[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1097/NR9.0000000000000097.].
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1097/NR9.0000000000000097.].
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the HIV vulnerability and PrEP awareness among AGYW in Cameroon.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey in which 637 AGYW were recruited. We conducted descriptive and logistic regression models to identify the factors associated with HIV vulnerability and PrEP awareness.
Results: Among the 637 AGYW, 219 (34.4%) have shown vulnerability to HIV, which was significantly associated with their sexual orientation, education, and occupation. In addition, 519 (81%) AGYW reported no prior knowledge of PrEP, and among the 118 (19%) AGYW who were aware of PrEP, none had used it before. AGYW's awareness of PrEP was significantly associated with a positive STI diagnosis and a higher education level.
Conclusions: This study highlights the elevated HIV vulnerability among AGYW in Cameroon, along with low PrEP awareness, particularly among those with lower education levels and those who have not undergone HIV testing. These findings underscore the necessity of developing targeted interventions to mitigate these risks for AGYW in Cameroon.
Objectives: Mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) is associated with mitochondrial function, with abnormal copy numbers having been linked to various disease states. Our study aims to understand the association between infant mtDNAcn and infant neurodevelopment, as well as the association with racial disparities.
Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted with 55 preterm infants from whom a single blood sample was collected during their Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay and used to analyze mtDNAcn. In addition, the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale at 36-38 postmenstrual age (PMA) and the Bayley Scale of Infant and Toddler Development (Bayley) Edition III at 1 and 2 years of corrected age were both conducted. Linear regression models were performed to investigate the relationship between infant clinical characteristics, infant neurobehavioral outcomes, and mtDNAcn.
Results: The majority of infants studied were white (72.73%), non-Hispanic (70.91%), males (54.55%), delivered through C-section (72.73%), and without preterm premature rupture of membrane (76.36%). Increased mtDNAcn was associated with younger birth gestational age (<30.57 wk, P < 0.001). In addition, the opposite associations between mtDNAcn and neurodevelopmental outcomes were observed between white and black infants up to 1 year of gestational age.
Conclusions: Increased mtDNAcn in white infants, and decreased mtDNAcn in black infants may be considered significant predictors of poor early-life neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants. A better understanding of the underlying mechanisms contributing to infant disparity in mtDNAcn and how low or high copy number impacts infant outcomes is essential.
Objectives: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of gut-brain interaction with an unknown precise etiology. Intricate mechanisms underlying the disruption of bidirectional communication between the brain and the gut may influence the severity of symptoms as well as the response to self-management interventions. Management of IBS can be particularly challenging due to recurrent and resistant symptoms to therapeutic approaches. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of nurse-led self-management support on symptom management and self-reported outcomes in people with IBS.
Methods: In the current study, which was part of a parent randomized controlled trial, participants with IBS received one-on-one self-management intervention either by phone or in-person by Registered Nurses (RNs) in 3 sessions over 12 weeks. Each intervention was between 15 and 30 minutes. During the first intervention, the RN asked open-ended questions on symptom episodes, stress, physical activity, Quality of Life (QOL), and diet to provide recommendations for improved self-management. At the second and the third nurse-led self-management sessions, the RN helped in problem-identification and solving throughout the intervention. Quantitative content analysis was performed using the coding system developed by 2 authors for analyzing the participants' responses.
Results: In total, 24 participants with IBS completed the 3 nurse-led self-management sessions. Participants' mean age was 21.37 (±2.55) years old, and 83.33% were female. At the first nurse-led self-management session, 79% of participants reported pain, 62.5% reported bloating, 50% reported diarrhea, 37.5% reported constipation, 100% reported stress, and 95.6% had physical activity as part of their routines, while only 33.3% of the participants reported having a "high" QOL. After 3 nurse-led self-management sessions, participants reported improved IBS symptoms in pain 73%, bloating 73.7%, diarrhea 76.8%, constipation 50%, stress 42.1%, and physical activity 45%, as well as 66.7% of the participants experienced a "high" QOL. Dairy, fast/processed foods, and high-fat foods were the most frequent triggers of the symptoms, with a frequency of 40%, 24.5%, and 12%, respectively. After receiving nurse-led support, 69.20% of the participants reported improved dietary habits.
Conclusions: Nurse-led self-management can support participants to manage various IBS symptoms and improve their QOL. The unique strength of this study was evaluating participant needs and offering individualized solutions. A further study utilizing novel nurse-led self-management approaches may provide a valuable platform for empowering IBS patients' self-management.

