Dialogues in health最新文献

{"title":"Negotiating beauty in Pakistan: A qualitative exploration of body image, nutrition, and cultural ideals among young women in Azad Jammu & Kashmir","authors":"Sajal Bint-e-Khalil ,&nbsp;Inayat Ali","doi":"10.1016/j.dialog.2025.100225","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dialog.2025.100225","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Beauty is not a static or universal phenomenon. However, it is a dynamic ideal shaped by sociocultural patterns and practices. Particulalry, multiple sociocultural patterns prevail regarding how a female body should be maintained, displayed, and evaluated. Media representations, in particular, play a central role in reinforcing and circulating narrow, idealized, and often unattainable beauty standards, contributing to a system in which women are disproportionately subject to stringent aesthetic scrutiny. This phenomenological study explores the sociocultural construction of beauty and its experience as well as internalization among young women in Azad Jammu &amp; Kashmir, Pakistan. We used in-depth interviews to explore and understand how participants perceive the relationship between beauty and nutrition, revealing a deeply embedded tension between individual experience and cultural expectations. While approximately half of the participants defined beauty in terms of physical appearance, the remainder emphasized internal traits such as personality and behavior. Notably, nearly 45 % of respondents believed that beauty is objective rather than subjective, which suggests a limited engagement with internal or emotional dimensions of self-perception, and reflects the powerful influence of external social and cultural standards.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72803,"journal":{"name":"Dialogues in health","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100225"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144536123","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Meta-analysis of mortality burden due to Aluminum phosphide poisoning in India: A call for strong policy and decision making","authors":"Senthil Kumar ,&nbsp;Ashok Kumar Pannu ,&nbsp;Ranjit Immanuel James ,&nbsp;Amol N. Patil ,&nbsp;Gagandeep Kwatra ,&nbsp;Ashish Bhalla ,&nbsp;Nusrat Shafiq ,&nbsp;Samir Malhotra ,&nbsp;Navneet Sharma","doi":"10.1016/j.dialog.2025.100247","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dialog.2025.100247","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Aluminum phosphide(AlP) insecticide is India's leading cause of poisoning-related mortality. Limited information is available about its mortality burden, common presentation type, and exposure(suicidal/accidental) characteristics. There exists no definite antidote for AlP poisoning management. The study was planned to systematically review the exact mortality burden, type of exposure- accidental/suicidal, commonest presentation in emergency department(ED), and gender difference in poison exposure, if any.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted comprehensive search in Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase, and cross-referencing relevant articles from 1982 to 31 January 2025. Prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional Indian studies that provided information on mortality data, common clinical presentation, and exposure type-accidental/suicidal were included. Study details- time to reach ED, duration of hospital-stay, average dose consumed, gender distribution in poison exposure, and other relevant information, were also assessed. Random-effects meta-analysis with DerSimonian &amp; Laird estimator, meta-regression, and subgroup analyses were conducted using R.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Forty-two studies involving 3449 Indian patients were included in the analysis<strong>.</strong> Pooled mortality prevalence was 54 %(95 % CI- 48-61 %) in the primary endpoint evaluation. In secondary endpoints analysis, it was observed that 94 %(95 % CI- 88-97) of the AlP poisonings were intentional(suicide), while accidental exposure accounted for 5 %(95 % CI- 2-12) of cases presenting to ED. Hypotension, with odds of 78 %(95 % CI- 64-88)(<em>p</em> &lt; 0.01) was observed as common presentation type. Odds ratio for male-to-female gender among patients exposed to AlP was not significant, at 89 %(95 % CI- 61-129)(<em>p</em> = 0.86).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Death of every second patient with AlP poisoning in ED room underscores the urgent need for stringent regulatory measures to control its access in India.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72803,"journal":{"name":"Dialogues in health","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100247"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145324524","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Redefining menstrual hygiene management with menstrual cups through project Thinkal; from self care to environmental resilience","authors":"Parvathy Jayasree ,&nbsp;Krishna Sreelekha Hemachandran","doi":"10.1016/j.dialog.2025.100261","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dialog.2025.100261","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Proper management of menstrual hygiene is a topic of interest among women and is a requisite to the well-being of women and adolescent girls worldwide. But lack of information about menstruation and menstrual hygiene practices creates a culture of taboos leading to a big barrier in the path of menstrual hygiene management. A menstrual cup (M-Cup) is considered as an ideal green substitute for the disposable sanitary products. Being economical than disposable ones, M-Cup has several benefits compared to other menstrual management products mainly long term use and environmental sustainability. However due to several factors, such as affordability, accessibility etc., the level of awareness among the public is less. A programme was launched to curb menstrual waste, to create awareness and encourage women to use menstrual cups, and to ensure proper menstrual hygiene by distributing M-cups free of cost. The programme have reached out to more than 5, 00,000 beneficiaries across India including the tribal population of Jharkhand, Kerala, Karnataka etc. and studies are being carried out to analyze the acceptability, adaptability and usage of such an insertion device like M-Cups. By promoting M-Cups and empowering menstruates with knowledge and resources for sustainable menstrual hygiene management, the programme aims to achieve women empowerment, substantial carbon footprint reduction, preserve natural resources and enhance public