Young people aged 15–24 years represent 37% of new HIV infections globally, with sub-Saharan Africa bearing the highest burden. Students enrolled in health science programs , as future healthcare providers, are critical for HIV prevention efforts, yet limited data exist on their testing behaviors in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This study assessed HIV testing uptake and associated risk behaviors among students at Institut Supérieur des Techniques Médicales (ISTM) in Kinshasa, DRC. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using systematic sampling. The minimal sample size calculated was estimated at 384 participants, but only 300 students were recruited which may have affected the statistical power and limited generalizability. Self-administered questionnaires assessed HIV testing history, sexual behaviors, substance use, and training background. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS with descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Among 300 participants, 60% (n=180) were females and 40% (n=120) were males; only 24.7% (n=74) had tested for HIV within the past year, while 58.0% (n=174) had never been tested. Significant gender disparities were observed, with 78.4%(n=235) of recent testers being female versus 21.6%(n=35) male (χ²=15.2, p<0.001). Reported high-risk behaviors included never using condoms 25.3% (n=76), multiple sexual partners in the past 12 months 26.7%(n=54), and recent STD treatment 16.0%(n=33). Despite 69.7% (n=209) having received HIV/STD training, testing uptake remained modest. These findings suggest that HIV testing uptake among ISTM students is suboptimal, considering their potential role in HIV prevention. The coexistence of HIV testing gaps and reported high risk behaviors among study participants underscores the need of targeted interventions particularly those addressing barriers among male students, improving HIV testing uptake and strengthen HIV prevention efforts within this student community.
Wildfire smoke (PM2.5) has been recognized as an environmental risk factor with severe adverse health outcomes. Exposure to PM 2.5 can lead to severe cardiovascular and respiratory health conditions. The study aims to assess and examine the ecological associations between wildfire smoke exposure and the burden of chronic cardiovascular and respiratory conditions in Canada from 2010 to 2023, by integrating health outcome data with wildfire activity and air quality indicators across provinces. The study used a retrospective study design to collect secondary data from the Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System (CCDSS) for health outcomes (acute myocardial infarction, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart failure, stroke) across the selected provinces, from the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System (CWFIS), for wildfire perimeters and their causes, and from the National Air Pollution Surveillance Program (NAPS), for air quality using PM 2.5 concentration as a proxy for air pollution exposure. The correlation between average PM₂.₅ concentrations and incidence rates was weakly negative (r = –0.106, p = 0.238), and the wide confidence interval (95% CI: –0.6357 to 0.1593). Similarly, the correlation between high-risk air quality days (HRD) and incidence rates was also weak and negative (r = –0.042, p = 0.643), again failing to reach statistical significance. The findings indicate that wildfire smoke exposure, though an important environmental health concern, was not a statistically significant predictor of chronic cardiovascular and respiratory disease incidence across the studied provinces. This does not negate the potential health risks of wildfire smoke.
The research aimed to identify serum biochemical variables that correlated to Parkinson's disease by the collection of 120 blood samples from healthy patients males coming to Ibn Sina Teaching Hospital in Mosul, from December to June 2023-2024, these samples were divided into several groups, Parkinson group, donated symbol P that included (30) samples divided into two subgroups according to age, P1 (50-65)years and P2 (66-80) years 15 blood sample for each, while Parkinson's family group donated symbol F, included (30) samples aged between (25-50) years, in addition to the Control group C that included (60) samples of Healthy people which divided into three subgroups, C1 (50-65) years, C2 (66-80) years, and C3 subgroup (25-50) years. These groups ' biochemical serum markers tyrosine hydroxylase, orexin, and neurofilament protein NFL had been compared. Results of this research showed a significant correlation as TH enzyme concentration decreased in patients' serum with Parkinson's disease in both groups P1, and P2 compared to the healthy group C1 and C2 (p≤0.01), also F group showed a significant decrease in the concentration of this enzyme compared to the healthy group C3, Besides there was a substantial difference in orexin hormone concentration level at probability level (p≤0.01)) in all groups, as hormone concentration decreased in P1subgroup patients compared to healthy C1 patients of the same age group, and this decrease increased in Parkinson's disease P2 patients compared to healthy C2. There was a significant increase in the serum's concentration of NFL protein in the P1 subgroup compared to the healthy C1 subgroup at a probability level (P≤0.01).
