Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions associated with the risk of diabetes mellitus type 2 and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Metabolic syndrome is closely related to obesity. Increased adiposity promotes inflammation and oxidative stress, which are precursors of various complications involving metabolic syndrome components, namely insulin resistance, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. An increasing number of studies confirm the importance of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation in the etiology of metabolic syndrome. However, few studies have reviewed the mechanisms underlying the role of oxidative stress in contributing to metabolic syndrome. In this review, we highlight mechanisms by which reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase mitochondrial dysfunction, protein damage, lipid peroxidation, and impair antioxidant function in metabolic syndrome. Biomarkers of oxidative stress can be used in disease diagnosis and evaluation of severity.

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is a significant obstetric complication associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Zambia, like several Sub-Saharan African nations, experiences a high prevalence of pregnancy-related hypertension, with PE being a major contributor to maternal and foetal mortality. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with the development of PE. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study at Livingstone University Teaching Hospital in Zambia (LUTH). PE was defined as new-onset hypertension with systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg occurring after 20 weeks of gestation, accompanied by proteinuria with dipstick reading of 1 + . Data from patients’ most recent hospital visits was collected by trained research assistants using medical record abstraction. A total of 1018 participants were included. Demographic, clinical, and haematological parameters were analysed. We conducted both descriptive and inferential analyses using Stata version 17. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were employed to investigate factors associated with PE. Results: The median age of participants was 27 years (IQR: 21–33). The prevalence of PE was 12.2% (n = 124). Among the 17.7% (n = 172) of participants who were employed, 19.1% (n = 33) had PE. Factors positively associated with PE included increasing age (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]: 1.07, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.02–1.12, p = 0.002), a previous history of PE (AOR: 30.8, 95% CI: 8.7–108.6, p < 0.001), and a family history of PE (AOR: 9.97, 95% CI: 2.53–39.27, p = 0.001). Conversely, a unit (week) increase in gestational age was negatively associated with PE (AOR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.83–0.97, p = 0.007). Conclusion: This study identifies maternal age, family history, and prior obstetric history as key associated factors for PE, emphasizing the need for targeted screening and early intervention. Enhanced prenatal care, including routine risk assessments, patient education, and regular monitoring through blood pressure checks, urine protein testing, and fetal growth assessments, is cardinal for early detection and effective management of high-risk individuals.

Background: Anaemia remains a significant comorbidity among people living with HIV (PLHIV) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), exacerbated by biological, sociocultural, and clinical factors. Despite known sex disparities, limited data exist on sex-specific determinants of anaemia in Zambia. This study evaluates anaemia prevalence, sex differences, and associated factors among PLHIV in Southern Province, Zambia. Methods: A retrospective cohort study analyzed 2,840 PLHIV aged ≥15 years from 12 districts in Southern Zambia. Data were abstracted from medical records (November–December 2024). Anaemia was defined as haemoglobin <13 g/dL (men) and <12 g/dL (non-pregnant women). Multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with anaemia. Results: Anaemia prevalence was 15.7% (446/2,840), with marked sex disparity: females exhibited 21.8% prevalence (380/1,741) versus 6.0% in males (66/1,099). Adjusted odds of anaemia were 3.24-fold higher in females (95% CI: 1.98–5.31, p < 0.0001). Widowed individuals had the highest prevalence (20.2%). Cotrimoxazole (CTX) prophylaxis reduced anaemia likelihood (14.3% vs. 18.3%, p = 0.005). Participants on INSTI-based ART had lower anaemia prevalence (11.9%) compared to protease inhibitors (26.5%) or other regimens (30.0%). Viral load was independently associated with anaemia (AOR: 1.00, p = 0.021). Advanced WHO stages (Stage 3: 50% anaemia) and lower creatinine levels correlated with increased risk. Conclusions: Significant sex-based disparities in anaemia among Zambian PLHIV highlight the need for gender-responsive interventions, including nutritional support and INSTI-based ART. CTX prophylaxis demonstrates protective effects, advocating for broader integration into HIV care. Retrospective design and unmeasured confounders limit causal inference. Future research should prioritize longitudinal studies to refine anaemia management in high-burden settings.

