Conectar
by Melissa M. Baker, Lyonel Nerolin Doffou Assalé, David Doledec, Romance Dissieka, Ahmenan Claude Liliane Konan, Agnes Helen Epse Assagou Mobio, Koffi Landry Kouadio, Oka René Kouamé, Ama Emilienne Yao, Hubert Zirimwabagabo
BackgroundWhile recent data on vitamin A deficiency (VAD) prevalence is lacking, the 2004 Côte d’Ivoire Nutrition and Mortality Survey reported that 26.7% of children aged 6–59 months were affected by VAD, and approximately 60% were at risk. Since 2016, the government has transitioned from mass campaigns to routine vitamin A supplementation (VAS) delivery integrated into health services. However, evidence on the cost-effectiveness of the routine distribution approaches is limited. This study evaluated the cost, coverage, and cost-effectiveness of three routine VAS delivery strategies across two health districts in northern Côte d’Ivoire.
MethodsA mixed-methods study evaluated three routine VAS delivery strategies – routine-fixed, advanced community-based, and catch-up – across two health districts, Ferkessédougou and Niakaramadougou, in northern Côte d’Ivoire. The quantitative cost data were collected via a structured tool covering six cost categories: planning, procurement, training, social mobilization, distribution, and supervision. VAS coverage was assessed through a post-event coverage survey (PECS) via a two-stage cluster sampling methodology. A cost-effectiveness analysis determined the cost per child supplemented, the cost per DALY averted, and a sensitivity analysis tested the robustness of the findings under different cost scenarios.
ResultsThe total program cost for July-December 2023 was 25.5 million FCFA, with personnel costs comprising over 70% of expenditures. In Ferkessédougou, the routine advanced community-based strategy was the most cost-effective, at 458 FCFA per child in rural areas (versus 596 FCFA for the routine-fixed facility-based approach in the same area). In Niakaramadougou, the December catch-up was more cost-effective in rural areas (606 FCFA per child) than the routine-fixed approach (714 FCFA). Across both districts combined, the routine-fixed strategy averaged roughly 651 FCFA per child supplemented, and the cost per DALY averted ranged from 30,093 FCFA (advanced strategy in Ferkessédougou) to 89,550 FCFA (catch-up Jul 2023 in Niakaramadougou) – all below Côte d’Ivoire’s cost-effectiveness threshold (0.5 x GDP per capita; approximately USD 1,265).
ConclusionAll three strategies were cost-effective, though the advanced community-based strategy achieved the best balance of reach and efficiency. Scaling advanced strategies within health system constraints may enhance sustainability and coverage in low-resource settings.
The study aimed to assess the prevalence of financial catastrophe and explore patients’ perceived effectiveness of the government support programme related to chronic kidney disease.
Cross-sectional mixed-method study.
A total of 120 patients receiving free regular haemodialysis under the government’s Deprived Citizen Support Programme for at least 6 months were included in the quantitative study, and 9 patients participated in the qualitative study.
Prevalence of financial catastrophe and factors associated with financial catastrophe among chronic kidney disease patients undergoing haemodialysis.
A convergent parallel mixed-method approach was carried out from 15 June to 15 December 2024, among chronic kidney disease patients undergoing haemodialysis at the National Kidney Center. Quantitative data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. Financial catastrophe was defined as out-of-pocket (OOP) healthcare payments ≥40% of a household’s disposable income, following the WHO-recommended threshold for severe financial burden. OOP expenditures were assessed over 6 months, and associations were tested using 2 and binary logistic regression at a 95% CI in SPSS V.25.0. For the qualitative arm, in-depth interviews were conducted with nine purposively selected patients, and inductive thematic analysis was applied to explore the perceived effectiveness of the government support programme. The quantitative and qualitative findings were then integrated to achieve convergence and divergence, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of the extent and context of financial hardship among patients.
The prevalence of financial catastrophe was 72.5%. The factors associated with financial catastrophe were the presence of complications (adjusted OR (AOR): 3.67, 95% CI 1.019 to 13.27), patients without financial support (AOR: 2.77, 95% CI 1.016 to 7.56) and reduction in food expenses (AOR: 0.313, 95% CI 0.109 to 0.896). Qualitative findings on awareness regarding government subsidies, financial strain, barriers to receiving treatment and perceived effectiveness of the programme revealed key aspects of utilisation and effectiveness of the government support programme.
