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Riddell MA, Vallely LM, Mengi A, Badman SG, Low N, Wand H, Bolnga JW, Babona D, Mola GDL, Wiseman V, Kelly-Hanku A, Homer CSE, Morgan C, Luchters S, Whiley DM, Robinson LJ, Au L, Pukai-Gani I, Laman M, Kariwiga G, Toliman PJ, Batura N, Tabrizi SN, Rogerson SJ, Garland SM, Guy RJ, Peeling RW, Pomat WS, Kaldor JM, Vallely AJB. Point-of-care testing and treatment of sexually transmitted and genital infections to improve birth outcomes in high-burden, low-resource settings (WANTAIM): a pragmatic cluster randomised crossover trial in Papua New Guinea. Lancet Glob Health 2024; 12:e641-e651. [PMID: 38485431 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(24)00004-4] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, and bacterial vaginosis have been associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes, but there is conflicting evidence on the benefits of antenatal screening and treatment for these conditions. We aimed to determine the effect of antenatal point-of-care testing and immediate treatment of C trachomatis, N gonorrhoeae, T vaginalis, and bacterial vaginosis on preterm birth, low birthweight, and other adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes compared with current standard of care, which included symptom-based treatment without laboratory confirmation. METHODS In this pragmatic cluster randomised crossover trial, we enrolled women (aged ≥16 years) attending an antenatal clinic at 26 weeks' gestation or earlier (confirmed by obstetric ultrasound), living within approximately 1 h drive of a study clinic, and able to provide reliable contact details at ten primary health facilities and their catchment communities (clusters) in Papua New Guinea. Clusters were randomly allocated 1:1 to receive either the intervention or control (standard care) in the first phase of the trial. Following an interval (washout period) of 2-3 months at the end of the first phase, each cluster crossed over to the other group. Randomisation was stratified by province. Individual participants were informed about trial group allocation only after completing informed consent procedures. The primary outcome was a composite of preterm birth (livebirth before 37 weeks' gestation), low birthweight (<2500 g), or both, analysed according to the intention-to-treat population. This study is registered with ISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN37134032, and is completed. FINDINGS Between July 26, 2017, and Aug 30, 2021, 4526 women were enrolled (2210 [63·3%] of 3492 women in the intervention group and 2316 [62·8%] of 3687 in the control group). Primary outcome data were available for 4297 (94·9%) newborn babies of 4526 women. The proportion of preterm birth, low birthweight, or both, in the intervention group, expressed as the mean of crude proportions across clusters, was 18·8% (SD 4·7%) compared with 17·8% in the control group (risk ratio [RR] 1·06, 95% CI 0·78-1·42; p=0·67). There were 1052 serious adverse events reported (566 in the intervention group and 486 in the control group) among 929 trial participants, and no differences by trial group. INTERPRETATION Point-of-care testing and treatment of C trachomatis, N gonorrhoeae, T vaginalis, and bacterial vaginosis did not reduce preterm birth or low birthweight compared with standard care. Within the subgroup of women with N gonorrhoeae, there was a substantial reduction in the primary outcome. FUNDING UK Department of Health and Social Care; UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; UK Medical Research Council; the Wellcome Trust; the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council; and Swiss National Science Foundation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela A Riddell
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea; The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Lisa M Vallely
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea; The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Alice Mengi
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
| | - Steven G Badman
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicola Low
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Handan Wand
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - John W Bolnga
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea; Modilon General Hospital, Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | - Delly Babona
- St Mary's Hospital Vunapope, Kokopo, Papua New Guinea
| | - Glen D L Mola
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Papua New Guinea, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea
| | - Virginia Wiseman
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia; London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Angela Kelly-Hanku
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea; The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Christopher Morgan
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Jhpiego the Johns Hopkins University affiliate, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research, Harare, Zimbabwe; Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - David M Whiley
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia; Pathology Queensland Central Laboratory, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Leanne J Robinson
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea; Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Lucy Au
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
| | - Irene Pukai-Gani
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
| | - Moses Laman
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
| | - Grace Kariwiga
- Alotau Provincial Hospital, Alotau, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea
| | - Pamela J Toliman
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea; The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Neha Batura
- University College London Institute for Global Health, London, UK
| | - Sepehr N Tabrizi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Centre for Women's Infectious Diseases Research, The Royal Women's Hospital Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Stephen J Rogerson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Suzanne M Garland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Centre for Women's Infectious Diseases Research, The Royal Women's Hospital Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Rebecca J Guy
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | | | - William S Pomat
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea; The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - John M Kaldor
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew J B Vallely
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea; The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia.
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Samia P, Naanyu V, Helen Cross J, Idro R, Boon P, Wilmshurst J, Luchters S. Ketogenic dietary therapy utilization in Kenya: A qualitative exploration of dietitian's perceptions. Epilepsy Behav Rep 2024; 26:100661. [PMID: 38560597 PMCID: PMC10978472 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebr.2024.100661] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
This study utilized a qualitative design to explore dietitians' perceptions regarding Ketogenic Diet Therapy (KDT) for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy in Kenya. Dietitians from Kenya were selected and consented. Audio-recorded interviews were conducted, followed by thematic analysis of verbatim transcripts to identify recurring patterns. The study enrolled 18 dietitians, fourteen of whom correctly described their understanding of KDT for managing drug-resistant epilepsy. There was a lack of confidence in their capacity to initiate the KDT with all expressing the need for further training and facilitation. Only one dietitian reported having initiated and maintained KDT. There was an overall positive view regarding KDT and willingness to implement KDT for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. Dietitians expressed concerns regarding the availability of national policies, inadequate staffing to support families who require KDT, and the cost of implementing this intervention. Dietitians expressed interest in virtual training to enhance their understanding of KDT. Dietitians in Kenya are mostly aware of KDT utilization for the management of drug-resistant epilepsy. However, they cited poor capability and various barriers to implementation. There is a need for policies to facilitate KDT as a treatment option for the benefit of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Samia
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Medical College, Aga Khan University, 3rd Parklands Avenue, University Centre, Nairobi, Kenya
- Brain and Mind Institute, Aga Khan University, 3rd Parklands Avenue, University Centre, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 25, Gent, Ost-Flandern, Belgium
| | - Violet Naanyu
- School of Arts & Social Sciences, Moi University, Main Campus, Eldoret, Kenya
- AMPATH Research, AMPATH Centre, Nandi Road, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - J Helen Cross
- UCL BRC NIHR Great Ormond Street, Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Idro
- Makerere University, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University Road, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Paul Boon
- Department of Neurology, Ghent University, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 25, Gent, Ost-Flandern, Belgium
| | - Jo Wilmshurst
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Klipfontein Road, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Cape Town, Woolsack Drive, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 25, Gent, Ost-Flandern, Belgium
- The Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), 4 Bath Road, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Maimela G, Martin CE, Chersich M, Bello B, Mauti J, Bäernighausen T, Kohler S, Almuedo-Riera A, Luchters S, Sawry S. Household transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in a rural area in South Africa. S Afr Med J 2024; 114:e1159. [PMID: 38525583 DOI: 10.7196/samj.2024.v114i2.1159] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patterns of SARS-CoV-2 spread have varied by geolocation, with differences in seroprevalence between urban and rural areas, and between waves. Household spread of SARS-CoV-2 is a known source of new COVID-19 infections, with rural areas in sub-Saharan Africa being more prone than urban areas to COVID-19 transmission because of limited access to water in some areas, delayed health- seeking behaviour and poor access to care. OBJECTIVES To explore SARS-CoV-2 infection incidence and transmission in rural households in South Africa (SA). METHODS We conducted a prospective household cluster investigation between 13 April and 21 July 2021 in the Matjhabeng subdistrict, a rural area in Free State Province, SA. Adults with SARS-CoV-2 confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests (index cases, ICs) and their household contacts (HCs) were enrolled. Household visits conducted at enrolment and on days 7, 14 and 28 included interviewer- administered questionnaires and respiratory and blood sample collection for SARS-CoV-2 PCR and SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G serological testing, respectively. Co-primary cases were HCs with a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test at enrolment. The incidence rate (IR), using the Poisson distribution, was HCs with a new positive PCR and/or serological test per 1 000 person-days. Associations between outcomes and HC characteristics were adjusted for intra-cluster correlation using robust standard errors. The secondary infection rate (SIR) was the proportion of new COVID-19 infections among susceptible HCs. RESULTS Among 23 ICs and 83 HCs enrolled, 10 SARS-CoV-2 incident cases were identified, giving an IR of 5.8 per 1 000 person-days (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.14 - 11.95). Households with a co-primary case had higher IRs than households without a co-primary case (crude IR 14.16 v. 1.75, respectively; p=0.054). HIV infection, obesity and the presence of chronic conditions did not materially alter the crude IR. The SIR was 15.9% (95% CI 7.90 - 29.32). Households with a lower household density (fewer household members per bedroom) had a higher IR (IR 9.58; 95% CI 4.67 - 21.71) than households with a higher density (IR 3.06; 95% CI 1.00 - 12.35). CONCLUSION We found a high SARS-CoV-2 infection rate among HCs in a rural setting, with 48% of households having a co-primary case at the time of enrolment. Households with co-primary cases were associated with a higher seroprevalence and incidence of SARS-CoV-2. Sociodemographic and health characteristics were not associated with SARS-CoV-2 transmission in this study, and we did not identify any transmission risks inherent to a rural setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Maimela
- Wits RHI, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - C E Martin
- Wits RHI, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - M Chersich
- Wits RHI, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - B Bello
- Centre for Statistical Analysis and Research, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - J Mauti
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Heidelberg University, Germany.
| | - T Bäernighausen
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Heidelberg University, Germany.
| | - S Kohler
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Heidelberg University, Germany.
| | | | - S Luchters
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research, Harare, Zimbabwe; Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK.
| | - S Sawry
- Wits RHI, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
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Lakhoo DP, Chersich MF, Jack C, Maimela G, Cissé G, Solarin I, Ebi KL, Chande KS, Dumbura C, Makanga PT, van Aardenne L, Joubert BR, McAllister KA, Ilias M, Makhanya S, Luchters S. Protocol of an individual participant data meta-analysis to quantify the impact of high ambient temperatures on maternal and child health in Africa (HE 2AT IPD). BMJ Open 2024; 14:e077768. [PMID: 38262654 PMCID: PMC10824032 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-077768] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Globally, recognition is growing of the harmful impacts of high ambient temperatures (heat) on health in pregnant women and children. There remain, however, major evidence gaps on the extent to which heat increases the risks for adverse health outcomes, and how this varies between settings. Evidence gaps are especially large in Africa. We will conduct an individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis to quantify the impacts of heat on maternal and child health in sub-Saharan Africa. A detailed understanding and quantification of linkages between heat, and maternal and child health is essential for developing solutions to this critical research and policy area. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We will use IPD from existing, large, longitudinal trial and cohort studies, on pregnant women and children from sub-Saharan Africa. We will systematically identify eligible studies through a mapping review, searching data repositories, and suggestions from experts. IPD will be acquired from data repositories, or through collaboration with data providers. Existing satellite imagery, climate reanalysis data, and station-based weather observations will be used to quantify weather and environmental exposures. IPD will be recoded and harmonised before being linked with climate, environmental, and socioeconomic data by location and time. Adopting a one-stage and two-stage meta-analysis method, analytical models such as time-to-event analysis, generalised additive models, and machine learning approaches will be employed to quantify associations between exposure to heat and adverse maternal and child health outcomes. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study has been approved by ethics committees. There is minimal risk to study participants. Participant privacy is protected through the anonymisation of data for analysis, secure data transfer and restricted access. Findings will be disseminated through conferences, journal publications, related policy and research fora, and data may be shared in accordance with data sharing policies of the National Institutes of Health. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42022346068.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darshnika Pemi Lakhoo
- Wits RHI, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Chris Jack
- Climate System Analysis Group, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Gloria Maimela
- Wits RHI, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Guéladio Cissé
- University Peleforo Gon Coulibaly, Korhogo, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Ijeoma Solarin
- Wits RHI, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Kshama S Chande
- Wits RHI, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Cherlynn Dumbura
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Prestige Tatenda Makanga
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Place Alert Labs, Department of Surveying and Geomatics, Faculty of the Built Environment, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe
| | - Lisa van Aardenne
- Climate System Analysis Group, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Bonnie R Joubert
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kimberly A McAllister
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Maliha Ilias
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Stanley Luchters
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent Unviersity, Ghent, Belgium
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Lusambili A, Kovats S, Nakstad B, Filippi V, Khaemba P, Roos N, Part C, Luchters S, Chersich M, Hess J, Kadio K, Scorgie F. Too hot to thrive: a qualitative inquiry of community perspectives on the effect of high ambient temperature on postpartum women and neonates in Kilifi, Kenya. BMC Pediatr 2024; 24:36. [PMID: 38216969 PMCID: PMC10787431 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-023-04517-w] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To understand community perspectives on the effects of high ambient temperature on the health and wellbeing of neonates, and impacts on post-partum women and infant care in Kilifi. DESIGN Qualitative study using key informant interviews, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with pregnant and postpartum women (n = 22), mothers-in-law (n = 19), male spouses (n = 20), community health volunteers (CHVs) (n = 22) and stakeholders from health and government ministries (n = 16). SETTINGS We conducted our research in Kilifi County in Kenya's Coast Province. The area is largely rural and during summer, air temperatures can reach 37˚C and rarely go below 23˚C. DATA ANALYSIS Data were analyzed in NVivo 12, using both inductive and deductive approaches. RESULTS High ambient temperature is perceived by community members to have direct and indirect health pathways in pregnancy and postpartum periods, including on the neonates. The direct impacts include injuries on the neonate's skin and in the mouth, leading to discomfort and affecting breastfeeding and sleeping. Participants described babies as "having no peace". Heat effects were perceived to be amplified by indoor air pollution and heat from indoor cooking fires. Community members believed that exclusive breastfeeding was not practical in conditions of extreme heat because it lowered breast milk production, which was, in turn, linked to a low scarcity of food and time spend by mothers away from their neonates performing household chores. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) was also negatively affected. Participants reported that postpartum women took longer to heal in the heat, were exhausted most of the time and tended not to attend postnatal care. CONCLUSIONS High ambient temperatures affect postpartum women and their neonates through direct and indirect pathways. Discomfort makes it difficult for the mother to care for the baby. Multi-sectoral policies and programs are required to mitigate the negative impacts of high ambient temperatures on maternal and neonatal health in rural Kilifi and similar settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adelaide Lusambili
- Environmental Health and Governance Center, Leadership and Governance Hub, School of Business, Africa International University, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Sari Kovats
- Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Britt Nakstad
- Division of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Veronique Filippi
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Peter Khaemba
- Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Nathalie Roos
- Department of Medicine, Clinical Epidemiology Division, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cherie Part
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Liverpool, UK
| | - Matthew Chersich
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jeremy Hess
- Emergency Medicine, Env & Occ Health Sciences, and Global Health, University of Washington, Washington, USA
| | - Kadidiatou Kadio
- Institute de Recherche en Siences de la Santé, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Fiona Scorgie
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Chersich MF, Brink N, Craig MH, Maimela G, Scorgie F, Luchters S. A WHO-led global strategy to control greenhouse gas emissions: a call for action. Global Health 2024; 20:4. [PMID: 38167050 PMCID: PMC10759590 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-023-01008-6] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Climate change, driven by anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, is among the greatest threats to human health. The World Health Organisation (WHO), has led global efforts to respond to emerging public health threats including the control of hazardous substances such as tobacco, alcohol, lead and asbestos, with remarkable health gains. BODY: Despite WHO's clear messaging on the enormous and growing health risks of climate change, greenhouse gases are not yet classified as hazardous substances, requiring control through a global strategy or framework. Additionally, WHO has not classified disease attributable to climate change as a result of the promulgation of these hazards as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), despite the serious and preventable health risks it poses globally. Several historical precedents set the stage for WHO to declare excess greenhouse gases as health hazards, including the control of ozone-depleting substances and breast-milk substitutes where the public benefit of control exceeded the potential benefit of their promulgation. In addition, WHO's undertaking within the International Health Regulations to protect global health, providing imperative to declare climate change a PHEIC, with Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of WHO, declaring: "The climate crisis is a health crisis, fuelling outbreaks, contributing to higher rates of noncommunicable diseases, and threatening to overwhelm our health workforce and health infrastructure". Importantly, the health sector, perhaps more than other sectors, has successfully overcome formidable, vested interests in combatting these threats to health. CONCLUSION It is thus imperative that WHO make full use of their credibility and influence to establish a global framework for the control of greenhouse gases through the declaration of excess greenhouse gas emissions as a hazardous substance, and declaring climate change a PHEIC. Who else is better placed to drive the considerable societal transformation needed to secure a liveable future?
