Evaluating Behavioral Changes Prevalence Among Primary and Preschool Children Due to COVID-19 Epidemic

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent changes in the community lifestyle can be associated with problems and complications. It seems very important to identify the problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic accurately. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate behavioral changes in children due to the COVID-19 pandemic in South Khorasan in 2021. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 312 children were studied. Inclusion criteria included all children under 12 years of age without apparent mental disorders and chronic diseases affecting behavioral changes. Exclusion criteria were parental separation, experiencing natural disasters in the last two years, losing a first-degree family member in the last two years, and any underlying disease in the child and first-degree family members. The questionnaires included a demographic questionnaire and the Ruther Children's Behavior Questionnaire, completed by parents online due to the COVID-19 epidemic and the new situation. Results: The results showed that the behavioral disorder prevalence was 37.2% (n = 116). The mean scores were 3.10 ± 2.23 for aggression-hyperactivity, 3.11 ± 3.08 for anxiety-depression, 2.65 ± 1.79 for social maladaptation, 2.34 ± 1.83 for antisocial behavior, and 1.59 ± 1.29 for attention deficit. There was no significant relationship between demographic indicators and behavioral disorders (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The results indicated an increase in the prevalence of behavioral disorders in children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, it seems necessary to identify influencing factors and find appropriate solutions to prevent such disorders.

Reproductive health and reproductive culture of university students: tactics of preventive activities

BACKGROUND: Statistics shows a decrease in the birth rate in Russia. This is alarming fact that obliges to take some measures, including preventive ones. Since the reproductive health of students will determine demographic indicators for many years to come, it is very important to choose methods of prevention in one direction or another, taking into account modern technical trends and hobbies of young people. AIM: To explore the knowledge of students of different specialties in matters of reproductive health, reproductive culture. To suggest the way of preventive measures based on the data obtained. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved students from the Ural, Moscow and St. Petersburg universities. 537 questionnaires were processed. The questionnaire indicated the social status of the participants (gender, age, university profile). According to the latter criterion, the sample was divided into four groups: natural sciences, medical sciences, technical sciences, and humanities. An anonymous survey was conducted in the “Google form”. The respondents answered questions about the most pressing problems of reproductive health and reproductive culture. RESULTS: 64% of the respondents assess their reproductive health as good; the most popular source of information on contraception for university youth is the Internet. According to the analysis of the data obtained, in the event of an unwanted pregnancy, only 24% of the women surveyed would have the pregnancy kept, which may indicate a low reproductive culture of students. CONCLUSION: To take attention to reproductive health and prevention issues among students in accessible terms, blogging on social networks by specialists in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, urology and andrology, senior medical students or clinical residents can be proposed.

Demographic Process of Population Ageing in Nepal

Population ageing is known as gradual increase in the proportion of the elderly population aged 60 years and above in the total population. In demographic process this study attempts to examine how demographic indicators i.e fertility and mortality explain the process of population ageing by subnational level in Nepal. In addition, the study also tries to assess the ageing parameters such as index of ageing, old age dependency ratio, and median age after 20 years to examine the speed of ageing process in population. This study follows descriptive and exploratory research design based on the existing data sheet of National Population Census, 2001 & 2011 and also uses other previous censuses' data collected by CBS to explore the trends in these demographic indicators and parameters. Based on almost all these indicators, this study suggests that Nepal is already in the process of population ageing. Fertility and mortality are declining with increasing in life expectancy. The growth rate of the old aged population is higher than the national population growth rate by over three-fold. Similarly, almost all the parameters of ageing seem gradually increasing over the year, which makes the conformation that greater proportion of elderly individuals in the population. This trend seems in all over the sub regions of the country but in different manner. As compared with other pace in process of population ageing is higher in Hill region and, province 3. At last study conclude population ageing is driven with the transition of the fertility and mortality where the level of fertility and mortality seems low with high life expectancy the proportion of aged population is higher and vice versa.

THE NATURAL AND MIGRATORY MOVEMENT OF THE RURAL POPULATION OF THE BANAT MOUNTAINS (1993-2016)

The article is based on the study of population dynamics in the rural area of the Banat Mountains. The study period ranged from 1993 to 2016. The aim of the paper was to observe the numerical evolution of the population and to make calculations on the evolution of some demographic indicators. Demographic indicators such as the natality, mortality, natural growth, natural, migratory movement and migratory growth of communes have been analyzed over the period mentioned. A first objective was to physically and then administratively delineate the Banat Mountains. The second objective was to obtain the necessary numerical data, then to process the data for each indicator. Data processing resulted in a series of indicator rates, and in addition, graphs were developed with the numerical evolution of newborns and deaths. The numerical data on the number of newborns and deaths were taken from the website of the National Institute of Statistics. There have been introduced in the Microsoft Excel 2013 program a few graphs. Also, through Microsoft Excel 2013, rates for demographic indicators were calculated, and then the results obtained were introduced into Arc Gis version 10.3. Finally, a series of maps on the territorial distribution of values for each indicator was generated.

