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Abstract Background and Aims Infectious disease outbreaks pose significant challenges in Africa due to its ecology, socioeconomic conditions, and weak health systems. Implementing institutional quarantine and isolation (Q&I) measures is crucial for managing major outbreaks. However, the cultural context often determines the success of these measures. This scoping review aims to examine existing evidence on the cultural aspects of institutional Q&I in Africa over the past two decades, focusing on the COVID‐19 pandemic and other major multi‐country disease outbreaks. Methods This scoping review's protocol was registered with the Open Science Framework registry. Nine research databases were systematically searched to retrieve all relevant literature, followed by deduplication and a two‐stage screening process using the Rayyan web application. The inclusion of any literature into this review was based on a set of eligibility criteria. Also, manual searching of the reference lists of included literature was done to retrieve any other eligible literature. From the included literature, data were charted, collected, and summarized. Findings Out of the 787 articles retrieved from the database searches, this review found only one to be eligible for inclusion. Also, no other eligible article was obtained after manual searching of the reference list for this article. The reviewed article presented empirical findings on the impact of COVID‐19 Q&I protocols on traditional burial rites in Ghana. Many Ghanaian families were against their country's protocol because they felt it was insensitive to their traditional values and burial practices. Also, the way the protocol was implemented made some Ghanaian families feel that foreign burial practices were imposed on them, which bred feelings of cultural exclusion and neglect (by the government) among Ghanaians. Conclusion Research evidence on the cultural implications of Q&I in Africa is very scanty. More research is needed on this topic of public health interest.

Abstract Background Breast and cervical cancers pose significant health challenges for women globally, emphasizing the critical importance of effective screening programs for early detection. In Canada, despite the implementation of accessible healthcare systems, ethnic and racialized disparities in cancer screening persist. This study aims to assess ethnic and racialized disparities in breast and cervical cancer screening in Canada. Methods Using 2015–2019 data from the Canadian Community Health Survey, we analyzed women aged 18–70 in distinct ethnic and racial groups. The primary outcome was mammography or Papanicolaou test (pap smear). The secondary outcome was time since the last screening. We used weighted multivariable logistic regression to estimate the odds of having a pap smear or mammography across the ethnic and racialized groups, adjusted for relevant covariates. Results were reported as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results We included 14,628,067 women of which 72.5% were White, 8.4% Southeast Asian, 4.7% South Asian, 3.4% Indigenous, 2.7% Black, 2.0% West Asian, and 1.6% Latin American. In comparison with the White reference group, a higher odds ratio of not having a pap smear was estimated for the West Asian (5.63; CI 3.85, 8.23), South Asian (5.19; CI 3.79, 7.12), Southeast Asian (4.35; CI 3.46, 5.46), and Black groups (2.62; CI 1.82, 3.78). Disparities in mammography screening were found only for the Southeast Asian group with higher odds of not having screening (1.85; CI 1.15, 2.98) compared to the White reference group. Conclusion This study reveals significant disparities in pap smear and mammography screenings affecting various ethnic groups, particularly in West Asia, South Asian, and Black communities. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions, policies, and healthcare strategies to address these gaps and ensure equitable access to essential breast and cervical cancer prevention across all ethnicity.

Abstract Objective To assess the risk of developing pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in accordance with prior history of COVID‐19 infection. Background Since the advent of the COVID‐19 pandemic much discussion has been had on the possible role it might play on global efforts to combat TB; most, focusing on the pandemic's impact on health care systems' capabilities to manage TB cases. Mechanisms have also been proposed by which the COVID‐19 infection may directly affect individuals' chance of developing TB infection. Cases have been reported with a history of COVID‐19 infection preceding a diagnosis of TB, evidencing its possible role as a risk factor for the disease. Methods A case‐control study was conducted enrolling patients diagnosed with pulmonary TB in the absence of major risk factors previous history of TB, (HIV) human immunodeficiency virus infection), end‐stage renal disease, organ transplants, and use of immunosuppressive agents) for developing TB. Each patient was age and sex matched with one healthy control. Data regarding prior COVID‐19 infection, diabetes, and smoking status as well as the use of corticosteroids and Tocilizumab for the treatment of COVID‐19 infection was obtained. Bivariate analysis was conducted and variables with a likely association with TB status were entered in a multivariate model. Results Bivariate analysis demonstrated a significant relationship between prior COVID‐19 infection and TB (95% confidence interval = 1.1−22.8, odds ratio [OR] = 5). Among other variables the severity of COVID‐19 infection was found to have a likely association with TB status (p = .125). In a multivariate model, prior COVID‐19 infection per se, was not found to be significantly associated with TB (p = .12, OR = 4.5). Conclusions There seems to be an association between prior history of COVID‐19 and a future diagnosis of TB partially linked to the severity of disease. The findings of the current study may serve as a basis for further studies to determine the need for and efficacy of measures to follow‐up COVID‐19 patients at an increased risk for developing TB.

