scholarly journals The BabySaver: Design of a New Device for Neonatal Resuscitation at Birth with Intact Placental Circulation

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 526
Author(s):  
James Ditai ◽  
Aisling Barry ◽  
Kathy Burgoine ◽  
Anthony K. Mbonye ◽  
Julius N. Wandabwa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Neonatal Resuscitation ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Skilled Birth Attendants ◽  
New Device ◽  
Birth Attendants ◽  
Premature Babies ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University

The initial bedside care of premature babies with an intact cord has been shown to reduce mortality; there is evidence that resuscitation of term babies with an intact cord may also improve outcomes. This process has been facilitated by the development of bedside resuscitation surfaces. These new devices are unaffordable, however, in most of sub-Saharan Africa, where 42% of the world’s 2.4 million annual newborn deaths occur. This paper describes the rationale and design of BabySaver, an innovative low-cost mobile resuscitation unit, which was developed iteratively over five years in a collaboration between the Sanyu Africa Research Institute (SAfRI) in Uganda and the University of Liverpool in the UK. The final BabySaver design comprises two compartments; a tray to provide a firm resuscitation surface, and a base to store resuscitation equipment. The design was formed while considering contextual factors, using the views of individual women from the community served by the local hospitals, medical staff, and skilled birth attendants in both Uganda and the UK.

scholarly journals Qualitative performance and economic analysis of low cost solar fish driers in Sub-Saharan Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moshood Keke Mustapha ◽  
Abdulbashir Femi Salako ◽  
Sunmola Kayode Ademola ◽  
Ifeoluwa Abimbola Adefila
Keyword(s):  
Economic Analysis ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Net Income ◽  
Mosquito Net ◽  
Black Stone ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Qualitative Performance ◽  
The University

Qualitative performance and economic analysis of five low cost solar driers were evaluated at the Zoology and Physics Laboratories of the University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. The solar driers were constructed from mosquito net, plastic, aluminum and glass with black stone inserted in it. The driers were found to be better than the other driers because they are cheap, reliable, safe to use, easy to repair, well insulated, and cost effective. The solar driers are compact, efficient with drying of fish with lowest moisture content achieved within a few days and the dried products of good quality, with long shelf life, highly acceptable to consumers. The driers save man-hour, money, use renewable energy, with no operational or maintenance costs. The driers have a long life span, with net income to fisher folks very high and the payback time for the driers very low.  The adoption of the driers will contribute to the economy of rural populace in the developing countries where there is no electricity and the challenges of deforestation are becoming prominent. The improved low cost solar driers will ensure food safety and security and assist in combating climate change resulting from burning of wood and fossil fuel.

scholarly journals Positioning for success: building capacity in academic competencies for early-career researchers in sub-Saharan Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Merritt ◽  
H. Jack ◽  
W. Mangezi ◽  
D. Chibanda ◽  
M. Abas
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Capacity Building ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Training Experience ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Early Career Researchers ◽  
Academic Competencies ◽  
Sub Saharan

Background. Capacity building is essential in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to address the gap in skills to conduct and implement research. Capacity building must not only include scientific and technical knowledge, but also broader competencies, such as writing, disseminating research and achieving work–life balance. These skills are thought to promote long-term career success for researchers in high-income countries (HICs) but the availability of such training is limited in LMICs. Methods. This paper presents the contextualisation and implementation of the Academic Competencies Series (ACES). ACES is an early-career researcher development programme adapted from a UK university. Through consultation between HIC and LMIC partners, an innovative series of 10 workshops was designed covering themes of self-development, engagement and writing skills. ACES formed part of the African Mental Health Research Initiative (AMARI), a multi-national LMIC-led consortium to recruit, train, support and network early-career mental health researchers from four sub-Saharan African countries. Results. Of the 10 ACES modules, three were HIC-LMIC co-led, four led by HIC facilitators with LMIC training experience and three led by external consultants from HICs. Six workshops were delivered face to face and four by webinar. Course attendance was over 90% and the delivery cost was approximately US$4500 per researcher trained. Challenges of adaptation, attendance and technical issues are described for the first round of workshops. Conclusions. This paper indicates that a skills development series for early-career researchers can be contextualised and implemented in LMIC settings, and is feasible for co-delivery with local partners at relatively low cost.

