Tag: nevin manimala

Front Public Health. 2025 Jan 14;12:1514522. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1514522. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study evaluates the effectiveness of rural maternal health services in improving pregnant women’s health knowledge, practices, and outcomes in northwestern China, focusing on the roles of received public services and policy awareness.

METHODS: Baseline surveys were conducted in rural Shaanxi Province in 2021 and 2023, involving 1,152 pregnant women from 85 townships, selected via multistage cluster random sampling. Data were collected through structured face-to-face interviews, covering health knowledge and behaviors. Statistical analyses were performed to assess the impact of maternal health services.

RESULTS: Both received public services (Coefficient: 0.130, 95% CI: 0.015-0.246) and policy awareness (Coefficient: 0.114, 95% CI: 0.001-0.227) significantly improved nutrition and health knowledge but had limited impact on prenatal checkups or health outcomes. Policy awareness (OR: 3.826, 95% CI: 2.743-5.337) significantly increased picking up free folic acid, however, the rate of taking folic acid remained low.

CONCLUSION: While received public services and policy awareness improved nutrition and health knowledge, and policy awareness increased picking up free folic acid, they did not significantly influence prenatal checkups or health outcomes. More targeted efforts are needed to foster consistent health practices and improve maternal health outcomes in rural areas.

PMID:39877923 | PMC:PMC11772296 | DOI:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1514522

Front Public Health. 2025 Jan 9;12:1493682. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1493682. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Health literacy (HL) is a critical determinant of health outcomes. Improving HL stands as one of the most essential, cost-effective, and efficacious strategies for enhancing the overall health of the population. This study aims to analyze the status of HL among urban and rural residents in Anhui Province, explore the associated factors, and provide a scientific basis for the formulation of targeted health education and promotion strategies.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 16,080 non-collective residents in Anhui Province from July to September 2022. Participants were selected using a multi-stage stratified random sampling method. HL was measured using the Chinese Citizen Health Literacy Questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with adequate HL.

RESULTS: Overall, 29.60% of residents in Anhui Province had adequate HL. The proportion of adequate HL in the different cities ranged from 22.42 to 38.73%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that the proportion of individuals with adequate HL was higher for males than for females (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.200; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.086-1.326); married was higher than unmarried (aOR = 1.195, 95% CI: 1.021-1.398). Compared with illiterate/less literate, the aOR values for primary school, junior high school, senior high school, and college or above were 1.690 (1.326-2.155), 3.467 (2.760-4.356), 7.033 (5.516-8.968), and 17.895 (13.948-22.959), respectively; compared with the age group of 65-69 years, the aOR values for the age groups 15-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54 and 55-64 years were 2.384 (1.774-3.202), 2.598 (2.049-3.294), 2.862 (2.267-3.615), 2.135 (1.697-2.685), and 1.468 (1.157-1.863), respectively; compared with farmers, the aOR values were 1.244 (95% CI, 1.081-1.432) for technical/professional, 1.121 (95% CI, 1.003-1.254) for commercial/service, and 1.329 (95% CI, 1.163-1.518) for other occupations.

CONCLUSION: Residents of Anhui Province exhibit relatively low levels of HL, with notable disparities observed among different education levels, age groups, genders, and marital statuses. It is essential for health policymakers and public health practitioners to develop targeted health education and promotion strategies tailored to distinct subpopulations of residents.

PMID:39877921 | PMC:PMC11773482 | DOI:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1493682

Front Public Health. 2025 Jan 14;12:1464307. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1464307. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Migrant female sex workers (MFSWs) can be exposed to various health risks due to their occupation, including mental and physical health, substance use, and experience of violence. However, they face substantial barriers to accessing healthcare services. The inadequate access to medical care for migrant female sex workers poses a challenge to the German healthcare system.

RESEARCH AIMS: This qualitative study aimed to identify and analyze the barriers to the use of health and mental health services by migrant female sex workers in Berlin and what should be done to improve the access to healthcare and to make it easier to use health and mental health services for migrant female sex workers. The data collected can be used to derive overarching recommendations and strategies for action.

