Concordance between immunohistochemistry and MSI analysis for detection of MMR/MSI status in colorectal cancer patients.

Background: Recently, screening of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients for mismatch repair/microsatellite instability (MMR/MSI) status is widely practiced due to its potential predictive and prognostic roles and a screening tool to reveal Lynch Syndrome (LS). The purpose of the study was to evaluate concordance between immunohistochemistry (IHC) and MSI analysis methods for detection of MMR/MSI status in colorectal cancer patients in Kuantan, Pahang.

Methods: Fifty selected CRC cases of deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) and proficient mismatch repair (pMMR) which were identified immunohistochemically in the previous study were subjected to MSI analysis.

Health survey on anxiety, depression, and stress in Afghanistan: A large-scale cross-sectional study amid ongoing challenges.

Background: One of the most significant events in recent Afghan history is the rise of the Taliban and the war that followed, which had profound impacts on the lives of Afghans. The present study examined the mental health of Afghans living under the Taliban government.

Methods: Between June 5, 2023 and February 12, 2024, a cross-sectional study was conducted among the Afghan population in three key regions of Afghanistan.

Prevalence and associated risk factors of stunting, wasting/thinness, and underweight among primary school children in Kandahar City, Afghanistan: a cross-sectional analytical study.

Background: Undernutrition, which includes stunting, wasting, and underweight, is a global problem, especially among children of low- and middle-income countries. To our knowledge, this study is first of its type from Afghanistan. Its main objectives were to estimate the prevalence and associated risk factors of stunting, wasting/thinness, and underweight among urban primary school children in Kandahar city of Afghanistan.

Bioequivalence of a new coated 15 mg primaquine formulation for malaria elimination.

Background: With only one 15 mg primaquine tablet registered by a stringent regulatory authority and marketed, more quality-assured primaquine is needed to meet the demands of malaria elimination.

Methods: A classic, two sequence, crossover study, with a 10-day wash out period, of 15 mg of IPCA-produced test primaquine tablets and 15 mg of Sanofi reference primaquine tablets was conducted. Healthy volunteers, aged 18-45 years, without glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, a baseline haemoglobin ≥ 11 g/dL, creatinine clearance ≥ 70 mL/min/1.

Infectious causes of fever of unknown origin in developing countries: An international ID-IRI study.

Background: Fever of unknown origin (FUO) in developing countries is an important dilemma and further research is needed to elucidate the infectious causes of FUO.

Methods: A multi-center study for infectious causes of FUO in lower middle-income countries (LMIC) and low-income countries (LIC) was conducted between January 1, 2018 and January 1, 2023. In total, 15 participating centers from seven different countries provided the data, which were collected through the Infectious Diseases-International Research Initiative platform.

Antibiotic Resistance among Patients with Urinary Tract Infections in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a global public health threat. Highest burden of resistance is reported from low- and middle-income countries.

Objectives: To investigate and report the current scenario of increased antibiotic resistance of uropathogens among symptomatic urinary tract infection patients in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Understanding clinical outcomes and factors influencing mortality in intensive care unit patients with COVID-19-associated candidemia.

Background: During the COVID pandemic, research has shown an increase in candidemia cases following severe COVID infection and the identification of risk factors associated with candidemia. However, there is a lack of studies that specifically explore clinical outcomes and mortality rates related to candidemia after COVID infection.

Objectives: The aim of this international study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and identify factors influencing mortality in patients who developed candidemia during their COVID infection.

Predictors of non-adherence to antihypertensive medications: A cross-sectional study from a regional hospital in Afghanistan.

Background: Non-adherence to antihypertensive medications (AHMs) is a widespread problem. Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality reduction is possible via better adherence rates among hypertensive patients.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of non-adherence to AHMs and its predictors among hypertensive patients who attended Mirwais Regional Hospital in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Conducting Health Research in the Current Afghan Society: Challenges, Opportunities, and Recommendations.

Research makes a significant contribution to academic excellence and holds the potential to facilitate societal development. Despite the increasing importance of health research in developing new therapies and galvanizing notable progress in public health, the landscape of health research in Afghanistan remains profoundly deficient. This article reveals that health research in Afghanistan requires significant growth to meet the standards set on regional and global grounds.

Prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths and associated risk factors among primary school children in Kandahar, Afghanistan: A cross-sectional analytical study.

