Search Results (145)

Physics concepts are considered an essential component of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education and fundamental for economic and technological development in the world. However, there can be student academic underperformance, such as the school environment, learning media and infrastructure, student interest and emotions, as well as social and economic development factors in communities. These problems are even more acute in rural areas of developing countries, where poverty is high and teachers often lack the necessary technological skills. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a low-cost STEM tool focused on motivation in learning, in terms of five variables of interest in physics in rural areas, as well as the durability of the tools used to learn 12 physics concepts. A quasi-experimental study was conducted with the participation of 78 high school students, with an average age of 15.82 years, in a rural area of Guerrero, Mexico. The results showed that using the STEM tool significantly increased students’ interest in learning methodology, active participation, and attitude towards physics, facilitating the teacher’s work. In addition, the 3D construction kit used in the experimentation, besides being low-cost, proved to be affordable and durable, making it ideal for use in rural areas. Full article

Introduction: Dental caries and molar–incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) are prevalent conditions affecting children’s oral health, with functional, aesthetic, and psychosocial implications. In Spain, previous studies have highlighted geographic and sociodemographic disparities in their distribution, particularly among rural and migrant populations. Objective: To characterise oral health status, in terms of caries and MIH, among 6–7-year-old children from the towns of Palos de la Frontera, Mazagón, and San Bartolomé. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 229 children recruited from public primary schools. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, and behavioural data were collected through clinical examination and interview. Statistical analysis included univariate and multivariate logistic regression. The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Huelva. Results: The prevalence of caries (DMFT ≥ 1) was 53.3%, with mean DMFT and dft indices of 1.78 and 0.31, respectively. MIH affected 32.8% of the cohort, with a predominance in the first permanent molars (teeth 36 and 26). Multivariate analysis identified independent predictors of caries: African (OR = 7.47; 95% CI: 2.84–23.8) and European (OR = 4.56; 95% CI: 1.26–22.3) parental origin, poor oral hygiene (OR = 3.07; 95% CI: 1.60–6.03), and the presence of MIH (OR = 3.20; 95% CI: 1.64–6.42). The municipality of San Bartolomé was associated with a higher risk of MIH (OR = 2.90; 95% CI: 1.21–7.45). Conclusions: The high prevalence of caries and MIH in the Condado-Campiña district, exceeding national averages, reflects oral health inequities linked to social determinants (migrant origin, locality) and clinical factors (MIH, oral hygiene). Targeted preventive interventions are urgently needed in high-risk populations, including culturally tailored education and policies ensuring equitable access to dental care services. Full article

Despite extensive prevention strategies in Spain since the 1980s, gender-based violence, including among adolescents, remains prevalent, as observed in the Romance SUCC-ED Project (R&D&I Operating Programme ERDF Andalusia 2014–2020). This research study investigates the dimensions, meanings, relationships, and practices shaping the culture of romance in digital Andalusian adolescence (12–16 years) and its potential impact on school trajectories in Compulsory Secondary Education. Based on the premise that equality-focused relationship education is key to preventing gender violence, the study employs an ethnographic methodology with 12 Andalusian school case studies (4 out of them are located in rural areas) and 220 in-depth interviews (126 girls, 57.3%; 94 boys, 42.7%). This article aims to empirically explain gender violence in early adolescence by analysing the culture of romance as an explanatory factor. Findings reveal an interconnected model where dimensions (love, couple, sexuality, pornography, social networks, and cultural references), meanings (constructed by adolescents within each of them), relationships (partner), and practices (control and jealousy) reinforce romanticised femininity and dominant masculinity, thus explaining the high incidence of gender-based violence among students in the study. Full article

This study aimed to longitudinally analyze changes in body mass index (BMI) among Korean middle and high school students before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were obtained from the national-level Physical Activity Promotion System (PAPS), collected between 2018 and 2024. A total of 171,705 adolescents aged 13 to 18 were included in the analysis (86,542 males and 85,163 females), with a mean age of 15.2 years (SD = 1.68). Time-series analysis and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were conducted to examine differences in BMI by year, sex, region (capital vs. non-capital), and urban–rural classification. The results indicated a significant increase in BMI during the pandemic period (2020–2022), peaking in 2022, followed by a gradual decline thereafter. Notably, male students and those living in rural or non-capital areas consistently exhibited higher BMI levels, suggesting structural disparities in access to physical activity opportunities and health resources. This study employed the Socio-Ecological Model and the Health Equity Framework as theoretical lenses to interpret BMI changes not merely as individual behavioral outcomes but as consequences shaped by environmental and policy-level determinants. The findings underscore the need for equity-based interventions in physical education and health policy to mitigate adolescent health inequalities during future public health crises. Full article

