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Purpose: To describe the process of becoming aware of and acting on personal cardiovascular (CVD) risk in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Method: A purposive sample of 14 persons living with T2D participated in semi-structured, open-ended, in-dept interviews. The interviews were analysed with grounded theory. Result: The analysis identified the core category "Balancing emotions, integrating knowledge and understanding to achieve risk awareness and act on it." Five categories describe the movement from not being aware of the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) to becoming aware of this risk and taking action to reduce it. Persons with T2D need to transform their knowledge and experience of CVD risk and incorporate it in their individual situations. Emotional and existential experiences of CVD risk can lead to awareness about the severity of the condition and contribute to increased motivation for self-management. However, an overly high emotional response can be overwhelming and may result in insufficient self-management. Conclusion: Persons with T2D seemed not to fully grasp their increased risk of CVD or recognize that self-management activities were aimed at reducing this risk. However, their awareness of CVD risk gradually increased as they came to understand the severity of T2D and became more emotionally and existentially engaged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Companion animals, such as dogs and cats, support the physical and psychological health of their owners. However, they can also carry pathogens that might be transmittable to humans. This risk is especially relevant for vulnerable groups, including young children, elderly, pregnant, and immunocompromised individuals. Therefore, risk communication by veterinarians is essential for raising awareness about associated risks. Our results showed that veterinarian risk communication was perceived well and rated with a high average score, indicating strong satisfaction among pet owners. Despite this positive feedback, there remained a gap between how often veterinarians provided information and the owners' expressed need for further guidance. Thus, enhanced education and training of veterinary practitioners could narrow this gap. Overall, veterinarians play an important role in communicating risks associated with zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance, ultimately helping to improve the health of humans and animals. The intimate bonds between humans and their pets create favourable conditions that support the mutual transmission of pathogens in either direction. In this context, veterinarians are essential in informing and educating pet owners about health risks linked to zoonotic pathogens and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). To effectively convey this information, veterinarians should have strong communication skills. To gather insights on pet ownership, veterinary consultations, and risk communication, an online questionnaire was used to survey dog and cat owners in Germany. The survey evaluated the frequency and perception of communication concerning zoonotic pathogens and AMR, deriving a communication score. The findings showed that pet owners rated veterinarian communication with a high average score, reflecting a high satisfaction level. The longer pet owners had been clients, the more frequently they received information on zoonoses and AMR, and the better they rated the communication. However, the results also indicated that the amount of information on zoonoses and/or AMR provided by veterinarians was still lower than desired by pet owners. Risk factors, including pathogen detection, vulnerable individuals, owning imported animals, and feeding them raw meat, fish, offal, or uncooked bones, were regularly present. These findings underscore the critical role of risk communication in preventing zoonoses and AMR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the association between the location, relative to the coast, of an individual's primary residence and the homeowners' risk tolerance. Utilizing data from the 2021 National Financial Capability Study and employing a probit model, we analyzed how varying risk tolerance levels affect the likelihood of owning a home in a coastal ZIP code. The respondent's risk tolerance was classified as high, medium, or low according to their self-reported willingness to take financial risks. Our results suggest that individuals with lower risk tolerances are less likely to own a home within a coastal ZIP code. Specifically, homeowners with medium-risk tolerance are 2.91% less likely, and those with low-risk tolerance are 3.17% less likely to own a primary residence in a coastal ZIP code when compared to those with high-risk tolerance. These results are statistically and economically similar when using a logit model. These findings are both statistically significant and align with economic theory. The analysis also included various demographic and socioeconomic factors, finding that age, income, and certain employment statuses influence coastal homeownership. This research contributes to the understanding of home ownership location choices and risk tolerance. Our results provide policymakers with insights into the risk characteristics of individuals who prefer coastal areas as their primary residences. This information can inform future policy decisions by highlighting the societal and economic implications of regulations related to residential coastal development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The collaboration relationship with suppliers is essential for managing supply chain risks strategically. By closely collaborating with suppliers, strategic procurement can enhance global supply chain resilience and adaptability to potential disruptions. Combining risk management with supplier development, the collaboration relationships yield positive results through visibility within a multi-tier supply chain for mitigating risks. For this research, a systematic literature review was conducted to identify the key factors for the successful implementation of the supplier collaboration relationship strategy. The findings emphasize the significant resilience impact triggered by communication, digitalization, risk categorization, flexibility and regionalization. As a result of the supply chain resilience and in correlation with supplier collaboration relationships are: risk awareness, transparency within the supply chain, early supplier involvement in product development and knowledge sharing, forecast and inventory and supplier development procurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The collaboration relationship with suppliers is essential for managing supply chain risks strategically. By closely collaborating with suppliers, strategic procurement can enhance global supply chain resilience and adaptability to potential disruptions. Combining risk management with supplier development, the collaboration relationships yield positive results through visibility within a multi-tier supply chain for mitigating risks. For this research, a systematic literature review was conducted to identify the key factors for the successful implementation of the supplier collaboration relationship strategy. The findings emphasize the significant resilience impact triggered by communication, digitalization, risk categorization, flexibility and regionalization. As a result of the supply chain resilience and in correlation with supplier collaboration relationships are: risk awareness, transparency within the supply chain, early supplier involvement in product development and knowledge sharing, forecast and inventory and supplier development procurement.

