Children who eat more fruits and vegetables have better mental health – new study

Around 10%-20% of adolescents globally suffer from a mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression, according to the World Health Organization. It’s also been shown that half of all mental health conditions start by age 14. Given how important and formative adolescence is in a person’s life, finding ways of protecting or improving mental wellbeing in children and young people is extremely important...</p

Carotenoid dietary intakes and plasma concentrations are associated with heel bone ultrasound attenuation and osteoporotic fracture risk in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Norfolk cohort – CORRIGENDUM

 Details: correct minor error in table 2. Currently reads: Total fracture incidence for retinol Q5 reads 467/11510 and total intake 260/6538. This should read: Total fracture incidence for retinol Q5 should read 85/2302 and total intake 467/11510.</p

Predictors of intimate partner violence among women of reproductive age group from Rwanda

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is an important global health and human rights concern, with significant prevalence in Rwanda. This study aimed to identify predictors of IPV among women of reproductive age in Rwanda, providing essential insights for targeted interventions. Methods Data from the Rwanda Demographic Health and Survey 2019-20, a nationally representative survey, were analyzed. The study included 14,634 women aged 15-49. Descriptive statistics, chi-square analysis to check the experiences of IPV by background characteristics of the women and logistic regression were used to explore associations between background characteristics and IPV. Results The study revealed that women's educational status, wealth index, witnessing parental violence, husband or partner's drinking habit, and fear of husbands or partners were significantly associated with IPV. Women with higher education and those from wealthier households were less likely to experience IPV. In contrast, women whose partners consumed alcohol and those who feared their partners faced higher risks of IPV. Conclusion This study highlights the importance of addressing social determinants such as education, economic status, and alcohol consumption patterns in efforts to reduce IPV in Rwanda. The findings show up the urgency of comprehensive interventions and policies aimed at promoting gender equality and preventing intimate partner violence.</p

The systematic literature review process: a simple guide for public health and allied health students

A literature review is a key part of all academic research that informs researchers of the existing body of knowledge. Reviews conducted systematically are becoming more appealing to the researcher about two reasons. Firstly, they are robust, strong, comprehensive and reproducible and can appropriately serve the background review of any primary research. Secondly, they are qualified to be a stand-alone piece of academic work that contributes to the scientific body of knowledge. Although researchers and students in higher education who wish to write their dissertations are informed about the need for generating a literature review for primary research, when it comes to conducting a full systematic review, they may have some confusion and doubt on the distinction between a traditional literature review and a systematic review. This paper aims to clarify what a systematic review entails and take the readers' attention through the practical steps in conducting a systematic review. So, more of a practical step-by-step guide, rather than theoretical discussion of content, has been included. This paper would benefit early-career researchers, undergraduate students and many post-graduate students who wish to write their papers or dissertations based on a systematic review