Delayed surgery leads to reduced elbow range of motion in children with supracondylar humeral fractures managed at a referral hospital in sub-Saharan Africa

Background: Supracondylar humeral fractures (SHFs) in children are associated with morbidity due to elbow stiffness. Timely operative management and/or physiotherapy are thought to reduce this complication, but pose challenges in settings with limited resources for health.Methods: This prospective cohort study included 45 pediatric patients with isolated SHF at a large tertiary hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. Patients were managed non-operatively or operatively with varying wait times to surgery, with or without physiotherapy. The measurement of elbow ROM was done up to 12 weeks after removal of Kirshner wires and/or backslab.Results: Elbow ROM increased in the follow-up period, yet residual restricted mobility in the flexion-extension plane was common. Delayed surgical management ≥7days was associated with reduced elbow ROM in the flexion-extension plane at 12 weeks median IQR 105° 92°-118° vs 120° 108°-124°, p=0.029. Physiotherapy was associated with reduced ROM at 12 weeks p=0.003, possibly due to the use of prolonged immobilization.Conclusion: In this study of pediatric SHFs at a resource-limited hospital, elbow flexion was restricted at 12 weeks follow-up and was associated with major delays in operative management. Quality of orthopedic surgical care and physiotherapy services in low-resource settings deserves further attention.Keywords: Delayed surgery, reduced elbow range, supracondylar humeral fractures, sub-Saharan Africa.

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Surgical ambulance referrals in sub-Saharan Africa – financial costs and coping strategies at district hospitals in Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-021-06709-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Martilord Ifeanyichi ◽

Henk Broekhuizen ◽

Mweene Cheelo ◽

Adinan Juma ◽

Gerald Mwapasa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coping Strategies ◽

Surgical Care ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Financial Reports ◽

Study Approach ◽

Hospital Managers ◽

District Hospitals ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Microsoft Office ◽

Patient Referrals

Abstract Background An estimated nine out of ten persons in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are unable to access timely, safe and affordable surgery. District hospitals (DHs) which are strategically located to provide basic (non-specialist) surgical care for rural populations have in many instances been compromised by resource inadequacies, resulting in unduly frequent patient referrals to specialist hospitals. This study aimed to quantify the financial burdens of surgical ambulance referrals on DHs and explore the coping strategies employed by these facilities in navigating the challenges. Methods We employed a multi-methods descriptive case study approach, across a total of 14 purposively selected DHs; seven, three, and four in Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia, respectively. Three recurrent cost elements were identified: fuel, ambulance maintenance and staff allowances. Qualitative data related to coping mechanisms were obtained through in-depth interviews of hospital managers while quantitative data related to costs of surgical referrals were obtained from existing records (such as referral registers, ward registers, annual financial reports, and other administrative records) and expert estimates. Interview notes were analysed by manual thematic coding while referral statistics and finance data were processed and analysed using Microsoft Office Excel 2016. Results At all but one of the hospitals, respondents reported inadequacies in numbers and functional states of the ambulances: four centres indicated employing non-ambulance vehicles to convey patients occassionally. No statistically significant correlation was found between referral trip distances and total annual numbers of referral trips, but hospital managers reported considering costs in referral practices. For instance, ten of the study hospitals reported combining patients to minimize trip frequencies. The total cost of ambulance use for patient transportation ranged from I$2 k to I$58 k per year. Between 34% and 79% of all patient referrals were surgical, with total costs ranging from I$1 k to I$32 k per year. Conclusion Cost considerations strongly influence referral decisions and practices, indicating a need for increases in budgetary allocations for referral services. High volumes of potentially avoidable surgical referrals provide an economic case – besides equitable access to healthcare – for scaling up surgery capacity at the district level as savings from decreased referrals could be reinvested in referral systems strengthening.

