Buba Manjang, Ebrima Keita, Sheikh Omar Bittaye, Bubacarr Jallow, Sambou Mbye, Abdoulie B Badjie, Ibrahim Touray, Lamin Bojang, Saydiba Tamba, Lamin Kebbeh, Lamin M Bojang, Sanna Kanyi, Modou Lamin Sanneh, Njaga Ceesay, Joanna M Gaitens, Hanna M LeBuhn, Melissa A McDiarmid
{"title":"Hepatitis B serology testing and vaccination for Gambian healthcare workers: A pilot study.","authors":"Buba Manjang, Ebrima Keita, Sheikh Omar Bittaye, Bubacarr Jallow, Sambou Mbye, Abdoulie B Badjie, Ibrahim Touray, Lamin Bojang, Saydiba Tamba, Lamin Kebbeh, Lamin M Bojang, Sanna Kanyi, Modou Lamin Sanneh, Njaga Ceesay, Joanna M Gaitens, Hanna M LeBuhn, Melissa A McDiarmid","doi":"10.4102/jphia.v15i1.489","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jphia.v15i1.489","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hepatitis B infection is a significant global health threat contributing to healthcare worker (HCW) harm, threatening already precarious health systems.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To document self-reported hepatitis B vaccination history and serology results.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>A select group of high-risk HCWs in a tertiary care hospital in Banjul, the Gambia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a cross-sectional pilot study conducted from 12 June 2023 to 16 June 2023. Participants were HCWs at high risk for blood exposure who completed a health history interview prior to serology testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) and vaccination.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The pilot study enrolled 70 HCWs who were primarily female (<i>n</i> = 44; 62.9%). The majority of the participants, 43 (61.4%) reported having received at least one dose of the hepatitis B vaccine in the past. The overall prevalence of HBsAg positivity in this study was 4.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5-11.9), all in older participants. Importantly, 60.0% (95% CI: 48.3-70.7) of participants had no anti-HBs detected.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This pilot study documents a higher prevalence of hepatitis B infection among older workers and the lack of anti-HBs across the majority of participants. This suggests a serious vulnerability for the individual health worker and indicates the need for a wider screening and vaccination campaign to assess the risk across the Gambian health workforce.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>This pilot study provides the first evidence to support a wider assessment of hepatitis B serology status of Gambian health workers to gauge the need for a broader vaccine campaign.</p>","PeriodicalId":44723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health in Africa","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2024-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11321128/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141983497","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}
Noah Fongwen, Almighty Nchafack, Kyeng M. Tetuh, J. J. Ong, Joseph D. Tucker, Gwenda Hughes, Rosanna Peeling
{"title":"Telephone hotlines for infectious disease outbreaks in Africa: A review and qualitative study","authors":"Noah Fongwen, Almighty Nchafack, Kyeng M. Tetuh, J. J. Ong, Joseph D. Tucker, Gwenda Hughes, Rosanna Peeling","doi":"10.4102/jphia.v15i1.608","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/jphia.v15i1.608","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Mobile health interventions like telephone hotlines face challenges that may threaten their use, adoption and sustainability in Africa.Aim: We sought to understand the barriers and facilitators for sustainability of telephone hotlines used in infectious disease outbreaks in Africa using a scoping review and a qualitative study.Setting: Participants form 12 African countries and Database searches.Methods: Databases were searched for articles on the barriers and/or facilitators in operating telephone hotlines for outbreaks in Africa. One-on-one interviews and focus group discussions with 30 participants from 12 African countries were also conducted. Emerging themes from the review and interviews were identified and synthesised to focus on barriers and facilitators for the sustainability of the hotlines.Results: The search identified 1153 citations, and 25 studies were finally included. The articles were from 20 African countries. The government was the main source of funding in four countries. Barriers with calls and data management were the most frequent. Human resource barriers such as limited staff, high staff turnover, a lack of incentives and motivation were also significant. Financial barriers were the high cost of operation and huge dependence on external funders. Technological and infrastructural hurdles included limited Internet and phone coverage, malfunction and a lack of interoperability of software. Transitioning to either complete or shared government ownership with diversification and integration of the hotline into routine use was the main facilitator for sustainability.Conclusion: Strengthening technical capacity in telephone hotlines and ensuring financial sustainability are critical. Increased government support is needed.Contribution: More studies on costing will help in developing financial sustainability models for Africa.","PeriodicalId":44723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health in Africa","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2024-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141810265","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":"Building new capacity for Africa CDC through The Journal of Public Health in Africa","authors":"Nicaise Ndembi","doi":"10.4102/jphia.v15i1.679","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4102/jphia.v15i1.679","url":null,"abstract":"No abstract available.","PeriodicalId":44723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health in Africa","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2024-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141814547","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}
