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Exposure to Mercury in the Air and Its Effect on Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD): A Systematic Review.Iranian Journal of Public Health May 2024We aimed to verify the exposure to mercury in the air and its effect on cardiovascular disorders. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
We aimed to verify the exposure to mercury in the air and its effect on cardiovascular disorders.
METHODS
The review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and national databases (such as SID) from 1995-2022.
RESULTS
Mercury exposure can cause many disorders in humans, including neurodevelopmental disorders in fetuses and children, adverse cardiovascular outcomes, hypertension, and diabetes. Mercury is a human neurotoxin, and in recent years its potentially harmful effects on cardiovascular disease (CVD) have raised concerns, mainly due to mercury's role in reducing oxidative stress.
CONCLUSION
Possible mechanisms of mercury toxicity in CVD include mercury-selenium interaction, increased lipid peroxidation, and oxidative stress. In this article, we review studies that have investigated the relationship between mercury and CVD.
PubMed: 38912156
DOI: 10.18502/ijph.v53i5.15583 -
Iranian Journal of Public Health May 2024The educational needs of future health administrators, prioritizing their needs, and developing a relationship between these needs and the needs of the community are... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The educational needs of future health administrators, prioritizing their needs, and developing a relationship between these needs and the needs of the community are very important to provide better responsiveness. We aimed to identify the knowledge and skills required for health care management students as future managers of the health community.
METHODS
In this systematic literature review, all studies conducted between 1990 and 2021 were searched in such databases as MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest Iran Medex, Magiran and Scientific Information Database (SID), and the collected data were analyzed via the thematic analysis method.
RESULTS
Findings of this study were divided into two main categories and fourteen subcategories, including knowledge-related factors (awareness of the structure and processes in the field of health and knowledge of management science) and skill-related factors (planning, coordination, organization, leadership, control and evaluation, management of financial resources and budgeting, service management, communication and information management, human resource management, implementation of participatory and team activities, crisis management, entrepreneurship, innovation, marketing, policymaking, and decision-making).
CONCLUSION
By identifying the knowledge and skills that students need, it is possible to empower them through necessary education. Therefore, by providing responsive education, developing skills, and improving capabilities, we can take an effective step to improve the quality of health system services.
PubMed: 38912152
DOI: 10.18502/ijph.v53i5.15582 -
Gynecology and Minimally Invasive... 2024High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is commonly used to treat uterine fibroids and adenomyosis, but there is no evidence using metadata to compare fertility... (Review)
Review
High-intensity Focused Ultrasound is a Better Choice for Women with Fertility Desire: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Comparison between High-intensity Focused Ultrasound and Laparoscopic Treatment of Uterine Fibroids.
High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is commonly used to treat uterine fibroids and adenomyosis, but there is no evidence using metadata to compare fertility outcomes between conventional laparoscopic procedures and HIFU. The purpose of this study analysis is that evidence-based fertility outcomes may provide better treatment options for clinicians and patients considering fertility. The literature on fertility data for HIFU surgery versus laparoscopic myomectomy was searched in seven English language databases from January 1, 2010, to November 23, 2022. A total of 1375 articles were received in the literature, 14 of which were selected. We found that women who underwent HIFU surgery had higher rates of spontaneous pregnancy, higher rates of spontaneous delivery, and higher rates of full-term delivery but may have higher rates of miscarriage or postpartum complications than women who underwent laparoscopic myomectomy. Looking forward to future studies, it is hoped that the literature will examine endometrial differences in women who undergo HIFU and laparoscopic myomectomy to demonstrate the ability of endometrial repair. The location of fibroids in the sample should also be counted to allow for attribution statistics on the cause of miscarriage.
