Article
Environmental Sciences
Michele E. D'Amico, Mattia Barbieri, Davide Abu El Khair, Roberto Comolli
Summary: In order to address the decline in rice production, we studied the soil properties along a chronosequence from untouched mangrove swamps to abandoned fields. The results indicate that only sulphate acidification was correlated with the decline in rice production, while topsoil nutrient contents and salinity showed no correlation.
JOURNAL OF SOILS AND SEDIMENTS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marzanna Marianna Sorensen, Ane Baerent Fisker, Christine Dalgard, Kristoffer Jarlov Jensen, Flemming Nielsen, Christine Stabell Benn, Philippe Grandjean, Amalie Timmermann
Summary: The aim of this study was to identify predictors of infant serum-PFAS concentrations. The study found that the location of residence was the most important determinant of serum-PFAS concentrations among Guinea-Bissau infants, indicating a potential role of diet as affected by the global spread of PFAS, but further research is needed to explore reasons for the regional differences in PFAS exposure.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nik Stoop, Kalle Hirvonen, Jean-Francois Maystadt
Summary: Vaccine coverage rates are significantly lower in areas of Africa where the local population displays high levels of mistrust towards local authorities, highlighting the importance of addressing institutional mistrust to close vaccination gaps in the region.
Article
Business, Finance
Semertesides Bitica Fereira, Julio Vicente Cateia
Summary: This study examines the impacts of trade reform and infrastructure investment on structural transformation and poverty alleviation in Guinea-Bissau. The findings suggest that partial or complete tariff rate cuts accompanied by a scaling-up infrastructure investment funded by debt only have positive impacts on macro- and micro-outcomes but do not generate structural transformation. However, trade reform and infrastructure investment funded by a mix of debt and tax rates on the firm's income can lead to structural transformation with labor reallocation, ultimately benefitting the poor and reducing income inequality over time.
EMERGING MARKETS REVIEW
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Angela Fernandes, Aducabe Bancessi, Jose Pinela, Maria Ines Dias, Angela Liberal, Ricardo C. Calhelha, Ana Ciric, Marina Sokovic, Luis Catarino, Isabel C. F. R. Ferreira, Lillian Barros
Summary: Moringa oleifera, an edible medicinal plant in Africa, was studied for its nutritional composition and bioactivities in flowers, fruits, and seeds from Guinea-Bissau. Different parts of M. oleifera showed varying levels of proteins, fat, and polyphenols, with hydroethanolic extracts demonstrating stronger antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. The potential of M. oleifera in fighting malnutrition and health issues was highlighted in this study.
Article
Immunology
M. Buus, I. da Silva, S. Nielsen, S. M. Thysen, A. B. Fisker
Summary: This study assessed the coverage and factors associated with receiving campaign polio vaccines in urban Guinea-Bissau. Lower campaign coverage was found among children of young and not formally educated mothers, children <9 months, and Fula children. Attention should be directed towards informing these groups to increase campaign coverage.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
C. S. Benn, A. Salinha, S. Mendes, C. Cabral, C. Martins, S. Nielsen, A. B. Fisker, F. Schaltz-Buchholzer, C. S. Jorgensen, P. Aaby
Summary: Despite the low official number of COVID-19 cases, a study in urban Guinea-Bissau found a high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity. Most of the antibody-positive individuals had not been ill. The official PCR-confirmed COVID-19 cases have significantly underestimated the prevalence of COVID-19 during the pandemic.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Beatriz Raffi Lerm, Yanick Silva, Bianca O. Cata-Preta, Camila Giugliani
Summary: This study aimed to assess the trends and inequalities of full immunization coverage in Guinea-Bissau. It found that although the coverage has increased in recent years, there are still inequalities based on wealth and maternal schooling level. Therefore, adopting equity as a main principle is crucial to reduce the gaps and ensure that no one is left behind.
