Healthcare Awareness Research Articles

Healthcare Awareness Survey

This prospective cross-sectional study employs a survey quantitative research method to delve into the realm of healthcare awareness among students currently enrolled at GD Goenka University, located in Gurgaon. Through meticulous application of simple random sampling, a sample size ranging between 50 to 70 students is carefully selected, ensuring each individual within the population has an equal opportunity of inclusion, thereby providing a representative snapshot of the student community’s health care preferences.

Knowledge, Attitudes, Confidence, and comfort of Nurses and Nursing Students Caring for Military Veterans and Their Families

BackgroundNational initiatives such as ‘Joining Forces’ and the ‘Have you ever served in the military?’ campaign increased awareness of the needs of the military and veteran population. Yet, empirical evidence suggests that nurses and other healthcare providers continue to report insufficient cultural competency, as well as knowledge and awareness of unique healthcare needs to provide optimal care to this population. PurposesThe study purposes were to explore nurses' and nursing students' knowledge, attitudes, confidence, and comfort levels to care for veterans and their family, identify potential factors associated with these outcome measures, and examine the relationships between knowledge, attitudes, confidence, and comfort. MethodA quantitative, cross-sectional study design guided an online survey of 153 respondents. The military and veteran family cultural competency model provided a theoretical foundation. FindingsOverall, the confidence in skills and abilities, and comfort levels on addressing military culture, providing care, and discussing health issues increases as participants' gain knowledge and awareness of the military. Having an immediate family member(s) who served in the military was a significant factor related to confidence. ImplicationsNursing students and nurses in practice need education aimed at addressing the veteran care competencies, specifically military/veteran culture.

Disease Burden, Risk Factors, and Temporal Trends in Breast Cancer in Low‐ and Middle‐Income Countries: A Global Study

ABSTRACTIntroductionBreast cancer poses significant health risks to women and strains healthcare systems extensively. In low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs), limited resources and inadequate healthcare infrastructures further exacerbate the challenges of breast cancer prevention, treatment, and awareness.MethodsWe examined the prevalence, risk factors, and trends of breast cancer in LMICs. Data on disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs) and breast cancer risk factors were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) databases for 203 countries or territories from 1990 to 2019. LMIC DALY rates were examined using joinpoint regression analysis.ResultsAmong the income groups, the lower middle‐income category had the highest DALYs value, with 1787 years per 100,000 people. LMICs collectively accounted for 74% of the global burden of DALYs lost due to breast cancer in 2019. However, it remained relatively consistent in lower middle income countries (LMCs). In LMCs, the risk associated with metabolic syndromes was higher compared to that with behavioral factors alone. For the past three decades, breast cancer incidences increased significantly in LMCs (average annual percent change [AAPC]: 1.212, confidence intervals [CI]: 1.51–1.87, p < 0.001), upper middle income countries (AAPC: 1.701, CI: 1.12–1.48, p < 0.001), and low‐income countries (AAPC: 1.002, CI: 1.57–1.68, p < 0.001).ConclusionThis research shows how breast cancer in LMICs is aggravated by low resources and healthcare infrastructure. To effectively combat breast cancer in these areas, future strategies must prioritize improvements in healthcare infrastructure, awareness campaigns, and early detection mechanisms.

Mothers’ choice of health management services for under-five children with common illnesses: evaluating social workers’ impact in Nigerian health sector

ABSTRACT Introduction Every child deserves the right to life. In Nigeria like other African countries, a high burden of child mortality prevails. Attaining a low-mortality rate of children entails that mothers who are the primary caregivers are in the best position to provide quality healthcare management. Method With the phenomenological approach in qualitative research, the researchers sourced data using Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and In-Depth Interviews (IDI) from 38 mothers of various categories. The participants were purposively selected from four government and mission health institutions in a semi-urban Nsukka town, Enugu State. Data were analyzed thematically. Findings Results revealed that mothers utilize health institutions including government, mission, private, pharmacies and patent medicine vendors when seeking healthcare for their children. Their inability to recognize potential life-threatening conditions is the leading factor in increasing child mortality. Findings show that because participants were concerned about financial challenges; they were ready to adopt traditional medicine as an alternative to modern medicine. The study showed evidence of unsafe strategies mothers adopt for the health management of their under-five children with common illnesses. Participants indicated little knowledge of social workers’ engagement in health institutions. Conclusion Healthy living is essential in the protection from illnesses. Since under-five children are vulnerable to illnesses, their mothers should provide them with quality healthcare management. The study recommends that social workers’ engagement with health providers and users in semi-urban societies could help propagate healthcare awareness and strategies in mothers’ choice of health management for under-five children in Nigeria. Overall, adequate health policy consideration should be given to all under-five children in Nigeria.

