Recurrent Plasmodium falciparum Malaria in U.S. Travelers Treated with Artemether-Lumefantrine.

We report two cases of recurrent malaria in U.S. travelers returning from Africa (Ghana and Central African Republic) despite a full course of artemether-lumefantrine (AL).

Exploring reduction of prolonged binocular vision testing time: the agreement between the first and second thirty seconds within one minute of accommodative and vergence facility tests.

The study sought to compare the number of cycles (NOS) for the first and second thirty-seconds (FASTS) within 1 min of accommodative facility (AF) and vergence facility (VF) testing to explore possibilities of reducing testing time to 30 s. In this cross-sectional study, a multistage sample of school children (aged 8-17 years) was taken through ocular-visual screening. Eligible participants (586) underwent refraction, stereo-acuity measurement, AF testing using ± 2D lens flippers, and VF testing using 3 BI/12 BO flipper prisms.

A Global Collaborative Comparison of SARS-CoV-2 Antigenicity Across 15 Laboratories.

Setting up a global SARS-CoV-2 surveillance system requires an understanding of how virus isolation and propagation practices, use of animal or human sera, and different neutralisation assay platforms influence assessment of SARS-CoV-2 antigenicity. In this study, with the contribution of 15 independent laboratories across all WHO regions, we carried out a controlled analysis of neutralisation assay platforms using the first WHO International Standard for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (source: NIBSC). Live virus isolates (source: WHO BioHub or individual labs) or spike plasmids (individual labs) for pseudovirus production were used to perform neutralisation assays using the same serum panels.

Cholera Outbreaks in Low- and Middle-Income Countries in the Last Decade: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Cholera is linked to penury, making low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) particularly vulnerable to outbreaks. In this systematic review, we analyzed the drivers contributing to these outbreaks, focusing on the epidemiology of cholera in LMICs. This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024591613).

In Vitro Evaluation of Rosemary Essential Oil: GC-MS Profiling, Antibacterial Synergy, and Biofilm Inhibition.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become precarious, warranting investments in antimicrobial discovery. To investigate the antibacterial activity of rosemary essential oil (REO), alone and in combination with selected conventional antibiotics. REO was subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing (including minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination) and investigation of anti-pre-biofilm and antibiofilm activities.

Pathology and VP2-Based Characterization of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus Associated with an Outbreak in Layer Chickens in Ghana.

Infectious bursal disease (IBD) continues to threaten poultry production globally, with highly virulent strains circulating in many parts of Africa. In this study, molecular characterization was performed on a circulating infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) strain from an outbreak in a layer flock in Ghana. Layer chicks presented for necropsy had markedly enlarged and hemorrhagic bursae of Fabricius, with necrotic foci and catarrhal exudate on the serosal surface.

Association of Molecular Detections of Microsporidia in Stool Samples with Clinical and Immunological Parameters in Ghanaian HIV Patients.

Although the etiological relevance of the detection of microsporidia in human stool samples remains uncertain, the immunological status of patients has been posited as an important determinant of potential clinical impact of these parasites. To further assess the interplay between the epidemiology of microsporidia and immunological markers, we conducted a study utilizing real-time PCR targeting , , , and , combined in a single fluorescence channel. The study involved a cohort of 595 clinically and immunologically well-characterized Ghanaian HIV patients, alongside 82 HIV-negative control individuals from Ghana.

Clinical Readiness for Practice of Nursing Students: A Concept Analysis.

Introduction: The concept of clinical readiness for practice among nursing students is yet to be analyzed, and there is a lack of empirical evidence on its usage among academics and clinicians.

Methods: This concept analysis is anchored on a systematic literature review that adhered to the PRISMA guidelines and incorporated the eight iterative steps of Walker and Avant's concept analysis method. This concept analysis method involved: (1) choosing a concept; (2) determining the objectives of the analysis; (3) identifying usages of the concept; (4) determining the defining attributes; (5) identifying a model case; (6) identifying other cases, including borderline, contrary, and related cases; (7) identifying antecedents and consequences; and (8) defining empirical references.

Effect of Group Antenatal Care on Breastfeeding Knowledge and Practices Among Pregnant Women in Ghana: Findings from a Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months after birth to ensure child health and survival. Antenatal care provides an opportunity to educate pregnant women on optimal breastfeeding practices. A cluster-randomized control trial in Ghana examined the impact of group antenatal care on breastfeeding knowledge and practice.

Spatial Variation and Predictors of Women's Sole Autonomy in Healthcare Decision-Making in Bangladesh: A Spatial and Multilevel Analysis.

Knowing the spatial variation and predictors of women having sole autonomy over their healthcare decisions is crucial to design site-specific interventions. This study examined how women's sole autonomy over their healthcare choices varies geographically and what factors influence this autonomy among Bangladeshi women of childbearing age. Data were obtained from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2017-18.

Assessment of Donkey Welfare at Slaughter in Ghana.

Donkey slaughter in West Africa has received limited scientific attention, despite increasing over recent years. This study aimed to explore factors affecting donkey welfare, both ante-mortem and at slaughter, in the Upper East region of Ghana. A total of 134 donkeys at five different slaughter points were assessed using animal-based indicators.

