Tropical Medicine and Health最新文献

{"title":"Epidemiology of soil-transmitted helminth infections and the differential effect of treatment on the distribution of helminth species in rural areas of Gabon.","authors":"Jean Ronald Edoa, Bayodé Roméo Adégbitè, Yabo Josiane Honkpéhèdji, Jeannot Fréjus Zinsou, Stravensky Térence Boussougou-Sambe, Tamirat Gebru Woldearegai, Benjamin Mordmüller, Ayola Akim Adegnika, Jean Claude Dejon-Agobé","doi":"10.1186/s41182-023-00567-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41182-023-00567-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are a public health concern in endemic areas. For efficient control, the epidemiology of the disease needs to be monitored. This report assesses the prevalence, incidence, post-treatment infection (PTI) rate, and risk factors for STH infections in two rural areas of Gabon.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>In this longitudinal and prospective study, participants aged six to 30 years from the vicinity of Lambaréné and selected households using a simple randomization process were included and followed in two consecutive periods of six and nine months. Stool samples were obtained at the beginning and the end of each follow-up phase (FUP). The Kato-Katz technique was used for the detection of STH eggs, while the Harada-Mori technique and coproculture were used for the detection of larvae in stool processed within a maximum of four hours of collection. Prevalence was determined at the three main time points of the study, incidence was assessed during the two study phases, and PTI was defined as an infection detected nine months post-treatment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 262 participants were included. The overall prevalence of STH infections was 42% (95%CI: 34-50) and 44% (95%CI: 37-51) at baseline for the six and nine month FUPs, respectively. Trichuris trichiura was the most prevalent species at each time point of assessment. The cumulative incidence of STH at the 6- and 9-month follow-ups was 18% (95%CI: 12-27) and 35% (95%CI: 27-43), respectively, while the incidence rates were 41 (95%CI: 28-55) and 56 (95%CI: 46-67) per 100 person-years, respectively. The PTI rates at the 9-month follow-up for T. trichiura, hookworm, and Ascaris lumbricoides were 58% (95%CI: 41-74), 31% (95%CI: 11-59) and 18% (95%CI: 5-40), respectively. The STH infection intensity was generally light.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The prevalence level of STH infection is moderate in the vicinity of Lambaréné, with T. trichiura being the most prevalent species. Our results reveal a rapid spread of the disease in the population mainly following intervention, particularly for trichuriasis, and therefore call for the full implementation of the World Health Organization's recommendations in the area. Trial registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier NCT02769013. Registered 21 April 2016, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02769013.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":"52 1","pages":"3"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10759385/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139075131","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Women in low- and middle-income countries receive antenatal care at health institutions, yet not delivered there: a multilevel analysis of 2016-2021 DHS data.","authors":"Mehari Woldemariam Merid, Dagmawi Chilot, Zeamanuel Anteneh Yigzaw, Alemakef Wagnew Melesse, Menberesibhat Getie Ferede, Fantu Mamo Aragaw, Desalegn Anmut Bitew","doi":"10.1186/s41182-023-00561-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41182-023-00561-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The institutional delivery dropout (IDD) is a major problem that disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It is associated with increased risks of adverse birth outcomes among pregnant women. Hence, this study assessed the pooled estimate and determinants of IDD after antenatal care (ANC) visit among women in LMICs.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>The Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data from 29 LMICs were used for this study. Data analysis was performed with STATA version 14. The forest plot was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of IDD. Multilevel binary logistic regression was fitted to identify determinants of IDD. The statistical significance level between the outcome and independent variables was determined through the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% CI and p-value less than 0.05.