Suchergebnisse

BackgroundAccording to the Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer launched by the World Health Organizations (WHO), 70% of all women should undergo cervical cancer (CC) screening by 2030. While integrated HIV care and CC screening services exist, lack of unified data and patient management systems hinder reaching the set WHO goals. We used record linkage methods to assess the number of women receiving HIV care and visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) based CC screening at Kanyama First Level Hospital (FLH) in Lusaka, Zambia.
MethodsWe retrieved HIV patient records from SmartCare, Zambia's National Electronic Health Records system, and the CC screening database for the years 2004 to 2018, and 2010 to 2018, respectively. We restricted this pilot study to women attending Kanyama FLH for HIV services, and its surrounding clinics for CC screening. We used the following linkage variables: first name, last name, facility, and year of birth. We used a machine learning based approach with Random Forest classifiers to identify records from the HIV and CC screening services belonging to the same person. We created synthetic patient record datasets to train and test the linkages. After the linkage, we anonymized the data and retrieved screening status from the CC screening database. We assessed the percentage of women in HIV care undergoing CC screening and the respective screening results. We calculated the time to CC screening with reference to the start of the HIV Antiretroviral Therapy treatment (ART).
ResultsWe retrieved a total of 32,970 records from SmartCare and 176,736 records from CC screening databases. With the linkage we determined that of all women that ever accessed HIV treatment services at Kanyama FLH between 2004 and 2018, 2,999 (9%) received CC screening. Of those that were screened, 30% received the CC service at Kanyama FLH, while the rest from 13 surrounding facilities. 61% of women accessed CC services before starting ART. Of the women screened for CC, 371 had a positive VIA result (12%), 2,395 (80%) a negative and 233 (8%) had a missing or indeterminate result. When we restricted the analysis to women, who were eligible for screening (aged 25 to 59 years), the screening coverage was 9.6%.
ConclusionOur study demonstrates the significance of record linkage efforts in determining CC screening coverage among women living with HIV. According to these findings, CC screening coverage among patients receiving ART services between 2004 and 2018 was at 9%, showing the depth of effort required to meet WHO targets at the time. The linkage output was primarily influenced by the scarcity of available linkage variables and data missingness, resulting in potentially overestimating or underestimating the CC coverage. This is typical of data systems in low- and middle-income countries; however, this study demonstrates that record linkage is useful in bridging these widespread data gaps.

BACKGROUND Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death among women. Poor uptake of screening services contributes to the high mortality. We aimed to examine screening frequency, predictors of screening results, and patterns of sensitisation strategies by age group in a large, programmatic cohort. METHODS We did a cohort study including 11 government health facilities in Lusaka, Zambia, in which we reviewed routine programmatic data collected through the Cervical Cancer Prevention Program in Zambia (CCPPZ). Participants who underwent cervical cancer screening in one of the participating study sites were considered for study inclusion if they had a screening result. Follow-up was accomplished per national guidelines. We did descriptive analyses and mixed-effects logistic regression for cervical cancer screening results allowing random effects at the individual and clinic level. FINDINGS Between Jan 1, 2010, and July 31, 2019, we included 183 165 women with 204 225 results for visual inspection with acetic acid and digital cervicography (VIAC) in the analysis. Of all those screened, 21 326 (10·4%) were VIAC-positive, of whom 16 244 (76·2%) received treatment. Of 204 225 screenings, 92 838 (45·5%) were in women who were HIV-negative, 76 607 (37·5%) were in women who were HIV-positive, and 34 780 (17·0%) had an unknown HIV status. Screening frequency increased 65·7% between 2010 and 2019 with most appointments being first-time screenings (n=158 940 [77·8%]). Women with HIV were more likely to test VIAC-positive than women who were HIV-negative (adjusted odds ratio 3·60, 95% CI 2·14-6·08). Younger women (≤29 years) with HIV had the highest predictive probability (18·6%, 95% CI 14·2-22·9) of screening positive. INTERPRETATION CCPPZ has effectively increased women's engagement in screening since its inception in 2006. Customised sensitisation strategies relevant to different age groups could increase uptake and adherence to screening. The high proportion of screen positivity in women younger than 20 years with HIV requires further consideration. Our data are not able to discern if women with HIV have earlier disease onset or whether this difference reflects misclassification of disease in an age group with a higher sexually transmitted infection prevalence. These data inform scale-up efforts required to achieve WHO elimination targets. FUNDING US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

