Latest Articles from Population and Economics Latest 13 Articles from Population and Economics https://populationandeconomics.pensoft.net/ Fri, 29 Mar 2024 08:24:00 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://populationandeconomics.pensoft.net/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from Population and Economics https://populationandeconomics.pensoft.net/ School-based Sexuality Education Curricula: Are Parents Supportive? https://populationandeconomics.pensoft.net/article/102566/ Population and Economics 7(2): 23-39

DOI: 10.3897/popecon.7.e102566

Authors: Viktoriya I. Yuodeshko

Abstract: This paper discusses the findings of a study on the attitudes of Belarusian parents with school-aged children towards school-based sexuality education programs. The study aimed to measure parental support for comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and its individual components, identify the topics and age ranges approved by parents, and determine which course characteristics are important to them. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were used to evaluate the factors that influence parental support for introducing sexuality education in schools. The study found that a fairly high share of 60.6% of parents were supportive of the introduction of CSE, despite low satisfaction and awareness of the current information presented in schools. Parents approved a median age of 13.3 years as the minimum age for CSE curriculum. However, topics such as safe use of cell phones, computers, the Internet, and social media; psychological pressure and violence; peer bullying; confronting peers; sources of help; relationships, love, friendship, parenting, and family were considered permissible for earlier age ranges. The study found that parental support to school-based sexuality education is influenced by several factors. These include parents’ normative ideas about the balance of responsibility between family and school in educating children and adolescents about sexuality, the level of awareness of and satisfaction with available information on sexual development and health in the school curriculum, whether parents have a college degree, parents’ personal experiences in having intimate conversations with their children, and any difficulties they may encounter in such communication. The paper offers recommendations for a CSE course architecture that is relevant to the context of Belarus and meets parental expectations, as well as on perspectives for advancing sexuality education in Belarus.

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Research Article Tue, 27 Jun 2023 22:34:46 +0300
Estimating the effects of legalizing drug e-commerce https://populationandeconomics.pensoft.net/article/96523/ Population and Economics 7(1): 90-115

DOI: 10.3897/popecon.7.e96523

Authors: Stanislav V. Spektor, Karina A. Ionkina

Abstract: With the technological development the e-commerce channel began to spread to all sectors of the economy. In 2020 with the introduction of sanitary and epidemiological restrictions because of COVID-19 pandemic, many countries lifted the ban of drug e-commerce. Such changes are interesting from the point of view of health economics, and the opening of this sales channel significantly reduces transaction costs and increases the physical availability of drugs, especially in regions with low population density. The article attempts to evaluate the effects of legalization of online sales of drugs on price level and the degree of market concentration (the concentration of the 5 largest companies is used as a proxy), and also uses new methods to estimate the effects of legalizing e-commerce on drug markets. High rates of industry and drug market concentration can lead to a noticeable decrease in the availability of goods. Legalizing e-commerce can be seen as a way to reduce market concentration by facilitating market entry for small firms. The effects of lifting the ban on remote drug sales are estimated using regression analysis on panel data, cross-country matching, and synthetic control. Empirical estimates provide an overall picture of the effects of legalizing online drug sales. After allowing remote drug sales market concentration decreases, indicating a reduction in information asymmetry and switching costs. This effect is particularly important for countries with a high proportion of pensioners, for whom the switching costs are noticeably higher ceteris paribus. Allowing distance trade, due to reducing information asymmetry, drug pricing also slows down, that is, in addition to increasing physical accessibility, opening this channel also increases economic accessibility.

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Research Article Fri, 28 Apr 2023 19:20:36 +0300
Life and health of labor migrants from Central Asia in Russia in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic https://populationandeconomics.pensoft.net/article/90370/ Population and Economics 6(4): 83-106

