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The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the global population not just from morbidity and mortality associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, but also due to measures imposed upon populations to slow the transmission and prevent infections. Measures introduced by policymakers have included self-isolation of infective or potentially infective individuals, social distancing, travel bans, school closures, and mandatory face coverings. Most recently, the introduction of vaccination has been a key preventative measure encouraged by many governments. Considering gender differences in adherence to these measures is important to help guide future policymaking and targeting of advice. Differences also arise in how the preventative measures impact different genders. Some policies have caused greater harm to women, compounding existing problems such as inequality in the paid workforce, sexual- and gender-based violence, and inadequate maternal healthcare. Policymakers must consider the gender differences in response to preventive measures and creating effective and equitable policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: mammography has the potential for identifying high risk women with breast cancer. Early detection is important in reducing mortality and morbidity, and crucial for better prognosis. Mammography is poorly practiced in Nigeria. This study assessed the association between socio-demographic characteristics and uptake of mammography among women ≥40 years. Methods: a cross-sectional descriptive study design was employed and data was collected from 365 consenting participants in Calabar, Nigeria, using pre-tested questionnaire. SPSS Version 20 was used for data entry and analysis. The results were descriptively presented by frequencies and percentages. Pearson Chi-Square (χ²) analysis was performed to detect the association between variables at 5% level of significance (p-value of =0.05). Results: only 9.9% of participants had a mammography, majority 90.1% never had. Uptake was highest among respondents with tertiary education, married, Civil/Public Servants, and those in the high income level categorization. Educational status, marital status, occupation and age were not statistically significantly associated with mammography uptake (p>0.05). Only religious denominational affiliation (p = 0.02) and income level (p = 0.002) were statistically significantly associated with uptake. Barriers to uptake were poor knowledge about mammography (49.8%), psychosocial (37.8%), economic (17.1%) and health systems (11.5%). Key facilitators to uptake were encouragement/counselling by health workers (44.0%) and presence of breast problems (37.4%). Conclusion: mammography uptake in Calabar, Nigeria was extremely low. Therefore, regular awareness campaigns targeting women at faith-based settings, and provision of mammography screening services at subsidized rates will enhance knowledge level and uptake of mammography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The post-independence era in Nigeria ushered in an array of fundamental structuring and development in all sectors of the Nigerian economy including medical education and training. This era saw the establishment of medical schools across the country which mirrored the medical curriculum of British universities. This paper dives into the general structure of undergraduate medical education in Nigeria, its historical background and how it compares with neighboring and distant countries. Since the undergraduate medical education curriculum has not seen significant modifications since conception, this paper presents the challenges of the existent structure to include biased admission process, emphasis on irrelevant pre-medical courses, paucity of of technologically-advanced teaching and learning aids, increased workloads of lecturers amongst others. Importantly, solutions and recommendations are prescribed in this paper, which if considered, may improve undergraduate medical training in Nigeria, and ultimately improve the standard of healthcare service provision in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: antimicrobial resistance (AR) is on a rise as one of the major global public health threats. It is therefore important to assess contributory factors to the rise in the cases of resistance reported. The main objective of this study was to assess the self-medication practices with antibiotics among the University of Rwanda students in Huye Campus. Methods: a sample of 570 students from all levels and colleges of the University of Rwanda in Huye Campus were selected using a simple random sampling to participate in this study. A questionnaire was administered to be answered individually by the consented respondents where the self-medication practices with antibiotics in the past 6 months were assessed. The results were statistically analyzed using SPSS v.16. Results: the study showed that 12.1% (n=69) practiced self-medication with antibiotics. The major reason for self-medication with antibiotics was illness not serious to have a consultation (50.72%). The main diseases being treated were common cold/fever/cough (47.83%). The most used antibiotic for self-medication was Amoxicillin capsules (59.42%), while the main source of antibiotics was the community pharmacy (72.42%). Conclusion: self-medication with antibiotics is not uncommon among the university students. Regarding the main reasons of self-medication with antibiotics, diseases being treated, and the antibiotics used, it was found that all these may be related to the students' lack of knowledge about the need for rational use of antibiotics and a study was needed to confirm it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sudan is facing a formidable task of fighting COVID-19. The country is suddenly challenged by this health issue that will test its path towards peace, stability, and development. The fragile task of handling COVID-19 epidemic in Sudan is brought about by several factors such as the weak healthcare system and political conflicts, that have been intertwined with the recent regime. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, there was already high unemployment, soaring inflation and lack of social protection and safety nets for its populace. The government has been trying its best to address the pandemic, however, much still needs to be done. Neglecting Sudan by the international community in terms of support towards containment of COVID-19 has grievous implications for transition out of military dictatorship and efforts to curb the pandemic globally. As no country is safe if all is not safe. It is essential that Sudan should leverage on innovations, country-compatible measures, and other tailor-made strategies for effective responses., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright: Yasir Ahmed Mohammed Elhadi et al.)

Introduction : COVID-19 is a global public health threat that Africa faces including the country Malawi. With an already burdened health system and an economically challenged population due to the poverty level, Malawi is suddenly faced by a pandemic that will test the country's healthcare systems. Its government has already instituted an array of initiatives and plans and funding efforts toward the effective containment of the pandemic. Some of these efforts include reorientation and training for health workers, securing funding to procure and distribute needed personal protective equipment, medicine supply, health promotion, surveillance and case management. These efforts are being done in the context of an already heavy burden of diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malnutrition and poor health literacy. Whether efforts of the government and other stakeholders are enough, these remain to be seen in containing the virus and its aftermath. Until an effective treatment or vaccine is available, Malawi has to remain vigilant and needs to continue all its efforts to address its COVID-19 epidemic., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© Parth Patel et al.)