Posttraumatic stress symptoms among Chinese university students during the COVID-19 pandemic:Prevalence,correlates,and mental health help-seeking

BACKGROUND Revisiting the epidemiology of posttraumatic stress symptoms(PTSSs)among university students during the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic as well as understanding the mental health help-seeking behavior of individuals with PTSSs has critical implications for public mental health strategies in future medical pandemics.AIM To investigate the prevalence and correlates of PTSSs among university students during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in China and to examine mental health help-seeking behaviors among these students.METHODS A total of 2507 Chinese university students were recruited via snowball sampling.The students completed the Seven-item Screening Scale for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in China.Sociodemo-graphic characteristics,pandemic-related characteristics,and mental health help-seeking behaviors of students with PTSSs were also collected.RESULTS The prevalence of PTSSs among the participants was 28.0%.Seven significant correlates of PTSSs were identified(odds ratio=1.23-3.65,P≤0.024):Female sex,being 19 years old or older,living with others or alone,a low level of family economic status,fair or poor interpersonal relationships,severe or very severe local pandemic,and having family members diagnosed with COVID-19.However,only 3.28%of the students with PTSSs reported seeking help from mental health specialists.Among the 23 students who sought help from mental health specialists,13 opted for online or telephone-based psychological consultation.CONCLUSION Our data suggest that there was a high risk of PTSSs among university students and a high level of unmet mental health needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.The delivery of mental health services online or via telephone is a promising approach to address these unmet needs.

Associations between Rejective Parenting Style and Academic Anxiety among Chinese High School Students:The Chain Mediation Effect of Self-Concept and Positive Coping Style

Background:The phenomenon of academic anxiety has been demonstrated to exert a considerable influence on students’academic engagement,leading to the emergence of a phenomenon known as“learned helplessness”and undermining the selfconfidence and motivation of high school students.Using acceptance-rejection theory,this study elucidated how a rejective parenting style affects Chinese high school students’academic anxiety and explored the urban-rural heterogeneity of this relationship.Methods:Data were analyzed using a stratified whole-cluster random sampling method.There are a total of 30,000 high school students in the three regions of northern and central China(from Shanxi,Hebei and Henan).A sample of 2286 high school students aged 14–19 years was ultimately selected from 2760 respondents for this investigation,which was conducted at the beginning of the 2023 school year.Pearson correlation,ordinary least squares(OLS)regression analysis,path analysis,and Fisher’s permutation test(FPT)were used to examine the effects of rejective parenting style on high school students’academic anxiety.Results:Results indicated a significant positive predictive effect between rejective parenting style and academic anxiety among high school students(β=0.815,t=116.211,p<0.001).Students’self-concept was significantly positively related to positive coping style(β=0.424,t=21.208,p<0.001)and chain-mediated this relationship.Therefore,this parenting style may indirectly mitigate academic anxiety through these mediators.The study also found that the effect of rejective parenting style on academic anxiety varied by students’residential background and was more pronounced in urban areas(0.226)than in rural areas(0.130).Conclusion:The research underscores the imperative for Chinese families to reexamine their utilization of rejection parenting and to prioritize the cultivation of students’intrinsic attributes.These findings offer a theoretical framework and practical evidence for policymakers and educators to develop efficacious and targeted interventions.In particular,greater attention should be directed towards the discrepancies in the manifestation of emotional and academic anxiety between urban and rural students,and prompt guidance should be furnished.

扩展目标跟踪Student’s t逆Wishart平滑算法

脉冲干扰和离群量测信息等因素通常会导致异常的厚尾噪声,这使得以高斯假设为前提的扩展目标跟踪(ETT)估计器的性能急剧降低,针对该问题该文提出一种基于扩展目标随机矩阵模型(RMM)的Student’s t逆Wishart平滑(StIWS)算法。首先,将目标的运动状态以及过程噪声和量测噪声建模为Student’s t分布以表征异常噪声对扩展目标概率分布的影响,将目标扩展状态建模为服从逆Wishart分布的随机矩阵。然后,在Student’s t贝叶斯平滑框架下,详细推导了能在扩展目标的多重特征动态演变的过程中有效估计目标状态的StIWS算法。最后,通过扩展目标跟踪的仿真实验结果和真实场景实验结果验证了所提算法的有效性。

