Reference Intervals for Venous Blood Gas in Healthy Adults: A One-Year Prospective Study.

Background Venous blood gas (VBG) investigation is a widespread option for arterial blood gas analysis because it is easier to draw and has a lower risk of complications during phlebotomy. This study aimed to establish reference intervals for the accurate analysis of VBG results as there is a lack of published data. Method Dr.

Pulmonary tuberculosis masquerading as a mass cancer lesion: A rare case report and review of literature.

Key Clinical Message: Despite being generally treatable and preventative, pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is one of the most common infectious agents that cause death. Misdiagnosis of TB frequently leads to unwarranted diagnostic procedures and postpones the start of treatment.

Abstract: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) can present with various unusual radiological and clinical characteristics.

Exploring and prioritising strategies for improving uptake of postnatal care services in Thyolo, Malawi: A qualitative study.

Although postnatal care services form a critical component of the cascade of care in maternal, newborn, and child health the uptake of these services has remained low worldwide. This study explored and prioritised the strategies for optimising the uptake of postnatal care (PNC) services in Malawi. A qualitative descriptive study followed by nominal group techniques was conducted at three health facilities in Malawi from July to December 2020 and in October 2021.

Implementing maternal and newborn health quality of care standards in healthcare facilities to improve the adoption of respectful maternity care in Bangladesh, Ghana and Tanzania: a controlled before and after study.

Introduction: Many women worldwide cannot access respectful maternity care (RMC). We assessed the effect of implementing maternal and newborn health (MNH) quality of care standards on RMC measures.

Methods: We used a facility-based controlled before and after design in 43 healthcare facilities in Bangladesh, Ghana and Tanzania.

In uncharted territory "together each achieves more": a United Nations interagency collaboration for continuity of maternal and newborn health services during the coronavirus pandemic in the Eastern and Southern Africa region.

The frangible collaboration between three United Nations agencies (UNICEF, UNFPA and WHO) in the Eastern and Southern Africa Region was strengthened by the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. The aim was to combine existing resources and expertise to support countries to respond to the pandemic more effectively and efficiently regarding the provision of maternal and newborn health services. Three kinds of activities were conducted: 15 webinars on a variety of topics and issues impacted by the pandemic; virtual training on maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response as well as on quality improvement; and the development of online e-learning modules for continuous professional development.

Review on chest pathogies detection systems using deep learning techniques.

Chest radiography is the standard and most affordable way to diagnose, analyze, and examine different thoracic and chest diseases. Typically, the radiograph is examined by an expert radiologist or physician to decide about a particular anomaly, if exists. Moreover, computer-aided methods are used to assist radiologists and make the analysis process accurate, fast, and more automated.

Perspectives of stakeholders regarding the value of maternal and newborn health interventions and practices supported by UNICEF and other partners in the West Nile region of Uganda: a qualitative study.

Introduction: Uganda has high maternal, neonatal, and under-five mortality rates. This study documents stakeholder perspectives on best practices in a maternal and newborn health (MNH) quality-improvement programme implemented in the West Nile region of Uganda to improve delivery and utilisation of MNH services.

Methods: This exploratory cross-sectional qualitative study, conducted at the end of 2021, captured the perspectives of stakeholders representing the different levels of the healthcare system.

Uptake of, barriers and enablers to the utilization of postnatal care services in Thyolo, Malawi.

Background: Postnatal care (PNC) ensures early assessments for danger signs during the postpartum period and is to be provided within 24 h of birth, 48-72 h, 7-14 days, and six weeks after birth. This study assessed the uptake of and the barriers and facilitators to receiving PNC care among mothers and babies.

Methods: A concurrent mixed-method study employing a retrospective register review and a qualitative descriptive study was conducted in Thyolo from July to December 2020.

Continuity of essential health services in the context of COVID-19: the Eastern and Southern Africa Regional continuity of essential services sub-working group.

