Prevalence of mental health conditions in post-conflict Kasai Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo: A repeated, cross-sectional study.

Globally, one in five people in post-conflict areas are estimated to be living with a mental health condition. As a key public health issue, these conditions negatively affect individuals, communities, and societies to function after a conflict. Documenting the prevalence of mental health conditions amongst these populations is crucial to prioritise and guide future mental health interventions.

Participatory development of a community mental wellbeing support package for people affected by skin neglected tropical diseases in the Kasai province, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Background: Skin neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) produce signs and symptoms that are often physically challenging, stigmatizing and have a negative impact on the mental wellbeing of people affected. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), little is known about the mental wellbeing experiences of people affected by skin NTDs and support is lacking. We collaborated with ongoing NTD programs, the Ministry of Health and people affected to evidence experiences and opportunities for change and co-developed a mental wellbeing support package for people affected and local health system actors.

Mental health, stigma and the quality of life of people affected by neglected tropical diseases of the skin in Kasai Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a sex-disaggregated analysis.

Background: Worldwide, persons affected by skin Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) may experience stigma and discrimination, which could lead to impaired societal functioning and poor mental wellbeing. Evidence of comorbidity of NTDs and mental health conditions is dominated by Leprosy, largely lacking in post-conflict areas, and rarely disaggregated by sex.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey is the first to explore depression, anxiety, stigma, and quality of life amongst people affected by Lymphatic Filariasis, Buruli Ulcer, Onchocerciasis or Leprosy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

A quality improvement approach in co-developing a primary healthcare package for raising awareness and managing female genital schistosomiasis in Nigeria and Liberia.

Background: Girls and women living in endemic areas for urogenital schistosomiasis may have lifelong vulnerability to female genital schistosomiasis (FGS). For >2 decades, the importance of FGS has been increasing in sub-Saharan Africa, but without established policies for case detection and treatment. This research aimed to understand the level of FGS knowledge of frontline health workers and health professionals working in endemic areas and to identify health system needs for the effective management of FGS cases and prevention of further complications due to ongoing infections.

Incorporating the diagnosis and management of female genital schistosomiasis in primary healthcare in Liberia: a mixed methods pilot study.

Background: Liberia's national neglected tropical disease (NTD) master plan 2016-2020 adopted the need for integrated approaches to tackle the threat of specific NTDs including schistosomiasis. Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) affects up to 75% of women and girls living in schistosomiasis-endemic areas. Liberia's Bong and Nimba counties are endemic for schistosomiasis.

Research priorities to support the development of integrated national strategies to control skin-neglected tropical diseases.

Background: Skin-presenting neglected tropical diseases (skin-NTDs) impose large burdens on affected people, families and communities. The NTD Roadmap 2021-2030 presents a strategic plan to guide collaborative, multisectoral action to overcome these burdens, defining targets to control, eliminate and/or eradicate skin-NTDs by 2030. One of its targets is for 40 countries to adopt integrated skin-NTD strategies.

Global burden of active smoking among people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Although the high burden of both active smoking and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is clearly known, the relationship between them is still not well characterized. Therefore, we estimated the global prevalence of active smoking in people living with HIV (PLHIV) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and investigated the association between exposure to active smoking and risk for suboptimal adherence to ART. Main text: We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science to identify articles published until September 19, 2019.

Prevalence and determinants of excessive daytime sleepiness in hypertensive patients: a cross-sectional study in Douala, Cameroon.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and determinants of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) among a group of sub-Saharan Africans living with hypertension.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Setting: Cardiology outpatient unit of the Douala General Hospital in Cameroon.