Public health challenges最新文献

{"title":"Determinants of Exclusive Breastfeeding for the First 6 Months Among Children Under Five in Internally Displaced Persons Camps in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo; a Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Alimasi Kashafali, Abel Aizeque, Zubayer Shams, Kanza Farhan, Amidu Alhassan, Bilal Ahmad, Innocent Mufungizi, Frank Offei Odonkor, Elie Kihanduka, Christian Tague, Calvin R Wei, Francois Rhugendabanga, Rodrigue Fikiri Bavurhe, Hugues Cakirwa, Fabien Balagizi, Aymar Akilimali, Freddy Zihindula, Michée Sanza Kanda, Amos Kipkorir Langat","doi":"10.1002/puh2.70341","DOIUrl":"10.1002/puh2.70341","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Giving only breast milk in the first 6 months lowers the chances of childhood diseases and death. Still, it is difficult to promote ideal breastfeeding among internally displaced persons (IDPs) in camps. This research is intended to find out how many mothers are feeding their children under five with only breast milk in IDPs camps in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Between November 2024 and February 2025, an analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in five major IDPs camps in Goma. A total of 407 eligible mothers or primary caregivers were recruited and participated in the study using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire. Data were collected on sociodemographic characteristics, including maternal age, place of residence, and infant feeding practices. The chi-square (<i>χ</i> ²) test was employed to assess associations between exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and selected explanatory variables, with statistical significance determined at <i>p</i> < 0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The prevalence of EBF was 20.9%. Significant associations were observed between EBF and maternal age (<i>χ</i> ² = 18.8 and <i>p</i> < 0.05), educational level (<i>p</i> < 0.05), marital status (<i>p</i> < 0.05), presence of both parents (<i>p</i> < 0.05), prematurity status (<i>χ</i> ² = 7.64 and <i>p</i> = 0.022), and source of household income (<i>χ</i> ² = 28.3 and <i>p</i> < 0.001). Higher EBF rates were reported among younger mothers, those with higher education, married women, and households receiving humanitarian aid (51.6%) compared to those relying on trade (16.2%). No significant associations were found between EBF and child's sex (<i>χ</i> ² = 0.177 and <i>p</i> = 0.674), camp of residence (<i>χ</i> ² = 0.688 and <i>p</i> = 0.953), or household size (<i>χ</i> ² = 3.78 and <i>p</i> = 0.052).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>IDPs camps demonstrate markedly low levels of exclusive breastfeeding, highlighting significant disparities between displaced populations and the general population. These findings underscore the need for targeted, context-specific interventions, including strengthened maternal education, increased paternal support, and enhanced breastfeeding support programs, to improve infant health outcomes in humanitarian and crisis settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":74613,"journal":{"name":"Public health challenges","volume":"5 3","pages":"e70341"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13460400/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148714801","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":"Trends and Disparities in Pneumothorax-Related Deaths in the United States Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A CDC WONDER Database Analysis.","authors":"Mariam Idrees, Eman Imtisal, Warda Fatima Shafee, Muddassir Khalid, Taha Mazhar Awan, Syeda Fatima Harrum Bukhari, Fatima Yasmeen Awan, Fatima Idrees, Sumia Fatima, Rida Noor, Asad Khan, Fred Segawa","doi":"10.1002/puh2.70322","DOIUrl":"10.1002/puh2.70322","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>There was an increase in pneumothorax-related deaths in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic era, likely due to the load on the healthcare system and as a complication following the viral infection itself.</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>To analyze the mortality trends, variations, and most affected demographic subgroups in pneumothorax-related deaths before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective-cohort-study was conducted using patient data, which was collected using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiological Research (CDC WONDER) database for deaths from pneumothorax before (1999-2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021). Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) were calculated per 100,000, and analysis was performed by Joinpoint, which estimated average annual-percentage-change (AAPC).