The rationale is considered for promoting the availability of local, affordable, non-fortified food sources of bioavailable iron in developing countries. Intakes of iron from the regular consumption of meat from the age of six months are evaluated with respect to physiological requirements. The paper includes a description of two major randomized controlled trials of meat as a first and regular complementary food that are currently in progress. These trials involve poor communities in Guatemala, Pakistan, Zambia, Democratic Republic of the Congo and China.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the staffing and availability of medical equipment and medications and the performance of procedures at health facilities providing maternal and neonatal care at African, Asian, and Latin American sites participating in a multicenter trial to improve emergency obstetric/neonatal care in communities with high maternal and perinatal mortality. STUDY DESIGN: In 2009, prior to intervention, we surveyed 136 hospitals and 228 clinics in 7 sites in Africa, Asia, and Latin America regarding staffing, availability of equipment/medications, and procedures including cesarean section. RESULTS: The coverage of physicians and nurses/midwives was poor in Africa and Latin America. In Africa, only 20% of hospitals had full-time physicians. Only 70% of hospitals in Africa and Asia had performed cesarean sections in the last 6 months. Oxygen was unavailable in 40% of African hospitals and 17% of Asian hospitals. Blood was unavailable in 80% of African and Asian hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: Assuming that adequate facility services are necessary to improve pregnancy outcomes, it is not surprising that maternal and perinatal mortality rates in the areas surveyed are high. The data presented emphasize that to reduce mortality in these areas, resources that result in improved staffing and sufficient equipment, supplies, and medication, along with training, are required. ; Fil: Manasyan, Albert. Centre for Infectious Disease Zambia; Zambia. University of Alabama at Birmingahm; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Saleem, Sarah. Aga Khan University; Pakistán ; Fil: Koso Thomas, Marion. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Althabe, Fernando. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Política de Salud. Departamento de Investigación en Salud Madre e Infantil. Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina ; Fil: Pasha, Omrana. Aga Khan University; Pakistán ; Fil: Chomba, Elwyn. Centre for Infectious Disease Zambia; Zambia. University of Alabama at Birmingahm; Estados Unidos. University of Zambia; Zambia ; Fil: Goudar, Shivaprasad S. KLE; India ; Fil: Patel, Archana. Indira Gandhi Government Medical College; India ; Fil: Esamai, Fabian. Moi University; Kenia ; Fil: Garces, Ana. Francisco Marroquin University; Guatemala ; Fil: Kodkany, Bhala. KLE; India ; Fil: Belizan, Jose. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Política de Salud. Departamento de Investigación en Salud Madre e Infantil. Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina ; Fil: McClure, Elizabeth M. Research Triangle Institute; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Derman, Richard J. Christiana Health Care; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Hibberd, Patricia. Indiana University; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Liechty, Edward A. Massachusetts General Hospital for Children; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Hambidge, K. Michael. State University of Colorado Boulder; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Carlo, Waldemar A. Centre for Infectious Disease Zambia; Zambia ; Fil: Buekens, Pierre. Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Moore, janet. Research Triangle Institute; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Wright, Linda L. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Goldenberg, Robert L. Columbia University; Estados Unidos

Introduction Neonatal mortality associated with preterm birth can be reduced with antenatal corticosteroids (ACS), yet 36.0 weeks GA. In phase 1, UH measurements were collected prospectively in the Democratic Republic of Congo, India and Pakistan, using distinct tapes to address variation across regions and ethnicities. In phase 2, we tested accuracy in 250 pregnant women with known GA from early ultrasound enrolled at prenatal clinics in Argentina, India, Pakistan and Zambia. Providers masked to the ultrasound GA measured UH. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis was conducted. Results 1,029 pregnant women were enrolled. In all countries the tapes were most effective identifying pregnancies between 20.0–35.6 weeks, compared to the other GAs. The ROC areas under the curves and 95% confidence intervals were: Argentina 0.69 (0.63, 0.74); Zambia 0.72 (0.66, 0.78), India 0.84 (0.80, 0.89), and Pakistan 0.83 (0.78, 0.87). The sensitivity and specificity (and 95% confidence intervals) for identifying pregnancies between 20.0–35.6 weeks, respectively, were: Argentina 87% (82%–92%) and 51% (42%–61%); Zambia 91% (86%–95%) and 50% (40%–60%); India 78% (71%–85%) and 89% (83%–94%); Pakistan 63% (55%–70%) and 94% (89%–99%). Conclusions We observed moderate-good accuracy identifying pregnancies ≤35.6 weeks gestation, with potential usefulness at the community level in low-middle income countries to facilitate the preterm identification and interventions to reduce preterm neonatal mortality. Further research is needed to validate these findings on a population basis.

