Quality Health Research Articles

Impact of daily physical activity level on mental health and quality of life in substance use disorders patients

ABSTRACT Background Substance use disorders patients often exhibit low levels of physical activity. However, the daily level of physical activity appears to significantly impact the patient’s rehabilitation process. Methods This study analyses the daily level of physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form) in a group of 125 patients undergoing rehabilitation, and its relationship with levels of mental health (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale) and quality of life (Short Form Health Survey). Additionally, gender differences in all measured variables were analyzed. Results The results show a strong correlation between daily physical activity and levels of mental health (ρ>0.787), as well as a moderate correlation between physical activity levels and quality of life (ρ:0.406–0.586). Furthermore, when analyzing gender differences, women exhibited lower levels compared to men in physical activity (p < 0.001), mental health (p < 0.05), and different quality of life indicators (p < 0.05). Conclusion The results of this study indicate that the level of daily physical activity could influence the quality of life and mental health of patients during the rehabilitation process. Therefore, rehabilitation treatments should include strategies to increase patients’ daily physical activity levels. Furthermore, considering the gender disparities identified, additional studies are warranted in this field.

Revealing the burden of chronic kidney disease in Mexican women, 1990–2021

BackgroundChronic kidney disease (CKD) has become a concerning public health issue, affecting people regardless of their sex, age, or socioeconomic status. We aimed to analyze the burden of female CKD in Mexico between 1990 and 2021, expressed in terms of years lived with disability (YLDs), mortality, years of life lost (YLLs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). Additionally, we evaluated the relationship between DALYs and the Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) and the Healthcare Access and Quality Index (HAQI).MethodsSecondary data analysis from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021. We used mortality, years of life lost due to premature mortality (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs to analyze CKD in women between 1990 and 2021. We used a log-linear segmented regression model to analyze trends in female CKD DALY rates over time. The information was disaggregated by age groups and sub-causes nationally and across the 32 states. Age-standardized rates (ASR) were used.ResultsBetween 1990 and 2021, the ASR mortality and ASR-DALYs due to CKD increased significantly at the national level. The DALYs are almost entirely explained by YLLs, indicating that a large proportion of women with CKD in Mexico die prematurely. Disparities in the burden of this disease were observed across different states and age groups within the country. In 2021, the highest ASR-DALY rate was recorded in Tabasco (1,972.0), while the lowest was in Sinaloa (865.1). The SDI and HAQI were associated with the CKD DALYs in most states.ConclusionsMexican women experience a significant burden due to CKD, reflected in premature deaths and years lived with disability, while disparities between states need to be addressed to reduce inequities. Over the past 32 years, improvements in socioeconomic indicators and the quality and access to healthcare have not contributed to reducing the DALYs rate due to CKD, indicating a need to redirect policies to impact women’s well-being and health positively.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety questionnaire for a Chilean hospital

BackgroundHospital Survey on Patient Safety version 2.0 (HSOSPS 2.0) from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality enables hospitals to gather the information needed to evaluate the patient safety culture within their institution. However, version 2.0 has not been widely implemented in Chile. This study aims to customize and validate the original HSOSPS 2.0 for a Chilean hospital.MethodsTranslation and cross-cultural adaptation, content validity through a group of experts, and a pilot test with cognitive pretest were applied to 259 participants from the nursing team in 11 hospital services to study construct validity and reliability.ResultsIn the current study, a version of the questionnaire adapted to the Chilean cultural context showed excellent content validity with an index of 0.982 (S-CVI). After conducting exploratory factor analysis, a new model with 7 dimensions and 23 questions was proposed, down from the original 10 dimensions and 32 questions. This new model explains 71% of the variability. The model’s goodness of fit indicators were CFI=0.995, TLI=0.994, and RMSEA=0.048. The results of McDonald’s Omega showed high overall reliability with 0.9325.ConclusionsThis study provides a validated measurement instrument that contributes to improving patient safety conditions at the level of the hospital nursing team in highly complex establishments in Chile. However, the dimensions, such as the number of items, were reduced This questionnaire can be used in future nursing research by expanding the sample among health professionals in Chile.Relevance to clinical practiceApplying this version of the questionnaire will be highly beneficial for clinical administrators and nursing staff. It will improve their care practices and promote patient safety in public hospitals in Chile, as well as assist in enhancing nursing policies.

