The awareness of energy drinks in the United Kingdom and the associated health implications

Energy drinks are becoming a growing public health issue.  Due to their popularity, there are growing concerns about the impacts of young people and children overconsuming them. This  includes effects on people’s mental health especially increased risked of anxiety, stress, depression and suicidal thoughts. Energy drinks are full of caffeine, sugar and other stimulators that can also have a negative effect on your physical health such as high blood pressure, an increased heart rate, dehydration and insomnia. This literature-based study aims to critically analyse relevant available literature about energy drinks and the effects on health to measure how big the problem is in the UK. A study from the Association for the Study of Obesity highlights that the UK government ran a consultation on ending the sale of energy drinks to children under 16 in a 2019 green paper but has still been no further action

The risk of mental health issues among young people who use TikTok in Europe

Background: TikTok has quickly become one of the most popular social media platforms, particularly among adolescents and young adults, raising concerns about its potential impact on mental health. The platform’s engaging, algorithm-driven content has been linked to various psychological outcomes, including social media addiction, anxiety, and depression. Understanding these effects, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, is essential for developing strategies to mitigate the negative consequences of excessive TikTok use and ensure the well-being of its users.  Methods: This review synthesizes findings from several studies that examine the relationship between TikTok use and mental health outcomes. These studies utilized methods such as literature reviews, online surveys, and cross-sectional analyses, focusing on adolescents and young adults across different regions, including Europe, Russia, and Southeast Asia. The research investigates key mental health indicators, such as social media addiction, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem, to provide a comprehensive understanding of TikTok\u27s impact.  Results: The findings indicate a strong correlation between excessive TikTok use and negative mental health outcomes, particularly among younger users. High levels of TikTok use have been consistently associated with social media addiction, increased anxiety, and depression. The platform’s algorithm-driven nature, which promotes prolonged engagement through personalized content, appears to exacerbate these effects, making it a significant concern for mental health professionals and educators.  Conclusion: TikTok presents unique challenges to mental health, particularly for adolescents and young adults. To address these challenges, there is a need for targeted interventions, such as digital literacy programs and platform-specific tools that promote healthy usage habits. Ongoing research is crucial to fully understand the long-term effects and to develop effective strategies for mitigating the negative impacts of social media use.  &nbsp

A qualitative study to explore port health officers’ opinions of the challenges for port health in the next five years: Commendation for Significant Achievement

The term port health refers to a function of environmental health which comprises of the protection of both public health and animal health and is carried out by the Local Authorities, Port Health Authorities at airports and at seaports. Like the environmental health profession, port health is facing some significant challenges. Despite the importance of the port health function, there are no previous studies which have investigated the challenges for port health and so the aim of this study is to explore opinions of the challenges for port health in the next five years among port health officers in order to enhance our understanding of the importance of the port health function and challenges which could affect the way how this function is delivered. A qualitative research approach was selected. One-to-one semi-structured interviews were adopted as the most suitable data collection method.  Using both convenience sampling and snowball sampling, four participants were recruited. The data was thematically  analysed manually and five broad themes emerged: the importance of the port health function, challenges for port health, effectiveness of legislation, consequences/effects of challenges and potential solutions. These were discussed in relation to the literature and showed that the challenges for port health are an important issue which needs to be recognized and addressed effectively. If the challenges are not addressed effectively, it could affect how port health is delivered and increase the risk of an outbreak of a new animal or plant pest or pathogen which could affect public, animal and environmental health leading to devastating consequences for industry and economy of the country

Psychological consequences of teenage pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review

Background: Adolescent pregnancies are a major public health issue across sub-Saharan Africa and can result in serious psychological effects on the young mothers. This scoping review explores in detail the psychological burdens experienced by pregnant teenage girls and adolescent mothers in this region.   Methods: A scoping review of literature was conducted. Relevant databases were searched using key terms related to the topic, with the aid of the PCC search framework. Thereafter, the screening process was carried out first by excluding duplicates of studies selected from the database, followed by a title and abstract then full text screening. Studies were selected against the set inclusion and exclusion criteria which resulted to 13 relevant studies being included from various sub-Saharan African countries, including Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda and Ghana.   Results: The findings revealed a range of psychological impacts, such as depression, anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, and stigmas, consistently reported across the included studies. Additionally, some studies also identified suicide thoughts. Contextual factors, including unplanned pregnancies, lack of social support, poverty, disrupted education, history of mental illness, intimate partner violence (IPV) and gender-based violence, and diseases were identified as contributors to the psychological distress experienced by these young women. The proposed interventions and strategies to mitigate these issues included counselling services and support systems, economic empowerment programs, and community-based support systems.   Conclusion: The review highlighted an urgent need for a comprehensive and culturally sensitive intervention that not only addresses the mental health elements identified but also its root causes, which are majorly socio-economic and culturally embedded. Recommendations include tailoring mental health service provision, strengthening community- based support systems, improving access to comprehensive education and youth-friendly reproductive health services, sustainable economic empowerment, and prioritizing research and capacity-building initiatives. Overall, this scoping review emphasises that improving psychological well-being among pregnant teenagers and adolescent mothers is a necessary requirement for breaking the intergenerational cycles of disadvantage and supporting inclusive societal development initiatives in sub-Saharan African countries.&nbsp

