Pub Date : 2024-04-07DOI: 10.1186/s41182-024-00593-5
Priscilla Atsu, Aliu Mohammed, C. Adu, R. Aboagye, B. Ahinkorah, A. Seidu
{"title":"Residence-based inequalities in overweight/obesity in sub-Saharan Africa: a multivariate non-linear decomposition analysis","authors":"Priscilla Atsu, Aliu Mohammed, C. Adu, R. Aboagye, B. Ahinkorah, A. Seidu","doi":"10.1186/s41182-024-00593-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-024-00593-5","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140732800","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-04-01DOI: 10.1186/s41182-024-00594-4
Babayemi O Olakunde, Ijeoma M Ifeorah, Daniel A Adeyinka, Olubunmi A Olakunde, Temitayo Ogundipe, John O Olawepo, Echezona E Ezeanolue
Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Africa is mostly acquired before the age of 5 years through vertical or horizontal routes. While all the countries in the World Health Organization African region have introduced HBV vaccination into their national immunization programs, the rate of protective immune response to HBV vaccine among children in Africa has not been systematically synthesized. In this study, we estimated the HBV vaccine seroprotection rate (defined as anti-HBs titer ≥ 10 IU/L) and the associated factors among under-five children who completed a primary series of HBV vaccination in Africa.
Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Web Science, and Scopus databases from inception to May 2022 for potentially eligible studies. The pooled seroprotection rate was estimated using a random-effects model with Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation and the associated factors were examined using odds ratio estimated by the DerSimonian and Laird method.
Results: From the 1063 records identified, 29 studies with a total sample size of 9167 under-five children were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled seroprotection rate was 89.23% (95% CI 85.68-92.33%, I2 = 95.96%, p < 0.001). In the subgroup analyses, there was a significant difference in the rate by the assay method, vaccine dose, and vaccine combination. HIV-positive children had lower odds of achieving seroprotection when compared with HIV-negative children (OR = 0.22, 95%CI 0.12-0.40).
Conclusions: The majority of under-five children in Africa achieved seroprotection after completing three or four doses of HBV vaccine. However, the rate was lower among children living with HIV. This calls for interventions to timely identify and address nonresponse to HBV vaccine, particularly among immunosuppressed children.
{"title":"Immune response to hepatitis B vaccine among children under 5 years in Africa: a meta-analysis.","authors":"Babayemi O Olakunde, Ijeoma M Ifeorah, Daniel A Adeyinka, Olubunmi A Olakunde, Temitayo Ogundipe, John O Olawepo, Echezona E Ezeanolue","doi":"10.1186/s41182-024-00594-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41182-024-00594-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Africa is mostly acquired before the age of 5 years through vertical or horizontal routes. While all the countries in the World Health Organization African region have introduced HBV vaccination into their national immunization programs, the rate of protective immune response to HBV vaccine among children in Africa has not been systematically synthesized. In this study, we estimated the HBV vaccine seroprotection rate (defined as anti-HBs titer ≥ 10 IU/L) and the associated factors among under-five children who completed a primary series of HBV vaccination in Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We systematically searched PubMed, Web Science, and Scopus databases from inception to May 2022 for potentially eligible studies. The pooled seroprotection rate was estimated using a random-effects model with Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation and the associated factors were examined using odds ratio estimated by the DerSimonian and Laird method.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>From the 1063 records identified, 29 studies with a total sample size of 9167 under-five children were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled seroprotection rate was 89.23% (95% CI 85.68-92.33%, I<sup>2</sup> = 95.96%, p < 0.001). In the subgroup analyses, there was a significant difference in the rate by the assay method, vaccine dose, and vaccine combination. HIV-positive children had lower odds of achieving seroprotection when compared with HIV-negative children (OR = 0.22, 95%CI 0.12-0.40).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The majority of under-five children in Africa achieved seroprotection after completing three or four doses of HBV vaccine. However, the rate was lower among children living with HIV. This calls for interventions to timely identify and address nonresponse to HBV vaccine, particularly among immunosuppressed children.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10983738/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140336918","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-03-29DOI: 10.1186/s41182-024-00590-8
Fumiko Shibuya, Margaret Hattori-Uchima, Paul Dacanay, Florence Peter, Tarmau Terry Ngirmang, Rudelyn Dacanay, Rie Takeuchi, Calvin de Los Reyes, Jun Kobayashi
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic caused school closures and rises in mental illness and non-communicable disease among school children worldwide. The Pacific Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) were also affected, but school health activities, which can effectively reduce negative effects of COVID-19, were not widely implemented compared to other Asia-Pacific countries. This study examined current school health implementation and related policies at national, local, and school levels in the Micronesia SIDS according to phases of COVID-19 control.
