scholarly journals A Qualitative Exploration in Causes of Water Insecurity Experiences, and Gender and Nutritional Consequences in South-Punjab, Pakistan

Author(s):  
Farooq Ahmed ◽  
Muhammad Shahid ◽  
Yang Cao ◽  
Madeeha Gohar Qureshi ◽  
Sidra Zia ◽  
...  

Although water insecurity has been discussed in general, its impacts on mothers’ physical and mental health, and infants’ and young children’s feeding (IYCF), has largely been ignored. This study explores household water insecurity experiences and their association with optimal health and nutrition of women and children in the Rajanpur district of Punjab Province. Using focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informants (KIIs) interviews from an area with high maternal-child malnutrition prevalence, a qualitative study was conducted to describe local experiences of water acquirement and arrangement, and of the consequences of water insecurity. The findings highlight that rural Western marginalized populations of the Rajanpur district rely on brackish, canal, or flood surface water as the water supply is absent, which intensifies mothers’ work burden and stress, and often makes them victims of violence, stigma, and sickness. Water fetching impacts women in unforeseen ways, impacting the psychosocial and physical health of mothers engaged in maternal breastfeeding. Water insecurity, originally rooted in regional disparities, compounds with gender inequities, which leads to maternal stress and child sickness. Justice in water resources is imperative and urgent in the deprived South of Punjab province for improving public health nutrition.

2022 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Majed Wadi ◽  
Muhamad Saiful Bahri Yusoff ◽  
Ahmad Fuad Abdul Rahim ◽  
Nik Ahmad Zuky Nik Lah

Abstract Background Medical students are vulnerable to test anxiety (TA), which impacts their professional lives and jeopardizes the optimal health care of their patients. The qualitative exploration of TA among medical students is crucial to understanding the problem. Hence, this study examined medical students’ insights into TA and their suggestions on how to reduce it. Methods We conducted a phenomenological study on medical students at a public university. We utilized focus group discussions (FGDs) to investigate their experiences of TA. The FGDs were transcribed verbatim, and these transcripts were analyzed using Atlas.ti software. The thematic analysis followed the recommended guidelines. Results Seven FGD sessions were conducted with 45 students. Three major themes emerged: the students, their academic resources, and the examiner. Each theme comprised mutually exclusive subthemes. The “students” theme was divided into negative vs. positive thoughts and self-negligence vs. self-care, “academic recources” into heavy curriculum vs. facilitative curricular aids, and “examiner” into criticism vs. feedback and strict vs. kind approaches. Conclusion This study provides a solid foundation for policymakers and decision makers in medical education to improve current assessment practices and student well-being. Medical students will be able to significantly alter and reduce TA if they are provided with additional psychological support and their examiners are trained on how to deal with examinees.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jutta Lindert ◽  
Ulrike Neuendorf ◽  
Marta Natan ◽  
Ingo Schäfer

Abstract Background Syrians have been the largest group of refugees in Germany since 2014. Little is known about Syrian refugees` perspectives on substance use. The aim of this study is to investigate the perspective of male refugees from Syria and to foster specific knowledge and understanding of substance use. Methods We applied a qualitative study design. Five semi-structured focus group discussions with a total of 19 refugees were conducted in 2019 among the difficult to reach population of Syrian refugees. Audio recordings were translated and transcribed. We used a hybrid approach by integrating inductive and deductive thematic frameworks. Results We identified common themes. Firstly, refugees perceived that substances are widely available and accepted in Germany. Secondly, refugees perceived that rules and norms in Germany differ from rules and norms in the home country and favor availability of substances. Thirdly, substance use is related to the intention to escape the past. Fourthly, substance use is related to living in the present through connecting with others and being part of the community. Finally, mental health professional treatment for substance use is associated with shame. Conclusions Findings support Syrian refugees` perspectives of substance use as a way of both escaping the past and coping with psychosocial difficulties in the present in a socio-ecological understanding. Understanding the explanatory model of Syrian refugees can inform future interventions to prevent substance abuse and design tailored interventions. Further studies with Syrian refugees in more countries are needed to better understand resettled refugees` perspectives on substance use.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1755 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seung-Hoo Lee ◽  
Shuting Tao ◽  
Hak-Seon Kim

There is an increasing number of metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients worldwide, and there is no exception in South Korea. The risk complications of metabolic syndrome have been investigated by many previous research studies, while no data on any current trends of MetS are available. Therefore, the present study investigates the recent prevalence of MetS and its associated risk complications in Korean adults by using the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The Survey respondents (n = 4744) were adults over the age of 30, and they had participated in KNHANES 2016, which is a health survey of a national representative sample of non-institutionalized civilian South Koreans. The cross-tabulation analysis was applied to figure out the general characteristics impacting on the prevalence of MetS; furthermore, the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using multivariate logistic regression analysis were presented for the risk complications of MetS. Findings from this study indicated that subjective health status, family structure, age, income level, use of nutrition labelling and gender showed significant connections with the prevalence of MetS. The risk diseases, stroke (OR = 2.174, 95% CI = 1.377–3.433, p < 0.01), myocardial infarction (MI) (OR = 2.667, 95% CI = 1.474–4.824, p < 0.01) and diabetes (OR = 6.533, 95% CI = 4.963, p < 0.001) were explored and verified attributable to the prevalence of MetS. The findings in this study suggest that sociodemographic characteristics-concentrated strategies are vital to prevent the prevalence of MetS in South Korea, and relative risk complications ought to be cautiously dealt with as well.