The prevalence of financial catastrophe was substantially high, which highlights the importance of addressing economic challenges in chronic kidney disease care. The study emphasised the need to strengthen financial protection through the expansion of government subsidies and improved insurance coverage.
This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to provide an overview of the effectiveness of digital physiotherapy interventions on pain, physical functions and quality of life for patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Systematic review and meta-analysis using the Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.
A systematic search of electronic databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, PsycInfo, CINAHL, Scopus and Cochrane Library, was conducted on 19 February 2025.
We included randomised controlled trials which compared digital physiotherapy interventions to standard physiotherapy care for patients with knee osteoarthritis. Main outcomes included pain, physical functions and quality of life.
25 studies met the inclusion criteria, and 18 studies were eligible for meta-analysis. The primary author conducted the initial search, selected articles and extracted data from eligible studies, which were independently checked by a second reviewer. Risk of bias (ROB) was assessed by Cochrane ROB-2 tool. Quality of evidence was evaluated by the GRADE approach.
Overall, digital physiotherapy was associated with a small but statistically significant improvement in physical function (SMD=0.24, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.35); an overall meta-analysis was not performed for pain and quality of life due to considerable heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses revealed both video-conferencing and app- or web-based physiotherapy significantly reduced pain (SMD=–0.53, 95% CI –1.06 to –0.01 and SMD=–0.47, 95% CI –0.70 to –0.25, respectively) and physical function (SMD=0.32, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.54 and SMD=0.30, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.50 respectively). Digital physiotherapy interventions with individualised exercise components also reduced pain (SMD=–0.43, 95% CI –0.66 to –0.21) and improved physical function (SMD=0.30, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.43), when compared with non-exercise interventions.
There was moderate-quality evidence to support the use of digital physiotherapy interventions in improving pain and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Subgroup analyses revealed low-to-moderate quality evidence in using video-conferencing and app-/web-based physiotherapy and interventions with exercise components to treat patients with knee osteoarthritis. Overall, there were limited high-quality trials in drawing a robust conclusion. High ROB and huge heterogeneity were observed across studies. Further research should minimise the ROB and investigate the effect of different digital modalities, intervention components and length of follow-up.
Palliative care reduces caregiver burden, alleviates patient symptoms, and supports treatment decision-making. However, despite these benefits, there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of palliative care interventions for caregivers of individuals with advanced dementia.
To integrate and analyze data on the effectiveness of palliative care interventions in improving caregiver outcomes in order to ensure that both patients and caregivers receive the support necessary for optimal care experiences, quality of life management, and advanced care planning.
A systematic search was conducted of six databases to identify relevant studies published from database inception to 12 December 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating palliative care interventions for caregivers of people with advanced dementia were included. Version 2 of the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used to assess the risk of bias in the methodology of each study. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) between each intervention and control group were calculated. A random-effects DerSimonian and Laird model was applied to generate pooled SMD estimates for each outcome and assess its heterogeneity. A leave-one-out sensitivity analysis was performed to ensure the stability of the pooled effect sizes.
Eight RCTs were included in the final analysis. Palliative care interventions appeared to reduce conflict in decision-making among caregivers of people with advanced dementia.
Palliative care interventions were successful in reducing conflict in decision-making of caregivers of people with advanced dementia. However, the modality's effects on caregiver satisfaction and caregiver distress need further investigation.
Future palliative care interventions for caregivers of advanced dementia patients should focus on developing the contents of palliative care materials based on evidence-based evaluations and explore strategies to improve engagement between patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
This study aimed to identify intraoperative and perioperative factors influencing 30-day mortality after cardiac surgery and to develop a risk score (POP-score) for its prediction.
Retrospective cohort study with multivariable regression analysis.
A tertiary care cardiac surgery centre in Austria; data from consecutive patients undergoing cardiac surgery between 2010 and 2020 were analysed.
A total of 8072 patients were included. The cohort was randomly divided into a derivation cohort (75%) and a validation cohort (25%).
The primary outcome measure was 30-day mortality. We analysed associations between intraoperative and perioperative variables and 30-day mortality, assessed via multivariable regression analysis.