Methods: Multi-country case study targeted the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), and Republic of Palau (ROP). These studies focused on school health implementation periods according to the PPR (Prevention, Preparedness, and Response) concept: Phase #1: prevention/preparedness, #2: early phase response, and #3: chronic phase response/recovery phase. Data were collected through policy document reviews that identified school health policies related to COVID-19 controls in the three phases and key informant interviews (KIIs) with 44 key informants (FSM, n = 14; RMI, n = 18; ROP, n = 12) whose work related to school health. The collected data were analyzed using content analysis methods according to the conceptual framework in this study.
Results: This study identified three factors of school health implementation related to COVID-19 controls: promotion of decentralized education (FSM), implementation of COVID-19 controls in the school community (RMI), and disaster management for the protection of students including response to infectious disease (ROP). In Phase #1, no country had established a school health policy. In Phase #2, three enablers were identified in FSM and ROP, as reflected in COVID-19 controls by the education and health sectors. In Phase #3, RMI implemented COVID-19 controls in the school community. Documents on youth policy and disaster management in ROP were updated to reflect the chronic phase response and response to future public health crises.
Conclusions: A decentralized education was instrumental in immediately implementing COVID-19 control measures in schools at national and local levels for coordination between education and health sectors. Despite each county's multi-sectoral approach to engage COVID-19 controls in schools, local government organization requires strengthening and implementation of the formulated school health policy. In preparation for the next public health crisis, school health should be promoted that is integrated into both infection control and disaster management.
{"title":"Multi-country case study on school health policy and its implementation in relation to COVID-19 control in Micronesia Small Islands Developing States.","authors":"Fumiko Shibuya, Margaret Hattori-Uchima, Paul Dacanay, Florence Peter, Tarmau Terry Ngirmang, Rudelyn Dacanay, Rie Takeuchi, Calvin de Los Reyes, Jun Kobayashi","doi":"10.1186/s41182-024-00590-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41182-024-00590-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The COVID-19 pandemic caused school closures and rises in mental illness and non-communicable disease among school children worldwide. The Pacific Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) were also affected, but school health activities, which can effectively reduce negative effects of COVID-19, were not widely implemented compared to other Asia-Pacific countries. This study examined current school health implementation and related policies at national, local, and school levels in the Micronesia SIDS according to phases of COVID-19 control.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Multi-country case study targeted the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), and Republic of Palau (ROP). These studies focused on school health implementation periods according to the PPR (Prevention, Preparedness, and Response) concept: Phase #1: prevention/preparedness, #2: early phase response, and #3: chronic phase response/recovery phase. Data were collected through policy document reviews that identified school health policies related to COVID-19 controls in the three phases and key informant interviews (KIIs) with 44 key informants (FSM, n = 14; RMI, n = 18; ROP, n = 12) whose work related to school health. The collected data were analyzed using content analysis methods according to the conceptual framework in this study.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This study identified three factors of school health implementation related to COVID-19 controls: promotion of decentralized education (FSM), implementation of COVID-19 controls in the school community (RMI), and disaster management for the protection of students including response to infectious disease (ROP). In Phase #1, no country had established a school health policy. In Phase #2, three enablers were identified in FSM and ROP, as reflected in COVID-19 controls by the education and health sectors. In Phase #3, RMI implemented COVID-19 controls in the school community. Documents on youth policy and disaster management in ROP were updated to reflect the chronic phase response and response to future public health crises.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>A decentralized education was instrumental in immediately implementing COVID-19 control measures in schools at national and local levels for coordination between education and health sectors. Despite each county's multi-sectoral approach to engage COVID-19 controls in schools, local government organization requires strengthening and implementation of the formulated school health policy. In preparation for the next public health crisis, school health should be promoted that is integrated into both infection control and disaster management.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-03-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10979614/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140327200","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-03-18DOI: 10.1186/s41182-024-00592-6
Thant Zin Tun, Su Myat Han, Kazuhiko Moji, Mitsuaki Matsui
Background: Stroke is a leading cause of death in the world, and the burden of stroke is higher in low- and middle-income countries. Understanding the risk factors, complications, and outcomes of stroke are useful for healthcare planning and resource allocation. Little information on stroke is available for many low- and middle-income Asian countries; including Myanmar, which is the focus of this study.
Methods: A review was conducted of medical records for stroke admissions during 2017 in a tertiary hospital in Myanmar. The final diagnoses, risk factors, clinical features, complications, and outcomes were systematically collected from computer- and paper-based medical records.
