Article
Infectious Diseases
Luc Coffeng, Johnny Vlaminck, Piet Cools, Matthew J. Denwood, Marco Albonico, Shaali Ame, Mio Ayana, Daniel Dana, Giuseppe Cringoli, Sake de Vlas, Alan F. Fenwick, Michael P. French, Adama Kazienga, Jennifer Keiser, Stefanie Knopp, Gemechu Leta, Leonardo A. Matoso, Maria Maurelli, Antonio Montresor, Greg Mirams, Zeleke Mekonnen, Rodrigo Correa-Oliveira, Simone Pinto, Laura Rinaldi, Somphou Sayasone, Peter Steinmann, Eurion Thomas, Jozef Vercruysse, Bruno Levecke
Summary: This study presents a cost-efficient survey design for monitoring the therapeutic drug efficacy of soil-transmitted helminth control programs, using fecal egg counting methods. The Kato-Katz method is the most cost-effective and has the highest sample throughput. The combination of no selection survey design (NS) and Kato-Katz method is the most cost-efficient for assessing therapeutic drug efficacy in different scenarios.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Berihun Bantie, Gebrie Kassaw Yirga, Yeshiambaw Eshetie Ayenew, Ahmed Nuru Muhamed, Sheganew Fetene Tassew, Yohannes Tesfahun Kassie, Chalie Marew Tiruneh, Natnael Moges, Binyam Minuye Birhane, Denekew Tenaw Anley, Rahel Mulatie Anteneh, Anteneh Mengist Dessie
Summary: This study found that less than one in ten pregnant mothers in Ethiopia take deworming medication during pregnancy. Mothers who did not receive iron folic acid tablets, came from a poverty-stricken community, and had no good functional status were at the greatest risk of not receiving deworming medication. Sustained efforts are needed to improve the socioeconomic status of the community and increase healthcare utilization behaviors of pregnant mothers.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Bhavneet Walia, Brittany L. Kmush, Sandra D. Lane, Timothy Endy, Antonio Montresor, David A. Larsen
Summary: This study analyzed over 800,000 births and found that pregnant women who receive deworming medication during pregnancy can reduce the risk of neonatal mortality and low birthweight. The effect was more significant in countries with lower transmission of soil-transmitted helminths.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Fan-Zhen Mao, Yu-Ying Chen, Xiang-Zhen Xu, Bi-Xian Ni, Xiao-Lin Jin, Yang Dai, Jun Cao
Summary: From 1989 to 2019, a multi-intervention integrated deworming approach in Jiangsu Province of China, including mass drug administration, health education, and environmental sanitation improvements, significantly reduced the infection rate of soil-transmitted helminths, demonstrating the effectiveness of comprehensive interventions in sustaining control efforts.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF POVERTY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wingston Felix Ng'ambi, Joseph H. Collins, Tim Colbourn, Tara Mangal, Andrew Phillips, Fannie Kachale, Joseph Mfutso-Bengo, Paul Revill, Timothy B. Hallett
Summary: This study explores the socio-demographic factors associated with early initiation of first antenatal care contact and attending at least four antenatal care visits in Malawi. The proportion of women reporting at least four antenatal care visits has increased, but most women in Malawi do not access the recommended number of visits. The study highlights significant variation in coverage according to key socio-demographic variables.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Laurentine Sumo, Ngum H. Ntonifor, Cedric G. Lenou-Nanga, Nicanor Chenkumo-Kengmoni, Vanessa T. Amana-Bokagne, Chembo G. Awah, Yannick Niamsi-Emalio, Hugues C. Nana-Djeunga
Summary: The study identified poor knowledge and misconceptions among residents of the Mbengwi health district in Cameroon regarding neglected tropical diseases, which can impact their adherence to preventive chemotherapy programs. Strengthening information, education, and communication efforts is crucial for improving community participation.
JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND GLOBAL HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chloe A. Teasdale, Amanda Geller, Siphesihle Shongwe, Arnold Mafukidze, Michelle Choy, Bhekinkhosi Magaula, Katharine Yuengling, Katherine King, Eduarda Pimentel De Gusmao, Caroline Ryan, Trong Ao, Tegan Callahan, Surbhi Modi, Elaine J. Abrams
Summary: Uptake and retention in antenatal care is crucial for preventing adverse pregnancy outcomes. A rapid quality improvement project was implemented in Eswatini, with anonymous tablet-based surveys revealing higher satisfaction among HIV-positive pregnant women. While there was an increase in retention rates among HIV-negative women, the effectiveness of the intervention in improving overall retention remains uncertain.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tewodros Yosef
Summary: The prevalence of STI-associated syndromes among pregnant women in southwest Ethiopia was 19.1%. Factors such as being unmarried, not formally educated, having multiple sexual partners, history of spontaneous abortion, and history of STI were found to be associated with STI-associated syndromes in the study sample. Efforts should be made to diagnose and prevent STIs during each antenatal care visit to reduce transmissions.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Emily Bryce, Joanne Katz, Tsering Pema Lama, Subarna K. Khatry, Steven C. LeClerq, Melinda Munos
Summary: This study compared a standard quality of care definition with one based on FANC guidelines, finding that adjusting for service frequency significantly decreased the percentage of women receiving good quality care. The number of ANC visits, care during the first trimester, and maternal age were associated with a greater likelihood of receiving good quality ANC.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lamessa Tafara, Haile Bikila, Ilili Feyisa, Markos Desalegn, Zalalem Kaba
Summary: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of under nutrition and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care services at public hospitals in west Ethiopia. The results showed a high prevalence of under nutrition, which was significantly associated with rural residence, household food insecurity, dietary diversity, and substance use. It is recommended that relevant organizations take measures to reduce substance use, improve household food security, and increase dietary diversity in pregnant women.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Melaku Yalew, Bezawit Adane, Yitayish Damtie, Bereket Kefale, Reta Dewau, Kefale Mektu, Mastewal Arefaynie, Assefa Andargie
Summary: This study examined determinants of change in timely first antenatal booking among pregnant women in Ethiopia using three consecutive Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey datasets. The results showed a significant increase in timely first antenatal booking over the last ten years, with changes in women's composition and behavior playing key roles. Interventions targeting male household heads, rural residents, and women in the Oromia region could further improve timely booking rates.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ashley Sheffel, Tova Tampe, Elizabeth Katwan, Allisyn C. Moran
Summary: This study aims to review measurement approaches for integrated antenatal care (ANC) services and propose indicators for measuring ANC service integration. Through the research conducted in Burkina Faso, Kenya, Malawi, Senegal, and Sierra Leone, three models for conceptualising ANC service integration were outlined, and continuity of care was consistently the lowest estimate for ANC service integration.
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
Resham B. Khatri, Jo Durham, Yibeltal Assefa
Summary: This study examined the determinants of utilisation of technical quality maternal and newborn health services in Nepal. It found that women were more likely to utilize quality services in facilities with better capacity, private healthcare facilities, and services provided by nursing staff.
GLOBALIZATION AND HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Daniel Amoak, Satveer Dhillon, Roger Antabe, Yujiro Sano, Isaac Luginaah
Summary: Deworming medication utilization among pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa, including Benin, is not well studied. This study analyzed the Benin Demographic and Health Survey data from 2017-2018 to explore the factors associated with deworming medication utilization. The findings revealed that 65% of pregnant women in Benin received deworming medication, with age, religion, education level, household wealth, employment status, and antenatal care visits being significant factors influencing utilization.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Giuseppe Cringoli, Alessandra Amadesi, Maria Paola Maurelli, Biase Celano, Gabriele Piantadosi, Antonio Bosco, Lavinia Ciuca, Mario Cesarelli, Paolo Bifulco, Antonio Montresor, Laura Rinaldi
Summary: The Kubic FLOTAC microscope is a compact, low-cost digital microscope that shows high precision and consistency, suitable for fecal egg count of gastrointestinal nematodes in cattle. Combining Mini-FLOTAC technology with an automated system can improve the accuracy and efficiency of parasite diagnosis.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Layla S. Mofid, Martin Casapia, Antonio Montresor, Elham Rahme, Grace S. Marquis, Jozef Vercruysse, Lindsay H. Allen, Brittany Blouin, Hugo Razuri, Lidsky Pezo, Theresa W. Gyorkos
Summary: The World Health Organization recommends deworming to reduce soil-transmitted helminth (STH)-attributable morbidity in women of reproductive age. A study in Peru assessed the impact of postpartum deworming on infant milk intake, but found no significant difference in milk intake between the albendazole and placebo groups at 1- and 6-month postpartum. Infants born to mothers with Trichuris trichiura infection had higher milk intakes, but infection intensity did not significantly affect milk intake.
