Faatihah Niyi-Odumosu

Purpose Physical activity (PA) is central to health and wellbeing, yet the physical activity participation of Muslim women remains understudied in the global public health literature. This mixed-methods systematic review aimed to assess the perceived barriers and facilitators to PA among Muslim women in Muslim-majority and Muslim-minority settings. Methods A systematic search of EBSCO, PubMed, and Google Scholar identified qualitative and quantitative studies (2000–2024) involving Muslim women aged 18 years and older, quality-appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) for qualitative designs and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) for quantitative studies. Qualitative findings were analysed thematically and mapped onto the five levels of the Socioecological Model (SEM) to examine cross-level interactions; quantitative results were synthesised narratively. Results Eleven studies (nine qualitative, two quantitative; N = 816 women aged 18–55) across eight countries were included. Three themes were identified: modesty, visibility, and the absence of safe space; gatekeeping by family and community; and infrastructure, climate, and policy neglect, operating through compounding SEM-level mechanisms. Facilitators included religious motivation, health awareness, family support, and culturally tailored programming; barrier-facilitator configurations varied between Muslim-majority and Muslim-minority contexts. Conclusions A context-sensitive, multi-level, tailored approach is essential to promote physical activity among Muslim women. Faith-sensitive, gender-segregated initiatives that simultaneously address structural, organisational, and community factors offer the most promising pathway for equitable participation and wellbeing.

This paper presents a structured narrative review of ten empirical studies published between 2008 and 2025, examining the relationships between heat exposure, hydration and kidney-related outcomes among construction workers. The studies were identified through targeted searches of Scopus and PubMed and interpreted using an ergonomics-informed work systems perspective. The findings suggest that construction workers are frequently exposed to heat levels that exceed recommended safety thresholds, with dehydration remaining common under real-world site conditions. Across the studies, there are indications of recurring kidney stress, including biomarkers associated with acute kidney injury (AKI), although reported rates vary due to differences in study design and measurement methods. Evidence relating to longer-term outcomes is still limited and remains inconclusive. A key contribution of this study is the development of a conceptual framework that brings together environmental heat exposure, pathophysiological response pathways and organisational and behavioural influences within a work systems context. This framework suggests that heat-related kidney risk is influenced not only by environmental exposure, but also by the interaction between work demands, organisational conditions and the factors that shape worker behaviours. Evidence points towards the need for multi-level strategies to protect workers, including better hydration practices, more adaptive work–rest scheduling and improved occupational health monitoring. The review also highlights important gaps in current knowledge, particularly the need for more longitudinal research and greater consistency in how outcomes are measured. Addressing heat-related kidney risks will be increasingly important for protecting worker health and supporting safe and sustainable construction practices in a warming climate.

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represent a substantial global health burden, and artificial intelligence (AI)-based technologies are emerging as potential approaches for their management. However, evidence regarding the cost-effectiveness of these interventions remains limited. This systematic review synthesised the available evidence on the cost-effectiveness of AI-based technologies for managing MSDs of the spine. This systematic review was conducted and reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline. PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, Web of Science, and Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) databases were searched. After title and abstract screening, the remaining articles underwent full-text review by two independent reviewers, who extracted economic outcome data comparing AI-based interventions versus control. A total of 347 studies were identified, with 59 duplicates removed and 251 excluded based on title and After full-text review, seven eligible studies were included in the review. These studies represented five countries (United States ( n = 2), Germany ( n = 2), Denmark ( n = 1), Australia ( n = 1) and South Korea ( n = 1)). The studies adopted a healthcare perspective ( n = 4), a societal perspective ( n = 2) and a healthcare and societal perspective ( n = 1). Time durations varied widely, from four weeks to twelve months in trials to three years or lifetime in models, with one study using a 20-month post-implementation period. The AI components of the interventions encompassed a range of technologies, including a deep learning–based diagnostic and exercise prescription platform, AI-driven chest radiograph screening, the self-BACK application, standardised Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) protocols, the Back Pain Choices online decision support tool, and the Kaia back pain application. In three studies, AI-based interventions for MSDs of the spine showed consistent positive QALY gains. Across the seven studies, five interventions (71%) were found to be cost-effective or cost-saving, four (57%) were dominant, while two (29%) were not cost-effective, indicating that most AI-based and digital interventions for MSDs of the spine provide favourable economic value compared with standard care. This is the first systematic review to synthesise evidence on the cost-effectiveness of AI-based technologies for the management of MSDs of the spine. The results suggest that AI-based interventions have the potential to contribute to more efficient healthcare resource use and may support policy and decision-making. However, their impact on reducing the economic burden of MSDs of the spine and improving health outcomes is not yet conclusive, and further standardised economic evaluations are needed to strengthen the evidence base. PROSPERO registration number : https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42025642775 .

