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Hoy — Diciembre 16th 2025Tus fuentes RSS

Enhancing cancer care safety for ethnic minority patients: insights from healthcare professionals

Por: Nashwan · A. J. · Kunjavara · J.

Commentary on: Chauhan A, Newman B, Manias E, et al. Creating safer cancer care with ethnic minority patients: A qualitative analysis of the experiences of cancer service staff. Health Expect. 2024 Jan 30;27(1):e13979.

Implications for practice and research

  • Implementing culturally competent communication strategies, including interpreters and culturally adapted materials, can enhance patient safety and engagement.

  • Further studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of communication tools and strategies in improving safety outcomes for ethnic minority patients with cancer.

  • Context

    This qualitative study explores the experiences of healthcare staff in creating safer cancer care environments for ethnic minority patients. People from ethnic minority groups, who face an increased risk of safety events, often encounter barriers such as language and cultural differences.1 The research highlights the diverse backgrounds of ethnic communities involved, emphasising the critical need for culturally competent care within global healthcare systems....

    Time to implement the strategies that work to address the health inequalities experienced by adults with intellectual disabilities

    Por: Brown · M. · Marsh · L.

    Commentary on: Heslop, P., Lauer, E. (2024). Strategies to prevent or reduce inequalities in specific avoidable causes of death for adults with intellectual disability: A systematic review. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 52(2), pp.312-349.

    Implications for practice and research

  • Preventative interventions and reasonable adjustments are required to address health inequalities experienced by adults with intellectual disability.

  • Future research should focus on policy, population and individual interventions that reduce health inequalities and avoidable deaths.

  • Context

    There is well-established research evidence regarding the substantial health inequalities experienced by many adults with intellectual disabilities, with significant implications for their health, well-being and quality of life. Despite this evidence, many continue to die prematurely from conditions amenable to early interventions and preventative strategies. Limited knowledge, skills and confidence regarding the needs of adults with intellectual disabilities by some health professionals is evident. Reasonable adjustments can contribute positively...

    Barriers and facilitators to self-managing multiple long-term conditions: socioeconomic deprivation affects health outcomes in a UK cohort

    Por: Page · E. · Mazzola · P.

    Commentary to: Woodward A, Nimmons D, Davies N, et al. A qualitative exploration of the barriers and facilitators to self-managing multiple long-term conditions amongst people experiencing socioeconomic deprivation. Health Expect 2024;27(2):e14046. doi: 10.1111/hex.14046.

    Implications for practice and research

  • Addressing socioeconomic barriers is crucial to develop patient-centred care models to help self-managing multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs).

  • Managing MLTCs is not solely an individual responsibility, and community-based interventions should aim to strengthen social support networks and reduce social isolation. The extent of the beneficial effects of social support networks on health outcomes and MLTCs self-management should also be addressed in research.

  • Context

    Worldwide, one in three adults lives with multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs) and requires ongoing management and self-management. Socioeconomic deprivation exacerbates health inequalities due to limited resources and opportunities. In England, people living in deprived areas tend to develop MLTCs earlier and have a...

    Using 'research cafes as a proof-of-concept model for engaging minoritised communities in UK health research: a mixed-methods feasibility study in South West London

    Por: Kurade · S. S. N. · Heffernan · C. · Curran · N. · Lelliott · Z. · Milocco · S. · Ocloo · J.
    Objective

    This proof-of-concept study explored the feasibility and acceptability of research cafés as a community-based model to engage racially minoritised communities in health research, with a focus on mental health.

    Design

    Adopting a community peer research approach, a research team led by researchers from racially minoritised backgrounds, partnered with four voluntary organisations to conduct four research cafés. A mixed-methods feasibility design combined descriptive quantitative questionnaire data with thematic analysis of discussion notes to evaluate the impact of these cafés in South West London.

    Setting

    The study took place in Wandsworth, Kingston, Croydon and Sutton, in community venues provided by the voluntary organisations.

    Participants

    A total of 75 participants from racially minoritised backgrounds attended the sessions. Participants were intentionally selected based on age, ethnicity, location, mental well-being experiences and willingness to engage in mental health research.

    Main outcome measures

    Quantitative data were collected on participant attendance, demographics and feedback. Qualitative data captured participant perceptions and experiences related to healthcare and research.

