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Polonsky JA, Bhatia S, Fraser K, Hamlet A, Skarp J, Stopard IJ, Hugonnet S, Kaiser L, Lengeler C, Blanchet K, Spiegel P. Feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions against infectious diseases among crisis-affected populations: a scoping review. Infect Dis Poverty 2022; 11:14. [PMID: 35090570 PMCID: PMC8796190 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-022-00935-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) are a crucial suite of measures to prevent and control infectious disease outbreaks. Despite being particularly important for crisis-affected populations and those living in informal settlements, who typically reside in overcrowded and resource limited settings with inadequate access to healthcare, guidance on NPI implementation rarely takes the specific needs of such populations into account. We therefore conducted a systematic scoping review of the published evidence to describe the landscape of research and identify evidence gaps concerning the acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of NPIs among crisis-affected populations and informal settlements. Methods We systematically reviewed peer-reviewed articles published between 1970 and 2020 to collate available evidence on the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of NPIs in crisis-affected populations and informal settlements. We performed quality assessments of each study using a standardised questionnaire. We analysed the data to produce descriptive summaries according to a number of categories: date of publication; geographical region of intervention; typology of crisis, shelter, modes of transmission, NPI, research design; study design; and study quality. Results Our review included 158 studies published in 85 peer-reviewed articles. Most research used low quality study designs. The acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of NPIs was highly context dependent. In general, simple and cost-effective interventions such as community-level environmental cleaning and provision of water, sanitation and hygiene services, and distribution of items for personal protection such as insecticide-treated nets, were both highly feasible and acceptable. Logistical, financial, and human resource constraints affected both the implementation and sustainability of measures. Community engagement emerged as a strong factor contributing to the effectiveness of NPIs. Conversely, measures that involve potential restriction on personal liberty such as case isolation and patient care and burial restrictions were found to be less acceptable, despite apparent effectiveness. Conclusions Overall, the evidence base was variable, with substantial knowledge gaps which varied between settings and pathogens. Based on the current landscape, robust evidence-based guidance is not possible, and a research agenda is urgently required that focusses on these specific vulnerable populations. Although implementation of NPIs presents unique practical challenges in these settings, it is critical that such an agenda is put in place, and that the lessons learned from historical and present experiences are documented to build a firm evidence base. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40249-022-00935-7.
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Vecino-Ortiz AI, Nagarajan M, Katumba KR, Akhter S, Tweheyo R, Gibson DG, Ali J, Rutebemberwa E, Khan IA, Labrique A, Pariyo GW. A cost study for mobile phone health surveys using interactive voice response for assessing risk factors of noncommunicable diseases. Popul Health Metr 2021; 19:32. [PMID: 34183013 PMCID: PMC8240284 DOI: 10.1186/s12963-021-00258-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This is the first study to examine the costs of conducting a mobile phone survey (MPS) through interactive voice response (IVR) to collect information on risk factors for noncommunicable diseases (NCD) in three low- and middle-income countries (LMIC); Bangladesh, Colombia, and Uganda. Methods This is a micro-costing study conducted from the perspective of the payer/funder with a 1-year horizon. The study evaluates the fixed costs and variable costs of implementing one nationally representative MPS for NCD risk factors of the adult population. In this costing study, we estimated the sample size of calls required to achieve a population-representative survey and associated incentives. Cost inputs were obtained from direct economic costs incurred by a central study team, from country-specific collaborators, and from platform developers who participated in the deployment of these MPS during 2017. Costs were reported in US dollars (USD). A sensitivity analysis was conducted assessing different scenarios of pricing and incentive strategies. Also, costs were calculated for a survey deployed targeting only adults younger than 45 years. Results We estimated the fixed costs ranging between $47,000 USD and $74,000 USD. Variable costs were found to be between $32,000 USD and $129,000 USD per nationally representative survey. The main cost driver was the number of calls required to meet the sample size, and its variability largely depends on the extent of mobile phone coverage and access in the country. Therefore, a larger number of calls were estimated to survey specific harder-to-reach sub-populations. Conclusion Mobile phone surveys have the potential to be a relatively less expensive and timely method of collecting survey information than face-to-face surveys, allowing decision-makers to deploy survey-based monitoring or evaluation programs more frequently than it would be possible having only face-to-face contact. The main driver of variable costs is survey time, and most of the variability across countries is attributable to the sampling differences associated to reaching out to population subgroups with low mobile phone ownership or access. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12963-021-00258-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andres I Vecino-Ortiz
