Objectively-measured step cadence and walking patterns in a rural African setting: a cross-sectional analysis

Objectives To investigate free-living, accelerometry-derived step cadence and walking strategy parameters in 263 adult women (19-56 years) within a rural African setting. Participants were categorised into weight groups: Under-Normal Weight (UW/NW: <25 kg.m−2), Overweight-Obese (OW/OB: ≥25 kg.m−2). From the minute-by-minute uni-axial accelerometry data, outcomes describing physical activity intensity, step volume, step cadence and step bouts were extracted. In addition, walking pattern parameters for step bout length and step cadence were determined. Results Average step volume was 13568 steps.day−1, and >85% of participants were classified as active-to-highly-active. Overall, ≈45% of daily steps was accumulated in the low-to-moderate intensity range. Peak cadence indices were higher in the UW/NW group (p≤0.0112). For both groups, 75% of steps were accumulated in bouts >15 minutes, and 95% of bouts were accumulated at 1-39 steps.minute−1. The UW/NW group employed a more varied step cadence, and higher cadences contributed more to step accumulation than the OW/OB group (p≤0.05). There were no significant group differences in bout length strategy parameters (p≥0.0861). Despite no difference between the weight groups in step volume, there were differences in some step cadence indices which reflect higher step intensities, and in cadence strategies chosen to accumulate steps.

A Literature Review on Ubuntu Concept as a Panacea for African Ecclesiology: A Case Study of Harvest Revival Ministry Churches in Kenya

The study seeks to examine the approaches taken currently with regard to scholarship on ecclesiology from the patristic era, the medieval era to that of the reformation and beyond. The study evaluates the various ecclesiological approaches of various confessional traditions that have defined ecclesiology over time. In progression, the study examines contextual ecclesiologies with a focus on three specific cultural geographical environments of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. This is because of the significance that these regions play in the current global shift within Christendom. African ecclesiology has been the centre of focus in an attempt to link all the discussed ecclesiologies with the African Christian thought. The study intends to review the Ubuntu concept and to capture the concept of the humanness of people in the African setting. The study intends to expose the gap in the literature demonstrating that the African conceptual framework can indeed be of use in articulating theology relevant to the African world. The study was keen to evaluate the contribution towards the development and construction of an African ecclesiology using the Ubuntu concept as a remedy to solve ecclesiological problems witnessed in Africa.

Bladder exstrophy: an atypical journey of A rare case of an adult.

Bladder exstrophy is a rare and complex malformation. Often associated with diverse deformations, an accurate diagnosis is a must for adequate management. In the African setting, especially in a remote area, delivery rarely occurs within a healthcare structure thus reducing the chance of an early diagnosis.

The COVID-19 Prevalence among Children: Hypotheses for Low Infection Rate and Few Severe Forms among This Age Group in Sub-Saharan Africa

Despite some cases of severe or critical manifestations of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) described among children, the prevalence of this infection in the pediatric population is quite low worldwide, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Current data suggest indeed that, independent of the population considered overall, severe and critical cases of COVID-19 are rare among children. This observation prompted us to discuss the possible hypotheses which could explain the low prevalence of COVID-19 among children; amongst others, we discuss (1) immunomodulation by the Bacillus Calmette–Guerin vaccine or by some parasitic infections such as malaria, schistosomiasis, and helminthiasis and (2) cross immunization with other coronaviruses commonly found in the sub-Saharan African setting.

Model-based assessment of the safety of community interventions with primaquine in sub-Saharan Africa

Background Single low-dose primaquine (SLD-PQ) is recommended in combination with artemisinin-based combination therapy to reduce Plasmodium falciparum transmission in areas threatened by artemisinin resistance or aiming for malaria elimination. SLD-PQ may be beneficial in mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns to prevent malaria transmission but uptake is limited by concerns of hemolysis in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)-deficient individuals. The aim of this study was to improve the evidence on the safety of MDA with SLD-PQ in a sub-Saharan African setting. Methods A nonlinear mixed-effects model describing the pharmacokinetics and treatment-induced hemolysis of primaquine was developed using data from an adult (n = 16, G6PD deficient) and pediatric study (n = 38, G6PD normal). The relationship between primaquine pharmacokinetics and hemolysis was modeled using an established erythrocyte lifespan model. The safety of MDA with SLD-PQ was explored through Monte Carlo simulations for SLD-PQ at 0.25 or 0.4 mg/kg using baseline data from a Tanzanian setting with detailed information on hemoglobin concentrations and G6PD status. Results The predicted reduction in hemoglobin levels following SLD-PQ was small and returned to pre-treatment levels after 25 days. G6PD deficiency (African A- variant) was associated with a 2.5-fold (95% CI 1.2–8.2) larger reduction in hemoglobin levels. In the Tanzanian setting where 43% of the population had at least mild anemia (hemoglobin < 11–13 g/dl depending on age and sex) and 2.73% had severe anemia (hemoglobin < 7–8 g/dl depending on age and sex), an additional 3.7% and 6.0% of the population were predicted to develop at least mild anemia and 0.25% and 0.41% to develop severe anemia after 0.25 and 0.4 mg/kg SLD-PQ, respectively. Children < 5 years of age and women ≥ 15 years of age were found to have a higher chance to have low pre-treatment hemoglobin. Conclusions This study supports the feasibility of MDA with SLD-PQ in a sub-Saharan African setting by predicting small and transient reductions in hemoglobin levels. In a setting where a substantial proportion of the population had low hemoglobin concentrations, our simulations suggest treatment with SLD-PQ would result in small increases in the prevalence of anemia which would most likely be transient. Graphical abstract

An African Background to the Old Testament

An African Background to the Old Testament is a brief introduction to the geographical, social, economic, political and religious backgrounds of the Old Testament from an African viewpoint. It is written to help (African) Bible students to have access to the right background information required for proper interpretation of Scripture within the African setting. The seven-chapter book, after a thorough examination of the geographical, social, economic, political and religious backgrounds of the Old Testament from an African perspective contends that Old Testament scholarship in Africa must be carried out by those with adequate understanding and experience of the African socio-cultural context and must be done through proper interaction with that context. The Book is written in a non-technical way to make it accessible to everyone. Every chapter is organized thematically in sub-headings. Each chapter also ends with a recap of the main points discussed and review questions to allow the student to reflect on what has been discussed before proceeding to the next chapter. Universities and Seminaries can use it as a textbook for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Old Testament Studies.