Understanding dropout stabilization and the factors affecting the return to primary school: a qualitative study.

This study aimed to understand dropout stabilization and the factors affecting the return to primary school using a qualitative approach. Data were collected from 47 semi-structured interviews with dropouts, their parents, children who returned to school, social facilitators, school teachers, local community religious leaders, and education activists. Following Graneheim and Lundman's method, thematic data analysis revealed two main categories: "dropout stabilization facilitators" and "dropout stabilization inhibitors", with 10 subcategories. Dropout stabilization facilitators included the 7 subcategories of perceiving academic decline, inhibitory effects of shame, barriers to re-enrollment, relief from educational pressures and norms, the transformed value system, family satisfaction, and the inefficiency of the formal care system. On the other hand, dropout stabilization inhibitors included the three subcategories of sensitivity to the informal care system, financial incentives, and intensive and flexible training. Some events after dropping out of school resulted in stabilized and definite dropouts. Children at primary schools do not have a clear understanding of the importance of achievements and the effects of education, perceiving dropout as an escape from educational norms and associated hardships. Transitioning into adult roles, such as marriage, motherhood, and assuming responsibilities for siblings, often leads individuals to prioritize other aspects of life over educational achievements. Barriers, such as age limits for being admitted to schools and lack of mechanisms for compensating tuition fees, lead to family dissatisfaction and further reinforce the decision to withdraw their children from school. Factors such as timely actions and follow-ups by schools, financial incentives, and brief interventions provided by the informal network are likely to prevent students from dropping out of school.

Scoping Review on Interventions, Actions, and Policies Affecting Return to School and Preventing School Dropout in Primary School.

Background: Dropout is one of the most important social problems in the world and especially in low- and middle-income countries. Efforts to prevent dropouts require giving due attention to different perspectives for applying them. The present study aims to identify the policies and interventions made in previous studies because reviewing evidence-based interventions and learning from their strengths and weaknesses is likely to play an effective role in preventing students from leaving school and returning them to school. Methods: This scoping review study conducted on all available studies and documents related to students' dropout. The study population includes articles searched in electronic sources that contain information related to the subject of dropout and out-of-school in primary schools. Appropriate keywords were extracted based on Mesh term and EMTREE and their synonyms and searched by a medical librarian. scientific sources and Gray literature published in Persian and English based on PRISMA standard criteria were reviewed. Results: A review of studies indicated that various interventions such as student interaction with school, educational interventions on students and teachers, family and local community cooperation, free nutrition, behavioral interventions, financial aid, and free education had positive effects on reducing dropout, absenteeism and encouraging students to return to schools. effect size was not reported for school dropout intervention. Conclusions: The findings have indicated that intervention with a combination of global and targeted strategies can affect dropout in developing countries. However, to confirm the effectiveness of this type of intervention, further research is required to be conducted in different countries and with different cultures.

Scoping review of outpatient health services utilization among women.

BACKGROUND: Health services utilization, as one of the mechanisms of the health system, guarantees a healthy life and improves well-being for everyone. AIMS: The aim of this study was to identify factors affecting the use of outpatient health services among women. METHODS/DESIGNS: This scoping review examined the studies related to outpatient health services utilization (OHSU) and its determinants among women. This review was conducted on English language studies published between 2010 and 2023 (All searches were conducted on 20 January 2023). Studies available in databases such as Web of Science, MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, Wiley library, Proquest, and Google Scholar were searched manually. Selected keywords and their equivalents were used to search for related articles in each database. RESULTS: A total of 18 795 articles were identified, of which 37 met the inclusion criteria. Findings showed that age, marital status, level of education, employment status, income level, socioeconomic status, rape experience, health insurance, health status, ethnicity, living in rural areas, quality of services, area of residence, having a purpose in life and access to health services affect OHSU among women. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present review showed that in order to achieve the universal goals of health services coverage and health service utilization, it is necessary for countries to provide insurance coverage to the maximum number of people. Also, policies should change in favor of the elderly, poor and low-income, low-educated, rural, ethnic minority, and chronically ill women and provide them with free preventive health services.