Background: Climate vulnerability in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, has heightened concern about household energy transitions and associated health and economic impacts. Despite clean fuel initiatives, uncertainty remains regarding household expenditure patterns, health expenditures, and socioeconomic drivers of adoption. Objectives: To examine (1) household cooking-energy and respiratory healthcare expenditures, (2) descriptive expenditure ratios comparing energy costs with respiratory healthcare spending including benefits of transitioning to cleaner energy solutions, and (3) the socioeconomic determinants that influence households’ willingness to transition to cleaner cooking practices. Methods: A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in Alimosho (Lagos State) and Ado-Odo Ota (Ogun State) in southwest Nigeria. Using a multistage cluster sampling approach, 292 respondents from 200 households were surveyed on cooking-energy expenditures, respiratory healthcare costs, and willingness to adopt clean fuels. Expenditure patterns were compared descriptively, and a model-based cost-utility analysis was performed to estimate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio in US dollars per disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) averted. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to examine socioeconomic predictors of willingness to adopt clean cooking. Results: Clean-fuel (liquefied petroleum gas or electricity) households reported higher annual cooking-energy expenditures than polluting-fuel households (US$25.08 vs US$16.27), as well as higher respiratory healthcare expenditures (US$112.50 vs US$50.64). The healthcare-to-energy expenditure ratio was also higher among clean-fuel users (4.48 vs 3.11). In adjusted analyses, tertiary education was associated with higher willingness to adopt clean cooking, while larger household size and urban residence were associated with lower willingness. In the model-based economic evaluation over a 1-year horizon, clean cooking was cost-saving (dominant) across plausible DALY-averted scenarios. Conclusions: Expenditure differences by fuel type likely reflect underlying socioeconomic conditions and variations in healthcare access, rather than causal effects of fuel choice. The model-based cost-utility analysis suggests that clean cooking could be cost-saving or highly cost-effective under plausible assumptions. Policies that address affordability and supply constraints, alongside stronger longitudinal evidence, are needed to support equitable and sustained clean-cooking transitions in Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa.

Objective: This systematic review evaluates whether vitamin D and calcium supplementation benefits Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patient’s Quality of Life (QoL) and Renal function. Background: CKD disrupts calcium-phosphate homeostasis, leading to secondary hyperparathyroidism and bone mineral disorders. Efficacy of vitamin D and calcium supplementation in managing CKD remains controversial. Methods: PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct and EBSCO were searched from October 2024 to February 2025. Fifteen out of 82 identified studies were included. Data quality was assessed using Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) while bias risk was visualized using Robvis. Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) and Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) outcomes were analysed using meta-analysis, whereas Bone Mineral Density (BMD) and Quality of Life (QoL) were assessed through narrative synthesis. Results: Vitamin D supplementation had no significant effect on eGFR (MD=0.84mL/min/1.73m²,95%CI: –0.47 to 2.15, p=0.207) or PTH levels (MD = –6.76,95%CI: –34.92 to 1.95, p=0.005). No significant differences were found between active and inactive vitamin D supplementation on kidney function, while the results for BMD and QoL were inconclusive. Conclusion: Vitamin D supplementation had no significant effects on kidney function or QoL. Limited data precluded conclusions about calcium supplementation. Future studies are needed to clarify the roles of these treatments on CKD. Trial Registration Number: PROSPERO registration CRD42024607320. What is already known on this topic – Chronic Kidney Disease is a known progressive condition that affects over 10% of the global population. One of the most significant complications of CKD is the disruption if the calcium and phosphate balance, leading to conditions like secondary hyperparathyroidism. These complications can cause a significant impairment on the QoL of CKD patients. Vitamin D supplementation has become a standardised therapy for management of these complications, however there is a lack of clinical evidence in the effectiveness of these treatments. What this study adds – Despite the fact that vitamin D supplements are widely recommended to CKD patients, the evidence from the studies included in this systematic review showed no statistically significant effects. Furthermore, this review highlights the limited research on the effects of calcium supplementation, specifically in combination with vitamin D supplementation. How this study might affect research, practice or policy – This systematic review highlights the need for more rigorous clinical trials to assess the safety and efficacy of vitamin D and vitamin C supplementation in CKD patients. This research should also explore the long term effects and determine the impact of these treatments at different stages of CKD to determine whether these treatments are more effective at certain stages of the disease.

