Conectar
To determine the time to full recovery and its predictors among children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) admitted to therapeutic feeding centres (TFCs) in Sana’a, Yemen.
A prospective cohort study conducted from August 2023 to November 2024.
Two public hospitals in Sana’a City (Al-Sabeen and Al-Zubairi hospital) that provide therapeutic feeding services for children with SAM.
Children aged 6–59 months who were admitted to TFCs based on WHO SAM criteria and successfully transferred to outpatient therapeutic programmes (OTPs).
The primary outcome was time to full recovery from SAM, defined as the normalisation of both weight-for-height z-score (WHZ) and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC). Secondary outcomes included identification of predictors associated with recovery time.
Among 267 children, 51% were aged 6 to
Three months and a half were the median time to full recovery from complicated SAM. Concurrent WHZ and MUAC deficits, antibiotic use and the absence of diarrhoea were the significant predictors. Standardising the use of combined WHZ and MUAC recovery is recommended to improve comparability across programmes and better reflect nutritional outcomes.
This scoping review aims to map existing evidence on knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) and barriers to preconception care in low- and middle-income countries. The primary objective is to identify key gaps and research priorities to guide future efforts to improve maternal and child health.
This review followed Arksey and O'Malley’s scoping review framework, with a comprehensive search across Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL and Scopus from inception to May 2025. Eligible studies included original research on preconception care (PCC), KAP in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) without date restrictions. Two independent reviewers conducted screening in Covidence. Findings were presented in graphical, tabular and narrative formats, adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) standard.
The review focused on PCC studies conducted in LMICs across various healthcare settings, emphasising primary and secondary levels of care. The geographical scope was global but limited to LMICs as defined by World Bank criteria.
A total of 62 studies were included in the review. Of these, 42 employed quantitative methods, 18 used qualitative approaches and 2 used a mixed-methods design. Regarding focus areas, 25 studies assessed knowledge, 14 assessed practices, 12 studies assessed KAP comprehensively and 10 assessed attitudes. Participants were mainly women of reproductive age (44 studies), with only five studies including men. Among healthcare providers, KAP varied, with midwives being the most frequently studied group. Stakeholders such as policymakers were notably under-represented. Identified barriers included limited training, cultural beliefs and inadequate policies. Facilitators highlighted were targeted education, spousal support and policy advocacy, emphasising the need for gender-sensitive and systemic interventions.
LMICs face complex challenges in utilising PCC, influenced by socioeconomic, cultural, and healthcare system factors. To address these challenges, nuanced approaches incorporating intersectional perspectives and practical qualitative methodologies are essential for improving couples' and child health outcomes.
The study protocol was registered in the Open Science Framework (OSF) on December 23, 2022, with DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/H3MK6.
Artificial intelligence (AI), defined as the simulation of human intelligence in machines designed to replicate human cognitive processes, is becoming increasingly prevalent in nursing practice and research. Recent reviews have examined the application of AI across various nursing domains, highlighting its role in clinical decision support, administrative efficiency and educational advancements.
AI techniques, including machine learning and natural language processing, are being employed to address a range of clinical, managerial and educational challenges in nursing.
Machine learning, a core component of AI, is instrumental in various nursing applications. It enables pattern recognition and predictive analysis through the examination of...
Striking the balance in 24-hour movement behaviour (sedentary behaviour, physical activity and sleep) is expected to reduce the risk of a new major cardiovascular event or death (MACE). We aim to determine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the RISE (Reduce and Interrupt sedentary behaviour using a blended behavioural intervention to Empower people at risk towards sustainable 24-hour movement behaviour change) intervention by improving 24-hour movement behaviour for prevention of MACE and gaining quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) in community-dwelling people at risk with a first-ever stroke.
This assessor-blinded multicentre randomised controlled trial includes about 1000 participants with a first-ever stroke, of which 752 participants require secondary prevention based on their 24-hour movement behaviour. Participants will be randomly assigned to the experimental group (RISE intervention + usual care) or control (usual care) group. RISE is a 15-week blended care intervention: primary care physiotherapists coach people in their home setting using behaviour change techniques and the RISE eCoaching system. This system consists of: (1) an activity monitor, (2) a smartphone application that provides real-time feedback and contains e-learning modules and (3) a monitoring dashboard for the physiotherapist. A close relative of the participant is involved during the intervention to provide social support. The primary outcome is the effectiveness of the RISE intervention regarding the prevention of MACE measured at one year post randomisation using survival analysis comparing the experimental and control groups. Secondary outcomes include cost-effectiveness for MACE prevention and QALYs and changes in 24-hour movement behaviour over time using compositional data analysis.
Ethical approval is obtained from Medical Ethics Review Committee Utrecht, NedMec NL83940.000.23. Findings will be disseminated through international peer-reviewed journals and conferences. A sustainable 24-hour movement behaviour change is needed to gain long-term benefits of lowering MACE in patients with stroke. The RISE intervention offers this foundation by integrating behaviour change techniques, the RISE eCoaching system, involvement of participatory support and extensively trained RISE physiotherapists. Consequently, the RISE intervention is expected to be (cost-)effective compared with usual care, and hence, this study will offer a foundation for implementing the RISE intervention in standard poststroke care.
In Indonesia, antibiotics are often purchased without a prescription at community pharmacies, contrary to current regulations. This practice may increase the risk of out-of-specification (OOS) medicines being dispensed, potentially contributing to treatment failure and antibiotic resistance. To address this concern, we assessed the quality of antibiotics purchased without a prescription at private drug retail outlets (PDROs) in Indonesia.
