Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Michelle B. Shin, Lynda Myra Oluoch, Ruanne V. Barnabas, Colin Baynes, Harriet Fridah, Jesse Heitner, Mary Bernadette Kerubo, Kenneth Ngure, Leeya F. Pinder, Katherine K. Thomas, Nelly Rwamba Mugo, Sarah Gimbel
Summary: This study aims to develop and evaluate implementation strategies to promote the use of the single-visit screen-and-treat approach with visual inspection with acetic acid and thermal ablation for cervical cancer prevention in low- and middle-income countries.
IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Mathematical & Computational Biology
Phillip Sundin, Catherine M. Crespi
Summary: This article presents a linear mixed model for stepped wedge design (SWD) trials with two or more interventions, including multiarm and factorial designs. The standard errors of the intervention effect coefficients are derived, and power calculation methods are provided. The impact of design features, especially treatment allocations, on power is examined.
STATISTICS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Shuduo Zhou, Xuejie Dong, Fangjing Liu, Yan Zhang, Dahai Yue, Qiang Zhou, Yinzi Jin, Zhi-Jie Zheng
Summary: The study aims to improve the quality of STEMI care by developing, implementing, and evaluating optimized QI initiatives in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a stepped wedge cluster randomized control trial involving 24 hospitals in three selected cities, various methods such as assessments, surveys, and interviews will be conducted during the trial to identify factors influencing the implementation of QI interventions.
IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Primary Health Care
Ann M. Nguyen, Charles M. Cleland, L. Miriam Dickinson, Michael P. Barry, Samuel Cykert, F. Daniel Duffy, Anton J. Kuzel, Stephan R. Lindner, Michael L. Parchman, Donna R. Shelley, Theresa L. Walunas
Summary: The stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial design has advantages in large-scale intervention implementation, such as incentivized recruitment, staggered resource allocation, and statistical power, while facing challenges like time-sensitive recruitment, retention, randomization requirements and practice preferences, treatment schedule fidelity, etc.
ANNALS OF FAMILY MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Chun-Juan Wang, Hong-Qiu Gu, Li-Xia Zong, Xin-Miao Zhang, Qi Zhou, Yong Jiang, Hao Li, Xia Meng, Xin Yang, Meng Wang, Xiao-Chuan Huo, Run-Qi Wangqin, Yu-Zhang Bei, Xiu-Hui Qi, Xiao-Yun Liu, Shi-Qiang Hu, Zhi-Min Wang, Xing-Quan Zhao, Yi-Long Wang, Li-Ping Liu, Xu-Dong Ma, Louise Morgan, Ying Xian, Lee H. Schwamm, Yong-Jun Wang, Zi-Xiao Li
Summary: A problem-oriented, culturally adapted, targeted quality improvement intervention was evaluated in China to improve reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke patients. The intervention did not improve the reperfusion therapy rate overall, but it showed effectiveness in secondary hospitals.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Caterina Caminiti, Maria Antonietta Annunziata, Claudio Verusio, Carmine Pinto, Mario Airoldi, Marcello Aragona, Francesca Caputo, Saverio Cinieri, Paolo Giordani, Stefania Gori, Rodolfo Mattioli, Silvia Novello, Antonio Pazzola, Giuseppe Procopio, Antonio Russo, Giuseppina Sarobba, Filippo Zerilli, Francesca Diodati, Elisa Iezzi, Giuseppe Maglietta, Rodolfo Passalacqua
Summary: The study evaluated the effectiveness of the HuCare Quality Improvement Strategy in improving patients' emotional function during cancer treatment and at 12-month follow-up. The strategy significantly improved emotional function, highlighting the importance of introducing psychosocial care strategies in cancer treatment.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Facundo Jorro-Baron, Ines Suarez-Anzorena, Rodrigo Burgos-Pratx, Noelia De Maio, Matias Penazzi, Ana Paula Rodriguez, Gisela Rodriguez, Daniel Velardez, Luz Gibbons, Silvina abalos, Silvina Lardone, Rosario Gallagher, Joaquin Olivieri, Rocio Rodriguez, Juan Carlos Vassallo, Luis Martin Landry, Ezequiel Garcia-Elorrio
Summary: The study found that compliance with handoff items improved after implementing the I-PASS bundle in pediatric intensive care units. However, no differences were observed in the frequency of adverse events or perception of enhanced communication.
