The Vicious Cycle between Loneliness and Problematic Smartphone Use among Adolescents: A Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model.

Despite extensive research on the psychological impacts of digital technology, the nuanced dynamics between adolescent loneliness and problematic smartphone use, particularly across different educational levels and genders, remain underexplored. This study aims to fill this gap by employing a Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model to dissect the bidirectional relationship between loneliness and problematic smartphone use among adolescents, with a focus on the moderating roles of educational levels and gender. Engaging 3132 students from various educational institutions in China, the research conducted a three-wave longitudinal analysis across 2022-2023. The final number of participants included 1120 adolescents (53.5% female; age in 2022: M = 14.57 years, SD = 1.57). Results reveal that loneliness significantly predicts problematic smartphone use, but not vice versa, highlighting a unidirectional influence. The study uncovers crucial differences across educational levels and gender, emphasizing the stronger effect of loneliness on problematic smartphone use among junior high students and female adolescents. These findings underscore the complexity of adolescent loneliness and its relationship with digital behavior, suggesting a need for tailored interventions considering both gender and developmental stages.

Drinking alcohol in moderation is associated with lower rate of all-cause mortality in individuals with higher rather than lower educational level: findings from the MORGAM project.

The association between socioeconomic status (SES) and alcohol-related diseases has been widely explored. Less is known, however, on whether the association of moderate drinking with all-cause mortality is modified by educational level (EL). Using harmonized data from 16 cohorts in the MORGAM Project (N = 142,066) the association of pattern of alcohol intake with hazard of all-cause mortality across EL (lower = primary-school; middle = secondary-school; higher = university/college degree) was assessed using multivariable Cox-regression and spline curves. A total of 16,695 deaths occurred in 11.8 years (median). In comparison with life-long abstainers, participants drinking 0.1-10 g/d of ethanol had 13% (HR = 0.87; 95%CI: 0.74-1.02), 11% (HR = 0.89; 0.84-0.95) and 5% (HR = 0.95; 0.89-1.02) lower rate of death in higher, middle and lower EL, respectively. Conversely, drinkers > 20 g/d had 1% (HR = 1.01; 0.82-1.25), 10% (HR = 1.10; 1.02-1.19) and 17% (HR = 1.17; 1.09-1.26) higher rate of death. The association of alcohol consumption with all-cause mortality was nonlinear, with a different J-shape by EL levels. It was consistent across both sexes and in various approaches of measuring alcohol consumption, including combining quantity and frequency and it was more evident when the beverage of preference was wine. We observed that drinking in moderation (≤ 10 g/d) is associated with lower mortality rate more evidently in individuals with higher EL than in people with lower EL, while heavy drinking is associated with higher mortality rate more evidently in individuals with lower EL than in people with higher EL, suggesting that advice on reducing alcohol intake should especially target individuals of low EL.

Teste de dígitos no ruído no Português Brasileiro: influência das variáveis demográficas e socioeconômicas em normo-ouvintes / Digits-in-noise test in Brazilian Portuguese: how demographic and socioeconomic variables influence normal-hearing subjects

RESUMO Objetivo Verificar a influência das variáveis demográficas e socioeconômicas no limiar de reconhecimento de fala no ruído (LRF) obtidos no teste de dígitos no ruído (TDR) no Português Brasileiro em normo-ouvintes. Método Estudo transversal e prospectivo. A amostra de conveniência foi composta por 151 sujeitos normo-ouvintes com idade entre 12 e 79 anos (média =34,66) que realizaram audiometria tonal liminar e teste de dígitos no ruído branco com sequência de trios numéricos em estímulo diótico (inphase) no mesmo dia. O TDR foi realizado com um smartphone Motorola Z3 play com acesso à internet com fones de ouvido intra-auriculares. Os limiares de reconhecimento dos dígitos no ruído (LRF) foram analisados em função do sexo, idade, escolaridade e nível socioeconômico. Foi utilizado para comparar as amostras independentes, o teste não-paramétrico Kruskal-Wallis e Mann-Whitney, adotando-se o nível de significância de 5%. Resultados A média do LRF foi de -8,47 dBNA (dp -3,89), com mediana de -9,6 dBNA. O LRF foi proporcionalmente inverso à escolaridade e nível socioeconômico e mais negativo (isto é, melhor) com menor faixa-etária. Não houve evidência de influência do sexo no LRF do TDR. Conclusão Idade, escolaridade e nível socioeconômico mostraram influenciar o limiar no TDR; essas variáveis devem ser consideradas na análise de desempenho do TDR no Português Brasileiro em sujeitos normo-ouvintes.

