Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sara Flanagan, Arielle Gorstein, Martha Nicholson, Stephanie Bradish, Diana Amanyire, Andrew Gidudu, Francis Aucur, Julius Twesigye, Faith Kyateka, Samuel Balamaga, Alison Buttenheim, Emily Zimmerman
Summary: A peer-referral and clinic welcome programme can effectively reduce barriers to adolescents' uptake of family planning services in Uganda, leading to increased monthly visits and improved proportion of adolescent clients. Training in youth-friendly service provision further enhances these effects, showing a significant increase in adolescent clients compared to control groups.
BULLETIN OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Lottie Howard-Merrill, Cathy Zimmerman, Revocatus Sono, John Riber, Joyce Wamoyi, Piotr Pawlak, Lori Rolleri Insignares, Robyn Yaker, Ana Maria Buller
Summary: This paper reflects on the development process of the LINEA Intervention, a multi-component social norms intervention to prevent age-disparate transactional sex in Tanzania. The paper critically compares the development process with a pragmatic framework for intervention development in public health, the 6SQuID framework, and discusses its applicability to gender-based violence prevention. The paper contributes to intervention development research and suggests future components for a robust intervention development process, including embracing non-linear, iterative processes and meaningful collaborations.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary
Walter C. Millanzi, Kalafunja M. Osaki, Stephen M. Kibusi
Summary: Regardless of the importance of youth in socio-economic development, adolescents in Tanzania aged between 10 and 19 years face issues related to their basic needs as well as Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH). This study found that parent-adolescent communication about SRH matters was low, with 73.3% of adolescents reporting never having discussed it with their parents. The study suggests the need for collaborative interventions to improve parent-adolescent communication about SRH matters.
Article
Social Issues
Hamida Kataya, Tumaini Nyamhanga, Idda Mosha
Summary: This study examined the experiences of violence among adolescent brides aged 13-17, revealing instances of physical, emotional, and sexual violence. Factors contributing to intimate partner violence included societal norms condoning men's control, women's economic dependence, extramarital affairs, and alcohol consumption.
JOURNAL OF GENDER STUDIES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Dinah Amongin, Anna Kagesten, Ozge Tuncalp, A. Nakimuli, Mary Nakafeero, Lynn Atuyambe, Claudia Hanson, Lenka Benova
Summary: The study in Uganda found that women who gave birth before the age of 18 were more likely to have lower educational attainment, higher illiteracy rate, face challenges in accessing healthcare, and have a higher number of births. Women with repeat adolescent births experienced more adverse socioeconomic and reproductive outcomes compared to those with no adolescent births. The results underscore the importance of supporting adolescent mothers in order to mitigate lifelong negative effects and provide them with opportunities for development through continued education and prevention of further unplanned pregnancies.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Maricianah A. Onono, Gladys Odhiambo, Lila Sheira, Amy Conroy, Torsten B. Neilands, Elizabeth A. Bukusi, Sheri D. Weiser
Summary: The study reveals that a multisectoral agricultural intervention in southwestern Kenya impacted the sexual risk taking behavior of HIV-affected adolescents. Adolescents receiving the intervention no longer engaged in transactional sex or had multiple sexual partners to meet their basic needs, while girls in the control arms exhibited negative behaviors driven by the need for food and basic needs.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jun Hyung Kim, Kurt Hahlweg, Wolfgang Schulz
Summary: Improving early childhood parenting can reduce adolescent bullying behavior, especially for boys and more aggressive forms of bullying.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alemtsehay Mekonnen Munea, Getu Degu Alene, Gurmesa Tura Debelew, Kerebih Asrese Sibhat
Summary: This study found that the socio-cultural norms influencing adolescent sexual behavior are similar in both YFS program areas and non-program areas. The community generally does not accept premarital sex and SRH service use by unmarried adolescents, and discourages SRH communication with them. Therefore, YFS interventions should prioritize socially accepted sexual norms, such as sexual abstinence.
Article
Criminology & Penology
Ellerie Weber, Melissa F. Peskin, Christine M. Markham, Ross Shegog, Elizabeth R. Baumler, Robert C. Addy, Jeff R. Temple, Belinda Hernandez, Paula Cuccaro, Melanie A. Thiel, Efrat K. Gabay, Susan Tortolero Emery
Summary: "Me & You: Building Healthy Relationships" is a multilevel, technology-enhanced program aimed at reducing dating violence among ethnic-minority, early adolescent, urban youth. A study conducted in Southeast Texas found that the program was effective in reducing perpetration and victimization of dating violence. Economic evaluations showed that the program was cost-effective and cost-saving in most scenarios.
JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Michele Ybarra, Margaret Rosario, Elizabeth Saewyc, Carol Goodenow, Shira Dunsiger
Summary: Research found that LGB+ girls are more likely to be pregnant during adolescence, but inclusive pregnancy prevention programs for this group are lacking. A 5-month intervention called Girl2Girl was conducted and found to be associated with increased rates of protected sex and use of birth control among LGB+ girls. The long-term outcomes at 17 months post-intervention showed that Girl2Girl can help sustain pregnancy preventive behaviors for LGB+ girls.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Christine Mwanukuzi, Tumaini Nyamhanga
Summary: This study focuses on the experiences of sexual violence among married adolescent girls in the Shinyanga Region, Tanzania. The findings reveal that these girls face forced sex, rape, struggle against unpleasant and painful sex, and are pressured to tolerate sexual violence. It emphasizes the importance of addressing sexual coercion faced by married adolescent girls to prevent negative health outcomes such as sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies.
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Maria Letizia Petroni, Santo Colosimo, Lucia Brodosi, Angelo Armandi, Flavio Bertini, Danilo Montesi, Elisabetta Bugianesi, Giulio Marchesini
Summary: Web-based behavioural intervention is feasible and effective in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), expanding the cohort involved in behavioural programs and reducing the risk of progressive disease.
ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Xiangyu Tao, Elise Bragard, Celia B. Fisher
Summary: The study surveyed 210 girls aged 14-18 with sexting experience in the past 12 months, finding that they were comfortable responding to sexting survey questions, rated sexting research as high benefits and low risks, and felt about the same as or more comfortable completing a sexting survey than discussing similar topics with peers, parents, or healthcare professionals.
ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ryan N. Montalvo, Vivian Doerr, Branden L. Nguyen, Rachel C. Kelley, Ashley J. Smuder
Summary: DOX is an effective antibiotic for treating various hematological and solid tumor cancers but its clinical use is limited by adverse effects on cardiac and skeletal muscle. Current research on sex differences in DOX myotoxicity lacks sufficient evidence to determine the role of gender, necessitating further studies.
Article
Pediatrics
Claudia Calvano, Elena Murray, Lea Bentz, Sascha Bos, Kathrin Reiter, Loretta Ihme, Sibylle M. Winter
Summary: This report presents the intervention approach and initial outcome data of the Outpatient Trauma Clinic (OTC), where the majority of patients suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or adjustment disorders. The majority of patients showed improvement in psychological symptoms, while experiencing multiple traumatic events was the strongest predictor for poor treatment outcomes. The OTC achieved a high retention rate and successful referral to longer-term psychotherapeutic treatment for the majority of patients.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Hilary S. Whitworth, Kathy J. Baisley, Soori Nnko, Julia Irani, Aura Aguirre-Beltran, John Changalucha, Tania Crucitti, Suzanna Francis, Ramadhan Hashim, Christian Holm Hansen, Richard J. Hayes, Anne Buve, Deborah Watson-Jones
Summary: This cross-sectional survey aimed to explore the associations between age of menarche, early sexual debut, and high-risk sexual behavior among urban Tanzanian schoolgirls. The study found that an earlier age of menarche was associated with early sexual debut, and early sexual debut was associated with high-risk sexual behavior.
