Climate change has led to extreme heat events, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. Heat stress during pregnancy is linked to adverse health outcomes, yet the biological mechanisms remain poorly understood. This research study aims to investigate the effect of environmental heat on maternal, fetal and infant health and examine the biological pathways linking heat stress to adverse pregnancy outcomes.

This prospective cohort study will recruit 6000 pregnant women from three districts in Sindh, Pakistan. Eligible participants ≥18 years old, will have a minimum of five scheduled visits from

The study has received ethical approval from the Aga Khan University (AKU) (Ref: 26249) and the Pakistan National Bioethics Committee (Ref: 1065/23/1736). Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants before enrolment. Referral pathways to healthcare facilities will be established to ensure timely management of pregnancy complications. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, scientific conferences, and engagement with policymakers and public health stakeholders to inform climate-resilient maternal health strategies. Results will also be shared with participants and communities through meetings and informal sessions to raise awareness and support evidence-based heat adaptation.

NCT01234567.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical public health issue in Bangladesh, exacerbated by the widespread practice of non-prescribed antibiotic dispensing. This study seeks to assess their knowledge and attitudes, particularly how these factors influence non-prescribed antibiotic dispensing practices in Bangladesh.

A total of 287 pharmacy staff across four regions of Bangladesh were included in the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding non-prescribed antibiotic dispensing.

The study found that 92.4% of respondents dispensed antibiotics without prescriptions. The practice was significantly more prevalent among those with poor knowledge (99.28% in below-average vs 86.09% in above-average knowledge groups, p

These findings highlight knowledge and attitude towards antibiotic dispensing play a vital role where weak regulation, education and economic incentives further worsen the situation. Urgent interventions, including improved pharmacist training, prescription monitoring and public awareness campaigns, are essential to reduce non-prescribed antibiotic dispensing and align practices with Bangladesh’s National Action Plan on AMR.

International migrants comprise 3.6% of the global population and face systemic barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, such as contraception, safe abortion care and sexual function support. In high-income countries, policy frameworks vary widely, with migration status significantly influencing entitlement and access to host countries. This protocol outlines a planned study to systematically analyse SRH policies in high-income countries with strong migrant integration frameworks, aiming to identify policy gaps, assess inclusivity and inform recommendations to strengthen Australia’s SRH policy landscape.

This study employs a systematic policy analysis using the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review methodology. Countries with ≥10% migrant populations and a Migrant Integration Policy Index health score ≥70 will be included. 13 countries meet these criteria, including Australia, Canada and Sweden. A comprehensive search of academic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and ProQuest Public Health) and grey literature from governmental and non-governmental sources will be conducted. Data extraction will follow Bacchi’s ‘What’s the Problem Represented to Be?’ approach. Thematic analysis will combine deductive and inductive methods to examine the extent to which SRH policies address migrant and refugee needs, including sexual function, safe abortion care and fertility care. A comparative policy matrix will identify strengths, limitations and best practices.

As this study analyses publicly available policy documents, ethics approval is not required. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and policy briefs targeting stakeholders involved in SRH policy and migrant health.

This protocol is registered with the Open Science Framework (OSF): https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/AYZ6P

Relational continuity of care (RCC) refers to the sustained therapeutic relationship between a patient and a clinician, which fosters trust, enhances communication and facilitates the accumulation of knowledge about the patient. RCC is associated with enhanced patient outcomes, reduced hospital admissions, lower mortality rates, decreased healthcare costs and improved patient experience. Despite these benefits, reorganisations within the NHS and workforce challenges have led to an increased reliance on multidisciplinary and part-time working, resulting in fragmented care and a decline in RCC. Our study aims to explore who needs RCC, under what circumstances, to what extent and why, with the goal of informing optimal implementation strategies.

We will conduct a realist review to develop an evidence-based programme theory explaining the mechanisms underlying RCC, the populations that benefit most, the contextual factors influencing RCC and effective care models. Following Pawson’s five iterative stages, we will: (1) Locate existing theories, (2) Search for relevant evidence, (3) Select appropriate articles, (4) Extract and organise data and (5) Synthesise findings to draw conclusions. A stakeholder advisory group, comprising policymakers, healthcare professionals, public contributors and patients, will be engaged throughout the process. We will adhere to Realist And Meta-narrative Evidence Synthesis: Evolving Standards (RAMESES) for realist reviews to ensure methodological rigor.

Our findings will inform practical, evidence-based recommendations for optimising RCC within general practice. Outputs will include peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, plain English summaries, social media infographics, a short video and end-of-study events. Collaborations with stakeholders and public involvement will ensure both accessibility and impact. Ethical approval is not required for this review.