Sulphur nutrition management in Sub-Saharan Africa crop production: a systematic review

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) has a high prevalence and social impact worldwide, with a high mortality within the first three years of life. A high prevalence has been reported in sub-Saharan Africa, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and India. With global migration, prevalence is also increasing in other geographic regions, but there are no definitive data on global prevalence and mortality of SCD. Aims: To perform a systematic literature review (SLR) of available evidence on the epidemiological burden (prevalence, birth prevalence and mortality/life expectancy) of SCD. Methods: A comprehensive literature search of bibliographic databases and proceedings from key conferences was performed to identify peer-reviewed studies reporting on SCD epidemiology, from 1 January 2010, to 30 December 2020 (congress abstracts 2018 to 2020 only). The SLR protocol followed PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Two independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, including reporting of relevant population data and at least one outcome of interest. Multiple data elements were extracted, including number of people screened and diagnosed, prevalence, birth prevalence, mortality/survival/life expectancy, geographic region, years of data collection, genotype and age category. Study quality was assessed with a version of the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations) framework, adapted to observational studies. Meta-analyses using a binomial normal random-effects model were carried out to estimate the prevalence and birth prevalence globally and regionally (when sufficient data were available). Results: Of 1581 journal articles and 482 abstracts screened, 115 publications met the inclusion criteria; 43 included data on birth prevalence, 24 on prevalence and 33 on mortality or life expectancy. Birth prevalence of SCD (children ≤1 year old), mostly measured through new-born screening, was highest in several sub-Saharan Africa countries (500–2000/100,000), South America and Caribbean Islands (20-1000/100,000); in USA and European countries found in the SLR, birth prevalence was ≤500/100,000. Overall findings on regional prevalence indicated that sub-Saharan and North-East Africa, India and the Middle East are global SCD “hotspots”. However, prevalence data were too sparse to provide consistent prevalence numbers per region through meta-analysis. Mortality appeared particularly high in low-resource settings, including Africa and India; although, different methods of data presentation and source populations make comparisons across studies difficult. There are limitations to this SLR due to gaps in the published literature, including inconsistent reporting of SCD genotypes, diagnosis criteria and study settings. In addition, there was paucity of peer-reviewed publications on life expectancy and prevalence from European countries with assumed high prevalence. A search of global and local registries is ongoing to supplement the published literature. Summary/Conclusion: This SLR has provided some insights into the global epidemiology of SCD, confirming earlier studies of areas with a high prevalence. However, this SLR confirms that there is a great need for resources for additional studies with uniform data collection on prevalence and mortality to ensure an increased awareness of SCD among public health policy makers worldwide.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited monogenic disorder with high prevalence throughout sub-Saharan Africa, the Mediterranean basin, the Middle East, and India. Sources of SCD epidemiology remain scarce and fragmented. A systematic literature review (SLR) to identify peer-reviewed studies on SCD epidemiology was performed, with a search of bibliographic databases and key conference proceedings from 1 January 2010 to 25 March 2022 (congress abstracts after 2018). The SLR followed PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Meta-analyses, using a binomial normal random-effects model, were performed to estimate global and regional prevalence and birth prevalence. Of 1770 journal articles and 468 abstracts screened, 115 publications met the inclusion criteria. Prevalence was highest in Africa (~800/100,000), followed by the Middle East (~200/100,000) and India (~100/100,000), in contrast to ~30/100,000 in Europe. Birth prevalence was highest in Africa (~1000/100,000) and lowest in North America (~50/100,000) and Europe (~30/100,000). This SLR confirmed that sub-Saharan and North-East Africa, India, the Middle East, and the Caribbean islands are global SCD hotspots. Publications including mortality data were sparse, and no conclusions could be drawn about mortality. The identified data were limited due to gaps in the published literature for large parts of the world population; the inconsistent reporting of SCD genotypes, diagnostic criteria, and settings; and a sparsity of peer-reviewed publications from countries with assumed high prevalence. This SLR demonstrated a lack of systematic knowledge and a need to provide uniform data collection on SCD prevalence and mortality.

