AIMS Public Health最新文献

{"title":"An overview of the healthy aging program for PinoY (HAPPY) senior citizens research: A cross-sectional study among community-dwelling older Filipinos.","authors":"Robby Carlo A Tan, Kyler Kenn M Castilla, Angely P Garcia, Kristine D Macatangay, Shelley Ann F de la Vega, Michael E Serafico, Marco Mensink, Lisette de Groot","doi":"10.3934/publichealth.2025029","DOIUrl":"10.3934/publichealth.2025029","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>As an effort in aligning with the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing, this paper reflects the methods and population characteristics from a comprehensive health and nutrition study among older Filipino adults.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted among older adults aged ≥60 years (<i>n</i> = 562) across the country. Descriptive statistics, chi-square, and <i>t</i>-tests were performed by sex and age.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The overall mean age was (69.4 ± 6.3) years. The Body Mass Index was significantly higher among those 60-69 years old compared to those >70. The lifestyle and health information varied in terms of significance between the sex and age groups.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>This comprehensive study presented the profile of participants and a detailed methodology. Utilizing the data is highly encouraged to develop evidence-based policies relevant to the country driven by the demographic shift.</p>","PeriodicalId":45684,"journal":{"name":"AIMS Public Health","volume":"12 2","pages":"536-556"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12277775/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144691911","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":"Perceived importance of and attitude towards physical education in Austrian adolescents - The role of sex, age and weight status.","authors":"Clemens Drenowatz, Gerson Ferrari, Carla Greier, Gerhard Ruedl, Klaus Greier","doi":"10.3934/publichealth.2025028","DOIUrl":"10.3934/publichealth.2025028","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Physical education (PE) is often considered an ideal setting for the promotion of physical activity (PA) among adolescents and for the encouragement of an active lifestyle in adulthood. In order to achieve this goal, however, it is necessary to foster a positive attitude towards PE. The present study examined attitudes towards and the perceived importance of PE among Austrian adolescents. A total of 3011 adolescents (47.5% female) between 10 and 17 years of age completed a standardized questionnaire during regular school hours. In addition, body weight and height were measured. Overall, 78.5% stated that PE is important to them and 84.3% believed that PE positively affects their health and well-being. PE also motivated 68.4% of the participants to engage in leisure time PA, and 69.9% would like to have daily PE. Further, 91.0% reported a good relationship with their PE teacher while 68.6% considered themselves to be good at sports. Nevertheless, there was a significant decline in the perceived value of PE with increasing age, and among girls, as well as those with excess body weight, perceived PE to be less important. As these groups are particularly vulnerable for low PA levels, it is important to provide challenging and enjoyable experiences that foster a positive attitude towards PE. Ensuring positive experiences throughout students' school careers could play a key role in promoting an active lifestyle later in life.</p>","PeriodicalId":45684,"journal":{"name":"AIMS Public Health","volume":"12 2","pages":"520-535"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12277784/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144691935","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":"Association between problematic TikTok use and mental health: A systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Petros Galanis, Aglaia Katsiroumpa, Zoe Katsiroumpa, Polyxeni Mangoulia, Parisis Gallos, Ioannis Moisoglou, Evmorfia Koukia","doi":"10.3934/publichealth.2025027","DOIUrl":"10.3934/publichealth.2025027","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>TikTok is a significant part of social media usage, since 25.6% of the total global population has a TikTok account, and, thus, scholars should pay attention to its association with users' mental health.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To synthesize and evaluate the association between problematic TikTok use and mental health.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We applied the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines in our review. The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024582054). We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, ProQuest, and CINAHL until September 02, 2024.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We identified 16 studies with 15,821 individuals. All studies were cross-sectional and were conducted after 2019. Quality was moderate in 10 studies, good in three studies, and poor in three studies. Our random effects models showed a positive association between TikTok use and depression (<i>β</i> = 0.321, 95% confidence interval: 0.261 to 0.381, <i>p</i> < 0.001, <i>I²</i> = 78.0%, <i>n</i> = 6 studies), and anxiety (<i>β</i> = 0.406, 95% confidence interval: 0.279 to 0.533, <i>p</i> < 0.001, <i>I²</i> = 94.8%, <i>n</i> = 4 studies). Data to perform meta-analysis with the other mental health variables were limited. However, our descriptive data showed a positive association between TikTok use and body image issues, poor sleep, anger, distress intolerance, narcissism, and stress.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our findings suggest that problematic TikTok use has a negative association with several mental health issues. Given the high levels of TikTok use, especially among young adults, our findings are essential to further enhance our understanding of the association between TikTok use and mental health. Finally, there is a need for further studies of better quality to assess the association between problematic TikTok use and mental health in a more valid way.