Search Results (555)

Household food waste remains a significant barrier to sustainable consumption goals. This study investigates the impact of sociodemographic characteristics influence self-reported food waste levels in Poland. A cross-sectional CAWI survey (N = 1000), based on the HFSSM, was conducted among adults responsible for purchasing household food. Associations between food waste and structural factors were analysed using χ² tests, Spearman rank correlations, and Mann–Whitney U tests. Age appears as the strongest determinant: younger respondents consistently report higher food waste, while older adults indicate markedly lower levels. Household composition is equally important—the presence and number of children significantly increase waste. Economic status is also relevant: pensioners and disability-benefit recipients report substantially less waste than employed and self-employed individuals. Net household income shows no significant effect. Education does not necessarily reduce food waste; in some comparisons, higher-educated respondents report slightly higher levels, suggesting that formal education does not automatically translate into effective food management routines. The findings highlight that food waste is primarily influenced by life stage, household structure, and daily habits rather than income or education. Interventions should focus on younger adults and families with children, emphasising practical skills such as meal planning, inventory management, appropriate storage, and the use of leftovers. Full article

First Nations children remain dramatically over-represented in Australia’s Out-of-Home Care (OOHC) system, particularly in New South Wales (NSW), which continues to report the highest numbers nationally. This narrative review, grounded in a relational First Nations Standpoint Theory and decolonising research paradigms, to critically examine the systemic, structural, and historical factors contributing to these disproportionalities. Drawing on interdisciplinary evidence across law, criminology, education, health, governance studies, and public policy, the analysis centres Indigenous-authored scholarship and contemporary empirical literature, including grey literature, inquiries, and community-led reports. Findings reveal that the OOHC system reproduces the colonial logics that historically drove the Stolen Generations. Macro-level structural drivers—including systemic racism, Indigenous data injustice, entrenched poverty and deprivation, intergenerational trauma, and Westernised governance frameworks—continue to shape child protection policies and practices. Micro-level drivers such as parental supports, mental health distress, substance misuse, family violence, and the criminalisation of children in care (“crossover children”) must be understood as direct consequences of structural inequality rather than as isolated individual risk factors. Current placement and permanency orders in NSW further compound cultural disconnection, with ongoing failures to implement the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle (ATSICPP). Contemporary cultural rights and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) frameworks highlight the urgency of restoring Indigenous authority in decision-making processes. The literature consistently demonstrates that cultural continuity, kinship networks, and ACCO-led models are sort to produce stronger long-term outcomes for children. The review concludes that genuine transformation requires a systemic shift toward Indigenous-led governance, community-controlled service delivery, data sovereignty, and legislative reform that embeds cultural rights and self-determination. Without acknowledging the structural drivers and redistributing genuine power and authority, the state risks perpetuating a cycle of removal that mirrors earlier assimilationist policies. Strengthening First Peoples governance and cultural authority is therefore essential to creating pathways for First Nations children to live safely, remain connected to family and kin, and thrive in culture. Full article

Past reviews have found home visiting interventions to be successful at improving caregiver outcomes. Though, no review has looked specifically at the effect of home visiting interventions on caregivers with high vulnerability and complex needs. This review aimed to examine and synthesis the literature on the impact of home visiting programs administered to caregivers with young children, high vulnerability and complex needs by professionals/paraprofessionals. Interdisciplinary databases, reference lists, and the Home Visiting Evidence of Effectiveness database were searched for articles that fit the inclusion criteria. Together searches resulted in a total of 623 articles, 34 of these articles were included in the final review, all from high-income countries. Twenty-five interventions were implemented across the 34 studies. Findings showed that these interventions were effective at improving a range of mental health, parenting, and family violence outcomes in caregivers with high vulnerability and complex needs. However, weighted mean standardized effect sizes ranged from 0.01–0.24 (small effect), with only one (i.e., practical parenting skills) of the five significantly different from 0 (standardized mean difference 0.24; 95% CI: 0.10, 0.38; z = 3.39, p = 0.00) and results favoring the control group. Missing information together with considerable variation in interventions, meant that identifying a clear pattern in treatment components that lead to effective verses non-effective interventions was not possible. Further research is therefore needed to assess the effectiveness of these interventions. Trial registration: The University of York Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (PROSPERO) registration number CRD42023460366. Full article

