Despite being a high-income country with universal health insurance coverage, disparities persist for LGBTIQ + people's mental health, substance use, sexual health, and physical health in Switzerland. Less research attention and public health efforts have focused on their palliative and end-of-life care (PEOLC) needs. This scoping review's objective is to explore, describe, and map the evidence related to PEOLC contexts for LGBTIQ + people in Switzerland.

We conducted a scoping review in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews and adhered to PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Inclusion criteria were defined using the Population-Concept-Context framework. We systematically searched peer-reviewed and grey literature published in English, German, French, and Italian in databases including APA PsychInfo, CINAHL, Cochrane, Embase, Google Scholar, Medline Ovid ALL, ProQuest, Web of Science, and various Swiss institutional repositories. Screening and data extraction were facilitated using Covidence, with titles and abstracts independently reviewed by at least two authors. Extracted data were organized to identify themes regarding patients' (anticipated) PEOLC needs, social support networks, healthcare professional (HCP) competencies, and existing initiatives or policies in Switzerland.

Our search yielded 454 potential references, from which 35 were included after screening and eligibility assessments. The majority (n = 32, 91.4%) were grey literature sources, reflecting limited peer-reviewed empirical research. Nine references presented empirically collected data directly related to LGBTIQ + populations and their social support or HCP experiences in ageing, palliative, or end-of-life contexts. Findings highlighted significant health disparities, elevated chronic disease prevalence, and persistent fears of discrimination among ageing LGBTIQ + people, negatively impacting healthcare access and engagement. Social networks primarily composed of chosen families underscored vulnerabilities related to informal caregiving and decision-making in PEOLC contexts. HCPs were generally reported as lacking sufficient competencies and preparedness for providing culturally sensitive and inclusive care. Initiatives designed to promote awareness-building and inclusion remain fragmented, underscoring the need for coordinated efforts to address gaps in care provision for LGBTIQ + people in Switzerland.

A stronger empirical basis is needed to effectively respond to PEOLC needs for LGBTIQ + people in Switzerland. Collaborative research efforts will lay the groundwork to build trust and capacity between people, communities, and healthcare professionals.

Physical inactivity is a major public health concern worldwide. Psychological distress is linked to physical inactivity, which increases the risk of several diseases. Women tend to be more physically inactive than men. Moreover, physical inactivity increases with age in both sexes. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between psychological distress and physical inactivity in adults aged ≥ 65 years, the role of psychosocial factors and explore sex-based differences.

This study included 14,213 older adults, comprising 7,069 women (52%) (median age = 75 years), who responded to a survey questionnaire sent to a random population sample in Mid-Sweden in 2022. The response rate in the population aged ≥ 65 years was 61%. The association between psychological distress as defined by the Kessler-6 and physical inactivity (< 150 min/week of physical activity) was analyzed using binary logistic regression, adjusting for sex, age, country of birth, educational level, and psychosocial factors.

Overall, 30% of the participants reported psychological distress, and 45% were physically inactive. Psychological distress and physical inactivity were significantly associated (p < 0.001), being more common among women (p < 0.001). In the fully adjusted model, the Odds Ratio (OR) for physical inactivity was 1.46 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.43-1.50) for women and 1.70 (95% CI: 1.65-1.74) for men regarding moderate psychological distress and 2.87 (95% CI: 2.72-3.04) for women and 2.43 (95% CI: 2.28-2.58) for men regarding serious psychological distress. Not participating in social activities in the last 12 months was associated with physical inactivity in both women and men.

Psychological distress is significantly associated with physical inactivity among older adults. Participation in social activities was identified as an essential factor in addressing physical inactivity. Social connections and physical inactivity are important factors to consider when supporting older adults' mental health. Public health interventions should promote and raise awareness of physical and mental health as well as the social dimensions of aging, while also considering age and sex-based differences.

Menstrual disorders are common health concerns that can negatively impact psychological well-being. This study examined the mediating role of future anxiety in the relationship between various menstrual disorders and well-being.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 399 Taiwanese women aged 18-48 from June 2021 to May 2022. Participants reported their menstrual cycles during the last six months. Individuals suffer from menstrual disorders if they have one of the following symptoms: infrequency, irregularity, abnormal flow volume, intermenstrual bleeding, pain/cramps, premenstrual symptoms, and one or more missed menstrual periods. Anxiety was evaluated using the Dark Future Scale. Well-being was measured using the World Health Organization's Well-being Index.

