Search Results (84)

Shift work can have an adverse impact on sleep and wellbeing, as well as negative consequences for workplace safety and productivity. SleepShifters is a co-developed sleep management programme that aims to equip shift workers and employers with the skills needed to manage sleep from the onset of employment, thus preventing sleep problems and their associated consequences from arising. This paper describes the co-development process and resulting programme protocol of SleepShifters, designed in line with the Medical Research Council’s framework for the development and evaluation of complex interventions. Programme components were co-produced in partnership with stakeholders from four organisations across the United Kingdom, following an iterative, four-stage process based on focus groups and interviews. As well as a handbook containing guidance on shift scheduling, workplace lighting, and controlled rest periods, SleepShifters consists of five key components: (1) an annual sleep awareness event; (2) a digital sleep training induction module for new starters; (3) a monthly-themed sleep awareness campaign; (4) a website, hosting a digital Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for insomnia platform and supportive video case studies from shift-working peers; (5) a sleep scheduling app for employees. Future work will implement and assess the effectiveness of delivering SleepShifters in organisational settings. Full article

Wildlife–vehicle collisions (WVCs) pose a growing threat to road safety and wildlife conservation. This research explores the relationship between the moon phases and the occurrence of nighttime WVCs in Serbia from 2015 to 2023. A total of 2767 nighttime incidents were analyzed to assess whether the full moon is associated with an increased collision frequency. The results revealed a statistically significant rise in the average annual number of WVCs during full moon nights compared to other nights, indicating that increased lunar illumination may affect animal movement and impact collision rates. However, no statistically significant differences were observed when comparing the frequency of WVCs across all four lunar phases. Spatial analysis identified the South Bačka and Podunavlje districts as the most at-risk regions for WVCs during full moon periods. As the first study of its kind in Serbia, this research provides new insights into the spatial and temporal patterns of WVCs. The findings can assist in developing focused mitigation strategies, such as improved signage, speed control strategies, and awareness campaigns, especially in regions with increased risk during full moon nights. Full article

Ride-pooling (RP) services, in which passengers with similar destinations share a ride, offer considerable potential for enhancing urban mobility by bridging gaps in public transportation (PT) networks and providing a convenient alternative to private car use. For the effective design and operation of such services, a detailed understanding of user preferences and usage patterns is essential. This study investigates differences in RP preferences and usage between day and night (with nighttime defined as 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.), drawing on both a stated choice experiment (SCE) and revealed preference data collected in Mannheim, Germany. The focus lies on the local RP service fips, which is integrated into the PT system. The SCE, conducted in 2024 with 566 participants, was analyzed using a nested logit model. The analysis of the SCE reveals that nighttime preferences for RP are characterized by reduced sensitivity to travel time and cost, creating an opportunity for RP operators to optimize stop network designs during nighttime hours by increasing pooling rates. In addition, it indicates a greater likelihood of private car usage at night, especially among women, likely due to safety concerns and limited PT availability. The analysis of revealed preference data provides a complementary perspective. It shows that the RP nighttime service primarily attracts younger users, while many respondents report not being active on weekend nights. However, the combination of low public awareness and limited service availability, evidenced by rejected booking requests, suggests that existing demand is not being fully captured. This implies that low usage is not merely the result of low demand, but also of structural barriers on both the supply and information side. Overcoming these barriers through targeted information campaigns and expansion of nighttime service capacity could substantially enhance sustainable urban travel options during nighttime. Full article

The UN’s “Global Agenda for Change” focused on global challenges, with the aim of improving quality of life. The focus on People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, Partnership, and Integrated Action (EU) orients its efforts towards socially needed change. Although the above perspectives, which ultimately shape the goals of sustainable development, refer in effect to the security of the functioning of societies and economies, this issue has not been sufficiently explored in the literature. Taking the above into account, this paper explains the aspect of people’s sustainable security and well-being, and also indicates the importance of determining the social competences needed for a broadly understood sustainable future, which is the main goal of this article. Considering the importance of sustainable awareness among the younger generation, who are responsible for the future modeling of the pace and direction of sustainable changes, the analysis of the literature in the practical findings was supported by qualitative and quantitative methods, as well as statistical analysis techniques using PQstat software, to ensure in-depth research. The results confirm that the studied population generally has good knowledge of the idea of sustainable development. Importantly, this population combines development in a sustainable direction with actions to strengthen people’s safety and well-being. It should be noted that the studied population is most strongly aware of the environmental pillar of sustainable development, suggesting potential to improve knowledge in this area—which is crucial for effective development towards a safe future and important for future decision-makers (the young generation). The findings can serve as a source of information for teams designing study programs and information campaigns on sustainable development in order to further strengthen social education in the studied area. Full article

