MSc in Global Health

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/handle/20.500.12289/7204

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 34

ASSESSING THE RELATIONSHIP OF FOOD SECURITY, CHILD MENTAL HEALTH, AND DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL NIGERIA: A NARRATIVE REVIEW
(2024-02-12) Unknown author
Aims: This narrative review aims to critically examine existing literature spanning from 2013 to 2023, focusing on unravelling the intricate connections between food security, child mental health, and development in rural Nigerian settings. Methods: Employing a narrative review methodology, this study carefully selected and analysed six key studies. Diverse research designs, including cross-sectional surveys, descriptive study, and prospective study, were utilised to investigate the relationships between food security, child mental health, and development in rural Nigeria. Results/Findings: The outcomes of the selected studies illuminate multifaceted challenges faced by children in the rural areas of Nigeria. Notable disparities in food security, psychological well-being, and dietary diversity across different regions were identified. The findings underscore the urgent need for context-specific interventions and policies tailored toward addressing the unique socio-economic, geographical, and cultural factors influencing child well-being in rural Nigeria. Discussion: The discussion center on the implications of the research findings, emphasizing the pressing need for targeted interventions to address the identified challenges. It explores the complex interplay of socio-economic, geographical, and cultural factors affecting child well-being, with a focus on how these factors contribute to disparities in food security and mental health outcomes. Conclusion: In conclusion, this review should contribute with insights to the academic discourse, providing guidance for future research endeavours and informing evidence-based strategies. The urgent recommendation is the implementation of context-specific interventions and policies to enhance the overall health and development of children in rural Nigerian settings. The discussion also emphasizes the critical importance of addressing factors such as poor road networks and infrastructure in tackling the deepening food crisis. Finally, it acknowledges the alarming rate of population growth compared to food availability, the conclusion therefore emphasizes the need for comprehensive strategies to alleviate the impact on children, who emerge as the major victims in this complex scenario.
“At that time, I couldn’t understand very well” An exploratory study of volunteering as a pathway to integration for asylum seekers and refugees in Scotland
(2024-02-12) Unknown author
Introduction: The year 2023 saw the highest number of people seeking asylum in the United Kingdom (UK) for two decades (Home Office, 2023a). Therefore, examining experiences of asylum seekers and refugees integrating into communities has become increasingly relevant. The UK government holds a particularly restrictive approach to immigration and asylum, including not allowing asylum seekers to take up employment. As such, the Home Office (2023c) encourages people who seek asylum to volunteer whilst their claim is being considered. This dissertation is concerned with the role of volunteering as a potential pathway towards the process of integration for asylum seekers and refugees in Glasgow. Methods: This dissertation adopts a qualitative study approach, based on secondary analysis of 14 interviews with refugees. Thematic analysis was guided by a conceptual framework, Indicators of Integration Framework (Ndofor-Tah et al., 2019), to understand the experiences of volunteering for asylum seekers and refugees in Glasgow and to what extent does volunteering aid or discourage integration. Findings: Based on the analysis of the interviews, factors both supporting and hindering refugee integration emerged, providing a nuanced picture of the role of volunteering towards integration. The positive pathways from volunteering to integration were: connections to people and organisations, multi-cultural learning, indirect progress towards employment and the fact that volunteering provided a purpose. The limiting pathways from volunteering to integration were: limited evidence of volunteering leading to direct employment and that it was yet another system to navigate. Conclusion: The findings of this study point to the fact that in many cases, volunteering has proved to be a valuable resource for newcomers who are from a background very different to the environment in which they find themselves. It was also noted that volunteering has the capacity to be dynamic and person specific therefore, activating different pathways to integration over the time continuum from first arrival into the country.