    Results

    The study took place between October 2023 and March 2024. Out of the 112 individuals who registered, 75 people attended with 74 contributing to the analysis (excluding one on the day sign-up). Participants were predominantly Asian/Asian British (62%) and Black/Black British (31%). All participants reported feeling comfortable and respected. Understanding of research improved for 96% and 95% expressed interest in further research involvement, most commonly the idea of joining a peer research network (64%). Participants also highlighted a need for training in research methods and communication skills for ongoing involvement. Five main themes emerged from the café discussions: (1) systemic barriers to accessing safe healthcare and mistrust of UK healthcare systems; (2) the need for cultural competence and sensitivity in healthcare and research; (3) research as a positive step for change; (4) barriers to research participation and (5) the importance of incentives and feedback for research participation.

    Conclusions

    Preliminary findings suggest that diverse and inclusive community-based partnerships are the basis for developing research cafés as a feasible and acceptable model for engaging racially minoritised communities in health research. They complement existing participatory approaches by creating inclusive, peer-facilitated spaces that build trust, improve awareness and generate high intention for future involvement and participation. Future studies are needed to test the model’s scalability across different geographic and demographic contexts and evaluate its long-term impact on research literacy, participation and equity.

    Risk perception and health-related adaptive behaviour to climate change among high school students in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, India: a cross-sectional study

    Por: Rajeev · A. · Sreedevi · A.
    Objectives

    To determine the risk perception, health-related adaptive behaviours and associated factors related to climate change among high school students in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, India.

    Study design and study settings

    A cross-sectional study with multistage cluster sampling was conducted among high school students from Neyyatinkara Taluk in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, India. After identifying the taluk, 10 schools were chosen using probability proportionate to size to ensure adequate representation.

    Study participants

    The study was conducted among 600 high school students (mean age 14 years, SD 0.75) from Neyyatinkara Taluk in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala.

    Methods

    Neyyattinkara taluk was randomly selected from the six taluks in Thiruvananthapuram district. From each of the 10 selected schools, students from classes 8 to 10, section A, formed the study clusters, with cluster sizes ranging from 45 to 60 students. All students from classes 8 to 10 (section A) who were present on the day of the survey and had obtained informed consent from their parents or guardian were considered eligible to participate in the study. Risk perception and health-related adaptive behaviour scores for children were calculated using a pretested structured questionnaire with 8 and 17 questions, respectively. All questions were designed on a 5-point scale. For positively worded questions, scores ranged from 5 to 1 (strongly agree to strongly disagree), and for negatively worded questions, the scoring was reversed. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent factors associated with risk perception and health-related adaptive behaviour.

    Results

    Nearly three in four study participants (72.1%) were aware of the term climate change. The median risk perception score and health-related adaptive behaviour scores were 28 (IQR 26–30) and 52 (IQR 47–57), respectively. Study participants from urban areas had significantly better risk perception compared with rural counterparts (AOR 2.42; 95% CI 1.54 to 3.78). Similarly, children from above poverty line (APL) households demonstrated markedly higher risk perception than those from below poverty line households (AOR 28.77; 95% CI 16.84 to 45). Participation in a climate change awareness programme was also associated with higher risk perception (AOR 1.98; 95% CI 1.23 to 3.19). Positive health-related adaptive behaviour was more likely among children aged 14–16 years compared with those younger than 14 (AOR 1.92; 95% CI 1.3 to 2.84). Urban residence (AOR 20.72; 95% CI 5.04 to 85.17), higher paternal education (AOR 1.91; 95% CI 1.15 to 3.13) and APL household status (AOR 2.50; 95% CI 1.57 to 3.93) were also significantly associated with better adaptive behaviour.

    Conclusions

    Climate change interventions and awareness programmes should prioritise rural, lower socioeconomic and younger populations and equip them with practical life skills for adaptive behaviour.

    Effect of diet on cognition, mental health and wellbeing among adolescents: protocol for a systematic review

    Por: Coombes · J. P. · Murphy · M. · Russell · A. · Turner · A. · Pallan · M.
    Introduction

    A healthy diet is a crucial component for adolescents’ health and wellbeing. Current literature surrounding dietary intake and its effect on cognition, mental health and wellbeing has mainly focused on children, not adolescents. This review aims to synthesise findings from studies that explore the relationship between dietary intake and cognition, mental health and wellbeing in the adolescent population.

    Methods and analysis

    Electronic searches will date from 1 January 2000 to 7 October 2024 and will be conducted in CENTRAL, MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL via EBSCOHOST, ERIC, British Education Index, Child and Adolescent Studies, Education research complete, Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection, Social Policy and Practice Embase, and APAPsychINFO via OvidSP. Articles will be screened using defined inclusion and exclusion criteria and assessed for eligibility by five independent reviewers. Discrepancies will be reviewed by a third reviewer. The selection process of included articles will be reported by using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses flow diagram. A narrative summary will be used to report and synopsise the extracted data.

