Health Science Reports最新文献

Background and aims: Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is a crucial aspect of overall health and well-being, especially among young adults. However, in many low- and middle-income countries, including Bangladesh, SRH issues remain underexplored due to sociocultural taboos, stigma, and inadequate education. This lack of attention can adversely affect both sexual practices and reproductive health in the future. This study aimed to assess the attitudes and practices regarding SRH issues and their associated sociodemographic factors among university students in Bangladesh.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 undergraduate students at a public university in Bangladesh using convenience sampling. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire that assessed sociodemographic characteristics, attitudes, and practices related to SRH. Moreover, descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS version 27.

Results: Approximately half of the participants demonstrated negative attitudes and poor SRH practices. Factors such as maternal education, family income, residential location, and family structure were significantly associated with SRH attitudes and practices (p < 0.05). Students from urban areas, nuclear families, and higher socioeconomic backgrounds were more likely to report positive attitudes and practices. Male participants were significantly less likely to engage in SRH practices compared to females (AOR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.18-0.52, p < 0.001). Participants aged less than 22 years had significantly lower odds of a positive attitude toward SRH (AOR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.24-0.85, p = 0.013).

Conclusion: Sociodemographic disparities significantly influence attitudes and practices toward SRH issues among university students in Bangladesh. Younger male students were less likely to practice good SRH. These findings highlight the urgent need for inclusive, gender-sensitive, and culturally appropriate SRH education programs in academic settings to promote informed decision-making and healthier behaviors among young adults.

Background and aims: To evaluate the transition of Carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA-125) from an ovarian tumor marker to a versatile indicator of systemic congestion and fluid overload.

Methods: A literature review (1984-2025) was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Keywords included "CA-125," "systemic congestion," and related terms. Studies on the diagnostic and prognostic value of CA-125 in congestive disorders were analyzed.

Results: CA-125 is synthesized by mesothelial cells in response to mechanical stress and inflammation, particularly via c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathways. It provides significant prognostic value in heart failure (HF), renal failure, and cirrhosis, often rivaling or complementing NT-proBNP.

Conclusion: CA-125 is a versatile biomarker for systemic congestion, offering diagnostic and prognostic value across cardiology, nephrology, and hepatology. Refining its clinical application could optimize fluid management in diverse patient populations.

Background and aims: Depression is a common and chronic mental health problem, and the diagnosis and management of depression require continuous monitoring. In this review study, sensor-based digital tools for the diagnosis and management of depression were examined. The effectiveness, usability, and limitations of these tools were evaluated and discussed.

Methods: This systematic review was conducted in November 2025 using databases including IEEE, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The search was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Peer-reviewed studies that had used digital technologies for the diagnosis, monitoring, or intervention in depression were identified. Eligible articles were included in the study after full-text assessment.

Results: In total, 41 studies met the inclusion criteria. Sample sizes in the studies ranged from 5 to 3936 participants. The study populations covered a wide range, from adolescents to older adults. Most investigations addressed various depressive disorders; some also referred to bipolar disorders or psychological distress. Overall, digital tools were categorized into smartphones, wearables, hybrid systems, and innovative platforms. These tools often used sensors such as global positioning systems (GPS), accelerometers, and heart rate monitors. Speech and facial analyzers were also employed. Data collection was carried out through active and passive monitoring of behavior, physiology, and mood.

Conclusion: Sensor-based digital tools have the capability to monitor and record the complex symptoms of depression. These data can also be used for personalized care. However, robust and standardized validation is required for clinical implementation. Future research should focus on long-term engagement and scalability of these tools while maintaining confidentiality and sensitivity, with an emphasis on specific types of depression.

Background and aims: The KCNK17 gene encodes k_2p17.1 channels (TASK-4 or TALK-2) with dominant expressions in the atria and the Purkinje fibers. Emerging studies have suggested possible associations between KCNK17 variants and cardiovascular as well as cerebrovascular diseases. This review aimed to systematically evaluate the evidence on KCNK17 mutations and/or polymorphisms in cardiovascular diseases (primary outcome) and cerebrovascular diseases (secondary outcome). Given the fragmented and limited evidence, a systematic review is warranted to summarize current knowledge and clarify potential clinical implications.

Methods: PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched for studies evaluating any cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases associated with KCNK17 published up to August 1, 2023. Inclusion criteria were original studies reporting KCNK17 mutations and/or polymorphisms in relation to cardiovascular diseases (primary outcome) or cerebrovascular diseases (secondary outcome). Exclusion criteria were studies evaluating pharmacological interventions on the K2P17.1 (TALK-2) channel, as well as reviews, editorials, and non-original articles.

