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Weber MB, Baumann AA, Rakhra A, Akwanalo C, Gladys Amaning Adjei K, Andesia J, Apusiga K, Ha DA, Hosseinipour MC, Muula AS, Nguyen HL, Price LN, Ramirez-Zea M, Fitzpatrick AL, Fort MP. Global implementation research capacity building to address cardiovascular disease: An assessment of efforts in eight countries. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0002237. [PMID: 37708090 PMCID: PMC10501667 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, but implementation of evidence-based interventions for risk factors such as hypertension is lacking, particularly in low and middle income countries (LMICs). Building implementation research capacity in LMICs is required to overcome this gap. Members of the Global Research on Implementation and Translation Science (GRIT) Consortium have been collaborating in recent years to establish a research and training infrastructure in dissemination and implementation to improve hypertension care. GRIT includes projects in Ghana, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Malawi, Nepal, Rwanda, and Vietnam. We collected data from each site on capacity building activities using the Potter and Brough (2004) model, mapping formal and informal activities to develop (a) structures, systems and roles, (b) staff and infrastructure, (c) skills, and (d) tools. We captured information about sites' needs assessments and metrics plus program adaptations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All sites reported capacity building activities in each layer of the Capacity Pyramid, with the largest number of activities in the Skills and Tools categories, the more technical and easier to implement categories. All sites included formal and informal training to build Skills. All sites included a baseline needs assessment to guide capacity building activities or assess context and inform intervention design. Sites implementing evidence-based hypertension interventions used common implementation science frameworks to evaluate implementation outcomes. Although the COVID-19 pandemic affected timelines and in-person events, all projects were able to pivot and carry out planned activities. Although variability in the activities and methods used existed, GRIT programs used needs assessments to guide locally appropriate design and implementation of capacity building activities. COVID-19 related changes were necessary, but strong collaborations and relationships with health ministries were maintained. The GRIT Consortium is a model for planning capacity building in LMICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Beth Weber
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Ana A. Baumann
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Ashlin Rakhra
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, New York, United States of America
| | | | - Kezia Gladys Amaning Adjei
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Josephine Andesia
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Kingsley Apusiga
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Duc A. Ha
- Health Strategy and Policy Institute, Vietnam Ministry of Health, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Mina C. Hosseinipour
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Adamson S. Muula
- College of Medicine, University of Malawi and the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Hoa L. Nguyen
- University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - LeShawndra N. Price
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Manuel Ramirez-Zea
- INCAP Research Center for the Prevention of Chronic Diseases, Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP), Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Annette L. Fitzpatrick
- School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Meredith P. Fort
- Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado – Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
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Sarfraz A, Sarfraz Z, Sarfraz M, Abdul Razzack A, Bano S, Singh Makkar S, Thevuthasan S, Paul T, Khawar Sana M, Azeem N, Felix M, Cherrez-Ojeda I. Industry 4.0 Technologies for the Manufacturing and Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines. J Prim Care Community Health 2022; 13:21501319211068638. [PMID: 34984932 PMCID: PMC8753236 DOI: 10.1177/21501319211068638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The evolutionary stages of manufacturing have led us to conceptualize the use of Industry 4.0 for COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), powered by Industry 4.0 technologies. Using applications of integrated process optimizations reliant on digitized data, we propose novel intelligent networks along the vaccine value chain. Vaccine 4.0 may enable maintenance processes, streamline logistics, and enable optimal production of COVID-19 vaccines. VACCINE 4.0 FRAMEWORK The challenge in applying Vaccine 4.0 includes the requirement of large-scale technologies for digitally transforming manufacturing, producing, rolling-out, and distributing vaccines. With our framework, Vaccine 4.0 analytics will target process performance, process development, process stability, compliance, quality assessment, and optimized maintenance. The benefits of digitization during and post the COVID-19 pandemic include first, the continual assurance of process control, and second, the efficacy of big-data analytics in streamlining set parameter limits. Digitization including big data-analytics may potentially improve the quality of large-scale vaccine production, profitability, and manufacturing processes. The path to Vaccine 4.0 will enhance vaccine quality, improve efficacy, and compliance with data-regulated requirements. DISCUSSION Fiscal and logistical barriers are prevalent across resource-limited countries worldwide. The Vaccine 4.0 framework accounts for expected barriers of manufacturing and equitably distributing COVID-19 vaccines. With amalgamating big data analytics and biometrics, we enable the identification of vulnerable populations who are at higher risk of disease transmission. Artificial intelligence powered sensors and robotics support thermostable vaccine distribution in limited capacity regions, globally. Biosensors isolate COVID-19 vaccinations with low or limited efficacy. Finally, Vaccine 4.0 blockchain systems address low- and middle-income countries with limited distribution capacities. CONCLUSION Vaccine 4.0 is a viable framework to optimize manufacturing of vaccines during and post the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azza Sarfraz
- Larkin Community Hospital, South Miami, FL, USA,The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Zouina Sarfraz
- Larkin Community Hospital, South Miami, FL, USA,Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan,Zouina Sarfraz, Division of Research & Academic Affairs, Larkin Community Hospital, 7031 SW 62nd Avenue, South Miami, FL 100181, USA.
| | - Muzna Sarfraz
- Larkin Community Hospital, South Miami, FL, USA,King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | - Shehar Bano
- Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | | | - Trissa Paul
- Larkin Community Hospital, South Miami, FL, USA
| | | | | | - Miguel Felix
- Universidad Espiritu Santo, Samborondon, Ecuador,Respiralab Research Group, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Ivan Cherrez-Ojeda
- Universidad Espiritu Santo, Samborondon, Ecuador,Respiralab Research Group, Guayaquil, Ecuador
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