scholarly journals Opinions of South African optometry students about working in rural areas after graduation

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Khathutshelo P. Mashige ◽  
Olalekan A. Oduntan ◽  
Rekha Hansraj
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Living Conditions ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
South Africans ◽  
Care Services ◽  
The Government ◽  
Optometry Students

Background: Eye and vision problems have been reported to be more prevalent in rural than urban areas; and a large proportion of South Africans live in the rural areas.Aim: To investigate the opinions of South African optometry students about working in rural areas after completion of their training and to identify factors that may influence theirdecisions.Method: This was a cross-sectional quantitative study using a survey instrument containing both closed and open-ended, semi-structured questions.Results: Four hundred and thirty-eight students responded to the questionnaire (85.4% response rate). Overall, many of the respondents did not want to open their first (66%) or second practices (64.6%) in the rural areas. However, most respondents from rural backgrounds reported that they would open their first (77.2%) or second (79.4%) practice in the rural areas. The main reasons cited by the respondents for their unwillingness to work in the rural areaswere financial concerns (81.2%), personal safety (80.1%) and poor living conditions (75.3%), with a significantly higher number (p < 0.05) being from urban respondents for the latter twoissues only.Conclusion: Many students were not in favour of opening practices in rural areas, but were willing to work for the government or a non-governmental organisation after graduation. Efforts should be made to address financial incentives, safety and living conditions in the rural areas. The results of this study have implications for the future of availability and accessibility of eye care services to those living in the rural and remoteareas of the country.

PERCEPTIONS OF SOUTH AFRICAN YOUTH OF LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES: A CASE IN THE LEPELLE-NKUMPI MUNICIPAL AREA

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-89
Author(s):  
Matshidiso Kanjere
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Development ◽  
Young People ◽  
South African ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
South Africans ◽  
African Youth ◽  
Multiple Challenges ◽  
The Government

The South African youth faces multiple challenges that range from illiteracy, drug and alcohol abuse, crime and HIV/AIDS, to unemployment. These challenges and many other ills in society have led to interventions by government, and private and other civil societies. The government has established and initiated a number of programmes that aim at building capacity and helping the youth to cope with these multiple challenges. Some of the programmes are aimed at building leadership capacity among the impoverished youth in rural communities. A lot of money is being invested in these programmes, which are meant to develop young South Africans. However, there are some young people who do not participate in these programmes. They are also not in the formal education system, self-employed or employed elsewhere. And they are despondent. The government, private sector and non-governmental organisations are trying hard to bring these youths and others into the developmental arena, so that they can be active participants in the economy of the country in the near future. However, little research has been conducted to assess the broad impact of the various programmes in the country. The contribution that these programmes are making toward improving the livelihoods of young people has to be determined on a larger scale. Nevertheless, this article reports on an investigation that was conducted on a smaller scale, at the Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality. The aim of the research was to explore the perceptions young South Africans have of the leadership development programmes that they have participated in. A mixed research approach was used to collect data and the key findings indicated that knowledge accumulated through participation in the programmes does not always translate into practical applications. However, the programmes were deemed to be valuable in instilling a positive life-view. The study recommends that support systems be established in the rural areas to assist young people with life challenges.

scholarly journals Epidemiological study of obesity and overweight among adolescents in schools in district Ghaziabad

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (8) ◽  
pp. 3177
Author(s):  
Susmita Thakur ◽  
Narendra Singh ◽  
Mitasha Singh
Keyword(s):  
Private School ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Government Schools ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Government School ◽  
Obesity And Overweight ◽  
The Government

