Interventions for improving coverage of childhood immunisation in low- and middle-income countries.

Background: Immunisation plays a major role in reducing childhood morbidity and mortality. Getting children immunised against potentially fatal and debilitating vaccine-preventable diseases remains a challenge despite the availability of efficacious vaccines, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. With the introduction of new vaccines, this becomes increasingly difficult.

Case studies of multi-disciplinary team management of atypical gastric cancer: challenges and lessons learned (about two cases).

There is a paradigm shift towards adopting a multidisciplinary team (MDT) model in the care of cancer patients, with increasing evidence to support its effectiveness. Cancers are biologically distinct, patients present in diverse ways and require, different therapeutic approaches in their management. Patient symptoms and treatment side-effects as well as physical and psychological impact vary according to cancer location and treatment plan.

Use of Short Message Service (SMS) in a Chronic Kidney Disease Screening Programme: A Feasibility Study.

Background: Community screening for chronic kidney disease has often been based on single measurements of markers of kidney damage worldwide. The evaluation of kidney dysfunction and related risk factors may be facilitated by the deployment of telehealth services such as short message service.

Methodology: Cross-sectional study for screening participants for CKD and risk factors during a world kidney event at two communities in Calabar, Cross River State.

mHealth guideline training for non-communicable diseases in primary care facilities in Nigeria: a mixed methods pilot study.

Objective: To pilot the use of a scalable innovative mobile health (mHealth) non-communicable diseases (NCDs) training application for nurses at the primary care level.

Design: Mixed methods pilot of mHealth training on NCD care for nurses at primary healthcare (PHC) facilities. We provide a descriptive analysis of mHealth training test scores, with trend analysis of blood pressure (BP) control using paired t-test for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data.

Demographics, Cost, and Sustainability of Haemodialysis among End-Stage Kidney Disease Patients in Southern Nigeria: A Single-Center Study.

Context: Access to chronic hemodialysis for patients with end-stage kidney disease has improved over the years. However, it is unclear if this has resulted in lower cost and improved dialysis vintage.

Aim: We aimed to assess the demographics, cost implication, and sustainability of maintenance hemodialysis in our cohort of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients.

Association of Genetic Polymorphisms of TGF-β1, HMOX1, and APOL1 With CKD in Nigerian Patients With and Without HIV.

Rationale & Objective: Recent studies in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected population have suggested that there are genetic predispositions to the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in this context. We investigated the association of genetic polymorphisms of the genes encoding apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1; a profibrotic cytokine), and heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1) with prevalent CKD among adults with and without HIV infection.

Study Design: Case-control study.

Intradialysis blood pressure changes among chronic kidney disease patients on maintenance haemodialysis in a tertiary hospital south - south Nigeria: a 2 year retrospective study.

Introduction: Haemodialysis (HD) which is a form of renal replacement therapy commonly prescribed for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, it is not without deleterious haemodynamic responses which may occur either during or immediately after the termination of the procedure. These may include hypotension or hypertension.

Survey on available treatment for acute kidney injury in the Southern African Development Community and Nigeria: are we ready for zero deaths by 2025 in sub-Saharan Africa?

Objectives: The International Society of Nephrology (ISN) has called for zero deaths by 2025. This survey aimed to determine the preparedness of Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries and Nigeria to heed this call.

Setting: A questionnaire was emailed to facilities, where renal replacement therapy is available; to determine type of services available; quality of care and identify clinicians involved.

Priority setting for new systematic reviews: processes and lessons learned in three regions in Africa.

Priority setting to identify topical and context relevant questions for systematic reviews involves an explicit, iterative and inclusive process. In resource-constrained settings of low-income and middle-income countries, priority setting for health related research activities ensures efficient use of resources. In this paper, we critically reflect on the approaches and specific processes adopted across three regions of Africa, present some of the outcomes and share the lessons learnt while carrying out these activities.

Artemether for severe malaria.

Background: In 2011 the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended parenteral artesunate in preference to quinine as first-line treatment for people with severe malaria. Prior to this recommendation many countries, particularly in Africa, had begun to use artemether, an alternative artemisinin derivative. This Cochrane Review evaluates intramuscular artemether compared with both quinine and artesunate.

Predictors of chronic kidney disease among HIV-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, South-South Nigeria.