Introduction: Neonatal mortality associated with preterm birth can be reduced with antenatal corticosteroids (ACS), yet 36.0 weeks GA. In phase 1, UH measurements were collected prospectively in the Democratic Republic of Congo, India and Pakistan, using distinct tapes to address variation across regions and ethnicities. In phase 2, we tested accuracy in 250 pregnant women with known GA from early ultrasound enrolled at prenatal clinics in Argentina, India, Pakistan and Zambia. Providers masked to the ultrasound GA measured UH. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis was conducted. Results: 1,029 pregnant women were enrolled. In all countries the tapes were most effective identifying pregnancies between 20.0-35.6 weeks, compared to the other GAs. The ROC areas under the curves and 95% confidence intervals were: Argentina 0.69 (0.63, 0.74); Zambia 0.72 (0.66, 0.78), India 0.84 (0.80, 0.89), and Pakistan 0.83 (0.78, 0.87). The sensitivity and specificity (and 95% confidence intervals) for identifying pregnancies between 20.0-35.6 weeks, respectively, were: Argentina 87% (82%-92%) and 51% (42%-61%); Zambia 91% (86%-95%) and 50% (40%-60%); India 78% (71%-85%) and 89% (83%-94%); Pakistan 63% (55%-70%) and 94% (89% -99%). Conclusions: We observed moderate-good accuracy identifying pregnancies ≤35.6 weeks gestation, with potential usefulness at the community level in low-middle income countries to facilitate the preterm identification and interventions to reduce preterm neonatal mortality. Further research is needed to validate these findings on a population basis. ; Fil: Althabe, Fernando. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina ; Fil: Berrueta, Amanda Mabel. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; Argentina ; Fil: Hemingway Foday, Jennifer. Rti International; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Mazzoni, Agustina. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; Argentina ; Fil: Bonorino, Carolina Astoul. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; Argentina ; Fil: Gowdak, Andrea. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; Argentina ; Fil: Gibbons, Luz. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; Argentina ; Fil: Bellad, M. B. Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Belgaum; India ; Fil: Metgud, M. C. Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Belgaum; India ; Fil: Goudar, Shivaprasad. Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Belgaum; India ; Fil: Kodkany, Bhalchandra S. Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Belgaum; India ; Fil: Derman, Richard J. Christiana Care Health System; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Saleem, Sarah. The Aga Khan University; Pakistán ; Fil: Iqbal, Samina. Sobhraj Maternity Hospital; Pakistán ; Fil: Ala, Syed Hasan. Sindh Government Qatar Hospital; Pakistán ; Fil: Goldenberg, Robert L. Columbia University; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Chomba, Elwyn. University Teaching Hospital Lusaka; Zambia ; Fil: Manasyan, Albert. University of North Carolina; Estados Unidos. Centre For Infectious Disease Research In Zambia; Zambia ; Fil: Chiwila, Melody. University Teaching Hospital Lusaka; Zambia ; Fil: Imenda, Edna. University Teaching Hospital Lusaka; Zambia ; Fil: Mbewe, Florence. University Teaching Hospital Lusaka; Zambia ; Fil: Tshefu, Antoinette. Kinshasa School Of Public Health; República Democrática del Congo ; Fil: Lokomba, Victor. Kinshasa School Of Public Health; República Democrática del Congo ; Fil: Bose, Carl L. University of North Carolina; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Moore, Janet. Rti International; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Meleth, Sreelatha. Rti International; Estados Unidos ; Fil: McClure, Elizabeth M. Rti International; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Koso Thomas, Marion. Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Buekens, Pierre. University of Tulane; Estados Unidos ; Fil: Belizan, Jose. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina