Effects of Educational Attainment and Housing Condition on Self-Rated Health in Old Age: Heterogeneity and Tendency in China

In China, the health of the elderly has long been discussed, but few have investigated the diversity of the aging pattern in later life of this population. Although a large body of literature has approved the positive association between socioeconomic status (SES) and health, it still remains controversial regarding whether the association becomes convergent or divergent in old ages. Using data from China's 2010 and 2015 Inter-census Survey (1‰ sample), this paper explored the role of two key SES indicators, educational attainment and housing condition in modifying the self-rated health of Chinese elders aged 60 and above. We observed the diversified patterns of how educational attainment and housing condition have made an impact on the health of these elders in their old age and the temporal changes of the two SES indicators. We found higher educational attainment and better housing condition can lead to higher self-rated health. This positive significance however diminished with age over time, as we observed from 2010 to 2015, indicating the convergent effects of SES on health in old age. We also found that although educational attainment and housing condition were both positively correlated with health, their effects were differentiated. The influence of educational attainment on health waxed, whereas on housing conditions waned over time. These findings suggested the heterogeneity of health and SES effects among Chinese elders.

Effects of some management factors (Housing condition and watering regimen) on blood parameters of desert goats

This study aimed to assess the effects of housing condition and watering regimen on some blood parameters during the period May 2018- February 2019. Desert goat Package Cell Volume% (PCV %) were highest during January, February and lowest during May, and August. Goats had the highest (P<0.001) blood Hemoglobin (Hb%) during May and July with very slight fluctuations throughout the seven months of the experimental period. Goats under shade had comparatively higher PCV% and slightly lower Hb% in comparison with those under direct sunlight. Plasma Calcium was low during February and January and rose during December with higher levels during May, June and July. Goat plasma phosphorus concentrations followed an opposite picture being highest (P<0.01) during October, December, and February and lowest (P<0.01) during other months. Plasma Calcium (Ca) and Phosphorus (P) concentrations were slightly (P>0.05) higher for goats under shade compared with those under direct sunlight. The main effects of months on blood metabolites were highly significant (P<0.01). The highest goat blood protein was during, June-July and lowest (P<0.01) during other months. Goat blood albumen levels were highest (P<0.001) for August- September- October and lowest for January- February whereas blood glucose levels were highest (P<0.01) during January- February and with very slight fluctuations throughout the seven months of the experimental period. Blood protein, blood albumin and blood glucose levels were relatively higher (P>0.05) for goats under shade compared with those under direct sunlight. Goats watered everyday had slightly lower blood protein and albumin and slightly higher blood glucose in comparison with goats watered every other day.

Assessment of Residential Buildings Condition In Government Built Housing Estates of Port Harcourt Municipality, Nigeria

A major key indicator for assessing the quality of an urban residential neighborhood is the building condition. A good building condition adds value to a neighborhood in terms of aesthetics, safety, security and comfort. The Rivers State Government has in 1986 - 1998 built 12 residential estates for her staff members in the study area. The responsibility of maintenance of the buildings has been left to the owner occupiers of those houses. What is the state of those houses which has been built for over 30years? It is on this note that this study is poised to ascertain the physical condition of buildings within the public housing estates in Port Harcourt municipality. This study is a quantitative research that belongs to the class called “descriptive research design”. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 108 respondents (household heads) from the six selected housing estates. Questionnaire, physical observation and digital camera were the tools used for data collection. Analysis of findings was presented descriptively in tables, charts and percentages. Among the twelve public housing estates identified within the study area, the simple random sampling method was used to select and study six of the estates which are: 1. Aggrey Housing Estate, 2. Marine Base Govt. Housing Estate, 3. Abuloma housing estate phase, 4. Ndoki Housing Estate, 5. Elekahia housing estate and, 6. Khana Street Housing Estate. The research findings show the physical condition of buildings within the public housing estates, 81.5% of the buildings has good foundation, 92.6% of the windows are in good condition, 95.4% of the buildings have water system. 65% of the respondents considered the overall housing condition of the estates as good (needs no repair) while 35% saw the housing condition as fairly good (needs minor repair).

