Review
Psychiatry
Adam Mabrouk, Gideon Mbithi, Esther Chongwo, Ezra Too, Ahmed Sarki, Mary Namuguzi, Joseph Atukwatse, Derrick Ssewanyana, Amina Abubakar
Summary: The review findings show that there are various interventions available in sub-Saharan Africa that promote mental health among adolescents. These interventions encompass different implementation strategies such as economic-based, family strengthening, and psychoeducation, and can be implemented in diverse settings.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
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.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Shane Naidoo, Samuel Otoo, Niri Naidoo
Summary: The global population of older people is increasing and is expected to surpass the population of younger people by 2050. In sub-Saharan Africa, infectious diseases and lower fertility rates are contributing to an exponential growth in the aging population. Non-communicable diseases are the leading cause of mortality and disability in older people in sub-Saharan Africa. Physical activity has been proven to have positive benefits in reducing the prevalence of non-communicable diseases in older people. This scoping review aims to summarize the evidence on the feasibility and effectiveness of physical activity interventions among older people in sub-Saharan Africa.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Priyanka Jha, Stefan Schmidt
Summary: The extensive use of fossil fuels in sub-Saharan Africa has led to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions, negatively impacting sustainable development goals. However, biofuels produced from energy crops can help reduce GHG emissions if the total emissions are lower than fossil fuels being displaced. It is crucial to carefully assess how biofuel feedstock cultivation impacts local socioeconomic conditions, food insecurity, and biodiversity in order to promote sustainable biofuel production and uplift livelihoods in the region.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Abdul-Aziz Seidu, Bright Opoku Ahinkorah, Seun Stephen Anjorin, Justice Kanor Tetteh, John Elvis Hagan, Betregiorgis Zegeye, Addae Boateng Adu-Gyamfi, Sanni Yaya
Summary: Family structure, women's decision-making power, access to family planning, women's level of education, and partners' level of education were identified as important predictors of high-risk fertility behaviors in sub-Saharan Africa.
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Dagmawe Tenaw, Abebe D. Beyene
Summary: The study in sub-Saharan African countries unveils a modified Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis, where the environment-development linkage depends on the abundance of natural resources. Energy consumption and trade openness are found to have a long term detrimental effect on the environment, suggesting the need for appropriate policies to ensure environmental sustainability alongside economic development efforts.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Obianujunwa Anakwenze
Summary: This study conducted a systematic review on mental health interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the lack of research in this area, with most studies authored by Western researchers rather than local ones. Findings revealed that cognitive-behavioral therapy and problem-solving therapy were the most common intervention approaches, with room for improvement in cultural sensitivity. Recommendations were made on achieving cultural sensitivity and collaborations between indigenous practitioners and contemporary healthcare systems.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Jonne Rodenburg, Kazuki Saito
Summary: This research provides an overview of the challenges faced by the rice production sector in sub-Saharan Africa and the historical efforts in agronomy research. It also presents six main recommendations for future research, including increasing focus on rainfed rice-based systems, developing integrated cropping and farming systems, and prioritizing sustainability.
FIELD CROPS RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Humphrey C. Karamagi, Derrick Muneene, Benson Droti, Violet Jepchumba, Joseph C. Okeibunor, Juliet Nabyonga, James Avoka Asamani, Moussa Traore, Hillary Kipruto
Summary: This study aimed to determine the breadth and scope of available digital health interventions and their functions in sub-Saharan Africa. The results showed that while there is a wealth of digital health solutions in the region, there is a lack of coordination, scalability, sustainability, and equitable distribution of investments.
JOURNAL OF GLOBAL HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Martilord Ifeanyichi, Ellis Aune, Mark Shrime, Jakub Gajewski, Chiara Pittalis, John Kachimba, Eric Borgstein, Ruairi Brugha, Rob Baltussen, Leon Bijlmakers
Summary: This study provides an overview of the financing of surgery and anaesthesia in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), highlighting the neglect of surgery in national health priorities and the lack of financial protection mechanisms for poor patients. It calls for increased national prioritization and tracking of surgical funding to improve availability, accessibility, and affordability of surgical and anaesthesia care.
Article
Social Issues
Simplice A. Asongu, Yolande E. Ngoungou, Joseph Nnanna
Summary: This study examines the relationship between mobile money innovations and health performance in Sub-Saharan Africa. The empirical analysis is based on data from 43 countries for the period 2004 to 2018. The findings suggest that mobile money innovations have a positive impact on health performance, particularly in countries with below-median levels of total life expectancy.
