Ophthalmic exam and ophthalmology residents’ subspecialty preference

AIM:To evaluate residents’perceptions and attitudes toward the various aspects of a comprehensive ophthalmic examination,and to determine if these factors correlate with their choices for fellowship and future career plans.METHODS:This is a cross-sectional study.A questionnaire on the perception of the ophthalmic exam was sent via SurveyMonkey to ophthalmology residents throughout Israel.Eighty of them(one-half of all ophthalmology residents in 2019)completed it.The first part related to how they perceived each component of the ophthalmic evaluation.The second part related to their future fellowship plans.The Chi-squared test was used to compare categorical variables and Student’s t-test and One-way ANOVA were used to compare continuous variables.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied as needed to detect interactions between variables and to exclude confounder effects.RESULTS:Slit-lamp examination of the anterior and posterior segments ranked as the most likeable aspects,whereas gonioscopy,ocular motility examination and visual acuity assessment were least likeable.Anterior segment and retina subspecialties were the ones most sought after.Forty-nine respondents(61.3%)noted a direct correlation between their preferred parts of comprehensive ophthalmic evaluations and their choice of subspecialty.Perceptions of selected components of those evaluations were significantly associated with responders’intentions to pursue anterior segment,retina,or oculoplastic fellowships(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Perspectives of residents toward the ophthalmic examination,and most specifically its individual components,play an important role in their choice of subspecialty training.

Cost of Medical Treatment for Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma in Relation to Patients’ Income and Its Impact on the Prognosis of the Disease, in Bouaké University Hospital

Introduction: Medical treatment for POAG is continuous and lifelong treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the cost of this treatment and patients’ income and the impact of this relationship on treatment compliance. Materials and Methods: Prospective cross-sectional study with a descriptive aim covering sociodemographic data, average incomes, and direct and indirect costs of treatment of 57 patients followed for POAG during the period from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2016 (5 years). Results: The patients were aged 25 to 77 years (mean = 54.4 years) with a male predominance (sex ratio = 1.5). Retirees were the most represented (26.32%), followed by workers in the informal sector (14.04%) and housewives (12.28%). Patients who had an annual income less than or equal to 900,000 CFA francs (€1370.83) per year represented 56.14% and those who did not have health coverage represented 57.89%. The treatment was monotherapy (64.91%), dual therapy (31.58%) or triple therapy (3.05%) and the average ratio of “annual cost of treatment to annual income” was 0.56 with for maximum 2.23 and 0.02 as minimum. Patients who considered the cost of treatment unbearable for their income represented 78.95%. Conclusion: Prevention of blindness due to glaucoma requires early detection but also the establishment of health coverage mechanisms to improve compliance with medical treatment. In addition, consideration should be given to the development of glaucoma surgery in our country, the indication of which could be the first intention in certain patients, considering for those patients, the geographical and financial accessibility of medical treatment. .

Influence of Transportation Accessibility on Urban-rural Income Disparity and Its Spatial Heterogeneity

Transportation accessibility has been treated as an important means of reducing the urban-rural income disparity.However,only a few studies have examined the effects of different types of transportation accessibility on urban-rural income disparity and their spatial heterogeneity.Based on data from 285 prefecture-level(and above)Chinese cities in 2000,2005,2010,2015,and 2020,this study uses spatial econometric models to examine how highway accessibility and railway accessibility influence the urban-rural income disparity and to identify their spatial heterogeneity.The result reveals that highway accessibility and railway accessibility have‘coreperiphery’ring-like circle structures.The urban-rural income disparity exhibits strong spatial clustering effects.Both highway accessibility and railway accessibility are negatively associated with urban-rural income disparity,and the former having a greater effect size.Moreover,there is a substitution effect between highway accessibility and railway accessibility in the whole sample.Furthermore,these associations differ in geographic regions.In the central region,highway accessibility is more important in reducing the urban-rural income disparity,but its effect is weakened with the increase of railway accessibility.In the western region,railway accessibility has a larger effect on narrowing the urban-rural income disparity,and this effect is strengthened by the increase of highway accessibility.We conclude that improving transportation accessibility is conducive to reducing the urban-rural income disparity but its effect is spatial heterogenetic.Highways and railways should be developed in a coordinated manner to promote an integrated transport network system.

