Publications by authors named "Olalekan John Okesanya"

Background: Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a leading cause of infection-related deaths worldwide. Children with underdeveloped immune systems are particularly vulnerable, experiencing symptoms akin to common childhood illnesses. Early diagnosis and treatment typically yield positive outcomes.

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Background: HIV self-testing (HIVST) offers a novel solution for increasing HIV testing among pregnant and postpartum women and their male partners, especially in low-resource settings. These groups often face barriers such as stigma, fear, and limited access to traditional HIV-testing services.

Methods: We reviewed qualitative and quantitative studies focusing on HIVST implementation in both public and private healthcare settings among pregnant and postpartum women and male partners in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), analyzed uptake, male involvement, and barriers.

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Spina bifida is a congenital neural tube defect that results in abnormal development of the spine and central nervous system. Infants born with this condition face a range of physical disabilities and associated complications. Although the global burden has declined in recent decades due to folic acid fortification and prenatal screening, spina bifida remains a significant public health challenge in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

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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.

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  • Health professions education is crucial for universal health coverage and improving health outcomes, but low- and middle-income countries like Somalia struggle with outdated systems, resource shortages, and a lack of trained professionals due to ongoing instability.
  • This study used mixed-methods research, including interviews and surveys, to analyze the state of health education and workforce in Somalia, investigating the perspectives of young professionals and students in the field.
  • Findings revealed a concentration of health schools in urban areas, significant urban-rural disparities in the healthcare workforce, and employment challenges for graduates, indicating an urgent need for reforms in health education and governance.
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  • * Low- and middle-income countries in Africa suffer significant health consequences from WASH-related diseases, with issues like poverty, illiteracy, and climate change hindering effective interventions and leading to millions of deaths annually.
  • * Recommendations for improving WASH practices include implementing strong financial frameworks, providing skills training, and utilizing tools like WASH Fit to enhance infrastructure and address health impacts while also contributing to economic growth and sustainability.
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The burden of meningitis poses great challenges for neurology and global health, manifesting with a range of symptoms from mild fever and headaches, to severe long term complications such as paralysis and cognitive impairment.. Unfortunately, those living in endemic regions, especially survivors, are often confronted with the harsh reality of reduced quality of life as measured by disability-adjusted life years.

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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.

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Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), structurally similar to other herpes viruses, possess significant global health challenges as it causes infectious mononucleosis and is also associated with various cancers. Due to this widespread impact, an effective messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine is paramount to help curb its spread, further underscoring the need for its development. This study, following an immunoinformatic approach, aimed to design a comprehensive mRNA vaccine against the EBV by selecting antigenic proteins, predicting Linear B-cell epitopes, cytotoxic T-cell lymphocyte (CTL) and helper T-cell lymphocyte (HTL) epitopes, and assessing vaccine characteristics.

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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.

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  • * Key obstacles include poor environmental sanitation, contaminated water and food, and the impact of climate change, which exacerbate cholera spread and hinder progress towards the 2030 targets of a 90% reduction in cases and deaths.
  • * Despite these hurdles, achieving global cholera eradication is possible with strengthened institutional support and the implementation of evidence-based public health strategies, guided by the Global Roadmap to Ending Cholera Outbreaks by 2030.
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The healthcare industry is constantly evolving to bridge the inequality gap and provide precision care to its diverse population. One of these approaches is the integration of digital health tools into healthcare delivery. Significant milestones such as reduced maternal mortality, rising and rapidly proliferating health tech start-ups, and the use of drones and smart devices for remote health service delivery, among others, have been reported.

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The transportation sector is among the highest contributors to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions in European nations, with private cars emerging as the primary source. Although reducing emissions presents a formidable challenge, the emergence of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) offers a promising and sustainable avenue toward achieving zero greenhouse gases within the transportation infrastructure. Since the 1990s, the Norwegian parliament has fervently supported this transition, leveraging public awareness campaigns and a range of financial incentives for its users nationwide.

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  • * 400 serum samples were tested using the ELISA method, revealing that 23% of participants had anti- antibodies, with the highest prevalence in women aged 36-40 and married individuals.
  • * The findings suggest a need for comprehensive sexual education and routine testing, indicating that this infection is widespread in the region.
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Introduction: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of rotavirus infection among children in Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria, and its association with selected demographic factors. Rotavirus infections are a major cause of viral gastroenteritis in children globally, and despite the availability of vaccines, they continue to pose a significant health burden.

Methods: The study population consisted of 200 children aged 2-15 years, with data collected through a questionnaire and stool samples analysed using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kits (Abbexa, UK) following the manufacturer's instructions.

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