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew F Chersich
- Wits RHI, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Nicholas Brink
- Wits RHI, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Marlies H Craig
- Wits RHI, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Gloria Maimela
- Wits RHI, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Fiona Scorgie
- Wits RHI, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare, Zimbabwe
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Migowa A, Bernatsky S, Ngugi AK, Foster HE, Muriuki P, Riang'a RM, Luchters S. Bridging gaps: a qualitative inquiry on improving paediatric rheumatology care among healthcare workers in Kenya. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J 2023; 21:144. [PMID: 38093255 PMCID: PMC10717234 DOI: 10.1186/s12969-023-00935-3] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to the paucity of paediatric rheumatologists in Kenya, it is paramount that we explore strategies to bridge clinical care gaps for paediatric rheumatology patients in order to promote early diagnosis, prompt referral, and optimal management. PURPOSE To identify proposed interventions which can improve the ability of non-specialist healthcare workers to care for paediatric rheumatology patients across Kenya. METHODS We conducted 12 focus group discussions with clinical officers (community physician assistants), nurses, general practitioners and paediatricians across six regions in Kenya. Interviews were conducted, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using MAXQDA 2022.2 software. RESULTS A total of 68 individuals participated in the study; 11 clinical officers, 12 nurses, 10 general practitioners, 27 paediatricians and eight other healthcare workers. Proposed patient interventions included patient education and psychosocial support. Community interventions were outreach awareness campaigns, mobilising financial support for patients' care, mobilising patients to access diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Healthcare worker interventions include diagnostic, management, and referral guidelines, as well as research and educational interventions related to symptom identification, therapeutic strategies, and effective patient communication skills. In addition, it was highlighted that healthcare systems should be bolstered to improve insurance coverage and access to integrated multi-disciplinary clinical care. CONCLUSIONS Study participants were able to identify potential initiatives to improve paediatric rheumatology care in Kenya. Additional efforts are underway to design, implement and monitor the impact of some of these potential interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Migowa
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Medical College East Africa, Nairobi, Kenya.
- International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Sasha Bernatsky
- Department of Medicine (Divisions of Rheumatology and Clinical Epidemiology), McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), Montréal, Canada
| | - Anthony K Ngugi
- Department of Population Health, Aga Khan University East Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
- Brain and Mind Institute, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
- Centre for Global Health Equity, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Helen E Foster
- Population and Health Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Peterrock Muriuki
- African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Roselyter M Riang'a
- Department of Population Health, Aga Khan University East Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Stanley Luchters
- International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare, Zimbabwe
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Liverpool, UK
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Al-Aghbari AA, Naanyu V, Luchters S, Irungu E, Baalawy K, Bärnighausen T, Mauti J. Reducing Barriers to COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake: Community Ideas from Urban and Rural Kenya. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:7093. [PMID: 38063523 PMCID: PMC10705992 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20237093] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Following the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines, addressing vaccine hesitancy and optimizing uptake have emerged as critical challenges, emphasizing the importance of reducing barriers toward COVID-19 vaccination. This study investigates ideas on ways to reduce barriers to COVID-19 vaccination uptake. It explores methods that can overcome COVID-19 vaccination barriers through qualitative research: interviews and group discussions involving healthcare providers, administration personnel, teachers, and individuals with chronic conditions across urban (Mombasa) and rural (Kilifi) Kenya. Audio-recorded discussions were transcribed and thematically analyzed across locations. Five themes emerged in our results regarding the reduction in barriers to COVID-19 vaccination in the context of Kenya, including awareness campaigns, engaging diverse stakeholders, using various communication techniques, capacity building to increase vaccination centers and trained staff, and lastly, revising relevant government health policies and guidelines. These results indicate the importance of adopting multiple approaches, as no single strategy can boost vaccine acceptance. Moreover, this study provides recommendations for conceiving actionable interventions to potentially boost vaccine demand and maintain routine immunization in Kenya.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Asa’ad Al-Aghbari
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (T.B.); (J.M.)
| | - Violet Naanyu
- School of Arts and Social Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya;
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare 0002, Zimbabwe;
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Eunice Irungu
- The Aga Khan Hospital Mombasa, Mumbasa, Kenya; (E.I.); (K.B.)
| | - Kawthar Baalawy
- The Aga Khan Hospital Mombasa, Mumbasa, Kenya; (E.I.); (K.B.)
| | - Till Bärnighausen
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (T.B.); (J.M.)
| | - Joy Mauti
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (T.B.); (J.M.)
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Scorgie F, Lusambili A, Luchters S, Khaemba P, Filippi V, Nakstad B, Hess J, Birch C, Kovats S, Chersich MF. "Mothers get really exhausted!" The lived experience of pregnancy in extreme heat: Qualitative findings from Kilifi, Kenya. Soc Sci Med 2023; 335:116223. [PMID: 37725839 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Heat exposure in pregnancy is associated with a range of adverse health and wellbeing outcomes, yet research on the lived experience of pregnancy in high temperatures is lacking. We conducted qualitative research in 2021 in two communities in rural Kilifi County, Kenya, a tropical savannah area currently experiencing severe drought. Pregnant and postpartum women, their male spouses and mothers-in-law, community health volunteers, and local health and environment stakeholders were interviewed or participated in focus group discussions. Pregnant women described symptoms that are classically regarded as heat exhaustion, including dizziness, fatigue, dehydration, insomnia, and irritability. They interpreted heat-related tachycardia as signalling hypertension and reported observing more miscarriages and preterm births in the heat. Pregnancy is conceptualised locally as a 'normal' state of being, and women continue to perform physically demanding household chores in the heat, even when pregnant. Women reported little support from family members to reduce their workload at this time, reflecting their relative lack of autonomy within the household, but also potentially the 'normalisation' of heat in these communities. Climate change risk reduction strategies for pregnant women in low-resource settings need to be cognisant of local household gender dynamics that constrain women's capacity to avoid heat exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Scorgie
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - A Lusambili
- Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya; Environmental Center, Leadership and Governance HUB, School of Business, Africa International University, Kenya
| | - S Luchters
- Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya; Centre for Sexual Health and HIV AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare, Zimbabwe; Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Liverpool, UK
| | - P Khaemba
- Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - V Filippi
- The Centre for Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive, & Child Health (MARCH), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - B Nakstad
- Division of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Health, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - J Hess
- Emergency Medicine, Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, and Global Health, University of Washington, USA
| | - C Birch
- School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, UK
| | - S Kovats
- Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - M F Chersich
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Kawishe JE, Ngugi A, Luchters S, Foster H, Migowa A. Screening utility and acceptability of the Kiswahili-pGALS (paediatric Gait, Arms, Legs, Spine) at a tertiary referral hospital in Kenya-A diagnostic accuracy study. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J 2023; 21:103. [PMID: 37723485 PMCID: PMC10506249 DOI: 10.1186/s12969-023-00882-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Paediatric rheumatic diseases cause considerable disease burden to children and their families (Moorthy LN, Peterson MGE, Hassett AL, et al, Pediatric Rheumatology 8:20, 2010). Delayed diagnosis is a significant determinant of severity and mortality attributed to these conditions (Foster HE, Eltringham MS, Kay LJ, et al, Arthritis Care Res 57(6):921-7, 2007). pGALS is a simple clinical tool used to assess joints and identify musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions in school-going children to enable early referral to paediatric rheumatologists. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to translate and determine the diagnostic accuracy and acceptability of a Kiswahili version of the pGALS screening tool among Kiswahili-speaking children. METHODS The pGALS screening questions were translated into Kiswahili according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) standard for translation of a tool. The validity of the Kiswahili PGALS was ascertained and acceptability rated (time taken, discomfort). Using systematic random sampling, we enrolled children aged 5-16 years presenting at the Aga Khan University Hospital's (AKUH) emergency department in Kenya, who spoke Kiswahili and had symptoms suggestive of an MSK condition. Those already under follow-up at the paediatric rheumatology service at AKUH were excluded. MSK assessment was undertaken by two resident doctors using the newly translated Kiswahili-pGALS and findings were compared with a paediatric rheumatologist examination ('gold-standard') on the same day, and who was blinded to the pGALS findings. We analysed demographic details of the participants and determined the diagnostic accuracy by cross tabulation of the index test results by the results of the reference standard. RESULTS One hundred children with a median age of nine years (IQR 7-11) were enrolled. The sensitivity and specificity of the Kiswahili-pGALS screening tool were 76.8% (95%CI 63.6-87.0%) and 40.0% (95%CI 23.9-57.9%), respectively. The diagnostic accuracy was 62.7% (95%CI 52.1-72.1%), area under the ROC was 0.58 (95%CI 0.48-0.68). The median time to perform the Kiswahili-pGALS was 5.0 min (IQR 3.5-6.0 min). Ninety percent of the guardians found the practice of Kiswahili-pGALS to have none, or only some discomfort. CONCLUSIONS The Kiswahili-pGALS's was found to be a useful screening tool to aid early identification of MSK conditions in Kiswahili-speaking settings. However, the low specificity implies that relatively large number of false positives would still need to be reviewed by a rheumatologist if the tool is adapted for use.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anthony Ngugi
- Department of Population Health, The Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM, Liverpool, UK
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Angela Migowa
- Department of Paediatrics, The Aga Khan University Medical College East Africa, 30270-00100 3rd Parklands Avenue Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.
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Baek Y, Ademi Z, Tran T, Owen A, Nguyen T, Luchters S, Hipgrave DB, Hanieh S, Tran T, Tran H, Biggs BA, Fisher J. Considering equity and cost-effectiveness in assessing a parenting intervention to promote early childhood development in rural Vietnam. Health Policy Plan 2023; 38:916-925. [PMID: 37552643 PMCID: PMC10506530 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czad057] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Considering equity in early childhood development (ECD) is important to ensure healthy development for every child. Equity-informative cost-effectiveness analysis can further guide decision makers to maximize outcomes with limited resources while promoting equity. This cost-effectiveness study aimed to examine the equity impacts of a multicomponent ECD intervention in rural Vietnam. We estimated the cost-effectiveness of the intervention with a 30-month time horizon from the service provider and household perspectives with equity considerations. Data were from a cluster-randomized controlled trial comparing the intervention with the local standard of care. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) per child cognitive development score gained were estimated by household wealth quintile and maternal education level, adjusted for cluster effects and baseline characteristics such as maternal parity and age. A 3% discount rate was applied to costs, and non-parametric cluster bootstrapping was used to examine uncertainty around ICERs. Children in the intervention had higher cognitive development scores than those in the control arm across all subgroups. Based on intervention recurrent cost, the ICER per cognitive development score gained was lower in children from the poorest quintile (-US$6) compared to those from the richest quintile (US$16). Similarly, the ICER per cognitive development score gained was lower in children whose mothers had the lowest education level (-US$0.02) than those with mothers who had the highest education level (US$7). Even though our findings should be interpreted with caution due to the insufficient study power, the findings suggest that the intervention could promote equity while improving child cognitive development with greater cost-effectiveness in disadvantaged groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeji Baek
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia
| | - Zanfina Ademi
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia
- Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Thach Tran
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia
| | - Alice Owen
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia
| | - Trang Nguyen
- Research and Training Centre for Community Development (RTCCD), No. 6, Alley 46, Tran Kim Xuyen Street, Trung Hoa, Cau Giay District, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), 4 Bath Road, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - David B Hipgrave
- UNICEF Iraq, Karadat Maryam District, Haifa Street, Baghdad 10011, Iraq
| | - Sarah Hanieh
- The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, 792 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne 3000, Australia
| | - Tuan Tran
- Research and Training Centre for Community Development (RTCCD), No. 6, Alley 46, Tran Kim Xuyen Street, Trung Hoa, Cau Giay District, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
| | - Ha Tran
- Research and Training Centre for Community Development (RTCCD), No. 6, Alley 46, Tran Kim Xuyen Street, Trung Hoa, Cau Giay District, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
| | - Beverley-Ann Biggs
- The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, 792 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne 3000, Australia
| | - Jane Fisher
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia
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Lusambili A, Khaemba P, Agoi F, Oguna M, Nakstad B, Scorgie F, Filippi V, Hess J, Roos N, Chersich M, Kovats S, Luchters S. Process and outputs from a community codesign workshop on reducing impact of heat exposure on pregnant and postpartum women and newborns in Kilifi, Kenya. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1146048. [PMID: 37719738 PMCID: PMC10501312 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1146048] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ambient heat exposure is increasing due to climate change and is known to affect the health of pregnant and postpartum women, and their newborns. Evidence for the effectiveness of interventions to prevent heat health outcomes in east Africa is limited. Codesigning and integrating local-indigenous and conventional knowledge is essential to develop effective adaptation to climate change. Methods Following qualitative research on heat impacts in a community in Kilifi, Kenya, we conducted a two-day codesign workshop to inform a set of interventions to reduce the impact of heat exposure on maternal and neonatal health. Participants were drawn from a diverse group of purposively selected influencers, implementers, policy makers, service providers and community members. The key domains of focus for the discussion were: behavioral practices, health facilities and health system factors, home environment, water scarcity, and education and awareness. Following the discussions and group reflections, data was transcribed, coded and emerging intervention priorities ranked based on the likelihood of success, cost effectiveness, implementation feasibility, and sustainability. Results Twenty one participants participated in the codesign discussions. Accessibility to water supplies, social behavior-change campaigns, and education were ranked as the top three most sustainable and effective interventions with the highest likelihood of success. Prior planning and contextualizing local set-up, cross-cultural and religious practices and budget considerations are important in increasing the chances of a successful outcome in codesign. Conclusion Codesign of interventions on heat exposure with diverse groups of participants is feasible to identify and prioritize adaptation interventions. The codesign workshop was used as an opportunity to build capacity among facilitators and participants as well as to explore interventions to address the impact of heat exposure on pregnant and postpartum women, and newborns. We successfully used the codesign model in co-creating contextualized socio-culturally acceptable interventions to reduce the risk of heat on maternal and neonatal health in the context of climate change. Our interventions can be replicated in other similar areas of Africa and serve as a model for co-designing heat-health adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adelaide Lusambili
- Environmental Health and Governance Center, Leadership and Governance HUB - School of Business, Africa International University, Nairobi, Kenya
- Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Peter Khaemba
- Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Felix Agoi
- Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Martha Oguna
- Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
- Emergency Medicine, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Britt Nakstad
- Division of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Health, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Fiona Scorgie
- Wits Reproductive Health Institute (WRHI), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Veronique Filippi
- MARCH, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jeremy Hess
- Emergency Medicine, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Nathalie Roos
- Department of Medicine, Clinical Epidemiology Division, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mathew Chersich
- Wits Reproductive Health Institute (WRHI), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Sari Kovats
- MARCH, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
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Orwa J, Temmerman M, Nyaga L, Mulama K, Luchters S. Health facilities preparedness to deliver maternal and newborn health care in Kilifi and Kisii Counties, Kenya. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:868. [PMID: 37587472 PMCID: PMC10428521 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09884-9] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Health facility preparedness is essential for delivering quality maternal and newborn care, minimizing morbidity and mortality by addressing delays in seeking skilled care, reaching appropriate facilities, and receiving emergency care. A rapid assessment of 23 government health facilities in Kilifi and Kisii counties identified poor maternal and newborn indicators in 16 facilities. The Access to Quality Care through Extending and Strengthening Health Systems (AQCESS) project supported these facilities with training, equipment, and referral linkages. This study focuses on facility preparedness of the 16 facilities to deliver maternal and newborn health services, specifically delays two and three at the end of the project implementation. METHODS A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried-out on behalf of AQCESS project team by respective county ministry of health in-charge of reproductive maternal newborn and child health programs and trained nurses and medical doctors from Aga Khan health services in December 2019. The study evaluated the accessibility and reliability of drugs, commodities, equipment, personnel, basic necessities (such as water and electricity), and guidelines using validated World Health Organization service availability and readiness assessment tool. The findings of the assessment are presented through frequency and percentage analysis, along with a comparative analysis between the two counties. RESULTS All the 16 facilities assessed offered routine antenatal care (ANC) and normal delivery, but only two provided comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care (CEmONC). Most essential medicines, commodities, and required equipment were available. BEmONC and CEmONC guidelines were present in Kilifi, not in Kisii. One staff member was available 24/7 for cesarean section (CS) in each county, with one anesthetist in Kilifi. Electricity was accessible in all facilities, but only half had secondary power supply. Facilities offering CS had backup generators. CONCLUSION The Facilities assessed had necessary drugs, commodities, equipment, and requirements, but staffing and guidelines were limited. Kilifi outperformed Kisii in most indicators. Additional support is needed for infrastructure and human resources to deliver quality maternal and newborn health services. Continuous monitoring will facilitate resource allocation based on facility needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Orwa
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Aga Khan University Kenya, P.O. Box 30270, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya.
