Journal of Public Health Research最新文献

Background: The decriminalization of cannabis in South Africa has sparked growing concern within the medical community, particularly among medical students. As future healthcare providers, they must navigate evolving legal and professional landscapes while forming beliefs about the health effects of cannabis use. This legal shift has intensified debates surrounding the benefits, risks, and health consequences of cannabis, especially in relation to mental well-being, academic performance, and professional identity.

Objective: This systematic qualitative review aimed to synthesize existing literature on South African medical students' perceptions of cannabis decriminalization and their views on its health-related impacts. The review seeks to clarify how medical students interpret the effects of cannabis use on mental and physical health and how these beliefs shape their professional attitudes and behaviors.

Design and methods: A systematic search and thematic synthesis were conducted across databases including PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and ScienceDirect for literature published between 2010 and 2024. Studies were eligible if they focused on cannabis or marijuana use, included South African medical students, and discussed perspectives or health impacts in the context of decriminalization. Data were extracted, coded line-by-line, and synthesized to generate descriptive and analytical themes.

Results: Four studies met inclusion criteria. Thematic analysis identified four key themes: (1) Health impacts (Mental and Physical); (2) perceptions and attitudes toward decriminalization; (3) educational influences and awareness; and (4) access to support services.

Conclusion: This study emphasized the need for more focused research on the impact of cannabis decriminalization on medical students in South Africa. Current literature suggests that while there are diverse opinions on the subject, the decriminalization of cannabis may influence both attitudes and behaviors.

Background: The study investigated health professionals' understanding and risk perception of climate change in the Sunyani Municipality by focusing on health professional's knowledge on climate change, examining health professional's risk perception of climate change on health and identifying the co-benefits of climate change mitigation.

Methods: This quantitative oriented cross-sectional study randomly selected 400 health professionals across the Regional Hospital, SDA Hospital and Municipal Hospital as respondents. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS Version 25.

Results: From the study, the results indicate that Health professionals are fully aware of the concept of climate change. Health professionals do not have knowledge pertaining to the scientific aspects of climate change. There was a statistical relationship between respondent's perception that climate change can lead to death (p < 0.001) and their awareness of the risk of climate change impact on health. There was a general likelihood of an increase in malaria (Mean = 2.98), Dengue fever (Mean = 3.16), Cholera (Mean = 3.18), schistosomiasis (Mean = 3.27), Meningococcal meningitis (Mean = 3.85) and Influenza (Mean = 3.73) due to climate change. These actions positively affect health and climate and they include: Giving up red meat (Mean = 3.21), Walking and cycling instead of using cars (Mean = 3.27), Reducing rural-urban migration (Mean = 3.46), Reducing air pollution from emission of fossil fuel (Mean = 3.63). A majority of 65% of respondents agreed to the incorporation of climate change related course work into nursing/medical school curricula as a policy to mitigate climate change.

Conclusions: The study concludes that health professionals are fully aware about climate change but lack a thorough understanding of the scientific aspects of climate change. The general risk perception of health professionals towards climate change impact on health was high. Climate change mitigation is beneficial to human populations.

Introduction: The long-term impact of COVID-19 on Quality of Life (QoL) is a growing concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Nepal. However, there is limited evidence on how post-COVID-19 health conditions affect daily life in Nepalese communities. This study assesses the QoL among COVID-19 survivors in Pokhara Metropolitan City, Nepal.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 271 post-COVID-19 patients discharged from hospitals in Pokhara Metropolitan City. Participants were selected using systematic random sampling, and data were collected through face-to-face interviews using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to determine factors associated with QoL.

Results: The mean HRQoL score was 61.29 ± 12.54, with the physical health domain scoring the highest (65.58 ± 21.53) and the environment domain the lowest (57.50 ±11.52). Among participants, 82.3% had good QoL, while 17.7% had poor QoL. Living in a nuclear family (aOR = 2.61, 95% CI: 2.14-6.00), being employed (aOR = 4.10, 95% CI: 1.87-9.21), and engaging in regular exercise (aOR = 3.32, 95% CI: 1.36-8.06) were significant positive factors for good QoL among post-COVID-19 patients. Conversely, chronic disease was the strongest negative predictor of QoL, with those without chronic conditions being 6.15 times more likely to report good QoL (aOR = 6.15, 95% CI: 2.65-14.24).

Conclusion: COVID-19 survivors in Nepal experience varying degrees of QoL impairment, particularly in the environmental and psychological domains. Employment status, exercise, and family structure play crucial roles in post-COVID well-being, while chronic illness remains a significant barrier.

Background: The prevalence and characteristics of falls among community-dwelling Cantonese-speaking older adults in Southern China have not been previously investigated.

