African health sciences最新文献

Introduction: Like many other countries, Mali, a West African country, has encountered various obstacles in the fight against the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Despite resource constraints, however, the country implemented containment strategies. Therefore, in early 2021, Mali initiated a vaccination campaign as a tangible defense against COVID-19, prioritizing the administration of the first vaccine doses to healthcare personnel. Consequently, we found assessing anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody levels important to gauge the efficacy of vaccines administered to frontline healthcare workers in Bamako, Mali.

Methods: The study enrolled 172 vaccinated front-line healthcare workers from referral hospitals in Bamako, Mali, between March and June 2022. Serum samples were subjected to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to assess the levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies. Prevaccination serum samples served as controls. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare proportions and means.

Results: Among the 172 participants, 98.2% had high levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibodies; only 1.6% (n=2) were seronegative. The majority, 62.2% (n=107), received a two-dose vaccination schedule, and the Astra Zeneca® vaccine was the most widely used (52.3%). The average level of postvaccine antibodies was significantly greater in participants who received two doses of vaccine than in those who received one dose (33.7 index vs. 29.1 index; p=0.02).

Conclusions: Most healthcare workers exhibited favorable vaccine responses, as indicated by their positive reactivity to anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG spike proteins. The nature and dosage of the vaccines influenced the antibody response, with a notable advantage observed for individuals who received a two-dose regimen. These findings underscore the importance of continuous research and evaluation to understand and enhance vaccine effectiveness.

Schistosomiasis is a serious tropical disease that is undiagnosed (Neglected tropical disease -NTD). The only disease with a more detrimental socio-economic impact than its causative agent is malaria. Over 250 million individuals are presently afflicted with Schistosomiasis haematobium, and an additional 779 million people are at risk of infection in regions where the disease is endemic. Africa is home to many incidences, which account for roughly 90% of infections. Every year in underdeveloped nations, schistosomiasis claims the lives of 11,700 people and disables over 3.3 million others. The parasite is still dangerous everywhere in the world, even in non-endemic places. This review delves deeply into genetic polymorphism and its different forms. It also addresses genetic polymorphism to susceptibility. It has been found that environmental factors are among the many variables that influence susceptibility to schistosomiasis. Schistosomiasis susceptibility is influenced by age, gender, and even pathological infections. The primary locus SM1, situated on chromosome 5q31-q33, regulates the extent of S. mansoni and S. haematobium infection by including multiple genes associated with the Th2 immune response. The chromosome 5q31-q33 Th2 cluster gene, which regulates the synthesis of interleukin 13, interleukin 4, and interleukin 5, is primarily linked to an increased risk of developing schistosomiasis.

Objective: To explore the clinical effect of comprehensive nursing on patients with slow transit constipation after laparoscopic surgery.

Methods: A total of 80 patients with colonic slow transit constipation, who received laparoscopic treatment in our hospital from January 2019 to December 2021 were selected. A total of 80 patients with colonic slow transit constipation treated by laparoscopy were divided according to the random table method. There were 2 groups, 40 cases in the control group and 40 cases in the experimental group. All patients underwent laparoscopic surgery, the control group was given routine nursing measures, and the experimental group was given comprehensive nursing intervention on the basis of routine nursing. The SAS and SDS scores were used to compare the levels of anxiety and depression in the two groups before and after the intervention; the quality of life core scale (QOL-C30) was used to score the physical function, material function, psychological function and social function, and the two groups of patients were compared before and after the intervention. The quality of life; comparison of postoperative pain scores between the two groups; comparison of nursing satisfaction between the two groups were analyzed.

Results: SDS and SAS scores of the control group before the intervention and the experimental group before the intervention (P<0.05). Compared with the control group after the intervention, the SDS and SAS scores of the experimental group after the intervention were significantly lower (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the quality of life between the two groups before the intervention (P>0.05); compared with before and after the intervention, the quality of life in the two groups after the intervention was significantly higher than that before the intervention (P<0.05); compared with the control group after the intervention The quality of life of patients in the experimental group after intervention was significantly improved (P<0.05). The satisfaction rate of the patients in the control group was 62.5%; the satisfaction rate of the patients in the research group was 92.5%; compared with the control group, the satisfaction rate of the patients in the research group was significantly higher (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Comprehensive nursing can effectively improve the negative emotions of patients with colonic slow transit constipation after laparoscopic surgery, improve the quality of life and satisfaction of patients, and reduce postoperative pain.

Objective: To study the effect of information-knowledge-belief-behavior (IKAP) model-based nursing interventions on elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)and its impact on self-management ability and quality of life.

Methods: During January 2021 to December 2021, 88 elderly patients with stable COPD cured in our hospital were arbitrarily classified into research group (n=44) and control group (n=44). The former accepted nursing intervention based on IKAP model, while the latter accepted routine nursing. The scores of Morisky medication compliance scale, self-management ability, modified British Medical Research Council modified Respiratory Disorder scale (mMRC), 6-minute walk test and life quality assessment questionnaire of COPD patients were studied before and after 4 weeks of nursing. The data were processed with SPSS23.0 statistical software.

Results: According to the Morisky drug compliance scale, the research group scored 7.25 after 4 weeks compared to the control group's score of 6.18 (P<0.05). Research group members scored 181.19 more on self-management ability following 4-week nursing than control group members scored 159.15. Research group 1.72 had a lower mMRC scale score after 4 weeks of nursing than control group 2.15 (P<0.05). Following 4-week care, the research group's 6-minute walking test value was 351.23, compared with the control group's 318.44 (P<0.05). Researchers found that after 4 weeks of nursing, COPD patients in the research group scored 19.47 on the quality of life assessment questionnaire, compared with 24.68 in the control group (P<0.05).

