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Objective: Addressing social inequality in oral health and access to dental care is a global concern. This study aims to describe the utilization of a public subsidy scheme targeting vulnerable individuals out of labor in Copenhagen municipality (2013–2018) and to identify key characteristics of individuals eligible to apply. Material and Methods: Data from Copenhagen municipality were combined with data from population and health registers. Employing logistic regression analyses, we examined the association between demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related characteristics and (1) having applied, (2) being granted, and (3) using the subsidy. Results: The study included 65,174 individuals aged 18–65. Of these 10,369 (15.9%) applied for subsidies, submitting a total of 18,529 applications. Overall, 83% of the applications were granted and 85% were used. Significantly increased odds of applying for subsidies were observed among individuals receiving social benefits non-stop over the past year versus none (odds ratio [OR] = 15.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 14.24–16.76), aged 50–65 versus 18–29 years (OR = 4.41, CI = 4.15–4.69), and having combined indicators of social vulnerability versus none (OR = 2.90, CI = 2.73–3.07). Conclusions: While the utilization of the public subsidy scheme is low, individuals who apply are likely to be granted a subsidy and use it. Vulnerability was associated with greater utilization of the scheme, yet a substantial portion of those at risk of poor oral health did not take advantage of it.

Objective: Addressing social inequality in oral health and access to dental care is a global concern. This study aims to describe the utilization of a public subsidy scheme targeting vulnerable individuals out of labor in Copenhagen municipality (2013–2018) and to identify key characteristics of individuals eligible to apply. Material and Methods: Data from Copenhagen municipality were combined with data from population and health registers. Employing logistic regression analyses, we examined the association between demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related characteristics and (1) having applied, (2) being granted, and (3) using the subsidy. Results: The study included 65,174 individuals aged 18–65. Of these 10,369 (15.9%) applied for subsidies, submitting a total of 18,529 applications. Overall, 83% of the applications were granted and 85% were used. Significantly increased odds of applying for subsidies were observed among individuals receiving social benefits non-stop over the past year versus none (odds ratio [OR] = 15.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 14.24–16.76), aged 50–65 versus 18–29 years (OR = 4.41, CI = 4.15–4.69), and having combined indicators of social vulnerability versus none (OR = 2.90, CI = 2.73–3.07). Conclusions: While the utilization of the public subsidy scheme is low, individuals who apply are likely to be granted a subsidy and use it. Vulnerability was associated with greater utilization of the scheme, yet a substantial portion of those at risk of poor oral health did not take advantage of it.

In the built environment, the continuous growth and expansion of urban areas worldwide have become alarming. The built environment is continuously developing in an unsustainable manner, and in the mid-term future, resources will be scarce if practices are not changed. Therefore, new building materials and methods need to be implemented to mitigate the substantial problem and prevent a point of no return. This research focuses on the Global South taking Kenya as a single case study to investigate the following research question: How can NGOs support local stakeholders in Kenya to shift the production of affordable housing by the use of circular materials and methods? This research design was conducted through a double-diamond framework, and data was collected in a qualitative manner. The objective is to understand housing practices in the local market to seek alternatives to shift affordable housing development into circular practices. By these means, this research attempts to provide information on the processes of support that NGOs can give to implement circular materials and methods in housing, strategies to create acceptance and adaptation of these materials in the local market and the ways to create economic and social value through circularity in the built environment. A comprehensive literature review was made to develop a foundation of knowledge for the empirical study. Furthermore, as a result of the empirical study and the triangulation of data between the literature review and the research findings, a guideline for NGOs to help local stakeholders shift to circularity was created. The output of this study endeavours to develop an understanding of how the demand and the supply of circular materials and methods need to be tackled to be able to disseminate circularity in the local built environment and create the shift towards the use of these innovations and new building practices. As a result, the depletion of natural resources and the amount of CO, Architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences | Management in the Built Environment

In the built environment, the continuous growth and expansion of urban areas worldwide have become alarming. The built environment is continuously developing in an unsustainable manner, and in the mid-term future, resources will be scarce if practices are not changed. Therefore, new building materials and methods need to be implemented to mitigate the substantial problem and prevent a point of no return. This research focuses on the Global South taking Kenya as a single case study to investigate the following research question: How can NGOs support local stakeholders in Kenya to shift the production of affordable housing by the use of circular materials and methods? This research design was conducted through a double-diamond framework, and data was collected in a qualitative manner. The objective is to understand housing practices in the local market to seek alternatives to shift affordable housing development into circular practices. By these means, this research attempts to provide information on the processes of support that NGOs can give to implement circular materials and methods in housing, strategies to create acceptance and adaptation of these materials in the local market and the ways to create economic and social value through circularity in the built environment. A comprehensive literature review was made to develop a foundation of knowledge for the empirical study. Furthermore, as a result of the empirical study and the triangulation of data between the literature review and the research findings, a guideline for NGOs to help local stakeholders shift to circularity was created. The output of this study endeavours to develop an understanding of how the demand and the supply of circular materials and methods need to be tackled to be able to disseminate circularity in the local built environment and create the shift towards the use of these innovations and new building practices. As a result, the depletion of natural resources and the amount of CO, Architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences | Management in the Built Environment

