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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.

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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

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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?

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Background: Substance use and substance use disorders are increasingly becoming a global public health problem and in sub-Saharan Africa, the prevalence among the youths has been increasing at an alarming rate. However, limited published data regarding this subject is available in sub-Saharan Africa. This systematic review therefore, aimed to assess the prevalence of substance use/ substance disorders and associated factors among the youths in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: This systematic review was conducted in line with the PRISMA guidelines. We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, the Cochrane Library, African Journals Online (AJOL), EMBASE and Science Direct database. Additional search included review of references in articles and search of the gray literature. The search was conducted on November 12, 2023 and included only studies that were published in English language between 2010 and 2022. Results: A total of 18 studies were selected. The overall prevalence of substance use disorders among the youths in sub-Saharan Africa was 67.9% (95%CI [48.2%-85.1%]) with the highest prevalence of 80% reported in Malawi, whereas the overall prevalence of substance use disorders was 19.1% [95% CI (16.7%-36.4%)] with the highest prevalence of 34.8% reported in Ethiopia. In this review, alcohol and cigarette smoking were the most prevalent substances used among the youths in sub-Saharan Africa, followed by cannabis and khat. In this systemic review, male gender, increasing age, living in urban areas, availability of substances , family history of substance use, having friends who use substances, lack social support, lack parental of supervision , having had engaged in sexual intercourse, being bullied, ever involved in a physical fight ,alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking and feeling insecure within the family were factors significantly associated with substance use/ substance use disorders among the youths in sub-Saharan Africa. Conclusion: Findings from this systematic revie

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Background: Patient-Reported Experience Measures (PREMs) have emerged as essential tools for evaluating the quality of healthcare delivery from the patient’s perspective. In nursing practice, PREMs provide a structured mechanism for capturing patient voices, aligning care delivery with professional nursing values such as compassion, dignity, respect, and patient-centredness. Despite growing global interest, the systematic use of PREMs within hospital nursing services in Saudi Arabia remains limited. Objective: This study aimed to assess patient experiences of nursing care using PREMs at Aster Sanad Hospital, Riyadh, and to examine associations between patient sociodemographic characteristics and reported care experiences. Methodology: A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed. Adult inpatients admitted to medical and surgical wards were recruited using systematic sampling. Data were collected using a validated PREM questionnaire covering communication, responsiveness, emotional support, respect, and involvement in care. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted using SPSS version 26. Results: A total of 320 patients participated. Overall PREM scores indicated high experiences of nursing communication and respect, while lower scores were reported for shared decision-making and emotional support. Significant associations were identified between PREM scores and age, education level, and ethnicity (p < 0.05). Female patients reported slightly higher overall experience scores compared to males. Conclusion: PREMs provide valuable insights into how nursing values are perceived and experienced by patients. Integrating PREMs into routine nursing evaluation can strengthen patient-centred care, guide quality improvement initiatives, and enhance nursing accountability within hospital settings.

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Illness during pregnancy poses a significant challenge for expectant mothers, as it can lead to high levels of uncertainty, which, if not properly managed, can affect their physical, emotional, and social well-being. In this context, the ability to understand the condition, interpret symptoms, and access clear information becomes a key factor in making informed decisions and coping healthily with the pregnancy. The literature indicates that uncertainty, when not accompanied by cognitive strategies and structural support, increases biopsychosocial vulnerability and limits women’s autonomy in their care process. To analyse these dynamics, a correlational study was conducted involving 91 pregnant women attending two health centres. The majority belonged to middle socioeconomic strata and had a university education. More than half were experiencing a high-risk pregnancy, and 45.1% presented a high biopsychosocial risk, mainly associated with high blood pressure and infectious conditions. The findings showed that uncertainty is related to a lack of clarity about the condition and to symptom variability. Furthermore, significant associations were identified between cognitive ability, biopsychosocial risk, sources of structural support, and overall uncertainty. These findings suggest that biopsychosocial risk is closely linked to higher levels of uncertainty during pregnancy. Consequently, there is a need to strengthen the processes of informational, cognitive, and structural support aimed at pregnant women, particularly those who are hospitalised or have high-risk conditions. Promoting educational interventions, effective communication strategies, and comprehensive support helps reduce perceived uncertainty and encourages healthier coping in clinical settings.

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Background: Despite free maternal health services and increasing antenatal care attendance, home deliveries remain common in rural Zambia. This study explores the determinants of home deliveries among post-natal mothers in Kazungula District. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 44 post-natal mothers who delivered at home in 2022 within Kazungula District Hospital’s catchment area. Structured interviews were used to collect data on socio-economic factors, cultural beliefs, attitudes toward facility delivery, and maternal knowledge. Descriptive statistics were analyzed using SPSS v24. Results: Key contributors to home deliveries included distance to health facility (45.5%), lack of transport funds (22.7%), short labor intervals (34.1%), and preference for traditional birth attendants (25%). Additionally, 62.5% of mothers lacked awareness of birth complications, and 65.9% expressed negative attitudes toward facility delivery. While 81.8% stated they would prefer facility births, structural, economic, and cultural barriers impacted actual behavior. Conclusion: Persistent home deliveries in Kazungula District are primarily driven by socio-economic barriers, cultural beliefs, and maternal knowledge gaps. Addressing these factors through targeted health education, community sensitization, and transportation support is essential.