Journal of Public Health Research最新文献

{"title":"Sociodemographic differences in glaucoma awareness and knowledge among the general population of Nepal: A population-based study.","authors":"Ranjan Shah, Anil Paudel, Sailesh Kumar Mishra, Prakriti Sharma, Pathiyil Ravi Shankar, Nisha Jha, Sabina Shrestha, Reena Yadav, Chet Raj Pant, Bharat Bahadur Chand, Anil Gorkhaly, Daya Shankar Chaudhary","doi":"10.1177/22799036261470474","DOIUrl":"10.1177/22799036261470474","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Glaucoma contributes significantly to vision impairment worldwide and ranks as Nepal's third most preventable cause. Early detection of glaucoma remains crucial to halting its progression and preventing vision loss. This study assessed awareness of glaucoma among Nepalese adults.</p><p><strong>Design and methods: </strong>The population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted between May 2017 and March 2018 using multistage stratified random sampling. A total of 5,000 household heads from 100 clusters across 15 randomly selected districts in Nepal were interviewed. The operational definition of 'awareness' included having heard of glaucoma, while having 'knowledge' comprised understanding its causes, symptoms, and treatment. Descriptive and bivariable analysis using chi-square test were used to assess associations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the 4,993 respondents, 3904 (78.2%) had heard of at least one eye disease, but only 738 (18.9%) were aware of glaucoma, highlighting a substantial knowledge gap. Among those aware, 67.6% did not know its cause, and 48.4% were unaware of treatment options. Difference in glaucoma awareness was observed across sociodemographic characteristics such as ethnicity, religion, education, and occupation (p < 0.05). Disadvantaged Janajatis (27.0%) and individuals with secondary or higher education (27.9%) had higher awareness, whereas Dalits (6.1%), housewives (9.6%), and wage laborers (9.9%) had the lowest.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>To minimize blindness caused by glaucoma in Nepal, targeted, community-based education should focus on high-risk groups such as Dalits, housewives, and daily wage laborers. Integrating glaucoma awareness and screening within primary healthcare systems, using local media, and engaging community health workers can enhance outreach and reduce cultural barriers.</p>","PeriodicalId":45958,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health Research","volume":"15 3","pages":"22799036261470474"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-07-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13459672/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148714071","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":"Palliative care among cancer patients in Georgia: System-level gaps identified through health-related quality of life discrepancies.","authors":"Tamriko Bulia, Ioseb Abesadze, David Tananashvili, Pati Dzotsenidze, Tina Beruchashvili","doi":"10.1177/22799036261470318","DOIUrl":"10.1177/22799036261470318","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Palliative care aims to improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL) through holistic, patient-centered approaches. In low- and middle-income countries, including Georgia, care remains largely medically focused, with limited psychological, social, and spiritual support. Discrepancies in HRQoL assessments between patients, families, and healthcare providers may obscure unmet needs and hinder comprehensive care delivery.</p><p><strong>Design and methods: </strong>We conducted a multicenter, cross-sectional study across nine palliative care clinics in Georgia from November 2024 to June 2025. HRQoL was assessed using the validated EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire, independently completed by 298 cancer patients, their family members (n=298), and 80 healthcare staff.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The QLQ-C30 demonstrated acceptable to excellent internal consistency across all respondent groups. Family members tended to report higher symptom burden and greater functional impairment compared with patient self-reports. Healthcare personnel reported higher functioning levels in emotional, social, and role domains, suggesting potential underestimation of impairments in these areas, while certain symptom domains (pain) were overestimated. Agreement was highest for observable physical symptoms and lowest for psychosocial domains. Despite widespread recognition of the importance of multidisciplinary care, such services were largely absent. Most participants expressed strong support for including psychologists and spiritual care providers, highlighting substantial unmet non-medical needs.