Global Health ActionPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-04-10DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2025.2484870
Leo Ziegel, Carl Fredrik Sjöland, Erinah Nabunya, Robert Bulamba, Emmanuel Kyasanku, Stephen Mugamba, Godfrey Kigozi, Alex Daama, Grace Kigozi, Amanda P Miller, Anna-Clara Hollander, Anders Hammarberg, Fred Nalugoda, Anna Mia Ekström
{"title":"Social determinants of hazardous alcohol use in a Ugandan population cohort.","authors":"Leo Ziegel, Carl Fredrik Sjöland, Erinah Nabunya, Robert Bulamba, Emmanuel Kyasanku, Stephen Mugamba, Godfrey Kigozi, Alex Daama, Grace Kigozi, Amanda P Miller, Anna-Clara Hollander, Anders Hammarberg, Fred Nalugoda, Anna Mia Ekström","doi":"10.1080/16549716.2025.2484870","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2025.2484870","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>There is a limited population-based data on hazardous alcohol use and associated social determinants in many African countries.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To examine patterns of hazardous alcohol use across a range of social determinants of health in Uganda, with a particular focus on gender differences.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study used data collected in 2021-2022 from an open population cohort spanning urban, semi-urban, and rural communities. Alcohol use was assessed with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C). Covariates were selected according to the WHO's Social Determinants of Health framework. Poisson regression with robust variance was used for data analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 3459 participants, 2085 (60%) were women. Overall, the prevalence of hazardous alcohol use was 5% among women and 18% among men. Strong positive associations with hazardous use were found for individuals residing in semi-urban areas (female aPR 2.1 [95% CI 1.3-3.3], male aPR 1.8 [95% CI 1.4-2.5]), past-year perpetration of intimate partner violence (female aPR 2.2 [95% CI 0.8-5.6], male aPR 1.4 [95% CI 0.9-2.2]), smoking, middle age for men (aPR 1.6 [95% CI 1.2-2.2]), and employment as a vendor in a restaurant or bar for women (aPR 1.5 [95% CI 1.0-2.2]). Strong negative associations were found for high educational attainment, Muslim or Pentecostal religion, and living in a marriage or union for women (aPR 0.7 [95% CI 0.5-1.0]).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Hazardous alcohol use was prevalent, especially among men, in a representative Ugandan population sample. Specific target groups for public health and clinical interventions were identified, such as women working in the hospitality sector. Residents of semi-urban communities may encounter unique risks for hazardous alcohol use, compared with rural and highly urban populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":49197,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Action","volume":"18 1","pages":"2484870"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11986868/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144023038","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Global Health ActionPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-05-09DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2025.2475596
Mohamed Elhakim, Amgad Elkholy, Mary Stephen, Richard John Brennan, Ahmed Zouiten
{"title":"Two rounds of the Pandemic Fund at the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region: progress, lessons learned, challenges, and way forward.","authors":"Mohamed Elhakim, Amgad Elkholy, Mary Stephen, Richard John Brennan, Ahmed Zouiten","doi":"10.1080/16549716.2025.2475596","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2025.2475596","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>World Health Organization (WHO) played an important role in supporting the Member States of the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) apply for awards from the Pandemic Fund - a vital source of funding for pandemic preparedness and response. The aim of this commentary is to reflect the contributions of WHO EMR during the first two funding rounds of the Pandemic Fund, while highlighting the lessons learned, and addressing the ongoing challenges faced across the region. As EMR Member States continue to build and strengthen their health security capacities, WHO's involvement has catalyzed the improvement of early warning systems, laboratory capacity, and workforce development. However, challenges remain, including sustainability, enhancing regional cooperation, the widespread state fragility, and multiple conflicts across the region.</p>","PeriodicalId":49197,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Action","volume":"18 1","pages":"2475596"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12068331/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144055354","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effects of home-based integrated sensory stimulation program to preterm infants on parents' depression and anxiety: a randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Wenjing Zheng, Rassamee Chotipanvithayakul, Thammasin Ingviya, Fang Guo","doi":"10.1080/16549716.2025.2491848","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2025.2491848","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Preterm parents face higher risks of postpartum depression and anxiety, affecting bonding and infant development. Sensory stimulation shows promise, but its long-term impact on parental mental health needs further study.