Light pollution, most visible in large cities through the absence of star-filled night skies, has become a growing issue of concern across many disciplines. It is not just an esthetic or astronomical problem, but a complex phenomenon with widespread effects on various sectors. The scientific literature highlights several key areas impacted either directly or indirectly by light pollution: astronomy, ecology and biodiversity, the environment and climate change, human health and well-being, the ongoing energy crisis, economy, tourism, public safety and security, and finally politics. A survey was conducted to explore two main objectives. The first was to evaluate public awareness of light pollution, particularly how individuals perceive its impact across different societal sectors. The second objective was to consult lighting experts to obtain detailed insights into how severely each sector is affected by light pollution. The data collected from both the general public and lighting experts were analyzed and compared to provide a clearer picture of light pollution’s actual consequences. This dual-perspective approach aims to identify potential gaps between public perception and expert knowledge. Understanding these gaps is essential for shaping effective awareness campaigns and informing policy decisions. Ultimately, this research serves as a foundational step toward prioritizing mitigation strategies. By aligning scientific data with social understanding, stakeholders can develop targeted interventions that reduce light pollution’s negative effects while promoting sustainable lighting practices for the future. Full article

The incidence of skin carcinoma has significantly increased among the Serbian population, with mortality rates among the highest in the world. Basic interventions can reduce the effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure, especially in youth, and decrease incidence and morbidity. This study is the first cross-sectional nationwide research on knowledge, attitudes, and sun exposure practices among Serbian high school students. The results revealed that fewer than 5% of students can correctly interpret the sunburn effect of a given UV index, while sun protection strategies are infrequently adopted. Most students (55.97%) expressed favorable attitudes regarding tanning, while more than half (64.48%) reported moderately high and high exposure. Females are more likely than males to expose themselves to UVR, especially intentionally. Females use protection more than males, while even 62.65% of males use protection insufficiently. The most commonly used sun protective measures were sunscreen and shade. The results indicate the necessity for innovative and age-suitable education methods and age- and gender-directed awareness campaigns for skin cancer prevention and the promotion of sun safety. Specifically, campaigns aimed at females should focus on motivating reduced intentional exposure, while those targeting males should emphasize the consistent use of sun protection measures. Full article

Background/Objectives: Seasonal influenza vaccination is crucial for reducing morbidity, mortality, and healthcare burdens. The 2023/2024 Ligurian vaccination campaign (Italy) utilized an inclusive model involving local health authorities, general practitioners, pediatricians, and pharmacies to enhance accessibility. Our study aimed at focusing on factors influencing vaccine uptake, public attitudes and access to preventive healthcare services. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among adults (≥18 years) in Ligurian pharmacies visitors during the vaccination campaign. A self-administered structured questionnaire gathered data on demographics, vaccination history, healthcare access, and awareness. Results: The study included 30,499 participants, and the median age with P25–P75 (years) was 62.0 [47.0–74.0]; 54.6% were female. Considering determinants of accepting influenza vaccination, age was identified as a strong independent predictor. Each one-year increase in age was associated with a 3.8% increase in the odds of influenza vaccination (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.03–1.04, p < 0.001). Compared to individuals who never visited their general practitioners, those who visited “sometimes”, “often”, or “very often” had significantly higher odds of influenza vaccination (OR 1.54, 1.97, and 1.98, respectively; p < 0.001 for all categories). The strongest predictor of influenza vaccination in the 2023/2024 season was having received the influenza vaccine in the previous season (2022/2023) (OR 71.73, 95% CI 65.38–78.78, p < 0.001). Consistent with increasing age predicting higher influenza vaccination uptake, older age was associated with lower odds of refusing the vaccine due to the belief that “getting or transmitting influenza does not matter” or due to “other or unspecified reasons”. In contrast, receipt of the COVID-19 vaccination significantly increased the odds of holding these opinions. Among individuals who cited reasons such as fear of side effects, concerns about vaccine safety, fear of injections, general opposition to vaccines, or doubts about vaccine effectiveness, having received the COVID-19 vaccine was associated with lower odds of citing these as barriers to influenza vaccination. Conclusions: Fear of side effects and perceived unnecessary vaccination are key barriers. Targeted education and the involvement of general practitioners could enhance vaccine acceptance, particularly among hesitant groups. Full article

