Seroprevalence of Viral Hepatitis B and Occult Hepatitis B Among Blood Donors in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) Infection remains a public health problem and a threat to blood transfusion safety. The aim of this study was to summarise the scientific literature on the seroprevalence of HBV and occult HBV among blood donors in Africa. Searches were carried out in PubMed, Science Direct, Global Index Medicus and African Journals Online from 2012 to 2022.

A new monopartite begomovirus infecting Melochia tomentosa in Burkina Faso.

This is the first description of the complete genome sequence of a newly characterized monopartite begomovirus isolated from an asymptomatic uncultivated plant, Melochia tomentosa, collected in Burkina Faso. The sequence was obtained through rolling-circle amplification, cloning, and Sanger sequencing. The provisional species name "Begomovirus melochiae" and common virus name "melochia associated virus" (MeAV) are proposed.

Variations in COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy over time: a serial cross-sectional study in five West African countries.

Objectives: This study aims to identify the factors influencing vaccine hesitancy, willingness and its variation over time in order to inform more responsive strategies for increasing vaccination uptake. The specific objectives are: (1) to describe and compare levels of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among the general population in rural and urban settings in West Africa over time and (2) to identify factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination willingness and hesitancy among the general population across five West African countries over time.

Design: Following a baseline survey (Wave I), three serial cross-sectional surveys (Waves II-IV) were implemented.

Impact of air pollution on mortality: Geo-epidemiological study in French-speaking Africa.

According to the World Health Organization, air pollution is responsible for 90 % of deaths in Africa. However, limited data on exposure to air pollution is available, and studies are rare, particularly in French-speaking Africa. This study aims to investigate the impact of air pollution on mortality in 12 French-speaking African countries (Algeria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Tunisia).

Effects of gestational age on blood cortisol and prolactin levels during pregnancy in malaria endemic area.

Background: The hormonal shift occurring in pregnant women is crucial for the outcome of pregnancy. We conducted a study in pregnant women living in a malaria endemic area to determine the potential effect of gestational age on the modulation of the endocrine system by cortisol and prolactin production during pregnancy.

Methods: Primigravidae and multigravidae with a gestational age between 16-20 weeks were included in the study and followed up to delivery and 6-7 weeks thereafter.

Data sharing considerations and practice among health researchers in Africa: A scoping review.

Objective: To examine the way African health researchers share data. It summarized the types of data collected, the data sharing platforms, and how the geographical distribution of the African-based health researchers influenced data sharing practices. Ethical, legal, and social aspects were considered.

Care for newborns and its diverse meanings.

The arrival of a newborn in a family brings with it many worries, together with baby-related tasks to keep family members busy, and sometimes paradoxically withdrawal. Funding from UNICEF enabled us to conduct an original anthropological study in five countries of sub-Saharan Africa (Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Togo), studying newborn care from birth to the seventh day of life. We focused on the various kinds of care provided to these babies and on their diverse meanings.

A double-blind, randomized control trial to investigate the therapeutic potential of garlic scapes for high apoprotein E levels in a high-Fat diet-induced hypercholesteremic rat model.

Hypercholesteremia is the main contributor to metabolic diseases, including obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, which are the primary global sources of morbidity and death rates. Garlic scapes, a member of the family and a rich source of antioxidants, are utilized in various cuisine preparations due to their unique flavors and tastes. The current study examined garlic scape powder's effect on apoprotein E and its ability to decrease cholesterol.

Structure-directing agent mediated synthesis of SnS coupled with Ultraphene as highly stable anode material for sodium-ion battery.

Sodium-ion battery (SIB) with abundant resources has been intensively developed as the efficient energy storage device. Tin disulfide (SnS) is one of the attractive anode materials due to its high capacity and two-dimensional structure. Nevertheless, volume expansion and low conductivity result in the poor rate performance and stability.

Temporal trends analysis of emergency obstetric and newborn care availability and readiness index of healthcare facilities in Burkina Faso.

Background: Ensuring healthcare services are equipped to offer; emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC) is crucial for improving the quality of maternal and newborn care in low- and middle-income countries. We assessed the temporal trends of the availability and readiness of the healthcare system to provide EmONC in Burkina Faso.

