Rural women's preferences for cervical cancer screening via HPV self-sampling: a discrete choice experiment study in chidamoyo, Hurungwe District, Zimbabwe.

Background: Cervical cancer screening using HPV self-sampling presents a valuable opportunity to enhance access for underserved and never-screened women in Zimbabwe. However, to ensure the successful implementation of this innovative approach, it is crucial to understand the preferences of key stakeholders, particularly women, with regard to the various components of an HPV self-sampling intervention.

Objective: This study aimed to elicit rural women's preferences for HPV self-sampling.

REASSURED evaluation of the Bioline HCV point-of-care testing for diagnosing hepatitis C virus infection in primary healthcare settings of Ghana: a study protocol.

Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a silent epidemic that needs a comprehensive and contextualised approach to manage. Access to readily available, affordable and acceptable HCV point-of-care (POC) in vitro diagnostics (IVDs) is equally required to meet the global HCV goals. However, most guidelines for evaluating these IVDs such as the WHO prequalification process and country-specific standards disproportionately focus on diagnostic performance.

Understanding the preferences of young women in self-sampling interventions for sexually transmitted infection diagnosis: a discrete choice experimental protocol.

Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a significant public health concern globally, particularly affecting young women. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to reducing or stopping the continuous spread of infections and the development of associated complications. Syndromic management, which is commonly used for STIs, presents several barriers, particularly for young women.

Accessibility of TB diagnostic services at primary healthcare clinics in the eThekwini district, South Africa: a geospatial analysis.

Background: Improving geographic access can aid in managing tuberculosis (TB) by enabling early diagnosis and treatment initiation. Although geospatial techniques have been used to map the transmission patterns of drug-resistant TB in South Africa, fewer studies have investigated the accessibility of TB diagnostic services. This study evaluated the accessibility of TB diagnostic services and disease distribution in the eThekwini district of South Africa.

Mobile-linked point-of-care diagnostics in community-based healthcare: a scoping review of user experiences.

Background: While mobile-linked point-of-care diagnostics may circumvent geographical and temporal barriers to efficient communication, the use of such technology in community settings will depend on user experience. We conducted a scoping review to systematically map evidence on user experiences of mobile-linked point-of-care diagnostics in community healthcare settings published from the year 2016 up to the year 2022.

Methodology: We conducted a comprehensive search of the following electronic databases: Scopus, Web of Science, and EBSCOhost (Medline, CINAHL, Africa-wide, Academic Search Complete).

Quality of TB diagnostic services at primary healthcare clinics in eThekwini district, South Africa.

Overcoming the TB epidemic requires moving past expanding the coverage of healthcare services and looking to improve the quality of TB services. During COVID-19, the suboptimal state of TB services has further deteriorated, and little is known about how these services have fared after the pandemic. The study aims to assess the quality TB diagnostic services in primary health care (PHC) clinics in the eThekwini district, South Africa.

Experiences and perspectives regarding human papillomavirus self-sampling in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review of qualitative evidence.

Introduction: Cervical cancer screening coverage remains low in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) due to limited access and low uptake of available services by women. The use of HPV-based self-sampling intervention for cervical cancer screening has the potential to increase screening coverage in the region. This study aimed to analyse qualitative evidence on the experiences and perspectives of women, healthcare workers, and policymakers regarding HPV self-sampling.

Co-creation of a novel approach for improving supply chain management for SARS-CoV-2 point of care diagnostic services in Mopani District, Limpopo Province: nominal group technique.

Introduction: Effective supply chain management (SCM) of point-of-care (POC) tests for diseases like severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) requires active participation from diverse stakeholders, government entities, and regulatory bodies. The responsibility for overseeing various aspects of POC tests, including procurement, quality assurance, storage, inventory management, distribution, and human resource capacity, lies with national, provincial, and local levels of government. This study aimed to collaboratively develop an innovative approach to enhance SCM for SARS-CoV-2 POC diagnostic services in resource-limited settings, using the Mopani District in Limpopo province, South Africa, as a case study.

