The Agostinho Neto University (Portuguese: Universidade Agostinho Neto) is the largest public university of Angola, based in Luanda and in the nearby city of Talatona, in Angola. In the academic year 2005–06, 68 licensing courses were ministered by the university: 18 in Bachelor's and 15 in master's degrees, involving areas of scientific knowledge in the faculties, institutes, and higher learning schools. It is one of seven public (state owned) universities in Angola. Until 2009 the Agostinho Neto University was the country's only public university, and had campuses in all its major cities. In 2009 it was split up, with its campuses outside Luanda becoming six autonomous universities, located in Benguela, Cabinda, Huambo, Lubango, Malange, and Uíge. Agostinho Neto University is now one of the seven regional university among others, serving Luanda Province and Bengo Province. It remains the largest university in Angola.
Moringa oleifera is widely recognised for its nutraceutical potential, particularly due to its rich nutritional and bioactive composition, traditionally used in Angola. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of edaphoclimatic conditions on phenolic compound content of M. oleifera leaf and their influence on biological activities. The leaves were analysed for their phenolic profile, antioxidant activity measured by the DPPH method, anti-inflammatory activity via lipoxygenase inhibition, and antibacterial efficacy against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus across different harvest periods over two consecutive growth cycles (years from 2022 to 2023) at Luanda city. The results indicate that environmental factors, particularly high solar radiation and moderate soil moisture during late summer, just before the vegetative growth phase, significantly enhance phenolic compound accumulation. Key bioactive compounds, including gallic and caffeic acids, were more abundant during this period, contributing to increased antioxidant (128 µg/mL, IC50) and anti-inflammatory (64 µg/mL, IC50) activities. Additionally, antibacterial activity was significantly improved, particularly against E. coli bacteria (12 mm), supporting the correlation between higher phenolic content and enhanced antibacterial activity. While climatic conditions were the primary determinants of phenolic biosynthesis, soil properties such as organic matter and potassium levels also played a supportive role. These findings underscore the importance of optimising harvest strategies to enhance the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical potential of M. oleifera leaf. By aligning cultivation practices with seasonal conditions, the bioactive compound yield can be maximised, improving its application in medicinal and functional food.
BackgroundMalaria remains a major public health problem in Angola, where sustained transmission persists despite expanded access to preventive and therapeutic interventions. Understanding community self-care practices is essential to improving malaria control in endemic settings.ObjectiveTo explore community perceptions, prevention practices, and treatment-seeking behaviors related to malaria among residents of the Canâmbua neighborhood, Malanje Province, Angola, using Dorothea Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory as an analytical framework.MethodsA descriptive qualitative study was conducted with 28 adult household members selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and direct household observation between May and June 2024. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic content analysis.ResultsParticipants demonstrated substantial biomedical knowledge regarding malaria transmission and symptoms. Preventive practices included mosquito net use, environmental sanitation, and elimination of stagnant water. However, consistent implementation of these measures was hindered by discomfort associated with net use, economic constraints, and limited access to antimalarial medicines in public health facilities. Severe malaria manifestations were occasionally interpreted through sociocultural explanatory models, contributing to delayed care-seeking.ConclusionsDespite relatively high levels of malaria-related knowledge, significant self-care deficits persist due to structural and health system barriers. Theory-informed, culturally sensitive interventions that strengthen self-care agency and ensure uninterrupted access to diagnosis and treatment are critical for effective malaria control in peri-urban Angolan settings.