The Impact of the Digital Economy on Rural Residents’Working Hours:Mechanisms and Empirical Evidence

The rapid development of the digital economy has provided a new impetus for rural residents to extend their working hours.Based on the data collected by the China Labor-force Dynamics Survey(CLDS)in 2014,2016,and 2018,this paper measured the development level of the digital economy in China from the perspectives of internet development and digital financial inclusion,and tested the mechanisms of how the digital economy affected rural residents’working hours.The results showed that the digital economy extended rural residents’working hours by expanding information channels and enhancing human capital,and this mechanism was affected by heterogeneity in rural residents’educational background,age,and social capital.Building on these findings,this paper holds that to increase rural residents’income by extending their working hours and achieving common prosperity for all,it is necessary to expand the opportunities for rural residents to participate in skills training and promote their accumulation of human capital.

First experience in laparoscopic surgery in low and middle income countries: A systematic review

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic surgery has reduced morbidity and mortality rates,shorter post-operative recovery periods and lower complication rates than open surgery.It is routine practice in high-income countries and is becoming increasingly common in countries with limited resources.However,introducing laparoscopic surgery in low-and-middle-income countries(LMIC)can be expensive and requires resour-ces,equipment,and trainers.AIM To report the challenges and benefits of introducing laparoscopic surgery in LMIC as well as to identify solutions to these challenges for countries with limited finances and resources.METHODS MEDLINE,EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched for studies reporting first experience in laparoscopic surgery in LMIC.Included studies were published between 1996 and 2022 with full text available in English.Exclusion criteria were studies considering only open surgery,ear,nose,and throat,endoscopy,arthro-scopy,hysteroscopy,cystoscopy,transplant,or bariatric surgery.RESULTS Ten studies out of 3409 screened papers,from eight LMIC were eligible for inclusion in the final analysis,totaling 2497 patients.Most reported challenges were related to costs of equipment and training programmes,equipment pro-blems such as faulty equipment,and access to surgical kits.Training-related challenges were reliance on foreign trainers and lack of locally trained surgeons and theatre staff.The benefits of introducing laparoscopic surgery were economic and clinical,including a reduction in hospital stay,complications,and morbidi-ty/mortality.The introduction of laparoscopic surgery also provided training opportunities for junior doctors.CONCLUSION Despite financial and technical challenges,many studies emphasise the overall benefit of introducing laparoscopic surgery in LMICs such as reduced hospital stay and the related lower cost for patients.While many of the clinical centres in LMICs have proposed practical solutions to the challenges reported,more support is critically required,in particular regarding training.

Effect of nutrition-related infodemics and social media on maternal experience: A nationwide survey in a low/middle income country

BACKGROUND Undernutrition is a crucial cause of morbidity and mortality among children in low-or middle-income countries(LMICs).A better understanding of maternal general healthy nutrition knowledge,as well as misbeliefs,is highly essential,especially in such settings.In the current era of infodemics,it is very strenuous for mothers to select not only the right source for maternal nutrition information but the correct information as well.AIM To assess maternal healthy nutritional knowledge and nutrition-related misbeliefs and misinformation in an LMIC,and to determine the sources of such information and their assessment methods.METHODS This cross-sectional analytical observational study enrolled 5148 randomly selected Egyptian mothers who had one or more children less than 15 years old.The data were collected through online questionnaire forms:One was for the general nutrition knowledge assessment,and the other was for the nutritional myth score.Sources of information and ways of evaluating internet sources using the Currency,Relevance,Authority,Accuracy,and Purpose test were additionally analyzed.RESULTS The mean general nutrition knowledge score was 29±9,with a percent score of 70.8%±12.1%(total score:41).The median myth score was 9(interquartile range:6,12;total score:18).The primary sources of nutrition knowledge for the enrolled mothers were social media platforms(55%).Half of the mothers managed information for currency and authority,except for considering the author's contact information.More than 60%regularly checked information for accuracy and purpose.The mothers with significant nutrition knowledge checked periodically for the author's contact information(P=0.012).The nutrition myth score was significantly lower among mothers who periodically checked the evidence of the information(P=0.016).Mothers dependent on their healthcare providers as the primary source of their general nutritional knowledge were less likely to hold myths by 13%(P=0.044).However,using social media increased the likelihood of having myths among mothers by approximately 1.2(P=0.001).CONCLUSION Social media platforms were found to be the primary source of maternal nutrition information in the current era of infodemics.However,healthcare providers were the only source for decreasing the incidence of maternal myths among the surveyed mothers.

