BMJ Public Health

BackgroundUrinary (UI) and fecal (FI) incontinence are prevalent secondary chronic conditions among young adults with spina bifida (YASB). UI and FI decrease daily functioning for YASB, but no research has prospectively examined characteristics of UI and FI among YASB. We used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) over 30 days to describe the prevalence, episode-specific characteristics and negativity associated with UI and FI among a cohort of YASB. MethodData were collected as part of a large...

Since the upsurge of monkeypox virus (MPXV) clade Ib in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring countries in 2024, there have been multiple importations into Europe. So far, secondary transmission from the imported MPXV clade Ib has been limited. However, further importations are likely, and the associated risk of large MPXV clade Ib outbreaks is a public health concern in the EU/EEA. This work assesses the outbreak risk of MPXV clade Ib among men who have sex with men (MSM), since...

BackgroundThe 2022 global mpox outbreak spread rapidly, primarily among men who have sex with men in Western countries. The number of countries with new mpox importation events quickly rose in the early phase of the outbreak, but the rate of increase subsequently slowed down, having many countries without any reported cases. MethodsWe developed a mathematical model of international dissemination of mpox infections that accounts for heterogeneous sexual contact networks, infection-derived immuni...

Introduction and HypothesisThe relationship between pudendal neuromodulation and patient factors is not well understood. This observational study aimed to identify and quantify physiological, demographic, and stimulation factors that significantly affect external anal sphincter (EAS) recruitment and outcomes in participants receiving pudendal neuromodulation for treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms and pelvic pain. MethodsParticipants (N=16) provided demographic and diagnostic information ...

BackgroundHypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) are connective tissue disorders marked by chronic pain, joint instability, and extensive multisystem involvement. Despite affecting an estimated 1 in 500 individuals, these conditions remain poorly understood, and current diagnostic categories lack clarity and consistency. This study aimed to characterize the clinical presentation, comorbidities, and healthcare burden of individuals with hEDS and HSD t...

The global mpox outbreak affected many Asian countries in 2023, following a sustained local transmission in Japan. Given the large population sizes and limited vaccine rollout in Asia, the potential risk of global mpox reemergence arising from Asia is of concern. Using a mathematical model incorporating heterogeneous sexual networks among MSM, calibrated to incidence data in Japan, we projected the patterns of international mpox spread across 42 Asian countries. Our simulations highlight countri...

IntroductionThis study aimed to evaluate effects of front-of-package labels (FOPL) for added sugars and non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) on U.S. parents selection and perceptions of foods and beverages. MethodsParents of children 2-12 years old (n= 2,896) completed an online survey and were randomized to: no-FOPL control (n = 990), added sugar FOPL (n = 949), or FOPLs for both added sugars and NSS (n = 957). Participants were shown four fruit drinks and four yogurts. For each set, one product was uns...

The advent of mass-market Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) has seen considerable interest in potential dermatological applications of LED light photobiomodulation (PBM) for a range of conditions, with a thriving market for direct-to-consumer LED treatments, including red light, blue light, and yellow light wavelengths. Evidence of efficacy for many conditions is however decidedly mixed, with starkly different outcomes reported by different authors. Due to the wide range of irradiances and wavelength...

Objective and DesignForced anal examinations are used to prosecute sexual and gender minorities (SGM) in at least seven countries under the presumption that decreased sphincter tone, estimated by a finger inserted into the anal canal, can detect persons practicing receptive anal intercourse. In a cross-sectional analysis of the baseline data from a longitudinal study, we aimed to determine factors associated with sphincter tone and the accuracy of sphincter tonality to detect persons engaging in...

ObjectivesTo assess whether the timing of post-operative Phosphodiesterase Inhibitor (PDE5i) therapy after Robot Assisted Radical Prostatectomy (RARP) is associated with a change in early erectile function outcomes. Additionally, to determine whether there are differences in continence or safety outcomes. Subjects/patients and methodsData was prospectively collected from a single surgeon in one tertiary centre and retrospectively evaluated. 158 patients were treated with PDE5i therapy post RARP...

