Journal of Public Health Research最新文献

{"title":"Taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages: Perspectives of adults and nursing practitioners in Makhanda, Eastern Cape, South Africa.","authors":"Lanine Herman, Nelene Koen","doi":"10.1177/22799036261455674","DOIUrl":"10.1177/22799036261455674","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>High sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption has been linked to the rising prevalence of obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in South Africa. In April 2018, the country introduced an SSB tax-known as the Health Promotion Levy (HPL)-as a fiscal measure to reduce excessive sugar consumption and curb the rise of overweight, obesity, and NCDs. Although national evidence indicates product reformulation, community-level awareness and perceptions, particularly in low-socioeconomic settings, remain unclear.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To assess adults' awareness, beliefs, and self-reported behaviour changes related to the SSB tax, and to explore nursing practitioners' understanding, perceptions of its impact on consumer behaviour, and views on their educational role at primary health care (PHC) facilities in Makhanda, Eastern Cape.</p><p><strong>Design and methods: </strong>A multi-method, cross-sectional design was used. Quantitative data were collected from adults (n = 275) at seven PHC facilities through an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Qualitative data were obtained from semi-structured interviews with nursing practitioners (n = 10) at the same facilities. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis, and the results were integrated for interpretation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Ninety-six percent of adults (n = 264), based on the interviewer-administered questionnaire, were unaware of the SSB tax, while 98% (n = 269) reported no change in consumption since implementation. Nursing practitioners displayed limited awareness of the tax's rationale and timing but supported taxation as a public health strategy.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The SSB tax demonstrates limited perceived impact in this setting. Strengthened community education, awareness campaigns, and improved policy implementation are required to enhance effectiveness.</p>","PeriodicalId":45958,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health Research","volume":"15 3","pages":"22799036261455674"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13583249/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148991798","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":"Oral antibiotics prescribing patterns and associated diarrhea risk: Public health implications.","authors":"Zorica Naumovska, Emilija Atanasovska, Beti Djurdjic, Kristina Mladenovska, Tanja Petreska Ivanovska, Nikola Geskovski, Katerina Anceska Netkovska, Katerina Goracinova, Renata Slaveska Raichki, Dushko Shalabalija, Ljubica Mihailova, Teodora Tasevska, Lina Livrinska Trpeska, Maja Simonoska Crcarevska","doi":"10.1177/22799036261480287","DOIUrl":"10.1177/22799036261480287","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Inappropriate antibiotic use contributes to antimicrobial resistance and adverse drug reactions (ADR), including antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD), underscoring the importance of WHO AWaRe recommendations for rational prescribing. Clinical evidence supports the use of specific probiotic strains to reduce AAD risk, with strain-specific recommendations that should be adapted to regional contexts.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To assess oral antibiotic consumption in the Republic of North Macedonia (2011-2022), evaluate prescribing patterns according to the WHO AWaRe classification, identify antibiotics associated with a higher burden of AAD, and determine the availability of evidence-supported probiotics for AAD prevention.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Observational pharmaco-epidemiological study integrating antibiotic utilization data, pharmacovigilance signals, and evidence synthesis from systematic reviews and market analysis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Reimbursed oral antibiotic data (ATC J01) were obtained from the National Health Insurance Fund. Gastrointestinal ADR reports were extracted from EudraVigilance and FAERS. Diarrhea risk was estimated using SmPC frequency categories and normalized pharmacovigilance indicators. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses were used to identify probiotic strains with evidence for AAD prevention, and online pharmacy surveys assessed market availability.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Penicillins and cephalosporins predominated in antibiotic use. Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, cefixime, and clindamycin ranked highest for diarrhea risk based on combined utilization and pharmacovigilance indicators. Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG showed the strongest evidence for AAD prevention. Considerable variability was observed in probiotic product composition and reporting across the market.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Findings highlight antibiotics with higher AAD-related public health burden and support antimicrobial stewardship strategies, including evidence-based probiotic co-administration.