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Marleen Temmerman
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Centre of Excellence for Women and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lucy Nyaga
- Aga Khan Health Services, Mombasa, Kenya
| | | | - Stanley Luchters
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare, Zimbabwe
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Liverpool, UK
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Baek Y, Ademi Z, Tran T, Owen A, Nguyen T, Luchters S, Hipgrave DB, Hanieh S, Tran T, Tran H, Biggs BA, Fisher J. Promoting early childhood development in Viet Nam: cost-effectiveness analysis alongside a cluster-randomised trial. Lancet Glob Health 2023; 11:e1269-e1276. [PMID: 37474233 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(23)00271-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Economic evaluations are critical to ensure effective resource use to implement and scale up child development interventions. This study aimed to estimate the cost-effectiveness of a multicomponent early childhood development intervention in rural Viet Nam. METHODS We did a cost-effectiveness study alongside a cluster-randomised trial with a 30-month time horizon. The study included 669 mothers from 42 communes in the intervention group, and 576 mothers from 42 communes in the control group. Mothers in the intervention group attended Learning Clubs sessions from mid-pregnancy to 12 months after delivery. The primary outcomes were child cognitive, language, motor, and social-emotional development at age 2 years. In this analysis, we estimated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) of the intervention compared with the usual standard of care from the service provider and household perspectives. We used non-parametric bootstrapping to examine uncertainty, and applied a 3% discount rate. FINDINGS The total intervention cost was US$169 898 (start-up cost $133 692 and recurrent cost $36 206). The recurrent cost per child was $58 (1 341 741 Vietnamese dong). Considering the recurrent cost alone, the base-case ICER was $14 and mean ICER of 1000 bootstrap samples was $14 (95% CI -0·48 to 30) per cognitive development score gained with a 3% discount rate to costs. The ICER per language and motor development score gained was $22 and $20, respectively, with a 3% discount rate to costs. INTERPRETATION The intervention was cost-effective: the ICER per child cognitive development score gained was 0·5% of Viet Nam's gross domestic product per capita, alongside other benefits in language and motor development. This finding supports the scaling up of this intervention in similar socioeconomic settings. FUNDING Australian National Health and Medical Research Council and Grand Challenges Canada. TRANSLATION For the Vietnamese translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeji Baek
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Zanfina Ademi
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Thach Tran
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Alice Owen
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Trang Nguyen
- Research and Training Centre for Community Development, Hanoi, Viet Nam
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV AIDS Research, Harare, Zimbabwe; Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK; Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - David B Hipgrave
- UNICEF, Baghdad, Iraq; Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Sarah Hanieh
- Department of Medicine and Victorian Infectious Diseases Service at the Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Tuan Tran
- Research and Training Centre for Community Development, Hanoi, Viet Nam
| | - Ha Tran
- Research and Training Centre for Community Development, Hanoi, Viet Nam
| | - Beverley-Ann Biggs
- Department of Medicine and Victorian Infectious Diseases Service at the Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jane Fisher
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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Wanjala SW, Nyongesa MK, Mapenzi R, Luchters S, Abubakar A. A qualitative inquiry of experiences of HIV-related stigma and its effects among people living with HIV on treatment in rural Kilifi, Kenya. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1188446. [PMID: 37427260 PMCID: PMC10324964 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1188446] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The pervasiveness of HIV-related stigma and discrimination, and its consequences on HIV prevention and treatment, have been well documented. However, little is known about the lived experiences of HIV-related stigma and its effects among the general adult population living with HIV in rural African settings. This study set out to explore this knowledge gap. Methods From April to June 2018, we conducted in-depth interviews with a convenience sample of 40 adults living with HIV aged 18-58 years in Kilifi, Kenya. A semi-structured interview guide was used to explore experiences of HIV-related stigma and its impact on these adults. A framework approach was used to analyze the data using NVIVO 11 software. Results Participants reported experiences of HIV-related stigma in its various forms (anticipated, perceived, internalised, and enacted), as well as its effects on HIV treatment and social and personal spheres. The internalisation of stigma caused by enacted stigma impacted care-seeking behavior resulting in worse overall health. Anxiety and depression characterized by suicidal ideation were the results of internalised stigma. Anticipated stigma prompted HIV medication concealment, care-seeking in remote healthcare facilities, and care avoidance. Fewer social interactions and marital conflicts resulted from perceived stigma. Overall, HIV-related stigma resulted in partial and non-disclosure of HIV seropositivity and medication non-adherence. At a personal level, mental health issues and diminished sexual or marital prospects (for the unmarried) were reported. Conclusion Despite high awareness of HIV and AIDS among the general population in Kenya, adults living with HIV in rural Kilifi still experience different forms of HIV-related stigma (including self-stigma) that result in a raft of social, personal, and HIV-treatment-related consequences. Our findings underscore the urgent need to reevaluate and adopt more effective strategies for implementing HIV-related anti-stigma programs at the community level. Addressing individual-level stigma will require the design of targeted interventions. To improve the lives of adults living with HIV in Kilifi, the effects of HIV-related stigma, particularly on HIV treatment, must be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanley W. Wanjala
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Social Sciences, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Moses K. Nyongesa
- Neuroassessment Group, KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kilifi, Kenya
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Rachael Mapenzi
- Neuroassessment Group, KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare, Zimbabwe
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Amina Abubakar
- Neuroassessment Group, KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kilifi, Kenya
- Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Public Health, School of Human and Health Sciences, Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Pham MD, Sawyer SM, Agius PA, Kennedy EC, Ansariadi A, Kaligis F, Wiguna T, Wulan NR, Devaera Y, Medise BE, Riyanti A, Wiweko B, Cini KI, Tran T, Fisher J, Luchters S, Azzopardi PS. Foregone health care in adolescents from school and community settings in Indonesia: a cross-sectional study. Lancet Reg Health Southeast Asia 2023; 13:100187. [PMID: 37383556 PMCID: PMC10305962 DOI: 10.1016/j.lansea.2023.100187] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Background Adolescence is a development period marked by the onset of a new set of health needs. The present study sought to quantify the prevalence of foregone care (not seeking medical care when needed) and identify which adolescents are at greater risk of having unmet healthcare needs. Methods A multi-stage random sampling strategy was used to recruit school participants (grade 10-12) in two provinces in Indonesia. Respondent driven sampling was used to recruit out-of-school adolescents in the community. All participants completed a self-reported questionnaire which measured healthcare seeking behaviours, psychosocial wellbeing, use of healthcare services, and perceived barriers to accessing healthcare. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to examine factors associated with foregone care. Findings A total of 2161 adolescents participated in the present study and nearly one in four adolescents reported foregone care in the past year. Experiences of poly-victimisation and seeking care for mental health needs increased the risk of foregone care. In-school adolescents who reported psychological distress [adjusted risk ratio (aRR) = 1.88, 95%CI = 1.48-2.38] or had high body mass index (aRR = 1.25, 95%CI = 1.00-1.57) were at greater risk of foregone care. The leading reason for foregone care was lack of knowledge of available services. In-school adolescents predominantly reported non-access barriers to care (e.g., perception of the health concern or anxiety about accessing care) whereas most out-of-school adolescents reported access barriers (e.g., did not know where to get care or could not pay). Interpretation Foregone care is common among Indonesian adolescents, especially in adolescents with mental and physical health risks. Differences between in-school and out-of-school adolescents suggest that interventions to promote appropriate healthcare use will need tailoring. Further research is needed to determine causal relationships around barriers in access to healthcare. Funding Australia-Indonesia Centre.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minh D. Pham
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Susan M. Sawyer
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Paul A. Agius
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Elissa C. Kennedy
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ansariadi Ansariadi
- Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health Studies, Faculty of Public Health, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
| | - Fransiska Kaligis
- Department of Psychiatry, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Tjhin Wiguna
- Department of Psychiatry, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | | | - Yoga Devaera
- Department of Child Health, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Bernie E. Medise
- Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Department of Child Health, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Aida Riyanti
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Budi Wiweko
- Research and Social Services, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Karly I. Cini
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Thach Tran
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jane Fisher
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Liverpool, UK
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV & AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare, Zimbabwe
- International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Peter S. Azzopardi
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia
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Guni JN, Wanjala SW, Manguro G, Gichuki C, Lim MS, Pham MD, Luchters S, Orwa J. Using social practice theory in measuring perceived stigma among female sex workers in Mombasa, Kenya. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:972. [PMID: 37237349 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15809-2] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perceived stigma is a complex societal phenomenon that is harboured especially by female sex workers because of the interplay of a myriad of factors. As such, a precise measure of the contribution of different social practices and characteristics is necessary for both understanding and intervening in matters related to perceived stigma. We developed a Perceived Stigma Index that measures the factors that greatly contribute to the stigma among sex workers in Kenya, and thereby inform a framework for future interventions. METHODS Social Practice Theory was adopted in the development of the Perceived Stigma Index in which three social domains were extracted from data collected in the WHISPER or SHOUT study conducted among female sex workers (FSW), aged 16-35 years in Mombasa, Kenya. The three domains included: Social demographics, Relationship Control and Sexual and Gender-based Violence, and Society awareness of sexual and reproductive history. The factor assessment entailed Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and the internal consistency of the index was measured using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. RESULTS We developed a perceived stigma index to measure perceived stigma among 882 FSWs with a median age of 26 years. A Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.86 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.85-0.88) was obtained as a measure of the internal consistency of our index using the Social Practice Theory. In regression analysis, we identified three major factors that contribute to the perceived stigma and consists of : (i) income and family support (β = 1.69; 95% CI); (ii) society's awareness of the sex workers' sexual and reproductive history (β = 3.54; 95% CI); and (iii) different forms of relationship control e.g. physical abuse (β = 1.48; 95%CI that propagate the perceived stigma among the FSWs. CONCLUSION Social practice theory has solid properties that support and capture the multi-dimensional nature of perceived stigma. The findings support the fact that social practices contribute or provoke this fear of being discriminated against. Thus, in offering interventions to curb perceived stigma, focus should fall on the education of the society on the importance of acceptance and integration of the FSWs as part of the society and the eradication of sexual and gender based violence meted out on them. TRIAL REGISTRATION The trial was registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12616000852459.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stanley Wechuli Wanjala
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Social Sciences, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya
| | | | - Caroline Gichuki
- Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Megan Sc Lim
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Population Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Melbourne school of global and population health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Minh D Pham
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV AIDS Research, CeSHHAR, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - James Orwa
- Department of Population Health, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
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Fisher J, Tran T, Tran H, Luchters S, Hipgrave DB, Nguyen H, Tran T, Hanieh S, Simpson JA, Biggs BA, Tran T. Structured, multicomponent, community-based programme for women's health and infant health and development in rural Vietnam: a parallel-group cluster randomised controlled trial. Lancet Child Adolesc Health 2023; 7:311-325. [PMID: 37011652 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-4642(23)00032-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interventions to improve early childhood development have previously addressed only one or a few risk factors. Learning Clubs is a structured, facilitated, multicomponent programme designed to address eight potentially modifiable risk factors, and offered from mid-pregnancy to 12 months post partum; we aimed to establish whether this programme could improve the cognitive development of children at 2 years of age. METHODS For this parallel-group cluster-randomised controlled trial, 84 of 116 communes (the clustering unit) in HaNam Province in rural Vietnam were randomly selected and randomly assigned to receive the Learning Clubs intervention (n=42) or usual care (n=42). Women aged at least 18 years who were pregnant (gestational age <20 weeks) were eligible for inclusion. Data sources were standardised, and study-specific questionnaires assessing risks and outcomes were completed in interviews in mid-pregnancy (baseline), late pregnancy (after 32 weeks of gestation), at 6-12 months post partum, and at the end of the study period when children were 2 years of age. Mixed-effects models were used to estimate trial effects, adjusting for clustering. The primary outcome was the cognitive development of children at 2 years of age, assessed by the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development Third Edition (Bayley-III) cognitive score. This trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12617000442303). FINDINGS Between April 28, 2018, and May 30, 2018, 1380 women were screened and 1245 were randomly assigned (669 to the intervention group and 576 to the control group). Data collection was completed on Jan 17, 2021. Data at the end of the study period were contributed by 616 (92%) of 669 women and their children in the intervention group, and by 544 (94%) of 576 women and their children in the control group. Children aged 2 years in the intervention group had significantly higher mean Bayley-III cognitive scores than those in the control group (99·6 [SD 9·7] vs 95·6 [9·4]; mean difference 4·00 [95% CI 2·56-5·43]; p<0·0001). At 2 years of age, 19 (3%) children in the intervention group had Bayley-III scores less than 1 SD, compared with 32 (6%) children in the control group, but this difference was not significant (odds ratio 0·55 [95% CI 0·26-1·17]; p=0·12). There were no significant differences between groups in maternal, fetal, newborn, or child deaths. INTERPRETATION A facilitated, structured, community-based, multicomponent group programme improved early childhood development to the standardised mean in rural Vietnam and could be implemented in other similarly resource-constrained settings. FUNDING Australian National Health and Medical Research Council and Grand Challenges Canada Saving Brains Initiative. TRANSLATION For the Vietnamese translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Fisher
- Women and Global Health Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Thach Tran
- Women and Global Health Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ha Tran
- Research and Training Centre for Community Development (RTCCD), Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare, Zimbabwe; Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK; Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - David B Hipgrave
- UNICEF, New York, NY, USA; Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Hau Nguyen
- Women and Global Health Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Thuy Tran
- Research and Training Centre for Community Development (RTCCD), Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Sarah Hanieh
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Julie Anne Simpson
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Beverley-Ann Biggs
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Medicine and Victorian Infectious Diseases Service at the Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Tuan Tran
- Research and Training Centre for Community Development (RTCCD), Hanoi, Vietnam
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Orwa J, Gatimu SM, Ariho P, Temmerman M, Luchters S. Trends and factors associated with declining lifetime fertility among married women in Kenya between 2003 and 2014: an analysis of Kenya demographic health surveys. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:718. [PMID: 37081486 PMCID: PMC10116796 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15620-z] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, fertility has declined in the last three decades. In sub-Saharan Africa Including Kenya, this decline started more recent and at a slower pace compared to other regions. Despite a significant fertility decline in Kenya, there are disparities in intra- and interregional fertility. Reduction in lifetime fertility has health benefits for both the mother and child, thus it is important to improve women and children health outcomes associated with high fertility. The study, therefore evaluated the factors associate with change in lifetime fertility among married women of reproductive age in Kenya between 2003 and 2014. METHODS The study used the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) datasets of 2003, 2008 and 2014. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to calculate the mean number of children ever born and to assess the change in fertility across different factors. Poisson regression model with robust standard errors was used to study the relationship between number of children ever born (lifetime fertility) and independent variables. A Poisson-based multivariate decomposition for the nonlinear response model was performed to identify and quantify the contribution of demographic, socioeconomic and reproductive correlates, to the change in lifetime fertility between 2003 and 2014. RESULTS The study included 3,917, 4,002, and 7,332 weighted samples of women of reproductive age in 2003, 2008, and 2014, respectively. The mean number of children born declined from 3.8 (95% CI: 3.6-3.9) in 2003 to 3.5 (95% CI: 3.4--3.7) in 2008 and 3.4 (95% CI: 3.3-3.4) in 2014 (p = 0.001). The expected number of children reduced with the age at first sexual intercourse, the age at first marriage across the survey years, and household wealth index. Women who had lost one or more children in the past were likely to have increased number of children. The changes in the effects of women's characteristics between the surveys explained 96.4% of the decline. The main contributors to the change in lifetime fertility was the different in women level of education. CONCLUSION The lifetime fertility declined by one-tenth between 2003 and 2014; majorly as a result of the effects of characteristics of women in terms of level of education. These highlights a need to implement education policies that promotes women education focuses on gender equality and women empowerment. Continuous strengthening of the healthcare systems (access to quality antenatal care, skilled delivery, and postpartum care) to reduce child mortality is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Orwa
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
- Department of Population Health, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya.
