Kristiania Open Archive
Not a member yet
2056 research outputs found
Sort by
Global, regional, and national age-sex-specific burden of diarrhoeal diseases, their risk factors, and aetiologies, 1990–2021, for 204 countries and territories: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021
Full text linkBackground
Diarrhoeal diseases claim more than 1 million lives annually and are a leading cause of death in children younger than 5 years. Comprehensive global estimates of the diarrhoeal disease burden for specific age groups of children younger than 5 years are scarce, and the burden in children older than 5 years and in adults is also understudied. We used results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2021 to assess the burden of, and trends in, diarrhoeal diseases overall and attributable to 13 pathogens, as well as the contributions of associated risk factors, in children and adults in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2021.
Methods
We used the Cause of Death Ensemble modelling strategy to analyse vital registration data, verbal autopsy data, mortality surveillance data, and minimally invasive tissue sampling data. We used DisMod-MR (version 2.1), a Bayesian meta-regression tool, to analyse incidence and prevalence data identified via systematic reviews, population-based surveys, and claims and inpatient data. We calculated diarrhoeal disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) as the sum of years of life lost (YLLs) and years lived with disability (YLDs) for each location, year, and age–sex group. For aetiology estimation, we used a counterfactual approach to quantify population-attributable fractions (PAFs). Additionally, we estimated the diarrhoeal disease burden attributable to the independent effects of risk factors using the comparative risk assessment framework.
Findings
In 2021, diarrhoeal diseases caused an estimated 1·17 million (95% uncertainty interval 0·793–1·62) deaths globally, representing a 60·3% (50·6–69·0) decrease since 1990 (2·93 million [2·31–3·73] deaths). The most pronounced decline was in children younger than 5 years, with a 79·2% (72·4–84·6) decrease in diarrhoeal deaths. Global YLLs also decreased substantially, from 186 million (147–221) in 1990 to 51·4 million (39·9–65·9) in 2021. In 2021, an estimated 59·0 million (47·2–73·2) DALYs were attributable to diarrhoeal diseases globally, with 30·9 million (23·1–42·0) of these affecting children younger than 5 years. Leading risk factors for diarrhoeal DALYs included low birthweight and short gestation in the neonatal age groups, child growth failure in children aged between 1–5 months and 2–4 years, and unsafe water and poor sanitation in older children and adults. We estimated that the removal of all evaluated diarrhoeal risk factors would reduce global DALYs from 59·0 million (47·2–73·2) to 4·99 million (1·99–10·0) among all ages combined. Globally in 2021, rotavirus was the predominant cause of diarrhoeal deaths across all ages, with a PAF of 15·2% (11·4–20·1), followed by norovirus at 10·6% (2·3–17·0) and Cryptosporidium spp at 10·2% (7·03–14·3). In children younger than 5 years, the fatal PAF of rotavirus was 35·2% (28·7–43·0), followed by Shigella spp at 24·0% (15·2–37·9) and adenovirus at 23·8% (14·8–36·3). Other pathogens with a fatal PAF greater than 10% in children younger than 5 years included Cryptosporidium spp, typical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, and enterotoxigenic E coli producing heat-stable toxin.
