A study on physicians' knowledge and practices of asthma management in Angola.

Background: Asthma is the most common chronic non-communicable disease in children and one of the most common in adults, and the majority of asthma-related deaths are attributed to middle- and low-income countries. Physicians' knowledge and practice have been recognized as fundamental elements in the approach to the asthmatic patient with an impact on the treatment and control of the disease. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of Angolan physicians in the management of asthma, as well as to identify the main gaps.

Clinical characteristics and variables associated with COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in Luanda, Angola, in the first year of the pandemic.

Background: The impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Africa is still unclear. In comparison to Europe and North America, morbidity and death rates are lower. Several factors have been proposed, including geographical variation in virus impact, environmental factors, differences in age distribution, and the impact of infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV infection and tuberculosis.

Factors associated with poor asthma symptom control in adult Angolan regularly seen at an outpatient respiratory clinic.

Background: Asthma is one of the most common chronic respiratory diseases and one of the most frequent causes of hospital care.

Objectives: To describe the clinical characteristics of asthma and factors associated with its control.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Military Hospital in Luanda, from April 2018 to March 2019.

Agenesis of the right lung in an adult woman: A case report.

Key Clinical Message: Pulmonary agenesis is a rare congenital abnormality. Patients with hemithorax white-out on x-rays should be treated with caution, especially in resource-limited countries where chest CT and bronchofibroscopy are not available to confirm the diagnosis.

Abstract: Pulmonary agenesis is an uncommon congenital abnormality defined by the complete absence of the lung parenchyma, as well as the bronchial and vascular structures.

Clinical Features Related to Severity and Mortality among COVID-19 Patients in a Pre-Vaccine Period in Luanda, Angola.

Background: Infection due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is associated with clinical features of diverse severity. Few studies investigated the severity and mortality predictors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Africa. Herein, we investigated the clinical features of severity and mortality among COVID-19 patients in Luanda, Angola.

Lack of Consistent Association between Asthma, Allergic Diseases, and Intestinal Helminth Infection in School-Aged Children in the Province of Bengo, Angola.

Epidemiological studies have shown conflicting findings on the relationship between asthma, atopy, and intestinal helminth infections. There are no such studies from Angola; therefore, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between asthma, allergic diseases, atopy, and intestinal helminth infection in Angolan schoolchildren. We performed a cross-sectional study of schoolchildren between September and November 2017.

Physicians' perceptions of their knowledge and the preparedness of health facilities in Angola to diagnose and manage COVID-19.

Background: Healthcare professionals represent a vulnerable group in terms of responding to COVID-19. Knowledge can influence healthcare professionals through adoption of the correct attitudes and practices. The aim of this study was to evaluate, by a questionnaire, the perceptions of physicians about their level of knowledge as well as conditions in their workplaces for dealing with COVID-19.

Helminth infections, atopy, asthma and allergic diseases: protocol for a systematic review of observational studies worldwide.

Introduction: Childhood infections, particularly those caused by helminths are considered to be important environmental exposures influencing the development of allergic diseases. However, epidemiological studies focusing on the relationship between helminth infections and risk of allergic diseases, performed worldwide, show inconsistent findings. Previous systematic reviews of observational studies published 10 or more years ago showed conflicting findings for effects of helminths on allergic diseases.

Sensitisation to aeroallergens in relation to asthma and other allergic diseases in Angolan children: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction And Objectives: In Africa, few studies of sensitisation profiles have been performed in children or adolescents and, in Angola, there are none. The objectives of the present study were to assess the sensitisation profile of Angolan schoolchildren and to determine the relationship between that pattern, sociodemographic factors, asthma and other allergic diseases.

Materials And Methods: Cross-sectional, observational study in 5-14-year-old children, performed between September and November 2017, in the Province of Bengo, Angola.