Comprehensive study of radon levels, health risks, and physiochemical properties in tap water consumed in Iraqi Kurdistan using solid-state nuclear track detectors.

Premarital sexual behavior is still a sensitive and understudied topic in Bangladesh, where traditional norms emphasize chastity before marriage. While prior research has focused on youth and university students, little is known about the prevalence and correlates of premarital sex (PMS) among ever-married women at the population level. This study addressed this gap by analyzing four rounds of Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey data (2011-2022) utilizing a multilevel analytical framework. PMS was measured indirectly by comparing the respondents' ages at first marriage and first sexual intercourse. The findings revealed a sharp increase in PMS over time, from 1.5% in 2011 to 27.8% in 2022, with significant variations across demographic, socioeconomic, and community-level factors. Younger age, higher education, mass media exposure, female-headed households, and residence in affluent communities were strong predictors, whereas regional disparities were more prevalent in Sylhet, Chattogram, and Dhaka. These trends suggest shifting sexual norms, likely driven by modernization, mobility, and greater access to information. Our study underscores the need for further research on sociocultural transformations shaping sexual behavior in Bangladesh and calls for open and critical discussions on how public health interventions and educational programs can adapt to these evolving realities.

The development of information technology has produced a significant transformation in election administration mechanisms, including within the City of Palangka Raya. The digitalization of various services and information systems requires the General Elections Commission (KPU) to enhance transparency while simultaneously ensuring the security of voter data and election results. This study aims to examine the key challenges faced by the Palangka Raya KPU in balancing the need for information openness with data protection in the digital era. The research employs a qualitative descriptive method through literature review, direct observation, and structured interviews with KPU staff, election supervisors, and relevant stakeholders. The findings indicate that digitalization improves the effectiveness of public information dissemination, including through the use of Sidalih and Sirekap, yet it also introduces vulnerabilities such as potential voter data breaches, cyberattacks, and the spread of disinformation through social media. Moreover, limitations in human resources with technological expertise serve as constraints in optimizing digital security. Conversely, the implementation of data security standards and improvements in voter digital literacy contribute to strengthening public trust in the election process. Thus, the Palangka Raya KPU needs to reinforce cybersecurity infrastructure, enhance internal technical capacity, and broaden public education programs to safeguard electoral integrity amid increasing transparency demands and digital risks. Collaboration among government, academia, and the community is a strategic element in maintaining the quality of democracy in the digital era.

Glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness worldwide, glaucoma afflicted 64.3 million people in 2013 and is expected to affect 111.8 million by 2040. For early detection and treatment, it is essential to look into the prevalence of glaucoma and its risk factors. Finding important clinical and demographic indicators of glaucoma in adults screened as part of a public program in Benghazi, Libya, was the goal of this study. During “Glaucoma Week” in February 2024, 366 adult patients were recruited for this cross-sectional study. The participants were divided into three categories: glaucoma suspect (21.0%, n=77), glaucoma unlikely (34.5%, n=126), and confirmed glaucoma (44.5%, n=163). A first-degree relative with glaucoma (OR =2.08, p = 0.016), a history of ocular inflammation (OR = 5.2; p = 0.008), and a higher left-eye intraocular pressure (IOP) (OR = 1.18, p = 0.003) were all significant predictors of confirmed glaucoma, according to logistic regression analyses. In one model, male gender was also a significant predictor (OR = 1.85, p = 0.027). The development of glaucoma was significantly influenced by these factors. In order to improve glaucoma detection in Libya, this study highlighted the significance of targeted screening and monitoring, especially for people with ocular inflammation, a family history of glaucoma, or elevated left-eye IOP.

