Outbreaks can affect mental health. Healthcare workers have also been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the mental well-being of students studying at the faculty of health sciences may be impaired. The present study aimed to determine the mental well-being levels of the students in a health sciences faculty during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist was used to report the present study. A descriptive design study was conducted with 393 health sciences faculty students enrolled at a state university in Kırıkkale. The statistical analyses indicated that the students’ mean well-being level was 50.1 ± 11.0. Of the students, 22.6% had a low, 58.3% had a moderate, and 19.1% had a high level of mental well-being. Interventional studies can be conducted after the COVID-19 pandemic to increase the students’ well-being level.
Cultural humility, an approach to care that is rooted in self-reflexivity, regard for patients’ lay expertise, and openness to sharing power with patients, is pivotal in delivering health services to people with diverse sociocultural characteristics. Without cultural humility in clinical encounters between health care providers and patients, illnesses may be treated, but the patients are poorly understood. This work investigates the barriers to practising cultural humility among healthcare workers in Nigeria, a culturally diverse country. A qualitative online survey collected data from 52 health professionals between May and July 2024. Participants were recruited across primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities, as well as across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria, to enable the transferability of findings. Purposive sampling was employed for selection. Thematic analysis was performed on the data, and member checks were used to ensure rigour and trustworthiness. The barriers are categorised into human resources for health, patient, and leadership and governance levels. The obstacles within human resources for health include the lack of training on cultural humility, shortage of health workers, low motivation among service providers resulting from poor remuneration, and limited cultural and religious diversity among providers, as well as among leadership actors in the health system. The patient-level hindrances encompass patients’ limited English proficiency and reluctance to engage in open dialogue about their cultural backgrounds and health care preferences during clinical encounters with health professionals. Finally, the barrier at the leadership and governance tier stems from hierarchical organisational culture. These findings not only underscore the urgency of reform but also provide a roadmap for fostering a culturally sensitive health system.
Healthcare professionals are expected to engage in training and/or education throughout their career paths. This two-part study aimed to investigate the experience of pursuing education among healthcare workers. Study One measured stress among 70 healthcare professionals enrolled in graduate studies; 83% of them were highly stressed and reported stressors that drew the researchers’ attention, such as uncertainty about the future and lack of job security. Study Two was then designed to explore graduate students’ orientation towards continuing education and explain it within social cognitive career theory. Students’ choice to continue in health administration rather than in their own professions was not informed, and their decisions were not oriented towards competence. Neither managerial self-efficacy nor interest in management was evident in most of the responses. The absence of orientation among most of the 11 interviewees in Study Two justified the above-average stress that has been reported in Study One. The study recommends considering interest enhancement initiatives and career counselling for higher education students.
Health insurance coverage is known to improve access to health care and ensure financial protection of beneficiaries across contexts. Despite its benefits, universal health insurance coverage is often subject to a host of social, economic and demographic barriers. In this research, we examine the effect of geographical location and religious affiliation on health insurance coverage for women in India. Towards this objective, the Demographic and Health Survey containing responses from 724,115 women, aged between 15 and 49, was employed. Our findings suggest variations in overall coverage, coverage through government intervention and coverage through private means, based on region and religion of the women respondents. Further, the interaction of region and religion also offers insightful findings. Policy and research implications are discussed. Limitations are acknowledged.
The spread of the COVID-19 virus has provided a massive resistance to the life and well-being of the crowd throughout the world. Even after the preparation and manufacturing of vaccines, an enormous problem exists in the distribution process to individuals. The objective of the current study is to identify critical components of the COVID-19 vaccine supply chain (VSC). The vaccine will provide long-term protection for humanity globally. Key determinants have been identified and ranked as per their performance from discussions with various experts. The Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution method was utilised to rank these critical components, obtained from an exhaustive literature survey. This study will help identify issues and rank them to improve the performance of the VSC.
