오픈뉴스백과
세계의 오늘한국의 오늘라이브둘러보기뉴스ONP 브리핑
뉴스로 배우기커뮤니티회사학술과학정부용어사전피드 제보내 편향
...

오픈뉴스백과

집단지성 기반 뉴스 검증 플랫폼. 다양한 시각으로 뉴스를 이해합니다.

서비스

세계의 오늘한국의 오늘라이브뉴스정부과학학술용어사전소개

법적 고지

개인정보처리방침이용약관콘텐츠 이용 안내

문의

문의하기

본 플랫폼에서 제공하는 뉴스 콘텐츠의 저작권은 각 언론사에 있으며, 무단 복제 및 배포를 금지합니다.

RSS 피드를 통해 수집된 콘텐츠는 각 원저작자의 라이선스 조건을 따릅니다. 오픈 라이선스(CC-BY 등) 콘텐츠는 해당 라이선스에 따라 출처를 표기합니다.

오픈뉴스백과는 뉴스 집계 및 검증 플랫폼으로, 개별 기사의 내용에 대한 책임은 해당 언론사에 있습니다.

이용자가 작성한 피드백, 팩트체크, 독자 제보 등의 콘텐츠에 대한 책임은 해당 작성자에게 있습니다.

콘텐츠 제거·정정이 필요하시면 문의하기에 남겨 주세요.

© 2026 오픈뉴스백과 (OpenNewsPedia). All rights reserved.

📑

학술

arXiv 등 학술 논문. CC-BY 라이선스로 자유 재사용 가능 — 출처표시 시 상업 사용 OK.

총 89건

분야

전체arXiv Math8,130arXiv CS.AI5,999arXiv Physics2,692arXiv Stat1,361PLOS ONE601arXiv Econ372arXiv Q-Bio340eLife117PLOS Global Public Health89PLOS Biology45PLOS Medicine36
PLOS Global Public Health

How can new TB vaccines be effectively introduced in Indonesia? Insights from diverse stakeholders

by Nina Dwi Putri, Ahmad Fuady, Nugroho Soeharno, Aqila Sakina Zafira, Margareta Sirena Valeria, Pratama Wicaksana, Poppy Yuniar, Mardiati Nadjib, Azhiim Yudha, Katherine A. Thomas, Rebecca A. Clark, Sri Rezeki Hadinegoro, Richard G. White New adult tuberculosis (TB) vaccines are in clinical trials and may be licensed as soon as 2028. However, vaccine rollout requires addressing multiple contextual factors beyond clinical trial findings. This study explored stakeholders’ perspectives on the introduction of a new TB vaccine in Indonesia. We used a mixed-methods approach combining a stakeholder consultation in Jakarta (13/03/2025) among 28 participants with diverse expertise and follow-up interviews with two of those participants. Participants completed a structured questionnaire (via Slido) consisting of closed- and open-ended questions, adapted into Bahasa. Questions explored factors to be considered regarding vaccine introduction, target populations, delivery strategies, regulatory considerations, and lessons from other vaccine programs. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, and qualitative responses underwent thematic analysis. All participants agreed on the importance of TB vaccine introduction. Key concerns were minimum efficacy of 50% and comparative effectiveness against other interventions, such as TB preventive treatment. Most agreed that vaccine introduction should not depend on local manufacturing capacity, administration route, or dosage. Critical enablers identified were adequate funding, strong political commitment, and demand generation through public acceptance. Priority target populations included people living with HIV/AIDS, individuals with diabetes, household contacts of TB patients, adolescents, and healthcare workers. Major challenges highlighted were vaccine hesitancy, halal issues, misinformation, and limited healthcare worker knowledge. Opinions diverged regarding the feasibility of vaccine rollout without Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) testing: nine opposed vaccinating those with IGRA-negative status, six abstained, and three argued that IGRA-testing was unnecessary and cost-inefficient due to its high price. Regulatory and budgeting processes were cited as additional barriers. Introducing new TB vaccines in Indonesia will be complex and concerns extend beyond efficacy. Its success will depend on coordinated strategies to define target populations, design tailored delivery approaches, address vaccine hesitancy, and navigate regulatory and financing challenges.