Students’ perception of healthcare services and factors affecting their utilization at a Nigerian University: a cross-sectional study

Healthcare service utilization among university students is critical for ensuring their health and academic success. This study was performed to determine the level of utilization as well as the perception and factors influencing the utilization of healthcare services by students at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD). This research involved a cross-sectional survey in which a semi-structured online questionnaire was used to collect data and a multistage sampling technique was used to sample the students. The students’ perceptions were converted to scores by summing their responses across the questions. The total score for each student was compared against the midpoint of the possible score range. Perceptions with a total score greater than or equal to 12.5 were categorized as positive, while those with a total score less than 12.5 were categorized as negative. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of healthcare service utilization. Utilization of healthcare services, the key outcome variable, was defined as the frequency with which students accessed available health services. All analyses were carried out using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) software. A total of 429 students participated in this study, majority of whom were females (304, 70.9%), with a mean age of 18.9 ± 1.7 years. Three hundred and seventy-five students (87.4%) reported utilizing healthcare services at the university of which 186 (43.4%) reported to occasionally utilize healthcare services in the university. A total of 33.1% perceived that the attitude of staff was poor, while 12.6% strongly disagreed that the healthcare staff were incompetent. Overall, the majority (287, 66.9%) of the students had a negative perception of the utilization of healthcare services. Approximately 16% agreed that the high cost of drugs affects their utilization, while 35.9% agreed that the services provided were too expensive. Predictors of healthcare service utilization included being over 20 years old (AOR = 3.6, 95% CI: 1.1–11.6), study level, with fourth-year students having the highest likelihood of utilization (AOR = 13.8, 95% CI: 5.1–37.4), and positive perception of healthcare staff attitude (AOR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.1–5.9). Students from lower-income families (< 200,000 Naira) were significantly more likely to utilize healthcare services (AOR = 39.2, 95% CI: 12.6–121.5). The study revealed that, despite widespread usage of healthcare services, students have a predominantly negative perception of these services. Key factors influencing healthcare utilization include age, study level, attitude of staff and family income. Addressing these barriers through targeted interventions can improve health outcomes and promote equitable access to quality healthcare.

Strategy for scheduled downtime of hospital information system utilizing third-party applications

BackgroundThe widespread adoption of Hospital Information Systems (HIS) has brought significant benefits in healthcare quality and workflow efficiency. However, downtimes for system maintenance are inevitable and pose a considerable challenge to continuous patient care. Existing strategies, including manual prescription methods, are no longer effective due to increasing reliance on digital systems.MethodThis study implemented two main strategies to mitigate the impact of scheduled downtimes. First, we created an “Emergency query program” that switches to a read-only backup server during downtimes, allowing clinicians to view essential patient data. Second, an “Emergency prescription system” was developed based on the Microsoft Power Platform and integrated into Microsoft Teams. This allows clinicians to perform digital prescriptions even during downtimes.ResultsDuring a planned 90-minute downtime, 282 users accessed the Emergency Prescription System, resulting in 22 prescriptions from various departments. Average times for prescription confirmation and completion were 8 min and 3 s, and 18 min and 40 s, respectively. A post-downtime evaluation revealed high user satisfaction.ConclusionEssential maintenance-induced HIS downtimes are inherently disruptive to patient care process. Our deployment of an emergency query program and a Microsoft Teams-integrated emergency prescription system demonstrated robust care continuity during HIS downtime.