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to evaluate whether a home-based integrated sensory stimulation program, administered to preterm infants by their parents, could alleviate parental mental health issues and enhance maternal bonding and parenting competence.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The program, including tactile, auditory, visual, gustatory, and olfactory stimuli, was assessed in a block-randomized controlled trial from November 2018 to January 2020. A total of 200 parents of preterm infants were recruited, and the intervention continued at home until the infants reached six months corrected age. Parents' depression and anxiety were assessed using validated scales at baseline, and at first, third, and sixth month follow-ups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The intervention group included 98 parents, and the control group comprised 102 parents. At the six-month follow-up, the intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in maternal depression, state anxiety, and trait anxiety compared to the control group. In the mixed linear model, the intervention was associated with reductions in maternal trait anxiety (d =-2.18; 95% CI: -4.30, -0.06), paternal trait anxiety (d =-3.37; 95% CI: -5.62, -1.11) and state anxiety (d =-4.63; 95% CI: -7.00, -2.26).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The home-based integrated sensory stimulation program, when provided by parents to preterm infants, was effective in improving parents' mental health and can serve as an alternative treatment for postpartum depression and anxiety in parents of preterm infants at home.</p>","PeriodicalId":49197,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Action","volume":"18 1","pages":"2491848"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12051557/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144055788","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Global Health ActionPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-02-18DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2025.2464360
Syed Ali Hussain, Ralf Schmälzle, Sue Lim, Nassir Bouali
{"title":"Comparing AI and human-generated health messages in an Arabic cultural context.","authors":"Syed Ali Hussain, Ralf Schmälzle, Sue Lim, Nassir Bouali","doi":"10.1080/16549716.2025.2464360","DOIUrl":"10.1080/16549716.2025.2464360","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>AI is rapidly transforming the design of communication messages across various sectors, including health and safety. However, little is known about its effectiveness for roughly 420 million native Arabic speakers worldwide.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study examined characteristics of AI vs. human-generated road safety messages for a potential roadside billboard campaign in the United Arab Emirates.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>The study includes a computational analysis and an online evaluation with 186 participants from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), comparing messages generated by AI with those created by humans. To achieve this, an AI model (GPT-4) was utilized to generate 15 road safety messages, while three human experts created another set of 15 messages. Computational text analysis was employed to examine these messages, followed by an online study in which human participants evaluated all messages based on message clarity and message quality.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The computational analysis revealed that AI-generated messages exhibited more positive sentiment with no significant differences in terms of readability/text difficulty. Participants evaluated both AI- and human-generated messages highly in terms of message quality and clarity, but human-generated messages were rated as slightly and significantly higher in terms of clarity.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These results add to a rapidly growing body of research demonstrating that AI-generated messages can augment public communication campaigns and point towards the need to assess how diverse, international audiences respond to AI-generated content.</p>","PeriodicalId":49197,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Action","volume":"18 1","pages":"2464360"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11837920/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143442447","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Global Health ActionPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-02-21DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2025.2466277
Thandi Maya Gondwana de Wit, Tanya Doherty, Michael Hendricks
