olayinka ilesanmi

The foot and ankle complex is crucial in stability, propulsion, and musculoskeletal interactions. Optimizing orthotic interventions in this anatomical region is essential to improve motor outcomes. This systematic review investigates the impact of foot orthoses (FOs) with sensorimotor bars on gait, postural control, and muscle activity in healthy individuals and those with musculoskeletal disorders. 

We conducted an electronic search in January 2024 using the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. The article identification, screening, and selection followed the PISMA (the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis) guidelines. We conducted the quality assessment using the PEDro (the physiotherapy evidence database) checklist. Data extraction and synthesis were performed using the Cochrane handbook for systematic review of interventions.

FOs with sensorimotor bars can increase foot external rotation, dorsiflexion, and abduction while decreasing foot eversion. Additionally, they can reduce anteroposterior displacement of the hip, shoulder, and head. Furthermore, significant improvements have been observed in spatiotemporal parameters such as walking speed, stride length, stance time, swing time, and kinetic parameters such as plantar pressure. These orthoses can also impact clinical tasks and decrease center-of-pressure movements.

Sensorimotor bars have demonstrated beneficial effects on gait (kinematic, kinetic, and spatial-temporal measures), balance control (clinical performance and center of pressure displacement measures), and muscle activity recording.

The African continent is a known malaria-endemic region. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19/malaria co-infection is of critical importance in Africa due to the similarities in the manifestation of their symptoms. To avert compromising the health status of individuals on the African continent during the COVID-19 pandemic, this commentary sought to examine the link between COVID-19 and malaria, outlining strategies for improving the diagnosis and prevention of COVID-19 and malaria in Africa. A scale-up of malaria-focused care should be considered to ensure adequate reporting of COVID-19 cases in Africa. Likewise, individuals who present for malarial testing should be linked to COVID-19 testing and treatment care in Africa. Also, surveillance activities should be scaled up to ensure accurate COVID-19 case reporting and improved case notification. Regular refresher trainings should be organized for healthcare workers to promote healthcare service delivery.

COVID-19 is a novel infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). This study was a descriptive analysis of COVID-19 during the first and second waves in Kwara State, North-Central Nigeria. This study investigated COVID-19 cases and deaths in Kwara State between 2nd April 2020 when Kwara State recorded her index case till the 15th of September 2020 (first wave), and between 16th September 2020 till 15th March 2021 (second wave). Case definitions of COVID-19 as obtained from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) was used. Data were extracted from the case notes of patients and the Surveillance Outbreak Response Management System, and on-site activities engaged in by the field investigation team were duly captured. Overall, 3015 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Kwara State as of 15th March 2021. The median age was 38 years and ranged between 24 days to 97 years. Also, 1056 (35%) were aged 25 – 39 years, 1695 (56.2%) were males. The case fatality rate was less than 2%. A total of 1064 (35.3%) symptomatic COVID-19 cases had been identified as of the reference date, among whom 696 (65.4%) were mild, 308 (28.9%) were moderate, and 60 (5.6%) were severe/critical cases. COVID-19 remains a public health problem. A scale-up of COVID-19 surveillance activities should be conducted by the Ministry of Health through active case search and regular refresher training for volunteers. In addition, active community engagement should be prioritized by stakeholders in the national COVID-19 outbreak response.

The spread of Lassa Fever (LF) cases across international borders call for cross-board management and collaboration. This case report describes a laboratory-confirmed index case of LF in Kwara state, Nigeria. The case of LF in Kwara state was a 30-year-old woman who presented with a history of fever, headache, and abdominal pain and had been treated for malaria. On 13th February 2020, the Kwara State Ministry of Health was notified of a suspected case of LF. The case visited health facilities in Kwara state, Nigeria, and the Republic of Benin during her illness. Blood samples were obtained from her, and she was confirmed a positive LF case in the Republic of Benin. Although LF diagnosis is challenging, multisectoral collaboration and effective community engagement within the framework of the International Health Regulations is required to control the LF outbreak promptly.

Lassa fever (LF) is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease endemic in Ondo State, Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with mortality among confirmed LF cases.

A cross sectional study design was used by conducting a retrospective review of the records of all patients who had been treated for LF at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo since 2017 till March 2019. Descriptive statistics were done, case fatality rate was calculated. Chi square tests were used to explore associations. Logistic regression was used to identify the predictors of death. Data were analysed with SPSS version 23.0. P values ≤0.05 were statistically significant.