</p>","PeriodicalId":45684,"journal":{"name":"AIMS Public Health","volume":"12 2","pages":"491-519"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12277781/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144691912","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 predictors of staff burnout at a tertiary cancer center in Jordan.","authors":"Omar Shamieh, Waleed Alrjoub, Ghadeer Alarjeh, Khawlah Ammar, Mohammad Abu Hazim, Tayseer Shawash, Osama Zamel, Maysa Al-Hussaini, Majeda Al-Ruzzieh, Hikmat Abdel-Razeq, Asem Mansour","doi":"10.3934/publichealth.2025026","DOIUrl":"10.3934/publichealth.2025026","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Burnout among oncology healthcare providers (HCPs) poses significant challenges to both personal well-being and patient care quality. To inform targeted interventions, this study assessed burnout prevalence and its predictors among HCPs in a tertiary cancer center in Jordan. A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 10, 2023, to April 14, 2024, using an online questionnaire available in both English and Arabic. The survey, distributed via email and social media, included the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and sociodemographic items. Descriptive statistics, binary logistic, and group comparisons analyzed the relationships between demographic/work characteristics, depression, and burnout. Of 996 respondents, 692 (69.4%) completed the survey. Most participants were male (54.6%) and Muslim (98.3%), with 41.6% aged under 30. Respondents included physicians (17.1%), nurses (28.0%), and other healthcare roles (54.9%). Burnout levels were high, with 75.7% reporting high emotional exhaustion (EE), 35.3% experiencing high depersonalization (DP), and 27.2% showing low personal accomplishment (PA). Binary logistic regression analysis identified significant predictors of high EE, including lower income (<500 JD ≈ 705 USD, <i>p</i> = 0.004), thoughts of quitting (<i>p</i> = 0.000), and lack of burnout training (<i>p</i> = 0.007). High DP was associated with a lack of hobbies (<i>p</i> = 0.003) and thoughts of quitting (<i>p</i> = 0.000), while low PA was linked to a higher patient caseload (<i>p</i> = 0.000). Elevated PHQ-9 scores, indicative of depression, were significantly correlated with increased burnout across all dimensions (<i>p</i> < 0.001). In conclusion, burnout is highly prevalent among oncology HCPs in Jordan, with strong associations between burnout and specific demographic and work-related factors. Targeted interventions emphasizing stress management, organizational support, and effective coping mechanisms are crucial to mitigate burnout and enhance job satisfaction among oncology staff.</p>","PeriodicalId":45684,"journal":{"name":"AIMS Public Health","volume":"12 2","pages":"470-490"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12277770/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144691936","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":"Loss of productivity among caregivers of dependent family members.","authors":"Laura Gonzalo-Ciria, Marta Pérez De Heredia-Torres, María Isabel Vidal-Sánchez, María José López-de-la-Fuente, Elisa Bullón-Benito, Ana Poveda-García, Mariana Ortiz-Piña, María Cristina Ruiz-Garrós, Ana Gascón-Catalán","doi":"10.3934/publichealth.2025025","DOIUrl":"10.3934/publichealth.2025025","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Assuming the care of a dependent family member can constitute a health risk factor that significantly reduces the productivity of family caregivers, compromising their future and quality of life.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>Our purpose of this study was to investigate the productivity activities that are altered in the caregivers of a dependent family member and the impact this has on their satisfaction and quality of life.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An analytical observational study was conducted for 500 caregivers of dependent family members. Sociodemographic data were collected for caregivers and their dependent family members. Carers' occupational performance and satisfaction were assessed using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), and quality of life was assessed using the World Health Organization - Quality of Life (WHOQOL-Bref). Comparison between groups was performed using the Chi-square test for qualitative variables. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess the strength and direction of linear associations between numerical variables.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Most caregivers were women (72.3%, n = 364), with an average age of 60.3 ± 13.64 years. These individuals were providing care for a family member with severe dependency (69.7%, n = 348), classified as Grade III. Up to 38.2% (n = 191) of caregivers struggled with maintaining punctuality and consistency in their paid employment, and 25.6% (n = 128) of caregivers stopped or had difficulty working. In addition, 28.4% (n = 142) of caregivers had problems with household cleaning and tidying, 20.4% (n = 102) perceived that they neglected their other family members, and 18.6% (n = 93) of caregivers encountered problems attending courses and furthering their education. Women were more affected in terms of productivity. Moreover, performance and quality of life worsened as the number of productivity activities affected increased.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Caring for a dependent family member has a considerable impact on the caregiver's productive activities, affecting their work performance, household management, and professional development, with a particularly marked impact on women. This caregiving role is also associated with a decrease in quality of life, which highlights the need for interventions to support caregivers in these areas.