Prevalence and associated factors of head lice infestation among primary school children in low- and middle-income countries: systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Head lice infestation remains a persistent public health concern among primary school children in resource-limited settings, affecting their well-being and academic performance. Despite previous studies, there is no consistent evidence on the prevalence and factors associated with head lice infestation. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors related to head lice infestation among primary school children in low and middle-income countries. METHODS: This review was conducted by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines. Relevant electronic databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Science Direct, AJOL, and Google Scholar, were used to retrieve articles. The study included only published articles written in English languages between December 01, 2014 to January 31, 2024 for studies reporting the prevalence of head lice infestation or associated factors among primary school children in low- and middle-income countries. This review has been registered on PROSPERO with Prospero registration number CRD42024506959. The heterogeneity of the data was evaluated using the I2 statistic. A meta-analysis was conducted using STATA 17 software, with a 95% confidence interval. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots and statistical tests, such as Egger's and Beggs's tests, to identify publication biases in the included studies. Meta-regression was also carried out to assess the source of publication of publication bias. RESULTS: The review included 39 studies involving 105,383 primary school children. The pooled prevalence of head lice infestation among primary school children in low- and middle-income countries was 19.96% (95% CI; 13.97, 25.95). This review also found out that being a girl was 3.71 times (AOR = 3.71; 95% CI: 1.22-11.26) more likely to have head lice infestation as compared to boys, while children with a previous history of infestation were 4.51 times (AOR = 4.51; 95% CI: 2.31-8.83) more likely to have head lice infestation as compared to their counterparts. CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of head lice infestation among primary school children in low- and middle-income countries was found to be high. Female gender, children who had a previous history of infestation, and family size were significant predictors of head lice infestation. As a result, policymakers and program administrators should focus on the identified determinants.

Effectiveness, safety, and preference of transdermal insulin compared to subcutaneous insulin in the treatment of diabetes patients: a systematic review of clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Several studies were performed on transdermal (TD) insulin delivery in vitro and in vivo, and recently, the study groups included a clinical trial in humans. Therefore, this systematic review was conducted to get summary information about the effectiveness, safety, and preferability of TD insulin in comparison with subcutaneous insulin delivery. METHODS: We conducted a thorough search to find studies in the databases Cochrane Library, MEDLINE via PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, EMBASE, Scopus, Hinari, Medlib, and Magiran until January 2024. We included 18 randomized clinical trials. RESULTS: Although there are various types of TD delivery methods, the TD insulin delivery methods that have undergone clinical trials are the TD patch, micro needle TD insulin delivery, and TD insulin jet injector. Eighteen studies were conducted on TD insulin delivery, which showed either superior or comparable effectiveness, safety, and preferability of TD insulin in comparison with SC insulin. About eleven out of eighteen studies (61.1%) showed more effective blood glucose control than SC delivery, and the remaining seven studies showed comparable effectiveness with SC delivery. Eleven studies (61.1%) showed equal tolerability of TD insulin versus SC insulin, and seven studies (38.9%) showed more tolerability of TD insulin over SC insulin. In most studies, eleven out of eighteen (61.1%) showed a higher preference for TD insulin delivery over traditional SC delivery; sixth out of eighteen (33.3%) showed equal preferability for TD insulin versus SC insulin; and only one study (5.6%) showed that TD insulin delivery was less preferable than SC insulin. CONCLUSION: The review revealed that clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of TD insulin delivery methods such as TD patches, MN-based insulin delivery, and insulin jet injectors compared to traditional SC routes of administration. The studies showed the superior or comparable effectiveness of TD insulin in controlling blood glucose levels. Additionally, TD insulin delivery was found to be equally or more tolerable than SC insulin delivery in all studies. Overall, the majority of studies favored TD insulin delivery over traditional SC delivery methods, highlighting its potential as a preferred option for insulin administration.

Poor sleep quality and its associated factors among HIV/ADIS patients living in sub-Saharan African countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Good-quality sleep is defined by its ability to minimize disturbances, provide adequate duration, and maintain a balanced progression through sleep stages. Sleep disturbance is a common complaint in people living with HIV/AIDS. Despite the influence of sleep disturbance on treatment adherence, quality of life, work productivity, risk of chronic illness. Studies have reported sleep disturbances among HIV/AIDS patients in sub-Saharan African countries (SSA), yielding varied results at the country level. Therefore, conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis is essential. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the prevalence of poor sleep quality and identify associated factors among HIV/AIDS patients in sub-Saharan African countries. We systematically searched across various databases, including PubMed, African Journals Online, Scopus, Cochrane Library, HINARI, and Science Direct. Additionally, we conducted searches using Google and Google Scholar search engines. Microsoft Excel was used for data extraction, and the data were analysed using STAT version 17.0. We assessed heterogeneity using Cochran's Q test and I2 test and checked for small study effects using funnel plot symmetry and Egger's test. Pooled prevalence and associated factors were estimated using a random-effects model at a 95% confidence interval (CI) and significance level of p < 0.05. To identify factors associated with poor sleep quality among individuals living with HIV/AIDS, odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% CI were calculated. This analysis combined data from 15 separate studies involving a total sample size of 5176 participants. The pooled prevalence of poor sleep quality among HIV/AIDS patients in SSA countries was 49.32% (95% CI 41.32-56.8%). Factors significantly associated with poor sleep quality included depression (OR 2.78; 95% CI 1.21-6.40) and CD4 count < 200 cells/mm3 (AOR 3.15; 95% CI 2.41-4.15). In this study the prevalence of poor sleep quality among HIV/AIDS patients in SSA was higher and differs across the countries, ranging from 21.7 to 73.7%. The findings underscore the urgent necessity for programs aimed at improving sleep quality, particularly in addressing factors such as participant income and depression that are linked to poor sleep quality in HIV/AIDS patients.Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42024517229.

Exploring barriers of health literacy on non-communicable disease prevention and care among patients in north wollo zone public hospitals; Northeast, Ethiopia, 2023: application of socio-ecological model.

BACKGROUND: Health literacy is the important for the prevention of non-communicable disease to make informed health decisions, and practice healthy and protective behaviours. Therefore, application of socioecological model to this study aimed to identify multilevel factors on health literacy among patients and develop scientific health communication interventional strategies to improve health literacy on non-communicable disease prevention and care. OBJECTIVE: To explore barriers of health literacy on non-communicable disease prevention and care among patients in north wollo zone public Hospitals, Northeast Ethiopia, 2023. METHOD: In this study phenomenological study design was conducted from February 5 to 30/2023.We have used purposive sampling technique to select study participants from chronic follow up clinics. Data were collected using in-depth interview and focused group discussion in which audio was recorded, transcribed verbatim and translated to English. Thematic analysis was performed with atlas ti. 7 software. RESULT: In this study four main themes with seven subthemes were developed. The main themes were factors at the organizational, community, interpersonal, and intra-personal factors. The poor knowledge, lack of enough money for transportation and medication at the hospital were identified as barrier to get early diagnosis and treatment. Some participants explored that they have no any support from family or others. The cultural norms like weeding and funeral ceremonies enforce patients to consume prohibited substances like alcohol and salty foods. CONCLUSION: In this study different barriers of health literacy were explored. Lack of knowledge, economic problems, lack of social support, poor communication with health care providers, cultural influences, lack of regular health education, lack of access to health care services and poor infrastructure were main barriers of health literacy in patients with NCD. Therefore, we recommended all concerned bodies to work on social and behavioral change communication intervention focusing on awareness creation, supply of drugs and create supportive environment to get accessible and affordable health care service to decrease the impact of non-communicable disease at personal, community and national level.