Strengthening universities response to sexual harassment with an equity approach: the UNI4EQUITY mixed-methods study protocol

Introduction
Preventing online and offline sexual harassment (SH) is a public health priority, due to its worldwide magnitude and short- and long-term consequences to the victims and survivors. Universities are environments that may facilitate different forms of conflicts, including SH, but they also play a key role in preventing and addressing them. This paper describes ‘Uni4Equity’, a European project funded by the CERV-2022-DAPHNE Programme of the European Union (Ref. 101094121-Uni4Equity) aimed to reinforce universities’ readiness to identify, map and respond to online and offline SH at workplace and other relevant settings (classrooms, digital space), with an explicit (but not exclusive) focus on minority social groups. More specifically, the project will address the research needs of conducting multidimensional diagnosis of SH at universities (scale and determinants) as a basis for preventive actions; assessing the effectiveness of preventive interventions such as social media campaigns and training workshops; creating a university culture that actively rejects SH; improving access to existing support services; and contributing to the acknowledgement of universities as an asset in preventing this issue.

Methods and analyses
The project follows an exploratory sequential design for the period 2023–2026. In phase 1, a mixed-method initial assessment based on online surveys, semistructured interviews and desk reviews is planned in six targeted universities: University of Alicante, Adam Mickiewicz University (AMU), University of Maia, University of Applied Sciences Burgenland (UASB), University of Antwerp (UAntwerp), University of Verona. Phase 2 integrates long-term and large-scale interventions at different levels of prevention (primary, secondary and tertiary) and implementation (interpersonal, institutional and social). These interventions combine online and offline training programmes addressed to students and staff, arrangements with internal and external support services and improvements in access to information and resources, including SH protocols and regulations. Phase 3 consists of qualitative and quantitative evaluations of the different Uni4Equity interventions and a final evaluation of the global impact of the project.

Ethics and dissemination
Ethical approval was obtained by the different universities research ethics committees (Universidad de Alicante, vice-rectorate for research: Ref. no. UA-2023-03-27; Università di Verona, Comitato di Approvazione per la Ricerca sulla Persona: Ref. no. UNIVR-24/2023; UAntwerp, Ethics Committee for the Social Sciences and Humanities: Ref. no. EX_SHW_2023_38_1; AMU, Ethics Committee for Research Involving Human Participants, Ref. no. UAM_19/2022/2023; UASB, Ethics Committee: Ref. no. UASB _28/08/2023; Universidade da Maia, Conselho de Ética e Deontologia: Ref. no. UMAIA_ 151/2023).
The research team will disseminate findings through peer-reviewed journal articles, presentations in scientific national and international events, policy briefs, infographics, videos and short reports.

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Physical exercise barriers and needs in adults with congenital heart disease: a qualitative study

Objective
Regular physical exercise has well-known health benefits and is generally considered safe for adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD). However, many individuals with ACHD remain insufficiently physically active. This study explored the barriers and needs related to physical exercise as experienced by people with ACHD to inform the development of tailored strategies that support and promote increased physical activity.

Methods
Qualitative study using semistructured interviews conducted between March and May 2023. The interview guide was based on the Fear Avoidance Model, Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia Heart and European Society of Cardiology guidelines on sports cardiology and exercise for cardiovascular diseases. Interviews were coded and thematically analysed to identify specific physical exercise barriers and needs.

Results
Data saturation was reached after interviewing 19 individuals living with ACHD (median age 46 years (range 24–75), 10 women). Thematic analysis identified four main barriers: (1) physical symptoms and negative past experiences, (2) alienation from peers, (3) perceived decline in physical fitness over time and (4) lack of knowledge about personal physical boundaries. Two needs were identified: (1) personalised, disease-specific exercise information and advice and (2) structured support and guidance from healthcare professionals.

Conclusions
People with ACHD face multiple barriers to engaging in physical exercise. There is a clear need for specific, personalised exercise advice from healthcare providers and the development of long-term programmes and interventions to overcome relevant barriers.

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Assessment of COVID-19 hospitalisation cost and its associated factors in Nepal: a descriptive cross-sectional study

Objective
This study aimed to assess the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospitalisation costs and its associated factors on Nepalese households during the second wave of the pandemic, within the context of Nepal’s COVID-19 response.

Design
A cost-descriptive cross-sectional study.

Setting
Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Nepal.

Participants
We enrolled 306 hospitalised patients.

