BACKGROUND:  Poor access to contraception influences adolescent health outcomes and may lead to sexual and reproductive health challenges. Unmet sexual and reproductive health should contribute to unplanned adolescent pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and other conditions. Therefore, it is crucial to enable adolescents to access appropriate contraceptive methods easily.
OBJECTIVE:  This study explored factors influencing adolescents\' access to contraceptive methods from the perspective of primary healthcare providers in South Africa.
METHODS:  This study was conducted in two health districts of the Western Cape province in South Africa: the City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality and the West Coast district.
METHODS:  Using a qualitative research design, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 healthcare providers who work in primary healthcare clinics. Subsequently, the interviews were transcribed and verified for errors. Braun and Clarke\'s thematic analysis model guided the data analysis using ATLAS.ti software (version 22). The study adhered to the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative studies checklist for qualitative research.
RESULTS:  Four themes emerged through the data analysis: (1) personal influences, (2) community-level influences, (3) health system influences, and (4) policy-level influences. Representative quotations were used to illustrate the themes and sub-themes.
CONCLUSIONS:  Adolescence is shaped by various influences that affect adolescents\' ability to access contraception. These factors include their awareness of contraception, social environment, provider biases and school policies. Understanding these influences is crucial for addressing unintended pregnancies and promoting sexual and reproductive health among this age group.Contribution: This study highlights strategies that facilitate and hinder adolescents\' access to contraception.

BACKGROUND:  Diabetic foot is a dangerous complication of diabetes and can lead to high morbidity and mortality. As essential team members of the healthcare system, nurses play an important role in diabetic foot management and are indispensable in patients\' education to prevent diabetic foot. The study assessed nurses\' knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding diabetic foot care in Sol Plaatje primary health care centres in the Northern Cape: Sol Plaatje\'s 14 district municipality clinics, Kimberley, Northern Cape.
METHODS:  This was a descriptive cross-sectional analytical study. A questionnaire assessed nurses\' knowledge, practices and attitudes towards diabetic foot care in the above setting.
RESULTS:  A total of 128 professionals, enrolled and auxiliary nurses who are providing primary care to patients within the 14 clinics in the Sol-Plaatje sub-district were recruited for the study. Hundred and five participants completed the self-administered questionnaires. The majority (95%) were females and 58.1% knew that South African Diabetic Foot Guidelines existed, while 57.7% had read them. About 57% did not know about the 60-s diabetic foot screening tool, and 67% did not know the 10 g monofilament test. Approximately 29.8% had never attended a class on diabetic foot care and 85.6% required training on diabetic foot care.
CONCLUSIONS:  This study revealed that the majority of nurses working in the Sol-Plaatje sub-district primary health care centres are knowledgeable of the diabetic foot guidelines for primary care. However, there is a need for ongoing education on diabetic foot care.Contribution: The study results will help improve nurses\' awareness of the importance of diabetic foot care.

This article describes standardizing ambulatory oncology nursing orientation within an academic comprehensive cancer center to reduce turnover rates. The nursing professional development specialist created a standardized orie.

UNASSIGNED: In Saudi Arabia, approximately 70,000 deaths yearly occur from diseases caused by smoking. Assessing patients\' smoking behavior in primary care has apparent benefits. Assisting patients with smoking cessation is one of the essential roles of primary care. This study evaluated the quality of smoking cessation clinic counseling in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, based on customer opinions of such services.
UNASSIGNED: This research employed a cross-sectional approach involving individuals attending smoking cessation clinics located within primary health care centers in Riyadh city. The participants were chosen through random selection. They were informed about the study\'s objectives, and those who consented to take part were contacted and provided with an online questionnaire to complete.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 340 subjects participated (95.6%) of them were males, and 41.2% were in the age group of 25 to 35 years old. The common modality of tobacco use was cigarettes (82.6%), and 87.9% reported consuming tobacco daily. The mean (±SD) total score of the Fagerstrom Test of Nicotine Dependence was 5.03 (±2.36), and the highest percentage (44.4%) of the participants had a moderate level of nicotine dependence. The vast majority (93.8%) of the participants had former quitting experiences. Half (50.9%) of the participants showed complete satisfaction with the cessation clinics, while 13.2% and 9.1% of them were not satisfied or slightly satisfied, respectively.
UNASSIGNED: The majority of smoking cessation clinic visitors were satisfied with the services provided, exceeding three-quarters of them, with half totally satisfied.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a contagious non-zoonotic viral disease of cattle. The disease raises great concern due to the recent rapid spread toward free countries and reoccurrence in countries where control and preventive measures had achieved eradication. Deep nodules involving skin, subcutaneous tissue, and occasionally muscles are localized mostly in the head, neck, perineum, genitalia, udder, and limbs. LSD can cause large economic losses mainly because of the decline in milk production and the decrease in hide value, in addition to the ban of movement of animals and animal products.

