The Catholic University of Mozambique (Portuguese: Universidade Católica de Moçambique, UCM) is a university in Mozambique.The university was founded on 10 August 1996 by the Mozambican conference of Bishops. At the time, higher education in Mozambique was only available in the capital, Maputo. The university currently has locations in Beira, Chimoio, Cuamba, Nampula, Pemba, Quelimane and Tete. One of the intentions was to make higher education available to central and northern Mozambique. As of 2007[update], approximately 3,270 students were enrolled at the university. The rector is Prof. Dr. Padre Alberto Ferreira.
Background: The increasing popularity of Artemisia annua tea in Africa as an antimalarial remedy has raised concerns about its potential role in the development of artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum, which could undermine global malaria control efforts. Methods : This literature review analyzed publications sourced from PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and other databases. Studies included clinical trials, laboratory investigations, and surveillance reports focused on Artemisia annua tea consumption and resistance patterns. Results: Data indicate a significant rise in herbal tea use in malaria-endemic regions, particularly where access to standard therapies is limited. Some studies suggest a possible link between non-standardized use of Artemisia annua tea and early markers of artemisinin resistance, though direct causality remains unconfirmed and findings are inconsistent. Conclusions: The uncontrolled consumption of Artemisia annua tea could contribute to artemisinin resistance emergence in Africa, highlighting the need for regulated use, further research, and continuous surveillance to protect the effectiveness of antimalarial treatments.
Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most common healthcare-associated infections worldwide and impose a disproportionate burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In Mozambique, persistent health system constraints—including limited infection prevention and control (IPC) capacity, weak surveillance infrastructure, and rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR)—likely amplify this burden. This review synthesizes available evidence on SSI incidence, etiology, antimicrobial resistance patterns, risk factors, and surveillance practices in Mozambican healthcare settings. Methods: A structured literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, WHO Global Index Medicus, and Google Scholar for studies published between 2000 and September 2025. Eligible studies reported SSI incidence or prevalence, causative pathogens, AMR profiles, or associated risk factors in Mozambique. Additional data were retrieved from WHO reports, Joint External Evaluations (JEEs), and national surveillance assessments. Results: Published evidence remains scarce and fragmented, with no comprehensive national estimates of SSI incidence identified. The most commonly reported pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA), Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter spp., and Escherichia coli. MRSA prevalence in hospital settings ranged from 15% to 42%. Gram-negative isolates frequently demonstrated extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production, suggesting substantial antimicrobial pressure. Reported risk factors were consistent with regional findings and included inadequate hand hygiene, suboptimal sterilization practices, prolonged lab or, malnutrition, HIV infection, and perioperative anemia. National SSI surveillance is largely absent, and only one hospital currently reports AMR data to the WHO Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS). Conclusions: SSIs represent a significant yet underrecognized public health challenge in Mozambique. Despite increasing multidrug resistance, systematic data collection and coordinated national surveillance remain limited. Strengthening IPC programs, establishing structured SSI surveillance, expanding microbiological laboratory capacity, and implementing antibiotic stewardship initiatives are urgent priorities to improve surgical outcomes and reinforce national health security.
Background Malaria remains a major public health concern in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This retrospective observational study examined the spatiotemporal variation in severe malaria incidence among pregnant women across DRC provinces from 2020 to 2024 and projected future trends to 2026. Methods Monthly data on severe malaria cases were obtained from the District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2) managed by the DRC Ministry of Health. Data from 26 provinces were cleaned, harmonized, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, temporal trend visualizations, and spatial autocorrelation methods. Five forecasting models Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA), Exponential Smoothing State Space (ETS), Trigonometric Box-Cox ARMA Trend Seasonal (TBATS), Autoregressive Neural Network (ARNN_NNAR), and Autoregressive Fractionally Integrated Moving Average (ARFIMA) were applied to predict future incidence. Model accuracy was assessed using Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), Symmetric Mean Absolute Percentage Error (sMAPE), and Mean Absolute Scaled Error (MASE), with sMAPE used to identify the best-performing model for each province. Results Considerable spatial and temporal heterogeneity was observed. Kinshasa, Haut-Katanga, and Kasaï-Central reported persistently high incidence, while Nord-Ubangi and Mongala showed the lowest. Seasonal peaks occurred mainly between May and December. The ETS, ARNN_NNAR, and ARFIMA models demonstrated superior accuracy across different provinces, reflecting varied epidemic patterns. Forecasts for 2026 indicated persistent high-incidence clusters in western and central provinces, particularly Kongo-Central and Kwango. Conclusion The study underscores significant spatial disparities and rising trends in severe malaria among pregnant women in the DRC. The findings provide critical evidence to guide geographically targeted, seasonally timed interventions and inform policy to strengthen malaria prevention and control.
Esta pesquisa analisou os progressos e retrocessos da Reforma da Educação Profissional em Moçambique, depois da introdução da formação baseada em competências que centralizou o processo de certificação e desenho das qualificações dos Certificados Vocacionais (CV´s) pela Autoridade Nacional de Educação Profissional. Em termos metodológicos, o estudo recorreu a pesquisa bibliográfica e documental para a produção de resultados. Os resultados evidenciaram alguns avanços obtidos no domínio da formação dos formadores, bem como a política de uniformização, por ter catálogo nacional de qualificações, reconhecimento de experiências profissionais, gestão do ensino técnico profissional feita por vários stankeholders (parceiros, entidades privadas e o governo), quando antes a gestão era apenas feita pelo governo. No caso dos retrocessos, destaca-se o atraso na emissão de certificados de conclusão dos cursos, a necessidade de elevados investimentos em infraestrutura, equipamentos e materiais de aprendizagem. Desta forma, conclui-se que os resultados da reforma em curso na educação profissional vai determinar o futuro do mercado de trabalho moçambicano.
IntroductionUnderstanding the relationship between the program implementation and its context is a key strategy for explaining why a program produces its effects and for informing decisions about its adaptation. We evaluated the implementation of a program promoting the use of Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) among university students.MethodsThe study was conducted at the Universidade Católica de Moçambique using a mixed-methods approach to examine context, reach, dose, and fidelity. Data collection involved observation, interviews, and focus group discussion (FGDs). The study participants included teachers, peer activists, health advisors, and program users. Peer activists were eligible if they were actively engaged in sensitization activities. Health advisors and life skills teachers were required to hold a valid full-time employment contract with UCM. Users were eligible if they were first-year student aged 16 to 25 years. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. FGD data were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsThe implementation context was shaped by compliance with preventive measures against the COVID-19 pandemic. Attendance at life skills lessons was high, with more than half of users reporting attendance at 70–100% of scheduled lessons. Attendance at sensitization sessions was also acceptable, with nearly half of users reporting attendance at 70–100% of scheduled sessions. A notable number of participants were not reached by VCT, and implementation fidelity was not fully maintained across all program components. Users indicated that initial exposure to the program elicited emotional responses; however, over time, they normalized the topic and became more comfortable discussing sexuality. Persistent challenges hindered engagement with VCT. Consequently, users recommend expanding the program and making it more inclusive; improving the overall delivery; and reviewing the timing, duration, frequency, as well as diversifying the content of awareness.ConclusionThe results of this study contribute meaningful and updated evidence on the implementation of VCT promotion programs at university in resource-limited settings. These findings may guide the future development, implementation, and adaptation of VCT promotion programs in similar contexts. We therefore recommend that the future implementation be informed by evidence and recommendations drawn from program users.