Background: Physical exercise helps to mitigate cardiovascular risks in people with diabetes mellitus (DM), but there are limited data in Nigeria. This study aimed to assess cardiovascular risk awareness, exercise practices and metabolic outcomes among Nigerians with diabetes. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study at five tertiary hospitals using questionnaire interviews and clinical assessments. Participants’ knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors and knowledge of exercise were assessed on 12- and 5-item scores, while exercise practices were classed as adequate if performed regularly on 3 or more days weekly for a total of 150 min or more based on the American Diabetes Association recommendations. Mean body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), fasting blood glucose, serum haemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), lipid profile, urea, creatinine and uric acid were then compared among participant groups. Results: We studied 426 participants with DM, 58.7% females. The mean age was 52.9 ± 13.1 years, with males significantly older than females (54.6 ± 12.2 vs. 51.8 ± 13.5 years; 95% confidence interval: 0.27–5.28, P = 0.03). The mean age at diabetes diagnosis was 44.8 ± 11.7 years, and the median duration of diabetes was 84 months. There was low knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors and low knowledge of exercise (mean scores of 2.94 and 2.31, respectively). Forty-three per cent of participants reported adequate exercise, which was significantly associated with younger age (P = 0.007), male gender (P = 0.001) and formal education (P = 0.021). Participants with adequate exercise had lower systolic BP and serum urea compared to those with inadequate exercise, but there were no significant differences in BMI, fasting glucose, HbA1c, serum lipids, creatinine or uric acid. Conclusion: Participants had low knowledge of cardiovascular risks and the appropriate exercise practices for diabetes patients. There is a need for better patient education on diabetes self-care and exercise at clinic visits.

Abstract Background Climate change has made the relationship between disaster and sustainable development more critical. Especially in developing countries, disasters frequently devastate local communities and hinder progress. Children are at a higher risk during catastrophes; however, their knowledge of disaster risk is limited. Education for disaster risk reduction can bring the necessary changes for a safe society. School disaster prevention education can raise awareness through lectures and games, but interactive dialogues between students and teachers can be more effective. Also, GPS tracking can be a valuable tool for understanding people’s behavior during disasters. Methodology This study proposes a method to analyze the relationship between students’ daily behavior and their experiences of flood damage and preparedness for disaster risk. It is a simple method using questionnaires and GPS loggers and can be applied in mountainous areas in developing countries where equipment is inadequate. The proposed method will be used to understand the current state of disaster risk among children and identify disaster risk reduction issues. The study area lies in Paluntar Municipality, Gorkha district, Nepal. Forty-five students from two schools in the region participated in the study. Results The results showed that students who commute to school in areas inundated by heavy rainfall in recent years were not adequately prepared for disasters, even though they had experienced flood damage in the past and were significantly more concerned about future harm. Our field observations and interviews of teacher-student relationships showed that students were very attentive to their teachers’ instruction. Teachers understand the dangers of heavy rainfall and how to prepare for it, but students need to learn how to deal with it. In other words, the school staff’s disaster education to the students effectively reduces disasters. Early warning is needed when severe floods are expected during the rainy season.

The urban areas of Mediterranean Europe, and particularly Italy, have experienced considerable expansion since the late 19th century in terms of settlements, structures, and infrastructure, especially in large population centers. In such areas, the geohydrological risk is high not only for inhabited areas but also along roadways exposed to flooding. This scenario is worrying, especially in road underpass sections, where drivers are unlikely to perceive a real risk due to the high degree of confidence that comes from the habit of driving. Underpasses have been widely used to obviate the need to find shorter alternative routes and manage vehicular traffic in urban settings impeded by previous anthropogenic and natural constraints. To assess the numerical consistency, frequency, and areal distribution of flood risk around road underpasses, several hundred pieces of data were selected (mostly from international, national and local newspapers, CNR IRPI archive and local archives) and cataloged in a thematic database, referring mainly to the Italian territory. The behavioral aspects in the face of risk were also examined in order to provide a better understanding and raise awareness for preventive purposes. The results of this specific CNR research, which lasted about two years, confirm the exposure of underpasses to extreme risk events, affecting road users. In Italy alone, between 1942 and 2023, 698 underpasses were identified as having experienced a flooding event at least once. The database shows that 680 vehicles were involved in Italy, with a total of at least 812 individuals, of whom 19 died. Despite incomplete and uneven information, the findings of the analysis regarding the increment in underpasses flooding and the drivers action in front of a flooded underpass may be useful for undertaking the appropriate mitigation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Exotic animals can carry pathogens that may spread to humans and other animals. When traded and kept as pets, the risk of disease transmission increases as there is a higher potential of close contact and stress involved that can weaken the animals' immune system, making them more likely to shed pathogens. This becomes especially important for households with children younger than five years, elderly and pregnant people or immunocompromised individuals. Thus, this survey investigated how exotic pets are kept, the advice given by veterinarians and how well veterinarians communicate the risks of zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance. The results showed that owning exotic pets comes with several health risks. However, pet owners generally felt satisfied with their veterinarians' communication, especially when they had consulted a veterinarian for a longer time. Despite this, pet owners expressed a desire for more frequent information on these topics. Therefore, it is important to provide more educational resources. Enhancing education and training for veterinarians, particularly in universities, could improve their communication with pet owners about the risks associated with exotic pets. This study highlights the important role of veterinarians in the prevention of pathogen transmission from animals to humans through targeted risk communication. Exotic animals traded and kept as pets can transmit a variety of diseases to humans and other animals, and vice versa. Therefore, it is essential for pet owners, particularly vulnerable groups, to be informed about associated risks. Veterinarians play a crucial role in informing pet owners about health risks associated with zoonotic pathogens and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and should, therefore, have good communication skills to effectively transfer information to pet owners. Thus, exotic pet owners in Germany were surveyed on animal husbandry, veterinary consultation and risk communication. To evaluate the perception of communication, a self-developed questionnaire was used to derive a communication score. The perception of veterinarian communication received a high average score showing a high level of satisfaction. The duration of the veterinarian–client relationship was associated with better communication perception, and the frequency of communication on zoonoses and AMR was associated with the presence of a permanent veterinarian. However, the results indicated that the frequency of disseminated information on zoonoses and/or AMR from veterinarians was lower than desired by the pet owners. Therefore, more educational material on zoonoses and AMR should be made available, and the awareness concerning risk communication should be increased by further education and training at universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Climate change has made the relationship between disaster and sustainable development more critical. Especially in developing countries, disasters frequently devastate local communities and hinder progress. Children are at a higher risk during catastrophes; however, their knowledge of disaster risk is limited. Education for disaster risk reduction can bring the necessary changes for a safe society. School disaster prevention education can raise awareness through lectures and games, but interactive dialogues between students and teachers can be more effective. Also, GPS tracking can be a valuable tool for understanding people's behavior during disasters. Methodology: This study proposes a method to analyze the relationship between students' daily behavior and their experiences of flood damage and preparedness for disaster risk. It is a simple method using questionnaires and GPS loggers and can be applied in mountainous areas in developing countries where equipment is inadequate. The proposed method will be used to understand the current state of disaster risk among children and identify disaster risk reduction issues. The study area lies in Paluntar Municipality, Gorkha district, Nepal. Forty-five students from two schools in the region participated in the study. Results: The results showed that students who commute to school in areas inundated by heavy rainfall in recent years were not adequately prepared for disasters, even though they had experienced flood damage in the past and were significantly more concerned about future harm. Our field observations and interviews of teacher-student relationships showed that students were very attentive to their teachers' instruction. Teachers understand the dangers of heavy rainfall and how to prepare for it, but students need to learn how to deal with it. In other words, the school staff's disaster education to the students effectively reduces disasters. Early warning is needed when severe floods are expected during the rainy season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim High-altitude mountaineering has become more and more popular, however if female alpinists show different injury pattern is not finally elucidated.Material and methods A retrospective analysis was therefore conducted from the central registry of the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) during the observational period from 2009 to 2022 concerning intersex differences of emergencies specific while high-altitude mountaineering.Conclusions A total of 1252 female (22%) and 4347 male (78%) emergencies while high-altitude mountaineering were elucidated. A significant difference was detected in average NACA score as proxy for the severity of an event for falls, where female cases show a significant lower severity with NACA score 3.0 ± 1.5 as compared to male cases with NACA score 3.5 ± 2.0 (p

