Willingness of WHO staff to work in health emergencies in the African Region: opportunity for phased deployment of staff and ensure continuity of health services

A human resource base that ensures appropriate deployment of staff to emergencies, addressing different shock events in emergencies, without disrupting continuity of service is germane to a successful response. Consequently, the WHO Health Emergencies programme in the African Region, in collaboration with Africa Centre for Disease Control (ACDC) launched the African Volunteer Health Corps (AVoHC) and Strengthening and Utilization of Response Group for Emergencies (SURGE), an initiative aimed at ensuring a pool of timely responders. We explored the willingness of WHO staff to work in emergencies. A call for expression of interest to be part of the Elite Emergency Experts (Triple E) was published on 5th July 2022 via email and was open for 5 weeks. The responses were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics and presented with graphic illustrations. A total of 1253 WHO staff, from all the six WHO regions, cutting across all cadre, applied to the call. The applicants had various trainings and experiences in emergency and have responded to mostly disease outbreaks. Two-third of the applicants were males. This paper did not explore reasons for the willingness to work in emergencies. However, contrary to fears expressed in literature that health workers would not want to work in emergencies with potential for infections, the applicants have worked mostly in infectious emergencies. Literature identified some themes on factors that could impact on willingness of health workers to work in emergencies. These include concerns for the safety of the responders and impact of partners, child and elderly care, as well as other family obligations, which emergency planners must consider in planning emergency response.

Clinical outcome and incidence of inhibitor development in severe hemophilia patients receiving low-dose prophylaxis: a 3-year follow-up study in Senegal, West Africa

ABSTRACT Introduction: In Africa, where access to diagnosis and treatment of hemophilia is the lowest in the world, prophylaxis is rarely used in preference to on-demand treatment. There are limited data of prophylaxis treatment from sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes and inhibitor development in people with hemophilia receiving low-dose prophylaxis (LDP) in a sub-Saharan African setting. Methods: We conducted a three-year prospective study. A once or twice weekly prophylaxis regimen of 25 IU/kg of rFVIIIFc or 30 IU/kg of rFIXFc was given to Hemophilia A and B, respectively. We evaluated clinical outcomes and inhibitors occurrence, determined by screening and titration using the Nijmegen technique. Results: A total of 15 patients were included in the LDP regimen. The mean age was 6.3 years (1.5 - 10). A significant reduction was noted in the annualized bleeding rate, from 7.53 to 1.33 (p = 0.0001); the annualized joint bleeding rate passed from 3.6 to 1.4 (p = 0.001) and the proportion of severe bleeding, from 86.1% to 16.7% (p = 0.0001). The Hemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS) moved from 9.6 to 3.4 (p = 0.0001) and the Functional Independence Score in Hemophilia (FISH) improved from 25.8 to 30.9 (p = 0.0001). School absenteeism decreased from 7.33% to 2.59%. Adherence to prophylaxis was 89.5% versus 60%. Consumption was 580 IU/kg/year versus 1254.6 IU/kg/year before and after prophylaxis, respectively. Incidence of inhibitors was 23% (3 /13 HA). Conclusion: The LDP in Hemophilia improves the clinical outcome without a surplus risk of inhibitor development. Using extended half-life clotting factor concentrates (CFCs) is better for prophylaxis in resource-limited countries, as they allow better compliance in treatment.

Comparison between the parietal foramina observed in samples of African and European population groups / Comparación entre los forámenes parietales observados en muestras de grupos de población africanos y europeos

SUMMARY: Parietal foramina of the human skull act as a passageway for emissary veins, connecting the superior sagittal sinus to the veins of the scalp. This passageway can lead to the spread of infection from the scalp to the dural venous sinuses, but may also assist in relieving intracranial pressure. However, variation in the prevalence of parietal foramina has been noted among population groups. This observational and descriptive study aimed to determine the incidence, size and location of parietal foramina by using osteological specimens of 252 African skulls from the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, South Africa and 95 European skulls from the University of Leipzig, Germany. Parietal foramina were significantly more common in the African sample (61.9 %) compared to the European sample (55.8 %). Moreover, the Central European sample displayed more unilateral foramina (29.5 %), while the African sample exhibited more bilateral foramina (40.8 %). The diameter of the parietal foramen average 1.98 mm and 1.88 mm for the European and African samples, respectively. In this study, a median foramen on the sagittal suture was observed in 14 of the overall skull caps (4 %). This study demonstrated that parietal foramina are more prevalent than anticipated in both population groups. Findings of this study, indicating an increased prevalence, and the subsequent possibility of more emissary veins encountered, can be used to improve the understanding of the variations in the prevalence and clinical implications of the parietal foramen among various population groups located world-wide.

