Patient and Healthcare Provider Perspectives on Showering for Patients With Hemodialysis Central Venous Catheters: A Survey Study.

Rationale & Objective: Patients on hemodialysis using a central venous catheter (CVC) are often advised not to shower due to infection risk. This study aimed to assess practices and attitudes of patients and healthcare providers about showering with CVCs.

Study Design: Survey study.

Effect of mass drug administration on malaria incidence in southeast Senegal during 2020-22: a two-arm, open-label, cluster-randomised controlled trial.

Background: In Africa, the scale-up of malaria-control interventions has reduced malaria burden, but progress towards elimination has stalled. Mass drug administration (MDA) is promising as a transmission-reducing strategy, but evidence from low-to-moderate transmission settings is needed. We aimed to assess the safety, coverage, and effect of three cycles of MDA with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine plus single, low-dose primaquine on Plasmodium falciparum incidence and prevalence in southeast Senegal.

Traumatic injury mortality in the Gaza Strip from Oct 7, 2023, to June 30, 2024: a capture-recapture analysis.

Background: Accurate mortality estimates help quantify and memorialise the impact of war. We used multiple data sources to estimate deaths due to traumatic injury in the Gaza Strip between Oct 7, 2023, and June 30, 2024.

Methods: We used a three-list capture-recapture analysis using data from Palestinian Ministry of Health (MoH) hospital lists, an MoH online survey, and social media obituaries.

Making the Case for an International Childhood Cancer Data Partnership.

Childhood cancers are a heterogeneous group of rare diseases, accounting for less than 2% of all cancers diagnosed worldwide. Most countries, therefore, do not have enough cases to provide robust information on epidemiology, treatment, and late effects, especially for rarer types of cancer. Thus, only through a concerted effort to share data internationally will we be able to answer research questions that could not otherwise be answered.

Emerging models to study competitive interactions within bacterial communities.

Within both abiotic and host environments, bacteria typically exist as diverse, multispecies communities and have crucial roles in human health, agriculture, and industry. In these communities, bacteria compete for resources, and these competitive interactions can shape the overall population structure and community function. Studying bacterial community dynamics requires experimental model systems that capture the different interaction networks between bacteria and their surroundings.

Association between Congenital Zika Syndrome and hospitalizations during early childhood: a nationwide cohort study.

Background Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) has been linked to a wide spectrum of abnormalities. However, differences in hospitalization patterns between children with and without CZS have not yet been investigated. Methods We compared rates of hospital admissions for all and specific diseases, proportions of admission causes, and total length of hospital stay (LOS) between children with CZS and those without the syndrome.

Effect of mass campaigns with full and fractional doses of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Pneumosil) on the reduction of nasopharyngeal pneumococcal carriage in Niger: a three-arm, open-label, cluster-randomised trial.

Background: In settings with low pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) coverage, multi-age cohort mass campaigns could increase population immunity, and fractional dosing could increase affordability. We aimed to evaluate the effect of mass campaigns on nasopharyngeal pneumococcal carriage of Pneumosil (PCV10) in children aged 1-9 years in Niger.

Methods: In this three-arm, open-label, cluster-randomised trial, 63 clusters of one to four villages in Niger were randomly assigned (3:3:1) using block randomisation to receive campaigns consisting of a single full dose of a 10-valent PCV (Pneumosil), a single one-fifth dose of Pneumosil, or no campaign.

Immunogenicity of yellow fever vaccine co-administered with 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in rural Gambia: A cluster-randomised trial.

Introduction: Because booster doses of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) may be given at a similar time to yellow fever vaccine (YF), it is important to assess the immune response to YF when co-administered with PCV. This has been investigated during a reduced-dose PCV trial in The Gambia.

Methods: In this phase 4, parallel-group, cluster-randomized trial, healthy infants aged 0-10 weeks were randomly allocated to receive either a two-dose schedule of PCV13 with a booster dose co-administered with YF vaccine at age 9 months (1 + 1 co-administration) or YF vaccine administered separately at age 10 months (1 + 1 separate) or the standard three early doses of PCV13 with YF vaccine at age 9 months (3 + 0 separate).

What Can We Learn From Qualitative Impact Evaluations About the Effectiveness of Lobby and Advocacy? A Meta-Evaluation of Dutch aid Programmes and Assessment Tool.

Official development agencies are increasingly supporting civil society lobby and advocacy (L&A) to address poverty and human rights. However, there are challenges in evaluating L&A. As programme objectives are often to change policies or practices in a single institution like a Government Ministry, L&A programmes are often not amenable to large-n impact evaluation methods.

Long-Term Impact of Childhood Dental Attendance on Perceived Adult Oral Health: The British Cohort Study.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of childhood dental attendance pattern on self-rated oral health in middle adulthood among the British population.

Methods: Data from the 1970 British Cohort Study involving participants born in England, Scotland, and Wales were used. Self-rated oral health was assessed at age 46.

Microvascular decompression: a contemporary update.

Background: Microvascular decompression (MVD) is the gold-standard surgical treatment for cranial nerve compression disorders, including trigeminal neuralgia (TN), hemifacial spasm (HFS), and glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN). This review synthesizes historical milestones, recent advances, and evolving techniques in MVD, with a primary focus on these conditions.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using databases such as PubMed, SpringerLink, Google Scholar, BioMed Central, Scopus, and ScienceDirect.

Clinical and psychosocial context of HIV perinatally infected young mothers in Harare, Zimbabwe: A longitudinal mixed-methods study.

