Background: Adhering to tuberculosis (TB) treatment is vital for preventing the spread of the disease and the rise of drug-resistant strains. However, low adherence rates remain challenging, reflecting the public's limited understanding of the importance of completing treatment, underscoring the need for better health education. Objective: This scoping review aims to explore and synthesize existing health education strategies designed to enhance adherence to tuberculosis treatment. Methods: A scoping review using Arksey and O'Malley was conducted. Relevant articles published within the last 10 years, from 2014 to 2024, were selected for this review. The research literature was gathered from six databases: PubMed, Science Direct, Sage, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, and Google Scholar. The Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines were used for data extraction. Results: Out of 1,213 studies reviewed, 14 articles were included in this analysis. This review identifies five key themes related to health education strategies: the purpose of health education, the media of intervention, the methods of intervention, the duration of intervention, and the outcomes of education. Conclusion: Effective health education strategies to promote treatment adherence among tuberculosis patients can significantly improve patient compliance. A wider adoption of these strategies will help control tuberculosis and achieve global elimination goals. In the future, telemedicine and tele-nursing will be vital for enhancing adherence in areas with limited healthcare access.

Meeting the recommendation of 60 minutes of daily physical activity for children and adolescents yields significant health benefits. In Latin-merican and the Caribbean, 39.1% of the population does not meet physical activity guidelines; specifically, 34.3% of males and 43.7% of females fall below the recommended levels. This study aims to identify school-based physical activity interventions aligned with the socioecological model that involve parents in Latina merican contexts. A systematic search was conducted across four databases-PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), Scopus, and ScienceDirect-for articles published between January 2014 and April 2024. A total of 198 studies were identified (78 from PubMed, 22 from WOS, 31 from Scopus, and 67 from ScienceDirect). After removing 20 duplicates, 167 articles were excluded based on title and abstract screening. One study was excluded. It focused on sedentary behavior, and another aspect was its consideration of dietary habits, resulting in a final inclusion of 9 studies. The included studies were published between 2014-2024, with intervention durations ranging from 10 weeks to 28 months and sample sizes from 50 to 3,592 participants. The studies were conducted in Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, and Brazil. Interventions adopted both individual and environmental approaches, targeting outcomes such as physical activity, sedentary behavior, screen time, health education, nutrition, and alcohol and tobacco use. The reviewed intervention demonstrated positive effects on increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviors. Family members, peers, friends, and teachers emerged as key sources of support for promoting health-enhancing behaviors, consistent with an ecological framework for health promotion.

BackgroundEvidence on the effects of caregiver-assisted combined exercise and cognitive interventions for persons with dementia (PwD) is inconsistent.ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effects of a home-based Caregiver-Assisted Multimodal Exercise and Cognitive Training (CA-MECT) intervention via videoconferencing for persons with mild dementia in comparison with exercise or cognitive training alone and the control condition.MethodsThirty-three participants were randomized into a combined intervention, exercise, cognitive training, or control group. The combined intervention was a 12-week caregiver-assisted home-based sequentially combined multimodal exercise and cognitive training via videoconferencing. The exercise and cognitive training groups received a 12-week home-based Caregiver-Assisted Multimodal Exercise (CA-ME) and Caregiver-Assisted Cognitive Training (CA-CT), respectively, while the control group received health education. Validated instruments were used to evaluate cognitive, psychological, functional, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes.ResultsCA-MECT was feasible, safe, and highly acceptable for PwD and their caregivers. Exploratory analyses suggested that compared with the control group, the CA-MECT participants showed potential improvements in global cognition, immediate recall, attention, number and severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), and caregivers' distress, though no clear benefits were observed in functional ability or HRQoL. When compared with single-component interventions, CA-MECT appeared to yield more favorable outcomes for immediate recall (versus CA-CT) and NPS severity (versus CA-ME), whereas its effects on processing speed were less favorable than both comparators.ConclusionsCA-MECT is feasible and shows promise in improving cognition and NPS among PwD. Future studies are warranted to fully explore its efficacy and sustainability.