scholarly journals SAT0640-HPR RHEUMATOLOGY CARE OF MIGRANTS FROM SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA; A QUALITATIVE PILOT STUDY OF PATIENTS’ PERSPECTIVES

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1279.1-1279
Author(s):  
Z. Rutter-Locher ◽  
J. Galloway ◽  
H. Lempp
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Specialist Care ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Uk

Background:Rheumatological diseases are common in Sub-Saharan Africa [1] but specialist healthcare is limited and there are less than 150 rheumatologists currently serving 1 billion people in Sub-Saharan Africa [2]. Rheumatologists practising in the UK NHS are likely to be exposed to migrant patients. There is therefore, an unmet need for health care providers to understand the differences in rheumatology healthcare provision between Sub-Saharan Africa and the UK and the barriers which migrants face in their transition of rheumatology care.Objectives:To gain an understanding of the experiences of patients with rheumatological conditions, about their past healthcare in Sub-Saharan Africa and their transition of care to the UK.Methods:A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted. Participants were recruited from two rheumatology outpatient clinics in London. Thematic analysis was applied to identify key themes.Results:Seven participants were recruited. Five had rheumatoid arthritis, one had ankylosing spondylitis and one had undifferentiated inflammatory arthritis. Participants described the significant impact their rheumatological conditions had on their physical and emotional wellbeing, including their social and financial implications. Compared to the UK, rheumatology healthcare in Sub-Saharan Africa was characterised by higher costs, limited access to specialists, lack of investigations and treatments, the use of traditional medicines and poor communication by clinicians. Barriers to transition of rheumatology care to the UK were: poor understanding of rheumatological conditions by the public and primary care providers, lack of understanding of NHS entitlements by migrants, fear of data sharing with immigration services and delayed referral to specialist care. Patient, doctor and public education were identified by participants as important ways to improve access to healthcare.Conclusion:This study has described, for the first time, patients’ perspectives of rheumatology health care in Sub-Saharan Africa and the transition of their care to the UK. These initial findings allow healthcare providers in the UK to tailor management for this migrant population and suggests that migrants need more information about their NHS entitlements and specific explanations on what non-clinical data will be shared with immigration services. To increase access to appropriate care, a concerted effort by clinicians and public health authorities is necessary to raise awareness and provide better education to patients and migrant populations about rheumatological conditions.References:[1]G. Mody, “Rheumatology in Africa-challenges and opportunities,” Arthritis Res. Ther., vol. 19, no. 1, p. 49, 2017.[2]M. A. M. Elagib et al., “Sudan and Sweden Active Rheumatoid Arthritis in Central Africa: A Comparative Study Between,” J. Rheumatol. J. Rheumatol. January, vol. 43, no. 10, pp. 1777–1786, 2016.Acknowledgments:We are grateful to the patients involved in this study for their time and involvement.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

scholarly journals Development and launch of the first obstetrics and gynaecology master of medicine residency training programme in Botswana

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Luckett ◽  
M. Nassali ◽  
T. Melese ◽  
B. Moreri-Ntshabele ◽  
T. Moloi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Training Programme ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Subspecialty Training ◽  
Continuous Assessment ◽  
Curricular Development ◽  
Apprenticeship Training ◽  
University Of Botswana ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The University

Abstract Background Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces a severe shortage of Obstetrician Gynaecologists (OBGYNs). While the Lancet Commission for Global Surgery recommends 20 OBGYNs per 100,000 population, Botswana has only 40 OBGYNs for a population of 2.3 million. We describe the development of the first OBGYN Master of Medicine (MMed) training programme in Botswana to address this human resource shortage. Methods We developed a 4-year OBGYN MMed programme at the University of Botswana (UB) using the Kern’s approach. In-line with UB MMed standards, the programme includes clinical apprenticeship training complemented by didactic and research requirements. We benchmarked curriculum content, learning outcomes, competencies, assessment strategies and research requirements with regional and international programmes. We engaged relevant local stakeholders and developed international collaborations to support in-country subspecialty training. Results The OBGYN MMed curriculum was completed and approved by all relevant UB bodies within ten months during which time additional staff were recruited and programme financing was assured. The programme was advertised immediately; 26 candidates applied for four positions, and all selected candidates accepted. The programme was launched in January 2020 with government salary support of all residents. The clinical rotations and curricular development have been rolled out successfully. The first round of continuous assessment of residents was performed and internal programme evaluation was conducted. The national accreditation process was initiated. Conclusion Training OBGYNs in-country has many benefits to health systems in SSA. Curricula can be adjusted to local resource context yet achieve international standards through thoughtful design and purposeful collaborations.

