Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Paschal Awingura Apanga, Maxwell Tii Kumbeni
Summary: The study found that receiving early antenatal care has a positive impact on the coverage of 8 or more antenatal contacts, especially for women in rural areas in low-and middle-income countries. However, many LMICs may not have adopted the 2016 World Health Organization guidelines on ANC8+.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Luisa Arroyave, Ghada E. Saad, Cesar G. Victora, Aluisio J. D. Barros
Summary: The study developed a new indicator called the ANCq score, which measured the adequacy of antenatal care in low and middle-income countries. This indicator showed good validity properties and was found to be associated with neonatal mortality rates.
JOURNAL OF GLOBAL HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Luisa Arroyave, Ghada E. Saad, Cesar G. Victora, Aluisio J. D. Barros
Summary: A global analysis of socioeconomic inequalities in antenatal care (ANC) using national surveys from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) found significant disparities among urban and rural areas, education levels, wealth status, and empowerment levels. Despite efforts in ANC programs, important inequalities in coverage and quality of ANC services persist, highlighting the need to bridge the documented gaps for achieving maternal and child mortality Sustainable Development Goals.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR EQUITY IN HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Aatekah Owais, Sara Wuehler, Rebecca Heidkamp, Vrinda Mehra, Lynnette M. Neufeld, Lisa M. Rogers, Kuntal Kumar Saha
Summary: This study aims to find a feasible and valid indicator for assessing the coverage of iron-containing supplements during pregnancy. Through key informant interviews, an online survey, and analysis of demographic and health survey data, it was found that the current methods for collecting coverage data have issues and need improvement. Future research should continue to develop and validate a global indicator to more accurately assess the quality of recall data.
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Emmanuel Kumah
Summary: Informal healthcare providers play a significant role in healthcare delivery systems in low-and-middle-income countries, presenting both challenges and opportunities.
GLOBALIZATION AND HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Guy Frija, Dina H. Salama, Michael G. Kawooya, Bibb Allen
Summary: The concept of primary healthcare is crucial in LMICs for enhancing access to healthcare services. Technological and infrastructure advancements are making POCI more feasible in LMICs. A POCI model is often the only way to provide timely access to imaging care in LMICs. Bringing advanced imaging tools to the POCI will be necessary to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. Tailored strategies for training, safety, and quality will be of utmost importance.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Dagmawi Chilot, Fantu Mamo Aragaw, Daniel Gashaneh Belay, Melaku Hunie Asratie, Mehari Woldemariam Merid, Anteneh Ayelign Kibret, Nahom Worku Teshager, Adugnaw Zeleke Alem
Summary: Despite progress in reducing maternal and child mortality, many low- and middle-income countries still face a high level of this problem. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least eight antenatal care visits for pregnant women. This study examined the impact of ANC8+ visits on health facility delivery and early postnatal care in LMICs using a propensity score matching analysis.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Guanghua Chi, Han Fang, Sourav Chatterjee, Joshua E. Blumenstock
Summary: This research develops microestimates of wealth and poverty distribution at a fine resolution for low- and middle-income countries. These estimates are based on machine learning algorithms applied to various data sources including satellites, mobile phone networks, and Facebook. The estimates are provided for free to facilitate targeted policy response to the COVID-19 pandemic and support sustainable development.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Tomi Akinyemiju, Kemi Ogunsina, Anjali Gupta, Iris Liu, Dejana Braithwaite, Robert A. Hiatt
Summary: Cancer burden is increasing globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries. These countries lack comprehensive cancer control programs and funding, therefore primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies are needed to reduce the cancer burden.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
B. W. Bresnahan, E. Vodicka, J. B. Babigumira, A. M. Malik, F. Yego, A. Lokangaka, B. M. Chitah, Z. Bauer, H. Chavez, J. L. Moore, L. P. Garrison, J. O. Swanson, D. Swanson, E. M. McClure, R. L. Goldenberg, F. Esamai, A. L. Garces, E. Chomba, S. Saleem, A. Tshefu, C. L. Bose, M. Bauserman, W. Carlo, S. Bucher, E. A. Liechty, R. O. Nathan
Summary: Improving maternal health has been a primary goal for international health agencies, with the aim of reducing maternal and child deaths and improving access to antenatal care services, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This study assessed the cost implications of routine antenatal screening ultrasound and found that while there were similarities in resource allocation and delivery location among countries, introducing antenatal screening ultrasound may not be economically efficient in LMICs, given the lack of clinical effectiveness evidence and resource constraints.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shireen Assaf, Lwendo Moonzwe Davis
Summary: This study examines the level and distribution of unrealized fertility in low and middle-income countries across three geographical regions. The findings indicate that unrealized fertility is highest in Western and Central Africa and decreases with an increasing number of children. Factors such as education, wealth quintile, and contraceptive use are associated with decreased unrealized fertility.