Introduction. We are discussing the effectiveness of the project approach to political governance and the correctness of the chosen methods for implementing and evaluating public programs in different areas. In this article, we focus on the institutional aspect of regional identity politics to identify the basic symbolic grounds for the formation of the image of the “we”-community, which are used by the regional political-administrative elite in the official political discourse. Methods and materials. We assess identity politics as a political strategy characterized by specific goals and intended outcomes. Our method for analyzing state programs in the Saint Petersburg and Moscow metropolitan areas involved qualitative content analysis, enabling us to identify and consider the main narratives promoted by the political-administrative elite. The political-administrative elite employs these narratives to construct a collective “we” identity and establish a symbolic foundation for population cohesion. Special attention is paid to the issue of agglomeration development in the texts of state programs operating in the territory of megacities. Analysis. The article describes the main characteristics of the images of residents of agglomeration territories presented in state programs and development strategies. The documents devoted to Greater Moscow reflect the urbanistic vector of agglomeration development and vividly “draw” the image of the territory’s future. St. Petersburg authorities rely more on the cultural and historical heritage of the territory and the unique symbolic capital of the Northern Capital. Results. Based on the results of the study of agglomerations and the analysis of state programs, it can be stated that the problems of territorial development are raised in the framework of projects related to the transport and infrastructure development of the megacity and adjacent settlements. However, explicit political risks related to interethnic relations and problems of social integration are not given due attention in the official discourse. Authors’ contribution. S.K. Kalashnikova – research methodology, data collection. M.Ya. Pogodina – data analysis, comparative case analysis.

Continuous engagement in long-term healthcare programs such as the Back-Referral Program (Program Rujuk Balik or PRB) depends on sustained participant loyalty, which is shaped by service-related perceptions and psychological factors. Previous studies have highlighted the roles of information quality and corporate image in influencing participant behavior; however, inconsistencies remain regarding their direct effects on loyalty. This study examines the influence of information quality and corporate image on customer loyalty, with trust considered as a mediating variable. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 271 PRB participants and analyzed using Partial Least Squares–Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that information quality does not have a direct effect on loyalty (β = 0.082; p > 0.05) but contributes positively to trust (β = 0.463; p < 0.001). Corporate image shows a significant direct effect on loyalty (β = 0.209; p < 0.05) and also enhances trust (β = 0.488; p < 0.001). Trust demonstrates a strong positive effect on loyalty (β = 0.521; p < 0.001) and serves as a mediating mechanism linking information quality and corporate image to loyalty outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of trust in maintaining long-term engagement in public healthcare programs and suggest that clear communication, reliable service delivery, and a credible institutional image are central to fostering participant loyalty

Most medicines are initially researched and developed primarily for adult indications. There are several challenges with researching and developing drugs for pediatric populations including but not limited to low disease prevalence, small patient populations, challenges with conducting long-term studies, short supply of pediatric investigators, and pediatric-specific physiological and behavioural considerations (appropriate facilities, protocols, and so forth). Therefore, most pediatric prescriptions have not received regulatory approval by Health Canada (i.e., off label) for pediatric populations nor are they available in pediatric-appropriate routes of administration or doses. In Canada, reimbursement of drugs for pediatric indications occurs through private coverage or a public drug plan through universal coverage programs or programs that exist based on need such as income, high-cost drugs, or specific diseases. Drugs not listed on public drug plan formularies may be funded through a restricted benefit (reimbursement limited by specific clinical criteria or to a defined patient subgroup). Drug reimbursement decisions, informed by health technology assessments, are also impacted by similar gaps in pediatric-specific clinical data. This Environmental Scan summarizes various initiatives by Health Canada that aim to improve access to pediatric medicines. In addition, policies of public drug programs regarding access to and reimbursement of pediatric medicines and formulations, including compounded and off-label medicine, are also summarized.

Fungal pathogens and the infections they cause are notoriously understudied and underrepresented in public health surveillance programs. Recent initiatives, such as that of the Joint Programming Initiative on Anti-Microbial Resistance (JPIAMR), recognize these gaps and have supported the development of a fungal surveillance resistance network. The International Fungal Network for One-Health Resistance Surveillance: Antifungal Resistance (INFORM-AFR) network sought to enhance understanding of existing surveillance programs, with the ultimate goal of developing standardized fungal surveillance strategies that enable international comparisons. A survey was conducted involving mycology reference centers or public health institutes (n = 15) from 12 countries, each responsible for nationwide or regional surveillance programs on fungal infections or pathogens. The ongoing programs were heterogenous, not only in terms of the epidemiological focus of surveillance (pathogen vs disease based), but also in relation to the mycological procedures used (identification and antifungal susceptibility testing methods). Funding dedicated to surveillance was variable and often lacked long-term stability, resulting in suboptimal surveillance data in many centers and limiting the generation of accurate and consistent knowledge. With the expanding number of fungal disease cases and increasing reports of antifungal resistance, we strongly advocate for improved integration of fungal infections into nationwide health surveillance programs as well as international standardization.

Biomarker-based pre-heart failure screening in a middle-aged rural population.