{"title":"Community-based follow-up of very low birth weight neonates discharged from a regional hospital in Cape Town: a descriptive study.","authors":"Thandi Maya Gondwana de Wit, Tanya Doherty, Michael Hendricks","doi":"10.1080/16549716.2025.2466277","DOIUrl":"10.1080/16549716.2025.2466277","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Neonatal mortality remains a global health concern. In South Africa, 32% of under-five mortality consists of neonates, with 48% of neonatal deaths attributed to prematurity. The Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) aim to reduce deaths of very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates through community health worker (CHW) home visits.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to describe a cohort of VLBW neonates discharged from a regional hospital including their community follow-up, clinical outcomes and caregivers' perceptions of the HCBS.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a descriptive mixed methods study. Routine hospital health information from 1 January to 31 December 2018 was analysed to describe the cohort. The referral pathway and follow-up were assessed through stakeholder meetings and analysing referral forms. Caregivers were interviewed for HCBS data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There were 169 VLBW neonates. The mean (SD) gestational age was 30 (±2.21) weeks, and the median (IQR) birthweight was 1210 g (1045-1390 g). At delivery, 85% had respiratory distress and 64% had presumed sepsis. Maternal characteristics included primigravida deliveries (15%), smoking (11%), alcohol use (9%) and teenage pregnancy (5%); 14% required social worker referral. Folder reviews showed referral plans for 49 (43.4%); however, 20 (17.7%) forms were received by HCBS. All five of the interviewed caregivers had positive perceptions of the HCBS.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study demonstrated a high burden of medically and socially vulnerable VLBW neonates discharged from a regional hospital. Even with established HCBS systems, few VLBW neonates were followed up at home. For the HCBS to be fully effective, promotion, strengthening and monitoring of the referral system are required.</p>","PeriodicalId":49197,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Action","volume":"18 1","pages":"2466277"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11849016/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143469788","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Global Health ActionPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-02-05DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2025.2458935
Mohamed Ali Ag Ahmed, Alassane Seydou, Issa Coulibaly, Karina Kielmann, Raffaella Ravinetto
{"title":"Irrational medicine use and its associated factors in conflict-affected areas in Mali: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Mohamed Ali Ag Ahmed, Alassane Seydou, Issa Coulibaly, Karina Kielmann, Raffaella Ravinetto","doi":"10.1080/16549716.2025.2458935","DOIUrl":"10.1080/16549716.2025.2458935","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Rational use of essential medicines is a critical step towards prevention and treatment of many illnesses. However, it represents a significant challenge worldwide, and particularly for under-resourced health systems in conflict-affected areas.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To assess barriers to rational use of essential medicines at primary healthcare level in conflict-affected areas of Mali.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a cross-sectional study in twenty randomly selected community health centres (CHCs) in four health districts, by applying the World Health Organisation and International Network on Rational Use of Drugs core forms for the rational use of medicines. Seven hundred eighty-nine (789) prescriptions were retrospectively selected and analysed; four hundred forty-three (443) patients were interviewed: and health facility-related indicators were collected prospectively from the 20 CHCs.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The average number of medicines per prescription was 3.89 ± 1.83; out of these, 94.0% were prescribed by generic name, and 91.0% belonged to Mali's National List of Essential Medicines. Overall, 68% of the assessed prescriptions included antibiotics; 58% included injectables; and 75.79% were characterized by polypharmacy, i.e. more than two medicines per prescription. In multivariate analysis, the study area and prescriber's sex were significantly associated with polypharmacy; prescriber's seniority and training were associated with antibiotic overprescription; the study area, prescriber's sex and seniority were associated with overprescription of injectables. Moreover, the average price of prescriptions was high in relation to average local income, likely making these unaffordable for many households.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Excessive polypharmacy and overprescription of antibiotics and injectables undermine the performance of the local health system and the achievement of intended therapeutic outcomes. Our findings provide a solid basis for more targeted and multidisciplinary research, to further inform relevant stakeholders on how best to mitigate the impact of conflict on the rational use of medicines.</p>","PeriodicalId":49197,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Action","volume":"18 1","pages":"2458935"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11800337/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143191094","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Global Health ActionPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-02-19DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2025.2466281