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 74,799 deaths occurred from pneumothorax from 1999 to 2021. Pneumothorax mortality rates were low before the pandemic (AAPC, -0.306 and AAMR, 0.8) but reversed during the pandemic (AAMR, 2.15; AAPC, 79.94). Overall, during the pandemic, the AAMRs were greater for men, NH-American Indians/Alaska Natives, the Southern region, and adults aged ≥65 years. Mortality rates varied regionally, with the highest in Kentucky (4.1) and the lowest in Maine (0.5). States like South Carolina, Tennessee, Wyoming, Texas, Kentucky, and West Virginia fell into the 90th percentile. The sharpest increase was observed among American Indian people (AAPC, 169.74), non-Hispanic Black people (AAPC, 64.82), Hispanic people (AAPC, 151.67), younger adults (AAPC, 156.19), the Southern region (AAPC, 70), females (AAPC, 78.78), and older adults (AAPC, 56.414) for pneumothorax-related mortality during the pandemic.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>As pneumothorax was identified using multiple cause-of-death records, these findings should be interpreted as describing mortality patterns in which pneumothorax contributed to death rather than establishing pneumothorax as the primary cause. Continued surveillance and further studies incorporating clinical-level data are warranted to better understand the drivers of these observed trends.</p>","PeriodicalId":74613,"journal":{"name":"Public health challenges","volume":"5 3","pages":"e70322"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13426481/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148655216","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 Mediating Effect of Body Mass Index on the Association Between Problematic Social Media Use and Body Dysmorphic Concerns: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Young Lebanese Adults.","authors":"Carla Hokayem, Simona Mahfouz, Sahar Obeid, Michelle Abi Karam, Nada Akiki, Feten Fekih-Romdhane, Souheil Hallit, Marie Hokayem","doi":"10.1002/puh2.70316","DOIUrl":"10.1002/puh2.70316","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The psychological mechanism that underlies the correlation between problematic social media use (PSMU) and body dysmorphic concerns was undetermined and ambiguous. The present study examined the mediating role of body mass index (BMI) in the association between PSMU and body dysmorphic concerns among a sample of Lebanese university students.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted on 384 Lebanese university students, using an online survey collecting the following data: sociodemographic/socioeconomic characteristics, anthropometric measures, health status, dysmorphic concern, and PSMU.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In conducting the mediation analysis, adjustments were made for the following variables: sex, residence, age, household crowding index, and physical activity. BMI mediated the link between PSMU and body dysmorphic concerns (indirect effect: Beta = 0.03; BootSE = 0.01; 95% CI 0.01-0.07). Higher PSMU was significantly associated with higher BMI and directly linked to higher body dysmorphic concerns. Moreover, higher BMI was notably linked to higher body dysmorphic concerns.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study elucidates the connection between body dysmorphic concerns, PSMU, and BMI. Our findings suggest that BMI may partially explain the association between PSMU and body dysmorphic concerns among young Lebanese adults. Further longitudinal research is needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying these relationships. Studies conducted in different populations and different settings could assess if our results are local or generalizable.</p>","PeriodicalId":74613,"journal":{"name":"Public health challenges","volume":"5 3","pages":"e70316"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13394376/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148581567","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":"Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Sexual and Reproductive Health Among Adolescents Studying in Government Schools in Tansen Municipality, Palpa, Nepal: A School-Based Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Sangita Bhattarai, Shrijana Poudel, Krishna Prasad Sapkota, Rais Pokharel, Bikash Adhikari, Bhuwan Thakurathi, Rajan Bikram Rayamajhi, Nilam Adhikari","doi":"10.1002/puh2.70305","DOIUrl":"10.1002/puh2.70305","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Adolescents' sexual and reproductive health (SRH) knowledge and attitudes are critical determinants of future health behaviors and service utilization. In Nepal, despite the inclusion of comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) within the national curriculum, evidence suggests persistent gaps in SRH knowledge and unfavorable attitudes among school-going adolescents, particularly in public school settings. This study aimed to assess the level of SRH knowledge and attitudes and factors associated with favorable SRH attitudes among adolescents.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescents aged 10-19 years enrolled in Grades 8-10 in three purposively selected government schools in Tansen Municipality, Palpa District. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire covering SRH knowledge domains (puberty, abortion, sexually transmitted infections, and family planning) and SRH attitudes. SRH knowledge was categorized as poor, moderate, and good for respective domains. Likewise, attitude was measured using 10 Likert-scale statements and categorized as favorable or unfavorable. Descriptive statistics summarized knowledge and attitudes, whereas binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with favorable SRH attitudes. Results are presented in adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the 228 participants, moderate knowledge was most common across SRH domains, whereas good knowledge remained limited. Nearly two-thirds (62.3%) of adolescents demonstrated unfavorable SRH attitudes. Adolescents with moderate (AOR = 4.41, 95% CI: 1.09-17.83) and good knowledge of abortion (AOR: 4.93; 95% CI: 1.35-17.95; <i>p</i> = 0.016) were significantly more likely to have favorable SRH attitudes compared with those with poor knowledge.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Lower percentage of adolescents with good SRH knowledge and higher percentage with unfavorable attitudes highlight gaps in SRH education in government schools. CSE, including abortion-related education, could be prioritized in government schools to uplift the SRH knowledge and attitudes.</p>","PeriodicalId":74613,"journal":{"name":"Public health challenges","volume":"5 2","pages":"e70305"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13288163/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148321138","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":"Characteristics of Sleep Paralysis and Its Association With PTSD, Stress, and Other Lifestyle Variables Among the Population of Pakistan, a Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Alishba Javaid, Rabi Jan, Afifa Khan, Kanza Farhan, Thierry Nasibu Ntumba, Christian Tague, Aymar Akilimali","doi":"10.1002/puh2.70292","DOIUrl":"10.1002/puh2.70292","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Backgrounds: </strong>Sleep paralysis (SP) is a parasomnia disorder connected to being unable to move your body though the experiencing person remains conscious. Factors involving this disorder are stress, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), lifestyle factors including the amount of sleep, and the amount of caffeine consumed. Our study aim is to assess the symptoms, duration, time of occurrence, and body position during SP episodes and frequency of SP episodes with these variables.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 412 participants took part in this quantitative cross-sectional study. Data were collected through online questionnaire. Ethical consideration was taken into account.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A significant correlation with a <i>p</i> value of less than 0.001 was discovered between the quantity of SP episodes and SP symptoms with inability to move the body has the highest frequency (44.7%) among people who experience SP (48.1%). Significant association was found between frequency of SP episodes with duration, that is, fewer seconds (20.9%), occurrence of SP upon falling asleep (23.8%), and body position during SP, that is, on back (26.5%) having <i>p</i> value of less than 0.001, respectively. A noteworthy correlation was discovered between the frequency of SP episodes, PTSD, and stress having a <i>p</i> value of 0.009. Significant association was also found between frequency of SP episodes with caffeine intake (38.1%) and smoking (2.9%) having a <i>p</i> value of <0.001.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study suggests a relationship between SP and lifestyle and psychological factors.</p>","PeriodicalId":74613,"journal":{"name":"Public health challenges","volume":"5 2","pages":"e70292"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13281162/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148297638","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":"Optimizing Cardiac Inpatient Flow and Resource Allocation in Low-Resource Settings Using Queuing Theory: Insights From a Tertiary Hospital in Bangladesh.","authors":"Md Borhan Uddin, Khalidur Rahman, Md Asaduzzaman, Sabbir Tahmidur Rahman, Md Sabbir Hossain, Md Shihab Mostafa","doi":"10.1002/puh2.70304","DOIUrl":"10.1002/puh2.70304","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Healthcare systems in low-resource settings face persistent challenges in providing timely cardiac care. This study applies queuing theory models (<i>M</i>/<i>M</i>/<i>c</i>/<i>c</i> and <i>M</i>/<i>M</i>/<i>c</i>/<i>K</i>) to optimize inpatient flow and resource allocation in the cardiology department of Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh. Using data from 6277 patients treated in 2023, the study analyzes arrival patterns, lengths of stay, and bed capacities across four units: Normal Care Unit (NC), Cath Lab (CL), Coronary Care Unit (CCU), and Progressive Coronary Care Unit (PCCU). The results reveal critical