The Interplay Between Problematic Internet Use, Anxiety, Depression and Functional Impairment in Front-Line Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

We aimed to assess the interplay between functional impairment and anxiety, depression, and problematic Internet use levels in front-line healthcare workers who work in inpatient clinics of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Internet Addiction Test (IAT), and Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) were administered to assess the depression, anxiety, problematic Internet use, and functional impairment levels of the participants. Two hundred thirteen participants were enrolled in the present study. Medical doctors showed significantly higher scores of IAT than the nurses and other medical staff (Kruskal-Wallis=6.519, p=0.038). Levels of SDS total are significantly correlated with scores of IAT (r=0.257, p<0.001), BDI (r=0.383, p<0.001), and BAI (r=0.308, p<0.001). All subdomain scores of SDS (social, family, work) and total scores of SDS were significantly and positively correlated with BAI, BDI, and IAT scores (p<0.05). In the separation mediation analysis, problematic Internet use partially mediated the relationship between anxiety-depression and global functional impairment. Health politicians should produce policies to develop strategies for coping with consequences of anxiety and depression in healthcare professionals during any health crisis. In addition, we should raise healthcare professionals' awareness that problematic Internet use is not suitable for dealing with anxiety and depression and may even lead to increase of functional loss.

Functional Characterisation of Surfactant Protein A as a Novel Prophylactic Means against Oncogenic HPV Infections.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection poses a significant health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), where limited healthcare access and awareness hinder vaccine accessibility. To identify alternative HPV targeting interventions, we previously reported on surfactant protein A (SP-A) as a novel molecule capable of recognising HPV16 pseudovirions (HPV16-PsVs) and reducing infection in a murine cervicovaginal HPV challenge model. Building on these findings, our current study aimed to assess SP-A's suitability as a broad-spectrum HPV-targeting molecule and its impact on innate immune responses. We demonstrate SP-A's ability to agglutinate and opsonise multiple oncogenic HPV-PsVs types, enhancing their uptake and clearance by RAW264.7 murine macrophages and THP-1 human-derived immune cells. The SP-A opsonisation of HPV not only led to increased lysosomal accumulation in macrophages and HaCaT keratinocytes but also resulted in a decreased infection of HaCaT cells, which was further decreased when co-cultured with innate immune cells. An analysis of human innate immune cell cytokine profiles revealed a significant inflammatory response upon SP-A exposure, potentially contributing to the overall inhibition of HPV infection. These results highlight the multi-layered impact of SP-A on HPV, innate immune cells and keratinocytes and lay the basis for the development of alternative prophylactic interventions against diverse HPV types.

Assessment of knowledge and awareness of stroke among the Syrian population: unveiling the current landscape in Syria through the first nationally representative study

