Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing healthcare delivery globally. But existing literature on the extent of AI computer literacy among respectively physicians in Nigeria as an evidence of its level of integration into healthcare is insufficient. This study was designed to evaluate the level of AI awareness and knowledge, digital competence, organizational readiness, professional development, and AI preparedness of healthcare provider (HIM professionals’) towards healthcare integration in Bayelsa State. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey design. The study population comprised 332 members of AHRIMPN Bayelsa chapter WhattsApp platform. From which 205 turned out to be the respondents and were analyzed with the use of structured 36-item self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, Cronbach‘s alpha reliability analysis, Spearman‘s rank correlation, Mann Whitney U test, exploratory factor analysis, relative importance analysis, and multivariable regression at 5% significance level. The results showed moderate AI knowledge and awareness (3.052±0.116), digital competence (2.923±0.100), organizational readiness (3.141±0.124), professional development (3.143± 0.158) and AI readiness for healthcare integration (3.115±0.101). The instrument possessed Cronbach‘s α of 0.760 0.887 while Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin of 0.820 and significant Bartlett‘s Test of 19.155, P value = 0.000 validated the data for factor analysis. There were strong positive relationships between AI knowledge, digital competence and organizational readiness. But multivariable regression analysis revealed none of the observed four explanatory variables individually and significantly predicted AI readiness (p > 0.05). Respondents who had previous AI/digital health training had significantly better reported knowledge, digital competence, organizational readiness and professional development than those who did not have such training. The study revealed moderate AI readiness among healthcare professionals into AI-enabled health systems, though lack of the requisite AI skills and lack of standardized, continuous and obligatory AI capacity building interventions as well as poor investment in digital technology, robustness of organization, and health institution-related variations in knowledge, digital competence, organizational readiness and professional development are impeding AI integration into healthcare. The study concludes that continuous AI capacity development programmes, digital infrastructure investment, organizational autonomy and investment, and well-articulated AI curriculum into practitioner education, healthcare professional professional development programmes and organization-related accreditation are indispensable to successful, affordable and sustainable AI-enabled health systems.
Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) patients undergoing hemodialysis often experience diminished quality of life (QoL) due to physical, psychological, and social challenges associated with chronic kidney disease. Social support and spirituality have been identified as key psychosocial factors that may influence patients’ well-being and treatment outcomes. Objective: This systematic review aims to evaluate the impact of social support and spirituality on the quality of life of DM patients undergoing hemodialysis, synthesizing evidence from recent studies conducted across diverse cultural and clinical settings. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed across PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar for studies published between 2015 and 2025. Inclusion criteria focused on studies reporting social support, family support, spiritual well-being, and QoL outcomes in hemodialysis patients, specifically those with DM or chronic kidney disease complications. Ten studies meeting eligibility criteria were analyzed, encompassing cross-sectional, descriptive-analytic, and quasi-experimental designs. Results: Across the studies, higher levels of social support, particularly from family and peers, were consistently associated with improved QoL. Spirituality, including religious engagement and personal spiritual well-being, further contributed to resilience, psychological stability, and enhanced coping with chronic treatment regimens. Combined interventions addressing both social support and spirituality demonstrated synergistic effects, leading to measurable improvements in physical, emotional, and social domains of QoL. Evidence from diverse regions, including Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq, indicates the universal relevance of these factors. Conclusion: Social support and spirituality are pivotal determinants of QoL among DM patients undergoing hemodialysis. Integrating structured psychosocial and spiritual interventions into routine hemodialysis care may enhance patient outcomes and promote holistic management. Future research should investigate longitudinal effects and interventional strategies to optimize QoL in this population.
The purpose of the present study was to develop a binary logistic regression model for predicting hypertension risk using selected anthropometric and lifestyle variables among adults. The dependent variable of the study was hypertension status, categorized as hypertensive and non-hypertensive individuals. The independent variables selected for the study included anthropometric variables such as Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-hip ratio, and body fat percentage, along with lifestyle variables including physical activity level, smoking habit, alcohol consumption, and sleep duration. A total of 200 adults aged between 30 and 60 years were selected as participants for the study using purposive sampling technique. Anthropometric measurements were obtained using standardized procedures, while lifestyle-related information was collected through structured questionnaires. Blood pressure measurements were recorded to classify participants into hypertensive and non-hypertensive groups according to standard clinical guidelines. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis. Odds ratios and confidence intervals were calculated to identify significant predictors of hypertension risk. The findings of the study revealed that BMI, waist circumference, body fat percentage, smoking habit, alcohol consumption, and reduced physical activity level were significant predictors of hypertension. The developed logistic regression model effectively predicted hypertension risk among adults. The study concluded that both anthropometric and lifestyle variables play an important role in the prediction of hypertension risk and that binary logistic regression modeling can be effectively used as a statistical approach for identifying individuals at greater risk of hypertension.