Abiotic stress is a major cause of the declining crop yield worldwide, especially in tropical agricultural areas. Meeting the global food demand has become a serious challenge, especially in tropical areas, because of soil acidity, Al and Fe toxicity, drought and heat stress, and climate change. In this article, we reviewed several research and review papers from Google Scholar to list the different solutions available for the mitigation of abiotic stress, especially in tropical regions where several major crops, such as maize, sorghum, wheat, rice, soybean, and millet, are affected by abiotic stress and fertilizer input. In particular, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has been affected by the low use of fertilizers owing to their high cost. Therefore, soil and plant researchers and farmers have developed many techniques to mitigate the effects of stress and improve the crop yield based on the agroecological zone and crop type. Nutrient management using chemical fertilizers alone or in combination with organic crops is a strategy recommended to cope with abiotic stress and increase the crop yield, particularly in developing countries. Notably, integrated soil fertility management has been effective in semi-arid areas under drought and heat stress and in subhumid and humid areas with high soil acidity and Fe toxicity in Africa. Recent advances in the molecular physiology of various crops considered a staple food in SSA have facilitated the breeding of transgenic tolerant plants with high yield. However, the feasibility and implementation of this technique in the African continent and most tropical developing countries are major issues that can be solved via adequate subsidies and support to farmers. This review can aid in the development of novel strategies to decrease hunger and food insecurity in SSA.

BackgroundMalaria is a leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa, which is home to more than 90% of both cases and deaths globally. Self-medication with antimalarials is a common practice in the region, mainly due to high malaria endemicity, poverty, and difficulty in accessing services in formal settings. Malaria self-medication is implicated in the rising trend of antimalarial drug resistance which threatens decades of gains made in controlling the disease. Previous studies have somewhat itemised the reasons for malaria self-medication and the factors driving it but have not been able to estimate the overall prevalence of the practice and its dynamics over time regarding period, region and country.Materials and MethodsFollowing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), a systematic review of literature and meta-analysis on malaria self-medication in sub-Saharan Africa was conducted by searching PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus and Embase databases for relevant studies written in English and published up to 12th April, 2023, using a combination of different keywords derived from the main keywords (‘malaria’, ’self-medication’ and ‘sub-Saharan Africa’), broadening chances of retrieval by using Boolean operators ‘OR' and ‘AND’.Results Twenty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review, giving rise to a pooled prevalence of 55.3% for malaria self-medication. Factors driving self-medication with antimalarials in the region include low-income level, cheap availability of non-prescription drugs, large family size, lack of health insurance, difficulty in accessing healthcare in formal settings and previous satisfactory use of specific drugs.ConclusionDue to the underlying factors driving the practice, health authorities and regulatory agencies in sub-Saharan Africa should step up actions by incorporating stakeholders in the informal drug market into a framework that advocates for an enlightened use of antimalarial drugs in the management of the disease.

Application of a Bayesian approach to quantify the impact of nitrogen fertilizer on upland rice yield in sub-Saharan Africa

Unlocking the nexus potential: A techno-economic analysis of joint deployment of minigrids with smallholder irrigation

Association between transport-related physical activity and wellness in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic literature review

Approximately 70% of Sub-Saharan African countries have experienced armed conflicts with significant battle-related fatalities in the past two decades. Niger has witnessed a substantial rise in conflict-affected populations in recent years. In response, international cooperation has aimed to support health transformation in Niger's conflict zones and other conflict-affected areas in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study seeks to review the available evidence on health interventions facilitated by international cooperation in conflict zones, with a focus on Niger. We conducted a systematic literature review (SLR) adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search was conducted from 2000 to 4 September 2022 using MeSH terms and keywords to identify relevant studies and reports in Sub-Saharan Africa and specifically in Niger. Databases such as PubMed (Medline), Google Scholar, Google, and gray literature were utilized. The findings were presented both narratively and through tables and a conceptual framework. Overall, 24 records (10 studies and 14 reports) that highlighted the significant role of international cooperation in promoting health transformation in conflict zones across Sub-Saharan Africa, including Niger, were identified. Major multilateral donors identified were the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), World Bank, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), European Union, European Commission Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), Global Fund, and Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI). Most supports targeted maternal, newborn, child, adolescent, and youth health, nutrition, and psycho-social services. Furthermore, interventions were in the form of public health initiatives, mobile clinic implementation, data management, human resource capacity building, health information systems, health logistics, and research funding in conflict zones. This literature review underscores the significant engagement of international cooperation in strengthening and transforming health services in conflict-affected areas across Sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular focus on Niger. However, to optimize the effectiveness of healthcare activities from short- and long-term perspectives, international partners and the Ministry of Public Health need to re-evaluate and reshape their approach to health intervention in conflict zones.