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Predictors of lost to follow up from antiretroviral therapy among adults in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Infectious Diseases of Poverty ◽

10.1186/s40249-021-00822-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hafte Kahsay Kebede ◽

Lillian Mwanri ◽

Paul Ward ◽

Hailay Abrha Gesesew

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Hiv Care ◽

Care Services ◽

Validity Assessment ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Lost To Follow Up

Abstract Background It is known that ‘drop out’ from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment, the so called lost-to-follow-up (LTFU) occurs to persons enrolled in HIV care services. However, in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the risk factors for the LTFU are not well understood. Methods We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of risk factors for LTFU among adults living with HIV in SSA. A systematic search of literature using identified keywords and index terms was conducted across five databases: MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science. We included quantitative studies published in English from 2002 to 2019. The Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI-MAStARI) was used for methodological validity assessment and data extraction. Mantel Haenszel method using Revman-5 software was used for meta-analysis. We demonstrated the meta-analytic measure of association using pooled odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI) and heterogeneity using I2 tests. Results Thirty studies met the search criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Predictors of LTFU were: demographic factors including being: (i) a male (OR = 1.2, 95% CI 1.1–1.3, I2 = 59%), (ii) between 15 and 35 years old (OR = 1.3, 95% CI 1.1–1.3, I2 = 0%), (iii) unmarried (OR = 1.2, 95% CI 1.2–1.3, I2 = 21%), (iv) a rural dweller (OR = 2.01, 95% CI 1.5–2.7, I2 = 40%), (v) unemployed (OR = 1.2, 95% CI 1.04–1.4, I2 = 58%); (vi) diagnosed with behavioral factors including illegal drug use(OR = 13.5, 95% CI 7.2–25.5, I2 = 60%), alcohol drinking (OR = 2.9, 95% CI 1.9–4.4, I2 = 39%), and tobacco smoking (OR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.6–4.3, I2 = 74%); and clinical diagnosis of mental illness (OR = 3.4, 95% CI 2.2–5.2, I2 = 1%), bed ridden or ambulatory functional status (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.5–3.1, I2 = 74%), low CD4 count in the last visit (OR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.9, I2 = 75%), tuberculosis co-infection (OR = 1.2, 95% CI 1.02–1.4, I2 = 66%) and a history of opportunistic infections (OR = 2.5, 95% CI 1.7–2.8, I2 = 75%). Conclusions The current review identifies demographic, behavioral and clinical factors to be determinants of LTFU. We recommend strengthening of HIV care services in SSA targeting the aforementioned group of patients. Trial registration Protocol: the PROSPERO Registration Number is CRD42018114418

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Persistence of mRNA indicative of Plasmodium falciparum ring-stage parasites 42 days after artemisinin and non-artemisinin combination therapy in naturally infected Malians

Malaria Journal ◽

10.1186/s12936-020-03576-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Almahamoudou Mahamar ◽

Kjerstin Lanke ◽

Wouter Graumans ◽

Halimatou Diawara ◽

Koualy Sanogo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Combination Therapy ◽

Artemisinin Combination Therapy ◽

Parasite Prevalence ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Ring Stage ◽

Qrt Pcr ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Stage Parasite ◽

Ring Stage Parasite

Abstract Background Malaria control in sub-Saharan Africa relies upon prompt case management with artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). Ring-stage parasite mRNA, measured by sbp1 quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR), was previously reported to persist after ACT treatment and hypothesized to reflect temporary arrest of the growth of ring-stage parasites (dormancy) following exposure to artemisinins. Here, the persistence of ring-stage parasitaemia following ACT and non-ACT treatment was examined. Methods Samples were used from naturally infected Malian gametocyte carriers who received dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine (DP) or sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine (SP–AQ) with or without gametocytocidal drugs. Gametocytes and ring-stage parasites were quantified by qRT-PCR during 42 days of follow-up. Results At baseline, 89% (64/73) of participants had measurable ring-stage parasite mRNA. Following treatment, the proportion of ring-stage parasite-positive individuals and estimated densities declined for all four treatment groups. Ring-stage parasite prevalence and density was generally lower in arms that received DP compared to SP–AQ. This finding was most apparent days 1, 2, and 42 of follow-up (p < 0.01). Gametocytocidal drugs did not influence ring-stage parasite persistence. Ring-stage parasite density estimates on days 14 and 28 after initiation of treatment were higher among individuals who subsequently experienced recurrent parasitaemia compared to those who remained free of parasites until day 42 after initiation of treatment (pday 14 = 0.011 and pday 28 = 0.068). No association of ring-stage persistence with gametocyte carriage was observed. Conclusions The current findings of lower ring-stage persistence after ACT without an effect of gametocytocidal partner drugs affirms the use of sbp1 as ring-stage marker. Lower persistence of ring-stage mRNA after ACT treatment suggests the marker may not reflect dormant parasites whilst it was predictive of re-appearance of parasitaemia.