Los forámenes parietales del cráneo humano actúan como una vía para las venas emisarias, conectando el seno sagital superior con las venas del cuero cabelludo. Este pasaje puede conducir a la propagación de infecciones desde el epicráneo (calva) hasta los senos venosos durales, pero también puede ayudar a aliviar la presión intracraneal. Sin embargo, se ha observado una variación en la prevalencia de los forámenes parietales entre los grupos de población. Este estudio observacional y descriptivo tuvo como objetivo determinar la incidencia, el tamaño y la ubicación de los forámenes parietales mediante el uso de muestras osteológicas de 252 cráneos africanos de la Universidad de Ciencias de la Salud Sefako Makgatho, Sudáfrica, y 95 cráneos europeos de la Universidad de Leipzig, Alemania. Los forámenes parietales fueron significativamente más comunes en la muestra africana (61,9 %) en comparación con la muestra europea (55,8 %). Además, la muestra centroeuropea mostró más forámenes unilaterales (29,5 %), mientras que la muestra africana mostró más forámenes bilaterales (40,8 %). El diámetro del foramen parietal promedió 1,98 mm y 1,88 mm para las muestras europeas y africanas, respectivamente. En este estudio, se observó un foramen medio en la sutura sagital en 14 de los cráneos en general (4 %). El estudio demostró que los forámenes parietales son más frecuentes de lo previsto en ambos grupos de población. Los hallazgos de este estudio, que indican una mayor prevalencia y la subsiguiente posibilidad de que se encuentren más venas emisarias, pueden ser útiles para mejorar la comprensión de las variaciones en la prevalencia y las implicaciones clínicas del foramen parietal entre varios grupos de población ubicados en el mundo.

Diagnósticos de Enfermagem a partir de narrativas de pessoas vivendo com HIV/AIDS em Guiné-Bissau / Nursing diagnosis from narratives of people living with hiv/aids in Guinea-Bissau / Diagnósticos de enfermería a partir de los relatos de personas que viven con el vih/sida en Guinea-Bissau

Objetivo: identificar e analisar os diagnósticos de Enfermagem mais frequentes de pessoas vivendo com HIV/aids em atendimento ambulatorial em Guiné-Bissau por meio de suas narrativas. Método: trata-se de uma análise secundária dos dados de um estudo com abordagem qualitativa, cujos participantes foram 16 pessoas vivendo com HIV/aids. Para identificar os diagnósticos de Enfermagem, foi utilizado o Processo Diagnóstico, que é um processo intelectual complexo na aplicação do Pensamento Crítico. Resultados: havia 16 participantes, sendo 12 do sexo feminino, e a mediana de idade foi de 33,5 anos. A partir das narrativas dos participantes, foram identificados 26 diferentes diagnósticos de Enfermagem, dos quais 10 tiveram frequência igual ou superior a 10%. Os 10 diagnósticos mais frequentemente identificados pertencem aos seguintes domínios: autopercepção; enfrentamento/tolerância ao estresse; promoção da saúde; conforto; percepção/cognição; e papéis e relacionamentos. Embora os diagnósticos identificados com significado mais positivo tenham aparecido em 50% dos participantes (disposição para o autoconceito melhorado e disposição para cuidado da saúde melhorado), as narrativas também indicaram que o processo de viver com HIV/aids tem sido bastante desafiador para o guineenses participantes no estudo, com presença de diagnóstico de risco de dignidade humana comprometida (50% dos participantes) e resiliência prejudicada (43,7% dos participantes). Conclusões: os diagnósticos de Enfermagem mais frequentes das pessoas vivendo com HIV/aids participantes deste estudo foram: disposição para autoconceito melhorado; risco de dignidade humana comprometida; e disposição para cuidado da saúde melhorado. Implicações para a prática de Enfermagem: na assistência de Enfermagem, é fundamental a implementação integral do Processo de Enfermagem, pois, dessa forma, a prestação de cuidados não ocorre apenas na esfera biológica, mas também na promoção de cuidados que atendam às necessidades dos pacientes, visando mais dignidade, cidadania e qualidade de vida.(AU)

