Mixed-method evaluation study of a targeted mass drug administration of long-acting anti-malarials among children aged 3 months to 15 years in the Bossangoa sub-prefecture, Ouham, Central African Republic, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) initiated three cycles of dihydroartemisin-piperaquine (DHA-PQ) mass drug administration (MDA) for children aged three months to 15 years within Bossangoa sub-prefecture, Central African Republic. Coverage, clinical impact, and community members perspectives were evaluated to inform the use of MDAs in humanitarian emergencies. METHODS: A household survey was undertaken after the MDA focusing on participation, recent illness among eligible children, and household satisfaction. Using routine surveillance data, the reduction during the MDA period compared to the same period of preceding two years in consultations, malaria diagnoses, malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) positivity in three MSF community healthcare facilities (HFs), and the reduction in severe malaria admissions at the regional hospital were estimated. Twenty-seven focus groups discussions (FGDs) with community members were conducted. RESULTS: Overall coverage based on the MDA card or verbal report was 94.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 86.3-97.8%). Among participants of the household survey, 2.6% (95% CI 1.6-40.3%) of round 3 MDA participants experienced illness in the preceding four weeks compared to 30.6% (95% CI 22.1-40.8%) of MDA non-participants. One community HF experienced a 54.5% (95% CI 50.8-57.9) reduction in consultations, a 73.7% (95% CI 70.5-76.5) reduction in malaria diagnoses, and 42.9% (95% CI 36.0-49.0) reduction in the proportion of positive RDTs among children under five. A second community HF experienced an increase in consultations (+ 15.1% (- 23.3 to 7.5)) and stable malaria diagnoses (4.2% (3.9-11.6)). A third community HF experienced an increase in consultations (+ 41.1% (95% CI 51.2-31.8) and malaria diagnoses (+ 37.3% (95% CI 47.4-27.9)). There were a 25.2% (95% CI 2.0-42.8) reduction in hospital admissions with severe malaria among children under five from the MDA area. FGDs revealed community members perceived less illness among children because of the MDA, as well as fewer hospitalizations. Other indirect benefits such as reduced household expenditure on healthcare were also described. CONCLUSION: The MDA achieved high coverage and community acceptance. While some positive health impact was observed, it was resource intensive, particularly in this rural context. The priority for malaria control in humanitarian contexts should remain diagnosis and treatment. MDA may be additional tool where the context supports its implementation.

Impact of health insurance status among migrants from sub-Saharan Africa on access to health care and HIV testing in Germany: a participatory cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Among all newly diagnosed HIV cases in Germany in 2015, 16% originated from sub-Saharan Africa. Twelve percent of these infections were contracted within Germany and migrants from sub-Saharan Africa (misSA) are diagnosed later than Germans. Migrants, specifically those without health insurance, face many barriers accessing health care due to their residence status and cultural, socio-economic, legal and linguistic barriers. We assessed whether misSAs' access to healthcare and utilization of HIV testing services depends on their health insurance status to inform prevention strategies. METHODS: From January 2015 to February 2016, we conducted a cross-sectional survey on knowledge, attitude, behavior, practice (KABP) regarding HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections among misSA in Germany. The survey was a community-based participatory research project; trained peer researchers recruited participants through outreach. To detect differences between participants with a regular health insurance card compared to asylum seekers with a medical treatment voucher or participants without health insurance or medical treatment voucher, unadjusted and adjusted Odds Ratios, chi-squared tests and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 1919 cases were considered. Overall, 83% had a health insurance card, 10% had a medical treatment voucher and 6% had no health insurance. Participants living in Germany for less than 5 years were less likely to have a health insurance card and more likely to have lower German language skills. Participants without health insurance visited a physician in case of health problems less often than participants with medical treatment voucher or a health insurance card (41.2% vs. 66.1% vs. 90%). Participants without health insurance reported less frequently visiting physicians or hospitals and were less likely to undergo a HIV test. CONCLUSION: Having no health insurance or medical treatment voucher decreased the odds of contact with the healthcare system more than other socio-demographic characteristics. Furthermore, misSA without health insurance had lower odds of ever having done an HIV test than participants with health insurance. To increase health care utilization and testing and to ensure adequate medical care, all migrants should get access to health insurance without increasing costs and consequences for residence status.