Outcome
Telephonic interviews were conducted with COVID-19 patients between May and July 2022. Cost was assessed from a patient’s perspective. We assessed factors associated with the medical cost of COVID-19 treatment services using a generalised linear model with gamma distribution and log link in both bivariable and multivariable models for estimating coefficients and confidence intervals. Data were analysed using STATA version 13, adjusting for the potential confounders: socio-demographic characteristics, type of hospital, intensive care unit (ICU) requirement, lead time to hospital admission and number of days at hospital stay.

Results
The total median cost for hospitalisation was US$ 754.9. The median direct medical, direct non-medical and indirect costs were US$ 624.4, US$ 49.3 and US$ 493.02, respectively. After adjusting for potential confounders, the cost of COVID-19 treatment was 6.9 times higher among those admitted to private hospital (95% CI 5.72 to 8.32, p

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Men matter: a cross-sectional exploration of the forgotten fathers of children born to adolescent mothers in South Africa

Background
Fathers are intricately bound to the experience of adolescent mothers and their children. Yet, fathers of children born to adolescent mothers, particularly within the context of HIV, remain neglected in the literature. These exploratory analyses provide insight into the characteristics of fathers of children born to adolescent mothers affected by HIV in South Africa.

Setting
Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

Design
Cross-sectional data from a prospective cohort study.

Participants
Young mothers (10–24 years of age) and their children (0–68 months). All mothers completed detailed study questionnaires, including standardised and study-specific measures, relating to their self, their children and the fathers of their children. Summary statistics are presented based on maternal self-report of father characteristics. 2 tests and t-tests (Fisher’s exact/Kruskal-Wallis tests, where appropriate) were additionally used to explore sample characteristics (including father characteristics, maternal experience and child characteristics) according to paternal age and father involvement in childcare (defined by responses to four maternal self-report questions). Father characteristics were also explored according to maternal HIV status and maternal mental health status.

Results
40% of fathers were adolescents (10–19 years) at the birth of their children. Overall, father involvement was low (19.5%). Compared with noninvolved fathers, involved fathers were more likely to be older when their child was born (21 years vs 20 years, t=4.30, p=0.04), to be in a relationship with the mothers of their children (74.8% vs 47.2%, 2=40.8, p≤0.0001), to reside with their children and their mothers (14.7% vs 3.7%, 2=49.3, p≤0.0001) and to attend the first antenatal appointment (4.3% vs 1.5%, 2=5.21, p=0.02). A quarter (25.4%; 227/894) of the adolescent mothers in the sample were living with HIV. The prevalence of maternal HIV was found to be higher among adolescent mothers of children born to older fathers compared with adolescent fathers (31.7% vs 15.9%, 2=28.3, p≤0.001). Likewise, depressive symptoms were more prevalent among adolescent mothers of children born to older fathers compared with adolescent fathers (9.9% vs 5.3%, 2=6.08, p=0.01). Adolescent mothers reporting poor mental health were less likely to be in a relationship with the fathers of their children (41.8% vs 54.1%, 2=7.32, p=0.03) and more likely to experience domestic violence perpetrated by the fathers of their children (8.2% vs 3.3%, 2=6.07, p=0.01) and to engage in arguments about finances with the fathers of their children (30.0% vs 17.0%, 2=10.8, p=0.001). While some differences in individual subscales were identified, overall composite scores of child cognitive development did not differ according to father age or father involvement.

Conclusions
Analyses provide the first preliminary description of the fathers of children born to adolescent mothers affected by HIV in South Africa. Fathers are inherently tied to the experiences of adolescent mothers and their children. Father involvement with their children was low. Further research is required to explore the potential barriers to father involvement and pathways to overcome these. Efforts to bolster father engagement, such as the inclusion of fathers within maternal and child service provision, may have benefits for fathers, adolescent mothers and their children. There was a high prevalence of adolescent fatherhood in the study. Adolescent fathers may have specific needs requiring tailored intervention for adolescent parent families. The need for the inclusion of fathers within policy, programming and research remains.

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Gender disparities in COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in high-income countries: an umbrella review protocol

Introduction
Vaccine hesitancy remains a critical public health challenge, especially in high-income countries. Gender differences in vaccine hesitancy can significantly affect vaccination rates and public health outcomes. The aim of this research is performing an umbrella review and meta-analysis to systematically investigate gender disparities in vaccine hesitancy for COVID-19 in high-income countries, as well as the quality, potential biases and dependability of epidemiological evidence.