In an underserved parish in South Louisiana, a critical need for early childhood dental care was identified. This brief report describes a service-learning intervention that was developed, implemented and aimed at screening, educating, and improving access to dental care for children aged 3 to 6. The core services provided by the program include fluoride varnish application, dental screenings, oral health education, nutritional counseling, and parental engagement for 170 students. The primary goal was to build sustainable partnerships that ensured reciprocity between the community and the university that was involved. The objectives were to enhance access to care, advance oral health literacy, mitigate oral health disparities, and promote dental prevention strategies. Additionally, the program aimed to serve the community while offering healthcare students valuable experiential learning opportunities.

Socio-economic inequalities in oral health are a universal phenomenon. This study investigated socio-economic differences in Irish adolescents' oral health and the potential role of behaviour (oral health behaviours), material (structural, material and economic constraints) and psychosocial factors (parental stress and family structure) in these differences. Data analysed were from the first three waves of the Growing Up in Ireland child cohort survey on self- (self-rated oral health (SROH)) and parent-reported oral health outcomes (dental fillings) at age 17/18 years; socio-economic status (SES) measures, behavioural, material and psychosocial factors at 13 years; and potential confounders at 9 years of age. Logistic regression was used to study associations between oral health outcomes and SES indicators and for mediation analysis. Socio-economic disadvantage was associated with poorer oral health outcomes, with gender-specific patterns. Young males from the lowest educational and income groups had higher odds of suboptimal (fair/poor) self-rated oral health (odds ratio (OR)Education: 2.31 (1.29; 4.13) and ORIncome: 1.72 (1.16; 2.56)), and those in the lowest income quintile and with full medical cards had higher odds of dental fillings (ORsIncome: 1.58-1.82 and ORsMedical card: 1.44-1.65) compared with higher socio-economic groups. Young females showed significant associations between selected socio-economic indicators (education, income, occupation and medical status) (ORs: 1.39-3.34) and dental fillings, with education demonstrating the strongest association (ORsEducation: 1.91-3.34). For males, material, behavioural, and psychosocial factors mediated the SES-SROH relationship (97%-100%, 22%-69% and 5%-56% respectively), whereas for dental fillings, mediation was observed for material (11%-55%) and psychosocial (10%-37%) factors, with minimal mediation by behavioural factors (0%-2%). Among females, material factors were the primary mediators of the SES-dental fillings relationship (11%-55%), with smaller contributions from behavioural (0%-21%) and psychosocial (0%-26%) factors. Social disparities in oral health are common among Irish adolescents with gender-specific patterns. Material factors were the primary pathway explaining these inequalities, though the strength and nature of these relationships vary by oral health outcome and gender.

Improper tooth brushing behavior remains a major contributor to oral health problems among adolescents. Correct Tooth Brushing Practice (TBP) is essential for preventing plaque accumulation and dental caries. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of application-based Motivational Interviewing (MI) in improving adolescents' toothbrushing practices. A quasi-experimental study with a pretest–posttest control group design was conducted among 100 high school students. Participants were divided into an intervention group (n = 50) that received application-based MI counseling for three months and a control group (n = 50) that received conventional health education. MI counseling was delivered to adolescents three times over the course of three months. At each stage, tooth brushing behavior was assessed, and the results were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test to evaluate within-group changes. Data were collected through direct observation of tooth brushing behavior using a standardized WHO checklist. Results: In the intervention group, correct toothbrushing practice increased from 24% to 88%, while in the control group, it increased from 48% to 68%. Statistical analysis revealed a significant improvement, with the mean TBP score increasing by 5.18 in the intervention group compared to 1.26 in the control group (p < 0.000). Application-based Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an effective approach for improving adolescents' toothbrushing behavior. This approach is feasible for integration into school-based oral health programs to promote sustainable healthy habits.

