Search Results (99)

This study aimed to investigate food insecurity (FI) and its association with sociodemographic characteristics and behavioral and dental alterations in adolescents from a county in the inland of northeastern Brazil. Data on 192 adolescents aged 11–14 years were analyzed in the public school system in Juripiranga, Paraíba, Northeast Brazil. The adolescents and their guardians responded to the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale, the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire for the caregiver, the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire for children and adolescents, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Academic performance was observed by calculating the median of the final assessments of basic school subjects. The prevalence of FI was 69.19, and FI was associated with a family income of up to one minimum wage per month (prevalence ratio [PR]: 1.90; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.20–3.01), no practice of religion by the guardian (PR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.04–1.73), behavior considered inappropriate by the guardian (PR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.02–1.73), and academic performance (PR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.05–1.72). FI is considered a complex and multifactorial problem that requires appropriate intervention to deal with multiple social determinants. The results point to the need for integrated public policies between the health, education, social assistance, and food security sectors. Full article

Orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a promising, new treatment. We aimed to study patients’ experiences and adherence to OMT. Twelve patients with OSA were included in the study, and they engaged in OMT exercises three times daily for 12 weeks. Participants tracked their sleep and OMT exercise activities in an electronic diary. Exercise techniques were guided by a certified therapist. Patients’ experiences with OMT were assessed through semi-structured individual interviews conducted after a 12-week intervention, and the transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed an overarching theme that captured both facilitators of and barriers to OMT, organized into three subthemes: (1) motivation, (2) perceived support, and (3) perceived effects. Motivation was driven by a desire to improve general health and avoid continuous positive airway pressure treatment, and was supported by a sense of mastery and perceived effectiveness. Key facilitators included a trusting patient–therapist relationship, as well as developing routines and a sense of control. Barriers involved managing the comprehensive treatment protocol, insecurities around exercise execution and the potential impact of OMT, sickness burden, and previous negative healthcare experiences. These themes were supported by quantitative findings, which demonstrated high treatment adherence, while sleep data indicated modest individual improvements in subjective sleep quality and efficiency. By recognizing facilitators and barriers and addressing the individual differences among OSA patients, healthcare providers can better tailor their approach to meet diverse patient needs. This personalized approach, supported by emerging sleep improvements, may enhance patient engagement and improve adherence to OMT. Full article

Regional vulnerability manifests in various ways, one of which is food insecurity. Food insecurity is a global challenge and a key focus of Sustainable Development Goal 2, which aims to achieve zero hunger. This study aims to assess the level of regional vulnerability to food insecurity for 34 provinces in Indonesia. The components of vulnerability are defined by exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity, while the dimensions of food insecurity are assessed through availability and access-utility. This study employed the composite index method to assess regional vulnerability to food insecurity in Indonesia for the year 2021. The analysis involved three calculation steps and utilized a subjective direct technique for indicator weighting. The findings emphasize the significant role of exposure in a region’s susceptibility to food insecurity. Mapping the conditions of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity indicates that 11.7% of Indonesian provinces are extremely vulnerable, with high exposure and sensitivity, and low adaptive capacity. To address these issues, these provinces should focus on diversifying food sources, improving market access for farmers, investing in essential agricultural infrastructure, and enhancing the agricultural sector through human resource development. Full article

Residential vulnerability in urban spaces is a complex phenomenon subject to a variety of social and economic factors. An example of this scenario is the San Francisco neighbourhood in Villena (Alicante, Spain). This is an area of residential vulnerability because of low levels of education among the population, low income, precarious housing and public insecurity. The main goal in this study was to analyse the profile of the neighbourhood using a mixed methodology based on statistical consultations with several official bodies and a qualitative method derived from surveys conducted with experts and interviews with focus groups made up of specialists, politicians and residents. The most significant results included the demographic stagnation of the local population and, conversely, a rejuvenation of the population thanks to foreign immigration, shaping a multicultural space not free of conflict, exclusion and residential precariousness. New challenges for integration towards a more participatory and safer coexistence emerged, with strategies aimed at curbing abandonment, preventing unlawful occupation of properties and contributing to residential and social regeneration. Full article

