The use of patient-reported outcome measures to improve patient-related outcomes - a systematic review.

Background: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) provide invaluable information on patients' health outcomes and can be used to improve patient-related outcomes at the individual, organizational and policy levels. This systematic review aimed to a) identify contemporary applications and synthesize all evidence on the use of PROMs in these contexts and b) to determine characteristics of interventions associated with increased effectiveness.

Methods: Five databases were searched for studies providing quantitative evidence of the impact of PROM interventions.

Examining Public Sector Availability and Supply Chain Management Practices for Malaria Commodities: Findings From Northern Nigeria.

Background: Nigeria accounts for substantial proportions of global malaria infections and deaths, with children aged younger than 5 years being the most affected group. This suggests that access to lifesaving malaria interventions could be suboptimal, especially at public health facilities where most rural dwellers seek health care. We conducted this study to ascertain if public health facilities have the commodities and the robust supply chain management (SCM) system required to deliver malaria interventions to children younger than 5 years.

Exploring patient perspectives on EQ-5D-5L data visualization within an individualized decision aid for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in Alberta, Canada.

Background: Decision aids can help patients set realistic expectations. In this study, we explored alternative presentations to visualise patient-reported outcomes (EQ-5D-5L) data within an online, individualized patient decision aid for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) that, in part, generates individualized comparisons based on age, sex and body mass index, to enhance usability prior to implementation into routine clinical practice.

Methods: We used data visualization techniques to modify the presentation of EQ-5D-5L outcomes data within the decision aid.

Health trends in Canada 1990-2019: An analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study.

Objective: Monitoring trends in key population health indicators is important for informing health policies. The aim of this study was to examine population health trends in Canada over the past 30 years in relation to other countries.

Methods: We used data on disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years of life lost (YLL), years lived with disability, life expectancy (LE), and child mortality for Canada and other countries between 1990 and 2019 provided by the Global Burden of Disease Study.

Private sector availability and affordability of under 5 malaria health commodities in selected states in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory.

Background: To guarantee uninterrupted service delivery, quality-assured products must be affordable and continuously available across all sectors, including the private sector, which provides more than 60% of healthcare services in Nigeria. We investigated the private sector availability and affordability of under 5 malaria commodities to establish the level of access in this sector.

Methods: We surveyed patent medicine and pharmacy stores across seven states in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory to establish the availability and affordability of selected malaria commodities for children under 5 years.

The Impact of Blood Glucose Test Strips Reimbursement Limits on Utilization, Costs, and Health-care Utilization in British Columbia.

Objective: People living with diabetes and not using insulin may not derive clinically significant benefit from routine glucose self-monitoring. As a result, in 2015, British Columbia (BC) introduced quantity restrictions for blood glucose test strips (BGTS) coverage in public plans. We studied the impact of this policy on utilization, costs, and health-care utilization.

Factors that influence pharmacists' efforts in addressing substance use in Nigeria: An exploratory study.

Introduction: Substance use is a major global public health problem. Over the years, the burden of substance use has increased worldwide, with Nigeria having a prevalence that is substantially above the global average. Tackling this challenge requires a collaborative effort between different health professionals.

Trends and predictors of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in an era of protocol changes: Findings from two large health facilities in North East Nigeria.

Background: Research studies have demonstrated a reduction in the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (MTCT) to less than 2%, or 5% in non-breastfeeding and breastfeeding populations, respectively, with antiretroviral interventions. However, the risk of MTCT in routine health-facility settings, where service delivery is usually sub-optimal needs monitoring.

Method: We conducted a retrospective review of data from 2008-2014, in two health facilities in Adamawa State, Nigeria.

Risk factors for perinatal transmission of HIV among women attending prevention of mother-to-child transmission clinics in Northwest Nigeria.

Despite the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT), some HIV-infected women in PMTCT care are at risk of transmitting HIV to their babies. Using a 1:1 unmatched case-control study design, we assessed the risk factors for perinatal transmission among women who received ART for PMTCT in Sokoto State, Nigeria. Data were abstracted from medical records of cases (94 HIV-infected babies) and controls (94 HIV-uninfected babies) and their mothers who accessed PMTCT services in three purposefully selected secondary health facilities.

Country ownership and sustainability of Nigeria's HIV/AIDS Supply Chain System: qualitative perceptions of progress, challenges and prospects.

Background: The emergency response phase to HIV epidemic in Nigeria and other countries saw to the deployment of donors' resources with little consideration for country ownership (CO) and sustainability. The progress that has been made in the fight against the pandemic has however precipitated a paradigm shift towards CO and sustainability. With the decline in donors' funding, countries must continually evaluate their readiness to own and sustain their HIV response especially the supply chain system (SCS) and bridge any observed gaps.