Occupational stress in healthcare workers during a COVID-19 pandemic

Healthcare workers experience overwhelming occupational and psycho-emotional stress during COVID-19 pandemic. Occupational stress leads to emotional burnout, can cause anxiety, depression and other psychopathological symptoms, influencing the quality of medical care. Existing situation necessitates to define risk factors, influencing occupational stress in healthcare workers in order to develop ways and methods to overcome it. Aim of the study was to identify socio-psychological factors associated with occupational stress in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 epidemic in Ukraine. Using a specially designed questionnaire, an online survey of 1,100 medical workers was conducted in all regions of Ukraine. Questioning was carried out over three weeks from 30.03.2020 to 21.04.2020, during the period of quarantine. The majority of respondents were female medical workers (79.9%). Age of respondents: up to 30 years – 179 (16.2%), from 31 to 60 – 824 (75.0%), over 60 – 97 (8.8%), among them doctors – 695 (63.1%) 236 nurses (21.5%), more than a third are general practitioners. Direct care for patients with COVID-19 was provided by 170 (15.5%) medical personnel. The analysis of the results of the questionnaire enabled to determine the peculiarities of medical worker`s response to the situation in connection with COVID-19 and highlight the emotional and behavioral factors associated with stress that are significant for most respondents. The study answered the questions regarding the perceived risk associated with the spread, contamination and death related to coronavirus. The most significant factors affecting the occurrence of stress in medical workers are identified. Along with this, factors contributing to stress coping have been identified as well. For subsequent statistical processing, all respondents were divided into two groups depending on the severity of the anxiety/fear. Comparison of these groups by socio-demographic indicators was done using the test χ2. There were no statistically significant differences between groups in all socio-demographic indicators, except for age. That is, only the age factor affected the severity of anxiety/fear among healthcare workers due to COVID-19 (p<0.05). Comparative analysis to assess the severity of stress in groups was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Healthcare workers with severe anxiety/fear have a high risk for development of occupational stress during a COVID-19 pandemic (p<0.01). In conclusion, the need for the development and implementation of methods for the prevention of occupational stress in medical workers in the current epidemic situation is substantiated.

ANALYSIS OF PERINATAL CARE INDICATORS OF THE ALMATY MEGAPOLIS

Анализ демографических показателей за последние десять лет в г. Алматы выявил, что на фоне относительно стабильных показателей рождаемости (17,7 до 18,2‰), общей смертности (8,03 до 6,49‰) наблюдалось значительное снижение младенческой (с 17,4 до 8,05‰) и повышение материнской смертности (с 2,4 до 15,4 на 100 тыс. живорожденных). Несмотря на снижение распространенности анемии с 31,8% до 18,8%, удельный вес её все еще высокий, являющейся фоном для развития преэклампсии и ухудшения течения экстрагенитальных заболеваний, среди которых наиболее часто встречаются болезни почек и мочевыделительной системы (10,1%), системы кровообращения (3,5%), органов дыхания (3,3%); развития осложнений в виде невынашивания беременности (16,9%), преждевременных родов (7,2%), акушерских кровотечений (1,2%), учащения операции кесарева сечения (до 30,0%), органоуносящих операций (0,4%). В этих условиях созрела необходимость создания системы мониторинга женщин группы высокого риска, включающей наблюдение за ними, коррекцию лечения, проведение профилактики патологических состояний с использованием современных цифровых технологий. An analysis of demographic indicators over the past ten years in Almaty revealed that against the background of relatively stable birth rates (from 17.7 to 18.2‰), overall mortality (from 8.03 to 6.49‰), there was a significant decrease in infant mortality (from 17,4 to 8.05 ‰) and perinatal mortality (from 20.1‰ to 8.0‰), an increase in maternal mortality (from 2.4 to 15.4 per 100 thousand live births). Despite the decrease in the prevalence of anemia from 31.8% to 18.8%, its proportion is still high, which is a background for the development of preeclampsia and worsening of the course of extragenital diseases, among which diseases of the kidneys and urinary system (10.1%) , circulatory system (3.5%), respiratory system (3.3%) are most common; the development of complications in the form of miscarriage (16.9%), premature birth (7.2%), obstetric bleeding (1.2%), increased frequency of cesarean section (up to 30.0%), organ-carrying operations (0.4%). In these conditions, need to create a monitoring system for high-risk women, including monitoring them, correcting treatment, and preventing pathological conditions using modern digital technologies.