Find and treat or find and lose? Tuberculosis treatment outcomes among screened newly arrived asylum seekers in Germany 2002 to 2014.

BackgroundGermany has a low tuberculosis (TB) incidence. A relevant and increasing proportion of TB cases is diagnosed among asylum seekers upon screening. Aim: We aimed to assess whether cases identified by screening asylum seekers had equally successful and completely reported treatment outcomes as cases diagnosed by passive case finding and contact tracing in the general population. Methods: We analysed characteristics and treatment outcomes of pulmonary TB cases notified in Germany between 2002 and 2014, stratified by mode of case finding. We performed three multivariable analyses with different dependent variables: Model A: successful vs all other outcomes, Model B: successful vs documented non-successful clinical outcome and Model C: known outcome vs lost to follow-up. Results: TB treatment success was highest among cases identified by contact tracing (87%; 3,139/3,591), followed by passive case finding (74%; 28,804/39,019) and by screening asylum seekers (60%; 884/1,474). Cases identified by screening asylum seekers had 2.4 times higher odds of not having a successful treatment outcome as opposed to all other outcomes (A), 1.4 times higher odds of not having a successful treatment outcome as opposed to known non-successful outcomes (B) and 2.3 times higher odds of loss to follow-up (C) than cases identified by passive case finding. Conclusion: Screened asylum seekers had poorer treatment outcomes and were more often lost to follow-up. Linking patients to treatment facilities and investigating potential barriers to treatment completion are needed to secure screening benefits for asylum seekers and communities.

Subjective health of undocumented migrants in Germany - a mixed methods approach.

BACKGROUND: Health of migrants is known to be above-average in the beginning of the migration trajectory. At the same time reports from non-government organisations (NGOs) suggest that undocumented migrants in Germany tend to present late and in poor health at healthcare facilities. In this paper, we explore the health status of undocumented migrants with a mixed method approach including complementary qualitative and quantitative datasets. METHODS: Undocumented migrants attending a NGO based in Hamburg, Germany, were asked to fill in the SF-12v2, a standardized questionnaire measuring health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The SF-12v2 was analyzed in comparison to the U.S. American norm sample and a representative German sample. Differences in mean scores for HRQOL were evaluated with a t-test and with a generalized linear model analyzing the impact of living without legal status on HRQOL. The quantitative research was complemented by a qualitative ethnographic study on undocumented migration and health in Berlin, Germany. The study included semi-structured interviews, informal conversations and participant observation with Latin American migrants over the course of three years. The study focused on subjective experiences of illness and health and the impact of illegality on migrants' health and access to health care. RESULTS: HRQOL was significantly worse in the sample of undocumented migrants (n = 96) as compared to the U.S. American sample (p < 0.005). Living without legal status displayed a significant negative effect on subjective mental and physical health (p ≤ 0.003) in the generalized linear model when adjusted for age and gender compared to the representative German population sample. The ethnographic study, which included 35 migrants, identified socio-economic conditions, the subjective experiences of criminalization, and late presentation at healthcare-facilities as the three main factors impacting on health from migrant perspective. DISCUSSION: The present research suggests a high morbidity and mortality in this comparatively young population. The ethnographic research confirms negative impacts on health of social determinants in general and stress associated with living without legal status in particular, both are further aggravated by exclusion from health care services. In addition to the provision of health care it appears to be important to structurally tackle the underlying social conditions which affect undocumented migrants' health. CONCLUSIONS: Living without legal status has a negative impact on health and well-being. Limited access to care may further exacerbate physical and mental illness. Possibilities to claim basic rights and protection as well as access to care without legal status appear to be important measures to improve health and well-being.

[Migration and infectious disease surveillance in Germany: Analyses of Tuberculosis, HIV and Syphilis surveillance data]. / Migrationshintergrund in der infektionsepidemiologischen Surveillance in Deutschland : Analysen am Beispiel Tuberkulose, HIV und Syphilis.