Results: Of 908 cases analysed, haemorrhagic stroke was the most common type (49%), followed by ischaemic stroke (43%). Unimproved cases were 32%. Identified risk factors of unimproved cases were 'haemorrhagic stroke' [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.73], 'having fever during hospitalization' [aOR: 2.49], 'Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) at the admission between 9 and 14' [aOR: 4.33], and GCS less than 9 [aOR: 42.86].
Conclusion: This study is based on hospital medical records to assess stroke types, risk factors, clinical features, and outcomes in a tertiary hospital, in Nay Pyi Daw, Myanmar. The findings indicated that early case admission, improved hospital care management, and increased awareness of the modifiable risk factors within populations are crucial for preventing stroke incidents.
{"title":"A descriptive study of stroke types, risk factors, clinical features, and outcomes in a tertiary hospital in Myanmar.","authors":"Thant Zin Tun, Su Myat Han, Kazuhiko Moji, Mitsuaki Matsui","doi":"10.1186/s41182-024-00592-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41182-024-00592-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Stroke is a leading cause of death in the world, and the burden of stroke is higher in low- and middle-income countries. Understanding the risk factors, complications, and outcomes of stroke are useful for healthcare planning and resource allocation. Little information on stroke is available for many low- and middle-income Asian countries; including Myanmar, which is the focus of this study.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A review was conducted of medical records for stroke admissions during 2017 in a tertiary hospital in Myanmar. The final diagnoses, risk factors, clinical features, complications, and outcomes were systematically collected from computer- and paper-based medical records.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 908 cases analysed, haemorrhagic stroke was the most common type (49%), followed by ischaemic stroke (43%). Unimproved cases were 32%. Identified risk factors of unimproved cases were 'haemorrhagic stroke' [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.73], 'having fever during hospitalization' [aOR: 2.49], 'Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) at the admission between 9 and 14' [aOR: 4.33], and GCS less than 9 [aOR: 42.86].</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study is based on hospital medical records to assess stroke types, risk factors, clinical features, and outcomes in a tertiary hospital, in Nay Pyi Daw, Myanmar. The findings indicated that early case admission, improved hospital care management, and increased awareness of the modifiable risk factors within populations are crucial for preventing stroke incidents.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10946113/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140159125","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-03-15DOI: 10.1186/s41182-024-00591-7
Ernesto R Gregorio, Rie Takeuchi, Paul Michael R Hernandez, John Robert Medina, Shin-Ya Kawamura, Mikaela B Salanguit, Marian Danille C Santillan, Kimberly Mae S Ramos, Gideon John Tuliao, Lyndon Morales, Maylin Palatino, Fumiko Shibuya, Jun Kobayashi
Background: Dengue has become a major health issue in tropical regions as the numbers of reported cases and estimated infections continuously increase. In the Philippines, many challenges remain in preventing and controlling the disease amidst all the mitigation efforts of the government. This study sought to measure the health literacy of Filipino teachers and determine the associations among teachers' knowledge, attitudes, and selected practices (KAP) against dengue.
Methods: Elementary and secondary school teachers from the consistently declared dengue hotspots in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines, from the years 2017 to 2019 were selected as target participants in this cross-sectional study. A self-administered online survey tool was used in this study for both screening of participants and the KAP survey proper. STATA, descriptive statistics, and multiple logistic regression were used for the data analysis. Odds Ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported.
Results: The study comprised 604 participants whose mean age was 38.4 years. Television was determined as the top media source of information, and various health staff were the most trusted and common source of information. Good knowledge on dengue treatment (OR = 1.81; 95% CI 1.18-2.78) and dengue prevention (OR = 1.85; 95% CI 1.26-2.71) were positively associated with having good practices on protection against mosquito bites. Good knowledge on dengue signs and symptoms (OR = 1.56; 95% CI 1.02-2.37) and dengue prevention (OR = 2.38; 95% CI 1.59-3.58) were positively associated with having good practices on preventing breeding sites. Those with positive perceived susceptibility to dengue had lower odds of having good practices on protection against mosquito bites (OR = 0.64; 95% CI 0.41-0.99) and of having good practices on preventing breeding sites (OR = 0.46; 95% CI 0.26-0.81).
Conclusion: Even with the existing dengue policies, programs, and strategies, and the high disease literacy rate of Filipinos, dengue remains a struggle with an increasing case rate. Therefore, specific concepts should be emphasized, and interventions should be fine-tuned to better reach and influence the target population to attain a dengue-free Philippines.