Meeting the private sector housing condition and adaptation needs of older people: responses from London’s environmental health and allied services

Purpose This study aims to explore the environmental health role in meeting the housing condition, adaptation and associated needs of older people living in private sector housing in London, including those living with and at risk of dementia. Design/methodology/approach A multi-method approach was adopted. First, relevant public-facing websites in London were scrutinised. Second, a Qualtrics online survey was designed and circulated to capture relevant information around relevant services offered. Third, seven face-to-face interviews were conducted with front-line practitioners involved in providing housing services to private sector owners and tenants. These were transcribed verbatim and analysed using NVivo software before categorising into themes arising. Findings An erratic picture emerged around the meaning of “older people” and the services offered. A mixture of organisational arrangements and types of assistance available was reported, with different ways of access and referral to services, with a range of discretionary grants offered including for dementia. Some local authorities offered minimal specialist services, with others providing highly integrated and client-led, flexible interventions to meet a range of needs. Limited inclusion of research, evidence and evaluation of the effectiveness of interventions was reported overall, although client feedback was noted as good where services were provided. Originality/value There is very little published around environmental health work in supporting older people living in London and their housing, health and social care needs. This paper captures a snapshot of current and proposed services offered across London for owner-occupiers and private sector tenants, as a basis for further research for evidence-based, effective front-line services going forward.

Knowledge and attitude towards COVID-19 and its prevention in selected ten towns of SNNP Region, Ethiopia: Cross-sectional survey

Background COVID-19 is highly infectious viral disease that can lead to main clinical symptoms like fever, dry cough, fatigue, myalgia, and dyspnea. Since there is no drug to cure the disease, focusing on improving community awareness related to prevention methods is crucial. But there was no regional level study addressing the reach of information, community knowledge and attitude related to COVID-19 and its prevention, and this study was done to inform and assist communication related to the disease responses during early introduction of the disease to the setting. Methods Community based cross sectional study was conducted in selected ten towns of SNNPR, Ethiopia. Multi-stage sampling was used to select 1239 participants. Semi-structured questionnaire was designed, pre-tested and uploaded to SurveyCTO data collection system with security patterns. Knowledge was assessed considering awareness about signs and symptoms, confirmatory test (laboratory test), what to do if there is a suspect, availability of drug to cure the disease, mechanisms of transmission, prevention methods and most at risk groups. Attitude was assessed using 11 statements including seriousness of disease, being at risk, possibility of prevention, and benefits of staying at health facilities. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were performed to manage data using SPSS version 25. Results Almost all respondents (99.8%) heard about the disease. The mean score of knowledge was 52.3% (SD = 18.9) while the mean score attitude was 80.8% (SD = 6.48). Educational status, housing condition and marital status were associated with having good knowledge while occupation, housing condition, age and overall knowledge were associated with having positive attitude. Conclusion Even though almost all respondents had heard about the COVID-19, knowledge and attitude related to COVID-19 and its prevention were low. Awareness creation should be intensified using different local languages to improve community awareness, overcome misconceptions and minimize consequences of the disease.

Effect of Socio-Economic Characteristics of Households on Housing Condition in Bauchi Metropolis, Bauchi State, Nigeria

Housing across the world has remained an indispensable phenomenon that affects every facet of humans. Its relevance is so evident that it imparts on man’s socio-physical and mental welfare irrespective of his socio-economic status, colour or creed. The correct socio-economic position is linked to people seeking inexpensive and decent housing. This study assessed the socio-economic characteristics of households and their housing condition in the Bauchi metropolis. The study adopted a quantitative approach where 380 questionnaires were administered to house hold-heads in this study. The households were sampled through stratified random sampling to generate data on their socio-economic characteristics, housing conditions, existing facilities and amenities, physical and environmental characteristics. The data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics with mean ranking and ordinal regression to examine the significance of the various variables. The findings of the study revealed that socio-economic characteristics affect housing conditions in the study area. The study also revealed that compared with the medium and high-density areas where the housing situation and all basic infrastructures are fair and foul, the low-density area had its housing condition with all basic infrastructures in good condition. It was recommended that the government provide adequate social facilities as a matter of urgency, renovate the declining ones, and implement development control standards in the medium and high-density areas. Furthermore, individuals should incorporate a good maintenance culture for their property to improve housing and environmental characteristics.

