Search

Blended learning has been studied for many years. However, it is necessary to assess whether blended learning is a good practice as opposed to face-to-face and online learning. Based on the Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education, a questionnaire was designed to compare blended learning in seven dimensions to traditional and online learning. A total of 653 students participated in the research. Independent T-test, paired T-test and ANCOVA were conducted using SPSS. The results showed that blended learning was reported to have a higher effectiveness than traditional learning for all seven principles and a higher effectiveness than online learning for most of the principles. Learning modes had a significant effect on student perceptions on most of the principles. Gender had significant effect on student perception of all seven principles, while year of study and knowledge domain did not show significant effects on most of the principles. Possible reasons for these findings are discussed.

Although internalized homonegativity (IH) in lesbian, gay, or bisexual people (LGBs) predicts adverse relationship satisfaction, this association has typically only been examined on an individual level. Moreover, studies often ignore potential mechanisms that underlie sex differences. One of these mechanisms is related to visibility management (i.e., the careful, planned decisions about whether or not to disclose one's sexual orientation). Therefore, in this study we investigate dyadic sex-specific associations between IH, visibility management, and relationship satisfaction. Our sample includes 254 LGB couples (139 female and 115 male same-gender dyads) in Flanders, Belgium. Data were analyzed with the Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model (APIMeM). Results indicated that there were small to medium significant correlations among IH, visibility management, and relationship satisfaction. We also found support for mediated actor effects: individuals low in IH maintain less restrictive visibility management strategies. These in turn lead to higher relationship satisfaction, but only in female same-gender couples. Our findings contribute to the understanding of mechanisms that underlie the harmful effects of sexual minority stressors for same-gender relationship satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The average blood lead concentration has significantly decreased over the last two decades among the general population. However, in Belgium, there are still high-risk populations such as groups of pregnant women who have shown elevated lead levels. The objective of this study was to evaluate the current situation of lead cord blood levels and identify sources of lead exposure by a questionnaire survey. The study was conducted in 5 maternity units in Belgium; for each, umbilical cord blood samples were collected from 50 consecutive births. At the same time a questionnaire on possible sources of lead exposure was administered to the mother. The dependant variable was a dichotomous lead level variable (<20μg/L vs. ≥20μg/L). The factors associated with elevated lead levels (≥20μg/L) were mother''s country of origin from south Mediterranean and from Sub-Saharan Africa, mother''s educational level, using ‘tagine’ plates for cooking and using khol for make-up, but, after adjusting for potential confounding factors, only the mother''s country origin from south Mediterranean (adjusted odds ratio, 5.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.68–18.08; p =0.005) and from Sub-Saharan Africa (adjusted odds ratio, 8.14; 95% CI, 2.26–29.40; p =0.001) were significantly associated with elevated cord blood lead concentrations (≥20μg/L). The results of this study are similar to those found by a previous study in Belgium in 2004. Sources of exposure are difficult to distinguish with this questionnaire, which might be due to other important sources of exposure that were not included in the questionnaire. Confirmation of these risk factors in future studies could lead to new prevention strategies for populations who are at risk for subsequent lead exposure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study aimed to descript the Belgian COVID-19 responses process according to the WHO's (World Health Organization) Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management Framework (Health EDRM Framework) and to present the measures taken and epidemic impact in the different phases of COVID-19 in Belgium. The WHO's EDRM Framework was used for reviewing the Belgian Public health emergency preparedness and responses in the context of COVID-19. Information on the measures taken was collected through the literature review including all government's communication, reports, and scientific papers. All epidemic data were extracted from a national open database managed and published by the Sciensano. Additionally, two authors closely followed the Belgian situation since the beginning of the pandemic and updated the data every day. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the anti-epidemic strategy was mainly to avoid medical resources exceeding the upper limit. Belgium issued a series of emergency decrees to limit the spread of the virus. An existing structure of "federal-region-municipal" as the framework of public health emergency preparedness and response was adapted. The emergency response process in Belgium was divided into four phases: information-evaluation-coordination-decision-making at the region level and the final decision-making at the federal level. Belgium also implemented a phased plan in the process of setting up and lifting the lockdown. However, it was vulnerable in early response, due to the shortage of medical equipment supplies in general, and more particularly for the long term care facilities (LTCFs). Belgium has achieved an intensive cooperation between stakeholders based on an existing multisectoral emergency organization framework. Legislation, medical insurance, and good communication also played a role in limiting the spread of viruses. However, the authorities underestimated the risk of an epidemic and did not take quarantine measures among people suspected affected by SARS-COV-2 in the early stages, resulting in insufficient medical equipment supply and a large number of deaths in the LTCF. The implementation of the lockdown measure in Belgium also encountered obstacles. The lockdown and its exit strategy were both closely related to the pandemic situation and social and economic life. The authorities should strengthen information management, improve the public awareness of the measures, and find out the balance points between the social and economic life and infection control measures.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of maternal origin on the association between maternal height and the risk of preterm birth (PTB)., Design: Retrospective observational cohort study., Setting: Two of the three Belgian regions, including Brussels-Capital and Walloon regions., Participants: A total of 245 204 women spontaneously delivered live singletons between 2009 and 2013. Maternal nationality at the time of birth included Belgium, Congo, French, Italy, Morocco, Poland, Romania and Turkey., Outcomes Measures: The outcome variable was spontaneous PTB, defined as childbirth occurring at less than 37 weeks' gestation., Results: Average height, demographic characteristics and the spontaneous PTB rate differed according to maternal origin, defined as maternal nationality at birth. The pattern of association between maternal height and the risk of PTB was not uniform by maternal nationality at birth. The low maternal height category was associated with a statistically significant increased risk of spontaneous PTB for Belgian (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.23, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.32), Italian (aOR 1.48, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.96) and Polish (aOR 1.76, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.78), respectively. However, this association was not observed for the women from Congo, France, Morocco, Romania and Turkey., Conclusions: The association between height and the risk of PTB was modified by maternal nationality, even for mothers from the same region of the world. For example, there was a significant inverse association for the Belgians and Italians but not for French women. Our data suggest that PTB risk assessment should take into account the specific height of maternal origin., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.)