Pan African Medical Journal最新文献

{"title":"Effect of a nutrition education intervention on mothers´ complementary feeding practices: a longitudinal study in two sub-county hospitals in Nyeri County, Kenya.","authors":"Lydiah Asiko Omondi, Joseph Kiplang At Mutai, Anselimo Ouma Makokha","doi":"10.11604/pamj.2026.53.173.49709","DOIUrl":"10.11604/pamj.2026.53.173.49709","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>sub-optimal complementary feeding remains a major contributor to child undernutrition during the first 1,000 days of life in low- and middle-income countries. Nutrition education is widely promoted to improve infant and young child feeding practices, but evidence from longitudinal facility-based interventions in Kenya is limited.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>a longitudinal intervention study was conducted among 451 mothers (intervention n = 220; control n = 231) of children aged 6-23 months attending two level-IV hospitals in Nyeri County, Kenya. The study sites were randomly selected using a simple randomization procedure involving an unbiased coin toss, ensuring each of the two eligible sites had an equal probability of selection. The \"head\" and the \"tail\" were assigned to the intervention and control sites, respectively. Participants meeting the inclusion criteria were then recruited from the site that was randomly assigned during their specified clinic visits. Mothers attending Karatina Sub-County Hospital received quarterly nutrition education sessions reinforced with cooking demonstrations over nine months, while those attending Othaya Sub-County Hospital received routine health education. Complementary feeding practices were assessed using World Health Organization/United Nations Children´s Fund infant and young child feeding indicators. Data were collected at baseline and at 3, 6, and 9 months. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) v24. Proportions, percentage change, net effect of intervention, odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI), and Chi-square (χ²) tests were used; significance was set at P ≤ 0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>at three months, the intervention group showed significantly greater improvements in egg and flesh food consumption, breastfeeding, minimum meal frequency, and minimum dietary diversity compared with the control group. The net effect of intervention for egg and flesh food consumption was +51.6% (odds ratio 6.17; 95% confidence interval 4.02-9.46; P < 0.001). Improvements in egg and flesh food consumption, breastfeeding, and minimum meal frequency were sustained at six and nine months. Reduction in zero vegetable and fruit consumption was greater in the control group at later follow-up points.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>a structured nutrition education intervention reinforced with cooking demonstrations improved several key complementary feeding practices over nine months. Integrating such interventions within routine maternal and child health services may contribute to improved infant and young child feeding outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":48190,"journal":{"name":"Pan African Medical Journal","volume":"53 ","pages":"173"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13521420/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148841780","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":"Smoking-associated black hairy tongue in a middle-aged male.","authors":"Janani Gopalakrishnan, Krishna Prasanth Baalann","doi":"10.11604/pamj.2026.53.170.52141","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2026.53.170.52141","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":48190,"journal":{"name":"Pan African Medical Journal","volume":"53 ","pages":"170"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13477179/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148762550","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":"[Impact of introducing a fifth monthly cycle of seasonal malaria chemoprevention among children aged 3 to 59 months: a quasi-experimental difference-in-differences study in the Zinder Region, Niger].","authors":"Almoustapha Mahamane Wazodan, Mahaman Moustapha Lamine, Ibrahim Alkassoum, Mahamadou Doutchi, Éric Adehossi, Léon Savadogo","doi":"10.11604/pamj.2026.53.171.48880","DOIUrl":"10.11604/pamj.2026.53.171.48880","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The addition of a fifth monthly cycle to seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) has been proposed to extend protection during prolonged transmission seasons in the Sahel. This study evaluated the effect of introducing a fifth SMC cycle on malaria incidence and on the utilization of malaria diagnostic and treatment services in the Takieta health district, Niger. We conducted a quasi-experimental, non-randomized, before-and-after study with a comparison group (\"here-elsewhere\" design), using routine health data from 19 integrated health centers across two health districts between 2020 and 2023. Nine health centers implemented five monthly SMC cycles (SMC5), while ten continued the standard four-cycle strategy. Data were extracted from the national health information system. A fixed-effects difference-in-differences (DiD) model was applied to estimate the impact of the fifth SMC cycle on malaria incidence, rapid diagnostic test (RDT) utilization, RDT positivity rates, and artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) consumption. The introduction of a fifth SMC cycle was associated with a significant reduction in malaria incidence, corresponding to a decrease of 2.44 cases per 1,000 population during the intervention period. This reduction was accompanied by a 2.99% improvement in health service performance and a significant decline in RDT positivity rates (p = 0.003). However, the difference-in-differences coefficients for RDT use (158.59) and ACT use (153.05) were not statistically significant, indicating that SMC5 had no measurable impact on reducing the use of diagnostic tests or antimalarial treatments. The addition of a fifth monthly cycle of seasonal malaria chemoprevention was associated with a reduction in malaria incidence in the study districts during the intervention period. However, no corresponding reduction in RDT or ACT consumption was observed. These findings suggest that extending SMC coverage by one additional month may reduce malaria burden without significantly altering the use of diagnostic or treatment services in health facilities.