Co-creation of a gender responsive TB intervention in Nigeria: a researcher-led collaborative study.

Background: In Nigeria, men constitute over half of the people notified with tuberculosis (TB), experience longer delays before reaching care, and are estimated to account for two thirds of people who miss out on care. The higher TB risk and burden in men has implications for the whole population and reaching them earlier with TB services will reduce onward transmission in households, communities, and workplaces. The absence of a comprehensive guidance and the lack of substantial empirical evidence on TB care approaches that are responsive to the needs of men in Nigeria exacerbates this problem.

An Implementation Research Study on Uterotonics Use Patterns and Heat-stable Carbetocin Acceptability and Safety for Prevention of Postpartum Hemorrhage in Nigeria.

Background And Objective: The burden of maternal mortality attributable to postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains high in Nigeria. Currently, oxytocin, and misoprostol, which are largely of suboptimal quality, are used for PPH prevention and treatment. Heat-stable carbetocin (HSC) is a viable uterotonic option for PPH prevention in a setting like Nigeria where compromised supply and cold chain systems result in the preponderance of poor-quality oxytocin and suboptimal PPH management.

GIS-based multi-criteria decision models for barite exploration in Nigeria's Benue Trough.

Spatial predictive mapping using geographic information system (GIS) is considered an invaluable tool for reconnaissance-scale exploration of mineral resources. In this study, geospatial data on geophysics, remote sensing, and structural and lithological attributes were systematically integrated to prospect barite potential zones within the Mid-Nigerian Benue Trough (MBT). Correlation attribute evaluation was used to establish the relationship between mineral deposit occurrences and geospatial data, while data integration was implemented using the Multi-Objective Optimization by Ratio Analysis (MOORA), Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), and Additive Ratio Assessment (ARAS) multi-criteria models.

Determination of the width of the presacral space on magnetic resonance imaging among adults in south-western Nigeria.

Background: The presacral space is a clinically relevant potential space and contents may give rise to a variety of benign and malignant conditions, hence the need for detailed knowledge of its dimensions.

Purpose: To determine the width of the presacral space and existing variations among adults in south-western Nigeria using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique.

Material And Methods: A total of 369 consenting adults were included in the study.

Use of a Humanoid Robot in Supporting Dementia Care: A Qualitative Analysis.

Introduction: Cognitive impairment significantly affects independence in persons with dementia, and consistent supervision is often needed. While interest has arisen in using humanoid robots, such as Pepper, to assist with daily caregiving activities, little is known about the perceptions of using Pepper to assist people with dementia.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the perceptions of nonhealthcare workers, care partners, and healthcare workers on the use of a Pepper robot in dementia care.

Pooling sputum samples for Xpert® MTB/RIF and Xpert® Ultra testing for TB diagnosis.

Background: The use of molecular amplification as-says for TB diagnosis is limited by their costs and cartridge stocks. Pooling multiple samples to test them together is reported to have similar accuracy to individual testing and to save costs.

Methods: Two surveys of individuals with presumptive TB were conducted to assess the performance of pooled testing using Xpert® MTB/RIF (MTB/RIF) and Xpert® Ultra (Ultra).

Exploring the well-being of people affected by skin NTDs in Kaduna and Kwara States, Nigeria: a photovoice and scoping review study.

People affected by skin neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) grapple with both physical and emotional reactions that compromise their health and well-being. Multiple studies with people affected by skin NTDs have shown high levels of poor mental well-being using self-report questionnaires or psychological measures. However, few have provided in-depth documentation of lived experiences from the perspective of affected persons and there is limited consideration of how their viewpoints can be used to shape intervention design.

A holistic approach to well-being and neglected tropical diseases: evaluating the impact of community-led support groups in Nigeria using community-based participatory research.

Background: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect around 1 billion people, many living in the poorest parts of the world. NTDs often lead to serious long-term physical impairments. Stigma, disability, poverty and social isolation interact, resulting in poor quality of life and significant psychosocial impacts.

Promoting equity through inclusive learning, planning and implementing: lessons from Nigeria's mass drug administration programme for neglected tropical diseases.

Background: An inclusive, localised approach to planning and implementing equitable mass drug administration was developed through participatory action research (PAR). This new approach aligns with principles of learning health systems (LHS). Tools were co-developed to support scaling up the new approach across two Nigerian states.

Loopholes for Underage Access in E-Cigarette Delivery Sales Laws, United States, 2022.

To comprehensively catalog and review state e-cigarette delivery sales laws as well as capture their scope and dimensions. We conducted an in-depth review to determine whether states had at least 1 form of e-cigarette delivery sales law. We coded laws for 5 key policy domains: (1) delivery terminology used in laws, (2) age verification requirements, (3) packaging label requirements, (4) permit or registration requirements, and (5) fines and penalties for violations.

Mental health condition indicators and e-cigarette use among sexual minority youth.

Background: Sexual minorities face mental health disparities compared to heterosexual people. There is limited research on the possible connections between mental health and e-cigarette use among sexual minority youth. This study examines anxiety, depression, and e-cigarette use for sexual minority youth only and between sexual minorities versus straight youth.

Young Single Widow, Dynamics of In-Laws Interference and Coping Mechanisms: Simplicity-Parsimony Approach.

The incidence of short marital duration due to the demise of a husband that often exposes young widows to in-laws' exploitation of the asset of the deceased spouses, without regard for negative health consequences and potential vulnerability to poverty has not been exhaustively investigated, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where 16% of adult women are widows. The study examined the coping mechanisms among the young widow (aged ≤ 40) who have experienced short conjugal relationships (≤5 years) and burdensome from in-laws. The research design followed a qualitative approach with the aid of semi-structured in-depth interviews among 13 young widows selected through snowballing and informant-led approaches in the purposively selected communities.