Accuracy of self-collected versus healthcare worker collected specimens for diagnosing sexually transmitted infections in females: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

The use of self-collected specimens as an alternative to healthcare worker-collected specimens for diagnostic testing has gained increasing attention in recent years. This systematic review aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of self-collected specimens compared to healthcare worker-collected specimens across different sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), human papillomavirus (HPV), Mycoplasma genitalium (MG), Neisseria gonorrhoea (NG), Treponema pallidum and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) in females. A rigorous process was followed to screen for studies in various electronic databases.

Healthcare workers' perspectives on the availability and use of mobile health technologies for disease diagnosis and treatment support in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

Introduction: Considering the usefulness of mobile health (mHealth) technologies in healthcare delivery in low- and middle-income countries, including Ghana; there is a need to explore healthcare professionals' perspectives on the availability and use of mHealth for disease screening and treatment of patients' conditions. The study's main aim is to explore healthcare professionals' perspectives regarding the availability and use of mHealth applications for disease screening and management at point-of-care in Ghana's Ashanti Region.

Materials And Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews with healthcare professionals who use mHealth applications daily between July and September 2020.

Barriers and enablers for implementation of digital-linked diagnostics models at point-of-care in South Africa: stakeholder engagement.

The integration of digital technologies holds significant promise in enhancing accessibility to disease diagnosis and treatment at point-of-care (POC) settings. Effective implementation of such interventions necessitates comprehensive stakeholder engagements. This study presents the outcomes of a workshop conducted with key stakeholders, aiming to discern barriers and enablers in implementing digital-connected POC diagnostic models in South Africa.

Nurses' perspectives on user-friendly self-sampling interventions for diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections among young women in eThekwini district municipality: a nominal group technique.

Background: Syndromic management in the main non-laboratory-based management approach for sexually transmitted infections (STI) in most low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) but it has limitations. Self-sampling has been proven as a suitable alternative approach to help improve management STIs by improving access to diagnosis among vulnerable populations. We sought to determine health workers' perspectives on user-friendly self-sampling interventions for STIs among young women in eThekwini District Municipality.

Co-creation of human papillomavirus self-sampling delivery strategies for cervical cancer screening in rural Zimbabwe: nominal group technique.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling is recommended for cervical cancer screening, particularly among women who do not participate in or have access to current screening methods offered in Zimbabwe. Key stakeholder involvement is critical in co-creating acceptable delivery strategies for implementing HPV self-sampling to ensure demand and facilitate uptake by the target population. The main objective of this study was to engage key stakeholders in co-creating acceptable HPV self-sampling delivery strategies for cervical cancer screening in rural Zimbabwe.

Impact of COVID-19 on TB diagnostic services at primary healthcare clinics in eThekwini district, South Africa.

We assessed the impact of the pandemic on TB diagnostics at primary healthcare clinics (PHCs) during the different stages of COVID-19 in eThekwini district, South Africa. Data from the District Health Information System (DHIS) were used to conduct an interrupted time series analysis that assessed the changes in TB investigations and confirmed TB cases during four pandemic periods: lockdown and the subsequent three peaks of infection compared to the two years prior (2018-2022). The initial lockdown resulted in - 45% (95% CI - 55 to - 31) and - 40% (95% CI - 59 to - 28) immediate declines in TB investigations and confirmed cases, respectively.

Evaluating supply chain management of SARS-CoV-2 point-of-care (POC) diagnostic services in primary healthcare clinics in Mopani District, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Access to point-of-care (POC) diagnostics in resource-limited settings, where laboratory-based diagnostics are limited, depends on efficient supply chain management (SCM). This study evaluated the SCM for SARS-CoV-2 POC diagnostic services in resource-limited settings to determine the effect of SCM on accessibility to SARS-CoV-2 POC tests and to identify barriers and enablers of accessibility to SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic services in Mopani District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. We purposively assessed 47 clinics providing POC diagnostic services between June and September 2022.

