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Suwalowska H, Kingori P, Parker M. Navigating uncertainties of death: Minimally Invasive Autopsy Technology in global health. Glob Public Health 2023; 18:2180065. [PMID: 36853068 PMCID: PMC9988304 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2023.2180065] [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] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Global health practitioners and policymakers have become increasingly vocal about the complex challenges of identifying and quantifying the causes of death of the world's poorest people. To address this cause-of-death uncertainty and to minimise longstanding sensitivities about full autopsies, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have been one of the foremost advocates of minimally invasive autopsy technology (MIA). MIA involves using biopsy needles to collect samples from key organs and body fluids; as such, it is touted as potentially more acceptable and less invasive than a complete autopsy, which requires opening the cadaver. In addition, MIA is considered a good means of collecting accurate bodily samples and can provide the crucial information needed to address cause-of-death uncertainty. In this paper, we employ qualitative data to demonstrate that while MIA technology has been introduced as a solution to the enduring cause-of-death uncertainty, the development and deployment of technologies such as these always constitute interventions in complex social and moral worlds; in this respect, they are both the solutions to and the causes of new kinds of uncertainties. We deconstruct the ways in which those new dimensions of uncertainty operate at different levels in the global health context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halina Suwalowska
- Ethox Centre, Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Halina Suwalowska Ethox Centre and Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford | OX3 7LF, UK
| | - Patricia Kingori
- Ethox Centre, Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Michael Parker
- Ethox Centre, Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Suwalowska H. The invisible body work of 'last responders' - ethical and social issues faced by the pathologists in the Global South. Glob Public Health 2022; 17:4183-4194. [PMID: 35587285 PMCID: PMC9901416 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2022.2076896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This paper utilises empirical data to explore the value of 'body work' performed by last responders charged with the duty of dead body management, with a focus on the Global South. While frontline staff work to save lives, little is known about the experiences and roles of those who care for the dead in global health in times of crises and even during normal times. This paper discusses ethical and socio-cultural challenges pathologists face in 'working on the bodies of others' while conducting any form of post-mortem procedures - necessary for ascertaining and recording the causes of death. Identifying and reporting the cause of death have significant public health benefits and provide closure for bereaved families. Despite the foregoing, the pathology field does not attract funding from governments or donors, and it is overlooked compared to other disciplines. Autopsy procedure bears social stigma - as it is associated with body mutilation and therefore disrespecting the dead; certain cultural beliefs or taboos about impurity and death persist, further raising some social and ethical tensions. As a result, the dearth of autopsy procedures contributes to the cause of death uncertainty in global health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halina Suwalowska
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, Ethox Centre, Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK, Halina Suwalowska Old Road Campus, Oxford OX3 7LF, UK
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Caballero MT, Grigaites SD, De la Iglesia Niveyro PX, Esperante S, Bianchi AM, Nuño A, Valle S, Afarian G, Ferretti AJP, Baglivo SJ, De Luca J, Zea CM, Caporal P, Labanca MJ, Diamanti A, Alvarez-Paggi D, Bassat Q, Polack FP. Uncovering Causes of Childhood Death Using the Minimally Invasive Autopsy at the Community Level in an Urban Vulnerable Setting of Argentina: A Population-Based Study. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 73:S435-S441. [PMID: 34910178 PMCID: PMC8672764 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Precise determination of the causal chain that leads to community deaths in children in low- and middle-income countries is critical to estimating all causes of mortality accurately and to planning preemptive strategies for targeted allocation of resources to reduce this scourge. Methods An active surveillance population-based study that combined minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) and verbal autopsies (VA) among children under 5 was conducted in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from September 2018 to December 2020 to define the burden of all causes of community deaths. Results Among 90 cases enrolled (86% of parental acceptance), 81 had complete MITS, 15.6% were neonates, 65.6% were post-neonatal infants, and 18.9% were children aged 1–5 years. Lung infections were the most common cause of death (CoD) in all age groups (57.8%). Among all cases of lung infections, acute bronchiolitis was the most common CoD in infants aged <12 months (23 of 36, 63.9%), and bacterial pneumonia was the most common cause in children aged >12 months (8 of 11, 72.7%). The most common comorbid condition in all age groups was undernutrition in 18 of 90 (20%). It was possible to find an immediate CoD in 78 of 81 subjects where MITS could be done. With this combined approach, we were able to determine that sudden infant death syndrome was overestimated in state reports. Conclusions CoD determination by a combination of MITS and VA provides an accurate estimation of the chain of events that leads to death, emphasizing possible interventions to prevent mortality in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio T Caballero
- Fundacion INFANT, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sebastian Diaz Grigaites
- Morgue Judicial del Instituto de Ciencias Forenses Conurbano Sur, Ministerio Público de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Lomas de Zamora, Argentina
| | | | - Sebastian Esperante
- Fundacion INFANT, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | | | | | - Gabriela Afarian
- Morgue Judicial del Instituto de Ciencias Forenses Conurbano Sur, Ministerio Público de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Lomas de Zamora, Argentina
| | | | | | | | | | - Paula Caporal
- Hospital De Niños Sup. Sor Maria Ludovica, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Maria Jose Labanca
- Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Servicio de Anatomía Patológica, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Adriana Diamanti
- Morgue Judicial del Instituto de Ciencias Forenses Conurbano Sur, Ministerio Público de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Lomas de Zamora, Argentina
| | - Damian Alvarez-Paggi
- Fundacion INFANT, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Quique Bassat
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, CP Maputo, Mozambique.,Institución Catalana de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados (ICREA), Pg. Lluís Companys, Barcelona, Spain.,Pediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, Pediatrics Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
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Calvert C, John J, Nzvere FP, Cresswell JA, Fawcus S, Fottrell E, Say L, Graham WJ. Maternal mortality in the covid-19 pandemic: findings from a rapid systematic review. Glob Health Action 2021; 14:1974677. [PMID: 35377289 PMCID: PMC8986253 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2021.1974677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic is having significant direct and associated effects on many health outcomes, including maternal mortality. As a useful marker of healthcare system functionality, trends in maternal mortality provide a lens to gauge impact and inform mitigation strategies. OBJECTIVE To report the findings of a rapid systematic review of studies on levels of maternal mortality before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS We systematically searched for studies on the 1st March 2021 in MEDLINE and Embase, with additional studies identified through MedRxiv and searches of key websites. We included studies that reported levels of mortality in pregnant and postpartum women in time-periods pre- and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The maternal mortality ratio was calculated for each study as well as the excess mortality. RESULTS The search yielded 3411 references, of which five studies were included in the review alongside two studies identified from grey literature searches. Five studies used data from national health information systems or death registries (Mexico, Peru, Uganda, South Africa, and Kenya), and two studies from India were record reviews from health facilities. There were increased levels of maternal mortality documented in all studies; however, there was only statistical evidence for a difference in maternal mortality in the COVID-19 era for four of these. Excess maternal mortality ranged from 8.5% in Kenya to 61.5% in Uganda. CONCLUSIONS Measuring maternal mortality in pandemics presents many challenges, but also essential opportunities to understand and ameliorate adverse impact both for women and their newborns. Our systematic review shows a dearth of studies giving reliable information on levels of maternal mortality, and we call for increased and more systematic reporting of this largely preventable outcome. The findings help to highlight four measurement-related issues which are priorities for continuing research and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Calvert