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, P.O. Box 30270 - 00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Samwel Maina Gatimu
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Diabetic Foot Foundation of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Paulino Ariho
- Department of Population Studies, School of Statistics and Planning, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Marleen Temmerman
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Centre of Excellence for Women and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare, Zimbabwe
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Liverpool, UK
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Mohamed Y, Htay H, Gare J, Vallely AJB, Kelly-Hanku A, Yee WL, Agius PA, Badman SG, Pham MD, Nightingale C, Chen XS, Kombati Z, Koata A, Munnull G, Silim S, Thein W, Zaw TM, Kyaw LL, Stoové M, Crowe SM, Anderson D, Tin HH, Luchters S. The effect of the Xpert HIV-1 Qual test on early infant diagnosis of HIV in Myanmar and Papua New Guinea: a pragmatic, cluster-randomised, stepped-wedge, open-label trial. Lancet HIV 2023; 10:e220-e229. [PMID: 36871568 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(23)00001-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite proven benefits for child health, coverage of early infant diagnosis of HIV remains suboptimal in many settings. We aimed to assess the effect of a point-of-care early infant diagnosis test on time-to-results communication for infants vertically exposed to HIV. METHODS This pragmatic, cluster-randomised, stepped-wedge, open-label trial assessed the effect of the Xpert HIV-1 Qual early infant diagnosis test (Cepheid) on time-to-results communication, compared with standard care laboratory-based testing of dried blood spots using PCR. Hospitals were the unit of randomisation for one-way crossover from control to intervention phase. Each site had between 1 month and 10 months of control phase before transitioning to the intervention, with a total of 33 hospital-months in the control phase and 45 hospital-months in the intervention phase. We enrolled infants vertically exposed to HIV at six public hospitals: four in Myanmar and two in Papua New Guinea. Infants had to have mothers with confirmed HIV infection, be younger than 28 days, and required HIV testing to be eligible for enrolment. Health-care facilities providing prevention of vertical transmission services were eligible for participation. The primary outcome was communication of early infant diagnosis results to the infant's caregiver by 3 months of age, assessed by intention to treat. This completed trial was registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, 12616000734460. FINDINGS In Myanmar, recruitment took place between Oct 1, 2016, and June 30, 2018; in Papua New Guinea, recruitment was between Dec 1, 2016, and Aug 31, 2018. A total of 393 caregiver-infant pairs were enrolled in the study across both countries. Independent of study time, the Xpert test reduced time to early infant diagnosis results communication by 60%, compared with the standard of care (adjusted time ratio 0·40, 95% CI 0·29-0·53, p<0·0001). In the control phase, two (2%) of 102 study participants received an early infant diagnosis test result by 3 months of age compared with 214 (74%) of 291 in the intervention phase. No safety and adverse events were reported related to the diagnostic testing intervention. INTERPRETATION This study reinforces the importance of scaling up point-of-care early infant diagnosis testing in resource-constrained and low HIV-prevalence settings, typical of the UNICEF East Asia and Pacific region. FUNDING National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin Mohamed
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Hla Htay
- Burnet Institute Myanmar, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Janet Gare
- Sexual and Reproductive Health Unit, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea
| | - Andrew J B Vallely
- Sexual and Reproductive Health Unit, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea; Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Angela Kelly-Hanku
- Sexual and Reproductive Health Unit, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea; Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Paul A Agius
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Steven G Badman
- Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Minh Duc Pham
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Claire Nightingale
- School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Xiang-Sheng Chen
- Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Institute of Dermatology and National Centre for STD Control, Nanjing, China
| | - Zure Kombati
- Sexual and Reproductive Health Unit, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea; Mount Hagen General Hospital, Mount Hagen, Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea
| | - Amelia Koata
- Sexual and Reproductive Health Unit, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea
| | - Gloria Munnull
- Sexual and Reproductive Health Unit, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea; Mount Hagen General Hospital, Mount Hagen, Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea
| | - Selina Silim
- Sexual and Reproductive Health Unit, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea
| | - Win Thein
- National Health Laboratory, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Tin Maung Zaw
- National AIDS Program (Yangon Region), Ministry of Health and Sports, Yangon, Myanmar
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Stanley Luchters
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare, Zimbabwe; Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK; International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Chersich MF, Scorgie F, Filippi V, Luchters S. Increasing global temperatures threaten gains in maternal and newborn health in Africa: A review of impacts and an adaptation framework. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2023; 160:421-429. [PMID: 35906840 PMCID: PMC10087975 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.14381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Anatomical, physiologic, and socio-cultural changes during pregnancy and childbirth increase vulnerability of women and newborns to high ambient temperatures. Extreme heat can overwhelm thermoregulatory mechanisms in pregnant women, especially during labor, cause dehydration and endocrine dysfunction, and compromise placental function. Clinical sequelae include hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, and stillbirth. High ambient temperatures increase rates of infections, and affect health worker performance and healthcare seeking. Rising temperatures with climate change and limited resources heighten concerns. We propose an adaptation framework containing four prongs. First, behavioral changes such as reducing workloads during pregnancy and using low-cost water sprays. Second, health system interventions encompassing Early Warning Systems centered around existing community-based outreach; heat-health indicator tracking; water supplementation and monitoring for heat-related conditions during labor. Building modifications, passive and active cooling systems, and nature-based solutions can reduce temperatures in facilities. Lastly, structural interventions and climate financing are critical. The overall package of interventions, ideally selected following cost-effectiveness and thermal modeling trade-offs, needs to be co-designed and co-delivered with affected communities, and take advantage of existing maternal and child health platforms. Robust-applied research will set the stage for programs across Africa that target pregnant women. Adequate research and climate financing are now urgent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew F Chersich
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Fiona Scorgie
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Veronique Filippi
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare, Zimbabwe
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Migowa A, Bernatsky S, Ngugi A, Foster HE, Muriuki P, Lusambili A, Luchters S. An iceberg I can't handle: a qualitative inquiry on perceptions towards paediatric rheumatology among healthcare workers in Kenya. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J 2023; 21:6. [PMID: 36681840 PMCID: PMC9862847 DOI: 10.1186/s12969-023-00790-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Delay in diagnosis and access to specialist care is a major problem for many children and young people with rheumatic disease in sub-Saharan Africa. Most children with symptoms of rheumatic disease present to non-specialists for care. There is an urgent need to understand and scale-up paediatric rheumatology knowledge and skills amongst non-specialist healthcare workers to promote early diagnosis, prompt referral, and management. PURPOSE We evaluated the knowledge, attitudes and practices towards diagnosis and care of paediatric rheumatology patients among health care workers in Kenya. METHODS We conducted 12 focus group discussions with clinical officers (third-tier community health workers) nurses, general practitioners and paediatricians across 6 regions in Kenya. Interviews were conducted on zoom, audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using NVIVO software. RESULTS A total of 68 individuals participated; 11 clinical officers, 12 nurses, 10 general practitioners, 27 paediatricians and 7 others. Most (n = 53) were female, and the median age was 36 years (range 31-40 years). Fifty per cent of the participants (34 of 68) worked in public health facilities. Our study revealed gaps in knowledge of paediatric rheumatology amongst healthcare workers which contributes to delayed diagnosis and poor management. Healthcare workers reported both positive and negative attitudes towards diagnosis and care of paediatric rheumatology patients. Perceived complexity and lack of knowledge in diagnosis, management and lack of health system clinical pathways made all cadres of healthcare workers feel helpless, frustrated, inadequate and incompetent to manage paediatric rheumatology patients. Positive attitudes arose from a perceived feeling that paediatric rheumatology patients pose unique challenges and learning opportunities. CONCLUSION There is an urgent need to educate healthcare workers and improve health systems to optimize clinical care for paediatric rheumatology patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Migowa
- International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. .,Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Medical College East Africa, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Sasha Bernatsky
- grid.63984.300000 0000 9064 4811Department of Medicine (Division of Rheumatology and Epidemiology) McGill University Health Centre (MUCH), Montreal, Canada
| | - Anthony Ngugi
- grid.470490.eDepartment of Population Health, Aga Khan University East Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Helen E. Foster
- grid.1006.70000 0001 0462 7212Population and Health Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK
| | - Peter Muriuki
- grid.413355.50000 0001 2221 4219African Population and Health Research Centre, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Adelaide Lusambili
- grid.470490.eDepartment of Population Health, Aga Khan University East Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Stanley Luchters
- grid.5342.00000 0001 2069 7798International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium ,grid.463169.f0000 0004 9157 2417Centre for Sexual Health and HIV AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare, Zimbabwe ,grid.48004.380000 0004 1936 9764Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Liverpool, UK
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Russo A, Lewis B, Ali R, Abed A, Russell G, Luchters S. Sex, Sexuality, and Intimate Relationships Among Afghan Women and Men of Refugee Background Living in Melbourne, Australia: Experiences, Opportunities, and Transcultural Tensions. Arch Sex Behav 2023; 52:177-189. [PMID: 36149540 PMCID: PMC9859837 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-022-02296-6] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Over the last two decades, Afghanistan has been a leading country of origin for asylum seekers and refugees arriving in Australia. It is widely recognized that humanitarian migrants experience poorer sexual and reproductive health than the broader population. In turn, a body of research has emerged exploring the sexual and reproductive health of the local Afghan community. However, this has predominantly focused on youth or perinatal experiences, and less attention has been given to the broader relational and social dimensions of sexuality. Accordingly, this research aimed to explore the perspectives and experiences of married Afghan women and men as they navigate and negotiate sex, sexuality, and intimate relationships following settlement in Melbourne, Australia. A total of 57 Afghan women and men participated in six focus group discussions and 20 semi-structured interviews. Male participants described the ways that having increased access to sex and sexually explicit materials in Australia is creating opportunities for them to establish more fulfilling sex lives. Many women also described a growing awareness of sexuality, although often expressed difficulty prioritizing and claiming more pleasurable sexual encounters for themselves. However, concerns about sexual freedom are also creating new challenges for the Afghan community living in Australia in relation to sex and relationships. For example, men expressed fears about women exercising sexual liberties outside of the home, and this appeared to place women's everyday behavior under increased scrutiny. Women also voiced concerns about how easily men can access sex outside of marriage within Australia, and described how this amplified their sense of obligation to be sexually compliant and meet their husband's desires. This study provides new insights into the ways that Afghan community members are moving between societies, and how their understandings of sexual participation, pleasure, desire, health, consent, and capacity for self-determination are being challenged, reshaped, and reconstructed throughout this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alana Russo
- Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- Refugee Health Program, Monash Health Community, Monash Health, Dandenong, VIC, Australia.