</p>","PeriodicalId":45684,"journal":{"name":"AIMS Public Health","volume":"12 2","pages":"451-469"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12277777/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144691932","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":"Integration of Albanian nurses in Germany: Employment challenges and opportunities - A descriptive study.","authors":"Alketa Dervishi, Simon Jäger, Blerina Duka, Etleva Kika, Valbona Bezhani, Ardit Lena, Dhurata Ivziku","doi":"10.3934/publichealth.2025023","DOIUrl":"10.3934/publichealth.2025023","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nurse migration from low- and middle-income countries to high-income nations is a significant global phenomenon. This study aimed to examine the opportunities and challenges faced by Albanian nurses during their work integration after migrating to Germany. A descriptive cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted using convenience sampling with a snowball recruitment technique. A total of 162 Albanian nurses working in Germany, mostly female and married, participated in the survey. The findings revealed that the overall integration process was satisfactory, particularly regarding the recognition of professional qualifications, respect from colleagues, patients, and families, career opportunities, and autonomy at work. The host institutions supported integration through mentorship programs, language training, procedural training, and education on the German healthcare system. However, nurses reported challenges in medical terminologies, telephone communication, and healthcare documentation. The participants expressed the need for more comprehensive pre-departure information to facilitate smoother transitions. The study highlights the pivotal role of managers and institutions in the integration process and in creating inclusive and equitable work environments. Germany serves as a model for implementing effective integration activities for migrant nurses. Albania must adopt stronger strategies to retain nurses within the country and enhance its human capital by improving the working conditions and providing career development opportunities. Future research is recommended to explore the integration processes of Albanian nurses across other European countries. Subsequent studies should concentrate on identifying and addressing potential barriers to integration while fostering opportunities for collaboration between the origin and destination countries. Such research can contribute to academic, political, and social frameworks that enhance the migration experience for migrant nurses.</p>","PeriodicalId":45684,"journal":{"name":"AIMS Public Health","volume":"12 2","pages":"399-417"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12277771/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144691931","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":"Integrated strategies for type 2 diabetes prevention: The role of diet and exercise.","authors":"Nicola Tecce, Mattia Proganò, Davide Menafra, Annamaria Docimo, Stefano Zarrilli, Roberta Scairati, Anna Lisa Pelosi, Rosario Pivonello, Annamaria Colao","doi":"10.3934/publichealth.2025024","DOIUrl":"10.3934/publichealth.2025024","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a prevalent global health problem largely caused by lifestyle factors, including poor diet and physical inactivity. With the increasing incidence of T2D, effective prevention strategies are urgently needed. This review examines the role of different dietary patterns and exercise regimens in the prevention and management of T2D, focusing on their effects on glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and cardiovascular health.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A narrative review was conducted synthesizing evidence from clinical trials, cohort studies, and meta-analyses. The review focused on the effects of low-carbohydrate diets (LCDs), Mediterranean diets (MDs), plant-based diets, high-protein diets (HPDs), and various exercise regimens, including aerobic, resistance, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Dietary interventions, particularly MD and plant-based diets, are associated with improved glycemic control and reduced risk of developing T2D. LCDs show short-term benefits for weight management and HbA1c reduction, although adherence remains a challenge. HPDs show mixed results, with some benefits for lipid profiles but inconsistent effects on glycemic control. Exercise programs, especially combined aerobic and resistance training, significantly improve glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and cardiovascular risk factors. HIIT emerges as an effective option for improving metabolic health in individuals at risk for or living with T2D.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>A combination of dietary modification and physical activity, particularly Mediterranean and plant-based diets coupled with combined aerobic and resistance exercise, appears to be the most effective strategy for the prevention and management of T2D. Future research should focus on personalized approaches that integrate both diet and exercise to tailor interventions to individual patient needs.</p>","PeriodicalId":45684,"journal":{"name":"AIMS Public Health","volume":"12 2","pages":"418-450"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12277773/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144691930","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":"Association between sense of control and all-cause mortality: a prospective cohort study.","authors":"Ying Li, Yilin Chen, Xiwen Ding, Yin Chen, Wei Jiang","doi":"10.3934/publichealth.2025021","DOIUrl":"10.3934/publichealth.2025021","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The salutary effects of a sense of control on health are well acknowledged; however, rigorous studies evaluating its effect on mortality remain scarce. This study aimed to study the association between a sense of control and mortality and to identify the effect of changes in this sense of control on mortality risk. This prospective cohort study included 22,793 participants over age 50 and their spouses, drawn from a nationally representative U.S. sample from 2006 to 2018. Cox proportional hazard regression analyses estimated the association between sense of control and all-cause mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were