- Centre for Global Health, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, UK
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK
| | - Jeeva John
- Centre for Global Health, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Farirai P Nzvere
- Centre for Global Health, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jenny A. Cresswell
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sue Fawcus
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Edward Fottrell
- UCL Institute for Global Health, Faculty of Population Health Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Lale Say
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Wendy J. Graham
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK
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D’Ambruoso L, Price J, Cowan E, Goosen G, Fottrell E, Herbst K, van der Merwe M, Sigudla J, Davies J, Kahn K. Refining circumstances of mortality categories (COMCAT): a verbal autopsy model connecting circumstances of deaths with outcomes for public health decision-making. Glob Health Action 2021; 14:2000091. [PMID: 35377291 PMCID: PMC8986216 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2021.2000091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recognising that the causes of over half the world's deaths pass unrecorded, the World Health Organization (WHO) leads development of Verbal Autopsy (VA): a method to understand causes of death in otherwise unregistered populations. Recently, VA has been developed for use outside research environments, supporting countries and communities to recognise and act on their own health priorities. We developed the Circumstances of Mortality Categories (COMCATs) system within VA to provide complementary circumstantial categorisations of deaths. OBJECTIVES Refine the COMCAT system to (a) support large-scale population assessment and (b) inform public health decision-making. METHODS We analysed VA data for 7,980 deaths from two South African Health and Socio-Demographic Surveillance Systems (HDSS) from 2012 to 2019: the Agincourt HDSS in Mpumalanga and the Africa Health Research Institute HDSS in KwaZulu-Natal. We assessed the COMCAT system's reliability (consistency over time and similar conditions), validity (the extent to which COMCATs capture a sufficient range of key circumstances and events at and around time of death) and relevance (for public health decision-making). RESULTS Plausible results were reliably produced, with 'emergencies', 'recognition, 'accessing care' and 'perceived quality' characterising the majority of avoidable deaths. We identified gaps and developed an additional COMCAT 'referral', which accounted for a significant proportion of deaths in sub-group analysis. To support decision-making, data that establish an impetus for action, that can be operationalised into interventions and that capture deaths outside facilities are important. CONCLUSIONS COMCAT is a pragmatic, scalable approach enhancing functionality of VA providing basic information, not available from other sources, on care seeking and utilisation at and around time of death. Continued development with stakeholders in health systems, civil registration, community and research environments will further strengthen the tool to capture social and health systems drivers of avoidable deaths and promote use in practice settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia D’Ambruoso
- Aberdeen Centre for Health Data Science (ACHDS), Institute of Applied Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Scotland
- Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Public Healtlh, National Health Service (NHS), Scotland
| | - Jessica Price
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Eilidh Cowan
- Aberdeen Centre for Health Data Science (ACHDS), Institute of Applied Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Scotland
- School of Geosciences, College of Science and Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Scotland
| | | | | | - Kobus Herbst
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
- DSI-MRC South African Population Research Infrastructure Network (SAPRIN), South Africa
| | - Maria van der Merwe
- Aberdeen Centre for Health Data Science (ACHDS), Institute of Applied Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Scotland
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Independent Consultant, South Africa
| | | | - Justine Davies
- Institute for Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Kathleen Kahn
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- International Network for the Demographic Evaluation of Populations and Their Health (Indepth), Accra, Ghana
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Taylor AW, Blau DM, Bassat Q, Onyango D, Kotloff KL, Arifeen SE, Mandomando I, Chawana R, Baillie VL, Akelo V, Tapia MD, Salzberg NT, Keita AM, Morris T, Nair S, Assefa N, Seale AC, Scott JAG, Kaiser R, Jambai A, Barr BAT, Gurley ES, Ordi J, Zaki SR, Sow SO, Islam F, Rahman A, Dowell SF, Koplan JP, Raghunathan PL, Madhi SA, Breiman RF. Initial findings from a novel population-based child mortality surveillance approach: a descriptive study. Lancet Glob Health 2020; 8:e909-e919. [PMID: 32562647 PMCID: PMC7303945 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(20)30205-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia contributed 81% of 5·9 million under-5 deaths and 77% of 2·6 million stillbirths worldwide in 2015. Vital registration and verbal autopsy data are mainstays for the estimation of leading causes of death, but both are non-specific and focus on a single underlying cause. We aimed to provide granular data on the contributory causes of death in stillborn fetuses and in deceased neonates and children younger than 5 years, to inform child mortality prevention efforts. METHODS The Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) Network was established at sites in seven countries (Baliakandi, Bangladesh; Harar and Kersa, Ethiopia; Siaya and Kisumu, Kenya; Bamako, Mali; Manhiça, Mozambique; Bombali, Sierra Leone; and Soweto, South Africa) to collect standardised, population-based, longitudinal data on under-5 mortality and stillbirths in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia, to improve the accuracy of determining causes of death. Here, we analysed data obtained in the first 2 years after the implementation of CHAMPS at the first five operational sites, during which surveillance and post-mortem diagnostics, including minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS), were used. Data were abstracted from all available clinical records of deceased children, and relevant maternal health records were also extracted for stillbirths and neonatal deaths, to incorporate reported pregnancy or delivery complications. Expert panels followed standardised procedures to characterise causal chains leading to death, including underlying, intermediate (comorbid or antecedent causes), and immediate causes of death for stillbirths, neonatal deaths, and child (age 1-59 months) deaths. FINDINGS Between Dec 10, 2016, and Dec 31, 2018, MITS procedures were implemented at five sites in Mozambique, South Africa, Kenya, Mali, and Bangladesh. We screened 2385 death notifications for inclusion eligibility, following which 1295 families were approached for consent; consent was provided for MITS by 963 (74%) of 1295 eligible cases approached. At least one cause of death was identified in 912 (98%) of 933 cases (180 stillbirths, 449 neonatal deaths, and 304 child deaths); two or more conditions were identified in the causal chain for 585 (63%) of 933 cases. The most common underlying causes of stillbirth were perinatal asphyxia or hypoxia (130 [72%] of 180 stillbirths) and congenital infection or sepsis (27 [15%]). The most common underlying causes of neonatal death were preterm birth complications (187 [42%] of 449 neonatal deaths), perinatal asphyxia or hypoxia (98 [22%]), and neonatal sepsis (50 [11%]). The most common underlying causes of child deaths were congenital birth defects (39 [13%] of 304 deaths), lower respiratory infection (37 [12%]), and HIV (35 [12%]). In 503 (54%) of 933 cases, at least one contributory pathogen was identified. Cytomegalovirus, Escherichia coli, group B Streptococcus, and other infections contributed to 30 (17%) of 180 stillbirths. Among neonatal deaths with underlying prematurity, 60% were precipitated by other infectious causes. Of the 275 child deaths with infectious causes, the most common contributory pathogens were Klebsiella pneumoniae (86 [31%]), Streptococcus pneumoniae (54 [20%]), HIV (40 [15%]), and cytomegalovirus (34 [12%]), and multiple infections were common. Lower respiratory tract infection contributed to 174 (57%) of 304 child deaths. INTERPRETATION Cause of death determination using MITS enabled detailed characterisation of contributing conditions. Global estimates of child mortality aetiologies, which are currently based on a single syndromic cause for each death, will be strengthened by findings from CHAMPS. This approach adds specificity and provides a more complete overview of the chain of events leading to death, highlighting multiple potential interventions to prevent under-5 mortality and stillbirths. FUNDING Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan W Taylor
- Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dianna M Blau
- Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Quique Bassat
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique; Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain; Pediatrics Department, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain; Consorcio de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Karen L Kotloff
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health and Division of Infectious Disease and Tropical Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Shams El Arifeen
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Inacio Mandomando
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Richard Chawana
- Medical Research Council, Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit, School of Pathology and Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation: Vaccine Preventable Diseases Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Vicky L Baillie
- Medical Research Council, Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit, School of Pathology and Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation: Vaccine Preventable Diseases Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Milagritos D Tapia
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health and Division of Infectious Disease and Tropical Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Navit T Salzberg
- Emory Global Health Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Timothy Morris
- Emory Global Health Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Public Health Informatics Institute, Task Force for Global Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shailesh Nair
- Emory Global Health Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Public Health Informatics Institute, Task Force for Global Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Nega Assefa
- College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia
| | - Anna C Seale
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | | | - Amara Jambai
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Beth A Tippet Barr
- Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Emily S Gurley
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jaume Ordi
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sherif R Zaki
- National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Samba O Sow
- Centre for Vaccine Development, Bamako, Mali
| | - Farzana Islam
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Afruna Rahman
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Jeffrey P Koplan
- Emory Global Health Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Pratima L Raghunathan
- Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shabir A Madhi
- Medical Research Council, Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit, School of Pathology and Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation: Vaccine Preventable Diseases Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Robert F Breiman
- Emory Global Health Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Hajduk GK, Jamieson NE, Baker BL, Olesen OF, Lang T. It is not enough that we require data to be shared; we have to make sharing easy, feasible and accessible too! BMJ Glob Health 2019; 4:e001550. [PMID: 31406588 PMCID: PMC6666804 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2019-001550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nina E Jamieson
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Bonny L Baker
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ole F Olesen
- International Cooperation Europe, European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Trudie Lang
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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A Review of Medication Use as an Indicator of Human Health Impact in Environmentally Stressed Areas. Ann Glob Health 2018; 82:111-8. [PMID: 27325069 DOI: 10.1016/j.aogh.2016.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We reviewed from literature the feasibility of medication use as an indicator of health outcomes in environmentally stressed areas, especially where a paucity of typical epidemiological and other risk-based data are encountered. The majority of studies reported were about medication use as an indicator of adverse respiratory effects from air pollution in developed countries. Studies to a lesser extent pointed to medication use as indicator of health outcomes associated with other environmental health stressors such as water, noise pollution, and habitat conditions. The relationship between environmental stressors and medication use strongly suggests that medication use could be used to measure the impact of environmental stressors that otherwise could not be measured by epidemiological or other impact assessment studies, typically in settings where morbidity and mortality data might not be not accessible.
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Rees CA, Lukolyo H, Keating EM, Dearden KA, Luboga SA, Schutze GE, Kazembe PN. Authorship in paediatric research conducted in low- and middle-income countries: parity or parasitism? Trop Med Int Health 2017; 22:1362-1370. [DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chris A. Rees
- Division of Emergency Medicine; Boston Children's Hospital; Harvard Medical School; Boston USA
| | - Heather Lukolyo
- Department of Pediatrics; Baylor College of Medicine; Houston USA
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation Uganda; Kampala Uganda
| | - Elizabeth M. Keating
- Department of Pediatrics; Baylor College of Medicine; Houston USA
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation Lesotho; Maseru Lesotho
| | | | | | | | - Peter N. Kazembe
- Department of Pediatrics; Baylor College of Medicine; Houston USA
- Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation Malawi; Lilongwe Malawi
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Norris SA, Daar A, Balasubramanian D, Byass P, Kimani-Murage E, Macnab A, Pauw C, Singhal A, Yajnik C, Akazili J, Levitt N, Maatoug J, Mkhwanazi N, Moore SE, Nyirenda M, Pulliam JRC, Rochat T, Said-Mohamed R, Seedat S, Sobngwi E, Tomlinson M, Toska E, van Schalkwyk C. Understanding and acting on the developmental origins of health and disease in Africa would improve health across generations. Glob Health Action 2017; 10:1334985. [PMID: 28715931 PMCID: PMC5533158 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2017.1334985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Data from many high- and low- or middle-income countries have linked exposures during key developmental periods (in particular pregnancy and infancy) to later health and disease. Africa faces substantial challenges with persisting infectious disease and now burgeoning non-communicable disease.This paper opens the debate to the value of strengthening the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) research focus in Africa to tackle critical public health challenges across the life-course. We argue that the application of DOHaD science in Africa to advance life-course prevention programmes can aid the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, and assist in improving health across generations. To increase DOHaD research and its application in Africa, we need to mobilise multisectoral partners, utilise existing data and expertise on the continent, and foster a new generation of young African scientists engrossed in DOHaD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane A. Norris
- Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), Wallenberg Research Centre at Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- MRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Abdallah Daar
- Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), Wallenberg Research Centre at Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health and Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Dorairajan Balasubramanian
- Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), Wallenberg Research Centre at Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
| | - Peter Byass
- Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), Wallenberg Research Centre at Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umea, Sweden
| | - Elizabeth Kimani-Murage
- Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), Wallenberg Research Centre at Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- African Population and Health Research Center, Kenya
| | - Andrew Macnab
- Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), Wallenberg Research Centre at Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Christoff Pauw
- Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), Wallenberg Research Centre at Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Atul Singhal
- Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), Wallenberg Research Centre at Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Chittaranjan Yajnik
- Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), Wallenberg Research Centre at Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- King Edward Memorial Hospital Research Centre, Pune, India
| | | | - Naomi Levitt
- Department of Diabetic Medicine and Endocrinology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jihene Maatoug
- Department of Epidemiology, Hospital Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisia
| | - Nolwazi Mkhwanazi
- Department of Anthropology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Sophie E. Moore
- Division of Women’s Health, King’s College London, London, UK
| | | | - Juliet R. C. Pulliam
- DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA), University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Tamsen Rochat
- MRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Human and Social Development Research Programme, Human Sciences Research Council, Durban, South Africa
| | - Rihlat Said-Mohamed
- MRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Soraya Seedat
- Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Eugene Sobngwi
- Department of Applied Epidemiology, University of Yaoundé, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Mark Tomlinson
- Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Elona Toska
- Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Cari van Schalkwyk
- DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA), University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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11
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Byass
- Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Epidemiology and Global Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå 90187, Sweden; Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), Wallenberg Research Centre at Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
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12
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Abstract
Peter Byass reflects on the potential niche for minimally invasive autopsies in determining cause-of-death in low- and middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Byass
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Verbal Autopsy, Epidemiology & Global Health, Dept. of Public Health & Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- MRC-Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- * E-mail:
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13
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Graham W, Woodd S, Byass P, Filippi V, Gon G, Virgo S, Chou D, Hounton S, Lozano R, Pattinson R, Singh S. Diversity and divergence: the dynamic burden of poor maternal health. Lancet 2016; 388:2164-2175. [PMID: 27642022 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(16)31533-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Revised: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Maternal health is a big issue and is central to sustainable development. Each year, about 210 million women become pregnant and about 140 million newborn babies are delivered-the sheer scale of maternal health alone makes maternal well being and survival vital concerns. In this Series paper, we adopt primarily a numerical lens to illuminate patterns and trends in outcomes, but recognise that understanding of poor maternal health also warrants other perspectives, such as human rights. Our use of the best available evidence highlights the dynamic burden of maternal health problems. Increased diversity in the magnitude and causes of maternal mortality and morbidity between and within populations presents a major challenge to policies and programmes aiming to match varying needs with diverse types of care across different settings. This diversity, in turn, contributes to a widening gap or differences in levels of maternal mortality, seen most acutely in vulnerable populations, predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa. Strong political and technical commitment to improve equity-sensitive information systems is required to monitor the gap in maternal mortality, and robust research is needed to elucidate major interactions between the broad range of health problems. Diversity and divergence are defining characteristics of poor maternal health in the 21st century. Progress on this issue will be an ultimate judge of sustainable development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy Graham
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Institute of Education for Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK.
| | - Susannah Woodd
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Peter Byass
- Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Epidemiology and Global Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Sweden; Medical Research Council/Wits University Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Veronique Filippi
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Giorgia Gon
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sandra Virgo
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Doris Chou
- Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sennen Hounton
- Reproductive Health Commodity Security Branch, United Nations Population Fund, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rafael Lozano
- Centre for Health Systems Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico; Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Robert Pattinson
- South African Medical Research Council Maternal and Infant Health Care Strategies Unit, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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14
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D’Ambruoso L, Kahn K, Wagner RG, Twine R, Spies B, van der Merwe M, Gómez-Olivé FX, Tollman S, Byass P. Moving from medical to health systems classifications of deaths: extending verbal autopsy to collect information on the circumstances of mortality. Glob Health Res Policy 2016; 1:2. [PMID: 29202052 PMCID: PMC5675065 DOI: 10.1186/s41256-016-0002-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2015] [Accepted: 05/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Verbal autopsy (VA) is a health surveillance technique used in low and middle-income countries to establish medical causes of death (CODs) for people who die outside hospitals and/or without registration. By virtue of the deaths it investigates, VA is also an opportunity to examine social exclusion from access to health systems. The aims were to develop a system to collect and interpret information on social and health systems determinants of deaths investigated in VA. METHODS A short set of questions on care pathways, circumstances and events at and around the time of death were developed and integrated into the WHO 2012 short form VA (SF-VA). Data were subsequently analysed from two census rounds in the Agincourt Health and Socio-Demographic Surveillance Site (HDSS), South Africa in 2012 and 2013 where the SF-VA had been applied. InterVA and descriptive analysis were used to calculate cause-specific mortality fractions (CSMFs), and to examine responses to the new indicators and whether and how they varied by medical CODs and age/sex sub-groups. RESULTS One thousand two hundred forty-nine deaths were recorded in the Agincourt HDSS censuses in 2012-13 of which 1,196 (96 %) had complete VA data. Infectious and non-communicable conditions accounted for the majority of deaths (47 % and 39 % respectively) with smaller proportions attributed to external, neonatal and maternal causes (5 %, 2 % and 1 % respectively). 5 % of deaths were of indeterminable cause. The new indicators revealed multiple problems with access to care at the time of death: 39 % of deaths did not call for help, 36 % found care unaffordable overall, and 33 % did not go to a facility. These problems were reported consistently across age and sex sub-groups. Acute conditions and younger age groups had fewer problems with overall costs but more with not calling for help or going to a facility. An illustrative health systems interpretation suggests extending and promoting existing provisions for transport and financial access in this setting. CONCLUSIONS Supplementing VA with questions on the circumstances of mortality provides complementary information to CSMFs relevant for health planning. Further contextualisation of the method and results are underway with health systems stakeholders to develop the interpretation sequence as part of a health policy and systems research approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia D’Ambruoso
- Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
- Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Kathleen Kahn
- Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- INDEPTH: An International Network for the Demographic Evaluation of Populations and Their Health, Accra, Ghana
| | - Ryan G. Wagner
- Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Rhian Twine
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Barry Spies
