📄 Category

public and global health

432 papers

Public and global health examines how we protect communities from disease, manage outbreaks, and improve well-being across the world. This vital field connects diverse research on everything from infectious disease control and vaccination strategies to the social factors that shape our collective health. Because these studies often impact policy and daily life, understanding them quickly is more important than ever.

At Gist.Science, we track every new preprint published in this category on medRxiv to ensure you never miss a breakthrough. We process each submission to provide both plain-language explanations for general readers and detailed technical summaries for experts, making complex findings accessible to everyone.

Below are the latest papers in public and global health, freshly summarized from the most recent medRxiv releases.

📄 public and global health

Understanding the acceptability of digital diabetes self-management tools among non-users: A qualitative study of personal, social and healthcare contexts

This qualitative study of non-users of the MyWay Diabetes platform reveals that the acceptability of digital diabetes self-management tools is shaped by intersecting personal, social, and healthcare system barriers, underscoring the need for culturally relevant, accessible digital solutions that complement rather than replace trusted, person-centered care to prevent widening health inequalities.

Hawkes, R. E., Osei-Kwasi, H., Taylor, D., Ashpole, D., Reiger, C. E., Amutike, D. M. A., Baxter, M., Bickerton, A., Cun (…)2026-09-30
📄 public and global health

Adult disability and mental/psychological illness in Somaliland socioeconomic inequalities and co-occurrence in the 2020 Somaliland Health and Demographic Survey

Based on the 2020 Somaliland Health and Demographic Survey, this study reveals that 7.3% of adults report a disability with a strong age gradient and modest wealth concentration, while highlighting a significant co-occurrence between reported disability and mental/psychological illness that far exceeds statistical independence.

Saed, A. A., Osman, O. A., Adan, A. M., Suleiman, Y. I., Mohamed, A. I.2026-09-29
📄 public and global health

Timing matters: when do primiparous and multiparous pregnant women initiate folic acid supplementation, and who initiates it too late?

This study of 966 pregnant women in Northern Ireland reveals that while only 41% initiate folic acid preconceptionally, many others—including multiparous and planned-pregnancy women—start supplementation too late after pregnancy recognition to prevent neural tube defects, highlighting the need for public health interventions that address motivation and opportunity beyond mere awareness.

Ebong, U., Given, J., Casey, F., Loane, M., Dolk, H.2026-09-27
📄 public and global health

Tongue swab-based Targeted Universal Tuberculosis Testing in people living with HIV in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

This study demonstrates that non-invasive tongue swab testing combined with molecular methods effectively detects tuberculosis in people living with HIV in KwaZulu-Natal, outperforming urine LAM and offering a viable alternative to sputum-based screening for targeted universal testing programs.

Olson, A. M., Wood, R. C., Sithole, N., Govender, I., Grant, A. D., Smit, T., David, A., Stevens, W., Scott, L., Drain (…)2026-09-23
📄 public and global health

Predictors of modern contraceptive use among reproductive-aged women (15-49 years) in Mozambique: Evidence from Mozambique Demographic and Health Survey.

An analysis of the 2022-2023 Mozambique Demographic and Health Survey reveals that while 27.6% of reproductive-aged women use modern contraceptives, this practice is significantly influenced by individual and socioeconomic factors, with marked disparities favoring wealthier and more empowered women.

Shakurun, N., Andre, F., Muhajarine, N.2026-09-23
📄 public and global health

Prevalence of malaria among pregnant women attending ANC at public health institutions in Damote-Gale district, Southern Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study conducted in Damot Gale district, Southern Ethiopia, from March to May 2024, revealed a 10.5% malaria prevalence among pregnant women attending antenatal care, identifying multigravida status and the lack of long-lasting insecticidal nets or indoor residual spraying as significant risk factors.

Kussa, Y., Lema, S.2026-09-23
📄 public and global health

Childhood and adolescent immunisation intentions post-COVID-19 in Lusaka, Zambia

A 2023 study in Lusaka, Zambia, found that while routine childhood vaccination rates remained high, caregivers' intentions to vaccinate adolescents against COVID-19 and accept future novel vaccines were lower and heavily influenced by their own vaccination status, with safety fears and knowledge gaps driving reluctance despite high trust in health authorities.

Nyasa, M., Sharma, A., Kerkhoff, A. D., Ngosa, D., Shamoya, B., Sikombe, K., Simbeza, S., Zulu, N., Geng, E. H., Pry, J. (…)2026-09-23
📄 public and global health

Nipah vaccine and monoclonal antibody introduction: Understanding endemic and at-risk country perspectives to inform demand forecasting

This study synthesizes perspectives from stakeholders in ten Nipah virus-endemic and at-risk countries to forecast demand for vaccines and monoclonal antibodies across three outbreak scenarios, revealing that while reactive strategies suffice for expected outbreaks, larger scenarios would require preventive campaigns and that external financing is essential to sustain the market given the lack of commercial viability from routine country-funded demand.

Dinkel, K. A., Ruisch, A., Mathur, I., Bowe, R. T., Windus, P., Nonvignon, J., Walker, D. G., Torkelson, A. A.2026-09-23
📄 public and global health

ADOLESCENT GIRLS KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND PREVENTIVE PRACTICES TOWARD HIV: EVIDENCE FROM A SCHOOL-BASED SURVEY

This cross-sectional study of 150 female secondary school students in southeastern Nigeria reveals that while participants possess moderate HIV knowledge and generally positive attitudes, persistent misconceptions and gaps in preventive practices highlight the need for strengthened school-based interventions that correct misinformation and enhance practical prevention skills.

Ohaike, S. I., Emeh, R. C., Onyekwelu, A. I., Fatai, K. E.2026-09-22
📄 public and global health

Diagnostic Accuracy of WHO IMCI Visual Inspection for Neonatal Jaundice: A Prospective Multi-Country Cohort

A prospective multi-country cohort study of over 14,000 infants reveals that the WHO IMCI visual inspection method for detecting neonatal jaundice has critically low sensitivity (16%) compared to transcutaneous bilirubinometry, indicating that reliance on visual assessment alone is inadequate for screening hyperbilirubinemia in low-resource community settings and necessitates a shift toward affordable, objective diagnostic tools.

Khan, A., Shapiro, A., Yazdani, N. S., Abraham, S. G., Akelo, V., Asante, K. P., Aweyo, F., Cherian, A. G., Jat, M., Jeh (…)2026-09-22