Aims: Alcohol use is a leading risk factor for disease burden among youth. This study estimated sex differences in the prevalence of alcohol use and consequences among adolescents living in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). Design: Multi-staged cross-sectional international standardized self-report questionnaires administered in the classroom. Setting: The Global school-based student health survey (GSHS) comprised adolescents from 68 LMIC between 2003–2014. Participants: 271,156 students aged 13–17 years old. Measurements: Alcohol measures included: past month alcohol consumption, history of intoxication and alcohol-related problems. Regions were based on the World Health Organization definitions: Africa, America, Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, South-east Asia, and Western Pacific. Findings: Overall, males had higher odds of alcohol use (OR = 2.38 [1.91–2.96]), a history of intoxication (OR = 2.64 [2.11–3.31]), and alcohol-related problems (OR = 1.72 [1.41–2.10]) than females. All regions recorded overall greater odds of alcohol use by males versus females; five regions (excluding Europe) recorded greater odds of intoxication in males; and three regions (America, South-east Asia, and Western Pacific) recorded greater odds of alcohol-related problems amongst males. However, there were country-level differences – in some countries, adolescent drinking rates and consequences were comparable by sex. Countries with the highest odds of alcohol use among males compared to females were Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Tuvalu, Morocco, Senegal, Kiribati, and Thailand. Conclusions: Among adolescents living in LMIC, males had on average two-fold higher odds of drinking alcohol and experiencing adverse consequences. Growing affluence and improvements in sex equality in societies may increase the future prevalence of hazardous drinking in females in LMIC

Background: The global burden of stillbirth and neonatal deaths remains achallenge in low-income countries. Training in neonatal resuscitation canreduce intrapartum stillbirth and early neonatal mortality. Previous resultsdemonstrate that infants who previously would have been registered asstillbirths are successfully resuscitated after such training, suggesting thatthere is a process of selection for resuscitation that needs to be explored. Objective: To compare neonatal resuscitation of low birth weight andnormal birth weight infants born at a facility in a low-income setting. Methods: Motion-triggered video cameras were installed above theresuscitation tables at a maternity health facility during an interventionstudy (ISRCTN97846009) employing the Helping Babies Breatheresuscitation protocol in Kathmandu, Nepal. Recordings were analysed,noting crying, stimulation, ventilation, suctioning and oxygenadministration during resuscitation. Birth weight, Apgar scores and sex ofthe infant were retrieved from matched hospital registers. The results wereanalysed by chi-square and logistic regression. Results: A total of 2253 resuscitation cases were recorded. Low birthweight infants in need of resuscitation had higher odds of receivingventilation (aOR 1.73), and lower odds of receiving suctioning (aOR 0.53)after adjustment for the Helping Babies Breathe intervention, sex of theinfant and place of resuscitation within the facility. The rate of stimulationand administration of oxygen was the same in both groups. Conclusions: Low birth weight was associated with more ventilation andless suctioning during neonatal resuscitation in a low-income setting. Asventilation is the most important intervention when the infant does notinitiate breathing after birth, low birth weight was not a predictor for thedecision to withhold resuscitation. Frequent routine use of suctioning of thelower airways continues to be a problem in the studied context, even afterthe introduction of the Helpin

PROBLEM: The ability of health care providers to work together is essential for favourable outcomes in neonatal resuscitation, but perceptions of such teamwork have rarely been studied in low-income settings. BACKGROUND: Neonatal resuscitation is a proven intervention for reducing neonatal mortality globally, but the long-term effects of clinical training for this skill need further attention. Having an understanding of barriers to teamwork among nurse midwives can contribute to the sustainability of improved clinical practice. AIM: To explore nurse midwives' perceptions of teamwork when caring for newborns in need of resuscitation. METHODS: Nurse midwives from a tertiary-level government hospital in Nepal participated in five focus groups of between 4 and 11 participants each. Qualitative Content Analysis was used for analysis. FINDINGS: One overarching theme emerged: looking for comprehensive guidelines and shared responsibilities in neonatal resuscitation to avoid personal blame and learn from mistakes. Participants discussed the need for protocols relating to neonatal resuscitation and the importance of shared medical responsibility, and the importance of the presence of a strong and transparent leadership. DISCUSSION: The call for clear and comprehensive protocols relating to neonatal resuscitation corresponded with previous research from different contexts. CONCLUSION: Nurse midwives working at a maternity health care facility in Nepal discussed the benefits and challenges of teamwork in neonatal resuscitation. The findings suggest potential benefits can be made from clarifying guidelines and responsibilities in neonatal resuscitation. Furthermore, a structured process to deal with clinical incidents must be considered. Management must be involved in all processes.

