Biomarkers.

Background: The burden of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias is growing fast in Africa. The Recruitment and Retention for Alzheimer's Disease Diversity Genetic Cohorts in the Alzheimer's Disease Sequencing Project (READD-ADSP) has commenced recruitment of 5000 African participants (AD and cognitively unimpaired individuals) to generate genomic and biomarker data to better characterize AD genetic architecture in Africa. Participating countries, part of the African Dementia Consortium (AfDC) include Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Cameroon, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Mozambique.

Evaluating the implementation of online research training and mentorship among early-career family physicians in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Research is needed to improve the performance of primary health care. In Africa, few family physicians conduct research, and therefore an online research training and mentorship programme was developed to build research capacity amongst novice and early career researchers.

Aim: To evaluate the implementation of the AfriWon Research Collaborative (ARC) training and e-mentorship programme in sub-Saharan Africa.

Comparative cross-sectional study on the prevalence, determinants and willingness to use long-acting reversible contraception among female students attending public and private universities in Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria.

Objectives: Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) provides continuous pregnancy prevention to women for a period of 3 to 12 years, and it is very safe and effective. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, determinants and willingness to use LARC among undergraduate female students attending public and private universities in Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria DESIGN: This survey employed a cross-sectional comparative study design.

Setting: Public and private universities in Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria.

Impact of schistosomiasis infection on maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnancy: a prospective cohort study in Nigeria.

Background: Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease, affects approximately 40 million women of reproductive age contributing to preventable anaemia during pregnancy, intrauterine growth retardation and low birth weight. In spite of the high prevalence rate of this disease among school aged children in Abakaliki, no study in Abakaliki has looked at the burden of Schistosomal infection in pregnancy with a view to determining maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Objective: To determine the association between schistosomal infection and maternal anemia, low birth weight, and other neonatal outcomes in Abakaliki.

Left in the lurch: a junior doctor's scathing critique of the Nigerian healthcare system.

This reflective article examines the profound challenges faced by junior doctors in Nigeria, focusing on the pervasive lack of support from senior colleagues and the systemic failures within the healthcare system. Drawing from personal experiences, the narrative highlights how newly qualified doctors are often "left in the lurch", thrust into demanding roles with insufficient guidance, training, and resources. The consequences of this abandonment are explored, not only in terms of the personal and professional toll on junior doctors but also in the broader context of patient care and the overall efficacy of the healthcare system.

Breastfeeding support as predictors of sustainable breastfeeding practices of nursing mothers with common mental disorders in tertiary hospital nurseries in Nigeria: a cross sectional study.

Background: The postpartum period is associated with an increased risk of maternal mental disorders. The combined effect of having the mother's infant admitted to a tertiary hospital in a low-resource setting and the need to exclusively breastfeed the infant may exaggerate this risk. This study aimed to determine the breastfeeding support provided to mothers whose infants were hospitalised in Nigerian tertiary hospital nurseries and the prevalence of common mental health disorders among this population.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of the general population towards Marburg virus disease in sub-Saharan African countries: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Marburg virus disease (MVD) is categorized among viral hemorrhagic fevers. MVD is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to identify factors affecting MVD knowledge, attitudes and practices in sub-Saharan African countries.

Phylodynamic Investigation of Yellow Fever Virus Sheds New Insight on Geographic Dispersal Across Africa.

Background: Molecular epidemiology has shown the presence of four genotypes circulating across Africa, a paucity of data exists regarding phylogeography of the African Yellow fever (YF) genotypes. The need to fill this gap with spatiotemporal data from continuous YF outbreaks in Africa conceptualized this study; which aims to investigate the most recent transmission events and directional spread of yellow fever virus (YFV) using updated genomic sequence data.

Methods: Yellow fever sequence data was utilized along with epidemiologic data from outbreaks in Africa, to analyze the case/fatality distribution and genetic diversity.

Quality of life in long-term breast cancer survivors in Sub-Saharan Africa: the African Breast Cancer-Disparities in Outcomes study.

Purpose: In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), breast cancer survivors' (BCS) quality of life (QoL) remains understudied. We compared QoL in BCS to cancer-free (CF) women across SSA settings with different levels of development, healthcare systems, ethnic compositions, and HIV prevalence.

Methods: In 2022-2023, all 5 + year BCS from the African Breast Cancer-Disparities in Outcomes study and age-matched CF women from the community setting answered the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire in Namibia, Nigeria, and Uganda.

