Open Access Public Health and Health Administration Review

Navigating the Precipice: Global Healthcare Challenges and the Path Toward Sustainable Quality Care in 2026

Ghulam Muhammad Kundi — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

As we navigate the second quarter of 2026, the global healthcare landscape stands at a critical juncture. The promise of the "digital decade" has met the harsh reality of demographic shifts, economic volatility, and a strained global workforce. While the tools at our disposal—ranging from generative AI (GenAI) to precision genomics—are more advanced than ever, the structural integrity of health systems in both developed and developing nations is being tested to its limits. This editorial examines the divergent yet overlapping challenges facing these regions and proposes a rigorous framework for administrative reform to ensure quality care remains a fundamental human right. The challenges of 2026 provide a unique opportunity for a global reset. The divide between developed and developing nations is narrowing; both are realizing that the current trajectory is unsustainable. Quality care in this decade will be defined by how well we support our workforce, how securely we guard our data, and how equitably we distribute the fruits of medical innovation.

Knowledge and Attitude Practices Regarding Eye Donation among University Students of Lahore: A Cross-Sectional Institution-Based Study

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This is a cross-sectional study that evaluated the awareness, knowledge, and attitudes towards eye donation among 1,200 health faculty students in Lahore, Pakistan. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data related to demographic data, academic background, and questions that assessed knowledge and perceptions on eye donation. The responses were interpreted using descriptive statistical analysis. According to the results, 68% of respondents were aware of eye donation, with 29.5% and 26.8% of participants having friends or family and social media as the main sources of information, respectively. But there were only 37.7% of respondents who were willing to donate their eyes after death. The majority of students revealed poor knowledge in the technical side of the eye donor practice, about 54.45% of the students portrayed positive views, whereas 45.6% portrayed negative views. These results demonstrate the existence of a significant disconnection between positive perception and sufficient knowledge among health faculty students. It was found that despite the awareness, the lack of technical knowledge is a potential problem that may impede the advocacy of eye donation. Limitations are due to the cross-sectional nature and the use of self-reported responses that can impact the generalizability. The results highlight the importance of specific educational interventions, curriculum consolidation, and sensitization in the health institutions to improve the knowledge and promote the practice of eye donation. Future studies need to be conducted with bigger and multi-institutional samples to assess the impact of educational interventions on enhancing awareness and intentions to donate their corneas.

The Quantitative Text Analysis of China's Elderly Care Policy Texts Based on the PMC Model

Zhang Qingson, Wei Lai, Zhao Lei, Tian Renfeng — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Against the backdrop of accelerating population aging in China, the scientific optimization of elderly care policies has become a core issue in national governance. Existing studies mostly focus on qualitative interpretation of such policies, lacking systematic quantitative evaluation of their internal structure and overall quality. To fill this gap, this paper constructs an evaluation index system with 9 first level and 40 second-level variables based on the Policy Modeling Consistency (PMC) index model and conducts a quantitative empirical analysis on 15 representative national and local elderly care policies in China through binary scoring, PMC index calculation and three-dimensional surface chart visualization. The results show that the average PMC index of the sample policies is 0.6462, indicating an overall moderate level. The sample policies perform well in policy function, tools and content, while policy guarantee, time validity and administrative level are the key shortcomings. On this basis, this paper puts forward targeted optimization paths for China's elderly care policy system, providing quantitative empirical support for the improvement of elderly care service policies and a methodological reference for quantitative policy text analysis.

Host-Pathogen Interactions in Immunocompromised States: A Comparative Study of Veterinary and HIV/AIDS Microbiology