United Nations has lately stated ambitious health targets for 2030 in the Sustainable Development Goal agenda, following the already achieved progress between 1990 and 2015 when the number of children dying before the age of five was reduced by more than half. However, the mortality reduction in the first month of life after birth has not kept the same pace. Furthermore, a large number of stillbirths have previously not been accounted for. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the impact of clinical training in neonatal resuscitation, and to identify strategies for an effective implementation at a maternal health facility in Nepal. Focus group discussions were used to explore the perceptions of teamwork among staff working closest to the infant at the facility. A prospective cohort study with nested referents was applied to determine effect on birth outcomes after an intervention with Helping Babies Breathe, a simplified protocol for neonatal resuscitation. Sustainability of the acquired skills after training was addressed by employing a quality improvement cycle. Video recordings of health workers performance were collected to analyse adherence to protocol. Midwives described the need for universal protocols in neonatal resuscitation and management involvement in clinical audit and feedback. There was a reduction of intrapartum stillbirth (aOR 0.46, 95% CI 0.32–0.66) and neonatal mortality within 24 hours of life (aOR 0.51, 95% CI 0.31–0.83) after the intervention. Ventilation of infants increased (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.67–3.93) and potentially harmful suctioning was reduced (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.09–0.17). Neonatal death from intrapartum-related complications was reduced and preterm infants survived additional days in the neonatal period after the intervention. Low birth weight was not found to be a predictor of deferred resuscitation in the studied context. This study confirmed the robustness of Helping Babies Breathe as an educational tool for training in neonatal resu

Background: The global burden of stillbirth and neonatal deaths remains achallenge in low-income countries. Training in neonatal resuscitation canreduce intrapartum stillbirth and early neonatal mortality. Previous resultsdemonstrate that infants who previously would have been registered asstillbirths are successfully resuscitated after such training, suggesting thatthere is a process of selection for resuscitation that needs to be explored. Objective: To compare neonatal resuscitation of low birth weight andnormal birth weight infants born at a facility in a low-income setting. Methods: Motion-triggered video cameras were installed above theresuscitation tables at a maternity health facility during an interventionstudy (ISRCTN97846009) employing the Helping Babies Breatheresuscitation protocol in Kathmandu, Nepal. Recordings were analysed,noting crying, stimulation, ventilation, suctioning and oxygenadministration during resuscitation. Birth weight, Apgar scores and sex ofthe infant were retrieved from matched hospital registers. The results wereanalysed by chi-square and logistic regression. Results: A total of 2253 resuscitation cases were recorded. Low birthweight infants in need of resuscitation had higher odds of receivingventilation (aOR 1.73), and lower odds of receiving suctioning (aOR 0.53)after adjustment for the Helping Babies Breathe intervention, sex of theinfant and place of resuscitation within the facility. The rate of stimulationand administration of oxygen was the same in both groups. Conclusions: Low birth weight was associated with more ventilation andless suctioning during neonatal resuscitation in a low-income setting. Asventilation is the most important intervention when the infant does notinitiate breathing after birth, low birth weight was not a predictor for thedecision to withhold resuscitation. Frequent routine use of suctioning of thelower airways continues to be a problem in the studied context, even afterthe introduction of the Helpin

United Nations has lately stated ambitious health targets for 2030 in the Sustainable Development Goal agenda, following the already achieved progress between 1990 and 2015 when the number of children dying before the age of five was reduced by more than half. However, the mortality reduction in the first month of life after birth has not kept the same pace. Furthermore, a large number of stillbirths have previously not been accounted for. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the impact of clinical training in neonatal resuscitation, and to identify strategies for an effective implementation at a maternal health facility in Nepal. Focus group discussions were used to explore the perceptions of teamwork among staff working closest to the infant at the facility. A prospective cohort study with nested referents was applied to determine effect on birth outcomes after an intervention with Helping Babies Breathe, a simplified protocol for neonatal resuscitation. Sustainability of the acquired skills after training was addressed by employing a quality improvement cycle. Video recordings of health workers performance were collected to analyse adherence to protocol. Midwives described the need for universal protocols in neonatal resuscitation and management involvement in clinical audit and feedback. There was a reduction of intrapartum stillbirth (aOR 0.46, 95% CI 0.32–0.66) and neonatal mortality within 24 hours of life (aOR 0.51, 95% CI 0.31–0.83) after the intervention. Ventilation of infants increased (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.67–3.93) and potentially harmful suctioning was reduced (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.09–0.17). Neonatal death from intrapartum-related complications was reduced and preterm infants survived additional days in the neonatal period after the intervention. Low birth weight was not found to be a predictor of deferred resuscitation in the studied context. This study confirmed the robustness of Helping Babies Breathe as an educational tool for training in neonatal resu

