Public Health Policy Makers Research Articles

Infertility Prevention and Health Promotion: The Role of Nurses in Public Health Initiatives.

Infertility is a growing public health concern, affecting millions of individuals and couples worldwide. Despite advancements in medical treatments, prevention remains a critical strategy for reducing the burden of infertility. Nurses, as frontline healthcare providers, play a pivotal role in infertility prevention and health promotion, particularly through public health initiatives. This review aims to explore the diverse roles of nurses in infertility prevention and their contributions to public health strategies. A review of existing literature was conducted to examine the epidemiology of infertility, key risk factors, and the preventive measures that can be employed by nursing professionals. Emphasis is placed on the role of nurses in health education, screening, early detection, and community-based interventions, which are essential in reducing infertility rates. In addition, this review identifies barriers that impede effective nurse-led infertility prevention, such as disparities in access to care, cultural sensitivity challenges, and policy constraints. Evidence suggests that nurses are well-positioned to lead public health campaigns, conduct reproductive health counseling, and advocate for policy reforms to improve infertility prevention. The review concludes with recommendations for future research, suggesting enhanced nursing education and training, as well as the need for stronger integration of nurses into public health policy-making. This study underscores the critical role of nurses in promoting reproductive health and preventing infertility, advocating for their inclusion in comprehensive public health strategies aimed at addressing infertility on a global scale.

Experiences and life circumstances of unintentionally pregnant women affected by intimate partner violence-stress factors, resources, healthcare structures and needs: a scoping review protocol.

Open Science Framework: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/ZMVPE.

Mobile Phone Text Message Reminders to Improve Vaccination Uptake: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Mobile phone text message reminders (MPTMRs) have been implemented globally to promote vaccination uptake and recall rates. This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of MPTMRs on vaccination recall rates. We included randomized controlled trials of caregivers of children, adolescents, or adults who received MPTMRs for improving vaccine uptake and recall visits. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, and Scopus to identify relevant studies published up to 24 January 2024. We used Cochrane's Risk of Bias tool to assess the included studies and reported the results as risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals, using a random effects model. We identified 25 studies for inclusion. All studies were assessed as having a low risk of bias. The evidence supports MPTMRs for improving vaccination uptake compared to usual care (RR = 1.09 [95%CI: 1.06, 1.13], I2 = 76%). Intervention characteristics, country setting, country economic status, and vaccination type had no bearing on the effectiveness of the intervention. MPTMRs have a positive effect, albeit relatively small, on vaccination uptake. These findings may assist public health practitioners, policymakers, and vaccine researchers in evidence-based decision making that focuses on MPTMRs and their impact on vaccination coverage.

Assessment of malaria transmission in Kenya using multilevel logistic regression

Background: Kenya has a lower malaria incidence in comparison to other African malaria-endemic nations. Malaria is a significant public health concern in the country. The malaria indicator survey (MIS) data were analyzed using the logistic regression model. Nonetheless, independent data may be the cause of most MIS's hierarchical structure. This approach does not consider any association between data points within a cluster, as it assumes that the individual malaria statuses are independent of their causes. The approach may lead to biased analysis conclusions. The primary goal of this research is to determine the impact of sample enumeration areas (SEAs) and SEA features on individual malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) results. We are interested in identifying key factors influencing household members' malaria RDT findings or Kenya's malaria prevalence and assessing variation. Methods: Our study utilized the robust 2020 Kenya National Malaria Indicator Surveys (KMIS) dataset, which is representative of the entire nation. This dataset, comprising 301 clusters (134 urban and 167 rural areas), was instrumental in applying several multilevel models, including random sample and sample Enumeration Area (SEA) effects. We also considered the weights used in the s survey design, which is used to adjust uneven probabilities of choice within clusters, further enhancing the reliability and relevance of our findings. The methods used in this study involved a rigorous analysis of the KMIS dataset, including applying multilevel models and considering survey design weights to ensure the robustness and strength of our results. ResultsThis study's findings are significant and crucial in understanding the prevalence of malaria in Kenya. The findings reveal that factors such as region, place of residence, mosquito bed net use, water source location, wealth index, age, household size, and altitude are significantly associated with malaria's prevalence.After accounting for these variables, systematic changes across SEAs accounted for approximately 47.1% of the remaining variability in malaria occurrence in the study locations. In contrast, the remaining 52.9% was projected to be unmeasured differences between individuals or family units. These findings provide a detailed explanation of the various processes that influence malaria prevalence in Kenya. Conclusions: The study's multilevel logistic regression model, which includes random effects, identified two SEA-level and eight individual/household risk factors for malaria infection. Thus, increasing the availability of insecticide-treated bed nets is one crucial element that public health policymakers should consider. Furthermore, health planners can organize spatially targeted initiatives to prevent malaria transmission with the help of spatial clustering data.

