International Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

An assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice of hepatitis b infection and vaccination among residents of passo community in gwagwalada area council, abuja, nigeria

Yalma RM — 2025-08-15

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a significant global public health concern, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, due to its high morbidity and mortality. Hepatitis B continues to affect millions, primarily due to low awareness, poor knowledge, and limited access to preventive services. The availability of an effective vaccine has proven to be a remarkable disease modifying factor especially among high-risk population. This study aims to assess the awareness, knowledge, attitude and practice of Hepatitis B virus infection and vaccination among residents of Passo community, and also to identify factors associated with infection amongst them. A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted among 258 adult residents of Passo community of Gwagwalada Area Council Abuja. Participants were selected through multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a pre-tested, semi-structured, questionnaire which was interviewer-administered and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics such as Chi-square test, were employed to determine associations between variables. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The study revealed 70.2% of the respondents were aware of hepatitis B; however, only 45.3% demonstrated good knowledge of the infection and vaccination. Tertiary education was significantly associated with better knowledge (p < 0.001). Attitude towards prevention and testing were positively associated with knowledge levels. About 63% of respondents did not know their hepatitis B status, and only 14.3% had received the hepatitis B vaccine. The majority (80%) of un-vaccinated participants cited lack of information as the reason. Although awareness was relatively high, there were substantial gaps in knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices, particularly regarding screening and vaccination. There is a critical need for community-targeted interventions to improve hepatitis B literacy and accessibility to screening and vaccination services.

Recent advance drug discovery: innovative approaches targeted therapies

Sri Lakshmi Chitla — 2025-06-30

Drug discovery is a dynamic field constantly evolving with the aim of identifying novel therapeutic agents to combat various diseases. In this review, we present an overview of recent advances in drug discovery, highlighting innovative approaches and targeted therapeutics that have emerged in the last few years. The review covers a range of cutting-edge techniques and strategies used in drug design and development, including artificial intelligence and machine learning-based approaches, high-throughput screening, and rational drug design therapeutic agents to combat various diseases. In this review, we present an overview of recent advances in drug discovery.

Cosmetovigilance: Advancing Safety, Awareness, and Public Health

Koteswara Rao Esaram — 2025-06-30

Cosmetovigilance plays a vital role in ensuring the safety of cosmetic products by monitoring, detecting, and preventing adverse effects associated with their use. Despite its significance, awareness and implementation of cosmetovigilance remain limited. Studies indicate that while approximately 46.1% of healthcare professionals and consumers are aware of the concept, only a small percentage actively report adverse reactions. The lack of formal monitoring systems, self-diagnosis, and underreporting of mild to moderate adverse events contribute to the low number of documented cases. The cosmetic industry has evolved significantly, incorporating complex formulations to meet consumer demands. However, the absence of standardized scientific methods to evaluate long-term dermal exposure raises concerns about the safety of cosmetic ingredients. Furthermore, the rise of counterfeit beauty products in the market poses additional risks, making consumer education and regulatory vigilance crucial. National and international cosmetovigilance programs are necessary to monitor and regulate the safety of cosmetic products. These programs can help eliminate hazardous ingredients, enforce stringent safety measures, and enhance consumer confidence in the industry. Strengthening regulatory frameworks, increasing public awareness, and encouraging healthcare professionals to report adverse reactions are key steps toward improving cosmetovigilance practices.

Review on immunooncology drugs for the treatment of cancer

Bhaskar Mekala — 2025-06-20

Over the past decade, immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment by leveraging the body's immune system to target and eliminate cancer cells, leading to significant advancements and improved patient outcomes across various malignancies. Checkpoint Inhibitors: Drugs targeting immune checkpoints, such as CTLA-4 and PD-1, have been pivotal in cancer therapy. For instance, a long-term follow-up of the Check Mate 067 trial demonstrated that patients with advanced melanoma treated with a combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab had a median overall survival of approximately six years, marking a substantial improvement in survival rates. CAR-T Cell Therapy: Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has emerged as a promising treatment, particularly for hematologic malignancies. Recent developments aim to enhance these therapies by improving antigen selection and delivery methods, thereby reducing tumor escape rates and increasing efficacy. Microbiome Modulation: Innovative approaches combining immunotherapy with microbiome modulation have shown potential. For example, a clinical trial reported that a patient with stage III small bowel cancer achieved remission after receiving a combination of immunotherapy and fecal microbiota transplantation from a "superdonor." Melanoma: The introduction of immunotherapy has significantly improved outcomes for melanoma patients. Notably, the five-year survival rate for advanced melanoma has risen from less than 10% to more than 50% since the advent of these therapies..

Diagnosis and therapy for bacterial blood stream infection

Malleswari B — 2025-06-30

The rising incidence of bloodstream infections (BSI) due to Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) with di cult-to-treat resistance (DTR) has been recognized as a global emergency. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive assessment of the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, epidemiology and treatment options for BSI caused by GNB with DTR, namely extended-spectrum Beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriales; carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriales; DTR Pseudomonas aeruginosa; and DTR Acinetobacter baumannii Bloodstream infection (BSI) is defined by positive blood cultures in a patient with systemic signs of infection and may be either secondary to a documented source or primary—that is, without identified origin. Community‑acquired BSIs in immunocompetent adults usually involve drug‑susceptible bacteria, while healthcare‑associated BSIs are frequently due to di cult-to-treat resistance (DTR) strains. Early adequate antimicrobial therapy is a key to improve patient outcomes, especially in those with criteria for sepsis or septic shock, and should be based on guidelines and direct examination of available samples. Local epidemiology, suspected source, immune status, previous antimicrobial expo sure, and documented colonization with MDR bacteria must be considered for the choice of first‑line antimicrobials in healthcare‑associated and hospital‑acquired BSIs.. Initial antimicrobial dosing should take into account the pharmacokinetic alterations usually observed in ICU patients, with a loading dose in case of sepsis or septic shock. Source identification and control should be performed as soon as the hemodynamic status is stabilized.