COVID-19 cases have continued to increase globally putting intense pressure on health systems, including in the East and Southern African (ESA) region, which bears the brunt of the continent´s cases, and where many health systems are already weak or overstretched. Evidence from the West Africa Ebola disease outbreak and early estimates for COVID-19 show that indirect impacts due to disruptions in access to essential health services can result in even higher mortality than that directly related to the outbreak. In March 2020, World Health Organisation (WHO) established a coordination mechanism to support ESA countries to enhance their response to COVID-19.

Mental health and psychosocial support concerns among frontline workers within the Eastern and Southern Africa COVID-19 response.

We carried out a mental health assessment survey of frontline workers in Eastern and Southern Africa regarding COVID-19 pandemic in the region. A total of 723 people responded to the anonymous survey which was available in English, French and Portuguese. Two thirds of respondents felt overwhelmed and the remaining one third expressed fear of the pandemic.

Institutionalising maternal and newborn quality-of-care standards in Bangladesh, Ghana and Tanzania: a quasi-experimental study.

Introduction: Facility interventions to improve quality of care around childbirth are known but need to be packaged, tested and institutionalised within health systems to impact on maternal and newborn outcomes.

Methods: We conducted cross-sectional assessments at baseline (2016) and after 18 months of provider-led implementation of UNICEF/WHO's Every Mother Every Newborn Quality Improvement (EMEN-QI) standards (preceding the WHO Standards for improving quality of maternal and newborn care in health facilities). 19 hospitals and health centres (2.

Mental health problems and service gaps experienced by pregnant adolescents and young women in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review.

Background: Pregnant adolescent girls and young women (AGYW, aged 12-24 years) are at high risk for mental health problems, particularly in the Sub-Saharan African (SSA) region.

Methods: We performed a systematic review of mental health studies among pregnant AGYW in SSA published between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2020 in PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycInfo, and Global Index Medicus following PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD42021230980). We used Bronfenbrenner's bioecological model to frame and synthesize results from included studies.

A Four-Component Framework Toward Patient-Centered, Integrated Mental Healthcare in Kenya.

How can we fast-track the global agenda of integrated mental healthcare in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as Kenya? This is a question that has become increasingly important for individuals with lived experiences, policymakers, mental health advocates and health care providers at the local and international levels. This narrative synthesis and perspective piece encompasses an overview of mental health care competencies, best practices and capacity building needed to fast track patient responsive services. In that vein we also review key policy developments like UHC to make a case for fast-tracking our four-step framework.

Mental Health Consequences for Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review to Draw Lessons for LMICs.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs) particularly in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). This scoping review provides a summary of current evidence on the mental health consequences of COVID on HCWs. A scoping review was conducted searching PubMed and Embase for articles relevant to mental health conditions among HCWs during COVID-19.

Mental Distress and Human Rights Violations During COVID-19: A Rapid Review of the Evidence Informing Rights, Mental Health Needs, and Public Policy Around Vulnerable Populations.

COVID-19 prevention and mitigation efforts were abrupt and challenging for most countries with the protracted lockdown straining socioeconomic activities. Marginalized groups and individuals are particularly vulnerable to adverse effects of the pandemic such as human rights abuses and violations which can lead to psychological distress. In this review, we focus on mental distress and disturbances that have emanated due to human rights restrictions and violations amidst the pandemic.

Basic maternal health care coverage among adolescents in 22 sub-Saharan African countries with high adolescent birth rate.

Background: In the sub-Saharan Africa region, the adolescent birth rate is the highest in the world, estimated at 100.5 births per 1000 women aged 15 to 19 years, and 2.4 times greater than the global average.

Midwifery retention and coverage and impact on service utilisation in Afghanistan.

Objective: to measure the rate of and determine factors associated with community midwifery education (CME) graduate retention in public sector health care in Afghanistan.

Design: cross-sectional.

Setting: performed in public health facilities of 11 Afghan provinces purposively selected by geographic location and security conditions, between October 2011 and April 2012.

Factors influencing the retention of midwives in the public sector in Afghanistan: a qualitative assessment of midwives in eight provinces.

Objective: to examine factors that affect retention of public sector midwives throughout their career in Afghanistan.

Design: qualitative assessment using semi-structured in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs).

Setting: health clinics in eight provinces in Afghanistan, midwifery education schools in three provinces, and stakeholder organisations in Kabul.