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Menstrual hygiene management among girls and women refugees in Africa: a scoping review
No full textBackground: Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) presents a significant public health challenge for refugee women and girls in Africa. Displaced populations often lack access to menstrual products, adequate Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure, as well as comprehensive menstrual health education.
Aim: This scoping review aimed to understand the state of MHM, identify key challenges, and evaluate existing interventions among refugee women and girls in Africa.
Methods: Employing Levac et al.’s framework, the review analysed evidence from databases like CINAHL, Emcare, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, focusing on studies published between 2014 and 2024. Sixteen articles met the inclusion criteria, and both numerical summaries and descriptive analyses were conducted.
Results: Refugee women and girls often lack access to both disposable and reusable menstrual products, resorting to unhygienic alternatives such as clothing, leaves, and paper. Inadequate WASH facilities restrict safe and private spaces for menstrual management. Cultural stigma and taboos surrounding menstruation contribute to social exclusion and school absenteeism among girls. The interventions included distributing dignity kits, enhancing WASH infrastructure, and providing menstrual health education; however, they were inconsistently implemented due to resource limitations and cultural obstacles.
Conclusion: This study highlights the urgent need for sustainable menstrual health solutions in refugee settings. Without access to necessary products, WASH facilities, and stigma-free education, women and girls risk exclusion, health issues, and interrupted education. Addressing these barriers requires consistent, well-resourced interventions that integrate cultural sensitivity to ensure dignity and long-term impact
Sexual satisfaction across cultures, genders, languages, and sexual orientations: Validation of the Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction
No full textSexual satisfaction can be important for overall well-being and has been described as a sexual right. Individual and cultural factors, such as gender identity and sexual orientation, may influence the ways in which individuals describe, share, or experience their sexuality. The aims of the present study were to examine the factor structure of the five-item Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction (GMSEX) in a large sample of adults in relationships, to conduct measurement invariance tests to examine whether the GMSEX functions similarly across language-, country-, gender- and sexual orientation-based subgroups, and to evaluate its validity with sexuality and relationship-related outcomes. Results of a confirmatory analysis among 51,778 participants from 42 different countries across five continents (Mage = 32.39 years, SD = 12.52, 56.9% cisgender women) corroborated the proposed one-dimensional factor structure of the scale. Measurement invariance tests also indicated that the scale was fully invariant across gender- and sexual orientation-based subgroups, and partially invariant across language- and country-based subgroups. The GMSEX correlated negatively with masturbation frequency and relationship length and positively with the frequency of sexual activity. Our findings support the validity of the GMSEX as a short and reliable scale to measure sexual satisfaction across diverse samples
First Observations of a Deep-Water Seagrass Meadow (Thalassodendron ciliatum) on an Oceanic Reef in the Southern Coral Sea Marine Park, Australia
No full textTropical seagrass meadows are important global marine ecosystems that provide critical ecosystem goods and services. The extent of global seagrass meadows is mostly mapped from shallow coastal regions and not well known or sampled from deeper offshore locations. Seagrasses can, however, form deep-water meadows, which likely significantly increase the total area of global seagrass ecosystems and may contribute important ecological functions to offshore tropical seascapes. Here we report the first observation of a dense meadow of Thalassodendron ciliatum at a depth of 25 m using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) from the Coral Sea Marine Park (CSMP). Despite significant survey effort in the region, to date there have only been three other observations of seagrass in the CSMP, all sparse and small patches of Halophila ovalis and Halophila decipiens. We discuss the significance of this newly discovered meadow within the context of current reef health monitoring of the CSMP, reef fish biodiversity and the ecological value of deep-water seagrass habitats for offshore coral reef systems like the Coral Sea
