Mpox as an emerging health threat for survivors of sex trafficking.

The resurgence of mpox, declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization in 2024, highlights gaps in global preparedness, particularly for marginalised populations. While much of the focus has been on men who have sex with men, survivors of sex trafficking remain overlooked, despite being highly vulnerable to mpox transmission. These individuals face significant health disparities, including limited access to healthcare, exposure to violence and forced sexual encounters in unsafe conditions, which amplify their risk of infection.

Understanding the exodus: a 15-year retrospective cohort study on the pattern and determinants of migration among Nigerian doctors and dentists.

Background: Nigeria faces a critical shortage of healthcare professionals yet experiences a significant annual exodus of doctors and dentists. This alarming trend threatens the country's ability to provide equitable healthcare.

Objective: This study investigated the patterns and determinants of migration among doctors and dentists who graduated from the University of Benin, Nigeria, 15 years ago.

Lived experiences of families of meningitis patients and survivors in the Upper West Region of Ghana.

Meningitis is a fatal condition and survivors often face long-term effects and often burdened their families. It is therefore important to understand how families cope with the aftermath of the infection. This study examined the experiences of families of meningitis patients and survivors in Ghana's Upper West Region to support public health interventions.

A comparative assesment of biostimulants in microbiome-based ecorestoration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon polluted soil.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pose severe environmental and public health risks due to their harmful and persistent nature. Therefore, developing sustainable and effective methods for PAH remediation is crucial. This study explores the biostimulation potential of various nutrient supplements in enhancing the metabolic activities of indigenous oleophilic bacteria to PAH degradation and removal.

Investigating the antibacterial potential of thiophene derivatives against wound infections: a combined DFT, molecular docking, and ADMET study targeting and resistant genes.

Wound infection poses a significant global health threat, as it is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among surgical patients and individuals with burn injuries, resulting in substantial healthcare burdens and devastating outcomes worldwide. , , and have frequently been implicated as major pathogens causing wound infections. This has eventually and consistently given rise to antimicrobial resistance divulging a need to mitigate infectious outbreaks.

Iron Administration Partially Ameliorates Cadmium-Induced Oxidative Damage in the Liver and Kidney of Rats.

The protective effect of Fe against Cd-induced toxicity in the liver and kidney of rats during concurrent administration of both metals was investigated in this study. Fifty female rats (130-150 g) were distributed into five groups of 10 rats each ( = 10): Group I (control), received normal saline solution; Group II (1.2 mg CdCl/kg b.

Gut microbial composition differs among FUNAAB Alpha broiler chicken genotypes raised in a tropical environment.

The gut microbiota of FUNAAB Alpha chickens plays a crucial role in determining their overall health and performance. Understanding the various types and diversity of microbiota in the gut of different genotypes of chickens is crucial for enhancing their well-being, productivity, and disease resistance. This study employed 16S rRNA and metagenomics analysis to examine the gut bacteria of three genotypes of FUNAAB Alpha broiler chickens, namely Naked neck, Frizzle, and Normal feather.

Artificial intelligence-enhanced biosurveillance for antimicrobial resistance in sub-Saharan Africa.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains a critical global health threat, with significant impacts on individuals and healthcare systems, particularly in low-income countries. By 2019, AMR was responsible for >4.9 million fatalities globally, and projections suggest this could rise to 10 million annually by 2050 without effective interventions.

WILLINGNESS TO ENROL AND PAY FOR A CONTRIBUTORY HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME AND ITS DETERMINANTS: A SURVEY OF RURAL AND URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA.

Introduction/background: Health insurance schemes make healthcare more accessible and affordable, and are essential for protecting individuals and families from the financial risks associated with medical expenses.

Objectives: This study assessed the willingness to enrol and pay for a contributory health insurance scheme and its determinants among rural and urban households in Rivers State.

Methods: Cross-sectional study, with multistage sampling to survey 1196 households across 9 Local Government Areas, 3 from each Senatorial district.

RISK OF INSUFFICIENT HYDROXYVITAMIN D LEVELS IN DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS IN RIVERS STATE NIGERIA.

Background: The global increase in diabetes, especially in developing nations, has escalated complications like diabetic foot ulcers. Hypovitaminosis D is considerably prevalent among individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), especially among those with chronic vascular complications.

Objectives: To determine the association between vitamin D levels and foot ulcers among patients with T2DM.

A PROTOCOL FOR ACCELERATING THE ADOPTION OF EVIDENCE-BASED MATERNAL, NEWBORN, CHILD, AND NUTRITION HEALTH (MNCNH) INNOVATIONS TO REDUCE MATERNAL MORTALITY IN NIGERIA.

Background: Maternal mortality remains a significant challenge in Nigeria, where 28.5% of global maternal deaths occur. Barriers such as weak policy environments and lack of product availability hinder the implementation of life-saving interventions.

EFFECTIVENESS OF THE BALANCED SCORECARD IN IMPROVING STAFF PERFORMANCE, PATIENT OUTCOMES AND RESOURCE OPTIMIZATION IN LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW.

Introduction/background: Low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) usually have weak health systems with poor health outcomes. The Balanced Scorecard (BSC) is a strategic management tool widely used to improve healthcare services by aligning operational activities with long-term objectives across four dimensions namely patient, financial, internal process, and learning and growth. While BSC has been adopted in various high-income countries with positive impacts, its effectiveness in improving public health systems in LMIC is still unclear.

