Transfusion research priorities for blood services in sub-Saharan Africa

Introduction Campylobacter spp. are zoonotic bacteria that cause gastroenteritis in humans worldwide, whose main symptom is diarrhea. In certain cases, extra intestinal manifestations may occur, such as Guillain Barré syndrome. The bacteria cause severe diarrhea mostly in children and in immunocompromised individuals. This review aims to address the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in humans in sub-Saharan Africa. It also aims to understand the impact of HIV in the prevalence, as well as to report data on antibiotic resistance and propose research priorities. Methods We followed PRISMA guidelines to find studies on the occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in humans in all countries from sub-Saharan Africa. Studies published between 2000 and 2020 were searched in PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, African Index Medicus, African Journals Online, Google Scholar and Science Direct. We have conducted a random-effect meta-analysis and calculated the proportion of resistant isolates to different antibiotics. Results and discussion We found 77 studies that described such occurrence in humans in 20 out of 53 sub-Saharan African countries. Campylobacter jejuni was the most prevalent species. Pooled prevalence was 9.9% (CI: 8.4%–11.6%). No major variations within the different sub-regions were found. Most studies reported Campylobacter spp. as the cause of diarrhea, mainly in children. Some studies reported the bacteria as a possible etiologic agent of acute flaccid paralysis and urinary tract infection. Campylobacter spp. presented a higher pooled prevalence in HIV infected patients, although not statistically significant. High proportions of resistant strains were reported for many antibiotics, including erythromycin and tetracycline. Conclusion Campylobacter spp. occur in sub-Saharan Africa, although information is scarce or inexistent for many countries. Research priorities should include investigation of the understudied species; extra intestinal manifestations; the impact of HIV infection and associated risk factors. Control strategies should be reinforced to contain the spread of this pathogen and drug resistance.

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Mental health and HIV: research priorities related to the implementation and scale up of ‘treat all’ in sub-Saharan Africa

Journal of Virus Eradication ◽

10.1016/s2055-6640(20)30341-1 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

pp. 16-25 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Angela M. Parcesepe ◽

Charlotte Bernard ◽

Robert Agler ◽

Jeremy Ross ◽

Marcel Yotebieng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Scale Up ◽

Research Priorities ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Hiv Research ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Treat All

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Identifying research priorities for Health Professions Education Research in Sub-Saharan Africa using a modified Delphi method

10.21203/rs.3.rs-29680/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Susan C van Schalkwyk ◽

Elsie Kiguli-Malwadde ◽

Jehan Z Budak ◽

Michael JA Reid ◽

Marietjie Rene De Villiers

Keyword(s):

Research Priorities ◽

Health Professions ◽

Health Professions Education ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Pedagogical Practice ◽

Research Topics ◽

Modified Delphi ◽

Relevant Evidence ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Research And Education

Abstract Background: Recent increases in health professions education (HPE) research in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), though substantial, have predominantly originated from single institutions and remained uncoordinated. A shared research agenda can guide the implementation of HPE practices to ultimately influence the recruitment and retention of the health workforce. Thus, the authors aimed to generate and prioritise a list of research topics for HPE research (HPER) in SSA. Methods: A modified Delphi process was designed to prioritise a shared agenda. Members of the African Forum for Research and Education in Health (AFREhealth) technical working group (TWG) were asked to first list potential research topics. Then, members of the same TWG and attendees at the annual AFREhealth academic symposium held in Lagos, Nigeria in August 2019 rated the importance of including each topic on a 3-point Likert scale, through two rounds of consensus seeking. Consensus for inclusion was predefined as ³ 70% of respondents rating the topic as “must be included.”Results: Health professions educators representing a variety of professions and 13 countries responded to the survey rounds. Twenty-three TWG members suggested 26 initial HPER topics; subsequently 90 respondents completed round one, and 51 completed round 2 of the modified Delphi. The final list of 12 research topics which met predetermined consensus criteria were grouped into three categories: (1) creating an enabling environment with sufficient resources and relevant training; (2) enhancing student learning; and (3) identifying and evaluating strategies to improve pedagogical practice.Conclusions: Establishing research priorities for HPE is important to ensure efficient and appropriate allocation of resources. This study serves as a reminder of how the prevailing context within which HPE, and by implication research in the field, is undertaken will inevitably influence choices about research foci. It further points to a potential advocacy role for research that generates regionally relevant evidence.