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>The pooled prevalence of IDD after ANC booking among reproductive age women in LMICs was 22.25% (95%CI: 18.25, 26.25). Additionally, the prevalence of IDD was highest (29.83%) among women from the South and Central Europe and the Caribbean countries and lowest (13.72%) in Central/Western Asia and the Oceania. In the multilevel analysis; no education (AOR = 2.92; 95% CI: 2.72, 3.13), poorest wealth index (AOR = 3.46; 95% CI: 3.28, 3.66), inadequate ANC visits (AOR = 1.73; 95% CI: 1.39, 1.77), no media exposure (AOR = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.23, 1.30), rural (AOR = 1.50; 95% CI: 1.43, 1.54), distance a big problem (AOR = 1.28; 95% CI: 1.25, 1.31), and women located in the South/Eastern Europe and Caribbean region 6.67 (AOR = 6.67; 95% CI: 6.20, 7.20), women lived in low-income countries 7.05 (AOR = 7.05; 95% CI: 6.57, 7.56), and women from lower middle-income countries 5.34 (AOR = 5.57; 95% CI: 4.93, 5.78), had increased odds of IDD after ANC among women in LMICs. However, women who had ever born one child (AOR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.28, 0.31), and women from Central and Western Asia and the Oceania (AOR = 0.78; 95%CI: 0.74, 0.82) had decreased odds of IDD.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The IDD was high among women in LMICs and significantly increased among women with no education, from poorest household, had inadequate ANC visit, no media exposure, rural, distance a big problem. Hence, interventions to reduce IDD should focus on addressing the gaps related to maternal education, access to media, and number of ANC visits among women in LMICs.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":"52 1","pages":"1"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10759610/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139075138","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Efficacy and safety of praziquantel treatment against Schistosoma mansoni infection among pre-school age children in southern Ethiopia.","authors":"Tafese Tadele, Ayalew Astatkie, Birkneh Tilahun Tadesse, Eyasu Makonnen, Eleni Aklillu, Solomon Mequanente Abay","doi":"10.1186/s41182-023-00562-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41182-023-00562-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Preventive chemotherapy with a single dose of praziquantel given to an all-at-risk population through mass drug administration is the cornerstone intervention to control and eliminate schistosomiasis as a public health problem. This intervention mainly targets school age children, and pre-school age children (pre-SAC) are excluded from receiving preventive chemotherapy, partly due to scarcity of data on praziquantel treatment outcomes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted active efficacy and safety surveillance of praziquantel treatment among 240 Schistosoma mansoni-infected pre-SAC who received a single dose of praziquantel (40 mg/kg) in southern Ethiopia. The study outcomes were egg reduction rates (ERR) and cure rates (CRs) four weeks after treatment using the Kato-Katz technique and treatment-associated adverse events (AEs) that occurred within 8 days post-treatment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The overall ERR was 93.3% (WHO reference threshold ≥ 90%), while the CR was 85.2% (95% CI = 80.0-89.5%). Baseline S. mansoni infection intensity was significantly associated with CRs, 100% among light infected than moderate (83.4%) or heavy (29.4%) infected children. An increase of 100 in baseline S. mansoni egg count per gram of stool resulted in a 26% (95% CI: 17%, 34%) reduction in the odds of cure. The incidence of experiencing at least one type of AE was 23.1% (95% CI: 18.0%, 29.0%). Stomachache, diarrhea, and nausea were the most common AEs. AEs were mild-to-moderate grade and transient. Pre-treatment moderate (ARR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.69, 6.14) or heavy infection intensity (ARR = 6.5, 95% CI: 3.62, 11.52) was a significant predictor of AEs (p < 0.001). Sex, age, or soil-transmitted helminth coinfections were not significant predictors of CR or AEs.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Single-dose praziquantel is tolerable and effective against S. mansoni infection among pre-SAC, and associated AEs are mostly mild-to-moderate and transient. However, the reduced CR in heavily infected and AEs in one-fourth of S. mansoni-infected pre-SAC underscores the need for safety and efficacy monitoring, especially in moderate-to-high infection settings. Integrating pre-SACs in the national deworming programs is recommended to accelerate the elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":"51 1","pages":"72"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2023-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10731898/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138831749","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Environmental detection of eumycetoma pathogens using multiplex real-time PCR for soil DNA in Sennar State, Sudan.","authors":"Hiroki Hashizume, Suguru Taga, Masayuki K Sakata, Mahmoud Hussein, Emmanuel Edwar Siddig, Toshifumi Minamoto, Ahmed Hassan Fahal, Satoshi Kaneko","doi":"10.1186/s41182-023-00563-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41182-023-00563-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Mycetoma is a chronic disease affecting the skin and subcutaneous tissue endemic in the tropical and subtropical regions. Several bacteria and fungi can cause mycetoma, but fungal mycetoma (eumycetoma) is challenging because the treatment requires a combination of a long-term antifungal agent and surgery. Although the transmission route has not yet been elucidated, infection from the soil is a leading hypothesis. However, there are few soil investigation studies, and the geographical distribution of mycetoma pathogens is not well documented. Here, we used multiplex real-time PCR technology to identify three fungal species from soil samples.