Mobile-Based Application Interventions to Enhance Cancer Control and Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review.

To identify and appraise mobile-based application (mAPP) interventions that have been used to support cancer control and care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Four electronic databases were systematically searched for studies that reported primary research findings related to mAPP interventions applied in oncology settings in LMICs. A narrative synthesis was performed using the Mhealth Index and Navigation Database as an analytical framework.

Role of dietary polyphenols in non-communicable chronic disease prevention, and interactions in food systems: An overview.

Polyphenols is a major group of non-nutrients, considering their diversity, occurrence, and biological properties. Polyphenols play essential roles in the prevention of chronic diseases through the mitigation of inflammation, commonly referred to as meta-flammation. Inflammation is the most common feature of chronic diseases such as cancers, cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, and obesity.

Telehealth services for global emergencies: implications for COVID-19: a scoping review based on current evidence.

Introduction: The availability of low-cost computing and digital telecommunication in the 1980s made telehealth practicable. Telehealth has the capacity to improve healthcare access and outcomes for patients while reducing healthcare costs across a wide range of health conditions and situations.

Objective: This study compares the adoption, advantages, and challenges of telehealth services between high-income (HICs) and low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Factors influencing community acceptability of mass drug administration for the elimination of onchocerciasis in the Asante Akim South Municipal, Ghana.

Introduction: Onchocerciasis is one of the eleven neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) recently targeted by the World Health Organization (WHO) for elimination. Mass drug administration (MDA) of ivermectin has become the main intervention for reducing the burden of onchocerciasis and controlling its transmission. However, despite the considerable gains in the fight against onchocerciasis in Ghana, the infection remains endemic in some communities.

Occupational stress and burnout experience among healthcare workers compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa: a scoping review protocol.

Background: The emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought an unprecedented burden on health systems and personnel globally. This pandemic potentially can result in increased frequency of stress and burnout experienced among healthcare workers (HCWs), especially in lower-and-middle-income countries with inadequate health professionals, yet little is known about their experience. This study aims to describe the range of research evidence on occupational stress and/burnout among HCWs compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa, as well as identify research gaps for further investigations to inform health policy decisions towards stress and/burnout reduction in this era and when a future pandemic occurs.

Levels and Determinants of Antenatal Breastfeeding Attitudes among Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Breastfeeding attitudes are strong predictors of breastfeeding behavior. Gaining a deeper understanding on the levels and determinants of antenatal breastfeeding attitudes is crucial. This cross-sectional study involved 124 pregnant women at a tertiary hospital in Hunan, China.

The impact of antenatal depressive symptoms on exclusive breastfeeding intention: A moderating effect analysis.

Objective: Exclusive breastfeeding intention is an important predictor of exclusive breastfeeding behavior. Antenatal depressive symptoms are a potentially modifiable risk factor for exclusive breastfeeding intention. However, studies of the impact of antenatal depressive symptoms on exclusive breastfeeding intention are sparse and contradictory.

Stigma and its influencing factors among women with termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: To investigate the level of stigma and identify its influencing factors among women with termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly(TOPFA) in China.

Design: This was a cross-sectional study design.

Setting And Participants: A total of 469 women with TOPFA were recruited from a tertiary care hospital in China using a convenience sampling method.

Mapping research evidence on implementation of the WHO 'best buys' and other interventions for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review protocol.

Background: The rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is a global health concern. To reduce the burden of morbidity, mortality and disability due to NCDs, the World Health Organization (WHO) developed 'best buys' and other interventions for the prevention and control of NCDs by member countries. However, their extent of implementation especially in sub-Saharan African countries (SSA) is not known.

Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria in Pregnancy with Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine and its Associated Factors in the Atwima Kwanwoma District, Ghana.

Background: Intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy with Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) tablets is one of the recommended interventions to reduce the burden of malaria on both the pregnant woman and the unborn child. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of IPTp-SP uptake and its associated factors in the Atwima Kwanwoma District of Ashanti Region, Ghana.

Methods: The study was cross sectional.

Mapping evidence on the use of health promotion and disease prevention interventions as a strategy to sustaining pro-poor health insurance schemes: a scoping review protocol.

Background: Removing financial barriers and making healthcare accessible to all who need it remains an essential component of the United Nations' sustainable development goals. Pro-poor healthcare financing schemes are policies that enable patients to concentrate on obtaining absolute medical care when needed rather than worrying about the cost of care. The demand for health services in healthcare facilities has increased tremendously due to the increasing burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases.

Understanding the Facilitators and Barriers to COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among Teachers in the Sagnarigu Municipality of Northern Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose: This research aims to identify facilitators and barriers to COVID-19 vaccination intention and uptake among teachers in the Sagnarigu Municipality of Ghana.

Methods: The survey collected quantitative data from the teachers using a cross-sectional study design. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify facilitators and barriers to COVID-19 vaccination.

Prevalence and determinants of early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) and prelacteal feeding in Northern Ghana: A cross-sectional survey.

Background: There is suboptimal early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) with widespread prelacteal feeding in Ghana. However, studies exploring the determinants of EIBF and prelacteal feeding are limited in Ghana. The study was conducted to assess the prevalence and determinants of EIBF and prelacteal feeding in Northern Ghana.

