Public trust in the time of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): The case of the DR Congo

Over the past half century, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a low-income and post-conflict country, has experienced several Ebola Virus Disease outbreaks, with different fatality rates. The DRC is currently experiencing the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Using the PEN-3 cultural model, we assessed the socio-cultural factors affecting public trust in the government and its health agencies. Results of this analysis revealed the perceptions, enablers, and nurturers that impacted public trust in the government and its health agencies among the Congolese population. Future interventions designed to address the COVID-19 in the DRC should account for these socio-cultural factors.Journal ArticleFinal article publishe

Advances in HIV prevention and treatment: A literature review

Background: The last decade has witnessed several advances in the management of HIV/AIDS with the development of potent and safe antiretroviral drugs and new HIV prevention technologies. Objective: This review summarizes the recent advances in the management of the HIV infection. Methods: Medline via PubMed and Google search engine were searched for articles dealing with antiretroviral therapy and new prevention technologies. Results: The understanding of the lifecycle of the HIV was a turning point that provided researchers with the knowledge and tools needed to prosecute drug discovery efforts focused on targeted inhibition with specific pharmacological agents. New prevention technologies continue to expand the current toolbox, transforming HIV/AIDS from an inevitable lethal disease into a manageable condition. The integration of behavioral, biomedical and structural interventions will likely reduce the incidence of HIV while promising new leads for an effective HIV vaccine keep the hope of a world free of HIV alive. Conclusion: Although the fight against HIV has been long and arduous, many signs seem to suggest that ending HIV epidemic is not only possible; it is well in our reach.Journal ArticleFinal article publishe

Exploring the cultural perceptions of physical activity among transnational Nigerian immigrants

Background: Transnational Nigerian Immigrants, as other Transnational African Immigrants, are a subset of African immigrants with the unique ability to sustain multi-national ties. These ties could potentially affect health behavior choices and participation in physical activity. Physical Activity has the potential to improve health and prevent chronic diseases; however, there is a lack of literature regarding physical activity and its determinants within the Transnational African Immigrant population in general. This study investigated the cultural factors that shape Transnational Nigerian Immigrants’ perceptions and attitudes towards physical activity. Methods: Semi-structured, individual interviews supported by photo-elicitation were conducted on 24 Transnational Nigerian Immigrants (11 males, 13 females) to collect rich data. Results: Participants identified factors such as cultural differences, lack of education, and transnational responsibilities as influential to their choices for physical activity participation and called for culturally tailored approaches to their community. Conclusion: Results of the study increased our understanding of the impact of transnational activities and identities towards potential health choices. It addresses the socio-cultural factors influencing physical activity behavior within the Transnational African Immigrant community and how it can inform future research on culturally diverse Black populations, further proving that there is not a one-size-fits all approach to addressing health disparities within the Black population.Journal ArticleFinal article publishe

Socio-cultural factors influencing the Ebola Virus diseaserelated stigma among African immigrants in the United States

African immigrants, one of the fastest-growing immigrant populations in the United States (U.S.), face many unique challenges. Since December 2013, the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) has been claiming lives and altering the societies of origin of West and Central African immigrants. Using the PEN-3 cultural model, a thematic analysis of mainstream U.S. news media was conducted to assess the socio-cultural factors influencing EVD-related stigma experienced by African immigrants. Results of this analysis revealed the perceptions and enabling/nurturing factors that exacerbated or prevented EVD-related stigma. Future interventions designed to address stigma experienced by African immigrants should include EVD-related stigma.Journal ArticleFinal article publishe

Stroke disparities in Florida: Examining the relationship between county classification, age-adjusted stroke mortality rates, and the presence of primary strok

Although overall stroke mortality has declined in the United States for decades, recent data show that this decline in stroke deaths has slowed and that stroke remains 1 of the leading causes of death at the state level (1). In Florida, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and was responsible for 12,602 deaths in 2017. Florida’s death rate is 38.9 per 100,000 population and, in 2021, it is tied with Illinois at 20th place in stroke-related death rate rankings by state (2). As part of an effort to improve the quality of care provided to stroke patients, primary stroke centers were created with a strict set of criteria for certifying hospitals that meet predefined standards (3) with the goal of stabilizing and providing emergency care for acute stroke patients (4). With these goals in mind, a patient is admitted to a primary stroke center or a comprehensive stroke center based on the severity of stroke symptoms. Although comprehensive stroke centers are equipped to provide care for complex stroke patients who often have more advanced therapeutic needs, primary stroke centers are equipped to provide care for less complex stroke patients and can administer acute stroke thrombolysis in a timely manner. Having limited or no access to stroke centers remains a major challenge for many stroke patients. In the US, the scarcity of stroke centers is more pronounced in rural areas (5). In Florida, a rural county is a county with either 1) a population of 75,000 people or less, or 2) a population of less than 125,000 people and contiguous with a county that has a population of less than 75,000 people (6). By this definition, 30 out of the 67 counties in Florida are rural (7) and they contain 8.8% of Florida’s population (8). Considering the importance of stroke centers, a gap exists in the literature assessing the relationship between county classification, age-adjusted stroke mortality rates, and the number of primary stroke centers in Florida. The purpose of our research was to create maps that illustrate the relationship between age-adjusted stroke mortality rates and the presence of primary stroke centers in Florida. We hypothesized that stroke mortality will be higher in regions of Florida with fewer primary stroke centers.Journal ArticlePublishe

Exploring perceptions of stress factors among transnational West African immigrant women