Mediation analysis revealed that premenstrual symptoms were directly associated with well-being (coefficient (B) = -4.39, p = 0.018) and indirectly via future anxiety (B = -2.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) [-3.77, -0.86]). Additionally, the indirect effect of menstrual pains/cramps on well-being through future anxiety was significant, as the 95% CI did not include zero (B = -2.14, 95% CI [-3.81 to -0.71]). Intermenstrual bleeding between periods and abnormal light bleeding have indirect effects on well-being only via future anxiety (B = -1.84, 95% CI [-3.47, -0.41] and B = -1.58, 95% CI [-3.24, -0.06], respectively). However, for missed, infrequent, or irregular menstrual periods, future anxiety was not a significant mediator. We did not observe a significant relationship between heavy and well-being.

This study highlights that future anxiety partially mediates the link between premenstrual symptoms and well-being, suggesting both direct and indirect effects. Intermenstrual bleeding, abnormal light bleeding, and menstrual pains/cramps have no direct impact on well-being but influence well-being only through future anxiety. However, missed, infrequent, or heavy/prolonged bleeding or irregular menstrual periods showed no significant association with well-being.

Despite the availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART), nearly a quarter of people living with HIV (PLHIV) die within six months after hospital discharge due to complications from AIDS-related illnesses. Timely linkage to ART clinics after hospital discharge is crucial in reducing this mortality. We performed a systematic review to collate the available evidence on the strategies used to improve linkage to ART clinics after hospital discharge to inform future interventions.

We systematically searched PUBMED, web of science, google scholar, embase and cochrane central for randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental intervention trials conducted from January 2006 to December 2024, involving PLHIV aged 18 years and above in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs). Studies were included if they: (i) collected data in or after 2006, (ii) used randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-experimental prospective designs with a control group, (iii) reported at least one of several potential outcomes related to linkage to HIV ART clinics, and (iv) reported at least one strategy used to link PLHIV to HIV care after hospital discharge. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane "risk of bias" tool for RCTs and the ROBINS-I tool for non-randomized studies of interventions. We used a narrative synthesis of articles to describe the different strategies used to enhance linkage to HIV ART clinics after hospital discharge.

From the initial pool of 3003 articles, nine papers were independently reviewed and four (4) met the inclusion criteria. All the studies were conducted between 2011 and 2024 and comprised three RCTs and one quasi-experimental study. All the articles exhibited a low risk of bias. Strategies used to improve linkage to HIV care ART clinics included use of mobile phone appointment reminders, patient health education during hospitalization, multiple counseling sessions after hospital discharge, and the use of incentives such as food parcels.

Only few studies from LMICs have investigated strategies for linkage to ART clinics among PLHIV after hospital discharge. All the identified studies had more than one strategy applied. Further implementation research is recommended to explore context-specific strategies and strengthen the evidence base for improving linkage to ART clinics following hospital discharge.

The protocol for this review was prespecified and published in PROSPERO (registration number (CRD42018110036).

Bipolar II disorder (BD II) is a chronic and severe mental illness frequently misdiagnosed as major depressive disorder (MDD) due to symptom overlap and the absence of objective diagnostic tools. Consequently, establishing pathophysiological markers to differentiate BD II from MDD is critical.

A total of 180 patients were enrolled in the study and allocated to three groups: patients with unipolar depression (UD group; MDD currently experiencing a major depressive episode, n = 60), patients with bipolar II disorder during depressive episodes (BD II group; n = 60), and age- and sex- matched healthy controls (HC; n = 60). Sociodemographic data were collected, and all participants underwent psychological assessments using the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and 32-item Hypomania Checklist (HCL-32). Additionally, all participants passed auditory brain stem response (ABR) test and subsequently underwent event-related potential (ERP) examinations.

