Impact of antimicrobial resistance on infections in children in Africa.

Purpose Of Review: Antimicrobial resistance is an escalating public health threat in Africa, and an awareness of the devastating impact on children is growing. This review highlights the prevalence and patterns of antimicrobial resistance among children in Africa, focusing on pathogens responsible for bloodstream infections, community-acquired pneumonia, bacterial meningitis, neonatal infections, diarrhea and malaria. Current strategies to tackle antimicrobial resistance in pediatric populations are discussed.

Exploring the Role of the Pharmacist in the Prevention and Management of Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy in Ashanti Region, Ghana.

Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDPs) are a leading cause of poor maternal and birth outcomes worldwide. Prompt management of these disorders is usually recommended to optimize outcomes. Administration of pharmacotherapeutic agents is critical in the prevention and management of these disorders.

Scale-Up of Tailor-Made Onsite Enzyme Blend From Cassava Peels for Industrial Bioethanol Production.

Bioethanol production is one of the key alternatives for fossil fuel use due to climate change. The study seeks to upscale tailor-made onsite enzyme blends for the bioconversion of cassava peels to bioethanol in simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) process using cassava peels-degrading fungi. The starch and cellulose contents of peels were determined.

Evidence for the anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects of three semi-synthetic derivatives of xylopic acid in mice.

Purpose: Major depressive disorder is one of the most common and burdensome psychiatric disorders worldwide. This study evaluated the anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like activity of three semi-synthetic derivatives of xylopic acid (XA) to identify the most promising derivative based on mechanism(s) of action, in vivo pharmacokinetics and in vitro cytotoxicity.

Methods: The anxiolytic potential and the involvement of GABAergic mechanisms were assessed in the elevated plus-maze and open field tests in mice.

A Qualitative Study on Nurses' Caring Experiences With Individuals With Kidney Failure Receiving Haemodialysis.

Background: Kidney failure is a major health issue globally, particularly in Ghana and other low- and middle-income countries. Nurses are centrally involved in the direct care and technical operations of managing individuals with kidney failure, and they have first-hand exposure to the complexities of kidney failure management, including haemodialysis within resource-constrained settings.

Objective: This study explored the experiences of nurses who provide care to individuals with kidney failure receiving haemodialysis in Ghana.

Biochemical mechanisms and molecular interactions of vitamins in cancer therapy.

Recently, the potential role of vitamins in cancer therapy has attracted considerable research attention. However, the reported findings are inconsistent, with limited information on the biochemical and molecular interactions of different vitamins in various cancer cells. Importantly, the presence of vitamin receptors in tumor cells suggests that vitamins play a significant role in the molecular and biochemical interactions in cancers.

Rare variants in cause Van der Woude syndrome and other features of peridermopathy.

Van der Woude syndrome (VWS) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by lower lip pits and orofacial clefts (OFCs). With a prevalence of approximately 1 in 35,000 live births, it is the most common form of syndromic clefting and may account for ~2% of all OFCs. The majority of VWS is attributed to genetic variants in (~70%) or (~5%), leaving up to 25% of individuals with VWS without a molecular diagnosis.

Using a Hand-Held Icterometer to Screen for Neonatal Jaundice: Validation, Feasibility, and Acceptability of the Bili-Ruler in Kumasi, Ghana.

Background: Neonatal jaundice (NNJ) remains a leading cause of newborn mortality in much of sub-Saharan Africa. We sought to examine the validity of using a hand-held icterometer as a screening tool to determine which newborns need further assessment. Additionally, we sought to assess the feasibility of its use among mothers.

Effects of naked neck and frizzle genes on growth and egg-laying performance of chickens in the tropics in an era of climate change.

In regions characterized by tropical and subtropical climates, the elevated ambient temperatures exert adverse effects on both broiler and laying chickens, impacting their growth and egg production performance. To mitigate the challenges posed by heat stress, genetic strategies aimed at reducing feather coverage have gained prominence in hot climate areas. Among these approaches, the naked neck (Na) and frizzle (F) genes have emerged as particularly noteworthy.

Insulin therapy adherence and its associated factors among diabetic patients in a Ghanaian primary care hospital.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global health problem. Adherence to intensive insulin therapy is necessary to achieve better glycemic control in types 1 and 2 DM. This study aimed to evaluate the extent of adherence to insulin therapy, its predictors and to identify barriers to its adherence.

Clinicians knowledge of cancer: A study in Ghana's Bono region.

Background: Cancer is a growing public health concern in Ghana, with rising prevalence, incidence, and mortality rates. Clinicians play a crucial role in cancer prevention and control by providing accurate information and early detection services. This study assessed the level of cancer knowledge among a cross-section of clinicians in the Bono region of Ghana, focusing on their knowledge of cancer, signs, symptoms, and risk factors.

Occupational injuries, mental workload and coping strategies among the nursing workforce in the Eastern Region of Ghana: a multi-centre study.

Background: The nursing profession plays a crucial role in the quality of healthcare services. While nurses face occupational injury challenges globally, mental workload, which is often overlooked, plays a significant role in these injuries. Understanding nurses' coping strategies can help develop effective interventions.