    Ethics and dissemination

    This systematic review does not require ethical approval. The dissemination strategy for this review comprises peer-reviewed publications, public health conference presentations and providing a valuable reference for healthy-food interventions in school and community-based settings as well as identifying gaps in the current literature and informing policy and practice.

    PROSPERO registration number

    CRD42025633083.

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    Developing policy on sugar-sweetened beverages for children and adolescents in China: a qualitative study of stakeholder views and perceptions

    Por: Suo · Y. · Zang · J. · Wang · J. · Shen · Q. · Long · Q.
    Objective

    To explore stakeholder perceptions on sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) policies for Chinese children and adolescents and facilitators and challenges for policy implementation.

    Design

    This study followed the sector governance analysis framework, which included three steps: context analysis, mapping stakeholders and stakeholder analysis. Context analysis comprised policy and literature reviews of existing domestic and international measures, complemented by expert consultation to clarify the policy context and identify relevant stakeholders. Guided by these insights, we mapped stakeholders for key informant interviews, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions to explore stakeholders’ perceptions of SSB policies. Qualitative data were collected and analysed through a thematic analysis approach.

    Setting

    Shanghai and Chongqing, China, July to August 2022.

    Participants

    37 stakeholders including policymakers, nutrition experts, industry and consumers (primary caregivers of children and adolescents aged 6–17 years).

    Results

    Context and stakeholder analyses indicated rising SSB consumption among Chinese youth since 2000. Qualitative interviews reflected the absence of national policies due to inadequate policymaker awareness. Although policymakers and nutrition experts supported SSB policies, consumers were worried about their personal choices being affected and the industry feared innovation challenges and profit loss. Multiple stakeholders mentioned that a comprehensive national standard is lacking, which is needed to facilitate national policy roll-out. An initial focus on health education is suggested to raise awareness among policymakers and consumers to foster a supportive environment for SSB policy development.

    Conclusions

    Although SSB intake is rising among Chinese children, policymakers’ insufficient awareness and the lack of national standards hinder SSB policy development and implementation. Strategies that raise health knowledge and awareness among policymakers and consumers should be prioritised for now to assist future introduction of SSB standards and related policies.

    Spatiotemporal patterns of asthma in Bhutan: a Bayesian analysis

    Por: Tsheten · T. · Chateau · D. · Walsh · E. · Sargent · G. · Clements · A. C. A. · Gray · D. · Kelly · M. · Dorji · N. · Tenzin · P. · Adhikari · L. · Penjor · K. · Bagheri · N. · Wangdi · K.
    Introduction

    Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder requiring ongoing medical management. This ecological study investigated the spatial and temporal patterns of notification rates for asthma from clinic visits and hospital discharges and identified demographic, meteorological and environmental factors that drive asthma in Bhutan.

    Methods

    Monthly numbers of asthma notifications from 2016 to 2022 were obtained from the Bhutan Ministry of Health. Climatic variables (rainfall, relative humidity, minimum and maximum temperature) were obtained from the National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology, Bhutan. The Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and surface particulate matter (PM2.5) were extracted from open sources. A multivariable zero-inflated Poisson regression (ZIP) model was developed in a Bayesian framework to quantify the relationship between risk of asthma and sociodemographic and environmental correlates, while also identifying the underlying spatial structure of the data.

    Results

    There were 12 696 asthma notifications, with an annual average prevalence of 244/100 000 population between 2016 and 2022. In ZIP analysis, asthma notifications were 3.4 times (relative risk (RR)=3.39; 95% credible interval (CrI) 3.047 to 3.773) more likely in individuals aged >14 years than those aged ≤14 years, and 43% (RR=1.43; 95% CrI 36.5% to 49.2%) more likely for females than males. Asthma notification increased by 0.8% (RR=1.008, 95% CrI 0.2% to 1.5%) for every 10 cm increase in rainfall, and 1.7% (RR=1.017; 95% CrI 1.2% to 2.3%) for a 1°C increase in maximum temperature. An increase in one unit of NDVI and 10 µg/m3 PM2.5 was associated with 27.3% (RR=1.273; 95% CrI 8.7% to 49.2%), and 2.0% (RR=1.02; 95% CrI 1.0% to 4.0%) increase in asthma notification, respectively. The high-risk spatial clusters were identified in the south and southeastern regions of Bhutan, after accounting for covariates.

    Conclusion

    Environmental risk factors and spatial clusters of asthma notifications were identified. Identification of spatial clusters and environmental risk factors can help develop targeted interventions that maximise impact of limited public health resources for controlling asthma in Bhutan.

