Analysis of maternal serum vitamin D concentrations at birth in women presenting with spontaneous preterm birth: A case-control study

Vitamin D is a potent immune system modulator; its deficiency correlates with increased susceptibility to infections. We evaluated the status of maternal serum vitamin D in women with spontaneous preterm birth. In this case-control study, the maternal serum concentration of vitamin D (25OH D) was measured in 95 women delivering preterm and 92 women having a term birth. Vitamin D sufficiency was found in 79% of the mothers who delivered preterm and 80.4% of the mothers who had term birth (p=0.822). There was a negative correlation between maternal serum concentration of 25 Hydroxyvitamin D and maternal age in the preterm birth group (p=0.043). In conclusion, there was no difference in maternal serum concentrations of 25 Hydroxyvitamin D between women delivering preterm compared to those having term birth. Maternal serum concentration of 25 Hydroxyvitamin D is not associated with occurrence of preterm birth. Keywords: Preterm birth, vitamin D, preterm delivery, 25 Hydroxyvitamin D, prematureLa vitamine D est un puissant modulateur du système immunitaire; sa carence est corrélée à une sensibilité accrue aux infections. Nous avons évalué le statut de la vitamine D sérique maternelle chez les femmes ayant une naissance prématurée spontanée. Dans cette étude cas-témoins, la concentration sérique maternelle de vitamine D (25OH D) a été mesurée chez 95 femmes ayant accouche avant terme et 92 femmes ayant une naissance à terme. Une suffisance en vitamine D a été trouvée chez 79% des mères qui ont accouché prématurément et 80,4% des mères qui ont eu un accouchement à terme (p = 0,822). Il y avait une corrélation négative entre la concentration sérique maternelle de 25 hydroxyvitamine D et l'âge maternel dans le groupe des naissances prématurées (p= 0,043). En conclusion, il n'y avait aucune différence dans les concentrations sériques maternelles de 25 Hydroxyvitamine D entre les femmes ayant accouché avant terme et celles ayant une naissance à terme. La concentration sérique maternelle de 25 hydroxyvitamine D n'est pas associée à la survenue d'un accouchement prématuré. Mots-clés: Naissance prématurée, vitamine D, accouchement prématuré, 25 hydroxyvitamine D, prématuré

Biomass gasification for decentralised electricity generation in Malawi

Inadequate access to energy poses a critical challenge to Malawi’s economic development: currently 87% of the Malawi population lacks access to electricity. The project developed a rice husk gasification system as an alternative source of power for electricity generation. Based on the potential analysis of collected data, a rice husk gasifier power plant is being developed in Wowo Cluster Village, Nkhulambe Extension Planning Area (EPA), Phalombe District. Installation of waste biomass-based power plants is recommended. In rural areas this would lead to enormous beneficial changes for local communities, improving health conditions, and encouraging new business developments

Factors that contribute to delay in seeking cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment among women in Malawi

ABSTRACT Cervical cancer is a curable disease if diagnosed early. However, many women in Malawi seek treatment when the disease has reached an inoperable stage. This study was conducted to explore factors that contribute to delay in seeking early diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer among women in Malawi. The study was exploratory and utilized qualitative data collection and analysis method. In-depth interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide on a purposive sample of 24 women who were diagnosed of cervical cancer at the gynaecological wards of Zomba and Queen Elizabeth Central Hospitals in Malawi between July and September, 2011. Thematic content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. Two major themes (individual and health facility) emerged from the participants' narratives as factors that contributed to their delay in seeking early diagnosis and treatment. The individual factors included; limited knowledge on symptoms and signs and limited financial resources. The health facilities factors included; limited accessibility and unavailability of cancer screening facilities in the health centres. Results show that there is a need to strengthen the screening of cervical cancer among women in the country. In addition, there is a need to create community awareness of the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer and the merits of seeking early diagnosis and treatment

Effectiveness of a training intervention in increasing the use of misoprostol in postabortion care in Malawi : A quasi-experimental study

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Using the Mavic 2 Pro drone for basic water quality assessment

This paper assessed the capability of the Dà-Jiāng Innovations (DJI) Mavic 2 Pro Drone (unmanned aerial vehicle – UAV) for the collection and delivery of river water samples for basic water quality assessments. The primary objective of this paper was to evaluate how this UAV model could help in generating large water quality data sets in the developing world to assist in the design and implementation of water quality monitoring and assessment programs, which are often a challenge due to data paucity and resources. We hypothesized that the traditional approach (portable hand meters) to measuring in-situ water parameters, including pH, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, and turbidity could not yield significant water quality data variations from those collected by the Mavic 2 Pro. The UAV was equipped with a plastic bottle attached to a three-meter rigid thin line for sample collection. Samples were collected at stations 50 m apart over a 300 m river length. The drone captured samples in wind conditions of about 10.1 km/h with ease. About 350 mL of samples were collected per mission. A paired t-test was performed to determine the parameter differences between the two approaches. We conclude that, given similar environmental, physical conditions and pilot experience, Mavic 2 Pro can generate large and much more reliable datasets at faster rates than the traditional approach. The drone also avoided obstacles with ease, a perfect technology for use in rural rivers. However, pilot efficiency and precision, including agitation during flight require further investigations considering their potential parameter influences. Similar future tests should investigate the performance of this drone model and data reliability over a long river course to ascertain its capability and suitability in various conditions in ecological applications.The Carnegie Foundation of New York through Future Africa of the University of Pretoria (UP) under the Early Career Research Leader Fellowship (ECRLF) program.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/sciafhj2022Future Afric