The Prediction for the Consumer Price Index of Residents in Perspective of Time Series Method in Case of Chongqing

The consumer price index (CPI) measures the relative number of changes in the price level of consumer goods and services over time, reflecting the trend and degree of changes in the price level of goods and services purchased by residents. This article uses the ARMA model to analyze the fluctuation trend of the CPI (taking Chongqing as an example) and make short-term predictions. To test the predictive performance of the model, the observation values from January to December 2023 were retained as the reference object for evaluating the predictive accuracy of the model. Finally, through trial predictions of the data from May to August 2023, it was found that the constructed model had good fitting performance.

Epidemiological, Clinical Aspects and Outcome of Measles in a Low-Income Country in 2023

Introduction: Measles remains a worrying health problem in sub-Saharan African countries. There have been measles outbreaks in Cameroon with the most recent occurring between October 2022 and September 2023. The Centre region of Cameroon was the most affected in the country and being at the frontline of the fight against this illness, we conducted this study in order to determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics as well as the outcome of children who contracted the measles and were hospitalized at the Yaoundé Gynaeco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital. Methodology: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive and prospective study for one year from October 2022 to November 2023 corresponding to the duration of the outbreak. We included all children admitted in the pediatric unit for measles and its complications during this period. Results: In total, 60 children were enrolled. Their caregivers were mostly their mothers who had a mean age of 34.71 ± 9.55 years living in significant precarious conditions for the majority. The median age of children was 16 months (09 - 30 months). Twenty six percent of children (16) were less than 9 months. Girls were predominant (55%). Most children were not up to date with their routine EPI vaccination (80%) and most did not receive the measles and Rubella vaccine (76.67%). Clinical manifestations, included fever, conjunctivitis, and cough. Skin rash and catarrh (98.33% and 86.67% respectively) are the case definition signs of measles. The outcome was unfavorable for 4 children. One had a neurological disorder: coma and three presented with pneumonia and severe respiratory distress (6.67%). Conclusion: Measles is still being a reality and claiming lives in our context, emphasis should be made on immunization coverage and if possible, advocacies should be formulated to decrease the age of measles vaccine administration.

Comparative Research on Prediction Model of China's Urban-rural Residents' Income Gap

By using the data concerning China's urban-rural residents' income gap from 1978 to 2010,this paper mainly researches the application of several kinds of models in predicting China's urban-rural residents' income gap.By conducting empirical analysis,we establish ARIMA prediction model,grey prediction model and quadratic-polynomial prediction model and conduct accuracy comparison.The results show that quadratic-polynomial prediction model has excellent fitting effect.By using quadratic-polynomial prediction model,this paper conducts prediction on trend of China's urban-rural residents' income gap from 2011 to 2013,and the prediction value of income gap of urban-rural residents in China from 2011 to 2013 is 14 173.20,15 212.92 and 16 289.67 yuan respectively.Finally,on the basis of analysis,corresponding countermeasures are put forward,in order to provide scientific basis for energy planning and policy formulation:first,strengthen government's function of public service,coordinate resources,and strive to provide an equal opportunity of development for social members,so as to promote people's welfare and promote social equality;second,breach industrial monopoly and bridge income gap between employees in monopoly industry and general industry;last but not the least,support,encourage and call for government to establish social relief fund,adjust residents' income distribution from the non-governmental perspective,and endeavor to promote the income level of low-income class.