ABSTRACT Purpose Verify how demographic and socioeconomic variables on the in-noise speech recognition threshold (SRT) from the digits-in-noise test (DIN) in Brazilian Portuguese influence normal-hearing subjects. Methods Cross-sectional, prospective study. The convenience sample had 151 normal-hearing subjects between 12 and 79 years (mean=34.66) who underwent pure tone audiometry and digits-in-noise test with white noise using a sequence of three numbers in diotic stimulus (in-phase) on the same day. The DIN was performed using a Motorola Z3 Play smartphone with internet access and in-ear headphones. In-noise digit speech recognition threshold (SRT) was analyzed for gender, age, educational levels, and socioeconomic status. We used the non-parametric version of the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests to compare independent samples adopting a significance level of 5%. Results The mean SRT was -8.47 dBNA (SD -3.89) with a median of -9.6 dBNA. The SRT was proportionally inverse to educational levels and socioeconomic status and more negative (better) with lower age groups. Gender did not influence the DIN SRT. Conclusion Age, educational levels, and socioeconomic status influenced the DIN threshold. These variables must be considered when analyzing DIN performance in Brazilian Portuguese in normal-hearing subjects.

Women and Pensions in Italy: Gender Imbalances and the Equalization of Retirement Age.

This paper examines the age at retirement for men and women in Italy. Despite the expansion of women's educational attainments, they still display lower employment rates, are frequently engaged in involuntary part-time jobs and have more fragmented careers. As a consequence, the mean age at which women receive a pension is higher than that of men. Using Labour Force Survey (2006 and 2012), the authors test the hypothesis that women's higher age at retirement is determined by a selection bias towards more educated and work oriented women. A Heckman selection model has been developed. Results show that the main disadvantage is suffered by women with medium and low levels of education who show the highest estimated age at retirement, whereas higher educated women retire on average before men with the same level of education. The authors argue that pension policies, without interventions in the field of work-life balance policies, end up penalizing women with lower levels of education.

Asociación del nivel socioeconómico y educacional en los egresos por cáncer de mama en Chile durante los años 2001 al 2016 / Association of the socioeconomic and educational level in the breast cancer hospital outbreaks in Chile during the years 2001 to 2016