The prevalence of hospital deaths, as estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO), is more than 2 million, among which 50% are preventable. Preventable deaths can be reduced significantly by implementing effective patient safety measures. Therefore, mapping various patient safety measures can provide important insights. The scoping review aimed at systematically compiling and analysing the facilitators and barriers towards patient safety measures. We used the scoping review methodology for systematically mapping and discussing relevant concepts from existing evidence. The scoping review was based on the methodological guidance of the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers Manual and the PRISMA-ScR checklist. Out of 196,847 studies from January 2014 to December 2024 identified from 3 databases, 41 studies were selected according to the inclusion criteria. The common themes were extracted under the category of facilitators and barriers to patient safety. The key facilitators based on the majority percentage included effective communication, continuous learning and quality improvement initiatives, while the main barriers identified were system issues, cultural challenges and human preferences. A guiding framework for patient safety implementation was developed from synthesised facilitators and barriers. Increased leadership engagement, continuous workforce development, promoting human-focused technologies, enhancing communication and fostering a hospital safety culture were recommended. The major limitation of this review was the literature searches conducted in three databases. However, the proposed guiding framework provides a ready reckoner aligned with the WHO Global Patient Safety Action Plan (2021–2030) and International Patient Safety Goals. The present scoping review highlights context-specific challenges and presents a guiding framework for improving patient safety in the healthcare system.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases, have emerged as major public health challenges in India, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality. The growing burden of NCDs, driven by changing lifestyles, urbanisation and ageing populations, calls for a structured, long-term response at both the national and state levels. In this context, India has implemented key initiatives to address these challenges, most notably the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases (NPNCD) and Amrutham Arogyam, a state-led programme in Kerala. The NPNCD is a comprehensive, nationwide initiative under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with a focus on the prevention, early detection, management and control of major NCDs with existing health systems. The programme supports infrastructure development in district hospitals and primary healthcare facilities, offering free diagnostic and treatment services. In contrast, Amrutham Arogyam is an innovative state-level initiative designed to address Kerala’s particularly high NCD burden. The programme adopts a decentralised, community-centred approach, strengthening district-level care through the establishment of facilities. Assistant surgeons are specially trained in comprehensive cancer and stroke management to extend specialised services to local populations. Amrutham Arogyam also offers telemedicine to bridge the vast gap between urban and rural healthcare access. This comparative evaluation of NPNCD and Amrutham Arogyam explores their goals, strategies, resources, reach, challenges and outcomes. By assessing the strengths and limitations of each, the study aims to derive insights that can inform future policies and contribute to more effective models for NCD prevention across India.
Complementary and alternative medicines in the last few decades have become an essential facet of the health-seeking behaviour of people across the world. In India, with a long tradition of indigenous medicines like Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani, the gamut of alternative medicines has been covered institutionally under the name AYUSH. Significantly, because of the inequalities in the distribution of AYUSH hospitals and dispensaries across different locations, the mobility of people to avail of such alternative treatments has been on the rise. This article makes a comparative analysis of local and migrant patients who avail of alternative medicines like Homeopathy, Ayurveda and Unani. It is based on a study of 200 patients from three prominent AYUSH hospitals in three different districts of Odisha. The article evaluates socio-demographic composition, factors of consumption and availability status of alternative medicines among local and migrant patients. It is observed that a higher proportion of migrant patients are less educated, have lower incomes, suffer predominantly from chronic diseases and use alternative medicines because of experiencing the side effects of allopathic medicines. Migrant patients prefer overnight stay in the hospital wards while local patients prefer OPD. It is suggested to design policy frameworks like health camps, subsidised alternative medicines and patient consultation groups to enhance accessibility of all demographic groups to alternative medicines.
This observational study assessed the psychological impact of COVID-19. 520 nurses (263 not involved in COVID-19 care and 257 involved) responded to an online survey. 24 nurses in Maharashtra (19 women and 5 men) were interviewed by telephone. Depression, anxiety and stress were measured using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21)-short version PTSD with the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Descriptive, bivariate analyses and logistic regression were conducted. For the qualitative component, a qualitative-phenomenological approach was used. Higher mean DASS-21 depression, anxiety and stress subscale scores, and higher total IES-R and subscale scores were observed among nurses involved in COVID-19 care compared to those not involved. Qualitative findings indicate increased workload, longer distance from family and constant fear of infection and transmission, along with coping strategies. Screening and support mechanisms for nurses in COVID-19 care in India are needed to manage immediate and long-term psychological outcomes.