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Identifying Research Priorities for Health Professions Education Research in Sub-Saharan Africa using a Modified Delphi Method

10.21203/rs.3.rs-29680/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Susan C van Schalkwyk ◽

Elsie Kiguli-Malwadde ◽

Jehan Z Budak ◽

Michael JA Reid ◽

Marietjie Rene De Villiers

Keyword(s):

Research Priorities ◽

Health Professions ◽

Health Professions Education ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Pedagogical Practice ◽

Research Topics ◽

Modified Delphi ◽

Relevant Evidence ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Research And Education

Abstract Background: Recent increases in health professions education (HPE) research in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), though substantial, have predominantly originated from single institutions and remained uncoordinated. A shared research agenda can guide the implementation of HPE practices to ultimately influence the recruitment and retention of the health workforce. Thus, the authors aimed to generate and prioritise a list of research topics for HPE research (HPER) in SSA.Methods: A modified Delphi process was designed to prioritise a shared agenda. Members of the African Forum for Research and Education in Health (AFREhealth) technical working group (TWG) were asked to first list potential research topics. Then, members of the same TWG and attendees at the annual AFREhealth academic symposium held in Lagos, Nigeria in August 2019 rated the importance of including each topic on a 3-point Likert scale, through two rounds of consensus seeking. Consensus for inclusion was predefined as ≥ 70% of respondents rating the topic as “must be included.”Results: Health professions educators representing a variety of professions and 13 countries responded to the survey rounds. Twenty-three TWG members suggested 26 initial HPER topics; subsequently 90 respondents completed round one, and 51 completed round 2 of the modified Delphi. The final list of 12 research topics which met predetermined consensus criteria were grouped into three categories: (1) creating an enabling environment with sufficient resources and relevant training; (2) enhancing student learning; and (3) identifying and evaluating strategies to improve pedagogical practice.Conclusions: Establishing research priorities for HPE is important to ensure efficient and appropriate allocation of resources. This study serves as a reminder of how the prevailing context within which HPE, and by implication research in the field, is undertaken will inevitably influence choices about research foci. It further points to a potential advocacy role for research that generates regionally relevant evidence.

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A Delphi survey to determine midwifery research priorities among midwives in sub-Saharan Africa

African Journal of Midwifery and Women s Health ◽

10.12968/ajmw.2015.9.1.6 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 6-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Margaret Maimbolwa ◽

Grace Omoni ◽

Enid Mwebaza ◽

Angela Chimwaza ◽

Rose Laisser ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Research Priorities ◽

Delphi Survey ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Sub Saharan

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Methodological Challenges in Estimating Trends and Burden of Cardiovascular Disease in Sub-Saharan Africa

Cardiology Research and Practice ◽

10.1155/2015/921021 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Jacob K. Kariuki ◽

Eileen M. Stuart-Shor ◽

Suzanne G. Leveille ◽

Laura L. Hayman

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Developing Countries ◽

Research Priorities ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Secular Trends ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Global Burden ◽

Body Of Knowledge ◽

Methodological Challenges ◽

Sub Saharan

Background.Although 80% of the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is in developing countries, the 2010 global burden of disease (GBD) estimates have been cited to support a premise that sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is exempt from the CVD epidemic sweeping across developing countries. The widely publicized perspective influences research priorities and resource allocation at a time when secular trends indicate a rapid increase in prevalence of CVD in SSA by 2030.Purpose.To explore methodological challenges in estimating trends and burden of CVD in SSA via appraisal of the current CVD statistics and literature.Methods.This review was guided by the Critical review methodology described by Grant and Booth. The review traces the origins and evolution of GBD metrics and then explores the methodological limitations inherent in the current GBD statistics. Articles were included based on their conceptual contribution to the existing body of knowledge on the burden of CVD in SSA.Results/Conclusion.Cognizant of the methodological challenges discussed, we caution against extrapolation of the global burden of CVD statistics in a way that underrates the actual but uncertain impact of CVD in SSA. We conclude by making a case for optimal but cost-effective surveillance and prevention of CVD in SSA.

