Application of telemedicine to improve access, and quality of healthcare services in Somalia: a perspective review and policy recommendations.

Telemedicine is the use of virtual space to provide much-needed healthcare services to consumers, with the potential to revolutionize the delivery of healthcare. As the number of challenges facing Somalia continues to grow including the prolonged war, natural disasters, and migration of skilled healthcare professionals, the federal government may be overwhelmed and unable to provide sufficient basic healthcare to its citizens. This review was undertaken to highlight the current state of healthcare services delivery, the benefits of telemedicine, its potential to address the currently strained healthcare services, and the challenges that may hamper its adoption in Somalia.

Investigating the dynamics of climate finance disbursements: A panel data approach from 2003 to 2022.

This study investigates the intricate dynamics of international multilateral climate finance disbursements from 2003 to 2022 via an extensive dataset from the Climate Funds Update (CFU). By employing panel data econometric models, including pooled ordinary least squares (OLS), fixed effects (FE), and random effects (RE) models, the study elucidates the impact of grants and approved funds on disbursement levels across different income groups. The analysis reveals that while grants do not significantly influence disbursements, the approval of funds plays a critical role in enhancing disbursement efficiency.

Association of Knowledge and Attitude Toward Antibiotic Use and Resistance With Self-Medication Practice of Antibiotics Among Bangladeshi Private University Teachers: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background And Aims: Antibiotic resistance is increasing globally and regionally, posing a significant public health concern. This study aimed to assess knowledge and attitude toward antibiotic use and the prevalence of self-medication and its association with the knowledge and attitude toward antibiotic use and resistance among private university teachers in Bangladesh.

Methods: This quantitative, cross-sectional study utilized a convenience sampling technique and included 509 respondents.

Transitioning to sustainable energy and enhanced environmental quality in Somalia through renewable energy, globalisation and trade openness.

A balanced approach that combines trade policies, renewable energy promotion, and robust environmental regulations is crucial for improving ecological sustainability. Although the literature suggests that trade openness facilitates the transfer of cleaner energy technologies to developing nations, existing empirical studies have produced inconclusive results, particularly in Somalia's context. Therefore, this study explores the dynamic relationships between renewable energy, trade openness, economic growth, globalisation, and environmental degradation using annual time-series data from 1990 to 2019.

Regional disparities on contraceptive intention and its sociodemographic determinants among reproductive women in Nigeria.

Background: Despite efforts to improve its uptake, contraceptive use in Nigeria remains low. Understanding regional disparities and sociodemographic determinants of contraceptive intention is crucial for developing effective family planning strategies. This study aimed to investigate these factors in women of reproductive age in Nigeria.

Type II retrocaval ureter in an eleven-year-old: A case report.

Retrocaval ureter is a rare congenital anomaly in which the ureter courses posterior to the inferior vena cava. It may be associated with inferior vena cava and renal anomalies. We reported an 11-year-old male presented with a history of right flank pain and dysuria.

Innovative laboratory techniques shaping cancer diagnosis and treatment in developing countries.

Cancer is a major global health challenge, with approximately 19.3 million new cases and 10 million deaths estimated by 2020. Laboratory advancements in cancer detection have transformed diagnostic capabilities, particularly through the use of biomarkers that play crucial roles in risk assessment, therapy selection, and disease monitoring.

Prevalence of depression and its correlates among undergraduate health science students in Mogadishu, Somalia: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Depression among undergraduate health science students is increasingly recognized as a significant public health issue globally. These students face immense academic pressure, often leading to stress and mental exhaustion, particularly for students studying in a humanitarian crisis situation. However, there is a scarcity of information in this regard in higher education institutions in Somalia.

Comprehensive management of actinomycetoma in a young male: A case report from Somalia.

Mycetoma is a neglected tropical disease that predominantly affects individuals in low socioeconomic strata, primarily in tropical and subtropical regions. This case report describes a 20-year-old male student from Bahdo City, Somalia, who presented with a persistent cervical mass following a history of trauma. The patient exhibited vital signs within normal limits, and imaging studies, including ultrasound and computed tomography, revealed well-defined cystic masses.

Challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence in African health space.

The application of artificial intelligence (AI) to healthcare in Africa has the potential to transform productivity, diagnosis, disease surveillance, and resource allocation by improving accuracy and efficiency. However, to fully realize its benefits, it is necessary to consider issues concerning data privacy, equity, infrastructure integration, and ethical policy development. The use of these tools may improve the detection of diseases, the distribution of resources, and the continuity of care.

Vesicular Stomatitis Virus: Insights into Pathogenesis, Immune Evasion, and Technological Innovations in Oncolytic and Vaccine Development.

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) represents a significant advancement in therapeutic medicine, offering unique molecular and cellular characteristics that make it exceptionally suitable for medical applications. The bullet-shaped morphology, RNA genome organization, and cytoplasmic replication strategy provide fundamental advantages for both vaccine development and oncolytic applications. VSV's interaction with host cells through the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) and its sophisticated transcriptional regulation mechanisms enables precise control over therapeutic applications.