Introducción: El cáncer de mama constituye la primera causa de muerte en los cánceres en Chile según Globocan 2018. Dentro de los factores que explican esta alta mortalidad encontramos una baja tasa de detección y de realización de mamografías en los niveles socioeconómicos altos. Es por esto que comprender las causas de defunción y los factores que afectan en la mortalidad y letalidad por cáncer de mama en los últimos 17 años nos permitirá enfocar las políticas públicas de los próximos 50 años. Los objetivos generales de este trabajo fueron caracterizar los egresos hospitalarios en los pacientes por cáncer de mama según la edad, el sexo, la previsión, el nivel socioeconómico y educacional en Chile durante los años 2001 al 2016 y calcular la mortalidad y letalidad específica en estas mismas variables durante los años 2001 a 2016. El objetivo específico es asociar las variables socioeconómicas y educacionales, estimando los Odd's ratios de las variables en los egresos hospitalarios por cáncer de mama en Chile durante los años 2001 al 2016. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio de cohorte longitudinal retrospectivo en 81,072 egresos hospitalarios y 20,220 defunciones obtenidas de la página DEIS MINSAL, años 2001-2016. Para el análisis univariado se efectuó una regresión de ajuste de tasas Prais-weinstein según edad y sexo según modelo OMS de ajuste de tasas. Para las variables de tipo discreta se describieron mediante porcentajes y tasas y para las variables de tipo continua se utilizó mediana y desviación estándar. Se efectuó un test de smirnov-kolmolgorov para determinar el tipo de distribución y de normalidad de las muestras. Para las variables de tipo dicotómica se utilizó un modelo de regresión logística binaria para describir estas variables y determinar la posible asociación entre el nivel socioeconómico y educacional de las pacientes diagnosticadas por cáncer de mama. Resultados: Murieron 1,88 veces más personas de nivel socioeconómico alto con un IC entre 1,83- 1,94 con respecto a la población de nivel socioeconómico bajo. En cambio, las personas con un mayor nivel educacional murieron 0,5 veces menos según la regresión realizada respecto al bajo nivel educacional con un IC entre 0,47- 0,52, pero a menor nivel educacional aumentó 20 veces la mortalidad, constituyendo una causa inversa. Respecto al sexo las mujeres murieron 2,08 veces más que los hombres. Para el nivel socioeconómico alto en relación al bajo un OR [1.88 (1.83 a 1,94)], p<0,0001], para el nivel educacional alto en relación al bajo fue a favor del mayor nivel educacional con OR [0,5 (0,47 - 0,52)] y en cuanto a la comparación de sexos un OR [1,04 (1,03-2,17), p=0,039]. Es decir, la diferencia entre mortalidad que hubo fue significativa para todos los intervalos tanto para sexo, nivel educacional como para nivel socioeconómico. Se encontró una constante de 0,013 de mortalidad basal, es decir, todos tienen 1,3% de riesgo de morir por cáncer de mama independiente del nivel socioeconómico, educacional y del sexo. Conclusión: Existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas respecto a la mortalidad entre los niveles socioeconómicos altos y bajos y también en nivel educacional, sin embargo, al realizar los métodos de regresión se obtuvo una mayor mortalidad y mayor riesgo de morir por cáncer de mama en los niveles socioeconómicos más altos asociados a, probablemente, la menor cantidad de tamizajes y realización de mamografías en este estrato. A partir del año 2008 se observó un incremento a los niveles originales observados al inicio del segundo milenio incrementando las diferencias existentes en los índices de desigualdad tanto por nivel educacional como por nivel socioeconómico incrementando en 20 veces respecto al nivel educacional, y 1.88 respecto al nivel socioeconómico.

Introduction: Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in cancers in Chile according to Globocan 2018. Among the factors that explain this high mortality, we find a low rate of detection and performance of mammograms in high socioeconomic levels. This is why understanding the causes of death and the factors that affect mortality and fatality from breast cancer in the last 17 years will allow us to focus on public policies for the next 50 years Materials and Methods: Retrospective longitudinal cohort study in 79,996 hospital discharges and 20,220 deaths obtained from the DEIS MINSAL page, years 2001 -2016. For the univariate analysis, a Prais-Weinstein rate adjustment regression was performed according to age and sex according to the WHO rate adjustment model. For discrete type variables, they were described by percentages and rates, and median and standard deviation were used for continuous type variables. A smirnov-kolmolgorov test was performed to determine the type of distribution and normality of the samples. For dichotomous variables, a binary logistic regression model was used to describe these variables and determine the possible association between the socioeconomic and educational level of the patients diagnosed with breast cancer. Abstract: In this observational, longitudinal and retrospective study with 101.292 patients that includes men and women of all ages with diagnosis of breast cancer all along Chile, we´ll analyze the impact of socioeconomic level, evaluated through educational level and money income, into the prevalence, mortality and lethality of breast cancer in the years 2001 to 2016. Results: People with a high socioeconomic level died 1.88 times more, with a CI between 1.83 and 1.94, than those with a low socioeconomic level. On the other hand, people with a higher educational level died 0.5 times less according to the regression carried out with respect to the low educational level with a CI between 0.47 and 0.52, but the lower the educational level the mortality increased 20 times, constituting an inverse cause. Regarding sex, women died 2.08 times more than men. For the high socioeconomic level in relation to the low one an OR [1.88 (1.83 to 1.94)], p<0.0001], for the high educational level in relation to the low one it was in favor of the higher educational level with OR [0.5 (0.47 - 0.52)] and as for the comparison of sexes an OR [1.04 (1.03-2.17), p=0.039]. In other words, the difference between mortality was significant for all the intervals for sex, educational level and socioeconomic level. A constant baseline mortality of 0.013 was found, i.e., everyone has a 1.3% risk of dying from breast cancer regardless of socioeconomic level, educational level and sex. Conclusions: There are statistically significant differences in mortality between high and low socioeconomic levels and also in educational level; however, when regression methods were used, a higher mortality and higher risk of dying from breast cancer was obtained in the higher socioeconomic levels, probably associated with the lower number of screenings and mammograms performed in this stratum. As of 2008, an increase to the original levels observed at the beginning of the second millennium was observed, increasing the existing differences in the inequality indexes both by educational level and socioeconomic level, increasing by 20 times with respect to educational level, and 1.88 times with respect to socioeconomic level.