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Integrating perspectives from patients, family members, and healthcare personnel reveals critical gaps in Georgian palliative care. The findings underscore the importance of multi-source HRQoL assessment and culturally adapted, multidisciplinary care models. This evidence can guide public health policy, workforce training, and service design, ultimately improving patient-centered care in Georgia and similar settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":45958,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health Research","volume":"15 3","pages":"22799036261470318"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13459671/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148714087","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":"Infectious medical waste (IMW) and disease transmission: A critical public health challenge in Africa and the global implications - A systematic review.","authors":"Jeffrey N T Squire, Michaelann George, Zakirah Allain, Oghenowede Eyawo","doi":"10.1177/22799036261470478","DOIUrl":"10.1177/22799036261470478","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Infectious Medical Waste (IMW) from both human and animal healthcare sources have the potential to transmit diseases in human populations due to its pathogenic composition. Conversely, a paucity of data regarding cause-and-effect relationships inhibits our understanding of the extent to which disease transmission occurs. In parts of Africa where the management of IMW is not prioritized, the risks to public health, along with its global implications cannot be ignored.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>A systematic literature search following the PRISMA guidelines was conducted across five electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, ProQuest and Ovid. Relevant studies were identified using keywords such as 'infectious medical waste', 'infectious diseases', 'routes of infection', 'route of transmission', 'epidemics', 'diseases', 'sub-Sahara Africa', and 'infectious waste management'.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, 6721 articles were retrieved from the search, 6634 of which were excluded due to a lack of alignment with the study objectives. After screening, 87 studies were deemed eligible and were included in the review. Our findings identified 11 diseases that are potentially transmissible via IMW. These include Anthrax, Crimean-congo haemorrhagic Fever, Ebola Virus Disease, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Lassa Fever, Measles, Monkeypox, Plague, and Rift Valley Fever. Disease transmission may occur via human contact with different classes of IMW, contaminated materials and accessories.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Medical waste can be a source of infectious disease transmission. However, evidence of such a pathway is currently unavailable due to a paucity of scientific data. Therefore, further research is needed to establish cause-and-effect relationships.</p>","PeriodicalId":45958,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health Research","volume":"15 3","pages":"22799036261470478"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13459670/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148714140","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":"Using mobile phone Re-call notification as a primary care practice to improve vaccination uptake for children under five in baghdad, Iraq, 2022.","authors":"Firas Jabbar, Kamal A Kadhim, Riyadh A Alhilfi, Faris Lami, Abdulaal Chitheer, Salman Rawaf, Celine Tabche, Mona Kuroiwa, Helene Davies, Alaa Rahi","doi":"10.1177/22799036261470482","DOIUrl":"10.1177/22799036261470482","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Reminder and recall (RR) interventions are proven strategies for improving childhood immunization coverage. However, evidence on their feasibility and effectiveness in routine primary healthcare settings in Iraq is limited. This study evaluated a direct, person-to-person mobile phone recall intervention to improve vaccine uptake among children under five years of age in Baghdad Province in 2022.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The intervention was implemented in 50 Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) with the lowest routine immunization performance, including 20 centers in Karkh and 30 in Rusafa. Eligible participants were children under five years of age who were overdue for one or more vaccines in the national Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) schedule, excluding Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine administered at birth. Trained EPI staff contacted caregivers through direct telephone calls, with up to six biweekly attempts over a three-month period. Standardized data collection forms were used under supervision of the Directorate of Public Health.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 17,241 children (47.8% female) with 48,919 overdue vaccine doses were identified, of whom 15,087 (87.4%) had valid mobile phone numbers. Among these, 28,130 call attempts resulted in 10,061 caregiver responses. Most respondents (87.5%) agreed to schedule vaccination appointments. Ultimately, 6,831 children attended PHCs and received 13,386 overdue vaccine doses, corresponding to 39.4% child-level and 27.4% dose-level coverage among targeted defaulters.