{"title":"Understanding Risky Behaviors Among Fishers in a Lower Middle Income Country: A Qualitative Study of Fishers in Elmina, Ghana.","authors":"Sylvester Kyei-Gyamfi, Frank Kyei-Arthur, Bismark Bless Nyadzi, Oppong Kwarteng Hammond, Eunice Kisiwaa Gyan, Joha Issaka Braimah","doi":"10.1002/puh2.70282","DOIUrl":"10.1002/puh2.70282","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Migration and the fishing environment heighten fishers' risk of engaging in risky behaviors, such as substance abuse, engagement with multiple sexual partners, and unprotected sexual activity. This qualitative study examines risky behaviors and the factors contributing to these behaviors among fishers in Elmina, Ghana, through the lens of the risk compensation theory (RCT). The study involved a total sample of 50 participants, comprising 30 key informants (KIIs) and 20 focus group discussion (FGD) participants. Transcripts were analyzed thematically following four stages. The study found that fishers engage in three risky behaviors as follows: excessive alcohol consumption, excessive smoking, and unsafe sexual practices. Moreover, three factors contributed to the engagement of risky behaviors by fishers as follows: substance abuse, spendthrift habits and lavish social interactions, and perceiving fishing as a risky occupation led to discounting the dangers of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This study's findings underscore the need for holistic interventions that address not just individual behaviors but also the broader environmental, occupational, and socioeconomic contexts that shape the decision-making of fishers.</p>","PeriodicalId":74613,"journal":{"name":"Public health challenges","volume":"5 2","pages":"e70282"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13267799/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148267456","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}
Public health challengesPub Date : 2026-06-12eCollection Date: 2026-06-01DOI: 10.1002/puh2.70295
Md Abdullah Al Mamun, Khandakar Farid Uddin, Md Shawan Uddin, A N M Jahangir Kabir, Md Nazirul Islam Sarker
{"title":"Resilience and Recovery in the Informal Economy: Social Networks, Social Protection, and Adaptive Strategies Among Post-COVID Workers in Bangladesh.","authors":"Md Abdullah Al Mamun, Khandakar Farid Uddin, Md Shawan Uddin, A N M Jahangir Kabir, Md Nazirul Islam Sarker","doi":"10.1002/puh2.70295","DOIUrl":"10.1002/puh2.70295","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The informal economy is vital in developing countries by providing income opportunities to marginalized populations. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified existing vulnerabilities, causing severe income loss and heightened insecurity. The study aims to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on informal workers' income and livelihoods, explore their adaptation strategies, and assess the role of social networks and social protection in enhancing resilience. Using a pragmatist paradigm and an exploratory sequential mixed methods design, the study collected qualitative data through 12 in-depth interviews and quantitative data from 500 survey respondents, selected via purposive and snowball sampling. Thematic analysis and regression models were employed to interpret the findings. Results show that over 50% of informal workers experienced income decline, with many adopting coping strategies such as taking on additional jobs, reducing expenses, and seeking informal credit. Only 10% accessed formal social protection. Strong social networks proved vital, offering financial and emotional support. Regression analysis confirmed that income loss significantly increased financial insecurity (<i>β</i> = -0.45, <i>p</i> < 0.01), whereas social networks (<i>β</i> = 0.40, <i>p</i> < 0.01) and social protection (<i>β</i> = 0.35, <i>p</i> < 0.01) positively influenced resilience. The study also found that respondents with access to informal credit networks or community organizations fared significantly better than others. The study highlights the urgent need for inclusive social protection, vocational training, and community-based support to enhance the informal sector's resilience. Findings offer actionable insights for policymakers and development actors working toward sustainable recovery.</p>","PeriodicalId":74613,"journal":{"name":"Public health challenges","volume":"5 2","pages":"e70295"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13261296/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148254859","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}
Public health challengesPub Date : 2026-06-12eCollection Date: 2026-06-01DOI: 10.1002/puh2.70297
Gabriel Schmitt da Cruz, Elaine Caroline Ferreira, Gabriela Bampi, Eduardo Dickie de Castilhos, Maria Inês Meurer, Jose Antonio Gil-Montoya, Ana Lúcia Schaefer Ferreira de Mello