The effects of gender, educational level, and personality on online learning outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the rampant pandemic of COVID-19, an increasing number of people are acquiring knowledge through online learning approaches. This study aims to investigate how to improve online learning effectiveness during this special time. Through a mixed design, this study revealed the effect of educational levels, gender, and personality traits on online learning outcomes. It was concluded that postgraduates (N = 599) outperformed undergraduates (N = 553) in online learning, learners (N = 1152) with strong personality traits such as agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to a new experience outperformed those with strong extraversion and neuroticism. Future research could improve interpersonal interactions and encourage learners to post words in the online discussion forum, focus on how to design scaffolding online learning and how to improve the quality and dynamic of the online contents, and highlight blended learning rather than either merely online or traditional face-to-face learning.

Mental health challenges in academia: comparison between students of the various educational levels in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Students continue to face significant mental health challenges that vary in severity and type. It is, therefore, imperative that researchers and clinicians pay more attention to efforts aimed at improving the mental well-being of students. AIMS: This study examined the differences between Ghanaian students of the various educational levels on some mental health variables and the psychosocial factors of suicidal ideation. METHODS: Three hundred and fifty-seven (357) participants consisting of junior (92 students) and senior (99 students) high school students, undergraduates (86 students) and postgraduates (80 students) were involved in this cross-sectional study. RESULTS: The study revealed that high school students had higher academic stress, depression and suicidal ideation and they used more coping strategies compared to university students. Depression, age, and educational levels were the factors that facilitated suicidal ideation, with spiritual and ritual centred coping strategy and religion (Islam) serving as a buffer for suicidal ideation among students. These factors varied with different educational levels. CONCLUSIONS: High school students experienced significant mental health problems compared to university students-this has direct implications on their academic and psychosocial development. The study recommends that mental health facilities be provided and managed by professionals, especially in high schools.

On the differences and reasons of online courses demand for military medical students at different educational levels: taking an example of a military medical university / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Objective:To explore the distinctions between different educational levels: stability of learning state, views on and demand for online courses, and further investigate the influencing factors.Methods:A self-designed questionnaire with good reliability and validity was conducted, and all the students in a military medical university were selected by cluster sampling method, and the data were collected by issuing a network questionnaire. SPSS 26.0 was used for data processing.Results:Undergraduates were different from graduates and doctoral students in stability of learning state, the period of home study: doctoral students (2.41±1.30) h < graduates (2.10±1.17) h and undergraduates (2.15±0.99) h; the frequency of using online courses: undergraduates (4.18±1.10) times > graduates (3.29±1.16) times and doctoral students (3.29±0.98) times. In terms of views on online courses, necessity: undergraduates (4.14± 1.01) > graduates (3.93±1.05) and doctoral students (3.78±1.03); familiarity: undergraduates (3.42 ± 0.91) > graduates (3.27±0.97); adaptability: undergraduates (3.79±0.91) > graduates (3.58±0.94) and doctoral students (3.63±0.97); likability: undergraduates (3.36±1.04) > undergraduates (3.25±0.96) and doctoral students (3.17 ± 1.01); teaching effect: undergraduates (2.80±1.04) > graduates (2.67±1.01) and doctoral students (2.61±1.03). In terms of demand for online courses, ideal number: undergraduates (2.52±1.27) > graduates (2.11±1.21) and doctoral students (2.01±1.25); class style: undergraduates (1.77±0.94) > graduates (2.00±0.92) and doctoral students (2.04±1.83). There were statistically significant differences between undergraduates and postgraduates in all dimensions ( P<0.01 or P<0.05). Conclusion:Undergraduates may be more susceptible to academic environment than graduates and doctoral students, showing that the learning stability of undergraduates is the relatively the worst. Undergraduates most recognize online courses, and different educational levels have different demands for online courses.