Dietary cholesterol has long been implicated in regulating blood cholesterol levels, particularly low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, a key marker of cardiovascular health. Understanding the role of dietary cholesterol is critical, given its potential influence on the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This short-term observational study evaluated the effects of high-cholesterol and low-cholesterol diets on LDL cholesterol levels in healthy adults aged 25-50 years. A total of 160 participants were randomly assigned to either a high-cholesterol or low-cholesterol diet for six months. Dietary intake was monitored using food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) and self-reported food diaries while fasting blood samples were collected at baseline, three months, and six months to measure LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. Results revealed a modest 8.3% increase in LDL cholesterol in the high-cholesterol group (p < 0.05), while the low-cholesterol group exhibited a slight but statistically insignificant decrease of 3.4% (p > 0.05). Other lipid parameters, such as HDL cholesterol and triglycerides, remained stable in both groups. The findings suggest that dietary cholesterol may have a limited but measurable impact on LDL cholesterol levels, without significantly influencing overall cardiovascular risk in the short term. These results challenge traditional views on dietary cholesterol and emphasize the importance of individualized dietary recommendations. This study contributes valuable insights to the ongoing discussion surrounding cholesterol management and dietary guidelines.
This article explores the socioeconomic barriers contributing to poor dietary habits in Guyana and how they drive the nation's high rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). It argues that the real issues go beyond personal choice, highlighting the cost of healthy eating, the prevalence of food deserts, cultural influences, and potential solutions for a healthier future. The article calls for government intervention, community-driven movements, and educational initiatives to make healthier choices more accessible and desirable for all Guyanese citizens.
Nigeria's healthcare system is a complex blend of public and private providers, each offering varying levels of service and accessibility. In Delta State, healthcare utilisation patterns are influenced by factors such as affordability, accessibility, and perceived quality of care. The study examines the utilisation of public healthcare facilities in Delta State, Nigeria, exploring residents' preferences and comparing public and private healthcare services. A cross-sectional quantitative survey was conducted among 1,191 residents across six Local Government Areas in Delta State, using face-to-face and virtual questionnaires administered from March 1, 2024, to June 6, 2024. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. The survey revealed that 92.53% have used public healthcare facilities at least within the space of five years, while 67.17% were more frequent users. A total of 39.00% of respondents prefer to use public hospitals; 24.90% prefer private facilities; and 36.10% equally prefer both. In terms of specific features, the public facilities were rated better for their affordability (89.99%) and accessibility (59.53%). However, private facilities were perceived to provide more effective care (58.5%) and operate with better equipment and infrastructure (50.5%), while public facilities performed better in terms of staff quality (53.65%) and value for money (53.15%). The study highlights the strong demand for public health services in Delta State but also identifies areas for improvement in care quality, equipment, and infrastructure in public facilities, which can be achieved through targeted investments and quality improvement initiatives to enhance public confidence and achieve universal health coverage.
Fibrosis is characterized by the proliferation of fibrous tissue and decreased functional cells within the affected organs, ultimately resulting in organ damage or failure. The incidence of this pathological process is on the rise globally, necessitating the development of more efficient therapeutic interventions. Recent scientific investigations have put forth the idea that polysaccharides extracted from natural sources exhibit promising abilities in alleviating fibrotic conditions by mitigating inflammatory responses and influencing intestinal microbiota composition. This scholarly discourse delves into the intricate relationship between polysaccharides and organ fibrosis concerning the dynamics of the intestinal microbiota, offering profound insights that could significantly influence the direction of future endeavours in drug development and treatment modalities. The in-depth exploration of these interconnected factors holds immense potential in shaping innovative strategies to combat fibrosis-related disorders and enhance patient outcomes in a clinical setting. The potential impact of this research on future drug development and treatment modalities cannot be overstated, as it underscores the importance of the study and its potential to influence the direction of future research in the field.
Biodegradable nanoformulations have developed as an innovative method to improve the delivery and effectiveness of recombinant protein therapeutics in aquaculture. This research examines their efficacy in managing "Vibrio harveyi," a widespread disease responsible for considerable economic detriment in the aquaculture sector. Nanoformulations, made from eco-friendly and biocompatible substances, provide regulated and targeted medication administration, hence minimizing off-target effects and decreasing environmental pollution. These technologies improve the stability and bioavailability of recombinant proteins, addressing issues such as fast breakdown in aquatic conditions. The use of modern nanotechnology in aquaculture medicine provides a sustainable and efficient approach to address bacterial infections, enhance fish health, and guarantee ecological safety. This study shows the current progress, problems, and possible future paths of biodegradable nanoformulations for recombinant protein drug delivery, highlighting how they could completely change sustainable aquaculture operations.