Background: The global burden of stillbirth and neonatal deaths remains achallenge in low-income countries. Training in neonatal resuscitation canreduce intrapartum stillbirth and early neonatal mortality. Previous resultsdemonstrate that infants who previously would have been registered asstillbirths are successfully resuscitated after such training, suggesting thatthere is a process of selection for resuscitation that needs to be explored. Objective: To compare neonatal resuscitation of low birth weight andnormal birth weight infants born at a facility in a low-income setting. Methods: Motion-triggered video cameras were installed above theresuscitation tables at a maternity health facility during an interventionstudy (ISRCTN97846009) employing the Helping Babies Breatheresuscitation protocol in Kathmandu, Nepal. Recordings were analysed,noting crying, stimulation, ventilation, suctioning and oxygenadministration during resuscitation. Birth weight, Apgar scores and sex ofthe infant were retrieved from matched hospital registers. The results wereanalysed by chi-square and logistic regression. Results: A total of 2253 resuscitation cases were recorded. Low birthweight infants in need of resuscitation had higher odds of receivingventilation (aOR 1.73), and lower odds of receiving suctioning (aOR 0.53)after adjustment for the Helping Babies Breathe intervention, sex of theinfant and place of resuscitation within the facility. The rate of stimulationand administration of oxygen was the same in both groups. Conclusions: Low birth weight was associated with more ventilation andless suctioning during neonatal resuscitation in a low-income setting. Asventilation is the most important intervention when the infant does notinitiate breathing after birth, low birth weight was not a predictor for thedecision to withhold resuscitation. Frequent routine use of suctioning of thelower airways continues to be a problem in the studied context, even afterthe introduction of the Helpin

Background: The global burden of stillbirth and neonatal deaths remains achallenge in low-income countries. Training in neonatal resuscitation canreduce intrapartum stillbirth and early neonatal mortality. Previous resultsdemonstrate that infants who previously would have been registered asstillbirths are successfully resuscitated after such training, suggesting thatthere is a process of selection for resuscitation that needs to be explored. Objective: To compare neonatal resuscitation of low birth weight andnormal birth weight infants born at a facility in a low-income setting. Methods: Motion-triggered video cameras were installed above theresuscitation tables at a maternity health facility during an interventionstudy (ISRCTN97846009) employing the Helping Babies Breatheresuscitation protocol in Kathmandu, Nepal. Recordings were analysed,noting crying, stimulation, ventilation, suctioning and oxygenadministration during resuscitation. Birth weight, Apgar scores and sex ofthe infant were retrieved from matched hospital registers. The results wereanalysed by chi-square and logistic regression. Results: A total of 2253 resuscitation cases were recorded. Low birthweight infants in need of resuscitation had higher odds of receivingventilation (aOR 1.73), and lower odds of receiving suctioning (aOR 0.53)after adjustment for the Helping Babies Breathe intervention, sex of theinfant and place of resuscitation within the facility. The rate of stimulationand administration of oxygen was the same in both groups. Conclusions: Low birth weight was associated with more ventilation andless suctioning during neonatal resuscitation in a low-income setting. Asventilation is the most important intervention when the infant does notinitiate breathing after birth, low birth weight was not a predictor for thedecision to withhold resuscitation. Frequent routine use of suctioning of thelower airways continues to be a problem in the studied context, even afterthe introduction of the Helpin

United Nations has lately stated ambitious health targets for 2030 in the Sustainable Development Goal agenda, following the already achieved progress between 1990 and 2015 when the number of children dying before the age of five was reduced by more than half. However, the mortality reduction in the first month of life after birth has not kept the same pace. Furthermore, a large number of stillbirths have previously not been accounted for. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the impact of clinical training in neonatal resuscitation, and to identify strategies for an effective implementation at a maternal health facility in Nepal. Focus group discussions were used to explore the perceptions of teamwork among staff working closest to the infant at the facility. A prospective cohort study with nested referents was applied to determine effect on birth outcomes after an intervention with Helping Babies Breathe, a simplified protocol for neonatal resuscitation. Sustainability of the acquired skills after training was addressed by employing a quality improvement cycle. Video recordings of health workers performance were collected to analyse adherence to protocol. Midwives described the need for universal protocols in neonatal resuscitation and management involvement in clinical audit and feedback. There was a reduction of intrapartum stillbirth (aOR 0.46, 95% CI 0.32–0.66) and neonatal mortality within 24 hours of life (aOR 0.51, 95% CI 0.31–0.83) after the intervention. Ventilation of infants increased (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.67–3.93) and potentially harmful suctioning was reduced (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.09–0.17). Neonatal death from intrapartum-related complications was reduced and preterm infants survived additional days in the neonatal period after the intervention. Low birth weight was not found to be a predictor of deferred resuscitation in the studied context. This study confirmed the robustness of Helping Babies Breathe as an educational tool for training in neonatal resu