MATERNAL AND CHILD NUTRITION
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Carolin Vegvari, Federica Giardina, Sumali Bajaj, Veronica Malizia, Robert J. Hardwick, James E. Truscott, Antonio Montresor, Sake J. de Vlas, Luc E. Coffeng, Roy M. Anderson
Summary: Annual deworming treatment for adolescent girls can significantly reduce the prevalence of moderate and heavy infections, while deworming treatment for women of reproductive age during pregnancy and lactation has a limited effect and may not achieve the desired target. Continued school-based treatment could indirectly reduce the force of infection on women of reproductive age and potentially eliminate morbidity in this group. Monitoring of interventions targeting women of reproductive age is recommended to assess effectiveness.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Donal Bisanzio, Antonio Montresor, Michael French, Richard Reithinger, Paola Rodari, Zeno Bisoffi, Dora Buonfrate
Summary: This study estimates the global number of people affected by Strongyloides stercoralis and the demand for ivermectin treatment for school-age children; an estimated 283.9-160.7 million school-age children worldwide would require deworming intervention, with a focus on countries like India, China, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Nigeria; the analysis may support endemic countries in evaluating the quantity of ivermectin needed for integrating strongyloidiasis into existing STH programs and may encourage the production of generic ivermectin.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Matthias Lange, Christine Happle, Juliane Hamel, Michael Doerdelmann, Mathieu Bangert, Rolf Kramer, Frank Eberhardt, Marcus Panning, Axel Heep, Gesine Hansen, Martin Wetzke
DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Lisa Staadegaard, Saverio Caini, Sonam Wangchuk, Binay Thapa, Walquiria Aparecida Ferreira de Almeida, Felipe Cotrim de Carvalho, Rodrigo A. Fasce, Patricia Bustos, Jan Kyncl, Ludmila Novakova, Alfredo Bruno Caicedo, Domenica Joseth de Mora Coloma, Adam Meijer, Mariette Hooiveld, Q. Sue Huang, Tim Wood, Raquel Guiomar, Ana Paula Rodrigues, Vernon Jian Ming Lee, Li Wei Ang, Cheryl Cohen, Jocelyn Moyes, Amparo Larrauri, Concepcion Delgado-Sanz, Clarisse Demont, Mathieu Bangert, Michel Duckers, Jojanneke van Summeren, John Paget
Summary: The study found that RSV epidemics mainly occur in winter in most temperate countries, lasting 10-21 weeks. More variation in seasonality was observed in (sub)tropical countries, with substantial differences at a subnational level. There was no clear association between epidemic timing and the dominant RSV subtype.
INFLUENZA AND OTHER RESPIRATORY VIRUSES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Xin Wang, You Li, Harish Nair, Harry Campbell
Summary: Early-life severe RSV infection is associated with an increased risk of subsequent asthma and wheeze, and this association weakens over time. The association persists for 6 years in children whose first RSV infection occurs at 6-23 months, with adjusted hazard ratios of 3.9 (95% CI, 3.1-4.9) for the first 2 years, 2.3 (95% CI, 1.6-3.2) for 2 to <4 years, and 1.9 (95% CI, 1.2-2.9) for 4 to <6 years of follow-up. In contrast, the association is only significant for the first 2 years after first RSV infection in children aged 0-6 months.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Alexis Rybak, Corinne Levy, Camille Jung, Stephane Bechet, Christophe Batard, Frederic Hassid, Morched Zouari, Fabienne Cahn-Sellem, Mathieu Bangert, Robert Cohen
Summary: Early results from a prospective primary care bronchiolitis surveillance study in France showed a delayed epidemic from February to March 2021, where 55% of children under 2 years with swab testing for a first bronchiolitis episode tested positive for RSV.
