Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among garment workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Garment workers are at high risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) due to repetitive physical tasks, long working hours and varying workstations. As there is no existing epidemiological overview of MSDs among garment workers, this systematic review aimed to evaluate the global evidence on prevalence of MSDs in this population.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Cervical cancer stage distribution and survival outcomes in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women, with a disproportionate burden in sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding the cervical cancer stage and outcomes is crucial for developing effective interventions and reducing its burden. We aimed to undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis of cervical cancer stage distribution and survival outcomes in Africa.

ZSM-5 Zeolite Synthesis from Coal Fly Ash Synthesised Silica: Sole Silica & Alumina Source.

This study explores the synthesis of ZSM-5 zeolite using high-purity mesoporous silica exclusively derived from coal fly ash (CFA), eliminating the need for additional silica or alumina sources. Traditional ZSM-5 synthesis relies on costly and environmentally harmful pure chemicals, whereas this approach utilizes CFA, an industrial byproduct, addressing both cost and sustainability concerns. The synthesized ZSM-5 zeolite demonstrates exceptional purity, with a surface area of 455.

The Role of Immunohistochemistry for AMACR/p504s and p63 in Distinguishing Prostate Cancer from Benign Prostate Tissue Samples in Botswana.

Introduction: Prostate cancer (CaP) is the most common malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in Botswana. Currently, diagnosing CaP relies on examining prostate biopsy samples, which can be challenging due to benign mimics. This study aims to evaluate the potential of Alpha-methyl acyl-CoA racemase (AMACR/p504s) and p63, as diagnostic markers for CaP.

Age- and sex-specific incidence rates and future projections for hip fractures in Zimbabwe.

Introduction: Population ageing in Africa is increasing healthcare demands. Hip fractures require multidisciplinary care and are considered an indicator condition for age-related health services. We aimed to estimate current hip fracture incidence in Zimbabwe, compare rates against other regional estimates and estimate future fracture numbers.

A Review of the Utility of Established Cell Lines for Isolation and Propagation of the Southern African Territories Serotypes of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus.

Cell culture underpins virus isolation and virus neutralisation tests, which are both gold-standard diagnostic methods for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Cell culture is also crucial for the propagation of inactivated foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) vaccines. Both primary cells and cell lines are utilised in FMDV isolation and propagation.

Fungi in the Gut Microbiota: Interactions, Homeostasis, and Host Physiology.

The mammalian gastrointestinal tract is a stage for dynamic inter-kingdom interactions among bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa, which collectively shape the gut micro-ecology and influence host physiology. Despite being a modest fraction, the fungal community, also referred to as mycobiota, represents a critical component of the gut microbiota. Emerging evidence suggests that fungi act as early colonizers of the intestine, exerting a lasting influence on gut development.

Identifying barriers and potential solutions to improve equitable access to community eye services: an exploratory sequential mixed methods study protocol.

Introduction: Access to care varies by sociodemographic group, with some groups facing higher barriers to care than others. This study will use novel methods to explore barriers and potential solutions as perceived by members of the population groups who are least able to access care. We aim to use rapid yet robust mixed methods that allow us to identify generalisable findings within each programme and testable service modifications to improve equitable access to care; delivering non-tokenistic findings within a matter of weeks.

Suction tube uterine tamponade versus uterine balloon tamponade for treatment of refractory postpartum hemorrhage: A randomized clinical feasibility trial.

Objective: To compare low-cost "Suction Tube Uterine Tamponade" (STUT) treatment for refractory postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) with uterine balloon tamponade (UBT) using a randomized feasibility study.

Methods: After verbal assent, we allocated participants with refractory PPH by randomly ordered envelopes to STUT or routine UBT at 10 hospitals in South Africa and one tertiary referral center in Colombia between January 10, 2020, and May 3, 2024. In the STUT group, we inserted a 24 FG Levin stomach tube into the uterine cavity and applied suction.

3D numerical modeling of the deformation and failure mechanisms of batter pile groups subjected to fault ruptures.

Fault ruptures induced by earthquakes pose a significant threat to constructions, particularly underground structures such as pile foundations. Among various foundation types, batter pile foundations are widely used due to their ability to resist inclined forces. To gain new insights into the response of batter pile groups to fault ruptures caused by earthquakes, this study investigates the deformation and failure mechanisms of batter pile groups due to the propagation of normal and reverse fault ruptures using 3D numerical modeling.

Trust in scientists and their role in society across 68 countries.

Science is crucial for evidence-based decision-making. Public trust in scientists can help decision makers act on the basis of the best available evidence, especially during crises. However, in recent years the epistemic authority of science has been challenged, causing concerns about low public trust in scientists.

Perceptions of science, science communication, and climate change attitudes in 68 countries - the TISP dataset.

Science is integral to society because it can inform individual, government, corporate, and civil society decision-making on issues such as public health, new technologies or climate change. Yet, public distrust and populist sentiment challenge the relationship between science and society. To help researchers analyse the science-society nexus across different geographical and cultural contexts, we undertook a cross-sectional population survey resulting in a dataset of 71,922 participants in 68 countries.

Internalized HIV Stigma, Sleep Problems, and Depressive Symptoms in People with HIV in Botswana.