Virtual Reality as an Interactive Tool for the Implementation of Mindfulness in University Settings: A Systematic Review

Over the last few years, the importance of Mindfulness in the field of research has grown exponentially, as it has demonstrated various benefits in improving mental health, although there are still various difficulties in putting these techniques into practice among the university population. However, Virtual Reality is emerging as a tool to improve the implementation of these techniques. For this reason, a systematic review was carried out of the different studies that aim to analyze the impact of the use of Virtual Reality for the implementation of Mindfulness techniques that contribute to the improvement of mental health among the university population at national and international levels. For this review, different international reference databases were searched, such as Web of Science and Scopus, and all selected articles had to be published in the period between 2010 and 2024. The selected publications had to be primary research involving a Mindfulness intervention, carried out among university students, and whose main tool for its implementation was Virtual Reality. A total of seventy-eight studies were initially identified, from which fourteen were selected, as the rest did not meet the inclusion criteria. In sum, the results show that the use of Virtual Reality as a tool for the implementation of Mindfulness techniques is certainly effective in reducing and mitigating high levels of anxiety, depression, and stress among university students. All of the research analyzed shows a substantial improvement in the quality of life, mental health, and life satisfaction of the participants.

Examining priorities and investments made through the Global Financing Facility for maternal and newborn health: a sub-analysis on quality

ABSTRACT Improving quality of care could avert most of the 4.5 million maternal and neonatal deaths and stillbirths that occur each year. The Global Financing Facility (GFF) aims to catalyse the national scale-up of maternal and newborn health (MNH) interventions through focused investments. Achieving impact and value for money requires high, equitable coverage and high quality of interventions. This study examines whether the rhetoric of increasing coverage together with quality has informed investment strategies in MNH through a secondary analysis of 25 GFF documents from 11 African countries. The analysis shows that the country GFF-related documents incorporate some MNH-related quality of care components; however, there is a lack of clarity in what is meant by quality and the absence of core MNH quality of care components as identified by the World Health Organization’s MNH quality framework, especially experience of care and newborn care. Many of the Investment Cases have a more diagonal focus on MNH service delivery considering the clinical dimensions of quality, while the investments described in the Project Appraisal Documents are primarily on horizontal structural aspects of the health system strengthening environment. The GFF is at the forefront of investing in MNH globally and provides an important opportunity to explicitly link health systems investments and quality interventions within the MNH continuum of care for optimal impact.

Exploring the Effects of Qigong, Tai Chi, and Yoga on Fatigue, Mental Health, and Sleep Quality in Chronic Fatigue and Post-COVID Syndromes: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Background/Objectives: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and post-COVID syndrome (PCS) pose a substantial socioeconomic burden. The aim of this systematic review was to assess current evidence regarding the effect of the most popular forms of movement-based mindful exercises, i.e., qigong, tai chi, and yoga, on fatigue and associated symptoms in CFS and PCS. Methods: CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to October 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) where qigong, tai chi, or yoga were compared with waitlist, no intervention, or active controls were included. Independent reviewers participated in data extraction, and evaluated risk of bias, spin of information, completeness of intervention description, and certainty of the evidence (GRADE). Meta-analyses were conducted. The primary outcome was the level of fatigue. Secondary measures were the severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms and sleep quality. Results were expressed as mean difference (MD) or standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Thirteen RCTs with 661 participants were included, with most studies presenting a moderate or high risk of bias. Mindful exercises were more effective than control interventions to alleviate fatigue: SMD (95%CI) = −0.44 (−0.63 to −0.25), I2 = 48%, p &lt; 0.0001. Positive effects were also observed for secondary outcomes. The certainty of the evidence was low or very low. Conclusions: Qigong, tai chi, and yoga may be effective to reduce fatigue and improve anxiety, depression, and sleep quality in adults with CFS or PCS. However, serious methodological concerns limit the clinical applicability of these findings.