Background: Urogenital schistosomiasis remains a major public health challenge among children and adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa. Data on prevalence and associated factors in Zambia are scarce. This study assessed the burden of Schistosoma haematobium infection and its correlates among 271 children and adolescents attending the outpatient department of Chitokoloki Mission Hospital, Northwestern Province. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of clinical records from January to March 2025. Systematic random sampling of files for participants aged 5–18 years captured sociodemographic data, water-contact behaviours, haematuria, haematological indices (haemoglobin, MCV, MCHC), deworming history, and prior schistosomiasis. Urine microscopy for S. haematobium eggs defined infection status. Categorical variables were compared by chi-squared test and medians by Wilcoxon rank-sum. Multivariable logistic regression identified independent predictors of infection ( p < 0.05). Results: The median age was 13 years (IQR: 12–15); 58.3% were male. Overall prevalence of schistosomiasis was 25.8% ( n = 70). Haematuria was present in 80.2% of infected versus 0.5% of uninfected participants ( p < 0.0001). Infected children had lower median haemoglobin (11.3 g/dL vs. 11.9 g/dL; p = 0.0067) and MCHC (30.9 g/dL vs. 32.1 g/dL; p = 0.0022). Only 3.6% of previously dewormed children were infected compared with 49.2% of non-dewormed peers ( p < 0.0001). In adjusted odds ratio (aOR) analyses, absence of deworming (aOR 37.8; 95% CI 5.78–247.4), absence of haematuria (aOR 0.0014; 95% CI 0.0001–0.011), and lower haemoglobin (aOR 0.69 per g/dL; 95% CI 0.48–0.99) remained independently associated with infection. Conclusions: There is a significant burden of urogenital schistosomiasis among school-aged children and adolescents attending Chitokoloki Mission Hospital in Zambezi District, Zambia. Targeted praziquantel distribution, cost-effective school-based urine screening in high endemic areas, awareness campaigns to sensitize the community on transmission and reinfections and the integration of nutritional and anaemia management strategies are critical components for effective disease control. Strengthening these interventions is essential to advance progress toward achieving the World Health Organization’s 2030 schistosomiasis elimination targets in Zambia. Clinical trial number: Not applicable (N/A).

Birth asphyxia remains a leading cause of neonatal mortality in low-resource settings, with Zambia reporting a rate of 24 deaths per 1,000 live births. Birth asphyxia accounts for over 20% of neonatal ICU admissions. This study aimed to determine its prevalence and risk factors to inform targeted interventions. We conducted a secondary data analysis of medical records at Livingstone University Teaching Hospital, Zambia, including 497 maternal–neonatal records of deliveries between 15 July 2024 and 31 March 2025. Data were abstracted from the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit between 1 and 20 April 2025 using REDCap. The primary outcome was birth asphyxia, defined as failure to establish spontaneous respiration with Apgar ≤5 at 5 minutes or hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Maternal, obstetric, and neonatal demographic and clinical variables were collected. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with birth asphyxia, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. The prevalence of birth asphyxia was 6.8% (34/497). Significant correlates included eclampsia (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=17.3; 95% CI:2.7-111.0; p = 0.002), foetal distress (AOR = 7.3; 95% CI:2.5-20.9; p < 0.001), and resuscitation with suction (AOR = 3.8; 95% CI:1.2–11.5; p = 0.018) or facial oxygen (AOR = 3.5; 95% CI:1.0-11.6; p = 0.044). Neonates requiring bag-mask ventilation had 65.6% asphyxia rates versus 5% without (p < 0.001). Post-term gestation (15.2% asphyxia) and abnormal foetal heart rates (28.6%) were also associated with higher risk. The 6.8% asphyxia prevalence at LUTH reflects regional disparities, with eclampsia and foetal distress being critical modifiable risks. Strengthening emergency obstetric care, foetal monitoring, and neonatal resuscitation capacity could reduce preventable cases. These findings underscore the need for context-specific strategies to improve perinatal outcomes in Zambia and similar settings.