Latin American cities face significant challenges arising from high social and environmental inequity, the impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss, and elevated pollution levels. In response to these challenges, strategies have emerged emphasizing the conservation, restoration, and integration of nature in urban and peri-urban areas to fulfil multiple functions that enhance long-term resilience. Recent research highlights diverse trends of urban vegetation in Latin America, showcasing gains, losses, and persisting inequalities. Despite recognizing the importance of planning and public policies, a notable gap exists in understanding how they in fluence urban vegetation distribution and changes. This research examines the most relevant public policies, programmes, and plans related to urban nature in Santiago (Chile), Bogotá (Colombia), and Lima (Peru), and explores how public policies influence urban vegetation dynamics. We identified a positive impact of urban greening instruments in Latin America, although there is still room for improvement. Public policies should outline concrete implementation actions, detailing budget allocation, required personnel, and robust evaluation mechanisms while reinforcing a strong commitment to equity. This ensures that greening efforts are not only tailored to local socio-ecological conditions but also remain sustainable in the long term. The insights gained from this research offer valuable lessons for urban planners and policymakers to develop more effective strategies promoting equitable and sustainable distribution of urban vegetation, ultimately enhancing urban resilience and quality of life globally.

This article focuses on analyzing the propaganda activities promoting just cause, humanistic values, and the humanitarian spirit of the resistance movement conducted by the armed forces and people in the suburban areas of Saigon–Gia Dinh during the Ho Chi Minh Campaign. These efforts contributed to advancing peace and the reunification of Vietnam. The study underscores the crucial role of mobilization work targeting soldiers and officials of the Republic of Vietnam, aiming to minimize casualties and safeguard the lives and property of civilians. Through propaganda, the revolutionary forces clarified the unjust nature of the war waged by the United States and the Republic of Vietnam government, while affirming that these soldiers and officials were themselves victims of the neo-colonial conflict. In addition, the research highlights the effectiveness of disseminating the revolution’s policies of leniency and humanitarian treatment toward prisoners of war and defectors. The lessons drawn from propaganda and mobilization activities in the suburban areas of Saigon–Gia Dinh during the Ho Chi Minh Campaign provide valuable references for the development of contemporary public mobilization programs and policies of the Communist Party and the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The article employs two fundamental methods of historical research—historical analysis and logical analysis—grounded in the methodological framework of dialectical and historical materialism, as well as the guiding viewpoints of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Recently, Malaysia has faced significant concerns regarding the low employability and salaries of engineering graduates. The industry is often blamed for the low demand and inadequate compensation for engineers. However, the true extent of these issues among engineering graduates from Malaysian public universities remains unclear. This paper examines the employability of engineering graduates from Malaysian public universities, utilizing data from the national survey of graduate employability (SKPG) conducted by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE). The data encompasses engineering graduates from 15 public universities between 2018 and 2021. Quantitative analysis using descriptive statistics was employed to determine the percentage, average, range, and differences in employability outcomes. The results indicate that out of 45,471 engineering graduates over four years, an average of 11,000 students graduated annually. Of these, 66.8% secured employment within six months of graduation, but only 34.6% were hired as engineers. Additionally, 28.6% of graduates had not found employment or pursued further studies within six months. The most common monthly salary range was RM2,000-RM3,000, with 40.8% of employed graduates falling within this bracket. Higher salaries were associated with engineering-related jobs, while the majority of graduates earning less than RM1,500 per month were employed in non-engineering roles. These findings challenge the societal perception that fresh engineering graduates are underpaid relative to their qualifications and workload. The data suggests that low-paying jobs are often unrelated to engineering. Despite the international recognition of Malaysian public university engineering programs by Washington Accord member countries, the employability rate of only 34.6% for engineering roles indicates a need for program improvements. This is particularly concerning given the reported shortage of 30,000 to 60,000 engineers in Malaysia. Further research is required to identify the underlying causes of these employability issues.