CADERNOS DE SAUDE PUBLICA
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Frederik Schaltz-Buchholzer, Peter Aaby, Ivan Monteiro, Luis Camala, Simone Faurholt Simonsen, Hannah Nortoft Frankel, Kristina Lindberg Larsen, Christian N. Golding, Tobias R. Kollmann, Nelly Amenyogbe, Christine Stabell Benn, Morten Bjerregaard-Andersen
Summary: Providing BCG + OPV vaccination to neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit was shown to be safe and possibly protective against fatal infections, particularly in reducing infectious deaths. However, there was no effect of BCG vaccination on deaths due to prematurity and perinatal complications.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Firew Tekle Bobo, Augustine Asante, Mirkuzie Woldie, Angela Dawson, Andrew Hayen
Summary: In sub-Saharan Africa, inequalities in child vaccination coverage persist with most countries showing a pro-rich vaccination coverage, while a few countries exhibit pro-poor coverage. Countries with lower vaccination coverage tend to have higher inequalities, especially among unvaccinated children from disadvantaged subgroups. Factors such as receiving antenatal care, facility delivery, maternal education, household wealth, and radio exposure contribute to higher vaccine uptake. Efforts to improve vaccination services access, coverage, and reduce inequalities are essential to address the disparities in child vaccination in sub-Saharan Africa.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ana Machado, Eva Amorim, Adriano A. Bordalo
Summary: The study highlights the major stressors contributing to the trigger and dissemination of cholera in Guinea-Bissau, including above-average rainfall, lack of WASH infrastructure, and simultaneous epidemics in neighboring countries. Additionally, warmer air temperature, increasing sea surface temperature, and decreasing coastal salinity may also play a role in the emergence and aggravation of cholera events.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Anders Solitander Bohlbro, Antonio Matteus Mendes, Armando Sifna, Victor Gomes, Frauke Rudolf, Christian Wejse
Summary: The incidence of tuberculosis in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau has slightly declined from 2004 to 2020. The decline is observed in tuberculosis incidence among females, smear-negative cases, tuberculosis case fatality rate, tuberculosis/HIV coinfection and diagnostic delay.
Article
Education & Educational Research
Geir Gunnlaugsson, Fatou N'dure Baboudottir, Aladje Balde, Zeca Jandi, Hamadou Boiro, Jonina Einarsdottir
Summary: Inequality in access to quality education is prevalent across and within countries. The study in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, found that parental socioeconomic background, rather than gender, is a critical factor in attending private schools. Additionally, overage class enrolment is more common in public schools, especially among boys. National and international collective action and innovative education policies are necessary for Bissau-Guinean adolescents to access quality education.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sebastian Nielsen, Ane B. Fisker, Isaquel da Silva, Stine Byberg, Sofie Biering-Sorensen, Carlitos Bale, Amarildo Barbosa, Morten Bjerregaard-Andersen, Nadja Skadkaer Hansen, Vu An Do, Ole Baek, Stine Moller Rasmussen, Lone Damkjaer, Sophus Hvidt, Olga Baltzersen, Amabelia Rodrigues, Cesario Martins, Kristoffer J. Jensen, Hilton C. Whittle, Gaby Smits, Fiona van der Klis, Peter Aaby, Christine S. Benn
Summary: This study aimed to test the efficacy of an early 2-dose measles vaccine strategy in reducing child mortality between 4 and 60 months of age and investigate the impact of maternal measles antibodies on early vaccination. The results showed that this strategy did not have a significant effect on reducing child mortality, while children with maternal measles antibodies had a lower mortality rate when vaccinated.
Article
Plant Sciences
Alfredo Sambu, Laura Cornara, Luis Catarino, Bucar Indjai, Marco Biagi, Paolo Giordani
Summary: This study examines the knowledge of medicinal plants among Bissau-Guinean migrants living in Italy and compares it to the ethnopharmacology still practiced in their country of origin. The research also investigates how traditional ethnobotanical knowledge has changed due to migration from Africa to Europe. The data was collected through interviews with 49 participants from 8 ethnic groups residing in 8 provinces of northern Italy. The findings reveal a significant association between gender and knowledge, with women having the highest level of knowledge. Additionally, the longer migrants have lived in Italy, the less likely they are to maintain their traditional knowledge.
