The Status and Associated Factors of Successful Aging among Older Adults Residing in Longevity Areas in China

Objective This study aims to assess the status of successful aging （SA） in longevity areas in China and explore multiple factors associated with SA among the young-old and oldest-old. Methods A total of 2296 elderly people aged 65 and older were interviewed in the longevity areas sub-sample of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey （CLHLS） in 2012. Baseline assessments included a researcher-administered questionnaire, physical examination, and laboratory testing. A logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with SA. Results The prevalence of SA was 38.81% in the CLHLS in 2012. There were significant differences between ages groups, with SA compromising 56.85% among _〉65 years group and 20.31% among 〉100 years group （X2trend=126.73, P〈O.01）. The prevalence of SA among females was 33.59%, which was significantly lower than that among males （45.58%） （X2gender=33.65, P〈0.05）. In the regression analysis, having anemia ~OR=0.744, 95% CI： 0.609-0.910）, poor lifestyle （OR=0.697, 95% CI： 0.568-0.854）, poor sleep quality （OR=0.558, 95% CI： 0.456-0.682）, and central obesity （OR=0.684, 95% CI： 0.556-0.841） were the main factors associated with SA. The promoting SA rate decreased as age increased, and the group of 65-79 years had higher odds than the other age group. Conclusion Preventing central obesity, improving sleep quality and promoting healthy lifestyle may contribute to achieve SA among the elderly.

Significance of music therapy in treating depression and anxiety disorders among people with cancer

Globally,cancer cases and mortality have recently escalated and have attracted global concern.The clinical diagnosis and manifestation of cancer can result in significant mental health issues like depression and anxiety disorders.The tendency of people with cancer to suffer from psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression is usually high.A significant number of deaths related to cancer may likely not be from the killer disease but from psychological disorders associated with the illness.The utilization of music as a remedial approach to healing mental disorders cannot be overstated.Thus,identifying the impacts of music therapy in dealing with depression and anxiety disorders among people with cancer is relevant,as the majority of methods used in treating cancer have some side effects which may trigger psychological disorders in cancer patients.Ultimately,this study explored the significance of music therapy in treating depression and anxiety disorders among people with cancer.To achieve the aim of this study,the authors employed a narrative literature review to investigate the significance of music therapy in addressing depression and anxiety disorders among people with cancer.The type of literature review employed in this study is to provide an understanding of the selected research papers.The review found that music therapy significantly reduces depression and anxiety disorders among breast cancer,lung cancer,prostate cancer,and colorectal cancer patients.It is needful for healthcare providers to incorporate music therapy interventions while treating people with cancer.This will help reduce cancer deaths resulting from psychological disorders rather than the killer disease,cancer.However,the standardized procedures and evaluation criteria for applying music-based intervention strategies in oncology medicine still need to be further established and improved.

Accessibility and utilization of healthcare services among diabetic patients:Is diabetes a poor man’s ailment?

Diabetes is a non-communicable ailment that has adverse effects on the individual’s overall well-being and productivity in society.The main objective of this study was to examine the empirical literature concerning the association between diabetes and poverty and the accessibility and utilization of medical care services among diabetic patients.The diabetes literature was explored using a literature review approach.This review revealed that diabetes is an ailment that affects all individuals irrespective of socioeconomic status;however,its prevalence is high in low-income countries.Hence,despite the higher prevalence of diabetes in developing countries compared with developed countries,diabetes is not a poor man’s ailment because it affects individuals of all incomes.While the number of diabetic patients that access and utilize diabetes medical care services has increased over the years,some personal and institutional factors still limit patients’access to the use of diabetes care.Also,there is a lacuna in the diabetes literature concerning the extent of utilization of available healthcare services by diabetic patients.

