Antiretroviral treatment failure has emerged as a challenge in the management of pediatric human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients, especially in resource-limited countries despite accessibility to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART). A systematic review was conducted to synthesize virological failure (VF) prevalence and ascertain its predictors in children in sub-Saharan Africa. An electronic database search strategy was conducted from January to September 2021 on PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, HINARI, and CINAHL. Further, manual searching was conducted on non-indexed journals. Utilizing the JASP© version 0.17.2 (2023) statistical software, a meta-analysis of pooled prevalence of VF was estimated using the standardized mean differences. Further, selection models were used to assess the risk of bias and heterogeneity. The pooled odds ratios were estimated for the respective studies reporting on predictors of VF. The overall pooled estimate of the prevalence of VF in sub-Saharan Africa among the sampled population was 29% (95% CI: 0.27-0.32; p

Objective To explore the health professionals’ and community members’ perspectives on the factors influencing transmission of the novel COVID-19 in Zambia. Design An exploratory qualitative study using in-depth interviews as data collection technique. Setting Four primary healthcare facilities and local communities of Lusaka city and Chirundu international border town under Lusaka province, Zambia. Participants Purposive sampling of 60 study participants comprising health professionals (n=15) and community members (n=45). Health staff were health inspectors and surveillance officers. Community members included public market traders, civic and religious leaders, immigration officers, bus and international truck drivers. Results Both health professionals and community members were aware of the COVID-19 pandemic, the preventive and control measures. Nevertheless, stark differences were observed on the two groups’ perspectives on COVID-19 and the factors influencing its transmission. Most health staff expressed high personal risk and susceptibility to the disease and a positive attitude towards the prevention and control measures. Conversely, myths and misconceptions influenced most community members’ perspectives on the disease and their attitude towards the COVID-19 guidelines. Participants were unanimous on the low levels of adherence to the COVID-19 preventive and control measures in the community. Reasons for non-adherence included limited information on COVID-19, negative attitude towards COVID-19 guidelines, social movement and travel patterns, networks and interactions, living and work conditions, water and sanitation facilities, and observation of behaviours of important role models such as politicians and other community leaders. These factors were perceived to increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Conclusion These findings highlight important factors influencing transmission of COVID-19 in Zambia. Future interventions should focus on providing information to mitigate myths and misconceptions, increasing people’s risk perception to the disease, and improving attitude towards the prevention and control interventions and mitigating structural and socioeconomic barriers.

Emerging and re-emerging mosquito-borne viral diseases are a threat to global health. This systematic review aimed to investigate the available evidence of mosquito-borne viral pathogens reported in Zambia. A search of literature was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar for articles published from 1 January 1930 to 30 June 2020 using a combination of keywords. Eight mosquito-borne viruses belonging to three families, Togaviridae, Flaviviridae and Phenuiviridae were reported. Three viruses (Chikungunya virus, Mayaro virus, Mwinilunga virus) were reported among the togaviruses whilst four (dengue virus, West Nile virus, yellow fever virus, Zika virus) were among the flavivirus and only one virus, Rift Valley fever virus, was reported in the Phenuiviridae family. The majority of these mosquito-borne viruses were reported in Western and North-Western provinces. Aedes and Culex species were the main mosquito-borne viral vectors reported. Farming, fishing, movement of people and rain patterns were among factors associated with mosquito-borne viral infection in Zambia. Better diagnostic methods, such as the use of molecular tools, to detect the viruses in potential vectors, humans, and animals, including the recognition of arboviral risk zones and how the viruses circulate, are important for improved surveillance and design of effective prevention and control measures.

Background: A propagative increase in SARS-CoV-2 transmission has been witnessed in Zambia since the index case was reported in March 2020. Although sociocultural factors including movement patterns, people’s livelihood, and way of life have been demonstrated to influence SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics, the role of environmental risk factors has not been adequately documented. The aim of the study was to investigate environmental risk factors contributing to the transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in Zambia using a cross-sectional study Results: The positivity rates were 10.5 % cell phones, 5.3% door knobs, 2.7% remote controls and 2.6% beddings. All the other surfaces came out negative. The sex proportion of the respondents was 55% and 45% males and females respectively. Regarding occupancy density, 37.5% (15/40) resided in a 2 to 3-roomed house, 32.5% (13/40) resided in a 4 to 7 roomed house and 30% (12/40) resided in > 7-roomed house. Of the 40 respondents, 75% (30/40) used recyclable face masks while 25% (10/40) used non-recyclable face masks. For the non-recyclable face masks, 30% of the respondents indicated incineration as a disposal method. A correlation coefficient of 0.25 was documented for the association between occupancy density and surface contamination. Conclusions: The study revealed that most environmental surfaces particularly mobile phones were rarely disinfected and were most likely to contribute to the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the community. Furthermore, the majority of the respondents used recyclable face masks which are easily washable. However, those who used non-recyclable face masks disposed of them indiscriminately which has the potential of contaminating the environment and further lead to the transmission of SARS-CoV-2.