Background: Adolescent hypertension is an emerging global issue, with metabolic and inflammatory dysregulation potentially preceding cardiovascular disease. Increasing soft drinks and fast food consumption has been associated with obesity and metabolic imbalance. However, the biological pathways connecting these dietary behaviours to blood pressure remain weakly understood in Indonesian adolescents. Objectives: To investigate mediating effects of body mass index, uric acid, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio on relationship between soft-drink and fast-food consumption and systolic blood pressure among Indonesian adolescents and young adults. Methods: A nationwide, community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 adolescents aged 10–24 years, representing Indonesia’s major ethnic regions. Dietary intake was assessed using semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Clinical measurements included body mass index, uric acid, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and systolic blood pressure. Bivariate and multivariate analyses followed by mediation and multi-group analyses. Results: The mean systolic blood pressure was 110.84mmHg; soft-drink consumption correlated with uric acid, Body Mass Index, and systolic blood pressure ( p < 0.001). In multiple regression, Body Mass Index (β = 0.36, p < 0.01) and soft drink-fast food consumption interaction (β = 0.27, p < 0.01) independently predicted systolic blood pressure. A significant indirect effect of soft-drink consumption on systolic blood pressure mediated by Body Mass Index, Neutrophil-to- Lymphocyte Ratio, and uric acid (β = 0.02, p < 0.05). Multi-group analysis indicated that effects of fast-food and soft-drink intake on body mass index and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio did not differ significantly across gender or uric acid. Conclusions: Soft-drink consumption indirectly increases systolic blood pressure through metabolic and inflammatory mechanisms. Early nursing-led interventions that promote healthy diets, metabolic screening, and school-based health education are crucial to mitigating subclinical cardiovascular risk.

Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a common oral health problem that negatively affects their quality of life and everyday function. The Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) is a validated tool for measuring Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in preschoolers. Although the Persian version of ECOHIS exists, the relationship between dental caries and OHRQoL has not been sufficiently investigated in Iranian preschool populations. This study aimed to examine the association between ECC and OHRQoL in children aged 2 to 6 years within the PERSIAN birth cohort in Isfahan, Iran. A cross-sectional study was conducted between April and October 2023 on a subset of the PERSIAN birth cohort-Isfahan. A total of 350 children aged 2-6 years were initially recruited, of whom 347 were included in the final analysis. Clinical examinations were performed to record decayed, missing, and filled primary teeth (dmft) and parents completed the ECOHIS questionnaire. Children received oral health education and fluoride varnish. The association between dmft and OHRQoL was analyzed using chi-square tests, independent t-tests, and multivariate logistic regression, with adjustments made for confounding variables. Higher dmft scores were significantly associated with lower OHRQoL in both child and parent sections of the ECOHIS questionnaire (p < .001). According to multivariate logistic regression, each unit increase in dmft was associated with greater odds of low child OHRQoL (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.16-1.31), low parent OHRQoL (OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.23-1.41), and lower parental satisfaction (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.26-1.45). Household income was significantly associated with parent-reported OHRQoL (OR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.12-0.61). Dental caries were associated with lower OHRQoL of preschool children and their families. These findings emphasize the need for early detection, preventive strategies, and targeted oral health education, especially among low-income households. However, the results should be interpreted with caution due to the limited sample size, particularly within the moderate-income subgroup. Enhancement of public health initiatives and considering oral health in early childhood care programs may help reduce the burden of ECC and improve quality of life in this vulnerable population.

