Immune response to hepatitis B vaccine among children under 5 years in Africa: a meta-analysis.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Africa is mostly acquired before the age of 5 years through vertical or horizontal routes. While all the countries in the World Health Organization African region have introduced HBV vaccination into their national immunization programs, the rate of protective immune response to HBV vaccine among children in Africa has not been systematically synthesized. In this study, we estimated the HBV vaccine seroprotection rate (defined as anti-HBs titer ≥ 10 IU/L) and the associated factors among under-five children who completed a primary series of HBV vaccination in Africa.

Profiles and Outcomes of Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in the United States.

Introduction Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a major contributor to adverse pregnancy outcomes both in the United States and globally. As the prevalence of obesity continues to rise, the incidence of GDM is anticipated to increase as well. Despite the significant impact of GDM on maternal and neonatal health, research examining the independent associations between GDM and adverse outcomes remains limited in the U.

Exploring the Relationship Between Community-Level Economic Deprivation and HIV Infection Among Hospital Admissions in Washington, DC.

Introduction Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a significant health concern in the United States, affecting 38 million Americans. Despite a recent decline in prevalence, social determinants of health remain an important factor driving infections, particularly among minority populations. However, the relationship between community-level economic deprivation indices and HIV infection among hospital admissions has been understudied in the literature.

Increasing Pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index and Pregnancy Outcomes in the United States.

Introduction:  As many Americans are becoming overweight or obese, increased body mass index (BMI) is fast becoming normalized. There is a need for more research that highlights the association between pre-pregnancy obesity and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Aim: To determine the association between increasing pre-pregnancy BMI and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

The coverage of hepatitis B birth dose vaccination in Nigeria: Does the place of delivery matter?

Background: Hepatitis B birth dose (HepB-BD) vaccination coverage remains suboptimal in Nigeria. While evidence suggests that institutional delivery is associated with the uptake of HepB-BD vaccine, little is known about how the uptake differs by facility ownership (public or private). This study examined the HepB-BD vaccination coverage by place of delivery in Nigeria.

Factors associated with skilled attendants at birth among married adolescent girls in Nigeria: evidence from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, 2016/2017.

Background: This study examines the factors associated with skilled birth attendants at delivery among married adolescent girls in Nigeria.

Methods: The study was a secondary data analysis of the fifth round of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey conducted between September 2016 and January 2017. Married adolescent girls aged 15-19 y who had live births in the last 2 y preceding the survey were included in the analysis.

Disparities in Sepsis Mortality by Region, Urbanization, and Race in the USA: a Multiple Cause of Death Analysis.

Purpose: To assess gender, race/ethnicity, and geographic disparities in sepsis-associated mortality.

Materials And Methods: The US data for multiple causes of death (MCOD) for years 2013-2016 were used to determine numbers of deaths and age-adjusted rates for sepsis as underlying or contributing cause of death using the International Classification of Diseases-10 (ICD-10) codes for non-Hispanic blacks (NHB) and whites (NHW) aged 15 years and older.

Results: There were a total of 746,725 sepsis-associated deaths.

Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis Lymphadenitis as the Initial Presentation of Secondary Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis: A Case Report.

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) occurs when strains of Mycobacterium are resistant to the first-line anti-tuberculosis regimen. We present the case of a 22-year-old immigrant female of African descent who presented to her primary care physician complaining of a two-month history of an enlarging neck mass. Aspiration of the mass, analysis, and culture revealed colonization with a strain of Mycobacterium that was resistant to first-line anti-tuberculosis medications.

Lymph nodes' evaluation in relation to colorectal cancer staging among African Americans.

Background: Lymph nodes' examination in colorectal cancer (CRC) resection specimens is an important determinant that aids in the accuracy of CRC staging and treatment outcomes. Current guidelines call for the examination of at least 12 lymph nodes (LN) in resected specimens in order to establish accurate staging.

Aim: To investigate lymph nodes' examination protocol as it relates to accurate CRC staging.