Coloniality has had a profound impact on native populations around the world. The paper explores how the colonial legacy preconditions a disproportionate burden of HIV/AIDS on disempowered groups such as women and gender diverse groups (lesbians, gay men, men who have sex with men, trans people and other identities).This paper aims to fill a gap in research into how coloniality of gender manifests within the context of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and shapes gendered inequalities in prevalence and incidence rates as well as prevention and treatment strategies.A scoping literature review was conducted applying a two-stage methodology: a search on Google Scholar using the keywords “HIV”, “gender” and “coloniality” for review articles published to date; and the PubMed database was searched. A critical thematic content analysis was the main method to identify key themes, comparing and contrasting them and contextualising them into a larger body of scholarship.The first stage of the search identified no systematic review papers into this area, which provides a strong justification for this research. At the second stage 14 papers satisfied the inclusion criteria (n=14). Most of the selected sources were empirical qualitative studies covering seven countries and two large regions Africa, while one paper provided a theoretical framework to conceptualise gender. The sources covered a 34-year date range, from 1989 till 2023.The analysis of the findings revealed the following broad interconnected themes: a) political economy of coloniality of gender; b) coloniality and women; c) coloniality and gender diversity; d) HIV/AIDS activism as a form of challenging coloniality of gender; e) sociocultural intersections between coloniality and gender; and f) neocoloniality of gender.This paper makes an important contribution to the field of global health research by filling the gap as being the first literature review into the intersectionality of coloniality and gender in the context of HIV/AIDS pandemic. The findings identify several broad themes along which forces of coloniality intersect with gender to produce entrenched inequalities. While there have been successes in challenging coloniality, it has shown resilience and flexibility and taken new forms and channels of oppression of marginalised groups by embracing globalisation.

The widespread use of smartphones has become an integral part of daily life among medical students, raising concerns about problematic use and its potential impact on health-related behaviours, including eating patterns. Intuitive eating, which emphasizes awareness of internal hunger and satiety cues rather than external influences, has gained attention as a positive approach to eating behaviour and overall well-being.The aim of this cross-sectional study is to assess smartphone addiction risk and intuitive eating behaviours among medical students and to investigate their association with sociodemographic characteristics.A total of 524 first-, second-, and third-year medical students were included in the study. Sociodemographic Data Form, Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short Form and Intuitive Eating Scale - 2 were applied to the participants face-to-face.Among all participants, 51,7% were found to be at risk of smartphone addiction. There was a negative correlation between Smartphone Addiction Scale score and Intuitive Eating Scale score. Participants with a chronic disease had a significantly higher risk of having smartphone addiction.In the present study, smartphone addiction was negatively correlated with intuitive eating behaviours, indicating that higher levels of problematic smartphone use are associated with lower intuitive eating scores among medical students. This finding is consistent with previous research demonstrating similar patterns in related contexts, suggesting that behavioural addictions can interfere with adaptive eating attitudes and behaviours.In conclusion, this study highlights a significant negative association between smartphone addiction and intuitive eating behaviours among medical students, emphasizing the potential impact of problematic smartphone use on healthy eating practices.

Contraception is defined by the WHO as ‘any method used to reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancy’. The testicular thermal contraception (TTC) method involves moving the testicles up into the groin area to warm them and pause spermatogenesis. In the context of cisgender heterosexual couples, the experiences, motivations and barriers of the partners of TTC users will be explored. A qualitative study was conducted in the form of individual interviews. The target population was adult women who wished to participate in this research project and who were or had been in a relationship with someone who used or had used CTT. The interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide, exploring the initiation of CTT and then the experience of daily use. An analysis from a phenomenological-pragmatic perspective was carried out. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted to achieve data saturation. The use of TTC was often motivated by dissatisfaction with available female contraceptives. This led to reflections on the couple's relationship and on the importance and trust placed in contraception. This approach was rooted in a broader commitment that went beyond simple birth control.The male contraception approach was part of a commitment that went beyond the individual. It could be seen as an act of collective reflection on established social norms. The relationship with healthcare professionals was very nuanced, ranging from fear of judgement to anger and regret at the lack of support and, in some cases, collaboration. It would be interesting to examine how general practitioners perceive and obtain information.This qualitative study explored the perceptions of partners of users of thermal contraception. It highlighted relational and identity issues that had not been widely identified until now. There also appeared to be a desire for couples to jointly develop their contraceptive approach. A comparative study of the experiences of women and men would be interesting in order to understand the different dynamics. This analysis invites healthcare professionals to look into testicular thermal contraception and consider working collaboratively with user associations to offer support and clear information about this still underdeveloped method.