DOI: 10.3897/popecon.6.e90370

Authors: Dmitry V. Poletaev

Abstract: The study contains data analysis on living conditions, information about COVID-19, housing conditions, health status and practice of testing labor migrants from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in Russia for HIV and tuberculosis (TB) in the context of the pandemic by gender and country of citizenship. The empirical basis of estimates was made up of data from the 2020 survey of 900 labor migrants from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan living in Russia. The data analysis showed that the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened situation of the majority families of labor migrants from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in Russia with wage reduction and psychological stress becoming the most significant difficulties (especially for female labor migrants). The Internet and online social networks were the main sources of information about COVID-19. Less than half of legally employed labor migrants from Kyrgyzstan used Compulsory health insurance (CHI) certificate, and they were less likely to undergo fluorographic examinations and HIV testing compared to labor migrants from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan (especially men). Most of the labor migrants from Central Asia in Russia did not pay enough attention to prevention and health maintenance and even deteriorated their health overextending themselves in Russia, as in the pre-COVID-19 period. Health problems either have developed or worsened, including due to unfavorable housing conditions. The study shows the need for improving access to and quality of medical services for labor migrants from Central Asia in Russia and modernizing mechanisms for informing migrants, including through digital environment and social networks. Monitoring of future changes in migration policy with due regard to new experience in migration management during the pandemic seems promising.

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Research Note Thu, 22 Dec 2022 08:00:02 +0200
Health education in France during the interwar period: an example of the fight against tuberculosis https://populationandeconomics.pensoft.net/article/82304/ Population and Economics 6(2): 35-54

DOI: 10.3897/popecon.6.e82304

Authors: Virginie De Luca Barrusse

Abstract: Since the 1890s, in Europe, as in the United States, the fight against social disasters has comprised public health education. In France, the prevalence of tuberculosis was of particular concern. Back in 1913, the mortality from this cause accounted for 12% of the total mortality. The war has worsened the epidemiological situation, urging representatives of the American philanthropic Rockefeller Foundation to take a number of actions. From 1917 to 1922, in parallel with the creation of dispensaries and sanatoriums, the Foundation conducted an informational and educational campaign. In France during the interwar period, this American experience served as a source of ideas for health education. The purpose of this article is to study conditions for developing a health education policy and measures taken within the framework of this policy. The fight against tuberculosis serves as an example, since it enables understanding of how, alongside institutional innovations and introduction of prevention and care tools, a system of public health education is being created and developed. In particular, campaigns for distributing anti-tuberculosis stamps make it possible to trace how knowledge of hygiene principles was spreading in the population of France, simultaneously providing fundraising for the fight against tuberculosis.

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Research Article Fri, 1 Jul 2022 18:39:45 +0300
Pregnancy, childbirth and health of female labour migrants from Central Asia in Russia https://populationandeconomics.pensoft.net/article/73815/ Population and Economics 5(4): 50-65

DOI: 10.3897/popecon.5.e73815

Authors: Dmitry V. Poletaev

Abstract: The research note contains an analysis of data on health, pregnancy, and childbirth experience among female labour migrants arriving in Russia from Central Asia. Empirically, the study bases on the data of three surveys conducted in 2015, 2017, and 2020. In total, the surveys contain information on 2,028 migrants from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan living in Russia. The analysis proves that with gradual feminization of labour migration from Central Asia, pregnancy and childbirth in a significant part of labour migrants take place in risky living conditions; the existing system of maternal health protection for migrants in Russia needs modernization. Compared to earlier studies on this topic, the survey data showed a higher proportion of female migrants who had got pregnant and gave birth in Russia along with a lower proportion of migrants who terminated pregnancy. These differences may indicate a change in the reproductive behaviour of women who come to work in Russia from the countries of Central Asia. The presented note shows the need for in-depth studies of the reproductive behaviour of labour migrants in Russia, as well as the development of national migration statistics, which should become gender sensitive.

