20 September 2024

The relationship between price and nutritional balance for young adults in the menus of Japanese restaurants

Jara Pérez-Jiménez, Handling Editor

4 September 2024

The critical elements of the health system that could make for resilience in the World Health Organization African Region: a scoping review

"In these times when health systems are facing enormous pressure in the delivery of health services, this article critical insights into how health systems could navigate these challenges while providing quality service."

Emmanuel Nene Odjidja, Handling Editor

23 August 2024

Prevalence of physical, psychological and sexual intimate partner violence among women of reproductive age during COVID-19 in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

"This article addresses a critical issue exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic: intimate partner violence (IPV) among reproductive-age women, in this case in Ethiopia but that can potentially be transposed to another cultures and scenarios. The study is highly relevant due to its focus on the COVID-19 pandemic, a period during which lockdowns and isolation measures were implemented globally. These measures, while necessary to control the spread of the virus, had unintended consequences on mental health and domestic environments, including increased IPV. By highlighting the prevalence of physical, psychological, and sexual IPV, the article underscores the public health crisis within the pandemic. This can inform policy makers, healthcare providers, and social workers about the need for targeted interventions to support victims and reduce violence. - or so we should hope! Focusing on Ethiopia, the study provides valuable data specific to a developing country context, where research on IPV during the pandemic might be less extensive compared to high-income countries. (which can also lead to more global conclusions). It is my belief that this is of interest of academics and researchers in the field, but also should be of interest to public health officials, policy makers, healthcare providers, social security and justice officers, NGOs and advocacy groups and in the end, the general public."

Sonia Oliveira, Handling Editor

6 August 2024

Associations of 24-hour movement guidelines adherence with fruit and vegetable intake in university students

"This manuscript provides insights for health promotion."

Maria Cristina Albertini, Handling Editor

26 June 2024

The effects of occupational disruption during COVID-19 lockdowns on health: a cross-sectional study

"I believe this manuscript highlighted some aspects related to mental health that are quite important and have to be considered in implementing policies aimed at the promotion of mental health during globally stressful situations."

Ottavia M. Epifania, Handling Editor

15 May 2024

Effects of extreme meteorological factors and high air pollutant concentrations on the incidence of hand, foot and mouth disease in Jining, China

"This article addresses an obvious research gap by investigating the effects of extreme meteorological conditions and high air pollution levels on the incidence of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD). The significance of this study lies in its contribution to the understanding of the relationship between environmental factors and the occurrence of HFMD, which has been limited and inconsistent in previous research. The findings of this study reveal several key insights. Firstly, the study identifies nonlinear relationships between temperature, wind speed, PM2.5 (particulate matter), SO2 (sulfur dioxide), O3 (ozone), and HFMD incidence. This highlights the complexity of the interactions between meteorological factors, air pollution, and the occurrence of HFMD. Secondly, the study demonstrates that high temperature, low wind speed, and high concentrations of PM2.5 and SO2 are associated with an increased risk of HFMD. These findings provide valuable information for understanding the environmental drivers of HFMD outbreaks and can potentially contribute to the development of early warning systems for HFMD. Most importantly, the implications of this study extend beyond the specific field of HFMD research. Understanding the impact of extreme meteorological conditions and air pollutants on infectious diseases is crucial for public health preparedness and response. By elucidating the association between environmental factors and HFMD incidence, this research can inform public health interventions and policies aimed at mitigating the risk and spread of HFMD, particularly in areas where extreme weather events and high air pollution levels are prevalent. This article advances our understanding of the complex relationship between meteorological conditions, air pollution, and the incidence of HFMD. Its findings have practical implications for public health planning and the development of strategies to prevent and control HFMD outbreaks."

Fanglin Guan, Handling Editor

18 April 2024

Cytokine profiles of mild-to-moderate SARS-CoV-2 infected and recovered pre-vaccinated individuals residing in Indonesia

"The authors conducted original research regarding cytokine profiles among SARS-CoV-2 infected and recovered pre-vaccinated individuals in Indonesia with mild-to-moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection and those who recovered."

Ramcés Falfán-Valencia, Handling Editor

25 March 2024

Validation of the questionnaire “Pregnancy Vaccine Hesitancy Scale (pVHS)” toward COVID-19 vaccine for Malaysian pregnant women

"This article presents an important development in public health: the creation and validation of the pVHS-M, a specialized tool to measure COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among pregnant women. This development is important for several reasons: 1) Urgency in Maternal Health: With the COVID-19 pandemic posing heightened risks for pregnant women, understanding vaccine hesitancy in this group is critical for maternal well-being. 2) Cultural Relevance: By tailoring the questionnaire to the Malay-speaking population, the study ensures accuracy and cultural appropriateness in assessing vaccine attitudes among Malaysian pregnant women. 3) Robust Validation: Through rigorous validation processes including content and face validation, as well as exploratory factor analysis, the pVHS-M emerges as a reliable and valid tool for assessing vaccine hesitancy attitudes and behaviors. 4) Targeting High-Risk Population: Focusing on pregnant women, especially those with high-risk pregnancies, allows for targeted interventions in a demographic particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. This work intends thus to offer a precise instrument to understand and address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among pregnant women. Its development aims to facilitate tailored interventions and lays the groundwork for further research in diverse populations."

Sonia Oliveira, Handling Editor

14 November 2023

Characteristic of persistent human papillomavirus infection in women worldwide: a meta–analysis

"Such a meta analysis is lacking in the HPV literature."

Leny Jose, Handling Editor

17 October 2023

The effect of drop-in centers on access to HIV testing, case finding, and condom use among female sex workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

"This article is important as it assesses the impact of drop-in centers on access to HIV testing, case finding, and condom use among female sex workers in one specific setting. This information can be used to enhance similar settings or to adapt others."

Carlos de Noronha, Handling Editor