| | - Belinda Lewis
- School of Primary Health Care, Monash University, McMahons Road, Frankston, VIC, Australia
| | - Razia Ali
- Refugee Health Program, Monash Health Community, Monash Health, Dandenong, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Grant Russell
- Southern Academic Primary Care Research Unit, Department of General Practice, Monash University, Notting Hill, Australia
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Population Health, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
- International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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24
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Simmelink AM, Gichuki CM, Ampt FH, Manguro G, Lim MSC, Agius P, Hellard M, Jaoko W, Stoové MA, L'Engle K, Temmerman M, Gichangi P, Luchters S. Assessment of the lifetime prevalence and incidence of induced abortion and correlates among female sex workers in Mombasa, Kenya: a secondary cohort analysis. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e053218. [PMID: 36207033 PMCID: PMC9557798 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053218] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prevalence of lifetime-induced abortion in female sex workers (FSWs) in Kenya was previously estimated between 43% and 86%. Our analysis aimed at assessing lifetime prevalence and correlates, and incidence and predictors of induced abortions among FSWs in Kenya. METHODS This is a secondary prospective cohort analysis using data collected as part of the WHISPER or SHOUT cluster-randomised trial in Mombasa, assessing effectiveness of an SMS-intervention to reduce incidence of unintended pregnancy. Eligible participants were current FSWs, 16-34 years and not pregnant or planning pregnancy. Baseline data on self-reported lifetime abortion, correlates and predictors were collected between September 2016 and May 2017. Abortion incidence was measured at 6-month and 12-month follow-up. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to assess correlates of lifetime abortion and discrete-time survival analysis was used to assess predictors of abortions during follow-up. RESULTS Among 866 eligible participants, lifetime abortion prevalence was 11.9%, while lifetime unintended pregnancy prevalence was 51.2%. Correlates of lifetime abortions were currently not using a highly effective contraceptive (adjusted OR (AOR)=1.76 (95% CI=1.11 to 2.79), p=0.017) and having ever-experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) (AOR=2.61 (95% CI=1.35 to 5.06), p=0.005). Incidence of unintended pregnancy and induced abortion were 15.5 and 3.9 per 100 women-years, respectively. No statistically significant associations were found between hazard of abortion and age, sex work duration, partner status, contraceptive use and IPV experience. CONCLUSION Although experience of unintended pregnancy remains high, lifetime prevalence of abortion may have decreased among FSW in Kenya. Addressing IPV could further decrease induced abortions in this population. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ACTRN12616000852459.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Caroline M Gichuki
- Department of Population Health, The Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
- International Centre for Reproductive Health Kenya, Mombasa, Kenya
| | - Frances H Ampt
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Griffins Manguro
- International Centre for Reproductive Health Kenya, Mombasa, Kenya
| | - Megan S C Lim
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul Agius
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Doherty Institute and School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Walter Jaoko
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Mark A Stoové
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kelly L'Engle
- School of Nursing and Health Professions, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Marleen Temmerman
- International Centre for Reproductive Health Kenya, Mombasa, Kenya
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Peter Gichangi
- International Centre for Reproductive Health Kenya, Mombasa, Kenya
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
- Technical University of Mombasa, Mombasa, Kenya
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare, Zimbabwe
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Liverpool, UK
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25
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de Bont J, Stafoggia M, Nakstad B, Hajat S, Kovats S, Part C, Chersich M, Luchters S, Filippi V, Stephansson O, Ljungman P, Roos N. Associations between ambient temperature and risk of preterm birth in Sweden: A comparison of analytical approaches. Environ Res 2022; 213:113586. [PMID: 35671796 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence indicates that high temperatures are a risk factor for preterm birth. Increasing heat exposures due to climate change are therefore a concern for pregnant women. However, the large heterogeneity of study designs and statistical methods across previous studies complicate interpretation and comparisons. We investigated associations of short-term exposure to high ambient temperature with preterm birth in Sweden, applying three complementary analytical approaches. METHODS We included 560,615 singleton live births between 2014 and 2019, identified in the Swedish Pregnancy Register. We estimated weekly mean temperatures at 1-km2 spatial resolution using a spatiotemporal machine learning methodology, and assigned them at the residential addresses of the study participants. The main outcomes of the study were gestational age in weeks and subcategories of preterm birth (<37 weeks): extremely preterm birth (<28 weeks), very preterm birth (from week 28 to <32), and moderately preterm birth (from week 32 to<37). Case-crossover, quantile regression and time-to-event analyses were applied to estimate the effects of short-term exposure to increased ambient temperature during the week before birth on preterm births. Furthermore, distributed lag nonlinear models (DLNM) were applied to identify susceptibility windows of exposures throughout pregnancy in relation to preterm birth. RESULTS A total of 1924 births were extremely preterm (0.4%), 2636 very preterm (0.5%), and 23,664 moderately preterm (4.2%). Consistent across all three analytical approaches (case-crossover, quantile regression and time-to-event analyses), higher ambient temperature (95th vs 50th percentile) demonstrated increased risk of extremely preterm birth, but associations did not reach statistical significance. In DLNM models, we observed no evidence to suggest an increased effect of high temperature on preterm birth risk. Even so, a suggested trend was observed in both the quantile regression and time-to-event analyses of a higher risk of extremely preterm birth with higher temperature during the last week before birth. CONCLUSIONS In Sweden, with high quality data on exposure and outcome, a temperate climate and good quality ante-natal health care, we did not find an association between high ambient temperatures and preterm births. Results were consistent across three complementary analytical approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen de Bont
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.
| | - Massimo Stafoggia
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden; Department of Epidemiology, Lazio Region Health Service, ASL Roma 1, Italy
| | - Britt Nakstad
- Division Paediatric Adolescent Medicine, Inst Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department Paediatrics and Adolescent Health, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Shakoor Hajat
- Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK
| | - Sari Kovats
- Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK
| | - Chérie Part
- Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK
| | - Matthew Chersich
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Faculty of Health Science, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research, CeSHHAR, Harare, Zimbabwe; Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Belgium; Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK
| | - Veronique Filippi
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK
| | - Olof Stephansson
- Clinical Epidemiology Division, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
| | - Petter Ljungman
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden; Department of Cardiology, Danderyd University Hospital, Sweden
| | - Nathalie Roos
- Clinical Epidemiology Division, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
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26
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Part C, le Roux J, Chersich M, Sawry S, Filippi V, Roos N, Fairlie L, Nakstad B, de Bont J, Ljungman P, Stafoggia M, Kovats S, Luchters S, Hajat S. Ambient temperature during pregnancy and risk of maternal hypertensive disorders: A time-to-event study in Johannesburg, South Africa. Environ Res 2022; 212:113596. [PMID: 35661733 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are a leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. We evaluate the effects of ambient temperature on risk of maternal hypertensive disorders throughout pregnancy. We used birth register data for all singleton births (22-43 weeks' gestation) recorded at a tertiary-level hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa, between July 2017-June 2018. Time-to-event analysis was combined with distributed lag non-linear models to examine the effects of mean weekly temperature, from conception to birth, on risk of (i) high blood pressure, hypertension, or gestational hypertension, and (ii) pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, or HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets). Low and high temperatures were defined as the 5th and 95th percentiles of daily mean temperature, respectively. Of 7986 women included, 844 (10.6%) had a hypertensive disorder of which 432 (51.2%) had high blood pressure/hypertension/gestational hypertension and 412 (48.8%) had pre-eclampsia/eclampsia/HELLP. High temperature in early pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia/HELLP. High temperature (23 °C vs 18 °C) in the third and fourth weeks of pregnancy posed the greatest risk, with hazard ratios of 1.76 (95% CI 1.12-2.78) and 1.79 (95% CI 1.19-2.71), respectively. Whereas, high temperatures in mid-late pregnancy tended to protect against pre-eclampsia/eclampsia/HELLP. Low temperature (11°) during the third trimester (from 29 weeks' gestation) was associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure/hypertension/gestational hypertension, however the strength and statistical significance of low temperature effects were reduced with model adjustments. Our findings support the hypothesis that high temperatures in early pregnancy increase risk of severe hypertensive disorders, likely through an effect on placental development. This highlights the need for greater awareness around the impacts of moderately high temperatures in early pregnancy through targeted advice, and for increased monitoring of pregnant women who conceive during periods of hot weather.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chérie Part
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Jean le Roux
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Matthew Chersich
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Shobna Sawry
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Véronique Filippi
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nathalie Roos
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lee Fairlie
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Britt Nakstad
- Division of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Jeroen de Bont
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Petter Ljungman
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Cardiology, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Massimo Stafoggia
- Department of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Service, Rome, Italy
| | - Sari Kovats
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Institute of Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya; Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Shakoor Hajat
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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27
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Manguro G, Shilton S, Omenda S, Owira P, Batheja D, Banerji A, Chabeda SV, Temmerman M, Jako W, Ndungu J, Luchters S, Ivanova Reipold E, Martínez-Pérez GZ. Are Kenyans Likely to Use COVID-19 Self-Testing Kits? Results From a Cross-Sectional Survey. Int J Public Health 2022; 67:1604918. [PMID: 36090834 PMCID: PMC9459853 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2022.1604918] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: To understand the public’s perceptions around rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen self-testing in Kenya, including the drivers of acceptability, willingness to pay, and adherence to hygiene and prevention recommendations following a positive self-test. Methods: A household-based, cross-sectional survey, using a 35-item questionnaire, was conducted in Mombasa and Taita–Taveta counties, Kenya, during August 2021. Individuals aged ≥18 years were enrolled using a stratified sampling approach. Results: There were 419 participants (mean age 35.7 years). A minority (10.5%) had ever tested for SARS-CoV-2. If SARS-CoV-2 self-testing were available, 39.9% and 41.5% would be likely and very likely, respectively, to use it. If unavailable free-of-charge, 63.01% would pay for it. Multivariate analyses suggested that people in rural areas (Coefficient 0.30, 95%CI: 0.11–0.48, p = 0.002), aged 36–55 (Coefficient 0.21, 95%CI: 0.03–0.40, p = 0.023), and employed full time (Coefficient 0.32, 95%CI: 0.06–0.58, p = 0.016) would have more odds to adhere to recommended hygiene and prevention actions. Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 self-testing was considered acceptable. Availability of self-testing could expand access to COVID-19 testing in Kenya, particularly among rural communities who have limited access to testing, and among mildly symptomatic individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Griffins Manguro
- International Centre for Reproductive Health Kenya, Mombasa, Kenya
| | - Sonjelle Shilton
- Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics, Geneva, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Sonjelle Shilton,
| | - Sharon Omenda
- International Centre for Reproductive Health Kenya, Mombasa, Kenya
| | - Patrica Owira
- International Centre for Reproductive Health Kenya, Mombasa, Kenya
| | - Deepshikha Batheja
- Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy (CDDEP), New Delhi, India
| | - Abhik Banerji
- Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy (CDDEP), New Delhi, India
| | | | - Marleen Temmerman
- International Centre for Reproductive Health Kenya, Mombasa, Kenya
- Department of Population Health, Aga Khan University (Kenya), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Walter Jako
- International Centre for Reproductive Health Kenya, Mombasa, Kenya
| | - Joseph Ndungu
- Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Stanley Luchters
- International Centre for Reproductive Health Kenya, Mombasa, Kenya
- Department of Population Health, Aga Khan University (Kenya), Nairobi, Kenya
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28
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Samuels L, Nakstad B, Roos N, Bonell A, Chersich M, Havenith G, Luchters S, Day LT, Hirst JE, Singh T, Elliott-Sale K, Hetem R, Part C, Sawry S, Le Roux J, Kovats S. Physiological mechanisms of the impact of heat during pregnancy and the clinical implications: review of the evidence from an expert group meeting. Int J Biometeorol 2022; 66:1505-1513. [PMID: 35554684 PMCID: PMC9300488 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-022-02301-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Many populations experience high seasonal temperatures. Pregnant women are considered vulnerable to extreme heat because ambient heat exposure has been linked to pregnancy complications including preterm birth and low birthweight. The physiological mechanisms that underpin these associations are poorly understood. We reviewed the existing research evidence to clarify the mechanisms that lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes in order to inform public health actions. A multi-disciplinary expert group met to review the existing evidence base and formulate a consensus regarding the physiological mechanisms that mediate the effect of high ambient temperature on pregnancy. A literature search was conducted in advance of the meeting to identify existing hypotheses and develop a series of questions and themes for discussion. Numerous hypotheses have been generated based on animal models and limited observational studies. There is growing evidence that pregnant women are able to appropriately thermoregulate; however, when exposed to extreme heat, there are a number of processes that may occur which could harm the mother or fetus including a reduction in placental blood flow, dehydration, and an inflammatory response that may trigger preterm birth. There is a lack of substantial evidence regarding the processes that cause heat exposure to harm pregnant women. Research is urgently needed to identify what causes the adverse outcomes in pregnancy related to high ambient temperatures so that the impact of climate change on pregnant women can be mitigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louisa Samuels
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Trust, London, UK.