Background: The lives of adolescents and young people living with HIV (LHIV) are dominated by complex psychological and social stressors. These may be more pronounced among those perinatally infected. This longitudinal mixed-methods study describes the clinical and psychosocial challenges faced by HIV perinatally infected young mothers in Harare, Zimbabwe to inform tailored support.

Innovation and diversity in public health team engagement in local alcohol premises licensing: qualitative interview findings from the ExILEnS study.

Background: Evidence suggests that controls on the physical and temporal availability of alcohol can reduce alcohol-related harms. Public health teams in England and Scotland have in recent years been given a statutory role in licensing systems through which premises are granted permits to sell alcohol. The Exploring the Impact of alcohol premises Licensing in England and Scotland study examined public health team efforts to engage in alcohol licensing from 2012 to 2019.

Prediction accuracy of discrete choice experiments in health-related research: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Discrete choice experiments (DCEs) are increasingly used to inform the design of health products and services. It is essential to understand the extent to which DCEs provide reliable predictions outside of experimental settings in real-world decision-making situations. We aimed to compare the prediction accuracy of stated preferences with real-world choices, as modelled from DCE data.

A systemic evaluation of COVID-19 vaccination drives in LICs, LMICs, UMICs, and HICs: Preparedness for future pandemics.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global healthcare systems. Vaccination is an effective strategy to battle the disease. Policies and distribution frameworks have varied widely across countries.

Determinants of healthcare utilization under the Indonesian national health insurance system - a cross-sectional study.

Background: Indonesia has implemented a series of healthcare reforms including its national health insurance scheme (Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional, JKN) to achieve universal health coverage. However, there is evidence of inequitable healthcare utilization in Indonesia, raising concerns that the poor might not be benefiting fully from government subsidies. This study aims to identify factors affecting healthcare utilization in Indonesia.

Serological insights from SARS-CoV-2 heterologous prime and boost responses in Thailand.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, heterologous vaccination strategies were employed to alleviate the strain on vaccine supplies. The Thailand Ministry of Health adopted these strategies using vector, inactivated, and mRNA vaccines. However, this approach has introduced challenges for SARS-CoV-2 sero-epidemiology studies.

Diabetic foot ulcer photography study: a study within a trial to assess the reliability of two-dimensional (2D) photography for the assessment of ulcer healing in patients with diabetes-related foot ulcers-protocol paper.

Background: The primary endpoint in diabetes-related foot ulcer (DFU) trials is often time to healing, defined as complete re-epithelialisation with absence of drainage, requiring clinical expert assessment as the gold standard. Central blinded photograph review for confirmation of healing is increasingly being undertaken for internal validity. The Diabetic Foot Ulcer Photography study aims to determine the agreement between blinded independent review panel members for assessing ulcer healing status in patients with DFUs.

Factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine acceptability among household heads in northern Nigeria: a community-based cross-sectional study.

Objectives: COVID-19 vaccine was rolled out for the public in August 2021 in Zamfara state, Northen Nigeria. We determined the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.

Settings: We executed a community-based analytical cross-sectional study during the first 4 months of the second phase of the COVID-19 (Oxford/AstraZeneca) mass vaccination campaign in Zamfara state.

A Novel Approach to Assessing the Potential of Electronic Decision Support Systems to Improve the Quality of Antenatal Care in Nepal.

Introduction: Electronic decision-support systems (EDSSs) aim to improve the quality of antenatal care (ANC) through adherence to evidence-based guidelines. We assessed the potential of the mHealth integrated model of hypertension, diabetes, and ANC EDSS and the World Health Organization EDSS to improve the quality of ANC in primary-level health care facilities in Nepal.

Methods: From December 2021 to January 2023, we conducted a mixed-methods evaluation in 19 primary-level ANC facilities in Bagmati Province, Nepal.

Impact of water, sanitation, and hygiene indicators on enteric viral pathogens among under-5 children in low resource settings.

Poor water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are the primary risks of exposure to enteric viral infection. Our study aimed to describe the role of WASH conditions and practices as risk factors for enteric viral infections in children under 5. Literature on the risk factors associated with all-cause diarrhea masks the taxa-specific drivers of diarrhea from specific pathogens, limiting the application of relevant control strategies.

Broiler farming and antibiotic use through an agency theory lens. A case study from West Bengal, India.

Chicken meat (broiler) production is a rapidly growing livestock sector in India, and one dominated by contract farming. Studies have reported high levels of antibiotic use in Indian broiler farms which is concerning given this is one of the driving forces for the development of antibiotic resistance. This study used the economic lens of agency theory to examine strategic decisions which occur during contract broiler production and their potential impact on antibiotic use, using West Bengal as a case study.

A new guide for basic psychological support for persons affected by neglected tropical diseases: A peer support tool suitable for persons with a diagnosis of leprosy and lymphatic filariasis.

Background: People with disabilities due to neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), such as leprosy and lymphatic filariasis (LF), often encounter situations of stigma and discrimination that significantly impact their mental wellbeing. Mental wellbeing services are often not available at the peripheral level in NTD-endemic countries, and there is a need for such services. Basic psychological support for persons with NTDs (BPS-N) from peers is an important potential solution for addressing mental wellbeing problems.

Utility of Candidate Genes From an Algorithm Designed to Predict Genetic Risk for Opioid Use Disorder.

Importance: Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration gave premarketing approval to an algorithm based on its purported ability to identify individuals at genetic risk for opioid use disorder (OUD). However, the clinical utility of the candidate genetic variants included in the algorithm has not been independently demonstrated.

Objective: To assess the utility of 15 genetic variants from an algorithm intended to predict OUD risk.