Wager on Global Food Prices 2001–2020: Who Won and What Does it Mean?

This paper presents the results of a 2011 wager between Stan Becker and David Lam about the trajectory of world food prices for the period 2011–2020 versus the period 2002–2010. The wager was a response to Lam’s 2011 presidential address to the Population Association of America, which showed that many health and socio-demographic indicators had improved over the previous fifty years, in spite of the addition of four billion people to the world’s population. Lam lost the wager, with the Food and Agriculture Organization’s price index for five food groups averaging about twenty per cent higher for 2011–2020 than for 2001–2010. Becker and Lam discuss the background of the wager, give their differing interpretations of the outcome and discuss future trends in population, food production and food prices. Lam gives a more optimistic perspective on future trends, while Becker raises concerns about rapid degradation of planetary ecosystems, species loss and global warming.

SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC SPECIFICS OF CITIZENS OBTAINING ELECTRONIC SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN UKRAINE

Purpose. The article is dedicated to an empirical study of the socio-demographic specifics of obtaining electronic socio-psychological support by Ukrainian citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. There were used an online survey on socio-demographic indicators and the author's block “Electronic psychological support” of the “Social and psychological support during the pandemic COVID-19 in Ukraine” survey (Laboratory of Social Psychology of Personality, Institute for Social and Political Psychology, NAES of Ukraine), which included 12 questions to determine the features of obtaining psychological support online, the ability to receive psychosocial support due to the electronic means, as well as social identification of respondents with their community of electronic support. Data processing was performed using nonparametric Mann-Whitney analysis of variance and one-way Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance, the statistical program SPSS 26.0.Results. The survey lasted from October 2020 to May 2021, the sample was 100 people (84% – women), the average age – 30 years, mostly citizens with higher education. Socio-demographic indicators that regulate statistically significant differences between respondents in terms of obtaining electronic socio-psychological support were age, gender, education, satisfaction with financial security, residence status. Female respondents, with secondary education and satisfied with their financial support, are more likely than others to receive the ideas they really need through e-support tools. The frequency of finding solutions to their problems through e-support is mediated by female gender, secondary education, and young age (19–24 years). The joy of visiting a community where e-support is provided is related to younger age and living alone. Women and those who are more satisfied with the state of their financial affairs are more willing to listen to the problems of other users in the e-support community. In general, young people aged 19–24 are more likely than others to use electronic psychological support.Conclusions. The identified socio-demographic indicators should be taken into account when developing interventions for citizens’ socio-psychological support. It is recommended to provide appropriate support on a paid basis, take into account the need for a simple and intuitive interface and gamified forms of support, provide clear algorithms for psychological self-help in the face of pandemic challenges, and provide online socialization in the form of interesting group activities. Further research should be aimed at identifying the specifics of obtaining socio-psychological support by men and the elderly.Key words: socio-psychological support, remote psychological support, online interventions, COVID-19, social policy, socio-demographic indicators, social identification. Мета. Статтю присвячено емпіричному дослідженню соціодемографічної специфіки одержання укра-їнськими громадянами електронної соціально-психологічної підтримки під час пандемії COVID-19.Методи. У дослідженні використано онлайн-опитування за соціодемографічними показниками та авторський блок «Електронна психологічна підтримка» опитування «Соціально-психологічна підтримка в період пандемії COVID-19 в Україні» (лабораторія соціальної психології особистості Інституту соціальної та політичної психології НАПН України), що включив 12 питань на визначення особливостей одержання психологічної підтримки онлайн, міри здатності одержати психосоціальну підтримку в електронному форматі, а також міри соціальної ідентифікації опитуваних зі спільнотою електронної підтримки. Обробка даних здійснювалася за допомогою непараметричного дисперсійного аналізу Манна-Уітні та однофакторного дисперсійного аналізу Крускала-Уолліса у статистичній програмі SPSS 26.0.Результати. Дослідження тривало з жовтня 2020 до травня 2021 року, вибірка склала 100 осіб (84% – жінки), середній вік – 30 років, переважно містяни з вищою освітою. Соціодемографічними показниками, які регулюють статистично значущі відмінності респондентів за показниками одержання електронної соціально-психологічної підтримки, виявилися вік, стать, освіта, задоволеність фінансовим забезпеченням, статус проживання. Частіше за інших завдяки електронним засобам підтримку отримують респонденти жіночої статі із середньою освітою та задоволені своїм фінансовим забезпеченням. Частота знаходження жінками рішення своїх проблем завдяки засобам електронної підтримки опосередковується середньою освітою та молодшим віком (19–24 роки). Радість від відвідування спільноти, де особа отримує електронну підтримку, пов’язана із молодшим віком та проживанням наодинці. Жінки і ті, хто радше задоволений станом своїх фінансових справ, більш схильні вислуховувати проблеми інших користувачів у спільноті електронної підтримки. А загалом частіше за інших користу-ються засобами електронної психологічної підтримки саме молоді люди віком 19–24 роки.Висновки. Виявлені соціодемографічні показники мають враховуватися під час розробки програм соціально-психологічної підтримки населення. Рекомендовано здійснювати відповідну підтримку на платній основі, враховувати необхідність простого та інтуїтивного інтерфейсу й гейміфікованих форм підтримки, надавати чіткі алгоритми психологічної самодопомоги у разі зіткнення з пандемічними викликами, а також забезпечувати соціалізацію у вигляді цікавих групових активностей. Подальші дослідження мають бути спрямовані на виявлення специфіки одержання соціально-психологічної під-тримки чоловіками та особами старшого віку.Ключові слова: соціально-психологічна підтримка, дистанційна психологічна підтримка, онлайн-інтервенції, COVID-19, соціальна політика, соціодемографічні показники, соціальна ідентифікація.

