International medical students face elevated risks of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD; characterized by re-experiencing, avoidance, and a sense of threat per ICD-11), and complex PTSD (C-PTSD; encompassing core PTSD symptoms alongside disturbances in self-organization, including emotion dysregulation, negative self-concept, and relationship difficulties). This study aims to determine the prevalence of these conditions among students at Ain Shams University (n = 310) and to compare those from conflict-affected regions with those from non-conflict regions. This analytical cross-sectional survey (October 2024–January 2025) employed the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress 21 Scale (DASS-21) and the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Students experienced a high symptom burden: 36.5
Despite the growing evidence of increasing divorce rates and marital distress among Egyptian couples, there are scarce studies that have explored marital satisfaction in Egypt. This study aimed to assess marital dissatisfaction, utilization of marital counseling services, and attitude toward seeking these services among married women in Upper Egypt. A cross-sectional study design was applied. An Interviewer-administered questionnaire was filled out by 540 formally married women attending outpatient clinics at Aswan University Hospital. It inquired about personal data, the Marital Satisfaction Scale (MSS), whether marital counseling services were utilized, and attitudes toward seeking such services. The median and range values of total MSS and attitudes towards seeking marital counseling services were 24 (1–87) and 3 (0–7), respectively. The prevalence of utilizing marital counseling services was 8
Acute appendicitis is one of the most common general surgical diseases in children. The high misdiagnosis rate and high complication rate of appendicitis in the pediatric population have led to a more serious incidence of appendicitis in children. Therefore, for pediatric appendicitis, early accurate diagnosis and timely intervention are of vital importance. This cross-sectional study used data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database to analyze the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR), and age-standardized disability-adjusted life year rate (ASDR) of appendicitis in children aged 0 to 14 years from 1990 to 2021. We calculated the average estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) using linear regression and analyzed the trends using the joinpoint analysis. The analysis was stratified by region, country, and Socioeconomic Development Index (SDI). We examined the associations of the EAPC with SDI and baseline rates. A total of 63,401,760 children were included. In 2021, the global number of incident cases of pediatric appendicitis was estimated at 2,193,019.79 (95
Labor pain and maternal comfort during childbirth can influence women’s childbirth experience, labor progress, and psychological well-being. Non-pharmacological interventions are increasingly used to support labor pain management in a safe and supportive manner. Quran recitation, a culturally familiar auditory intervention for Muslim women, may help reduce pain perception and promote relaxation during labor. This study aims to examine the effect of listening to Quran recitation on labor pain, childbirth comfort, and blood pressure among nulliparous women in Oman. A quasi-experimental study was conducted at Khoula Hospital, Oman, among 120 nulliparous women with singleton term pregnancies in active labor. Participants were allocated into two groups: a Quran recitation group (n = 60) and a back massage group (n = 60). Women in the intervention group listened to a recorded Quran recitation during labor, while the comparison group received a standardized back massage. Labor pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), pain behavior using the Pain Behavioral Observation Scale (PBOS-3), and childbirth comfort using the Childbirth Comfort Questionnaire (CCQ). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were also recorded. Measurements were obtained before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests, independent t-test, chi-square, and multivariate linear regression. Women in the Quran recitation group showed a significant reduction in mean VAS pain scores, decreasing from 76.45 ± 8.20 before the intervention to 58.32 ± 7.16 after the intervention (p < 0.001). In contrast, the back massage group showed no statistically significant change (62.88 ± 8.44 to 61.10 ± 7.98; p > 0.05). The Quran recitation group also demonstrated significantly improved pain behavior and higher overall childbirth comfort scores (CCQ total score, p = 0.002). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that Quran recitation was significantly associated with lower systolic (β = − 0.53, p < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (β = − 0.49, p < 0.001) after adjustment for gestational age, time of admission, and prior Quran exposure. Quran recitation was associated with reduced labor pain, improved childbirth comfort, and lower blood pressure among nulliparous women during labor. As a culturally acceptable non-pharmacological intervention, it may support more holistic maternity care for Muslim women.
