International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

There is sustained research interest examining what constitutes positive and effective professional experience placements. However, few studies have investigated the financial costs of placements for health profession students. This study bridges the research gap by analysing the financial impacts of placements reported by nursing students in 2018/2019. The study analyses feedback from nursing students at the University of Tasmania, using a comparative lens analysing the costs for urban and rural placements (in this paper the term ‘rural’ includes regional, rural, remote and very remote). The results indicate students undertaking rural placements in Tasmania may be better supported than students with urban placements. This finding may be a result of the package of support provided by UTAS for its pre-registration nursing students when undertaking placements in rural locations.

Background: Nigeria faces a severe child malnutrition crisis, with approximately 1 million severe cases reported for 2025. This burden positions Nigeria among the top countries globally for stunting and wasting in under-fives, exacerbated by factors like food insecurity, flooding, and conflict—particularly in the northern part. This study investigated the development and assessment of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) produced from locally sourced ingredients in Kano State, Nigeria, targeting child malnutrition. Methods: Three distinct RUTF formulations were prepared using rice, wheat, groundnut, and soybean, with raw materials purchased from local markets and processed into blends. Proximate, vitamin (A, C, and E), and mineral (zinc, iron, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sodium) compositions were measured following the Association of Official Analytical Chemists’ (AOAC) standard procedures. Sensory evaluation using a 9-point hedonic scale assessed taste, aroma, flavour, appearance, and overall acceptability. Results: Notable variations were observed among the samples. Blend A exhibited the highest energy (563.08 kcal/100 g), carbohydrate (46.57%), fat (35.84%), and vitamin E (9.29 mg/100 g) content. Blend B was highest in protein (16.71%), iron (2.40 mg/100 g), calcium (21.05 mg/100 g), and vitamin A (15.89 µM). Blend C contained the most potassium (61.65 mg/100 g) and vitamin C (11.70 mg/100 g), with moderate levels of other nutrients. Sensory ratings showed no significant (p < 0.05) differences among the parameters. Conclusions: The nutrient composition and acceptability of RUTF blends suggest that affordable, effective dietary solutions can be produced using local crops. These findings support the potential for locally formulated RUTFs to contribute to reducing child malnutrition in low-resource settings with further enhancements.

The present study aimed to examine the temporal dynamics of tuberculosis incidence, mortality, and TB–HIV coinfection in the First Health Region of Alagoas from 2001 to 2022, with particular attention to sex-specific differences. The analysis revealed pronounced divergences between men and women. The male series exhibited significant positive autocorrelation and high interannual variability, indicating strong temporal dependence and heightened sensitivity to external disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The female series displayed a more regular pattern without autocorrelation. Although both sexes showed declining incidence, only the reduction among women reached statistical significance; the male trend remained unstable and inconclusive. Disease burden was consistently higher among men, who accounted for most cases and maintained incidence levels above elimination targets. TB–HIV coinfection increased in both sexes, with a sharper rise among men and a statistically significant upward trend among women, accompanied by a structural shift in 2010. Additional change points in 2014 and 2018 are likely to reflect alterations in surveillance or broader public health events. The weak performance of linear models underscores the role of persistent social determinants and inequities in healthcare access. Overall, the findings demonstrate that tuberculosis remains a major public health concern and that differentiated strategies by sex are essential for effective prevention and care.