The purpose of this work was to investigate the expression of iron-regulating genes and their relationship to enzymatic antioxidant genes in thalassaemic patients, as well as to detect distinct forms of thalassaemia using an RT-PCR technique using a presence/absence protocol. This study included 50 patients who were admitted to Mosul's Al-Hadba'a Hospital. Ten healthy subjects and forty thalassaemic patients were aged eight to seventeen years. Freshly blood samples were collected using EDTA for molecular processes, as gene expression and genomic identification of thalassaemia types. The outcomes indicated that the foxO1 gene was significantly upregulated in thalassaemic patients compared to healthy participants, but hepcidin expression was non-significantly downregulated. Similarly, the enzymatic antioxidant gene GSH-Px1 demonstrated significant downstream regulation expression in thalassaemic participants compared to healthy ones, even though the expression of SOD1 and CAT antioxidant enzyme genes did not differ across investigated patients. Catalase expression is associated inversely with foxO1 expression. The presence/absence approach showed that 8.4% and 5.1% of individuals had positive α-thalassaemia based on α1 and α2 mutations in their gDNA samples, respectively, compared to healthy patients. Furthermore, 33.6%, 36.5%, and 16.4% of blood samples with an unknown type of thalassaemia tested positive for ß-thalassaemia because their gDNA samples had codon8/9, codon 41/42, and IVS-I-5 mutations, respectively. Our findings suggest that the RT-PCR approach is the most effective for studying gene expression and molecular identification of thalassaemia types.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common heart rhythm abnormality characterized by disorganized atrial activity and irregular ventricular contraction. AF should be diagnosed with ambulatory ECG monitoring if AF-like activity lasts more than 30 s. The term “micro-AF” defines episodes of ≥5 consecutive supraventricular beats and complete absence of P waves lasting less than 30 s. We present the case of very short episodes of AF-like activity recorded with ambulatory ECG monitoring. A 50-year-old man visited a cardiologist for recurrent episodes of fast irregular heartbeat. 72-hour ambulatory 12-lead ECG monitoring revealed four episodes of AF that lasted more than 30 seconds. The longest episode lasted for 29 minutes. Also, there were two episodes of AF-like activity lasting for 17.2 s and 4.8 s. However, the majority of the episodes of AF-like activity lasted less than 4 seconds. The shortest episode of AF-like activity lasted for 0.8 seconds and included 5 obvious f-waves with a rate close to 340 bpm and one QRS complex. Also, there were episodes of obvious ultra-short AF-like activity lasting less than 1.6 seconds and resulted in only 3 QRS complexes. Such episodes cannot be classified as micro-AF as at least 5 QRS complexes are needed. Clinicians should always pay attention to ultra-short episodes of AF, as they may coexist with underdiagnosed long episodes of AF. A special term to define ultra-short episodes of AF-like activity should be introduced.
Asymptomatic malaria is prevalent in highly endemic areas of Africa, with only a small percentage of individuals exhibiting clinical symptoms. The clinical consequence of asymptomatic malaria is not fully understood. Some researchers are of the view that asymptomatic parasitaemia is involved in the development of partial immunity and may protect against clinical disease from new infections. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of malaria reservoir of plasmodium falciparum among adult people of Nasarawa state of Nigeria and to identify the factors associated with malaria in this category of people. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among selected local government areas of the state. The outcome variable was the presence or absence of malaria in which its asscoiation with demographic information, knowledge and awareness, measures and control, environmental factors are tested. The local government areas were observed to have reported the highest positivity rate of malaria between 2017 to 2022. The study was conducted from August 2022 to April 2023. A semi-structured questionnaire was employed to collect socio-demographic data and other associated risk factors by trained health professionals. Body temperature and other clinical manifestations were examined to identify the asymptomatic individuals. This examination was carried out after selection of individuals from households before mRDT is conducted. Data entry and analysis was carried out using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) version 20 software. The results obtained are very desirable.