Objective: to identify and analyze the most frequent Nursing diagnoses of people living with HIV/Aids in outpatient care in Guinea-Bissau through their narratives. Method: this is a secondary analysis of data from a study with a qualitative approach whose participants were sixteen people living with HIV/Aids. To identify the Nursing diagnoses, the Diagnostic Process was used, which is a complex intellectual process in the application of Critical Thinking. Findings: there were sixteen participants, twelve were female, and the median age was 33.5 years old. From the participants' narratives, 26 different Nursing diagnoses were identified. Of these, 10 had a frequency equal to or greater than 10%. The 10 most frequently identified diagnoses belong to the following Domains: Self-perception, Coping/stress tolerance, Health Promotion, Comfort, Perception/cognition and Role relationship. Although the diagnoses identified with the most positive meaning appeared in 50% of the participants (Readiness for enhanced self-concept and Readiness for enhanced health management), the narratives also indicated that the process of living with HIV/Aids has been quite challenging for the Guineans participating in the study, with presence of the Risk for compromised human dignity (50% of the participants) and Impaired resilience (43.7% of the participants) diagnoses. Conclusions: the more frequent Nursing diagnoses of people living with HIV/Aids that participate in this study were Readiness for enhanced self-concept, Risk for compromised human dignity and Readiness for enhanced health self-management. Implications for the Nursing practice: in Nursing care, the full implementation of the Nursing Process is fundamental since, in this way, provision of care not only occurs in the biological sphere but also in the promotion of care that meets the patients' needs, aiming for more dignity, citizenship and quality of life.(AU)

Objetivo: identificar y analizar los diagnósticos de enfermería más frecuentes de las personas que viven con VIH/SIDA en atención ambulatoria en Guinea-Bissau a través de sus narrativas. Método: se trata de un análisis secundario de datos de un estudio con enfoque cualitativo cuyos participantes fueron dieciséis personas que viven con VIH/SIDA. Para identificar los diagnósticos de enfermería se utilizó el Proceso Diagnóstico, que es un proceso intelectual complejo en la aplicación del Pensamiento Crítico. Resultados: hubo dieciséis...(AU)

O cuidado em saúde promovido pelas religiões afro-brasileiras / Health care promoted by afro-brazilian religions / El cuidado en salud promovido por las religiones afrobrasileñas

No decorrer da história, sempre foram infindáveis os casos em que os sujeitos recorriam a centros espíritas ou terreiros de religiões de matrizes africanas em decorrência de problemas como doenças, desempregos ou amores mal resolvidos, com o objetivo de saná-los. Por conta disso, este artigo visa apresentar os resultados da pesquisa relacionados ao objetivo de mapear os processos de cuidado em saúde ofertados em três terreiros de umbanda de uma cidade do litoral piauiense. Para isso, utilizamos o referencial da Análise Institucional "no papel". Os participantes foram três líderes de terreiros e os respectivos praticantes/consulentes dos seus estabelecimentos religiosos. Identificamos perspectivas de cuidado que se contrapunham às racionalidades biomédicas, positivistas e cartesianas, e faziam referência ao uso de plantas medicinais, ao recebimento de rezas e passes e à consulta oracular. A partir desses resultados, podemos perceber ser cada vez mais necessário, portanto, que os povos de terreiros protagonizem a construção, implementação e avaliação das políticas públicas que lhe sejam específicas.(AU)

In history, there have always been endless cases of people turning to spiritual centers or terreiros of religions of African matrices due to problems such as illnesses, unemployment, or unresolved love affairs. Therefore, this article aims to present the research results related to the objective of mapping the health care processes offered in three Umbanda terreiros of a city on the Piauí Coast. For this, we use the Institutional Analysis reference "on Paper." The participants were three leaders of terreiros and the respective practitioners/consultants of their religious establishments. We identified perspectives of care that contrasted with biomedical, positivist, and Cartesian rationalities and referred to the use of medicinal plants, the prescript of prayers and passes, and oracular consultation. From these results, we can see that it is increasingly necessary, therefore, that the peoples of the terreiros lead the construction, implementation, and evaluation of public policies that are specific to them.(AU)

