Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Caitlin Lythgoe, Kirsty Lowe, Mary McCauley, Hannah McCauley
Summary: This study focuses on how respectful and disrespectful maternity care impact the perceptions and experiences of postnatal care for women in sub-Saharan Africa. Results show that respectful care involves healthcare providers being kind, supportive, and attentive, while disrespectful care includes verbal or physical abuse. There is evidence that vulnerable women are more likely to receive disrespectful care.
BMC PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Monica Bandeira, Marien A. Graham, Liesel Ebersohn
Summary: Adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa face various challenges and risk factors, such as poverty, climate change, poor health measures, and violence. These contextual challenges hinder their access to resilience-enabling pathways and have an impact on their mental health outcomes. This study aims to contribute to knowledge generation on resilience of young people in the understudied SSA region and investigate the variables that affect adolescent resilience.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Nursing
Jeanne L. Alhusen, Rosemary B. Hughes, Genevieve Lyons, Kathryn Laughon
Summary: This study aimed to compare the prevalence of depressive symptoms during the perinatal period between individuals with disabilities and those without disabilities. The results of the analysis of nationally representative data from 24 participating states in the United States between 2018 and 2020 showed that respondents with disabilities had a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms during pregnancy and the postpartum period compared to those without disabilities. This increased risk of depressive symptoms among individuals with disabilities during the perinatal period can have adverse effects on maternal, neonatal, and infant health outcomes.
JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Benjamin L. Rice, Akshaya Annapragada, Rachel E. Baker, Marjolein Bruijning, Winfred Dotse-Gborgbortsi, Keitly Mensah, Ian F. Miller, Nkengafac Villyen Motaze, Antso Raherinandrasana, Malavika Rajeev, Julio Rakotonirina, Tanjona Ramiadantsoa, Fidisoa Rasambainarivo, Weiyu Yu, Bryan T. Grenfell, Andrew J. Tatem, C. Jessica E. Metcalf
Summary: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has shown low burdens in sub-Saharan Africa compared to other regions, potentially influenced by factors such as climate and population demographics. Caution is needed when interpreting analyses that aggregate data from low- and middle-income settings. Heterogeneity in connectivity across sub-Saharan Africa may contribute to variance in the pace of viral spread.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Duncan McCloskey, Aggrey Semeere, Racheal Ayanga, Miriam Laker-Oketta, Robert Lukande, Matthew Semakadde, Micheal Kanyesigye, Megan Wenger, Philip LeBoit, Timothy McCalmont, Toby Maurer, Andrea Gardner, Juan Boza, Ethel Cesarman, Jeffrey Martin, David Erickson
Summary: This study demonstrates the use of a point-of-care device for molecular diagnosis of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), achieving high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy compared to traditional pathology. The results highlight the potential for the use of this diagnostic method to overcome barriers in limited-resource settings.
Editorial Material
Food Science & Technology
David Laborde, Valeria Pineiro
Summary: The Russia-Ukraine conflict had an impact on staple crop prices and stimulated interest in tropical wheat production. Regional consumption patterns and trade have a better potential to guide effective and sustainable food security policy strategies.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Bright Opoku Ahinkorah, Richard Gyan Aboagye, Joshua Okyere, Abdul-Aziz Seidu, Eugene Budu, Sanni Yaya
Summary: The risk factors for repeat pregnancies among adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa include age, age at first sexual intercourse, marital status, exposure to media, justification of intimate partner violence, wealth index, educational attainment, and place of residence. The findings emphasize the need for governments and policymakers in sub-Saharan Africa to implement policies targeting the most vulnerable groups, such as those with no formal education, the poor, and adolescent girls. The study also highlights the importance of advocating against intimate partner violence and promoting girl-child education.
