Background: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has a diverse and predominantly expatriate workforce, many of whom are laborers exposed to occupational hazards and vulnerable to health inequities. Although the country has significantly expanded healthcare access through insurance mandates and infrastructure development, there remains a noticeable gap in understanding how laborers actually utilize these services, especially aging workers at greater risk for chronic diseases. Notably, no comprehensive peer-reviewed studies have yet examined healthcare utilization among this key demographic in the UAE. Purpose: This narrative review seeks to fill a critical gap in the literature by synthesizing available evidence on healthcare utilization among laborers in the UAE. It explores the factors that facilitate or hinder access and engagement with healthcare services, with a focus on aging laborers. Methodology: A structured search of PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and grey literature was conducted to identify studies from 2005 to 2023 related to healthcare access and utilization among laborers in the UAE. A total of 85 records were reviewed. Both quantitative and qualitative studies were considered, alongside relevant policy reports and academic articles. Data were extracted on utilization behaviors, enablers, and barriers. Results: Findings indicate that health insurance coverage, proximity to clinics, and employer-supported initiatives are key facilitators. Major barriers include language difficulties, high out-of-pocket costs for medications, lack of regular healthcare providers, and long working hours. Preventive care services remain underutilized, and chronic condition management is inconsistent, particularly for older laborers. Conclusions: While the UAE has made notable strides in improving health system access, targeted efforts are needed to strengthen service continuity and promote healthy aging among laborers. Addressing structural barriers and encouraging preventive care use are the next essential steps. Contributions to the Field: This review contributes to the field by synthesizing existing knowledge on labor healthcare utilization in a unique socio-economic context. It provides a foundation for future research and policymaking aimed at integrating labor health into national health agendas, especially in countries with high migrant labor populations.

BACKGROUNDS: Tuberculosis (TB) with comorbidities negatively impacts patients' quality of life, suggesting the need for family support and health promotion. The impact of health promotion intervention on the family's ability to support mental health was aimed to be evaluated by this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in Kendari, Indonesia, from July to December 2024. The population comprised 132 family members of comorbid TB patients, divided into intervention (n=66) and control (n=66) groups. Data were collected using a validated structured questionnaire to assess knowledge and attitudes related to health literacy and social support. These data were analyzed with repeated ANOVA and post-hoc test, with a significance level of p < 0.05. RESULTS: The intervention group showed significant improvements in all measured variables: social support knowledge (pre-test: 9.85 ± 1.33; post-test: 13.18 ± 1.60; p = 0.000) and social support attitudes (pre-test: 17.45 ± 2.04; post-test: 32.55 ± 2.71; p = 0.000). Similarly, Health literacy knowledge increased markedly (pre-test: 9.85 ± 1.42; post-test: 13.18 ± 1.60; p = 0.000), as did health literacy attitudes (pre-test: 18.62 ± 2.15; post-test: 33.72 ± 2.48; p = 0.000). These findings indicate that repeated module-based education effectively improved both social support and health literacy among families of patients with comorbid TB. CONCLUSION: Module-based health promotion effectively improves knowledge and attitudes regarding mental health and social support for comorbid TB patients.

Background: Postpartum blues is a mild emotional problem that often occurs in mothers after childbirth, especially during the first week. If not promptly recognized and managed, it can develop into a more serious psychological issue. Support from a partner, especially the father's role as a breastfeeding father, is crucial. In traditional communities such as the Ammatoa Kajang, the father's role is shaped by cultural values and social systems that separate male and female roles. Objective: This study aims to explore the meaning, obstacles, and potential of the father's role in preventing postpartum blues among breastfeeding mothers within the Ammatoa culture in Tana Toa Village, Bulukumba Regency. Methods: This research uses a qualitative phenomenological approach with Colaizzi's analysis. Informants included traditional leaders, healthcare workers, and fathers of postpartum mothers, selected purposively. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and group discussions, then analyzed thematically. Results: Five main themes emerged: (1) the meaning of the father's role after childbirth, (2) understanding of postpartum blues, (3) husband-wife communication after childbirth, (4) obstacles fathers face in providing support, and (5) expectations regarding the father's role. Findings: The results show that although traditional norms strictly regulate gender roles, there is room for change in the father's role as an emotional and spiritual companion during the postpartum period, in line with the values of kalumannyang, amaradekang, and pasang ri Kajang. Conclusions: The father's role as a breastfeeding father in the Ammatoa indigenous community can be strengthened with a more progressive cultural approach. Community-based education and local values are essential to develop the father's role as protector, caregiver, and emotional balance keeper for the wife, thus helping to prevent postpartum blues.

