bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maternal healthcare service utilisation and associated factors among mothers in a rural Wolaita, southern Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Kumma Wondimagegn Paulos , Kuche Abera 
Published: January 2025

ObjectiveTo assess the level of maternal healthcare service utilisation and related factors to its frequency of care among mothers who gave birth in the previous 2 years before the survey in rural Wolaita, southern Ethiopia.DesignCross-sectional survey.SettingThis study was undertaken in Kindo Didaye, rural Wolaita, southern Ethiopia, from February to March 2016.ParticipantsOut of 552 who gave birth, 544 (98.5%) mothers aged between 15 and 49 years, selected using two-stage random sampling, participated in the study.Outcome measuresMaternal healthcare service utilisation frequency and proportion and associated factors.ResultThe proportion of maternal healthcare service utilisation was 59.38% (95% CI: 55.11% to 63.53%), with 50.74% (95% CI: 46.45% to 55.01%), 16.18% (95% CI: 13.18% to 19.54%) and 31.80% (95% CI: 27.90% to 35.90%) prevalence of antenatal care (ANC), delivery care and postnatal care (PNC), respectively. The frequency of maternal healthcare service utilisation was positively related to having a favourable attitude towards maternal healthcare service utilisation, knowledge of mothers about maternal healthcare, walking distance to healthcare facilities in 30 and 30–60 min from residence and joint decision by mothers and their husbands on the place of delivery.ConclusionThe proportion of maternal healthcare service utilisation in the study area was low, exacerbated by lower ANC, delivery care and PNC. The frequency of maternal healthcare service utilisation increased with a favourable attitude towards maternal healthcare service utilisation, knowledge of mothers about maternal healthcare, short travel distance to healthcare facilities and joint decisions by mothers and their husbands on the place of delivery. Based on the findings of this study, we suggest promoting strategies by the local health department and other concerned bodies to maintain and improve the attitude and knowledge of mothers towards maternal healthcare service utilisation. We also recommend increasing the accessibility to healthcare facilities and promoting joint decision-making processes by the mothers and their husbands on the place of delivery in the study area and similar settings in the country.
Multicomponent rehabilitation to improve independence and functioning in elderly patients with common age-associated diseases: a scoping review
Authors: Baritello Omar , Taxis Theo , Stein Hanna , Luizink-Dogan Machteld , Völler Heinz , Salzwedel Annett 
Published: January 2025

ObjectiveMulticomponent rehabilitation (MR) could restore functioning in elderly patients after hospitalisation, even beyond geriatrics, but specific evidence seems lacking. This review mapped the evidence on MR in elderly patients following hospitalisation for age-related conditions regarding functioning-related outcomes.DesignScoping review.Data sourcesPubMed, Cochrane Library, International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and ClinicalTrials.gov (searched through 24 June 2024).Eligibility criteriaWe included randomised controlled trials (RCT) and controlled cohort studies (CCS) comparing centre-based MR with usual care (medical care excluding exercise training) in patients ≥75 years, hospitalised for age-related cardiac, neurological, oncological and orthopaedic diseases. MR was defined as exercise training and at least one additional component (eg, nutritional counselling), starting within 3 months after hospital discharge. RCTs and CCS were included from inception, without language restriction. Care dependency, physical function, health-related quality of life (HRQL) and activities of daily living (ADL) after ≥6 months follow-up were the outcomes of interest.Data extraction and synthesisFour reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts and full texts for inclusion and extracted data. MR components and the typology of outcome assessments used were mapped at the final data synthesis level.ResultsOut of 20 409 records, nine studies were investigated in the final data synthesis. Throughout these studies, disease education was the most frequent MR component besides exercise training, while physical function, HRQL and ADL were commonly assessed outcomes. One RCT (cardiac rehabilitation, 80±0.3 years, MR/usual care n=24/23) fully met the inclusion criteria and reported improvements in physical function (2 months) and in HRQL (2, 8, 14 months post intervention) in MR patients.ConclusionsEvidence on MR regarding functioning-related outcomes in ≥75-year-old patients is sparse beyond geriatrics. There is an essential need for studies investigating the capabilities of MR in this growing and under-represented patient population.Trial registration numberOSF (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/GFK5C).
Migrant Health Country Profile tool (MHCP-t) for transforming health data collection and surveillance in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region: tool development protocol with embedded process evaluation
Authors: Evangelidou Stella , Seedat Farah , Deal Anna , Ouahchi Anissa , Maatoug Taha , Elafef Eman , Edries Hassan , Bouaddi Oumnia , Abdellatifi Moudrick , Arias Sara , Khelifi Abdedayem , Chrifi Hassan , Douagi Mohamed , Abdelkhalek Adel , Mtiraoui Ali , Mansour Wejdene , Khalis Mohamed , Hilali Mahmoud , Bani Ibrahim Ahmed , Hassouni Kenza , Assarag Bouchra , Wickramage Kolitha , Zenner Dominik , Hargreaves Sally , Requena-Mendez Ana 
Published: January 2025

