A meta-core outcome set for stillbirth prevention and bereavement care following stillbirth in LMIC.

Study Objective: Stillbirth is burdensome in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), especially in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Currently, there are two core outcome sets (COS) for stillbirth (prevention and bereavement care), but these were developed with limited reflection of the needs of parents in an LMIC setting. To address this gap, the objective of this study was to establish consensus on the most important outcomes for stillbirth prevention and bereavement care following stillbirth in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Beyond the jab: Unravelling the complexities of vaccine adoption for East Coast Fever in rural Kenya.

East Coast Fever (ECF) is one of the leading causes of livestock mortality and reduced productivity across Eastern Africa, and while a live vaccine against it known as the Infection and Treatment Method has existed for three decades now, its adoption by affected communities remains low. This study sought to provide a detailed examination of the dynamics that shape Infection Treatment Method (ITM) vaccine adoption behaviours. The study examined individual, socio-cultural and ecological- level factors influencing ITM adoption using the socio-ecological model.

"Without a man's decision, nothing works": Building resilience to Rift Valley fever in pastoralist communities in Isiolo Kenya.

Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is a zoonotic disease that affects both livestock and humans. Men and women in pastoralist communities are vulnerable to RVF risk exposure because of their different roles and reliance on livestock products. This study sought to understand how ownership and decision-making in pastoralist male and female-headed households influence coping mechanisms and resilience to Rift Valley fever (RVF), using the three resilience capacities of absorptive, adaptive, and transformative.

Bacterial vaginosis is associated with transcriptomic changes but not higher concentrations of cervical leukocytes in a study of women at high risk for HIV acquisition.

Background: The association between bacterial vaginosis (BV) and increased HIV acquisition risk may be related to concentrations of HIV-susceptible immune cells in the cervix.

Methods: Participants (31 with BV and 30 with normal microbiota) underwent cervical biopsy at a single visit. Immune cells were quantified and sorted using flow cytometry (N=55), localization assessed by immunofluorescence (N=16), and function determined by bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of live CD45+ cells (N=21).

Exploring the clinical profiles and management of juvenile dermatomyositis in Africa: a survey of African rheumatology care providers.

Background: There are limited studies of juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). Many demonstrate delays to care, high prevalence of severe manifestations, and high mortality. Given the disease-associated damage with JDM, understanding JDM in Africa further is critical.

Evaluating the impact, implementation experience and political economy of primary care networks in Kenya: protocol for a mixed methods study.

Background: Primary care networks (PCNs) are increasingly being adopted in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to improve the delivery of primary health care (PHC). Kenya has identified PCNs as a key reform to strengthen PHC delivery and has passed a law to guide its implementation. PCNs were piloted in two counties in Kenya in 2020 and implemented nationally in October 2023.

Patterns of self-harm presentations at a Tertiary Urban Hospital in Kenya: A retrospective 5-year study (2018-2022).

Introduction: Self-harm represents a complex and multifaceted public health issue of global significance, exerting profound effects on individuals and communities alike. It involves intentional self-poisoning or self-injury with or without the motivation to die. Although self-harm is highly prevalent, limited research has focused on the patterns and trends of self-harm among hospital populations in low- and middle-income countries, particularly within Africa.

Predicting the impact of targeted fence removal on connectivity in a migratory ecosystem.

Fencing is one of the most widely utilized tools for reducing human-wildlife conflict in agricultural landscapes. However, the increasing global footprint of fencing exceeds millions of kilometers and has unintended consequences for wildlife, including habitat fragmentation, movement restriction, entanglement, and mortality. Here, we present a novel and quantitative approach to prioritize fence removal within historic migratory pathways of white-bearded wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) across Kenya's Greater Masai Mara Ecosystem.

Investing in equitable healthy aging: Why Africa must reform social pension schemes to improve Alzheimer's disease and dementia outcomes.

The eligibility criteria for social pension schemes in Africa hinder equitable and healthy aging. In 2019, women in 14 sub-Saharan African countries had an average life expectancy of 67 years but a healthy life expectancy of only 57 years, leaving them 5 years in poor health before receiving a pension at age 62. Men had a similar situation-a life expectancy of 62 years and a healthy life expectancy of 53 years, spending 10 years in poor health before becoming eligible for pensions at age 63.

Cross-sectional study on prevalence and risk factors of undiagnosed type 2 diabetes among patients with hypertension attending St. Orsola Catholic Mission Hospital, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya.

Introduction: according to the World Health Organization (WHO), Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) were a major cause of death in 2022 accounting for 4 million (74%) of deaths worldwide. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension are the two illnesses that are not contagious but linked closely. The objective of the research was to establish the prevalence and risk factors of undiagnosed diabetes among patients with hypertension attending St.

Intimate partner sexual violence is associated with unhealthy alcohol use among Kenyan women engaged in sex work.

Aim: Unhealthy alcohol use is often correlated with experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV). We investigated how different types of IPV (sexual, physical, emotional, and financial) were associated with unhealthy alcohol use among women engaged in sex work in Mombasa, Kenya.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 283 HIV-negative women who engaged in sex work recruited from an ongoing cohort study.

The role of social-psychological factors in the adoption of push-pull technology by small-scale farmers in East Africa: Application of the theory of planned behavior.

Push-pull technology (PPT) continues to gain relevance among smallholder farmers across the East African region in managing the constraints affecting cereal crop yields including stemborers, fall armyworm, striga weed, and low soil fertility. While previous research has emphasized the significance of socioeconomic factors in explaining farmers' decisions to adopt PPT, the social-psychological factors that influence farmers' adoption intentions have not been extensively studied. Therefore, this study investigated the influence of social-psychological factors on the intention to adopt or increase the land area under PPT based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB).

