Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 13 May 2022; Volume 19 (Issue 10); 5936.; DOI:10.3390/ijerph19105936
Kamara KN, Squire JS, Kanu JS, Carshon-Marsh R, Koroma Z, et al.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 13 May 2022; Volume 19 (Issue 10); 5936.; DOI:10.3390/ijerph19105936
Implementing and monitoring infection prevention and control (IPC) measures at immigration points of entry (PoEs) is key to preventing infections, reducing excessive use of antimicrobials, and tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Sierra Leone has been implementing IPC measures at four PoEs (Queen Elizabeth II Quay port, Lungi International Airport, and the Jendema and Gbalamuya ground crossings) since the last Ebola outbreak in 2014–2015. We adapted the World Health Organization IPC Assessment Framework tool to assess these measures and identify any gaps in their components at each PoE through a cross-sectional study in May 2021. IPC measures were Inadequate (0–25%) at Queen Elizabeth II Quay port (21%; 11/53) and Jendema (25%; 13/53) and Basic (26–50%) at Lungi International Airport (40%; 21/53) and Gbalamuya (49%; 26/53). IPC components with the highest scores were: having a referral system (85%; 17/20), cleaning and sanitation (63%; 15/24), and having a screening station (59%; 19/32). The lowest scores (0% each) were reported for the availability of IPC guidelines and monitoring of IPC practices. This was the first study in Sierra Leone highlighting significant gaps in the implementation of IPC measures at PoEs. We call on the AMR multisectoral coordinating committee to enhance IPC measures at all PoEs.
Journal Article > CommentaryFull Text
Public Health Action. 21 September 2014; Volume 4 (Issue 3); DOI:10.5588/pha.14.0028
Zachariah R, Kumar AMV, Reid A, Van der Bergh R, Isaakidis P, et al.
Public Health Action. 21 September 2014; Volume 4 (Issue 3); DOI:10.5588/pha.14.0028
Journal Article > CommentaryFull Text
Public Health Action. 21 September 2012; Volume 2 (Issue 3); DOI:10.5588/pha.12.0022
Bissell K, Harries AD, Reid A, Edginton ME, Hinderaker SG, et al.
Public Health Action. 21 September 2012; Volume 2 (Issue 3); DOI:10.5588/pha.12.0022
Journal Article > CommentaryFull Text
Public Health Action. 21 September 2013; Volume 3 (Issue 3); DOI:10.5588/pha.13.0066
Harries AD, Kumar AMV, Satyanarayana S, Bissell K, Hinderaker SG, et al.
Public Health Action. 21 September 2013; Volume 3 (Issue 3); DOI:10.5588/pha.13.0066
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Public Health Action. 21 September 2013; Volume 3 (Issue 3); 243-6.; DOI:10.5588/pha.13.0051
Siddiquea BN, Islam MS, Bam TS, Satyanarayana S, Enarson D, et al.
Public Health Action. 21 September 2013; Volume 3 (Issue 3); 243-6.; DOI:10.5588/pha.13.0051
SETTING
BRAC, a non-governmental organisation, implemented a modified smoking cessation programme for tuberculosis (TB) patients based on International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) guidelines in 17 peri-urban centres of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether a modified version of The Union's smoking cessation intervention was effective in promoting cessation among TB patients and determinants associated with quitting smoking.
DESIGN
Cohort study of routinely collected data.
RESULTS
A total of 3134 TB patients were registered from May 2011 to April 2012. Of these, 615 (20%) were current smokers, with a mean age of 38 years (±13.8). On treatment completion, 562 patients were analysed, with 53 (9%) lost to follow-up or dead, while 82% of smokers had quit. Patients with extra-pulmonary TB were less likely to quit than those with pulmonary TB. Patients with high-intensity dependence were less likely to quit than those with low-intensity dependence.
CONCLUSION
This study suggests that a simplified smoking cessation intervention can be effective in promoting smoking cessation among TB patients in Bangladesh. This is encouraging for other low-resource settings; the Bangladesh National Tuberculosis Control Programme should consider nationwide scaling up and integration of this smoking cessation plan.