Navigating isolation: The impact of social distancing on men’s mental health: before, during and after COVID-19

This dissertation looks at the influence social distancing had on men’s mental health before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. It is shown that men’s mental health is understudied, and that society is unaware of how vital it is to spread awareness on this public issue. Throughout, researching this topic it is highlighted that different types of psychological disorders are experienced by men, but also by certain demographics of men including elderly, adolescents, single men and different ethnicities. The significant effects of social distancing on men\u27s mental health prior to, during, and following the COVID-19 epidemic are examined in this dissertation. Based on a thorough analysis of the body of research, the study looks at how social isolation and shifting social norms affected men\u27s psychological health in three different stages: before the pandemic, during the epidemic, and during the recovery period that followed. The study looks at how men\u27s reactions to loneliness are influenced by social ties, mental health stigma, and masculinity standards. It also draws attention to the difficulties that other male demographic groups, such as unmarried males, the elderly, and those without jobs, face. This research also assesses the long-term psychological effects of enforced social separation, the difficulties in obtaining conventional help, and the efficacy of digital mental health therapies. The study highlights important support system deficiencies and provides policy suggestions for creating focused, gender-sensitive mental health initiatives by synthesizing the literature in the fields of health, psychology, and social care. In the end, this study advances our knowledge of the relationship among social isolation, masculinity, and mental health in order to guide future treatments that promote men\u27s mental health both during and after crises. As well as this it highlights the strengths and limitations that are shown in other studies and theories for men\u27s mental health and the importance of acknowledging men’s wellbeing

What are the barriers to being a mother studying an undergraduate degree?

My name is Grace, a 21-year-old woman navigating my way through motherhood for the first time whilst completing my final year of university, studying Health and Social Care. I fell pregnant with my son within the second year of university and gave birth to him at the start of the first year. Throughout this period, I found myself really interested in journalling. I would write in my journal my thoughts and feelings at certain stages of both my prepartum and postpartum journey, whilst studying my degree. This really helped me to connect not only my emotions but to also discover various barriers I found whilst juggling motherhood and my university degree. This is what led me to wanting to carry out my dissertation in the form of an autoethnography. I believe that stories shared by me on my motherhood and student journey would really help to inspire other students with babies or expecting. The main aim of this autoethnography is for universities to pick up on the barriers and struggles of studying for a degree whilst being a mum and to put more in place to aid and motivate these students to be able to carry on with their degree whilst being a mother. I feel as though during my studies this year although I’ve had an immense amount of support off lecturers to help me to carry out my studies online there have been a few barriers to my university experience as a mother. Becoming a mom has shaped me in many ways both emotionally and physically. It has made me a stronger person, and I now believe that not only do I have a different outlook on life, but I also have a new focus and purpose in my life. My studies have always been very important to me however, since becoming a mum they have been precious to me. This is because I aspire to be the best role model to my son and inspire him to aim high within his educational studies and go on to have a successful future with a career he wishes to pursue. As a 21-year-old first time mum balancing my home life and studies hasn’t been easy. I feel as though I have learnt a lot about myself along my journey to motherhood. I have underestimated my strength and determination. This year has been challenging but through my dedication I’ve got where I wanted to with my degree. I metaphorically would describe my journey through my last year of university as a rollercoaster. This is because I’ve had many highs where I have had strength to do well and lows where I was struggling to juggle life as a mum and life as an undergraduate

Evaluating telehealth: a systematic review of its effectiveness and challenges post Covid-19

Telehealth has never been so popular as it has been since the start and of the COVID- 19 pandemic. Telehealth use first increased when the pandemic limited people from seeking regular healthcare services at their regular local hospitals and clinics. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and challenges of telehealth post-COVID-19 and make a comparative analysis between telehealth and traditional in-person healthcare services. The methodology involved a comprehensive literature search, selecting studies from various databases that addressed the effectiveness and challenges of telehealth post-COVID-19. Inclusion criteria were established to ensure the relevance and quality of the selected studies, focusing on peer-reviewed articles, case studies, and reviews published between 2020 and 2025. The findings indicate that while telehealth exhibits significant potential and effectiveness for improving healthcare accessibility and efficiency and is slightly preferred to in-person healthcare services, it still faces ongoing challenges in its implementation and widespread adoption. The review highlights both the effectiveness of telehealth in various healthcare settings and the need for addressing issues related to technological infrastructure, patient privacy, technological familiarity and training to ensure its long-term success. In conclusion, while telehealth offers substantial benefits for healthcare delivery, its effectiveness is dependent upon addressing the identified challenges. The study emphasizes the need for a collaborative approach involving healthcare providers, policymakers, and technology developers to create a sustainable and equitable telehealth framework. Proper investment in technology, comprehensive training programs, and supportive policy development are crucial for overcoming the barriers to fully harnessing the benefits of telehealth in the post-COVID-19 era