compared using the log-rank test, and changes in sense of control levels associated with mortality risk were evaluated using the Cox proportional hazards model. Over the 12-year follow-up period, 5027 deaths were recorded. An increased sense of control was significantly associated with decreased mortality risk, as revealed by stratified analysis according to sex and age. Hazard ratios (HRs) for the second, third, and fourth quartiles of sense of control levels were 0.91 (95% CI, 0.84-0.98), 0.83 (95% CI, 0.77-0.92), and 0.79 (95% CI, 0.72-0.87), respectively, relative to the first quartile. Compared to individuals with stable sense of control scores from baseline to study conclusion, the HR was 0.58 (95% CI, 0.48-0.70) for those with increased scores and 1.81 (95% CI, 1.53-2.13) for those with decreased scores. High levels of sense of control were significantly associated with reduced mortality risk. These findings underscore the importance of a sense of control as a focus for public health interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":45684,"journal":{"name":"AIMS Public Health","volume":"12 2","pages":"360-377"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12277782/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144691913","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 psychosocial risks and their impact on nurses' safety attitudes and medication error rates: A cross-sectional study.","authors":"Vasileios Tzenetidis, Aristomenis Kotsakis, Mary Gouva, Konstantinos Tsaras, Maria Malliarou","doi":"10.3934/publichealth.2025022","DOIUrl":"10.3934/publichealth.2025022","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Employee exposure to specific risks often increases work-related stress, negatively impacting their effectiveness and potentially leading to illnesses, mistakes, or accidents.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>We aimed to determine the psychosocial risks experienced by nurses in tertiary hospitals and their association with attitudes toward safety and the occurrence of medication errors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2023 in four Greek tertiary hospitals (Evangelismos, Nikaia \"Agios Panteleimon\", University Hospital of Larissa, and \"G. Papanikolaou\"). The study involved 514 nurses aged 20-67, employed for at least 12 months, fluent in Greek, and completing questionnaires on stress, burnout, and medication errors. The questionnaire used in the study included demographic information of the nursing staff (age, gender, marital status, work experience, and education level), characteristics of the nursing unit (medical, surgical, long-term care unit, Intensive Care Unit), the COPSOQ III (Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire Version III), the HSOPSC (Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture), and the questionnaire for Investigating Nursing Errors in Medication Administration.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Nurses exposed to psychosocial risks, such as bullying and high demands, reported increased medication errors. Supportive work environments with sufficient staffing and collaborative culture significantly mitigated these risks. Factors such as \"Staffing\" and \"Handoffs\" partially mediated the relationship between demands and errors. Thus, targeted interventions to reduce bullying and enhance teamwork are essential. Continuous education emerged as crucial for improving safety and performance.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study underscores the necessity of social support, job autonomy, and work-life balance as critical factors in reducing stress and improving the quality of care. Specific strategies are proposed to enhance nurses' mental health and improve working conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":45684,"journal":{"name":"AIMS Public Health","volume":"12 2","pages":"378-398"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12277779/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144691915","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":"Indoor radon exposure in Africa: A critical review on the current research stage and knowledge gaps.","authors":"Leonel J R Nunes, António Curado","doi":"10.3934/publichealth.2025020","DOIUrl":"10.3934/publichealth.2025020","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Indoor radon exposure poses significant health risks and has prompted testing and mitigation programs in regions such as Europe, North America, Japan, and South Korea. However, African countries have not adopted similar measures on a comparable scale. Limited research on radon exposure in Africa can be attributed to a lack of awareness among policymakers and the public, insufficient expertise in radiation protection and measurements, and restricted access to resources such as laboratories and testing equipment. This review examines existing research articles on radon exposure conducted in African countries, focusing on the efforts made by specific nations, such as Tunisia and Sudan, to address this issue. It analyzes the scope, scale, and impact of these initiatives compared to global efforts in managing radon exposure risks. The findings reveal that the study of radon exposure in Africa is still in its early stages, with limited progress and modest initiatives compared to other regions. While some efforts have been made, they are insufficient to effectively address the significant health risks associated with radon exposure. There is an urgent need for African policymakers and researchers to prioritize radon exposure as a public health issue. Developing frameworks, standards, and mitigation strategies is essential to reduce risks in homes and workplaces. This review emphasizes the importance of addressing radon exposure in African countries and offers recommendations to guide future research and policy development.</p>","PeriodicalId":45684,"journal":{"name":"AIMS Public Health","volume":"12 2","pages":"329-359"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12277776/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144691917","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}