Objective: This study investigates the influence of tobacco prices on consumption habits among 200 smokers in Lisbon, Portugal, focusing on generational preferences and perceptions of tobacco taxes. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a quantitative approach. Participants were categorized by generational cohort, and data on tobacco consumption types, awareness of tobacco taxes, and opinions on tax increases were collected. Statistical analyses were used to explore relationships and predictors. Results: Findings reveal that 46.5% of participants favored heated tobacco, 37.0% smoked cigarettes, and 16.5% consumed other types like roll-your-own tobacco and electronic cigarettes. Significant generational differences were observed, with older cohorts predominantly smoking cigarettes (51.5%), while Generation Z showed a preference for heated tobacco (55.2%). Most smokers (79.5%) were aware of tobacco taxes, with diverse opinions on their purpose: revenue generation (44.0%), consumption reduction (44.5%), and indifference (11.5%). Despite this awareness, 60.5% reported no change in consumption habits due to tax increases. Conclusion: The study underscores the complexity of tobacco consumption behaviors influenced by price and generational factors. While heated tobacco gains popularity among younger smokers, traditional cigarettes remain prevalent among older cohorts. The findings highlight challenges in tobacco control policies, suggesting a need for comprehensive strategies integrating price measures with targeted educational and cessation interventions to effectively reduce tobacco use across different generations.

An exhaustive analysis and evaluation of fertility indicators in a society including many ethnic groups might provide valuable insights into any discrepancies. This study aims to systematically analyse the fertility rates over specific periods and investigate the differences in levels and patterns between local and expatriate women in Saudi Arabia using the existing data. This analysis used data from credible sources published by the General Authority for Statistics in the Saudi census 2022. The calculation of period fertility indicators started with the most straightforward rates and advanced to more complex ones, followed by a comprehensive description of the advantages and disadvantages of each. The aim was to ascertain fluctuations in fertility rates and analyse temporal patterns. Multiple studies consistently show that the fertility rate among expats in Saudi Arabia is lower than that among Saudi native women. However, the reason for this discrepancy still needs to be discovered since the definitive effect of contraceptive techniques has yet to be confirmed. Moreover, the reproductive trends that have occurred since the early 1980s will persist, although with additional precautions in place.

Background: In healthcare, research is essential for improving disease diagnosis and treatment, patient outcomes, and resource management, while fostering evidence-based practice. However, conducting research in this sector can be challenging, and healthcare workers may face various obstacles while engaging in research activities. Therefore, understanding healthcare workers’ attitudes toward research participation is essential for overcoming barriers and increasing research engagement. In this study, these aspects are examined through the analysis of survey data from a tertiary healthcare institution in Saudi Arabia. Method: Data obtained via a survey conducted between April and November 2022 among the healthcare workers and employees at a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia were analyzed using descriptive and bivariate statistics. Results: The study sample comprised 713 respondents, 61.71% of whom were female, 58.06% were 26–41 years old, and 72.93% had not undertaken any research as employees or affiliates. A significant association was noted between age group and time constraints (p = 0.004) and lack of opportunity for research (p = 0.00), which were among the identified barriers to research participation. A significant association was also found between gender and barriers to pursuing research (p = 0.012). When the 193 (27.07%) participants who conducted research were asked about the challenges they encountered during this process, gender was significantly associated with difficulties in allocating time for conducting research (p = 0.042) and challenges in accessing journals and references (p = 0.016). Conclusion: The study findings highlight the importance of addressing the barriers and challenges in promoting positive attitudes toward research participation among healthcare workers considering their gender and age. In this manner, healthcare institutions can adopt an environment conducive for professional research engagement.