A lo largo de la historia, siempre hubo casos en los cuales las personas buscan en los centros espíritas o terreros de religiones africanas la cura para sus problemas, como enfermedades, desempleo o amoríos mal resueltos. Por este motivo, este artículo pretende presentar los resultados de la investigación con el objetivo de mapear los procesos de cuidado en salud ofrecidos en tres terreros de umbanda de una ciudad del litoral de Piauí (Brasil). Para ello, se utiliza el referencial del Análisis Institucional "en el Papel". Los participantes fueron tres líderes de terreros y los respectivos practicantes / consultivos de los establecimientos religiosos que los mismos conducían. Se identificaron perspectivas de cuidado que se contraponían a las racionalidades biomédicas, positivistas y cartesianas, y hacían referencia al uso de plantas medicinales, al recibimiento de rezos y pases y a la consulta oracular. Los resultados permiten concluir que es cada vez más necesario que los pueblos de terreros sean agentes protagónicos de la construcción, implementación y evaluación de las políticas públicas destinadas específicamente para ellos.(AU)

"Instrução sobre a escolha, preparação e remessa das sementes e cebolas das plantas, que se mandarem vir de África e do Brasil" / "Instruction on the selection, preparation and shipment of seeds and bulbs of plants, which are ordered to be brought from Africa and Brazil"

Resumo Manuscrito inédito, datado de 1802, que trata dos métodos a utilizar na recolha e remessa de sementes, tubérculos e bulbos das colônias da África e do Brasil para o Complexo de História Natural da Ajuda, em Portugal.

Abstract Unpublished manuscript, dated 1802, dealing with methods to be used in collecting and shipping seeds, tubers and bulbs from colonies in Africa and Brazil to the Natural History Complex of Ajuda, in Portugal.

Dissolution profile of different brands of low solubility drugs available in the Nigerian and Brazilian pharmaceutical markets / Dissolution profile of different brands of low solubility drugs available in the Nigerian and Brazilian pharmaceutical markets

The purpose of this work was to elaborate a diagnosis of the dissolution test in Africa in comparison with Brazil, evaluating the dissolution profile of low solubility drugs such as albendazole, ibuprofen, furosemide, glibenclamide, hydrochlorothiazide and carvedilol to ascertain their quality. The dissolution profiles were evaluated by utilizing the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). The glibenclamide medicine was evaluated according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), while a dissolution method was developed for the carvedilol medicine. A filter selection test for all the drugs showed that cannula is suitable for all, except for carvedilol, which is centrifuged. The various brands of Nigerian and Brazilian medicines tested showed some statistical differences. The suitable conditions that allowed the dissolution of carvedilol to be determined were the USP type II apparatus at 75 rpm containing 900 mL of acetate buffer, pH 4.5. The results of the dissolution test showed that out of the 17 different brands of Brazilian medicines and 17 different products from Nigeria, 94.12% and 58.82% passed respectively

O objetivo deste trabalho foi elaborar um diagnóstico do teste de dissolução na África em comparação ao Brasil, avaliando o perfil de dissolução de medicamentos de baixa solubilidade como albendazol, ibuprofeno, furosemida, glibenclamida, hidroclorotiazida e carvedilol para verificar sua qualidade.Os perfis de dissolução foram avaliados utilizando a Farmacopeia dos Estados Unidos (USP). O medicamento glibenclamida foi avaliado de acordo com a Food and Drug Administration (FDA), enquanto um método de dissolução foi desenvolvido para o medicamento carvedilol.Um teste de seleção de filtro para todos os medicamentos mostrou que a cânula é adequada para todos, exceto para o carvedilol, que é centrifugado. As diversas marcas de medicamentos Nigerianos e Brasileiros testadas apresentaram algumas diferenças estatísticas. As condições adequadas que permitiram a determinação da dissolução do carvedilol foram o aparelho USP tipo II a 75 rpm contendo 900 mL de tampão acetato, pH 4,5. Os resultados do teste de dissolução mostraram que das 17 diferentes marcas de medicamentos brasileiros e 17 diferentes produtos da Nigéria, 94,12% e 58,82% foram aprovados, respectivamente

