World Health Organization's Programme Research Articles

A cross-sectional study of essential surgical, obstetric, and anaesthesia care capacity in the public sector in Fiji.

The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery indicator collection highlighted gaps in surgical, obstetric, and anaesthesia (SOA) care in Fiji. Our study is the first comprehensive assessment of essential SOA care capacity in Fiji to guide national surgical planning. In February 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of public hospitals in Fiji using the World Health Organization-Program in Global Surgery and Social Change surgical assessment tool. We surveyed 18 facilities, including three divisional hospitals (DHs) and 15 subdivisional hospitals (SDHs). Twenty-two functional operating rooms (ORs) and 27 post-anaesthesia care beds served 884,887 people. Surgical care was concentrated in DHs and only delivered in select SDHs during outreaches. While SDHs had OR space, they lacked equipment, supplies, and human resources. From 2016 to 2021, surgical volume per 100,000 population increased by approximately 50% from 1,490 to 2,248; however, SOA specialists density per 100,000 population increased marginally from 5.8 to 7.1. There is significant variation across divisions. The Northern division has more ORs (4.55), SOA specialists (9.1), and surgical volume (3,731) per 100,000 population than the Central (2.40, 7.9, 2,367) and Western (1.78, 5.3, 1,519) divisions. This is due to more OR space and functioning, specialist post creation, and outreach services to SDHs. Policy recommendations include upgrading key SDHs with essential SOA care capacity, growing the SOA workforce, strengthening facility maintenance and climate resilience, and strengthening outreach programs. Investment in surgical care capacity must be urgently increased to meet the population's needs.

Study of Children Aged Under 2 Years Admitted With RSV at Four Australian Hospitals [2021-2022

Primary aim was to review severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) hospitalisations caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children aged < 2 years in paediatric hospitals in Australia. Secondary aims included RSV subtyping, assessing RSV seasonality and contributing to the World Health Organisation's RSV surveillance programme. We prospectively reviewed the medical records of children (< 2 years of age) with a confirmed SARI who were admitted to one of four major Australian paediatric hospitals and had a respiratory sample analysed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). A detailed dataset was completed for RSV positive cases. Between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2022, 2290 RSV (laboratory-confirmed) admissions were identified (53.4% of all SARI admissions). Approximately 50% of all RSV cases were aged 0-6 months. RSV-A predominated in 2021 with peak infections observed in summer while in 2022 RSV-B predominated with peak infections in the more traditional winter months. The median total length of stay (LOS) for RSV positive admissions was 46 h (IQR: 22-82 h). 9% of these children required an ICU admission with a prolonged median LOS 68 h (IQR: 40-112 h). Respiratory support utilisation was consistent over the 2 years. 1.8% required mechanical ventilation; 4.6% continuous positive airway pressure; 23.3% high flow oxygen; and 50.8% low flow oxygen. RSV in children continues to cause a significant disease burden at Australian tertiary paediatric centres. Ongoing hospital surveillance is required to document the impact of RSV preventative therapies that have become available in 2024.

Linkage to Care of People With Chronic Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among Blood Donors: Experience From an Apex Treatment Centre Under National Viral Hepatitis Control Program, India

ABSTRACTBackground and ObjectivesChronic viral hepatitis is a major public health challenge. The World Health Organization (WHO) and many national programs have set goals for elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030. Screening, Linkage to care (LTC), and access to treatment are very important steps to eliminate viral hepatitis. The study aimed to assess the cascade of chronic viral hepatitis care and the barrier of LTC in the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP).MethodsIn this observational cross‐sectional study, healthy voluntary blood donors from two leading blood banks, who were HBsAg or anti‐HCV reactive, were advised to attend the clinic of NVHCP.ResultsAmong 116 569 healthy blood donors, prevalence of chronic HBV and HCV were 0.5% and 0.2% respectively. LTC was very poor. Only 27.7% HBsAg positive and 8.9% anti HCV positive patients attended NVHCP clinic. However, those who attended the clinic, 87.8% HBV and 100% HCV‐infected patients were retained. All HCV patients (n = 16) achieved SVR‐12. Among HBV‐infected patients, treatment eligibility was 21%.ConclusionsIn this study, LTC was very poor. Only 27.7% of chronic HBV and 9% of HCV patients attended the NVHCP clinic. Immediate interventions are required to enhance LTC for asymptomatic patients with chronic viral hepatitis.