    Financial catastrophe and its associated factors among chronic kidney disease patients undergoing haemodialysis in Kathmandu, Nepal: a mixed-method study

    Por: Poudel · S. · Yadav · D. K. · Khanal · V. K. · Nepal Gurung · G. · Pokhrel · S. · Pudasaini · A. · Amatya · A. G.
    Objective

    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.

    Design

    Cross-sectional mixed-method study.

    Participants

    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.

    Main outcome measures

    Prevalence of financial catastrophe and factors associated with financial catastrophe among chronic kidney disease patients undergoing haemodialysis.

    Methods

    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.

    Results

    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.

    Conclusion

    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.

    Translation and content validity of the Arabic Communication and Symbolic Behaviour Scales Developmental Profile (CSBS DP) Infant-Toddler Checklist

    Por: Al-Bluwi · G. S. M. · Masuadi · E. · Marquis · A. · Al-Rifai · R. H. · Elbarazi · I. · Ahmed · L. A.
    Objective

    The Communication and Symbolic Behaviour Scales Developmental Profile Infant–Toddler Checklist (CSBS DP ITC) is a screening tool designed to identify early deficits in social communication, expressive speech/language and symbolic functioning in children aged 6–24 months. This study aimed to translate and content validate the CSBS DP ITC into Modern Standard Arabic.

    Design

    Methodological study involving translation and content validation.

    Setting

    The study was conducted in the United Arab Emirates.

    Participants

    The translation process involved five bilingual translators and one monolingual Arabic language expert. Ten experts participated in the content validation phase, and 10 parents of young children participated in the face validity assessment.

    Outcome measures

    Content Validity Indices (CVIs), including the Item-level CVI (I-CVI), the Scale-level CVI by Average (S-CVI/Ave) and the S-CVI by Universal Agreement (S-CVI/UA), along with modified kappa statistics, were calculated to assess item-level and scale-level clarity, relevance and comprehensiveness.

    Results

    Expert panel ratings showed high clarity (I-CVI: 0.8–1, S-CVI/Ave: 0.98, S-CVI/UA: 0.88) and similar relevance scores. Face validity assessments yielded clarity I-CVI scores of 0.9–1, with S-CVI/Ave at 0.98 and S-CVI/UA at 0.8. The modified kappa statistic ranged from 0.89 to 1, indicating strong agreement among parents.

    Conclusions

    The CSBS DP ITC was effectively translated and content validated into Modern Standard Arabic. The calculated CVI values ranged from excellent to acceptable. This step establishes a foundation before proceeding to full psychometric testing of the instrument, paving the way for a reliable and culturally appropriate tool to identify early communication delays for use across the Arab-speaking population.

    Associations of functional foods consumption with gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal conditions: a cross-sectional study among Bangladeshi adults

    Por: Mazumdar · S. · Shuvo · S. D. · Khuku · T. K. · Adnan · M. M. · Hossain · M. S. · Kamal · M. M. · Fardaus · F. · Zohra · F.-T. · Ahammed · T.
    Objectives

    Functional foods have demonstrated potential in preventing gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal (osteo-related) disorders; however, evidence from cross-sectional studies in adults remains limited. This study aimed to examine the relationship between the frequency of functional food consumption and the prevalence of gastrointestinal and osteo-related conditions among adults in Bangladesh.

    Design

    Cross-sectional study.

    Setting

    A face-to-face interview was conducted in Southern Bangladesh.

    Participants

    A total of 959 adults participated. Socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, health status and patterns of functional food consumption were collected using a structured questionnaire.

    Main outcome measures

    The prevalence of gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal (osteo-related) diseases, as well as their associations with the frequency of functional food consumption, were assessed using binary logistic regression.

    Results

    Gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal (osteo-related) diseases were reported by 55.4% and 44.1% of participants, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression showed that several functional foods were associated with lower odds of gastrointestinal conditions, including regular seed intake (OR=0.35, p=0.034), weekly fibre-rich foods (OR=0.48, p=0.021), weekly probiotics (OR=0.26, p=0.012), monthly probiotics (OR=0.33, p

    Conclusions

    The consumption of functional foods, particularly seeds, probiotics, fibre-rich foods, nuts, tea/coffee and natural products were associated with a lower risk of gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal diseases in adults. These findings provide robust evidence to inform future prospective studies and support public health strategies in Bangladesh aimed at promoting the consumption of functional foods to prevent diet-related health conditions.

