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Over the years, Ghana has made notable strides in adopting digital approaches to address societal challenges and meet demands. While the health sector, particularly the disease surveillance structure, has embraced digitization to enhance case detection, reporting, analysis, and information dissemination, critical aspects remain to be addressed. Although the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) structure has experienced remarkable growth in digitization, certain areas require further attention as was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ghana during the COVID-19 pandemic, recognized the importance of leveraging digital technologies to bolster the public health response. To this end, Ghana implemented various digital surveillance tools to combat the pandemic. These included the 'Surveillance Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System (SORMAS)', the digitalized health declaration form, ArcGIS Survey123, Talkwalker, 'Lightwave Health information Management System' (LHIMS), and the 'District Health Information Management System (DHIMS)'. These digital systems significantly contributed to the country's success in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. One key area where digital systems have proved invaluable is in the timely production of daily COVID-19 situational updates. This task would have been arduous and delayed if reliant solely on paper-based forms, which hinder efficient reporting to other levels within the health system. By adopting these digital systems, Ghana has been able to overcome such challenges and provide up-to-date information for making informed public health decisions. This paper attempts to provide an extensive description of the digital systems currently employed to enhance Ghana's paper-based disease surveillance system in the context of its response to COVID-19. The article explores the strengths and challenges or limitations associated with these digital systems for responding to outbreaks, offering valuable lessons that can be learned from their implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. There has been significant progress with regards to winning the fight against HIV globally, particularly due to the introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART). COVID-19 threatened to derail gains in the fight against HIV. As we have started to see with studies on COVID-19 and HIV, there is a need to "provide an in-depth view" in understanding the dynamics between the two epidemics, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. We, therefore, undertook a systemic review of existing literature to synthesize the effects of COVID-19 on the utilization of HIV services in sub-Saharan Africa, the literature on the risks associated with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic, and lastly, the innovations and strategies adopted to continue receiving treatment in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods. We conducted a systematic review of studies published between 2020 and April 2022. We searched for relevant sub-Saharan studies in the following databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, J-STOR, and Science Direct. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search identified 647 papers, and after screening, 41 were in line with the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Results. There was evidence of the negative effects of COVID-19 on reducing HIV testing, ART treatment, and HIV prevention services. There is evidence pointing to the need for people living with HIV to be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccinations. Innovations and strategies implemented to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on HIV services include community-based ART distribution, multi-month ART dispensing, the use of digital technologies, and the use of the already existing HIV infrastructure to fight COVID-19. Conclusion. It is still imperative that future studies explore the predictors of utilization of HIV services in the advent of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), for which there does not appear to be an approved cure, the primary treatment options consist of non-pharmacological preventive measures and supportive treatment that are aimed at halting the progression of the disease. Nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) presents a promising therapeutic opportunity to mitigate COVID-19-induced cytokine storm and reduce the risk of severe morbidity and mortality resulting from the disease. However, the effective clinical application of NFκB modulators in COVID-19 is hampered by a number of factors that must be taken into consideration. This paper therefore explored the modulation of the NFB pathway as a potential strategy to mitigate the severe morbidity and mortality caused by COVID-19. The paper also discusses the factors that form the barrier, and it offers potential solutions to the various limitations that may impede the clinical use of NFκB modulators against COVID-19. This paper revealed and identified three key potential solutions for the future clinical use of NFκB modulators against COVID-19. These solutions are pulmonary tissue-specific NFκB blockade, agents that target common regulatory proteins of both canonical and non-canonical NFκB pathways, and monitoring clinical indicators of hyper inflammation and cytokine storm in COVID-19 prior to using NFκB modulators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The knowledge, attitudes and practices of people during the coronavirus pandemic is pivotal to uptake of recommended preventative strategies. Objective. This paper describes the Malawian knowledge, attitudes and practices related to coronavirus and associated public health measures. Methods. This was a multi-site cross-sectional survey where data was collected through personal one-on-one interviews in nine Malawian districts over 3 weeks (5-25 October 2020). 521 participants (>18 years) were enrolled to answer a questionnaire. Results. We found that all respondents were aware of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic with the majority using the Radio. 75% of participants displayed knowledge of all key symptoms of coronavirus-disease (cough, fever and shortness of breath) and additionally, the majority of participants (97%) knew enough to take some sort of intervention (calling a hotline or visiting the nearest hospital) if they developed symptoms. Participants also demonstrated a high perception of risk of coronavirus, where >60% believed to be susceptible to the coronavirus under the current preventative measures and > 50% believed they would die from infection. Communities displayed a high perceived effectiveness of all preventative measures, with "hand hygiene using soap and water" being perceived as effective by the majority of respondents. Although the majority of the participants (>80%) were willing to self-isolate at home, various barriers to home-isolation were raised which would ultimately influence their ability to do so. Conclusion. Baseline community psychosocial and behavioral information which influence the adoption of public health measures in Malawi has been highlighted alongside recommendations for best practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Implementing decisive and effective infection prevention and control measures necessitates a thorough grasp of the general population's level of knowledge in order to identify existing gaps and react appropriately. Objective. The goal of this cross-sectional research was to assess public knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) about COVID-19 in Kankan Guinea, in order to better understand the socio-demographic factors that are associated with poor KAP. Materials and Methods. The study population consists of 1230 people who reside in five health districts in the Kankan region. An anonymous paper-based questionnaire, given face-toface by trained field agents, was used to gather data. Results. The research included 1230 Guineans in total. The bulk of respondents (60%) were familiar with COVID-19. Only 44% of respondents under the age of 29 had a clear understanding of COVID-19. Male participants knew more about COVID-19 than female ones (P=0.003). The majority of participants (82%) had negative attitudes toward COVID-19, while 61% reported positive practices linked to COVID-19 measures. In this research, being female was a risk factor for poor knowledge of COVID-19 (P0,001), and being single was a risk factor for negative attitudes toward COVID-19 (P=0,009). Conclusion. Appropriate measures should be taken to increase public awareness and improve general practice of preventive measures aimed at reducing the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: At first less impacted than the rest of the world, African countries, including Cameroon, are also facing the spread of COVID-19. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the spread of the COVID-19 in Cameroon, one of the most affected countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: We used the data from the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, reporting the number of confirmed cases and deaths, and analyzed the regularity of tests and confirmed cases and compared those numbers with neighboring countries. We tested different phenomenological models to model the early phase of the outbreak. Results: Since the first reported cases on the 7th of March, 18,662 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 as of the 24th of August, 186,243 tests have been performed, and 408 deaths have been recorded. New cases have been recorded only in 50% of the days since the first reported cases. There are considerable disparities in the reporting of daily cases, making it difficult to interpret these numbers and to model the evolution of the pandemic with the phenomenological models. Conclusion: Currently, following the finding from this study, it is challenging to predict the evolution of the pandemic and to make comparisons between countries as screening measures are so sparse. Monitoring should be performed regularly to provide a more accurate estimate of the situation and allocate healthcare resources more efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although globalization has been advantageous in facilitating the free movement of people, goods, and services, the ease of movement of cross-border pathogens has increased the risk of international public health emergencies in recent years. Risk communication is an integral part of every country's response during public health emergencies such as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. To effectively increase adherence to guidelines during health emergencies, it is essential to understand the impact of social, cultural, political, and environmental factors on people's behaviours and lifestyles in any given context, as well as how these factors influence people's perception of risks. During the recent response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, the need to comprehend these influences was pronounced, and these influences ultimately shaped risk communication in Nigeria. We have identified risk communication challenges in Nigeria based on sociocultural diversity, the complexity of the health system, the impact of social media on communications, and other contextual factors surrounding multisectoral partnerships. To achieve global health security, these challenges must be addressed in resourceconstrained countries like Nigeria. In this paper, we emphasize the need to contextualize risk communication strategies in order to improve their effectiveness during health emergencies. In addition, we urge increased country commitment to a multi-hazard and multisectoral effort, deliberate investment in subnational risk communication systems, and investments in capacity building for risk communication activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A paradigm change in patient health care toward telemedicine services was necessary in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which broke out at the end of 2019. Theories used in determining the determinants of telemedicine utilization are various theories. Research conducted on the use of telemedicine still has doubts about the basic theory used in analyzing the factors that influence telemedicine, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. The goal of this study is to outline the fundamental principles of telemedicine utilization during the Covid-19 outbreak and the variables that affect it. This Literature Review uses the scoping review method with the tool procedure, namely PRISMA. Based on the conducted literature review, there are 12 scholarly papers addressing the variables that affect the utilization of telemedicine services. During the Covid 19 epidemic, more individuals in many nations used telemedicine services. Anderson's theory of health care use and the idea of technology adoption or acceptance serve as the foundational theories for forecasting the variables that affect the use of telemedicine. The utilization of telemedicine is influenced by 29 different factors that come from different theories. The desire for health, exposure to COVID 19, co-morbidities, social media usage, avoiding contamination, time efficiency, ease of use of services, social impact, and hedonic incentive are among the factors associated to the COVID 19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the primary variables associated with the COVID-19 disease and to demonstrate how to evaluate the effect of the earlier consideration of the containment measure and the massive testing policy on controlling the spread of this pandemic. We introduced and analyzed, for the first time to our knowledge, a new variable referred to as the Gap, which was defined as the time between the appearance of the first case and the implementation of the containment measure. Methods: A correlation, linear, and nonlinear regression-based statistical analysis was conducted to determine the impact of numerous variables and factors on the spread of this pandemic. Results: 81.3% of the variability of total cases was explained by the variability of total tests, and 72.3% of the variability of total deaths was explained by the variability of total cases. In addition, we have constructed significant nonlinear models that explain 97.8% of the total cases' information and 89.4% of the total deaths' information as a function of the Gap variable. Furthermore, we have found no correlation between the total number of tests and the fatality rate. Conclusion. Consideration of earlier containment is an effective measure that enables the prevention of a catastrophic disease spread scenario. In addition, the massive testing policy has no effect on the fatality rate. However, the performance of tests is highly effective at detecting new cases earlier, before they infect a large number of individuals, and is also an effective method for controlling the spread of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been far reaching across almost every sphere of life. Families, which are the basic units of society, have not been spared the ravages of the pandemic. Changes in family daily routines as a result of COVID-19 can affect spousal relationships, parenting and childcare practices. However, the extent to which the pandemic has affected parenting practices and family relationships in Ghana is not known. The goal of this study was to assess how parenting practices and family relationships have been influenced during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana. Data for this paper was drawn from an online questionnaire response from 463 participants in Ghana as a subset analysis from a multi-country study on personal and family coping system with COVID-19 pandemic in the global south. The mean score for pre-COVID-19 relationship with partner (36.86) was higher (p<0.0001) than the mean score for during COVID-19 relationship with partner (35.32) indicating that COVID-19 has had negative influence on relationships. The mean score for pre-COVID-19 parenting (32.78) was higher (p<0.0001) compared to the mean score for during COVID-19 parenting (31.40) indicating negative influence on parenting. We have predicted that participants whose coping levels were "Well" on the average, are likely to be doing well in relationship with partners and parenting practices during the COVID-19 period. The challenging public health containment measures of the COVID-19 pandemic have negatively influenced the relationship between partners and parenting practices in Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the world battles the latest strain of the coronavirus known as COVID-19 characterized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), "infodemics" - an excessive amount of (mostly untrue) information about the pandemic that makes it difficult to discern essential information - has been identified by the health body as one of the major obstacles to be tackled to win the war against the raging pandemic. In a bid to control spread of the virus, the WHO published a guideline on Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) to COVID-19, noting these responses are vital for containment. The COVID-19 pandemic is testing and stretching health systems and their ability to effectively communicate with their populations. Failure to communicate accurate public health facts could lead to losses of trust, reputation, economy, and lives. This paper turns its searchlight on nongovernmental and community-based organizations (NGOs and CBOs) in Africa, and how they handle infodemics in an information environment battling not just a health pandemic, but a hoax pandemic too. Methods: The study employed mixed method, with data drawn from Africanbased NGOs and CBOs via online questionnaire and interviews against the backdrop of the Situational Theory of Publics. Findings reveal, based on what NGO/CBO survey respondents report their local clients think, that many at the grassroots still do not believe COVID-19 is real, while others view it as government's scheme to embezzle funds. NGO/CBOs therefore look to WHO and Health Ministries for accurate information. It concludes that RCCE with the public and atrisk populations help reduce confusion and builds trust in the public health guidance community members can take thereby restricting the disease spread as an outcome of the RCCE approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous pandemics have had significant impact on psychological well-being of front-line health care workers. Issues such as fear of contracting the disease, high workload as a result of high numbers of infected cases, increased job stress and unavailability of personal protective equipment have been implicated in development of psychological distress in this subset of individuals. The aim of the present paper is to describe psychobehavioral responses of health care workers and potential predictors of emotional response at onset of COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria. Cross-sectional web-based survey and 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7) were administered anonymously to 444 respondents comprising various categories of frontline healthcare workers. Stepwise multiple linear regression was used to determine predictors of anxiety scores. Participants were mostly young adults (mean age 38 years), females (57%), living with a partner (78.2%) and medical doctors (56.8%). Restrictions in clinical activities and use of hand sanitizers were commonest precautionary behaviors. Commonest emotional responses were anger and despair (27.0% and 25.7%), respectively. About 42.8% had clinically significant anxiety symptoms with highest burden among nurses. Perception of likelihood of 2nd wave (p=0.03), self-preparedness (p=0.04), gender (p=0.01) and cadre (p=0.02) were significant predictors of emotional response of anxiety. Study findings highlighted diverse psychological reactions of health care workers with a large proportion screening positive for significant anxiety symptoms. This has implications for planning a comprehensive psychosocial response to COVID-19 pandemic and for future pandemics among frontline health care workers in lowresource settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the years, Ghana has made notable strides in adopting digital approaches to address societal challenges and meet demands. While the health sector, particularly the disease surveillance structure, has embraced digitization to enhance case detection, reporting, analysis, and information dissemination, critical aspects remain to be addressed. Although the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) structure has experienced remarkable growth in digitization, certain areas require further attention as was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ghana during the COVID-19 pandemic, recognized the importance of leveraging digital technologies to bolster the public health response. To this end, Ghana implemented various digital surveillance tools to combat the pandemic. These included the ‘Surveillance Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System (SORMAS)’, the digitalized health declaration form, ArcGIS Survey123, Talkwalker, ‘Lightwave Health information Management System’ (LHIMS), and the ‘District Health Information Management System (DHIMS)’. These digital systems significantly contributed to the country's success in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. One key area where digital systems have proved invaluable is in the timely production of daily COVID-19 situational updates. This task would have been arduous and delayed if reliant solely on paper-based forms, which hinder efficient reporting to other levels within the health system. By adopting these digital systems, Ghana has been able to overcome such challenges and provide up-to-date information for making informed public health decisions. This paper attempts to provide an extensive description of the digital systems currently employed to enhance Ghana's paper-based disease surveillance system in the context of its response to COVID-19. The article explores the strengths and challenges or limitations associated with these digital systems for responding to outbreaks, offering valuable lessons that can be learned from their implementation.

The novel coronavirus COVID-19 has known a large spread over the globe threatening human health. Recommendations from WHO and specialists insist on testing on a mass scale. However, health systems do not have enough resources. The current process requires the isolation of testees in the hospitals' isolation rooms for several hours until the test results are revealed, limiting hospitals' capacities to test large numbers of cases. The aim of this paper was to estimate the impact of reducing the COVID-19 test time on controlling the pandemic spread, through increasing hospitals' capacities to test on a mass scale. First, a discrete-event simulation was used to model and simulate the COVID-19 testing process in Morocco. Second, a mathematical model was developed to demonstrate the effect of accurate identification of infected cases on controlling the disease's spread. Simulation results showed that hospitals' testing capacities could be increased six times if the test duration fell from 10 hours to 10 minutes. The reduction of test time would increase testing capacities, which help to identify all the infected cases. In contrast, the simulation results indicated that if the infected population is not accurately identified and no precautionary measures are taken, the virus will continue to spread until it reaches the total population. Reducing test time is a vital component of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is essential for the effective implementation of policies to contain the virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), for which there does not appear to be an approved cure, the primary treatment options consist of non-pharmacological preventive measures and supportive treatment that are aimed at halting the progression of the disease. Nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB) presents a promising therapeutic opportunity to mitigate COVID-19-induced cytokine storm and reduce the risk of severe morbidity and mortality resulting from the disease. However, the effective clinical application of NFkB modulators in COVID-19 is hampered by a number of factors that must be taken into consideration. This paper therefore explored the modulation of the NFB pathway as a potential strategy to mitigate the severe morbidity and mortality caused by COVID-19. The paper also discusses the factors that form the barrier, and it offers potential solutions to the various limitations that may impede the clinical use of NFkB modulators against COVID-19. This paper revealed and identified three key potential solutions for the future clinical use of NFkB modulators against COVID-19. These solutions are pulmonary tissue-specific NFkB blockade, agents that target common regulatory proteins of both canonical and non-canonical NFkB pathways, and monitoring clinical indicators of hyperinflammation and cytokine storm in COVID-19 prior to using NFkB modulators.

