Evaluation of a digital entomological surveillance planning tool for malaria vector control: Three country mixed methods pilot study.

Background: Vector control remains the principal method to prevent malaria transmission and has led to significant reductions in malaria incidence across endemic regions. However, such gains have stagnated, underscoring the need to tailor vector control to local drivers of transmission. An Entomological Surveillance Planning Tool (ESPT) was designed to translate normative guidance into an operational tool that supports cost effective, locally tailored, and evidence-based vector control.

Acceptability and perceived barriers to reactive focal mass drug administration in the context of a malaria elimination program in Magude district, Southern Mozambique: A qualitative study.

This study analysed acceptability and perceived barriers to reactive focal mass drug administration (rfMDA) among community members exposed to community engagement campaigns and malaria elimination interventions in Magude district, following mass drug administration (MDA) in the same district. The study used a formative qualitative study design, consisting of 56 semi-structured interviews with community members, including community leaders, household heads, women of reproductive age, members of the community and adolescents, 4 semi-structured interviews with community health workers, 9 semi-structured interviews with healthcare professionals; and 16 focus group discussions with the general adult population. Data were collected between June and September 2017.

The social dimensions of community delivery of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy in Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Introduction: Intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy with sulphadoxine pyrimethamine (IPTp) is a key malaria prevention strategy in sub-Saharan African countries. We conducted an anthropological study as part of a project aiming to evaluate a community-based approach to the delivery of IPTp (C-IPTp) through community health workers (CHWs) in four countries (the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Mozambique and Nigeria), to understand the social context in order to identify key factors that could influence C-IPTp acceptability.

Methods: A total of 796 in-depth interviews and 265 focus group discussions were undertaken between 2018 and 2021 in the four countries with pregnant women, women of reproductive age, traditional and facility-based healthcare providers, community leaders, and relatives of pregnant women.

The use of non-prescribed antibiotics; prevalence estimates in low-and-middle-income countries. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The global increase in the utilization of non - prescribed antibiotics (NPA), is concerning, with high persistence within the low and middle-income countries (LMICs). With a negative impact on the health of individuals and communities the use of NPA paves the way to the  propagation of superbugs that potentially predisposes to changes in bacterial resistance patterns, antibiotic resistance (AR) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study aimed at estimating through a systematic review and meta-analysis, the prevalence of NPA utilisation and describe its primary sources in LMICs.

Identifying the commonly used antibiotics for self-medication in urban Mozambique: a qualitative study.

Objectives: The study aimed at identifying the commonly used non-prescribed antibiotics (NPAs) and the main health conditions leading to the practices of self-medication with antibiotics (SMAs) in Maputo city, Mozambique.

Design: Cross-sectional qualitative study based on individual and group interviews.

Setting: The study was conducted in nine pharmacies of three socioeconomic areas of Maputo city, from October 2018 to March 2019.

Pharmacists' practices for non-prescribed antibiotic dispensing in Mozambique.

Background: Antibiotics are the most frequently used medicines worldwide with most of the countries defining these as prescription-only medicines. Though, dispensing non-prescribed antibiotics represent one of the chief causal factors to the irrational use of antibiotics that paves the way to the development of antimicrobial resistance.

Objective: We aimed at describing the practices and the enablers for non-prescribed antibiotic dispensing in Maputo city, Mozambique.

Prescription drug diversion, misuse, and abuse among people living with HIV: a scoping review protocol.

Background: Prescription drugs are controlled medicines due to their potential risks of being diverted, misused, and abused. Since the introduction of antiretroviral (ARVs) drugs, HIV is currently regarded as a chronic condition. However, prescription drug diversion, misuse, and abuse might serve as one of the critical barriers for achieving optimal medication adherence among people living with HIV, thereby negatively impacting the HIV care mandate.

Patterns of self-medication with antibiotics in Maputo City: a qualitative study.

Background: Mozambique classifies but does not yet enforce antibiotics as prescription-only-medicine (POM) allowing the public access to a variety of antibiotics that otherwise are provided on prescription. This contributes to the growing practice of self-medication with antibiotics (SMA) which systematically exposes individuals to the risk of developing antibiotic resistance, antibiotic side effects and increases the health service costs and morbidity. This study aimed at describing the patterns of SMA among Maputo city pharmacy customers.

Risk factors for prescription drug diversion among people living with HIV: a systematic scoping review.

Background: In addition to numerous infections and frequent pain constantly affecting people living with HIV (PLWH), various risk factors might contribute to prescription drug diversion. The purpose of the study is to map existing evidence on risk factors contributing to prescription drug diversion among PLWH.

Methods: Arksey and O'Malley's framework and the recommendation by Levac et al.

Evidence of factors influencing self-medication with antibiotics in LMICs: a systematic scoping review protocol.

Background: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emphasize the need for strengthening the capacity of all developing countries in the early warning, risk reduction and management of national as well as global health risks. Despite there being a considerable amount of effort in controlling and promoting the rational use of antibiotics, studies show that the practice of self-medication with antibiotics (SMA) systematically exposes individuals to the risk of antibiotic resistance and other antibiotic side effects. The proposed scoping review aims to map literature on the factors influencing self-medication with antibiotics in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).