Simplifying acquisition of essential diagnostics: A comprehensive costing tool for anatomic pathology.

Histopathology is the core diagnostic tool for cancer in pathology laboratories around the world, but there are disparities in access to diagnostics globally. As recognition of the need for cancer care and treatment grows, especially in the wake of World Health Organization programs for cervical, breast, and pediatric cancers, policymakers and health care funders are seeking tools and processes that allow for the largest number of patients to receive a diagnosis at the lowest cost. As histopathology represents the most cost-effective diagnostic method by sheer number of tumor types and volume, understanding the detailed logistics and costs for histology as well as the impactful benefits of economies of scale (ie, larger volumes are less expensive per patient) and scope (ie, the multiple stains available after basic histology sectioning) is paramount to planning an effective publicly funded or government laboratory. Understanding the economic structure of a country's population along with the financial model of a histology laboratory also leads to a market understanding of private laboratories, which can provide services at a profit as well as pro bono services more cost-effectively than purely public laboratories. We have developed a comprehensive, scalable costing tool of a functioning histology laboratory that accounts for all feasible costs and variations in models of service. The tool allows for a standardized approach to selecting goods needed to provide histology services and serves as a guide for implementation of pathology services. Using the tool, laboratories can achieve self-sustainment and long-term financial health while incorporating a proportion of impoverished patients who cannot afford out-of-pocket expenses.

A digital dashboard for reporting mental, neurological and substance use disorders in Nairobi, Kenya: Implementing an open source data technology for improving data capture.

The availability of quality and timely data for routine monitoring of mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) disorders is a challenge, particularly in Africa. We assessed the feasibility of using an open-source data science technology (R Shiny) to improve health data reporting in Nairobi City County, Kenya. Based on a previously used manual tool, in June 2022, we developed a digital online data capture and reporting tool using the open-source Kobo toolbox. Primary mental health care providers (nurses and physicians) working in primary healthcare facilities in Nairobi were trained to use the tool to report cases of MNS disorders diagnosed in their facilities in real-time. The digital tool covered MNS disorders listed in the World Health Organization's (WHO) Mental Health Gap Action Program Intervention Guide (mhGAP-IG). In the digital system, data were disaggregated as new or repeat visits. We linked the data to a live dynamic reproducible dashboard created using R Shiny, summarising the data in tables and figures. Between January and August 2023, 9064 cases of MNS disorders (4454 newly diagnosed, 4591 revisits and 19 referrals) were reported using the digital system compared to 5321 using the manual system in a similar period in 2022. Reporting in the digital system was real-time compared to the manual system, where reports were aggregated and submitted monthly. The system improved data quality by providing timely and complete reports. Open-source applications to report health data is feasible and acceptable to primary health care providers. The technology improved real-time data capture, reporting, and monitoring, providing invaluable information on the burden of MNS disorders and which services can be planned and used for advocacy. The fast and efficient system can be scaled up and integrated with national and sub-national health information systems to reduce manual data reporting and decrease the likelihood of errors and inconsistencies.

Evaluate the Knowledge about the WHO- Recommended Antenatal Visits among Antenatal Mothers in the Outpatient Department

One of the most crucial aspects of the World Health Organization's family welfare program in India is the promotion of maternal and child health. ANC is the care given to women during pregnancy to ensure that both the mother and the kid remain healthy. Reducing infant and mother mortality and morbidity as well as promoting, protecting, and preventing maternal and perinatal health are beneficial for the long-term growth and development of the nation. Sadly, a lot of women in underdeveloped nations do not get this kind of care.  Objectives: Assess the knowledge of WHO recommended ANC visit among pregnant women..  Methodology:  Research Approach: Qualitative study,  Research Design: Descriptive study,  Population: Antenatal mothers Antenatal mothers who are attending OPD.  Sample Size: The sample size consider of 30 antenatal mothers.  Sample Technique: Non probability sampling convenient sampling techniques adopted in this study.  Result: This study had given some clues that majority 22 (74%) of them had moderate knowledge. 6 (20%) of them had inadequate knowledge, 2(7%) of them had adequate knowledge about antenatal mothers.  Conclusion: This study experiences helped the investigator to spell out some recommendations and develop a self- instructional module so as to improve the knowledge about antenatal mothers.