The role of civil society organisations (CSOs) in healthcare delivery system: A case study of child immunisation in Kabarole district, Uganda

Background: The importance of civil society organisations in health care delivery systems cannot be under-rated in sub-SaharanAfricaand other developing nations worldwide. Civil society organisations play a central role in service delivery and development of democracy. However, little is known about the roles and achievements of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in healthcare. The study aimed at exploring the role of civil society organisations in health care delivery system particularly in children immunization. Methods: A questionnaire survey involving 282 households was conducted. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics followed by multivariable logistic regression. Results: Ninety seven percent (97%) confirmed that CSOs/NGOs healthcare facilities played a major role in healthcare service delivery. 84% travelled long distances to access the healthcare services including child immunisation services. Travelling long distances (>2 km) to access for health care services including immunization compared to short distance (<1 km) (OR = 0.4, P = 0.0001), possessing a food stores (enguli) compared to not having a food store (enguli) (OR = 2.3, P = 0.002), having separate animal houses compared to not having livestock houses (OR = 0.09, P = 0.0001), and owning a bicycle compared to not having a bicycle (OR = 2.2, P = 0.005) are important determinants for the number of clients at CSO health centers. Further, possessing and using a cellphone compared to no cellphone (OR = 3.7, P = 0.001), Possessing and watching a television compared to not having a television (OR = 2.4, P = 0.002), educated compared to not acquiring any formal education (OR = 0.084, P = 0.0001), and female compared to male respondent (OR = 0.49, P = 0.0045) are other most important factors likely to determine the numbers of clients at the CSO healthcare. Conclusion: Geographies of CSO and community socioeconomics strongly determine the operations and the roles played by the CSO healthcare services in Uganda. Further studies to assess the role of CSO health service providers in other healthcare services need to be done.

Understanding of Traditional Knowledge and Indigenous Institutions on Sustainable Land Management in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania

The paper is based on a study whose objective is to provide an understanding of the extent to which traditional knowledge and indigenous institutions for natural resource governance remain relevant to solving current land degradation issues and how they are integrated in formal policy process in Kilimanjaro Region. Data collection for this study combined qualitative and quantitative methods. A total of 221 individuals from households were interviewed using a structured questionnaire;41 in-depth interviews and 24 focus group discussions were held. Findings indicate that the community acknowledges that there is traditional knowledge and indigenous institutions regarding sustainable land management. However, awareness of the traditional knowledge and practices varied between districts. Rural-based districts were found to be more aware and therefore practiced more of traditional knowledge than urban based districts. Variations in landscape features such as proneness to drought, landslides and soil erosion have also attracted variable responses among the communities regarding traditional knowledge and indigenous practices of sustainable land management. In addition, men were found to have more keen interest in conserving the land than women as well as involvement in other traditional practices of sustainable land management. This is due to the fact that, customarily, it is men who inherit and own land. This, among other factors, could have limited the integration of traditional knowledge and indigenous institutions in village by-laws and overall policy process. The paper concludes by recommending that traditional knowledge and indigenous institutions for sustainable land management should be promoted among the younger generations so as to capture their interest, and ensure that successful practices are effectively integrated into the national policies and strategies.

Challenges of Local Coping Capacities due to Climate Change in the Coastal Regions of Bangladesh

Bangladesh is prone to a multitude of natural hazards and vulnerable to the adverse impacts of future change in climatic conditions. One of the most vulnerable aspects in climate change is the fragile coastal ecosystem in Bangladesh. Here, different ecosystems are highly exposed to cyclone, sea level rise, coastal flooding, flash flood, intense riverine floods, droughts and other climatic extremes. Traditionally, in Bangladesh, climatic variations have provided opportunities (resources) and imposed costs (hazards), depending on how society adapted to the environment. In the drive for modernization, evolving technologies and economic and social structures alter existing systems and make many sectors and groups in the ecosystems (especially Coastal Areas) more vulnerable to significant variations in climate and sea level. In this regard, indigenous knowledge and local coping capacities have become a key to survival of the people of the coastal areas (like Sundarbans Area) of Bangladesh. But in recent years, climate change has had a serious impact on the livelihood enterprises and coping capacities. The present paper has been prepared based on secondary sources to examine the often intriguing coping strategies of the coastal areas due to the adverse impacts of climate change. This paper hopes to contribute to our broader understanding of the challenges of the local coping strategies that communities have developed in their quest to stabilize increasingly fragile livelihood systems.

