A systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between sugar intake and dental caries in Nigeria.

Background: There is no national data on the association between sugar intake and caries experience in Nigeria. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the association between sugar intake and caries experience in Nigeria.

Methods: A search was conducted across the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase databases for articles published between January 2001 and March 2023 on the associations between sugar consumption and caries experience.

Wastewater metagenomics in Africa: Opportunities and challenges.

The advent of metagenomics has dramatically expanded our understanding of microbial communities, particularly through the study of wastewater, which serves as a rich source of microbial data. In Africa, wastewater metagenomics presents unparalleled opportunities for public health monitoring, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) tracking, and the discovery of new microbial species and functions. Utilizing high-throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies, this method allows for direct analysis of nucleic acids from wastewater samples, providing a cost-effective and comprehensive approach for pathogen surveillance.

Expediting pathogen genomics adoption for enhanced foodborne disease surveillance in Africa.

The role of genomics in public health surveillance has been accentuated by its crucial contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating its potential in addressing global disease outbreaks. While Africa has made strides in expanding multi-pathogen genomic surveillance, the integration into foodborne disease (FBD) surveillance remains nascent. Here we highlight the critical components to strengthen and scale-up the integration of whole genome sequencing (WGS) in foodborne disease surveillance across the continent.

Evaluation of three rapigen biocredit point-of-care tests for malaria case management in Lagos, Nigeria.

Introduction: Histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2) antigen kits are widely used for malaria diagnosis in tropical regions due to their heat stability. The Plasmodium Lactate Dehydrogenase (pLDH) used in BIOCREDIT® malaria test kit is claimed to be heat-stable. This study aimed to evaluate the heat stability and field performance of three BIOCREDIT® kits.

Impact of Prolonged SARS-CoV-2 Viral Shedding on COVID-19 Disease Outcome and Viral Dynamics.

This article aimed to review the current literature on the impact of continuous shedding of the COVID-19 virus in infected patients in relation to disease outcome variables and viral dynamics. Electronic databases PubMed, Google Scholar, and MedlinePlus were searched using relevant keywords, restricting the selection to thirty-two peer-reviewed articles and four gray literatures from the WHO websites. Findings from this study showed that several variables such as sex, age, immune status, treatments, and vaccines were found to affect the outcomes associated with the COVID-19 virus shedding.

Risk Factors for Viral Non-suppression Among Youth Living with HIV in Nigeria: Findings from the iCARE Nigeria Study.

Viral suppression with antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a critical component of UNAIDS objectives to end the HIV epidemic. Youth living with HIV (YLH) have worse viral suppression rates than adults. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for viral non-suppression among YLH in Nigeria.

A Comparative Analysis of Hydroxyurea Treatment on Coagulation Profile Among Sickle Cell Anaemia Children in Lagos, Nigeria.

Hydroxyurea (HU) is a disease-modifying therapy with significant clinical and laboratory efficacy among individuals living with sickle cell anaemia (SCA). This is evident through increased fetal haemoglobin, higher packed cell volume, improved red cell hydration, reduced leukocytes, and platelet function. The effect on the coagulation pathway and pathophysiologic mechanism remains unclear, especially in children living with SCA.

A qualitative evaluation of the short and long-term impacts of an implementation science training program in South Africa.

Background: As implementation science (IS) in low and middle-income country settings continues to grow and generate interest, there is continual demand for capacity building in the field. Training programs have proliferated, but evaluations of these efforts are sparse and primarily from high-income countries. There is little knowledge about the impact of IS training on students' careers post-graduation.

Bioinformatics designing of an mRNA vaccine for Mokola virus (MOKV) using immunoinformatics as a secure strategy for successful vaccine development.

The Mokola Virus belongs to the family Rhabdoviridae and is genotype 3 of the Lyssavirus genera. A small number of cases of animal and human encephalomyelitis, mainly scattered over sub-Saharan Africa, have been linked to the Mokola Virus (MOKV). Currently there is no vaccine to protect against MOKV infection in people or animals.

Helicobacter pylori Management in Africa: A Survey of Diagnostic, Treatment, and Related Resources.

Background: Although Helicobacter pylori infection (H. pylori) prevalence in Africa has declined in the last decade, it remains concerningly high. H.

Preserving nets, protecting children: an evaluation of factors influencing the utilization and physical integrity of long-lasting insecticidal nets among under-five children in Osun State, Nigeria.

Background: Malaria remains a significant public health challenge in Africa where it is the most important vector-borne disease. Nigeria bears the largest burden, with pregnant women and children under 5 years being more affected. Although, long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) remain effective for control, its use has been suboptimal.

A community action network-based intervention for improving knowledge of zoonoses among wildlife hunters and traders in Epe, Lagos, Nigeria.

The West Africa One Health project is a multi-country project designed to utilise the One Health approach and deploy the Community Action Networks (CAN), a concept rooted in the principles of community-based participatory research, to improve knowledge of high-risk communities on zoonoses. The majority of emerging zoonoses occur at the human-wildlife interface, of which wildlife hunters and traders are critical stakeholders. We assessed the effectiveness of a CAN-based intervention involving the use of a video documentary and case studies as model tools in improving the knowledge of zoonoses among wildlife hunters and traders in Epe, an established hunting community in Lagos State, Nigeria.

A Stepped-Wedge, Cluster-Randomized, Multisite Study of Text Messaging Plus Peer Navigation to Improve Adherence and Viral Suppression Among Youth on Antiretroviral Therapy.

Background: To address the need for improved virologic suppression among youth living with HIV (YLH) on antiretroviral treatment (ART), we evaluated peer navigation plus TXTXT daily text message ART reminders.

Setting: YLH aged 15-24 on ART for at least 3 months at six research sites in four Nigerian cities.

Methods: Using a stepped-wedge design, Cluster 1 was non-randomized, while Clusters 2 and 3 were randomized to sequences of routine care (control period) and 48 weeks of the combination intervention (intervention period).

Molecular Epidemiology and AMR Perspective of Diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Introduction: Diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) persistently challenges public health in Africa, contributing substantially to the diarrhoeal disease burden. This systematic review and meta-analysis illuminate the distribution and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns of DEC pathotypes across the continent.

Methods: The review selectively focused on pathotype-specific studies reporting prevalence and/or AMR of human-derived DEC pathotypes from African nations, excluding data from extra-intestinal, animal, and environmental sources and studies focused on drug and mechanism experiments.

The Anti-Leukemic Activities of Campesterol and Α-Tocopherol Against BCL-2 Target through Computational Drug Design Approaches.

Introduction: Heterogeneous Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) causes substantial worldwide morbidity and death. AML is characterized by excessive proliferation of immature myeloid cells in the bone marrow and impaired apoptotic regulator expression.

Method: B-Cell Lymphoma 2 (BCL-2), an anti-apoptotic protein overexpressed in AML, promotes leukemic cell survival and chemoresistance.

Factors associated with facility childbirth and skilled birth attendance in Migori County, Kenya and the effect of Lwala Community Alliance intervention: a cross-sectional assessment from the 2019 and 2021 Lwala household surveys.

Background: Despite evidence of the beneficial effects of skilled birth attendance (SBA) on maternal health and childbirth outcomes, there are disparities in access across counties in Kenya. These include Migori County which has historically recorded high maternal mortality rates. In 2007, the Lwala Community Alliance was founded to improve health outcomes in this county.