Vaping and public health: A critical review of health impacts, smoking cessation potential, and treatment challenges associated with disposable e-cigarettes

This dissertation aimed to explore the public health implications of vaping, including its efficacy as a smoking cessation device, the health consequences of its use, and the treatment issues of the introduction of disposable e-cigarettes (vapes). The research was literature-based, drawing on a broad range of peer-reviewed journals, government documents, and public health documents, with a focus on the UK context. The first half of the investigation considered the potential for e-cigarettes to aid in smoking cessation. It concluded that smoking e-cigarettes could lead to quitting in smokers when complemented by behaviour support, and could be superior to conventional nicotine replacement therapy. There remains, however, lingering issues of continuing nicotine dependence and dual use. The second half considered short-and long-term health damage from vaping. While marketed as healthier than smoking, studies indicated that they also creates respiratory, cardiovascular, and psychological risks to younger consumers especially. The latter subgroup targeted disposable vapes, referring to increased teen use and the fact that youth public health initiatives did not have age-specific treatment protocols in existing programs. The research found that vaping is a useful harm reduction strategy for adult use but poses daunting challenges for non-medical youth consumption. The most severe obstacles are inconsistent product regulation, access to high-nicotine products, and weak public health communication and cessation resources. Recommendations involve implementing youth cessation programs targeted, enforcing current legislation more effectively, and long-term health impact and motivational behaviour youth vaping more studies. Public general education needs to clearly differentiate harm reduction in adult smokers from adult adolescent prevention strategies

Digital influence: the effects of social media on anxiety and depression in UK adolescents and young adults

This dissertation explores the impact of social media on anxiety and depression among adolescents and young adults in the United Kingdom. As digital social media platforms have become an integral part of everyday life for young people, growing concerns have emerged regarding their influence on psychological wellbeing and emotional development. With social media usage becoming almost ubiquitous among individuals aged 12 to 24, understanding its potential effects on mental health has become increasingly important for parents, educators, policymakers and healthcare professionals. This literature review analyses a wide range of existing peer reviewed academic research to evaluate the relationship between social media usage patterns and mental health outcomes. Sources were primarily gathered using Google Scholar and other academic databases, with search terms such as “social media,” “anxiety and depression,” and “youth.” The review focused on studies published within the last decade to ensure both accuracy and relevance to the current digital landscape. Findings from the literature indicate a significant and consistent correlation between frequent or excessive social media use and increased levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms, particularly among adolescents. Key recurring themes identified through thematic analysis include the influence of upward social comparison, fear of missing out (FOMO), cyberbullying, disrupted sleep patterns and the pressure to maintain a curated online persona. Gender based differences were also explored, with adolescent girls showing higher levels of emotional impact and problematic use. While some literature also highlighted the potential positive aspects of social media, such as increased social connectivity, opportunities for peer support and improved access to mental health information and resources, the overall findings suggest that the negative psychological effects of unregulated or passive use are more widespread and impactful. The study concludes that while social media is not inherently harmful, its effects on mental health largely depend on how it is used. Excessive screen time, passive browsing and unhealthy comparison appear to contribute to poor mental health outcomes in young people. Recommendations are made for further research, policy intervention and the promotion of healthier digital habits, including educational initiatives focused on digital literacy and emotional resilience

Identifying factors related to alcohol use among young adults in Nigeria: A systematic review

Background: Alcohol use is a major public health problem in young adults in Nigeria. The drinking behaviour is influenced by a wide range of socio-cultural, economic, and environmental factors. This paper aims to systematically review existing literature to identify the factors that may influence alcohol use among young adults in Nigeria in order to guide the development of preventions and intervention strategies.  Methods: this study used a systematic review methodology utilising a thorough search of databases including PubMed, ProQuest and PsycInfo. The study selection was done using the PICo framework, focusing on young adults (15–25 years old) in Nigeria and exploring factors related to the use of alcohol. Qualitative and mixed-method primary studies in English and published in peer-reviewed journals were considered eligible. The quality of the selected studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) and Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tools.  Results: Following the search, 450 potentially relevant studies were identified, of which 10 studies were included following screening and quality appraisal. The studies revealed that alcohol use among young adults in Nigeria was influenced by factors relating to demography (age, gender, socioeconomic status and level of education), social factors (peer pressure, family dynamics and parental monitoring) and culture (ethnic and religious beliefs).  Conclusion: Alcohol use among young adults in Nigeria is multifaceted, underpinned by a complex interplay of demographic, social and cultural influences. Intervention strategies should therefore be culturally sensitive, prioritise family and peer influences, and focus on the socio-economic inequalities that underpin drinking patterns.  &nbsp