United Nations has lately stated ambitious health targets for 2030 in the Sustainable Development Goal agenda, following the already achieved progress between 1990 and 2015 when the number of children dying before the age of five was reduced by more than half. However, the mortality reduction in the first month of life after birth has not kept the same pace. Furthermore, a large number of stillbirths have previously not been accounted for. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the impact of clinical training in neonatal resuscitation, and to identify strategies for an effective implementation at a maternal health facility in Nepal. Focus group discussions were used to explore the perceptions of teamwork among staff working closest to the infant at the facility. A prospective cohort study with nested referents was applied to determine effect on birth outcomes after an intervention with Helping Babies Breathe, a simplified protocol for neonatal resuscitation. Sustainability of the acquired skills after training was addressed by employing a quality improvement cycle. Video recordings of health workers performance were collected to analyse adherence to protocol. Midwives described the need for universal protocols in neonatal resuscitation and management involvement in clinical audit and feedback. There was a reduction of intrapartum stillbirth (aOR 0.46, 95% CI 0.32–0.66) and neonatal mortality within 24 hours of life (aOR 0.51, 95% CI 0.31–0.83) after the intervention. Ventilation of infants increased (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.67–3.93) and potentially harmful suctioning was reduced (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.09–0.17). Neonatal death from intrapartum-related complications was reduced and preterm infants survived additional days in the neonatal period after the intervention. Low birth weight was not found to be a predictor of deferred resuscitation in the studied context. This study confirmed the robustness of Helping Babies Breathe as an educational tool for training in neonatal resu

United Nations has lately stated ambitious health targets for 2030 in the Sustainable Development Goal agenda, following the already achieved progress between 1990 and 2015 when the number of children dying before the age of five was reduced by more than half. However, the mortality reduction in the first month of life after birth has not kept the same pace. Furthermore, a large number of stillbirths have previously not been accounted for. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the impact of clinical training in neonatal resuscitation, and to identify strategies for an effective implementation at a maternal health facility in Nepal. Focus group discussions were used to explore the perceptions of teamwork among staff working closest to the infant at the facility. A prospective cohort study with nested referents was applied to determine effect on birth outcomes after an intervention with Helping Babies Breathe, a simplified protocol for neonatal resuscitation. Sustainability of the acquired skills after training was addressed by employing a quality improvement cycle. Video recordings of health workers performance were collected to analyse adherence to protocol. Midwives described the need for universal protocols in neonatal resuscitation and management involvement in clinical audit and feedback. There was a reduction of intrapartum stillbirth (aOR 0.46, 95% CI 0.32–0.66) and neonatal mortality within 24 hours of life (aOR 0.51, 95% CI 0.31–0.83) after the intervention. Ventilation of infants increased (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.67–3.93) and potentially harmful suctioning was reduced (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.09–0.17). Neonatal death from intrapartum-related complications was reduced and preterm infants survived additional days in the neonatal period after the intervention. Low birth weight was not found to be a predictor of deferred resuscitation in the studied context. This study confirmed the robustness of Helping Babies Breathe as an educational tool for training in neonatal resu

Background: The global burden of stillbirth and neonatal deaths remains achallenge in low-income countries. Training in neonatal resuscitation canreduce intrapartum stillbirth and early neonatal mortality. Previous resultsdemonstrate that infants who previously would have been registered asstillbirths are successfully resuscitated after such training, suggesting thatthere is a process of selection for resuscitation that needs to be explored. Objective: To compare neonatal resuscitation of low birth weight andnormal birth weight infants born at a facility in a low-income setting. Methods: Motion-triggered video cameras were installed above theresuscitation tables at a maternity health facility during an interventionstudy (ISRCTN97846009) employing the Helping Babies Breatheresuscitation protocol in Kathmandu, Nepal. Recordings were analysed,noting crying, stimulation, ventilation, suctioning and oxygenadministration during resuscitation. Birth weight, Apgar scores and sex ofthe infant were retrieved from matched hospital registers. The results wereanalysed by chi-square and logistic regression. Results: A total of 2253 resuscitation cases were recorded. Low birthweight infants in need of resuscitation had higher odds of receivingventilation (aOR 1.73), and lower odds of receiving suctioning (aOR 0.53)after adjustment for the Helping Babies Breathe intervention, sex of theinfant and place of resuscitation within the facility. The rate of stimulationand administration of oxygen was the same in both groups. Conclusions: Low birth weight was associated with more ventilation andless suctioning during neonatal resuscitation in a low-income setting. Asventilation is the most important intervention when the infant does notinitiate breathing after birth, low birth weight was not a predictor for thedecision to withhold resuscitation. Frequent routine use of suctioning of thelower airways continues to be a problem in the studied context, even afterthe introduction of the Helpin