Stroke is a global public health concern, contributing to high rates of morbidity and mortality. In Syria, the current conflict and associated challenges have had a profound impact on healthcare infrastructure, including education and awareness programs related to stroke. An essential aspect of preventing stroke is the awareness of individuals. The study aimed to investigate factors associated with knowledge and awareness of stroke among Syrian people. A cross-sectional national representative study was conducted in Syria. The questionnaire was created on Google form and disseminated as a link through online platform social media like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter. The population of the study was divided using proportionate random sampling into the 14 governorates. A random sample was selected from each area. The STROBE reporting guideline for cross-sectional studies was followed. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with poor knowledge of stroke. A total of 1013 Syrian adults participated in the study. With more than half of them were females (53.5%) and employed (55.6%). Significant associations were found between ability to identify at least one correct risk factor and employability status (p = 0.029), single group (p = 0.036) and smokers (p < 0.001). In addition, significant associations were found between identifying at least one correct stroke symptom and smokers (p < 0.001) and no-obese people (p = 0.048). Furthermore, younger age group (below 30 years) were significantly able to list at least one correct stroke consequence compared to the older age groups (p = 0.025). Moreover, a significantly higher number of smokers compared to non-smokers correctly identified at least one stroke consequence (p = 0.019). The study revealed that there is a relatively weak understanding of the preventable nature of stroke among Syrian population. The overall awareness is still inadequate and varies depending on lifestyle factors and employment status.

Laboratory Preparation for Digital Medicine in Healthcare 4.0: An Investigation Into the Awareness and Applications of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence.

Healthcare 4.0. refers to the integration of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analysis, into the healthcare sector. Recognizing the impact of Healthcare 4.0 technologies in laboratory medicine (LM), we seek to assess the overall awareness and implementation of Healthcare 4.0 among members of the Korean Society for Laboratory Medicine (KSLM). A web-based survey was conducted using an anonymous questionnaire. The survey comprised 36 questions covering demographic information (seven questions), big data (10 questions), and AI (19 questions). In total, 182 (17.9%) of 1,017 KSLM members participated in the survey. Thirty-two percent of respondents considered AI to be the most important technology in LM in the era of Healthcare 4.0, closely followed by 31% who favored big data. Approximately 80% of respondents were familiar with big data but had not conducted research using it, and 71% were willing to participate in future big data research conducted by the KSLM. Respondents viewed AI as the most valuable tool in molecular genetics within various divisions. More than half of the respondents were open to the notion of using AI as assistance rather than a complete replacement for their roles. This survey highlighted KSLM members' awareness of the potential applications and implications of big data and AI. We emphasize the complexity of AI integration in healthcare, citing technical and ethical challenges leading to diverse opinions on its impact on employment and training. This highlights the need for a holistic approach to adopting new technologies.

Knowledge on Uterine Prolapse among the Married Women in Banepa Municipality, Kavrepalanchowk

Background Uterine prolapse is a prevalent issue among women, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Nepal, significantly impacting their quality of life. Despite its impact, there is a lack of comprehensive knowledge and awareness about this condition among the affected population, leading to delayed interventions and suboptimal healthcare-seeking behaviors. This study aimed to assess the knowledge about uterine prolapse among married women of reproductive age group in Banepa, Kavrepalanchowk.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Banepa Municipality, Nepal, from July to September 2019 after obtaining ethical approval from the Chitwan Medical College Institutional Review Committee. Face-to-face interviews with a total of 251 married women of the reproductive age group were done using a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and multivariate logistic regression models were performed.ResultsThe study revealed that among all the respondents 86.3% had heard about uterine prolapse, with 42.5% demonstrating satisfactory knowledge. Religious affiliation, education, average monthly income of the family and prime source of knowledge on uterine prolapse were found to be significantly associated in bivariate logistic regression while taking them to the multivariate analysis education status (AOR=6.342, p=0.010) and religious affiliation (AOR=6.138, p=0.003) were found significantly influencing the knowledge level.Conclusions The study revealed significant knowledge gaps on uterine prolapse among married women in Banepa Municipality, Nepal, highlighting the imperative for targeted educational interventions. Socioeconomic factors and healthcare access influence awareness, emphasizing the need for culturally sensitive initiatives.