Several factors were significantly associated with 30-day mortality, including intraoperative RBC transfusion (OR 3.407 (95% CI 2.124–5.464)), postoperative high-sensitive cardiac troponin T cut-off levels (OR 2.856 (95% CI 1.958 to 4.165)), need for dialysis/haemofiltration (OR 2.958 (95% CI 2.013 to 4.348)) and temporary extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support (OR 5.218 (95% CI 3.329 to 8.179)) (p
The validated POP-score provides an improved tool for predicting 30-day mortality after cardiac surgery by incorporating intraoperative and perioperative factors alongside the EuroSCORE II. Although model performance was evaluated using 7-day peak troponin data, the score can be calculated within the first 72 hours postoperatively in most patients, supporting its clinical applicability for early decision-making, resource allocation and patient counselling. Further research is warranted to assess its clinical utility in diverse populations.
by Sally Lindsay, Janice Phonepraseuth, Van Slothouber, Jaden Lo, Jennifer N. Stinson, Sharon Smile
BackgroundRacially minoritized youth with disabilities often encounter more extensive forms of discrimination. However, little is known about youth perspectives for addressing disability-related and other forms of discrimination, which is important for enhancing the participation and inclusion of youth with disabilities. This study explored the recommendations of youth with disabilities for addressing barriers and multiple forms of discrimination.
MethodsThis study involved in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of 20 youth with disabilities. We applied an inductive thematic analysis to the transcripts.
ResultsOur findings highlighted the following key themes: (1) addressing barriers in healthcare, education, employment and the legal system; (2) community, social supports and resources; (3) advocacy; and (4) inclusive policies and youth involvement.
ConclusionsThere is a critical need for more inclusive services and support for youth with disabilities, especially those with multiple minoritized identities, to foster safe environments and quality of life.
Non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) are effective HIV prevention methods, but their use is low in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Mobile applications (apps) could increase uptake and adherence to these interventions, yet research on their use in communities is limited. Furthermore, there is limited information on the design and development of these apps, impacting their implementation. This scoping review aims to identify, analyse and evaluate mobile apps designed to improve nPEP uptake, adherence and linkage to PrEP services focusing on key features, barriers and facilitators. It also seeks to address gaps in studies assessing the feasibility, usability and acceptability of these apps, with the goal of informing future research, healthcare policies and public health strategies to reduce the HIV burden in Sub-Saharan Africa.
This review will follow the Arksey and O'Malley framework and search databases such as PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science for relevant studies. Two independent reviewers will screen and assess full-text studies. Primarily, the review will include studies on digital interventions for nPEP and PrEP, excluding opinion papers, narrative reviews and sub-studies. Grey literature from sources like Google Scholar will also be considered. Data will be captured using a charting form, and results will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews framework. Completion is expected in December 2025.
No ethical approval is required as publicly available materials will be used. Results will be shared through peer-reviewed journals, conferences and with policymakers to inform HIV prevention strategies.
Low back pain (LBP) is the leading contributor to disability globally. It has a substantial impact on the lives of those who experience it, and places considerable economic burden on healthcare systems. Despite these impacts, and the consistency of guideline recommendations, many individuals do not receive recommended LBP management. Structural barriers to accessing timely, evidence-based care, as well as public uncertainty about where to seek appropriate management, can influence the care individuals receive. Telephone and digitally based helplines assist to overcome many traditional barriers to accessing care and offer a scalable platform to improve the delivery of guideline recommended management for LBP. However, uptake of such services can be limited without targeted promotion and patient-centred design. This project aims to codesign, implement and evaluate an upgraded component of an existing Australian helpline service, tailored for people with back pain and supported by a media awareness campaign. This protocol outlines the codesign process, implementation and planned evaluation of the helpline.
This protocol uses three complementary frameworks—an iterative codesign process, the Practical Robust Implementation Sustainability Model, and the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance framework—to guide the codesign and development, implementation and evaluation of an upgraded helpline for people with LBP. The codesign process involves key stakeholders, including consumers and clinicians, to inform the development and implementation of both the upgraded helpline service and the media campaign to raise awareness and uptake of the helpline. Data sources will include a pre–post cohort of helpline service users, routinely collected service data (eg, monthly call rate) and health system data to evaluate the broader population level impact (eg, rates of emergency department presentations for LBP in the Australian region targeted by the media campaign). Implementation evaluation will include Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance as well as internal and external environmental factors that influence the success of these outcome measures.
