Hijab or Niqab interacts with facemasks usage at healthcare settings in Kabul, Afghanistan: a multi-center observational study

We aimed to understand the extent of facemask usage resulting from the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in an Afghan context. In Afghanistan, new COVID-19 variants, low vaccination rates, political turmoil, and poverty interact not only with the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic but also with facemask usage. Methods: We collected data (n = 1970) by visually observing the usage and type of facemasks used among visitors entering healthcare facilities in Kabul. We conducted an observational study observing the use of facemasks among 1279 men and 691 women. Results: While 71% of all participants adhered to wearing facemasks, 94% of these users wore surgical masks, and 86% wore all types of facemasks correctly. Interestingly, women adhered to wearing facemasks more than men. Specifically, of all the participants who were not wearing masks, 20% were men, and only 8% were women. Even though men were more in number in our study (64.9%), women have a higher adherence rate to wearing facemasks than men. Conclusions: We conclude that gender socialization and expectations of women to wear the niqab or hijab interact with their adherence to wearing facemasks. Additionally, since Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world, which has witnessed a considerable period of political turmoil, we spotlight that our findings are rare in scholarship as they represent a distinct non-Western Islamic society with a low scale of COVID-19 vaccination. Therefore, more research is needed to assess the general population’s socioeconomic and geopolitical barriers to facemask use, given that Afghanistan is an underrepresented social context. Our findings are expected to aid health policymakers in developing novel prevention strategies for the country

Post-traumatic stress disorder following childbirth: a neglected cause

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following childbirth is a significant mental health risk for women globally. However, it remains a neglected cause, particularly in low-income countries like Pakistan. This paper explores the unique challenges faced by women in such settings, including limited access to healthcare and social support, cultural norms, and stigma surrounding mental health. The diagnosis and causes of postpartum PTSD are discussed, along with its effects on both mothers and their infants. The lack of awareness and training among healthcare professionals in recognizing and treating postpartum PTSD is highlighted as a major barrier to adequate care. To address these challenges, the paper proposes a comprehensive approach, including raising public awareness, providing mental health support and resources, and integrating postpartum mental health into medical education. Trauma-focused therapies are recommended for effective treatment. The paper concludes with the need for more research in low-income countries and emphasizes the importance of understanding and supporting women with postpartum PTSD to improve their well-being and maternal and child health

Intracranial intricacies: Comprehensive analysis of rare skull base meningiomas—A single‐center case series

Key Clinical Message This study paper's main goal is to report rare cases of skull base meningiomas that exemplify the complexities of diagnosis, therapy, and postoperative care. By describing these rare cases, we hope to advance knowledge of the clinical signs, difficulties, and prognoses of skull base meningiomas in a challenging anatomical setting. In the posterior cranial fossa, our investigation reveals a unique example of skull base meningioma that involved numerous cranial nerves and complex vasculature. A variety of visual abnormalities were present in the patient's clinical presentations, highlighting the wide range of symptoms that these tumors might cause depending on their precise positions. These cases highlight the critical importance of preoperative imaging, including high‐resolution MRI and angiography, as well as the diagnostic difficulties these tumors pertain. By reporting these instances, our research adds to the body of knowledge about skull base meningiomas and offers insightful information about the nuances of their therapies. Our findings highlight the importance of individualized treatment plans, interdisciplinary cooperation, and the demand for continued study to better comprehend these convoluted tumors. Such studies are essential for advancing our knowledge of these enigmatic tumors, guiding clinical judgment, and eventually improving patient outcomes. These findings are important because they can fill information gaps, improve treatment plans, and encourage additional research in neuro‐oncology. Abstract This study presents a series of three rare cases of skull base meningiomas, emphasizing the complexities in diagnosis, treatment, and postoperative care. The patients' clinical presentations and imaging highlighted the diverse symptoms and challenges associated with these tumors, found in intricate anatomical locations. The cases underscore the crucial role of preoperative high‐resolution imaging and angiography in diagnostic accuracy. Surgical intervention, guided by a multidisciplinary approach, is pivotal in managing these demanding cases. Histopathological examinations confirmed atypical meningiomas. The postoperative phases involved meticulous care to ensure optimal recovery and functional outcomes. Our findings contribute to the understanding of skull base meningiomas, emphasizing the need for personalized treatment plans and ongoing research to improve patient outcomes in neuro‐oncology