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In total, 64 DNA samples were extracted from soil collected in seven villages in an endemic area in Sennar State, Sudan, in 2019. Primers and fluorescent probes specifically targeting the ribosomal DNA of Madurella mycetomatis, Falciformispora senegalensis, and F. tompkinsii were designed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Multiplex real-time PCR was performed and identified the major pathogen, M. mycetomatis that existed in most sites (95%). In addition, two other pathogens were identified from some sites. This is the first report on the use of this technique for identifying the eumycetoma causative microorganisms.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study demonstrated that soil DNA investigation can elucidate the risk area of mycetoma-causative agents. The results will contribute to the design of prevention measures, and further large-scale studies may be effective in understanding the natural habitats of mycetoma pathogens.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":"51 1","pages":"71"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2023-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10729560/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138809179","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Vaccine inequity: a threat to Africa's recovery from COVID-19.","authors":"Calvin R Wei, Samuel Kamande, Godwin C Lang'at","doi":"10.1186/s41182-023-00564-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41182-023-00564-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Vaccine inequity is a reality facing the Sub-Saharan Africa region as vaccine nationalism from high-income countries (HICs) leads to limited access to the lifesaving vaccines needed to end the pandemic. In Africa, a significant portion of the population has yet to be vaccinated against Covid-19; however, the barriers to accessing such vaccines, including capacity challenges, still persist despite the implementation of the COVAX facility meant to support the lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to boost vaccination.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study involved a systemic narrative review where literature search was conducted using the NCBI's PMC and BMC databases based on defined keywords. Three authors were involved in the literature search and consensus was applied to settle disagreements and validate the findings.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In this systematic narrative review, we report that vaccine nationalism remains a challenge for LMICs as HICs still hoard vaccines and even bypass COVAX to procure doses directly from the manufacturers. Factors that promote vaccine hesitancy in Africa include misinformation regarding the Covid-19 vaccine, a lack of trust in politicians and the pharmaceutical industry, and concerns about vaccine safety and efficacy. The policies implemented to enhance vaccine coverage in Africa, such as mandates, community engagement, and partnerships, all seek to promote equity of vaccination and ending Covid-19.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Covid-19 vaccine inequity persists and contributes to prolonged pandemic in LMICs. In response, African governments have taken certain measures to enhance vaccine uptake but more needs to be done to address resistance to vaccines.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":"51 1","pages":"69"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2023-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10729430/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138809180","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Characterizing deaths among adult patients with severe acute respiratory infection: during the pre- and COVID-19 pandemic periods in Bangladesh, 2018-2022.","authors":"Md Zakiul Hassan, Md Ariful Islam, Homayra Rahman Shoshi, Md Kamal Hossain, Tahmina Shirin, Fahmida Chowdhury","doi":"10.1186/s41182-023-00565-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41182-023-00565-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) is a leading cause of mortality globally, peaking during the COVID-19 pandemic. We analyzed SARI-associated deaths during the pre-and-pandemic periods in Bangladesh to identify the contributing factors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We analyzed data from hospital-based influenza surveillance at nine tertiary-level hospitals in Bangladesh. We considered March 2018-February 2020 as the pre-pandemic period and March 2020-February 2022 as the pandemic period and included adult (≥ 18 years) participants in our study. Surveillance physicians identified WHO-SARI case definition meeting inpatients and collected demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcomes at hospital discharge and 30 days post-discharge. We performed rRT-PCR for influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses on collected nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs. We used multivariable Cox's regression models to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) for factors associated with SARI deaths in these adult patients.