PLOS Global Public Health

“This is what a war does”- Trust, information ecosystems and childhood vaccination among Ukrainian parents: A qualitative study

by Harriet Dwyer, Nadine Beckmann, Jennifer Palmer, Fedir Lapii, Dorota Kleszczewska, Agnieszka Sochon-Latuszek, Hanna Yahorava, Kateryna Gatsenko, Luisa Enria Armed conflict not only disrupts health systems but reconfigures trust in vaccination and interactions with information. This study explored how the war in Ukraine has reshaped vaccine attitudes among parents living in Lviv, Ukraine and those displaced to Warsaw, Poland. Using a qualitative design, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 30 Ukrainian parents and 21 key informants, including healthcare workers, journalists, humanitarian actors and policy makers. Data were collected between November 2024 and March 2025 and analysed thematically to identify key patterns in how conflict and displacement influence trust and decision-making around childhood vaccination. Findings show that war and displacement disrupted continuity of care, with vaccination often deprioritised as families navigate documentation, housing and safety. Structural and language barriers further limited access, especially for displaced families. Yet, some parents described vaccination as a means to protect their children and reclaim their agency amid uncertainty, demonstrating active engagement with healthcare despite instability. Information practices were also reconfigured: digital platforms, particularly Telegram, became key spaces for seeking, sharing and interpreting information. Trust was shaped by perceived authenticity, responsiveness and emotional connection to information sources. This study highlights that access and vaccine confidence are mutually reinforcing. At the same time, efforts to sustain trust in vaccination must therefore go beyond focusing on information (and mis/disinformation) and draw on empathetic, transparent and participatory communication means. Strengthening continuity of care, empowering health workers and embedding community feedback mechanisms within humanitarian health responses are critical for sustaining confidence in vaccines in conflict settings.

PLOS Global Public Health

“Treating myself first”: Healthcare-seeking experiences among migrant workers in Thailand’s fisheries sector

by Niphattra Haritavorn Migrant workers play a crucial role in Thailand’s fishery and seafood processing industry. However, their social and economic circumstances present significant barriers to healthcare access. This study explored the healthcare-seeking experiences of migrant workers employed in Thailand’s seafood processing sector. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 30 migrant workers employed and five migrant health volunteers and analyzed using thematic analysis. In response to illness, participants navigated multiple healing systems through sequential healthcare-seeking practices described as taking care of myself first, turning to people I trust, using alternative treatments, and receiving biomedical services. Delayed healthcare seeking and reliance on self-medication were commonly shaped by financial insecurity, unstable employment, and concerns about income loss. Migrant health volunteers also played an important role in bridging linguistic, cultural, and social gaps between migrant communities and the formal healthcare system. These findings highlight how healthcare-seeking behaviors among migrant workers are shaped by broader social and structural conditions. Community-based interventions and migrant-inclusive health policies may help improve equitable access to healthcare services among migrant workers in Thailand.

PLOS Global Public Health

Operational research in infectious disease outbreak response: An analysis of the World Health Organization’s Disease Outbreak News

by Melissa Rosenthal, Jeni Stolow, Florian Vogt, Hannah Barnsley, Eleanor Caine, Daniela Garone, Gail Carson, Lauren Sauer, Victor Del Rio Vilas, Lucia Mullen Timely and effective response to infectious disease outbreaks depends on the rapid application of evidence-based policies. Operational research (OR) is conducted during emergency response to inform decision-making, and guide response strategies; however, there is no standardized mechanism for documenting how OR is conducted or communicated during outbreaks. The World Health Organization Disease Outbreak News (DONs) platform is a global reporting mechanism that provides publicly-accessible updates on acute public health emergency response activities. Although DONs reports describe outbreak response actions, the extent to which they capture OR has not been examined. This study reviewed DONs reports to characterize how outbreak response efforts are documented and to assess the visibility of OR reporting. A structured content analysis was conducted of DONs reports published between January 2012 and October 2024. Reports describing acute infectious disease outbreaks were included. Quantitative data were extracted on outbreak response activities, deployment, technical support, and OR. Reports were deductively coded using a coding framework to identify thematic patterns. 412 outbreak events were included. Most DONs reports described deployment activities (100%) and technical support (95.1%). OR was explicitly mentioned in only 9 reports (2.2%).. Thematic analysis identified four key patterns: increasing report completeness over time; frequent association of deployment with laboratory and diagnostic activities; frequent association of technical support with infection prevention and control; and inconsistent OR reporting. Terminology used to describe response varied across reports, making systematic identification of OR difficult. While DONs reports provide valuable and accessible information on outbreak response activities, they capture limited information on OR. Enhancing reporting guidance, including clearer terminology and OR documentation, could improve the ability to share lessons learned. While DONs are not intended as the sole forum for reporting OR, strengthening their role as a communication platform may support knowledge sharing and contribute to effective, evidence-informed outbreak response.

