IMU-Assisted Manual 3D-Ultrasound Imaging Using Motion-Constrained Swept-Fan Scans

Three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonic imaging can enable post-facto plane of interest selection. It can be performed with devices such as wobbler probes, matrix probes, and sensor-based probes. Ultrasound systems that support 3D-imaging are expensive with added hardware complexity compared to 2D-imaging systems. An inertial measurement unit (IMU) can potentially be used for 3D-imaging by using it to track the motion of a one-dimensional array probe and constraining its motion in one degree of freedom (1-DoF) rotation (swept-fan). This work demonstrates the feasibility of an affordable IMU-assisted manual 3D-ultrasound scanner (IAM3US). A consumer-grade IMU-assisted 3D scanner prototype is designed with two support structures for swept-fan. After proper IMU calibration, an appropriate KF-based algorithm estimates the probe orientation during the swept-fan. An improved scanline-based reconstruction method is used for volume reconstruction. The evaluation of the IAM3US system is done by imaging a tennis ball filled with water and the head region of a fetal phantom. From fetal phantom reconstructed volumes, suitable 2D planes are extracted for biparietal diameter (BPD) manual measurements. Later, in-vivo data is collected. The novel contributions of this paper are (1) the application of a recently proposed algorithm for orientation estimation of swept-fan for 3D imaging, chosen based on the noise characteristics of selected consumer grade IMU (2) assessment of the quality of the 1-DoF swept-fan scan with a deflection detector along with monitoring of maximum angular rate during the scan and (3) two probe holder designs to aid the operator in performing the 1-DoF rotational motion and (4) end-to-end 3D-imaging system-integration. Phantom studies and preliminary in-vivo obstetric scans performed on two patients illustrate the usability of the system for diagnosis purposes.

Mobile Mental Health in Women's Community-Based Organizations: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Of every 10 women in rural India, 1 suffers from a common mental disorder such as depression, and untreated depression is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Several factors lead to a large treatment gap, specifically for women in rural India, including stigma, lack of provider mental health workforce, and travel times. There is an urgent need to improve the rates of detection and treatment of depression among women in rural India without overburdening the scarce mental health resources.

OBJECTIVE

We propose to develop, test, and deploy a mental health app, MITHRA (Multiuser Interactive Health Response Application), for depression screening and brief intervention, designed for use in women's self-help groups (SHGs) in rural India.

METHODS

We will use focus groups with SHG members and community health workers to guide the initial development of the app, followed by iterative modification based on input from a participatory design group consisting of proposed end users of the app (SHG members). The final version of the app will then be deployed for testing in a pilot cluster randomized trial, with 3 SHGs randomized to receive the app and 3 to receive enhanced care as usual.

RESULTS

This study was funded in June 2021. As of September 2022, we have completed both focus groups, 1 participatory design group, and app development.

CONCLUSIONS

Delivering app-based depression screening and treatment in community settings such as SHGs can address stigma and transportation-related barriers to access to depression care and overcome cultural and contextual barriers to mobile health use. It can also address the mental health workforce shortage. If we find that the MITHRA approach is feasible, we will test the implementation and effectiveness of MITHRA in multiple SHGs across India in a larger randomized controlled trial. This approach of leveraging community-based organizations to improve the reach of depression screening and treatment is applicable in rural and underserved areas across the globe.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/42919.

The Influence of Transmission-Based and Moral-Based HIV Stigma Beliefs on Intentions to Discriminate Among Ward Staff in South Indian Health Care Settings

