Drivers of Decline in Diarrhea Mortality Between GEMS and VIDA Studies.

BACKGROUND: Statistical modeling suggests that decreasing diarrhea-associated mortality rates in recent decades are largely attributed to improved case management, rotavirus vaccine, and economic development. METHODS: We examined data collected in 2 multisite population-based diarrhea case-control studies, both conducted in The Gambia, Kenya, and Mali: the Global Enteric Multicenter Study (GEMS; 2008-2011) and Vaccine Impact on Diarrhea in Africa (VIDA; 2015-2018). Population-level diarrhea mortality and risk factor prevalence, estimated using these study data, were used to calculate the attribution of risk factors and interventions for diarrhea mortality using a counterfactual framework. We performed a decomposition of the effects of the changes in exposure to each risk factor between GEMS and VIDA on diarrhea mortality for each site. RESULTS: Diarrhea mortality among children under 5 in our African sites decreased by 65.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: -80.0%, -45.0%) from GEMS to VIDA. Kenya and Mali had large relative declines in diarrhea mortality between the 2 periods with 85.9% (95% CI: -95.1%, -71.5%) and 78.0% (95% CI: -96.0%, 36.3%) reductions, respectively. Among the risk factors considered, the largest declines in diarrhea mortality between the 2 study periods were attributed to reduction in childhood wasting (27.2%; 95% CI: -39.3%, -16.8%) and an increased rotavirus vaccine coverage (23.1%; 95% CI: -28.4%, -19.4%), zinc for diarrhea treatment (12.1%; 95% CI: -16.0%, -8.9%), and oral rehydration salts (ORS) for diarrhea treatment (10.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The VIDA study sites demonstrated exceptional reduction in diarrhea mortality over the last decade. Site-specific differences highlight an opportunity for implementation science in collaboration with policymakers to improve the equitable coverage of these interventions globally.

Management of Diarrhea in Young Children in Sub-Saharan Africa: Adherence to World Health Organization Recommendations During the Global Enteric Multisite Study (2007-2011) and the Vaccine Impact of Diarrhea in Africa (VIDA) Study (2015-2018).

BACKGROUND: Reducing diarrhea-related morbidity and mortality is a global priority, particularly in low-resource settings. We assessed adherence to diarrhea case management indicators in the Global Enteric Multisite Study (GEMS) and Vaccine Impact of Diarrhea in Africa (VIDA) study. METHODS: GEMS (2007-2010) and VIDA (2015-2018) were age-stratified case-control studies of moderate-to-severe diarrhea (MSD) in children aged <5 years. In this case-only analysis, we included children enrolled in The Gambia, Kenya, and Mali. A case with no dehydration received adherent care at home if they were offered more than usual fluids and at least the same as usual to eat. Children with diarrhea and some dehydration are to receive oral rehydration salts (ORS) in the facility. The recommendation for severe dehydration is to receive ORS and intravenous fluids in the facility. Adherent care in the facility included a zinc prescription independent of dehydration severity. RESULTS: For home-based management of children with MSD and no signs of dehydration, 16.6% in GEMS and 15.6% in VIDA were adherent to guidelines. Adherence to guidelines in the facility was likewise low during GEMS (some dehydration, 18.5%; severe dehydration, 5.5%). The adherence to facility-based rehydration and zinc guidelines improved during VIDA to 37.9% of those with some dehydration and 8.0% of children with severe dehydration. CONCLUSIONS: At research sites in The Gambia, Kenya, and Mali, suboptimal adherence to diarrhea case management guidelines for children aged <5 years was observed. Opportunities exist for improvement in case management for children with diarrhea in low-resource settings.

Antibiotic-Prescribing Practices for Management of Childhood Diarrhea in 3 Sub-Saharan African Countries: Findings From the Vaccine Impact on Diarrhea in Africa (VIDA) Study, 2015-2018.