The median age was 34 years, and the inter-quartile range was 24-48 years. A total of 30 deaths (case fatality rate [CFR] = 10.9%) were recorded, of which 24 (15.5%) were males. Also, the fatality rate increased from 1.6% in 2017 to 10.5% in 2018 and 16.7% in 2019. During peak period, mortality recorded was 15(8.5%) and non-peak periods (April to December), 14(14.9%) was recorded (p=0.104). Fatality was 12.5% (1 out of 8) among pregnant women with 100% foetal death. Patients aged 18-45 years had 0.25 odds of dying (AOR = 0.25; 95%CI= 0.08, 0.76) compared to those aged ≥ 46 years. Those who commenced ribavirin ≥7 days (AOR 4.1; CI = 1.06, 15.42) and those with elevated urea level (AOR 7.5; CI = 2.5, 23.1) have more odds of dying.

A well-coordinated LF outbreak response is needed both at LF peak non-peak periods.

Many COVID-19 cases and deaths have been reported from the United States (US). This study aimed to assess the health system inequalities as a determinant of COVID-19 case morbidity and mortality in the US. This study collected data on US COVID-19 cases and deaths as of the 27th of January 2021 from the Worldometer and COVID-19 Community Vulnerability Index. The strength of association between the social vulnerability index (SVI), total COVID-19 deaths and tests, and regional population in the US were determined using Pearson’s correlation. P values < 0.05 were statistically significant. New York has the highest SVI (0.94) in the North-Eastern region and the highest percentage of non-Whites. California has the highest SVI (0.90) in the Western region and the highest proportion of Asians. In the mid-Western region of the US, Illinois has the highest SVI (0.88) and the highest proportion of African Americans and Asians. North Carolina has the highest SVI of (1.00) in the Southern region and the highest proportion of African Americans. A strong positive correlation exists between the SVI and total COVID-19 tests (P = 0.001) in the North-eastern and Southern regions (P = 0.025). In addition, a positive correlation (P < 0.039) exists between SVI and the total population in the Western and mid-Western regions (P < 0.003). Multi-sectoral collaboration should be encouraged to promote equity in accessing COVID-19 healthcare in the US, especially in States with high COVID-19 SVI.

The health of healthcare workers (HCWs) is an indicator of the quality of health service provision during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to describe the symptomatology and positivity of COVID-19 infection and the type of COVID-19 care received among HCWs in a North-Central State in Nigeria. This was a retrospective review of HCWs tested for COVID-19 as retrieved from the Surveillance Outbreak Response Management System between April 2020 and March 2021 in Kwara State, Nigeria. Among the 1453 HCWs, 831 (57.2%) were above 35 years and, 874 (60.2%) were females. Among the 259 HCWs who tested positive for COVID-19, 122 (23.8%) lived in urban areas (χ2 = 13.94, P ≤ 0.001). Also, 83 (30.7%) of symptomatic persons tested positive for COVID-19 (χ 2 = 37.766, P ≤ 0.001). Overall, 33 (12.7%) of the 259 positive HCWs received hospital-based COVID-19 care, and 33 (16.1%) who had less than 2 symptoms received hospital-based COVID-19 care (χ2 = 9.962, P = 0.002). HCWs who had cough had three times odds of testing positive for COVID-19 (OR = 3.299, 95% CI = 1.571–6.927, P = 0.002). Also, HCWs who manifested loss of taste had three times odds of testing positive for COVID-19 (OR = 3.392, 95% CI = 1.010–11.393, P = 0.048). COVID-19 testing should be encouraged among HCWs, especially those with cough symptoms and loss of taste.

COVID-19 diagnostic testing and research substantially depend on high-quality COVID-19 specimens, for which biobanks are an important repository. This systematic review aimed to highlight the considerations for maintaining safety in biobanks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A systematic review of literature was conducted using the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The literature search was conducted across Google Scholar, PubMed, and Directory of Open Access Journal because of their high indexation on many journals. Pre-defined search terms were used in the literature search. Overall, 7,184 articles were retrieved, and 2,054 duplicates among them were removed. After screening for eligibility using pre-defined criteria, 12 articles were included in the review.

Challenges faced by biobanks amid the COVID-19 pandemic include poor handling of COVID-19 specimens, poor sample collection, and sample contamination due to unclarified standard operating procedures. Strategies such as developing a framework for governing and monitoring the export of biological samples should be employed to overcome dangers eminent in the collection of biological samples. Total adherence to standard operating procedures should be ensured to maintain safety in COVID-19 samples collection, handling, and storage modalities. A deficit in material supply should be promptly addressed.

Compliance with issued guidelines should be ensured by the management and staff of COVID-19 biobanks.

This study aimed to determine community-initiated Lassa fever prevention and control strategies in Africa.