Background: Developing countries are experiencing an epidemic of obesity and overweight. Adolescence is the stage when the lifestyle behavior sets in and decides the future pattern of health. The objective was to study the prevalence and correlates of overweight and obesity among school going adolescents of district Ghaziabad.Methods: A school based cross sectional survey was conducted in district Ghaziabad. Adolescents (10-19 years) from both urban and rural government and private schools were included. Multistage sampling technique was used to study 1128 study population. Anthropometry and a structured questionnaire were used as study tool.Results: In urban area, the proportion of underweight students in government schools (20.9%) was significantly more than the private school (13.8%) whereas the number of overweight students in private school (18.2%) was significantly more than the government schools (10.3%). In rural area underweight students in government school (30.5%) was significantly more than the private school (21.3%) whereas the number of overweight students in private school (11.3%) was significantly more than the government school (3.2%). Obesity was significantly associated with the area of residence, type of school, consumption of carbonated drinks, fast foods and decreased physical activity.Conclusions: An overall higher prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents in urban areas and increasing trend in rural areas too alarm us to focus on the modifiable risk factors. 

Infrastructure Provision as a Catalyst for Local Economic Development in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mandisa SM Makhathini ◽  
Victor H Mlambo ◽  
Siphesihle Mpanza
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Local Economic Development ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
South Africans ◽  
Infrastructure Provision ◽  
The Government ◽  
Rural Dwellers

Throughout the era of the apartheid, the provision and accessibility of infrastructure in South Africa was skewed, and while the minority had access, the majority was overlooked. Local economic development (LED) has rested on the premise that the availability of infrastructure is likely to spur socio-economic development and to lift millions of South Africans out of poverty. However, with South Africa’s economy struggling to register consistent growth, there are difficulties accessing the much-needed finances needed to invest in infrastructure to spur LED. The study that this paper reflects upon used a qualitative research method and a systematic review of the literature relating to infrastructure provision and local economic development. It utilised thematic content analysis to deduce its findings with the hope of bringing in meaning to the overall content of the paper. The study revealed that indeed infrastructure provision is key to local economic development, that South Africa’s infrastructure provision is still skewed as urban areas continue receiving priority over rural areas; that local economic development is key in reducing inequality and spurring economic growth and sustaining the livelihoods of rural dwellers. However, limited investments in infrastructure in rural areas hinder the realization of such benefits. It recommends that the government prioritise LED in rural areas among other suggestions.

scholarly journals Relationship between High Blood Pressure and Microalbuminuria in Children Aged 6–9 Years in a South African Population

Children ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 131
Author(s):  
Edna Ngoakoana Matjuda ◽  
Constance R. Sewani-Rusike ◽  
Samuel Nkeh Chungag Anye ◽  
Godwill Azeh Engwa ◽  
Benedicta Ngwechi Nkeh-Chungag
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
South African ◽  
High Blood Pressure ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
African Ancestry ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Cross Sectional

Though the association between high blood pressure and microalbuminuria is well established in adults, there is a paucity of information on microalbuminuria in children. This study investigated the relationship between high blood pressure and microalbuminuria in 6–9-year-old children. A cross-sectional study, which included 306 primary school children of age 6–9 years old from urban areas (n = 154) and rural areas (n = 152) of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, was conducted. Participants’ anthropometric data were determined and systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate (HR) were measured and converted to BP percentiles for age, sex and height. Creatinine and albumin concentrations were assayed in early morning midstream urine and the albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) was calculated. There was a 42.8% prevalence of elevated blood pressure/high blood pressure (E-BP/H-BP) and a 10.1% prevalence of microalbuminuria. Among the 131 children with E-BP/H-BP, 17 had elevated ACR with a prevalence of 13.95%. SBP and HR increased with increasing range of ACR and, furthermore, SBP was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in children with moderately and severely increased ACR. SBP was associated with ACR and increased SBP predicted microalbuminuria (R2 = 0.42, adj R2 = 0.039, B: 0.120, p = < 0.05). In conclusion, microalbuminuria was present in 6–9-year-old South African children of African Ancestry and a weak association was observed with SBP in children.

scholarly journals Prevalence and associated factors of hypertension in selected urban and rural areas of Dhaka, Bangladesh: findings from SHASTO baseline survey