Exploring intercity travel decision-making in a developing country: Insights from COVID-19 impacts in Iran

This study examines the impact of COVID-19 on intercity travel mode choices in Mazandaran province, Iran, addressing critical gaps in understanding how pandemics affect travel behavior in developing countries. The research focuses on how socio-economic factors, perceived health risks, and travel time influence individuals’ choice of transportation modes during the pandemic. Using a stated preference survey method with 669 participants, the study assessed how concerns about virus transmission and adherence to health protocols shape travel decisions. Discrete choice modeling was employed to predict travel mode shares between public transport and personal vehicles. The findings reveal that COVID-19 risk perception, socio-economic factors, and travel time significantly impact travel behavior. Specifically, heightened perceived risk of infection resulted in a 25% reduction in public transportation use, with individuals increasingly opting for personal vehicles. Additionally, strict adherence to health protocols, such as mask-wearing and vehicle cleaning, improved safety perception, leading to a 40% increase in confidence in public transport. The study also found that socio-economic factors like age, income, and education significantly shaped travel preferences. These insights provide valuable guidance for public health policymakers and transportation authorities to enhance the safety and management of intercity travel during ongoing and future pandemics.

A snapshot of the presence of HIV-related features in MSM social media dating apps in New Zealand

The men who have sex with men (MSM) social media dating apps have emerged as a new channel for HIV prevention and education. However, there is a lack of clarity regarding the availability of specific HIV-related features on these apps, making it uncertain what features related to HIV are offered. This study provided a comprehensive overview of the existing HIV-related features of MSM social media dating apps in New Zealand by screening 39 apps, selected from a total of 1296 search results obtained from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The HIV-related features within these apps were categorized into 10 groups, including safety practices, HIV status, tribe Poz, where to get tested, last tested, test reminder, HIV/Sexual health information center, link to an outside organization, getting support from health practitioners, and search filters for HIV status, safety practice and tribe Poz, totaling 12 features. Results demonstrated that only about one-third of the apps contained HIV-related information but this ratio significantly increased during the last decade, suggesting a trend of normalization in incorporating such information in the apps. The safety practices and HIV status were identified as the two features most frequently incorporated into these apps and the underlying mechanisms were analyzed using the political economy of communication theory and the uses and gratifications theory. Overall, this study contributed to helping the stakeholders such as app developers, public health agencies, health practitioners and policymakers to make evidence-based decisions to incorporate and promote HIV prevention-related initiatives within the digital realm.

Canada's Census of Environment and public health.

The 2021 federal budget committed funding to a co-sponsored Statistics Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada initiative aimed at conducting a 'census' of Canadian environments. The goal of the Census of Environment (CoE) is "to deliver a full picture of the complex relationship between ecosystems and the economy, society, and human well-being", with obvious implications for the ongoing monitoring and surveillance of environmental influence on human health. This commentary reflects on the evolution of the CoE initiative in describing two opportunities for population and public health researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers in engaging with the CoE and its data. First, it describes stated CoE commitments to enhancing access to complex environmental data and the provision of data processing to support novel analyses and data utilization. Second, it highlights the relative importance of disaggregating environmental data across a variety of bio-geographical scales to engender a holistic understanding of the health of multiple elements that comprise living systems, including consideration of environmental health equity and intersectoral action. It ends with a constructive critique of the CoE's framing of 'ecosystem accounting' to support its maturation, and advocates for public health involvement in centring the importance of health in this initiative into the future.