Literature search was performed on four databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, African Journal OnLine (AJOL), and BioMed Central, using different combinations of the following search terms. A three-stage methodology was employed to conduct the study. At first, related articles were identified using pre-defined key terms, such as Lassa fever, Lassa fever control, Lassa fever prevention, community engagement and Lassa fever, and community participation and Lassa fever. Thereafter, articles were screened to remove duplicates and articles not relevant to the study objectives.

Community mobilization and sensitization and risk communication were some of the community-directed activities towards Lassa fever prevention and control. Also, stakeholders’ advocacy and engagement, rodent control practices, environmental sanitation, and proper food processing and preservation were practiced to prevent Lassa fever. In addition, a referral mechanism from the community to the health facility was constituted through the engagement of community health workers.

Health program managers should strive to provoke coordinated and sustainable community-initiated efforts to improve rodent preventive and control measures. Strategies should be developed and implemented to promote environmental sanitation and restrict cultural practices facilitating contact with rodents or infected persons.

Community pharmacists(CPs) are key providers of basic healthcare in communities, and barriers that may hinder enormous results in their role during the COVID-19 pandemic should be addressed. We conducted training on the strategies for strengthening the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)among CPs.

Participants were 31 CPs in Ilorin, Kwara State. A quasi-experimental, before-and-after study was carried out. Data were captured using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire had three sections; the frst contained sociodemographic characteristics such as sex, age, and years of practice. The second section contained eight questions used to assess the knowledge of the respondents, each was assigned a score of “1” and the total obtainable score was “8”. The third section identifed the role of CPs in the prevention of COVID-19.

The mean age of the 31 CPs who participated in the training was 49.5 ± 13.7 years, and18 (58.1%) were males. The mean pre-test IPC training score was 4.968±1.329, while the meanpost-test IPC training score was 5.323±1.077, (t=-1.611, p=0.118). All respondents identifed that CPs had roles in the prevention of COVID-19. Among them, 27 (87.1%) identifed community health awareness campaigns as their main role in the prevention of COVID-19. Regarding years of practice, 6 (35.3%) respondents with less than 20 years had COVID-19 IPC knowledge gain compared to 10 (71.4%) others with more than 20 and above years of practice (P=0.04).

The training achieved its short-term objective. There is a need to for supervisory visits on the CPs at their place of practice to ensure knowledge acquired is put to the best use.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has triggered an increased demand for health services. Public health facilities are becoming increasingly inadequate to provide care for the increasing COVID-19 cases. Therefore, positioning the private health facilities (PHFs) to contribute to the COVID-19 outbreak response is highly required. To position PHFs for an improved COVID-19 outbreak response, guidelines that provide clarity on the role of PHF in the COVID-19 outbreak response need to be developed. Specific regulations should be tailored towards the government acting as a financial risk protector for PHF. Also, equity in the distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) across the public and PHF from the Federal Government should be ensured. Moreover, subsidies should be provided on PPE, including goggles, hand sanitizers, and face masks. Furthermore, the purchase of PPE could be made by PHF on a large scale at subsidized costs via the PHF professional bodies and associations. Moreover, a comprehensive assessment of the human and infrastructural capacity of PHF needs to be conducted regarding the COVID-19 response. Results obtained from such assessment would inform on the existing human resources needs of the private sector and opportunities by which PHF’s capacity could be enhanced. In addition, assessing the extent of representativeness of PHF in the existing rapid response team needs to be conducted. All challenges delimiting the active involvement of the PHF should be addressed. Additionally, adequate support systems need to be developed and well-placed to promote the involvement of the PHF in the outbreak response.

Lassa fever is an acute, virulent viral haemorrhagic illness with high morbidity and mortality rates. Its awareness remain low in sub urban or rural community. This study was carried out to assess the awareness of Lassa fever of a rural community in the south western part of Nigeria. A descriptive cross sectional study of 122 respondents prior to a sensitization seminar on Lassa fever was carried out at Ijebu – Owo, Owo in Ondo State. Interviewer guided questionnaire was used to collect information and analysed with SPSS version 21. Descriptive statistics were done and frequencies and proportions were used to summarize variables of interest. Association between socio-demographic characteristics and awareness were explored using chi square. Level of significance was set at 5%. The mean age of the respondents was 54.5±19.2years. Of the 122 respondents, 50.8% were males, three out of four (73.8%) were married, and 87.7% had secondary education and below. Those who had previously heard about Lassa fever were 17.2%. In all 7(46.7%) who had tertiary education had previously heard about Lassa fever compared to 14(13.1%) respondents who had secondary education and below (p=0.001). The study showed that there was poor awareness of Lassa fever among members of the community. Thus efforts should be made to increase the awareness of the populace through health campaigns, and to reduce the spread of both the vector and the virus.