The selective migration of young graduates : which of them return to their rural home region and which do not?

This paper addresses the migration behaviours of young university graduates from a rural region in Switzerland. Based on a questionnaire survey, it compares graduates' current place of residence (i.e. whether or not they returned to their home region) with characteristics related to their socio-familial, migration and professional trajectories. The propensity to return varies not only according to labour market variables (employment opportunities), but also to other factors, some of which have even more influence than job opportunities. The graduates' life course position (kind of household), their partners' characteristics (level of education and home region) and their family background (socio-economic status and history of migration) all play a central role. On the whole, results show that migration appears as a selective and complex process embedded in the life course of graduates.

Els caràcters originals de la història rural catalana

Article sobre la reivindicació de la importància de la història rural o agrària a Catalunya per estudiar l'origen de la societat contemporània catalana

La migració de dones estrangeres al medi rural català en el context de la transformació econòmica i social de les comunitats rurals

Aquesta recerca analitza l’impacte de l’arribada de població immigrada estrangera a zones rurals catalanes des d’una perspectiva de gènere. Observa les tendències demogràfiques i caracteritza la població estrangera que ha arribat als municipis de menys de 2.000 habitants de Catalunya, incidint especialment en els territoris on s’ha dut a terme el treball de camp i les entrevistes en profunditat: Terres de l'Ebre, Camp de Tarragona, Ponent i el Pirineu-Aran. L'estudi mostra que la immigració estrangera ha interromput la tendència al despoblament de les àrees rurals catalanes, tot i que el percentatge d’estrangers que viuen als pobles és lleugerament inferior al del conjunt de Catalunya i que la contribució al rejoveniment de les poblacions rurals és relativa. Respecte a la definició de les àrees rurals on arriben els immigrants, la recerca s’aproxima a la definició de les dinàmiques socials i econòmiques que caracteritzen les ruralitats actuals, les quals dibuixen un escenari divers i complex que va des de la continuïtat de l'activitat agrària, fins a la terciarització, la urbanització o la industrialització. En aquesta ruralitat diversa es produeix l’arribada d’una població immigrant que amb el seu treball, contribueix de manera important a la reproducció de les comunitats rurals. La recerca aprofundeix en l’anàlisi de les singularitat de les migracions femenines a les zones rurals: primer, en la visibilitat de la cadena migratòria; segon, en la recerca intencionada de l’oferta laboral de la ruralitat; tercer, en l’especificitat de la formació i funció de les xarxes migratòries en la societat d’arribada; i, quart, la debilitat de la incorporació de les dones migrants en la societat local. L’atenció i cura de la població envellida dels pobles, és una activitat laboral que ocupa a les dones estrangeres en tots els pobles estudiats on supleix l’absència d’equipaments especialitzats. La presència de les dones immigrades ha estat aprofitada per crear un sistema d’atenció informal que no transgredeix la consigna local tradicional d’envellir a casa i que demanda més afecte que professionalitat.

An analysis of the metabolic patterns of two rural communities affected by soy expansion in the North of Argentina

The soy expansion model in Argentina generates structural changes in traditional lifestyles that can be associated with different biophysical and socioeconomic impacts. To explore this issue, we apply an innovative method for integrated assessment - the Multi Scale Integrated Analysis of Societal and Ecosystem Metabolism (MuSIASEM) framework - to characterize two communities in the Chaco Region, Province of Formosa, North of Argentina. These communities have recently experienced the expansion of soy production, altering their economic activity, energy consumption patterns, land use, and human time allocation. The integrated characterization presented in the paper illustrates the differences (biophysical, socioeconomic, and historical) between the two communities that can be associated with different responses. The analysis of the factors behind these differences has important policy implications for the sustainable development of local communities in the area.

Report on Special Investigation of the Rural Iowa Waste Management Association for the Period July 1st, 1999 through October 15th, 2004

Other Audit Reports - Special Investigation

Rural Iowa Waste Management Association Independent Auditor's Reports Finanical Statement and Required Supplementary Information Schedule of Findings for the period ending June 30, 2004.