</p>","PeriodicalId":45958,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health Research","volume":"15 3","pages":"22799036261480287"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13570092/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148956969","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":"Utility measurement tools and quality of life assessment of cleft care in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review.","authors":"Kwame Adu Okyere Boadu, Richard Frank-Torblu, Francisca Egyaim, Gizella Theophilia Opoku, Eva Saeh Afriyie, Rita Oduro, Michael Kwadwo Owusu-Duah, Justine Ti-Baliana Martha Naab, Angelica Boakye-Yiadom, Richard Okyere Boadu, Peter Agyei-Baffour","doi":"10.1177/22799036261486656","DOIUrl":"10.1177/22799036261486656","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), there is a heavy burden on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of both people living with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) and their families. In these places, there is little to no utility data for cost-effectiveness analysis. The existing condition-specific patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and utility instruments were developed and validated in high-income countries (HIC). Therefore, there is a question on the effectiveness of these tools in SSA. This study systematically maps and appraises the utility measurement tools and HRQoL instruments applied in CL/P care across SSA, characterises their psychometric properties, and identifies gaps to inform instrument adaptation and development.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The Population-Concept-Context framework was used to conduct a systematic review. Searches were performed across four databases. The inclusion criteria were a peer-reviewed quantitative study conducted in SSA with a CL/P population with a named, validated QoL or utility instrument.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twelve studies from five SSA countries were included. While fourteen distinct HRQoL instruments were identified, only one study used a direct utility method. There were three condition-specific PROMs but none was formally validated in SSA. After quality appraisal, five studies were rated low, five were moderate and two had a high risk of bias. Across studies, CL/P had a significant association with low HRQoL.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>There is a paucity of utility data and SSA-validated HRQoL instruments for CL/P. The existing instruments when applied, are done without formal cultural adaptation. This is likely to lead to ineffective application, and uninformed conclusions and decision making.</p>","PeriodicalId":45958,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health Research","volume":"15 3","pages":"22799036261486656"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13542551/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148898031","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":"Pattern of road traffic accidents in Nepal: A cross-sectional record review.","authors":"Minani Gurung, Olita Shilpakar, Lisasha Poudel, Bipsana Shrestha, Aakriti Poudel, Tai Anjuk Lama, Niranjan Panta, Bibek Giri","doi":"10.1177/22799036261486665","DOIUrl":"10.1177/22799036261486665","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are a leading cause of mortality and disability in Nepal. Despite the scale of the problem, comprehensive province-level analyses covering recent years remain limited. This study describes the pattern of RTAs across all seven provinces of Nepal over four fiscal years.</p><p><strong>Design and methods: </strong>A cross-sectional record review was conducted using RTA records obtained from Nepal Traffic Police departments across all provinces. Records spanning fiscal years 2020/21-2023/24 AD were analysed. Variables extracted included province and year of incident, urban/rural classification, driver age group, and vehicle type. Descriptive statistics were computed using SPSS version 20. Data for 2023/24 cover only the first five months of the fiscal year and should be interpreted with caution.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 74,929 RTAs were recorded over the study period. Annual totals increased from 20,640 in 2020/21 to a peak of 24,537 in 2021/22, before declining modestly to 23,597 in 2022/23. The Kathmandu Valley consistently recorded the highest accident burden (10,733 in 2021/22; 10,675 in 2022/23). Drivers aged 25-40 years accounted for the largest proportion of recorded driver involvements with known age (58,614; 50.2%), followed by those aged 16-25 years (34,886; 29.9%). Motorcycles and scooters were the most commonly involved vehicle type. Urban areas accounted for 30,401 accidents (59.0% of accidents with known location), though rural predominance was observed in Madhesh and Koshi provinces.