Identifying the research, advocacy, policy and implementation needs for the prevention and management of respiratory syncytial virus lower respiratory tract infection in low- and middle-income countries

INTRODUCTION

The high burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in young children disproportionately occurs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The PROUD (Preventing RespiratOry syncytial virUs in unDerdeveloped countries) Taskforce of 24 RSV worldwide experts assessed key needs for RSV prevention in LMICs, including vaccine and newer preventive measures.

METHODS

A global, survey-based study was undertaken in 2021. An online questionnaire was developed following three meetings of the Taskforce panellists wherein factors related to RSV infection, its prevention and management were identified using iterative questioning. Each factor was scored, by non-panellists interested in RSV, on a scale of zero (very-low-relevance) to 100 (very-high-relevance) within two scenarios: (1) Current and (2) Future expectations for RSV management.

RESULTS

Ninety questionnaires were completed: 70 by respondents (71.4% physicians; 27.1% researchers/scientists) from 16 LMICs and 20 from nine high-income (HI) countries (90.0% physicians; 5.0% researchers/scientists), as a reference group. Within LMICs, RSV awareness was perceived to be low, and management was not prioritised. Of the 100 factors scored, those related to improved diagnosis particularly access to affordable point-of-care diagnostics, disease burden data generation, clinical and general education, prompt access to new interventions, and engagement with policymakers/payers were identified of paramount importance. There was a strong need for clinical education and local data generation in the lowest economies, whereas upper-middle income countries were more closely aligned with HI countries in terms of current RSV service provision.

CONCLUSION

Seven key actions for improving RSV prevention and management in LMICs are proposed.

Práticas de atenção hospitalar ao recém-nascido saudável no Brasil

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o cuidado ao recém-nascido saudável a termo e identificar variações nesse cuidado no atendimento ao parto e na primeira hora de vida. Utilizou-se a base de dados da pesquisa Nascer no Brasil. Foram estimadas as razões de produtos cruzados OR brutas e ajustadas entre as características do hospital, maternas e de assistência ao parto com os desfechos: aspiração de vias aéreas e gástrica, uso do oxigênio inalatório, uso de incubadora, contato pele a pele, alojamento conjunto e oferta do seio materno na sala de parto e na primeira hora de vida. Foi observada grande variação das práticas usadas na assistência ao recém-nascido a termo na sala de parto. Práticas consideradas inadequadas como uso de oxigênio inalatório (9,5%), aspiração de vias aéreas (71,1%) e gástrica (39,7%) e uso de incubadora (8,8%) foram excessivamente usadas. A ida ao seio na sala de parto foi considerada baixa (16,1%), mesmo nos hospitais com título de Hospital Amigo da Criança (24%). Esses resultados sugerem baixos níveis de conhecimento e aderência às boas práticas clínicas.