Fostering Public Health Ethics Awareness among Medical Students through Interactive Web-Based Values Exchange Learning : A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Medical ethics have traditionally encountered resistance in medical education, with doubts regarding their necessity during preclinical years. Concerns include the practical application of theoretical ethics and favoring the learning of ethics through observation and imitation. Furthermore, ethics courses often focus on codes and regulations and neglect the promotion of moral reasoning and decision-making skills. Therefore, enhancing ethical researcher-training modules is essential for advancing instructional methods and promoting a unified and interactive learning atmosphere. Methods A three-week course was conducted using the Values Exchange (VX) online platform to assess the effectiveness of the VX system in involving students and its impact on their perceptions of the importance of research ethics. Accordingly, a blended course was provided as an optional course to the students, and a qualitative course evaluation survey was administered at the end of the course. Results Sixty-one medical students participated in a pilot-blended research ethics program and the majority (93%) reported a positive learning experience. The course was preferred over traditional classroom-based courses by 80% of the respondents, with 77% reporting increased interest and motivation to study Research Ethics. Over half of the students (57%) reported that the course stimulated their thinking and changed their perspectives on handling medical research issues. Many students (20%) reported improvements in their social and information technology skills. The VX platform was able to meet the expectations of both faculty and students, and fulfilled all dimensions of the Health Professions Learning Environment Conceptual Framework. Conclusions The VX platform provides an interactive and effective simulated learning environment that promotes ethical research Aligned with the Health Professions Learning Environment Framework, VX fosters core competencies, such as ethical reasoning, decision-making, and cultural respect. Medical schools are encouraged to implement VX to enhance the teaching of research ethics.Peer reviewe

Some Issues of Occupational Health of Health Care Workers in Central Asia (Review)

Introduction: In the Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health: Workforce 2030, the World Health Organization (WHO) called for the promotion of decent working conditions for health care workers (HCWs) in all settings. The Central Asian countries (CACs) are low- and middle-income countries with economies past transition and with implemented health care reforms that touch HCWs and occupational health and safety (OHS) at large. The aim: of the present article is to highlight some challenges in OHS regulation and to highlight some of the latest studies on biological health risks to HCWs in CACs. Materials and methods: The article reviews 18 journal articles in Russian and 3 journal articles in English published since 2004, 3 dissertations, 10 national statistical sources and profiles, and 5 books. Results: OHS management systems in CACs are built on the principle of responding to insurance cases, not their prevention. Most labor law standards are declarative in nature because many employers ignore labor protection requirements. There has been no study since 2000 on the working conditions, the physical and chemical health risks or the effects of working conditions, mental and physical loads on the health of HCWs. A few studies were found on work-related infectious diseases (viral hepatitis, HIV and tuberculosis) of HCWs in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. The latest studies showed a high prevalence of viral hepatitis B, C and G and of HIV infection in HCWs in Kyrgyzstan, with much lower rates in Kazakhstan. Conclusions: The traditional OHS approach used in soviet times has proven insufficient in CACs with developing market economies. OHS and the health of HCWs in Central Asia is insufficiently studied. The available data indicate a low level of attention to the health of HCWs. Serious studies on OHS in health care settings in this region are needed

Evaluating occupational hazards and personal protective equipment use on farms in Kyrgyzstan

Objectives – The purpose of this study was to identify occupational hazards and personal protective equipment use on farms operating in Kyrgyzstan. Methods – We recruited 20 farmers in Kyrgyzstan. They completed a questionnaire and responded to interview questions to determine their occupational hazards, personal protective equipment use, and work-related injuries. We measured noise levels using the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health sound level meter application for Apple iOS. Results – Most farmers reported knowing how and when to use personal protective equipment, however 95 percent had not received training on how to use them. Observation of farmers revealed gaps in protective equipment use. Farmers reported workplace injury (15 percent) and one farmer reported time off due to the injury. Farmers reported suffering from one or more heat-related health symptom (30 percent). In six farms (30 percent), noise levels, originating from animal and equipment sources, exceeded 85 decibels on an A-weighted scale. Conclusion – Farmers in Kyrgyzstan are potentially exposed to workplace hazards. While stated farmer knowledge of personal protective equipment use was high, the implementation of personal protective equipment appeared to be low. Providing low to no cost personal protective equipment along with training to farmers and their colleagues may be an effective strategy in reducing barriers to increase protective equipment use and reduce workplace injuries