This article examines the relationship between workplace harassment, stress and quality of life of healthcare workers, and more specifically, nurses. The scope includes an analysis of how harassment and work-related stress affect mental health, job satisfaction and the overall well-being of workers. A comprehensive literature review methodology was used to put together findings from 47 empirical studies in various healthcare settings around the world. The results showed that workplace harassment, including verbal abuse and bullying, is significantly associated with increased job stress, lower job satisfaction and higher turnover propensity. In addition, occupational stress exacerbates mental health problems, leading to burnout and a reduced quality of life. Resilience emerges as a critical factor in mitigating these adverse effects, highlighting the need for resilience-building interventions. The article also highlights the importance of strong institutional policies, effective stress management programmes and supportive work environments to improve health workers’ quality of life.
This research aimed to explore how midwives perceive and experience the use of digital health tools and their perspectives on integrating such technologies into their practice. A qualitative approach was used, with semi-structured interviews conducted with 10 midwives working in different healthcare settings. The study found that digital health tools present both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, midwives reported that these tools increased efficiency, made patient information more accessible and provided significant benefits in managing pregnancy and postpartum care. On the other hand, concerns about the reliability and accuracy of digital health devices emerged as major barriers, along with challenges such as technological dependency and a sense of losing control over patient care. The study concludes that while digital health tools have the potential to improve midwifery practice, addressing issues related to security and accuracy is crucial. The research also highlights the need for training and improved technological infrastructure, and calls for support from health authorities to ensure the safe and effective use of digital health technologies in midwifery practice.
This study was conducted to determine the attitudes of physicians within the current debates, whether related or unrelated, regarding their tendencies to work in public or private healthcare institutions, medical education, evaluations of medical organisations and their thoughts and preparations for working abroad. This study is a quantitative, cross-sectional survey conducted to examine the opinions and attitudes of physicians across T & uuml;rkiye on the subject. To achieve this objective, the authors developed the 'Global Career Tendencies and Medical Profession Evaluations Scale for Physicians' to measure the attitudes of physicians, and the validity and reliability of the scale were determined. The data were collected online, with the participation of 375 physicians. Frequency and significance tests were used in the analysis of the data. As part of the Ministry of Health's 'White Reform' initiatives, 54.2% of physicians were not satisfied with the improvements made in their salaries and working conditions. It was found that 47.7% of physicians expressed a desire to work abroad, but only 14.7% had made preparations for it. Additionally, 83.5% of physicians viewed the option of working in the private healthcare sector positively, although only 32.3% wanted to work in private hospitals or institutions. Furthermore, 47.7% of physicians considered their average daily workload to be excessive. The improvements brought by the White Reform have not fully met the expectations of physicians. Physicians continue to show a tendency to work abroad, and the risk of physician migration remains a concern for T & uuml;rkiye. There is a need for healthcare policymakers to not only improve rights and benefits of physicians but also to develop policies aimed at reducing patient congestion in public hospitals and bringing daily workloads to a reasonable level.
The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which information technology (IT) is used in government hospitals in Delhi, India’s capital. Additionally, the study aims to identify the relationship between IT success factors and hospital staff satisfaction. A close-ended questionnaire was developed and comprised 55 questions on IT success factors, user satisfaction and hospital performance. The questionnaire assessed the impact of IT on hospital performance and was rated on a Likert scale. The questionnaire was circulated among the staff of Delhi Government Hospitals. Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 22. The Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient was .93 for all the items. The overall response rate was 36.17% (85 out of 235). Half of the respondents agreed that government hospital IT systems were well integrated and user-friendly. A little more than half of the respondents agreed that IT staff were knowledgeable in performing their job (53%), information quality provided by government IT systems was reliable (52%) and relevant (55%). Only 41% of respondents found the overall service quality of government hospital IT systems satisfactory. Non-clinical staff (data entry operators, medical social workers, medical record officers) reported better system quality and information quality than clinical staff (medical practitioners, residents). The study found a positive moderate correlation between IT success factors and staff satisfaction. The study has direct implications for healthcare managers. It is essential for healthcare managers to understand the users’ needs, especially clinical staff, to optimise the use of IT applications appropriately. This will lead to effective healthcare delivery in government hospitals.