Tourism jobs in demand: Where the best contracts and high salaries go at online offers.

It has been suggested that the tourism sector is one in which temporary and low-skilled jobs abound. The aim of this study is to analyze the educational and experience requirements associated with job offers in tourism and their corresponding contracts and salaries. Nine thousand job advertisements were analyzed from one of the biggest employment websites in Spain. Online job offers allow a profile of employers' preferences to be drawn up in terms of occupations, educational levels and required experience, as well as the terms of contracts and salaries offered. Internal heterogeneity in the tourism sector arising from the coexistence of different functions and skills is highlighted. Our analysis shows that the occupation crucially conditions salary differences and contract types in tourism job offers.

A configurational investigation of smartphone use disorder among adolescents in three educational levels.

INTRODUCTION: Smartphone use disorder in youth was associated with severe physical, psychological, and financial problems. Based on the ecological system theory of child development, this study examined a wide range of psychosocial characteristics in elementary-, middle-, and high-school adolescents with high scores on smartphone use disorder. METHODOLOGY: Existing research, which mainly adopted regression-based analytical techniques, found that gender, self-control, sensation seeking, loneliness, anxiety, perceived parent-adolescent relationship, and perceived parental monitoring are associated with smartphone use disorder. To complement traditional variable-centered approaches, the current study adopted a person-centered approach, fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) procedures, to examine adolescents with smartphone use disorder. RESULTS: The fsQCA procedure revealed four, nine, and thirteen distinct configurations that contributed to smartphone use disorder in adolescents for elementary school students, middle school students, and high school students respectively. A comparison across the three educational levels revealed four differences and two similarities. The results suggest that different groups of adolescents might be at risk for smartphone use disorder across the three educational levels. CONCLUSIONS: The fsQCA procedures generated solutions with satisfactory coverage and consistency. This demonstrates the promising value of fsQCA for researching smartphone use disorder and other behavior problems in adolescents. The results suggest that educators and mental health practitioners should consider educational level when helping adolescents with smartphone use disorder.

Anatomic and neuropsychological findings in low-educated cognitively intact elderly from a Brazilian cohort.

In elderly individuals, low educational level may represent a risk factor for the development of dementia and a proxy of cognitive reserve. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the cognitive and neuroanatomic correlates of high versus low educational levels in cognitively healthy community-dwelling older adults in Brazil. METHODS: Fifty-three older adults (mean age: 68±5.3 years) were divided into a "low education" group [LE; 1-4 years of education (N=33)] and "high education" group [HE; >11 years of education (N=20)]. Both groups completed a comprehensive neuropsychological battery and underwent in vivo structural MRI close to the time of testing. RESULTS: Higher educational level increased the chance of having better scores on neuropsychological tests, including verbal and visual delayed recall of information, verbal learning, category fluency, global cognition, and vocabulary. Better scores on these tests were observed in the HE group relative to the LE group. Despite this, there were no group differences between MRI measures. CONCLUSION: Older adults with higher educational levels showed better scores on neuropsychological measures of cognition, highlighting the need for education-adjusted norms in developing countries. Given the absence of differences in structural anatomy between the groups, these findings appear to be best explained by theories of cognitive reserve.

Sabe-se que baixos níveis de educação são comuns em países em desenvolvimento. Em indivíduos idosos, em particular, baixos níveis de educação podem representar um fator de risco para o desenvolvimento de demência. Objetivo: Este estudo examina os correlatos cognitivos e neuroanatômicos de escolaridade alta versus baixa, em idosos cognitivamente saudáveis,vivendo em comunidade no Brasil. Métodos: Cinquenta e três idosos (média de idade: 68±5,3) foram divididos em um grupo de "baixa escolaridade" [LE; 1-4 anos de escolaridade (N=33)] e um grupo de "alta escolaridade" [HE; >11 anos de escolaridade (N=20)]. Ambos os grupos completaram uma bateria neuropsicológica abrangente e foram submetidos à RM estrutural in vivo próximo à testagem. Resultados: O nível educacional aumentou a chance de se obter melhores pontuações em testes neuropsicológicos, incluindo evocação verbal e visual da informação, aprendizagem verbal, fluência de categoria, cognição global e vocabulário. Escores mais altos foram encontrados no grupo HE, em detrimento do LE. Apesar disso, não houve diferenças entre os grupos nas medidas de ressonância magnética in vivo. Conclusão: Idosos com maiores níveis de escolaridade apresentaram melhores pontuações nas medidas neuropsicológicas da cognição, destacando a necessidade de normas ajustadas à educação nos países em desenvolvimento. Não havendo diferenças na anatomia estrutural entre os grupos, os achados parecem ser melhor explicados pelas teorias da "reserva cognitiva".