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Research priorities to support evidence-informed policies and advocacy for access to safe abortion care in sub-Saharan Africa

Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters ◽

10.1080/26410397.2021.1881207 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 1881207

Author(s):

Anthony Idowu Ajayi ◽

Ramatou Ouedraogo ◽

Kenneth Juma ◽

Grace Kibunja ◽

Collins Cheruiyot ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Research Priorities ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Safe Abortion ◽

Abortion Care ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Support Evidence

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Traversing the cascade: urgent research priorities for implementing the ‘treat all’ strategy for children and adolescents living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa

Journal of Virus Eradication ◽

10.1016/s2055-6640(20)30344-7 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

pp. 40-46 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Leslie A. Enane ◽

Mary-Ann Davies ◽

Valériane Leroy ◽

Andrew Edmonds ◽

Edith Apondi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Children And Adolescents ◽

Research Priorities ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Treat All ◽

Living With Hiv

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Setting research priorities for tackling climate change

Journal of Experimental Botany ◽

10.1093/jxb/erz360 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 71 (2) ◽

pp. 480-489 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

B Jan Middendorf ◽

P V Vara Prasad ◽

Gary M Pierzynski

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Soil Fertility ◽

Case Studies ◽

Research Priorities ◽

Sustainable Intensification ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Multidisciplinary Research ◽

Research Teams ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Smart Agriculture

Abstract Addressing the complex issues related to climate change requires multiple innovative approaches to identify research priorities involving multidisciplinary research teams. Participatory approaches with a variety of perspectives were used to gain insights into critical issues such as defining and understanding sustainable intensification, climate smart agriculture, and soil fertility prioritization in sub-Saharan Africa. This analysis drew on the foundation principles of participatory research and fundamental facilitation skills, while grounded in scientific knowledge and understanding of these complex issues. This approach essentially incorporates the relevant principles of participatory learning and action, primarily designed for development projects, with a new set of players within the research and policy domain. The results of three case studies that utilized participatory techniques with a set of multidisciplinary research teams are presented. The case studies were: (i) Feed the Future Sustainable Intensification Innovation Lab (SIIL) proposal development grounded in country-led and national priorities in Bangladesh, Tanzania, and Cambodia; (ii) climate smart agriculture and sustainable intensification assessment and priority setting in Rwanda; and (iii) soil fertility prioritization in sub-Saharan Africa. We discuss how the future directions of such initiatives were shaped for improved outcomes.

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Adolescent Well-Being Gap Maps: What We Know and Opportunities for Future Research

Journal of Youth Development ◽

10.5195/jyd.2021.1025 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (2-3) ◽

pp. 124-158

Author(s):

Prerna Banati ◽

Christina Bacalso

Keyword(s):

Youth Development ◽

Research Policy ◽

Emotional Health ◽

Research Priorities ◽

Well Being ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Future Research ◽

Policy And Practice ◽

Middle Income ◽

Sub Saharan

Designing and delivering effective programs for adolescents and youth requires high-quality evidence that is easily available to decision makers. Yet while adolescence as a unique development period has gained policy attention in recent years, and there has been a growth in research, priorities for research investment remain unclear. This paper provides a panoramic view of adolescent development research to review what evidence exists and how evidence is mapped. Our approach interrogated studies mapped by evidence maps (including the subset evidence gap maps or EGMs). Our findings have implications for future directions of research on positive youth development (PYD) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs): The analysis showed that while most evidence maps exist in the adolescent protection, safety, and security domain, most studies focus on outcomes related to well-being and social and emotional health. There are gaps in demographic groupings and contexts studied. For example, while gender and sex inequities were the most prevalent in the studies identified, though seen in less than 1/5 of the studies analyzed, disability appears in only 3%. Housing, participation, and information communication technologies are researched relatively rarely. Rigorous research in conflict or humanitarian settings is absent. Additionally, while most impact evaluations are conducted in sub-Saharan Africa, followed by Latin America, the Middle East and North America were poorly represented regions. This article reflects on the state of the evidence, argues for a more thoughtful approach to equity in adolescent research, and calls for a stronger link between research, policy, and practice in LMICs.

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