Anti-Hypertension Drugs Classes of Prevention and Side Effects Diseases Efficiency Analysis in Association Rule Mining Techniques

Purpose: The Healthcare department, pharmaceutical department, Hospital and Clinical sector find out and explore the diseases of status, where it has been spreaded the communicable and non-communicable diseases among the society. The healthcare department conducting different awareness of programming about the different diseases how is affected people and how is prevented the diseases in society. Accordingly, all the healthcare awareness of information passed through the different media channel, even though high and low blood pressure is pressing public health challenges and it is recognized as the biggest contributor to the global burden of diseases. Presently people health is silently affected by blood pressure low and high level and they unable to recognize that something is amiss, high blood pressure is known as the "silent killer” and If blood pressure is excessively elevated, it may have an impact on organ damage or health issues like coronary arteries, heart valve dysfunction, diabetes, kidney diseases, heart attack and stroke this all are risk factors of blood pressure abnormal status. Hypertension diseases affected the patients need to the best prevention and feature safety. The Doctors, Pharmacist and Nurse are using Anti - hypertension drugs classes of medicines for patients. Which anti-hypertension drug classes of medicine good efficacy for patients and anti-hypertension drugs classes of medicine prevention diseases, side effects diseases knowledge is important for healthcare professional. Machine learning and Data mining knowledge discovery techniques need to understand how different classes of anti-hypertensive drugs might interact with the patient’s and medications. If the healthcare professional has access to a predictive data mining technique model, they could use this to anticipate how the patient’s condition might change over time and adjust the treatment plan proactively. This kind of analytical data mining knowledge can lead to more effective treatment and better patient outcomes. Design/Methodology/Approach: Developing machine learning concept for different anti-hypertension drugs classes of medicine efficiency analysis in hypertension prevention diseases and side effects diseases and Healthcare professional to take right decision for future adjusts treatment plan to the hypertension affected patients. Findings/Result: Orange data mining analytical tool to identify the anti-hypertension drugs classes of medicines efficacy and Doctors can take right decision to better treatment for the patients. Originality/Value: Data mining association rules of support, confidence and lift correlation analysis system helps to identified about the drug of new knowledge efficiency. Paper Type: Analytical research methods applied for analysis the different types of anti-hypertension drugs classes of association correlation efficacy in data mining machine learning system.

A Systematic Review of Healthcare Providers Awareness of Medication Switching for Polypharmacy Patients in Saudi Arabia

Background: Polypharmacy, the concurrent use of multiple medications by an individual, presents challenges in medication management, patient safety, and healthcare outcomes, particularly among older adults. In Saudi Arabia, the prevalence of polypharmacy is increasing due to the aging population and the burden of chronic diseases. Understanding healthcare providers' awareness and practices regarding medication switching is crucial for optimizing medication use and improving patient outcomes. Study Aim: This systematic review aims to synthesize and analyze existing literature on healthcare providers' awareness of medication switching for polypharmacy patients in Saudi Arabia. The study focuses on pharmacists and physicians, exploring their knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to medication management, deprescribing, pharmacovigilance, and Medication Therapy Management (MTM) services. Methodology: A systematic search was conducted across major databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, using predefined search terms related to polypharmacy, medication switching, healthcare providers' awareness, and Saudi Arabia. Eligible studies were selected based on inclusion criteria, including study design, setting, participants, and relevance to the study aim. Data extraction and synthesis were performed to analyze key findings and themes related to healthcare providers' awareness of medication switching. Results: Six eligible studies were included in the systematic review, encompassing survey-based investigations, cross-sectional studies, and qualitative studies conducted in various healthcare settings across Saudi Arabia. The findings revealed gaps in pharmacists' and physicians' knowledge regarding Potentially Inappropriate Medications (PIMs), Drug-Drug Interactions (DDIs), pharmacovigilance practices, and deprescribing strategies. Recommendations for improving pharmacists' education, enhancing pharmacovigilance practices, and promoting collaborative care models were highlighted. Conclusion: Healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia demonstrate varying levels of awareness and practices regarding medication switching for polypharmacy patients. There is a need for targeted educational interventions, standardized pharmacovigilance practices, and collaborative efforts among healthcare providers to optimize medication use, reduce polypharmacy-related risks, and improve patient outcomes.

Recent advances in gene-editing approaches for tackling antibiotic resistance threats: a review.

