An analysis of the uptake of anti-retroviral treatment among pregnant women in Nigeria from 2015 to 2020.

The percentage of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive pregnant women that receive anti-retroviral treatment in Nigeria is low and has been declining. Consequently, 14% of all new infections among children in 2020 occurred in Nigeria. A detailed analysis of available data was undertaken to generate evidence to inform remedial actions.

Distribution of Cancer and Cancer Screening and Treatment Services in Lagos: A 10-Year Review of Hospital Records.

Purpose: In Lagos State, Nigeria, the population distribution of cancers is poorly described because studies are conducted at a few tertiary hospitals. Therefore, this study aims to map all health facilities where cancer screening takes place and describe the cases of cancer screened for and treated.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey to identify facilities involved in screening and management of cancers was performed followed by extraction of data on individual cases of cancer screened for and treated at these facilities from 2011 to 2020.

Predictors of COVID-19 Information Sources and Their Perceived Accuracy in Nigeria: Online Cross-sectional Study.

Background: Effective communication is critical for mitigating the public health risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: This study assesses the source(s) of COVID-19 information among people in Nigeria, as well as the predictors and the perceived accuracy of information from these sources.

Methods: We conducted an online survey of consenting adults residing in Nigeria between April and May 2020 during the lockdown and first wave of COVID-19.

Clinical characteristics, predictors of symptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 and duration of hospitalisation in a cohort of 632 Patients in Lagos State, Nigeria.

Objective: The clinical spectrum of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is still evolving. This study describes the clinical characteristics and investigates factors that predict symptomatic presentation and duration of hospitalisation in a cohort of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients managed in Lagos, Nigeria.

Methodology: This was a retrospective assessment of patients hospitalised with COVID-19 disease in six dedicated facilities in Lagos, Nigeria, between April 1 and May 31 2020.

The political undertones of building national health research systems--reflections from The Gambia.

In developing countries building national health research systems is a movement similar to a political leadership contest. Increasingly, political campaigns to select leaders depend less on ideologies and political messages and more on promising change that will promptly improve the quality of life of the voters. In this process the benefits and risks of every action and statement made by the candidates are carefully assessed.

Changes in malaria indices between 1999 and 2007 in The Gambia: a retrospective analysis.

Background: Malaria is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Africa. International effort and funding for control has been stepped up, with substantial increases from 2003 in the delivery of malaria interventions to pregnant women and children younger than 5 years in The Gambia. We investigated the changes in malaria indices in this country, and the causes and public-health significance of these changes.

Antenatal care in The Gambia: missed opportunity for information, education and communication.

Background: Antenatal care is widely established and provides an opportunity to inform and educate pregnant women about pregnancy, childbirth and care of the newborn. It is expected that this would assist the women in making choices that would contribute to good pregnancy outcome. We examined the provision of information and education in antenatal clinics from the perspective of pregnant women attending these clinics.

Seasonal variation in the risk and causes of maternal death in the Gambia: malaria appears to be an important factor.

An increase in maternal mortality risk during peak malaria transmission in endemic countries is thought to implicate malaria in maternal deaths. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in risk and causes of maternal death in relation to the malaria season at the main referral hospital in The Gambia. During the malaria season, there was a 168% increase in the maternal mortality ratio (MMR), a three-fold increase in the proportion of deaths due to anemia, and an eight-fold increase in the anemia MMR.