Spatial Epidemiology and Its Role in Prevention and Control of Swine Viral Disease

Spatial epidemiology offers a comprehensive framework for analyzing the spatial distribution and transmission of diseases, leveraging advanced technical tools and software, including Geographic Information Systems (GISs), remote sensing technology, statistical and mathematical software, and spatial analysis tools. Despite its increasing application to swine viral diseases (SVDs), certain challenges arise from its interdisciplinary nature. To support novices, frontline veterinarians, and public health policymakers in navigating its complexities, we provide a comprehensive overview of the common applications of spatial epidemiology in SVD. These applications are classified into four categories based on their objectives: visualizing and elucidating spatiotemporal distribution patterns, identifying risk factors, risk mapping, and tracing the spatiotemporal evolution of pathogens. We further elucidate the technical methods, software, and considerations necessary to accomplish these objectives. Additionally, we address critical issues such as the ecological fallacy and hypothesis generation in geographic correlation analysis. Finally, we explore the future prospects of spatial epidemiology in SVD within the One Health framework, offering a valuable reference for researchers engaged in the spatial analysis of SVD and other epidemics.

Disparities in Syphilis Trends and the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Joinpoint Analysis of Florida Surveillance Data (2013-2022).

Syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium​​​​​​Treponema pallidum, has reemerged at an increasing rate globally in recent years, posing a significant public health concern. Visualizing and analyzing time series trends of syphilis across various demographics and geographic regions, and how syphilis trends varied during the pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), would help public health policymakers develop targeted strategies and interventions to effectively address the rising rates of syphilis, ultimately improving overall public health outcomes. A retrospective study was conducted using surveillance data on infectious syphilis cases reported to the Florida Department of Health, between 2013 and 2022. Age-standardized syphilis rates (ASSRs) per 100,000 persons were calculated using the 2000 U.S. standard population data. The average annual percentage change (AAPC) in the ASSRs was analyzed according to age, gender, race, geographic locations, and the COVID-19 pandemic period to quantify the epidemiological syphilis trends using joinpoint regression models. In Florida, the ASSR significantly increased from 8.65/100,000 in 2013 to 23.08/100,000 in 2022 across different demographic groups, with an overall AAPCof 11.47 (95% confidence interval (CI): 9.85-13.43). This increase in the AAPC was more pronounced in females (AAPC= 20.97; 95% CI, 18.61-24.49) than in males (AAPC = 10.34; 95% CI, 8.19-12.98). The increasing trends of infectious syphilis were observed across all age groups, with greater increases among those aged 25-49 years (AAPC = 12.32; 95% CI, 10.09-15.18), aged 50-69 years (AAPC= 13.42; 95% CI, 9.41-18.89), and aged over 70 years (AAPC= 13.63; 95% CI, 9.23-21.95), compared to those aged less than 24 years (AAPC= 7.86; 95% CI, 7.06-8.81). The increasing trends were comparable across racial groups, with an AAPC of 8.08 (95% CI, 5.47-11.15) for Hispanics, 11.84 (95% CI, 10.02-14.09) for non-Hispanic Whites, 10.49 (95% CI, 8.75-12.66) for non-Hispanic Blacks, and 11.29 (95% CI, 5.28-19.57) for non-Hispanic individuals of other races, respectively. The AAPCfor the COVID-19 pandemic period was 12.99 (95% CI, 8.48-16.21), which was comparable to the pre-pandemic period (AAPC= 11.58; 95% CI, 10.17-12.76), indicating that this upward trend in infectious syphilispersisted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. At the county level, over the 10-year period, the average ASSRs ranged from 0.89/100,000 in 2013 to 25.41/100,000 in 2022, with the estimated AAPCs varied from 2.47 (95% CI, -1.89 to 6.92) in Monroe County to 50.01 (95% CI, 37.71-62.27) in Okaloosa County. The trend of infectious syphilis increases substantially from 2013 to 2022, with notable differences observed among age, gender, and geographic regions in Florida. Females experienced a greater rise in infectious syphilis cases compared to males. This upward trend in infectious syphilispersisted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Efforts are needed to implement strategies to address the rising syphilis rates within high-incidence groups and communities across the state.

