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Wong KLM, Banke-Thomas A, Olubodun T, Macharia PM, Stanton C, Sundararajan N, Shah Y, Prasad G, Kansal M, Vispute S, Shekel T, Ogunyemi O, Gwacham-Anisiobi U, Wang J, Abejirinde IOO, Makanga PT, Afolabi BB, Beňová L. Socio-spatial equity analysis of relative wealth index and emergency obstetric care accessibility in urban Nigeria. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE 2024; 4:34. [PMID: 38418903 PMCID: PMC10902387 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-024-00458-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Better geographical accessibility to comprehensive emergency obstetric care (CEmOC) facilities can significantly improve pregnancy outcomes. However, with other factors, such as affordability critical for care access, it is important to explore accessibility across groups. We assessed CEmOC geographical accessibility by wealth status in the 15 most-populated Nigerian cities. METHODS We mapped city boundaries, verified and geocoded functional CEmOC facilities, and assembled population distribution for women of childbearing age and Meta's Relative Wealth Index (RWI). We used the Google Maps Platform's internal Directions Application Programming Interface to obtain driving times to public and private facilities. City-level median travel time (MTT) and number of CEmOC facilities reachable within 60 min were summarised for peak and non-peak hours per wealth quintile. The correlation between RWI and MTT to the nearest public CEmOC was calculated. RESULTS We show that MTT to the nearest public CEmOC facility is lowest in the wealthiest 20% in all cities, with the largest difference in MTT between the wealthiest 20% and least wealthy 20% seen in Onitsha (26 vs 81 min) and the smallest in Warri (20 vs 30 min). Similarly, the average number of public CEmOC facilities reachable within 60 min varies (11 among the wealthiest 20% and six among the least wealthy in Kano). In five cities, zero facilities are reachable under 60 min for the least wealthy 20%. Those who live in the suburbs particularly have poor accessibility to CEmOC facilities. CONCLUSIONS Our findings show that the least wealthy mostly have poor accessibility to care. Interventions addressing CEmOC geographical accessibility targeting poor people are needed to address inequities in urban settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry L M Wong
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Aduragbemi Banke-Thomas
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
- School of Human Sciences, University of Greenwich, London, UK.
- Maternal and Reproductive Health Research Collective, Lagos, Nigeria.
| | - Tope Olubodun
- Department of Community Medicine and Primary Care, Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta, Abeokuta, Ogun, Nigeria
| | - Peter M Macharia
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Population & Health Impact Surveillance Group, Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
- Centre for Health Informatics, Computing, and Statistics, Lancaster Medical School, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jia Wang
- School of Computing & Mathematical Sciences, University of Greenwich, London, UK
| | - Ibukun-Oluwa Omolade Abejirinde
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Women's College Hospital Institute for Health System Solutions and Virtual Care, Toronto, Canada
| | - Prestige Tatenda Makanga
- Surveying and Geomatics Department, Midlands State University Faculty of Science and Technology, Gweru, Midlands, Zimbabwe
- Climate and Health Division, Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Bosede B Afolabi
- Maternal and Reproductive Health Research Collective, Lagos, Nigeria
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Lenka Beňová
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
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Macharia PM, Wong KLM, Olubodun T, Beňová L, Stanton C, Sundararajan N, Shah Y, Prasad G, Kansal M, Vispute S, Shekel T, Gwacham-Anisiobi U, Ogunyemi O, Wang J, Abejirinde IOO, Makanga PT, Afolabi BB, Banke-Thomas A. A geospatial database of close-to-reality travel times to obstetric emergency care in 15 Nigerian conurbations. Sci Data 2023; 10:736. [PMID: 37872185 PMCID: PMC10593805 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02651-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Travel time estimation accounting for on-the-ground realities between the location where a need for emergency obstetric care (EmOC) arises and the health facility capable of providing EmOC is essential for improving pregnancy outcomes. Current understanding of travel time to care is inadequate in many urban areas of Africa, where short distances obscure long travel times and travel times can vary by time of day and road conditions. Here, we describe a database of travel times to comprehensive EmOC facilities in the 15 most populated extended urban areas of Nigeria. The travel times from cells of approximately 0.6 × 0.6 km to facilities were derived from Google Maps Platform's internal Directions Application Programming Interface, which incorporates traffic considerations to provide closer-to-reality travel time estimates. Computations were done to the first, second and third nearest public or private facilities. Travel time for eight traffic scenarios (including peak and non-peak periods) and number of facilities within specific time thresholds were estimated. The database offers a plethora of opportunities for research and planning towards improving EmOC accessibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Macharia
