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Background: One of the potential dimensions on which exclusion and injustice may occur in energy transitions is age. Age-based patterns of exclusion—ageism—has recently been conceptualized in the context of decarbonization as energy ageism. This paper offers a comparative empirical analysis of the senior citizens' outlook towards an imminent energy transition as well as the impact of energy poverty in two European countries: Norway and Poland. Results: Drawing on interviews and focus groups with Polish and Norwegian seniors, we present the differences and similarities between the two countries, and the determinants of energy ageism, as well as the concept's overall applicability and empirical usefulness. We find that socioeconomic conditions outweigh ageism, that is, the resilience of senior citizens in dealing with energy poverty during a transition is conditioned by their material standing and welfare state robustness rather than age based. An important factor is household heating technology, combined with economic vulnerability can push some individuals into energy poverty, while others using alternative sources of heat can navigate through energy crises unscathed. Conclusions: We note the importance of mainstreaming social inclusion considerations in energy policy and of targeted digital competence building which can enhance senior citizen integration in the energy transition. Lower levels of digital competences among senior citizens certainly play a role and need to be addressed with education programs to increase participation. In both countries, household heating is a major issue and heating sources are strong predictors of energy poverty and regulatory measures and subsidies should be designed at national, regional, and municipal level to assist vulnerable groups in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although women's representation in STEM fields and occupations has increased, science and math continue to be stereotyped as male domains. This paper links psychological and sociological explanations for gendered disparities in STEM by examining the relationship between the local "micro-situational" female learning environment and the gender gap in academic self-concept in math and science. We applied hybrid models to TIMSS 2015 data comprised of a pseudo-panel of repeated measures for individual student and peer achievement, academic self-concept, utility value, and interest-enjoyment value in math/science (at age 14). We analyzed data from three countries, including a subsample of students who were taught by the same teacher in both math and science, thus eliminating unobserved teacher heterogeneity. Results indicate that female peer climate in the classroom is important for understanding how girls' self-concept in math/science is formed, even though it was unrelated to the gender gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers are increasingly interested in why people want to participate in qualitative interview studies, particularly what they hope to gain from participating. The present paper contributes to this research agenda by analysing the motivations of victims of interpersonal violence: a group that is considered ethically challenging to involve in research, given their history of being intruded upon. The analysis is based on 174 qualitative interviews from three separate studies: two on intimate partner violence and one on sexual assault. A key finding is that many victims welcome the opportunity to participate and often use the interviews for their own purposes. We identified three different 'participant orientations', or ways victims relate to the interview and the research, including 'telling for oneself', 'telling for others' and 'telling for the researcher'. We discuss how these orientations imply different ethical contracts between the participant and researcher and their links to recruitment methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The authors compare perspectives on external evaluation of health service provision between Norway and the USA. External inspection and accreditation are examples of internationally wide-spread external evaluation methods used to assess the quality of care given to patients. Different countries have different national policy strategies and arrangements set up to do these evaluations. Although there is growing attention to the impact and effects on quality and safety from external evaluation, there is still a gap in knowledge to how structures and processes influence these outcomes. Accordingly, the purpose of this article is to describe the structures and processes in external evaluation designed to promote quality improvement in Norway and the USA with attention to comparison of enablers and barriers in external evaluation systems. Design/methodology/approach: Data collection consisted of documentary evidence retrieved from governmental policies, and reviews of the Joint Commission (the US), international guidelines, recommendations and reports from the International Society for Quality in Health Care, and the World Health Organization, and policies and regulations related to Norwegian governmental bodies such as the Ministry of Health and Care Services, the Norwegian Directorate of Health, and the Norwegian Board of Health Supervision. Data were analyzed inspired by a deductive, direct content analytical framework. Findings: The authors found that both accreditation and inspection are strategies put in place to ensure that healthcare providers have adequate quality systems as well as contributing to the wider risk and safety enhancing management and implementation processes in the organizations subjected to evaluation. The US and the Norwegian external regulatory landscapes are complex and include several policymaking and governing institutions. The Norwegian regulatory framework for inspection has replaced an individual blame logic with a model which "blames" the system for inadequate quality and patient harm. This contrasts with the US accreditation system, which focuses on accreditation visits. Although findings indicate an ongoing turning point in accreditation, findings also demonstrate that involving patients and next of kin directly in adverse event inspections is a bigger part of a change in external inspection culture and methods than in processes of accreditation. Research limitations/implications: The message of this paper is important for policymakers, and bodies of inspection and accreditation because knowledge retrieved from the comparative document study may contribute to better understanding of the implications from the different system designs and in turn contribute to improving external evaluations. Originality/value: Although there is a growing attention to the impact and effects on quality and safety from external evaluation, the implications of different regulatory strategies and arrangements for evaluation on quality and safety remain unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Substance use disorder (SUD) is often understood as a chronic illness. Aims: This paper investigates whether SUD is treated as a chronic illness. Method: To this aim, we have used World Health Organizations (WHO's) definition of chronic illness to conduct a comparative analysis of SUD and type 2 diabetes (T2D), which is another chronic illness. Results: When analysing Norwegian treatment guidelines, we found that only the T2D guideline reflects the WHO's conceptualization of chronic illnesses. We argue that this discrepancy implies that SUD is understood as a moral and legal problem, while T2D is conceptualized as a somatic illness. We discuss how social, political and historical conditions of the possibility for understanding SUD are interwoven with normative presumptions about the clinician, patient, treatment guidelines and drug policies in a way that may impede the development of continuing care. Conclusion: The paper concludes that the delivery of treatment services is inequitable as SUD is not treated as a chronic illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper conducts a comparative analysis of two different national approaches to national resilience in an attempt to identify useful considerations and recommendations for Poland: two models chosen were the Norwegian Total Defence Concept (TDC) and Australia’s National Disaster Response and Resilience approach. They were selected due to their different areas of focus: the Norwegian model is centred on societal mobilisation and its military enablement with the primary purpose of national defence against conventional military and hybrid threats, while the Australian approach is still focused on enhancing national resilience in order to respond to major natural calamities. By examining both models and extrapolating their strengths while noting their vulnerabilities, the basis for a well-rounded national resilience strategy can be identified. While the TDC appears to best suit Poland’s current security challenges, the country would benefit from enhancing its comprehensive local engagement, perhaps through its Territorial Defence Forces. Caution should be exercised with regards to over-committing the Polish military in its support to disaster response at a time when the nation’s eastern flank is once again highly volatile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines populous perspectives of the government's responsibility to intervene in situations of possible parental neglect of children in England, Finland, Norway, and California (USA), and ask if institutional context, defined as child protection system and children´s wellbeing situation, are formative for people's perspectives on government responsibility for children in vulnerable situations and how they view children´s future. With representative samples of populations responses to a survey vignette using ordered logistic regression, findings indicate that the institutional context shed some light on differences