Methods and analysis
The study will systematically search, extract and analyse data from reported systematic reviews and meta-analyses that focus specifically on gender differences in vaccine hesitancy. The search will include CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and Epistemonikos for studies published from 2019 onward. The inclusion criteria will encompass systematic reviews and meta-analyses of non-interventional studies conducted in high-income countries. The identified factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy will be categorised based on demographic, psychological, social and economic dimensions. The methodological quality of the included meta-analyses will be assessed using the “Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Systematic Reviews and Research Syntheses” tool.

Ethics and dissemination
Ethical approval is not required for this umbrella review. These results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

PROSPERO registration number
CRD42024572978.

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Association Between Intravenous Antihypertensives and Functional Outcome After Successful Endovascular Thrombectomy

Stroke, Ahead of Print. BACKGROUND:Intravenous antihypertensives are frequently used to control blood pressure after successful endovascular thrombectomy (EVT), yet studies investigating the relationship between intravenous antihypertensive use and functional outcomes after successful EVT remain limited.METHODS:We conducted an exploratory secondary analysis of the OPTIMAL-BP trial (Outcome in Patients Treated With Intra-Arterial Thrombectomy–Optimal Blood Pressure Control), which compared intensive (systolic blood pressure

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Achieving impactful treatment for paediatric endocrine disorders in low- to middle-income countries (LMICs): a scoping review

Objectives
Endocrine disorders, such as hypo/hyperthyroidism and diabetes, affect over 5% of the world’s population, with an additional 5% of cases remaining undiagnosed. Despite the increasing prevalence of endocrine disorders, especially in low- to middle-income countries (LMICs), limited research offers comprehensive guidance on treating this complex medical field. This scoping review aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for efficient, effective and accessible treatment of paediatric thyroid conditions and diabetes in LMICs.

Design
Scoping review guidelines outlined by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews, using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology to analyse healthcare administration approaches in LMICs.

Data sources
PubMed, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, EconLit, Science Direct and Scopus were searched using a set of search terms from 19 December 2023 to 16 January 2024. An additional high-level search was performed in May 2025.

Eligibility criteria
Selection of a variety of peer-reviewed publications with a setting in LMICs. Articles were included if they described an intervention strategy related to select paediatric chronic diseases, endocrine conditions or non-communicable diseases. The treatment strategies in question were government initiatives, mobile health, specialised programmes and primary care.

Data extraction and synthesis
One reviewer manually reviewed articles and documented findings on Microsoft Excel. In accordance with JBI methodological guidelines, no risk of bias assessment or quality appraisal of included studies was conducted.

Results
After reviewing primary care, specialised care, government intervention programmes and mobile care initiatives within developing countries, primary care with an emphasis on task shifting emerged as the best approach for treating paediatric endocrine disorders.

Conclusion
Despite recommendations favouring specialised care or government interventions, primary care proves to be the optimal method for treating endocrine conditions. Given limited healthcare funding in LMICs, implementing primary care initiatives can achieve significant health outcomes while maximising resources.

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Adjunctive dobutamine in patients with septic cardiomyopathy and tissue hypoperfusion: a blinded randomised controlled multicentre trial study protocol of the ADAPT-dobutamine trial

Introduction
Sepsis-induced left ventricular (LV) dysfunction participates in cardiovascular dysfunction and associated organ failure in patients with septic shock. The tested hypothesis is that dobutamine will reduce tissue hypoperfusion and secondary organ dysfunction in increasing oxygen delivery in fluid-filled patients with septic shock and associated symptomatic septic cardiomyopathy with documented low-flow state.

Methods and analysis
ADAPT–Dobutamine is a blinded, two parallel group, add-on, multicentre, randomised 1:1 and placebo-controlled trial. Patients will be included if hospitalised in the intensive care unit with septic shock (Sepsis-3 definition) and septic cardiomyopathy, identified using echocardiography (LV ejection fraction ≤40% and LV outflow tract velocity–time integral 130 bpm, severe ventricular arrhythmia, obstructive cardiomyopathy, severe aortic stenosis, ongoing acute coronary syndrome and indication for extracorporeal life support. Primary outcome will be the evolution of a modified Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (excluding the neurologic system) during the initial intensive care unit stay encompassing screening (before randomisation), and from Day 1 to 3 after randomisation. Randomisation will be stratified on participating centres and previously documented heart failure (ejection fraction ≤40%). The use of open-labelled Dobutamine as a rescue therapy will be allowed in refractory shock based on strict clinical requirements. The use of alternative inotropes will not be allowed.