The underreporting of gender-based violence (GBV) in institutions of higher learning can be attributed to a range of causes and has an impact on students’ physical and mental health. Institutions of higher learning have made efforts to eradicate the problem, yet incidences are still on the rise, calling for urgent attention. This paper focuses on the causes of the underreporting of GBV in higher education institutions (HEIs) as a point of reference to understanding the root magnitude of the pandemic in order to devise problem-specific interventions to eradicate GBV in institutions of higher learning. The rational choice theory and cultural acceptance of violence theory guided the analysis of the findings discussed in this paper. The rational choice theory provides insights into why victims choose not to report their victimization. The cultural acceptance of violence theory highlights how cultural norms can normalize and perpetuate GBV, creating barriers for victims to come forward. The findings discussed in this paper emanate from a qualitative study that gathered data using 22 one-on-one interviews with students and one focus group comprising seven supporting staff members from the University of Umvoti. Data were thematically analyzed to address the research objectives. The findings indicate that intimidation and distrust in law enforcement agents and institutions are the main reasons why GBV is underreported. Other factors that may be at play include fear of the perpetrator taking revenge, fear of not being believed, stigma and shame, the patriarchy, reliance on money, and a lack of awareness about GBV. To address these issues, this paper recommends that higher education institutions should uphold the principles of justice, fairness, and transparency in handling GBV cases. Moreover, there should be ongoing facilitation of awareness campaigns on GBV covering issues of consent, gender equality, safety, and reporting and support. When victims of GBV feel supported, they are more likely to trust the institution and report any victimization. Full article

Background: Maternal vaccination is a critical primary preventive approach and an integral part of life-course immunization strategy, influencing the infection-associated morbidity and mortality in pregnant women, foetuses, and young infants. Despite clear guidelines for the administration of vaccines against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap), influenza, and COVID-19 during pregnancy, maternal vaccination rates remain suboptimal in Ireland as per the National Immunisation Office of the Health Service Executive (HSE). Aim: This review explores the prevailing status, uptake factors, and maternal immunization-specific vaccine hesitancy in Ireland. Method: A scoping review was conducted, searching nine electronic databases, including the Irish health research repository Lenus. The search strategy utilised a Population–Concept–Context framework (pregnant women—vaccine uptake/hesitancy—Ireland). Key factors identified and categorised according to the 5A framework: access, affordability, awareness, acceptance, and activation. Results: Searches yielded 2457 articles, and 12 eligible studies were included for review. Influencing factors were identified in each of the 5A dimensions, with the majority relating to acceptance and awareness. Positively associated factors included healthcare provider (HCP) recommendation and knowledge of vaccine safety. Potential antenatal barriers were maternal lack of knowledge of vaccine-preventable illness severity, infection risks, and vaccine safety concerns. A pregnant woman’s primary motivation for antenatal immunization was protection of her infant; however, the reluctance of HCPs to prescribe all recommended antenatal vaccines, inadequate immunization-specific discussion during antenatal consultations, and suboptimal knowledge of pregnancy-specific vaccine safety hampered potential positive influences. The Irish national immunization policy was a facilitator of affordability. Activation can be achieved through public health awareness campaigns and interdisciplinary promotion of maternal vaccination uptake. Conclusions: Maternal vaccination uptake in Ireland remains suboptimal, and a coordinated, targeted approach updating HCP recommendations, enhancing maternal awareness, and highlighting vaccine safety in pregnancy would be required to meet the life-course immunization goals recommended by WHO. By adopting a life-course immunization approach for healthy living, with maternal vaccination as the pivotal central point, vaccination programmes could close immunity gaps at various life stages. Full article