Health and happiness are intertwined aspects of human well-being, each influencing the other in a complex relationship. Good health is not merely the absence of illness but encompasses physical, mental and emotional well-being. When individuals are in good health, they often experience greater levels of happiness, as they can engage fully in life's activities and pursuits. Conversely, happiness itself has been linked to numerous health benefits, including lower stress levels, improved immune function and even longevity. Cultivating both health and happiness is essential for leading fulfilling and vibrant lives. Recent research has presented a fundamental and indisputable argument in favour of happiness: happiness and good health are intrinsically linked. Scientific investigations have consistently demonstrated that happiness can have positive impacts on our cardiovascular health, strengthen our immune systems and potentially extend our lifespans (Newman, 2015, Six Ways Happiness is Good for Your Health. Greater Good Magazine). For many decades, scholars have sought to examine and comprehend the factors that contribute to happiness. Ancient Indian texts have long asserted that health serves as the foremost predictor of happiness. This research article endeavours to uncover the connection between healthy habits and happiness, delving into the scientific foundations that underpin this relationship. The article conducts a comprehensive review of existing literature. It proposes 10 healthy habits that, when incorporated into daily lives, have the potential to enhance both the individual's immune response and overall sense of happiness.
This review examines the challenges related to maternity protection experienced by women in the workplace and highlights the need for broader social science research in Asia to better inform workplace practices and policy development. A comprehensive search of eight major databases was conducted using the search terms maternity protection and maternal health. All English articles within the social sciences published between January 2009 and February 2019 were included. Removal of duplicates and screening the full-text articles using eligibility criteria were used to finalise the number of articles. A total of 12 studies were included. Six key themes identified as maternity protection issues and challenges experienced by women in the workplace were: managing maternity (n = 1); maternity infrastructure (n = 2); understanding issues of inequality in maternity protection (n = 2); returning to work after confinement (n = 2); best practices of maternity protection (n = 1); and challenges and support of maternity protection (n = 3). Even though virtually all Asian countries have adopted legislative provisions on maternity protection at work, the findings show that working mothers in Asia continue to have limited access to maternity entitlements and are discriminated against during pregnancy. Given the small number of studies, future research should further explore the local cultural variations on maternity issues to address the needs of working mothers and improve maternity protection policies.
Mental illnesses have been on the rise globally, especially in the low- and middle-income countries, including India. India is amid an epidemic of mental illness, ranging from minor anxiety, depression and substance abuse that affects 1 in 20 Indians, to severe psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and various forms of psychosis. The National Mental Health Survey also revealed poor access and availability of mental health care; even 60%-70% of cases of severe mental illnesses did not have access to appropriate and effective treatment. The health systems are not prepared to tackle the emerging mental health challenges. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of frontline health workers in identifying mental health disorders in the rural population. The quasi-experimental implementation research study was conducted in two primary health centres of the Rajgarh block (Alwar). Frontline health workers were trained to screen for mental health disorders using the Global Mental Health Assessment Tool (GMHAT) as a digital tool. A pre- and post-test assessment was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of training and GMHAT. The prevalence of mental health disorders was 8.9%. The training of frontline health workers increased their knowledge of mental health illnesses and competencies in identifying mental diseases using a digital tool. As a result, there was a significant change in access to and availability of mental health care. Training frontline health workers in mental health and harnessing digital technologies would make mental health services more accessible and available in rural areas through primary health care based on district systems.
