Prevalence and patterns of substance use in West Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Substance use is a growing public health concern in West Africa, contributing to significant morbidity, mortality, and socioeconomic challenges. Despite the increasing prevalence, comprehensive data on the patterns and factors influencing substance use in the region remain limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to synthesize existing research on the prevalence and patterns of substance use in West Africa, providing critical insights for developing targeted interventions and policies.

Mediating effect of fasting blood glucose and peripheral arterial disease on the relationship between sexual functioning and health-related quality of life among Nigerians with type 2 diabetes.

Background: Poor glycemic control and sexual dysfunction have been shown to impair health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of individuals with diabetes. However, mediators underlying this relationship have not been evaluated. This study aimed/sought to assess the effect of fasting blood glucose (FBG) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) on the relationship between sexual functioning (SeF) and HRQoL among Nigerians with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis and HIV Prevention Among Key Populations in Nigeria.

Background And Objective: The discovery of innovative pharmacological preventative measures in Human Immunodeficiency Virus transmission has boosted optimism in the successful control of HIV/AIDS with the objective of eradication and the end of the epidemic. Hence, assessing the effect of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) on HIV prevention among key populations (KPs) is imperative in advancing the conversation on ending HIV/AIDs.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using data from (female sex workers (FSWs), men who have sex with men (MSM), and people who inject drugs (PWIDs) enrolled in Heartland Alliance Ltd/GTE One Stop Shops (OSS) between May 2019 and April 2023 in the six selected Nigerian states (Lagos, Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Jigawa, and Niger).

A retrospective study of tuberculosis prevalence and associated factors among HIV-positive key populations in Nigeria.

HIV is a major risk factor for active Tuberculosis (TB.) This raises patients' risk of original infection, reinfection, and TB reactivation. Providing healthcare to KPLHIV in developing countries requires TB prevalence research.

Factors associated with viral load testing and viral suppression among HIV-positive female sex workers in Nigeria.

Background: Female sex workers (FSWs) are at high risk for HIV infection and face unique barriers to receiving and adhering to testing and treatment. Early viral suppression and consistent viral load testing are critical to optimizing health and reducing transmission in this population. However, the factors associated with testing and successful viral suppression among FSWs are poorly understood, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Prevalence and factors associated with psychological distress among key populations in Nigeria.

Background: Stigmatization and discrimination within healthcare settings deter key populations (KPs) from seeking mental health and psychosocial support (MHPS). Consequently, understanding the prevalence, associated factors, and impact of the MHPSS intervention on psychological distress among Nigeria's KPs is crucial.

Method: This is a cross-sectional study focused on KPs, including Female Sex Workers (FSW), Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), and People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) enrolled in Heartland Alliance LTD/GTE across 17 One-Stop Shops (OSS) in six states of Nigeria.

: Case Report and Review of the Literature on Patients with Bacteremia in Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Background: Leptotrichia spp. are fastidious facultative anaerobic, pencil-shaped, gramnegative rods that reside in the mouths, intestines, and female genital tracts of humans. Bacteremia and septic shock have been rarely reported in the immunocompromised host.

Necroptosis in the developing brain: role in neurodevelopmental disorders.

Cell death is vital to various organismal developmental processes including brain development. Apoptosis, the most recognized programmed cell death, has been linked to several developmental processes and implicated in pruning cells to provide the ultimate tissue integrity. However, more recently, other forms of non-apoptotic programmed cell death have been identified, of which necroptosis is of predominant interest.

Utility of dual read in the setting of prostate MRI interpretation.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the utility of dual reader interpretation of prostate MRI in the evaluation/detection of prostate cancer, using the PI-RADS v2.1 scoring system.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study to assess the utility of dual reader interpretation for prostate MRI.

Community-based non-pharmacological interventions for pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review.

Background: Non-pharmacological interventions are the first line of Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) management. Community-based interventions are cheaper, more accessible, with higher patient satisfaction.

Objectives: To systematically review community-based non-pharmacological interventions and evaluate their effectiveness for GDM.

Seropositivity of spp. Antibodies among Febrile Patients Attending Outpatient Clinics in Mwanza, Tanzania: Should It Be Included in Routine Diagnosis?