Purpose To describe the process of becoming aware of and acting on personal cardiovascular (CVD) risk in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Method A purposive sample of 14 persons living with T2D participated in semi-structured, open-ended, in-dept interviews. The interviews were analysed with grounded theory. Result The analysis identified the core category “Balancing emotions, integrating knowledge and understanding to achieve risk awareness and act on it.” Five categories describe the movement from not being aware of the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) to becoming aware of this risk and taking action to reduce it. Persons with T2D need to transform their knowledge and experience of CVD risk and incorporate it in their individual situations. Emotional and existential experiences of CVD risk can lead to awareness about the severity of the condition and contribute to increased motivation for self-management. However, an overly high emotional response can be overwhelming and may result in insufficient self-management. Conclusion Persons with T2D seemed not to fully grasp their increased risk of CVD or recognize that self-management activities were aimed at reducing this risk. However, their awareness of CVD risk gradually increased as they came to understand the severity of T2D and became more emotionally and existentially engaged.

Abstract Risk governance is a widely used framework in natural and societal risk management research. Risks from natural hazards in urban areas call for the establishment of rigorous and participatory urban risk governance. In this study, we examined participatory risk governance (PRG) of flood risk management (FRM) in Seoul, South Korea. We conducted key informant interviews and implemented a survey with citizens, to explore perceptions of flood risks and risk management, and to examine prospects for improving PRG in Seoul. We found a gap between the perceptions of key informants and citizens. Key informants believed that citizens’ low awareness of flood risks hinders PRG. Yet our research found that citizens’ risk awareness was not low, and risk awareness may not be the main barrier to participation in PRG. Instead, we found that citizens lacked knowledge of FRM actions, and they assigned government bodies a high level of responsibility for FRM, compared to the level of responsibility that citizens assigned to themselves. Moreover, the actors involved in FRM tended not to trust each other, which implies a lack of mutual understanding. To increase the effectiveness of PRG, we suggest a polycentric governance structure anchored by a leading actor group, and active promotion of the participation of actors at multiple levels of governance. Communication between government and citizen participants, designed to foster improved understanding and recognition of one another’s roles and contributions to FRM, will enhance trust and improve the implementation of PRG in Seoul.

