Volume 35, Issue 6

Objectives To evaluate recently published scientific evidence and synthesize the results of observational studies that examine the association between diet, mental health, and sleep quality in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Content An electronic search of scientific literature published in 2021 and up to 2 years ago was performed using keyword search, with focus on observational studies published in PubMed, MEDLINE and Web of Science. It included: active university students of both sexes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Summary and Outlook The 5 studies included in this review showed that there have been significant changes in both mental health and eating habits during the COVID-19 pandemic. The conclusion, there is an association between mental health and sleep quality in university students, resulting in an alteration of sleep hours and poor sleep. Furthermore, an association between mental health and diet quality is also observed, producing an increase in caloric intake or in the number of meals during the day.

Around the world, idiopathic scoliosis accounts for the majority of occurrences of adolescent scoliosis. The absence of underlying congenital or neuromuscular problems distinguishes adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), which affects children ages 13 to 18, from other kinds of scoliosis. The prevalence of AIS is influenced by a number of variables, such as physical activity, gender, backpacks, body mass index, and others. AIS has an impact on the child’s development not just physically but also psychologically, emotionally, and mentally. This study used nationwide databases to describe the prevalence of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and associated risk variables. The current review analysis showed that AIS was significant worldwide and that adolescent gender, physical activity, body mass index, backpack carrying and backpack weight were all significant risk factors for developing AIS.

Objectives Growing global human mobility raises concerns about impacts on global health, particularly on the prevalence of sickle cell disease. This research unveiled the level of genetic literacy on sickle cell disease of male and female Anglophone and Francophone youth living in Canada. The research responded to questions about whether the type of information about the disease has been more prevalent among the youth’s family, friends, acquaintances and school circles, and the influence of such information on shaping the current youth level of genetic literacy on the disease. Methods An online survey hosted by a Canadian university (2019/2020) platform was conducted with youth (n=87, aged 16–29) recruited in their natural, social environments in seven Canadian provinces. Data analysis used descriptive statistics and manual qualitative content analysis. Results Youth, mostly Canadian-born, 71.42 % Francophones and 67.12 % Anglophones, descend from parents who had been born in countries at risk for the disease. Results indicated that experiential knowledge is due to the familiarity with the disease occurrence among family members and acquaintances. Participants did not comment about how academic-gained knowledge could influence their own decision on becoming a parent. Conclusions Independently of their country of birth, Canadian youth seem to have unmet information needs: a complex challenge requiring creativity and simplicity to deliver information through attractive media.

Objectives The use of antiretroviral drugs among HIV-infected adolescents has been challenged with poor medication adherence, leading to an unsuppressed viral load and ultimately to drug resistance. Recently, dolutegravir has been approved for use in adolescents with HIV, but the evidence on medication adherence and viral load suppression is limited. The study determined the effect of dolutegravir-based drug regimens on the level of medication adherence and viral load among treatment-experienced adolescents. Methods A longitudinal pre-post design study was done among adolescents living with HIV at a paediatrics clinic in Nigeria. Assessment of medication adherence and viral load testing was done before and at six months of transitioning to dolutegravir-based regimens. McNemar-chi-square was used to determine the effectiveness of the drug on adherence and viral load suppression. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the predictors of drug adherence and viral suppression. Results The mean age of the participants was 14.7 years (SD=3.2), and 53.3 % were males. The mean duration of ART use was 10.3 years (SD=3.2). Six months after transitioning to dolutegravir, there was a significant decrease in viral load (Z=−7.947, p<0.001) and an increase in medication adherence score (Z=−7.554, p<0.001), among the treatment-experienced adolescents. Viral suppression was 13 times higher among respondents with good medication adherence as compared to those with poor medication adherence (AOR=13.24, CI=3.25–53.90). Conclusions Dolutegravir is effective in improving medication adherence and viral suppression among Adolescents living with HIV. Thus, the need to transition eligible adolescents to dolutegravir to sustain better treatment outcomes.

Objective Assessment of the perceived SA for medical students in Beni-Suef University, Egypt. Methods An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 6 months among medical students at faculty of medicine, Beni-Suef University through an online survey using google form. For data collection, an English validated questionnaire developed in partnership by the International Federation of Medical Students Association (IFMSA) and the Training for Health Equity Network (THEnet) was used. Results Students’ mean SA score was 17.3±7.1. Perceived SA scores ranged from 18 to 26 for 40.9% of participants, while 38.9% of them had scores ranging from (9-17), indicating that the faculty is doing well, However, there is a need to identify areas of weakness and advocate for strategies to improve SA among students. Furthermore, there were statistically significant differences in age, gender, residence, and academic year across students with different scores. Conclusion Although half of the medical students of Beni-Suef university had acceptable SA, but there are areas for improvement and weakness to fix within the faculty.