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Mukonka V, Sialubanje C, McAuliffe FM, Babaniyi O, Malumo S, Phiri J, Fitzpatrick P. Effect of a mother-baby delivery pack on institutional deliveries: A community intervention trial to address maternal mortality in rural Zambia. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296001. [PMID: 38466648 PMCID: PMC10927137 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To test the effect of providing additional health education during antenatal care (ANC) and a mother-baby delivery pack on institutional deliveries in Monze, Zambia. SETTING 16 primary health facilities conducting deliveries in the district. PARTICIPANT A total of 5000 pregnant women at any gestation and age attending antenatal care (ANC) services in selected health facilities were eligible for enrolment into the study. Out of these, 4,500 (90%) were enrolled into and completed the study. A total of 3,882 (77.6%) were included in the analysis; 12.4% were not included in the analysis due to incomplete data. INTERVENTION A three-year study (2012 to 2014) analysing baseline delivery data for 2012 and 2013 followed by a community intervention trial was conducted from January to December 2014. Health facilities on the western side were assigned to the intervention arm; those on the eastern side were in the control. In addition to the health education provided during routine ANC visits, participants in the intervention arm received health education and a mother-baby delivery pack when they arrived at the health facility for delivery. Participants in the control arm continued with routine ANC services. OUTCOME MEASURES The primary measure was the number of institutional deliveries in both arms over the one-year period. Secondary measures were utilisation of ANC, post-natal care (PNC) and under-five clinic services. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, proportions, means and standard deviation) were computed to summarise participant characteristics. Chi-square and Independent T-tests were used to make comparisons between the two arms. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test the effect of the intervention after one year (p-value<0.05). Analysis was conducted using R-studio statistical software version 4.2.1. The p-value<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS Analysis showed a 15.9% increase in the number of institutional deliveries and a significant difference in the mean number of deliveries between intervention and control arms after one year (F(1,46) = 18.85, p<0.001). Post hoc analysis showed a significant difference in the mean number of deliveries between the intervention and control arms for 2014 (p<0.001). Compared to the control arm, participants in the intervention arm returned earlier for PNC clinic visit, brought their children back and started the under-five clinic visits earlier. CONCLUSION These findings provide evidence for the effectiveness of the mother-baby delivery pack and additional health education sessions on increasing institutional deliveries, PNC and under-five children's clinic utilisation in rural Zambia. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN Registry (ISRCTN15439813 DOI 10.1186/ISRCTN15439813); Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR202212611709509).
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Mukonka
- School of Medicine, Copperbelt University, Ndola, Zambia
- School of Public Health, Levy Mwanawasa Medical University, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Cephas Sialubanje
- School of Public Health, Levy Mwanawasa Medical University, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Fionnuala M. McAuliffe
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, University College Dublin, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Sarai Malumo
- World Health Organization, Country Office, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Joseph Phiri
- National Malaria Elimination Centre, Ministry of Health, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Patricia Fitzpatrick
- School of Public Health, Physiotherapy & Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Sund LJ, Dargan PI, Archer JRH, Blundell MS, Wood DM. The Emerging Cloud: a survey of vapers, their health and utilization of healthcare within the UK. QJM 2023; 116:993-1001. [PMID: 37738584 PMCID: PMC10753409 DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcad210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent work in the UK estimated the prevalence of current cannabinoid-based vaping to be higher than in the USA, a factor previously associated with e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI). Research in the USA has demonstrated that attendances to emergency departments relating to e-cigarettes began to rise before the EVALI outbreak, suggesting that vapers also experience milder forms of vaping-related illness. AIM Quantify symptom prevalence and healthcare utilization amongst current UK vapers. DESIGN Voluntary online survey of individuals aged 16 and over within the UK. METHODS Anonymized data were collected on demographics, vaping/smoking status and vaping substances used. Current vapers were asked about the presence of 10 prevalent symptoms from previous US EVALI case series, healthcare attendances and diagnoses given. Risk-ratios were calculated to compare the likelihood of symptoms and attendances between substances. RESULTS A total of 2477 complete responses were analysed. In all, 397 respondents were current vapers. Symptom prevalence within the previous 12 months ranged from 3.8% to 30.5% (bloody sputum, cough). Healthcare attendances per symptomatic respondent ranged from 0.1 to 1.4 (bloody sputum, shortness of breath). Current vapers of cannabinoid-based products (alone/in combination) had the most attendances per symptomatic respondent for 9/10 symptoms and were more likely to report symptoms aside from 'cough' (nicotine-free e-liquids [risk ratio = 1.7]). Clinicians reportedly never diagnosed vaping-related illness. CONCLUSIONS UK vapers experience symptoms previously reported in EVALI cases for which they also seek healthcare. Users of cannabinoid-based products were more likely to report symptoms and accounted for a higher healthcare burden. UK vapers may also experience vaping-related illness that does not meet EVALI case criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- L J Sund
