open_UMR

Aaron Beller

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Welcome to open_UMR!

Open_UMR is a cross faculty publication hub. We collect scientific publications, resources, research data and software from members of Philipps-University Marburg and make it openly accessible. To ensure high standards of quality and re-usability, submissions to open_UMR are subject to curation.

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Recent Submissions

Open Access
Determinants of life satisfaction in Nigeria: The roles of region, relative income, and education
(Taylor and Francis)
Tuki, Daniel
While research on the determinants of subjective well-being in Nigeria exists, little attention has been given to regional differences in life satisfaction between the country’s two major regions—the North and the South. This study addresses that gap by analyzing cross-sectional survey data from Kaduna and Edo States, located in the country’s Northern and Southern regions, respectively (N = 2991; age: 15 and above; 55% female and 45% male). In addition to comparing both states (regions), the study also examines how satisfaction with relative income and educational attainment relate to life satisfaction. Ordered logit regression analysis reveals a striking contrast: despite facing poorer socioeconomic conditions, residents of Kaduna report higher life satisfaction than those in Edo. Additionally, satisfaction with relative income is positively correlated with life satisfaction in both states. However, while educational attainment is negatively associated with life satisfaction in Kaduna, it has no significant relationship with life satisfaction in Edo. These findings underscore the importance of accounting for regional differences in the study of subjective well-being in Nigeria, as national aggregates may conceal important local patterns and heterogeneities.
Open Access
You’re Not Like us! Ethnic Discrimination and National Belonging in Nigeria
(Taylor and Francis)
Tuki, Daniel
This study tests the rejection-identification and rejection-disidentification theories in a non-Western context using Afrobarometer survey data (n = 3,200) from Nigeria, one of Africa’s most ethnically diverse countries. Regression analysis shows that discrimination reduces the likelihood of Nigerians prioritizing their national over their ethnic identity. In other words, discrimination weakens national identification while strengthening ethnic identification. This pattern reflects the exclusionary effect of discrimination, which makes individuals feel like outsiders in their own country. In response, they may turn more strongly to their ethnic identity as a source of belonging, solidarity, and psychological resilience. The association is particularly strong among the Igbo, a group excluded from central political power in Nigeria since the end of the Biafran War in 1970. These findings suggest that the relationship between discrimination and identity formation depends on one’s position within the broader ethnic and political landscape.
Open Access
Langzeit-Outcome von Säuglingen und Kleinkindern von mit SARS-CoV-2 infizierten Schwangeren - eine Pilotstudie des Post-CRONOS-Projekts
(2026-07-13)
König, Franziska
;
Weber, Stefanie
;
Schmeck, Bernd (Prof. Dr.)
;
Weber, Stefanie
The COVID-19 pandemic was an unprecedented event in recent world history. Many questions about the consequences of the disease remain unanswered. It is already known that pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 are at risk of severe disease progression. Initial studies have shown that infants exposed to SARS-CoV-2 may develop neurological abnormalities. However, to date there has been no systematic data basis for this topic in Germany, which is why this study sought to answer the questions of whether developmental milestones were reached on time in infants exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in utero, whether regulatory disorders occurred, whether preventive medical check-ups and vaccinations were carried out on time, and whether any abnormalities were found. In addition, questions were asked about the nutritional situation. These empirical data were compared with available pre-pandemic data. The data was collected using a webbased questionnaire fed into the browser-based application REDCap®. The questionnaire comprised 36 items and consisted of six sections: 1. General information on child development, 2. Nutrition, 3. Preventive care and vaccinations, 4. Outpatient doctor's appointments, 5. Inpatient treatments, 6. Regulatory disorders. The study group consisted of infants/children of women who tested PCR positive for SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy, who were included in the CRONOS registry study and who had already agreed to be contacted again. These women form the Post-CRONOS cohort. A total of 773 women were contacted for the survey, of whom 110 responded to the questionnaire (14%). Their 110 children form the population of this study. In the present study, all mothers were subjectively satisfied with their children's development. The developmental milestones were achieved as expected (grasping: median 4 months, crawling: median 8 months, sitting: median 8 months, walking: median 13 months, first words: median 12 months). There was no increased rate of children showing signs of de velopmental delay in this regard. However, increased regulatory symptoms were observed in the cohort studied, particularly in relation to excessive crying and feeding disorders. Excessive crying was reported by 50.9% of respondents, difficulty falling asleep by 13.6%, difficulty staying asleep by 4.5% and feeding difficulties by 31.8% of respondents. The U2 preventive medical check-ups took place on time, but there was a delay in 10% of cases for the U3 check-ups. There was also a significant deficit in terms of the timing of vaccinations (30.2% delay) and the vaccines administered (43.6% 6-fold vaccination). In terms of nutrition, no disadvantage was found in children exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in utero, from which it can be concluded that the women were adequately informed about the lack of SARS-CoV-2 infection risk through breast milk. There is also evidence that the pandemic played a decisive role in delays in preventive medical checkups and vaccinations. As this study is to be understood as a pilot study, it provides starting points for future studies. On the one hand, it is advisable to supplement objective developmental diagnostics with a perspective on the subjective timely achievement of developmental milestones. Furthermore, it seems sensible to observe the child's development over a longer period of time and to classify their regulatory ability in the psychosocial context of the family. Studies that build on or follow up on the results of the present work can contribute to this.