</p>","PeriodicalId":48190,"journal":{"name":"Pan African Medical Journal","volume":"53 ","pages":"171"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13521423/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148841826","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":"Experience with ocular surface disease index analysis to assess dry eye disease and related conditions in Lagos, Nigeria.","authors":"Olubanke Theodora Ilo, Olufemi Emmanuel Babalola, Uyiekpen Ima-Edonwonyi, Olusegun Jacobs Abayomi, Abdul-Warith Olaitan Akinshipo, Gbenga Jonathan Babalola","doi":"10.11604/pamj.2026.53.169.49506","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2026.53.169.49506","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial ocular surface disorder that remains underdiagnosed, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where epidemiological data are limited. This study aimed to describe the distribution and severity of DED using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), and to evaluate its association with demographic factors and objective diagnostic tests among adults in Lagos, Nigeria.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>we conducted a hospital-based cross-sectional study involving 173 consecutive participants recruited from ophthalmology, rheumatology, and dental clinics in Lagos, Nigeria. Participants completed the OSDI questionnaire and underwent Schirmer´s test and Tear Break-Up Time (TBUT) assessment. Demographic and clinical variables were analysed using STATA version 16.1. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of OSDI were evaluated against objective measures of ocular dryness.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>the mean OSDI score was 21.2 ± 18.9. Forty percent of participants had scores within the normal range, while 24.3% had severe DED. Higher OSDI scores were observed among females, older participants, and those with a prior diagnosis of dry eye or systemic dryness symptoms, although not all associations reached statistical significance. When compared with objective tests, OSDI demonstrated high sensitivity but low specificity (7-13%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>dry eye disease is common among adults attending tertiary clinics in Lagos and presents with heterogeneous ocular and systemic features. While OSDI is a useful high-sensitivity screening tool, its low specificity underscores the need for confirmatory objective testing. Larger population-based studies are warranted to better define the epidemiology and determinants of DED in Nigeria.</p>","PeriodicalId":48190,"journal":{"name":"Pan African Medical Journal","volume":"53 ","pages":"169"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13477187/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148762240","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":"Knowledge, health-seeking behavior, and predictors of treatment adherence among tuberculosis patients in the North-West Region of Cameroon.","authors":"Ndukong Nsanwe Ndi, Moses Samje, Mbuwir Bongfen Charlotte, Mary Bi Suh Atanga","doi":"10.11604/pamj.2026.53.165.48556","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2026.53.165.48556","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health challenge globally, with sub-Saharan Africa bearing a disproportionate burden, and control efforts in the North-West Region of Cameroon have been severely disrupted by prolonged socio-political instability. The objective of this study aimed to assess tuberculosis knowledge, describe health-seeking behavior, and identify predictors of treatment adherence among tuberculosis patients receiving treatment in the North-West Region of Cameroon.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>a facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 274 adult TB patients receiving treatment in eight high-volume diagnostic and treatment centres in the North-West Region between March 2024 and March 2025. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, tuberculosis knowledge, health-seeking behaviour, treatment adherence, and patient experiences during treatment. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Associations between variables and treatment adherence were examined using chi-square tests, while multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of adherence.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>overall, 48.4% of respondents demonstrated adequate knowledge of tuberculosis. Male gender (p<0.001) and higher education level (p=0.003) were significantly associated with better TB knowledge. Prior to seeking formal care, 88% of participants reported self-medication. Treatment adherence was reported by 70.1% of participants. Secondary education (AOR = 2.03; 95% CI: 1.08-3.84; p=0.028) and employment status (AOR = 1.78; 95% CI: 1.04-3.03; p=0.035) were identified as independent predictors of adherence. Drug shortages, difficulties accessing treatment centres, and financial constraints were commonly reported barriers to adherence.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>tuberculosis knowledge among patients in the North-West Region of Cameroon remains suboptimal, and treatment adherence is influenced by socioeconomic and health system barriers. Strengthening patient education and ensuring uninterrupted access to treatment are critical for improving TB control in conflict-affected settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":48190,"journal":{"name":"Pan African Medical Journal","volume":"53 ","pages":"165"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13477182/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148762252","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":"Bilateral adrenal infarction in pregnancy: a diagnostic challenge (a case report).","authors":"Asma Ladib, Jihen Ladib, Hela Abdessalem, Bilel Ben Amor, Marouene Zeglaoui, Ines Mazhoud, Ali Jlali, Fethi Jebali, Lotfi Grati","doi":"10.11604/pamj.2026.53.166.52450","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2026.53.166.52450","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bilateral adrenal infarction in pregnancy is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition that can lead to acute adrenal insufficiency and is often misdiagnosed due to nonspecific symptoms. We report a 25-year-old primigravida at 34 weeks presenting with abdominal and lumbar pain, fever, and vomiting, initially treated as acute pyelonephritis. Clinical deterioration with tachypnea and metabolic acidosis prompted further investigations. Computed tomography pulmonary angiography ruled out pulmonary embolism, while contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography revealed bilateral non-enhancing adrenal enlargement. Serum cortisol was inappropriately low (128.2 nmol/L), supporting acute adrenal insufficiency. Immediate intravenous hydrocortisone and therapeutic anticoagulation led to rapid improvement. The patient delivered vaginally at 38 weeks under epidural analgesia with stress-dose corticosteroids. This case highlights the importance of early imaging and prompt corticosteroid therapy in pregnant patients with unexplained persistent abdominal pain.</p>","PeriodicalId":48190,"journal":{"name":"Pan African Medical Journal","volume":"53 ","pages":"166"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13477191/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148762255","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":"Prevalence and determinants of poor outcome in patients with chronic kidney disease in low-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review.","authors":"Chitalu Chanda, Nomanthombi Johnson, Natasha Ngwenya, Christabel Silavwe, Mukuka Chibamba, Eustarckio Kazonga","doi":"10.11604/pamj.2026.53.168.44897","DOIUrl":"10.11604/pamj.2026.53.168.44897","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant health burden globally, associated with high healthcare costs and mortality rates. In Africa, the prevalence of CKD is estimated at around 10-15% in adults, with factors such as HIV, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease contributing to its prevalence. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the prevalence of chronic kidney disease in sub-Saharan Africa between 2018 and 2023. We searched Google Scholar, PubMed, and Cochrane Review from 2018 until 2023, and we included studies that looked at the prevalence of chronic kidney disease. The secondary outcome of interest was patient as defined by any cause of mortality. A comprehensive search yielded 10 studies for analysis, reporting a prevalence rate of CKD ranging from 9.8% to 29.9%. Factors such as age, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were found to be associated with CKD prevalence. A total of 6,963 patients were involved in the studies. However, none of the included studies explored the outcome of mortality among CKD patients. The study was found to have a good assessment using the Ottawa-Newcastle scoring for cross-sectional studies. The prevalence of chronic kidney disease is high. The outcomes of chronic kidney disease are poorly explored in sub-Saharan Africa.</p>","PeriodicalId":48190,"journal":{"name":"Pan African Medical Journal","volume":"53 ","pages":"168"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13477195/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148765753","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":"Recurrent Rhesus alloimmunization with early-onset severe fetal anaemia in a low-resource setting: a case report.","authors":"Willis Okumu Ochieng, Rosa Ndiema Chemwey, Elijah Kagondu Thagana","doi":"10.11604/pamj.2026.53.167.51257","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2026.53.167.51257","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Fetal anaemia due to Rhesus alloimmunization remains a significant cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where the unaffordability of anti-D immunoglobulin compromises the care of Rhesus-negative women. We report a case of a 37-year-old multiparous RhD-negative woman who presented at 18+2 weeks of gestation with a history of recurrent fetal losses attributed to recurrent Rhesus alloimmunization. Serial fetal cerebral blood flow assessments demonstrated progressively worsening anaemia, prompting two intrauterine transfusions. Despite intervention, intrauterine fetal demise still occurred. This case highlights the aggressive course of recurrent Rhesus alloimmunization and the challenges of management in a low-resource setting.</p>","PeriodicalId":48190,"journal":{"name":"Pan African Medical Journal","volume":"53 ","pages":"167"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13477193/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148765397","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":"Association of serum testosterone concentrations with central adiposity in men who inject heroin in Mombasa County, Kenya.","authors":"Josephine Wambani, Abel Odhiambo Onyango, Christine Wanjala, Valentine Budambula, Aabid Abdulmajid Ahmed, Gerald Juma, Tom Were","doi":"10.11604/pamj.2026.53.164.49885","DOIUrl":"10.11604/pamj.2026.53.164.49885","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Introduction: &lt;/strong&gt;heroin is the most commonly injected drug among people who inject drugs globally. Heroin injection disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, leading to hormonal imbalances such as altered testosterone concentrations in men. Men who inject heroin concurrently use other substances, which may further affect testosterone levels. Lower testosterone levels are associated with increased central adiposity and decreased sexual function. This study aimed to determine how substance use patterns and adiposity markers are associated with testosterone concentrations among heroin-injecting men in Mombasa County.