Interpretation
The substantial decline in the global burden of diarrhoeal diseases since 1990, particularly in children younger than 5 years, supports the effectiveness of health interventions such as oral rehydration therapy, enhanced water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure, and the introduction and scale-up of rotavirus vaccination. Targeted interventions and preventive measures against key risk factors and pathogens could further reduce this burden. Continued investment in the development and distribution of vaccines for leading pathogens remains crucial.publishedVersio
Business as Usual? Assessing Amplified Political Posts Across Social Media Platforms During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Full text linkSocial media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (now X), play a crucial role in facilitating connections between politicians and citizens, particularly during a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. This article examines the characteristics of viral social media posts in Norway and Sweden during the initial wave of the pandemic. Despite their geographical proximity and cultural similarities, Norway and Sweden adopted different approaches to the pandemic, providing a compelling basis for comparative analysis. Employing a visual computational approach, this study maps viral posts by analyzing engagement metrics such as likes, reactions, shares, and comments. A close reading of popular posts investigates the communication strategies employed across platforms and national contexts. The findings reveal that political criticism on Twitter attracted substantial engagement, while Instagram posts leaned toward self-promotion. On Facebook, popular posts exhibited a more varied use of communication strategies, reflecting a nuanced approach to engagement across different social media environments.Business as Usual? Assessing Amplified Political Posts Across Social Media Platforms During the COVID-19 PandemicpublishedVersio
The burden of diseases, injuries, and risk factors by state in the USA, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021
Full text linkBackground
The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides a comprehensive assessment of health and risk factor trends at global, regional, national, and subnational levels. This study aims to examine the burden of diseases, injuries, and risk factors in the USA and highlight the disparities in health outcomes across different states.
Methods
GBD 2021 analysed trends in mortality, morbidity, and disability for 371 diseases and injuries and 88 risk factors in the USA between 1990 and 2021. We used several metrics to report sources of health and health loss related to specific diseases, injuries, and risk factors. GBD 2021 methods accounted for differences in data sources and biases. The analysis of levels and trends for causes and risk factors within the same computational framework enabled comparisons across states, years, age groups, and sex. GBD 2021 estimated years lived with disability (YLDs) and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs; the sum of years of life lost to premature mortality and YLDs) for 371 diseases and injuries, years of life lost (YLLs) and mortality for 288 causes of death, and life expectancy and healthy life expectancy (HALE). We provided estimates for 88 risk factors in relation to 155 health outcomes for 631 risk–outcome pairs and produced risk-specific estimates of summary exposure value, relative health risk, population attributable fraction, and risk-attributable burden measured in DALYs and deaths. Estimates were produced by sex (male and female), age (25 age groups from birth to ≥95 years), and year (annually between 1990 and 2021). 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) were generated for all final estimates as the 2·5th and 97·5th percentiles values of 500 draws (ie, 500 random samples from the estimate's distribution). Uncertainty was propagated at each step of the estimation process.
Findings
