Real-world effectiveness of the heterologous SOBERANA-02 and SOBERANA-Plus vaccine scheme in 2-11 years-old children during the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron wave in Cuba: a longitudinal case-population study.

Background: Increased pediatric COVID-19 occurrence due to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant has raised concerns about the effectiveness of existing vaccines. The protection provided by the SOBERANA-02-Plus vaccination scheme against this variant has not yet been studied. We aimed to evaluate the scheme's effectiveness against symptomatic Omicron infection and severe disease in children.

Risk factors for pulmonary tuberculosis recurrence, relapse and reinfection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The rate of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) recurrence is substantial. Identifying risk factors can support the development of prevention strategies.

Methods: We retrieved studies published between 1 January 1980 and 31 December 2022 that assessed factors associated with undifferentiated TB recurrence, relapse or reinfection.

The Potential of Surveillance Data for Dengue Risk Mapping: An Evaluation of Different Approaches in Cuba.

To better guide dengue prevention and control efforts, the use of routinely collected data to develop risk maps is proposed. For this purpose, dengue experts identified indicators representative of entomological, epidemiological and demographic risks, hereafter called components, by using surveillance data aggregated at the level of Consejos Populares (CPs) in two municipalities of Cuba (Santiago de Cuba and Cienfuegos) in the period of 2010-2015. Two vulnerability models (one with equally weighted components and one with data-derived weights using Principal Component Analysis), and three incidence-based risk models were built to construct risk maps.

Effectiveness of a provider and patient-focused intervention to improve hypertension management and control in the primary health care setting in Cuba: a controlled before-after study.

Background: Implementation research to improve hypertension control is scarce in Latin America. We assessed the effectiveness of an intervention aimed at primary care practitioners and hypertensive patients in a setting that provides integrated care through an accessible network of family practices.

Methods: We conducted in Cardenas and Santiago, Cuba, a controlled before-after study in 122 family practices, which are staffed with a doctor and a nurse.

Safety and efficacy of the two doses conjugated protein-based SOBERANA-02 COVID-19 vaccine and of a heterologous three-dose combination with SOBERANA-Plus: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled phase 3 clinical trial.

Background: SOBERANA-02 is a COVID-19 conjugate vaccine (recombinant RBD conjugated to tetanus toxoid). Phases 1/2 clinical trials demonstrated high immunogenicity, promoting neutralising IgG and specific T-cell response. A third heterologous dose of SOBERANA-Plus (RBD-dimer) further increased neutralising antibodies.

Lung cancer occurrence after an episode of tuberculosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: People with tuberculosis experience long-term health effects beyond cure, including chronic respiratory diseases. We investigated whether tuberculosis is a risk factor for subsequent lung cancer.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature and the Scientific Electronic Library Online for cohort and case-control studies providing effect estimates for the association between tuberculosis and subsequent lung cancer.

Gaps in Hypertension Management in a Middle-Income Community of Quito-Ecuador: A Population-Based Study.

Optimal hypertension care and control at population level significantly reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The study objective was to measure the gaps in the diagnosis, care, and control of hypertension in residents of an urban community in Quito, Ecuador. A cross-sectional population-based study with a sample of 2160 persons was performed using a survey and direct blood pressure measurement.

Evaluation of insecticide treated window curtains and water container covers for dengue vector control in a large-scale cluster-randomized trial in Venezuela.

Background: Following earlier trials indicating that their potential in dengue vector control was constrained by housing structure, a large-scale cluster-randomized trial of insecticide treated curtains (ITCs) and water jar covers (ITJCs) was undertaken in Venezuela.

Methods: In Trujillo, Venezuela, 60 clusters (6223 houses total) were randomized so that 15 clusters each received either PermaNet insecticide-treated window curtains (ITCs), permanent insecticide-treated water storage jar covers (ITJCs), a combination of both ITCs and ITJCs, or no insecticide treated materials (ITMs). A further 15 clusters located at least 5km from the edge of the study site were selected to act as an external control.

Gaps in hypertension care and control: a population-based study in low-income urban Medellin, Colombia.

Objectives: To assess hypertension prevalence and the extent and associated factors of hypertension diagnosis, follow-up, treatment and control gaps in low-income urban Medellin, Colombia.

Methods: We randomly sampled 1873 adults aged 35 or older. Unaware hypertensive individuals were defined as those without previous diagnosis whose average blood pressure was equal to or above 140/90 mmHg.

Recurrent TB: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the incidence rates and the proportions of relapses and reinfections.

Background: A recurrent tuberculosis (TB) episode results from exogenous reinfection or relapse after cure. The use of genotyping allows the distinction between both.

Methods: We did a systematic review and meta-analysis, using four databases to search for studies in English, French and Spanish published between 1 January 1980 and 30 September 2020 that assessed recurrences after TB treatment success and/or differentiated relapses from reinfections using genotyping.

Out-of-pocket expenditure for hypertension care: a population-based study in low-income urban Medellin, Colombia.

Background Hypertension requires life-long medical care, which may cause economic burden and even lead to catastrophic health expenditure. Objective To estimate the extent of out-of-pocket expenditure for hypertension care at a population level and its impact on households' budgets in a low-income urban setting in Colombia. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey in Santa Cruz, a commune in the city of Medellin.

Contact evaluation and isoniazid preventive therapy among close and household contacts of tuberculosis patients in Lima, Peru: an analysis of routine data.