TROPICAL MEDICINE & INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Peter J. Dodd, Debebe Shaweno, Chu-Chang Ku, Philippe Glaziou, Carel Pretorius, Richard J. Hayes, Peter MacPherson, Ted Cohen, Helen Ayles
Summary: Accurately estimating the burden of tuberculosis in high HIV prevalence areas is challenging. The authors developed a new age-structured TB transmission model that incorporates evolving demographic, HIV and antiretroviral therapy effects. By including Bayesian methods and accounting for uncertainty, they estimated age-specific annual risks of TB infection and the proportion resulting from recent infection.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mandikudza Tembo, Leyla Sophie Larsson, Helen A. Weiss, Tsitsi Bandason, Nicol Redzo, Ethel Dauya, Tafadzwa Nzanza, Pauline Ishumael, Nancy Gweshe, Precious Ndlovu, Chido Dziva Chikwari, Constancia Vimbayi Mavodza, Jenny Renju, Suzanna C. Francis, Rashida Ferrand, Constance R. S. Mackworth-Young
Summary: This study investigated the effectiveness of a comprehensive menstrual health intervention on improving menstrual knowledge, perceptions, and practices among young women in Harare, Zimbabwe. The intervention resulted in improved menstrual health outcomes, although sociocultural norms, stigma, and environmental factors influenced the intervention's impact.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Aoife Margaret Doyle, T. Bandason, E. Dauya, Grace McHugh, Chris Grundy, Victoria Simms, D. Chibanda, Rashida Ferrand
Summary: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of common mental health disorders and emotional and behavioural disorders among young people in Zimbabwe and identify factors associated with the risk of mental health disorders. The study found a high prevalence of mental health disorders among urban and periurban young people, especially those who were unemployed. Therefore, there is a need for more accessible and acceptable youth-friendly mental health services.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Pooja Shah, Tara S. Beattie, Rhoda Kabuti, Jennifer Liku, Mary Kungu, Hellen Babu, Zaina Jama, Rupert Kaul, Helen Anne Weiss, Nambusi Kyegombe, Graham F. Medley, Karen Devries, Mitzy Gafos, Emily Nyariki, Joshua Kimani, Janet Seeley
Summary: This study aims to explore the structural and social factors that influence the early lives of women who enter sex work in Nairobi, Kenya. The findings revealed that childhood experiences of violence, poverty, and incomplete education were intertwined with early pregnancy, marriage, and relationship breakdown, leading to entry into sex work. Sex workers perceived sex work as risky but providing them with some financial independence and agency.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Bernadette Hensen, Sian Floyd, Mwelwa M. Phiri, Ab Schaap, Lucheka Sigande, Melvin Simuyaba, Lawrence Mwenge, Rosemary Zulu-Phiri, Louis Mwape, Sarah Fidler, Richard Hayes, Musonda Simwinga, Helen Ayles
Summary: In sub-Saharan Africa, adolescents and young people face a high burden of HIV, and unintended pregnancies among adolescent girls remain high. However, the sexual and reproductive health needs of this population have been underserved. A cluster-randomised trial was conducted in Zambia to estimate the impact of community-based, peer-led sexual and reproductive health services on HIV knowledge and other outcomes. The results showed that this intervention significantly increased HIV knowledge among adolescents and young people and has the potential to improve access to HIV prevention and care services.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Bernadette Hensen, Melleh Gondwe, Mwelwa Phiri, Ab Schaap, Lucheka Sigande, Sian Floyd, Melvin Simuyaba, Rosemary Zulu-Phiri, Louis Mwape, Sarah Fidler, Richard Hayes, Musonda Simwinga, Helen Ayles
Summary: The availability of free menstrual products through the Yathu Yathu program increased the use of appropriate menstrual products among adolescent girls and young women.
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jack Stone, Katharine Jane Looker, Romain Silhol, Katherine Mary Elizabeth Turner, Richard Hayes, Jenny Coetzee, Stefan Baral, Sheree Schwartz, Philippe Mayaud, Sami Gottlieb, Marie-Claude Boily, Peter Vickerman
Summary: HSV-2 vaccination in South Africa can significantly reduce the prevalence of HSV-2 and HIV. A prophylactic vaccine with 80% efficacy can reduce HSV-2 incidence by 84.1% and HIV incidence by 65.4%. A therapeutic vaccine with 80% efficacy can reduce HSV-2 incidence by 29.6% and HIV incidence by 26.4%.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sheila Kansiime, Christian Holm Hansen, Richard Hayes, Eugene Ruzagira, PrEPVacc Study Team
Summary: We aimed to create and validate tools for identifying individuals at highest risk of prevalent and incident HIV in an African setting. Logistic regression and Poisson regression were used to determine risk factors for HIV prevalence and incidence, and these factors were used to create and validate tools that predict HIV risk. The performance of the VOICE risk score in predicting HIV incidence among women was also assessed.
TROPICAL MEDICINE & INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Timothy Skalland, Helen Ayles, Peter Bock, Justin Bwalya, Kwame Shanaube, Nkatya Kasese, Michelle Dupre, Barry Kosloff, Sian Floyd, Ethan Wilson, Ayana Moore, Susan Eshleman, Sarah Fidler, Richard Hayes, Deborah Donnell
Summary: Universal HIV testing and treatment aims to reduce HIV transmission by identifying all people living with HIV and providing them with treatment. A study conducted between 2013 and 2018 found that communities with lower financial wealth and more individuals reporting multiple sexual partners had higher HIV incidence. The study also showed a strong association between the proportion of the community with unsuppressed viral load and HIV incidence.
JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL AIDS SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Eveline Klinkenberg, Sian Floyd, Kwame Shanaube, Linda Mureithi, Thomas Gachie, Petra de Haas, Barry Kosloff, Peter J. Dodd, Maria Ruperez, Chali Wapamesa, James Michael Burnett, Nico Kalisvaart, Nkatya Kasese, Redwaan Vermaak, Albertus Schaap, Sarah Fidler, Richard Hayes, Helen Ayles, TREATS Study Team
Summary: This study aimed to test the impact of the HPTN 071 PopART intervention on TB prevalence. The study found no evidence that the PopART intervention reduced TB prevalence compared with standard-of-care. Systematic screening for TB based on symptom screening alone may not be sufficient to achieve a large reduction in TB prevalence over a period of several years.
Article
Immunology
Wendy Grant-McAuley, William Morgenlander, Sarah E. Hudelson, Manjusha Thakar, Estelle Piwowar-Manning, William Clarke, Autumn Breaud, Joel Blankson, Ethan Wilson, Helen Ayles, Peter Bock, Ayana Moore, Barry Kosloff, Kwame Shanaube, Sue-Ann Meehan, Anneen van Deventer, Sarah Fidler, Richard Hayes, Ingo Ruczinski, Kai Kammers, Oliver Laeyendecker, H. Benjamin Larman, Susan H. Eshleman
Summary: This study analyzed the HIV antibody response in controllers and non-controllers and its association with viral load. It found that specific antibody responses prior to infection were associated with controller status and lower viral load, while another antibody response was associated with non-controller status and higher viral load. These findings may contribute to research on antibody-based interventions for HIV treatment.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Leyla Larsson, Chido Dziva Chikwari, Victoria Simms, Mandikudza Tembo, Agnes Mahomva, Owen Mugurungi, Richard J. Hayes, Constance R. S. Mackworth-Young, Sarah Bernays, Constancia Mavodza, Tinotenda Taruvinga, Tsitsi Bandason, Ethel Dauya, Rashida Abbas Ferrand, Katharina Kranzer
Summary: This study examined COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among youth in Zimbabwe and found that 60.2% of the participants had received at least one dose. Men had higher vaccination rates than women, and vaccination prevalence increased with age. Lack of time, safety concerns, and fear of side effects (particularly infertility) were the main reasons for non-uptake. The study also revealed vaccine inequities across age, sex, educational attainment, and socioeconomic status. Tailored vaccine campaigns addressing these inequities are needed.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Katherine Davis, Michael Pickles, Simon Gregson, James R. Hargreaves, Helen Ayles, Peter Bock, Triantafyllos Pliakas, Ranjeeta Thomas, Julius Ohrnberger, Justin Bwalya, Nomtha Bell-Mandla, Kwame Shanaube, William Probert, Graeme Hoddinott, Virginia Bond, Richard Hayes, Sarah Fidler, Katharina Hauck
Summary: This study examined the impact of Universal Testing and Treatment (UTT) on the Health-Related Quality-of-Life (HRQoL) of People Living with HIV (PLHIV). The results showed that UTT did not change the overall HRQoL of PLHIV, but it reduced the problems with pain/discomfort. The importance of this study lies in improving our understanding of the effects of UTT on the HRQoL of PLHIV, providing guidance for HIV treatment and management.
SSM-POPULATION HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Maria Ruperez, Kwame Shanaube, Linda Mureithi, Chali Wapamesa, Michael J. Burnett, Barry Kosloff, Petra de Haas, Richard Hayes, Sarah Fidler, Thomas Gachie, Albertus Schaap, Sian Floyd, Eveline Klinkenberg, Helen Ayles
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of a point-of-care C-reactive protein test for tuberculosis screening in high-burden countries. By conducting a tuberculosis prevalence survey, we calculated the sensitivity and specificity of C-reactive protein testing combined with symptom screening. The results showed that C-reactive protein testing alone does not meet the sensitivity requirement of 90% stipulated by WHO, but when combined with symptom screening, it may improve the identification of individuals with tuberculosis in communities with high prevalence, especially where recommended tools are not readily available.
LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH
(2023)