Risk governance is a widely used framework in natural and societal risk management research. Risks from natural hazards in urban areas call for the establishment of rigorous and participatory urban risk governance. In this study, we examined participatory risk governance (PRG) of flood risk management (FRM) in Seoul, South Korea. We conducted key informant interviews and implemented a survey with citizens, to explore perceptions of flood risks and risk management, and to examine prospects for improving PRG in Seoul. We found a gap between the perceptions of key informants and citizens. Key informants believed that citizens' low awareness of flood risks hinders PRG. Yet our research found that citizens' risk awareness was not low, and risk awareness may not be the main barrier to participation in PRG. Instead, we found that citizens lacked knowledge of FRM actions, and they assigned government bodies a high level of responsibility for FRM, compared to the level of responsibility that citizens assigned to themselves. Moreover, the actors involved in FRM tended not to trust each other, which implies a lack of mutual understanding. To increase the effectiveness of PRG, we suggest a polycentric governance structure anchored by a leading actor group, and active promotion of the participation of actors at multiple levels of governance. Communication between government and citizen participants, designed to foster improved understanding and recognition of one another's roles and contributions to FRM, will enhance trust and improve the implementation of PRG in Seoul. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been an increase in chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive incidents, often involving or specifically targeting children. These emerging threats pose a significant risk to the physical, psychological, and social wellbeing of children and can cause damaging effects on their development and growth. Children are more susceptible to the lethal effects of CBRNe agents and require increased protection, specialized intervention and medical countermeasures, and expert mental health support post-incident. The Hyogo Framework established a widely adopted international commitment to educating children about disasters, through which many nations have implemented disaster risk reduction education platforms focused on increasing their knowledge about potential hazards. However, few countries have begun to explore the benefits of introducing a comprehensive CBRNe awareness and preparedness curriculum to children. Studies have shown that experiential learning methods offer a highly engaging and immersive learning experience and increase educational outcomes. This work aims to explore the potential benefits of developing an interactive educational tool to introduce basic skills to prepare children and communities against CBRNe incidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Physical exercise helps to mitigate cardiovascular risks in people with diabetes mellitus (DM), but there are limited data in Nigeria. This study aimed to assess cardiovascular risk awareness, exercise practices and metabolic outcomes among Nigerians with diabetes. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study at five tertiary hospitals using questionnaire interviews and clinical assessments. Participants' knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors and knowledge of exercise were assessed on 12- and 5-item scores, while exercise practices were classed as adequate if performed regularly on 3 or more days weekly for a total of 150 min or more based on the American Diabetes Association recommendations. Mean body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), fasting blood glucose, serum haemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), lipid profile, urea, creatinine and uric acid were then compared among participant groups. Results: We studied 426 participants with DM, 58.7% females. The mean age was 52.9 ± 13.1 years, with males significantly older than females (54.6 ± 12.2 vs. 51.8 ± 13.5 years; 95% confidence interval: 0.27--5.28, P = 0.03). The mean age at diabetes diagnosis was 44.8 ± 11.7 years, and the median duration of diabetes was 84 months. There was low knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors and low knowledge of exercise (mean scores of 2.94 and 2.31, respectively). Forty-three per cent of participants reported adequate exercise, which was significantly associated with younger age (P = 0.007), male gender (P = 0.001) and formal education (P = 0.021). Participants with adequate exercise had lower systolic BP and serum urea compared to those with inadequate exercise, but there were no significant differences in BMI, fasting glucose, HbA1c, serum lipids, creatinine or uric acid. Conclusion: Participants had low knowledge of cardiovascular risks and the appropriate exercise practices for diabetes patients. There is a need for better patient education on diabetes self-care and exercise at clinic visits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was investigate the landscape of COVID-19 risk awareness, Risk Perception and preventive behaviors, regarding COVID-19 in Quetta. The way the general public perceives biological hazards significantly influences the manner in which health emergencies are addressed. It is a cross-sectional research with 323 sample size obtained through simple random sampling, data was collected through structured survey and analyzed in SPSS (Version.23). The 78.6% respondents acknowledged the existence of COVID-19 and 54.8% attributes it to natural disasters. Most of respondents (40%) get to know about COVID-19 from television and 35% consider exerts opinion most trusted information source. 83.6%, perceived that getting infected with the coronavirus can be serious. As concerns (71.2%) about future pandemics linger, sustained public health efforts are imperative. The study recommend the need for sustained Public Health efforts, the preparedness planning, and collaborative actions to navigate the complexities of the ongoing pandemic and those that may arise in the future [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intimate bonds between humans and their pets create favourable conditions that support the mutual transmission of pathogens in either direction. In this context, veterinarians are essential in informing and educating pet owners about health risks linked to zoonotic pathogens and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). To effectively convey this information, veterinarians should have strong communication skills. To gather insights on pet ownership, veterinary consultations, and risk communication, an online questionnaire was used to survey dog and cat owners in Germany. The survey evaluated the frequency and perception of communication concerning zoonotic pathogens and AMR, deriving a communication score. The findings showed that pet owners rated veterinarian communication with a high average score, reflecting a high satisfaction level. The longer pet owners had been clients, the more frequently they received information on zoonoses and AMR, and the better they rated the communication. However, the results also indicated that the amount of information on zoonoses and/or AMR provided by veterinarians was still lower than desired by pet owners. Risk factors, including pathogen detection, vulnerable individuals, owning imported animals, and feeding them raw meat, fish, offal, or uncooked bones, were regularly present. These findings underscore the critical role of risk communication in preventing zoonoses and AMR.

