Objective: To evaluate the global, regional, and national burden and determinants of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs) among children and adolescents from 1990 to 2021.

Methods: We analysed ARI mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), stratified by age, sex, and economic development level based on data retrieved from the Global Burden of Disease study 2021. Decomposition and frontier analyses were employed to identify key drivers of burden variation and visualize potential reductions based on development levels.

Results: Between 1990 and 2021, the global burden of ARIs showed a significant decline in both achievable age-standardized DALYs rate and age-standardized mortality rates (EAPC= –3.87 and –3.81, respectively). Different age groups and sex witnessed different levels of ARI burden, males experienced heavier burden than females and the 0-4 years-old group experienced heavier burden than other study age groups. Most of the 204 countries and territories experienced a downward trend of ARI burden, with slight increases observed only in Lesotho and Dominica. A negative correlation was found between the Socio-demographic Index and ARI burden. Decomposition analysis indicated that the significant decreases in deaths and DALYs were primarily driven by epidemiological changes.

Conclusions: The global burden of ARIs among children and adolescents has declined over the past three decades, but substantial regional disparities persist. Targeted public health strategies are needed to address the continued ARI burden in high-risk regions and vulnerable age groups.

Objective: To assess the knowledge and attitudes of the general population regarding hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, their association with sociodemographic factors, and the community’s willingness to pay for hepatitis B vaccination.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 1 098 adults who were recruited via nonprobability convenience sampling. Descriptive analysis was conducted to calculate the frequencies and percentages of the categorical variables. A Chi-square test was carried out to explore the association between the independent and categorical dependent variables.

Results: A total of 926 complete questionnaires were returned and included in the analysis. Among the participants, 524 (56.6%) exhibited good knowledge about HBV infection and vaccination, while 651 (70.3%) showed positive attitudes toward the issues of interest. The factors associated with knowledge and attitudes were household incomes, health insurance, family history of HBV infection, vaccination intention, reasons for nonvaccination, sources of HBV information, and awareness of immunization programs and vaccination sites.

Conclusions: Although most participants had limited knowledge of HBV symptoms and transmission, their attitudes toward vaccination remained positive. Targeted national strategies and intervention initiatives are needed since public awareness and attitudes toward the condition greatly impact intervention success.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy in patients diagnosed with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) disease.

Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted on hospitalized patients with confirmed severe CCHF at a tertiary care hospital in Turkey between 2010 and 2022. Cases were categorized into two groups based on whether they received IVIg therapy, with the treatment plan determined by the primary healthcare provider. The clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory parameters of these patients were evaluated. Demographic, laboratory findings, platelet counts on the day of IVIg indication and the third day, bleeding status during follow-up beyond 24 hours after IVIg administration, and prognosis recorded in patient information forms were retrieved.

Results: 72 patients were included in the analysis, with IVIg administered to 42 cases (58.3%) and not given to 30 cases (41.7%). Among the patients, 37 (51.4%) were female. Fever (65.3%) was the most common clinical presentation. The overall mortality rate was 19.4%, and IVIg administration did not significantly impact overall survival outcomes (P=0.48). On Day 3 following IVIg administration or indication, the platelet count was higher in the IVIg-treated group compared to the non-treated group (P=0.02). Furthermore, during follow-up beyond 24 hours after IVIg administration, bleeding was observed in 19.0% of the IVIg-treated group, compared to 46.6% in the non-treated group (P=0.01).

Conclusions: This study underscores the potential advantages of IVIg therapy in managing severe CCHF. Although IVIg administration did not significantly affect overall survival, it was associated with earlier improvement in platelet counts and a notable reduction in bleeding complications. These findings indicate that IVIg may serve as an adjunctive treatment in CCHF, particularly for addressing hemorrhagic manifestations.

Objective: To analyze factors affecting the utilization of human immunodeficiency virus counseling and testing (HCT) service among human immunodeficiency virus risk groups at Hessa Air Genting Health Center, Asahan Regency, North Sumatera, Indonesia.

Methods: This quantitative unmatched case-control study was conducted from April 2024 to April 2025 at Hessa Air Genting Health Center, Asahan Regency, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia. Female sex workers and men who have sex with men were selected using purposive sampling based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were collected via questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 18.0, with univariate analysis, bivariate analysis (Chi-square test), and multivariate analysis (logistic regression analysis).

Results: Comprehensive analysis of 75 cases and 75 controls was conducted to identify factors affecting the utilization of HCT services. Specifically, this study identified significant effects of knowledge (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.5-7.0, P=0.003), perception (OR 5.6, 95% CI 2.5-12.5, P<0.001), information media (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.4-6.8, P=0.005), and health workers encouragement (OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.5-10.4, P=0.005). In contrast, access to health services did not have a significant effect.

Conclusions: Knowledge, perception, information media, and health worker encouragement had significant effects on HCT service utilization, with perception identified as the dominant factor. To improve utilization, strengthening positive perceptions, targeted training for healthcare workers, strengthened partnerships with local non-governmental organizations, and the use of social media for health promotion are recommended.