Orientation: Education trends in Africa indicate that key ingredients for effective education are elusive, impacting the teachers who need to remain productive, motivated and healthy in this environment.Research purpose: Using machine learning active learning technology, the study aimed to review current literature related to the factors affecting the capabilities and functionings of secondary school teachers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).Motivation for the study: The Capability Approach (CA) provides a framework for studying the sustainable employability (SE) of teachers, including what they require to be able to convert valued opportunities into the needed achievements.Research approach/design and method: A systematic literature review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, using Machine Learning Active Learning Technology. Eighty six articles from 14 SSA countries were included for analysis, prioritising articles in the South African context first.Main findings: Analysis identified four groupings of resources that are potentially useful or valuable, creating access or empowerment if utilised effectively, namely knowledge commodities, soft commodities, hard commodities, and organisational commodities. Sub-resources were also identified.Practical/managerial implications: This research would assist policy and decision-makers to focus their interventions in the most effective way to sustain productivity and well-being in the workplace. The resource groupings should be included in a model that focuses on enhancing secondary school teachers’ capabilities to promote their well-being and productivity.Contribution/value-add: This article provides new applied knowledge related to machine learning active learning technology as a methodology, and provides further insight into secondary school teacher employability.

Understanding decision-making around human and livestock health in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic literature review

Several developing nations lack access to energy to perform daily activities. Therefore, effective energy planning is essential for addressing developing nations' pressing challenges, including energy security, economic competitiveness, and climate change mitigation. This study presents a systematic literature review of various energy modeling tools, specifically focusing on their significance in shaping the energy landscape of Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) approach was adopted for this review. A literature search was conducted using a flowchart and a list of items and selected articles were critically reviewed. The study has presented a descriptive analysis of selected research articles based on their yearly publications, journals, publishers, countries, and the prevalent energy modeling tools employed in scholarly work. Also, the study highlighted the current understanding of energy modeling tools, their data requirements, and their applications in the context of developing countries. The findings show that energy modeling tools (EMTs) are important in decision-making and policy formulation processes, particularly for analyzing energy demand and supply pathways and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, the review indicates that existing energy modeling tools do not fully capture SSA's unique features. Therefore, new policies need to be developed to integrate more renewable energy sources, with a focus on using EMTs developed specifically for the context of developing countries. Some factors, such as political difficulties, informal economy, regional climate conditions, low electricity access, and urbanization, need to be considered in future energy model development for SSA countries. The study findings are crucial in assisting researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in exploiting existing knowledge, identifying critical gaps, and positioning future research for developing more environmentally friendly and cost-effective energy models in SSA.

The past few years have witnessed emphasis on food security and sustainable farming— Sustainable Development Goal 2, zero hunger. Discourse on food production highlight knowledge and sources of advice on fertilisers use appears to influence farmers' efficient application of fertilisers. Yet, the research literature is silent on farmers' knowledge of fertilisers, its use and impacts on the environment in sub-Saharan Africa. This paper sets out to investigate the knowledge farmers have on the environment and analyse if they apply fertilisers in an environmentally efficient manner.Data was pulled from face-to-face administered questionnaires with 635 farmers in the Offinso Municipality, Ghana. Results showed that 94.0% of the farmers did apply fertilisers. Further, 47.8% of the 594 farmers who applied fertilisers relied on their accumulated knowledge with none applying fertilisers in accordance with the 4R Nutrient Stewardship — right type, right place, right time, and right rate. However, 60.6% of those who applied fertilisers were not aware that the inefficient application of fertilisers could harm the environment. Although the key role of extension officers in sustainable farming was acknowledged by farmers, access to extension services remained a problem.This paper suggests that extension officers should be supported by the agricultural institutions and the government to implement the 4R Nutrient Stewardship guidelines at the ground level to promote sustainable farming. Also, extension officers seeking to promote sustainable farming must intensify efforts in disseminating information on the 4Rs to farmers to secure the food and protect the environment we love.

