Publications by authors named "Bonaventure Michael Ukoaka"

Background: Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a leading cause of infection-related deaths worldwide. Children with underdeveloped immune systems are particularly vulnerable, experiencing symptoms akin to common childhood illnesses. Early diagnosis and treatment typically yield positive outcomes.

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This review investigated the current research on the association between in vitro fertilization and children's neurocognitive development. Twenty studies were analyzed, encompassing over 23,000 children conceived through IVF, and compared to those conceived naturally. The findings on overall cognitive function were mixed, as measured by IQ.

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Heart failure is a complex and prevalent condition with significant implications for patient management and survival prediction. Traditional predictive models often fall short in accuracy due to their reliance on pre-specified predictors and assumptions of variable independence. This review aims to assess the role of machine learning (ML) algorithms in predicting heart failure survival, comparing their performance with traditional statistical methods and identifying key predictive features.

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  • Sports betting has shifted significantly from physical venues to online platforms, attracting a large number of young adults, particularly in the Americas, Europe, and Nigeria, highlighting diverse sports interests across regions.
  • The review highlights the risks associated with sports betting, including financial losses and psychosocial issues like academic decline and mental health problems, stressing the urgent need for regulated measures to mitigate potential harms.
  • Socio-demographic factors influence participation in betting, with motivations ranging from monetary gain to social interaction, necessitating a collaborative approach by betting companies and regulators to promote responsible gambling and public awareness.
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Hepatitis B virus (HBV) poses a significant public health threat, particularly in developing countries with high endemicity but poor vaccination among healthcare workers (HCWs). Needlestick injuries increase HCWs' risk, yet only about 42% of HCWs are fully vaccinated compared to 97% in high-income countries. Challenges to vaccine uptake include availability, demanding schedules with frequent unit rotations hindering access, high cost of acquiring shots, and stock shortages resulting in missed opportunities.

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African immunization programs are crucial in reducing the prevalence of infectious diseases and improving public health outcomes. This review provides an overview of the current status of immunization efforts in Africa, highlights key challenges, and offers recommendations to help the continent achieve the 2030 Global Immunization Goals. While progress has been made, significant challenges remain.

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  • * Low- and middle-income countries in Africa suffer significant health consequences from WASH-related diseases, with issues like poverty, illiteracy, and climate change hindering effective interventions and leading to millions of deaths annually.
  • * Recommendations for improving WASH practices include implementing strong financial frameworks, providing skills training, and utilizing tools like WASH Fit to enhance infrastructure and address health impacts while also contributing to economic growth and sustainability.
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  • * A review of studies from 2000 to February 2024 reveals that these conditions lead to significant memory and cognitive impairments in mothers and cognitive deficits in their children due to factors like placental issues and maternal stress.
  • * The research calls for a better understanding of the causes and the development of early interventions to help improve cognitive health in affected mothers and children through a multidisciplinary approach.
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The burden of meningitis poses great challenges for neurology and global health, manifesting with a range of symptoms from mild fever and headaches, to severe long term complications such as paralysis and cognitive impairment.. Unfortunately, those living in endemic regions, especially survivors, are often confronted with the harsh reality of reduced quality of life as measured by disability-adjusted life years.

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Stem cell therapy (SCT) is a promising solution for addressing health challenges in Africa, particularly non-communicable diseases (NCDs). With their regenerative potential, stem cells have the inherent capacity to differentiate into numerous cell types for tissue repair. Despite infrastructural, ethical, and legal challenges, SCT holds immense promise for managing chronic illnesses and deep-seated tissue injuries.

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  • * Key obstacles include poor environmental sanitation, contaminated water and food, and the impact of climate change, which exacerbate cholera spread and hinder progress towards the 2030 targets of a 90% reduction in cases and deaths.
  • * Despite these hurdles, achieving global cholera eradication is possible with strengthened institutional support and the implementation of evidence-based public health strategies, guided by the Global Roadmap to Ending Cholera Outbreaks by 2030.
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The healthcare industry is constantly evolving to bridge the inequality gap and provide precision care to its diverse population. One of these approaches is the integration of digital health tools into healthcare delivery. Significant milestones such as reduced maternal mortality, rising and rapidly proliferating health tech start-ups, and the use of drones and smart devices for remote health service delivery, among others, have been reported.

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Mistreatment in medical education encompasses various forms of abusive behavior, often indicating a disregard for students' dignity and interfering with the learning process. This review paper aims to investigate the prevalence, patterns, and correlates of medical student mistreatment in Nigerian medical education and shed light on its impact on students' well-being. A literature search was conducted in August 2023 using Medline, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases to identify relevant studies on the mistreatment of Nigerian medical students.

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