on state responsibility. However, similarly to welfare state research, there are differences and contradictions in important dimensions that require further investigation, especially on citizens perceptions of neglect and on intrusive interventions. Citizens with a comparatively higher education are evidently much more supportive of state responsibility for children and child protection interventions than other citizens. This finding is similar to those of other studies of state responsibility. Overall, there is a high level of support in populations for the provision of public services to children and families in vulnerable situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to investigate outcomes of multisystemic therapy (MST) using the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI) – part I. Design/methodology/approach: This study, using a pre-post design, included a sample of 2,123 Norwegian youths (mean age = 14.7, SD = 1.34). The MST team supervisors assessed the YLS/CMI risk factors in addition to five behavioral treatment goals (Lives at home, Attends school/work, No violence/threats, Law-abiding and Drug-free) before and after treatment. In addition, data included responses from parent interviews six months post treatment. Findings: Significant correlations were found between the total and dynamic YLS/CMI change scores and the additive index of behavioral treatment goals. In addition, the YLS/CMI change scores predicted the five treatment goals at the termination of treatment and at six-month follow-up. Research limitations/implications: The results indicate that the YLS/CMI is a valuable assessment tool for predicting the achievement of MST behavioral goals in adolescents with serious problem behavior. Practical implications: This study provides an evaluation of the YLS/CMI in a Norwegian context and adds support for continued use of the YLS/CMI in MST. Originality/value: This paper provides new insights about the YLS/CMI inventory as a tool for examining treatment change in MST. Results show that the YLS/CMI captures relevant risk factors in the youths' environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the prevalence of hearing loss (HL) among employed persons, the association between HL and non-employment, assessing whether this has changed over the last two decades. To identify susceptible groups for HL-related work problems and examine the association between HL and co-worker relations. Cross-sectional analyses of working-age participants (20–66 years). HL was defined as the pure-tone average threshold of 0.5–4 kHz in the better hearing ear: 20–34 dB (mild) or ≥35 dB (disabling). Associations were assessed with logistic regression. Data from two waves of the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT): HUNT2 1996–1998 (N = 38,603), HUNT4 2017–2019 (N = 19,614). The nationally weighted prevalence of HL among employees was 5.8%. HL was associated with non-employment, more strongly in HUNT2 (odds ratio (OR) 2.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.0–2.4) than HUNT4 (OR 1.9, CI 1.7–2.1). HL was not associated with poorer co-worker relations. The association between HL and non-optimal work performance was stronger among white-collar workers than blue-collar workers. Our study shows that HL is common in the employed population. It also indicates a weakened association between HL and non-employment in recent generations. White-collar workers appear to be more vulnerable to HL-related work problems than blue-collar workers. This paper evaluates employment and work performance among hearing impaired. We show a prevalence of hearing loss (HL) among employed persons of 5.8% and that HL is associated with higher odds of non-employment. Our study indicates that the association between HL and non-employment has weakened in recent generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co-creation in public service innovation is a prominent research field, but few have empirically investigated its effect on the outcomes of innovation. This paper contributes with empirical-based knowledge on the effect of participatory user involvement and other user-oriented methods on public innovation outcomes in different contexts. By employing qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) based on a survey of innovation activities of Norwegian public administration agencies, this article identifies several configurations for local and national authorities that lead to successful service innovations. The main finding suggests a positive relationship between user input and positive effects on service outcomes. However, local and national government levels differ regarding the use of input factors and methods of user involvement. The study contributes to our understanding of the effect of co-creation in different contexts and provides insights into when and how co-creation with users is a useful tool in public service innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates different uses of the Journal Impact Factor (JIF) in national journal rankings and discusses the merits of supplementing metrics with expert assessment. Our focus is national journal rankings used as evidence to support decisions about the distribution of institutional funding or career advancement. The seven countries under comparison are China, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Norway, Poland, and Turkey—and the region of Flanders in Belgium. With the exception of Italy, top‐tier journals used in national rankings include those classified at the highest level, or according to tier, or points implemented. A total of 3,565 (75.8%) out of 4,701 unique top‐tier journals were identified as having a JIF, with 55.7% belonging to the first Journal Impact Factor quartile. Journal rankings in China, Flanders, Poland, and Turkey classify journals with a JIF as being top‐tier, but only when they are in the first quartile of the Average Journal Impact Factor Percentile. Journal rankings that result from expert assessment in Denmark, Finland, and Norway regularly classify journals as top‐tier outside the first quartile, particularly in the social sciences and humanities. We conclude that experts, when tasked with metric‐informed journal rankings, take into account quality dimensions that are not covered by JIFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper sets out to study Norwegians' experiences of non-monogamy. Data were collected by questionnaires in a web sample of 4160 Norwegians (18–89 years). 26.3% of men and 17.8% of women reported that they ever had non-consensual non-monogamy. Consensual non-monogamy was reported by 3%. Compared to participants with no or non-consensual experience, consensual non-monogamy was highly related to relationship intimacy and positive sexual attitudes toward sex and sexuality. At the most recent extradyadic event, 21.5% of heterosexual men and 47.1% of gay/bisexual men reported condom use, which implies a risk for sexually transmitted diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the educational field by focusing on an integrated teacher education program [ITE] in Norway and OECD policy. The author centers attention on Norwegian teacher education and how globalization through such international agents as the OECD has had impact on national policy documents. Basil Bernstein's concept of pedagogical identities has been used to guide the analysis (Bernstein, 2000). The findings reveal a pedagogic schizoid identity in the policy documents regulating the ITE program. A non-direct transmission between OECD policy and the educational policy in Norway is reaffirmed. However, concurrently, the entrance of new discourses into the Norwegian educational field is acknowledged through a 'pedagogic schizoid identity'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Finnmark North Sámi is a variety of North Sámi language, an indigenous, endangered minority language spoken in the northernmost parts of Norway and Finland. The speakers of this language are bilingual, and regularly speak the majority language (Finnish or Norwegian) as well as their own North Sámi variety. In this paper we investigate possible influences of these majority languages on prosodic characteristics of Finnmark North Sámi, and associate them with prosodic patterns prevalent in the majority languages. We present a novel methodology that: (a) automatically finds the portions of speech (words) where the prosodic differences based on majority languages are most robustly manifested; and (b) analyzes the nature of these differences in terms of intonational patterns. For the first step, we trained convolutional WaveNet speech synthesis models on North Sámi speech material, modified to contain purely prosodic information, and used conditioning embeddings to find words with the greatest differences between the varieties. The subsequent exploratory analysis suggests that the differences in intonational patterns between the two Finnmark North Sámi varieties are not manifested uniformly across word types (based on part-of-speech category). Instead, we argue that the differences reflect phrase-level prosodic characteristics of the majority languages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The Nordic countries represent a unique case study for the COVID-19 pandemic due to socioeconomic and cultural similarities, high-quality comparable administrative register data and notable differences in mitigation policies during the pandemic. We aimed to compare weekly excess mortality in the Nordic countries across the three full pandemic years 2020–2022. Methods Using data on weekly all-cause mortality from official administrative registers in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, we employed time series regression models to assess mortality developments within each pandemic year, with the period 2010–2019 used as reference period. We then compared excess mortality across the countries in 2020–2022, taking differences in population size and age- and