Tropical Data: Approach and Methodology as Applied to Trachoma Prevalence Surveys.

Purpose: Population-based prevalence surveys are essential for decision-making on interventions to achieve trachoma elimination as a public health problem. This paper outlines the methodologies of Tropical Data, which supports work to undertake those surveys.

Methods: Tropical Data is a consortium of partners that supports health ministries worldwide to conduct globally standardised prevalence surveys that conform to World Health Organization recommendations.

Community-level trachoma ecological associations and the use of geospatial analysis methods: A systematic review.

Background: Trachoma is targeted for global elimination as a public health problem by 2030. Understanding individual, household, or community-associated factors that may lead to continued transmission or risk of recrudescence in areas where elimination has previously been achieved, is essential in reaching and maintaining trachoma elimination. We aimed to identify climatic, demographic, environmental, infrastructural, and socioeconomic factors associated in the literature with trachoma at community-level and assess the strength of their association with trachoma.

Prevalence of Trachomatous Trichiasis in Ten Evaluation Units of Embu and Kitui Counties, Kenya.

Background: Late-stage blinding sequalae of trachoma such as trachomatous trichiasis (TT) typically take decades to develop and often do so in the absence of ongoing ocular infection. This suggests that most TT risk accumulates in early life; as a result, population-level TT incidence and prevalence can remain high years after transmission among children has decreased. In Embu and Kitui counties, Kenya, the prevalence of trachomatous inflammation - follicular is low in children.

Evaluating Precision of a Trachomatous Trichiasis (TT) Super Survey with Modulating Sample Sizes in Tanzania.

As trachoma programs move towards eliminating trachoma as a public health problem, the number of surveys necessary to evaluate the status of trachomatous trichiasis (TT) increases. Currently, the World Health Organization endorses a district-level population-based prevalence survey for trachoma that involves a two-stage cluster design. We explored the validity of implementing this survey design in larger geographic areas to gain cost efficiencies.

Financial burdens of HIV and chronic disease on people living with HIV in Côte d'Ivoire: A cross-sectional out-of-pocket expenditure study.

Background: Although people living with HIV in Côte d'Ivoire receive antiretroviral therapy (ART) at no cost, other out-of-pocket (OOP) spending related to health can still create a barrier to care.

Methods: A convenience sample of 400 adults living with HIV for at least 1 year in Côte d'Ivoire completed a survey on their health spending for HIV and chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In addition to descriptive statistics, we performed simple linear regression analyses with bootstrapped 95% confidence intervals.

What's the best surgical repair technique of an ulnar styloid fracture? A biomechanical comparison of different techniques.

Introduction: 8-10% of all Ulnar styloid fractures (USF) accompanying distal radius fractures are addressed surgically. The surgical fixation has to counteract forces of translation and rotation acting on the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ). The different technics used were never compared biomechanically.

Ulnar footprints of the distal radioulnar ligaments: a detailed topographical study in 21 cadaveric wrists.

Understanding of the exact topography of the distal radioulnar ligaments insertions remains limited. An anatomical study was performed in 21 fresh frozen cadaveric wrists, where the superficial and deep ligaments were sequentially transected sharply at their ulnar insertions. The relationships between the distal radioulnar ligament footprints relative to the bony landmarks of the ulnar styloid were digitized.

The costs of monitoring trachoma elimination: Impact, surveillance, and trachomatous trichiasis (TT)-only surveys.

Background: Although trachoma causes more cases of preventable blindness than any other infectious disease, a combination of strategies is reducing its global prevalence. As a district moves toward eliminating trachoma as a public health problem, national programs conduct trachoma impact surveys (TIS) to assess whether to stop preventative interventions and trachoma surveillance surveys (TSS) to determine whether the prevalence of active trachoma has rebounded after interventions have halted. In some contexts, programs also conduct trachomatous trichiasis (TT)-only surveys.

Using Short Message Service Alerts to Increase Antenatal Care and Malaria Prevention: Findings from Implementation Research Pilot in Guinea.

Intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) is recommended to prevent malaria in pregnancy. Treatment coverage, particularly for three or more doses, is dependent on pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) services as scheduled. The StopPalu project pilot tested short message services (SMSs) to remind women of upcoming ANC visits in the Conakry and Kindia regions of Guinea.

Understanding the spatial distribution of trichiasis and its association with trachomatous inflammation-follicular.

Background: Whilst previous work has identified clustering of the active trachoma sign "trachomatous inflammation-follicular" (TF), there is limited understanding of the spatial structure of trachomatous trichiasis (TT), the rarer, end-stage, blinding form of disease. Here we use community-level TF prevalence, information on access to water and sanitation, and large-scale environmental and socio-economic indicators to model the spatial variation in community-level TT prevalence in Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, DRC, Guinea, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sudan and Uganda.

Methods: We fit binomial mixed models, with community-level random effects, separately for each country.

Prevalence of trachoma in the Afar Region of Ethiopia: results of seven population-based surveys from the Global Trachoma Mapping Project.

Purpose: Trachoma is to be eliminated as a public health problem by 2020. To help the process of planning interventions where needed, and to provide a baseline for later comparison, we set out to complete the map of trachoma in Afar, Ethiopia, by estimating trachoma prevalence in evaluation units (EUs) of grouped districts ("woredas").

Methods: We conducted seven community-based surveys from August to October 2013, using standardised Global Trachoma Mapping Project (GTMP) survey methodologies.

Epidemiology of trachoma and its implications for implementing the "SAFE" strategy in Somali Region, Ethiopia: results of 14 population-based prevalence surveys.

Purpose: Ethiopia is highly trachoma endemic. Baseline mapping was needed in Ethiopia's Somali Region to guide elimination efforts.