PubMed: 38911304
DOI: 10.4103/gmit.gmit_23_23 -
International Journal of Mental Health... Jun 2024Depression among young people is a global health problem due to its rising prevalence and negative physical and social outcomes. The prevalence of depression and the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Depression among young people is a global health problem due to its rising prevalence and negative physical and social outcomes. The prevalence of depression and the treatment gap among young people in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is higher than global estimates. Most psychosocial interventions for adolescent and youth depression were developed in high-income countries and less is known about their effectiveness in SSA. Due to contextual differences, findings from High-Income Countries (HICs) are less applicable to SSA. Yet, no systematic review of psychosocial interventions for depression among young people in SSA has been conducted.
METHODS
A systematic literature search of four databases (Medline, Web of Science, PsycInfo, and Cochrane library) was conducted. Experimental studies published before May 2024 that evaluated the effect of psychosocial interventions on depressive symptoms among young people (aged 10-24 years) in SSA were included in the systematic review. Effect sizes (Hedge's g (g)) indicating differences between intervention and control groups were calculated using a random effects model.
RESULTS
Twenty-two eligible studies were identified for the systematic review, of which eighteen randomized control trials (RCTs) involving 2338 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The findings revealed that psychosocial interventions significantly reduced depressive symptoms (g = -1.55, 95% CI -2.48, -0.63), although heterogeneity was high (I = 98.8%). Subgroup analysis revealed that efficacy differed significantly by intervention type, with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (9 studies) showing the strongest effect (g = -2.84, 95% CI -4.29; -1.38). While Wise Interventions (a form of positive psychology interventions; 2 studies) had a moderate effect (g = -0.46, 95% C.I -0.53, -0.39), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (2 studies; g = -0.08, 95% CI -1.05, 0.88) and Creative Psychological Interventions (3 studies; g = -0.29, 95% CI -1.38, 0.79) showed smaller, non-significant effects. Sensitivity analysis excluding studies at high risk of bias strengthened the effect size. Few studies assessed factors affecting intervention efficacy and showed mixed effects of age, gender, and adherence levels.
CONCLUSION
Psychosocial interventions, particularly CBT, significantly reduced depressive symptoms among young people in SSA. However, it is crucial to acknowledge the high heterogeneity which likely stems from variations in study populations and intervention delivery modalities. This highlights the need for further research to identify the specific intervention components and delivery methods that work best for distinct subpopulations. Future research should also explore how long intervention effects are maintained and factors affecting efficacy.
PubMed: 38909254
DOI: 10.1186/s13033-024-00642-w -
The Journal of Infection Jun 2024Contact investigations with drug-susceptible tuberculosis (DS-TB) patients have demonstrated a high prevalence of tuberculosis infection (TBI). However, the prevalence...
INTRODUCTION
Contact investigations with drug-susceptible tuberculosis (DS-TB) patients have demonstrated a high prevalence of tuberculosis infection (TBI). However, the prevalence of TBI among individuals in close contact with drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) patients is poorly understood. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the prevalence of TBI among household and non-household contacts of DR-TB patients.
METHOD AND ANALYSIS
We searched five databases (Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL)) from inception to 2 June 2023. All studies that reported the prevalence of TBI among DR-TB contacts were included in the study. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the pooled prevalence of TBI with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Sub-group analyses were conducted using study characteristics as covariates.
RESULTS
Thirty studies involving 7659 study participants from 19 countries were included. The pooled prevalence of TBI among DR-TB contacts was 36.52% (95% CI: 30.27-42.77). The sub-group analysis showed considerable heterogeneity in the estimates, with the highest prevalence reported in Southeast Asia (80.74%; 95% CI: 74.09-87.39), household contacts (38.60%; 95% CI: 30.07-47.14), lower-middle-income countries (LMICs) (54.72; 95% CI: 35.90, 73.55), children (43.27%; 95% CI: 25.50, 61.04), and studies conducted between 2004 and 2012 (45.10; 95% CI: 32.44, 57.76).
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of TBI among DR-TB contacts was high, with substantial regional variations. Further research is needed to determine the drug susceptibility status of TBI in DR-TB contacts.
