Open Access Published since March 25, 2020

Open Health

ISSN: 2544-9826

Editor-in-chief: Jimmy Efird

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About this journal

Open Health is an open-access, peer-reviewed journal that is a forum for presenting novel research, systematic reviews, and discussions on the promotion of health and disease prevention. A special focus is on factors relating to social and personal aspects of human health. Our journal provides academically thoughtful and up-to-date reports within the research community on topics including:

Physical and mental health
Public, environmental, and occupational health
Nutrition and dietetics
Physical activity
Lifestyle change
Health policy and systems
Global health
Health economics
Digital health
Epidemiology
Geo-political influences on health

In parallel we aim at emphasizing the importance of published research in building health-promoting awareness and behaviors in society. The global importance and dynamics of many health-related matters, including human rights, epidemiology, and migration place them within the journal scope. The open-access publishing model for Open Health allows a wide group of individuals to access meaningful data and make informed decisions.

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The journal welcomes proposals for special issues from prospective guest editors – please contact the Managing Editor for more information (malgorzata.milewska@degruyter.com)

If you are organizing a conference and looking for a media partner, please contact the Managing Editor for more information (malgorzata.milewska@degruyter.com).

Your Benefits

publication in Open Health is FREE OF CHARGE
fast and constructive peer review
no length restrictions
open-access model – unrestricted access for all readers
continuous publication model – quick publication after acceptance
free language editing for authors from non-English speaking countries
worldwide promotion of each article
secure archiving by De Gruyter and the independent archiving service Portico
comprehensive abstracting and indexing

Abstracting and Indexing

Open Health is covered by the following services:

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Cabells Journalytics
CABI (over 50 subsections)
CNKI Scholar (China National Knowledge Infrastructure)
CNPIEC - cnpLINKer
Dimensions
DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals)
EBSCO Discovery Service
Google Scholar
J-Gate
MyScienceWork
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Naviga (Softweco)
Primo Central (ExLibris)
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ScienceON (Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information)
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Manuscripts should be submitted to the journal via the online submission system: https://www.editorialmanager.com/openhe. You will be guided through the entire peer-reviewing and publishing process. Along with your manuscript, please submit a cover letter and a License to Publish. In case of any problems, please contact the Assistant Managing Editor (AssistantManagingEditor@degruyter.com).

Please read the Instructions for Authors before submitting your manuscript, as well as Author Statements, Data Sharing Policy, Editorial Policies, Publication Ethics and Publication Malpractice Statement.

Manuscripts should have line numbers and the reference style required for this journal.

The journal considers submissions of: Research Articles, Short Communications, Review Articles, Commentaries, Letters to the Editor.

Please note that all co-authors will receive a notification e-mail after submission and be required to register and confirm their co-authorship. The progress of the editorial process will depend on fulfilment of this condition.

EDITORIAL POLICY

Unpublished material: Submission of a manuscript implies that the work described is not copyrighted, published or submitted elsewhere, except in abstract form. The corresponding author should ensure that all authors approve the manuscript before its submission.

Ethical conduct of research: The authors must describe and confirm safeguards to meet ethical standards when applicable.

Conflict of interest: When authors submit a manuscript, they are responsible for recognizing and disclosing financial and/or other conflicts of interest that might bias their work and/or could inappropriately influence his/her judgment. If no specified acknowledgement is given, the Editors assume that no conflict of interest exists. Authors are encouraged to fill in the ICMJE Conflicts of Interest Form (available here) and send it in the electronic format to the Managing Editor.

Copyright: All authors retain copyright, unless – due to their local circumstances – their work is not copyrighted. The copyrights are governed by the Creative-Commons Attribution Only license (CC-BY)　 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which is compliant with Plan-S. We may also publish a paper under CC-BY-NC-ND license on author's request. The corresponding author grants the journal license for use of the article, by signing the License To Publish (https://www.degruyter.com/publication/journal_key/OHE/downloadAsset/OHE_Open%20Access%20License.pdf) . Scanned copy of license should be sent to the journal, as soon as possible.