{"title":"Teledentistry for Homebound and Institutionalized Older Adults: A Rapid Review for Its Potential Use in Primary Healthcare.","authors":"Gabriel Schmitt da Cruz, Elaine Caroline Ferreira, Gabriela Bampi, Eduardo Dickie de Castilhos, Maria Inês Meurer, Jose Antonio Gil-Montoya, Ana Lúcia Schaefer Ferreira de Mello","doi":"10.1002/puh2.70297","DOIUrl":"10.1002/puh2.70297","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To investigate teledentistry practices for oral healthcare of homebound and institutionalized older adults and to discuss their potential applicability to primary healthcare (PHC) settings.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A rapid literature review, structured by the SPICE model, searched 10 databases in October 2024, without language or date restrictions. Two independent researchers screened the studies, and a third researcher resolved disagreements. Data were tabulated to capture study characteristics, teledentistry intervention features, and reported outcomes. The study was registered in the Open Science Framework (OSF) (DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/FD3PN).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Sixteen studies were included, comprising 15 teledentistry interventions targeting homebound or institutionalized older adults (≥60 years), conducted primarily in the United States, Japan, Australia, and Chile. Interventions took place at home (<i>n</i> = 9) or in long-term care institutions (<i>n</i> = 7), with sample sizes ranging from 4 to 252 participants and a mean duration of 6.7 months. No intervention was implemented within PHC settings. Applications included oral health assessment, treatment planning and referral, oral health education, and rehabilitation of oral function. Technological approaches were predominantly asynchronous, followed by synchronous and hybrid models. Findings suggest that teledentistry may support the detection of oral conditions, identification of gingival inflammation, improvements in swallowing function, and high levels of patient satisfaction. Challenges included technical barriers and low-digital literacy. Interprofessional collaboration with nurses and oral health technicians was frequently reported.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Teledentistry may improve access to oral healthcare and support patient-centered care for homebound and institutionalized older adults. However, as the included studies were not conducted within PHC settings, these findings should be interpreted as evidence of potential applicability rather than direct implementation. Further research is needed to evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and integration of teledentistry within PHC services.</p>","PeriodicalId":74613,"journal":{"name":"Public health challenges","volume":"5 2","pages":"e70297"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13261302/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148254923","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}
Public health challengesPub Date : 2026-06-12eCollection Date: 2026-06-01DOI: 10.1002/puh2.70296
Brenda Ruvimbo Mutsvairo, Daniel Terry, Blake Peck, Liz Ryan
{"title":"The Experiences and Challenges Encountered by Tow Truck Driver's Attending Roadside Events: A PRISMA Scoping Review.","authors":"Brenda Ruvimbo Mutsvairo, Daniel Terry, Blake Peck, Liz Ryan","doi":"10.1002/puh2.70296","DOIUrl":"10.1002/puh2.70296","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Tow truck drivers (TTD) are often the first to present at vehicle crashes, in addition to police, ambulance and at times fire services. Existing research suggests that TTD do not always receive similar supports as other first responders. A gap highlighted the need to understand the physical and psychological experiences of TTD, how they manage challenges and what supports they receive. The aim of the study is to understand why TTD should be considered first responders and to explore experiences related to the challenges encountered in their work.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A scoping review was conducted to address the aims of the study using the PRISMA for scoping reviews guidelines to ensure accurate and rigorous reporting of findings. A broad literature search was conducted between February and April 2024, using the databases PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL and EBSCO (Newspaper Source Plus), while also searching Google Scholar search engine to identify sources related to TTD. Studies of TTD were included if they were original research, written in English, peer-reviewed or news reports. Studies were excluded if truck drivers were not related to the tow truck industry.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 14 studies were included in the review. No specific key attributes for TTD were reported; however, they were found to be the first on the scene following an accident due to their well-developed network. TTD experience physical and psychological trauma. Support services are limited, and poor coping strategies, such as excessive alcohol intake, are reported. Lack of safety training was considered a contributor of occupational hazards in the industry.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>There is a palpable inequity of supports available to this group of first responders when compared to other common disciplines. The findings support a deeper exploration of TTD's lived experiences on the job, including how best to address their physical and psychological well-being.</p>","PeriodicalId":74613,"journal":{"name":"Public health challenges","volume":"5 2","pages":"e70296"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13261298/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148254865","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}
