Healthcare providers are often faced with a unique set of challenges when providing services to African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) populations, including include lack of access to culturally appropriate care, language barriers, limited knowledge of specific health issues and practices, and limited resource availability. Furthermore, the ACB community may face social determinants of health that can contribute to disparities in healthcare outcomes. The present study aimed to assess the perspective of service providers regarding their knowledge and difficulties in providing care for ACB populations who represent a large immigrant population subgroup in Ontario. Methods Data were collected through an online survey of 518 healthcare providers (303 from Toronto and 215 from Ottawa) from June to September 2021. The association between the outcome variables and the sociodemographic factors was measured using multivariate regression techniques. Results More than a quarter (26.8%) of the participants disagreed about having the knowledge of the health access needs of ACB communities, while 44% agreed about having the knowledge. Less than half of the participants agree about having enough resources to provide COVID‐19 care for ACB clients (49.5%) and being able to engage with clients effectively (45.4%). City‐stratified revealed that a relatively higher percentage of participants in Ottawa (4.4 vs 3.8%) strongly agreed that they are able to engage effectively with ACB clients, whereas participants in Toronto had a higher percentage of agreeing with having knowledge of health needs, and having enough resources to provide COVID‐19 care for ACB clients. Results of binary regression analysis showed that female participants were significantly less likely to disagree that they have enough resources to provide COVID‐19 care for the ACB clients (average marginal effect [AME] = 1.34, 95%CI = 1.07,1.68), and that they are able to effectively engage with the ACB clients (AME = 1.12, 95%CI = 1.01,1.25). Conclusion In conclusion, our findings revealed significant sociodemographic patterns in having adequate knowledge of health access needs, having enough resources to provide COVID‐19‐related care, and being able to engage effectively with ACB clients. These findings provide crucial information regarding the gaps and areas for improvement not only for COVID‐19‐related care but also to promote the patient–physician interaction and more effective resource allocation to meet the health needs of ACB populations in this region.

Expanding healthcare services has increased medical waste production, which poses health and environmental risks. To avoid these risks, healthcare workers (HCWs) should have a high‐risk perception, deep knowledge, and adherence to safety guidelines regarding medical waste management (MWM). The study aims to assess HCWs’ risk perception, knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) in MWM. It also aims to examine the relationships between these variables and investigate the predictors of HCWs’ risk perception in Jordanian hospitals. The study implemented a cross‐sectional, descriptive, and correlational design with a proportional stratified sampling technique. The total number of participants was 492 HCWs in Jordanian public, military, private, and educational hospitals. The study data were analyzed using descriptive, correlation, comparative, and regression analyses. The analyses revealed positive risk perception ( M = 76.2, SD = 6.79), knowledge ( M = 30.7, SD = 4.27), attitude ( M = 32.2, SD = 2.84), and practice ( M = 29.3, SD = 4.17) among participants. There were also positive relationships between risk perception and MWM KAP. Additionally, knowledge, practice, job position, and hospital type were the statistically significant predictors of risk perception (Adj R 2 = 0.184, F = 13.23, p < 0.01). Hospital type, job position, knowledge, and practice were key predictors of risk perception in this study. Efforts should focus on strengthening the policy framework and improving MWM training among HCWs, which will help protect public health and the environment.

Background Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by elevated blood sugar levels. Although it has no permanent cure, early diagnosis can significantly reduce the complications that arise from it. Unlike traditional binary classification, this study employs multicategory classification to distinguish between diabetes, prediabetes, and nondiabetic individuals, allowing for more targeted intervention. This research aims to classify diabetes using machine learning (ML) algorithms with hyperparameter tuning to achieve optimal predictive performance. Methods The study analyzed data from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2017–18. A chi‐square test was adopted to identify the significant differences across baseline characteristics with diabetes status. In addition, recursive feature elimination with cross‐validation (RFECV) using a random forest (RF) classifier was employed to select the most significant features for model development. Six ML algorithms, including multinomial logistic regression (MLR), naïve Bayes (NB), K‐nearest neighbor (KNN), support vector machine (SVM), RF, and gradient boosting machine (GBM) were applied to predict diabetes status among adults. Additionally, the grid search method was employed for hyperparameter tuning to enhance model performance. Classification metrics, such as accuracy, precision, F1‐score, Cohen’s kappa, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), were used to evaluate the performance of all models. Delong test was utilized to analyze the significant differences of AUC values of each model. Results The GBM achieved the highest performance with an accuracy of 74.2%, precision of 66.5%, F1‐score of 65.8%, Cohen’s kappa of 0.076, and AUC of 66.2%, outperformed MLR (65.4%), SVM (60.2%), NB (64.1%), KNN (58.5%), and RF (61.9%). Although AUC values were moderate, GBM showed consistent performance across multiple metrics, indicating reliable classification capability. Hyperparameter tuning slightly improved all models, with GBM maintaining superior predictive performance. After tuning the hyperparameter, the GBM yielded an accuracy of 74.4%, precision of 66.5%, F1‐score of 65.8%, Cohen’s kappa of 0.079, and AUC value of 66.7%. Conclusions The GBM model demonstrated superior predictive ability compared to other algorithms in classifying diabetes status among Bangladeshi adults. These findings can support early diabetes risk stratification and guide targeted community‐based screening programs, enabling timely interventions and improved disease prevention strategies.

