Risk factors for self‐reported postpartum hemorrhage in Ga East, Ghana

ObjectiveTo document the prevalence of self-reported postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in Ga East, Accra, Ghana, and examine the demographic, biological, and social risk factors for PPH.MethodsThe present study was a cross-sectional secondary analysis of data collected during 2010–2012 from the Ghana Essential Health Interventions Program, a quasi-experimental interventional study surveying households in the urban Ga East Municipal District. The analysis included data from randomly selected parous women of childbearing age (15–49 years), excluding those with a history of abortion (spontaneous or induced) or stillbirth. The χ2 test and logistic regression were used to identify significant risk factors for self-reported PPH.ResultsThe current analysis included 2136 women. Self-reported PPH was recorded for 95 (4.4%) participants. The maternal age at delivery, the duration of labor, and the number of skilled delivery providers were significantly associated with self-reported PPH. Prolonged labor (odds ratio 3.70, 95% confidence interval 2.27–5.94; P<0.001) and maternal age (odds ratio 0.96, 95% confidence interval 0.94–0.99; P=0.020) were predictors of self-reported PPH.ConclusionProlonged labor and younger maternal age were related to a higher burden of reported PPH. These findings were congruent with global and regional data on the prevalence and risk factors for objectively measured PPH and could help focus intervention strategies to high-risk groups, particularly in resource-limited settings

An exploratory study of predictors of cognition in two low-income samples of infants across the first year of life.

ObjectiveIn this exploratory longitudinal study we assessed cognitive development in a community sample of infants born into predominantly low-income families from two different urban sites, to identify family and community factors that may associate with outcomes by 1 year of age.MethodInfant-mother dyads (n = 109) were recruited in Boston and Los Angeles community pediatric practices. Infant cognition was measured using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning when the infant was aged 2, 6, 9, and 12 months. Longitudinal linear mixed effects modeling and linear regression models explored potential predictors of cognitive outcomes.ResultsCognitive scores were lower than the reference population mean at both 6 and 12 months. There were site differences in demographics and cognitive performance. Maternal education predicted expressive language in Boston, and speaking Spanish and lower rates of community poverty were associated with greater increases in overall cognition in Los Angeles.ConclusionThis exploratory study identified a number of drivers of child development that are both shared across cohorts and unique to specific community samples. Factors influencing heterogeneity within and across populations both may be important contributors to prevention and intervention in supporting healthy development among children

Prevalência de tuberculose latente e fatores associados em pacientes com doença renal crônica em hemodiálise

Objetivo: identificar a prevalência de tuberculose latente em pacientes com doença renal crônica em hemodiálise e fatores associados. Método: estudo transversal realizado com 176 pacientes com doença renal crônica em hemodiálise. O teste tuberculínico foi realizado com o antígeno padronizado, distribuído pelo Ministério da Saúde do Brasil, e a leitura ocorreu após 72 a 96 horas da aplicação. Foram realizados teste de associação (Qui-quadrado, exato de Fisher), razão de prevalência e regressão multivariada. Resultados: a prevalência de tuberculose latente (teste tuberculínico positivo) foi de 8,5% (15/176). Os fatores “tem/teve diabetes” (ORa:0,117; IC95% 0,015-0,92) e “ter coleta de lixo regular” (ORa:0,076; IC95% 0,008-0,702) foram associados a menores probabilidades de ter teste tuberculínico positivo. Conclusão: a baixa prevalência de tuberculose latente identificada e os fatores associados à mesma reforçam a necessidade de uma triagem da infecção latente por tuberculose para diabéticos combinada com a análise de fatores de risco e comorbidades prévias.Objetivo: identificar la prevalencia de tuberculosis latente en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica en hemodiálisis y factores asociados. Método: estudio transversal realizado con 176 pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica en hemodiálisis. La prueba cutánea de la tuberculina se realizó con el antígeno estandarizado, distribuido por el Ministerio de Salud de Brasil, y la lectura se realizó después de 72 a 96 horas de la aplicación. Se realizaron pruebas de asociación (Chi-cuadrado, exacta de Fisher), razón de prevalencia y regresión multivariante. Resultados: la prevalencia de tuberculosis latente (prueba de tuberculina positiva) fue de 8,5% (15/176). Los factores “tiene/ha tenido diabetes” (ORa: 0,117; IC del 95%: 0,015-0,92) y “tener recolección regular de residuos” (ORa: 0,076; IC del 95%: 0,008-0,702) se asociaron con menores probabilidades de tener una prueba de tuberculina positiva. Conclusión: la baja prevalencia de tuberculosis latente registrada y sus factores asociados refuerzan la necesidad del cribado de la infección tuberculosa latente en diabéticos combinado con el análisis de factores de riesgo y comorbilidades previas.Objective: to identify the prevalence of latent tuberculosis in patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis and associated factors. Method: a cross-sectional study conducted with 176 patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis. The tuberculin test was performed with the standardized antigen, distributed by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, and the reading occurred after 72 to 96 hours of the application. An association test (Chi-square, Fisher’s exact), prevalence ratio, and multivariate regression tests were performed. Results: the prevalence of latent tuberculosis diagnosed through Tuberculosis Skin Test was 8.5% (15/176). The “has/has had diabetes” (aOR: 0.117; 95%CI: 0.015-0.92) and “having regular garbage collection (aOR: 0.076; 95%CI: 0.008-0.702) factors were associated with a lower probability of having a Positive skin test. Conclusion: the low prevalence of latent tuberculosis identified and the factors associated with it reinforce the need for screening for latent tuberculosis infection for diabetics combined with an analysis of previous risk factors and comorbidities

