Qualitative study of the stigma associated with the lived experiences of Buruli ulcer disease among patients in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Buruli ulcer disease (BUD) is a neglected tropical disease of the skin, subcutaneous tissue and bone caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, with various disabling and stigmatising sequelae. Patients face a range of adverse impacts owing to the disease as most are unable to relate effectively with their communities, battling stigma and fear of discrimination. This study aimed to explore the stigma associated with the lived experiences of BUD in patients in Nigeria. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional qualitative study that employed a focus group discussion (FGD) and key informant interviews in Enugu State, Nigeria. A random sampling of communities was followed by a purposive selection of FGD participants and key informants. A total of six key informants and eight FGD participants took part in the study. Data were collected over 6 wk from December 2022 to February 2023. The NVivo application was used to analyse transcripts and compute themes of quotes. RESULTS: Patients experienced stigma owing to the condition. The most reported experiences by participants were shame and culpability, isolation and social exclusion, including maltreatment from family members. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying the stigma experienced by patients owing to BUD helps in the provision of psychosocial management services and support for patients.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on antenatal healthcare services in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Many Sub-Saharan African countries have been known to suffer various challenges which threaten the quality of health services that are offered to the population. With the emergence of COVID-19 outbreak, it is not impossible that access to quality antenatal care services would be further threatened in the region due to the competition for limited health care resources. This paper seeks to highlight the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on antenatal healthcare services in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is imperative for all African countries to put up measures to ensure antenatal care services, which are just as important and needed, are not disrupted due to the urgent need to shift limited resources to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

While flattening the curve and raising the line, Africa should not forget street vending practices.

Street vending practices are common in Africa and cater to a large portion of the continent's population. Since the identification of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Africa, various governments have implemented measures to control the spread of infection. These measures may have an adverse effect on street vending practices. This paper demonstrates the extent to which COVID-19 measures of control and prevention affects street vending practices in Africa and how it can be remedied. There has been reduced economic growth and increased hunger among individuals involved in street vending practices due to the prohibitions put in place by governments. Measures directed at curbing the spread of the virus inadvertently affect street vending practices and vendors. Current and future pandemic response plans should reflect the integration of measures directed at reducing potential hardship and a further economic set back for individuals involved in street vending practices.

Who Will Pay for the COVID-19 Vaccines for Africa?

Africa's health systems are strained by the COVID-19 pandemic. There are global efforts toward the development and trial of COVID-19 vaccines. However, considering the challenges and economic conditions of African nations, there could be limited access and availability of the vaccines on the continent. This will be the result of high cost and technical requirements to acquire the vaccines. There are indications that possible donor funding for COVID-19 vaccines from rich countries maybe put off considering the various challenges they face currently and the moves they are making in response to the disease. The issue of justice in health for protecting the vulnerable populations and regions also supports the need for COVID-19 vaccine availability on the African continent. Means to achieve uniform control of the disease burden across the globe should be adopted. Governments of African nations should also scale up their efforts toward COVID-19 vaccine acquisition and utilization through viable efforts. It is therefore important to assist the African continent in acquiring the COVID-19 vaccines by leveling all power dynamics that will affect access and distribution.

Rural communities in Africa should not be forgotten in responses to COVID-19.

Rural areas in Africa make up a large proportion of the continent. Since the emergence of COVID-19 on the continent, major attention and responses have been placed on urban areas. Rural areas are typified by certain challenges which may serve as limitations to the provision of resources and tools for COVID-19 responses in these areas. These major challenges include limited access to these areas due to poor road networks which may hamper the possibility of conveying resources and manpower. Shortage of healthcare workforce in these areas, poor health facilities/structures and limited access to COVID-19 diagnostics services may also make containment challenging. It is therefore important that investment should be made in these areas towards providing the necessary tools, resources, and manpower to ensure effective containment of COVID-19 and to alleviate the plight caused by the pandemic in rural Africa. Rural communities in Africa should not be left behind in COVID-19 responses.