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The purpose of this study is to compare the host–pathogen interactions in immunocompromised conditions, particularly human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and veterinary lentiviral infections, such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). We adopted the Damage-Response Framework as the main paradigm to investigate immune vulnerabilities, evasion strategies of pathogens, clinical disease manifestation, and treatment approaches across species. Our review highlights a “mucosal catastrophe” with selective depletion of cluster of differentiation 4-positive T helper 17 and T helper 22 cells in gut-associated lymphoid tissue, resulting in gut barrier disruption, translocation of bacteria, and systemic chronic inflammation. Pathogens have sophisticated evasion strategies, including latent reservoir establishment, antigenic drift, restriction factor evasion, and immune checkpoint subversion. Zoonotic opportunistic pathogens (Cryptosporidium species, Toxoplasma gondii, Mycobacterium avium, Rhodococcus equi) are a serious concern for vulnerable human populations. The study is limited by the veterinary literature for non-lentiviral diseases and variable designs, which preclude quantitative meta-analysis. We conclude that veterinary models have been directly translated into human therapies, such as tenofovir and the feline immunodeficiency virus vaccine. Implications include integrated One Health surveillance networks, translational therapeutic studies, and the breakdown of academic silos between human and veterinary medicine to improve global public health and outcomes for immunocompromised hosts.

Assessing the Impact of Air Pollution and Cardiopulmonary Diseases through General Public Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice

Sat, 02 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Lahore, Pakistan, is one of the most polluted cities in the world, with annual PM2.5 levels almost 20 times the WHO-recommended limit. To our knowledge, no peer-reviewed knowledge, attitude, and practice study on air pollution and cardiopulmonary health has been done in Pakistan. This descriptive cross-sectional study set out to explore: knowledge of indoor and outdoor pollution sources; awareness of the cardio-pulmonary health impacts of air pollution; attitudes towards reducing exposure to air pollution; self-protective measures; and demographic factors associated with knowledge, attitude, and practices. Using convenience sampling, 604 people (16-60 years) were enrolled. A culturally adapted, validated, self-report questionnaire was applied; Statistical Package for the Social Sciences v27.0 was used for the chi-square test and Kruskal-Wallis’s test (p < 0.05). The mean age was 28.57 ± 10.35 years; 53.8% were female. The majority of people (77%) had good knowledge, and 92.5% had favorable attitudes towards reducing pollution. But only 59.4% of frequent cooks had adequate safety practices, and just 29.1% identified cooking as a considerable source of indoor pollution. Knowledge was significantly associated with gender (χ² = 27.01, p < 0.001), education (χ² = 125.42, p < 0.001), and occupation (χ² = 41.62, p < 0.001). Only education was a significant predictor of adequate practice (χ² = 9.41, p = 0.024). There was a significant knowledge-attitude-practice gap. Specific campaigns, environmental health promotion, and policy change are crucial. Longitudinal and multi-city studies are needed to build an equitable environmental health policy.

The Impact of Human Resource Practices on Employee Job Satisfaction in Pakistan’s Pharmaceutical Industry

Muhammad Adeel — Sun, 24 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigates the impact of human resource (HR) practices on employee job satisfaction in the pharmaceutical industry of Pakistan, which plays a significant role in the country's economy but frequently encounters issues, including low motivation and staff turnover. Despite the strategic importance of effective HR management, limited empirical evidence exists on how specific HR practices influence employee satisfaction within this industry in the Pakistani context. Addressing this gap, the present research examines the effects of four key HR practices, which include recruitment and selection, training and development, performance appraisal, and compensation and benefits, on the job satisfaction of employees. In this research, quantitative research is adopted where employees of particular pharmaceutical companies in Pakistan will be given a questionnaire. The collected data are analyzed using correlation and regression techniques to determine the strength and direction of relationships between HR practices and job satisfaction. The findings are expected to provide empirical insights that can help HR managers design more effective HR policies aimed at improving employee satisfaction, retention, and overall organizational performance. This study contributes to the existing literature by offering industry-specific evidence from a developing economy and highlighting the critical role of HR practices in enhancing workforce outcomes in the pharmaceutical sector.