The project was approved by the University of Sydney’s Human Research Ethics Committee (HE001081). This project involves collaboration with consumers, clinicians and other stakeholders to interpret, translate and disseminate research findings to relevant audiences.
by Moe Thi Thi Han, Tay Zar Myo Oo, Busayamas Chewaskulyong, Sakorn Pornprasert, Kanyamas Choocheep, Khanittha Punturee, Warunee Kumsaiyai, Yupanun Wuttiin, Sawitree Chiampanichayakul, Ratchada Cressey
Non-smoking-related lung cancer is increasingly associated with environmental factors such as particulate matter (PM) exposure. Using deep small RNA sequencing, we identified distinct miRNA expression patterns in lung cancer patients compared to non-cancer controls, stratified by smoking status. Notably, hsa-miR-125b-5p and hsa-miR-100-5p were significantly downregulated in non-smoking lung cancer patients. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed smoking amplifies pathways related to glycan biosynthesis, signal transduction, and transcriptional regulation, while non-smoking lung cancer is characterized by immune dysfunction and metabolic alterations, including oxidative phosphorylation and natural killer cell cytotoxicity. Validation in a larger cohort using quantitative RT-PCR confirmed the suppression of miR-125b-5p and miR-100-5p in non-smoking lung cancer patients. Additionally, miR-203a and miR-199a-3p were identified as potential biomarkers for lung cancer, independent of smoking status. Chronic PM exposure in primary bronchial/tracheal epithelial cells initially elevated miR-125b-5p and miR-100-5p expression, but prolonged exposure suppressed these miRNAs while increasing their target genes, TXNRD1 and HOXA1, suggesting stress-induced dysregulation. Functional studies using miRNA mimics demonstrated that miR-125b-5p and miR-100-5p suppress PM-induced cancer cell mobility and colony formation, with miR-125b-5p exhibiting broader effects. These findings underscore the critical roles of miR-125b-5p and miR-100-5p in PM-associated lung cancer progression and their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This study highlights distinct mechanisms of lung carcinogenesis in smokers and non-smokers, providing a foundation for targeted interventions in PM-associated lung cancer.
by Forgive Awo Norvivor, Elijah Kwasi Peprah, Doreen Danso, Obed Woani Konutse
IntroductionOccupational pesticide exposure poses significant health risks, particularly among smallholder farmers in developing countries like Ghana, where such exposures are common due to widespread subsistence agricultural activities. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Ghana is responsible for registering and monitoring pesticide use and regulating the presence of unregistered or banned products on the local market; however, this regulation is ineffective. Farmers frequently acquire pesticides directly from vendors who may not possess sufficient training, and the lack of stringent measures facilitates the accessibility of hazardous products. Furthermore, while regulations mandate safe handling and disposal practices, there are also possible oversights at the community level, leaving farmers largely dependent on their own knowledge, practices, or what they have learnt from other colleagues. This study explores the safety practices, perceived exposure levels, and awareness among rural farmers in the Hohoe municipality of Ghana.
MethodsA qualitative ethnographic approach was adopted, involving in-depth interviews with 13 purposively selected farmers with over five years of farming experience. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews guide informed by prior literature. Thematic analysis was conducted using ATLAS.ti version 25, with open and selective coding techniques.
ResultsFour major themes emerged: knowledge and practices of pesticide use, health risks and exposure, safety practices, pesticide storage and disposal. Most farmers (approximately 10 out of 13) reported using Glyphosate as their primary herbicide, followed by Paraquat Dichloride and 2,4-D, relying on vendor recommendations for application methods. Common health complaints included eye and skin irritation, waist pain, and temporary vision loss. While some farmers used PPE like boots and gloves, many lacked complete protective gear, especially eye protection. Pesticide containers were often stored at home or discarded on farms or by burning, indicating poor disposal practices. Awareness of pesticide expiry dates and proper dosage was inconsistent.
ConclusionThe study reveals substantial gaps in pesticide safety knowledge and practices among rural farmers, posing significant public health risks. Targeted interventions, including regular training on safe pesticide handling, PPE use, and environmentally sound disposal methods, are critical to reducing occupational exposure and its associated health burdens.