Current trends and future potential in the detection of avian coronaviruses: An emphasis on sensors-based technologies
No full textInfectious bronchitis virus (IBV), an avian coronavirus, member of the genus Gammacoronavirus, poses significant threats to poultry health, causing severe respiratory, reproductive, and renal infections. The genetic diversity of IBV, driven by mutations, recombination and deletions, has led to the emergence of numerous serotypes and genotypes, complicating both diagnosis and control measures. Rapid and accurate diagnostic tools are essential for effective disease management and minimizing economic losses. Conventional diagnostic methods, such as PCR, virus isolation, and serological assays, are hindered by limitations in sensitivity, specificity, and turnaround time. In contrast, innovative biosensor platforms employing advanced detection mechanisms-including electrochemical, optical, and piezoelectric sensors-offer a transformative solution. These technologies provide portable, highly sensitive, and rapid diagnostic platforms for IBV detection. Beyond addressing the challenges of conventional methods, these biosensor-based approaches facilitate real-time monitoring and enhance disease surveillance. This review highlights the transformative potential of biosensors and their integration into diagnostic strategies for avian coronavirus infections, presenting them as a promising alternative for precise and efficient IBV detection
Blockchain Technology Design Based on Food Safety and Halal Risk Analysis in the Beef Supply Chain with FMEA-FTA
No full textBeef has an important role in the health of the body. Food safety and halal are the main factors for consumers in purchasing beef. However, in reality, several activities in the beef supply chain result in status changes to be unsafe and not halal for consumption. This occurs due to weak food safety and halal supervision in the beef supply chain system. Therefore, this study proposes the use of blockchain technology to strengthen the food safety and halal supervision system in the beef supply chain. The objectives of this study are (1) to identify food safety and halal risk factors, and (2) to develop a blockchain technology design for mitigating food safety and halal risks in the beef supply chain. This research uses the FMEA method to measure risks and FTA for risk analysis. The results showed that 30 risks were identified in the beef supply chain. The highest risk is the absence of a halal certificate on the product. The 30 risks are grouped into 4 risks that are included in extreme priority risk, 11 risks in high priority risk, 4 risks in moderate risk, and 11 risks as acceptable risk. Based on these results, the role of blockchain technology to minimize risk is in the flow of data, and transactions will be easier to track, more transparent, and safer to use as part of the control and supervision system for food safety and halal standards in the beef supply chain. This research has implications for transparency in the supply chain, the accuracy of product track records, prevention of food poisoning, improving halal compliance, risk management and thus increasing consumer confidence
An updated model for halal tourism: a review of RIDA by CrescentRating
No full textPurpose: The tourism industry continues to rely on strategic frameworks such as the widely used Global Muslim Travel Index to manage their halal markets. However, dynamic changes in the halal tourism environment necessitate a rethinking of old models and a conceptualization of new ones to remain relevant. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the new responsible, immersive, digital and assured (RIDA) model by CrescentRating.
Design/methodology/approach: Using an autoethnographic approach, this paper draws upon the experience of the model’s developer and provides an analysis through a synthesis of the services marketing, technology adoption and Islamic marketing literature.
Findings: RIDA combines important factors including technological innovation, sustainability and growth in halal travel into a streamlined framework. The nomological network in our conceptual model suggests that RIDA affects positive tourist outcomes including satisfaction and usage intentions.
Practical implications: Hospitality managers can use the strategic insights from this paper to better understand the implementation of the RIDA model.
