Determinants of e-learning acceptance amongst Iranian postgraduate students

E-learning can address some of the unmet needs of learners and educational communities; however, not all learners and educators accept e-learning as a delivery modality. This research endeavored to study the factors which affect e-learning acceptance among Iranian post-graduate students using the Davis Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and to identify the changes which would facilitate their improved acceptance and subsequent wider use of e-learning. This descriptive-correlation study was conducted by surveying 320 Iranian postgraduate students using a self-reporting questionnaire. Structural equation modeling was used for data analysis through LISREL software. Results revealed sufficient validity and reliability of the TAM among Iranian postgraduate medical students. Perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness of e-learning, students’ attitudes toward e-learning, and the intention to use e-learning positively affected e-learning’s acceptance (p < 0.05) among Iranian postgraduate students. According to the results, attitudes toward e-learning have more predictive power than other TAM constructs. Therefore, emphasis on students’ favorable attitudes toward e-learning can be effective in accelerating its acceptance and will progress students’ learning outcomes.

Branding advantage of agri-food companies in competitive export markets: a resource-based theory

PurposeThe purpose of the present study is to investigate the antecedents of export performance and branding advantage, as a key type of competitive advantage in export markets among entrepreneurs and managers of agri-food exporters.Design/methodology/approachA sample of entrepreneurs from 182 exporting firms of the agriculture and food industry participated in a cross-sectional survey. The data were collected by a self-reporting questionnaire and partial least squares were used to analyse the data and assess the path model.FindingsResults revealed that experiential resources strongly promote communication capabilities. Also, communication, distribution and product development capabilities contribute to the creation of the branding advantage in export markets. In addition, a positive relationship between the branding advantage and export performance of agri-food products is confirmed.Research limitations/implicationsThe study targets exporters of agri-food products. Hence, the results should be interpreted regarding the context of low-technology firms. Further, this paper delineates branding advantage considerations that managers need to account for to achieve effective exporting. Practitioners can efficaciously exploit resources to achieve a competitive advantage, considering that they focus on building capabilities, and in particular, communication capabilities.Originality/valueThe present study highlights the role of the branding advantage as an important type of competitive advantage in international entrepreneurship and export markets. It attempts to examine the combined relationships of resources and capabilities with branding advantage and export performance.

Doing Action Research: The Experience of Teachers in Seychelles

Action research is regarded as a dynamic strategy to galvanise teachers to determine what works best for them and their pupils. Teachers’ experience in action research has been investigated in some developing countries without involving any of the small island states in the Indian Ocean. Hence, this study explored the experience of teachers from Seychelles regarding action research focusing on their understanding of the nature, meaning, and purpose of action research; the benefits they gained from doing action research; the difficulties and the challenges they encountered while conducting action research, including their background characteristics. Its aim was to identify their successes, concerns, and issues. Participants were 33 primary school teachers enrolled in the two-year Advanced Diploma programme at the Seychelles Institute of Education during the 2019/2020 academic year. One of their assessment tasks required them to identify a difficulty that their pupils encounter and conduct action research on it with a view to finding a solution. Data collected using a self-reporting questionnaire designed by the investigators was analysed using both descriptive and interpretive techniques. Results indicated that the participants had a mixed experience of successes, concerns, and issues.

Investigation of Screen Time Inclination and the Accompanying Visual and Musculoskeletal Discomfort in Young Smartphone Users

The purpose of this study is to investigate the screen time inclination and its accompanying visual and musculoskeletal discomfort in young smartphone users. Thirty-one smartphone users aged between 20 - 30 years old were recruited through convenient sampling. The screen time patterns were recorded daily for a week and documented using Action Dash on Google Play Store according to the times of the day (morning, afternoon evening and night). Accompanying visual and musculoskeletal symptoms were examined through a self-reporting questionnaire survey. The questions used in the questionnaire were adapted and modified from the Asthenopia Questionnaire and Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Results showed that young smartphone users spent approximately 30 % of their time on screen and were relatively similar for different times of the day. Daily screen time was approximately 7.36 ± 1.74 h. Most users engaged in WhatsApp (74 %), followed by YouTube (68 %), Instagram (65 %) and Twitter (39 %). Tired eyes were reported by all smartphone users. A positive correlation was only found between weekly screen time and eye strain (p < 0.05). All musculoskeletal symptoms were self-reported by young smartphone users in our study but anatomical locations varied in percentages. Neck pain was the most significant musculoskeletal symptom associated with screen time (OR = 4.80, 95 % CI: 0.95 - 24.14, p < 0.05). Every smartphone user reported at least 1 type of visual symptom. All smartphone users reported tired eyes. In conclusion, our results showed that smartphone users spent one third of their time daily on-screen and mostly on social media. Tired eyes and neck pain were the most common accompanying symptoms. Visuo-skeletal symptoms are common among young and healthy smartphone users. Our findings advocate that future strategic plans to address digital related health problems from the perspective of health education, promotion and protection should be inclusive of youth. HIGHLIGHTS Excessive screen time is a public health concern Adverse health implications have been linked to excessive electronic usage Smartphone users spend one-third of their time daily on-screen and mostly on social media Visuo-skeletal symptoms are common among young and healthy smartphone users Tired eyes and neck pain are the most common accompanying symptoms GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Musculoskeletal symptoms in formal and informal caregivers of elderly people

