Activity

3 was obtained and that was 44% higher than the score of original images. These results were also supported by objective measures. The results demonstrated that the proposed method outperformed the other methods in terms of mean brightness preservation, edge preservation, structural similarity, and human perception-based image quality assessment. Thus, the proposed method can be used in computer-aided diagnosis systems and to visually assist radiologists in their interactive-decision-making task.While studies have explored how health sector corruption, weak healthcare system, large-scale immune compromised population, misinformation and prevalence of highly congested slums contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria, they have glossed over the impact of political distrust on the spread of the virus. This study explores the impact of political distrust on the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. The study utilised qualitative dominant mixed methods approach comprising telephone interviews and a survey of 120 educated Nigerians purposively selected from four COVID-19 most affected states including Lagos, Oyo, Kano and Rivers as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The study also relied on secondary data on the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria sourced from Nigeria Centre for Diseases Control from 27 February to 31st August 2020. The study found that political corruption motivates large-scale political distrust. This undermines public compliance to government protocols, limits the outcomes of government responses to COVID-19 and facilitates the spread of the virus in Nigeria. The paper concludes that improving government accountability in the public sector management is relevant for building public trust, promoting citizens’ compliance to COVID-19 safety measure and mitigating the spread of the pandemic in Nigeria and beyond.During health emergencies, the security agenda tends to impose itself over the human rights agenda. That happened when Brazil became the Zika-related PHEIC epicentre in 2016. While the federal government promoted a ‘war against the mosquito’ Aedes aegypti, some social actors emphasised the social determinants of health and women’s rights. This article presents the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) led campaign ‘More Rights, Less Zika’ as a consistent example of the positive effects the coordination between global and local actors might have on health initiatives. We conducted field research in Recife, Northeast of Brazil, one of the campaign’s target cities, where we interviewed main local actors. The campaign focussed on disseminating women’s sexual and reproductive rights as an alternative to the strategy of the federal government, primarily focussed on controlling the vector, postponing pregnancies, and the use of repellent. Despite its scale limitations, the campaign demonstrates that a right-based approach can contribute to increasing the security of communities during health emergencies. The case also suggests that coordinating global actors’ actions with local actors improves the quality of global health initiatives, which is particularly important when a conservative agenda opposing women’s rights gains leverage in Brazil and other States.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made a significant impact on all spheres of society. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of COVID-19 on the practices, finances, and social aspects of Brazilian vascular surgeons’ lives.

This is a descriptive analysis of the responses from Brazilian vascular surgeons to the cross-sectional anonymous Society for Vascular Surgery Wellness Task Force Pandemic Practice, Anxiety, Coping, and Support Survey for Vascular Surgeons disseminated 14-24 April 2020. GSK-3008348 concentration Survey dissemination in Brazil occurred mainly via the Brazilian Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery (SBACV) and social media. The survey evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vascular surgeons’ lives by assessing COVID-19-related stressors, anxiety using theGeneral Anxiety Disorder (GAD)-7 scale, and coping strategies using the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (Brief-COPE) inventory.

A total of 452 responses were recorded from Brazil, with 335 (74%) respondents completing the e;

 = .54). The respondents reported their anxiety levels as mild based on the stressors investigated instead of moderate-severe (54% vs. 46%;

 = .04). Social media was utilized heavily during the pandemic, with video gatherings being the most commonly used tool (76%). Self-distraction (60%) and situational acceptance (81%) were the most frequently reported coping mechanisms used among Brazilian vascular surgeons.

The COVID pandemic has greatly affected healthcare providers around the world. At the time of this survey, Brazilian vascular surgeons are reporting low anxiety levels during this time and are using mostly active coping mechanisms.

The COVID pandemic has greatly affected healthcare providers around the world. At the time of this survey, Brazilian vascular surgeons are reporting low anxiety levels during this time and are using mostly active coping mechanisms.

Complications due to prematurity are a threat to child survival and full developmental potential particularly in low-income settings.

The aim of the study was to determine the neurodevelopmental outcomes among preterm infants and identify any modifiable factors associated with neurodevelopmental disability (NDD).

We recruited 454 babies (242 preterms with birth weight <2.5 kg, and 212 term babies) in a cohort study at birth from Iganga hospital between May and July 2018. We followed up the babies at an average age of 7months (adjusted for prematurity) and assessed 211 preterm and 187 term infants for neurodevelopmental outcomes using the Malawi Developmental Assessment tool. Mothers were interviewed on care practices for the infants. Data were analyzed using STATA version 14.

The study revealed a high incidence of NDD of 20.4% (43/211) among preterm infants compared to 7.5% (14/187) among the term babies, p <0.001, of the same age. The most affected domain was fine motor (11.8%), followed by language (9.