BackgroundThe current study was performed to identify risk factors for a lower quality of life (QOL) among low-income women with breast cancer (BC), with an emphasis on the impact of patient-physician communication. In addition, ethnic/racial group differences in QOL changes over time were examined.MethodsA longitudinal study was conducted among 921 low-income women with BC. Patients were interviewed at 6 months, 18 months, 36 months, and 60 months after their diagnosis of BC. Mixed-effect regression models were performed to investigate predictors for and time effects on QOL. The main outcomes included the Medical Outcomes Study Health Survey Short Form-36 Mental Component Summary scale (SF-36 MCS), Medical Outcomes Study Health Survey Short Form-36 Physical Component Summary scale (SF-36 PCS), and the Ladder of Life scale. Chief independent variables included physician information-giving and patient self-efficacy in interacting with physicians.ResultsThere were no significant changes noted over time in QOL except with regard to physical functioning, with survivors reporting a significant decrease over time (P<.0001). Mean SF-36 MCS and SF-36 PCS scores were lower than national general population norms at all time points. Both patient self-efficacy in interacting with physicians and physician information-giving were found to be positively associated with the SF-36 MCS (P = .03 and P = .02, respectively) and Ladder of Life (P = .01 and P = .03, respectively) scales. Latinas who were less acculturated reported higher SF-36 MCS and SF-36 PCS scores (P<.0001 and P = .01, respectively) and better global QOL (P<.0001) than white women.ConclusionsLow-income women with BC experienced poor physical and mental health. The results of the current study suggest that QOL among low-income women with BC would be enhanced by interventions aimed at empowering patients in communicating with physicians and increasing the amount of information provided by physicians.

BACKGROUND: Ensuring a good life for all parts of the population, including children, is high on the public health agenda in most countries around the world. Information about children's perception of their health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and its socio-demographic distribution is, however, limited and almost exclusively reliant on data from Western higher income countries. OBJECTIVES: To investigate HRQoL in schoolchildren in Tonga, a lower income South Pacific Island country, and to compare this to HRQoL of children in other countries, including Tongan children living in New Zealand, a high-income country in the same region. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study from Tonga addressing all secondary schoolchildren (11-18 years old) on the outer island of Vava'u and in three districts of the main island of Tongatapu (2,164 participants). A comparison group drawn from the literature comprised children in 18 higher income and one lower income country (Fiji). A specific New Zealand comparison group involved all children of Tongan descendent at six South Auckland secondary schools (830 participants). HRQoL was assessed by the self-report Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0. RESULTS: HRQoL in Tonga was overall similar in girls and boys, but somewhat lower in children below 15 years of age. The children in Tonga experienced lower HRQoL than the children in all of the 19 comparison countries, with a large difference between children in Tonga and the higher income countries (Cohen's d 1.0) and a small difference between Tonga and the lower income country Fiji (Cohen's d 0.3). The children in Tonga also experienced lower HRQoL than Tongan children living in New Zealand (Cohen's d 0.6). CONCLUSION: The results reveal worrisome low HRQoL in children in Tonga and point towards a potential general pattern of low HRQoL in children living in lower income countries, or, alternatively, in the South Pacific Island countries.

BACKGROUND: Ensuring a good life for all parts of the population, including children, is high on the public health agenda in most countries around the world. Information about children's perception of their health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and its socio-demographic distribution is, however, limited and almost exclusively reliant on data from Western higher income countries. OBJECTIVES: To investigate HRQoL in schoolchildren in Tonga, a lower income South Pacific Island country, and to compare this to HRQoL of children in other countries, including Tongan children living in New Zealand, a high-income country in the same region. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study from Tonga addressing all secondary schoolchildren (11-18 years old) on the outer island of Vava'u and in three districts of the main island of Tongatapu (2,164 participants). A comparison group drawn from the literature comprised children in 18 higher income and one lower income country (Fiji). A specific New Zealand comparison group involved all children of Tongan descendent at six South Auckland secondary schools (830 participants). HRQoL was assessed by the self-report Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0. RESULTS: HRQoL in Tonga was overall similar in girls and boys, but somewhat lower in children below 15 years of age. The children in Tonga experienced lower HRQoL than the children in all of the 19 comparison countries, with a large difference between children in Tonga and the higher income countries (Cohen's d 1.0) and a small difference between Tonga and the lower income country Fiji (Cohen's d 0.3). The children in Tonga also experienced lower HRQoL than Tongan children living in New Zealand (Cohen's d 0.6). CONCLUSION: The results reveal worrisome low HRQoL in children in Tonga and point towards a potential general pattern of low HRQoL in children living in lower income countries, or, alternatively, in the South Pacific Island countries.