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e038975
Author(s):  
Mehedi Hasan ◽  
Md Showkat Ali Khan ◽  
Ipsita Sutradhar ◽  
Md Mokbul Hossain ◽  
Moyazzam Hossaine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Baseline Survey ◽  
Dhaka City ◽  
Early Screening ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Government ◽  
Urban And Rural Areas

ObjectiveWe implemented this study to report the prevalence and associated risk factors of hypertension among adult men and women aged >30 years residing in selected urban and rural areas of Dhaka division, Bangladesh.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingTwo urban (Dhaka city north and Dhaka city south) and two rural (Narsinghdi and Gazipur district) areas of the Dhaka division.ParticipantsA total of 4856 male and female participants were included in the final analysis, of whom 2340 (48.2%) were from urban and 2516 (51.8%) were from rural areas.Primary outcomeHypertension was the dependent variable for this study and was operationally defined as systolic blood pressure >140 mm of Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure >90 mm of Hg, and/or persons with already diagnosed hypertension.ResultsThe overall prevalence of hypertension was 31.0%, and the prevalence was higher among urban participants (urban: 36.9%, rural: 30.6%). Age (across all categories), female (urban—adjusted OR (AOR): 1.3, 95% CI: 1.0 to 1.5 and rural—AOR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.4 to 2.1)), higher educational status (urban—AOR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.3 to 2.2 and rural—AOR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.5 to 3.1), inadequate physical activity (urban—AOR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.0 to 1.7 and rural—AOR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.2 to 1.9) and overweight/obesity (urban—AOR: 2.7, 95% CI: 2.1 to 3.3 and rural—AOR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.7 to 2.5) were associated with hypertension in both urban and rural areas. Women who were not currently married during the survey had higher odds of hypertension only in the rural areas (rural—AOR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.3 to 2.4), and respondents who were not working during the survey had higher odds of hypertension only in the urban areas (AOR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.0 to 2.6).ConclusionSince the prevalence of hypertension was high in urban and rural areas, the government of Bangladesh should consider implementing hypertension prevention programmes focusing young population of Dhaka division. In addition, early screening programmes and management of hypertension need to be strengthened for people with hypertension in both the areas.

scholarly journals The prevalence of diabetes mellitus and relationship with socioeconomic status in the Indonesian population

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 103
Author(s):  
Deri Indrahadi ◽  
Amika Wardana ◽  
Adi Cilik Pierewan
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Education Level ◽  
Preventive Program ◽  
Design Data ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Government ◽  
Prevalence Of Diabetes Mellitus

Background: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing globally and remains debated. Objective: This study examines the association of socioeconomic status with the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Indonesia. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design. Data obtained from the 2014 Indonesia Family Life Survey (IFLS), a nationally representative population survey data, which polled 30,497 individuals age 16 years and over in 13 provinces in Indonesia. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the prevalence of diabetes mellitus with socioeconomic status. Results: Education level, employment status, age, and hypertension are related to the prevalence of diabetes mellitus. According to educational level, individuals with lower education level were more likely to have diabetes mellitus than those who had a higher level of education (OR=1.42; 95% CI: 1.21-1.67), higher risk was also found in those who were unemployed (OR=1.55; 95% CI: 1.33-1.82). Besides, age and hypertension were independent factors for a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus, age >55 (OR=4.71; 95% CI: 4.06-5.46), hypertension (OR=5.86; 95% CI: 5.00-6.87). Diabetes mellitus also show significantly higher among individuals living in urban areas compared to individuals living in rural areas (OR=2.13; 95% CI: 1.78-2.55). Conclusions: Socioeconomic status has a significant association with the prevalence of diabetes mellitus among people above 15 years old in Indonesia. The government needs to design a preventive program to control this disease by considering the risk factors that may lead to the development of diabetes mellitus in Indonesia.