BACKGROUND: Despite antibiotic prescription being recommended for dysentery and suspected cholera only, diarrhea still triggers unwarranted antibiotic prescription. We evaluated antibiotic-prescribing practices and their predictors among children aged 2-59 months in the Vaccine Impact on Diarrhea in Africa (VIDA) Study performed in The Gambia, Mali, and Kenya. METHODS: VIDA was a prospective case-control study (May 2015-July 2018) among children presenting for care with moderate-to-severe diarrhea (MSD). We defined inappropriate antibiotic use as prescription or use of antibiotics when not indicated by World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. We used logistic regression to assess factors associated with antibiotic prescription for MSD cases who had no indication for an antibiotic, at each site. RESULTS: VIDA enrolled 4840 cases. Among 1757 (36.3%) who had no apparent indication for antibiotic treatment, 1358 (77.3%) were prescribed antibiotics. In The Gambia, children who presented with a cough (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.05; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.21-3.48) were more likely to be prescribed an antibiotic. In Mali, those who presented with dry mouth (aOR: 3.16; 95% CI: 1.02-9.73) were more likely to be prescribed antibiotics. In Kenya, those who presented with a cough (aOR: 2.18; 95% CI: 1.01-4.70), decreased skin turgor (aOR: 2.06; 95% CI: 1.02-4.16), and were very thirsty (aOR: 4.15; 95% CI: 1.78-9.68) were more likely to be prescribed antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotic prescription was associated with signs and symptoms inconsistent with WHO guidelines, suggesting the need for antibiotic stewardship and clinician awareness of diarrhea case-management recommendations in these settings.

Minimizing error in estimates of the effect of interventions by accounting for baseline measurements: A simulation study analyzing effects on child growth.

Interventions to reduce childhood stunting burden require clinical trials with a primary outcome of linear growth. When growth is measured longitudinally, there are several options for including baseline measurements in the analysis. This study compares the performance of several methods. Randomized controlled trials evaluating a hypothetical intervention to improve length-for-age z-score (LAZ) from birth through 24 months of age were simulated. The intervention effect was evaluated using linear regression and five methods for handling baseline measurements: comparing final measurements only (FINAL), comparing final measurement adjusted for baseline (ADJUST), comparing the change in the measurement over time (DELTA), adjusting for baseline when comparing the changes over time (DELTA+ADJUST) and adjusting for baseline in two-step residuals approach (RESIDUALS). We calculated bias, precision and power of each method for scenarios with and without a baseline imbalance in LAZ. Using a 0.15 effect size at 18 months, FINAL and DELTA required 1200 and 1500 enroled participants, respectively, to reach 80% power, whereas ADJUST, DELTA+ADJUST and RESIDUALS only required 900 participants. The adjusted models also produced unbiased estimates when there was a baseline imbalance, whereas the FINAL and DELTA methods produced biased estimates, as large as 0.07 lower and higher, respectively, than the true effect. Adjusted methods required smaller sample size and produced more precise results than both DELTA and FINAL methods in all test scenarios. If randomization fails, and there is an imbalance in LAZ at baseline, DELTA and FINAL methods can produce biased estimates, but adjusted models remain unbiased. These results warn against using the FINAL or DELTA methods.

Birth size and early pneumonia predict linear growth among HIV-exposed uninfected infants.

Stunting remains a global health priority, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Identifying determinants of linear growth in HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants can inform interventions to prevent stunting in this vulnerable population. HIV-infected mothers and their uninfected infants were followed monthly from pregnancy to 12-month post-partum in Nairobi, Kenya. Mixed-effects models estimated the change in length-for-age z-score (LAZ) from birth to 12 months by environmental, maternal, and infant characteristics. Multivariable models included factors univariately associated with LAZ. Among 372 HEU infants, mean LAZ decreased from -0.54 (95% confidence interval [CI] [-0.67, -0.41]) to -1.09 (95% CI [-1.23, -0.96]) between 0 and 12 months. Declines in LAZ were associated with crowding (≥2 persons per room; adjusted difference [AD] in 0-12 month change: -0.46; 95% CI [-0.87, -0.05]), use of a pit latrine versus a flush toilet (AD: -0.29; 95% CI [-0.57, -0.02]), and early infant pneumonia (AD: -1.14; 95% CI [-1.99, -0.29]). Infants with low birthweight (<2,500 g; AD: 1.08; 95% CI [0.40, 1.76]) and birth stunting (AD: 1.11; 95% CI [0.45, 1.78]) experienced improved linear growth. By 12 months of age, 46 infants were stunted, of whom 11 (24%) were stunted at birth. Of the 34 infants stunted at birth with an available 12-month LAZ, 68% were not stunted at 12 months. Some low birthweight and birth-stunted HEU infants had significant linear growth recovery. Early infant pneumonia and household environment predicted poor linear growth and may identify a subgroup of HEU infants for whom to provide growth-promoting interventions.