Design and methods: The observational study enrolling 212 community-dwelling Cantonese-speaking older adults was conducted via self-administered questionnaire. Participants' demographics, fall characteristics, and the belief and attitude score regarding falls were collected and analyzed.

Results: The prevalence of falls was 30.66%. Poor self-care ability and the linguistic barrier during fall prevention education were associated with history of both single fall and multiple falls. Fall prevention education combining text, video, interviews, and consultation delivered in Cantonese was protective factor associated with single fall and multiple falls. Population experiencing multiple falls expressed unconcern for the fall-prone attire, fall-prone indoor environments and fall risk-increasing drugs.

Conclusion: The community-dwelling Cantonese-speaking older adults demonstrated distinct fall characteristics and notably high fall prevalence. Linguistic barrier could be the noteworthy risk factor for falls, which should be improved with tailored fall prevention programs and thoughtful health policies.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru, primary health care services redistributed personnel to hospitals. In this context, Antenatal care (ANC) could have been limited in the general population, especially among indigenous communities.

Objective: To determine differences in compliance with adequate ANC based on ethnic groups in Peru prior to and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Observational, retrospective study, secondary analysis of the Demographic and Family Health Survey conducted in the course the period 2017-2022. The sample consisted of women of childbearing age from 15 to 49 years and considered the variables of ethnicity, ANC, and sociodemographic factors. For statistical analysis, generalized linear models from the Poisson family utilizing a logarithmic link function were used. Crude and adjusted Prevalence Ratios were calculated along with their 95% confidence intervals.

Results: A total of 20,165 records were reviewed. Before the pandemic, the frequency of inadequate ANC was 57.91%, and during the pandemic, it increased to 64.91%. Compared to mestizos, belonging to the Quechua ethnic group (PR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.04-1.13), Aymara (PR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.12-1.30), natives of the Amazon (PR: 1.15; 95% CI: 1.04-1.27), and those belonging to other races (PR: 1.15; 95% CI: 1.02-1.29) had a higher prevalence of inadequate ANC. During the pandemic, only Aymara women maintained a higher prevalence of inadequate ANC (PR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.06-1.31).

Conclusions: Before the pandemic, there were ethnic differences in the prevalence of inadequate ANC, and during the pandemic, only Aymara pregnant women maintained a higher prevalence of inadequate ANC.

Background: Medical students in Egypt are increasingly susceptible to higher levels of stress and anxiety compared to their peers. The current study aimed to assess the effect of stress management intervention in decreasing their stress and anxiety levels.

Design and methods: A randomized controlled study was conducted on two phases survey and intervention phase using perceived stress scale to assess stress and Beck Anxiety Inventory to assess anxiety. Students with moderate/severe stress in the survey stage were stratified randomized to intervention or control group (140 in each group). The program was composed of 12 sessions for 12 weeks. Stress and anxiety were re assessed immediately after and in 3 months post intervention.

Results: There was no significant difference between the means of perceived stress between the intervention and control groups at the baseline (25.03 ± 3.18, 24.40 ± 3.15, p = 0.098). There was a significant higher mean score of perceived stress in the control group compared to intervention group immediately post intervention (33.39 ± 9.47, 24.40 ± 3.46, p < 0.001) and 3 months later (33.03 ± 9.40, 23.76 ± 3.37, p < 0.001). While there is no significant difference between the mean score of perceived anxiety between the intervention and control groups at the baseline, post intervention and in the follow up.

Conclusions: The stress management program was effective in decreasing perceived stress level among medical students. The widespread implementation of the study program could help medical students for coping with their stress levels.

Background: The 2024 Lancet Commission report estimated that up to 45% of global dementia cases could be prevented by addressing modifiable risk factors. However, these estimates are based on international data and may not reflect national differences in risk factor prevalence or intervention feasibility. This study uses a population-based secondary data analysis to estimate both the population attributable fraction (PAF) and the potential impact fraction (PIF) for 14 dementia risk factors specific to the Maltese population.

Design and methods: Secondary data were used to estimate the prevalence of each risk factor from Maltese peer-reviewed studies or reputable international datasets where national data were unavailable. Unweighted PAFs were calculated using Levin's formula and adjusted for overlap between risk factors. PIFs were derived by applying evidence-based relative risk reductions from published intervention studies for each weighted PAF, representing more realistic outcomes of targeted interventions.

Results: The weighted PAF for Malta was 40.47%, indicating the theoretical maximum proportion of preventable dementia cases if all risk factors were eliminated. The total PIF was 33.82%, reflecting the estimated reduction in dementia incidence if feasible interventions were implemented. The risk factors contributing most to preventable cases were high LDL cholesterol (6.15%), loneliness (4.29%), and untreated vision loss (4.25%).

