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Kipterer JK, Touray K, Godwin AU, Cisse A, Aimee BNM, Busisiwe N, Derrick CYD, Henry GH, Modjirom N, Seaman V, Ahmed J. Geographic information system and information visualization capacity building: Successful polio eradication and current and future challenges in the COVID-19 era for the World Health Organization's African region. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0307001. [PMID: 39146252 PMCID: PMC11326561 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0307001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite a half-century-long global eradication effort, polio continues to have a devastating impact on individuals and communities worldwide, especially in low-income countries affected by conflict or geographic barriers to immunization programs. In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) employs disease surveillance and vaccination campaigns coordinated through the WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) Geographic Information System (GIS) Centre. Established in 2017, the AFRO GIS Centre played a key role in the eradication of wild-type polioviruses (WPVs) in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic, emergence of circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses, and transmission of WPV1 from Central Asia have led to a resurgence of polio in Sub-Saharan Africa. The AFRO GIS comprises a set of mobile device or cloud-based tools for geospatial data collection, analysis, and visualization. Using tools such as Auto-Visual Acute Flaccid Paralysis Detection and Reporting, electronic surveillance, and Integrated Supportive Supervision, GIS personnel collect polio case numbers and locations, track field worker activities, follow the movements of nomadic populations vulnerable to polio and other diseases, and determine needs for further healthcare deployments. The system is location specific and operates in real time, enabling the AFRO GIS to promptly target its responses to polio, COVID-19, Ebola virus disease, and other public health crises and natural disasters. The present review describes the components of the AFRO GIS and how the AFRO GIS Centre coordinated on-the-ground polio eradication efforts to help secure Africa's certification as WPV free. It also examines current and prospective challenges regarding other disease outbreaks in the COVID-19 era and how the AFRO GIS Centre is addressing these ongoing public health needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Kapoi Kipterer
- World Health Organization-Regional Office for Africa, Cité du Djoué, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
| | - Kebba Touray
- World Health Organization-Regional Office for Africa, Cité du Djoué, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
| | - Akpan Ubong Godwin
- World Health Organization-Regional Office for Africa, Cité du Djoué, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
| | - Aboubakar Cisse
- World Health Organization-Regional Office for Africa, Cité du Djoué, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
| | - Babona Nshuti Marie Aimee
- World Health Organization-Regional Office for Africa, Cité du Djoué, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
| | - Ngobe Busisiwe
- World Health Organization-Regional Office for Africa, Cité du Djoué, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
| | | | - Green Hugh Henry
- World Health Organization-Regional Office for Africa, Cité du Djoué, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
| | - Ndoutabe Modjirom
- World Health Organization-Regional Office for Africa, Cité du Djoué, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
| | - Vince Seaman
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Jamal Ahmed
- World Health Organization-Regional Office for Africa, Cité du Djoué, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo
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Jama NA, Nyembezi A, Ngcobo S, Lehmann U. Collaboration between traditional health practitioners and biomedical health practitioners: Scoping review. Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med 2024; 16:e1-e11. [PMID: 39099280 PMCID: PMC11304181 DOI: 10.4102/phcfm.v16i1.4430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Collaboration between traditional health practitioners (THPs) and biomedical health practitioners (BHPs) is highly recommended in catering for pluralistic healthcare users. Little is known about bidirectional collaborations at healthcare service provision level. AIM To map global evidence on collaboration attempts between THPs and BHPs between January 1978 and August 2023. METHOD We followed the Arksey and O'Malley framework in conducting this scoping review. Two reviewers independently screened articles for eligibility. A descriptive numerical and content analysis was performed on ATLAS.ti 22. A narrative summary of the findings was reported using the PRISMAScR guideline. RESULTS Of the 8404 screened studies, 10 studies from 12 articles were included in the final review. Studies came from America (n = 5), Africa (n = 2), China (n = 2) and New Zealand (n = 1). Eight studies reported case studies of bidirectional collaboration programmes, while two studies reported on experimental research. All collaborations occurred within biomedical healthcare facilities. Collaboration often entailed activities such as relationship building, training of all practitioners, coordinated meetings, cross-referrals, treatment plan discussions and joint health promotion activities. CONCLUSION This study confirmed that practitioner-level collaborations within healthcare are few and sparse. More work is needed to move policy on integration of the two systems into implementation. There is a need to conduct more research and document emerging collaborations.Contribution: This research illuminates the contextual challenges associated with sustaining collaborations. The data would be important in informing areas that need strengthening in the work towards integration of THPs and BHPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngcwalisa A Jama
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town.
