The issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is of global significance, affecting both developed and underdeveloped nations. In the context of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), in Africa and other regions confronted with worsening health inequities such as inadequate healthcare resources and infrastructure, and a rising burden of infectious diseases, the adverse impact of antimicrobial resistance is exacerbated. This narrative review delves into the difficulties encountered in tackling the effects of AMR, focusing specifically on LMICs in Africa, where the overlap of climatic factors, socio-economic disparities, and inequities in access to healthcare intensifies the problem. The themes that emerged from the review include the need for infection prevention and control strategies, the adoption of a One Health approach to combat AMR, and the need for surveillance and monitoring. Several challenges were identified, including organizational and governmental issues, and the absence of leadership commitment. The review also emphasized the need for public and professional education for healthcare professionals and patients to promote and influence behavioral change patterns, a central aspect of AMR issues in Africa. These initiatives should be in tandem with enhanced diagnostic capacity, effective AMR surveillance, and capacity building at all levels of the healthcare system. Sustaining antimicrobial stewardship programs in Africa presents considerable obstacles, ranging from financial constraints to the lack of political will and coordinated efforts. When countries and partners adequately address these challenges by implementing sustainable solutions, LMICs in Africa can mitigate the threat of AMR, safeguard public health, and promote the responsible use of antimicrobials for future generations.

This article investigates the escalating occurrence of zoonotic diseases in Africa, attributing their spread to climate change and human activities. Africa’s unique combination of biodiversity, reliance on animal husbandry, and swift urbanization heightens its susceptibility. Climate change disrupts ecosystems and animal habitats, intensifying human-wildlife interactions. Urbanization, inadequate sanitation, and insufficient healthcare infrastructure further facilitate disease spread. Climate-induced displacement adds another layer of complexity. Mitigation strategies include improving surveillance systems, fostering early detection via point-of-care diagnostics and digital contact tracing, and investing in vaccines and therapeutics. Our purpose of this is to advocate for sustainable land use, robust community-level public health systems, international cooperation, and resource-sharing. We also emphasize the need for effective vector-control policies, dedicated research funding, and annual awareness, vaccination, and early detection campaigns in endemic regions.

Chronic non-communicable diseases contribute significantly to Ghana’s disease burden. Ghana’s ability to achieve universal health coverage is threatened by the rising burden of chronic non-communicable diseases. There is a high unmet need for cardiovascular diseases care, with primary health care for cardiovascular diseases not being readily available, equitable, or sensitive to the requirements of target populations. The contribution of family physicians in the management of the chronic disease burden through care continuity cannot be overemphasised. This is a short report of the implementation of a chronic care clinic by a family physician in Manna Mission Hospital, which is located in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Before the implementation, there was no such clinic in the hospital and patients with chronic conditions who visited the facility were sometimes lost to follow-up. The clinic which commenced in January 2019 has provided care for patients with chronic non-communicable diseases to date. The most common chronic diseases managed at the clinic include hypertension and heart failure, diabetes, stroke, asthma, sickle cell disease, and joint disorders. This report gives an account of the contribution of family physicians to chronic disease burden management through continuity of care in a low-resource setting like Ghana.

Background: Research is needed to improve the performance of primary health care. In Africa, few family physicians conduct research, and therefore an online research training and mentorship programme was developed to build research capacity amongst novice and early career researchers. Aim: To evaluate the implementation of the AfriWon Research Collaborative (ARC) training and e-mentorship programme in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: A 10-module online curriculum was supported by peer and faculty e-mentorship, to mentor participants in writing a research protocol. A convergent mixed methods study combined quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate nine implementation outcomes. Findings: Fifty-three participants (20 mentees, 19 peer mentors, and 14 faculty mentors), mostly male (70%), participated in the ARC online programme. The programme was seen as an acceptable and appropriate initiative. Mentees were mostly postgraduate students from African countries. Faculty mentors were mostly experienced researchers from outside of Africa. There were issues with team selection, orientation, communication, and role clarification. Only 35% of the mentees completed the programme. Alignment of mentoring in teams and engagement with the online learning materials was an issue. Costs were relatively modest and dependent on donor funds. Conclusion: Despite many challenges, the majority of participants supported the sustainability of the programme. The evaluation highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the ARC programme and e-mentoring. The ARC working group needed to ensure better organization and leadership of the teams. Going forward the programme should focus more on developing peer mentors and local supervisory capacity as well as the mentees.

Background: Intimate partner violence in pregnancy is a significant public health issue that has several detrimental effects. Pregnant women subjected to intimate partner violence (IPV) have a higher risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence, patterns and factors associated with intimate partner violence among pregnant women attending a primary care antenatal clinic. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study design was employed to study intimate partner violence among 269 pregnant women in Accra, Ghana between July and October 2021. Participants were selected by systematic sampling technique. The self-reported Composite Abuse Scale was used to assess and classify intimate partner violence. Socio-demographic, clinical (obstetric) and behavioural characteristics were obtained with a structured questionnaire. Associations were determined between independent and dependent variables using the chi-squared test, and logistic regression with adjusted odds ratio (AOR). The statistical significance level was set at a p-value ≤ 0.05. Results: The prevalence of IPV was 11.2%. The prevalence of emotional/psychological abuse, harassment/controlling behaviour, physical abuse, sexual abuse and severe combined abuse were 12.3%, 13.0%, 8.2%, 3.3% and 8.9% respectively. Pregnant women who were employed had reduced odds of experiencing IPV [AOR = 0.16 (95%CI: 0.05–0.47), p = 0.001], however, the past experience of violence [AOR = 4.9 (95%CI: 1.06–22.96), p = 0.042], alcohol use by women [AOR = 7.8 (95%CI: 1.63–37.42), p = 0.01], and partners’ alcohol consumption [AOR = 10.0 (95%CI: 3.22–31.26), p<0.001] were associated with increased odds of IPV. Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of IPV among pregnant women in this study from a resource-limited setting. The factors found to be associated with IPV in pregnancy were the employment status of women, alcohol consumption by women or their partners and a previous history of violence. Healthcare providers in primary care need to recognize IPV as a medical condition that can occur in pregnancy and be ready to assist and manage the victims when it is detected.

Teaching family medicine to medical students is primarily intended to aid in their understanding of the distinctive and significant role that the speciality performs within the healthcare system. Improving medical students’ comprehension of family medicine may have an impact on their decision to pursue family medicine as a speciality. It is important to use innovative evidence-based teaching and learning strategies and ensure that medical students receive extra learning opportunities in family medicine. This is a short report highlighting the use of audio-visual aids and case studies to enhance the understanding of family medicine principles among undergraduate medical students attending a private university in Ghana. Contribution: This short report offers family medicine teachers and educators at the undergraduate level an example of how to apply audio-visual aids and case studies to enhance the understanding of family medicine principles among students. The report contributes to the growth of family medicine as a speciality within the African context.