In June 2023 the US Supreme Court overturned the last protections for Affirmative Action. Affirmative Action was an important factor in helping to ameliorate historical and contemporary injustices. This judgement will inevitably result in decreased numbers of Minority health professionals. This is at odds with the changing demographics of the US, and will no doubt result in poorer health outcomes for already disadvantaged populations. Diversity in healthcare professionals is crucial. Action must be taken to maintain and advance the Minority pipeline into the health professions.
Background. The career ladder is an essential process for nursing professionals, designed to enhance professionalism and improve the quality of nursing practice. Career ladders are achieved through continuing professional development (CPD) and have implications for professionalism, career advancement, job satisfaction, and patient care. Objective. This study aimed to identify the role and benefits of career ladders in professional development within nursing practice and careers. Methods. We conducted a systematic review by searching four online databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and ProQuest) for English-language articles published between 2000 and 2024. The search used the keywords/MeSH terms “[career ladder]” OR “[career choice]” AND “[nursing]” AND “[professional].” Results. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria and described career ladder programs related to career growth, career choice, and nursing career mapping. Six studies used a cross-sectional design, one used a cohort design, and four employed qualitative designs. Conclusion. Career ladders generally improve nursing professionalism, particularly among professionals who have completed a career ladder program. However, several studies also highlight the importance of career ladders for novice nurses in planning their careers. A key limitation of this review is its focus on nursing careers, while other factors may also influence the professionalism of nursing professionals.
Background. Stunting remains a major public health nutrition challenge in developing countries, including Indonesia, and is influenced by multiple factors at different levels. Aims. This study aimed to identify risk factors for stunting among children aged two to five years in Pleret and Pajangan Subdistricts, Bantul District, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Methods. We conducted a case-control study between January and March 2019 with 98 children (49 cases and 49 controls) selected using multistage random sampling. Cases were defined as children with a height-for-age z-score (HAZ) < −2 SD, and controls as children with HAZ > +2 SD. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine risk factors for stunting, adjusting for child, parental, and household characteristics. Results. Children who were breastfed for 12–23 months (AOR = 0.14; 95% CI: 0.02–0.82) or for more than 24 months (AOR = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.05–0.87) were less likely to be stunted. Short birth length increased the risk of stunting (AOR = 3.94; 95% CI: 1.40–11.1), while higher household economic status was protective (AOR = 0.17; 95% CI: 0.04–0.66). Conclusions. Breastfeeding duration, birth length, and household economic status are significantly associated with stunting. Strengthening breastfeeding promotion and implementing both specific and sensitive interventions may accelerate progress toward reducing stunting and improving child growth outcomes.
Purpose. Pelvic Organ Prolapse is a condition causing pelvic floor descent, leading to discomfort, urinary issues, and reduced quality of life. Conventional therapy, including pelvic floor exercises, is widely used, while Pilates, a mind-body exercise program, is gaining popularity for core strengthening and pelvic floor rehabilitation. This study aims to analyze and compare the impact of these two interventions on quality of life in women diagnosed with pelvic organ prolapse. Methods. This randomized controlled trial included 100 women aged 35-60 years with stage I-III POP, recruited from a tertiary care hospital. Subject randomized in to two groups: Conventional Therapy (n=50) or Pilates (n=50). The intervention spanned 12 weeks, with three sessions per week. QoL was assessed using the validated Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire-7 (PFIQ-7) at baseline and after the intervention. Secondary outcomes included pelvic floor muscle strength measured using the Modified Oxford Scale. Results. Both groups showed significant improvements in PFIQ-7 score post-intervention (p<0.05). However, the Pilates group demonstrated a greater reduction in symptom severity and a higher increase in pelvic floor muscle strength compared to the Conventional Therapy group with mean difference. Women in the Pilates group reported enhanced physical functioning, sexual satisfaction, and overall quality of life. Conclusion. Findings suggest both conventional therapy and Pilates are effective in improving Quality of life in women with Pelvic organ prolapse, and that Pilates provides superior benefits due to its emphasis on core stabilization and functional training. This highlights the potential of integrating Pilates into routine Pelvic organ prolapse management protocols.
Background. Nursing is a profession that combines technical expertise with empathy to alleviate suffering and promote well-being. Although the number of male nurses has been increasing, the field is still widely regarded as female-dominated, a perception rooted in historical influences dating back to Florence Nightingale. This study examines patients’ attitudes toward receiving care from male nurses. Methods. descriptive quantitative design was adopted. The sample comprised 234 patients (male and female) who had received care from male nurses at a tertiary care center in Mangalore. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that included baseline variables and an attitude rating scale. Results. Among the 234 patients surveyed, 114 (48.7%) reported a positive attitude, 116 (49.6%) a neutral attitude, and 4 (1.7%) a negative attitude toward male nurses. Overall, nearly half of the patients expressed a positive view of receiving care from male nurses. No significant associations were found between baseline variables and patients’ attitudes. Conclusion. Only a small proportion of patients (1.7%) held a negative view of male nurses. Most patients expressed either positive or neutral attitudes, indicating that societal perceptions of male nurses are largely favorable.