by Mohajit Arneja, Swetharajan Gunasekar, Dharaneswari Hari Narayanan, Joshma Joseph, Harilalith Kovvuri, Sharath Shanmugam, Pavitraa Saravana Kumar, Asuwin Anandaram, Vinod Kumar Balakrishnan, Jayanty Venkata Balasubramaniyan, Sadhanandham Shanmugasundaram, Sankaran Ramesh, Nagendra Boopathy Senguttuvan
BackgroundFaster time to reperfusion can be achieved by minimizing various patient and system-level delays that contribute to total ischemic time. Procedural delays within the catheterization laboratory represent a non-negligible and modifiable component in the chain of reperfusion, but remain unquantified by conventional metrics such as door-to-ballon (D2B) time. Universal catheter approaches have rapidly gained traction as an alternative to the traditional two catheter approach for transradial coronary interventions. However, their utility for both diagnostic angiography and subsequent angioplasty is limited, and the impact of this strategy on reperfusion outcomes has remained unexplored. We utilized a procedural metric termed fluoroscopy-to-device (FluTD) time to quantify the efficiency of a single catheter strategy, and assessed its impact on epicardial and myocardial perfusion.
Methods and resultsIn this retrospective study, consecutive STEMI patients undergoing transradial primary PCI (pPCI) at a tertiary care center in India between May 2022 to October 2024 were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups: 51 underwent PCI using a single universal guiding catheter (UGC), and 51 underwent the conventional two-catheter (CTC) approach. The primary outcome of the study was a comparison of the FluTD time between the two procedural strategies. Secondary outcomes included myocardial blush grade (MBG), Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade, total fluoroscopy time, radiation dose, device safety and efficacy, and procedural success.The median FluTD time was significantly shorter in the UGC compared to the CTC group (3 minutes [IQR 3–4] vs. 10 minutes [IQR 8–17], p Conclusion
A single catheter strategy for both angiography and pPCI in STEMI patients was associated with a significant reduction in FluTD time and improved microvascular perfusion, without compromising device safety or efficacy. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where intra- and extra-procedural delays are often more pronounced, inclusion of the single catheter strategy can optimize catheterization workflows and yield substantial cost-savings.
This project explores the feasibility of setting up a neuropsychiatric de-identified database (DiD) and a Research Register (RR) to collect, analyse, monitor and systematically report clinical data for people with intellectual disabilities (PwIDs) and epilepsy.
A multicentre project designed to collect de-identified data from clinical records at three adult ID specialist services in England and Wales and to develop an RR of PwID and epilepsy. Patients added to the DiD will be identified from patient clinic lists, clinic letters, in-house databases and electronic systems. Patients to be added to the RR will also be identified through attendance for regular review at clinic appointments. The collected data will be entered into the Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) database. Personal details of PwID and their consultees will also be collected from participants who consent to be on the RR. Around 600 PwID and epilepsy (200 per site) will be added to the DiD at the three sites, while around 45–60 participants (15–20 per site) are anticipated to be added to the RR. Data analysis will involve using descriptive statistics to summarise feasibility outcomes, such as screening and recruitment rates, as well as the completeness of the collected data. The characteristics of the participants (demographic, ID classification, clinical, epilepsy history and antiseizure medication) will be summarised descriptively. Progression will be assessed using the Red/Amber/Green stop-go criteria to determine if a national register should be created.
Ethical approval (24/NW/0210) has been obtained from the Northwest-Haydock Research Ethics Committee and the University of Plymouth Faculty Research Ethics and Integrity Committee (reference no. 5284). The project is funded by Jazz Pharmaceuticals as an independent investigator-initiated support grant and, as such, has received independent peer review.
To explore the optimal timing of patient-reported outcome assessment, defined as the collection and use of patient-reported outcomes at clinically meaningful points such as before or during encounters, treatment initiation and follow-up, and to identify the facilitators and barriers to timely use.
A qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with healthcare professionals across diverse US health systems.
Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes related to the timing and implementation of patient-reported outcomes assessments. Interviews were analysed iteratively to develop a coding framework and synthesise overarching themes.
Fourteen healthcare professionals, including nurse practitioners, cardiologists and health informatics experts across seven U.S. health systems from academic and community hospitals, were interviewed in February 2024. Three major themes emerged: (1) value proposition of timely patient-reported outcome data collection (2) key facilitators for timely implementation and (3) multilevel barriers. The value proposition focused on the use of patient-reported outcomes for prevention and active disease management. Critical facilitators for the timely implementation of patient-reported outcomes included the involvement of research and clinical coordinators, strategies for pre-visit and on-site patient-reported outcome collection, the use of standardised templates within EHRs and the alignment of patient-reported outcome collection with patients' long-term treatment goals. Finally, multilevel barriers included time constraints, patient-level challenges (e.g., fatigue, literacy, language) and systemic issues (e.g., technical limitations, lack of reimbursement and unclear guidelines).