| | - Britt Nakstad
- Division of Paediatric and Adolescent Health, Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Nathalie Roos
- Department of Medicine, Clinical Epidemiology Division, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ana Bonell
- Medical Research Council Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, The Gambia
- Centre On Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Matthew Chersich
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Hillbrow, Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa
| | - George Havenith
- Environmental Ergonomics Research Centre, Loughborough Design School, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Department of Population Health, Aga Khan University, East Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Louise-Tina Day
- Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Jane E Hirst
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health and the George Institute for Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Tanya Singh
- Climate Change Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Kirsty Elliott-Sale
- Department of Sport Science, Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement (SHAPE) Research Centre, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Robyn Hetem
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Cherie Part
- Centre On Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Shobna Sawry
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jean Le Roux
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Sari Kovats
- Centre On Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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29
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Pham MD, Nguyen HV, Anderson D, Crowe S, Luchters S. Viral load monitoring for people living with HIV in the era of test and treat: progress made and challenges ahead - a systematic review. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1203. [PMID: 35710413 PMCID: PMC9202111 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13504-2] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In 2016, we conducted a systematic review to assess the feasibility of treatment monitoring for people living with HIV (PLHIV) receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), in line with the 90-90-90 treatment target. By 2020, global estimates suggest the 90-90-90 target, particularly the last 90, remains unattainable in many LMICs. This study aims to review the progress and identify needs for public health interventions to improve viral load monitoring and viral suppression for PLHIV in LMICs. Methods A literature search was conducted using an update of the initial search strategy developed for the 2016 review. Electronic databases (Medline and PubMed) were searched to identify relevant literature published in English between Dec 2015 and August 2021. The primary outcome was initial viral load (VL) monitoring (the proportion of PLHIV on ART and eligible for VL monitoring who received a VL test). Secondary outcomes included follow-up VL monitoring (the proportion of PLHIV who received a follow-up VL after an initial elevated VL test), confirmation of treatment failure (the proportion of PLHIV who had two consecutive elevated VL results) and switching treatment regimen rates (the proportion of PLHIV who switched treatment regimen after confirmation of treatment failure). Results The search strategy identified 1984 non-duplicate records, of which 34 studies were included in the review. Marked variations in initial VL monitoring coverage were reported across study settings/countries (range: 12–93% median: 74% IQR: 46–82%) and study populations (adults (range: 25–96%, median: 67% IQR: 50–84%), children, adolescents/young people (range: 2–94%, median: 72% IQR: 47–85%), and pregnant women (range: 32–82%, median: 57% IQR: 43–71%)). Community-based models reported higher VL monitoring (median: 85%, IQR: 82-88%) compared to decentralised care at primary health facility (median: 64%, IRQ: 48-82%). Suboptimal uptake of follow-up VL monitoring and low regimen switching rates were observed. Conclusions Substantial gaps in VL coverage across study settings and study populations were evident, with limited data availability outside of sub-Saharan Africa. Further research is needed to fill the data gaps. Development and implementation of innovative, community-based interventions are required to improve VL monitoring and address the “failure cascade” in PLHIV on ART who fail to achieve viral suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minh D Pham
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia. .,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Huy V Nguyen
- Health Innovation and Transformation Centre, Federation University, Victoria, Australia.,School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
| | - David Anderson
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Suzanne Crowe
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Centre for Sexual Health and HIV & AIDS Research, Harare, Zimbabwe.,Department of Public health and Primary care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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30
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Comrie-Thomson L, Webb K, Patel D, Wata P, Kapamurandu Z, Mushavi A, Nicholas MA, Agius PA, Davis J, Luchters S. Engaging women and men in the gender-synchronised, community-based Mbereko+Men intervention to improve maternal mental health and perinatal care-seeking in Manicaland, Zimbabwe: A cluster-randomised controlled pragmatic trial. J Glob Health 2022; 12:04042. [PMID: 35596945 PMCID: PMC9124006 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.12.04042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Maternal mental morbidity and low perinatal health service utilisation in resource-constrained settings contribute substantially to the global burden of poor maternal, newborn, and child health. The community-based Mbereko+Men program in rural Zimbabwe engaged women and men in complementary activities to improve men's support for women and babies, coparents' equitable, informed health decision-making, and ultimately, maternal mental health and care-seeking for maternal and newborn health services. The study aimed to test the effectiveness of the Mbereko+Men program on maternal mental health at 0-6 months after childbirth. Methods We conducted a cluster-randomised controlled pragmatic trial using a two-arm parallel design with four clusters per arm. Data was data collected through cross-sectional surveys before and after the implementation of the intervention or standard care. Rural health facility catchments in Mutasa District, Zimbabwe, were randomised using a true random number sequence. Survey participants were women who had given birth within 0-6 months and their male coparents. The primary outcome was women's mean Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score. Secondary outcomes captured care-seeking, men's supportive behaviours, and gender dynamics in coparent relationships. Masking was not used. All clusters were included in the analysis. The trial was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12620001014943) in October 2020. Results Between April 13 and May 20, 2016, 457 women and 242 men participated in the pre-intervention survey; between October 19 and November 30, 2017, 433 women and 273 men participated in the post-intervention survey. Women's mean EPDS scores declined in both arms. The decline was 34% greater in the intervention arm (adjusted risk ratio = 0.66; 95% confidence interval = 0.48, 0.90, P = 0.008). Improvements in care-seeking, men's support, and coparents' relationships were detected. Conclusions A low-intensity gender-synchronised intervention engaged women and men to improve maternal mental health and care-seeking in a setting characterised by gender inequality and demand-side barriers to care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liz Comrie-Thomson
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Australia
| | - Karen Webb
- Organization for Public Health Interventions and Development, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Diana Patel
- Organization for Public Health Interventions and Development, Harare, Zimbabwe.,Envision Zimbabwe Women's Trust, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Precious Wata
- Organization for Public Health Interventions and Development, Harare, Zimbabwe.,Regional PsychoSocial Support Initiative (REPSSI) Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Zivanai Kapamurandu
- Organization for Public Health Interventions and Development, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Angela Mushavi
- National PMTCT Program, AIDS & TB Unit, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Paul A Agius
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Australia
| | - Jessica Davis
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Independent consultant
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare, Zimbabwe.,Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
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Ogero M, Orwa J, Odhiambo R, Agoi F, Lusambili A, Obure J, Temmerman M, Luchters S, Ngugi A. Pentavalent vaccination in Kenya: coverage and geographical accessibility to health facilities using data from a community demographic and health surveillance system in Kilifi County. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:826. [PMID: 35468754 PMCID: PMC9040218 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-12570-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is substantial evidence that immunization is one of the most significant and cost-effective pillars of preventive and promotive health interventions. Effective childhood immunization coverage is thus essential in stemming persistent childhood illnesses. The third dose of pentavalent vaccine for children is an important indicator for assessing performance of the immunisation programme because it mirrors the completeness of a child’s immunisation schedule. Spatial access to an immunizing health facility, especially in sub-Sahara African (SSA) countries, is a significant determinant of Pentavalent 3 vaccination coverage, as the vaccine is mainly administered during routine immunisation schedules at health facilities. Rural areas and densely populated informal settlements are most affected by poor access to healthcare services. We therefore sought to determine vaccination coverage of Pentavalent 3, estimate the travel time to health facilities offering immunisation services, and explore its effect on immunisation coverage in one of the predominantly rural counties on the coast of Kenya. Methods We used longitudinal survey data from the health demographic surveillance system implemented in Kaloleni and Rabai Sub-counties in Kenya. To compute the geographical accessibility, we used coordinates of health facilities offering immunisation services, information on land cover, digital elevation models, and road networks of the study area. We then fitted a hierarchical Bayesian multivariable model to explore the effect of travel time on pentavalent vaccine coverage adjusting for confounding factors identified a priori. Results Overall coverage of pentavalent vaccine was at 77.3%. The median travel time to a health facility was 41 min (IQR = 18–65) and a total of 1266 (28.5%) children lived more than one-hour of travel-time to a health facility. Geographical access to health facilities significantly affected pentavalent vaccination coverage, with travel times of more than one hour being significantly associated with reduced odds of vaccination (AOR = 0.84 (95% CI 0.74 – 0.94). Conclusion Increased travel time significantly affects immunization in this rural community. Improving road networks, establishing new health centres and/or stepping up health outreach activities that include vaccinations in hard-to-reach areas within the county could improve immunisation coverage. These data may be useful in guiding the local department of health on appropriate location of planned immunization centres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morris Ogero
- Department of Population Health, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya. .,School of Mathematics, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya. .,Health Services Unit, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - James Orwa
- Department of Population Health, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Rachael Odhiambo
- Department of Population Health, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya.,Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Felix Agoi
- Department of Population Health, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Jerim Obure
- Centre of Excellence for Women and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Marleen Temmerman
- Centre of Excellence for Women and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya.,International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Department of Population Health, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya.,International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Anthony Ngugi
- Department of Population Health, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
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Pham MD, Stoove M, Crowe S, Luchters S, Anderson D. A profile of the Visitect® CD4 and Visitect® CD4 advanced disease for management of people living with HIV. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2022; 22:247-252. [PMID: 35226590 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2022.2048372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION CD4 testing plays an important role in clinical management and epidemiological surveillance of HIV disease. Rapid, point-of-care (POC) CD4 tests can improve patients' access to CD4 testing, enabling decentralization of HIV services. AREAS COVERED We conducted a profile review of the Visitect®CD4 and the Visitect®CD4 Advanced Disease (Omega Diagnostics, UK) - the two lateral flow, equipment-free POC CD4 tests, which can be used to identify people with HIV who have CD4 of less than 350 and 200 cells/μl, respectively. Using published data from independent studies, we discussed the performance and utility of these tests, highlighting the advantages as well as their limitations. EXPERT OPINION The tests are user-friendly, acceptable to health care workers, and feasible to implement in primary health care settings and can provide reliable results for clinical decision-making. Hands-on training with pictorial instructions for use is needed to enhance test's operator confidence in interpretation of test results. Quality assurance program should be in place to ensure the quality of testing. Development of a next-generation test with a cutoff of 100 cells/μl is recommended to identify patients with advanced immunosuppression for initiation of prophylaxis to reduce HIV-related death. Operational research is also needed to identify cost-effective implementation strategies in real-world settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minh D Pham
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria Australia
| | - Mark Stoove
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria Australia
| | - Suzanne Crowe
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria Australia.,Institute of Human Development, Aga Khan University, Kenya.,Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - David Anderson
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Wanjala SW, Nyongesa MK, Mwangi P, Mutua AM, Luchters S, Newton CRJC, Abubakar A. Measurement characteristics and correlates of HIV-related stigma among adults living with HIV: a cross-sectional study from coastal Kenya. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e050709. [PMID: 35193904 PMCID: PMC8867337 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050709] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We studied the psychometric properties of the 12-item short version of the Berger HIV stigma scale and assessed the correlates of HIV-related stigma among adults living with HIV on the Kenyan coast. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING Comprehensive Care and Research Centre in the Kilifi County Hospital. PARTICIPANTS Adults living with HIV on combination antiretroviral therapy were recruited and interviewed between February and April 2018 (n=450). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES HIV-related stigma. RESULTS 450 participants with a median age of 43 years (IQR=36-50) took part in the study. Of these, 356 (79.1%) were female. Scale reliability and validity were high (alpha=0.80, test-retest reliability intraclass correlation coefficient=0.92). Using confirmatory factor analysis, we observed that the 12-item short version of the HIV stigma scale had a good fit for its hypothesised model (Comparative Fit Index=0.966, Tucker Lewis Index=0.955, root mean square error of approximation=0.044). Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis indicated measurement invariance across gender and age groups as ΔCFI was ≤0.01. Multivariate linear regression established that being female (β=2.001, 95% CI: 0.21 to 3.80, p=0.029), HIV status non-disclosure (β=4.237, 95% CI: 1.27 to 7.20, p=0.005) and co-occurrence of depressive and anxiety symptoms (β=6.670, 95% CI: 3.40 to 9.94, p<0.001) were significant predictors of perceived HIV-related stigma and that these variables accounted for 10.2% of the explained variability in HIV-related stigma among adults living with HIV from Kilifi. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that the 12-item short version of the HIV stigma scale is a valid and reliable measure of HIV stigma in Kenya. Furthermore, our study indicates that interventions aimed at reducing stigma need to take into account gender to address the specific needs of women, people who have not disclosed their HIV status, and those exhibiting symptoms of depression and anxiety, thereby improving their quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanley W Wanjala
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Social Sciences, School of Humanities and Social Sciences Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Moses K Nyongesa
- Department of Clinical Research (Neurosciences), KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kilifi, Kenya
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paul Mwangi
- Department of Clinical Research (Neurosciences), KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Agnes M Mutua
- Department of Clinical Research (Neurosciences), KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Institute for Human Development, The Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Charles R J C Newton
- Department of Clinical Research (Neurosciences), KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kilifi, Kenya
- Department of Psychiatry, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
- Department of Public Health, Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Amina Abubakar
- Department of Clinical Research (Neurosciences), KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kilifi, Kenya
- Institute for Human Development, The Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Psychiatry, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
- Department of Public Health, Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya
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Manguro GO, Musau AM, Were DK, Tengah S, Wakhutu B, Reed J, Plotkin M, Luchters S, Gichangi P, Temmerman M. Increased condom use among key populations using oral PrEP in Kenya: results from large scale programmatic surveillance. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:304. [PMID: 35164707 PMCID: PMC8842980 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-12639-6] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Female sex workers (FSW) and men having sex with men (MSM) in Kenya have high rates of HIV infection. Following a 2015 WHO recommendation, Kenya initiated national scale-up of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for all persons at high-risk. Concerns have been raised about PrEP users' potential changes in sexual behaviors such adopting condomless sex and multiple partners as a result of perceived reduction in HIV risk, a phenomenon known as risk compensation. Increased condomless sex may lead to unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections and has been described in research contexts but not in the programmatic setting. This study looks at changes in condom use among FSW and MSM on PrEP through a national a scale-up program. Methods Routine program data collected between February 2017 and December 2019 were used to assess changes in condom use during the first three months of PrEP in 80 health facilities supported by a scale-up project, Jilinde. The primary outcome was self-reported condom use. Analyses were conducted separately for FSW and for MSM. Log-Binomial Regression with Generalized Estimating Equations was used to compare the incidence proportion (“risk”) of consistent condom use at the month 1, and month 3 visits relative to the initiation visit. Results At initiation, 69% of FSW and 65% of MSM reported consistent condom use. At month 3, this rose to 87% for FSW and 91% for MSM. MSM were 24% more likely to report consistent condom use at month 1 (Relative Risk [RR], 1.24, 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.18–1.30) and 40% more likely at month 3 (RR, 1.40, 95% CI, 1.33–1.47) compared to at initiation. FSW were 15% more likely to report consistent condom use at the month one visit (RR, 1.15, 95% CI, 1.13–1.17) and 27% more likely to report condom use on the month 3 visit (RR 1.27, 95% CI, 1.24–1.29). Conclusion Condom use increased substantially among both FSW and MSM. This may be because oral PrEP was provided as part of a combination prevention strategy that included counseling and condoms but could also be due to the low retention rates among those who initiated. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-12639-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Griffins O Manguro
- International Center for Reproductive Health Kenya, 3rd Avenue Nyali, P.O Box 91109-80103, Mombasa, Kenya. .,Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Gent University, Gent, Belgium.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Stanley Luchters
- Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya.,International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,School of Population Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Peter Gichangi
- Technical University of Mombasa, Mombasa, Kenya.,Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marleen Temmerman
- International Center for Reproductive Health Kenya, 3rd Avenue Nyali, P.O Box 91109-80103, Mombasa, Kenya.,Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
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35
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Nakstad B, Filippi V, Lusambili A, Roos N, Scorgie F, Chersich MF, Luchters S, Kovats S. How Climate Change May Threaten Progress in Neonatal Health in the African Region. Neonatology 2022; 119:644-651. [PMID: 35850106 DOI: 10.1159/000525573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Climate change is likely to have wide-ranging impacts on maternal and neonatal health in Africa. Populations in low-resource settings already experience adverse impacts from weather extremes, a high burden of disease from environmental exposures, and limited access to high-quality clinical care. Climate change is already increasing local temperatures. Neonates are at high risk of heat stress and dehydration due to their unique metabolism, physiology, growth, and developmental characteristics. Infants in low-income settings may have little protection against extreme heat due to housing design and limited access to affordable space cooling. Climate change may increase risks to neonatal health from weather disasters, decreasing food security, and facilitating infectious disease transmission. Effective interventions to reduce risks from the heat include health education on heat risks for mothers, caregivers, and clinicians; nature-based solutions to reduce urban heat islands; space cooling in health facilities; and equitable improvements in housing quality and food systems. Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are essential to reduce the long-term impacts of climate change that will further undermine global health strategies to reduce neonatal mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britt Nakstad