This study examines the complexities faced by teachers in rural Finland, focusing on tensions between professional roles and social lives within tight-knit communities. This research addresses the challenges of maintaining well-qualified teaching staff in rural schools. The purpose of the study is understanding the experiences of rural teachers and the challenges they face, including high visibility, community expectations, and blurred boundaries between personal and professional lives. The study uses a qualitative research design, employing in-depth interviews with 21 teachers across two rural locations in Northern Finland. The interviews focused on work experiences, roles, and reflections on the local educational context. The findings highlight that rural teachers experience a blurring of professional and social roles, leading to feelings of being constantly “on the job” and a lack of privacy. Community expectations often dictate their behavior outside of school. The study also reveals divisions within the teaching staff between local and commuting teachers. The study concludes that the cultural narrative of being a teacher in rural contexts includes traditional expectations of teachers, clashing with modern notions of teaching as a profession. The study emphasizes the importance of preparing teachers to be community-ready, acknowledging the challenges of rural teaching. Full article

Background/Objectives: In 2022, 2.2 million adolescents were diagnosed with substance use disorders, including 265,000 with opioid use disorder. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health revealed that 130,000 adolescents misused prescription pain medications, often obtaining them from friends or relatives. This age group perceives weekly heroin use as less risky than those younger or older. Methods: A questionnaire was developed for 7th to 12th graders in a rural Texas school district as part of a fentanyl awareness curriculum. The questionnaire included Likert scale, multiple choice, and yes/no questions. The participants were categorized into younger (grades 7th and 8th) and older students (grades 9th through 12th), and associations were explored between demographic characteristics, responses, and grade groups using chi-square tests. To assess confidence, behavior, and the impact of education, we used chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests. Results: The participants (n = 94; 85.11%) identified as Hispanic or Latino, with a smaller percentage identifying as White or more than one race. An association was found between feeling more in control of actions related to substances and fentanyl (p-value = 0.04) after receiving education. No association was found between education and confidence in identifying fentanyl. Conclusions: This study aligns with a surge in fentanyl-related overdose deaths in a high-intensity drug trafficking region. Recent fentanyl overdoses among school-age children prompted legislative changes in 2023, making this study valuable for understanding the epidemic within the geographical context. These results suggest that school-based education may play a role in strengthening adolescents’ behavioral intentions to fentanyl exposure, though additional efforts are needed to improve risk identification. Full article

Background/Objectives: Child undernutrition remains a critical public health issue in Nepal, especially in the rural district of Solukhumbu. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and clinical characteristics of undernutrition, dietary patterns, and related health indicators in school-aged children from the Shree Saraswoti Basic School in Phuleli. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted between July and August 2022. Fifty-four children (51.8% boys; mean age 9.4 ± 2.1 years) were evaluated using anthropometry, clinical examination, hemoglobin measurement, and three-day 24 h dietary recall. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: BMI z-scores indicated that 39% of children were at risk of acute undernutrition, and 2% were at risk of moderate acute undernutrition. After adjusting for altitude, 87% were classified as anemic. Diets were dominated by cereals and vegetables, with a very low intake of fruits and proteins and no dairy consumption. Dental caries affected 59% of participants. Girls presented slightly higher subcutaneous fat percentages; however, 14.8% of the children exceeded the recommended thresholds. A dietary assessment revealed poor eating habits, including excessive intake of simple carbohydrates and insufficient nutrient diversity. Although socioeconomic data were not directly collected, the findings reflect the typical context of the vulnerability of isolated mountain communities. Undernutrition indicators (BMI, clinical signs, anemia) were associated with poorer health outcomes. An unexpected moderate inverse correlation was found between BMI and both systolic (r = −0.601) and diastolic (r = −0.550) blood pressure. Conclusions: The findings reveal a high burden of undernutrition and anemia among children in Solukhumbu, linked to poor diet and structural vulnerability. Urgent, community-based interventions—including nutrition education, agricultural diversification, and improved healthcare access—are needed. Longitudinal monitoring is essential to track progress and design sustainable, multisectoral solutions. Full article

Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depression and anxiety among patients with acute leukemia in Vietnam and to identify associated sociodemographic and clinical factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Hematology and Blood Transfusion Center of Bach Mai Hospital, a national tertiary care facility in Hanoi, Vietnam. A total of 82 patients diagnosed with acute leukemia were recruited using a convenience sampling method. Data on sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., age, gender, residence, education, occupation, marital status, and income) and clinical information (e.g., leukemia type, treatment stage, comorbidities, substance use) were collected. Depression and anxiety were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Zung’s Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). Multivariate logistic and Tobit regression analyses were applied to explore associated factors. Results: Participants had a mean age of 43.4 years (SD = 14.0), with 53.7% male and 69.5% residing in rural areas. Most were married (82.9%) and had completed high school (45.1%). Farmers constituted the largest occupational group (29.3%). The mean BDI score was 13.7 (SD = 9.8), and the mean SAS score was 39.2 (SD = 6.3). Overall, 50.0% of patients met criteria for depression, while 26.8% exhibited clinically significant anxiety symptoms. Among those with anxiety, 59.1% had mild symptoms, 22.7% moderate, and 18.2% severe or very severe. Patients with education above high school (OR = 7.32; 95% CI: 1.01–53.23), a spouse (OR = 25.10; 95% CI: 2.14–294.55), or comorbidities (OR = 8.05; 95% CI: 1.63–39.68) had significantly higher odds of depression. A higher income (>10 million VND/month) was associated with lower depression scores (Coef. = −6.05; 95% CI: −11.65 to −0.46). Regarding anxiety, the female gender was associated with higher odds (OR = 3.80; 95% CI: 1.21–11.93) and SAS scores (Coef. = 4.07; 95% CI: 1.64–6.51), while higher income predicted lower anxiety severity (Coef. = −3.74; 95% CI: −6.57 to −0.91). Conclusions: This Vietnamese hospital-based study highlights a high prevalence of depression and anxiety among patients with acute leukemia. Routine mental health screening and culturally appropriate psychosocial interventions are strongly recommended to improve patient well being. Full article

Place-based learning is an educational approach that centers around the concept of place. Intersecting watershed literacy with place-based education methods, this study explores a short-term place-based watershed outreach program in a rural high school in Tennessee, United States. As the community’s first known watershed outreach program, this pilot study aimed to improve the watershed literacy of its student participants by engaging them in the locally relevant and shared phenomenon of flooding. Overall, five units were developed, with each providing a unique interactive lecture and activity. The program’s short-term effectiveness in improving watershed literacy was evaluated anonymously through pre- and post-program assessments, as well as pre- and post-unit assessments. Ultimately, the program resulted in moderate short-term improvements in student watershed literacy, as measured by pre- and post-program surveys. The program content assessments resulted in an average percent change in watershed literacy of +34%. A Likert scale survey indicated that the students perceived an increase in watershed connectedness and confidence, but a decreased willingness to address watershed stormwater and flooding issues. Additional assessments are required to evaluate the long-term impacts of this outreach. Full article

