This study examined how time and handwashing impact the inferential process related to infectious disease transmission among adults and preschoolers. Thirty-eight Japanese adults aged 18–23 years (8 men; 30 women) and 36 Japanese children aged 5–6 years (15 boys; 21 girls) reported their certainty regarding protagonists’ subsequent infection and whether handwashing affects infection risk across three scenarios (same-time, immediately-after, and next-day). Both age groups perceived a significantly higher likelihood of infection in the same-time condition than in the other conditions. Preschoolers estimated a lower likelihood of infection than adults (η p 2 = .25). Thus, preschoolers inferred infectious disease transmission more optimistically than adults. Amidst infectious disease outbreaks, adults must provide guidance regarding preventive measures, while being mindful of preschooler’s propensity to optimistically speculate about contagion.

Background: Research indicates a relationship between nutrition, physiological characteristics, and mental health. It was already reported that Israeli-Arab adolescents consume more fast food, sweets, and candies than Jews. Higher energy drink consumption by Israeli-Arab adolescents emerged. Though, data on the topic still needs to be updated. The current study examined possible associations between energy drink consumption, anxiety, and well-being in Israeli-Arab adolescents. We also investigated these associations concerning fast food consumption, physical activity, and sleep hours. Methods: One hundred and fourteen adolescents (59 females) aged 12–18 from several cities & villages in northern Israel were recruited to study. A cross-sectional exploratory study assessed adolescents’ energy drink consumption, nutritional and lifestyle habits, well-being, and anxiety using self-reported questionnaires. Anthropometric measurements - weight, height, and waist circumference were also assessed. Results: Gender and energy drink consumption were associated with psychological status. Energy drink consumers reported a lower well-being index and a higher anxiety index than non-consumers. Energy drink consumers ate significantly more fast food per week than non-consumers. In addition, sleep hours were correlated with anxiety levels. These results differed between genders. Conclusions: Our study shows complex associations between energy drink consumption and mental health indices. These associations can serve as a basis for further research into this topic.

Introduction: Disrespect and abuse during childbirth represents a pervasive issue worldwide. In Rwanda, however, research in this area remains scarce. This study evaluated the factors linked to disrespect and abuse during labor and delivery in two Rwandan district hospitals. Methods: Employing a mixed method, cross-sectional design, we studied 280 women giving birth at Kabutare and Kibagabaga hospitals. Analysis was conducted with SPSS version 22, using the Chi-square test to identify factors correlated with childbirth-related disrespect and abuse. Results: Our findings revealed that 27% of women reported verbal abuse and 27.5% reported abandonment by healthcare providers, with 12% experiencing physical abuse during childbirth. Factors increasing the likelihood of experiencing disrespect and abuse included residing in rural areas [AOR=4.06, 95% CI (1.12, 14.7); p=0.03], having only primary education [AOR=2.9, 95% CI: 1.10-8.9, p=0.04], and night-time delivery [AOR=2.23, 95% CI (1.34, 3.03); p=0.03]. However, having a cesarean delivery [AOR=0.23, 95% CI: 0.09-0.59, p=0.002] or having attended antenatal care [AOR=0.28, 95% CI: 0.13-0.81, p=0.029] significantly reduced the risk of such experiences. Conclusion: The study uncovers a high incidence of disrespect and abuse during labor and delivery in Rwanda. The identified risk factors, namely rural residence, lower education, and night-time delivery, highlight specific areas requiring targeted intervention. The results advocate for effective measures to ensure dignified and equitable maternity care for all women.

