METHODS: The protocol for this review was registered on the Open Science Framework and PROSPERO. A systematic analysis of publications from the 2002-2022 period was conducted following PRISMA guidelines on 4522 records retrieved from PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus. The titles and abstracts were screened, and 229 articles were selected for full-text screening. Finally, 34 articles were included in this review.
RESULTS: Four preparedness pillars were identified: governance and stewardship, disease detection, disease prevention, and health care management. The pillars were crucial in preparing for and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Coordinated responses among the ASEAN countries and local and international stakeholders were reported.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings emphasize that understanding the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases is paramount for effective disease prevention, surveillance, and timely response efforts to prevent the next pandemic. A well-coordinated multi-country and multi-agency policy response and understanding the different disease management models are crucial in addressing future outbreaks in the region. Future post-pandemic publications will shed more light on lessons learned and preparedness and response plans for future pandemics.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight search engines, specifically Proquest, EbscoHost, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, Wiley Online Library, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Garuda, were utilized to identify primary articles. Three independent reviewers assessed abstracts and full articles based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data collected encompassed information regarding the population under study, research methods employed, and primary findings pertinent to the review's objectives. Fifteen studies, published between 2014 and 2023, that met the eligibility criteria outlined in the PRISMA-ScR.
RESULTS: Among the 15 studies on normocytic anemia in pregnant women, malaria and HIV were the highest causes of normocytic anemia, followed by worm/intestinal parasite infections, chronic diseases, and bleeding.. In pregnant women, anemia of chronic disease and infection often coexists with iron deficiency anemia, both show decrease serum iron levels. Hence, other investigations need to be carried out to diagnose with certainty the cause of anemia in pregnant women.
CONCLUSION: Anemia is not a standalone disease but rather a symptom of various underlying diseases. Therefore, diagnosing anemia requires identifying the basic disease that causes anemia, rather than simply labeling it as anemia.
METHODS: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) extension for scoping reviews was utilized in this study. Using predetermined keywords, a systematic search was conducted on three electronic databases from 2005 to 2023, namely, Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed. Articles written in English, and studies focusing on the research question are among the inclusion criteria. Ten articles were extracted that were relevant to the research question.
RESULTS: Poor socioeconomic status, urban areas, the influence of neighborhood, greenness, and air pollution had associations with mental health status among T2DM patients.
CONCLUSION: The possible implications of these factors for mental health demand further research and policy consideration.
METHOD: A scoping review was conducted following the framework of Arksey and O'Malley. The following electronic databases were searched: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), MEDLINE, Web of Science, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Gray literature was also searched through Google Scholar and ProQuest. Studies included reports on nursing students' emotional changes due to educational engagements with older adults.
RESULTS: A total of 3,001 abstracts were screened, with 78 full texts reviewed, resulting in 9 studies being included in the analysis. The results demonstrate that interactions with older adults enhance nursing students' empathy and emotional intelligence while fostering positive changes in their caring behaviors. Participants reported greater sensitivity to the feelings and physical discomforts of older adults, contributing to improved care and stronger relational dynamics.
DISCUSSION: Community-based education programs involving older adults represent an effective strategy for enhancing nursing students' empathy, emotional intelligence, and caring behaviors, suggesting valuable implications for nursing education methodologies.
METHODS: Four databases; MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, ScienceDirect, and EBSCOHost were searched using pre-determined keywords to identify articles published between January 1st, 2013 and February 28th, 2023 that evaluated retention strategies for doctors in LMICs. The review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines to ensure transparency. Relevant studies were identified, screened, and narratively synthesised.
RESULTS: Thirteen articles were included, representing a diverse range of LMICs. Retention strategies were categorised into educational, financial incentives, regulatory, as well as professional and personal support. Approximately 77% (n = 10) of studies reported positive outcomes, another two did not achieve favourable results, while one showed mixed outcomes. An equal number of studies applying single-strategy (n = 5) and combined-strategy (n = 5) approaches reported successful outcomes, especially when focusing on education and/ or regulatory strategies. More notably, international collaboration in education strategies enhanced success rates while compulsory service enforcement by authorities helped retain doctors in underserved areas to address healthcare worker maldistribution. Efficiency in administrative management, regardless of urban or rural locations, also emerged as a key factor of successful retention.
