Month: September 2024

Facilitators and barriers to condom use in Middle East and North Africa: a systematic review

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Abstract

Background

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region continues to have the lowest prevalence of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) in the world, less than 0.1%, yet new transmissions are increasing. Consistent condom use can reduce the probability of transmission by 90–95%, and its use remains as the staple prevention method; however, this isn’t the case for the MENA region, where condom use, knowledge of proper use, and accessibility are limited.

Aims

To conduct a systematic review on condom use, its use across different population groups, and its barriers and facilitators in countries that fall under the UNAIDS regional classification of MENA.

Methods

This systematic review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The search included electronic databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, Academic Search Ultimate, COCHRANE, APA PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, CINAHL Complete, Scopus. There was no date restriction.

Results

Of the 471 records retrieved, 45 articles were appraised and included in the analysis. The reported barriers and facilitators are sub-divided into personal, social, and structural factors. Condom accessibility, partner objection, and their perceived ineffectiveness were key barriers, whereas availability, cost, and lack of awareness were rarely mentioned. Concerns of personal health and future financial security, as well as positive peer influence and delayed sexual experience, were identified as motivators.

Conclusion

Condom promotion in the region needs to incorporate gender-based power in relationships and the influence of religion, as well as the legal and structural factors. More investment and research are needed for women-initiated contraceptive and digital healthcare initiatives.

Exploring settler-Indigenous engagement in food systems governance

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Abstract

Within food systems governance spaces, civil society organizations (CSOs) play important roles in addressing power structures and shaping decisions. In Canada, CSO food systems actors increasingly understand the importance of building relationships among settler and Indigenous peoples in their work. Efforts to make food systems more sustainable and just necessarily mean confronting the realities that most of what is known as Canada is unceded Indigenous territory, stolen land, land acquired through coercive means, and/or land bound by treaty between specific Indigenous groups and the Crown. CSOs that aim to build more equitable food systems must thus engage with the ongoing impacts of settler colonialism, learn/unlearn colonial histories, and build meaningful relationships with Indigenous peoples. This paper explores how settler-led CSOs engage with Indigenous communities and organizations in their food systems governance work. The research draws on 71 semi-structured interviews with CSO leaders engaged in food systems work from across Canada. Our analysis presents an illustrative snapshot of the complex and ongoing processes of settler-Indigenous engagement, where many settler-led CSOs aim to work more closely with Indigenous communities and organizations. However, participants also recognize that most existing engagements remain insufficient. We share CSOs’ practices, tensions, and lessons learned as reflections for scholars and practitioners interested in the continuous journey of building settler-Indigenous partnerships and reimagining more just and sustainable food systems, work which requires iterative and critically reflexive learning.

Connecting the domains: an investigation of internet domains found in Covid-19 conspiracy tweets

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Abstract

Conspiracy theories (CTs) have thrived during the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to spread on social media despite attempts at fact-checking. The isolation and fear associated with this pandemic likely contributed to the generation and spread of these theories. Another possible factor is the high rate of Twitter users linking to off-platform alternative news sources through URL sharing (Moffitt et al. 2021). In this paper, we compare URLs and their parent domains linked in CT and non-CT tweets. First, we searched the parent domains of URLs shared in conspiracy theory and non-conspiracy theory classified tweets for the presence of Google tracking codes. We then constructed meta-networks linking domains, tracking codes, and Twitter users to find connections between domains and evidence of an eco-system that may have contributed to the cultivation and spread of conspiracy theories during the pandemic.

