Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care最新文献

{"title":"Atypical pertussis: Family cluster case series and primary care management strategies.","authors":"Ling Ouyang, Zhucheng Zhang, Hui Wang, Xiangdong Chen","doi":"10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_444_25","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_444_25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Pertussis</i>, caused by <i>Bordetella pertussis</i>, is a highly contagious respiratory illness experiencing a resurgence globally, particularly in adolescents, and adults. General practitioners (GPs) in primary care settings are crucial for early detection and control, yet often face challenges in diagnosing atypical presentations. This case series describes a family cluster of atypical <i>pertussis</i> managed by a community health service center in Shenzhen, China. A 42-year-old male (Case 1) initially presented with a 10-day history of persistent, dry cough, lacking characteristic paroxysmal coughing and fever, leading to initial misdiagnosis. Subsequent targeted respiratory pathogen testing revealed <i>Bordetella pertussis</i>. Prompt investigation identified two additional family members with confirmed <i>pertussis</i>: his 43-year-old wife (Case 2) and 14-year-old son (Case 3), both exhibiting atypical cough symptoms. Two other asymptomatic family members (Cases 4 and 5) showed positive <i>pertussis</i> antibodies, suggesting prior subclinical infection. Initial symptomatic treatments were ineffective. Following confirmed <i>pertussis</i> diagnoses, Cases 1 and 2 were treated with compound sulfamethoxazole (800 mg per dose, administered twice daily for a total duration of 5 days), leading to significant symptom alleviation. Case 3 received azithromycin (400 mg on the first day, 200 mg/d on days 2 to 5, with a total course of treatment of 5 days), also resulting in substantial symptom relief. All confirmed cases eventually tested negative for <i>pertussis</i> nucleic acid upon re-examination. This family cluster highlights the diagnostic challenges posed by atypical <i>pertussis</i> in adults and adolescents, emphasizing the need for increased awareness among GPs. Early identification, aggressive family member screening, and appropriate antibiotic therapy (considering local resistance patterns) are crucial for effective management and prevention of further transmission within communities. Strengthening primary care's capacity for recognizing and managing <i>pertussis</i> is paramount to combating its resurgence.</p>","PeriodicalId":15856,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care","volume":"15 2","pages":"992-995"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13098838/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147773256","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dual primary malignancies in Kashmir: A five-year analysis of temporal patterns, gender-specific presentations and treatment outcomes in a high gastrointestinal cancer risk population.","authors":"Ubaid Jeelani, Mushood Ghulam Nabi, Asim Ahmad Dar, Gowher Ahmad Wagai, Aadil Najeed, Sheikh Owais Ahmad, Lande Sagar Janardhan, Md Mayeen Afsan Ahmad, Uzma Majeed","doi":"10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1142_25","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1142_25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Patients diagnosed with cancer remain at risk of developing subsequent primary malignancies due to genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and improved survival associated with advances in diagnosis and treatment. Understanding the pattern of dual primary malignancies is essential, yet evidence from low-resource regions such as Kashmir is scarce. This retrospective study analyses the frequency, clinical patterns, and histopathological profiles of second primary malignancies (SPMs) among patients treated at a tertiary cancer centre in northern India. Medical records of 5,731 patients seen at the Department of Radiation Oncology, Government Medical College, Srinagar, between January 2020 and December 2024 were reviewed using Warren and Gates criteria. Thirty-five patients were identified with SPMs, yielding an incidence of 0.611%. Of these, 60% were synchronous and 40% metachronous, occurring 10 months to 19 years after the first tumour. The median age at initial diagnosis was 58 years, with peak incidence in the sixth and seventh decades. Males predominated overall, although females were more likely to present with synchronous cancers, while males formed the majority of metachronous cases. Gastrointestinal cancers were the most common primary tumours, followed by breast and genitourinary malignancies, and this distribution was largely mirrored in secondary cancers. Notably, over 80% of patients had at least one gastrointestinal tumour, and more than half of breast cancer patients developed thyroid cancer as the second primary. Most patients received curative treatment for both malignancies. The findings highlight the need for sustained clinical vigilance and long-term follow-up to enable early detection and optimal management of SPMs.</p>","PeriodicalId":15856,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care","volume":"15 2","pages":"530-539"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13098840/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147773302","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Collaborative innovations and strategic directions in public health education: Insights from a round table discussion.","authors":"Nitin Kumar Joshi, Anil Purohit, Deepak Saxena, Kandarp Mathur, Gregory Fant, J V R Prasada Rao, Sanjay Zodpey, Dileep Mavalankar, Zahir Quazi, Suma Nair, Dipanjan Sujit Roy, Soumya Swaminathan, Rati Godrej, K Srinath Reddy, Pankaj Bhardwaj, Jagdish Harsh, Vibha Joshi","doi":"10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_815_25","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_815_25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>A groundbreaking Round Table Discussion took place on October 9, 2023, at the Indian Institute of Public Health, Gandhinagar, which gathered leaders from the public health institutions in India. The event's main goal was to discuss the changing terrain of public health education in India by emphasizing reforms in the curriculum, promoting partnerships, and embracing advancements.