The impact of socioeconomic and demographic factors on individuals’ behaviour towards their health and general well-being in rural Sindh, Pakistan

Background: Health and general well-being might sound like a mundane concept for most developed nations; however, it is not perceived similarly in underdeveloped areas of the developing nations. In Pakistan, the concept becomes even more foreign and muddled with certain stubborn biases which needs to be accessed. Therefore, we conducted a study to identify the impact of socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with behaviors regarding health and general well-being.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in rural health centers (RHCs) of five districts of Sindh, Pakistan, from October 2020 to December 2020. A survey questionnaire was designed to collect data on socio-economic and demographic factors and their impacts on behavior towards health and general well-being. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA Version 16.0. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to determine the extent of association between predictor variables and outcome variables.Results: A total of 969 respondents participated in the study. The mean age of the respondents was 35.70 (±13.17) years. Majority of the participants (82.77%) had limited access to the required health care facility and only (3.61%) of respondents reported that they regularly consult with disease specialists. Multivariable logistic regression revealed the ability to bear disease expenses (OR=0.55, p=0.009), level of education (OR=1.81, p=0.026), female gender (OR=0.30, p=0.048), access to required health facilities (OR=0.58, p=0.012) were significantly associated with positive behavior towards health and general well-being.Conclusions: The study shows that ease of access to healthcare facilities would encourage the population to seek more healthy behaviors. Resources for promoting healthy lifestyle choices in the general population should be more comprehensive for encompassing cognitive beliefs that target psychological and physical health outcomes.

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DENGUE FEVER

The Professional Medical Journal ◽

10.29309/tpmj/2018.25.06.274 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 25 (06) ◽

pp. 876-880

Author(s):

Hamzullah Khan ◽

Fazli Bari

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Observational Study ◽

Platelet Transfusion ◽

Care Facility ◽

Health Care Facility ◽

Female Gender ◽

P Value ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Study Results ◽

Study Setting

Objectives: To determine the frequency and characteristics of dengue patients.Study Design: Cross sectional observational study. Setting: Qazi Hussain Ahmed MedicalComplex Nowshera. Period: 5th July to 25th Sept 2017. Material and Methods: A total of72 cases were received for dengue serology. Relevant information’s were collected on a predesignedquestionnaire prepared in accordance with the objectives of the study. Results: Atotal of 117 patients were referred from fever clinic and emergency OPD for dengue serology.72(61.5%) were males and 45(38.5%) were females. 24(20.5%) cases were dengue positive.14(12%) were NSL1 positive, 8(8.8%) were IgM positive and 2 (1.7%) were IgM&IgG positive.We received patient in the range of 4 years to 60 years, Mean with SD was 27 +3 years. Out of14 NSL1 positive cases 8 were males and 6 females. 2 females were IgG positive. The spectrumof dengue in correlation with gender was significantly positive with p value .026. In two casesplatelet at first visit were 58000/cmm3 that were both IgM&IgG positive. Out of 24 positivedengue cases two cases were also positive for plasmodium vivax (ring tropozoites). 6 caseswere managed in hospital and discharged home with an average stay of 3 days and 4 casesreferred to Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar for repeated platelet transfusion. Mortality waszero in our cases. Conclusion: The suspicion rate of the clinician for dengue from fever clinicwas 1:7. The cause of poor rate can be contributed to the patient insist for doing the denguetest before they are screened for MP and FBC etc. NSL1 was positive in 6 cases that showsthat people reach the health care facility for screening well in time and patient are educatedabout the dengue. Females 50% positive cases were IGM and IGG positive that shows femalereceive the health care later than males as NSL1 positivity in female gender is less than males.The spectrum of dengue in correlation with gender was significantly positive with p value .025that shows mosquito has some affinity for specific gender, or dengue virus has it for differencein gender or the inside immunity of the both gender is involved that causes different mode ofpresentation and activation of antibodies.