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Babona Nshuti MA, Touray K, Muluh TJ, Ubong GA, Ngofa RO, Mohammed BI, Roselyne I, Oviaesu D, Bakata EMO, Lau F, Kipterer J, Green HHW, Seaman V, Ahmed JA, Ndoutabe M. Development of a Consolidated Health Facility Masterlist Using Data From Polio Electronic Surveillance in the World Health Organization African Region. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2024; 10:e54250. [PMID: 38904997 PMCID: PMC11226925 DOI: 10.2196/54250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Geospatial data reporting from surveillance and immunization efforts is a key aspect of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Polio Eradication Initiative in Africa. These activities are coordinated through the WHO Regional Office for Africa Geographic Information Systems Centre. To ensure the accuracy of field-collected data, the WHO Regional Office for Africa Geographic Information Systems Centre has developed mobile phone apps such as electronic surveillance (eSURV) and integrated supportive supervision (ISS) geospatial data collection programs. While eSURV and ISS have played a vital role in efforts to eradicate polio and control other communicable diseases in Africa, disease surveillance efforts have been hampered by incomplete and inaccurate listings of health care sites throughout the continent. To address this shortcoming, data compiled from eSURV and ISS are being used to develop, update, and validate a Health Facility master list for the WHO African region that contains comprehensive listings of the names, locations, and types of health facilities in each member state. The WHO and Ministry of Health field officers are responsible for documenting and transmitting the relevant geospatial location information regarding health facilities and traditional medicine sites using the eSURV and ISS form; this information is then used to update the Health Facility master list and is also made available to national ministries of health to update their respective health facility lists. This consolidation of health facility information into a single registry is expected to improve disease surveillance and facilitate epidemiologic research for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, as well as aid public health efforts directed at other diseases across the African continent. This review examines active surveillance using eSURV at the district, country, and regional levels, highlighting its role in supporting polio surveillance and immunization efforts, as well as its potential to serve as a fundamental basis for broader public health initiatives and research throughout Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kebba Touray
- World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo
| | | | - Godwin Akpan Ubong
- World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo
| | - Reuben Opara Ngofa
- World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo
| | - Bello Isa Mohammed
- World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo
| | - Ishimwe Roselyne
- World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo
| | - David Oviaesu
- World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo
| | | | - Fiona Lau
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - John Kipterer
- World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo
| | - Hugh Henry W Green
- World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo
| | - Vincent Seaman
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Jamal A Ahmed
- World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo
| | - Modjirom Ndoutabe
- World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo
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Mensah ABB, Asuo SB, Mensah KB, Okyere J, Kulasingam S, Virnig B, Clegg-Lamptey JN. Utilisation of traditional medicine among women diagnosed with breast cancer in Ghana: a descriptive phenomenological study. BMC Complement Med Ther 2024; 24:50. [PMID: 38254083 PMCID: PMC10804505 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-024-04364-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women living with breast cancer (BC) rely on traditional medicine (TM) in addition to orthodox medicine. There is a need to understand how and why women diagnosed with BC utilise TM. This study explored and described the lived experiences of women living with BC in terms of their utilisation of traditional medicine. METHODS A descriptive phenomenology design was used to purposively conduct 20 face-to-face in-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide. Data were analysed using NVivo-12 based on Collaizzi's framework for thematic data analysis. RESULTS Overall, five main themes emerged, namely: sources of knowledge on TM, motivations for using TM, treatment modalities, timing for the initiation of TM, the reasons for discontinuing use of TM, and the decision to seek orthodox medicine. Under the category of motivations for using TM, four themes emerged: financial difficulties and perceived cost effectiveness of TM, influence of social networks, including family and friends, assurance of non-invasive treatment, delays at the healthcare