Search Results (945)

Background/Objectives: Early detection of undiagnosed prediabetes (PD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) could prevent or delay the onset of diabetes and its complications. The dental setting has been suggested as a location for expanding diabetes screening in primary care. This study aimed to investigate behavioural factors that influence an oral healthcare professional’s (OHP) participation in diabetes screening and their decision to refer individuals at a high risk of diabetes for medical follow-up and confirmatory diagnosis. These factors provide targets for future interventions to encourage screening implementation and increase referral guideline compliance. Methods: This qualitative study utilised OHPs who had participated in a diabetes screening trial in Victoria, Australia. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted by telephone or videoconferencing and transcribed and analysed thematically. The themes identified were deductively mapped onto the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behaviour (COM-B) model and the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Results: In total, eight interviews were conducted (seven dentists and one oral health therapist). Five COM-B domains were identified: reflective motivation, automatic motivation, social opportunity, physical opportunity, and psychological capability. Nine TDF domains were associated with issues related to knowledge, the environmental context and resources, memory, attention and decision processes, skills, social influences, beliefs about consequences, emotion, beliefs about capability, and social influence. Conclusions: This is the first study to investigate the factors influencing an OHP’s participation and decision making in diabetes screening and referral processes in the dental setting. The results demonstrate that OHPs need more education and training to screen for diabetes in dental clinics. This study represents the first step in developing interventions to target these factors and improve the effectiveness of diabetes screening in the dental setting. Full article

This study examined how partner characteristics contribute to gender-based violence (GBV) risk among women in Sub-Saharan Africa. Guided by two research questions—how partner characteristics influence GBV, and which characteristics are the strongest predictors—we tested four hypotheses regarding partner education, age difference, alcohol use, and controlling behaviours. Using nationally representative Demographic and Health Survey data from 25 Sub-Saharan African countries (2012–2022), we conducted descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression analyses of 122,477 ever-married women aged 15–49. Findings revealed that partner characteristics significantly predicted GBV. Women with partners who had no education experienced higher GBV rates (31.6%) compared to those with partners who attained tertiary education (5.7%). Age differences of six years or more were associated with higher GBV prevalence (39.9%). Controlling behaviour emerged as the strongest predictor, with 87.7% of women with controlling partners reporting GBV. Alcohol use and frequency of drunkenness also strongly increased the odds of violence; women whose partners were often drunk had 6.75 times higher odds of emotional violence. These results confirmed the hypotheses and underscore the central role of partner characteristics in shaping GBV risks. Policy and programmatic interventions should address male alcohol misuse, promote gender-equitable attitudes, and expand women’s access to education. Targeting partner-level risk factors is essential for reducing GBV and advancing progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals in Sub-Saharan Africa. Full article

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and fatal disease of domestic pigs and wild boars, with severe economic and ecological consequences. Wild boar hunters play a critical role in the early detection and control of ASF due to their direct interaction with wild boar populations. This study examined the attitudes, knowledge, and behaviour of wild boar hunters in Croatia regarding ASF prevention and control, with a focus on the influence of sociodemographic factors, hunting experience, and participation in training programmes. An online survey of 276 wild boar hunters from an ASF-affected county in Croatia was conducted between October and December 2024. Results indicate that 93.5% of wild boar hunters are aware of ASF and its risks, relying primarily on internet sources for information. Experienced and higher-educated wild boar hunters demonstrated greater confidence in recognising ASF symptoms and stronger support for preventive measures, education, and institutional cooperation. Factor analysis revealed three main dimensions shaping attitudes: communication and awareness, institutional capacity, and regulatory policies. The results emphasise the importance of continuous education, transparent communication and participatory approaches to strengthen cooperation with hunters and improve ASF control. They also emphasise the need for targeted, evidence-based communication strategies that actively involve hunters in surveillance and reporting. Tailored educational materials and digital communication could increase carcass reporting, improve early detection and increase the overall effectiveness of ASF control programmes. Full article

