Journal of Healthcare and Biomedical Science

Cultural Norms, Masculinity, and System Design in Men’s Healthcare Avoidance in Cameroon

Paul Saah, Delphine Fri Chifor , Gisele Mah — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Men in Cameroon routinely underutilize formal healthcare services, causing a delay in diagnoses, poor health outcomes, and higher rates of death. This study intends to explore the interactions of cultural norms, constructions of masculinity, and structural design attributes on how they affect men’s avoidance of healthcare in Cameroon and suggest context-specific strategies to address it. Based on the results of a systematic review of the 50 most relevant scholarly works, this study aims to provide a data-driven, evidence-based account of men’s healthcare avoidance in Cameroon, combining theoretical analysis and practical reflections to discover prevalent themes, reveal knowledge deficiencies, and highlight opportunities for developing more male-focused health policies and interventions. The findings of the study depict that men’s avoidance of healthcare in Cameroon is based on interrelated factors, such as cultural norms surrounding strength and self-reliance, structural disregard for male-specific needs, concern for being stigmatized or loss of status, and practical as well as symbolic salience of traditional medicine. The results recommend efforts to deliver gender-inclusive healthcare interventions in Cameroon that address communication disparities, establish male-friendly spaces, and incorporate culturally appropriate practices while framing masculinity as a major social determinant of health that can mitigate exclusion and ensure equitable access. The study builds on information available on men’s health in sub-Saharan Africa and adds to the existing literature by proposing a framework in which cultural norms, masculinity, and system designs converge to drive healthcare avoidance, new perspectives, and specific recommendations for enhancing healthcare delivery in Cameroon.

Natural Radioprotectors For Oncology: Therapeutic and Diagnostic Prospects

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Cancer remains one of the most significant global health challenges, and radiotherapy continues to be one of the most effective treatment options. However, Patients are also exposed to low doses of ionizing radiation during diagnostic procedures such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These exposures can induce various cellular and molecular defects in the human body. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop safer and more reliable radioprotective agents to minimize radiation-induced damage. This review was prepared using selected keywords searched across major scientific databases, including Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Scopus, covering publications from the inception of each database up to October 14, 2025. This review highlights plant-derived radioprotective agents that exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, DNA repair-enhancing, and metal-chelating actions. It outlines the key molecular pathways involved, such as antioxidant defense, DNA repair regulation, and ROS scavenging, and briefly compares natural compounds with conventional pharmaceutical radioprotectors. Radioprotective agents offer several advantages in both oncotherapy and diagnostic applications. However, many synthetic radioprotectors are associated with limitations such as high cost, short duration of action, toxicity, and adverse effects on the central nervous system. In contrast, natural radioprotectors derived from plants have shown the potential to safeguard normal cells from radiation induced damage more effectively and safely than their synthetic counterparts. This review aims to identify safer and more effective radioprotective agents for use by oncologists and radiation biologists.

Mothers’ Perceptions of Infant Massage: Implications for Health Education

Wiwik Yuliati, Yuly Peristiowati — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Infant massage is increasingly promoted as an early stimulation practice that supports infants’ physical, emotional, and developmental outcomes. However, limited research has examined mothers’ perceptions of infant massage within community health settings in Indonesia. This study aimed to explore perceived benefits, barriers, safety concerns, and expectations for educational support among mothers, using the Nurturing Care Framework and the Health Belief Model as conceptual guides. An exploratory qualitative design was employed involving 35 mothers recruited through purposive and convenience sampling at community health centers. Data were collected using written open-ended surveys and analyzed through Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis. Methodological rigor was ensured through triangulation, peer debriefing, and reflexive documentation. Five themes emerged. Mothers described technical barriers, including fear of making mistakes and limited confidence in performing correct massage techniques. Infant massage was perceived to support feeding comfort and breastfeeding success. While mothers showed basic awareness of safety considerations, concerns about injury and appropriate timing persisted. Massage was also viewed as a calming practice that reduced fussiness and improved sleep. Additionally, mothers expressed strong expectations for practical educational support, especially through videos, illustrated leaflets, brief classes, and live demonstrations. Demographic patterns suggested that caregiving experience, feeding practices, and economic stability may shape perceptions and confidence levels. Overall, mothers viewed infant massage positively but required accessible, structured education to ensure safe and effective practice. These findings support the integration of infant massage into maternal and child health promotion programs.

The Influence of Motivation and Work Environment on Performance (Study on Dental Profession Program at RSGM UNPAD)

Mamta Vasandani, Hendrati Dwi Mulyaningsih, Muhardi Muhardi — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

The performance of dental professional program students in dental education hospital is essential for ensuring high quality healthcare services and developing clinical competencies. Their level of performance also has direct implications for patient safety and the quality of dental care delivered. This study analyzes the level of motivation, work environment conditions, and performance of dental professional program students, as well as the partial and simultaneous effects of motivation and the work environment on their performance at the Dental and Oral Hospital, Padjadjaran University. Using a quantitative descriptive approach, data were collected through survery involving 125 respondents selected through stratified random sampling. Motivation was assessed through achievement, affiliation, and power needs, while the work environment included physical and non-physical aspects. The results show that dental professional program students demonstrated good motivation, whereas the overall work environment was rated poor, especially in physical conditions. Their performance was generally good in quality, teamwork, responsibility, and initiative, although work quantity remained low. Regression analysis revealed that motivation and work environment had a positive and significant effect on performance, jointly explaining 51.3% of its variability. These findings indicate that strengthening motivation and improving physical work conditions are essential to enhance the performance of dental professional program students, which may ultimately improve patient care quality and clinical education outcomes. Beyond these findings, the study offers broader theoretical and practical contributions by highlighting how educational environment and organizational factors shape health professional training, providing insights that can inform hospital management and the design of more effective clinical education systems.

Synergizing Halal Nutrition in Post-Pandemic: Integrating Pedagogy, Canteens, and Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meals Program

Amalia Rizki Ardiansyah, Sisca Wulandari — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0700

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted the dietary habits of elementary school children in Indonesia, triggering a public health concern due to increased consumption of ultra-processed foods. This study examines the integration of halal nutrition and health education as a strategic framework for post-pandemic recovery in school health systems. Using a qualitative exploratory approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with teachers from diverse school environments to analyze the synergy between health education, canteen management, and the Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meals Program. The findings highlight critical themes: the shift in pediatric consumption patterns, challenges in maintaining public health nutrition standards within school environments, and the pivotal role of teachers in promoting halal-thayyiban principles. The results suggest that integrating these values into the school health infrastructure fosters safe, culturally-sensitive, and sustainable dietary patterns. This integration is vital for the physical and spiritual well-being of the younger generation, bridging the gap between religious values and holistic health outcomes. While limited by a small sample size, this research underscores the necessity of multi-sectoral collaboration to strengthen school-based health interventions. The study’s originality lies in its comprehensive approach to halal nutrition as a foundation for building a resilient national health system in the post-pandemic era.