Barriers to accessing culturally appropriate perinatal healthcare for Black migrant mothers and babies from Sub-Saharan Africa living in Scotland
(2023-03-31) Unknown author
Background: Healthcare providers and stakeholders acknowledge the increasing migration and the barriers to accessing healthcare services in high-resource countries (HRCs), including Scotland. However, delivering equitable, culturally conducive care (CCC), and good quality healthcare to those from culturally diverse ethnic groups continues to be a complex and vast issue faced by high-income countries (WHO, 2016). Methods: Snowball sampling was used in this qualitative study. Eight women voluntarily participated in semi-structured interviews (SSI) to gain a better understanding of the health disparities among black African immigrant mothers (BAIMs) from Sub-Saharan Africa. In the SSIs, open-ended questions were asked to gather insights of the lived experiences and perspectives of BAIMB-SSA, focusing on service provisions and the barriers to accessing relevant perinatal health services in Scotland. Results: The findings highlight multifaceted factors and barriers that could be mediated by a multilevel intersectoral approach. The data analysis was guided by the Levesque conceptual framework (2013). Seven themes emerged from the analysis: health system knowledge, racism, cultural norms, communication, social support networks, immigration, and financial challenges. Conclusion: Scotland's focus on migration, diversity, and equal opportunities in healthcare remains, but disparities in service delivery for minority groups persist. Research in areas such as (i) an in-depth understanding of the health needs of specific groups of black African women living in Scotland, (ii) the physical, social, and psychological barriers they face when accessing healthcare facilities, and (iii) ways to improve health outcomes by giving the women improved access to health care services are urgently needed.
Decentralization of resistant pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis in Pakistan: evaluation of Xpert® MTB/XDR Assay for rapid detection of fluoroquinolones and isoniazid resistant TB
(2023-08-07) Unknown author
Background: Drug resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) is a major threat to global health. In high burden DR-TB settings, as Pakistan, decentralization of drug susceptibility testing (DST) is one of the key strategies recommended by WHO to end the TB epidemic. The peripheral rapid DST for isoniazid and fluoroquinolones is now possible as a new molecular assay, Xpert® MTB/XDR (Cepheid, USA) was recently endorsed by WHO. Aim: This study aims to assess the performance of Xpert® MTB/XDR and to evaluate the feasibility of implementing this test in peripheral settings in Pakistan. It also proposed an updated DR-TB diagnostic algorithm tailored to the country diagnostic network needs. Methods: To establish Xpert® MTB/XDR accuracy, a secondary data analysis was performed using results from a cross sectional observational study previously conducted. A thematic literature review provided data on Pakistan TB diagnostic network. Findings: The accuracy analysis demonstrated that Xpert® MTB/XDR has the characteristics required by WHO for the detection of isoniazid resistance at the peripheral level. Regarding fluoroquinolones resistance, Xpert® MTB/XDR reaches only one of the WHO targets (i.e., sensitivity) in the RR-TB cohort (90,48%; 95%CI 80,7-95,8). Even if the standard for DST remains the phenotypic test, a faster and more reliable assay appears to be needed in this setting. Conclusion: The proposed DR-TB diagnostic algorithm, tailored to Pakistan diagnostic network needs, may reduce considerably TB diagnosis turnaround time. This strategy will contribute to ensure equitable and prompt access to DR-TB diagnosis, improving the diagnostic network effectiveness and efficacy in ensuring TB care and control.
DIABETES PREVENTION AND CONTROL IN NIGERIA: EXPLORING THE RESPONSE OF THE HEALTH SECTOR.
(2024-02-12) Unknown author
Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic non-communicable disease (NCD) arising from disorders in carbohydrate metabolism. It affects about 422 million people worldwide and prevalence has been shown to be on the increase in Nigeria with an estimated 4 million affected people. Besides the effect on the quality of life, the disease poses an economic burden on the individuals, families and the Nigerian health systems. Thus, necessitating a review of the response towards prevention and control by the healthcare sector, the challenges as well as the existing policies. This will help determine how to move forward with current policies as well as how to implement better best practices. Methods: A desk study is carried out to explore the responses for diabetes prevention and control, policies and challenges of the Nigerian healthcare sector. This study was guided by the 2021 framework for action on diabetes prevention and control in the WHO eastern Mediterranean region to identify challenges of diabetes prevention and control. Also guiding this review is the Non-communicable disease (NCDs) policies programme theory by Loffreda et al. (2023) to identify existing policies in Nigeria. Results: Nigeria has demonstrated commendable efforts in implementing public health education and awareness as strategies for diabetes prevention and control. Findings show that there are challenges of poor knowledge of best diabetes care practices among healthcare professionals as well as insufficient number of workers in the healthcare facilities. In addition, the healthcare institutions especially at the primary healthcare levels were noted to be poorly equipped to manage DM. Finally, it was discovered that the policies for diabetes prevention and control were poorly implemented. All these findings have been linked to challenges in healthcare financing and poor leadership. Conclusions: Despite the increase in prevalence of diabetes mellitus, Nigeria has made little progress in diabetes care as well as implementing prevention and control policies. It is suggested that the country looks into improving on human resources, health institutions and healthcare financing.