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Population & Health Impact Surveillance Group, Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
- Centre for Health Informatics, Computing, and Statistics, Lancaster Medical School, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Kerry L M Wong
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Tope Olubodun
- Department of Community Medicine and Primary Care, Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta, Abeokuta, Ogun, Nigeria
| | - Lenka Beňová
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jia Wang
- School of Computing & Mathematical Sciences, University of Greenwich, London, UK
| | - Ibukun-Oluwa Omolade Abejirinde
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Women's College Hospital Institute for Health System Solutions and Virtual Care, Toronto, Canada
| | - Prestige Tatenda Makanga
- Surveying and Geomatics Department, Midlands State University Faculty of Science and Technology, Gweru, Midlands, Zimbabwe
- Climate and Health Division, Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Bosede B Afolabi
- Maternal and Reproductive Health Research Collective, Lagos, Nigeria
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Aduragbemi Banke-Thomas
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
- Maternal and Reproductive Health Research Collective, Lagos, Nigeria.
- School of Human Sciences, University of Greenwich, London, UK.
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Banke-Thomas A, Macharia PM, Makanga PT, Beňová L, Wong KLM, Gwacham-Anisiobi U, Wang J, Olubodun T, Ogunyemi O, Afolabi BB, Ebenso B, Omolade Abejirinde IO. Leveraging big data for improving the estimation of close to reality travel time to obstetric emergency services in urban low- and middle-income settings. Front Public Health 2022; 10:931401. [PMID: 35968464 PMCID: PMC9372297 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.931401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal and perinatal mortality remain huge challenges globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where >98% of these deaths occur. Emergency obstetric care (EmOC) provided by skilled health personnel is an evidence-based package of interventions effective in reducing these deaths associated with pregnancy and childbirth. Until recently, pregnant women residing in urban areas have been considered to have good access to care, including EmOC. However, emerging evidence shows that due to rapid urbanization, this so called “urban advantage” is shrinking and in some LMIC settings, it is almost non-existent. This poses a complex challenge for structuring an effective health service delivery system, which tend to have poor spatial planning especially in LMIC settings. To optimize access to EmOC and ultimately reduce preventable maternal deaths within the context of urbanization, it is imperative to accurately locate areas and population groups that are geographically marginalized. Underpinning such assessments is accurately estimating travel time to health facilities that provide EmOC. In this perspective, we discuss strengths and weaknesses of approaches commonly used to estimate travel times to EmOC in LMICs, broadly grouped as reported and modeled approaches, while contextualizing our discussion in urban areas. We then introduce the novel OnTIME project, which seeks to address some of the key limitations in these commonly used approaches by leveraging big data. The perspective concludes with a discussion on anticipated outcomes and potential policy applications of the OnTIME project.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aduragbemi Banke-Thomas
- School of Human Sciences, University of Greenwich, London, United Kingdom
- Maternal and Reproductive Health Research Collective, Lagos, Nigeria
- *Correspondence: Aduragbemi Banke-Thomas
| | - Peter M. Macharia
- Population Health Unit, Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
- Centre for Health Informatics, Computing, and Statistics, Lancaster Medical School, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Prestige Tatenda Makanga
- Surveying and Geomatics Department, Faculty of Science and Technology, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe
| | - Lenka Beňová
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Kerry L. M. Wong
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jia Wang
- School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, University of Greenwich, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tope Olubodun
- Department of Community Medicine and Primary Care, Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta, Abeokuta, Nigeria
| | | | - Bosede B. Afolabi
- Maternal and Reproductive Health Research Collective, Lagos, Nigeria
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Bassey Ebenso
- Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Ibukun-Oluwa Omolade Abejirinde