BACKGROUND: Migration is an important factor impacting on infectious disease epidemiology. The timely identification of groups at risk and prevention needs resulting from migration is indispensable to adequately design and implement public health measures. It remains to be assessed to which extent surveillance data for notifiable diseases can directly generate meaningful migration-specific information. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study are to review indicators of migration background utilized in the German infectious disease surveillance, as well as to assess their limitations. METHODS: We describe the indicators of migration used for mandatorily notifiable diseases and pathogens and their legal basis in the Protection against Infection Act and conduct a descriptive analysis of surveillance data for tuberculosis (TB), HIV and syphilis from 2002-2013. RESULTS: Migration status is collected only for five infectious diseases and operationalization varies. For TB (country of birth) and HIV (country of origin) a foreign origin was more frequent than for syphilis (country of origin); namely 46, 30 and 13% of cases with available information, respectively. In all three examples, there are indications of risk profiles that are specific for particular groups of migrants. DISCUSSION: A standardization of indicators of migration in infectious disease surveillance is important to enhance data comparability between diseases and pathogens as well as across countries. Routine surveillance already partly allows migration sensitive analyses, yet further research is needed to guide interpretation of the complex relationship between migration and infectious diseases and plan public health measures adequately.

Evaluation of a multi-component early warning system for pastoralist populations in Doolo zone, Ethiopia: mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated an early warning, alert and response system for a crisis-affected population in Doolo zone, Somali Region, Ethiopia, in 2019-2021, with a history of epidemics of outbreak-prone diseases. To adequately cover an area populated by a semi-nomadic pastoralist, or livestock herding, population with sparse access to healthcare facilities, the surveillance system included four components: health facility indicator-based surveillance, community indicator- and event-based surveillance, and alerts from other actors in the area. This evaluation described the usefulness, acceptability, completeness, timeliness, positive predictive value, and representativeness of these components. METHODS: We carried out a mixed-methods study retrospectively analysing data from the surveillance system February 2019-January 2021 along with key informant interviews with system implementers, and focus group discussions with local communities. Transcripts were analyzed using a mixed deductive and inductive approach. Surveillance quality indicators assessed included completeness, timeliness, and positive predictive value, among others. RESULTS: 1010 signals were analysed; these resulted in 168 verified events, 58 alerts, and 29 responses. Most of the alerts (46/58) and responses (22/29) were initiated through the community event-based branch of the surveillance system. In comparison, one alert and one response was initiated via the community indicator-based branch. Positive predictive value of signals received was about 6%. About 80% of signals were verified within 24 h of reports, and 40% were risk assessed within 48 h. System responses included new mobile clinic sites, measles vaccination catch-ups, and water and sanitation-related interventions. Focus group discussions emphasized that responses generated were an expected return by participant communities for their role in data collection and reporting. Participant communities found the system acceptable when it led to the responses they expected. Some event types, such as those around animal health, led to the community's response expectations not being met. CONCLUSIONS: Event-based surveillance can produce useful data for localized public health action for pastoralist populations. Improvements could include greater community involvement in the system design and potentially incorporating One Health approaches.

Correction: Evaluation of community based surveillance in the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, 2019.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244214.].

Health conditions of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers on search and rescue vessels on the central Mediterranean Sea, 2016-2019: a retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This study will contribute to the systematic epidemiological description of morbidities among migrants, refugees and asylum seekers when crossing the Mediterranean Sea. SETTING: Since 2015, Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) has conducted search and rescue activities on the Mediterranean Sea to save lives, provide medical services, to witness and to speak out. PARTICIPANTS: Between November 2016 and December 2019, MSF rescued 22 966 migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: We conducted retrospective data analysis of data collected between January 2016 and December 2019 as part of routine monitoring of the MSF's healthcare services for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers on two search and rescue vessels. RESULTS: MSF conducted 12 438 outpatient consultations and 853 sexual and reproductive health consultations (24.9% of female population, 853/3420) and documented 287 consultations for sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). The most frequently diagnosed health conditions among children aged 5 years or older and adults were skin conditions (30.6%, 5475/17 869), motion sickness (28.6%, 5116/17 869), headache (15.4%, 2 748/17 869) and acute injuries (5.7%, 1013/17 869). Of acute injuries, 44.7% were non-violence-related injuries (453/1013), 30.1% were fuel burns (297/1013) and 25.4% were violence-related injuries (257/1013). CONCLUSION: The limited testing and diagnostics capacity of the outpatient department, space limitations, stigma and the generally short length of stay of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers on the ships have likely led to an underestimation of morbidities, including mental health conditions and SGBV. The main diagnoses on board were directly related to journey on land and sea and stay in Libya. We conclude that this population may be relatively young and healthy but displays significant journey-related illnesses and includes migrants, refugees and asylum seekers who have suffered significant violence during their transit and need urgent access to essential services and protection in a place of safety on land.