Effects of Barriers and Facilitators of Mental Healthcare Service Use in Ghana: A Scoping Review
(2024-09-05) Unknown author
Background Mental illness is a threat to the global world. Globally, in every eight (8) people, one (1) had a mental disorder in 2019 and this is estimated to rise drastically (WHO, 2019). This, apart from the health threats to the globe, also poses economic and social dangers as it leads to low productivity, stigmatisation, discrimination, abuse and high health costs. In Ghana, one in five persons will deal with a mental health issue at some point in their lives (Badu et al., 2018). According to WHO (2011) one out of ten Ghanaians suffers from mental disorders including depression, anxiety schizophrenia, and bipolar to mention a few. Access to mental healthcare in Ghana is crippled with many challenges (Quarshie et al., 2021). This study aims to investigate enablers and barriers to mental health access in Ghana. Methods This study employed a scoping review method to analyse and synthesise articles published from 2018 to 2024 on enablers of barriers to mental health access in Ghana. A search was carried out across electronic databases spanning the years 2018–2024, including CINAHL (EBSCO) (2000–2024), EMBASE (2000–2024), Medline (2000–2024), HealthSTAR (2000–2024), Google Scholar (2000–2024), PsycINFO (2000–2024), PubMed (2000–2024), Scopus Index (2000–2024), and Web of Science (2000–2024). This was done following the guidelines recommended by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) for conducting systematic reviews (Pearson et al., 2014. The eligibility criteria for the scoping review were underpinned by the population/concept/context (PCC) framework. To be included, studies had to meet the below criteria: • Studies focused on Ghana regarding barriers and enablers of access and use of mental health services from the perspective of service users were included. • Studies that target multiple participant groups, including stakeholders from government ministries, health professionals, mental health service users based in cities, rural, or remote areas of Ghana, family members/community members, and caregivers were included. • Quantitative and qualitative studies that shed light on barriers and enablers of mental health service delivery were included. Both published and unpublished papers; thesis, commentaries, and expert opinions. • Only articles published in English from 2000 to 2024 shedding light on barriers and enablers of mental health service delivery from the perspective of service users were included. • Articles that elucidated obstacles that impeded the uptake, quality, or level of mental health services being accessed or described facilitators that allowed the uptake, quality, or level of mental health services being received were included. • The review included papers that explore the treatment strategies, enablers, and barriers to accessing mental health services. It also included papers that measure the extent to which mental health service provision functions in Ghana. The exclusion criteria were: • Studies that did not target the variables of interest (i.e. enablers and barriers to access and use of mental health services, and treatment strategies) were excluded. • Also, articles published before 2000 and those published in languages other than English were excluded. • Studies on barriers and facilitators that do not focus on Ghana were excluded.
Exploring the social determinants of health for undocumented Latino immigrant children between California and Texas as a function of state policies.