Predictors of maternal serum concentrations for selected persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in pregnant women and associations with birth outcomes : a cross-sectional study from southern Malawi

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : Data will be made available upon reasonable request from the corresponding author.SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL : TABLE S1: Method detection limits (MDL) concentrations (wet weight pg/mL) for all POPs analysed at the laboratory; TABLE S2: Socio-demographic characteristics of recruited women and their neonates.Please read abstract in article.The study was funded by Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), and Northern Norway Regional Health Authority (Helse Nord).Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), and Northern Norway Regional Health Authority (Helse Nord).http://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerphSchool of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH)SDG-03:Good heatlh and well-beingSDG-15:Life on lan

Experiences of using misoprostol in the management of incomplete abortions : a voice of healthcare workers in central Malawi

Complications after abortion are a major cause of maternal death. Incomplete abortions are common and require treatment with surgical or medical uterine evacuation. Even though misoprostol is a cheaper and safer option, it is rarely used in Malawi. To improve services, an intervention was performed to increase the use of misoprostol in post-abortion care. This study explored healthcare providers’ perceptions and experiences with misoprostol in the Malawian setting and their role in achieving effective implementation of the drug. A descriptive phenomenological study was conducted in three hospitals in central Malawi. Focus group discussions were conducted with healthcare workers in centres where the training intervention was offered. Participants were purposefully sampled, and thematic analysis was done. Most of the healthcare workers were positive about the use of misoprostol, knew how to use it and were confident in doing so. The staff preferred misoprostol to surgical treatment because it was perceived safe, effective, easy to use, cost-effective, had few complications, decreased hospital congestion, reduced workload, and saved time. Additionally, misoprostol was administered by nurses/midwives, and not just physicians, thus enhancing task-shifting. The results showed acceptability of misoprostol in post-abortion care among healthcare workers in central Malawi, and further implementation of the drug is recommended.Helse Nord and The Liaison Committee for education, research, and innovation in Central Norway through the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST).https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerphSchool of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH

Serum concentrations of selected poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in pregnant women and associations with Birth outcomes. A cross-sectional study from southern Malawi

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT: Data will be made available upon reasonable request to the corresponding author.Pervasive exposure to per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) shows associations with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The aim of the present study was to examine the determinants of different serum PFAS concentrations in late pregnancy and their relationship with birth outcomes in southern Malawi. The sample included 605 pregnant women with a mean age of 24.8 years and their offspring from three districts in the southern region of Malawi. Six PFAS were measured in serum from third-trimester women. The serum PFAS concentrations were assessed with head circumference, birth length, birth weight, gestational age and ponderal index. Participants living in urban areas had significantly higher serum levels of PFOA, PFNA and SumPFOS, while SumPFHxS concentrations were higher in women from rural settings. High PFOA, PFNA and SumPFHxS concentrations were generally inversely associated with head circumference. Birth length was negatively associated with PFOA and PFNA while SumPFHxS was negatively associated with birth weight. SumPFOS was inversely associated with gestational age. Urban area of residence was the strongest predictor for high PFAS concentrations in the maternal serum and was generally associated with adverse birth outcomes. The results highlight the need to investigate SumPFHxS further as it follows a pattern that is different to similar compounds and cohorts.Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and Northern Norway Regional Health Authority (Helse Nord).http://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerphSchool of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH)SDG-03:Good heatlh and well-bein

Relationship between role stressors, job tasks and job satisfaction among health surveillance assistants in Malawi: a cross-sectional study

Objectives The objective of this study was to investigate the role stressors, sociodemographic characteristics and job tasks of health surveillance assistants (HSAs) and to explore major predictors of role stressors and job satisfaction of HSAs in Malawi.Setting Data were collected from health centres and hospitals of three Malawi districts of Mangochi, Lilongwe and Mzimba.Participants Respondents were 430 HSAs. 50.20% of them were male, while 49.8% were female.Design A cross-sectional study of the observational correlational design was carried out.Main outcome measures Respondents perceptions of job tasks, role stressors and job satisfaction.Results The key findings of this study were role ambiguity and role overload were significantly negatively related to job satisfaction, while role conflict was insignificantly related to job satisfaction. Additionally, the clinical tasks of the HSAs and some of the sociodemographic variables were associated with the role stressors and job satisfaction of the HSAs in Malawi.Conclusions Since the HSAs clinical tasks were significantly related to all role stressors, there is need by the government of Malawi to design strategies to control the role stressors to ensure increased job performance and job satisfaction among HSAs. Furthermore, studies may be required in the future to assist government to control role stressors among HSAs in Malawi