Protocol for a pilot, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of prophylactic use of tranexamic acid for preventing postpartum haemorrhage (TAPPH-1).

Introduction: Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is the leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite the availability of multiple uterotonic agents, the incidence of PPH continues to rise. Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been shown to be a safe, effective and inexpensive therapeutic option for the treatment of PPH, however, its use prophylactically in mitigating the risk of PPH is unknown.

Assessing health program performance in low- and middle-income countries: building a feasible, credible, and comprehensive framework.

Background: Many health service delivery models are adapting health services to meet rising demand and evolving health burdens in low- and middle-income countries. While innovative private sector models provide potential benefits to health care delivery, the evidence base on the characteristics and impact of such approaches is limited. We have developed a performance measurement framework that provides credible (relevant aspects of performance), feasible (available data), and comparable (across different organizations) metrics that can be obtained for private health services organizations that operate in resource-constrained settings.

Translating research into action: WHO evidence-informed guidelines for safe and effective micronutrient interventions.

In 2009 WHO adopted a new process by which recommendations for safe and effective micronutrient interventions are developed, ensuring the use of best practices and available evidence. This process includes nine steps ranging from establishing steering and guideline groups and prioritizing needs to planning the implementation and updating the guidelines. Systematic reviews of evidence are used to address critical outcomes for decision making, considering the balance among risks and benefits, values, preferences, and costs.