Most mental health problems start during the child and adolescent stages and persist into adulthood, limiting opportunities for the individual to lead a fulfilling life. High exposure to adverse childhood events is associated with many behavioural and mental disorders. There is a dearth of information about the prevalence of mental health conditions among children and adolescents in South Africa. The study aimed to identify the prevalence of child and adolescent mental health conditions by investigating the mental health of children and adolescents in the Umlazi Education District in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Learners in Grades 4 to 12 (N=1708) between 10 and 19 years old, from primary and secondary schools, both in urban and rural areas in the Umlazi school district, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, were selected to participate. The Child and Youth Mental Health Profiling System was administered using the biographical questionnaire, the Adverse Childhood Experiences questionnaire, the Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire, and the DSM-5 Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure. The results indicated high levels of mental health difficulties among the learners. Adverse childhood experiences were highly prevalent (61.4%), and several of the mental health difficulties identified indicated gender, age, and race differences. Two significant factors that emerged through the Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire were ‘perceived weakness' and ‘perceived strengths'. The study supports the view that early detection of child and adolescent mental health difficulties will enable support and intervention, helping to promote recovery and build resilience.

Hypertension remains a pressing public health concern in coastal communities, shaped by entrenched cultural beliefs, constrained resources, and inadequate health literacy. This study seeks to elucidate the challenges and unmet needs of the Lake Tempe coastal community in managing hypertension. A qualitative phenomenological design was adopted, with data gathered in March 2025 through in-depth interviews with 14 purposively recruited participants from the Tanasitolo (Nepo Village) and Liu (Worongnge and Pallimae Villages) Community Health Centers. Interviews, lasting 20–40 minutes, were subjected to Colaizzi's analytic method. Six overarching themes were derived: perceptions of hypertension, risk factors, disease management, social support, cultural determinants, and healthcare constraints. Participants' conceptualizations of hypertension were heterogeneous and mediated by traditional beliefs and limited health literacy, frequently attributing the condition to aging or heredity. Principal risk factors encompassed high-salt and high-fat dietary practices, while suboptimal adherence and premature discontinuation of pharmacotherapy undermined disease management. Although families and health cadres provided support, their influence was attenuated by insufficient knowledge. Cultural traditions further shaped health behaviors, while systemic resource deficits and inadequate outreach curtailed healthcare provision. These findings underscore the imperative for culturally attuned, community-driven interventions to foster sustainable hypertension management in coastal populations.

This study analyzed the mediating effect of depression in the relationship between the four major hardships experienced by older adults—namely, physical illness, economic hardship, loneliness, and loss of social role—and their experience of elder abuse. Using data from the 6th National Survey on the Living Conditions of Elderly People (2023), a total of 9,951 individuals aged 65 and over were included in the final analysis after excluding non-responses. Structural equation modeling (SEM), path analysis, and bootstrapping techniques were employed to verify the causal pathways and mediating effects among the variables. The results showed that all four hardship factors had a statistically significant positive effect on depression, and depression, in turn, had a significant positive effect on the experience of elder abuse. However, the direct effects of each hardship factor on elder abuse were not statistically significant, confirming that depression serves as a full mediator. These findings support the Affective Vulnerability Model, which posits that emotional vulnerability plays a more direct role in elder abuse than external stressors themselves. Therefore, proactive interventions and the establishment of psychosocial support systems that consider the emotional well-being of older adults are essential. Alongside improving physical and economic conditions, it is also necessary to implement depression screening and intervention programs.

Background: Hospitalization can trigger significant anxiety in preschool-aged children, affecting recovery and cooperation with care. Storytelling, especially when culturally adapted or digitally delivered, has emerged as a promising basic communication strategy to alleviate such distress. Objective: This review examined the cultural adaptability and digital potential of storytelling in pediatric care, comparing its effectiveness with alternative therapeutic approaches for reducing anxiety in hospitalized preschool children. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar was conducted from inception to April 2025. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental designs involving traditional, culturally adapted, or technology-assisted storytelling interventions in hospitalized preschool children. Two reviewers independently performed study selection, quality appraisal, and data extraction. Random-effects meta-analysis and meta-regression explored subgroup effects by cultural adaptation, delivery mode, and implementer training. All computations were conducted using RevMan 5.4 and STATA 16. Results: Twelve studies with 1,048 participants from seven countries met the inclusion criteria. Storytelling significantly reduced anxiety compared with standard care or alternative activities (Hedges' g = −0.84, 95% CI: −1.07 to −0.61, p < 0.001). Culturally adapted stories had greater effects than non-adapted formats, while digital delivery provided benefits comparable to in-person methods. Structured implementer training improved outcomes by about 18%. Storytelling was more effective than game-based interventions for procedural anxiety but showed similar results during prolonged hospitalization. Conclusion: Culturally tailored and digitally enhanced storytelling is an effective, adaptable, and feasible approach to reducing anxiety in hospitalized preschool children. Incorporating it into pediatric care training may support wider clinical application.