Review
Oncology
Andrew Donkor, Vivian Della Atuwo-Ampoh, Frederick Yakanu, Eric Torgbenu, Edward Kwabena Ameyaw, Doris Kitson-Mills, Verna Vanderpuye, Kofi Adesi Kyei, Samuel Anim-Sampong, Omar Khader, Jamal Khader
Summary: In low- and middle-income countries, cancer patients generally face high financial toxicity, with patients from larger households, undergoing multiple cycles of chemotherapy, and seeking treatment at private health facilities experiencing higher financial toxicity. Studies have paid little attention to subjective measures of financial toxicity, indicating a need for further rigorous research.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Anna Cabanes, Carolyn Taylor, Carly Malburg, Phuong Thao D. Le
Summary: This scoping review aimed to assess the type of supportive care interventions for cancer patients across the cancer care continuum in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). The findings suggest that providing different types of supportive services in less-resourced settings, even when health systems are fragmented and fragile, can improve the mental and physical health as well as the quality of life (QoL) of cancer patients.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2022)
Editorial Material
Oncology
D. Cristina Stefan, Shenglan Tang
Summary: Most new cancer cases occur in low- and middle-income countries, with worse outcomes compared to high-income countries. Innovative solutions are urgently required to prevent, detect early, and manage cancer in these countries, aiming to improve the chances of survival.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Deborah M. Siegal, John W. Eikelboom, Shun Fu Lee, Sumathy Rangarajan, Jackie Bosch, Jun Zhu, Salim Yusuf
Summary: The study found that the rates of VTE are significantly higher in high-income and upper middle-income countries than in lower middle/low-income countries, especially among individuals with lower BMI, hypertension, diabetes, non-White ethnicity, and higher education levels.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Julia Scott, Mufaro Kanyangarara, Abel Nhama, Eusebio Macete, William John Moss, Francisco Saute
Summary: The analysis in Manica District, Mozambique revealed that factors associated with ITN use include household size, age, household economic status, and number of ITNs in the household. Targeted behavior change communication strategies for young people and ITN distribution campaigns for larger households are needed to increase ITN ownership and improve ITN use.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Mufaro Kanyangarara, Savannah Allen, Safia S. Jiwani, David Fuente
Summary: The availability of WASH services in health facilities in sub-Saharan Africa has improved but remains below the global target of 80% in many countries. There are wide disparities in access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services between rural and urban health facilities as well as between public and private facilities, with consistently lower access in rural and public facilities.
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Samuel Gavi, Oscar Tapera, Joseph Mberikunashe, Mufaro Kanyangarara
Summary: This study analyzed the trends in malaria incidence and mortality in Zimbabwe from 2017 to 2020, finding a significant increase in malaria cases and deaths in the first half of 2020, especially in areas outside high malaria burden provinces. The COVID-19 pandemic may have led to interruptions in malaria services, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the continuity of essential malaria services.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Khalida Saalim, Kwame S. Sakyi, Fatema-Tuz-Zohra, Emily Morrison, Prince Owusu, Sarah L. Dalglish, Mufaro Kanyangarara
Summary: Coronavirus has spread globally causing over 140 million cases and 3 million deaths from November 2019 to April 2021, posing threats to socio-economic and psychosocial stability. Limited research on COVID-19 consequences on vulnerable populations in West Africa was noted, with differences based on countries' prior experience with Ebola. Analysis of news articles showed vulnerable groups experienced various challenges during the pandemic, emphasizing the need for strategic efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 in the region.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Karen T. Chang, Emily D. Carter, Luke C. Mullany, Subarna K. Khatry, Simon Cousens, Xiaoyi An, Julia Krasevec, Steven C. LeClerq, Melinda K. Munos, Joanne Katz
Summary: This study evaluated the performance of the MINORMIX birthweight adjustment approach and alternative methods in rural Nepal using gold-standard measured birthweights. The results showed that the MINORMIX method generated a more accurate LBW estimate than the previously applied adjustment method.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Melissa S. Nolan, Virginie Daguise, Megan Davis, Joan M. Duwve, Windsor Westbrook Sherrill, Moonseong Heo, Alain H. Litwin, Mufaro Kanyangarara, Stella Self, Rongjie Huang, Jan M. Eberth, Lidia Gual-Gonzalez, Mary K. Lynn, Jeffrey Korte
Summary: The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in South Carolina from October 2020 to February 2021 had a significant impact, with an incidence rate of 2.16% and a seroprevalence rate of 16.4% among residents aged >= 5 years. 28% of individuals with a previous positive test result for the virus had undetectable immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M antibodies, indicating the need for targeted education for potential reinfection. Vaccine hesitancy was low at 13%. This random surveillance initiative provides a feasible framework for future public health response efforts in the state.