Background: Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are global health problem, especially in low-income countries. Main objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence and intensity of STH and its risk factors among school children in Kandahar city of Afghanistan.

Methodology/principal Findings: This was a school-based cross-sectional analytical study, with data collected during eight-month-period (May-December, 2022) from 6- and 12-years old school children in Kandahar city, Afghanistan.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of university students toward COVID-19 in Southern region, Afghanistan: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Successful implementation of preventive measures and level of awareness in particular among university students in Afghanistan could play a crucial role in spreading the information for better control of the ongoing pandemic. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding COVID-19 among Kandahar university students.

Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted among undergraduate students to investigate their KAP regarding COVID-19 from January to March, 2021.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) probability among parents who live in Kandahar, Afghanistan and lost at least a child to armed conflict.

The last 4 decades of conflict in Afghanistan resulted in incalculable deaths, injuries, and millions of displacements. Although there are routine reports on casualties of the warfare, the information on its long-term psycho-social sequelae is somehow discounted. This study aimed to assess post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) probability and its associated factors among parents who live in Kandahar, the southern province of Afghanistan, and lost at least one child to armed conflict.

Classical fever of unknown origin in 21 countries with different economic development: an international ID-IRI study.

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) is a serious challenge for physicians. The aim of the present study was to consider epidemiology and dynamics of FUO in countries with different economic development. The data of FUO patients hospitalized/followed between 1st July 2016 and 1st July 2021 were collected retrospectively and submitted from referral centers in 21 countries through ID-IRI clinical research platform.

Challenges in antenatal care utilization in Kandahar, Afghanistan: A cross-sectional analytical study.

Background: Quality antenatal care (ANC) is one of the four pillars of safe motherhood initiatives and improves the survival and health of mother and neonate. The main objective of this study was to assess the barriers in the utilization of ANC services in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional analytical study conducted over one year from December 2018-November 2019.

Treatment outcomes and risk factors of death in childhood tuberculous meningitis in Kandahar, Afghanistan: a prospective observational cohort study.

Background: Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most severe form of TB. We prospectively documented the treatment outcomes and the risk factors for death in children with TBM from Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Methods: This prospective observational cohort study was conducted from February 2017 to January 2020 in hospitalised TBM children.

Prevalence and associated risk factors of soil-transmitted helminth infections in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Background: Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are still a major health problem, especially in resource-limited countries. The community-based prevalence of STH is unknown in Afghanistan. Main objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence and associated factors of STH among children in Daman district of Kandahar province in Afghanistan.

Outcome of acute bacterial meningitis among children in Kandahar, Afghanistan: A prospective observational cohort study.

Background: Acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children but there are no published data on the treatment outcomes of ABM in Afghanistan.

Methods: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study over one year, February 2020 to January 2021 in a tertiary care hospital in Kandahar, Afghanistan. AMB was diagnosed clinically and on lumbar puncture findings.

Analyzing central-line associated bloodstream infection prevention bundles in 22 countries: The results of ID-IRI survey.

Background: Because central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are a significant complication of central venous access, it is critical to prevent CLABSIs through the use of central line bundles. The purpose of this study was to take a snapshot of central venous access bundles in various countries.

Methods: The participants in intensive care units (ICUs) completed a questionnaire that included information about the health center, infection control procedures, and central line maintenance.

Treatment outcome of tuberculosis treatment regimens in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic disease that mostly affects low-income countries. TB is transmitted through droplet aerosolization from a person with active pulmonary TB. Afghanistan is one of the 22 high TB burden countries where 39,445 people develop this disease and 7840 people die each year.

Determinants of treatment failure among tuberculosis patients in Kandahar City, Afghanistan: A 5-year retrospective cohort study.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a preventable and treatable chronic disease. Afghanistan is among the high-TB-burden countries. The aim of this study is to find the determinants of treatment failure among TB patients in Kandahar City, Afghanistan.

Severe vivax malaria: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical studies since 1900.

Background: Malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax was long considered to have a low mortality, but recent reports from some geographical areas suggest that severe and complicated vivax malaria may be more common than previously thought.

Methods: The primary objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to describe the reported clinical characteristics and the geographical variation in prevalence of reported severe vivax malaria and its change over time derived from English-language articles published since 1900. Medline and Scopus databases were searched for original papers on severe vivax malaria, using as inclusion criteria modified 2010 WHO criteria for the diagnosis of severe falciparum malaria.