It is crucial to clarify the relationship between ecological industry development and ecological civilization construction, as well as their driving forces, to promote high-quality local development. The ecological environment of the karst region is fragile, and it faces a contradiction between ecological preservation and economic advancement. Coordinating the relationship between economic development and ecological protection is crucial for achieving sustainable development in rural karst regions. This study identified karst characteristics in Guizhou province, China, by constructing an index system for ecological industry development and civilization construction. It employed the entropy weight method to calculate a comprehensive score and utilized a coupling coordination model to analyze interactions and symbiotic coordination. Finally, a linear regression analysis model was employed to analyze the impact of ecological industrial development on the construction of ecological civilization. The results indicate the following: (1) The ecological industry and ecological civilization construction levels exhibited a relatively stable growth trajectory across three research areas from 2011 to 2021, with the ecological civilization construction index outperforming the ecological industry development index. (2) The correlation analysis indicated a relationship between the two indices in the research areas, and the divergence trend among the three research areas rose in a uniform direction, indicating a strong positive correlation between the two indices. From the perspective of the coupling degree (C), the degree of coupling between ecological industry and ecological civilization construction in the three research areas exceeded 0.9, indicating a high level of coordination. This suggests that ecological civilization construction and ecological industry in these research areas are effectively coordinated and exist in a state of harmonious co-promotion. There were differences from the coupling coordination degree (D) perspective, but they increased in the three research areas. (3) The regression analysis results indicate that the per capita agricultural output value, per capita forestry output value, per capita forage industry output value, industrial solid waste utilization rate, energy consumption per unit of GDP, tourism income, rocky desertification level, and proportion of the labor force population with a high school education or higher significantly contribute to the development of ecological civilization. The per capita forestry output value greatly advances ecological civilization, significantly enhancing ecological culture and security. The coefficients are 0.0354 and 0.0393, respectively, indicating that a 1% rise in the per capita forestry output value results in increases of 0.0354% and 0.0393% in the ecological culture and security indices. Full article

Background: Adolescence is a pivotal developmental stage marked by physiological and behavioral changes that significantly influence dietary habits and long-term health outcomes. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the associations between socio-demographic characteristics, psychological factors, and dietary behaviors among school-aged children and adolescents in Romania. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured, self-administered questionnaire completed by 662 children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years, enrolled in primary, middle, and high schools across urban and rural areas. The questionnaire evaluated nutritional intake, meal patterns, hydration habits, physical activity, screen time, and psychological factors such as fatigue, stress, and mood fluctuations. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated based on self-reported height and weight. Results: The analysis reveals significant gender differences in body mass index (BMI), weight-loss behaviors, and family structure. Female adolescents were more likely to be underweight (18.27%) compared to male adolescents (10.82%), while overweight prevalence was higher among male adolescents (18.66%) than female adolescents (11.68%) (χ² = 11.457, p = 0.009). Dietary patterns varied significantly across age groups, with high-school-aged children demonstrating lower vegetable consumption and increased autonomy over food choices. Primary school children exhibited higher intake of carbonated beverages (OR = 0.185, p = 0.002 for high school; OR = 0.116, p < 0.001 for middle school), whereas teenagers showed a preference for structured meals and lower fast-food intake. Meat consumption frequency correlated with greater diversity in protein sources (χ² = 48.77, p < 0.001), while chaotic eating behaviors were more prevalent among middle and high-school-aged children (OR = 2.291, p = 0.032 for middle school; OR = 2.225, p = 0.030 for high school). Hydration habits played an essential role in dietary quality, with school-age children consuming ≥ 3 L of water daily exhibiting healthier eating patterns (OR = 7.146, p = 0.001). Additionally, psychological factors such as fatigue and stress were significantly associated with unhealthy dietary choice. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for targeted nutritional education, school-based interventions, and family-focused strategies to improve adolescent health behaviors. Full article

Optimizing the allocation of basic educational facilities in mountainous rural areas is important for narrowing the education gap between urban and rural areas, constructing high-quality regional education systems, and achieving sustainable education development. This paper considered preschool, primary, and secondary schools in Qixingguan District, which is located in a mountainous area of China, using vector data of rural residential areas and educational facility points as a source of information on supply and demand. The study combined travel modes and acceptable time of rural school-age population, and applied the Gaussian two-step mobile search method to calculate the level of accessibility of basic educational facilities at the scale of residential areas. Location optimization and scale optimization models were used to determine the optimal location and service qualities for basic educational facilities. Our results yielded three main conclusions. First, the spatial pattern for the distribution density and accessibility of basic educational facilities in Qixingguan differed at all stages, but all of them showed a strong orientation toward the central urban area. Service capacity in each stage tended to extend toward the northeast and southwest, except for a certain orientation toward the central urban area. Second, the main reason for the low spatial accessibility of schools was that the density and service capacity of the available schools did not align with the distribution of the school-age population. Third, after optimizing for location and service capacity, schools at all stages shifted to the northeast of Qixingguan, which reduced the difference in service capacity between schools and improved the accessibility and balance of schools in the northeast and southwest. Full article