Anatomic and neuropsychological findings in low-educated cognitively intact elderly from a Brazilian cohort / Achados Anatômicos e Neuropsicológicos de Idosos Cognitivamente Saudáveis com Baixa Escolaridade em uma Coorte Brasileira

ABSTRACT In elderly individuals, low educational level may represent a risk factor for the development of dementia and a proxy of cognitive reserve. Objective: This study examined the cognitive and neuroanatomic correlates of high versus low educational levels in cognitively healthy community-dwelling older adults in Brazil. Methods: Fifty-three older adults (mean age: 68±5.3 years) were divided into a "low education" group [LE; 1-4 years of education (N=33)] and "high education" group [HE; >11 years of education (N=20)]. Both groups completed a comprehensive neuropsychological battery and underwent in vivo structural MRI close to the time of testing. Results: Higher educational level increased the chance of having better scores on neuropsychological tests, including verbal and visual delayed recall of information, verbal learning, category fluency, global cognition, and vocabulary. Better scores on these tests were observed in the HE group relative to the LE group. Despite this, there were no group differences between MRI measures. Conclusion: Older adults with higher educational levels showed better scores on neuropsychological measures of cognition, highlighting the need for education-adjusted norms in developing countries. Given the absence of differences in structural anatomy between the groups, these findings appear to be best explained by theories of cognitive reserve.

RESUMO Sabe-se que baixos níveis de educação são comuns em países em desenvolvimento. Em indivíduos idosos, em particular, baixos níveis de educação podem representar um fator de risco para o desenvolvimento de demência. Objetivo: Este estudo examina os correlatos cognitivos e neuroanatômicos de escolaridade alta versus baixa, em idosos cognitivamente saudáveis,vivendo em comunidade no Brasil. Métodos: Cinquenta e três idosos (média de idade: 68±5,3) foram divididos em um grupo de "baixa escolaridade" [LE; 1-4 anos de escolaridade (N=33)] e um grupo de "alta escolaridade" [HE; >11 anos de escolaridade (N=20)]. Ambos os grupos completaram uma bateria neuropsicológica abrangente e foram submetidos à RM estrutural in vivo próximo à testagem. Resultados: O nível educacional aumentou a chance de se obter melhores pontuações em testes neuropsicológicos, incluindo evocação verbal e visual da informação, aprendizagem verbal, fluência de categoria, cognição global e vocabulário. Escores mais altos foram encontrados no grupo HE, em detrimento do LE. Apesar disso, não houve diferenças entre os grupos nas medidas de ressonância magnética in vivo. Conclusão: Idosos com maiores níveis de escolaridade apresentaram melhores pontuações nas medidas neuropsicológicas da cognição, destacando a necessidade de normas ajustadas à educação nos países em desenvolvimento. Não havendo diferenças na anatomia estrutural entre os grupos, os achados parecem ser melhor explicados pelas teorias da "reserva cognitiva".

Widening disparities in health between educational levels and their determinants in later life: evidence from a nine-year cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Education has attracted more attention as a key determinant of health in later life. In this study, the hypothesis that widened educational disparities in health can be observed in later life was investigated, and the factors that mediated the association between education and changes in health were also assessed. METHODS: Using the 9-year (10-wave) longitudinal data of 20,024 individuals (9320 men and 10,704 women) aged 50-59 years at baseline, collected from a nationwide population survey in Japan (2005-2014), the changes in self-rated health, functional limitations, and psychological distress between educational levels were compared. Mediation analysis was further conducted to assess the factors that mediated the association between education and changes in health, with reference to six types of potential mediators (household spending, social participation, leisure-time physical activity, smoking, problem drinking, and regular health check-ups). The analyses were conducted separately for men and women. RESULTS: All three health variables rapidly deteriorated among lower-educated men and women. For men, the six potential mediators mediated 55.2%, 64.3%, and 47.3% of the associations between educational levels and changes in self-rated health, functional limitations, and psychological distress, respectively. The proportions for women were 42.0%, 49.5%, and 58.8%, respectively. Social participation was the primary mediator, followed by physical activity, regular health check-ups, and smoking. In general, no substantial or consistent differences were observed between men and women. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that policy measures that encourage social participation and promote healthy behaviors can improve educational disparities in health in later life.