- Directorate for Maternal, Child, Women and Youth Health and Nutrition, Mpumalanga Department of Health, Nelspruit, Mpumalanga South Africa
| | - Maria van der Merwe
- Directorate for Maternal, Child, Women and Youth Health and Nutrition, Mpumalanga Department of Health, Nelspruit, Mpumalanga South Africa
| | - F. Xavier Gómez-Olivé
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- INDEPTH: An International Network for the Demographic Evaluation of Populations and Their Health, Accra, Ghana
| | - Stephen Tollman
- Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- INDEPTH: An International Network for the Demographic Evaluation of Populations and Their Health, Accra, Ghana
| | - Peter Byass
- Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
- Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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15
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Santosa A, Byass P. Diverse Empirical Evidence on Epidemiological Transition in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Population-Based Findings from INDEPTH Network Data. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0155753. [PMID: 27187781 PMCID: PMC4871496 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Low- and middle-income countries are often described as being at intermediate stages of epidemiological transition, but there is little population-based data with reliable cause of death assignment to examine the situation in more detail. Non-communicable diseases are widely seen as a coming threat to population health, alongside receding burdens of infection. The INDEPTH Network has collected empirical population data in a number of health and demographic surveillance sites in low- and middle-income countries which permit more detailed examination of mortality trends over time. Objective To examine cause-specific mortality trends across all ages at INDEPTH Network sites in Africa and Asia during the period 1992–2012. Emphasis is given to the 15–64 year age group, which is the main focus of concern around the impact of the HIV pandemic and emerging non-communicable disease threats. Methods INDEPTH Network public domain data from 12 sites that each reported at least five years of cause-specific mortality data were used. Causes of death were attributed using standardised WHO verbal autopsy methods, and mortality rates were standardised for comparison using the INDEPTH standard population. Annual changes in mortality rates were calculated for each site. Results A total of 96,255 deaths were observed during 9,487,418 person years at the 12 sites. Verbal autopsies were completed for 86,039 deaths (89.4%). There were substantial variations in mortality rates between sites and over time. HIV-related mortality played a major part at sites in eastern and southern Africa. Deaths in the age group 15–64 years accounted for 43% of overall mortality. Trends in mortality were generally downwards, in some cases quite rapidly so. The Bangladeshi sites reflected populations at later stages of transition than in Africa, and were largely free of the effects of HIV/AIDS. Conclusions To some extent the patterns of epidemiological transition observed followed theoretical expectations, despite the impact of the HIV pandemic having a major effect in some locations. Trends towards lower overall mortality, driven by decreasing infections, were the general pattern. Low- and middle-income country populations appear to be in an era of rapid transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ailiana Santosa
- Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Unit of Epidemiology and Global Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
- Center for Demographic and Ageing Research, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
- * E-mail:
| | - Peter Byass
- Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Unit of Epidemiology and Global Health, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Firoz T, Ateka-Barrutia O, Rojas-Suarez JA, Wijeyaratne C, Castillo E, Lombaard H, Magee LA. Global obstetric medicine: Collaborating towards global progress in maternal health. Obstet Med 2015; 8:138-45. [PMID: 27512469 PMCID: PMC4935022 DOI: 10.1177/1753495x15595308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, the nature of maternal mortality and morbidity is shifting from direct obstetric causes to an increasing proportion of indirect causes due to chronic conditions and ageing of the maternal population. Obstetric medicine can address an important gap in the care of women by broadening its scope to include colleagues, communities and countries that do not yet have established obstetric medicine training, education and resources. We present the concept of global obstetric medicine by highlighting three low- and middle-income country experiences as well as an example of successful collaboration. The article also discusses ideas and initiatives to build future partnerships within the global obstetric medicine community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tabassum Firoz
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Eliana Castillo
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Hennie Lombaard
- Maternal and Fetal Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Obstetrics Unit, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Laura A Magee
- Maternal Medicine, St. George's Hospital, University of London, London, UK
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17
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van Panhuis WG, Paul P, Emerson C, Grefenstette J, Wilder R, Herbst AJ, Heymann D, Burke DS. A systematic review of barriers to data sharing in public health. BMC Public Health 2014; 14:1144. [PMID: 25377061 PMCID: PMC4239377 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-1144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 239] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2014] [Accepted: 10/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In the current information age, the use of data has become essential for decision making in public health at the local, national, and global level. Despite a global commitment to the use and sharing of public health data, this can be challenging in reality. No systematic framework or global operational guidelines have been created for data sharing in public health. Barriers at different levels have limited data sharing but have only been anecdotally discussed or in the context of specific case studies. Incomplete systematic evidence on the scope and variety of these barriers has limited opportunities to maximize the value and use of public health data for science and policy. Methods We conducted a systematic literature review of potential barriers to public health data sharing. Documents that described barriers to sharing of routinely collected public health data were eligible for inclusion and reviewed independently by a team of experts. We grouped identified barriers in a taxonomy for a focused international dialogue on solutions. Results Twenty potential barriers were identified and classified in six categories: technical, motivational, economic, political, legal and ethical. The first three categories are deeply rooted in well-known challenges of health information systems for which structural solutions have yet to be found; the last three have solutions that lie in an international dialogue aimed at generating consensus on policies and instruments for data sharing. Conclusions The simultaneous effect of multiple interacting barriers ranging from technical to intangible issues has greatly complicated advances in public health data sharing. A systematic framework of barriers to data sharing in public health will be essential to accelerate the use of valuable information for the global good. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2458-14-1144) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willem G van Panhuis
- University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, DeSoto street 130, 703 Parran Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
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18
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Streatfield PK, Alam N, Compaoré Y, Rossier C, Soura AB, Bonfoh B, Jaeger F, Ngoran EK, Utzinger J, Gomez P, Jasseh M, Ansah A, Debpuur C, Oduro A, Williams J, Addei S, Gyapong M, Kukula VA, Bauni E, Mochamah G, Ndila C, Williams TN, Desai M, Moige H, Odhiambo FO, Ogwang S, Beguy D, Ezeh A, Oti S, Chihana M, Crampin A, Price A, Delaunay V, Diallo A, Douillot L, Sokhna C, Collinson MA, Kahn K, Tollman SM, Herbst K, Mossong J, Emina JBO, Sankoh OA, Byass P. Pregnancy-related mortality in Africa and Asia: evidence from INDEPTH Health and Demographic Surveillance System sites. Glob Health Action 2014; 7:25368. [PMID: 25377328 PMCID: PMC4220143 DOI: 10.3402/gha.v7.25368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2014] [Revised: 09/05/2014] [Accepted: 09/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Women continue to die in unacceptably large numbers around the world as a result of pregnancy, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Part of the problem is a lack of accurate, population-based information characterising the issues and informing solutions. Population surveillance sites, such as those operated within the INDEPTH Network, have the potential to contribute to bridging the information gaps.
