Mapping of suspended sediment transport using acoustic methods in a Pantanal tributary.

Generally, fluvial systems are used for different objectives including energy production, water supply, recreation, and navigation. Thus, many impacts must be considered with their use. An understanding of sediment dynamics in fluvial systems is often of value for a variety of objectives, given that erosion and depositional processes can change the fluvial system morphology and can substantially alter the fluvial environment.

Use of malaria rapid diagnostic tests by community health workers in Afghanistan: cluster randomised trial.

Background: The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends parasitological diagnosis of malaria before treatment, but use of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs) by community health workers (CHWs) has not been fully tested within health services in south and central Asia. mRDTs could allow CHWs to diagnose malaria accurately, improving treatment of febrile illness.

Methods: A cluster randomised trial in community health services was undertaken in Afghanistan.

Parental attitudes toward newborn screening for Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy.

Introduction: Disease inclusion in the newborn screening (NBS) panel should consider the opinions of those most affected by the outcome of screening. We assessed the level and factors that affect parent attitudes regarding NBS panel inclusion of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

Methods: The attitudes toward NBS for DMD, BMD, and SMA were surveyed and compared for 2 categories of parents, those with children affected with DMD, BMD, or SMA and expectant parents unselected for known family medical history.

Midwifery retention and coverage and impact on service utilisation in Afghanistan.

Objective: to measure the rate of and determine factors associated with community midwifery education (CME) graduate retention in public sector health care in Afghanistan.

Design: cross-sectional.

Setting: performed in public health facilities of 11 Afghan provinces purposively selected by geographic location and security conditions, between October 2011 and April 2012.

Factors influencing the retention of midwives in the public sector in Afghanistan: a qualitative assessment of midwives in eight provinces.

Objective: to examine factors that affect retention of public sector midwives throughout their career in Afghanistan.

Design: qualitative assessment using semi-structured in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs).

Setting: health clinics in eight provinces in Afghanistan, midwifery education schools in three provinces, and stakeholder organisations in Kabul.

Malaria "diagnosis" and diagnostics in Afghanistan.

In many malaria-endemic areas, including Afghanistan, overdiagnosis of malaria is common. Even when using parasite-based diagnostic tests prior to treatment, clinicians commonly prescribe antimalarial treatment following negative test results. This practice neglects alternative causes of fever, uses drugs unnecessarily, and might contribute to antimalarial drug resistance.