{"title":"Teleconsultation Support for Obstetric Emergencies During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Rural Nepal: Results and Lessons Learned From a Mixed-Methods Study.","authors":"Sajana Maharjan, Swaraj Rajbhandari, Liladhar Dhakal, Bhagawati Shrestha, Michaela Hayes, Punya Paudel, Anjana Karki, Binod Dangal, Surya Bhatta","doi":"10.9745/GHSP-D-23-00423","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.9745/GHSP-D-23-00423","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In response to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, a nongovernmental organization in Nepal piloted a maternal and newborn health helpline program in partnership with the Government of Nepal and the Nepal Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. The program connected service providers in remote areas with real-time clinical support during obstetric and neonatal emergencies via telephone consultations with clinical experts. 551 primary health care facilities across 14 districts of Nepal were included in the program and connected to a roster of 33 clinical expert volunteers from district or tertiary care hospitals. To assess the results of the program, we collected both quantitative and qualitative data, including monthly health facility record reviews from July 2020 to June 2021 and semi-structured interviews with clinical experts and service providers conducted in June 2021. Of the 551 health facilities included in the program, 160 facilities (29%) reported using the helpline during the study period, with 429 teleconsultation cases recorded. We found that 21% of these cases that otherwise would have been referred to a hospital were effectively managed by telephone on-site at rural health facilities, revealing the promising potential for impact using a low-tech solution. Of the health facilities that participated in the program, the helpline was predominantly used in remote facilities where access to higher-level referral centers for emergencies was limited. Feedback from both experts and service providers revealed that the program helped to improve clinical decision-making during emergencies, build confidence and skills of service providers, and improve referral efficiency. Implementation challenges included service providers' underreporting of helpline utilization, a lack of essential drugs at primary health care facilities, unreliable phone signals, and a lack of financial incentives for clinical experts. The results and implementation experiences shared in this article provide a template for the design and implementation of similar support programs for service providers managing clinical emergencies in rural contexts.</p>","PeriodicalId":12692,"journal":{"name":"Global Health: Science and Practice","volume":"13 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145911241","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Paulo Borem, Andrea Keiko Fujinami Gushken, Ana Paula Gushken, Rodolfo de Carvalho Pacagnella, Ademir Jose Petenate, Paula Tuma, Livia Sanches Pedrilio, Santiago Nariño, Pierre Barker, Claudia Garcia de Barros, Sebastian Vernal
{"title":"A Comprehensive Strategy to Mitigate Institutional Maternal Mortality: Lessons From a Quality Improvement Initiative in Brazilian Maternity Hospitals.","authors":"Paulo Borem, Andrea Keiko Fujinami Gushken, Ana Paula Gushken, Rodolfo de Carvalho Pacagnella, Ademir Jose Petenate, Paula Tuma, Livia Sanches Pedrilio, Santiago Nariño, Pierre Barker, Claudia Garcia de Barros, Sebastian Vernal","doi":"10.9745/GHSP-D-24-00130","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.9745/GHSP-D-24-00130","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction:</b> Many pregnancy-related deaths can be avoided if health care workers reliably provide prompt, evidence-based care during the final stages of pregnancy and delivery. We report the impact on the institutional maternal mortality ratio (iMMR) of a quality improvement (QI) initiative that focused on establishing timely and reliable obstetric care in public Brazilian hospitals for the primary causes of maternal deaths.<b>Methods:</b> The QI initiative used a quasi-experimental time-series design implemented in 19 Brazilian maternity hospitals comparing 3 periods: baseline (January 2018 to November 2019), implementation (December 2019 to March 2021), and post-implementation (April 2021 to September 2021). We used a sequential approach, referred to as the \"4Rs\" (Recognize, Rescue, Reassess, and Refer), with the Modified Early Obstetric Warning Score (MEOWS) as a key tool, to identify clinical deterioration and implement care bundles directed at the management of 3 principal life-threatening conditions around the time of birth: postpartum hemorrhage, sepsis, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs). Clinical staff received tailored training and support within a structured learning system that brought multiple teams together to rapidly test and implement evidence-based changes.