- Women's College Hospital Institute for Health System Solutions and Virtual Care, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Banke-Thomas A, Avoka CKO, Gwacham-Anisiobi U, Omololu O, Balogun M, Wright K, Fasesin TT, Olusi A, Afolabi BB, Ameh C. Travel of pregnant women in emergency situations to hospital and maternal mortality in Lagos, Nigeria: a retrospective cohort study. BMJ Glob Health 2022; 7:bmjgh-2022-008604. [PMID: 35487675 PMCID: PMC9058694 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-008604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Prompt access to emergency obstetrical care (EmOC) reduces the risk of maternal mortality. We assessed institutional maternal mortality by distance and travel time for pregnant women with obstetrical emergencies in Lagos State, Nigeria. Methods We conducted a facility-based retrospective cohort study across 24 public hospitals in Lagos. Reviewing case notes of the pregnant women presenting between 1 November 2018 and 30 October 2019, we extracted socio-demographic, travel and obstetrical data. The extracted travel data were exported to Google Maps, where driving distance and travel time data were extracted. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to determine the relative influence of distance and travel time on maternal death. Findings Of 4181 pregnant women with obstetrical emergencies, 182 (4.4%) resulted in maternal deaths. Among those who died, 60.3% travelled ≤10 km directly from home, and 61.9% arrived at the hospital ≤30 mins. The median distance and travel time to EmOC was 7.6 km (IQR 3.4–18.0) and 26 mins (IQR 12–50). For all women, travelling 10–15 km (2.53, 95% CI 1.27 to 5.03) was significantly associated with maternal death. Stratified by referral, odds remained statistically significant for those travelling 10–15 km in the non-referred group (2.48, 95% CI 1.18 to 5.23) and for travel ≥120 min (7.05, 95% CI 1.10 to 45.32). For those referred, odds became statistically significant at 25–35 km (21.40, 95% CI 1.24 to 36.72) and for journeys requiring travel time from as little as 10–29 min (184.23, 95% CI 5.14 to 608.51). Odds were also significantly higher for women travelling to hospitals in suburban (3.60, 95% CI 1.59 to 8.18) or rural (2.51, 95% CI 1.01 to 6.29) areas. Conclusion Our evidence shows that distance and travel time influence maternal mortality differently for referred women and those who are not. Larger scale research that uses closer-to-reality travel time and distance estimates as we have done, rethinking of global guidelines, and bold actions addressing access gaps, including within the suburbs, will be critical in reducing maternal mortality by 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aduragbemi Banke-Thomas
- LSE Health, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK .,School of Human Sciences, University of Greenwich, Greenwich, London, UK.,Maternal and Reproductive Health Research Collective, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Cephas Ke-On Avoka
- Faculty of Public Health, Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Olufemi Omololu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Mobolanle Balogun
- Department of Community Health and Primary Care, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Kikelomo Wright
- Department of Community Health and Primary Health Care, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Tolulope Temitayo Fasesin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Adedotun Olusi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Medical Centre Ebute-Metta, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Bosede Bukola Afolabi
- Maternal and Reproductive Health Research Collective, Lagos, Nigeria.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Charles Ameh
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK
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Avoka CK, McArthur E, Banke-Thomas A. Interventions to improve obstetric emergency referral decision making, communication and feedback between health facilities in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. Trop Med Int Health 2022; 27:494-509. [PMID: 35322914 PMCID: PMC9321161 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Objective The objective of the study was to review the evidence on interventions to improve obstetric emergency referral decision making, communication and feedback between health facilities in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). Methods A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Register and CINAHL Plus was conducted to identify studies on obstetric emergency referral in SSA. Studies were included based on pre‐defined eligibility criteria. Details of reported referral interventions were extracted and categorised. The Joanna Biggs Institute Critical Appraisal checklists were used for quality assessment of included studies. A formal narrative synthesis approach was used to summarise findings guided by the WHO's referral system flow. Results A total of 14 studies were included, with seven deemed high quality. Overall, 7 studies reported referral decision‐making interventions including training programmes for health facility and community health workers, use of a triage checklist and focused obstetric ultrasound, which resulted in improved knowledge and practice of recognising danger signs for referral. 9 studies reported on referral communication using mobile phones and referral letters/notes, resulting in increased communication between facilities despite telecommunication network failures. Referral decision making and communication interventions achieved a perceived reduction in maternal mortality. 2 studies focused on referral feedback, which improved collaboration between health facilities. Conclusion There is limited evidence on how well referral interventions work in sub‐Saharan Africa, and limited consensus regarding the framework underpinning the expected change. This review has led to the proposition of a logic model that can serve as the base for future evaluations which robustly expose the (in)efficiency of referral interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cephas K Avoka
- Faculty of Public Health, Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Accra, Ghana.,Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Aduragbemi Banke-Thomas