Objective: This study aimed to provide a reliable estimate of early childhood autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prevalence in Türkiye and to examine diagnostic stability and developmental trajectories through a ten-year longitudinal follow-up incorporating systematic early screening, structured parent-child observations, and repeated diagnostic assessments. Methods: A total of 1981 children aged 18-48 months were screened using the M-CHAT-R/F. Children who screened positive underwent an initial clinical assessment, including a family interview and structured parent-child observation. Those identified as at risk were referred for DSM-5-TR-based diagnostic evaluation by expert clinicians. Children diagnosed with ASD or classified as at risk were enrolled in a structured ten-year follow-up program. Results: Of the 1981 screened children, 27 (1.4%) were identified as at risk. Nine children (33.3% of at-risk; 0.45% of the total sample) received an ASD diagnosis following comprehensive evaluation. All retained their diagnosis during the 18-month follow-up. By the tenth year, two additional children from the at-risk group were diagnosed, bringing the total number of ASD cases to 11. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that structured, multi-stage screening and diagnostic procedures are feasible and effective for early ASD identification in Türkiye. High diagnostic stability supports the reliability of early clinician-led assessments, while later-emerging cases highlight the importance of long-term monitoring of at-risk children. Full article

This study aimed to assess various social–ecological traps of hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha) fisheries and to investigate the factors that significantly impact livelihood adaptation strategies during the ban period, based on fieldwork in coastal fishing communities. To collect empirical data, a total of 247 in-depth interviews were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire along with six focus group discussions, oral history, and ten key informant interviews in the Chattogram and Patuakhali districts of Bangladesh. A conceptual framework derived from a strategy for reducing poverty, known as the Sustainable Livelihood Approach (SLA), is applied to determine the livelihood outcomes of hilsa fishers. The results showed that low income (<5000 BDT/month), high interest in loans from dadondar (lender) (10–12%) and aratdar (lessor of the vessel) (5%), high harvesting costs, an increasing number of hilsa fishermen, and intergenerational traps (81.78%) are creating social–ecological traps (SETs) in the hilsa fishery. The significant factors affecting the choice of adaptation strategies include family members, training facilities, home ownership, and belonging to a formal society. Apart from fighting against some extreme climate events, negative feedback comes from the absence of cold storage facilities, illegal use of fishing nets, frequent ban seasons, ignorance of conservation laws, limited opportunities for alternative occupations, and poor supply of drinking water. Hilsa fishermen in these regions depended on aratdar and dadondar for their financial support, which resulted in lower prices than the prevailing market prices. To escape from the SETs, this study identifies potential alternatives, such as government–community finance schemes, the promotion of alternative livelihoods, opportunities for technical education of their children, improvement of the local framework, and strong cooperation between local stakeholders and management authorities that are necessary to maintain the sustainability of hilsa fisheries. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study evaluates a media prevention program conducted in elementary schools. Methods: A one-week media program, carried out with fourth graders in Leipzig, Germany, was evaluated using a non-randomized controlled cluster design. Program participants (experimental group (EG), n = 84 children, 41 parents) and non-participants (control group (CG), n = 19 children, 14 parents) completed questionnaires before the media program (t1), directly after the program (t2, EG only), and 3 months later (t3). The child questionnaire assessed media use frequency, rules at home, perceived and objective media-knowledge, and awareness of dangers on the Internet. The parent questionnaire assessed media-related topics discussed with their children and parents’ confidence regarding media education. Results: In the EG, children’s perceived and objective knowledge and their awareness of dangers on the Internet increased significantly between t1 and t2 and remained stable until t3, while no changes were observed in the CG. The number of children reporting that there exist rules on social media use also increased significantly in the EG but not in the CG. The amount of media-related topics discussed within the family and parents’ confidence regarding media education increased significantly from t1 to t3 in both EG and CG. Children’s media use frequency did not change across time, neither in the EG nor in the CG. Conclusions: Media prevention programs at school can have positive effects on children’s knowledge and awareness of dangers on the Internet and might improve parents’ confidence in and the realization of media education at home. Full article