Results: Nine studies concerning KCNK17 were finally included in the systematic review. Six studies evaluated cardiovascular diseases, including atrial fibrillation, cancer-induced cardiac dysfunction, long QT syndrome, and progressive cardiac conduction defects, and 3 studies evaluated cerebrovascular diseases, including ischemic stroke and cerebral hemorrhage.

Conclusions: Recent genetic discoveries in the aforementioned diseases warrant further research to develop innovative cardiovascular treatments based on KCNK17.

Background and aims: The objective of this study was to explore the short-term impact of a brief, curated exposure to social networking site content on facial and smile dissatisfaction and face-related self-discrepancy among young adults. Additionally, the study aims to compare these effects with the use of appearance-neutral Instagram images.

Methods: A randomized control trial was conducted at Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine for a duration of 1 month. Freshly inducted students with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (first year) with no prior knowledge of smile parameters were asked questions about their satisfaction with their smiles. They were then divided into groups of 2 where both of the groups were shown images from social media. Half of the group was shown images of an idealized smile (#hollywoodsmile), whereas the other group was kept as control and shown images of nature (#nature). Both groups were asked to fill out the same questionnaire again to note down any difference this experiment made in their perceptions.

Results: The study comprised predominantly female participants in both the experimental (74.1%) and control (70.4%) groups, with a mean age of 19.61 ± 1.86 and the majority (70.9%) spending one to 2 h on Instagram daily. Both groups maintained relatively stable OES scores from pre- to post-exposure, with no significant differences observed. Whereas the experimental group exhibited higher mean SACS scores (4.74 ± 1.75) than the control group (3.28 ± 2.07). Lastly, the SDI analysis of the experimental and control group post-exposure showed similar results.

Conclusion: Our study suggests that despite frequent engagement with social media, individuals tend to report satisfaction with their smiles.

Trial registration: The study was registered at clinicaltrials. gov, date: 03/23/2023; identifier NCT05798650.

Background and aims: Tetanus, caused by Clostridium tetani, results in rigor spasms and remains as major cause of mortality in areas with poor vaccination and sanitation. Mortality has been cited to be 20%-55% in Ethiopia, possibly due to variation in healthcare, immunization, and intensive care access. However, there is limited data at the local level. This study was conducted to determine Tetanus mortality and identify determinants among adults in the Bahir Dar public hospitals.

Methods: A multicenter, hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted using medical records of 251 patients admitted between January 1, 2019, and December 2024. Data were collected using Kobo Collect software and entered into EpiData 4.6, where they were cleaned and checked for completeness. Analysis was performed using SPSS version 27. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify significant factors. A p-value of < 0.05 in the multivariable model was considered statistically significant.

Results: The mortality rate for tetanus was 32.27% (95% CI: 26.75%, 38.33%). Several factors were significantly associated with tetanus mortality, including coexisting diseases (AOR = 2.12; 95% CI: 1.65, 6.30), onset of symptoms within 2 days (AOR = 4.10; 95% CI: 1.84, 8.16), generalized tetanus type (AOR = 6.5; 95% CI: 2.05, 11.42), failure to receive tetanus antitoxin (AOR = 2.51; 95% CI: 1.04, 10.43), and undergoing a tracheostomy procedure (AOR = 2.3; 95% CI: 2.3 (1.32, 5.81).

Conclusions: The mortality rate among tetanus patients was found to be high. Key factors include coexisting diseases, acute onset (within 2 days), generalized tetanus, failure to administer Tetanus Antitoxin, and the performance of tracheostomy. Hence, the study highlights the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, advocating for the use of antitoxin, providing special care for patients with generalized tetanus, and reconsidering the effectiveness of tracheostomy as a treatment option.

Background and aims: Cervical cancer can be prevented by early detection through regular screening. The American Cancer Society advocates the initiation of cervical cancer screening from 25 years of age. Few studies in Ghana have used nationally representative data to examine the prevalence and predictors of cervical cancer screening (CCS). Therefore, this study examined the prevalence and predictors of CCS among women aged 25-49 years in Ghana.

Methods: This study used cross-sectional secondary data from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS), which involved 9510 women. Binary logistic regression was used to examine the predictors of CCS. All variables were considered statistically significant at a 95% confidence interval (p-value < 0.05).

Results: Overall, the prevalence of CCS was 6.90% (95% CI = 6.39%-7.41%). Women's age, educational level, marital status, parity, ecological zone, age at menarche, HIV testing, frequency of listening to the radio, and interaction between age and parity were predictors of CCS. On the one hand, women who had 6 or more children (95% CI = 0.04-0.54), those aged 45-49 years with 4-5 children (95% CI = 0.04-0.98), and those with menarche at ≥ 15 years (95% CI = 0.59-0.97), were less likely to screen for cervical cancer. On the other hand, women with tertiary education (95% CI = 1.07-10.84), those from the Northern ecological zone (95% CI = 1.34-3.23), and those who had ever tested for HIV (95% CI = 1.49-3.36), were more likely to screen for cervical cancer.