BACKGROUND: Ensuring a good life for all parts of the population, including children, is high on the public health agenda in most countries around the world. Information about children's perception of their health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and its socio-demographic distribution is, however, limited and almost exclusively reliant on data from Western higher income countries. OBJECTIVES: To investigate HRQoL in schoolchildren in Tonga, a lower income South Pacific Island country, and to compare this to HRQoL of children in other countries, including Tongan children living in New Zealand, a high-income country in the same region. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study from Tonga addressing all secondary schoolchildren (11-18 years old) on the outer island of Vava'u and in three districts of the main island of Tongatapu (2,164 participants). A comparison group drawn from the literature comprised children in 18 higher income and one lower income country (Fiji). A specific New Zealand comparison group involved all children of Tongan descendent at six South Auckland secondary schools (830 participants). HRQoL was assessed by the self-report Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0. RESULTS: HRQoL in Tonga was overall similar in girls and boys, but somewhat lower in children below 15 years of age. The children in Tonga experienced lower HRQoL than the children in all of the 19 comparison countries, with a large difference between children in Tonga and the higher income countries (Cohen's d 1.0) and a small difference between Tonga and the lower income country Fiji (Cohen's d 0.3). The children in Tonga also experienced lower HRQoL than Tongan children living in New Zealand (Cohen's d 0.6). CONCLUSION: The results reveal worrisome low HRQoL in children in Tonga and point towards a potential general pattern of low HRQoL in children living in lower income countries, or, alternatively, in the South Pacific Island countries.

Background: Ensuring a good life for all parts of the population, including children, is high on the public health agenda in most countries around the world. Information about children’s perception of their health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and its socio-demographic distribution is, however, limited and almost exclusively reliant on data from Western higher income countries. Objectives: To investigate HRQoL in schoolchildren in Tonga, a lower income South Pacific Island country, and to compare this to HRQoL of children in other countries, including Tongan children living in New Zealand, a high-income country in the same region. Design: A cross-sectional study from Tonga addressing all secondary schoolchildren (11–18 years old) on the outer island of Vava’u and in three districts of the main island of Tongatapu (2,164 participants). A comparison group drawn from the literature comprised children in 18 higher income and one lower income country (Fiji). A specific New Zealand comparison group involved all children of Tongan descendent at six South Auckland secondary schools (830 participants). HRQoL was assessed by the self-report Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0. Results: HRQoL in Tonga was overall similar in girls and boys, but somewhat lower in children below 15 years of age. The children in Tonga experienced lower HRQoL than the children in all of the 19 comparison countries, with a large difference between children in Tonga and the higher income countries (Cohen’s d 1.0) and a small difference between Tonga and the lower income country Fiji (Cohen’s d 0.3). The children in Tonga also experienced lower HRQoL than Tongan children living in New Zealand (Cohen’s d 0.6). Conclusion: The results reveal worrisome low HRQoL in children in Tonga and point towards a potential general pattern of low HRQoL in children liv

We study the three-year impact of a private tuition-free middle school on the academic outcomes of poor students. Several features of the treatment school fit with innovative paradigms that have delivered successful outcomes in poor urban areas. Our research design exploits the excess of applicants over the school capacity and the fact that participants were selected randomly. Specifically, we follow a cohort of students that entered middle school in 2010 and that were randomly assigned to attend the treatment school or public school as usual. We find that the treatment school impacted favorably on students’ academic advancement and math competencies. Also, the treatment school had a positive —and quite robust over time— impact on students’ and their parents’ academic expectations. This culture of high expectations has been previously identified in the literature as a key input for school success., Durante tres años evaluamos el impacto, sobre los resultados académicos, -de un centro de educación secundaria, autogestionado y gratuito, dirigido a adolescentes sin recursos económicos. Varias características de este centro educativo se ajustan a paradigmas innovadores que han mostrado resultados exitosos en zonas urbanas pobres de otras regiones. Hemos diseñado nuestra investigación de modo de aprovechar la existencia de exceso de solicitudes de admisión respecto a la capacidad del centro educativo en cuestión y al hecho de que los admitidos fueron seleccionados al azar. En concreto, seguimos una cohorte de estudiantes que ingresaron a la educación secundaria en 2010 y que fueron asignados aleatoriamente para asistir al centro educativo en cuestión (grupo de tratamiento) o a los liceos públicos de la zona (grupo de control). Encontramos que el centro educativo objeto de estudio impactó favorablemente en indicadores de avance en educación secundaria y en las competencias académicas (matemáticas) de los estudiantes. Además, el centro educativo de tratamiento tuvo un efecto positivo y robusto sobre las expectativas académicas de los jóvenes y de sus padres, en comparación al grupo de control. Esta cultura de altas expectativas que se observó en el centro educativo ha sido identificada en la literatura científica previa como un insumo clave para el éxito académico.

