Caring for a young child who is HIV exposed and whose HIV status is not yet known: a scoping review of mothers' experiences.

Living with HIV can affect mothers' wellbeing, functioning, and experiences of caregiving. Most research about caregiving in the context of HIV comes from studies of dyads where both mother and child are living with HIV. Less is known about how mothers experience caregiving when their children are HIV exposed, but their HIV-status is not yet known.

Estimating the causal effect of dexamethasone versus hydrocortisone on the neutrophil- lymphocyte ratio in critically ill COVID-19 patients from Tygerberg Hospital ICU using TMLE method.

Background: Causal inference from observational studies is an area of interest to researchers, advancing rapidly over the years and with it, the methods for causal effect estimation. Among them, Targeted Maximum Likelihood estimation (TMLE) possesses arguably the most outstanding statistical properties, and with no outright treatment for COVID-19, there was an opportunity to estimate the causal effect of dexamethasone versus hydrocortisone upon the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a vital indicator for disease progression among critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Methods: TMLE variations were used in the analysis.

Effects of global health initiatives on the quality of care for maternal health services in Sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review protocol.

Introduction: Global Health Initiatives (GHIs) have significantly improved access to healthcare globally. However, high maternal mortality rates persist in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as Uganda. Despite heavy investment from the GHIs, there is insufficient evidence on the effects of GHIs on the quality of care of maternal health services and yet this significantly impacts maternal outcomes.

Structural barriers and facilitators to accessing HIV services for marginalized working populations: Insights from farm workers in South Africa.

Farm workers are a vulnerable working population that face significant inequalities in accessing health services, including those for HIV prevention, treatment, and care. This descriptive phenomenological study aimed to explore farm workers' experiences when accessing HIV services, and was conducted in Limpopo province, South Africa. Eighteen in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted in four health facilities from two districts, and two focus group discussions (FDGs) were conducted in one of the farms within the province.

Population size, HIV prevalence, and antiretroviral therapy coverage among key populations in sub-Saharan Africa: collation and synthesis of survey data, 2010-23.

Background: Key population HIV programmes in sub-Saharan Africa require epidemiological information to ensure equitable and universal access to effective services. We aimed to consolidate and harmonise survey data among female sex workers, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, and transgender people to estimate key population size, HIV prevalence, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage for countries in mainland sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: Key population size estimates, HIV prevalence, and ART coverage data from 39 sub-Saharan Africa countries between 2010 and 2023 were collated from existing databases and verified against source documents.

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: latest opinions on epidemiology, rapid diagnosis and management.

Purpose Of Review: This review addresses the escalating global challenge of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on its complex comorbidity with HIV/AIDS. Emphasizing the urgency of the issue, the review aims to shed light on the unique healthcare landscape shaped by the convergence of high prevalence rates and intersecting complexities with HIV/AIDS in the region.

Recent Findings: A notable increase in MDR-TB cases across Sub-Saharan Africa is attributed to challenges in timely diagnoses, treatment initiation, and patient treatment defaulting.

Perspectives on development and advancement of new tuberculosis vaccines.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of death worldwide and is estimated to have caused 1.3 million deaths worldwide in 2022. Approximately one quarter of the world's population are infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, of whom up to 10% will progress to developing active TB disease.

Barriers and enablers for implementation of digital-linked diagnostics models at point-of-care in South Africa: stakeholder engagement.

The integration of digital technologies holds significant promise in enhancing accessibility to disease diagnosis and treatment at point-of-care (POC) settings. Effective implementation of such interventions necessitates comprehensive stakeholder engagements. This study presents the outcomes of a workshop conducted with key stakeholders, aiming to discern barriers and enablers in implementing digital-connected POC diagnostic models in South Africa.

Detecting the most critical clinical variables of COVID-19 breakthrough infection in vaccinated persons using machine learning.

Background: COVID-19 vaccines offer different levels of immune protection but do not provide 100% protection. Vaccinated persons with pre-existing comorbidities may be at an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection or reinfection. The aim of this study is to identify the critical variables associated with a higher probability of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection using machine learning.

Machine learning algorithms for predicting determinants of COVID-19 mortality in South Africa.

Background: COVID-19 has strained healthcare resources, necessitating efficient prognostication to triage patients effectively. This study quantified COVID-19 risk factors and predicted COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) mortality in South Africa based on machine learning algorithms.

Methods: Data for this study were obtained from 392 COVID-19 ICU patients enrolled between 26 March 2020 and 10 February 2021.