The multicultural territory of domitian coast: housing condition and real estate market [Il territorio multiculturale del litorale domizio: condizione abitativa e mercato immobiliare]

In Italy, which has traditionally been a country of emigration since the unification of Italy, in the last thirty years there has been an intense increase in the flow of immigrants, resulting in economic, social and spatial problems. If the housing conditions represents one of the main indicators to measure the degree of social integration, in Italy a particularly weak segment in the housing demand is represented precisely by immigrants to whom the most degraded and inadequate sector of the housing stock is often destined. A phenomenon of particular note is represented by the settlement choices in the hinterland of large urban areas where there is a high percentage of foreign population (both official and unofficial). This is what happened in the Campania region, in the territory that starts from Caserta to get to Salerno, passing through the metropolitan city of Naples. In Italia, tradizionalmente paese d’emigrazione dall’unità in poi, negli ultimi trenta anni, si è assistito ad un intenso incremento del flusso di immigrati, con conseguenti impatti di carattere economico, sociale e spaziale. Se la condizione abitativa rappresenta uno dei principali indicatori per misurare il grado di integrazione sociale, un segmento particolarmente debole della domanda abitativa in Italia è rappresentato proprio dagli immigrati, cui spesso risulta destinato il settore più degradato e inadeguato del patrimonio abitativo. Un fenomeno di particolare rilievo è rappresentato dalle scelte insediative nell’hinterland delle grandi aree urbane, dove si registra un alta concentrazione di popolazione straniera (sia ufficiale che ufficiosa). Ed è quanto è successo in regione Campania, nell’area che parte da Caserta per arrivare a Salerno, passando per la città metropolitana di Napoli.

Environmental Enrichment Potentiates Glucose-Induced Anorexia in Mice

The hypothalamus controls food intake and metabolism by integrating nutrient and hormonal signals from peripheral tissues. Both central and peripheral administration of glucose leads to a reduction in food intake in rodents. Similarly, administration of the adipocyte hormone leptin or the gastrointestinal hormone xenin reduces food intake. In contrast, impairments in hypothalamic signaling of these factors cause hyperphagia and obesity in rodents and humans. Environmental factors affect behavior including feeding behavior and energy metabolism in rodents and humans. Studies have found that environmental enrichment (EE), in which mice interact with complex sensory and motor stimulation, led to a significant reduction in adiposity and resistance to diet-induced obesity in mice. This effect is independent of energy expenditure and is associated with enhanced hypothalamic signaling, but the exact mechanism is unknown. We hypothesized that EE potentiates the feeding suppressing effects of anorectic signals. To address this hypothesis, 4-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were group housed (5/cage) under standard laboratory conditions or EE conditions with free access to regular rodent chow and feeding response to glucose, leptin and xenin was examined. EE cages were supplemented with a house, running wheels, igloos, wood logs, maze and nesting materials. Four weeks after initiating EE protocol, mice were fasted for 8 h and received an intraperitoneal injection of glucose (2 mg/g b.w.) or saline just before the onset of the dark phase. Treatment assignments were reversed for the second injection so that each animal received both treatments with a washout period of 1 week. Mice were given food immediately after the injection and food intake was measured for 4 h after the injection at 0.5–1 h intervals. The same design was repeated using leptin (2.5 μg/g b.w.) and xenin (15 or 50 μg/g b.w.). Glucose injection caused a significant reduction of food intake in both control and EE mice. However, anorexic effect of glucose was more significant in EE group compared to the control group (main effect of treatment: P = 0.0016 for control and P &lt; 0.0001 for EE, two-way ANOVA). Significant reductions in food intake were observed between 0.5 and 2.5 h after glucose injection in EE mice, while no significant reduction was observed thereafter. Moreover, three-way ANOVA showed a significant interaction between housing condition and treatment (P = 0.0086). In contrast, although both leptin and xenin caused a significant reduction in food intake, there was no significant interaction between housing condition and treatment. These data suggest that environmental enrichment enhances the anorectic action of glucose without altering feeding response to leptin and xenin. It is speculated that enhanced hypothalamic glucose sensing may mediate beneficial effects of environmental enrichment on metabolism.