This article reviews the revolutionary impact of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) in reshaping modern healthcare systems, with a particular focus on the implementation of mobile diagnostic clinics. It presents an insightful analysis of the current healthcare challenges, including the shortage of healthcare workers, financial constraints, and the limitations of traditional clinics in continual patient monitoring. The concept of \"Mobile Diagnostic Clinics\" is introduced as a transformative approach where healthcare delivery is made accessible through the incorporation of advanced technologies. This approach is a response to the impending shortfall of medical professionals and the financial and operational burdens conventional clinics face. The proposed mobile diagnostic clinics utilize digital health tools and AI to provide a wide range of services, from everyday screenings to diagnosis and continual monitoring, facilitating remote and personalized care. The article delves into the potential of nanotechnology in diagnostics, AI\'s role in enhancing predictive analytics, diagnostic accuracy, and the customization of care. Furthermore, the article discusses the importance of continual, noninvasive monitoring technologies for early disease detection and the role of clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) in personalizing treatment guidance. It also addresses the challenges and ethical concerns of implementing these advanced technologies, including data privacy, integration with existing healthcare infrastructure, and the need for transparent and bias-free AI systems.

Melanin is one of the representative biomarkers of malignant melanoma and a potential target for diagnosis and therapy. With advancements in chemistry and radiolabeling technologies, promising strides have been made to synthesize radiolabeled melanin-binding molecules for various applications. We present an overview of melanin-targeted radiolabeled molecules and compare their features reported in preclinical studies. Clinical practice and trials are also discussed to elaborate on the safety and validity of the probes, and expanded applications beyond melanoma are reviewed. Melanin-targeted imaging holds potential value in the diagnosis, staging, and prognostic assessment of melanoma and other applications. Melanin-targeted radionuclide therapy possesses immense potential but requires more clinical validation. Furthermore, an intriguing avenue for future research involves expanding the application scope of melanin-targeted probes and exploring their value.

Acinetobacter baumannii has become a prominent nosocomial pathogen, primarily owing to its remarkable ability to rapidly acquire resistance to a wide range of antimicrobial agents and its ability to persist in diverse environments. However, there is a lack of data on the molecular epidemiology and its potential implications for public health of A. baumannii strains exhibiting clinically significant resistances that originate from non-clinical environments. Therefore, the genetic characteristics and resistance mechanisms of 80 A. baumannii-calcoaceticus (ABC) complex isolates, sourced from environments associated with poultry and pig production, municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), and clinical settings, were investigated. In total, our study classified 54 isolates into 29 previously described sequence types (STs), while 26 isolates exhibited as-yet-unassigned STs. We identified a broad range of A. baumannii STs originating from poultry and pig production environments (e.g., ST10, ST238, ST240, ST267, ST345, ST370, ST372, ST1112 according to Pasteur scheme). These STs have also been documented in clinical settings worldwide, highlighting their clinical significance. These findings also raise concerns about the potential zoonotic transmission of certain STs associated with livestock environments. Furthermore, we observed that clinical isolates exhibited the highest diversity of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). In contrast to non-clinical isolates, clinical isolates typically carried a significantly higher number of ARGs, ranging from 10 to 15. They were also the exclusive carriers of biocide resistance genes and acquired carbapenemases (blaOXA-23, blaOXA-58, blaOXA-72, blaGIM-1, blaNDM-1). Additionally, we observed that clinical strains displayed an increased capacity for carrying plasmids and undergoing genetic transformation. This heightened capability could be linked to the intense selective pressures commonly found within clinical settings. Our study provides comprehensive insights into essential aspects of ABC isolates originating from livestock-associated environments and clinical settings. We explored their resistance mechanisms and potential implications for public health, providing valuable knowledge for addressing these critical issues.

Childhood arterial ischaemic stroke (AIS) is a significant health concern with increasing incidence. This review aims to provide an overview of the current understanding of childhood AIS. The incidence of childhood AIS is on the rise especially in developing countries, likely due to improved awareness and diagnostic capabilities. Aetiology of childhood AIS is multifactorial, with both modifiable risk factors and genetic predisposition playing important roles. Identifying and addressing these risk factors, such as infection, sickle cell disease, and congenital heart defects, is essential in prevention and management. Identifying underlying conditions through genetic testing is important for appropriate management and long-term prognosis. Clinically, distinguishing stroke from stroke mimics can be challenging. Awareness of important stroke mimics, including migraines, seizures, and metabolic disorders, is crucial to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure appropriate treatment. The diagnostic approach to childhood AIS involves a comprehensive \"chain of care,\" including initial assessment, neuroimaging, and laboratory investigations. National guidelines play a pivotal role in standardizing and streamlining the diagnostic process, ensuring prompt and accurate management. Early intervention is critical in the management of childhood AIS. Due to the critical time window, the question if mechanical thrombectomy is feasible and beneficial should be addressed as fast as possible. Early initiation of antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapy and, in select cases, thrombolysis can help restore blood flow and minimize long-term neurological damage. Additionally, rehabilitation should start as soon as possible to optimize recovery and improve functional outcomes. In conclusion, childhood AIS is a growing concern. Understanding the increasing incidence, age distribution, risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnostic approach, and management strategies is crucial for optimized management of these patients.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an autoinflammatory skin disorder of the terminal hair follicle, which can present in sporadic, familial, or syndromic form. A classification has been proposed for the latter, distinguishing cases associated with a known genetic condition, with follicular keratinization disorders or with autoinflammatory diseases. This review focuses on the clinical and genetic features of those entities (ie, pyoderma gangrenosum [PG], acne and HS; PG, acne, pyogenic arthritis and HS; psoriatic arthritis, PG, acne and HS; synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, osteitis; and so forth) for which the collective term HS-related autoinflammatory syndromes is proposed.