In 2021, Cameroon held approximately 26,300 inmates in 84 prisons. The Ministry of Justice manages health services in prisons. Conclusive data concerning health care in prisons are lacking. Herein, we present the results of an assessment of health care provision and delivery in 10 central prisons. We adopted mixed methods, including document review, observations, interviews with the Ministry of Justice and prison facility officials, and inmate focus group discussions (FGDs). The 6 building blocks of the World Health Organization's health system framework guided the data collection. Moreover, we collected data on imprisonment conditions. Ministerial authorisation and verbal informed consent were obtained for all activities. There were a total of 17,126 inmates, with the prison populations ranging from 353 inmates to 4,576 inmates. The majority of prisons were characterised by huge overcrowding (mean 301%). The 10 central prisons operated infirmaries with insufficient space and equipment. Compared with the civilian health sector, the numeric ratio of paramedical personnel/inmates was favourable (1:3.4 vs. 1:0.5 p. 1,000 pop, respectively). Recent admissions were screened for the coronavirus disease 2019, tuberculosis (TB), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Moreover, the inmates were diagnosed for current pathologies and lesions. For the treatment of chronic diseases and medical emergencies, the prison health services bridged service gaps on a case-by-case basis through informal arrangements with the civilian health sector. The service quality control was limited to those performed by the TB and HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome control programmes. Health data was collected and transmitted with a multitude of data collection tools, without standardisation and systematic verification. The primarily reported problems comprised the scarcity of resources and the absence of an effective oversight of resource management and service quality performance entailing governance problems. Participants in FDGs esteemed the quality of treatment as poor unless paid for in cash, and denounced severe difficulties for access to care outside the prisons when required. For meeting the standard minimum rules for the treatment of inmates, prison health care in Cameroon should fill the crucial gaps involving imprisonment conditions, access to health services, and accountability. Regarding chronic underfunding, intensifying collaboration with the civil health sector may partially address the problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spread of the COVID-19 disease to Africa has raised concerns around the resultant effects on the fragile and non-resilient health systems. Malawi reported its first COVID-19 cases in early April 2020 at the time of the country’s political turmoil, as the courts ruled for a re-run of presidential elections in July 2020 due to irregularities observed in the May 2019 elections. Therefore, assessing the implications of politics on the COVID-19 health systems preparedness is critical to design health systems strengthening efforts during the pandemic. We applied the WHO health systems framework to assess the implications of politics on the COVID-19 on the Malawi health systems preparedness. There was the population’s lack of trust in government hampering government efforts, which posed as a huge concern for Malawi to navigate through the pandemic including the health systems preparedness for the pandemic. This, coupled with mass demonstrations by the public disagreeing with the Lockdown and health service providers put across their COVID-19 related demands. The political environment and the trust people have in the government determines a country’s response to a pandemic. In a pandemic situation like COVID-19, the government’s ability to coordinate the various key stakeholders while instilling trust in people remain critical in strengthening health systems to contain and mitigate the pandemic. However, the Malawi political turmoil highlighted in this paper derailed the process and efforts to contain the and timely prepare the health systems to manage the pandemic whilst maintaining its core functions of delivering essential health services. Therefore, governments should consider the effects of political challenges in supporting a country’s health system to prepare for pandemics.

By May 30, 2022, there were 526,182,662 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 6,286,057 deaths globally; of which Nigeria had recorded 256,028 confirmed cases and 3143 deaths. By the same time, Nigeria had received a total of 93.9 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, enough to vaccinate 25% of the population; however, only 27.4 million people (13.3% of the population) had received at least one dose of the vaccine. This article examines available evidence on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Nigeria and makes recommendations for improving its uptake. Major causes of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy identified in Nigeria were concerns around vaccine efficacy and safety, disbelief in the existence and severity of the disease, and distrust of the government. To reduce COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and improve vaccine coverage in Nigeria, mapping vaccine acceptance and hesitancy across geographies and demographics is needed, as well as increased stakeholder communication, and effective community engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been significant progress with regards to winning the fight against HIV globally, particularly due to the introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART). COVID‑19 threatened to derail gains in the fight against HIV. As we have started to see with studies on COVID‑19 and HIV, there is a need to ‘provide an in‑depth view’ in understanding the dynamics between the two epidemics, especially in sub‑Saharan Africa. We, therefore, undertook a systemic review of existing literature to synthesize the effects of COVID‑19 on the utilization of HIV services in sub‑Saharan Africa, the literature on the risks associated with HIV during the COVID‑19 pandemic, and lastly, the innovations and strategies adopted to continue receiving treatment in sub‑Saharan Africa. We conducted a systematic review of studies published between 2020 and April 2022. We searched for relevant sub‑Saharan studies in the following databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, J‑STOR, and Science Direct. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‑Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search identified 647 papers, and after screening, 41 were in line with the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. There was evidence of the negative effects of COVID‑19 on reducing HIV testing, ART treatment, and HIV prevention services. There is evidence pointing to the need for people living with HIV to be prioritized for COVID‑19 vaccinations. Innovations and strategies implemented to mitigate the effects of COVID‑19 on HIV services include community‑based ART distribution, multi‑month ART dispensing, the use of digital technologies, and the use of the already existing HIV infrastructure to fight COVID‑19. It is still imperative that future studies explore the predictors of utilization of HIV services in the advent of COVID‑19.

