Introduction: Diagnosis of breast cancer is associated with high psychological distress. There is a lack of studies examining the prevalence of anxiety among newly diagnosed breast cancer patients in Kazakhstan. Objective: This study aims to assess the mean prevalence and associated sociodemographic and clinical factors of anxiety symptoms in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. It also aims to determine independent predictors of anxiety risk. Methods: An analysis of 162 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients at the oncology institute in Almaty was performed. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire on social, demographic, and clinical information, as well as the Beck Anxiety Inventory. In addition, multiple regression analysis was used to model the relationship between anxiety risk and independent predictors. Results: The average age of the patients was 54.41 years (SD=8.1; min.-max: 32-75). The majority of the patients were married (52%), employed or self-employed (51%), had children (91%), had a bachelor’s or a graduate degree (50%), lived in an urban area (54%), did not drink (41%), did not smoke (67%), did not engage in physical activity (54%), and had social support (91%). A total of 48% of patients had symptoms of moderate anxiety, and 33% had symptoms of severe anxiety. Based on the multivariate analysis, factors associated with a lower risk of anxiety symptoms included higher household income (OR -2.21 (95 CI: -1.35, -3.07)) and having reliable social support (OR -2.93 (95% CI: -2.25, -3.61)). Conclusion: The prevalence of anxiety symptoms is very high among newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Anxiety is more likely to develop in patients from low-income households and those without reliable social support.

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common mental health condition, and women with elevated prenatal anxiety are at increased risk. Evidence from Kazakhstan remains limited. This study aimed to describe postpartum depressive symptoms and associated factors among women with elevated prenatal anxiety who received routine perinatal care and participated in the PRISM prenatal psychoeducational program. Methods: This prospective single-arm cohort study with postpartum follow-up was conducted in Astana, Kazakhstan. Of 1232 pregnant women screened, 234 women with elevated prenatal anxiety participated in the PRISM program, and 226 completed the postpartum assessment. Because no control group was included, the study was not designed to evaluate the effectiveness of PRISM or establish causal effects. Postpartum depressive symptoms were assessed using the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale–Short Form (PDSS-SF). Descriptive statistics were calculated, and associations with age, parity, and postpartum assessment period were examined using Spearman’s rank correlation and non-parametric tests. Results: The mean PDSS-SF score was 20.65 ± 6.00. Using a cut-off score of ≥17, 158 of 226 participants screened positive for clinically significant depressive symptoms, corresponding to 69.9% (95% confidence interval (CI): 63.6–75.5%). Scores were highest among women assessed between 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum (p < 0.001). Age showed a weak negative correlation with depressive symptoms, whereas parity was not significantly associated. The most frequently reported symptoms were sleep disturbance, loneliness, and depressed mood. Conclusions: A substantial burden of postpartum depressive symptoms was observed in this high-risk cohort. The findings support early identification of prenatal anxiety, continued postpartum screening, and access to appropriate psychological and psychiatric care. Controlled studies are needed to evaluate PRISM and similar preventive programs.

The aim of this study was to empirically identify and theoretically substantiate the predominant coping strategies used by oncology nurses experiencing different levels of occupational burnout.The aim of this study was to empirically identify and theoretically substantiate the predominant coping strategies used by oncology nurses experiencing different levels of occupational burnout.The study involved 135 Kazakhstani nurses aged 19–59 working in oncology departments of hospitals and oncology dispensaries in Almaty (Kazakhstan). The variables were assessed using validated and widely recognized instruments: the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (Lazarus & Folkman, 1987) and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (Maslach & Jackson, 1981).A predominance of the non‑productive coping strategy escape–avoidance was identified. Notable findings also included relatively strong use of the productive strategy self‑control, a critically high level of emotional exhaustion, and an above‑average level of depersonalization. Emotional exhaustion emerged as the most burdened and dependent dimension of burnout, showing three direct relationships—with confrontation (p ≤ .010), distancing (p ≤ .050), and escape–avoidance (p ≤ .050)—and one inverse relationship with planful problem‑solving (p ≤ .050). High emotional exhaustion was characterized as a state of “overstrain.” The most vulnerable group consisted of nurses with high emotional exhaustion (p ≤ .050), who tended to rely on non‑productive coping strategies such as confrontation, distancing, and escape–avoidance.The findings should be incorporated into psychological support, counselling, and intervention programs for oncology nurses at risk of occupational burnout.

Background and Objectives: Healthcare workers (HCWs) involved in the COVID-19 response are at increased risk of mental health disturbances, including sleep disorders. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and predictors of insomnia among HCWs in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between 11 and 26 September 2021, including 553 HCWs. Insomnia symptoms were assessed using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). The primary binary outcome was defined as an ISI score ≥ 10, while ISI ≥ 15 was used descriptively to indicate moderate-to-severe insomnia symptoms. Associations were evaluated using chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression models. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Overall, 38.10% of HCWs with complete ISI data had insomnia symptoms based on the predefined ISI ≥ 10 threshold. In multivariable analysis, Kazakh nationality (AOR = 2.11, 95% CI: 1.05–4.23), advanced education (AOR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.13–3.65), physician role (AOR = 4.92, 95% CI: 1.25–19.30), and working with COVID-19 patients for >1 year (AOR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.33–3.89) were significantly associated with increased odds of insomnia. Conclusions: Insomnia symptoms were common among surveyed HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic and were associated with selected demographic and occupational characteristics, including professional role, education level, and duration of work with COVID-19 patients. These findings highlight the need for targeted mental health interventions and structural support systems for HCWs in Kazakhstan.