Public health challengesPub Date : 2026-06-12eCollection Date: 2026-06-01DOI: 10.1002/puh2.70298
Anshika Singh, Aditya Singh, Rakesh Chandra, Muhammad Hossain, Utkarsh Jain
{"title":"Postnatal Care Utilisation Among Adolescent Mothers in India: A Pooled Cross-Sectional Study of NFHS-4 and NFHS-5.","authors":"Anshika Singh, Aditya Singh, Rakesh Chandra, Muhammad Hossain, Utkarsh Jain","doi":"10.1002/puh2.70298","DOIUrl":"10.1002/puh2.70298","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Although postnatal care (PNC) is a critical component of maternal health services, empirical evidence on its utilisation and associated factors among adolescent mothers in India remains limited. Using nationally representative data from the fourth (2015-16) and fifth (2019-21) rounds of the National Family Health Survey, this study examines trends and determinants of PNC utilisation among mothers aged 15-19 years. PNC within 42 days of delivery was analysed as a binary outcome using multivariable logistic regression. PNC utilisation among adolescent mothers increased substantially between the two survey rounds, from 69.9% in 2015-16 to 82.3% in 2019-21. Despite this progress, marked socio-economic and regional inequalities persisted. By 2019-21, the lowest utilisation was concentrated in the north-eastern region, particularly in Nagaland (47.1%), Mizoram (64.7%), Assam (69.3%), and Arunachal Pradesh (69.7%). Multivariable regression analysis showed that PNC utilisation was most strongly associated with place of delivery and antenatal care attendance, with a clear dose-response relationship for the number of antenatal care visits. Adolescent mothers delivering in health facilities and those receiving eight or more antenatal care visits were significantly more likely to utilise PNC. Household wealth, health insurance coverage, and region of residence were also significant predictors. Although India has made substantial progress in antenatal care and institutional delivery, PNC utilisation among adolescent mothers remains uneven. Improving continuity between antenatal care, delivery services and postnatal follow-up, and addressing persistent socio-economic and regional inequalities, is important for ensuring equitable access to PNC.</p>","PeriodicalId":74613,"journal":{"name":"Public health challenges","volume":"5 2","pages":"e70298"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13261300/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148254898","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}
Public health challengesPub Date : 2026-06-09eCollection Date: 2026-06-01DOI: 10.1002/puh2.70294
Deshira D Wallace, Vidal Lordmendez, Sarah A Perry, Laura Villa Torres, Lindsay Savelli, Melissa Castillo, Yesenia Cuello
{"title":"Lessons Learned on the Use of Wearables in Tracking Health Indicators Among Farmworkers in North Carolina Exposed to Extreme Heat Conditions.","authors":"Deshira D Wallace, Vidal Lordmendez, Sarah A Perry, Laura Villa Torres, Lindsay Savelli, Melissa Castillo, Yesenia Cuello","doi":"10.1002/puh2.70294","DOIUrl":"10.1002/puh2.70294","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Farmwork is a hazardous occupation that is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Data collection methods are needed to understand the hazards affecting farmworkers. The objective of this study is to share lessons learned regarding the feasibility and acceptability of using wearable technology to assess the role of heat exposure on health indicators among farmworkers in Eastern North Carolina.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>All participants were Latino men farmworker adults (18+ years) working in Eastern North Carolina who wore a wearable health tracker for 90 days. The participants were asked to wear the device day and night to collect information on heart rate, blood oxygenation, skin temperature variation, breathing rate, sleep, and stress. Participants were recruited with a community partner across six counties in the region.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Existing community relationships with farmworkers facilitated adoption of new technologies. The participants found the wearables acceptable and easy to use. Wearable feasibility was dependent on consistent broadband internet for data uploads; however, broadband availability was low (35.7%-71.1%) across counties. The vendor's infrastructure (i.e., device and app) limited who could be recruited for the study. Climate impacted the expected length of study participation as droughts and floods cut the growing and harvesting season short, which impacted data collection.