A systematic review for non-targeted analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

This review follows the PRISMA guidelines to provide a systematic review of 115 peer reviewed articles that used non-targeted analysis (NTA) methods to detect per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS). This literature highlights the significant positive impact of NTA in understanding PFAS in the environment. Within the literature a geographical bias exists, with most NTA studies (∼60 %) conducted in the United States and China.

Physical activity and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tanzania: insights for public health policy in low-income contexts.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic heightened anxiety levels globally, disproportionately affecting low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Physical activity (PA) has shown potential to alleviate mental health challenges, including anxiety. This study explores the relationship between PA and anxiety among Tanzanian adults during the pandemic, examining whether self-reported health status moderates this relationship and identifying demographic variations.

Objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity does not attenuate prospective weight gain among African-origin adults spanning the epidemiological transition.

Traditional obesity-related public health messaging often includes physical activity (PA) recommendations. However, at the population level, the data are conflicting, especially when comparing different self-reported vs measured techniques across different settings and populations. We measured the association between moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA) and prospective weight change across five African-origin populations and the extent to which MVPA attenuated weight change over time.

Impact and copying mechanisms towards retakes: A case study of five health training institutions in Sub Saharan Africa.

Academic examination retakes are significant challenges in health professions education. With rigorous clinical assessments and high-stakes examinations, many students struggle to meet academic requirements, resulting in retakes. The voices and experiences of such students have often been absent within the broader discussion of health professions education.

Pathogens spread by high-altitude windborne mosquitoes.

Recent studies have revealed that many mosquito species regularly engage in high-altitude windborne migration, but its epidemiological significance was debated. The hypothesis that high-altitude mosquitoes spread pathogens over large distances has not been directly tested. Here, we report for the first time that high-altitude windborne mosquitoes are commonly infected with arboviruses, protozoans, and helminths affecting vertebrates and humans, and provide the first description of this pathogen-vector aerial network.

First Report of Causing Collar Rot of gilo in Ghana.

African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum gilo group) is a nutritious vegetable widely commercialized in Ghana. In the 2021 planting season (May-July), collar rot symptoms were observed on African eggplant on a farm at Domeabra, Legon, and Okumaning in the Central (N5° 48' 11″, W1° 26' 48″), Greater Accra (N5° 39' 34″, W0° 11' 34″) and Eastern (N6° 8' 34″, W0° 55' 59″) regions of Ghana, respectively. Disease incidence was 8-15% in the different farms.

The impact of COVID-19 on HIV care: a comprehensive analysis of patient and healthcare providers experiences at the largest HIV treatment center in Ghana.

Background: We sought to determine how the COVID-19 pandemic affected care delivery for HIV patients in Ghana.

Methods: Guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), we performed a cross-sectional study between May and July 2021 among 40 people living with HIV and 19 healthcare providers caring for HIV patients. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were done with HIV patients, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, data scientists, administrators, and counselors to ascertain barriers and facilitators to HIV care during the pandemic.

Health assets among refugees in Australia: a systematic review.

Background: A health assets-based approach seeks to identify health-promoting or protective factors across multiple levels. Evidence of the health assets of refugees at the individual, family, and community levels in Australia is scarce. We aimed to synthesise current evidence from Australia to identify refugee health assets and explore how they influence health and well-being.

The synergistic effects of microcredit access and agricultural technology adoption on maize farmer's income in Kenya.

Addressing global food security demands urgent improvement in agricultural productivity, particularly in developing economies where market imperfections are perverse and resource constraints prevail. While microcredit is widely acknowledged as a tool for economic empowerment, its role in facilitating agricultural technology adoption and improving agricultural incomes remains underexplored. This study examines the synergistic effects of microcredit access and agricultural technology adoption on the incomes of maize farmers in Kenya.

Revising the definition of "demand satisfied for modern methods of family planning:" A cross-sectional study to explore incorporating person-centered constructs of demand, choice, and satisfaction.

Several challenges to validity have been identified with standard approaches used to measure "demand satisfied for modern methods of family planning." This study explored construct validity of the widely used indicator for "demand satisfied" by comparing the standard definition to alternative definitions of the indicator highlighting dimensions of women's own perceived demand, choice, and satisfaction. This cross-sectional study of women aged 15-49 years was conducted in Argentina (n = 1492), Ghana (n = 1600), and India (n = 1702) using a two-staged random sampling design.

The association of telomere length and religiosity: A systematic review.

Objective: Religiosity is a complex construct comprised observance, intrinsic beliefs, meditative practice, and communal elements. Religiosity has been associated with reduced mortality and improved overall health, but understanding the underlying biological associations is evolving. As increased telomere length has been associated with increased longevity, this project presents a systematic review of studies investigating the relationship between religiosity and telomere length.

Outcomes and Toxicities After Treatment for Men Diagnosed With Localized Prostate Cancer in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: Current management for clinically localized prostate cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) includes surgery, external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), and brachytherapy either alone or in combination, with plus or minus hormone therapy. The toxicity profiles and oncological outcomes of these treatment modalities vary. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the prevalence of treatment-related outcomes and toxicities for men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer in LMICs.