Costs of Influenza Illness and Acute Respiratory Infections by Household Income Level: Catastrophic Health Expenditures and Implications for Health Equity.

Background: Seasonal influenza illness and acute respiratory infections can impose a substantial economic burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We assessed the cost of influenza illness and acute respiratory infections across household income strata.

Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a prior systematic review of costs of influenza and other respiratory illnesses in LMICs and contacted authors to obtain data on cost of illness (COI) for laboratory-confirmed influenza-like illness and acute respiratory infection.

A vicious cycle of frailty and acute lower respiratory infection among community-dwelling adults (≥ 60 years): Findings from a multi-site INSPIRE cohort study, India.

We studied the relationship of frailty and acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) among a multi-site cohort of community-dwelling older adults aged ≥60 years in India. During January 2019‒January 2020, participants completed the Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) at baseline and every 3 months at four sites in India, with each participant completing a maximum of four surveys. Participants were categorized as non-frail (0-5 points), vulnerable (6-7 points), and frail (≥8 points) based on EFS score.

Estimating Influenza Illnesses Averted by Year-Round and Seasonal Campaign Vaccination for Young Children, Kenya.

In Kenya, influenza virus circulates year-round, raising questions about optimum strategies for vaccination. Given national interest in introducing influenza vaccination for young children 6-23 months of age, we modeled total influenza-associated illnesses (inclusive of hospitalizations, outpatient illnesses, and non‒medically attended illnesses) averted by multiple potential vaccination strategies: year-round versus seasonal-campaign vaccination, and vaccination starting in April (Southern Hemisphere influenza vaccine availability) versus October (Northern Hemisphere availability). We modeled average vaccine effectiveness of 50% and annual vaccination coverage of 60%.

A Prospective Observational Study to Assess the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and C-reactive Protein-to-Albumin Ratio (CAR) in Predicting Morbidity and Mortality Among Patients Undergoing Emergency Abdominal Surgery.

Background Emergency abdominal surgeries pose significant challenges, especially in the Indian population, due to comorbidities, delayed presentations, and limited resources. Accurately predicting morbidity and mortality is crucial for timely interventions and improved patient care. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR) have shown potential as prognostic markers, balancing inflammation and nutritional status.

Typhoid conjugate vaccine perceptions and coverage among children and adults: Findings from a post-campaign coverage survey - Harare, Zimbabwe, 2019.

Background: In 2019, following a large outbreak of typhoid fever, the Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care conducted a typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV) vaccination campaign in nine high-risk suburbs of Harare. We aimed to evaluate TCV vaccination coverage, vaccine perceptions, and adverse events reported after vaccination.

Methods: We conducted a two-stage cluster survey to estimate vaccination coverage in the campaign target areas among children aged 6 months-15 years and to classify coverage as either adequate (≥75 % coverage) or inadequate (<75 % coverage) among adults aged 16-45 years in one suburb.