The epidemiological and economic burden of diabetes in Ghana: A scoping review to inform health technology assessment. by Joseph Kazibwe, Mohamed Gad, Emmanuella Abassah-Konadu, Ivy Amankwah, Richmond Owusu, Godwin Gulbi, Sergio Torres-Rueda, Brian Asare, Anna Vassall, Francis Ruiz

“…It is predicted to increase in sub-Saharan Africa by over 50% by 2045. The aim of this study is to identify, map and estimate the burden of diabetes in Ghana, which is essential for optimising NCD country policy and understanding existing knowledge gaps to guide future research in this area. …”
Get full text

Microbial keratitis in Southern Malawi: a microbiological pilot study by Timothy Neal, Dean Everett, Stephen B Kaye, Alistair Darby, Moira Gandiwa, Shaffi Mdala, Caroline E Corless, Rose Herbert, Nicholas A V Beare, Tobi F Somerville, Thokozani Zungu, Malcolm J Horsburgh, Petros C Kayange

“…Objective Microbial keratitis (MK) is a significant cause of blindness in sub-Saharan Africa. We investigated the feasibility of using a novel corneal impression membrane (CIM) for obtaining and processing samples by culture, PCR and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in patients presenting with suspected MK in Malawi.Methods and analysis Samples were collected from patients presenting with suspected MK using a 12 mm diameter polytetrafluoroethylene CIM disc. …”
Get full text

Risk Factors for Hemorrhagic Stroke among Adults in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: A Hospital-Based Study in a Limited Resource Setting by Jacques Mbaz Musung, Placide Kambola Kakoma, Marcellin Bugeme, Jeef Paul Munkemena Banze, Clarence Kaut Mukeng, Orly Ngungwa Muyumba, Berthe Mwad Kamalo, Harvey Kabulo Kapya, Ghyslain Lambo Ngongo, Laurent Kitwa, Evariste Tshibind Yav, Olivier Mukuku, Emmanuel Kiyana Muyumba

“…The prevalence of stroke is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa. The scarcity of hospital-based stroke data in Lubumbashi (in the Democratic Republic of the Congo) led to the study, which was designed to describe the epidemiology of stroke and identify risk factors associated with hemorrhagic stroke among adult patients in Lubumbashi. …”
Get full text

Validation of Farmer Perceived Soil Fertility Improving Tree Species in Agropastoral Communities of Bushenyi District by Albert. K. Muzoora, Nelson Turyahabwe, Jackson G. M. Majaliwa

“…In sub-Saharan Africa, including Uganda, there is declining soil fertility and limited on-farm use of inorganic fertilizers due to poverty and limited subsidies for inorganic fertilizer use. …”
Get full text

Prenatal malaria exposure and risk of adverse birth outcomes: a prospective cohort study of pregnant women in the Northern Region of Ghana by Akbar Fotouhi, Masud Yunesian, Hawawu Hussein, Mansour Shamsipour, Mohammad Sadegh Hassanvand, Percival Delali Agordoh, Mashoud Alabi Seidu

“…Objective Malaria remains endemic in most of sub-Saharan Africa and has a negative impact among pregnant women, resulting in morbidity and poor birth outcomes. …”
Get full text

Economic impact of fetal wastage and common diseases, along with their incidence rates and seasonal variations, at an abattoir in FCT, Nigeria. by Ibrahim Dauda Dauda, Abdulhakeem Binhambali, Abdurrahman Hassan Jibril, Zainab Oyiza Idris, Farhan Rhidor Akorede

“…Infectious diseases and fetal wastage (FW) present major challenges in livestock management, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria. This study assessed the season variations, incidence rate and economic impact of prevalent diseases and FW at the Kubwa (KB) abattoir in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Abuja, Nigeria. …”
Get full text