Use of and barriers to maternal health services in southeast Chad: results of a population-based survey 2019.

OBJECTIVES: Chad reports the second highest maternal mortality worldwide. We conducted a survey in Sila region in southeast Chad to estimate the use of maternal health services (MHS) and to identify barriers to access MHS. DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional, population-based survey using two-stage cluster sampling methodology. The survey consisted of two strata, Koukou Angarana and Goz Beida district in Sila region. We conducted systematic random sampling proportional to population size to select settlements in each strata in the first sampling stage; and in the second stage we selected households in the settlements using random walk procedure. We calculated survey-design-weighted proportions with 95% CIs. We performed univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression to identify impact factors associated with the use of MHS. SETTING: We interviewed women in selected households in Sila region in 2019. PARTICIPANTS: Women at reproductive age, who have given birth in the previous 2 years and are living in Koukou Angarana and Goz Beida district. PRIMARY OUTCOMES: Use of and access barriers to MHS including antenatal care (ANC), delivery care in a health facility (DC), postnatal care (PNC) and contraceptive methods. RESULTS: In total, 624 women participated. Median age was 28 years, 95.4% were illiterate and 95.7% married. Use of ANC, DC and PNC was reported by 57.6% (95% CI: 49.3% to 65.5%), 22.5% (95% CI: 15.7% to 31.1%) and 32.9% (95% CI: 25.8% to 40.9%), respectively. Use of MHS was lower in rural compared with urban settings. Having attended ANC increased the odds of using DC by 4.3 (1.5-12.2) and using PNC by 6.4 (3.7-11.1). Factors related to transport and to culture and belief were the most frequently stated access barriers to MHS. CONCLUSION: In Sila region, use of MHS is low and does not meet WHO-defined standards regarding maternal health. Among all services, use of ANC was better than for other MHS. ANC usage is positively associated with the use of further life-saving MHS including DC and could be used as an entry point to the community. To increase use of MHS, interventions should include infrastructural improvements as well as community-based approaches to overcome access barriers related to culture and belief.

Learning from health information challenges in the Central African Republic: where documenting health and humanitarian needs requires fresh approaches.

The Central African Republic (CAR) is one of the world's poorest and most fragile countries. Maybe there is no nation on the planet where the official health statistics are so poor. Evidence presented in this Conflict and Health themed collection to document humanitarian needs in CAR, suggests that UN statistics dramatically under-estimate the birth and death rates in conflict settings. To be current and valid, health indicator data in violent settings require more frequent measurement, more triangulation and granular exploration, and creative approaches based on few assumptions. In a world increasingly dependent on model driven data-data often inaccurate in conflict settings-we hope that this collection will allow those service providers and researchers operating in CAR to share their work and help us better learn how to learn. We particularly invite research from professionals working in CAR that documents humanitarian needs and presents indicators of population health where official estimates might not articulate the true extent of the health crisis.

An outbreak of acute jaundice syndrome (AJS) among the Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh: Findings from enhanced epidemiological surveillance.

In the summer of 2017, an estimated 745,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh in what has been described as one of the largest and fastest growing refugee crises in the world. Among numerous health concerns, an outbreak of acute jaundice syndrome (AJS) was detected by the disease surveillance system in early 2018 among the refugee population. This paper describes the investigation into the increase in AJS cases, the process and results of the investigation, which were strongly suggestive of a large outbreak due to hepatitis A virus (HAV). An enhanced serological investigation was conducted between 28 February to 26 March 2018 to determine the etiologies and risk factors associated with the outbreak. A total of 275 samples were collected from 18 health facilities reporting AJS cases. Blood samples were collected from all patients fulfilling the study specific case definition and inclusion criteria, and tested for antibody responses using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Out of the 275 samples, 206 were positive for one of the agents tested. The laboratory results confirmed multiple etiologies including 154 (56%) samples tested positive for hepatitis A, 1 (0.4%) positive for hepatitis E, 36 (13%) positive for hepatitis B, 25 (9%) positive for hepatitis C, and 14 (5%) positive for leptospirosis. Among all specimens tested 24 (9%) showed evidence of co-infections with multiple etiologies. Hepatitis A and E are commonly found in refugee camps and have similar clinical presentations. In the absence of robust testing capacity when the epidemic was identified through syndromic reporting, a particular concern was that of a hepatitis E outbreak, for which immunity tends to be limited, and which may be particularly severe among pregnant women. This report highlights the challenges of identifying causative agents in such settings and the resources required to do so. Results from the month-long enhanced investigation did not point out widespread hepatitis E virus (HEV) transmission, but instead strongly suggested a large-scale hepatitis A outbreak of milder consequences, and highlighted a number of other concomitant causes of AJS (acute hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Leptospirosis), albeit most likely at sporadic level. Results strengthen the need for further water and sanitation interventions and are a stark reminder of the risk of other epidemics transmitted through similar routes in such settings, particularly dysentery and cholera. It also highlights the need to ensure clinical management capacity for potentially chronic conditions in this vulnerable population.

