International Journal of Public Health Science (IJPHS)
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Factors associated with medication adherence in diabetes patients during the COVID-19 pandemic
Get PDFIdentifying the factors affecting diabetes medication adherence is an important step in establishing interventions to improve prescription compliance and help patients manage their disease effectively and successfully. A cross-sectional study of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) at Saint Paul Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam, used a structured questionnaire. Of the 250 patients, 60% (150) were female. The median age was 67.5 years, and the median duration of diabetes was 9.6 years. The mean medication adherence report scale (MARS-5) score was 23.1±3.1. The mean fear of COVID-19 (FCoVID-19) score was 16.8±6.3. The mean self-efficacy for appropriate medication uses scale (SEAMS) score indicating the patient’s confidence in taking medication correctly was 31.1±5.6. The mean medication literacy measure (MLM), which assesses the patient’s knowledge of diabetes medications, was 8.3±4.9, with 27.2% of patients having high levels. The relationships between adherence to medication and comorbidities, knowledge about medication, and psychological effects of diabetes were statistically significant according to multivariable linear regression. The study showed that intervention programs that focus on factors affecting adherence can be effective at improving patient health outcomes
Alcohol-based hand sanitizer use among university students in Bangladesh: knowledge, practices, and influencing factors
Get PDFSince the outbreak of the novel coronavirus epidemic in December 2019, it has become a significant threat to the health and lives of the global population. In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) approved alcohol-based hand sanitizer (ABHS) as an alternative hand hygiene method to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection. As a result, during the COVID-19 epidemic, the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers expanded rapidly, particularly among students. In Bangladesh, there has been a substantial growth of ABHS producers since the outbreak of coronavirus. Greater emphasis was placed on the necessity to use ABHS for protection but but placed less emphasis on safe use. This research attempts to assess the knowledge, practices, and influencing factors related to ABHS usage among university students in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A cross-sectional online survey was carried out among 800 university students using a semi-structured questionnaire. More than half of the students buy alcohol-based hand sanitizer due to their effectiveness. The multiple regression analysis suggests that age, sex, and family income sources have affected students' knowledge and practice scores associated with alcohol-based hand sanitizers. This study highlights the need for proper ABHS usage, handling, and selection for maximum efficacy against targeted infections and safe ABHS use. Only adequate awareness and knowledge on hand hygiene practices can reduce the risks of pathogen transmission, either directly or indirectly
Global stability of SEIM tuberculosis model with two infection phases and medication effects
Get PDFTuberculosis (TB), caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), remains a significant global health issue, leading to high morbidity and mortality rates despite being a preventable and curable disease. The dynamics of TB transmission and the effects of treatment are critical to improving disease management. This study aims to analyze the global stability of a susceptible, exposed, infected, medicated (SEIM) model for TB transmission, incorporating the effects of medication and infection phases on disease progression. A deterministic SEIM model is proposed, dividing the population into four compartments: susceptible, exposed, infected, and medicated. The model accounts for treatment effects, including non-permanent immunity and the potential dormancy of MTB. Stability analysis was conducted using Lyapunov functions to evaluate equilibrium points, and the basic reproduction number (ℜ0) was derived to determine disease dynamics. The analysis reveals that when ℜ0 < 1, the system is globally asymptotically stable at the non-endemic equilibrium, indicating disease eradication. Conversely, when ℜ0 >1, the system converges to the endemic equilibrium, signifying sustained transmission within the population. These findings highlight the critical role of treatment and infection dynamics in controlling TB spread. The SEIM model provides a comprehensive framework for understanding TB transmission dynamics and emphasizes the importance of reducing (ℜ0) through effective public health interventions. Further research is recommended to validate the model with empirical data and explore its applicability in different epidemiological settings
Physical activity interventions for adolescent suicide ideation and behavior: a rapid review
