Journal articles on the topic 'Potential Role of CHWs in the STI Field'

The effects of biochar and biochar combined with N-fertilizer on the content of soil organic matter in water-stable aggregates were investigated. A field experiment was conducted with different biochar application rates: B0 control (0 t ha-1), B10 (10 t ha-1) and B20 (20 t ha-1) and 0 (no N), 1st and 2nd levels of nitrogen fertilization on silt loam Haplic Luvisol (Dolna Malanta, Slovakia), in 2014. The N doses of level 1 were calculated on required average crop production using balance method. Level 2 included additional 100% of N in year 2014 and additional 50% of N in year 2016. The effects were investigated during the growing seasons of spring barley and spring wheat in 2014 and 2016, respectively. Results indicate that the B20N2 treatment significantly increased the proportion of water-stable macro-aggregates (WSAma) and reduced water-stable micro-aggregates (WSAmi). Aggregate stability increased only in the B20N1 treatment. The B20N2 treatment showed a robust decrease by 27% in the WSAma of 0.5-0.25 mm. On the other hand, an increase by 56% was observed in the content of WSAma with fractions 3-2 mm compared to the B0N0 treatment. The effect of N fertilizer on WSAma was confirmed only in the case of the B10N2 treatment. The proportion of WSAma with fractions 3-2 mm decreased by 42%, while the size fraction of 0.5-0.25 mm increased by 30% compared to the B10N0 treatment. The content of WSAma with fractions 1-0.5 mm decreased with time. On the contrary, the content of WSAma with particle sizes above 5 mm increased with time in all treatments except the B10N2 and B20N2 treatments. A statistically significant trend was identified in the proportion of WSA in the B10N2 and B20N2 treatments, which indicates that biochar with higher application levels of N fertilizer stabilizes the proportion of water-stable aggregates. In all treatments, the content of soil organic carbon (SOC) and labile carbon (CL) in WSAmi was lower than those in WSAma. A considerable decrease of SOC in the WSAma >5 mm and an increase of SOC in WSAmi were observed when biochar was applied at the rate of 10 t ha-1. Contents of SOC in WSAmi increased as a result of adding biochar combined with N fertilizer at first level. CL in WSA significantly increased in all size fractions of WSA.References Abiven S., Hund A., Martinsen V., Cornelissen G., 2015. Biochar amendment increases maize root surface areas and branching: a shovelomics study in Zambia. Plant Soil, 342, 1-11. Agegnehu G., Bass A.M., Nelson P.N., and Bird M.I., 2016. Benefits of biochar, compost and biochar–compost for soil quality, maize yield and greenhouse gas emissions in a tropical agricultural soil. Sci. Tot. Environ., 543, 295-306. Angers D.A., Samson N., Legere A., 1993. 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&nbsp; <em>Public health interventions, notably those pertaining to the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, heavily rely on policies. Like other public health instruments, policies are frequently assessed to ascertain their efficacy. As a result, we reviewed the policy evidence for preventing sexually transmitted diseases in a non-systematic manner. Assessments or evaluations of policies pertaining to STD prevention, policies of the health care system, and other, more general policies that may influence STD prevention through socioeconomic determinants of health are all taken into account in our review. In these areas, we also outline possible policy opportunities. It should be mentioned that we discovered gaps in the policy evidence for a few areas; hence, more study would be helpful for STD prevention public health policy initiatives.</em>