[Conceptual assumptions to create a system for preparation of healthcare human resources in Ukraine].

INTRODUCTION: in modern conditions of social development become very important the issues of reorganization of public health services and their staffing. This is due to the significant spread of numerous challenges and threats to health of the population and the leading rule of public health service in preventing many diseases, reducing their negative impact and promotion the health of the population. One of the operational functions of public healthis providing the public health service with professional personnel,sufficientin numbers and of good quality. Itsrealization shouldinclude a thoroughunderstanding and evaluation of needs inex perts of public heal thinaccording to the national context, the wording of there quirements totheirknowledge and practicals kills, professional competences, supporting of educational training programs and the irimplementation to higher education system. AIM: to justify the approaches to formation of educational programs for training specialists in public health sphere into account of contemporary needs, international experience and WHO recommendations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: the research was founded on the analysis of the integral indicators of the population health of Ukraine, existing problems in fieldof public health, the study of educational programs for training of public health specialists of leading world and European universities, domestic and international experience on an investigated problem. There were used biblio-semantic and medical-statistical methods. The information base are: statistical data from database "HFA" for 2000-2014, Center for health statistics of the MOH of Ukraine for 2000-2015, electronic resources of universities, strategic and policy documents of the WHO, WHO Regional Office for Europe Results: for Ukraine as for other countries it is extremely important the provision of public health service with a sufficient number of specialists of adequate quality. The need to create such a service and its staffing was caused by low health indicators, significant levels of morbidity and mortality due to noncommunicable and infectious diseases and insufficient implementation of the preventive principles in health care. In the ranking of countries in WHO European region, Ukraine occupies first place in terms of AIDS, tuberculosis. Standardized mortality rates from all diseases in Ukraine are twice higher than in EU countries, in the working age able population - in 2.5 times, due to infectious diseases - in 2.8 times, blood circulation system diseases. - in 3.5 times. An adequate response to modern challenges and threats to population health is the study and development of public health service. The draft of its Concept was created by an international interdisciplinary group of experts. Providing the public health service with human resources requires the development and implementation of training programs for public health specialists. The analysis of curricula of training of specialists at universities in Europe and the world helped to identify the institutional features of training, duration and content of training programs. As a rule, the bachelor's programs include 180-240 credits and continue for 6-8 semesters. Master's programs on the base on the undergraduate programs include from 90 to 120 credits and last for 3-6 semesters. Professional training is completed performing the master's work. Postgraduate study lasts 3-4 years and includes training and scientific research, after which research work is awarded the degree of doctor of philosophy. The content of the curriculum has a considerable variability, but provides for the mandatory study of biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health, policy and health care management; social and psychological Sciences, social determinants and inequities in health, and interagency teamwork, medical technology, the basic operational functions of public health, concepts of mental health, health promotion, management in public health, carrying out research. CONCLUSION: the need for the development of public health service is due the state of health of population in Ukraine, the existing challenges and threats, strategic directions of development of national health system and international obligations. Staffing of public health service needs of training a new generation of professionals and that actualizes the formation of modern curricula and programs. Experience of training of public health professionals in more than 30 Universities in Europe and the world, as well as the requirements of the European program of core competencies of public health professionals, are the foundation for the formation of national training programs and plans according to the national context.

Family-friendliness in business as a key issue for the future.

