International Health最新文献

{"title":"The state of wildfire and health research: emerging trends, challenges and gaps.","authors":"Ana Raquel Nunes","doi":"10.1093/inthealth/ihaf032","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/inthealth/ihaf032","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The increasing frequency and severity of wildfires, exacerbated by climate change, population growth and land use changes, have escalated public health risks. These events are associated with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and adverse mental health outcomes. Vulnerable populations, including children, older people and those with pre-existing health conditions, face particularly high risks.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study evaluates the existing literature on wildfire-related health impacts. Key variables include publication frequency, geographic distribution, collaborative networks and funding patterns.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Findings reveal a concentration of research in high-income regions, particularly North America and Europe, with limited studies from wildfire-prone but under-represented areas such as Latin America, Oceania, Africa and the Caribbean. This geographical disparity restricts comprehensive understanding and effective public health responses to wildfire impacts. The analysis also underscores the need for interdisciplinary approaches.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Wildfires continue to pose significant global public health challenges. There is a critical need for more inclusive research efforts, enhanced international collaboration and a stronger focus on health-specific outcomes, especially in under-represented regions. Expanding research in these areas is essential to inform effective public health policies and interventions that address the health risks posed by wildfires worldwide.</p>","PeriodicalId":49060,"journal":{"name":"International Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143804450","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unveiling the hidden health challenges: malaria, helminths, STIs and other pathologies among street children, adolescents and young adults in Cameroon.","authors":"Valerie Makoge, Derick Ntale, Rodrigue Roman D Nana, Gervais T Kamga, Jean-Patrick Molu, Vanessa O A Tangueu, Wilfred F Mbacham","doi":"10.1093/inthealth/ihaf031","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/inthealth/ihaf031","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The phenomenon of street children, adolescents and young adults (SCAYA) is a growing global challenge. In Africa, >10 million children reside in the streets, driven by poverty, abuse and family instability. In Cameroon, this phenomenon is particularly evident in major cities. Being on the street exposes SCAYA to unsanitary living conditions, sexual exploitation, drugs and health challenges. Despite significant health challenges faced by SCAYA, there are few studies on their health status.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from March to July 2022. A total of 147 male street children, adolescents and young adults were enrolled through convenience sampling and voluntary consent. Data collection included semi-structured questionnaires, medical examinations and the collection of blood and stool samples for screening infectious diseases. Fisher's exact test and binomial logistic regression were used to assess associations between participant characteristics and health conditions, including malaria, helminth infections, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our results revealed a prevalence of malaria parasitaemia of 34.3% (47/137) among mostly asymptomatic participants. Helminth infections accounted 10.9% (16/147), HIV 3.6% (5/138) and HBV 8.7% (12/138). Other pathologies noted were scabies, ringworms, rhinobronchitis, oral infections, wounds and fractures. The logistic regression analysis did not show any statistically significant association between the presence of infectious diseases and the sociodemographic characteristics of SCAYA.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our study is one of the first to shed light on the health status and prevalence of infectious diseases among SCAYA in Cameroon. The absence of significant associations with participant characteristics suggests multifactorial influences on the health of these individuals. Targeted healthcare and social interventions are essential to address SCAYA vulnerabilities and improve health outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":49060,"journal":{"name":"International Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143796720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of the burden of Giardia infection and its associated risk factors among children resident in internally displaced persons camps in Mogadishu, Somalia: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Bashiru Garba, Najib Isse Dirie, Yushau Umar, Abdikani Omar Salah, Ahmed Abdirahim Hussien, Ikram Abdirahman Mohamud Alasow, Hodo Aideed Asowe, Fartun Abdullahi Hassan Orey, Jihaan Hassan, Jamal Hassan Mohamoud, Mohamed Hussein Adam, Mohamed Adam Mahamud, Ibrahim Abdullahi Mohamed, Abdullahi Abdirahman Omar, Mohamed Mustaf Ahmed","doi":"10.1093/inthealth/ihaf034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/inthealth/ihaf034","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Giardia duodenalis infection and identify potential risk factors in a healthy population of children living in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, in Mogadishu, Somalia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among children living in Deyniile and Kahda IDP settlements, Mogadishu. A total of 334 children were randomly selected for stool sample collection and a questionnaire was administered. Giardia infection was diagnosed by antigen detection using a rapid detection kit.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results showed that 32 of the 334 children were positive, giving an overall prevalence of 9.6%. We also found that 196 (58.7%) of the children did not wear footwear, and that a majority of the members of the household (308; 92.2%) practiced open defecation. The regression analysis revealed that children aged <5 y (p=0.002), households in the Kahda IDP camp (p=0.019) and families with >5 members in their households (p=0.034) all have a significantly higher risk of becoming infected with Giardia.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study found that giardiasis persists in the IDP camps. Many of the risk factors were associated with giardiasis, highlighting the significance of parents' education and sanitation conditions in the children's well-being.