Background: HIV self-testing (HIVST) with mobile health technology (mHealth) support is the use of mobile phone-based interventions to complement HIVST in order to improve its efficiency and uptake. Existing reviews leaves a gap in the evidence that summarizes efforts on the feasibility of mHealth to promote HIVST uptake within Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Objective: This study synthesized existing research on the feasibility of mobile health technology (mHealth) aimed at promoting HIV self-testing (HIVST) uptake within SSA using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Result: Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria and were narratively synthesized, 63% of which were observational studies while 37% were randomized control trials. Mobile applications, SMS or a combination of mHealth strategies were mostly used to promote HIVST uptake. Most studies were carried out in South Africa (54%), and in the general population (54%). Feasibility metrics were inconsistently reported across studies because its definitions varied, nonetheless most studies reported one or more feasibility metrics and HIVST uptake was the most common way (81%) of assessing feasibility. SMS-based interventions significantly increased HIVST uptake among hard-to-reach populations and were effective for reporting testing outcomes. Mobile applications guided participants through testing, result interpretation, and self-reporting HIVST results, and most studies reported high HIVST uptake (89.0%–100%). Compared to HIVST alone, call-based intervention enhanced HIVST uptake and linkage to care or prevention (p = 0.021). Most studies found combined mHealth interventions highly feasible (78.9%–99.2%). Conclusion: Feasibility was variable between the diverse mHealth supports used to promote HIVST uptake. While findings pave the way for greater use of mHealth supported HIVST, future research should consider using rigorous research designs and focus on populations disproportionately affected by HIV within diverse SSA regions to ensure broad applicability. Feasibility measures should also be standardized for uniform reporting across studies.

Introduction: Road traffic injuries (RTI) are projected to become the 7th leading cause of mortality worldwide by the year 2030. It is projected that 90% of the global road traffic injury burden will be borne by Low and Middle-Income countries (LMICs), including sub-Saharan Africa. We undertook a systematic literature review to assess the effectiveness of implemented traffic injury prevention initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa. Methodology: A systematic review of the English literature was undertaken per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies were identified by searching the electronic databases Embase, Pubmed, Medline, The Cochrane Library and an additional review of reference lists. In addition, published studies from 1990 to 2020 were extracted and analysed. Results: The literature search generated 638 articles. Twenty-two duplicates were removed, and after title and abstract screening and full-text screening, 22 articles were retained. The interventions were broadly categorised into education, enforcement, Legislation, speed control, road safety and combined interventions. Conclusion: Combined multi-faceted injury prevention strategies are most effective in Sub-Saharan Africa. Enforcement of safety regulations ensures compliance and sustainability of prevention interventions. Speed control measures are useful in calming vehicular speeds, but poor design and citing can endanger road users. Road safety, education and Legislation have little to no effect when implemented alone; however, when combined with other measures, they can lead to significant reductions in road traffic injuries and fatalities.

Soil nutrient management plays an important role in maintaining sustainable soil health for the future generation. The state or innate ability of the soil to provide nutrients to plants in sufficient quantities and the right proportions is known as soil fertility. Sustainable Soil fertility was maintained by following proper nutrient management by following four R’s such as the Right quantity of fertilizers at the Right time with the Right source and the Right placement. The prime first step toward sustainable farming is using an optimal amount of fertilizers as well as following the cropping pattern as per the scientific recommendation. The multinomial logit model was used to predict a nominal dependent variable in this study (SPSS version 28). In the outcome of the model, it can be observed that age, education, livestock, family size, cultivated area, distance to fertility material sources, level of soil fertility severity of soil nutrient depletion, tenure, recommended dose, residual effect and soil conservation measures are significantly contributing meaningfully to the model. Gender and awareness of soil fertilizer pollution show a negative effect on the choice of soil fertility management choices. If the farmers in the study area use integrated soil nutrient or fertility management compared with other nutrient management choices, sustainable use and management of agricultural land will be promoted. Using Soil Health Card promotes balanced use of nutrient sources by avoiding dumping or reducing the usage of fertility or nutrient sources.