Rural Iowa Waste Management Association Independent Auditor's Reports, Financial Statement, Required Supplementary Information and Schedule of Findings for the Period Ending June 30, 2004.

Guidleines for Removal of Traffic Control Devices in Rural Areas, October 2005

It is commonly regarded that the overuse of traffic control devices desensitizes drivers and leads to disrespect, especially for low-volume secondary roads with limited enforcement. The maintenance of traffic signs is also a tort liability concern, exacerbated by unnecessary signs. The Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and the Institute of Transportation Engineer’s (ITE) Traffic Control Devices Handbook provide guidance for the implementation of STOP signs based on expected compliance with right-of-way rules, provision of through traffic flow, context (proximity to other controlled intersections), speed, sight distance, and crash history. The approach(es) to stop is left to engineering judgment and is usually dependent on traffic volume or functional class/continuity of system. Although presently being considered by the National Committee on Traffic Control Devices, traffic volume itself is not given as a criterion for implementation in the MUTCD. STOP signs have been installed at many locations for various reasons which no longer (or perhaps never) met engineering needs. If in fact the presence of STOP signs does not increase safety, removal should be considered. To date, however, no guidance exists for the removal of STOP signs at two-way stop-controlled intersections. The scope of this research is ultra-low-volume (< 150 daily entering vehicles) unpaved intersections in rural agricultural areas of Iowa, where each of the 99 counties may have as many as 300 or more STOP sign pairs. Overall safety performance is examined as a function of a county excessive use factor, developed specifically for this study and based on various volume ranges and terrain as a proxy for sight distance. Four conclusions are supported: (1) there is no statistical difference in the safety performance of ultra-low-volume stop-controlled and uncontrolled intersections for all drivers or for younger and older drivers (although interestingly, older drivers are underrepresented at both types of intersections); (2) compliance with stop control (as indicated by crash performance) does not appear to be affected by the use or excessive use of STOP signs, even when adjusted for volume and a sight distance proxy; (3) crash performance does not appear to be improved by the liberal use of stop control; (4) safety performance of uncontrolled intersections appears to decline relative to stop-controlled intersections above about 150 daily entering vehicles. Subject to adequate sight distance, traffic professionals may wish to consider removal of control below this threshold. The report concludes with a section on methods and legal considerations for safe removal of stop control.

Rural Iowa Waste Management Association, Independent Auditor's Reports, Financial Statement and Required Supplementary Information, Schedule of Findings, June 30, 2005

Other Audit Reports - 28E Organizations

Morbidades e qualidade de vida de idosos com diabetes mellitus residentes nas zonas rural e urbana

Este estudo objetivou descrever as variáveis sociodemográficas e comparar as morbidades e a qualidade de vida (QV) dos idosos com diabetes mellitus (DM) residentes nas zonas urbana e rural. A amostra foi composta de 271 idosos da zona urbana e 104 da rural que autorreferiram DM. Utilizou-se análise descritiva e, na comparação das localidades, realizou-se ajuste para a idade por meio de regressão logística e linear múltipla (p < 0,05). Os idosos da zona rural eram mais jovens, casados e possuíam maior escolaridade e renda em relação àqueles da área urbana. Além disso, apresentaram maior escore de QV nos domínios físico e relações sociais e nas facetas autonomia, atividades passadas, presentes e futuras e intimidade, em relação aos do espaço urbano, nos quais se verificou maior número de comorbidades. Os idosos com DM da zona rural apresentaram, de forma geral, melhores condições de saúde em comparação aos que residiam na área urbana.

