A mixed-methods quasi-experimental evaluation of a mobile health application and quality of care in the integrated community case management program in Malawi.

Background: The use of mobile health (mHealth) technology to improve quality of care (QoC) has increased over the last decade; limited evidence exists to espouse mHealth as a decision support tool, especially at the community level. This study presents evaluation findings of using a mobile application for integrated community case management (iCCM) by Malawi's health surveillance assistants (HSAs) in four pilot districts to deliver lifesaving services for children.

Methods: A quasi-experimental study design compared adherence to iCCM guidelines between HSAs using mobile application (n = 137) and paper-based tools (n = 113), supplemented with 47 key informant interviews on perceptions about QoC and sustainability of iCCM mobile application.

Value of a facilitated quality improvement initiative on cardiovascular disease risk: findings from an evaluation of the Aggressively Treating Global Cardiometabolic Risk Factors to Reduce Cardiovascular Events (AT GOAL).

Rationale, Aims And Objectives: In the United States, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention contracted an evaluation of the Aggressively Treating Global Cardiometabolic Risk Factors to Reduce Cardiovascular Events (AT GOAL) programme as part of its effort to identify strategies to address CVD risk factors.

Methods: This study analysed patient-level data from 7527 patients in 43 primary care practices.

Gambling with our health: smoke-free policy would not reduce tribal casino patronage.

Background: Tribal sovereignty exempts tribal casinos from statewide smoking bans.

Purpose: To conduct a tribally-led assessment to identify the characteristics of casino patrons at Lake of the Torches Resort Casino in Lac du Flambeau WI and their preferences for a smoke-free casino.

Methods: A survey was administered from April to August 2011 to a stratified random sample of 957 members of the casino players club to assess their preferences for a smoke-free casino.

Risk of cancer treatment-associated bone loss and fractures among women with breast cancer receiving aromatase inhibitors.

Background: Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are a novel hormonal therapy for patients with breast cancer. However, AIs can cause bone loss by blocking estrogen production. This study aims to assess the association between AIs and treatment-related bone loss in a large managed-care population of women with breast cancer.

Risk of clinical fractures after gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist therapy for prostate cancer.

Purpose: We assessed the relationship between GnRH agonists and the risk of clinical fractures in men with prostate cancer.

Materials And Methods: Using a database of medical claims from 16 large American companies we identified a study group of 3,779 men with prostate cancer who received treatment with a GnRH agonist and a control group of 8,341 with prostate cancer who were not treated with a GnRH agonist. Men with 1 or more medical claims for bone metastases were excluded.