Conclusion: The prevalence of CCS is low in Ghana, and there is an urgent need for policymakers to enhance health promotion campaigns on cervical cancer screening to increase the uptake of screening services.

Background and aim: As dental anomalies can significantly affect esthetic and function, early detection and diagnosis are crucial for treatment and minimizing potential negative effects. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a promising tool for the segmentation and detection of dental anomalies in number, morphology, size, position, and structure that may be missed by dentists. This study aimed to investigate the application of various AI models in dental anomaly detection and diagnosis, including supernumerary teeth, tarodontism, impaction, ectopic eruption, and molar-incisor hypomineralization in both dental radiography and photography.

Method: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for studies published from the initiate up to 2023 on AI applications in dental anomaly detection. Inclusion criteria encompassed recent AI models utilizing imaging modalities for identifying dental abnormalities, with full-text availability in English. Studies lacking imaging-based AI applications or methodological clarity were excluded.

Results and conclusion: A total of 20 studies assessed various AI models for detecting dental anomalies in radiographic and photographic imaging. Deep learning models, particularly EfficientDet-D3, nnU-Net, and ResNeXt, demonstrated the highest accuracy for supernumerary teeth, ectopic eruption, and molar-incisor hypomineralization, respectively, with most models achieving accuracy rates above 85%. These findings underscore AI's significant potential for automated dental anomaly detection; however, performance varied across different anomalies and imaging modalities, highlighting the need for further optimization. Given the complexity of simultaneous dental anomalies, future research should focus on developing multi-class AI models capable of detecting multiple conditions concurrently and integrating clinical and radiographic data for improved diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning.

Background: Our study aimed to investigate the association between social isolation and chest pain, and to evaluate the relationship between social isolation and all-cause mortality stratified by the presence or absence of chest pain among participants.

Methods: This study incorporated data from the 2001-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from the whole of the United States, adopting a hybrid design integrating cross-sectional and longitudinal cohort methodologies. Weighted logistic regression modeling was employed to examine the association between social isolation and chest pain. Additionally, a weighted Cox proportional hazards model was utilized to estimate hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for all-cause mortality.

Results: Analysis revealed a notable association between social isolation scores and chest pain. Following covariate adjustment, individuals with social isolation scores of 3 or 4 exhibited a 52% higher likelihood of reporting chest pain compared to the reference category. Compared with the socially integrated group, the socially isolated group had an approximately 31% increased risk of chest pain. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that, after adjusting for all covariates, the risk-adjusted ratio (HR) for death was 2.17 for participants with social isolation scores of 3 to 4 and 2.06 for those with chest pain. Compared with the socially integrated group, the risk-adjusted ratio for death in the socially isolated group was 1.65 among all participants and 1.48 among those with chest pain and 2.43 in the group without chest pain. High social isolation was associated with an increased risk of death, regardless of the presence of chest pain.

Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate a significant association between social isolation and increased prevalence of chest pain, identifying specific high-risk subgroups. Importantly, social isolation was linked to elevated all-cause mortality in both individuals with and without chest pain, highlighting its independent prognostic significance across these clinical subgroups.

Background and aims: This study investigates the prevalence and associated risk factors of suicidal tendencies among public university students in Bangladesh.

Methods: This study design was employed with a total of 200 participants (male: 118; female: 82). Data collection utilized a mixed-methods approach, combining online and offline surveys with in-depth interviews. The survey instrument captured socio-demographic characteristics, risk factors for suicidal tendencies, prevalence, perception levels, and potential mitigation strategies. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 26 and NVivo 12 software.

Results: Multinomial logistic regression identified significant associations between suicidal tendencies and age (p < 0.002), screen time (p < 0.047), and the interaction of prevalence level with age (p < 0.004). Additional findings revealed strong relationships between cyberbullying and suicide with income (p < 0.02), media contagion effect with income (p < 0.024), and age with suicidal cases inducing suicidal tendencies (p < 0.034). Correlation analyses highlighted cyberbullying, stressful life events, media contagion, screen time, and easy access to suicide-related information as key contributors to suicidal behavior (mean = 0.364).

Conclusion: This study underscores significant associations between suicidal tendencies and factors such as age, income, cyberbullying, media contagion, online platforms, and access to suicide-related information. The findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions addressing these determinants to mitigate the rising incidence of suicidal tendencies among university students.