Prevalence of intestinal helminths, anemia, and malnutrition in Paucartambo, Peru.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections, anemia, and malnutrition among children in the Paucartambo province of Cusco region, Peru, in light of demographic, socio-economic, and epidemiologic contextual factors. METHODS: Children from three to twelve years old from six communities in Huancarani district in the highlands of Peru were evaluated for helminth infections, anemia, and nutritional status. Data collected included demographic variables, socioeconomic status, exposures, complete blood counts, and direct and sedimentation stool tests. RESULTS: Of 240 children analyzed, 113 (47%) were infected with one or more parasites. Giardia (27.5%) and Fasciola (9.6%) were the most commonly identified organisms. Eosinophilia was encountered in 21% of the children. Anemia (48.8%) was associated with age (3-4 vs 5-12 years old; odds ratio (OR): 5.86; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.81-12.21). Underweight (10%) was associated with male sex (OR: 5.97; CI: 1.12-31.72), higher eosinophil count (OR: 4.67; CI: 1.31-16.68) and education of the mother (OR: 0.6; CI: 0.4-0.9). Stunting (31.3%) was associated with education of the mother (OR: 0.83; CI: 0.72-0.95); wasting (2.7%) was associated with higher eosinophil count (OR: 2.75; CI: 1.04-7.25). CONCLUSIONS: Anemia and malnutrition remain significant problems in the Peruvian highlands. These findings suggest that demographic factors, socio-economic status, and possibly parasitic infections intertwine to cause these health problems.

Columnar distribution of catecholaminergic neurons in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray and their relationship to efferent pathways.

The periaqueductal gray (PAG) is a critical brain region involved in opioid analgesia and provides efferents to descending pathways that modulate nociception. In addition, the PAG contains ascending pathways to regions involved in the regulation of reward, including the substantia nigra (SN) and the ventral tegmental area (VTA). SN and VTA contain dopaminergic neurons that are critical for the maintenance of positive reinforcement. Interestingly, the PAG is also reported to contain a population of dopaminergic neurons. In this study, the distribution of catecholaminergic neurons within the ventrolateral (vl) PAG was examined using immunocytochemical methods. In addition, the catecholaminergic PAG neurons were examined to determine whether these neurons are integrated into ascending (VTA, SN) and descending rostral ventral medulla (RVM) efferent pathways from this region. The immunocytochemical analysis determined that catecholaminergic neurons in the PAG are both dopaminergic and noradrenergic and these neurons have a distinct rostrocaudal distribution within the ventrolateral column of PAG. Dopaminergic neurons were concentrated rostrally and were significantly smaller than noradrenergic neurons. Combined immunocytochemistry and tract tracing methods revealed that catecholaminergic neurons are distinct from, but closely associated with, both ascending and descending efferent projection neurons. Finally, by electron microscopy, catecholaminergic neurons showed close dendritic appositions with other neurons in PAG, suggesting a possible nonsynaptic mechanism for regulation of PAG output by these neurons. In conclusion, our data indicate that there are two populations of catecholaminergic neurons in the vlPAG that form dendritic associations with both ascending and descending efferents suggesting a possible nonsynaptic modulation of vlPAG neurons.

Antenatal, intrapartum and infant azithromycin to prevent stillbirths and infant deaths: study protocol for SANTE, a 2×2 factorial randomised controlled trial in Mali.

