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Omosigho PO, John OO, Musa MB, Aboelhassan YMEI, Olabode ON, Bouaddi O, Mengesha DT, Micheal AS, Modber MAKA, Sow AU, Kheir SGM, Shomuyiwa DO, Adebimpe OT, Manirambona E, Lucero-Prisno DE. Stigma and infectious diseases in Africa: examining impact and strategies for reduction. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2023; 85:6078-6082. [PMID: 38098545 PMCID: PMC10718398 DOI: 10.1097/ms9.0000000000001470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Stigma poses a significant barrier to accessing care, managing, and preventing infectious diseases in Africa. The authors conducted an extensive search across Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar to identify relevant English-language articles, with no constraints on publication dates, using the keywords "Stigma," and "Infectious Disease," in conjunction with "Africa." This article explores the multifaceted nature of stigma associated with infectious diseases, highlighting its impact on healthcare access and public health outcomes. It delves into the current situation of infectious disease-related stigma in Africa, emphasizing the various diseases and contexts affected. The article identifies drivers of stigma, including negative attitudes, misinformation, and institutional practices, and discusses their role in perpetuating discrimination. Importantly, it provides recommendations for addressing infectious disease stigma in Africa through comprehensive strategies encompassing health education, contact-based interventions, professionalized counselling and peer support services, and community engagement. The article calls for collaboration among governments, healthcare organizations, NGOs, and community leaders to implement holistic strategies that prioritize inclusivity and stigma reduction. Ultimately, it underscores the urgent need to combat stigma to improve healthcare access and outcomes for individuals affected by infectious diseases in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Okesanya Olalekan John
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta
- Global Health Focus Africa, Abuja
| | | | | | | | - Oumnia Bouaddi
- International School of Public Health, Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences, Casablanca
- Mohammed VI Center For Research and Innovation, Rabat, Morocco
| | | | - Abioye Sunday Micheal
- Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Public Health, Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State
| | | | - Alhaji Umar Sow
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown
| | | | | | | | - Emery Manirambona
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
- Research Unit, Global Health Focus, Bujumbura, Burundi
| | - Don Eliseo Lucero-Prisno
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Bale BI, Elebesunu EE, Manikavasagar P, Agwuna FO, Ogunkola IO, Sow AU, Lucero-Prisno DE. Antibiotic resistance in ocular bacterial infections: an integrative review of ophthalmic chloramphenicol. Trop Med Health 2023; 51:15. [PMID: 36895063 PMCID: PMC9996861 DOI: 10.1186/s41182-023-00496-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chloramphenicol is a broad-spectrum antibiotic widely used for treating ophthalmic infections, but concerns about rising bacterial resistance to chloramphenicol have been observed due to its frequent use as an over-the-counter medication. This review assessed the common ophthalmic bacterial pathogens, their chloramphenicol resistance mechanisms, and rates of drug resistance. METHODS PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched for relevant publications from the years 2000 to 2022, bordering on ophthalmic bacterial infections, chloramphenicol susceptibility profiles, and drug resistance mechanisms against chloramphenicol. A total of 53 journal publications met the inclusion criteria, with data on the antibiotic susceptibility profiles available in 44 of the reviewed studies, which were extracted and analyzed. RESULTS The mean resistance rates to chloramphenicol from antibiotic susceptibility profiles varied between 0% and 74.1%, with the majority of the studies (86.4%) showing chloramphenicol resistance rates below 50%, and more than half (23 out of 44) of the studies showed resistance rates lower than 20%. The majority of the publications (n = 27; 61.4%) were from developed nations, compared to developing nations (n = 14; 31.8%), while a fraction (n = 3; 6.8%) of the studies were regional cohort studies in Europe, with no country-specific drug resistance rates. No pattern of cumulative increase or decrease in ophthalmic bacterial resistance to chloramphenicol was observed. CONCLUSIONS Chloramphenicol is still active against ophthalmic bacterial infections and is suitable as a topical antibiotic for ophthalmic infections. However, concerns remain about the drug becoming unsuitable in the long run due to some proof of high drug resistance rates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Alhaji Umar Sow
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
| | - Don Eliseo Lucero-Prisno
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Sow AU, Haruna UA, Amos OA, Olajide EO, Amene T, Odususi OD, Adewusi BA, Abia C, Safari J, Sorinola FW, Alaka HO, Musa SM. Tackling Cholera Outbreak Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria: Challenges and Recommendations. Public Health Rev 2022; 43:1604776. [PMID: 36172255 PMCID: PMC9511573 DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2022.1604776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Since the first confirmed case of the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Nigeria, the pandemic has become a major public health challenge, affecting different sectors of the country. While Nigeria is battling to control the spread of COVID-19, the eruption of new cholera cases has put additional pressure on the strained healthcare system. Evidence: We showed how the overwhelming focus on COVID-19 has jeopardized key cholera containment measures such as disease surveillance, risk communication, and case management. Policy Options and Recommendations: We recommend provision and universal access to safe water and sanitation as key cholera preventive and control measures. However, these are resources that developing countries including Nigeria find rather challenging to provide. We also proposed the implementation of well-coordinated multi-sectoral interventions that involve strengthening disease surveillance including access to safe drinking water, vaccines, and treatment, especially in vulnerable communities. Conclusion: This policy brief provides evidence for policymakers, which if acted upon, will foster sustainable solutions to the lingering cholera outbreaks in Nigeria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alhaji Umar Sow
- College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- *Correspondence: Alhaji Umar Sow,
| | - Usman Abubakar Haruna
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Nazarbayev University School of Medicine (NUSOM), Nursultan, Kazakhstan
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
| | - Oladunni Abimbola Amos
- Afe Babalola Multi-System Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | | | | | | | | | - Chinedu Abia
- Afe Babalola Multi-System Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
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