Journal of Public Health in Africa最新文献

{"title":"Increased HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in two health facilities in Northern Cameroon between 2021 and 2022.","authors":"Patrice Djataou, Marceline D Ngounoue, Georges Nguefack-Tsague, Jean de Dieu Anoubissi, Joséphine J K Kadji, Tiga A Aline, Elise Elong, Moussa Djaouda, Alexis Ndjolo, Celine N Nkenfou","doi":"10.4102/jphia.v16i1.690","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jphia.v16i1.690","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) remain a global public health problem. Other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are aggravating factors.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study aimed to assess the prevalence and identify new cases of HIV and STIs, as well as their associated risk factors.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>Political insecurity in the northern regions of Cameroon has led to population displacement, weakening an already fragile health system.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cohort of 684 consenting participants from the north and far north were enrolled in 2021 and followed up in 2022. Socio-demographic variables and risk behaviours were collected. Anti-HIV Ab, hepatitis B surface antigen, <i>Treponema pallidum</i> haemagglutination tests were performed. The data were analysed using Epi Info 7.5.2. The associations between variables were evaluated using the Chi-square test with a 95% confidence interval.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The new cases of HIV rate and overall prevalence were 1.63% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.83% - 2.41%) and 3.8% (95% CI: 2.01% - 3.97%), respectively. New HIV cases increased from 0.27% (2017, Demographic and Health Survey [DHS]) to 1.63%. The prevalence of syphilis and hepatitis B was 1.03% (95% CI: 0.98% - 1.09%) and 4.56% (95% CI: 4.51% - 4.66%), respectively. Factors associated with HIV included religion (<i>p</i> = 0.027), unprotected sex (<i>p</i> = 0.006), sex with a sex worker (<i>p</i> = 0.00009), and co-infection with syphilis and hepatitis B (<i>p</i> = 0.033). New HIV infections may also be associated with population displacement.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>HIV infection, syphilis and hepatitis B are on the rise in the Northern Cameroon.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>Future HIV prevention strategies should consider population displacement and HIV-associated infections such as hepatitis B and syphilis in order to secure achievements in HIV programme and further curb the burden of these infections in the country.</p>","PeriodicalId":44723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health in Africa","volume":"16 1","pages":"690"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11905195/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143624670","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":"Post-exposure testing at healthcare facilities with SARS-CoV-2 transmission: A rapid review.","authors":"Emmanuel E Effa, Okokon Ita, Joshua Mwankon, Funmi Siyanbade, Francis Iwomi, Eleanor Ochodo, Gemma Villanueva, Martin M Meremikwu","doi":"10.4102/jphia.v16i2.623","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jphia.v16i2.623","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Post-exposure severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing following health facility outbreaks may control the spread of infection.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study aimed to assess the impact of testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection on health outcomes during healthcare facility outbreaks.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>This review included studies conducted at skilled nursing facilities, a cancer centre, and a geriatric psychiatric facility.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We followed the methods for conducting rapid systematic reviews, searched databases from December 2019 to August 2022, assessed the risk of bias using the modified Newcastle Ottawa scale, and graded the certainty of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach. We pooled the prevalence, mortality, and hospitalisation results as appropriate.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 3055 articles from database search, no study was eligible for inclusion as outlined in the protocol. However, eight non-comparative reports (case series) in skilled nursing facilities were included. The pooled prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among residents of care homes and patients were 38% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 25% - 51%; 5 studies, 2044 participants; <i>I</i> ² = 94%, very low certainty evidence) and was 12% (95% CI = 6% - 19%; 5 studies, 2312 participants; <i>I</i> ² = 94%, very low certainty evidence) for exposed healthcare workers. The pooled mortality estimate and hospitalisation rate were 17% and 24%, respectively, (very low certainty evidence).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>There is no identified evidence for or against testing of people in healthcare facilities where there is ongoing transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>The evaluation of the effectiveness of testing strategies during SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks need baseline and follow-up data from well-designed before and after studies appropriate for the setting.</p>","PeriodicalId":44723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health in Africa","volume":"16 2","pages":"623"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11905177/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143625966","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":"Factors shaping cleaning and disinfection practices during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative evidence synthesis.","authors":"Ogonna N O Nwankwo, Anne N Meremikwu, Ezinne C Okebe, Marcel A Otonkue, Hope N Okebalama, Kathleen Dunn, Hannah Hamilton-Hurwitz, April Baller","doi":"10.4102/jphia.v16i2.624","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jphia.v16i2.624","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cleaning and disinfection of the physical environment is important as it can reduce the transmission of microorganisms. However, adherence to cleaning and disinfection protocols varies due to factors such as personal factors and external influences like resource availability, workload, and institutional support.