Risk perception is considered the primary motivator for taking preparedness actions. But people with prior experience and a high‐risk perception are not necessarily more prepared. This relationship is even more complex when assessing preparedness levels for hazards with different characteristics. These inconsistent findings can be explained by how preparedness has been measured and the influence of other factors, such as trust and risk awareness. Thus, the main goal of this study was to analyze the role of risk awareness and trust in authorities on risk perception and intention to prepare for natural hazards in a coastal city in Chile. A representative sample of the city of Concepción, located in the center‐south zone of Chile (n = 585), completed a survey. We measured risk awareness, risk perception, trust in authorities, and intention to prepare for two hazards: earthquakes/tsunamis and floods. Through structural equation models, we tested five hypotheses. We found that the perception of risk maintained a direct and positive influence on the intention to prepare for both hazards. The results showed that awareness and risk perception influence the intention to prepare and should be considered different concepts. Finally, trust did not significantly influence risk perception when faced with known hazards for the population. Implications for understanding the relationship between risk perception and direct experience are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Awareness about side effects of COVID-19 vaccines affected vaccination willingness. • Public reactions on trust and vaccination willingness varied across countries. • National health authorities' approaches affected trust and vaccination willingness. In 2021, thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) was confirmed by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) as a rare side effect of the COVID-19 adenovirus vector vaccines Vaxzevria® and Jcovden®. This study aimed to describe the public's knowledge of TTS and how it affected the willingness to be vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines in six European countries. From June to October of 2022, a multi-country cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Denmark, Greece, Latvia, Netherlands, Portugal, and Slovenia. The minimum target of participants to be recruited was based on the size of the country's population. The results were analysed descriptively. In total, 3794 respondents were included in the analysis; across the six countries, 33.3 %–68.3 % reported being familiar with signs and symptoms of TTS, although 3.1–61.4 % of those were able to identify the symptoms correctly. The reported changes in willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and with other vaccines varied per country. The largest reported change in the willingness to be vaccinated with Vaxzevria® and Jcovden® was observed in Denmark (61.2 %), while the willingness to be vaccinated with other COVID-19 vaccines changed most in Slovenia (30.4 %). The smallest decrease in willingness towards future vaccination against COVID-19 was reported in the Netherlands (20.9 %) contrasting with the largest decrease observed in Latvia (69.1 %). Knowledge about TTS seemed to have influenced the public's opinion in Europe resulting in less willingness to be vaccinated with Vaxzevria® and Jcovden®. Willingness for vaccination against COVID-19 with other vaccines and widespread use of vaccines to prevent other diseases also differed and seemed to be determined by the approaches taken by national health authorities when reacting to and communicating about COVID-19 vaccination risks. Further investigation of optimal risk communication strategies is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Colombiana de Ciencias Sociales is the property of Fondo Editorial Fundacion Universitaria Luis Amigo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study focuses on improving pre-emptive risk recognition and safety checks to prevent workplace accidents. It underscores improvements by addressing existing research issues, suggesting potential enhancements through system development. Work approval procedures and workers' prior risk awareness, through the confirmation of work safety standards in physically separated work areas, are fundamental methods of preventing serious accidents and creating a safe work environment. A key factor concerning worker safety is recognizing the potential accident risk factors (or hazards) in advance through practical job hazard analysis and consequently take risk-reduction measures in case the safety standards are not met. Despite the crucial significance of pre-awareness of work risks at the majority of construction sites, tools to enhance this awareness are currently limited. Furthermore, real-time detection of work risks and the implementation of risk reduction measures are contingent upon a monitoring environment and a robust safety culture. This study proposed construction worker location-tracking technology that recognizes personal identification (ID). A safety check system based on location tracking combining personal quick response code (QR code) recognition and computer vision technology to automatically identify workers' personal identities and track their physical location was proposed. A real-time safety check system was implemented to classify automatically whether workers have confirmed hazards and to approve a work process in high-risk workplaces by supervisors. Location-tracking technology with ID recognition performed the following two safety management functions. First, if a construction worker does not pre-check the work risk information before entering the work zone, the geofencing technology automatically classifies workers as those who are not aware of job hazards. Secondly, the safety manager or supervisor entering the on-site work zone possesses the authority to halt work if the work environment fails to meet safety standards and can issue warnings regarding risky situations. Essential functions were validated through a case study involving preliminary testing within the development system. To assess the practical application of the system, virtual simulations were conducted using recorded videos from a construction site to replicate the two essential functions of the system. The system was constructed using an Apache server and Python code, and for testing purposes, the names of the workers were randomized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community is the vanguard of urban resilience construction, the vanguard of disaster risk reduction and guiding the priority of work. Community residents are the direct victims and main responders of disaster risks. The smooth implementation of community earthquake prevention and disaster reduction work is an important component of the modern earthquake prevention and disaster reduction governance system. However, there are still many difficulties in carrying out community earthquake prevention and disaster reduction. Based on the current situation of earthquake prevention and disaster reduction in a community in Jiaxing, a system construction framework for community earthquake prevention and disaster reduction work is proposed for the eastern region, so as to prevent earthquake disaster in a planned and prepared manner, and avoid and reduce the harm that earthquake may bring to the community to the greatest extent, help community workers and residents to improve their awareness of the risk of earthquake disaster, cultivate community emergency culture for earthquake disaster, and promote the stability and development of communities under their jurisdiction.

The urban areas of Mediterranean Europe, and particularly Italy, have experienced considerable expansion since the late 19th century in terms of settlements, structures, and infrastructure, especially in large population centers. In such areas, the geohydrological risk is high not only for inhabited areas but also along roadways exposed to flooding. This scenario is worrying, especially in road underpass sections, where drivers are unlikely to perceive a real risk due to the high degree of confidence that comes from the habit of driving. Underpasses have been widely used to obviate the need to find shorter alternative routes and manage vehicular traffic in urban settings impeded by previous anthropogenic and natural constraints. To assess the numerical consistency, frequency, and areal distribution of flood risk around road underpasses, several hundred pieces of data were selected (mostly from international, national and local newspapers, CNR IRPI archive and local archives) and cataloged in a thematic database, referring mainly to the Italian territory. The behavioral aspects in the face of risk were also examined in order to provide a better understanding and raise awareness for preventive purposes. The results of this specific CNR research, which lasted about two years, confirm the exposure of underpasses to extreme risk events, affecting road users. In Italy alone, between 1942 and 2023, 698 underpasses were identified as having experienced a flooding event at least once. The database shows that 680 vehicles were involved in Italy, with a total of at least 812 individuals, of whom 19 died. Despite incomplete and uneven information, the findings of the analysis regarding the increment in underpasses flooding and the drivers action in front of a flooded underpass may be useful for undertaking the appropriate mitigation strategies.

Exotic animals traded and kept as pets can transmit a variety of diseases to humans and other animals, and vice versa. Therefore, it is essential for pet owners, particularly vulnerable groups, to be informed about associated risks. Veterinarians play a crucial role in informing pet owners about health risks associated with zoonotic pathogens and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and should, therefore, have good communication skills to effectively transfer information to pet owners. Thus, exotic pet owners in Germany were surveyed on animal husbandry, veterinary consultation and risk communication. To evaluate the perception of communication, a self-developed questionnaire was used to derive a communication score. The perception of veterinarian communication received a high average score showing a high level of satisfaction. The duration of the veterinarian–client relationship was associated with better communication perception, and the frequency of communication on zoonoses and AMR was associated with the presence of a permanent veterinarian. However, the results indicated that the frequency of disseminated information on zoonoses and/or AMR from veterinarians was lower than desired by the pet owners. Therefore, more educational material on zoonoses and AMR should be made available, and the awareness concerning risk communication should be increased by further education and training at universities.

