Prevalence and risk factors of post-traumatic stress disorder and psychological distress symptoms in populations affected by Ebola in DR Congo before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Journal of Psychosomatic Research, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 190, P. 112063 - 112063

Published: Feb. 11, 2025

Ebola virus disease (May 19-September 16, 2020) and COVID-19 simultaneously affected the province of Equateur in DR Congo (DRC). To date, no longitudinal studies have explored symptoms post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) psychological distress (PD) related to or DRC. A representative sample 1669 participants aged ≥18 was recruited March-April 2019 (Time 1) August-September 2020 2). Questionnaires assessed PTSD (PCL-5) PD (K-10) symptoms, social support, exposure stigmatization. Prevalence (58.24 % T1 43.74% at T2, x2(1) = 5.83, p < .001) (49.44 28.94 x2 (1) decreased from outbreak pandemic. Populations living rural areas consistently reported higher prevalence symptoms. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models showed that stigmatization is most important predictor both (B 0.90, .0001) 1.22, followed by 0.41, .001 B 0.56, .001). only predicted 0.21, .009). GEE also confirmed -0.78, -1.25, significant interaction found between time -0.40, .021) for PTSD, -0.36, .026) PD. This study confirms mental health problems. Community-based strategies can address, reduce, eliminate this issue.

Language: Английский

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Leading the next Pandemics

Public Health in Practice, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 100605 - 100605

Published: March 1, 2025

As the world emerges from COVID-19 pandemic, proactive planning for future pandemics is imperative to reduce morbidity and mortality. Central this preparedness development of leaders equipped with appropriate leadership frameworks perspectives navigate complex global health challenges. This commentary introduces an integrated definition presents Deliberate Proactive Leadership Framework as a model fostering skills strategies necessary address crises effectively.

Language: Английский

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Cellular immune response to SARS-CoV-2 and clinical presentation in individuals exposed to endemic malaria

Cell Reports, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 43(8), P. 114533 - 114533

Published: July 24, 2024

Language: Английский

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Helminth Seropositivity Inversely Correlated with Th1 and Th17 Cytokines and Severe COVID-19

Vaccines, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13(3), P. 252 - 252

Published: Feb. 27, 2025

Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global health. However, Africa reported relatively low numbers of cases and fatalities. Although the largely receded, reasons for its milder course on African continent have not yet been fully clarified. This study explored hypothesis that helminth co-infections may contributed to these observations. Methods: A retrospective cohort was conducted using 104 plasma samples collected during third wave in Ashanti Region Ghana. Luminex assays were used measure SARS-CoV-2-specific IgA IgG, neutralizing antibodies, systemic cytokines helminth-specific IgG. Results: results indicated highest cumulative seroprevalence helminths (61.5%) observed asymptomatic patients. In comparison, mild moderate patients had seropositivity rates 43.8% 34.5%, respectively, which 1.4 1.8 times lower than those group, respectively. Notably, two severe investigated seronegative all three tested. Strikingly, co-exposure resulted IgA/IgG expression reduced neutralization potential. co-seropositive individuals SARS-CoV-2 exhibited a higher Th2 IL-10 over Th1 compared SARS-CoV-2-positive alone. Conclusion: These data suggest could mitigate severity outcomes by reducing Th17 responses; this highlights potential protective role helminthiasis against COVID-19. findings provide valuable insights development public health policies helminth-endemic regions underscore importance considering managing viral infections. It also offers plausible explanation disease while raising critical considerations regarding vaccine efficacy, as helminth-induced immune modulation influence magnitude quality vaccine-induced responses.

Language: Английский

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Immune System and Epidemics: The Role of African Indigenous Bioactive Substances

Nutrients, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 15(2), P. 273 - 273

Published: Jan. 5, 2023

With over 6 million coronavirus pandemic deaths, the African continent reported lowest death rate despite having a high disease burden. The community’s resilience to has been attributed climate and weather conditions, herd immunity, repeated exposure infectious organisms that help stimulate immune system, disproportionately large youth population. In addition, functional foods, herbal remedies, dietary supplements contain micronutrients bioactive compounds can boost system. This review identified significant traditional fermented foods remedies available within with potential system in epidemics pandemics. Methodology: Databases, such as PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, were searched using relevant search terms identify medicinal plants immune-boosting or antiviral capabilities. Cereal-based meat-, fish-based dairy-based containing antioxidants, immunomodulatory effects, probiotics, vitamins, peptides discussed. nine spices belonging eight plant families have antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, properties. Peptides, flavonoids, alkaloids, sterols, ascorbic acid, minerals, saponins are some remedies. Bioactive food significantly support increase resistance against diseases. variety found on could play an essential role providing community diseases during should investigate nutritional, herbal, environmental factors healthy living longevity.

