How Nurses' Interventions Promote Health Literacy in Patients With Non-Communicable Diseases: A Systematic Review.

Background: More than one-third of all diseases in the world are non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and poorer health outcomes are linked to low health literacy (HL), in which nurses have a significant role to play. Various studies have confirmed that there is an association between HL and NCDs. However, less is known about how nurses can intervene in the development of HL in patients with NCDs.

Mechanical Thrombectomy in Africa: A Challenging Future.

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has revolutionized the management of proximal large vessel occlusions (LVOs) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), improving long-term outcomes compared to standard treatments. However, despite its success in high-income countries, the widespread implementation of MT in Africa remains limited. With Africa experiencing one of the highest stroke burdens globally, this study examines the barriers impeding the adoption of MT in the region.

Twin testosterone transfer hypothesis and the second-to-fourth digit ratio in females of same-sex and opposite-sex twin pairs: An exploratory study.

The twin testosterone transfer (TTT) hypothesis posits that females with male co-twins (opposite-sex, OS) might develop male-typical traits due to higher prenatal testosterone exposure. This study explored whether females of OS have lower 2D:4D digit ratios and higher testosterone levels compared to females of same-sex (SS) twin pairs. Conducted in Tamale from January to December 2022, the study included 40 participants aged 18-27 years: 10 males of OS, 10 females of OS, and 20 females of SS twin pairs.

Exploring the Needs and Preferences of Users and Parents to Design a Mobile App to Deliver Mental Health Peer Support to Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes: Qualitative Study.

Background: Beyond physical health, managing type 1 diabetes (T1D) also encompasses a psychological component, including diabetes distress, that is, the worries, fears, and frustrations associated with meeting self-care demands over the lifetime. While digital health solutions have been increasingly used to address emotional health in diabetes, these technologies may not uniformly meet the unique concerns and technological savvy across all age groups.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the mental health needs of adolescents with T1D, determine their preferred modalities for app-based mental health support, and identify desirable design features for peer-delivered mental health support modeled on an app designed for adults with T1D.

Non-utilisation of postpartum services in northwestern Nigeria: analyses of trend and social determinants from 2003 to 2018.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of non-utilisation of postpartum services in northwestern Nigeria from 2003 to 2018 and to identify and estimate the influence of social determinants, a crucial step in improving maternal and child health in the region.

Design: The 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey rounds were used. Descriptive, trend and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to show the trend and assess the influence of social determinants.

The Use of Zolpidem in Catatonia: A Case Report.

Catatonia is a complex neuropsychiatric syndrome characterised by abnormal psychomotor disturbance, which poses a diagnostic and treatment challenge to clinicians. It is a life-threatening condition in its severe form, termed malignant and characterised by hyperthermia and autonomic disturbances. Early recognition and treatment are important in its management.

Predictive modelling of metabolic syndrome in Ghanaian diabetic patients: an ensemble machine learning approach.

Objectives: The burgeoning prevalence of cardiometabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) within Africa is concerning. Machine learning (ML) techniques offer a unique opportunity to leverage data-driven insights and construct predictive models for MetS risk, thereby enhancing the implementation of personalised prevention strategies. In this work, we employed ML techniques to develop predictive models for pre-MetS and MetS among diabetic patients.

PATHWAYS TO CARE AMONG PATIENTS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AT USMANU DANFODIYO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, SOKOTO, NIGERIA.

Background: The first line of care is a paramount stage in the management of the mentally ill persons. In Nigeria, traditional and faith-based healers compete with medical professionals in providing care.

Aim: Pathway to care among patients with Mental Illness at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria.

DEPRESSION AS A PREDICTOR OF OPIOID USE DISORDER IN SICKLE CELL DISEASE PATIENTS.

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is highly prevalent in Africa, especially in Nigeria, the most populous country, and is associated with a high mortality rate. Depression, common among individuals with SCD, correlates with increased pain intensity and opioid misuse, leading to poorer outcomes and diminished quality of life in these patients.

Aim: To determine whether major depressive disorder is a predictor of opioid use disorder among patients with sickle cell disease.

Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months among caregivers of children under five years in northern Ghana: A cross-sectional study.

Despite consistent evidence highlighting the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months, EBF duration sometimes falls short of six months or exceeds it. This research seeks to explore factors influencing the practice of optimal duration of EBF and identify factors associated with suboptimal EBF durations. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 16 districts across four Northern regions of Ghana with 2000 caregivers of children under five years old.

Predictors of consistent condom use among male construction workers who have engaged in concurrent sex with regular sex partners, casual sex partners, and sex workers over a 3-month period.

This study investigates the predictors of consistent condom use among male construction workers in South Africa who reported concurrent sexual relationships with regular partners, casual partners, and sex workers over a 3-month period. A cross-sectional survey was used to collect data from a convenience sample of 450 male workers across 18 construction work sites in the Western Cape province. Of these, 245 (54%) indicated that they had engaged in sex with all three partner types during the 3-month study period.

Liver cell cancer surveillance practice in Nigeria: Pitfalls and future prospects.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a disease of public health concern in Nigeria, with chronic hepatitis B and C infections contributing most to the disease burden. Despite the increasing incidence of HCC, surveillance practices for early diagnosis and possible cure are not deeply rooted in the country. This article aims to review the current status of HCC surveillance in Nigeria, stressing the encounters, breaches, and potential prospects.

Impact of Digitally Enabled Peer Support Interventions on Diabetes Distress and Depressive Symptoms in People Living with Type 1 Diabetes: A Systematic Review.

Purpose Of Review: To explore the impact of digitally-enabled peer support interventions on diabetes distress and depression for individuals living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D).

Recent Findings: We synthesized the results of nine key studies from a review of 3,623 English-language articles published between January 2012 and January 2024. Three studies demonstrated significant reductions in diabetes distress, and two studies reported reductions in depression.

A comprehensive review of primary cooling techniques and thermal management strategies for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells PEMFC.

Enhancing the endurance and efficiency of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) requires efficient thermal management. This comprehensive review examines the primary cooling techniques employed in PEMFC systems, concentrating on techniques for air and liquid cooling. Liquid cooling, which circulates a coolant through channels adjacent to the ability of the fuel cell stack to maintain ideal operating temperatures, is highlighted and significantly reduces temperature variations, thereby improving overall efficiency and lifespan.

Nocturnal blood pressure dipping and left ventricular hypertrophy among hypertensive outpatients in a Ghanaian hospital.

Objectives: To investigate the association between the extent of nocturnal systolic blood pressure decline and left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with primary hypertension who were receiving antihypertensive drug therapy.

Design: This was a cross-sectional hospital-based study from November 2020 to March 2021.

Setting: The study was conducted at the Polyclinic of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana.

Management of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci and daptomycin-resistant Enterococci infections in liver transplant recipients in a single academic center.

Introduction: Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) infections cause significant morbidity and mortality in liver transplant (LT) recipients. Management is challenging, especially in the setting of daptomycin resistance (DR).

Methods: Single-center retrospective review of patients who underwent LT between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2022, and developed VRE infections.