The evolution of health policy and systems research in 11 low- and middle-income countries and the role of the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research: a bibliometric analysis for 1999-2020.

Objectives: Given the rapid growth of the field of health policy and systems research (HPSR), it is important to monitor the research environment, especially the evolution of HPSR research outputs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The objective of this study was to generate quantitative metrics to assess the production of HPSR publications and the role of the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research (the Alliance) grant-funded projects in 11 LMICs over the past 20 years.

Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search for HPSR literature from 1999 to 2020 pertaining to 11 target LMIC countries, including grey literature.

Psychometric properties of the WHODAS 2.0 in patients with orthopedic injuries from road traffic crashes in Bangladesh.

Purpose: Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are a leading cause of disability in low- and middle-income countries. This study assesses the psychometric properties of 12-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0 among patients with orthopedic injuries from road traffic crashes in Bangladesh across two timepoints after hospital discharge.

Exploring the long-term disability outcomes in Trauma patients: study protocol.

Objectives: Trauma registries are essential tools for improving trauma care quality and efficiency, but many fail to capture long-term patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Focusing on these outcomes is crucial for understanding the extent of disability patients experience and identifying potential post-discharge interventions to optimize recovery. Studies reflecting the experience from low- and middle-income countries in this area are limited.

Role and promise of health policy and systems research in integrating rehabilitation into the health systems.

Despite recognized need and reasonable demand, health systems and rehabilitation communities keep working in silos, independently with minimal recognition to the issues of those who require rehabilitation services. Consolidated effort by health systems and rehabilitation parties, recognizing the value, power and promise of each other, is a need of the hour to address this growing issue of public health importance. In this paper, the importance and the need for integration of rehabilitation into health system is emphasized.

Epidemiology and perceptions of non-fatal burns among select youth (15-24 years old) from Peshawar Pakistan; a sequential explanatory mixed methods study.

Purpose: Burns are among the top five cause of unintentional injuries among youth. We aimed to determine the incidence and risk factors of burns in select youth from Pakistan and also explored their perceptions about burns.

Methods: A sequential explanatory mixed methods study was conducted which comprised of two phases.

The epidemiology of behavioral risk factors for noncommunicable disease and hypertension: A cross-sectional study from Eastern Uganda.

In light of the suboptimal noncommunicable disease (NCD) risk factor surveillance efforts, the study's main objectives were to: (i) characterize the epidemiological profile of NCD risk factors; (ii) estimate the prevalence of hypertension; and (iii) identify factors associated with hypertension in a peri-urban and rural Ugandan population. A population-based cross-sectional survey of adults was conducted at the Iganga-Mayuge Health and Demographic Surveillance System site in eastern Uganda. After describing sociodemographic characteristics, the prevalence of NCD risk factors and hypertension was reported.

Exploring the Long-Term Disability Outcomes in Trauma Patients: Study Protocol.

Objectives: Post-discharge patient-reported outcomes from trauma registries can be used to measure trauma care quality. However, studies reflecting the Asian experience are limited. Therefore, we aim to develop a digital trauma registry to prospectively capture patient-reported outcomes (PROs) at one-, three-, six-, and twelve-months post-injury in Pakistan.

Burns in South Asia: Outcomes from South Asian Burn Registry (SABR).

Background: South Asian region contributes 59 % to the global mortality due to burns. However, we find a paucity of literature on the outcomes of burns from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). South Asian Burn Registry (SABR) is a facility-based burns registry that collected data on in-patient burn care.

Unfavorable social determinants of health and risk of mortality in adults with diabetes: findings from the National Health Interview Survey.

Introduction: Understanding the role of social determinants of health as predictors of mortality in adults with diabetes may help improve health outcomes in this high-risk population. Using population-based, nationally representative data, this study investigated the cumulative effect of unfavorable social determinants on all-cause mortality in adults with diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: We used data from the 2013-2018 National Health Interview Survey, linked to the National Death Index through 2019, for mortality ascertainment.

Factors associated with emergency department disposition among burn injury patients: Analysis of prehospital and emergency care characteristics using South Asia Burn Registry (SABR) data.

Introduction: Improvement in burn injury data collections and the quality of databanks has allowed meaningful study of the epidemiologic trends in burn care. The study assessed factors associated with disposition of burn injury patients from emergency department accounting for pre-hospital care and emergency care.