To assess gender differences in response to antiretroviral therapy among people living with HIV/AIDS attending ART Clinic in Federal Medical Center (FMC), Abuja. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 595 HIV-positive adult patients attending HIV clinic in FMC Abuja between January 2021 and December 2022. Data was retrieved from the database of ART Clinic, FMC Abuja, for patients who have been on TDF/3TC/DTG regimen for at least six months before viral load testing. A total of 1,150 registered People Living with HIV Aids (PLWHA) received care between January 2021 and December 2022 in FMC Abuja. Only 595 had viral load test within the study period, comprising of 205 (34%) males and 390 (66%) females in a ratio of 1:1.9. The viral load of the study participants ranged from 0 to 3,970,000.00 copies/ml with a standard deviation of 310,099.63 copies/ml. 571 (96%) of the total study participants had viral load less than 1,000 copies/ml, and 200 (35%) of them were males whereas 371 (65%) were females. The remaining 24 (4%) of the study participants who had viral load greater than 1,000 copies/ml were 8 (34%) males and 16 (66%) females. The dif-ferences in the means of viral load between males and females were not statistically significant, with a p-value of 0.054. This study found a very high viral suppression and females were equally virally suppressed as the males.
Breast cancer is a major public health problem and the most common progressive cancer in women, which accounts for high mortality rates worldwide accounting for approximately 1 in 4 cases of cancer among women. Several studies have found that the annual incidence of breast cancer is rising in developing countries. According to the International Agency for Cancer Research, approximately 10980 new cases of breast cancer have been identified with family history of cancer, delay in menopause, reproductive behaviours, and lifestyle-related factors such as obesity, smoking, physical activity decline, and exposure to radiation, stress, and anxiety. The study aims to assess the level of knowledge regarding breast self-examination in the prevention of breast cancer among women. The quantitative research approach descriptive research design total of 60 women who were attending OPD at an urban health centre participated in this study and they were selected by non-probability convenient sampling technique. The demographic data and knowledge of self-breast examination on the prevention of cancer among women was collected by using the self-questionnaire checklist. The outcome result showed that 36(60%) of women had poor knowledge, 14(23.3%) of women had moderately adequate knowledge and 9(15%) women had adequate knowledge regarding self-breast examination.
True experimental pretest-posttest control group research design was conducted in the antenatal clinic of the host institution among 60 postpartum caesarean mothers. All 60 samples were randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the placebo group by using the lottery method, 30 in the interventional group and 30 in the placebo group. For the interventional group, On Day 1, demographic and clinical data were collected from the study participants, followed by that, they were instructed to consume 10 palm dates per day for about 28 days. For the placebo group- On Day 1 routine hospital care was initiated for about 28 days. On Day- 29, study participants were re-assessed for the volume of breast milk secretion using an electronic breast pump, breast milk secretion checklist and newborn feeding adequacy checklist in both interventional and placebo groups. The study results concluded that the pretest and posttest mean scores of breast milk secretion in the interventional group were 6.26±1.63 and 68.36±23.24. The mean difference score was 23.21. The calculated paired ‘t’ test value of t = 14.650 was statistically significant at p<0.001 level. The pretest and posttest mean scores of newborn feeding adequacy in the interventional group were 2.23±0.67 and 7.73±1.70. The mean difference score was 5.50. The calculated paired ‘t’ test value of t = 17.544 was statistically significant at p<0.001 level. There was a significant effect of consuming palm dates that enhanced the volume of breast milk secretion, during postpartum caesarean section.
Booster vaccinations have become significant in developing herd immunity due to their ability to reduce mortality rates and the severe dangers of Covid-19. Some people support the government's program and believe that booster vaccines will help prevent Covid-19 during the epidemic. Some people, however, say they do not want booster vaccinations because they believe the first and second doses are adequate and do not want to receive additional doses. The purpose of this study is to investigate the Covid-19 vaccination booster dose policy acceptance among pregnant women. This cross-sectional study was conducted in March to April 2023. Participants were 185 pregnant women selected from several subdistrict in Malang. Instruments for data collection were a demographic questionnaire, an attitude questionnaire, a social media questionnaire, a role of health workers questionnaire, and questions about Covid-19 vaccine booster dose acceptance. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the effects of the study variables on Covid-19 vaccine booster dose acceptance. In the regression model, the three factors of attitude (b= 0.30; SE=0.07; 95% CI= 0.16 to 0.44), social media (b= 0.47; SE=0.13; 95% CI= 0.22 to 0.73), and role of health workers (b= 0.29; SE=0.15; 95% CI= 0.01 to 0.58) had significant effects on Covid-19 vaccine booster dose acceptance (p< 0.05). Acceptance of the Covid-19 booster vaccines among pregnant women can be accelerated through their positive attitude towards the vaccination program, the proper use of social media, and the involvement of healthcare workers.