BackgroundAluminum (Al) is the most abundant element in the Earth's crust. Occupational exposure to aluminum can lead to serious adverse health effects for workers in the aluminum industry. Genetic variations could be considered as contributing internal factors for the susceptibility of individuals to toxicities related to Al exposure. Different experiments have investigated genetic polymorphism variations in metabolic pathways, which could significantly modulate an individual's susceptibility to aluminum-induced toxicity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of aluminum exposure on oxidant-antioxidant status, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and free testosterone levels. Also, to show whether an association exists between MTHFR A1298C (rs1801131) and CBS (844ins68) gene polymorphisms with the aforementioned biochemical parameters among occupationally exposed workers to Al.MethodsUrinary heavy metals (Al, Cd, Ni, Cr, Pb) were measured through ICP-MS in 95 workers in the aluminum industry and 90 control individuals. We also analyzed serum MT-1, MDA, PTH, free testosterone, and TAC using ELISA methods. CBS (844ins68) and MTHFR A1298C gene polymorphisms were performed by (PCR-RFLP).ResultsRevealed a significant rise in serum MT-1, MDA, and urinary heavy metals levels with reductions in TAC, Free testosterone, and PTH levels. A negative relation was found between serum TAC, duration of exposure, and between age and serum free testosterone levels. In workers, the association of the wild type of MTHFR A1298C genotype with a rise in serum MT-1 and MDA levels and a decrease in TAC was observed compared to the control, while the heterozygote genotype AC was associated with reduced serum free testosterone, TAC, and PTH levels among the workers group. Moreover, serum MT-1 showed a significant rise in NN genotype of the CBS gene with a decline in serum TAC and PTH levels, while Heterozygote NI recorded reduced TAC levels among the worker group compared to the control. Significant reduction in serum TAC was shown in the heterozygote NI among the worker group compared to the control.ConclusionAssociation of wild-type and heterozygote genotype of both MTHFR A1298C (rs1801131) (AA and AC) and CBS (844ins68) (NN and NI) with reduced TAC levels among the worker group. Moreover, the AC genotype of MTHFR was associated with a decrease in the PTH and free testosterone levels among Al industry workers.
BackgroundMaternal sepsis and maternal infections (MSMIs) pose significant risks to maternal, fetal, and neonatal health. This study examines the burden trends of MSMIs in China from 1990 to 2021, comparing them with global patterns.MethodsThe burden of MSMIs in China and worldwide was evaluated using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) spanning 1990-2021. Temporal trends were assessed through Joinpoint regression, calculating average annual percentage changes (AAPC) with 95% confidence intervals. Future burden projections up to 2036 were estimated using ARIMA modeling. Cross-regional comparisons were conducted to identify variations in disease impact.ResultsBetween 1990 and 2021, China exhibited distinct trends in the burden of MSMIs compared to global patterns. The country's age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) declined from 29.62 to 23.95 per 100,000, reflecting an annual reduction of -0.73%, in contrast to a global increase to 37.40. Mortality indicators showed significant declines, with China's age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) dropping by 77.7% to 4.04 (-5.10% per year), compared to a 56.9% global reduction. Disease burden indicators demonstrated accelerated improvements, as China's age-standardized disability-adjusted life years rate (ASDR) fell by 78.3% to 93.73 (-5.31% per year), exceeding the global reduction of 53.1%. Prevalence patterns showed a contraction in China's age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) to 390.24 (-0.47% per year), whereas international prevalence rose to 513.68. Age-stratified analysis revealed inverse relationships: ASIR declined progressively with aging, while mortality and disability indicators intensified in older populations, differing from the bimodal prevalence distribution that peaked in middle age.ConclusionFrom 1990 to 2021, China experienced a significant decline in the MSMIs burden, diverging from rising global trends. Projections suggest this divergence will persist, with China's burden continuing to decrease by 2036, while global rates increase. Urgent targeted interventions are needed for high-risk regions and populations.