Originality/value: This paper offers first-hand insights into the development of the RIDA model as well as analyzes the industry model based on theoretical lenses from the literature. It concludes with 15 key research directions at the micro-, meso- and macro-levels
Beijing’s public diplomacy: From soft power to sharp power and the Australian experience
No full textSharp power has become a critical feature of Chinese international relations (CIR). Australia was one of the first states to experience and respond to Beijing’s sharp power, resulting in a reset of the Australia-China bilateral relationship. While Australia sought to protect itself from espionage and foreign interference by passing new legislation and banning questionable technology companies such as Huawei and ZTE from bidding on Australia’s 5G network, Beijing was planning its response. From 2018, Beijing used its ‘wolf warrior diplomats’, then economic coercion and sanctions to try to coerce Australia to abandon such safeguards for its sovereignty and independence. This chapter argues that sharp power is a central feature of CIR, and Australian responses provide a model for other states in identifying and responding to acts of sharp power penetration by aggressor states like China
The Spleen Virome of Australia’s Endemic Platypus Is Dominated by Highly Diverse Papillomaviruses
No full textThe platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus), a unique monotreme, represents a pivotal point in mammalian evolution with its distinctive traits, such as electroreception and venom production. Despite its evolutionary significance, the viral diversity within platypuses remains poorly understood. This study employed next-generation sequencing to investigate the virome of the dead platypuses, uncovering a range of novel and divergent viruses. Among the identified viruses were four complete genomes of papillomaviruses (OaPV1–4) exhibiting substantial divergence from known strains, suggesting a novel genus within the subfamily Secondpapillomavirinae. Additionally, five novel parvoviruses were detected, including two with complete genomes, highlighting the complex viral ecosystem of the platypus. Phylogenetic analysis placed these viruses in unique evolutionary branches, further demonstrating the platypus’s evolutionary significance. A circular DNA virus, a tombus-like virus, and a nodamuvirus were also identified, expanding the understanding of viral diversity in monotremes. These findings offer crucial insights into viral evolution in one of the most unique mammalian lineages, emphasising the need for further exploration to assess ecological and pathological impacts on platypus populations
Exploring the Role and Skill Requirements of Registered Nurses Working in Rural and Remote Areas. A Scoping Review
No full textIntroduction: Registered nurses (RN)s account for the majority of the rural and remote health workforce and require different skills, knowledge and working practices compared to their metropolitan counterparts. Given the complexity and diversity of the rural and remote work environment, it is important to investigate the contemporary literature on the role and skill requirements of the RNs in these locations.
Methods: A scoping review was undertaken in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews. With the permission of the authors, this scoping review extends the work by Muirhead and Birks (2020) who explored the RN role in these locations in 2017. Database searches were conducted in the Cumulative Index for Allied Health and Nursing Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane, JBI, OVID (Emcare), Proquest, PubMed, Scopus and Rural and Remote Health Database. Studies published from November 2017 to June 2024 were included to reflect the current international roles of rural and remote RNs.
Results: A total of 74 articles were included in the study. The overarching categories identified were clinical roles and non-clinical roles. Ongoing analysis established the subcategories of fundamental/foundational, specialist, management roles, support roles and ancillary roles. Four tensions within the rural and remote context were also identified; Generalist and specialist role; Poorly prepared or unprepared; Extended scope of practice; and Role uncertainty.
Discussion: Registered Nurses in rural and remote locations conduct a wide variety of skills and tasks. Their role is expansive, context-dependant, and dynamic. Analysis of the literature found that globally, similarities exist for the role, including comparable challenges, barriers and opportunities Resource availability in a country impacts RN preparation, emphasising the need for systemic improvements to ensure equitable outcomes, especially in rural and remote areas
Sociodemographic factors and their predictive role in parents' future anxiety
No full textBackground: High levels of future anxiety in parents may not only affect their cognitive processes, and attitudes but also impact their parenting behaviour and relations with the children.
Objective. In the present study, we aimed to identify the differences in the intensity of parents’ future anxiety across demographic variables and to assess demographic predictors of FA.
Methods. A group of 103 parents from Eastern Poland (71% mothers and 29% fathers) completed the Future Anxiety Scale. Their children were aged 3—16 years. The 10 aspects of Future Anxiety were compared across the five parent demographic variables of gender, age, level of education, place of living (rural vs. urban), and number of children.
Results. The results show that parents’ education level, gender, and the number of children in the family were predictors of FA. Parents’ age and place of living did not significantly predict FA. Mothers reported significantly higher levels of anxiety than fathers, for both general future anxiety and helplessness. Parents who had only one child reported higher levels of helplessness. However, it was the parents’ level of education that showed the greatest number of significant differences. Parents with only secondary education reported higher average scores on seven (70%) of the 10 aspects of future anxiety. The differences were significant for general future anxiety, health and wellbeing, restricted freedom, the meaning of life, pessimism, helplessness, and isolation.
Conclusion. These findings indicated the possible groups of parents who may need support and identified potential areas of intervention