Are Hidden Chemicals Threatening Our Health? A Look at the African Experience Every day, we come into contact with chemicals—from the plastic containers we use, to the cosmetics we apply, and even the food we eat. But did you know some of these everyday products contain substances that could interfere …

The role of sources in contraceptive knowledge and use in Eastern Europe What is the problem? Family planning – the ability to decide if and when to have children by using effective methods of contraception – is a human right. Yet today, 250 million women between 15 and 49 years …

Young children and screen time: it is more complex than you think This thesis explores the relationship between children and screen time from a different angle. It does not simple label screen time as harmful or as the result of poor habits. Instead, it shows how children’s screen use emerges …

Every year, hundreds of thousands of women die from cervical cancer, even though it is one of the most preventable cancers. Why? In many low- and middle-income countries, women face barriers such as limited access to healthcare, long travel distances, time constraints, and lack of awareness. As a result, many …

LONELY IN A NEW LAND? NATURE MIGHT BE THE ANSWER Moving to a new country is exciting—but for many older migrants, it also brings loneliness and social isolation. Leaving behind familiar neighborhoods, friends, and family networks makes everyday life feel disconnected. Nature-based interventions (NBIs)—like group walks in parks, community gardening, …

This dissertation explores a critically underexamined area in reproductive health: the role of male partners in abortion decision-making. While abortion related discussions typically revolve around the rights of the pregnant person and the fetus, they often overlook the complex ways in which male partners can both influence and be influenced …

POPULARIZING SUMMARY Thighbone (femur) fractures are frequently the result of road traffic accidents or other accidents involving great heights and/or speed in young people. The usual way of treating these fractures is by inserting an intramedullary nail into the marrow space of the femur. This way, a connection is made …

Social outreach This research focuses on the HIV-1 reservoirs in the central nervous system (CNS) and how various cell types contribute to viral persistence. The etiological agent of AIDS, HIV-1, can be latent within host cells, including CD4+ T lymphocytes, microglia, macrophages, pericytes, and astrocytes. These cells can maintain the …

Giardiasis is an intestinal infection caused by a microscopic parasite called Giardia lamblia that affects millions of people worldwide. This infection causes diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and fatigue. In children, untreated giardiasis can lead to malnutrition, growth delays, and developmental problems, making accurate diagnosis essential for proper treatment. Detecting giardiasis …

Jaarlijks krijgen ongeveer 2.500 Belgen te horen dat ze pancreas-, galweg- of galblaaskanker hebben. Voor de meeste van deze patiënten is een operatie helaas geen optie. De tumor is te uitgebreid of hun conditie laat het niet toe. Dan rijst onvermijdelijk de vraag: kan bestraling een alternatief bieden? Wat dit …