Indonesian EFL students’ perceptions of effective non-native English teachers

Effective non-native English teachers (NNETs) are essential to facilitate students to develop their English mastery. However, while students are directly affected by teachers’ instructions, they have been limitedly involved in teacher education and development research. The current study aims to explore the qualities of effective non-native English teachers (NNETs) from students’ perspectives in Tanjungpinang, Indonesia. This study was mixed-method research specifically an explanatory sequential design. In the quantitative phase, 380 students were selected using cluster sampling techniques. Meanwhile, in the qualitative phase, six students were purposely selected based on their English proficiency levels and gender. The instruments used were a questionnaire adapted from Park and Lee (2006) and an interview guide. To analyze the questionnaire data, descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were employed. MANOVA test was run to seek significant differences by students’ gender and English proficiency levels. Meanwhile, the qualitative data were coded to identify the emerging patterns. The results show that the qualities concerning teachers’ socio-affective skills gained the highest mean scores compared to those concerning teachers’ subject matter knowledge and pedagogical skills. This study also confirms that there was a significant difference among students in perceiving effective NNETs by English proficiency levels. This study is expected to help various stakeholders to improve pre and in-service EFL teacher education and development in Indonesia.

Willingness to communicate in relation to language use among Pakistani undergraduates: A sociocultural perspective

This study aimed to investigate English as a second language (ESL) undergraduates’ sociocultural perspective of willingness to communicate (WTC) in English inside the classroom in relation to language use outside the classroom. The participants were 440 ESL undergraduates selected through the cluster sampling method from eight universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province in Pakistan. The data were collected through questionnaires on WTC in English inside the classroom and language use outside the classroom. The findings revealed that the participants’ level of WTC in English was high for most social interactions within the classroom, such as in groups, during activities, with the same gender, and when given preparation time in groups. The findings for language use showed that a mixture of languages, such as Pashto and Urdu, was predominantly used in the family, neighbourhood and friendship, religion, education, and transaction domains. In contrast, English was primarily used in the mass media and social media domains. Moreover, the findings revealed that WTC in English inside the classroom was positively correlated with social media, mass media, transaction and education domains but negatively correlated with the family domain.

Association of dietary inflammatory potential (DIP) and endothelial function biomarkers among females

Purpose Dietary inflammatory potential (DIP) is a novel dietary index designed to evaluate individuals’ diets with considering inflammation and anti-inflammation score. In addition, adhesion molecules including soluble intracellular adhesion molecules-1 (sICAM-1), soluble cellular adhesion molecules-1 (sVCAM-1) and E-selectin are important biomarkers to assess endothelium dysfunction which are related to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complications. Also, there is no study for assessing the association between adhesion molecules and DIP until now as well as other studies that assessed the relationship between dietary inflammatory index or DIP has controversy. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine the correlation between DIP and endothelial markers such as E-selectin, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 among female nurses from Isfahan. In this study, DIP was used instead of DII. Design/methodology/approach This study was performed on 420 healthy nurses. The nurses were selected by random cluster sampling method from private and public Isfahan hospitals. A validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was applied to assess the DIP. A fasting blood sample was collected for measuring the plasma levels of the endothelial markers and other variables. Findings After adjusting different potential confounders, no statistical association was found between DIP and sICAM-1, E–selectin and sVCAM-1 in Model I (P = 0.57, 0.98 and 0.45), Model II (P = 0.57, 0.98 and 0.45) and Model III (P = 0.67, 0.92 and 0.50) in comparison to the crude group (P = 0.35, 0.83 and 0.49, respectively). Originality/value The results revealed that the plasma levels of endothelial markers including E-selectin, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were not significantly associated with DIP in female nurses.

Determinants of Rural Women’s Nutrition Security Status in Northwest Ethiopia

Background: Nutrition security of women is one of the most vital foundations for overall development and wellbeing of society. Since understanding the factors that influence the nutrition security of women is very important for implementing appropriate interventions, this study was conducted to determine the determinants of the nutrition security status of rural women in Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: Survey data were collected from 197 rural women randomly selected using a two-stage sampling method (Cluster sampling in the first stage and Stratified random sampling in the second stage). Data in the two outcomes (nutritionally secured whose BMI ≥ 18.5, and nutritionally insecure whose BMI < 18.5 kg/m2) were analyzed using Binary Logit regression model to determine the significance of the determinants on women’s nutrition security status. Results: The study showed that 72.6% of the women in the study area were nutritionally insecure. Results of the statistical analysis revealed that family size (negative effect), and women’s daily feed frequency, the consumption of milk, fruits and vegetables, and animal products, and women empowerment (all positive effect) were the significant determinants of the nutrition security status of rural women. The weight, the height, and the BMI of nutritionally insecure women (44 kg, 1.45 m, and 15.8 kg/m2, respectively) were significantly lower than those of nutritionally secured women (50.8 kg, 1.55 m, and 21.1 kg/m2, respectively). Conclusions: This is the first study on the determinants of rural women’s nutrition security status using social and demographic data collected at the grass root level and analyzed using an advanced econometric model. The findings of the study show the need for government and other stakeholders’ interventions to increase access to nutritious food products and to provide trainings on feeding culture and dietary diversity to women. The findings of this study can help the Government of Ethiopia to achieve its National Development Priorities in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of UN, particularly Goals 2, 3 and 5.

