Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 also called coronavirus disease 2019 was first reported in the African continent on 14 February 2020 in Egypt. As at 18 December 2020, the continent reported 2,449,754 confirmed cases, 57,817 deaths and 2,073,214 recoveries. Urban cities in Africa have particularly suffered the brunt of coronavirus disease 2019 coupled with criticisms that the response strategies have largely been a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. This article reviewed early evidence on urban health nexus with coronavirus disease 2019 preparedness and response in Africa. Methods: A rapid scoping review of empirical and grey literature was done using data sources such as ScienceDirect, GoogleScholar, PubMed, HINARI and official websites of World Health Organization and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. A total of 26 full articles (empirical studies, reviews and commentaries) were synthesised and analysed qualitatively based on predefined inclusion criteria on publication relevance and quality. Results: Over 70% of the 26 articles reported on coronavirus disease 2019 response strategies across Africa; 27% of the articles reported on preparedness towards coronavirus disease 2019, while 38% reported on urbanisation nexus with coronavirus disease 2019; 40% of the publications were full-text empirical studies, while the remaining 60% were either commentaries, reviews or editorials. It was found that urban cities remain epicentres of coronavirus disease 2019 in Africa. Even though some successes have been recorded in Africa regarding coronavirus disease 2019 fight, the continent’s response strategies were largely found to be a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach. Consequently, adoption of ‘Western elitist’ mitigating measures for coronavirus disease 2019 containment resulted in excesses and spillover effects on individuals, families and economies in Africa. Conclusion: Africa needs to increase commitment to health systems strengthening through context-specific interventions and prioritisation of pandemic preparedness over response. Likewise, improved economic resilience and proper urban planning will help African countries to respond better to future public health emergencies, as coronavirus disease 2019 cases continue to surge on the continent.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is thought to increase the risk of cerebrovascular disease, although few data exist linking these two disease entities. The aetiology of vasculopathy in both adults and children with HIV remains unknown. However, it has been postulated that direct infection by HIV, immune complex deposition, and impaired regulation of the immune response are the likely causes. HIVassociated vasculopathy in the cerebral circulation encompasses several forms of arterial disease occurring in the absence of any cause other than HIV infection. It includes disease of extra cranial large arteries, intracranial medium sized arteries with or without aneurysm formation and small vessel disease. The pathology appears to differ across vessel types, and the exact mechanism by which HIV induces vessel wall damage in each case remains uncertain. Furthermore, immuno suppression secondary to HIV can predispose to opportunistic infections of the central nervous sys tem. These acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)defining infections include toxoplasmosis, cryptococcal meningitis, tuberculosis, cytomegalovirus, and progressive multifocal leukoencephalop athy secondary to JC virus reactivation, which can also present as cerebrovascularlike manifestation in patients with HIV. Although several causative mechanisms have been proposed for the relationship between HIV infection and cerebrovascular diseases, including HIVassociated dyslipidaemia, endo thelial dysfunction, inflammation, and hypercoagulability, the pathogenesis of HIVvasculopathy is not completely understood. Beside the above pathological entities, HIV itself has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cerebrovascular diseases, either through direct invasion and vessel wall destruc tion or cytokinemediated vascular remodelling.

Introduction: Ureteric injuries resulting from iatrogenic causes is over 70% with about 75% of these cases diagnosed in the post-operative period with complications that increase morbidity and treatment cost.Objective: The purpose of the study is to identify risk factors for iatrogenic ureteric injuries(IUI) from open surgical procedures and the clinical outcome of interventions. Patients and methods: Clinical records of patients with IUI between 2015-2021 who were repaired at the urology units, MMCH and HTH were retrieved. Important data extracted included patients' demographics, clinical presentation, primary surgery details, time from surgery to injury types of ureteric injury, complications, and interventional outcomes data were extracted and analysed using the Statistical package for social scientists (SPSS version 24). Results: Twelve patients with 19-injuries aged between 24 - 54 years were treated. Injuries resulting from hysterectomy 83.3%, Caesarean section, and hernia repairs resulted in other 16.7%. Most were post-operative diagnoses after 48-hours(7/12). Bilateral injuries occurred in 7 cases(14/19 injuries) performed entirely by non-surgeon clinicians. Intra-operative recognition was related to unilateral damage and surgeries performed by surgeons. Ureteroneocystostomy(14/19), uretero-ureterostomy(1/19), and open suture release were the proceduresDiscussion: Open hysterectomy(83.7%) was the single surgery with many IUI. Outcome indicators related to major presenting complications, frequency, bilateral and late recognition of injuries, were those performed by general physicians on mostly elective cases. This pattern is a pre-operative predictive factor of the worst IUI occurrence.Conclusion:Mishaps during hysterectomies by none-surgeon clinicians are the single dangerous risk factor for complicated open surgery IUIs in the Volta region.