Nicaise Ndembi, Nebiyu Dereje, Fifa A Rahman, Benjamin Djoudalbaye, Aggrey Aluso, Nina Schwalbe, Tajudeen Raji, Mosoka P Fallah, Sofonias K Tessema, Mohamed Moussif, Sultani Matendechero, Olive Shisana, Alain N Ngongo, Jean Kaseya
{"title":"The pandemic agreement: Achieving an African win for health security inequity.","authors":"Nicaise Ndembi, Nebiyu Dereje, Fifa A Rahman, Benjamin Djoudalbaye, Aggrey Aluso, Nina Schwalbe, Tajudeen Raji, Mosoka P Fallah, Sofonias K Tessema, Mohamed Moussif, Sultani Matendechero, Olive Shisana, Alain N Ngongo, Jean Kaseya","doi":"10.4102/jphia.v15i1.618","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jphia.v15i1.618","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":44723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health in Africa","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2024-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11321139/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141983499","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":"Online capacity building for the health workforce: the case of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response for the African region.","authors":"Boukare Bonkoungou, Heini Utunen, Ambrose Otau Talisuna, Gillian O'Connell, Etien Koua, Dick Damas Chamla, Elham Arabi, Anna Tokar, Abdou Salam Gueye","doi":"10.4081/jphia.2023.2478","DOIUrl":"10.4081/jphia.2023.2478","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) has developed a comprehensive capacity devel-opment programme to support the successful implementation of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response 3rd edition Technical Guidelines (IDSR). As part of the learning program, a series of asyn-chronous online courses are offered on OpenWHO in English, French and Portuguese. This paper describes the use of five IDSR online courses and reports on feedback received from learners on Course 1 in the English series. An online learner survey was developed, and a descriptive analysis was conducted. This paper also reports on use related empirical metadata from the OpenWHO platform. Overall, learners (97%-n/N) of Course 1 IDSR English series indicated a positive perception toward their online learning experience because of the quality of course content, its organization, ease of use and relevance to their workplace needs. In addition, 88% (n/N) of learners reported that they had used their acquired knowledge at least sometimes and 54.4% (n/N) had shared their learning with others. Lastly, the quiz analyses showed an average of right answers of 78.97% for quiz 1 and 69.94% for quiz 2. Online learning is an essential component of a blended capacity development programme and provides cost effective, equitable and impactful learning. Learners who have a learning goal and find their needs met in courses tend to show more satisfaction and motivation to share their learning.</p>","PeriodicalId":44723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health in Africa","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10946300/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140159181","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}
Jean Kaseya, Yewande Alimi, Aggrey Aluso, Mahlet K Habtemariam, Trevor A Crowell, Alain Ngashi Ngongo, Yenew Kebede, Nicaise Ndembi
{"title":"Tackling the twin threats of pandemics and climate change: An agenda for action.","authors":"Jean Kaseya, Yewande Alimi, Aggrey Aluso, Mahlet K Habtemariam, Trevor A Crowell, Alain Ngashi Ngongo, Yenew Kebede, Nicaise Ndembi","doi":"10.4081/jphia.2024.2868","DOIUrl":"10.4081/jphia.2024.2868","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":44723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health in Africa","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10928979/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140111815","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":"Early detection and risk factors of congenital hip dislocation in Morocco.","authors":"Adri Ilham, Touloun Oulaid, Boussaa Samia","doi":"10.4081/jphia.2023.2589","DOIUrl":"10.4081/jphia.2023.2589","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Congenital dislocation of the hip is a malformation of the lower limbs that could be complicated by a disabling physical handicap with long-term psychological and social repercussions if detected late. This study aims to describe the screening for congenital hip dislocation and to investigate the association between the occurrence of this anomaly and possible risk factors in Morocco. The study was based on the exploitation of the records of children treated at the trauma and orthopedics department of the Mohammed VI University Hospital in Marrakech, Morocco. It concerned 160 cases with a 5-year follow-up from January 2016 to March 2021. The results of the study showed that 56.7% of the affected children had a bilateral dislocation and 25.8% of the cases had a left-sided dislocation. The malformation occurred more frequently in females 69.2%. A familial disposition to the malformation was found in about 22% of the cases. The diagnosis was late (at walking age) in 61% of children following the onset of lameness with or without pain in 91% of children. In 41.87% of the hips, the reduction was surgical, with 28% failure dominated by acetabular dysplasia in 11%. The risk factors for congenital hip dislocation identified in our setting were dominated by sex, primiparity, consanguineous marriage, and the presence of a family history of dislocation. Communication of risk factors specific to our setting to healthcare personnel will allow them to guide the diagnosis and increase vigilance in the at-risk population for management that prevents the development of complications.</p>","PeriodicalId":44723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health in Africa","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10946302/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140159254","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}