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>RTAs in Nepal are concentrated among young and middle-aged adult drivers, predominantly involve two-wheeled vehicles, and exhibit marked urban-rural variation across provinces. These findings support age-targeted safety interventions, strengthened motorcycle helmet enforcement, and geographically differentiated road safety strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":45958,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health Research","volume":"15 3","pages":"22799036261486665"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13539021/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148889155","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 factors associated with hypotension after spinal anesthesia during cesarean section at public hospitals in Harar town, Eastern Ethiopia.","authors":"Mengistu Chalie, Awoke Getiye, Gizachew Tilaye, Birhanu Shegene, Alemayehu Tesfaye, Abebe Tolera","doi":"10.1177/22799036261486687","DOIUrl":"10.1177/22799036261486687","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Spinal anesthesia is a type of regional anesthesia that has been practiced for obstetric anesthesia since the beginning of the 20th century. Despite the simplicity and lower maternal mortality risk, compared to general anesthesia, spinal anesthesia is linked to different adverse effects, of which hypotension is the most common complication. Comprehensive data are scarce on hypotension during spinal anesthesia and its associated factors in this study area.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with spinal anesthesia-induced hypotension during cesarean section at Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized University Hospital and Jugal General Hospital, Harar, Ethiopia, November 20, 2024- January 20, 2025.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 389 mothers who underwent cesarean section. Participants were selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire and supplemented by medical record review. Data were entered into EpiData 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with hypotension. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported, with variables having a p-value <0.05 in the multivariable analysis considered statistically significant.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>Data from 388 participants were analyzed. The overall prevalence of spinal anesthesia-induced hypotension was 59.28% (95% CI: 54.40%-64.20%). In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, the odds of developing post-spinal hypotension were significantly higher among mothers delivering newborns weighing ≥2.5 kg (AOR=6.89; 95% CI: 2.99-15.91), those experiencing an intraoperative estimated blood loss between 500 and 1000 mL (AOR=2.87; 95% CI: 1.53-5.40), patients maintained in a supine position immediately before anesthetic induction (AOR=2.02; 95% CI: 1.24-3.27), and procedures with a total surgical duration exceeding 1 hour (AOR=1.97; 95% CI: 1.25-3.11).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The prevalence of spinal anesthesia-induced hypotension during cesarean section among pregnant mothers was high. Newborn weight, being positioned supine before spinal anesthesia, greater than 1 hr duration of surgery, and estimated blood loss are factors associated with hypotension after spinal anesthesia. Recognizing these high-risk profiles and optimizing perioperative care protocols, such as managing surgical timelines, monitoring fluid volume, and utilizing left-lateral positioning, may serve as valuable supportive considerations for managing maternal hemodynamic stability.</p>","PeriodicalId":45958,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health Research","volume":"15 3","pages":"22799036261486687"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13539025/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148889169","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":"Cutaneous leishmaniasis disease and vector related knowledge in endemic communities in Ghana: A 2023 cross-sectional study in the Nkwanta South District.","authors":"Hayford Odoi, Yaw Duah Boakye, Thereas Appiah Agana, Dennis Obeng Mensah, Alfred Ofori Agyemang, Kingsley Badu, Vivian Etsiapa Boamah, Christian Agyare","doi":"10.1177/22799036261485477","DOIUrl":"10.1177/22799036261485477","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected tropical disease transmitted through the bites of infected female phlebotomine sandflies. With an evolving epidemiology in tropical countries, this study assessed the knowledge, attitude and perception about CL disease in endemic communities of the Oti region, Ghana.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was carried out in six communities in the Oti region, Ghana. A structured questionnaire was administered to 254 participants to evaluate CL associated knowledge, attitude, perceptions (KAPs) and health beliefs. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses and Sankey plots were performed to determine the association between KAPs about CL and sociodemographic characteristics.</p><p><strong>Principal findings: </strong>Thirty-seven participants with chronic skin ulcerations were identified with 21.6% confirmed CL cases. Of the 254 respondents, 97.6% (n=248) had poor knowledge about CL disease while all participants (100%, n=254) had poor knowledge about CL sandfly vector. The participants had good attitude (84%) towards CL and also exhibited good perceptive health beliefs about CL disease with positive perception index scores of 0.68 (CL disease awareness), 0.78 (perceived susceptibility), 0.91 (perceived severity) and 0.81 (perceived response efficiency).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Cutaneous leishmaniasis remains a major healthcare issue in communities in the Oti region with critical deficits in disease and vector knowledge. This requires continued surveillance and targeted health education in vector biology, disease aetiology and dynamics.