We found disparities in health outcomes and risk factors across US states. Our analysis of GBD 2021 highlighted the relative decline in life expectancy and HALE compared with other countries, as well as the impact of COVID-19 during the first 2 years of the pandemic. We found a decline in the USA's ranking of life expectancy from 1990 to 2021: in 1990, the USA ranked 35th of 204 countries and territories for males and 19th for females, but dropped to 46th for males and 47th for females in 2021. When comparing life expectancy in the best-performing and worst-performing US states against all 203 other countries and territories (excluding the USA as a whole), Hawaii (the best-ranked state in 1990 and 2021) dropped from sixth-highest life expectancy in the world for males and fourth for females in 1990 to 28th for males and 22nd for females in 2021. The worst-ranked state in 2021 ranked 107th for males (Mississippi) and 99th for females (West Virginia). 14 US states lost life expectancy over the study period, with West Virginia experiencing the greatest loss (2·7 years between 1990 and 2021). HALE ranking declines were even greater; in 1990, the USA was ranked 42nd for males and 32nd for females but dropped to 69th for males and 76th for females in 2021. When comparing HALE in the best-performing and worst-performing US states against all 203 other countries and territories, Hawaii ranked 14th highest HALE for males and fifth for females in 1990, dropping to 39th for males and 34th for females in 2021. In 2021, West Virginia—the lowest-ranked state that year—ranked 141st for males and 137th for females. Nationally, age-standardised mortality rates declined between 1990 and 2021 for many leading causes of death, most notably for ischaemic heart disease (56·1% [95% UI 55·1–57·2] decline), lung cancer (41·9% [39·7–44·6]), and breast cancer (40·9% [38·7–43·7]). Over the same period, age-standardised mortality rates increased for other causes, particularly drug use disorders (878·0% [770·1–1015·5]), chronic kidney disease (158·3% [149·6–167·9]), and falls (89·7% [79·8–95·8]). We found substantial variation in mortality rates between states, with Hawaii having the lowest age-standardised mortality rate (433·2 per 100 000 [380·6–493·4]) in 2021 and Mississippi having the highest (867·5 per 100 000 [772·6–975·7]). Hawaii had the lowest age-standardised mortality rates throughout the study period, whereas Washington, DC, experienced the most improvement (a 40·7% decline [33·2–47·3]). Only six countries had age-standardised rates of YLDs higher than the USA in 2021: Afghanistan, Lesotho, Liberia, Mozambique, South Africa, and the Central African Republic, largely because the impact of musculoskeletal disorders, mental disorders, and substance use disorders on age-standardised disability rates in the USA is so large. At the state level, eight US states had higher age-standardised YLD rates than any country in the world: West Virginia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Ohio, Tennessee, and Arizona. Low back pain was the leading cause of YLDs in the USA in 1990 and 2021, although the age-standardised rate declined by 7·9% (1·8–13·0) from 1990. Depressive disorders (56·0% increase [48·2–64·3]) and drug use disorders (287·6% [247·9–329·8]) were the second-leading and third-leading causes of age-standardised YLDs in 2021. For females, mental health disorders had the highest age-standardised YLD rate, with an increase of 59·8% (50·6–68·5) between 1990 and 2021. Hawaii had the lowest age-standardised rates of YLDs for all sexes combined (12 085·3 per 100 000 [9090·8–15 557·1]), whereas West Virginia had the highest (14 832·9 per 100 000 [11 226·9–18 882·5]). At the national level, the leading GBD Level 2 risk factors for death for all sexes combined in 2021 were high systolic blood pressure, high fasting plasma glucose, and tobacco use. From 1990 to 2021, the age-standardised mortality rates attributable to high systolic blood pressure decreased by 47·8% (43·4–52·5) and for tobacco use by 5·1% (48·3%–54·1%), but rates increased for high fasting plasma glucose by 9·3% (0·4–18·7). The burden attributable to risk factors varied by age and sex. For example, for ages 15–49 years, the leading risk factors for death were drug use, high alcohol use, and dietary risks. By comparison, for ages 50–69 years, tobacco was the leading risk factor for death, followed by dietary risks and high BMI.
Interpretation
GBD 2021 provides valuable information for policy makers, health-care professionals, and researchers in the USA at the national and state levels to prioritise interventions, allocate resources effectively, and assess the effects of health policies and programmes. By addressing socioeconomic determinants, risk behaviours, environmental influences, and health disparities among minority populations, the USA can work towards improving health outcomes so that people can live longer and healthier lives.publishedVersio
Prediction of late-onset preeclampsia using plasma proteomics: a longitudinal multi-cohort study