Socio-cultural beliefs on drought in Talensi Ghana: insights for environmental management, social vulnerability, early warning systems and coping and adaptation

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Abstract

Beliefs form the fabric of every society. Likewise, there are socio-cultural beliefs that people hold as causes of climate risk. This paper sought to identify the socio-cultural beliefs on drought among crop farmers in Talensi, Ghana and how these provide insights for environmental management, social vulnerability, early warning systems and coping and adaptation. The selection of Talensi District was appropriate because it is one of the agrarian districts located in drought prone zone of Ghana. The study was designed following the case study approach. A total of 69 participants were selected through purposive sampling to participate in key informant interviews and focus group discussions conducted across nine (9) communities. The study found that manifestation of bad and/or indecent behavioural practices; performance and/or non-performance of traditional rites; presence and behaviour peculiar animals; and magical conjurations and incantations by spiritualists, diviners and soothsayers were the significant socio-cultural beliefs accounting for drought. The study concludes that the socio-cultural beliefs of the local people are their social-cultural capital and this asset is a useful gamut in explaining the social vulnerability; development of early warning drought systems; and selection of coping and adaptation strategies in Talensi District. A major recommendation is that individuals and institutions with expertise in technical and scientific early warning drought information should be circumspect in not adopting a judgmental approach when they are communicating and disseminating risk information, to the detriment of indigenous knowledge.

Affirmation, Friendship, and Volunteerism: Understanding and Facilitating what Makes LGBTQA+ Young People in Australia Feel Good About Themselves

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Abstract

Introduction

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer or asexual (LGBTQA+) young people are at heightened risk of suicidality and psychological distress. Interventions in various forms are required to address this issue, which should be informed by the strengths, capacity and insight of LGBTQA+ young people.

Methods

An online survey was promoted to LGBTQA+ young people (aged 14–21) via targeted social media advertising and community organisation dissemination, in late 2019. In addition to a range of health and wellbeing questions, all participants were asked, ‘What makes you feel good about yourself?’ The open-text responses were subject to a detailed, inductive thematic analysis.

Results

In total, 4751 young people provided a short answer response to the question of what makes them feel good about themselves. The length of responses ranged from a few words to several paragraphs. Six key themes were identified. These included LGBTQA+ young people finding value in connection with significant others and finding affirmation for their gender and sexuality through their presentation and engagement with the world. In addition, participants talked about how they liked to engage with people they identified with or saw as role models, and how their creative outlets or making a positive difference in the world (e.g., through volunteering) helped them feel good about themselves.

Conclusions

While ensuring that young LGBTQA+ people have access to mental health services and social/support programs is important, it is also essential that we acknowledge young people’s agency and the significance of everyday, informal acts which support young LGBTQA+ people to achieve desires for connection, acceptance, contribution, belonging and self-expression.

Policy Implications

Findings reported in this paper offer some valuable insights for policy and programming, particularly in acknowledging and centring young people’s agency and capacity to make decisions and take action to express themselves, to find community and affirm their identity.

International business and decentralized finance

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Abstract

Over the last decade, the green shoots of a new economic order have emerged as decentralized technologies challenge traditional financial systems. Decentralized finance (DeFi) holds the potential to transform international business (IB) by offering accessible financial services across borders, disrupting traditional intermediaries, and promoting financial inclusion. While traditional fintech has challenged banks, DeFi operates outside legacy systems, leveraging blockchain technology and smart contracting to introduce a new range of products and services that provide first-movers with an upper hand to both expand their business across the globe as well realize cost savings on existing business. Despite offering advantages like efficiency, transparency, and security, DeFi faces regulatory uncertainties and scalability, adoption, and stability concerns. Our study explores how DeFi can seamlessly integrate into the IB space while addressing these challenges. In addition to offering insights for investors, multinational firms, and regulators, we also lay the groundwork for future IB research in the fintech domain. As the DeFi innovation unfolds, understanding and harnessing its potential can empower stakeholders to engage responsibly and effectively in this transformative landscape.

Institutional distances and equity-based entry modes: a systematic literature review

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Abstract

The institutional distance between home and host countries influences the benefits and costs of entry into markets where a firm intends to conduct business. Entry mode choice is a function of a firm's strategy to increase its competitiveness, efficiency, and control over resources that are critical to its operations. This systematic literature review aims to explain the influence of institutional distances on equity-based entry modes in international markets. The present study contributes to the literature on international business using institutional theory to address the entry mode, and by analyzing the nature of the constructs used to measure the influence institutional distances have on the choice of entry mode into foreign markets.