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Direct cellphone-based recall interventions are feasible and operationally effective for improving routine childhood immunization in Iraq. As a low-cost strategy embedded within existing EPI structures, this approach has strong potential for scale-up in similar settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":45958,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health Research","volume":"15 3","pages":"22799036261470482"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13459669/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148713917","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":"Epidemiological and clinical characterization of human infections with H9N2 avian influenza virus in Changsha city, China, 2015-2025.","authors":"Shuilian Chen, Xuewen Yang, Jingsong Qiu, Jin Zhao, Ruchun Liu, Peipei Deng, Qiangming Xie, Yinzhu Zhou","doi":"10.1177/22799036261470475","DOIUrl":"10.1177/22799036261470475","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>H9N2 avian influenza virus poses a persistent public health concern due to its zoonotic potential. This study investigated the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of human H9N2 avian influenza infection in Changsha City, along with related environmental surveillance data, to provide a scientific basis for disease prevention and control. From January 2015 to December 2025, a total of 11 human H9N2 avian influenza cases were collected from historical surveillance data of the Changsha CDC in Changsha City. Cases occurred sporadically throughout the year; most (90.91%, 10/11) were mild, one severe case was co-infected with two types of respiratory pathogens, and the majority (72.73%, 8/11) were children under 5 years old. Among the 10 cases with available exposure history, 70.00% had been exposed to live poultry or LPMs, with the H9 and N2 subtypes detected in related environmental samples at rates of about 76%. Genetic analysis showed that the H9N2 viruses from human cases were highly homologous to H9N2 viruses found in the live poultry environment in Changsha City, while also exhibiting diverse mutations in key functional sites and domains. Environmental samples from large live poultry markets exhibited a significant year-on-year increase in positive rate (χ²=111.30, <i>P</i><0.001), resulting in a substantially higher average rate in 2020-2024 versus 2014-2019 (77.11% vs. 47.43%; χ²=158.24, <i>P</i><0.001). In conclusion, sporadic human H9N2 infections, predominantly affecting children, were mostly associated with live poultry exposure, with no evidence of human-to-human spread, while environmental data revealed a sharply increasing contamination trend in markets, pointing to a heightened risk.</p>","PeriodicalId":45958,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health Research","volume":"15 3","pages":"22799036261470475"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13459667/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148714120","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":"Negotiating access to comprehensive HIV healthcare: Fear, stigma, and health system constraints in Tamale Metropolis, Ghana.","authors":"Charles Owusu-Aduomi Botchwey, Ebenezer Agbenya Adzormahe, Lawrencia Aggrey-Bluwey, Samuel Kofi Miledzi Agblorti, Albert Ahenkan, Susuana Adutwumwaa, Doreen Oparebea Odei, Emmanuel Sei Nkpetri","doi":"10.1177/22799036261470462","DOIUrl":"10.1177/22799036261470462","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Access to comprehensive HIV healthcare services remains uneven in many low-resource settings, despite the availability of antiretroviral therapy. In northern Ghana, limited qualitative evidence exists on how people living with HIV/AIDS experience, interpret, and navigate access to care within public health facilities. This qualitative study explored factors influencing access to comprehensive healthcare services among people living with HIV/AIDS in public hospitals in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. In-depth interviews guided by a semi-structured interview guide were conducted with 30 participants receiving HIV care at three public hospitals. Data were analyzed thematically using NVivo software. Access to comprehensive HIV care was shaped by intersecting psychological, social, and health system factors. Fear of confronting one's HIV status influenced the depth of engagement with services, often limiting care to medication collection. Anticipated stigma and community reactions, including religious moral framing of HIV, discouraged disclosure and delayed or selective care-seeking. Participants also described health worker attitudes and service environments that undermined trust and constrained fuller engagement with care. While geographical distance was not perceived as a barrier, many participants deliberately sought care outside their communities to protect confidentiality. Inconsistent clinical assessment and non-functional diagnostic equipment further limited access to comprehensive care. For people living with HIV/AIDS in the Tamale Metropolis, access to comprehensive healthcare extends beyond physical availability of services or clinic attendance. Fear, stigma, and health system constraints shape how individuals engage selectively with care over time. Interventions aimed at improving HIV service delivery must address confidentiality, provider-patient interactions, and system reliability, alongside efforts to reduce stigma within communities.</p>","PeriodicalId":45958,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health Research","volume":"15 3","pages":"22799036261470462"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13459668/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148714106","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":"Hidden burdens: The dual burden of subclinical iron deficiency and hemoglobinopathies in afro-descendant populations of Colombia's Pacific coast: A public health concern.","authors":"Yusselfy Marquez B, Martha Castillo B, Ana I Mora B, Ana L Oliveros R, Luisa F Castillo L, Bernel Marquez B, Jaime E Bernal, Ignacio Briceño Balcazar","doi":"10.1177/22799036261467457","DOIUrl":"10.1177/22799036261467457","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Iron deficiency and hemoglobinopathies significantly impact public health, affecting morbidity, mortality, and quality of life. Their prevalence and consequences vary across populations, with Afro-descendant communities being of particular interest due to unique genetic, socioeconomic, and cultural factors. Subclinical iron deficiency, may go unnoticed in these populations, contributing to adverse health outcomes. This study aimed to determine the presence of iron deficiency, anemia, and hemoglobinopathies in Afro-descendant Populations of Colombia's Pacific coast.</p><p><strong>Design and methods: </strong>This descriptive, cross-sectional study included 198 Afro-descendant adults, both men and women, recruited through convenience sampling from various healthcare centers in the Pacific region. All participants provided written informed consent prior to enrollment. Blood samples were analyzed for total hemoglobin, ferritin levels, and hemoglobin variants.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Only 18.1% of participants reported a previous anemia diagnosis. Low hemoglobin was found in 23.2% of participants, ferritin deficiency in 49%, and 33.8% presented subclinical iron deficiency (low ferritin with normal Hb). Hemoglobin variants were identified in 17% of participants: Hb AS 4.5%, Hb AC 3%, and HbSS 0.5%. Hemoglobin variants were significantly associated with low hemoglobin <b>(OR = 10.6; 95% CI: 4.7-24.4; p < 0.001), as were low ferritin levels (OR = 2.32; 95% CI: 1.17 - 4.50; p = 0.01).</b></p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The high frequency of subclinical iron deficiency, anemia, and hemoglobinopathies in this population highlights the urgent need for strategies focusing on prevention, early diagnosis, genetic counseling, and comprehensive health management in Afro-descendant populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":45958,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health Research","volume":"15 3","pages":"22799036261467457"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13459666/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148714125","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":"The association of hypertension and anthropometric indices among a population of students: A cross-sectional study in an Iranian medical school.","authors":"Amirmohammad Abolhassani, Keyvan Ataei Kachouei, Akram Yazdani, Sadegh Jafarnejad","doi":"10.1177/22799036261468057","DOIUrl":"10.1177/22799036261468057","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Hypertension is a major global health concern contributing to elevated mortality from heart attacks, strokes, and chronic kidney disease, with a growing prevalence attributed to sedentary lifestyles, poor diet, obesity, and an aging population. This trend is also noticeable in Iran, underscoring the necessity of raising awareness and changing university students' lifestyles. The primary objective of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of hypertension among university students, with a secondary focus on the relationship between blood pressure levels and anthropometric parameters. Alongside conventional anthropometric measures, this study assessed body composition parameters derived from bioimpedance analysis-comprising extracellular water ratio, skeletal muscle mass, fat-free mass, and total body water-in a group of young Iranian university students.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study involved 264 university students, including 130 males and 134 females, from Kashan University of Medical Sciences. Researchers measured blood pressure and anthropometric indicators and analyzed the collected data using SPSS software.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>28% of participants had high blood pressure, and 15.9% had hypertension. Men were five times more likely than women to have hypertension, indicating a significantly higher prevalence of the condition. Meaningful positive correlations were reported between blood pressure and fat-free mass, skeletal muscle mass, and total body water. Based on Logistic regression analysis, BMI, skeletal muscle mass, total body water, fat-free mass, and male sex were significant predictors of HTN.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These results imply that young individuals' blood pressure status is highly correlated with anthropometric and body composition parameters.