The burden of the people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is largely borne by communities in Sub-Saharan Africa. The rate of kidney disease is increasing amongst HIV patients and occurs more often in patients with advanced stage of the disease with lower CD counts and associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence and predictors of chronic kidney disease (CKD) amongst HIV patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar.

Prevalence and correlates of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among ART-naive HIV patients in the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria.

Widespread use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients has led to improved longevity with the attendant increase in noncommunicable disease prevalence including chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study documents the prevalence of CKD in a large HIV population in Southern Nigeria.This is a single center, 15-year analysis in ART-naïve patients.

Chronic kidney disease in the global adult HIV-infected population: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: The widespread use of antiretroviral therapies (ART) has increased life expectancy in HIV patients, predisposing them to chronic non-communicable diseases including Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO registration number CRD42016036246) to determine the global and regional prevalence of CKD in HIV patients.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO and AJOL for articles published between January 1982 and May 2016.

Clinical profile and outcome of patients with biopsy-proven acute interstitial nephritis in Cape Town: a 10-year review .

Background: Acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) is a common cause of acute kidney injury that has not been adequately characterized in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) despite an increasing use of potentially inciting agents for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis in the region.

Methods: A retrospective audit of records of patients with biopsy-proven AIN diagnosed at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town from the 1 of January, 2006, to the 31 of December, 2015.

Results: 54 patients with biopsy-proven AIN were reviewed.

Antibiotics for treating septic abortion.

Background: A septic abortion refers to any abortion (spontaneous or induced) complicated by upper genital tract infection including endometritis or parametritis. The mainstay of treatment of septic abortion is antibiotic therapy alone or in combination with evacuation of retained products of conception. Regimens including broad-spectrum antibiotics are routinely recommended for treatment.

Renal and Bone Adverse Effects of a Tenofovir-Based Regimen in the Treatment of HIV-Infected Children: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)-containing regimens in the treatment of HIV-infected children have safety concerns with respect to renal and bone toxicity.

Objective: The aim of this study was to systematically review and critically appraise the literature relating to the reported renal and bone adverse effects of TDF-based regimens in the treatment of HIV-infected children from 2 to 19 years old.

Methods: Searches were performed using the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), MEDLINE, OvidSP, ScienceDirect and Web of Science databases and platforms.

Artemether for severe malaria.

Background: In 2011 the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended parenteral artesunate in preference to quinine as first-line treatment for people with severe malaria. Prior to this recommendation, many countries, particularly in Africa, had begun to use artemether, an alternative artemisinin derivative. This review evaluates intramuscular artemether compared with both quinine and artesunate.

Immediate postabortal insertion of intrauterine devices.

Background The use of an effective contraceptive may be necessary after an abortion. Insertion of an intrauterine device (IUD) may be done the same day or later. Immediate IUD insertion is an option since the woman is not pregnant, pain of insertion is less because the cervical os is open, and her motivation to use contraception may be high.

Assessment of dyslipidemia in pre-dialysis patients in south-west Nigeria.

Background: Majority of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are more likely to die of cardiovascular complications before reaching end stage renal disease. The Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) recommends that all CKD patients should be evaluated for dyslipidemia and for treatment to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.

Patients And Methods: A cross-sectional case control study to determine the frequency of occurrence of lipid abnormalities in patients with CKD and compare these abnormalities with that of normal controls.

WITHDRAWN: Azithromycin for treating uncomplicated typhoid and paratyphoid fever (enteric fever).

Background: Review status: Current question - no update intended. Azithromycin treatments are included in the review: Fluoroquinolones for treating typhoid and paratyphoid fever (enteric fever). (Thaver D, Zaidi AKM, Critchley JA, Azmatullah A, Madni SA, Bhutta ZA.

Fluoroquinolones for treating typhoid and paratyphoid fever (enteric fever).

Background: Typhoid and paratyphoid are febrile illnesses, due to a bacterial infection, which remain common in many low- and middle-income countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) currently recommends the fluoroquinolone antibiotics in areas with known resistance to the older first-line antibiotics.

Objectives: To evaluate fluoroquinolone antibiotics for treating children and adults with enteric fever.

Haemodialysis in an emerging centre in a developing country: a two year review and predictors of mortality.

Background: Haemodialysis is the most common form of renal replacement therapy in Nigeria. The high cost of haemodialysis has made optimal therapy of end-stage renal disease difficult in Nigeria. This paper is a review of data collected over two years of provision of dialysis services in a new tertiary hospital in Southern Nigeria.