This paper presents an analysis of how the particular categories of children and youth are used within the instructional work of learning to drive. Using Membership Categorisation Analysis (MCA) and multimodal Conversation Analysis (CA) of a collection of cases drawn from 85 video-recorded driving lessons, we demonstrate how the participants treat children and youth as a category of traffic users whose main category predicate appears to be their expected unpredictability and carelessness, placing particularly high demands on drivers' awareness and caution. This is evident in in-event and post-event interactions about traffic encounters with children and youth, as well as in traffic contexts where they have not (yet) been spotted but their sudden appearance is anticipated. The results suggest that the institutional constructions of children and youth as a potential source of trouble prepare trainee drivers for unforeseen events and contingencies and shape their social stock of knowledge as future motorists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: we aim to investigate attitudes toward vaccination by analyzing empirical factors associated with vaccine acceptance in the Lazio region mpox vaccination (MpoxVax) campaign in Italy. Methods: all subjects who accessed MpoxVax and signed the informed consent were prospectively enrolled in the MPOX-VAC Study and were asked to fill out an anonymous survey. Two endpoints were selected: 'delayed acceptance' and 'early acceptance', defined as access for vaccination >60 and ≤30 days from the vaccination campaign starting (VCS), respectively. Results: over the study period, 1717 individuals underwent vaccination: 129 (7%) > 60 [1588 (92.5%) ≤ 60] and 676 (60%) ≤ 30 days from VCS. A bisexual orientation, a lower education level and a worse perceived physical and mental health were associated with delayed access to vaccination. Being pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users and, marginally, HIV positive; having a high perceived risk for mpox infection; and reporting high-risk behaviors like the use of recreational drugs/chems, sex under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol and having a higher number of principal sexual partners, were associated with early access to vaccination. Conclusions: according to our data, risk awareness was a major determinant of early MpoxVax acceptance. Conversely, worse perceived health status and a low educational level were critical factors associated with delayed vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This article discusses the importance of risk awareness among public managers in the context of public sector organizations. It highlights a deficiency in risk awareness among managers, which can be attributed to the failure of top-level managers to implement risk policies. The study emphasizes the sociocultural and technical nature of risk management and the need for a radical change in risk governance. It also explores the role of leadership in creating risk awareness and identifies factors that contribute to low-risk awareness among managers. The document also includes a list of references and appendices related to a research study on risk management in the public sector, which could be useful for further research on the topic. [Extracted from the article]

Enhancing the capacity and awareness of individuals in disaster prevention and mitigation requires an intuitive and comprehensible method for representing flood hazard education knowledge. To address the challenges of complex information transfer and limited knowledge expression in flood disaster education, this paper proposes a novel strategy. The approach utilizes conceptual graphs to organize and guide the visual representation of flood disaster knowledge. It involves connecting flood data and knowledge elements using concept nodes and relationships, and translating them into dynamic visual representations through instantiation methods. A prototype system was developed to visualize disaster data obtained from flood-affected areas. The visualization output was compared to expert-based reports using a questionnaire, focusing on attractiveness and comprehensibility. The results demonstrated the superiority of our approach, with higher scores of 0.433 and 0.22 (on a scale of 0–1) for attractiveness and comprehensibility, respectively. This highlights the effectiveness of our approach in displaying flood knowledge and facilitating its dissemination. In summary, this paper introduces a comprehensive and dynamic visualization approach for the entire flood process, integrating relevant disaster knowledge. It presents a fresh perspective on digital disaster education tailored to floods, aiming to enhance public awareness of flood risk prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractWater safety programs to protect children from water-related accidents and increase their awareness of the risk factor crucial to maintaining safety. This study examined the behavior of 48 junior high school students after an intervention program on water safety in a river using the Rohrmann’s Risk Communication Model and the Analysis, Design, Development, and Evaluation (ADDIE) model. A self-administered questionnaire was designed to collect responses about the children’s perception of danger at three-time points: pre-post-post (5 months) after the program’s implementation. We hypothesized that water safety education can increase children’s awareness of appropriate behavior around water and raise their awareness of danger. The evaluation indicators consisted of an increase in the awareness of the water area risk perception, general risk acceptance, and risk-taking behavior. The results suggest that practical water safety program may have a positive effect on the students’ awareness of water safety and help prevent water accidents. This study is unique in that it was conducted in a natural body of water.

This study is to confirm the influence of SNS in the process of forming behavioral intentions to prevent infectious diseases in the risk situation of corona virus infection. For this purpose, SNS was divided into government/media SNS and personal SNS according to information sources, and the degree of influence of the main characteristics (information reliability, information up-to-date, enjoyment, and social relationships) of each SNS was examined. In addition, the mediating effects of risk perception, negative emotions, and subjective norms were also examined for factors influencing preventive behavioral intentions using the RISP and HBM models, which were previously applied to the search and sharing of health and risk-related information. An online survey was conducted to verify the research model, and as a result of the analysis, the information reliability of public SNS, enjoyment and social relationship factors of personal SNS are major factors influencing risk perception, and risk perception mediate negative emotions and it has been found to influence norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been considerable recent growth in supply chain (SC) traceability research due to increased Industry 4.0 solutions and the potential of traceability systems to enable SCs to bounce back from a crisis, thereby having a long-term impact on firm/SC performance. However, to date, the relationship between SC traceability and SC Resilience (SCRes) has not been fully explored. Using a systematic literature review, this paper first provides a comprehensive state-of-the-art understanding of traceability to enable an appreciation of the inherent benefits of its implementation and its role in the improvement of SCRes. Building on this understanding, a conceptual framework is developed showing that there is a direct relationship between traceability benefits, such as improved risk awareness, and SCRes. The framework also demonstrates indirect relationships between these benefits and four enablers of SCRes: flexibility, velocity, visibility and collaboration. Finally, a future research agenda is proposed, including further development of this conceptual framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture in the United Kingdom (UK) continues to be one of the most dangerous occupations, accounting for around a fifth of fatal workplace injuries and many other injuries, both major and minor. This study examines young farmers' awareness of, attitude to and behaviors around safety practices on-farm. A survey was undertaken amongst a group of young farmers aged 16-years and over who were actively engaged in farming in Northern Ireland, focusing on attitudes and behaviors towards safety on-farm. Drawing on previous literature, this study examined whether younger farmers demonstrate a higher degree of risk tolerance and are more likely to engage in risk taking behavior when undertaking routine farming practices leading to potential injuries and lost working days. The young farmers surveyed were classified into three groups and differences in risk perception were examined. The results indicate that, statistically, farmer age, intensity of farming alongside the level of farming experience contribute to incident occurrence. Our results indicate a need for attitudinal and behavioral change, particularly around risk-taking behaviors that ultimately result in farm incidents, impacting on both the performance of the farm business and individual farmer well-being. Policies aimed at addressing perception and acceptance of risks among farmers are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is an uncommon and severe condition in patients who are receiving treatment with antiresorptive and/or antiangiogenic drugs, which are frequently used to treat or prevent cancer metastases. The treatment of MRONJ is challenging because the choice of a specific dental treatment depends on several factors, including the systemic condition of the patient, type and dosage of medications, and clinical and radiographic characteristics of the dental lesions. This case report describes the conservative endodontic treatment of an odontogenic infection in a patient at risk of developing MRONJ owing to bisphosphonate treatment. Endodontic retreatment was performed to control the odontogenic infection and avoid tooth extraction. Certain factors favor the use of a conservative approach, such as a localized and small infection, the absence of systemic factors (such as metabolic disorders or medications) that can impair bone healing, and good oral hygiene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces an AC stochastic optimal power flow (SOPF) for the flexibility management of electric vehicle (EV) charging pools in distribution networks under uncertainty. The AC SOPF considers discrete utility functions from charging pools as a compensation mechanism for eventual energy not served to their charging tasks. An application of the AC SOPF is described where a distribution system operator (DSO) requires flexibility to each charging pool in a day-ahead time frame, minimizing the cost for flexibility while guaranteeing technical limits. Flexibility areas are defined for each charging pool and calculated as a function of a risk parameter involving the uncertainty of the solution. Results show that all players can benefit from this approach, i. e., the DSO obtains a risk-aware solution, while charging pools/tasks perceive a reduction in the total energy payment due to flexibility services.