Letter
Dermatology
Daniela Carvalho, Pedro Aguiar, Paulo Ferrinho
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Homie Razavi, Sarah Blach, Devin Razavi-Shearers, Faisal Abaalkhail, Zaigham Abbas, Ayat Abdallah, Paulo Abrao Ferreira, Laith Jamal Abu Raddad, Danjuma Adda, Kosh Agarwal, Alessio Aghemo, Aijaz Ahmed, Said A. Al-Busafi, Waleed Al-hamoudi, Saad Al-Kaabi, Hamad Al-Romaihi, Badr Aljarallah, Khalid AlNaamani, Saleh Alqahtani, Khalid Alswat, Ibrahim Altraif, Tarik Asselah, Bruce Bacon, Fernando Bessone, Abdul Rahman Bizri, Tim Block, Ferruccio Bonino, Carlos Eduardo BranclaoMello, Kimberly Browny, Philip Bruggmann, Maurizia Rossana Brunetto, Maria Buti, Joaquin Cabezas, Jose Luis Calleja, Erika Castro Batanjer, Henry Lik-Yuen Chan, Henry Chang, Chien-Jen Chen, Peer Brehm Christensen, Wan-Long Chuang, Laura Cisneros, Chari Cohen, Massimo Colombo, Brian Conway, Curtis Cooper, Antonio Craxi, Javier Crespo, Esther Croes, Donna Cryer, Fernando Passos Cupertino de Barros, Moutaz Derbala, John Dillon, Wahid Doss, Xiaoguang Dou, Joseph Doyle, Ann-Sofi Duberg, Ellen Dugan, Rick Dunn, Geoffrey Dusheiko, Hisham El Khayat, Manal H. EI-Sayed, Ahad Eshraghian, Gamal Esmat, Rafael Esteban Mur, Sameera Ezzat, Karolin Falconer, Eduardo Fassio, Paulo Ferrinho, Steven Flamm, Robert Flisiak, Graham Foster, James Fung, Javier Garcia-Samaniego, Robert G. Gish, Fernando Goncales, Waldemar Halota, Waseem Hamoudi, Mohamed Hassany, Angelos Hatzakis, Susan Hay, Sayed Himatt, I. M. Hoepelman, Yao-Chun Hsu, Yee Tak Hui, Bela Hunyady, Ira Jacobson, Naveed Janjua, Harry Janssen, Peter Jarcuska, Kenneth Kabagambe, Tatsuya Kanto, Jia-Horng Kao, Sabahattin Kaymakoglu, David Kershenobich, Faryal Khamis, Dong Joon Kim, Young Kim, Loreta A. Kondili, Shyamasundaran KottiliI, Anna Kramvis, Marcelo Kugelmas, Masayuki Kurosaki, Karine Lacombe, Martin Lagging, WaiCheung Lao, Daniel Lavanchy, Jeffrey Lazarus, Alice Lee, Samual S. Lee, Miriam Levyl, Valentina Liakina, YoungSuk Lim, Shuang Liu, Willis Maddrey, Reza Malekzade, Rui Tato Marinho, Poonam Mathur, Mojca Maticic, Maria Cassia Mendes Correa, Jorge Mera, Shahin Merat, Sherif Mogawer, Rosmawati Mohamed, Beat Muellhaupti, David Muljono, Ibrahim Mostafa, Mendez Sanchez Nahum, Arif Nawaz, Francesco Negro, Michael Ninburg, Qing Ning, Boatemaa Ntiri-Reid, Pagbajabyn Nymadawa, Anne Oevrehus, Necati Ormeci, Mauricio Orrego, Alaa Osman, Tsendsuren Oyunsuren, Calvin Pant, Vassiliki Papaevangelou, George Papatheodoridis, Stephanie Popping, Papu Prasad, Rittoo Prithiviputh, Huma Qureshi, Alnoor Ramji, Kathryn Razavi-Shearer, Rajender Reddy, William Remak, Clemens Richter, Ezequiel Ridruejo, Geert Robaeys, Stuart Robert, Lewis Roberts, Francoise Roudot-Thoraval, Sammy Saab, Sanaa Said, Amjad Salamat, Faisal Sanai, Juan Francisco Sanchez-Avila, Eugene Schiff, Raymond Schinazi, Giada Sebastiani, Carole Seguin-Devaux, R. P. Shanmugam, Ala Sharara, Sonjelle Shilton, Daniel Shouval, William Sievert, Marieta Simonova, Amir Ali Sohrabpour, Mark Sonderup, Alejandro Soza, C. Wendy Spearman, Nancy Steinfurth, Mark Sulkowski, Soek-Siam Tan, Junko Tanaka, Dhondup Tashi, Hla-Hla Thein, Peyton Thompson, Ieva Tolmane, Mehlika Toy, Jonas Valantinas, David Van de Vijver, Patricia Velez-Moller, Adriana Vince, Imam Waked, Su Wang, Heiner Wedemeyer, Vincent Wong, Qing Xie, Seiji Yamada, Hwai- Yang, Kakharman Yesmembetov, Yusuf Yilmaz, Zobair Younossi, Ming-Lung Yu, Man-Fung Yuen, Cihan Yurdaydin, Aasim Yusuf, Amany Zekry, Stefan Zeuzem
Summary: The 69th World Health Assembly endorsed the goal to eliminate hepatitis infection as a public health threat by 2030, followed by global targets for the care and management of hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections. However, tracking countries' progress towards these elimination goals revealed limitations of existing targets and recommended changes to simplify and adjust the targets for better impact and recognition of countries' efforts.