Objective: Contacts of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) cases are at high risk of TB infection and progression to disease. Close and household contacts and those <5 years old have the highest risk. Isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) can largely prevent TB disease among infected individuals.

To the bone: Comment on "I wanted a skeleton … they brought a prince": A qualitative investigation of factors mediating the implementation of a Performance Based Incentive program in Malawi.

Recently, McMahon and colleagues set out to build on a widely-used fidelity framework, assessing the role of moderating factors during the implementation of performance-based financing programs in Malawi. Their attempt draws again the attention to the importance of approaching real word implementation issues from a theoretical perspective. It also highlights the importance of fidelity assessment within process evaluation of health programs.

Assessment of hypertension management and control: a registry-based observational study in two municipalities in Cuba.

Background: To determine the prevalence of hypertension treatment and control among hypertensive patients in the Cuban municipalities of Cardenas and Santiago and to explore the main associated predictors.

Methods: Cross-sectional study, with multistage cluster sampling, conducted between February 2012 and January 2013 in two Cuban municipalities. We interviewed and measured blood pressure in 1333 hypertensive patients aged 18 years or older.

Prioritizing surveillance activities for certification of yaws eradication based on a review and model of historical case reporting.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) has targeted yaws for global eradication. Eradication requires certification that all countries are yaws-free. While only 14 Member States currently report cases to WHO, many more are known to have a history of yaws and some of them may have ongoing transmission.

Involving private practitioners in the Indian tuberculosis programme: a randomised trial.

Objectives: To assess a multicomponent intervention to improve private practitioners (PPs) involvement in referral of presumptive pulmonary TB (PTB) cases to the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) for sputum examination.

Methods: Randomised controlled trial. We randomly allocated all 189 eligible PPs in Tumkur city, South India, to intervention or control arm.

HIV screening among newly diagnosed TB patients: a cross sectional study in Lima, Peru.

Background: Since 2006, the Peruvian National TB program (NTP) recommends voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) for all tuberculosis (TB) patients. Responding to the differential burden of both diseases in Peru, TB is managed in peripheral health facilities while HIV is managed in referral centers. This study aims to determine the coverage of HIV screening among TB patients and the characteristics of persons not screened.

Development of a clinical prediction rule for tuberculous meningitis in adults in Lima, Peru.

Objectives: Diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis (TM) is a challenge in countries with a high burden of the disease and constrained resources and clinical prediction rules (CPRs) could be of assistance. We aimed at developing a CPR for diagnosis of TM in a Latin American setting with high tuberculosis incidence and a concentrated HIV epidemic.

Methods: We enrolled adult patients with clinical suspicion of TM attending two hospitals in Lima, Peru.

Development of a clinical prediction rule for the diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis in Peru.

Objectives: To develop a clinical prediction rule (CPR) for the diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis (PT) in patients with pleural exudates in Peru.

Methods: Clinical and laboratory information was collected from patients with exudative pleural effusion attending two reference hospitals in Lima, Peru. Predictive findings associated with PT in a multiple logistic regression model were used to develop the CPR.

Insecticide treated curtains and residual insecticide treatment to control Aedes aegypti: An acceptability study in Santiago de Cuba.

Background: Within the context of a field trial conducted by the Cuban vector control program (AaCP), we assessed acceptability of insecticide-treated curtains (ITCs) and residual insecticide treatment (RIT) with deltamethrin by the community. We also assessed the potential influence of interviewees' risk perceptions for getting dengue and disease severity.

Methodology/principal Findings: We embedded a qualitative study using in-depth interviews in a cluster randomized trial (CRT) testing the effectiveness of ITCs and RIT in Santiago de Cuba.

The additional benefit of residual spraying and insecticide-treated curtains for dengue control over current best practice in Cuba: Evaluation of disease incidence in a cluster randomized trial in a low burden setting with intensive routine control.

Background: Aedes control interventions are considered the cornerstone of dengue control programmes, but there is scarce evidence on their effect on disease. We set-up a cluster randomized controlled trial in Santiago de Cuba to evaluate the entomological and epidemiological effectiveness of periodical intra- and peri-domiciliary residual insecticide (deltamethrin) treatment (RIT) and long lasting insecticide treated curtains (ITC).

Methodology/principal Findings: Sixty three clusters (around 250 households each) were randomly allocated to two intervention (RIT and ITC) and one control arm.

The cost and cost-effectiveness of rapid testing strategies for yaws diagnosis and surveillance.

Background: Yaws is a non-venereal treponemal infection caused by Treponema pallidum subspecies pertenue. The disease is targeted by WHO for eradication by 2020. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are envisaged for confirmation of clinical cases during treatment campaigns and for certification of the interruption of transmission.

Patients pathways to tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment in a fragmented health system: a qualitative study from a south Indian district.

Background: India's Revised National Tuberculosis (TB) Control Programme (RNTCP) offers free TB diagnosis and treatment. But more than 50% of TB patients seek care from private practitioners (PPs), where TB is managed sub-optimally. In India, there is dearth of studies capturing experiences of TB patients when they navigate through health facilities to seek care.

Performance of clinical prediction rules for diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis in a high-incidence setting.

Objectives: Diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis (PT) is still a challenge, particularly in resource-constrained settings. Alternative diagnostic tools are needed. We aimed at evaluating the utility of Clinical Prediction Rules (CPRs) for diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis in Peru.