Country-specific key lifestyle factors and health outcomes for resource allocation in the general population: a network analysis across 29 countries.

Background: We aimed to identify the central lifestyle, the most impactful among lifestyle factor clusters; the central health outcome, the most impactful among health outcome clusters; and the bridge lifestyle, the most strongly connected to health outcome clusters, across 29 countries to optimise resource allocation for local holistic health improvements.

Methods: From July 2020 to August 2021, we surveyed 16 461 adults across 29 countries who self-reported changes in 18 lifestyle factors and 13 health outcomes due to the pandemic. Three networks were generated by network analysis for each country: lifestyle, health outcome, and bridge networks.

Association between e-health literacy and perceived importance of future pandemic preparedness in sub-saharan Africa.

Introduction: Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases continue to pose a severe threat to public health in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and globally. Community-related interventions, such as community e-Health literacy, can contribute to the preparedness to respond effectively to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. This study investigated the relationship between e-Health literacy and SSA countries' perceptions of the importance of readiness for potential pandemics.

Mpox as an emerging health threat for survivors of sex trafficking.

The resurgence of mpox, declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization in 2024, highlights gaps in global preparedness, particularly for marginalised populations. While much of the focus has been on men who have sex with men, survivors of sex trafficking remain overlooked, despite being highly vulnerable to mpox transmission. These individuals face significant health disparities, including limited access to healthcare, exposure to violence and forced sexual encounters in unsafe conditions, which amplify their risk of infection.

Thermal and catalytic pyrolysis of automotive plastic wastes to diesel range fuel.

This study investigated the pyrolysis of automotive plastic wastes (APW) for the production of diesel-grade oil products using a modified calcium bentonite clay catalyst. The research aimed to optimize the process for maximum oil yield and diesel range organics yield. The APW was characterized by its chemical composition and physical properties and the optimal temperature and catalyst amount were determined for maximum oil yield and diesel range hydrocarbons.

Advancing Immunization in Africa: Overcoming Challenges to Achieve the 2030 Global Immunization Targets.

African immunization programs are crucial in reducing the prevalence of infectious diseases and improving public health outcomes. This review provides an overview of the current status of immunization efforts in Africa, highlights key challenges, and offers recommendations to help the continent achieve the 2030 Global Immunization Goals. While progress has been made, significant challenges remain.

Examining the potentials of stem cell therapy in reducing the burden of selected non-communicable diseases in Africa.

Stem cell therapy (SCT) is a promising solution for addressing health challenges in Africa, particularly non-communicable diseases (NCDs). With their regenerative potential, stem cells have the inherent capacity to differentiate into numerous cell types for tissue repair. Despite infrastructural, ethical, and legal challenges, SCT holds immense promise for managing chronic illnesses and deep-seated tissue injuries.

Restrictive migration policies and their impact on HIV prevention, care and treatment services.

Migration policies have a significant impact on population health, particularly for individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These policies not only determine who is allowed to enter a country but also influence which immigrants can access services provided by the government. Some countries continue to impose restrictions on HIV-positive individuals, justifying these measures as necessary to protect public health and mitigate healthcare and economic concerns.

Looking Beyond the Lens of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in Africa.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a lethal viral disease that has severe public health effects throughout Africa and a case fatality rate of 10%-40%. CCHF virus was first discovered in Crimea in 1944 and has since caused a substantial disease burden in Africa. The shortage of diagnostic tools, ineffective tick control efforts, slow adoption of preventive measures, and cultural hurdles to public education are among the problems associated with continued CCHF virus transmission.

Transforming adolescent menstrual health through policy: the role of value added tax exemptions in improving access to sanitary products.

In Namibia, the Value Added Tax (VAT) Amendment Act 2022, which reclassified the supply of sanitary pads as zero-rated, has significant implications for adolescent girls' menstrual health and education. The policy change responds to the need to address period poverty by making essential menstrual products more accessible and affordable. Menstruation is a normal biological process, and access to sanitary products is a human right.

Cabo Verde's malaria-free certification: A blueprint for eradicating malaria in Africa.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) officially certified Cabo Verde as a malaria-free country in January 2024, marking a key milestone in world health and demonstrating the efficacy of comprehensive malaria control programs. Cabo Verde is only the third country in the WHO African region to have achieved this designation, highlighting the potential for other nations to successfully eradicate malaria. Despite encountering hurdles like drug-resistant strains and COVID-19 disruptions, Cabo Verde's success after years of strategic planning and multisectoral collaboration highlights the value of long-term public health initiatives.

Paediatric testicular torsion in low- and middle-income countries: an OxPLORE scoping study.

Background: Literature on paediatric surgical conditions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remains limited. As a common emergency, timely treatment of testicular torsion acts as a benchmark of adequate emergency service delivery in paediatric surgery. This scoping study aims to synthesise all existing literature on paediatric testicular torsion in LMICs.

Key lifestyles and health outcomes across 16 prevalent chronic diseases: A network analysis of an international observational study.

Background: Central and bridge nodes can drive significant overall improvements within their respective networks. We aimed to identify them in 16 prevalent chronic diseases during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to guide effective intervention strategies and appropriate resource allocation for most significant holistic lifestyle and health improvements.

Methods: We surveyed 16 512 adults from July 2020 to August 2021 in 30 territories.

Intriguing insight into unanswered questions about Mpox: exploring health policy implications and considerations.

The 2022 multi-country Monkeypox (Mpox) outbreak has added concerns to scientific research. However, unanswered questions about the disease remain. These unanswered questions lie in different aspects, such as transmission, the affected community, clinical presentations, infection and prevention control and treatment and vaccination.

Stigma and infectious diseases in Africa: examining impact and strategies for reduction.

Stigma poses a significant barrier to accessing care, managing, and preventing infectious diseases in Africa. The authors conducted an extensive search across Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar to identify relevant English-language articles, with no constraints on publication dates, using the keywords "Stigma," and "Infectious Disease," in conjunction with "Africa." This article explores the multifaceted nature of stigma associated with infectious diseases, highlighting its impact on healthcare access and public health outcomes.

Synergistic fight against future pandemics: Lessons from previous pandemics.

The history of pandemics spans centuries and has had a profound impact on human health, societies, and economies. Pandemics have caused fear, panic, and significant morbidity and mortality rates throughout history. From the Athenian Plague in 430 BC to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, infectious diseases have posed a continuous threat to global health systems.

The efficacy of intrauterine infusion of platelet rich plasma in women undergoing assisted reproduction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous platelet concentration recently used in the reproductive field. Studies had conflicting results regarding its effect on pregnancy outcomes. We aimed to solve the debate on the safety and efficacy of PRP in women undergoing assisted reproduction and assess the influence of covariates on the outcomes of PRP infusion.

The Re-emergence of Diphtheria Amidst Multiple Outbreaks in Nigeria.

Diphtheria, a vaccine-preventable disease, has resurfaced in Nigeria, where many outbreaks have been reported in recent years. The outbreaks have occurred across the country, including in areas with high vaccination coverage. Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the causal agent, is a highly contagious bacteria that can cause severe respiratory and systemic symptoms and can be fatal if not treated.

Key lifestyles and interim health outcomes for effective interventions in general populations: A network analysis of a large international observational study.

Background: The interconnected nature of lifestyles and interim health outcomes implies the presence of the central lifestyle, central interim health outcome and bridge lifestyle, which are yet to be determined. Modifying these factors holds immense potential for substantial positive changes across all aspects of health and lifestyles. We aimed to identify these factors from a pool of 18 lifestyle factors and 13 interim health outcomes while investigating potential gender and occupation differences.