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Treatment of chronic inflammatory rheumatism by biotherapy in Gabon : eligibility and follow-up of the first 8 patients in sub-Saharan Africa

Médecine et Santé Tropicales ◽

10.1684/mst.2018.0781 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 197-200 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

L. Missounga ◽

J. Iba Ba ◽

I.R. Nseng Nseng Ondo ◽

M.I.C. Nziengui Madjinou ◽

D. Mwenpindi Malekou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Sub Saharan

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Regional Programme in Information Science in Sub-Saharan Africa: Follow-Up Studies of SISA M.Sc. I.S. Graduates 1990/92 to 1994/96

The International Information & Library Review ◽

10.1080/10572317.1998.10762478 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. 267-274 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Innocent Rugambwa

Keyword(s):

Information Science ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Follow Up Studies ◽

Sub Saharan

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Virological follow-up of adult patients in antiretroviral treatment programmes in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

The Lancet Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1016/s1473-3099(09)70328-7 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 155-166 ◽

Cited By ~ 203

Author(s):

Roos E Barth ◽

Maarten F Schim van der Loeff ◽

Rob Schuurman ◽

Andy IM Hoepelman ◽

Annemarie MJ Wensing

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Antiretroviral Treatment ◽

Adult Patients ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Sub Saharan

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Management of Renal Cell Carcinoma- Current Practice in Sub-Saharan Africa

Journal of Kidney Cancer and VHL ◽

10.15586/jkcvhl.2019.122 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Ayun Kotokai Cassell ◽

Mohamed Jalloh ◽

Bashir Yunusa ◽

Medina Ndoye ◽

Mouhamadou Mbodji ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Renal Cell ◽

Radical Nephrectomy ◽

Treatment Guidelines ◽

Cell Cancer ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Renal Masses ◽

Open Radical Nephrectomy ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Developed Nations

There is a global variation in the incidence of renal masses with the developed nations having a greater incidence. About 80–90% of renal malignancies are renal cell carcinomas (RCC) which account for 2–4% of all cancers. In Africa and the Middle East, the age-standardized incidence for RCC is 1.8–4.8/100,000 for males and 1.2–2.2/100,000 for females. The management of renal cell cancer is challenging. A multidisciplinary approach is effective for diagnosis, staging, and treatment. Guidelines recommend active surveillance, thermal ablation, partial nephrectomy, radical nephrectomy, cytoreductive nephrectomy and immunotherapy as various modalities for various stages of RCC. However, open radical nephrectomy is most widely adopted as an option for treatment at various stages of the disease in sub-Saharan Africa due to its cost-effectiveness, applicability at various stages, and the reduced cost of follow-up. Nevertheless, most patients in the region present with the disease in the advanced stage and despite surgery the prognosis is poor.