This study explores economic and risk perceptions that spark off-shore irregular migration among West Africans through the Mediterranean Sea to countries of destination (CODs). This study is timely because deaths on the Mediterranean Sea, which are unprecedented in migration history, result in a need to create awareness and save lives. Grounded in the Theory of Reasoned Action and the Cultural Theory of Risk Perception, this study explores the economic and risk perceptions of off-shore irregular migration. This study comprised a literature review, otherwise known as a “meta study”. The study’s findings reveal that there is a nexus between a person’s attitude and behaviours in terms of human action. Human nurturing determines a person’s attitudes and behaviours. The human mind does what it wants when one is desperate for economic survival. This forces humankind to engage in dangerous activities to survive. Therefore, irregular migrants’ choice of unsafe routes through the Mediterranean Sea to CODs depends on their expected outcomes. Irregular migrants consider migration as an “insurance”, and flee from hardship towards opportunities. The perceptions that lead to this range from salary disparities to economic freedom. I argue that spiritual beliefs, peer pressure, media platforms, and personal factors influence irregular route choices. This study recommends collaboration among the ECOWAS, African nations’ governments, and the IOM to engage returning migrants to narrate their in-depth experiences about the routes’ dangers to create awareness. Returning migrants’ narratives should be disseminated in mass media and on social media platforms to target youth. This would discourage West African youth from choosing unsafe routes to CODs. Collaboration should be extended to youth training in entrepreneurship to equip youth as job creators rather than job seekers to curb unemployment, which usually sparks off-shore irregular migration. Full article

Background: Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of mortality in England, with South Asians estimated to have a higher risk of CVD development compared to the general population. Harmful drinking is a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but little is known about drinking behaviours among South Asians, especially those aged 18–25. Objectives: The objectives of this study were (i) to investigate the knowledge of the cardiovascular effects of harmful drinking among young South Asians aged 18–25, and (ii) to explore the perceptions of young South Asians towards the role of the pharmacist in supporting individuals with alcohol-related harm. Methods: Qualitative, in depth, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten young South Asians, around 30 min in length. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and then thematically analysed. Results: Four superordinate themes emerged: (1) Culture Clash; (2) The Great Escape; (3) Cardiovascular Confusion; and (4) The Ambiguous Pharmacist. These themes highlighted a dichotomy between the drinking behaviours among different South Asian communities, a lack of knowledge regarding the cardiovascular consequences of harmful drinking and mixed views regarding pharmacists’ role in supporting dependence. Participants acknowledged the prevalence of poor cardiovascular health among British South Asians, citing various types of dysfunction and possible causes; however, the effect of drinking specifically was not understood. Most participants would refer a young person struggling with dependence to a pharmacist and would be receptive to discussing drinking with one. However, few commented on any role outside of signposting to other services or healthcare providers. Conclusions: Greater cardiovascular health promotion is needed among South Asians, with an emphasis on the link between excess alcohol consumption and cardiovascular dysfunction. Furthermore, pharmacists must do more to promote greater awareness of the different ways in which alcohol dependence can be supported within the community to encourage young people seeking harm reduction to utilise those services as needed. Full article

Automated Vehicles (AVs) are being developed with the aim to reduce the occurrence and severity of Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs). Studies suggest AVs may improve the safety of Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs), particularly on road crossings. However, exposure to novel technology over time may lead to behavioural adaptation. Thus, understanding VRUs’ behavioural intentions towards AVs is crucial for their safe integration into traffic. We investigate four external factors pedestrians consider when crossing a road in front of an AV. An online questionnaire with 281 participants assessed crossing intentions, focusing on road gradient, weather, pedestrian–AV distance, and AV type. Personality traits and self-reported behaviour were measured. Anderson’s experimental protocol revealed all factors significantly influenced crossing decisions. Using hierarchical clustering followed by K-means clustering, the participants were classified into three different profiles: risk-averse, resolute, and indecisive pedestrians. We provide evidence of a strong link between crossing decisions, reported behaviours and psychological facets while interacting with an AV at crossings. Pedestrian profiling allows targeting preventative measures for groups based on unique characteristics, maximising efficiency thereof. Furthermore, pedestrian profiling can inform AV’s driving style to support safer road interactions. This is salient for resolute pedestrians, who take more risks, which may lead to severe RTCs. Full article