Applying the Multimodal Improvement Strategy framework to understand current gaps in the use of antibiograms in hospitals caring for children with cancer in the Eastern Mediterranean and African regions

Abstract Background Empiric use of antibiotics in sick children guided by local antimicrobial susceptibilities (AMS) increases initial therapy effectiveness. Antibiograms (ABG) are cumulative AMS based on results of isolates susceptible to antimicrobial agents routinely tested in an institution over a specific time period. Although ABG use can enhance healthcare quality, for optimum quality healthcare the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of frameworks such as the multimodal improvement strategy (MMIS). We used the MMIS framework to analyze the literature and understand gaps in using ABG in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). The 5 WHO MMIS components are: system change, training and education, monitoring and feedback, reminders and communication, and a culture of safety, summarized as “build it, teach it, check it, sell it, and live it”. By combining elements of a scoping methodology with the MMIS framework, we reviewed the literature surrounding ABG and report the results here. Methods We assembled a 24-member working group (WG) interested in improving infection care and prevention (ICP) in their institutions in the Eastern Mediterranean and African regions. The WG members (physicians, pharmacists, and microbiologists) met virtually twice monthly from March to October 2023. We searched PubMed using essential keywords such as antibiogram, antibiotic, antimicrobial, antibacterial, isolate, and sensitivity test, and supporting keywords such as misuse, resistance, adherence, guideline, susceptibility, development, improvement, stewardship, low-income, middle-income and LMIC. Any identified additional papers were screened for relevance. We grouped the literature according to the five components of the MMIS framework focusing on information on the ABG tool, training in ABG, the outcomes of its use, promotion of its use, and elevation of its importance institutionally. The WG members reviewed literature assigned to each of the five MMIS components, and presented oral reports of main points, gaps, and how to fill the gaps according to a rubric encompassing relevance assessment, methodological evaluation, content evaluation and recommendations. Results We identified 66 publications with authors originating from Africa (n=23, 34.8%), the Americas (n=29, 43.9%), Asia (n=13, 19.7%), Europe (n=12, 18.2%) and Oceania (n=2, 3%). The publications fell into MMIS-Build (n=16, 24.2%), MMIS-Teach (n=16, 24.2%), MMIS-Check (n=14, 21.2%), MMIS-Sell (n=10, 15.2%), and MMIS-Live (n=10, 15.2%). WG members reviewed their assigned papers, discussed them in virtual meetings, and identified 20 papers as strongly relevant. According to the WG members, the literature reviews and discussion improved their ABG knowledge and perception of the utility of evaluation and education applied to ABG. The multidisciplinary WG composition and the MMIS allowed ABG perspectives of new solutions and ideas. Although using a complex framework as MMIS applied to a scarce literature of ABG was challenging, it promoted a deeper understanding of topics and enhanced group cohesion and communication. Conclusion We found a gap in the literature of ABG, especially in LMIC, and it was not often recommended. A lower number of publications within MMIS-Live and MMIS-Sell indicated suboptimal emphasis in sustaining this practice in healthcare. Using the MMIS framework focused discussions of WG members, improved ABG knowledge and clarified the utility of educational interventions.

Strategic Execution Drivers on Performance of Private Hospitals in Nairobi City County, Kenya.

This study assess the influence of strategic execution drivers, specifically strategic leadership and resource allocation, on the performance of private hospitals in Nairobi County, Kenya. Strategy formulation often succeeds, but execution presents significant challenges, particularly in converting plans into successful outcomes. The research highlights the critical role of strategic leadership in shaping organizational culture, decision-making, and employee engagement, while resource allocation directly impacts hospitals' capacity to deliver quality healthcare and achieve operational efficiency. As Nairobi’s healthcare sector grows and competition intensifies, private hospitals must excel in strategy execution to maintain competitiveness. Despite their focus on clinical care, many hospitals face gaps in implementing strategic management, leading to performance deficiencies. Using Transformational Leadership Theory and the Resource-Based View (RBV) theory, the study explores how effective leadership and resource management drive operational success. The research employed a descriptive design, targeting key decision-makers across 62 private hospitals. Results from the analysis indicate that both strategic leadership and resource allocation play a significant role in shaping hospital performance, with correlations of 0.70 and 0.80, respectively. Findings suggest that private hospitals in Nairobi must prioritize aligning leadership and resource strategies to improve performance, meet operational goals, and enhance patient outcomes in an increasingly competitive environment