These days family-friendliness is a key issue for the future of businesses. Investments in a family conscious personnel policy are considered as forward-looking decisions in companies. This happens against the background of a sustainable personnel policy in times of a decrease in the number of employable persons, an increasing shortage of skilled workers and an ageing workforce. Family-friendly working conditions are becoming a key factor in the competition for staff. When choosing an employer, family-friendliness has become a crucial topic. Employment participation and skills of women, especially of mothers, have greatly increased. To facilitate the realisation of their wish to return to paid employment, however, measures to reconcile work and family are required. Family-conscious measures have been proven to lead to higher employee productivity. Job satisfaction and motivation of employees and accumulation of human capital increase, absenteeism declines, the return of investment rises. Fields of activity for family-friendly measures in companies range from working arrangements, parental leave and re-entry programmes and various child care offers to services for families. In connection with the demographic development the demand for a better reconciliation of work and elder care should in future become ever more important, just as the upkeep of the occupational skills and working capacity of an ageing workforce. Family-friendliness has to become an integral part of corporate culture.

Low educational level effects on the performance of healthy adults on a Neuropsychological Protocol suggested by the Commission on Neuropsychology of the Liga Brasileira de Epilepsia / Efeitos de baixo nível de escolaridade no desempenho de adultos saudáveis em um protocolo neuropsicológico sugerido pela Comissão de Neuropsicologia da Liga Brasileira de Epilepsia

OBJECTIVE: To assess cognitive measures and impact of education on cognitive performance (CP) of low educational levels healthy adults (LELHA) on a Neuropsychological Protocol (NP) suggested by the Liga Brasileira de Epilepsia. METHOD: 138 subjects from an Education Program for Adults divided into two, age and gender matched groups of 69 subjects, answered the NP: Group 1 (mean of 6.9±2.95 months of formal education) and Group 2, 47.8±10 months. Data were compared as z-scores. RESULTS: The mean IQ was 77.1±5.50 and 79.4±3.30 in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (p=0.001). Both performed below the normal curve and Group 1 worse than 2. CP correlated with schooling, especially executive functions (54.1 percent vs 36.2 percent) and language (52.9 percent vs 25.7 percent). CONCLUSION: LELHA showed significant cognitive impairment in verbal and visuospatial areas. If these results had been obtained in epilepsy patients they would be interpreted as global cognitive impairment.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o desempenho cognitivo e o impacto do nível de educação formal em indivíduos adultos saudáveis com baixa escolaridade (IASBE) em um protocolo neuropsicológico (PN) sugerido pela Liga Brasileira de Epilepsia. MÉTODO: 138 indivíduos do programa EJA - Educação para Jovens e Adultos, divididos em 2 grupos de 69 sujeitos pareados por idade e sexo (6,9±2,95 vs 47,8±10 meses de escolaridade) responderam ao PN. Dados foram convertidos em z-scores. RESULTADOS: O QI médio foi 77,1±5,50 e 79,4±3,30 nos Grupos 1 e 2, respectivamente (p=0,001). Ambos tiveram resultados abaixo da curva normal e o Grupo 1 mostrou pior desempenho do que o 2, especialmente nas funções executivas (54,1 por cento vs 36,2 por cento) e linguagem (52,9 por cento vs 25,7 por cento). CONCLUSÃO: IASBE apresentaram comprometimento cognitivo tanto em tarefas verbais como visuoespaciais. Se estes resultados tivessem sido obtidos em pacientes com epilepsia seriam interpretados como indicativos de disfunção cognitiva global.

The Impact of Dwelling Regions and Educational Levels on Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index in 20 Year Old Men / 대한남성과학회지

PURPOSE: The National Institutes of Health chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI) provides a valid outcome measure for men with chronic prostatitis. We surveyed a population of 20 year old Korean men using NIH-CPSI, and evaluated whether differences of dwelling regions and educational levels impacted on symptom index. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May and July 2000, a total of 12,659 male residents in the area of Chungnam including city of Taejoen visited the Military Manpower Administration. The 10,205 participants (response rate 80.6%) completed a self-administered questionnaire. The collected data were then used to estimate the impact of dwelling regions and educational levels on symptom index. RESULTS: Urinary symptoms and quality of life domain scores of participants dwelling in urban community regions were significantly higher than those in rural community (p<0.001, p=0.004, respectively). Pain and quality of life domain scores of participants with higher educational levels were significantly higher than those of lower educational levels (p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). Pain domain was influenced by educational levels rather than dwelling regions and urinary symptom domain was influenced by dwelling regions rather than educational levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that the prevalence of chronic prostatitis may be influenced by dwelling regions and educational levels. We suggest that the differences of prevalence based on dwelling regions and educational levels should be considered as the characteristics of chronic prostatitis.