510 research outputs found

    Ethical and legal aspects of cybersecurity in health

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    With the emergence of eHealth and mHealth, the use of mental health apps has increased significantly as an accessible and convenient approach as an adjunct to promoting well-being and mental health. There are several apps available that can assist with mental health monitoring and management, each with specific features to meet different needs. The intersection of mental health and cyber technology presents a number of critical legal and ethical issues. As mental health monitoring apps and devices become more integrated into clinical practice, cybersecurity takes on paramount importance. Objective: To address the ethical and legal aspects of health cybersecurity related to applications in mental health monitoring and management. Methods: We carried out a thematic synthesis of the best scientific evidence. Results: These tools have the potential to significantly improve access to and quality of care for users with mental health conditions, but they also raise substantial concerns about privacy and informed consent. Cybersecurity in mental health is not only a matter of technology, but also of human rights. The protection of sensitive mental health information is critical, and legal and ethical measures to safeguard this information must be implemented in a robust and transparent manner. Conclusion: the use of information technologies and mobile devices is now part of the clinical reality and its future perspectives. It is important to mention that while these apps can be helpful for self-care and mental well-being management, they are not a substitute for the advice and support of a qualified mental health professional (psychologist or psychiatrist). As we move into the digital age, it is imperative that mental health monitoring and management apps are developed and used responsibly, ensuring the safety, dignity, and well-being of users.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

    Spatial mapping and prediction of Plasmodium falciparum infection risk among school-aged children in CĂ´te d'Ivoire

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    BACKGROUND: In CĂ´te d'Ivoire, malaria remains a major public health issue, and thus a priority to be tackled. The aim of this study was to identify spatially explicit indicators of Plasmodium falciparum infection among school-aged children and to undertake a model-based spatial prediction of P. falciparum infection risk using environmental predictors. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted, including parasitological examinations and interviews with more than 5,000 children from 93 schools across CĂ´te d'Ivoire. A finger-prick blood sample was obtained from each child to determine Plasmodium species-specific infection and parasitaemia using Giemsa-stained thick and thin blood films. Household socioeconomic status was assessed through asset ownership and household characteristics. Children were interviewed for preventive measures against malaria. Environmental data were gathered from satellite images and digitized maps. A Bayesian geostatistical stochastic search variable selection procedure was employed to identify factors related to P. falciparum infection risk. Bayesian geostatistical logistic regression models were used to map the spatial distribution of P. falciparum infection and to predict the infection prevalence at non-sampled locations via Bayesian kriging. RESULTS: Complete data sets were available from 5,322 children aged 5-16 years across CĂ´te d'Ivoire. P. falciparum was the predominant species (94.5 %). The Bayesian geostatistical variable selection procedure identified land cover and socioeconomic status as important predictors for infection risk with P. falciparum. Model-based prediction identified high P. falciparum infection risk in the north, central-east, south-east, west and south-west of CĂ´te d'Ivoire. Low-risk areas were found in the south-eastern area close to Abidjan and the south-central and west-central part of the country. CONCLUSIONS: The P. falciparum infection risk and related uncertainty estimates for school-aged children in CĂ´te d'Ivoire represent the most up-to-date malaria risk maps. These tools can be used for spatial targeting of malaria control interventions
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