Conhecimento, atitude e prática de universitários intercambistas africanos acerca das Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis / Conocimiento, actitud y práctica de estudiantes africanos de intercambio sobre las infecciones de transmisión sexual / Knowledge, attitude and practice of African university exchange students about Sexually Transmitted Infections

RESUMO Objetivo avaliar o conhecimento, a atitude e a prática de universitários intercambistas provenientes do continente africano acerca das Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis. Método estudo transversal, realizado de dezembro de 2019 a março de 2020, em universidade pública internacional brasileira localizada no Ceará. A amostra foi constituída por 150 estudantes africanos de diferentes cursos de graduação. Utilizou-se do inquérito de Conhecimento, Atitude e Prática. Resultados os universitários apresentaram conhecimento satisfatório acerca da forma de transmissão das Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis, porém, com deficiências a respeito das hepatites virais. Identificou-se associação entre sexo e atitude acerca do uso de preservativo em relação sexual com parceria fixa (p=0,042). No que se refere às práticas, houve associação entre sexo e uso do preservativo na primeira relação sexual (p=0,001), ter mais que um parceiro (p=0,001) e mais que dez parceiros em toda a vida (0,007). No que se relaciona às práticas sexuais nos últimos 12 meses, observou-se associação estatística entre ter relações sexuais com mais de um parceiro sexual e sexo do participante (p=0,001). Conclusão e implicações para a prática enfatiza-se a importância de a universidade pesquisada realizar atividades de educação em saúde que abordem Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis, bem como de extensão universitária, que envolvam alunos imigrantes africanos.

RESUMEN Objetivo evaluar el conocimiento, la actitud y la práctica de estudiantes de intercambio del continente africano sobre las Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual. Método estudio transversal, realizado de diciembre de 2019 a marzo de 2020, en una universidad pública internacional brasileña ubicada en Ceará. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 150 estudiantes africanos de diferentes cursos de pregrado. Se utilizó la encuesta de Conocimiento, Actitud y Práctica. Resultados los universitarios mostraron conocimientos satisfactorios sobre la transmisión de Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual, sin embargo, con deficiencias sobre las hepatitis virales. Se identificó asociación entre el sexo y la actitud sobre el uso del preservativo en las relaciones sexuales con pareja estable (p=0,042). En cuanto a las prácticas, hubo asociación entre sexo y uso de preservativo en la primera relación sexual (p=0,001), tener más de una pareja (p=0,001) y tener más de diez parejas en la vida (0,007). En cuanto a las prácticas sexuales en los últimos 12 meses, hubo asociación estadística entre tener sexo con más de una pareja sexual y el género del participante (p=0,001). Conclusión e implicaciones para la práctica se destaca la importancia de que la universidad investigada realice actividades de educación en salud que aborden las Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual, así como actividades de extensión universitaria, involucrando estudiantes inmigrantes africanos.

ABSTRACT Objective to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice of university exchange students from the African continent about Sexually Transmitted Infections. Method a cross-sectional study, conducted from December 2019 to March 2020, in a public international Brazilian university located in Ceará. The sample consisted of 150 African students from different undergraduate courses. It was used the survey of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice. Results the students showed satisfactory knowledge about the form of transmission of Sexually Transmitted Infections, however, with deficiencies regarding viral hepatitis. An association between sex and attitude about condom use in sexual intercourse with a fixed partner was identified (p=0.042). Regarding the practices, there was an association between sex and condom use in the first sexual relation (p=0.001), having more than one partner (p=0.001) and more than ten partners in the whole life (0.007). Regarding sexual practices in the last 12 months, there was a statistical association between having sex with more than one sexual partner and the participant's sex (p=0.001). Conclusion and implications for practice the importance of the university researched carrying out health education activities that address Sexually Transmitted Infections, as well as university extension activities that involve African immigrant students, is emphasized.