Open Access
Is there a religious dimension to concern about farmer-herder conflicts in Nigeria?
(Oxford University Press, 2025-08-28)
Tuki, Daniel
Despite the high incidence of farmer-herder conflicts in Nigeria, large-N quantitative research on the religious dimension of these conflicts remains scarce. This study addresses that gap using data from rounds 7 and 8 of the Afrobarometer surveys conducted in Nigeria in 2017 and 2020. Specifically, it examines how religious affiliation and the religious composition of an area influence concerns about farmer-herder conflicts. Regression analysis reveals no significant difference in concern between individuals living in predominantly Muslim versus Christian areas. However, religious affiliation plays a crucial role, with Muslims generally expressing less concern about these conflicts than their Christian counterparts. Disaggregating the data by survey year, a shifting pattern emerges: in 2017, individuals in predominantly Muslim areas were less concerned about farmer-herder conflicts than those in Christian areas, but by 2020, this trend had reversed. This shift may be linked to the rise in banditry involving nomadic pastoralists in Nigeria’s predominantly Muslim Northwest region. Notably, in 2020, Muslims and Christians exhibited no significant differences in their level of concern. Further analysis shows that Muslims and residents of predominantly Muslim areas are more likely to perceive a decline in farmer-herder conflicts and report fewer experiences of pastoral conflicts around of their dwellings.
Open Access
Die Anwendung und Auswirkung von Point-of- Care-Ultraschall in der prähospitalen Phase durch Notfallsanitäterinnen und Notfallsanitäter
(2026-07-15)
Böhm, Adrian
;
Benöhr, Peter
;
Görg, Christian
Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has become an increasingly important diagnostic tool in emergency medicine in recent years and, facilitated by the availability of portable ultrasound devices, is being used more frequently in the prehospital setting. While the benefits of POCUS in in-hospital emergency care are well established, data on its autonomous use by non-physician emergency medical personnel in Germany have so far been limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility, safety, diagnostic accuracy, and clinical impact of prehospital POCUS when independently performed by paramedics. The study was conducted as part of the “Prehospital POCUS Project” of the German Red Cross (Deutsches Rotes Kreuz, DRK) Fulda. Twelve certified paramedics participated in a structured training program based on a blended- learning approach. This program included guided self-directed learning, interactive lectures, hands-on ultrasound workshops, case-based simulation training, and a two-day clinical internship in a central emergency department. The training content was aligned with established and internationally recognized POCUS protocols and comprised lung ultrasound (LUS), extended focused assessment with sonography for trauma (eFAST), the rapid ultrasound in shock and hypotension (RUSH) protocol, focused echocardiography, and ultrasound- guided vascular access. Following successful completion of the training, each participant was provided with a personal mobile ultrasound device for use during routine emergency medical service operations. Ultrasound examinations were independently performed by the paramedics during real prehospital missions and documented using standardized protocols. Data collected included indications for ultrasound use, image quality, sonographic findings, and the subjectively perceived impact on clinical decision- making. To assess diagnostic safety, prehospital ultrasound findings were compared with final in-hospital diagnoses. The results demonstrate that, following training, paramedics are able to apply POCUS safely and correctly. The most common indications for ultrasound use were dyspnea, trauma, undifferentiated shock, and undifferentiated abdominal pain. In a relevant proportion of missions, the use of ultrasound influenced prehospital management, particularly with regard to the assessment of potential differential diagnoses. Comparison of prehospital ultrasound findings with final clinical diagnoses revealed an overall sensitivity of 87.88% and an overall specificity of 92.65%, indicating high diagnostic accuracy. In addition to its diagnostic value, the implementation of POCUS contributed to changes in patient allocation to hospitals. Triage urgency, activation of trauma bay alerts, and the selection of destination hospitals and specialty departments were significantly influenced by ultrasound findings. The applied blended- learning training concept proved to be feasible and effective within the context of routine emergency medical service operations. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that, following adequate training, POCUS can be safely, effectively, and autonomously performed by paramedics in the prehospital setting. The integration of POCUS into prehospital emergency care has the potential to improve diagnostic precision, optimize time-critical clinical decision-making, and further advance emergency medical services. Further prospective studies with larger sample sizes are required to systematically evaluate its impact on patient safety, clinical outcomes, and healthcare system efficiency.