Review
Immunology
Kevin Flores-Lovon, Brando Ortiz-Saavedra, Luis A. Cueva-Chicana, Shalom Aperrigue-Lira, Elizbet S. Montes-Madariaga, David R. Soriano-Moreno, Brett Bell, Rodney Macedo
Summary: Patients with COVID-19 and tuberculosis coinfection show varying immune responses. Patients with asymptomatic COVID-19 and latent tuberculosis exhibit enhanced immune response, while those with COVID-19 and active tuberculosis display dysregulated immune response.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sonia Patricia Alves, Tiago Costa, Isilda Ribeiro, Manuela Nene, Carlos Sequeira
Summary: This study maps the evidence on a Perinatal Mental Health Counselling Programme and identifies its characteristics, participants, and outcomes. Nine articles were included in the final analysis, mainly from Iran, Italy, and Portugal. The programme varied in session numbers, duration, and techniques used, but all showed a decrease in stress, anxiety, and depression levels after the intervention. Mental health nurses can play a crucial role in facilitating these counselling programmes.
PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING
(2023)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Philipp Trein, Joel Wagner
Summary: Personalized health, as an important application of genetic research, faces four governance challenges: extending research infrastructures, building trust, regulating data, and integrating into existing health systems.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Review
Social Issues
Ning Wang, Nico Mutzner, Karl Blanchet
Summary: This scoping review assesses the societal acceptance factors of urban drones discussed in the current academic literature, identifying different acceptance factors to guide future research and development.
TECHNOLOGY IN SOCIETY
(2023)
Review
Environmental Studies
Melissa Marschke, Jean-Francois Rousseau
Summary: Sand, gravel, and crushed rock are in high demand in Asia, driven by urbanization, infrastructure development, and dam building. This review focuses on the ecological implications of sand mining, highlighting the degradation of ecosystems and the potential for recovery. It also explores the effects on livelihoods, revealing violence, work-related injuries, and precarious jobs in the sand industry. However, there are gaps in the literature regarding the geographical scope, the intersection between sand mining and other anthropogenic disturbances, and the need for transparent sand governance processes in the region.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Victory O. Olutuase, Chinwe J. Iwu-Jaja, Cynthia P. Akuoko, Emmanuel O. Adewuyi, Vishnu Khanal
Summary: This scoping review summarises the challenges of the medicines and vaccines supply chain system in Nigeria. The study identifies difficulties in the selection, procurement, distribution, and inventory management of medicines and vaccines, as well as issues with storage infrastructure, financial constraints, insecurity, transportation challenges, inadequate human resources, and weak policy implementation. These challenges have resulted in stock-outs of essential medicines, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Shaileen Atwal, Jessica Schmider, Barbara Buchberger, Anelia Boshnakova, Rob Cook, Alicia White, Charbel El Bcheraoui
Summary: Programme evaluation is crucial for improving public health programmes, but there is a lack of discussion on criteria and frameworks for prioritising which programmes to evaluate. Our study aims to fill this gap by developing a framework for prioritisation of public health programmes for evaluation and assessing its utility.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Review
Biophysics
Bijay Maharjan, Ram Sharan Gopali, Ying Zhang
Summary: Climate change poses as a global public health challenge, impacting the pattern and burden of tuberculosis. Various pathways through changes in climatic factors and extreme climatic events contribute to the spread of tuberculosis, particularly in vulnerable populations. Further studies and innovative methodologies are needed to better understand the complex relationship between climate change and tuberculosis occurrence.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Nicole J. Wilson, Maria G. Lira, Grace O'Hanlon
Summary: This study aims to systematically document the extent to which Indigenous governance concepts are incorporated into the climate governance literature. Results indicate that only two-fifths of the publications fully incorporated Indigenous governance concepts. Recommendations for the climate governance literature include following Indigenous research protocols, acknowledging the governance value of Indigenous Knowledge systems, and addressing systemic inequalities caused by colonialism.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Naima Nasir, Adeniyi Kolade Aderoba, Proochista Ariana
Summary: Through a systematic review, we found that most interventions aimed at improving maternal and newborn health in Nigeria were in line with WHO recommendations and focused on the intermediate social determinants of health within health facilities. However, there is a lack of research on interventions targeting structural social determinants and community-based approaches, as well as limited attention to pre-pregnancy interventions.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Bukola Salami, Mary Olukotun, Muneerah Vastani, Oluwakemi Amodu, Brittany Tetreault, Pamela Ofoedu Obegu, Jennifer Plaquin, Omolara Sanni
Summary: This review examines the literature on the health of immigrant children in Canada, revealing gaps in research on immigrant boys and children of international students.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Gimenne Zwama, Karin Diaconu, Anna S. Voce, Fiona O'May, Alison D. Grant, Karina Kielmann
Summary: The study reveals that sociopolitical and policy factors, health system resources, and hardware and software elements such as healthcare facilities and personnel all play a role in the implementation of TB-IPC practices in low/middle-income countries.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Courtney M. Yuen, Daria Szkwarko, Melanie M. Dubois, Shumail Shahbaz, Katharine A. Yuengling, Michael E. Urbanowski, Paul A. Bain, Annemieke Brands, Tiziana Masini, Sabine Verkuijl, Kerri Viney, Yael Hirsch-Moverman, Hamidah Hussain
Summary: After assessing the impact of decentralized, integrated, and family-centered care on tuberculosis-related outcomes in children and adolescents, it was found that strengthening decentralized diagnostic services and community linkages can improve tuberculosis outcomes in this population. Further research is needed to identify optimal integrated and family-centered care approaches.