背景:随着报告病例和估计感染人数的不断增加,登革热已成为热带地区的一个主要健康问题。在菲律宾,尽管政府采取了各种缓解措施,但在预防和控制登革热方面仍然存在许多挑战。本研究旨在衡量菲律宾教师的健康素养,并确定教师对登革热的知识、态度和选定做法(KAP)之间的关联:本横断面研究选取了菲律宾邦板牙省圣费尔南多市 2017 年至 2019 年持续公布的登革热热点地区的中小学教师作为研究对象。本研究采用自填式在线调查工具,用于筛选参与者和进行适当的 KAP 调查。数据分析使用了 STATA、描述性统计和多元逻辑回归。结果显示,604 名参与者的平均年龄为 24.5 岁,平均年龄为 24.6 岁:这项研究共有 604 名参与者,他们的平均年龄为 38.4 岁。电视被认为是最主要的媒体信息来源,而各类医务人员则是最值得信赖和最常见的信息来源。登革热治疗知识(OR = 1.81;95% CI 1.18-2.78)和登革热预防知识(OR = 1.85;95% CI 1.26-2.71)与预防蚊虫叮咬的良好习惯呈正相关。对登革热症状和体征的了解(OR = 1.56;95% CI 1.02-2.37)和登革热预防(OR = 2.38;95% CI 1.59-3.58)与预防登革热滋生地的良好做法呈正相关。那些对登革热有积极易感性的人在防止蚊虫叮咬(OR = 0.64;95% CI 0.41-0.99)和防止滋生地(OR = 0.46;95% CI 0.26-0.81)方面有良好做法的几率较低:即使菲律宾制定了现有的登革热政策、计划和策略,而且菲律宾人的疾病知识普及率也很高,但登革热仍然是一个棘手的问题,病例率仍在不断上升。因此,应强调特定的概念,并对干预措施进行微调,以更好地覆盖和影响目标人群,从而实现菲律宾无登革热的目标。
{"title":"Knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to dengue among public school teachers in a Central Luzon Province in the Philippines: an analytic cross-sectional study.","authors":"Ernesto R Gregorio, Rie Takeuchi, Paul Michael R Hernandez, John Robert Medina, Shin-Ya Kawamura, Mikaela B Salanguit, Marian Danille C Santillan, Kimberly Mae S Ramos, Gideon John Tuliao, Lyndon Morales, Maylin Palatino, Fumiko Shibuya, Jun Kobayashi","doi":"10.1186/s41182-024-00591-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41182-024-00591-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Dengue has become a major health issue in tropical regions as the numbers of reported cases and estimated infections continuously increase. In the Philippines, many challenges remain in preventing and controlling the disease amidst all the mitigation efforts of the government. This study sought to measure the health literacy of Filipino teachers and determine the associations among teachers' knowledge, attitudes, and selected practices (KAP) against dengue.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Elementary and secondary school teachers from the consistently declared dengue hotspots in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines, from the years 2017 to 2019 were selected as target participants in this cross-sectional study. A self-administered online survey tool was used in this study for both screening of participants and the KAP survey proper. STATA, descriptive statistics, and multiple logistic regression were used for the data analysis. Odds Ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study comprised 604 participants whose mean age was 38.4 years. Television was determined as the top media source of information, and various health staff were the most trusted and common source of information. Good knowledge on dengue treatment (OR = 1.81; 95% CI 1.18-2.78) and dengue prevention (OR = 1.85; 95% CI 1.26-2.71) were positively associated with having good practices on protection against mosquito bites. Good knowledge on dengue signs and symptoms (OR = 1.56; 95% CI 1.02-2.37) and dengue prevention (OR = 2.38; 95% CI 1.59-3.58) were positively associated with having good practices on preventing breeding sites. Those with positive perceived susceptibility to dengue had lower odds of having good practices on protection against mosquito bites (OR = 0.64; 95% CI 0.41-0.99) and of having good practices on preventing breeding sites (OR = 0.46; 95% CI 0.26-0.81).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Even with the existing dengue policies, programs, and strategies, and the high disease literacy rate of Filipinos, dengue remains a struggle with an increasing case rate. Therefore, specific concepts should be emphasized, and interventions should be fine-tuned to better reach and influence the target population to attain a dengue-free Philippines.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10941585/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140140868","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-03-15DOI: 10.1186/s41182-024-00589-1
Naseer Ally, Sarah Ismail, Natasha Naidu, Ismail Makda, Ismail Mayet, Michael E Gyasi, Peter Makafui, Arlette Nomo, Chantal Nanfack, Anesu T Madikane, Walda D Pohl, Bayanda N Mbambisa, Jonathan T Oettle, Feyi Adepoju, Toibat B Tota-Bolarinwa, Amelia Buque, Sidonia J N Khalau, Douglas Zirima, Brian Takayidza, Ugochukwu A Eze, Akinyemi Adedeji, Frank Sandi, Jacinta Feksi, Ogugua Okonkwo, Adekunle Hassan, Nagib du Toit, Shahlaa Petersen, Caroline Tsimi, Viola Dovoma, Mustapha Bature, Mohammed Adamu, Suhanyah Okeke, Ifeoma N Asimadu, Nkiru N Kizor-Akaraiwe, Chinyelu N Ezisi, Henry E Nkumbe, Tchoyou T M Olivier, Hassan D Alli
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on healthcare and ophthalmology services globally. Numerous studies amongst various medical and surgical specialties showed a reduction in patient attendance and surgical procedures performed. Prior published ophthalmic literature focused on specific types of procedures and were usually single centre. The current study attempts to quantify the impact on a larger scale, namely that of sub-Saharan Africa, and to include all ophthalmic subspecialties.
Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of the surgical records from 17 ophthalmology centres in seven countries located in East, Central, West and Southern Africa. The date of declaration of the first lockdown was used as the beginning of the pandemic and the pivot point to compare theatre records one year prior to the pandemic and the first year of the pandemic. We examined the total number of surgical procedures over the two year period and categorized them according to ophthalmic subspecialty and type of procedure performed. We then compared the pre-pandemic and pandemic surgical numbers over the two year period.
Results: There were 26,357 ophthalmic surgical procedures performed with a significant decrease in the first year of the pandemic (n = 8942) compared to the year prior to the pandemic (n = 17,415). The number of surgical procedures performed was lower in the first year of the pandemic compared to the year prior to the pandemic by 49% [Incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0.51, 95% CI 0.41-0.64), 27% (0.73, 0.55-0.99), 46% (0.54, 0.30-0.99), 40% (0.60, 0.39-0.92) and 59% (0.41, 0.29-0.57) in sub-Saharan Africa (4 regions combined), West, Central, East and Southern Africa, respectively]. The number of surgical procedures in the different sub-specialty categories in sub-Saharan Africa (4 regions combined) was significantly lower in the first year of the pandemic compared to the year prior to the pandemic, except for glaucoma (IRR 0.72, 95% CI 0.52-1.01), oncology (0.71, 0.48-1.05), trauma (0.90, 0.63-1.28) and vitreoretinal (0.67, 0.42-1.08) categories.
Conclusion: This study provides insight into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in multiple regions and countries on the African continent. The identification of which surgical subspecialty was most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in each region allows for better planning and resource allocation to address these backlogs.
{"title":"Impact of COVID-19 on ophthalmic surgical procedures in sub-Saharan Africa: a multicentre study.","authors":"Naseer Ally, Sarah Ismail, Natasha Naidu, Ismail Makda, Ismail Mayet, Michael E Gyasi, Peter Makafui, Arlette Nomo, Chantal Nanfack, Anesu T Madikane, Walda D Pohl, Bayanda N Mbambisa, Jonathan T Oettle, Feyi Adepoju, Toibat B Tota-Bolarinwa, Amelia Buque, Sidonia J N Khalau, Douglas Zirima, Brian Takayidza, Ugochukwu A Eze, Akinyemi Adedeji, Frank Sandi, Jacinta Feksi, Ogugua Okonkwo, Adekunle Hassan, Nagib du Toit, Shahlaa Petersen, Caroline Tsimi, Viola Dovoma, Mustapha Bature, Mohammed Adamu, Suhanyah Okeke, Ifeoma N Asimadu, Nkiru N Kizor-Akaraiwe, Chinyelu N Ezisi, Henry E Nkumbe, Tchoyou T M Olivier, Hassan D Alli","doi":"10.1186/s41182-024-00589-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41182-024-00589-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on healthcare and ophthalmology services globally. Numerous studies amongst various medical and surgical specialties showed a reduction in patient attendance and surgical procedures performed. Prior published ophthalmic literature focused on specific types of procedures and were usually single centre. The current study attempts to quantify the impact on a larger scale, namely that of sub-Saharan Africa, and to include all ophthalmic subspecialties.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This is a retrospective analysis of the surgical records from 17 ophthalmology centres in seven countries located in East, Central, West and Southern Africa. The date of declaration of the first lockdown was used as the beginning of the pandemic and the pivot point to compare theatre records one year prior to the pandemic and the first year of the pandemic. We examined the total number of surgical procedures over the two year period and categorized them according to ophthalmic subspecialty and type of procedure performed. We then compared the pre-pandemic and pandemic surgical numbers over the two year period.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There were 26,357 ophthalmic surgical procedures performed with a significant decrease in the first year of the pandemic (n = 8942) compared to the year prior to the pandemic (n = 17,415). The number of surgical procedures performed was lower in the first year of the pandemic compared to the year prior to the pandemic by 49% [Incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0.51, 95% CI 0.41-0.64), 27% (0.73, 0.55-0.99), 46% (0.54, 0.30-0.99), 40% (0.60, 0.39-0.92) and 59% (0.41, 0.29-0.57) in sub-Saharan Africa (4 regions combined), West, Central, East and Southern Africa, respectively]. The number of surgical procedures in the different sub-specialty categories in sub-Saharan Africa (4 regions combined) was significantly lower in the first year of the pandemic compared to the year prior to the pandemic, except for glaucoma (IRR 0.72, 95% CI 0.52-1.01), oncology (0.71, 0.48-1.05), trauma (0.90, 0.63-1.28) and vitreoretinal (0.67, 0.42-1.08) categories.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study provides insight into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in multiple regions and countries on the African continent. The identification of which surgical subspecialty was most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in each region allows for better planning and resource allocation to address these backlogs.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10941409/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140132663","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Schistosoma mansoni causes intestinal schistosomiasis (SCH) in all regions of Ethiopia. Despite many years of mass treatment, the prevalence has not dropped significantly. The reduction of SCH transmission demands the integration of deworming with safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) activities. Adequate knowledge and a positive attitude towards SCH are critical to practicing those interventions. However, data on the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) level in school and community settings is limited in Ethiopia.