Uncovering the Complexity of Perinatal Polysubstance Use Disclosure Patterns on X: Mixed Methods Study.

According to the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, polysubstance use among pregnant women is prevalent, with 38.2% of those who consume alcohol also engaging in the use of one or more additional substances. However, the underlying mechanisms, contexts, and experiences of polysubstance use are unclear. Organic information is abundant on social media such as X (formerly Twitter). Traditional quantitative and qualitative methods, as well as natural language processing techniques, can be jointly used to derive insights into public opinions, sentiments, and clinical and public health policy implications. Based on perinatal polysubstance use (PPU) data that we extracted on X from May 1, 2019, to October 31, 2021, we proposed two primary research questions: (1) What is the overall trend and sentiment of PPU discussions on X? (2) Are there any distinct patterns in the discussion trends of PPU-related tweets? If so, what are the implications for perinatal care and associated public health policies? We used X's application programming interface to extract >6 million raw tweets worldwide containing ≥2 prenatal health- and substance-related keywords provided by our clinical team. After removing all non-English-language tweets, non-US tweets, and US tweets without disclosed geolocations, we obtained 4848 PPU-related US tweets. We then evaluated them using a mixed methods approach. The quantitative analysis applied frequency, trend analysis, and several natural language processing techniques such as sentiment analysis to derive statistics to preview the corpus. To further understand semantics and clinical insights among these tweets, we conducted an in-depth thematic content analysis with a random sample of 500 PPU-related tweets with a satisfying κ score of 0.7748 for intercoder reliability. Our quantitative analysis indicates the overall trends, bigram and trigram patterns, and negative sentiments were more dominant in PPU tweets (2490/4848, 51.36%) than in the non-PPU sample (1323/4848, 27.29%). Paired polysubstance use (4134/4848, 85.27%) was the most common, with the combination alcohol and drugs identified as the most mentioned. From the qualitative analysis, we identified 3 main themes: nonsubstance, single substance, and polysubstance, and 4 subthemes to contextualize the rationale of underlying PPU behaviors: lifestyle, perceptions of others' drug use, legal implications, and public health. This study identified underexplored, emerging, and important topics related to perinatal PPU, with significant stigmas and legal ramifications discussed on X. Overall, public sentiments on PPU were mixed, encompassing negative (2490/4848, 51.36%), positive (1884/4848, 38.86%), and neutral (474/4848, 9.78%) sentiments. The leading substances in PPU were alcohol and drugs, and the normalization of PPU discussed on X is becoming more prevalent. Thus, this study provides valuable insights to further understand the complexity of PPU and its implications for public health practitioners and policy makers to provide proper access and support to individuals with PPU.