The health of employees is so paramount for employee productivity. While emphasis is often placed on the physical health of employees, less emphasis is placed on the psychological or mental health of the employees. Similarly, it seems as if health challenges are more occurring in manufacturing industries, but the service organizations employees are as well susceptible to mental health challenges. Understanding the predictive factors to mental health challenges therefore becomes imperative. It is on this note that the present research examines how employee mental health is predicted by work safety measures like perceived workplace safety, work overload and pay satisfaction. The workplace safety variables include perception of job, co-worker, supervisor, management, and safety programs. A cross sectional survey method was adopted, using ex-post-facto research design. Data were gathered from 258 employees, including 150 (58.1%) females and 108 (41.9%) males of a non-governmental organization. Correlation and regression analyses were used to analyze data obtained from the standardized psychological scales that were administered. The results showed that mental health correlated positively with perceived job safety, but negatively with perceived co-worker, supervisor, management, safety programs and pay satisfaction. Workplace safety variables jointly predicted mental health, accounting for 23% variance, but only perceived job safety and supervisor safety were significant. The higher employees perceived job safety, the lower their mental health challenges. Similarly, the higher they perceived supervisor safety, the lower their mental health issues. Pay satisfaction accounted for 3% variance in mental health, and the higher the pay satisfaction, the lower the level of employee mental health issues. It is implied that the human resource unit of service organizations should intermittently examine their organizations to identify and prevent possible job and supervisor safety threats. Supervisors should be trained on how to be discrete in communicating safety measures to subordinates so that it will not boomerang to hamper mental health. The human resources unit should also intermittently organize workshop, training, and employee-assisted programs for younger and lower grade employees on adaptive mechanisms for reducing mental health challenges.

This study aims to identify factors related to the impact of social capital on happiness among multicultural families using the 2019 Community Health Survey, which represents the South Korean population. The study utilized data from the 2019 Korea Community Health Survey, and the study participants, aged 20 years or older, included 3524 members of multicultural families from a total of 229,099 adult households. The study found a significant difference in happiness scores across different age groups (t = 57.00, p < 0.01). Based on the median value of happiness, significant relationships were found with the independent variables: Physical Environment of Trust (t = −5.13, p < 0.001), Social Networks (t = −5.51, p < 0.001), and Social Participation (t = −5.47, p < 0.001). Happiness was found to have a positive correlation with the Physical Environment of Trust (r = 0.12, p < .001), Social Participation (r = 0.11, p < 0.001), and Social Network (r = 0.13, p ≤ 0.001). In contrast, Age (r = −0.13, p ≤ 0.001) and Stress (r = −0.14, p ≤ 0.001) showed negative correlations with happiness (r = 0.57, p < 0.001). The analysis identified a positive community physical environment (t = 3.85, p < 0.01), increased social networks (t = 4.27, p < 0.01), and higher social participation (t = 6.88, p < 0.01) as significant predictors of happiness. This model suggests that the explanation power is 15%, which is statistically significant (R² = 0.15, F = 57.72, p < 0.001). This study highlights the influence of social capital on the happiness of multicultural families living in Korea. Given the increasing number of multicultural families in the country, strategic interventions aimed at enhancing social networks and participation are necessary to promote their happiness.

Diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) are gaining prominence in healthcare systems worldwide to standardize potential payments to hospitals. This study, conducted across public hospitals, investigates the impact of DRG implementation on human resource allocation and management practices. The research findings reveal significant changes in job roles and skill requirements based on a mixed-methods approach involving 70 healthcare professionals across various roles. 50% of respondents reported changes in daily responsibilities, and 42% noted the creation of new roles in their organizations. Significant challenges include inadequate training (46%), and coding complexity (38%). Factor analysis revealed a complex relationship between DRG familiarity, job satisfaction, and staff morale. The study also found a moderate negative correlation between the impact on morale and years of service in the current hospital, suggesting that longer-tenured staff may require additional support in adapting to DRG systems. This study addresses a knowledge gap in the human resource aspects of DRG implementation. It provides healthcare administrators and policymakers with evidence to inform strategies for effective DRG adoption and workforce management in public hospitals.