Perceptions of Health Warning Signs in Seriously Ill Woman of Childbearing Age in Kinshasa

Introduction: For seriously ill women of childbearing age, perceived health warning signs may influence decision of whether or not to seek care. Inaccurate perceptions of patients and those around them may lead to attitudes that delay seeking care. This study analyzes perceptions of danger and related delays to seek care in Kinshasa. Methods: Sixty deceased women who died between March and April 2004 were taken away from two Kinshasa mortuaries. History of disease and deaths were reconstructed through medical records and semi-structured interviews of family members and leaders. The Qualitative Software Research was used to conduct a qualitative analysis. Results: Perceived health warning signs had five manifestations: Specific clinical health warning signs, aggravation of non-specific signs, persistence of signs, indirect danger signs and superstitious signs. The incorrect perception of the signs was an important cause of late awareness of the danger and delayed decision to seek care. Conclusion: Misunderstandings of signs often delayed awareness of danger as well as decisions to seek appropriate care. Educational programs teaching health warning signs should be designed to promote the timely use of facilities.

A Content Analysis Study Describing Information Regarding Female Genital Mutilation Present in US Medical Textbooks

This study examines the depth of information regarding Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)/Female Cutting (FC) present in US medical textbooks. According to Klein et al. (2018) [1], despite substantial attention regarding the effects of FGM, this practice is still ongoing all over the world. Healthcare providers are very important actors who need to understand FGM in order to provide care to girls and women subjected to it, but the small amount of existing work in this area shows a low level of knowledge and training about FGM/FC among U.S. physicians. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) first published the estimated number of girls at risk of FGM/FC in the U.S. to be about 168,000 in 1997;that number had increased to 513,000 girls in the US by 2012 (according to Goldberg et al.) In this study, a small sample of medical textbooks were analyzed for the degree to which the textbooks include information regarding FGM/FC. The results of this study show that US medical textbooks do not include information regarding FGM/FC, suggesting that most medical providers don’t have knowledge and training about FGM/FC. The inadequate information on FGM/FC in medical textbooks reflects a culturally biased lack of recognition of the number of girls and women affected in the US. This maintains an ongoing pattern of silence that reinforces gender inequality. Considering the inadequate information covered in US medical textbooks on FGM/FC, and the concordant lack of provider training to provide advice and care to affected girls and women, incorrect and missed diagnoses may lead to harm to victims of FGM/FC. Providers would be better equipped to care for women and girls if their medical training included information regarding FGM/FC.

Technological Innovations for Climate Adaptation and Peacebuilding: A Holistic Approach to Resource Conflict and Environmental Challenges

The intertwined challenges of climate change, resource scarcity, and conflict require innovative integrated solutions that address both environmental and societal vulnerabilities. Technological innovation offers a transformative pathway for climate change adaptation and peacebuilding, with emphasis on a holistic approach to managing resource conflicts and environmental challenges. This paper explores the synergies between emerging technologies and strategic framework to mitigate climate-induced tensions and foster resilience. It focuses on the application of renewable energy systems to reduce dependence on contested resources, blockchain technology to ensure transparency in climate finance, equitable resource allocation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance early warning systems for climate-related disaster and conflicts. Additionally, technologies such as precision agriculture and remote sensing empower communities to optimize resource use, adapt to shifting environmental conditions, and reduce competition over scares resources. These innovations with inclusive governance and local capacity-building are very primordial. Ultimately, the convergence of technology, policy, and local participation offers a scalable and replicable model for addressing the dual challenges of environmental degradation and instability, thereby paving the way for a more sustainable and peaceful future.