Impact of Elected Women Representatives of Panchayati Raj in Physical and Financial and Business Assets Development of Rural Women: A Study among the Rural Women’s of Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu[1]

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (24) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kalaichelvi Sivaraman ◽  
Rengasamy Stalin
Keyword(s):  
Rural Women ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Direct Democracy ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Rural And Urban Areas ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Panchayati Raj

This research paper is the part of Research Project entitled “Impact of Elected Women Representatives in the Life and Livelihood of the Women in Rural Areas: With Special Reference to Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu” funded by University of Madras under UGC-UPE Scheme.The 73rd and 74th amendments of the Constitution of India were made by the government to strengthen the position of women and to create a local-level legal foundation for direct democracy for women in both rural and urban areas. The representation for women in local bodies through reservation policies amendment in Constitution of India has stimulated the political participation of women in rural areas. However, when it’s comes to the argument of whether the women reservation in Panchayati Raj helps or benefits to the life and livelihood development of women as a group? The answer is hypothetical because the studies related to the impact of women representatives of Panchayati Raj in the life and livelihood development of women was very less. Therefore, to fill the gap in existing literature, the present study was conducted among the rural women of Tiruvannamalai district to assess the impact of elected women representatives in the physical and financial and business development of the women in rural areas. The findings revealed that during the last five years because of the women representation in their village Panjayati Raj, the Physical Asset of the rural women were increased or developed moderately (55.8%) and Highly (23.4%) and the Financial and Business Asset of the rural women were increased or developed moderately (60.4%) and Highly (18.7%).

scholarly journals Knowledge and intake of folic acid to prevent neural tube defects among pregnant women in urban China: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingming Cui ◽  
Xiao-Lin Lu ◽  
Yan-Yu Lyu ◽  
Fang Wang ◽  
Xiao-Lu Xie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Folic Acid ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Neural Tube Defects ◽  
Rural Women ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Unplanned Pregnancy ◽  
Urban China ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Background The prevalence of neural tube defects (NTDs) in China declined during 2000–2017 with periconceptional folic acid (FA) supplementation, which is effective in reducing the risk of birth defects. We aimed to assess the knowledge and actual use of FA among Chinese pregnant women and to explore factors associated with FA use before pregnancy. Methods All data were collected in face-to-face interviews during health visits among pregnant women. We collected information about knowledge and use of FA supplements and demographic, socioeconomic, and health status. One maternity and childcare hospital was chosen in each of four cities: Beijing, Huaibei, Kunming, and Haikou. In total, 435 pregnant women were randomly recruited for interviews conducted from June to December 2016. Results A total of 428 pregnant women were included in this survey. Of these, 82.0% (351/428) knew that FA can prevent NTDs, and 75.9% (325/428) knew the correct time to take FA. Overall, 65.9% (282/428) of women knew both that FA can prevent NTDs and the recommended time to take FA before pregnancy. Approximately 95.1% (407/428) of women reported having ever taken FA, only 46.3% (198/428) had begun to take FA supplementation before conception, and 64.5% (109/169) of women from rural areas failed to take FA before pregnancy. Women living in northern China (odds ratio [OR] = 1.81, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18–2.77), those with unplanned pregnancy (OR = 1.99, 95% CI 1.30–3.04), and highly educated women (OR = 2.37, 95% CI 1.45–3.88) were more likely to know about FA. Women who were homemakers (OR = 1.94, 95% CI 1.21–3.11) and had unplanned pregnancy (OR = 6.18, 95% CI 4.01–9.53) were less likely to begin taking FA before pregnancy. Conclusions Our survey showed that most pregnant women knew about FA. Although preconception intake of FA can help to reduce NTDs, improving the rate of FA intake before pregnancy is needed in urban areas of China, especially among homemakers and women from rural areas or with unplanned pregnancy. Campaigns are needed to increase awareness about FA and FA use before pregnancy among rural women, homemakers, and those with unplanned pregnancy and lower education levels.