Full text linkPreeclampsia is a pregnancy disorder with substantial perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality. Pregnant women at risk of preeclampsia would benefit from early detection for follow-up, timely interventions and delivery. Several attempts have been made to identify protein biomarkers of preeclampsia, but findings vary with demographics, clinical characteristics, and time of sampling. In the current study, we combined three independent longitudinal pregnancy cohorts (Detroit, Stanford and Oslo) resulting in 124 late-onset preeclampsia (LOPE) cases and 178 gestational age matched controls, and analyzed > 1000 proteins in maternal plasma sampled between 12 and 34 weeks of gestation. Differential abundance analysis of combined protein data revealed increased deviation in protein abundance trajectories throughout gestation in women destined to develop LOPE compared to controls. There were no differentially abundant proteins at time interval T1 (12–19 weeks), yet 31 differentially abundant proteins were found at time interval T2 (19–27 weeks), and 48 proteins at time interval T3 (27- 34 weeks). Multi-protein random forest models assessed via cross-validation predicted LOPE with an area under the ROC curve of 0.72 (0.65–0.78), 0.76 (0.71–0.81) and 0.80 (0.75–0.85) at time interval T1, T2 and T3, respectively. The results at T3 were confirmed using a leave-one-cohort-out analysis suggesting cross-cohort consistency, and at T1 and T2 when the largest two cohorts were used as training sets.publishedVersio
Hvordan reagerer forbrukere på avsløring av deepfake-annonse?: En kvantitativ studie av hvordan avsløring av deepfake-annonse påvirker forbrukeres holdning til annonse og merkevare
Full text linkI en tid hvor deepfake-annonser, avanserte visuelle og auditive manipulasjoner av eksisterende markedsføring, utfordrer forbrukeres oppfatning av sannhet, skapes det utfordringer for forbrukere å differensiere mellom ekte og falskt innhold. Tidligere forskningslitteratur viser til at ulike typer falskhet i markedsføring påvirker forbrukeres holdning negativt. I tillegg, viser tidligere forskning at dersom forbrukere blir bevisstgjort på påvirkningsforsøk, vil dette bidra til å aktivere en underbevisst beskyttelsesmekanisme. Det er imidlertid lite forskning på hvordan forbrukere reagerer dersom de mottar avslørende informasjon om at annonsen de blir presentert for faktisk er en falsk deepfake-annonse. Derfor har vi i denne masteroppgaven valgt å undersøke hvordan avsløring av deepfake-annonse påvirker forbrukeres holdning til annonse og merkevare. Basert på forskningslitteratur ble det predikert at avsløring vil ha en negativ effekt på forbrukeres holdning til annonse og merkevare, og at denne effekten blir mediert av troverdighet og moderert av teknologisk kunnskap.
For å teste den teoretiske modellen, ble det gjennomført en kvantitativ studie ved hjelp av et digitalt eksperiment. Det ble først gjennomført to kvalitative pretester, hvor deltakerne ga konkrete forslag til forbedringer og vi observerte deres kroppslige reaksjoner i kontekst. Etterfulgt av det digitale eksperimentet som innebar at deltakerne ble tilfeldig inndelt i to grupper. Begge grupper ble presentert for samme deepfake-annonse, der det opprinnelige ansiktet og stemmen til Eva Green, i videoannonse for merkevaren Jaguar, ble erstattet med Angelina Jolie. Den ene gruppen mottok avsløring om at deepfake-annonsen de ble presentert for, var falsk og generert av kunstig intelligens-teknologi. Den andre gruppen mottok ingen avsløring. Etter analyse av den innsamlede dataen, viser resultater av det digitale eksperimentet, at ingen av våre predikerte hypoteser ble støttet. Det ble imidlertid observert signifikante forskjeller mellom gruppene. Funn viser at forbrukere har en mer positiv holdning til annonse og merkevare, når de mottar avsløring av deepfake-annonse. Dette kan forstås i sammenheng med at forskningslitteratur viser til at forbrukere verdsetter ærlighet. De identifiserte funn og deres betydning blir videre diskutert i teoretiske og praktiske implikasjoner, etterfulgt av forslag til videre forskning
Hvordan påvirker digitalisering lederens rolle i norske bedrifter
Full text linkDenne masteroppgaven undersøker hvordan digitalisering påvirker lederens rolle i norske bedrifter. Studien fokuserer på tre hovedområder: beslutningskvalitet, etiske overveielser og effektiv bruk av digitale verktøy. Gjennom dybdeintervjuer med ledere i ulike sektorer belyser oppgaven hvordan digital transformasjon forandrer måten ledere tar beslutninger på, hvordan de håndterer etiske utfordringer knyttet til kunstig intelligens (KI), og hvordan digitale verktøy kan forbedre ledelseseffektivitet.
Beslutningskvalitet: Digitalisering gir ledere tilgang til store mengder data som kan forbedre beslutningsprosesser ved å tilby presis og omfattende informasjon. Samtidig kan informasjonsoverflod og kompleksitet utfordre beslutningskvaliteten. Automatiserte dataverktøy frigjør ressurser, men det er viktig å balansere teknologisk avhengighet med menneskelig dømmekraft.