Oral health remains a critical yet often overlooked aspect of overall health in Africa, where a significant burden of oral diseases is evident. The integration of community health workers (CHWs) into oral health promotion strategies presents a unique opportunity to address both human resource and educational challenges, particularly in underserved communities. This study explores the pivotal role CHWs can play in enhancing oral health outcomes across various African contexts. By providing basic dental care, education and facilitating access to professional services, CHWs contribute to the prevention and early detection of oral diseases. The research draws on case studies, programme evaluations and field reports to highlight the effectiveness of CHW-led initiatives. The findings underscored the need for increased investment in CHW training and support as a sustainable approach to improving oral health in Africa. It highlights the role of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in promoting oral health in the mandate of CHWs, identifies the challenges it may face in playing this role and proffers solutions including promoting the development of oral health policies and plans by the Africa Union Member States as a critical first and feasible step. The study concludes by identifying the need for a comprehensive assessment of the status of integration of oral health into CHW programmes in Africa to help the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention identify gaps for strategic actions. This article offers the first comprehensive exploration of the potential for formally integrating CHWs into oral health promotion strategies across Africa. By mapping existing interventions, evaluating their effectiveness, and identifying policy and structural challenges, the study provides critical insights into how CHWs can bridge gaps in access to oral healthcare, particularly in underserved populations. It highlights the strategic role of the Africa CDC in advancing oral health through CHW-led initiatives and calls for standardised training, policy support, and system integration. The article aligns with the Journal of Public Health in Africa’s scope by addressing health systems strengthening and universal health coverage in the African context through an underutilised yet scalable workforce.

ContextHomeless individuals face exacerbated risks of infectious diseases, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Programs led by Community Health Workers (CHWs) have demonstrated potential to enhance healthcare access for marginalized groups such as homeless families. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a novel CHW-based outreach program addressing sexual health issues among individuals residing in homeless hostels.MethodsTwelve social homeless hostels in the greater Paris region were selected as program implementation sites. An outreach program was developed consisting of two interventions: sexual health workshops and STI screening sessions (HIV and hepatitis B and C) accompanied by individual interviews, both conducted by CHWs within each hostel over an 8-week period and scheduled weekly. Feasibility, participation and engagement were evaluated using complementary methods including qualitative field observations, semi-structured interviews and focus groups with CHWs, satisfaction questionnaires for participants, and quantitative outcome data collection of each intervention.ResultsA total of 80 program activities (workshops and screening sessions) were conducted. Among the participants, 542 women and 30 men engaged in workshops. During the 30 Rapid Diagnostic Testing sessions, 150 individuals underwent testing for HIV, hepatitis B, and/or hepatitis C. Positivity rates were 6.7% for hepatitis B and 0.9% for hepatitis C. No HIV infections were detected. Participant satisfaction rates were consistently high (&amp;gt;76%) across workshops. Qualitative analysis unveiled two critical axes influencing program feasibility and effectiveness: program organization and CHW involvement.DiscussionThis assessment of the program highlights its feasibility among a population that is difficult to reach through conventional healthcare efforts. The intervention’s potential effectiveness is suggested by self- and CHW-reported improvements in sexual health literacy and high rates of referral to the healthcare system, as well as holistic well-being considerations. CHW involvement is a vital determinant of program success, as are robust coordination among stakeholders, deep understanding of the target population, and strong partner engagement.ConclusionThis outreach program amplifies the voices of often-overlooked populations while empowering them to navigate health and social challenges. Although these workshops serve as lifelines for those frequently excluded from mainstream services, long-term improvements to the health and wellbeing of homeless populations will necessitate systemic governmental intervention.

IntroductionSubstantial evidence supports community health worker (CHW) interventions lead to improved health outcomes, but health professionals’ perceptions of CHW roles and effectiveness may slow integration into care delivery systems. Research on CHWs as members of specialty care teams in clinical settings, especially in the epilepsy field, is limited.MethodsWe conducted semi-structured interviews between April and October 2022 to explore perceptions of multidisciplinary clinicians (n = 12; physicians, nurses, social workers) based at five New England epilepsy centers about the potential for successful CHW integration on specialist epilepsy center care teams. Transcripts were analyzed using a mixed inductive and deductive thematic approach.ResultsThemes that emerged included: (1) limited epilepsy clinician awareness of the CHW role and minimal experience working with a CHW; (2) limited clinician knowledge of how to recruit CHWs; (3) preference for CHW roles and responsibilities in epilepsy centers being focused on social determinants of health (4) clinician uncertainty around scope of CHW training and supervision; (5) unknown funding mechanisms for CHW integration in epilepsy centers; (6) knowledge of care gaps in addressing social determinants of health needs by epilepsy centers; (7) openness by epilepsy center care team members to CHW integration; and (8) environment and collaborative culture at epilepsy centers.DiscussionDespite limited knowledge and experience regarding CHW roles and mechanisms for recruiting and sustaining CHW positions, the multidisciplinary clinicians interviewed valued the potential benefits of CHWs in an epilepsy center and endorsed a need to better address patients’ unmet social determinants of health needs.