Health of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in detention in Tripoli, Libya, 2018-2019: Retrospective analysis of routine medical programme data.

Libya is a major transit and destination country for international migration. UN agencies estimates 571,464 migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Libya in 2021; among these, 3,934 people are held in detention. We aimed to describe morbidities and water, hygiene, and sanitation (WHS) conditions in detention in Tripoli, Libya. We conducted a retrospective analysis of data collected between July 2018 and December 2019, as part of routine monitoring within an Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) project providing healthcare and WHS support for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in some of the official detention centres (DC) in Tripoli. MSF had access to 1,630 detainees in eight different DCs on average per month. Only one DC was accessible to MSF every single month. The size of wall openings permitting cell ventilation failed to meet minimum standards in all DCs. Minimum standards for floor space, availability of water, toilets and showers were frequently not met. The most frequent diseases were acute respiratory tract infections (26.9%; 6,775/25,135), musculoskeletal diseases (24.1%; 6,058/25,135), skin diseases (14.1%; 3,538/25,135) and heartburn and reflux (10.0%; 2,502/25,135). Additionally, MSF recorded 190 cases of violence-induced wounds and 55 cases of sexual and gender-based violence. During an exhaustive nutrition screening in one DC, linear regression showed a reduction in mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) of 2.5mm per month in detention (95%-CI 1.3-3.7, p<0.001). Detention of men, women and children continues to take place in Tripoli. Living conditions failed to meet minimum requirements. Health problems diagnosed at MSF consultations reflect the living conditions and consist largely of diseases related to overcrowding, lack of water and ventilation, and poor diet. Furthermore, every month that people stay in detention increases their risk of malnutrition. The documented living conditions and health problems call for an end of detention and better protection of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Libya.

Mortality beyond emergency threshold in a silent crisis- results from a population-based mortality survey in Ouaka prefecture, Central African Republic, 2020.

BACKGROUND: The Central African Republic (CAR) suffers a protracted conflict and has the second lowest human development index in the world. Available mortality estimates vary and differ in methodology. We undertook a retrospective mortality study in the Ouaka prefecture to obtain reliable mortality data. METHODS: We conducted a population-based two-stage cluster survey from 9 March to 9 April, 2020 in Ouaka prefecture. We aimed to include 64 clusters of 12 households for a required sample size of 3636 persons. We assigned clusters to communes proportional to population size and then used systematic random sampling to identify cluster starting points from a dataset of buildings in each commune. In addition to the mortality survey questions, we included an open question on challenges faced by the household. RESULTS: We completed 50 clusters with 591 participating households including 4000 household members on the interview day. The median household size was 7 (interquartile range (IQR): 4-9). The median age was 12 (IQR: 5-27). The birth rate was 59.0/1000 population (95% confidence interval (95%-CI): 51.7-67.4). The crude and under-five mortality rates (CMR & U5MR) were 1.33 (95%-CI: 1.09-1.61) and 1.87 (95%-CI: 1.37-2.54) deaths/10,000 persons/day, respectively. The most common specified causes of death were malaria/fever (16.0%; 95%-CI: 11.0-22.7), violence (13.2%; 95%-CI: 6.3-25.5), diarrhoea/vomiting (10.6%; 95%-CI: 6.2-17.5), and respiratory infections (8.4%; 95%-CI: 4.6-14.8). The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) was 2525/100,000 live births (95%-CI: 825-5794). Challenges reported by households included health problems and access to healthcare, high number of deaths, lack of potable water, insufficient means of subsistence, food insecurity and violence. CONCLUSIONS: The CMR, U5MR and MMR exceed previous estimates, and the CMR exceeds the humanitarian emergency threshold. Violence is a major threat to life, and to physical and mental wellbeing. Other causes of death speak to poor living conditions and poor access to healthcare and preventive measures, corroborated by the challenges reported by households. Many areas of CAR face similar challenges to Ouaka. If these results were generalisable across CAR, the country would suffer one of the highest mortality rates in the world, a reminder that the longstanding "silent crisis" continues.