</p>","PeriodicalId":45958,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health Research","volume":"15 3","pages":"22799036261485477"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13535077/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148881975","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":"Perspectives on physical activity participation in middle-aged U.S. South Asian women at risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus: A qualitative study.","authors":"Nitha Mathew Joseph, Madelene Ottoson, Veronica J Brady, Raji Pillai, Carina Katigbak, Sandy D Jones, Larking L Strong","doi":"10.1177/22799036261485478","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/22799036261485478","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Increasing evidence supports the benefits of physical activity (PA) in lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among middle-aged women. Despite the increased risk for T2DM at a younger age, South Asian (SA) women in the United States (U.S.) have lower PA than men and have been studied to a lesser extent. This study explored the culturally bound attitudes, behaviors, beliefs, and barriers related to PA among middle-aged SA women at risk for T2DM.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>A descriptive qualitative study involving focus group discussions (FGDs) with SA women (N=25) at risk for T2DM was conducted. Participants were recruited from SA religious/faith communities and professional organizations in Houston, Texas, using purposive and snowball sampling. FGDs were audio-recorded and transcribed. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis in MAXQDA.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Most participants were married, college-educated, employed, and first-generation immigrants. Two overarching themes-barriers to PA and facilitators/motivators of PA-emerged, comprising six subthemes. Barriers included balancing roles and responsibilities and cultural attitudes and norms, while facilitators/motivators included support systems, personal drives, role models, and exercise as enjoyable.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Cultural attitudes and gender norms strongly influence PA behavior among SA women in the U.S. Collectivism expressed through bonding, accountability, enjoyment, and mutual encouragement is a key strength among SA women that shapes their PA experiences. Culturally appropriate intervention strategies may include offering peer-based, socially supported PA programs and targeted education to increase SA women's awareness of PA benefits across life stages.</p>","PeriodicalId":45958,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health Research","volume":"15 3","pages":"22799036261485478"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13662570/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149197009","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":"Machine learning approaches to identify influential factors associated with hypertension and prehypertension among rural adults in Bangladesh.","authors":"Md Zahidul Islam, Mohammad Rocky Khan Chowdhury, Zarin Raihana, Farzana Akhter Bornee, Farah Naz Rahman, Shanta Rani Biswas, Mamunur Rashid","doi":"10.1177/22799036261467444","DOIUrl":"10.1177/22799036261467444","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hypertension poses a significant public health challenge in Bangladesh, particularly among rural populations with limited access to healthcare. Thus, this study aimed to identify the influential factors associated with hypertension and prehypertension in rural Bangladesh using sophisticated machine learning (ML) methods.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 1603 respondents were selected in this study using a multistage random sampling from a cross-sectional survey. Five commonly used sophisticated ML algorithms were used. The predictive performance of these models was evaluated using standard validation metrics. Influential variables were identified and ranked using SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) technique.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension was 30.9% and 40.8%, respectively. The XGB model outperformed other ML models in predicting hypertension (accuracy: 74.3%, ROC: 75.8%), while the LR model was better at predicting prehypertension (accuracy: 59.2%, ROC: 54.1%). Top factors in predicting hypertension were older age, being overweight or obese, having a past or no smoking history, reporting no chronic disease, and having a family history of hypertension, whereas top factors for pre-hypertension were current smoking status, absence of cardiovascular disease, being in a younger or middle-aged group, having no family history of hypertension, and current employment.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Three out of ten people in rural areas were hypertensive, while two out of five were prehypertensive. The ML models had the potential to predict hypertension. The current findings highlight an urgent need for strengthened national and regional public health initiatives to improve hypertension detection, awareness, and management in rural Bangladesh.</p>","PeriodicalId":45958,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health Research","volume":"15 3","pages":"22799036261467444"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13519169/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148841506","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":"Validity of self-reported educational attainment collected as part of a telephone interview in a Norwegian dietary study.","authors":"Jannicke Borch Myhre, Torunn Holm Totland, Lene Frost Andersen","doi":"10.1177/22799036261481566","DOIUrl":"10.1177/22799036261481566","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Self-reported educational attainment is a much-used variable in research, but few studies have addressed the validity of this information. This study assesses the criterion validity of self-reported educational attainment from a telephone interview by comparing it with registry-based data from Statistics Norway.