This scoping review explores the patterns of heteronormativity in healthcare sectors across Africa and its impact on the health and well-being of LGBTIQ+ individuals. By analyzing publications from major academic databases, this study identifies key themes and research gaps in the discourse on LGBTIQ+ health and heteronormativity in Africa. The findings underscore the urgent need to address these heteronormative barriers in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (good health and well-being) and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities). Addressing heteronormativity in healthcare is essential for promoting equitable, inclusive healthcare systems and improving health outcomes for LGBTIQ+ populations across the continent.

Background: The intertwining nature of gender-based violence (GBV) and violence perpetrated against women and girls (VAWG), as well as sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), underlines the urgent need for the health sector to enhance the coordination of services to improve health outcomes. Importantly, GBV and VAWG are intricately linked to a spectrum of SRHR challenges, ranging from unintended pregnancies to severe maternal, gynecological, and mental health outcomes. Cumulative GBV had a more significant effect on abortion risk than associated variables. Recognizing the interplay between GBV, VAWG, and SRHR highlights the necessity for a comprehensive health sector response. A systematic review of the health sector response to GBV, VAWG, and SRHR will be conducted to understand the extent and array of health facility–based coordinated responses to GBV, VAWG, and SRHR; lessons learned; and successes and challenges in the Commonwealth and selected African countries. Objective: We aim to understand the context of GBV, VAWG, and SRHR by conducting a comprehensive review of health sector responses in different national, cultural, and socioeconomic contexts, and we aim to share best practices, experiences, and lessons learned. Methods: A mixed methods systematic review will be conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocol (PRISMA-P) guidelines. The population, intervention, comparison, and outcome framework will be applied to screen and select relevant sources guided by the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The review will include relevant research papers published in the last 15 years and conducted in the 24 Commonwealth and 7 selected African countries. Electronic databases to be searched will include PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, EBSCOhost, Web of Science, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane, CINAHL, Index Medicus for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, and POPline. Results: Ethics approval will be waived as the study will use data in the public domain. The project has been commissioned by the Commonwealth Secretariat (2022-2025). The database search, data screening, and data extraction process for the review will be completed by September 2025. A manuscript will be submitted to a peer-reviewed international journal by November 2025. The initial online database searches, citations of eligible studies, and Microsoft Copilot identified 38,200 studies focusing on GBV, VAWG, and SRHR interventions. To date, 60 studies have been found eligible for inclusion in the review. The majority of these studies were conducted in eastern Africa (n=34), South Africa (n=14), and Asia (n=13). Evidence generated from this review will be made available through journal publications, seminars and workshops with key stakeholders, ministries of health, and local and international conferences. Conclusions: The study will generate evidence to inform recommendations on addressing and mitigating the effects of GBV and VAWG on SRHR outcomes and coordinated services in the health sectors of Commonwealth and selected African countries. Trial Registration: PROSPERO CRD42024520594; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024520594 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/67571

The increasing globalisation of the corporate world has intensified interactions among individuals from diverse backgrounds. One significant change in the workplace is the increased participation of LGBTQ+ employees in contemporary organisations. Despite the progress made in recognising the rights of sexual minorities in some African countries, there remains a prevalent issue of sexual orientation discrimination, grounded in the belief that heterosexuality is the societal norm, a concept known as heteronormativity. Existing literature underscores the pervasive discrimination based on sexual orientation, which negatively affects the well-being and work performance of LGBTQ+ employees. While some individuals find happiness and meaning despite these challenges, research in the African context remains limited. This article conducts a scoping review to synthesise Afrocentric evidence on heteronormativity in the workplace. The review explores how heteronormativity manifests, is reinforced, and impacts on individuals and organisations within the African context. The article further examines how LGBTQ+ employees navigate this heteronormative work environment. This scoping review identifies and analyses 13 studies focusing primarily on African countries, revealing discrimination, gender inequality, sexism, and workplace heteronormativity as common themes. These themes emphasise the need for comprehensive approaches to promote equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplaces in Africa, recognising the unique challenges within this context. The findings underscore the urgency of addressing heteronormative norms to construct more inclusive and equitable workplaces for all.