INTRODUCTION: In high mortality settings, prophylactic azithromycin has been shown to improve birth weight and gestational age at birth when administered antenatally, to reduce the incidence of neonatal infections when administered intrapartum, and to improve survival when administered in infancy. Questions remain regarding whether azithromycin can prevent stillbirths, and regarding the optimal strategy for the delivery of azithromycin to pregnant women and their infants. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Sauver avec l'Azithromycine en Traitant les Femmes Enceintes et les Enfants (SANTE) is a 2×2 factorial, individually randomised, placebo-controlled, double-masked trial in rural Mali. The primary aims are: (1A) to assess the efficacy of antenatal and intrapartum azithromycin on a composite outcome of stillbirths and infant mortality through 6-12 months and (1B) to assess the efficacy of azithromycin administered concurrently with the first and third doses of pentavalent vaccines (Penta-1/3) on infant mortality through 6-12 months. Pregnant participants (n=49 600) and their infants are randomised 1:1:1:1 to one of four treatment arms: (1) mother and infant receive azithromycin, (2) mother and infant receive placebo, (3) mother receives azithromycin and infant receives placebo or (4) mother receives placebo and infant receives azithromycin. Pregnant participants receive three single 2 g doses: two antepartum and one intrapartum. Infants receive a single 20 mg/kg dose at the Penta-1 and 3 visits. An additional cohort of 12 000 infants is recruited at the Penta-1 visit and randomised 1:1 to receive azithromycin or placebo at the same time points. The SANTE trial will inform guidelines and policies regarding the administration of antenatal and infant azithromycin using routine healthcare delivery platforms. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This trial was approved by the Institutional Review Board at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (Protocol #HP-00084242) and the Faculté de Médecine et d'Odonto-Stomatologie in Mali. The findings of this trial will be published in open access peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03909737.

Effect of 3 Days of Oral Azithromycin on Young Children With Acute Diarrhea in Low-Resource Settings: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines do not recommend routine antibiotic use for children with acute watery diarrhea. However, recent studies suggest that a significant proportion of such episodes have a bacterial cause and are associated with mortality and growth impairment, especially among children at high risk of diarrhea-associated mortality. Expanding antibiotic use among dehydrated or undernourished children may reduce diarrhea-associated mortality and improve growth. Objective: To determine whether the addition of azithromycin to standard case management of acute nonbloody watery diarrhea for children aged 2 to 23 months who are dehydrated or undernourished could reduce mortality and improve linear growth. Design, Setting, and Participants: The Antibiotics for Children with Diarrhea (ABCD) trial was a multicountry, randomized, double-blind, clinical trial among 8266 high-risk children aged 2 to 23 months presenting with acute nonbloody diarrhea. Participants were recruited between July 1, 2017, and July 10, 2019, from 36 outpatient hospital departments or community health centers in a mixture of urban and rural settings in Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Pakistan, and Tanzania. Each participant was followed up for 180 days. Primary analysis included all randomized participants by intention to treat. Interventions: Enrolled children were randomly assigned to receive either oral azithromycin, 10 mg/kg, or placebo once daily for 3 days in addition to standard WHO case management protocols for the management of acute watery diarrhea. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcomes included all-cause mortality up to 180 days after enrollment and linear growth faltering 90 days after enrollment. Results: A total of 8266 children (4463 boys [54.0%]; mean [SD] age, 11.6 [5.3] months) were randomized. A total of 20 of 4133 children in the azithromycin group (0.5%) and 28 of 4135 children in the placebo group (0.7%) died (relative risk, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.40-1.27). The mean (SD) change in length-for-age z scores 90 days after enrollment was -0.16 (0.59) in the azithromycin group and -0.19 (0.60) in the placebo group (risk difference, 0.03; 95% CI, 0.01-0.06). Overall mortality was much lower than anticipated, and the trial was stopped for futility at the prespecified interim analysis. Conclusions and Relevance: The study did not detect a survival benefit for children from the addition of azithromycin to standard WHO case management of acute watery diarrhea in low-resource settings. There was a small reduction in linear growth faltering in the azithromycin group, although the magnitude of this effect was not likely to be clinically significant. In low-resource settings, expansion of antibiotic use is not warranted. Adherence to current WHO case management protocols for watery diarrhea remains appropriate and should be encouraged. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03130114.