PurposeThis study assessed compliance with oral nutritional supplements (ONS) among hospitalized patients with cancer, using the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) model to identify key determinants of compliance and examine how these factors were associated with patients’ practice.MethodsAn online questionnaire was administered to 132 cancer patients at a tertiary hospital in Taizhou, China. During face-to-face interviews, participants completed a questionnaire included sociodemographic information, an ONS compliance assessment scale, and cancer-related variables. General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), EuroQol Five-Dimensional Scale (EQ-5D), and Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS) were also used to evaluate self-efficacy, social support, and overall quality of life, respectively. Independent sample t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation analyses, and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to assess ONS compliance and identify factors associated with patients’ KAP.ResultsThe study ultimately included 127 hospitalized cancer patients. The average scores for the KAP dimensions were 38.61 ± 7.21 (knowledge), 25.36 ± 3.48 (attitudes), and 38.39 ± 6.22 (practices). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that educational level, social support, patient satisfaction, attitudes towards ONS, and family financial burden were associated with knowledge. In addition, self-efficacy, knowledge, and family accompaniment during hospitalization were associated with positive attitudes. Adverse effects (β = 2.85, P = 0.03), knowledge (β = 0.24, P = 0.01), and social support (β = 0.11, P = 0.01) were significantly associated with practices.ConclusionThis study revealed that compliance with ONS in hospitalized cancer patients was associated with social support, adverse effects, and knowledge. Nursing staff should tailor assessments to patients’ and families’ specific needs, offering personalized health education plans that align with patients’ educational levels, enhance nutritional knowledge, strengthen social support, and improve self-efficacy and nutritional management.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00520-025-10156-x.

BackgroundLong COVID affects millions worldwide, straining health systems and workforce stability. This first nationwide survey among French civil servants combines epidemiological assessment with a Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors approach. Long COVID remains a diagnostic and epidemiological challenge with evolving symptoms and uncertain categorization, particularly among self-suspected cases. Beyond prevalence and risk factors, understanding behavioral dimensions is essential to developing prevention strategies and maintaining workforce resilience.ObjectiveThis study aimed to (1) assess the prevalence of long COVID among French civil servants; (2) identify associated sociodemographic, occupational, and health-related factors; (3) assess disease-related knowledge of long COVID and (4) examine attitudes and behaviors regarding COVID-19 vaccination.MethodsThis cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2024 among active or retired civil servants in France. A Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors–validated questionnaire, based on World Health Organization guidelines, was used. Responses were compared across 4 COVID-19 status groups (no COVID, COVID-19 without long COVID, diagnosed long COVID, and suspected long COVID). Statistical analyses included univariate tests and multivariable logistic regressions to identify factors associated with diagnosed or suspected long COVID.ResultsAmong 3962 eligible respondents, 61 (1.54%; 95% CI 1.20‐1.97) reported a formal diagnosis of long COVID and 241 (6.08%; 95% CI 5.38‐6.87) without diagnosis. Diagnosed long COVID was significantly associated with long-term sick leave (odds ratio [OR] 1.15, 95% CI 1.03‐6.28; P=.04) and long-term illness coverage (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.27‐0.92; P=.03). Suspected long COVID was associated with being in a relationship (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.08‐2.52; P=.02), widowed (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.18‐4.31; P=.01), and uncertain (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.32‐2.74; P<.001) or incomplete COVID-19 vaccination status (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.16‐2.42; P=.01). Knowledge scores differed significantly across groups (ANOVA F3,3476=24.31, P<.001; χ²6=54.92, P<.001), with diagnosed cases showing the highest proportion of high knowledge (13/61, 21%) compared to 12.4% in the non-COVID group. Among 61 diagnosed cases, 36 (59%; 95% CI 46.4‐70.5) were vaccinated, 13 (21%; 95% CI 12.9‐33.2) intended to get vaccinated, and 12 (20%; 95% CI 11.6‐31.3) remained unvaccinated; among suspected cases, these proportions were 173 (71.8%; 95% CI 65.9‐77.1), 30 (12.4%; 95% CI 8.8‐17.3), and 38 (15.8%; 95% CI 11.6‐21.0), respectively.ConclusionsUnlike previous studies that examined the clinical or behavioral factors separately, this nationwide analysis linked epidemiological data with knowledge and vaccination behaviors. Among French civil servants, long COVID remains underdiagnosed, where absenteeism and sick leave threaten essential services. The study highlights disparities in disease-related knowledge, vaccination attitudes, and behaviors, underlining the importance of workplace health education and systematic screening. Vaccination is associated with lower odds of long COVID, reinforcing its preventive value. Thus, findings reveal organizational implications and support workplace-based prevention strategies integrating vaccination promotion, early detection, and health literacy to sustain the resilience of public services.