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To synthesise factors influencing the uptake of cleaning and disinfection interventions in healthcare and community setting in the context of COVID-19.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>These findings as seen in any country irrespective of setting.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Medline and World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 Research databases were searched from January 2020 to September 2022. The search identified 1618 studies, and analysis was performed using the thematic synthesis approach. The confidence in each review finding was ascertained using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations-Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research (GRADE-CERQual) approach.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Six analytical themes were identified. Cleaning and disinfection were seen as a cornerstone of patient care. Individual judgement, historic standards, norms and practices, ability to implement rapid practice guideline change and resource considerations were seen to influence the uptake of cleaning.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>There is a need for further qualitative studies in these areas, especially looking at the different interventions from an equity lens. Resource needs and availability were key factors influencing the uptake of cleaning and disinfection in both communities and health facilities.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>This review shows important considerations for implementing infection prevention and control (IPC) interventions in the context of COVID-19.</p>","PeriodicalId":44723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health in Africa","volume":"16 2","pages":"624"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11905178/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143625900","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":"Migrant healthcare access in Morocco: A narrative review.","authors":"Hicham El Bouri, Adil Najdi","doi":"10.4102/jphia.v16i1.806","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jphia.v16i1.806","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Morocco is at the forefront of a complex migratory dynamic because of its strategic geographical position, situated at the crossroads between sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and the Middle East, which has shifted migratory flows in the kingdom. As a result, it must meet migrants' needs, especially in healthcare. Although several studies have explored aspects of healthcare access for migrant populations, there is a notable lack of comprehensive reviews synthesising this research. This gap hinders a holistic understanding of the challenges faced by migrants in accessing healthcare and its implications for public health policy.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study aimed to analyse and integrate existing research findings to offer decision-makers evidence-based insights for developing informed and effective strategies.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>The study examined healthcare access for migrants within the Moroccan healthcare system.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>We employed a narrative review method consisting of three key steps: defining the research question, designing the search strategy and selecting articles based on predefined criteria. Seventeen documents were ultimately included in this exploratory review.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Reviewed studies identified five main obstacles hindering migrants' access to Morocco's healthcare system: legal restrictions, procedural requirements, high healthcare costs, lack of knowledge about rights and the Moroccan health system and fear of being reported to immigration authorities, particularly among irregular migrants.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study identified significant gaps in the existing research, particularly the lack of data stratification by socio-cultural and administrative criteria. Additionally, there is limited investigation into how these barriers affect both physical and mental health. The analysis also revealed a scarcity of mixed-method studies that could provide a more comprehensive understanding of these issues.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>Addressing these gaps would enable decision-makers to better understand the underlying issues affecting healthcare access for migrants in Morocco, ultimately leading to the development of strategies to improve access.</p>","PeriodicalId":44723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health in Africa","volume":"16 1","pages":"806"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11905171/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143624678","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":"XEC severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 subvariant in Africa: A rising health alarm.","authors":"Abdulrakib Abdulrahim, Bashar H Gulumbe, Michael A Oluwasola, Mohammed B Danlami, Yusuff A Adebisi","doi":"10.4102/jphia.v16i1.1235","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jphia.v16i1.1235","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":44723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health in Africa","volume":"16 1","pages":"1235"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11905172/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143625078","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":"Real-world COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness in Zimbabwe: A test-negative case-control study.","authors":"Clara Haruzivishe, Nicholas Midzi, Tafadzwa Matanhire, Senga Sembuche, Masceline J Mutsaka-Makuvaza, Rodgers R Ayebare, Suzan Nakasendwa, Leah Mbabazi, Tonny Muwonge, Carl Mateta, Cynthia N Chaibva, Calletta Gwatiringa, Kudzaishe E Mutsaka Haruzivishe, Isaac Phiri, Tamrat Shaweno, Nebiyu Dereje, Tajudeen Raji, Mosoka P Fallah, Munyaradzi Dobbie","doi":"10.4102/jphia.v16i1.695","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jphia.v16i1.695","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>COVID-19 vaccination is critical in sub-Saharan Africa to reduce the disease burden. This study assessed real-world vaccine effectiveness (VE) in Zimbabwe.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To determine COVID-19 VE and factors associated with disease severity and mortality in Zimbabwe.