ABSTRACT When Western nations began to create compulsory public education programs in the nineteenth century, they assumed a new responsibility for the health of schoolchildren. At the time, schools around the world were consistently blamed for damaging children's health through their corrupted air, bad lighting, and unsanitary conditions, usually the result of overcrowding, lack of proper ventilation, and inadequate or poorly placed windows. With the growth of mass education, physicians and educators became aware of the great dangers to children's bodies inherent in these schoolhouses and took steps to both generate and exchange information about childhood illnesses and to work with school architects to devise healthier indoor environments. Children's eyesight was considered to be particularly at risk. Anecdotal evidence indicated that eye strain from too much close reading in low light could damage a child’s eyes for life. The invention of the ophthalmoscope and establishment of ophthalmology as a discipline in the mid-1800s focused attention on the developmental aspects of eyesight, and the work of German physicians in particular tied classroom conditions to childhood eye disorders. Many physicians blamed children’s myopia on the design of school buildings, and a growing body of studies surveying thousands of students seemed to support their argument. This essay examines the Anglo-American discourse on schoolchildren's myopia and classroom lighting in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Utilizing the extensive literature from the educational, medical, and architectural discourses on children’s health, the paper will demonstrate how ideas about the etiology of myopia impacted the theory and practice of classroom design in America and Great Britain.

The Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project (PMBP) in Bangladesh, a government-financed effort to connect the central and southwestern parts of the country and integrate with the Asian Highway and Euro-Asian railway, significantly impacted over 15,000 direct and 70,000 total affected households. To address this, an Income and Livelihood Restoration Plan (ILRP) and a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) were implemented. A study was conducted to assess the socioeconomic condition of the affected people, determine the project's impact and vulnerability, and verify their satisfaction with relocation and rehabilitation. The key recommendations derived from this investigation include ensuring the timely provision of legal documents and relocation costs, offering intensive livelihood restoration training (especially for women), facilitating new employment and business opportunities with access to low-interest funds, redesigning socioeconomic and public health awareness programs, adhering to the original resettlement site designs, and establishing participatory monitoring and consultation meetings to ensure the sustainable livelihood of the affected persons.

Efficient allocation of resources in public cancer prevention programs requires evidence-based decision-making processes supported by clear and consistent criteria. The objective of this article is to establish an evidence-based model for prioritizing evaluation criteria in cancer prevention projects in Brazil. The model was developed in six stages: (i) comprehensive review of current evaluation practices within Brazilian cancer prevention programs was performed; (ii) multidisciplinary brainstorming sessions identified 19 candidate evaluation criteria; (iii) developed a structured questionnaires to capture expert judgments on each criterion; (iv) panel of national experts evaluated the criteria using a four-point Likert-type scale; (v) Binomial Cut-level method, at a 95% confidence level, was applied to identify statistically validated criteria; (vi) Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to assign relative weights through pairwise comparisons, with consistency ratios below 0.10. The results showed that health impact (25.8% of the total weight), policy alignment (17.7%), epidemiological relevance (10.1%), and equity in access (10.1%) together accounted for more than 60% of the attributed importance, while operational aspects such as management plan (0.8%) received lower weight. These percentages represent the relative contribution of each criterion to the final decision, reflecting expert perceptions of their relevance. The integration of BCV and AHP proved effective in structuring prioritization processes in a consistent, replicable, and adaptable way, offering methodological support for rational resource allocation and the formulation of public health policies.