METHODS: Semi-structured, guided interviews were conducted with 10 migrant female sex workers in Berlin, Germany. The interviews were audio recorded, and the content of the transcribed interviews was analyzed. A structuring qualitative content analysis, according to Kuckartz, with deductive-inductive category formation was conducted in MAXQDA 2022.

RESULTS: Barriers were analyzed at three levels: patient, provider, and system. The patient level was related to the patient characteristics: social structure variables, health beliefs and attitudes, personal enabling resources, community enabling resources, perceived illness, and personal health practices. The provider level was related to the provider characteristics: skills and attitudes. The system level was related to the system characteristics: the organization of the healthcare system on local and national levels. Moreover, needs for actions were identified, which can be used for deriving recommendations for the improvement of healthcare situation of migrant sex workers living in Berlin.

CONCLUSION/DISCUSSION: Health services and future intervention studies should consider barriers identified in this study to improve the health services utilization and health of sex workers as part of the effort to protect the right of humans to health.

PMID:39877916 | PMC:PMC11772168 | DOI:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1464307

Front Public Health. 2025 Jan 14;12:1503938. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1503938. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate and analyze the current status of oral disease treatment among the older adult in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, while also assessing the continuing medical education (CME) needs of dental institution personnel regarding oral diseases in this population.

METHODS: Convenience sampling was used to investigate the oral disease treatment among older adults and to assess CME needs of dental institution personnel regarding oral diseases in this population across various oral medical and health institutions in Guangxi.

RESULTS: A total of 754 valid questionnaires were collected, of which 70.3% were from non-public oral health institutions. Out-of-pocket costs for older adults were as high as 91.3%. The per capita cost of older adult patients was beyond 500 yuan in 51.6% of the oral health institutions. In terms of CME training, 32.8% of dental institution medical personnel have participated in CME courses specifically on oral diseases in the older adult. Meanwhile, 69.9% of institutions have expressed a need for CME training on oral diseases in the older adult.

CONCLUSION: Non-public oral health institutions account for a significant proportion, and the older adult primarily pay out-of-pocket for oral disease treatment in these facilities. The high cost of treatment may pose a significant barrier to the older adult seeking oral healthcare. Increasing CME programs targeted at geriatric oral diseases can help enhance the treatment capabilities of dental healthcare workers and improve oral health outcomes for the older adult population.

PMID:39877915 | PMC:PMC11772203 | DOI:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1503938

Front Public Health. 2025 Jan 14;12:1422395. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1422395. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Preventing depression among nurses is a critical issue from the perspective of occupational welfare, but associations between depressive symptoms in nurses and stress-coping strategies remain unclear.

METHODS: In the present study, an epidemiological study was conducted based on a cross-sectional questionnaire survey. Data obtained from 2,534 female nurses working at three general hospitals in Tokyo, Japan, were analyzed. Participants completed a questionnaire comprising 42 items, including depressive symptoms and stress-coping strategies, in addition to sociodemographic information and perceived mental stress.

RESULTS: Our study showed that the emotional distraction strategy “Engaging in hobbies or relaxing” was negatively associated with both depressed mood and loss of interest. In addition, the problem-solving strategy “Making an effort to think optimistically” was negatively associated with loss of interest. Conversely, use of avoidant strategies was positively associated with both depressive symptoms.

DISCUSSION: Our findings may indicate the importance of focusing on types of coping styles when developing strategies to prevent depressive symptoms in nurses.

PMID:39877913 | PMC:PMC11772202 | DOI:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1422395

Front Public Health. 2025 Jan 13;12:1455999. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1455999. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Female sex workers are a vulnerable hard-to-reach group. Research in this field is scarce due to several issues, such as methodological difficulties or societal stigmatization. Most of the available literature focuses on sexually transmittable diseases. This review and meta-analysis aim to compile literature on the mental health of female sex workers. We investigated the prevalence of as well as risk factors for mental disease among female sex workers globally.

