Educational and Resource Needs of Pelvic Health Physiotherapists: Context Matters.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Evidence on health system challenges mostly relate to high-income countries. Lack of context-specific knowledge, educational opportunities, and access to resources among pelvic health care providers could be barriers to effective implementation of pelvic health services in South Africa. The aim of this study was to determine the patient and therapist profile, and the educational and resource needs of pelvic health physiotherapists in South Africa.

The Relationships Between Multidimensional Schizotypy and Metacognitive Beliefs.

There has been a recent surge in schizotypy and metacognition research. Metacognition is an umbrella term for higher-order thought processes. Here, we focussed on maladaptive metacognitive beliefs, which are beliefs related to one's thought processes and often play an important role in the preponderance of psychological disorders.

The Functional and Structural Succession of Mesic-Grassland Soil Microbiomes Beneath Decomposing Large Herbivore Carcasses.

Plant detritus is abundant in grasslands but decomposes slowly and is relatively nutrient-poor, whereas animal carcasses are labile and nutrient-rich. Recent studies have demonstrated that labile nutrients from carcasses can significantly alter the long-term soil microbial function at an ecosystem scale. However, there is a paucity of knowledge on the functional and structural response and temporal scale of soil microbiomes beneath large herbivore carcasses.

The mRNA-1647 vaccine: A promising step toward the prevention of cytomegalovirus infection (CMV).

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a leading cause of congenital infections and significant health complications in immunocompromised individuals. With no licensed CMV vaccine available, the development of the mRNA-1647 offers promising advancements in CMV prevention. We have reviewed results from Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials of the mRNA-1647 vaccine, demonstrating robust immune responses in both seronegative and seropositive participants.

Significant abundance of bacterial flagellin and expression of its surface localized receptor toll-like receptor 5 and cytokine interleukin-22 in South African infants with poor oral rotavirus vaccine take.

Bacterial flagellin, a potent intestinal innate immune activator, prevents murine rotavirus (RV) infection independent of adaptive immunity and interferons. The flagellin-induced immunity is mediated by Toll-like receptor (TLR5) and Nod-like receptor C4 (NLRC4), which elicit the production of interleukins 22 (IL-22) and IL-18, respectively. Here, we assessed whether a high abundance of flagellin at the time of vaccination would negatively affect the oral RV vaccine take.

A surge in female condom distribution during the COVID-19 pandemic in Gauteng province, South Africa.

Background: Female Condoms are 90-95% effective against HIV transmission when correctly and consistently used and are also cost-effective. In general, condoms prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies. Although the COVID-19 pandemic had the potential to undermine routine healthcare services delivery and utilisation, there is limited evidence about the pandemic's effect on Female Condom uptake in Gauteng, one of the hardest-hit provinces in South Africa.

Implementation effectiveness of 'Problem solving for better health' training in Lesotho using mixed methods and the reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance (RE-AIM) framework.

Background: Healthcare resources have been concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural regions vulnerable to poorer health outcomes. The Problem Solving for Better Health (PSBH) program was implemented to enhance healthcare systems in resource-limited regions by training personnel to maximize existing resources in problem-solving. This study evaluated the implementation effectiveness of PSBH-Nursing (PSBHN), a nationally led initiative to train nurses in PSBH in Lesotho.

Tracking acute flaccid paralysis in Niger: a half-decade epidemiological portrait (2016-2021).

Background: Recently, a total of 74 circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) outbreaks were detected in 39 countries, with 672 confirmed Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) cases identified in 27 countries. Despite progress, Niger experienced cVDPV outbreaks in 2018, highlighting the importance of maintaining AFP surveillance as a tool for polio eradication. This analysis aims to comprehensively assess AFP surveillance trends, patterns, and challenges in Niger, offering insights for public health initiatives in conflict-affected contexts.

Paranasal sinus mucoceles and its distortion of craniofacial-orbital anatomy: a narrative synthesis.

Purpose: To explore available literature on PNS mucoceles and its distortions of craniofacial-orbital anatomy with regard to orbital bony defects and ophthalmic manifestations, highlighting the PNS mucoceles that mostly result in these distortions.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in June 2024 for available literature on the subject matter viz.; Google Scholar, PubMed and Medline, and Cochrane Library.

Spatial analysis and risk mapping of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Sub-saharan Africa.

Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a re-emerging tick-borne zoonosis that is caused by CCHF virus (CCHFV). The geographical distribution of the disease and factors that influence its occurrence are poorly known. We analysed historical records on its outbreaks in various countries across the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to identify hotspots and determine socioecological and demographicfactors associated with these outbreaks.

Proteomic dataset of sorghum leaf and root responses to single and combined drought and heat stress.

Drought and heat stress significantly limit crop growth and productivity. Their simultaneous occurrence, as often observed in summer crops, leads to larger yield losses. Sorghum is well adapted to dry and hot conditions.

SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity amongst healthcare workers in South Africa during the Omicron wave: natural infection versus vaccination.