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Health, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana.,Division of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Adelaide Lusambili
- Institute for Human Development, The Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Nathalie Roos
- Department of Medicine, Clinical Epidemiology Division, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fiona Scorgie
- University of Witswatersand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Stanley Luchters
- Institute for Human Development, The Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sari Kovats
- Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Rego RT, Ngugi AK, Sophie Delius AJ, Luchters S, Kolars JC, Irfan FB, Weinheimer-Haus E, Abubakar A, Shah R, Zhu J, Boulton ML, Hofer T, Waljee AK. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among non-refugees and refugees in Kenya. PLOS Glob Public Health 2022; 2:e0000917. [PMID: 36962839 PMCID: PMC10021684 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (which we define as refusal to be vaccinated when asked, resulting in delayed or non- vaccination) are poorly studied in sub-Saharan Africa and among refugees, particularly in Kenya. Using survey data from wave five (March to June 2021) of the Kenya Rapid Response Phone Survey (RRPS), a household survey representative of the population of Kenya, we estimated the self-reported rates and factors associated with vaccine hesitancy among non-refugees and refugees in Kenya. Non-refugee households were recruited through sampling of the 2015/16 Kenya Household Budget Survey and random digit dialing. Refugee households were recruited through random sampling of registered refugees. Binary response questions on misinformation and information were transformed into a scale. We performed a weighted (to be representative of the overall population of Kenya) multivariable logistic regression including interactions for refugee status, with the main outcome being if the respondent self-reported that they would not take the COVID-19 vaccine if available at no cost. We calculated the marginal effects of the various factors in the model. The weighted univariate analysis estimated that 18.0% of non-refugees and 7.0% of refugees surveyed in Kenya would not take the COVID-19 vaccine if offered at no cost. Adjusted, refugee status was associated with a -13.1[95%CI:-17.5,-8.7] percentage point difference (ppd) in vaccine hesitancy. For the both refugees and non-refugees, having education beyond the primary level, having symptoms of COVID-19, avoiding handshakes, and washing hands more often were also associated with a reduction in vaccine hesitancy. Also for both, having used the internet in the past three months was associated with a 8.1[1.4,14.7] ppd increase in vaccine hesitancy; and disagreeing that the government could be trusted in responding to COVID-19 was associated with a 25.9[14.2,37.5]ppd increase in vaccine hesitancy. There were significant interactions between refugee status and some variables (geography, food security, trust in the Kenyan government's response to COVID-19, knowing somebody with COVID-19, internet use, and TV ownership). These relationships between refugee status and certain variables suggest that programming between refugees and non-refugees be differentiated and specific to the contextual needs of each group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan T Rego
- Center for Global Health Equity, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Anthony K Ngugi
- Dept. of Population Health, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | | | - Joseph C Kolars
- Center for Global Health Equity, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Furqan B Irfan
- Institute of Global Health, Michigan State University, Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Eileen Weinheimer-Haus
- Center for Global Health Equity, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Amina Abubakar
- Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Reena Shah
- Dept. of Internal Medicine, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ji Zhu
- Dept. of Statistics, University of Michigan, LSA, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Matthew L Boulton
- Dept. of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Timothy Hofer
- Center for Global Health Equity, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Akbar K Waljee
- Center for Global Health Equity, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
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Kazungu J, Richter M, Luchters S, Chersich MF, Quaife M. The economics of sex work and major sporting events: Learning from the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Social Sciences & Humanities Open 2022; 5:100251. [PMID: 35516462 PMCID: PMC8976284 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssaho.2022.100251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Risk-taking in sex work is related to financial gains from condom-protected and condomless-acts alongside vulnerabilities, including socio-economic factors, which influence the safety of sex workers. Large international sporting events have been shown to significantly impact the economies of host countries, but there is a dearth of studies that examine how major sporting events may affect the economics of sex work and the risks taken by sex workers and clients. This study examines the determinants of the price of commercial sex alongside the price premium for and correlates of, condomless sex before, during and after the 2010 world cup in South Africa. We analysed data from three phases of repeated cross-sectional surveys with sex workers. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to examine the predictors of condomless sex. We also fitted fixed-effect regression models to examine the determinants of the price of commercial sex across each survey phase. Findings suggest that the price of sex was higher during the world cup compared to before and after, whilst the price premium for condomless-sex increased from 36% before the world cup to 40% (p-value<0.001) and 57% (p-value<0.001) during and after the world cup, respectively. Across the survey phases, anal, oral or masturbation sex were more likely to be supplied without a condom compared to vaginal sex. The type of sex was the primary determinant of the price of sex across all phases. We show indicative evidence that the 2010 world cup was associated with an increase in the price of sex and supply of condomless-sex. Although these findings should be interpreted as associations rather than causal relationships, we recommend that countries with substantial sex-worker populations that host major events shouldexplicitly consider the context and structures of sex work, and promote client-focused safe-sex-interventions that explicitly consider the economic pressures faced by sexworkers to provide riskier acts, to minimise health impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Kazungu
- Health Economics Research Unit, KEMRI | Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK
- Corresponding author. Health Economics Research Unit, KEMRI, Wellcome Trust Research Programme, P.O. Box 43640 – 00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Marlise Richter
- African Centre for Migration & Society, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Alan J Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Department of Population Health, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Matthew F. Chersich
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Faculty of Health Science, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
| | - Matthew Quaife
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK
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Boothe MAS, Semá Baltazar C, Sathane I, Raymond HF, Fazito E, Temmerman M, Luchters S. Young key populations left behind: The necessity for a targeted response in Mozambique. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0261943. [PMID: 34972172 PMCID: PMC8719759 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261943] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The first exposure to high-risk sexual and drug use behaviors often occurs during the period of youth (15-24 years old). These behaviors increase the risk of HIV infection, especially among young key populations (KP)-men how have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSW), and people who inject drugs (PWID). We describe the characteristics of young KP participants in the first Biobehavioral Surveillance (BBS) surveys conducted in Mozambique and examine their risk behaviors compared to adult KP. METHODS Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) methodology was used to recruit KP in three major urban areas in Mozambique. RDS-weighted pooled estimates were calculated to estimate the proportion of young KP residing in each survey city. Unweighted pooled estimates of risk behaviors were calculated for each key population group and chi-square analysis assessed differences in proportions between youth (aged less than 24 years old) and older adult KP for each population group. RESULTS The majority of MSM and FSW participants were young 80.7% (95% CI: 71.5-89.9%) and 71.9% (95% CI: 71.9-79.5%), respectively, although not among PWID (18.2%, 95% CI: 13.2-23.2%). Young KP were single or never married, had a secondary education level or higher, and low employment rates. They reported lower perception of HIV risk (MSM: 72.3% vs 56.7%, p<0.001, FSW: 45.3% vs 24.4%, p<0.001), lower HIV testing uptake (MSM: 67.5% vs 72.3%, p<0.001; FSW: 63.2% vs 80.6%; p<0.001, PWID: 53.3% vs 31.2%; p = 0.001), greater underage sexual debut (MSM: 9.6% vs 4.8%, p<0.001; FSW: 35.2% vs 22.9%, p<0.001), and greater underage initiation of injection drug use (PWID: 31.9% vs 7.0%, p<0.001). Young KP also had lower HIV prevalence compared to older KP: MSM: 3.3% vs 27.0%, p<0.001; FSW: 17.2% vs 53.7%, p<0.001; and PWID: 6.0% vs 55.0%, p<0.001. There was no significant difference in condom use across the populations. CONCLUSION There is an immediate need for a targeted HIV response for young KP in Mozambique so that they are not left behind. Youth must be engaged in the design and implementation of interventions to ensure that low risk behaviors are sustained as they get older to prevent HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makini A. S. Boothe
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Cynthia Semá Baltazar
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- National Institute of Health, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Isabel Sathane
- National STI-HIV/AIDS Control Program, National Directorate of Public Health, Mozambique
| | - Henry F. Raymond
- School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Erika Fazito
- ICAP, Columbia University, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Marleen Temmerman
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Population Health, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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Lusambili AM, Martini M, Abdirahaman F, Abena A, Guni JN, Ochieng S, Luchters S. 'It is a disease which comes and kills directly': What refugees know about COVID-19 and key influences of compliance with preventive measures. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0261359. [PMID: 34932556 PMCID: PMC8691645 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261359] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Refugees are at increased risk for COVID-19 infection in part due to their living conditions, which make it harder to adopt and adhere to widely accepted preventive measures. Little empirical evidence exists about what refugees know about COVID-19 and what they do to prevent infection. This study explored what refugee women and their health care workers understand about COVID-19 prevention, the extent of their compliance to public health recommendations, and what influences the adoption of these measures. METHODS In October 2020, we conducted 25 in-depth interviews with facility and community health care staff (n = 10) and refugee women attending antenatal and postnatal care services (n = 15) in Eastleigh, Nairobi. FINDINGS While researchers found a high level of awareness about COVID-19 and related prevention and control measures among refugee women, various barriers affected compliance with such measures, due in part to poverty and in part to rampant misconceptions informed by religious beliefs and political narratives about the virus. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicated that Kenya's Ministry of Health needs to institute a concerted and continuous education program to bring refugee communities up to speed about COVID-19 and its prevention. In addition to disseminating information about the need to wear masks and repeatedly wash hands, supplies-masks, soap and access to water-need to be made available to poor refugee communities. Future research could explore which measures for disseminating factual information work best in refugee populations with different cultural norms and how best to target interventions to these groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adelaide M. Lusambili
- Department of Population Health, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Michela Martini
- International Organisation of Migration (IOM), United Nations, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Faiza Abdirahaman
- International Organisation of Migration (IOM), United Nations, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Asante Abena
- International Organisation of Migration (IOM), United Nations, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joseph N. Guni
- Department of Population Health, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sharon Ochieng
- Department of Population Health, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Department of Population Health, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, International Centre for Reproductive Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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Wanjala SW, Too EK, Luchters S, Abubakar A. Psychometric Properties of the Berger HIV Stigma Scale: A Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:13074. [PMID: 34948690 PMCID: PMC8701211 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182413074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Addressing HIV-related stigma requires the use of psychometrically sound measures. However, despite the Berger HIV stigma scale (HSS) being among the most widely used measures for assessing HIV-related stigma, no study has systematically summarised its psychometric properties. This review investigated the psychometric properties of the HSS. A systematic review of articles published between 2001 and August 2021 was undertaken (CRD42020220305) following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Additionally, we searched the grey literature and screened the reference lists of the included studies. Of the total 1241 studies that were screened, 166 were included in the review, of which 24 were development and/or validation studies. The rest were observational or experimental studies. All the studies except two reported some aspect of the scale's reliability. The reported internal consistency ranged from acceptable to excellent (Cronbach's alpha ≥ 0.70) in 93.2% of the studies. Only eight studies reported test-retest reliability, and the reported reliability was adequate, except for one study. Only 36 studies assessed and established the HSS's validity. The HSS appears to be a reliable and valid measure of HIV-related stigma. However, the validity evidence came from only 36 studies, most of which were conducted in North America and Europe. Consequently, more validation work is necessary for more precise insights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanley W. Wanjala
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Campus UZ-Ghent, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Social Sciences, Pwani University, Kilifi P.O. Box 195-80108, Kenya
| | - Ezra K. Too
- Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi P.O. Box 30270-00100, Kenya; (E.K.T.); (A.A.)
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Campus UZ-Ghent, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi P.O. Box 30270-00100, Kenya; (E.K.T.); (A.A.)
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Amina Abubakar
- Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi P.O. Box 30270-00100, Kenya; (E.K.T.); (A.A.)
- Department of Public Health, Pwani University, Kilifi P.O. Box 195-80108, Kenya
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK
- Neuroassessment Group, KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kilifi P.O. Box 230-80108, Kenya
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Wanjala SW, Ssewanyana D, Mwangala PN, Nasambu C, Chongwo E, Luchters S, Newton CRJC, Abubakar A. Validity, reliability, and measurement invariance of an adapted short version of the HIV stigma scale among perinatally HIV infected adolescents at the Kenyan coast. Glob Health Res Policy 2021; 6:49. [PMID: 34893093 PMCID: PMC8662883 DOI: 10.1186/s41256-021-00229-9] [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: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a dearth of instruments that have been developed and validated for use with children living with HIV under the age of 17 years in the Kenyan context. We examined the psychometric properties and measurement invariance of a short version of the Berger HIV stigma scale administered to perinatally HIV-infected adolescents in a rural setting on the Kenyan coast. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among 201 perinatally HIV-infected adolescents aged 12-17 years between November 2017 and October 2018. A short version of the Berger HIV stigma scale (HSS-40) containing twelve items (HSS-12) covering the four dimensions of stigma was evaluated. The psychometric assessment included exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and multi-group CFA. Additionally, scale reliability was evaluated as internal consistency by calculating Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS Evaluation of the reliability and construct validity of the HSS-12 indicated insufficient reliability on three of the four subscales. Consequently, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was conducted to identify problematic items and determine ways to enhance the scale's reliability. Based on the EFA results, two items were dropped. The Swahili version of this new 10-item HIV stigma scale (HSS-10) demonstrated excellent internal consistency with a Cronbach alpha of 0.86 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84-0.89). Confirmatory Factor Analysis indicated that a unidimensional model best fitted the data. The HSS-10 presented a good fit (overall Comparative Fit Index = 0.976, Tucker Lewis Index = 0.969, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.040, Standardised Root Mean Residual = 0.045). Additionally, multi-group CFA indicated measurement invariance across gender and age groups at the strict invariance level as ΔCFI was ≤ 0.01. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that the HSS-10 has good psychometric properties and is appropriate for evaluating HIV stigma among perinatally HIV-infected adolescents on the Kenyan coast. Further, study results support the unidimensional model and measurement invariance across gender and age groups of the HSS-10 measure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanley W. Wanjala
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Social Sciences, Pwani University, Box 195, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Derrick Ssewanyana
- Neuroassessment Group, KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kilifi, Kenya
- Alliance for Human Development, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
| | - Patrick N. Mwangala
- Neuroassessment Group, KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Carophine Nasambu
- Neuroassessment Group, KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Esther Chongwo
- Neuroassessment Group, KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kilifi, Kenya
- Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Population Health, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Charles R. J. C. Newton
- Neuroassessment Group, KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kilifi, Kenya
- Department of Public Health, Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Amina Abubakar
- Neuroassessment Group, KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Centre for Geographic Medicine Research (Coast), Kilifi, Kenya
- Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Public Health, Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Samia P, Naanyu V, Cross JH, Idro R, Boon P, Wilmshurst J, Luchters S. Qualitative exploration of feasibility and acceptability of the modified Atkins diet therapy for children with drug resistant epilepsy in Kenya. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 125:108362. [PMID: 34740092 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108362] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Approximately one-third of children with epilepsy have clinical syndromes characterized by drug resistance. Modified Atkins dietary therapy (MADT) can reduce seizures and improve health outcomes for these children. This intervention is yet to be consistently offered as standard of care in sub-Saharan Africa. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to assess feasibility and acceptability of MADT for children with drug-resistant epilepsy and identify enabling strategies for implementation and adherence to the MADT. METHODS This qualitative inquiry utilized in-depth interviews with purposively selected caregivers and adolescent patients having used MADT for drug-resistant epilepsy. A qualified team consisting of a social scientist and an interviewer carried out the interviews with consenting participants. Thematic analysis was done independent of the clinicians. RESULTS This study enrolled 17 participants including 14 caregivers of children aged 1-17 years, and three adolescents. Caregivers were predominantly trained professionals living in urban areas who had attended the epilepsy clinic for at least one year. Duration of continuous MADT use ranged from two weeks to two years. Among participants who indicated that they could afford to provide the MADT, it was less costly to provide for younger children and for those living in rural areas. At the time of the study, majority of the caregivers had ceased administration of the MADT, more than half of whom reported barriers including cost of food, child refusal of foods, and inconsistent dietician support. Social support was a key enabler to successful implementation and continuation of the diet. Majority of the participants considered MADT to be an effective and acceptable intervention for management of epilepsy. CONCLUSIONS Among participants in this focused Kenyan group, implementation of MADT was found to be feasible particularly for younger children living in rural areas. Majority of participants evaluated MADT to be an effective and acceptable intervention for management of epilepsy. Cultural factors did not influence feasibility or acceptability of MADT in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Samia
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya; Brain and Mind Institute, Aga Khan University, Kenya; Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Belgium.
