Interventions for Tobacco Prevention and Control in Humanitarian Settings: A Scoping Review.

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco usage is an epidemic as statistics point towards smoking as the second leading cause of death. Populations experiencing humanitarian emergencies may experience a higher propensity for tobacco, alcohol, and other substance abuse disorders. This review aimed to map tobacco prevention and control interventions in humanitarian settings. METHODS: The search for this scoping review was conducted in six databases and supplemented with a gray literature search. Articles were screened at title-abstract and full-text by two pairs of authors, and data was abstracted by three individuals independently. An adapted diffusion of governance framework is used to discuss the findings. RESULTS: A total of 26 articles were included from the searches conducted in the databases and grey literature. The interventions targeted all age groups. The documents retrieved from the grey literature search were classified as population-based interventions, as they were not restricted to a particular group of individuals. Interventions were delivered at various locations, using different methods and engaging multiple stakeholders. Interventions assessed were grouped into packaging, labeling, and other policy interventions (pricing and taxes). CONCLUSION: There are few tobacco prevention and control interventions in the humanitarian context. The diffusion of governance perspective in implementing these interventions in humanitarian settings provides a cue for inter-sectoral cooperation among different stakeholders and disciplines beyond the health sector. Our review recommends exploring complementarity between the demand and supply side interventions for tobacco control. IMPLICATIONS: The scoping review has highlighted various tobacco prevention and control efforts in humanitarian settings. The interventions were delivered using various modes, and yet the burden of smoking is higher among the humanitarian population. Further research may use impact evaluation techniques to assess the impact of these interventions to facilitate the re-design of the implementation approach and policy priorities.

Barriers and Facilitators for the Donation and Acceptance of Human Breast milk: A Scoping Review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Human milk is the best source of nutrients for all infants. When a mother's own milk is unavailable, the World Health Organization suggests using donor human milk for premature neonates with or without medical complications. Exploring the barriers and facilitators for breast milk donation and its acceptability is essential for developing this intervention. A scoping review was conducted based on a methodological framework developed by Arksey and O'Malley (Int J Soc Res Methodol 8:19-32, 2005). A search was conducted in PubMed (NCBI), CINAHL (EBSCO), and Web of Science (Elsevier). A two-stage sequential screening process was adopted. Data extraction was done using a piloted data extraction form. RECENT FINDINGS: We included 20 articles for narrative synthesis. Barriers and facilitators for donating and accepting breast milk were categorized under six themes: individual, family, community, workplace, health system, and policy-related. The common individual barriers were time requirements for BMD, personal dislike of the process, lack of knowledge, insufficient milk, negative opinions, and lack of information. Family stigma, negative rumors, less educated family members, and illness of a family member were identified as family-related barriers. Community-related barriers include cultural or religious unacceptable practices, societal taboos, and distance to milk banks. The major barriers identified in relation to the health system were lack of practical and psychological support, lack of information, storing and transportation issues, lack of knowledge among HCWs, and logistical challenges of creating a milk lab. The common work-related barriers were the lack of adequate time, philosophical objections, and incomprehension at returning to work. Policy-related barriers identified include the need for hygiene requirements, donation costs, and lack of standardized guidelines. Making the donation process faster, providing pick-up services for donors, and community education and male partner engagement regarding breast milk donation could help to boost the acceptability of breast milk donation.

Daily versus alternate day oral iron therapy in iron deficiency anemia: a systematic review.

Daily administration of oral iron is considered the current treatment standard for treating iron deficiency anemia due to availability and reduced cost compared to intravenous iron therapy. But adverse effects like epigastric pain, heartburn, and constipation reduce compliance to daily oral iron. There is scanty evidence regarding compliance and efficacy with alternate-day iron therapy. As per our knowledge, this is the first systematic review to compare daily with alternate-day oral iron therapy. Six electronic databases including PubMed and EMBASE were searched for randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies published between January 2000 to March 2023 that compared daily with alternate day iron therapy in individuals diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia. The primary outcome analyzed was a change in hemoglobin. The other hematological parameters were assessed as secondary outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed regarding randomization process, deviation from intended intervention, missing outcome data, measurement of the outcome, and selection of the reported result. Out of the 9 full-text articles, 2 were not included as one was an ongoing trial and the second one had a different study design. The reviewed trials involved 594 participants, and the study participants ranged from 19 to 200. The mean age of the participants in the reported trials was 21 ± 2 to 49 ± 16 years. There is no significant increase in hemoglobin level and also the iron indices namely ferritin, hepcidin, total iron binding capacity, and reticulocyte count between daily and alternate-day dosing of iron. However, the frequency of adverse effects especially nausea, metallic taste, and altered bowel habits are reduced with alternate-day dosing. Oral iron given daily or on alternate days did not have a significant difference in the hemoglobin levels though iron absorption may be affected in the initial few days.Trial registration: The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (Prospero2023CRD42023393095).