(2023-08-14) Unknown author
Background: There has been a growing number of undocumented migrants crossing via the US Southern Border over the last ten years. A large percentage of these are children, many of whom are not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The US policy allows for unaccompanied children to enter the US while their case is processed in legal court. While in the custody of the US government these children have temporary access to health care; however, upon release to a sponsor in the United States their healthcare access varies and is dependent upon state and local policies. This study aims to examine the state policies of California and Texas and assess how such policies affect the social determinants of health for undocumented Latino migrant children. This study also examines the federal laws and regulations that dictate how unaccompanied children are processed while in custody. Method: A descriptive policy analysis reviewing documents at the federal level as well as those from California and Texas. The policies were assessed against the CDC defined Social Determinants of Health domains utilizing a State policy analysis framework. Results: US policies towards undocumented persons are largely exclusionary. However, although it is illegal to employ undocumented children, they do have a right to public education and basic health care services. California was found to be much more inclusive towards undocumented Latino migrant children and having policies that positively affected the social determinants of health in terms of direct healthcare access and enacting policies that explicitly grant rights. Texas policies negatively impact social determinants of health for undocumented immigrants with notable exceptions in the areas of higher education equity and employment. Conclusion: This study illustrates how state policies can make a substantial difference in health care access and utilization. Optimizing state policies to be more inclusive can make a substantial impact on the health and well-being of undocumented Latino migrant children.
EXPLORING THE SOCIAL SUPPORT FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY IN NIGERIA: A NARRATIVE REVIEW OF CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTION
(2024-08-05) Unknown author
Background: Nigeria has a high prevalence of disability, with one in every ten households affected. The social model of disability suggests that societal exclusion, rather than impairments themselves, poses significant problems for PWDs. Cultural and traditional attitudes in Nigeria are largely negative towards PWDs, contributing to high barriers to their inclusion. Aims/objectives: This study aims to identify the social support or protection available for persons with disability in Nigeria, challenges and recommendations listed across relevant literature. Methods: Narrative analysis was done after comprehensive data searches were conducted using Pubmed, EBSCOhost to access Medline, Cinahl Plus, APA PsycArticles and APA PsycInfo databases and Google Scholar database. Three Hundred Fifty-Nine data sources were screened, and Twenty sources of evidence included in this review. Result: The findings of this review were broken down into two sections such as the governmental support for persons with disability and challenges identified and the non-governmental/community support and challenges identified and organised using the principles of the disability inclusion and accountability framework put forward by the World Bank. There is limited governmental support for PWDs: Nigeria passed a disability legislation but implementation is lagging. There is support from non-governmental sources, but this is challenged by lack of partnership with government. It is also problematic, because it reaffirms harmful stereotypes instead of being empowering. Conclusion and Recommendations: This research presents an up-to-date review on PWDs and supports available in Nigeria. Recommendations include advocacy efforts by civil society and social workers to mount pressure on the government for proper implementation of the disability legislation and for more research directed towards PWDs.
FACTORS PERPETUATING EARLY MARRIAGE IN NORTHWEST NIGERIA DESPITE PREVENTIVE MEASURES
(2024-02-12) Unknown author
Background: Child marriage (CM) is a widespread issue in Nigeria, particularly in North-West Nigeria, where 68% of girls were married before their 18th birthday, socio-cultural influences intersect with legal complexity. CM frequently results in maternal mortality and morbidity, edu-cation disruption, poverty, and gender-based violence, with these negative consequences disproportionately impacting girls. Using ecological system theory and a feminist framework, this desk study examined environmental factors contributing to the perpetuation of child mar-riage despite interventions to prevent it. Methods: This desk study analysed 20 academic and grey literature, including peer-reviewed academic studies, organization reports and articles. Data were sourced from databases like Medline, CINAHL, ERIC, ProQuest central, PUBMED, and Google Scholar, grey literature from organizations like UNICEF and Girls Not Brides spanning national and global contexts forms the backbone of this research. Results: The study found that socio-economic factors like limited formal education, poor eco-nomic status, rural living, religious and cultural beliefs, gender inequalities, and inadequate enforcement of child marriage laws are key drivers of its continuation. Barriers to intervention effectiveness include duration, cultural and religious complexities. Conclusion: This research emphasises the critical need for targeted measures to combat child marriage in North-West Nigeria. Key recommendations include establishing legislation that improve girls' access to school, empowering girls through economic opportunities, and engaging religious and community leaders in advocacy activities. Further research is needed to determine the efficacy of comprehensive interventions that address the socio-cultural mechanisms that perpetuate child marriage while prioritising the holistic well-being of girls.
