Frontiers in Public HealthPub Date : 2025-03-12eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1519564
Yaping Hu, Jiangyan Xiao, Xiaoxiao Li
{"title":"The impact of living arrangements on dietary patterns among older adults: the mediating effects of loneliness and anxiety.","authors":"Yaping Hu, Jiangyan Xiao, Xiaoxiao Li","doi":"10.3389/fpubh.2025.1519564","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpubh.2025.1519564","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Using data from the 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), this study examines the relationship between living arrangements and dietary patterns among older adults aged 60 years and above. Linear regression and quantile regression models were employed to investigate the effects of living arrangements on dietary patterns, while the mediating roles of loneliness and anxiety were tested using the bootstrap method. The empirical results show that, after controlling for demographic and other characteristic variables, living arrangements have a significant positive impact on the dietary patterns of older adults. Compared with those living alone, older adults who live with family (<i>β</i> = 0.838) or in institutional settings (<i>β</i> = 1.378) exhibit healthier dietary patterns, with the strongest effect observed among those living in institutions. Furthermore, loneliness and anxiety significantly mediate the relationship between living arrangements and dietary patterns, with loneliness exhibiting a stronger mediating effect (<i>β</i> = 0.0117) than anxiety (<i>β</i> = 0.0037). These findings suggest that living arrangements positively influence older adults' dietary patterns by reducing loneliness and anxiety. To better implement healthy aging strategies and enhance the overall health of older adults, communities and governments should place greater emphasis on addressing the psychological wellbeing of older adults, providing targeted interventions to optimize their lifestyles and improve their overall health.</p>","PeriodicalId":12548,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Public Health","volume":"13 ","pages":"1519564"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11936795/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143718623","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Frontiers in Public HealthPub Date : 2025-03-12eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1457895
Mathilde Mongeau, Samantha Huo Yung Kai, Vanina Bongard, Nicola Coley, Emilie Bérard, Jean Ferrières
{"title":"One-year post lockdown trajectories of mental health and impact of COVID-19 lockdown-related factors.","authors":"Mathilde Mongeau, Samantha Huo Yung Kai, Vanina Bongard, Nicola Coley, Emilie Bérard, Jean Ferrières","doi":"10.3389/fpubh.2025.1457895","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpubh.2025.1457895","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Concerns about the impact of restrictive measures on people's wellbeing, especially mental health, were raised by the COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdown measures.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, we examined longitudinal trajectories of mental health during the initial French lockdown period and up to one-year post-lockdown, among a representative sample of French adults aged over 50. We also assessed the impact of COVID-19 lockdown-related factors on mental health. A cohort of 534 individuals was enrolled during the first French lockdown in March 2020, and four telephone interviews were conducted during the lockdown, and at 1-, 6- and 12-months post-lockdown. Mental health was assessed using validated scores of anxiety and depression (GAD-7 and PHQ-9, respectively). Participants undergoing treatment for anxiety or depression at inclusion were excluded.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our analysis revealed a significant decrease in the proportion of individuals experiencing poor mental health (elevated GAD-7 or PHQ-9 > 4) from lockdown period to 1 month and 6 months post-lockdown. However, this improvement stopped at 12 months post-lockdown, likely reflecting the reinstatement of strict measures in 2021. We used logistic regression to identify factors independently associated with early and long-lasting deterioration in mental health (elevated GAD-7 or PHQ-9 > 4 at first or second interview that persisted over at least two interviews). History of anxiety, poor perceived global health, female gender, working during lockdown, not being in a relationship, and having a relative suspected of being COVID-positive were significantly associated with deterioration in mental health.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Our study highlights factors associated with a mental health impact during and following a lockdown in a representative sample of people, aged over 50 years old, thus at increased risk of severe COVID-19 and more likely to be subject to lockdown measures. These factors could be targeted in public health actions in future pandemics.</p>","PeriodicalId":12548,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Public Health","volume":"13 ","pages":"1457895"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11936785/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143718604","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Frontiers in Public HealthPub Date : 2025-03-12eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1470021
Sheng Zhou, Jiarui Zhang, Chengcheng Li