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the transnational connections of West African women immigrants and stress factors. From our extensive research, there is a scarcity of studies investigating this matter concerning transnational immigrant health. We conducted three focus group interviews with 7 transnational West African immigrants living in Chicago, Illinois. The PEN-3 model, as a cultural framework, was applied to guide the thematic analysis to explore the phenomenon of stress in West African immigrant women who maintain transnational ties between their home countries and the United States. Participants noted that a primary factor around increased stress involved trying to maintain strong ties to their native customs while acculturating to a foreign land. In particular, these women face challenges around employment and domestic responsibilities while also attempting to manage transnational responsibilities such as sending remittances back to their native land. The West African immigrant women of this study face several challenges in maintaining their home, work and social life. However, when they are resettling in a new land, these challenges affect them multidimensionally, including cultural identity, relationships and expectations, and cultural empowerment, which are elements of the PEN-3 framework. For these reasons, health researchers and intervention planners would benefit from further research into the links between the transnational connections that female African immigrants experience and their stress related coping behaviors.Journal Articl

Acculturation and its influence on the health perceptions, health behaviors, and health outcomes of African immigrants in the United States: A review of the literature

African-born immigrants make up one of the fastest-growing group of immigrants in the United States; however, they are largely invisible in the literature on immigrant health. Very little is known about the effect of acculturation on their health perceptions and behaviors and the subsequent effects on their health outcomes. We review the literature on the effects of acculturation on health perceptions, health behavior, and health outcomes among African immigrants in the United States. Using PubMed, PsycINFO databases, and sociological abstracts, we examined studies that explored the influence of acculturation, specifically proxy measures of acculturation on African immigrant health in the United States. Following our inclusion criteria, 29 articles were retained in the review. The majority of the studies were quantitative and conducted among Somali immigrants. Our findings indicate that duration of residency in the United States and English language proficiency were the most frequently used proxy measures for acculturation when studying the health perceptions, health behaviors, and health outcomes of African immigrants. We conclude by highlighting the need to move beyond proxy measures for acculturation to explore other protective and contextual factors such as culture and religion and their influence on the health of African immigrants in the United States.Journal ArticleFinal article publishe

Socio-structural factors influencing the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: A systematic review

Introduction The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) had the second-highest mother-to-child HIV transmission rate in Sub-Saharan Africa at 29% in 2013, however the uptake of preventive services for mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) remains suboptimal. This systematic review explores socio-cultural and structural factors influencing PMTCT service uptake in the DRC. Methods We conducted a search of electronic databases. The PEN-3 model was used as a framework to synthesize factors influencing PMTCT service uptake into perceptions, enablers, and nurturers. Results Sixteen studies, 14 quantitative and two qualitative, were retained. Maternal, socio-economic, structural, and cultural factors were found to influence PMTCT service uptake in the DRC. Cost, accessibility, and quality of PMTCT services were key barriers to service uptake. Integration, male partner involvement, and evolving PMTCT policies improved PMTCT service delivery and uptake. This review also revealed several socio-cultural challenges in involving male partners in PMTCT programs. Discussion Findings highlight the need to address barriers and reinforce enablers of PMTCT uptake. Creating culturally appropriate, male-friendly, and family-oriented PMTCT programs will improve service uptake in the DRC.Journal ArticlePublishe

Transferring stroke knowledge from children to parents: A systematic review and meta-analysis of community stroke educational programs

Background: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis on child-to-parent communication of stroke information (Child-Mediated Stroke Communication, CMSC) is to provide the highest levels of evidence supporting the role of this approach in community education. Methods: Databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, PsycINFO, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and CINHAL were searched to gather information on CMSC followed by a meta-analysis. The eligibility criteria were as follows: (a) children aged 9-15 years and parents, (b) randomized or non-randomized trials, and (c) outcome variables that included the proportions of parents answering the pretest and post-test on stroke knowledge regarding risk factors, symptoms, and what to do in the event of stroke. Results: Of the 1668 retrieved studies, 9 articles were included. Meta-analytical findings yielded that the proportions of correct answers for stroke symptoms and its risk factors among parents were 0.686 (95% CI: 0.594-0.777) at baseline and increased to 0.847 (95% CI: 0.808-0.886) at immediate post-test and 0.845 (95% CI: 0.804-0.886) delayed post-test. The proportions of correct answers for behavioral intent to call 911 when witnessing stroke was 0.712 (95% CI: 0.578-0.846) at baseline, rising to 0.860 (95% CI: 0.767-0.953) at immediate post-test, and 0.846 (95% CI: 0.688-1.004) at delayed post-test. Conclusions: CMSC is effective for educating families. More work is needed to increase the use of validated stroke literacy instruments and behavioral theory, and to reduce parental attrition in research studies.Journal ArticlePublishe

Assessing science motivation among high school students participating in a supplemental science programme: the Emerging Scholars Environmental Health Sciences Academy

Motivation to learn science plays an important role in the persistence, achievement, and career aspirations of students studying science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Several studies have focused on how supplemental summer programmes build science motivation in undergraduate STEM students, but few studies have focused on how such programmes build motivation in high school students. This study assessed how the Emerging Scholars Environmental Health Sciences Academy, a supplemental summer science programme for public high school students in Louisiana, Alabama, and Florida in the southern United States, influenced participants’ science motivation, as measured by the Science Motivation Questionnaire II (SMQII). The SMQII assesses five motivation factors for learning science: intrinsic motivation, self-determination, self-efficacy, career motivation, and grade motivation. Participants (n = 45) completed the SMQII before and after completing the academy, which allowed students to learn, apply, and experience environmental health science. Results indicated a statistically significant increase in motivation to learn science among participants, particularly for self-determination and career motivation. Inquiry-based learning, individual mentoring, and exposure to environmental health careers may explain why the academy was effective in positively influencing participants’ self-determination and career motivation. Finally, practical lessons learned for implementing a supplemental science programme for high school students are provided.Journal ArticlePublishe