Knowledge, attitude and practice towards hepatitis B infection among high school students in Asante Mampong, Ghana.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious global public health problem, with significant morbidity and mortality from acute and chronic complications. Increasing awareness and improving knowledge of HBV helps reduce the risk of the disease. Although many studies have been conducted on HBV in Ghana, few have focused on examining knowledge, attitude and preventive practices among adolescents towards the disease.

Recovered but Constrained: Narratives of Ghanaian COVID-19 Survivors Experiences and Coping Pathways of Stigma, Discrimination, Social Exclusion and Their Sequels.

Background: Research about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), its epidemiology and socio-economic impact on populations worldwide has gained attention. However, there is dearth of empirical knowledge in low- and middle-income settings about the pandemic's impact on survivors, particularly the tension of their everyday life arising from the experiences and consequences of stigma, discrimination and social exclusion, and how they cope with these behavioral adversities.

Methods: Realist qualitative approach drawing data from people clinically diagnosed positive of COVID-19, admitted into therapy in a designated treatment facility, and subsequently recovered and discharged for or without follow-up domiciliary care.

Perceived characteristics of outpatient appointment scheduling association with patient satisfaction and treatment adherence: An innovation theory application.

Background: Despite the growing interest in Appointment scheduling (APS) in hospitals of developing countries, empirical assessment of their effectiveness in improving patients' experiences and adherence to treatment remains limited. We drew on the attributes of an innovation theory to hypothesize and test the extent to which perceived attributes of APS: relative advantage, compatibility, and complexity influences patient satisfaction and treatment adherence in a neurology clinic of a large Teaching Hospital in Ghana.

Methods: A structured questionnaire was used to collect cross-sectional data from a sample of 295 scheduled patients visiting the clinic for follow-up care.

Breastfeeding in Primary Healthcare Setting: Evaluation of Nurses and Midwives Competencies, Training, Barriers and Satisfaction of Breastfeeding Educational Experiences in Northern Ghana.

Background: Breastfeeding education is critical in improving healthcare professionals' competencies in providing breastfeeding care to mothers. We evaluated breastfeeding competencies, training, barriers and satisfaction of breastfeeding educational experiences among nurses and midwives in the Sagnarigu Municipality, Ghana.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included nurses and midwives providing maternal and child health services at various primary healthcare facilities in Sagnarigu Municipality.

Mapping evidence on ovarian, endometrial, vaginal, and vulva cancer research in Africa: a scoping review protocol.

Background: Globally, cancer is generally recognized as a developmental threat yet most countries in Africa lack capacity to diagnose cancer especially gynecological cancers resulting in late detection and poor outcomes. However, most studies on gynecological cancers in Africa tend to focus on cervical cancer compared to the other gynecological cancers. Therefore, this scoping review will aim to describe the existing literature on the epidemiological burden of ovarian, endometrial, vaginal, and vulva cancers, their risk factors, and potential screening methods/techniques in Africa to identify priority research gaps for further research to inform health policy decisions.

Quality of care in the free maternal healthcare era in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review of providers' and managers' perceptions.

Background: Free maternal healthcare financing schemes play an essential role in the quality of services rendered to clients during antenatal care in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, healthcare managers' and providers' perceptions of the healthcare financing scheme may influence the quality of care. This scoping review mapped evidence on managers' and providers' perspectives of free maternal healthcare and the quality of care in SSA.

Reasons for the utilization of the services of traditional birth attendants during childbirth: A qualitative study in Northern Ghana.

Background: Skilled delivery reduces maternal and neonatal mortality. Ghana has put in place measures to reduce geographical and financial access to skilled delivery. Despite this, about 30% of deliveries still occur either at home or are conducted by traditional birth attendants.

Rural healthcare providers coping with clinical care delivery challenges: lessons from three health centres in Ghana.

Background: Rural settings in low- and middle-income countries are bedeviled with poverty and high disease burden, and lack adequate resources to deliver quality healthcare to the population. Drug shortage and inadequate number and skill-mix of healthcare providers is very common in rural health facilities. Hence, rural healthcare providers have no choice but to be innovative and introduce some strategies to cope with health delivery challenges at the health centre levels.

Mapping evidence on adolescents' HIV-positive status disclosure in sub-Saharan Africa: a protocol for a scoping review.

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) homes most of the people living with HIV/AIDS in the world. Adolescents/young people are a vulnerable population and at high risk of HIV infection. Identifying and bridging the research gaps on the disclosure of HIV-positive status among adolescents, particularly to their sexual partners, is essential to inform appropriate policy planning and implementation towards preventing HIV transmission.

Geographical access to point-of-care testing for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy as an integral part of maternal healthcare in Ghana.

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are associated with high maternal mortality in Ghana and globally. Evidence shows that there is poor availability of pregnancy-related point-of-care (POC) tests in Ghana's primary healthcare (PHC) clinics (health centre or community-based health planning services facilities). Therefore, we employed geographic information systems to estimate the geographical distribution of and physical accessibility to HDP POC testing services in the Upper East Region (UER), Ghana.

Mapping evidence on HIV status awareness among key and vulnerable populations in sub-Sahara Africa: a scoping review protocol.

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) continue to be a major public health issue, especially in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA). Literature shows significant HIV status awareness, testing, and treatment have generally improved among the population since the inception of the UNAIDS 90:90:90 programme. Despite this, it is possible literature gaps exist that require future research to inform in-country programmes to improve the gains post-UNAIDS 90:90:90 programme.