Prevalence and Correlates of Cryptosporidium Infections in Kenyan Children With Diarrhea and Their Primary Caregivers.

BACKGROUND: Cryptosporidium is a leading cause of diarrhea in Sub-Saharan Africa and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality in young children. METHODS: We analyzed data from children aged 6-71 months presenting to 2 public hospitals in Western Kenya with acute diarrhea and their primary caregivers, including detection of Cryptosporidium by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunoassay analysis in stool samples from both children and their caregivers. Associations between potential transmission sources and child/caregiver Cryptosporidium infection were evaluated using prevalence ratios (PRs). Secondary analyses evaluated host and clinical risk factors of child/caregiver Cryptosporidium infection. RESULTS: Among 243 child-caregiver pairs enrolled, 77 children (32%) and 57 caregivers (23%) had Cryptosporidium identified by either immunoassay or PCR. Twenty-six of the 243 child-caregiver pairs (11%) had concordant detection of Cryptosporidium. Cryptosporidium infection in children was associated with detection of Cryptosporidium in caregivers (adjusted PR [aPR], 1.8; 95% CI, 1.2 to 2.6; P = .002) and unprotected water source (aPR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.3 to 3.2; P = .003). Risk factors for Cryptosporidium detection in caregivers included child Cryptosporidium infection (aPR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.3 to 3.0; P = .002) as well as cow (aPR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.4 to 7.0; P = .02) and other livestock ownership (aPR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.1 to 6.3; P = .03) vs no livestock ownership. Recent diarrhea in caregivers and children was independently associated with child and caregiver Cryptosporidium infections, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that Cryptosporidium transmission can occur directly between child-caregiver dyads as well as through other pathways involving water and livestock. Additional research into caregivers as a source of childhood Cryptosporidium infection is warranted.

Examining the relationship between diarrhea and linear growth in Kenyan HIV-exposed, uninfected infants.

BACKGROUND: Diarrhea in infancy can compromise linear growth and this relationship is likely influenced by diarrhea severity, number of episodes, and the timing of those episodes. HIV exposed, uninfected infants (HEU) have higher risk of growth faltering, infectious morbidity and mortality than HIV-unexposed infants and may be representative of children particularly vulnerable to diarrhea-associated linear growth faltering. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We utilized data from a cohort of Kenyan HEU infants followed from birth to 12 months of age. Infant length and morbidity were ascertained at monthly study visits and sick visits. Longitudinal models estimated the association between diarrhea severity and length-for-age Z-score (LAZ) in the following month, at 12 months of age, and in 6-month intervals. The 372 enrolled infants experienced an average of 2.15 episodes (range: 0-8) of diarrhea and 0.54 episodes (0-4) of moderate-to-severe diarrhea (MSD) between birth and 12 months. Surviving infants had a mean LAZ of -0.97 (standard deviation: 1.2) at 12 months. MSD was significantly associated with an average loss of 0.14 (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: -0.24, -0.05, p = 0.003) in LAZ one month after the episode. Linear growth outcomes were not predicted by cumulative episodes of diarrhea, or timing of diarrhea during infancy. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Diarrhea severity influenced the relationship between diarrhea and subsequent linear growth. HEU infants with MSD may benefit from nutritional interventions following severe diarrhea to protect against linear growth faltering.

Maternal Diarrhea and Antibiotic Use are Associated with Increased Risk of Diarrhea among HIV-Exposed, Uninfected Infants in Kenya.