Depression is a major global health issue that significantly contributes to the burden of disease. Despite the wealth of existing research on depression, several key aspects remain underexplored, including factors that predict the onset, severity, and recurrence of depressive symptoms. The purpose of the current study was to assess the sociodemographic correlates and risk and protective factors of depression using a representative sample of the Canadian population. The data were drawn from the 2017–2018 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), a cross-sectional survey with a sample size greater than 113,000. Results from regression analyses identified sleep quality, social support, and perceived life satisfaction as protective factors for depression severity, while a current, self-reported diagnosis of an anxiety- or mood-related disorder was identified as a risk factor. Being younger emerged as the only pertinent sociodemographic risk factor for depression. Contrary to expectations, vigorous physical activity and sedentary behaviour did not significantly predict depression severity. Taken together, the results underscore the importance of identifying modifiable risk and protective factors to inform population-level mental health strategies (e.g., campaigns seeking to raise awareness regarding the importance of sleep, social support) to guide the development of targeted, evidence-based interventions. Full article

Financial literacy is a key competence for responsible decision-making and entrepreneurial readiness. This study looks at how Generation Z’s entrepreneurial participation is impacted by objective, subjective, and calibrated FL. The alignment of perceived and actual knowledge or calibration is highlighted as an understudied factor that influences entrepreneurial behaviour. A mixed-methods approach was applied, combining a survey of 403 Slovak students with structured interviews with secondary school and university teachers. Quantitative analysis used Chi-square tests, Cramer’s V, sign schemes, and MLR. Qualitative interviews provided contextual insights into educational gaps and perceived barriers to entrepreneurship. The findings confirm that a higher financial literacy is positively related to entrepreneurial interest. Objective literacy has a slightly greater predictive value than self-assessed literacy, while calibration emerged as the strongest predictor: realistically, financially literate individuals displayed the highest entrepreneurial engagement, whereas both over- and underestimation of financial knowledge reduced it. Interviews highlighted insufficient financial education, limited practical experience, and fear of risk as major obstacles. By combining three aspects of financial literacy with business goals and offering fresh data from Slovakia, this study makes a contribution to the literature. In similar situations, it makes suggestions for enhancing financial education to support Generation Z’s entrepreneurial potential. Full article

Background: Road traffic accidents continue to be a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Psychological and behavioural factors play a crucial role in traffic safety and are not yet fully understood. Among these, the relationship between individuals and road rules plays a key role in driving behaviour and risk perception. We introduce and validate the MORDE (Moral Disengagement in Road Driving Evaluation) scale, a novel instrument designed to assess the specific cognitive mechanisms through which drivers morally justify risky or rule-violating behaviours. Methods: The scale was developed and validated through a three-step process involving 1336 licensed drivers. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to test its factorial structure, and internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha. Convergent and predictive validity were assessed using self-reported measures of traffic violations and road safety attitudes. Results: The final 14-item version of the MORDE scale shows a robust two-factor structure: (1) Normative Justification of Transgressive Driving and (2) Attribution of Blame and Displacement of Responsibility. The instrument demonstrates strong internal reliability and significant predictive power for driving behaviours and road safety attitudes, beyond what is explained by general moral disengagement. The MORDE scale thus shows good psychometric properties and incremental validity. Conclusions: By identifying psychological risk factors that contribute to unsafe and unsustainable driving, the MORDE scale provides a validated tool that can support educational interventions, traffic safety campaigns, and behaviour change programs. Its use may contribute to the promotion of a safer, more responsible, and environmentally sustainable road culture. Full article