Examining the Views and Opinions of Itinerary Traders on Adherence to COVID-19 Lockdown in Enugu State,Nigeria

The outbreak of COVID-19 caused human activities to be affected in one way or another.As a result,measures were put in place by various national governments to reduce the spread of the virus.This paper examines adherence to COVID-19 guidelines in Nigeria among itinerant traders,using a total of 40 eligible participants from selected local governments in Enugu state,Nigeria.The study adapted purposive sampling techniques to identify eligible participants;while in-depth interview was the method used for data collection.Among other findings,result shows that the control measures rolled out by government were seriously undermined.Nomadic traders,driven by economic gains,played covert role in the spread of the virus.This signalled a weak link in the efforts to curb the spread of the virus in Nigeria.The study contributes to a more exact diagnosis of the weak link in the efforts to contain the spread of the virus and how the quest for economic gains drove the abuse of COVID-19 mitigation protocols with its attendant health implications.It therefore recommends that government should strengthen the institutional capacity for detection and control,and provide the critical infrastructural facilities that will make for intensified surveillance in future epidemic or pandemic outbreak.Economic incentives and the effective monitoring of protocol enforcers saddled with the responsibility of enforcing government directives are also encouraged in order to curb compromise.

HIV/AIDS-Related Knowledge among Secondary School Students in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and Aim of the Study: HIV/AIDS is best viewed as a major epidemic which poses serious challenges to mankind on a global scale. The aim of this study was to assess the HIV/AIDS-related knowledge among secondary school students in Bangladesh and investigate the association between secondary school students’ socio-demographic characteristics and their level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS. Methods: Following multistage random sampling technique, a total of 384 students aged 11-17 years were sampled from eight secondary schools and interviewed through a predesigned semi-structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done at three stages including descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and multivariate logistic regression. Results: The findings of the study revealed that more than half (55.26%) of the students were above 14 years of age and their ages ranged from 11 to 17 years. This study also found that around three-fourths of the students (75.78%) watched television. With regard to knowledge, this study demonstrated that around two-fifths of the students (36.98%) had very good knowledge about HIV/AIDS and their main sources of HIV/AIDS information were television, newspaper, radio, textbooks, and teachers. The bivariate results of the study indicated that students’ age, gender, type of school, household income, fathers’ and mothers’ literacy, and watching television were significantly associated with level of knowledge about HIV/AIDS. In addition, students’ age, mothers’ literacy, and watching television were found as the significant predictors of knowledge about HIV/AIDS. Watching television was documented as the best single predictor. Conclusion: The results of the study strengthen the assumption that there is an influence of students’ socio-demographic characteristics upon their knowledge about HIV/ AIDS. Moreover, this study suggests that more information on HIV/AIDS should be included in the textbooks of secondary school students in Bangladesh to enhance their knowledge about the taboo subject.

Natural hazards in Santo Domingo de Heredia, Costa Rica, Central America

Santo Domingo de Heredia, Costa Rica is a county facing serious risks from natural hazards, specifically flooding, earthquakes, volcanic activity and landslides. In order to inform disaster risk reduction efforts and improve the safety and well-being of local residents, this article assessed these natural hazards using a geographical approach. First, we described the four hazards based on a review of reports from previous emergencies, scientific papers and newspaper articles. Second, we integrated spatial data on each hazard to create a hazard density index for the county at the level of the census unit (n = 140). Results demonstrate that river flooding has caused the most damage of the four hazards in recent times. Both seismic and volcanic risks (specifically ash fall from volcanic eruptions) affect the entire area of Santo Domingo. Landslides have affected localized, settled areas of steep river canyons in the southern part of the county. In general, the highest density of hazards is located in the southern reaches of Santo Domingo. As such, we recommend that local authorities concentrate their management efforts in that area.