</p><p><strong>Design and methods: </strong>Self-reported educational attainment was collected from 348 persons aged 18-80 years residing in Norway as part of a dietary study involving two 24-hour recalls conducted over the telephone during the spring of 2021. Information about officially registered educational attainment from Statistics Norway was later obtained for the same participants, and information from both sources was compared for 344 participants.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>When dividing the participants into three educational groups, 77 % were classified in agreement with the officially registered educational attainment by self-report with regard to educational attainment. Twenty percent overreported their own educational attainment, while only 3% underreported. When dividing the participants into only two educational groups according to whether they had university/college education or not, 86% were in agreement with the officially registered educational attainment, 12% overreported their educational attainment and 2% underreported.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The majority of participants were classified in agreement with the officially registered educational attainment by self-report, but overreporting was more common than underreporting. These results should be taken into consideration when using self-reported educational attainment in research.</p>","PeriodicalId":45958,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health Research","volume":"15 3","pages":"22799036261481566"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13504088/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148819969","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, knowledge, awareness, attitudes, perceptions and practices of G6PD deficiency among mothers, children and pregnant women.","authors":"Christiana Asiedu, Emmanuella Florence Odi Asiedu, Eunice Johnson, Sarah Esi Bilson","doi":"10.1177/22799036261480292","DOIUrl":"10.1177/22799036261480292","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is one of the most common inherited enzymatic disorders worldwide, with significant clinical implications for mothers, children, and pregnant women. Despite its prevalence, knowledge, awareness, and preventive practices remain inadequate, particularly in high-burden regions. This review aimed to systematically synthesise evidence on the prevalence of G6PD deficiency and the knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and practices surrounding the condition among pregnant women, mothers, and children.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Comprehensive searches were performed across PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and CINAHL, supplemented with grey literature sources. Studies published between 2000 and 2025 in English that assessed prevalence and knowledge-related dimensions of G6PD deficiency were eligible. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools were applied to evaluate study quality, and thematic synthesis was used to analyse the findings.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twenty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria, representing Africa (55.6%), the Middle East (25.9%), Asia (14.8%), and Latin America (3.7%). Prevalence estimates varied widely, from 1.1% in Turkish neonates to 60% among Nigerian pregnant women, with consistent male predominance due to X-linked inheritance. Variant-specific prevalence, such as G6PD A-, Cairo, Mediterranean, and Viangchan, shaped both severity and clinical outcomes, often compounded by anaemia and sickle cell trait. Neonatal jaundice and hyperbilirubinemia were the most frequently reported consequences. Knowledge and awareness of G6PD deficiency were generally poor, with up to 80.2% of mothers reporting inadequate understanding of favism and only 17.1% demonstrating knowledge of the disorder. Attitudes were predominantly negative (55-86.8%), and preventive practices were suboptimal, with as few as 15.8% demonstrating adequate behaviours. Educational interventions, including family-centred empowerment models, yielded significant improvements in maternal knowledge, attitudes, and practices.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>G6PD deficiency remains a significant maternal and child health concern with heterogeneous prevalence influenced by geography, genetics, and co-morbidities. Knowledge and practice gaps among mothers and pregnant women hinder effective prevention and management, contributing to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Targeted health education, routine screening, and culturally tailored interventions are essential to strengthen awareness, promote preventive practices, and reduce complications associated with G6PD deficiency.</p>","PeriodicalId":45958,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health Research","volume":"15 3","pages":"22799036261480292"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13500972/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148814333","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}