Background. The knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of people during the coronavirus pandemic are pivotal to the uptake of recommended preventative strategies. Objective. This paper describes the Malawian KAP related to coronavirus and associated public health measures. Methods. This was a multi-site cross-sectional survey where data was collected through personal one-on-one interviews in nine Malawian districts over 3 weeks (5-25 October 2020). 521 participants (18 years) were enrolled to answer a questionnaire. Results. We found that all respondents were aware of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic with the majority using the Radio. 75% of participants displayed knowledge of all key symptoms of coronavirus disease (cough, fever, and shortness of breath) and additionally, the majority of participants (97%) knew enough to take some sort of intervention (calling a hotline or visiting the nearest hospital) if they developed symptoms. Participants also demonstrated a high perception of the risk of coronavirus, where 60% believed to be susceptible to the coronavirus under the current preventative measures, and 50% believed they would die from the infection. Communities displayed a high perceived effectiveness of all preventative measures, with “hand hygiene using soap and water” being perceived as effective by the majority of respondents. Although the majority of the participants (80%) were willing to self-isolate at home, various barriers to home isolation were raised which would ultimately influence their ability to do so. Conclusions. Baseline community psychosocial and behavioral information which influence the adoption of public health measures in Malawi has been highlighted alongside recommendations for best practices.

Background. Postpartum mothers' mental health has a significant role in mothers' well-being and child's growth and development. This issue is worsened during a pandemic when social restrictions are regulated, resulting in perceived stress, baby blues, postpartum depression, and other mental health issues. Objective. This study intends to investigate postpartum mothers' mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. This study's methodology is a scoping review using the prism-ScR checklist, the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool, and a population, exposure, outcome framework. It uses 4 databases: Pubmed, Willey, Proquest, and ScienceDirect; its inclusion criteria is original English articles that can be accessed in full text between 2020 and 2022. Results. Out of 190 publications, we found 7 that are pertinent to the research goals. Qualitative research, cross-sectional studies, and longitudinal studies make up the research. The mapping result includes 4 themes: the types of mental health problems experienced by postpartum moms during the Pandemic, risk and predictive factors, postpartum mothers' experiences, and the effects of mothers' mental health problems. Conclusion. After giving birth, most mothers experience stress, anxiety, and depression. Postpartum mental health concerns are influenced by isolation, social exclusion, and crises. The creation of a customized plan for early assistance for a woman's mental health requirements, as well as the establishment of an accessible mental health provider, including medical personnel and medical facilities, is advised for pregnant and postpartum women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Since it was first discovered, Covid-19 has spread throughout the world and has been declared a pandemic by the WHO. Various efforts have been made by many countries to prevent the spread of Covid-19, one of which is the development of the Covid-19 vaccine. One of the vaccines developed and used by the Indonesian government is the Sinovac vaccine. However, like vaccines in general, there are always vaccine safety problems which are better known as Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI). Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine the manifestations of AEFI that occurred in Sinovac vaccination participants at Wirasakti Hospital, Kupang. Materials and Methods. The number of samples taken were 51 people, who later became known as research subjects. The criteria for vaccine recipients and instructions for recording AEFIs refer to the technical guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health, namely the Decree of the Director General of Disease Prevention and Control Number HK.02.02 / 4/1/2021 Regarding Technical Instructions for Implementation of Vaccination in the Context of Combating Pandemic Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19). Result. Showed that out of 198 vaccination participants, 15 of them had AEFI and all of the participants who had AEFI were women. The manifestations of AEFI that occur are dizziness, palpitations, shortness of breath, cramps in the hands and trembling hands. All AEFIs that have occurred are non-serious in nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human existence is being challenged by an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2 that began in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Efforts to avoid the spread of COVID-19 are undermined by the appearance of disease-associated avoidance of infected persons due to reasons such as social stigma and discrimination. Objective: This study seeks to investigate avoidance and discrimination against persons suspected of COVID-19 to help fight the pandemic in a predominantly rural setting in Ghana. Materials and Methods: The study is a cross sectional survey. A random sample of 517 individuals drawn from a health and demographic surveillance system database was used for this study. Participants resided in six contiguous districts and municipalities of predominantly rural setting in the Bono East Region of Ghana. Results: The findings showed that majority (60%) of the respondents agreed that they won't have anything to do with someone suspected of COVID-19. However, 67% of them were willing to accommodate persons that recovered from the infection. The majority (91%) of respondents agreed that there is a need to adopt tolerant attitude towards persons who recovered from the infection, whilst another 98% also reported the need to show compassion towards persons who recovered from COVID-19. Conclusions: There is the need to pay special attention to avoidance of suspected infected persons due to stigma or any other reason since it is a threat to the fight against the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On March 22, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) pro- claimed the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS- CoV-2 or Covid-19), and the virus has had global impact, with significant mortality rates observed in high-income countries (HICs) in Europe and the United States (USA). Numerous low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have significant unmet healthcare demands, and citizens frequently experience the negative repercussions of their inadequate health care systems. Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa with an estimated 200 million inhabitants, is not an exception. With the lessons from the 2014 Ebola pandemic in West African states still vivid, procedures such as temperature checks at international airports and medical and travel history questionnaires were swiftly implemented beginning in early February 2020. Keywords: Covid-19, Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many sub-Saharan African patients receive clinical care from extramurally-supported research and surveillance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, pausing these activities reduces patient care, surveillance, and research staff employment, increasing pandemic losses. In Oyo State, Nigeria, we paused a multi-country invasive salmonellosis surveillance initiative and a rural clinical bacteriology project. Objective: Working with research partners raises health facility concerns about SARS-CoV-2 transmission risks and incurs infection prevention costs, so we developed and implemented re-opening plans to protect staff and patients and help health facilities deliver care. Methods: Our reopening plan included appointing safety and personal protective equipment (PPE) managers from existing project staff cadres, writing new standard operating procedures, implementing extensive assessed training, COVID-19 testing for staff, procuring and managing PPE, and providing secondary bacteraemia blood culture support for COVID-19 patients in State isolation facilities. Results: Surveillance data showed that the pandemic reduced care access and negatively affected patient unsupervised antibacterial use. The re-opening plan repurposed human and material resources from national and international extramurally-supported programs to mitigate these effects on public health. Conclusions: A structured reopening plan restarted care, surveillance, and infection prevention and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the primary variables associated with the COVID-19 disease and to demonstrate how to evaluate the effect of the earlier consideration of the containment measure and the massive testing policy on controlling the spread of this pandemic. We introduced and analyzed, for the first time to our knowledge, a new variable referred to as the Gap, which was defined as the time between the appearance of the first case and the implementation of the containment measure. Methods: A correlation, linear, and nonlinear regression-based statistical analysis was conducted to determine the impact of numerous variables and factors on the spread of this pandemic. Results: 81.3% of the variability of total cases was explained by the variability of total tests, and 72.3% of the variability of total deaths was explained by the variability of total cases. In addition, we have constructed significant nonlinear models that explain 97.8% of the total cases’ information and 89.4% of the total deaths’ information as a function of the Gap variable. Furthermore, we have found no correlation between the total number of tests and the fatality rate. Conclusion. Consideration of earlier containment is an effective measure that enables the prevention of a catastrophic disease spread scenario. In addition, the massive testing policy has no effect on the fatality rate. However, the performance of tests is highly effective at detecting new cases earlier, before they infect a large number of individuals, and is also an effective method for controlling the spread of this disease.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global public health threat that has spread rapidly and caused morbidity and mortality worldwide. Reducing the myths about infectious diseases is vital for controlling transmission. This study explored the level of misconceptions and associated factors of COVID-19 among internally displaced persons in Sudan. This study is a cross-sectional, descriptive design and community-based study. We collected the data using a self-administered questionnaire via the convenience sampling technique among internally displaced persons in the camps of Zalingei town in the central Darfur region of Sudan. The total mean score of the respondents' misconception was 3.1725 (SD=0.59) with 63.2%, indicating moderate misunderstanding of COVID-19. Multiple linear regression revealed the independent variables together had a significant impact on a misconception, F(14,116)=2.429, p<0.005. The regression model explains 22.7% of the variance in misunderstanding. Analysis of the influence of single factors on the dependent variable showed that people aged 31-40 years had significantly higher levels of misconception, 0.381 (t=2.116, p<0.037), than those aged over 60 years, and university graduates had considerably lower levels of misunderstanding, -0.061 (t=-2.091, p<0.03) than non-graduates. This study found a moderate level of misconception of COVID-19. Non-graduates had higher levels of misunderstanding than graduates. The results suggest that an education campaign should focus on people with low levels of education to correct their misconceptions regarding the prevention of COVID-19 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beside age, underlying comorbidities and availability of sanitation facilities, individual health beliefs and behaviour are critical in combating the sustained prevalence of Covid-19. Behaviour has, however, been shown to be consistent but could be context-dependent based on the individual's beliefs. To investigate whether or not individuals' protective behaviour against coronavirus is associated with their behaviour in a previous health context. Facemask usage and engagement in risky sexual behaviour (RSB) were employed as corollaries of Covid-19 protective behaviour and a previous health context respectively. Data on them and other sociodemographic correlates of health behaviour were collected on 522 Nigerians via a web-based survey. The data were analyzed using frequency, Chi Square and Binary Logistics Regression. About 31% of the population wore facemasks in public, 48.1% believed Covid existed and was severe, and 31.6% had engaged in RSB. Individuals who engaged in RSB had lower odds of wearing facemasks in public in both the general population and across the rural-urban divide. The relationship was, however, only statistically significant (OR:0.642, p<0.05) in the adjusted regression model. Other significant determinants of facemask use were gender, place of residence, employment status and beliefs about Covid. The similarity of individual beliefs and behaviours in different health contexts provides an opportunity to model behaviour change communication policies for preventing and combating the spread of coronavirus and other infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on COVID-19 has evolved and blended with fake news, which the public, unfortunately, has to make an individual decision on how to use. As a result, access to authentic and adequate health information on COVID-19 is crucial for curbing the ongoing pandemic. The study was aimed at identifying sources of information on COVID-19 commonly used by adult Nigerian residents; determine the adequacy of information received; determine the accessibility of information on