facility, and side effects of orthodox treatment. Non-invasive treatments included herbal concoctions, natural food consumption, and skin application treatments. Regarding the timing of initiation, TM was used in the initial stage of symptom recognition prior to the decision to seek orthodox medicine, and was also used complementarily or as an alternative after seeking orthodox medicine. However, patients eventually stopped using TM due to the persistence of symptoms and the progression of cancer to a more advanced stage, and disapproval by orthodox practitioners. CONCLUSION Women living with BC in Ghana utilise traditional medicine (TM) for many reasons and report their family, friends and the media as a main source of information. A combination of herbal concoctions and skin application modalities is obtained from TM practitioners to treat their BC. However, they eventually discontinue TM when symptoms persist or when disapproval is expressed by their orthodox healthcare providers. We conclude that there is an opportunity to better integrate TM into the standard of oncological care for BC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adwoa Bemah Boamah Mensah
- Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Stella Baffour Asuo
- Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Nursing and Midwifery Training College, P. O. Box F1, Fomena Adansi, Ashanti Region, Ghana
| | - Kofi Boamah Mensah
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Private Mail bag, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University Post Office, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Joshua Okyere
- Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
- Department of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast, University Post Office, Cape Coast, Ghana.
| | - Shalini Kulasingam
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Beth Virnig
- College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Joe-Nat Clegg-Lamptey
- Department of Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
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Tuasha N, Fekadu S, Deyno S. Prevalence of herbal and traditional medicine in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 20-year studies. Syst Rev 2023; 12:232. [PMID: 38093343 PMCID: PMC10717384 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-023-02398-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The widely accepted prevalence of traditional medicine (TM) in Ethiopia was about 80 %, of which 95 % were sourced from plants. The purpose of this study was to update knowledge of the prevalence of herbal medicine or TM in Ethiopia and describe the characteristics of the population mostly relying on herbal medicine or TM to inform health policy-makers. METHODS PubMed, Google Scholar, Hinari, Scopus, and the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) were searched. The methodological quality of each included study was assessed using the quality assessment checklist for prevalence studies. Meta-analysis was conducted using STATA version 17, and the heterogeneity between studies was assessed using I2 test statistics based on the random effect model. Forest and funnel plots were used to present the data. Subgroup analysis was done by the study population, region, and setting. RESULTS Thirty-six studies with a total of 16,288 participants met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis of the study revealed that the prevalence of herbal medicine use in Ethiopia is 46 % (95 % CI, 37-54 %), with significant heterogeneity among the studies (I2 = 99.19 %). Egger's test for publication bias of herbal medicine use revealed significant results (Egger, P = 0.002) which indicates possible missing of small sample size studies. The prevalence of TM use in Ethiopia is 65 % (95 % CI, 52-77 %) with significant heterogeneity among the studies (I2 = 99.18 %). Egger's test for publication bias of TM use revealed non-significant results (Egger, P = 0.275). The subgroup analysis by the study setting and the region revealed variability amongst the studies. Community-based studies and Oromia National Regional State showed higher prevalence. By population type, a higher prevalence of TM use was observed amongst children and lowest amongst malaria suspects. CONCLUSIONS The current study revealed that TM/herbal medicine utilization remained an important source of primary healthcare in Ethiopia. In comparison to the commonly reported prevalence of TM/herbal medicine, there is a considerable decline in TM/herbal medicine prevalence. High TM/herbal medicine use tendency during pregnancy necessitates safety studies to optimize the utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigatu Tuasha
- Department of Biology, Hawassa College of Teacher Education, Sidama National Regional State, P. O. Box 115, Hawassa, Ethiopia.
| | - Sintayehu Fekadu
- School of Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, P. O. Box 1560, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Serawit Deyno
- School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, P. O. Box 1560, Hawassa, Ethiopia
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