BackgroundUrinary and fecal incontinence contribute to significant quality of life impairments for patients and caregivers. Preliminary research suggests that incontinence rates may be higher among Veterans. However, few studies have examined incontinence experiences among Veterans and their caregivers. ObjectivesWe aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of conducting a one-year, telephone survey with Veterans and their caregivers to help inform larger studies. By including both Veteran and careg...

BACKGROUNDThe United States (U.S.) is the leading country in ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption, accounting for 60% of caloric intake, compared to a range of 14 to 44% in Europe. Given the increasingly evident health risks of UPF consumption, this is a major health problem. Common UPFs include soft drinks, snacks, processed meats, cookies, and candy. We hypothesized that even basic staple foods in the United States are ultra-processed and aimed to study the UPF prevalence in food staples fro...

Light is a salient environmental exposure, serving as the primary entraining cue for the circadian system and having other, non-circadian, effects on health. Gender differences in light exposure patterns could contribute to gender differences in health outcomes and would have important implications for sleep and circadian research. Gender differences in real-world light exposure (measured over a week with wrist-worn ActiGraph GT3X+ devices) were investigated in cross- sectional data from the 201...

BackgroundEating disorders and peptic ulcer disease are major health problems among young people, of which clinical students are a composite. It is important to study the prevalence, risk factors and knowledge of eating disorders and peptic ulcer disease among clinical students because their characteristics such as skipping meals, high academic workload, social behaviours, etc. make them prone to developing these illnesses. ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence, risk factors and knowledge of eat...

ObjectivesLight is a key regulator of the human circadian system, yet conventional photopic illuminance does not reflect the spectral sensitivity of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). Melanopic equivalent daylight illuminance (EDI) provides a more biologically relevant metric. We examined whether melanopic EDI better predicts real-world sleep outcomes than photopic illuminance and whether these associations differ by chronotype. MethodsFifty-nine young adults wore act...

BackgroundRisk of suicide is complex and often a result of multiple interacting factors. It is vital research identifies predictors of suicide to provide a strong evidence base for targeted interventions. MethodsUsing linked Census and population level mortality data we estimated rates of suicide across different groups in England and Wales and examine which factors are independently associated with the risk of suicide. FindingsThe highest rates of suicide were amongst those who reported an im...

BackgroundThere has been disagreement in the literature regarding whether public mass shootings are becoming more frequent, or more deadly, and whether high-capacity magazine (HCM) weaponry is associated with increased fatalities. ObjectiveWe examined the 85 non-felony- and non-gang-related mass shootings with at least four people shot and killed that occurred in public places between 1995 to 2018 to examine the frequency and deadliness of public mass shootings, as well as the role of HCM weapo...

BackgroundTo address high rates of diet-related disease, the UK Government has a series of voluntary targets for retailers, manufacturers, and the out-of-home sector (e.g., restaurants), to reduce the sugar, salt, and calorie content of food products. There is limited evidence for whether the out-of-home sector is progressing towards these targets, and individual company responses have not been evaluated. This study aimed to assess adherence to UK Governments sugar, salt, and calorie reduction t...

ImportanceBeginning in August 2017, nine overdose prevention sites and supervised consumption sites (OPS/SCS) began operating in Toronto, Canada. Following years of community pushback that these sites increased local crime and disorder, they were closed in March 2025. ObjectiveTo evaluate the population-level effects of OPS/SCS on crime and disorder. Design, Setting, ParticipantsThis two-part ecological study used Toronto Police Service data to compare crime incidence before and after OPS/SCS ...

BackgroundHealthcare services treating men with prostate conditions are increasingly burdened worldwide. One of the competing factors in this demand is increasing diagnosis and treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms in men, much of which is suspected bladder outflow obstruction secondary to benign prostate hyperplasia/enlargement. However, the impact of increases on services is largely hidden, and there is limited knowledge of potential differences in management based on geography. Objective...