Overview of Research on Relationship between Income Level and Happiness of Chinese Rural Residents

By conducting meta-analysis on the researches of relationship between income level and happiness at home and abroad,this paper researches the relationship between income level and happiness.The results show that the relationship between income level and happiness takes on U-shape curve,and it can be explained from adaptation,social comparison and psychological expectation.Finally,in order to promote rural residents' income level and strengthen rural residents' happiness in China,corresponding policy suggestions are put forward as follows:bridge gap of urban-rural residents' income distribution;dilute the competitions for money and status among people;perfect rural social security system;endeavor to create a situation in which all rural residents do their best.

The Impact of the Income Gap in Rural China on Residents' Consumption Based on Theil Index

This paper measures the Chinese regional income distribution gap based on the Theil index with data of 31 provinces in China from 1998 to 2011. The results showed that overall the income gap between China's rural areas was on the rise from 1998 to 2006,and the income gap was mainly caused by the gap between the East China,Central China and West China. After 2006,it showed a slow decline. The dynamic panel data model established for consumer demand,spending habits,income,regional income disparities showed that income and regional income disparities significantly influence consumer demand of rural residents. Before 2006 regional income gap inhibited the consumption of rural residents,but it promoted consumption after 2006.

The Income Gap among Rural Residents in Shaanxi Province,China

According to the analysis on the current status of the income gap among rural residents in Shaanxi Province,it is found out that the income of rural residents in Shaanxi Province of China is not only lower than the average income level of China,but also far lower than the income level of urban residents and the income level of rural residents in developed areas.The low income is mainly caused by the increasing income gap among income groups and the income gap among rural residents in different areas.Based on this,causations for the income gap among rural residents are analyzed from three aspects of the cultural difference,the regional economic difference,and the industrial structure difference.Countermeasures for narrowing the income gap and increasing the farmers' income in Shaanxi Province are put forward,such as vigorously developing the rural economy and speeding up the transfer of rural surplus labor forces in China.

Difference of Urban-rural Residents' Income and Consumption in Chongqing City from 2000 to 2009

By selecting the relevant indices of data concerning the income and consumption of urban residents and rural residents in Chongqing City from 2000 to 2009,we adopt empirical analysis method and comparative analysis method to conduct comparative analysis from overall level,consumption structure and regional difference.The results show that income level is the most direct and fundamental factor impacting urban-rural residents' consumption,and eventually determines the consumption level and consumption structure of urban-rural residents;the consumption structure of urban-rural residents in Chongqing City takes on prominent dual structure,with conspicuous gap between urban areas and rural areas;the level of income and consumption of urban-rural residents in Chongqing City is lower than the national average,especially for the rural residents;the gap of income per capita and consumption per capita of rural residents in " One-hour Economic Circle" and "Two Wings" of Chongqing City is prominent.Corresponding policy suggestions are put forward as follows:improve financial transfer payment system;quicken the pace of urbanization;coordinate urban-rural industrial development;guide farmers to establish correct consumption idea.

Fiscal Expenditure and Income Gap between Urban and Rural Residents: An Empirical Study Based on Malmquist Index and Spatial Econometrics

Based on the analysis methods of non-parametric Malmquist index and spatial econometrics as well as the provincial panel data in 2007-2010, this paper estimates the efficiency of fiscal expenditure from local governments in china in terms of reducing the income gap between urban and rural residents for the first time and evaluates the spatial correlation and heterogeneity of this efficiency. The results have shown that the fiscal expenditure of most provinces is of low efficiency in reducing the income gap between urban and rural residents, and the expenditure efficiency of local governments is not relevant to their levels of economic development. Besides, the efficiency on reducing the urban-rural income gap between different regions of China has a tendency of convergence. But this is mainly reflected inside the regional economic belt. There is significant difference between the efficiency of each economic belt. The central region has the highest efficiency in a rising trend, the western region has the lowest efficiency in a downward trend, while the eastern region is relatively stable.