- St Thomas' Hospital , Department of Emergency Medicine, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s Health Partners, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7EH, UK
- St Thomas' Hospital , Department of Clinical Toxicology, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s Health Partners, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7EH, UK
- St Thomas' Hospital campus , Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7EH, UK
| | - P I Dargan
- St Thomas' Hospital , Department of Clinical Toxicology, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s Health Partners, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7EH, UK
- St Thomas' Hospital campus , Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7EH, UK
| | - J R H Archer
- St Thomas' Hospital , Department of Clinical Toxicology, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s Health Partners, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7EH, UK
- St Thomas' Hospital campus , Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7EH, UK
| | - M S Blundell
- St Thomas' Hospital , Department of Emergency Medicine, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s Health Partners, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7EH, UK
- St Thomas' Hospital , Department of Clinical Toxicology, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s Health Partners, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7EH, UK
| | - D M Wood
- St Thomas' Hospital , Department of Clinical Toxicology, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s Health Partners, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7EH, UK
- St Thomas' Hospital campus , Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London, Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7EH, UK
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3
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Hogan AB, Wu SL, Toor J, Olivera Mesa D, Doohan P, Watson OJ, Winskill P, Charles G, Barnsley G, Riley EM, Khoury DS, Ferguson NM, Ghani AC. Long-term vaccination strategies to mitigate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 transmission: A modelling study. PLoS Med 2023; 20:e1004195. [PMID: 38016000 PMCID: PMC10715640 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vaccines have reduced severe disease and death from Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, with evidence of waning efficacy coupled with continued evolution of the virus, health programmes need to evaluate the requirement for regular booster doses, considering their impact and cost-effectiveness in the face of ongoing transmission and substantial infection-induced immunity. METHODS AND FINDINGS We developed a combined immunological-transmission model parameterised with data on transmissibility, severity, and vaccine effectiveness. We simulated Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission and vaccine rollout in characteristic global settings with different population age-structures, contact patterns, health system capacities, prior transmission, and vaccine uptake. We quantified the impact of future vaccine booster dose strategies with both ancestral and variant-adapted vaccine products, while considering the potential future emergence of new variants with modified transmission, immune escape, and severity properties. We found that regular boosting of the oldest age group (75+) is an efficient strategy, although large numbers of hospitalisations and deaths could be averted by extending vaccination to younger age groups. In countries with low vaccine coverage and high infection-derived immunity, boosting older at-risk groups was more effective than continuing primary vaccination into younger ages in our model. Our study is limited by uncertainty in key parameters, including the long-term durability of vaccine and infection-induced immunity as well as uncertainty in the future evolution of the virus. CONCLUSIONS Our modelling suggests that regular boosting of the high-risk population remains an important tool to reduce morbidity and mortality from current and future SARS-CoV-2 variants. Our results suggest that focusing vaccination in the highest-risk cohorts will be the most efficient (and hence cost-effective) strategy to reduce morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra B. Hogan
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Jameel Institute, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sean L. Wu
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, United States of America
| | - Jaspreet Toor
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Jameel Institute, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daniela Olivera Mesa
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Jameel Institute, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Patrick Doohan
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Jameel Institute, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Oliver J. Watson
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Jameel Institute, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Winskill
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Jameel Institute, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Giovanni Charles
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Jameel Institute, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gregory Barnsley
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Jameel Institute, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eleanor M. Riley
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - David S. Khoury
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Neil M. Ferguson
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Jameel Institute, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Azra C. Ghani