Rare genetic diseases (RGDs) affect individuals, families, and healthcare systems worldwide. Population-scale genomic data remain largely restricted to Western cohorts with an estimated 10,000 RGDs. South Asian populations remain underrepresented in molecular, clinical, and genomic databases. This study presents the first preliminary molecular genetic characterization of RGDs in the Punjabi population of Pakistan. Data were collected from the provincial RGD registry at the Punjab Thalassemia and Other Genetic Disorders Prevention and Research Institute (PTGDPRI), Lahore. Families diagnosed using next-generation sequencing (NGS) between 2021 and 2023 were enrolled. Structured questionnaires captured clinical, demographic, and socioeconomic information, and statistical and genetic analyses were performed to assess allele frequencies, and disease distribution. The registry included 167 families with 72 distinct RGDs, with a mean burden of 0.81 ± 0.24 affected children per family. Niemann–Pick disease (NP), progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC), and mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) were the most common diseases. Consanguinity was observed in 89% of families, 77% of which involved first-cousin marriages, and was significantly associated with RGD incidence. Most families belonged to low-income groups despite high literacy rates, underscoring inequity in healthcare. The primary and secondary variants included 131 variants, including copy number variants (CNVs) and single nucleotide variants (SNVs), annotated as pathogenic, likely pathogenic, or variants of unknown significance (VUS) across 109 genes, including 24 South Asian-enriched variants. This study provides the first genomic and epidemiological overview of RGDs in the Punjabi population. The findings reveal how genetic, socioeconomic, and cultural factors converge to amplify the RGD burden and highlight the need for affordable molecular diagnostics, inclusive genomic databases, and regional genomic surveillance initiatives in South Asia. Full article

Background/Objectives: Sleep problems are highly prevalent among children with vision impairment and can negatively affect physical, emotional, and cognitive development. There is a need to identify and evaluate effective interventions in this population. This scoping review aimed to map the range of sleep challenges experienced by these children and to summarise the interventions evaluated to date. Methods: Systematic searches were performed in Embase, Medline, and Web of Science Core Collection. Screening was completed in Covidence, and data extraction and descriptive analysis were conducted using Microsoft Excel (version 2510) and IBM SPSS Statistics (version 30). Narrative synthesis was used to summarise findings. Results: Fifteen studies were included, over half of which were case reports. The vast majority (14/15) were conducted in high-income countries, leaving a significant evidence gap for low- and middle-income settings. Reported sleep challenges included delayed sleep onset, non-24-h sleep–wake disorder, early morning waking, and fragmented sleep. Interventions were predominantly pharmacological (11/15), with melatonin the most frequently evaluated. Across studies, melatonin demonstrated short-term effectiveness in improving sleep latency, duration, and parent-reported quality, though prescribing practices, dosages, and availability varied. Other pharmacological options, such as tasimelteon and vitamin B12, were rarely reported. Non-pharmacological strategies were evaluated in only a small number of studies and included behavioural interventions, structured routines, and activity-based therapies. These showed potential benefit but remain under-researched. Conclusions: Overall, the evidence base is small, heterogeneous, and methodologically limited. Further research is needed to develop and carefully test non-pharmacological approaches, and to compare them directly with pharmacological treatments, to provide families and clinicians with effective and sustainable options. Full article

