AAS Open Research最新文献

{"title":"Economic value, endogenous knowledge and distribution of Picralima nitida (Stapf) T. Durand and H. Durand in Africa","authors":"G. C. Akabassi, E. Padonou, Achille Ephrem Assogbajo, Noël Zirihi Guede","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13087.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13087.1","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Picralima nitida (Apocynaceae) is an important African medicinal plant species. It is frequently used in traditional medicine and pharmaceutical industries for manufacture of drugs against infectious diseases, malaria, diabetes and cancer. Despite its important, the species can be rare, especially in the Dahomey Gap (in contrast to the Guineo-Congolese region). There is also a controversy on its distribution. Without knowing the drivers of plant species rarity it is impossible to address the issue of the controversy of its distribution and unsustainable use as well as safeguarding endogenous knowledge of its uses.  Methods: Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in the Dahomey Gap with 120 informants randomly interviewed. A literature review of scientific papers and books was used to provide information on the uses, distribution and threats of the species in the Guineo-Congolese region. Results: The results revealed that P. nitida products were more expensive in the Dahomey Gap than the Guineo-Congolese region. All parts of the species were collected and used for 34 treatments. The species had low density and distribution in Dahomey Gap compared to the Guineo-Congolese region. Conclusions: P. nitida is used across its distribution areas with important economic values. Adapted management strategies are needed for the sustainable use and conservation of the species..","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-07-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42523741","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"COVID-19 and the HIV care continuum in Uganda: minimising collateral damage","authors":"E. Kagimu, E. Martyn, J. Gakuru, J. Kasibante, M. Rutakingirwa, Richard Kwizera, K. Ssebambulidde, Darlisha A Williams, J. Ellis, F. Cresswell, D. Meya","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13099.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13099.1","url":null,"abstract":"The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has spread across the world within months of its first description in Wuhan, China in December 2019, resulting in an unprecedented global health emergency. Whilst Europe and North America are the current epicentres of infection, the global health community are preparing for the potential effects of this new disease on the African continent. Modelling studies predict that factors such as  youthful and rural population may be protective in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 in the World Health Organisation (WHO) African Region, however, with 220 million infections and 4.6 million hospitalisations predicted in the first year of the pandemic alone, fragile health systems could still be placed under significant strain. Furthermore, subsequent disruptions to the provision of services for people living with HIV, or at risk of acquiring HIV, are predicted to lead to an extra 500,000 adult HIV deaths and a 2-fold increase in mother to child transmission of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa in 2020-2021. Ignoring these predictions may have severe consequences and we risk “stepping back in time” in AIDS-related deaths to numbers seen over a decade ago. Reflecting on our current experience of the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda, we explore the potential impact of public health measures implemented to mitigate spread of COVID-19 on the HIV care continuum, and suggest areas of focus for HIV services, policy makers and governments to urgently address in order to minimise the collateral damage.","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43327387","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"COVID-19 and food security in Africa: Building more resilient food systems.","authors":"Helena Shilomboleni","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13078.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13078.1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the fragility of our food systems. Despite increased efficiencies in producing and supplying large volumes of food, our current food systems have generated multiple adverse outcomes comprising high greenhouse gas emissions, persistent hunger, and livelihood stress for farmers around the world. Nowhere else than in Africa have large numbers of people experienced more acutely these adverse shocks emanating from our food systems. Thus, building more resilient African food systems, which take a radical change of direction, is fundamentally a matter of survival. While there is broad consensus around a need for transformational change in food systems, what that entails is not always clear, and there are divergent views amongst experts on how to re-orient research priorities and agricultural solutions in ways that effectively address hunger and inequality while also protecting agrobiodiversity and the environment more broadly. This article engages with this debate and proposes an agricultural research for development agenda in Africa that balances technology transfer with realigning societal values, institutional arrangements, and policy decision-making towards the realization of greater sustainability and inclusive outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":" ","pages":"27"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7376614/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38220713","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Career development for infection and immunity research in Uganda: a decade of experience from the Makerere University - Uganda Virus Research Institute research and training programme.","authors":"Damalie Nakanjako,&nbsp;Flavia Zalwango,&nbsp;Pamela Wairagala,&nbsp;Fiona Luboga,&nbsp;Irene Andia Biraro,&nbsp;Victoria Diana Bukirwa,&nbsp;Mary Gorrethy Mboowa,&nbsp;Steve Cose,&nbsp;Janet Seeley,&nbsp;Alison Elliott","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13066.