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Jameel Institute, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Downe S, Nowland R, Clegg A, Akooji N, Harris C, Farrier A, Gondo LT, Finlayson K, Thomson G, Kingdon C, Mehrtash H, McCrimmon R, Tunçalp Ö. Theories for interventions to reduce physical and verbal abuse: A mixed methods review of the health and social care literature to inform future maternity care. PLOS Glob Public Health 2023; 3:e0001594. [PMID: 37093790 PMCID: PMC10124898 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Despite global attention, physical and verbal abuse remains prevalent in maternity and newborn healthcare. We aimed to establish theoretical principles for interventions to reduce such abuse. We undertook a mixed methods systematic review of health and social care literature (MEDLINE, SocINDEX, Global Index Medicus, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Sept 29th 2020 and March 22nd 2022: no date or language restrictions). Papers that included theory were analysed narratively. Those with suitable outcome measures were meta-analysed. We used convergence results synthesis to integrate findings. In September 2020, 193 papers were retained (17,628 hits). 154 provided theoretical explanations; 38 were controlled studies. The update generated 39 studies (2695 hits), plus five from reference lists (12 controlled studies). A wide range of explicit and implicit theories were proposed. Eleven non-maternity controlled studies could be meta-analysed, but only for physical restraint, showing little intervention effect. Most interventions were multi-component. Synthesis suggests that a combination of systems level and behavioural change models might be effective. The maternity intervention studies could all be mapped to this approach. Two particular adverse contexts emerged; social normalisation of violence across the socio-ecological system, especially for 'othered' groups; and the belief that mistreatment is necessary to minimise clinical harm. The ethos and therefore the expression of mistreatment at each level of the system is moderated by the individuals who enact the system, through what they feel they can control, what is socially normal, and what benefits them in that context. Interventions to reduce verbal and physical abuse in maternity care should be locally tailored, and informed by theories encompassing all socio-ecological levels, and the psychological and emotional responses of individuals working within them. Attention should be paid to social normalisation of violence against 'othered' groups, and to the belief that intrapartum maternal mistreatment can optimise safe outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo Downe
- Research in Childbirth and Health Group, THRIVE Centre, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca Nowland
- Maternal and Infant Nurture and Nutrition Group, THRIVE Centre, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Clegg
- Synthesis, Economic Evaluations and Decision Science (SEEDS) Group, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
| | - Naseerah Akooji
- Lancashire Clinical Trials Unit, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
| | - Cath Harris
- Synthesis, Economic Evaluations and Decision Science (SEEDS) Group, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
| | - Alan Farrier
- Healthy and Sustainable Settings Unit, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
| | | | - Kenny Finlayson
- Research in Childbirth and Health Group, THRIVE Centre, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
| | - Gill Thomson
- Maternal and Infant Nurture and Nutrition Group, THRIVE Centre, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
| | - Carol Kingdon
- Research in Childbirth and Health Group, THRIVE Centre, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
| | - Hedieh Mehrtash
- UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction, Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Rebekah McCrimmon
- School of Community Health and Midwifery, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
| | - Özge Tunçalp
- UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction, Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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Likoswe BH, Chimera-Khombe B, Patson N, Selemani A, Potani I, Phuka J, Maleta K. A Systematic Review on the Optimal Dose and Duration of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for 6-59-Month-Old Children with Severe Wasting or Oedema. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15071750. [PMID: 37049590 PMCID: PMC10096907 DOI: 10.3390/nu15071750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that severe wasting and/or oedema should be treated with ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) at a dose of 150-220 kcal/kg/day for 6-8 weeks. Emerging evidence suggests that variations of RUTF dosing regimens from the WHO recommendation are not inferior. We aimed to assess the comparative efficacy and effectiveness of different RUTF doses and durations in comparison with the current WHO RUTF dose recommendation for treating severe wasting and/or oedema among 6-59-month-old children. A systematic literature search identified three studies for inclusion, and the outcomes of interest included anthropometric recovery, anthropometric measures and indices, non-response, time to recovery, readmission, sustained recovery, and mortality. The study was registered with PROSPERO, CRD 42021276757. Only three studies were eligible for analysis. There was an overall high risk of bias for two of the studies and some concerns for the third study. Overall, there were no differences between the reduced and standard RUTF dose groups in all outcomes of interest. Despite the finding of no differences between reduced and standard-dose RUTF, the studies are too few to conclusively declare that reduced RUTF dose was more efficacious than standard RUTF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blessings H Likoswe
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Global and Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Private Bag 360, Chichiri, Blantyre 312225, Malawi
| | - Bernadette Chimera-Khombe
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Global and Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Private Bag 360, Chichiri, Blantyre 312225, Malawi
| | - Noel Patson
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Global and Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Private Bag 360, Chichiri, Blantyre 312225, Malawi
| | - Apatsa Selemani
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Global and Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Private Bag 360, Chichiri, Blantyre 312225, Malawi
| | - Isabel Potani
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Global and Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Private Bag 360, Chichiri, Blantyre 312225, Malawi