sex-distribution into account. Results were age- and sex-standardized to the Danish population of 2020. Robustness was examined with a variety of sensitivity analyses. Results While Sweden experienced excess mortality in 2020 [75 excess deaths per 100 000 population (95% prediction interval 29–122)], Denmark, Finland and Norway experienced excess mortality in 2022 [52 (14–90), 130 (83–177) and 88 (48–128), respectively]. Weekly death data reveal how mortality started to increase in mid-2021 in Denmark, Finland and Norway, and continued above the expected level through 2022. Conclusion Although the Nordic countries experienced relatively low pandemic excess mortality, the impact and timing of excess mortality differed substantially. These estimates—arguably the most accurate available for any region in capturing pandemic-related excess deaths—may inform future research and policy regarding the complex mortality dynamics in times of a health crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the incidence of EEG abnormalities (EEG-ab) in children diagnosed with ADHD, investigate the risk of epileptic seizures (SZ) and maintenance on methylphenidate (MPH) over a three-year period. Methods: A total of 517 ADHD children aged 6–14 years were included. Baseline assessments included the identification of EEG-ab, ADHD inattentive subtype (ADHD-I), comorbid epilepsy, the use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and the use of MPH. At the 3-year follow-up, assessments included the presence of EEG-ab, maintenance on MPH, AED usage, SZ risk in cases with EEG-epileptiform abnormalities (EEG-epi-ab), compared with control ADHD cases without EEG-epi-ab matched for age and gender. Results: EEG-ab were identified in 273 (52.8%) cases. No statistically significant differences were observed between the EEG-ab and EEG-non-ab groups in terms of age, gender, ADHD-I type or initial use of MPH. EEG non-epileptiform abnormalities (EEG-non-epi-ab) were found in 234 out of 478 (49%) cases without EEG-epi-ab. Notably, EEG-non-epi-ab occurred more frequently in the group of 39 cases with EEG-epi-ab (30/39 (76.9%) vs. 9/39, (21.3%), a subset selected for 3-year follow-up. At 3-year-follow-up no statistically significant difference was found in maintenance on MPH in ADHD cases with and without EEG-epi-ab. Nobody of ADHD cases without comorbid epilepsy or with comorbid epilepsy with achieved SZ freedom developed new SZ. Only 3 children with drug resistant epilepsy experienced SZs, without increase in SZ frequency. The disappearance rate of EEG-epi-ab was higher than that EEG-non-epi-ab (71.8% vs. 33.3%). Conclusions: Children with and without EEG-ab exhibited similar patterns of MPH use (initial use, positive response, and maintenance on MPH). The presence of comorbid epilepsy and EEG-ab, with or without EEG-epi-ab, was not associated with an increased risk of SZ despite the use of MPH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Foster children may be at risk for challenges in different developmental domains. In this study we investigated 48 Norwegian foster children's executive functioning, school achievement, and adjustment at age 8 years compared with 37 children in a comparison group, as well as associations between executive functioning and school achievement and adjustment. Method: Using multiple informants, children's executive functioning was investigated by using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning, and the Child Behavior Checklist was used to investigate school achievement and adjustment. Results: Significant group differences in executive functioning were identified regardless of informant. Children in the foster group were also rated significantly lower on school achievement and adjustment by their caregivers and teachers. In both groups, associations between executive functioning and school achievement and adjustment were mostly moderate to large. Discussion: In line with previous research, foster children in the present study showed more problems with EF than non-foster placed children with, for example, impulse control and emotion regulation. Foster children's struggles with EF, as well as struggles in the school setting is of concern, and early identification of such problems should be prioritized. Implications: The knowledge from this study can help social workers and other practitioners to tailor their help to foster children in the Norwegian child welfare services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Introduction: Often, homecare services are task-focused rather than personbased and fragmented instead of integrated. Consequently, several stakeholders have requested a transformation of the service ecosystem for senior citizens living at home. This transformation may be facilitated by an idealized design approach. However, few studies have applied such an approach. Moreover, previous research did not assess the ways in which the existing homecare services correspond with the preferred service ecosystem for senior citizens living at home. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to gain an understanding of how the existing homecare services correspond with the preferred service ecosystem for senior citizens living at home, according to different stakeholders. Methods: Four stakeholder groups (n = 57) from a Norwegian municipality participated in an interview study (2019--2020): senior citizens, carers, healthcare professionals and managers. A directed qualitative content analysis was applied, guided by a four-category framework for the preferred service ecosystem. Results: All stakeholder groups highlighted several limitations that hindered continuity of the services. There was also agreement on deficiencies in professionals' competence, yet professionals themselves did not focus on this as a significant aspect. Managers emphasised the importance of professionals' reablement competence, which was also considered to be deficient in the current homecare services. Contrary to the other stakeholder groups, most senior citizens seemed satisfied with the practical and social support they received. Together with carers, they also explained why they thought some professionals lack compassion. Their dependency on professionals may limit them in sharing honestly their opinions and preferences during care provision. Involvement of senior citizens in improvement of the current services was limited. Insufficient time and resources, as well as a complex organisation impacted the existing homecare services, and therefore served as barriers to the preferred service ecosystem. Discussion: In this study there were different degrees of correspondence between the existing homecare services and the preferred service ecosystem according to four stakeholder groups. To develop the preferred service ecosystem, aspects such as predictability, adaptivity, and relationships are key, as well as continuous involvement of senior citizens and other stakeholders. The four-category framework applied in this study served as a tool to assess the existing homecare services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of nurse academics' experiences with the transition from clinical practice to academia and throughout their whole career trajectory. Design: Qualitative study design. Methods: Three focus group interviews with 17 nurse academics employed at a University in Norway were conducted in May and June 2020. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Nurse academics experienced several diverse career transitions that continued throughout their whole career trajectory, affecting their daily life. Three interconnected themes were identified: ‘clinically confident, yet academically uncertain’, ‘balancing the academic role’ and ‘lost in academic transition’. Conclusion: This study contributes to a deeper understanding of nurse academics' experiences of transitioning into their academic role and identity. Transition was found not as separate occurrences but was described as several ongoing and concurrent processes throughout their whole career trajectory regardless of seniority level or academic experience. These transitions encompass shifts in identity, new responsibilities and increased tasks, yet often occur without adequate support. As a result, nurse academics may lack the essential skills and knowledge of the academic role. Impact: This study provides insights into nurse academics' transition from clinical practice to academia and throughout their whole career trajectory. This is not a onetime occurrence but a continuous process that takes place throughout their entire career trajectory. This transition is embedded within a complex environment that requires careful consideration and attention. To address challenges regarding career transitions for nurse academics, universities should provide more training and preparation opportunities for all nurse academics when facing different career transitions. Reporting Method: Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Symptom assessment is key to effective symptom management and palliative care for patients with advanced cancer. Symptom prevalence and severity estimates vary widely, possibly dependent on the assessment tool used. Are symptoms specifically asked about or must the patients add them as additional symptoms? This study compared the prevalence and severity of patient-reported symptoms in two different versions of a multi-symptom assessment tool. In one version, three symptoms dry mouth, constipation, sleep problems were among those systematically assessed, while in the other, these symptoms had to be added as an "Other problem". Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included adult patients with advanced cancer at an inpatient palliative care unit. Data were collected from two versions of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS): modified (ESAS-m) listed 11 symptoms and revised (ESAS-r) listed 9 and allowed patients to add one "Other problem". Seven similar symptoms were listed in both versions. Results: In 2013, 184 patients completed ESAS-m, and in 2017, 156 completed ESAS-r. Prevalence and severity of symptoms listed in both versions did not differ. In ESAS-m, 83% reported dry mouth, 73% constipation, and 71% sleep problems, but on ESAS-r, these symptoms were reported by only 3%, 15% and < 1%, respectively. Although ESAS-r severity scores for these three symptoms were higher than on ESAS-m, differences did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: We identified significant differences in patient symptom reporting based on whether symptoms like dry mouth, obstipation and sleep problems were specifically assessed or had to be added by patients as an "Other problem". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of the present study were to assess secular trends in breast-feeding and to explore associations between age at introduction of solid foods and breast-feeding duration. Data from three national dietary surveys in Norway were used, including infants born in 1998 (Spedkost 1, n 1537), 2006 (Spedkost 2, n 1490) and 2018 (Spedkost 3, n 1831). In all surveys, around 80 % of the infants were breastfed at 6 months of age. At 12 months of age, breast-feeding rate was 41 % in Spedkost 1, increasing to 48 % in Spedkost 2 and 51 % in Spedkost 3. Compared with earlier introduction, introduction of solid foods at ≥ 5 months of age was associated with a lower risk of breast-feeding cessation during the first year of life in the two most recent Spedkost surveys. In Spedkost 2, the adjusted hazard ratio for breast-feeding cessation during the first year of life for those introduced to solid foods at ≥ 5 months of age was 0·43 (95 % CI (0·31, 0·60)), P < 0·001, while the corresponding number in Spedkost 3 was 0·44 (95 % CI (0·29, 0·67)), P < 0·001. In conclusion, breast-feeding at infant age 12 months increased over time. Introduction of solid foods at ≥ 5 months of age was positively associated with breast-feeding duration in the two most recent Spedkost surveys. As breast-feeding contributes to numerous health benefits for infant and mother, and possibly improved dietary sustainability in infancy, findings point to the importance of continued protection, support and promotion of breast-feeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The objective was to investigate self-reported hand eczema, and skin complaints at other skin locations among workers exposed to particulate matter, especially ultrafine particles. Method: We conducted a cross-sectional study on workers from one ferro-silicon smelter plant, eight chimney sweeper stations and one firefighter station across Norway. Participants answered an extended version of the Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire (NOSQ-2022), with additional questions about whole-body skin complaints and visible dust deposition. Results are presented as descriptive data using firefighters as reference group. Odds ratio (OR) was calculated using logistic regression on lifetime prevalence of hand eczema adjusted for potential confounders and mediators. P-values were calculated using likelihood ratio test against the crude OR. Results: A total of 186 participants answered the questionnaire: 74 chimney sweepers, 52 firefighters and 60 smelter workers. Participation rate was 95.0, 94.5 and 63.6%, respectively. Lifetime prevalence of hand eczema was 9.5, 9.6, and 28.3%, respectively. The point prevalence of hand eczema was 1.4, 1.9 and 10.0%, respectively. We estimated OR for lifetime hand eczema in smelter workers to 4.36 [95% CI: 1.31–14.43, p = 0.016] and for lifetime skin complaints in other locations to 2.25 [95% CI: 0.98–5.18, p = 0.058]. The lifetime prevalence of skin complaints at other locations was 18.9, 23.1 and 40.0%, respectively. The point prevalence was 14.9, 9.6 and 16.7%, respectively. These estimates were not statistically significant but indicates that smelter workers have more skin complaints also at other locations. Conclusion: This study reports a more than four-fold increased risk of hand eczema in smelter workers, and possibly a higher risk of skin complaints in other body locations, compared to the other occupations. Longitudinal studies with larger population are needed to verify the marked increased risk of eczema among smelters and establish causation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to analyze the role of gender in the commission of white collar crimes and investigate it in five countries: Norway, Portugal, America, India and Iran. Design/methodology/approach: Descriptive analytical method is used in this article. Findings: A total of five observations were examined about the rank and percentage of women's participation in white-collar crimes, namely, from Norway (rank 3, 7%), USA (rank 26, 5%), Portugal (29th rank, 13%), India (rank 135, 11%) and Iran (rank 143, 5%). As is visually obvious, there seems to be no relationship between the level of gender equality and the percentage of women involved in white-collar crimes. However, according to Hobbs, in most research, the issue of gender and its effect on the occurrence of white-collar crimes have not been addressed, but by using the limited statistics and limited information available, it can be concluded that a small number of women have committed this crime. According to global crime reports, only 15 out of 200 prosecutions for white-collar crimes involve women. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this article is original and has been submitted only to this journal and has not been submitted to another journal at the same time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Document the impact of an outbreak of gastroenteritis on local primary health care services, compared to a control period. Controlled observational study with data from the outbreak and a control period. Data obtained from electronic medical records (EMR) of general practitioners (GPs) and the out-of-hours (OOH) service. Telephone data from the OOH service's telephone records. Campylobacteriosis outbreak in Askøy municipality, Norway in 2019. Over 2000 individuals were infected. Patients in contact with GPs and the OOH service during the outbreak and a control period. Patient contacts with GPs and the OOH service during the outbreak and a control period. There was a 36% increase in contacts during the outbreak compared to the control period (4798 vs. 3528), with the OOH service handling 78% of outbreak-related contacts. Telephone advice was the dominant method for managing the increase in contacts to primary care, both in OOH services and daytime general practice (OR 3.73 CI: [3.24–4.28]). Children aged 0–4 years had increased use of primary care during the outbreak (OR 1.51 CI: [1.28–1.78]). GPs referred 25% and OOH services referred 75% of 70 hospitalized cases. The OOH service handled most of the patients during the outbreak, with support from daytime general practice. The outbreak caused a shift towards telephone advice as a means of providing care. Young children significantly increased their use of primary care during the outbreak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Effects on anticancer therapy following the integration of palliative care and oncology are rarely investigated. Thus, its potential effect is unknown. Aim: To investigate the effects of the complex intervention PALLiON versus usual care on end-of-life anticancer therapy. Design: Cluster-randomised controlled trial (RCT), registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (No. NCT01362816). The complex intervention consisted of a physician education program enhancing theoretical, clinical and communication skills, a patient-centred care pathway and patient symptom reporting prior to all consultations. Primary outcome was overall use, start and cessation of anticancer therapy in the last 3 months before death. Secondary outcomes were patient-reported outcomes. Mixed effects logistic regression models and Cox proportional hazard were used. Setting: A total of 12 Norwegian hospitals (03/2017–02/2021). Participants: Patients ⩾18 years, advanced stage solid tumour, starting last line of anticancer therapy, estimated life expectancy ⩽12 months. Results: A total of 616 (93%) patients were included (intervention: 309/control:307); 63% males, median age 69, 77% had gastrointestinal cancers. Median survival time from inclusion was 8 (IQR 3–14) and 7 months (IQR 3–12), and days between anticancer therapy start and death were 204 (90–378) and 168 (69–351) (intervention/control). Overall, 78 patients (13%) received anticancer therapy in the last month (intervention: 33 [11%]/control: 45 [15%]). No differences were found in patient-reported outcomes. Conclusion: We found no significant differences in the probability of receiving end-of-life anticancer therapy. The intervention did not have the desired effect. It was probably too general and too focussed on communication skills to exert a substantial influence on conventional clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The mouth is a central organ for communication and fluid intake, also for dying nursing home patients. This study describes the prevalence and severity of oral symptoms from nursing home admission until the day of perceived dying and the day of death. Methods: A prospective, longitudinal cohort study including 696 patients who were admitted to 47 Norwegian nursing homes in 35 municipalities. During the first year of their stay, 189 died (27%), of whom 82 participants were assessed on the day they were perceived as dying and 134 on the day of death. Mouth care, nutrition, and bedsores were assessed with the Residents' Assessment Instrument for nursing homes (RAI-NH) and palliative care (RAI-PC). Pain intensity was assessed with the Mobilization-Observation-Behaviour-Intensity-Dementia-2 Pain Scale (MOBID-2). Results: The proportion of patients with ≥ 6 oral symptoms increased from 16% when perceived as dying to 20% on the day of death (P = 0.001). On the day of death, xerostomia (66%), dysphagia (59%), and mastication problems (50%) were the most frequently observed oral symptoms. Only 16% received mouth care every hour and 12% were in pain during this procedure. Compared to people without dementia, those with a diagnosis of dementia at admission (N = 112, 86%) had xerostomia and mastication problems more frequently (50% vs. 73%; 32% vs. 56% (P = 0.038), respectively) on the day of death. Conclusions: The high extent of oral symptoms such as xerostomia, dysphagia, and mastication problems underline the need for systematic assessment and improved oral palliative care for dying nursing home patients with dementia. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01920100 08/08/2013. First submission to BMC oral 15/03/2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain is a frequently reported musculoskeletal disorder, but few studies have compared data between countries. Objectives: Examine prevalence, severity, and sick leave and explore potential risk factors associated with pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain in Italian women and compare the results to a similar study in Norway, utilizing the same questionnaire. Design: Cross-sectional Methods: Italian (n = 481) and Norwegian women (n = 435) were allocated from two public hospitals in Rome (Fatebenefratelli San Giovanni Calibita-Isola Tiberina) and Oslo (Oslo University Hospital), as well as four antenatal clinics in Modena (Italy). The questionnaire was completed between gestation weeks 32 and 36, addressing women's experiences of pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain and sick leave in current week, and retrospectively for prepregnancy, first and second trimesters. Results: In Italy and Norway, 39% and 57% of pregnant women reported pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain, respectively, with 11% and 25% experiencing severe pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain. Pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain was associated with sick leave in Norway (p < 0.01), but not in Italy (p = 0.66) at late gestation. In both countries, women with pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain versus those with no pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain were more likely to be multiparous (Italy: 40% versus 31%, p = 0.06 and Norway: 53% versus 38%, p < 0.01), and have gestational weight gain above guidelines (Italy: 21% versus 13%, p = 0.02% and Norway: 27% versus 14%, p < 0.01) and previous experience of pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain (Italy: 15% versus 2%, p < 0.01 and Norway: 31% versus 4%, p < 0.01). Maternal exercise (⩾2 times weekly) was associated with less pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain (Italy: odds ratio = 0.33, 95% confidence interval = 0.11–1.0, p = 0.05 and Norway: odds ratio = 0.55, 95% confidence interval = 0.29–1.0, p = 0.06). Conclusion: We observed high rates of pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain in Italy and Norway, with Norwegian women reporting the highest prevalence and severity level. While both countries had similar rates of sick leave in late gestation, an association between pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain and sick leave was observed among Norwegian women only. Health care providers should be proactive in addressing pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain through open communication and seeking input from pregnant individuals. However, it is essential to acknowledge that the current evidence on effective treatments remains limited and inconclusive, highlighting the need for further research in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2021, the federal government of the United States expanded a set of income transfers that led to strong reductions in child poverty. This research note uses microdata from more than 50 countries and U.S. data spanning more than 50 years to place the 2021 child poverty rate in historical and international perspective. We demonstrate that whether using the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM), relative poverty measures, or an absolute poverty measure, the U.S. child poverty rate in 2021 was at its lowest level since at least 1967. The U.S. tax and transfer system reduced the 2021 SPM child poverty rate by more than 75% relative to the pre-tax/transfer child poverty rate; this reduction was three times the mean reduction effect between 1967 and 2019. These policy changes improved the country's standing from having a relative poverty rate twice that of Germany's in 2019 to the same as Germany's in 2021. Moreover, the U.S. progressed from reducing child poverty at less than half the rate of Norway in 2019 to a rate comparable to Norway in 2021. However, the U.S. success was temporary: after the expiration of the 2021 income provisions, the child poverty rate doubled and returned to being higher than in most other high-income countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The resurgence of debate around digitalisation and work has seen the role of unions in the 'social shaping of technology' attracting renewed interest. A key question concerns how far national institutions influence unions' ability to shape digitalisation in particular sectors and workplaces. Using a multi-level analysis that emphasises the inter-relationships between institutions, union power, resources and agency, this article compares the role of two unions in the banking sector in Norway and the UK. Drawing on interviews with national officers and workplace representatives, it addresses their involvement in decision-making processes and ability to influence outcomes in relation to digital monitoring and surveillance. The research findings highlight the continued salience of 'country effect' as evidenced by the Norwegian union's more prominent role in shaping better worker outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Dependent on clinical setting, geography and timing during the pandemic, variable symptoms of COVID-19 have been reported. Our aim was to describe self-reported symptom intensity and contact with primary health care among nonhospitalized COVID-19 patients. Design: Web-based survey. Setting: Norway between March 2020 and July 2021. Subjects: Adults in home isolation. Main outcome measures: Participants reported possible COVID-19 symptoms, duration of symptoms, score of symptom severity (Likert scale 0-3), risk factors, comorbidity, and questions regarding follow-up and information from primary health care. Results: Of 477 participants, 379 (79%) had PCR-confirmed COVID-19, 324 (68%) were females, and 90% were younger than 60 years. Most common symptoms were "fatigue and/or muscle ache" (80%), nasal symptoms (79%), and headache (73%). The mean severity of symptoms was generally low. Symptoms with the highest mean scores were "fatigue and/or muscle ache" (1.51, SD 1.02) and headache (1.27 (SD 1.00). Mean scores for severity ranged from 0.28 (nausea) to 1.51 (fatigue and/or muscle ache). Women reported higher symptom scores than men. For "affected sense of smell and/or taste", patients either reported a high symptom score (24%) or no affliction at all (49%). A third of the participants (32%) were followed-up by primary care health personnel, and almost 40% had sought or received information about COVID-19 from general practitioners. Conclusion: The mean severity of symptoms among nonhospitalized adult COVID-19 patients was generally low. We found large variations in the occurrence and severity of symptoms between patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Establishing positive oral health behaviours during adolescence should be a key priority to improve lifelong oral health. However, changing adolescent behaviours is known to be a challenge. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a method of working with patients to activate their motivation for change and has shown promising results within the dental setting. Yet, little is known about the actual experiences and perspectives of Norwegian dental health professionals in delivering motivational interviewing as part of routine care to their young patients. The overall aim of the present study was to explore the implementation of motivational interviewing by dentists and dental hygienists, employed by the Norwegian Public Dental Service, for their adolescent patients. Methods: As part of the larger #Care4YoungTeeth <3 project, a Norwegian Research Council funded four-year Collaborative Project to Meet Societal and Industry-related Challenges, an online survey was developed and administered to dental personnel (n = 168) in one region of Central Norway. Data were analysed by descriptive statistics and two-sample tests of proportions at the 95% confidence level. Results: A total of 98 dental personnel responded to the survey (response rate 58.3%), of which 37 were dental hygienists (response rate 72.5%) and 61 were dentists (response rate 52.1%). A greater proportion of hygienists reported implementing this intervention compared to dentists (78.4% versus 50.8%; p = 0.007). Similarly, a greater proportion of hygienists (83.8%) stated that they had received training in MI compared to dentists (65.6%; p = 0.051). About 80% of dentists and 90% of dental hygienists felt that they understood the principles of MI. However, only about 45% and 60%, respectively, felt confident in its use. Dental hygienists found MI more usable in their work (p = 0.052), to a greater extent want to use MI (p = 0.002) and found that using MI works well (p < 0.001), as compared to dentists. Conclusions: A high proportion of dental professionals working within a Norwegian public dental service have received training in MI. However, barriers to implementation for adolescent patients and differences in practice between dentists and hygienists warrant further enquiry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Harmful use of alcohol