Short-Term Effect of Air Pollution on Daily Hospital Visits for Anxiety Disorders in Southern China with Low Pollution Concentrations.

The global prevalence and burden of anxiety disorders (ADs) are increasing. However, findings on the acute effects of air pollution on ADs remain inconclusive. We evaluated the effects of short-term exposure to ambient air pollutants, including fine particulate matter (PM), inhalable particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO), and ozone (O), on daily hospital visits for ADs.

Things Latinas need to plan for safety: A dual-site concept mapping study.

Background: Latina women in the United States experience intimate partner violence (IPV) at high rates, but evidence suggests Latinas seek help for IPV at lower rates than other communities. Safety planning is an approach that provides those experiencing IPV with concrete actions to increase their safety and referrals to formal services. While safety planning is shown to reduce future incidences of violence, little is known about the safety planning priorities of Latinas.

Unequal Effects of the Lockdown on Mental Health in Shanghai: The Moderating and Mediating Role of Neighborhood Environment and Online Social Connections.

The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted population mental health worldwide. Few studies examined how the neighborhood environment and online social connections might influence the social gradient in mental health during the pandemic lockdown. We aim to examine the moderating and mediating role of neighborhood environment and online social connections in the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and mental health outcomes.

Machine-learning methodologies to predict disease progression in chronic hepatitis B in Africa.

Background: Little is known about the determinants of disease progression among African patients with chronic HBV infection.

Methods: We used machine-learning models with longitudinal data to establish predictive algorithms in a well-characterized cohort of Ethiopian HBV-infected patients without baseline liver fibrosis. Disease progression was defined as an increase in liver stiffness to >7.

Isolation and characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from bovine mastitis in North West Cameroon: public health implications.

Objectives: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a zoonotic pathogen that poses a serious threat to veterinary and public health worldwide. We investigated mastitis milk samples for contamination with MRSA and also characterized the MRSA isolates by investigating antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors.

Result: We confirmed MRSA in 69 of 201 (34.

Community perceptions of health accountability meetings with local politicians to improve healthcare quality: a qualitative study in Western Uganda.

Background: Lack of accountability within healthcare systems contributes to suboptimal healthcare quality and ultimately poor health outcomes, especially in low-income countries. In Uganda, our research team implemented a pilot project of quarterly health accountability meetings between community members and their local political leaders to discuss healthcare needs and strategies for quality improvement. In this study, we examine the community members' understanding and perceptions of the health accountability meetings, as well as the perceived impact of the meetings on local healthcare services and community life.

Evaluating changes in recovery in people living with severe and persistent mental illness after psychiatric rehabilitation services at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Eldoret, Kenya.

Objective: People living with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) in Kenya lack access to recovery-based services. In this study, we assessed changes in recovery in people living with SPMI in Kenya 6 months after receiving services at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital Nawiri Recovery and Skills Centre (Nawiri).

Methods: A retrospective evaluation was conducted using a pretest/posttest design analyzing Nawiri care program data collected on admission and 6 months after discharge for recovery metrics.

Digital mental health: a potential opportunity to improve health equity in China.

Mental health is an important public health issue in China, compounded by a shortage in psychiatric services. Against this backdrop, digital technologies could offer solutions. Digital mental health interventions use technologies, such as smartphone applications, to improve mental health outcomes.

Migration and mental health care in South Africa: the question of language in context.

Access to mental healthcare for migrants is a global problem, with many challenges and barriers, including the issue of language discordance. Most research on this topic comes from well-resourced countries such as those in Europe, Northern America, and Australasia despite the fact that most migration occurs from poorer contexts, such as many in Africa, into more closely situated countries. As an introductory part of a broader international study, we started out investigating the views of key stakeholders in South Africa on language barriers to accessing mental healthcare for migrants and suggestions for how to address these.

Intention to Seek Mental Health Services During the 2022 Shanghai COVID-19 City-Wide Lockdown: Web-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The implementation of COVID-19 lockdown measures had immediate and delayed psychological effects. From March 27, 2022, to June 1, 2022, the Shanghai government enforced a city-wide lockdown that affected 25 million residents. During this period, mental health services were predominantly provided through digital platforms.

Advancing research on greenspace and climate-sensitive adverse birth outcomes for equity and impact.