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>The methodology adopted for the Round Table was participatory, with three thematic sessions: (1) Historical Foundations and Present Challenges, (2) Opportunities for Domestic and Global Collaboration, and (3) The Role of Innovative Technologies in Shaping Future Educational Paradigms. The event emphasized inclusive communication, collective intelligence, and strategic planning. Interactive presentations and group discussions promoted diverse viewpoints, creating the collaborative atmosphere conducive to innovation in public health education.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Discussions emphasized the development of public health education in India, shifting from a medical-centric model to an interdisciplinary approach. Challenges encompassed were lack of uniform accreditation, fragmented curricula, and inadequate global health exposure. The deliberation also pointed to opportunities such as creating competency-based curricula, leveraging digital tools, and nurturing international collaborations. Delegates highlighted the need to integrate social sciences and technology into public health programs and enhance faculty development.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The Round Table concluded that India's present public health education system needs significant improvement to realize global standards. Digital innovation, interdisciplinary education, and more rigorous systems of accreditation were identified among the factors facilitating this change. Establishing a national public health education consortium was proposed to promote collaboration and resource sharing, positioning India as the global public health education leader.</p>","PeriodicalId":15856,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care","volume":"15 2","pages":"546-550"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13098842/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147773318","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence, side effects, and awareness about energy drink consumption among college students at a Saudi public university.","authors":"Khalid A Bin Abdulrahman, Bassam Abdullah Alkhrashi, Abdullah Hisham Alshaikh, Abdullah Ali Alqarni, Ali Khalid Jambi, Abdullah Adnan Alwatban","doi":"10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1370_25","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1370_25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Energy drink (ED) consumption is increasingly common among university students, particularly those facing academic pressures. This study assesses the prevalence of ED consumption, motivations, and adverse effects among undergraduate students at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted with 837 IMSIU students recruited through an online survey distributed via the university's official email. A questionnaire, translated into Arabic and pretested for clarity, gathered data on demographics, frequency of ED consumption, motivations, and awareness of ED-related side effects. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 26, employing Chi-square tests and logistic regression to assess the associations between sociodemographic factors and ED consumption patterns.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>ED consumption was prevalent among IMSIU students, with 74.4% of participants reporting some level of use. The most common reasons for ED consumption were increasing energy (35.5%) and staying awake for study (23.4%). The most frequently reported side effects included heart palpitations (24.5%) and stress or anxiety (14.9%). Significant differences in consumption patterns were observed by gender, with males reporting higher usage rates than females.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Despite awareness of associated health risks, the high prevalence of ED consumption among IMSIU students highlights a need for educational initiatives to inform students of safer alternatives for managing academic demands. Additionally, future research on the long-term health impacts and potential dependency risks of EDs among students is recommended.</p>","PeriodicalId":15856,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care","volume":"15 2","pages":"678-685"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13098883/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147773329","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence and management of renal impairment in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in general versus specialized diabetes clinics in primary care in Kingdom of Bahrain.","authors":"Abeer Abdul Rahman AlSaweer, Fatema Abdulla Qambar, Hanan Jameel Humaidan, Sumaya Saud Al Doseri, Najat Mohammed Shabeeb, Taghreed Mohammed AlAlayan, Taybaa Salman AlAradi, Ghadeer Ahmed Ali, Fatima Juma Hussain, Khulood Mohamed AbdulJaleel, Ruqaya Mohammed AlEkri, Husain Khalid Taheri","doi":"10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_440_25","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_440_25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Diabetes mellitus (DM) may be complicated by diabetes nephropathy (DN), which may lead to end-stage renal disease. Specialized diabetes clinics were established to improve care. The purpose of the research was to assess and compare the prevalence management of renal impairment among adults with type 2 DM in general clinic and specialized diabetes clinics.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of the electronic medical records of patients attending both central diabetes clinics (CDCs) and noncommunicable clinics in seven primary healthcare units in Bahrain, during February to April 2020. Inclusion criteria included adults with type 2 diabetes patients. Excluded are type 1 diabetes patients, patients with renal transplants, and pregnant women. Demographic data, biochemical and clinical data, estimate glomerular filtration rate (e-GFR), albuminuria status, medication prescriptions, and secondary care nephrology referrals were studied.