</p>","PeriodicalId":45958,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health Research","volume":"15 3","pages":"22799036261468057"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13459665/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148714076","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":"High prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria in diabetic patients with foot ulcers: A descriptive analysis of patients referred to a tertiary care hospital in Vietnam.","authors":"Tan Dat Huynh, Manh Nguyen Nguyen, Chi Thanh Tran","doi":"10.1177/22799036261467465","DOIUrl":"10.1177/22799036261467465","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Misuse of antibiotics in diabetic foot infections (DFI) promotes multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Objectives: To describe antibiotic resistance patterns in patients with prior antibiotic exposure before tertiary hospital admission.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A descriptive cross-sectional study followed STROBE guidelines from November 2022 to May 2023. Inclusion criteria were DFI patients with ≥ 48-hour prior antibiotic exposure at lower-level facilities. Clinical characteristics, infection severity, and bacterial cultures were assessed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 51 patients (64.7% male, mean age 61.1 years), results showed elevated inflammatory markers (WBC: 15.1 k/uL; CRP: 109.2 mg/L) and poor glycemic control (HbA1c: 10.2%). Ulcers were large (mean: 10.1 cm^2) with 85.3% moderate-to-severe infections. Out of 51 samples, 38 (74.5%) yielded positive isolates. Among these isolates, the MDR prevalence was 84.2% (32/38). MDR infection was significantly associated with moderate-to-severe ulcers (OR: 10.8; 95% CI: 1.48-78.8; p=0.007).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A high prevalence of MDR bacteria was identified among referred DFI patients, indicating a significant resistance burden in this population. These findings suggest a potential link between prior antibiotic exposure and increased resistance risk, underscoring the need for robust antimicrobial stewardship within referral networks.</p>","PeriodicalId":45958,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health Research","volume":"15 3","pages":"22799036261467465"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13459661/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148714153","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":"The cesarean epidemic in Bangladesh: Associated factors and maternal health risks.","authors":"Hazrat Ali, Md Imran Nur Manik, T M Fahad, Kazi Muhtasim Fuad, Shibli Rubatul Islam, Al Mamun, Md Anwarul Haque, Md Shariful Islam, Md Emtiaj Alam, Tarannum Naz, Shariful Haque, Md Faruk Hasan, Md Rafiqul Islam Khan, Alam Khan","doi":"10.1177/22799036261468087","DOIUrl":"10.1177/22799036261468087","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The global rise in cesarean section (CS) deliveries has raised concerns, particularly when performed without medical indications. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of CS deliveries in both public and private healthcare facilities in Bangladesh and to explore reported non-medical correlates of CS delivery and self-reported postoperative maternal complications.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted between January and December 2023 across urban and rural areas of three major administrative divisions in Bangladesh. Participants were selected from a community-based multistage sampling approach based on birth registration records, and face-to-face interviews were conducted with 4,614 mothers who had given birth during the study period. Data on delivery mode, self-reported medical indications, patient preferences, healthcare provider behavior, and post-cesarean outcomes were collected and analyzed descriptively.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among all births, 61.51% were delivered via CS, with a markedly higher rate observed in private healthcare facilities (81.45%) than in public hospitals. Approximately 21.57% of respondents reported that CS delivery was performed due to previously identified medical indications, based on maternal report and available institutional information (where feasible). A considerable proportion (38.93%) of women who underwent CS births reported postoperative complications, including postoperative pain (23.02%), postpartum hemorrhage (10.85%), surgical site infections (3.63%), and venous thromboembolism (1.43%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings reveal an alarmingly high rate of CS deliveries in Bangladesh, particularly within private healthcare settings, with many participants reporting limited or unclear medical explanations for CS delivery. The high frequency of self-reported postoperative complications suggests important maternal health concerns. Strengthening monitoring of CS practices, improving patient-provider communication, and enhancing public awareness may help optimize CS utilization and maternal healthcare outcomes in Bangladesh.</p>","PeriodicalId":45958,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health Research","volume":"15 3","pages":"22799036261468087"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13459662/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148714143","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}