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The Effects of COVID-19 On The Quality of Life Among a Sample of The General Lebanese Population

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1070681/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Chadia HADDAD ◽

Sandrella Bou Malhab ◽

Hala SACRE ◽

Rasha THEBIAN ◽

Hassan SALAME ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Chronic Disease ◽

Linear Regression ◽

Short Form ◽

Female Gender ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Lebanese Population ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background: Infectious illness outbreaks, such as COVID-19, have a devastating impact on physical health and social and psychological well-being. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the quality of life (QOL) after the COVID-19 outbreak in a sample of the Lebanese population and compare sociodemographic factors associated with QOL among COVID-19 patients and healthy controls. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted between January and March 2021 during the lockdown imposed by the Lebanese Government enrolled 2349 Lebanese adults. The major dependent variable was the 12-item Short Form Survey (SF-12), often used as a QOL measure for assessing the impact of health on an individual's everyday life.Results: In participants with non-positive PCR, linear regression showed that higher income (Beta=2.224) is associated with a higher QOL score. Whereas higher household crowding index (Beta=-0.537), older age (Beta=-0.109), being married (Beta=-1.308), having hypertension (Beta=-2.479), and other chronic diseases (Beta=-3.704) were associated with a lower QOL score.In participants with positive PCR, linear regression showed that the female gender (Beta=2.416) and a higher income (Beta=4.856) were associated with a higher QOL score. Whereas shortness of breath (beta=-2.607), sore throat (Beta=-5.654), sneezing (Beta=-3.761), and having a chronic disease other than hypertension (Beta=-3.181) were associated with a lower QOL score.Conclusion: Overall, factors such as age, male gender, married status, crowded household, low monthly income, high BMI, the presence of chronic disease, and severe COVID-19 symptoms were related to lower QOL after the covid-19 pandemic.

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Impact of Perceived Organizational Support on Citizenship Behavior of ITES Employees

Asian Journal of Managerial Science ◽

10.51983/ajms-2019.8.3.2705 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 24-29

Author(s):

Seena Nikhil ◽

J. Arthi

Keyword(s):

Organizational Citizenship ◽

Organizational Citizenship Behavior ◽

Organizational Support ◽

Perceived Organizational Support ◽

Demographic Factors ◽

Well Being ◽

Citizenship Behavior ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Impact

This study attempts to investigate the effect of Perceived Organizational Support (POS) of employees on their Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB). It also examines if there are significant differences in the impact of POS on OCB of employees due to demographic factors (age, gender, tenure, designation) of employees. POS indicates the perception of employees regarding the extent to which their organization appreciates their contribution and cares for their well-being (Rhoades & Eisenberger, 2002). OCB refers to employee participation in tasks that are not formally a part of the job description, but are beneficial for the organization as a whole (Organ & Ryan, 1995). In the current business scenario, when employee turnover rate poses a serious threat to businesses, employers increasingly value employee loyalty and dedication. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to obtain the perceptions of 272 employees working in Information Technology Enabled Services (ITeS) Sector, Bangalore, India. The results of the study indicate that POS had a significant impact on Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) of employees. Among the demographic factors, organizational tenure influenced the impact of POS on OCB. This paper has implications for employers and top management who struggle to retain their employees.

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Mental well-being of general population during COVID-19 pandemic

Indian Journal of Community Health ◽

10.47203/ijch.2021.v33i03.021 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 33 (3) ◽

pp. 523-527

Author(s):

Priyanka ◽

Sanjeev Kumar Rasania

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

At Risk ◽

General Population ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Demographic Factors ◽

Female Gender ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

Cross Sectional

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has drastically affected the mental health of people worldwide, with emergence of new mental health problems and worsening of the existing ones. Objectives: This research was conducted with the objective to study the level of mental wellbeing among adult general population during COVID-19 pandemic in India and to identify the association of socio demographic factors with the level of mental wellbeing of study subjects. Methods: It was a community based online cross sectional study involving general population more than 18 years of age. Data collection was done by using a goggle form link which was circulated via online platforms. Data was analyzed using Microsoft excel and SPSS version 21. Qualitative data was expressed in proportions or percentages and quantitative data was expressed in mean and standard deviation. Chi square test and logistic regression analysis was done to find out association of demographic factors with mental wellbeing. Results: 58.4% subjects had normal mental wellbeing score while 25.1% were found to be at risk of developing psychological distress and 16.5% were at risk of depression. Lower wellbeing scores were significantly associated with younger (<36 years) as well as older age (>55 years), female gender, divorced or widowed, unemployed, businessmen and students. Lowe scores were also associated with increased consumption of alcohol and tobacco. Conclusion: A large proportion of study population had a poor mental wellbeing during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.