</p>","PeriodicalId":49060,"journal":{"name":"International Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143796719","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Scheduled couple consultations during pregnancy as a lever to increase male involvement in maternal health: results of a qualitative photovoice study in Mozambique.","authors":"Anna Galle, Maria S B Maguele, Elisio Maxlhusa, David Aguacheiro, Tina Krüger, Málica de Melo","doi":"10.1093/inthealth/ihaf027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/inthealth/ihaf027","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Men in low- and middle-income countries often play a critical role in maternal health by increasing access to and utilization of maternal health services. This photovoice study examined the experiences of men and women with scheduled couple consultations during pregnancy, supported by social mobilization activities, as a lever to increase male involvement during pregnancy and childbirth.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The lived experiences with scheduled couple consultations were evaluated by collecting photovoice data from couples, conducting focus group discussions with health providers and in-depth interviews with women. Analysis was done by applying a thematic inductive approach.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Data were collected from five couples using photovoice, nine health providers by conducting focus group discussions and nine single women by conducting individual in-depth interviews. Two overall themes arose during analysis of the data: health center experiences and community norms about pregnancy. Overall, the couple consultations had a positive effect on the interest of the male partner in pregnancy and childbirth, but deep-rooted gender norms around women's roles during pregnancy persisted.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Implementing scheduled couple consultations at health center level, supported by social mobilization activities, is a promising strategy for stimulating active participation of male partners in maternal health.</p>","PeriodicalId":49060,"journal":{"name":"International Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143755446","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enteral nutrition therapy for elderly patients with common-type COVID-19, a retrospective study based on medical records.","authors":"Jianming Yuan, Yuening Guan, Zhifeng Zhao, Jiankang Shen, Dan Tan, Fang Zhao, Lei Ge, Rongli Xie, Tingting Li","doi":"10.1093/inthealth/ihaf012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/inthealth/ihaf012","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The objective was to investigate the implications of enteral nutrition for elderly patients with common-type coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data were retrospectively extracted from medical records. Enteral nutritional supplementation was recommended for patients with a nutritional risk score >3. The preferred method was oral administration, and preparations included Ensure and TPF-T. Continuous variables were compared using analysis of two-tailed Student's t-tests or one-way analysis of variance for normally distributed data and the rank sum test for non-normally distributed data. Categorical variables were compared using the χ2 test or Fisher's exact test. Values of p <0.05 were considered to be statistically significant.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mortality rate in the whole cohort was 9.54%. A total of 474 patients tested negative and were discharged; among them, 173 patients received enteral nutrition while 301 patients did not. There were significant correlations between mortality and age, serum albumin concentration, prognostic nutritional index, underlying severe disease status and diet condition. In patients with a poor diet, early use of enteral nutrition is associated with faster conversion to a negative polymerase chain reaction test.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The prognosis of elderly patients with common-type COVID-19 was related to their nutritional status. Enteral nutritional supplementation is the preferred method of nutrition because it is the simplest and most widely accepted method for patients. For patients with poor diet conditions, enteral nutritional intervention should be performed early.</p>","PeriodicalId":49060,"journal":{"name":"International Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143755445","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Post-COVID-19 syndrome and low-grade inflammation: exploring gender and occupational inequalities in a retrospective cohort study.","authors":"Lin Yanhui, Wang Jiangang, Gao Jianping, Wang Tao","doi":"10.1093/inthealth/ihaf021","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/inthealth/ihaf021","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>To investigate the association between post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) syndrome (PCS) and chronic low-grade inflammation (LGI) in blood cells in 4108 mild COVID-19 patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The data were collected within 12-24 weeks before and 24 weeks after COVID-19 infection. The χ2 test was utilized to analyse the differences between two groups. The relationship between PCS symptoms and inflammatory cells was analysed by logistic regression analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The most common PCS symptom was cough, reported as 'occasionally' by 33.47% and 'frequently' by 5.92%. Women exhibited more severe symptoms than men. Among healthcare workers, palpitations were more pronounced (0.76% versus 0.35%), while the prevalence of other PCS symptoms was lower compared with non-healthcare workers. After adjusting for confounding factors, women showed a higher risk of five types of PCS, and healthcare workers had a greater risk of fatigue and dizziness compared with the non-healthcare worker. Fatigue was associated with lymphocytes, monocytes and the neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (NLR). Cough correlated with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), NLR and the platelet:lymphocyte ratio (PLR). Dizziness was linked to hs-CRP, NLR and PLR. Palpitations correlated with hs-CRP.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our findings suggest that PCS symptoms may be associated with LGI in peripheral blood cells, gender and occupational inequalities, warranting further investigation.</p>","PeriodicalId":49060,"journal":{"name":"International Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143732540","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antibiotic resistance pattern of multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales from a rectal surveillance study in northern Nigeria.","authors":"Yahaya Yaqub, Joan Ejembi, Aliyu Aminu, Zainab Rabilu Daninna, Zainab Lamido Tanko, Nasiru Usman Ibrahim, Oduma Audu, Bawa Ega","doi":"10.1093/inthealth/ihaf026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/inthealth/ihaf026","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) are important in clinical practice worldwide. As whole genome sequencing (WGS) technologies are adopted, it is key to understand the nature of MDROs before the introduction of WGS in resource-poor settings.