Vaccination Across the Lifespan: A Public Health Imperative

Vaccination is an essential public health intervention, preventing infectious diseases, saving millions of lives globally, and reducing the burden on the healthcare system. Currently, vaccines prevent between 3.5 and 5 million deaths annually from diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, influenza, and measles.1 It not only protects individuals but also contributes to herd immunity, safeguarding entire communities. Maintaining high vaccination coverage across all age groups reduces the burden of preventable illnesses and safeguards public health. Childhood immunization is a cornerstone of preventive healthcare, providing protection against various life-threatening diseases during the most vulnerable years of life. Key vaccines include the DTP, MMR, IPV, Hib, and pneumococcal. 2 Global immunization coverage has stagnated since 2022, with 14.5 million children missing all DTP doses and 6.5 million not completing follow-up doses. There is an urgent need for innovative solutions to meet the Immunization Agenda 2030 targets of 90% vaccination coverage. 3 Vaccination has a pivotal role in women's healthcare, especially during pregnancy. The CDC recommends the inactivated flu and Tdap vaccines for protection of both mother and baby, with the flu vaccine best administered by the end of October and Tdap between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation. The HPV vaccine is recommended for girls aged 9–14 (two doses) and women over 14 (three doses) to protect against cervical cancer and genital warts, but it should not be given during pregnancy due to insufficient safety data.4 Regular vaccinations are crucial for adults aged 50–64, including COVID-19, influenza, shingles, and Tdap/Td. Hepatitis B is recommended for those up to 59 years old, and MMR for those born in 1957 or later. For those 65 and older, COVID-19, influenza, pneumococcal, and shingles vaccines are essential, with an RSV recommended. Healthcare providers should be consulted to determine additional vaccines for older adults, as regular vaccinations are important to prevent serious health issues due to immune decline and chronic conditions. 5 A comprehensive vaccination strategy is important for community health, encompassing children, women, adults, and older adults. A strong public health infrastructure that guarantees vaccine access and affordability should serve as the foundation for this strategy. In order to improve vaccination coverage, public awareness campaigns must be customized to address the concerns of all age groups. Children's immunization programs must be implemented in schools and coincide with routine physical examinations while women, particularly those who are of reproductive age, require special attention. Adult immunization programs must to prioritize occupational health, and older people need to remain updated. Considering immunization as a top public health priority, policy makers and healthcare professionals must work together to ensure continuous monitoring and evaluation of vaccination campaign’s coverage and effectiveness in order to spot gaps and launch prompt interventions.

Online volunteering and subjective well-being in China

This study aims to examine the relationship between online volunteering and subjective well-being (SWB) and to explore the mediation effect of online bridging networks. The data used in this study came from the 2019 Chinese General Social Survey (CSS). In this study, individuals who responded to survey questions about their participation in online volunteering activities and their subjective well-being(SWB) were included for analysis (N = 5556). The results showed a positive relationship between online volunteering and online bridging networks and indicated that online volunteering affects subjective well-being through the mediating role of online bridging networks. The implications of this study are relevant to policy-makers in public health and social service organizations. Based on the findings, policy-makers and nonprofit organizations are called on to support this type of volunteering which is an important means of improving public health. Nonprofit organizations can establish online social networks for potential volunteers. In addition, nonprofit organizations need to invest more resources to enhance the digital literacy of employees and volunteers, in order to enhance the quality of online volunteering services.

Public Health Professionals’ Perspectives on Research Utilization in Nigerian Health Systems

The integration of research evidence into healthcare decision-making is essential for improving health outcomes, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria. This study investigates the perspectives of public health professionals on research utilization within the Nigerian health system, identifying barriers and facilitators to the application of evidence-based practices. Utilizing a cross-sectional descriptive design, data were collected from public health professionals and policymakers through a structured questionnaire distributed via Google Survey. The findings reveal a significant gap in the dissemination and utilization of research findings, with many professionals unaware of existing systems to facilitate this process. Despite recognizing the importance of research utilization for enhancing health and quality of life, barriers such as limited access to quality research publications and inadequate collaboration between researchers and policymakers impede effective implementation. Capacity-building initiatives, such as workshops and continuous professional development programs, were identified as key facilitators for promoting evidence-based practices. The study underscores the need for improved communication and tailored dissemination strategies to bridge the gap between research and practice, ensuring that findings are accessible and applicable to the specific needs of different professional groups. These results align with existing literature that highlights the crucial role of evidence-based practice in public health and the necessity of robust dissemination and implementation frameworks. Addressing these barriers and leveraging facilitators can significantly enhance the utilization of research findings, leading to better health outcomes and more effective healthcare policies in Nigeria.