IODINE NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND GOITRE PREVALENCE IN CHILDREN AGED 2 - 14 YEARS IN SELECTED UPLAND AND RIVERINE COMMUNITIES IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA.

Background: Iodine deficiency is a common cause of thyroid disease, prompting the World Health Organisation to recommend universal salt iodification. The iodine status of Rivers State is yet to be investigated following the implementation of this strategy.

Objective: To determine and compare the iodine nutritional status of children aged 2-14 years resident in selected upland and riverine communities in Rivers State, Nigeria.

INTRAUTERINE TOXIC METALS EXPOSURE AND NEXT GENERATIONAL EFFECTS ON NEONATAL ANTHROPOMETRIC DETERMINANTS IN ABAKALIKI, SOUTH EAST NIGERIA.

Introduction: Growth restriction has been associated with the risk of none communicable disease. Many anthropometric determinants like birth weight, birth length, and pondoral Index, are related to maternal suboptimal nutrition and infants' deficiency of some essential heavy metals.

Objective: The specific objective of this study is to determine the extent of toxic metals in the cord blood, birth outcomes, and their effect on the biophysical profiles of neonates.

DIETARY HABITS, NUTRITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND ANTHROPOMETRIC STATUS OF LONG-DISTANCE COMMERCIAL DRIVERS IN YENAGOA, BAYELSA STATE.

Background: The informal labour sector is laden with peculiar dietary and lifestyle behaviours which affect their nutritional status, and commercial drivers are not an exception. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the nutritional knowledge, dietary habits, and anthropometric status of commercial drivers.

Methods: The study used a descriptive cross-sectional design and a multi-stage sampling to recruit 220 respondents.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HOUSEHOLD FOOD INSECURITY AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF CHILDREN AGED 6-59 MONTHS IN YENAGOA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA.

Background: Household Food Insecurity (HFI) is closely linked with nutritional status. The Global Report on Food Crises 2019 reported more than 113 million people face food insecurity hence the need to address Food insecurity in line with Sustainable Development Goal 2 which seeks to achieve food security and improve nutrition by 2030.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of HFI, compare the nutritional status of children aged 6-59 months in food-secure and food-insecure households, and determine the predictors of malnutrition in food-insecure households in Yenagoa LGA, Bayelsa State.

ECONOMIC BURDEN OF MANAGING HEPATITIS C VIRUS DISEASE IN RESOURCE-LIMITED SETTING.

Introduction: Viral hepatitis C (HCV) is a global public health problem, and its management could impose substantial financial burdens on households, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, which has limited health coverage. This study assessed the economic impact of managing HCV patients in households in a resource-limited setting.

Methods: This was a facility-based cross-sectional survey involving a two-stage sampling method to select 90 hepatitis C patients at various stages of the disease.

A COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF CLIENT SATISFACTION WITH HEALTHCARE SERVICE DELIVERY IN TWO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS IN THE NIGER DELTA.

Background: The Olobiri Health Programme (OHP), is a flagship project of the Shell Petroleum Development Company in Ogbia LGAs in Bayelsa States (Ogbia and Sagbama). Phase one of the program provided universal health coverage, a remodeled and fully equipped General Hospital in Kolo; fully equipped laboratories in the College of Health Technology, Otuogidi; and solar-powered water treatment facilities for the communities. Phase 2 includes the Oloibiri Health Campus, the Drug Distribution Centre at Emeyal II, a 400-metre Oloibiri access road to the health campus, and the Ogbia Safe Maternal and Infant Care Programme.

Intracranial pressure monitoring and treatment practices in severe traumatic brain injury between low-and middle-income countries and high-income countries: Data or dogma?

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring forms the cornerstone of most severe TBI (sTBI) management guidelines, yet treatment practices vary between high income countries (HIC) and low/middle-income countries (LMICs). We sought to find the reasons for variation in ICP monitoring and treatment practices between neurosurgeons in low- and high-income countries.

A Systematic Review of the Incidence and Pattern of Surgical Site Infection in Orthopedic Surgery in Africa.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a major health challenge in Africa, leading to poor patient outcomes. This study aims to systematically review and summarize existing research on the rate and patterns of SSIs in orthopedic surgery across Africa. A thorough search was conducted using databases such as Embase (via Ovid), PubMed, Scopus, African Journals Online (AJOL), and Google Scholar for literature published between January 2000 and July 2024.

Impact of Genetic Testing on the Diagnosis, Management, and Prognosis of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A Systematic Review.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a hereditary cardiovascular condition marked by heart muscle thickening, fibrosis, and myocardial disorders. It is often inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. Symptoms include dyspnea, fatigue, palpitations, dizziness, syncope, and an increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD).

Designing and deploying caller tunes on mobile phones to promote malaria vaccine uptake in Africa: can the technology acceptance model (TAM) help?

Malaria remains a significant global health challenge, with millions of cases and high mortality rates annually, especially in low-income countries. Africa bears a substantial burden, with direct costs of malaria among children under five reaching millions of dollars in countries like Ghana, Tanzania, and Kenya. In 2021, over 610,000 malaria-related deaths were reported, 96% of which occurred in sub-Saharan Africa.