{"title":"Burden of malaria in the Comoros, 1990-2021: findings from the global burden of disease study 2021.","authors":"Sheng Zhou, Jiarui Zhang, Chengcheng Li","doi":"10.3389/fpubh.2025.1470021","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpubh.2025.1470021","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Malaria is a major public health issue in the Comoros. Analyzing the malaria burden will aid in designing prevention, control, and eradication strategies based on scientific evidence.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We retrieved data from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database to assess the malaria burden in the Comoros in 2021, stratified by sex and age. The indicators used to measure this burden included the absolute numbers and rates of incidence, prevalence, and mortality, as well as disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years of life lost (YLLs), and years lived with disability (YLDs). Decomposition analysis was used to quantify the contributions of demographic aging, population growth, and epidemiological changes to the malaria burden from 1990 to 2021. Joinpoint regression analysis was employed to examine temporal trends in the malaria burden over this period.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In 2021, females, particularly those under 40, had a higher overall malaria burden than males, except for the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR). Individuals under 30 years of age experienced approximately 52% of new malaria episodes, 68% of prevalent cases, and 62% of YLDs. Children under 5 and those aged 15 to 30 accounted for about 41% of malaria-related deaths, 54% of YLLs, and 53% of DALYs. Between 1990 and 2021, the malaria burden in the Comoros declined substantially, with age-standardized incidence (ASIR), prevalence (ASPR), mortality (ASMR), and DALY rates (ASDR) decreasing by over 85%. Decomposition analysis indicated that epidemiological changes played a pivotal role in reducing disease burden. Over the past 32 years, the average annual percentage change (AAPC) in the ASPR was statistically significant at -7.60% (t = -2.68, <i>p</i> < 0.05). Moreover, the annual percentage change (APC) in ASIR and ASPR showed the most significant decline from 2012 to 2015, with APCs of -70.47% (t = -3.01, <i>p</i> < 0.05) and - 66.55% (t = -14.94, <i>p</i> < 0.05), respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study indicates that women under 40, school-aged children, and adults under 30 in the Comoros bear a higher malaria burden. Although current malaria control measures are effective, achieving a malaria-free status will require integrated strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":12548,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Public Health","volume":"13 ","pages":"1470021"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11937032/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143718571","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Frontiers in Public HealthPub Date : 2025-03-12eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1434091
Mitsuru Shimizu, Kimberly Janke, Paul Rose, Jason Murphy
{"title":"Food conscientiousness as a buffer against college students' weight gain.","authors":"Mitsuru Shimizu, Kimberly Janke, Paul Rose, Jason Murphy","doi":"10.3389/fpubh.2025.1434091","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpubh.2025.1434091","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>A variety of psychological factors may influence weight gain among undergraduates. As one of the psychological factors that might influence such weight gain, this research introduces food conscientiousness, a behavioral tendency toward making healthier food choices.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In Phase 1 of the study, we developed a food conscientiousness scale. In Phase 2, we examined whether undergraduates demonstrated weight gain and whether it was smaller among those high in food conscientiousness.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results indicated that college students demonstrated weight gain (2 lbs, on average) during the fall 2020 semester. Furthermore, food conscientiousness was significantly negatively associated with weight gain, independent of general conscientiousness. Importantly, this effect was neither moderated by where students lived nor by their perceived access to healthy food, suggesting that food conscientiousness can prevent weight gain regardless of lifestyle.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>College undergraduates high (+1 <i>SD</i>) in food conscientiousness reported smaller weight gain (0.24 lbs) compared to those low (-1 <i>SD</i>) in food conscientiousness (3.93 lbs) during the first 2 months of a fall semester. The results suggest that food conscientiousness may be one of the psychological factors that shapes the extent to young adults gain weight.</p>","PeriodicalId":12548,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Public Health","volume":"13 ","pages":"1434091"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11936960/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143718595","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Machine learning-based prediction of mortality risk in AIDS patients with comorbid common AIDS-related diseases or symptoms.","authors":"Yiwei Chen, Kejun Pan, Xiaobo Lu, Erxiding Maimaiti, Maimaitiaili Wubuli","doi":"10.3389/fpubh.2025.1544351","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpubh.2025.1544351","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Early assessment and intervention of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients at high risk of mortality is critical. This study aims to develop an optimally performing mortality risk prediction model for AIDS patients with comorbid AIDS-related diseases or symptoms to facilitate early intervention.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study included 478 first-time hospital-admitted AIDS patients with related diseases or symptoms. Eight predictors were screened using lasso regression, followed by building eight models and using SHAP values (Shapley's additive explanatory values) to identify key features in the best models. The accuracy and discriminatory power of model predictions were assessed using variable importance plots, receiver operating characteristic curves, calibration curves, and confusion matrices. Clinical benefits were evaluated through decision-curve analyses, and validation was performed with an external set of 48 patients.