Tag: statistics

BMJ Open. 2024 Mar 18;14(3):e079570. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-079570.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Despite Ethiopia’s policy intention to provide recommended vaccination services to underprivileged populations, inequity in polio immunisation persists.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined inequity and trends in polio immunisation and determinant factors among children aged 12-23 months in Ethiopia between 2000 and 2019.

METHODS: Cross-sectional data from 2000, 2005, 2011, 2016 and 2019 Ethiopian demographic and health surveys were analysed with the updated version of the WHO’s Health Equity Assessment Toolkit software. Six standard equity measures: equity gaps, equity ratios, population attributable risk, population attributable fraction, slope index of inequality and relative index of inequality were used. Datasets were analysed and disaggregated by the five equality stratifiers: economic status, education, place of residence, sex of the child and regions. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was used to identify determinant factors.

RESULTS: Polio immunisation coverage was increased from 34.5% (2000) to 60.0% (2019). The wealth index-related inequity, in coverage of polio immunisation between quintiles 5 and 1, was 20 percentage points for most surveys. The population attributable risk and population attributable fraction measure in 2011 indicate that the national polio immunisation coverage in that year could have been improved by nearly 36 and 81 percentage points, respectively, if absolute and relative wealth-driven inequity, respectively, had been avoided. The absolute difference between Addis Ababa and Afar Region was 74 percentage points in 2000 and 60 percentage points in 2019. In multilevel analysis result, individual-level factors like wealth index, maternal education antenatal care and place of delivery showed statistical significance.

CONCLUSION: Although polio immunisation coverage gradually increased over time, in the 20-year survey periods, still 40% of children remained unvaccinated. Inequities in coverage by wealth, educational status, urban-rural residence and administrative regions persisted. Increasing service coverage and improving equitable access to immunisations services may narrow the existing inequity gaps.

PMID:38503420 | DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2023-079570

BMJ Open. 2024 Mar 18;14(3):e077613. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-077613.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) and paediatric high-grade glioma (pHGG) are aggressive glial tumours, for which conventional treatment modalities fall short. Dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy is being investigated as a promising and safe adjuvant therapy. The Wilms’ tumour protein (WT1) is a potent target for this type of antigen-specific immunotherapy and is overexpressed in DIPG and pHGG. Based on this, we designed a non-randomised phase I/II trial, assessing the feasibility and safety of WT1 mRNA-loaded DC (WT1/DC) immunotherapy in combination with conventional treatment in pHGG and DIPG.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: 10 paediatric patients with newly diagnosed or pretreated HGG or DIPG were treated according to the trial protocol. The trial protocol consists of leukapheresis of mononuclear cells, the manufacturing of autologous WT1/DC vaccines and the combination of WT1/DC-vaccine immunotherapy with conventional antiglioma treatment. In newly diagnosed patients, this comprises chemoradiation (oral temozolomide 90 mg/m² daily+radiotherapy 54 Gy in 1.8 Gy fractions) followed by three induction WT1/DC vaccines (8-10×10⁶ cells/vaccine) given on a weekly basis and a chemoimmunotherapy booster phase consisting of six 28-day cycles of oral temozolomide (150-200 mg/m² on days 1-5) and a WT1/DC vaccine on day 21. In pretreated patients, the induction and booster phase are combined with best possible antiglioma treatment at hand. Primary objectives are to assess the feasibility of the production of mRNA-electroporated WT1/DC vaccines in this patient population and to assess the safety and feasibility of combining conventional antiglioma treatment with the proposed immunotherapy. Secondary objectives are to investigate in vivo immunogenicity of WT1/DC vaccination and to assess disease-specific and general quality of life.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The ethics committee of the Antwerp University Hospital and the University of Antwerp granted ethics approval. Results of the clinical trial will be shared through publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presentations at conferences.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04911621.

PMID:38503417 | DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2023-077613

BMJ Open. 2024 Mar 18;14(3):e080374. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080374.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Health system leadership plays a critical role in sustaining healthcare delivery during emergencies. Thus, we aimed to assess the contribution of health system leadership in sustaining healthcare delivery under emergency conditions based on adaptive leadership theoretical framework.

DESIGN: We employed a concurrent mixed-methods study approach to assess health system leadership roles during emergency. This involved a quantitative survey administered to 150 health facilities managers/service focal persons selected via multistage sampling method from 15 districts, and qualitative interviews with 48 key informants who purposively selected.

PARTICIPANTS: We interviewed health facility managers, services focal persons, district health officers and residential district commissioners. We also reviewed weekly emergency situation reports and other relevant documents related to the emergency response. We used structured questionnaire, observation checklist and semistructured questionnaire to collect data. We employed descriptive statistics to analyse quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data.

MAIN OUTCOME: Health system leadership contributions in sustaining healthcare delivery during emergencies.