Get PDFPhysical inactivity, sedentary behavior, and mental health issues have become significant public health challenges. This review aimed to investigate the relationship between physical activity, sedentary behavior, and the risk of suicidal ideation and behaviors during adolescence. A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Studies were sourced from SPORTDiscus, Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection, and Google Scholar. The review included English-language peer reviewed articles published between January 2018 and March 2023, focusing on physical activity, sport, and mental health in adolescents aged 10 to 19. Adolescents with low levels of physical activity or high levels of sedentary behavior were at greater risk of suicidal thoughts compared to their more physically active counterparts. Although moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was not directly associated with self-harm or mental health disorders, the overall mental health benefits of physical activity, especially in the context of socially engaging sports, were evident. Some aspects of these associations warrant further investigation. Physical activity and sport offer cost-effective, widely accepted interventions that have significant potential to reduce the risk of suicidal ideation and behaviors among adolescents. Given the devastating impact of suicide on young people, incorporating physical activity into mental health promotion and intervention strategies is crucial
Correlation between jet lag syndrome and air travel fatigue
Get PDFLong-distance air travel causes travelers to experience travel fatigue. Jet lag syndrome is one of the factors that exacerbate fatigue from air travel. Fatigue can seriously impact travelers with a history of illness. Health emergencies resulting from travel fatigue can even lead to death. A cross-sectional study was conducted to identify the relationship between jet lag syndrome and air travel fatigue. The 117 people who had traveled in the past year had jet lag syndrome and did not meet the exclusion criteria were selected. The questionnaires used the circadian type inventory and the fatigue scale, and validity and reliability were tested. Multiple logistic regression was performed to determine the variables influencing air travel fatigue. The relationship between jet lag syndrome and air travel fatigue was analyzed using Chi-square analysis. Results of the study identified that 53.8% of respondents experienced severe fatigue, and 54.7% experienced severe jet lag syndrome. Jet lag syndrome correlated with air travel fatigue significantly (p = 0.001). Respondents with severe jet lag syndrome experienced severe fatigue. The findings from this study emphasize that addressing jet lag syndrome is necessary to reduce air travel fatigue for overall health
Bacterial meningitis knowledge, attitude and practice study among parents: a cross-sectional study
Get PDFIn Morocco, bacterial meningitis has consistently posed a significant public health challenge. Addressing this issue requires a deeper understanding of public perceptions to enhance awareness and prevention efforts. This quantitative cross-sectional study, conducted in health facilities in the Marrakech-Safi region from May 2022 to January 2023, employed Cronbach's Alpha with a reliability score of 72% to analyze the association between knowledge levels and various factors. The research revealed that the majority of participants were aged between 20 and 30 years (51.8%) and female (64.4%). The term most commonly used by Moroccans to describe purulent meningitis was “bad fever” (Skhana lkhayba), with 68.8% using this term. Additionally, 82% of participants had an average level of knowledge about the disease. Analysis indicated that families with four children demonstrated a higher level of knowledge compared to those with fewer or more children (p = 0.048). Participants residing in structured housing had a lower level of knowledge than those in unstructured housing (p = 0.017). Furthermore, educational attainment at the primary and secondary school levels was significantly associated with knowledge levels (p = 0.020 and p = 0.015, respectively). Understanding public perceptions and vulnerabilities related to bacterial meningitis can significantly improve disease control and prevention strategies
Factors impacting high-level mobility in traumatic brain injury: a scoping review
Get PDFHigh-level mobility is crucial for improving quality of life and ensuring active participation in daily routines and community engagement. Therefore, this scoping review explored the available evidence on factors impacting high-level mobility among traumatic brain injury (TBI) individuals and the outcome measures used to evaluate high-level mobility. Following the preferred reporting items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines, five databases were searched: Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, and PubMed, yielding 109 articles, with eight meeting eligibility criteria. The keywords used in the search strategies were: traumatic brain injury, TBI, brain trauma, traumatic encephalopathy, and high-level mobility. This review revealed that the High-Level Mobility Assessment Tool (HiMAT) was identified as the most commonly used outcome measure for assessing high-level mobility. The key factors that may influence the outcome of high level mobility in people with TBI are age, sex, mechanism of injury, duration of post-traumatic amnesia, and individual endurance. The associations between individuals’ factors and outcomes in TBI studies exhibit significant variation. This can be attributed to several factors, including the diverse characteristics of TBI samples, different neurological recovery rates, methodological differences, timing of assessments, interactions between factors, and potential moderators