With support from European funding, a digital picture book library was developed to assist families with limited access to age-appropriate books in a familiar language. This study examines how a multilingual group of families engaged with the library. Specifically, it investigates the frequency of visits, the range of titles accessed, the extent of rereading, the navigational strategies used to support comprehension, and the languages chosen during reading. Log data were collected over approximately four months in two kindergarten groups (28 users) and one childcare center serving 3-year-old children (48 users). About one-third of participants read at least one complete book, although most did so only once or a few times. Among families who used the library more consistently, all titles were accessed, and many were reread. Some users showed remarkable navigation patterns: they repeatedly revisited early scenes, suggesting a self-guided strategy for building familiarity before progressing through the story. Despite the multilingual backgrounds of the families, books were read predominantly in the societal language. Overall, the findings suggest that the digital library is appealing to families and, when implemented on a broader scale, has the potential to support the language development of a substantial number of children. Full article

The recent trends in decreasing population all over the world are cause of concern, especially in developed countries. Socioeconomic factors as well as age, physiological, and environmental issues are the main contributors in limiting the number of children in modern families. In this regard, male reproductive health has recently attracted significant attention not only in the research community but also in our social platform. Key issues such as infertility and sexual dysfunction contribute to the decline in male reproduction. Socioeconomic status (SES) is the least understood factor that plays a critical role in influencing male reproductive health. The SES of an individual can be a key determinant of the type of infertility care they receive and may also predict fertility outcomes for couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology procedures. This mini review seeks to deepen our understanding of reproductive health equity by exploring the impact of socioeconomic and social factors on men’s sexual health and fertility outcomes. Our attempt is to reveal the complex interconnections between SES and male reproductive well-being. Full article

Background/Objectives: The article presents data on Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania (RNOA), describing the population characteristics of the disease among children in RNOA (2006–2023). Methods: The number of newborns was 172,115, with 86,057 boys from 2006 to 2023. During the reporting period, 19 families (23 patients, including 22 boys) were identified. The molecular and genetic characteristics of the patients were analyzed throughout the entire observation period, which began in 1998. Results: The prevalence of the disease was 1:3912 among newborn boys (95%CI: 1:2584–1:6242), which is slightly higher than in other regions of the Russian Federation (RF) and most countries around the world. The spectrum of DMD genetic variants in RNOA aligns with worldwide patterns but reveals differences in frequencies compared to RF data. The frequency of exon deletions in the DMD gene range from 65.0 to 70.0% (60% in RNOA vs. <50% in RF) worldwide, for duplications—9.0–11.0% globally (16% in RNOA), and for nonsense variants—9.7–26.5% worldwide (20% in RNOA). Twelve patients (41.0%) in RNOA qualified for therapy, and Translarna was prescribed in most cases. In the cohort of children, one girl was identified with classic DMD, confirmed by genetic studies. Different limitations of the study were hindered by the small cohort size, patients’ remote residences, and poor therapy compliance of our patients. Conclusions: The heterogeneity of mutation spectrum across different populations underscores the influence of ethnic background. Consequently, this study highlights the importance of population-specific studies for improving DMD care. Full article

Animal-assisted intervention is widely used in children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders. The aim of this review is to understand the perceptions of parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders, regarding the benefits of their children’s participation in animal-assisted intervention. Using the PRISMA methodology, a search was conducted in the Web of Science and ProQuest Central databases. The number of articles included in the review was 23 after applying the selection criteria. The results indicate that in all interventions carried out with children with neurodevelopmental disorders, parents perceive improvements in their children mainly at the physical, social and emotional levels. In addition, they identify positive aspects that influence family functioning. It can be concluded that these types of interventions, regardless of the type of animal or activity, are a beneficial tool when addressing different symptoms associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, having an impact not only on the child or adolescent, but also on parents or caregivers. Full article

