Meta-synthesis of family communication patterns during post-stroke vascular aphasia: Evidence to guide practice.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have predominantly focused on the needs of persons with aphasia (PWA), after a stroke diagnosis. However, aphasia is found to cause communication challenges in persons with stroke and their family caregivers as a unit. Evidence is inconclusive about the communication patterns of both persons with aphasia and their family caregivers after a stroke. Studies have not been synthesized on facilitators and barriers of communication patterns between PWA and family caregivers after a stroke. AIMS: A meta-synthesis of qualitative evidence was conducted to explore family communication patterns after post-stroke vascular aphasia. METHODS: An electronic literature search of PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PsyINFO, and Scopus was performed from January to March 2021. The methods of qualitative meta-synthesis were underpinned by Sandelowski and Barosso's guidelines. Data analysis was facilitated by Braun and Clarke thematic analysis, using NVivo 11 software. RESULTS: A total of twenty studies were included for meta-synthesis. Three themes with corresponding subthemes were identified: (1) changes in family communication patterns (subthemes: adapting to the changes in PWA after a stroke, striving toward communication recovery); (2) facilitators of family communication patterns (subthemes: supportive communication techniques, hope of recovery, time to re-adjust, and community engagement [recreational activities]); and (3) barriers of communication (subthemes: emotional turmoil and daunting tasks of rehabilitation). LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION: Although persons with aphasia and family caregivers are striving to achieve normalcy in communication, they are often challenged by communication deficits and protective family behaviors. Therefore, to establish effective communication, it is of paramount importance for nursing professionals to educate PWAs and their caregivers on facilitators and barriers of family communication patterns. Technology-based family communication facilitation and support groups for PWA and their family caregivers are recommended to promote family communication. The review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021235519).

Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

We estimated the seroprevalence of anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies in residents of African countries and explored its associated factors. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, AMED, CINAHL, DOAJ and Google Scholar databases for peer reviewed articles and pre-prints that reported anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence of general or specific human populations resident in Africa. The eligible studies were evaluated using Joana Briggs Institute prevalence critical appraisal tool. Twenty-three studies involving 27,735 individuals were included in our paper. The pooled seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Africa was 22% (95%CI: 14-31) with very high heterogeneity (I2  = 100%, p < 0.001). Seroprevalence was highest in studies conducted in Central Africa compared to Southern Africa, West Africa, North Africa and East Africa respectively. The number of days between the first reported coronavirus disease 2019 case in each country and when a seroprevalence study was conducted was a significant moderator of seroprevalence. Seropositivity was numerically influenced by gender and age of the participants with males and those aged below 50 years being most affected with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The highest pooled seroprevalence in Africa reported in this review should be interpreted cautiously due to high heterogeneity between studies. Continued seroprevalence surveillance is warranted to establish Africa's transition towards herd immunity.

Histopathological profile of breast cancer at a tertiary hospital in Malawi: A retrospective cross-sectional study.

Breast cancer is one of the major public health problem in developing countries. In Malawi, cancer of the breast among females is among the top four accounting for 4.9%. The study determined the histopathologic profile of breast cancer in Northern Malawi from July 2013 to June 2018. A record based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Mzuzu Central Hospital. We reviewed 202 histopathological results of breast specimens during the study period. Data was analyzed using STATA version 14.0. Out of 202 clinically diagnosed breast lesions/tumours, 102 (50.5%) were histopathologically confirmed cancerous in nature, and 100 (49.5%) were non-cancerous. Ductal carcinoma was the leading histologic presentation with 68 cases representing 66.7%. Participants in the age group of 70-89 years were 13 times more likely to develop breast cancer (OR 12.66; P-value = 0.001; 95% CI 2.79 - 57.46), compared to those in the age group 10-29 years. The magnitude of breast cancer in Mzuzu Central Hospital, Northern Malawi is alarming (50.5%). Policy makers should emphasise on awareness campaigns for early and routine breast screening, early diagnosis and early treatment.