Anaemia in the Hospitalized Elderly in Tanzania: Prevalence, Severity, and Micronutrient Deficiency Status by Clara Chamba, Ahlam Nasser, William F. Mawalla, Upendo Masamu, Neema Budodi Lubuva, Erius Tebuka, Pius Magesa

“…Anaemia is a common problem in sub-Saharan Africa. While most literature has focused on children, women of childbearing age, and pregnant women, data for the elderly population are relatively scarce. …”
Get full text

The Epidemiology of Bloodstream Infections and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns: A Nine-Year Retrospective Study at St. Dominic Hospital, Akwatia, Ghana by John Gameli Deku, Mavis Puopelle Dakorah, Sylvester Yao Lokpo, Verner N. Orish, Francis Abeku Ussher, Godsway Edem Kpene, Vida Angmorkie Eshun, Eunice Agyei, Waldermer Attivor, James Osei-Yeboah

“…Bloodstream infections are among the top causes of morbidity and mortality in people of all ages, especially in immunocompromised patients in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed at describing the epidemiology of bloodstream infections and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern over a nine-year period at St. …”
Get full text

Study protocol for an observational cohort study of heat stress impacts in pregnancy in The Gambia, West Africa [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations] by Jane E Hirst, Ana Bonell, Abdul Sesay, Leonidas G. Ioannou, Bubacarr Bah, Kris A. Murray, Andy Haines, Sophie E. Moore, David Jeffries, Neil S Maxwell, Ana Vicero-Cabrera, Apolline Saucy, Cally Tan, Emmanuel Okoh, Dorothy Watters, Bakary Sonko, Williams Oluwatosin Adefila, Yahaya Idris, Mam Leigh-Nabou, Jarra Manneh, Andreas Flouris, Sainabou Bojang, Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri, Andrew Prentice

“…This observational cohort study of 764 pregnant participants based in sub-Saharan Africa, a geographical region at risk of extreme heat events, aims to evaluate the physiological and biochemical changes that occur in pregnancy due to heat stress. …”
Get full text

Scoping review of brucellosis in Cameroon: Where do we stand, and where are we going? by Christopher G Laine, Abel Wade, H Morgan Scott, Rosina C Krecek, Angela M Arenas-Gamboa

“…Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease known to be endemic to parts of western and sub-Saharan Africa. However, the epidemiology for humans and animals remains largely unknown in many of these countries with Cameroon being a typical example. …”
Get full text

The Impact of Onchocerciasis Elimination Measures in Africa: A Systematic Review by Policarpo Ncogo, Christine Giesen, María Jesús Perteguer, Maria P. Rebollo, Rufino Nguema, Agustín Benito, Zaida Herrador

“…More than 99% of infected people live in 31 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Our objective was to assess the impact of onchocerciasis interventions in Africa. …”
Get full text

A Profile and Three-Year Follow-Up of Patients with Basal Cell Carcinoma in the Western Cape, South Africa by J. C. Gallo, J. W. Schneider, J. de Wet, K. Moxley, H. F. Jordaan, W. I. Visser, B. Tod

“…Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is an important malignancy in sub-Saharan Africa. There is a paucity of data regarding BCC in South Africa. …”
Get full text

Access of Women to Higher Education in Uganda: An Analysis of Inequalities, Barriers and Determinants by Kwesiga, Joy Constance

“…Literature on general educational access factors, mainly focusing on Sub-Saharan Africa is reviewed, using Hyde's (1991) three-fold classification of family, societal, and institutional factors. …”
Get full text

Evaluating the Effect of Particle Gradation on Concrete's Permeability, Absorption, and Ultrasonic Properties by Laid Bedadi, Abderrahmane Khechekhouche, Mehdi Jahangiri, Antonio Marcos de Oliveira Siqueira, Julio César Costa Campos, Zakaria Rahal, Ayoub Barkat, Mohamed Naoui

“… This research investigates the effects of utilizing dune sand from the Algerian Sahara, a widely available material, as a partial replacement for traditional construction sand on essential physical properties that influence concrete durability. …”
Get full text