Directions and tendencies of migration of the population into urban areas of the republic of Srpska

This paper covers internal migrations in the Republic of Srpska, in the period 2007-2015 and their impact to urban and peri-urban development of urban areas of the Republic. Migration directions show a continuity of permanent abandonment of rural areas and settlement of urban and peri-urban areas of the Republic, also including the migrations (immigration) from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The scope of migrations has the trend of decrease as result of decrease in the rural population of the Republic of Srpska and its aging. Urban centres of the northern part of the Republic of Srpska (Banja Luka, Doboj, Bijeljina, Prijedor and Gradiška) have the largest scope of immigration, due to a number of attractive factors. In the southern part of the Republic, in the sub-Mediterranean area, the City of Trebinje is the main immigration area for the population of eastern Herzegovina, but also, more and more, for the population of the rest of the Republic of Srpska, as well for the wider regional environment. Spatial scope of research consists of eight cities in the Republic of Srpska, which defined the status of the city in the period from 1995 to 2019. Those cities are: Banjaluka, Bijeljina, Prijedor, Gradiška, Doboj, Istočno Sarajevo, Zvornik and Trebinje. The specificities in the territorial organization of the Republic of Srpska are the result of complex socio-political processes and the formation of the entity line of demarcation in post-war period (1992-1995), between the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Srpska. Given the physiognomy of space and developmental processes, the Republic of Srpska has complex settlement function. In four urban areas, Istočno Sarajevo, Doboj, Zvornik and Trebinje, the settlements are divided by the entity line, which caused the migrations. In 2014, population migration was also affected by administrative separation of the municipality of Stanari from the Doboj city area. Due to the above mentioned, compared to other cities of the Republic, Doboj has the highest negative values of the migration balance in the observed period (2007-2016). Statistical data from the Federal Bureau of Statistics of BiH and the Republic Institute of the Republic of Srpska were used in research related to migrations, as well as other relevant statistical material produced in the period from 1991 to 2016. The key demographic indicators, internal migrations, immigration and emigration and migration balance were taken into consideration. In order to compare the research areas, data were prepared on the basis of demographic indicators. Conclusions on spatial integration of migration, as well as its direction, have been drawn based on internal migration, spatial distribution of population and change in number of inhabitants in urban and suburban settlements.

Application of the CORAL GMDH Algorithm for Modeling and Forecasting the National Income of Ukraine

CORAL GMDH is a method of the inductive approach. In this article it is used for modeling and forecasting socio-economic processes. Here the CORAL GMDH algorithm is applied to solve three problems: recovery of missing data, modeling of macroeconomic indicators, and forecasting the gross national income (GNI). Also, the CORAL GMDH algorithm is used to build models in the problem of modeling the dependence of GNI on socio-demographic indicators and develop recommendations on how the state can influence the level of human capital development in the country by influencing certain socio-demographic indices. The results of modeling for Ukraine, Belarus, and Poland are compared.