Simple Summary: Histomonosis has become a serious disease not only for turkeys but for the entire poultry sector. Despite a focus on research on histomonosis over recent years, possible disease-favouring conditions are still poorly understood. For this reason, an interview-based case series study was initiated on 31 affected turkey farms in Germany. Despite a generally good risk awareness among participating farmers for disease-favouring conditions, an insufficient attitude towards certain biosecurity aspects was detected. Furthermore, hypotheses concerning various possibilities of pathogen introduction via animate or inanimate vectors could be generated, which need to be tested in follow-up studies. Overall, this study demonstrates that improvements in biosecurity, flock, and health management are necessary to ensure animal welfare in the future. Since the ban of effective feed additives and therapeutics, histomonosis has become an important disease and, subsequently, a welfare issue for turkey production. We conducted an interview-based case series study to generate hypotheses about possible disease-favouring conditions in 31 H. meleagridis-infected flocks. The determined parameters were related to the general farm (flock management, biosecurity measures, etc.) as well as the histomonosis-specific disease management. Some inadequate biosecurity measures were observed. An inappropriate usage of the hygiene lock and cleaning as well as the disinfection frequency of equipment, clothes, and the hygiene lock could possibly be histomonosis-favouring conditions. These factors could increase the risk for the introduction of H. meleagridis and the risk of a pathogen spread on an affected farm. Insects, wild birds, litter materials, and contaminated dung could be potential vectors of H. meleagridis. Predisposing gastrointestinal diseases were observed in 71% of the affected flocks. Additionally, stress events related to higher temperature, movement of birds, and vaccination were documented in association with clinical histomonosis. The results emphasise the need for both good disease control and health management to ensure sustainable animal health and welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Certain maternal complications of pregnancy, including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus, birth of a growth restricted infant, idiopathic preterm labour, and placental abruption, are associated with a significantly increased risk of future maternal cardiovascular disease. In Australia, it is relatively unknown how many women with a history of complicated pregnancies are aware of their future cardiovascular disease risk. The aim of this study was to determine what percentage of women attending a cardiovascular disease prevention clinic in South Australia soon after a complicated pregnancy were aware of their increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This prospective observational study included 188 women attending a postpartum prevention clinic between 7th August 2018 and 10th February 2021. These women had experienced a serious maternal complication of pregnancy approximately seven months earlier. Women completed a self-administered health awareness survey immediately prior to their first clinic appointment to assess their awareness of their increased cardiovascular risk. Over two-thirds (69.1 %) of the women were unaware of the association between pregnancy complications and cardiovascular disease, and 6.4 % of the cohort did not realise they had experienced a complicated pregnancy. Almost 10 % of the cohort did not correctly identify the complication/s they had been diagnosed with during pregnancy. Awareness of the association between complications of pregnancy and future cardiovascular disease was low in our cohort of women who had experienced a complication of pregnancy only seven months earlier. This emphasises the need for improved education for and communication with women to assist in implementing preventative care strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual enhancement supplements (SESs) that have illegal additions of pharmaceuticals or analogues pose a significant health risk, particularly with long-term usage. When supplements are adulterated with phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors, dosages can vary widely and there may be an increase in adverse effects and drug–drug interactions which cannot be avoided. Consequently, there is a need to evaluate the public risk awareness toward SES and the associated adverse events as well as explore significant factors associated with knowledge and risk awareness. A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted among University male students and staff at Ajman University, United Arab Emirates (UAE), using a self-administered survey via a web-based electronic link to explore key issues. A total of 1,101 male subjects participated in the study and completed the questionnaire. Four hundred and thirty-three(39.3%) (95% confidence interval [CI]: 33.2–44.5) participants reported using SES products. Of these, 137 (31.6%) [95% CI: 28.6–37.2] experienced adverse effects from SES product use. SES use was more prevalent among participants aged 60 to 69 years (odds ratio [OR]: 2.94; 95% CI: 1.63–5.28), diabetic patients (OR: 2.61; 95% CI: 1.75–3.90), hypertension patients (OR: 2.12; 95% CI: 1.45–3.1), and those overweight or obese (OR: 1.84; 95% CI: 1.44–2.35). This study indicates that SES is a popular practice among the UAE university staff and students. However, there is a need to implement risk awareness programs to raise public awareness regarding SES use and safety. Regulatory bodies are encouraged to provide additional advice on the proper use and possible risks of consuming SES. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On January 12, 2010, Haiti was hit by one of the largest seismic disasters known to date. At the time, the culture and perception of seismic risk was low among the population and--because of the lack of seismic sensors in Haiti--so was seismological knowledge. In a citizen seismology approach, the S2RHAI project used low-cost seismic sensors (Raspberry Shake) to (1) complement the national seismic network and (2) to improve risk perception, preparedness, and scientific knowledge of the population. Through these objectives, we introduce a paradigm shift in which seismic networks are not only composed of sensors, but also of citizens who gather around these tools and the information they produce. We present here the results of a qualitative survey of 15 Raspberry Shake (RS) seismometer hosts in Haiti. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to learn about users' experience to assess their motivations, difficulties, and expectations in this citizen seismology process. We found that RS hosts expressed pride and interest in being part of the RS network and actively contributing to risk reduction in their community. Some of them reported a form of empowerment in that they could compensate for the deficiency of the state, which they generally distrust. However, the RS hosts also expressed the need for more technical and scientific support from scientists. Also, few of them engaged in mediation activities or discussions with their community members, partly because they feared that this would awaken the trauma caused by the earthquake of 12 January, 2010. This allowed us to list concrete actions to (1) improve the seismic information system, (2) better integrate the volunteers into the network, (3) enrich the collaboration between citizens and seismologists, and (4) accompany them in their role as ambassadors to their community. We conclude that understanding the motivations, obstacles, and expectations of volunteers is essential to increase the chances of sustainability of this citizen seismology project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on improving pre-emptive risk recognition and safety checks to prevent workplace accidents. It underscores improvements by addressing existing research issues, suggesting potential enhancements through system development. Work approval procedures and workers’ prior risk awareness, through the confirmation of work safety standards in physically separated work areas, are fundamental methods of preventing serious accidents and creating a safe work environment. A key factor concerning worker safety is recognizing the potential accident risk factors (or hazards) in advance through practical job hazard analysis and consequently take risk-reduction measures in case the safety standards are not met. Despite the crucial significance of pre-awareness of work risks at the majority of construction sites, tools to enhance this awareness are currently limited. Furthermore, real-time detection of work risks and the implementation of risk reduction measures are contingent upon a monitoring environment and a robust safety culture. This study proposed construction worker location-tracking technology that recognizes personal identification (ID). A safety check system based on location tracking combining personal quick response code (QR code) recognition and computer vision technology to automatically identify workers’ personal identities and track their physical location was proposed. A real-time safety check system was implemented to classify automatically whether workers have confirmed hazards and to approve a work process in high-risk workplaces by supervisors. Location-tracking technology with ID recognition performed the following two safety management functions. First, if a construction worker does not pre-check the work risk information before entering the work zone, the geofencing technology automatically classifies workers as those who are not aware of job hazards. Secondly, the safety manager or supervisor entering the on-site work zone possesses the authority to halt work if the work environment fails to meet safety standards and can issue warnings regarding risky situations. Essential functions were validated through a case study involving preliminary testing within the development system. To assess the practical application of the system, virtual simulations were conducted using recorded videos from a construction site to replicate the two essential functions of the system. The system was constructed using an Apache server and Python code, and for testing purposes, the names of the workers were randomized.

