Background: By September 2016, approximately 653,865 people in China were living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and 492,725 people were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). PLWHA frequently experience discrimination in all domains of their personal and social lives. The World Health Organization includes discrimination in its list of social determinants of health factors that have been linked to poor physical and psychological health. This paper identifies the family support enjoyed and discrimination faced by people infected with HIV and examines the effect they have on patients’ quality of life (QOL) as they undergo ART in China. Methods: We conducted this observational cohort study of ART-treated patients with HIV in Guangxi Province using a questionnaire survey at baseline, 6, 12, and 24 months, starting in 2010. Descriptive analysis was used to describe the demographic characteristics (e.g., age, sex, educational level, marital status, and employment status) of participants. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were employed to examine the relationships between family support, discrimination, and QOL. Results: In the study, 90.4% (n = 281) of patients received family support at baseline, here defined as the initiation of ART, 91.8% (n = 244) received family support 6 months into ART, 95.5% (n = 220) at 12 months, and 94.3% (n = 230) at 24 months. The proportion of patients who did not feel discriminated against by their families was 87.2% (n = 274) at baseline, 90.4% (n = 229) 6 months into ART, 90.0% (n = 210) at 12 months, and 94.5% (n = 219) at 24 months. Patients’ overall QOL scores were positively associated with having received family support (OR = 2.74, P = 0.040, 95% CI: 1.68–4.47), not feeling discriminated against by their families (OR = 1.3, P = 0.041, 95% CI: 1.07–1.59) or discrimination from patients themselves, including never experiencing fear of abandonment by family (OR = 2.05, P = 0.025, 95% CI: 1.49–2.82). Conclusions: Family support along with no or minimal discrimination was found to contribute to QOL among people infected with HIV. Their overall QOL tended to improve significantly as ART continued. This suggests that strategies meant to improve and strengthen family support, care for PLWHA, and promote HIV screening among high-risk populations should be explored by both policy makers and researchers.

Parent-adolescent reproductive health (RH) communication is one of the potential sources of information for adolescents on the topic. Given that female adolescents in Bangladesh are faced with increasing RH-related risks, it is important to understand how parents communicate about RH to their adolescents from the adolescents’ perspectives. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the status of mother-adolescent daughter communication on reproductive health in Bangladesh. A cross-sectional study targeting female students was conducted in five high schools in Chittagong based on a self-administered questionnaire survey. A description method was used to describe the characteristics of mother-adolescent daughters’ communication on RH including the frequency, type and the quantity of topics. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the factors influencing mother-adolescent daughter communication. In the study, 1174 female students aged from 13 to 19 years old were included. The main source of knowledge on RH was from their mother (62%), and the mother was the person who communicated first on RH with adolescent students. The topics of mother-daughter communication were mainly focused on menstruation issues (> 80%). Multivariate logistic regressions showed that Hindu students, students with good RH knowledge, adolescents’ mothers having good RH knowledge, mothers with high media use, good mother-daughter relationship, daughters’ regular general communication with mothers, and students’ perceiving comfort in RH communication with their mothers were reported as significant predictors for a good RH communication status. On the contrary, students having family members numbering more than four, whose primary source of reproductive health information was friends/classmates as well as media were less likely to have better RH communication with mothers. The overall communication on reproductive health between adolescent daughters and their mothers was not good. This study suggests for conducting qualitative research investigating the socio-cultural context within which the RH communications happen. and how to address the obstacles that might hinder this communication.

Improving the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of adolescent girls is one of the primary aims of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Adequate and accurate knowledge, a favorable attitude, safe behavior, and regular practice contribute to adolescent girls’ SRH, maternal health, and child health. Considering this, this study aims to explore the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of SRH among college-going older adolescent girls in Chittagong district, Bangladesh. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in four colleges among the older adolescent girl age group of 16–17 years old (N = 792) attending a higher secondary grade in Chittagong district. Data were collected using a structured and self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analyses were used to summarize the SRH-related KAP and identify the associated factors, respectively. The level of knowledge about puberty, family planning, maternal health, and HIV/AIDS was not satisfactory among the older adolescent girls. Different myths are common in the rural area with regards to menstruation, which impose several restrictions on adolescent girls and adult women. Standardized coefficients of beta (β) and p value < 0.05 in linear regression analyses demonstrated that being a student of the science group (β = 0.29, p < 0.001) and reading about or watching SRH issues on media (β = 0.21, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with older adolescent girls’ high level of knowledge in this regard. Furthermore, being a student of the science group (β = 0.17, p < 0.001), urban residence (β = 0.20, p < 0.001), regular SRH communication (at least once a month) with a mother/sister/friend (β = 0.10, p = 0.003), and reading or watching any SRH content on media (β = 0.22, p < 0.001) appeared as predictors of adolescent girls’ positive attitude towards SRH issues. Moreover, being a student of the science group (β = 0.07, p = 0.048), urban residence (β = 0.22, p < 0.001), regular SRH discussions with a mother/sister/friend (β = 0.09, p = 0.005), pre-knowledge on periods before menarche (β = 0.12, p < 0.001), and reading or watching any SRH content on media (β = 0.18, p < 0.001) are the most important factors influencing a regular hygienic practice of SRH. This study suggests strengthening SRH-related comprehensive education programs incorporated into the curriculum, the effective use of mass media, and supplying behavioral change communication materials.