BMC PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH
(2023)
Review
Urology & Nephrology
Danielle Whiting, Asiimwe Ian Shane, Rachel Pope, Stephen Payne, Suzie Venn
Summary: Urinary incontinence is highly prevalent among women in sub-Saharan Africa, with non-fistulous stress, urgency, and mixed urinary incontinence being the most common types. Both obstetric and non-obstetric factors contribute to the development of urinary incontinence. The condition has significant social and emotional consequences, and there is a lack of understanding and awareness surrounding its etiology in sub-Saharan Africa. More resources and trained specialists are needed to address the needs of women with non-fistulous leakage in the region.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Richmond Silvanus Baye, Albert Ahenkan, Samuel Darkwah
Summary: This paper examines the underlying factors driving renewable energy output in Sub-Saharan African countries, finding that factors such as CO2 emissions, income levels, oil prices, trade openness, and natural resource rents play a significant role. The study proposes several policy recommendations, including incorporating environmental awareness into national development plans, encouraging middle-class consumption of renewable energy, and implementing and expanding feed-in-tariff systems.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Thomas P. Higginbottom, Roshan Adhikari, Ralitza Dimova, Sarah Redicker, Timothy Foster
Summary: The study reveals that only 16% of the proposed irrigated area is being delivered in 79 irrigation schemes across sub-Saharan Africa, with 25% delivering over 80% and 20% completely inactive. The findings are attributed to low economic viability, excessive optimism, and inadequate central bureaucratic systems in irrigation development.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Vijesh V. Krishna, Maximina A. Lantican, B. M. Prasanna, Kevin Pixley, Tahirou Abdoulaye, Abebe Menkir, Marianne Banziger, Olaf Erenstein
Summary: This study examines the adoption and impacts of CGIAR-related maize varieties in sub-Saharan Africa from 1995 to 2015. It finds that a significant proportion of maize varieties released during this period had CGIAR parentage, and that the cultivation of these varieties contributed to substantial economic benefits. The study also highlights the methodological challenges involved in large-scale impact assessments.
FIELD CROPS RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Tonia C. Onyeka, Justus U. Onu, David A. Agom
Summary: This review explores the psychosocial aspects of adult cancer patients in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), identifying research gaps and making recommendations for future research, policy, and practice. The review includes 83 studies across 15 countries, covering areas such as psychosocial needs, psychiatric disorders, coping strategies, suicidality, psychometrics, and psychosocial interventions. Despite sufficient research on psychosocial needs and psychiatric disorders, there is a significant gap in research on psychosocial interventions.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Zixuan Cai, Xin Meng, Dennis Nyirenda, Wilson Mandala, Xiaoyun Li, Dong Yang
Summary: The study found that in sub-Saharan Africa, Ugali fortified with Chinese onion stalk is more preferred than plain Ugali, possibly due to umami components in Chinese onion stalk serving as taste enhancer.
Review
Biology
Jessica B. Brizan, Emmanuel Amabebe
Summary: In sub-Saharan Africa, maternal obesity is a risk factor for caesarean delivery. The risk of caesarean delivery increases with increasing BMI. Further meta-analyses and patho-mechanistic studies are needed to confirm the causal association. Culturally appropriate weight management and nutritional interventions should be implemented to reduce the incidence of obesity-induced caesarean delivery in sub-Saharan Africa.
Article
Immunology