HIV stigma is comprised of several beliefs, including transmission fears and moral judgments against affected communities. We examined the relationships among HIV-related stigma beliefs, endorsement of coercive measures for people living with HIV (PLWH), and intentions to discriminate. We sought to understand to what degree the different stigma beliefs shape support for restrictive policies and discriminatory intentions. Data were drawn from the baseline assessment of DriSti, a cluster randomized controlled trial of an HIV stigma reduction intervention in Indian healthcare settings (NCT02101697). Participants completed measures assessing transmission fears and moral judgments of HIV, endorsement of coercive measures against PLWH (public disclosure of HIV status, refusal of healthcare services, marriage and family restrictions, required testing, and sharing of HIV information in a clinic), and intentions to discriminate against PLWH in professional and personal settings. We utilized multivariate regression modeling with backward elimination to identify the coercive measures and behavioral intentions most strongly associated with moral judgments. 1540 ward staff members completed the assessment. Participants had relatively high perceptions of transmission fears (M = 1.92, SD = 0.79) and moral judgments (M = 1.69, SD = 0.83); endorsed more intentions to discriminate in professional (M = 6.54, SD = 2.28) than personal settings (M = 2.07, SD = 1.49), and endorsed approximately half of all coercive measures (M = 9.47, SD = 2.68). After controlling for transmission fears, perceptions of stronger moral judgments against PLWH were significantly associated with higher endorsement of coercive measures related to refusing services (β = 0.10, t = 4.14, p < 0.001) and sharing patients' HIV status in clinics (β = 0.07, t = 3.04, p = 0.002), as well as with stronger behavioral intentions to discriminate in professional settings (β = 0.05, t = 2.20, p = 0.022). HIV stigma interventions for hospital-based ward staff in India need to focus on both transmission fears and moral judgments that underlie prejudicial beliefs. While the moral judgments are not technically related to risk in a hospital setting, our findings suggest that personnel will continue to discriminate in their professional work so long as these beliefs bear on their decisions and actions.

Standard Precautions are for everyone: The role of HIV stigma and implications for nursing education in India

Background and objective

Standard Precautions (SP) are infection control procedures universally applicable to every patient. Though SP reduces disease transmission, their implementation is dependent on the knowledge and skills of healthcare workers (HCWs). Poor knowledge regarding the appropriate use of SP can cause fear among HCWs, leading to stigma and discrimination while treating people living with HIV (PLWH). Stigma and discrimination are known barriers for PLWH to access HIV care services. The aim of the study was to assess nursing student knowledge of SP, SP self-efficacy and SP perceived efficacy of nursing students, and (2) to assess the association between SP knowledge, perceived efficacy, and intention to utilize unwarranted precautions, like using double gloves while treating PLWH.

Methods

This paper analyzes baseline (non-randomized) data of a cluster randomized controlled trial amongst 1868 Indian nursing students. Data was collected using computer-administered structured questionnaire. The associations between the measures were done using multiple, logistic and poisson regression models.

Results

Although 97% nursing students could identify SP, only 35.5% understood that they need to be used with all patients. Awareness of the importance of using SP with all patients was positively associated with self-efficacy. Students performing high-risk tasks frequently were significantly more likely to be confident in their ability to correctly use SP, but also had higher intention to use unwarranted precautions.

Conclusions

Existing teaching and training programs for HCWs need to provide clear guidelines and emphasize on the correct use of SP with all patients. This will increase both skills and confidence in their abilities (self-efficacy).

Awareness of the Use of Standard Precautions during Care of People Living with HIV by Ward Attendants in Indian Hospitals

Context:

Standard precautions (SP) are infection prevention practices universally used during patient care to lower infection transmission.

Aims:

The aim of the study was to (1) assess Indian ward attendants' (WAs) knowledge, perceived efficacy, and self-efficacy regarding SP and (2) examine correlates of SP self-efficacy and intent to use unnecessary precautions during care of people living with HIV.

Subjects and Methods:

Data are sourced from a face-to-face baseline survey of a stigma-reduction trial among 1859 WAs from Indian hospitals. Percentages were used to describe categorical variables means and standard deviations for continuous variables. Multiple regressions examined associations between measures.

Results:

WAs who had heard of SP had 44% higher odds of confidently using SP than those who had not heard of them. Those aware of universal SP use were 43% more likely to feel confident in using SP but also reported greater intent to use unnecessary precautions.

Conclusions:

Hospitals could implement SP training for WAs, as their knowledge of universal use was lacking.

