2 research outputs found
Health inequalities in Europe: Does minimum income protection make a difference?
No full textPoverty, a risk factor for ill health, could be alleviated by generous welfare states. However, do generous social policies also reduce the health implications of socio-economic inequalities? This study investigates how minimum income protection is associated with socio-economic health inequalities. The author hypothesises that higher benefit levels are associated with lower health inequalities between income groups. Minimum income benefits support the people most in need, and therefore should improve the health of the lowest income groups, which in turn would reduce overall health inequalities. This hypothesis is tested with the European Social Survey (2002-2012) and the SaMip dataset using three-level multilevel models, covering 26 countries. The results show a robust relationship between benefit levels and individual self-rated health. However, the hypothesis of reduced health inequalities is not completely supported, since the findings for the cross-level interactions between income quintiles and benefit levels differ for each quintile
Assessing the knowledge, attitude and practice of electronic cigarettes and their associated factors among undergraduate students of Institute of Medicine, Nepal: a cross-sectional study
No full textAbstract Background Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are gaining popularity globally and becoming popular among young people, including in Nepal. Easy accessibility, appealing ads, and the misconception that e-cigarettes are safer than traditional cigarettes have fueled their rising popularity among university students in Nepal. The lack of comprehensive data on the prevalence and determinants of e-cigarette use among university students in Nepal underscores the urgent need for targeted research in this area. This study aimed to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding e-cigarettes, as well as their influencing factors, among undergraduate students at the Institute of Medicine in Kathmandu, Nepal. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study with 302 undergraduate students. A self-administered questionnaire assessed their knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to e-cigarettes. Descriptive statistics were reported, and chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the statistical association among variables using STATA 14. Results The mean age of participants was 21.4 ± 2.1 years. Of the 302 respondents, 214 (70.9%) had heard of e-cigarettes. Among them, 71.5% had good knowledge, 62.2% held supportive attitudes, and 79.0% had never used e-cigarettes. Males were more likely to smoke e-cigarettes than females (AOR: 2.27; 95% CI: 1.01–5.01; p = 0.046). Students with friends who smoke were nearly three times more likely to use e-cigarettes (AOR: 3.00; 95% CI: 1.12–7.99; p = 0.028). Supportive attitudes towards e-cigarettes also doubled the likelihood of smoking them (AOR: 2.10; 95% CI: 1.02–4.35; p = 0.045). Conclusion The study highlights important implications for interventions, policy, and education within Nepal’s medical system. With a notable percentage of students holding supportive attitudes toward e-cigarettes, there is a clear need for targeted behavior change campaigns that educate about the health risks associated with e-cigarettes