Authorship: Authorship should be limited to those who have made a significant contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the reported study. All those who have made significant contributions should be listed as co-authors. Where there are others who have participated in certain substantive aspects of the research project, they should be named in an Acknowledgement section. The corresponding author should ensure that all appropriate co-authors (according to the above definition) and no inappropriate co-authors are included in the author list of the manuscript, and that all co-authors have seen and approved the final version of the paper and have agreed to its submission for publication. For more details the role of authors please see: https://www.degruyter.com/publishing/for-authors/for-journal-authors/role-of-authors

Peer Review process:Ou r standard policy requires each paper reporting primary research or secondary analysis of primary research, together with relevant supplementary materials, to be reviewed by at least two Referees and the peer-review process is single-blind. The Editors reserve the right to decline the submitted manuscript without review if the studies reported are not sufficiently novel or important to merit publication in the journal. Manuscripts deemed unsuitable (insufficient originality or of limited interest to the target audience) are returned to the author(s) without review. The Editor seeks advice from experts in the appropriate field. Research articles and communications are refereed by a minimum of two reviewers, review papers by at least three. Authors are requested to suggest persons competent to review their manuscript. However, please note that this will be treated only as a suggestion, and the final selection of reviewers is exclusively the Editor's decision. The final decision of acceptance in made by Managing Editor or, in case of conflict, by the Editor-in-Chief.

Scientific Misconduct: This journal publishes only original manuscripts that are not also published or going to be published elsewhere. Multiple submissions/publications, or redundant publications (re-packaging in different words of data already published by the same authors) will be rejected. If they are detected only after publication, the journal reserves the right to publish a Retraction Note. In each particular case Editors will follow COPE’s Core Practices implement the advice.

Editorial

Editorial Contact:
Managing Editor
Małgorzata Milewska, De Gruyter
(malgorzata.milewska@degruyter.com)

Editorial Contact
Kumaran Rengaswamy
Assistant Managing Editor, Compuscript
AssistantManagingEditor@degruyter.com

Editor-in-Chief
Jimmy Efird, VA Cooperative Studies Program Coordinating Center, USA; Case Western Reserve University, USA

Advisory Board
Smisha Agarwal, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA
Jürg Bähler, University College London, UK
Germán Cerdá-Olmedo, Valencia Catholic University Saint Vincent Martyr, Spain
Lisa Cuchara, Quinnipiac University, USA
Mariusz Duplaga, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Poland
Mady Hornig, Columbia University, USA
Hayward Derrick Horton, University at Albany - State University of New York, USA
Ricardo Izurieta, University of South Florida, USA
Yu Jiang, University of Memphis, USA
Cameron Jones, Biological Health Services, Australia; National Institute of Integrative Medicine, Australia
Andrew Kane, University of Florida, USA
Maryam Karimi, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA
Stathis Konstantinidis, University of Nottingham, UK
Kajal Lahiri, University at Albany - State University of New York, USA
Thomas Lenarz, Hannover Medical School, Germany
Lara Milane, Northeastern University, USA
Hanns Moshammer, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
Emeka Nwadiora, Temple University, USA
Gregory Pavela, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA
Michael Peterson, University of Delaware, USA
Teodor Postolache, University of Maryland School of Medicine, USA
Gilbert Ramirez, Texas A&M University, USA
Grzegorz Rempała, Ohio State University, USA
Ovnair Sepai, Public Health England, UK
Ye Shen, University of Georgia, USA
Teneasha Washington, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA
Haim Yacobi, University College London, UK
Marsha Zibalese-Crawford, Temple University, USA

Editorial Board
Zhuo Chen, University of Georgia, USA; University of Nottingham Ningbo China, China
Kathryn Fritz, Temple University, USA
Megan Gregory, University of Florida, USA
Becca Jordre, University of South Dakota, USA
Fabrice Jotterand, Medical College of Wisconsin, USA
Jörg Kleeff, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany
Rositsa Koleva-Kolarova, University of Oxford, UK
Bert Little, University of Louisville, USA
Glenn McGee, University of New Haven, USA
Daniel Rosney, Temple University, USA
Alexander Siedschlag, Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, USA
Nicholas Taylor, Texas A&M University, USA
Lesley Tomaszewski, Texas A&M University, USA
Norman Williams, University College London, UK
Qi Zheng, Texas A&M University, USA

Language Editors
Sally Ebeling, Boston, USA
Alissa Hackett, University of Auckland, New Zealand
Caryn Nelson, Savannah, USA
Kathryn Richards, University of Leeds, UK
Mary Wessling, Editor in the Life Sciences, Oakland, USA

Publisher
DE GRUYTER Poland
Bogumiła Zuga 32A Str.
01-811 Warsaw, Poland
T: +48 22 701 50 15

Volume 5 Issue 1

January 2024

Research Articles

Open Access January 25, 2024

Predictors of diagnosed cardiovascular diseases and their spatial heterogeneity in Lagos State, Nigeria