Effects of Social Security Spending on Income Distribution and Poverty Reduction in China

Reasonable income distribution and eradication of rural poverty are vital for building a moderately prosperous society in all respects in China.This paper primarily examines the income distribution and poverty reduction effects of social security spending.Market income and redistribution policies are two determinants of income gaps.Based on CHIP2018 household survey data,we find that inadequate income redistribution policies have contributed to yawning income gaps,and that social security spending is more redistributive than personal income tax and social security contributions.After estimating the redistribution effects of social security spending and itemized incomes,we find that pension payments have contributed the most to household income gaps,and that subsistence protection and rural pension payments help improve income distribution.With respect to the poverty reduction effects of social security spending,we have estimated China’s current poverty incidence and the poverty reduction effects of pension payments,healthcare,and educational allowances with CHIP2018 data,and discover that an increase in social security spending may effectively reduce rural poverty.In building a moderately prosperous society in all respects,China should increase social security spending,focusing on specific target groups,and promote the role of social security spending in regulating income distribution and offering social protection to rural residents.

Research on spending policy for university endowment funds

University endowment funds are important capitals in many universities in China today. A lot of universities target their endowment spending at a fixed spending ratio. Because of volatile inflation, it is not optimal. In this paper, the author analyzes the importance of spending policy of university endowment funds, and suggests two models in accordance with inflation-adjusted value.

Co-integration Analysis of the Relationship between Residents' Consumer Spending and GDP in Hubei Province

In accordance with the economic data from Statistical Communique on National Economy and Social Development in Hubei Province in the period 1980-2009, we use co-integration analysis method to research the impact of GDP growth on residents' consumer spending. Result shows that although there are differences between GDP and residents' consumer spending in the short term, the equilibrium relationship exists between them, namely, the co-integration relationship, showing consistency in trends.

Competitive market forces and trends in US hospital spending, 2001-2009

Objectives: To investigate components of the rapidly increasing trend in hospital spending in the 2000’s and their relationship to market structure. Study Design: Aggregate time series and multivariate analysis are conducted to test whether hospital spending growth is driven by price or quantity and how recent hospital spending growth is related to health plan and hospital market structure. Method: Hospitals are grouped into strong and weak competitive markets based on the relative concentration of hospital and health plan markets as well as managed care penetration. Results: Inflation adjusted hospital spending grew much faster than gross domestic product (GDP) throughout the 2000s. Regression results show that rapid growth was observed across all hospital markets—even in those markets where price competitive market forces are the strongest and that rising hospital prices, and not utilization explain most of the increases in hospital spending. Conclusions: Hospital spending exceeded the consumer price index (CPI) by a substantial margin in the 2000’s due in part to weakening competitive market forces, which had a dampening effect on spending and especially prices. Unless competition is restored, the cost of health care for consumers, employers and public payers can be expected to increase.

The Nexus between Nigerian Government Spending and Domestic Output in the Presence of Long-Term Crude Oil Price Shock: A Conditional Unrestricted Equilibrium Correction Model Approach

This paper is an empirical analysis of provisional unrestricted level relationship between Nigerian domestic output measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and government spending proxied by capital and recurrent expenditures in the presence of static regressors such as crude oil prices and federal government retained revenues. We estimate an ARDL (1,0,1) using a single-equation approach. Results show that government expenditures have negative but statistically insignificant effects on domestic output in the long-run. Similarly, negative short run effects are established amongst the variables. However, recurrent expenditure is statistically significant in the short-run. Whilst federal government retained revenue has a positive and significant effect, crude oil price exhibited negative relationships with domestic output both at level and in the short-run dynamics. Also a high speed of adjustment implies that Nigerian Gross Domestic Product is extremely sensitive to shocks on the government spending in the long-run. An upward trend forecast between 2014 and 2020 is an indication of the continued positive impact and the government retained revenue will exert on the domestic output in the long-run.