Background: Yemen faces significant challenges related to drug smuggling and counterfeiting, exacerbated by socio-economic hardships and a fragile healthcare and regulatory system. These conditions create an environment conducive to illicit drug trafficking. This study aims to explore the perspectives of healthcare employees working in drug-related departments in the Capital Sana’a, Yemen, focusing on the factors contributing to drug smuggling and the broader challenges within Yemen’s pharmaceutical sector. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among health employees in drug-related departments in the Capital Sana’a. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed to examine group differences, including t-tests and ANOVA. A significance level of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The t-test indicated significant disagreement among participants (50.3%) regarding the existence of a comprehensive pharmaceutical policy (p < 0.001). High levels of agreement were observed on commonly smuggled drugs (74.7%) and the underlying reasons for drug smuggling and counterfeiting (76%, p < 0.001). A significant gender difference emerged regarding perceptions of the Supreme Board of Drugs’ role, with males scoring lower (mean = 2.86, SD = 0.81) than females (mean = 3.43, SD = 0.42, p = 0.002). However, ANOVA results showed no significant differences within or between groups based on educational qualifications, professional roles, or years of service concerning pharmaceutical policy, the Supreme Board of Drugs, registration requirements, or drug smuggling and counterfeiting (p > 0.05). Conclusions: This study highlights critical challenges in Yemen’s pharmaceutical sector, including systemic weaknesses, policy gaps, and the prevalence of drug smuggling, while emphasizing the pivotal role of health employees in addressing these issues. Strengthening their capacity through targeted interventions—such as training, awareness campaigns, robust regulatory frameworks, equitable enforcement, and enhanced stakeholder engagement—is essential. Given the cross-border nature of drug smuggling, these findings underscore the urgent need for strengthened international cooperation, harmonized regulatory policies, and intelligence-sharing mechanisms to combat illicit pharmaceutical trade. Addressing these challenges at both national and international levels is vital for ensuring drug safety, protecting public health, and mitigating the global impact of counterfeit and smuggled medicines. Full article

Background/Objectives: Falls occurring at home and during leisure time among elderly individuals represent a serious public health issue in Portugal and worldwide. These incidents have a significant impact on healthcare systems and social support structures, as well as the personal and family lives of the victims. There is also a recognized gap in awareness among older adults regarding fall prevention, particularly regarding environmental hazards, the need for home modifications, and the adoption of safety behaviors, including necessary adjustments in their home environments. The present study was developed to enhance our understanding of the circumstances in which falling occurs in elderly people. Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out, analyzing data collected through the national emergency-based injury surveillance system in 2023. Results: The proportion of falls increased across age groups, with 34.9% of total falls occurring in the group aged 85 and over. These differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001). In all age groups, falls were more frequent among women, representing between 63.6% and 69.0% of episodes. Approximately 65.9% of falls occurred at home. The likelihood of falling was higher among the oldest age group (85+) and in the home. Conclusions: The results of this study confirm that falls in elderly people tend to occur more frequently with advancing age, particularly in environments where the most time is spent. This study suggests that fall-prevention campaigns should be specifically targeted towards older females in the home environment, with particular consideration given to morning routines as part of the recommended interventions. Full article