Epidemiological Trends Related to Stroke and Neuroinfectious Diseases in Patients Admitted to the Neurology Unit at Cocody Teaching Hospital in Abidjan

Background: In Ivory Coast, as in many tropical regions, there is a significant coexistence of infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly within the field of neurology. The dual burden of neuroinfectious diseases, including meningitis and strokes, plays a crucial role in shaping public health strategies implemented by the World Health Organization (WHO) and national health programs. Unfortunately, the epidemiological trends are not regularly updated. This study aims to provide insights into hospital admissions and mortality related to strokes and brain infections to inform health policies and improve disease management. Method: It was a retrospective study that examined the medical records of patients admitted to the neurology department of the Cocody University Hospital in Abidjan from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2023, and included individuals across all age groups who were diagnosed with stroke, brain abscess, meningitis, or encephalitis. Results: The study involved 1,518 patients, strokes were more common among older adults, with an average age of 57.3 ± 13.7 years. Strokes represented the primary reason for hospitalization, making up 69% of cases, with an annual growth rate of approximately 2%, while neuroinfectious diseases accounted for 13% of total admissions. In-hospital mortality rates were 15% for stroke patients and 28% for those with neuroinfectious diseases, the latter showing a significantly higher mortality risk (odds ratio = 2.50; p &amp;lt; 0.001). Conclusion: Strokes are the leading cause of hospital admissions in our department, with increasing rates; however, neuroinfectious diseases have higher and stable mortality rates, indicating a more severe prognosis. Therefore, health policies must be reassessed to improve prevention and management for both diseases.

Drug interaction and safety of rivaroxaban use based on the global database Vigibase

A summary of the reports is presented, which are included in the database of the World Health Organization's international drug monitoring program as of March 23, 2022 on the use of rivaroxaban, recommended for the use of the prevention of thrombotic complications and the most often combined drug found in clinical practice. Cases of drug interaction were analyzed and safety analysis of combination therapy was carried out. This material is presented for doctors, researchers, health regulators.

МЕЖДУНАРОДНЫЙ ПРОФИЛЬ БЕЗОПАСНОСТИ ПРИМЕНЕНИЯ ОМАЛИЗУМАБА В КЛИНИЧЕСКОЙ ПРАКТИКЕ

The article provides an overview of information on cases of adverse reactions with the use of omalizumab, the reports of which are included in the database of the World Health Organization's international drug monitoring program in 6 years (selected period 01.01.2017-01.01.2024). An analysis of the safety indicators of omalizumab, which is the drug of choice in the treatment of a number of severe atopic diseases, was carried out. Despite the long-term use of the drug in medical practice (more than 15 years) and reports on its efficacy, there is insufficient information on adverse reactions during its use, especially in the Russian Federation, since long-term clinical monitoring has not been carried out. The obtained characteristics of the structure of adverse reactions to the use of omalizumab by gender, age of patients, nature of their complaints, severity of outcomes, geography and initiators of reports, constitute a theoretical basis for improving and fine-tuning the domestic system of pharmacovigilance and drug monitoring, and may also be of practical interest to doctors, researchers and health regulators. The first rank places in the structure of adverse reactions to omalizumab are occupied by: general disorders and reactions at the site of administration, disorders of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, disorders of the respiratory system, thoracic and mediastinal organs, injuries, intoxication and complications of procedures, disorders of the nervous system. In the overall structure of NR, serious adverse reactions to omalizumab accounted for 35,1%. The analysis showed that in the assessment of adverse reactions, a significant role is given to patients (their representatives), whose opinion is determined by subjective feelings and the level of awareness, so more attention should be paid to drug informing patients.