<b>Results:</b> Comparing the baseline with the implementation period, run charts detected an overall reduction of 34.2% in all causes of maternal deaths (from 83.7 to 55 deaths per 100,000 live births). Additionally, the iMMR due to the 3 analyzed life-threatening conditions decreased by 60.9% between baseline and the combined implementation and post-implementation periods (from 44.1 to 17.2 deaths per 100,000 live births); postpartum hemorrhage-related deaths were reduced by 72.9% (from 11.7 to 3.17 deaths per 100,000 live births) and sepsis-related deaths were reduced by 100% (from 20.4 to 0 deaths per 100,000 liv births). No changes by HDP-related deaths were observed. There was a 178% increase in iMMR by all causes (mainly attributed to COVID-19) during the post-implementation period, but deaths related to life-threatening conditions either remained stable or decreased even further.<b>Conclusion:</b> Optimization of the steps in a care sequence and reliable implementation of care bundles directed at the principal life-threatening conditions around the time of birth, using QI, tailored training, and the MEOWS tool, seem to be feasible and promising approaches for reducing iMMR.</p>","PeriodicalId":12692,"journal":{"name":"Global Health: Science and Practice","volume":"13 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145911183","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Christine Kiruthu-Kamamia, Evelyn Viola, Odala Sande, Tapiwa Kumwenda, Joseph Lungu, Joseph Diele, Ellen MacLachlan, Agnes Thawani
{"title":"Integrating Gender-Based Violence Services Into HIV Care: Insights From Malawi.","authors":"Christine Kiruthu-Kamamia, Evelyn Viola, Odala Sande, Tapiwa Kumwenda, Joseph Lungu, Joseph Diele, Ellen MacLachlan, Agnes Thawani","doi":"10.9745/GHSP-D-24-00177","DOIUrl":"10.9745/GHSP-D-24-00177","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Gender-based violence (GBV) not only poses significant public health and human rights challenges but is also closely associated with HIV. GBV acts as a barrier to HIV prevention, testing, and treatment adherence, and fear of GBV inhibits disclosure of HIV status to sexual partners. In Malawi, where both GBV and HIV prevalence is high, integrating GBV services into HIV care is crucial. We describe the integration of GBV services into Lighthouse Trust's HIV testing and treatment clinics in Malawi, including screening, documentation, intervention implementation, outcomes, and lessons learned.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a retrospective analysis from January 2020 to June 2024. Data on cases identified, post-GBV services, and perpetrator demographics were collected from the GBV register. We used descriptive statistics to describe the intervention outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We documented 9,045 reported GBV cases among males and females from January 2020 to June 2024. Adolescent girls aged 10-19 years constituted a significant proportion of survivors. Psychosocial services were the most common type of service that was offered to GBV survivors (25%), followed by HIV testing (19%) and sexually transmitted infection screening (18%). Perpetrators were mostly known to survivors.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>We successfully integrated GBV services into the Lighthouse Trust HIV clinics in close collaboration with the one-stop centers in Malawi. Training health care providers enhanced support for GBV survivors, with a focus on increasing awareness, especially for children and adolescents. Recommended actions include improving access to GBV services, enhancing documentation, and promoting multi-sectoral collaboration to ensure comprehensive care aimed at creating a safer, more dignified health care environment for all, particularly GBV survivors.</p>","PeriodicalId":12692,"journal":{"name":"Global Health: Science and Practice","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12352945/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144855017","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bee-Ah Kang, Manvi Poddar, Aditi Luitel, Rajiv N Rimal, Biruk Melaku, Danielle Piccinini Black
{"title":"Narrative Review of Human-Centered Design in Public Health Interventions in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Recommendations for Practice, Research, and Reporting.","authors":"Bee-Ah Kang, Manvi Poddar, Aditi Luitel, Rajiv N Rimal, Biruk Melaku, Danielle Piccinini Black","doi":"10.9745/GHSP-D-24-00164","DOIUrl":"10.9745/GHSP-D-24-00164","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The application of human-centered design (HCD) is growing in global health, given its potential to generate innovative solutions to entrenched health problems by prioritizing human perspectives, needs, and desires. To address gaps in consolidated evidence on prior programs, we conducted a review of studies that applied a comprehensive HCD approach in low- and middle-income countries. A total of 535 articles were initially identified. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 22 articles were included. Most studies were conducted in sub-Saharan Africa and used qualitative or mixed methods throughout the HCD work. In the \"discover and define\" phase, user personas, journey maps, and interviews were commonly used to empathize with end users and key stakeholders. Studies used various strategies in the \"ideation\" phase, including idea generation based on feasibility and resource constraints. In the \"testing\" phase, low-fidelity prototypes were tested to obtain feedback from end users and stakeholders, enabling quick and cost-effective refinements. Prototype iterations occurred twice in most studies, but information about when iterations ceased was limited. Evaluations of design outcomes and health impacts were lacking. Studies cited multidisciplinary approaches, flexible methodology, and a sense of ownership among users and communities as strengths of HCD. Contrastingly, challenges in consistent participant engagement and limited scientific rigor were reported as weaknesses. Elements that enhanced program reporting included clear descriptions of HCD as cyclical, stakeholder maps (empathy tools), visual materials on design activities and prototypes, and transparency in failures. We recommend strengthening capacity among those applying HCD to optimize the effectiveness of the approach for global health. Although HCD is not inherently intended to serve as a rigorous research method, data triangulation and proper evaluations may ensure its usability as evidence in health research when appropriate. Also, a thorough reporting of design phases and providing detailed rationale behind design decisions can advance future HCD literature.</p>","PeriodicalId":12692,"journal":{"name":"Global Health: Science and Practice","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12352946/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144855018","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Oleosi Ntshebe, Sarah Anoke, Jesca M Batidzirai, Chris Guure, Beatrice Muganda, Marcello Pagano, Muhammed Semakula, Elysia Larson
{"title":"Building Public Health Quantitative Methods Capacity and Networks in sub-Saharan Africa: An Evaluation of a Faculty Training Program.","authors":"Oleosi Ntshebe, Sarah Anoke, Jesca M Batidzirai, Chris Guure, Beatrice Muganda, Marcello Pagano, Muhammed Semakula, Elysia Larson","doi":"10.9745/GHSP-D-22-00507","DOIUrl":"10.9745/GHSP-D-22-00507","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>There is a shortage of individuals trained in using quantitative methods in biomedical research in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Improving public health in SSA requires new ways to promote quantitative knowledge and skills among faculty in biomedical research and better-integrated network systems of support.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We describe the development, implementation, and evaluation of an innovative faculty training and support program in SSA from December 2017-June 2020, using courses in monitoring and evaluation, data management, and complex surveys as prototypical examples. Indicators were selected to follow the 4 levels outlined in the Kirkpatrick evaluation model: reaction, learning, behavior, and results. We used survey data from faculty fellows and students and reported median change and interquartile ranges (IQR).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The training program created an international community of 26 faculty members working collaboratively to lead the training of 3 quantitative methods courses. The program increased faculty members' knowledge of the course content (median increase 17 percentage points [IQR: 0, 20]). Faculty members, in turn, trained 380 students at institutions of higher education in 8 SSA countries (Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The program relied on collaborative funding from participating institutions and focused on individual capacity-strengthening. In the future, the program will be scaled to include other emerging areas, such as data science, will integrate institutional support and feedback, and will move some of the training and mentoring activities to an online platform. Finally, to ensure that faculty have both improved confidence and improvement in competence, in future iterations, the program will include competency evaluation at the start and end and pair fellows who need additional training with those who excelled to co-teach.</p>","PeriodicalId":12692,"journal":{"name":"Global Health: Science and Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12352941/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143004290","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Enhancing Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation for Hospitalized and Recently Discharged People Living With HIV in Johannesburg, South Africa.","authors":"Natasha Davies, Melanie Bisnauth, Kate Rees","doi":"10.9745/GHSP-D-24-00017","DOIUrl":"10.9745/GHSP-D-24-00017","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Despite increased antiretroviral therapy (ART) access in South Africa, HIV testing and ART initiation are suboptimal in hospital settings. Key gaps include in-hospital case finding, ART initiation support, and primary health care (PHC) facility linkage after discharge.