Brazil harbors the richest biodiversity on Earth, accounting for 15–20% of all known species worldwide (Lewinsohn 2006). Its territory also encompasses significant cultural diversity, represented by 355 officially recognized Indigenous lands, 253 Afro-descendent territories, and 28 groups of traditional communities such as rubber tappers, coconut breakers and veredeiros (de Mendonça 2009). Despite this potential, the economy remains anchored in an agro-export model based on exotic commodity crops – most notably soybeans, strongly associated with deforestation and rising inequalities (Lobão and Staduto 2020). In contrast, Brazil’s sociobiodiversity, the combination of socio-cultural and biological richness, underpins the potential for a sociobiodiversity-based bioeconomy (Garrett et al. 2024), an approach that integrates traditional knowledge, sustainable use of native species, and innovation into broader economic agendas. Yet, the potential for developing this bioeconomy remains constrained. A central barrier is the invisibility of sociobiodiversity in official statistics. To examine how sociobiodiversity products and local markets are represented in official datasets, we conducted a local-scale study in Northern Minas Gerais, within the Cerrado biome – a global biodiversity hotspot increasingly threatened by agribusiness-driven deforestation. We compared production data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) and subsidy data from the National Supply Company (Conab) with figures provided by the Cooperative Grande Sertão, a leading local cooperative that works directly with 400 families across nearly 40 municipalities. IBGE is the official agency responsible for compiling national statistics on the production of non-timber forest products such as açaí ( Euterpe oleracea ), Brazil nut ( Bertholletia excelsa ) and natural rubber ( Hevea brasiliensis ), among others, and Conab is the governmental company that monitors products eligible for public procurement. Our results revealed two main key messages. First, value chains of native species that are socially and economically central to traditional communities are largely absent from systematic monitoring regarding their use, production, or market flows, corroborating previous studies (Porro 2019, Carvalho Ribeiro et al. 2024), and excluded from public policies. Of the 18 native species collected and commercialized by agroextractivists locally, only four (umbu – Spondias tuberosa , mangaba – Hancornia speciosa , pequi – Caryocar brasiliensis , and buriti – Mauritia flexuosa ) are tracked in official datasets. Only five species, including macaúba ( Acrocomia aculeata) , are recognized under public procurement programs, despite their socio-economic relevance. Even for pequi, the most consolidated product, official data is incomplete (Fig. 1). Among the 1,434 municipalities in the Cerrado, its natural distribution area, only 292 (20%) appear in IBGE statistics, as the institute only records volumes above one ton. This implies that in 42% of municipalities, pequi production exists but remains unregistered, while in 38% there is no data at all. Our second finding was the marked discrepancy between official statistics and actual production reported by cooperatives. In four leading pequi-producing municipalities, official records diverged substantially from local data. In Cônego Marinho, for instance, just 30 agroextractivists collected six times more pequi than IBGE registered for the entire municipality in 2023, and in Miravânia, two collectors harvested more than five times the official figure (Fig. 1). These discrepancies may arise from multiple factors, including the informal or subsistence character of many extractive activities. As a result, the national statistics may fail to capture the full economic, ecological, and cultural importance of native species to rural and traditional communities. Understanding these data mismatches is essential for improving the accuracy and inclusiveness of biodiversity and bioeconomy indicators. Our study underscores the need to strengthen local monitoring capacities and create integrated data systems that combine official records with community-based knowledge to unlock the transformative potential of Brazil’s sociobiodiversity. Investments in territorialized data governance are essential to ensure more accurate representation of sociobiodiversity value chains, enabling place-based policies that align biodiversity conservation with inclusive economic development. Strengthening the visibility of native species in data systems is needed not only to improve accuracy but also to ensure informed decision-making, equitable benefit-sharing, and resilience in the face of environmental and social challenges. Making sociobiodiversity visible in data is a prerequisite for building a sustainable and just bioeconomy.

Innovative public health approaches are needed to support children and their families to adopt and maintain healthy behaviours. This study aimed to use design thinking as a framework to develop an interactive online public health promotion programme for children (5-12 years) and their families, enabling sustainable health-promoting behaviour change. An iterative design thinking approach, underpinned by behaviour change theory was applied. Workshops and focus groups with project team members and key stakeholders fostered collaboration, identified family needs and generated solutions. Children and families were actively engaged in the co-design production phase through surveys, interviews and prototype testing. External stakeholders were consulted through advisory groups, expert panels and interviews. Key programme elements, including mode of delivery, features and content, were identified through these forums. Additionally, programme enablers and challenges were identified and discussed. More than 300 children and families participated in co-design activities shaping the visual identity, narrative, game play and messaging of the programme, which was delivered as a purpose-built App entitled Podsquad. The iterative approach to programme development enabled the seamless integration of consumer and expert input, creating an App that meets users' needs and expectations for improving healthy eating, physical activity and sleep habits. Further feasibility testing, outcome measurement and systems integration are recommended. SO WHAT?: A comprehensive understanding of the co-design process behind the development of the Podsquad App enables public health practitioners and researchers to appreciate and contextualise the challenges, enablers and key success factors when co-designing a health promotion programme for children and families.

