PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWS最新文献

Objective: Amaranth, a nutritious iron source, is known for treating anemia in young children and lactating mothers, but its effectiveness in reducing hemoglobin concentration needs further investigation. Therefore, this study aimed to summarize the effectiveness of amaranth-based food interventions in improving hemoglobin concentration.

Method: A randomized controlled trial and quasi-experimental study conducted since 2000 were searched in databases like PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane, AJOL, and Web of Science using prespecified keywords. Excel and Stata 17 were used for data extraction and analysis. Methodological quality was assessed using the JBI systematic review critical appraisal tool. Meta-analysis was done to estimate the overall intervention effect.

Result: Ten studies were included from 1,032 articles (n = 1,225). The standardized mean hemoglobin concentration difference between groups was positive, with an overall effect of 0.08 (95%CI: -0.11, 0.26; p = 0.433), where I² is 57.1%.

Conclusion: The studies' interventions showed positive effects on hemoglobin concentration, but their effectiveness was not statistically significant. This suggests the need for research on the impact of different cooking methods on iron bioavailability, phytic iron ratio, and intervention effects across different populations.

Systematic review registration: Identifier PROSPERO CRD42023476402.

Objective: To summarize the evidence on how socio-economic status and intimate partner violence (IPV) are interrelated among adolescents and young women (AYW) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Methods: Online databases such as MEDLINE, Embase, PsycIFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Central, Sociological Abstracts, Web of Science, and the African Index Medicus were used to identify studies published between 2015 and 2022. The reporting procedure was the Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) as a checklist extension for the scoping review.

Results: The majority of the publications, ten (62.5%) were cross-sectional studies, while four (25%) were qualitative studies and two (12.5%) were mixed methods studies. The review found that lack of financial resources exposed AYW to all forms of violence ranging from physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, and economic violence. Nonetheless, financial reliance on a partner poses a long-term threat to AYW employment and financial stability.

Conclusion: Socio-economic status influences the level of IPV experienced by AYW in many countries of SSA, while evidence of the long-term effects remains uncovered. To achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1, which focuses on ending poverty in all forms by 2030, socio-economic inequalities caused by IPV among AYW require prompt interventions.

Objectives: To identify and evaluate the difference between voluntary and mandatory food marketing policies and regulations targeting childhood obesity and to study the role of media, the food industry, and private associations in implementing such policies.

Methods: A review of policies and legislation about unhealthy food marketing was conducted by searching and extracting relevant grey literature from the websites of international health agencies, food marketing pledge databases, GINA, and NOURISHING policy databases. Statutory laws and self-regulations of high-income countries were compared with each other and with the WHO recommendations.

Results: Regulations differ regarding target audience, nutrient profiling, communication media, and marketing techniques. To date, no country has implemented comprehensive regulations restricting all forms of unhealthy food marketing. Statutory laws are more meticulous and rigorous than self-regulatory policies.

Conclusion: The goal of reducing childhood obesity through restrictions on unhealthy food advertising has not been met. While not welcomed by all actors, mandatory regulations may be more effective than voluntary measures in reaching this goal. A system for monitoring adherence to regulations and providing both incentives and penalties for violations is warranted.

Objectives: Comprehensively map and summarize digital health initiatives for the elderly and caregivers.

Methods: Scoping review between April and May 2022 based on Joanna Briggs methodology. Databases used included PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL Plus, and Web of Science, along with grey literature and hand searches. Two reviewers independently conducted screening and eligibility phases, with a third resolving disagreements. Data were thematically analyzed.

Results: The review included 421 documents. Most documents were published between 2013 and 2022, with a recent increase. Most studies, originating from high-income countries, focused on home applications and were mainly in the testing and validation stages. Telephones and computers were the predominant devices. Health objectives included monitoring, prevention, and treatment, with interventions utilizing directed communication and personal health monitoring for individuals, and telemedicine and decision support for healthcare providers.

Conclusion: Increasing integration of technology in older adults' lives, along with their increasing proficiency, is driving a significant rise in digital health interventions. Despite this growth, further research in middle- and low-income countries, for caregivers and evaluating effectiveness and feasibility of these technological interventions is needed.

Objectives: World Health Organization issued Joint Statement on Data Protection and Privacy in the COVID-19 Response stating that collection of vast amounts of personal data may potentially lead to the infringement of fundamental human rights and freedoms. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development called on national governments to adhere to the international principles for data security and confidentiality. This paper describes the methods used to assist the Ministry of Health in bringing awareness of the data ownership, confidentiality and security principles to COVID-19 responders.

Methods: The Sierra Leone Epidemiological Data (SLED) Team data managers conducted training for groups of COVID-19 responders. Training included presentations on data confidentiality, information disclosure, physical and electronic data security, and cyber-security; and interactive discussion of real-life scenarios. A game of Jeopardy was created to test the participant's knowledge.

Results: This paper describes the methods used by the SLED Team to bring awareness of the DOCS principles to more than 2,500 COVID-19 responders.

Conclusion: Similar efforts may benefit other countries where the knowledge, resources, and governing rules for protection of personal data are limited.