Health workers' strikes in low-income countries: the available evidence.

Objective: To analyse the characteristics, frequency, drivers, outcomes and stakeholders of health workers' strikes in low-income countries.

Methods: We reviewed the published and grey literature from online sources for the years 2009 to 2018. We used four search strategies: (i) exploration of main health and social sciences databases; (ii) use of specialized websites on human resources for health and development; (iii) customized Google search; and (iv) consultation with experts to validate findings.

Genetic diversity and genotype multiplicity of Plasmodium falciparum infections in symptomatic individuals living in Bangui (CAR).

This study provides the first estimate of the genetic diversity and genotype multiplicity of Plasmodium falciparum infections in symptomatic individuals living in Bangui (Central African Republic, CAR). Three hundred thirty six clinical isolates were used for analysis of parasite population polymorphism and genotyped by nested-PCR of msp-1 block 2, and msp-2 block 3. We found a very high level of polymorphism, with, respectively, 17 and 25 different alleles at the msp-1 and msp-2 loci and a high percentage of multiclonal infections (42.

Hepatitis E, Central African Republic.

Hepatitis E, Central African Republic

Polymorphisms in pfcrt, pfmdr1, dhfr genes and in vitro responses to antimalarials in Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Bangui, Central African Republic.

Drug resistance is probably the greatest challenge to most malaria-control programs. Given the limited resources for other malarial-control measures, rational drug used is crucial. Molecular markers for parasite resistance such as pfcrt, pfmdr-1, and dhfr have the potential to be used in an integrated fashion to provide timely information that is useful to policy makers.

Association of failures of seven-day courses of artesunate in a non-immune population in Bangui, Central African Republic with decreased sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum.

We assessed the efficacy and safety of a seven-day course of artesunate for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in 55 non-immune patients living in Bangui, Central African Republic. The parasitologic cure rates were 100%, 95%, and 85% on days 14, 28, and 42, respectively. There were no significant differences in parasitemia density, 50% inhibitory concentration of dihydroartemisinin, and frequency of mutant P.

Drug-resistant malaria in Bangui, Central African Republic: an in vitro assessment.

We used an in vitro isotopic drug sensitivity assay to assess the sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum isolates collected in Bangui, Central African Republic between March and July 2004. We tested antimalarials that are currently in use in this country (chloroquine, amodiaquine, quinine, and pyrimethamine), antimalarials that will become available in this region in the future (artemisinin and halofantrine), and prophylactic antimalarials (mefloquine, doxycycline, and atovaquone). The proportions of resistant isolates were 37% for chloroquine, 15.

HIV epidemic in Central African Republic: high prevalence rates in both rural and urban areas.

A sentinel serosurveillance study was conducted in Central African Republic to estimate the prevalence of HIV seropositivity in the general adult population in each province so that the public health authorities can target HIV prevention programmes to the priority areas. Blood samples were collected from women attending 48 antenatal clinics in urban and rural areas of the Central African Republic. These samples were tested for HIV antibodies in an anonymous and unlinked manner using strategy II recommended by WHO.