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We enrolled 4392 SARI patients during the pre-pandemic and 3824 SARI patients during the pandemic period. Case fatality ratio was higher during the pandemic: 13.62% (521) [in-hospital: 6.45% (247); post-discharge: 7.17% (274)] compared to pre-pandemic, 6.01% (264) [in-hospital: 2.01% (89), post-discharge: 4% (175)] (p < 0.001). Pre-pandemic, influenza was detected in 14% (37/264) of SARI deaths. Influenza was detected during the pandemic in 2.3% (12/521), SARS-CoV-2 in 41.8% (218/521), and both viruses in only one SARI death. History of smoking and the presence of 1 or more co-morbid conditions independently attributed to SARI deaths in adults in the pre-pandemic period. SARI deaths in such patients were also associated with respiratory difficulties on admission in both pre-pandemic (aHR 2.36; 95% CI:1.65-3.36) and pandemic period (aHR 2.30; 95% CI: 1.57-3.35) after accounting for age, sex, smoking status, presence of 1 or more co-morbid conditions, and detection of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>During the pandemic, SARI mortality increased; influenza-associated mortality declined, and SARS-CoV-2 caused over a third of SARI deaths. Post-discharge mortality was higher than in-hospital mortality during both periods. Limiting premature discharge and strengthening post-discharge monitoring and nursing services could reduce unexpected deaths. Formative research to better understand post-discharge mortality is essential to reduce SARI deaths.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":"51 1","pages":"70"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2023-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10729565/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138809178","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Differential cardiomyocyte transcriptomic remodeling during in vitro Trypanosoma cruzi infection using laboratory strains provides implications on pathogenic host responses","authors":"Katherine-Sofia Candray-Medina, Y. Nakagama, Masamichi Ito, Shun Nakagama, E. Tshibangu-Kabamba, Norihiko Takeda, Yuki Sugiura, Y. Nitahara, Yu Michimuko-Nagahara, N. Kaku, Yoko Onizuka, C. Arias, M. Mejía, Karla Alas, Susana Peña, Yasuhiro Maejima, Issei Komuro, J. Nakajima-Shimada, Yasutoshi Kido","doi":"10.1186/s41182-023-00552-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-023-00552-6","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":" 83","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138611852","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Distribution of helminth eggs in environmental and stool samples of farming households along Akaki River in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.","authors":"Bethlhem Kinfu Gurmassa, Sirak Robele Gari, Ephrem Tefera Solomon, Michaela L Goodson, Claire L Walsh, Bitew K Dessie, Bezatu Mengistie Alemu","doi":"10.1186/s41182-023-00558-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41182-023-00558-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Helminth infections are a public health issue in countries with poor sanitation facilities. However, there little information on the epidemiological association between helminths in wastewater and soil samples and rates of helminth infection among farming households along the Akaki River in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2021 and February 2022. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select farming households. The sample size for each district was determined by a proportionate allocation to the number of households. From wastewater-irrigated farms, 70 wastewater samples, 28 soil samples, and 86 farmers' stool samples were collected and analyzed for helminths. A questionnaire was used to gather ethnographic data, about farming households, whereas wastewater and soil sample analysis was used to generate quantitative data on helminth loads. The data were systematically analysed by developing themes, and bias evaluated using triangulation validation methodologies. Potential pathways to helminth infection were evaluated by measuring. Total number of helminth eggs in wastewater, soil samples and farmer's stools was investigated using Poisson regression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In this study, 82.9% of wastewater samples, 57.1% of soil samples, and 18.6% of farmers' stool samples contained helminth eggs. The most prevalent helminth was Ascaris lumbricoides in all samples (wastewater 67%, soil 25%, and stool 10.5%), followed by hookworm (wastewater 10%, soil 21.4%, and stool 6.9%) and Trichuris trichiura eggs (wastewater 5.7%, soil 10.7%, and stool 1.2%). There was a positive association between the total number of helminth eggs in wastewater and soil