Conclusion: The clinic application value of nursing intervention based on IKAP model in elderly patients with stable COPD is remarkable, which is beneficial to enhance patients' compliance with medication, ability of self-management, and lessen the condition of dyspnea.

Aim: The aim of this study was,to determine the relationship between the systemic immune inflammation index-, which is a new inflammatory marker, and other inflammatory markers in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Methods: This case-control study was conducted by exaimining patients who presented at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Outpatient Clinic of Derince Training and Research Hospital between 2018-2022. Inflammatory markers were compared in hemogram parameters of 180 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and 178 control group subjects. The two groups were compared in respect of hemoglobin(Hb), white blood cell (Wbc), platelet (Plt), neutrophil (Neu), lymphocyte (Ly), red cell distribution width(RDW), main platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and systemic immune inflammation index (SII)values.

Results: The hemoglobin, white blood cell, platelet, neutrophil, lymphocyte,neutrophil lymphocyte ratio,and systemic immune inflammation index values were determined to be statistically significantly higher in PCOS patients than in the control group.

Conclusion: Elevated values of inflammatory markers can be detected in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome,- supporting the presence of inflammation.

The shortage of biostatisticians across Africa continues to hinder the quality, transparency, and reproducibility of health research on the continent. Drawing on documented regional initiatives and published literature, this Letter to the Editor highlights the ongoing gap in biostatistical capacity and proposes three practical recommendations to address it. These include the organization of structured training through pan-African institutions, the promotion of existing statistical reporting guidelines such as SAMPL, and the integration of applied biostatistics into doctoral and medical education. Strengthening statistical competence through these scalable approaches could support researchers, improve the quality of published research, and foster more rigorous scientific practice throughout Africa.

Background: This study aimed to identify demographic predictors influencing the uptake of traditional prenatal care among pregnant women in rural Zimbabwe to inform maternal health policies and programming.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Goromonzi District, focusing on Wards 1, 3, and 6. A census approach recruited 867 pregnant women identified through community health workers. Data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed using binary logistic regression to evaluate the influence of demographic predictors, including age, education, income, employment, parity, marital status, religion, and health complications.

Results: Half (50%) of respondents reported using traditional prenatal services, with 80% preferring a combination of traditional and conventional care. Significant predictors included African Traditional Religion (ATR) (OR = 19.144, p = 0.008), parity (OR = 12.962, p = 0.004), low income (OR = 9.991, p = 0.004), informal employment (OR = 5.134, p < 0.001), and primary education (OR = 5.966, p = 0.006). The model explained 48.4% of the variance in traditional care adoption (Nagelkerke R² =0.484).

Conclusion: Integrated maternal health approaches respecting cultural practices, subsidized maternal services, and collaboration with traditional birth attendants could enhance maternal health outcomes in rural Zimbabwe.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of combining Lactobacillus reuteri with racecadotril in treating pediatric rotavirus enteritis, focusing on its impact on intestinal mucosa and immune function.

Methodology: Eighty-five children diagnosed with pediatric rotavirus enteritis were randomly divided into two groups: the control group (43 cases) receiving racecadotril alone and the observation group (42 cases) treated with both Lactobacillus reuteri and racecadotril. Evaluation of the RV conversion rate and treatment efficacy was conducted at 3d, 5d, and 7d post-treatment. The study also assessed changes in intestinal mucosal barrier function, immune response, and intestinal microbiota.

Results: The observation group exhibited significantly higher RV conversion rates at 3d, 5d, and 7d post-treatment compared to the control group (P<0.05), reaching 61.90%, 76.19%, and 92.86%, respectively. Following treatment, the observation group showed improvements in mucosal barrier function, increased CD4+ levels, decreased AGEs, D-lactic acid, endotoxins, and CD8+ levels. There were notable changes in intestinal microbiota, with elevated Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium levels and decreased Escherichia coli.

Conclusions: Combining Lactobacillus reuteri and racecadotril in treating pediatric rotavirus enteritis demonstrated efficacy in regulating intestinal microbiota, alleviating mucosal barrier dysfunction, improving immune function, and enhancing treatment effectiveness.

Background: This system evaluates the effect of static navigation systems on accuracy (platform, apical and angular deviation) in clinical studies of implant surgery in the anterior aesthetic zone to inform clinical decision-making.

Methodology: Retrieve Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane library databases, as well as randomized controlled trials (RCT) and controlled clinical trials (CCT) comparing dynamic navigation and static guidance published by the US Clinical Trial Registry before May 1, 2023. The outcome indicators included in the study include measuring the deviation between the preoperative design of the implant and the actual site at the top, apex, and angle. The calculation of meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager version 5.2 software.

Results: 1134 articles were screened and retrieved, and finally 4 studies were included for quantitative analysis. Meta analysis results showed that the two groups had lower depth angle deviation (WMD=-0.30, 95%CI: (0.24, 1.78), P=0.01) at the top (WMD=0.14, 95% CI: (-0.26, 0.55), P=0.49) and root tip (WMD=0.25, 95%CI: (-0.34, 0.84), P=0.41) compared to the static guide plate group, and the difference was statistically significant.

Conclusion: The static guide plate provides a small implant placement error, which is comparable to the error obtained using dynamic navigation systems, but dynamic navigation exhibits a smaller angle deviation.