Mapping evidence on cryptococcal antigen infection among HIV-infected persons in sub-Saharan Africa- A scoping review protocol.

Introduction: Infections of the central nervous system are a considerable basis of mortality in people living with HIV, with progression to cryptococcal meningitis documented at around 15% of HIV-associated mortality globally, with nearly three-quarters occurring in the sub-Saharan Africa. Discoveries from previous studies prelude to the mortality of cryptococcal antigen positive, which persisted to be elevated than in cryptococcal antigen negative persons. One feasible interpretation of this could be due to undiagnosed cryptococcus.

REASSURED diagnostics at point-of-care in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review.

Point-of-care (POC) diagnostics that meet the REASSURED criteria are essential in combating the rapid increase and severity of global health emergencies caused by infectious diseases. However, little is known about whether the REASSURED criteria are implemented in regions known to have a high burden of infectious diseases such as sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This scoping review maps evidence of the use of REASSURED POC diagnostic tests in SSA.

Stakeholder's perspectives on acceptable interventions for promoting hypertension medication adherence in Namibia: nominal group technique.

Objective: To determine the most acceptable hypertension intervention package to promote hypertension adherence based on stakeholders' perspectives.

Design: We employed the nominal group technique method and purposively sampled and invited key stakeholders offering hypertension services and patients with hypertension. Phase 1 was focused on determining barriers to hypertension adherence, phase 2 on enablers and phase 3 on the strategies.

Mapping evidence on the acceptability of human papillomavirus self-sampling for cervical cancer screening among women in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review.

Objectives: The objective of this scoping review was to map evidence on the acceptability of self-sampling for human papillomavirus testing (HPVSS) for cervical cancer screening among women in the sub-Saharan Africa region.

Design: Scoping review.

Methods: Using Arksey and O'Malley's framework, we searched Scopus, PubMed, Medline Ovid, Cochrane and Web of Science databases for evidence on the acceptability of HPVSS among women aged 25 years and older published between January 2011 and July 2021.

Quality Assurance for Hepatitis C Virus Point-of-Care Diagnostics in Sub-Saharan Africa.

As part of a multinational study to evaluate the Bioline Hepatitis C virus (HCV) point-of-care (POC) testing in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), this narrative review summarises regulatory standards and quality indicators for validating and approving HCV clinical diagnostics. In addition, this review also provides a summary of their diagnostic evaluations using the REASSURED criteria as the benchmark and its implications on the WHO HCV elimination goals 2030.

A scoping review protocol on integration of mobile-linked POC diagnostics in community-based healthcare: User experience.

Background: Mobile-linked point-of-care diagnostics forms an integral part of diagnostic health services for efficient communication between patients and healthcare professionals despite geographical location and time of diagnosis. The efficiency of this technology lies in the user experience which means that the interaction of the user with the implemented technology needs to be simple, convenient, and consistent. Having a well-structured user experience of these devices in community-based healthcare will aid in sustainable implementation.

Towards development of a novel approach for enhancement of TB diagnostic services during the pandemic: A case of primary health care clinics in eThekwini district KwaZulu-Natal: A study protocol.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted TB diagnostic services in high TB burden settings. This has caused cases to go undetected and increased the number of TB deaths in 2020. Renewed efforts to improve the resilience of TB services during pandemics are required.

Designing and Piloting of a Mobile Learning Curriculum for Quality Point-Of-Care Diagnostics Services in Rural Clinics of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Background: The use of mobile technology has been reported to help improve access to education for people in remote areas. However, there is limited evidence of its adoption in resource-limited settings. The aim of this study was to utilize stakeholder generated ideas to design and pilot a mobile learning curriculum, with the purpose of facilitating training to improve the quality of point-of-care diagnostics services in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) rural clinics.