Objectives To examine trends and factors associated with isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) initiation among people living with HIV (PLHIV) aged ≥15 years who initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) in mainland Tanzania between 2015 and 2020. Design A retrospective observational study using routinely collected data. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with IPT initiation. Setting HIV care and treatment clinics across mainland Tanzania. Participants The study included PLHIV aged ≥15 years who initiated ART between 2015 and 2020. Primary and…
Introduction Sepsis is a life-threatening condition in intensive care units (ICUs), where any delay in diagnosis and treatment can lead to organ dysfunction, prolonged hospital stay and increased mortality. Early identification of sepsis prior to its clinical manifestation may enable timely intervention and improve outcomes. This review aims to identify, synthesise and categorise predictor variables assessed in adult ICU patients prior to sepsis diagnosis. Methods/design This protocol, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P)…
Objectives Following a Mediterranean-like diet has been associated with lower depression levels but there has been limited study of links with positive states of psychological well-being. We tested whether adherence to a Mediterranean diet was cross-sectionally associated with positive well-being among older adults in England in 2018/2019 and prospectively through the COVID-19 pandemic. Design Prospective observational cohort analysis. Setting Population study of older people ≥50 years in England. Participants 3296 participants (46% men) in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA)…
Introduction To date, there is no proven licensed systemic treatment for neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2)-related schwannomatosis patients. There is a need for more effective, less toxic treatments and, as a rare disease, NF2 is often overlooked in targeted drug development. Subcutaneous schwannomas of the skin (CS) are common in the NF2 population. This trial involves the repurposing of medications already licensed for HIV—ritonavir and lopinavir (Kaletra and Norvir)—that have been shown to reduce tumour growth by reducing cell proliferation in human schwannoma and meningioma tumour cell…
Objective To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of paliperidone palmitate once-monthly (PP1M) and once-every-3-months (PP3M) PP long-acting injectable antipsychotics in young adults with schizophrenia treated in routine Rwandan healthcare settings. Design This was a single-arm, open-label, multicentre interventional study consisting of two consecutive phases: an observation/run-in (OR) phase (weeks 1–24), during which participants received standard-of-care oral antipsychotics, and a lead-in/maintenance (LM) phase (weeks 25–66), during which participants first received PP1M for ≥17…
Background Tobacco use remains a leading preventable risk factor for morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although global evidence indicates a general decline in tobacco use among women, it is unclear to what extent these trends and associated determinants apply to populations in East Africa. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the trends in tobacco use and its associated factors among women aged 15–49 across East African countries. Objective To examine trends in tobacco use and identify individual- and community-level factors associated with current tobacco use among women of reproductive…
Introduction Inflammation is causally related to cancer progression and cardiovascular toxicities of anticancer treatments. Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) air filtration lowers interleukin-6 and C reactive protein (CRP) levels in high-risk cardiopulmonary groups, though potential synergistic or confounding effects with routine medications—statins, cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors, beta-blockers—remain poorly understood. Whether overnight in-bedroom PM 2.5 air filtration effectively reduces inflammation and prothrombotic biomarkers in survivors of adult-onset cancer at high cardiovascular…
Introduction Both children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their parents are at a high risk of experiencing anxiety and depression. Recent studies have indicated that laughter yoga can create happiness and reduce negative emotions in adults. However, there are limited studies about how laughter yoga benefits children with ASD and parents of children with ASD. This feasibility study aims to explore the recruitment, retention rate, protocol adherence and acceptability of a laughter yoga programme in children with ASD and their parents. Moreover, it investigates the safety issues and the…
Objectives This study aimed to estimate the spatial accessibility of inpatient mental health services in Kerala, India. We also aimed to calculate bed-to-population ratios for these services for each district in the state. Design We used a Geospatial Information System (GIS)-based travel time isochrone analysis to estimate potential spatial accessibility. Setting Kerala, India. Data sources and methods A list of all mental health facilities licensed to admit patients was obtained from data published by the Kerala State Mental Health Authority in 2025. The facilities were geocoded and mapped…
Background Unsafe abortion remains a major public health concern in Africa, contributing substantially to maternal morbidity and mortality across the continent. Although legal restrictions, stigma and socio-cultural factors are well-documented barriers to safe abortion access, health systems-related barriers are not adequately explored. This systematic review aims to examine how health systems-related barriers hinder access to safe abortion in clinic settings in Africa over the past decade. Methods and analysis A comprehensive search strategy will be employed to retrieve relevant studies from…