Impact of probiotic on anxiety and depression symptoms in pregnant and lactating women and microbiota of infants: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Probiotics are non-invasive therapies composed of live bacteria and yeast. Administration of prebiotics improved the health status of pregnant and lactating women, as well as newborns. This review aimed to appraise the evidence concerning the effectiveness of probiotics on the mental health of pregnant women, lactating mother and the microbiota of the newborn. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis ascertained quantitative studies published in Medline (PubMed), Clinical Key, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), the Cochrane Library, and Google scholar. Two authors independently screened and extracted the data from the primary studies that analysed the efficacy of probiotics on the mental health of pregnant and lactating women and the microbiota of the newborn. We adopted Cochrane Collaboration guidelines and reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement. The qualities of included trials were assessed by Cochrane collaboration's risk of bias tool (ROB-2). Results: Sixteen trials comprised 946 pregnant women, 524 were lactating mothers, and 1678 were infants. The sample size of primary studies ranged from 36 to 433. Probiotics were administered as interventions, using either a single strain of Bifidobacterium or Lactobacillus or a double-strain combination of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Probiotics supplementation reduced anxiety in pregnant (n = 676, standardised mean difference (SMD) = 0.01; 95% confidence interval (CI) = -0.28,0.30, P = 0.04, I2 = 70) and lactating women (n = 514, SMD = -0.17; 95% CI = -1.62,1.27, P = 0.98, I2 = 0). Similarly, probiotics decreased depression in pregnant (n = 298, SMD = 0.05; 95% CI = -0.24,0.35, P = 0.20, I2 = 40) and lactating women (n = 518, SMD = -0.10; 95% CI = -1.29,-1.05, P = 0.11, I2 = 60%). Similarly, probiotics supplementation improved the gut microbiota and reduced the duration of crying, abdominal distension, abdominal colic and diarrhoea. Conclusion: Non-invasive probiotic therapies are more useful to pregnant and lactating women and newborns. Registration: The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022372126).

Non-pharmacological interventions to reduce anxiety among children undergoing surgery: A systematic review.

A hospitalized child experiences anxiety more frequently as compared to non-hospitalized children. Surgery can be emotionally distressing for children, and subsequently their parents and caregivers, this distress can cause profound adverse impacts on children. We aimed to identify the effect of non-pharmacological interventions on children's (1-18 years) anxiety undergoing surgery. The following databases: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Proquest, Web" of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were systematically searched for full-text articles. The review included 15 randomized controlled trials. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. The interventions included in the study were preoperative education, puppet play, therapeutic play, distraction activities, parental presence, and clown therapy. The review presents a narrative reporting of the findings. This review identifies that non-pharmacological interventions are effective in reducing anxiety among children undergoing surgery. There are a limited number of studies from developing countries. Further research is required to underpin the use of these interventions with children before surgery.

Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health Among Healthcare Workers in India: A Mixed-methods Systematic Review.

Healthcare workers (HCWs) experienced significant mental health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. This review aimed to comprehensively assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of HCWs in India. We conducted a mixed-methods systematic review, which adopts a results-based convergent approach that incorporates quantitative and qualitative data. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in relevant databases: PubMed-Medline, CINAHL, Web of Science, and ProQuest. All available full-text studies in the English language that assessed the mental health outcomes (anxiety, stress, and depression) of HCWs during the pandemic and published until 28 February 2022 were included. A total of 31 studies were included in this review (27 quantitative studies, three qualitative studies, and one mixed-method study). The pooled prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among HCWs in India was 32.96%, 29.49%, and 33.47%, respectively. Integration of quantitative and qualitative findings using social determinants of health framework resulted in various contributing factors and coping strategies. There is a need for a supportive work environment, mental health support, and mental health policies for HCWs in India.

Anxiety and Pain in Children Undergoing Surgery: A Scoping Review.

PURPOSE: Anxiety and pain are experienced by most children undergoing surgical procedures. Untreated anxiety delays postoperative recovery and also increases the risk of complications. The purpose of this scoping review was to examine the relationship between perioperative anxiety and postoperative pain among children. DESIGN: A scoping review METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was done on the following databases: PubMed-MEDLINE (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online), CINAHL (Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature), ProQuest, and Cochrane library to identify the original research studies published in English between January 01, 2000 to March 31, 2021. Two authors independently screened the studies based on pre-specified criteria. The results of the search are described narratively. FINDINGS: A total of eleven studies were included in this review from 1,180 studies initially retrieved. Most of the studies revealed that children who had higher levels of perioperative anxiety experienced higher levels of postoperative pain. CONCLUSIONS: This review identified that perioperative anxiety has a significant effect on postoperative pain among children. The review results indicate the need to develop age-appropriate interventions to reduce perioperative anxiety and postoperative pain among children to reduce further postoperative complications.

Self-Medication Practices among the Adolescent Population of South Karnataka, India.

Introduction: Self-medication is used every day in the form of self-care of our health. Different studies in India have shown that more than 50% of the adolescent population takes self-medication every day for their health. Self-medication is an important concern at the global level, and it is an important issue in the health area. Aims: To determine the prevalence of self-medication among adolescents, identifying the commonly used drugs as self-medication and finding the association between self-medication and selected demographic variables are important. Materials and Methods: In a descriptive cross-sectional survey, 220 adolescents were enrolled through cluster random sampling. A self-administered questionnaire (developed by the researcher) along with a demographic profile sheet to assess the prevalence of self-medication and commonly used drugs was exercised. In the study, self-medication was defined as the consumption of medication without the prescription of the physician in the past year. Data analysis was performed by descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS 16.0 software, and the significance of p value (<0.05) was considered. Results: Around 120 (54.5%) adolescents were in the age group of 17 years; among them, 123 (55.9%) were females. The prevalence of self-medication was found to be 173 (78.6%). Antipyretics were consumed by 147 (78.6%) adolescents and antitussives by 120 (54.5%). It was observed that 110 (50%) of the adolescents preferred allopathic system of medication. It was also reported that 52 (23.6%) adolescents self-medicated continuously (i.e., for a month). The results also showed that factors like the type of family (χ 2 = 9.615, p < 0.05), father's education (χ 2 = 13.791, p < 0.05), mother's education (χ 2 = 14.633, p < 0.05), and distance from a nearest medical store (χ 2 = 17.290, p < 0.05) were associated with self-medication. Conclusion: The present study has shown that the prevalence of self-medication is high among adolescents, and most of them had taken it without consulting a doctor. The study concludes that it is important to create awareness among adolescents regarding self-medication.