Browsing by Author "Muzazu SGY"

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Digital health in the era of COVID-19: Reshaping the next generation of healthcare.
(2023) Getachew E; Adebeta T; Muzazu SGY; Charlie L; Said B; Tesfahunei HA; Wanjiru CL; Acam J; Kajogoo VD; Solomon S; Atim MG; Manyazewal T; Outpatient Department, Ethiopian Airlines Medical Unit, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.; Enteric Diseases and Vaccines Research Unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia.; Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, Soroti, Uganda.; Department of Public Health, College of Health Science, Arsi University, Asella, Ethiopia.; Outpatient Department, Pope John's Hospital Aber, Atapara, Uganda.; Outpatient Department, Kibong'oto National Tuberculosis Hospital, Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.; KNCV TB Foundation, Challenge TB Project, Blantyre, Malawi.; Center for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT-Africa), College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.; Department of Public Health, Hager Biomedical Research Institute, Asmara, Eritrea.; School of Public Health, Saint Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
COVID-19 is one of the most deadly diseases to have stricken us in recent decades. In the fight against this disease, governments and stakeholders require all the assistance they can get from various systems, including digital health interventions. Digital health technologies are supporting the tracking of the COVID-19 outbreak, diagnosing patients, expediting the process of finding potential medicines and vaccines, and disinfecting the environment, The establishment of electronic medical and health records, computerized clinical decision support systems, telemedicine, and mobile health have shown the potential to strengthen the healthcare system. Recently, these technologies have aided the health sector in a variety of ways, including prevention, early diagnosis, treatment adherence, medication safety, care coordination, documentation, data management, outbreak tracking, and pandemic surveillance. On the other hand, implementation of such technologies has questions of cost, compatibility with existing systems, disruption in patient-provider interactions, and sustainability, calling for more evidence on clinical utility and economic evaluations to help shape the next generation of healthcare. This paper argues how digital health interventions assist in the fight against COVID-19 and their opportunities, implications, and limitations.
Prevalence of cryptococcal meningitis among people living with human immuno-deficiency virus and predictors of mortality in adults on induction therapy in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
(2022) Muzazu SGY; Assefa DG; Phiri C; Getinet T; Solomon S; Yismaw G; Manyazewal T; Enteric Diseases and Vaccines Research Unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia.; Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia.; Department of Nursing, College of Health Science and Medicine, Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia.; Centre for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT-Africa), College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.; School of Public Health, Saint Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
BACKGROUND: Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) is a leading cause of adult meningitis in countries with a high burden of HIV. It has remained a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in Africa despite the extensive rollout of HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART). This study aimed to systematically synthesize the evidence on the prevalence of CM among people living with HIV (PLWH) and its predictors of mortality among adults who are on induction antifungal therapy in Africa. METHODS: PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Google Scholar were searched for randomized clinical trials or observational studies published in Africa from 1995 to April 2021. Pooled prevalence of CM among PLWH was calculated using R-studio Version 1.4.1717 software and the data extracted from eligible studies were pooled as percentage with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Predictors of mortality among adults on induction antifungal therapy were synthesized narratively. RESULTS: Out of 364 studies identified, 17 eligible articles were included in the analysis. The prevalence of CM among PLWH in Africa was 5.11% (95% CI 2.71-9.43%; participants = 10,813; studies = 9; CONCLUSION: Prevalence of CM has significantly decreased from 1996-2010 to 2011-2021 among PLWH on induction therapy in Africa. Fluconazole monotherapy, focal neurological symptoms, diastolic blood pressure < 60 mmHg, and concurrent tuberculosis coinfection were significant predictors of mortality at 2- and 10-weeks timepoints. CM remains a major concern among PLWH despite increases in ART coverage. Improved access to effective antifungal therapies is needed in Africa for timely initiation of combination induction therapy and better treatment outcomes of PLWH. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=254113], identifier [CRD42021254113].
Sickle Cell Disease in Early Infancy: A Case Report.
(2022) Muzazu SGY; Chirwa M; Khatanga-Chihana S; Munyinda M; Simuyandi M; Enteric Disease and Vaccines Research Unit, Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) refers to a group of hereditary disorders that result in faulty hemoglobin carriage by the red blood cells. This paper discusses an atypical presentation of SCD in early infancy. Despite current literature suggesting protection by fetal hemoglobin in the first few months of life, we report a diagnosis of SCD at 2 months of age with severe symptoms requiring hospitalization. It is therefore important for clinicians to raise their clinical index of suspicion of SCD in children presenting with severe anemia even though they are less than 6 months old and do not present with classic dactylitis or pain syndromes. Expansion and sustained newborn screening programs for SCD in developing countries could help clinicians and parents plan for early treatment, appropriate prophylaxis, and improved management of SCD complications.
Trends in uptake and impact of thermostable vaccines in Africa.
(2025) Kitui SK; Juma E; Ndalama MT; Chilot D; Tolossa D; Woldemedhin B; Muzazu SGY; Digamo K; Mungania J; Manyazewal T; Kenya National Public Health Laboratories-National Influenza Center, Nairobi, Kenya.; Kotebe Metropolitan University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.; Center for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT-Africa), College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 9086, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.; Wachemo University, Hossana, Ethiopia.; Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya.; Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute, Nairobi, Kenya.; Center for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT-Africa), College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.; University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.; Enteric Diseases and Vaccines Research Unit, Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia.; Shenen Gibe General Hospital, Jimma, Ethiopia.
Vaccination in Africa faces significant challenges due to inadequate cold chain infrastructure, particularly in regions lacking reliable electricity. Approximately 80% of prequalified vaccines require cold chain systems to maintain their potency, which is often unfeasible in remote areas. Exposure to extreme temperatures can lead to a loss of vaccine potency, making it crucial to explore alternatives. Thermostable vaccines represent a technological advancement that addresses these challenges by eliminating the need for cold chain mechanisms during transport and storage. This narrative review analyzes trends in the uptake of thermostable vaccines and their impact across Africa. A total of 10 studies were reviewed, encompassing 14 African countries, revealing critical insights into the potential of thermostable vaccines to enhance immunization coverage in settings with limited access to traditional cold chain facilities. These vaccines, which maintain their efficacy even when exposed to higher temperatures for short periods, offer a promising solution to the logistical and economic hurdles of vaccine delivery in resource-limited settings.