Active case detection and treatment of malaria in pregnancy using LAMP technology (LAMPREG): a pragmatic randomised diagnostic outcomes trial—study protocol by Mekonnen Teferi, Claire Kamaliddin, Hiwot Tilahun, Rediet Fikru Gebresenbet, Zelalem Mekonnen Bekele, Banchamlak Tegegne, Delenasaw Yewhalaw, Abebe Genetu Bayih, Dylan R Pillai, Filmona Mekuria, Getaneh Alemu, Beka Raya, Omar Abdullah, Taye Teka, James Cheaveau, Ruth Legese, Hiwot Asmerom, Ermias Hundito, Ebrahim Nursefa, Samuel Ayele

“…Introduction Malaria is one of the major public health problems in sub-Saharan Africa. It contributes significantly to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality in affected countries. …”
Get full text

Attitudes of healthcare workers at a District in KwaZulu-Natal regarding institutionalisation of antimicrobial stewardship by Andile P. Dlungele, Lehlohonolo J. Mathibe

“…Background: The Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) programme is one of the strategic initiatives of the World Health Organization’s global action plan to reduce antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In sub-Saharan countries, there is insufficient scientific evidence regarding healthcare providers’ perception of institutionalisation of ASPs as a strategy to reduce AMR. …”
Get full text

Depression, anxiety and its predictor among internally displaced person in metekel Ethiopia, 2023: using a structural equation model by Solomon Debela Bekeko, Teshome Demis Nimani, Samuel Demissie Darcho, Feyisa Shasho Bayisa

“…In 2022, 120 countries had over 71 million IDPs, a 20% increase from the previous year. In sub-Saharan Africa, natural disasters accounted for 40% of all new IDPs worldwide.MethodAn institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Ethiopia. …”
Get full text

Factors involved in the recruitment and retention of voluntary blood donors in South Kivu (Democratic Republic of Congo), results from a qualitative study by Susanne Mbaka Ngunza, Isabelle Aujoulat

“…The psychosocial factors involved in deciding to become and remain a voluntary blood donor in sub-Saharan Africa remain poorly understood. Our study therefore aimed to explore the motivational factors and perceptions involved in voluntary blood donation in South Kivu. …”
Get full text

How much bilateral and multilateral climate adaptation finance is targeting the health sector? A scoping review of official development assistance data between 2009-2019. by Tilly Alcayna, Devin O'Donnell, Sarina Chandaria

“…Most health adaptation projects were in Sub-Saharan Africa, with average project funding comparable to East Asia and the Pacific and the MENA region. …”
Get full text

Progress in voluntary medical male circumcision for HIV prevention supported by the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief through 2017: longitudinal and recent cross-sectio... by Carlos Toledo, Melissa Habel, Stephanie M Davis, Jonas Z Hines, Jonathan M Grund, Renee Ridzon, Brittney Baack, Jonathan Davitte, Anne Thomas, Valerian Kiggundu, Naomi Bock, Paran Pordell, Caroline Cooney, Irum Zaidi

“…Objective This article provides an overview and interpretation of the performance of the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief’s (PEPFAR’s) male circumcision programme which has supported the majority of voluntary medical male circumcisions (VMMCs) performed for HIV prevention, from its 2007 inception to 2017, and client characteristics in 2017.Design Longitudinal collection of routine programme data and disaggregations.Setting 14 countries in sub-Saharan Africa with low baseline male circumcision coverage, high HIV prevalence and PEPFAR-supported VMMC programmes.Participants Clients of PEPFAR-supported VMMC programmes directed at males aged 10 years and above.Main outcome measures Numbers of circumcisions performed and disaggregations by age band, result of HIV test offer, procedure technique and follow-up visit attendance.Results PEPFAR supported a total of 15 269 720 circumcisions in 14 countries in Southern and Eastern Africa. …”
Get full text