RESULTS: Health system leadership was effective in leading emergency response and ensuring the continuity of health service during emergencies. Community engagement, partners coordination and intersectoral collaboration were effectively used in the emergency response and ensuring continuity of healthcare delivery. Deployment of experienced personnel and essential medical and non-medical supplies played a critical role in the continuity of health service. Availability of incidence management teams across health system significantly contributed to health system leadership. Participation of village health teams in community engagement and information communication helped in the success of health system leadership under emergency.

CONCLUSION: Adaptive health system leadership played a crucial role in managing health services delivery under emergency conditions. Effective partnership coordination and collaboration across sectors, frequent information communication, building local actor capacity and implementing scheduled supportive supervisions emerged as key strategies for sustaining health services during emergencies.

PMID:38503408 | DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080374

J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod. 2024 Mar 17:102770. doi: 10.1016/j.jogoh.2024.102770. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare Foley catheter insertion by digital blind method to its placement with a sterile speculum in women with unripe cervix for induction of labor.

METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) from inception to July 2023. Included studies compared digital to speculum placement of the Foley catheter for labor induction. Data from the included studies were extracted and pooled using RevMan software for meta-analysis. The primary outcome was pain score during the procedure measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included Foley catheter insertion duration, cesarean delivery rate, induction to delivery interval, Bishop score, need for other cervical ripening methods, maternal satisfaction, and maternal fever.

RESULTS: Four RCTs involving a total of 600 patients met the inclusion criteria. Pain during the procedure and Foley catheter insertion duration were significantly reduced in the digital insertion group compared to the speculum-guided group (p > 0.05). The Bishop score showed a significant improvement in the digital Foley catheter placement group. However, there were no statistically significant differences in the cesarean delivery rate or the requirement for additional cervical ripening methods between the two groups. Maternal satisfaction with the delivery process was significantly improved in the digital insertion group (p > 0.001). Induction to delivery interval and maternal fever were comparable between both groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Digital placement of Foley catheter can be considered as an alternative to the sterile speculum method for pre-induction cervical ripening. More trials are required to confirm our findings.

PMID:38503382 | DOI:10.1016/j.jogoh.2024.102770

Acta Trop. 2024 Mar 17:107181. doi: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107181. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The POC-CCA test is subject to variations in reading interpretations depending on the intensity of its results, and trace test reading have implications for determining prevalence. The aim of this study was to assess whether the readings obtained from the POC-CCA tests, conducted using a semi-quantitative scale (the G-score classification for test determination), exhibited concurrence with the direct visual interpretation (positive, negative, or trace) performed by two distinct analysts, using photographs from previously performed POC-CCA test carried out in the municipality of Maruim, in the state of Sergipe-Brazil, a region of high endemicity. The devices used to read the photographs were smartphones, so as to simulate field usage, and a desktop, a tool with higher image quality that would help the researchers in the evaluation and establishment of the final result at a later. In direct visual interpretation of the POC-CCA photographs, the most discordant results occurred in the identification of the trace response (T). The Kappa index established for the direct visual interpretation between the two analysts, in which T is considered as positive, in the desktop was κ=0.826 and in the smartphone, κ=0.950. When we use the G-score as a reading standardization technique and classify the results according to the manufacturer, with trace being evaluated as positive, the highest level of agreement was obtained. Some disagreement remains between the direct visual interpretation and the G-score when performed on the desktop, with more individuals being classified as negative in the direct visual interpretation, by both analysts. However, this result was not statistically significant. The use of the G-score scale proved to be an excellent tool for standardizing the readings and classifying the results according to the semi-quantitative scale showed greater concordance of results both among analysts and among the different devices used to view the photographs.

PMID:38503365 | DOI:10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107181

Curr Probl Cardiol. 2024 Mar 17:102532. doi: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2024.102532. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cardiac procedures often induce pain and anxiety in patients, adversely impacting recovery. Pharmachological approaches have limitations, prompting exploration of innovative digital solutions like virtual reality (VR). Although early evidence suggests a potential favourable benefit with VR, it remains unclear whether the implementation of this technology can improve pain and anxiety. We aimed to assess by a systematic review and meta-analysis the effectiveness of VR in alleviating anxiety and pain on patients undergoing cardiac procedures.

METHODS: Our study adhered to the PRISMA method and was registered in PROSPERO under the code CRD42024504563. The search was carried out in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library databases in January 2024. Four randomized controlled trials were included (a total of 382 patients). Risk of bias was employed to assess the quality of individual studies, and a random-effects model was utilized to examine the overall effect.

RESULTS: The results showed that VR, when compared to the standard of care, had a statistically significant impact on anxiety (SMD= -0.51, 95% CI: -0.86 to -0.16, p=0.004), with a heterogeneity I2 = 57%. VR did not show a significant difference in terms of pain when compared to standard care (SMD= -0.34, 95% CI: -0.75 to -0.07, p=0.10). The included trials exhibited small sample sizes, substantial heterogeneity, and variations in VR technology types, lengths, and frequencies.

CONCLUSIONS: VR effectively lowers anxiety levels in patients undergoing cardiac procedures, however, did not show a statistically significant difference on pain.