Contribution of malnutrition to infant and child deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Introduction: Malnutrition contributes to 45% of all childhood deaths globally, but these modelled estimates lack direct measurements in countries with high malnutrition and under-5 mortality rates. We investigated malnutrition's role in infant and child deaths in the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) network.

Methods: We analysed CHAMPS data from seven sites (Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Sierra Leone and South Africa) collected between 2016 and 2023.

Braimah-Taiwo et al New Classification System and Treatment Algorithm of Mandibulo-Maxillary Synostosis Related to Noma. Field Experience From Noma Children Hospital Sokoto, Nigeria.

Study Design: This was a retrospective study at Noma Children Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria, from January 2018 to December 2021.

Objective: The main objective of this appraisal was to present Braimah-Taiwo et al's new classification system for mandibulo-maxillary synostosis secondary to noma and also to provide a guide to their treatment.

Methods: Noma with mandibulo-maxillary synostosis was the main inclusion criteria.

A Rare Case of Statin-Induced Rhabdomyolysis With Severe Acute Kidney Injury After a Decade of Therapy.

Cardiovascular diseases are a major global health concern, with statin therapy playing a significant role in primary and secondary prevention. Statin-associated muscle symptoms typically occur early in treatment, but severe rhabdomyolysis is a rare complication. We present an unprecedented case of a patient who developed severe rhabdomyolysis with acute kidney injury after 10 years of uninterrupted statin therapy.

Understanding the exodus: a 15-year retrospective cohort study on the pattern and determinants of migration among Nigerian doctors and dentists.

Background: Nigeria faces a critical shortage of healthcare professionals yet experiences a significant annual exodus of doctors and dentists. This alarming trend threatens the country's ability to provide equitable healthcare.

Objective: This study investigated the patterns and determinants of migration among doctors and dentists who graduated from the University of Benin, Nigeria, 15 years ago.

Effect of Micronutrients on HIV-Related Clinical Outcomes Among Adults Living With HIV on Antiretroviral Therapy: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Context: Micronutrient deficiencies are common and frequently co-occurring among people living with HIV (PLHIV) globally, with consequences for their health and clinical outcomes. Previous reviews of the influence of micronutrient supplementation on HIV outcomes were conducted in the pre-highly active antiretroviral therapy (pre-HAART) era or included both HAART-naive and HAART-experienced individuals; thus, the evidence in the context of HAART is inconclusive.

Objective: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effect of micronutrient supplementation on important clinical outcomes among PLHIV on HAART.

Visual outcomes and complications after phacoemulsification and small incision manual cataract surgery in two eye hospitals.

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the visual outcomes and complications of cataract surgery in two referral eye hospitals in southern Nigeria.

Methods: Case records of patients who underwent elective cataract surgery at two referral eye hospitals from February 2017-2022 were collected retrospectively. Demographics, preoperative visual acuity (VA), anterior and posterior segment details, intraoperative and postoperative complications, VA at day 1, 1 week, and 1 month postoperatively were analyzed.

Mediating effect of fasting blood glucose and peripheral arterial disease on the relationship between sexual functioning and health-related quality of life among Nigerians with type 2 diabetes.

Background: Poor glycemic control and sexual dysfunction have been shown to impair health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of individuals with diabetes. However, mediators underlying this relationship have not been evaluated. This study aimed/sought to assess the effect of fasting blood glucose (FBG) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) on the relationship between sexual functioning (SeF) and HRQoL among Nigerians with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

ASSESSMENT OF SEVERITY OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE AMONG STEADY STATE HBSS AND HBSC HOMOZYGOUS PATIENTS ATTENDING A TERTIARY HEALTH CARE INSTITUTION IN NORTHERN NIGERIA.

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) among patients with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) notably HbSS and HbSC are increasingly being recognized due to improved health care a comparative severity of CKD among these subgroups is not known in ABUTH Zaria.

Objective: This study was to assess the severity of kidney function among stable patients with HbSS and HbSC in ABUTH, Zaria.

Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study involving steady state 188 HbSS and 22 HbSC attending Haematology Clinic in ABUTH Zaria.

THE NIGERIAN ATRIAL FIBRILLATION NATIONAL REGISTRY: RATIONALE, DESIGN AND EARLY FINDINGS.

Introduction/background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia. The AF Atrial Fibrillation Registry, which commenced in June 2023, was designed to provide clinical epidemiological data on patients with AF in the country.

Objective(s): The objective is to describe the rationale, design, and early findings from the registry.