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate musculoskeletal symptoms in formal and informal caregivers of elderly people, and check association with personal and work-related factors. Methods: this is a cross-sectional study. Instruments for assessment were the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Self-Reporting Questionnaire-20, Borg’s effort perception scale and Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Results: informal caregivers had been working for a longer time (60.2% vs. 41%), had more hours of work (37.4% >12h for day), less time off (85.4% vs. 2.5%) and lack of care guidelines (90.2%). The region with the most musculoskeletal symptoms was the spine and the greater dependence of the elderly, the greater the chances of developing musculoskeletal symptoms (OR= 1.3, 95% CI= 1.1-1.6, p <0.05). Conclusion: personal and work-related factors were more prevalent in informal group and the elderly person’s dependence interferes with the increase in musculoskeletal symptoms of caregivers.

Questionnaire-Based Assessment of the Masticatory Function and Facial Nerve Recovery Post Pterional Approach in Brain Tumors Surgery

Background: The pterional approach for craniotomy, one of the most used surgical intervention in neurosurgery, results in a series of postoperative changes that, if they persist, affect the patient’s life, social reintegration, and his/her physical and mental recovery. The aim of the present study was to develop and validate a questionnaire for indicating directly affected masticatory muscles groups and facial nerve branches, in patients undergoing the pterional approach in neurosurgery, so that the recovery therapy can be monitored and personalized. Methods: A self-reporting questionnaire consisting of 18 items (12 for postoperative masticatory status and 6 for facial nerve branches involvement), validated on fifteen patients, following three steps: items development, scale development, and scale evaluation, was prospectively applied twice, at a one-year interval (T0 and T1), with thirty-two patients suffering from vascular or tumoral pathology and surgically treated through a pterional approach. Results: No statistically significant correlation could be found between postoperative outcomes and age or gender. Facial nerve branch involvement could not be correlated with any of the assessed variables. Pathology and time elapsed from surgery were statistically significantly correlated to preauricular pain on the non-operated side (p = 0.008 and p = 0.034, respectively). Time elapsed from surgery was statistically significantly correlated to the ability to chew hard food, pain while yawning, and preauricular pain during back and forward jaw movements and gradual mouth opening. Conclusions: We created and validated a valuable patient-centered questionnaire that can be employed as a tool for postoperative assessment of directly affected masticatory muscles and groups of facial nerve branches.

Is self-harm among orthodontic patients related to dislike of dentofacial features and oral health-related quality of life?

ABSTRACT Objectives To investigate the relationship between self-reported self-harm and dislike of dentofacial features and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Materials and Methods Anonymous, self-reporting questionnaires were completed by 699 school children (aged 13–14 years), representing over 1% of the age group in Amman, Jordan. Participants were invited from 23 randomly selected schools in 10 educational directorates. OHRQoL was assessed using the Child Perception Questionnaire (CPQ 11–14). Self-harm was assessed using a constructed self-reporting questionnaire. The relationship between OHRQoL and self-harm was assessed and significant findings were identified at probability of α = 0.05. Results Over one-quarter of schoolchildren (26.9%, n = 88) admitted self-harming behavior. Self-harm was reported to be due to dislike of dentofacial appearance among 12.9% of participants (n = 90). Higher CPQ 11–14 total scores and individual dimension scores were associated with the presence of self-harm (P &lt; .001). High self-harm incidence was reported among participants who had dentofacial features that affected appearance (P &lt; .001). Among subjects admitting self-harm, the frequency of self-harming behavior ranged from once to over 10 times per year. Conclusions Significant relationships were found between self-harm and dislike of dentofacial features and OHRQoL.

Physician's Burnout and the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study in Austria

Background: The current study assesses the prevalence of burnout and psychological distress among general practitioners and physicians of various specialities, who are not working in a hospital, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally in this context, contributing factors are registered.Materials and Methods: Burnout and psychological distress were assessed with the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18). A newly developed self-reporting questionnaire was used to evaluate demographic data and pandemic-associated stress factors.Results: 252 general practitioners and 229 private practice physicians provided sufficient responses to the outcome variables for analysis. The prevalence of clinically relevant psychological distress was comparable between groups (12.4 vs. 9.2%). A larger proportion of general practitioners than specialists had intermediate (43.8 vs. 39.9%) or high burnout (26.9 vs. 22.0%) without reaching statistical significance for either category. When combining study participants with intermediate and high levels of burnout, the group difference attained significance (70.7 % vs. 61.9%).Conclusion: Our findings provide evidence that practicing physicians are at high risk of burnout in the context of the pandemic. Being single (standardized beta = 0.134), financial problems (beta = 0.136), and facing violence in patient care (beta = 0.135) were identified as significant predictors for psychological distress. Burnout was predicted by being single (beta = 0.112), financial problems (beta= 0.136), facing violence in patient care (beta = 0.093), stigmatization because of treatment of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients (beta = 0.150), and longer working hours during the pandemic (beta = 0.098).