Background. Medical workers at hospitals who were directly involved in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of Covid-19 infected patients were at high risk of developing mental distress and other psychological health symptoms. The daily number of increased confirmed and suspected cases, stressful workload, lack of personal protection equipment and specific drugs, and adequate support led to the mental crisis of these healthcare workers. Aim. To promote and maintain the mental health of medical workers, we aimed to evaluate the psychological symptoms of healthcare workers during the Covid-19pandemic. The research method. To analyze and evaluate the mental health of healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, MEDLINE Complete, and Cochrane Library databases were used for the period of 2020 to 2023. Studies conducted on healthcare workers working during the COVID-19 pandemic, including physicians, paramedics, nurses, and other medical workers; cross-sectional studies, cohort studies, and case-control studies published in the English language were included for this study. Key terms used for this review include “healthcare workers” or “health care provider” or “medical workers” or “front line workers” or “professionals” or “nurses” or “doctor” and “mental health” or “mental disorder” or “mental illness” or “mental health status” or “psychiatric illness” and “Covid-19” or “coronavirus disease 2019” or “SARS-CoV-2” or “coronavirus disease”. Exclusion criteria: studies conducted with healthcare professionals outside of COVID-19, evidence-based medicine articles with clear conclusions, articles published in other languages. As a result 25 articles were selected for this review. Conclusions. Covid-19 had a negative impact on the mental status of healthcare workers, especially frontline ones. Many studies showed that healthcare workers experienced symptoms of anxiety, depression, and insomnia during the COVID-19 pandemic and a lack of psychological services. Further strategies should address special interventions for screening and promoting the mental health of medical workers exposed to Covid-19. Актуальность. Медицинские работники больниц, которые непосредственно участвовали в диагностике, лечении и уходе за пациентами, инфицированными Covid-19, подвергались высокому риску развития психического расстройства и других симптомов ментального здоровья. Ежедневное увеличение числа подтвержденных и подозреваемых случаев, напряженная рабочая нагрузка, отсутствие средств индивидуальной защиты и специфических лекарств, а также адекватной поддержки — все это приводит ментальному кризису медицинских работников. Цель: Провести анализ источников по вопросу оценки ментального здоровья медицинских работников для укрепления и поддержания ментального здоровья медицинских работников во время пандемии Covid-19. Стратегия поиска. Для поиска информации по анализу и оценке ментального здоровья медицинских работников во время пандемии Covid-19 были использованы базы данных PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, MEDLINE Complete и Cochrane Library за период с 2020 по 2023 год. Критерии включения в обзор: исследования, проведенные с участием медицинских работников, работавших во время пандемии COVID-19, включая врачей, фельдшеров, медсестер и других медицинских работников; перекрестные, когортные и исследования “случай-контроль”, опубликованные на английском языкe. Ключевые термины: “медицинские работники” или “медицинские работники передовой линии”, или “профессионалы”, или “медсестры”, или “врач”, и “психическое здоровье”, или “психическое расстройство”, или “ ментальное здоровье”, или “состояние психического здоровья” или “психическое заболевание” и “Covid-19”, или “коронавирусная болезнь 2019”, или “SARS-CoV-2”, или “коронавирусная болезнь”. Критерии исключения:исследования, проведенные с участием медицинских работников, не во время COVID-19, статьи, выдержанные в рамках доказательной медицины, с четкими выводами, статьи, опубликованные на других языках. В результате, для этого обзора было отобрано 25 статей. Выводы. Covid-19 оказал негативное влияние на ментальное здоровье медицинских работников, в частности кто работал напрямую с пациентами с подтвержденным...

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health issue, particularly in countries like Kazakhstan, which is among the 30 high TB burden nations. Tobacco smoking is a major risk factor that increases susceptibility to TB infection and worsens treatment outcomes by impairing immune defenses. Aim: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of active tobacco smoking among TB patients in Kazakhstan and to evaluate how smoking affects TB treatment outcomes. Additionally, it sought to understand patients’ perceptions regarding smoking during treatment. Method: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in several hospitals in Almaty involving 105 adult TB patients in 2025. Data on smoking status, demographics, and treatment outcomes were collected using structured questionnaires and medical records, with statistical analysis performed to examine associations. Results: Among the patients, 31.5% were active smokers who showed significantly worse treatment outcomes than non-smokers, including higher rates of treatment failure and abandonment. Logistic regression revealed that smokers had nearly three times higher odds of unsuccessful treatment (OR=2.82, p=0.015). Discussion: The findings align with global evidence linking smoking to poor TB outcomes and highlight that psychological factors, such as stress relief from smoking, contribute to continued tobacco use among TB patients. These results underscore the need for integrated smoking cessation and mental health support within TB care programs. Conclusion: Tobacco smoking is common among TB patients in Kazakhstan and is associated with poorer treatment success. Implementing routine tobacco use screening and cessation interventions alongside psychological support is essential to improve TB treatment outcomes