Occupational Health in Mountainous Kyrgyzstan

Background: In the period of transition from a centralized economy to the market economy, occupational health services in Kyrgyzstan have survived through dramatic, detrimental changes. It is common for occupational health regulations to be ignored and for basic occupational health services across many industrial enterprises and farms to be neglected. Objective: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the present situation and challenges facing occupational health services in Kyrgyzstan. Findings: The transition from centralized to the market economy in Kyrgyzstan has led to increased layoffs of workers and unemployment. These threats are followed by increased workload, and the health and safety of workers becomes of little concern. Private employers ignore occupational health and safety; consequently, there is under-reporting of occupational diseases and accidents. The majority of enterprises, especially those of small or medium size, are unsanitary, and the health status of workers remains largely unknown. The low official rates of occupational diseases are the result of data being deliberately hidden; lack of coverage of working personnel by medical checkups; incompetent management; and the poor quality of staff, facilities, and equipment.Because Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous country, the main environmental and occupational factor of enterprises is hypoxia. Occupational health specialists have greatly contributed to the development of occupational medicine in the mountains through science and practice. Conclusions: The enforcement of existing strong occupational health legislation and increased financing of occupational health services are needed. The maintenance of credible health monitoring and effective health services for workers, re-establishment of medical services and sanitary-hygienic laboratories in industrial enterprises, and support for scientific investigations on occupational risk assessment will increase the role of occupational health services in improving the health of the working population

Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics for patients with autism spectrum disorder: a meta-analysis and umbrella review

Background and objectiveThe potential impact of gut health on general physical and mental well-being, particularly in relation to brain function, has led to a growing interest in the potential health advantages of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics for the management of ASD. A comprehensive meta-analysis and systematic review was conducted in order to evaluate the effectiveness and protection of many drugs targeted at manipulating the microbiota in the treatment of ASD.MethodsThe present study employed a comprehensive examination of various electronic databases yielded a total of 3,393 records that were deemed possibly pertinent to the study. RCTs encompassed a total of 720 individuals between the ages of 2 and 17, as well as 112 adults and participants ranging from 5 to 55 years old, all of whom had received a diagnosis of ASD.ResultsOverall, 10 studies reported Autism-Related Behavioral Symptoms (ARBS). Regarding the enhancement of autism-related behavioral symptoms, there wasn’t a statistically significant difference between the intervention groups (combined standardized mean difference = −0.07, 95% confidence interval: −0.39 to 0.24, Z = 0.46, p = 0.65). We observed that in the patients with ASD treated with probiotic frontopolar’s power decreased significantly from baseline to endpoints in beta band (Baseline: 13.09 ± 3.46, vs. endpoint: 10.75 ± 2.42, p = 0.043, respectively) and gamma band (Baseline: 5.80 ± 2.42, vs. endpoint: 4.63 ± 1.39, p = 0.033, respectively). Among all tested biochemical measures, a significant negative correlation was found between frontopolar coherence in the gamma band and TNF-α (r = −0.30, p = 0.04).ConclusionThe existing body of research provides a comprehensive analysis of the developing evidence that indicates the potential of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics as therapeutic therapies for ASD. Our findings revealed that those there was no significant effect of such therapy on autism-related behavioral symptoms, it has significant effect on the brain connectivity through frontopolar power in beta and gamma bands mediated by chemicals and cytokines, such as TNF-α. The psychobiotics showed no serious side-effects

The State of Higher Education in Occupational Health and Safety in Central Asian Countries

A healthy workforce is vital for the sustainable social and economic development of any country. Assuring occupational health and safety (OHS) depends not only on the passing of quality working legislation and inspection of workplaces, but also on preparation of qualified specialists on OHS. Aimed at assessing of relevance of the content of training at Central Asian universities to the needs in prevention of risks of accidents and injuries and promotion of a preventive culture in the workplace, and finding out how they are compliant with the recommendations of the Mainstreaming occupational safety and health into the education (2010), we examined curricula of 20 medical and non-medical universities across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The analysis of training programs showed that education in OHS and preparation of qualified specialists in Central Asiana countries is up-to-date and tailored to local needs for prevention of risks of accidents and injuries and promotes the notion of a preventive culture in the workplace