Timely collection and use of patient-reported outcomes is critical for improving symptom monitoring and supporting patient-centered clinical decision-making. However, multilevel barriers hinder consistent implementation across health care settings.
Integrating patient-reported outcomes into clinical workflows can improve the patient-centeredness of patient-healthcare professional interactions, and provide a more holistic picture of a patient's health status. Addressing barriers to patient-reported outcome implementation, including lack of time, poor health literacy and workflow integration barriers, is crucial for improving clinical outcomes.
This study adhered to the COREQ (Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research) checklist, in accordance with EQUATOR Network guidelines.
No patient or public involvement: This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct or reporting.
by Laura de la Roche, Carlos G. Fuentes, Ailiya Z. Jafry, Omolola E. Adepoju
IntroductionReports indicate increasing prevalence rates of successive natural disasters, and the negative impact on existing infrastructures are well documented. However, factors impacting outcomes on both communities and individuals remain unclear. For historically underserved communities, the effects of disasters are exacerbated by pre-existing barriers that make efforts to recovery difficult. Thus, understanding the nuance of their circumstances and experience is crucial to helping build resilience in these communities and inform preparedness and response efforts.
ObjectiveThrough this study, we sought to qualitatively understand the lived experience of historically underserved communities in the context of natural disasters to support the development and/or adoption of resources.
MethodsPhotovoice was used to guide semi-structured interviews with participants recruited from three communities (Kashmere Gardens, Greater Third Ward, Greater Fifth Ward) in Houston, TX. Reflexive thematic analysis was employed to generate themes accurately depicting participant experiences. Reflexivity, persistent observation, and triangulation were employed to increase trustworthiness in analysis.
ResultsFive key themes emerged from analysis: 1) Acute and long-term damage from natural disasters requires sustained recovery efforts; 2) Gaps and opportunities exist in city, state, and federal support mechanisms; 3) Strengthening and expanding support networks and community resources after extreme weather events is critical; 4) Need to address structural barriers to disaster preparedness and coping; and 5) Recognizing and mitigating the broad mental health impacts of natural disasters.
ConclusionThe lived experiences of individuals from historically underserved communities in Houston highlight a complex interaction of psychosocial, structural, and cultural factors that influence both community resilience and vulnerability. Understanding this interplay is crucial to informing policy efforts that prioritize resilience building in these communities. Implications from these findings are discussed.
by Bwambale Jonani, Emmanuel Charles Kasule, Bwire Roman Herman, Joel Fredrick Arturo, Mwesigwa Calvin Mugambwa, Ssebulime Stephen, John Bosco Mundaka, Richard Kwizera, Gerald Mboowa, Felix Bongomin
IntroductionSickle Cell Anemia (SCA) is a significant genetic disorder in Africa; however, comprehensive data on its prevalence and geographic distribution remain limited. We aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of SCA (HbSS) in African populations and examine regional, demographic, and temporal variations from 1994–2024.
MethodsWe systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and BASE databases for studies reporting SCA prevalence in African populations. Screening and quality assessments were performed using JBI tools. A random-effects meta-analysis with logit transformation was performed, with subgroup analyses by region, age, sex, and study design. Meta-regression explored heterogeneity sources, including geographic region, age category, diagnostic method, study design, and publication year.
ResultsFrom 115 studies with 1,203,839 participants and 17,458 confirmed HbSS cases, the pooled prevalence was 1.43% (95% CI: 1.08%–1.88%), with substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 99.1%) and a prediction interval of 0.21%–8.91%. Central Africa showed the highest prevalence (1.99%), and Southern Africa showed the lowest (0.59%). Children exhibited a higher prevalence (1.65%) than adults (0.45%), while sex differences were non-significant (males 2.71%, females 1.74%; p = 0.694). The prevalence has remained stable over three decades despite a six-fold increase in research output, although wide prediction intervals indicated substantial between-study variability. Electrophoretic techniques predominated (86.4% of cases). Diagnostic method (χ² = 16.73, p = 0.033) and age category (χ² = 33.66, p 2 = 98.6%). Leave-one-out sensitivity analysis showed that no single study significantly impacted the pooled estimates.
ConclusionSCA represents a substantial and geographically variable public health challenge across Africa. These findings highlight the need for region-specific interventions, expanded newborn screening programs, improved diagnostic accessibility with quality assurance for point-of-care technologies, and continued surveillance to address geographic gaps.