PELAKSANAAN KECEMASAN SOSIAL DI MASA PANDEMI DI RAGUNAN JAKARTA SELATAN

Masa pandemi Covid-19 merupakan masalah global yang berdampak pada perubahan status kesehatan yang dapat terjadi tidak hanya pada masalah kesehatan fisik, tetapi juga pada masalah mental dan emosional. Pandemi adalah pandemi non-bencana alam yang dapat menyebabkan krisis situasional. Hal ini dapat meningkatkan risiko berkembangnya masalah mental emosional. Tujuan kegiatan Pengabdian Masyarakat untuk mengurangi kecemasan sosial yang terjadi pada masa pandemi Covid-19. Sasaran mitra kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat adalah masyarakat dan keluarga dengan masalah kecemasan sosial di masa pandemi di wilayah Puskesmas Ragunan Jakarta Selatan. Tahapan pelaksanaan kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat yaitu dengan melakukan advokasi, melakukan deteksi kecemasan menggunakan Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-29), intervensi relaksasi nafas dalam, doa, dan aktivitas rutin serta pemberian poster “Cemas Sosial”. Hasil pengabdian masyarakat didapatkan dari 54 warga yang terdeteksi di awal semester pertama, 22% mengalami kecemasan, kemudian pada semester mengalami penurunan kecemasan hingga 20%, dimana keluhan yang paling umum adalah mudah lelah, terganggu, dan cemas, tegang, dan khawatir. Kondisi tersebut menunjukkan bahwa di akhir masa pandemi ini, warga masih merasakan dampak psikososial. Dengan demikian, peningkatan pengetahuan serta keterampilan, pengembangan kelompok masyarakat mandiri di bidang kesehatan, dilengkapi dengan penerapan hasil penelitian kepada kegiatan Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat (PkM), dan guna pemenuhan penanganan lanjutan perlu dilaksanakan PkM secara terpadu akan mewujudkan kesejahteraan masyarakat tangguh dan mandiri

COVID-19 Knowledge and Pandemic-Associated Distress among the Hospital Pharmacist Workforce in China

Background: The unprecedented disruption brought about by the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had produced tremendous influence on the practice of pharmacy. Sufficient knowledge of pharmacists was needed to deal with the epidemic situation, however, outbreak also aggravated psychological distress among healthcare professionals. Therefore, this study aimed to determine knowledge about the pandemic and related factors, prevalence and factors associated with psychological distress among hospital pharmacists of Xinjiang Province, China. Methods: An anonymous online questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted via WeChat, a popular social media platform in China, during the COVID-19 outbreak from 23th to 27th February 2020. The survey questionnaire consisted of 4 parts including informed consent section, demographic section, knowledge about COVID-19 and assessment of overall mental health through World Health Organization Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20). A score of 8 or above on SRQ-20 was used as cut-off to classify the participant as in psychological distress. SRQ-20 score and related knowledge score were used as dependent variables, demographic characteristics (such as gender, age, monthly income, etc) were used as independent variables, and univariate binary logistic regression was used to screen out the variables with p<0.05. Then, the filtered variables were used as independent variables, multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze associations with sufficient knowledge of COVID-19 and psychological distress. Results: A total of 365 pharmacists participated in the survey, fewer than half (35.1%, n=128) of pharmacists attained a score of 6 or greater (out of 10) in overall disease knowledge, and most were able to select effective disinfectants and isolation or discharge criteria. In multivariable model, age ages 31-40(OR=3.25, p<0.05), ages 41-50(OR=2.96, p<0.05) vs >50 (referent); primary place of practice in hospitals: drug supply (OR=4.00, p<0.01), inpatient pharmacy(OR=2.06, p<0.01), clinical pharmacy (OR=2.17, p<0.05) vs outpatient pharmacy (referent); monthly income Renminbi (RMB, China’s legal currency) 5000-10000 (OR=1.77, p<0.05) vs <5000 (referent); contact with COVID-2019 patients or suspected cases (OR=2.27, p<0.01); access to COVID-19 knowledge remote work+ on-site work(OR=6.07, p<0.05), single on-site work (OR=6.90, p<0.01) vs remote work (referent) were related to better knowledge of COVID-19. Research found that 18.4% of pharmacists surveyed met the SRQ-20 threshold for distress. Self-reported history of mental illness (OR=3.56, p<0.05) and working and living in hospital vs delay in work resumption (OR=2.87, p<0.01) were found to be risk factors of psychological distress. Conclusion: Further training of COVID-19 knowledge was required for pharmacists. As specific pharmacist groups were prone to psychological distress, it was important for individual hospitals and government to consider and identify pharmacists’ needs and take steps to meet their needs with regard to pandemic and other work-related distress.