Mathieu Nemerimana, Mojeed Akorede Gbadamosi
{"title":"Trends in the prevalence of concurrent anaemia and stunting among infants and young children in Rwanda: a cross-sectional study from 2010 to 2020.","authors":"Mathieu Nemerimana, Mojeed Akorede Gbadamosi","doi":"10.1080/16549716.2025.2466281","DOIUrl":"10.1080/16549716.2025.2466281","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Concurrent anaemia and stunting (CAS) pose severe public health risks in low- and middle-income countries, affecting child health and development.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To determine trends in CAS prevalence and associated factors among infants and young children aged 6-23 months in Rwanda.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Analyses of nationally representative samples from the Rwanda Demographic and Health Surveys (RDHS) of 2010, 2014/15, and 2019/20 were conducted. Participants' characteristics, trends, and prevalence of CAS were analysed using frequencies and percentages. Multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were used to assess factors associated with CAS.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The prevalence of CAS among children aged 6-23 months in Rwanda declined from 21.3% in 2010 to 16.9% in 2019/20 (<i>p</i> = 0.005). Significant factors associated with CAS included child's age above 12 months, male sex, small/very small birth size, breastfeeding initiation 1 day post-birth, inadequate minimum acceptable diet, history of cough 2 weeks prior to the survey, multiple births, being from a mother with no or only primary education, mother aged below 20 years, mother with no iron supplementation during pregnancy, maternal anaemia, resident of an eastern province, resident of high altitude areas (>2000 m), low household wealth and unimproved toilet facilities.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study reveals persistent CAS among infants and young children in Rwanda. CAS was associated with various child, maternal, and household-related factors. Despite a notable decline in CAS prevalence in Rwanda over the past decade, CAS remains a significant public health issue, requiring targeted interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":49197,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Action","volume":"18 1","pages":"2466281"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11841097/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143450627","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Global Health ActionPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-03-21DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2025.2476335
Mahbub-Ul Alam, Md Assaduzzaman Rahat, Shahpara Nawaz, Nishantika Neeher, Kazy Farhat Tabassum, Tasnia Alam Upoma, Abul Kamal, Barbara Evans, Paul Hutchings
{"title":"Behaviour change interventions to promote household connectivity to sewer: a scoping review.","authors":"Mahbub-Ul Alam, Md Assaduzzaman Rahat, Shahpara Nawaz, Nishantika Neeher, Kazy Farhat Tabassum, Tasnia Alam Upoma, Abul Kamal, Barbara Evans, Paul Hutchings","doi":"10.1080/16549716.2025.2476335","DOIUrl":"10.1080/16549716.2025.2476335","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Households without access to a functioning and well-managed sanitation system produce untreated faecal waste. While connecting households to sewers is ideal in densely populated low-income areas, the connection rates often remain low. Most interventions to increase connectivity focused on addressing financial, social, and legal barriers; there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of behaviour change interventions in promoting sewer connections. Thus, we aim to understand the effectiveness of behaviour change interventions in increasing the uptake of sewer connections. We developed a review protocol with key search terms relating to households, sewers, behaviour change interventions, promotion, and effectiveness. We aimed to identify both the types of interventions deployed and their impact on increasing household sewer connections. Eleven articles met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. Findings indicate that changes in rates of connection were associated with interventions that included a blend of indirect financial subsidy in the form of a free connection and community-engagement activities. There was limited evidence that behaviour change campaigns without financial incentives lead to changes in sewer connection rates. A multi-component package involving financial subsidies with community engagement is likely to improve the sewer connection rate.</p>","PeriodicalId":49197,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Action","volume":"18 1","pages":"2476335"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11934160/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143671448","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Global Health ActionPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-05-22DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2025.2492465