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Understanding the Impact of Bullying in a Unionized U.S. Public Sector Workforce

Workplace Health & Safety ◽

10.1177/2165079919883286 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 68 (3) ◽

pp. 139-153 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mazen El Ghaziri ◽

Shellie Simons ◽

Jane Lipscomb ◽

Carla L. Storr ◽

Kathleen McPhaul ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Sector ◽

Organizational Climate ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽

Female Gender ◽

Bargaining Unit ◽

Organizational Level ◽

Organizational Impact ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Impact

Background: Workplace Bullying (WPB) can have a tremendous, negative impact on the victims and the organization as a whole. The purpose of this study was to examine individual and organizational impact associated with exposure to bullying in a large U.S. unionized public sector workforce. Methods: A cross-sectional Web-based survey was conducted among 16,492 U.S. state government workers. Survey domains included demographics, negative acts (NAs) and bullying, supportiveness of the organizational climate, and individual and organizational impacts of bullying. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the impact among respondents who reported exposure to bullying. Findings: A total of 72% participants responded to the survey (n = 11,874), with 43.7% (n = 5,181) reporting exposure to NAs and bullying. A total of 40% (n = 4,711) participants who experienced WPB reported individual impact(s) while 42% ( n = 4,969) reported organization impact(s). Regular NA was associated with high individual impact (negatively impacted them personally; odds ratio [OR] = 5.03) when controlling for other covariates including: female gender (OR =1.89) and job tenure of 6 to 10 years (OR = 1.95); working in a supportive organizational climate and membership in a supportive bargaining unit were protective of high impact (OR = 0.04 and OR = 0.59, respectively). High organizational impact (transferring to another position) was associated with regular NA and bullying (OR = 16.26), female gender (OR = 1.55), providing health care and field service (OR = 1.68), and protective effect of organizational climate (OR = 0.39). We found a dose-response relationship between bullying and both individual and organizational-level impact. Conclusion/Application to Practice: Understanding the impacts of WPB should serve to motivate more workplaces and unions to implement effective interventions to ameliorate the problem by enhancing the organizational climate, as well as management and employee training on the nature of WPB and guidance on reporting.

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How is the COVID-19 lockdown impacting the mental health of parents of school-age children in the UK? A cross-sectional online survey

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043397 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. e043397

Author(s):

Austen El-Osta ◽

Aos Alaa ◽

Iman Webber ◽

Eva Riboli Sasco ◽

Emmanouil Bagkeris ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Online Survey ◽

Female Gender ◽

School Age Children ◽

School Age ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Uk ◽

The Impact

ObjectiveInvestigate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on feelings of loneliness and social isolation in parents of school-age children.DesignCross-sectional online survey of parents of primary and secondary school-age children.SettingCommunity setting.Participants1214 parents of school-age children in the UK.MethodsAn online survey explored the impact of lockdown on the mental health of parents with school-age children, and in particular about feelings of social isolation and loneliness. Associations between the UCLA Three-Item Loneliness Scale (UCLATILS), the Direct Measure of Loneliness (DMOL) and the characteristics of the study participants were assessed using ordinal logistic regression models.Main outcome measuresSelf-reported measures of social isolation and loneliness using UCLATILS and DMOL.ResultsHalf of respondents felt they lacked companionship, 45% had feelings of being left out, 58% felt isolated and 46% felt lonely during the first 100 days of lockdown. The factors that were associated with higher levels of loneliness on UCLATILS were female gender, parenting a child with special needs, lack of a dedicated space for distance learning, disruption of sleep patterns and low levels of physical activity during the lockdown. Factors associated with a higher DMOL were female gender, single parenting, parenting a child with special needs, unemployment, low physical activity, lack of a dedicated study space and disruption of sleep patterns during the lockdown.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 lockdown has increased feelings of social isolation and loneliness among parents of school-age children. The sustained adoption of two modifiable health-seeking lifestyle behaviours (increased levels of physical activity and the maintenance of good sleep hygiene practices) wmay help reduce feelings of social isolation and loneliness during lockdown.

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The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on socio-economic and sustainability

Environmental Science and Pollution Research ◽

10.1007/s11356-021-14986-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Xueli Wei ◽

Lijing Li ◽

Fan Zhang

Keyword(s):

World Economy ◽

Social Economy ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Social ◽

The World ◽

The Status ◽

Sectional Analysis ◽

The Impact

Pumping elephantThe COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the lives of people around the world in millions of ways . Due to this severe epidemic, all countries in the world have been affected by all aspects, mainly economic. It is widely discussed that the COVID-19 outbreak has affected the world economy. When considering this dimension, this study aims to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world economy, socio-economics, and sustainability. In addition, the research focuses on multiple aspects of social well-being during the pandemic, such as employment, poverty, the status of women, food security, and global trade. To this end, the study used time series and cross-sectional analysis of the data. The second-hand data used in this study comes from the websites of major international organizations. From the analysis of secondary data, the conclusion of this article is that the impact of the pandemic is huge. The main finding of the thesis is that the social economy is affected by the pandemic, causing huge losses in terms of economic well-being and social capital.