samples with counts in farmers' stool. The Poisson regression coefficients for wastewater and soil were, 1.63 (95% CI = 1.34-1.92) and 1.70 (95% CI = 1.39-2.01), (p < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This research has shown a clear association between the total helminth eggs in wastewater and soil samples and farmer stools along the Akaki River. Therefore, an integrated approach is essential to address the issue in this area and prevent the spread of further helminth infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":"51 1","pages":"67"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2023-11-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10668356/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138300117","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction: RNA purification-free detection of SARS-CoV-2 using reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP).","authors":"Meng Yee Lai, Jeyanthi Suppiah, Ravindran Thayan, Ilyiana Ismail, Nur Izati Mustapa, Tuan Suhaila Tuan Soh, Affah Haji Hassan, Kalaiarasu M Peariasamy, Yee Leng Lee, Yee Ling Lau","doi":"10.1186/s41182-023-00555-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41182-023-00555-3","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":"51 1","pages":"66"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2023-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10664646/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138296087","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Measuring training effectiveness of laboratory biosafety program offered at African Center for Integrated Laboratory Training in 22 President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief supported countries (2008-2014).","authors":"Ritu Shrivastava, Thomas Stevens, Larry Westerman, David Bressler, Elsie van Schalkwyk, Cristina Bressler, Ken Ugwu, Christina Mwangi, Joel Peter Opio, Joseph Nkodyo, Jane W Mwangi, Monte D Martin, Shanna Nesby-O'Dell","doi":"10.1186/s41182-023-00557-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s41182-023-00557-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The African Center for Integrated Laboratory Training (ACILT) in Johannesburg, South Africa offered a laboratory biosafety program to improve laboratory biosafety practices in 22 President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) supported countries. This manuscript evaluates the transference of newly gained knowledge and skills to the participants' place of employment for HIV and TB diagnostic laboratory programs. It also serves as a follow-on to a previously published manuscript that measured training effectiveness for all courses offered at ACILT.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>ACILT offered 20 Laboratory Biosafety and Infrastructure courses (2008-2014), also referred as biosafety course/course comprising of 14 core laboratory safety elements to 402 participants from 22 countries. In 2015, participants received 22 e-questions divided into four categories: (1) Safety Policies, (2) Management's Engagement, (3) Safety Programs and (4) Assessments of Safety Practices to determine retrospectively the training effectiveness of biosafety practices in their place of employment 6 months before and after attending their course. We used Kirkpatrick model to assess the transference of knowledge, skills and obstructive factors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>20% (81/402) of the participants completed the e-questionnaire. The overall percentage of positive responses indicating implementation of new safety practices increased from 50% to 84%. Improvement occurred in all four categories after attending the course, with the greatest increases in Safety Policies (67-94%) and Safety Programs (43-91%). Creating a safety committee, allocating resources, and establishing a facility safety policy were important drivers for implementing and maintaining laboratory safety practices. In addition, accredited laboratories and countries with national safety regulations or policies had a higher percentage of improvements. The most reported challenges were inadequate funding and lack of management enforcement.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>PEPFAR and other partners' investments in training institutions, such as ACILT, were effective in building sustainable country ownership to strengthen biosafety practices and were leveraged to combat zoonotic diseases and COVID-19. Although support continues at the national/regional level, a standardized, coordinated and continent-wide sustainable approach to offer a biosafety program-like ACILT is missing. Continuous offerings of biosafety programs similar to ACILT could contribute to sustainable strengthening of laboratory biosafety, QMS and pandemic preparedness.</p>","PeriodicalId":23311,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Health","volume":"51 1","pages":"65"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2023-11-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10662895/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138291873","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}