Background: The feeding practices of the mothers, particularly responsive feeding, are critical determinants of acceptance of food, dietary intake as well as the growth of infants and young children (IYC). Responsive feeding refers to the interactions between mother and child that lead to a positive feeding experience, adequate dietary intake and enhanced developmental opportunities. Little is known about mothers responsive feeding practices in Rwanda. Therefore, this study sought to explore mothers’ responsive feeding practices as well as the factors that hinder the implementation of recommended practices among mothers from rural Muhanga District. Method: This qualitative, longitudinal study, recruited a purposive sample of 29 pregnant women attending prenatal consultations in two rural health centers. They were interviewed and mother-child interactions during mealtime were further observed during one lunch meal feeding episode at 6, 9 and 12 months postpartum. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and thematically analyzed using qualitative software, Atlas.ti. Frequency distribution was generated for each practice observed. Results: At 6 months, most mothers reported to verbally encourage their children to eat during feeding and the numbers increased over the age at 9 and 12 months respectively. Less than a half, at all 3 time points, reported to allow their child to self-feed, to smile and talking during feeding. During the observation, the practices were even less than the reported at all 3 time points of the observations. The burden of other responsibilities and poverty were perceived as the major barriers that made mother child- interactions during feeding difficult. Conclusion: Findings indicate that what mothers report may not always reflect the responsive feeding practices performed during feeding . Nutrition interventions in the study community should consider promoting responsive feeding practices as well as addressing the issue of poverty and the burden of other responsibilities that hinder mother-child interactions.

This study is novel in that it quantitatively exams the impact of human brucellosis, an endemic zoonotic disease in Malta from 1919 until 1954, and the impact on reproductive loss through stillbirths. Based on regression analysis, brucellosis had a statistically significant effect (t = 2.8986, p = 0.0039) on stillbirth rate for males, but the effect of brucellosis on stillbirths is not statistically significant for females (p = 0.9103). This paper points to the importance of brucellosis, one of the most common zoonotic diseases, as having implications for health burden in women and fetuses in the contemporary context; this relationship has been largely ignored in the literature.

This study analyzes how national intersectoral public policy experiences have been adopted and implemented using a Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach in the past two decades. It seeks to provide evidence on enabling factors that triggered three effective intersectoral public policies to improve population health in Mexico by improving nutritional, educational, and healthcare access conditions, reducing road traffic injuries, and addressing obesogenic feeding practices. We followed a qualitative approach to analyze the three intersectoral public policies selected as case studies. First, we designed an analytical framework to assess how intersectoral public policies are adopted, implemented, and sustained. The proposed framework is based on peer-reviewed articles and grey public policy literature. Second, we used information from eleven semi-structured interviews to key stakeholders conducted in previous research to identify more specific enablers and barriers of the three intersectoral policies selected according to predefined analytical categories used in the questionnaire. The analysis showed three overall key findings. First, sound empirical evidence is essential for adopting a HiAP approach. Second effective intersectoral mechanisms enhance implementation feasibility. Third, results-based monitoring and evaluation contribute to the continuity of the analyzed intersectoral public policies. Finally, political support is needed throughout the policy process to maintain governance capacity and deliver results. Finally, we drew five global policy lessons that may be applicable in similar public policy settings in other countries. First, both technical and political enablers help set the intersectoral agenda. Second, effective communication is instrumental in convincing all stakeholders to address public health-related policy issues. Third, political support at the highest level possible and the federal government’s capacity are essential to implement sound policies. Fourth, several enablers exist for enhancing collaboration between ministries during implementation. Finally, monitoring and evaluation results are necessary for sustaining intersectoral policies beyond administrations.

Background: As adolescent suicide rates have increased, there has been a nationwide focus on legislation requiring school districts to create suicide prevention policies. There is a lack of tools to make a quantitative assessment of the quality and breadth of school-district suicide prevention policies. Thus, we developed a proof-of-concept instrument, the School District Suicide Policy Evaluation Tool (SDSPET). Methods: The SDSPET is derived from the “Model School District Policy on Suicide Prevention,” a document compiled by four nationally recognized suicide organizations. As a preliminary validation of the SDSPET, four independent raters used the SDSPET in a systematic analysis of suicide prevention policies for all school districts in Utah. Results: Inter-rater reliability was calculated to be 98.8% with intraclass correlation analysis. Analysis revealed a right-skewed distribution of policy scores, and a median total score was 2.25 out of 36 possible criteria. Conclusion: This proof-of-concept study demonstrates the utility of the SDSPET in quantifying the shortcomings of school-district policies on suicide while generating specific recommendations for improvement. With further validity testing, we expect this tool to be beneficial to school district administrators, education policymakers, and those studying suicide interventions and outcomes in school-aged children and adolescents.