is a worldwide public health concern. Cultural differences may affect responses to questions on alcohol problems, making international comparisons difficult. We aimed to compare self-reported alcohol consumption and problem drinking between Norwegian and Russian populations. Methods: We used data from women and men aged 40–69 years participating in the Tromsø Study seventh survey (Tromsø7, N =17646, participation 65%), Tromsø (2015–2016), Norway, and the Know Your Heart study (KYH, N =4099, participation 51%), Arkhangelsk and Novosibirsk (2015–2018), Russia. Alcohol consumption and problem drinking were measured by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) via questionnaires (Tromsø7) and interviews (KYH). We compared AUDIT scores and components between populations, by sex. Results: Non-drinking was more commonly reported in KYH compared with Tromsø7 (men 15.5% versus 4.9%, women 13.3% versus 7.3%). In men, hazardous consumption (41.4% versus 31.5%) and problem drinking (24.8% versus 19.6%) was higher in KYH compared with Tromsø7, but opposite for women (6.5% versus 12.0%, and 2.3% versus 5.8%). KYH men were less likely to report problem drinking behaviours than Tromsø7 men, with the exception of needing a drink first thing in the morning (13.2% versus 2.4%). KYH women consistently reported less consumption and problem drinking than Tromsø7 women. Conclusions: We found between-study differences in hazardous drinking, but in men these were lower than suggested by differences in country-level statistics on alcohol consumption and alcohol-related health-harms. Study sample selection, stronger social desirability bias effects in the Russian samples, and cultural differences in responding could have affected the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with poor oral health. Using a life course theoretical framework, this study explored the associations of specific and cumulative ACEs with caries and toothbrushing frequency in a Norwegian adolescent population. Methods: Participants were adolescents (n = 6351) age 13–17 years from The Young-HUNT4 Survey. Clinical data were retrieved from dental health records. Oral health outcomes were toothbrushing frequency, dentine caries experience (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth – DMFT), and enamel caries. ACE exposure variables were physical abuse, sexual abuse, witness to violence, parental separation/divorce, parental alcohol problems, and bully victimization. Negative binominal regression models (incident rate ratios, IRRs; 95% confidence intervals, CIs) were used to determine the associations of the various ACEs with caries; logistic regression analyses (odds ratios, ORs; 95% CIs) were used to estimate associations with toothbrushing frequency. Potential effect modification by age was assessed using likelihood ratio test. Results: Adolescents exposed to physical abuse by others, sexual abuse by peers, parental separation/divorce, bullying, or who had witnessed violence, were more likely to report non-daily toothbrushing compared with those with no exposure to the given ACEs. Each cumulative increase in ACE exposure was associated with a 30% higher likelihood of non-daily toothbrushing (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.19–1.42). Similarly, increasing number of adversities were associated with both higher dentine caries experience (IRR 1.06, 95% CI 1.02–1.09) and higher enamel caries (IRR 1.07, 95% CI 1.03–1.11). This effect was modified by age (13–15 vs. 16–17 years) for dentine caries experience. Furthermore, there was evidence of effect modification by age with bully victimization for both toothbrushing frequency (Pinteraction = 0.014) and dentine caries experience (Pinteraction < 0.001). Specifically, bully victimization was associated with a higher likelihood of non-daily toothbrushing (OR 2.59, 95% CI 1.80–3.72) and higher dentine caries experience (IRR 1.30, 95% CI 1.14–1.50) among 16–17-year-olds. Conclusions: Several specific ACEs were associated with non-daily toothbrushing and a higher caries experience among Norwegian adolescents in the Young-HUNT4 Survey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This comparative study examines how students from Early Childhood Teacher Education in Kyrgyzstan and Norway value their first experience with Problem- Based Learning. The study is a result of the collaboration between ECTE in Kyrgyzstan and Norway focusing on student-active learning. The research is important because there are few if any studies focusing on PBL in Early Childhood Teacher Education (ECTE), and little use of PBL as a basic norm in Kyrgyzstan. Our data consists of students' anonymous, written, open-ended questionnaires. These are analysed by means of qualitative content analysis. We found evidence that students value collaboration, and in this report, we describe their experiences with the PBL-method and suggest some implications for the quality of learning. We discuss and compare similarities and differences in students' experiences in light of cultural differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to identify the negative behaviors that constitute bullying in higher education as reported by students, and (b) to explore differences in student experiences in two markedly different national contexts. A sample of 1,189 respondents from two universities in Ghana (n = 751) and two universities in Norway (n = 438) answered the same questionnaire. Approximately 40% of the Ghanaian students and 20% of the Norwegian students responded that they had been bullied. Although less frequently observed than in Ghana, relational forms of bullying (e.g., being excluded) were more prevalent in Norway compared to other behaviors. In contrast, direct and verbal forms of bullying, such as namecalling and being taunted, were most common in Ghana. The findings provide insights into cultural and national variations with respect to negative social behaviors related to bullying in the context of higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to compare the use of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication among children and adolescents in Scandinavia 2010–2020. Using aggregated prescription data for individuals aged 5–19 years, we calculated annual prevalence proportions of ADHD medication (users/1000 inhabitants) for each country, overall and stratified by age and sex. Overall, use of ADHD medication increased during 2010–2020 in all countries. The increase was pronounced in Sweden reaching 35 users/1000 inhabitants in 2020 (119% increase), whereas it reached 22/1000 in Denmark and Norway (equivalent to a 38% and 16% increase, respectively). Methylphenidate was the most frequently used drug and Sweden had the highest use reaching 25/1000 in 2020 compared to 16/1000 and 18/1000 in Denmark and Norway, respectively. Lisdexamfetamine use increased steadily and was also highest in Sweden (13/1000 in 2020). In 2020, atomoxetine use was higher in Sweden (4.6/1000) and Denmark (4.5/1000) compared to Norway (2.2/1000). From 2015, use of guanfacine increased in Sweden reaching 4.4/1000 in 2020 but remained low in Denmark (0.4/1000) and Norway (0.7/1000). Use of dexamphetamine was low (ranging from 0.47 to 0.75/1000 in 2020) in the three countries. ADHD medication use was highest in Sweden across all age groups. In all countries, the prevalence was higher in males compared to females. In conclusion, use of ADHD medication among children and adolescents in Scandinavia is increasing. The prevalence of use is higher in Sweden for all drug groups compared to Norway and Denmark. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child protection is considered an appropriate government responsibility, but interventions into the family are also some of the most consequential for states. This study examines the normative basis for limiting parents' freedom by exploring public attitudes about a child's safety in the context of increasing risk. Using a randomized survey, we test the causal relationship between levels of risk and parental restrictions on representative samples in Norway and CA, US (n = 2148) – different welfare state and child protection models. Findings suggest that the public supports restricting parental freedom under conditions of risk and that severity of risk is taken into consideration. A majority favour restricting parental freedom under conditions of risk to the child; a minority resist restricting freedom, regardless of risk, and about one-third to one-half of respondents favour temporarily suspending parents' rights by separating children to foster care. Residents of Norway are half as likely to support unrestricted parenting, regardless of risk, and are 1.5 as likely to endorse restricted parenting. Norwegians are also 20% less likely to support separating a child from his parent compared to US respondents. The study has implications for system design based on popular notions about parents' freedom and family privacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare consultations with pregnant undocumented migrants at emergency primary health care to consultations with pregnant residents of Norway. A cross-sectional study of consultations at several time points. The study was conducted at the Oslo Accident and Emergency Outpatient Clinic (OAEOC), the main emergency primary care service in Oslo, Norway. Consultations with pregnant patients without a Norwegian identity number seeking care at the Department of Emergency General Practice at the OAEOC were identified through a manual search of registration lists from 2009 to 2019. The consultations were categorized by women's residency status as 'probably documented migrant', 'uncertain migrant status', or 'probably undocumented migrant'. We also extracted aggregated data for women with a Norwegian identity number (i.e. residents) presenting in consultations with pregnancy-related (ICPC-2 chapter W) conditions. Manchester Triage System urgency level at presentation, and hospitalization. Among 