CONCLUSIONS: This review highlighted the effectiveness of different retention strategies for doctors in LMICs and its associated factors. It is imperative to emphasise the lack of a one-size-fits-all solution for this global issue. Thus, a multifaceted, comprehensive approach is essential in producing sustainable health workforce development that ensures optimal health outcomes, especially for populations in underserved areas. Future studies should prioritise pre- and post-intervention comparisons using appropriate indicators to enhance understanding and guide effective interventions for doctor retention.
DATA SOURCES: A scoping review using the Arksey and O'Malley's framework was conducted. A specific search strategy was developed with a research librarian across three databases: EMBASE, Medline, and the Maternity and Infant Care (MIC) database. Patient, Public Involvement, and Engagement (PPIE) members were consulted from the outset to co-design the research question and to provide feedback on the findings.
STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS: Out of 1958 articles, 19 were included in the study, with 47% from the US and 21% from Denmark. Articles were published from EMBASE. 47% of the articles measured health literacy, while 53% implemented health literacy interventions, such as digital or community-based approaches.
RESULTS: All 19 articles highlighted lower health literacy in BAME women compared to other groups. Ten proposed recommendations, while others emphasized the impact of social determinants of health, collectively underscoring the need for more research on BAME health.
CONCLUSIONS: The review underscores the inadequate health literacy and patient experience of BAME pregnant women. It also highlights the potential of digital health interventions to improve health literacy and health outcomes. The findings call for increased research into health literacy tools for BAME pregnant women. Healthcare systems, including the NHS, should allocate resources to enhance digital health interventions and address health inequalities in BAME groups during pregnancy.
METHODS: Systematic searches were conducted of Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. A random-effects meta-analysis was used to compute standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).
RESULTS: In all, 10 studies were included in the meta-analysis, in which children's music training groups showed significantly improved inhibitory control (SMD = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.16-0.6), working memory (SMD = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.16-0.54), and cognitive flexibility (SMD = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.04-0.42) in comparison with control groups. Subgroup analyses indicated significant improvements relative to the control groups for inhibitory control following music training having a duration of ≥12 weeks (SMD = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.22-0.8), occurring ≥3 times per week (SMD = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.2-0.75), and lasting 20-30 min per session (SMD = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.2-0.63). Significant improvements were seen for working memory following music training having a duration of ≥12 weeks (SMD = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.18-0.65), occurring <3 times per week (SMD = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.06-0.93), occurring ≥3 times per week (SMD = 0.28, 95% CI:0.1-0.47), and lasting 20-30 min per session (SMD = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.16-0.54). Music training significantly improved cognitive flexibility following training having a duration of ≥12 weeks (SMD = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.04-0.41), occurring ≥3 times per week (SMD = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.0-0.39), and lasting >40 min per session (SMD = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.22-1.26).
CONCLUSION: Music training has a positive effect on inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility in preschool children aged 3-6 years. This effect is influenced by certain training factors, including the duration of the intervention period, frequency per week, and length of each session.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/#aboutregpage, CRD42024513482.
METHODOLOGY: A survey is conducted in Selangor, where the data through a questionnaire is extracted from the three ethnic groups. Through the quota sampling technique, a sample of 700 is derived. The results are analyzed through ANOVA, regression, and mediation analysis.
RESULTS: The results show that attitudinal differences between Malays and Chinese regarding structuralist beliefs could be observed. Moreover, among Malays, it is found that the relationship between gender, income, education, wealth, and structuralist beliefs is significantly mediated by beliefs about charity. On the other hand, mediation analysis for Chinese identifies gender, education, and income while among Indians gender, education, and wealth are identified as key demographic groups.
DISCUSSION: This study highlights the role of attribution theory to identify the charity donors among the different ethnic groups which was overshadowed by the previous research in Malaysia. The results also hold significance for charity institutions to target the specified groups through their marketing campaigns. Also, based on these results government can reduce the misconception about the existence of poverty and to develop policies that encourage high income groups to support the poor.