Abstract Background Perennial malaria chemoprevention (PMC) aims to protect children at risk from severe malaria by the administration of anti-malarial drugs to children of defined ages throughout the year. Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) has been widely used for chemoprevention in Africa and a child-friendly dispersible tablet formulation has recently become available. Methods This qualitative non-interventional observational study was conducted in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, and Mozambique between February and June 2022. Prototype blister packs, dispensing boxes and job aids designed to support dispersible SP deployment for PMC were evaluated using focus group discussions (FGD) and semi-structured in-depth individual interviews (IDI) with health authorities, health personnel, community health workers (CHWs) and caregivers. The aim was to evaluate knowledge and perceptions of malaria and chemoprevention, test understanding of the tools and identify gaps in understanding, satisfaction, user-friendliness and acceptability, and assess the potential role of CHWs in PMC implementation. Interviews were transcribed and imported to ATLAS.ti for encoding and categorization. Thematic content analysis used deductive and inductive coding with cross-referencing of findings between countries and participants to enrich data interpretation. Continuous comparison across the IDI and FGD permitted iterative, collaborative development of materials. Results Overall, 106 participants completed IDIs and 70 contributed to FGDs. Malaria was widely recognised as the most common disease affecting children, and PMC was viewed as a positive intervention to support child health. The role of CHWs was perceived differently by the target groups, with caregivers appreciating their trusted status in the community, whereas health authorities preferred clinic-based deployment of PMC by health professionals. Empirical testing of the prototype blister packs, dispensing boxes and job aids highlighted the context-specific expectations of respondents, such as familiar situations and equipment, and identified areas of confusion or low acceptance. A key finding was the need for a clear product identity reflecting malaria. Conclusion Simple modifications profoundly affected the perception of PMC and influenced acceptability. Iterative quantitative investigation resulted in PMC-specific materials suited to the local context and socio-cultural norms of the target population with the aim of increasing access to chemoprevention in children most at risk of severe malaria.

AI (Artificial intelligence) is an interdisciplinary field aimed at the development of algorithms to endow machines with the capability of executing cognitive tasks. The number of publications regarding AI and surgery has increased dramatically over the last two decades. This phenomenon can partly be explained by the exponential growth in computing power available to the largest AI training runs. AI can be classified into different sub-domains with extensive potential clinical applications in the surgical setting. AI will increasingly become a major component of clinical practice in surgery. The aim of the present Narrative Review is to give a general introduction and summarized overview of AI, as well as to present additional remarks on potential surgical applications and future perspectives in surgery.