- School of Human Sciences, University of Greenwich, London, UK.,LSE Health, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK
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Gwacham-Anisiobi U, Banke-Thomas A. Experiences of Health Facility Childbirth in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Evidence. Matern Child Health J 2022; 26:481-492. [PMID: 35218462 PMCID: PMC8917011 DOI: 10.1007/s10995-022-03383-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Access to skilled birth attendance has been prioritised as an intervention to minimise burden of maternal deaths in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, poor experience of care (EoC) is impeding progress. We conducted a systematic review to holistically explore EoC patterns of facility-based childbirth in SSA. Methods PubMed, Embase and Scopus databases were searched to identify SSA EoC studies conducted between January 2000 and December 2019. Studies meeting our pre-defined inclusion criteria were quality assessed and relevant data extracted. We utilised the EoC quality standards (defined by the World Health Organization) to summarise and analyse findings while highlighting patterns. Results Twenty-two studies of varying quality from 11 SSA countries were included for review. Overall, at least one study from all included countries reported negative EoC in one or more domains of the WHO framework. Across SSA, ‘respect and preservation of dignity’ was the most reported domain of EoC. While most women deemed the pervasive disrespect as unacceptable, studies in West Africa suggest a “normalisation” of disrespect, if the intent is to save their lives. Women often experienced sub-optimal communication and emotional support with providers in public facilities compared to non-public ones in the region. These experiences had an influence on future institutional deliveries. Discussion Sub-optimal EoC is widespread in SSA, more so in public facilities. As SSA heath systems explore approaches make progress towards the Sustainable Development Goal 3, emphasis needs to be placed on ensuring women in the region have access to both high-quality provision and experience of care. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10995-022-03383-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uchenna Gwacham-Anisiobi
- Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. .,Department of Public Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
| | - Aduragbemi Banke-Thomas
- Department of Public Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.,Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK.,School of Human Sciences, University of Greenwich, Greenwich, London, UK
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Avoka CKO, Banke-Thomas A, Beňová L, Radovich E, Campbell OMR. Use of motorised transport and pathways to childbirth care in health facilities: Evidence from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0000868. [PMID: 36962594 PMCID: PMC10021361 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
In Nigeria, 59% of pregnant women deliver at home, despite evidence about the benefits of childbirth in health facilities. While different modes of transport can be used to access childbirth care, motorised transport guarantees quicker transfer compared to non-motorised forms. Our study uses the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) to describe the pathways to childbirth care and the determinants of using motorised transport to reach this care. The most recent live birth of women 15-49 years within the five years preceding the NDHS were included. The main outcome of the study was the use of motorised transport to childbirth. Explanatory variables were women's socio-demographic characteristics and pregnancy-related factors. Descriptive, crude, and adjusted logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the determinants of use of motorised transport. Overall, 31% of all women in Nigeria used motorised transport to get to their place of childbirth. Among women who delivered in health facilities, 77% used motorised transport; among women referred during childbirth from one facility to another, this was 98%. Among all women, adjusted odds of using motorised transport increased with increasing wealth quintile and educational level. Among women who gave birth in a health facility, there was no difference in the adjusted odds of motorised transport across wealth quintiles or educational status, but higher for women who were referred between health facilities (aOR = 8.87, 95% CI 1.90-41.40). Women who experienced at least one complication of labour/childbirth had higher odds of motorised transport use (aOR = 3.01, 95% CI 2.55-3.55, all women sample). Our study shows that women with higher education and wealth and women travelling to health facilities because of pregnancy complications were more likely to use motorised transport. Obstetric transport interventions targeting particularly vulnerable, less educated, and less privileged pregnant women should bridge the equity gap in accessing childbirth services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cephas Ke-On Avoka
- Faculty of Public Health, Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Accra, Ghana
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Lenka Beňová
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Emma Radovich
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Oona M R Campbell
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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