Background: The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) during pregnancy is poorly understood in Egypt—a country with a high birth rate. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of ASB among pregnant women booking at El Hussein and Sayed Galal Hospitals in Al-Azhar University in Egypt; and to observe the relationship between ASB prevalence and risk factors such as socioeconomic level and personal hygiene. Setting: Obstetrics and gynaecology clinics of 2 university hospitals in the capital of Egypt. Both hospitals are teaching and referral hospitals receiving referrals from across over the country. They operate specialist antenatal clinics 6 days per week. Participants: A cross-sectional study combining the use of questionnaires and laboratory analysis was conducted in 171 pregnant women with no signs or symptoms of urinary tract infection (1 case was excluded). Samples of clean catch midstream urine were collected and cultured using quantitative urine culture and antibiotic sensitivity tests were performed. Results: Of 171 pregnant women, 1 case was excluded; 17 cases (10%, 95% CI 5.93% to 15.53%) were positive for ASB. There was a statistically significant relation between the direction of washing genitals and sexual activity per week—and ASB. Escherichia coli was the most commonly isolated bacteria followed by Klebsiella . Nitrofurantoin showed 100% sensitivity, while 88% of the isolates were resistant to cephalexin. Conclusions: The prevalence of ASB seen in pregnant women in 2 tertiary hospitals in Egypt was 10%. E. coli and Klebsiella are the common organisms isolated. The direction of washing genitals and sexual activity significantly influences the risk of ASB. Pregnant women should be screened early for ASB during pregnancy; appropriate treatment should be given for positive cases according to antibiotic sensitivity screening. Cephalexin is likely to be of limited use in this management.

As an emerging donor in health related development across the world, particularly towards Africa, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has been increasing its influence within the field of global public health over the past few decades. Yet between the period of 2000 and 2013, little is known about the scope, scale and priority of China’s grant-making programs. Based on data sourced from the China Aid Database (version-1.2), descriptive analyses were applied to analyze the features of 531 health related projects that were undertaken between 2000 and 2013. Spearmen correlation was also performed to assess the relationship between China’s export and aid to recipient countries. The total value of China’s grant-making programs in the health related sector between 2000 and 2013 was 5.67 billion USD, with 531 projects undertaken. During the five year period between 2004 and 2008, China had a contribution of 1.54 billion USD, which increased to 3.8 billion USD during the five year period between 2009 and 2013 – an 146.26% increase. In terms of specific diseases, China is most concerned with building an African public health system through donations targeted towards general health (313 projects), combating Malaria (115 projects) and maternal, neonatal and child health (MNCH), (12 projects). When it comes to recipient countries, if counted in total value, Zimbabwe received the most financial assistance from China, totaling 1.08 billion USD and 19 projects, while Angola and Tanzania received more projects - 30 and 29 projects respectively. In terms of the channeling of aid funding, most projects were targeted towards infrastructure, equipment and medicine (304 projects in total), followed by medical teams (189 projects). Moreover, there is a statistically significant relationship between aid to Africa and Chinese exports to Africa. During the past decade, Chinese aid projects played an important role in the African public health system through providing funding for infrastructure, equipment and medicine, training health professionals, as well as disease treatment. However, very limited attention was paid towards disease prevention, health promotion and awareness initiatives, and health education. Furthermore, serious questions were raised regarding the long-term financial sustainability and actual impact these projects have on health development.

Health communication and promotion on the internet have evolved over time, driven by the development of new technologies, including generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). These technological tools offer new opportunities for both the public and professionals. However, these advancements also pose risks of exacerbating health disparities. Limited research has focused on combining these health communication mediums, particularly those enabled by new technologies like GenAI, and their applications for health promotion and health disparities. Therefore, this viewpoint, adopting a conceptual approach, provides an updated overview of health communication mediums and their role in understanding health promotion and disparities in the GenAI era. Additionally, health promotion and health disparities associated with GenAI are briefly discussed through the lens of the Technology Acceptance Model 2, the uses and gratifications theory, and the knowledge gap hypothesis. This viewpoint discusses the limitations and barriers of previous internet-based communication mediums regarding real-time responses, personalized advice, and follow-up inquiries, highlighting the potential of new technology for public health promotion. It also discusses the health disparities caused by the limitations of GenAI, such as individuals’ inability to evaluate information, restricted access to services, and the lack of skill development. Overall, this study lays the groundwork for future research on how GenAI could be leveraged for public health promotion and how its challenges and barriers may exacerbate health inequities. It underscores the need for more empirical studies, as well as the importance of enhancing digital literacy and increasing access to technology for socially disadvantaged populations.