Oluwaseun Addie, Olalekan John Taiwo

Article number: 20230018

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Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) persist as the foremost global cause of death despite persistent efforts to comprehend the risk factors associated with them. Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are disproportionately affected, bearing a high burden of CVD morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, the intricate socio-spatial landscape that could yield new insights into CVD incidence within LMICs like Nigeria has not received sufficient attention. This study aimed to determine the predictors of CVDs in a megacity in one of the LMICs and investigate their spatial heterogeneity. The study acquired and appropriately geocoded hospital records of patients clinically diagnosed with CVDs between 2008 and 2018 from a tertiary healthcare facility. Stepwise regression and geographically weighted regression were employed to identify predictors of CVDs and investigate their patterns. The study’s findings revealed that gender emerged as the primary predictor of diagnosed CVDs. Consequently, the study underscores the importance of focusing on the female population in efforts to control and prevent CVDs while advocating for the formulation and implementation of spatially sensitive policies and interventions.

Open Access February 26, 2024

Discourses of risk in public health advertising about underage alcohol consumption

Hoang Van Nguyen

Article number: 20230021

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Abstract

Underage alcohol consumption has been linked to major risks, the practice of which has been linked to parental responsibility and management and a major topic in public health advertising campaigns. The aim of the current study is to investigate how risk discourses are constructed in public health advertisements against underage alcohol consumption. To achieve this aim, I apply the framework of social semiotics to analyse a series of public health campaigns in Australia to understand the construction of risk across multiple meaning-making resources. The analyses of the advertisements provide insights into the choices of semiotic resources to construct multiple perspectives of risk discourses to communicate alcohol-related risks and persuade parents to not supply alcohol to their children. The study opens up new agendas of research, by complementing textual analyses with audience interpretations, to provide deeper insights into how alcohol-related public health advertising is perceived, as well as improve its effectiveness and impact in the real world.

Open Access March 5, 2024

Utilization of health service and associated factors among women in childbearing age in selected internally displaced persons camps, Hargeisa – Somaliland

Isahaq Mohamoud Asker, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nuh

Article number: 20230023

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Abstract

Introduction Access to and use services in health care are significant to the development of health outcomes in many African countries. In most sub-Saharan countries, the utilization of health care services is very low. Although global strategies have been planned to improve access to high-quality health services, there are still obstacles to attain. Women of childbearing age usually need more health services than other age groups, and they are more likely to experience complications during pregnancy and childbirth, which might result in increased morbidity and mortality. Objective The aim of this study is to assess the utilization of health services and associated factors among women of childbearing age in internal displaced person (IDP) camps in Hargeisa, Somaliland. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study design was employed among women of childbearing age in the selected IDP camps in Hargeisa. Of eight IDPs in Hargeisa, three were selected by the lottery method. A total of 402 women of childbearing age were selected using a simple random sampling method. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Results The overall health service utilization among women of childbearing age in Hargeisa IDPs was found to be 61.5%. The age groups of 23–27 years old and 33–37 years old were five times and three times more likely to utilize health services, respectively (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 5.2 (confidence interval (Cl): 2.1–13.0)) and (AOR 2.7 (Cl: 1.2–5.9)). Married women had lower odds of utilizing health services than single women. (AOR: 0.23 (0.07–0.73)). The Able reading and writing and primary education women have lower odds of utilizing health services than Secondary and above. Conclusion The overall health service utilization among women in childbearing in IDPs in Hargeisa was found to be unsatisfactory. Respondents’ age group, marital status, and educational level were found to be significantly associated with health service utilization among mothers in childbearing in IDPs in Hargeisa Somaliland.

Open Access May 6, 2024

Healthcare workers’ attitudes toward children getting Covid-19 vaccinations in Gaza Strip

Shuying Sha, Said Kamel Abusalem, Sawsan Abuhammad, Yousef Al-Jeesh

Article number: 20230027

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Abstract

Background and objectives Healthcare workers’ (HCWs) attitudes toward vaccine greatly influences individuals’ vaccine acceptance rate. Research in high-income countries identified five key person-level factors for vaccine hesitancy. Perception of vaccine were different in low-income or developing country, and the reason for vaccine hesitancy might not be the same as that in developed countries. This study assesses HCWs parents’ attitude toward their child getting COVID-19 vaccine and the potential influencing factors in HCWs living in Gaza Strip. Method This is a secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional survey collected from 245 HCWs in Gaza between February and May in 2021. Multinominal logistic regression was used to model the association between vaccine hesitancy and potential influencing factors. Results Only 27.2% HCWs parents in Gaza responded that they would like their children to get vaccinated. Higher perceived benefits of vaccine and having flu shot in last year were significantly related to higher vaccine intention ( P -values <0.001). However, perceived susceptibility, perceived vaccine safety, and vaccine effectiveness were not significantly associated with vaccine hesitancy. Conclusion Intervention in Gaza Strip should focus on educating people on vaccine benefits to foster the acceptance of the vaccine.