We conducted a cross-sectional study in Tabalong and Bekasi, Indonesia, using standardised patients (SPs) who purchased antibiotics without a prescription for three clinical scenarios: upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), tuberculosis (TB) and child diarrhoea. The pharmacies and drug stores were randomly selected from each subdistrict based on the probability proportional method. We measured the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) content of the antibiotic samples using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
The quality of 183 antibiotics including amoxicillin tablets (148/183, 80.9%, 95% CI 74.7% to 86.1%), amoxicillin dry syrup (12/183, 6.6%, 95% CI 3.6% to 10.8%), ampicillin tablets (5/183, 2.7%, 95% CI 1.1% to 5.9%) and ciprofloxacin tablets (18/183, 9.8%, 95% CI 6.2% to 14.8%) obtained from 117/166 (70.5%, 95% CI 62.8 to 77.2) PDROs were tested. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the characteristics of the purchased antibiotics, and the API content of each antibiotic was compared against the United States Pharmacopeia 43-National Formulary 38 (USP 43-NF 38) standards in absolute values and percentages.
Almost all samples produced in Indonesia (182/183, 99.5%, 95% CI 97.5% to 99.9%) were unbranded (123/183, 67.2%, 95% CI 60.2% to 73.7%) or branded generic (60/183, 32.8%, 95% CI 26.3% to 39.8%) and packaged in strips (165/183, 90.2%, 95% CI 85.2% to 93.8%). Around 12/183 (6.6%, 95% CI 3.6% to 10.8%) antibiotics were found to be OOS; these were mostly amoxicillin 125 mg dry syrup (6/12, 50%, 95% CI 24.3% to 75.7%) and ciprofloxacin 500 mg tablet (5/18, 27.8%, 95% CI 11.5% to 50.6%). Around 33% (4/12, 95% CI 12.5% to 61.2%) of amoxicillin 125 mg dry syrup samples had an API content above the label claim, the highest being 187%, whereas 16.7% (2/12, 95% CI 3.6% to 43.6%) were below the label claim, the lowest being 64%. About 27.8% (5/18, 95% CI 11.5% to 50.6%) of ciprofloxacin samples tested had an API content above the label claim; the highest was 120%.
While the proportion of OOS antibiotics identified was relatively small, at a population level, it represents a significant proportion of sub-optimally treated infections.
The involvement of male partners in the care and treatment of HIV-positive pregnant women is essential for improving health outcomes and ensuring optimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Although ART has been shown to be effective in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, maintaining adherence to the prescribed triple ART regimen remains a significant challenge. However, there has been a lack of research on the role of male partners in supporting ART adherence during pregnancy.
To assess male partner involvement in triple ART drug adherence and associated factors among HIV-positive pregnant women in government hospitals of the North Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, Northwest Ethiopia, 2023.
An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted.
The study was carried out in hospitals located in the North Gojjam Zone of Northwest Ethiopia.
The study was conducted among 410 male partners of HIV-positive pregnant women from 1 April 2023 to 30 May 2023.
The primary outcome was to assess the involvement of male partners in triple ART adherence, while the secondary outcome was to identify factors associated with the involvement of male partners on triple ART adherence among HIV-positive pregnant women. The association between variables was assessed using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models, and a p value
A total of 410 participants were included, with a response rate of 97.2%. The prevalence of male partner involvement in triple ART drug adherence among HIV-positive pregnant women was 21.2%. Multivariable logistic regression showed that educational status (AOR (Adjusted Odds Ratio)=2.5, 95% CI 1.26 to 4.96), place of residence (AOR=4.8, 95% CI 3.17 to 7.27), and the time taken to travel from home to the facility (AOR=3.1, 95% CI 1.51 to 6.36) were significantly associated with male partner involvement.
This study demonstrates that compared with a study conducted in Malawi, male partner involvement in triple ART drug adherence was lower. Male partner involvement in triple ART adherence among HIV-positive pregnant women was strongly associated with educational status, place of residence and the time taken to travel from home to the health facility. Empowering men to actively participate in healthcare decisions and treatment plans for their partners can foster a sense of responsibility and enhance commitment to adherence.
Breast cancer is a global concern, especially for women of African descent, with rising cases in Ghana. While awareness and diagnostic screening have improved, studies in Ghana and many African countries have prioritised breast self-examinations, with limited focus on mammography.
Our study explores beliefs and attitudes towards mammography screening among mothers at Teshie Community in Ghana.
The study methodology was qualitative and an exploratory design was used. Convenience sampling was used to select 30 participants until saturation was reached. Indepth, one-on-one interviews were conducted with a semistructured interview guide with probes until saturation was reached. Then data were audiotaped audiotaped, transcribed and coded. Content analysis was done to generate themes and subthemes.
Most participants, 93%, had not undergone mammography screening. Only two individuals (7%) had experienced mammography screening. The study identified two major themes: beliefs and perceptions regarding mammography, and attitudes towards mammography screening. Participants generally displayed limited knowledge of mammography screening, along with mixed attitudes and varying degrees of motivation. Notably, many participants enjoyed strong spousal support for mammography screening.
It was recommended that nurses should create awareness of mammography to increase the knowledge of women and the general population about mammography, as this is believed to increase the uptake of mammography screening.
FreshRSS 