COVID-19 among Nigerians, and explore the relationship between location and access to information. An adapted version of the World Health Organization's (WHO) COVID-19 behavioral insight questionnaire was used to collect data from 1,039 adult residents in Nigeria across the geopolitical zones through an online survey. Analysis was done using SPSS version 24. Logistic regression was used to examine if location predicts access to information. Social media was identified as the major source of information among Nigerians. The top three accessible sources included social media 807(77.7%), television 546 (52.6%), and WHO websites 340 (32.7%). It was also found that they perceived information received on COVID-19 as adequate. The logistic regression model of the location did not predict access to COVID-19 information (p<0.05; 95% CI). Health authorities like the WHO, the ministry of health, CDC should optimize social media for better health information coverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the world battles the latest strain of the coronavirus known as COVID-19 characterized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), “infodemics” – an excessive amount of (mostly untrue) information about the pandemic that makes it difficult to discern essential information – has been identified by the health body as one of the major obstacles to be tackled to win the war against the raging pandemic. In a bid to control spread of the virus, the WHO published a guideline on Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) to COVID-19, noting these responses are vital for containment. The COVID-19 pandemic is testing and stretching health systems and their ability to effectively communicate with their populations. Failure to communicate accurate public health facts could lead to losses of trust, reputation, economy, and lives. This paper turns its searchlight on nongovernmental and community-based organizations (NGOs and CBOs) in Africa, and how they handle infodemics in an information environment battling not just a health pandemic, but a hoax pandemic too. Methods: The study employed mixed method, with data drawn from Africanbased NGOs and CBOs via online questionnaire and interviews against the backdrop of the Situational Theory of Publics. Findings reveal, based on what NGO/CBO survey respondents report their local clients think, that many at the grassroots still do not believe COVID-19 is real, while others view it as government’s scheme to embezzle funds. NGO/CBOs therefore look to WHO and Health Ministries for accurate information. It concludes that RCCE with the public and atrisk populations help reduce confusion and builds trust in the public health guidance community members can take thereby restricting the disease spread as an outcome of the RCCE approach.

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been far reaching across almost every sphere of life. Families, which are the basic units of society, have not been spared the ravages of the pandemic. Changes in family daily routines as a result of COVID-19 can affect spousal relationships, parenting and childcare practices. However, the extent to which the pandemic has affected parenting practices and family relationships in Ghana is not known. The goal of this study was to assess how parenting practices and family relationships have been influenced during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana. Data for this paper was drawn from an online questionnaire response from 463 participants in Ghana as a subset analysis from a multi-country study on personal and family coping system with COVID-19 pandemic in the global south. The mean score for pre-COVID-19 relationship with partner (36.86) was higher (p0.0001) than the mean score for during COVID-19 relationship with partner (35.32) indicating that COVID-19 has had negative influence on relationships. The mean score for pre-COVID-19 parenting (32.78) was higher (p0.0001) compared to the mean score for during COVID-19 parenting (31.40) indicating negative influence on parenting. We have predicted that participants whose coping levels were “Well” on the average, are likely to be doing well in relationship with partners and parenting practices during the COVID-19 period The challenging public health containment measures of the COVID-19 pandemic have negatively influenced the relationship between partners and parenting practices in Ghana.

As COVID-19 vaccine acquisition and deployment accelerates, tensions also increase. This review aims to identify and understand the significance of population attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines in Africa. A systematic review was conducted. Searches were conducted in MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Global Health databases. Database searches began on June 23, 2021, and the last search date was June 30, 2021. The methodological quality of the studies included in this review was assessed using the Mixed methods appraisal tool. A total of 609 articles were retrieved, and 23 met the eligibility criteria. All 23 included studies were cross-sectional. Three attitudes were identified: acceptance, reluctance, and refusal to be vaccinated. Acceptance of vaccination was motivated by confidence in the accuracy of the government's response to COVID-19 and the fact that relatives had been diagnosed with or died from COVID-19. Reluctance was based on fear of vaccine quality and side effects, and insufficient clinical trials. Finally, refusal to be vaccinated was justified by reasons such as the unreliability of clinical trials and insufficient data regarding the vaccine's adverse effects. This review revealed common attitudes of African populations toward COVID-19 vaccines. The results indicate that research needs to focus more on identifying facilitators of COVID-19 vaccination. However, they also provide essential elements for health personnel in charge of vaccination to develop strategies to achieve satisfactory coverage rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Coronavirus pandemic has destabilized many healthcare systems globally since the outbreak was announced. The mode of transmission of the virus has affected the traditional face-to-face mode of seeking healthcare. The world health organization recommends measures, including limiting physical contact as a means of preventing the spread of the virus. Many countries across the world are utilizing telemedicine during this pandemic to provide basic healthcare to their citizens. The implementation of telemedicine in sub-Saharan Africa has encountered many challenges. The surge in the number of covid-19 cases in Ghana calls for drastic measures to contain the repercussions of the pandemic. The Government of Ghana and other private organizations continue to scale up efforts to integrate telemedicine into the mainstream healthcare system. This study seeks to explore and provide insight into the state of telemedicine in Ghana prior to and during the Coronavirus pandemic. This study is a narrative review of literature on the use of telemedicine in Ghana. Data was obtained from PubMed, Embase, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Google