A avaliação funcional de pavimentos rodoviários é essencial para garantir o conforto, a segurança e a eficiência operacional dos utentes, particularmente durante a recepção provisória de infraestruturas recentemente construídas ou reabilitadas. Este estudo apresenta uma avaliação funcional abrangente da estrada nacional EN-240 em Angola, especificamente no troço de 34 km entre Mussende e Cariango, usando o Índice de Irregularidade Internacional (IRI) como parâmetro principal de avaliação. A metodologia empregou um perfilómetro laser (ARRB Hawkeye 2000) para medição contínua do perfil longitudinal, complementada por inspecções visuais para cálculo do Índice de Condição do Pavimento (ICP) conforme a norma ASTM D6433-07. Os resultados indicam condições excelentes do pavimento com valores de ICP de 89,9 (classificado como "Excelente/Bom") e médias de IRI abaixo de 2,5 m/km em ambos os sentidos de tráfego, em conformidade com os padrões internacionais para pavimentos novos. As patologias menores identificadas incluem microfissuras longitudinais (densidade de 7,30%), exsudação (6,09%) e pele de crocodilo (1,47%), todas com baixo nível de severidade. O estudo demonstra que o pavimento da EN-240 atende aos requisitos funcionais para recepção provisória, estabelecendo simultaneamente um quadro metodológico para avaliação de pavimentos em Angola. As recomendações incluem monitorização periódica a cada dois anos, manutenção preventiva dos sistemas de drenagem e reforço da sinalização vertical e horizontal.
A cirurgia cardíaca é um procedimento complexo, o número de pacientes com alto risco cirúrgico tem crescido devido ao aumento de pacientes idosos com maior número de comorbidades. Vários fatores de risco influenciam a permanência na unidade de cuidados intensivos (UCI). Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar fatores de risco associados ao tempo de internamento prolongado (TIP) na UCI em doentes submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca com circulação extracorpórea (CEC). Estudo retrospectivo, realizado de Janeiro a Dezembro de 2024, com doentes adultos submetidos a cirurgia com CEC. Foram recolhidos dados relacionados a variáveis pré, intra e pós-operatórias. Considerou-se TIP a permanência na UCI superior a quatro dias. Entre os 47 doentes incluídos, a mediana de idade foi de 47 anos; 26 (55,3%) eram do sexo masculino. A cirurgia valvular foi o procedimento mais frequente (66%). Nove (19,2%) apresentaram TIP. A mediana de idade foi maior no grupo de TIP (33,06 anos vs. 21.86; p=0,027). Houve correlação positiva entre TIP e ventilação mecânica (r=0,30; p=0,04), tempo de intubação (r=0,30; p=0,04), índice neutrófilo/linfócito (r=0,30; p=0,01) e correlação negativa com a contagem absoluta de linfócitos (r=-0.39; p=0.005). Variáveis pré e pós-operatórias, incluindo idade, ventilação mecânica, tempo de intubação, INL e contagem de linfócitos, associaram-se a TIP na UCI.
Malaria remains a major health challenge in Angola, where Plasmodium falciparum accounts for most cases and deaths. Although artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) have been the recommended first-line treatments in the country since 2006, the emergence of resistance-associated mutations in Africa raises concerns. We conducted a systematic review of molecular markers of antimalarial drug resistance in Angola (2000–2024) to map their prevalence and distribution at the provincial level. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we searched PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science for studies on P. falciparum resistance markers: polymorphisms in pfcrt, pfdhfr, pfdhps, pfmdr1, pfk13, or copy number variation (CNV) in pfmdr1 and pfpm2/3. Data on mutations, prevalence, and geographic distribution was extracted and summarized. 20 studies met our inclusion criteria. The chloroquine-resistant pfcrt CVIET haplotype persisted in northern and coastal provinces, while the SP-resistant pfdhfr/pfdhps IRNGE haplotype was detected in Cabinda and Zaire. No validated pfk13 mutations linked to artemisinin resistance were reported. Pfmdr1 analyses showed declining 86Y and 1246Y mutation frequencies, with wild-type NYD and NFD haplotypes predominating. Low pfmdr1 and pfpm2 CNV prevalence was reported, though recent data indicate emerging amplification in southern Angola. Research was concentrated in Benguela, Luanda, Lunda Sul, and Zaire, leaving large geographic gaps country-wise. Resistance markers in Angola show heterogeneous provincial distribution. Expanded molecular surveillance, particularly in underrepresented provinces and among pregnant women, is critical to safeguard ACT efficacy and guide national malaria control strategies.