Aims: Concerns over population-level immunity have been heightened with each successive wave of COVID-19, prompting questions about whether it is primarily derived from vaccination efforts or from previous natural infections with the virus. We wished to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Pretoria (Tshwane), South Africa, and to establish whether they were derived from vaccination or natural infection.

Methods: Serum samples were collected from HCWs during the fourth wave of COVID-19 between 1 December 2021 and 13 March 2022.

Psychopathology trajectories and relapse in first episode schizophrenia with assured long-acting injectable adherence over 24 months.

Background: Relapse following a first episode of schizophrenia (FES) is common and often results in serious adverse psychosocial consequences. Treatment non-adherence is a key risk factor for relapse, but why relapse occurs despite antipsychotic treatment adherence remains unclear. This study examined the differences in FES psychopathology trajectories over 24-months with assured long-acting injectable antipsychotic (LAIA) treatment, to control for treatment adherence between those who relapsed and those who did not and what moderates these group differences.

Effect of exogenous manipulation of glucocorticoid concentrations on meerkat heart rate, behaviour and vocal production.

Encoding of emotional arousal in vocalisations is commonly observed in the animal kingdom, and provides a rapid means of information transfer about an individual's affective responses to internal and external stimuli. As a result, assessing affective arousal-related variation in the acoustic structure of vocalisations can provide insight into how animals perceive both internal and external stimuli, and how this is, in turn, communicated to con- or heterospecifics. However, the underlying physiological mechanisms driving arousal-related acoustic variation remains unclear.

>6°(C) of separation: Exploring the difference between perceived and measured temperature.

Questionnaires exploring tourists' perceptions of ideal climatic conditions are argued to be a more suitable data source for the development of tourism climate indices than the utilization and integration of expert opinion and pre-established thresholds. This assumes that those tourist respondents can accurately quantify meteorological conditions at a given point in time, and effectively discriminate between meteorological thresholds of suitable and unsuitable conditions. For variables such as rainfall and sunshine hours, this assumption is fairly reasonable.

Vibrio cholerae bacteraemia: A case report on an unusual presentation.

Infections by non-O1/non-O139 serogroups of Vibrio cholerae (NOVC) are increasing worldwide. Infected patients usually display self-limiting diarrhoea or external ear and wound infections. We present a rare case of bacteraemia secondary to NOVC infection.

Experiences and perceptions of respectful maternity care among mothers during childbirth in health facilities of Eastern province of Rwanda: An appreciative inquiry.

Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized the importance of ensuring respectful and dignified childbirth experiences. However, many countries, including Rwanda, have documented negative experiences during childbirth. Identifying best practices can help uncover sustainable solutions for resource-limited settings rather than focusing solely on the challenges and negative aspects.

Pooled prevalence and subgroup variations of Tetralogy of Fallot among children and adolescents with congenital heart defect in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Tetralogy of Fallot is one of the critical congenital heart defects needing intervention within the first year of life.

Objective: This review aims to systematically assess the prevalence of Tetralogy of Fallot among children and adolescents with congenital heart defects in Sub-Saharan Africa from January 2000 to January 2024.

Methods: All original observational studies focused on children and adolescent population diagnosed with congenital heart defects within Sub-Saharan Africa; reported the primary outcome of interest were included.

The effect of coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination on pregnant women: A scoping review.

Background: Globally, reports have shown that pregnant women refuse to receive the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine. This has posed a significant concern given the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aim: This study aims to explore the current evidence on the effect of COVID-19 vaccination on pregnant women.

Compliance with radiation protection among radiographers in Eswatini public health facilities.

Background: The consequence of non-compliance with patient radiation safety standards increases unnecessary radiation exposure with high chances of harmful biological effects. Radiographers are trained to prevent these harmful effects by enforcing radiation protection, which is achieved through proper techniques, equipment, shielding materials and beam collimation.

Aim: The study aimed to explore compliance with radiation protection by radiographers in Eswatini public health facilities (PHFs).

Self-reported meal planning practices among households in the Tshwane North area, Gauteng.

Background: Meal planning is crucial for households to improve food choices and promote healthier eating habits.

Aim: The study aims to assess meal planning practices in households in Tshwane area, Gauteng province.

Setting: The study was conducted in households, north of Tshwane, Gauteng province.

Conceptual framework to provide culturally congruent care to epilepsy patients in selected rural communities in South Africa.

Background: Epilepsy is a neurological disorder affecting millions of people in Africa. Among other reported findings, many people living with epilepsy (PLWE) believe that the condition is caused by spiritual factors. Previous studies have revealed that majority of PLWE are not receiving adequate care and treatment because of diverse cultural beliefs associated with epilepsy.

Accessibility of ART in the farming community of OR Tambo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape province.

Background: South Africa accounts for 14% of all new HIV infections representing the highest annual rate of new HIV infections globally. In addition, South Africa is home to 21% of the worldwide HIV burden, with 7.97 million people living with HIV.