Gendered gaps to tuberculosis prevention and care in Kenya: a political economy analysis study.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a public health concern in Kenya despite the massive global efforts towards ending TB. The impediments to TB prevention and care efforts include poor health systems, resource limitations and other sociopolitical contexts that inform policy and implementation. Notably, TB cases are much higher in men than women.

Mortality and Heart Transplantation After Hybrid Palliation of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Newborns with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) who are considered at increased risk for death following Norwood/Sano surgery often undergo hybrid palliation (HP) as initial surgery. We aimed to compile the HP experience in HLHS and its variants and assess the rates of, and risk factors for, death and heart transplantation.

Methods: CINAHL, CINAHL PLUS, PubMed/MEDLINE, and SCOPUS were systematically searched for HP outcome studies of death or heart transplantation in HLHS between 1998 and 2022.

Communication strategies to improve human papillomavirus (HPV) immunisation uptake among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Developing countries face the greatest cervical cancer disease burden and mortality with suboptimal immunisation uptake. This review explores the communication strategies adopted, successes, challenges and lessons learnt in sub-Saharan countries to enhance human papillomavirus (HPV) immunisation.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Best practices and opportunities for integrating nutrition specific into nutrition sensitive interventions in fragile contexts: a systematic review.

Background: Annually, undernutrition contributes globally to 45% (3.1 million) of preventable deaths in children under 5. Effect following undernutrition i.

A Systematic Review of Interventions to Improve HPV Vaccination Coverage.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Although most HPV infections are transient and asymptomatic, persistent infection with high-risk HPV types may results in diseases. Although there are currently three effective and safe prophylactic HPV vaccines that are used across the world, HPV vaccination coverage remains low.

Integrating the Prevention and Control of Rheumatic Heart Disease into Country Health Systems: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: National and international political commitments have been made recently on rheumatic heart disease (RHD), a preventable heart condition that is endemic in low-resource countries. To inform best practice and identify evidence gaps, we assessed the effectiveness of RHD prevention and control programmes and the extent and nature of their integration into local health systems.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis using a previously published protocol that included electronic and manual searches for studies published between January 1990 and July 2019 reporting on prevention and control programmes for populations at risk for streptococcal pharyngitis, rheumatic fever, and/or RHD.

Standard echocardiography versus handheld echocardiography for the detection of subclinical rheumatic heart disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic accuracy.

Objective: To summarise the accuracy of handheld echocardiography (HAND) which, if shown to be sufficiently similar to that of standard echocardiography (STAND), could usher in a new age of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) screening in endemic areas.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data Sources: PubMed, Scopus, EBSCOHost and ISI Web of Science were initially searched on 27 September 2017 and again on 3 March 2020 for studies published from 2012 onwards.

Improving vaccination uptake among adolescents.

Background: Adolescent vaccination has received increased attention since the Global Vaccine Action Plan's call to extend the benefits of immunisation more equitably beyond childhood. In recent years, many programmes have been launched to increase the uptake of different vaccines in adolescent populations; however, vaccination coverage among adolescents remains suboptimal. Therefore, understanding and evaluating the various interventions that can be used to improve adolescent vaccination is crucial.

The global epidemiology of viral-induced acute liver failure: a systematic review protocol.

Introduction: The burden of viral-induced acute liver failure (ALF) around the world still remains unclear, with little to no data collected regarding the disease incidence in general and synthesised data on the relative contribution of different viruses to the aetiology of ALF is missing in the field. The aim of this review is to estimate the burden (prevalence, incidence, mortality, hospitalisation) of ALF following infection . Establishing the common aetiologies of viral-induced ALF, which vary geographically, is important so that: (1) treatment can be initiated quickly, (2) contraindications to liver transplant can be identified, (3) prognoses can be deterined more accurately, and most importantly, (4) vaccination against viral ALF aetiologies can be prioritised especially in under-resourced regions with public health risks associated with the relevant attributable diseases.

Integrating the prevention and control of rheumatic heart disease into country health systems: a systematic review protocol.

Introduction: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a preventable chronic condition affecting the valves of the heart. RHD prevention and care programmes have historically originated in more developed countries, implemented in a targeted (or vertical) manner and evaluated using non-controlled approaches. Taking a broad view of the integration of RHD activities within the whole system is critical for health planning in low-income regions with a high burden of RHD and less robust health systems.

A scoping review of interventions for vaccine stock management in primary health-care facilities.

One of the challenges facing the success of immunization programs is shortages of vaccines at health facilities, which could result from inadequate vaccine stock management. Several approaches have been designed by countries to improve vaccine stock management. This review summarizes currently available information on interventions for vaccine stock management.

Task Sharing in the Diagnosis, Prevention, and Management of Rheumatic Heart Disease: A Systematic Review.

Background: Globally, rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a major contributor to the burden of cardiovascular disease. Major gaps in RHD prevention and treatment have been documented at all levels of health systems in low- and middle-income countries. Task sharing is an approach that could prove effective in remediating bottlenecks in RHD-related care.

Protocol for a systematic review of the effects of interventions for vaccine stock management.

