Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kripalini Patel, Nishisipa Panda, Krushna Chandra Sahoo, Shipra Saxena, Narendra Singh Chouhan, Pratibha Singh, Upasona Ghosh, Bhuputra Panda
Summary: This systematic review examines the challenges faced by women and girls in practicing menstrual hygiene management (MHM) during humanitarian crises and public health emergencies. The findings highlight the lack of access to menstrual products and proper sanitation facilities as the main issues, and identify systemic and personal barriers that hinder MHM during emergencies.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Brooke Cherven, Amani Sampson, Sharon L. Bober, Kristin Bingen, Natasha Frederick, David R. Freyer, Gwendolyn P. Quinn
Summary: This study summarizes the literature on sexual function among adolescent and young adult cancer survivors, finding that they experience a burden of sexual dysfunction and interventions are needed to support sexual health and psychosexual adjustment. Collaboration between organizations is necessary to advance assessment of sexual dysfunction and test interventions to improve sexual health among this population.
CA-A CANCER JOURNAL FOR CLINICIANS
(2021)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Heatherlee Bailey, Lewis J. Kaplan
Summary: Volunteerism for humanitarian aid is a response to disasters, crises, and conflict. Healthcare volunteers face personal risks and their decision-making is influenced by personal, structural, and crisis-specific factors. Practical approaches to travel and on-scene safety should be considered to benefit volunteers, including planning for evacuation and potential rescue. The medical community should improve medical education and professional development to support humanitarian aid volunteerism.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Shatha Elnakib, Kara Hunersen, Janna Metzler, Hailu Bekele, W. Courtland Robinson
Summary: This study found that 14% of adolescent girls in Kobe refugee camp are currently married, with 11% having been married before the age of 18. Various factors were associated with the risk of child marriage, and there were discrepancies in adult women's understanding of legal marriage age. Contraceptive use was low and early childbearing was common among married adolescent girls.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mojgan Janighorban, Zahra Boroumandfar, Razieh Pourkazemi, Firoozeh Mostafavi
Summary: vulnerable adolescent girls face numerous barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health services, including personal, family, social, legal, and political factors. Developing comprehensive and practical programs, alongside legal and political support, can provide a foundation for their sexual and reproductive health.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Abroon Qazi, Mecit Can Emre Simsekler
Summary: This paper assesses the country-level risk associated with humanitarian crises and disasters in a network setting using a data-driven approach. It prioritizes multi-dimensional factors to capture the network-wide impact of individual factors on disaster risk exposure. Factors are evaluated for both increasing and reducing overall network-wide risk exposure.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Brandon A. Kohrt, Lauren Carruth
Summary: Complex humanitarian emergencies expose populations to political violence and result in multiple co-morbidities. Syndemic theory provides a framework to understand and intervene in these complex health impacts. Two case studies illustrate the application of syndemic models in these emergencies, highlighting the importance of violence prevention at various levels.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Jessica R. Gorman, Karen S. Lyons, Jennifer Barsky Reese, Chiara Acquati, Ellie Smith, Julia H. Drizin, John M. Salsman, Lisa M. Flexner, Brandon Hayes-Lattin, S. Marie Harvey
Summary: This study aims to develop a feasible and acceptable couple-based intervention to reduce reproductive and sexual health distress among young adult breast and gynecologic cancer survivor couples. Through systematic adaptation and integration of stakeholder perspectives, the resulting virtual intervention, Opening the Conversation, will be evaluated in a randomized controlled trial.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Narges Sheikhansari, Charles Abraham, Sarah Denford
Summary: Limited Sexual Health and Relationships Education (SHRE) is provided in Iranian schools and universities, which doesn't meet the growing demand for improved SHRE among young adults. Healthcare professionals in Tehran pointed out the lack of reliable educational resources, cultural barriers, and confidentiality issues that prevent young people from accessing information and services. They unanimously supported the enhancement of education and services, offering recommendations for improvement.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Vinay Kampalath, Ahmad Tarakji, Mohamed Hamze, Randa Loutfi, Keri Cohn, Aula Abbara
Summary: The Syrian conflict has had a significant impact on the health of Syrian children and adolescents, resulting in violent injuries, a resurgence of communicable diseases, malnutrition, and mental health issues. These findings can inform aid organizations in prioritizing health programming.
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Kerry Joan Gordon, Catherine E. Martin, Alison Kutywayo, Laura Ashleigh Cox, Pelisa Nongena, Saiqa Mullick
Summary: This study examines the prevalence and severity of depression among adolescents and young people accessing sexual and reproductive health services in South Africa. The findings highlight the importance of integrating mental health screening into programs for youth, as depression is associated with various risk factors.