BRAC, a non-governmental organisation, implemented a modified smoking cessation programme for tuberculosis (TB) patients based on International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) guidelines in 17 peri-urban centres of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether a modified version of The Union's smoking cessation intervention was effective in promoting cessation among TB patients and determinants associated with quitting smoking.
DESIGN
Cohort study of routinely collected data.
RESULTS
A total of 3134 TB patients were registered from May 2011 to April 2012. Of these, 615 (20%) were current smokers, with a mean age of 38 years (±13.8). On treatment completion, 562 patients were analysed, with 53 (9%) lost to follow-up or dead, while 82% of smokers had quit. Patients with extra-pulmonary TB were less likely to quit than those with pulmonary TB. Patients with high-intensity dependence were less likely to quit than those with low-intensity dependence.
CONCLUSION
This study suggests that a simplified smoking cessation intervention can be effective in promoting smoking cessation among TB patients in Bangladesh. This is encouraging for other low-resource settings; the Bangladesh National Tuberculosis Control Programme should consider nationwide scaling up and integration of this smoking cessation plan.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Public Health Action. 25 April 2018; Volume 8 (Issue 1); DOI:10.5588/pha.17.0034
Mbokazi F, Coetzee M, Brooke B, Govere J, Reid A, et al.
Public Health Action. 25 April 2018; Volume 8 (Issue 1); DOI:10.5588/pha.17.0034
Background: The malaria vector Anopheles merus occurs in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. As its contribution to malaria transmission in South Africa has yet to be ascertained, an intensification of surveillance is necessary to provide baseline information on this species. The aim of this study was therefore to map An. merus breeding sites in the Ehlanzeni District of Mpumalanga Province and to assess qualitative trends in the distribution and relative abundance of this species over a 9-year period. Methods: The study was carried out during the period 2005-2014 in the four high-risk municipalities of Ehlanzeni District. Fifty-two breeding sites were chosen from all water bodies that produced anopheline mosquitoes. The study data were extracted from historical entomological records that are captured monthly. Results: Of the 15 058 Anopheles mosquitoes collected, 64% were An. merus. The abundance and distribution of An. merus increased throughout the four municipalities in Ehlanzeni District during the study period. Conclusion: The expanded distribution and increased abundance of An. merus in the Ehlanzeni District may contribute significantly to locally acquired malaria in Mpumalanga Province, likely necessitating the incorporation of additional vector control methods specifically directed against populations of this species.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Infect Dis Poverty. 24 March 2017 (Issue 1)
Han WW, Saw S, Isaakidis P, Khogali MA, Reid A, et al.
Infect Dis Poverty. 24 March 2017 (Issue 1)
International non-governmental organizations (INGOs) have been implementing community-based tuberculosis (TB) care (CBTBC) in Myanmar since 2011. Although the National TB Programme (NTP) ultimately plans to take over CBTBC, there have been no evaluations of the models of care or of the costs of providing CBTBC in Myanmar by INGOs.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Building Global Capacity for Conducting Operational Research Using the SORT IT Model: Where and Who?
PLOS One. 9 August 2016; Volume 11 (Issue 8); DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0160837
Zachariah R, Rust S, Berger SD, Guillerm N, Bissell K, et al.
PLOS One. 9 August 2016; Volume 11 (Issue 8); DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0160837
Research capacity is weakest in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) where operational research is highly relevant and needed. Structured Operational Research and Training Initiative (SORT IT) courses have been developed to train participants to conduct and publish operational research and influence policy and practice. Twenty courses were completed in Asia, Africa, Europe and the South Pacific between 2009 and 2014.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
BMC Dermatol. 28 March 2019; Volume 19 (Issue 1); DOI:10.1186/s12895-019-0085-5
Kelbore AG, Owiti P, Reid A, Bogino EA, Wondewosen L, et al.
