Readable research linked to original sources
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Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
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Readable research linked to original sources
Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
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Readable research linked to original sources
Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
44 articles
Newest firstSnakebite envenoming is a neglected tropical disease with a disproportionate burden in sub-Saharan Africa, where weak surveillance, limited antivenom availability, and reliance on traditional remedies compound morbidity and mortality. Evidence on how snakebite cases are clinically managed in routine practice in Uganda remains scarce. We conducted a facility-based cross-sectional study with retrospective abstractio…
Open article record in new tab ↗BackgroundHealthcare-associated infections (HAIs) represent a significant patient safety challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, where gaps in infection prevention and control (IPC) practice remain prevalent. Nursing and midwifery students are particularly vulnerable during clinical training, yet evidence on their IPC knowledge and compliance in Ghana is limited. ObjectiveTo assess the knowledge of nosocomial infections…
BackgroundAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major public health threat globally, with a disproportionate burden in sub-Saharan Africa. Faith-based health facilities provide essential healthcare services to underserved populations, yet data on antimicrobial use in these settings remain limited. AimTo assess antimicrobial use in Christian Health Association of Malawi health facilities using the World Health Organi…
BackgroundIncreasing Watch-group antibiotic use may be contributing to antimicrobial resistance burden in sub-Saharan Africa. We evaluated the effect of a community-based, co-created intervention bundle targeting all community-level healthcare providers and communities they serve, on Watch-group antibiotic use and patient management. MethodsIn a cluster-randomised, controlled trial in Burkina Faso (BF) and Democra…
BackgroundGhana introduced the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in 2003 and the Free Maternal Healthcare Policy (FMHCP) in 2008 to remove financial barriers and promote universal health coverage. Despite these landmark policies, socioeconomic inequalities in maternal healthcare utilisation may persist. This study quantifies socioeconomic inequalities in antenatal care (ANC) receipt and place of delivery and…
Open article record in new tab ↗IntroductionEffective risk pooling plays a critical role in advancing universal health coverage by improving financial protection and access to healthcare. However, in sub-Saharan Africa, insurance coverage remains low, and satisfaction with existing schemes is inconsistent, raising concerns about their effectiveness. This study examines the factors influencing health insurance coverage and satisfaction across eig…
Open article record in new tab ↗IntroductionSubstance Use Disorders (SUDs) pose significant public health challenges in sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is limited evidence on how service users (SUs) and front-line health care workers (HCWs) experience SUD treatment and recovery within resource constrained settings. This study explored the perspectives of SUs and HCWs to understand treatment trajectories and to identify multilevel barriers and…
Open article record in new tab ↗There is a lack of automated pipelines for diagnostic classification of point-of-care tests for neglected tropical diseases. Here we present an end-to-end automated pipeline for the analysis of point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen tests for schistosomiasis. We incorporated deep learning for cassette segmentation with signal processing. Automated classifications were compared to quantitative readings from cal…
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a frequent cause of antimicrobial resistant healthcare associated infections in neonates across sub-Saharan Africa, with multiple lineages associated with neonatal sepsis. However, the full diversity of circulating strains and key reservoirs facilitating transmission within hospitals is unknown. We investigated the population structure and within- sample diversity of K. pneumoniae in a Mal…
BackgroundThe universal test-and-treat (T&T) policy has improved HIV outcomes but may influence hypertension (HTN) risk due to prolonged antiretroviral therapy (ART) exposure. We compared HTN prevalence and risk factors among PLHIV before and after T&T implementation in Zambia. MethodsA retrospective cohort study analyzed 6,409 PLHIV (2,920 pre-T&T and 3,489 post-T&T) from 12 Southern Province districts. Data on d…
IntroductionIn low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) with tropical or subtropical climate and a high poverty rate the risk for snakebite envenoming (SBE) is high. Although patients ultimately receive antivenom treatment, healthcare workers are the primary end-users rather than the patients themselves. This study aimed to assess healthcare workers antivenom prioritization by providing quantitative evidence to gu…
Open article record in new tab ↗BackgroundPsychosis poses a significant burden in sub-Saharan Africa, yet data on risk factors in Zambia remains scarce. Understanding the factors associated with psychosis among adolescents and young adults is critical for effective intervention strategies. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study to determine the correlates of psychosis at Livingstone university teaching hospital (LUTH). We collected sociodem…
BackgroundThe cultural context influences how mental disorders like depression, are perceived and experienced. Most studies on lived experiences of depression by youths have been done in high-income countries. This has made it difficult for researchers to infer the findings in the context of SSA due to differences in cultures and socio-demographic characteristics. This systematic review thus, seeks to understand h…
BackgroundMultimorbidity, the coexistence of two or more chronic medical conditions, poses significant challenges for healthcare systems in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where single-disease-focused approaches currently predominate. Despite the rising burden of multimorbidity in SSA region, data on its clinical management in hospitals is limited. This study aimed to explore healthcare worker experiences in the managem…
IntroductionBetter nutrition is a priority in African countries like Rwanda with high prevalence of undernutrition and growing rates of obesity. Since public health insurance does not cover meals, vulnerable hospital inpatients are at risk of deficiency. We assessed the nutrition, health, and wellbeing effects of providing meals through the Gemura hospital feeding program. MethodsWe tested outcomes of the interven…
Open article record in new tab ↗ObjectiveThis scoping review aims to examine and synthesize existing literature on the use of digital health technologies, with a focus on the extent and types of technologies used to access contraceptive services among young people in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). IntroductionGlobally, digital health technologies have emerged as pivotal tools in addressing contraceptive needs among young people. In SSA, where traditi…
Open article record in new tab ↗Background The use of substances such as alcohol, tobacco, khat, or drugs among young people is becoming a public health concern globally, with particularly high prevalence rates in low and middle-income settings, where socio-cultural and economic factors contribute to distinct challenges in addressing this problem. This review aimed to summarize the current literature on the prevalence of substance use among youn…
Open article record in new tab ↗IntroductionVaccination is one of the most effective public health interventions for preventing and controlling infectious diseases, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study analyzed disparities in vaccination coverage among children aged 12 to 23 months in ten Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. MethodsA cross-sectional study using data from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and Multiple I…
Climate change severely threatens global public health, with sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) projected to experience profound impacts. This scoping review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of current research on climate change and its health implications in SSA while identifying research gaps and outlining the necessary resources and policy interventions to strengthen public health resilience in the region. Liter…
Open article record in new tab ↗The number of medicine stock-outs (MSOs) is increasing globally. In Mauritania, they are recurring, although, to our knowledge, no study has yet been conducted to determine the causes. Therefore, this qualitative study aims to identify the main local or national causes of stock-outs to provide a common understanding and guide policy-makers towards corrective actions. The study was carried out in five health distri…
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