JOURNAL OF VIRAL HEPATITIS
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ines Fronteira, Mohsin Sidat, Joao Paulo Magalhaes, Fernando Passos Cupertino de Barros, Antonio Pedro Delgado, Tiago Correia, Claudio Tadeu Daniel-Ribeiro, Paulo Ferrinho
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact globally, interacting with existing diseases and social determinants to affect health outcomes and exacerbate social disadvantages. Understanding it as a syndemic issue is crucial for effective policy-making and public health responses.
Article
Health Policy & Services
Alexandre Manguele, Mohsin Sidat, Carel IJsselmuiden, Paulo Ferrinho
Summary: Research on topics of interest to health planning, management, policy, and systems researchers is crucial for steering health systems towards universal health coverage. However, sensitive issues such as illegal strikes and corruption in the health sector have been overlooked in research for too long. Exploring these issues presents challenges for Human Research Ethics Committees, particularly in clarifying conflicts of interests as reviewers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Letter
Health Policy & Services
Paulo Ferrinho, Mohsin Sidat, Antonio Pedro Delgado, Eva Pascoal
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Ana Cristina Garcia, Andre Beja, Fernando Passos Cupertino de Barros, Antonio Pedro Delgado, Paulo Ferrinho
Summary: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has emphasized the importance of health planning models in sustainable development, with the current COVID-19 pandemic highlighting the challenges to sustainable health planning. Different perceptions of sustainable health development may lead to a potential loss of relevance in policy-making, while participatory approaches in health planning are seen as more effective in achieving sustainable health. The inadequate planning framework used to understand and respond to global health challenges has been brought to the forefront during the COVID-19 pandemic.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Editorial Material
Health Policy & Services
Fernando Passos Cupertino de Barros, Filomena Pereira, Tiago Correia, Paulo Ferrinho
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Sergio Roques Patricio, Paulo Ferrinho, Mohsin Sidat
Summary: This study investigated the types and impact of violence against healthcare workers in Mozambique. The findings reveal a relatively high prevalence of violence, a reluctance to talk about the issue, and a lack of awareness about reporting procedures. The study emphasizes the need for the development and implementation of procedures to address workplace violence and support services for victims.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Paulo Ferrinho, Sergio Roques Patricio, Isabel Craveiro, Mohsin Sidat
Summary: This report reanalyzes data on violence against health care workers (VHCW) in the health services of the City of Lichinga, Mozambique, and explores whether it can be explained as an example of gender-based violence. Although not conclusive, our findings suggest that women were less aware of policies or procedures to address VHCW, felt discouraged to report such acts, and were more frequently threatened/violated by aggressors of the opposite sex. This highlights the importance of considering gender as a dimension in researching VHCW.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Deborah Carvalho Malta, Crizian Saar Gomes, Guilherme Augusto Veloso, Juliana Bottoni de Souza, Patricia Pereira Vasconcelos de Oliveira, Albano Vicente Lopes Ferreira, Mohsen Nagavi, Paulo Ferrinho, Paula Carvalho de Freitas, Antonio Luiz Pinho Ribeiro