ObjectivesFemale Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) causes gynecologic symptoms among women and girls living in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite continued efforts to raise awareness in communities about schistosomiasis, FGS remains poorly recognized. This study aimed to understand men’s knowledge and perceptions of FGS in northwestern Tanzania, and how this affects or can promote women’s uptake of FGS services.Design and methodsWe conducted a qualitative, formative survey called “Broad Brush Survey” (BBS) using 30 focus group discussions (FGDs) and 29 key informant interviews in five (5) districts across three regions in northwestern Tanzania. Participants were purposively selected in collaboration with village leaders and provided a written consent and/or assent to participate and be voice recorded. They included adolescent girls and boys (15-20 years), adult women and men (21-45 years), older women and men (≥46 years), village leaders (village chairpersons and executive officers), community health workers (CHWs), traditional healers, retail drug sellers, religious leaders, and opinion leaders (influential women and men). This analysis focuses and draws on 18 FGDs and 19 KIIs in which participants discussed or explained the importance and potential role of men in promoting FGS care.ResultsMost participants were not aware of FGS. Despite having adequate knowledge about urogenital schistosomiasis, they perceived FGS to be a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Three main themes emerged during analysis. First, most men reported perceiving women suffering from FGS as “promiscuous” or “unfaithful” due to misperceiving FGS as an STI. Such misperception could result in men ending a relationship. Second, participants reported that their engagement in FGS interventions would be critical to the interventions’ effectiveness because men often regulate women’s access to healthcare. Third, participants argued that men could be empowered through education to promote women’s uptake of FGS services. Finally, they argued that if men are educated about FGS like women, they can both work together in seeking care for FGSConclusionEngaging men to address FGS holds potential to transform their negative perceptions of FGS. Further, participants described men’s potential to support and even advocate for women’s healthcare seeking when women experience symptoms that could be consistent with FGS. Including men more explicitly in FGS community education efforts could facilitate the provision of high-quality sexual and reproductive health care for women living in many communities where FGS is endemic but access to care is limited. We propose that public health interventions in such communities, which are often highly patriarchal, should leverage men’s positions within society by engaging them in promoting women’s health interventions. While we only interviewed participants from five (5) districts across three (3) regions, we are confident that their perceptions are reflective of many similar communities in Tanzania and beyond.

Abstract Purpose of review This review comprehensively examines host-vaginal microbiota interactions, the composition of the vaginal microbiota, and its dynamic changes throughout a woman's lifespan. Furthermore, the intricate interplay between the host and beneficial bacterial communities, such as Lactobacillus species, and opportunistic pathogens, such as Gardnerella spp., associated with BV development, has been explored. Additionally, the current and advanced therapeutic strategies for managing complications related to vaginal microbiota along with the challenges faced in this field have been discussed. Recent findings Recent findings have shown that the microbial communities inhabiting the female vagina, known as the vaginal microbiota, play a critical role in maintaining women's health and supporting reproductive activities. Imbalanced vaginal microbiota can predispose individuals to a range of diseases, including bacterial vaginosis (BV), sexually transmitted infections (STI), miscarriage, and preterm birth. While the exact mechanisms by which a Lactobacillus-dominated vaginal microenvironment improves vaginal health remain elusive, gaining insight into the interactions between the host and vaginal microbiota, as well as with opportunistic pathogens, can help address unanswered questions. Summary A deeper understanding of the reciprocal interactions between the host and vaginal microbiota has the potential to pave the way for the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic interventions and the improvement of women's health.

AbstractRationaleThis study presents the first comprehensive analysis and mapping of scientific research on point‐of‐care testing (POCT) in infectious diseases, filling a gap in understanding the evolving landscape of this field. The identification of research themes and global contributions offers valuable insights.Aims and ObjectivesThis manuscript aims to analyse and map scientific research on POCT in the context of infectious diseases.MethodsThe study employed a comprehensive search strategy using terms related to POCT and infectious diseases. The search was conducted on the Scopus database, refining results based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The dataset of 1719 research articles was then subjected to descriptive analysis and mapping using VOSviewer.ResultsThe research findings indicate an exponential growth in POCT‐related publications, with 46.8% published post the COVID‐19 pandemic. Plos One journal led in publication frequency, and Biosensors and Bioelectronics received the highest citations per article. North America and Western Europe dominated contributions, with notable participation from China, South Africa, and India. The research landscape revealed the following research themes: detection technologies, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis, antibiotic optimisation, and schistosomiasis. Clinical trials focused on antibiotic prescribing, HIV, STIs, and specific infections. The findings suggest a shifting landscape towards POCT, emphasising the need for future planning and investment in healthcare systems. The research identifies areas for future exploration, such as the impact of POCT on antibiotic prescribing and its role in combating infectious diseases in low‐ and middle‐income countries.ConclusionImplementation of POCT has the potential to revolutionise infectious disease management, improve patient outcomes, and reduce the global burden of diseases. Better public awareness, healthcare team management, and planning for POCT at entry points are crucial for societal benefit. Results demonstrated the evolving role of POCT in infectious disease management and prevention.