This case report describes the health intervention conducted in the riverside communities of Santo Antônio and Passa Bem, in the municipality of Arari-MA, aimed at promoting health and reducing regional inequalities. These communities face socioeconomic vulnerabilities, limited access to potable water, and inadequate sanitation, which directly affect population health. The intervention was carried out by a multidisciplinary team and included clinical and dental care, as well as educational activities on hygiene, sanitation, and healthy lifestyle practices. Common health conditions identified included dental caries, periodontal diseases, hypertension, diabetes, and intestinal parasitoses. Community engagement and the adaptation of actions to the local reality were essential for the effectiveness of the strategies. This report highlights the importance of Primary Health Care and contextualized health education as tools to promote equity, improve quality of life, and reduce health disparities in riverside communities.

Traditional approaches to dental public health education across Europe remain dominated by lecture-based learning which often fail to cultivate critical reflection on inequities, privilege, and the broader social determinants of oral health. Social accountability has been recognized as core competency for dental graduates, requiring dental professionals to align professional practice with the health needs of communities. Community-engaged education is a promising pedagogical model that situates learning within real-world contexts, fosters empathy, cultural competence, and advocacy skills, and strengthens professional identity formation. This paper discusses the Peninsula Dental School's innovative model, which integrates community engagement, reflective practice, and interprofessional education within a spiral curriculum. Through the Interprofessional Engagement (IPE) module, students collaborate with local community organisations to co-design health improvement projects, critically reflect on their experiences, and gain deeper insight into oral health inequities. Embedding community engagement and social accountability across European dental curricula is both timely and necessary to equip future practitioners to address oral health inequities, meet evolving societal needs, and contribute to a more just healthcare system.

Monitoring the progression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is crucial for evidence-based decision-making in prevention and control strategies. This study aimed to delineate the global, regional, and national burden of these infections from 1990 to 2021 and forecast trends to 2030. We retrieved data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study 2021, including incidence and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) of HIV and other STIs from 1990 to 2021. Trends were quantified using estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) in age-standardized incidence and DALY rates. The Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) model was used to forecast the future burden from 2022 to 2030. In 2021, global epidemiological surveillance documented 1,645,333 incident cases of HIV and 722,752,642 incident cases of other STIs. Concurrently, the burden of disease analysis revealed 40,266,792 DALYs attributable to HIV and 7,953,311 DALYs linked to STIs worldwide. The global age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of HIV declined from 36.7 (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 33.0-40.6) per 100,000 population in 1990 to 20.7 (95% UI: 17.7-24.4) in 2021 per 100,000 papulation, with an EAPC of -2.58% (95% confidence interval [CI]: -2.95% to -2.20%). In contrast, the ASIR of other STIs remained relatively stable, changing from 8692.6 (95% UI: 6256.5-11,811.2) per 100,000 in 1990 to 8871.7 (95% UI: 6388.4-12,055.1) per 100,000 in 2021, with an EAPC of -0.02% (95% CI: -0.07% to 0.03%). The BAPC model predicts a decline in the ASIR of HIV to 12.9 (95% UI: 4.3-21.5) per 100,000 by 2030, whereas the ASIR of other STIs is expected to increase to 9150.0 (95% UI: 7913.6-10,386.3) per 100,000. Regionally, Sub-Saharan Africa is projected to have the highest ASIRs of HIV and other STIs in 2030, with estimates of 38.4 (95% UI: 11.7-65.2) and 13,865.8 (95% UI: 11,915.6-15,816.0) per 100,000 population, respectively. Despite declining HIV ASIRs, DALY burdens remain high, with significant regional disparities. HIV and other STIs continue to pose major public health challenges, necessitating targeted interventions, early sexual health education, enhanced screening, and cost-effective policies informed by GBD 2021 data.