    How can midwives in Germany be supported in advising on early childhood allergy prevention in a health literacy-responsive way? Protocol for a mixed-methods study to co-design and evaluate an educational intervention following the Medical Research Council

    Por: von Sommoggy · J. · Steinmann · J. R. · Lander · J. · Bitzer · E. M. · Pawellek · M. · Brandstetter · S. · Apfelbacher · C. · Fillenberg · B. D.
    Introduction

    Health literacy (HL) is essential for making informed health-related decisions, for example enabling parents to reduce their child’s allergy risk. Health literacy does not, however, rely solely on an individual’s capacities, but is strongly influenced by external factors. Midwives provide important health advice to families, particularly since their relationship is close during a time of significant transition. This offers them a unique opportunity to positively influence the HL of parents, which in turn may support the health and well-being of the whole family. The aim of this study is to develop and evaluate an intervention that can support midwives in providing allergy prevention advice in a way that is in line with the concept of HL.

    Methods and analysis

    In accordance with the recommendations of the Medical Research Council framework in the first phase of this study, we will survey midwives (target sample size=379) in Germany regarding their practices, the potential barriers they face and enabling factors in providing advice on early childhood allergy prevention in an HL-responsive way. The data will be subjected to descriptive statistical analysis. Two co-design workshops will then be conducted with various stakeholders in two regions (Rhineland-Palatinate and Saxony) of Germany. Following the protocol proposed by the Stanford Design Thinking School, we will use design thinking to collect ideas for the intervention. Based on these ideas and our previous qualitative and quantitative study, we will develop an intervention in collaboration with didactic experts. The intervention will be piloted in three groups (midwives=10–15, midwives working as practice supervisors=5–10, students of midwifery=10–20). For the process evaluation, we will use observation protocols of the intervention conduct and qualitative interviews. For the outcome evaluation, we will use a questionnaire and observations in simulation laboratories with students of midwifery.

    Ethics and dissemination

    This study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Regensburg (ID 23-3441-101) and is in compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Participation in the study will only be possible after informed consent has been given. Our results will be presented at national and international conferences and published in scientific journals. Additionally, once it has been finalised, we will make the intervention available to educational institutions for (future) midwives.

    Association between depressive symptoms and tuberculosis diagnosis stage in older adults: a 4-year longitudinal cohort study in rural South Africa

    Por: Eyal · K. · Wagner · R. · Geel · J. A.
    Objectives

    While tuberculosis (TB) is associated with increased depressive symptoms, the long-term mental health trajectory post-diagnosis in low-resource settings remains poorly understood. This study investigated the longitudinal progression of depressive symptoms among individuals diagnosed with TB and evaluated whether symptom severity persisted or attenuated over time.

    Design

    Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in South Africa. Population-based cohort study.

    Setting

    Rural Agincourt subdistrict, Mpumalanga province, South Africa, a high-TB-burden, resource-constrained region.

    Participants

    Adults aged 40 years and older who were permanent residents of the Agincourt subdistrict (N=5059 at baseline).

    Outcome measures

    Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) 8 (Wave 1) and CES-D 20 (Wave 2), with standardised scores enabling cross-wave comparisons. TB diagnosis status (self-reported) was categorised as recently diagnosed, previously diagnosed or never diagnosed.

    Results

    At baseline, HIV prevalence was significantly higher (p

    Conclusions

    A recent TB diagnosis is strongly associated with depressive symptoms at baseline, and with the persistence of severe depressive symptoms 4 years later. These results were robust to a number of sensitivity tests and do not seem to be driven by differences in healthcare utilisation. Integrating mental health support into TB care programmes at all phases of diagnosis and treatment, particularly in low-resource settings, may have significant benefits.

    Study protocol for a multi-site case study evaluation of a Canadian quality improvement collaborative to improve Baby-Friendly practices in community health services

    Por: Turner · S. E. · Enns · J. E. · Seager · E. · LeDrew · M. · Benoit · B. · Semenic · S. · Snelgrove-Clarke · E. · Shittu · B. · Gordon Pappas · D. · CBFI-C Implementation and Evaluation Team · Nickel · N. C. · Campbell-Yeo · Frittenburg · Haiek · McClure · Rashid · Swan · Abbass-Di
    Introduction

    In Canada, many families want to breastfeed, but there are several common challenges they may encounter. Currently, 91% of Canadian families initiate breastfeeding after giving birth, yet only 38% of babies are breastfed exclusively to 6 months. In 1991, the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada (BCC) was established to implement the World Health Organization’s Ten-Step Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, a series of evidence-based in-hospital practices to support families to breastfeed. Then, in recognition of the need to support breastfeeding beyond the hospital setting, the BCC expanded the Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI) to apply the Ten Steps to both hospitals and community health settings. However, uptake of the BFI Ten Steps in community settings has been low and methodology on how to optimise implementation of the Ten Steps in community is not well developed. Therefore, the objective of this project is to develop and evaluate a quality improvement collaborative with 25 community health services from across Canada to learn how to best support the implementation of the BFI Ten Steps in community, with the ultimate goal of improving breastfeeding outcomes.