BULLETIN OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
(2022)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Menelisi Falayi, James Gambiza, Michael Schoon
Summary: Southern Africa is facing governance challenges in natural resource management, particularly in maintaining system integrity and achieving socially equitable governance. The most reported governance challenges include lack of coordination, accountability, capacity, skills, and resources, while challenges related to adaptability and flexibility of institutions, such as learning, monitoring capacity, and innovation, are less studied. Critical gaps in engagement with governance-related frameworks, specifically polycentricity, adaptive governance, and social-ecological stewardship, are highlighted in the review.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jeffrey I. Campbell, Thomas J. Sandora, Jessica E. Haberer
Summary: The literature on the paediatric TB infection care cascade focuses heavily on the final treatment steps and identifies various patient and caregiver-related factors that impact completion. Future research should further evaluate health systems factors as predictors and focus on identifying and testing at-risk populations.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Benjamin Uzochukwu, Tolib Mirzoev, Chinyere Okeke, Joseph Hicks, Enyi Etiaba, Uche Obi, Tim Ensor, Adaora Uzochukwu, Obinna Onwujekwe
Summary: The study was conducted in Anambra state, southeast Nigeria, to investigate the effects of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme on the completeness of Maternal and Child Health data. Results showed that data completeness improved significantly during the SURE-P implementation period, but declined after the programme cessation. Health workers believed that the SURE-P/MCH contributed to the improvement, yet challenges to data completeness include high burden on data collectors and lack of incentives for health workers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH POLICY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Daniel Ogbuabor, Caroline Olwande, Iris Semini, Obinna Onwujekwe, Yewande Olaifa, Chioma Ukanwa
Summary: Countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, rely on donor funding for their national HIV response goals. The Government of Nigeria has made limited progress in increasing domestic investment and reducing donor dependency. Factors affecting financial sustainability include low government funding, weak engagement of Ministry of Finance officials, and inefficient coordination.
GLOBAL HEALTH-SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Daniel Chukwuemeka Ogbuabor, Alphonsus Ogbonna Ogbuabor, Matthew Chibunna Igwe
Summary: The prevalence rates of smoking and smoking frequency are low among women of reproductive age in Nigeria. Age, region, marital status, household structure, and owning a mobile phone are associated with smoking.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PREVENTION AND POLICY
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Fahdi Dkhimi, Ayako Honda, Kara Hanson, Rahab Mbau, Obinna Onwujekwe, Hoang Thi Phuong, Inke Mathauer, El Houcine Akhnif, Imen Jaouadi, Joel Arthur Kiendrebeogo, Nkoli Ezumah, Evelyn Kabia, Edwine Barasa
Summary: This paper synthesizes the findings from six country case studies on the potential effect of multiple funding flows on healthcare provider behavior in low- and middle-income countries. The study reveals that multiple funding flows can lead to undesirable provider behaviors and have negative impacts on the efficiency, equity, and quality of healthcare services.
HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Daniel Chukwuemeka Ogbuabor, Alphonsus Ogbonna Ogbuabor, Nwanneka Ghasi
Summary: Anaemia prevalence is high among women of reproductive age in Nigeria. Factors such as residing in rural areas, low education, unemployment, and not using modern contraceptives increase the likelihood of anaemia and severe anaemia. Pregnant women in the South-East region, rural areas, with low education, and unemployed are significantly associated with anaemia.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
D. C. Ogbuabor, N. Ghasi, N. Nwangwu, U. J. Okenwa, U. Ezenwaka, O. Onwujekwe
Summary: This study explored the perspectives of stakeholders on the internal accountability of the National Program on Immunization in Enugu State, Nigeria. The findings indicate that performance targets for immunization were often not met, and the accountability framework had multiple weaknesses, including unclear roles, inadequate supervision, insufficient data use, staff shortages, and political interference.
NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
D. C. Ogbuabor, N. Ghasi, U. Okenwa, Chukwunweike Nwangwu, U. Ezenwaka, O. Onwujekwe
Summary: This study assessed the accuracy of routine immunization data and its associated factors in Enugu State, Nigeria. The results showed that the data was not always accurate, with reasons including untimely recording, wrong counting, delayed reporting, infrequent supervision, lack of data audits, resource constraints, and high workload. Continuous efforts to improve the data monitoring system, supervision, data audits, funding, and staffing are warranted.
NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Daniel Ogbuabor, Nwanneka Ghasi, Raymonda Eneh
Summary: This study explored the quality of work life (QWL) of nurses in private hospitals in Enugu, Nigeria. Factors such as work-family life, work design, work context, and work world were found to influence QWL and nurses' motivation. Strategies for improving QWL were identified, including improving staffing, vacation, care coordination, and participatory decision-making.
AIMS PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Obinna Onwujekwe, Chinyere Ojiugo Mbachu, Chinyere Okeke, Uchenna Ezenwaka, Daniel Ogbuabor, Charles Ezenduka
Summary: This paper explores improvements in purchasing functions in three Nigerian schemes and their impact on resource allocation, performance incentives, accountability, and service delivery. Benefits specification and provider payment improvements have led to service delivery improvements in all three schemes.
HEALTH SYSTEMS & REFORM
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Pamela Ogbozor, Obinna Onwujekwe, Dina Balabanova, Aloysius Odii, Prince Agwu, Martin McKee, Uche Obi, Charles Tochukwu Orjiakor, Eleanor Hutchinson
Summary: The ability to deliver primary care in Nigeria is hindered by chronic absenteeism, with gender roles playing a significant role in influencing the absence of healthcare workers. Understanding the gender dynamics behind absenteeism is crucial for developing effective strategies to reduce it.
HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING
(2022)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Uchenna Ezenwaka, Agnes Gatome-Munyua, Chikezie Nwankwor, Nkechi Olalere, Nneka Orji, Uchenna Ewelike, Benjamin Uzochukwu, Obinna Onwujekwe
Summary: To achieve universal health coverage, Nigeria needs additional public funding and more efficient government health spending through strategic purchasing. Limited studies on health purchasing in Nigeria's health financing schemes indicate the presence of legal frameworks and governance structures, but also highlight issues such as fragmented health funding, weak regulation, and corrupt practices. Improving strategic purchasing in Nigeria requires reducing fragmentation, investing in purchasing institutions' resources, and improving accountability.
HEALTH SYSTEMS & REFORM
(2022)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Obinna Onwujekwe, Prince Agwu
Summary: Strategic health purchasing is an important tool for improving health system performance within financial constraints, by making evidence-based decisions and allocating resources efficiently. However, in countries with high levels of corruption and low accountability, strategic purchasing may be less effective.
HEALTH SYSTEMS & REFORM
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Selina Rajan, Cornelia Santoso, Mohammed Abba-Aji, David Stuckler, Martin McKee, Eleanor Hutchinson, Obinna Onwujekwe, Dina Balabanova
Summary: This study examined gender disparities in paying informally for healthcare in Africa. The results showed that men were more likely to pay informally for healthcare than women in African countries. This gender difference may act as a barrier to accessing care and lead to poor health outcomes in African countries.
HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Uchenna Ezenwaka, Chinyere Mbachu, Chinyere Okeke, Ifunanya Agu, Nkoli Ezumah, Obinna Onwujekwe
Summary: Understanding the demographic and socioeconomic determinants of adolescents' awareness and use of contraceptives is important for improving their sexual and reproductive health. While awareness of contraceptives is high, utilization remains low among sexually active adolescents. Comprehensive contraceptive education is needed to promote access to and use of contraceptives for adolescents to improve their sexual and reproductive health.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Uche Shalom Obi, Osondu Ogbuoji, Wenhui Mao, Minahil Shahid, Obinna Onwujekwe, Gavin Yamey
Summary: Nigeria is preparing to transition out of health development assistance, but there are still gaps and challenges that need to be addressed. The country needs to focus on building the overall health system and implementing comprehensive policies and structures to ensure stability even in the event of decreasing external funds or donor exits.
HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING
(2021)