lower odds of getting married below 18 (OR: 0.73, CI 0.57–0.93 and OR: 0.88, CI 0.81–0.96) with respect to SC/ST social group women’s. Conclusion Women in Bihar usually marry in younger age due to socioeconomic and traditional reasons, whereas in Kerala reverse is true, because of a greater emphasis on education and a more progressive social outlook. These regional variations reflect different cultural norms and socioeconomic environments, shape different marriage age patterns between the two regions.

Muhammad Haroon Stanikzai,1 Mohammad Nasim Zafar,2 Khalid Akbari,3 Ahmad Haroon Baray,1 Hadia Sayam1 1Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Kandahar University, Kandahar, Afghanistan; 2Department of Para-Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, Kandahar University, Kandahar, Afghanistan; 3Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Paktia University, Gardez, Paktia, AfghanistanCorrespondence: Muhammad Haroon Stanikzai, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Kandahar University, District &num; 10, 3801, Kandahar, Afghanistan, Tel +93704775578, Email haroonstanikzai1@gmail.comBackground: Although depression is a frequently occurring mental disorder in patients with hypertension, little is known about the symptoms of depression among Afghan hypertensive patients.Objective: This study aimed to analyze the prevalence and predictors of depression symptoms among Afghan hypertensive patients.Methods: This was a secondary analysis of a multi-center cross-sectional study conducted between August and December 2022 across three major provinces in Afghanistan. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the eligible participants were used in the analysis. A score of ≥ 5 on the PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire) was considered the cut-off point for labeling hypertensive patients as screening positive for depressive symptoms. We performed binary logistic regression to determine the predictors of depression symptoms among hypertensive patients.Results: Out of 853 hypertensive patients, 51.8% (95% CI: 48.4– 55.2%) had depressive symptoms. Binary logistic regression revealed that low monthly household income [AOR=1.42, 95% CI (1.01– 1.97), low education level [2.41 (1.57– 3.71)], physical inactivity [1.81 (1.22– 2.71)], poor blood pressure control [2.41 (1.57– 3.71)], and the presence of medical comorbidity [1.59 (1.15– 2.19)] were the predictors of depression symptoms.Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of depressive symptoms among Afghan hypertensive patients. Moreover, we found that low monthly household income, physical inactivity, low education level, poor blood pressure control, and the presence of medical comorbidity were the predictors of depression symptoms. Our findings suggest that hypertensive patients should be screened for mental health symptoms, and those most at risk for depression should seek supportive counseling.Keywords: hypertension, depression, determinants, Afghanistan

Abstract Background Blended learning, a pedagogical approach combining traditional classroom instruction with online components, has gained prominence in nursing education. While offering numerous benefits, student satisfaction with blended learning remains a critical concern. This study contributes to the existing literature by providing a comprehensive evaluation of the determinants influencing nursing students’ satisfaction with this innovative educational modality. By examining a wide range of factors, including sociodemographic characteristics, academic factors, and environmental influences, this research offers valuable insights for educators to optimize blended learning experiences in nursing education. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional research design was conducted. This study investigates the factors influencing nursing students’ satisfaction with blended learning at Alexandria University, Egypt, where blended learning programs have been integrated into the curriculum primarily through the Microsoft Teams platform. A convenient sample of 1266 nursing students from both bachelor and technical educational institutions participated in the study from September 2023 to the end of December 2023. Data were collected using an online survey containing two measurement tools: the Blended Learning Satisfaction Scale and the Environmental Facilitators and Barriers to Student Persistence in Online Courses scale. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics and backward multiple linear regression, were conducted to identify factors that are associated with the satisfaction of nursing students’ with blended learning. Results Findings indicate that factors such as age, gender, income, employment status, access to suitable internet sources, academic year, computer literacy, preferred learning method, and perceptions of environmental facilitators significantly influence satisfaction scores (all p

Abstract Background Meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) is a condition in which meconium is present in the uterus during ante-natal and complicates 10–15% of all live births. Scanty information is known about the determinants of meconium-stained amniotic fluid. Hence, this study aimed to identify determinants of meconium-stained amniotic fluid among women delivered at southwestern referral hospitals in southwest Ethiopia, in 2024. Methods An institutional-based case-control study was employed from January 1, 2024, to June 30, 2024. The study was conducted in four southwestern referral hospitals in southwest Ethiopia. The final sample size includes 321(107 cases and 214 controls). The sample size was proportionally allocated for cases and controls for each referral hospital. Simple random sampling was used to select patient charts and data was collected from the chart using questions/tools developed after reviewing relevant literature. Data were entered using Epi-data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Data was analyzed using binary logistic regression. All independent variables with P- the value of

