Exploring the risk factors of child malnutrition in Sub-Sahara Africa: A scoping review.

Background: Malnutrition prevents children from reaching their full physical and mental potential. Health and physical consequences of prolonged states of malnourishment among children are: delay in their physical growth and motor development; lower intellectual quotient (IQ), greater behavioural problems and deficient social skills; susceptibility to contracting diseases. According to the 2015 Millennium development goal (MDG) report, sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) accounts for one third of all undernourished children globally, highlighting that malnutrition still remains a major health concern for children under 5 years in the sub-region, thus buttressing the need for urgent intervention. Aim: The aim of this study is to explore the risk factors of child malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa through a scoping review. Methods: The scoping review was conducted using the following specific subject databases: EBSCOhost, google scholar, Pub med, demographic research and research gate. Attention was paid to keywords during navigation to ensure consistency of searches in each database. Two limiters were applied in all five databases. These included the use of the English language and articles published on child malnutrition in sub Saharan Africa. Results: The researchers identified eight themes for inclusion in the findings. The themes fell into four major categories being maternal related, family related, child related as well as context related factors. These themes reflect factors associated with child malnutrition. Conclusion: This scoping review revealed that there are quite a number of risk factors that lead to child malnutrition. Therefore, there is an urgency for strategic interventions aimed at improving child nutrition through female education if the 2030 end malnutrition SDG 2.2 are to be achieved.

Exploring barriers to antiretroviral therapy adherence among pregnant women: A scoping literature review.

BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is one of the most effective ways of preventing HIV-related maternal mortality. However, the rates of retention in care and long-term adherence remain extremely low. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore barriers to antiretroviral therapy adherence among pregnant women. SEARCH STRATEGY: The search for articles was conducted using EBSCO Host, PubMed, Google scholar, and Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). SELECTION CRITERIA: The studies included were conducted between 2000 and 2020 and covered barriers to antiretroviral therapy. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data was collected from 8 selected articles and analyzed using Arksey and O'Malley five stages framework. MAIN RESULTS: Barriers to antiretroviral therapy adherence included side effects of the therapy and financial constraints limiting access to food, transport, and medication. Other barriers included cultural and religious factors, lack of spouse support, stigma, and discrimination. CONCLUSION: There is need to support pregnant women undergoing antiretroviral therapy to mitigate barriers associated with the uptake of the therapy.

The impact of COVID-19 lockdown in a developing country: narratives of self-employed women in Ndola, Zambia.

Women are normally self-employed in businesses involving buying and selling of goods. Such businesses were severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic lock-down. The researchers explored the impact the of COVID-19 lockdown on self-employed women. The researchers used a qualitative approach. Interviews were used to collect data. Forty participants took part in the study. The data was thematically analyzed. The researchers found that participants were affected by Inadequate food supplies, Hopelessness to revive business, Poor access to health services, Psychological trauma, Defaulting medications, and Challenges of keeping children indoors. There is need to provide social and economic support to self-employed women.