1. The Hidden Workforce : Employment and Health Impacts of Informal Caregiving in SloveniaNina Ponikvar, Sara Ražman, Tjaša Redek, Mojca Bavdaž, Petra Došenović Bonča, 2025, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: This paper investigates the employment status, demographic characteristics, and health outcomes of informal caregivers in Slovenia. Using data from the Workability Questionnaire, conducted in February 2025 with a representative sample of 1,000 individuals aged 25–75 years, we analyze how caregiving correlates with employment patterns and caregivers’ own health issues. Through statistical testing, we compare informal caregivers with non-caregivers to identify potential disparities in labor market participation and health status. This study contributes to the economic and policy discourse by offering new insights into the demographic and employment characteristics of informal caregivers in Slovenia. Additionally, it provides empirical evidence necessary for estimating the societal costs of informal care, which is crucial for integrating informal care into economic evaluations of health and social care programs. However, the study has some limitations. First, the cross-sectional nature of the data prevents causal inference regarding the relationship between caregiving and employment or health outcomes. Second, we are aware that the self-reported nature of the Workability Questionnaire may introduce response biases, particularly regarding health status and caregiving intensity.
Keywords: informal care, employment, heath status, Slovenia
Published in RUP: 04.03.2026; Views: 42; Downloads: 0
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2. Regional Disparities in Health-Seeking Behaviour in Nigeria : Evidence from the World Bank General Household SurveyUche Abamba Osakede, M. Femi Ayadi, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Regional disparities in socioeconomic factors shape health-seeking behaviour (HSB). This study examined HSB across Northern and Southern Nigeria and the role of socioeconomic factors on HSB. Data was drawn from Wave 4 of the 2018/2019 post-harvest General Household Survey of approximately 5,000 households. Logistic regression and Chi-square (χ2) tests were applied. Findings show that health care is predominantly sought from private providers, especially in the South. No significant regional difference was found between formal and informal care use. Older adults rely on informal care providers such as traditional healers and faith-based centres. Household income significantly influences provider choice, while gender matters mainly in the North, where women utilise public more than private facilities. Longer distances and waiting times increase the likelihood of public facility use, and severe illness drives reliance on public providers. Policy should improve formal health care access for olderadults, strengthen public facilities to manage severe illnesses and women’s health, especially in the North, and tighten oversight of private providers, particularly in the South, to ensure quality health care.
Keywords: health-seeking behaviour, formal and informal health care, public and private health care, Northern and Southern Nigeria
Published in RUP: 16.01.2026; Views: 207; Downloads: 2
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3. Maternal satisfaction with childbirth and its implications for maternity care quality : a cross-sectional studyMirko Prosen, Sabina Ličen, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Aim Satisfaction with childbirth is a key indicator of the quality of maternity care and influences maternal well-being and future reproductive choices. The aim of this study was to assess maternal satisfaction with the childbirth experience and examine factors contributing to positive and negative perceptions. Subject and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 555 postpartum women in Slovenia. The study used an online survey to explore women's satisfaction with their childbirth experience within one year after giving birth. The Women’s Views of Birth Labour Satisfaction Questionnaire (WOMBLSQ) was culturally adapted and validated for use in the Slovenian context. Data were analysed using descriptive and comparative non-parametric statistical methods to examine satisfaction levels and differences across demographic and obstetric variables. Results Overall, women reported a high level of satisfaction with their childbirth experience (M=4.00, IQR=1, p<0.001). The highest rated domain was timely contact with the newborn (M=4.67, IQR=1, p<0.001), while the birth environment and childbirth preparation were rated lowest (M=3.25, IQR=1, p<0.001). Satisfaction varied significantly according to parity, birth mode, pain management and partner presence during childbirth. Vaginal births and planned caesarean sections were associated with higher satisfaction compared to emergency caesarean sections. Conclusion Maternal satisfaction depends on support from healthcare professionals, birth expectations and the physical environment. Respectful care, shared decision-making and optimising the birth environment can improve the childbirth experience
Keywords: maternity care, postpartum women, birth expectations, healthcare professionals, obstetrics, midwifery
Published in RUP: 05.09.2025; Views: 469; Downloads: 8
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4. Adolescents’ attitudes toward educational and employment status after leaving residential care : the case of SloveniaJovita Pogorevc, Tina Štemberger, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: This study examines adolescents’ attitudes toward education and employment following their departure from residential care (RC) centers. Data were collected from adolescents currently residing in RC centers through a structured questionnaire, which addressed four key dimensions: (i) negative attitudes toward further schooling, (ii) passive attitudes toward job searching, (iii) active job searching and (iv) aspirations for independence. A total of 95 participants took part in the study. Overall, the findings indicate that adolescents generally do not exhibit negative attitudes toward continuing their education. However, female participants demonstrated greater motivation to pursue further schooling compared to their male counterparts, and adults showed a higher readiness for continued education than minors. Respondents also expressed a strong intent to seek employment after leaving RC centers, rejecting reliance on social support. They displayed a preference for securing stable, permanent jobs aligned with their training. Additionally, the participants reported high aspirations for independent living, including securing well-paying jobs, and expressed a strong commitment to achieving these goals. Notably, this aspiration was more pronounced among minors.
Keywords: education, employment, residential care, youth, future
Published in RUP: 12.06.2025; Views: 834; Downloads: 5
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5. Psychological screening and tracking of athletes and digital mental health solutions in a hybrid model of care : mini reviewLuke Balcombe, Diego De Leo, 2020, original scientific article Keywords: athletes, well-being, stress, adjustment, COVID-19, hybrid model of care, digital mental health, artificial intelligence
Published in RUP: 18.01.2021; Views: 2838; Downloads: 107
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6. Camera trap based data analysis of the Bare-faced Curassow (Crax fasciolata) life history patterns in the northern Pantanal, Brazil : master's thesisMartin Senič, 2020, master's thesis Keywords: Cracidae, Crax fasciolata, Bare-faced Curassow, camera traps, capture success, activity patterns, sex ratio, social organization, parental care, offspring age, breeding season
Published in RUP: 22.06.2020; Views: 3440; Downloads: 51
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9. Improving the use of e-learning in health care curricula : presentation of best practicesPatrik Pucer, Boštjan Žvanut, Damjan Vavpotič, 2016, original scientific article Abstract: E-learning is nowadays included in different health care curricula. However, this learning and teaching approach is still relatively underused in the health care study programmes. Hence, the goal of this article is to present three e-learning best practices in health care, which were validated in our previous projects/studies.First best practice, e-learning practice contents for the development of critical thinking, presents the approach which resulted in significant (p<0.001) raise in the number of discussion posts (+12.2%) for which the opinions and conclusions of the participants were justified with valid arguments. Furthermore, also the survey results showed that students achieve critical thinking skills with these contents. Second best practice, inclusion of the health care students in the development of e-contents, also resulted as a valid approach for improving the use of e-learning in health care curricula, which was confirmed by the expert opinion and e-contents final users. Finally, third best practice, our approach for evaluation and comparison of e-learning and traditional pedagogical elements value by health care students and teachers, was confirmed in the interview with the management as a valid approach that helps the management to identify whether previous elearning initiatives and activities were successful. Best practices, presented in this paper, represent the evidence that the use of modern information and communication technologies should be considered in the future as a serious requisite in health care study programmes. The broader community interested in the e-learning initiative should prepare a list of similar best practices, validate its effectiveness and prepare guidelines for their optimal implementation..
Keywords: e-learning, health care, best practices
Published in RUP: 08.08.2016; Views: 5486; Downloads: 222
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