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13066.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> The Makerere University/Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) Centre of Excellence for Infection & Immunity Research and Training (MUII) is a collaborative programme supporting excellence in Infection and Immunity (I&I) research in Uganda. Set up in 2008, MUII aims to produce internationally competitive Ugandan and East African I&I research leaders, and develop human and infrastructural resources to support research and training excellence. We undertook an internal evaluation of MUII's achievements, challenges and lessons learned between 08-2008 and 12-2019, to inform programmes seeking to build Africa's health research expertise. <b>Methods:</b> Quantitative data were abstracted from programme annual reports. Qualitative data were obtained in 03-04/2019: a cross-sectional evaluation was undertaken among a purposefully selected representative sample of 27 trainees and two programme staff. Qualitative data was analysed according to pre-determined themes of achievements, challenges, lessons learned and recommendations for improvement. <b>Results:</b> By 12-2019, MUII had supported 68 fellowships at master's-level and above (50% female: 23 Masters, 27 PhD, 15 post-doctoral, three group-leaders) and over 1,000 internships. Fellows reported career advancement, mentorship by experts, and improved research skills and outputs. Fellows have published over 300 papers, secured grants worth over £20m, established over 40 international collaborations, and taken on research and academic leadership positions in the country. Key lessons were: i) Efficient administration provides a conducive environment for high quality research; ii) Institutions need supportive policies for procurement, including provisions for purchases of specific biological research reagents from international manufacturers; iii) Strong international and multi-disciplinary collaboration provides a critical mass of expertise to mentor researchers in development; and iv) Mentorship catalyses young scientists to progress from graduate trainees to productive academic researchers, relevant to society's most pressing health challenges. <b>Conclusions:</b> Sustainable academic productivity can be achieved through efficient operational support, global collaboration and mentorship to provide solutions to Africa's health challenges.</p>","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":" ","pages":"26"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7372530/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38400275","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Seroprevalence, risk factors and impact of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> infection on haematological parameters in the Ashanti region of Ghana: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Samuel Kekeli Agordzo, Kingsley Badu, Mathew Glover Addo, Christian Kwasi Owusu, Abdul-Hakim Mutala, Austine Tweneboah, Dawood Ackom Abbas, Nana Kwame Ayisi-Boateng","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13022.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/aasopenres.13022.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate, intracellular, apicomplexan parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. Although the global prevalence of toxoplasmosis has been estimated to be approximately 30%, there is limited seroprevalence data in Ghana, with a dearth of information on the impact of T. gondii on haematological parameters in exposed persons. <b>Methods:</b> Questionnaires were administered to 300 consenting individuals to obtain demographic information and assessment of their risk of exposure to <i>T. gondii</i>. Using anti- <i>T. gondii</i> IgG/IgM combo test kits, seropositivity to parasite-specific IgG and/or IgM was determined. A haematological analyser was used to measure haematological parameters. <b>Results:</b> There was an overall seroprevalence of 50.3% (n=151), with 49.7% (n=149) of the study participants seropositive for IgG and 1% (n=3) testing positive for IgM. Furthermore, the observed seroprevalence among pregnant women was 56.4% (n=62). With regard to settlement type, a seroprevalence of 55.6% was observed in the rural community, 50.6% in the peri-urban community and 47.1% in the urban community. The study identified cat ownership, contact with cat litter, contact with raw meat  [RR (95% CI: 1.76 (1.23-2.53), 1.66 (1.03-2.67), 1.25(1.00-1.57)] and age (p<0.001) as risk factors for infection. Analyses of haematological data revealed significant reduction in the white blood cell, lymphocytes and mean corpuscular volume levels in seropositive males (p=0.0223, 0.0275, and 0.0271) respectively. Only the mean corpuscular volume of seropositive females reduced significantly as compared to the seronegative counterparts (p=0.0035).  <b>Conclusions:</b> About half of the study population, including women of reproductive age carried antibodies against <i>T. gondii</i>, raising concerns about the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis and anaemia. We, therefore, recommend that screening for <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> be included in the routine screening of pregnant women seeking antenatal care and further investigation should be conducted on the haematological implications of infection in humans.</p>","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":" ","pages":"166"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7369427/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38228740","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ethical challenges in community engagement practices in research during the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa","authors":"P. Tindana, J. de Vries, Dorcas Kamuya","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13084.