JOURNAL OF ADOLESCENT HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Cecilia Akatukwasa, Viola N. Nyakato, Dorcus Achen, Elizabeth Kemigisha, Daniel Atwine, Wendo Mlahagwa, Stella Neema, Gad Ndaruhutse Ruzaaza, Gily Coene, Godfrey Z. Rukundo, Kristien Michielsen
Summary: The level of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) communication between caregivers and young adolescents is low and influenced by the comfort of caregivers. Interventions are needed to improve caregivers' comfort with communicating about SRH to young adolescents.
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Janna Metzler, Terry Saw, Denis Nono, Agatha Kadondi, Yuan Zhang, Cheng-Shiun Leu, Aimyleen Gabriel, Kevin Savage, Cassie Landers
Summary: This study examined the effectiveness of two group-based psychosocial interventions on the mental health and protection of South Sudanese refugee adolescents. Both interventions were found to be effective in reducing psychological distress and perceived protection risks, making them suitable as first-line interventions for adolescent populations exposed to conflict and displacement.
JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Suzanne Fraser, David Moore, Andrea Waling, Adrian Farrugia
Summary: The 21st century has witnessed the proliferation of technologies and information sources on various issues, including sexuality. This article investigates how young people in Australia source, assess, and act on sexual health information, and adapt to incomplete or unreliable information. The study suggests that accommodating information weaknesses in sexual health produces a new form of epistemic citizenship in contemporary society.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Anita Thapar, Olga Eyre, Vikram Patel, David Brent
Summary: Depression rates in young people, especially in females, are on the rise, leading to concerns about its impact on their development. Adverse outcomes associated with depression in young people include recurrence, onset of other disorders, and impairments in various areas of functioning. Thus, prevention and early intervention are crucial, targeting predisposing factors, antecedents, and symptoms. Those with family history, exposure to social stressors, or belonging to certain subgroups are at higher risk. School-based and community-based interventions show promise. Treatment should follow a stepwise approach, starting with psychosocial interventions and progressing to specific therapy and medication.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Leanne Brady, Lucy Gilson, Jill Olivier, Marsha Orgill, Maylene Shung-King, Eleanor Whyle, Keith Cloete, Beth Engelbrecht, Krish Vallabhjee, Soraya Ellokor, Asha George, Uta Lehmann, Ida Okeyo, Nikki Schaay, Helen Schneider
Summary: This paper presents the impact of the Western Cape Health Policy and Systems Research Journal Club in South Africa, providing insights for others interested in promoting health system development through embedded and co-production processes, and highlighting the potential for long-lasting systemic change through productive human interactions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH POLICY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Helen Schneider, Jill Olivier, Marsha Orgill, Leanne Brady, Eleanor Whyle, Joseph Zulu, Miguel San Sebastian, Asha George
Summary: Approaches to community health systems (CHSs) have been diverse, with a growing emphasis on a streamlined version of 'community health' in global health. Four key lenses, representing different positionalities and purposes in community health, aim to provide a comprehensive view and promote systems thinking in policy, practice and research.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH POLICY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Helen Schneider, Fidele Mukinda, Hanani Tabana, Asha George
Summary: This study analyzes the role of actor power in the implementation of an intervention to improve maternal, neonatal, and child healthcare in a rural district of South Africa. The findings suggest that different expressions of power shape the implementation process, with the intervention itself acting to change power relations. The study emphasizes the need for intervention designs to consider power relations and ensure sustainability.
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2022)
Editorial Material
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kerrie Stevenson, Olivia Holtermann-Entwistle, Reina Alameddine, Hala Ghattas, Jocelyn DeJong, Neha Singh, Jinan Usta
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has put strain on healthcare systems worldwide, with countries facing overlapping crises under even greater pressure to ensure the continuity of routine healthcare services. While women are less likely to suffer severe disease or death from COVID-19, data suggests they have experienced poorer mental health, higher unemployment rates, and increased social isolation during the pandemic. Previous research in disaster contexts has shown that women's healthcare tends to be deprioritized in emergency responses, and this seems to have been the case during the COVID-19 pandemic.
GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mariana Rodo, Lucy Singh, Neal Russell, Neha S. Singh
Summary: The impacts of COVID-19 have had negative effects on maternal, newborn, child health, and nutrition in fragile and conflict-affected settings. Funding has been reduced, interventions disrupted, and there is likely an increase in maternal and child morbidity and mortality. While some positive adaptations have been reported, overall strategies have been insufficient.