scholarly journals Rural–Urban Differences in the Factors Affecting Depressive Symptoms among Older Adults of Two Regions in Myanmar

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 2818
Author(s):  
Yuri Sasaki ◽  
Yugo Shobugawa ◽  
Ikuma Nozaki ◽  
Daisuke Takagi ◽  
Yuiko Nagamine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Middle School ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Wealth Index ◽  
School Level ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Middle School Level

The aim of the study was to investigate rural–urban differences in depressive symptoms in terms of the risk factors among older adults of two regions in Myanmar to provide appropriate intervention for depression depending on local characteristics. This cross-sectional study, conducted between September and December, 2018, used a multistage sampling method to recruit participants from the two regions, for face-to-face interviews. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 15-item version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Depressive symptoms were positively associated with living in rural areas (B = 0.42; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.12,0.72), female (B = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.31,0.79), illness during the preceding year (B = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.45,0.91) and non-Buddhist religion (B = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.001,1.15) and protectively associated with education to middle school level or higher (B = −0.61; 95% CI: −0.94, −0.28) and the frequency of visits to religious facilities (B = −0.20; 95% CI: −0.30, −0.10). In women in urban areas, depressive symptoms were positively associated with illness during the preceding year (B = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.36, 1.20) and protectively associated with education to middle school level or higher (B = −0.67; 95% CI: −1.23, −0.11), middle or high wealth index (B = −0.92; 95% CI: −1.59, −0.25) and the frequency of visits to religious facilities (B = −0.20; 95% CI: −0.38, −0.03). In men in rural areas, illness during the preceding year was positively associated with depressive symptoms (B = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.33, 1.42). In women in rural areas, depressive symptoms were positively associated with illness during the preceding year (B = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.36, 1.30) and protectively associated with primary education (B = −0.62; 95% CI: −1.12, −0.12) and the frequency of visits to religious facilities (B = −0.44; 95% CI: −0.68, −0.21). Religion and wealth could have different levels of association with depression between older adults in the urban and rural areas and men and women. Interventions for depression in older adults should consider regional and gender differences in the roles of religion and wealth in Myanmar.

scholarly journals A cross-sectional study to assess knowledge of women about cervical cancer: an urban and rural comparison

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Lesińska-Sawicka
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Correct Answer ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Average Life Expectancy ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
The City

Abstract Introduction Cervical cancer and its etiopathogenesis, the age of women in whom it is diagnosed, average life expectancy, and prognosis are information widely covered in scientific reports. However, there is no coherent information regarding which regions—urban or rural—it may occur more often. This is important because the literature on the subject reports that people living in rural areas have a worse prognosis when it comes to detection, treatment, and life expectancy than city dwellers. Material and methods The subjects of the study were women and their knowledge about cervical cancer. The research was carried out using a survey directly distributed among respondents and via the Internet, portals, and discussion groups for women from Poland. Three hundred twenty-nine women took part in the study, including 164 from rural and 165 from urban areas. The collected data enabled the following: (1) an analysis of the studied groups, (2) assessment of the respondents’ knowledge about cervical cancer, and (3) comparison of women’s knowledge depending on where they live. Results The average assessment of all respondents’ knowledge was 3.59, with women living in rural areas scoring 3.18 and respondents from the city—4.01. Statistical significance (p < 0.001) between the level of knowledge and place of residence was determined. The results indicate that an increase in the level of education in the subjects significantly increases the chance of getting the correct answer. In the case of age analysis, the coefficients indicate a decrease in the chance of obtaining the correct answer in older subjects despite the fact that a statistically significant level was reached in individual questions. Conclusions Women living in rural areas have less knowledge of cervical cancer than female respondents from the city. There is a need for more awareness campaigns to provide comprehensive information about cervical cancer to women in rural areas. A holistic approach to the presented issue can solve existing difficulties and barriers to maintaining health regardless of the place of life and residence. Implication for cancer survivors They need intensive care for women’s groups most burdened with risk factors.

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