The convergence of youth migration and the nuclearization of families has altered conventional living arrangements in India, indicating a sharp rise in the number of families in which older adults live alone due to the outmigration of their adult children. This study aims to explore the perceptions of left-behind older adults regarding long-distance care practices by their adult children and to describe the practical and functional care deficits that lead to vulnerability and unmet mental health care in migrant households. Twenty older adults above 65 years of age living alone or with a spouse for at least one year due to the out-migration of their adult children were selected purposively. The analysis revealed that distance from migrant children makes older adults feel anxious, miss their family togetherness, and experience increased loneliness and care gaps in later years, contributing to a multifaceted causality of vulnerability while aging alone. Narratives of distance care are often shaped by the bidirectional flow of care across generations through virtual and in-person means, where emotional and functional deprivations continue to challenge the quality of informal distant care among left-behind older adults. Mental health promotion among community-dwelling older adults is crucial for sustaining their functional capacity, thereby delaying psychological morbidities during aging. Full article

Background/Objectives: Vitamin B12 (B12) is essential for the provision of methyl groups for numerous essential pathways. Infant B12 deficiency (B12D) can lead to severe, even irreversible neurological abnormalities. Maternal B12 status in pregnancy and during the breastfeeding period correlates significantly with the child’s B12 status. B12D is a target disease in some newborn screening (NBS) programs. This study investigates whether infants that were clinically symptomatic and diagnosed with B12D in their first year of life could be retrospectively detected by the Austrian NBS algorithm. Methods: Data from infants with clinically diagnosed B12D in their first year of life between 2012 and 2022 were retrospectively collected in Austria (B12-related NBS implemented in 2018) and Switzerland (B12-related NBS not implemented). NBS data were retrospectively analysed, and clinical information was collected by a survey. Correlations between clinical symptoms, NBS data, biochemical parameters at diagnosis, maternal medical history and B12 status were analysed. Results: Four/forty-eight cases were retrospectively detected by the first-tier NBS parameters. From two children material for second-tier testing was available and B12D was confirmed by elevated total homocysteine (tHcy), resulting in a detection rate between 4.3 and 9.3%. The numbers of neurological and haematological symptoms correlated with low B12 and elevated levels of tHcy and methylmalonic acid. Although the detection rate of symptomatic B12D by NBS was low, fewer infants with symptomatic B12D were observed in the period after implementation of B12-related NBS (Austria). A history of B12D-relevant maternal disease such as pernicious anaemia was reported in 12 cases. Conclusions: B12D causes severe clinical symptoms in infants. NBS has a very limited retrospective detection rate of infants with severe B12D but seems to correlate with a reduction in cases due to not yet precisely quantified mechanisms. The workup triggered by NBS recalls is costly and often challenging for families. Maternal B12D increases the risk of infant B12D but also of other pregnancy-related health risks. To increase the efficacy of the prevention of infant B12D, to promote a healthy pregnancy and breastfeeding period, and to reduce the frequency of NBS recalls, pregnant women should be screened for B12D to be counselled and treated. Full article

Although younger generations are not always given a prominent role in ethnobotanical surveys, studying intergenerational knowledge transfer should still be a primary interest, in the context of traditions’ erosion, globalization, disinterest and plant blindness. Our study was designed to describe the situation of knowledge transfer and to find potential solutions to counteract erosion by involving the children. This ethnobotanical survey involved students from primary and secondary schools of Valle Imagna (Bergamo, Italy) through different meetings and structured questionnaires to record their traditional knowledge on medicinal plants. The children were then asked to become an active part of the project by interviewing their families. All data recorded were archived in a database for statistical analysis. Students (number = 112) reported 41 plant species, with 36% reporting at least 3 species each. Forty percent of their use reports were related to exotic species or purchased plant material. The most reported species were Matricaria chamomilla L. and Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze with common preparations such as infusions from commercial products. Parents (n = 96) reported 76 species and grandparents (n = 35) 52. Statistical analysis showed correlation between traditional knowledge and age/gender, with older generations and female gender correlated to deeper knowledge. Our results suggest deep erosion and a clear lack of intergenerational knowledge transfer. However, our project serves as evidence of the concrete role ethnobotany holds in safeguarding the remaining cultural heritage of a territory, fostering preservation from the outset with the participation of younger generations. Full article