Study of Effective Factors in the Tendency of Young People to Smoke Hookah in Teahouses in Deprived Areas of Zahedan in 2018 - 2019

Background: Given the increasing trend of hookah use among youth in deprived areas and the increasing number of traditional teahouses serving hookahs, it is critical to investigate the reasons for this issue. Objectives: The aim was to determine the factors affecting the tendency to use hookahs. Methods: This study was conducted in Zahedan City, the capital of Sistan and Baluchestan Province. The sampling method in this study was cluster sampling, such that among 15 traditional teahouses, 4 teahouses were randomly chosen. After referring to each of these teahouses, 1385 questionnaire forms were distributed among all youth, and 300 questionnaire forms were returned. The structured questionnaire consisted of a series of questions about demographic data, favorite flavor, duration of using a hookah, the main reason for hookah smoking, etc. The analysis of the data involved both descriptive and inferential statistics, including mean, SD, and linear regression. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results: The results of linear regression showed that the duration of smoking (B = 0.30; 95% CI, 0.22-0.37) and reason for smoking were significantly associated with the rate of hookah smoking (B = 0/56; 95% CI, 0.45 - 0.68). Conclusions: As a result, there is a strong association between smoking duration and the atmosphere of traditional teahouses with the rate of hookah smoking. Thus, other places with a healthy atmosphere (such as gyms and sports clubs) should be made for youths to spend their time.

Reactions to problems in marriage

Purpose: Violence within the family is a common problem that can be seen in almost most socio-economic groups, societies, all ages and all educational levels. This study was planned to investigate the behavior and attitudes and marital satisfaction levels of the spouses in the family life process.Methods: All citizens 18 years and older that are living in households in the Republic of Turkey have been included. Considering the existing population records, a stratified two-stage systematic cluster sampling method was applied. . Comparisons by the sex, educational level, and marital status satisfied were performed with the use of chi-square and multivariate regression analysis, correlation analysis. A p-value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.Result: Violent behaviors such as doing harm, breaking and hitting things were more intense in men. Aply physical violence was more common among males. Only maintaining silence, getting angry or sulking was statistically significant in women (p <0.000). Yelling, scolding, humiliating, separating the bedroom and decreasing spending money was statistically significant in males (p <0.000).Conclusion: All concepts related to marriage should be well defined because spouse satisfaction and conflicts can have different meanings. It suggests that raising awareness about domestic violence against women, knowing solution methods, informing about their rights and increasing social support may be beneficial in solving the problem.

Psychological Impact of the Hospital Indoor Public Spaces on Patients’ Health, Assessment, and Analysis

Due to the rapid development of social economy, general hospital buildings of China are undergoing changes in their models, technology, and medical systems. Changes in the model of hospitals may affect the functional structure, streamline layout, and spatial form of the hospital building. The biological-psychological-social (biopsychosocial) model covers the overall significant factors in healthcare. The model focuses on the hospital public environment. For the advocacy of patient-centered medical concepts, researchers have put forward newer and higher requirements as well. However, there is scarcity of research that targets the psychological impact of general hospital public space environment construction on the patients’ health. Moreover, there is no unanimously recognized standard questionnaire for the public space environment. The purpose of this article is to investigate the needs of inpatients for the space environment, to understand the influencing factors of various space environments, and to explore the law of patient needs. The research intends to provide a theoretical background for the construction of a patient-centered space environment. A dedicated questionnaire was designed to systematically collect the significant features and factors. Using cluster sampling, a total of four medical and surgical wards were investigated. The data obtained from 430 questionnaires were statistically analyzed by SPSS-10.0. Various statistical operations such as descriptive analysis, independent sample t test, one-way analysis of variance, and linear and logistic regressions were performed over the data. The psychological impact was studied from four aspects. The highest score (3-4 points) obtained for the larger number of patients (84.4%) testifies that the public space environment has a significant impact on patients’ mental health. Besides healthcare, outcomes of the paper may be used in various related domains such as psychological well beings, spatial analysis, social interaction, and public space designing.

