Sub-Saharan Africa is grappling with a silent crisis. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is becoming a major threat to public health. Everyone is talking about how to change the behavior of doctors and patients. They also discuss improving the pipeline for new medicines. But few people are looking at the bigger picture. They aren't considering how deeply AMR is rooted in...
Violence is a major problem that affects the health and rights of young people. This piece looks at what we know about how common violence is, what puts young people at risk, and what can be done to stop it. It focuses on adolescents and young people in Sub-Saharan Africa. First, let's talk about the scale of the problem. Violence is everywhere, and it's a big deal ...
Young folks in eastern and southern Africa. Many of them carrying the African spirit face tough challenges. Like unwanted pregnancies that and unsafe operations. And dangerous illness with high risks. There are barriers to getting the right info and services. Tho' a teenage pregnancy might seem like a fantasy romantic dreamed up by schools in Hollywood rather than ...
Even though maternal deaths dropped during the Millennium Development Goals, they're still too high. Shocks like COVID-19 could slow down progress. In Africa, many women get antenatal care and give birth in health facilities. But cities face unique challenges in ensuring fair, quality care for pregnant women. The UrbanBirth Collective is tackling this issue. They're...
Picture this: a mom in Africa is expecting a baby. She might not know the best foods to eat for her little one's health. That's where nutritional education comes in. This is like a special class where moms learn about healthy eating during pregnancy. But does this really help with the baby's health at birth? Experts are planning a big review to find out. They'll look...
Young people in sub-Saharan Africa often struggle to access mental health care. To understand the extent of this issue, researchers reviewed studies on five common mental disorders among youth under 19 years old. They found that many youth face challenges like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, attention problems, anxiety, and conduct disorder. The st...
Snakebite envenomation is a significant issue in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), causing over 30% of global deaths from snakebites. This problem doesn't just affect health; it also comes with a hefty financial cost. The direct and indirect expenses are high, and there are economic barriers that need to be addressed. The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to cut the numbe...
In Sub-Saharan Africa, the story of HIV is a complex one. The region accounts for a significant chunk of global HIV-related deaths, with many patients only discovering they have the virus when it's already in the advanced stages. But why does this happen, and what are the implications? Researchers have been digging into the numbers, trying to figure out how common i...
In the heart of Tanzania, there's a story unfolding about adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV). These teens face a significant challenge: they're not sticking to their treatment plans. This can lead to poor health outcomes, all because they're struggling to follow their medication routines. Why is this happening? Well, life in rural areas can be tough. These teens mi...
Did you know that not much is known about the lives of women who have survived breast cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa? A recent study looked into this issue, comparing the lives of women who have had breast cancer with those who haven't, across various regions in Sub-Saharan Africa. These regions were different in terms of development, healthcare systems, the mix of eth...