Status and associated factors of health insurance enrollment among women in Nepal

AbstractThe Government of Nepal (GoN) introduced a Health Insurance Program (HIP) in 2016 aiming to ensure quality healthcare for all Nepalese citizens without financial hardship. However, the HIP has not attracted as many people as expected. It shows low enrollment and high dropout rates. Studies on this issue are scarce, particularly regarding women. To identify the factors associated with women enrollment in health insurance (HI), this study utilized a cross‐sectional design, analyzing secondary data (n = 14,845) from the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2022. Chi‐square test and logistic regression were used to identify associations with women participation in the HIP. Women enrollment in HI was positively and significantly associated with province, age, ethnicity, educational level, religion, place of residence, ecological region, wealth index, women's autonomy in household decisions, household head status, and current employment (p &lt; 0.01). Socioeconomic and demographic factors of the respondents, such as being over 35 years old (aOR = 1.98; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.65–2.39), having a secondary or higher education (aOR = 2.96; 95% CI: 2.43–3.64), being currently employed in a paid job (aOR = 1.31; 95% CI: 1.17–1.47), and belonging to the richest wealth status (aOR = 5.64; 95% CI: 4.33–7.34), were more likely to be enrolled in the HIP compared to their respective reference groups. In conclusion, being of privileged socioeconomic status, belonging to a specific ethnic group, having a higher educational level, being employed, and living in the Mountain region are all associated with women enrollment in HIP. Policymakers may consider these findings when planning and implementing future interventions.

Physiological influences on neurovascular coupling: A systematic review of multimodal imaging approaches and recommendations for future study designs.

In this review, we have amalgamated the literature, taking a multimodal neuroimaging approach to quantify the relationship between neuronal firing and haemodynamics during a task paradigm (i.e., neurovascular coupling response), while considering confounding physiological influences. Original research articles that used concurrent neuronal and haemodynamic quantification in humans (n ≥ 10) during a task paradigm were included from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE and PsychINFO. Articles published before 31 July 2023 were considered for eligibility. Rapid screening was completed by the first author. Two authors completed the title/abstract and full-text screening. Article quality was assessed using a modified version of the National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. A total of 364 articles were included following title/abstract and full-text screening. The most common combination was EEG/functional MRI (68.7%), with cognitive (48.1%) and visual (27.5%) tasks being the most common. The majority of studies displayed an absence/minimal control of blood pressure, arterial gas concentrations and/or heart rate (92.9%), and only 1.3% monitored these factors. A minority of studies restricted or collected data pertaining to caffeine (7.4%), exercise (0.8%), food (0.5%), nicotine (2.7%), the menstrual cycle (0.3%) or cardiorespiratory fitness levels (0.5%). The cerebrovasculature is sensitive to numerous factors; thus, to understand the neurovascular coupling response fully, better control for confounding physiological influences of blood pressure and respiratory metrics is imperative during study-design formulation. Moreover, further work should continue to examine sex-based differences, the influence of sex steroid hormone concentrations and cardiorespiratory fitness.

Association between public health measures and the public's well-being during the pandemic: a nationwide Japanese study.