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolf Street., Suite E8620, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Madhuram Nagarajan
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolf Street., Suite E8620, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Shamima Akhter
- Institute of Epidemiology, Disease control and Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Raymond Tweheyo
- Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Dustin G Gibson
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolf Street., Suite E8620, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joseph Ali
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolf Street., Suite E8620, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Iqbal Ansary Khan
- Institute of Epidemiology, Disease control and Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Alain Labrique
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolf Street., Suite E8620, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - George W Pariyo
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolf Street., Suite E8620, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Sultana R, Luby SP, Gurley ES, Rimi NA, Swarna ST, Khan JAM, Nahar N, Ghosh PK, Howlader SR, Kabir H, Khan S, Jensen PKM. Cost of illness for severe and non-severe diarrhea borne by households in a low-income urban community of Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009439. [PMID: 34115764 PMCID: PMC8221788 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The illness cost borne by households, known as out-of-pocket expenditure, was 74% of the total health expenditure in Bangladesh in 2017. Calculating economic burden of diarrhea of low-income urban community is important to identify potential cost savings strategies and prioritize policy decision to improve the quality of life of this population. This study aimed to estimate cost of illness and monthly percent expenditure borne by households due diarrhea in a low-income urban settlement of Dhaka, Bangladesh. We conducted this study in East Arichpur area of Tongi township in Dhaka, Bangladesh from September 17, 2015 to July 26, 2016. We used the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of three or more loose stool in 24 hours to enroll patients and enrolled 106 severe patients and 158 non-severe patients from Tongi General Hospital, local pharmacy and study community. The team enrolled patients between the first to third day of the illness (≤ 72 hours) and continued daily follow-up by phone until recovery. We considered direct and indirect costs to calculate cost-per-episode. We applied the published incidence rate to estimate the annual cost of diarrhea. The estimated average cost of illness for patient with severe diarrhea was US$ 27.39 [95% CI: 24.55, 30.23] (2,147 BDT), 17% of the average monthly income of the households. The average cost of illness for patient with non-severe diarrhea was US$ 6.36 [95% CI: 5.19, 7.55] (499 BDT), 4% of the average monthly income of households. A single diarrheal episode substantially affects financial condition of low-income urban community residents: a severe episode can cost almost equivalent to 4.35 days (17%) and a non-severe episode can cost almost equivalent to 1 day (4%) of household’s income. Preventing diarrhea preserves health and supports financial livelihoods. The illness cost borne by households, known as out-of-pocket expenditure was 74% of the total health expenditure in Bangladesh in 2017. Most of the studies in Bangladesh that estimated the cost of diarrheal illness collected data from hospital patients and mostly targeted under-five children. Information on economic burden of diarrhea borne by households of low-income urban communities who commonly had ≤ 2 US$ dollar income per capita per day still remained unknown. We conducted this study in East Arichpur area of Tongi township in Dhaka, Bangladesh from September 2015 to July 2016 to estimate cost of illness and monthly percent expenditure borne by households due diarrhea in a low-income urban settlement of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The estimated average cost of illness for patient with severe diarrhea was US$ 27.39 (2,147 BDT) and non-severe diarrhea was US$ 6.36 (499 BDT). A single diarrheal episode substantially affects financial capability of the low-income urban community: a severe episode can cost 4.35 days (17%) and a non-severe episode can cost 1 day (4%) of income of a households. Preventing diarrhea preserves health and supports financial livelihoods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebeca Sultana