No significant differences were observed in demographic characteristics between the three groups, including age, sex, educational level, marital status, and socioeconomic status (all P > 0.05). Compared with HC, patients in both the UD and BD II groups showed significantly longer reaction time (HC: 254.4 ± 43.8 ms; UD: 297.7 ± 72.2 ms; BD II: 300.3 ± 70.0 ms; P = 0.028) and larger amplitude of P2-N2 complex (HC: 5.7 ± 4.4 μV; UD: 8.1 ± 4.8 μV; BD II: 8.6 ± 5.6 μV; P = 0.001) in P300 paradigm. The BD II group exhibited longer S2-P50 latency than the UD group (UD: 50.4 ± 11.1 ms vs. BD II: 63.2 ± 11.5 ms; P = 0.025). Additionally, the BD II group had prolonged N2 latency compared to HC (BD II: 216.2 ± 22.1 ms vs. HC: 205.2 ± 16.5 ms; P = 0.044).

This study may identify neurophysiological distinctions between BD II and UD depression, notably a prolonged S2-P50 latency in BD II.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that may develop following exposure to severe or life-threatening traumatic events. Despite ongoing insecurity in Somalia, data on PTSD among university students are limited. This study assessed the occurrence of probable PTSD and its associated factors among students at SIMAD University in Mogadishu.

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 343 students selected through stratified random sampling. PTSD symptoms were assessed using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), applying a cut-off score of 33 to identify probable PTSD. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with probable PTSD, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.

A total of 343 students participated (mean age 20.2 years; 48.1% female). Overall 34.4% of participants met the criteria for probable PTSD. Female students had significantly higher odds of probable PTSD (aOR = 5.36; 95% CI: 2.77-10.13; p < 0.001). Experiencing the death of a friend from a gunshot (aOR = 2.22; 95% CI: 1.13-4.38; p = 0.021) and being involved in a transportation accident (aOR = 2.30; 95% CI: 1.05-5.03; p = 0.037) were also independently associated with probable PTSD. No significant association was observed with social support.

Probable PTSD affected over one-third of surveyed students, underscoring the psychological burden of ongoing insecurity in Mogadishu. Female gender, interpersonal loss from gun violence, and transportation-related trauma emerged as key associated factors. These findings highlight the urgent need for trauma-informed, gender-sensitive mental health interventions in Somali university settings.

There are significant barriers to accessing assessments and supports for children with neurodevelopmental conditions and their families. This study examined the influence of elevated psychiatric symptoms in caregivers on delays to assessment and access to supports for their children and themselves.

This cross-sectional study from the Sydney Child Neurodevelopment Research Registry collected information about caregiver psychiatric symptoms, and access and barriers to supports. Participants were 187 children and their caregivers who presented to a tertiary diagnostic and assessment service.

Children of caregivers with elevated psychiatric symptoms had a one-year delay in accessing developmental assessment, compared to children of caregivers without elevated psychiatric symptoms. This was despite there being no significant difference in the age at which caregivers first detected a developmental delay in children. Caregivers with elevated psychiatric symptoms also reported greater perceived support needs for themselves and their child, and increased barriers to accessing these supports.

This study highlights a complex inter-relationship between caregiver mental health and access to supports and intervention services for children with neurodevelopmental conditions. Caregivers with elevated psychiatric symptoms report greater service needs for themselves and their child, as well as reporting more barriers when accessing these services. Results suggest elevated caregiver psychiatric symptoms provide a useful indicator for enhanced support pathways and specialised care.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12888-025-07403-0.

Depression is very common in older adults whose physical capacity systematically declines, making them increasingly unable to perform everyday activities. As a result, many are placed in care institutions. It is important to study both the quality of life and symptoms of depression in nursing homes, where strategies need to be effective and efficient. This cross-sectional study aims to assess the quality of life of older women receiving institutional care and its association with symptoms of depression in terms of socio-economic and demographic factors.

The research group consisted of 130 older female residents of care centres in Poland. Data regarding age, education, place of residence, marital status, number of children, and source of income were collected. The World Health Organization Quality of Life short questionnaire (WHOQoL-BREF) was used to assess quality of life. The Geriatric Depression Scale - Short Form (GDS-SF) was used to assess the intensity of depressive symptoms.

A total of 71.5% of the women who participated in this study reported a good general quality of life, and half of the participants rated their health as good. Furthermore, 72% of the women reported results indicating no signs of depression. The general quality of life, self-evaluation of health, and quality-of-life domains - except for the somatic domain - were significantly associated with depressive symptoms in the respondents.

