Diversity: Disease Preventive of Research Integrity

Enhancing Psychological Well-Being: Self-Regulated Learning, Motivation, and Emotions Among Doctoral Students in South Africa

Muhammad Hoque, Nisha Singh, Junaid Shaik, René Pellissier — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The likelihood of dropping out and interrupting studies increases with poor psychological well-being (PWB). The promotion of doctoral students' PWB is therefore very important. The aim of this study was to examine how self-regulated learning moderates’ relatedness, intrinsic motivation to learn, and positive emotions in doctoral students at a South African Private Higher Education Institution (PHEI). In this cross-sectional study, 46 doctoral students completed a self-administered anonymous questionnaire using an online platform (QuestionPro). Based on the correlation analysis, relatedness was found to be significantly correlated with intrinsic motivation for learning and self-regulated learning. Self-regulated learning and intrinsic learning motivation were significantly correlated with positive emotion. Regression analysis showed that relatedness was a significant predictor of self-regulated learning. However, self-regulated learning was not a significant predictor of intrinsic learning motivation. Psychological support could be provided to doctoral students by PHEIs through the provision of mental health experts to improve self-regulated learning, relatedness, intrinsic motivation, and positive emotions.

COVID-19 Infection Wave Mortality from Surveillance Data in The Philippines Using Machine Learning

Julius R. Migriño, Ani Regina U. Batangan, Rizal Michael R. Abello — Sat, 31 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The Philippines had several COVID-19 infection waves brought about by different strains and variants of SARS-CoV-2. This study aimed to describe COVID-19 outcomes by infection waves using machine learning. A cross-sectional surveillance data review design was employed using the DOH COVID Data Drop dataset as of September 24, 2022. The predominant variant(s) of concern divided the dataset into time intervals representing the infection waves: ancestral (A0), Alpha/Beta (AB), Delta (D), and Omicron (O). Descriptive statistics and machine learning models were generated from each infection. The final data set consisted of 3,896,206 cases wherein 98.39% of cases recovered while 1.61% died. The highest and lowest CFR was observed during the ancestral wave (2.49) and the Omicron wave (0.61%), respectively. In all four data sets, higher age groups had higher CFRs, and F-score and specificity were highest using naïve Bayes. Area under the curve (AUC) was highest in the naïve Bayes models for the A0, AB and D models, while sensitivity was highest in the decision tree models for the A0, AB and O models. The ancestral, Alpha/Beta and Delta variants seem to have similar transmission and mortality profiles, while the Omicron variant caused lesser deaths despite increased transmissibility.

Prevalence of Thyroid Dysfunction among Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Attending Diagnostic Laboratory Services, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Sat, 31 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), can alter thyroid hormone production, distribution, and excretion. Thyroid dysfunctions like hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and euthyroidism are identified in renal failure patients. This study aimed to determine thyroid dysfunction prevalence among CKD patients who attended Diagnostic Laboratory Services in Bulawayo from January to December 2023. The study was analytical cross-sectional and archival data collection methods were to gather information from 118 CKD patients who underwent both thyroid function tests and urea and electrolytes tests. A descriptive and analytical statistic test was used to determine the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction among CKD patients Chi square test was used to test association between thyroid’s dysfunction in CKD setting with various risk factors, P< 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Thyroid dysfunction (TD) prevalence was 53%, increasing with CKD severity, with stage 3B having a high prevalence of 37%. Major types include subclinical hypothyroidism (11%), overt hypothyroidism (16%), and subclinical hyperthyroidism (4.2%), with 36% of females presenting with thyroid dysfunction as compared to 31% of males. Prevalence of thyroid dysfunction increased with an increase in age Majors risk factor for CKD in TD setting were hypertension, diabetes, and heart failure. In conclusion, there was a high prevalence of thyroid dysfunction (53%) among chronic kidney disease patients.

Behind the Hammer's Swing: Work Fatigue Among Traditional Stone Breakers in the Coastal Region of the Selayar Islands, Indonesia

Sat, 31 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The work of stone breakers involves heavy and repetitive physical activity, which can increase the risk of injuries and health problems, one of which is work fatigue. Before work fatigue becomes more severe, it is essential to identify its causes. This study aims to analyze work fatigue and the factors that influence it. The study uses an observational analytic approach with a total of 50 respondents. The variables measured include age, length of work, years of service, workload, total sleep time, and work fatigue. Data collection was carried out through questionnaires and specific workload observations. The results of the study indicate that 25 people (50%) experienced high work fatigue. Further analysis showed that age (p-value = 0.020) and gender (p-value = 0.001) significantly influenced work fatigue. The results also showed that there was no significant effect of length of work (p-value = 0.140), years of service (p-value = 0.27), workload (p-value = 0.258), and total sleep time (p-value = 0.401) on work fatigue. This study concludes that work fatigue among traditional stone breakers is influenced by age and gender. Interventions are needed to reduce work fatigue through adjustments to the work environment and rest periods. This study reinforces the understanding of Q.S. Al-Baqarah/2:286, which emphasizes that every individual has limitations. The fatigue experienced is proof that the human body has limits and needs adequate rest to function optimally.

Exploring the Link Between Food Security, Health Services, and Family Income on Wasting Incidence Among Toddlers (0-59 Months)

Syamsul Alam, Iriyanti Harun, Rezki Nurfatmi — Sat, 31 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Wasting remains a significant nutritional challenge in Indonesia. Despite a reduction in its prevalence from 10.2% in 2018 to 7.1% in 2021, the rate still falls short of the national target of 7%. This study aims to examine the relationship between health services and family income on the incidence of wasting in toddlers aged 0-59 months in the Polombangkeng Utara sub-district, Takalar district. The research employed a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional study design. The population in this study consisted of toddlers aged 0-59 months in the North Polombangkeng sub-district, with a sample size of 146 toddlers. A probability sampling technique was used. The analysis was conducted using the chi-square test. The results of the chi-square test show that household food security is not related to the incidence of wasting, with a p-value of 0.590 (>0.05). Similarly, there is no relationship between growth monitoring and the incidence of wasting, with a p-value of 0.240 (>0.05), and no relationship between the completeness of immunization status and the incidence of wasting, with a p-value of 0.776 (>0.05). However, family income does show a relationship to the incidence of wasting, with a p-value of 0.032 (<0.05). This study indicates that food security and health services do not impact the incidence of wasting. In contrast, family income, which is a primary factor in nutritional problems, does have an impact on the incidence of wasting. The issue of wasting in toddlers can be prevented and addressed through specific and sensitive nutrition interventions.

Implementing Fire Emergency Response and Health Behaviour Modules to Elevate Islamic Student Knowledge in Boarding Schools

Irwan Duhung, Hasbi Ibrahim, Darsul S. Puyu — Sat, 31 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The persistent risks of accidents and occupational diseases in educational settings, including Islamic boarding schools in Indonesia, highlight the need for research on the impact of implementing Health and Safety modules on student knowledge, as evidenced by the high incidence of accidents and inadequate safety measures. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of the application of the Fire Emergency Response Modules module on increasing student knowledge. The design of this research is experimental with the form of Pre-Experimental Designs, namely One Group Pretest-Posttest Design. The study took place at Athirah Bukit Baruga boarding school, with a population of junior and high school students. The sample used was purposive sampling with 38 respondents. The results of this study showed a significant effect on increasing student knowledge after being given a fire emergency response module using the Paired Samples T-Test test. Meanwhile, the provision of PHBS module shows that there is a significant effect on increasing safety and health knowledge (p=0.000). The application of the fire emergency response module and PHBS is an effort or mitigation so that students are protected from hazards and diseases in the school environment.