Prevalência e fatores associados ao indicativo de depressão entre idosos residentes na zona rural

O presente estudo objetivou verificar a prevalência de idosos com indicativo de depressão, segundo sexo e faixa etária, e identificar os fatores associados ao indicativo de depressão. Estudo analítico, transversal e observacional, realizado com 850 idosos residentes na zona rural de um município de Minas Gerais. Para a análise dos dados aplicou-se a fórmula de taxa de prevalência e o modelo de regressão logística (p<0,05). O Projeto foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa com Seres Humanos. A prevalência de indicativo de depressão correspondeu a 22%, com maior ocorrência entre o sexo feminino e na faixa etária entre 60├70 anos. O sexo feminino, o maior número de comorbidades e de incapacidade funcional para o desempenho de atividades instrumentais da vida diária permaneceram associados ao indicativo de depressão. Esses resultados reforçam a necessidade de se implementarem ações de promoção de saúde e prevenção de agravos, com enfoque para a depressão.

Social Representations Of Violence Against Rural Women: Unveiling Senses In Multiple Views

We analyze the social representations of violence against women from the perspective of city managers, professionals and health workers in rural settings of the southern half of Rio Grande do Sul. The study has a qualitative approach and adds a theoretical/methodological perspective of social representations. The data were generated by means of the associative method, question-stimulus of words and expressions emergence. The analysis of word association was performed with EVOC software, considering frequency and order of association with inducing terms. Participants recognize violence against women as gender destination that induces consent, resignation, guilt and fear, and results in naturalization and trivialization of this social phenomenon. We highlight the need to produce ruptures in established and traditional forms of health care, in the conservative and stereotypical views of violence, favoring access to friendly service and avoiding the reproduction of gender inequalities.


Empowering a group of seniors in a rural community

OBJECTIVE To describe the stages of the empowerment process of a group of seniors in a rural community. METHOD Convergent care research whose foundation is to use the scope of practice. Conducted with the proposal to change the practice of 21 seniors and nine health professionals, with the aim of health promotion empowerment. Data were collected during 22 meetings, and group interviews at the end of the intervention. RESULTS Showed that despite the initial impact of the change, the group was able to welcome the new change, taking advantage of the space to express anxieties, share joys, and build new knowledge, which led to the incorporation of changes that reflected in the development of healthy habits and improvements in interpersonal relationships. CONCLUSION The convergent care research consisted of strategy that changed the group's lives, empowering them with health promoting actions.

Papel das Associações no Desenvolvimento rural Estudo de Caso das Associações Manjacas na Região de Cacheu, na Guiné-Bissau

A participação das populações nos diversos sectores sociais, nomeadamente em África, tem crescido, manifestando-se de formas distintas no modo e na intensidade de envolvimento da comunidade. No caso da Guiné-Bissau, o Estado apresenta dificuldades em responder às principais necessidades das populações, constituindo-se estas em actores activos do desenvolvimento das suas tabancas (aldeias). Na região de Cacheu, onde se concentra grande parte da etnia manjaca, a mobilização tem sido feita através de associações de «amigos e filhos da tabanca», actuando em diversas áreas sociais e económicas, tais como a saúde, educação e agricultura. Estas associações são constituídas por membros nascidos na aldeia, residentes nela, noutra região do país ou no estrangeiro (França, Espanha, Portugal e Senegal). Os apoios são canalizados para a sua tabanca para financiar infraestruturas, recursos humanos (professores e enfermeiros) e materiais (equipamentos para escola, centro de saúde ou recuperação dos terrenos agrícolas), constituindo-se como actores do desenvolvimento rural.

Skin cancer in rural workers: nursing knowledge and intervention

OBJECTIVETo identify the exposure of rural workers to the sun's ultraviolet radiation and pesticides; to identify previous cases of skin cancer; and to implement clinical and communicative nursing actions among rural workers with a previous diagnosis of skin cancer.METHODObservational-exploratory study conducted with rural workers exposed to ultraviolet radiation and pesticides in a rural area in the extreme south of Brazil. A clinical judgment and risk communication model properly adapted was used to develop interventions among workers with a previous history of skin cancer.RESULTSA total of 123 (97.7%) workers were identified under conditions of exposure to the sun's ultraviolet radiation and pesticides; seven (5.4%) were identified with a previous diagnosis of skin cancer; four (57.1%) of these presented potential skin cancer lesions.CONCLUSIONThis study's results enabled clarifying the combination of clinical knowledge and risk communication regarding skin cancer to rural workers.