This article presents a systematic review of public policies aimed at ensuring equitable access to health services within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By analyzing 55 studies published between 2015 and 2024, the research identifies key strategies, patterns, and institutional innovations that have reshaped the architecture of health policies. In addition, comparative experiences from developing and developed countries are incorporated, allowing for a deeper understanding of regional dynamics and their particular challenges. The results demonstrate that effective alignment with the SDGs, particularly Goals 3 and 10, has contributed to the consolidation of more resilient, inclusive, and accountable health systems, especially in contexts of crisis. It highlights that these advances are especially relevant in the face of health emergencies, such as pandemics, where equity in access to services is critical for the sustainability of the system. The study concludes that health equity cannot be achieved through fragmented interventions, but rather through structural transformations based on political commitment, regulatory clarity, and social participation. It also underscores the importance of intersectoral governance and international cooperation as fundamental pillars for achieving equitable universal coverage. Finally, it is recommended that monitoring and evaluation mechanisms be strengthened to ensure that the policies implemented maintain their focus on equity and human rights.

Adolescent pregnancy remains a critical public health concern worldwide, associated with increased risks of adverse medical, psychological, and social outcomes for both mothers and their infants. Pregnant adolescents often face unique challenges, including limited access to health information, inadequate support systems, and socioeconomic vulnerabilities, which can exacerbate negative pregnancy outcomes. Self-care practices, including health literacy, mental health support, physical activity, and nutritional management have emerged as vital strategies to empower adolescent mothers and promote better health outcomes. This scoping review aimed to explore the existing literature on self-care interventions targeting pregnant adolescents, with the goal of identifying effective approaches to reduce the risks associated with adolescent pregnancy. A comprehensive search was conducted across three electronic databases, yielding a total of 23 eligible studies. These studies employed a range of research designs, including cross-sectional, cohort, quasi-experimental, and randomized controlled trials, and were conducted in 14 different countries. The findings emphasize the positive impact of self-care interventions on maternal well-being, gestational outcomes, and neonatal health. Key themes included the importance of improving health literacy, fostering mental resilience, encouraging regular physical activity, and promoting adequate nutrition. However, the review also revealed persistent barriers such as cultural stigma, poverty, and limited access to adolescent-friendly health services. These findings underscore the need for context-sensitive, culturally appropriate, and youth-centered programs that address the diverse needs of pregnant adolescents. Moreover, future research should prioritize longitudinal studies to assess the sustained effects of self-care interventions and inform the development of comprehensive, evidence-based policies and practices.

Weight can often be seen as a major determinant of health and a critical factor influencing body image. This has led to numerous studies examining the biochemical and metabolic changes that occur from fad diets. Few studies have examined the long-term psychological implications and overall efficacy of common restrictive dietary practices. The current study examined the difference in scores of factors of uncontrolled eating (UE), cognitive restraint (CR), and emotional eating (EE) between past and current dieters compared to their non-dieting counterparts. The Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ), the Emotional Eater Questionnaire (EEQ), and a basic demographic and diet history survey were used. A series of <img src=image/17640686_01.gif>-tests, ANOVAs, and linear regressions were performed among the groups to compare mean scores of UE, CR, and EE in groups of past and current dieters as well as non-dieters. We found that previous and current dieters had significantly higher mean scores of CR, UE, and EE (<img src=image/17640686_02.gif><0.01) compared to those who had not currently or previously dieted. There was no significant difference in scores based on the length of time dieting. However, those who chose a combination of diets in both the past and present were more likely to have higher EE and CR scores respectively. Younger individuals were also more associated with higher UE, CR, and EE scores. However, more research is required to further identify additional relationships between these findings including possible motivations behind dieting practices.