- Translational Medicine Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - John Phuka
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Global and Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Private Bag 360, Chichiri, Blantyre 312225, Malawi
| | - Kenneth Maleta
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Global and Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Private Bag 360, Chichiri, Blantyre 312225, Malawi
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Bergeri I, Whelan MG, Ware H, Subissi L, Nardone A, Lewis HC, Li Z, Ma X, Valenciano M, Cheng B, Al Ariqi L, Rashidian A, Okeibunor J, Azim T, Wijesinghe P, Le LV, Vaughan A, Pebody R, Vicari A, Yan T, Yanes-Lane M, Cao C, Clifton DA, Cheng MP, Papenburg J, Buckeridge D, Bobrovitz N, Arora RK, Van Kerkhove MD. Global SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence from January 2020 to April 2022: A systematic review and meta-analysis of standardized population-based studies. PLoS Med 2022; 19:e1004107. [PMID: 36355774 PMCID: PMC9648705 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our understanding of the global scale of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection remains incomplete: Routine surveillance data underestimate infection and cannot infer on population immunity; there is a predominance of asymptomatic infections, and uneven access to diagnostics. We meta-analyzed SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence studies, standardized to those described in the World Health Organization's Unity protocol (WHO Unity) for general population seroepidemiological studies, to estimate the extent of population infection and seropositivity to the virus 2 years into the pandemic. METHODS AND FINDINGS We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis, searching MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, preprints, and grey literature for SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence published between January 1, 2020 and May 20, 2022. The review protocol is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020183634). We included general population cross-sectional and cohort studies meeting an assay quality threshold (90% sensitivity, 97% specificity; exceptions for humanitarian settings). We excluded studies with an unclear or closed population sample frame. Eligible studies-those aligned with the WHO Unity protocol-were extracted and critically appraised in duplicate, with risk of bias evaluated using a modified Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. We meta-analyzed seroprevalence by country and month, pooling to estimate regional and global seroprevalence over time; compared seroprevalence from infection to confirmed cases to estimate underascertainment; meta-analyzed differences in seroprevalence between demographic subgroups such as age and sex; and identified national factors associated with seroprevalence using meta-regression. We identified 513 full texts reporting 965 distinct seroprevalence studies (41% low- and middle-income countries [LMICs]) sampling 5,346,069 participants between January 2020 and April 2022, including 459 low/moderate risk of bias studies with national/subnational scope in further analysis. By September 2021, global SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence from infection or vaccination was 59.2%, 95% CI [56.1% to 62.2%]. Overall seroprevalence rose steeply in 2021 due to infection in some regions (e.g., 26.6% [24.6 to 28.8] to 86.7% [84.6% to 88.5%] in Africa in December 2021) and vaccination and infection in others (e.g., 9.6% [8.3% to 11.0%] in June 2020 to 95.9% [92.6% to 97.8%] in December 2021, in European high-income countries [HICs]). After the emergence of Omicron in March 2022, infection-induced seroprevalence rose to 47.9% [41.0% to 54.9%] in Europe HIC and 33.7% [31.6% to 36.0%] in Americas HIC. In 2021 Quarter Three (July to September), median seroprevalence to cumulative incidence ratios ranged from around 2:1 in the Americas and Europe HICs to over 100:1 in Africa (LMICs). Children 0 to 9 years and adults 60+ were at lower risk of seropositivity than adults 20 to 29 (p < 0.001 and p = 0.005, respectively). In a multivariable model using prevaccination data, stringent public health and social measures were associated with lower seroprevalence (p = 0.02). The main limitations of our methodology include that some estimates were driven by certain countries or populations being overrepresented. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we observed that global seroprevalence has risen considerably over time and with regional variation; however, over one-third of the global population are seronegative to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Our estimates of infections based on seroprevalence far exceed reported Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases. Quality and standardized seroprevalence studies are essential to inform COVID-19 response, particularly in resource-limited regions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mairead G. Whelan
- Centre for Health Informatics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Harriet Ware
- Centre for Health Informatics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Anthony Nardone
- World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
- Epiconcept, Paris, France
| | - Hannah C. Lewis
- World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
- World Health Organization, Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo
| | - Zihan Li
- Centre for Health Informatics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xiaomeng Ma
- Centre for Health Informatics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marta Valenciano
- World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
- Epiconcept, Paris, France
| | - Brianna Cheng
- World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
- School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Lubna Al Ariqi
- World Health Organization, Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Arash Rashidian
- World Health Organization, Regional Office for South-East Asia, New Delhi, India
| | - Joseph Okeibunor
- World Health Organization, Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo
| | - Tasnim Azim