Conclusions: Up to one-third of dementia cases in Malta could be reduced through population-level strategies targeting modifiable risk factors. These PIF estimates provide realistic, evidence-informed guidance for national dementia prevention planning and prioritisation.

Aims: In this study, the 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) event risk score of three major migrant origin groups was calculated and compared with the general Finnish population. Furthermore, the study examined the association of insufficient serum D-vitamin concentrations (≤50 nmol/L) with CVD event risk.

Methods: Cross-sectional data from the Migrant Health and Wellbeing Study (Maamu 2010-2012; n = 881) was used. Participants in the Health 2011 study (n = 798) constituted the reference group. The 10-year CVD event risk scores were calculated with the Framingham risk score (FHS). Logistic regression analysis determined the association between insufficient vitamin D concentrations and increased CVD event risk.

Results: Migrant origin participants were younger and had a lower proportion of those with moderate or high 10-year CVD event risk (Russian 12.4%, 95% CI 17.5-25.0, Somali 5.7%; 95% CI 3.2-10.1, Kurdish 9.2%; 95% CI 6.7-12.5) than the general Finnish population (21.0%; 95% CI 17.5-25.0), while they had higher prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency (Russian 28.35%, 95% CI 23.48-33.23, Somali 72.85%, 95% CI 66.9-78.71, Kurdish 84.96%, 95% CI 81.15-88.76) than the general Finnish population (6.52%, 95% CI 4.80-8.23). Vitamin D insufficiency was associated with moderate to high 10-year CVD event risk (PR 1.32, 95% CI 1.00-1.32) after multivariable adjustment.

Conclusion: Vitamin D insufficiency was associated with an elevated estimated 10-year CVD risk in this study. These findings highlight the need for further longitudinal research in larger and more diverse migrant-origin populations.

Background: Housing, a key health determinant, is increasingly unaffordable. Black/African-American communities are disproportionately affected due to a long, documented history of structural racism in housing. To date, much unaffordable housing research is economically focused, leaving holistic health consequences underexplored.

Design and methods: We used a multidisciplinary lens to explore potential effects of unaffordable housing (30%+ of income) on mental, emotional, physical, and social well-being. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 33 individuals who were residents and/or staff members of organizations that provide housing or support resources in three historic, Black neighborhoods in westside Atlanta. Thematic analysis identified key themes.

Results: Unaffordable housing can have direct and indirect adverse effects on health and wellbeing. Participants described ways that rising housing costs can increase stress, worsening mental health (e.g. depression, anxiety) and negatively impacting relationships within one's household (e.g. spouse/partner, children) and outside of the home (e.g. friends, neighbors). Spending a disproportionate amount of income on housing can make other basic necessities unaffordable, such as food and medication. Working overtime or additional jobs to cover expenses can lead to mental and/or physical exhaustion and increase opportunities for injury for physically demanding jobs, and may also decrease time available to adequately care for oneself and their family or to invest in relationships.

Conclusion: This qualitative study helps increase the breadth and depth of knowledge regarding potential effects of unaffordable housing on mental, emotional, physical, and social well-being that should be considered in the development of health-promoting housing practice, policy, and funding allocation.

Background: Anemia negatively affects physical and mental development in adolescent girls, especially in resource-limited settings. This study aims to determine the prevalence of anemia and its related factors among adolescent girls in a northern mountainous province of Vietnam.

Design and methods: A analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 805 adolescent girls in 11 high schools in a mountainous province in Northern Vietnam from September to October 2024. Data were collected via Google Forms, and participants underwent direct anthropometric measurements and hemoglobin (Hb) testing. Anemia is classified based on Hb into four groups: no anemia (>12 g/L), mild (100-119.9 g/L), moderate (70-99.9 g/L), and severe (<70 g/L). Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify anemia-related factors.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 15.88 ± 0.92 years. The prevalence of anemia was 47.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 43.7%-50.6%), with mild, moderate, and severe levels accounting for 29.5%, 17.1%, and 0.5%, respectively. Factors associated with increased risk of anemia included poor household (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.34-2.70), use of unsanitary toilets (AOR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.06-2.37), and consumption of milk or milk products less than or equal to 3 times per week (AOR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.14-2.29). Factors associated with reduced anemia rates were Kinh ethnicity (AOR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.37-0.83); knowledge of iron-rich foods (AOR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.44-0.83).

Conclusion: The high prevalence of anemia among adolescent girls and its associated factors highlights the need for targeted interventions focusing on education, sanitation, and iron-rich diets.