ABSTRACT
Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a major public health problem and one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. It adversely affects physical functioning, psychological well-being, and overall quality of life, particularly among women living in rural communities. Objective: To examine the relationship between level of low back pain and quality of life among women in a rural area of Bangladesh. Methods: A descriptive correlational study was conducted among 101 women with low back pain from four villages in Gopalpur Upazila, Tangail, Bangladesh. Participants were recruited using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Descriptive and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation, independent-samples t-test, and one-way ANOVA) were performed, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean age of the participants was 41.90 ± 7.03 years. Most participants (66.3%) reported moderate low back pain, while 18.8% and 14.9% experienced mild and severe pain, respectively. The mean total quality-of-life score was 38.45%. Educational qualification (F = 4.518, p = 0.013), monthly family income (r = 0.395, p < 0.001), and number of children (F = 4.779, p = 0.010) were significantly associated with quality of life. A significant negative correlation was observed between low back pain intensity and quality of life (r = −0.672, p < 0.001), indicating that higher pain intensity was associated with poorer quality of life. Conclusion: Low back pain was significantly associated with poorer quality of life among rural women in Bangladesh. Early identification and appropriate interventions are needed to reduce pain and improve quality of life in this population.

ABSTRACT
Background: Hypertension is a major global public health problem and a leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Improving awareness is essential for promoting preventive practices and reducing hypertension-related morbidity and mortality. Objectives: To assess awareness and preventive practices regarding hypertension and to examine the relationship between awareness, socio-demographic characteristics, and preventive practice among rural adults in Bangladesh. Methods: A descriptive correlational study was conducted among 101 rural adults selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire from February to March 2023. Descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used to analyze the data. Results: The mean awareness score was 3.58 ± 0.46, and the mean preventive practice score was 2.55 ± 0.35, indicating moderate levels of awareness and preventive practice. Participants demonstrated higher awareness regarding stroke as a complication of hypertension, regular blood pressure measurement, and excess salt intake, whereas awareness of overweight, physical inactivity, and family history as risk factors was comparatively lower. Preventive practice was positively correlated with awareness (r = .464, p < .001). Age (r = .286, p = .004), marital status (t = 2.69, p = .010), and family history of hypertension (t = 4.44, p < .001) were significantly associated with preventive practice, while gender, religion, educational level, occupation, and monthly family income showed no significant associations. Conclusion: Rural adults demonstrated moderate awareness and preventive practices regarding hypertension. Higher awareness was associated with better preventive practices. Community-based health education and lifestyle promotion programs are recommended to improve hypertension prevention among rural populations

ABSTRACT
Background: Fast-food consumption among children and adolescents is a growing global health concern due to changing dietary habits and lifestyles. The study aimed to examine the relationship among attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and intention to fast-food consumption among high school students in Bangladesh. Methods: A correlational design using the Theory of Planned Behavior assessed attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control in relation to fast-food consumption intention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: Using the Theory of Planned Behavior, the study found that Attitude (r=.487, p<.001), subjective norm (r=.177, p<.05), and perceived behavioral control (r=.594, p<.001) were significantly positively correlated with students' intention toward fast-food consumption. Conclusion: Improved nursing practices and policymaker strategies can support effective health education to change adolescents’ and families’ attitudes toward fast food consumption. The study’s findings may guide government and private sectors in appointing child health nurses in schools and colleges.

ABSTRACT
Background: Maternal mortality remains a major public health concern in developing countries, including Bangladesh, where preventable pregnancy-related complications continue to contribute significantly to maternal deaths. Objective: This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge and involvement in pregnancy-related care and to examine the relationship between knowledge and involvement among married male partners in a rural community in Bangladesh. Methods: A correlational cross-sectional study was conducted among 105 married men in Madhabpur, Bangladesh (July 2023–June 2024). Data were collected via face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires on socio-demographics, knowledge, and involvement. Descriptive and inferential statistics (t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation) were used with p < .05. Results: The mean age of participants was 32.24 years (SD = 5.53). Nearly half (46.7%) had poor knowledge, 33.3% had moderate knowledge, and 20.0% had high knowledge. More than half (55.2%) showed poor involvement in pregnancy-related care. The mean knowledge score was 7.78 (SD = 3.67), and the mean involvement score was 38.04 (SD = 15.19). Education, occupation, monthly income, duration of marriage, and number of children were significantly associated with knowledge and involvement (p < .05). A strong positive correlation was found between knowledge and involvement (r = .797, p < .001). Conclusion: Male partners demonstrated inadequate knowledge and low involvement in pregnancy-related care. Strengthening targeted health education and male-friendly maternal health interventions is essential to improve male participation and maternal health outcomes in rural Bangladesh.