This Community Service Program (PKM) aims to enhance youth awareness and empowerment in preventing stunting, child marriage, and promoting reproductive health education in East Lombok Regency. The program was implemented by the East Lombok GenRe Forum under the supervision of the Office of Women Empowerment, Child Protection, and Family Planning (DP3AKB) and the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) from 2022 to 2024. A combination of methods was applied, including socialization, workshops, mentoring, the development of Youth Information and Counseling Centers (PIK-R), and mass campaigns involving adolescents across multiple districts. The initiative reached over 25,000 adolescents through the “INI GENTING” (Implementasi Nyata Cegah Stunting – Real Implementation to Prevent Stunting) program and resulted in the formation of 504 Village GenRe Ambassadors as local change agents. According to data from DP3AKB and RRI East Lombok, child marriage cases decreased by nearly 50% during the program period, indicating significant behavioral and awareness shifts among the youth. Furthermore, this initiative strengthened adolescents’ reproductive health literacy, increased understanding of balanced nutrition, and built collective awareness of their role in preventing stunting. The program’s success stems from strong collaboration among the GenRe Forum, local government, educational institutions, and community networks. Thus, this initiative serves not only as an educational platform but also as a sustainable model of community-based youth empowerment that can be replicated at regional and national levels.

BackgroundAlzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia worldwide, with rising prevalence, high costs, and significant impact in Ecuador. Awareness and validated tools like the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS) are crucial to improve training and early care.ObjectiveTo evaluate the reliability and factorial structure of the ADKS in Ecuadorian university students enrolled in health science programs.MethodsA total of 1089 students completed the ADKS. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega coefficients. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted using a Diagonally Weighted Least Squares (DWLS) estimator to evaluate the scale's structure.ResultsThe ADKS demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (α = 0.767, ω = 0.770). CFA supported the original one-factor model with strong fit indices (RMSEA = 0.047, SRMR = 0.012, CFI = 0.987, TLI = 0.973, RNI = 0.987, NFI = 0.986, RFI = 0.972, IFI = 0.987). These results confirm the scale's internal validity in this population.ConclusionsThe ADKS is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing knowledge of Alzheimer's disease among Ecuadorian university students. Its use is recommended for both clinical training and public health education strategies focused on dementia awareness.

Therapeutic relationships with persons with mental health challenges are central to healthcare professionals' work in mental healthcare. In the context of mental healthcare, healthcare professionals often work with persons who have challenges related to their emotional lives, which may be particularly challenging in relational work. This places high demands on the relational competence of healthcare professionals. An overview of pedagogical strategies to promote relational competence in mental health education of healthcare professionals is lacking and more knowledge is needed in this field. The aim of this study was to examine the body of knowledge on how the development of relational competence can be promoted and hampered in mental health education of healthcare professionals, as well as to identify knowledge gaps in this field. A scoping review was conducted with systematic searches in Medline, PsychInfo, Cinahl, Eric, Embase, and British Nursing Index, as well as hand searches in the reference lists of the included studies. Forty scientific studies were included in this review in which qualitative methods (n = 18), quantitative methods (n = 16), and mixed methods (n = 6) were employed. The results show interventions that promote and hamper the development of relational competence in the mental health education of healthcare professionals. Learning interventions were organised into two themes. The first, individual active participation, describes promoting interventions and includes the sub-themes mapping training needs, learning through reflection, learning through active engagement in the classroom, learning in real-life situations, and learning through knowledge of lived experience. The second theme, receiving knowledge passively, describes hampering factors, which includes the sub-theme of learning through an explanatory theoretical approach. Learning interventions focusing on students' individual active participation seem to promote the development of relational competence. Receiving knowledge passively is found to hinder the development of relational competence.