Daniel Ehis Aigbonoga, Joshua Temidayo Obarombi, Williams Yobuh Shekinah, Tijani Shehu Adiat, Taye David Owoputi, Adebimpe Rukayat Jubril, Azeezat Morolake Salawudeen, Abiodun Opeyemi Lawal, Abiodun David Akintayo, Faith Anuoluwapo Oluwadamilare, Similoluwa Olamide Oluwalana, Dayo Sodiq Adesokan, Richard Ayobami Oguntoye
{"title":"Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on the Utilization and Delivery of Healthcare Services among Outpatients during the Early Phase of the Pandemic in Nigeria.","authors":"Daniel Ehis Aigbonoga, Joshua Temidayo Obarombi, Williams Yobuh Shekinah, Tijani Shehu Adiat, Taye David Owoputi, Adebimpe Rukayat Jubril, Azeezat Morolake Salawudeen, Abiodun Opeyemi Lawal, Abiodun David Akintayo, Faith Anuoluwapo Oluwadamilare, Similoluwa Olamide Oluwalana, Dayo Sodiq Adesokan, Richard Ayobami Oguntoye","doi":"10.4081/jphia.2023.2317","DOIUrl":"10.4081/jphia.2023.2317","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>During the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, some infection control measures were implemented to keep people safe and control the spread of the virus. These measures however were observed to cause significant delay or interruption in the delivery and utilization of healthcare services. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the utilization and delivery of healthcare services by outpatients in Nigeria during the early phase of the pandemic. A retrospective cross-sectional study design was utilized. We sampled 373 outpatients who had received healthcare services before and during the pandemic in the University College Hospital, Ibadan using convenience sampling. Descriptive and inferential statistics (t-test) were carried out and the level of significance was set as P<0.05. Healthcare utilization was significantly impacted by the pandemic as there was a reduction in hospital visits by patients during the pandemic (P<0.0003). Restriction of movement and fear of contracting the virus was identified as reasons for the reduction in healthcare services utilization in about 59% of the participants. Patients rated the quality healthcare services delivered to them as 'average' during the pandemic as opposed to 'good' before the pandemic. The findings of this study showed that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on patients' utilization of healthcare services as well as the delivery of adequate healthcare services in the hospital during the early phases of the pandemic. Therefore, we recommend that efforts be made to improve hospitals and nationwide preparedness for future pandemics to prevent healthcare interference and delay.</p>","PeriodicalId":44723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health in Africa","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10946298/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140159255","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}
Morgan Chetty, Enrique Teran, Luwaga Patrick, Rania Mamdouh, Sunitha Chandrasekhhar Srinivas, Jean Kaseya, Nicaise Ndembi, Sara Touirsi, Imane Kendili
{"title":"African Global Health: An initiative committed to achieving Health Sovereignty in the Global South.","authors":"Morgan Chetty, Enrique Teran, Luwaga Patrick, Rania Mamdouh, Sunitha Chandrasekhhar Srinivas, Jean Kaseya, Nicaise Ndembi, Sara Touirsi, Imane Kendili","doi":"10.4081/jphia.2024.2867","DOIUrl":"10.4081/jphia.2024.2867","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":44723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health in Africa","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10928982/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140111813","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":"Depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate: Lipid profile changes and associated cardiovascular risks among acceptors in Sagamu, South West Nigeria.","authors":"Oluwaseyi Odelola, Adebayo Akadri","doi":"10.4081/jphia.2023.1664","DOIUrl":"10.4081/jphia.2023.1664","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) is a highly effective long acting reversible contraceptive. Alterations in lipid profile have been associated with use of DMPA, however there is considerable debate about how profound these effects are. Hence the aim of this study is to determine the effect of DMPA on lipid profile and the associated cardiovascular risks. This was a prospective longitudinal study conducted at the family planning clinic of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital Sagamu, Ogun State. Sixty eight new acceptors of DMPA who had their blood samples collected for lipid profile assays at initiation of DMPA, and then at 3 months and 6 months. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24. After 3 months of DMPA use, there was statistically significant increase in serum Total Cholesterol (TC) concentration (P=0.022), serum Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) concentration (P=0.033), non significant increase in serum Triglyceride (TG) concentration (P=0.150) and non-significant decrease in serum Higher Density Lipoprotein (HDL) concentration (P=0.076). However, after 6 months of DMPA use, there was statistically significant increase in serum TC concentration (P=0.002), serum LDL concentration (P=0.003), serum TG concentration (P=0.001) and significant decrease in serum HDL concentration (P=0.001). DMPA use is associated with increased serum TC, TG, LDL, and reduction in HDL after 6 months of use. These changes in lipid profile may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":44723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health in Africa","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10959154/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140207840","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}