BMJ QUALITY & SAFETY
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Fan Li, James P. Hughes, Karla Hemming, Monica Taljaard, Edward R. Melnick, Patrick J. Heagerty
Summary: The stepped wedge cluster randomized design is gaining attention in pragmatic clinical trials and implementation science research. The design features clusters crossing over from control to intervention conditions in a unidirectional manner on a staggered schedule, which may confound intervention effects over time. This design first appeared in the Gambia hepatitis study in the 1980s, but the statistical model for its design and analysis was formally introduced in 2007. Various mixed-effects model extensions have since been proposed for the design and analysis of these trials.
STATISTICAL METHODS IN MEDICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Gernot Marx, Johannes Bickenbach, Sebastian Johannes Fritsch, Julian Benedict Kunze, Oliver Maassen, Saskia Deffge, Jennifer Kistermann, Silke Haferkamp, Irina Lutz, Nora Kristiana Voellm, Volker Lowitsch, Richard Polzin, Konstantin Sharafutdinov, Hannah Mayer, Lars Kuepfer, Rolf Burghaus, Walter Schmitt, Joerg Lippert, Morris Riedel, Chadi Barakat, Andre Stollenwerk, Simon Fonck, Christian Putensen, Sven Zenker, Felix Erdfelder, Daniel Grigutsch, Rainer Kram, Susanne Beyer, Knut Kampe, Jan Erik Gewehr, Friederike Salman, Patrick Juers, Stefan Kluge, Daniel Tiller, Emilia Wisotzki, Sebastian Gross, Lorenz Homeister, Frank Bloos, Andre Scherag, Danny Ammon, Susanne Mueller, Julia Palm, Philipp Simon, Nora Jahn, Markus Loeffler, Thomas Wendt, Tobias Schuerholz, Petra Groeber, Andreas Schuppert
Summary: ARDS is a highly relevant entity in critical care with a mortality rate of 40%. Despite extensive scientific efforts, outcome-relevant therapeutic measures are still insufficiently practised. Therefore, there is a clear need to adhere to early diagnosis and sufficient therapy in ARDS to ensure lower mortality and prevent multiple organ failure.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
I Gurol-Urganci, P. Bidwell, N. Sevdalis, L. Silverton, V Novis, R. Freeman, A. Hellyer, J. van der Meulen, R. Thakar
Summary: The study evaluated the impact of a care bundle on obstetric anal sphincter injury rates. The implementation of the care bundle reduced OASI rates without affecting caesarean section rates or episiotomy use. This suggests the potential for reducing perineal trauma during childbirth.
BJOG-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Mathematical & Computational Biology
Avi Kenny, Emily C. Voldal, Fan Xia, Patrick J. Heagerty, James P. Hughes
Summary: This article presents an analytical framework for analyzing stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trials that considers the variation of the treatment effect over exposure time. The authors derive the expectation of the estimator under the assumption of immediate treatment effect and show that it can be misleading. They also introduce several models that can simultaneously estimate the entire effect curve, time-averaged treatment effect, and long-term treatment effect.
STATISTICS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Michihiko Goto, Shinya Hasegawa, Erin C. Balkenende, Gosia S. Clore, Nasia Safdar, Eli N. Perencevich
Summary: Enhanced terminal room cleaning with UV-C disinfection is associated with a lower incidence rate of hospital-onset gram-negative rod bloodstream infection, although the effectiveness varies among hospitals. Further research is needed to identify the optimal implementation strategy.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Shuduo Zhou, Junxiong Ma, Xuejie Dong, Na Li, Yuqi Duan, Zongbin Wang, Liqun Gao, Lu Han, Shu Tu, Zhisheng Liang, Fangjing Liu, Kenneth A. LaBresh, Sidney C. Jr Jr Smith, Yinzi Jin, Zhi-Jie Zheng
Summary: This study investigated the barriers and enablers in the implementation process of the National Chest Pain Centers Program (NCPCP) in China. The barriers mainly included the complexity of the intervention, low flexibility of requirements, and a lack of recognition of chest pain in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The enablers of intervention implementation included inner motivation for change, evidence strength and quality of intervention, and involvement of hospital leaders.
IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Ying Zhang, John S. Preisser, Elizabeth L. Turner, Paul J. Rathouz, Mark Toles, Fan Li
Summary: This article presents a fast power analysis method for complete and incomplete stepped wedge designs, and compares its predicted power to simulated power for binary and continuous responses.
STATISTICAL METHODS IN MEDICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Mathematical & Computational Biology
Kenneth Menglin Lee, Xiangmei Ma, Grace Meijuan Yang, Yin Bun Cheung
Summary: This article mathematically proves and demonstrates through data analysis that the inclusion of unexposed clusters improves the precision, power, and root mean square error of fixed effects analysis in stepped-wedge cluster randomized trials (SW-CRTs).