Cross-Sectional Analysis of Demographic Factors Influencing Health Research Utilization in Nigeria

Health research utilization is essential for evidence-based policymaking and the implementation of effective health interventions. This cross-sectional study analyzes demographic factors influencing the utilization of health research in Nigeria, focusing on public health professionals and policymakers. The study employed a cross-sectional descriptive design and used a purposive sampling method to recruit participants from various public health and health policy platforms. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire administered via Google Survey. The study reveals a predominant participation of female respondents (56.5%) and a mean participant age of 41.5 years, with a significant concentration in the 41-50 years age group. The majority hold a master’s degree in public health (58.5%), reflecting the high academic qualifications within the sector. Despite this, the perceived utilization of research findings is overwhelmingly poor, highlighting a substantial gap between research production and practical application. The study finds significant relationships between age and perceptions of research utilization, suggesting that mid-career professionals may have different views on the challenges and opportunities for integrating research into health policy. These findings underscore the need for targeted strategies to enhance the practical application of health research, emphasizing the importance of improving access to research findings and ensuring their relevance to local contexts. This research contributes to understanding the barriers to effective knowledge translation and suggests avenues for fostering a more evidence-based approach to public health in Nigeria.

How can advocates leverage power to advance comprehensive regulation on ultra-processed foods? learning from advocate experience in Argentina

BackgroundThe use of corporate power to undermine public health policy processes is increasingly well understood; however, relatively little scholarship examines how advocates can leverage power to promote the successful adoption of public health policies. The objective of this paper is to explore how advocates leveraged three forms of power – structural, instrumental and discursive – to promote the passage of the Promotion of Healthy Eating Law (Ley 27,642) in Argentina, one of the most comprehensive policies to introduce mandatory front-of-package (FOP) warning labels and regulate the marketing and sales of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) adopted to date.MethodsWe conducted seventeen semi-structured interviews with advocates from different sectors, including civil society, international agencies, and government. Both data collection and analysis were guided by Milsom’s conceptual framework for analyzing power in public health policymaking, and the data was analyzed using hybrid deductive and inductive thematic analysis.ResultsAdvocates harnessed structural power through the leveraging of revolving doors, informal alliances, and formal coalitions, enabling them to convene discussion spaces with decision-makers, make strategic use of limited resources, and cultivate the diverse expertise (e.g., research, nutrition science, advocacy, law, political science, activism and communications) needed to support the law through different phases of the policy process. Advocates wielded instrumental power by amassing an armada of localized evidence to promote robust policy design, building technical literacy amongst themselves and decision-makers, and exposing conflicts of interest to harness public pressure. Advocates exercised discursive power by adopting a rights-based discourse, including of children and adolescents and of consumers to transparent information, which enabled advocates to foster a favorable perception of the law amongst both decision-makers and the public. Key contextual enablers include a political window of opportunity, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ability to learn from the regional precedent of similar policies.ConclusionsPublic health policymaking, particularly when encroaching upon corporate interests, is characterized by stark imbalances of power that hinder policy decisions. The strategies identified in the case of Argentina provide important insights as to how advocates might harness and exercise structural, instrumental, and discursive power to counter corporate influence and promote the successful adoption of comprehensive UPF regulation.

Oral Health Surveillance System in India: Need and Proposal

Public health surveillance is described as the ongoing systematic collection, analyzing, and interpreting of the data, closely integrated with the transmission of these data to public health practitioners, doctors, and policymakers responsible to prevent and manage disease as well as injury. Both developed and developing nations are becoming aware of the significance of information from efficient surveillance systems for allocating resources and evaluating programs. Over the past few decades, there was a significant change in oral health profiles around the world. Indicators of oral health have improved in many countries, but not in India. An organized system for providing, monitoring, and evaluating oral health care services is needed in India. Draft National oral health policy 2021 has mentioned specific objectives: (a) by 2025, establish baseline data on the burden of oral diseases in the nation, (b) by 2030, the mortality and morbidity from dental and oro-facial diseases reduce to 15%, (c) By 2025, community-based awareness initiatives and practices for oral health will be covered by the healthcare system by a factor of 50%, and by 2030, by a factor of 70%, (d) the creation of an electronic database at district-level on components of the health system by 2025. A well-defined oral health surveillance system in India will serve the purposes (a) to provide standardized recording procedures, standards, and techniques to collect, analyze and interpret the oral health data at the state and central levels (b) to prioritize oral diseases or conditions that will be the focus of oral health surveillance or disease elimination, (c) to digitally monitor and evaluate the progress of nation’s oral health care programs.