HIV-exposed, uninfected (HEU) children are a growing population at particularly high risk of infection-related death in whom preventing diarrhea may significantly reduce under-5 morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. A historic cohort (1999-2002) of Kenyan HEU infants followed from birth to 12 months was used. Maternal and infant morbidity were ascertained at monthly clinic visits and unscheduled sick visits. The Andersen-Gill Cox model was used to assess maternal, environmental, and infant correlates of diarrhea, moderate-to-severe diarrhea (MSD; diarrhea with dehydration, dysentery, or related hospital admission), and prolonged/persistent diarrhea (> 7 days) in infants. HIV-exposed, uninfected infants (n = 373) experienced a mean 2.09 (95% CI: 1.93, 2.25) episodes of diarrhea, 0.47 (95% CI: 0.40, 0.55) episodes of MSD, and 0.34 (95% CI: 0.29, 0.42) episodes of prolonged/persistent diarrhea in their first year. Postpartum maternal diarrhea was associated with increased risk of infant diarrhea (Hazard ratio [HR]: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.43, 3.06) and MSD (HR: 2.89; 95% CI: 1.10, 7.59). Maternal antibiotic use was a risk factor for prolonged/persistent diarrhea (HR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.04, 2.55). Infants living in households with a pit latrine were 1.44 (95% CI: 1.19, 1.74) and 1.49 (95% CI: 1.04, 2.14) times more likely to experience diarrhea and MSD, respectively, relative to those with a flush toilet. Current exclusive breastfeeding was protective against MSD (HR: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.15, 0.58) relative to infants receiving no breast milk. Reductions in maternal diarrhea may result in substantial reductions in diarrhea morbidity among HEU children, in addition to standard diarrhea prevention interventions.

The effect of acute malnutrition on enteric pathogens, moderate-to-severe diarrhoea, and associated mortality in the Global Enteric Multicenter Study cohort: a post-hoc analysis.

BACKGROUND: Host vulnerabilities associated with acute malnutrition could facilitate the ability of specific enteric pathogens to cause diarrhoea and associated mortality. Using data from the Global Enteric Multicenter Study, we assessed whether acute malnutrition modifies the association between common enteric pathogens and moderate-to-severe diarrhoea, and whether associations between enteric pathogens and death were modified by acute malnutrition. METHODS: Children with moderate-to-severe diarrhoea and age-matched and community-matched controls were included in this post-hoc analysis if their mid-upper arm circumference had been measured and if they were older than 6 months of age. Acute malnutrition was defined as mid-upper arm circumference below 12·5 cm, capturing both severe acute malnutrition (<11·5 cm) and moderate acute malnutrition (≥11·5 cm and <12·5 cm). We tested whether acute malnutrition modified associations between enteric pathogens and moderate-to-severe diarrhoea in conditional logistic regression models. Among children with moderate-to-severe diarrhoea, Cox proportional hazards regression evaluated the modifying effect of acute malnutrition on the relationship between pathogens and 60-day fatality rate. FINDINGS: The age, site, and co-infection adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for moderate-to-severe diarrhoea associated with typical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli among children aged 6-11 months was 2·08 (95% CI 1·14-3·79) in children with acute malnutrition, and 0·97 (0·77-1·23) in children with better nutritional status, compared with healthy controls. Enterotoxigenic E coli producing heat-stable toxin among children aged 12-23 months also had a stronger association with moderate-to-severe diarrhoea in children with acute malnutrition (aOR 7·60 [2·63-21·95]) than among similarly aged children with better nutritional status (aOR 2·39 [1·76-3·25]). Results for Shigella spp, norovirus, and sapovirus suggested they had a stronger association with moderate-to-severe diarrhoea than other pathogens among children with better nutritional status, although Shigella spp remained associated with moderate-to-severe diarrhoea in both nutritional groups. 92 (64%) of 144 children with moderate-to-severe diarrhoea who died had acute malnutrition. Pathogen-specific 60-day fatality rates for all pathogens were higher among children with acute malnutrition, but no individual pathogen had a significantly larger increase in its relative association with mortality. INTERPRETATION: Acute malnutrition might strengthen associations between specific pathogens and moderate-to-severe diarrhoea. However, the strong link between acute malnutrition and mortality during moderate-to-severe diarrhoea in children is not limited to specific infections, and affects a broad spectrum of enteric pathogens. Interventions addressing acute malnutrition could be an effective way to lower the mortality of both childhood malnutrition and diarrhoea. FUNDING: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Challenges in Assessing Combined Interventions to Promote Linear Growth.