Despite recent improvements in attitudes toward mental illness, persistent stigma in some communities continues to negatively impact those affected. This study aimed to assess gender differences in attitudes toward mental illness among the Saudi community in Jizan. A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and July 2024, enrolling 586 participants (267 males and 319 females) recruited using a non-probability convenience sampling from public places. Attitudes toward mental illness were assessed using the 40-item Community Attitudes toward Mental Illness (CAMI) scale, with negatively worded items reverse-coded. The 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles of the scale score were considered as cutoff points to describe low, medium, and high scores, respectively. Gender differences in the CAMI total score and its predefined subscales (Authoritarianism, Benevolence, Social Restrictiveness, and Community Mental Health Ideology) were examined using independent sample t-tests. Associations between demographic factors and attitudes toward mental illness were evaluated using multivariate linear regression (MLR), with regression models incorporating interaction terms to examine gender differences. The mean CAMI score for the participants was 107.16 ± 9.38, with males scoring significantly higher than females (108.64 ± 9.52 vs. 105.92 ± 9.10, p < 0.001 CI:1.20, 4.23), with a small effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.29, p < 0.001). Based on descriptive percentile-based cutoffs (≤ 101, 102–113, ≥ 114), more than half of the participants were classified as having moderate stigma (50.68
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a significant respiratory pathogen that remains underrecognized and often co-circulates with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza. Despite its clinical impact, awareness among healthcare professionals remains poorly understood, particularly in Africa. This study assessed the awareness of hMPV among healthcare professionals in Libya. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 385 healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and medical technicians in Libya. A structured, self-administered questionnaire developed de novo was used to assess demographic characteristics and awareness of hMPV, including transmission, clinical manifestations, prevention, and management. Awareness levels were categorized as low (≤ 59
Seasonal and climatic variations are known to influence patterns of mental illness presenting to emergency departments; however, few studies—particularly in Saudi Arabia and the Eastern Mediterranean region —have examined these effects. This study investigates whether seasonality and gender differences are associated with variations in the number of emergency department visits for mental health disorders at Eradah Complex for Mental Health in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. We analyzed data from patients presenting to the emergency room (ER) between January 2024 and December 2024 with mental health diagnoses according to ICD-10 criteria. Data were categorized into four consecutive quarters (Q1 = January–March; Q2 = April–June; Q3 = July–September; Q4 = October–December) and analyzed by sex. Chi-square analysis was used to assess seasonal variation. Seasonal time-series assessment demonstrated significant variation across all disorders studied, including personality disorders, mixed anxiety–depressive disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), and psychotic disorders. Most patients with psychotic disorders were male, whereas most patients with the other diagnoses were female. There was a significant seasonal variation (P ≤ 0.01) in emergency department visits for psychotic disorders and mixed anxiety–depressive disorder in both males and females. Significant seasonal variation exists in ED visits for psychotic disorders, mixed anxiety–depression, OCD, and personality disorders, with the highest volume occurring in Q4 (October–December). Females accounted for most non-psychotic disorders. Therefore, emergency and outpatient psychiatric services should enhance winter/autumn preparedness, and further research should examine underlying climatic drivers.
Background Despite the established risks associated with tobacco exposure during pregnancy, the implementation of smoking cessation counseling by healthcare providers in Egypt is inconsistent. This study aimed to assess health care providers' (HCPs) knowledge about the hazards of smoking exposure during pregnancy, investigate their attitudes and practices concerning smoking cessation, and determine the perceived barriers to addressing this issue during routine care. Methods We employed a qualitative approach to conduct semi-structured interviews with 22 health care professionals (15 obstetricians and 7 nurses) from four Cairo government hospitals. Purposive sampling was used to choose participants. Arabic-language interviews were recorded, verbatim transcribed, and subjected to thematic analysis using NVivo 12 Pro. Results Six major themes emerged: (1) differences in knowledge about smoking hazards; (2) differences in attitudes regarding counseling; (3) inconsistency regarding history taking and counseling practices; (4) obstacles to effective intervention; (5) recommendations for improvement; and (6) expressed desire for training. Although there was an overall sense of awareness of risk, counseling practices were found to be selective and faced barriers, including cultural sensitivity, time constraints, and role uncertainty. Conclusion Targeted training and structural support are necessary for HCPs to deliver consistent smoking cessation counseling. Systematic incorporation of cessation counselling into antenatal care is necessary to tackle the impact of maternal tobacco exposure.