The Impact of HIV Spending on Health Outcomes in Thailand

Background: The Sustainable Development Goals commitment to Ending HIV/AIDS by 2030 requires sustained adequate investment. This study sought to examine the association between HIV/AIDS spending and outcomes in Thailand between 2008 and 2019. Methods: A quantitative secondary data analysis with time-series was conducted using a retrospective dataset of HIV spending and some selected outcomes including the number of people living with HIV (PLHIV), incidence and prevalence of HIV/AIDS, the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) and AIDS-related deaths. Data were obtained from a diverse set of sources. Descriptive statistics and univariate regression model were used to analyze HIV expenditure and outcomes. Results: HIV spending per PLHIV rose by two folds from $347 in 2008 to more than $600 in 2019, mostly financed by domestic sources. This increase of domestic resources per PLHIV was significantly associated with better HIV-related outcomes especially in the reduction of PLHIV and AIDS-related deaths through increased number of people receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, the spending per PLHIV varied across the three public health insurance schemes. Comparison of HIV expenditure and health outcomes across upper-middle-income countries shows Thailand is not highly ranked in terms of spending efficiency despite having made good progress. Conclusion: Domestic financing for HIV programs is indispensable for achieving the goal of ending AIDS. Despite significant improvement in HIV-related outcomes, challenges remain in achieving the 90-90-90 goal. The redesigning of payment methods should be considered to increase the efficiency of HIV financing. Other factors related to strengthening the health system should not be overlooked.

Frequency and associated factors of accommodation and non-strabismic binocular vision dysfunction among medical university students

AIM:To investigate the frequency and associated factors of accommodation and non-strabismic binocular vision dysfunction among medical university students.METHODS:Totally 158 student volunteers underwent routine vision examination in the optometry clinic of Guangxi Medical University.Their data were used to identify the different types of accommodation and nonstrabismic binocular vision dysfunction and to determine their frequency.Correlation analysis and logistic regression were used to examine the factors associated with these abnormalities.RESULTS:The results showed that 36.71%of the subjects had accommodation and non-strabismic binocular vision issues,with 8.86%being attributed to accommodation dysfunction and 27.85%to binocular abnormalities.Convergence insufficiency(CI)was the most common abnormality,accounting for 13.29%.Those with these abnormalities experienced higher levels of eyestrain(χ2=69.518,P<0.001).The linear correlations were observed between the difference of binocular spherical equivalent(SE)and the index of horizontal esotropia at a distance(r=0.231,P=0.004)and the asthenopia survey scale(ASS)score(r=0.346,P<0.001).Furthermore,the right eye's SE was inversely correlated with the convergence of positive and negative fusion images at close range(r=-0.321,P<0.001),the convergence of negative fusion images at close range(r=-0.294,P<0.001),the vergence facility(VF;r=-0.234,P=0.003),and the set of negative fusion images at far range(r=-0.237,P=0.003).Logistic regression analysis indicated that gender,age,and the difference in right and binocular SE did not influence the emergence of these abnormalities.CONCLUSION:Binocular vision abnormalities are more prevalent than accommodation dysfunction,with CI being the most frequent type.Greater binocular refractive disparity leads to more severe eyestrain symptoms.

Relationship Among Reserve Ratio, Government Spending and Economic Growth

The relationship among reserve ration, government spending and economic growth was analyzed. A monetary endogenous growth model is well developed by taking into account the growth-enhancing effects of re- serve-augmenting seigniorage. If the government spends all the seigniorage revenue on the provision of a public input which has positive externality on the private sector’s production, some results to be utterly different from Bronx’s have been obtained: the economy has a unique saddle-balanced growth path, but it has nothing to do with reserve ratio. However, the higher reserve ratio, the faster speed of economic convergence.

Fiscal Livelihood Spending’s Effects on Multidimensional Poverty Reduction in China

This paper investigates how fiscal spending on livelihood improves multidimensional household poverty in China.Based on the panel data of the“China Health and Nutrition Survey”(CHNS)for 2004-2015,we measured the chronic multidimensional poverty index for Chinese households.We have created a multitiered model for empirical analysis.Our findings suggest that multidimensional poverty in China is predominantly capacity poverty.Fiscal spending on livelihoods significantly reduces multidimensional poverty for Chinese households,especially rural households.Investments on livelihoods are more poverty-reducing than transfer spending on livelihoods.As an innovation,this paper offers a dynamic analysis of the effects of livelihood spending on multidimensional household poverty controlling for heterogeneity between individual households and across regions.Our conclusion suggests that the government should improve policy arrangements to increase social opportunities and support sustainable development capacities for the poor,while enhancing protective social security systems.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Hepatitis B among Students at Gaston Berger University of Saint-Louis in 2024