2013 ◽  
Vol 04 (03) ◽  
pp. 1350013
Author(s):  
ULRICH HOFFMANN

The problems of climate change, hunger and poverty, economic, social and gender inequity, poor health and nutrition, and environmental sustainability are inter-related and need to be solved by leveraging agriculture's multi-functionality. Against this background, this paper analyzes various aspects of the fundamental transformation of agricultural production methods and systems required for dealing with the serious challenges that arise from global warming. It also discusses the trade-offs to be made in enhancing the mitigation and adaptation potential of agriculture as part and parcel of a pro-poor development approach in agriculture, which will also have to include a modification of international trade rules.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 451-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael French

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the evolution of “push” marketing in the confectionery industry in Britain during the 1930s. It examines the interplay between a manufacturer and advertising agency in creating advertising for cocoa and chocolate. Design/methodology/approach A survey of the literature examines the uses of health and well-being in the design of advertising in Britain between the wars. The records of Rowntree and its main advertising agency, J Walter Thompson, are used to examine the themes and tactics used in advertising for cocoa and Aero chocolate bars during the 1930s. Findings The paper emphasises the different ways in which health and nutrition was used in advertising for the two products. The campaigns of the 1930s built on earlier use of these themes. J Walter Thompson looked for ways of presenting commodities as “new and improved” and their role extended into pressing for changes to production methods and the nature of products. Themes of modernity, sexuality and lifestyles all featured, confirming conclusions of earlier studies. However, targeting of mothers and of different age and gender groups indicated that market segmentation was used extensively via print media and tailored advertising messages. Originality/value Although Cadbury, Rowntree and confectionery have been studied in depth before, this paper emphasises their role in applying new advertising ideas to everyday items. It points to the influence of advertising on the mass of consumers compared to the middle- and upper-income groups targeted in the marketing of houses, motor-cars and new consumer durables.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. e0198591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Godfred O. Boateng ◽  
Shalean M. Collins ◽  
Patrick Mbullo ◽  
Pauline Wekesa ◽  
Maricianah Onono ◽  
...  

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 608-615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathy Banwell ◽  
Jane Dixon ◽  
Sam-Ang Seubsman ◽  
S Pangsap ◽  
Matthew Kelly ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate evolving food retail systems in Thailand.DesignRapid assessment procedures based on qualitative research methods including interviews, focus groups discussions and site visits.SettingSeven fresh markets located in the four main regions of Thailand.SubjectsManagers, food specialists, vendors and shoppers from seven fresh markets who participated in interviews and focus group discussions.ResultsFresh markets are under economic pressure and are declining in number. They are attempting to resist the competition from supermarkets by improving convenience, food diversity, quality and safety.ConclusionsObesity has increased in Thailand at the same time as rapid growth of modern food retail formats has occurred. As fresh markets are overtaken by supermarkets there is a likely loss of fresh, healthy, affordable food for poorer Thais, and a diminution of regional culinary culture, women's jobs and social capital, with implications for the health and nutrition transition in Thailand.


Circulation ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 133 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ridhima Kapoor ◽  
Colby Ayers ◽  
Jacquelyn Kulinski

Background: The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a predictor of cardiovascular events, mortality and functional status. Gender differences in ABI have been reported in some population studies. Differences in height might account for these observed gender differences, but findings are conflicting. Objective: This study investigated the association between gender, height and ABI in the general population, independent of traditional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Methods: Participants ≥ 40 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2004 with ABI data, were included. A low ABI was defined as a value < 1.0 (including borderline values). Sample-weighted multivariable logistic regression modeling was performed with low ABI as the dependent variable and height and gender as primary predictor variables of interest. A backward elimination model selection technique was performed to identify significant covariates. Results: There were 3,052 participants with ABI data (mean age 57, 51% female (1570 of 3052). The sample-weighted mean (±SE) ABI was 1.09 (±0.006) and 1.13 (±0.005) for females and males, respectively. Women were more likely to have a low ABI compared to men, 42% (659 of 1570) versus 28% (415 of 1482), respectively (p<0.0001). Female gender was associated with a low ABI (OR 1.34, [95% CI, 1.04-1.72]; p=0.025), independent of traditional CVD risk factors (see Figure). Age, diabetes, tobacco use, known CVD, BMI and black race were also associated with a low ABI (all p<0.003). Self-reported hypertension and non-HDL cholesterol levels, however, were not associated with a low ABI. An interaction between height and body mass index (BMI) was identified. Conclusions: Female gender is associated with a low ABI in the general population. This association appears to be independent of height and other traditional CVD risk factors and warrants further investigation.


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