Lessons learned from implementation of four HIV self-testing (HIVST) distribution models in Zambia: applying the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to understand impact of contextual factors on implementation.

Background: Although Zambia has integrated HIV-self-testing (HIVST) into its Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) regulatory frameworks, few best practices to optimize the use of HIV self-testing to increase testing coverage have been documented. We conducted a prospective case study to understand contextual factors guiding implementation of four HIVST distribution models to inform scale-up in Zambia.

Methods: We used the qualitative case study method to explore user and provider experiences with four HIVST distribution models (two secondary distribution models in Antenatal Care (ANC) and Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) clinics, community-led, and workplace) to understand factors influencing HIVST distribution.

Pathogenic Potential and Control of Species from Clinical, Fish, Food and Environmental Sources.

species are isolated and taxonomically evaluated from a wide range of sources. While and have been implicated in human disease, the potential pathogenicity of numerous other species have not been investigated. The aims were therefore to evaluate 37 species and from environmental, food, fish, water and clinical sources for production of haemolysis, growth at 37 °C, and production of virulence enzymes.

Heterologous expression and characterisation of a keratinase produced by Chryseobacterium carnipullorum.

Chryseobacterium carnipullorum 9_R23581, isolated from raw chicken meat, was evaluated for its potential to degrade keratin found in feathers. The focus of this study was to heterologously express and characterise a keratinolytic enzyme produced by C. carnipullorum.

Unorthodox ophthalmic preparations on the Ghanaian market: a potential risk for ocular and enteric infections.

Purpose: Microbial contamination of orthodox ophthalmic preparations poses a serious threat to the user by causing ocular infections. There is no such information about unorthodox ophthalmic preparations in a medical pluralistic system such as Ghana. The aim of this study was to assess unorthodox ophthalmic medications on the Ghanaian market for possible microbial contaminations.

Knowledge on Nonpharmacological Methods of Pain Management among Nurses at Bindura Hospital, Zimbabwe.

This study is a quantitative descriptive study, which was conducted with an aim to assess the knowledge on nonpharmacological methods of pain management among registered general nurses at Bindura Hospital. This is because most nurses focus more on pharmacological pain management than nonpharmacological therapies which are given less attention or accord. This study used a descriptive study design, which is a nonexperimental research design so as to obtain information about registered nurses knowledge on nonpharmacological pain management.