Abstract Background The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has become an endemic disease of global public health importance. Mass COVID-19 vaccination has been an essential global control strategy amidst challenges of limited acceptance. Because of globalization, COVID-19/similar diseases vaccination acceptance and the determinants in any particular setting are important global public health issues. Using a novel and pragmatic framework, this study explored determinants of COVID-19 vaccination acceptance among community members during the pandemic in Ebonyi state, Nigeria, and made policy-relevant recommendations on how to increase vaccination acceptance in subsequent outbreaks/pandemics. Methods This qualitative study was based on the novel and pragmatic Individual Experiences and Perceptions and Complacency, Confidence, Convenience, and Compulsion (Four ‘Cis’) Determinants of Vaccination Acceptance Conceptual Framework – Omale INDEPT FORCIS Framework. On April 26 and 27, 2022, 20 semi-structured face-to-face focus group discussions were conducted in local language and pidgin English with 100 purposively selected consenting/assenting community members aged 15 years and above who had resided in the community for at least one year. Data was analysed using deductive (with some inductive) thematic analytic approach. Results The many, diverse, and significant determinants of COVID-19 vaccination acceptance found were factors that were individual-related (individual experiences and perceptions and knowledge about COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccine/vaccination, and the vaccination process/system, sociodemographic, individual’s condition (e.g. pregnancy)); COVID-19-related (factuality, transmissibility, frequency, severity, fatality); COVID-19 vaccine/vaccination-related (safety/side-effects, effectiveness, speedy production); COVID-19 vaccination process/system-related (real availability/accessibility); family, group, and other individual-related (experiences and perceptions and actions); and broader local, national, international, and global (LONING) context-related (socio-political, economic, historic, health system factors). The broader LONING contextual factors included the unprecedented disinformation/conspiracy theories, non-sustained COVID-19 risk/behaviour change communication, enforcement and non-enforcement or termination of peculiar control policies/measures (lockdowns, social/physical distancing, use of face mask etc.), mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies, provision of incentives, past experiences regarding the Ebola viral disease outbreak, (un)trustworthiness of the Nigerian health system and her international/global partners, and the (un)trustworthiness of the governments in Nigeria and bad/good governance, inclusive of the failure of the Ebonyi state government to distribute the COVID-19 palliatives to the people during the lockdowns. Conclusion The evidence illuminates complex and interrelated, specific underlying, and peculiar policy-relevant LONING determinants of COVID-19 vaccination acceptance and emphasizes the need for concerted and comprehensive LONING strategies (involving all the relevant LONING stakeholders/policy makers) in addressing these determinants to increase vaccination acceptance among community members in subsequent outbreaks/pandemics in Ebonyi state/Nigeria and similar settings.

Background Intimate partner violence (IPV) has emerged as a global phenomenon, with pregnant women being particularly vulnerable, especially in developing countries. Despite its diverse manifestations and severe impacts, IPV is sometimes perceived as culturally acceptable or as a means of controlling women. Aims This study aimed to assess the prevalence, patterns and determinants of IPV amongst pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) at a tertiary hospital in Anambra State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods This cross-sectional survey enrolled 400 pregnant women receiving ANC at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State. Data collection utilised semi-structured, self-administered questionnaires. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Results In this study we found a 21.8% prevalence of IPV. Psychological violence was the most common form, followed by sexual and physical violence at rates of 72.4%, 35.6%, and 32.2% respectively. Risk factors associated with IPV included low educational attainment, maternal unemployment, average monthly income of

Background Immunisation services does not reach over one third of urban poor children. There is clear cut difference of children completely immunised in the low as compared to high standard of living index in urban areas. This difference is more marked in low performing states like Rajasthan and this difference as compared to better performing states like Kerala. Such inter-state differentials indicate the importance of extra focus on low performing states like Rajasthan. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted among 550 children aged 12–23 months in an urban slum of a district in southern Rajasthan. Along with the immunisation coverage, determinants associated with incomplete immunisation was assessed. The child’s immunisation was ascertained using the immunisation cards/Mamta cards or in whom cards not available WHO recall method was used. The Chi-square test was used to find out statistical significance. Results Of 550 children studied, 417 (75.8%) were fully immunised, 117 (21.3%) were partially immunised and 16 of them were non immunised (2.9%). When the determinants of incomplete immunisation were assessed, all were found statistically significant. Conclusion The present study concluded that immunisation coverage is lower than that of the target. The factors thought to have influenced immunisation such as religion, family composition, education of mother and gender of child were discovered to be statistically significant.