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Lasso regression identified eight predictors, including hemoglobin, infection pathway, Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim, expectoration, headache, persistent diarrhea, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, and bacterial pneumonia. The optimal model, XGBoost, yielded an Area Under Curve (AUC) of 0.832, a sensitivity of 0.703, and a specificity of 0.799 in the training set. In the test set, the AUC was 0.729, the sensitivity was 0.717, and the specificity was 0.636. In the external validation set, the AUC was 0.873, the sensitivity was 0.852, and the specificity was 0.762. Furthermore, the calibration curves showed a high degree of fit, and the DCA curves demonstrated the overall high clinical utility of the model.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In this study, an XGBoost-based mortality risk prediction model is proposed, which can effectively predict the mortality risk of patients with co-morbid AIDS-related diseases or symptomatic AIDS, providing a new reference for clinical decision-making.</p>","PeriodicalId":12548,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Public Health","volume":"13 ","pages":"1544351"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11936937/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143718601","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Frontiers in Public HealthPub Date : 2025-03-12eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1436838
Cheng-Pin Kuo, Joshua S Fu, Yang Liu
{"title":"Perspective improvement of regional air pollution burden of disease estimation by machine intelligence.","authors":"Cheng-Pin Kuo, Joshua S Fu, Yang Liu","doi":"10.3389/fpubh.2025.1436838","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpubh.2025.1436838","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>As air pollution events increasingly threaten public health under climate change, more precise estimations of air pollutant exposure and the burden of diseases (BD) are urgently needed. However, current BD assessments from various sources of air pollutant concentrations and exposure risks, and the derived uncertainty still needs systematic assessment. Owing to growing health and air quality data availability, machine learning (ML) may provide a promising solution. This study proposed an ML-measurement-model fusion (MMF) framework that can quantify the air pollutant biases from the Chemical Transport Modeling (CTM) inputs, and further analyze the BD biases concerning various sources of air pollutant estimations and exposure risks. In our study region, the proposed ML-MMF framework successfully improves CTM-modeled PM<sub>2.5</sub> (from R<sup>2</sup> = 0.41 to R<sup>2</sup> = 0.86) and O<sub>3</sub> (from R<sup>2</sup> = 0.48 to R<sup>2</sup> = 0.82). The bias quantification results showed that premature deaths in the study region are mainly biased by boundary conditions (Improvement Ratio, IR = 99%) and meteorology (91%), compared with emission and land-use data. The results of further analysis showed using observations only (PM<sub>2.5</sub>: 17%; O<sub>3</sub>: 56%) or the uncorrected CTM estimations (PM<sub>2.5</sub>: -18%; O<sub>3</sub>: 171%) contributed more BD biases compared with employing averaged risks without considering urbanization levels (PM<sub>2.5</sub>: -5%; O<sub>3</sub>: -4%). In conclusion, employing observations only, uncorrected CTM estimations, and homogeneous risks may contribute to non-negligible BD biases and affect regional air quality and risk management. To cope with increasing needs of finer-scale air quality management under climate change, our developed ML-MMF framework can provide a quantitative reference to improve CTM performance and priority to improve input data quality and CTM mechanisms.</p>","PeriodicalId":12548,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Public Health","volume":"13 ","pages":"1436838"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11937109/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143718606","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Frontiers in Public HealthPub Date : 2025-03-12eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1535513
David Ashton
{"title":"Self-diagnosing electromagnetic hypersensitivity-A case study.","authors":"David Ashton","doi":"10.3389/fpubh.2025.1535513","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpubh.2025.1535513","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12548,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Public Health","volume":"13 ","pages":"1535513"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11936782/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143718616","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Frontiers in Public HealthPub Date : 2025-03-12eCollection Date: 2024-01-01DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1391821
Can Guo, Ke-Wei Liu, Jing Tong, Meng-Qiu Gao
{"title":"Prevalence and prognostic significance of malnutrition risk in patients with tuberculous meningitis.","authors":"Can Guo, Ke-Wei Liu, Jing Tong, Meng-Qiu Gao","doi":"10.3389/fpubh.2024.1391821","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpubh.2024.1391821","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The residual risk of mortality or neurological disability is high in tuberculous meningitis (TBM), but there are not many effective treatments for TBM. Malnutrition is a modifiable risk factor for patients with tuberculous; however, the relationship between nutritional risk and neurological prognosis is not clear. In the present study, we aimed to explore the association between malnutrition risk and neurological outcome in patients with TBM.