Objective To describe patterns of pregnancy-related mortality at INDEPTH Network Health and Demographic Surveillance System sites in sub-Saharan Africa and southeast Asia in terms of maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and cause-specific mortality rates. Design Data on individual deaths among women of reproductive age (WRA) (15–49) resident in INDEPTH sites were collated into a standardised database using the INDEPTH 2013 population standard, the WHO 2012 verbal autopsy (VA) standard, and the InterVA model for assigning cause of death. Results These analyses are based on reports from 14 INDEPTH sites, covering 14,198 deaths among WRA over 2,595,605 person-years observed. MMRs varied between 128 and 461 per 100,000 live births, while maternal mortality rates ranged from 0.11 to 0.74 per 1,000 person-years. Detailed rates per cause are tabulated, including analyses of direct maternal, indirect maternal, and incidental pregnancy-related deaths across the 14 sites. Conclusions As expected, these findings confirmed unacceptably high continuing levels of maternal mortality. However, they also demonstrate the effectiveness of INDEPTH sites and of the VA methods applied to arrive at measurements of maternal mortality that are essential for planning effective solutions and monitoring programmatic impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Kim Streatfield
- Matlab HDSS, Bangladesh; International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh; INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana
| | - Nurul Alam
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; AMK HDSS, Bangladesh; Centre for Population, Urbanisation and Climate Change, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh
| | - Yacouba Compaoré
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Ouagadougou HDSS, Burkina Faso; Institut Supérieur des Sciences de la Population, Université de Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Clementine Rossier
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Ouagadougou HDSS, Burkina Faso; Institut Supérieur des Sciences de la Population, Université de Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso; Institut d'Études Démographique et du parcours de vie, Université de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Abdramane B Soura
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Ouagadougou HDSS, Burkina Faso; Institut Supérieur des Sciences de la Population, Université de Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Bassirou Bonfoh
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Taabo HDSS, Côte d'Ivoire; Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Fabienne Jaeger
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Taabo HDSS, Côte d'Ivoire; Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Eliezer K Ngoran
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Taabo HDSS, Côte d'Ivoire; Université Félix Houphoët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Juerg Utzinger
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Taabo HDSS, Côte d'Ivoire; Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pierre Gomez
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Farafenni HDSS, The Gambia; Medical Research Council, The Gambia Unit, Fajara, The Gambia
| | - Momodou Jasseh
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Farafenni HDSS, The Gambia; Medical Research Council, The Gambia Unit, Fajara, The Gambia
| | - Akosua Ansah
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Navrongo HDSS, Ghana; Navrongo Health Research Centre, Navrongo, Ghana
| | - Cornelius Debpuur
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Navrongo HDSS, Ghana; Navrongo Health Research Centre, Navrongo, Ghana
| | - Abraham Oduro
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Navrongo HDSS, Ghana; Navrongo Health Research Centre, Navrongo, Ghana
| | - John Williams
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Navrongo HDSS, Ghana; Navrongo Health Research Centre, Navrongo, Ghana
| | - Sheila Addei
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Dodowa HDSS, Ghana; Dodowa Health Research Centre, Dodowa, Ghana
| | - Margaret Gyapong
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Dodowa HDSS, Ghana; Dodowa Health Research Centre, Dodowa, Ghana
| | - Vida A Kukula
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Dodowa HDSS, Ghana; Dodowa Health Research Centre, Dodowa, Ghana; School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Evasius Bauni
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Kilifi HDSS, Kenya; KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - George Mochamah
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Kilifi HDSS, Kenya; KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Carolyne Ndila
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Kilifi HDSS, Kenya; KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Thomas N Williams
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Kilifi HDSS, Kenya; KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya; Department of Medicine, Imperial College, St. Mary's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Meghna Desai
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Kisumu HDSS, Kenya; KEMRI/CDC Research and Public Health Collaboration and KEMRI Center for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Hellen Moige
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Kisumu HDSS, Kenya; KEMRI/CDC Research and Public Health Collaboration and KEMRI Center for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Frank O Odhiambo
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Kisumu HDSS, Kenya; KEMRI/CDC Research and Public Health Collaboration and KEMRI Center for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Sheila Ogwang
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Kisumu HDSS, Kenya; KEMRI/CDC Research and Public Health Collaboration and KEMRI Center for Global Health Research, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Donatien Beguy
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Nairobi HDSS, Kenya; African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Alex Ezeh
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Nairobi HDSS, Kenya; African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Samuel Oti
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Nairobi HDSS, Kenya; African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Menard Chihana
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Karonga HDSS, Malawi; Karonga Prevention Study, Chilumba, Malawi
| | - Amelia Crampin
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Karonga HDSS, Malawi; Karonga Prevention Study, Chilumba, Malawi; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alison Price
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Karonga HDSS, Malawi; Karonga Prevention Study, Chilumba, Malawi; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Valérie Delaunay
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Niakhar HDSS, Senegal; Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement (IRD), Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Aldiouma Diallo
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Niakhar HDSS, Senegal; Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement (IRD), Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Laetitia Douillot
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Niakhar HDSS, Senegal; Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement (IRD), Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Cheikh Sokhna
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Niakhar HDSS, Senegal; Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement (IRD), Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Mark A Collinson
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Agincourt HDSS, South Africa; MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Agincourt HDSS, South Africa
| | - Kathleen Kahn
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Agincourt HDSS, South Africa; MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Stephen M Tollman
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Agincourt HDSS, South Africa; MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Kobus Herbst
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Africa Centre HDSS, South Africa; Africa Centre for Health and Population Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Somkhele, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Joël Mossong
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; Africa Centre HDSS, South Africa; Africa Centre for Health and Population Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Somkhele, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; National Health Laboratory, Surveillance & Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | | | - Osman A Sankoh
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam;
| | - Peter Byass
- INDEPTH Network, Accra, Ghana; MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; WHO Collaborating Centre for Verbal Autopsy, Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Byass P, de Savigny D, Lopez AD. Essential evidence for guiding health system priorities and policies: anticipating epidemiological transition in Africa. Glob Health Action 2014; 7:23359. [PMID: 24848653 PMCID: PMC4028905 DOI: 10.3402/gha.v7.23359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2013] [Revised: 02/24/2014] [Accepted: 02/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite indications that infection-related mortality in sub-Saharan Africa may be decreasing and the burden of non-communicable diseases increasing, the overwhelming reality is that health information systems across most of sub-Saharan Africa remain too weak to track epidemiological transition in a meaningful and effective way. Proposals We propose a minimum dataset as the basis of a functional health information system in countries where health information is lacking. This would involve continuous monitoring of cause-specific mortality through routine civil registration, regular documentation of exposure to leading risk factors, and monitoring effective coverage of key preventive and curative interventions in the health sector. Consideration must be given as to how these minimum data requirements can be effectively integrated within national health information systems, what methods and tools are needed, and ensuring that ethical and political issues are addressed. A more strategic approach to health information systems in sub-Saharan African countries, along these lines, is essential if epidemiological changes are to be tracked effectively for the benefit of local health planners and policy makers. Conclusion African countries have a unique opportunity to capitalize on modern information and communications technology in order to achieve this. Methodological standards need to be established and political momentum fostered so that the African continent's health status can be reliably tracked. This will greatly strengthen the evidence base for health policies and facilitate the effective delivery of services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Byass
- Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa;
| | - Don de Savigny
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alan D Lopez
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Australia
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20
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Weldearegawi B, Spigt M, Berhane Y, Dinant G. Mortality level and predictors in a rural Ethiopian population: community based longitudinal study. PLoS One 2014; 9:e93099. [PMID: 24675840 PMCID: PMC3968055 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0093099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2013] [Accepted: 03/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Over the last fifty years the world has seen enormous decline in mortality rates. However, in low-income countries, where vital registration systems are absent, mortality statistics are not easily available. The recent economic growth of Ethiopia and the parallel large scale healthcare investments make investigating mortality figures worthwhile. Methods Longitudinal health and demographic surveillance data collected from September 11, 2009 to September 10, 2012 were analysed. We computed incidence of mortality, overall and stratified by background variables. Poisson regression was used to test for a linear trend in the standardized mortality rates. Cox-regression analysis was used to identify predictors of mortality. Households located at <2300 meter and ≥2300 meter altitude were defined to be midland and highland, respectively. Results An open cohort, with a baseline population of 66,438 individuals, was followed for three years to generate 194,083 person-years of observation. The crude mortality rate was 4.04 (95% CI: 3.77, 4.34) per 1,000 person-years. During the follow-up period, incidence of mortality significantly declined among under five (P<0.001) and 5–14 years old (P<0.001), whereas it increased among 65 years and above (P<0.001). Adjusted for other covariates, mortality was higher in males (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.22, 1.66), rural population (HR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.32, 2.31), highland (HR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.40) and among those widowed (HR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.81, 2.80) and divorced (HR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.30, 2.48). Conclusions Overall mortality rate was low. The level and patterns of mortality indicate changes in the epidemiology of major causes of death. Certain population groups had significantly higher mortality rates and further research is warranted to identify causes of higher mortality in those groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berhe Weldearegawi
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia
- CAPHRI, School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - Mark Spigt
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia
- CAPHRI, School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Yemane Berhane
- Addis Continental Institute of Public Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - GeertJan Dinant
- CAPHRI, School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
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21
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Stordalen GA, Rocklöv J, Nilsson M, Byass P. Only an integrated approach across academia, enterprise, governments, and global agencies can tackle the public health impact of climate change. Glob Health Action 2013; 6:20513. [PMID: 23653920 PMCID: PMC3617642 DOI: 10.3402/gha.v6i0.20513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite considerable global attention to the issues of climate change, relatively little priority has been given to the likely effects on human health of current and future changes in the global climate. We identify three major societal determinants that influence the impact of climate change on human health, namely the application of scholarship and knowledge; economic and commercial considerations; and actions of governments and global agencies. Discussion The three major areas are each discussed in terms of the ways in which they facilitate and frustrate attempts to protect human health from the effects of climate change. Academia still pays very little attention to the effects of climate on health in poorer countries. Enterprise is starting to recognise that healthy commerce depends on healthy people, and so climate change presents long-term threats if it compromises health. Governments and international agencies are very active, but often face immovable vested interests in other sectors. Overall, there tends to be too little interaction between the three areas, and this means that potential synergies and co-benefits are not always realised. Conclusion More attention from academia, enterprise, and international agencies needs to be given to the potential threats the climate change presents to human health. However, there needs to also be much closer collaboration between all three areas in order to capitalise on possible synergies that can be achieved between them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osman Sankoh
- INDEPTH Network, PO Box KD213, Kanda, Accra, Ghana, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå 90187, Sweden and MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- *Corresponding author.
| | - Peter Byass
- INDEPTH Network, PO Box KD213, Kanda, Accra, Ghana, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå 90187, Sweden and MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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23
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Byass P, Chandramohan D, Clark SJ, D'Ambruoso L, Fottrell E, Graham WJ, Herbst AJ, Hodgson A, Hounton S, Kahn K, Krishnan A, Leitao J, Odhiambo F, Sankoh OA, Tollman SM. Strengthening standardised interpretation of verbal autopsy data: the new InterVA-4 tool. Glob Health Action 2012; 5:1-8. [PMID: 22944365 PMCID: PMC3433652 DOI: 10.3402/gha.v5i0.19281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2012] [Revised: 08/23/2012] [Accepted: 08/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Verbal autopsy (VA) is the only available approach for determining the cause of many deaths, where routine certification is not in place. Therefore, it is important to use standards and methods for VA that maximise efficiency, consistency and comparability. The World Health Organization (WHO) has led the development of the 2012 WHO VA instrument as a new standard, intended both as a research tool and for routine registration of deaths. Objective A new public-domain probabilistic model for interpreting VA data, InterVA-4, is described, which builds on previous versions and is aligned with the 2012 WHO VA instrument. Design The new model has been designed to use the VA input indicators defined in the 2012 WHO VA instrument and to deliver causes of death compatible with the International Classification of Diseases version 10 (ICD-10) categorised into 62 groups as defined in the 2012 WHO VA instrument. In addition, known shortcomings of previous InterVA models have been addressed in this revision, as well as integrating other work on maternal and perinatal deaths. Results The InterVA-4 model is presented here to facilitate its widespread use and to enable further field evaluation to take place. Results from a demonstration dataset from Agincourt, South Africa, show continuity of interpretation between InterVA-3 and InterVA-4, as well as differences reflecting specific issues addressed in the design and development of InterVA-4. Conclusions InterVA-4 is made freely available as a new standard model for interpreting VA data into causes of death. It can be used for determining cause of death both in research settings and for routine registration. Further validation opportunities will be explored. These developments in cause of death registration are likely to substantially increase the global coverage of cause-specific mortality data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Byass
- Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
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24
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Byass
- Immpact, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.
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25
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Abstract
Peter Byass provides an introduction to a PLoS Medicine cluster of articles on global health estimates, and argues why the "estimates debate" is so important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Byass
- Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
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26
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A descriptive profile of β-thalassaemia mutations in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. J Community Genet 2010; 1:149-57. [PMID: 22460247 DOI: 10.1007/s12687-010-0026-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2010] [Accepted: 09/27/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Thalassaemia is a common and debilitating autosomal recessive disorder affecting many populations in South Asia. To date, efforts to create a regional profile of β-thalassaemia mutations have largely concentrated on the populations of India. The present study updates and expands an earlier profile of β-thalassaemia mutations in India, and incorporates comparable data from Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Despite limited data availability, clear patterns of historical and cultural population movements were observed relating to major β-thalassaemia mutations. The current regional mutation profiles of β-thalassaemia have been influenced by historical migrations into and from the Indian sub-continent, by the development and effects of Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim and Sikh religious traditions, and by the major mid-twentieth century population translocations that followed the Partition of India in 1947. Given the resultant genetic complexity revealed by the populations of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, to ensure optimum diagnostic efficiency and the delivery of appropriate care, it is important that screening and counselling programmes for β-thalassaemia mutations recognise the underlying patterns of population sub-division throughout the region.