This study investigates the impact of internalized HIV stigma on sleep problems and depression in people living with HIV (PLWH) in Botswana. It also explores whether sleep problems mediate the relationship between internalized HIV stigma and depressive symptoms, given that sleep disturbance is a symptom of depression and often predates a depressive episode. Secondary analysis was conducted using baseline data from a pilot randomized controlled trial on 58 virally unsuppressed PLWH in Gaborone, Botswana.

Developing a Psychiatry Residency Program in a Low- and Middle-Income Country: Botswana's Experience.

Like many other low- and middle-income countries, Botswana has struggled to address the shortage of doctors, particularly specialists. In 2009, the country's first medical school offering an undergraduate medical program was established. A needs and feasibility assessment was conducted with relevant stakeholders to explore the need for specialty training programs in all medical school departments.

Prioritizing post-COVID-19 health research in sub-Saharan Africa: A modified Delphi study for future pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed weaknesses in healthcare systems and disparities in healthcare access across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The insights of frontline healthcare professionals (HCPs), and healthcare researchers involved with the response to COVID in SSA are crucial to ensuring that health systems are optimally prepared for the next pandemic threat. Nonetheless, there is limited consensus as to what are the clinical and public health research priorities necessary to ensure that SSA is optimally prepared and responsive to future pandemics.

Building Public Health Quantitative Methods Capacity and Networks in sub-Saharan Africa: An Evaluation of a Faculty Training Program.

Introduction: There is a shortage of individuals trained in using quantitative methods in biomedical research in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Improving public health in SSA requires new ways to promote quantitative knowledge and skills among faculty in biomedical research and better-integrated network systems of support.

Methods: We describe the development, implementation, and evaluation of an innovative faculty training and support program in SSA from December 2017-June 2020, using courses in monitoring and evaluation, data management, and complex surveys as prototypical examples.

Bedford, 1931, a sole extant species of the genus - a scoping review.

Bedford, 1931 is the sole extant tick species that belongs to the genus and family and Nuttalliellidae respectively. With the characteristics that are respectively distinctive to hard and soft ticks, it is regarded as the species closest to the ancestral lineage of ticks as well as the missing link between the Argasidae and Ixodidae families. In this review, literature search of the articles reporting on was done in Google Scholar and PubMed databases.

Spatial analysis and associated risk factors of HIV prevalence in Botswana: insights from the 2021 Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAIS V).

Background: The global burden of HIV and AIDS continues to significantly impact public health, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigates the spatial distribution and associated risk factors of HIV prevalence in Botswana using data from the 2021 Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAIS V).

Methods: The analysis included 12,653 adults aged 15-64 years and employed chi-square tests, multilevel mixed-effects regression, and spatial analysis techniques.

Cervical dysplasia in women with HIV in the modern treat-all era: Elevated risk remains despite long-term ART and normal CD4 count.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of ART duration and CD4 count on risk for high grade cervical dysplasia in women with HIV (WWH) compared to women without HIV in the treat-all era with integrase strand inhibitors (INSTIs).

Design: Prospective longitudinal cohort study in Botswana.

Methods: From February 2021 to August 2022, baseline HPV self-sampling was offered to women with and without HIV.

Tranexamic acid for preventing postpartum haemorrhage after vaginal birth.

Rationale: Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is common and potentially life-threatening. The antifibrinolytic drug tranexamic acid (TXA) is thought to be effective for treating PPH. There is growing interest in whether TXA is effective for preventing PPH after vaginal birth.

An effective feature selection approach based on hybrid Grey Wolf Optimizer and Genetic Algorithm for hyperspectral image.

Feature selection (FS) is a critical step in hyperspectral image (HSI) classification, essential for reducing data dimensionality while preserving classification accuracy. However, FS for HSIs remains an NP-hard challenge, as existing swarm intelligence and evolutionary algorithms (SIEAs) often suffer from limited exploration capabilities or susceptibility to local optima, particularly in high-dimensional scenarios. To address these challenges, we propose GWOGA, a novel hybrid algorithm that combines Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO) and Genetic Algorithm (GA), aiming to achieve an effective balance between exploration and exploitation.

Factors associated with tuberculosis treatment initiation among bacteriologically negative individuals evaluated for tuberculosis: An individual patient data meta-analysis.

Background: Globally, over one-third of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) disease diagnoses are made based on clinical criteria after a negative bacteriological test result. There is limited information on the factors that determine clinicians' decisions to initiate TB treatment when initial bacteriological test results are negative.

Methods And Findings: We performed a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis using studies conducted between January 2010 and December 2022 (PROSPERO: CRD42022287613).

Adaptive evolution of stress response genes in parasites aligns with host niche diversity.

Background: Stress responses are key the survival of parasites and, consequently, also the evolutionary success of these organisms. Despite this importance, our understanding of the evolution of molecular pathways dealing with environmental stressors in parasitic animals remains limited. Here, we tested the link between adaptive evolution of parasite stress response genes and their ecological diversity and species richness.

Ergonomics and Occupational Health: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Nurses in a Tertiary Hospital in Botswana.

: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are, to this day, considered one of the major occupational health risks, especially among healthcare workers. Poor working conditions, such as awkward postures, are associated with the development of MSD. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of nurses at a public tertiary hospital in Botswana relating to ergonomic principles.