The need to provide housing for Ukrainian citizens has been acute since Ukraine gained independence. This problem has become even more urgent since the beginning of hostilities. The total amount of direct damage caused to Ukraine's infrastructure as a result of Russia's full-scale invasion has reached almost $170 billion. This figure has increased by $12.6 billion since the beginning of 2024, reflecting further destruction from missile attacks and hostilities. The largest losses were suffered by housing, transport infrastructure and energy. The residential sector remains the most affected - direct losses are estimated at $60 billion. As of November 2024, 236 thousand residential buildings have been damaged or destroyed, of which 209 thousand are private houses, 27 thousand are apartment buildings and another 600 are dormitories. Under such conditions, state policy measures aimed at developing and reforming state housing programs become particularly relevant, which should take into account existing global experience in providing citizens with housing, in particular the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the institutional provision of state housing programs. AI is now becoming a key tool in modernizing public housing programs, especially in the face of growing demand for social and affordable housing. The use of AI allows for improved resource allocation accuracy, prevention of corruption schemes, and automation of bureaucratic procedures. Many countries are already using machine learning algorithms to predict housing needs, optimize financing and increase transparency in processes. In Ukraine, the problem of providing housing is especially relevant for internally displaced persons, socially vulnerable citizens, and youth, so the introduction of modern technologies is an urgent necessity. AI can significantly improve the management of public housing programs by increasing the efficiency of processes, ensuring transparency and optimizing resource allocation. The article is devoted to studying the possibilities of using AI in the institutional provision of state housing programs, studying foreign experience and assessing the prospects for its application in Ukraine. The effectiveness of modern digital tools in the process of managing public housing programs and distributing subsidies is analyzed. The benefits of using AI in the public housing sector are investigated. The main barriers to the digitalization of housing policy in Ukraine and ways to overcome them are identified.

Abstract Understanding the features of high-quality early childhood education experiences is critical for supporting the learning and development of the increasingly culturally and linguistically diverse groups of children enrolled in public preschool programs like Head Start. Many prior studies have investigated the role of the teacher in supporting quality in preschool classrooms, but often these studies do not make a distinction between lead and assistant teachers, or those that do, often choose to focus on the contributions of the lead teacher. In contrast, the present study focuses purposefully on assistant teachers in Head Start and how they contribute to quality in preschool classrooms that serve diverse groups of children. Using descriptive data from a demographic survey and multilevel modeling of data from the CLASS observational tool, I found that assistant teachers bring critical linguistic and cultural competencies to the classroom, beyond those the lead teachers in the same classrooms possess. Additional findings reveal assistant teachers contribute similarly to lead teachers in their interactions with children that provide emotional support and classroom organization. Notably, assistant teachers score lower than lead teachers in the provision of instructional support, and in the low range on the CLASS measure for this domain. Implications for policies and practices that address the concerns of assistant teachers, and widen the workforce pipeline in early childhood education are considered.

Body mass index-for-age (BMI-for-age) is widely used indicator to assess the nutritional status of adolescent, however, its application in field settings can be challenging due to equipment and logistical constraints. Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) offers a simpler, low resource alternative, but its accuracy and validity among adolescents remain a subject of debate. This study aims to validate MUAC as a feasible alternative for assessing nutritional status in resource-limited settings like Ethiopia. Particularly, the study aimed to evaluate the screening performance of MUAC in detecting thinness compared to BMI-for-age Z-scores (BAZ) and to determine optimal MUAC cut-off points identifying undernutrition status among school students (10–19 years) in the West Hararge zone of Oromia, Ethiopia. A school based cross-sectional study was conducted involved 706 adolescents recruited from 10 schools in the West Harerghe Zone, Oromiia, Ethiopia. Participants were selected using a combination of simple random sampling at the school level and multistage sampling within schools. MUAC was measured on the left arm at the midpoint between the acromion and olecranon using a non-stretchable tape. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from weight and height measurements taken using calibrated SECA electronic weighing scale (UNICEF) and a SECA portable stadiometer (SECA 213) respectively. All anthropometric measurements adhered to standardized World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The diagnostic performance of MUAC in predictor of thinness, as defined by BAZ was evaluated using sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for MUAC in detecting thinness compared to against BAZ was 0.76 (95% CI: 0.69–0.85) for adolescents aged 10–14 year group and 0.83 (95% CI: 0.68–0.96) for those aged 15–19 year group. Optimal MUAC cut-offs for detecting thinness were ≤ 19.85 cm the 10–14 year group and ≤ 22.1 cm for the 15–19 year group. For detecting severe thinness, the optimal cut-offs were ≤ 19.1 cm and ≤ 21.4 cm respectively, showed high sensitivity and specificity. MUAC demonstrated moderate effectiveness in detecting thinness among adolescents when compared to BAZ, with particularly high accuracy among those aged 10–14 years and 15–19 years. These findings support the use of MUAC is a reliable and feasible screening tool for undernutrition in resource limited settings. Age-specific MUAC cut-offs should be adopted for screening thinness in adolescents, particularly where BMI measurements are impractical. Further research and integration of MUAC into routine public health nutrition programs are recommended.