829 consultations with female patients categorized as probably undocumented migrants, we found 27.1% (225/829) with pregnant women. About half of the pregnant women (54.6% (123/225)) presented with a pregnancy-related condition. Pregnant women that were probably undocumented migrants had an increased risk of being triaged with a high level of urgency at presentation (relative risk (RR) 1.86, 95% CI 1.14–3.04) and being hospitalized (RR 1.68, 95% CI 1.21–2.34), compared to pregnant residents. Pregnant undocumented migrants were more severely sick when presenting to emergency primary care services than pregnant residents. Increased access to primary care and emergency primary care services for pregnant undocumented migrants is urgently needed. Restricted access to primary care may increase the use of primary care facilities intended for emergency care. A considerable proportion of the consultations with undocumented migrant women at the emergency primary care services are related to pregnancy. Consultations with pregnant undocumented migrants more often contained severe pregnancy-related conditions compared to consultations with pregnant residents of Norway. Interventions to increase access to primary care for pregnant undocumented migrants are urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Compared to their healthy counterparts, patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) can exhibit an altered gut microbiota composition, correlated with detrimental outcomes, including reduced insulin sensitivity, dyslipidemia, and increased markers of inflammation. However, a typical T2D microbiota profile is not established. The aim of this pilot study was to explore the gut microbiota and bacteria associated with prediabetes (pre-T2D) patients, and treatment naïve T2D patients, compared to healthy subjects. Methods: Fecal samples were collected from patients and healthy subjects (from Norway). The bacterial genomic DNA was extracted, and the microbiota analyzed utilizing the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. To secure a broad coverage of potential T2D associated bacteria, two technologies were used: The GA-map® 131-plex, utilizing 131 DNA probes complementary to pre-selected bacterial targets (covering the 16S regions V3-V9), and the LUMI-Seq™ platform, a full-length 16S sequencing technology (V1-V9). Variations in the gut microbiota between groups were explored using multivariate methods, differential bacterial abundance was estimated, and microbiota signatures discriminating the groups were assessed using classification models. Results: In total, 24 pre-T2D patients, 18 T2D patients, and 52 healthy subjects were recruited. From the LUMI-Seq™ analysis, 10 and 9 bacterial taxa were differentially abundant between pre-T2D and healthy, and T2D and healthy, respectively. From the GA-map® 131-plex analysis, 10 bacterial markers were differentially abundant when comparing pre-T2D and healthy. Several of the bacteria were short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) producers or typical opportunistic bacteria. Bacteria with similar function or associated properties also contributed to the separation of pre-T2D and T2D from healthy as found by classification models. However, limited overlap was found for specific bacterial genera and species. Conclusions: This pilot study revealed that differences in the abundance of SCFA producing bacteria, and an increase in typical opportunistic bacteria, may contribute to the variations in the microbiota separating the pre-T2D and T2D patients from healthy subjects. However, further efforts in investigating the relationship between gut microbiota, diabetes, and associated factors such as BMI, are needed for developing specific diabetes microbiota signatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Adherence to healthy lifestyle recommendations has positive effects on cancer outcomes yet adherence is low among cancer survivors. Differences in adherence between women and men, phase of survivorship, and other factors that might increase adherence, like the use of traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM), need to be explored. We aimed to study the adherence to national recommendations for a healthy diet (daily intake of ≥ 5 portions of fruit/vegetables), physical activity (150 min of moderate-intensity or 75 min of high-intensity/week), normal body mass index (BMI) (18.5–24.9 kg/m2), non-smoking, and low-risk alcohol consumption (women ≤ 10 g/day, men ≤ 20 g/day) among Norwegian cancer survivors and their associations with sex, the use of T&CM, and survivorship phase. Methods: We used logistic regression, independent sample t-test, and chi-square test to study self-reported (diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption) and measured (BMI) adherence in 1530 cancer survivors (40 years and above, participating in the population-based Tromsø Study conducted in 2015–2016 (65% attendance). We dichotomized all assessed lifestyle recommendations (adherence = 1 point, non-adherence = 0 points), and created a score for every recommendation (0–5 points). Adherence to individual lifestyle recommendations and the use of T&CM as well as the phase of survivorship was adjusted for sex, age, income, and living with a partner. Results: Adherence to recommendations was 7.5% for diet, 85.3% for physical activity, 30.5% for BMI, 89.3% for non-smoking, and 87.6% for alcohol consumption. In total 2.3% adhered to all five recommendations concurrently (mean score 2.96 [SD = 0.86]). Women adhered to more recommendations concurrently compared to men (3.03 [SD = 0.90] vs. 2.89 [SD = 0.80] points respectively, [p =.012]). In total, 31% reported the use of T&CM and there were no differences in adherence to individual lifestyle recommendations or concurrent adherence in overall T&CM use compared to non-use. Users of self-help techniques were more likely to adhere to the recommendations of diet (aOR 2.69, 95% CI 1.45–4.98) and physical activity (aOR 6.26, 95% CI 1.51–25.92). Users of traditional healers and users of more than one T&CM modality were less likely to adhere to the low-risk alcohol consumption recommendation, (aOR 0.32, 95% CI 0.13–0.77, and aOR 0.53, 95% CI 1.08–2.17, respectively) compared to T&CM non-users. Survivors with cancer previously (1162) had higher odds of adhering to the recommendation of diet (aOR 2.66, 95% CI 1.36–5.19) than survivors with cancer presently (n = 368), but not to other recommendations. Conclusion: The health of cancer survivors can be improved through adherence to lifestyle recommendations, yet our study found partial adherence among survivors in Norway, in accordance with findings from other countries. Although overall T&CM use was not associated with higher adherence to lifestyle recommendations, differences in adherence were seen among individual modalities like the use of self-help techniques and traditional healers. Our results suggest the need for intensified follow-up of lifestyle with attention to male survivors and diet among all survivors throughout the cancer survivorship continuum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Registered nurses are crucial in home care nursing for elderly patients, as detecting geriatric conditions can be difficult due to age-related changes or communication barriers. Disability is often overlooked in elderly care, requiring different assessment tools to determine patient status and necessary nursing interventions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the subacute functional decline in the elderly (SAFE) instrument was implemented in some Oslo districts to detect early signs of sub acute functional decline in hospital and home care settings. However, the nurses' perception of this new assessment tool and its effectiveness has not been evaluated. Objectives: This study aims to explore home care nurses' experiences and perceptions regarding the introduction and use of the new assessment tool, SAFE. Objectives were to conduct focus group interviews and perform qualitative analysis. Method: The study followed Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines, had a qualitative design, and included 15 out of 60 permanently employed RNs at Oslo municipality's home care service in Frogner district. Data was collected via three focus group interviews and analyzed thematically. Results: The study identified three themes: (1) Nurses learned to use SAFE through direct experience due to a lack of standard introduction or training. (2) SAFE supported patient-centred care by enabling communication, preventive work, and identifying patients' needs. (3) Integrating SAFE into electronic databases and daily clinical work could improve nursing efficiency. Conclusion: Overall, using SAFE can improve patient outcomes and care quality in home care, but clear guidelines, ongoing support, and standardized procedures are crucial for its effectiveness. Regular updates and complete management support are also necessary. The study's findings align with previous research and can guide the development and implementation of tools in home care to enhance patient outcomes and the quality of care delivered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Educational expansion has raised the influence of sorting across postsecondary educational fields on children's future life chances. Yet, little is known about horizontal ethnic stratification in the choice of field of study among children of immigrant parents, whose parents often have moderate absolute levels of education relative to native-born parents but tend to be positively selected on education relative to nonmigrants in the origin country. Using rich administrative data from Norway, we study the educational careers of immigrant descendants relative to the careers of children of native-born parents. Our results show that children of immigrants from non-European countries have a higher likelihood of entering higher education and enrolling in highpaying fields of study compared with children of natives, despite having poorer school grades and disadvantaged family backgrounds. However, immigrant parents' positive selectivity provides limited insight into why children of immigrants exhibit high ambitions later in their postsecondary educational careers. These findings document a persistent pattern of horizontal ethnic advantage in postsecondary education in which ambitious children of immigrants are more likely to enter into more prestigious and economically rewarding fields of study than their fellow students with native-born parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In children with cerebral palsy (CP), learning disabilities are well documented, and impairments in executive functions, such as attention, inhibition, shifting and working memory, represent significant burdens on patients, their families and the society. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether Cogmed RM working memory training could improve working memory in children with CP and investigate whether increased working memory capacity would generalize to other cognitive functions. Twenty-eight children completed the training and the results were compared to a waitlist control group (n = 32). The results yielded three main findings. First, children with CP improved with practice on trained working memory tasks. Second, the intervention group showed minimal near transfer effects to non-trained working memory tasks. Third, no effects on cognitive and behavioral far transfer measures were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of society, of technology, the accelerated pace of changes obligatorily imposes the need for continuing training in each and every professional field. The education system, in an attempt to be compatible with the needs of the social system, requires those who serve it to permanently develop their professional competencies by assimilating new, innovative theoretical elements, by acquiring more and more complex skills, attitudes adapted to the demands of the contemporary world. Consequently, for all the teaching staff training is not only a possibility, but above all, a necessity. The study addresses the issue of the continuing training of the teachers in the Romanian education system, in accordance with the current legislation, recently amended, in an attempt to make it compatible with the European training systems, which relate to relatively uniform quality standards, while carrying out a comparative analysis between this system and those of Norway and Latvia, at the same time. The used method of investigation is represented by the comparative critical analysis, which tries to capture the specifics of each continuing training system and which capitalizes on normative documents (laws, methodologies), but also OECD reports of the European Commission. The conclusions drawn from the analysis highlight the common and differentiating elements of those particular systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the scarcity of evidence concerning the long-term sexual health of breast cancer (BC) survivors (BC-Pop), we aimed to assess how BC treatments affect short- and long-term sexual functioning, sexual enjoyment, and body image, and compare with aged-matched women in the Norwegian general population (F-GenPop). The 349 patients in BC-Pop treated at Trondheim University Hospital in 2007–2014, were assessed in clinical controls at the hospital; before starting radiotherapy (T1, baseline), immediately after ending radiotherapy (T2), and after 3, 6, and 12 months (T3–T5), and at a long-term follow-up 7–12 years after baseline (T6). Meanwhile, F-GenPop included 2254 age-matched women in the Norwegian general population. The impact of BC treatment on sexual functioning was examined using a Linear Mixed Model. Sexual functioning, sexual enjoyment, and body image were assessed with the EORTC′s QLQ-BR23 scales and compared between the populations in the four age groups (30–49, 50–59, 60–69, and 70+ years) using means with 95% confidence intervals and Student t-test. Linear regression, adjusted for age and comorbidity was applied to estimate individual scores. BC survivors treated with mastectomy had overall lower sexual functioning than patients who had received breast-conserving surgery (p = 0.017). Although BC survivors treated with chemotherapy had lower sexual functioning than those treated without chemotherapy at T1–T5 (p = 0.044), both groups showed the same level of functioning at T6. BC-Pop exhibited significantly poorer sexual functioning (p < 0.001), lower sexual enjoyment (p < 0.05), and better body image (p < 0.001) than F-GenPop in all age groups. The impact of specific BC treatments on sexual functioning was modest; only mastectomy had a persistent negative influence. Nevertheless, all age groups in BC-Pop displayed significantly poorer sexual functioning than F-GenPop at both 12 months and up to 12 years after treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-quality interviews that follow best-practice guidelines are the best means available to frontline child protective service (CPS) workers and specially trained police officers to investigate and detect abuse and maltreatment. In Norway, the CPS and police are trained in the same interview method. In the current quantitative study, we investigate sixty-five interviews conducted by the CPS of children ages 4–8 years and seventy-two interviews conducted by the police of children ages 3–6 years. Our analysis shows that the CPS workers presented more open-ended invitations and fewer suggestive questions than the police officers. However, the CPS also asked more option-posing questions. Still, this finding may indicate that CPS workers come closer than police officers to follow best practice guidelines when they conduct child interviews. It should be noted that the police are also trained in an extended interview method, unlike the CPS workers. The number of open-ended invitations was sparse in both samples. Differences in the span of children's ages in the two samples and different legal frameworks may have affected the findings. Implications for interview training are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the wake of terrorist attacks, protecting the health and psychosocial wellbeing of those affected and the general population, are important tasks for the healthcare system. The responses to such emergencies are often complex, including different phases and many actors, and may unveil insufficiencies that incite reforms to existing systems. Recently, initiatives have been promoted to strengthen cooperation and coordination regarding the governance of health threats in Europe. Comparative research is requested on how states prepare for health emergencies such as terrorist attacks. This study investigated how governments in two European countries with universal health coverage prepared to address the civilian population's health needs after terrorist attacks, and the factors that contributed to shaping their chosen approach. Methods: Utilizing document analysis and Walt and Gilson's model for the analysis of health policy, national plans for post-terror health responses in Norway and France were studied with a focus on context, process, content, and actors. Results: Whereas target groups for psychosocial care and certain measures were similar in both cases, the contents of prescribed policies and the actors responsible for enacting them differed. One of the most distinct differences was to what extent specialized mental healthcare was relied upon to provide psychosocial follow-up in the emergency phase. In the French approach, specialized mental healthcare practitioners, such as psychiatrists, psychologists and psychiatric nurses, provided early psychosocial support. In contrast, the Norwegian approach relied on interdisciplinary primary care crisis teams in the local municipalities to provide early psychosocial support, with further involvement of specialized mental healthcare if this was considered necessary. Historical, political, and systemic differences contributed to the variation in the countries' responses. Conclusions: This comparative study highlights the complexity and diversity of health policy responses to terrorist attacks across countries. Moreover, challenges and opportunities for research and health management in response to such disasters, including possibilities and potential pitfalls for the coordination of this work across Europe. An important first step could be to map out existing services and practices across countries to better understand if and how common core elements for psychosocial follow-up might be implemented internationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disabled young people leaving care often experience a more complex transition to adulthood than other youths. Still, policy and services can fail to recognize the intersection between a young person's care experiences and disability. Drawing on data from a qualitative interview study with 14 social workers who work with aftercare in the Norwegian child welfare services, we investigate social workers' professional judgements about support for this subgroup of the leaving care population. Our analysis uses the theoretical construct of institutional logics and shows that social workers did not include concepts of disability in their judgements about support for these young people. Instead, the social workers' considerations were guided by three other organizing principles: a 'medical logic', an 'activation logic' and an 'aftercare logic'. We discuss these findings in light of critical disability studies and argue for a more nuanced understanding of disability in social work practice with care leavers. Highlighting disability rights and going beyond diagnosis and categorisations of disabled people can challenge a medical model approach to service provision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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