Introduction: Hepatitis B is a public health problem. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of students at Gaston Berger University of Saint-Louis regarding hepatitis B. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2024 within the university’s social campus among a sample of 800 students. Results: The sex ratio favored men at 1.5, and the average age was 23.3 years with a standard deviation of 2.7 years. Among students, 26.6% had never heard of the term “hepatitis B”, and 60% knew it was a liver disease. Young people and adolescents were identified as the most exposed population group by 52.3% of respondents. According to 53.7% of the sample, hepatitis B would be a curable disease. Furthermore, 95.0% of the surveyed individuals were not vaccinated against hepatitis B, and 36.3% were afraid of living with an infected person. While 63.0% had poor knowledge, 78.8% had negative attitudes, and poor practices were observed in 6.9% of participants. Conclusion: This study highlighted a lack of knowledge and concerning attitudes among students regarding hepatitis B. The results underscore the need to intensify information and awareness campaigns about this disease, as well as the importance of promoting vaccination and encouraging appropriate preventive practices among the student population.

Preceptors'experiences in guiding nursing students to use research findings and to implement evidence-based practice

Objective:Evidence-based practices(EBPs)have been taught to students by identifying the best evidence/evidence from research results.However,the experiences of Indonesian nurse preceptors in helping students implement research findings have not been explored thoroughly.This study aimed to explore Indonesian nurse preceptors in guiding nursing students to use research findings.Methods:This study used interpretive phenomenology analysis that involves 9 nurse preceptors from hospitals in West Kalimantan,Indonesia.Semi-structured in-depth interviews were recorded and then transcribed verbatim.Results:Three themes were generated during the analysis:“types of student supervision,”“issues during supervision,”and“the need for research literacy and supervision.”Conclusions:Nurse preceptors need support to supervise the nursing students to use research findings.In addition to upgrading nursing skills,nurse preceptors must receive training in research and its utilization.Developing an appropriate strategy to assist students in using research findings will enhance the promotion of evidence-based nursing practices on a daily basis.

Investigation of the Acceptability of Cultured Meat in University Students

Background: Over the past 20 years, cultured meat has drawn a lot of public attention as a potential solution to issues with animal husbandry, including inadequate use of natural sources, improper animal welfare practices, and possible risks to public health and safety. The novel method of producing meat through culture reduces the need for animals to produce muscle fiber, thereby obviating the necessity for animal slaughter. Apart from its ethical advantages, cultured meat presents a possible way to fulfill the expanding need for food among growing populations. The purpose of this research was to find out whether Turkish students would be willing to pay for and accept cultured meat. Technique: Method: 371 university students who willingly consented to fill out a questionnaire and provide demographic data make up the research sample. Questions from previous studies on the acceptability of cultured meat were compiled to create the survey. The research’s data collection took place in March and April of 2022. The research was completed in June 2022 after the data had been processed and analyzed. Results: The results showed that the majority of participants were female and had omnivorous eating habits. Based on the results of the Bonferroni correction test, students with a higher intention to purchase and consume cultured meat were those who received economics and business education. Students with two years of university education had a higher overall survey score than those with four years of education (p < 0.05). Furthermore, it is discovered that there is a negative correlation between the participants’ ages and their Factor 2 (using cultured meat as an alternative to industrial meat) and Factor 3 (consuming and purchasing it) section points (r = -109, p = 0.036) (r = -0.121, p = 0.019). In conclusion, university students generally have a negative outlook on health-related issues, such as eating cultured meat as an alternative.