University students increasingly encounter significant mental health challenges as they navigate a pivotal period of personal and academic transition. Heightened by academic demands, financial insecurity, social isolation, and cultural expectations, these pressures can profoundly affect their emotional well-being. In response to this growing concern, a qualitative phenomenological study was undertaken to explore the subjective experiences of university students regarding their mental health. Guided by a socioecological framework, the research examined the complex interplay of individual, interpersonal, institutional, and societal factors shaping students’ perceptions and lived realities of mental well-being. The study utilized a phenomenological design and included 56 students from eight degree programs. The data collection methods included semi-structured interviews, reflective diaries, focus groups, ecological mapping, and ethnographic observation. The findings revealed that complex interactions between personal, social, institutional, and structural factors significantly influence students’ mental well-being. The research identified strategies students use to maintain or improve mental health, along with barriers and facilitators they encounter in the university context. The results emphasize the need for universities to adopt comprehensive, student-centered interventions, such as peer mentorship and mutual support programs, supported by updated institutional policies. These measures aim to create inclusive, adaptive, and less stressful environments, providing a model for other universities seeking to address similar challenges. Full article

Background/Objectives: Food insecurity during pregnancy is associated with higher risks of negative physical outcomes for both mother and child. This study aims to understand experiences of food insecurity among low-income Singaporean pregnant women and its impact on nutritional status. Methods: In this cross-sectional, mixed-methods study, 49 food-insecure pregnant women were recruited from KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital between November 2021 and November 2023, among which 11 in-depth interviews were conducted. Questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, 24-Hour dietary recalls, metabolic and nutritional blood tests were conducted for all subjects. Descriptive quantitative analysis was performed and integrated with qualitative thematic analysis to explain findings. Results: On average, women were overweight pre-pregnancy (body mass index 26.1 ± 6.9 kg/m²) and had low haemoglobin and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. Calorie intake and intake from major food groups did not meet recommendations during pregnancy, except for “Grains”. From interviews, effects of financial constraints, how participants managed their food supply and pregnancy-related symptoms, supported findings from 24-Hour dietary recalls. Conclusions: Food insecurity led to suboptimal nutritional status and diets in Singaporean pregnant women despite appearing well-nourished. Further exploration of perspectives of food-insecure mothers, healthcare providers and welfare organisations is needed to devise long-term solutions to improve food security and alleviate malnutrition. Full article

The rapid advancement of digital technology has significantly transformed the labor market, particularly through the rise of platform-based work. While digital labor platforms offer flexibility and employment opportunities, they also pose challenges such as job insecurity, perceived exploitation, and diminished well-being among workers. This study investigates the impact of platform exploitation perception on the subjective well-being of digital workers, with a focus on the mediating roles of the sense of work gain and work security. Using a specialized questionnaire, data were collected from 763 digital workers across various platforms, including food delivery, ride-hailing, live streaming, and e-commerce. The findings reveal that platform exploitation perception negatively affects subjective well-being, both directly and indirectly, through the chain mediation of work gain and work security. Specifically, higher perceptions of exploitation reduce workers’ sense of gain and security, which in turn diminishes their overall well-being. This research highlights the importance of addressing workers’ psychological and material needs to promote sustainable development in the digital economy. By enhancing transparency, improving income stability, and providing social security, platforms can foster a more equitable and supportive environment for digital workers, ultimately contributing to their long-term well-being and the sustainable growth of the digital economy. Full article