Background Prostate biopsy pathology reports are often too complex for patients to interpret, despite their role in diagnosis and treatment decisions. We developed an instructional video to improve patient understanding of the biopsy report. We then evaluated the video’s impact on patient anxiety, satisfaction, and comprehension. Methods On the day of the biopsy, we presented 11 prostate cancer patients with a mock pathology report standardized for a patient: Mickey Mouse. Subsequently, we evaluated their understanding of the report as well as their anxiety, satisfaction, and comprehension. Approximately, a week later, patients received their actual biopsy report, along with a supplemental educational video explaining it. Reusing the prior survey, we re‐evaluated patients understanding of their report, anxiety,and satisfaction. Results Eleven patients completed the baseline survey, with a 45% response rate to the follow‐up survey. Before presenting the educational video, only 55% of participants accurately identified “Mickey Mouse’s” cancer status and Gleason score. After watching the educational video ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2e1VhhaUWc ) and receiving their biopsy reports, 100% of patients accurately identified their cancer status and Gleason score ( p = 0.12 for cancer status and p = 0.12 for Gleason score). Patient satisfaction significantly increased (higher value corresponds to higher satisfaction, mean = 2.64 vs mean = 3.7, p = 0.015), along with patient understanding of next steps of care improving (mean = 1.9 vs mean = 3, p = 0.077) following review of the video. We identified an increase of anxiety (mean = 2.36 vs mean = 2.4, p = 0.90) when patients reviewed their own pathology report. Among the five patients who completed both the initial and follow‐up surveys, there we noted similar trends to those noted above, however, due to the smaller sample size the results were no longer statistically significant. Conclusions Pathology reports are difficult to interpret. Providing patients with report specific explanatory videos improved comprehension, and satisfaction. Our results are a preliminary proof of concept evaluation; however, given the low cost and ease of implementation, we feel that video explanation deserves further evaluation.

Background Despite supportive national policies in respect of healthcare access, in‐service adolescents with disabilities and their families in Ghana still face key barriers in accessing rehabilitation services. The aim of this study is to identify and understand recommended solutions from in‐service adolescents with disabilities and their families to improve access to rehabilitation services in Ghana. Methods The study is a secondary analysis of data set from a previous qualitative study with 45 participants (consisting of 25 adolescents with disabilities and 20 families of adolescents with disabilities). We collectively analyzed the data thematically in combination with elements of a grounded theory approach. Results We identified four key recommended solutions from the analysis. These are (i) affordable rehabilitation services, (ii) availability of services, (iii) protection of human rights, and (iv) greater awareness of rehabilitation services. Overall, participants’ recommended solutions related to policies and practices that can potentially improve access to rehabilitation services for adolescents with disabilities in Ghana and similar contexts. Conclusion Participants’ recommended solutions have important implications for rehabilitation service provision and policy decision‐making. As such, there is an urgent need to involve in‐service adolescents with disabilities and their families in the development and implementation of rehabilitation interventions to meet the specific and unique needs of adolescents with disabilities. This may advance Ghana’s efforts towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Rehabilitation and, ultimately, the Sustainable Development Goal 3.

Introduction: In recent years, there has been significant progress in the application of digital technology across various sectors, including health, and research on health technology has become a focal point for many researchers. Nigeria, in particular, has seen a substantial number of studies in this area. This scoping review aims to describe the advancements and current trends in digital health technology (DHT) research in Nigeria.Methodology: The scoping review followed the Arksey and O’Malley methodology and adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA‐ScR) checklist. Using preset key terms related to DHT, literature was identified through searches of PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), and African Journals Online (AJOL) databases. The literature was screened based on inclusion and exclusion criteria to select relevant studies. Data from the included literature was extracted into Excel, and descriptive statistics were conducted using IBM SPSS 27.1 and Python 3.12.4.Results: A total of 1840 studies were initially identified through electronic database searches and gray literature. After screening, 230 studies were included in the scoping review. The distribution of publication years increased dramatically from 2010 to 2024, with the lowest in 2012 (0.9%) and the highest in 2022 (15.2%). Most studies were cross‐sectional (36.5%), followed by reviews (27.8%), qualitative studies (13.0%), interventional studies (7.8%), and mixed‐method studies (4.3%). The main categories of health technology discussed included general DHT (25.7%), mobile health (mHealth) (23.9%), eHealth (12.2%), digital devices/tools (10.4%), telemedicine (7.4%), and health information systems (HISs) (6.5%).Conclusion: Since 2010, Nigeria’s health technology research has expanded significantly in different areas. Despite this growth, practical application remains limited. To fully digitize the healthcare system, collaboration among the government, private sector, and stakeholders is essential to fund projects and train leaders for effective integration of health tech solutions in the Nigerian healthcare system.