Dinâmica comparada: fluxos dos escravizados africanos em São Paulo, Minas Gerais e Maranhão (1804-1848) / Comparative dynamics: flows of enslaved Africans in São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Maranhão (1804-1848) / Dinámica comparada: flujos de africanos esclavizados en São Paulo, Minas Gerais y Maranhão (1804-1848)

Analisamos comparativamente informes demográficos de qualidade aceitável acerca dos escravizados nascidos na África para Minas Gerais, São Paulo e Maranhão de 1804 a 1848. As parcelas dos nascidos na África em relação aos escravizados e às razões de sexo de todos os cativos, de acordo com as idades, auxiliaram-nos a remontar a dinâmica retrospectiva da chegada dos africanos às regiões. Supondo certas hipóteses e procedimentos, a partir das coortes etárias, estimamos as proporções de africanos e as razões de sexo da população cativa para os períodos anteriores aos das listas nominativas de habitantes. A dinâmica retrospectiva da introdução de africanos reconstruída mostrou-se bastante correlacionada à história econômica das diferentes regiões estudadas.

We compare the surviving enslaved people present in demographic censuses of acceptable quality for Minas Gerais, São Paulo and Maranhão from 1804 to 1848. The share of those born in Africa in relation to slaves and the sex ratio of all captives according to their ages helped us find the retrospective dynamics of the arrival of Africans to these regions. When using age cohorts, we estimate, assuming certain hypotheses and procedures, the proportions of Africans and the sex ratios of the captive population for periods prior to those of the nominative lists of inhabitants. The retrospective dynamics of the reconstructed introduction of these Africans proved to be closely correlated with the economic history of the different regions analyzed.

Analizamos comparativamente a los sobrevivientes esclavizados presentes en los informes demográficos evaluados como de calidad aceptable para Minas Gerais, São Paulo y Maranhão entre 1804 y 1848. La proporción de los nacidos en África en relación con los esclavizados y la proporción de sexos de todos los cautivos, según las edades, nos ayudaron a trazar la dinámica retrospectiva de la llegada de africanos a estas regiones. Utilizando las cohortes de edad, estimamos, asumiendo ciertas hipótesis y procedimientos, las proporciones de africanos y las proporciones de sexos de la población cautiva para períodos anteriores a las listas nominativas de habitantes. La dinámica retrospectiva de la introducción reconstruida de africanos demostró estar altamente correlacionada con la historia económica de las diferentes regiones estudiadas.

Um conhecimento encarnado e o ensino da psicologia social / An incarnate knowledge and social psychology teaching / Un conocimiento encarnado y la enseñanza de la psicología social

Este artigo tem como objetivo trabalhar com a concepção de "conhecimento encarnado" defendida por Ignácio Martín-Baró, estabelecendo relações entre este conceito e o campo da Psicologia Social. Num primeiro momento, fazemos uma pequena contextualização dos efeitos de uma greve universitária que durou quatro meses, considerando que os principais efeitos que devemos debater são aqueles que estão relacionados às experimentações do espaço educacional, assim como às ressonâncias das narrativas externas ao mundo universitário. Em seguida, mesclamos experiências do cotidiano da universidade com narrativas de diferentes atores sociais sobre a greve e a própria formação, a fim de desenvolver uma teoria analítica das práticas educacionais em Psicologia Social a partir de um diálogo com Ignácio Martín-Baró. Destacamos as três perguntas apresentadas pelo autor para problematizar a história da Psicologia Social: o que nos mantém unidos numa ordem social? O que nos integra à ordem estabelecida? O que nos libera da desordem estabelecida? Entre os diferentes conceitos criados pelo autor, privilegiamos a ideia de conhecimento encarnado, realidade vivida, realidade estudada e ação ideológica.(AU)

This article aims to work with the conception of "incarnate knowledge" defended by Ignácio Martin-Baró establishing relationships between this concept and the field of Social Psychology. At first, we briefly contextualize the effects of a strike in the university environment that lasted four months, considering that the main effects that we should debate are those related to experimentations of the educational space and the resonances of the external narratives in the university world. Then, we blended experiences of the university's quotidian with narratives of different social actors about the strike and the training itself to develop an analytic theory of the educational practices in Social Psychology from a dialog with Ignácio Martin-Baró. We highlight three questions presented by the author to challenge the history of Social Psychology: what holds us together in a social order? What integrates us into the established order? What frees us from the established disorder? Among the different concepts created by the author, we privileged the idea of incarnate knowledge, lived reality, studied reality, and ideological action.(AU)