Cardiovascular Disease and Mental Distress Among Ethnic Groups in Kyrgyzstan

The purpose of this study was to characterize different ethnic groups in Kyrgyzstan regarding cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mental distress, and to investigate the association between CVD and mental distress. The mental distress was measured in terms of sleep disturbance, burnout, and stress. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among six ethnic groups in Kyrgyzstan, aged 18 years and above. The sample was stratified for age, education, family status, and income. We used the Karolinska Sleep Questionnaire to assess sleep disturbance, the physical and emotional subscale of the Shirom Melamed Burnout Questionnaire to assess burnout, and the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale to assess perceived stress. Results: The distribution of CVD differed significantly between the six ethnic groups, with higher prevalence among East Europeans, and Western Asians and lower among Other minorities and Central Asians. In all ethnic groups in Kyrgyzstan, individuals with CVD had increased odds of sleep disturbance and burnout. There was a significant difference in burnout and stress between persons with and without CVD in Kyrgyz and East European ethnic groups. Conclusion: There was a significant difference in burnout and stress between persons with and without CVD in Kyrgyz and East European ethnic groups. In addition to CVD prevention, mitigating sleep disturbance and preventing burnout in the general population should be aimed at in public health measures

Data_Sheet_1_Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics for patients with autism spectrum disorder: a meta-analysis and umbrella review.docx

Background and objectiveThe potential impact of gut health on general physical and mental well-being, particularly in relation to brain function, has led to a growing interest in the potential health advantages of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics for the management of ASD. A comprehensive meta-analysis and systematic review was conducted in order to evaluate the effectiveness and protection of many drugs targeted at manipulating the microbiota in the treatment of ASD.MethodsThe present study employed a comprehensive examination of various electronic databases yielded a total of 3,393 records that were deemed possibly pertinent to the study. RCTs encompassed a total of 720 individuals between the ages of 2 and 17, as well as 112 adults and participants ranging from 5 to 55 years old, all of whom had received a diagnosis of ASD.ResultsOverall, 10 studies reported Autism-Related Behavioral Symptoms (ARBS). Regarding the enhancement of autism-related behavioral symptoms, there wasn’t a statistically significant difference between the intervention groups (combined standardized mean difference = −0.07, 95% confidence interval: −0.39 to 0.24, Z = 0.46, p = 0.65). We observed that in the patients with ASD treated with probiotic frontopolar’s power decreased significantly from baseline to endpoints in beta band (Baseline: 13.09 ± 3.46, vs. endpoint: 10.75 ± 2.42, p = 0.043, respectively) and gamma band (Baseline: 5.80 ± 2.42, vs. endpoint: 4.63 ± 1.39, p = 0.033, respectively). Among all tested biochemical measures, a significant negative correlation was found between frontopolar coherence in the gamma band and TNF-α (r = −0.30, p = 0.04).ConclusionThe existing body of research provides a comprehensive analysis of the developing evidence that indicates the potential of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics as therapeutic therapies for ASD. Our findings revealed that those there was no significant effect of such therapy on autism-related behavioral symptoms, it has significant effect on the brain connectivity through frontopolar power in beta and gamma bands mediated by chemicals and cytokines, such as TNF-α. The psychobiotics showed no serious side-effects.</p

Acceptability of COVID-19 vaccination in Herat, Afghanistan

Background: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is one of the major concerns in the roll out of vaccines in many countries. The aim of the study was to assess the level of COVID-19 vaccine acceptability among the population in Herat, Afghanistan, the third largest city in the country. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between 15 April 2021 and 20 April 2021 among the general population of Herat City to examine the acceptability rate of COVID-19 vaccine. Sample size was calculated at 555. Different variables were collected using a questionnaire developed. Data were evaluated in IBM SPSS program. Results: Only 10.63% of the participants were willing to receive COVID-19 vaccine without having any concern and reservation. 45% were willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. 66.5% were concerned about the vaccine and its side effects and 29% were afraid of being infected by transmission of COVID-19 through the administration of vaccine on them. Conclusion: This research demonstrates that, concerns about the vaccine, myths and misinformation are widespread which will undermine the vaccination process. This study recommends the initiation of more health-related campaigns and awareness programs by the government for general population to enhance and expedite the roll out of COVID-19 vaccine

Top ten public health challenges to track in 2022

Abstract We identify ten public health challenges that need to be closely tracked in 2022. These challenges are COVID‐19, inadequate human resources for health, poor health systems financing, conflict and humanitarian crises, mental health, poverty, climate change, the health of children, reproductive health issues, and the infodemic. These global priorities, based on opinion of experts and current evidence and literature, need immediate attention and scaled‐up actions. This list of priorities does not discount the existence of other major public health challenges. We forecast and highlight those that may impact global public health in 2022 in order to progress and to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Thus, we advocate for stronger international cooperation, solidarity, and sustainable funding to address these challenges, and improve health across and within populations globally