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An African perspective on the interplay between international solidarity and vaccine equity
(Unisa Press, 2024-12) Nel, Chane; chane.nel@up.ac.za
This article explores the relationship between international solidarity and vaccine equity from an African viewpoint. The importance of international solidarity in addressing vaccine inequities has not been properly acknowledged. International bodies such as the United Nations have recognised and articulated both the concept of international solidarity and vaccine equity on a global scale. The patenting of vaccines as regulated by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) often increases vaccine inequities. Compulsory licences are used seldom, leading to calls for a temporary waiver on the WTO’s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property to enable developing states to manufacture COVID-19 vaccines. To advance vaccine equity during the pandemic, several initiatives such as COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) and the African Union (AU) COVID-19 Vaccine Development and Access Strategy were implemented. While COVAX relied on vaccine donations from developed states, the AU’s approach embraced international solidarity. International solidarity is frequently observed in soft and hard law instruments but not explicitly termed as such. The African approach to international solidarity views it as an obligation of justice; the principle of ubuntu provides useful insights on this concept. Recommendations in this article include forming a collaboration between the World Health Organisation (WHO) and WTO to manage vaccine patents, adopting legal instruments that recognise international solidarity as an obligation and implementing reparative justice. Reparative justice is a comprehensive recommendation since it enables states to manufacture vaccines, maintain their health systems and address patent rights and temporary initiatives simultaneously. As vaccine inequities stem from colonial legacies, it remains to be seen whether a stance will be taken against the powers of affluent states in anticipation of the next pandemic.
Cultural intelligence and relationship quality in export market ventures in Ghana
(Sage, 2025-03) Brancu, Laura; Mintah, Rockson; Isik, Derya Atlay; Matemane, Reon; Oral, Deniz Burcu Mıhladız; Şahin, Faruk
BACKGROUND : Although research on SMEs has shown that various internal and external factors are important for export performance, some scholars argue that for African SMEs, internal factors play a more critical role than external factors. This study examines the relationships between managerial cultural intelligence (CQ), relationship quality and export performance of SMEs in Ghana.
OBJECTIVE : The purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of SME owner/managers’ CQ to the quality of relationships of the firms, and whether the relationship quality is related to export performance.
METHODS : A self-administered questionnaire survey was used to collect data from 145 SMEs in Ghana. Structural equation modelling was used to test the research hypotheses.
RESULTS : The results indicated that the CQ of the owner/manager has an impact on both the local and foreign relationship quality of the firm. Furthermore, foreign relationships were found to play a significant role in the export performance of SMEs. However, the quality of the local relationships did not have a significant effect on export performance.
CONCLUSIONS : This research has shown that the CQ of owners and managers and the quality of relationships play an important role in the international performance of SMEs.
Collaboration in early childhood intervention services
(Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, 2025-07) Kyarkanaye, Thilendree; Dada, Shakila; Samuels, Alecia E.
Collaboration is a sophisticated activity requiring knowledge, technical competencies, and interpersonal skills. Many professionals lack experience in collaboration and therefore face challenges in forming and sustaining early childhood intervention (ECI) teams. There is a paucity of research on collaboration within ECI teams, especially within healthcare settings in resource-constrained nations marked by linguistic and cultural diversity, such as South Africa. Participants included 34 professionals who completed a survey. The results revealed that professionals possess a good understanding of collaboration and perceive families to be integral members of the team. Professionals emphasized the importance of resources, efficient communication, mutual respect, and the sharing of information. These results are discussed, with the limitations of the study, as well as future recommendations, outlined.
Exploring the epidemiological impact of Pneumonia-Listeriosis co-infection in the human population : a modeling and optimal control study
(Springer, 2025-05) Chukwu, Chidozie Williams; Tchoumi, Stephane Yanick; Koutou, Ousmane; Herdicho, Faishal Farrel; Fatmawati
Pneumonia and Listeriosis are significant public health concerns, both individually and as co-infections, particularly in vulnerable populations such as the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, and infants. Using a mathematical modeling approach, this study explores the epidemiological impact of Pneumonia–Listeriosis co-infection within human populations. By developing a comprehensive model incorporating the transmission dynamics of both diseases, we aim to understand the synergistic effects of co-infection on disease prevalence, morbidity, and mortality. Mathematical analysis was established, encompassing the transmission threshold calculation, calculated equilibrium points, and local stability. The model also assesses the influence of key parameters, such as transmission rates, recovery rates, and co-infection interactions, on the overall disease burden. Sensitivity analysis is performed to identify the most critical factors driving the spread of the co-infection. Furthermore, we include the optimal control interventions to minimize the spread of Pneumonia–Listeriosis co-infection and the costs associated with implementing control. Our findings provide valuable insights into the complexities of managing co-infections and highlight the importance of targeted interventions to reduce the public health impact of Pneumonia–Listeriosis co-infection. The results of this study inform public health strategies aimed at mitigating the dual burden of these infections, thereby improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.
The road to a long lifespan in the Persian squirrel, a natural model for extended longevity : resisting free radical stress and healthy phospholipids
(Springer, 2025) Salehi, Fahimeh; Kavoosi, Gholamreza; Jacobs, Paul Juan; Bennett, Nigel Charles; Ahmadian, Shahin; Bastani, Babak; Gholami, Mahdi
Longevity is influenced by various factors, including fatty acid composition and free radical stress, which relate to the membrane pacemaker and rate of living hypotheses. While these aspects are well-documented in some long-lived species, they remain largely unexplored in tree squirrels. This study aimed to compare oxidative stress, antioxidant activity, nitrosative stress, and lipid composition between the long-lived Persian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus) and the short-lived Wistar rat across age cohorts (younger and older). Tissue homogenates from skin, liver, skeletal muscle, spleen, lung, and kidney were analysed for lipid composition (monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), arachidonic to linoleic acid ratio, peroxidation index, and unsaturation index. Oxidative, nitrosative, and antioxidant markers were assessed, including NADPH oxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase (GST), nitric oxide synthase, superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, 4-hydroxynonenal, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Squirrels demonstrated higher GST activity, lower free radical stress, lower PUFA, and higher MUFA compared to rats. Antioxidant activities, except for TAC were negatively correlated with longevity. Older squirrels exhibited similar oxidative, nitrosative, and antioxidant profiles to younger squirrels, whereas younger rats displayed highly susceptible fatty acids, similar to older rats. The Persian squirrel’s longevity appears closely linked to fatty acid composition and free radical resistance, likely due to increased GST activity. We propose GST’s multifunctional role in reducing inflammation, enhancing immune response, providing disease resistance, and antioxidant activity contributes significantly to the longevity of the Persian squirrel.