Nurses' burnout, work instability (WI), and job satisfaction (JS) in their practice environment (PE) are well established in the literature. However, perinatal missed care (PMC), a subset of missed nursing care, remains underreported among maternity nurses.
To examine the mediating role of PE and burnout in the associations of WI, JS, and PMC among maternity nurses.
A cross-sectional and correlational study employed consecutive sampling to recruit maternity nurses (n = 312) from five hospitals in Saudi Arabia (three government and two private hospitals in Hail and Makkah regions, respectively). Maternity staff nurses, regardless of their sex, years of professional nursing experience, or nationality, who met inclusion criteria were included in this study. Data was collected from July to September 2024 using four standardized self-report scales. Structural equation modeling was utilized for statistical analyses.
Maternity nurses' WI negatively influenced PE (β = −0.23, p = 0.014), while positively affected PMC (β = 0.15, p = 0.031). The PE positively affected JS (β = 0.24, p = 0.034) but had a negative effect on burnout (β = −0.24, p = 0.007) and PMC (β = −0.21, p = 0.038). Burnout negatively affected JS (β = −0.25, p = 0.028), while positively associated with PMC (β = 0.20, p = 0.022). PE mediated the associations between WI and burnout (β = 0.05, p = 0.019), JS (β = −0.07, p = 0.020), and PMC (β = −0.06, p = 0.008). Meanwhile, burnout mediated between PE and JS (β = 0.05, p = 0.030) and PMC (β = −0.04, p = 0.023).
Understanding the relationships among maternity nurses' burnout, JS, PE, and PMC is key to improving the quality of perinatal care and ensuring the patients' well-being. By focusing on strategies to enhance the PE (e.g., adequate staffing and resources, improved nurse–patient ratio), reduce burnout (e.g., meditation and mindfulness programs, coping intervention programs), and improve JS (e.g., work schedule flexibility, facilitate work-life balance, staff professional development), healthcare organizations can mitigate the occurrence of PMC.
by Emmanuel Timmy Donkoh, Iddrisu Wahab Abdul, Abraham Kwadzo Ahiakpa, Isaac Williams, Rita Nyaaba Akologo, Stephen Danyo, Chrysantus Kubio, Kofi Effah, Joseph Emmanuel Amuah
BackgroundCervical cancer, though preventable, remains the second most diagnosed cancer and the primary cause of cancer-related deaths among females in Sub-Saharan Africa. The significance of coordinated screening programmes for reducing the burden of cervical cancer in Africa is not well documented. This systematic review will summarize published reports from key databases, grey literature and programme reports to assess the performance of cervical cancer prevention programmes in Ghana.
MethodsTo be eligible for inclusion, interventions must target Ghanaian women with cervical cancer screening and prevention strategies using methods such as visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA), mobile colposcopy, HPV DNA testing, cytology (Pap smear), and treatment approaches such as cryotherapy, thermal ablation, loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP). A comprehensive electronic search strategy will be used to identify studies published since database inception, and indexed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Web of Science. The search strategy will include MeSH terms (and synonyms) relevant to cervical cancer, screening/treatment methods, geographic focus and implementing institution. We will include searches for grey literature, recognizing the value of programmatic and governmental reports that might not appear in traditional databases. Search results will be summarized in line with PRISMA guidelines. The GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach will be used to evaluate and document evidence certainty for all outcomes, internal validity of included reports, inconsistency, indirectness, imprecision, and publication bias. Where sufficient homogeneity exists among included studies in terms of interventions, study designs, populations, and outcome measures, we will perform a meta-analysis to calculate pooled effect estimates and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals.
SignificanceThis systematic review will assess the performance and impact of cervical cancer screening and prevention programmes conducted in Ghana to date and identify what contextual strategies have delivered the most impact as well as highlight what gaps remain in our understanding of how a nationwide screening programme can be properly construed for maximum impact.
Gender gaps in healthy life expectancy are frequently used as indicators of health inequality between women and men. However, total gaps can be misleading—masking critical disparities such as women living longer yet spending more years with disability or illness, or men experiencing premature mortality. We therefore critically evaluate whether these gaps accurately capture gender-based health.
We estimate gender gaps in disability- and chronic disease-free life expectancy using the Sullivan method and decompose those gaps via the continuous-change approach to distinguish mortality from morbidity contributions. Data are drawn from the harmonised Gateway to Global Aging Data and the UN life tables from the 2022 Revision of World Population Prospects for all countries, except England, where the life tables are from the UK Office for National Statistics.