Despite the recognition of stunting as a public health priority, nutritional and nonnutritional interventions to reduce or prevent linear growth failure have demonstrated minimal impact. Investigators and policymakers face several challenges that limit their ability to assess the potential benefits of combining available interventions into a linear growth promotion package. We use two common but very different interventions, deworming and multiple micronutrient supplements, to illustrate barriers to recommending an optimal linear growth promotion package based on the currently available literature. These challenges suggest that combining individual- and population-based as well as model-based approaches would complement existing research using systematic review, meta-analysis, and factorial randomized trials, and help integrate existing fields of research to inform the development of optimal linear growth promotion packages for children living in resource-limited settings.

Advice on malaria and yellow fever prevention provided at travel agencies in Cuzco, Peru.

BACKGROUND: Travelers receive medical advice from a variety of sources, including travel agencies. The aim of this study is to describe the quality of pre-travel advice provided by travel agencies in Cuzco to travelers interested in visiting malaria and yellow fever endemic areas. METHODS: Trained medical students posed as tourists and visited travel agencies in Cuzco requesting travel advice for a trip to the southern Amazon of Peru, recording advice regarding risk and prevention of malaria and yellow fever. RESULTS: A total of 163 registered travel agencies were included in the study. The mean proposed tour duration was 6.8 days (±1.4 days) with a median time to departure of 3 days and a median tour cost of 805 US dollars (USD) [interquartile range (IQR) 580-1,095]. Overall, 45% employees failed to mention the risk for any illness. Eighteen percent of the employees acknowledged risk of malaria and 53% risk of yellow fever. However, 36% denied malaria risk and 2% denied risk of yellow fever in the region. The price of tours from travel agencies that did not mention any health risk was significantly lower [1,009.6 ± 500.5 vs 783.9 ± 402 USD, t (152) = 3, p < 0.01] compared with the price from agencies that did mention health risks. Almost all who acknowledged malaria (97%) and/or yellow fever (100%) were able to provide at least one recommendation for prevention. However, advice was not always accurate or spontaneously volunteered. Only 7% of the employees provided both correct scheduling and location information for administration of the yellow fever vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of registered travel agencies in Cuzco did not provide sufficient and accurate information regarding risk and prevention of malaria and yellow fever to travelers inquiring about trips to the southern Amazon of Peru.

The effectiveness of computerized order entry at reducing preventable adverse drug events and medication errors in hospital settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act subsidizes implementation by hospitals of electronic health records with computerized provider order entry (CPOE), which may reduce patient injuries caused by medication errors (preventable adverse drug events, pADEs). Effects on pADEs have not been rigorously quantified, and effects on medication errors have been variable. The objectives of this analysis were to assess the effectiveness of CPOE at reducing pADEs in hospital-related settings, and examine reasons for heterogeneous effects on medication errors. METHODS: Articles were identified using MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Econlit, web-based databases, and bibliographies of previous systematic reviews (September 2013). Eligible studies compared CPOE with paper-order entry in acute care hospitals, and examined diverse pADEs or medication errors. Studies on children or with limited event-detection methods were excluded. Two investigators extracted data on events and factors potentially associated with effectiveness. We used random effects models to pool data. RESULTS: Sixteen studies addressing medication errors met pooling criteria; six also addressed pADEs. Thirteen studies used pre-post designs. Compared with paper-order entry, CPOE was associated with half as many pADEs (pooled risk ratio (RR) = 0.47, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.71) and medication errors (RR = 0.46, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.60). Regarding reasons for heterogeneous effects on medication errors, five intervention factors and two contextual factors were sufficiently reported to support subgroup analyses or meta-regression. Differences between commercial versus homegrown systems, presence and sophistication of clinical decision support, hospital-wide versus limited implementation, and US versus non-US studies were not significant, nor was timing of publication. Higher baseline rates of medication errors predicted greater reductions (P < 0.001). Other context and implementation variables were seldom reported. CONCLUSIONS: In hospital-related settings, implementing CPOE is associated with a greater than 50% decline in pADEs, although the studies used weak designs. Decreases in medication errors are similar and robust to variations in important aspects of intervention design and context. This suggests that CPOE implementation, as subsidized under the HITECH Act, may benefit public health. More detailed reporting of the context and process of implementation could shed light on factors associated with greater effectiveness.