Research on the Relationship between Income and Consumption of the Urban Residents in Hunan Province on the Basis of Error Correction Model

By using error correction model, I conduct co-integration analysis on the research of the relationship between the per capita practical consumption and per capita practical disposable income of urban residents in Hunan Province from 1978 to 2009. The results show that there is a co-integration relationship between the per capita practical consumption and the practical per capita disposable income of urban residents, and based on these, the corresponding error correction model is established. Finally, corresponding countermeasures and suggestions are put forward as follows: broaden the income channel of urban residents; create goods consuming environment; perfect socialist security system.

An Empirical Analysis on the Impact of Rural Financial Development on the Income Gap between Urban and Rural Residents in Heilongjiang Province

The high-quality development of rural finance is an important support for rural revitalization.In recent years,it continuously expands the investment in rural finance in Heilongjiang Province,and optimizes the rural financial service system and mechanism.The overall income level and living conditions of rural residents have been significantly improved,but there still exists income gap between urban and rural residents.Therefore,based on analyzing and combing current situation and problems of rural financial development and urban-rural income gap in Heilongjiang Province,multiple linear regression model is used to study the impact of rural financial development on the income gap between urban and rural residents in Heilongjiang Province.The research results show that the scale of rural financial development in Heilongjiang Province will enlarge the income gap between urban and rural residents,while rural financial development efficiency and urbanization level reduce income gap between urban and rural residents in Heilongjiang Province.Based on the above conclusions,some policy suggestions to promote the equalization of urban and rural income in Heilongjiang Province are puts forward in this paper.

The Empirical Research of Relationship between Consumption and Income for Chinese Urban Residents

This paper studied the clustering analysis of panel data, the specification test of panel data model and its parameter estimation. By carrying out clustering analysis on panel data, we finally decided to study the relationship of Chinese urban residents’ eight income levels between consumption and income from 2007 to 2012. Based on analysis of covariance in panel data model, we built the variable coefficient panel data model and then estimated the model parameters. In this work, we can identify the relationship between consumption and income in recent years. According to the estimation results, we drew the conclusion that income disparities have important influence on urban residents’ consumption behavior.

Research and Analysis on Difference in Per Capita Net Income of Chinese Rural Residents

The study aims to understand the variation of difference in per capita net income of rural residents during China's economic development in recent years. The writer studies and analyzes rural residents' income gap between 1997 and 2008 with relevant theories of income difference and the calculation of absolute difference index as well as relative difference index and obtains the conclusion that absolute difference of Chinese rural residents' income experienced an upward trend while relative difference generally remained constant with slight fluctuation and growth, which reflects that rural residents' income gap is increasing gradually. The writer also puts forward some related proposals and countermeasures.

Dynamic Analysis of Interaction between Rural Residents' Consumption and Income

In recent years,the income and consumption level of farmers is lower than that of urban residents,and in the context of current grave international economic environment,it is very unfavorable to expanding domestic demand and stimulating economic growth. Based on the empirical analysis of rural residents' income and consumption,this paper explores the reasons for lagging consumption of rural residents in China,and finally puts forth the recommendations for increasing farmers' income,promoting farmers' consumption and expanding the rural market.

Empirical Study on the Relationship between Income and Consumption of Rural Residents in Hebei Province

Based on the relevant data of the actual income and consumption of rural residents in Hebei Province from 1983 to 2007,the relationship between actual income and consumption of rural residents was tested by applying the co-integration theory and Granger causality test.The result shows that there is long-term stable equilibrium relationship between the net Income per capita and consumption expenditure per capita of rural residents in Hebei Province from 1983 to 2007;the result of Granger causality test shows that the actual Income of rural residents in Hebei Province has significant impact on the actual consumption,but the impact is weakened gradually;in short term,the impact of the actual consumption on the actual income is not so significant,but the impact will become significant gradually as time goes on.During the process of the mutual impact and function of the actual income and consumption of rural residents in Hebei Province,the impact of the actual income of rural residents on the actual consumption is mainly represented in short term;in middle term,the interactions between the actual Income and actual consumption are significant;in long term,the impact of the actual consumption on the actual income is mainly displayed.According to the result,in short term the government in Hebei Province can expand consumption through increasing the income of rural residents,while in long term the government can drive the economic growth by expanding domestic demands.