Background: Sub-Saharan Africa faces a growing epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) alongside persistent infectious diseases, creating a dual burden that strains limited healthcare resources. Although awareness and interventions promoting healthy behaviors have been introduced, many patients with NCDs continue to exhibit poor self-care practices. This study aimed to identify the barriers hindering the adoption of healthy behaviors among patients with NCDs at a referral hospital in Rwanda. Methodology: This study used a descriptive cross-sectional design with a quantitative approach. The target population included 300 patients enrolled in the NCD department of the selected referral hospital at the time of the study. A sample size of 171 participants was determined using Taro Yamane’s formula. Data were collected through a developed and validated self-administered questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to examine associations between sociodemographic characteristics and barriers to adopting healthy behaviors. Cross-tabulations and statistical tests were used to assess the significance of these associations. Results: The most common barriers identified were financial constraints, such as the high cost of healthy food (38.6%), lack of structured exercise programs at workplaces (37.4%), and unfavorable working conditions (46.2%). Gender and education levels were significantly associated with challenges in physical activity (P=0.002) and smoking cessation (P=0.002), while age, education, and marital status were linked to different NCD categories (P=0.003, P=0.001, P=0.002, respectively). Conclusion: This study identified various personal, social, cultural, and economic barriers that hinder patients with NCD from adopting healthy behaviors. These barriers significantly impact patients' ability to choose healthier lifestyles. The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted, context-specific interventions that address these challenges. Stakeholders are encouraged to consider these factors when designing and implementing strategies to prevent and manage NCD and promote sustainable and accessible health improvements for individuals living with NCD in Rwanda.
Objective: To explore the current situation and influencing factors of residents' mastery of health knowledge, medication safety, and physical examination behavior in Xilin and Haibin communities of Qinglong Street, Qingyang District, Chengdu City, and to provide empirical evidence for the precise implementation of community health management. Research method: A retrospective study design was adopted for analysis. Using a retrospective research method, the clinical data of the sampling survey on the core indicators of residents' health literacy conducted by our hospital from May to June 2025 were analyzed. A total of 80 residents from Xilin Community and Haibin Community were included in the survey, and 40 valid questionnaires were recovered from each community. The data were collected using the "National Resident Health Literacy Monitoring Questionnaire" and analyzed using SPSS 22.0. The measurement data were expressed as (x ± s), and independent t-tests and one-way ANOVA were used for inter-group comparisons. The count data were expressed as [n (%)] and were compared using the chi-square test. A P value less than 0.05 indicated a statistically significant difference. Results: A total of 100 questionnaires were distributed, and 80 valid questionnaires were retrieved, with an effective response rate of 80%. Comparing the proportion of residents in Xilin Community and Haibin Community with a total correct rate of health knowledge (≥80%) showed that the P value was 0.286 (> 0.05), indicating that there was no essential difference in the distribution of residents with high health knowledge mastery levels in the two communities. There was a statistically significant difference in the correct rate of health knowledge related to medication safety between different genders. The proportion of high correct rate (≥75%) in medication safety among females (65.85%) was significantly higher than that among males (46.15%). Comparing the physical examination rates of residents in different age groups in the community showed that the P value was 0.019 (< 0.05), indicating that the physical examination rate of the middle-aged and elderly population was significantly higher than that of the young population, and there were significant differences in the distribution of physical examination behaviors among different groups. Discussion and conclusion: The research results are consistent with relevant domestic studies, confirming that age, gender, and education level are the core factors affecting residents' health literacy. Females performed better in medication safety cognition, and the physical examination participation rate of middle-aged and elderly residents was higher. Young people belong to the vulnerable group in health management. In conclusion, the core health literacy indicators of residents in Qinglong Street are closely related to age, gender, and education level. Community health management should focus on residents with low education levels and weak health awareness, and carry out targeted health education for the problems of insufficient medication safety cognition among men and low physical examination participation rate among young people aged 18 to 35.