Menopause is an inevitable milestone in the reproductive life of every woman. When women's hormones become imbalanced during menopause experience joint pain. Hence the study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Camphor Oil Application on Reduction of Joint Pain Among Post-Menopausal Women. The quasi-experimental research design was chosen to conduct the study with 60 samples matched with inclusion criteria. Samples were allocated into the experimental group (n=30) and control group (n=30) by convenience sampling technique. A pretest was done by using a numerical pain scale for both the experimental and control groups. The experimental group received Camphor Oil Application twice a day for 3 days. For the control group, the usual routine was followed. On 3rd day, the study participants were reassessed for the level of joint pain by using the same tool. The study results concluded that the mean difference score in the experimental group was 5.40 and the calculated, t-test + = 40.854 was found to be statistically significant at p<0.001 level which depicted clearly that, there was a significant decrease in the level of joint pain after application camphor oil in the experimental group of post-menopausal women’s. Camphor oil can be a reduction of joint pain among post-menopausal women. It is also a simple, cost-effective, and non-pharmacological method that can be used to complement pharmacological management.
We introduced systematic training in chest compression-only CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) use to elementary school students. The questionnaire compared student attitudes towards CPR and their knowledge about it before and after CPR training. To assess the effectiveness of the demonstration method and simulation method among school students. To compare the level of knowledge of demonstration method versus simulation method teaching among school students. A quantitative descriptive study was conducted among school students aged between 14 and 15 years. A self-structured questionnaire’ was administered to 60 school students were used as data collection tool. Participants were selected by a simple random sampling technique. The demographic variable father’s occupation (χ2=9.714, p=0.046) had shown a statistically significant association with the level of knowledge on CPR among school students in the demonstration group at p<0.05 level and the other demographic variables had not shown a statistically significant association with the level of knowledge on CPR among school students in the demonstration group. The overall results showed that simulation-based learning (SBL) is a positive, safe and effective method for nursing students in clinical and simulation room settings to improve the skills and practice of client care.
Worm infestation is one of the silent and prevalent diseases in developing countries, is more common among children, and can cause nutritional impairment and poor development. Knowledge of worm infestation among mothers can reduce the incidence of worm infestation and its complications in the family. Descriptive research design used. After obtaining permission, 40 samples were selected by continence sampling technique. The purposes of the study were explained, obtained written informed consent and collected the data using the tools for demographic variables, knowledge and self-reported practice about the prevention of worm infestation. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. The result showed that 12 (30%) of mothers had inadequate, 8 (20%) had moderately adequate and 20 (50%) had adequate knowledge of worm infestation. Regarding the self-reported practice, 14 (35%) had poor, 12 (30%) had moderate and 14 (35%) had good practice for prevention of worm infestation. There was a negative correlation r = - 0.0823 between knowledge and self-reported practice. The only association found was between the practice and the husband’s occupation, X2 = 9.9943, P = 0.040523. At the end of the study, all the participants were educated about the prevention of worm infestation among children. This study concluded that a significant proportion of mothers had inadequate knowledge and poor self-reported practices regarding the prevention of worm infestation. Efforts should be focused on promoting effective preventive practices like improving environmental sanitation for the well-being of children in rural communities.
Children show a wide variety of behavioural disorders; management of these minor behaviour deviations requires an understanding of the stresses that lead to these problems. So, giving education to the parents regarding the common behavioural problems of children will help them in better management of these problems in future. A Quantitative research approach was adopted for the study with a descriptive Cross-sectional survey research design with 60 preschoolers aged 3 to 6 years of children who are receiving Integrated Child Development Services Centre using a non-probability convenience sampling technique. A Self-Structured Knowledge Questionnaire was framed to assess the behavioural disorders. The questionnaire consists of 3 items which include habit disorder, conduct disorder, and emotional disorder. The data obtained will be analyzed given the objectives of the study using descriptive and inferential statistics. Total of 60 preschoolers aged 3 to 6 years children the standardized beta indicates the relative contribution of all five dimensions of the independent variables in predicting emotional disorder based on the percentage of prediction of emotional disorder. Age (07.3%), Gender (09.9%), Parents occupation (03.7%), Monthly income (13.2%) No. of siblings (15.7%) and Birth order (10.9%). Thus, these dimensions of readiness for the adoption of CEIT influence Emotional disorder. In most of the behavioural problem subscales, girls experienced more problems compared to boys (P=0.001). Based on the results, in most of the behavioural problem subscales, girls experienced more problems compared to boys. To exhibit fewer behaviour-related problems than children with unsupportive parents and difficult family circumstances.