Este artículo pretende trabajar con la concepción de conocimiento defendida por Ignácio Martín-Baró, estableciendo relaciones entre este conocimiento y el campo de la psicología social. En un primer momento, hacemos una pequeña contextualización de los efectos de una huelga universitaria, que tuvo una duración de cuatro meses, considerando que los principales efectos los cuales debemos debatir son aquellos que están relacionados con las experimentaciones del espacio educacional, así como las resonancias de las narrativas externas al mundo universitario. A continuación, mezclamos experiencias de un cotidiano de la universidad con narrativas de diferentes actores sociales sobre la huelga y la propia formación, con la finalidad de desarrollar una teoría analítica de las prácticas educacionales en la psicología social a partir de un diálogo con Ignácio Martin-Baró. Destacamos las tres preguntas presentadas por el autor para problematizar la historia de la psicología social: ¿Qué nos mantiene unidos en el orden social establecido? ¿Qué nos integra al orden establecido? ¿Qué nos libera del desorden establecido? Entre los diferentes conceptos creados por el autor, privilegiamos la idea de un conocimiento encarnado, realidad vivida, realidad estudiada y acción ideológica.(AU)

Fighting COVID-19 and HIV through community mobilisation: lessons from an integrated approach to the Africa CDC Partnership to Accelerate COVID-19 Testing (PACT) initiative in seven countries

Recent literature has shown how the HIV architecture, including community systems, has been critical for fighting COVID-19 in many countries, while sustaining the HIV response. Innovative initiatives suggest that fostering the integration of health services would help address the colliding pandemics. However, there are few documented real-life examples of community mobilisation strategies responding to COVID-19 and HIV. The African Union and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) launched the Partnership to Accelerate COVID-19 Testing (PACT) in june 2020 with the goal of training and deploying one million community health workers across the continent. UNAIDS partnered with Africa CDC to implement the PACT initiative in seven countries, i.e. Algeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Madagascar, Malawi and Namibia. The initiative engaged networks of people living with HIV and community-led organisations to support two of its pillars, test and trace, and the sensitisation to protective measures against COVID-19 for the most vulnerable populations. It later expanded to improve access to COVID-19 vaccines. Based on the assessment of country projects, this article explains how PACT activities implemented by communities contributed to mitigating COVID-19 and HIV among vulnerable and marginalised groups. This article contributes to a better understanding of the impact of a community-based approach in responding effectively to emerging health threats and provides lessons from integrated COVID-19 and HIV community-led responses.

Risk communication and community engagement in COVID-19: Fighting infodemics among non-governmental/community-based organizations in Africa

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

Child disability and family-centred care in East Africa: Perspectives from a workshop with stakeholders and health practitioners

Our understanding of child disability has undergone major changes over the last three decades transforming our approach to assessment and management. Globally there are significant gaps in the application of these 21st century models of care. There is recognition that economic, cultural, and social factors influence transitions in care and there is need to consider contextual factors.Objectives: A two-day workshop brought together key stakeholders to discuss current models of care and their application in the East African context. This article summarises workshop proceedings and identifies a broadly supported set of recommendations that serve to set a direction for health professionals, families, family-based disability organisations, communities and government. Method: Presentations followed by facilitated round-table sessions explored specific themes with participants reporting their responses communally. Future actions were agreed upon by relevant stakeholders. Results: Many barriers exist to care for children with disabilities in East Africa, including stigma and a lack of human and infrastructural resources. In addition, significant disparities exist with regard to access to medication and specialist care. The International Classification of Functioning framework needs to be translated to clinical practice within East Africa, with due recognition of the importance of family- centred care and emphasis on the life course theory for disability care. Family- centred care, educational initiatives, advocacy on the part of stakeholders and involvement of government policymakers are important avenues to improve outcomes. Conclusion: Further education and data are needed to inform family-centred care and multidisciplinary team implementation across East African care contexts for children with disabilities.