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective cohort study was conducted from December 2010 to January 2021. Malnutrition risks were evaluated by nutritional scales, including controlling nutritional status score (CONUT), geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), and prognostic nutritional index (PNI). The primary outcome was a poor recovery measured by a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 1-year follow-up. Malnutrition risk was estimated, and the association between malnutrition and follow-up outcome was analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 401 participants were analyzed in the study. According to CONUT, GNRI, and PNI, 299(74.56%), 231(57.61%), and 107(26.68%) patients were with malnutrition risk on admission. At 1-year follow-up, a total of 115 patients (28.67%) were with poor recovery. After adjustment for confounding factors, the association between moderate malnutrition (OR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.00-3.59, <i>p</i> = 0.050) and severe malnutrition (OR = 3.76, 95% CI 1.03-12.63, <i>p</i> = 0.049) was estimated by CONUT and was significantly associated with poor outcome. For each point increase in COUNT score (OR = 1.12, 95% CI 1.00-1.27, <i>p</i> = 0.059), the odds of poor functional recovery increased by 12%.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Malnutrition in TBM patients was related to an increased risk of poor neurological recovery in the long-term follow-up. Our study stressed the importance of assessing malnutrition in TBM patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":12548,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Public Health","volume":"12 ","pages":"1391821"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11936749/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143718614","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Frontiers in Public HealthPub Date : 2025-03-12eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1503522
Qian Wang, Zhen Ning, Meichun Tan
{"title":"A study on the impact of digital infrastructure development on the health of low-income rural residents: based on panel data from 2010 to 2022.","authors":"Qian Wang, Zhen Ning, Meichun Tan","doi":"10.3389/fpubh.2025.1503522","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpubh.2025.1503522","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The health status of low-income rural residents is intricately linked to social equity and justice and the realization of the goal of common prosperity. Based on the CFPS data from 2010 to 2020 and the list of \"Broadband China\" demonstration cities, this paper employs a multi-period Difference-in-Differences (DID) approach to empirically analyze the impact of digital infrastructure construction on the health of low-income rural residents and its mechanism. The results indicate that: (1) Digital infrastructure construction had a significant positive impact on the health of rural low-income residents. After adjusting the sample period, changing the policy implementation time point, excluding other policy interference, and Propensity Score Matching-Difference-in-Differences (PSM-DID), the model was still robust. (2) The mechanism test found that digital infrastructure would improves the health of rural low-income residents through three mechanisms: the adoption of new agricultural technology, land transfer, and leisure time. (3) In terms of heterogeneity analysis, based on region type, education level, marital status and public supporting system, digital infrastructure construction can enhance the health status of low-income rural residents in the western region, those with low education level, married people and those with more public supporting system. This study suggests the continued promotion of the construction of digital infrastructure, with a focus on the construction level of the western and western regions, narrow the \"digital divide\" between different groups, and improve public supporting facilities in backward rural areas, so as to further enhance the health status of low-income groups.</p>","PeriodicalId":12548,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Public Health","volume":"13 ","pages":"1503522"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11936884/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143718143","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Frontiers in Public HealthPub Date : 2025-03-12eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1556996
Ifeyinwa Arize, Joy Ozughalu, Bernard Okechi, Chinyere Mbachu, Obinna Onwujekwe, Bassey Ebenso
{"title":"Assessing informal healthcare providers' knowledge of diagnosis and treatment of malaria and diarrhea: evidence from urban informal settlements in Southeast Nigeria.","authors":"Ifeyinwa Arize, Joy Ozughalu, Bernard Okechi, Chinyere Mbachu, Obinna Onwujekwe, Bassey Ebenso","doi":"10.3389/fpubh.2025.1556996","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fpubh.2025.1556996","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Despite the availability of effective interventions, malaria and diarrhea continue to be leading causes of disease burden in Nigeria. Informal healthcare providers (IHPs) account for a significant proportion of health service providers in urban slums and may pose a challenge to service quality if they are untrained and unregulated. This study assessed IHPs' knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of malaria and diarrhea.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted in eight urban informal settlements (slums) in southeast Nigeria. Data were collected from 235 informal health providers using an interviewer-administered questionnaire.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean overall knowledge scores for malaria and diarrhea were 5.2 (95% CI: 4.3-6.1) and 5.4 (95% CI: 4.1-6.7), respectively, among the different IHPs. However, private medicine vendors (PMVs) and traditional birth attendants (TBAs) showed higher knowledge of treating malaria and diarrhea. Having more than 8 years of formal education and receiving on-the-job training had a statistically significant effect on adequate knowledge of malaria and diarrhea treatment.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Institutionalizing and strengthening service delivery through appropriate training and support for IHPs can improve the quality of health service delivery in urban slums.</p>","PeriodicalId":12548,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Public Health","volume":"13 ","pages":"1556996"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11937094/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143718413","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}