Jean B. Nachega, Nadia A. Sam-Agudu, Rhoderick N. Machekano, Philip J. Rosenthal, Sonja Schell, Liesl de Waard, Adrie Bekker, Onesmus W. Gachuno, John Kinuthia, Nancy Mwongeli, Samantha Budhram, Valerie Vannevel, Priya Somapillay, Hans W. Prozesky, Jantjie Taljaard, Arifa Parker, Elizabeth Agyare, Akwasi Baafuor Opoku, Aminatu Umar Makarfi, Asara M. Abdullahi, Chibueze Adirieje, Daniel Katuashi Ishoso, Michel Tshiasuma Pipo, Marc B. Tshilanda, Christian Bongo-Pasi Nswe, John Ditekemena, Lovemore Nyasha Sigwadhi, Peter S. Nyasulu, Michel P. Hermans, Musa Sekikubo, Philippa Musoke, Christopher Nsereko, Evans K. Agbeno, Michael Yaw Yeboah, Lawal W. Umar, Mukanire Ntakwinja, Denis M. Mukwege, Etienne Kajibwami Birindwa, Serge Zigabe Mushamuka, Emily R. Smith, Edward J. Mills, John Otokoye Otshudiema, Placide Mbala-Kingebeni, Jean-Jacques Muyembe Tamfum, Alimuddin Zumla, Aster Tsegaye, Alfred Mteta, Nelson K. Sewankambo, Fatima Suleman, Prisca Adejumo, Jean R. Anderson, Emilia Noormahomed, Richard J. Deckelbaum, Jeffrey S. A. Stringer, Abdon Mukalay, Taha E. Taha, Mary Glenn Fowler, Judith N. Wasserheit, Refiloe Masekela, John W. Mellors, Mark J. Siedner, Landon Myer, Andre-Pascal Kengne, Marcel Yotebieng, Lynne M. Mofenson, Eduard Langenegger
Summary: SARS-CoV-2 infection and pregnancy independently increase the risk of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized African women. Additionally, certain comorbidities like HIV, prior tuberculosis, sickle cell anemia, and non-gestational diabetes further increase the risk of ICU admission among pregnant and nonpregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Jae-Min Kim, Hee-Ju Kang, Ju-Wan Kim, Wonsuk Choi, Ju-Yeon Lee, Sung-Wan Kim, Il-Seon Shin, Min-Gon Kim, Byung Jo Chun, Robert Stewart
Summary: This study evaluated and developed a panel of multiple serum biomarkers for predicting suicidal behaviors in outpatient depressive disorder patients. The results showed that combined use of cortisol, total cholesterol, and folate serum biomarkers could significantly predict fatal/non-fatal suicide attempts, and these, together with interleukin-1 beta and homocysteine, could also predict increased suicidal severity.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Ruimin Ma, Eugenia Romano, Mark Ashworth, Mohammad E. Yadegarfar, Alexandru Dregan, Amy Ronaldson, Claire de Oliveira, Rowena Jacobs, Robert Stewart, Brendon Stubbs
Summary: This study identified five clusters of multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs) among patients with serious mental illness (SMI), including substance-related, atopic, pure affective, cardiovascular, and complex multimorbidity. The study also found associations between demographic/clinical characteristics and different MLTC clusters. An integrated care model is recommended for treating MLTCs in this population.
PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Ruth Tsigebrhan, Andualem Derese, Symon M. Kariuki, Abebaw Fekadu, Girmay Medhin, Charles R. Newton, Martin J. Prince, Charlotte Hanlon
Summary: This systematic review examined the association between comorbid mental health conditions and quality of life and functioning among people with epilepsy in low- and middle-income countries. The findings showed that depression was the most common comorbid mental health condition and was significantly associated with poor quality of life. These findings support the integration of mental health care into epilepsy services in low- and middle-income countries.
HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE OUTCOMES
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Alice Wickersham, Ben Carter, Amelia Jewell, Tamsin Ford, Robert Stewart, Johnny Downs
Summary: This study found that receiving a diagnosis of depression before age 18 is associated with a relative decline in educational attainment. Students with depression tended to experience lower academic performance, indicating the need for timely mental health and educational support.
JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Giouliana Kadra-Scalzo, Daisy Kornblum, Robert Stewart, Louise M. Howard
Summary: This study investigates the impact of COVID-19 pandemic policies on vulnerable groups with mental health problems who experience violence. The findings show that victims recorded in mental healthcare records during the first UK lockdown have an increased risk of adverse outcomes, including acute care, emergency department referrals, and all-cause mortality. Although there is no significant gender interaction, men have slightly higher hazard ratios for all-cause mortality and emergency department referrals compared to women.
SOCIAL PSYCHIATRY AND PSYCHIATRIC EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Roxanne C. C. Keynejad, Tesera Bitew, Adiyam Mulushoa, Louise M. M. Howard, Charlotte Hanlon
Summary: Women and health workers in rural Ethiopia recognize the interconnectedness between intimate partner violence and perinatal mental health, and advocate for the integration of psychological interventions into antenatal care.