Introduction: One of the efforts to achieve Indonesia Emas, a vision of a prosperous and developed nation by 2045, is to prevent or eliminate stunting in under‐five children due to its long‐term adverse effects. Given the persistent prevalence of stunting in South Lampung Regency, Indonesia, there is a significant need to identify the influence of mother–child variables. Moreover, comparative studies between agricultural and nonagricultural households on stunting remain underresearched.Methods: An ordinal logistic regression model was applied at a 95% confidence level. The response variables are four levels of stunting under‐fives. The determinant variables tested were from the children’s side (age, gender, and nutritional status), the mother’s side (duration of breastfeeding, age during pregnancy, birth spacing, and livelihood), and household livelihoods (agricultural vs. nonagricultural). Data collection was designed cross‐sectionally and carried out from July to August 2022.Results: The research results showed that the nutritional status and age of the child and maternal factors such as exclusive breastfeeding, age during pregnancy, and birth spacing were determining risk factors (stunting). In particular, children from nonagricultural households show a lower risk of stunting than children from agricultural households.Discussion: The determinants of stunting in under‐five children in South Lampung Regency are significantly influenced by child‐specific factors, maternal conditions, and households with agricultural household livelihoods. To address stunting, it is essential to enhance maternal and child health programs and implement targeted nutritional interventions, particularly for agricultural households with farming fathers. Future research should investigate the impact of agricultural practices on child nutrition and assess the efficacy of interventions across various socioeconomic settings. Longitudinal studies are crucial for evaluating and refining stunting prevention strategies, ultimately contributing to the achievement of Indonesia Emas 2045.

Recently, overweight and obesity among adolescents have become a growing concern, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of both preventive and effective management strategies. The present study aimed to assess knowledge and practices on the prevention of overweight and obesity among secondary school adolescents in Morogoro Municipality. An institutional‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted from April to May 2023 among 253 randomly selected students studying in Form 1, Form 2, and 3 classes. Data were collected through face‐to‐face interviews using a semi‐structured questionnaire. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 25 was used for descriptive statistics to describe the study variables and logistic regression to identify factors associated with knowledge and practices on prevention of overweight and obesity. Among 253 respondents, 129 (51.0%) were females. Approximately 30% (n = 75) of the students mentioned vegetables and fruits as healthy foods, while 20.6% (n = 57) of the students were not aware of unhealthy foods. Despite the small number of students knowing that fruits and vegetables are healthy, only 20.2% (n = 51) and 43.5% (n = 110) reported consuming them 7 days a week, respectively. Most of the participants (82.2%, n = 208) were aware of the causes of overweight and obesity, and increasing physical activity (51.8%, n = 131) was the most cited preventive measure. Being in a higher level of study, that is, Form 2 (AOR 9.33, 95% CI: 2.71–32.10) and Form 3 (AOR 5.02, 95% CI: 1.38–18.25) were significantly associated with increased knowledge and practices on prevention of overweight and obesity. Conclusively, knowledge and practices regarding the prevention of obesity and overweight among secondary school adolescents vary significantly. While some aspects showed good knowledge and practices, others were less understood and practiced. This suggests a need for implementing a comprehensive community‐based health education program focusing on adolescents as a window of opportunity for current and future prevention of overweight, obesity, and associated comorbidities.

Objectives Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing concern globally, with Bangladesh implementing a National Action Plan (BNAP) to address the issue. This study evaluates the consequences of multi‐sectoral involvement in the BNAP on AMR programs. This is one of the few qualitative studies assessing how coordinated actions across sectors influence the implementation and outcomes of AMR policy in Bangladesh. Methods A qualitative study was conducted using semistructured, pretested questionnaires. Sixteen participants were selected from a comprehensive list of 22 organizations representing four sectors to ensure diverse, informed perspectives aligned with study objectives. Data were analyzed through qualitative and quantitative methods. Results The findings revealed that Bangladesh lacks a specific monitoring body for antibiotic prescriptions, and healthcare professionals often do not adhere to national guidelines. Most healthcare facilities lack infection prevention and control (IPC) protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and monitoring systems. The availability and accessibility of antibiotics, coupled with unregulated distribution by dealers, were identified as primary contributors to AMR. Patients frequently consume antibiotics without consulting qualified doctors. The COVID‐19 pandemic has exacerbated antibiotic misuse, increasing instances of AMR. In the animal sector, antibiotic abuse is similarly alarming. BNAP has prompted the high court to issue a rule restricting antibiotic sales without prescriptions and establishing a national antibiotic surveillance system. Conclusion Multisectoral involvement has strengthened the implementation of BNAP policies on AMR. However, the study highlights the urgent need for an AMR‐specific multisectoral regulatory body to monitor existing facilities and identify antibiotic resistance patterns.