PLOS Global Public Health

Implementing the World Health Organization - Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Article 5.3: A qualitative study in 17 Indian states

by Upendra Bhojani, Shivam Kapoor, Amit Yadav, Puneet Chahar, Ashish K. Pandey, Rana J. Singh India experiences a high degree of tobacco industry interference. The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, in its Article 5.3, requires members to protect their policies from tobacco industry influence. Despite the global guidance, the implementation of the Article 5.3 of the convention remains far from desired. We study implementation processes concerning the Article 5.3 policies in 17 of the 19 Indian states that had adopted such policies by 2023. We first conducted an online survey to understand the nature and enforcement of Article 5.3 policies. We then conducted focus group discussions engaging representatives from governments and civil society. The inquiry focused on understanding the prevailing policies, perceived challenges, and good practices in policy implementation as well as the perceived policy impacts. We used reflexive thematic analysis of the qualitative data. There were 17 respondents for the survey, and a total of 258 participants in 17 focus group discussions across study states. Major perceived challenges in the implementation of Article 5.3 policies included limited dissemination/awareness about these policies, suboptimal functioning of the committees overseeing implementation, low priority accorded to these policies, and interference by the tobacco industry. Several government departments were perceived vulnerable to industry interference, with the departments of education, health, and municipal administration perceived as the most vulnerable. A few states adopted practices that facilitated Article 5.3 policy implementation, including display of policy signage/declarations, issue of policy orders/notifications by non-health departments, and setting up a complaints mechanism and norms to avoid sponsorships by private entities. These policies were perceived to have reduced visible interference from the industry and enabled some of the government agencies to refuse funding/partnerships with the tobacco industry. The sub-national Article 5.3 policies in India have a promise to reduce tobacco industry interference. However, implementation of these policies ought to be strengthened.

PLOS Global Public Health

Violence against women and children in the Pacific: A systematic scoping review and expert consultation of prevention interventions

by Hattie Lowe, Fiona Langridge, Arieta Matalomani, Jurgita Seraikaite, Lucy Stevens, Louisa Apelu, Helen Tanielu, Jenevieve Mannell The Pacific region experiences some of the world’s highest rates of violence against women and children (VAW/C), yet it has also shown leadership and innovation in prevention efforts. Despite progress, evidence gaps remain, particularly regarding intervention impact. This scoping review systematically maps current evidence on VAW/C prevention in the Pacific, complemented by expert consultation. Eleven interventions were identified across five countries – Solomon Islands, Samoa, Aotearoa New Zealand, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea. Most interventions focused on VAW or family violence, with only one directly addressing VAC. Interventions were grouped into four categories based on their mechanisms of action: participatory learning and action, community mobilisation, community response, and policy or institutional response. Several interventions demonstrated promising outcomes, including reductions in VAW, shifts in norms, and increased community engagement. Interventions grounded in Pacific values and knowledge systems showed particularly strong potential. However, most were small in scale, pilot in nature, and assessed over short periods, limiting insight into mechanisms of change, sustainability and scalability. Despite gaps, the diversity and innovation of prevention efforts in the Pacific reflects growing momentum. Realising their potential will require sustained investment, local capacity strengthening, and coordinated implementation of culturally relevant, evidence-informed interventions and evaluation frameworks.

PLOS Global Public Health

Beliefs, referrals, and mental healthcare pathways in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

by Martial Mumbere Vagheni, Jean-Bosco Kahindo Mbeva, Astride Lina Piripiri, Joseph Zawadi Kavulivwa, Rosemary Ricciardelli, Daniel Okitundu Luwa E Andjafono, Bives Mutume Nzanzu Vivalya Although the primary healthcare (PHC) system gatekeeps early access to mental healthcare services, little is known about the factors influencing the use of these services by people with mental disorders living in conflict zones of Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The current study describes the patterns and factors associated with pathways to mental healthcare, with an emphasis on how religious beliefs and referral patterns are associated with the use of PHC. We surveyed patients (n = 404) attending nine psychiatric hospitals to elucidate the pathway used for those with mental health needs to obtain care. Binary logistic regressions were performed to identify factors associated with first, second, third, and fourth points of contact when seeking care. In total, 47.3% of patients had their first care contact at a psychiatric hospital while 89.3% were self-referred. Roughly one-third of participants’ first point of contact was a religious leader. Asked about sources of their compromised mental health, 32.7% of respondents reported witchcraft, 30% supernatural powers, and 12.5% divine punishment. Having a family history of mental disorders and a religious affiliation other than being Pentecostal and non-Pentecostal (aOR=0.17, p = 0.026) were associated with lower odds of non-PHC first contact (aOR=0.06, p = 0.004). Additionally, having multiple psychiatric episodes (aOR=9.86, p = 0.028), self-referral (aOR=6.37, p < 0.001), and attributing challenges to divine punishment (aOR=4.68, p = 0.05) or witchcraft (aOR=2.35, p = 0.04) were associated with higher odds of non-PHC first contact. Findings reveal the significant underutilization of PHC for mental health needs in conflict zones, individuals instead favoring self-referral to psychiatric hospitals or religious leaders. This behavior is driven by cultural and religious beliefs, specifically attributing mental disorders to witchcraft, divine punishment, and lack of integrated mental health services within the PHC system. We conclude with discussion of a collaborative model between religious leaders and medical professionals to improve care pathways in conflict zones.