- World Health Organization, Regional Office for South-East Asia, New Delhi, India
| | - Pushpa Wijesinghe
- World Health Organization, Regional Office for South-East Asia, New Delhi, India
| | - Linh-Vi Le
- World Health Organization, Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines
| | - Aisling Vaughan
- World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Richard Pebody
- World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andrea Vicari
- World Health Organization, Regional Office for the Americas (Pan American Health Organization), Washington DC, United States of America
| | - Tingting Yan
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mercedes Yanes-Lane
- COVID-19 Immunity Task Force Secretariat, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Christian Cao
- Centre for Health Informatics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - David A. Clifton
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew P. Cheng
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jesse Papenburg
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - David Buckeridge
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Niklas Bobrovitz
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Rahul K. Arora
- Centre for Health Informatics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Ross I, Esteves Mills J, Slaymaker T, Johnston R, Hutton G, Dreibelbis R, Montgomery M. Costs of hand hygiene for all in household settings: estimating the price tag for the 46 least developed countries. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:e007361. [PMID: 34916276 PMCID: PMC8679104 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-007361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Domestic hand hygiene could prevent over 500 000 attributable deaths per year, but 6 in 10 people in least developed countries (LDCs) do not have a handwashing facility (HWF) with soap and water available at home. We estimated the economic costs of universal access to basic hand hygiene services in household settings in 46 LDCs. METHODS Our model combines quantities of households with no HWF and prices of promotion campaigns, HWFs, soap and water. For quantities, we used estimates from the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme. For prices, we collated data from recent impact evaluations and electronic searches. Accounting for inflation and purchasing power, we calculated costs over 2021-2030, and estimated total cost probabilistically using Monte Carlo simulation. RESULTS An estimated US$12.2-US$15.3 billion over 10 years is needed for universal hand hygiene in household settings in 46 LDCs. The average annual cost of hand hygiene promotion is US$334 million (24% of annual total), with a further US$233 million for 'top-up' promotion (17%). Together, these promotion costs represent US$0.47 annually per head of LDC population. The annual cost of HWFs, a purpose-built drum with tap and stand, is US$174 million (13%). The annual cost of soap is US$497 million (36%) and water US$127 million (9%). CONCLUSION The annual cost of behavioural change promotion to those with no HWF represents 4.7% of median government health expenditure in LDCs, and 1% of their annual aid receipts. These costs could be covered by mobilising resources from across government and partners, and could be reduced by harnessing economies of scale and integrating hand hygiene with other behavioural change campaigns where appropriate. Innovation is required to make soap more affordable and available for the poorest households.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Ross
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Robert Dreibelbis
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Dolla CK, Dhanaraj B, Chandrasekaran P, Selvaraj S, Menon PA, Thiruvengadam K, Krishnan R, Mondal R, Malaisamy M, Marinaik SB, Murali L, Tripathy SP. Prevalence of bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis and associated risk factors: A community survey in Thirvallur District, south India. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247245. [PMID: 34610012 PMCID: PMC8491886 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tuberculosis (TB) prevalence surveys add to the active case detection in the community level burden of TB both national and regional levels. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in the community. METHODS Household community-based tuberculosis disease survey was conducted targeting 69054 population from 43 villages of 5 blocks in Tiruvallure district adopting cluster sampling methodology of ≥15 years old adult rural population of South India during 2015-2018. All eligible individuals with suspected symptoms of PTB were screened with chest X-ray. Two sputum specimens (one spot and the other early morning sample) were collected for M.tb smear and culture examination. Conversely demographical, smoking and alcohol drinking habits information were also collected to explore the risk factor. Stepwise logistic regression was employed to associate risk factors for PTB. RESULTS A total of 62494 were screened among 69054 eligible population, of whom 6340 were eligible for sputum specimen collection. Sputum for M.tb smear and culture examination were collected in 93% of participants. The derived prevalence of PTB was 307/100000 population (smear-positive 130; culture positive 277). As expected that PTB has decreased substantially compared to preceding surveys and it showed that older age, male, low BMI, diabetes, earlier history of TB and alcohol users were significantly associated (p < .0001) with an increased risk of developing PTB. CONCLUSION Upshot of the active survey has established a reduction in the prevalence of PTB in the rural area which can be accredited to better programmatic implementation and success of the National TB Control Programme in this district. It also has highlighted the need for risk reduction interventions accelerate faster elimination of TB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandra Kumar Dolla
- Department of Epidemiology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai, India
| | - Bhaskaran Dhanaraj
- Department of Clinical Research, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai, India
| | | | - Sriram Selvaraj
- Department of Epidemiology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai, India
| | - Pradeep Aravindan Menon