The Relationship between Theatre and Ritual in the Sogo bò of the Bamana from Mali

2009 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 233-240
Author(s):  
Marie Kruger
Keyword(s):  
Oral Tradition ◽  
Associate Professor ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Structural Elements ◽  
Repetitive Nature ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Metaphorical Expression ◽  
The University ◽  
Shifting Boundaries ◽  
The Relationship

The Sogo bò, primarily an animal masquerade, can be distinguished from Western theatre through its use of a fluid space with shifting boundaries between spectator and performer. An oral tradition dictates the characterization, scenario, and content. The resemblance to ritual can be found in structural elements such as its repetitive nature and the use of non-realistic performance objects and motions. As in ritual, there is a clear sense of order, an evocative presentational style, and a strong collective dimension. The functional resemblance lies in the complex metaphorical expression through which relationships and values are symbolized, objectified, and embodied in a highly artistic way. Marie Kruger is an associate professor and the Chair of the Department of Drama at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, where puppetry is offered as a performance and research option. Her research is focused on masquerades in Africa and the various contemporary applications of puppetry in sub-Saharan Africa.

scholarly journals Continuing high levels of HIV diagnoses in men who have sex with men in the United Kingdom

2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 3-4
Author(s):  
B Rice ◽  
A Nardone ◽  
N Gill ◽  
V Delpech
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Confidence Intervals ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Reporting Delays ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Almost All

The latest HIV data for 2007 has recently been published for the United Kingdom (UK). During the year, an estimated 6,840 (95% confidence intervals 6,600-7,050) persons (adjusted for reporting delays) were newly diagnosed with HIV in the UK. This represents a 12% decline from a peak of new HIV diagnoses reported in 2005 (7,800). Almost all this decline in new HIV diagnoses was in HIV-infected heterosexuals from sub-Saharan Africa who were probably infected in their country of origin.

scholarly journals Using a Network of Locally Developed Low Cost Particulate Matter Sensors for Land Use Regression Modeling of PM2.5 in Urban Uganda

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric S. Coker ◽  
Ssematimba Joel ◽  
Engineer Bainomugisha
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Additive Models ◽  
Pollution Monitoring ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Land Use Regression ◽  
Sub Saharan

Background: There are major air pollution monitoring gaps in sub-Saharan Africa. Developing capacity in the region to conduct air monitoring in the region can help estimate exposure to air pollution for epidemiology research. The purpose of our study is to develop a land use regression (LUR) model using low-cost air quality sensors developed by a research group in Uganda (AirQo). Methods: Using these low-cost sensors, we collected continuous measurements of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) between May 1, 2019 and February 29, 2020 at 22 monitoring sites across urban municipalities of Uganda. We compared average monthly PM2.5 concentrations from the AirQo sensors with measurements from a BAM-1020 reference monitor operated at the US Embassy in Kampala. Monthly PM2.5 concentrations were used for LUR modeling. We used eight Machine Learning (ML) algorithms and ensemble modeling; using 10-fold cross validation and root mean squared error (RMSE) to evaluate model performance. Results: Monthly PM2.5 concentration was 60.2 µg/m3 (IQR: 45.4-73.0 µg/m3; median= 57.5 µg/m3). For the ML LUR models, RMSE values ranged between 5.43 µg/m3 - 15.43 µg/m3 and explained between 28% and 92% of monthly PM2.5 variability. Generalized additive models explained the largest amount of PM2.5 variability (R2=0.92) and produced the lowest RMSE (5.43 µg/m3) in the held-out test set. The most important predictors of monthly PM2.5 concentrations included monthly precipitation, major roadway density, population density, latitude, greenness, and percentage of households using solid fuels. Conclusion: To our knowledge, ours is the first study to model the spatial distribution of urban air pollution in sub-Saharan Africa using air monitors developed from the region itself. Non-parametric ML for LUR modeling performed with high accuracy for prediction of monthly PM2.5 levels. Our analysis suggests that locally produced low-cost air quality sensors can help build capacity to conduct air pollution epidemiology research in the region.