PMID:38503359 | DOI:10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2024.102532

J Affect Disord. 2024 Mar 17:S0165-0327(24)00506-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.03.083. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: We investigated the association between vasomotor symptoms (VMSs) and the onset of depressive symptoms among premenopausal women.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 4376 premenopausal women aged 42-52 years, and the cohort study included 2832 women without clinically relevant depressive symptoms at baseline. VMSs included the symptoms of hot flashes and night sweats. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale; a score of ≥16 was considered to define clinically relevant depressive symptoms.

RESULTS: Premenopausal Women with VMSs at baseline exhibited a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms compared with women without VMSs at baseline (multivariable-adjusted prevalence ratio 1.76, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.47-2.11). Among the 2832 women followed up (median, 6.1 years), 406 developed clinically relevant depressive symptoms. Women with versus without VMSs had a significantly higher risk of developing clinically relevant depressive symptoms (multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio, 1.72; 95 % CI 1.39-2.14). VMS severity exhibited a dose-response relationship with depressive symptoms (P for trend <0.05).

LIMITATIONS: Self-reported questionnaires were only used to obtain VMSs and depressive symptoms, which could have led to misclassification. We also could not directly measure sex hormone levels.

CONCLUSIONS: Even in the premenopausal stage, women who experience hot flashes or night sweats have an increased risk of present and developed clinically relevant depressive symptoms. It is important to conduct mental health screenings and provide appropriate support to middle-aged women who experience early-onset VMSs.

PMID:38503358 | DOI:10.1016/j.jad.2024.03.083

Proc Biol Sci. 2024 Mar 27;291(2019):20232885. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2885. Epub 2024 Mar 20.

ABSTRACT

The ecosystem services provided by dung beetles are well known and valued. Dung beetles bury dung for feeding and breeding, and it is generally thought that the process of burying dung increases nutrient uptake by plant roots, which promotes plant growth. Many studies have tested the effects of dung beetles on plant growth, but there has been no quantitative synthesis of these studies. Here we use a multi-level meta-analysis to estimate the average effect of dung beetles on plant growth and investigate factors that moderate this effect. We identified 28 publications that investigated dung beetle effects on plant growth. Of these, 24 contained the minimum quantitative data necessary to include in a meta-analysis. Overall, we found that dung beetles increased plant growth by 17%; the 95% CI for possible values for the true increase in plant growth that were most compatible with our data, given our statistical model, ranged from 1% to 35%. We found evidence that the dung beetle-plant growth relationship is influenced by the plant measurement type and the number of beetles accessing the dung. However, beetles did not increase plant growth in all quantitative trials, as individual effect sizes ranged from -72% to 806%, suggesting important context-dependence in the provision of ecosystem services.

PMID:38503337 | DOI:10.1098/rspb.2023.2885

Bol Med Hosp Infant Mex. 2024;81(1):10-15. doi: 10.24875/BMHIM.23000160.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Exclusive breastfeeding (BF) has the greatest potential impact on child mortality of any preventive intervention. Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) during the first hour of life is beneficial for initiating BF; however, routine separation of mother and infant is still common. This work aimed to demonstrate that SSC during the first hour of life is associated with a greater frequency and duration of exclusive BF.

METHODS: This is an observational case-control study. We reviewed the medical records of patients born between 2016 and 2022 classified as cases or controls based on the history of SSC in the first hour of life. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 28.

RESULTS: We included 362 medical records, of which 200 (55.2%) had SSC and were considered cases; the 162 (44.8%) who did not have SSC were considered controls. Those who received SSC were more likely to receive exclusive BF at 3 (163 [81.5%] vs. 94 [58%], p < 0.001) and 6 months of age (147 [73.5%] vs. 83 [51.2%], p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Patients who received SSC in the first hour of life were more likely to receive exclusive BF at 3 and 6 months of age. Promoting and respecting this practice is essential to increase the possibility of a newborn to be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life.

PMID:38503328 | DOI:10.24875/BMHIM.23000160

Bol Med Hosp Infant Mex. 2024;81(1):31-35. doi: 10.24875/BMHIM.M2300003.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: With the identification of COVID-19 disease in China, a pandemic began that affected health-care systems. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Hospital de Ginecobstetricia del Centro Médico Nacional de Occidente experienced an increase in patient flow as part of the COVID-19 strategy of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS). This study aimed to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on neonatal care and mortality indicators in our unit.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study to compare the number of hospital births, pre-term newborns (PTNB), NICU admissions, and deaths. Changes in frequencies between 2019 and 2021 were analyzed using Poisson distribution. Changes in PTNB births, proportion of admissions, and deaths/NICU discharges were analyzed by z-test for two proportions.

RESULTS: Between 2019 and 2021, the number of births increased by more than 2-fold. NICU admissions increased from 770 in 2019 to 1045 in 2021 (p < 0.01). The ratio of deaths/discharge from the service was 16.9% in 2019 and 13.1% in 2021 (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS: Mortality indicators in the NICU decreased from 2019 to 2021, even with the increase in the number of patients admitted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PMID:38503327 | DOI:10.24875/BMHIM.M2300003