International journal of health sciences

Media accessibility and use-patterns on the occurrence of mental health conditions among youths in Nairobi City County, Kenya

2026-01-09T08:34:16+00:00

Globally, MHC affects 10 to 20% of youths. Onset for 50% being 14 years. In Kenya, 1 in 10 suffered from a known MHC. Most active media use age-group was 26-35yrs. The study assessed the burden of media accessibility and use-patterns on the occurrence of MHC among youths in NCC, Kenya. Study design was analytical cross-sectional with quantitative and qualitative methods. Data collection involved SSQs, KIIs and FGDs with 24-KIIs and 2-FGDs being conducted. 385-participants selected using simple random sampling method and data analysis conducted using Advanced Excel including descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Transcribing, coding, and classifying was employed. Results indicated statistically significant difference in self-esteem scores between the two groups, t(766) = -2.84, p = .0047. Specifically, youths engaged in informal occupations (M = 19.01, SD ≈ 17.91) reported higher self-esteem compared to those in formal occupations (M = 15.42, SD ≈ 17.14). Employment type may influence how youths perceive their self-worth. Regression analysis showed, media use-patterns were not a statistically significant predictor of self-esteem among youths in NCC, β = -0.08, t(382) = 1.03, p = .30. Media literacy had a positive and statistically significant effect on self-esteem, β = 0.21, t(382) = 2.23, p = .03.

Effect of health education on treatment adherence among drug-sensitive pulmonary tuberculosis patients in selected DOTS facilities in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

2026-02-24T10:10:59+00:00

Background: Adherence to Tuberculosis (TB) therapy is critical to achieving a cure. Effective patient education could influence treatment-related attitudes and behaviors, thereby enhancing therapeutic compliance and optimal health outcomes. Aim: To assess the effect of health education on treatment adherence among drug-sensitive pulmonary TB patients in ten DOTS facilities in Ebonyi State. Method: A quasi-experimental design was employed to recruit 248 respondents drawn from a population of 487 patients using a multi-stage sampling approach. The intervention and control groups consisted of 129 and 119 respondents, respectively, with the intervention group receiving a two-month health education package and the WHO standard routine care, while the control group received only the WHO standard routine care. A validated questionnaire was administered to the respondents before and after the intervention. Result: The intervention group achieved 99.2% TB knowledge, 97.7% attitude, and 88.3% treatment adherence after the intervention. However, the control group showed 83.2%, 73.9%, and 68.1% for knowledge, attitude, and treatment adherence, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between sex and level of treatment adherence in the intervention group, with females showing higher adherence (p<0.049). Conclusion: The study showed that regular health education improves patients’ knowledge, attitude, and adherence to TB treatment.

The efficacy of botulinum toxin injections and orofacial myofunctional therapy on orofacial disorders: A systematic review of clinical studies

2026-03-01T05:48:29+00:00

Background: Botulinum toxin injections are widely used in the orofacial region for cosmetic and therapeutic purposes. Recently, interest has grown in combining Botulinum toxin A injection with facial exercises to enhance or sustain aesthetic and functional outcomes. Objective: To examine the efficacy of Botulinum toxin injections with facial exercise on orofacial disorders. Methods: A comprehensive electronic literature search was conducted across databases. Studies were screened for eligibility, and reviewers independently assessed quality and bias. Results: An electronic search of databases up until Feb 2026 revealed 164,916 Articles. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria, including four RCTs and three prospective clinical studies conducted in a hospital-based setting. Different Botulinum toxins have been used in these studies. Two studies used Onabotulinumtoxin A, two used botulinum toxin (Dysport), and two RCTs used botulinum A toxin (Botox). Additionally, the presented studies performed various myofunctional therapy. Conclusion: The current evidence suggests that facial exercise following Botulinum toxin A injections may enhance treatment outcomes in the orofacial area by sustaining muscle tone and prolonging aesthetic benefits. Further research with larger sample sizes and standardized protocols must establish the effectiveness and best practices of this combined approach.

Ambient artificial intelligence in smart healthcare systems: Architecture, applications, challenges, and future directions

2026-03-26T04:29:34+00:00

Smart Health represents the convergence of digital technologies, intelligent systems, and connected healthcare environments to improve the quality, efficiency, and accessibility of healthcare services. Ambient Artificial Intelligence (Ambient AI) has emerged as a core enabler of Smart Health by embedding context-aware, adaptive, and unobtrusive intelligence into clinical and non-clinical healthcare settings. Ambient AI systems continuously sense, analyze, and respond to multimodal data from patients, clinicians, and environments without interrupting routine workflows. This review presents a comprehensive and structured analysis of Ambient AI in Smart Healthcare Systems, focusing on conceptual foundations, system architectures, enabling technologies, and real-world applications. Key use cases include ambient clinical documentation, smart hospitals, continuous patient monitoring, telehealth, and assisted living. The review further discusses the benefits of Ambient AI in enhancing clinical efficiency, patient safety, and personalized care, while critically examining challenges related to data privacy, interoperability, algorithmic bias, ethical considerations, and regulatory compliance. Finally, future research directions are outlined to support the scalable, trustworthy, and equitable deployment of Ambient AI as a foundational component of next-generation Smart Health ecosystems. This review is intended to provide researchers, practitioners, and policymakers with a consolidated understanding of Ambient AI and its role in advancing smart and sustainable healthcare systems.

Providers’ social determinants of health, burnout, and efficacy addressing patients’ social determinants of health needs

2026-04-12T10:37:52+00:00

Healthcare provider burnout and the capacity to address patients’ social determinants of health are critical issues in modern medical systems. This study investigated the relationships among providers’ personal social determinants of health (Prov-SDH) needs, burnout, and perceived efficacy in addressing patients’ social determinants of health (Pt-SDH) needs. Using a sample of 149 healthcare professionals, the study examined how individual Prov-SDH factors, professional degree, clinical setting, and years of practice influenced these outcomes. Statistical analyses revealed no significant correlation between providers’ current or lifetime Prov-SDH needs and their reported burnout symptoms or Pt-SDH-related efficacy. However, results indicated that lifetime Prov-SDH needs varied significantly by professional degree, with Physician Assistants reporting the highest needs and Social Workers and Psychologists reporting the lowest. These findings suggest that the specific global Prov-SDH variables measured here were not significant predictors of burnout, while systemic workplace barriers appeared more closely related to perceived Pt-SDH efficacy. The results also support the need for provider-specific measurement tools that better capture interpersonal, intersectional, and higher-SES forms of strain.