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Health service resource needs for pandemic influenza in developing countries: a linked transmission dynamics, interventions and resource demand model. Epidemiol Infect 2010; 139:59-67. [PMID: 20920381 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268810002220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
We used a mathematical model to describe a regional outbreak and extrapolate the underlying health-service resource needs. This model was designed to (i) estimate resource gaps and quantities of resources needed, (ii) show the effect of resource gaps, and (iii) highlight which particular resources should be improved. We ran the model, parameterized with data from the 2009 H1N1v pandemic, for two provinces in Thailand. The predicted number of preventable deaths due to resource shortcomings and the actual resource needs are presented for two provinces and for Thailand as a whole. The model highlights the potentially huge impact of health-system resource availability and of resource gaps on health outcomes during a pandemic and provides a means to indicate where efforts should be concentrated to effectively improve pandemic response programmes.
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Byass P, Kahn K, Fottrell E, Collinson MA, Tollman SM. Moving from data on deaths to public health policy in Agincourt, South Africa: approaches to analysing and understanding verbal autopsy findings. PLoS Med 2010; 7:e1000325. [PMID: 20808956 PMCID: PMC2923087 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1000325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2010] [Accepted: 07/06/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cause of death data are an essential source for public health planning, but their availability and quality are lacking in many parts of the world. Interviewing family and friends after a death has occurred (a procedure known as verbal autopsy) provides a source of data where deaths otherwise go unregistered; but sound methods for interpreting and analysing the ensuing data are essential. Two main approaches are commonly used: either physicians review individual interview material to arrive at probable cause of death, or probabilistic models process the data into likely cause(s). Here we compare and contrast these approaches as applied to a series of 6,153 deaths which occurred in a rural South African population from 1992 to 2005. We do not attempt to validate either approach in absolute terms. METHODS AND FINDINGS The InterVA probabilistic model was applied to a series of 6,153 deaths which had previously been reviewed by physicians. Physicians used a total of 250 cause-of-death codes, many of which occurred very rarely, while the model used 33. Cause-specific mortality fractions, overall and for population subgroups, were derived from the model's output, and the physician causes coded into comparable categories. The ten highest-ranking causes accounted for 83% and 88% of all deaths by physician interpretation and probabilistic modelling respectively, and eight of the highest ten causes were common to both approaches. Top-ranking causes of death were classified by population subgroup and period, as done previously for the physician-interpreted material. Uncertainty around the cause(s) of individual deaths was recognised as an important concept that should be reflected in overall analyses. One notably discrepant group involved pulmonary tuberculosis as a cause of death in adults aged over 65, and these cases are discussed in more detail, but the group only accounted for 3.5% of overall deaths. CONCLUSIONS There were no differences between physician interpretation and probabilistic modelling that might have led to substantially different public health policy conclusions at the population level. Physician interpretation was more nuanced than the model, for example in identifying cancers at particular sites, but did not capture the uncertainty associated with individual cases. Probabilistic modelling was substantially cheaper and faster, and completely internally consistent. Both approaches characterised the rise of HIV-related mortality in this population during the period observed, and reached similar findings on other major causes of mortality. For many purposes probabilistic modelling appears to be the best available means of moving from data on deaths to public health actions. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Byass
- Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Sweden.
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Rockett IRH, Wang S, Stack S, De Leo D, Frost JL, Ducatman AM, Walker RL, Kapusta ND. Race/ethnicity and potential suicide misclassification: window on a minority suicide paradox? BMC Psychiatry 2010; 10:35. [PMID: 20482844 PMCID: PMC2891687 DOI: 10.1186/1471-244x-10-35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2010] [Accepted: 05/19/2010] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suicide officially kills approximately 30,000 annually in the United States. Analysis of this leading public health problem is complicated by undercounting. Despite persisting socioeconomic and health disparities, non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics register suicide rates less than half that of non-Hispanic Whites. METHODS This cross-sectional study uses multiple cause-of-death data from the US National Center for Health Statistics to assess whether race/ethnicity, psychiatric comorbidity documentation, and other decedent characteristics were associated with differential potential for suicide misclassification. Subjects were 105,946 White, Black, and Hispanic residents aged 15 years and older, dying in the US between 2003 and 2005, whose manner of death was recorded as suicide or injury of undetermined intent. The main outcome measure was the relative odds of potential suicide misclassification, a binary measure of manner of death: injury of undetermined intent (includes misclassified suicides) versus suicide. RESULTS Blacks (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.22-2.57) and Hispanics (1.17, 1.07-1.28) manifested excess potential suicide misclassification relative to Whites. Decedents aged 35-54 (AOR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.84-0.93), 55-74 (0.52, 0.49-0.57), and 75+ years (0.51, 0.46-0.57) showed diminished misclassification potential relative to decedents aged 15-34, while decedents with 0-8 years (1.82, 1.75-1.90) and 9-12 years of education (1.43, 1.40-1.46) showed excess potential relative to the most educated (13+ years). Excess potential suicide misclassification was also apparent for decedents without (AOR, 3.12; 95% CI, 2.78-3.51) versus those with psychiatric comorbidity documented on their death certificates, and for decedents whose mode of injury was "less active" (46.33; 43.32-49.55) versus "more active." CONCLUSIONS Data disparities might explain much of the Black-White suicide rate gap, if not the Hispanic-White gap. Ameliorative action would extend from training in death certification to routine use of psychological autopsies in equivocal-manner-of-death cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian RH Rockett
- Department of Community Medicine and the Injury Control Research Center, PO Box 9190 West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, 26506, USA
| | - Shuhui Wang
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, West Virginia, 26505-2845, USA
| | - Steven Stack
- Department of Criminal Justice, 2305 FAB, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, 48202, USA
| | - Diego De Leo
- Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention, Griffith University, Mt Gravatt, Queensland, 4122, Australia
| | - James L Frost
- Department of Pathology, PO Box 9203, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, 26506, USA
| | - Alan M Ducatman
- Department of Community Medicine and the Injury Control Research Center, PO Box 9190 West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, 26506, USA
| | - Rheeda L Walker
- Department of Psychology, Psychology Building, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 30602-3013, USA
| | - Nestor D Kapusta
- Medical University of Vienna, Department of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
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Byass P. Climate change and population health in Africa: where are the scientists? Glob Health Action 2009; 2. [PMID: 20052421 PMCID: PMC2799228 DOI: 10.3402/gha.v2i0.2065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2009] [Revised: 09/24/2009] [Accepted: 09/25/2009] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite a growing awareness of Africans’ vulnerability to climate change, there is relatively little empirical evidence published about the effects of climate on population health in Africa. This review brings together some of the generalised predictions about the potential continent-wide effects of climate change with examples of the relatively few locally documented population studies in which climate change and health interact. Although ecologically determined diseases such as malaria are obvious candidates for susceptibility to climate change, wider health effects also need to be considered, particularly among populations where adequacy of food and water supplies may already be marginal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Byass
- Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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