Expression of mycobacterium tuberculosis induced SOCS3 and STAT3 and the implications on innate immunity in TB patients vs healthy contacts in high TB/HIV endemic setting: A cross-sectional analytical study.

Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) remains a disease of global health concern and a leading cause of mortality arising from an infectious agent. Protective immunity to TB remains unclear. Suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS3) and signal transduction and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) genes have shown potential to influence innate immunity.

A comparison of vitamin D and cathelicidin (LL-37) levels between patients with active TB and their healthy contacts in a high HIV prevalence setting: a prospective descriptive study.

Background: Studies from Asia and Europe indicate an association between vitamin D deficiency and susceptibility to TB. We performed an observational case-control study to determine vitamin D and cathelicidin (LL-37) levels and their association with active TB in newly diagnosed and microbiologically confirmed adult TB patients in Zambia, a high HIV prevalence setting.

Methods: Both total vitamin D and LL-37 were measured using ELISA from serum and supernatant isolated from cultured whole blood that was stimulated with heat-killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Impact of mHealth on contraceptive use among women and men of reproductive age in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Around the world, the use of modern contraceptives has risen significantly, but the quality and reach of sexual and reproductive health services remains weak in the poorest countries. To address the high unmet need, an opportunity arises for mobile health technology (mHealth) to empower both clients and providers. However, evidence that mHealth is effective in increasing modern contraceptive use is limited and mixed, and we set out to assess its impact.

Design and Development Process of a Youth Depression Screening m-Health Application for Primary Health Care Workers in South Africa and Zambia: An Overview of the MEGA Project.

Literature indicates a high prevalence and burden of mental illness in youths world-wide, which may be even higher in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), such as South Africa and Zambia. Additionally, there is a lack of knowledge regarding youth depression amongst many primary health care (PHC) practitioners. The principal goal of the MEGA project is to provide youth with better access to mental health services and appropriate care, by developing a mental health screening mobile application tool to be used in PHC settings in South Africa and Zambia.

Interactions between Schistosoma haematobium and human immunodeficiency virus type 1: the effects of coinfection on treatment outcomes in rural Zambia.

A prospective cohort study was conducted in two villages in Zambia to compare the efficacy of praziquantel in the treatment of schistosomiasis haematobium in people with and without concomitant infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Five hundred seven individuals with infected with Schistosoma haematobium were enrolled and followed-up for as long as 12 months after treatment with a single dose of praziquantel. Seventy-three were coinfected with HIV.