Comparative Analysis of Hydration Status and Microbial Quality of Tap Water Between Urban and Rural Settings in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

Maintaining proper hydration is crucial for human health, physiological functions, and cognitive performance. This study sought to determine the hydration status and the microbial safety of tap water in an urban setting (Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Campus) and a rural community (Adjamesu) in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The water safety perception and hydration status of 171 study participants aged 10-61 years were assessed.

Impact of family childhood adversity on risk of violence and involvement with police in adolescence: findings from the UK Millennium Cohort Study.

Background: Childhood adversities, such as exposure to parental mental illness, domestic violence and abuse, substance use, and family poverty, have been linked to involvement in violence in early adulthood. However, evidence on the cumulative impact of multiple adversities throughout childhood on violence and crime in adolescence remains scarce. This study investigates the associations between trajectories of family adversity and poverty during childhood, and the risk of involvement in violence and contact with police in adolescence.

Incidence, long-term predictors and progression of chronic kidney disease among African migrants and non-migrants: the transcontinental population-based prospective RODAM cohort study.

Background: Limited longitudinal data exist on chronic kidney disease (CKD) in African populations undergoing epidemiological transitions. We investigated incidence, long-term predictors and progression of CKD among Ghanaians residing in Ghana and Ghanaian migrants in the Netherlands (Amsterdam).

Methods And Findings: We analysed data from 2183 participants in the transcontinental population-based prospective Research on Obesity and Diabetes among African Migrants cohort, followed for approximately 7 years.

Exploring the relationship between mental health issues and academic performance of undergraduate students in a Ghanaian tertiary institution: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Mental health associations with students' academic outcomes are critical for students' well-being and excellent performance, particularly among tertiary students in their educational trajectory. This study investigated the relationship between mental health incidence and academic performance among university students in a public university in Ghana. Additionally, we study students' level of mental health awareness.

Improving health outcomes by strengthening public sector capacity in social and behaviour change programming in Nigeria: a qualitative study.

Objective: This paper examines the outcomes of the public sector capacity strengthening (PSCS) approach and how they contribute to the promotion of maternal, newborn, and child health, and nutrition (MNCH+N), family planning (FP) and malaria prevention-related outcomes.

Design: The qualitative study implemented from July to August of 2022 used the outcome harvesting methodology and key informant interviews to elicit information including most significant change (MSC) stories to evaluate project outcomes over 5 years (2017-2022).

Setting: The study was conducted in Sokoto, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Bauchi and Ebonyi states of Nigeria.

Integrating Maternal and Child Health Into Climate Change: A Holistic Approach.

Objectives: In everyday language, climate change is an increase in the Earth's average temperature. Climate change negatively affects life support systems, including air, food, water, shelter, and security, on which humans depend. This paper aims to holistically integrate maternal and child health into climate change.

Knowledge, attitude and practices regarding vitamin D among adults in Ghana: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a major public health concern, affecting approximately half of the world's population, partly due to limited public knowledge about vitamin D sources. However, there is lack of data on awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding vitamin D in high-risk countries like Ghana. We investigated vitamin D awareness, knowledge and its associated factors in the Ghanaian population.

Prevalence, predisposing factors, and turnover intention related to low back pain among health workers in Accra, Ghana.

Background: Globally, low back pain (LBP) is responsible for disability among 60.1 million people. Health workers face a higher likelihood of being exposed to LBP compared to employees in the construction and manufacturing sectors.

Achieving universal sanitation in Ghana: An analysis of key drivers of toilet ownership among property owners in Urban areas.

Access to safe sanitation facilities remains a critical public health concern, especially in rapidly urbanizing countries like Ghana. This study investigates the determinants of household toilet ownership among property owners in three urban districts in Ghana. Using a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 1,256 property owners selected through a multi-stage stratified sampling procedure.

Does preservice teachers' contact with children with intellectual disabilities during their practicum impact their attitudes and teaching practices? "If you don't have the heart, you can't cope … ".

Background: This study sought to explore the effects of preservice teachers' contact with children with intellectual disabilities on their attitudes. The study was conducted against the backdrop of the exclusion and discrimination experienced by children with intellectual disabilities in Ghanaian schools.

Method: Twenty-two preservice teachers who interned at a special school for children with intellectual disabilities were interviewed before and after their practicums, and the gathered data underwent thematic analysis.

A scoping review of interventions to optimize medication adherence in hypertension comorbidity.

Background: Patients with hypertension and other comorbidities have difficulties adhering to their medications which have negative impacts on clinical outcomes. Although some studies have identified strategies to improve medication adherence, a thorough analysis of these interventions will provide synthesized evidence for clinical decision-making and improved health outcomes for patients with hypertension comorbidities.

Aim: To conduct a scoping review on interventions that have been utilised to improve medication adherence in patients with hypertension and other co-morbid conditions.

Toward the elimination of NTDs: application of cost-effective and sensitive molecular environmental surveillance tools-a pilot study.

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect over a billion people worldwide. The 2021-2030 NTD road map calls for innovative and highly efficient interventions to eliminate or significantly reduce the burden of NTDs. These include sensitive and cost-effective diagnostic techniques for disease surveillance.