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Research Note Wed, 29 Dec 2021 15:35:30 +0200
Socio-demographic determinants of COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Russia in the context of mandatory vaccination of employees https://populationandeconomics.pensoft.net/article/77832/ Population and Economics 5(4): 30-49

DOI: 10.3897/popecon.5.e77832

Authors: Tatiana M. Maleva, Marina A. Kartseva, Sophia V. Korzhuk

Abstract: The paper offers an analysis of socio-demographic factors determining uptake of COVID-19 vaccine in Russia in 2021. The study focuses in particular on the role of mandatory vaccination of workers in certain sectors of the economy. The study is empirically based on three rounds of a nationally representative telephone survey, conducted in February–October 2021, which investigated the situation and behaviour of a cross section of the Russian adult population in the context of the spread of coronavirus. The paper shows that the key factors behind vaccine uptake are age and education of the individual. People in older age groups and people with higher education are most inclined towards vaccination. By contrast, young people and people with low levels of education are least likely to be vaccinated. Other significant determinants of vaccination are experience of COVID-19 infection (self or a household member) and elderly or chronically ill members of the household. Among the employed, the economic sector where they work is an important determinant: workers in education, health care, and state and municipal administration are more likely to be vaccinated. The introduction of mandatory vaccination at a firm/organization with sanctions for unvaccinated employees has significant positive effect: the likelihood of an employee being vaccinated increases by 10 percentage points. The effect of mandatory vaccination is slightly greater for men than for women.

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Research Article Mon, 27 Dec 2021 16:53:39 +0200
Effect of inclusion of assisted reproductive technologies in the state health insurance programme in Russia https://populationandeconomics.pensoft.net/article/59062/ Population and Economics 4(4): 19-42

DOI: 10.3897/popecon.4.e59062

Authors: Alexandra A. Moskaleva

Abstract: Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are an infertility treatment tool. In Russia, more than 250 centers implementing infertility treatment with the help of ART have been opened in 67 regions. In 2014, in vitro fertilization (IVF) was included in the programme of state guarantees, and since 2016 the service can be obtained within the Mandatory Health Insurance (MHI) system. Author of this study analyzes how the impact of economic factors on fertility with the use of ART has changed in relation to the inclusion of IVF in the MHI system, and what social factors affect the usage of this technology. The analysis bases on the panel data for the regions of Russia covering the period from 2011 to 2017. The fixed effects method was used to assess the impact of various factors. The study shows that the population income level has a significant positive impact on the proportion of births with the use of ART even after the inclusion of IVF into the MHI programme. At the same time, the inclusion of IVF in the MHI programme has led to an increase in the proportion of births using ART. The positive effect of this inclusion is higher in wealthier regions. Among social factors, a significant impact has the accessibility of information about the procedure, which is measured by the share of population having access to the Internet.

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Research Article Thu, 31 Dec 2020 21:21:12 +0200
Estimating economic efficiency of preclinical diagnostics of Parkinson's disease with cost-utility approach https://populationandeconomics.pensoft.net/article/59949/ Population and Economics 4(3): 111-127

DOI: 10.3897/popecon.4.e59949

Authors: Irina A. Denisova, Tatiana V. Chubarova, Irina E. Bogatova, Sergei A. Vartanov, Valerian G. Kucheryanu, Viсtor M. Polterovich, Natalia A. Turdyeva, Marina V. Shakleina

Abstract: Neurodegenerative diseases, Parkinson's disease among them, set challenges to modern societies both in terms of premature deaths and resources spent on treatment of the diseases. At that, preventive care and early diagnostics in particular are potential directions towards higher economic efficiency of healthcare interventions in this area. Authors of this paper suggest a modification of the cost-utility approach to evaluate economic efficiency of an early diagnostics at the presymptomatic (prodromal) stage of PD, when its symptoms do not appear clinically yet. Such diagnostics, in combination with neuroprotective therapy for persons at high risk of PD, allows postponing its development until later years, and thereby ensuring an improvement in the quality of life of the population, as well as saving resources of the healthcare system and society as a whole. The authors rely on the diagnostic approach proposed by the research group headed by M. Ugryumov, which is currently at the stage of laboratory testing. Its implementation potentially leads to savings in both direct and indirect costs for PD treatment compared to the traditional approach, but increases testing costs, and also requires the development of new neuroprotective therapy for identified risk groups. The authors propose a modification of the cost-benefit assessment procedure to take into account the uncertainty associated with the lack of a final understanding of the scope and composition of the testing group at the preclinical stage. The condition for the economic efficiency of the preclinical diagnostic method in the developed procedure is the minimum permissible probability of detecting an increased risk of PD in the test group. To test their algorithm, the authors carry out calculations basing on the Russian data.