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;in this analytical cross-sectional study, serum samples from male participants with a documented history of substance use were included. Exclusion criteria included HIV-positive status and incomplete data. Demographic, substance use profiles, and clinical data were extracted from existing records. Serum total testosterone levels were measured using a chemiluminescence immunoassay technique. Descriptive statistics, non-parametric between-group comparisons, Spearman correlations, and multivariable linear regression were used to analyze the data, with statistical significance set at p &lt; 0.05.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;relatively higher median testosterone concentrations were observed in heroin-injecting men (3.570 nmol/L) compared to non-heroin-injecting men (0.097 nmol/L) (p &lt; 0.0001). Hypogonadism, defined as testosterone below 8.0 nmol/L, was present in 97.9% of heroin-injecting men and in all non-heroin-injecting men (100.0%), with no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.712). Heroin-injecting men working in small businesses and transport sectors had relatively higher testosterone levels compared to those working in the hospitality sector (p = 0.001). Hip circumference was positively correlated with testosterone levels in the heroin-injecting men, with a significant positive correlation (Spearman's ρ = 0.173, p = 0.039). Similarly, waist-to-hip ratio showed a significant negative correlation in the heroin-injecting men (Spearman's ρ = -0.204, p = 0.014). On multivariable linear regression, employment in the small business sector (B = 3.147, p &lt; 0.001) and transport sector (B = 3.103, p &lt; 0.001), duration of heroin injection of one year or more (B= 0.802, p = 0.012), and waist-to-hip ratio (B= -6.146, p = 0.006) were independent predictors of serum total testosterone concentrations (Adjusted R&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;= 0.201).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion: &lt;/strong&gt;this study reports that serum total testosterone concentrations were significantly higher in heroin-injecting men than in non-heroin-injecting men, though both groups fell below the clinical threshold for hypogonadism. Multivariable regression analysis identified employment in the small business and transport sectors, prolonged heroin injection of at least one year, and waist-to-hip ratio as independent predictors of serum","PeriodicalId":48190,"journal":{"name":"Pan African Medical Journal","volume":"53 ","pages":"164"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13477183/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148762495","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":"Big Catch-up vaccination initiative in Central and West Africa: progress, challenges and perspectives- a secondary analysis of aggregated program data.","authors":"Sylvain Honoré Woromogo, Hadiatou Diallo, Milse William Nzingou Mouhembe, Gilles M'boutiki, Ado Mpia Bwaka, Hilaire Dadjo","doi":"10.11604/pamj.2026.53.163.49196","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2026.53.163.49196","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>WHO and other partners initiated Big Catch-up (BCU) to catch up children aged 12 to 59 months (about 5 years) who have never been vaccinated or are under-vaccinated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the eligible countries are 16 from Central and West Africa. This study aims to analyze challenges and opportunities for this global initiative's success.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>this was a secondary analysis of aggregated program data conducted in 16 countries in Central and West Africa eligible for the BCU. Data were collected through the BCU plans developed by countries, on vaccination coverage for each antigen included, epidemiological surveillance data for vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) in countries and narrative reports on the implementation of BCU. The proportions of remaining targets to be achieved by country are obtained by dividing the number of children vaccinated in the numerator by the targets for zero doses or under-immunized children in the denominator by antigen. A simple logistic regression was performed to establish relationships between vaccination and the occurrence of vaccine-preventable diseases after COVID-19 and the implementation of BCU.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>outbreaks of VPD increase significantly in post-COVID-19 cases and during BCU implementation. All countries except Nigeria still have at least 70% of targets to catch up by December 2025. Two countries are categorized as making good progress, having achieved more than 50% vaccination coverage and DTP and measles: Nigeria and Mali. Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso are making average progress in terms of vaccination coverage of the same antigens between 20-49%.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>this initiative helped to curb the occurrence of VPD epidemics. However, the challenges are enormous. Countries must continue to organize further large-scale catch-up rounds and seize every opportunity for vaccination to significantly reduce ZD and Ui and thus VPD epidemics.</p>","PeriodicalId":48190,"journal":{"name":"Pan African Medical Journal","volume":"53 ","pages":"163"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13477188/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148765447","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}