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Institute of Health Economics, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- * E-mail:
| | - Stephen P. Luby
- Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Emily S. Gurley
- icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | | | | | | | - Nazmun Nahar
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Investigation of the Domestic Reservoirs of Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli in Diarrhea Case Households of Urban Bangladesh. Curr Microbiol 2021; 78:2534-2547. [PMID: 33956228 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-021-02506-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
This study collected rectal swabs from diarrheal patients and in-house environmental samples from low-income households in Dhaka City, Bangladesh, over a 4-month period and investigated these to determine the domestic transmission pathways of Escherichia coli-associated diarrhea. The environmental samples included swabs from four frequently touched surfaces, drinking water and food. Both the rectal swabs and environmental samples were examined for virulence genes characteristic of diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes by PCR. In addition, each sample was cultured for E. coli, and the strains were analyzed for virulence profile and subjected to multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The results showed that 31% (73 of 233) of all samples including rectal swabs and household samples were positive for one or more of the diarrheagenic E. coli virulence factors. PCR analyses showed that 28% (10/36) of the rectal swabs, 43% (58/136) of household swabs, 9% (3/32) of the food, and 7% (2/29) of the water samples were positive for various virulence genes. 6 Out of the 36 rectal swab samples and associated household samples were shown to have similar E. coli pathotypic genes, and the drinking vessel surface was identified as the major source of contamination. EAEC and CTEC were the most commonly identified pathotypes in the cultured isolates. The phylogenetic tree constructed by MLST data showed that the diarrheagenic isolates were clustered in several diversified lineages. This study supports the hypothesis that there are high-risk hotspots, particularly those surfaces associated with food consumption, for diarrheagenic E. coli contamination within the household environments of Bangladesh.
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Sultana R, Tamason CC, Carstensen LS, Ferdous J, Hossain ZZ, Begum A, Jensen PKM. Water usage, hygiene and diarrhea in low-income urban communities-A mixed method prospective longitudinal study. MethodsX 2019; 6:2822-2837. [PMID: 31871916 PMCID: PMC6909126 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2019.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies considered water use and hygiene practices as central risk factors for diarrhea. Few studies focused on independent association of water quantity with diarrheal diseases. This study aimed to describe the methodological protocol that adapted multidisciplinary and mixed-method research approach to assess how water usage including water quantity influences the attributable risk for diarrhea in a low-income urban community in Bangladesh. The quantitative, anthropological and microbiological approaches were threaded together to provide a greater understanding of the infrastructural, behavioral and microbial interactions to fathom the dimensions of fecal oral transmission pathways within the households. The use of the 'Choleraphone' (i.e. a mobile phone based real time diarrheal reporting system) was a contemporary approach intended to cut down on resources, reduce research fatigue and provide more accurate data compared to the 'gold standard' (i.e. visiting a household of diarrhea cases within 48 hours) for measuring diarrhea incidence. Development of methods to measure water quantity using qualitative and quantitative approach within a setting where meter water connection is rare was another unique feature of this protocol. This protocol provided guidance and insight on how multiple methods of different disciplines can be combined to enrich understanding of waterborne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebeca Sultana
- Copenhagen Center for Disaster Research, Section for Global Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Institute of Health Economics, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh.,icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Charlotte Crim Tamason
- Copenhagen Center for Disaster Research, Section for Global Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Leela Sengupta Carstensen
- Copenhagen Center for Disaster Research, Section for Global Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jannatul Ferdous
- Copenhagen Center for Disaster Research, Section for Global Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Zenat Zebin Hossain
- Copenhagen Center for Disaster Research, Section for Global Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Anowara Begum
- Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Peter Kjær Mackie Jensen
- Copenhagen Center for Disaster Research, Section for Global Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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