PLOS Global Public Health

Science, policy and trust: Lessons and future strategies for health crisis management in Norway

by Guri Rørtveit, Karin Nygård, Bjørn Iversen, Christina Rolfheim-Bye, Preben Aavitsland

PLOS Global Public Health

Intersectional experiences of non-communicable diseases and health seeking strategies in informal settlements in Freetown, Sierra Leone

by Abu Conteh, Laura Dean, Annie Wilkinson, Joseph Macarthy, Braima Koroma, Sally Theobald This paper takes an intersectional approach to explore the burdens of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and their interactions with gendered inequities and poverty, in shaping health seeking practices. The study explores the lived experiences of men and women living with NCDs in three informal settlements in Freetown, Sierra Leone. As Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) grapple with increased NCD risk factors, evidence gaps limit understanding of the complex ways in which gendered vulnerabilities are shaped. This study provides insights into the multiple axes of inequity which shape NCD outcomes and healthcare access barriers and suggests ways to improve NCD services. This study therefore adapts and applies the Intersectional Gender Analysis Framework for Infectious Diseases of Poverty in an informal settlement context to understand how NCDs impact men and women differently and influence different health seeking and treatment outcomes. We conducted narrative interviews with 15 participants living with diabetes, hypertension, and disability related to stroke through three household visits for a period of 12 weeks. Findings highlight lived experience of NDCs, coping strategies and healthcare seeking patterns, influenced by poverty, gender inequities, and NCD comorbidities. Women’s lived experiences of NCDs reflect historical and patriarchal disadvantages through their limited financial autonomy, barriers to healthcare decision making and treatment access, compounded by gendered impacts of conflict and migration. Men’s experiences included an erosion of social status and financial autonomy, limiting access to healthcare and coping. Gender differences and patriarchal norms influenced household and healthcare decision making, reflecting the division of roles and access to resources by men and women, which shaped different care seeking pathways and treatment outcomes. Our study shows that the burden of NCDs and healthcare decision making are influenced by intersecting structural barriers, which requires that NCD healthcare must be approached from bio-social, rather than solely a biomedical perspective.

PLOS Global Public Health

Frequency and correlates of non-receipt of age-appropriate vaccination among children aged 6-35 months with medically attended diarrhea: Findings from the Enterics for Global Health (EFGH) <i>Shigella</i> study, 2022-2024

by Caren Oreso, Billy Ogwel, Alex O. Awuor, Raphael O. Anyango, Karen Kotloff, M. Jahangir Hossain, Henry Badji, Khuzwayo C. Jere, Latif Ndeketa, Josh Colston, Katia Manzanares Villanueva, Firdausi Qadri, Md. Taufiqul Islam, Farah Naz Qamar, Naveed Ahmed, Sonia I. Rao, Patricia B. Pavlinac, Richard Omore Complete childhood immunization protects children from long-term health complications and disabilities caused by vaccine-preventable diseases. Enterics for Global Health (EFGH)-Shigella surveillance was a two-year study measuring incidence rates and consequences of Shigella among children aged 6–35 months in seven sites located in Asia, Latin America and Africa. Here, we estimated the prevalence and factors associated with non-receipt of age-appropriate vaccination among children enrolled in the EFGH-Shigella study. In this nested cross-sectional study, we analysed data from 7,932 children aged 6–35 months presenting with medically attended diarrhea (MAD). Vaccines recommended per each country’s national immunization schedule were extracted from medical records and risk factors were collected by caregiver interview and physical exam. We defined age-appropriate vaccines as receipt of the early childhood vaccinations within one month of the recommended age, according to the national immunization schedule, on the immunization card. Poison regression was used to identify independent factors associated with non-receipt of age-appropriate vaccination accounting for all covariates. Over half of enrolled children (51.7%) did not receive all age-appropriate vaccines most commonly in The Gambia (75.2%) and least frequently in Bangladesh (22.3%). Children 12–35 months of age were more likely not have all age appropriate vaccines compared to children 6–11 months (aPR: 1.47, 95%CI 1.39 to 1.54), children who came from households with ≥3 children aged <5 years (aPR:1.07;1.01-1.13), had mothers with low education (aPR:1.18; 1.12-1.24), and were wasted (Moderately: aPR: 1.06; 1.00-1.13; Severely: aPR: 1.13, 1.03-1.24) were more likely to miss all age-appropriate vaccines compared to their counterparts who did not. Non-receipt of age-appropriate vaccination was largely age dependent, driven by mother’s education and severe wasting highlighting the need to design effective strategies that incorporate site complexities to improve timely vaccination targeting vulnerable groups.