Educational achievement plays a significant role in the labour market, benefiting individuals and society. Graduating from high school is a key step towards better employment opportunities and a prerequisite for higher education attainment. In 2023, only 22.5% of the Romanian population graduated tertiary education, while 16.6% left education or training early. The Romanian public high school network comprises 1558 units, mostly located in urban areas. The high school enrolment rate is 83.5% in urban areas, and it drops to less than 60% in rural areas, with the country registering the highest out-of-school rate in the EU for the 15-year-old population. Spatial accessibility may influence enrolment in high schools, particularly for students living in rural or remote areas, who often face financial challenges fuelled by long distances and limited transportation options. Hence, travel distance may represent a potential barrier to completing the educational process or may determine inequalities in educational opportunities and outcomes. This paper aims to assess the spatial accessibility of the public high school network in Romania by using distance data provided by the Open Street Map API (Application Programming Interface). We examine variations in spatial accessibility based on the distribution of high school units and road network characteristics considering three variables: travel distance to the nearest high school, the average distance to three different categories of high schools, and the number of high schools located within a 20 km buffer zone. The results highlight a significant urban–rural divide in the availability of public high school facilities, with 84.1% (n = 1311) located in urban areas while 49.1% of the high school-aged population lives in rural areas. Many rural communities lack adequate educational facilities, often having limited options for high school education. The findings also show that 32% of the high school-aged population has to travel more than 10 km to the nearest high school, and 7% has no high school options within a 20 km buffer zone. This study provides insights into the educational landscape in Romania, pointing out areas with limited access to high schools, which contributes to further inequalities in educational attainment. The findings may serve as a basis for developing policies and practices to bridge the urban–rural divide in educational opportunities and foster a more equitable and inclusive education system. Full article

Background/Objectives: Habits such as a diet high in sugars and poor dental biofilm control are linked to a higher prevalence of caries and low socioeconomic status. This study aimed to analyze the nutrition habits of schoolchildren in Mallorca and their relationship with the presence of dental caries, depending on the type of school, geographic location, and parents’ education level. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the prevalence of dental caries based on World Health Organization (WHO) standards and nutritional practices following guidelines from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). This study included 718 students from three age groups: first-year elementary students (ages 5–6), sixth-year elementary students (age 12), and fourth-year secondary school students (age 15). Relevant sociodemographic factors were also considered in the analysis. Results: In schoolchildren aged 5–6 years, higher monthly consumption of processed and sugary foods, such as sweets (rural: 24.66 (CI 95%: 20.30–29.02); urban: 19.29 (CI 95%:16.27–22.304); p = 0.044), was noted in schoolchildren from rural sectors compared to those residing in urban areas. At 15 years of age, there was a higher consumption of potato chips in public schools than in subsidized/private schools (public: 26.95 (CI 95%: 24.42–29.49); subsidized/private: 18.29 (CI 95%: 13.92–22.65) p = 0.004). A high consumption of sweets is associated with an increased risk of caries (OR sweets: 1.76 CI: 1.04–2.98; p = 0.035). Fewer students with mothers with a lower education level eat dinner (elementary: 75%; secondary 91%; higher: 98%; p = 0.003). Conclusions: Higher consumption of sweets in rural areas and potato chips in public schools, along with the association between sweet consumption and caries risk, highlight how geographic location, school type, and parents’ education level influence children’s nutrition habits and caries. Full article

Over the centuries, the reclamation of marshy areas has significantly transformed the Italian rural landscape. The Piana di Sibari (North of Calabria) represents a paradigmatic case of this process, because the current landscape is the result of a vast rural transformation. This paper discusses the results of a survey conducted to evaluate students’ knowledge and perception of this “Reclaim Lands” landscape, focusing on their emotional connection and awareness of its cultural and environmental heritage. The survey was administered to 149 middle school and 177 high school students. The study aims to investigate awareness and perception of landscape among mid-to-late adolescents living in the Piana di Sibari, highlighting the key aspects of the relationship between students and the places they inhabit, recognizing the catalytic role of the landscape in fostering a sense of belonging and identity. The results of this survey encourage reflection on a cultural shift that integrates ecological, social, and cultural perspectives, aligned with the European Landscape Convention, advocating for greater investment in youth education and participation to promote active citizenship and chart a course toward a fairer and more sustainable society. Full article