Africa's breaking heart.

In Botswana, a geologist hunts for signs of the rifting that is tearing the continent apart.

Metabolic capabilities are highly conserved among human nasal-associated species in pangenomic analyses.

Unlabelled: e species are globally ubiquitous in human nasal microbiota across the lifespan. Moreover, nasal microbiota profiles typified by higher relative abundances of are often positively associated with health. Among the most common human nasal species are , , and .

Sexual and reproductive health and rights, HIV and migration in southern Africa: A rapid review.

Migration, a prevalent global phenomenon, significantly impacts health, particularly in low- to middle-income countries. This article presents a rapid review aimed at mapping projects, lessons and policies concerning sexual and reproductive health (SRH), HIV and migration in southern Africa. Utilising a population-concept-context framework, the review focuses on understanding the scope, nature and extent of interventions, identifying lessons learnt, and assessing existing policies and strategies.

The role of the microbiota in respiratory virus-bacterial pathobiont relationships in the upper respiratory tract.

The mechanisms by which respiratory viruses predispose to secondary bacterial infections remain poorly characterized. Using 2,409 nasopharyngeal swabs from 300 infants in Botswana, we performed a detailed analysis of factors that influence the dynamics of bacterial pathobiont colonization during infancy. We quantify the extent to which viruses increase the acquisition of , , and .

From policy to practice: Experiences from the ECHO trial following revisions of the WHO medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use (MEC) guidance on DMPA-IM.

Objectives: In 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) medical eligibility criteria (MEC) for contraception category for intramuscular depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-IM) was changed from MEC category 1 to 2 for women at high risk of HIV acquisition. We assessed the impact of communicating this category change among women in the Evidence for Contraceptive options and HIV Outcomes (ECHO) trial.

Study Design: ECHO was conducted in eSwatini, Kenya, South Africa and Zambia.

Healthcare capacity strengthening in conflict settings through virtual emergency medical training and outreach: Ukraine and Sudan case studies.

The use of digital learning in healthcare is expanding in a range of contexts including for settings of armed conflict. Humanitarian emergencies and war often lead to a surge of traumatic injuries, emotional distress, and disruption to health systems risking neglect and exacerbations of chronic illness, and acute infectious disease outbreaks, often requiring an international response. On the ground humanitarian response is often essential though logistical and security challenges can delay these responses, and the reliance on an international workforce unfamiliar with local cultures can create challenges in response efforts.

Phylodynamic Structure in the Botswana HIV Epidemic.

Background: Studying viral sequences can provide insights into the structure of host contact networks through which the virus is transmitted. Uncovering the population structure of the HIV-1 epidemic in Botswana will help optimise public health interventions and may identify hidden sub-epidemics. We sought to determine the phylodynamic structure of the Botswana HIV-1 epidemic from viral sequence genetic data.

Posterior lower uterine segment caesarean hysterotomy, an innovative surgical technique to avoid classical hysterotomy: Case report and discussion.

A 40-year-old patient underwent laparotomy at term gestation for a 25-cm lower abdominal mass arising from the lateral wall of the uterus, with an extensive secondary blood supply from the lower uterus and bladder, preventing access to the anterior lower uterine segment. The gravid uterus was exteriorised over the patient's thighs. A transverse posterior lower uterine segment hysterotomy was performed and a healthy 2920 g baby was delivered.

The distribution of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among nurses in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review.

Background: Musculoskeletal injuries are noticeably high among the nursing fraternity, with lower back pain (LBP) being the most prevalent. Therefore, this study aimed to map evidence on the burden of occupational musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) among nurses in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Methods: This scoping review was guided by Arksey and O'Malley's framework.

Analyzing the performance of metaheuristic algorithms in speed control of brushless DC motor: Implementation and statistical comparison.

A brushless DC (BLDC) motor is likewise called an electrically commutated motor; because of its long help life, high productivity, smaller size, and higher power output, it has numerous modern applications. These motors require precise rotor orientation for longevity, as they utilize a magnet at the shaft end, detected by sensors to maintain speed control for stability. In modern apparatuses, the corresponding, primary, and subsidiary (proportional-integral) regulator is broadly utilized in controlling the speed of modern machines; however, an ideal and effective controlling strategy is constantly invited.

Infectious Morbidity and All-cause Mortality of Infants HIV-exposed Uninfected Compared to Infants HIV-unexposed Uninfected in Botswana.

Some studies have reported increased infectious morbidity and all-cause mortality risk among infants HIV-exposed uninfected compared with infants HIV-unexposed uninfected. In a retrospective analysis of infants enrolled in the Botswana-based Tshilo Dikotla study, we found no difference in the prevalence of infectious hospitalizations or deaths from any cause in the first year of life by perinatal HIV exposure.