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>A total of 3708 patients were enrolled in the study from both clinics. The prevalence of DN by eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73m² was 16.3%, while the prevalence of DN by positive albuminuria is 13.5%. Both clinics appear to comply with the standards of care. Comparison between performances of both clinics showed that CDCs comply with intensification of therapy and rigorous and prompt referral to Nephrology clinics.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The prevalence of renal impairment in people with DM in Bahrain is high comparing to nearby countries. The management needs to be further augmented by stressing on complying with standards of care and using specialized settings with a multidisciplinary team approach and meticulous monitoring.</p><p><strong>Originality/value: </strong>To the authors' knowledge, the comparison between the performance of a specialized clinic and a general noncommunicable disease clinic in the context of renal disease in diabetics is lacking in the Gulf Cooperation Council and Bahrain. The specialized CDC in Bahrain is a unique experience and meant to reduce the burden of diabetes complications through better control of diabetes comorbidities.</p>","PeriodicalId":15856,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care","volume":"15 2","pages":"878-886"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13098850/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147773333","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reassessing primary care physician engagement in Saudi healthcare transformation: A call for strategic alignment and educational integration.","authors":"Schawanya Kaewpitoon Rattanapitoon, Nav La, Patpicha Arunsan, Phornpitcha Pechdee, Nathkapach Kaewpitoon Rattanapitoon","doi":"10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1476_25","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1476_25","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":15856,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care","volume":"15 2","pages":"1033-1034"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13098879/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147772626","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating special education services for children with disabilities at Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh: A retrospective study (2022-2023).","authors":"Maha Al Sulaiman, Maher Al Jadid, Rakan Alballaa, Abeer Alharbi, Wejdan Al Talhi, Nahlah Alalkmi","doi":"10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1117_25","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1117_25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Special education services are essential for children with disabilities as they provide inclusive, tailored education. Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC) in Riyadh has offered such services since 1982. This study evaluated their effectiveness from 2022 to 2023, focusing on teaching methods, family involvement, and learning barriers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Demographic data, teaching strategies, and learning outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. Family involvement, including siblings and caregivers, was assessed using clinical records and interviews. Cultural, emotional, and intellectual barriers were also identified.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The analysis showed improved teaching methods in 2023, including interactive strategies and web-based resources. Family involvement increased, fostering a supportive environment. Barriers, particularly cultural and emotional, were identified more specifically.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>PSMMC's efforts to enhance special education services have led to better outcomes. A continued focus on interactive methods and family engagement is vital to addressing challenges and improving the education of children with disabilities.</p>","PeriodicalId":15856,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care","volume":"15 2","pages":"567-572"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13098865/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147772978","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Examining the motivations of men in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to participate in early screening for benign prostatic hyperplasia, a condition of significant public health concern.","authors":"Khalid A Bin Abdulrahman, Hamad Khalid Al-Thunayyan, Khalid Hammad Alharbi, Osama Mushabbab Alahmari, Anas Bassam Barnawi, Jehad Yaser Alghamdi, Ahmad Muhammad Alghazal","doi":"10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1359_25","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1359_25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is common among men over 40 and can significantly affect quality of life due to urinary symptoms and related complications. Early screening is crucial in preventing outcomes such as urinary retention and kidney injury. However, participation in screening remains low in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, largely due to limited awareness, cultural barriers, and access issues. This study aimed to assess knowledge, barriers, and the influence of health education on BPH screening among men in Riyadh.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2024 among 504 adult men in Riyadh, recruited through online platforms. Data were analyzed using SPSS to evaluate awareness, knowledge, screening behavior, and the impact of sociodemographic and educational factors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 504 respondents, 60.1% had limited knowledge of BPH. While 54.8% recognized the importance of screening, only 25.6% had been screened. Significant differences in awareness and screening behavior were found to be associated with age, education, and prior medical exposure. The main barriers reported were lack of awareness (59.3%), fear or anxiety (34.1%), and logistical challenges (33.7%). Motivators included early detection (60.3%) and recommendations from healthcare providers (32.5%). Higher knowledge and screening rates were observed among those with higher education, previous screening experience, and exposure to awareness campaigns.