Review Article

Open Access April 24, 2024

Unraveling PCOS: Exploring its causes and diagnostic challenges

Mohd Altaf Dar, Mudasir Maqbool, Zulfkar Qadrie, Irfat Ara, Afshana Qadir

Article number: 20230026

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Abstract

Women in the reproductive age range are usually affected with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a complex and multifaceted condition. Anovulation, hyperandrogenism, and metabolic difficulties like hyperglycemia, hypertension, and obesity in women are all manifestations of this condition, which also affects the reproductive system. The National Institutes of Health in the 1990s, Rotterdam in 2003, and Androgen Excess Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in 2009 all contributed to the evolution of the diagnostic criteria for PCOS. The 2003 Rotterdam criteria are currently the most generally used criteria. They call for at least two of the three criteria – irregular menstrual periods, polycystic ovary morphology on imaging, and hyperandrogenism – either clinically or biochemically – to be present in order to diagnose PCOS. It is currently being suggested that the anti-Müllerian hormone in serum be used instead of follicular count as an official indicator of polycystic ovarian morphology/PCOS. Hyperandrogenism and irregular periods are essential components in determining PCOS in adolescent patients. More recently, it has been shown that artificial intelligence, especially machine learning, holds great promise for detecting and predicting PCOS with high accuracy, potentially assisting in early management and treatment decisions. Examining the underlying mechanisms, clinical symptoms, and challenges involved in making a diagnosis of PCOS in females is the premise of this review article.

Open Access May 6, 2024

Smart healthcare: Integration of AI and brain cells for advanced healthcare applications

Oroos Arshi, Aryan Chaudhary

Article number: 20230029

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Abstract

The combination of brain cells and artificial intelligence (AI) is a paradigm shift in the healthcare industry that provides previously unheard-of chances for creativity and change in a variety of fields. This work is an attempt to offer a thorough examination of the confluence of AI and brain cells in healthcare, clarifying important ideas, methods, and applications that will influence medical practice and research going forward. Theis article provides an overview of AI in healthcare and looks at the wide variety of AI methods and algorithms advancing personalized medicine, therapy optimization, and disease diagnostics. It also touches upon how AI and brain cells interact, and how brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) can transform neuroscience research and human–machine interaction. It also highlights the revolutionary influence of brain cells and AI on healthcare delivery and patient care by outlining the application domains of the BCI across research fields and talking about the integration of reinforcement learning with the BCIs. It also showcases the practical applications of brain cells and AI in healthcare, ranging from prognostication and diagnostics to prosthetics and rehabilitation. This work suggests new trends and research and development opportunities in the field of brain cells and AI integration, as well as future directions in this field.

Commentary

Open Access January 17, 2024

Mixed messages, broken trust, avoidable deaths: A critical appraisal of the UK government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Alessandro Siani

Article number: 20230016

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Abstract

This short commentary draws on academic and grey literature to critically evaluate the UK response to the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting aspects in which the response fell short and their ramifications on public trust and compliance with preventive measures. Such aspects include the initial delay in response to the outbreak, the controversial “herd immunity approach,” the mismanagement of care home patients, the inadequacy of the contact tracing system, the scandals around the procurement of personal protective equipment, and the breach of lockdown/social distancing regulations by government officials. Based on the lessons learned from these shortcomings, this commentary seeks to provide suggestions for effective public governance in the face of future health emergencies.

Open Access February 26, 2024

The psychological profile of Iraq: A nation haunted by decades of suffering

Darya Rostam Ahmed

Article number: 20230024

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Abstract

The article discovers the psychological profile of Iraq, looking at the profound impact of recent decades of turmoil on the psychological well-being of its citizens. Extensive conflicts, including wars, sanctions, invasions, socioeconomic problems, and internal conflicts, have led to significant mental health problems in the community, notably the Yazidi and Kurdish populations. These groups, already affected, faced collective trauma from the ISIS invasion and Anfal campaign. Despite various risk factors, mental health support services in Iraq are markedly insufficient. The main purpose of this article is to shed light on the psychological profile in recent decades, highlighting the urgent need to prioritise mental health in health and education policies. The article advocates for the crucial implementation of comprehensive mental health programmes, interventions, and awareness initiatives to effectively address the enduring psychological challenges facing the Iraqi population.