Abstract Background Health intervention trials constitute important research efforts to find appropriate solutions to health issues affecting different populations. In many cases, it involves high‐risk groups such as the trans‐communities. This scoping review aims to review the existing health intervention trials involving transgender, transabled and transracial persons in Africa. Methods This scoping review adopted the research design by Arskey and O'Malley. Using the Population–Concept–Context framework, a robust systematic search of four research databases, including APA PsycINFO, SCOPUS, CINAHL Complete and PubMed, was conducted to retrieve literature relevant to the review's question. Duplicate copies in the retrieved literature were removed using the Rayyan web‐based application. The residual literature was screened for relevance based on the review's inclusion and exclusion criteria, and only those eligible articles were included in this review. From the included literature, data were charted, collated, summarized and presented as results. Results The scoping review included and reviewed only four articles, which reported studies involving transgender persons. No peer‐reviewed original research article on transabled and transracial persons in Africa was found eligible for inclusion in this review. All the reviewed articles focused on at‐risk, healthy and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐uninfected adult participants ranging between the ages of 18 and 65 years. The domains investigated in those articles were on sexual health, HIV preventive drugs and vaccine trials. The reviewed findings showed the use of HIV‐inhibiting medications and HIV screening or testing as vital preventive interventions among transgender persons in Africa. The available research evidence shows sexuality reductionism about trans behaviour by neglecting other health domains. Conclusion Health trial research on transracial, transgender and transabled persons is a largely underexplored research domain in Africa. More health intervention trials, beyond the domain of sexual health, are required to improve the health and well‐being of this highly marginalized population group in Africa.

Abstract Background The burden of oral cancer in Nigeria is increasing. Different studies have shown how public education on oral cancer have increased knowledge of oral cancer across populations, however, it is not known if these practices are adopted by oral physicians, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and oral pathologists in Nigeria. Aims To investigate the patient oral cancer education strategies adopted by oral physicians, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and oral pathologists in Nigeria. Methods This study adopted an analytical cross‐sectional study design. This study surveyed practicing oral physicians, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and oral pathologists in Nigeria. An e‐questionnaire was used for this study. The data were analyzed using the SPSS Version 20 software, and a p‐value of

Abstract Introduction Severe COVID‐19 management is still challenging. Having a laboratory factor to predict the severity of a patient's condition can be very useful in how to approach each patient. There have been studies concentrating on the correlation between serum C‐reactive protein (CRP) level and COVID‐19 severity but we aim to reach a threshold for CRP in disease severity determination. Methods We conducted a thorough search on PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases from early 2019 to October 2021, and 323 studies were assessed for eligibility in three phases. We used the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale to examine the validity of the studies. The t‐test was applied for the CRP level cutoffs. Results Eventually, 11 articles and 1615 patients were included in this systematic review. Our analysis evaluated combined mean, median, and standard deviation of severe patients' CRP to be respectively 73.37, 53.80, and 47.936. Based on the combined mean, 75 mg/dL was suggested as an initial threshold for baseline CRP in hospitalized patients for developing severe conditions. Conclusion This study recommends that COVID‐19 patients with on‐admission serum CRP levels of 75 mg/dL and more are likely associated with severe conditions. Thus, anti‐inflammatory agents and further following may be helpful in these patients.

Abstract Background and Aims Qigong and Tai Chi (QTC) are mind‐body exercises involving a sequence of graceful movements, which promote self‐healing, meditation, and self‐cultivation. There is growing evidence that Qigong and/or Tai Chi therapy may improve the physical and psychological health among adults with multiple health conditions including joint movement. This systematic review aims to synthesize the available evidence on the type and effectiveness of QTC therapies used in the management of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. Methods This systematic review followed the AMSTAR‐2 guideline, and it was reported based on guidelines in the PRISMA checklist. The review involved a systematic search of nine electronic databases. After deduplication and screening of the literature retrieved from the search, only one article was included based on the review's inclusion criteria. Data was extracted from this article and synthesized. Results The only included article was on a non‐randomized control trial which investigated the role of Tai Chi Qigong (a form of Qigong) therapy in improving joint mobility and alleviating trismus among 52 survivors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma who had TMJ disorders. The study reported, at different time intervals (at pretest; at mid‐intervention; at posttest; and at follow‐up posttest), that no significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed concerning mouth opening capacity between the intervention group and the control group. However, over time, less severe deterioration in mouth‐opening was noted among the participants in the intervention group (p = 0.181) as compared to the control group (p

Abstract Background and Aims The epidemiological burden of cancer in Africa, and Nigeria in particular, has been increasing significantly over the past few decades due to exposure to numerous risk factors as well as belief in various myths and misconceptions. Chaplains can play crucial roles in dispelling these myths and misconceptions about cancer among people. Therefore, this study seeks to review the epidemiological burden, risk factors, and myths relating to cancer and the roles of chaplains in dispelling cancer myths in Nigeria. Methods This paper is a narrative review that relied on secondary sources obtained through a thorough literature search of relevant articles on multiple electronic databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. Published books, journal articles, and other published materials that were written in English were consulted in line with the objectives of this study. Both theoretical and empirical papers were used for this review. Results Cancers are associated with risk factors including exposure to chemicals, ultraviolet radiation, harmful tobacco and alcohol use, exposure to human papillomavirus (HPV), and these factors may vary with age, cultural beliefs (myths and misconceptions), and socioeconomic factors among others. Chaplains, however, have crucial roles to play in dispelling cancer myths in Nigeria. These roles include counseling, advocacy, education, and psycho‐social support which may be limited by challenges such as spiritual ambiguity, inadequate training of healthcare providers and limited time/resources. These challenges can be addressed by training healthcare providers and incorporating chaplain practice in Nigerian healthcare. Conclusion The role of chaplains in dispelling cancer myths in Nigeria is crucial despite the numerous challenges. Hence, an urgent address of these challenges will be instrumental in ensuring effective chaplain practice in Nigeria.