Background: Suboptimal health status (SHS) measurement has now been recognized as an essential construct in predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine. Currently, there are limited tools, and an ongoing debate about appropriate tools. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate and generate conclusive evidence about the psychometric properties of available SHS tools. Objective: This research aimed to identify and critically assess the psychometric properties of available SHS instruments and provide recommendations for their future use. Methods: Articles were retrieved by following the guidelines of the PRISMA checklist, and the robustness of methods and evidence about the measurement properties was assessed using the adapted COSMIN checklist. The review was registered in PROSPERO. Results: The systematic review identified 14 publications describing four subjective SHS measures with established psychometric properties; these included the Suboptimal Health Status Questionnaire-25 (SHSQ-25), Sub-health Measurement Scale Version 1.0 (SHMS V1.0), Multidimensional Sub-health Questionnaire of Adolescents (MSQA), and the Sub-Health Self-Rating Scale (SSS). Most studies were conducted in China and reported three reliability indices: (1) the internal consistency measured by Cronbach’s α value ranged between 0.70 and 0.96; (2) the test–retest reliability; and (3) the split-half reliability coefficient values ranged between 0.64 and 0.98, and between 0.83 and 0.96, respectively. For the values of validity coefficients in the case of SHSQ-25 > 0.71, the SHMS-1.0 ranged from 0.64 to 0.87, and the SSS ranged from 0.74 to 0.96. Using these existing and well-characterized tools rather than constructing original tools is beneficial, given that the existing choice demonstrated sound psychometric properties and established norms. Conclusions: The SHSQ-25 stood out as being more suitable for the general population and routine health surveys, because it is short and easy to complete. Therefore, there is a need to adapt this tool by translating it into other languages, including Arabic, and establishing norms based on populations from other regions of the world.

Perceived self-vulnerability to prostate cancer is known to influence screening uptake among men in the general population. However, knowledge gap persists on the influence of perceived self-vulnerability to prostate cancer on uptake of screening among male health workers; a demographic that has health insurance and is assumed to have knowledge of screening services for prostate cancer. This study aimed to assess the effect of perceived self-vulnerability to prostate cancer on screening uptake among male health workers in Kisumu County, western Kenya. This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study with a descriptive and analytical design. A modified self-administered questionnaire on self-vulnerability was issued to 197 male health workers who were randomly sampled from a study population of 336 eligible participants. The study was conducted at purposively selected public health facilities. Level of self-reported screening uptake was 27%. Rural residence (AOR = 0.71: 95% CI, 0.32–1.57, p = 0.019), education level (AOR = 5.01; 95% CI, 1.2–20.86, p = 0.027), participant’s lack of knowledge about screening services covered by health insurance schemes of which they are members (AOR = 0.2, 95% CI, 0.08–0.5, p = 0.001), good perception of health status (AOR = 4; 95% CI: 1.52–10.53, p = 005) were determinants of screening uptake for prostate cancer. Perceived self-vulnerability to prostate cancer didn’t influence screening uptake of participants (p < 0.05). Participants from rural set-up had a higher likelihood of perceiving themselves to be at risk of prostate cancer (AOR = 2.35, 95% CI, 1.17–4.72, p < 0.05) compared to those form urban settings. Old age of 60 years and above (AOR = 3.5, 95% CI: 0.3–40.98, p < 0.002) was predictive of perceived self-vulnerability. Findings from this study showed low uptake of screening and low perceived self-vulnerability to prostate cancer. Perceived self-vulnerability did not influence screening uptake for prostate cancer. Screening knowledge of prostate cancer as covered by health insurance, good perception of health status and level of education should be integrated in screening programs that are individualized on the basis of personal preferences and informed decision making regarding the uncertainty of benefit and the associated harms of screening.

