Background: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a prevalent urological condition among men, characterized by urinary difficulties, discomfort and diminished quality of life. Despite advances in medical intervention, inadequate self-care practices remain a significant challenge. Hence, the study assessed the self-care practices of patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) in three selected hospitals, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study among 251 patients was conducted in selected hospitals using the Self-care questionnaire. Data on self-care practices were obtained and analyzed using statistical tools. Results: Patients with BPH self-care practices involves lifestyle/dietary modifications (Mean=2.90, SD=0.80), physical activity and exercise (Mean=2.70, SD=0.87) and bladder training and fluid management (Mean=2.67, SD=0.86) and medication adherence/follow-up (Mean=3.08, SD=0.76), which were rated moderate. In the domain of Physical activity and exercise, Item 12 indicated mean score of 2.38 and standard deviation of 0.95 indicating a low-level level of self-care practice of exercises patients with BPH in the selected hospital. Conclusion: Most patients actively engage in self-management behavior such as adhering to medication schedules, modifying diet, maintaining personal hygiene, and attending follow-up appointments. Such a positive trend may be attributed to increased health awareness and education from healthcare professionals.

Surgical Site Infection (SSIs) remain a major cause of postoperative morbidity worldwide. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 167 surgical patients at Chattogram General Hospital, Bangladesh, from September to December 2016 to assess the prevalence and determinants of Surgical Site Infections (SSIs). Data were collected using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. The prevalence of SSIs was 17.0%. Significant host-related factors included age, education, Body Mass Index, glycemic status, nutritional status, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), and fever, while gender showed no significant association. Procedure-related factors such as prolonged hospital stay, duration of surgery, type of incision, cadre of surgeon, antibiotic use, presence of septic focus, and wound contamination were significantly associated with SSIs. However, type of operation and sutures materials were not associated. The findings highlight the multifactorial nature of SSIs and emphasized the need for strengthened infection prevention and control strategies in resource-limited settings.

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Background: Trust between doctors and patients is foundational to effective healthcare delivery. Communication behaviours of physicians have been identified as key antecedents of trust formation; however, empirical evidence from Indian healthcare contexts remains sparse. Objective: This study examines the impact of six physician communication strategies — active listening, empathetic communication, information disclosure, non-verbal cues, patient-centred communication, and shared decision-making — on doctor-patient trust and, consequently, on patient satisfaction in Indian outpatient settings. Methods: A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was employed. Quantitative data were collected from 320 adult outpatients across government and private hospitals in three Indian cities using validated scales (WFPTS, PSQ-18, physician communication scales). Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test the proposed conceptual model. Qualitative data were gathered through 26 semi-structured interviews analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: All six communication strategies significantly predicted doctor-patient trust (total R² = 0.61). Patient-centred communication (beta = 0.37) and empathetic communication (beta = 0.34) were the strongest predictors. Trust, in turn, strongly predicted patient satisfaction (beta = 0.69, p < .001). SEM confirmed model fit (CFI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.049). Qualitative findings identified five trust-shaping themes: listening as trust currency, emotional validation, transparency, cultural congruence, and systemic barriers. Conclusion: Communication strategies are robust predictors of trust and satisfaction in Indian clinical encounters. Healthcare institutions should invest in structured communication training, ensure cultural and linguistic responsiveness, and address systemic barriers — particularly consultation time constraints — to strengthen the therapeutic relationship.

Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability that greatly affects patients’ quality of life. Sociodemographic factors and psychological aspects, such as coping strategies and anxiety, are important determinants of quality of life among post-stroke patients. This study aimed to examine the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics, coping strategies, and anxiety levels with the quality of life of post-stroke patients. This study used a quantitative cross-sectional design. A total of 89 post-stroke patients were recruited through purposive sampling. Data were collected via questionnaires covering respondent characteristics, coping, anxiety levels, and quality of life. The data were analyzed using both bivariate and multivariate statistical tests. The results showed that age and education level were significantly linked to quality of life (p < 0.05), while gender, marital status, employment status, and duration of stroke were not significantly linked (p > 0.05). Coping and anxiety levels were significantly associated with quality of life (p < 0.001), with anxiety identified as the most influential factor. The quality of life for post-stroke patients is affected by both sociodemographic and psychological factors, especially coping mechanisms and anxiety. Nursing interventions should focus on a holistic approach by improving adaptive coping skills and managing anxiety to enhance patients’ quality of life.

Medical tourism has emerged as a rapidly growing segment of the global healthcare industry, with India becoming one of the leading destinations for international patients due to its cost-effective treatment, skilled healthcare professionals, advanced medical technology, and minimal waiting time. The changing healthcare paradigm, characterized by increased healthcare costs in developed countries and rising awareness of alternative treatment destinations, has significantly influenced the buying behaviour of international patients. The market has shown consistent growth, with millions of international patients visiting India annually for medical treatment, making it a major hub for medical tourism in Asia. This paper analyses the buying behaviour of international patients in India by examining key decision-making factors such as cost, quality of healthcare services, hospital accreditation, doctor expertise and availability of international patient services. The study also explores patient experience and satisfaction as crucial determinants of loyalty and repeat visits, as well as the challenges faced by medical tourists, including language barriers, cultural differences, and infrastructure issues. The research concludes that patient satisfaction and service quality are becoming the new competitive advantages in the medical tourism sector, shifting the focus from traditional healthcare delivery to patient-centred care and global healthcare marketing strategies.

This cross-sectional study investigates the multidimensional facets of ageing and wellness among older and elderly adults in urban slum settings, with an emphasis on epidemiology, risk factors, and the management of chronic diseases. A gender-balanced sample, predominantly from the early elderly age group (60-69 years) and those above that age group or more, revealed stark disparities in education, health awareness, and caregiving burdens, disproportionately impacting women. Family-centric living arrangements emerged as a cornerstone of well-being, fostering superior nutrition, medication adherence, and emotional support, while solitary living heightened risks of neglect, social isolation, and healthcare inaccessibility—exacerbated by socio-economic constraints. The cohort exhibited a high burden of non-communicable diseases, with hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and kidney disorders predominant, alongside sensory impairments, thyroid issues, and mental health challenges. Positively, most participants adhered to balanced diets and light physical activity like walking, bolstered by family involvement, though structured exercise and routine check-ups lagged. Findings underscore that healthy ageing hinges on integrated medical care, health literacy, socio-economic enablers, lifestyle behaviours, and familial support. Targeted interventions are imperative to bridge preventive care gaps, prioritize cardiovascular and renal disease management, and uplift vulnerable subgroups. By promoting accessible healthcare, physical activity, and supportive ecosystems, such strategies can enhance dignity, independence, and quality of life in ageing populations.