Climate change significantly impacts health globally, especially in densely populated, rapidly industrialising and ecologically diverse countries like Nigeria. We analysed climate change policies, studies, programs, and events at the national and subnational levels in Nigeria and explored their effects on public and respiratory health. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMAScR) checklist, we searched PubMed, African Journals Online (AJoL), Google Scholar and government data repositories on January 10, 2024. We synthesised results using an adapted sector-level framework based on the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Our searches returned 262 items, of which 32, including research studies, reports and grey documents, were retained for synthesis. Although some policies and programmes, like the Climate Change Act and Nigerian Climate and Health Observatory, exist, implementation is limited across many settings. Key reported respiratory pollutants in Nigeria include particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), gaseous emissions (CO, SO₂, NOx), agricultural by-products (NH₃, H₂S), greenhouse gases (CH₄, CO₂), and microbial contaminants, which collectively increase the risk of respiratory inflammation, infections, and exacerbations of chronic respiratory symptoms and diseases. Our findings underscore a clear link between climate change and worsening respiratory health in many Nigerian settings. The current policies and programmes’ have limited impact, calling for comprehensive reforms, including improved enforcement and targeted action against major pollution sources, recognition of environmental rights, and stronger public health initiatives and community action.

This study presents the evaluation of a robot telemedicine system used for initial diagnosis of patient with UK and Thai doctors. In a prior study, a set of user requirements for a robot telemedicine system were outlined based on a focus group with medical professionals and an online survey with the public. Based on these recommendations we have developed a robot telemedicine system that consists of a telepresence interface with examination functionality for doctors to control a robot that is present with patients. The system is designed for initial diagnosis of medical conditions, and Bell’s palsy diagnosis is chosen as an example use case. This paper presents the design and usability evaluation of this robot telemedicine system. The usability study was conducted using a thinking-aloud protocol, and a semi-structured interview was conducted after using the system. Study results were analysed using framework analysis. Additionally, participants were asked to give subjective ratings of the system. The study was conducted cross-culturally with doctors from the UK and Thailand, allowing us to gain a deeper understanding of system usability with groups that differ in their medical practice and user needs. Study participants rated the system with 72.19 points on the System Usability Scale, which indicates acceptable usability when interpreted semantically. The system also received a presence score of 0.691, normalized between 0 (least) and 1 (highest). Based on the framework analysis the prior set of user requirements has been refined and developed into a set of design recommendations for use in the development of future robot telemedicine systems. Additionally, study results indicate differences in medical practice between UK and Thai doctors which could be relevant to adjust the robot telemedicine system to local users.

Background: In the United Kingdom, 20 million individuals suffer from a musculoskeletal condition, for which physical activity (PA) is a core treatment. Minority ethnic communities experience a disproportionate impact, experiencing higher levels of pain and engaging in less PA. Research has identified various factors that affect their participation in PA, including lack of access to support, limited knowledge of resources, language barriers, fear of racial harassment while exercising, and insufficient communication/information from healthcare professionals. Methods: This project adopted a realist perspective, aiming to understand “what works, in which circumstances, and for whom?” The project had 4 steps: (1) defining review scope with stakeholders; (2) searching and extracting literature, creation of initial program theories; (3) refining/validating initial program theories with stakeholders; and (4) adopting Q-methodology to highlight priority areas. Results: 17 papers were included. Three program theories were identified: (1) Lack of initial access to health service support; (2) Nature of musculoskeletal self-management support—the importance of the therapeutic relationship and value of shared conversations; and (3) Accessible long-term support for PA engagement. The Q-sort exercise highlighted priority areas: (1) complex booking procedures and inadequate translation services, (2) time constraints impact effective patient-centered care, (3) dismissive attitudes/mismatched expectations impact shared decision making, (4) rebuilding trust to strengthen therapeutic relationships, (5) cultural relevance in developing therapeutic relationships, and (6) clinician recommended PA opportunities increase knowledge of PA. Conclusions: Our findings shed light on inequities across the UK’s musculoskeletal pathways, specifically in relation to PA engagement. This points toward priority areas for future research and interventions.