Biological diversity—the complex tapestry of life and ecosystems—is facing an urgent global crisis, with increasing extinction rates and the loss of variety on all levels of biodiversity from genetic to ecosystem diversity. This study analyzes 2843 environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reports by companies from 43 countries, focusing on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards, and examines the quality of biodiversity‐related disclosure (BRD) from 2010 to 2019. The study achieves three objectives. First, it provides a global assessment of the quality of BRD, which declines after 2015 despite increased recognition of the importance of biodiversity. Second, it identifies the influence of climate‐related risks and management incentives as internal determinants of BRD quality. Third, in examining the consequences of BRD, it highlights the impact of BRD quality on investor risk perception and stakeholder perceptions (i.e., corporate reputation). Improved BRD quality increases perceived risk. For companies with biodiversity impacts, however, the effect is the opposite, suggesting that investors do not fully understand the risks of biodiversity dependency. These findings suggest the need for equal recognition of biodiversity alongside climate change in reporting standards and policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Not in my Back Yard' (NIMBY) protests against the construction of unwanted facilities nearby occur when individuals prioritize personal benefits over broader social benefits, which is an interesting phenomenon in China's government-regulated market economic system. Although this fascinating phenomenon attracts plenty of research attention, it remains unknown regarding the extent of NIMBY intention and its influencing factors in China. This study describes the NIMBY intention of Chinese residents towards a large-scale chemical plant with low pollution and analyzes its determinants utilizing data from a nationally representative survey in 2017. It shows that 85% of the 38,775 respondents have strong NIMBY intentions. Among all factors, education and urbanization are the two most influential ones and are positively related to NIMBY intention. Besides, women, high-income groups, and people living in areas with strong social networks, high GDP per capita, or high pollution, exhibit strong NIMBY intention. Conversely, trust in the government and willingness to participate in public affairs are negatively correlated with NIMBY intention. Our study indicates that NIMBY intention will inevitably rise with educational attainment and urbanization levels, but the NIMBY dilemma can be alleviated by implementing participatory governance and building trust in local government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the integration of iron supplementation into routine antenatal care programs as a nutritional intervention to prevent anemia in pregnant women, the use of this supplement for the recommended duration remains low in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Evidence on maternal compliance with iron supplementation at the SSA level is lacking and most of the previous studies have been limited to specific geographic areas. Therefore, the current study used large population survey data from 35 SSA countries to estimate the pooled prevalence of non-adherence and its determinants. Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted using data from the demographic and health surveys across 35 SSA countries. After excluding women with missing data on the outcome variable, a weighted sample of 158,941 women who received iron supplementation during their recent pregnancy was included in the analysis. Forest plot was used to present the pooled and country-level rates of non-adherence to antenatal iron supplementation. A multilevel mixed-effects Poisson regression with robust variance was done to identify determinants of non-adherence. Results: The pooled prevalence of non-compliance to iron supplementation in SSA was 65.1% [95% CI: 64.9 − 65.3%], with the lowest level in Zambia (18%) and the highest in Burundi (97%). The analysis revealed that living in rural areas (aPR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.13–1.19), lack of access to mass media (aPR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.09–1.12), low household wealth (aPR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.09–1.14), late (aPR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.17–1.20) and frequent ANC visit (aPR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.26, 1.29), women's employment status (aPR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.03–1.06), husband illiteracy (aPR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.10–1.13), and distance to a health facilities (aPR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01–1.05) were associated higher prevalence of non-adherence. Conversely, older maternal age was associated lower prevalence of non-compliance (aPR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.94–0.97). Conclusion: More than six out of ten pregnant women in SSA do not take iron supplements for the recommended period, with substantial variations across the countries. The level of non-adherence was significantly varied by women's sociodemographic and reproductive characteristics. This urges the need for strengthening community health interventions and other existing programs to reach women in rural and economically disadvantaged settings. Furthermore, promoting antenatal care services through mass media and community-based health education strategies is key for scaling up the utilization of the supplement. Our results also suggest the importance of establishing the community-based distribution of iron supplements to address women with limited access to the healthcare system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]