The prevalence of depressive symptoms among older women in institutional care in south-western Poland is moderate. The intensity of these depressive symptoms lowers the overall quality of life of care centre residents, as well as their self-assessment of health, and affects their quality of life in the psychological, social, and environmental domains.

ISRCTN platform as 18,225,729 11/01/2021.

Monitoring and reducing restrictive practices in mental healthcare, including seclusion and restraint, is a global policy priority due to ethical concerns. However, research on these practices remains limited. This study aims to estimate the use of seclusion and mechanical restraint (MR) in mental healthcare at the national level in France, the variation in the use of these practices across hospitals, and associated factors considering a wide range of variables.

We used the French nationwide system for the routine collection of psychiatric hospital claims data, which includes a specific register on seclusion and MR, covering all hospitals providing involuntary psychiatric care for adults in France. Data from 204 hospitals were analyzed for the year 2022. Additional information on patient, hospital, and contextual characteristics was obtained by linking data from other national sources, including somatic hospital and community care claims, annual hospital surveys and census data. Using these combined datasets, we conducted multilevel logistic regressions to identify factors significantly associated with variations in the use of restrictive practices.

In 2022, among 98,271 involuntary psychiatric inpatient admissions across 204 hospitals, seclusion was used in 31,679 admissions (32%) and MR in 8,551 admissions (9%). Large variations in the use of restrictive practices were observed across hospitals, with some reporting no use of MR. Multilevel models showed that patient characteristics, including primary diagnosis and prisoner status, were among the strongest predictors of seclusion and MR use. Admissions to public hospitals with teaching activities or multidisciplinary services were associated with lower odds of seclusion, while a higher nurse-to-patient ratio and proportion of involuntary admissions were associated with lower odds of MR use. No contextual factors related to hospitals’ catchment areas were significantly associated with the use of restrictive practices.

Significant variations were found in the use of seclusion and MR across hospitals in France, which cannot be explained solely by patient needs. While patient characteristics were strong predictors, several hospital-level factors were also associated with these practices. These findings highlight the need for closer monitoring and targeted interventions to reduce unwarranted variations and raise concerns about equity and ethics in mental healthcare.

Not applicable.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12888-025-07404-z.

Depression and anxiety are leading mental health disorders (MHD) among adolescents. Adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) face distinct challenges such as stigma, social isolation, and psychosocial adversity, which compound their vulnerability to MHD. Despite its significance, data on MHD among ALHIV in Togo remains limited. This study aimed to provide the first national estimate of MHD prevalence and associated factors among ALHIV in Togo.

A national cross-sectional study was conducted from February to March 2025 across the six health regions of Togo. A stratified multistage random sampling approach was used to recruit ALHIV aged 10–19 years from 25 health facilities. Data collection involved validated psychosocial tools, including the PHQ-9 A for depression, GAD-7 for anxiety, and ULS-8 for loneliness. For prevalence estimation, depression was dichotomized into “Yes” (PHQ-9 score ≥ 10) and “No” (PHQ score < 10). For inferential analysis, depression was categorized into three levels: absent, moderate, and severe. Ordinal and binary logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with depression and MHD (“combined depression and anxiety”).

A total of 542 ALHIV (48.5% females) were included (median age: 15 years). The prevalence of depression among ALHIV was 24.5* with moderate depression observed in 19.9% and severe depression in 4.6%. Anxiety was less prominent, with 0.4% (95%CI: 0.04–1.34%) reporting moderate to severe symptoms. ALHIV experiencing loneliness (aOR: 1.13; 95%CI: 1.06–1.20), stigma (aOR: 4.21; 95%CI: 1.79–9.88), and having coexisting chronic diseases (aOR: 4.09; 95%CI: 1.50-11.16) were more likely to be depressed. Conversely, ALHIV from households earning more than twice the minimum interprofessional wage were significantly less likely to suffer from depression (aOR: 0.25; 95%CI: 0.07–0.91). The same associations were observed for MHD.

The study highlights a substantial mental health burden among ALHIV in Togo, with depression associated with loneliness, stigma, and comorbidities. Findings emphasize the integration of routine mental health screening into HIV care and tailoring stigma-reduction and economic-support strategies. These results form a critical foundation for national mental health programs addressing ALHIV in Togo.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12888-025-07488-7.