GHANAIAN WOMEN’S EXPERIENCES OF PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS
(2023) Unknown author
Background: The treatment and experiences expectant mothers go through during labour and delivery at healthcare centers in Ghana has come under scrutiny after various complains of bad experiences and poor quality of services from healthcare staff by pregnant women. This has a direct determination as to the extent to which Ghana can achieve the Sustainable Development Goals 3 (SDG 3) through Ghana’s Primary Health Care (PHC) delivery. Method: A literature review of various studies conducted relating to the experiences of pregnant women in labour and delivery conducted in Ghana was used. The method of study was a qualitative study. Fifteen papers comprising 5 quantitative and 10 qualitative research papers were identified based on the framework chosen for this research. The Rubin’s framework approach was adopted for the study. The experiences and quality of maternal healthcare delivery were assessed using the framework. Results: For the 15 reviewed there was a general conclusion of poor experience of maternal health delivery as well as poor quality of delivery in Ghana. Out of the 15, 8 papers concluded on bad experiences and 7 concluded on good experiences. The bad experiences included patients being spoken to harshly, discrimination based on socioeconomic status and threats of bad labour outcomes amongst others. In relation to quality of care which indicators include adequate pain relieve and environment including patient privacy issues. Only 2 papers sited good patient privacy all of which were hospitals located in urban centers. Conclusion: It was concluded that the experiences of mothers in labour and pregnancy in Ghana were bad in addition to poor quality maternal healthcare delivery by the Ghana Health Service.
Health System Response to the Prevention and Treatment of Breast Cancer among Nigerian Women- A Narrative Review
(2023-08-07) Unknown author
Background: Breast cancer remains a significant global health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as Nigeria. In the last four decades, the incidence and mortality of breast cancer has been on the rise in Nigeria. However, adequate prevention and management method it yet to be appropriately implemented. This narrative review aims to critically examine the health system response to the prevention and treatment of breast cancer in Nigeria, providing a comprehensive overview of existing literature and highlighting key gaps and areas for improvement. Methods: This study is a narrative review of the literature. Literature databases such as PUBMED, LIVIVO, MEDLINE, WHO African Index Medicus identify eligible literature. The articles were screened using Rayyan software, taking into consideration the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The quality of articles was assessed using the CASP tool, while only articles published from 2018 were selected. Result: Result from the 19 articles assess from this the review still shows the challenges have been face by the Nigerian health system. The findings show individual barriers from the people, inadequate health infrastructure, shortage and unskilled health workers and catastrophic financial burden faced by breast cancer patients. Conclusion: Addressing the prevention and treatment of breast cancer among Nigerian women requires a comprehensive approach that focuses on accessibility, financial burden, quality of care, and prevention strategies. By implementing these health system responses, Nigeria can make significant progress in reducing breast cancer-related morbidity and mortality, improving outcomes, and ensuring better overall health for women across the country.
IMPACT OF BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY ON CHILDHOOD MALNUTRITION IN NORTH-EAST NIGERIA
(2024-02) Unknown author
The Boko Haram insurgency has greatly impacted Northern Nigeria negatively, with children suffering a significant amount of health burden as a result, especially in terms of nutrition. Available evidence suggests that malnutrition is a major factor responsible for childhood morbidity and mortality. This dissertation critically explores the link between the Boko Haram insurgency and childhood malnutrition in Northeast Nigeria by thoroughly reviewing existing works of literature and analyzing thematically the prevalence of childhood malnutrition in Northeast Nigeria, the pathway between the Boko Haram insurgency and childhood malnutrition, and providing recommendations to curb the identified challenges. Findings confirm that there is a high prevalence of childhood malnutrition in Northeast Nigeria, and the prevalence is higher when compared to other parts of the country. Also, the presence of the Boko Haram conflict, the proximity, and the duration of the experience of conflicts were found to increase the chances of childhood malnutrition. Furthermore, the poor nutritional outcome of the children was closely linked to the disruption of agriculture, illiteracy and low health awareness, displacement, loss of livelihoods, and the destabilization of the health system, which are all consequences of the Boko Haram-caused insecurity. Maternal education, empowerment, and prioritization of children in nutritional interventions are among the recommended comprehensive approaches to solving the challenge. More importantly, a permanent end to the insurgency and improved governance are long-term solutions that could bring a substantial overall reduction of malnutrition of children in Northeast Nigeria.