Methods: School and community-based cross-sectional studies were conducted from February to June 2023 among 634 school-aged children (SAC) and 558 adults. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and KAP data. Records were entered and analyzed using SPSS software version 21. Correct responses for each of the KAP questions were scored as one, while incorrect or 'I don't know' responses were scored as zero. Good knowledge, a positive attitude and good practice were declared if percentage scores were ≥ 80%, ≥ 90% and ≥ 75%, respectively.
Results: Only 229 (19.2%) respondents, comprising 91 (14.4%) SAC and 138 (24.7%) adults, had ever heard of SCH. Adults, males, and urban residents had higher awareness level compared to their respective counterparts (p < 0.05). Only 28.4% of aware respondents knew that swimming or bathing in freshwater is a risk factor for schistosoma infection; 10.9% knew the etiologic agent; and 14.4% mentioned at least one sign and symptom associated with SCH. The majority (97.8%) of the respondents were willing to take therapeutic drugs, but only 37.6% believed that SCH is a serious disease. Regarding risky practices, 89.5% practiced swimming or bathing in freshwater, and 25.3% had no access to piped water. Among the aware respondents, only 18 (7.9%) had good knowledge, while 30 (13.1%) had a positive attitude towards SCH. Ninety-nine (43.2%) respondents had good Schistosoma infection prevention practices.
Conclusions: The knowledge, attitude, and preventive practice level towards schistosomiasis are low in the study area. Therefore, strengthening school and community-based health education, along with mass drug administration (MDA), WASH, and a vector control program, is recommended for preventing SCH.
{"title":"Knowledge, attitude and practice towards intestinal schistosomiasis among school-aged children and adults in Amhara Regional State, northwest Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study.","authors":"Getaneh Alemu, Endalkachew Nibret, Arancha Amor, Abaineh Munshea, Melaku Anegagrie","doi":"10.1186/s41182-024-00584-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41182-024-00584-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Schistosoma mansoni causes intestinal schistosomiasis (SCH) in all regions of Ethiopia. Despite many years of mass treatment, the prevalence has not dropped significantly. The reduction of SCH transmission demands the integration of deworming with safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) activities. Adequate knowledge and a positive attitude towards SCH are critical to practicing those interventions. However, data on the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) level in school and community settings is limited in Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>School and community-based cross-sectional studies were conducted from February to June 2023 among 634 school-aged children (SAC) and 558 adults. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and KAP data. Records were entered and analyzed using SPSS software version 21. Correct responses for each of the KAP questions were scored as one, while incorrect or 'I don't know' responses were scored as zero. Good knowledge, a positive attitude and good practice were declared if percentage scores were ≥ 80%, ≥ 90% and ≥ 75%, respectively.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Only 229 (19.2%) respondents, comprising 91 (14.4%) SAC and 138 (24.7%) adults, had ever heard of SCH. Adults, males, and urban residents had higher awareness level compared to their respective counterparts (p < 0.05). Only 28.4% of aware respondents knew that swimming or bathing in freshwater is a risk factor for schistosoma infection; 10.9% knew the etiologic agent; and 14.4% mentioned at least one sign and symptom associated with SCH. The majority (97.8%) of the respondents were willing to take therapeutic drugs, but only 37.6% believed that SCH is a serious disease. Regarding risky practices, 89.5% practiced swimming or bathing in freshwater, and 25.3% had no access to piped water. Among the aware respondents, only 18 (7.9%) had good knowledge, while 30 (13.1%) had a positive attitude towards SCH. Ninety-nine (43.2%) respondents had good Schistosoma infection prevention practices.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The knowledge, attitude, and preventive practice level towards schistosomiasis are low in the study area. Therefore, strengthening school and community-based health education, along with mass drug administration (MDA), WASH, and a vector control program, is recommended for preventing SCH.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10926617/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140094653","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Due to the low prevalence of clinically suspected malaria among pregnant women in Myanmar, little is known about its impact on mothers and newborns. Helminth and Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) co-infections cause anemia in pregnant women. This study assessed the prevalence of subclinical malaria and co-infections among pregnant women, and its association with adverse outcomes of pregnancy in the presence of infection.
