Fecal carriage of ESBL-producing E. coli and genetic characterization in rural children and livestock in the Somali region, Ethiopia: a one health approach.

Background: The emergence and spread of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli pose significant challenges for treatment of infections globally. This challenge is exacerbated in sub-Saharan African countries, where the prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli is high.

Burden and risk factors of suspected cholangiocarcinoma in high Opisthorchis viverrini endemic rural communities in southern Lao PDR.

Introduction: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a major contributor to hepatobiliary mortality in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). Infection with the carcinogenic trematode Opisthorchis viverrini (OV), acquired through consumption of insufficiently-cooked river fish, is a known risk factor for the development of CCA. Together with OV, other risk factors contribute to the pathogenesis of CCA.

Efficacy and safety of albendazole alone versus albendazole in combination with ivermectin for the treatment of Trichuris trichiura infections: An open-label, randomized controlled superiority trial in south-western Uganda.

Trichuris trichiura, a soil-transmitted helminth (STH), often persists after a single dose of anthelminthic treatment. To overcome limited efficacy against T. trichiura of benzimidazoles (albendazole or mebendazole), the primary drugs used in mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns, the World Health Organization endorses the use of a combination of ivermectin and albendazole as a more effective treatment to be used for preventive chemotherapy.

One-year impact of behavioural interventions on schistosomiasis-related knowledge, attitude and practices of primary schoolchildren in Pemba, Tanzania.

Background: Elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem and interruption of transmission in selected areas are goals set by the World Health Organization for 2030. Behaviour change communication (BCC), coupled with other interventions, is considered an essential measure to reduce the transmission of Schistosoma infection. Focusing on elimination, we assessed the 1-year impact of BCC interventions on schistosomiasis-related knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of schoolchildren in hotspot schools versus low-prevalence schools that did not receive the interventions.

Efficacy and safety of emodepside compared with albendazole in adolescents and adults with hookworm infection in Pemba Island, Tanzania: a double-blind, superiority, phase 2b, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Human hookworm is a cause of enormous global morbidity. Current treatments have insufficient efficacy and their extensive and indiscriminate distribution could also result in drug resistance. Therefore, we tested the efficacy and safety of emodepside, a strong anthelmintic candidate that is currently undergoing clinical development for onchocerciasis and soil-transmitted helminth infections.

Test-treat-track-test-treat (5T) approach for Schistosoma haematobium elimination on Pemba Island, Tanzania.

Background: After decades of praziquantel mass drug administration (MDA), several countries approach schistosomiasis elimination. Continuing MDA in largely uninfected populations no longer seems justified. Alternative interventions to maintain the gains or accelerate interruption of transmission are needed.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Rural Communities Regarding Antimicrobial Resistance and Climate Change in Adadle District, Somali Region, Ethiopia: A Mixed-Methods Study.

There is an urgent need for interventions in addressing the rapid and disproportionate impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and climate change (CC) on low- and middle-income countries. Within this context, it is important to understand indigenous knowledge in rural communities, which are highly affected. This study examined knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) regarding AMR and CC in the Adadle district, Somali region, Ethiopia, utilizing mixed methods, including 362 surveys and 12 focus group discussions among rural communities.

Pre-pregnancy body mass index and caesarean section in Andean women in Peru: a prospective cohort study.

Background: During the last two decades, Caesarean section rates (C-sections), overweight and obesity rates increased in rural Peru. We examined the association between pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and C-section in the province of San Marcos, Northern Andes-Peru.

Methods: This is a prospective cohort study.

Assessing the Effectiveness of a Multicomponent Intervention on Hand Hygiene and Well-Being in Primary Health Care Centers and Schools Lacking Functional Water Supply in Protracted Conflict Settings: Protocol for a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Hand hygiene is crucial in health care centers and schools to avoid disease transmission. Currently, little is known about hand hygiene in such facilities in protracted conflict settings.

Objective: This protocol aims to assess the effectiveness of a multicomponent hand hygiene intervention on handwashing behavior, underlying behavioral factors, and the well-being of health care workers and students.

Egg excretion patterns of soil-transmitted helminth infections in humans following albendazole-ivermectin and albendazole treatment.

Background: Control efforts of soil-transmitted helminthiases rely primarily on large scale administration of anthelminthic drugs. The assessment of drug efficacies and understanding of drug behavior is pivotal to the evaluation of treatment successes, both in preventive chemo-therapy programs as well as in research of novel treatment options. The current WHO guidelines recommend an interval of 14-21 days between the treatment and follow-up, yet no in-depth analysis of egg excretion patterns of Trichuris trichiura after treatment has been conducted to date.

Steatotic liver disease among lean and non-lean individuals in Southern Lao PDR: a cross-sectional study of risk factors.

Background: Steatotic liver disease (SLD) prevalence is rising worldwide, linked to insulin resistance and obesity. SLD prevalence can surpass 10% even among those with normal weight. In Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), where (OV) trematode infection and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are common, infection related liver morbidity such as cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is high, but data on SLD prevalence is lacking.

A community based seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia.

Background: Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is life-threatening infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus that caused a global pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 has been widely transmitted throughout Ethiopia, with over 501,060 cases confirmed and 7574 deaths until November 2023. This study assessed for the first time the seroprevalence SARS-CoV-2 in the general population of the Somali Region during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Management of diseases in a ruminant livestock production system: a participatory appraisal of the performance of veterinary services delivery, and utilization in Ghana.

Introduction: Sustainable livestock production remains crucial for attainment of food security globally and for safeguarding the livelihoods of many households in low- and -middle income countries. However, the high prevalence of infectious livestock diseases, coupled with inadequate provision and adoption of effective control measures, leads to reduced livestock productivity, increased animal mortalities, and emergence of antimicrobial resistant pathogens. This study sought to assess the management strategies employed by farmers for priority diseases affecting their animals and the utilization and performance of veterinary services.

Efficacy and safety of moxidectin compared with ivermectin against Strongyloides stercoralis infection in adults in Laos and Cambodia: a randomised, double-blind, non-inferiority, phase 2b/3 trial.

Background: Infection with the soil-transmitted helminth Strongyloides stercoralis affects up to 600 million people globally, most of whom live in rural areas with poor sanitation. If untreated, infection leads to long-lasting morbidity and might even be life-threatening. Moxidectin might be a promising alternative to ivermectin, the only currently recommended single-dose treatment.

Farmers' valuation and willingness to pay for vaccines to protect livestock resources against priority infectious diseases in Ghana.

Introduction: Livestock vaccination coverage rates remain low in many lower and middle income countries despite effective vaccines being commonly available. Consequently, many preventable infectious livestock diseases remain highly prevalent, causing significant animal mortalities and threatening farmers' livelihood and food security. This study sought to assess farmers' maximum willingness to pay (WTP) for contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), and peste-des-petits-ruminants (PPR) vaccination of cattle, and sheep and goats, respectively.

Relationship between animal health and livestock farmers' wellbeing in Ghana: beyond zoonoses.

Introduction: Livestock production is a key livelihood source for many people in developing countries. Poor control of livestock diseases hamper livestock productivity, threatening farmers' wellbeing and food security. This study estimates the effect of livestock mortalities attributable to disease on the wellbeing of livestock farmers.

Prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal parasitic infections among children in pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities in the Adadle woreda of the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia.

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) can cause illness, morbidity, and occasional mortality in children. Agro-pastoralist and pastoralist children in the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia (ESRS) are especially at risk for IPIs, as access to safe water, sanitation, and health services is lacking. Minimal data on the prevalence of IPIs and associated risk factors exists in this region.