health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72803,"journal":{"name":"Dialogues in health","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100261"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145693503","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gaza: Between global silence and the double standards of justice","authors":"Imad Asmar","doi":"10.1016/j.dialog.2025.100240","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dialog.2025.100240","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":72803,"journal":{"name":"Dialogues in health","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100240"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145121176","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sick building syndrome and indoor air quality in Malaysian bank offices: A cross-sectional analysis","authors":"Azli Abd Razak ,&nbsp;Hamidi Saidin ,&nbsp;Rafael Buralli ,&nbsp;Leonel Cordoba ,&nbsp;Tengku Nilam Baizura Tengku Ibrahim ,&nbsp;Siti Nurshahida Nazli","doi":"10.1016/j.dialog.2025.100249","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dialog.2025.100249","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Sick building syndrome (SBS) encompasses a range of non-specific symptoms experienced by occupants, commonly associated with poor indoor air quality (IAQ). This study investigated the associations between IAQ parameters and SBS symptoms among 124 office workers across six bank offices in Malaysia. Indoor PM2.5, PM10, CO2, TVOC, formaldehyde, temperature and relative humidity were measured using validated instruments, while SBS symptoms were assessed using standardized questionnaire adapted from the Industry Code of Practice of Indoor Air Quality (ICOPIAQ) 2010. Findings revealed that banks using split-unit air conditioning (AC) ventilation had higher concentration of PM2.5 and CO2, exceeding the recommended standards, compared to those using air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation (ACMV) ventilation type. The most prevalent symptoms were headache (47.6 %), cough (44.4 %), irritated and stuffy nose (38.7 %), irritation of eyes (35.5 %), fatigue (25 %), dizziness (25 %), feeling heavy-headed (24.2 %), and skin rash or itchiness (24.2 %). Among these, dizziness was significantly associated with PM2.5, PM10, CO2, and formaldehyde levels. These findings highlight the need for improved ventilation and IAQ management in bank offices. Public policies and interventions at organizational level are essential to mitigate SBS risks and safeguard worker health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72803,"journal":{"name":"Dialogues in health","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100249"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145324684","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Erratum regarding missing declaration of non-involvement of the Editor-in-Chief (EIC) in Peer review of Editor-Co-Authored papers","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.dialog.2025.100255","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dialog.2025.100255","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":72803,"journal":{"name":"Dialogues in health","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100255"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145525381","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Claiming justice in the health sector of Nepal: Exploring causes and consequences of protests among health care workers","authors":"Sony K.C. ,&nbsp;Christine Bigler ,&nbsp;Susan Thieme","doi":"10.1016/j.dialog.2025.100223","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dialog.2025.100223","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The health workers in Nepal have engaged in strikes to protest issues within the healthcare sector, confronting the public, health care management, policymakers and educational institutions. This paper examines the evolution and root causes of these strikes, exploring the motivations behind health workers' participation despite work demands and their pursuit of justice. A qualitative, grounded theory lite approach was employed for data collection. Respondents included doctors, nurses, assistant health workers, government and non-government officials and policymakers. To understand the nature of the strike and validate findings, a participant observant approach was utilized. The first author joined in the protest for three days in September 2023 in Kathmandu Valley to observe the demonstrations and negotiation process. Findings reveal that widespread tension stemming from corruption, privatization and politicization in medical institutions has driven health workers to protest. Their demands have included better salaries, workplace safety, an overdue pandemic allowance, and an end to violence in healthcare institutions. While the management of medical institutions and the state remain silent, public perception of health workers has become negative. This has ignited frustration in the public and a sense of helplessness among health professionals. The strikes have created opportunities dialogue to address systemic flaws in Nepal's health sector. However, significant gaps remain, which requires immediate action from the government and relevant authorities. Without sound reforms, Nepal's healthcare sector foresees migration of health workers, tensions between public and health workers and unstable health sector.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72803,"journal":{"name":"Dialogues in health","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100223"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144279493","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"“Stories like ours continue”: A phenomenological exploration of the lived experiences of ex-serial clinical trial volunteers in South India","authors":"Irene Sambath,&nbsp;Kalpana B. Kosalram","doi":"10.1016/j.dialog.2025.100256","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dialog.2025.100256","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>Indian media has frequently highlighted the plight of vulnerable low-income groups who over-volunteer in clinical trials to make ends meet, often at the cost of their health. Despite these revelations, the lived experiences of these individuals remain insufficiently documented in academic literature. This study seeks to address this gap by exploring how clinical trial volunteers construct their world around their experiences of having taken part in multiple trials over a span of time. Additionally, the study aims to shed light on the current circumstances and challenges faced by these individuals and their families.