Ethics and dissemination
Approved by the Comité de Protection des Personnes Nord-Ouest IV from Lille (France) on 19 December 2019 (approval reference #19.04.05.36321). The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented in various congresses.

Trial registration number
NCT04166331.

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Study protocol to assess clinical outcomes of breast cancer and its relationship with access to healthcare in Brazil–BREAST trial (BRaziLian outcomE for metAStatic breasT cancer): a prospective observational study in HER2-negative/hormone receptor-positive metastatic disease

Introduction
Breast cancer survival rates in low-income and middle-income countries significantly differ from those in high-income countries, indicating limited access to first-line systemic therapy for advanced and metastatic tumours. Recent studies have demonstrated the benefits of combining cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 inhibitors (CDK 4/6) with endocrine therapy in hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer. However, in Brazil, the population faces limited access to these drugs, particularly in the public healthcare system.

Methods and analysis
This prospective observational study will enrol 300 female patients from 20 cancer centres across Brazil, divided into two groups based on healthcare coverage: those treated in the public healthcare system (group 1) and those treated in the private healthcare system (group 2). The use or non-use of CDK 4/6 inhibitors is not dictated by the study protocol but rather reflects real-world treatment decisions made by attending physicians. Patients will be followed for 24 months, stratified according to CDK 4/6 inhibitor usage. The project aims to assess health inequities by evaluating the prognosis of patients treated in the public versus private healthcare systems. Outcomes include progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), quality of life and cost-effectiveness. Kaplan-Meier curves will be used to analyse PFS and OS, while the Cox proportional hazards frailty model will be employed to compare outcomes between healthcare systems, adjusting for prognostic variables.

Ethics and dissemination
The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the HCor Research Institute (Hospital do Coracão/Associacão Beneficente Síria), which served as the central ethics board for the trial (study number: CAAE 42538621.5.1001.0060; approval letter number: 4.571.507; date: 3 March 2021). All participating centres also obtained approval from their respective local ethics committees prior to patient enrolment: Ethics Committee of Hospital de Câncer de Barretos—Fundacão Pio XII; Ethics Committee of Universidade Estadual de Campinas—UNICAMP; Ethics Committee of Faculdade de Minas Muriaé—FAMINAS; Ethics Committee of Hospital Santa Paula—SP; Ethics Committee of Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz—SP; Ethics Committee of Hospital Regional do Câncer de Presidente Prudente—HRCPP; Ethics Committee of Instituto Brasileiro de Controle do Câncer—IBCC/Oncologia Clínica—SP; Ethics Committee of Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira—IMIP/PE; Ethics Committee of Hospital São Rafael; Ethics Committee of Universidade Federal de São Paulo—UNIFESP; Ethics Committee of Hospital Geral de Fortaleza—HGF; Ethics Committee of Casa de Saúde Santa Marcelina; Ethics Committee of Centro Universitário FMABC; Ethics Committee of Liga Norte Riograndense Contra o Câncer; Ethics Committee of Hospital Mãe de Deus/Associacão Educadora São Carlos—AESC; and Ethics Committee of Instituto do Câncer Brasil—ICB. All patients will provide written informed consent. Study findings will be disseminated through scientific publications and presented to a broad range of stakeholders, including patients, physicians, the general public and policymakers.

Trial registration number
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05559528—BRaziLian outcomE for metAStatic breasT cancer (BREAST).

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Exercise Intolerance and Response to Training in Patients With Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV2 (Long COVID): A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Circulation, Ahead of Print. The postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2, also known as Long COVID, may affect 10% to 25% of individuals diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2. More than 100 symptoms have been reported among patients with Long COVID, but almost all patients report severe fatigue, orthostatic intolerance, shortness of breath, and reductions in exercise tolerance. Emerging data suggest that cardiovascular deconditioning plays a major role in the development of this syndrome and that reductions in functional capacity among patients with Long COVID are comparable to reductions seen among individuals with cardiovascular deconditioning resulting from bed rest. Concern has been raised about the use of exercise training as part of the management strategy for patients with Long COVID. However, exercise training appropriately tailored to the patient with cardiovascular deconditioning may be an effective strategy to facilitate improvement in symptoms. This American Heart Association scientific statement provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of mechanisms contributing to development of Long COVID and methods by which exercise training may be applied to this unique patient population to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. In addition, methods of reintroducing exercise and return to play among athletes affected by COVID-19 are discussed.

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