Background and Objective: During the COVID-19 pandemic, women faced unique employment-related stressors, including higher exposure to unstable working conditions, increased workload changes due to motherhood, and greater risk of infection in certain jobs. This study explores how these factors influence women’s anxiety and subjective well-being, aiming to identify vulnerable groups. Materials and Methods: 230 employed Slovene women, aged from 19 to 64 years (M = 32.60, SD = 10.41), participated in an online survey containing a State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-6), WHO-5 Well-being Index, and a set of questions regarding their occupation and demographic profile. Hierarchical linear regressions and chi-squared tests were performed. Results: The risk of job or income loss significantly predicted an increase in anxiety levels. However, despite fear of infection, none of the work-related variables predicted a significant decrease in subjective well-being. Women reporting risk of job or income loss are predominantly those with lower education and income, working students, self-employed, or working in the private sector. Conclusions: Employment insecurity is an important contributor to anxiety in women. The findings highlight the need to ensure job security, particularly for women working in precariat working conditions, as their work and economic stability prove to be vulnerable to external economic disturbances. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study examines the perception of young Romanians (aged 18–35) regarding the Ukraine conflict’s impact on Romania’s national security and quality of life. It focuses on societal security dimensions, analyzing the conflict’s regional and international implications, alongside sentiments toward global support for Ukraine. Methods: Data were collected via structured questionnaires administered to 848 participants in 2024 and 747 in 2022. Respondents’ perceptions of the Ukraine conflict, its influence on national security, and the direct consequences for quality of life were evaluated using the WHOQOL-BREF instrument. Statistical analyses (descriptive, bivariate, multivariate) were employed to explore variations across socio-demographic factors. Results: The findings indicate that young Romanians appreciate international solidarity with Ukraine but remain cautious about military escalation. While the conflict heightened perceptions of personal and national insecurity, WHOQOL-BREF assessments revealed significant declines in psychological, social, and environmental quality of life indicators from 2022 to 2024. Variations were observed based on age, gender, education level, and residence, with young rural women and those with lower educational attainment experiencing the most pronounced impacts. Conclusions: The study underscores the dual challenges of maintaining regional stability and addressing the socio-psychological fallout of conflicts. Despite resilience mechanisms tempering subjective perceptions, objective measures indicate deteriorations in the quality of life among Romania’s young population. These findings emphasize the need for targeted policies to support vulnerable groups through mental health initiatives, social support systems, and equitable access to resources. Full article

Background: Happiness and health are crucial elements of adolescents’ lives that significantly impact mental well-being and societal engagement. This article hypothesizes that a suitable school environment may be one of the components that can impact students’ subjective feelings of happiness and health. This research aimed to determine the association between a negative school environment, such as experiencing bullying and feeling insecure at school, and students’ happiness and health. Methods: The study was conducted in 2023, surveying students in grades 7–10 from two Lithuanian cities and their districts. The study included 1992 students (females 50.2%) with a mean age of 14.53 ± 1.12. Results: It was observed that male students felt healthier and happier than females. Also, male students felt safer at school more often than females. A positive correlation was found between a student’s feeling of safety at school and their happiness and health. Regression analysis revealed that a feeling of safety at school was the most significant positive factor associated with male students’ sense of happiness and health. Also, the most important factors for females were a feeling of safety at school, bullying, and how often teachers stop bullying. Conclusions: It was found that feelings of insecurity at school, experiences of bullying, and how often teachers stop bullying can be associated with students’ subjective feelings of happiness and well-being. School environmental factors can affect students’ happiness and well-being differently depending on gender. It is essential to focus on vulnerable student populations when creating preventive programs to enhance adolescents’ sense of safety in schools. Full article

Plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) such as the Impossible Burger^® imitate animal meat appearance, taste, feel, and texture. Part of their consumer appeal are the views that PBMAs are more environmentally friendly, reduce inhumane treatment of animals, and/or have preferred nutritional attributes. College-educated adults are one of the larger markets for these products. This cross-sectional online survey utilized the Theory of Planned Behavior to predict self-reported intakes of PBMAs among 536 undergraduates aged 18–25 at a Midwest university. Sixty-one percent had eaten PBMAs, and 17% wanted to try them. Twenty-two percent were uninterested non-consumers. Their top reason for not eating PBMAs was that they had no reason to decrease their meat intake. Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed subjective norms and positive attitudes about PBMAs increased the odds of more frequent intake, whereas non-consumers had less support from social contacts, but greater perceived behavioral control over general food access. Thus, those with supportive social influences, concerns about the environment, and animal welfare are more likely to consume PBMAs. More frequent PBMA consumption was observed among U.S.-born multicultural students, food insecure students, and those with less perceived behavioral control over food access. Future research should investigate the nuances between these associations further by examining the types of PBMAs consumed, their costs, and retail sources across student demographics. Full article