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Xin Wang, You Li, Liliana Vazquez Fernandez, Anne C. Teirlinck, Toni Lehtonen, Maarten van Wijhe, Luca Stona, Mathieu Bangert, Rachel M. Reeves, Hakon Boas, Michiel van Boven, Terho Heikkinen, Caroline Klint Johannesen, Eugenio Baraldi, Daniele Dona, Sabine Tong, Harry Campbell
Summary: A study has found that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of respiratory tract infections in young children. Prevention therapies such as monoclonal antibodies and maternal vaccines can help reduce the number of bed days due to RSV-associated respiratory tract infections in infants. When developing RSV immunization schedules, high-risk birth months should be taken into consideration.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Caroline K. Johannesen, Maarten van Wijhe, Sabine Tong, Liliana Fernandez, Terho Heikkinen, Michiel van Boven, Xin Wang, Hakon Boas, You Li, Harry Campbell, John Paget, Luca Stona, Anne Teirlinck, Toni Lehtonen, Hanna Nohynek, Mathieu Bangert, Thea K. Fischer
Summary: This study aimed to estimate the burden of RSV-associated hospital admissions in different age groups based on national health registers and laboratory databases in 6 European countries. The results showed a clear association between respiratory infections and RSV in children, with the highest proportions observed in children younger than 3 months. The study also found that the annual incidence of RSV-associated hospitalizations was high in infants aged 0-2 months, while incidence rates were low in adults older than 85 years.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Shaali Ame, Fatma Kabole, Alphoncina Masako Nanai, Pauline Mwinzi, Denise Mupfasoni, Said Mohammed Ali, Antonio Montresor
Summary: Despite more than 25 years of preventive chemotherapy for soil-transmitted helminth infections on Pemba Island, high prevalence and intensity remain due to irregular treatment, favorable transmission conditions, low sensitivity, high population density, and poor sanitation. Improving sanitation coverage is crucial for reducing infection rates and intensity.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Antonio Montresor, Pauline Mwinzi, Denise Mupfasoni, Amadou Garba
Summary: Preventive chemotherapy interventions for soil-transmitted helminthiases and schistosomiasis have significantly reduced the number of disability-adjusted life years lost in the past 19 years. Deworming is considered one of the most cost-effective public health interventions due to its low cost and high impact.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
F. Martinon-Torres, M. Carmo, L. Platero, G. Drago, J. L. Lopez-Belmonte, M. Bangert, J. Diez-Domingo, M. Garces-Sanchez
Summary: This study estimated the burden of medically attended acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) cases potentially related to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in Spanish children. The findings suggest that RSV infections have a significant impact on children's health, especially in the first year of life. Hospitalization is a major driver of healthcare costs.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Teresa Bandeira, Mafalda Carmo, Hugo Lopes, Catarina Gomes, Margarida Martins, Carlos Guzman, Mathieu Bangert, Fernanda Rodrigues, Gustavo Januario, Teresa Tome, Ines Azevedo
Summary: This study evaluated the hospitalizations related to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children in Portugal. The results showed that RSV is a leading cause of hospitalizations in children, especially during their first year of life. This highlights the need for a comprehensive RSV surveillance system to guide prevention strategies.
INFLUENZA AND OTHER RESPIRATORY VIRUSES
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Rachel Tidman, Kaushi S. T. Kanankege, Mathieu Bangert, Bernadette Abela-Ridder
Summary: This review summarizes available data on the prevalence, risk factors, prevention, testing, and treatment of foodborne trematodiases (FBTs). The results show a significant gap between estimated and reported data on FBTs, highlighting the need for improved surveillance and control measures through a comprehensive One Health approach.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2023)