IntroductionThe Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is characterised by major health disparities and complex migration flows. Yet, because of a lack of epidemiological data, there is an urgent need to strengthen routine data collection around migrant health and to define key indicators towards migrant health monitoring. To address this problem, we aim to design and pilot test the Migrant Health Country Profile tool (MHCP-t) which can collate country-level data collection around migration health data, policies and healthcare provision.Methods and analysisThe MHCP-t development is a stepwise process that will integrate a process evaluation model with active involvement and engagement of multilevel stakeholders. First, towards the generation of indicators, qualitative field activities will be conducted in different regions in Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt with migrants (n=50 per region), migrant community leaders (n=20 per region) and professionals working with them (n=20 per region). Deductive–inductive thematic analysis will be applied to the data collected. Results from the national qualitative studies and a series of systematic reviews in the MENA region will conclude with a first draft of tool indicators which will be reviewed by national and international experts using the Nominal Group Technique. The revised indicators will be entered into an electronic data capture system and the tool will be pilot-tested by applying a mixed-methods process evaluation to examine its relevance, comprehensiveness, comprehensibility and other practical issues, such as completion time and ease of responding. Mechanisms of change will be assessed on how the participative interactions towards the tool development can trigger change at national and regional levels.Ethics and disseminationThe study protocol has been approved by the institutional review boards at the Hospital Clinic in Barcelona, Spain, the University of Sousse in Sousse, Tunisia, the University Hospital of Tanger, Morocco and Badr University of Cairo in Egypt. Findings will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and communications to national and regional congresses.
Digital health technologies and self-efficacy in Parkinson’s: a scoping review
Authors: Hall Andrew Michael , Allgar Victoria , Carroll Camille B , Meinert Edward 
Published: January 2025

ObjectivePrior research has identified that people with Parkinson’s reporting lower levels of self-efficacy exhibit worsening motor and non-motor symptomology, reduced quality of life, and self-management. Our key objective was to conduct a scoping review examining the impact of digital health technologies on self-efficacy in people with Parkinson’s.DesignA scoping review using Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) framework was undertaken.Data sourcesMEDLINE, Embase, PsychINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, and Google Scholar principally for grey literature were searched from 1 January 2008 to the 24th of July 2024.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesPrimary studies which incorporated digital health technologies, measured self-efficacy and had a sample population of people with Parkinson’s were searched.Data extraction and synthesisFollowing identification of potentially eligible records, two independent reviewers undertook title and abstract screening, followed by full-text screening. Data was extracted using our earlier published data extraction sheet which incorporated the Practical Reviews in Self-Management Support (PRISMS) taxonomy, and the template for intervention description and replication (TIDieR) checklist. Data was extracted from a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and synthesised by describing themes, demographic data and numerical data.ResultsFrom 33 165 unique records following screening and independent review by two reviewers, 11 eligible records were found. Of these five elevated self-efficacy to a statistically significant level, five did not and one lowered self-efficacy. Of the studies which raised self-efficacy to a statistically significant level, all adopted a multimodal approach with a variety of devices. Thematically, these devices were focused on physical activity, falls/falls prevention, or both. The level of heterogeneity precluded comparisons between studies.ConclusionsThis scoping review identified significant knowledge and evidence gaps in the literature, and the limited number of eligible studies make these findings not generalisable. Future self-management research might benefit from also considering self-efficacy.
Knowledge, attitudes and practices of healthcare professionals in the management of patients with hypertension and concurrent bronchial asthma: a cross-sectional study in the Yellow River Delta region of China
Authors: Yu Fei , Xu Wenwen , Ma Xingbin , Yang Yang , Gao Jinxiang , Yan Xiaohong 
Published: January 2025