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Research Article Tue, 29 Dec 2020 07:44:47 +0200
Differentiation of Russian regions by life expectancy https://populationandeconomics.pensoft.net/article/61386/ Population and Economics 4(3): 104-110

DOI: 10.3897/popecon.4.e61386

Authors: Raisa S. Rotova

Abstract: The paper is devoted to the assessment of the relationship between regional life expectancy at birth (LE) with a number of economic and sociodemographic factors, in particular the gross regional product (GRP) and the share of urban population residing in large cities in the total population of the region. The analysis shows that the economic factor has a strong positive correlation with LE, especially in regions with unfavorable climatic conditions. The proportion of urban population residing in large cities in the total population of the region, influencing LE through improved health infrastructure and greater accessibility of health services to urban residents, merely complements the leading role of the economic factor.

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Research Note Fri, 18 Dec 2020 17:45:31 +0200
Medium-term adaptation of public health systems under the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic: challenges and proposals https://populationandeconomics.pensoft.net/article/53612/ Population and Economics 4(2): 77-80

DOI: 10.3897/popecon.4.e53612

Authors: Ekaterina V. Malofeeva

Abstract: The research note examines some aspects of the medium-term adaptation of public health care systems to the COVID-19 pandemic. Economic consequences of the pandemic are likely to tighten the budget constraints in public healthcare, what will force policymakers to reallocate, rather increase financing; this reallocation should be done taking into consideration new disease and disability risk profile. Epidemiological uncertainty will additionally complicate the planning.

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Research Note Thu, 30 Apr 2020 18:40:33 +0300
Coronavirus pandemic challenges migrants worldwide and in Russia https://populationandeconomics.pensoft.net/article/53201/ Population and Economics 4(2): 49-55

DOI: 10.3897/popecon.4.e53201

Authors: Irina Ivakhnyuk

Abstract: The paper deals with the situation of one of the most vulnerable social groups under COVID-19, namely migrants and refugees. The author classifies pandemic-related challenges faced by migrants into several groups: (1) economic, (2) medical, or sanitary-epidemiological, (3) socio-psychological, and (4) political. Special attention is paid to the situation in Russia, which largely coincides with what is happening in other countries with numerous numbers of migrants, and at the same time has its own specificity.

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Research Article Thu, 23 Apr 2020 18:41:33 +0300
Institutional continuum in the context of the pandemic https://populationandeconomics.pensoft.net/article/53299/ Population and Economics 4(2): 39-42

DOI: 10.3897/popecon.4.e53299

Authors: Alexander A. Kurdin

Abstract: The article considers institutional responses to the challenges created by COVID-19 pandemic. The comparison of discrete structural alternatives is one of the most important principles of institutional analysis. It means that policymakers and researchers rely on a countable set of legal options in the course of comparison of different institutions designed to solve one or another problem. COVID-19 pandemic provoked the elaboration of “intermediate” normative solutions, thus changing the legal framework and leading to the formation of the short-term “institutional continuum” instead of the established spectrum of alternatives.

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Research Article Thu, 23 Apr 2020 15:12:12 +0300
Migration intentions of graduate students of medical universities in Russia and some CIS countries https://populationandeconomics.pensoft.net/article/49754/ Population and Economics 3(4): 65-85

DOI: 10.3897/popecon.3.e49754

Authors: Valeriia G. Oksinenko

Abstract: Abstract The shortage of young medical workers in Russia is a long-standing and acute problem; its solution, even in part, is impossible without taking into account a whole set of factors. An empirical analysis of the results of the survey of graduates of medical and non-medical specializations in Russia and CIS countries gives grounds to identify graduates of medical faculties as a homogeneous group, which has similar migration patterns and relatively low variance in the impact of various factors on these patterns. When making decision about migration for employment graduates of medical specialties are less susceptible to the imbalance in the development of regions of Russia, but more sensitive to social factors. The findings of the paper confirm the importance of ongoing efforts in the field of social and economic policy keeping in mind its potential effectiveness to retain medical workers in regions of Russia.

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Research Article Mon, 30 Dec 2019 09:58:04 +0200