Background: The rising COVID-19 crisis threatens to disproportionately hit African countries. As a result, most African governments have temporarily closed schools and non-essential businesses or banned social gatherings to contain the disease. It is therefore important to estimate the level of transmission reduction as a result of these measures. This study aimed at predicting COVID-19 cases in Africa based on COVID-19 community mobility report. Methods: Our study focused on 26 African countries whose community mobility data were available online. The number of daily confirmed cases for the period of February 15th, 2020 to May 29th, 2020 for each country was obtained from European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) COVID-19 cases geographic distribution data. Multiple linear regression was performed to investigate the relationship between COVID-19 community mobility and confirmed cases. Results: The maximum public place mobility change was -38.15% with an average of -18.85% (±3.47); residential mobility was at 23.17% with an average of 11. 268% (±1.448). The number of confirmed cases had a significant negative correlation with residential mobility change (r = -0.878, P<0.01) and positive correlation with public place mobility change (r = 0.881, P<0.05). Both mobility changes in public spaces and residential are significant predictors of COVID-19 cases. More specifically, about 1% change in a public place and residential mobility would result in 167 less COVID-19 daily cases, while total lockdown would result in 581 fewer daily cases. Conclusions: Our analysis shows that a COVID-19 containment strategy that focuses on increasing residential mobility and reducing public spaces mobility is effective. Therefore, the finding supports containment measures that aim to limit the movement of people.

Suboptimal Health Status (SHS), commonly characterised as a low-quality health state [1], is an intermediate state between ideal health and a diagnosable illness; is indicated by decreased energy, physiological function and self-adaptation ability, which does not mean suffering from any disease [1,2]. It is recognised as a vital feature of prevention medicine and is, therefore, […]

Background: University students in Saudi Arabia are embracing some of the negative traits of the fast-paced modern lifestyle, typified by unhealthy eating, low physical activity, and poor sleep habits that may increase their risk for poor health. Health and holistic well-being at the population level are among the priorities of the 2030 vision of a vibrant society in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The current study thus aims at determining the prevalence and predictive factors of Suboptimal Health Status (SHS) among university students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 9,026 undergraduate students between 31st May and 15th June 2023. The data was collected through an online questionnaire using the Arabic translation of the SHS (ASHSQ-25) and the Simple Lifestyle Indicator Questionnaire (SLIQ). The chi-square test, Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA), hierarchical multiple regression, and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) were performed to analyze the data using IBM SPSS software (version 25.0) at a significance level of p<0.05. Results: The findings showed that 33.7% (3038) of the students were classified as having SHS. The prevalence of SHS was statistically higher among younger and those studying social science discipline, overweight, had poor diets, engaged in low physical activity, and slept <6 hours (p<0.001). Canonical loadings of these factors were significant in predicting the five SHS dimensions range (0.52–0.97). Furthermore, the extracted significant variables from the multiple regression analysis indicated the final model (Model 3) was statistically significant, R2 = 0.646, F (6,9019), p <0.0001, suggesting that 64.6% of the variance in the SHS can be explained by the predictor variables in the model. These variables included age, college, academic level, diet, BMI, and sleeping duration. Conclusion: Findings show that modifiable predictors such as poor sleep quality, higher BMI scores, and poor dietary habits increase SHS risk among university students in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the findings of this study emphasize the necessity of early interventions that promote healthy lifestyles.

Background Homa Bay County HIV prevalence is the highest and 4.5 times the national prevalence. Young people aged 15-24 years account for 22% of this prevalence in the County. Majority of these young people are high school students, yet their knowledge, attitudes, practices and risk perception towards HIV prevention have not been unascertained. This could be one of the obstacles to HIV prevention in the county. Objective The study aimed at assessing HIV-related Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAPs) of high school students in Homa Bay County. Methodology Survey was conducted among 260 systematically sampled students from 11 randomly selected schools in Gwassi South ward, Suba South sub-County, Homa Bay County. A head teacher or health master from each of the 11 schools was purposively sampled and took part in key informants’ interview about available strategies for HIV prevention. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 18.0. Proportion was used to determine knowledge, attitude, and risk perception among the students. Logistic regression was used determine association between knowledge, attitude towards HIV & AIDS and sexual practices. Results Majority (64%) of students had moderate to high knowledge on HIV & AIDS and exhibited positive attitude towards HIV & AIDS (61.1%). However, 15% to 25% of students reported to have engaged in a risky sexual practice. Higher to moderate knowledge had increased likelihood of positive attitude towards HIV and AIDS. Similarly, those with higher to moderate knowledge demonstrated lower risk sex practices. Moreover, students with negative attitude towards HIV & AIDS were 4 times more likely to have high risk sex practices. There were HIV & AIDS intervention strategies in secondary schools within Gwassi South Ward. Conclusion Knowledge and attitude of the students play a big role in their HIV risk perception as well as sex practices. Understanding knowledge, attitude, practice and intervention strategies of HIV and AIDS is significant in policy formulation by Ministries of Education, and leads to improved health-related practice by the Ministry of Health and researchers focusing on HIV and AIDS in high burden area.