In the last decade, the demand for healthier and safer food has increased alongside greater consumer awareness of food consumption, particularly in developed countries. This trend has pushed the food industry to implement a wide range of food quality control measures and surveillance systems for detecting contaminants. While high-end laboratory techniques remain the gold standard detection techniques, there is a growing need for simpler, more robust diagnostic tools that can be applied in the early stages of the food production chain to promptly identify deviations that may compromise food safety or quality. A complementary approach using both techniques can result in an enhancement of the overall contaminant-detection effectiveness and a better balance between food safety decision-making and the preservation of production value. This need is particularly relevant in farming and in the dairy industry. Developing milk process analytics requires careful consideration of both the nature of the processed sample and the conditions under which it is collected. Moreover, newly introduced techniques require the development of sound methodologies for data collection, analysis, and statistical process control. For this reason, this paper presents a detailed analysis of our previous milk data-collection campaigns involving technological prototypes, aiming to identify and suggest ways to preventively minimize issues related to experimental data collection, interpretation, errors, and mishandling. This analysis resulted in a set of practical observations and recommendations reported in the paper. Full article

Food safety is a fundamental component of public health, economic stability, and consumer confidence. In Portugal, the National Integrated Multiannual Control Plan (NIMCP) serves as a strategic framework for ensuring food safety and compliance with European Union food regulations. However, challenges persist in policy implementation and enforcement, as well as in stakeholder engagement, which impact the effectiveness of food safety governance. This study employs a mixed-methods approach to assess stakeholder perceptions of the NIMCP, focusing on levels of compliance, barriers to its implementation, and potential improvement measures. A structured online survey was conducted with 217 stakeholders, including representatives of public institutions, private entities, associations, and consumer groups. The survey assessed the perceived importance of the NIMCP objectives and levels of compliance and identified barriers, such as a lack of communication between public entities, the dispersion of responsible agencies, and insufficient dissemination of information. The results indicate that stakeholders perceive a satisfactory level of compliance with the NIMCP objectives, especially in areas such as animal health and risk control. However, challenges persist in ensuring plant health and implementing official controls. Furthermore, stakeholders highlight systemic inefficiencies and resource constraints. The main barriers include fragmented governance structures, limited inter-agency collaboration, and insufficient professional training. Stakeholders proposed various improvement measures, emphasizing the need for better coordination, planning, and communication, including awareness campaigns for operators, the creation of an integrated IT network, and the development of training programs. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) revealed that risk control and consumer protection are top priorities for all stakeholder groups, while plant and animal health receive lower priority. The study concludes that while the NIMCP is generally perceived as effective, addressing systemic issues such as coordination, communication, and resource allocation is essential to improving food safety governance. Policymakers are encouraged to adopt a more structured and integrated approach to improve implementation of the NIMCP, ultimately strengthening public health protection and consumer confidence in the food supply chain. Full article

Phishing is one of the main threats against companies where the main weakness against this type of threat is the worker. For this reason, it is essential that workers have a high security awareness for which it is fundamental to carry out a good safety-awareness campaign. However, as far as we are concerned, a mathematical study of the evolution of security awareness taking into account interactions with other people has not been considered. In this paper, we study how security awareness evolves through two belief-propagation models and Graph Neural Networks. Since this approach is new, the two most basic models were chosen to simulate propagation of beliefs: Sznajd model variant and Hegselmann–Krause model. On the other hand, because Graph Neural Networks are a current and very powerful tool, it was decided to use them to analyze the evolution of beliefs. We consider that with them information-awareness campaigns can be improved. As an example, we propose different awareness measures according to future beliefs and social influence. Full article

The rapid integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in smart cities enhances urban management, yet public acceptance remains crucial for successful deployment. This study examined gender-based differences in IoT acceptance through a survey of 288 respondents from Warsaw and Plock, analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results revealed that women demonstrated significantly higher trust in IoT (+0.93, p < 0.001), greater perceived safety (+0.24, p = 0.013), and stronger support for environmental IoT applications (+0.48, p = 0.007) than men. While perceived usefulness was the strongest predictor of IoT acceptance for men (β = 0.523, p < 0.001), safety (β = 0.286, p = 0.001) and environmental awareness (β = 0.507, p < 0.001) drove acceptance among women. These findings highlight the need for gender-sensitive urban technology policies, emphasizing safety and sustainability to foster inclusive smart city development. The research results can be used by city authorities to learn about the requirements and concerns of residents to design a city that meets all residents’ requirements and better communicates IoT technology. Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of targeted education and awareness campaigns to address privacy concerns and promote broader adoption of IoT-driven solutions in urban environments. Full article