Foreign bank entry and the outward foreign direct investment of companies: evidence from China

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Abstract

Globalization is motivating many emerging market firms (EMFs) to expand operations through outward foreign direct investment (OFDI). General FDI theories, such as internalization theory and the OLI paradigm, are based on industrialized countries, leading to inevitable gaps in explaining the OFDI activities of EMFs. We extend the literature by establishing a connection between international finance and the internationalization of EMFs. We argue that foreign banks operating in emerging markets offer a diverse set of resources that can help EMFs expand globally. Under gradually easing foreign bank entry restrictions in China, utilizing a panel dataset of Chinese listed companies spanning 2001–2018, we find a positive association between foreign bank entry and the OFDI activities of Chinese companies. The identified channels include direct loan support from foreign banks, information support from foreign banks’ global branch networks, a high level of internationalization, and close proximity to local companies, as well as loan support from domestic banks under foreign bank competition. The entry of foreign banks particularly stimulates OFDI in non-state-owned, higher profitability companies, in medium-sized, low financial marketization, and node cities designated in the Belt and Road Initiative. These findings provide new insights into emerging market financial openness and the internationalization of EMFs.

Dietary Magnesium Intake and Proteinuria: Is There a Relationship?

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Abstract

The possible relationship between dietary magnesium status and proteinuria has been suggested by a number of previous studies. However, human studies on this association are limited. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the independent relationship between dietary magnesium intake and urinary protein excretion. The present study was a post hoc analysis of the previous randomized clinical trial that evaluated the effect of dietary phosphorus restriction on proteinuria. The baseline data of 90 participants with proteinuria and chronic kidney disease was used to measure the association between dietary magnesium intake and proteinuria. Participants were asked to record their 24-h food intake for three days a week in a questionnaire. Urinary protein to creatinine ratio (UPCR) in a random urine sample was measured to be a marker for proteinuria. Out of 90 patients included in the study, 47 were men and 43 were women. The mean ± standard deviation of age and body mass index were 59.05 ± 14.16 years and 29.02 ± 5.54 kg/m2, respectively. The patients’ average daily dietary intake of energy and magnesium were 2183 kcal and 169.44 mg, respectively. A significant inverse correlation was found between the dietary intake of magnesium and UPCR (r =  − 0.219, p = 0.042). This association remained significant even after adjusting for confounding variables (β =  − 0.222, p = 0.028). The findings of the present study showed a significant inverse relationship between the magnesium intake and proteinuria. Although, the design of the current research was cross-sectional, it has provided a basis for conducting future longitudinal studies and trials to better elucidate such a relationship.

The superior thyroid artery origin pattern: a systematic review with meta-analysis

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Abstract

Purpose

The current systematic review with meta-analysis aimed to investigate the pooled prevalence of the superior thyroid artery (STA) pattern of origin (distinct or fused-common origin with adjacent arteries in the form of a common trunk). The standard and uncommon variants were also studied, considering the STA’s exact surface of origin and the relationship with the upper border of the thyroid cartilage (TC, reference point), considering the laterality effect. Thus, the STA topographical anatomy was considered.

Methods

An evidence-based systematic review with meta-analysis was performed according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A literature search was conducted in four online databases using specific keywords, the pooled prevalence was calculated using statistical analysis in the R programming language, and multiple subgroup analyses were performed.

Results

The most common distinct origin of the STA was from the external carotid artery (ECA) (56.94% pooled prevalence, 95%CI: 50.89–62.89), and the rarest one was from the internal carotid artery (ICA) (< 0.01%, 95%CI: 0.00–0.00). Common trunks were also investigated, with the thyrolingual trunk emanating from the ECA estimated at 0.61% (95%CI: 0.21–1.14), representing the most common. Subgroup analysis based on the nationality, type of study, and sample size, as well as a comparison between left and right sides and males and females, were investigated.

Conclusions

The most common STA origin was estimated as the ECA, the medial surface of origin, and above the TC upper border. Adequate knowledge of STA origin is paramount for surgeons, especially during thyroidectomy, not to cause iatrogenic injury to the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve.