Child Immunization Coverage in Urban Settings of Twelve Provinces Plus Kabul, Afghanistan, 2019.

Low immunization and discrepancies in data sources have been a consistent challenge in Afghanistan. The objective of this was to estimate the coverage of immunization status among children of 12-23 months in urban settings of 12 provinces plus Kabul, Afghanistan in 2019. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the capital of 12 cities of polio high-risk provinces plus Kabul during October-December 2019.

Supporting Public Health Research Capacity, Quality, and Productivity in a Diverse Region.

Public health research plays a critical role in strengthening health systems and improving their performance and impact. However, scholarly production in public health coming from the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) remains well below the world average and lacks a tangible growth trend over time. During the seventh Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network Regional Conference, a roundtable session brought together a panel of public health experts representing Global Health Development/Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network affiliates, universities or academia, and research institutions from the region, where they shared insights on the current situation of public health research; challenges and barriers to research facing the different countries in the EMR and the region in general; and how research agendas, productivity, and quality can be supported through strengthening research capacity in the region.

General publics' perception toward COVID-19 vaccines in Afghanistan, 2021.

As of August 2021, less than 5% of the total population in Afghanistan has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Concerns remain regarding low uptake of the vaccine due to several factors. This study was conducted to understand the perception of the public on COVID-19 and its vaccines in Afghanistan.

Predictors of Mothers' Care Seeking Behavior for Common Childhood Illnesses: Findings From the Afghanistan Health Survey 2015.

Background: Mothers' care seeking behavior for childhood illness is a key factor of utilizing healthcare for children. We examined predictors of mothers' care seeking for common childhood illnesses.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, using data from the Afghanistan Health Survey (AHS) 2015.

Epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of diabetic foot ulcer among patients with diabetes in Afghanistan: An IDF supported initiative.

Aim: The aim is to illustrate epidemiological and clinical characteristics of diabetic patients with foot ulcer (DFU) in Kabul diabetic medical center (KDMC), Afghanistan.

Method: It is a descriptive study explaining the characteristics of diabetic patients with DFU admitted to KDMC, between 1/9/2019 to 31/8/2020 which is a center for management of diabetic patients including DFU. The university of Texas diabetic classification for DFU was used.

Knowledge, attitudes, practice of people toward the COVID-19 pandemics, and its impact in Afghanistan.

COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the social and economic norms. Knowledge, Attitude and Practices studies are used to address the information gap for further strategic decision making to control the pandemic. This study aimed to find the level of Knowledge, Awareness, Attitudes, and behavioral practices of the people of Afghanistan about the COVID-19 and its impact on health and socio-economic dimension of their routine lives.

Nonpharmaceutical interventions reduce the incidence and mortality of COVID-19: A study based on the survey from the International COVID-19 Research Network (ICRN).

The recently emerged novel coronavirus, "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)," caused a highly contagious disease called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It has severely damaged the world's most developed countries and has turned into a major threat for low- and middle-income countries. Since its emergence in late 2019, medical interventions have been substantial, and most countries relied on public health measures collectively known as nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs).

Molecular epidemiology of Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus, and Hepatitis D virus in general population of Afghanistan.

Background/aims: This study gives a clue about genotypes, subgenotypes and subtypes of HBV, HCV and HDV viruses in general population of Afghanistan.

Materials And Methods: A total of 234 HBsAg, 44 anti-HCV and 5 Anti-Delta positive patients belong to 25-70 age group were obtained through a rapid screening test among 5898 residents of Afghanistan. After quantifying viral load, genotyping of 61 HBV, 29 HCV and 1 HDV samples were accomplished by sequencing of a segment of the HBV Pre S, HCV NS5B, and HDV Delta antigen regions respectively.

Profile of risk factors for noncommunicable diseases in major cities of Afghanistan: WHO STEPwise approach.

Background: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are a major public health problem worldwide. Despite improvement in the health situation, Afghanistan's health indicators are the worst in the Region. About 37% of Afghan adults die due to NCDs.

Epidemiology of blood-borne viral infections in Afghanistan.

Although a few studies have been done on transmissible blood-borne viral infections in high-risk groups, little attention has been given to assessing the infection status of the general population in Afghanistan. To investigate the epidemiological status in the general population, we tested the serological markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis delta virus (HDV), human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) and human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV) infections. In total, 492 samples were selected randomly from Nangarhar, Herat, Mazar-e Sharif, Kandahar, and Kabul from subjects between 25 and 70 years old.

Diabetes Mellitus Among Adults in Herat, Afghanistan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Diabetes is reaching epidemic levels in Afghanistan. This study identifies the risk factors associated with diabetes in Herat City, Afghanistan, and explores the prevalence of previously undiagnosed diabetes.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using multistage cluster sampling by adopting the World Health Organization's (WHO) STEPwise approach to Surveillance (STEPS).

Challenges on-the-way of nursing administration at public hospitals in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the challenges faced by the nursing administration at public hospitals in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to recruit 86 nursing managers and head nurses from 17 public hospitals in Kabul. The participants rated the frequency of 13 challenges that hinder their performance.

Burden of Hypertension in the Capital of Afghanistan: A Cross-Sectional Study in Kabul City, 2015.

This study had the objective to assess the prevalence and associated factors of hypertension in an urban setting, Kabul city, Afghanistan. The World Health Organization's STEP-wise approach was adopted and used in Kabul in November 2015. The study analyzed a sample of 1172 adults in the age group of 25-70 years.

Prevalence of hypertension and associated factors in Jalalabad City, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan.

Background: Hypertension affects an estimated one billion people, worldwide. It is a public health challenge characterized by increased morbidity, mortality, as well as cost to the community and health systems. The goal of this study is to determine the prevalence of hypertension and characterize associated risk factors in an urban setting in Afghanistan.

Prevalence and predictors of adult hypertension in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Background: The prevalence of hypertension is rising worldwide with an estimated one billion people now affected globally and is of near epidemic proportions in many parts of South Asia. Recent turmoil has until recently precluded estimates in Afghanistan so we sought, therefore, to establish both prevalence predictors in our population.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of adults ≥40 years of age in Kabul from December 2011-March 2012 using a multistage sampling method.

Prevalence of Risk Factors for Non-Communicable Diseases in the Adult Population of Urban Areas in Kabul City, Afghanistan.

Background: Non-Communicable diseases (NCDs) are a major global problem. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of common risk factors for NCDs among the adult population in urban areas of Kabul city, Afghanistan.

Methods And Materials: This study was conducted from December 2011 through March 2012 and involved a survey of 1169 respondents, aged 40 years and above.

Concurrent Brucellosis and Q Fever Infection: a Case Control Study in Bamyan Province, Afghanistan.

Background: More than 500,000 people are affected by brucellosis each year while the incidence of Q fever is poorly recorded. Consistent outbreaks of brucellosis have been reported in Afghanistan, affecting social and economic life. This study aimed to determine the means of propagation of brucellosis and Q-fever and establish appropriate control measures for both.

Occurrence of acute respiratory infection, diarrhea and jaundice among Afghan pilgrims, 2010.

Background: Annually 30,000 Afghans attend the Hajj in Saudi Arabia that is one of the largest mass gathering events in the world. We aimed to determine the prevalence of three syndromes of interest diarrhea, acute respiratory infections (ARI) and jaundice-among Hajjis gathering at the four transit sites in Afghanistan before, during, and after their voyage.

Methods: A total of 1659 Hajjis at four transit sites were selected and included a cross-sectional study.