Background: Labor companionship has been demonstrated to enhance the childbirth experience and contribute to better maternal and neonatal outcomes. Despite this evidence, the practice remains underexplored in Rwanda. The present study aimed to investigate the perspectives and experiences of both women and healthcare providers concerning labor companionship in selected hospitals across Rwanda. Methods: We conducted a mixed-method study surveying 393 postpartum mothers within 48 hours of delivery and interviewing 23 healthcare providers and 16 mothers. Data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, Chi-square tests, and logistic regression. Results: 95% (n=373) of mothers brought a chosen companion to the health facility, but only 11.2% (n=42) were allowed their companion’s presence during childbirth. About 47% who had companions present had reservations, mainly due to embarrassment (47%), gossip fears (14%), and privacy issues (40%). Mother’s age, education, economic status, and pregnancy planning status influenced companion presence. Barriers to labor companionship occurred at individual, provider, and institutional levels. Conclusion: This study underscores labor companionship’s role in boosting maternal-neonatal health in Rwanda, though implementation remains limited due to location, education, and socio-economic disparities. It advocates for policies and guidelines facilitating companionship during labor and delivery and emphasizes the need for healthcare provider training to enhance its application.

Introduction:Pressure ulcer disease (PUs) is a common geriatric complication that impacts national public policy and brings a huge social burden. Objective: To analyze the long-term trends in PUs prevalence among Chinese elders aged 60-94 from 1990 to 2019 to inform targeted public policies. Methods:The age-standardized prevalence rates (ASPRs) and crude rates per 100,000 population of PUs were reported in China from 1990 to 2019 from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation using the Global Health Data Exchange (GHDx) online query tool.The ASPRs of elderly PUs were calculated and stratified by sex and age. Individuals aged 60-94 were divided into a group according to 5 years. The Joinpoint regression model was used to evaluate the trend of PUs elder prevalence across the time.The annual percentage rate change(APC),average annual percentage change(AAPC) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) for the EAPCs were calculated to explore the characteristics of the PUs elders prevalence in China. Results: Results showed an upward trend in ASPRs for PUs in both sexes, with higher rates in males.Join-point regression analyses also confirmed a significant upward trend in ASPRs for both sexes among elders, with a more pronounced increase in males.The prevalence of PUs has decreased among 60-69 years old elders but increased after 70 years old. Conclusion:The disease burden of PUs has increased in China from 1990 to 2019, with higher rates in men. The prevalence of PUs in elders showed an overall upward trend but varies at different age stages.Different management and treatment strategies should be developed for the elderly at different age stages and gender.Collaborative efforts involving the government, society, and medical institutions are needed to address the prevention and management of pressure ulcers in China.

Introduction: Against the challenging socio-political backdrop of the country, this research examines the periodontal health of pregnant women in Sri Lanka. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 576 pregnant women, attending community Antenatal Clinics in a selected Medical Officer of Health area, in Sri Lanka. A two-stage cluster sampling method with a probability proportionate to size technique was used to select the clinics. Systematic sampling was used to recruit pregnant women from each clinic. An interviewer-administered questionnaire and oral health examination form were used for data collection. Results: Over 60% exhibited poor oral hygiene. Moderate to severe gingivitis was seen among 23.3%. Approximately 67% of participants demonstrated poor knowledge about periodontal diseases. About 67% of the study participants were unemployed and 32.47% had a monthly income of less than 40,000 rupees. Regression analysis identified the trimester of pregnancy, socioeconomic indicators, frequency of dental visits, recent full mouth scaling, and knowledge about periodontal diseases as significant predictors of oral hygiene status. Age, trimester, brushing frequency, recent full mouth scaling, and knowledge about periodontal diseases predicted the gingival status. Participants with a lower socioeconomic status demonstrated poorer oral hygiene and gingival health. Conclusion: There was suboptimal oral hygiene and gingival health coupled with limited access to dental care and inadequate knowledge about periodontal health that demands urgent interventions. The high prevalence of unemployment combined with the association between low socioeconomic indicators and poor periodontal health outcomes, underscores the importance of empowering young women through education and employment.