Developing an Evaluation Model for Maternity Care: A Mixed-Method Study from Iran

Background: Maternity care is an integral part of primary health care (PHC) systems worldwide. This study aimed to develop a new model for evaluating the maternity health program (MHP) in Iran. Methods: In this mixed-methods study, first, the challenges of MHP were surveyed through systematic review and expert interviews. Next, to identify the existing shortcomings in MHP evaluation system, the SWOT technique, cross-sectional study and comparative analyses were used. Finally, the Delphi technique was used to reach consensus on developed evaluation standards. Results: The final developed evaluation model contains five dimensions including reproductive health/family planning, maternity health, health records, evaluation, and resources management. Overall, this model has 32 standards and 289 measures. The scores obtained for the sum of the measures in two importance and applicability criteria were 8.24 and 7.85, which these scores are estimated to be equal to 91.55 and 87.22 percent of the highest possible scores, respectively. Conclusion: Considering the comprehensiveness of the obtained model, it is hoped that it could lead to performance improvement of the PHC centers in the area of maternity health.

How do we measure gender discrimination? Proposing a construct of gender discrimination through a systematic scoping review

Background Gender discrimination (GD) has been frequently linked to mental health. The heterogeneity of how GD is defined has led to variation around the analysis of GD. This might affect the study of the association between GD and health outcomes. The main goal of this systematic scoping review is to operationalize the definition of the GD construct. Methods Three search strategies were set in Pubmed, CINAHL and PsycINFO. The first strategy obtained results mainly about women, while the second focused on men. The third strategy focused on the identification of GD questionnaires. The prevalence of GD, factors and consequences associated with GD perception, and forms of discrimination were the principal variables collected. Risk of bias was assessed (PROSPERO:CRD42019120719). Results Of the 925 studies obtained, 84 were finally included. 60 GD questionnaires were identified. GD prevalence varied between 3.4 and 67 %. Female gender and a younger age were the factors most frequently related to GD. Poorer mental health was the most frequent consequence. Two components of the GD construct were identified: undervaluation (different recognition, opportunities in access, evaluation standards and expectations) and different treatment (verbal abuse and behaviour). Conclusions Two-component GD definition can add order and precision to the measurement, increase response rates and reported GD.

A comparison on the evaluation standards of sustainable campus between China and America

Purpose This paper aims to make a comparative study on the latest version of green campus evaluation standard between China and America: Green Campus Evaluation Standard (GB/T51356-2019) and the sustainability tracking, assessment and rating system (STARS 2.2). The differences of evaluation methods and contents are analyzed and their respective characteristics and advantages are sorted out, so as to promote the development of sustainable campus evaluation standards. Design/methodology/approach The research mainly adopts the method of comparative study, which is carried out from three dimensions, namely, the related policies development of campus construction and world university sustainable rankings; the content of evaluation standards (including evaluation methods and evaluation categories and scores); the characteristics and current application of standards. Findings There are great differences between the evaluation standards of China and America in organization and participation mode, evaluation method and content. Public engagement, energy and campus engagement are the hot spots. Buildings, energy, food and dining and investment and finance will become the focus of sustainable campus in the future. Specific optimization strategies of key points, evaluation method and content and organization and participation mode of Chinese standard are put forward. Practical implications This paper clarifies the advantages and disadvantages of the current global sustainable campus, and provides the basis for the next stage of construction policy. At the same time, it is helpful for all countries, especially China, to formulate construction guidelines that not only meet their own actual needs but also conform to the trend of global sustainable campus development. Social implications The connotation of sustainable campus is enriched, and the evaluation standards of sustainable campus are improved. The development of sustainable campus is promoted, so as to realize the sustainable development goals. Originality/value This research expands the scope of the study to the whole campus, rather than just one aspect of campus buildings. It compares the evaluation standard of green campus in China with STARS in the USA, and no longer compares leadership in energy and environmental design for schools. It discusses the campus building’s energy conservation while paying attention to the campus green consciousness, green management and green planning. Based on the relevant data currently used by STARS in the global evaluation, this paper analyzes the hot spots and shortcomings of the current global sustainable campus construction and puts forward some optimization suggestions for China’s green campus evaluation system.

Multifeature Detection of Microaneurysms Based on Improved SSA

The early diagnosis of retinopathy is crucial to the prevention and treatment of diabetic retinopathy. The low proportion of positive cases in the asymmetric microaneurysm detection problem causes preprocessing to treat microaneurysms as noise to be eliminated. To obtain a binary image containing microaneurysms, the object was segmented by a symmetry algorithm, which is a combination of the connected components and SSA methods. Next, a candidate microaneurysm set was extracted by multifeature clustering of binary images. Finally, the candidate microaneurysms were mapped to the Radon frequency domain to achieve microaneurysm detection. In order to verify the feasibility of the algorithm, a comparative experiment was conducted on the combination of the connected components and SSA methods. In addition, PSNR, FSIM, SSIM, fitness value, average CPU time and other indicators were used as evaluation standards. The results showed that the overall performance of the binary image obtained by the algorithm was the best. Last but not least, the accuracy of the detection method for microaneurysms in this paper reached up to 93.24%, which was better than that of several classic microaneurysm detection methods in the same period.