Open Access February 29, 2024

Metabolic mysteries of the mind: Investigating type 3 diabetes

Mohd Altaf Dar, Zulfkar Qadrie, Mudasir Maqbool, Irfat Ara, Afshana Qadir

Article number: 20230025

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Abstract

Type 3 diabetes, though not an officially recognized term in the medical field, pertains to the potential correlation between insulin resistance and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Insulin, known for its role in regulating glucose levels, also plays a vital part in brain function, supporting cognition and memory consolidation. Emerging studies propose that insulin resistance, a characteristic of type 2 diabetes, may extend to the brain, affecting glucose metabolism and neural activity. Research indicates that individuals with AD demonstrate reduced insulin sensitivity in the brain, contributing to the accumulation of amyloid plaques and tau tangles, which are characteristic features of the disease. This has led some experts to propose the notion of “type 3 diabetes” to describe the association between insulin resistance and Alzheimer’s. Understanding type 3 diabetes carries substantial implications for both research and treatment. Exploring insulin-sensitizing medications and lifestyle interventions to enhance brain insulin sensitivity could offer potential avenues to address the metabolic and cognitive aspects of the condition. However, type 3 diabetes remains a complex and evolving field of study, and the precise mechanisms linking insulin resistance to Alzheimer’s necessitate further investigation. While the concept is captivating, it is crucial to acknowledge that AD is influenced by numerous factors, and type 3 diabetes represents only one aspect of the intricate relationship between these two conditions.

Open Access May 18, 2024

Ready to bleed when touched – Moral Injury in the Special Operations Forces military population

Anna M. Gielas

Article number: 20230028

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Abstract

The armed forces combine different military populations with specific patterns of psycho-medical challenges and needs. The Special Operations Forces (SOF) exhibit one such pattern because they undergo more rigorous selection procedures, train differently and generally engage in different types of missions than other military populations. The aim of this commentary is to briefly introduce the psycho-medical patterns of SOF while paying particular attention to the growing discussion of Moral Injury (MI) in this military population. The mental health construct of MI refers to the persistent psycho-social harm resulting from exposure to events that clash with an individual’s moral beliefs. So far, research has focused on causes and symptoms of MI, less on prevention strategies and early intervention opportunities. This article advocates making a regular screening for symptoms of MI an element of routine physical check-ups of SOF to identify MI-related problems earlier and destigmatise mental health struggles, thereby countering severe manifestations of MI and alleviating suicidality rates in the SOF military population.

Short Communication

Open Access February 29, 2024

From click to calories: Navigating the impact of food delivery apps on obesity

Michael Mncedisi Willie, Mudasir Maqbool, Afshana Qadir

Article number: 20230022

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Abstract

The rise of food delivery apps has ushered in a new era in the way we consume meals, bringing both unprecedented convenience and concerns about their impact on obesity. These digital platforms, exemplified by industry giants like Uber Eats and DoorDash, have transformed the dining experience from a trip to the kitchen to a simple click on our smartphones. While the seamless accessibility to a diverse range of culinary options is undoubtedly a game-changer, it comes with a flip side. The ease of ordering restaurant-quality meals, fast food, or groceries through these apps may contribute to less health-conscious dietary choices. The convenience factor might inadvertently lead to an overreliance on high-calorie and less nutritious options, potentially exacerbating the obesity epidemic. As we navigate this digital culinary landscape, it becomes imperative to understand and address the implications of this technological shift on public health. Research and awareness campaigns are vital to comprehending the nuanced relationship between food delivery apps and obesity, ensuring that the ease of a click does not translate into a surge in calories. Balancing the advantages of convenience with the potential risks to our health is paramount as we strive for a harmonious coexistence with these technological innovations.

Special Issue on Public Health Resilience - Part II

Open Access January 24, 2024

Reframing the response to the opioid crisis: The critical role of resilience in public health

Donna L. Roberts

Article number: 20230006

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Abstract

This analysis examines the opioid crisis in the United States as a significant public health challenge. It highlights the increasing prevalence of opioid misuse and overdose-related deaths over the past two decades, emphasizing the need for innovative and adaptive public health approaches to effectively address the crisis's root causes, mitigate its impacts, and support recovery for those affected. The inquiry focuses on resilience as a key concept in public health, exploring its relevance and application in responding to the opioid crisis. Resilience, understood as the capacity of individuals, communities, and systems to adapt and respond effectively to adversity, is presented as vital for enhancing public health preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. The goal of the article is to provide insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers on how to build resilience into public health systems and interventions to better confront the challenges posed by the opioid crisis.

(Deutsch)

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Type: Journal
Language: English
Publisher: De Gruyter Open Access
First published: March 25, 2020
Publication Frequency: 1 Issue per Year
Audience: researchers, students, health professionals