PLOS Global Public Health

Improving risk analysis of environmentally driven zoonotic biological threats as a primary pandemic prevention approach: A case study of the Tripartite Joint Risk Assessment Operational Tool operationalization in Kenya

by Oluwayemisi Ajumobi, Anthony Etyang, Kenneth Munge Kabubei, Kadondi Kasera, Rabera Kenyanya, Meghan Davis, Christine Marie George, Sophie von DobSchuetz, Crystal Watson, Jennifer Nuzzo Kenya faces a heightened risk of emerging and/or reemerging infectious disease (EID) outbreaks of zoonotic origins due to climate-induced extreme weather events and other environmental drivers. We aimed to obtain the perspectives of stakeholders on the development of a newly conceptualized integrated risk analysis (IRA) framework to address environmentally driven EIDs. We addressed the study aim by learning from stakeholders’ experiences with the operationalization of the Joint Risk Assessment Operational Tool (JRA OT) in Kenya. We conducted an exploratory and explanatory qualitative study using a constructivist approach. National- and county-level government representatives, representatives from the Quadripartite institutions (FAO/UNEP/WHO/WOAH), and other partner institutions related to One Health (OH) in Kenya were recruited to participate in semi-structured key informant interviews from 22/02/2024 to 30/03/2024. A total of twenty-eight interviews were conducted, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a thematic framework analysis. Study participant pool comprised sixteen, five, and seven county-level, national-level, and partner institution representatives respectively. Four major themes emerged from the study data as essential components of an IRA framework: (i) Improving cross-sectoral data sharing and integration; (ii) Early stakeholder inclusion and holistic engagement; (iii) Proactive cross-sectoral resource mobilization and allocation; and (iv) Policies and legislation for addressing OH governance challenges. Improving IRA processes to ensure integration of the environment sector into the OH approach will enhance preparedness for and response to environmentally driven zoonotic biological threats. National and sub-national OH policies are needed to enable routine operationalization of risk-based OH activities like Joint Risk Assessments (JRAs) and other aspects of risk analysis to inform cross-sectoral decision making for pandemic prevention.

PLOS Global Public Health

Development of a survey tool to measure pediatric experience of care: Cognitive testing and validation in the Laos

by Teemar Fisseha, Elizabeth Bunde, Phoutthasone Phimmakaisone, Emma Sacks, Nancy Vollmer, Kate Gilroy, Bouangern Xayalath, Bandith Soumphonphakdy, Soumya Alva Despite increased availability of child health services, poor quality of care remains a major barrier to improved health outcomes in low-resource settings. Few validated tools exist to measure pediatric experience of care (PEC). Building on prior work in respectful maternity care, this study developed a caregiver-reported PEC survey based on a new conceptual framework and assessed the clarity, relevance, and cultural appropriateness of survey items through cognitive testing in Laos. Qualitative cognitive testing was conducted in May 2023 with 34 caregivers of children under five in Vientiane and Oudomxay provinces. Five rounds of interviews were completed. Lao-speaking researchers used structured probes and open-ended questions to assess comprehension, cultural fit, and interpretation of items. Daily debriefings informed iterative revisions. Interview notes were analyzed using three types of potential response error: unclear or ambiguous question wording; translation and linguistic challenges; and cultural relevance. Respondents had difficulty interpreting abstract or subjective concepts, such as “respect,” “trust,” or perceptions of privacy or wait time. Items using such constructs were revised to reference concrete, observable experiences (e.g., quantifying wait × describing “kindness” instead of “respect”). Translation challenges also shaped understanding; respondents preferred common terms such as “health worker” and cognitively oriented language (“think”) rather than emotional wording (“feel”). Several concepts, such as “building trust,” had limited cultural resonance; revised items emphasized behavioral indicators (e.g., whether the child was helped to feel calm). These adaptations improved clarity, cultural alignment, and response validity. Cognitive testing demonstrated that valid measurement of PEC requires more than accurate translation; it demands cultural and linguistic adaptation reflecting local norms and communication practices. The study confirms the feasibility and necessity of contextually grounded PEC measurement in low-resource settings and reinforces the importance of iterative, culturally responsive instrument development to ensure meaningful, actionable data for improving child health services.