Background. Rotavirus remains a leading cause of severe diarrhea and mortality among children under five, particularly in low-income countries such as Nigeria. Despite the proven effectiveness of rotavirus vaccines, uptake remains low due to cultural beliefs, misinformation, and limited awareness. Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to assess knowledge, attitudes, and willingness to accept the rotavirus vaccine among mothers in the Ilorin East Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria. A total of 270 participants were surveyed between April and July 2024 using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Results. Only 30% of respondents had heard of the rotavirus vaccine, and just 20% were aware of its protective benefits. Cultural beliefs and misconceptions about vaccine safety significantly influenced acceptance, with only 25% of mothers considering vaccines safe for their children. Conclusion. The study reveals substantial gaps in knowledge and vaccine acceptance among mothers in Ilorin East. Strengthened health education campaigns and community-based interventions—particularly those involving local health workers—are essential to dispel misconceptions, improve vaccine confidence, and enhance rotavirus immunization coverage.
El envenenamiento y las intoxicaciones representan un problema complejo debido a la diversidad de compuestos involucrados, cuyos mecanismos de exposición varían según la edad y la región geográfica. Este estudio tiene como objetivo describir las principales causas de mortalidad por intoxicación o envenenamiento en menores de 20 años en México, así como su distribución geográfica entre 2000 y 2022. Metodología: se trata de un estudio ecológico, observacional, retrospectivo y longitudinal, basado en datos del Sistema de Información en Salud (SIS). Resultados: se registraron 7377 muertes en el grupo etario estudiado. Conclusión: en promedio, ocurrieron seis muertes semanales sin distinción de sexo.
The Government of India launched the Ayushman Bharat Mission in 2017. There are two major pillars of the mission: Ayushman Bharat health insurance and upgradation of existing primary health centres and sub-centres to Ayushman Bharat health and wellness centres. These have been rebranded as ‘Ayushman Aarogya Mandir (AAM)’. This study discusses the second pillar and highlights the paramount role these health and wellness centres could play in delivering comprehensive primary health care, as well as being gatekeepers of the health system. This would enable us to detect early and, therefore, manage early. A well-managed system could reduce the load on the health system, build a resilient workforce and economy.
Community nurses are required to provide nursing care in the scope of health centers which includes the focus on individual, family, group, and community. The situation has led Indonesian Nurses Association (PPNI) to issue standards for nursing documentation which are based on the 3S, including Indonesian Nursing Diagnosis Standards (SDKI), Indonesian Nursing Outcome Standards (SLKI), and Indonesian Nursing Intervention Standards (SIKI). Therefore, this research aimed to analyze nursing care and the 3S exposure of nurses at health centers in community areas of Bandung City. A descriptive quantitative design was used with a cross-sectional approach method. Furthermore, accidental sampling was used to select 77 people, and questionnaires were distributed to collect data in January 2023. The univariate data analysis method applied was descriptive frequency and the distribution showed that 93.5% of health center nurses implemented nursing care. It was observed that only 36.4% conducted nursing documentation properly, and a few, 40.3%, were exposed to 3S. This showed the need to organize a seminar or socialization on 3S for nurses in health centers.
Introduction: Growing older is often associated with physical and mental decline, and diminished quality of life. However, global research emphasizes that physical activity plays a vital role in promoting disease stabilization, healthy ageing, and overall well-being. This study aimed to examine the association between physical activity and sustainable healthy ageing, with a particular focus on rural elderly happiness. Methods: A descriptive research design was adopted to explore the association between physical activity and healthy ageing. Considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a sample of 540 rural elderly respondents was selected for the study. Participants were drawn from Vedapatti Town Panchayat in the Thondamuthur constituency of Coimbatore District. Their levels of healthy ageing were measured using the Healthy Ageing Inventory (HAI), along with demographic data to assess physical activity and healthy ageing levels. Results: Physical activity was found to be positively associated with higher levels of healthy ageing. Rural elders who engaged in regular physical activity demonstrated better levels of sustainable healthy ageing. The findings confirm that physical activity plays a critical role in enhancing rural elderly happiness, aligning with existing literature. In the discussion, the researcher employs the ICOPE model developed by the World Health Organization to illustrate how physical activity supports not only survival but also the personal, familial, and leisure dimensions of life. Conclusion: These findings underscore the importance of regular physical activity in promoting physical and mental well-being, ultimately improving the overall quality of life and happiness of rural elderly individuals.