Prevalence of intestinal helminths, anemia, and malnutrition in Paucartambo, Peru / Prevalencia de helmintiasis intestinal, anemia y desnutrición en Paucartambo, Perú

Objective. To evaluate the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections, anemia, and malnutrition among children in the Paucartambo province of Cusco region, Peru, in light of demographic, socio-economic, and epidemiologic contextual factors. Methods. Children from three to twelve years old from six communities in Huancarani district in the highlands of Peru were evaluated for helminth infections, anemia, and nutritional status. Data collected included demographic variables, socioeconomic status, exposures, complete blood counts, and direct and sedimentation stool tests. Results. Of 240 children analyzed, 113 (47%) were infected with one or more parasites. Giardia (27.5%) and Fasciola (9.6%) were the most commonly identified organisms. Eosinophilia was encountered in 21% of the children. Anemia (48.8%) was associated with age (3-4 vs 5-12 years old; odds ratio (OR): 5.86; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.81-12.21). Underweight (10%) was associated with male sex (OR: 5.97; CI: 1.12-31.72), higher eosinophil count (OR: 4.67; CI: 1.31-16.68) and education of the mother (OR: 0.6; CI: 0.4-0.9). Stunting (31.3%) was associated with education of the mother (OR: 0.83; CI: 0.72-0.95); wasting (2.7%) was associated with higher eosinophil count (OR: 2.75; CI: 1.04-7.25). Conclusions. Anemia and malnutrition remain significant problems in the Peruvian highlands. These findings suggest that demographic factors, socio-economic status, and possibly parasitic infections intertwine to cause these health problems.

Objetivo. Evaluar la prevalencia de geohelmintiasis, anemia y desnutrición en los niños de la provincia de Paucartambo (departamento de Cusco, Perú), teniendo en cuenta los factores contextuales demográficos, socioeconómicos y epidemiológicos. Métodos. Se determinó la presencia de helmintiasis y anemia y el estado nutricional de niños de 3 a 12 años de edad de seis comunidades del distrito de Huancarani, en la sierra peruana. Se documentaron las variables demográficas, el nivel socioeconómico, la exposición, los hemogramas y pruebas de observación directa y de sedimentación de parásitos en materia fecal. Resultados. De los 240 niños estudiados, 113 (47%) estaban infectados por uno o más parásitos. Los organismos encontrados con mayor frecuencia fueron de los géneros Giardia (27,5%) y Fasciola (9,6%). El 21% de los niños presentaban eosinofilia. La anemia (48,8%) se asoció con la edad (3-4 años frente a 5-12 años; razón de posibilidades [OR]: 5,86; intervalo de confianza [IC] de 95%: 2,81-12,21). El peso inferior al normal (10%) se asoció con el sexo masculino (OR: 5,97; IC: 1,12-31,72), con un recuento de eosinófilos más alto (OR: 4,67; IC: 1,31-16,68) y con el nivel educativo de la madre (OR: 0,6; IC: 0,4-0,9). El retraso del crecimiento (31,3%) se asoció con el nivel educativo de la madre (OR: 0,83; IC: 0,72-0,95), y la emaciación (2,7%) se asoció con un recuento de eosinófilos más alto (OR: 2,75; IC: 1,04-7,25). Conclusiones. La anemia y la desnutrición siguen siendo problemas importantes en la sierra peruana. Estos resultados sugieren que estas enfermedades se deben a una interacción de los factores demográficos, el nivel socioeconómico y, posiblemente, las parasitosis.