Risk factors of anemia among preschool children in Ethiopia: a Bayesian geo-statistical model

Background The etiology and risk factors of anemia are multifactorial and varies across context. Due to the geospatial clustering of anemia, identifying risk factors for anemia should account for the geographic variability. Failure to adjust for spatial dependence whilst identifying risk factors of anemia could give spurious association. We aimed to identify risk factors of anemia using a Bayesian geo-statistical model. Methods We analyzed the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) 2016 data. The sample was selected using a stratified, two- stage cluster sampling design. In this survey, 9268 children had undergone anemia testing. Hemoglobin level was measured using a HemoCue photometer and the results were recorded onsite. Based on the World Health Organization’s cut-off points, a child was considered anaemic if their altitude adjusted haemoglobin (Hb) level was less than 11 g/dL. Risk factors for anemia were identified using a Bayesian geo-statistical model, which accounted for spatial dependency structure in the data. Posterior means and 95% credible interval (BCI) were used to report our findings. We used a statistically significant level at 0.05. Result The 9267 children in our study were between 6 and 59 months old. Fifty two percent (52%) of children were males. Thirteen percent (13%) of children were from the highest wealth quintile whereas 23% from the lowest wealth quintile. Most of them lived in rural areas (90%). The overall prevalence of anemia among preschool children was 57% (95% CI: 54.4–59.4). We found that child stunting (OR = 1.26, 95% BCI (1.14–1.39), wasting (OR = 1.35, 95% BCI (1.15–1.57), maternal anemia (OR = 1.61, 95% BCI (1.44–1.79), mothers having two under five children (OR = 1.2, 95% BCI (1.08–1.33) were risk factors associated with anemia among preschool children. Children from wealthy households had lower risk of anemia (AOR = 0.73, 95% BCI (0.62–0.85). Conclusion Using the Bayesian geospatial statistical modeling, we were able to account for spatial dependent structure in the data, which minimize spurious association. Childhood Malnutrition, maternal anemia, increased fertility, and poor wealth status were risk factors of anemia among preschool children in Ethiopia. The existing anaemia control programs such as IFA supplementation during pregnancy should be strengthened to halt intergenerational effect of anaemia. Furthermore, routine childhood anaemia screening and intervention program should be part of the Primary health care in Ethiopia.

Reactions to problems in marriage

Purpose: Violence within the family is a common problem that can be seen in almost most socio-economic groups, societies, all ages and all educational levels. This study was planned to investigate the behavior and attitudes and marital satisfaction levels of the spouses in the family life process.Methods: All citizens 18 years and older that are living in households in the Republic of Turkey have been included. Considering the existing population records, a stratified two-stage systematic cluster sampling method was applied. . Comparisons by the sex, educational level, and marital status satisfied were performed with the use of chi-square and multivariate regression analysis, correlation analysis. A p-value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.Result: Violent behaviors such as doing harm, breaking and hitting things were more intense in men. Physical violence was more common among males. Only maintaining silence, getting angry or sulking was statistically significant in women (p <0.000). Yelling, scolding, humiliating, separating the bedroom and decreasing spending money was statistically significant in males (p <0.000).Conclusion: All concepts related to marriage should be well defined because spouse satisfaction and conflicts can have different meanings. It suggests that raising awareness about domestic violence against women, knowing solution methods, informing about their rights and increasing social support may be beneficial in solving the problem.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Osteoporosis Risk Factors among Jazan University Students, 2019

Osteoporosis is one of the non-communicable diseases that closely links to lifestyle and nutrition. This is a cross-sectional descriptive epidemiologic study, carried out on 440 Jazan university students (males& females). They are chosen by a stratified multistage cluster sampling technique to assess their knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) about osteoporosis risk factors. The data are collected using a validated semi structured Arabic questionnaires. The findings revealed that almost all survey participants agreed with the definition of osteoporosis, which is the decrease of bone density, with only 8.7% disagreeing. Furthermore, 80.0 percent of survey participants classified osteoporosis as a cause of bone fracture. The findings suggest that the study participants' good attitudes toward risk factor prevention of osteoporosis are linked to the daily consumption of an acceptable amount of milk. Another positive attitude toward osteoporosis prevention stemmed from a reduction in the amount of energy drinks consumed, which has been identified as an osteoporosis risk factor. The study recommends that university students of all grades participate in health education programs about osteoporosis risk factors and preventive treatment.