ObjectiveTo assess the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) among healthcare professionals in managing patients with coexisting hypertension and bronchial asthma.DesignA cross-sectional survey. The reporting of this study followed the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist.SettingFrom 30 March to 15 April 2024 at 66 various level hospitals and community health service centres.ParticipantsPhysicians and nurses specialising in clinical internal medicine, each with over 2 years of practice and who provided informed consent.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe demographic characteristics of the healthcare professionals and their KAP towards the Management of Patients with Hypertension and Concurrent Bronchial Asthma were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The primary outcome was the KAP scores. The secondary outcomes were the factors associated with the KAP scores and how the KAP dimensions interacted among them.ResultsThe study involved 586 valid questionnaires collected from participants. Participants’ median KAP scores were as follows: knowledge – 8 (IQR: 6–9), attitude – 31 (29-34) and practice – 41 (36-46) on scales ranging from 0 to 12, 7 to 35 and 12 to 60, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed having a Bachelor’s degree or higher education (OR=0.614; 95% CI (0.421, 0.896); p=0.011), and a knowledge score ≥8 (OR=2.130; 95% CI (1.527, 2.973); p<0.001) significantly predicted adherence to recommended practices. Structural equation modelling revealed significant direct effects between knowledge and attitude (β=0.578, p=0.010) and between knowledge and practice (β=0.221, p=0.010). However, the direct link between attitude and practice (β=0.162, p=0.052) and indirect effect of knowledge on practice via attitude (β=0.094, p=0.052) were not statistically significant.ConclusionsHealthcare professionals exhibited limited knowledge, positive attitudes but suboptimal practices when managing patients with comorbid hypertension and bronchial asthma. It is crucial to develop targeted educational interventions and continuous professional development programmes to improve clinical outcomes in this patient population.
Relationship between the latent profiles of health information-seeking behaviour and glycated haemoglobin levels in patients with type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional survey in rural areas of China
Authors: Zeng Lin , Zhang Yan-Ping , Zhang Xin , Chen Jing-Feng , Bai Chao-Qun , Lei Xiao-Xue , Fu Gui-Fen 
Published: January 2025

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to analyse the heterogeneity of health information-seeking behaviour (HISB) among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in rural areas based on latent profiles and to explore the relationship between various behaviours and glycaemic control rates and the factors influencing glycaemic control rates.MethodsBetween January and July 2022, a stratified cluster random sampling method was used to sample T2D patients in the rural Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Participants completed a general information questionnaire and a HISB scale. Latent profile analysis (LPA) identified behaviour categories, and χ2tests examined differences in glycaemic control rates across these categories. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyse factors influencing glycaemic control. The glycaemic control rate was defined as the proportion of individuals whose HbA1c levels are less than 7.0%, indicating good control, in relation to the total number of individuals assessed.ResultsA total of 2178 valid questionnaires were received in this study, and respondents were divided into three categories according to the LPA of their HISB: negative (18.3%), occlusive (46.8%) and inefficient (34.9%). The glycaemic control rate of patients with T2D in rural areas was 22.6% (494/2178 cases). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the category of patients’ HISB profile, age, course of disease and educational level were the factors influencing the glycaemic control rate (all p<0.05).ConclusionPatients with T2D in rural areas had poor glycaemic control and inadequate HISB. Three latent profile categories were identified that reflect the HISB of this group. We recommend that clinical medical professionals develop personalised health management education based on the various latent profile characteristics of patients to promote HISB and thereby achieve optimal glycaemic control.
Evaluation of disparities in hospitalisation outcomes for deaf and hard of hearing patients with COVID-19: a multistate analysis of statewide inpatient databases from Florida, Maryland, New York and Washington
Authors: Sakai-Bizmark Rie , Kumamaru Hiraku , Lee Jong Hyon , Estevez Dennys , Wu Frank , Marr Emily H , Miller Loren G 
Published: January 2025

ObjectiveInvestigate whether deaf or hard of hearing (D/HH) patients with COVID-19 exhibited different hospitalisation outcomes compared with hearing patients with COVID-19.DesignCohort studySettingStatewide Inpatient Databases for Florida, Maryland, New York and Washington, for the year 2020.ParticipantsRecords of patients aged 18–64 years with COVID-19Primary outcomes and measuresDifferences in in-hospital death, 90-day readmission, length of stay, hospitalisation cost, hospitalisation cost per day, intensive care unit (ICU) or coronary care unit (CCU) utilisation and ventilation use were evaluated. Adjustment variables included patient basic characteristics, socioeconomic factors, and clinical factors.ResultsThe analyses included 347 D/HH patients and 72 882 non-D/HH patients. Multivariable log-transformed linear regression models found an association of patients’ hearing loss status with longer length of stay (adjusted mean ratio (aMR) 1.15, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.27, p<0.01), higher hospitalisation cost (aMR 0.96, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.22, p=0.049) and lower hospitalisation cost per day (aMR 0.96, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.00, p=0.04). We did not detect any significant relationships with other outcomes.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that higher hospitalisation costs were attributed to prolonged stays rather than costly interventions, such as ICU care. Communication barriers between healthcare providers and D/HH patients, coupled with providers’ cautious approach to discharging D/HH patients, may explain our findings.
Comparative evaluation of funduscopy, PCR and serology in the diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis at ECWA Eye Hospital, Kano
Authors: Adebakin Biodun Bintu , Atima Mayor Orezime , Idakwo Ugbede , Bala Jamilu Abubakar , Abdullahi Alhasan Sharif , Muhammad Auwal Bello , Pam Jah Douglas , Dingwoke Emeka John , Darda Florence Olufunke 
Published: January 2025