Abstract Background With the changing perception of Caesarean Section (CS) from a lifesaving to a routine procedure, non-medically indicated CS is increasing. This study assessed the prevalence, indications, and preference for CS among women attending primary health care (PHC) units in Port Said Governorate, Egypt. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2023 to February 2024 in six primary health care units across Port-Said Governorate, Egypt. Married women of childbearing age who had experienced at least one childbirth (primiparous and multiparous) were included. A total of 179 participants were recruited using multistage sampling, combining random selection of PHC units and consecutive sampling of eligible women. Data were collected using a validated structured questionnaire covering socio-demographics, obstetric history, last delivery experience, and preference for the next delivery. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v26, including univariate and multivariate logistic regression to identify factors associated with CS and delivery preference. Results A total of 179 women participated in the study. Of these, 68% had CS for their last delivery. The most frequently reported reasons for previous CS were fear of labor (56%), prolonged labor (18%), and long distance to the hospital (15.6%). Regarding future delivery preferences, (61.5%) of women expressed a preference for CS. The leading reasons cited were less pain (81.8% ), the belief that CS is safer for the baby (57.3%), and the knowledge of the time of delivery (32.2%). Multivariate logistic regression identified independent predictors for each outcome. Women with higher income [AOR 10.0, 95% CI 2.7–36.9, < 0.001] and those whose doctor suggested CS [AOR 19.2, 95% CI 5.5–67.1, p < 0.001] were more likely to have had a CS in their last delivery. In contrast, preference for CS in the next delivery was independently associated with higher husband education [AOR 12.1, 95% CI 1.2–124.3, p = 0.036] and a history of previous CS [AOR 14.7, 95% CI 6.2–34.6, p < 0.001]. Conclusion Fear of labor and previous CS were the main drivers of past and preferred future CS deliveries, with non-medical factors outweighing medical indications. Findings highlight the need for educational interventions to support informed delivery choices.
Abstract Background Diabetes distress is highly prevalent among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and is consistently associated with poor self-care, medication nonadherence, and suboptimal glycemic control, leading to worse outcomes and reduced quality of life. Despite its clinical significance, routine screening is often overlooked in primary care and family medicine settings due to limited time and resources. Brief tools, such as the 2-item (DDS-2) and 4-item (DDS-4) Diabetes Distress Scales, offer practical alternatives to longer measures; however, validated Arabic versions are lacking. Given the high burden of T2DM in the Middle East and North Africa, culturally adapted and reliable screening instruments are necessary. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Arabic DDS-2 and DDS-4 among Egyptian patients with T2DM. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 366 participants recruited from five urban family medicine settings in Port Said, Egypt. Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach’s α, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to assess the one-factor structure of the Arabic DDS-4. Concurrent, convergent, and predictive criterion validity were assessed by examining correlations between the Arabic DDS-2 and DDS-4 and the 17-item Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS-17), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), General Medication Adherence Scale (GMAS), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Known-group validity was assessed through associations with sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Criterion validity was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, with high diabetes distress defined by the DDS-17 cutoff (≥ 3). Results The Arabic DDS-2 and DDS-4 demonstrated strong internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.728 and 0.904, respectively. CFA confirmed a one-factor structure for the Arabic DDS-4. The Arabic DDS-2 and DDS-4 showed very strong correlations with the DDS-17 (r = 0.910–0.953, p < 0.001), supporting strong concurrent validity. Both scales demonstrated moderate positive correlations with depressive symptoms (r ≈ 0.53–0.55, p < 0.001) and weak negative correlations with medication adherence (r ≈ − 0.31 to − 0.33, p < 0.001), indicating good convergent validity. Their weak correlations with HbA1c (r ≈ 0.19–0.21, p < 0.001) provided evidence of fair predictive validity. Known-group validity was confirmed by higher distress scores among patients with lower education, physical inactivity, failure to achieve glycemic targets, insulin use, complications, comorbidities, depressive symptoms, and poor medication adherence (all p < 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) was higher for the DDS-4 (0.958) than for the DDS-2 (0.846), indicating stronger discriminative ability. The DDS-2 achieved excellent specificity (99.6%) and positive predictive value (98.6%), whereas the DDS-4 showed superior sensitivity (95.9%) and negative predictive value (98.9%). Conclusion The Arabic DDS-2 and DDS-4 are reliable and valid instruments for screening diabetes distress in Arabic-speaking patients with T2DM. Their brevity makes them particularly useful in busy clinical settings, while their psychometric strength supports application in diverse healthcare contexts and research.