CONFLICT AND HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Tanya Jacobs, Asha George
Summary: This paper examines youth participation in the formulation of Adolescent and Youth Health Policy (AYHP) in South Africa. The study finds that although youth participation in the health policy process is a first for South Africa, there are still challenges regarding when, how, and which youth are involved. These challenges are related to broader contextual factors such as cultural barriers, segmented health programs and policy processes, donor priorities, and institutional capabilities.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH POLICY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Isabelle L. Lange, Ferozuddin Feroz, Ahmad Jan Naeem, Sayed Ataullah Saeedzai, Fatima Arifi, Neha Singh, Karl Blanchet
Summary: This study examines the priority setting process and the role of evidence in Afghanistan's Integrated Package of Essential Health Services (IPEHS). Through observation and interviews, the researchers found that the context, information landscape, and expert input shape a vernacular evidence, which is important for ethically allocating resources in contexts of resource scarcity and humanitarian need.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Ida Okeyo, Ulla Walmisley, Michelle De Jong, Carmen Spath, Tanya Doherty, Nandi Siegfried, Nadine Harker, Mark Tomlinson, Asha S. George
Summary: Alcohol-related harm is a growing global concern, especially in low-income and middle-income countries. Previous efforts have primarily focused on addressing individual behavior and overlooked whole-of-community approaches. This scoping review aims to analyze the effectiveness of whole-of-community interventions in modifying or preventing alcohol-related harms.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mariana Rodo, Diane Duclos, Jocelyn DeJong, Chaza Akik, Neha S. Singh
Summary: This review assesses the evidence of interventions provided in humanitarian settings for newborn care, finding that essential newborn care interventions vary across studies, with thermal care and feeding support being most commonly reported. Strategies to increase utilization include healthcare worker training, community interventions, financial incentives, and provision of supplies and equipment.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mary Kinney, Anne-Marie Bergh, Natasha Rhoda, Robert Pattinson, Asha George
Summary: This study seeks to understand why and how a perinatal audit program has sustained practice in South Africa. The results show that integration into routine tasks, clear value-add, individual and collective commitment, and an enabling environment are key factors for sustainability. Additionally, individual and organizational factors that support sustainability, such as trust, credibility, facilitation, and hierarchies, were identified.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Gill Green, Alison Swartz, Doreen Tembo, Diane Cooper, Asha George, Richard Matzopoulos, Andrea Fachel Leal, Cristiane Cabral, Regina Barbosa, Daniela Knauth
Summary: Violence in the community has a significant impact on the access to healthcare for youth, including the environment and interpersonal relationships affecting their healthcare access, inadequate sexual assault care, stigma and abuse in treatment settings, low healthcare-seeking behavior among youth in violent environments, and scarcity of literature focusing on interventions addressing these issues.
GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sayed Ataullah Saeedzai, Karl Blanchet, Ala Alwan, Najibullah Safi, Ahmad Salehi, Neha S. Singh, Gerard Joseph Abou Jaoude, Shafiq Mirzazada, Wahid Majrooh, Ahmad Jan Naeem, Jolene Skordis-Worral, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta, Hassan Haghparast-Bidgoli, Fahrad Farewar, Isabelle Lange, William Newbrander, Ritsuko Kakuma, Teri Reynolds, Ferozuddin Feroz
Summary: In 2017, during the armed conflict with the Taliban, the Ministry of Public Health in Afghanistan recognized the need for a well-defined priority package of health services. This package aimed to address the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases and injuries, and drew on the latest evidence published by DCP3. The development of this Integrated Package of Essential health Services (IPEHS) involved a 2-year process of data analysis, modeling, and national consultations. However, the implementation of IPEHS was hindered by the Taliban takeover. This experience highlighted the importance of addressing not only the content of a comprehensive benefit package, but also its implementation and financing.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Rachel Cassidy, Josephine Borghi, Agnes Rwashana Semwanga, Peter Binyaruka, Neha S. Singh, Karl Blanchet
Summary: Causal loop diagrams are a useful method for understanding complex health system behavior, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This paper provides a step-by-step guide for researchers in designing a health system research study using causal loop diagrams.
HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Bayard Roberts, Winifred Ekezie, Kiran Jobanputra, James Smith, Sara Ellithy, David Cantor, Neha Singh, Preeti Patel
Summary: This study examines international donor support and responsiveness to the health needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) by analyzing official development assistance (ODA) disbursements to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) from 2010 to 2019. The findings show that IDPs receive less health ODA compared to refugees, and the allocation of health ODA is inequitable. Additionally, there is weak evidence of a relationship between IDP health ODA and recipient country IDP population size, health system capacity, and health characteristics. The study highlights the need for increased investment in IDP health ODA by donors and ensuring that it is responsive to their health needs.
JOURNAL OF MIGRATION AND HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Neha S. Singh, Andrea K. Blanchard, Hannah Blencowe, Adam D. Koon, Ties Boerma, Sudha Sharma, Oona M. R. Campbell
Summary: Research is needed to understand why some countries succeed in improving maternal, late foetal, and newborn health more than others. A conceptual framework has been developed to explain the factors that contribute to these improvements, including health policy and system levers, service delivery and coverage, and epidemiological and behavioral risk factors. The framework also considers the role of context in influencing health outcomes.
HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING
(2022)