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The impact of COVID‐19 on work, training and well‐being experiences of nursing associates in England: A cross‐sectional survey

Nursing Open ◽

10.1002/nop2.928 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rachel King ◽

Tony Ryan ◽

Michaela Senek ◽

Emily Wood ◽

Bethany Taylor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Work Training ◽

The Impact

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COVID-19 restrictions and changing sexual behaviours in HIV-negative MSM at high risk of HIV infection in London, UK

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

10.1136/sextrans-2020-054768 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. sextrans-2020-054768

Author(s):

Iain Hyndman ◽

Diarmuid Nugent ◽

Gary George Whitlock ◽

Alan McOwan ◽

Nicolò Girometti

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Hiv Infection ◽

Sexual Activity ◽

Sexual Behaviour ◽

Well Being ◽

Categorical Variables ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Impact ◽

Mental Well Being ◽

Hiv Negative

ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic and its related restrictions have affected attendance to and delivery of UK sexual healthcare services (SHS). We surveyed the impact on sexual behaviour of men having sex with men (MSM) to inform future SHS provision.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional, anonymous, web-based survey among HIV-negative MSM at high risk of HIV infection who attended 56 Dean Street, a sexual health and HIV clinic. The survey was conducted over a 7-day period in August 2020. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behaviour and related mental well-being experienced during lockdown (defined as 23 March–30 June 2020) were extracted. Categorical and non-categorical variables were compared according to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use.Results814 MSM completed the questionnaire: 75% were PrEP users; 76% reported they have been sexually active, of which 76% reported sex outside their household. 75% reported fewer partners than prior to lockdown. Isolation/loneliness (48%) and anxiety/stress (27%) triggered sexual activity, and 73% had discussed COVID-19 transmission risks with their sexual partners. While 46% reported no change to emotions ordinarily experienced following sex, 20% reported guilt for breaching COVID-19 restrictions. 76% implemented one or more changes to their sexual behaviour, while 58% applied one or more steps to reduce COVID-19 transmission during sex. 36% accessed SHS and 30% reported difficulties in accessing testing/treatment. Of those who accessed SHS, 28% reported an STI diagnosis. PrEP users reported higher partner number, engagement in ‘chemsex’ and use of SHS than non-PrEP users.ConclusionsCOVID-19 restrictions had a considerable impact on sexual behaviour and mental well-being in our survey respondents. High rates of sexual activity and STI diagnoses were reported during lockdown. Changes to SHS provision for MSM must respond to high rates of psychological and STI-related morbidity and the challenges faced by this population in accessing services.

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Characteristics of those most vulnerable to employment changes during the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationally representative cross-sectional study in Wales

Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health ◽

10.1136/jech-2020-216030 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. jech-2020-216030

Author(s):

Benjamin J Gray ◽

Richard G Kyle ◽

Jiao Song ◽

Alisha R Davies

Keyword(s):

Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽

Household Survey ◽

Well Being ◽

Employment Outcomes ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Public Health Response ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Exact Test ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

The Impact

BackgroundThe public health response to the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a detrimental impact on employment and there are concerns the impact may be greatest among the most vulnerable. We examined the characteristics of those who experienced changes in employment status during the early months of the pandemic.MethodsData were collected from a cross-sectional, nationally representative household survey of the working age population (18–64 years) in Wales in May/June 2020 (n=1379). We looked at changes in employment and being placed on furlough since February 2020 across demographics, contract type, job skill level, health status and household factors. χ2 or Fisher’s exact test and multinomial logistic regression models examined associations between demographics, subgroups and employment outcomes.ResultsOf our respondents, 91.0% remained in the same job in May/June 2020 as they were in February 2020, 5.7% were now in a new job and 3.3% experienced unemployment. In addition, 24% of our respondents reported being placed on furlough. Non-permanent contract types, individuals who reported low mental well-being and household financial difficulties were all significant factors in experiencing unemployment. Being placed on ‘furlough’ was more likely in younger (18–29 years) and older (60–64 years) workers, those in lower skilled jobs and from households with less financial security.ConclusionA number of vulnerable population groups were observed to experience detrimental employment outcomes during the initial stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Targeted support is needed to mitigate against both the direct impacts on employment, and indirect impacts on financial insecurity and health.

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