Applying a Client-centered Approach to Maternal and Neonatal Networks of Care: Case Studies from Urban and Rural Nigeria.

In Nigeria, two maternal and neonatal health Networks of Care (NOC) focus on extending the reach and quality of routine and emergency maternal and neonatal health services tailored to the different contexts. This paper uses the four domains of the NOC framework-Agreements and Enabling Environment, Operational Standards, Quality, Efficiency and Responsibility, and Learning and Adaptation-to describe the NOC, highlighting how each developed to address specific local needs. In Northern Nigeria, the NOC were established in collaboration among Clinton Health Access Initiative and the government to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Mass administration of medicines in changing contexts: Acceptability, adaptability and community directed approaches in Kaduna and Ogun States, Nigeria.

Nigeria has the highest burden of NTDs in sub-Saharan Africa. Commitments to reach the control and elimination of many Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), particularly those amenable to preventive chemotherapy (onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil transmitted helminths, lymphatic filariasis and trachoma) by 2020 are detailed in the London declaration. Strategies to reach targets build on existing approaches, one of which is the use of community directed intervention (CDI) methods to deliver the mass administration of medicines (MAM).

Guiding principles for quality, ethical standards and ongoing learning in implementation research: multicountry learnings from participatory action research to strengthen health systems.

Global health gains can be achieved through strengthening health systems to identify and address implementation challenges in low- and middle-income countries. Participatory research, that promotes joint problem and solution finding between communities and different health systems actors, supports policy implementation analysis at all levels. Within the neglected tropical disease programmes in Liberia and Nigeria, we applied participatory action research (PAR) to address programmatic and health system bottlenecks with health systems strengthening embedded.

Nigeria and Italy Divergences in Coronavirus Experience: Impact of Population Density.

Background: The reports and information on coronavirus are not conspicuously emphasising the possible impact of population density on the explanation of difference in rapid spread and fatality due to the disease and not much has been done on bicountry comparisons.

Objective: The study examined the impact of population density on the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in two sociodemographic divergent countries.

Methods: The study conducted a scoping review of published and unpublished articles including blogs on incidences and fatalities of COVID-19.

Neglected Tropical Diseases as a 'litmus test' for Universal Health Coverage? Understanding who is left behind and why in Mass Drug Administration: Lessons from four country contexts.

Introduction: Individuals and communities affected by NTDs are often the poorest and most marginalised; ensuring a gender and equity lens is centre stage will be critical for the NTD community to reach elimination goals and inform Universal Health Coverage (UHC). NTDs amenable to preventive chemotherapy have been described as a 'litmus test' for UHC due to the high mass drug administration (MDA) coverage rates needed to be effective and their model of community engagement. However, until now highly aggregated coverage data may have masked inequities in availability, accessibility and acceptability of medicines, slowing down the equitable achievement of elimination goals.

The assessment of potential source rocks of Maastrichtian Araromi formation in Araromi and Gbekebo wells Dahomey Basin, southwestern Nigeria.

Drilled core samples of the Araromi Formation in the eastern Dahomey basin penetrated by Araromi and Gbekebo exploratory wells were investigated to establish the source rocks potentials in the onshore area of the basin. The sediments are of Maastrichtian age deposited in the shallow marine environment with varying thicknesses. Rock-Eval data of forty seven (40) shales give Total Organic Carbon (TOC) range of 0.

Dataset on perception of public college students on underage drinking in Nigeria.

Alcohol is the most widely used substance of abuse among youths in Nigeria. Underage drinking poses a serious public health problem in most colleges and despite the health and safety risk, consumption of alcohol is rising. Having recourse to the public health objective on alcohol by the World Health organization, which is to reduce the health burden caused by the harmful use of alcohol, thereby saving live and reducing injuries, this data article explored the nature of alcohol use among college students, binge drinking and the consequences of alcohol consumption.

Program evaluation of an ORS and zinc scale-up program in 8 Nigerian states.

Background: In Nigeria, diarrhea is the second leading killer of children under five. Between 2012-2017, the Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI) and the Government of Nigeria implemented a comprehensive program in eight states aimed at increasing the percentage of children under five with diarrhea who were treated with zinc and oral rehydration solution (ORS).

Item analysis of university-wide multiple choice objective examinations: the experience of a Nigerian private university.

Teachers and Students worldwide often dance to the tune of tests and examinations. Assessments are powerful tools for catalyzing the achievement of educational goals, especially if done rightly. One of the tools for 'doing it rightly' is item analysis.

The changing global landscape of health and disease: addressing challenges and opportunities for sustaining progress towards control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

The drive to control neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) has had many successes but to reach defined targets new approaches are required. Over the last decade, NTD control programmes have benefitted from increased resources, and from effective partnerships and long-term pharmaceutical donations. Although the NTD agenda is broader than those diseases of parasitic aetiology there has been a massive up-scaling of the delivery of medicines to some billion people annually.

Effect of Digoxin Use Among Medicaid Enrollees With Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Recently published analysis of contemporary atrial fibrillation (AF) cohorts showed an association between digoxin and increased mortality and hospitalizations; however, other studies have demonstrated conflicting results. Many AF cohort studies did not or were unable to examine racial differences. Our goal was to examine risk factors for hospitalizations and mortality with digoxin use in a diverse real-world AF patient population and evaluate racial differences.