The present study aimed to investigate the association between the duration of anti-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health measures and the quality of life (QOL) and mental health of the Japanese public. The present, nationwide, questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in September 2021. The cumulative duration in days of anti-COVID-19 public health measures was calculated for each prefecture in the year prior to the survey, and multilevel linear regression analysis was used to determine the association between the duration of these measures and any impairment of QOL or mental health as assessed by the EuroQol 5-dimensions 5-levels (EQ-5D-5L) and the Kessler scale (K6). The study included 28 118 participants from all 47 prefectures. The median duration of public health measures of all prefectures was 179days. Long-term duration of the measures (181-365days) was not independently associated with low EQ-5D-5L (P=0.128) or high K6 (P=0.179) scores after adjusting for potential confounders (Graphical Abstract). Prolongation of the measures may not be associated with a deterioration in the QOL or mental health of the Japanese public. Nevertheless, it may be necessary to reconsider long-term public health measures given the potential they may have to cause collateral damage, such as socioeconomic one.

Home-Based HIFT Altered Quality of Life and Health Related Fitness Parameters in Women

Home-Based HIFT Altered Quality of Life and Health Related Fitness Parameters in Women

The Dynamics of Disparity: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Causes and Consequences of Income and Wealth Inequality and Policy Interventions for Mitigation

In today's global economy, economic disparities remain a pressing issue, persisting across different societies. This paper explores the causes, impacts, and potential policy interventions to address income and wealth inequality. The analysis draws on insights from prominent economists such as Darren Acemoglu, James A. Robinson, Joseph E. Stiglitz, Branko Milanovic, Thomas Piketty, and Emanuel Saez. According to the study, globalization, automation, and labor market dynamics are key economic factors driving inequality. In addition, political and social factors, including tax policies, governance models, and access to education and healthcare, significantly impact economic distribution. The consequences of inequality are multifaceted, affecting economic growth, social mobility, social health, and political stability. Furthermore, this paper discusses various policy interventions, such as progressive taxation, improved access to quality education and healthcare, and more robust social safety nets, as potential solutions to mitigate the adverse effects of economic disparities and promote a more equitable distribution of wealth.

Is sexual function impaired in patients with primary headaches? A systematic review of observational studies.

Primary headaches, particularly migraine and tension-type headaches, as chronic and painful conditions, have a significant impact on individuals' health and overall quality of life, including aspects such as sexual health parameters. The aim of this study was to review observational studies and to summarize the presence of sexual dysfunction in patients with primary headache and to discern whether it is more common in patients with primary headache than in healthy control subjects. Observational studies published between January 1, 2000, and May 21, 2023 were searched in Medline (PubMed), Web of Science, Scopus, and EBSCO. This review included 23 observational studies that evaluated sexual dysfunction with or without comparison with healthy control subjects. As a result, the mean Female Sexual Function Index score, a score of <26.55 indicating sexual dysfunction, ranged from 19.25 ± 8.18 to 27.5 ± 7.5 in patients with primary headache. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction and erectile dysfunction was found to be between 10.7% and 93.75% in female patients and between 54.83% and 80% in male patients. Both migraineurs and tension-type headache sufferers had statistically significantly lower sexual function scores in females and lower erectile function scores in males compared with healthy control subjects. Sexual function is significantly affected in patients with primary headache, which is a chronic painful disorder. Therefore, it is very important to ask these patients about their sexual health and, if necessary, to seek support from a sexual health professional. Additionally, future studies may prioritize tension-type headaches and male patients due to the limited amount of research available on these subjects.

Cardiovascular Health and Diet Quality among Vegetarians, Vegans and Omnivores: Insights from a Large Urban Population in Poland

Cardiovascular Health and Diet Quality among Vegetarians, Vegans and Omnivores: Insights from a Large Urban Population in Poland

Hospital Experiences of Carers in Relation to the Comprehensive Care Standard: A Mixed Method Study.