Language: Английский

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Probing SARS-CoV-2-positive plasma to identify potential factors correlating with mild COVID-19 in Ghana, West Africa

BMC Medicine, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 20(1)

Published: Oct. 3, 2022

Abstract Background West Africa has recorded a relatively higher proportion of asymptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases than the rest world, and Africa-specific host factors could play role in this discrepancy. Here, we assessed association between COVID-19 severity among Ghanaians with their immune profiles ABO blood groups. Methods Plasma samples were obtained from PCR-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-positive individuals. The participants categorized into symptomatic cases. Cytokine profiling antibody quantification performed using Luminex™ multiplex assay whereas antigen-driven agglutination was used to assess Immune profile levels groups compared two-tailed Mann-Whitney U test. Multiple comparisons cytokine days tested Kruskal-Wallis Dunn’s post hoc Correlations within grouping (O’s non-O’s) cytokines determined Spearman correlations. Logistic regression analysis various phenotype. Results There trend linking group O reduced severity, but not statistically significant. Generally, patients displayed significantly ( p < 0.05) exception Eotaxin, which positively associated also significant associations other markers (IL-6, IL-8 IL-1Ra) severity. Cytokines’ clustering patterns differ We observed steady decrease concentration most over time, while anti-SARS-CoV-2 stable for at least month, regardless status. Conclusions findings suggest that genetic background pre-existing response may part shape nature against African population. This study offers clear directions be explored further larger studies.

Language: Английский

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Spread and seasonality of COVID-19 pandemic confirmed cases in sub-Saharan Africa: experience from Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Senegal, and Uganda

BMC Infectious Diseases, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 23(1)

Published: March 29, 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the world negatively with huge health and socioeconomic consequences. This study estimated seasonality, trajectory, projection of cases to understand dynamics disease spread inform response interventions.Descriptive analysis daily confirmed from January 2020 12th March 2022 was conducted in four purposefully selected sub-Saharan African countries (Nigeria, Democratic Republic Congo (DRC), Senegal, Uganda). We extrapolated data (2020 2022) 2023 using a trigonometric time series model. A decomposition method used examine seasonality data.Nigeria had highest rate (β) (β = 381.2) while DRC least 119.4). DRC, Uganda, Senegal similar pattern onset through December 2020. average doubling case count Uganda (148 days) Nigeria (83 days). seasonal variation found for all but timing showed some variations across countries. More are expected 1st (January-March) 3rd (July-September) quarters year 2nd (April-June) (October-December) Uganda.Our findings show that may warrant consideration periodic interventions peak seasons preparedness strategies.

Language: Английский

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Why SARS-CoV-2 vaccination still matters in Africa

QJM, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 115(3), P. 191 - 192

Published: Jan. 24, 2022

Language: Английский

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COVID-19 post-pandemic reflections from sub-Saharan Africa: what we know now that we wish we knew then

Public Health in Practice, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 7, P. 100486 - 100486

Published: Feb. 29, 2024

The commonly heard aphorism about history repeating itself suggests an endless cycle of recurring events. However, George Santayana offered a similar sentiment when he said, "Those who do not learn from are doomed to repeat it". This emphasises that the responsibility for recurrence events lies with itself, but humanity. It underscores if we desire change, it is our initiate it, rather than attributing external forces such as fate, luck, or time. With this thought in mind, here offer narrative view sub-Saharan Africa, focusing primarily on own experiences Nigeria and Uganda, what harsh lessons can be learnt COVID-19 pandemic regarding emergency preparedness respond effectively next major infectious disease outbreak. Four strategies suggested, implementation which may contribute substantially safeguarding against experience catastrophic public health, social economic costs borne by African nations during its immediate aftermath.

Language: Английский

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Unraveling the effects of the Ebola experience on behavior choices during COVID-19 in Liberia: a mixed-methods study across successive outbreaks

BMC Global and Public Health, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2(1)

Published: April 1, 2024

Abstract Background The burden of the COVID-19 pandemic in terms morbidity and mortality differentially affected populations. Between within populations, behavior change was likewise heterogeneous. Factors influencing precautionary adoption during have been associated with multidimensional aspects risk perception; however, influence lived experiences other recent outbreaks on has less studied. Methods To consider how direct disease experience (“near misses”) 2014–2016 Ebola virus (EVD) outbreak may impacted early waves West Africa, we analyzed data from a mixed-methods study that included phone-based survey in-depth interviews among vaccinated Liberian adults. Logistic regression via generalized estimating equations quasi-likelihood information criterion (QIC)-based model selection conducted to evaluate interaction between individual effects (EVD COVID-19) “near-miss” behaviors. Thematic analysis interview transcripts explored reasons for differential two outbreaks. Results At population level, being “near miss” not significantly different versus Ebola; overall, people had lower odds adopting behaviors relative Ebola. Participants who report near miss were more likely having household member test positive (p<0.001). Qualitatively, participants often reflected themes around proximal personal than COVID-19; they also commented EVD led better preparedness at systems level communities behave an outbreak, despite such awareness necessarily translating into action COVID-19. Conclusions results suggest perceived proximity intensity threats space time affect behavioral decisions. For successive threats, comparisons present past compound those effects, regardless whether individuals directly experience. Measures, as communication community engagement efforts, gauge reflect previous should be considered response strategies enhance behavior.

Language: Английский

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