METHODS: Utilizing Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive search across several databases, ultimately analyzing data from 80 studies comprising 24,675 individuals in total.

RESULTS: Most of the studies stemmed from the United States (n = 24), followed by China (n = 12), India (n = 7) and Kenya (n = 5). Four studies were conducted in South Africa and three in Mexico. Two studies originated from Australia, Cambodia, Thailand, the Netherlands, and Uganda. Single studies were identified from Scotland, Switzerland, Israel, Portugal, Mongolia, Malawi, Cameroon, Ukraine, Togo, Lebanon, the Dominican Republic, Tanzania, Puerto Rico, Ethiopia, and Moldova. The review highlights significant heterogeneity in the prevalence of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, suicidality, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use and dependence, investigating the influence of socio-economic, legal, and individual factors on these outcomes. The meta-analysis reveals that while factors like legal status of sex work and economic conditions did not show any impact, specific demographic characteristics, notably female sex workers living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), migrant female sex workers, or female sex workers engaged in substance use, exhibit notably higher mental health challenges.

DISCUSSION: These findings suggest the critical need for targeted mental health interventions and policy reforms that consider the complex interplay of various factors affecting sex workers. Future research should focus on under-researched regions and subgroups within this population to enhance understanding and support the development of comprehensive health services.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO, CRD42022312737, available from: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022312737.

PMID:39877911 | PMC:PMC11773154 | DOI:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1455999

J Multimorb Comorb. 2025 Jan 27;15:26335565251317380. doi: 10.1177/26335565251317380. eCollection 2025 Jan-Dec.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Multimorbidity is a growing global concern, affecting patient outcomes and healthcare costs. In low- and middle-income countries, data on multimorbidity in primary care beyond prevalence is limited. Our study explored the demographic and clinical characteristics of multimorbidity among older people attending primary health care in Malawi.

METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis on medical records from 15,009 older patients aged ≥50 years across three hospitals in Malawi (one tertiary, two district). Data from 2019-2021 was analyzed using R statistical software to examine patterns of multimorbidity (two or more chronic conditions). Outcome estimates were adjusted for sex, age, location, and year of clinic visit.

RESULTS: The overall prevalence of multimorbidity, defined across 17 recorded chronic conditions, was 19.6%. Among the 2,941 cases of multimorbidity, 2,708 (92.0%) involved two chronic conditions, while 233 (8.0%) involved three. While most conditions increased steadily in prevalence with age, diabetes followed a different pattern, with higher prevalence among individuals aged 50-59 years (53.9%) and 60-69 years (52.4%) compared to those 70 years and older (40.3%). After adjusting for clinic visit year, gender, and study location, individuals aged 70 years and older were significantly less likely to have multimorbidity compared to those aged 50-59 years (AOR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.52-0.62, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: The study revealed a wide range of multimorbidity combinations among older people attending primary health care. Strategies to address multimorbidity in older people should include efforts to identify other, less common clusters of chronic conditions.

PMID:39877898 | PMC:PMC11773524 | DOI:10.1177/26335565251317380

Brain Behav Immun Health. 2024 Dec 30;43:100942. doi: 10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100942. eCollection 2025 Feb.

ABSTRACT

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a widespread psychiatric condition impacting social and occupational functioning, making it a leading cause of disability. The diagnosis of MDD remains clinical, based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5 criteria, as biomarkers have not yet been validated for diagnostic purposes or as predictors of treatment response. Traditional treatment strategies often follow a one-size-fits-all approach obtaining suboptimal outcomes for many patients who fail to experience response or recovery. Several studies have reported an association between MDD and immune system dysregulation, but few have focused on the deep characterization of circulating cells, during the acute phase of MDD. This work aimed at immunophenotyping peripheral blood cells in the relapse phase of the disorder, to identify relevant cell populations for clinical monitoring of patients. Multiparametric analysis was performed on the peripheral blood of 60 MDD patients using flow cytometry to identify lymphocytes (naïve/effector, memory, regulatory) and myeloid cells (dendritic cells, monocytes). We studied the associations between immunophenotype and depressive symptoms, social and working functioning, and subjective quality of life during the acute phase and after three months of treatment. Multivariate analysis showed that CD4⁺ terminally differentiated effector memory (TEMRA) were associated with more depressive symptoms with a particular emphasis on anhedonic features and worse social and working functioning and quality of life. CD8⁺ TEMRA were associated with those depressive symptoms related to hopelessness. Conversely, ICOS + Tregs were associated with low-intensity suicidal ideation, suggestive of a protective role. Baseline T CD4⁺ effector memory (EM) was a negative predictor of reduction of depressive symptoms after three months of treatment, whilst plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) were predicting reduction of hopelessness. These results confirm the involvement of the immune system in MDD and demonstrate the existence of immunological signatures associated with the severity of major depressive episodes and treatment response that could guide clinical monitoring and future personalized therapies.