PLOS Global Public Health

Factors associated with lost to follow-up (LTFU) among patients with hypertension: A scoping review

by Raksha Kamath, Weena Stanley, Partha Protim Hazarika, Prajwal Lemuel Salins, Bhageerathy Reshmi Regular follow-up appointments are essential for effective hypertension management; however, many patients fail to attend scheduled visits and become lost to follow-up (LTFU). Understanding the factors associated with LTFU is important for preventing hypertension-related complications such as stroke, cardiovascular disease, and kidney disorders. This scoping review aimed to identify factors associated with LTFU among patients with hypertension and to summarize the terminology and timeframes used to define LTFU in the literature. A scoping review was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A systematic search was performed for studies published between 2010 and 2025 across MEDLINE, Scopus, Ovid MEDLINE, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and grey literature sources. The review protocol was registered with the Open Science Framework (OSF) (Registration: https://osf.io/a2wsg/). The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using design-specific tools. A total of 4,039 records were identified, and after removing duplicates, 2,956 articles were screened. Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria, including six cross-sectional studies, four mixed-methods studies, one qualitative study, one retrospective case–control study, and one cohort study. Nine studies were rated as high quality and four as moderate quality. The definitions and terminology used to characterize LTFU varied considerably across studies. Factors associated with LTFU were grouped into five categories: patient-related, treatment and disease-related, healthcare provider-related, health service and system-related, and interpersonal factors. Patient-related factors were most frequently reported, followed by treatment and disease characteristics, while healthcare provider, service, and system-related factors were less commonly described. Interpersonal factors were reported in only three studies. This scoping review identified a range of patient-, treatment-, healthcare provider-, and health system–related factors contributing to LTFU among patients with hypertension. The findings highlight the complexity of LTFU in hypertension care and underscore the need for targeted strategies to strengthen follow-up mechanisms, improve patient engagement, and enhance continuity of care.

PLOS Global Public Health

Intimate partner violence, anxiety, stress, and depression among Israeli Arab married women in the shadow of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

by Ola Ali-Saleh, Inbal Halevi Hochwald, Jalal Tarabeia, Fuad Basis The COVID-19 pandemic was accompanied by lengthy lockdowns, school closures, and mandatory stay-at-home orders, causing stress, anxiety and depression. Since most Arabs in Israel live in closed communities in villages, with high birthrates and specific demographic characteristics, during the pandemic they may have experienced higher rates of stress, anxiety, depression, and violence against women compared to the general population. To measure the rate of stress, anxiety, and depression among Arab women during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and to attempt to build a model that links these parameters and intimate partner violence (IPV). 602 women were recruited from Israeli Arab society through an online self-reported questionnaire. All participants were involved in an intimate relationship; the vast majority were married. Arab women experienced more anxiety, depression, and a higher rate of spousal violence than the general population. Violence was more prevalent among religious than among secular Muslim women and more frequent among Muslim women than among Christian women. A high rate of childbirth, lower education, and low socioeconomic background were highly correlated with violence. Living in close communities and fear of shaming led to a lower rate of seeking intervention. Authorities should be aware of different minorities` needs during pandemics and deliver suitable and discrete interventions. Furthermore, intervention in the education of minority groups, especially religious Muslim women, may lead to lower childbirth rates and improved socioeconomic status, and thus may decrease the prevalence of violence against women during stressful prolonged situations.