Environmental epidemiologists are increasingly evaluating whether and how human exposure to vegetation (greenspace) can benefit health. Relatedly, scientists and policymakers have highlighted the need to integrate efforts to address the dual crises of accelerating climate change and rapid loss of biodiversity, including nature-based solutions. Greenspace is one solution that can protect humans from climate-related exposures, including heat, air pollution, and flooding.

Comparing the psychological impact of the Shanghai lockdown on local and non-local college students: an explanatory sequential mixed method approach.

Purpose: In 2022, the Shanghai municipal government enforced strict COVID-19 lockdown measures. Lockdown experiences for college students varied. Local students normally returned home and had familial support while non-local students relied more on institutional support when quarantining in dormitories.

Experiences and lessons learned from a global research administration capacity building project to support and expand HIV/AIDS research in southwestern Uganda.

International collaborative research projects conducted at academic research institutions, including complex basic science, clinical, and translational HIV/AIDS research, require intensive communication, coordination, and thoughtful relationship-building at all institutional levels and especially require the support of experienced and well-trained Research Administrators. To be successful, global research teams must be not only scientifically adept, but supported by a staff skilled in identifying opportunities, submitting proposals, and managing all aspects of award administration and reporting. Using a National Institutes of Health, Fogarty International Center funded training grant, the project team aimed to develop a comprehensive Research administration capacity-building program that would improve the support provided to investigators at Mbarara University of Science and Technology in Uganda through collaboration with the University of Virginia in the United States and expand future funding success for innovative HIV/AIDS and HIV-related research.

Evidence of Human-designated Antiretroviral (ARV) Drug Residues in Broiler Chicken, Domestic Pigs, and Animal Feeds in Tanzania.

Background: Recent reports have indicated the use of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to boost animal production in neighboring Uganda, with further reports of use in several African countries.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in nine districts in Tanzania, and involved screening for the presence of three first-line ARVs (lamivudine, nevirapine, and efavirenz) residues in the muscle and blood of domestic pigs and broiler chickens, and in sampled animal feed and water. Residues were determined using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Digital Mental Health Interventions for Alleviating Depression and Anxiety During Psychotherapy Waiting Lists: Systematic Review.

Background: Depression and anxiety have become increasingly prevalent across the globe. The rising need for treatment and the lack of clinicians has resulted in prolonged waiting times for patients to receive their first session. Responding to this gap, digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) have been found effective in treating depression and anxiety and are potentially promising pretreatments for patients who are awaiting face-to-face psychotherapy.

Mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic: An international comparison of gender-related home and work-related responsibilities, and social support.

Unlabelled: PURPOSE  : To assess gender differences in COVID-19 related changes in home and work responsibilities longitudinally, and determine whether these differences, together with other potential risk and protective factors, are associated with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology.

Method: Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD were measured using an online survey instrument, between May 2020 and April 2021, in four waves completed at 3-monthly intervals. Analyses were based on data from the COvid MEntal healTh (COMET) survey which investigated the mental health effects of the COVID-19 outbreak spanning 13 countries on five continents in N = 7,909 participants.

The mitigating role of social capital on the association between food insecurity and psychological distress among Chinese adults.

Background: Food insecurity, a pervasive global issue exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has been linked to adverse mental health outcomes. However, the role of social capital in mitigating this relationship remains understudied, particularly in the Chinese context.

Aims: This study investigated the associations between food insecurity and psychological distress (depressive and anxiety symptoms) and examined the potential moderating effects of bonding and bridging social capital among Chinese adults in Shanghai.

Immunologic, virologic and drug resistance outcomes in an HIV-infected prospective cohort on treatment in South Africa.

Background: In September 2016, South Africa introduced the Universal Test and Treat (UTT) programme to manage HIV infection. However, the development of drug resistance and sustaining viral suppression are challenges to the success of treatment programmes. This prospective observational study describes virologic, immunologic, and drug resistance profiles in a test and treat cohort in north-eastern South Africa.

Barriers and Enablers to Retention in HIV Care and Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy: Evidence from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Purpose: To explore the enabling factors, barriers, and strategies to improve retention in HIV care and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among adults (18 years and above) living with HIV in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Methods: We conducted a descriptive qualitative study to better understand and explore enablers, barriers, and strategies to improve retention in HIV care and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among PLHIV in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted with a semi-structured discussion guide between December 2021 and June 2022.