Smoking has a well-established impact on cardiovascular health, notably through elevated resting heart rate and impaired autonomic regulation—both key risk factors. While nicotine’s acute effects are well documented, the influence of smoking-related genetic variants on heart rate (HR) responses remains unclear. This study investigated the association between selected smoking-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and HR dynamics following physical exertion. A total of 661 Hungarian adults completed the YMCA 3 min step test, with HR measured at rest, immediately post-exercise, and during recovery at 5 and 10 min. Key indices included post-exercise HR (HR_aft), HR change (ΔHR), maximum HR percentage (HR_max%), and heart rate recovery coefficient (HRR). Genetic analysis focused on nine SNPs previously linked to smoking behaviours, with a composite genetic risk score derived from the three most influential variants (rs2235186, rs4142041, and rs578776). Associations were examined using adjusted linear regression. No significant relationship was found between any individual SNP and resting HR. However, rs2235186, rs4142041, and rs578776 were consistently associated with elevated HR_aft, increased ΔHR, higher HR_max%, and slower HRR. The genetic risk score showed significant correlations with all post-exercise HR measures, suggesting a cumulative genetic effect. These findings indicate that smoking-related genetic predisposition may influence autonomic cardiovascular responses to physical activity. Although resting HR remains unaffected, specific SNPs are linked to post-exercise HR dynamics and recovery, highlighting the potential value of genetic screening in personalised cardiovascular risk assessment among smokers. Full article

Landslides and rockfalls can negatively impact human activities and cause radical changes to the surrounding environment. For example, they can destroy entire buildings and roadway infrastructure, block waterways and create sudden dams, resulting in upstream flooding and increased flood risk downstream. In extreme cases, they can even cause loss of life. External factors such as weathering, vegetation and mechanical stress alterations play a decisive role in their evolution. These actions can reduce strength, which can have an adverse impact on the slope’s ability to withstand failure. For rockfalls, this process also affects fragmentation, creating variations in the size, shape and volume of detached blocks, which influences propagation and impact on the slope. In this context, the Morino-Rendinara landslide is a clear example of rockfall propagation influenced by fragmentation. In this case, fragmentation results from tectonic stresses acting on the materials as well as specific climatic conditions affecting rock mass properties. This study explores how different fragmentation scales influence both velocity and landslide propagation along the slope. Using numerical models, based on lumped mass approach and stochastic analyses, various scenarios of rock material fracturing were examined and their impact on runout was assessed. Different scenarios were defined, varying only the fragmentation degree and different random seed sets at the beginning of simulations, carried out using the Rock-GIS tool. The results suggest that rock masses with high fracturing show reduced cohesion along joints and cracks, which significantly lowers their shear strength and makes them more prone to failure. Increased fragmentation further decreases the bonding between rock blocks, thereby accelerating landslide propagation. Conversely, less fragmented rocks retain higher resistance, which limits the extent of movement. These processes are influenced by uncertainties related to the distribution and impact of different alteration grades, resulting from variable tectonic stresses and/or atmospheric weathering. Therefore, a stochastic distribution model was developed to integrate the results of all simulations and to reconstruct both the landslide propagation and the evolution of its deposits. This study emphasizes the critical role of fragmentation and the volume involved in rockfalls and their runout behaviour. Furthermore, the method provides a framework for enhancing risk assessment in complex geological environments and for developing mitigation strategies, particularly regarding runout distance and block size. Full article

This study investigates the severity of injuries sustained by over seven million participants involved in road traffic incidents in Poland between 2015 and 2024, with a view to supporting sustainable mobility and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Road safety is a crucial dimension of sustainable development, directly linked to public health, urban liveability, and the socio-economic costs of transportation systems. Using a harmonised participant-level dataset, this research identifies key demographic, behavioural, and environmental factors associated with injury outcomes. A novel five-level injury severity variable was developed by integrating inconsistent records on fatalities and injuries. Descriptive analyses revealed clear seasonal and weekly patterns, as well as substantial differences by participant type and driving licence status. Pedestrians and passengers faced the highest risk, with fatality rates more than five times higher than those of drivers. An XGBoost classifier was trained to predict injury severity, and SHAP analysis was applied to interpret the model’s outputs at the feature level. Participant role emerged as the most important predictor, followed by driving licence status, vehicle type, lighting conditions, and road geometry. These findings provide actionable insights for sustainable road safety interventions, including stronger protection for pedestrians and passengers, stricter enforcement against unlicensed driving, and infrastructural improvements such as better lighting and safer road design. By combining machine learning with interpretability tools, this study offers an analytical framework that can inform evidence-based policies aimed at reducing crash-related harm and advancing sustainable transport development. Full article