Facteurs de risque et étiologies des AVC de l'adulte jeune au CHU de Bogodogo à Ouagadougou / Risk factors and etiologies of stroke in young adults in Bogodogo university hospital, Ouagadougou

Introduction: Les accidents vasculaires cérébraux (AVC) sont des pathologies graves survenant le plus souvent chez le sujet âgé. Le but de ce travail était d'étudier les facteurs de risque et les étiologies de l'AVC de l'adulte jeune. Patients et méthodes : Il s'est agi d'une étude transversale et rétrospective incluant tous les sujets d'âge compris entre 15 et 45 ans, hospitalisés pour AVC dans le service de neurologie du CHU de Bogodogo entre le 1er Avril 2017 et le 31 Mars 2019 et ayant un dossier complet. Résultats : Quarante-quatre cas d'AVC concernaient les sujets jeunes, soit 8,46% de l'ensemble des AVC. On notait 59,1% d'AVC ischémique et 40,9% d'AVC hémorragique. L'âge moyen était de37,45± 5,94 ans. Le sex-ratio était 2,14. La sédentarité (72,22%), l'HTA (59,09%) et le diabète (25%) étaient les principaux facteurs de risque. L'étiologie a été retrouvée chez 77,27% des patients. Il s'agissait principalement de l'athérosclérose et les cardiopathies emboligènes pour l'AVC ischémique et de l'HTA pour l'AVC hémorragique. Conclusion: Les AVC du sujet jeune sont relativement peu fréquents au CHU de Bogodogo. Une prévention des facteurs de risque vasculaire permettrait d'éviter une augmentation de leur fréquence

Introduction: Stroke is a common and serious disease occurring most often in the elderly. The aim if our study was to describe risk factors and causes of stroke in young adults. Patients and methods: This were a retrospective study including patients whose age was between 15 and 45 years, hospitalized in the neurology department of the Bogodogo University Hospital for stroke between April 1, 2017, and March 31, 2019. Results: Forty-four stroke cases involved young adults, it represented 8.46% of total stroke. Among those cases, 59,1% was ischemic stroke and 40,9% was hemorrhagic stroke. The Mean age was37,45± 5,94 years. The sex-ratio was 2,14. Physical inactivity (72,22%), high blood pressure (59,09%) and diabetes (25%) were the main risk factors. etiologies were found in 77,27% of cases. They were dominated by atherosclerosis and cardio embolism in ischemic stroke, and by high blood pressure in hemorrhagic stroke. Conclusion: Stroke in young adults at Bogodogo University Hospital is relatively infrequent. Prevention of risk factors would prevent an increase in its frequency

Contemporary prevalence and predictors of anxiety among patients living with HIVAIDS in Ghana

Objectives: To identify the prevalence and associated factors of anxiety in people living with HIV/AIDS in a tertiary centre in Ghana. Design: The study employed a cross-sectional design. Setting: The study was conducted in the outpatient HIV clinic of a tertiary hospital. Participants: Participants were adult PLWHA receiving OPD care, including those established on combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) and newer patients who were not on cART. Four hundred ninety-five participants aged ≥30 years were consecutively enrolled on the study. Interventions: Demographic and clinical data were collected using standard questionnaires and patient files. Anxiety was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to identify associated factors. Main outcome measure: Proportion of PLWHA who had HADS score of ≥8 Results: Overall prevalence of anxiety was 61.0% (95%CI: 56.6 ­ 65.3), with no significant difference between recently diagnosed (≤ 6 months, 64.3%) and those with established diagnoses (>6 months, 59.1%). Urban residence (aOR: 1.67, 95%CI: 1.12 ­ 2.51), alcohol use (aOR: 1.64, 95%CI: 1.13 ­ 2.38) and depression (aOR: 13.62, 95%CI: 7.91 ­ 23.45) were independently associated with anxiety. Conclusion: In this sample, 6 in 10 Ghanaian PLWHA had evidence of anxiety. Liaison with the national mental health service for more comprehensive and integrated care and further research into the mental health of PLWHA is recommended to reduce this high burden of anxiety

Conceptualization and practices in digital health voices from Africa

This paper presents voices from Africa on digital health in Africa. These voices were gleaned during interviews and an online, focus group session in May 2020, during which 30 experts across Africa, among others from the South, were asked about their experiences and observations on the conceptualization of, and practices in, digital health in their respective communities and countries. Extensive input was provided, both orally and textually. The quotes gathered and presented in this paper indicate that there is a distinct need for the respectful co-development of digital health interventions in Africa. In addition, the quotes show how a one-size-fits-all solution approach does not exist, it is not a solution to Africa. Further, the community-focus, fit, and fragmentation of existing activities digital health interventions is questioned. The narratives provide a rich resource indicating capable and local agency and the need to address power-differences in international health development