PUBLIC HEALTH REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Entomology
Kyndall C. Dye-Braumuller, Marvin S. Rodriguez Aquino, Stella C. W. Self, Mufaro Kanyangarara, Melissa S. Nolan
Summary: This study discusses the situation of tick-borne disease spotted fever group rickettsioses (SFGR) in Central America. It found that the least-developed countries are more vulnerable to SFGR disease, but the disease is underreported, indicating a lack of awareness and attention towards it.
Article
Immunology
Mufaro Kanyangarara, Lauren McAbee, Virginie G. Daguise, Melissa S. Nolan
Summary: Despite evidence of vaccine safety and efficacy, vaccine hesitancy remains a major global health threat. This study aimed to identify factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine intentions among South Carolina residents. The results showed that confidence in vaccine safety increased the likelihood of vaccine intentions, while younger age decreased the likelihood. To increase vaccine intentions and uptake, officials in conservative states should target younger populations and address concerns about vaccine safety.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Emily D. Carter, Abdoulaye Maiga, Mai Do, Glebelho Lazare Sika, Rosine Mosso, Abdul Dosso, Melinda K. Munos
Summary: This study assessed the bias introduced to estimates of effective coverage by sampling health facilities and applying ecological linking methods. The results suggest that health facility sampling does not significantly bias estimates, but can exacerbate bias in certain scenarios. Therefore, careful selection of ecological linking methods is crucial to minimize bias.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH GEOGRAPHICS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Mary K. Lynn, M. Stanley Rodriguez Aquino, Stella C. W. Self, Mufaro Kanyangarara, Berry A. Campbell, Melissa S. Nolan
Summary: TORCH pathogens are a group of infectious agents that can cause severe negative consequences in neonates, including fetal death and lifelong morbidity. In Central America's Northern Triangle, neonatal disorders and congenital birth defects are the leading causes of neonatal mortality, but there is limited knowledge about TORCH congenital syndrome in this region.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Mary K. Lynn, Marvin Stanley Rodriguez Aquino, Pamela Michelle Cornejo Rivas, Mufaro Kanyangarara, Stella C. W. Self, Berry A. Campbell, Melissa S. Nolan
Summary: Congenital Chagas disease is a concern in El Salvador, particularly in the municipality of Jujutla. Older women and those familiar with someone infected are more likely to test positive for T. cruzi infection at the time of delivery. It is necessary to include T. cruzi in mandatory pregnancy screening programs.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Ashley Sheffel, Emily Carter, Scott Zeger, Melinda K. Munos
Summary: Despite limited data on service quality in low-income and middle-income countries, there is a small but significant association between facility readiness and provision of care for antenatal care. Understanding facility readiness is crucial in understanding the foundations of health systems, particularly in countries with the lowest levels of service quality.
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Melinda K. Munos, Abdoulaye Maiga, Talata Sawadogo-Lewis, Emily Wilson, Onome Ako, Serafina Mkuwa, Frida Ngalesoni, Jennifer L. Brenner, Dismas Matovelo, Idrissa Ouili, Abdramane Soura, Moussa Bougma, Ashley Sheffel, Amy J. Hobbs, Neff Walker
Summary: Population-based intervention coverage data play a vital role in informing the design, evaluation, and impact assessment of projects, programs, and policies. We developed a survey tool and supporting resources to facilitate rigorous survey design and implementation in low- and middle-income countries. However, the limited availability of resources, time, and technical expertise may restrict the tool's use in situations where high-quality surveys or evaluations have not been prioritized and adequately resourced.
GLOBAL HEALTH ACTION
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Kyndall C. Dye-Braumuller, Mufaro Kanyangarara
Summary: Despite the lack of recent autochthonous cases in the USA, multiple risk factors suggest that local malaria outbreaks in the USA will continue to pose a public health threat due to large numbers of international travelers from endemic areas, multiple Anopheles species capable of transmitting the parasite, and unsatisfactory vector-borne disease outbreak preparedness. Climate conditions and recent changes in travel patterns will influence malaria across the globe.
CURRENT TROPICAL MEDICINE REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Demography
Bruno Masquelier, Mufaro Kanyangarara, Gilles Pison, Almamy Malick Kante, Cheikh Tidiane Ndiaye, Laetitia Douillot, Geraldine Duthe, Cheikh Sokhna, Valerie Delaunay, Stephane Helleringer
Summary: Sibling survival histories are a key source for adult mortality estimates where death registration is incomplete. This study in Senegal assessed reporting errors in sibling histories, finding that participants underestimated the age of living siblings and the age at and time since death of deceased siblings, leading to downward biases in mortality estimates. The study also showed that different questionnaires had high sensitivity and specificity in recording siblings' vital status.
POPULATION STUDIES-A JOURNAL OF DEMOGRAPHY
(2021)