BMC Dermatol. 28 March 2019; Volume 19 (Issue 1); DOI:10.1186/s12895-019-0085-5
Epidemiological studies to determine the pattern of skin diseases among children are important for proper health care planning and management. The purpose of this study was to describe the pattern of skin diseases among pediatric patients seen at a dermatology outpatient clinic of Wolaita Sodo Teaching and Referral Hospital, southern Ethiopia. We conducted a retrospective hospital-based, cross-sectional study between January 2016 and December 2017 at a teaching and referral hospital dermatology outpatient department. All children younger than 15 years presenting with newly-diagnosed skin diseases were included. Diagnosis was mainly made clinically, with some laboratory support. A total of 1704 children with 1869 new skin diagnoses were included, of whom 139 (8.2%) had more than one disease. Of the children, 52.4% were males and 44.9% within the age-group 5-10 years. Eczematous dermatitis accounted for the largest group (23.9%, n = 447) of skin conditions followed by bacterial infections (21.3%, n = 398), fungal infections (18.8%, n = 351) and infestations (9.9%, n = 185). Seasonal variation was demonstrated, with eczematous conditions and bacterial infections being higher during autumn and winter. Overall, eczema, bacterial and fungal infections were the three major pediatric skin diseases occurring among children attending this hospital's outpatient department. There was seasonal variation in some of the skin diseases. This study gives a snapshot of skin disorders presenting to hospital in children in southern Ethiopia and may help to plan dermatology service expansion, educational programs and preventive measures.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Public Health Action. 21 June 2013; Volume 3 (Issue 2); 149-55.; DOI:10.5588/pha.12.0105
Nakanwagi-Mukwaya A, Reid A, Fujiwara PI, Mugabe F, Kosgei RJ, et al.
Public Health Action. 21 June 2013; Volume 3 (Issue 2); 149-55.; DOI:10.5588/pha.12.0105
SETTING
Three regional referral hospitals in Uganda with a high burden of tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the treatment outcomes of TB retreatment cases and factors influencing these outcomes.
DESIGN
A retrospective cohort study of routinely collected National Tuberculosis Programme data between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2010.
RESULTS
The study included 331 retreatment patients (68% males), with a median age of 36 years, 93 (28%) of whom were relapse smear-positive, 21 (6%) treatment after failure, 159 (48%) return after loss to follow-up, 26 (8%) relapse smear-negative and 32 (10%) relapse cases with no smear performed. Treatment success rates for all categories of retreatment cases ranged between 28% and 54%. Relapse smear-positive (P = 0.002) and treatment after failure (P = 0.038) cases were less likely to have a successful treatment outcome. Only 32% of the retreatment cases received a Category II treatment regimen; there was no difference in treatment success among patients who received Category II or Category I treatment regimens (P = 0.73).
CONCLUSION
Management of TB retreatment cases and treatment success for all categories in three referral hospitals in Uganda was poor. Relapse smear-positive or treatment after failure cases were less likely to have a successful treatment outcome.
Three regional referral hospitals in Uganda with a high burden of tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the treatment outcomes of TB retreatment cases and factors influencing these outcomes.
DESIGN
A retrospective cohort study of routinely collected National Tuberculosis Programme data between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2010.
RESULTS
The study included 331 retreatment patients (68% males), with a median age of 36 years, 93 (28%) of whom were relapse smear-positive, 21 (6%) treatment after failure, 159 (48%) return after loss to follow-up, 26 (8%) relapse smear-negative and 32 (10%) relapse cases with no smear performed. Treatment success rates for all categories of retreatment cases ranged between 28% and 54%. Relapse smear-positive (P = 0.002) and treatment after failure (P = 0.038) cases were less likely to have a successful treatment outcome. Only 32% of the retreatment cases received a Category II treatment regimen; there was no difference in treatment success among patients who received Category II or Category I treatment regimens (P = 0.73).
CONCLUSION
Management of TB retreatment cases and treatment success for all categories in three referral hospitals in Uganda was poor. Relapse smear-positive or treatment after failure cases were less likely to have a successful treatment outcome.