PLOS Global Public Health

Suffering in silence: Stigma, healthcare barriers, and resilience during Sierra Leone’s 2025 clade IIb mpox outbreak—A multi-perspective qualitative study

by Eric Nzirakaindi Ikoona, Lucy Namulemo, Mary Magdalene Sinnah, Mohamed Alex Vandi, Foday Sahr Mpox was confirmed in Sierra Leone in January 2025, with a public health emergency declared shortly thereafter. By June 2025, the country reported over 4,000 confirmed cases caused by clade IIb. Limited qualitative research has explored the lived experiences of affected populations during mpox outbreaks in African settings. This study explored multi-stakeholder experiences of mpox, including illness trajectories, stigma manifestations, healthcare-seeking behaviours, and health system response challenges. We conducted a multi-perspective qualitative study using thematic framework analysis between March and August 2025 across four districts. Participants included mpox survivors (n = 42), healthcare workers (n = 38), community members (n = 36), and contact tracers (n = 24). Data were collected through 94 semi-structured interviews and 12 focus group discussions. Analysis was guided by a modified Social Ecological Model (SEM) integrating the Health Stigma and Discrimination Framework (HSDF). Five interconnected themes emerged: (1) illness characterised by physical suffering and lasting bodily changes; (2) multi-layered stigma operating across individual, interpersonal, community, and institutional levels; (3) healthcare-seeking shaped by fear of disclosure and economic constraints; (4) healthcare workers’ moral distress and professional isolation; (5) adaptive health system response alongside coordination challenges. Stigma operated as a cross-cutting dimension that intersected with all other themes, shaping illness experience, care-seeking behaviour, professional practice, and system-level response simultaneously. It also permeated all dimensions of the mpox outbreak experience, delaying care-seeking, undermining contact tracing, and compounding healthcare worker distress. Compound trauma from sequential epidemic exposure emerged as a distinct burden among frontline workers. These findings point to the need for stigma-informed outbreak response strategies, sustained healthcare worker support mechanisms, and community-centred communication approaches in post-conflict, resource-constrained settings facing recurrent epidemics.

PLOS Global Public Health

Feasibility and acceptability of hepatitis C virus self-testing models among high-risk groups in Nasarawa, Nigeria; Exploratory cross-sectional analysis of an implementation study

by Victor Abiola Adepoju, Chidinma Umebido, Kristina Grabbe, Molly Strachan, Catharine Laube, Oluwafunke Odunlade, Jamiyu Ganiyu, Bashorun Adebobola, Ibrahim Adamu Alhassan, Adetiloye Oniyire, Cheryl Johnson, Karin Hatzold, Yasmin Dunkley Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a major public health challenge, with significant gaps in diagnosis and treatment in resource-limited settings. Hepatitis C self-testing (HCVST) offers a potential strategy to expand access, particularly in HIV clinical settings. We evaluated feasibility and acceptability of HCVST among high-risk populations in Nasarawa State, Nigeria when provided at antiretroviral (ART) clinics and one-stop shops (OSS) serving key populations (KP). 2,000 participants were enrolled between May 2023 and December 2023. Participants tested with either finger-prick blood-based or oral fluid antibody HCVST, and with or without health worker support. Follow-up documented results and linkage to qualitative RNA PCR confirmatory testing and treatment. Case-complete feasibility analyses were conducted across the HCV care cascade using chi-square tests (N = 1995). Acceptability was evaluated using a post-test survey score derived through case-complete factor analysis (N = 1868); associations between lowest decile acceptability score and participant characteristics were explored through regression analyses. Outcomes were compared by facility type (ART clinic vs. OSS). Free-text responses were thematically analyzed to contextualize findings. HCVST was feasible and acceptable. Of 226 reactive HCVST results (11.3%), 99.1% received RNA PCR testing. Among those with detectable RNA, 92% initiated treatment and 97% completed therapy. However, differences were observed by facility type. Participants in ART clinics were older, more likely to be female, and showed higher reactivity (15% vs. 8%) and treatment uptake (96% vs. 83%) than OSS clients. Acceptability was higher in ART clinics than OSS. HCVST was both feasible and acceptable in Nasarawa State, with some observed variations by facility type. These findings suggest that with differentiated service delivery models and adequate support for linkage, HCVST can increase HCV diagnosis, linkage to care, and treatment among high-risk groups in Nigeria, supporting integration of HCVST into national viral hepatitis elimination strategies.