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Cohort profile: The Chikwawa lung health cohort; a population-based observational non-communicable respiratory disease study in Malawi

10.1101/2020.04.16.20068643 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Martin Njoroge ◽

Sarah Rylance ◽

Rebecca Nightingale ◽

Stephen Gordon ◽

Kevin Mortimer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Economic ◽

Lung Function ◽

Low Income ◽

Respiratory Symptoms ◽

Population Based ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Rural Setting ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Lung Health

AbstractPurposeThe Chikwawa lung health cohort was established in rural Malawi in 2014 to prospectively determine the prevalence and causes of lung disease amongst the general population of adults living in a low-income rural setting in Sub-Saharan Africa.ParticipantsA total of 1481 participants were randomly identified and recruited in 2014 for the baseline study. We collected data on demographic, socio-economic status, respiratory symptoms and potentially relevant exposures such as smoking, household fuels, environmental exposures, occupational history/exposures, dietary intake, healthcare utilization, cost (medication, outpatient visits and inpatient admissions) and productivity losses. Spirometry was performed to assess lung function. At baseline, 56.9% of the participants were female, a mean age of 43.8 (SD:17.8) and mean body mass index (BMI) of 21.6 Kg/m2 (SD: 3.46)Findings to dateCurrently, two studies have been published. The first reported the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms (13.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI], 11.9 – 15.4), spirometric obstruction (8.7%, 95% CI, 7.0 – 10.7), and spirometric restriction (34.8%, 95% CI, 31.7 – 38.0). The second reported annual decline in forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1] of 30.9mL/year (95% CI: 21.6 to 40.1) and forced vital capacity [FVC] by 38.3 mL/year (95% CI: 28.5 to 48.1).Future plansThe ongoing current phase of follow-up will determine the annual rate of decline in lung function as measured through spirometry, and relate this to morbidity, mortality and economic cost of airflow obstruction and restriction. Population-based mathematical models will be developed driven by the empirical data from the cohort and national population data for Malawi to assess the effects of interventions and programmes to address the lung burden in Malawi. The present follow-up study started in 2019.Strengths and limitations of this studyThis is an original cohort study comprising adults randomly identified in a low-income Sub-Saharan African Setting.The repeated follow up of the cohort has included objective measures of lung function.The cohort has had high rates of case ascertainment that include verbal autopsies.The study will include an analysis of the health economic consequences of rate of change of lung function and health economic modelling of impact of lung diseases and potential interventions that could be adopted.A main limitation of our study is the systematic bias may be introduced through the self-selection of the participants who agreed to take part in the study to date and the migration of individuals from Chikwawa.

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Predictors of three-month mortality among hospitalized older adults in Togo

10.21203/rs.3.rs-38973/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Fifonsi Adjidossi GBEASOR-KOMLANVI ◽

Martin Kouame TCHANKONI ◽

Akila Wimima BAKOUBAYI ◽

Matthieu Yaovi LOKOSSOU ◽

Arnold SADIO ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Hospital Mortality ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Mortality Data ◽

Kaplan Meier ◽

All Cause Mortality ◽

Hospitalized Older Adults ◽

Sub Saharan

Abstract Background: Assessing hospital mortality and its predictors is important as some of these can be prevented through appropriate interventions. Few studies have reported hospital mortality data among older adults in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to assess the mortality and associated factors among hospitalized older adults in Togo.Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study from February 2018 to September 2019 among patients ≥50 years admitted in medical and surgical services of six hospitals in Togo. Data were recorded during hospitalization and through telephone follow-up survey within 90 days after admission. The main outcome was all-cause mortality at 3 months. Survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analyses were performed to assess predictors of mortality.Results: The median age of the 650 older adults included in the study period was 61 years, IQR: [55-70] and at least one comorbidity was identified in 59.7% of them. The all-cause mortality rate of 17.2% (95%CI: 14.4-20.4) and the majority of death (93.7%) occurred in hospital. Overall survival rate was 85.5% and 82.8% after 30 and 90 days of follow-up, respectively. Factors associated with 3-month mortality were the hospital level in the health pyramid, hospitalization service, length of stay, functional impairment, depression and malignant diseases.Conclusion: Togolese health system needs to adjust its response to an aging population in order to provide the most effective care.

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