BMC PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Petra C. Gronholm, Ioannis Bakolis, Anish Cherian, Kelly Davies, Sara Evans-Lacko, Eshetu Girma, Dristy Gurung, Charlotte Hanlon, Fahmy Hanna, Claire Henderson, Brandon A. Kohrt, Heidi Lempp, Jie Li, Santosh Loganathan, Pallab K. Maulik, Ning Ma, Uta Ouali, Renee Romeo, Nicolas Ruesch, Maya Semrau, Tatiana Taylor Salisbury, Nicole Votruba, Syed Shabab Wahid, Wufang Zhang, Graham Thornicroft
Summary: There is a growing focus on the impact of stigma and discrimination related to mental health on quality of life and healthcare access. The Indigo Partnership aims to address the gaps in research on stigma reduction in low- and middle-income countries through a multi-country collaboration. This partnership involves developing and testing anti-stigma interventions and adapting measurement tools across different cultural contexts.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEMS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Mariana Pinto da Costa, Robert Stewart
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Nikeysha Bell, Gayan Perera, David Chandran, Brendon Stubbs, Fiona Gaughran, Robert Stewart
Summary: This study investigated the factors associated with the recording of HbA1c in individuals with first diagnoses of serious mental illness (SMI) and the factors associated with HbA1c levels when recorded. The study found a relatively low level of HbA1c recording, though it has increased over time, and text extraction has improved diagnostic accuracy. Therefore, it is important to improve routine monitoring of dysglycaemia in these high-risk disorders.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Jaya Chaturvedi, Natalia Chance, Luwaiza Mirza, Veshalee Vernugopan, Sumithra Velupillai, Robert Stewart, Angus Roberts
Summary: Pain and mental health are closely associated and pain is an important information source in electronic health records. This research developed a corpus of pain-related entities for the development and evaluation of natural language processing methods. A total of 5644 annotations were collected from patient records, with over 70% of mentions found to be relevant to pain.
JMIR FORMATIVE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Heroda Gebru, Negussie Deyissia, Girmay Medhin, Helmut Kloos
Summary: The study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) among under-14-year-old children in rural Dire Dawa, eastern Ethiopia. It was found that low maternal education, unclean latrines, and improper solid waste management were significantly associated with IPIs. Therefore, interventions should be implemented to reduce the risk of infection.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INSIGHTS
(2023)
Article
Tropical Medicine
Michele Joseph, Yimtubeznash Woldeamanuel, Girmay Medhin, Tsegahun Manyazewal, Abebaw Fekadu, Eyasu Makonnen
Summary: This study evaluated the safety of tetanus antitoxin (TAT) administration in adults with tetanus-prone wounds in Ethiopia. The results showed that adverse events following immunization with TAT produced by ViNS Bioproducts were very rare.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Kiddus Yitbarek, Absalat Serawit, Girmaye Medhin, Yibeltal Kiflie Alemayehu, Alula M. Teklu, Yibeltal Assefa, Tilahun Nigatu Haregu
Summary: This study assessed the primary health care capacity of Ethiopia in terms of governance, inputs, and population health and facility management domains. The results showed that the governance score was 2.8/4, the inputs score was 2.3, and the population health and facility management score was 2. Although there was no significant difference between federal and national average scores, there were challenges in effectively implementing primary health care policies and strategies at the sub-national level.
HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Amy Ronaldson, Robert Stewart, Christoph Mueller, Jayati Das-Munshi, Joanne B. Newbury, Ian S. Mudway, Matthew Broadbent, Helen L. Fisher, Sean Beevers, David Dajnak, Matthew Hotopf, Stephani L. Hatch, Ioannis Bakolis
Summary: This study found an association between residential air pollution exposure and increased usage of mental health services in individuals with dementia. Increased exposure to air pollutants was dose-dependently associated with increased use of Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs), especially in patients with vascular dementia. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels were linked to poor functional status in these patients.
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Eshim S. Jami, Megan Pritchard, Hitesh Shetty, Robert Stewart, Allan H. Young, Margaret Heslin
Summary: This study investigates the use of antidepressant and antipsychotic treatment for Psychotic Major Depression (PMD) in clinical practice and examines how treatment profiles correlate with demographic and clinical symptoms. The results showed that combined antidepressant and antipsychotic pharmacotherapy is the most common treatment for PMD in clinical practice, in line with evidence from treatment research.
JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jai Carmichael, Jennie Ponsford, Kate Rachel Gould, Gershon Spitz
Summary: The traditional approaches to measuring depression after traumatic brain injury (TBI) have limitations. This study adopted a symptom-oriented approach and found that post-TBI depression is highly heterogeneous. Different depressive symptoms have distinct associations with personal, injury-related, treatment, and outcome factors.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2024)
Letter
Clinical Neurology
Xiaoning Sun, Min Chen, Guanghai Wang, Fan Jiang
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2024)
Letter
Clinical Neurology
Aleksander Kwas
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2024)
Letter
Clinical Neurology
Josine E. Verhoeven, Laura K. M. Han, Brenda W. J. H. Penninx
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2024)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Erin Crowe, Petra K. Staiger, Steven J. Bowe, Imogen Rehm, Richard Moulding, Caitlyn Herrick, David J. Hallford
Summary: This study aimed to integrate the evidence regarding the relationship between emotion regulation difficulties and TTM symptoms, and found that individuals with higher levels of TTM severity appear to exhibit decreased overall emotion regulation abilities and strategies.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2024)
Letter
Clinical Neurology
Fjolla Berisha, Marjolaine Rivest-Beauregard, Jai Shah, Michelle Lonergan, Alain Brunet
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2024)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Yi-Tseng Tsai, Tzu-Jung Chuang, Sriyani Padmalatha Konara Mudiyanselage, Han-Chang Ku, Yi-Lin Wu, Chung-Yi Li, Nai-Ying Ko
Summary: Sleep disturbances are associated with higher suicide rates, and this association is independent of depression. Paying attention to sleep disturbances among PLHIV is crucial when monitoring suicidal ideation.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2024)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Junyou Chen, Ingrid D. Lui, Yu Cheng Hsu, Paul S. F. Yip
Summary: Despite rapid social changes in Hong Kong, marriage remains a strong protective factor against suicide for both men and women, particularly among younger individuals. Increasing suicide rates among divorced/separated, never-married, or widowed individuals suggest a need for more psychosocial support.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2024)
Article
Clinical Neurology
A. Perry, K. Gordon-Smith, K. J. S. Lewis, A. Di Florio, N. Craddock, L. Jones, I. Jones
Summary: This study found that the experience of losing at least one night of sleep was associated with an increased risk of postpartum psychosis in women with bipolar disorder. Sleep quality in late pregnancy was not associated with postpartum psychosis, and perinatal sleep disruption was not associated with postpartum depression.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2024)
Letter
Clinical Neurology
Dear J. Affect Disord, Mark J. Niciu, Robert C. Meisner, Brent R. Carr, Ali A. Farooqui, David Feifel, Adam Kaplin, Paul M. Kim, Christopher D. Schneck, Jennifer L. Vande Voort, Sagar Parikh, E. Jeremy Kendrick
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2024)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Tao Wang, Li Yang, Lan Yang, Bao-Peng Liu, Cun-Xian Jia
Summary: This study systematically reviewed the association between psychological pain and suicidality in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). The results showed that psychological pain was a risk factor for suicidality in MDD patients, especially for those of advancing age. Reducing psychological pain in MDD patients is important for preventing suicidality.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2024)
Letter
Clinical Neurology
Juan Carlos Hugues, Abel Nogueira-Lopeza, Maeva Flayellea, Cora von Hammersteind, Joel Billieuxa
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2024)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ogechi Cynthia Onyeka, Samuel D. Spencer, Alison Salloum, Katie Jiannetto, Eric A. Storch
Summary: This study examined the relationship among family accommodation (FA), posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), and functional impairment. The results showed that FA was significantly associated with PTSS and functional impairment. Baseline FA partially mediated the relationship between baseline PTSS and functional impairment. Changes in FA from pre- to post-treatment were associated with relevant outcome variables at post-treatment and 12-month follow-up.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2024)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Yumeng Shi, Chao Yu
Summary: This study found a negative correlation between the intake of active microbes in the diet and depression.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2024)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Qiurui Nie, Yu Shen, Mengqin Luo, Zhiyong Sheng, Rui Zhou, Guangmin Li, Wei Huang, Shenjian Chen
Summary: The study assessed the sleep duration, sleep disorders, and trouble sleeping among adults in the United States from 2005 to 2018, revealing a high prevalence of abnormal sleep durations and increasing rates of sleep disorders and trouble sleeping.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2024)