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>The study setting comprised a test-negative case-control study across health facilities in Harare and Bulawayo (May 2023 - August 2023).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Adults (≥ 18 years) were recruited from COVID-19 registers (1:1 case-control; matched by sex, age and clinic visit date). Telephone interviews assessed vaccination status, disease severity (cases) and comorbidities. Conditional logistic regression estimated VE (1 - odds ratio*100), with stratification by age and comorbidities. Ordinal and simple logistic regression analysed factors associated with disease severity and vaccination-variant relationships.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall vaccination coverage was 38% (fully vaccinated including boosters), with 62% unvaccinated. The median age was 38 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 30-50) with more females (<i>n</i> = 352). Overall VE against any COVID-19 infection was 32.2% (95% CI: 8.9, 49.5). Older age (45+ years) and chronic conditions were associated with increased hospitalisation risk. Among cases, hospitalisation rate was 34.8% (<i>n</i> = 174/500) and COVID-19-related mortality rate was 11.6% (<i>n</i> = 58/500).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study found a moderate VE of COVID-19 vaccines in Zimbabwe, potentially influenced by age, comorbidities and variants. We highlight the need for targeted vaccination strategies and public health measures informed by these findings.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>This research informs public health strategies to optimise vaccination efforts and improve health outcomes across Africa, aligning with the journal's focus on public health issues.</p>","PeriodicalId":44723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health in Africa","volume":"16 1","pages":"695"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11905188/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143625022","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":"Barriers and enhancers to COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare workers in Zimbabwe.","authors":"Nicholas Midzi, Clara Haruzivishe, Senga Sembuche, Masceline J Mutsaka-Makuvaza, Rodgers Ayebare, Leah Mbabazi, Suzan Nakasendwa, Tonny Muwonge, Carl Mateta, Tafadzwa Madanhire, Cynthia Chaibva, Calleta Gwatiringa, Kudzaishe Mutsaka, Virginia Mawerewere, Isaac Phiri, Elizabeth Gonese, Tamrat Shaweno, Nebiyu Dereje, Raji Tajudeen, Mosoka Fallah, Munyaradzi Dobbie","doi":"10.4102/jphia.v16i1.719","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jphia.v16i1.719","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination is crucial for healthcare workers (HCWs). Understanding their vaccine uptake and perceptions is vital to promote acceptance.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study assessed COVID-19 vaccine uptake, associated factors and HCW willingness to recommend vaccination in Zimbabwe.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>The study was conducted through a cross-sectional survey involving 200 HCWs in seven central healthcare facilities from May 2023 to June 2023.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data on demographics, vaccination status, knowledge, attitudes and trust in information sources were collected. Descriptive statistics and modified Poisson regression identified factors associated with vaccine uptake.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the respondents (female: 68%, median age [interquartile range {IQR}: 34]; [28-43] years), 94% (188/200) had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, with 49.5%, 41% and 3.5% having been fully vaccinated, received a booster and partially vaccinated, respectively. Also, 74% of the HCWs would recommend the COVID-19 vaccines to their patients. Out of the total, 15% of HCWs identified that vaccine safety was their major barrier to getting vaccinated. The vaccination rate among nurses and midwives was 9.6% (prevalence ratio [PR]: 0.904; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.833, 0.981) lower when compared to physicians. The study also identified that the booster vaccination rate was higher in older HCWs (PR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.03).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>High COVID-19 vaccine uptake was observed among HCWs in Zimbabwe. However, concerns about vaccine safety persist. Targeted interventions addressing these concerns are needed to maximise vaccine acceptance in this key population.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>This study reveals specific reasons for vaccine hesitancy among HCWs in Zimbabwe.</p>","PeriodicalId":44723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health in Africa","volume":"16 1","pages":"719"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11905169/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143626431","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":"Determinants of enrolment for community-based health insurance in Somali region of Ethiopia.","authors":"Abdifatah Elmi, Olusola Oladeji, Ahmed Tahir","doi":"10.4102/jphia.v16i1.726","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jphia.v16i1.726","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Community-based health insurance (CBHI) is a type of health insurance programme that provides financial protection against the cost of illnesses and improves access to healthcare services for communities in the informal sector.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>The aim was to assess the determinants of enrolment for CBHI in Aw-barre district - an agro-pastoral setting in the Somali region, Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>Ethiopia launched the CBHI scheme in 2011 as part of the revised healthcare financing strategy to realise universal health coverage. It was then scaled up in the rural part of the country in 2013, except the pastoralist regions including the Somali region which started as late as 2020.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A community-based, unmatched case-control study was conducted using a concurrent nested approach between March 2021 and April 2021, among 214 participants (54 enrolled and 160 non-enrolled). Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS version 20, and thematic analysis was performed for the qualitative data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Awareness of the CBHI scheme adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 9.67 (1.26, 74.53), household income AOR = 3.56 (1.03, 12.30) and being a member of community-based solidarity groups AOR = 2.48 (1.17, 5.26) were the determinants for CBHI enrolment and were reaffirmed by the qualitative findings.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Increasing community awareness of the scheme via various platforms is essential. Leveraging community-based solidarity associations, and social protection platforms would help increase enrolment.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>Given the distinct sociodemographic, economic and geographic peculiarities of agro-pastoralists, the CBHI parameters and implementation strategies must be tailored to the setting before scaling it up.</p>","PeriodicalId":44723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health in Africa","volume":"16 1","pages":"726"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11905168/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143626435","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":"Respiratory pathogens detected in specimens collected for COVID-19 surveillance in Zambia.","authors":"Martin Nyahoda, Ngonda Saasa, Katendi Changula, Walter Muleya, Zachariah Mupila, Chilufya Chikoti, Gift Moonga, Catherine Sutcliffe, Geoffrey Kwenda, Edgar Simulundu","doi":"10.4102/jphia.v16i1.684","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jphia.v16i1.684","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In Zambia, knowledge on the landscape of respiratory pathogens that circulated during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is limited.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study investigated respiratory pathogens that circulated in Zambia during the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>Nasopharyngeal specimens collected between July 2020 and July 2021 for COVID-19 testing in hospitals, ports of entry, persons seeking certificates for international travel and in communities were used.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Proportional age-stratified sampling was used to select 128 specimens. The samples were screened for 33 other respiratory pathogens using the Fast Track Diagnostics multiplex molecular assay.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, 71.1% (<i>n</i> = 91/128) tested positive for at least one respiratory pathogen. Bacterial respiratory pathogens were more predominant (70.3%, <i>n</i> = 90/128) than viral (51.6%, <i>n</i> = 66/128). <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> was the most prevalent, detected in 22.7% (<i>n</i> = 29/128). The prevalence of influenza was 13.3% (<i>n</i> = 17/128). Rhinovirus had a prevalence of 3.1% (<i>n</i> = 4/128), while it was 10.1% (<i>n</i> = 13/128) for adenovirus. Children, adolescents and the elderly accounted for most influenza-positive specimens, 76.5% (<i>n</i> = 13/17), while 100% (<i>n</i> = 3/3) of specimens positive for <i>Moraxella catarrhalis</i> were from children. All specimens testing positive for <i>Haemophilus influenzae</i>, 100% (<i>n</i> = 5/5) were from children and adolescents. Co-infections were detected in 57.1% (<i>n</i> = 52/91) of specimens testing positive for at least one pathogen.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Bacterial respiratory pathogens appeared to predominate circulation during the COVID-19 pandemic period.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>Bacterial respiratory pathogens should not be neglected when implementing public health mitigation measures.</p>","PeriodicalId":44723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health in Africa","volume":"16 1","pages":"684"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11905193/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143625048","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":"Evaluating alternatives to the Widal test for typhoid fever diagnosis in developing countries: A targeted literature review.","authors":"Bereket A Tegene, Meron T Eshetie","doi":"10.4102/jphia.v16i1.700","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jphia.v16i1.700","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Typhoid disease, caused by <i>Salmonella typhi</i>, is prevalent in developing countries with poor sanitation. The Widal test, despite its century-old history, has drawbacks in diagnostic capacity because of inherent characteristics, cross-reactivity and repeated exposure to the pathogen in endemic regions.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>The study evaluates the utility of the Widal test for the diagnosis of typhoid infections and emphasises the need for a better diagnostic modality in endemic regions.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>The study included research conducted in developing countries where typhoid fever is endemic.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A targeted literature review was conducted utilising the MEDLINE and Embase databases on 19 October 2022, encompassing publications from the preceding 10 years. Manual searches were executed using Google Scholar and the Google Search Engine on 02 November 2022. The initial search yielded 657 articles, of which 20 met the inclusion criteria and were subsequently incorporated into the final review.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the Widal test in this study were 62.94 ± 17.83 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 49.23-76.64); 73.31 ± 18.75 (95% CI: 58.89-87.73); 58.85 ± 40.07 (95% CI: 16.80-100.90) and 75.96 ± 25.93 (95% CI: 46.08-100.45), respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The different studies in this review have shown that the Widal test performs poorly in identifying typhoid infections compared to other rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). In addition, the current alternative RDTs are not accurate enough to reliably identify or rule out typhoid infection.</p><p><strong>Contributions: </strong>A shift in diagnostic approach for typhoid fever in developing countries is required and an accurate and feasible point-of-care test is urgently needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":44723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health in Africa","volume":"16 1","pages":"700"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2025-02-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11905174/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143626437","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}