Aim Effective control of type 2 diabetes is predicated upon the ability of a person with diabetes to adhere to self-management activities. In order to develop and implement services that are locally relevant and culturally acceptable, it is critical to understand people’s experiences of living with the disease. We synthesized qualitative research evidence describing the views and experiences of persons with type 2 diabetes in Africa regarding diabetes self-management. Methods Five data bases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, SCOPUS and CINAHL) were searched for qualitative studies published between the year 2000 and December 2019. After study selection, the included papers were critically appraised using an established tool. The data were extracted, and findings were coded and analysed to identify descriptive and analytical themes using a thematic synthesis approach. This review was registered in the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO) with registration number CRD42018102255. Results Sixteen studies were included in this review, representing a total of 426 participants across seven countries. Synthesis of findings produced six analytical themes. The diagnosis of diabetes triggered a range of emotions and revealed culturally specific understandings of the condition that negatively affected self-management practices. People with diabetes seeking health care at hospitals encountered several challenges including long waiting times and costly diabetes treatment. Family support and a state of acceptance of the condition were identified as facilitators to diabetes self-management. Conclusion Effective self-management of type 2 diabetes is a challenge for most persons with diabetes in Africa. There is an urgent need for culturally appropriate education strategies and restructuring of the health system to facilitate self-management of diabetes.

Background. The literature remains unclear whether involving informal caregivers in diabetes self-care could lead to improved diabetic foot outcomes for persons at risk and/or with foot ulcer. In this review, we synthesized evidence of the impact of interventions involving informal caregivers in the prevention and/or management of diabetes-related foot ulcers. Methods. A systematic review based on PRISMA, and Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) guidelines was conducted. MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial of the Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception to February 2021. The following MESH terms were used: diabetic foot, foot ulcer, foot disease, diabetes mellitus, caregiver, family caregiver ,and family. Experimental studies involving persons with diabetes, with or at risk of foot ulcers and their caregivers were included. Data were extracted from included studies and narrative synthesis of findings undertaken. Results. Following the search of databases, 9275 articles were screened and 10 met the inclusion criteria. Studies were RCTs ( n = 5 ), non-RCTs ( n = 1 ), and prepoststudies ( n = 4 ). Informal caregivers through the intervention programmes were engaged in diverse roles that resulted in improved foot ulcer prevention and/or management outcomes such as improved foot care behaviors, increased diabetes knowledge, decreased HbA1c (mmol/mol or %), improved wound healing, and decreased limb amputations rates. Engaging both caregivers and the person with diabetes in education and hands-on skills training on wound care and foot checks were distinctive characteristics of interventions that consistently produced improved foot self-care behavior and clinically significant improvement in wound healing. Conclusion. Informal caregivers play diverse and significant roles that seem to strengthen interventions and resulted in improved diabetes-related foot ulcer prevention and/or management outcomes. However, there are multiple intervention types and delivery strategies, and these may need to be considered by researchers and practitioners when planning programs for diabetes-related foot ulcers.

Background: Risky sexual behaviors (RSBs) are behaviors that could result in unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. These behaviors are often initiated during adolescence, and the frequency of engagement in such behaviors rises with increasing age during the teenage years. It has been asserted that exposures to sexual materials early in life could lead to early sex debut among adolescents. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the early life exposures contributing to RSBs among basic school pupils in the Twifo Praso District of Ghana. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured questionnaire. Three hundred and sixty basic school pupils were selected by simple random sampling technique. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: The study found that 64.4% of the respondents have had sexual intercourse at a mean age of 13.7 years. Respondents from polygamous homes were more likely to engage in earlier sexual debut than those from monogamous home ( r = 0.0343, P = 0.003). Furthermore, having a high number of friends who have had sex was associated with an early sexual debut ( r = 0.720, P = 0.000). Conclusion: Adolescents are initiating sexual intercourse very early in life and this calls for customized reproductive health promotion activities aimed at minimizing risky sexual behaviors. Further studies on how parent–child sexual communication could delay sexual debut are recommended.

IntroductionChildren with developmental disability (DD) may depend on their family caregivers to fulfil their complex health needs. Family caregivers are generally described as persons providing unpaid for services for the child with DD at home who need to be supported in a manner that supports and promotes his/her well-being. This review aims to identify and map the range of interventions available for caregivers of children between the ages of 5–16 with DD.Methods and analysisThe methodological framework for conducting scoping review as published by Arksey and O’Malley and the Joanna Briggs Institute’s guidelines will used in this study. Primary research articles will be obtained through a systematic search of CINAHL, Psych INFO, PubMed, ERIC and COCHRANE Library. Further grey literature will be obtained from Google Scholar search. Study selection process will be done by two independent researchers based on a predetermined inclusion criteria. Review findings comprising interventions, intervention components and outcomes will be presented using tables and narrative text.DiscussionThe proposed scoping review will give an extensive review of interventions aimed at improving the well-being of caregivers of children with DD. This scoping review would provide recommendations on interventions that have significantly improved the well-being caregivers of children with DD. Additionally, the review would guide future work on intervention development and primary research in this field.RegistrationThis scoping review protocol has been registered with the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/tkbrh).

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Introduction: Children with developmental disabilities (DD) have complex health needs which imply that they will need assistance in many areas of their lives, a role usually assumed by family members. Family caregivers need to constantly balance the demands of providing care with their own needs, this may be overwhelming and may lead to elevated levels of stress, subsequently affecting their well-being. For optimum functioning of the child with DD, the caregiver would have to be in a state of good health, making it necessary to have interventions that will support well-being of caregivers. This scoping review aims to identify and map the range of interventions available for caregivers of children with DD. Methods and analysis: This scoping review looks at well-being interventions of caregivers of children with DD. Two reviewers who are independent and blinded will search of articles from five databases, namely; CINAHL, Psych INFO, PubMed, ERIC and COCHRANE Library. Grey literature will be looked for from google scholar. Predetermined inclusion criteria will be used in the literature search. The findings will be summarized in a tabular form, followed by narrative text. Ethics and dissemination: As a scoping review of published literature, ethics approval is not required. Results will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Discussion: The proposed scoping review will give an extensive review of interventions aimed at improving the well-being of caregivers of children with DD. We hope that this scoping review will provide recommendations on well-being improving interventions for caregivers of children with DD. Additionally, the review will guide future work on intervention development and primary research in this field. Registration: This scoping review protocol has been registered with the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/tkbrh)

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