Exploring the use of COVID-19 antigen rapid diagnostic tests among displaced populations in Iraq: findings from a pilot project in four IDP camps.

Background: IOM piloted the use of Ag RDTs for COVID-19 in Iraq, in collaboration with FIND, the Global Alliance for Diagnostics, to facilitate access to testing and understand barriers and opportunities for testing in a displacement context. The purpose was to (i) evaluate the performance metrics of the Sure Status COVID-19 Antigen Card Test in this population; (ii) compare Ag RDT results across high- and low-probability cases, vaccination status, and symptom severity; and (iii) report participant perspectives on Ag RDT use for COVID-19 and other diseases.

Methods: Secondary analysis was conducted using de-identified cross-sectional data collected from November 2022-March 2023 in four IDP camps in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

Predicting poor functional outcomes for patients with large computed tomography perfusion core infarctions treated with endovascular thrombectomy.

Objective: Stroke patients with large core infarctions benefit from endovascular intervention, though only approximately 20% are functionally independent at 90 days. We studied prognostic factors for patients presenting with a large computed tomography perfusion (CTP) core.

Methods: Retrospective analysis from a health system stroke registry, including consecutive thrombectomy patients treated within 24 hours from August 2020-December 2022 with an anterior circulation large vessel occlusion and CTP core infarct ≥50 milliliters.

A scoping review of health systems resilience assessment frameworks.

Health system resilience is a prerequisite for effectively managing cataclysmic events adversely affecting health outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic reasserted the importance of having resilient health systems and called for a relook at the existing framework that measures health system resilience. Mixed methods were used in this study.

Evaluation of the national AIDS program and HIV/AIDS surveillance system in Jordan.

Introduction: The National AIDS Program in Jordan has faced numerous challenges, including insufficient funding, limited resources, and complexities brought on by refugee influxes. The absence of a reliable HIV/AIDS surveillance system further complicates tracking and responding to the epidemic. This study aimed to evaluate the performance and functionality of the National AIDS Program and the HIV/AIDS surveillance system.