</p><p><strong>Intervention development and description: </strong>We identified weaknesses in hospital processes by comparing them with PHC HIV services and developed a quality improvement model for implementation in 5 Johannesburg hospitals. We introduced dedicated teams of HIV testing counselors for structured case finding and ART-trained nurses and linkage officers to provide in-hospital or post-discharge ART initiation and support to strengthen PHC facility linkage. Monitoring data (May 2020-March 2021) was used to measure initiation rates.</p><p><strong>Lessons learned: </strong>Over 11 months, despite COVID-19 pandemic-related disruptions, our model achieved 74% (5,201/7,025) ART linkage within 28 days post-discharge and 87% (6,087/7,025) overall, including all initiations (i.e., all newly diagnosed, known not on ART and reinitiating individuals). The 2 highest-performing hospitals achieved 97% (2,096/2,170) linkage overall, demonstrating the potential of implementing this quality improvement model with fidelity. Over half (58%, 4,092/7,025) of patients initiated ART within 7 days, with 39% (2,748) initiating on the same day. Women and men achieved similar initiation rates (3,010/4,015, 75%; 2,186/3,003, 73%, respectively). Combining rapid (<7 days) in-hospital ART initiation with 28-day post-discharge follow-up supported high ART initiation rates. Using the model mitigated initiation gaps for men and older people, engaging stakeholders supported implementation, and using a team-based approach founded on clear roles and responsibilities improved service delivery.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This model achieved above-average ART linkage rates in a large hospitalized population. We recommend considering introducing this model or adaptations of it to hospitals across South Africa and similar settings where hospital-to-PHC ART service gaps are identified to optimize case finding, ART initiation, and post-discharge linkage support.</p>","PeriodicalId":12692,"journal":{"name":"Global Health: Science and Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12352947/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142983293","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sonia Abraham, Natalie Culbertson, Stephen Hodgins, Ruwaida M Salem
{"title":"\"Community Over Commercialization\": Help Us Keep GHSP Open.","authors":"Sonia Abraham, Natalie Culbertson, Stephen Hodgins, Ruwaida M Salem","doi":"10.9745/GHSP-D-24-00608","DOIUrl":"10.9745/GHSP-D-24-00608","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12692,"journal":{"name":"Global Health: Science and Practice","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12352940/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144855013","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Biraj Man Karmacharya, Seema Das, Abha Shrestha, Abha Shrestha, Sulata Karki, Rajani Shakya, Emma Radovich, Loveday Penn-Kekana, Clara Calvert, Oona M R Campell, Ona L McCarthy
{"title":"A Novel Approach to Assessing the Potential of Electronic Decision Support Systems to Improve the Quality of Antenatal Care in Nepal.","authors":"Biraj Man Karmacharya, Seema Das, Abha Shrestha, Abha Shrestha, Sulata Karki, Rajani Shakya, Emma Radovich, Loveday Penn-Kekana, Clara Calvert, Oona M R Campell, Ona L McCarthy","doi":"10.9745/GHSP-D-23-00370","DOIUrl":"10.9745/GHSP-D-23-00370","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Electronic decision-support systems (EDSSs) aim to improve the quality of antenatal care (ANC) through adherence to evidence-based guidelines. We assessed the potential of the mHealth integrated model of hypertension, diabetes, and ANC EDSS and the World Health Organization EDSS to improve the quality of ANC in primary-level health care facilities in Nepal.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>From December 2021 to January 2023, we conducted a mixed-methods evaluation in 19 primary-level ANC facilities in Bagmati Province, Nepal. Implementation was from March 2022 to August 2022. We conducted a health facility survey, ANC clinical observations, longitudinal case studies and validation workshop, in-depth interviews, monitoring visits, research team debriefing meetings, health care provider attitude survey, and stakeholder engagement and feedback meetings. Results were integrated using concurrent triangulation to develop explanations about the EDSS implementation process and the effects observed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We identified 9 themes on implementation challenges that hindered the EDSS from generating the desired improvements to ANC quality. Facility readiness and provider confidence in using the EDSS were mixed. It was not always used or used as intended, and the approach to ANC provision did not change. EDSS inflexibility did not reflect how staff made decisions about pregnant women's needs or ensure that tests were done at the right time. There was mixed evidence that ANC staff believed that the EDSS benefited their work. The EDSS did not become fully integrated into existing health systems. Engagement of essential stakeholders fell short.