shortages in resources and operational bottlenecks, particularly in the CCU and PCCU, where bed shortages frequently compromise care quality. Recommendations include reallocating underutilized resources, such as beds from the CL, and expanding capacities in the CCU from 8 to 15 beds and in the PCCU from 10 to 25 beds to accommodate unmet demand. The study also highlights the detrimental effects of overcrowding and the unregulated use of extra beds in the NCU, proposing strategies to enhance operational efficiency and patient accessibility. This research provides data-driven strategies to reduce congestion, enhance patient outcomes, and promote healthcare equity in low-resource settings, addressing the unique challenges of underserved populations in developing countries while contributing to the broader goal of strengthening healthcare systems and advancing global health equity.</p>","PeriodicalId":74613,"journal":{"name":"Public health challenges","volume":"5 2","pages":"e70304"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13281164/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148297576","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":"Trends and Sociodemographic Differentials in Neonatal, Infant, and Under-5 Mortality in Bangladesh, 1993-2022.","authors":"Md Nafiul Islam, Sumaiya Abedin, Ahbab Mohammad Fazle Rabbi, Md Ismail Tareque","doi":"10.1002/puh2.70303","DOIUrl":"10.1002/puh2.70303","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Despite substantial national progress in reducing child mortality, disparities persist across sociodemographic groups in Bangladesh. A comprehensive understanding of how mortality rates vary by key risk factors is essential to guide equitable health interventions. This study analyzes trends in neonatal, infant, and under-5 mortality rates in Bangladesh from 1993 to 2022, focusing on the influence of socioeconomic, demographic, and maternal factors. Using data from nine rounds of the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (1993-2022), we estimated mortality rates across categories of factors, such as maternal age, education, household wealth, fertility practices, and region. The findings show a substantial decline in all three mortality indicators over time, although some disparities remain. The neonatal mortality rate decreased across all groups, with the sharpest reduction among mothers under 20 years (from 67 to 23 per 1000 live births) and those with one child (from 44 to 10). Infant mortality rate (IMR) also declined significantly, particularly among wealthier, more educated, and rural mothers. Despite overall improvement, regional disparities persisted, with Khulna reporting the lowest IMR (40 in 2022). Under-5 mortality rate saw the largest decline among mothers having their first birth before age 20 (from 144 to 34 per 1000) and families with one child (from 98 to 17). Persistent relative risks of around twofold among the poorest households and children of less educated mothers indicate that mortality reductions have disproportionately benefited advantaged groups. These patterns call for prioritizing maternal education, poverty-targeted service delivery, and geographically focused interventions in high-risk regions, such as Sylhet and Rangpur, where excess risks remain consistently elevated.</p>","PeriodicalId":74613,"journal":{"name":"Public health challenges","volume":"5 2","pages":"e70303"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13281156/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148297630","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":"Digital Health and the Digital Divide: A Bibliometric Analysis of Access and Equity Among Vulnerable Populations (2020-2025).","authors":"Sweeta Agrawal, Abayomi O Agbeyangi","doi":"10.1002/puh2.70301","DOIUrl":"10.1002/puh2.70301","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed global digital health deployment while simultaneously magnifying structural inequities affecting marginalized communities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Employing a descriptive bibliometric design, we examined 1250 peer-reviewed articles indexed in Scopus (2020-July 2025). Utilizing Biblioshiny and VOSviewer, this study delineates publication trajectories, collaborative networks, and principal domains of inquiry within digital health equity research.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Analysis reveals an exponential surge in publications post-2020, with the United States, United Kingdom, China, and Australia as principal producers. Eight thematic clusters emerged, heavily skewed toward technological infrastructure over equity-centric research. Although international collaboration is expanding, the literature indicates that scholarship in LMICs remains highly dependent on international partnerships.