PMID:39877852 | PMC:PMC11773243 | DOI:10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100942

Early Interv Psychiatry. 2025 Feb;19(2):e70007. doi: 10.1111/eip.70007.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: A key factor influencing the duration of untreated psychosis is that young individuals typically do not seek help during their initial psychotic experiences. This online study aimed to explore the efficacy of preventive video interventions providing information on psychosis on the attitudes towards seeking mental health care among young adults from the general population.

METHODS: Participants (N = 147) were randomised to one of the following online conditions: a short 3-min video of an empowered patient or of a psychiatrist describing different aspects of mental illness, a short control video or no video. Then, participants answered the Inventory of Attitudes to Seeking Mental Health Services (IARSSM) to measure attitudes towards seeking mental health.

RESULTS: A Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA on the total IARSSM score revealed no significant effect of the group on attitude towards mental health care (χ2₍₃₎ = 6.52, p = 0.09). A small but statistically significant effect was found for the IARSSM factor “indifference to stigma” (χ2₍₃₎ = 8.50, p = 0.04), with slightly lower levels of indifference to stigma in the patient video group (M = 20.5, SD = 6.50) compared to the psychiatry video group (M = 24.5, SD = 4.35).

CONCLUSION: Emphasising nonconformity with mental health stereotypes, portraying positive aspects and utilising short video formats on social media platforms can potentially reduce stigma in the short term. Long-term effectiveness and identification of specific factors optimising attitudes towards mental health help-seeking warrant further investigation.

PMID:39876027 | DOI:10.1111/eip.70007

J Vet Diagn Invest. 2025 Jan 28:10406387241310900. doi: 10.1177/10406387241310900. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Compromised gill health is a critical cause of forfeited welfare in Atlantic salmon farming. Detecting and quantifying the early onset of gill disease is important to reveal initial inflicting stimuli. We collected gill samples of 45 Atlantic salmon from 2 commercial recirculating aquaculture systems (RASs) spanning fry-to-market-size fish with no clinical signs of gill disease. Gill samples were assessed histologically by 3 independent raters with different levels of experience. Semiquantitative scoring for 7 types of gill changes was carried out for 10 filaments per gill (450 filaments total) over 3 rounds on anonymized samples. Scores were summarized for each type of gill change. The assumed clinical relevance for each change was transformed into a category score, followed by an assessment of agreement within (intra) and between (inter) raters. A generalized linear model estimated the difference in score levels between raters. For each rater, intra-rater agreement was high for 6 gill changes and moderate for 1 gill change. Inter-rater agreement was moderate to almost-perfect, except for 2 gill changes; generalized linear model regression revealed systematic differences in score usage between the raters. Our scoring protocol worked satisfactorily for mucous cell amount, lamellar clubbing, lamellar hypertrophy and/or hyperplasia, and aneurysms, despite different levels of expertise in histologic evaluation. Intra-rater agreement was consistent, but differences existed for interlamellar hypercellularity, lamellar inflammation, and degeneration. Scoring subclinical gill changes is a challenge, and our scoring system for mild-to-moderate lesions may enable early intervention to limit the detrimental effects of poor gill health in RAS farming.

PMID:39876026 | DOI:10.1177/10406387241310900