Objectives: A recent survey of laboratories in Kampala, Uganda, demonstrated that only 0.3% of laboratories (3/954) met international quality standards. To benchmark laboratory quality throughout the rest of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), we compiled a list of SSA laboratories meeting international quality standards.
Methods: Accrediting bodies were queried via online registries or direct communication in May 2013.
Results: There were 380 laboratories accredited to international standards in SSA. Ninety-one percent were in South Africa. Thirty-seven of 49 countries had no laboratories accredited to international quality standards. Accredited laboratory density (per million people) in South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana were similar to those in many European countries. Single variable linear regression showed a correlation between accredited laboratory density and health expenditures per person (adjusted R(2) = 0.81, P < .001).
Conclusions: Most SSA countries do not have an accredited clinical laboratory. For those that do, there is a strong correlation between country-specific accredited laboratory density and per-capita health expenditures.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1309/AJCPQ5KTKAGSSCFN | DOI Listing |
Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol
September 2024
Yale Medicine/Yale New Haven Health System, USA. Electronic address:
Despite advances in procedural techniques and equipment, postdural puncture headache (PDPH) remains a serious complication of labour epidural analgesia after accidental dural puncture (ADP). Often considered a temporary inconvenience, PDPH can be debilitating in the short term. It can also be associated with chronic manifestations and serious complications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArch Bronconeumol
December 2024
Pulmonology Service, Cruces University Hospital (OSI EEC), Barakaldo, Spain; BioBizkaia Health Research Institute, Spain.
The Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR) and the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC) have developed together Clinical Practice Guidelines (GPC) on the management of people affected by tuberculosis (TB) resistant to drugs with activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. These clinical practice guidelines include the latest updates of the SEPAR regulations for the diagnosis and treatment of drug-resistant TB from 2017 and 2020 as the starting point. The methodology included asking relevant clinical questions based on PICO methodology, a literature search focusing on each question, and a systematic and comprehensive evaluation of the evidence, with a summary of this evidence for each question.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWound Repair Regen
January 2025
Research Unit for Plastic Surgery, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
The WOUND-Q is a patient-reported outcome measure for individuals with any type of chronic wound. This study aimed to identify patient and wound factors associated with the four WOUND-Q health-related quality of life (HRQL) scales: Life impact, Psychological, Sleep, and Social. Adults with a chronic wound were recruited internationally through clinical settings between August 2018 and May 2020, and through an online platform (i.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEClinicalMedicine
October 2024
Toronto 3D Knowledge Synthesis and Clinical Trials Unit, Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Center, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada.
Background: Use of health applications (apps) to support healthy lifestyles has intensified. Different app features may support effectiveness, including gamification defined as the use of game elements in a non-game situation. Whether health apps with gamification can impact behaviour change and cardiometabolic risk factors remains unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEClinicalMedicine
December 2024
Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre (NDDC), Translational Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK.
Background: Despite the availability of various pharmacological and behavioural interventions, alcohol-related mortality is rising. This systematic review aimed to critically evaluate the existing literature on the association between glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists use (GLP-1 RAs) and alcohol consumption.
Methods: Electronic searches were conducted on Ovid Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO, clintrials.
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