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Different understandings of and inconsistent use of the EDSS highlighted the need for increased training and support periods, greater stakeholder engagement, and further integration into existing health systems. Our novel approach to integrating findings from multiple substudies offers uniquely valuable insights into the many factors needed for the successful implementation of an EDSS to improve the quality of ANC in Nepal.</p>","PeriodicalId":12692,"journal":{"name":"Global Health: Science and Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12352944/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142947699","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Taryn McGinn Valley, Elizabeth White, Alli Foreman, Alejandro Chavez, Tana Chongsuwat, Linda Foxworthy, Madhuri Reddy, Cecilia Arroyave, Kevin Wyne, Rafael Tun, Yoselin Emelina Letona López, Dominga Pic Salazar, Cesia Castro Chutá, Sean Duffy
{"title":"Development of a Cervical Cancer Screening Program in Rural Guatemala.","authors":"Taryn McGinn Valley, Elizabeth White, Alli Foreman, Alejandro Chavez, Tana Chongsuwat, Linda Foxworthy, Madhuri Reddy, Cecilia Arroyave, Kevin Wyne, Rafael Tun, Yoselin Emelina Letona López, Dominga Pic Salazar, Cesia Castro Chutá, Sean Duffy","doi":"10.9745/GHSP-D-24-00282","DOIUrl":"10.9745/GHSP-D-24-00282","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In San Lucas Tolimán (SLT), Guatemala, a rural municipality with a large Indigenous population, women seeking cervical cancer screening face many barriers. We describe the process from design to implementation of a culturally appropriate and accessible cervical cancer screening and treatment pilot program for women aged 30-49 years.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>After conducting a community needs assessment, we trained community health workers (CHWs) on basic cervical cancer pathophysiology and human papillomavirus (HPV) self-swab kit use. CHWs provided educational seminars and enrolled interested, eligible women in a mobile health application. Women collected samples at home and returned completed kits to CHWs, who sent the kits to a partner lab. Women who were positive for HPV received follow-up care at the local hospital, where physicians had received training in visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) with same-day cryotherapy or thermocoagulation. Women with advanced lesions received access to care from gynecologists free of cost.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Between February and November 2023, of the 230 women eligible to participate in the program, 132 completed HPV self-swabs and received results, and 34 received positive HPV tests (25.76% prevalence). Sixty-seven women had VIA exams as their first screening. Women who received VIA exams had an overall positivity rate of 24.47% (23/94). Twenty-three women received treatment: cryotherapy (n=8), thermocoagulation (n=7), or loop electrosurgical excision procedure (n=8). SLT had higher HPV-positivity rates than nearby Escuintla (21.6%; <i>P</i>=.29) and significantly higher than Santiago Atitlán (17.4% HPV+; <i>P</i>=.02).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our screening program found significantly higher HPV-positivity rates in SLT than in previous Guatemalan studies. Our research reinforces that adequately treating cervical cancer in Guatemala requires accompaniment during care and economic support to make care affordable or free. Based on our pilot program, organizations worldwide can further invest in culturally sensitive cervical cancer screening and treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":12692,"journal":{"name":"Global Health: Science and Practice","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12352939/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144855015","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Missed Opportunity: Prioritizing the Development of a Healthy Market Ecosystem for Equitable Menstrual Health Within the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action.","authors":"Sarah Webb, Tanya Mahajan","doi":"10.9745/GHSP-D-24-00125","DOIUrl":"10.9745/GHSP-D-24-00125","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12692,"journal":{"name":"Global Health: Science and Practice","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12352942/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144855014","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}