Galamsey activities fuelling HIV transmission in mining communities 

Unregulated small-scale mining activities (galamsey) not only degrade the forests, pollute farmlands and river bodies with heavy metals and contribute to fatal health problems, but the activities also provide a conducive environment facilitating the spread of HIV at an alarming rate. According to research conducted by the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, any time …

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The accidental discovery of penicillin and the threats of antibiotic resistant infections 

Close to a century ago, an accidental discovery by Sir Alexander Fleming changed the trajectory of medicine. At the time,  Alexander Fleming,  a Scottish assistant bacteriologist and researcher, was experimenting with microbes in the laboratory of the Inoculation Department at St. Mary’s Hospital in London. Fleming was often described as a careless laboratory technician among …

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HIV SELF-TESTING: A PROMISING ALTERNATIVE TO HIV TESTING

Having claimed around 40.1 million lives so far, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be a major global health threat. In 2021, 1.5 million people acquired HIV and 650000 people died due to HIV related causes. Globally, two-thirds of people living with HIV at the end of 2021 were in the World Health Organization (WHO) …

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HIV Infection and Testing

HIV test

Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) weakens the immune system overtime  and makes it defenseless against many infections (which a healthy immune system can fight off) and some types of cancer. AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency  syndrome) is the most advanced stage of  HIV which can take many years to emerge if not treated. AIDS is …

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Covid-19 crisis: all you need to know about available vaccines.

The Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2) crisis has created an unprecedented need for vaccines globally. As vaccines are being developed rapidly and approved without compromising clinical trial protocols, there are concerns of equitable distribution. Wealthy nations represent just 16% of the world’s population, but they have bought more than half of global SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses. At the time …

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Lymphogranuloma Venereum Proctocolitis (LVG) in Africa

Lymphogranuloma Venereum Proctocolitis (LVG) in Africa Image

Lymphogranuloma Venereum Proctocolitis (LVG) is a disease caused by a bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis.  The bacterium comes in three variations, L1, L2, and L3, and is transmitted sexually. In Africa, the condition is prevalent among men who have sex with other men and women receptive to anal sex.  Prevalence of the disease in Africa World …

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Sexually Transmitted Diseases to Babies

Sexually Transmitted Diseases to Babies Image

Sexually transmitted diseases as the name suggests, are transmitted through sexual contact. In sub-Saharan Africa, Statistics show that sexually transmitted diseases are among the main reasons why most people seek medical care.  However, this statistics largely refer to men, and reveals that women in these regions are slow to seek medical attention in regard to …

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Sierra Leone: Innovative Sexual Health App to Help Prevent A Surge In Teenage
Pregnancy Due To COVID-19

Sierra Leone: Innovative Sexual Health App to Help Prevent A Surge In Teenage
Pregnancy Due To COVID-19 Image

COVID-19 pandemic is changing the world in unprecedented ways and Sierra Leone is not exceptional.  During the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak the country went into a nine-month lockdown, which led to an upsurge in the number of pregnancies among girls and youthful women. This was because of economic hardship, school closure, and increased sexual abuse (both …

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How Aware are Africans of STDs? Take a Look At This Recent Survey

How Aware are Africans of STDs? Take a Look At This Recent Survey Image

STDs are a massive health burden, particularly in low-income regions like the African continent. They’ve also had massive economic and social consequences.  Recently, however, more countries and organizations have organized courses, centers, and volunteers to educate the African population on STDs’ importance, like syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, etc. In some areas, the infection rates have been …

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Things Are Elephant: The Effect of COVID-19 in Nairobi Low-Income Areas

Things Are Elephant: The Effect of COVID-19 in Nairobi Low-Income Areas Image

The containment measures implemented by both the national government, coupled up by the Nairobi Metropolitan area curfew, have rendered nearly 30% of low-income earners jobless, a report has revealed. A recent report by TIFA shows that over 2.5 million low-income earners in Nairobi have had their source of livelihood interrupted because of the lockdown. This …

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