This study sought to determine the association between social media and self-rated health. This study used the 2022 Health Information National Trends Survey for American adults. A statistical analysis was conducted using Chi-square and multivariable logistic regression. Of the 6018 study participants, the majority reported that they were in excellent/very good and good health (82.9%, n = 4930). More than half (58.2%, n = 3268) of the respondents reported that they visited a social media site almost every day in the past 12 months, while 76.8% (n = 4843) reported that they never interacted with people who had similar health or medical issues on social media. There was no association between everyday visits to a social media site, interaction with people with similar health/medical issues on social media, or watching a health-related video on social media and self-rated health. Those who had full-time employment were more likely to rate their health as excellent/very good/good (AOR: 2.394, 95% Conf. Int: 1.820–3.149) compared to those with no full-time employment. Marital status, confidence in taking care of oneself, education, and current smoking were associated with self-rated health. This study showed that the use of social media which included the watching of health-related videos was not associated with self-rated health.

Cannabis significantly contributes to the substance use and abuse statistics in South Africa (SA), rendering it a dangerous drug into which research on the contextual motivations and long and short term effects must be conducted. The aim of this review was to determine the availability of cannabis use and CUD research in SA, identify the central issues and themes explored over the past 2 years (2020–2022), and outline literary inconsistencies and shortcomings in cannabis use and CUD-related research in SA. The 16 articles used in this study were sourced from five databases. Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA) was then used to analyse the findings of the study. The study revealed, literature has a thematic focus on one or more of the following: cannabis use and psychophysiological health, determinants of cannabis use and CUD, polysubstance use, legalisation of cannabis in SA, and the effects of cannabis use and CUD.

BACKGROUND The intertwining nature of gender-based violence (GBV) and violence perpetrated against women and girls (VAWG), as well as sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), underlines the urgent need for the health sector to enhance the coordination of services to improve health outcomes. Importantly, GBV and VAWG are intricately linked to a spectrum of SRHR challenges, ranging from unintended pregnancies to severe maternal, gynecological, and mental health outcomes. Cumulative GBV had a more significant effect on abortion risk than associated variables. Recognizing the interplay between GBV, VAWG, and SRHR highlights the necessity for a comprehensive health sector response. A systematic review of the health sector response to GBV, VAWG, and SRHR will be conducted to understand the extent and array of health facility–based coordinated responses to GBV, VAWG, and SRHR; lessons learned; and successes and challenges in the Commonwealth and selected African countries. OBJECTIVE We aim to understand the context of GBV, VAWG, and SRHR by conducting a comprehensive review of health sector responses in different national, cultural, and socioeconomic contexts, and we aim to share best practices, experiences, and lessons learned. METHODS A mixed methods systematic review will be conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocol (PRISMA-P) guidelines. The population, intervention, comparison, and outcome framework will be applied to screen and select relevant sources guided by the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The review will include relevant research papers published in the last 15 years and conducted in the 24 Commonwealth and 7 selected African countries. Electronic databases to be searched will include PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, EBSCOhost, Web of Science, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane, CINAHL, Index Medicus for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, and POPline. RESULTS Ethics approval will be waived as the study will use data in the public domain. The project has been commissioned by the Commonwealth Secretariat (2022-2025). The database search, data screening, and data extraction process for the review will be completed by September 2025. A manuscript will be submitted to a peer-reviewed international journal by November 2025. The initial online database searches, citations of eligible studies, and Microsoft Copilot identified 38,200 studies focusing on GBV, VAWG, and SRHR interventions. To date, 60 studies have been found eligible for inclusion in the review. The majority of these studies were conducted in eastern Africa (n=34), South Africa (n=14), and Asia (n=13). Evidence generated from this review will be made available through journal publications, seminars and workshops with key stakeholders, ministries of health, and local and international conferences. CONCLUSIONS The study will generate evidence to inform recommendations on addressing and mitigating the effects of GBV and VAWG on SRHR outcomes and coordinated services in the health sectors of Commonwealth and selected African countries. CLINICALTRIAL PROSPERO CRD42024520594; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024520594 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT PRR1-10.2196/67571