Breast and cervical cancers are among the most commonly diagnosed cancers in Ghana and impose substantial financial burden on households. Although diagnosis and treatment for these cancers are included in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) benefits package, stakeholders report limitations in the scope and implementation of coverage, leading to out-of-pocket payments and potential delays in care.

To characterise NHIS coverage for breast and cervical cancer care and to explore challenges affecting implementation from the perspectives of key stakeholders.

Qualitative exploratory study using semi-structured key informant interviews and a focused desk review of national guidelines and NHIS policy documents.

12 key informants were purposively sampled based on roles in cancer policy, financing or service delivery.

Although the NHIS officially lists coverage for consultation, diagnosis, radiotherapy and selected chemotherapy medications, participants reported that these benefits are not fully realised in practice. Respondents described persistent out-of-pocket payments for breast and cervical cancer services due to incomplete or delayed reimbursement of screening and diagnostic costs, limited inclusion of costly imaging procedures and the exclusion of some essential and innovative therapies, including immunotherapy. Delayed NHIS reimbursement was cited as a recurrent problem that constrains facility cash flow and contributes to co-payments at the point of care. Stakeholders also highlighted misalignment between NHIS reimbursement tariffs and actual service costs, which discourages some facilities from providing certain listed services and thereby limits patient access.

NHIS coverage for breast and cervical cancer care still contains significant gaps, particularly in preventive services and access to advanced therapies. Policy actions should focus on strengthening preventive coverage (including screening and human papillomavirus vaccination), aligning tariffs with service costs, ensuring timely reimbursements and updating the medicines list through transparent, evidence-informed review processes.

Within the Canadian context, we sought to examine the relationship between households with autistic children/youths and household income.

We used data from the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth (CHSCY) to analyse households with a child/youth aged 1–17. Propensity-score matching was used to pair records for children/youths with a reported autism diagnosis to those without. We used linear regression for continuous outcomes (eg, total household income) and Poisson regression for binary outcomes (eg, low household income). All analyses were adjusted for the correlation between matched pairs.

Total annual income of all household members.

Low household income; single-parent or single-income status; and whether at least one parent was not working or absent from work during the past week.

Among a total of 39 951 CHSCY records, we identified a cohort of 815 autistic children/youths. The characteristics of the matched cohort were well-balanced. Households with an autistic child/youth had a mean annual household income that was lower (mean difference: $C16 489; 95% CI $C6384 to $C27 149) compared with matched households without an autistic child/youth. Households with an autistic child/youth were also 26% more likely to be classified as having a low household income (Relative risk (RR)1.26; 95% CI1.17 to 1.35) and 20% more likely to rely on a single income (RR1.20; 95% CI 1.10 to 1.33) compared with households without an autistic child/youth.

Compared with households without an autistic child/youth, those with an autistic child/youth often face more economic challenges, including lower household income and greater risk of food insecurity. Households with an autistic child/youth are more likely to rely on a single income.

The prevalence of HIV in adolescents is a major global health concern, and research into the influence of HIV on mental health outcomes in this demographic is ongoing. We will conduct a comprehensive systematic review of common mental health outcomes in adolescents with HIV infection (aged 10–24 years). Recognising the specific psychosocial issues that adolescents living with HIV infection are confronted with, this review aims to integrate existing research on the prevalence, risk factors and protective factors related to both positive and negative mental health outcomes in this population.

The following electronic databases will be searched for publications from 1959 up to December 2025: PubMed, PsycINFO, Global Health, Embase, African Journals OnLine and African Index Medicus. The review will focus on both positive and negative mental health outcomes: positive outcomes include resilience, subjective happiness and post-traumatic growth, whereas the negative outcomes include depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorder and suicidality. Peer-reviewed primary observational studies that report prevalence rates for common mental health outcomes outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, and the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Edition, their associated factors, as well as barriers to and facilitators of use of mental health support services among this population, will be included in the review. Google Scholar and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global as well as Electronic Theses and Dissertations from Ghana, South Africa, Uganda and Kenya, will also be searched for grey literature. The review will be limited to publications in English or French. To assess the methodological rigour of the selected studies, the Joanna Briggs Critical Appraisal Tools will be used. The synthesis will include a narrative summary and, if applicable, a meta-analysis of quantitative data depending on the extent of heterogeneity observed in the included studies. Subgroup analyses will be conducted to investigate differences in mental health outcomes by age, sex and socioeconomic position, where applicable. This systematic review will be reported in accordance with the PRISMA statement.

This review will use secondary data and does not require ethical approval. The findings will be shared through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. The emphasis will be on translating research findings into practical mental health interventions and HIV-specific support services for adolescents.

CRD42024568512.