- Department of Epidemiology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai, India
| | - Kannan Thiruvengadam
- Department of Statistics, Epidemiology Unit, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai, India
| | - Rajendran Krishnan
- Department of Statistics, Epidemiology Unit, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai, India
| | - Rajesh Mondal
- Department of Bacteriology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai, India
| | - Muniyandi Malaisamy
- Department of Health Economics, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai, India
| | - Srinivasa B. Marinaik
- Department of Epidemiology, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai, India
| | - Lakshmi Murali
- District Tuberculosis Centre, MoHFW, Government of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvallur, Chennai, India
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Das MK, Arora NK, Dalpath SK, Kumar S, Kumar AP, Khanna A, Bhatnagar A, Bahl R, Nisar YB, Qazi SA, Arora GK, Dhankhad RK, Kumar K, Chander R, Singh B. Improving quality of care for pregnancy, perinatal and newborn care at district and sub-district public health facilities in three districts of Haryana, India: An Implementation study. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254781. [PMID: 34297746 PMCID: PMC8301676 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Improving quality of care (QoC) for childbirth and sick newborns is critical for maternal and neonatal mortality reduction. Information on the process and impact of quality improvement at district and sub-district hospitals in India is limited. This implementation research was prioritized by the Haryana State (India) to improve the QoC for maternal and newborn care at the busy hospitals in districts. Methods This study at nine district and sub-district referral hospitals in three districts (Faridabad, Rewari and Jhajjar) during April 2017-March 2019 adopted pre-post, quasi-experimental study design and plan-do-study-act quality improvement method. During the six quarterly plan-do-study-act cycles, the facility and district quality improvement teams led the gap identification, solution planning and implementation with external facilitation. The external facilitators monitored and collected data on indicators related to maternal and newborn service availability, patient satisfaction, case record quality, provider’s knowledge and skills during the cycles. These indicators were compared between baseline (pre-intervention) and endline (post-intervention) cycles for documenting impact. Results The interventions closed 50% of gaps identified, increased the number of deliveries (1562 to 1631 monthly), improved care of pregnant women in labour with hypertension (1.2% to 3.9%, p<0.01) and essential newborn care services at birth (achieved ≥90% at most facilities). Antenatal identification of high-risk pregnancies increased from 4.1% to 8.8% (p<0.01). Hand hygiene practices improved from 35.7% to 58.7% (p<0.01). The case record completeness improved from 66% to 87% (p<0.01). The time spent in antenatal clinics declined by 19–42 minutes (p<0.01). The pooled patient satisfaction scores improved from 82.5% to 95.5% (p<0.01). Key challenges included manpower shortage, staff transfers, leadership change and limited orientation for QoC. Conclusion This multipronged quality improvement strategy improved the maternal and newborn services, case documentation and patient satisfaction at district and sub-district hospitals. The processes and lessons learned shall be useful for replicating and scaling up.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Suresh Kumar Dalpath
- Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Haryana, Panchkula, Haryana, India
| | - Saket Kumar
- Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Haryana, Panchkula, Haryana, India
| | - Amneet P. Kumar
- Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Haryana, Panchkula, Haryana, India
| | | | | | - Rajiv Bahl
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Yasir Bin Nisar
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Shamim Ahmad Qazi
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Gulshan Kumar Arora
- Department of Health and Family Welfare, Office of Chief Medical Officer and Civil Surgeon (Faridabad), Government of Haryana, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - R. K. Dhankhad
- Department of Health and Family Welfare, Office of Chief Medical Officer and Civil Surgeon, (Jhajjar), Government of Haryana, Jhajjar, Haryana, India
| | - Krishan Kumar
- Department of Health and Family Welfare, Office of Chief Medical Officer and Civil Surgeon (Rewari), Government of Haryana, Rewari, Haryana, India
| | - Ramesh Chander
- Department of Health and Family Welfare, Office of Chief Medical Officer and Civil Surgeon (Faridabad), Government of Haryana, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Bhanwar Singh
- Department of Health and Family Welfare, Office of Chief Medical Officer and Civil Surgeon (Rewari), Government of Haryana, Rewari, Haryana, India
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Camara Y, Sanneh B, Joof E, Sanyang AM, Sambou SM, Sey AP, Sowe FO, Jallow AW, Jatta B, Lareef-Jah S, Sanneh S, Njiokou F, Jack A, Ceesay SJ, Ukaga C. Mapping survey of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiases towards mass drug administration in The Gambia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009462. [PMID: 34292937 PMCID: PMC8330934 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2019] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A national mapping survey of schistosomiasis (SCH) and soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH) was conducted in The Gambia in May, 2015. The survey aimed at establishing endemicity of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiases to inform decisions on program planning and implementation of mass drug administration (MDA). METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A cross-section of 10,434 eligible school aged children (SAC), aged 7 to 14 years old were enrolled in the survey. The participants were randomly sampled from 209 schools countrywide using N/50, where N = total eligible children per school. Stool, and urine samples were provided by each child and examined for schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthic infections using double Kato-Katz, urine filtration, dipstick techniques and CCA rapid test kits. Data were managed using online LINKS system enabling real-time data availability and access. Epi Info version 3.5.3 and health mapper version 4.3.2 were used to generate outputs of endemicity and distribution. Descriptions of mapped districts for MDA eligibility and frequency were done with reference to WHO PC strategy recommendations. Mapping results indicated that nationally, the prevalence of schistosomiasis (SCH) and soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH) was 4.3% and 2.5% respectively. In terms of distribution STH are more common in Western Region One (WR1) at 4.1% prevalence, then Lower River Region (LRR) 3.6%, and Western Region Two (WR2) 3.0%. In contrast, SCH indicated much higher prevalence in Central River Region (CRR) at a rate of 14.2%. This is within medium prevalence range, and is followed by Upper River Region (URR) at 9.4%, which is within low prevalence range. At the district level, schistosomiasis prevalence seems to be highest in Niani district (22%) in CRR. Banjul island, the capital city, seems to have the highest prevalence of STH (up to 55%), followed by Kombo South with 22% prevalence. Schistosoma haematobium characterised by haematuria, was the most dominant infection of schistosomiasis discovered followed by Schistosoma mansoni which reported in 0.1% of infections. Out of 42 districts mapped 14, or 38%, of them are co-endemic for soil-transmitted helminthiases (ascariasis, trichuriasis, and hook-worm infections) and schistosomiasis (S. haematobium and S. mansoni). CONCLUSIONS We identified that 24/42(57%) districts mapped in The Gambia are endemic for schistosomiasis expressing the need for preventive chemotherapy. Twenty (47%) of the districts mapped are endemic for STH. However, only two STH endemic districts namely Banjul (55%) and Kombo South (22%) were within rates eligible for mass drug administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaya Camara
- Epidemiology and Disease Control Department, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Kotu, The Gambia
- * E-mail:
| | - Bakary Sanneh
- National Public Health Laboratories, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Kotu, The Gambia
| | - Ebrima Joof
- National Public Health Laboratories, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Kotu, The Gambia
| | - Abdoulie M. Sanyang
- National Public Health Laboratories, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Kotu, The Gambia
| | - Sana M. Sambou
- Epidemiology and Disease Control Department, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Kotu, The Gambia
| | - Alhagie Papa Sey
- National Public Health Laboratories, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Kotu, The Gambia
| | - Fatou O. Sowe
- Health Management Information System, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Kotu, The Gambia
| | - Amadou Woury Jallow
- Epidemiology and Disease Control Department, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Kotu, The Gambia
| | - Balla Jatta
- Epidemiology and Disease Control Department, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Kotu, The Gambia
| | - Sharmila Lareef-Jah
- World Health Organisation technical support team; The Gambia Country Office, Inter-country Support Team, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Sainey Sanneh
- Health Research Directorate, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Kotu, The Gambia
| | - Flobert Njiokou
- World Health Organisation technical support team; The Gambia Country Office, Inter-country Support Team, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Abdoulie Jack
- Project Consultant (Retired), "Tranquil", West Coast Region, The Gambia
| | | | - Chinyere Ukaga
- World Health Organisation technical support team; The Gambia Country Office, Inter-country Support Team, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
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Abstract
Two recent initiatives, the World Health Organization (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group on Malaria Eradication and the Lancet Commission on Malaria Eradication, have assessed the feasibility of achieving global malaria eradication and proposed strategies to achieve it. Both reports rely on a climate-driven model of malaria transmission to conclude that long-term trends in climate will assist eradication efforts overall and, consequently, neither prioritize strategies to manage the effects of climate variability and change on malaria programming. This review discusses the pathways via which climate affects malaria and reviews the suitability of climate-driven models of malaria transmission to inform long-term strategies such as an eradication programme. Climate can influence malaria directly, through transmission dynamics, or indirectly, through myriad pathways including the many socioeconomic factors that underpin malaria risk. These indirect effects are largely unpredictable and so are not included in climate-driven disease models. Such models have been effective at predicting transmission from weeks to months ahead. However, due to several well-documented limitations, climate projections cannot accurately predict the medium- or long-term effects of climate change on malaria, especially on local scales. Long-term climate trends are shifting disease patterns, but climate shocks (extreme weather and climate events) and variability from sub-seasonal to decadal timeframes have a much greater influence than trends and are also more easily integrated into control programmes. In light of these conclusions, a pragmatic approach is proposed to assessing and managing the effects of climate variability and change on long-term malaria risk and on programmes to control, eliminate and ultimately eradicate the disease. A range of practical measures are proposed to climate-proof a malaria eradication strategy, which can be implemented today and will ensure that climate variability and change do not derail progress towards eradication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Nissan
- Grantham Research Institute for Climate Change and the Environment, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK.
- International Research Institute for Climate and Society, Columbia University, Palisades, NY, USA.