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, this study analyses in-depth interviews conducted using respondent-driven sampling. Participants include three ex-serial volunteers who discontinued clinical trial participation and three key informants of deceased serial trial volunteers, from a remote mandal in the state of Telengana, South India.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Three superordinate themes emerged: <em>A journey of strain and stain, Transcending all turmoil to remain acceptable to system and society</em>, and <em>Agony of the family</em>, each with five subthemes. The personal narratives highlight how financial desperation coerced them into serial participation. Over time, repeated enrolment led to physical and emotional deterioration, concealment, stigma, and family distress. Families discovered trial involvement only after adverse events or death, highlighting systemic gaps in transparency and post-trial care.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Despite existing government regulations, the underground nature of recruitment networks and the persistent demand for willing participants enable these practices to thrive. Findings underscore the urgent need for a national registry, stronger oversight, and community-level awareness to ensure ethical, scientifically sound, and socially responsible clinical research in India.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72803,"journal":{"name":"Dialogues in health","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100256"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145528221","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevention and control of dengue and Aedes mosquitoes in South and Southeast Asia: Interventions, challenges, and future recommendations","authors":"Iskandar Arfan ,&nbsp;Lilis Sulistyorini ,&nbsp;Muji Sulistyowati ,&nbsp;Ayu Rizky ,&nbsp;Saliza Mohd Elias","doi":"10.1016/j.dialog.2025.100253","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dialog.2025.100253","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dengue fever, caused by a virus transmitted through Aedes mosquitoes, has become a major health issue in South and Southeast Asia. This review explores various preventive and control interventions for dengue implemented in South and Southeast Asia, the challenges faced, and recommendations to enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of these control efforts. The scoping review was conducted by searching articles published between 2014 and 2024 through databases such as PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and ProQuest. A total of 1599 studies were identified, and 25 articles were eventually analyzed. The findings indicate various intervention approaches in both regions. Key challenges identified in this review include community engagement and participation, resource, logistics, and data management issues, public perceptions and knowledge, control methods and evaluation of effectiveness, and social and economic issues. These challenges hinder the effectiveness of interventions. Recommendations to strengthen future interventions include: enhancing community involvement through continuous training, improving monitoring and evaluation with technology-based solutions, and expanding the use of technologies like Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes and spatial repellents. Expanding public awareness campaigns, strengthening school and community-based education, and improving training for health workers are also essential. Lastly, adopting a combined approach is crucial for achieving more effective and sustainable results in dengue prevention.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72803,"journal":{"name":"Dialogues in health","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100253"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145415985","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Home-learning environment and cognitive and academic outcomes among children aged 4–8 years: A cross-sectional study from South India","authors":"Eunice Lobo ,&nbsp;Debarati Mukherjee ,&nbsp;Pradeep Kumar Choudhury ,&nbsp;Giridhara Rathnaiah Babu ,&nbsp;Prashanth Nuggehalli Srinivas ,&nbsp;Onno C.P. van Schayck","doi":"10.1016/j.dialog.2025.100238","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.dialog.2025.100238","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>Home-learning environment is critical for cognitive and academic outcomes; yet its impact during the 4–8 years' period remains underexplored, especially in the Global South. This study examines the relationship between the home-learning environment and children's fluid intelligence and early language numeracy outcomes in urban poor households in Bangalore, South India.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We analysed data from 940 mother-child dyads from the MAASTHI birth cohort when children were 4–8-years old. The Family Care Indicators (FCI) tool assessed the home-learning environment, Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (RCPM) measured children's fluid-intelligence, and the preschool Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) tool measured literacy-numeracy skills. Multilevel linear regression models, adjusted for household, maternal, and child factors, were used to examine the associations.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Higher levels of parental education, maternal Intelligence Quotient, and lower maternal depressive symptoms were significantly associated with better cognitive and early language outcomes. A stimulating home-learning environment characterized by the availability of ≥6 age-appropriate books, higher levels of caregiver engagement, and higher overall home environment scores (FCI-Total) was linked to better non-verbal fluid intelligence and early language scores during 4–8 years of age. However, these factors were not significantly associated with numeracy.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study underscores the sustained benefits of a stimulating home-learning environment in urban poor settings on children's cognitive and academic outcomes between 4 and 8 years of age. Our results reinforce the need for interventions that promote caregiver engagement and access to a variety of books and toys to optimize child outcomes in marginalized settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":72803,"journal":{"name":"Dialogues in health","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100238"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145018473","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}