scholarly journals The Scope and Appetite for Technology-Assisted Sensitivity Reviewing of Born-Digital Records in a Resource Poor Environment

2018 ◽  
pp. 175-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alistair G. Tough
Keyword(s):  
Effective Means ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Public Records ◽  
Digital Repositories ◽  
Resource Poor ◽  
Preliminary Research ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The University ◽  
Limited Demand ◽  
Assessing Sensitivity

Concerns about sensitive content in born-digital records seem to be a major factor in inhibiting the deposit of public records in dedicated digital repositories in Western countries. These concerns are much exacerbated by the changed nature of the process of reviewing records. The University of Glasgow, working in collaboration with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, received funding to investigate the technology-assisted sensitivity reviewing of born-digital records. As part of this research, some preliminary research in a commonwealth country in Sub-Saharan Africa was carried out. The research, reported in this chapter, was carried out in Malawi by the late Dr. Mathews J. Phiri. He found that already there is a real, albeit limited, demand for technology-assisted sensitivity reviewing of born-digital records in Malawi. The available evidence suggests that within the next decade there is likely to be an increase in the need for effective means of assessing sensitivity in born-digital records.

ASR FORUM: ENGAGING WITH AFRICAN INFORMAL ECONOMIES

2013 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 77-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal Lyons ◽  
Alison Brown ◽  
Zhigang Li
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Informal Economy ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Socioeconomic Mobility ◽  
Informal Economies ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Economic Development Strategies

Abstract:This article analyzes the value chain for Chinese manufactured goods such as garments and textiles sold in sub-Saharan Africa. It explores the opportunities for Africans with small, private businesses in the export trade from China, the potential for long-term business development, and how strategies of engagement have changed over time. It finds that the value chains for low-cost goods vary. There is great diversity of entry levels and opportunities for socioeconomic mobility, and traders evolve diverse strategies to obtain and defend their position in the chain. These findings are discussed in terms of understandings of international value chains, the informal economy, and African economic development strategies.

Malaria

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelina Jayakumar ◽  
Zahir Osman Eltahir Babiker
Keyword(s):  
Southeast Asia ◽  
Red Blood Cells ◽  
Blood Cells ◽  
Parasitic Infection ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Anopheline Mosquito ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Human Infections

Malaria is a tropical parasitic infection of the red blood cells caused by the protozoal species Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae, and P. knowlesi. It is transmitted through the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito. The average incubation period is twelve to fourteen days. Congenital and blood-borne transmissions can also occur. P. falciparum and P. vivax account for most human infections but almost all deaths are caused by P. falciparum, with children under five years of age bearing the brunt of morbidity and mortality in endemic countries. P. falciparum is dominant in sub-Saharan Africa whereas P. vivax predominates in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific. P. ovalae and P. malaria are less common and are mainly found in sub-Saharan Africa. P. knowlesi primarily causes malaria in macaques and is geographically restricted to southeast Asia. While taking a blood meal, the female anopheline mosquito injects motile sporozoites into the bloodstream. Within half an hour, the sporozoites invade the hepatocytes and start dividing to form tissue schizonts. In P. vivax and P. ovale, some of the sporozoites that reach the liver develop into hypnozoites and stay dormant within the hepatocytes for months to years after the original infection. The schizonts eventually rupture releasing daughter merozoites into the bloodstream. The merozoites develop within the red blood cells into ring forms, trophozoites, and eventually mature schizont. This part of the life cycle takes twenty-four hours for P. knowlesi; forty-eight hours for P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale; and seventy-two hours for P. malariae. In P. vivax and P. ovale, some of the sporozoites that reach the liver develop into hypnozoites and stay dormant within the hepatocytes for months to years after the original infection. The hallmark of malaria pathogenesis is parasite sequestration in major organs leading to cytoadherence, endothelial injury, coagulopathy, vascular leakage, pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and tissue inflammation. Malaria is the most frequently imported tropical disease in the UK with an annual case load of around 2000. P. falciparum is the predominant imported species, and failure to take chemoprophylaxis is the commonest risk factor.

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