Etiske overveielser: Bruken av KI i beslutningsprosesser reiser etiske spørsmål knyttet til personvern, databeskyttelse og algoritmisk ansvarlighet. Ledere må navigere komplekse etiske landskap og sikre ansvarlig bruk av KI. Dette innebærer å utvikle etiske retningslinjer og rammeverk for å balansere teknologiske fordeler med etisk refleksjon.
Effektiv bruk av digitale verktøy: Digitale verktøy som prosjektstyringsprogramvare og kommunikasjonsplattformer forbedrer effektiviteten, samarbeidet og engasjementet blant ansatte. Ledere som effektivt integrerer disse verktøyene i sin praksis, kan optimalisere arbeidsflyten og styrke teamdynamikken.
Studien konkluderer med at digitalisering fundamentalt endrer lederrollen ved å integrere teknologi i alle aspekter av ledelse. Ledere må utvikle nye ferdigheter og strategier for å håndtere teknologiske endringer effektivt. Fremtidig forskning bør fokusere på langsiktige effekter av digitalisering, etiske og juridiske implikasjoner, og hvordan forskjellige teknologier påvirker ledelse i ulike kontekster.
Oppgaven gir praktiske anbefalinger for ledere om å investere i avanserte dataanalyseteknologier, utvikle robuste risikostyringsstrategier, fremme kontinuerlig læring og tilrettelegge for fleksible arbeidsmodeller. Disse tiltakene kan hjelpe bedrifter å navigere utfordringer og utnytte mulighetene som digitalisering medfører
Hva mener norske ledere er sentrale faktorer når de navigerer gjennom den doble omstillingen?
Full text linkDenne masteroppgaven undersøker hva norske ledere mener er sentrale faktorer når de navigerer gjennom den doble omstillingen. Som en del av studiens undersøkelse har vi valgt å fokusere på digital tvilling teknologi (DT-teknologi) som et digitalt verktøy i den doble omstillingen. Målet med studien har vært å tilføre ny innsikt som andre kan dra nytte av. For å oppnå dette, brukte vi en eksplorativ kvalitativ metode for å samle inn data, og Gioia-metoden for å analysere disse dataene. Resultatene av studien viser at sentrale faktorer i navigeringen av den doble omstillingen inkluderer endringskapasitet, ressursforvaltning og bærekraftige rammebetingelser. Denne omstillingen krever en revurdering av hvordan ressursene til en bedrift forvaltes, økt fleksibilitet, økt datakvalitet og evnen til å tilpasse seg endringer. Videre innebærer den doble omstillingen nye krav til kontinuerlig læring og utvikling internt i en bedrift, samt evnen til å fremme en organisasjonskultur som er åpen for tilpasning, endring og læring. Funnene indikerer at ledere i norske bedrifter opplever disse faktorene som både utfordrende og avgjørende for et vellykket arbeid med den doble omstillingen. Basert på analysens funn og rammeverket til Verina og Titko (2019), har vi utviklet et konseptuelt rammeverk som fokuserer på potensielle drivere og utfall av den doble omstillingen. Konklusjonen fra studien understreker betydningen av systematisk ledelse knyttet til endringskapasitet og ressursforvaltning, i tillegg til bedre insentivordninger tilknyttet bærekraftsinitiativ og bedre regelverk for å lykkes med den doble omstillingen
På bakgrunn av disse funnene anbefales det at fremtidig forskning fokuserer på å sammenligne ulike bransjer for å kartlegge deres status i forhold til den doble omstillingen. Videre anbefales det et case-studie av en utvalgt bedrifts transformasjonsprosess med fokus på DT- teknologi. I tillegg oppfordres det til å utforske nytteverdien av ulike digitale teknologier i forbindelse med den doble omstillingen, for å identifisere flere effektive verktøy for å nå bærekraftige mål. Denne oppgaven bidrar med ny innsikt innen ledelse av den doble omstillingen, spesielt knyttet til digitale teknologier som DT-teknologi
Å si eller ikke si: En kvalitativ studie av ytringskulturen blant unge mennesker
Full text linkDenne oppgaven undersøker hvordan ytringskulturen oppleves blant unge mennesker, med utgangspunkt i unge mennesker i Oslo. Basert på en kvalitativ studie med semistrukturerte intervjuer med et utvalg av unge i Oslo mellom 17 - 25 år, har studien avdekket ulike faktorer som hindrer unge i å delta i den offentlige debatten. Studien ser på hvordan frykten for negative reaksjoner og forskjeller mellom sosiale medieplattformer bidrar til å begrense deltakelsen i det offentlige.
