Use of population pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modelling to inform antimalarial dose optimization in infants.

Infants bear a significant malaria burden but are usually excluded from participating in early dose optimization studies that inform dosing regimens of antimalarial therapy. Unlike older children, infants' exclusion from early-phase trials has resulted in limited evidence to guide accurate dosing of antimalarial treatment for uncomplicated malaria or malaria-preventive treatment in this vulnerable population. Subsequently, doses used in infants are often extrapolated from older children or adults, with the potential for under- or overdosing.

Health facility assessment of small and sick newborn care in low- and middle-income countries: systematic tool development and operationalisation with NEST360 and UNICEF.

Background: Each year an estimated 2.3 million newborns die in the first 28 days of life. Most of these deaths are preventable, and high-quality neonatal care is fundamental for surviving and thriving.

Developing rights-based standards for children having tests, treatments, examinations and interventions: using a collaborative, multi-phased, multi-method and multi-stakeholder approach to build consensus.

Children continue to experience harm when undergoing clinical procedures despite increased evidence of the need to improve the provision of child-centred care. The international ISupport collaboration aimed to develop standards to outline and explain good procedural practice and the rights of children within the context of a clinical procedure. The rights-based standards for children undergoing tests, treatments, investigations, examinations and interventions were developed using an iterative, multi-phased, multi-method and multi-stakeholder consensus building approach.

Comparing in-person, blended and virtual training interventions; a real-world evaluation of HIV capacity building programs in 16 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

We sought to evaluate the impact of transitioning a multi-country HIV training program from in-person to online by comparing digital training approaches implemented during the pandemic with in-person approaches employed before COVID-19. We evaluated mean changes in pre-and post-course knowledge scores and self-reported confidence scores for learners who participated in (1) in-person workshops (between October 2019 and March 2020), (2) entirely asynchronous, Virtual Workshops [VW] (between May 2021 and January 2022), and (3) a blended Online Course [OC] (between May 2021 and January 2022) across 16 SSA countries. Learning objectives and evaluation tools were the same for all three groups.

The impact of depression at preconception on pregnancy planning and unmet need for contraception in the first postpartum year: a cohort study from rural Malawi.

Background: The impact of depression on women's use of contraception and degree of pregnancy planning in low-income settings has been poorly researched. Our study aims to explore if symptoms of depression at preconception are associated with unplanned pregnancy and nonuse of contraception at the point of conception and in the postpartum period.

Methods: Population-based cohort of 4244 pregnant women in rural Malawi were recruited in 2013 and were followed up at 28 days, 6 months and 12 months postpartum.

The world is coming to an end! COVID-19, depression, and anxiety among adolescents in Malawi.

Introduction: This paper assessed the effects of Covid-19 on adolescent mental health in Malawi. There is minimal research on adolescent mental health in Africa, Malawi in particular. The study shows a link between the pandemic and mental health.

Exploring perceived barriers to effective utilization of learner-centred teaching methods by tutors at Holy Family College of Nursing and Midwifery, Phalombe, Malawi.

Introduction: Learner-centred teaching implies a paradigmatic shift in roles of a teacher from being a source of knowledge to that of a facilitator in the process of knowledge construction. Literature shows that perceptions which teachers hold about barriers to utilisation of learner-centred teaching methods influence how the teachers teach. Anecdotal records as well as observation of classroom teaching demonstrate that tutors at Holy Family College of Nursing and Midwifery dominantly use traditional teacher-centred teaching methods.

Impact of Dolutegravir-Based Antiretroviral Therapy on Piperaquine Exposure following Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria in Pregnant Women Living with HIV.

Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine, an artemisinin-based combination therapy, has been identified as a promising agent for intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy. However, in pregnant women living with HIV (PLWH), efavirenz-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) significantly reduces the plasma exposure of piperaquine. In an open-label, nonrandomized, fixed-sequence, pharmacokinetic study, we compared piperaquine plasma concentrations in 13 pregnant women during a 3-day treatment course of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine when coadministered with efavirenz-based versus dolutegravir-based ART in the second or third trimester of pregnancy.

Effectiveness of psychoeducation intervention among women with gynecological cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Psychoeducation interventions have been suggested to improve sexual functioning and quality of life. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the psychoeducation intervention on quality of life, sexual function, and psychological outcomes; and to identify the critical components of psychoeducation intervention for women with gynecological cancer. This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Perceptions and predictors of respectful maternity care in Malawi: A quantitative cross-sectional analysis.

Objective: Access to high-quality, respectful care is a basic human right. A lack of respectful care during childbirth is associated with poor outcomes and can negatively influence care-seeking and maternal mental health. We aimed to describe how women perceive their experience of maternity care in Malawi.

Nurses' perceptions on the effects of high nursing workload on patient care in an intensive care unit of a referral hospital in Malawi: a qualitative study.

Background: The Malawi health system has taken numerous actions to reduce high nurse workloads, despite this, shortage of nurses especially in critical care settings still persists due to lack of prioritisation of critical care. Therefore, it is important to understand the effects of high nursing workload in Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This study aimed at exploring the perceptions of nurses regarding the effects of high nursing workload on patient care in ICU at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital.

Nurses' Priorities for Perioperative Research in Africa.

Background: Mortality rates among surgical patients in Africa are double those of surgical patients in high-income countries. Internationally, there is a call to improve access to and safety of surgical and perioperative care. Perioperative research needs to be coordinated across Africa to positively impact perioperative mortality.

Experiences of women with physical disabilities accessing prenatal care in low- and middle-income countries.

Introduction: Women with physical disabilities experience barriers to accessing patient-centered and accommodative care during the prenatal and childbirth periods. While there is a growing body of work in high-income countries to address these needs, there is little research detailing specific challenges in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where a woman's' burden- and need-is greatest.

Methods: We conducted an integrative review to synthesize the experiences of women with physical disabilities accessing prenatal care and childbirth services in LMICs.

Clinical Predictors of Duration of Untreated Psychosis: Exploring Psychosocial and Clinical Predictors of Duration of Untreated Psychosis in First-Episode Psychotic Patients in Mzuzu, Malawi.

Introduction: The duration of untreated Psychosis (DUP) is a modifiable factor in the management and outcome of patients with psychosis. However, its predictive factors have not been studied much in Malawi. Our study was aimed at determining the psychosocial and clinical predictors of DUP in first episode psychosis in Malawi.

Experiences of health care workers' on interprofessional collaborative practice at Mzuzu Central and Ntcheu District hospitals.

Background: Interprofessional collaborative practice (ICP) is a new approach to delivery of health care. It is the practice which happens when healthcare providers work together with different professionals such as nurse/midwives, medical officers towards a common goal to improve patient outcomes.There is no evidence on healthcare workers' experiences on ICP in Malawi and a study on healthcare workers experiences would provide insight towards ICP.

Faculty knowledge and skills needs in interprofessional education among faculty at the College of Medicine and Kamuzu College of Nursing, University of Malawi.

Background: Undergraduate health professionals' education in Malawi is mostly provided through a uniprofessional approach, even though the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends interprofessional education (IPE) in order to prepare health workers for collaborative practice. Because IPE is not widely practiced in Malawi, faculty may not have the knowledge and skills required for successful IPE implementation.

Aim: To explore perceived needs for knowledge and skills related to IPE among faculty in undergraduate health professional programs at the University of Malawi - Kamuzu College of Nursing (KCN) and College of Medicine (COM).

The roles and experiences of preceptors in clinical teaching of undergraduate nursing and midwifery students in Malawi.

Introduction: Clinical teaching is essential for undergraduate nursing and midwifery students. Registered nurses/midwives trained as preceptors , guide the students during clinical practices. Literature is scanty on the roles and experiences of the preceptors in Malawi.

Determinants of maternal near-miss cases at two selected central hospitals in Malawi.

Background: Maternal near-miss cases occur in larger numbers than maternal deaths hence they require comprehensive analysis when studied. However, there is scarcity of information on determinants of maternal near-miss cases in Malawi. Therefore, this study aimed at establishing the determinants of maternal near-miss cases at two selected central hospitals in Malawi.

'This disease would suit better those who have money': Insulin-Treated Diabetes Illness Experience in rural Malawi.

Background: Understanding the illness experience among rural-based insulin-treated diabetic patients has implications for practice and policy. However, there is a lack of in-depth knowledge about insulin-treated diabetic patients' illness experiences in rural Malawi. We explored the experiences of people living with insulin-treated diabetes in rural Malawi.

Effect of dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine for malaria intermittent preventive treatment on dolutegravir exposure in pregnant women living with HIV.

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, the burdens of malaria and HIV infections overlap. In settings with moderate-to-high malaria transmission intensity, pregnant women living with HIV (PLWH) require both ART and malaria intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp). Dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine has been identified as a promising alternative to sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine for IPTp.

Experiences of nurse managers and practitioners on implementation of an evidence-based practice intervention.

Background: An evidence based practice (EBP) research project was undertaken to implement EBP interventions utilising the Iowa model in order to build the capacity of the nurses in using research evidence to improve decision making and quality care.

Aim: Exploring and understanding the experiences of nurse managers and practitioners who participated in the EBP change project.

Setting: The study was conducted in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary hospital in Lilongwe district in Malawi.

Direct financial assistance for improved maternal and child health data: a pilot study supporting the health management information system in Malawi.

Background: The health management information system (HMIS) is an integral component of a strong health care system. Despite its importance for decision-making, the quality of HMIS data remains of concern in low- and middle-income countries. To address challenges with the quality of maternal and child health (MCH) data gathered within Malawi's HMIS, we conducted a pilot study evaluating different support modalities to district-level HMIS offices.

Guidelines for short-term medical missions: perspectives from host countries.

Background: In the past decade, there has been increasing guideline development for short-term medical missions (STMMs) traveling from high-income to low- and middle-income countries for the purpose of supporting health care services. The ethics of STMMs is criticized in the literature and there is frequently a lack of host country collaboration. This typically results in guidelines which are developed through the lens of the sending (high-income) countries' staff and organizations.