AVADAR (Auto-Visual AFP Detection and Reporting): demonstration of a novel SMS-based smartphone application to improve acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance in Nigeria.

Background: Eradication of polio requires that the acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance system is sensitive enough to detect all cases of AFP, and that such cases are promptly reported and investigated by disease surveillance personnel. When individuals, particularly community informants, are unaware of how to properly detect AFP cases or of the appropriate reporting process, they are unable to provide important feedback to the surveillance network within a country.

Methods: We tested a new SMS-based smartphone application (App) that enhances the detection and reporting of AFP cases to improve the quality of AFP surveillance.

Sexual violence and associated factors among women in HIV discordant and concordant relationships in Uganda.

HIV serodiscordance is a sexual partnership in which one partner is infected with HIV while the other is not. Managing emotional and sexual intimacy in HIV serodiscordant unions can be difficult due to concerns about HIV transmission and the challenge of initiating and maintaining safe sex. In situations where couples are jointly aware of their HIV status, women in serodiscordant unions may face increased risk of partner violence.

Aflatoxin B1 albumin adducts in plasma and aflatoxin M1 in urine are associated with plasma concentrations of vitamins A and E.

Background: Although aflatoxin exposure has been associated with micronutrient deficiency in animals, there are few investigations on the effects of aflatoxin exposure on micronutrient metabolism in humans.

Objective: To examine the relationship between aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) albumin adducts (AF-ALB) in plasma and the aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) metabolite in urine and plasma concentrations of retinol (vitamin A) and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) in Ghanaians.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 147 adult participants was conducted.

Association between anemia and aflatoxin B1 biomarker levels among pregnant women in Kumasi, Ghana.

Aflatoxins are fungal metabolites that contaminate staple food crops in many developing countries. Up to 40% of women attending a prenatal clinic in Africa may be anemic. In a cross-sectional study of 755 pregnant women, Aflatoxin B(1)-lysine adducts (AF-ALB) levels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Reproductive health effects of aflatoxins: a review of the literature.

Context: Although it is known that aflatoxins have many adverse health effects, there is no systematic summary of how it affects the reproductive system or its reproductive health effects.

Objective: Summarize evidence on the reproductive health effects of aflatoxins.

Results: The search yielded 121 potential studies, of which 25 were retained.

Association between birth outcomes and aflatoxin B1 biomarker blood levels in pregnant women in Kumasi, Ghana.

Objective: To investigate the association between birth outcomes and blood levels of aflatoxin B(1) (AFB1)-lysine adduct in pregnant women in Kumasi, Ghana.

Method: A cross-sectional study of 785 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic was conducted. Aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1))-lysine adduct levels were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on blood taken after delivery.