    Methods and analysis

    This protocol describes the activities of the Community Baby-Friendly Initiative Collaborative (CBFI-C) and the methods used to evaluate its effectiveness. We will use the Institute for Healthcare Information Breakthrough Series (IHI-BTS) model, a proven quality improvement model that has been widely used in clinical settings, but is not yet widely used in community settings. The IHI-BTS combines three virtual learning sessions with action cycles that allow the participating sites time to test and track small practice changes. Sites will be asked to track care indicator and breastfeeding outcome data, engage in monthly webinars, receive coaching from trained mentors, participate in focus groups and participate in a final summative workshop. We will use a multi-site case study approach, combining aggregate care indicator data and qualitative data from webinars, focus groups and workshops to evaluate how the CBFI-C model supports community sites in the process of implementing the BFI Ten Steps.

    Ethics and dissemination

    Ethics approval for this evaluation was obtained from the CHIPER Health Research Ethics Board (Number HS26947-H2025:157)). The results of the CBFI-C evaluation will be shared in a report, peer-reviewed publications and presentations to government and academic audiences. The findings will inform effective quality improvement strategies to enhance uptake of the BFI in community health settings.

    Towards interprofessional medication safety risk management: a qualitative interview study for physicians in primary and secondary care

    Por: Saavalainen · A. · Sirenius · H. · Linden-Lahti · C. · Laukkanen · E. · Hosia · H. · Holmström · A.-R.
    Objectives

    Investigate interprofessional medication safety risk management from the perspective of physicians in healthcare settings.

    Design

    Qualitative, semistructured interview study. Data analysed with an inductive content analysis.

    Setting

    Wellbeing Services County in Central Finland.

    Participants

    17 physicians working in different healthcare settings or specialties.

    Results

    Physicians’ overall perception of interprofessional medication safety risk management was generally positive. They considered their own responsibility for medication safety as both comprehensive, encompassing the safety of the entire unit and limited, focused primarily on prescribing the correct medication. Organisational barriers to participating in medication safety promotion comprised insufficient healthcare resources and unclear distribution of tasks and responsibilities. Personal barriers included prioritisation of clinical work, considering medication safety as an administrative task and experiencing the process to be slow and complex. Strong leadership, increased visibility of medication safety, framing the topic positively, targeted education and fostering physicians’ intrinsic motivation were identified as means to increase physicians’ participation in medication safety risk management.

    Conclusions

    This study emphasises the importance of integrating physicians into interprofessional, systems-based medication safety risk management as a core element of high-quality care. Despite recognising their broad role, physicians face barriers such as organisational constraints and limited identification with medication safety advocacy. Addressing these challenges requires enhancing their understanding of the medication management and use process and fostering shared responsibility through time allocation and interprofessional leadership structures.

    Head-to-head comparison of visceral adiposity indices (A Body Shape Index and Visceral Adiposity Index) with traditional anthropometrics: a community-based strategy for cardiovascular risk prediction in urban China

    Por: Ma · G. · Wang · W. · Zhu · L. · Li · W. · Fan · Z. · Zhong · W. · Zang · W. · Hong · X. · Li · K.
    Objectives

    This study aimed to compare the predictive performance of novel adiposity indices (a body shape index (ABSI) and visceral adiposity index (VAI)) with traditional anthropometrics (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)) for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in urban China. Secondary objectives included evaluating composite indices derived from principal component analysis (PCA) and evaluating optimised risk stratification strategies.

    Design

    A community-based cross-sectional study.

    Setting

    Urban and rural communities in Nanjing, China, from 2020 to 2023.

    Participants

    38 427 adults aged 35–79 years, recruited via stratified sampling. Individuals aged 79 years, who were pregnant or had severe illness or cognitive impairment were excluded.

    Primary and secondary outcome measures

    The primary outcome was a CVD high-risk status (defined by Chinese guidelines). Secondary outcomes included detection rates, area under the curve (AUC), ORs and multicollinearity diagnostics.