Evaluating Patient-Centered Care in Tertiary Hospitals: Insights from the Picker Patient Experience Model

Bina Ashok Mavjee, Dr. Mirza Kashif Baig, Dr. Izhar Hussain — Sun, 24 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Patient-centered care has emerged as a critical determinant of healthcare quality and organizational performance in emerging economies such as Pakistan, where tertiary healthcare institutions face substantial operational, infrastructural, and resource constraints. This study aimed to investigate the influence of the Picker Patient Experience (PPE) Model dimensions on overall patient satisfaction, while examining the mediating role of perceived service quality in tertiary care hospitals in Karachi. A quantitative, cross-sectional, and non-experimental research design was employed. Sample size was 272. A structured questionnaire on a five-point Likert scale was used. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling was run to assess the hypothesized relationships among constructs. Findings indicate that coordination of care was negatively associated with overall patient satisfaction, although it was positively associated with perceived service quality. In contrast, emotional support, information and education, and physical comfort significantly and positively influenced both perceived service quality and overall patient satisfaction, with physical comfort emerging as the strongest predictor. Furthermore, perceived service quality exerted a significant positive effect on overall patient satisfaction, confirming its mediating role within the proposed framework. However, continuity and transition, involvement of family and friends, and respect for patient preferences did not produce statistically significant relationships with either perceived service quality or overall patient satisfaction. The findings provide valuable insights for healthcare managers and policymakers to enhance service delivery, optimize patient-centered care practices, and improve patient satisfaction outcomes in tertiary care settings.

Assessment of Stool Regulation Practices and Anxiety-Induced Bowel Changes that Lead to Hemorrhoids

Sun, 25 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Hemorrhoids are a common anorectal disease that may be caused by several physical, lifestyle, and behavioral factors. This research investigates whether there is an association between the severity of anxiety and the prevalence of hemorrhoids and identifies other lifestyle and behavioral factors that may influence the development of anorectal disease. The study was a cross-sectional study with 370 participants, using a questionnaire. The Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI) was used to assess anxiety. Spearman’s correlation and binary logistic regression tests were used to investigate the relationships and to determine factors associated with hemorrhoids. 58.1% of the subjects reported having hemorrhoids. The prevalence of the condition seemed to be greater in people with higher levels of anxiety: 44.2% of those in the low-anxiety group, 51.8% of those in the moderate group, and 64.6% of those in the high-anxiety group. But in the logistic regression analysis, when other variables were considered, anxiety was not a significant predictor of hemorrhoids (p = 0.101). Significant predictors included low water intake (OR = 2.100, p = 0.032), irregular fiber consumption (OR = 1.781, p = 0.029), and smoking (OR = 0.405, p < 0.001). The overall model was significant (p < 0.001) with a predictive accuracy of 69.4%. While increased levels of anxiety were descriptively associated with an increased prevalence of hemorrhoids, anxiety was not a predictor of hemorrhoids. Rather, lifestyle factors such as diet and sufficient fluid intake seem to play an important role. Thus, the focus of efforts to prevent hemorrhoids should be on modifiable lifestyle factors, such as diet and hydration status, as well as the need to maintain positive psychological health.

Prescription Pattern in Smog-Triggered Asthma in Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

Sun, 24 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In recent years, smog intensity has increased all over Pakistan, especially in the province of Punjab, causing severe health concerns in the public, especially in asthma patients. The Prescription pattern in this kind of smog-triggered asthma has not been studied yet. This study demonstrates the prescription pattern of medications as well as patients’ factors that are associated with asthma, influencing the prescription pattern. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the DHQ Bhakkar. A total of 211 patients (≥18 years) having smog-triggered asthma were included in the study. Categorical variables were observed by descriptive statistics as frequencies and percentages. The Pearson chi-square test was performed to assess the associations of important factors with medications prescribed, with a significance of p<0.005. Most prescribed medications were oral steroids (96.2%), followed by nebulized steroids (92.9%). A significant association of smoking was found with parenteral steroids (χ²=7.897, p=0.005), followed by theophylline (χ²=6.237, p=0.013), and magnesium (χ²=7.291, p=0.007). Similarly, male patients were prescribed oral steroids more frequently (p=0.028), anticholinergics (p=0.041), and magnesium (p=0.036) as compared to female patients. No significant association was found between age and prescription patterns. Smoking and gender are found to be major determinants in smog-triggered asthma prescriptions. The study emphasizes the need for proper prescription guidelines in smog-triggered asthma in Pakistan and across the world.