Book Information: Authors: Jennifer R. Gray, PhD, RN, FAAN & Susan K. Grove, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, GNP-BC, Title: Burns and Grove's The Practice of Nursing Research: Appraisal, Synthesis, and Generation of Evidence (9th Edition), Publisher: Elsevier, Publication Year: 2021, ISBN: 978-0-323-67317-4 https://evolve.elsevier.com/cs/product/9780323673174?role=student
El presente estudio se centró en llevar a cabo una revisión sistemática sobre las afectaciones en la salud mental de las y los adolescentes atribuibles a las redes sociales. Como metodología se realizó dicha revisión con la declaración PRISMA, en una ventana temporal correspondiente a los últimos cinco años, mediante el uso de criterios de inclusión - exclusión y la implementación de ecuaciones booleanas (AND, OR, NOT) en las bases de datos Web of Science, PubMed y Scopus. La búsqueda inicial arrojó 14,385 artículos, posteriormente, siguiendo el proceso de identificación, eliminación y selección, la muestra final fue de 33. En los hallazgos obtenidos, se encontraron tres categorías de análisis utilizando el mapa de palabras: salud mental, aislamiento, ansiedad y depresión. En conclusión, el uso de redes sociales por largos periodos puede ocasionar afectaciones en los procesos cognitivos, así como alteraciones a la salud mental, especialmente, podría incrementar episodios de ansiedad, alteraciones del sueño e irritabilidad.
Seram Bagian Barat (SBB) community in Maluku Province, I can attest that education and health are two sectors in which sustainable development remains lacking. In addition, as in many other island regions of Indonesia, access to basic public services is complex and often limited. Therefore, several issues must be addressed to advance community welfare, particularly in education and health. This paper discusses the current state of education and health in SBB and presents my thoughts on potential interventions to improve these sectors
Hospital food services are a critical yet often overlooked component of patient-centered care. This study investigates how perceived hospital food quality influences patient satisfaction, with emotional well-being as a mediator and perceived value as a moderator. Drawing on Affect-as-Information Theory and Perceived Value Theory, a survey was conducted among 209 inpatients at a tertiary hospital in Luoyang, China, and data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) in SmartPLS. The results indicate that perceived food quality significantly enhances patient satisfaction both directly and indirectly through emotional well-being, with the effect amplified when patients perceive greater value in hospital services. These findings highlight the psychological and experiential dimensions of hospital meals and suggest practical strategies for improving patient satisfaction through non-clinical services.
Matt Anderson is an exceptional person, and without a doubt, throughout his broad and diverse professional career, one of his greatest contributions was the creation of the Social Medicine Journal and, through his personal commitment and drive, ensuring its continuity and consolidation—efforts to which he devoted himself with dedication and enthusiasm since the publication of Volume 1, Number 1, on February 25, 2006, nearly twenty years ago.
Background. Obesity during early life increases the risk of developing physical and psychosocial health problems later on. Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) initiatives can be effective in improving knowledge and promoting positive behavioral changes to prevent excess weight gain among students. Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of an IEC package on students’ knowledge and attitudes regarding obesity and related lifestyle factors, and to explore their psychosocial quality of life. Methods. A mixed-method sequential explanatory design was employed among 400 college students in selected colleges in Thrissur, Kerala, India. Quantitative data were collected using a structured knowledge questionnaire and an attitude scale, while qualitative insights were obtained through focus group discussions. Results. The IEC package significantly improved knowledge (t = 48.92, p < 0.001) and attitudes (t = 70.65, p < 0.001) among students. Qualitative findings provided deeper insight into the emotional and social dimensions of obesity, underscoring the need for ongoing support to address body image concerns, social exclusion, and emotional well-being. Conclusion. The combined quantitative and qualitative findings reveal substantial gaps in knowledge and attitudes toward obesity, as well as the significant psychosocial challenges faced by obese students.
Background. Regular health check-ups are vital for preventive healthcare. but remain underutilized among Vietnamese middle-aged women. This study investigates how various types of supportive resources influence their engagement in regular check-ups. Methods. Survey data were collected from 494 women aged 40–60 in northern Vietnam. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of regular health check-up behaviors. Results. Among participants, 50.2% reported undergoing regular check-ups. Age and education were not significant predictors. However, women living in urban areas, those with fixed working hours, and retirees were more likely to have regular check-ups than their rural and self-employed counterparts. Support from family, friends, and policy/service-based resources significantly increased the likelihood of check-up participation (β = 1.593 and 2.110, respectively). Conclusion. Supportive networks play a crucial role in encouraging preventive health behaviors. Enhancing communication strategies and access to policy-based resources is essential, particularly for disadvantaged women, to promote regular health maintenance.
