Publications by authors named "F M Cowan"
Annually, 30 million children are affected by newborn conditions, most in low-income countries, with long-term implications for survivors. We aimed to evaluate neonatal intracranial pathologies identifiable on cranial ultrasound (CUS) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This systematic review and meta-analysis explored the spectrum of neonatal intracranial pathology, in nine databases, using the Joanna Briggs Institute Systematic Review Tools.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- * Between October 2021 and January 2023, nearly 25,000 FSWs were tested, with 9.5% testing positive for HIV; of those, 11.7% were recently infected, demonstrating significant incidence.
- * The findings indicated that despite some regional variations, RITA could effectively be integrated into existing programs, without a notable difference in positivity rates between different contact testing methods (social vs. sexual).
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to assess whether brain MRI after rewarming could help predict specific neurodevelopmental outcomes in 2-year-old infants who underwent hypothermia treatment for brain injuries caused by oxygen deprivation.
- Researchers conducted a multicenter study, analyzing MRI findings and their correlations with outcomes like cerebral palsy, cognitive delays, and other conditions; results were categorized and predicted according to severity and likelihood.
- Out of 152 infants, significant correlations were found between MRI predictions and actual outcomes, such as 90% of those categorized as "highly likely" to develop cerebral palsy did so, showcasing MRI's utility in anticipating developmental challenges.
Background: HIV prevalence and incidence has declined in East, Central, and Southern Africa (ECSA), but remains high among female sex workers (FSWs). Sex worker programmes have the potential to considerably increase access to HIV testing, prevention, and treatment. We aimed to quantify these improvements by modelling the potential effect of sex worker programmes at two different intensities on HIV incidence and key health outcomes, and assessed the programmes' potential cost-effectiveness in order to help inform HIV policy decisions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Female sex workers remain disproportionately affected by HIV. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of risk-differentiated, peer-led support for female sex workers in Zimbabwe on the risk of HIV acquisition and HIV transmission from sex among female sex workers.
Methods: In this cluster randomised, open-label, controlled study, 22 clinics dedicated to female sex workers co-located in government health facilities throughout Zimbabwe were allocated (1:1, through restricted randomisation) to usual care or AMETHIST intervention.