Methods: Cross-sectional community-based surveys were conducted in 34 suspected trachoma-endemic woredas, grouped as 14 evaluation units (EUs), using a standardised mapping methodology developed for the Global Trachoma Mapping Project.

Impact Survey Results after SAFE Strategy Implementation in 15 Local Government Areas of Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States, Nigeria.

Purpose: To determine prevalence of trachoma after interventions in 15 local government areas (LGAs) of Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States, Nigeria.

Methods: A population-based impact survey was conducted in each LGA using Global Trachoma Mapping Project (GTMP) protocols. In each LGA, 25 villages were selected, except in Arewa LGA, where we selected 25 villages from each of four subunits to obtain finer-resolution prevalence information.

Prevalence of trachoma in Yemen: results of population-based prevalence surveys of 42 evaluation units in nine governorates.

Purpose: In suspected trachoma-endemic areas of Yemen, we sought to determine the prevalence of the sign trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) in children aged 1-9 years, and the potential individual and household risk factors for TF in that age group. We also sought to determine the prevalence of trichiasis in adults aged ≥15 years.

Methods: We conducted a cluster-sampled survey in each of 42 evaluation units (EUs) comprising 166 rural districts of nine Governorates (Adh Dhale'a, Al Hodeihah, Al Jawf, Hadramoot, Hajjah, Ibb, Lahj, Ma'rib, Taiz) using the Global Trachoma Mapping Project systems and methodologies.

Prevalence of trachoma in 13 Local Government Areas of Taraba State, Nigeria.

Purpose: The purpose of these surveys was to determine the prevalence of trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) in children aged 1-9 years and trichiasis prevalence in persons aged ≥15 years, in 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Taraba State, Nigeria.

Methods: The surveys followed Global Trachoma Mapping Project (GTMP) protocols. Twenty-five households were selected from each of 25 clusters in each LGA, using two-stage cluster sampling providing probability of selection proportional to cluster size.

Prevalence of trachoma in the area councils of the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria: results of six population-based surveys.

Purpose: The World Health Organization's (WHO's) global trachoma elimination programme recommends mapping of trachoma at district level for planning of elimination activities in affected populations. This study aimed to provide data on trachoma prevalence for the Area Councils of Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Methods: Using the Global Trachoma Mapping Project (GTMP) protocols, in March and April 2014, we conducted a population-based cross-sectional survey in each of the six Area Councils of FCT.

The Ganz acetabular reinforcement ring shows excellent long-term results when used as a primary implant: a retrospective analysis of two hundred and forty primary total hip arthroplasties with a minimum follow-up of twenty years.

Purpose: The acetabular reinforcement ring with a hook (ARRH) has been designed for acetabular total hip arthroplasty (THA) revision. Additionally, the ARRH offers several advantages when used as a primary implant especially in cases with altered acetabular morphology. The implant facilitates anatomic positioning by placing the hook around the teardrop and provides a homogenous base for cementing the polyethylene cup.

A community led innovation benefiting women and children: Health facilities and credit cooperative work together to promote maternal health care in Sahare VDC, Nepal.

Monetary incentives effectively promote antenatal care (ANC) attendance. However, in Nepal, late release of incentives is common, which leads to delays in payment to mothers, thereby negating the intended motivation. We evaluate a novel innovation where community organizers partnered with a Women's Saving and Credit Cooperative to provide interest-free loans for timely distribution to mothers.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control in the Global Trachoma Mapping Project.

In collaboration with the health ministries that we serve and other partners, we set out to complete the multiple-country Global Trachoma Mapping Project. To maximize the accuracy and reliability of its outputs, we needed in-built, practical mechanisms for quality assurance and quality control. This article describes how those mechanisms were created and deployed.

The Epidemiology of Trachoma in Mozambique: Results of 96 Population-Based Prevalence Surveys.

Purpose: Surveys are needed to guide trachoma control efforts in Mozambique, with WHO guidelines for intervention based on the prevalence of trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) in children aged 1-9 years and the prevalence of trichiasis in adults aged 15 years and above. We conducted surveys to complete the map of trachoma prevalence in Mozambique.

Methods: Between July 2012 and May 2015, we carried out cross-sectional surveys in 96 evaluation units (EUs) covering 137 districts.

Triceps-sparing extra-articular step-cut olecranon osteotomy for distal humeral fractures: an anatomic study.

Background: This anatomic study investigated the distal humeral articular surface exposure achievable through a triceps-sparing oblique extra-articular osteotomy of the olecranon with a step-cut modification compared with the anconeus flap transolecranon apex distal chevron osteotomy. In addition, the bone contact surface areas of the osteotomized surfaces after transolecranon and extra-articular osteotomies were compared.

Methods: Seven pairs of fresh adult cadaveric elbow joints were examined.

Prevalence of Trachoma in Kano State, Nigeria: Results of 44 Local Government Area-Level Surveys.

Purpose: We sought to determine the prevalence of trachoma in 44 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kano State, Nigeria.

Methods: A population-based prevalence survey was conducted in each Kano LGA. We used a two-stage systematic and quasi-random sampling strategy to select 25 households from each of 25 clusters in each LGA.

Prevalence of Trachoma in Benishangul Gumuz Region, Ethiopia: Results of Seven Population-Based Surveys from the Global Trachoma Mapping Project.

Purpose: Trachoma is a major cause of blindness in Ethiopia, and targeted for elimination as a public health problem by the year 2020. Prevalence data are needed to plan interventions. We set out to estimate the prevalence of trachoma in each evaluation unit of grouped districts ("woredas") in Benishangul Gumuz region, Ethiopia.