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This analysis highlights that the global knowledge base regarding digital health inequities remains heavily concentrated in well-resourced regions. To genuinely advance health equity research, future scholarly efforts must prioritize participatory, context-specific studies that elevate the visibility of underserved populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":74613,"journal":{"name":"Public health challenges","volume":"5 2","pages":"e70301"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13270387/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148274300","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":"<i>Coxiella burnetii</i> Infection Among Blood Donors From Baden-Wuerttemberg Province and Hesse Province, Germany: A Multicentre Cross-Sectional Serological Study.","authors":"Larissa Dangel, Daniela Hummel, Volkhard A J Kempf, Mirko Faber, Kai Hourfar, Brockmann Stefan, Martin Eichner, Silke F Fischer","doi":"10.1002/puh2.70284","DOIUrl":"10.1002/puh2.70284","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In recent years, several large outbreaks have shown that Q fever is a serious disease that unfortunately is underreported in Europe. Furthermore, no seroprevalence data for <i>Coxiella burnetii</i> in the general German population are available. The aim of this study is to examine the seroprevalence of <i>C. burnetii</i> in a normal, non-risk population in Germany. To this end, blood donors in the federal states Baden-Wuerttemberg and Hesse were screened for <i>C. burnetii-</i>specific antibodies as well as associated risk factors. Of over 5000 participants without prior knowledge of a <i>C. burnetii</i> infection, 153 (2.96%) were seropositive for anti-<i>C. burnetii</i> antibodies. Place of residence and contact with animals represent increased risk factors, as do occupations closely related to animals. Furthermore, it was shown that in high-risk occupations, prevalence is higher in younger age groups than in older ones.</p>","PeriodicalId":74613,"journal":{"name":"Public health challenges","volume":"5 2","pages":"e70284"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13270405/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148274315","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":"Parental Awareness and Practices Regarding Electronic Devices' Effects on Children's Sleep: A Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Ahoud Ali Al-Shammary, Nouf Fahad Aldawsari, Rana Ali Alharfi, Alhanouf Abdullah Ibrahim Almujil, Yousef Abud Alanazi, Mohammad Shakil Ahmad, Hamza Abdulmunem Orfali","doi":"10.1002/puh2.70300","DOIUrl":"10.1002/puh2.70300","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Adequate sleep is essential for children and adolescents, supporting mental, physical, and academic development. Increasingly, widespread use of digital devices, including smartphones, tablets, and video games, has been linked to poor sleep quality, delayed bedtimes, and behavioral issues. Excessive screen time, particularly before bedtime, can disrupt sleep patterns and increase the risk of emotional and cognitive problems. Understanding parental awareness, beliefs, and practices regarding children's use of smart devices is crucial to mitigate these negative effects.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2023 to May 2024 among 400 parents of healthy children and adolescents in Majmaah. Data were collected through online-based questionnaires assessing on the basis of educational level, complete structured questionnaire covering demographics, beliefs, and practices. Analysis was performed using SPSS Version 27, applying chi-square and <i>t</i>-tests with a significance level of <i>p</i> < 0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study included 400 parents, predominantly females (79.75%) and married (66.5%), with most holding a bachelor's degree (49%) and having more than four children (41.5%). Most parents (86.75%) were aware of the negative effects of smart devices, particularly on sleep (93%) and vision (92.75%). Although 77.5% enforced device limits and 86% sought medical care for related symptoms, many children still exceeded recommending screen time, affecting sleep and behavior. Parental education was significantly associated with awareness (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Findings highlight that despite high awareness, consistent regulation of device use remains challenging, especially in younger children.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study assessed parents' awareness and practices regarding children's smart device use in Majmaah. Educated parents recognized risks to sleep and vision, yet many struggled to limit usage, especially in children aged 0-5 years. Parental education correlated with awareness, and device use affected sleep. Findings highlight the need for parental guidance and structured screen time limits to protect children's health.</p>","PeriodicalId":74613,"journal":{"name":"Public health challenges","volume":"5 2","pages":"e70300"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13267795/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148267499","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}