http://hdl.handle.net/10453/35218 2026-04-27T03:18:12Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/194810 Title: A scoping review of the pharmacovigilance systems in west African region Authors: Jalloh, I; James, PB; Abiri, OT; Wiafe, E; Mensah, K; Padayachee, N Abstract: Background: Pharmacovigilance is essential for monitoring drug safety and managing adverse drug reactions, particularly In the context of Increasing médication use In West Africa. This review alms to assess the existing state of pharmacovigilance systems, regulatory frameworks, and adverse drug reaction reporting practices across the West African region. Methods: A systematic scoping review was performed in accordance with the methodology set out by the Joanna Briggs Institute, adhering to the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines. Literature searches conducted across seven databases resulted In 3,000 documents, of which 59 studies met the Inclusion criteria. The Included studies originated from six countries: Ghana, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Senegal. Key themes identified In the review encompass pharmacovigilance systems, related policies, collaboration among stakeholders, and the challenges associated with reporting adverse drug reactions. Results: While all West African countries have established national pharmacovigilance centers and WHO Collaborating Center membership, gaps persist in legislation, enforcement, and public awareness. Challenges include inadequate resources, limited healthcare professional training, and communication barriers. Recommendations emphasize education, stakeholder engagement, and public awareness to improve adverse drug reaction reporting. Conclusion: Strengthening pharmacovigilance in West Africa requires a multipronged approach prioritizing policy, collaboration, and education to ensure drug safety and public health. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/194745 Title: LOVE AND THE HUMANISATION OF CHILDBIRTH Authors: Page, L; Wardhaugh, C Abstract: These letters form a conversation between Lesley Page, an experienced midwife who has worked to humanise childbirth over many years, and Clare Wardhaugh. Clare, through her work in education, person-centred counselling and embodied spiritual direction, has enabled practitioners to authentically practise personal beliefs in their workplace with integrity, critical thinking, and values of love. In writing these letters, we are thinking about midwifery, we consider the life of the midwife, the concept of love, and the key to that love in humanising midwifery. We will also consider the role of the organisation and whether it is one that helps the midwife to offer of their best or makes it more difficult. The exploration from different perspectives will consider midwifery in conjunction with theology, philosophy, and spirituality, which we hope will illuminate the importance of love to our lives, and love in midwifery practice. We hope that through this conversation, midwives and others reading it will be inspired to think about what love means and reflect on the place of love in their lives, their practice, and in the systems and cultures in which they work. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/194574 Title: The Effectiveness of Body Image Flexibility Interventions in Youth: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis Authors: Brichacek, AL; Neill, JT; Murray, K; Rieger, E; Watsford, C Abstract: Prevention programs that focus on enhancing positive body image may improve health and well-being in young people. Body image flexibility is a promising prevention approach, although its application with youth has yet to be comprehensively investigated. This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of body image flexibility interventions among adolescents and emerging adults. There were 23 eligible studies (N = 2764, 91.3% female) published between 2004 and 2024. Random effects meta-analyses indicated that body image flexibility interventions led to immediate, g = 0.52 (13 studies, n = 1,045), and sustained, g = 0.27 (8 studies, n = 608, 1-week to 24-month follow-up) improvements in health outcomes and protected against adverse effects of body image threats, g = 0.33 (7 studies, n = 480), relative to no/minimal intervention controls. Improvements were largely attributable to reductions in body image concerns. Comparison with other evidence-based interventions, including cognitive and dissonance-based programs, suggested comparable effects. Randomized trials and universal programs demonstrated smaller improvements, and there was evidence of potential publication bias. Conclusions are thus limited by the quantity and quality of existing studies, with most focusing on emerging adult females. Recommendations are provided to address these limitations in future research and strengthen the reliability and generalizability of results. 2025-09-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/193723 Title: Understanding how users of home-based aged care services with cognitive impairment rate their social care related quality of life. Authors: Phillipson, L; Caiels, J; Smith, L; Towers, A-M Abstract: BACKGROUND: Over the past decades, self-directed models of care have been implemented throughout the world to support older people, including those with dementia, to live at home. However, there is limited information about how self-directed home care is experienced by older people with cognitive impairment and dementia, and how their thinking informs their care choices and quality of life. METHODS: We used the ASCOT-Easy Read, a staggered reveal method, talk aloud techniques, probing questions, and physical assistance to support users of self-directed home care in Australia with cognitive impairment and dementia to discuss their Social Care Related Quality of Life (SCRQoL). Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically in NVivo. Demographic, functional, cognitive and SCRQoL scores were analysed in Excel and SPSS. Analysis of both the quantitative and qualitative data for each participant allowed us to examine consistency or discordance between ratings and participants' comments about their experiences within each domain. RESULTS: Twenty six older people with cognitive impairment and/or dementia completed an interview. Ratings of SCRQoL were more favourable in lower order domains (e.g. food and drink, personal cleanliness, accommodation comfort and cleanliness and safety) than in the higher order domains (e.g. occupation and social participation). Overall SCRQOL also varied significantly from 0.40 to 0.97. Despite variable ratings, all participants described unmet needs associated with limitations in personal function and mobility, transport and the amount and flexibility of home care services they received. Qualitative comments suggest many experienced more significant limitations than some of their ratings may imply. This was attributed to adaptation and acceptance of limitations as a normal part of aging. The choice to remain living in one's own home was perceived as the most important outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Some older people living at home with cognitive impairment and/or dementia adapt and accept their limitations as a normal part of the aging process. This affects expectations about their lives at home and their support. Rather than relying on self-direction, supports to live well at home could be enhanced by a greater emphasis on comprehensive needs assessment and more supports to promote reablement and enhance personal and community level participation. 2025-01-04T00:00:00Z