TECHNOLOGY IN SOCIETY
(2023)
Review
Veterinary Sciences
Ndahambelela Eiki, Nthabiseng Amenda Sebola, Bellonah Motshene Sakong, Monnye Mabelebele
Summary: Livestock is crucial for the livelihood of sub-Saharan African countries' inhabitants, but the rampant animal diseases pose a severe threat to poor communities. Due to limited access to modern veterinary services, livestock producers rely on indigenous medicines for the treatment of animal ailments. The review highlights the importance of integrating and promoting the use of ethnoveterinary medicine to preserve traditional practices and address gaps in research.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Euzebiusz Jamrozik, Nchangwi Syntia Munung, Lucie Abeler-Dorner, Michael Parker
Summary: Phylogenetic analyses of HIV help clarify transmission patterns and identify high-risk populations for targeted public health interventions. While transmission clusters are significant in high-income countries, they play a minor role in sub-Saharan Africa. Nevertheless, phylogenetic analysis can still guide HIV program design for sub-populations with concentrated transmission events.
Article
Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary
Jean-Claude Kouladoum
Summary: This study examines the impact of inclusive education on health performance in 48 Sub Saharan African countries from 2000 to 2020. It uses the Driscoll/Kraay technique to address cross-sectional dependence and the GMM strategy to address potential endogeneity. The study includes three indicators of health performance - total life expectancy, female life expectancy, and male life expectancy. It also measures inclusive education using three gender parity index of educational enrolments: primary, secondary, and tertiary education. The findings suggest that inclusive education improves the health situation of individuals in Sub Saharan Africa, benefiting both males and females. The study recommends policymakers in the region to invest more in education and the health sector to enhance citizens' health performance.
SOCIAL INDICATORS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Economics
Zhicheng Xu, Yu Zhang, Dongying Li
Summary: The efficacy of foreign aid, especially Chinese aid, has been a controversial topic. This study investigates the impact of Chinese development assistance on nutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on children and women. The results show that Chinese aid significantly improves hemoglobin levels and reduces the likelihood of anemia, especially among children. Contrary to popular belief, health aid does not have a significant effect on nutrition conditions, while aid projects promoting earnings and job opportunities greatly reduce malnutrition among children and women. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that Chinese aid mainly benefits disadvantaged residents in improving nutrition.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Elizabeth R. Stevens, Donna Shelley, Bernadette Boden-Albala
Summary: Low levels of engagement in implementation science among health researchers is a multifaceted issue, with lack of knowledge and training in implementation science, as well as perceived negative impact on career development, being key barriers. Efforts to increase familiarity with implementation science methods, foster support for implementation science within research communities, and reduce barriers to funding and publishing are likely to be most effective in increasing engagement in implementation science research.
TRANSLATIONAL BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Otorhinolaryngology
Sophia Chen, Joseph Connors, Yan Zhang, Binhuan Wang, Dorice Vieira, Yael Shapira-Galitz, David Garber, Milan R. Amin
Summary: This study compares operative treatments for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis in-office and in the operating room, finding no significant differences in outcomes except for cost. The data suggest that office procedures may be more cost-effective than OR procedures, but more studies are needed due to heterogeneous data limiting strong comparisons.
ANNALS OF OTOLOGY RHINOLOGY AND LARYNGOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Psychology, Developmental
Victor Pereira-Sanchez, Alexandre R. Franco, Dorice Vieira, Pilar de Castro-Manglano, Cesar Soutullo, Michael P. Milham, Francisco X. Castellanos
Summary: This study systematically reviewed 9 R-fMRI studies on medication treatment in ADHD patients, finding wide heterogeneity in designs, analyses, and results. While some brain regions and networks were identified to correlate with clinical improvements, there is no coherent mechanistic hypothesis of medication effects overall.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joyce Gyamfi, Temitope Ojo, Sabrina Epou, Amy Diawara, Lotanna Dike, Deborah Adenikinju, Scholastica Enechukwu, Dorice Vieira, Obiageli Nnodu, Gbenga Ogedegbe, Emmanuel Peprah
Summary: Despite the high prevalence of sickle cell disease in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), evidence-based interventions (EBIs) are not widely implemented, and data on implementation research outcomes (IROs) are limited. Effective EBIs have been identified for SCD management in LMICs, but measurement of IROs is lacking. Future research should focus on the implementation and sustainability of EBIs in LMICs to inform evidence-based practice.
Article
Demography
Ucheoma Nwaozuru, Thembekile Shato, Chisom Obiezu-Umeh, Florida Uzoaru, Stacey Mason, Joyce Gyamfi, Juliet Iwelunmor
Summary: Although the prevalence of HIV is high among adolescent girls and young women in Ghana, the study found that ethnicity is not associated with HIV testing among this population. Marital status, having multiple sexual partners, and condom use were identified as significant predictors of HIV testing behavior among AGYW in Ghana.
JOURNAL OF BIOSOCIAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Temitope Ojo, Christina Ruan, Tania Hameed, Carly Malburg, Sukruthi Thunga, Jaimie Smith, Dorice Vieira, Anya Snyder, Siphra Jane Tampubolon, Joyce Gyamfi, Nessa Ryan, Sahnah Lim, Michele Santacatterina, Emmanuel Peprah
Summary: The co-infection of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis (TB), along with food insecurity in Africa, can negatively impact health outcomes. Food insecurity is a significant risk factor for acquiring TB among people living with HIV/AIDS (PWH). Nutritional support, economic relief, and psychosocial support can mitigate the harmful effects of food insecurity on the health of HIV-TB populations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Vanessa Marshall, Dorice Vieira, TyWanda McLaurin-Jones, Maudry-Beverley Lashley
Summary: This systematic review evaluates alcohol prevention programs and interventions specifically targeting African Americans/Blacks. The review identifies a range of intervention strategies that can be used to reduce alcohol use in different settings and age groups.
JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joyce Gyamfi, Dorice Vieira, Juliet Iwelunmor, Beverly Xaviera Watkins, Olajide Williams, Emmanuel Peprah, Gbenga Ogedegbe, John P. Allegrante
Summary: This study highlights the limited data on intervention scalability for hypertension control in LMICs and demonstrates the need for better scale-up metrics and processes for this setting.
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Camilo Correa-Gallego, Yoshihiro Miyasaka, Yuto Hozaka, Hitoe Nishino, Makoto Kawamoto, Dorice L. Vieira, Takao Ohtsuka, Christopher Wolfgang
Summary: This study aimed to explore the ideal surveillance strategy after partial pancreatectomy for non-invasive IPMN. The systematic review of 41 studies revealed a lack of level 1 evidence, with all included studies being cohort or case-control studies. The definition of remnant pancreatic lesion in this context is largely heterogeneous. An inclusive definition for remnant pancreatic lesions is proposed to guide future prospective research.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
David Ayoola Oladele, Juliet Iwelunmor, Titilola Gbajabiamila, Chisom Obiezu-Umeh, Jane Ogoamaka Okwuzu, Ucheoma Nwaozuru, Adesola Zaidat Musa, Kadija Tahlil, Ifeoma Idigbe, Jason Ong, Weiming Tang, Joseph Tucker, Oliver Ezechi
Summary: This study described the process of creating a USSD platform to verify HIVST results in Nigeria and demonstrated the feasibility and usability of the platform among AYAs. Participants found the platform easy to use and were satisfied with the linkage to care feature. The pilot field test showed that the USSD platform can be used as an alternative method for verifying HIVST results among individuals without smartphone access.
JMIR FORMATIVE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Ifeoma Idigbe, Titilola Gbaja-Biamila, Sarah Asuquo, Ucheoma Nwaozuru, Chisom Obiezu-Umeh, Kadija M. Tahlil, Adesola Zaidat Musa, David Oladele, Bill Kapogiannis, Joseph Tucker, Juliet Iwelunmor, Oliver Ezechi
Summary: The study found that digital interventions and collaboration with youth influencers are effective strategies to improve HIV linkage to care for Nigerian youths. The study also suggested recommendations such as improving health facilities, providing dedicated spaces for youths, and training staff to help youths access and engage in HIV care and prevention services.
JMIR FORMATIVE RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Jolaade Kalinowski, Kiran Kaur, Valerie Newsome-Garcia, Aisha Langford, Ayoola Kalejaiye, Dorice Vieira, Chigozirim Izeogu, Judite Blanc, Jacquelyn Taylor, Olugbenga Ogedegbe, Tanya Spruill
Summary: Stress is associated with hypertension risk among Black women. Meditation-based interventions and comprehensive lifestyle modifications show promise in reducing blood pressure, while coping and affirmation interventions do not have an effect. More research focusing specifically on Black women is urgently needed to better understand the impact of stress management on cardiovascular health outcomes.
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Alicia Chung, Dorice Vieira, Tiffany Donley, Nicholas Tan, Girardin Jean-Louis, Kathleen Kiely Gouley, Azizi Seixas
Summary: The scoping review revealed the significant influence of social media on eating behaviors among adolescent peer groups, including impact on fruit and vegetable intake, fast food advertising, and prevention of eating disorder relapse among youth. Strategies should be considered to engage adolescents in promoting positive dietary behaviors through targeted network-driven approaches.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Evan Gerber, Lillian Gelberg, Ethan Cowan, Tod Mijanovich, Donna Shelley, Rajneesh Gulati, Ian Wittman, Kelly M. Doran
Summary: The study uncovered that HIV patients in the emergency department have significantly higher social needs, particularly in terms of food insecurity and housing. This highlights the importance of considering their social needs in emergency department interventions for HIV patients.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Katharine Lawrence, Danissa Rodriguez, Dawn M. Feldthouse, Donna Shelley, Jonathan L. Yu, Hayley M. Belli, Javier Gonzalez, Sumaiya Tasneem, Jerlisa Fontaine, Lisa L. Groom, Son Luu, Yinxiang Wu, Kathleen M. McTigue, Bonny Rockette-Wagner, Devin M. Mann
Summary: This study aims to develop a theory-driven system to support patient engagement with digital diabetes prevention programs in order to improve patient engagement and health outcomes. The study will be conducted in multiple phases using a systematic user-centered design approach, with primary and secondary outcome variables measured to assess the effectiveness of the engagement system.
JMIR RESEARCH PROTOCOLS
(2021)