Methods: This prospective observational pilot study of the South Asia Burn Registry project was conducted at selected public sector burn centers in Bangladesh and Pakistan (September 2014 - January 2015).

Unfavorable social determinants of health and mortality risk by cardiovascular disease status: Findings from a National Study of United States Adults.

Background: The association between cumulative burden of unfavorable social determinants of health (SDoH) and all-cause mortality has not been assessed by atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) status on a population level in the United States.

Methods: We assessed the association between cumulative social disadvantage and all-cause mortality by ASCVD status in the National Health Interview Survey, linked to the National Death Index.

Results: In models adjusted for established clinical risk factors, individuals experiencing the highest level of social disadvantage (SDoH-Q4) had over 1.

Which curve is better? A comparative analysis of trauma scoring systems in a South Asian country.

Objectives: A diverse set of trauma scoring systems are used globally to predict outcomes and benchmark trauma systems. There is a significant potential benefit of using these scores in low and middle-income countries (LMICs); however, its standardized use based on type of injury is still limited. Our objective is to compare trauma scoring systems between neurotrauma and polytrauma patients to identify the better predictor of mortality in low-resource settings.

Cumulative social disadvantage and health-related quality of life: national health interview survey 2013-2017.

Background: Evidence for the association between social determinants of health (SDoH) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is largely based on single SDoH measures, with limited evaluation of cumulative social disadvantage. We examined the association between cumulative social disadvantage and the Health and Activity Limitation Index (HALex).

Methods: Using adult data from the National Health Interview Survey (2013-2017), we created a cumulative disadvantage index by aggregating 47 deprivations across 6 SDoH domains.

Low educational attainment is associated with higher all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in the United States adult population.

Introduction: Educational attainment is an important social determinant of health (SDOH) for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the association between educational attainment and all-cause and CVD mortality has not been longitudinally evaluated on a population-level in the US, especially in individuals with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). In this nationally representative study, we assessed the association between educational attainment and the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular (CVD) mortality in the general adult population and in adults with ASCVD in the US.

Effect of the Data Collection Method on Mobile Phone Survey Participation in Bangladesh and Tanzania: Secondary Analyses of a Randomized Crossover Trial.

Background: Mobile phone surveys provide a novel opportunity to collect population-based estimates of public health risk factors; however, nonresponse and low participation challenge the goal of collecting unbiased survey estimates.

Objective: This study compares the performance of computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) and interactive voice response (IVR) survey modalities for noncommunicable disease risk factors in Bangladesh and Tanzania.

Methods: This study used secondary data from a randomized crossover trial.

Race, Social Determinants of Health, and Risk of All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality in the United States.

Objective: To examine the independent and interdependent effects of race and social determinants of health (SDoH) and risk of all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in the US.

Data Source/study Design: Secondary analysis of pooled data for 252,218 participants of the 2006-2018 National Health Interview Survey, linked to the National Death Index.

Methods: Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) were reported for non-Hispanic White (NHW) and non-Hispanic Black (NHB) individuals overall, and by quintiles of SDoH burden, with higher quintiles representing higher cumulative social disadvantage (SDoH-Qx).

Estimating the Burden of Disability From Road Traffic Injuries in 5 Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Protocol for a Prospective Observational Study.

Background: Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are a leading cause of death and unintentional injuries globally. They claim 1.35 million lives and produce up to 50 million injuries each year, causing a major drain on health systems.

Understanding maternal choices and experiences of care by skilled providers: Voices of mothers who delivered at home in selected communities of Lusaka city, Zambia.

Background: Significant proportions of women living in urban areas including the capital cities continue to deliver at home. We aimed to understand why mothers in a selected densely populated community of Lusaka city in Zambia deliver from home without assistance from a skilled provider during childbirth.

Methods: Using a phenomenological case study design, we conducted Focus Group Discussions and In-depth Interviews with mothers who delivered at home without assistance from a skilled provider.

The burden of injuries in Zambia: A call to research and action.

Injuries are predicted to become a greater cause of mortality than communicable diseases in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030, signaling a public health dilemma for governments and citizens in each country. This article uses epidemiological estimates of injuries in Zambia, considers the socio-economic impact of injuries, examines current policies for prevention, and provides a rapid situation analysis to help develop an action and research agenda for injury prevention in the country. It calls for better epidemiological data, capacity building for human resources, and adoption of evidence-based targets and interventions.