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13084.1","url":null,"abstract":"Community engagement (CE) has been highlighted as a key process in the prevention and transmission control of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the nature of the virus and national response strategies such as social distancing have challenged traditional methods of community engagement. In this paper, we discuss the role of community engagement in research during COVID-19. We first set out the case for community engagement that emerges from international guidance for research during public health emergencies. We then describe the challenges that are emerging with community engagement in health research generally, and on COVID-19 related research specifically in Africa in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. We further describe the strengths and weaknesses of the current engagement and communication platforms, and suggest ways to overcome some of these challenges. We provide an ethical argument for researchers and research institutions to respond directly to addressing the COVID-19 pandemic by responding to emergency health care needs of the community; and provide some challenges and critiques of such an approach. Finally, we support the call for concerted efforts in responding to the global pandemic, requiring flexibility in funding.","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49070238","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of malaria on haematological parameters of urban, peri-urban and rural residents in the Ashanti region of Ghana: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Abdul-Hakim Mutala, K. Badu, C. Owusu, Samuel Kekeli Agordzo, Austine Tweneboah, Dawood Ackom Abbas, M. Addo","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.12979.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.12979.2","url":null,"abstract":"Background: We aimed at investigating the impact of malaria on the haematological parameters of residents from different demographic settlements in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Malaria parasites trigger changes in certain haematological parameters, which may result in a number of clinical manifestations. Differences in demographic settlements, such as rural, peri-urban and urban settlements may also influence these changes, but this has not been extensively studied in Ghana. Methods: We conducted a hospital-based, cross-sectional study from January to December 2018 in three different settlements. A total of 598 participants were recruited. Blood smears were examined to detect and quantify malaria parasitaemia, while haematological parameters were measured using a haematology analyser. Results: Participants from the rural settlement had the highest malaria prevalence (21.3%) compared to the urban (11.8%) and peri-urban areas (13.3%); however, the peri-urban area had the highest median parasite density (568; IQR=190.0-1312.0). Age was significantly associated with the odds of malaria positivity (OR: 0.97; CI:0.96 - 0.99). When haematological parameters of the malaria-infected study participants were compared to the parameters of uninfected participants, red blood cell count (p=0.017), haemoglobin (p=0.0165), haematocrit (p=0.0015), mean corpuscular volume (p=0.0014), plateletcrit (p<0.0001) and platelet count (p<0.0001) were all significantly lower in the malaria infected group. In addition to age, haemoglobin and plateletcrit levels were also inversely correlated with the odds of testing positive for malaria, suggesting that children who were anaemic and/or thrombocytopaenic were likely to be infected. After fitting the data to a logistic regression model comprising the three variables, the model correctly categorised 78% of uninfected study participants, but only 50% of the malaria-positive participants. Conclusions: Study participants who were positive for malaria were younger and had low haemoglobin and plateletcrit levels compared to uninfected individuals. Further studies are needed to more precisely elucidate the relationship between malaria infection,demographic and haematological parameters.","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":"21 1","pages":"27"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66396616","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of 1.5 ^oC and 2 ^oC global warming scenarios on malaria transmission in East Africa.","authors":"Obed Matundura Ogega,&nbsp;Moses Alobo","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13074.3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13074.3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Malaria remains a global challenge with approximately 228 million cases and 405,000 malaria-related deaths reported in 2018 alone; 93% of which were in sub-Saharan Africa. Aware of the critical role than environmental factors play in malaria transmission, this study aimed at assessing the relationship between precipitation, temperature, and clinical malaria cases in East Africa and how the relationship may change under 1.5 ^oC and 2.0 ^oC global warming levels (hereinafter GWL1.5 and GWL2.0, respectively). <b>Methods:</b> A correlation analysis was done to establish the current relationship between annual precipitation, mean temperature, and clinical malaria cases. Differences between annual precipitation and mean temperature value projections for periods 2008-2037 and 2023-2052 (corresponding to GWL1.5 and GWL2.0, respectively), relative to the control period (1977-2005), were computed to determine how malaria transmission may change under the two global warming scenarios. <b>Results</b>: A predominantly positive/negative correlation between clinical malaria cases and temperature/precipitation was observed. Relative to the control period, no major significant changes in precipitation were shown in both warming scenarios. However, an increase in temperature of between 0.5 ^oC and 1.5 ^oC and 1.0 ^oC to 2.0 ^oC under GWL1.5 and GWL2.0, respectively, was recorded. Hence, more areas in East Africa are likely to be exposed to temperature thresholds favourable for increased malaria vector abundance and, hence, potentially intensify malaria transmission in the region. <b>Conclusions</b>: GWL1.5 and GWL2.0 scenarios are likely to intensify malaria transmission in East Africa. Ongoing interventions should, therefore, be intensified to sustain the gains made towards malaria elimination in East Africa in a warming climate.