Methods: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted in 12 villages in two townships in Myanmar between 2013 to 2015. A total of 752 pregnant women, with a mean age of 27 years, were enrolled and followed up once a month until six weeks after childbirth. Prevalence ratio was calculated in the multivariable analysis.
Results: The prevalence of subclinical malaria as measured by nested PCR was 5.7% for either P. falciparum or P. vivax, 2.7% prevalence of P. falciparum and 2.8% prevalence of P. vivax. Helminth infections were prevalent in 17% of women, and one woman with an HIV infection was found in our study. The burden of anemia was high, with an overall prevalence of 37% with or without helminth infection, 42% of the women were malaria positive and 43% had dual infections (both malaria and helminth). Only 11 abnormal pregnancy outcomes (7 stillbirths, 2 premature, 2 twins) were identified. Poisson regression showed that women in their first trimester had a 2.9 times higher rate of subclinical malaria compared to women in the third trimester (PR:2.9, 95%CI 1.19, 7.31, p = 0.019), women who were enrolled during the wet season were 2.5 times more likely to be malaria positive than the women enrolled in the dry season (PR: 2.5, 95%CI 1.27, 4.88, p = 0.008), and the malaria positivity rate decreased by 5% when increased in one year of woman's age (PR:0.95, 95%CI 0.91, 0.99, p = 0.02). In the multivariable regression, the age of respondents was the only significant factor associated with subclinical malaria in pregnancy.
Conclusions: A comprehensive approach of integrating interventions for malaria, anemia, and helminths should be delivered during antenatal care services for pregnant women in rural areas of Myanmar.
{"title":"Heterogeneity in the prevalence of subclinical malaria, other co-infections and anemia among pregnant women in rural areas of Myanmar: a community-based longitudinal study.","authors":"Poe Poe Aung, Kay Thwe Han, Wim Groot, Regien Biesma, Zaw Win Thein, Thura Htay, Zaw Lin, Kyin Hla Aye, Matthew Adams, Milena Pavlova","doi":"10.1186/s41182-024-00577-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41182-024-00577-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Due to the low prevalence of clinically suspected malaria among pregnant women in Myanmar, little is known about its impact on mothers and newborns. Helminth and Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) co-infections cause anemia in pregnant women. This study assessed the prevalence of subclinical malaria and co-infections among pregnant women, and its association with adverse outcomes of pregnancy in the presence of infection.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A prospective longitudinal study was conducted in 12 villages in two townships in Myanmar between 2013 to 2015. A total of 752 pregnant women, with a mean age of 27 years, were enrolled and followed up once a month until six weeks after childbirth. Prevalence ratio was calculated in the multivariable analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The prevalence of subclinical malaria as measured by nested PCR was 5.7% for either P. falciparum or P. vivax, 2.7% prevalence of P. falciparum and 2.8% prevalence of P. vivax. Helminth infections were prevalent in 17% of women, and one woman with an HIV infection was found in our study. The burden of anemia was high, with an overall prevalence of 37% with or without helminth infection, 42% of the women were malaria positive and 43% had dual infections (both malaria and helminth). Only 11 abnormal pregnancy outcomes (7 stillbirths, 2 premature, 2 twins) were identified. Poisson regression showed that women in their first trimester had a 2.9 times higher rate of subclinical malaria compared to women in the third trimester (PR:2.9, 95%CI 1.19, 7.31, p = 0.019), women who were enrolled during the wet season were 2.5 times more likely to be malaria positive than the women enrolled in the dry season (PR: 2.5, 95%CI 1.27, 4.88, p = 0.008), and the malaria positivity rate decreased by 5% when increased in one year of woman's age (PR:0.95, 95%CI 0.91, 0.99, p = 0.02). In the multivariable regression, the age of respondents was the only significant factor associated with subclinical malaria in pregnancy.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>A comprehensive approach of integrating interventions for malaria, anemia, and helminths should be delivered during antenatal care services for pregnant women in rural areas of Myanmar.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-03-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10921590/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140065967","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-03-06DOI: 10.1186/s41182-024-00586-4
Fabrizio M Machado, Rodrigo B Salvador
For over 200 years, the name molluscum contagiosum-a dermatological disease-has unfairly associated molluscs (the second largest group of animals on the planet) with this highly contagious infectious disease. Herein, arguments are presented demonstrating the serious problem of continuing to use this name, including animal welfare concerns. Thus, to minimize any unnecessary impacts on the biodiversity and conservation of molluscs, we follow WHO best practices in naming diseases to suggest the use of the new term 'wpox' or 'water warts' as a synonym for molluscum contagiosum.