The analysis is performed on 24 countries and regions, including the USA, England, South Korea, China, India, Mexico and 19 European Union countries for the years 2014–2015 and 2017–2019 (N=201 723).
The main outcomes are gender gaps in disability- and chronic disease-free life expectancy and the contribution of mortality and health in explaining the gender gap.
Gender gaps in disability-free life expectancy ranged from –0.37 years (Portugal) to almost 5 years (South Korea), with most European countries showing female advantages of 3.0–3.5 years, while minimal gaps were observed in China, Mexico and India (0.4–0.9 years). Decomposition revealed striking inconsistencies between total gaps and underlying components—South Korea’s 4.9-year gap reflected a survival advantage outweighing disability disadvantage by 13-fold, while Portugal’s –0.37-year gap masked opposing contributions (mortality: +2.3; disability: –2.7). Chronic disease-free life expectancy showed female disadvantage in most countries, especially Portugal (–2.3), Korea (–1.6) and Mexico (–1.9).
Using gender gaps in healthy life expectancy as a metric for gender inequality in health is misleading. Countries with very different levels of development, healthcare systems and gender roles can have similar gender gaps, but substantial differences in the levels of mortality and health. Because these gaps mask important underlying differences in health and mortality between women and men, caution is warranted when using them.
The CHA2DS2-VASc score predicts poor prognosis in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), with or without atrial fibrillation. In this observational study, we aimed to evaluate the CHA2DS2-VASc score by itself and extended with clinical data to predict adverse events in patients after AMI.
In this longitudinal observational study, we used a cohort of 955 patients hospitalised for AMI at Västmanland County Hospital, Västerås, Sweden, to derive prediction models. The CHA2DS2-VASc score alone and combined with clinical data (systolic blood pressure, creatinine level, ST-segment elevation and diuretic use at discharge) was analysed using Cox regression to evaluate the risk of major adverse events (MAE), defined as all-cause death or hospitalisation due to recurrent MI, heart failure or ischaemic stroke. Discriminatory performance was presented as the time-dependent area under the curve (tdAUC). The prediction models were validated in 416 patients with AMI hospitalised at Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
During a median of 2.5 years, 287 (30.1%) patients experienced MAE. CHA2DS2-VASc scores of 2, 4 and 6 were associated with fourfold, ninefold and 18-fold increases in the relative risk of MAE, respectively, with a tdAUC of 0.76 at a 2-year follow-up. Extending the CHA2DS2-VASc score with clinical data significantly improved the prediction model (p
The addition of clinical data to the CHA2DS2-VASc score was superior to a model with CHA2DS2-VASc alone in predicting adverse events in patients after AMI, and the model performed well in external validation.
To describe a sample of healthcare professionals' responses to the valid and reliable Climate and Health Tool and compare participant characteristics relating to Climate and Health Tool subscales.
Observational, cross-sectional, multi-site study.
An electronic survey containing the Climate and Health Tool was administered to healthcare professionals across a large, multi-state health system in the Western United States with a committed effort to reducing carbon emissions.
One thousand three hundred and sixty-three participants reported moderately elevated levels of awareness and concern around climate impacts on health and motivation to participate in climate protective actions. Respondents reported moderate levels of climate-protecting behaviours at home and low levels at work. Females were more concerned and motivated. Medical staff and respondents reporting familiarity with system environmental initiatives reported more awareness and behaviours at home to preserve climate health.
Healthcare professionals are concerned and motivated to decrease climate impacts on health yet take little action at work to preserve the climate. Because of the intersection of climate change, health, and healthcare, healthcare organizations should prioritize and support meaningful action for healthcare professionals to meet community climate health needs.
Healthcare organizations committed to contributing to climate solutions can use this research to increase healthcare professionals' education, engagement, and impact to preserve the climate and health of communities.
Healthcare is a major contributor to carbon emissions, yet healthcare professionals' awareness, motivation, concern, and behaviours related to climate change and health were not clear. Our research showed healthcare professionals are aware and concerned about climate impacts on health but reported low levels of workplace behaviours to protect the climate. The findings of our research will impact healthcare professionals and healthcare organizations to focus efforts on climate-preserving behaviours.
This manuscript followed the STROBE guidelines.
None.
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