Eye care service utilization and associated factors among diabetic patients in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction'Vision 2020, the Right to Sight', jointly coordinated by the World Health Organization's program for the prevention of blindness and deafness and the international agency for the prevention of blindness, was launched in 1999, however, the initiative faces many challenges to hitting its target. One of the challenges for this is, the absence of comprehensive data regarding eye care service utilization among diabetes mellitus patients in Africa. Therefore, this study was aimed at assessing the prevalence of eye care service utilization and associated factors among adult diabetes mellitus patients in Africa. MethodsThis systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted as per the international preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA) guidelines. Published articles were searched using reputable databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library) and Web searches (Science Direct, African Journals Online, and Google Scholar). Quality appraisal was assessed based on the Joanna Briggs Institute's (JBI) critical appraisal checklist. The extracted data was exported to STATA version 11 (STATA Corp., LLC) for further analysis. Heterogeneity between the results of primary studies was assessed using Cochran's Q chi-square test and quantified with the I2 statistics. Publication bias was assessed by visual inspection of the funnel plot and Egger's regression tests. ResultsThe database search found 26,966 articles. The pooled prevalence of eye care service utilization among diabetic patients in Africa is found to be 40.92 % (95 % CI: 27.14–54.70, P < 0.001). Good knowledge (POR = 3.57, 95 % CI: 2.67–4.76), good attitude (POR = 5.68, 95 % CI: 4.20–7.68), age greater than 65 years old (POR = 7.11, 95 % CI: 3.86–13.10), urban residence (POR = 5.03, 95 % CI: 2.12–11.96), and disease duration greater than 6 years (POR = 3.81, 95 % CI: 2.25–6.45) were factors associated with eye care service utilization. ConclusionThis meta-analysis revealed that a high proportion of people with diabetes failed to use eye care services. Older age, good knowledge, urban residence and longer duration of illness were found to be the contributing factors for the utilization of eye care services in diabetes mellitus patients. Therefore, by considering the negative impact of low eye care service utilization, it is important to improve the habit of regular screening of the eye into routine assessment of diabetes mellitus follow up targeting patients with older age and longer duration of illness to reduce the magnitude of the problem.

Ensuring Medication Safety in India: The Crucial Role of the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) in Adverse Drug Event Monitoring

With the establishment of 12 regional centers, India implemented a comprehensive system for monitoring drug reactions in 1986. In 1997, India became a member of the Uppsala Monitoring Centre in Sweden, which oversees the World Health Organization's Programme for International Drug Surveillance. Beginning at the outset, six regional centers were created in Chandigarh, New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Pondicherry. ADR is being watched throughout the nation. Advocating for safe drug use may become a top focus for the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, which also functions as the National Coordination Centre for India's Pharmacovigilance Program. We currently have 179 adverse drug reactions under observation. At the moment, the National Coordination Centre receives adverse event reports from centers in India.Reporting Form; Phocomelia; Vigiflow; UMC; Death; Thalidomide

Update of the World Health Organization's Mental Health Gap Action Programme Guideline for Psychoses (Including Schizophrenia).

The World Health Organization's (WHOs) Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) aims to improve healthcare for mental, neurological, and substance use disorders in nonspecialized settings, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). mhGAP includes guidelines for the treatment of psychoses (including schizophrenia), which were recently updated in 2023. The complexity of the WHO guideline update process and the updated recommendations on psychoses are presented. The WHO guideline development process is outlined as well as the evidence appraisal and the translation of the evidence into recommendations following the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. The guideline update process includes a review of the literature, a compilation of systematic reviews, and extracting data related to critical and important outcomes. The updated recommendations and the justifying evidence are discussed. The WHO mhGAP guidelines for psychoses are adapted to LMICs, and consist of 13 recommendations in 2023, whereof 5 were updated, and 1 recommendation was newly developed. Background information on how these recommendations were obtained, and significant changes since the previous guideline update in 2015 are provided. Unlike other guidelines, the WHO must consider various countries, contextual factors, and the WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines when developing its guidelines. A transformation of the WHO guideline for psychoses into a living guideline would ensure always up-to-date recommendations and facilitate shared decision-making.

Depression as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and cognitive impairment in people aged 25-44 years

Aim. To establish associations between the depression level as an independent cardiovascular risk factor and cognitive impairment (patterns of memory, attention and thinking) in people aged 25-44 years.Material and methods. In 2013-2016, a random representative sample of people aged 25-44 years was studied in one of the Novosibirsk districts. A total of 463 men (mean age 35,94±5,96 years) and 546 women (mean age 36,17±5,99 years) were examined. Standardized tests were used to assess cognitive function. Depression level was assessed according to the MOPSY (MONICA-psychosocial) World Health Organization program criteria.Results. In the surveyed random representative sample of people aged 25-44 years, the prevalence of higher education was the highest (60,5%). The depression prevalence in women was higher than in men: high depression level — 15,84 and 8,64%; the mean depression level was 25,71 and 21,3%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that the attention stability according to the dot cancellation test at a moderate and high depression level was reduced only in men with higher education, compared with those without depression (p=0,018). In persons of both sexes with secondary professional education in a random representative sample of persons aged 25-44 years, associations between depression and memory pattern disturbances were identified. In the resulting multivariate model, men in a random representative sample of persons aged 25-44 years without depression did not have any cognitive impairment in patterns of memory, attention and thinking.Conclusion. An association has been established between the depression and cognitive impairment (patterns of memory, attention and thinking) in people aged 25-44 years.

