Oscar Mano

Background: Missed and zero-dose children remain major barriers to polio eradication in settings affected by insecurity, poverty, weak health systems, and social exclusion. This narrative review synthesized evidence on how gender norms and related social determinants influence childhood polio vaccination in Afghanistan, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sudan. Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the only countries with endemic wild poliovirus transmission, while northern Nigeria, especially areas affected by insurgency, and war-affected Sudan continue to report substantial numbers of polio zero-dose and under-immunized children, together with occasional reports of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus. Methods: A comprehensive search of peer-reviewed and institutional literature was conducted in major databases and relevant grey literature sources. Eligible studies examined childhood immunization or polio vaccination among children under five and reported gender-related determinants of vaccination uptake. Findings were synthesized thematically. Results: Forty-one studies were included. Five interconnected domains emerged: women’s empowerment, autonomy, and household decision-making; male involvement, household gender norms, and family power relations; socioeconomic and structural gender-related barriers; education, information access, community perceptions, and health system responsiveness; and war, insurgency and their gendered impact on childhood polio immunization. Across countries, limited maternal autonomy, restricted mobility, dependence on male decision-makers, poverty, conflict, displacement, misinformation, and weak health services reduced access to vaccination. Supportive male engagement, female health workers, trusted community leadership, and culturally responsive outreach facilitated vaccine acceptance. Conclusions: Gender influences childhood polio vaccination through intersecting household, community, structural, and health-system pathways. Family power extends beyond male decision-making, with women’s education and influence within households shaping vaccination decisions. Strengthening women’s agency, constructively engaging men (e.g., through husband schools), and delivering culturally responsive services are essential for reaching missed and zero-dose children and accelerating polio eradication.

Background: Immunisation remains one of the most effective and cost-efficient public health interventions for preventing infectious diseases in children. Despite global progress, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) continues to face challenges in achieving equitable immunisation coverage. Gender-related disparities, rooted in sociocultural and structural inequalities, significantly influence the prevalence of zero-dose and under-immunised children in the region. This review critically examines the gender-associated barriers to routine childhood immunisation in SSA to inform more inclusive and equitable health interventions. Methods: A critical literature review was conducted generally following some steps of the PRISMA-P and CRD guidelines. Using the Population–Concept–Context (PCC) framework, studies were selected that examined gender-related barriers to routine immunisation for children under five in Sub-Saharan Africa. Comprehensive searches were performed across PubMed, Google Scholar, and relevant organisational websites, targeting articles published between 2015 and 2025. A total of 3683 articles were retrieved, with 24 studies ultimately meeting the inclusion criteria. Thematic analysis was used to synthesise the findings. Results: Four major themes emerged: (1) women’s empowerment and autonomy, including limited decision-making power, financial control, and the impact of gender-based violence; (2) male involvement and prevailing gender norms, where patriarchal structures and low male engagement negatively influenced vaccine uptake; (3) socioeconomic and structural barriers, such as poverty, geographic inaccessibility, maternal workload, and service availability; and (4) education, awareness, and health system responsiveness. Conclusions: Gender dynamics have a significant impact on childhood immunisation outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa. Future policies must integrate these insights to improve immunisation equity and reduce preventable child morbidity and mortality across the region.