PROTOCOL REGISTRATION
The protocol is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023390339).
PubMed: 38906264
DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2024.106198 -
PloS One 2024COVID-19 and its prevention measures have had a significant impact on patients with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by disrupting routine healthcare service and...
BACKGROUND
COVID-19 and its prevention measures have had a significant impact on patients with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by disrupting routine healthcare service and increasing risk factors. These challenges were expected to be more severe in sub-Saharan Africa due to the lack of physical infrastructure and inadequate resources. The quantity of studies conducted was limited, and there was a lack of published systematic reviews in the specified region. This systematic review aimed to assess the indirect impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdown measures on individuals with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in sub-Saharan African countries.
METHOD
This systematic review adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines and is registered with PROSPERO (ID CRD42023387755). Extensive searches were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases in December 2023, supplemented by a manual search of references, grey literature, and the WHO COVID-19 database. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies that reported on the impact of COVID-19 on NCD patients in sub-Saharan African countries, focusing on access to care, health outcomes, and factors related to NCDs. Critical appraisal of study quality was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) analytical cross-sectional studies critical appraisal tool. Data were extracted and synthesized, highlighting the main findings and relevant limitations.
FINDINGS
This review included 30 primary studies with a cumulative sample size of 25634 participants, conducted in seven sub-Saharan African countries. These studies demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted regular NCD patient care provision, with regional variations. The studies also identified a reduction in patient health-seeking behavior and reduced medication adherence, leading to poor treatment outcome. Furthermore, the pandemic and related lockdowns have been implicated in the increased prevalence of substance use, decreased physical exercise, and increased mental health problems.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review identified the complex challenges faced by NCD patients in sub-Saharan Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also underlines the need to consider the indirect impact on vulnerable populations while developing pandemic prevention and control strategies for the future. The current NCD management strategies should prioritize the restoration of access to essential healthcare services while considering the multifaceted risks posed by decreased physical activity, poor dietary practices, and increased substance use. The main limitation of this review was the study design and setting. All of the studies included in this review employed a cross-sectional design, which may result in a low quality of evidence. This study identified research conducted in only seven countries among the 46 UN-classified sub-Saharan nations, which may impair the generalizability of the result.
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; Africa South of the Sahara; Noncommunicable Diseases; SARS-CoV-2; Pandemics
PubMed: 38905254
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293376 -
Clinical Transplantation and Research Jun 2024Tixagevimab/cilgavimab (Tix/Cil) shows promise as a prophylactic treatment against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs). This...
BACKGROUND
Tixagevimab/cilgavimab (Tix/Cil) shows promise as a prophylactic treatment against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs). This study was performed to assess the effectiveness of Tix/Cil for preexposure prophylaxis against COVID-19 in this population.
METHODS
We systematically searched the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase databases to identify articles relevant to our study up to December 15, 2023. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (ver. 3.0) was used for data analysis.
RESULTS
The meta-analysis included seven eligible retrospective studies, encompassing a total of 4,026 SOTRs. The analysis revealed significant differences in SOTRs who received Tix/Cil preexposure prophylaxis relative to those who did not. Specifically, these differences were observed in the incidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (odds ratio [OR], 0.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.15-0.60), hospitalization (OR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.08-0.70), and intensive care unit admission (OR, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.02-0.22). However, mortality rate did not differ significantly between the two groups (P=0.06).
CONCLUSIONS
The evidence supporting the effectiveness of Tix/Cil as preexposure prophylaxis against SARS-CoV-2 in SOTRs is of a low to moderate level. Further high-quality research is necessary to understand its effects on this population.
PubMed: 38904088
DOI: 10.4285/ctr.24.0015 -
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2024[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1156655.].
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1156655.].