Addressing the emerging threat of Oropouche virus: implications and public health responses for healthcare systems.

Oropouche fever is an increasingly significant health concern in tropical and subtropical areas of South and Central America, and is primarily spread by midge vectors. The Oropouche virus (OROV) was first identified in 1955 and has been responsible for numerous outbreaks, particularly in urban environments. Despite its prevalence, the disease is often under-reported, making it difficult to fully understand its impact.

Achieving malaria-free: Egypt's journey to WHO certification and global implications for disease control.

Egypt's recent malaria-free certification by the World Health Organization (WHO) marks a significant achievement in public health, underscoring the effectiveness of sustained national efforts in disease eradication. This milestone, achieved after nearly a century of strategic intervention, highlights the importance of integrated public health programmes and cross-sector collaboration. Egypt's journey involved early initiatives to reduce human-mosquito contact, the establishment of malaria control stations, and comprehensive outbreak management strategies.

Prevalence, clinical characteristics, and treatment outcomes of childhood tuberculosis in Nigeria: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a leading cause of infection-related deaths worldwide. Children with underdeveloped immune systems are particularly vulnerable, experiencing symptoms akin to common childhood illnesses. Early diagnosis and treatment typically yield positive outcomes.

Human papillomavirus DNA detection in cervical samples from women of reproductive age in Mogadishu, Somalia.

Introduction: Somalia is among the countries with a high burden of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2022, 660,000 infections are reported among women globally, out of which 350,000 died from the disease. Most of the studies on HPV reported from Somalia are based on cytologic analysis which is a subjective and suboptimal assessment.

Uptake and Acceptability of HIV Self-Testing Among Pregnant and Postpartum Women and Their Male Partners in Sub-Saharan Africa: Benefits, Challenges, and Delivery Strategies.

Background: HIV self-testing (HIVST) offers a novel solution for increasing HIV testing among pregnant and postpartum women and their male partners, especially in low-resource settings. These groups often face barriers such as stigma, fear, and limited access to traditional HIV-testing services.

Methods: We reviewed qualitative and quantitative studies focusing on HIVST implementation in both public and private healthcare settings among pregnant and postpartum women and male partners in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), analyzed uptake, male involvement, and barriers.

Updated WHO list of emerging pathogens for a potential future pandemic: Implications for public health and global preparedness.

Historically, pandemics constitute a major nuisance to public health. They have a debilitating impact on global health with previous occurrences causing major mortalities worldwide. The adverse outcomes are not limited to health outcomes but ravage the social, economic, and political landscapes.

CRISPR-Cas Systems in the Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance: Current Status, Potentials, and Future Directions.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health concern that threatens the efficacy of existing antibiotics and poses significant challenges to public health and the economy worldwide. This review explores the potential of CRISPR-Cas systems as a novel approach to combating AMR and examines current applications, limitations, and prospects.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science, covering publications published from 2014 to August 2024.

Challenges in oral health practice in Somalia: a call for regulatory strengthening and inclusion into primary healthcare services.

Background: Oral diseases remain a significant public health problem worldwide despite being largely preventable. Oral disorders such as dental caries, periodontal diseases, and oral cancers are highly prevalent chronic conditions that negatively impact quality of life. The oral health practice in Somalia has been evolving over the years, we therefore explored the challenges of oral health practice in a security-constrained poorly regulated environment to guide policy development.

Community-Acquired Pneumonia with Acute Kidney Injury Complicated by Rhabdomyolysis- A Challenging Case Report in Resource Limit Setting.

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common infectious disease that can lead to complications such as rhabdomyolysis (RM), a rare but potentially life-threatening condition involving muscle breakdown. RM can further complicate the clinical course by causing acute kidney injury (AKI). We present a case of Community-acquired pneumonia with AKI complicated by rhabdomyolysis in a resource-limited setting.

Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends in Clinical Learning Environment for Nursing and Midwifery Education.

Introduction: The clinical learning environment is central to nursing and midwifery education, providing critical contexts for student training and professional development. This study fills a gap by offering a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of trends in The clinical learning environment research within nursing and midwifery education.

Methods: A descriptive bibliometric study was conducted on June 7, 2024, using the Scopus database to retrieve research articles related to The clinical learning environment from 1957 until June 2024.

Current Epidemiological Status of Chikungunya Virus Infection in East Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The incidence of Chikungunya in tropical Africa is still of major epidemiological significance. This study aims to determine the prevalence of chikungunya in East Africa through a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies. We conducted a comprehensive search across six electronic databases-Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar-using specific keywords to address the worldwide impact of chikungunya following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.

Advancing Immunization in Africa: Overcoming Challenges to Achieve the 2030 Global Immunization Targets.

African immunization programs are crucial in reducing the prevalence of infectious diseases and improving public health outcomes. This review provides an overview of the current status of immunization efforts in Africa, highlights key challenges, and offers recommendations to help the continent achieve the 2030 Global Immunization Goals. While progress has been made, significant challenges remain.