IMPACT OF COVID 19 ON BLACK AND ETHNIC MINORITIES HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
(2023-03-31) Unknown author
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has affected millions of people worldwide and resulted in the deaths of millions. Evidence has shown that COVID-19 disproportionately affected people from the Black and Ethnic Minority (BAME)population. This paper presents an analysis of socio-economic factors that led to the inordinate impact of COVID-19 on BAME healthcare workers in the UK. It also looks at the relationship between culture, race, socioeconomic status to see if these impacted health outcomes for BAME Healthcare workers during the pandemic. Through a thorough review of relevant literature and databases, the papers look in great detail at factors that increased vulnerabilities of BAME Healthcare workers such as demographic, occupational factors, household factors/overcrowding, economic vulnerability/low-paying occupations, racism and discrimination, vaccine hesitancy and religiosity. The dissertation concludes with the findings that socio economic factors played a role in the impact of COVID-19 on BAME HCW. It goes on to recommend that the UK Government, organisations and policymakers should mitigate the vulnerabilities from future pandemics by tackling health inequalities and addressing socioeconomic factors. Investing in more research about the intersectionality of race, ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic status, and health outcomes would help to understand the relationship between them and how they impact different imdividuals.
INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON HEALTH SECURITY AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN SELECTED HIGH SCHOOLS IN EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND (11-16 YEARS)
(2024-02-12) Unknown author
Background: The influence of social media is considered a major security health challenge in the 21st century which if not properly addressed may lead to a significant collapse of the health system. In spite of extensive studies carried out on social media and health security, studies on the influence of social media on health security among adolescent in selected high schools in Edinburgh has received scanty attention. This study aims at determining the prevalence of social media usage among high school students in Edinburgh, Scotland. Methodology: The survey research design has been adopted while the positivist research philosophy was employed in the study. Data was collected using structured survey questions. The population of this study is made up of all school-aged students in Edinburgh, Scotland. The sample of the study is made up of 35 school-aged students who were selected from the study area using convenience sampling. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings: It was revealed that there is a low rate of parental guidance when it comes to the adoption of social media while the respondents did not agree that seeing the standards raised by others on social media leads to envy. The students also agreed that sharing information on social media can results to making students vulnerable. Conclusion: In conclusion, social media usage has a negative impact on the health security of high school students in Edinburgh, Scotland. Self-efficacy among learners’ rests on the quality of support that they get from their parents, teachers, and adults in their immediate society.
Investigating how and why antimicrobial resistance went from a known issue to a global health concern
(2024-08-05) Unknown author
Introduction Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health and development concern of the 21st century. The overuse and reliance on antimicrobials have led to the development of AMR globally. The current effective antimicrobials available on the clinical market are becoming a finite and limited resource. With a lack of new antimicrobials in development, the growing development of resistance to current antimicrobials, and the misuse and abuse of antimicrobials by doctors and the public, a global action plan has become a priority to tackle AMR. Methods A desk-based review of the literature was carried out to explore the process of how AMR become a global health concern (GHC), by examining the response to AMR at local, national, international and global levels, and the factors that drove AMR to a GHC. Results and findings The levels of response to AMR and the factors that influenced AMR becoming a GHC were identified and discussed. Factors that drove AMR to the global stage as a GHC were; globalisation; the growing population; increasing research; development costs to pharmaceutical companies; and the economic costs. The power dynamics that influenced these factors were discussed. Conclusion There are many factors that led to the World Health Organization declaring AMR a GHC. It is the combination of the globalisation of AMR; a growing population; increased public awareness of antimicrobials and AMR; increased research; the reduced number of new antimicrobials; and the economic cost which have driven AMR to the global stage as a GHC – resulting in the creation of global and national action plans. Identifying the factors that drove AMR to become a GHC may be useful when developing recommendations to improve the global response.
KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEFS REGARDING HEPATITIS B AMONG INDIVIDUALS IN NIGERIA
(2024-06-17) Unknown author
The high endemicity of the hepatitis B virus and its significant impact on the health systems make it an on-going public health concern in Nigeria. Surprising differences in vaccination and awareness between various population groups are revealed by epidemiological findings of HBV in Nigeria. These differences have a significant impact on the disease's management outcomes and dynamics of transmission. With regard to HBV prevention, the purpose of this literature review is to investigate Nigerian individuals' knowledge and belief regarding hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. The knowledge of HBV is covered by about 20 different studies, which were found through a variety The results showed that Nigerian healthcare personnel have a reasonable level of HBV knowledge, which may be explained by their access to health information and professional training. This population demonstrated a high degree of awareness about vaccination importance, preventive measures, and modes of transmission. In stark contrast, pregnant women and the general public have very little knowledge or awareness of HBV. This knowledge gap results from a lack of understanding of the methods used to prevent HBV, the critical role vaccination plays, and the routes of HBV transmission. In addition, certain cultural beliefs, limited availability of health education, and socioeconomic factors contributing to lower vaccination rates within these groups exacerbate the situation. The low vaccination rate among pregnant women, however, is the most concerning issue. And this can give room to future research. Education programs that are suited for both the general public and expectant mothers must be a priority in Nigerian efforts to strengthen HBV control. Increased knowledge and vaccination uptake could be achieved by utilizing mass media, incorporating HBV education into maternity and child health services, and establishing community-based programs to build awareness. As one might expect, a robust healthcare infrastructure depends critically on vaccine availability and accessibility.
MALNUTRITION IN GHANA: A SCOPING REVIEW
(2024-02-12) Unknown author
Malnutrition (under nutrition and over nutrition) remains a public health challenge in Ghana. Therefore, this paper uses scoping reviews to analyze the factors that influence malnutrition in Ghana. The scoping review took into consideration all classes of people—men, women, and children—in all ten (10) regions of Ghana. Publications were taken from 2002 to 2022. Databases used are Google Scholar, PubMed, and JSTOR. Zotero, a citation management software, was used to analyze all the publications necessary. After careful scrutiny using the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of twenty-one (21) publications were used. The result of this review showed that there are many factors that influence malnutrition in Ghana. These factors include social determinants like education, access to healthcare, income, and living conditions. It is observed that in Northern Ghana, there is a high prevalence of under nutrition, especially in children. In Greater Accra and urban settings, there is a high tendency for over nutrition in adults, men, and women. The health belief model was also used to shed more light on a personal level on how to deal with malnutrition in Ghana. In conclusion, the double burden of malnutrition in Ghana is a health issue that requires strategic actions that will be implemented by both individuals and the government.
NIGERIAN COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS’ PERSPECTIVES ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND FACTORS AFFECTING THEIR WELLBEING
(2024-07) Unknown author
Background: Universal Health Care (UHC), affordable, quality healthcare for the global population, is dependent on a Primary Health Care (PHC) approach and the availability of Human Resources for Health (HRH). Nigeria suffers high maternal and child mortality rates, as well as the low life expectancies. How far has she come in her efforts to achieve UHC? How are current PHC systems being managed? How is she ensuring the wellbeing of her frontline workers? Aim: To explore current management practices within the primary healthcare system and the wellbeing of frontline workers from the perspectives of Community Health Workers (CHWs), to better understand and document the realities at PHC level. Methods: This was a narrative qualitative study lending concepts from the phenomenological approach. Participants were selected using non-random sampling methods. Data was collected through one-on-one interviews with CHWs using a semi-structured interview guide. The ensuing data was analysed thematically and using rich, thick description. Findings: Despite several effort to strengthen the health system, there are still gross inadequacies partly due to mismanagement. And in a time of global HRH crisis, Nigeria is sitting on an untapped reserve of unemployed and under-employed health workers. Conclusion: The findings show that Nigeria is still far from achieving UHC. Better governance and stable political buy-in are necessary for sustainably strengthening the system. One possible solution towards building HRH could be to harness the potential of underutilised health workers.