A Longitudinal Study of Human Exposure to Potential Nuclear Power Plant Risk

This study constructs a potential risk index(PRI) for the 65 U.S.-based commercial nuclear power plant(NPP) sites in relation to their surrounding populations. Four risk levels are defined: low risk, moderate risk,high risk, and very high risk. Discrepancies that exist in the sociodemographic characteristics of the host communities’ populations are examined as sorted by risk-level category.It is found that a greater percentage of minority groups are exposed to the highest levels of risk. In addition, percent 'Hispanic' and percent 'Other,'a grouping that includes multiracial, mixed, interracial, as well as Hispanic and Latino groups(for example, Mexican, Puerto Rican,Cuban, or Spanish) are categories that show the greatest percent change in both the period 1990–2000 and2000–2010.

Gabapentin prevalence:clinical and forensic experience in St.Louis,Missouri,USA

Gabapentin(Neurontin)is an anti-epileptic drug that has had wide off-label prescription use since market release due to presumed negligible abuse potential.However,trends in drug misuse have demonstrated that gabapentin misuse is occurring,particularly in those with a history of opioid misuse.This is concerning,because although gabapentin has no direct ligand activity at opioid receptors,it does potentiate the analgesic effect of opioids,and concurrent use of gabapentin and opioids may increase the risk of respiratory depressive effects of opioids.This study investigates the incidence of gabapentin detected in urine samples collected for clinical drug screening purposes in a local hospital emergency department and in postmortem samples submitted by medical examiners in the St.Louis metropolitan area.The prevalence of gabapentin and co-detected drugs in both populations is contrasted,compared,and discussed.This study found that 30%of urine samples collected from patients with suspected drug intoxication presenting to SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital,a quaternary care medical center,were positive for gabapentin,and nearly two thirds of those were also positive for oxycodone.Over a 6-month period,the incidence of gabapentin positive postmortem cases increased from 18%to 20%.Nearly all gabapentin positive postmortem cases were also positive for an opioid,the most significant being fentanyl,suggesting that gabapentin misuse may be due to its potentiating effect of opioid drug action.This study also highlights the limited utility of immunoassay-based urine drug screens.

Evaluating indicators of human well-being for ecosystem-based management

Introduction:Interrelated social and ecological challenges demand an understanding of how environmental change and management decisions affect human well-being.This paper out-lines a framework for measuring human well-being for ecosystem-based management(EBM).We present a prototype that can be adapted and developed for various scales and contexts.Scientists and managers use indicators to assess status and trends in integrated ecosystem assessments(IEAs).To improve the social science rigor and success of EBM,we developed a systematic and transparent approach for evaluating indicators of human well-being for an IEA.Methods:Our process is based on a comprehensive conceptualization of human well-being,a scalable analysis of management priorities,and a set of indicator screening criteria tailored to the needs of EBM.We tested our approach by evaluating more than 2000 existing social indicators related to ocean and coastal management of the US West Coast.We focused on two foundational attributes of human well-being:resource access and self-determination.Outcomes and Discussion:Our results suggest that existing indicators and data are limited in their ability to reflect linkages between environmental change and human well-being,and extremely limited in their ability to assess social equity and justice.We reveal a critical need for new social indicators tailored to answer environmental questions and new data that are disaggregated by social variables to measure equity.In both,we stress the importance of collaborating with the people whose well-being is to be assessed.Conclusion:Our framework is designed to encourage governments and communities to carefully assess the complex tradeoffs inherent in environmental decision-making.

Public Exposure to U.S. Commercial Nuclear Power Plants Induced Disasters

This study explores the potential risks associated with the 65 U.S.-based commercial nuclear power plants and the distribution of those risks among the populations of both their respective host communities and of the communities located in outlying areas. First, it starts by examining the racial/ethnic composition of the host community populations, as well as the disparities in socioeconomic status that exist, if any, between the host communities and communities located in outlying areas.Second, it utilizes two independent-sample T tests to identify any differences in the sociodemographic compositions of the two areas. Third, it explores regional demographic trends by looking at the percent change in demographic variables in the host communities and communities located in outlying areas in 1990–2000 and2000–2010. Findings reveal that during the past two decades more people were exposed to the risks as population living in the host communities increased.