ABSTRACT
Background: Prostate cancer remains a significant global public health challenge, particularly among men in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Zambia, its late presentation is linked to low screening uptake, poor knowledge, and sociocultural barriers. Early detection through screening can significantly reduce morbidity and mortality, yet many men remain unaware of the available services. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 384 males aged 40 years and above in Kalingalinga Compound, Lusaka. Systematic simple random sampling was used. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire adapted from the Prostate Cancer Knowledge Assessment Tool (PCAKT) and Prostate Cancer Screening Questionnaire (PCSQ). Binary logistic regression was used to assess predictors of knowledge and utilization. SPSS version 26 was used for analysis. Results: Of the 384 participants, 51.6% demonstrated good knowledge of prostate cancer, while 48.4% had poor knowledge. Only 27.1% had ever utilized prostate cancer screening services. Significant predictors of knowledge included age, marital status, level of education, and cultural beliefs (p < 0.05). Factors influencing screening uptake included age group, education, marital status, employment status, perceived health worker attitude, and cultural beliefs. Conclusion: Knowledge and utilization of prostate cancer screening services among men in Kalingalinga were suboptimal. Strategies to improve awareness, address sociocultural barriers, and enhance provider-patient interactions are essential to promote early detection and reduce prostate cancer-related morbidity and mortality.

ABSTRACT
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where delayed diagnosis and treatment continue to contribute to ongoing transmission, poor treatment outcomes, and increased mortality. Patient and health system delays remain critical barriers to effective TB control. This study assessed the determinants and consequences of patient and health system delays in tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment among individuals aged 15 years and above at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted among 127 tuberculosis patients aged ≥15 years receiving treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and clinical records. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics, while chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses were performed to determine factors associated with delay. Results were presented as adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals. Results: The majority of participants were aged 40–49 years (32.3%). More than half of the participants (59.8%) experienced delays exceeding two months before seeking healthcare services. Perceived stigma (96.9%), fear following diagnosis (66.9%), and long distance to health facilities were major barriers to timely care-seeking. Participants who initially sought care from informal providers and practiced self-medication experienced longer delays before diagnosis and treatment initiation. Age group, distance to health facility, and education level were significantly associated with delay at bivariate analysis (p < 0.05), although no independent predictors remained statistically significant after multivariable analysis. Conclusion: Patient and health system delays remain major challenges in tuberculosis control. Stigma, fear, and barriers to healthcare access contribute substantially to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Strengthening comm

ABSTRACT
Introduction: The key milestones in the development of nursing are Ministerial Decree 739/1994, which established the professional profile of the nurse; Law 42/99, which abolished the job description, recognizing nurse; autonomy and responsibility; and Law 251/2000, known as the management law. Objective: To analyze how the head of healthcare professions, since taking office, has managed the organizational function managers, assessing the impact on organizational efficiency. Methods: A self-constructed questionnaire, preceded by a cover letter, was conducted with the head of healthcare professions at the Crotone Local Health Authority. The following questions were asked: Question 1: When you took office, the organizational function managers for the local and hospital nursing areas were already present. How did you interact with them? Question 2: How did you demonstrate your leadership towards them? Question 3: Regarding the hospital area, without referring to individuals, were any critical issues identified in the management of nurses? YES NO If yes, which ones? Question 4: Regarding the local area, without referring to individuals, were any critical issues identified in the management of nurses? YES NO If yes, which ones? Question 5: In general, how would you describe the situation you encountered when you took office? And what is the current situation?