    Results

    Among participants, 23.3% (n=8905) were classified as high risk for CVD. In this study, WHtR demonstrated the greatest discriminative power (AUC=0.826, 95% CI 0.819 to 0.832), followed by a PCA-derived composite obesity index (COI; AUC=0.822). ABSI showed a clear risk gradient, with a 38.5% detection rate in the high-risk group (ABSI≥0.085), and VAI exhibited a modest but statistically significant effect (OR=1.026, p=0.001). Severe multicollinearity among traditional indices (variance inflation factor >40) was mitigated by COI. Combined models (eg, COI+ABSI+ VAI) achieved comparable AUC (0.825) with improved parsimony (AIC=17 4010.34). Age, hypertension and dyslipidaemia were key covariates (ORs=1.15–3.88, p

    Conclusions

    WHtR and composite indices (eg, COI) appeared to perform better than other indicators in predicting CVD risk, whereas ABSI and VAI enhance stratification in specific subgroups. Implementing WHtR-based screening in primary care, supplemented by composite indices and novel markers for high-risk individuals, may help optimise prevention strategies in urbanising Chinese populations.

    Intersections of menstruation, gender-based violence and contraceptive use: qualitative insights from girls and young womens experiences in western Kenyan family planning clinics

    Por: Hartman · E. A. · Marston · C. · Namwebya · J. · Asala · E. · Ombidi · W. · Thungu · F. · Odwe · G. · Colombini · M. · Singh · N. S. · Buller · A. M.
    Objective

    To examine how menstruation, contraceptive use and gender-based violence intersect to shape the sexual and reproductive health and autonomy of girls and young women in Kenya.

    Design

    Qualitative study exploring girls and young women’s experiences with contraceptive use and menstrual management, using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions analysed through a reflexive thematic approach.

    Setting

    Four county-run family planning clinics in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya.

    Participants

    77 girls and young women aged 15–19 years (via 35 in-depth interviews and 7 focus group discussions) and 27 family planning clinic providers (via 5 focus group discussions).

    Results

    Interviewees’ contributions suggest that covert contraceptive use, when discovered through menstrual monitoring, provoked intimate partner violence. Heavy menstrual bleeding, whether related to contraceptive use or not, was viewed as a sexual restriction and also fuelled intimate partner violence. Furthermore, the inability to afford sanitary pads, combined with the stigma surrounding menstruation, drove some girls and young women into exploitative sexual relationships, often resulting in unwanted or unintended pregnancies.

    Conclusions

    Menstrual bleeding and contraceptive use, both independently and in combination, affect girls and young women’s reproductive autonomy and overall health and well-being, particularly in relation to gender-based violence. Improving menstrual hygiene management, challenging the stigma and harmful norms tied to menstruation and contraception and ensuring safe contraceptive use are integral to improving sexual and reproductive health and autonomy and are requisite for preventing and eradicating gender-based violence.

    Real-world safety profile of novel anti-multidrug-resistant tuberculosis drugs: a disproportionality analysis based on the FAERS database

    Por: Zhao · L. · Zeng · L. · Qian · Y. · Zhao · W. · Xie · R.
    Objectives

    Bedaquiline (BDQ), delamanid (DLM) and pretomanid (Pa) were widely used in recent years. This study aimed to analyse adverse drug event (ADE) reports associated with them based on the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database, to explore the signals of ADEs and provide reference for clinical use.

    Design

    A retrospective pharmacovigilance study.

    Setting

    The FAERS database was extracted from 2015 to 2023, and the ADE reports about BDQ, DLM, and Pa were collected.

    Main outcome measures

    Data mining was carried out on relevant reports of BDQ, DLM, and Pa using the reporting odds ratio (ROR), proportional reporting ratio (PRR), medicines and healthcare products regulatory agency (MHRA) and the information component (IC).

    Results

    A total of 4010 ADE reports were included: 2477 for BDQ, 1360 for DLM and 173 for Pa. Combined with disproportionality analysis in different backgrounds, the salient risks of three target drugs varied. In the entire dataset, prolonged ECG QT (BDQ: ROR=42.57; DLM: ROR=28.00; Pa: ROR=20.45), hepatitis toxic (BDQ: ROR=28.65; DLM: ROR=21.42; Pa: ROR=90.67), bilirubin conjugated increased (BDQ: ROR=14.40; DLM: ROR=14.56; Pa: ROR=53.95), increased aspartate aminotransferase (BDQ: ROR=9.10; DLM: ROR=8.83; Pa: ROR=7.77), increased alanine aminotransferase (BDQ: ROR=5.68; DLM: ROR=5.54; Pa: ROR=8.92), drug-induced liver injury (BDQ: ROR=6.51; DLM: ROR=6.24; Pa: ROR=3.61) and anaemia (BDQ: ROR=6.54; DLM: ROR=5.75; Pa: ROR=4.83) remained common risks for them. However, in the other two contexts, only decreased haemoglobin (tuberculosis dataset: ROR=2.15; target dataset: ROR=1.03), which was more pronounced associated with DLM and prolonged ECG QT (tuberculosis dataset: ROR=2.46; target dataset: ROR=1.23), hepatotoxicity (tuberculosis dataset: ROR=1.74; target dataset: ROR=4.03) was more pronounced associated with BDQ, while other ADEs, like pancreatitis (tuberculosis dataset: ROR=4.54; target dataset: ROR=7.36), death (tuberculosis dataset: ROR=5.71; target dataset: ROR=2.47) and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (tuberculosis dataset: ROR=1.46; target dataset: ROR=2.76), were worthy of attention associated with Pa apart from the common ADEs. The combination of linezolid (LZD) with the target drugs elevated risk signals for hepatotoxicity, haematologic toxicity and neurotoxicity. Subgroup analyses revealed that