To explore the care experiences of informal carers of people with chronic conditions in hospitals and identify areas for improvement in the context of comprehensive care delivery. A explanatory sequential mixed-method study. This study was conducted, involving a survey with 182 carers and interviews with 31 carers of individuals who attended an Australian hospital. Descriptive analysis of quantitative data was performed using RStudio, while thematic analysis of qualitative data was conducted using NVivo. The findings revealed seven overarching components of care that influenced carers' hospitalexperiences and their perceptions of care quality. Areas requiring improvement were identified within these categories. This review identifies common perspectives of informal carers of people with chronic conditions in hospital settings and highlights important areas that require attention to improve carers' hospital care experiences. Carers should be welcomed, involved, informed and supported during hospital attendance to foster the most positive care experiences. Healthcare professionals should involve carers in assessment, shared decision-making and the care process and recognise and address carers' needs. The findings revealed the carer's hospital experiences in the context of comprehensive care delivery and identified areas requiring improvement. The CROSS and the COREQ guidelines were followed. The study protocol was presented to stakeholders from two hospitals in Australia, a Patient and Carer Advisory Board (attached to the parent project: evaluating Quality of Care (eQC))and the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, and discussions were held to assess the relevance and significance of this study to clinical practice and health policy.

Exploring cultural competence barriers in the primary care sexual and reproductive health centres in Catalonia, Spain: perspectives from immigrant women and healthcare providers

BackgroundImmigrant populations, especially women, continue facing challenges in accessing quality healthcare, particularly sexual and reproductive health services (SRH). Poor cultural competent health systems contribute to communication challenges between immigrant women and healthcare providers perpetuating health disparities. This exploratory study describes these communication barriers from the perspective of Moroccan and Pakistani immigrant women and healthcare providers within the Catalan health system and its implications to ensure an equitable provision of SRH services.MethodsAn exploratory-descriptive qualitative study was conducted in various municipalities of Barcelona with high concentration of immigrants. Eight focus groups (N = 51) and semi-structured interviews (N = 22) with Moroccan and Pakistani immigrant women were combined with key informant interviews (N = 13) with healthcare professionals. Thematic analysis and data triangulation were performed primarily using an inductive approach.ResultsLanguage barriers and cultural differences in health needs, expectations, care-seeking behaviours and understanding of quality healthcare provision hindered the ability of immigrant women and providers to interact effectively. Limited availability of intercultural mediators and inadequate cultural competence training opportunities for health staff were also identified. Findings suggest a lack of minority representation in the Catalan health workforce and leadership roles.ConclusionThis study reinforces the evidence of persistent inequities in accessing healthcare among immigrant populations by focusing on the cultural competence barriers of the Catalan health system in the provision and access to SRH services. The regularization of adequately trained intercultural mediators, quality training in cultural competence for health staff and a commitment to increase workforce diversity would contribute to improve intercultural communication between immigrant patients and providers. An urgent call to action in this direction is needed to ensure an equitable access to SRH services among immigrant women.

Sexual Health and Psychological Well-Being: An Examination of the Interactions between Sexual Satisfaction, Relationship Dynamics, And Mental Health

This study comprehensively examines the relationships between sexual health and psychological well-being, focusing on sexual satisfaction, relationship dynamics, and mental health. The primary objective of this research is to determine how individuals' levels of sexual satisfaction impact their psychological well-being and to understand the dynamics of this relationship. While existing literature widely discusses the positive effects of sexual satisfaction on individuals' overall mental health and quality of life, this research aims to analyze these interactions from a more unique perspective. Utilizing quantitative methods, including statistical analyses such as independent sample t-tests, the study compares face-to-face and online data sets. The findings reveal that sexual satisfaction has a significant and robust impact on psychological well-being. It was observed that sexual satisfaction enhances individuals' capacity to cope with stress, reduces anxiety levels, and improves overall mental health. Additionally, relationship dynamics, particularly factors such as emotional alignment and closeness with a partner, significantly strengthen the interaction between sexual satisfaction and psychological well-being. In this context, the study sheds light on the interdependent dynamics of sexual health and psychological well-being, offering critical insights for clinical practice in this area. Enhancing sexual satisfaction could substantially improve individuals' quality of life and mental health. Therefore, it is recommended that sexual health topics receive greater emphasis in psychotherapy and counseling processes.