Antibiotic resistance, a known global health challenge, involves the flow of bacteria and their genes among animals, humans, and their surrounding environment. It occurs when bacteria evolve and become less responsive to the drugs designated to kill them, making infections harder to treat. Despite several obstacles preventing the spread of genes and bacteria, pathogens regularly acquire novel resistance factors from other species, which reduces their ability to prevent and treat such bacterial infections. This issue requires coordinated efforts in healthcare, research, and public awareness to address its impact on human health worldwide. This review outlines how recent advances in gene editing technology, especially CRISPR/Cas9, unveil a breakthrough in combating antibiotic resistance. Our focus will remain on the relationship between CRISPR/cas9 and its impact on antibiotic resistance and its related infections. Moreover, the prospects of this new advanced research and the challenges of adopting these technologies against infections will be outlined by exploring its different derivatives and discussing their advantages and limitations over others, thereby providing a corresponding reference for the control and prevention of the spread of antibiotic resistance.

Utilization of 12 health packages extended under Ayushman Arogya Mandir in block Marh, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir

BackgroundThe establishment of the Ayushman Arogya Mandir marks a fundamental change in India's approach to healthcare. The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness and shortcomings of health packages extended through the Ayushman Arogya Mandir in Block Marh, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir identifying areas for improvement, and addressing barriers to optimal utilization. MethodsThis cross-sectional study was done among 10 centres in the Marh block of Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir to achieve the desired objectives using structured and self-administered questionnaires. A convenience sampling of 105 participants, including 55 healthcare professionals and 50 community members, was adopted using time-bound enumeration. Checklists were also included to assess healthcare services, ensuring a thorough understanding of how healthcare packages are administered and implemented. Confidentiality was prioritized and ethical considerations guided the data collection process, allowing for a comprehensive examination of healthcare utilization patterns in the target region. ResultsThe results revealed that reproductive and family planning services, as well as neonatal/infant healthcare, have high utilization rates (95 % and 78 %, respectively), highlighting their significance, whereas lower rates in elderly/palliative care, psychiatric/neurological/substance use disorder care, and eye/ENT treatments indicate potential areas for improvement in healthcare awareness, access, and service provision barriers. ConclusionThe Ayushman Arogya Mandir in Block Marh, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir are heavily leaning towards maternal and child health initiatives while other services are underutilised, highlighting the need for targeted awareness of the availability and accessibility to these services.

A longevity level-oriented wellness target area identification method: a case study of Yunnan Province, China.

Aging, as a global demographic issue, is characterized by its rapid growth, which drives an increase in people's healthcare awareness. The emergence of wellness bases caters to this market demand. Therefore, the identification of potential areas suitable for wellness activities and the construction of wellness bases, referred to as Wellness Target Areas (WTAs), becomes a crucial first step. Currently, commonly used identification methods are mostly based on traditional statistical approaches, which are often complex, cumbersome, and subject to potential risks of subjective assumptions, affecting the reliability of WTAs identification results. Longevity level serves as a comprehensive indicator reflecting the natural and socio-economic environment of a region, making it the most indicative of the regional wellness environment status. This study proposes using longevity level as the benchmark for WTAs identification to simplify the identification process and reduce the impact of subjective bias on the results. The study focuses on 129 county-level units in Yunnan Province. Firstly, the Geodetector (GD) is utilized to explore the complex interaction between the longevity level and the geographical environment to determine regional wellness factors. Secondly, using ArcGIS and geographical weighted regression (GWR), the study investigates the role of different wellness factors, ultimately classifying and grading the WTAs. The longevity level in Yunnan Province exhibits a pattern of multi-point clustering, forming three major longevity regions. Factors that significantly influence longevity level include annual average precipitation, sunshine duration, PM2.5 content, per capita disposable income, density of tourist attractions, and distance from residential areas to hospitals. Based on the degree of longevity and the contribution rate of influencing factors, Yunnan Province's WTAs are classified into three levels and two types (natural and comprehensive). Our study aims to establish a connection between longevity level and the selection of wellness bases, exploring regional wellness factors through the relationship between longevity phenomena and geographical environment, identifying potential construction areas for wellness bases (i.e., WTAs), providing new insights for the precise selection of wellness bases, effectively enhancing the scientificity of site selection, promoting population health, and contributing to the global aging process with better health.