    Conclusion

    Our study highlights the differences in common ADEs of BDQ, DLM and Pa, as well as the differences in these ADEs among genders and age groups, providing valuable insights for clinical application.

    How floods impact health systems: a scoping review of Australian research

    Por: Dorfer · N. · Bailie · J. · Ahern · C. · McNaught · R. · Scott · K. · Matthews · V. · Morgan · G. G. · Ekanayake · K. · Bailie · R.
    Objectives

    Although the health impacts of floods are well described, there is limited research on how flooding affects health systems, services and the health workforce—despite their central role in mitigating and responding to these impacts. This scoping review examines the nature and extent of existing research evidence on the impact of flooding events on Australia’s health system.

    Design

    A scoping review following the Johanna Briggs Institute methodology.

    Data sources

    MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest Central and PsycINFO were searched through to 22 October 2024. Reference lists of included publications were screened for additional publications.

    Eligibility

    We included studies that reported any health system or health service disruption associated with flooding in Australia. Disruptions encompassed impacts on hospitals, primary care, health information systems, infrastructure, public health and health promotion activities, and the health workforce. We included peer-reviewed publications, including original research, commentaries, perspectives, editorials, letters to the editor, modelling studies and reviews. Grey literature was excluded.

    Data extraction and synthesis

    Screening of full texts and data extraction were completed by two independent reviewers. A health system disruption analytical framework was iteratively developed and was used to categorise the findings.

    Results

    Our search identified 6687 publications, of which 28 were included in the final review. 13 publications were original research publications and 15 were commentaries or reviews, with the majority published in the past ten years. Of the publications included, most focused on disruptions to hospital services and transport systems, including a reduction in health workforce availability, primarily due to the latter. Less than one-third reported impacts on health services for socially vulnerable populations. Floods affect multiple levels of the health system, intersecting with impacts across three key domains: infrastructure and health information systems, access to healthcare and the health workforce.

    Conclusions

    Original research on how floods impact Australia’s health system, its services and workforce has been limited, particularly in relation to general practice, allied health and the differential impacts on socially vulnerable populations. Further research is needed to inform targeted disaster preparedness and response strategies and to understand the complex and intersecting impacts. The analytical framework developed in this review provides a way to conceptualise how floods disrupt different components of the health system and offers a foundation for future research and policy development to strengthen system resilience in the face of increasing flood risk.

    Impact of clinical decision support systems (CDSS) on clinical outcomes and healthcare delivery in low- and middle-income countries: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

    Por: Jain · G. · Bodade · A. · Pati · S.
    Introduction

    Clinical decision support systems (CDSS) are used to improve clinical and service outcomes, yet evidence from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is dispersed. This protocol outlines methods to quantify the impact of CDSS on patient and healthcare delivery outcomes in LMICs.

    Methods and analysis

    We will include comparative quantitative designs (randomised trials, controlled before–after, interrupted time series, comparative cohorts) evaluating CDSS in World Bank-defined LMICs. Standalone qualitative studies are excluded; mixed-methods studies are eligible only if they report comparative quantitative outcomes, for which we will extract the quantitative component. Searches (from inception to 30 September 2024) will cover MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, CENTRAL, Web of Science, Global Health, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, LILACS, African Index Medicus and IndMED, plus grey sources. Screening and extraction will be performed in duplicate. Risk of bias will be assessed with Risk of Bias 2 (randomised trials) and Risk Of Bias In Non-randomised Studies—of Interventions (ROBINS-I) (non-randomised). Random-effects meta-analysis will be performed where outcomes are conceptually/statistically comparable; otherwise, a structured narrative synthesis will be presented. Heterogeneity will be explored using I2/2 and a priori subgroups/meta-regression (condition area, care level, CDSS type, readiness proxies, study design).

    Ethics and dissemination

    This review uses published data and does not require ethics approval. Results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publication, conference presentations and LMIC-oriented policy briefs; extraction templates and analysis code will be shared openly on publication.

    PROSPERO registration number

    CRD42024599329.

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