Scholar. A secondary search was conducted on government of Ghana health agencies' websites and other relevant websites that published information on telemedicine in Ghana. Literature was analysed and topically discussed based on identified themes. There is an improvement in the number of information and communication technology coordinated healthcare services in Ghana since the outbreak was confirmed. Public-private partnership is required to boost the integration of telemedicine into mainstream healthcare in Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Cameroon, COVID-19 infection spread rapidly and nationwide, with up to 721 deaths reported. To the best of our knowledge, no study reported the on-theground data using a large patients' dataset to give a comprehensive knowledge on COVID-19 pandemic in Cameroon. The objective of this study was to shade lights on the epidemiological, virological and clinical features of COVID-19 in the Cameroonian context. An observational study was conducted among symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals tested for SARS-CoV-2 by PCR on nasopharyngeal samples from April 22nd, 2020 to January 5th, 2021. Out of 14119 individuals (59.8% male), overall SARS-CoV-2 positivity was 12.7% (from 7.9% in <10 years to 17.3% in >60 years, p<0.001). The positivity rate of symptomatic individuals was 36.1% versus 9.8% among asymptomatic ones, p<0.001. Age group =10 [aOR (95%CI): 0.515 (0.338-0.784), p=0.002] and being symptomatic [aOR (95% CI): 5.108 (4.521-5.771), p<0.001] were predictors of SARS-CoV-2 positivity. Regarding PCR Cycle Threshold (CT), 53.8% of positive individuals had a CT <30. According to age, compared to older individuals, those aged 21-40 years showed a higher proportion with high viraemia (CT<20; 21.3% versus 12.5% respectively, p=0.003). Similarly, symptomatic individuals showed a higher proportion with high viraemia (22.4%), when compared to asymptomatic (13.9%); p<0.001. During this first wave of the pandemic, overall SARS-CoV-2 positivity remained high (>10%) and was associated with the presence of symptoms and older age. Most of the infection is among young and asymptomatic individuals, suggesting the "track-and-test" strategy should target these potential transmitters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 is affecting different countries and populations unequally. In this sense, sub-Saharan countries represent a particularly vulnerable context due to their unique demographic and health circumstances. A holistic approach to Covid-19 is urged, one that considers the social-cultural contexts of people's lives. Using Social Determinants of Health (SDH) as framework, we explore which variables could explain the differences in health practices regarding the prevention of COVID-19 in Chad, in order to propose recommendations that allow communities to better face future health crises. The study was designed as a cross-sectional survey conducted in N'Djamena, Chad, using a convenience sampling technique that included 2,330 participants. A regression model was fitted to assess the relationship between educational level, gender, and health practices regarding COVID-19. 2,269 participants completed the survey successfully. Participants mean age was 31.04, 61.52% were male, and 40.55% had precarious jobs. 21.38% of participants answered right all questions regarding knowledge and 37.19% followed all preventive measures. Findings show that safe practices regarding COVID-19 depend on right knowledge. Gender influences knowledge mainly through its influence on education. Vulnerability is given by women's reduced access to education. The SDH approach provide with an exploratory explanation and some recommendations aimed at local authorities. Access to education for all men and women must be improved to increase health practices and better deal with future health crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The novel coronavirus COVID-19 has known a large spread over the globe threatening human health. Recommendations from WHO and specialists insist on testing on a mass scale. However, health systems do not have enough resources. The current process requires the isolation of testees in the hospitals’ isolation rooms for several hours until the test results are revealed, limiting hospitals’ capacities to test large numbers of cases. The aim of this paper was to estimate the impact of reducing the COVID-19 test time on controlling the pandemic spread, through increasing hospitals’ capacities to test on a mass scale. First, a discrete-event simulation was used to model and simulate the COVID-19 testing process in Morocco. Second, a mathematical model was developed to demonstrate the effect of accurate identification of infected cases on controlling the disease’s spread. Simulation results showed that hospitals’ testing capacities could be increased six times if the test duration fell from 10 hours to 10 minutes. The reduction of test time would increase testing capacities, which help to identify all the infected cases. In contrast, the simulation results indicated that if the infected population is not accurately identified and no precautionary measures are taken, the virus will continue to spread until it reaches the total population. Reducing test time is a vital component of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is essential for the effective implementation of policies to contain the virus.

COVID-19 is a newly discovered global pandemic that affected almost all countries, including Jordan. Knowledge, attitude and practices are fundamental to suppress the spread of the virus. This study aimed to examine knowledge, attitude and practices about COVID-19 in Jordan. A cross-sectional design was used to recruit a convenience sample of public from Jordan. An online instrument used to assess knowledge, attitude and practices about COVID-19, and was developed by the research team. The data were collected online through social media networks in Jordan. The data were collected during May 2020. 2470 participants participated and completed the study questionnaire. Results indicated good knowledge, practice, and attitude, about COVID-19 among the public in Jordan. Linear regression showed that female, aged 40 years or more, married, with Bachelor degree or higher, employed, and participants believe that Jordan will control COVID-19 had higher knowledge compared to their counterparts. Besides, linear regression showed that female, living in Amman city, with high knowledge about COVID-19, and believing that Jordan will control COVID-19 had higher practice compared to their counterparts. Knowledge, attitude and practices levels regarding COVID-19 among Jordanian population during the pandemic were high. However, health authorities and government have to implement and maintain educational programs to enhance the Jordanian population's awareness regarding COVID-19 and to prevent its spread specially among male, aged less than 40 years, unmarried, with less than Bachelor degree, unemployed, and for participants believe that Jordan will not control COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]