Biomarkers of neurodegeneration across the Global South.

Research on neurodegenerative diseases has predominantly focused on high-income countries in the Global North. This Series paper describes the state of biomarker evidence for neurodegeneration in the Global South, including Latin America, Africa, and countries in south, east, and southeast Asia. Latin America shows growth in fluid biomarker and neuroimaging research, with notable advancements in genetics.

A scoping review of reporting gaps in FDA-approved AI medical devices.

Machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI/ML) models in healthcare may exacerbate health biases. Regulatory oversight is critical in evaluating the safety and effectiveness of AI/ML devices in clinical settings. We conducted a scoping review on the 692 FDA-approved AI/ML-enabled medical devices approved from 1995-2023 to examine transparency, safety reporting, and sociodemographic representation.

The impact of socioeconomic inequality on access to health care for patients with advanced cancer: A qualitative study.

Objective: In Canada, populations experiencing socioeconomic inequality have lower rates of access to screening and diagnosis and higher mortality rates than people from higher-income areas. Limited evidence exists concerning their experiences when living with advanced cancer. We explored how socioeconomic inequality shapes the experiences of patients with advanced cancer.

Use of contraceptives, empowerment and agency of adolescent girls and young women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: The evidence on adolescent empowerment, which involves access to personal and material resources for reproductive autonomy and economic equity, is limited. This systematic review assesses the use of contraceptives in empowering and strengthening the agency and vice versa among adolescents and young women.

Methods: We ran the searches in six electronic databases: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), The Campbell Library, MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Web of Science.

Urinary schistosomiasis and anemia among school-aged children from southwestern Nigeria.

Schistosomiasis and anemia, are one of the leading global public health problem among children between age 5 and 14 years in marginalized settings. In this study, we provide prevalence and intensity data for both conditions in three southwestern states of Nigeria, where such are lacking. Epidemiological assessment involving parasitological analysis of urine and blood samples was conducted among 1783 consenting school-aged children in Ondo, Osun, Ekiti States of Nigeria.

Combatting anthrax outbreaks across Nigeria's national land borders: need to optimize surveillance with epidemiological surveys.

Background: Anthrax is a non-contagious zoonotic disease caused by the Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Infection is common in livestock and wild animals such as cattle, goats, sheep, camels, and antelopes. In humans, anthrax may occur after contact with contaminated carcasses or animal products like milk and meat.

Increasing access to palliative care for patients with advanced cancer of African and Latin American descent: a patient-oriented community-based study protocol.

Background: Cancer disparities are a major public health concern in Canada, affecting racialized communities of Latin American and African descent, among others. This is evident in lower screening rates, lower access to curative, and palliative-intent treatments, higher rates of late cancer diagnoses and lower survival rates than the general Canadian population. We will develop an Access to Palliative Care Strategy informed by health equity and patient-oriented research principles to accelerate care improvements for patients with advanced cancer of African and Latin American descent.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents in Alberta, Canada.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic led to major service disruptions in the healthcare sector, especially regarding sexual and reproductive health services. However, the impact of the pandemic on Canadian adolescents is relatively unknown. This study aimed to investigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated public health measures on the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of adolescents in Alberta, Canada.

Biomarkers and Risk Assessment of Alzheimer's Disease in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Dementia is a chronic syndrome which is common among the elderly and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality for patients and their caregivers. Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of clinical dementia, is biologically characterized by the deposition of amyloid-β plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. The onset of AD begins decades before manifestation of symptoms and clinical diagnosis, underlining the need to shift from clinical diagnosis of AD to a more objective diagnosis using biomarkers.

Socio-economic factors associated with antenatal care in Nigeria.

There is a dearth of knowledge on how much financial autonomy interacts with affordability and consequently access to ante-natal health care in Nigeria. This study evaluated the relationship between women's financial autonomy and utilization of antenatal care (ANC) services. ANC attendance during pregnancy and the financial autonomy of women aged 15-49 in 42,000 selected households across all 36 states and the FCT, was assessed using data from the 2018 NDHS.

Sexual autonomy and the use of modern contraceptives in Nigeria: Evidence from the 2018 demographic and health survey.

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and relationship between sexual autonomy and modern contraceptive use among Nigerian women.

Methods: Secondary data analysis of the 2018 Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey was conducted among Nigerian women aged 15-49 years who were married or had a partner. Analysis was conducted using descriptive analysis and univariate and multivariate logistic regression.

Monitoring the Status of Soil-Transmitted Helminthiases in Non-Endemic Implementation Units: A Case Study of Borgu in Northcentral Nigeria.

Nigeria remains the most endemic country in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) for soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH). In line with ongoing monitoring plans, we present findings from a recent analysis of STH epidemiological data in Borgu, one of the non-endemic implementation units for STH in the northcentral region of Nigeria. An overall prevalence of 8.

Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Urinary Schistosomiasis among Primary School Pupils in the Jidawa and Zobiya Communities of Jigawa State, Nigeria.

Background: Urogenital schistosomiasis (UgS) is a parasitic disease caused by and can lead to chronic ill-health. Nigeria is endemic for schistosomiasis, but epidemiology of UgS has not been studied in most states. This study was conceived with the aim to contribute towards an accurate national picture of UgS in Nigeria.

Corrigendum to "A rapid review of the use of face mask in preventing the spread of COVID-19" [International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances 3 (2021) 100013].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnsa.

The Exploitation of Orphan Legumes for Food, Income, and Nutrition Security in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Poverty, food, and nutrition insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have become major concerns in recent times. The effects of climate change, drought, and unpredictable rainfall patterns threaten food production and sustainable agriculture. More so, insurgency, youth restiveness, and politico-economic instability amidst a burgeoning population requiring a sufficient and healthy diet remain front-burner issues in the region.

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF NIGERIAN MEDICAL STUDENTS TOWARDS COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE IN COVID-19 MANAGEMENT.

Objective: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is commonly used, but many physicians have limited knowledge of CAM despite its widespread use. Therefore, this study sought to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of medical students on complementary and alternative medicine in the management of COVID-19.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 medical students from three Federal Universities in South West, Nigeria.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Adolescents' Sexual and Reproductive Health in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Adolescents living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are struggling with accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, and COVID-19 has escalated the problem. The purpose of this review was to identify and assess the existing literature on the impact of the pandemic on SRH needs and access to services by adolescents in LMICs. A scoping review was conducted to collate findings on the topic.

Predictive Risk Mapping for Schistosomiasis in Parts of Borgu Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State, Nigeria.

Background: This study constructed predictive risk mapping of schistosomiasis infection and transmission using environmental and proximity risk factors.

Methods: Environmental risk factors were derived from satellite imageries. Proximity risk factors and parasitological results were derived from fieldwork.

Cellular and biochemical response to chaperone versus substrate reduction therapies in neuropathic Gaucher disease.

Gaucher disease (GD) is caused by deficiency of the lysosomal membrane enzyme glucocerebrosidase (GCase) and the subsequent accumulation of its substrate, glucosylceramide (GC). Mostly missense mutations of the glucocerebrosidase gene (GBA) cause GCase misfolding and inhibition of proper lysosomal trafficking. The accumulated GC leads to lysosomal dysfunction and impairs the autophagy pathway.

Parasitic helminth infections in humans modulate Trefoil Factor levels in a manner dependent on the species of parasite and age of the host.

Helminth infections, including hookworms and Schistosomes, can cause severe disability and death. Infection management and control would benefit from identification of biomarkers for early detection and prognosis. While animal models suggest that Trefoil Factor Family proteins (TFF2 and TFF3) and interleukin-33 (IL-33) -driven type 2 immune responses are critical mediators of tissue repair and worm clearance in the context of hookworm infection, very little is known about how they are modulated in the context of human helminth infection.

Determinants of Antimicrobial Use for Covid-19 Related Symptoms among Nigerians.

Background: Antimicrobial use plays a key role in development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Following the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the report of the first confirmed case in Nigeria, several states embarked on either a full or partial lockdown as a measure to prevent or curtail the spread of the virus with its attendant challenges. This survey was designed to provide a snapshot of public antimicrobial use and common perception related to antimicrobial use for COVID-19 related symptoms among Nigerian populace.

A rapid review of the use of face mask in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Introduction: The original use of face masks was to help protect surgical wounds from staff-generated nasal and oral bacteria. Currently governments across the world have instituted the mandatory use of masks and other face coverings so that face masks now find much broader usage in situations where close contact of people is frequent and inevitable, particularly inside public transport facilities, shopping malls and workplaces in response to the COVID-19.

Objective: We conducted a rapid review to investigate the impact face mask use has had in controlling transmission of respiratory viral infections.

Awareness and attitude of final year students towards the learning and practice of cardiopulmonary resuscitation at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria.

Introduction: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a major cause of sudden cardiac death which can be prevented by early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). International bodies recommend that basic life support (BLS) skills be taught in schools in order to increase the rate of bystander CPR and reduce mortality from OHCA. We are not aware of any BLS education program for non-healthcare students in Nigeria.

Emergency Presentation of Groin Hernia: Severity and Outcomes of Treatment in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital.

Background And Objective: Complications arising from groin hernias carry significant risks that task the resources of the surgeon and patient and, whenever feasible, should be avoided. In the past, obstructed groin hernia was the most common cause of intestinal obstruction in many parts of tropical Africa, but the trend appears to be changing. The aim of this study was to determine the severity and operative outcomes of complicated groin hernias in our centre.