STATISTICS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
E. R. Begnel, A. L. Drake, J. Kinuthia, D. Matemo, M. -L. Huang, K. H. Asbjornsdottir, V. Chohan, K. Beima-Sofie, G. John-Stewart, D. Lehman, J. Slyker
Summary: In a study conducted in Kenya, no significant association was found between cervical CMV shedding and sPTB before 34 weeks, but it was observed that cervical CMV levels were associated with elevated levels of IL-6 and TNF-α.
CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
James E. Truscott, Robert J. Hardwick, Marleen Werkman, Puthupalayam Kaliappan Saravanakumar, Malathi Manuel, Sitara S. R. Ajjampur, Kristjana H. Asbjornsdottir, Kalua Khumbo, Stefan Witek-McManus, James Simwanza, Gilles Cottrell, Parfait Houngbegnon, Moudachirou Ibikounle, Judd L. Walson, Roy M. Anderson
Summary: The DeWorm3 project utilizes statistical and mathematical methods to forecast the outcome of mass drug administration in reducing soil-transmitted helminth infections below 2%, highlighting the importance of assessing geographical and cluster-level heterogeneities in transmission and aggregation for effective control of neglected tropical diseases.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sitara S. R. Ajjampur, Saravanakumar Puthupalayam Kaliappan, Katherine E. Halliday, Gokila Palanisamy, Jasmine Farzana, Malathi Manuel, Dilip Abraham, Selvi Laxmanan, Kumudha Aruldas, Anuradha Rose, David S. Kennedy, William E. Oswald, Rachel L. Pullan, Sean R. Galagan, Kristjana Asbjornsdottir, Roy M. Anderson, Jayaprakash Muliyil, Rajiv Sarkar, Gagandeep Kang, Judd L. Walson
Summary: India has implemented the largest school-based deworming program globally since 2015, but reinfection rates in endemic communities remain high. A community-based parasitological survey conducted in Tamil Nadu revealed a high prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths, with hookworm being the predominant species. Factors associated with hookworm infection included age, vegetation, recent deworming, socioeconomic status, education level, and sanitation facilities.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Stefan Witek-McManus, James Simwanza, Alvin B. Chisambi, Stella Kepha, Zachariah Kamwendo, Alfred Mbwinja, Lyson Samikwa, William E. Oswald, David S. Kennedy, Joseph W. S. Timothy, Hugo Legge, Sean R. Galagan, Mira Emmanuel-Fabula, Fabian Schaer, Kristjana Asbjornsdottir, Katherine E. Halliday, Judd L. Walson, Lazarus Juziwelo, Robin L. Bailey, Khumbo Kalua, Rachel L. Pullan
Summary: Malawi has successfully utilized various delivery platforms to expand and sustain preventive chemotherapy for soil-transmitted helminth control. Epidemiological surveys revealed the demographic characteristics, prevalence, and associated risk factors of helminth infections in the community. While overall infection levels have been reduced to very low levels, they remain higher in adults, particularly males, from less wealthy households or with lower levels of education.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Jenell Stewart, Kathryn M. Stadeli, Kristjana H. Asbjornsdottir, Margaret L. Green, Giana H. Davidson, Bryan J. Weiner, Shireesha Dhanireddy
Summary: This cohort study examines the relationship between utilizing a community center primary care clinic and subsequent nonemergent emergency department visits among unhoused women who engage in sex work and drug injection.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ivan Manhica, Orvalho Augusto, Kenneth Sherr, James Cowan, Rosa Marlene Cuco, Saozinha Agostinho, Bachir C. Macuacua, Isaias Ramiro, Naziat Carimo, Maria Benigna Matsinhe, Stephen Gloyd, Sergio Chicumbe, Raimundo Machava, Stelio Tembe, Quinhas Fernandes
Summary: COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted tuberculosis diagnosis services in Mozambique, with a decrease in reported cases in 2020, partially recovering towards the end of the year.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Michelle B. Shin, Patricia J. Garcia, Mary Elizabeth Dotson, Maria Valderrama, Marina Chiappe, Nimmi Ramanujam, Marlee Krieger, Kristjana Asbjornsdottir, Ruanne Barnabas, Sarah J. Iribarren, Sarah Gimbel
Summary: The study evaluated the relational and financial empowerment of Hope Ladies in a social entrepreneurship program in Peru. Both interviews and surveys indicated that the Hope Ladies experienced increased empowerment in areas such as resources, agency, and achievements. Survey results showed improvements in social contacts, healthcare visits, confidence in discussing reproductive topics, and ability to make household decisions about money.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Kirkby D. Tickell, Donna M. Denno, Ali Saleem, Asad Ali, Zaubina Kazi, Benson O. Singa, Catherine Otieno, Charles Mutinda, Victor Ochuodho, Barbra A. Richardson, Kristjana H. Asbjornsdottir, Stephen E. Hawes, James A. Berkley, Judd L. Walson
Summary: This study found that hospitalized children have higher gut permeability than children in the community, but it is not associated with post-discharge growth or systemic inflammation.
JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC GASTROENTEROLOGY AND NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Aneth Dinis, Orvalho Augusto, Kristjana H. Asbjornsdottir, Jonny Crocker, Sarah Gimbel, Celso Inguane, Isaias Ramiro, Joana Coutinho, Mery Agostinho, Emilia Cruz, Fernando Amaral, Esperanca Tavede, Xavier Isidoro, Yaesh Sidat, Regina Nassiaca, Filipe Murgorgo, Fatima Cuembelo, Carmen E. Hazim, Kenneth Sherr
Summary: Despite high coverage of maternal and child health services in Mozambique, the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) outcomes are not optimal. Identifying modifiable factors that impact quality of care and service uptake can help improve the effectiveness of PMTCT programs.
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
William Sheahan, Roy Anderson, Kumudha Aruldas, Euripide Avokpaho, Sean Galagan, Jeanne Goodman, Parfait Houngbegnon, Gideon John Israel, Venkateshprabhu Janagaraj, Saravanakumar Puthupalayam Kaliappan, Arianna Rubin Means, Chloe Morozoff, Emily Pearman, Rohan Michael Ramesh, Amy Roll, Alexandra Schaefer, James Simwanza, Stefan Witek-McManus, Sitara S. R. Ajjampur, Robin Bailey, Moudachirou Ibikounle, Khumbo Kalua, Adrian J. F. Luty, Rachel Pullan, Judd L. Walson, Kristjana Hronn Asbjornsdottir
Summary: This study analyzes the discrepancies between school-level reporting and individual-level survey reporting of school-based deworming (SBD) coverage. The findings suggest that school-level reporting may significantly overestimate the coverage of the program.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Ole Koehler-Forsberg, Fenfen Ge, Arna Hauksdottir, Edda Bjork Thordardottir, Kristjana Asbjoernsdottir, Harpa Runarsdottir, Gunnar Tomasson, Johanna Jakobsdottir, Berglind Guomundsdottir, Andri Steinpor Bjoernsson, Engilbert Sigurosson, Thor Aspelund, Unnur A. Valdimarsdottir
Summary: Women with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder have experienced a greater number of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which may impact their psychological functioning. These findings suggest the importance of addressing ACEs as part of the treatment for women with these mental disorders, such as using trauma-focused psychotherapy.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nami Kawakyu, Megan Coe, Bradley H. H. Wagenaar, Kenneth Sherr, Sarah Gimbel
Summary: A strong routine health information system (RHIS) is essential for a well-functioning health system, but there is wide variation in how RHIS data use is defined and measured, hindering the development and evaluation of effective interventions. This study aims to synthesize the literature on RHIS data use in low- and middle-income countries, propose a refined RHIS data use framework, and improve approaches to measure RHIS data use.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Colin Baynes, Petrus S. Steyn, Kenneth Sherr, James Kiarie
Summary: The EASIER project aims to assess the coverage and readiness of health systems for self-administered injectable contraception, document strategies and challenges in its implementation, identify contextual factors affecting adoption, and strengthen collaboration and evidence-based decision-making. Preliminary findings from Burkina Faso and Kenya highlight the need for health worker training, service communication strategies, practice guidelines, and addressing logistical bottlenecks to ensure successful implementation and avoid stock-outs.
JMIR RESEARCH PROTOCOLS
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Michelle B. Shin, Patricia J. Garcia, Enrique M. Saldarriaga, Jose L. Fiestas, Kristjana H. Asbjornsdottir, Sarah J. Iribarren, Ruanne Barnabas, Sarah Gimbel
Summary: This study estimated the total and unit costs associated with a community-based HPV self-sampling program in Peru. The findings suggest that the implementation of this program has competitive prices and is likely to be feasible in Peru.
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-AMERICAS
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Health Care Sciences & Services
Jonny Crocker, Mery Agostinho, Fernando Amaral, Kristjana Asbjornsdottir, Joana Coutinho, Emilia Cruz, Aneth Dinis, Sarah Gimbel, Celso Inguane, Kenneth Sherr
IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCE
(2021)