Musculoskeletal disorders and visual problems among surgical versus medical physicians: A cross-sectional study.

The healthcare industry is one of the main industries with a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Surgical practice mostly involves repetitive tasks with fine motor control, precise motions, high levels of mental concentration, and close visual focus. This cross-sectional study aimed to define the prevalence and risk factors of MSDs and visual problems among physicians. One hundred surgical physicians and one hundred medical physicians were involved in the study. Both groups underwent assessment of socio-demographic and occupational history, alongside evaluation for musculoskeletal and visual problems. The study revealed a significantly higher prevalence of MSDs, particularly neck and back pain, as well as blurred near vision and eye dryness, among surgical physicians compared to medical physicians. Risk factors for these conditions included long working hours (≥30h/week) in clinics or operating rooms, as well as using endoscopes and microscopes/loupes during surgery. In conclusion, MSDs and visual problems were prevalent among physicians, particularly surgical physicians. Integrating ergonomic principles across all domains of healthcare and promoting healthcare worker awareness through training and intervention programs are crucial steps in addressing these issues.

AN AUTOPSY-BASED STUDY ON THE PATTERNS OF INJURIES OF BURN CASES IN JORHAT DISTRICT, ASSAM

Objective: This autopsy-based study aimed to determine the incidence of burn-related fatalities in Jorhat District, Assam, identify associated factors, investigate injury patterns and severity, explore contributing factors, examine the relationship between injuries and cause of death, differentiate between dermo-epidermal and deep burns, investigate circumstances surrounding burn injuries, and offer recommendations for prevention and forensic investigation improvements. Methods: Data were collected from medico-legal autopsies conducted at the Mortuary of the Department of Forensic Medicine, Jorhat Medical College and Hospital, Jorhat, between May 11, 2020, and May 10, 2021. Demographic information, burn characteristics, autopsy findings, and circumstances of injuries were analyzed. Results: Out of 628 medico-legal autopsies, burn-related deaths comprised 7.32% of cases. Victims with 51–60% total body surface area burns were most common (23.91%). Burns often occurred indoors, notably in kitchens (56.52%) and bedrooms (26.08%), with a majority in closed rooms (54.35%). Synthetic (47.82%) or cotton (41.30%) clothing was prevalent, and kerosene was common in alleged suicidal cases (23.92%). Most victims died within 24 h (43.46%), primarily due to shock (52.17%), and septicemia (45.65%). Dermo-epidermal burns were prevalent (93.47%), and deaths were mainly accidental (65.21%). Histopathological analysis revealed dermis and epidermis separation (82.60%), flattened and elongated epithelial cells (73.91%), congestion (76.09%), leukocyte infiltration (73.91%), capillary dilatation (67.39%), and edema (67.39%). Conclusion: This study provides comprehensive insights into burn injury characteristics, circumstances, and consequences. Recommendations include preventive measures and improvements in forensic investigation practices related to burn injuries, offering valuable implications for health care, forensic medicine, and public awareness initiatives.

Awareness of audiology and speech-language pathology services among healthcare professionals in Saudi Arabia.

Healthcare professionals are required to work effectively together to deliver the best healthcare services. Without awareness of other healthcare professionals' roles and responsibilities, interprofessional practice (IPP) cannot be optimally achieved. This study aimed to investigate healthcare professionals' awareness of audiology and speech-language pathology (SLP) services in Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional descriptive study consisted of two parts. The content of a 20-item paper questionnaire was firstly validated. The full-scale study addressed the aim through distributing questionnaire items among potential participants. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used. A total of 403 participants completed the questionnaires for the main study. Most of the participants were Saudi citizens (84.1%), aged 18 years - 40 years (84.8%) years, and lived in Riyadh region (76.2%). Allied health professionals (40.2%), physicians (22.6%), nursing (15.4%) and dentistry (11.2%) were the main group of participants working mainly at governmental hospitals (69.2%). Of the total participants, 92.6% and 95.3% reported being fully aware of the services provided by audiologists and SLPs, respectively. No statistically significant association between the specialty of participants and their familiarity with the scope of practice for SLPs and audiologists was determined. Our study examined healthcare professionals' awareness of audiology and SLP services and revealed a high level of awareness.Contribution:The existed level of awareness is expected to facilitate IPP and enhance the quality of care. Still, awareness campaigns about audiology and SLP services are needed to address the existing lack of knowledge among some healthcare professionals.

"Nobody does checkups back there": A qualitative study of refugees' healthcare needs in the United States from stakeholders' perspectives.

The number of refugees globally grew to 35.3 million in 2022, and many refugees are exposed to various health risks along their migration journey. As a result, they may arrive in host communities with numerous health issues, including communicable diseases and chronic and mental health conditions. Navigating the healthcare system in a host country proves to be a significant challenge for them, leading to delayed care. This qualitative study explored the convolute healthcare needs of refugees in the United States by soliciting insights from stakeholders involved in refugee resettlement and healthcare. In-depth interviews were conducted with fifteen stakeholders who work closely with refugees, including healthcare providers, cultural/clinical health navigators supporting refugees, staff from refugee resettlement agencies and governmental entities, and researchers studying refugee health. Following informed consent, interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and imported into MAXQDA 2022 (VERBI Software) for thematic analysis. The results revealed key themes, including the heterogeneity of refugee populations, limited awareness of preventive healthcare, high prevalence and suboptimal management of chronic conditions, complexity of the healthcare system, lack of follow-up, and language barriers. Further research is warranted concerning the long-term health of refugee populations in the United States. Additionally, more tailored programs involving peer educators are recommended to support refugee communities in navigating the complex healthcare system in the host country.

Towards hepatitis C virus elimination in Iran: A blueprint for comprehensive strategies.

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) continues to pose a significant public health challenge in Iran, mirroring a worldwide concern. This situation calls for a cohesive strategy that aligns with the World Health Organization's (WHO) goals for HCV elimination by 2030. Central to this strategy is targeting high-risk groups, notably people who inject drugs and prisoners, with prevention, screening and treatment. The deployment of point-of-care testing and treatments in prisons and harm reduction facilities is vital. The adoption of cost-effective generic direct-acting antivirals represents a major step forward. Furthermore, innovative educational initiatives for healthcare providers and awareness campaigns for the public are critical. Additionally, tackling stigma, ensuring treatment affordability and upholding strict surveillance and data management, coupled with ongoing policy reviews, are vital components. This comprehensive and integrated approach is designed to drive Iran towards eliminating HCV and can serve as a blueprint for other countries with similar challenges.

SAFETY MANAGEMENT AT THE WORKPLACE IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HEALTHCARE FACILITIES IN THE CANTON OF SARAJEVO

Introduction: Workplace safety means implementing a modern risk assessment method automatically included in the risk management activity. When a risk is discovered, it is necessary to reduce it or eliminate it completely through preventive measures or interventions. Aim: To examine to what extent healthcare organizations care about their workers, to what extent workers are aware of the risks, whether they have adequate working conditions and whether they respect them. Participants and methods: The study was included 144 healthcare professionals employed in public and private healthcare institutions in the Sarajevo Canton. The sample was selected by the method of random selection. The study is descriptive and comparative. Results: The total sample (N=144) included 140 or 97.2% respondents working in public healthcare institutions, and 4 or 2.8% respondents working in private healthcare institutions. Almost ¾ of respondents are familiar with the implementation of risk assessment in the workplace, and in 25.0% of cases they are familiar with some strategic document on risk management and assessment of risky workplaces. The largest number of respondents, 63.9%, state that they respect the protection measures provided by the employer. None of the respondents gave reasons for non-compliance. Conclusion: Respondents confirmed the existence of workplace risks in public and private healthcare institutions and awareness about them, they are fully or partially aware of the risks and partially practice protection against them. A significant number of employees mention illnesses that are potentially caused by a risky workplace.Keywords:workplace safety, management, healthcare institutions.