Objective To explore the feasibility and acceptability of stool sampling and testing for childhood tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis among adolescents, child caregivers and healthcare workers (HCWs) who participated in a diagnostic accuracy study and among National Leprosy and TB Control Programme (NLTP) officials in The Gambia. Design This was a qualitative cross-sectional study that used semi-structured interviews. Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis framework guided our analysis. Setting The study was conducted in The Gambia at the TB clinic of the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the…
Introduction Pathology testing accounts for over half of non-labour costs in Australian Emergency Departments (EDs), yet up to one-fifth of tests are unnecessary. Despite national guidance from the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) and the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA), variation in test ordering persists across departments and across clinical presentations. The Unnecessary Tests in Emergency (UNTIE) study aims to evaluate whether audit and feedback using a novel indicator can reduce unnecessary pathology testing. Methods and analysis UNTIE is a…
Introduction Cancer survivorship places substantial and enduring demands not only on survivors themselves but also on their families and informal caregivers. Family adaptation and family resilience are increasingly recognised as key family-level processes that may alleviate caregiver burden and foster post-traumatic growth (PTG). However, the existing evidence remains fragmented because of inconsistencies in conceptual definitions, theoretical frameworks, study designs and outcome measures. Objectives This scoping review aims to systematically map the existing literature on family adaptation…
Objectives Despite policy commitments to social inclusion for people with disabilities, the effectiveness of interventions remains unclear, particularly in high-income countries. This systematic review synthesises evidence and examines variation by population, setting and intervention. Design Systematic review. Setting All settings in which social inclusion interventions might be implemented in high-income countries. Participants Children and adults with disabilities (0–65 years) living in high-income countries. Interventions Promoting social inclusion for people with disabilities. Eligibility…
Objectives Traumatic brain injury commonly causes dizziness and balance problems. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most frequent cause of inner-ear related post-traumatic vestibular dysfunction. However, optimal assessment and treatment practices are poorly evidenced. Using a mixed methods approach, we aimed to explore the feasibility of managing post-traumatic BPPV. Design A mixed-methods randomised feasibility study. In this paper, quantitative and qualitative data relating to key feasibility targets around recruitment, randomisation and assessment and treatment were…
Objective To estimate the pooled prevalence and associated factors of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis Data sources Searches were carried out in Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar and Dimensions AI with no date or language filters. Eligibility criteria for selection of studies Cross-sectional studies that reported estimates of GERD prevalence from Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries were included. Data extraction and synthesis Two reviewers independently extracted…
Introduction Media and digital technologies shape adolescent development across interconnected online and offline contexts, offering opportunities for learning and connection while also exposing young people to risks that can affect wellbeing. Wellbeing-focused media literacy interventions aim to support young people in understanding and managing how media and technology shape their experiences and wellbeing. Schools are well placed to deliver such interventions at scale through curricular integration. However, existing interventions vary widely in focus, design and evaluation quality making…
Introduction Unintentional injury is a leading cause of hospitalisation and disability in children globally. Families may experience a second crisis of injury after the child’s discharge from the hospital, with the traumatic nature of injuries affecting physical and psychosocial recovery. This scoping review aims to summarise the literature on the perspectives of injured children’s caregivers and service providers on the hospital discharge process, the challenges and opportunities to improve discharge planning evident from qualitative and interventional studies, and the investigation of…
Orbit Pharma Limited is recalling a specific batch of Cyclizine Lactate 50 mg/ml Solution for injection as a precautionary measure due to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) deficiencies identified at the manufacturing site.
Mehmet Oz, head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, framed the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program as “bold, creative plans” led by states. But as states have started to roll out their plans, federal officials control where and how the money is spent.
In the U.S., more than a dozen kinds of cancer are on the rise among people under 50. The HealthQ team shares the latest guidance on being proactive with your family and doctor.
ECDC has published its annual activity report for 2025, bringing scientific expertise and risk management together with strengthened cooperation and outreach.