| | - Israel Ukawuba
- Mailman School for Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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Odiachi A, Sam-Agudu NA, Erekaha S, Isah C, Ramadhani HO, Swomen HE, Charurat M, Cornelius LJ. A mixed-methods assessment of disclosure of HIV status among expert mothers living with HIV in rural Nigeria. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0232423. [PMID: 32353036 PMCID: PMC7192376 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Peer support provided by experienced and/or trained “expert” women living with HIV has been adopted by prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) programs across sub-Saharan Africa. While there is ample data on HIV status disclosure among non-expert women, there is little data on disclosure among such expert women, who support other women living with HIV. Objective This study compared HIV disclosure rates between expert and non-expert mothers living with HIV, and contextualized quantitative findings with qualitative data from expert women. Methods We compared survey data on HIV disclosure to male partners and family/friends from 37 expert and 100 non-expert mothers living with HIV in rural North-Central Nigeria. Four focus group discussions with expert mothers provided further context on disclosure to male partners, extended family and peers. Chi square and Fisher’s exact tests were applied to quantitative data. Qualitative data were manually analyzed using a Grounded Theory approach. Results Two-thirds of the 137 participants were 21–30 years old; 89.8% were married, and 52.3% had secondary-level education. Disclosure to male partners was higher among expert (100.0%) versus non-expert mothers (85.0%), p = 0.035. Disclosure to anyone (93.1% vs 80.8%, p = 0.156), and knowledge of male partners’ HIV status were similar (75.7% versus 66.7%, p = 0.324) between expert and non-expert mothers, respectively. With respect to male partners, HIV serodiscordance rates were also similar (46.4% vs 55.6%, p = 0.433). Group discussions indicated that expert mothers did not consistently disclose to their mentored clients, with community-level stigma and discrimination stated as major reasons for this non-disclosure. Conclusions Expert mothers experience similar disclosure barriers as their non-expert peers, especially regarding disclosure outside of intimate relationships. Thus, attention to expert mothers’ coping skills and disclosure status, particularly to mentored clients is important to maximize the impact of peer support in PMTCT. Clinical trials registration Clinicaltrials.gov registration number NCT 01936753 (retrospective), September 3, 2013.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nadia A. Sam-Agudu
- International Research Center of Excellence, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria
- Division of Epidemiology and Prevention, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Salome Erekaha
- International Research Center of Excellence, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Christopher Isah
- International Research Center of Excellence, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Habib O. Ramadhani
- Division of Epidemiology and Prevention, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Homsuk E. Swomen
- Sexual, Reproductive Health and Gender Unit, United Nations Population Fund, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Manhattan Charurat
- Division of Epidemiology and Prevention, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Llewellyn J. Cornelius
- School of Social Work and College of Public Health, University of Georgia Athens, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
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Nyakura J, Shewade HD, Ade S, Mushavi A, Mukungunugwa SH, Chimwaza A, Owiti P, Senkoro M, Mugurungi O. Viral load testing among women on 'option B+' in Mazowe, Zimbabwe: How well are we doing? PLoS One 2019; 14:e0225476. [PMID: 31794561 PMCID: PMC6890256 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, ten percent of new HIV infections are among children and most of these children acquire infection through mother-to-child transmission. To prevent this, lifelong ART among pregnant and breast feeding (PBF) women living with HIV, irrespective of the WHO clinical stage, was adopted (option B+). There is limited cohort-wise assessment of VL testing among women on 'option B+'. OBJECTIVE Among a pregnancy cohort on antiretroviral therapy in public hospitals and clinics of Mazowe district, Zimbabwe (2017), to determine the i) proportion undergoing VL testing anytime up to six months post child birth and associated factors; ii) turnaround time (TAT) from sending the specimen to results receipt and VL suppression among those undergoing VL testing. METHODS This was a cohort study involving secondary programme data. Modified Poisson regression using robust variance estimates was used to determine the independent predictors of VL testing. RESULTS Of 1112 women, 354 (31.8%, 95% CI: 29.2-34.6) underwent VL testing: 113 (31.9%) during pregnancy, 124 (35%) within six months of child birth and for 117 (33.1%), testing period was unknown. Of 354, VL suppression was seen in 334 (94.4%) and 13 out of 20 with VL non-suppression underwent repeat VL testing. Among those with available dates (125/354), the median TAT was 93 days (IQR 19.3-255). Of 1112, VL results were available between 32 weeks and child birth in 31 (2.8%) women. When compared to hospitals, women registered for antenatal care in clinics were 36% less likely to undergo VL testing [aRR: 0.64 (95% CI: 0.53, 0.76)]. CONCLUSION Among women on option B+, the uptake of HIV VL testing was low with unacceptably long TAT. VL suppression among those tested was satisfactory. There is an urgent need to prioritize VL testing among PBF women and to consider use of point of care machines. There is a critical need to strengthen the recording and local utilisation of routine clinic data in order to successfully monitor progress of healthcare services provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justice Nyakura
- AIDS and TB Unit, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Hemant Deepak Shewade
- International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), Paris, France
- The Union South-East Asia, New Delhi, India
- Karuna Trust, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Serge Ade
- International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), Paris, France
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Parakou, Parakou, Benin
| | - Angela Mushavi
- AIDS and TB Unit, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Anesu Chimwaza
- AIDS and TB Unit, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Philip Owiti
- International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), Paris, France
- National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Lung Disease Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Mbazi Senkoro
- National Institute for Medical Research- Muhimbili Medical Research Centre, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Owen Mugurungi
- AIDS and TB Unit, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
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