Background: we aim to investigate attitudes toward vaccination by analyzing empirical factors associated with vaccine acceptance in the Lazio region mpox vaccination (MpoxVax) campaign in Italy. Methods: all subjects who accessed MpoxVax and signed the informed consent were prospectively enrolled in the MPOX-VAC Study and were asked to fill out an anonymous survey. Two endpoints were selected: ‘delayed acceptance’ and ‘early acceptance’, defined as access for vaccination >60 and ≤30 days from the vaccination campaign starting (VCS), respectively. Results: over the study period, 1717 individuals underwent vaccination: 129 (7%) > 60 [1588 (92.5%) ≤ 60] and 676 (60%) ≤ 30 days from VCS. A bisexual orientation, a lower education level and a worse perceived physical and mental health were associated with delayed access to vaccination. Being pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users and, marginally, HIV positive; having a high perceived risk for mpox infection; and reporting high-risk behaviors like the use of recreational drugs/chems, sex under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol and having a higher number of principal sexual partners, were associated with early access to vaccination. Conclusions: according to our data, risk awareness was a major determinant of early MpoxVax acceptance. Conversely, worse perceived health status and a low educational level were critical factors associated with delayed vaccination.

Computation offloading has effectively solved the problem of terminal devices computing resources limitation in hospitals by shifting the medical image diagnosis task to the edge servers for execution. Appropriate offloading strategies for diagnostic tasks are essential. However, the risk awareness of each user and the multiple expenses associated with processing tasks have been ignored in prior works. In this article, a multi-user multi-objective computation offloading for medical image diagnosis is proposed. First, the prospect theoretic utility function of each user is designed considering the delay, energy consumption, payment, and risk awareness. Second, the computation offloading problem including the above factors is defined as a distributed optimization problem, which with the goal of maximizing the utility of each user. The distributed optimization problem is then transformed into a non-cooperative game among the users. The exact potential game proves that the non-cooperative game has Nash equilibrium points. A low-complexity computation offloading algorithm based on best response dynamics finally is proposed. Detailed numerical experiments demonstrate the impact of different parameters and convergence in the algorithm on the utility function. The result shows that, compare with four benchmarks and four heuristic algorithms, the proposed algorithm in this article ensures a faster convergence speed and achieves only a 1.14% decrease in the utility value as the number of users increases.