Abstract Background The Reproductive Autonomy Scale (RAS) is a recent English validated reliable tool for measuring reproductive autonomy created by Ushma Upadhyay in the United States. It assesses women’s control over decisions related to contraception, pregnancy, and childbearing. RAS has not yet been validated for Arabic-speaking populations. The current study aimed to validate the Arabic version of the RAS among Egyptian married women in the reproductive age group. Subjects and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in three randomly selected primary health care centers among 400 Egyptian married women. Data was collected using an interview-administered questionnaire that included personal characteristics, women autonomy scale, and RAS. A standard forward-backward translation of RAS was done. The reliability of the translated scale was tested by Test- retest reliability and evaluation of the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Convergent validity was assessed by correlating the RAS with the women’s autonomy scale. Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses (CFA & EFA) were used to test construct validity. Results The final Arabic validated form had excellent repeatability levels among the studied Egyptian women (ICC = 0.912). EFA of the long form of RAS resulted in 11 items captured by three factors: freedom from coercion, communication, and decision-making. Total variance explained was 60.37%. The alpha reliability coefficient for the entire scale was 0.74. CFA showed that all items loaded significantly on their hypothesized three latent factors. The fit indices were acceptable (TLI = 0.97; CFI = 0.98; RMSEA = 0.04 and SRMR = 0.04). Conclusions The final Arabic validated form has excellent repeatability levels and good face validity.
Abstract Background Type II Workplace violence (WPV), in which the healthcare staff is attacked by the patients or their relatives/friends, is a significant issue in healthcare, impacting healthcare quality, worker safety, and organizational performance. Although studied frequently, further studies are needed in non-university hospital settings and departments other than the emergency. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of physical and verbal type II WPV against physicians, identify the circumstances of the last incidents, and evaluate existing preventive measures from the physicians’ perspective. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional design was used, recruiting a convenience sample of 324 physicians from one Health Insurance Organization (HIO) and one Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) hospital in Alexandria (183 and 141 physicians, respectively). Data collection took place between August and November 2023 using a structured pre-validated self-administered questionnaire in English. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 was used for data analysis. Results Verbal and physical WPV were reported by 61.4% and 8.3% of participants, respectively. Exposure was significantly associated with age group (30–40), single physicians, and residents’ position (p < 0.05). The patient’s relatives were the main aggressors. Physical violence was more common during the evening, while verbal violence was frequent in the morning. Emergency departments (EDs) were the primary sites of violence. Prevalent triggers included refusal of treatment, patient conditions, work overload, and long waiting times. Most incidents went unreported due to negligence and ignorance of reporting procedures. The HIO hospital showed better security measures, workplace procedures, staff training, and organizational support, while the MOHP hospital had better adequacy of staffing and resources. Conclusion WPV is highly prevalent among the studied physicians, particularly in emergency settings and among junior staff. Institutional adoption of OSHA-based WPV prevention protocols remains inadequate, highlighting the need for systemic reform.
In sub-Saharan countries, where a large number of populations depend on unsafe water, household water treatment is the recommended means to improve and maintain the safety and quality of water. Boiling, adding bleach, filtration, solar disinfection, straining through cloth, and settling are among well-known treatment methods. However, the practice in the region is very low. The current study is intended to assess the spatial analysis and scope estimation of households’ water treatment methods in sub-Saharan African countries. The Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data were collected from 2012 to 2024 in 34 sub-Saharan countries, encompassing 500,845 households and 20,492 clusters. Global spatial autocorrelation was performed to analyze whether the pattern of household water treatment is clustered, dispersed, or random across the study areas. Once a positive global autocorrelation was confirmed, a local spatial autocorrelation analysis (Getis-Ord Gi* statistics) was employed to detect local clusters. ArcGIS version 10.7 was used to map the clusters, and Kulldorff SaTScan version 10.0.2 software, using the Bernoulli model, was used for spatial scan statistical tests. The geo-statistical ordinary Kriging spatial interpolation technique was used to predict unsampled areas based on sampled clusters. The overall prevalence of household water treatment across sub-Saharan Africa between 2012 and 2024 was 20