Unraveling the Potential of Black Soldier Fly Larvae as a Sustainable Protein Source for Nile Tilapia Production in Diverse Aquaculture Systems.

Aquaculture plays a critical role in global food security, with Nile tilapia () recognized for its adaptability and robust growth. However, traditional feeds, heavily reliant on fishmeal (FM) and soybean meal, face economic and environmental challenges. In response, black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) has emerged as a promising, nutrient-dense alternative.

Potential of carbon micro/nanofibers derived from lignocellulose biomass valorisation for CO adsorption: A review on decarbonization biotechnology for climate change solutions.

Biomass, as a source of lignocellulose, can be valorized into carbon micro/nanofibers for adsorbing greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions, especially CO. This article is derived from systematic evidence evaluation of published studies, presenting new, innovative, and systemic approaches to lignocellulose-based carbon micro/nanofiber studies. The review covers a general overview of carbon micro/nanofiber studies, mapping chronicles of the studies, carbon micro/nanofiber types for CO uptake, carbon micro/nanofibers fabrication and characterization, obtained carbonaceous material activation and performances, regulatory frameworks, and sustainability.

Consensus recommendations for measuring the impact of contraception on the menstrual cycle in contraceptive clinical trials.

Objective: We sought to develop consensus recommendations for measurement and analysis of data on contraceptive-induced menstrual changes (CIMCs) in contraceptive clinical trials. We built upon previous standardization efforts over the last 50 years and prioritized input from a variety of global experts and current regulatory authority guidance on patient-reported outcomes.

Study Design: We completed a formal consensus-building process with an interdisciplinary group of 57 experts from 30 organizations and 14 countries in five global regions who work across academia, nonprofit research organizations, the pharmaceutical industry, and funding agencies.

Behind closed doors: Homeboundness and psychosocial outcomes. Evidence from a longitudinal study of middle-aged and older adults.

Objectives: To examine how homeboundness is associated with psychosocial outcomes in terms of life satisfaction, positive affect, negative affect and loneliness among middle-aged and older adults.

Methods: Longitudinal data were taken from the nationally representative sample German Ageing Survey (wave 1 to wave 4; n = 18,491 observations). This study included community-dwelling individuals aged 40 years and over in Germany.

Navigating the complexities of managing placenta accreta spectrum: A case series and literature review.

Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) poses a significant risk for maternal morbidity and mortality. There is a global rise in incidence of PAS in tandem with an increase in rates of cesarian section. Previous cesarian section and presence of placenta previa are two independent risk factors for development of PAS.

Low-Level Zoonotic Transmission of Clade C MERS-CoV in Africa: Insights from Scoping Review and Cohort Studies in Hospital and Community Settings.

Human outbreaks of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) are more common in Middle Eastern and Asian human populations, associated with clades A and B. In Africa, where clade C is dominant in camels, human cases are minimal. We reviewed 16 studies (n = 6198) published across seven African countries between 2012 and 2024 to assess human MERS-CoV cases.

Quantitative Trait Loci for Phenology, Yield, and Phosphorus Use Efficiency in Cowpea.

Background/objectives: Cowpea is an important legume crop in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and beyond. However, access to phosphorus (P), a critical element for plant growth and development, is a significant constraint in SSA. Thus, it is essential to have high P-use efficiency varieties to achieve increased yields in environments where little-to- no phosphate fertilizers are applied.

"My Husband Is a 'Mama's Boy'": Women's Views on Male Engagement in Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health in Western Kenya.

There is an increasing global acknowledgment of the critical role that men have as key partners in maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH). Most male-engagement initiatives do not address the perceived benefits and risks that women may experience because of increased male participation in MNCH, especially in Kenya. The aim of this study, therefore, is to qualitatively assess how women perceive and experience increased male engagement in MNCH in western Kenya.

Challenges and Opportunities of Universal Health Coverage in Africa: A Scoping Review.

Background: Universal health coverage (UHC) is a global priority, with the goal of ensuring that everyone has access to high-quality healthcare without suffering financial hardship. In Africa, most governments have prioritized UHC over the last two decades. Despite this, the transition to UHC in Africa is seen to be sluggish, with certain countries facing inertia.

Nuclear Intron Sequence Variation of the Complex (Mollusca: Planorbidae): Implications for Molecular Systematic Analyses.

Urinary schistosomiasis is caused by the blood fluke , which is predominantly found in Africa. The freshwater snail is its main intermediate host. The species that make up the group are genetically complex, and their taxonomic status remains controversial.

Associations of macrosomia with sociodemographic, anthropometric, lifestyle factors and perinatal outcomes in Southwest Nigeria.

Background: Currently, macrosomia contributes to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in low-and middle-income countries because of changes in maternal lifestyle. Reliable data are needed for its prevention, early detection, and management. This study assessed the associations between sociodemographic, anthropometric, maternal lifestyle, perinatal outcomes, and macrosomia in Southwest Nigeria.

Elevated uric acid levels, mortality and cognitive impairment in children with severe malaria.

We investigated the role of uric acid in the pathogenesis of severe malaria (SM) in two independent cohorts of children with SM. Hyperuricemia (blood uric acid ≥ 7 mg dl) was present in 25% of children with SM and was associated with increased in-hospital mortality and postdischarge mortality in both cohorts. Increased blood uric acid levels were also associated with worse scores in overall cognition in children with SM < 5 years old in both cohorts.