Significance of Aspergillus spp. isolation in defining cases of COVID-19 Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis – CAPA

COVID-19-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CAPA) is a relatively common complication in patients with severe forms of the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Diagnosing and confirming CAPA is challenging. In this study, Aspergillus spp. isolation in respiratory specimens from patients with COVID-19 was evaluated for identifying cases of CAPA. In 2020‒2021, 17 Aspergillus spp. were isolated from 15 COVID-19 patients admitted to a university hospital in Brazil. Patient records were retrospectively reviewed to obtain clinical-epidemiological data and other markers of Aspergillus spp. infection and then compared with the ECMM/ISHAM criteria for defining CAPA. Probable CAPA was defined in 5/10 patients, who had Aspergillus spp. isolated from Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) or a positive galactomannan blood test. Additionally, anti-Aspergillus antibodies were detected in two of these patients, during active or follow-up phases of CAPA. In another seven patients with Aspergillus spp. isolated from tracheobronchial aspirate or sputum, CAPA was presumed, mainly due to deterioration of clinical conditions and new lung imaging suggestive of fungal infection. Antifungal agents to control CAPA, particularly voriconazole, were used in 9/15 cases. In cases of probable CAPA and remaining patients, clinical conditions and comorbidities were similar, with lethality being high, at 60% and 71%, respectively. The number of CAPA cases defined by scientific criteria was lower than that assumed in the clinical context. This was largely due to the lack of BAL collection for fungal culture and the non-intensive use of other markers of invasive aspergillosis. The isolation of Aspergillus spp. in different respiratory specimens should alert clinicians to the diagnosis of CAPA

Designing a comprehensive behaviour change intervention to promote and monitor exclusive use of liquefied petroleum gas stoves for the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (HAPIN) trial

Introduction Increasing use of cleaner fuels, such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and abandonment of solid fuels is key to reducing household air pollution and realising potential health improvements in low-income countries. However, achieving exclusive LPG use in households unaccustomed to this type of fuel, used in combination with a new stove technology, requires substantial behaviour change. We conducted theory-grounded formative research to identify contextual factors influencing cooking fuel choice to guide the development of behavioural strategies for the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (HAPIN) trial. The HAPIN trial will assess the impact of exclusive LPG use on air pollution exposure and health of pregnant women, older adult women, and infants under 1 year of age in Guatemala, India, Peru, and Rwanda.Methods Using the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation–Behaviour (COM–B) framework and Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) to guide formative research, we conducted in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, observations, key informant interviews and pilot studies to identify key influencers of cooking behaviours in the four countries. We used these findings to develop behavioural strategies likely to achieve exclusive LPG use in the HAPIN trial.Results We identified nine potential influencers of exclusive LPG use, including perceived disadvantages of solid fuels, family preferences, cookware, traditional foods, non-food-related cooking, heating needs, LPG awareness, safety and cost and availability of fuel. Mapping formative findings onto the theoretical frameworks, behavioural strategies for achieving exclusive LPG use in each research site included free fuel deliveries, locally acceptable stoves and equipment, hands-on training and printed materials and videos emphasising relevant messages. In the HAPIN trial, we will monitor and reinforce exclusive LPG use through temperature data loggers, LPG fuel delivery tracking, in-home observations and behavioural reinforcement visits.Conclusion Our formative research and behavioural strategies can inform the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of theory-informed strategies to promote exclusive LPG use in future stove programmes and research studies.Trial registration number NCT02944682, Pre-results