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Testing and consideration of the structural strengths and constraints are needed for selection of data collection instruments. Research protocols need to be nimble to guarantee successful data collection for climate-related research with minoritized workers such as farmworkers in the United States.</p>","PeriodicalId":74613,"journal":{"name":"Public health challenges","volume":"5 2","pages":"e70294"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13248983/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148220778","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}
Public health challengesPub Date : 2026-06-06eCollection Date: 2026-06-01DOI: 10.1002/puh2.70293
Danyal Khan, Muhammad Dawood, Ihtiram Ullah, Husna Irfan Thalib, Sadia Yasir Khan, Farasat Maheen, Mable Pereira
{"title":"Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception of Medical Students Toward AI-Based Learning: A Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Danyal Khan, Muhammad Dawood, Ihtiram Ullah, Husna Irfan Thalib, Sadia Yasir Khan, Farasat Maheen, Mable Pereira","doi":"10.1002/puh2.70293","DOIUrl":"10.1002/puh2.70293","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming healthcare delivery and medical education. Despite its growing global presence, little is known about the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (KAP) of medical students in Pakistan regarding AI-based learning. Understanding these factors is essential for guiding curriculum development and preparing future physicians for an AI-driven health system.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To assess the KAP of medical students in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan, toward AI-based learning.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 392 medical students from multiple medical colleges in KP. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to assess KAP toward AI-based learning. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, employing descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to examine group differences. Ordinal logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors, with statistical significance set at <i>p</i> < 0.05. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of Gomal Medical College, and informed consent was obtained from all participants.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 392 participants, most demonstrated moderate knowledge (62.8%) regarding AI-based learning, whereas only 30.4% achieved high knowledge scores. Significant variation was observed across academic years, with senior students demonstrating greater knowledge than preclinical students (<i>p</i> < 0.05). In contrast, attitudes and perceptions were largely positive across all years, with nearly three-quarters (74.8%) of students expressing favorable views toward AI. Only 0.8% reported negative attitudes. These findings suggest that enthusiasm for AI is high, but comprehensive understanding remains limited.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Medical students in KP exhibit strong enthusiasm and positive perceptions toward AI-based learning, yet their knowledge remains modest and uneven across training levels. This mismatch highlights the urgent need for structured AI education in undergraduate curricula. Incorporating formal training, workshops, and faculty development programs can bridge this gap and better prepare future physicians to responsibly integrate AI into clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":74613,"journal":{"name":"Public health challenges","volume":"5 2","pages":"e70293"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13241693/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148201427","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}
Public health challengesPub Date : 2026-06-02eCollection Date: 2026-06-01DOI: 10.1002/puh2.70291
Botha Nkosi Nkosi, Segbedzi Cynthia Esinam, Atsu Fortune Selase, Annim Sarah, Ansah Edward Wilson
{"title":"A Phenomenological Analysis of Knowledge, Impact and Coping Strategies to Climate Change: Experiences of Persons With Albinism.","authors":"Botha Nkosi Nkosi, Segbedzi Cynthia Esinam, Atsu Fortune Selase, Annim Sarah, Ansah Edward Wilson","doi":"10.1002/puh2.70291","DOIUrl":"10.1002/puh2.70291","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Persons with albinism (PWA) in Ghana are disproportionately affected by climate change due to a lack of melanin in their skin, which increases their exposure and vulnerability to the effects of climate change. However, research on this group in Ghana remains limited.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To explore the lived experiences of PWA regarding climate change knowledge, impact and adaptation strategies in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis (STM).