Schistosomiasis is a Neglected Tropical Disease that is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, with over 90% of global cases occurring in the region. Poverty, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and limited access to water and sanitation contribute to the high prevalence of the disease. Despite efforts to control and interrupt the diseases, a reduction in the transmission rates have not been realized owing to a number of challenges. This article highlights the challenges of schistosomiasis control in Africa and recommends strategies for successful interventions. These strategies include prioritizing government backing, investing in academic partnerships, strengthening integrated health programs, targeting communities through the Primary Healthcare system, and adopting home-grown solutions. Additionally, it is essential to address the knowledge gap hindering effective control of the disease and the risk of re-infection after treatment. By implementing these strategies, it is possible to achieve the World Health Organization’s 2021-2030 goal of eliminating schistosomiasis and reducing its prevalence of heavy infection to less than 1%.

1.0 Abstract :Plastic pollution is a growing environmental problem that affects ecosystems worldwide. With a population of over 1.4 billion people, Africa has the potential to be a major contributor to the global plastic waste crisis, generating an estimated 17 million tons of plastic waste annually. The impact of plastic pollution in Africa is particularly severe, with large quantities of plastic waste ending up in rivers and oceans, leading to the death of marine life and the destruction of ecosystems. Although policies aimed at reducing plastic waste exist in many African countries, their effectiveness has been limited due to poor governance, inadequate resources, and a lack of focus on the root causes of plastic pollution. To effectively address plastic pollution, sustainable solutions such as the circular economy, innovative technology, public awareness, and international collaboration are needed.2.0 Introduction :Plastic pollution is an urgent and escalating environmental problem that affects ecosystems across the globe. While plastic production has increased rapidly in recent years, with an estimated 300 million tons produced each year [1], much of this plastic ends up in the ocean and other bodies of water. Plastics currently make up to 85% of marine trash, and this percentage is expected to triple by 2040 [2]. This is particularly concerning for Africa, which has a population of over 1.4 billion people in 2022 [3], and generates an estimated 17 million tons of plastic waste each year [4]. With a projected population of 2.5 billion by 2050 [4], the demand for plastics, especially single-use plastics (SUP), is likely to increase further. Unfortunately, the effects of SUP pollution are particularly severe in Africa, where enormous volumes end up in rivers and seas, killing marine life and destroying ecosystems [4].While many African nations have regulations in place to reduce SUP waste, their efficacy has been limited. Some regulations focus on banning SUP, but enforcement has been difficult due to inadequate funding and poor governance. Furthermore, these policies do not address the underlying issues that contribute to SUP pollution, such as inadequate recycling infrastructure and deficient waste management systems. Between 1990 and 2017, 230 metric tons of plastics, including SUP, entered Africa, with the highest proportion going to Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia [5]. Primary plastic manufacture in eight African nations produced only 15 metric tons between 2009 and 2015 [5]. Much of this waste ends up in the ocean, leading to negative impacts on marine ecosystems and local communities. Inadequate waste management systems and poor public awareness exacerbate the problem, leading to the accumulation of plastic waste, particularly SUP, in landfills and oceans. It is therefore obvious that current policies alone are not enough to comprehensively address the issue of SUP pollution in Africa. This commentary aims to shed light on the impact of SUP on the marine ecosystem, highlight the current policies and strategies to reduce SUP in Africa, and explore sustainable solutions to reduce SUP pollution in Africa

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a major global public health concern, with human papillomavirus (HPV) being one of the most common STIs affecting both men and women worldwide [1]. It is estimated that about 75% of sexually active people will contract HPV at some point in their lives [1]. The impact of HPV on health can be severe, causing various health problems such as genital warts, cervical, anal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers [2].Several studies conducted in Africa have shown significant HPV prevalence rates among men who have sex with men (MSM). In sub-Saharan Africa, HPV was detected in a range of 19.1% to 100% of men, with a pooled prevalence of 78.2% among HIV-positive men and 49.4% among HIV-negative men [3]. Another study in South Africa found that HPV genotypes were detected in 72.8% of anal, 11.5% of oro-pharyngeal, and 15.3% of urine specimens of MSM, with multiple HPV types being more common in the anal canal [4]. Additionally, a study in Nigeria reported a higher prevalence of anal high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) among HIV-positive MSM compared to HIV-negative MSM [5], while another study in Mali found that a significant percentage of MSM had anal HPV infection of any genotypes, with a large portion being HR-HPV positive [6]. The increasing prevalence of anal HR-HPV among MSM in Africa highlights the urgent need for increased HPV screening and prevention measures targeted at this population, particularly HIV-positive MSM.HPV vaccination programs are highly effective in reducing the burden of HPV and associated diseases in both men and women [3]. The vaccine offers long-lasting protection against HPV infections that are most commonly associated with cancer [7]. Although the vaccine is primarily known for preventing cervical cancer in women, it can also prevent HPV-related cancers in men, such as anal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers [7]. Moreover, vaccinating men can lead to herd immunity, which can protect women from HPV-related diseases [2]. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize the HPV vaccine for MSM who engage in anal sex to prevent HPV-related cancers and reduce the overall burden of HPV in Africa.However, the low uptake of the HPV vaccine in Africa, especially among high-risk individuals, is concerning despite the vaccine’s effectiveness in preventing HPV-related diseases. Only 14 of the 54 African nations have included the HPV vaccine in their national immunization programs for girls as of 2021, and no countries in western and central Africa have included widespread HPV vaccination in their national immunization programs [8 10]. Furthermore, currently, no countries in Africa offer HPV vaccination to men [8]. This means that individuals engaging in anal sex, who are at a higher risk of developing anal cancer, are not receiving the protection they need, despite the high prevalence of HPV infection among MSM. This underscores the urgent need to prioritize the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in national immunization programs in Africa, and to ensure equitable access to the vaccine for all persons, including MSM.To improve access to healthcare services and HPV vaccination for MSM in Africa, it is crucial to address both the structural and social barriers that hinder their access to these services. Some of the barriers that HPV-infected MSM face include a lack of information, general vaccine hesitancy, a lack of advice from healthcare professionals, expense and logistics, and the perception that HPV vaccination may encourage promiscuity [9]. Furthermore, discrimination and the criminalization of same-sex behavior can further prevent MSM from accessing healthcare programs [10].A comprehensive approach is necessary to overcome these barriers and improve access to healthcare services and HPV vaccination for MSM in Africa. This includes community-based interventions [11], and healthcare professional training to increase awareness about HPV, the benefits of vaccination, and to reduce vaccine hesitancy among MSM [12]. Healthcare professionals should also receive training to provide culturally competent care to meet the unique healthcare needs of MSM in a non-judgmental manner [12]. Policy changes are also necessary to eliminate discrimination and criminalization of same-sex behavior and enable MSM to access healthcare services without fear of stigma or persecution [10]. Moreover, to increase vaccine coverage in Africa, the HPV vaccine should be made affordable and accessible to all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic status [10]. This can be achieved by implementing community-based vaccination programs, mobile clinics, and school-based vaccination programs. Overall, these interventions can help to improve vaccination rates and increase access to healthcare services for MSM in Africa, ultimately leading to better health outcomes and reducing health disparities.