HIV Transmission Worry Predicts Discrimination Intentions Among Nursing Students and Ward Staff in India

Health facility stigma impedes HIV care and treatment. Worry of contracting HIV while caring for people living with HIV is a key driver of health facility stigma, however evidence for this relationship is largely cross-sectional. This study evaluates this relationship longitudinally amongst nursing students and ward staff in India. Worry of contracting HIV and other known predictors of intent to discriminate were collected at baseline and 6 months in 916 nursing students and 747 ward staff. Using fixed effects regression models, we assessed the effect of key predictors on intent to discriminate over a 6-month period. Worry of contracting HIV predicted intent to discriminate for nursing students and ward staff in care situations with low and high-risk for bodily fluid exposure, confirming prior cross-sectional study results and underscoring the importance of addressing worry of contracting HIV as part of health facility HIV stigma-reduction interventions.

Reduction in Stigma Drivers Partially Mediates the Effect of a Stigma Reduction Intervention Among Nursing Students in India: The DriSti Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

HIV stigma in health care settings acts as a significant barrier to health care. Stigma drivers among health professionals include transmission fears and misconceptions and pre-existing negative attitudes toward marginalized groups vulnerable to HIV. The DriSti intervention, consisted of 2 sessions with videos and interactive exercises on a computer tablet and one interactive face-to-face group session, mostly tablet administered, was designed to target key stigma drivers that included instrumental stigma, symbolic stigma, transmission misconceptions and blame to reduce HIV stigma, and discrimination among nursing students (NS) and ward staff and tested in a cluster randomized trial.

SETTING

This report focuses on second and third year NS recruited from a range of nursing schools that included private, nonprofit, and government-run nursing schools in south India.

RESULTS

Six hundred seventy-nine NS received intervention and 813 NS were in the wait-list control group. Twelve months outcome analyses showed significant reduction among intervention participants in endorsement of coercive policies (P < 0.001) and in the number of situations in which NS intended to discriminate against PLWH (P < 0.001). Mediation analysis revealed that the effects of intervention on endorsement of coercive policies and intent to discriminate against PLWH were partially mediated by reductions in key stigma drivers.

CONCLUSIONS

This brief scalable stigma reduction intervention targeting key stigma drivers fills a critical gap in identifying the mechanistic pathways that aid in stigma reduction among health professionals.

HIV Stigma Reduction for Health Facility Staff: Development of a Blended- Learning Intervention

Introduction: The effect of stigma on health and health inequity is increasingly recognized. While many medical conditions trigger stigmatization, the negative effects of HIV stigma are particularly well documented. HIV stigma undermines access, uptake, and adherence to both HIV prevention and treatment. People living with HIV face stigma in all aspects of their daily lives; however, stigma in the health system is particularly detrimental. A key component for health facility stigma-reduction interventions is participatory training of staff, often through several days of in-person training. Though this approach shows promise, it is time intensive and poses challenges for busy health facilities. In response, the DriSti study has developed a brief blended-learning approach to stigma reduction in Karnataka State, India. This paper describes the process and final content of the intervention development. The intervention is currently being tested. Final evaluation results will be published upon study completion.

Methods: Grounded in behavior change strategies based on social cognitive theory principles that stress the importance of combining interpersonal interactions with specific strategies that promote behavior change, we used a three-phase approach to intervention development: (1) content planning—review of existing participatory stigma-reduction training activities; (2) story boarding—script development and tablet content production; and (3) pilot testing of tablet and in-person session materials.

Results: The final intervention curriculum consists of three sessions. Two initial self-administered tablet sessions focus on stigma awareness, attitudes, fears of HIV transmission, and use of standard precautions. The third small group session covers the same material but includes skill building through role-play and testimony by a person living with HIV. A study team member administers the tablet sessions, explains the process, and is present throughout to answer questions.

Conclusion: This paper describes the theoretical underpinning and process of developing the blended-learning curriculum content, and practical lessons learned.The approach covers three key drivers of HIV stigma—stigma awareness, fear of HIV transmission, and attitudes. Developing video content for the self-directed learning is complex, requires a diverse set of people and skills, and presents unexpected opportunities for stigma reduction. Co-facilitation of the in-person session by someone living with HIV is a critical component.