Background: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Lay Health Workers (LHW) in increasing case detection rate and treatment success outcome of Tuberculosis cases
Methods: PUBMED,; Google scholar, African Journal Online (AJOL) and other search engines were systematically searched, for literature from 2000 to 2012 for studies that are either: [randomized/cluster randomized/non randomized or prospective cohort study); assessing lay Health care worker participation in tuberculosis (TB) treatment, using the key words (LHW, TB and treatment). Studies were pooled using a random effect model. Of the thirteen studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria for systemic review, only five were heterogeneous enough for a meta-analysis.
Results: There was a marginal effectiveness of LHW involvement in TB treatment success rate, RR 1.09 Confidence Interval. [0.98-1.21]. There was no publication bias; with {p = 0.135 for Eggar's weighed regression analysis}. Restrictive analysis showed a marginally higher summary relative risk in rural based studies RR 1.12, C.I. [1.01-1.24]; compared to urban studies RR 1.01, C.I. [0.91-1.13].
Conclusion: The use of Lay Health care workers is associated with a marginal benefit in improving TB treatment success compared to standard facility based TB care. Larger studies are needed to properly prove its superiority.
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Ann Transl Med
December 2024
Division of Advanced Gastrointestinal and Bariatric Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
Background: Addressing language barriers through accurate interpretation is crucial for providing quality care and establishing trust. While the ability of artificial intelligence (AI) to translate medical documentation has been studied, its role for patient-provider communication is less explored. This review evaluates AI's effectiveness in clinical translation by assessing accuracy, usability, satisfaction, and feedback on its use.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFActa Med Philipp
December 2024
Institute of Human Genetics, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila.
Background: As social media continue to grow as popular and convenient tools for acquiring and disseminating health information, the need to investigate its utilization by laypersons encountering common medical issues becomes increasingly essential.
Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the content posted in Facebook groups for Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency and how these engage the members of the group.
Methods: This study employed an inductive content analysis of user-posted content in both public and private Facebook groups catering specifically to G6PD deficiency.
Glob Epidemiol
June 2025
EMBL European Bioinformatics Institute, United Kingdom.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the best-performing modelling groups were not always the best-resourced. This paper seeks to understand and learn from notable predictions in two reports by the UK's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE). In July 2021, SAGE reported that, after the upcoming lifting of restrictions ("Freedom Day") cases would "almost certainly remain extremely high for the rest of the summer" and that hospitalisations per day would peak between 100 and 10,000.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDiabetes Res Clin Pract
January 2025
Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Istituto Ricerca Cura Carattere Scientifico Multimedica, Sesto, San Giovanni (MI), Italy.
Primary prevention of diabetes still remains as an unmet challenge in a real world setting. While, translational programmes have been successful in the developed nations, the prevailing social and economic inequities in the low and middle income countries, fail to integrate diabetes prevention into their public health systems. The resulting exponential increase in the prevalence of diabetes and the cost of treatment has put primary prevention in the back seat.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Clin Epidemiol
January 2025
Australian Living Evidence Collaboration, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
Background: Living guidelines contain continually updated, and potentially changing, clinical recommendations. The implications of living guidelines for consumers (e.g.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!