Investigating socioeconomic disparities of Kangaroo mother care on preterm infant health outcomes

Several studies have been conducted to examine the complicated relationships between various factors that influence Kangaroo mother care (KMC) for preterm infants. However, the extended socio-economic model has not been seen in any of the previous studies that looked into the factors related to KMC and how it affects the health outcomes of babies born before in our study population. This study examines the various dimensions of KMC implementation and its influence on the health outcomes of premature infants. The current cross-sectional study was carried out in South Punjab, Pakistan, covering both private and public KMC units in obstetrics and gynecology departments. The study included a sample size of 719 patients and was conducted during a period covering 21 September 2022 to 14 October 2023. Multinomial logistic regression analysis is employed to ascertain the factors by using SPSS-26 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). The use of folic acid (OR: 1.44; 95% CI: 0.87-3.11) and factor anemia (OR: 8.82; 95% CI: 1.69-14.59) no significantly correlated with better health outcomes, while environmental toxin exposure had a negative impact (OR: 0.90). The findings underscore the need for comprehensive interventions and policies to bridge socioeconomic gaps, ensuring all preterm infants benefit from KMC.

Diversity of Glossinidae (Diptera) species in The Gambia in relation to vegetation

Glossina species are known to transmit African Trypanosomiasis, one of the most important infectious diseases for both livestock and humans in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize trapped Glossina spp. from The Gambia using morphological and molecular techniques in relation to the vegetation cover types. A line transect survey was carried out in all the administrative regions of The Gambia. Tsetse fly trapping was carried out for 14 days during each season using line transect. A total of 220 Glossina spp. specimens (117 F and 103 M) were captured, and DNA was extracted from the legs of 100 randomly selected Glossina spp. Further, DNA samples were tested by a conventional PCR assay. A total of 135/220 (61%; 95% CI: 54.6-67.8%) and 85/220 (39%; 95% CI: 32.2-45.4%) flies were identified as Glossina morsitans submorsitans and Glossina palpalis gambiensis, respectively, with most caught during wet season (53.6%) and more females (53.2%) than males. Results of the morphological identification agreed with those of molecular identification. The type of vegetation cover significantly influenced the caught of tsetse flies. Animals and humans at the various trapping sites are at risk of being bitten by tsetse flies.

Assessing socio-ecological factors on caesarean section and vaginal delivery: an extended perspective among women of South-Punjab, Pakistan

Research was conducted employing the extended socio-ecological model (ESEM) to examine factors associated with cesarean sections (CSs) and vaginal deliveries (VDs) among the women in our study population. Using the ESEM to determine South-Punjab and Pakistani women's mode of delivery predictors. The cross-sectional study with a sample size of 908 patients was conducted through private and public obstetrics and gynecology departments in South Punjab, Pakistan, from 12 June 2022 to 29 May 2023. The Chi-square analysis compared baseline variables, delivery outcomes and delivery methods. Logistic regression analysis is used to determine predictive factors. The study revealed that 75.66% of women had CS, while 24.34% had VD. Education level, age, residential area and fetal presentation all had significant associations with mode of delivery. Logistic regression analysis suggested that gynecologist recommendation, belief in CS safety, abnormal fetal presentation, maternal anemia and meconium aspiration syndrome were all significant predictors of CS. The ESEM model concluded that age, fatigue and women's preference for CS due to its reliability for her and her fetus were predictive factors for mode of delivery choices among South-Punjab Pakistani women.

Epizootiology and Molecular Identification of Trypanosome Species in Livestock Ruminants in the Gambia

INTRODUCTION

African Animal Trypanosomiasis (AAT) or nagana in animals, is caused by the blood-borne parasitic protozoa called trypanosomes, and is potentially fatal. It is estimated that Africa loses $4‒5 billion annually due to the death of livestock to nagana in the tsetse belt.

PURPOSE

Although The Gambia lies within this belt, there is scanty data regarding the epizootiology of nagana in The Gambia. Here, records of reported cases of nagana for the period 2010-2019 at the International Trypanotolerance Centre (ITC) in The Gambia were analyzed retrospectively.

METHODS

For insights into the current prevalence of AAT, blood samples of 384 cattle, 42 goats, and 59 sheep from the Central River Region (CRR) and Lower River Region (LRR) were analyzed microscopically for parasite identification. Furthermore, trypanosomes were characterized by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a panel of primers that identify trypanosomes to the level of the species and subspecies by targeting a portion of the internally transcribed spacer-one (ITS-1) of the ribosomal RNA.

RESULTS

The retrospective study indicates that Trypanosoma vivax (66%) and T. congolense (33.4%) were the predominant species. Based on the archive records of ITC, the villages Touba, Misera, and Sambel Kunda all in the CRR of the Gambia are the most burdened with AAT. Microscopic examination of blood samples from cattle showed a prevalence of 1.56%, whereas the PCR-based analysis gave a higher prevalence of 12.5%. The molecular analysis revealed the presence of T. vivax (3.65%), T. congolense kilifi (2.6%), T. b. brucei (1.3%), T. congolense savannah/forest (0.52%), T. b. gambiense (0.52%). Interestingly, 4.43% of mixed infections i.e. multiple trypanosome species in individual animals were recorded. In 18% of the mixed infection cases, T. godfreyi, T. simiae were coinfecting cattle alongside T. congolense. The molecular identification including the phylogenetic analysis implicated T. congolense as the most predominant trypanosome species infecting animals in The Gambia.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of nagana in The Gambia is documented and the prevalent trypanosomes identified to be T. vivax, different types of T. congolense, and T. brucei including the gambiense subspecie. Finally, nagana is less profound in sheep and goats compared to cattle, with seasonal and regional variations playing a significant role in the disease dynamics.