Diarrhea remains one of the leading causes of under-5 mortality in Nigeria. Traditional logistic regression has been used to assess risk factors; however, machine learning (ML) models complement the prediction capability by untying tangled interactions. This study presents an analysis of childhood diarrhea predictors in Nigeria using both approaches to inform strategic interventions. The 2018 NDHS (Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey) data were assessed, and 33,924 under-5 children’s data were analyzed. Predictor variables include socioeconomic, environmental, behavioral, and household factors. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were estimated using logistic regression, while ML models (CatBoost, LightGBM, XGBoost) were used to evaluate non-linear relationships. Performance of the models was compared based on feature importance rankings. Notably, there was a striking regional variation, with the highest prevalence of diarrhea recorded in the North-East (aOR = 2.04, p < 0.001). Region and child’s age were the most important predictors in both regression and ML models, with ML importance of 100 and 76.1, respectively. Higher socioeconomic status had a strongly protective association, as evidenced by a clear wealth gradient (Very rich: aOR = 0.57, p < 0.001). Similarly, safe disposal of children’s feces (aOR = 0.92, p = 0.031) was associated with reduced odds of diarrhea, as was higher maternal education (aOR = 0.76, p = 0.010). Among the ML models, CatBoost provided the best balance of performance (AUC = 0.706, Balanced Accuracy = 0.660, sensitivity = 71.3
Teenage pregnancy is a major public health concern globally, with exceptionally high rates in low-and middle-income countries, such as Ghana. It is associated with adverse maternal health outcomes, educational disruptions, and socioeconomic disadvantages. This study examines the prevalence and factors associated with teenage pregnancy in Ghana. The most recent 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey dataset with a weighted sample of 2,835 adolescent girls aged 15–19 years was used for the study. We used percentages and confidence intervals (CIs) to present the prevalence of teenage pregnancy. A mixed-effect multilevel binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with teenage pregnancy using a four-modeled approach. The results were presented as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with a 95
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted critical gaps in mortality surveillance, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study evaluated the feasibility of using routine mortality data as an early warning system for respiratory outbreaks in Alexandria, Egypt. A retrospective time-series analysis of 61,378 deaths (2017–2022) was conducted. Respiratory failure (ICD-10: J96.90) was used as a proxy for COVID-19-related mortality. As population denominators were unavailable at subdistrict level, analyses relied on proportionate mortality, reflecting the pragmatic data scope of the current registry system. Expected deaths were estimated using an exponential smoothing model, and excess mortality was identified when observed deaths exceeded expectations for three or more consecutive months. Deaths attributed to respiratory failure increased notably during 2020–2021, with sustained excess mortality signals corresponding to pandemic peaks. Mortality among adults aged 70–75 years rose markedly, and total years of life lost during the pandemic reached 41,819 across high-risk age groups (40–70 years). Routine mortality data can serve as a practical foundation for early detection of respiratory disease outbreaks in resource-limited settings. Future investments should focus on strengthening human resources, expanding digital infrastructure, and improving data standardization to ensure the long-term sustainability and scalability of mortality surveillance systems in LMICs.
Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) significantly impacts daily routines and health parameters. The immediate adaptations during early Ramadan, particularly among university students maintaining academic commitments, remain understudied. Twenty-five healthy female students (aged 20.58 ± 1.37 years) were followed over three weeks: one pre-Ramadan (pre-RIF) and the first two weeks (RIF-week 1 and RIF-week 2) of Ramadan. To objectively measure sleep duration and physical activity (skin-contact actimetry), daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale), anthropometric assessment (bioelectrical impedance), and dietary intakes (3-day food records) were assessed over the three timepoints. Sleep efficiency remained stable at 85
The rapid global increase in the older adult population presents unprecedented challenges and opportunities for healthcare systems worldwide. This demographic shift is accompanied by a growing prevalence of chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, dementia, and other geriatric syndromes, underscoring the urgent need for innovative, age-sensitive healthcare solutions. Traditional healthcare models often fall short in addressing the complex, multifactorial needs of older adults, highlighting the need for a transformative approach to care delivery and management that integrates personalization, continuity, and technological innovation. This article is a narrative review that synthesizes recent literature published within the last ten years, drawing from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar to explore cutting-edge advancements in geriatric care, with a focus on telemedicine, mobile health (mHealth), artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and wearable technologies. These innovations offer promising avenues to improve healthcare accessibility, enhance patient outcomes, and alleviate the burden on caregivers. For instance, telemedicine facilitates remote consultations, reducing hospital visits and ensuring continuity of care for individuals in remote or underserved areas. mHealth applications empower older adults to actively manage their health, monitor chronic conditions, and stay connected with caregivers. Robotics and AI-driven systems provide physical support, cognitive stimulation, and personalized care planning, thereby enhancing independence and emotional well-being. However, successfully integrating these technologies into geriatric care requires addressing several challenges, including technical limitations, data privacy concerns, and disparities in digital literacy. A major hurdle lies in ensuring that these solutions are user-friendly and tailored to the diverse physical and cognitive needs of older adults.