Evaluating the feasibility and preliminary effects of an online compassion training program for nursing students:A pilot randomized controlled trial

Objectives:This study aimed to assess the feasibility of an online compassion training program for nursing students and preliminarily investigate its effects on mindfulness,self-compassion,and stress reduction.Methods:This study employed a randomized controlled trial design.Second-year students from a nursing college in Guangzhou,China,were recruited as research participants in August 2023.The intervention group participated in an 8-week online compassion training program via the WeChat platform,comprising three stages:mindfulness(weeks 1e2),self-compassion(weeks 3e5),and compassion for others(weeks 6 e8).Each stage included four activities:psychoeducation,mindfulness practice,weekly diary,and emotional support.Program feasibility was assessed through recruitment and retention rates,program engagement,and participant acceptability.Program effectiveness was measured with the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale,Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form,and Perceived Stress Scale.Results:A total of 28 students completed the study(13 in the intervention group,15 in the control group).The recruitment rate was 36.46%,with a high retention rate of 93.3%.Participants demonstrated high engagement:69.2%accessed learning materials every 1e2 days,93.3%practiced mindfulness at least weekly,with an average of 4.69 diary entries submitted per person and 23.30 WeChat interactions with instructors.Regarding acceptability,all participants expressed satisfaction with the program,with 92.4%finding it“very helpful”or“extremely helpful.”In terms of intervention effects,the intervention group showed a significant increase in mindfulness levels from pre-intervention(51.54±10.93)to postintervention(62.46±13.58)(P<0.05),while no significant change was observed in the control group.Although there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in post-intervention self-compassion and perceived stress levels,the intervention group showed positive trends:selfcompassion levels increased(35.85±8.60 vs.40.85±5.54),and perceived stress levels slightly decreased(44.77±8.65 vs.42.00±5.77).Conclusions:This pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of an online compassion training program for nursing students and suggested its potential effectiveness in enhancing mindfulness,self-compassion,and stress reduction.Despite limitations such as small sample size and lack of long-term follow-up,preliminary evidence indicates promising prospects for integrating such training into nursing education.Further research is warranted to confirm thesefindings and assess the sustained impact of this approach on nursing education and practice.

Comparison of vergence mechanisms between university students with good and poor sleep quality

AIM:To compare the vergence mechanisms between good and poor sleepers in university students.METHODS:A total of 64 university students were recruited in this study.The validated Malay version of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire(PSQI-M)was used to measure the participants’sleep quality over the past month.Participants were categorized as good sleepers(n=32)and poor sleepers(n=32)based on the PSQI-M scores.Heterophoria and fusional vergences were measured at distance and near.Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare heterophoria,negative fusional vergence(NFV),and positive fusional vergence(PFV)at distance and near between good and poor sleepers.Spearman correlation analysis was used to study the relationship between PSQI-M score and PFV at distance.RESULTS:Both distance and near heterophorias were not significantly different between good and poor sleepers(P>0.05).There was a difference in distance PFV(P<0.05)between good and poor sleepers,but not in distance NFV,near NFV,and near PFV(P>0.05).Distance PFV was negatively correlated with PSQI-M score(rs=-0.33,P<0.05).CONCLUSION:University students with poor sleep quality demonstrates a reduced ability to maintain fusion with increasing convergence demand at distance.Sleep quality assessment during binocular vision examination in university students is recommended.

The Impact of Social Media on Dietary Behaviors and Body Image of College Students: A Qualitative Approach

Background: The use of social media platforms for health and nutrition information has become popular among college students. Although social media made information readily accessible in different formats, nutritional misinformation promoted by influencers and non-experts caused negative impact on diet behavior and perception of body image. Previous research indicated that extensive use of social media was positively linked to disordered eating behaviors. Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram that allow users to follow celebrities intensified exposure to influencers’ messages and images and resulted in negative moods and body dissatisfaction. Objective: This paper aims to explore the impact of social media on college students’ dietary behaviors and body image. Participants: 18 undergraduate students from a public university in the Southern United States were recruited through a mass email. Methods: A cross-sectional qualitative study of three focus groups was conducted. The focus groups were based on guiding open-ended questions. Atlas.ti was used to code and analyze the data using inductive and deductive codes. Results: Three main themes were identified. The conditions theme included elements that explain why and how social media influences the participants’ actions. The actions theme included eating behavior, physical activity, and dietary supplement intake. The consequences theme describes anticipated or actual outcomes of actions such as body image and ideal weight. Conclusions: Social media has had a negative influence on diet behaviors and a positive influence on physical activity. Evidence-based nutrition and weight management information is needed to thwart potential misinformation.