BACKGROUND: Ensuring a good life for all parts of the population, including children, is high on the public health agenda in most countries around the world. Information about children's perception of their health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and its socio-demographic distribution is, however, limited and almost exclusively reliant on data from Western higher income countries. OBJECTIVES: To investigate HRQoL in schoolchildren in Tonga, a lower income South Pacific Island country, and to compare this to HRQoL of children in other countries, including Tongan children living in New Zealand, a high-income country in the same region. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study from Tonga addressing all secondary schoolchildren (11-18 years old) on the outer island of Vava'u and in three districts of the main island of Tongatapu (2,164 participants). A comparison group drawn from the literature comprised children in 18 higher income and one lower income country (Fiji). A specific New Zealand comparison group involved all children of Tongan descendent at six South Auckland secondary schools (830 participants). HRQoL was assessed by the self-report Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0. RESULTS: HRQoL in Tonga was overall similar in girls and boys, but somewhat lower in children below 15 years of age. The children in Tonga experienced lower HRQoL than the children in all of the 19 comparison countries, with a large difference between children in Tonga and the higher income countries (Cohen's d 1.0) and a small difference between Tonga and the lower income country Fiji (Cohen's d 0.3). The children in Tonga also experienced lower HRQoL than Tongan children living in New Zealand (Cohen's d 0.6). CONCLUSION: The results reveal worrisome low HRQoL in children in Tonga and point towards a potential general pattern of low HRQoL in children living in lower income countries, or, alternatively, in the South Pacific Island countries.

BACKGROUND: Ensuring a good life for all parts of the population, including children, is high on the public health agenda in most countries around the world. Information about children's perception of their health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and its socio-demographic distribution is, however, limited and almost exclusively reliant on data from Western higher income countries. OBJECTIVES: To investigate HRQoL in schoolchildren in Tonga, a lower income South Pacific Island country, and to compare this to HRQoL of children in other countries, including Tongan children living in New Zealand, a high-income country in the same region. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study from Tonga addressing all secondary schoolchildren (11-18 years old) on the outer island of Vava'u and in three districts of the main island of Tongatapu (2,164 participants). A comparison group drawn from the literature comprised children in 18 higher income and one lower income country (Fiji). A specific New Zealand comparison group involved all children of Tongan descendent at six South Auckland secondary schools (830 participants). HRQoL was assessed by the self-report Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0. RESULTS: HRQoL in Tonga was overall similar in girls and boys, but somewhat lower in children below 15 years of age. The children in Tonga experienced lower HRQoL than the children in all of the 19 comparison countries, with a large difference between children in Tonga and the higher income countries (Cohen's d 1.0) and a small difference between Tonga and the lower income country Fiji (Cohen's d 0.3). The children in Tonga also experienced lower HRQoL than Tongan children living in New Zealand (Cohen's d 0.6). CONCLUSION: The results reveal worrisome low HRQoL in children in Tonga and point towards a potential general pattern of low HRQoL in children living in lower income countries, or, alternatively, in the South Pacific Island countries.

In order to assess nutritional adequacy, reliable estimates of nutrient intake are required. Specifically, the EURopean micronutrient RECommendations Aligned (EURRECA) Network of Excellence needs clear guidelines oil methods suitable for assessing micronutrient intakes among vulnerable population groups. The objective of this project was to collect, evaluate data and review the suitability of methods used to assess dietary intake of low-income groups across Europe. A comprehensive literature review methodology was employed, which involved structured search MEDLINE, from 1990 to 2008, oil (nutrient intake methods) and (validity terms) and (human Studies) and finally (low-income terms). In addition, manual searches were conducted for published books and national studies. Seven Studies satisfied the selection criteria for inclusion in the review in which four dietary intake methods had been described and validated. Three other studies found in (lie grey literature used similar methods. Only one Study tested a variety of methods to assess reliability and the method preferred by those having low incomes. Preferred methods were 24 h recalls and a FFQ which, compared with the weighed inventory, also yielded higher estimates of energy and nutrient intakes. Many of the methods used in low-income populations have not been subjected to evaluation and consequently may not demonstrate sensitivity and/or Specificity When used in this population. Based oil One Study only, four multiple-pass 24 h recalls are recommended as the most appropriate method for the evaluation of nutritional adequacy in low-income households.

In order to assess nutritional adequacy, reliable estimates of nutrient intake are required. Specifically, the EURopean micronutrient RECommendations Aligned (EURRECA) Network of Excellence needs clear guidelines oil methods suitable for assessing micronutrient intakes among vulnerable population groups. The objective of this project was to collect, evaluate data and review the suitability of methods used to assess dietary intake of low-income groups across Europe. A comprehensive literature review methodology was employed, which involved structured search MEDLINE, from 1990 to 2008, oil (nutrient intake methods) and (validity terms) and (human Studies) and finally (low-income terms). In addition, manual searches were conducted for published books and national studies. Seven Studies satisfied the selection criteria for inclusion in the review in which four dietary intake methods had been described and validated. Three other studies found in (lie grey literature used similar methods. Only one Study tested a variety of methods to assess reliability and the method preferred by those having low incomes. Preferred methods were 24 h recalls and a FFQ which, compared with the weighed inventory, also yielded higher estimates of energy and nutrient intakes. Many of the methods used in low-income populations have not been subjected to evaluation and consequently may not demonstrate sensitivity and/or Specificity When used in this population. Based oil One Study only, four multiple-pass 24 h recalls are recommended as the most appropriate method for the evaluation of nutritional adequacy in low-income households.