</p>","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":" ","pages":"22"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8008358/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"25585287","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Carbon footprint of fertilizer imports to the East African Bloc and policy recommendations for decarbonization","authors":"S. Kabiri","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13065.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13065.1","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Almost all nitrogenous (N) fertilizers are fixed on an enormous scale using the Haber-Bosch ammonia synthesis process via a reaction of Nitrogen with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst. This process is a leading global polluter, emitting 830 megatons of CO2 to the atmosphere annually. On the other hand, the global transport sector emits 7.5 gigatons of CO2 yet the fraction of emissions from freight transportation of N fertilizers from exporting countries to the East African (EA) Bloc is not known. This study examined the carbon footprint from freight transportation of N fertilizers. The findings are useful in the regions’ nationally determined contributions (NDCs) as per the Paris Agreement of December 2015 regarding downsizing emissions from the transport sector. Methods: The study area included five EA Community (EAC) countries namely, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. Statistics of fertilizers were obtained from https://africafertilizer.org/. The carbon footprint calculator (CFC) for fertilizer production (obtained from https://www.fertilizerseurope.com/), certified by the Carbon Trust Standard, was used. Results: Over 93% of fertilizers imported to the EA Bloc are N fertilizers, leaving a carbon footprint of 4.9 megatons CO2-eq. Of these emissions, 1.1 megatons CO2-eq were contributed by imports from Saudi Arabia and 0.8 megatons CO2-eq from China. The ‘dirtiest’ of N fertilizers that accounted for the highest carbon footprint on the EA bloc were urea ammonium nitrate, calcium nitrate, nitrophosphates and ammonium sulphate. Conclusions: Every metric ton of N imported results in a carbon footprint of 4.5 metric tons CO2-eq. The Ammonia production process of exporting countries, freight distance, choice and number of N fertilizers imported are significant determinants of greenhouse gas emissions to East Africa’s NDCs. To reach net-zero emissions the EA community needs to invest in new processes, circular economy and decarbonization pathways.","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46258652","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Africa’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic: A review of the nature of the virus, impacts and implications for preparedness","authors":"K. Badu, J. Thorn, N. Goonoo, N. Dukhi, A. Fagbamigbe, Benard W. Kulohoma, K. Oyebola, S. Abdelsalam, W. Doorsamy, O. Awe, A. Sylverken, A. Egeru, J. Gitaka","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13060.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13060.1","url":null,"abstract":"Background: COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc in different countries across the world, claiming thousands of lives, increasing morbidity and disrupting lifestyles. The global scientific community is in urgent need of relevant evidence, to understand the challenges and knowledge gaps, as well as the opportunities to contain the spread of the virus. Considering the unique socio-economic, demographic, political, ecological and climatic contexts in Africa, the responses which may prove to be successful in other regions may not be appropriate on the continent. This paper aims to provide insight for scientists, policy makers and international agencies to contain the virus and to mitigate its impact at all levels. Methods: The Affiliates of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS), came together to synthesize the current evidence, identify the challenges and opportunities to enhance the understanding of the disease. We assess the potential impact of this pandemic and the unique challenges of the disease on African nations. We examine the state of Africa’s preparedness and make recommendations for steps needed to win the war against this pandemic and combat potential resurgence. Results: We identified gaps and opportunities among cross-cutting issues which is recommended to be addressed or harnessed in this pandemic. Factors such as the nature of the virus and the opportunities for drug targeting, point of care diagnostics, health surveillance systems, food security, mental health, xenophobia and gender-based violence, shelter for the homeless, water and sanitation, telecommunications challenges, domestic regional coordination and financing. Conclusion: Based on our synthesis of the current evidence, while there are plans for preparedness in several African countries, there are significant limitations. Multi-sectoral efforts from the science, education, medical, technological, communication, business and industry sectors as well as local communities is required in order to win this fight.","PeriodicalId":34179,"journal":{"name":"AAS Open Research","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46136270","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}