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic neglected tropical disease with a worldwide distribution caused by the pathogenic spirochetes of the genus . Despite being a widespread disease in tropical regions, it has never been considered in the routine diagnostic panel for febrile patients. This study determined seropositivity and factors associated with antibodies among febrile adult patients in Mwanza, Tanzania.

Minimal-contact physical interventions for pregnant women with musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review of randomised and non-randomised clinical trials.

This review summarised minimal-contact physical interventions and their effects on pain, disability and quality of life in pregnant women with musculoskeletal disorders. Twelve bibliographic databases were systematically searched until December 31 2020. PEDro Scale was used for quality assessments.

Diagnosis and case finding according to key partner risk populations of people living with HIV in Nigeria: A retrospective analysis of community-led index partner testing services.

Background: The HIV epidemic in Nigeria is concentrated in Key Populations (KP), people who inject drugs (PWID), men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSW), and partners of people living with HIV. Due to stigma and discrimination, these groups have low access to HIV testing services (HTS) and linkage to treatment is challenging. To address this gap, index partner testing, targeting sexual contacts and injecting partners of KP index clients, was introduced in 2017.

Real-time ultrasound-computed tomography image fusion for transforaminal lumbar approach: a lumbosacral spine phantoms study.

Purpose: Ultrasound (US) is increasingly used for transforaminal approaches. We evaluated whether fusing computed tomography (CT) images with dynamic US could be based on bony and surface landmarks in two phantom models.

Methods: Recordings were performed in a gelatin-based sonographic phantom and in a computerized imaging reference system training phantom.

Community-based non-pharmacological interventions for improving pain, disability and quality of life in pregnant women with musculoskeletal conditions: protocol for a systematic review with meta-analyses.

Introduction: Twenty five per cent of pregnant women with musculoskeletal pain have disabling symptoms that negatively influence quality of life. Studies have reported varying effects of non-pharmacological interventions including exercise, manipulation and pelvic belts for pregnant women with musculoskeletal problems. The overall effectiveness and acceptability of these interventions is uncertain due to lack of synthesised evidence.

Female with Vaginal Bleeding.

Case Presentation: A 24-year-old pregnant female presented to the emergency department with lower abdominal cramping and vaginal bleeding. A point-of-care ultrasound demonstrated a calcified yolk sac.

Discussion: When identified, calcification of the yolk sac in the first trimester is a sign of fetal demise.

Community perspectives on barriers and challenges to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis access by men who have sex with men and female sex workers access in Nigeria.

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSW) have critical needs for effective HIV prevention tools. This study identified perspectives of MSM, FSW and policy makers on the needs for, barriers to, and challenges with pre-exposure HIV prophylaxis (PrEP); and the logistics required to support roll-out of PrEP for MSM and FSW in Nigeria.

Methods: Qualitative and quantitative data were collected through a cross-sectional study.

Satisfaction with use of public health and peer-led facilities for HIV prevention services by key populations in Nigeria.

Background: The aim of the study was to identify the proportion of female sex workers, men who have sex with men, and people who inject drugs who had accessed HIV prevention services at public health facilities and peer-led facilities, their level of satisfaction with these services, and perceived barriers and challenges to accessing HIV services from public and peer-led HIV prevention service providers.

Methods: A mixed-method approach was used to collect data from key populations in the four states in Nigeria. Quantitative data collected included level of satisfaction with and barriers to use of public and peer-led facilities.

Sexual practices, sexual behavior and HIV risk profile of key populations in Nigeria.

Background: There is little evidence on the need for differentiated HIV prevention services for men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSW) and people who inject drugs (PWID in Nigeria. The aim of the study was to determine and compare the HIV sexual risk profiles of FSW, MSM and PWID resident in Nigeria; and identify factors associated with condom use among the groups. This will help identify if differentiated HIV prevention services are needed for MSM, FSW and PWID in Nigeria.

HIV sexual risk behavior and preferred HIV prevention service outlet by men who have sex with men in Nigeria.

Background: The study objectives were to identify differences in HIV sexual risk behavior of men who had sex with other men (MSM) resident in urban and rural Nigeria, their perspectives on need for HIV prevention services and perceived barriers and facilitators to access of HIV prevention services in private, public and peer-led health facilities.

Method: Data were collected from MSM resident in urban and rural parts of River and Kaduna States. Qualitative assessment sought perspectives on barriers and facilitators of MSM uptake of HIV prevention services.