Perception and Acceptance of Covid-19 Vaccine among Health Workers in Nigeria.
(2023) Unknown author
Introduction The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been substantial, prompting the exploration of various strategies to mitigate its transmission. Among these strategies, vaccination has emerged as a highly efficacious approach to curbing the spread of the virus. Vaccine hesitancy remains a noteworthy concern, particularly within the healthcare workforce. This narrative review aims to evaluate the perception and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines among healthcare professionals in Nigeria. Method A comprehensive analysis was undertaken to investigate the level of acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines among healthcare professionals in Nigeria, encompassing a range of studies published between February, 2020, and March 2023. The search used Google Scholar, PubMed and EBSCO host databases. The studies encompassed in the review were subjected to analysis in order to ascertain the factors that exert influence on vaccine acceptance and hesitancy. Results The available research collectively suggests that the rates of acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines among healthcare workers in Nigeria are generally high. However, there exist regional disparities in the acceptance rates of these vaccines. The review emphasises the significance of considering the specific circumstances of a given locality when formulating vaccination strategies, as well as comprehending healthcare professionals' perspectives regarding COVID- 19 vaccines. Several factors contribute to the acceptance of vaccines among healthcare workers, including their perception of the significance of vaccines in mitigating the transmission of COVID-19, their beliefs regarding vaccine safety, and their apprehensions regarding potential adverse effects. The acceptance of vaccines and healthcare providers is heavily influenced by the level of trust placed in them. Moreover, health workers' perceptions and acceptance of vaccines can be influenced by factors such as access to reliable information, the ability to address misinformation and misconceptions, and the influence of peers within the healthcare environment. Conclusion The narrative review emphasises the necessity of implementing focused interventions to mitigate vaccine hesitancy among Nigeria's healthcare professionals. When formulating vaccination strategies, policymakers and healthcare professionals must consider the regional disparities in vaccine acceptance rates. Additionally, efforts should be made to enhance the acceptance of vaccines among healthcare workers in Nigeria. Policymakers and healthcare professionals can effectively contribute to successfully controlling the COVID-19 pandemic in the country by implementing targeted interventions that address specific concerns and fostering trust and confidence in vaccines and healthcare providers. This approach aims to promote vaccine acceptance and uptake among the population.
Policy landscape to act on Vaping Among Adults: a comparative review between United Kingdom, United States and New Zealand.
(2024-08-05) Unknown author
This study examines vaping policy landscapes in the UK, the US, and New Zealand, focusing on the complexities and differences in their approaches. The UK prioritizes harm reduction and consumer safety, with 6.4% of young adults reporting vaping. The US grapples with fragmented policies and increasing vaping rates, which have reached 20% among young adults. New Zealand emphasizes evidence-based policies and preventive measures, with 11% of young adults vaping. The comparative review explores adopted policies, assesses the impact of regulations like non- taxation, advertising rules, and age limits on vaping prevalence and perceptions, and identifies unintended consequences. Using a case study approach, the study explores specific environments, regulations, and behaviors regarding vaping among adults in the selected countries. Search following PRISMA guidelines was conducted across prominent scientific databases and additional sources to comprehensively explore the existing body of research related to vaping up to 2024. Findings reveal that the UK's harm reduction strategy has effectively reduced smoking rates to 13.9% while maintaining low adult vaping prevalence at 6.4%. The US faces ongoing challenges due to regulatory inconsistencies and mixed evidence on vaping's role in smoking cessation, with smoking rates at 14% and vaping rates at 20% among young adults. New Zealand has successfully reduced smoking rates to 9.4% through integrated tobacco control strategies and evidence-based public health campaigns, although adult vaping remains a concern at 11% despite strict preventive measures. In conclusion, the study emphasizes the importance of cohesive, evidence-driven regulatory approaches that align public health goals with consumer access and industry innovation. Recommendations include adopting clear, consistent regulations, focusing on public health education, and ensuring that policies are adaptable to new evidence and emerging trends.