The interface between SARS-CoV-2 and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in a high HIV/TB burden district level hospital setting, Cape Town, South Africa.

Background: COVID-19 experiences on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) from district-level hospital settings during waves I and II are scarcely documented. The aim of this study is to investigate the NCDs associated with COVID-19 severity and mortality in a district-level hospital with a high HIV/TB burden.

Methods: This was a retrospective observational study that compared COVID-19 waves I and II at Khayelitsha District Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa.

Burden, causation, and particularities of Long COVID in African populations: A rapid systematic review.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of long COVID, its most common symptoms, comorbidities, and pathophysiological mechanisms in African populations.

Methods: A systematic review of long COVID in African populations was conducted. The random effects model was used to calculate the pooled prevalence rates (95% CI).

Provision of HIV prevention and care services to farmworkers in sub-Saharan African countries.

Objectives: To summarise data on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) services available to farmworkers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Methods: We conducted a systematic review to understand which HIV prevention and care services were accessed by farm workers in SSA. MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, CINAHL (EBSCO Host), Cochrane library, African Index Medicus, Scopus, Google Scholar, Open Grey, and Web of Science Proceedings Citation Index were searched.

A Scoping Review Evaluating the Current State of Gut Microbiota Research in Africa.

The gut microbiota has emerged as a key human health and disease determinant. However, there is a significant knowledge gap regarding the composition, diversity, and function of the gut microbiota, specifically in the African population. This scoping review aims to examine the existing literature on gut microbiota research conducted in Africa, providing an overview of the current knowledge and identifying research gaps.

Immunologic and vascular biomarkers of mortality in critical COVID-19 in a South African cohort.

Introduction: Biomarkers predicting mortality among critical Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients provide insight into the underlying pathophysiology of fatal disease and assist with triaging of cases in overburdened settings. However, data describing these biomarkers in Sub-Saharan African populations are sparse.

Methods: We collected serum samples and corresponding clinical data from 87 patients with critical COVID-19 on day 1 of admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

An investigation of the correlation of vitamin D status and management outcomes in patients with severe COVID-19 at a South African tertiary hospital.

Background: Severe COVID-19 has a poor prognosis, and biomarkers may predict disease severity. This study aimed to assess the effect of baseline Vitamin D (VitD) inadequacy on outcome of patients with severe COVID-19 admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) in a tertiary hospital in South Africa.

Methods: Patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 were recruited during wave II of the pandemic in Cape Town.

A prediction risk score for HIV among adolescent girls and young women in South Africa: identifying those in need of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis.

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) have the highest risk of acquiring HIV. This has led to several studies aimed at identifying risk factors for HIV in AGYM. However, a combination of the purported risk variables in a multivariate risk model could be more useful in determining HIV risk in AGYW than one at a time.

Barriers and facilitators to anti-retroviral therapy adherence among adolescents aged 10 to 19 years living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: A mixed-methods systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) significantly affects adolescents globally, with the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) reporting a high burden of the disease. HIV testing, treatment, and retention to care are low among adolescents. We conducted a mixed-method systematic review to assess anti-retroviral therapy (ART) adherence; barriers and facilitators to ART adherence and ART outcomes among adolescents living with HIV and on ART in sub-Saharan Africa.

Long-term effects of aromatase inhibitors on body mass index among postmenopausal breast cancer survivors in Africa: observational cohort study.

Purpose: this study was conducted to assess the impact of AIs on body mass index and high sensitivity as prognostic predictors to be incorporated into point of care technology (POCT) testing in postmenopausal breast cancer women after a 24 month follow up in Africa. An observational cohort study was conducted; including 126 female BC patients with stages ranging from 0-III initially subjected to AIs and subsequently followed up for 24 months. Multiple imputation model was conducted to predict missing data.

The clinical and epidemiological characteristics of a series of patients living with HIV admitted for COVID-19 in a district hospital.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to evolve. Globally, COVID-19 continues to strain even the most resilient healthcare systems, with Omicron being the latest variant. We made a thorough search for literature describing the effects of the COVID-19 in a high human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/tuberculosis (TB) burden district-level hospital setting.

Identifying Gut Microbiota Conditions Associated with Disease in the African Continent: A Scoping Review Protocol.

The gut microbiota has been immensely studied over the past years because of its involvement in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases. However, gut microbiota data in Africa are limited. Therefore, it is crucial to have studies that reflect various populations in order to fully capture global microbial diversity.