The Moral Education Function and Path Choice of Art Education in Elementary Education

Objectives: Since the 21st century, the cultivation of talents has shifted from the "core of knowledge" to the "core of literacy", which is also an emphasis on and attention to the core literacy of students. The elementary education policy represents an important measure in China's comprehensive quality education, and it puts forward higher requirements on the content and evaluation standards of basic art education. Ideological and moral education has always been highly valued in China. Moral education courses are compulsory public courses for students from elementary school to middle school across the country. The contradiction between the development and prosperity of moral education and the ideological and moral problems of students in the compulsory education stage is thought provoking. It is imperative to reform the existing moral education work. Giving full play to the moral education function of art education in elementary education is a popular and effective way for students in elementary and middle schools. The significance of this article's research on the moral education function of art education in elementary education is to infiltrate the moral education of art education, cultivate sentiments, improve students' aesthetic ability, cultivate students' artistic qualities and innovative thinking, to cultivate all-round development of people.

Breastfeeding Supportive Services in Baby-Friendly Hospitals Positively Influenced Exclusive Breastfeeding Practice at Hospitalization Discharge and Six Months Postpartum

Background: Studies have shown that implementing the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative can protect, promote, and support breastfeeding. However, few studies have valuated the quality of breastfeeding supportive services provided by Baby-Friendly Hospitals from the perspective of service users. Methods: This was a hospital-based prospective study, conducted at eight Baby-Friendly Hospitals with a total of 707 pregnant women in Shanghai, China between October 2016 and September 2021. Breastfeeding supportive services during hospitalization were assessed at childbirth discharge using a 12-question questionnaire based on the Chinese “Baby-Friendly Hospital Evaluation Standards”. Women were followed up on six months postpartum. The impact of breastfeeding supportive services during hospitalization on the exclusive breastfeeding at discharge and six months postpartum were assessed. Results: Of the 707 mothers who completed the survey at discharge, 526 were followed up on six months after delivery. The overall exclusive breastfeeding rate among participants was 34.4% at discharge and 52.1% at six months postpartum. Mothers who received better breastfeeding supportive services during hospitalization were more likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding at hospitalization discharge compared with mothers who received poorer services (aOR: 3.00; 95% CI: 2.08, 4.35; p < 0.001). Furthermore, they were also more likely to exclusively breastfeed at six months postpartum (aOR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.03, 2.22; p = 0.033). Conclusion: Better breastfeeding supportive services during hospitalization were significantly associated with higher rate of exclusive breastfeeding at discharge and six months postpartum. More effective measures should be adopted to improve the implementation of the breastfeeding supportive services in Baby-Friendly Hospitals to promote exclusive breastfeeding and better maternal and child health.

Neoadjuvant Therapy in Lung Cancer: What Is Most Important: Objective Response Rate or Major Pathological Response?

Lung cancer is the most fatal and frequently diagnosed malignant tumor. Neoadjuvant therapy is a promising approach for prolonging survival and increasing the chance of cure rates for patients with potentially resectable disease. Currently, many therapeutic alternatives, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, are continually being explored to enrich the content of neoadjuvant therapy. However, neoadjuvant therapy remains to have no unified evaluation standards. Overall survival (OS) is the “gold standard” for evaluating the clinical benefit of cancer treatment, but it needs years for a reliable evaluation. Hence, researchers need to identify surrogate endpoints that can predict OS accurately and reliably without long follow-up periods. In this review, we describe the research progress of different neoadjuvant therapies and explore their response evaluation, aiming to identify stronger predictors of OS.

EVOLUÇÃO QUALITATIVA DOS PROCESSOS AVALIATIVOS EM UM CURSO DE PEDAGOGIA NA MODALIDADE DE EDUCAÇÃO A DISTÂNCIA

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo apresentar a investigação da evolução qualitativa de processo normativo e instrumental da avaliação em um curso de pedagogia a distância de uma instituição privada. Trata-se de meta-avaliação das normas sobre a avaliação e dos instrumentos na avaliação dos estudantes. A metodologia de trabalho considerou analisar até que ponto as normas de avaliação, bem como os próprios instrumentos de avaliação utilizados contribuem na evolução gradativa do desempenho dos estudantes no período de 2004 a 2017. Principais resultados: elaboração de novos instrumentos de avaliação e reelaboração de outros permite visualizar a evolução na melhoria de desempenho de estudantes; normas orientadoras de avaliação facultam perceber evolução da aprendizagem.Palavras-chave: meta-avaliação; avaliação formativa; instrumentos de avaliação; pedagogia; educação a distância. Qualitative developments in the current evaluation process of distance pedagogyAbstractThe objective of this study is to investigate the qualitative evolution of the normative and instrumental process of the ongoing evaluation of pedagogy at a distance from a private institution. This is a meta-evaluation of the norms on evaluation and the instruments in the evaluation of the students. The work methodology considered the extent to which the evaluation standards as well as the evaluation instruments used contribute to the gradual evolution of student performance in the period from 2004 to 2017. Main expected results: development of new evaluation tools and re-elaboration of others allows visualizing evolution in student performance improvement; norms of evaluation make it possible to perceive the evolution of learning.Keywords: meta-evaluation; assessment tools; pedagogy; distance education. Evolución cualitativa del procedimiento evaluado en curso de pedagogía a distanciaResumen El trabajo tiene por objetivo investigar la evolución cualitativa de proceso normativo e instrumental de la evaluación en curso de pedagogía a distancia de institución privada. Se trata de la meta-evaluación de las normas sobre la evaluación y los instrumentos en la evaluación de los estudiantes. La metodología de trabajo consideró analizar hasta qué punto las normas de evaluación, así como los propios instrumentos de evaluación utilizados, contribuyen a la evolución gradual del rendimiento de los estudiantes en el período 2004 a 2017. Principales resultados previstos: elaboración de nuevos instrumentos de evaluación y reelaboración otros permiten visualizar evolución en la mejora de desempeño de estudiantes; las normas orientadoras de evaluación permiten percibir la evolución del aprendizaje.Palabras clave: meta-evaluación; instrumentos de evaluación; pedagogía; educación a distancia.