Evaluation of community based surveillance in the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, 2019.

BACKGROUND: Following an influx of an estimated 742,000 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) established an active indicator-based Community Based Surveillance (CBS) in 13 sub-camps in Cox's Bazar in August 2017. Its objective was to detect epidemic prone diseases early for rapid response. We describe the surveillance, alert and response in place from epidemiological week 20 (12 May 2019) until 44 (2 November 2019). METHODS: Suspected cases were identified through passive health facility surveillance and active indicator-based CBS. CBS-teams conducted active case finding for suspected cases of acute watery diarrhea (AWD), acute jaundice syndrome (AJS), acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), dengue, diphtheria, measles and meningitis. We evaluate the following surveillance system attributes: usefulness, Positive Predictive Value (PPV), timeliness, simplicity, flexibility, acceptability, representativeness and stability. RESULTS: Between epidemiological weeks 20 and 44, an average of 97,340 households were included in the CBS per surveillance cycle. Household coverage reached over 85%. Twenty-one RDT positive cholera cases and two clusters of AWD were identified by the CBS and health facility surveillance that triggered the response mechanism within 12 hours. The PPV of the CBS varied per disease between 41.7%-100%. The CBS required 354 full-time staff in 10 different roles. The CBS was sufficiently flexible to integrate dengue surveillance. The CBS was representative of the population in the catchment area due to its exhaustive character and high household coverage. All households consented to CBS participation, showing acceptability. DISCUSSION: The CBS allowed for timely response but was resource intensive. Disease trends identified by the health facility surveillance and suspected diseases trends identified by CBS were similar, which might indicate limited additional value of the CBS in a dense and stable setting such as Cox's Bazar. Instead, a passive community-event-based surveillance mechanism combined with health facility-based surveillance could be more appropriate.

Knowledge, information needs and behavior regarding HIV and sexually transmitted infections among migrants from sub-Saharan Africa living in Germany: Results of a participatory health research survey.

BACKGROUND: A total of 3,419 new HIV diagnoses were reported in Germany in 2016, with migrants from sub-Saharan Africa (misSA) accounting for 14.1%. To understand the driving factors behind the epidemiological situation, we conducted a quantitative cross-sectional survey on knowledge, attitudes, behavior, and practices regarding HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among misSA living in six German cities utilizing participatory health research. METHODS: Participants were recruited by peer researchers. Levels of knowledge, information needs, and preferred methods of information dissemination were analyzed to inform future prevention planning. Additionally, we analyzed sexual behavior and other risk factors for contracting HIV and STIs. The results may facilitate the formulation of targeted prevention messages in the future. RESULTS: We included 2,432 participants in the analysis. General knowledge about HIV was adequate, as 86.9% were aware of the presented information. Statements about HIV co-infections were prior knowledge for 53.4% of the participants and about German HIV policies and HIV testing for 54.7%. Knowledge about other STIs differed, ranging from 69.6% who have ever heard of gonorrhea to 23.8% who have ever heard of genital warts. Groups with particular knowledge gaps were i) younger misSA, ii) recent migrants, iii) misSA without regular access to the German health care system, iv) misSA of lower socioeconomic status, and v) misSA with Muslim religious affiliation. The majority of participants reported information needs (72.8%), and 71.3% wanted to obtain this information from health professionals. Male misSA were more likely to report five or more sexual partners compared to females. Less than half of participants reported always using condoms with non-steady sexual partners (46.8%). Reasons for not using condoms differed between males and females. A considerable proportion of females (16.3%) and males (6.8%) experienced sexualized violence. More than one fourth of women (26.9%) were affected by female genital mutilation/cutting. DISCUSSION: Future prevention planning should focus on sub-groups with particular knowledge gaps, recognizing their preferred methods of information dissemination. Prevention messages for male misSA should focus on their own risk perception and for female misSA on empowerment, e.g. to negotiate condom use.