Background/Objectives: Chronic low back pain is the leading global cause of disability, with a growing prevalence and socioeconomic burden. Despite strong evidence supporting exercise therapy (ET) as a primary treatment, adherence rates remain low, compromising outcomes and increasing healthcare costs. Research on contributing factors to adherence to ET in non-specific chronic low back pain (nsCLBP) is limited. This systematic review aimed to reconceptualise contributors to adherence, using a conceptual framework to explore their interrelations and complexity by integrating quantitative and qualitative research. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus were searched, followed by a two-phase screening process. Risk of Bias (RoB), certainty assessment and level of evidence were assessed independently. Results: Eight qualitative and eleven quantitative studies were included, the latter divided into nine RCTs and two cohort studies. Overall, eight included studies showed low RoB, seven showed some concerns, and four presented high RoB. Synthesis identified internal, external, and intervention-related contributing factors. These factors were presented in a conceptual framework figure, highlighting that adherence should not be viewed as a binary concept but rather as a dynamic behaviour shaped by interrelated factors. Moderate-certainty evidence supports the impact of psychosocial factors, healthcare professional (HCP) characteristics, environmental and time-related factors, program design, progression, home-exercise program (HEP), modalities, and follow-up. Low-to-moderate-certainty evidence suggests beliefs, patient-related characteristics, and treatment setting also impact adherence. Low-certainty evidence indicates that feedback, symptoms and impairments, and confidence possibly impact adherence. Conclusions: This systematic review highlights the complex, context-dependent interplay of factors impacting adherence to ET in individuals with nsCLBP. Overall, these findings underscore the need for personalised, context-sensitive interventions that address the broad spectrum of factors, while future research should focus on validated adherence assessment tools. Full article

This paper examines the risks linked to E-business collaboration between China and West Africa, with particular emphasis on Ghana as a pivotal digital commerce centre. This research employs the Hesitant Fuzzy Best–Worst Method (HF-BWM) to systematically identify and prioritise the institutional, technological, sociocultural, and legal issues affecting cross-border e-business operations. This study combines Transaction Cost Theory (TCT), the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and Commitment–Trust Theory to create a comprehensive framework for analysing the interplay of these risks and their effects on transaction costs and company sustainability. The findings indicate that institutional risks constitute the most substantial obstacles, with deficient digital transaction legislation and inadequate data governance recognised as the principal drivers of uncertainty and increased transaction costs. The research indicates that these institutional challenges necessitate immediate focus, as they immediately affect corporate operations, especially in international digital commerce. Technological risks, such as cybersecurity vulnerabilities, insufficient IT skills, and deficiencies in digital infrastructure, were identified as the second most critical factors, leading to considerable operational disruptions and heightened expenses. Sociocultural hazards, such as language difficulties and varying consumer behaviours, were recognised as moderate concerns that, although significant, exert a weaker cumulative impact than technological and institutional challenges. Eventually, legal risks, especially concerning cybercrime legislation and the protection of intellectual property, were identified as substantial complicators of e-business activities, increasing the intricacy of legal compliance and cross-border contract enforcement. The results underscore the imperative for regulatory reforms, investments in cybersecurity, and methods for cultural adaptation to alleviate the identified risks and promote sustainable growth in China–West Africa e-business relationships. This study offers practical insights for governments, business leaders, and investors to effectively manage the intricate risk landscape and make educated decisions that foster enduring collaboration and trust between China and West Africa in digital trade. Full article

The primary goal of our research was to validate a context-specific safety climate measure (the Heavy Vehicle Safety Climate Scale: HVSCS) in a sample of heavy mobile equipment operators (N = 277). An exploratory strategy was adopted, using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to validate the items. The statistical results revealed a five-factor structure, with two factors at the organisational level and three factors at the group level. In addition, a nomological analysis showed that both organisational and supervisory safety climate factors presented distinct correlation patterns with other safety-related variables, including situational and routine violations, safety citizenship behaviour, context-specific safety behaviours and risk propensity. In this study we developed and psychometrically validated a context-specific safety climate tool for lone heavy vehicle drivers in the quarrying industry: the Heavy Vehicle Safety Climate Scale (HVSCS). It is hoped that the final 37-item HVSCS will be utilised by those managing heavy vehicle operations, particularly in the quarrying industry, to identify context-specific opportunities for safety climate improvements and in turn reduce the risk of safety incidents. Full article