Background: Inadequate vaccine stock management in health facilities leads to vaccine stock-outs. The latter threatens the success of immunisation programmes. Countries have used various approaches to reduce stock-outs and improve vaccine availability, but we are not aware of a systematic review of these interventions.

Effects of vaccines in patients with sickle cell disease: a systematic review protocol.

Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited haematological disorder caused by a single point mutation (Glub6Val) that promotes polymerisation of haemoglobin S and sickling of erythrocytes. Inflammation, haemolysis, microvascular obstruction and organ damage characterise the highly variable clinical expression of SCD. People with SCD are at increased risk of severe infections, hence the need for vaccination against common disease-causing organisms in this population.

Task sharing to improve the prevention, diagnosis and management of rheumatic heart disease: a systematic review protocol.

Introduction: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains an important cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality globally due to weak health systems in many countries. RHD can be effectively prevented and managed; however, RHD-related interventions have not been widely adopted in countries with severe human resource constraints. Task sharing is a recognised approach to personnel shortages that could prove effective for RHD and has, anecdotally, been attempted in a few settings.

Standard echocardiography versus handheld echocardiography for the detection of subclinical rheumatic heart disease: protocol for a systematic review.

Introduction: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a preventable and treatable chronic condition which persists in many developing countries largely affecting impoverished populations. Handheld echocardiography presents an opportunity to address the need for more cost-effective methods of diagnosing RHD in developing countries, where the disease continues to carry high rates of morbidity and mortality. Preliminary studies have demonstrated moderate sensitivity as well as high specificity and diagnostic odds for detecting RHD in asymptomatic patients.

Comparison of school based and supplemental vaccination strategies in the delivery of vaccines to 5-19 year olds in Africa - a systematic review.

Background: Some vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) still remain a public health burden in many African countries. The occurrence of VPDs in all age groups has led to the realization of the need to extend routine immunisation services to school age children, adolescents and adults. Supplemental immunisation activities (SIAs) and school based vaccinations (SBVs) are common strategies used to complement the expanded programme on immunisation (EPI).

Prevalence of latent TB infection and TB disease among adolescents in high TB burden countries in Africa: a systematic review protocol.

Introduction: Almost a third of the world population has latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (LTBI), ∼10 million of whom develop TB disease annually, despite existence of effective, but lengthy, preventive and curative drug regimens. Although adolescents appear to have a very high force of LTBI, their reported incidence of TB disease is less than that of their corresponding general population. The few available studies on adolescent TB infection and disease prevalence are not sufficient to address the apparent discordance between rates of infection and disease in high TB burden countries in Africa.

The impact of mHealth interventions on health systems: a systematic review protocol.

Background: Mobile health (mHealth) has been described as a health enabling tool that impacts positively on the health system in terms of improved access, quality and cost of health care. The proposed systematic review will examine the impact of mHealth on health systems by assessing access, quality and cost of health care as indicators.

Methods: The systematic review will include literature from various sources including published and unpublished/grey literature.

Public stewardship of private for-profit healthcare providers in low- and middle-income countries.

Background: Governments use different approaches to ensure that private for-profit healthcare services meet certain quality standards. Such government guidance, referred to as public stewardship, encompasses government policies, regulatory mechanisms, and implementation strategies for ensuring accountability in the delivery of services. However, the effectiveness of these strategies in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have not been the subject of a systematic review.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices on adolescent vaccination among adolescents, parents and teachers in Africa: A systematic review.

Introduction: Vaccines are the most successful and cost-effective public health interventions available to avert vaccine-preventable diseases and deaths. Despite global progress in adolescent health, many adolescents in Africa still get sick and die from vaccine-preventable diseases due to lack of vaccination. Adolescents, parents and teachers are key players in the development and implementation of adolescent vaccination policies.

Varicella zoster virus-associated morbidity and mortality in Africa: a systematic review protocol.

Introduction: Varicella zoster virus (VZV) causes varicella (chicken pox) and herpes zoster (shingles). Worldwide, these diseases are associated with significant morbidity. Most of the epidemiological data on VZV come from high income countries.

Epidemiology of hepatitis A virus in Africa among persons aged 1-10 years: a systematic review protocol.

Background: Africa is considered an area of high endemicity for hepatitis A virus infection. However, in the past two decades, tremendous progress has been made in improving water sources and sanitation which are risk factors for hepatitis A virus infection. Recent studies suggest that several African countries could be in epidemiological transitions due to the evident socio-economic development.

Risk Factors for Acquired Rifamycin and Isoniazid Resistance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Studies looking at acquired drug resistance (ADR) are diverse with respect to geographical distribution, HIV co-infection rates, retreatment status and programmatic factors such as regimens administered and directly observed therapy. Our objective was to examine and consolidate evidence from clinical studies of the multifactorial aetiology of acquired rifamycin and/or isoniazid resistance within the scope of a single systematic review. This is important to inform policy and identify key areas for further studies.

Paradoxical TB-IRIS in HIV-infected adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Paradoxical tuberculosis immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (TB-IRIS) was first described almost two decades ago. We undertook this systematic review and meta-analysis to collate findings across studies that have reported the incidence, clinical features, management and outcomes of paradoxical TB-IRIS. Forty studies that cumulatively reported 1048 paradoxical TB-IRIS cases were included.