Background: Children with disabilities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), face heightened risks of vaccine-preventable diseases due to a range of systemic and social barriers. Although immunization is a fundamental human right and a proven public health intervention, this vulnerable group is often overlooked in policy and practice. Understanding the factors compromising vaccine equity for these children is critical to reducing zero-dose prevalence and improving health outcomes. Methods: This scoping review examined peer-reviewed, gray literature from 2010 to 2024. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, and relevant organizational reports (WHO, UNICEF). Studies addressing children with disabilities and focusing on immunization barriers, interventions, or lessons learned were selected. English-language publications were screened in title/abstract and full-text stages. Key data extracted included population, barriers, and immunization outcomes. Since this review focused on articles in English, this is a key limitation. Results were synthesized thematically to identify recurring patterns and to guide improved interventions and policies. Results: Twelve articles met the inclusion criteria. Key barriers identified were inadequate healthcare infrastructure, insufficient provider training, limited follow-up services in rural regions, societal stigma, and pervasive misconceptions around both disability and vaccines. Factors such as maternal education, logistical support for caregivers, and using low-sensory, inclusive vaccination settings were consistently linked with better outcomes. Effective strategies included mobile vaccination units, tailored interventions (e.g., distraction or sedation techniques), school-based immunization programs, and robust community engagement to address stigma. Lessons learned underscored the importance of flexible, individualized care plans and empowering families through transparent communication. Conclusions: Children with disabilities continue to experience significant gaps in immunization coverage, driven by intersecting barriers at the individual, health system, and societal levels. Scaling tailored interventions, inclusive policies, strengthened infrastructure, and ongoing research can help ensure these children receive equitable access to life-saving vaccinations.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to human, animal, and public health, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where the beef sector is vital to food security and livelihoods. We conducted a scoping review to explore the determinants and impacts of AMR within the beef value chain in SSA, highlighting the challenges and progress in mitigating AMR risks in livestock production. This review identifies key factors contributing to AMR, including the overuse and misuse of antimicrobials, inadequate veterinary oversight, and weak regulatory frameworks. These practices are prevalent across various stages of the beef value chain, from farm to slaughterhouse, and are exacerbated by informal markets and insufficient infrastructure. Our findings also highlight the role of environmental factors, such as contamination of feed, water, and manure, in the spread of resistant pathogens. Additionally, gaps in AMR surveillance, education, and enforcement limit effective control measures in the region. While efforts to combat AMR have gained momentum in some countries, including the development of national action plans and surveillance systems, substantial challenges remain. These include poor adherence to antimicrobial guidelines, insufficient veterinary training, and the lack of integration between sectors. There is a need for targeted research to better understand antimicrobial misuse, socio-economic drivers, and the environmental pathways of AMR, as well as the need for stronger regulatory frameworks and cross-border cooperation. Addressing these challenges will be essential to safeguarding food safety, public health, and the sustainability of the beef industry in SSA.

Introduction: The objective of this narrative review is to examine the health risks associated with informal mining in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with a particular focus on HIV prevention. It aims to review existing interventions targeting this population and identify challenges and opportunities for improvement. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Library. Studies and reports published between 2000 and 2023 that focused on occupational health risks and HIV prevention interventions in the informal mining sector of SSA were included in the analysis. Results: Informal mining in SSA presents significant health risks to workers, including exposure to hazardous substances, poor working conditions, and limited access to healthcare. These factors, combined with the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the region, make informal miners particularly vulnerable to infection. The review identified several key themes related to occupational health risks, such as poor environmental and sanitation conditions, increased vulnerability due to factors like poverty and lack of education, and limited access to healthcare services. A variety of interventions have been implemented to address HIV prevention among informal miners in SSA. These include behavioral strategies like peer education and social marketing campaigns, as well as biomedical interventions such as counseling, testing, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). However, challenges persist in delivering effective HIV prevention services to this population. These challenges include restricted access to healthcare, the high mobility of miners, limited resources, and stigma associated with HIV. Conclusions: The findings of this review highlight the urgent need for integrated health services and tailored interventions that address the specific issues faced by informal miners in SSA. Community-based and culturally sensitive programs, developed in collaboration with mining communities, are essential for effective HIV prevention. Future research should evaluate the long-term impact of interventions and explore their scalability. To improve intervention effectiveness and sustainability, stakeholders should focus on community engagement, strengthening health systems, and addressing structural barriers. A multi-sectoral approach is necessary to tackle the broader determinants of health in mining communities.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a prevalent inherited blood disorder, particularly affecting populations in Africa. This review examined the disease’s burden, its diverse clinical presentations, and the challenges associated with its management in African settings. Africa bears a significant burden of SCD, with prevalence varying across countries and age groups. Newborn screening programs have highlighted the high prevalence of SCD at birth, emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and intervention. The clinical manifestations of SCD in Africa are multifaceted, encompassing acute complications like vaso-occlusive crises, acute chest syndrome, and stroke, as well as chronic complications such as organ damage and leg ulcers. Biological factors, including fetal hemoglobin levels, and demographic factors, like age and sex, influence disease severity and outcomes. The management of SCD in Africa faces numerous challenges. Limited access to resources, including diagnostic tools, medications, and trained healthcare professionals, hinders optimal care. The high cost of advanced therapies further restricts patient access. Cultural stigma and a lack of awareness create additional barriers to effective management. To address these challenges, early diagnosis through newborn screening programs and point-of-care testing is crucial. Comprehensive care models, including hydroxyurea therapy, pain management, and patient education, are essential for improving outcomes. Collaboration with international networks and leveraging local resources can enhance the sustainability of SCD programs. In conclusion, SCD significantly impacts African populations. Overcoming the challenges associated with its management requires addressing resource limitations, affordability issues, and cultural barriers. Early diagnosis, comprehensive care models, and ongoing research focused on affordability and accessibility are crucial for improving the lives of individuals living with SCD in Africa.