Chemical profiling and spectroscopic studies of leaf volatile oil of from Botswana isolated by conventional hydrodistillation and ultrasound assisted hydrodistillation.

Environmental factors have an influence on the chemistry and percentage recovery of volatile oils. Therefore, the chemical composition of Eucalyptus globulus (E. globulus) volatile oil from Botswana was determined.

Use of an Ethinyl Estradiol/Etonogestrel Vaginal Ring Alters Vaginal Microbial Communities in Women with HIV.

Background: HIV-1 antiretroviral therapy (ART) alters hormonal contraceptive levels delivered via intravaginal ring (IVR) in a regimen specific manner. We explored the role of the IVR on vaginal microbial communities, vaginal short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), vaginal HIV shedding, and the effect of vaginal microbes on hormone concentrations in cisgender women with HIV (WWH).

Methods: Vaginal microbes were assessed by 16S RNA sequencing of weekly vaginal swabs, vaginal SCFA by mass spectrometry, HIV-1 shedding by nucleic acid amplification on vaginal aspirates, and bacterial vaginosis by Nugent scoring from 74 participants receiving an etonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol (ENG/EE) intravaginal ring while on no ART (N=25), efavirenz-based ART (N=25), or atazanavir-based ART (N=24).

Secular trends and sociodemographic disparities in physical activity among adults in eleven African countries: WHO STEPS 2003-2020.

Background: Mortality from physical inactivity-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is projected to surpass deaths from communicable diseases by 2030 in Africa. Monitoring physical activity (PA) is important for planning public health interventions addressing NCDS and planetary health, but there is a dearth of evidence on PA trends in Africa. This study explored the secular trends in overall and domains of PA (leisure, occupation, and transport), and examined the gender, age, and education disparities in PA trends across African countries.

Artificial intelligence prediction of the mechanical properties of banana peel-ash and bagasse blended geopolymer concrete.

This research explores the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques to assess the mechanical properties of geopolymer concrete made from a blend of Banana Peel-Ash (BPA) and Sugarcane Bagasse Ash (SCBA), using a sodium silicate (NaSiO) to sodium hydroxide (NaOH) ratio ranging from 1.5 to 3. Utilizing three AI methodologies-Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS), and Gene Expression Programming (GEP)-the study aims to enhance prediction accuracy for the mechanical properties of geopolymer concrete based on 104 datasets.

Participatory development of training videos for respiratory equipment.

Problem: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, medical oxygen therapy was urgently needed for patients with hypoxaemia. Many low- and middle-income countries lacked the medical devices for oxygen therapy and experience in their use.

Approach: In addition to providing medical devices for oxygen therapy for countries in need, the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners developed training videos to help local health workers select, use and maintain this equipment.

Rabies in Cats-An Emerging Public Health Issue.

Human rabies cases today are predominantly associated with infection from rabid domestic dogs. Unlike dogs, a common global reservoir species that perpetuates rabies viruses (RABV) within their populations, domestic cats are much less frequently reported or vaccinated. Epidemiologically, cats are important vectors of lyssaviruses but are not viral reservoirs.

Patterns of HIV-1 Drug Resistance Observed Through Geospatial Analysis of Routine Diagnostic Testing in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

HIV-1 drug resistance (HIVDR) impedes treatment and control of HIV-1, especially in high-prevalence settings such as KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province, South Africa. This study merged routine HIV-1 genotypic resistance test (GRT) data with Geographic Information Systems coordinates to assess patterns and geographic distribution of HIVDR in KZN, among ART-experienced adults with virological failure. We curated 3133 GRT records generated between 1 January 2018 and 30 June 2022, which includes the early phase of dolutegravir (DTG) rollout, of which 2735 (87.

Hepatitis Delta Virus Clade 8 Is the Predominant Clade Circulating in Botswana amongst People Living with HIV.

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) co-infections more often result in severe hepatitis compared to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections alone. Despite a high HDV prevalence (7.1%), information regarding circulating HDV clades is very limited in Botswana.

Barriers to Implementing a Quality Improvement Program in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Adequacy of Resources.

Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) report disproportionally worse cancer mortality. Current global cancer control efforts focus predominantly on expanding access to multimodality treatment for patients, whereas less attention has been spent on implementing strategies to ensure sustained quality assessment and improvement across the cancer care continuum. The goal of this focused review was to examine specific resource barriers to the development and implementation of quality improvement programs in LMICs.

A conceptual learning analysis of paired after action and intra action reviews for health emergencies.

Background: Processes of self-reflection and the learning they allow are crucial before, during, and after acute emergencies, including infectious disease outbreaks. Tools-such as Action Reviews-offer World Health Organization (WHO) member states a platform to enhance learning. We sought to better understand the value of these tools and how they may be further refined and better used.