Inappropriate patient sexual behavior in physiotherapy: A systematic review

A behavior which is increasing in prevalence is sexual harassment initiated by a client and displayed towards the healthcare professionals and students of these healthcare-related professions. This is termed inappropriate patient sexual behaviour (IPSB). The consequences of IPSB can be significant, including decreased academic and work performance, decreased attention/concentration, reductions in work satisfaction, and a loss of confidence. The primary aim is to evaluate the literature on sexual harassment in physiotherapy. The secondary aim is to report on the incidence, situational factors, and suggested strategies. The databases Pubmed, Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL Plus, Embase via OVID, ProQuest, and EBM Reviews were searched from inception up to 5 November 2021. Data on the incidence, situations, and strategies were extracted by at least two independent researchers. The quality of included articles was assessed. Nine studies of cohort and cross-sectional design were included. The incidence of IPSB was reported to be between 48–100% of the samples of physiotherapy students and/or therapists. The situational factors are reported, and the recommended educational strategies are discussed. Articles suggest that educating physiotherapists and/or students about sexual harassment would be beneficial. This will help predict potential issues and highlight strategies to empower therapists in the workplace and in training. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

An investigation into the socio-economic conditions of agricultural labourers in Thiruvalai Panchayat, Tamil Nadu, India

Agricultural progress is commonly considered as a prerequisite of economic development. While modern times associate economic growth with industrialization, it is widely acknowledged that a strong agricultural foundation is essential for industrialization to thrive. In developing economies, giving priority to agriculture is crucial to hasten economic advancement. Initially, agricultural operations were carried out by hired labourers. The Labour Enquiry Committee (1950-51) defined agricultural labourers as individuals who work for more than half of the total number of days in a year for wages. In the Indian society, agricultural labourers belong to the lowest rung of the socio-economic ladder, facing significant disadvantages such as low wages, poor working conditions, and irregular employment. Their earnings barely allow for a subsistence level of living, leading to hand-to-mouth existence. This paper aims to investigate the socio-economic conditions of agricultural labourers in the Thiruvali Panchayat, Sirkali Taluk, Mayiladuthurai District of Tamil Nadu. The study indicates that wages are remarkably low, and steps should be taken to ensure these workers earn a regular and fair income. It suggests implementing equal pay for equal work in both agriculture and non-agriculture sectors. Additionally, the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) could assist agricultural labourers during the off-season, necessitating an increase in wages and the number of days of employment

An investigation into the socio-economic conditions of agricultural labourers in Thiruvalai Panchayat, Tamil Nadu, India

Agricultural progress is commonly considered as a prerequisite of economic development. While modern times associate economic growth with industrialization, it is widely acknowledged that a strong agricultural foundation is essential for industrialization to thrive. In developing economies, giving priority to agriculture is crucial to hasten economic advancement. Initially, agricultural operations were carried out by hired labourers. The Labour Enquiry Committee (1950-51) defined agricultural labourers as individuals who work for more than half of the total number of days in a year for wages. In the Indian society, agricultural labourers belong to the lowest rung of the socio-economic ladder, facing significant disadvantages such as low wages, poor working conditions, and irregular employment. Their earnings barely allow for a subsistence level of living, leading to hand-to-mouth existence. This paper aims to investigate the socio-economic conditions of agricultural labourers in the Thiruvali Panchayat, Sirkali Taluk, Mayiladuthurai District of Tamil Nadu. The study indicates that wages are remarkably low, and steps should be taken to ensure these workers earn a regular and fair income. It suggests implementing equal pay for equal work in both agriculture and non-agriculture sectors. Additionally, the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) could assist agricultural labourers during the off-season, necessitating an increase in wages and the number of days of employment

Effect of abscisic acid on biochemical constituents, enzymatic and non enzymatic antioxidant status of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) under varied irrigation regimes

Economically important vegetable crop lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) of family Asteraceae was selected for the present investigation. It is being cultivated in UAE due to its commercial importance. In lettuce cultivation, the major problem is the requirement of large quantities of irrigation water. The present study was aimed to reduce the water consumption of lettuce cultivation; for that, a varied irrigation regime was used with the application of abscisic acid (ABA). The parameters studied were biochemical constituents, antioxidant potential and antioxidant enzymes’ activities in lettuce plants under drought stress and its response to ABA under stress. Drought stress caused an increase in the biochemical constituents like proline and amino acid contents when compared with control and also increased under individual ABA treatments and treatments under drought stress. The non-enzymatic antioxidant molecules like ascorbate and α-tocopherol showed significant increase under drought condition in lettuce. ABA slightly reduced these contents. The antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase showed significant increase under drought condition and ABA caused significant enhancement in these antioxidant enzymes under drought stress and also in unstressed conditions, thereby protecting the plants from the deleterious effects of drought stress. From the results of this investigation, it can be concluded that ABA in 10 mg g−1 can be used as a potential tool to minimise the drought stress effects in lettuce cultivation