ObjectiveOcular toxoplasmosis, caused byToxoplasma gondii, is a significant cause of posterior uveitis and vision impairment globally. Accurate diagnosis is essential to prevent retinal damage and optimise treatment. This study aimed to compare three diagnostic methods funduscopy, serology (ELISA), and PCR in detecting ocular toxoplasmosis in patients at ECWA Eye Hospital, Kano, Nigeria.Methods and analysisA total of 264 patients suspected of having ocular toxoplasmosis were enrolled. Funduscopy was performed to identify retinal lesions typical ofT. gondii. Serological analysis was conducted using ELISA to detect anti-ToxoplasmaIgG antibodies. Additionally, PCR was used to confirm the presence ofT. gondiiDNA in blood samples. The results from these methods were compared with assess their sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic value.ResultsFunduscopy detectedT. gondiiin 25.4% (67/264) of the patients, while ELISA showed a higher detection rate of 36.7% (97/264). PCR, the most specific method, confirmed infection in only 3.8% (10/264) of cases, with 60% (6/10) of these being male and 40% (4/10) female.T. gondiidetected had 196 base pairs. The study found that ELISA had the highest sensitivity (90.0%) but lower specificity (64.9%), whereas funduscopy showed high specificity (74.4%) but low sensitivity (20.0%). PCR had the highest specificity but a low detection rate, emphasising its role in confirming diagnosis.ConclusionAlthough ELISA and funduscopy detected more positive cases, PCR remains the gold standard for confirmingT. gondiiinfection due to its high specificity. In resource-limited settings like ECWA Eye Hospital, combining serology and PCR offers a practical approach for improving diagnostic accuracy and ensuring timely treatment of ocular toxoplasmosis.
Selective expression and significance of ACKR2 in lung aerocytes
Authors: Albano Francesca , Mollica Poeta Valeria , Zotti Lucia , Castagna Alessandra , Felicetta Arianna , Mesaglio Alessandro , Zaghen Elisa , Sironi Marina , Capucetti Arianna , Di Donato Rachele , Laffranchi Mattia , Massara Matteo , Carriero Roberta , Condorelli Gianluigi , Sozzani Silvano , Mantovani Alberto , Locati Massimo , Bonecchi Raffaella 
Published: January 2025

BackgroundACKR2 is an atypical chemokine receptor that plays a significant role in regulating inflammation by binding to inflammatory CC chemokines and facilitating their degradation. Previous findings suggest that the genetic absence of ACKR2 leads to heightened tumor growth in inflammation-driven models. Conversely, mice lacking ACKR2 exhibit protection against lung metastasis in melanoma and breast cancer models. This study aims to explore the specific cell types expressing ACKR2 and their relative contributions to the protection against lung metastasis.MethodsACKR2 expression was studied by the generation of an inducible and conditional knockout (KO) mouse expressing two reporter genes, luciferase and TdTomato visible by In Vivo Imaging System, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. Gene expression in lung endothelial cells (ECs) was investigated by RNA sequencing analysis. In vivo models of lung metastasis and inflammation were performed in wild-type (WT) and conditional KO mice by intravenous injection of melanoma and colon cancer cell lines; the induction of acute lung injury model was done by intranasal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Leukocytes infiltrating lung metastasis were studied by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis. The serum chemokine levels were studied with a multiplex ELISA.ResultsThe analysis of the reporter mouse revealed that ACKR2 is expressed by lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) in most murine organs. However, uniquely in the lungs, ACKR2 expression is observed in blood endothelial cells (BECs), specifically in capillaries known as aerocytes specialized for regulating leukocyte trafficking. Selective deletion of Ackr2 from ECs (ACKR2ΔCdh5mice) but not from LECs (ACKR2ΔProx1mice) resulted in protection in models of melanoma and colorectal cancer lung metastasis. This protection was associated with an increased presence of activated T lymphocytes infiltrating the lungs compared with WT mice. Additionally, in a model of acute lung injury, mice with selective deletion from the endothelial compartment exhibited heightened extravasation of T lymphocytes compared with both ACKR2 KO and WT mice.ConclusionsThese results indicate that ACKR2 is selectively expressed by lung vascular capillaries (aerocytes) that are devoted to the regulation of leukocyte extravasation. Selective ACKR2 targeting in this compartment, by modulating chemokine availability, promotes T lymphocyte extravasation resulting in reduced lung metastases.