PLOS Global Public Health

Employment status, occupational profile, and common mental disorders among workers in urban informal settlements in Brazil

by Julia Fernandes Cavalcanti Prestes, Thayane Silva Nunes, Fábio Neves Souza, Diogo César de Carvalho Santiago, Yeimi Alzate López, Fabiana Almerinda Gonçalves Palma, Juliet Oliveira Santana, Priscilla Elizabeth Ferreira dos Santos, Daiana de Oliveira, Adedayo Michael Awoniyi, Christine E. Stauber, Federico Costa, Cleber Cremonese Urban informal settlements (referred to as favelas in Brazil), reflect longstanding socioeconomic and racial inequalities and are home to a workforce frequently exposed to precarious employment conditions. This study describes the socio-occupational characteristic and estimates the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMDs) among workers residing in five urban informal communities in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. A cross-sectional epidemiological study (n = 587) was conducted with formal and informal workers aged 18–70 years. The outcome was measured using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire-SRQ-20, and associations were evaluated using Poisson Regression, with analysis stratified by employment type. Data analysis was performed using R 3.6.0 + software. The overall prevalence of CMD was 14.0%, increasing to 22.7% among informal workers. In the adjusted analysis of the overall sample, informal employment and persistent fear of job loss were associated with a higher prevalence of mental health problems, whereas the 40–49 age groups showed a lower prevalence of CMD compared with younger workers. In stratified analyses, female sex and job insecurity were associated with CMD among formal workers, while lower monthly income (<$181) was associated with CMD among informal workers. This pioneering study highlights the role of precarious employment conditions in the social determination of mental health distress among residents of urban informal communities.

PLOS Global Public Health

Simulating a potential mpox outbreak: Implications for control in non-endemic settings

by Philip Cherian, Gautam I. Menon We construct a model for mpox outbreaks in low and middle-income countries where the disease is non-endemic, using India as an example. We simulate potential outbreak scenarios using BharatSim, a flexible agent-based simulation framework. The spread of mpox is modelled as being driven primarily through sexual contacts within a subnetwork of men who have sex with men (MSM), embedded within a larger network representing their household and workplace contacts. Our model allows for disease spread through this expanded network, including the possibility of heterosexual transmission. We quantify the outbreak size, the dynamics of infection within and outside the MSM subnetwork, and the implications of vaccination and prophylactic measures for curtailing disease spread. These results should inform planning and policy measures for mpox control in generic LMIC settings.

PLOS Global Public Health

Correction: Perceived shifts in routine vaccine confidence during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kinshasa Province, DRC: A mixed-methods approach

by Alix Boisson-Walsh, Patrick Ngimbi, Camille E. Morgan, Angela M. Stover, Nana Mbonze, Sarah Ntambua, Jolie Matondo, Marcel Yotebieng, Melchior M. Kashamuka, Linda James, Jonathan B. Parr, Samuel Mampunza, Peyton Thompson

PLOS Global Public Health

Clinical, lifestyle, environmental and dietary determinants of malnutrition in adolescents on antiretroviral therapy in Ethiopia

by Meless Gebrie Bore, Lin Perry, Xiaoyue Xu, Andargachew Kassa Biratu, Marilyn Cruickshank Adolescence is a critical period for growth and development, and adequate nutrition is essential for adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). This study examined factors associated with malnutrition among ALHIV receiving ART in Ethiopia. A facility-based cross-sectional study included 384 ALHIV aged 10–19 years attending ten public hospitals in Addis Ababa and Oromia from August to December 2023. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, clinical assessments, and record reviews. Multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with malnutrition. Overall, 24.2% of participants were thin, 21.7% were stunted, and 34.9% were acutely malnourished. Females had lower odds of thinness (AOR = 0.27; 95% CI: 0.16–0.45). Absence of chronic infections (AOR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.29–0.80), absence of anxiety symptoms (AOR = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.32–0.88), and nutritional supplementation (AOR = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.32–0.95) were associated with lower odds of thinness, whereas food insecurity increased the odds (AOR = 1.63; 95% CI: 1.02–2.62). Acute malnutrition was associated with younger age (10–17 years) (AOR = 1.94; 95% CI: 1.03–3.64), larger household size (AOR = 2.27; 95% CI: 1.23–4.17), shorter duration of HIV status awareness (AOR = 2.96; 95% CI: 1.62–5.40), low haemoglobin levels (AOR = 7.29; 95% CI: 1.31–40.5), food insecurity (AOR = 1.85; 95% CI: 1.09–2.14), and low meal frequency (AOR = 1.86; 95% CI: 1.08–3.19) were associated with increased odds of acute malnutrition. Females (AOR = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.38–0.88), absence of anxiety symptoms (AOR = 0.50; 95% CI: 0.28–0.89), and nutritional supplementation were protective against acute malnutrition (AOR = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.36–0.79). Malnutrition among ALHIV receiving ART in Ethiopia is influenced by clinical, socioeconomic, and dietary factors. Integrated nutrition, clinical care, and food security interventions are needed to improve outcomes.

1 / 5다음 →