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>There is a notable gap in BPH awareness and screening among men in Riyadh. Addressing modifiable barriers through culturally sensitive health education may improve screening uptake, especially among high-risk groups. Future efforts should focus on addressing psychological, cultural, and accessibility-related challenges.</p>","PeriodicalId":15856,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care","volume":"15 2","pages":"668-677"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13098852/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147773085","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Health-promoting lifestyle and associated factors among Chinese workers in Japan: A cross-sectional study.","authors":"Weng Li","doi":"10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1451_25","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1451_25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study aimed to investigate health-promoting lifestyle behaviors and associated factors among Chinese workers residing in Japan.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional survey was conducted between May and July 2017 among 313 Chinese workers (response rate: 69.4%; 62.6% female), recruited through convenience and snowball sampling in Japanese-language schools in Hiroshima Prefecture. The health-promoting lifestyle profile II revised (HPLP-IIR) was used to assess six dimensions: health responsibility (HR); physical activity (PA); nutrition (NU); spiritual growth (SG); interpersonal relations (IR); and stress management (SM). Demographics, Japanese language proficiency, residence and employment status, and workplace health education were included as independent variables.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean total HPLP-IIR score was 2.68 (SD = 0.57). The highest subscale scores were for IR (M = 3.02), NU (M = 3.01), and SG (M = 2.99), while the lowest were for HR (M = 2.37), PA (M = 2.42), and SM (M = 2.77). Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that higher Japanese language proficiency, participation in workplace health education, and clerical occupations were positively associated with HPLP-IIR scores. In contrast, student status, fixed-term or contract-based employment, current illness, and longer residence in Japan were negatively associated with overall and subscale scores. The model explained 17% of the variance in total HPLP-IIR.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Japanese language proficiency, occupational type, and workplace health education are key factors in promoting healthier lifestyles among Chinese workers. Interventions that provide language support and stable employment conditions are essential for improving their health behaviors and integration.</p>","PeriodicalId":15856,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care","volume":"15 2","pages":"701-708"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13098853/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147773094","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From policy to practice: Mapping regional health governance through insights from World Health Organization South-East Asia Regional Committee Meetings (sessions 54-74).","authors":"Pratyush Kumar, Jia Dong James Wang, Sydney Tjandra, Kumar Abhishek, Yan Yin Yip, Bikash Kumar Shah, Vaishnavi Kumar, Shakira Amirah, Rahul Rangan, Revi Wijaya, Gladson Vaghela, Brian Xiongyuan Xie, Tyara A K Respati, Siddhant Govekar, Ananya Bhasin, Gunteshwar Brar, Charlotte Lintang, Dhaffin, Suhrud Panchawagh, G P Kaushal, Poonam Agrawal, Swati Kalra, Rushikesh Shukla","doi":"10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1790_24","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1790_24","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) plays a crucial role in addressing health challenges in one of the world's most diverse and populous regions. This study analyzes the WHO SEARO Regional Committee Meeting Reports from sessions 54 to 74 (2000-2021) to understand the evolution of regional health policies and their impact on health outcomes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A policy evaluation framework with keyword co-occurrence analysis was employed to identify primary policy focuses and discussion themes. Data were extracted from the WHO SEARO meeting reports using two study tools: one for extracting keywords and another for health parameters. Statistical analysis, including multivariable linear regression and logistic regression, was performed to explore correlations between keyword occurrences and health outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The analysis revealed significant improvements in health outcomes. For instance, communicable diseases saw a reduction of 35%, and maternal mortality rates decreased by 40% over the two decades. Child mortality rates also saw a significant decline of 45%. However, the region faces persistent challenges such as a 25% increase in noncommunicable diseases and growing environmental health issues. Key themes identified include infectious diseases (mentioned in 65% of reports), maternal and child health (75%), environmental health (50%), and emerging threats like pandemics and climate change (30%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The WHO SEARO Regional Committee meetings are vital for facilitating regional collaboration and aligning national health policies with global health goals. By systematically analyzing the discussions and policy focuses, this study contributes to ongoing efforts to improve health outcomes in the South-East Asia Region and supports the development of effective evidence-based health policies.</p>","PeriodicalId":15856,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care","volume":"15 2","pages":"783-792"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13098844/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147773099","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}