Selvsensur, plattformbruk og hvilken påvirkning kanselleringskulturen har på ytringskulturen er blant de identifiserte faktorene. De unge befinner seg også i en paradoksal situasjon hvor de forteller om et ønske om å delta i samfunnsdebatten, men føler at det er ulike inngangsbarrierer som hindrer dem. Mangel på forkunnskap, frykt for negative reaksjoner og uklare retningslinjer på sosiale medier er blant noen av de identifiserte inngangsbarrierene fra studien.
For å senke terskelen til å delta i den offentlige debatten har studien vektlagt behovet for trygge rammer når de unge skal ytre seg
Word of mouth signaling: A quantitative study on a customer review-based approach to social media ads and the trustworthiness of selective exposure
Full text linkThe persuasive power of customer reviews is recognized by marketers and businesses across various industries. Numerous researchers have explored the framework and effects of these reviews, investigating what motivates consumers to read and write them and their broader implications. This topic is particularly intriguing for marketers since these reviews are consumer generated and not directly controlled by businesses. The question arises: how can marketers leverage this potential marketing content? Specifically, can the successful integration of eWOM in social media advertisements enhance brand trust and subsequently increase purchase intentions?
While it is commonly believed that positive reviews boost sales and negative reviews hinder them, the reality is more complex. Factors such as the type of product, the platform where the review is read, the review's content, and the reviewer's identity can all influence the impact. In our study, we analyzed the effects of customer reviews versus business statements on trust and purchase intention. We exposed two groups to an identical Instagram advertisement by the fictional company “Rørlegger AS,” with the only difference being the caption (customer review vs. business statement).
The results did not show a significantly higher direct effect of customer reviews on purchase intention compared to business statements. Additionally, trust had a significant effect on purchase intention, but there was no mediated effect of trust in the overall sample. However, we found a moderated mediation effect of gender. Specifically, female participants reported significantly higher trust levels when exposed to customer reviews, which indirectly influenced their purchase intentions
Prevalence of fall and its associated factors among elderly population in India: Evidence from the Longitudinal Aging Study of India (LASI)
Full text linkBackground: With the ageing population in India facing an increased risk of falls, understanding the detailed prevalence and nuanced risk factors is essential for developing effective prevention strategies. To assess the burden of falls and delineate associated risk factors among the elderly in India, leveraging data from the Longitudinal Aging Study of India (LASI).
Methods: This study analyzed LASI data from 2017-2019, focusing on individuals aged 60 and above. We assessed self-reported falls over the past two years and evaluated potential risk factors, including sociodemographic characteristics and chronic health conditions, through logistic regression models.
Results: Among 28,710 participants, the prevalence of falls was 11.43%. Detailed analysis revealed significant gender differences, with females (odds ratio = 1.31, p =0.000) experiencing more falls than males. The prevalence rates based on age groups indicated that individuals aged 80 and older were more prone to experiencing falls (odds ratio = 1.16, p = 0.011) in contrast to those aged between 60 and 69 years. Chronic conditions such as bone/joint diseases and vision problems markedly increased fall risk (aOR = 1.25 and aOR = 1.11, respectively). Notably, self-rated poor health emerged as a strong predictor for falls (aOR = 3.26), emphasizing the interplay of physical health and self-perception in fall risk.
Conclusion: The study identifies specific demographics and health conditions that significantly increase fall risk among India's elderly. Highlighting the disproportionate impact on females and the elderly above 80, alongside the critical role of self-rated health.publishedVersio