Contextual factors related to vector-control interventions for malaria: a scoping review and evidence and gap map protocol.

This scoping review will identify existing literature regarding contextual factors relevant to vector-control interventions to prevent malaria. We will use the findings of the scoping review to produce an interactive evidence and gap map. The map will assist in the priority setting, development, and conduct of targeted systematic reviews. These systematic reviews seek to assist the Vector Control and Insecticide Resistance Unit of the World Health Organization's Global Malaria Programme by informing recommendation development by their Guidelines Development Group. Malaria contributes substantially to the global burden of disease, with an estimated 247 million cases and 619,000 deaths in 2021. Vector-control is key in reducing malaria transmission. Vector-control interventions directly target the mosquito, reducing the potential for parasite infections. These interventions commonly include insecticides used in indoor residual spraying or insecticide-treated nets and larval source management. Several new vector-control interventions are under evaluation to complement these. In addition to estimating the effects of interventions on health outcomes, it is critical to understand how populations at risk of malaria consider them in terms of their feasibility, acceptability, and values. Eligible studies will have assessed the contextual factors of feasibility or acceptability of the interventions of interest, or the valuation of the outcomes of interests. These assessments will be from the perspective of people who receive (residents) or deliver (workers or technicians) the vector-control intervention for the purpose of preventing malaria. We will conduct this scoping review in accordance with the JBI methodology for scoping reviews and report in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). We will construct the evidence and gap map following guidance from the Campbell Collaboration.

Evidence uptake is only part of the process: Stakeholders' insights on WHO treatment guideline recommendation processes for radical cure of P. vivax malaria.

Health policy processes should be evidence-informed, transparent and timely, but these processes are often unclear to stakeholders outside the immediate policymaking environment. We spoke to 36 international malaria stakeholders to gain insights on the processes involved in the World Health Organization's Global Malaria Programme's recommendations for their treatment guidelines of P. vivax malaria. Four key themes which drew on the 3i policy framework and Shiffman's four factors that influence global and national policymaking were identified to understand these processes. Triggers for policy change and change prioritisation, evidence types that inform policy, effects of funding on decision-making processes, and transparency and communication of these processes to external stakeholders. Results indicate that more clarity is needed on what triggers global malaria policy change processes, a clearer justification of evidence types used to inform policymaking, better understanding of the impact of the WHO's funding model on policymaking and further transparency and improved communication of these processes to external stakeholders is also needed. We suggest that global malaria policymaking could be improved by using the following strategies: ensuring that identified triggers actually initiate the policy change process, expediting decision-making timelines by developing a priority framework for assessing new evidence, adopting suitable frameworks to assess contextual evidence, and increasing the transparency of the role of non-state funders in policy decision-making processes and when publishing new recommendations.

Developing interventions to improve detection of depression in primary healthcare settings in rural Ethiopia.

The poor detection of depression in primary healthcare (PHC) in low- and middle-income countries continues to threaten the plan to scale up mental healthcare coverage. To describe the process followed to develop an intervention package to improve detection of depression in PHC settings in rural Ethiopia. The study was conducted in Sodo, a rural district in south Ethiopia. The Medical Research Council's framework for the development of complex interventions was followed. Qualitative interviews, observations of provider-patient communication, intervention development workshops and pre-testing of the screening component of the intervention were conducted to develop the intervention. A multicomponent intervention package was developed, which included (a) manual-based training of PHC workers for 10 days, adapted from the World Health Organization's Mental Health Gap Action Programme Intervention Guide, with emphasis on depression, locally identified depressive symptoms, communication skills, training by people with lived experience and active learning methods; (b) screening for culturally salient manifestations of depression, using a four-item tool; (c) raising awareness among people attending out-patient clinics about depression, using information leaflets and health education; and (d) system-level interventions, such as supportive supervision, use of posters at health facilities and a decision support mobile app. This contextualised, multicomponent intervention package may lead to meaningful impact on the detection of depression in PHC in rural Ethiopia and similar settings. The intervention will be pilot tested for feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness before its wider implementation.