Dynamical and optimal control analysis of lymphatic filariasis and buruli ulcer co-infection

This study delves into the dynamics of lymphatic filariasis and buruli ulcer coinfection, two overlooked yet impactful tropical diseases. With lymphatic filariasis, commonly referred to as elephantiasis, and buruli ulcer, a chronic affliction caused by mycobacterium ulcerans, both posing significant health challenges, understanding their interaction is crucial. Utilizing a mathematical model, this research aims to analyze the dynamics of this coinfection, elucidating its complexities. The study establishes the local asymptotic stability of the disease-free equilibrium and calculates the basic reproduction number using the next generation matrix. It uncovers transcritical and backward bifurcation phenomena within the model. Additionally, the integration of time-dependent controls enables the exploration of optimal disease management strategies. Numerical simulations highlight the efficacy of employing a comprehensive approach, utilizing all available controls simultaneously, as the most effective strategy for disease control. These findings underscore the importance of integrated interventions in combating lymphatic filariasis and buruli ulcer coinfection, offering valuable insights for public health policymakers and practitioners.

Emerging Omicron Subvariants EG.5 and BA.2.86: Implications for COVID-19 Immunity and Surveillance

The SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, has continuously evolved since its emergence. Among its variants, the Omicron lineage has become globally dominant, displaying a diverse range of sublineages. Two significant sub lineages within Omicron are EG.5 and BA.2.8, which have gained attention due to their unique characteristics and potential implications. EG.5 is characterized by a constellation of mutations, including N501Y, L452R, and D614G. Similarly, BA.2.8 carries the L452Q and P681R mutations, which enhance its ability to evade antibodies elicited by prior infection or vaccination. Similar to those in the EG.5, the clinical severity and impact of BA.2.8 on public health measures are still being assessed. These sublineages, with their unique genetic profiles and transmissibility characteristics, pose challenges to virulence response efforts. Continued surveillance, genomic sequencing, and research are essential to understand their behavior, assess their impact, and inform public health strategies accordingly. By a comprehensive synthesis of the literature, genomic data, and epidemiological insights, this study provides an analysis of Omicron mutations’ transmission dynamics, and clinical implications associated with these variants. The significance of variant surveillance in informing public health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic is underscored, highlighting the critical role of genomic sequencing in tracking viral evolution and guiding interventions. This manuscript aimed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying variant emergence, assess vaccine effectiveness against emerging strains, and explore the broader implications for global public health. This study provides insights into vaccine-induced immunity and the potential impact of variants on vaccine efficacy. Overall, this communication aims to inform public health practitioners, policymakers, and researchers engaged in the battle against COVID-19, offering actionable insights to mitigate the spread of the virus and improve pandemic response strategies.

Exploring Pathways from Community Involvement to Empowerment in Sexual and Reproductive Health: A Public Health Perspective

The intersection of community involvement and empowerment in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) initiatives represents a critical area in public health. This scoping review aimed to explore the pathways from community involvement to empowerment within SRH initiatives, providing a comprehensive understanding of how public health strategies engage and build the capacity of communities. The literature from databases such as PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were reviewed systematically, focusing on studies published between 2000 and 2023. The review identified various public health interventions that initially engage communities through participation, consultation and collaboration. These interventions often serve as the foundation for subsequent empowerment, characterised by capacity building, autonomy and advocacy. Key findings highlight that effective SRH initiatives involve community members in programme activities and foster environments where they can gain the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to take control of their health outcomes. Our analysis revealed that successful pathways from involvement to empowerment are multifaceted, requiring sustained commitment, resources and culturally sensitive approaches. The review underscores the importance of integrating community involvement and empowerment in designing and implementing SRH programmes to ensure sustainable and impactful health outcomes. This scoping review contributes to the existing literature by mapping the relationship between community involvement and empowerment, offering insights for public health practitioners and policymakers aiming to enhance SRH initiatives. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to better understand the long-term impacts of these pathways on community health and well-being.

Dating apps as health allies? Examining the opportunities and challenges of dating apps as partners in public health

In recent years, dating apps have become important allies in public health. In this paper, we explore the implications of partnering with dating apps for health promotion. We consider the...