Kamran Abbasi, Parveen Ali, Virginia Barbour, Marion Birch, Inga Blum, Peter Doherty, Andy Haines, Ira Helfand, Richard Horton, Kati Juva, Jose F Lapena, Robert Mash, Olga Mironova, Arun Mitra, Carlos Monteiro, Elena N Naumova, David Onazi, Tilman Ruff, Peush Sahni, James Tumwine, Carlos Umaña, Paul Yonga, Chris Zielinski
{"title":"Ending nuclear weapons, before they end us.","authors":"Kamran Abbasi, Parveen Ali, Virginia Barbour, Marion Birch, Inga Blum, Peter Doherty, Andy Haines, Ira Helfand, Richard Horton, Kati Juva, Jose F Lapena, Robert Mash, Olga Mironova, Arun Mitra, Carlos Monteiro, Elena N Naumova, David Onazi, Tilman Ruff, Peush Sahni, James Tumwine, Carlos Umaña, Paul Yonga, Chris Zielinski","doi":"10.1080/16549716.2025.2492465","DOIUrl":"10.1080/16549716.2025.2492465","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49197,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Action","volume":"18 1","pages":"2492465"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12100953/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144121296","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Global Health ActionPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-05-30DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2025.2500795
Isaac Kisiangani, Ângela Jornada Ben, Elke Wynberg, Welcome Wami, Samuel Iddi, Idah Kinya, Anna Vassall, Catherine Kyobutungi, Abdhalah Ziraba, John Njeru, Olive Mugenda, Marion Wangui Kiguoya, Mutambuki Kimondo, Geoffrey Githua, Menno D de Jong, Shukri F Mohamed, Gershim Asiki, Constance Schultsz
{"title":"Recovery and long-term health outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a prospective cohort in an urban setting, Kenya.","authors":"Isaac Kisiangani, Ângela Jornada Ben, Elke Wynberg, Welcome Wami, Samuel Iddi, Idah Kinya, Anna Vassall, Catherine Kyobutungi, Abdhalah Ziraba, John Njeru, Olive Mugenda, Marion Wangui Kiguoya, Mutambuki Kimondo, Geoffrey Githua, Menno D de Jong, Shukri F Mohamed, Gershim Asiki, Constance Schultsz","doi":"10.1080/16549716.2025.2500795","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2025.2500795","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Evidence on long COVID remains limited in sub-Saharan countries.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study explored the occurrence of COVID-19-related symptoms and factors affecting recovery and long COVID severity in Nairobi, Kenya.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A prospective cohort of individuals testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 between February 2022 and February 2023 was followed until June 2023. COVID-19-related symptoms were assessed every three months. Time to recovery was analyzed using survival analysis, while factors affecting recovery factors and long COVID severity using Cox proportional hazard and Poisson regression, respectively.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 291 participants (median age 34, 59.1% female), 42 (14%) had severe/critical infection. At 6 and 12 months post-positive PCR, 53.1% and 33.5% had ≥ 1 COVID-19-related symptoms, respectively. Fatigue (40.2%), pain (36.8%), sore throat (36.8%), headaches (36.4%), and loss of strength (31.6%) were most common. Median time to recovery was longer for severe/critical cases than mild/moderate (234 vs 206 days, <i>p</i> = 0.016). Participants aged 40-64 years experienced slower recovery than those aged < 40 years (aHR = 0.635 [95%CI, 0.429;0.941]). Participants with tertiary education recovered faster than those with primary education (aHR = 1.869 [95%CI, 1.050;3.327]). Long COVID severity was associated with female sex (aIRR = 1.418 [95%CI; 1.078;1.864]), tertiary education (aIRR, 0.489 [95%CI, 0.415;0.576]), and ≥ 1 comorbidity (aIRR = 2.415 [95%CI, 1.639;3.559]).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Six months post-infection, half had lingering symptoms, with a third still affected after a year. Recovery was faster in younger, educated individuals, while severe long COVID was more common in women, those with low education and pre-existing conditions. The burden of long COVID in Kenya requires support for vulnerable groups.</p>","PeriodicalId":49197,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Action","volume":"18 1","pages":"2500795"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144182277","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}