Background/Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global health challenge influenced by social determinants of health (SDHs) such as poverty, overcrowding, malnutrition, and limited healthcare access. Although Central Asia (CA) has achieved progress through vaccination, screening, and treatment, the region continues to face severe disease consequences, unstable incidence patterns, and an escalating challenge of TB resistant to first-line drugs. This study aimed to analyze TB incidence dynamics in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan from 2000–2023, forecast trends to 2030, and identify key SDHs shaping the epidemic. Methods: Data on TB incidence were obtained from the World Bank DataBank for 2000–2023. Of 61 socioeconomic, environmental, and health-related indicators, 29 were included in the analysis. Statistical procedures in SPSS (v24.0) involved time-series forecasting through 2030, calculation of average annual percentage change (AAPC), correlation testing, and linear regression, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: TB incidence generally declined across CA during 2000–2023, though trends varied by country. Forecasts suggest continued decreases in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, while Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and the Kyrgyz Republic display fluctuating or nonsignificant patterns, likely influenced by SDHs. Regression analyses indicated that anemia, undernourishment, and population density showed a positive relationship with TB incidence, while clean fuel access, physician density, and Gross Domestic Product per capita (GDP) were inversely related. Conclusions: The findings highlight the heterogeneous nature of TB dynamics in CA and the possible role of SDHs. Enhanced surveillance, nutritional and social interventions are required to sustain progress toward End TB targets.

Background: Male infertility (MI) has become an important public health concern in Central Asia (CA), where declining fertility coincides with limited integration of male reproductive health into national strategies. This study analyzed trends in the prevalence and burden of MI in CA countries and assessed associations with selected modifiable behavioral risk factors. Methods: A longitudinal analysis of Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 data was conducted to estimate the age-standardized prevalence and incidence of MI among men aged 15–49 years in five CA countries from 1990 to 2023. Trends were examined, and fixed-effects panel regression models were applied to evaluate associations between MI burden and alcohol use, drug use, and sexually transmitted infections (excluding HIV). Results: From 1991 to 2023, the age-standardized prevalence increased in four CA countries, whereas Tajikistan showed a decline; the incidence rose across all countries. The peak incidence was most commonly observed at ages 35–39 years, although Tajikistan shifted toward a younger age group, and regression analyses revealed heterogeneous country-specific associations with sociobehavioral risk factors. Conclusions: MI represents a significant demographic and public health challenge in CA, highlighting the need to strengthen surveillance, standardize diagnostics, improve access to care, and integrate male reproductive health into national prevention strategies.

Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected public health and social behavior, contributing to increased psychoactive substance (PAS) use due to social isolation, economic stress, and uncertainty. This study aims to assess the impact of the pandemic on alcohol, cannabinoid, and opioid consumption among drivers involved in road traffic accidents (RTAs) in Kazakhstan. Understanding these patterns is essential for improving public health policies and road safety measures during crises. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed medical records from the Digital System of Medical Examination, a national database of drivers involved in traffic accidents in Kazakhstan. This study included 157,490 anonymized records from 1 January 2019, to 31 December 2020, categorizing cases into pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 groups on the basis of the first nationwide lockdown on 16 March 2020. Statistical analyses, including prevalence rates and relative changes, were conducted via SPSS 20, while spatial distributions were visualized via QGIS software. Results: An analysis of all the records revealed a 12.9% decline in traffic accidents during the pandemic, with male drivers predominating during both periods. The mean age of the drivers in the compared groups was 36. Alcohol and cannabinoid use significantly increased during the COVID-19 period by 3.71% and 11.51%, respectively. In contrast, opioid use declined by 10.00%, but the difference was not statistically significant. The greatest increase in positive alcohol tests among drivers was observed in the Atyrau (94.80%), Pavlodar (35.43%), and North Kazakhstan (31.02%) regions, and Atyrau also presented the greatest increase in cannabinoid-positive cases. Conclusions: The results indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdown measures have affected PAS consumption patterns among drivers. These findings are crucial for informing policies and developing strategies to improve road safety during future public health emergencies.

Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common condition that affects women’s physical, psychological, and social well-being. Evidence from Central Asia remains limited. This study assessed factors associated with UI, its subtypes, and quality-of-life impairment among women in Kazakhstan. Methods: A multicenter age-matched case–control study was conducted from February to May 2025 in healthcare facilities across Kazakhstan. The study included 2061 women. Sociodemographic, obstetric, lifestyle, comorbidity, and symptom data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Quality of life was assessed using Kazakh and Russian versions of the Incontinence Quality of Life Questionnaire (I-QOL). Multivariable logistic regression with backward elimination identified factors independently associated with UI. Results: UI was identified in 687 women (33.3%). Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) was the most common subtype (n = 356; 51.8%), followed by urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) (n = 191; 27.8%) and mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) (n = 140; 20.4%). UI was independently associated with vaginal delivery (OR = 1.48), multiple birth (OR = 2.26), macrosomia (OR = 1.83), and BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² (OR = 2.08). UUI showed the greatest burden, including the lowest total I-QOL score [36.4 (23.9–88.6)]. Conclusions: UI in Kazakhstan was mainly associated with obstetric and metabolic factors, supporting targeted prevention through weight management, antenatal care, and early pelvic floor assessment.

The purpose of research: studying the level of research competencies of applicants for admission to PhD doctoral studies. Research based on a survey among graduates of postgraduate education programs (residency and master's programs) who plan to subsequently enter doctoral studies in medical specialties. The authors studied the influence of various social, gender factors, affiliated medical organization and other factors on the level of research competencies of future doctoral students. Methods. Authors adapted and translated into Russian and Kazakh the questionnaire “Research competence of postgraduate students” from the University of Nebraska, USA. The questionnaire consists of 31 questions divided into three domains - “knowledge”, “skills” and “attitudes”. The questionnaire was developed on the Google Form platform and distributed through the dean's offices and research schools of all medical universities in the Republic of Kazakhstan. To ensure the reliability of the results obtained, multivariate regression analysis was used. Results. A total of 73 young scientists applying for admission to doctoral studies were surveyed. The data obtained demonstrated that the strongest research competencies possessed by respondents include the ability to explain the relevance/importance of their research (x̅=2.93; standard deviation=0.751), formulating the purpose of the study (x̅=2.81; standard deviation=0.793 ). The weakest research competencies include knowledge of applying relevant theories to one's research (x̅=2.37; st. deviation=0.825), identifying research subjects (x̅=2.42; st. deviation=0.780), choosing the right methodology (x̅= 2.42; standard deviation = 0.815). Conclusion. The findings indicate the need for additional training in theoretical knowledge, methodology and data analysis, despite the overall average level of competence of the participants. This can help improve research quality and confidence in research work at PhD level.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) mortality remains an important indicator of disease burden, health system performance, and progress toward global TB control targets. This study aimed to assess long-term trends in TB mortality in Kazakhstan from 1998 to 2024 and to examine regional differences and population-level factors associated with mortality. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study with a documentary analysis component was conducted using official national statistical data. TB mortality rates were analyzed at the national and regional levels, and associations with health system indicators, clinical TB characteristics, and population health factors were assessed using correlation and regression analyses. Results: TB mortality in Kazakhstan declined from 38.4 per 100,000 population in 1998 to 1.0 per 100,000 in 2024, corresponding to an overall reduction of approximately 97.4%. Despite this marked decline, regional differences persisted. The steepest reductions were observed in Mangystau (AAPC −16.38%), Aktobe (−15.65%), and Pavlodar (−15.28%) regions. By 2024, mortality was below 3 per 100,000 nationwide, although East Kazakhstan, Karagandy, West Kazakhstan, and North Kazakhstan retained comparatively higher rates. TB mortality was negatively associated with the number of physicians and positively associated with hospital service utilization indicators, the proportion of fibrocavitary TB among newly registered cases, and alcohol dependence. Conclusions: The long-term decline in TB mortality coincided with major national TB control reforms, including the expansion of DOTS/DOTS-Plus, wider access to rapid molecular diagnostics, and the introduction of all-oral treatment for drug-resistant TB. Further efforts are warranted to reduce persistent regional disparities and sustain progress in TB mortality reduction.