The rapid proliferation of social media has reshaped how young adults access and engage with health information. This study investigates the relationship between social media usage, sexual health literacy, and healthy lifestyle skills among university students. The aim is to explore whether social media serves as a facilitator or barrier to health-promoting behaviors in this population. A cross-sectional, descriptive design was employed. The study population included 4,500 students from faculties of health sciences and social sciences at a Turkish university. Using the known population sampling formula, the minimum sample was calculated as 350; however, 598 university students voluntarily participated. Data were collected via an online questionnaire comprising a socio-demographic form, the Social Media Usage Scale, the Sexual Health Literacy Scale, and the Healthy Lifestyle Skills Scale. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 24.0. Normality was tested using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Parametric tests (t-test, ANOVA) and Pearson correlation analysis were used. Reliability of instruments was assessed using Cronbach's Alpha. Participants reported good levels of sexual health literacy (mean score: 51.26 ± 9.03) and moderate levels of healthy lifestyle skills (63.13 ± 11.62). A significant positive correlation was found between sexual health literacy and both social media usage and healthy lifestyle skills (p < 0.01). Participants with prior education in sexual health or media literacy scored significantly higher in both outcome measures. Demographic factors such as gender, income, and urban residence were also associated with healthier lifestyle behaviors. The findings indicate that responsible social media use may contribute positively to young adults' sexual health literacy and health-promoting behaviors. These results highlight the importance of integrating media literacy and sexual health education into public health policies and university curricula. Developing targeted, evidence-based digital interventions could empower youth to navigate health information critically and foster long-term improvements in individual and public health outcomes. Not applicable.

Morocco faces persistent shortages and unequal distribution of health workers, limiting progress toward universal health coverage and global targets. This study analyzed official data to describe Morocco's health workforce and training pipeline, compare them with international benchmarks, and identify priority gaps for policy. A READ-based document analysis was applied to national strategies, statistical yearbooks, and planning reports from the Ministries of Health and Higher Education, with structured selection, extraction, and validation to ensure systematic synthesis. In 2023, Morocco had 0.80 physicians and 1.03 nurses or midwives per 1000 population, below reference values of 1.72 and 4.5. Between 2000 and 2023, physician density nearly doubled, and nursing density rose substantially. Training capacity expanded, with enrollment increases of 171% in paramedical programs and 96% in medicine and pharmacy. Growth remains uneven, with physician concentration in urban areas, shortages in remote regions and retention challenges. Beyond expanding training, stronger governance, equitable deployment, and financing are needed to translate supply gains into equitable services. This study provides the first national synthesis using a READ-based approach and establishes a reproducible baseline to guide forecasting, fair distribution, real-time registry development, and governance reforms.

Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality among women in Ethiopia. Increasing awareness, improving access to screening, and promoting timely preventive interventions are critical to reducing the disease burden and increases life saving among women.

Objectives This study focuses on diarrheal disease in Leba4non, where it remains a significant contributor to childhood morbidity and mortality. Understanding the population’s knowledge and practices regarding diarrhea is crucial for designing effective public health interventions. This study assessed knowledge and practices regarding diarrheal illness in Lebanon, aiming to identify gaps and guide future interventions. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted from July to October 2024 using snowball sampling among 455 Lebanese residents aged 18 years and above. Data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire, adapted from validated tools, translated into Arabic, and pilot-tested. The survey covered sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge and practices related to diarrhea. Cronbach’s alpha values for knowledge and practice scales were 0.91 and 0.66, respectively. Results Participants had a mean age of 35.3 years, and 56.5% were female. Most (71.9%) had never received information about diarrheal illness. Higher knowledge was observed among medical professionals and university graduates, while lower knowledge was associated with overcrowded households and having more children under five. Better practices were observed among women and those who were previously informed about diarrhea. Conclusion The findings of this study revealed that while some participants demonstrated awareness regarding diarrheal illness, with over two-third reporting having no prior information about the disease. These results highlight important knowledge gaps within the Lebanese population that warrant attention. To address these gaps, targeted health education initiatives focusing on diarrhea prevention, management, and care-seeking behaviors are recommended to enhance public awareness and promote better health practices.