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data were collected from 17 PWA in the STM, using a five-item interview guide and analysed through constitutive phenomenological analysis. Recruitment and data collection occurred between 10 June 2021 and 27 August 2023.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We found that PWA in STM possess inadequate knowledge regarding climate change, self-reported eye and skin conditions and utilize insufficient protection and adaptation strategies.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Although PWA in STM adopt various strategies to cope with climate change effects, these are insufficient for their full protection. The social welfare department should register these individuals to ensure they benefit from government and NGO support. Future research should adopt quantitative approaches and extend this study nationwide.</p>","PeriodicalId":74613,"journal":{"name":"Public health challenges","volume":"5 2","pages":"e70291"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13240133/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148200887","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}
Jean Marie Ntaganda, Innocent Ngaruye, Denis Ndanguza
{"title":"Integration of Developed Mathematical Model for Predicting and Monitoring the Spread of Epidemics and Pandemics: The Case of COVID-19 in Rwanda.","authors":"Jean Marie Ntaganda, Innocent Ngaruye, Denis Ndanguza","doi":"10.1002/puh2.70287","DOIUrl":"10.1002/puh2.70287","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study presents a novel, context-specific mathematical modeling framework for predicting and monitoring COVID-19 transmission in Rwanda, addressing the increasing demand for integrated and data-driven public health decision-support tools. The model incorporates localized epidemiological dynamics, transmission pathways, and major intervention measures, including lockdowns, vaccination, quarantine, and home-based care, which is considered a critical factor influencing disease transmission. Using a system of differential equations, the framework models transition among infected, home-based care, hospitalized, recovered, and deceased populations. The model was calibrated and validated using Rwanda's national COVID-19 surveillance data collected between March 2020 and December 2022, covering multiple epidemic waves and intervention phases. Calibration utilized time-series data on confirmed cases, active infections, hospitalizations, intensive care unit admissions, recoveries, and mortality. Detailed home-based care records improved the estimation of transmission and recovery parameters. Parameter optimization was performed through least-squares fitting and cross-validation techniques. Model performance was assessed using the root mean square error (RMSE) and the coefficient of determination (<i>R</i> <sup>2</sup>) metrics. Validation through out-of-sample predictions demonstrated strong accuracy in capturing infection trends and healthcare burden. An interactive dashboard complements the framework by enabling real-time analytics, forecasting, and evidence-based public health decision-making.</p>","PeriodicalId":74613,"journal":{"name":"Public health challenges","volume":"5 2","pages":"e70287"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13240068/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148201146","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":"Nomophobia and Adolescent Social Isolation in a Rapidly Transforming Cultural Context: Evidence From Kyrgyzstan.","authors":"Niyazi Ayhan","doi":"10.1002/puh2.70286","DOIUrl":"10.1002/puh2.70286","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigates the association between nomophobia and social isolation among 465 adolescents aged 13-17 in Kyrgyzstan, a society experiencing rapid cultural and digital transformation. Digital dependence was operationalised using the Nomophobia Questionnaire, and social isolation was measured through a validated self-report scale. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that higher levels of nomophobia were significantly associated with greater social isolation (<i>β</i> = 0.31, <i>p</i> < 0.001), explaining approximately 10% of the variance in isolation scores after controlling for demographic variables. Gender, number of close friends and primary communication mode were also associated with social isolation, whereas age and school grade were not significant predictors. The findings suggest that nomophobia is meaningfully associated with adolescents' perceived social connectedness in transitional cultural settings. Implications for school-based prevention strategies and youth-focused digital literacy interventions are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":74613,"journal":{"name":"Public health challenges","volume":"5 2","pages":"e70286"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13240562/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148201413","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}