| | - Violet Naanyu
- School of Arts & Social Sciences, Moi University, Kenya; AMPATH Research, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - J Helen Cross
- UCL BRC NIHR Great Ormond Street, Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Idro
- Makerere University, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Paul Boon
- Department of Neurology, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Jo Wilmshurst
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa; Institute of Neurosciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Belgium; Department of Population Health, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Australia
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Ebi KL, Luchters S. Invited Perspective: Most Affected by Climate Change; Least Studied. Environ Health Perspect 2021; 129:111301. [PMID: 34747631 PMCID: PMC8575067 DOI: 10.1289/ehp10384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kristie L. Ebi
- Center for Health and the Global Environment, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Department of Population Health, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
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Chung MH, De Vuyst H, Greene SA, Mugo NR, Querec TD, Nyongesa-Malava E, Cagle A, Sakr SR, Luchters S, Temmerman M, Unger ER, McGrath CJ. Human Papillomavirus Persistence and Association With Recurrent Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia After Cryotherapy vs Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure Among HIV-Positive Women: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Oncol 2021; 7:1514-1520. [PMID: 34351377 PMCID: PMC8343498 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2021.2683] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Persistence of cervical high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) after treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or higher (CIN2+) has not been compared between cryotherapy and loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) among HIV-positive women. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether cryotherapy or LEEP is more effective at clearing hrHPV and whether persistent hrHPV is associated with CIN2+ recurrence among HIV-positive women. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This is a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial conducted among women with HIV, hrHPV, and CIN2+ in Nairobi, Kenya. From June 2011 to September 2016, 354 HIV-positive women with CIN2+ disease had hrHPV cervical samples collected before and after treatment with cryotherapy or LEEP. Data were analyzed from September 2018 to January 2021. INTERVENTIONS Women were randomized 1:1 to receive cryotherapy or LEEP and were followed up every 6 months for 24 months with hrHPV cervical swab and Papanicolaou test with confirmatory biopsy. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The main outcomes of this analysis were hrHPV positivity defined as having 1 of 12 hrHPV types (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59) and disease recurrence defined as CIN grade 2 or higher as determined with cervical biopsy. RESULTS A total of 354 HIV-positive women with CIN2+ were included in the study; mean (SD) age was 37 (8) years in the cryotherapy arm and 38 (9) years in the LEEP arm. Baseline hrHPV prevalence was 90% (160 of 177) in the cryotherapy arm and 94% (166 of 177) in the LEEP arm (P = .24), and the most common hrHPV types detected were 16 (87 of 326 [27%]), 58 (87 of 326 [27%]), 35 (86 of 326 [26%]), 52 (66 of 326 [20%]), and 18 (56 of 325 [17%]). Over 24 months, clearance of hrHPV was significantly higher among those who underwent LEEP compared with cryotherapy (hazard ratio, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.03-1.90; P = .03). In multivariable analysis, hrHPV type-specific persistence at 12-month follow-up was significantly associated with CIN2+ recurrence from 12 months to 24 months (adjusted hazard ratio, 4.70; 95% CI, 2.47-8.95; P < .001). Performance of hrHPV testing at 12 months for recurrent CIN2+ was 93% sensitivity, 46% specificity, 38% positive predictive value, and 95% negative predictive value. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial, HIV-positive women who received LEEP were more likely to clear hrHPV infection compared with those undergoing cryotherapy, reinforcing the efficacy of LEEP in this population. Persistent hrHPV was significantly associated with recurrent CIN2+, suggesting that LEEP's benefits may be related in part to its ability to clear hrHPV infection. Screening for hrHPV infection after treatment among HIV-positive women may be used to rule out recurrent CIN disease given its high sensitivity and negative predictive value. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01298596.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael H Chung
- Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hugo De Vuyst
- Early Detection, Prevention, and Infections Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer/World Health Organization, Lyon, France
| | - Sharon A Greene
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Nelly R Mugo
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Troy D Querec
- Chronic Viral Diseases Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Anthony Cagle
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle
| | | | - Stanley Luchters
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Population Health, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Marleen Temmerman
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Elizabeth R Unger
- Chronic Viral Diseases Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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Yee WL, Htay H, Mohamed Y, Nightingale CE, Tin HH, Thein W, Kyaw LL, Yee WW, Aye MM, Badman SG, Vallely AJ, Anderson D, Kelly-Hanku A, Luchters S. Operational experiences associated with the implementation of near point-of-care early infant diagnosis of HIV in Myanmar: a qualitative study. BMC Health Serv Res 2021; 21:863. [PMID: 34425814 PMCID: PMC8383426 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-06797-3] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Timely diagnosis and early initiation of life-saving antiretroviral therapy are critical factors in preventing mortality among HIV-infected infants. However, resource-limited settings experience numerous challenges associated with centralised laboratory-based testing, including low rates of testing, complex sample referral pathways and unacceptably long turnaround times for results. Point-of-care (POC) HIV testing for HIV-exposed infants can enable same-day communication of results and early treatment initiation for HIV-infected infants. However, complex operational issues and service integration can limit utility and must be well understood prior to implementation. We explored and documented the challenges and enabling factors in implementing the POC Xpert® HIV-1 Qual test (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) for early infant diagnosis (EID) as part of routine services in four public hospitals in Myanmar. Methods This sub-study was part of a randomised controlled stepped-wedge trial (Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, number 12616000734460) designed to investigate the impact of POC testing for EID in Myanmar and Papua New Guinea. Infants recruited during the intervention phase underwent POC testing at the participating hospitals as part of routine care. Semi-structured interviews with 23 caregivers, 12 healthcare providers and 10 key informants were used to explore experiences of POC-EID testing. The research team and hospital staff documented and discussed implementation challenges throughout the study. Results Overall, caregivers and healthcare workers were satisfied with the short turnaround time of the POC test. Occasional delays in POC testing were mostly attributable to late receipt of samples by laboratory technicians and communication constraints among healthcare staff. Hospital staff valued technical assistance from the research group and the National Health Laboratory. Despite staff shortages and infrastructure challenges such as unreliable electricity supply and cramped space, healthcare workers and caregivers found the implementation of the POC test to be feasible at pilot sites. Conclusions As plans for national scale-up evolve, there needs to be a continual focus on staff training, communication pathways and infrastructure. Other models of care, such as allowing non-laboratory-trained personnel to perform POC testing, and cost effectiveness should also be evaluated. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-021-06797-3.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hla Htay
- Burnet Institute, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Yasmin Mohamed
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Claire E Nightingale
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Monash Rural Health, Monash University, Bendigo, Australia
| | | | - Win Thein
- National Health Laboratory, Yangon, Myanmar
| | | | | | | | - Steven G Badman
- The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Andrew J Vallely
- The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Angela Kelly-Hanku
- The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Sexual and Reproductive Health Unit, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia. .,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. .,Department of Population Health, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya. .,Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
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Lusambili AM, Martini M, Abdirahman F, Asante A, Ochieng S, Guni JN, Maina R, Luchters S. "We have a lot of home deliveries" A qualitative study on the impact of COVID-19 on access to and utilization of reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health care among refugee women in urban Eastleigh, Kenya. J Migr Health 2021; 1-2:100025. [PMID: 34405176 PMCID: PMC8352096 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmh.2020.100025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Little is known about how pregnant refugee women, and the frontline health care workers who serve them, are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of health, and health service access. Women refugees are classified as a vulnerable group with regard to pregnancy outcomes and access to maternal care, and may be disproportionally at risk for COVID-19 infection as they are likely to face unique barriers to information and access to reproductive health services during the pandemic. Few studies identify gaps that could inform potential interventions to improve service uptake for refugee women, particularly in the context of COVID-19. Yet, understanding how pregnant refugees are impacted in the context of the pandemic is critical to developing and implementing strategies and measures that can help in their care and the delivery of health services. Aims This study aimed to improve understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on women refugees' access to and utilisation of antenatal care, delivery and postnatal care in Eastleigh, Kenya. Methods The study was conducted in Eastleigh, a semi-urban centre in Nairobi. We conducted 25 in-depth interviews with facility and community health care staff (n = 10) and women attending antenatal (n = 10) and postnatal care services (n = 5) in October 2020. Data was analysed using NVIVO 12 software. Findings Our findings suggest that within the first eight months of COVID-19, preferences for home deliveries by refugee women increased and health care workers reported having observed reduced utilisation of services and delayed care. Fear, economic challenges and lack of migrant-inclusive health system policies were key factors influencing home deliveries and delayed and low uptake of facility-based care. Conclusions The findings highlight the need to mitigate and lower barriers that prevent refugee women from seeking care at health facilities. One approach includes the development of refugee-inclusive public health policies, particularly during a pandemic, and the need to tailor health care services for refugees at facilities and in the communities.
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Key Words
- AKU, Aga Khan University
- ANC, ante-natal care
- Antenatal care
- CHV, community health volunteer
- COVID-19
- FP, family planning
- HCW, health care workers
- HIC, high-income country
- HIV, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
- Home deliveries
- IOM, International Organisation of Migration
- Kenya
- LMIC, low- to middle-income country
- MNCH, maternal, new-born and child health
- Migrants
- NACOSTI, National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation
- PI, principal investigator
- PNC, post-natal care
- Postnatal care
- Qualitative Inquiry
- RMNCH, reproductive, maternal, new-born and child health
- Refugees
- SSA, sub-Saharan Africa
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michela Martini
- International Organisation of Migration (IOM), United Nations Migration, Kenya
| | - Faiza Abdirahman
- International Organisation of Migration (IOM), United Nations Migration, Kenya
| | - Abena Asante
- International Organisation of Migration (IOM), United Nations Migration, Kenya
| | - Sharon Ochieng
- Department of Population Health, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Kenya
| | - Joseph N Guni
- Department of Population Health, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Kenya
| | - Rose Maina
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Aga Khan University, Kenya
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Department of Population Health, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Kenya.,International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Belgium.,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Australia.,Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
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47
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Batura N, Saweri OP, Vallely A, Pomat W, Homer C, Guy R, Luchters S, Mola G, Vallely LM, Morgan C, Kariwiga G, Wand H, Rogerson S, Tabrizi SN, Whiley DM, Low N, Peeling RW, Siba PM, Riddell M, Laman M, Bolnga J, Robinson LJ, Morewaya J, Badman S, Kelly-Hanku A, Toliman PJ, Peter W, Peach E, Garland S, Kaldor J, Wiseman V. Point-of-care testing and treatment of sexually transmitted and genital infections during pregnancy in Papua New Guinea (WANTAIM trial): protocol for an economic evaluation alongside a cluster-randomised trial. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e046308. [PMID: 34385236 PMCID: PMC8362726 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046308] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Left untreated, sexually transmitted and genital infections (henceforth STIs) in pregnancy can lead to serious adverse outcomes for mother and child. Papua New Guinea (PNG) has among the highest prevalence of curable STIs including syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis, and high neonatal mortality rates. Diagnosis and treatment of these STIs in PNG rely on syndromic management. Advances in STI diagnostics through point-of-care (PoC) testing using GeneXpert technology hold promise for resource-constrained countries such as PNG. This paper describes the planned economic evaluation of a cluster-randomised cross-over trial comparing antenatal PoC testing and immediate treatment of curable STIs with standard antenatal care in two provinces in PNG. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Cost-effectiveness of the PoC intervention compared with standard antenatal care will be assessed prospectively over the trial period (2017-2021) from societal and provider perspectives. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios will be calculated for the primary health outcome, a composite measure of the proportion of either preterm birth and/or low birth weight; for life years saved; for disability-adjusted life years averted; and for non-health benefits (financial risk protection and improved health equity). Scenario analyses will be conducted to identify scale-up options, and budget impact analysis will be undertaken to understand short-term financial impacts of intervention adoption on the national budget. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analysis will be conducted to account for uncertainty in key model inputs. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study has ethical approval from the Institutional Review Board of the PNG Institute of Medical Research; the Medical Research Advisory Committee of the PNG National Department of Health; the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of New South Wales; and the Research Ethics Committee of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Findings will be disseminated through national stakeholder meetings, conferences, peer-reviewed publications and policy briefs. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN37134032.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Batura
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Olga Pm Saweri
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- The Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
| | - Andrew Vallely
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- The Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
| | - William Pomat
- The Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
| | - Caroline Homer
- The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rebecca Guy
- The Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
| | - Stanley Luchters
- The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Population Health, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Monash, Victoria, Australia
| | - Glen Mola
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
| | - Lisa M Vallely
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- The Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
| | | | - Grace Kariwiga
- Milne Bay Provincial Health Authority, Alotau, Papua New Guinea
| | - Handan Wand
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stephen Rogerson
- Department of Medicine, The Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - David M Whiley
- The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nicola Low
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Rosanna W Peeling
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Peter M Siba
- The Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
| | - Michaela Riddell
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | - Moses Laman
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | - John Bolnga
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | - Leanne J Robinson
- The Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | - Jacob Morewaya
- Milne Bay Provincial Health Authority, Alotau, Papua New Guinea
| | - Steven Badman
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Angela Kelly-Hanku
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- The Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
| | - Pamela J Toliman
- The Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
| | - Wilfred Peter
- Madang Provincial Health Authority, Madang, Papua New Guinea
| | | | - Suzanne Garland
- Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Department, The Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - John Kaldor
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Virginia Wiseman
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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48
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Ngugi AK, Walraven G, Orwa J, Lusambili A, Kimani M, Luchters S. Community-driven data revolution is feasible in developing countries: experiences from an integrated health information and surveillance system in Kenya. Journal of Global Health Reports 2021. [DOI: 10.29392/001c.25977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Stanley Luchters
- Department of Population Health, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya; International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Belgium; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Australia; Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
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49
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Lusambili AM, Wisofschi S, Shumba C, Muriuki P, Obure J, Mantel M, Mossman L, Pell R, Nyaga L, Ngugi A, Orwa J, Luchters S, Mulama K, Wade TJ, Temmerman M. A Qualitative Endline Evaluation Study of Male Engagement in Promoting Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Services in Rural Kenya. Front Public Health 2021; 9:670239. [PMID: 34307276 PMCID: PMC8296463 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.670239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Globally, male involvement in reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH) is associated with increased benefits for women, their children, and their communities. Between 2016 and 2020, the Aga Khan University implemented the Access to Quality of Care through Extending and Strengthening Health Systems (AQCESS), project funded by the Government of Canada and Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC). A key component of the project was to encourage greater male engagement in RMNCH in rural Kisii and Kilifi, two predominantly patriarchal communities in Kenya, through a wide range of interventions. Toward the end of the project, we conducted a qualitative evaluation to explore how male engagement strategies influenced access to and utilization of RMNCH services. This paper presents the endline evaluative study findings on how male engagement influenced RMNCH in rural Kisii and Kilifi. Methods: The study used complementing qualitative methods in the AQCESS intervention areas. We conducted 10 focus group discussions (FGDs) with 82 community members across four groups including adult women, adult men, adolescent girls, and adolescent boys. We also conducted 11 key informant interviews (KIIs) with facility health managers, and sub-county and county officials who were aware of the AQCESS project. Results: Male engagement activities in Kisii and Kilifi counties were linked to improved knowledge and uptake of family planning (FP), spousal/partner accompaniment to facility care, and defeminization of social and gender roles. Conclusion: This study supports the importance of male involvement in RMNCH in facilitating decisions on women and children's health as well as in improving spousal support for use of FP methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adelaide M Lusambili
- Department of Population Health, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Stefania Wisofschi
- Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Constance Shumba
- Department of Population Health, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Peter Muriuki
- Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jerim Obure
- Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Michaela Mantel
- Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Rachel Pell
- Aga Khan Foundation, Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Lucy Nyaga
- Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Anthony Ngugi
- Department of Population Health, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - James Orwa
- Department of Population Health, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Department of Population Health, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya.,Aga Khan Foundation, Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Department of Public Health and Primary Care, International Centre for Reproductive Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kennedy Mulama
- Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Terrance J Wade
- Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya.,Department of Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
| | - Marleen Temmerman
- Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya.,Department of Public Health and Primary Care, International Centre for Reproductive Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
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50
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Scoullar MJL, Boeuf P, Peach E, Fidelis R, Tokmun K, Melepia P, Elijah A, Bradshaw CS, Fehler G, Siba PM, Erskine S, Mokany E, Kennedy E, Umbers AJ, Luchters S, Robinson LJ, Wong NC, Vallely AJ, Badman SG, Vallely LM, Fowkes FJI, Morgan C, Pomat W, Crabb BS, Beeson JG. Mycoplasma genitalium and Other Reproductive Tract Infections in Pregnant Women, Papua New Guinea, 2015-2017. Emerg Infect Dis 2021; 27:894-904. [PMID: 33622474 PMCID: PMC7920647 DOI: 10.3201/eid2703.201783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Much about the range of pathogens, frequency of coinfection, and clinical effects of reproductive tract infections (RTIs) among pregnant women remains unknown. We report on RTIs (Mycoplasma genitalium, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum, bacterial vaginosis, and vulvovaginal candidiasis) and other reproductive health indicators in 699 pregnant women in Papua New Guinea during 2015–2017. We found M. genitalium, an emerging pathogen in Papua New Guinea, in 12.5% of participants. These infections showed no evidence of macrolide resistance. In total, 74.1% of pregnant women had >1 RTI; most of these infections were treatable. We detected sexually transmitted infections (excluding syphilis) in 37.7% of women. Our findings showed that syndromic management of infections is greatly inadequate. In total, 98.4% of women had never used barrier contraception. These findings will inform efforts to improve reproductive healthcare in Papua New Guinea.
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