Event-based surveillance at health facility and community level in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The International Health Regulations require member states to establish "capacity to detect, assess, notify and report events". Event-based surveillance (EBS) can contribute to rapid detection of acute public health events. This is particularly relevant in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) which may have poor public health infrastructure. To identify best practices, we reviewed the literature on the implementation of EBS in LMICs to describe EBS structures and to evaluate EBS systems. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature search of six databases to identify articles that evaluated EBS in LMICs and additionally searched for grey literature. We used a framework approach to facilitate qualitative data synthesis and exploration of patterns across and within articles. RESULTS: We identified 778 records, of which we included 15 studies concerning 13 different EBS systems. The 13 EBS systems were set up as community-based surveillance, health facility-based surveillance or open surveillance (ie, notification by non-defined individuals and institutions). Four systems were set up in outbreak settings and nine outside outbreaks. All EBS systems were integrated into existing routine surveillance systems and pre-existing response structures to some extent. EBS was described as useful in detecting a large scope of events, reaching remote areas and guiding outbreak response. CONCLUSION: Health facility and community-based EBS provide valuable information that can strengthen the early warning function of national surveillance systems. Integration into existing early warning and response systems was described as key to generate data for action and to facilitate rapid verification and response. Priority in its implementation should be given to settings that would particularly benefit from EBS strengths. This includes areas most prone to outbreaks and where traditional 'routine' surveillance is suboptimal.

Impact of HIV knowledge and stigma on the uptake of HIV testing - Results from a community-based participatory research survey among migrants from sub-Saharan Africa in Germany.

BACKGROUND: In 2015, 3,674 new HIV diagnoses were notified in Germany; 16% of those newly diagnosed cases originated from sub-Saharan Africa (sSA). One quarter of the newly diagnosed cases among migrants from sSA (MisSA) are notified as having acquired the HIV infection in Germany. In order to reach MisSA with HIV testing opportunities, we aimed to identify which determinants influence the uptake of HIV testing among MisSA in Germany. METHODS: To identify those determinants, we conducted a quantitative cross-sectional survey among MisSA in Germany. The survey was designed in a participatory process that included MisSA and other stakeholders in HIV-prevention. Peer researchers recruited participants to complete standardized questionnaires on HIV knowledge and testing. We conducted multivariable analyses (MVA) to identify determinants associated with ever having attended voluntary HIV testing; and another MVA to identify determinant associated with having had the last voluntary HIV test in Germany. RESULTS: Peer researchers recruited 2,782 participants eligible for inclusion in the MVA. Of these participants, 59.9% (1,667/2,782) previously had an HIV test. For each general statement about HIV that participants knew prior to participation in the study, the odds of having been tested increased by 19% (OR 1.19; 95%-CI: 1.11-1.27). Participants reporting that HIV is a topic that is discussed in their community had 92% higher odds of having been tested for HIV (OR 1.92; 95%-CI: 1.60-2.31). Migrants living in Germany for less than a year had the lowest odds of having had their last HIV test in Germany (OR 0.17; 95%-CI: 0.11-0.27). Additionally, MisSA 18 to 25 years (OR 0.55; 95%-CI: 0.42-0.73) and participants with varied sexual partners and inconsistent condom use (OR 0.75; 95%-CI: 0.44-0.97) had significantly lower odds of having had their last HIV test in Germany. DISCUSSION: Through participatory research, we were able to show that knowledge about HIV and discussing HIV in communities increased the odds of having attended HIV testing among MisSA. However, recent migrants and young sexually active people are among the least reached by testing offers in Germany. Community-based interventions may present opportunities to reach such migrants and improve knowledge and increase discussion about HIV.

Knowledge, Attitude, Behavior, and Practices Regarding HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Migrants From Sub-Saharan Africa Living in Germany: A Multicenter Survey Protocol.