Methods: We analyzed the data from three national health facilities surveys, conducted in 2014, 2016 and 2018, using the WHO Service Availability and Readiness Assessment tool.

Mass azithromycin for prevention of child mortality among children with acute malnutrition: A subgroup analysis of a cluster randomized controlled trial.

Children with acute malnutrition are at high risk of morality. Mass azithromycin distribution reduces all-cause mortality among children aged 1-59 months, and effects may be greater in underweight infants. Here, we evaluate the efficacy of azithromycin for reducing all-cause mortality in children aged 6-59 months with acute malnutrition (mid-upper arm circumference, MUAC, < 12.

Simultaneous diagnosis of adult-onset Still's disease and lymphoma: A case report and systematic review of the literature.

Key Clinical Message: Differentiating Adult-Onset Still's Disease (AOSD) from lymphoma is challenging. A 23-year-old female presented with polyarthralgia, fever, rash, lymphadenopathy, and abnormal labs. She met AOSD criteria and was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Contribution of Ethnomedical Use Data to the Marketing Authorization of Traditional Herbal Medicines in Mali.

Background: To improve the supply of health care and health care products, traditional herbal medicines that are safe, effective, and of good quality need marketing authorizations. This study aims to determine the contribution of ethnomedical evidence to the marketing of traditional herbal medicines in Mali.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from December 2023 to March 2024 supplemented by a literature review of the legislative and regulatory provisions relating to traditional medicine and the requirements for marketing authorization of traditional herbal medicines in Mali and the West African sub-region.

The effect of Plasmodium falciparum exposure and maternal anti-circumsporozoite protein antibodies on responses to RTS,S/AS01 vaccination in infants and children: an ancillary observational immunological study to a phase 3, randomised clinical trial.

Background: The RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine showed lower antibody response and protective efficacy in infants aged 6-12 weeks compared with children aged 5-17 months (for whom this vaccine is recommended). We aimed to study the effect of previous Plasmodium falciparum exposure on the antibody responses to RTS,S/AS01 vaccination in infants and children, and the mediating effect of baseline (including maternal) anti-circumsporozoite protein (CSP) antibodies.

Methods: In this observational study, we included children and infants from six African countries (Burkina Faso, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, and Tanzania) enrolled in the MAL067 immunology ancillary study of the RTS,S/AS01 phase 3 clinical trial from March 27, 2009, to Jan 21, 2011.

A comparative study of extraction free detection of HBV DNA using sodium dodecyl sulfate, N-lauroylsarcosine sodium salt, and sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate.

This study aimed to develop an extraction-free method for quantitative and qualitative detection of HBV DNA compared to traditional nucleic acid extraction. Paired serum and dried blood spot (DBS) samples from 67 HBsAg-positive and 67 HBsAg-negative individuals were included. Two samples with known HBV DNA titers (~ 10 copies/mL) were examined by extraction-free detection using three surfactants (0.

Integrating field surveys and remote sensing to optimize phosphorus resource management for rainfed rice production in the Central plateau of Burkina Faso.

Rice production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is restricted by low water availability, soil fertility, and fertilizer input, and phosphate rock (PR) application is expected to increase production. Soil water conditions and soil types affect the efficacy of phosphorus fertilization in improving productivity. However, these factors are rarely discussed together.

Force of Infection (FOI) and Multiplicity of Infection (MOI) in Infected Children Aged 1.5-12 Years Living in the Malaria Endemic Area of Banfora, Burkina Faso.

The aim of this study was to explore molecular measures of malaria burden (FOI and MOI) in the context of seasonal malaria chemoprevention. We analyzed malaria cases collected as part of a longitudinal cohort study. The cohort included -negative children aged 1.

Potential Performance of Two New RT-PCR and RT-qPCR Methods for Multiplex Detection of Dengue Virus Serotypes 1-4 and Chikungunya Virus in Mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes of the genus are the most important arthropod disease vector. Dengue virus (DENV) and Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) are the main arboviruses distributed throughout the world. Based on entomo-virological surveillance, appropriate public health strategies can be adopted to contain cases and control outbreaks.