PubMed: 38903988
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1426608 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2024Nurse turnover has become a salient issue in healthcare system worldwide and seriously compromises patient outcomes. Social support is considered an effective... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Nurse turnover has become a salient issue in healthcare system worldwide and seriously compromises patient outcomes. Social support is considered an effective contributor to alleviate nurse turnover intention (TI). However, the degree of correlation between social support and nurse TI remains elusive.
AIMS
This study aims to evaluate the strength of the effectiveness of social support on TI among nurses as well as its potential moderators.
DESIGN
This systematic review and meta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.
METHODS
To obtained qualified studies, two researchers searched Embase, PubMed, Web of science, CINAHL, CNKI, WanFang, and Chinese Medical Journal Full Text Database from inception to January 6, 2024. Meta-analysis, publication bias, and sensitivity analysis were carried out on the included studies using CMA 3.0 software, and the moderating effect was verified through meta-analysis of variance (ANOVA).
RESULTS
A total of 38 studies were obtained, involving 63,989 clinical nurses. The comprehensive effect size of the random effect model showed a significant medium negative correlation between social support and TI among nurses ( < 0.001). The sample size and TI measurement tools significantly moderated the correlation between social support and TI ( < 0.050). However, nurse department, gender, data collection time, and social support measurement tools did not moderate the correlation between the two variables.
CONCLUSION
Social support is negatively associated with TI in nurses. Nursing administrators and the medical community should fully recognize the importance of social support for nurses and take corresponding measures to enhance it, thereby reducing TI and ensuring the stability of the nursing team.
Topics: Humans; Intention; Job Satisfaction; Nurses; Personnel Turnover; Social Support
PubMed: 38903567
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1393024 -
International Journal of Public Health 2024This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to: i) determine the pooled prevalence of acute diarrhea; and ii) synthesize and summarize current evidence on factors of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to: i) determine the pooled prevalence of acute diarrhea; and ii) synthesize and summarize current evidence on factors of acute diarrheal illnesses among under-five children in Ethiopia. A comprehensive systematic search was conducted in PubMed, SCOPUS, HINARI, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Global Index Medicus, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), and the Cochrane Library. This systematic review and meta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. The methodological quality of each included article was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) quality assessment tool for cross-sectional and case-control studies. A random-effect meta-analysis model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of diarrheal illnesses. Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed using I test statistics and Egger's test, respectively. The statistical analysis was done using STATA™ software version 14. Fifty-three studies covering over 27,458 under-five children who met the inclusion criteria were included. The pooled prevalence of diarrhea among under-five children in Ethiopia was found to be 20.8% (95% CI: 18.69-22.84, n = 44, I = 94.9%, < 0.001). Our analysis revealed a higher prevalence of childhood diarrhea in age groups of 12-23 months 25.42% (95%CI: 21.50-29.35, I = 89.4%, < 0.001). In general, the evidence suggests that diarrheal risk factors could include: i) child level determinants (child's age 0-23 months, not being vaccinated against rotavirus, lack of exclusive breastfeeding, and being an under-nourished child); ii) parental level determinants {mothers poor handwashing practices [pooled odds ratio (OR) = 3.05; 95% CI:2.08-4.54] and a history of maternal recent diarrhea (pooled OR = 3.19, 95%CI: 1.94-5.25)}; and iii) Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) determinants [lack of toilet facility (pooled OR = 1.56, 95%CI: 1.05-2.33)], lack handwashing facility (pooled OR = 4.16, 95%CI: 2.49-6.95) and not treating drinking water (pooled OR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.50-3.46). In Ethiopia, the prevalence of diarrhea among children under the age of five remains high and is still a public health problem. The contributing factors to acute diarrheal illnesses were child, parental, and WASH factors. A continued focus on improving access to WASH facilities, along with enhancing maternal hygiene behavior will accelerate reductions in diarrheal disease burden in Ethiopia.
Topics: Humans; Ethiopia; Diarrhea; Child, Preschool; Infant; Prevalence; Observational Studies as Topic; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38903206
DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2024.1606399