A growing body of scientific studies demonstrates the beneficial impact of nature on health. However, the importance of nature, and particularly biodiversity, for food security, health, and climate preservation appears to be underrepresented in public discourse and is not sufficiently emphasized by healthcare professionals. Research has been conducted in xxx and xxx on patients' and general practitioners' perceptions and understanding of the surrounding biodiversity, its preservation, and the links to their own or patients’ health.- Assess individuals' understanding of biodiversity in their surroundings compared to objective measures (high-resolution maps). - Explore perceptions of the link between contact with biodiversity and health and well-being. - Examine the diversity of social practices regarding nature, influenced by personal circumstances. - Investigate the connection between social representations, living context, and current practices. - Develop arguments and communication strategies to raise awareness among the public, GPs, and policymakers about the links between biodiversity, health, and the need to preserve ecosystemsQualitative methods  -40-50 semi-structured interviews with patients in xxx and xxx -40-50 semi-structured interviews with GP in xxx and xxx -High-resolution biodiversity maps were used to compare individuals' perceptions with biodiversity data. -Focus groups with patients and GPs to identify strategies for improving communication about biodiversity's health benefits. All data are fully transcribed and analyzed using a comprehensive and thematic approach.Only partial results are available at this stage of the research (November 25). The available results show that: -Concepts of biodiversity, nature, and environment are not clearly distinguished by patients -Patients showed little awareness of biodiversity’s direct effects on physical health. However, they valued the role of nature contact in enhancing their mental health and overall well-beingFirst results show that patients are often willing to talk about their relationship with nature. They, however, have more difficulties with the concept and definition of biodiversity as described by biologists. Patients, also aware of the necessity to be more in contact with nature/biodiversity, the expected benefits remain vagueIt seems important to better characterize the biodiversity-health nexus in the context of clinical care, in order to define tools and strategies for daily primary care practices.

Globally, people have more options, contributing to the rise of medical tourism. Three types of medical tourism are discussed: Inbound, outbound and the emerging diasporic medical tourism.Turkey welcomed about 1.5 million international health visitors in 2024 (USHAS), generating $3 billion. The global medical tourism market in 2024 was estimated to be $31 billion and it is predicted that by 2030 this will have increased to $87 billion. Popular causes for medical tourism include dental procedures, cosmetic procedures, bariatric surgery, orthopaedic surgery, IVF and ophthalmology. Other popular destinations include the UAE, India, South Korea, Thailand, Spain and Brazil.Research has shown patients will travel for faster access, many combining holidays with a medical procedure. However, quality and accreditation are critical. Differences in local culture or language may lead to suboptimal care and follow-up.. On return, complications put an extra burden on the home healthcare service. Inbound medical tourists stress local healthcare systems, increasing prices for residents. Consultant goals, fertility rules, data protection and malpractice legislation vary by country, leading to ethical and legal differences between countries.This presentation aims to discuss the future implications of medical tourism on primary care across the World/Europe, and how technology will expand cross-border care, lead to increasing global competition for patients and possibly the development of specialist hubs in different countries. Medical tourism also highlights health inequalities between those able to afford treatments abroad.Medical tourism is a rapidly growing field. In the future, insurance providers may start covering treatments abroad. Stronger international standards and regulations will be needed. At this time, medical tourism highlights the need for domestic reform in medical treatment with investment in waiting time reduction, specialist care and price transparency. Countries with high numbers of inbound medical tourists must balance economic benefits with protecting access for their own citizens.

Child sexual violence represents a severe public health problem and a profound violation of human rights, with lasting physical, emotional, and social consequences. In XXX, vulnerable children often face neglect, domestic violence, and abuse. Schools, as spaces of daily coexistence, are essential for protection and early identification of such situations. This project emerged from a university extension initiative aiming to strengthen child protection through health education.The intervention took place at a state school and involved 30 elementary school children, teachers, and six medical students from XXX. Using active learning and playful strategies, activities such as the “Touch Traffic Light” dynamic and the educational song “in this and in that” addressed body boundaries, self-respect, and communication of discomfort. Preparation included meetings with teachers to adapt language and methods, ensuring cultural sensitivity and emotional safety. The experience was evaluated qualitatively through observations and participant feedback. Strengths included strong engagement and reinforcement of the school’s protective role; limitations were time constraints and the need for ongoing teacher training.The initiative proved that simple, low-cost, and interactive approaches can effectively promote body awareness and empower children to recognize and report unsafe situations. Teachers expressed greater confidence to discuss sensitive topics, highlighting the need for continuous professional development. Future projects should expand duration, include parents or guardians, and integrate with local health and social-protection services.The project strengthened collaboration between the university and the community, linking theory and practice in medical education. It emphasized the school’s role as a protective environment and the value of health education as a preventive tool against violence.Educational, playful strategies are effective for promoting self-care and preventing child sexual violence. The project reinforced the relevance of university extension activities in health promotion, humanistic training, and social transformation.

There is growing evidence of the harms caused by the mass production and consumption of animal products and the benefits of plant-based diets – ethically, environmentally, and for human health. While human and planetary health are increasingly viewed as interconnected, the healthcare system remains largely anthropocentric and disengaged from sustainability goals. Given its influential role, the healthcare system can either support or hinder the acceptance of plant-based diets as part of addressing ecological and public health crises.The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and expectations of vegan parents in their interactions with primary care providers (PCP).Qualitative research based on semi-structured individual interviews was chosen to explore this topic. A snowball method was used to recruit the participants. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Software Nvivo (Lumivero, 2023) was used to analyse the data.Semi-structure interviews with 25 vegan parents in Estonia were conducted. Most participants were ethnic Estonians living in Estonia. The average length of the interviews was 76 minutes. Three larger themes were identified: 1) Notifying the PCP about the family’s/children’s veganism; 2) Experiences with PCP reactions after disclosing veganism and 3) Expectations of vegan parents in relation to PCPs.Our findings indicate that while some parents reported neutral or supportive experiences, negative and unsupportive interactions with PCPs were more typical. Fear of stigma led some to avoid disclosing their family’s veganism altogether. These findings highlight important concerns about the quality and equity of healthcare, patient autonomy, and the healthcare system’s potential role in supporting and promoting plant-based diets and sustainable food practices more broadly.As powerful institutional authorities, the healthcare system and its key actors, such as PCPs, can and should support moving towards more sustainable and ethical food and health futures.