BACKGROUND: Migration has an impact on the epidemiology of viral hepatitis B and C (HEP) and HIV in Germany; migrants from sub-Saharan Africa (MisSA) in Germany are disproportionally affected by HIV. In the last 10 years, a total of 10%-15% of all newly diagnosed HIV cases were among MisSA; 20%-30% of them acquired HIV in Germany. Prevalence of HEP among MisSA in Germany is unknown, but Western Africa, from where most MisSA in Germany originate, reports the highest prevalence of hepatitis B worldwide. There is limited information on knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and practices (KABP) regarding HIV, HEP, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), as MisSA are not reached with surveys targeting the general population. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine the HIV, HEP, and STI information and prevention needs of MisSA in Germany. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, cross-sectional, KABP survey regarding HIV, HEP, and STIs among MisSA living in Germany using convenience sampling. The study design was developed as a community-based participatory health research (CBPHR) project; HIV/STI-prevention specialists, key persons from MisSA communities, and HIV/STI researchers were involved in all steps of the research process. Trained peer researchers recruited participants in six study cities. Potential modes of survey administration were interview or self-completion, and the questionnaire was available in English, French, and German. Questions on knowledge about HIV, HEP, and STIs were presented as true statements; participants were asked if they had known the information before. Focus groups with MisSA were conducted to interpret results. Data collection took place from October 2014 to November 2016. RESULTS: Recruitment by peer researchers concluded with 3040 eligible participants. Data collection was completed in November 2016. We are currently analyzing the quantitative data and qualitative data from focus groups. We are conducting working group meetings to discuss the results in the respective study cities and to evaluate the application of participatory health research in epidemiological studies. First results are expected by the end of 2017. CONCLUSIONS: Working with peer researchers to collect data allowed accessibility to a diverse sample of MisSA and, particularly, allowed us to reach vulnerable subgroups, such as MisSA without legal status. The ability to access hard-to-reach groups is one of the big advantages of CBPHR. The active inclusion of the persons under study in the design of the study resulted in higher acceptance and ownership of the research project in the target community; this ultimately lead to better quality of collected data. Furthermore, the participation of MisSA in the development of study design and data collection assures a better understanding of the interests, needs, and living conditions of this group.

How Do Countries' Health Information Systems Perform in Assessing Asylum Seekers' Health Situation? Developing a Health Information Assessment Tool on Asylum Seekers (HIATUS) and Piloting It in Two European Countries.

Background: Accurate data on the health status, health behaviour and access to health care of asylum seekers is essential, but such data is lacking in many European countries. We hence aimed to: (a) develop and pilot-test an instrument that can be used to compare and benchmark the country health information systems (HIS) with respect to the ability to assess the health status and health care situation of asylum seekers and (b) present the results of that pilot for The Netherlands (NL) and Germany (DE). Materials and Methods: Reviewing and adapting existing tools, we developed a Health Information Assessment Tool on Asylum Seekers (HIATUS) with 50 items to assess HIS performance across three dimensions: (1) availability and detail of data across potential data sources; (2) HIS resources and monitoring capacity; (3) general coverage and timeliness of publications on selected indicators. We piloted HIATUS by applying the tool to the HIS in DE and NL. Two raters per country independently assessed the performance of country HIS and the inter-rater reliability was analysed by Pearson's rho and the intra-class correlation (ICC). We then applied a consensus-based group rating to obtain the final ratings which were transformed into a weighted summary score (range: 0-97). We assessed HIS performance by calculating total and domain-specific HIATUS scores by country as well as absolute and relative gaps in scores within and between countries. Results: In the independent rating, Pearson's rho was 0.14 (NL) and 0.30 (DE), the ICC yielded an estimated reliability of 0.29 (NL) and 0.83 (DE) respectively. In the final consensus-based rating, the total HIATUS score was 47 in NL and 15 in DE, translating into a relative gap in HIS capacity of 52% (NL) and 85% (DE) respectively. Shortfalls in HIS capacity in both countries relate to the areas of HIS coordination, planning and policies, and to limited coverage of specific indicators such as self-reported health, mental health, socio-economic status and health behaviour. The relative gap in the HIATUS component "data sources and availability" was much higher in Germany (92%) than in NL (28%). Conclusions: The standardised tool (HIATUS) proved useful for assessment of country HIS performance in two countries by consensus-based rating. HIATUS revealed substantial limitations in HIS capacity to assess the health situation of asylum seekers in both countries. The tool allowed for between-country comparisons, revealing that capacities were lower in DE relative to NL. Monitoring and benchmarking gaps in HIS capacity in further European countries can help to strengthen HIS in the future.