Social media and social capital as risk of voluntary counseling and testing for human immunodeficiency virus
Get PDFTeenagers are more susceptible to contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Of the 34 provinces in Indonesia, East Java continues to have the highest rate of new HIV diagnoses. One tactic for HIV prevention and control is voluntary counseling and testing (VCT). The purpose of this study is to examine the risk factors associated with the uptake of VCT for HIV among adolescents in the general population of East Java. A cross-sectional study design, a quantitative technique, and an observational methodology are all used in this research. 329 individuals in total, selected at random, took part in this study. The prevalence ratio (PR) with a 95% confidence interval was examined in order to determine the level of risk. Out of all the parameters that were found, social media access (PR = 10.133; 95%CI 1.293 - 79.422) and social capital (PR = 10.741; 95% 3.240 - 35.601) were found to have a substantial impact on VCT for HIV. Thus, it's critical to enhance social capital and implement educational initiatives on VCT for HIV using social media in order to improve teenagers' favorable perceptions of the treatment
Determinants of mental health and life satisfaction in Iranian older adults: a data-driven clustering study based on the biopsychosocial model
Get PDFThe rapid growth of the global aging population, including in Iran, has intensified the need to understand the physical, psychological, and social challenges faced by older adults. Identifying key determinants of mental well-being and life satisfaction is essential for guiding policies that support healthy aging. This study examined demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related predictors of general health, assessed with the GHQ-28, and life satisfaction measured by the LSI among Iranian adults aged 60 years and older. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 3,000 older adults using validated instruments (GHQ-28, LSI, and a structured questionnaire). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, ANOVA, multiple linear regression, and survival analysis. Reliability was confirmed with McDonald’s Omega values exceeding 0.87. Chronic diseases, pension status, daily life problems, and housing conditions emerged as significant predictors of both general health and life satisfaction. Women reported poorer general health than men, while married participants showed higher life satisfaction than those single or widowed. Chronic diseases were prevalent (75.7%) and associated with lower LSI scores. Economic insecurity, particularly the lack of pensions among women, was linked to worse GHQ scores. Survival analysis indicated that individuals with chronic disease had an 85% higher risk of experiencing daily problems (HR = 1.85). Socioeconomic and health factors substantially influence well-being in later life. Improving pension coverage, healthcare access, and social support systems may enhance healthy aging among Iranian older adults
Antimicrobial resistance profiles of methicillin resistant coagulase negative Staphylococcus at a reference laboratory in Sierra Leone: implications for infection control
Get PDFMethicillin-resistant CoNS (MR-CoNS) are increasingly recognized as significant nosocomial pathogens. Sierra Leone lacks data on the prevalence and antibiotic-resistance patterns of these bacteria, which hinders a cross-sectoral approach to tackling antimicrobial resistance as well as regional and global health surveillance. We report on clinical multidrug-resistant MR-CoNS from Freetown, Sierra Leone, West Africa, as emerging pathogens. This study aimed to explore the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of MR-CoNS isolated from clinical samples in Freetown, Sierra Leone. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the reference laboratory from January 2025 to June 2025. Clinical samples submitted to the microbiology department were screened for Staphylococcus species, and isolates identified as coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) using standard microbiological techniques. Methicillin resistance in all isolates was tested with a 30 μg cefoxitin disc and further confirmed through an automated Scenker XK Microbial ID and AST system by measuring the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) with oxacillin. Antibiotic susceptibility profiles were determined using the Scenker XK Microbial ID/AST system following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines, and data were analysed using SPSS ver 16. Findings from our study show a prevalence of 18.2% of MR-CoNS with Staphylococcus schleiferi, (26.9%) predominant. Linezolid, vancomycin, and teicoplanin exhibited 100% activity against all the MR-CoNS isolated. However, there was co-and multidrug resistance exhibited to commonly known antibiotics gentamycin (75-100%), levofloxacin (80-100%), clarithromycin (87-100%), including resistance to newer antibiotics as daptomycin (33-50%)