{"title":"Why avoid naming diseases after animals? The case of \"Molluscum contagiosum\".","authors":"Fabrizio M Machado, Rodrigo B Salvador","doi":"10.1186/s41182-024-00586-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41182-024-00586-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>For over 200 years, the name molluscum contagiosum-a dermatological disease-has unfairly associated molluscs (the second largest group of animals on the planet) with this highly contagious infectious disease. Herein, arguments are presented demonstrating the serious problem of continuing to use this name, including animal welfare concerns. Thus, to minimize any unnecessary impacts on the biodiversity and conservation of molluscs, we follow WHO best practices in naming diseases to suggest the use of the new term 'wpox' or 'water warts' as a synonym for molluscum contagiosum.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10916272/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140050389","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: The production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) among uropathogens, particularly E. coli and Klebsiella spp., poses a severe public health concern. This study explored the epidemiology of ESBL-producing E. coli and Klebsiella spp. isolated from urine samples obtained at a tertiary care children's hospital in Nepal.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2016 to February 2017. A total of 745 clean catch urine samples were obtained from pediatric patients under the age of 13 and subjected to semiquantitative culture. E. coli and Klebsiella spp. were identified using standard laboratory protocols. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, and ESBL producers were phenotypically identified using the combined disk method.
Results: Among the bacterial isolates, E. coli predominated, accounting for 139 (81.8%) positive cases. Notably, E. coli showed high susceptibility to nitrofurantoin, with 117 (84.2%) isolates being susceptible. Meanwhile, K. pneumoniae showed high susceptibility to gentamicin, with 21 (91.3%) isolates being susceptible. Of the 163 isolates of E. coli and Klebsiella spp., 62 (38.0%) were identified as multidrug-resistant (MDR), with 42 (25.8%) confirmed as phenotypic ESBL producers. Remarkably, all 41 (100%) ESBL-producing E. coli isolates were susceptible to imipenem.
Conclusions: The prevalence of ESBL producers among E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates from pediatric patients underscores the importance of antimicrobial stewardship. Nitrofurantoin and gentamicin emerge as effective empirical treatment choices against these pathogens in children. However, the high rates of multidrug resistance and ESBL production highlight the necessity for routine surveillance, and early detection strategies to manage such infections effectively.
{"title":"Phenotypic characterization of ESBL-producing urinary isolates of E. coli and Klebsiella spp. in a tertiary care children's hospital in Nepal.","authors":"Santosh Pantha, Hiramani Parajuli, Charu Arjyal, Shovana Thapa Karki, Dhiraj Shrestha","doi":"10.1186/s41182-024-00587-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41182-024-00587-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) among uropathogens, particularly E. coli and Klebsiella spp., poses a severe public health concern. This study explored the epidemiology of ESBL-producing E. coli and Klebsiella spp. isolated from urine samples obtained at a tertiary care children's hospital in Nepal.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2016 to February 2017. A total of 745 clean catch urine samples were obtained from pediatric patients under the age of 13 and subjected to semiquantitative culture. E. coli and Klebsiella spp. were identified using standard laboratory protocols. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, and ESBL producers were phenotypically identified using the combined disk method.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the bacterial isolates, E. coli predominated, accounting for 139 (81.8%) positive cases. Notably, E. coli showed high susceptibility to nitrofurantoin, with 117 (84.2%) isolates being susceptible. Meanwhile, K. pneumoniae showed high susceptibility to gentamicin, with 21 (91.3%) isolates being susceptible. Of the 163 isolates of E. coli and Klebsiella spp., 62 (38.0%) were identified as multidrug-resistant (MDR), with 42 (25.8%) confirmed as phenotypic ESBL producers. Remarkably, all 41 (100%) ESBL-producing E. coli isolates were susceptible to imipenem.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The prevalence of ESBL producers among E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates from pediatric patients underscores the importance of antimicrobial stewardship. Nitrofurantoin and gentamicin emerge as effective empirical treatment choices against these pathogens in children. However, the high rates of multidrug resistance and ESBL production highlight the necessity for routine surveillance, and early detection strategies to manage such infections effectively.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10905773/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139997540","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}