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A hospital-based surveillance study was conducted in the largest referral health facility in northern Nigeria. A rectal swab sample was collected from each patient and samples were investigated for extended spectrum beta-lactamases and carbapenemase-resistant Enterobacterales (i.e. ESBL-PE and CRE, respectively). These MDROs were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing and multiplex PCR. Statistical analyses were used to identify any associations between MDROs and selected antibiotics.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The prevalence of MDROs among participants (N=168) was 87.5% (n=147) for ESBL-PE and 4.2% (n=7) for CRE. All isolates were resistant to tetracycline and co-trimoxazole; however, most MDROs were susceptible to meropenem, ceftazidime-avibactam and fosfomycin (≥70%). blaSHV (33.3%; n=49) was the predominant ESBL gene carried by the isolates, followed by combinations of blaSHV, blaCTX and blaTEM. Although no carbapenemase genes were found, all CRE isolates had the blaOXA-48 gene, which may not be associated with phenotypic carbapenem resistance observed (χ2=0.056, p=0.81).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Research utilising WGS and bioinformatics will elucidate more of the molecular landscape of MDROs in resource-poor settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":49060,"journal":{"name":"International Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143702025","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The impact of COVID-19 on health system resilience to the cerebrospinal meningitis outbreak in the Upper West Region of Ghana: a qualitative study.","authors":"Sheba Mary Pognaa Kunfah, Linus Baatiema, Kenneth Mibut Dam, Leonard Baatiema","doi":"10.1093/inthealth/ihaf019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/inthealth/ihaf019","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic revealed significant weaknesses in global and national health systems. This study aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health system resilience in responding to the cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) outbreak in Ghana.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A qualitative study design and purposive sampling were used to select clinical, public health staff and community health volunteers. From October 2023 to January 2024, data were collected across five selected districts with the highest burden of meningitis cases in the Upper West Region facilitated by a semi-structured interview guide. To analyse the data, we adopted a thematic analysis approach guided by the new health systems resilience framework.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study revealed strengths and vulnerabilities across all six key domains of the resilience framework. These findings suggested that the health system was ill-prepared for the concurrent outbreaks, resulting in a suboptimal response. Key among the findings were the diverted attention towards COVID-19, inequitable distribution of resources and a delayed response to the meningitis outbreak.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study offers a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by the health system during the concurrent health crises. There is a need to integrate emergency preparedness and response plans during concurrent outbreaks and to set up a dedicated public health emergency fund at the national and subnational levels.</p>","PeriodicalId":49060,"journal":{"name":"International Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143701435","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Determinants of poor glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes in Dire Dawa City, Eastern Ethiopia: a case-control study.","authors":"Alemayehu Molla Tekalign, Hanna Lambero, Aboma Motuma","doi":"10.1093/inthealth/ihaf024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/inthealth/ihaf024","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In Ethiopia, there is little evidence on the factors contributing to poor glycaemic control. This study aimed to identify determinants of poor glycaemic control among type 2 diabetes in Dire Dawa City, Eastern Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A facility-based unmatched case-control study was conducted among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in follow-up clinics. Cases were people with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥7%, while those with HbA1c <7% were controls. A total of 190 patients were recruited in chronic follow-up diabetic clinics. The data were collected using structured questionnaire interviews and extracted from medical charts and entered into EpiData (EpiData Association, Odense, Denmark) and exported to Stata version 16.1 (StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA) for analysis. A binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify the determinants of poor glycaemic control.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study showed that being female (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.73 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.10 to 6.79]), a smoker (AOR 14.85 [95% CI 5.25 to 42.88]), blood glucose monitoring ≤3 times per week (AOR 4.87 [95% CI 1.42 to 16.71]), overweight (AOR 4.96 [95% CI 1.82 to 13.52]) or obese (AOR 5.19 [95% CI 1.76 to 15.56]), ≥10 y on treatment (AOR 3.56 [95% CI 1.17 to 10.82]), having coronary artery disease (AOR 2.47 [95% CI 1.01 to 6.03]) and poor adherence to diabetic medication (AOR 0.24 [95% CI 0.10 to 0.63]) were found to be predictors of poor glycaemic control.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Smoking, overweight or obese, poor medication adherence and blood glucose levels lead to poor glycaemic control. This study shows the benefits of quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, adhering to medication and monitoring blood glucose levels.</p>","PeriodicalId":49060,"journal":{"name":"International Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143702031","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Left behind no more: ensuring equitable vaccine access to curb mpox in Africa.","authors":"Obasanjo Bolarinwa, Aliu Mohammed, Yusuff Adebayo Adebisi, Oluwaseun Oyewo","doi":"10.1093/inthealth/ihaf018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/inthealth/ihaf018","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49060,"journal":{"name":"International Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143677394","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}