Introduction: Rural informal caregivers (IC) experience major financial and economic constraints in caring for their older family members. Rurality combined with increased caregiving demands and intensity, poor economic opportunities, and limited financial resources and policies create multiple financial stressors and can lead to poor financial well-being. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to understand how caregiving demands, intensity, and duration impact the subjective financial well-being of rural caregivers of older adults. Methods: Informal caregivers (N = 196) residing in 12 rural counties in the central North Region of the Midwestern US participated in the survey. Ordinary Least Squares and Linear Probability Model regressions were conducted to measure the association among the study variables. Results: Our findings showed a moderate level of subjective financial well-being among informal caregivers (average = 51.62; SD 14.52). Caregiving intensity negatively affected financial well-being (β = −1.470, p < 0.05). More than half of informal caregivers (58%) were not satisfied with their household income, and 30% found it difficult to meet their family’s needs with their current income status. Discussion and Conclusions: Longer hours of care are associated with financial burden and insecurity and can significantly influence the financial health and well-being of rural informal caregivers of older adults. Older caregivers were found to manage their financial constraints more effectively. Future comparative and longitudinal studies with a more diverse sample are required to infer long-term interactions among the different variables in this study. Full article

COVID-19 caused serious food disruptions worldwide and raised food insecurity levels. To further understand how COVID-19 impacted food insecurity, this study used nationally representative data from Pakistan to examine the effect of negative COVID-19 shock on food insecurity and its heterogeneity across different income groups. COVID-19 shock was quantified by a subjective measure based on self-reported exposure to the severity of COVID-19. We found that households struck severely by COVID-19 were about 26% more likely to report a lack of healthy food, almost 35% more likely to skip a meal, around 33% more likely to run out of food, and around 20% more likely to go without food for one whole day in comparison to the households unexposed to the severe COVID-19 shock. Furthermore, households affected by severe COVID-19 shock, especially those in the lower income quartiles, faced acute food insecurity. We constructed two additional proxies for this negative COVID-19 shock based on the objective assessment of income loss due to the lockdown measures in Pakistan to examine the robustness of the findings, and they also led to similar outcomes. Overall, the findings suggested that poorer and COVID-19-stricken households faced severer food insecurity and required urgent support. Full article

The latest World Food Security Outlook predicted stabilization in global food security by 2024; however, nearly one billion people still face the threat of food insecurity. Fertilisers, crucial for maximizing crop yields, are the subject of scrutiny due to their environmental impact and health concerns. Efforts are being made to use fertilisers more efficiently and maintain soil nutrient balance to address these issues. In this research, different solid and liquid wastes from the food industry were used to granulate organic biofertilisers with a rotary drum granulator. This included buckwheat biomass (BBM), buckwheat husks (BH), buckwheat husk ash (BHA), bone meal (BM), molasses solution (MS), and beaten eggs (BE). Using standardized fertiliser testing methods, it was found that the biofertilisers produced by the drum granulator comply with the requirements for bulk fertilisers, as they are rich in plant nutrients, the static strength of their granules is high (7–14 N/granule), and their moisture content is higher (4–8%) than that of conventional mineral fertilisers, but the hygroscopicity of the granules when stored in standard conditions (30–60% humidity, temperature of 20–25 °C) is low. Due to their slightly alkaline pH, it is likely that such fertilisers could be used in acidic soils and would have a double effect—they would improve plant growth and soil properties (increase the amount of organic matter and reduce acidity). Full article

Rice production within the Tonle Sap basin is a critical driver of economic and social development in Cambodia. This region has been subject to various natural disasters, with increasing attention directed towards drought. This study aims to evaluate the impacts of drought on agriculture and food security through an in-depth case study of the Baribo basin, a sub-basin of the Tonle Sap. The analysis spans the period from 1985 to 2008, a timeframe characterized by relatively high-quality data. Drought assessment was conducted using ground observations and satellite-based products, with the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Standard Vegetation Index (SVI) employed to assess meteorological and agricultural droughts, respectively. Findings from both the SPI and SVI indicate that drought constitutes a significant natural hazard contributing to food insecurity in the study area. The highest drought intensity (DI) and drought severity (DS) were recorded during the 1993–1994 period, while the most prolonged drought duration (DD) was observed from 2002 to 2006. The year 2004 witnessed the most severe impact on rice production, with approximately 46% of the total cultivated area affected. The analysis further reveals a strong correlation between the drought duration and the extent of rice cultivation affected, as well as the overall food security in the Tonle Sap basin. Full article