Summary: The study analyzed trends in premature mortality from NCDs in CPLP countries between 1990 and 2019, projections up to 2030, and the risk factors associated with these diseases. It found that Portugal, Brazil, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, and Guinea Bissau had declining premature mortality rates, while East Timor, Cape Verde, Sao Tome and Principe, and Mozambique showed an increase. Projections indicate that none of the countries are expected to achieve the NCD reduction target by 2030. The most important risk factors included high blood pressure, tobacco use, unhealthy diet, high BMI, and air pollution.
CIENCIA & SAUDE COLETIVA
(2023)
Editorial Material
Health Policy & Services
Paulo Ferrinho, Michael Makanga, Shabnum Sarfraz, Mario Dal Poz
Summary: R4HD recognizes that many factors influencing health are beyond the boundaries of the health system, and the health research workforce plays a crucial role in determining the future trajectory of these factors. However, this workforce is often neglected and hidden from public opinion. Understanding the labor market of health researchers can help develop, retain, and utilize this workforce. It is important to examine workforce issues through the lens of R4HD within a sustainable development goals framework.
HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH
(2023)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Ana Paula Cavalcante de Oliveira, Mariana Lopes Galante, Leila Senna Maia, Isabel Craveiro, Alessandra Pereira da Silva, Ines Fronteira, Raphael Chanca, Paulo Ferrinho, Mario Dal Poz
Summary: The objective of this protocol review is to identify countries' range of experiences with policies and management interventions that can improve health and care workers' capacity to address the COVID-19 pandemic response and synthesize evidence on the effectiveness of the interventions. The study aims to fill gaps in the evidence by analyzing a large number of documents and gray literature, and provide references for countries to develop relevant policies and strategies.
JMIR RESEARCH PROTOCOLS
(2023)
Review
Health Policy & Services
Ana Paula Cavalcante de Oliveira, Mariana Lopes Galante, Leila Senna Maia, Isabel Craveiro, Alessandra Pereira da Silva, Ines Fronteira, Raphael Chanca, Giorgio Cometto, Paulo Ferrinho, Mario Dal Poz
Summary: This review examines the range of policies and management interventions implemented to improve the capacity of health and care workers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, synthesizes the evidence on their effectiveness, and identifies research gaps.
HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Jesus Cortes, Pedro Manuel Vargues Aguiar, Paulo Ferrinho
Summary: Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, adolescents faced multiple challenges including malnutrition, obesity, deprivation, mental health problems, inequalities, and climate change. This study aimed to assess the risk and protective factors for COVID-19-related adolescent mortality and morbidity in the European region. It was found that full vaccination and access to quality healthcare are protective factors, while pollution is positively associated with mortality.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Paulo Ferrinho, Uta Lehman, Eszter Kovacs, Mario Dal Poz
Summary: The inadequate leadership capacity in the global workforce exacerbates the unpreparedness for outbreaks, as seen in the COVID-19 pandemic. Effective leadership under ethical uncertainty and with inconclusive evidence is crucial in responding to public health emergencies. Developing and applying leadership competencies from a systemic and individual perspective is key to achieving universal health coverage by 2030.
HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH
(2022)