Technology transfer, intellectual property, and the fight for the soul of WHO.

Debates over the scope, terms, and governance of technology transfer-the sharing of essential technical information, know-how, and materials needed to manufacture a health product-are prominent and controversial in international health diplomacy. These debates have become focal points in recent contentious negotiations to amend the International Health Regulations (IHR) and draft a global Pandemic Agreement. While some countries advocate for automatic or compulsory mechanisms to facilitate access to health technologies, especially in times of crisis, others oppose legal frameworks that mandate non-voluntary participation by the pharmaceutical industry. Also at stake are questions of institutional mandate: the United States has amplified calls by industry that pandemic technology transfer policy should be the domain of the World Trade Organization (WTO) instead of the World Health Organization (WHO). This essay offers a counternarrative to claims that WHO is overstepping its historic role in global governance. Far from being a contemporary development, technology transfer was at the heart of WHO's work at its founding. WHO's early failure to secure antibiotic technology transfer in the face of US opposition led to its first major crisis, prompting the withdrawal of several member states. In response, WHO embarked in the 1950s on a visionary programme to establish a global network of non-profit, state-run drug manufacturers and scientists committed to the free exchange of knowledge. This ambitious initiative has been largely forgotten, excluded even from WHO's self-published accounts of historical technology transfer work. In the context of ongoing pandemic governance negotiations and the nascent mRNA hub program, remembering the lost vision of global solidarity embodied in WHO's midcentury technology transfer program offers a glimpse into an alternate path we might still chart, one where access to medicines is not bound by the logic of enforcing scarcity to maximize profit, and the right to health is a global responsibility.

Exploring perceptions and operational considerations for use of a smartphone application to self-monitor blood pressure in pregnancy in Lombok, Indonesia: protocol for a qualitative study

IntroductionHypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are a leading cause of maternal deaths globally and require close monitoring of blood pressure (BP) to mitigate potential adverse effects. Despite the recognised need...

Technology-Assisted Mental Health Intervention Delivered by Frontline Workers at Community Doorsteps for Reducing Anxiety and Depression in Rural Pakistan: Protocol for the mPareshan Mixed Methods Implementation Trial.

There is a dearth of specialized mental health workforce in low- and middle-income countries. Use of mobile technology by frontline community health workers (CHWs) is gaining momentum in Pakistan and needs to be explored as an alternate strategy to improve mental well-being. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and usefulness of an app-based counseling intervention delivered by government lady health workers (LHWs) to reduce anxiety and depression in rural Pakistan. Project mPareshan is a single-arm, pre- and posttest implementation research trial in Badin District, Sindh, using mixed methods of data collection executed in 3 phases (preintervention, intervention, and postintervention). In the preintervention phase, formative qualitative assessments through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews assess the acceptability and appropriateness of intervention through perceptions of all concerned stakeholders using a specific interview guide. A REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture)-based baseline survey using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale (GAD-7) determines the point prevalence of depression and anxiety among consenting men and women older than 18 years. Individuals with mild and moderate anxiety and depression are identified as screen positives (SPs) and are eligible for mPareshan app-based intervention. Mental health literacy of health workers is improved through customized training adapting the World Health Organization's Mental Health Gap Action Programme guide 2.0. The intervention (mPareshan app) consists of tracking, counseling, and referral segments. The tracking segment facilitates participant consent and enrollment while the referral segment is used by LHWs to transfer severe cases to the next level of specialist care. Through the counseling segment, identified SPs are engaged during LHWs' routine home visits in 6 face-to-face 20-minute counseling sessions over 6 months. Each session imparts psychoeducation through audiovisual aids, breathing exercises, and coping skills to reduce stress. Clinical and implementation outcomes include change in mean anxiety and depression scores and identification of facilitators and barriers in intervention uptake and rollout. At the time of this submission (April 2024), we are analyzing the results of 366 individuals who participated in the baseline prevalence survey, the change in knowledge and skills of 72 health workers who took the mPareshan training, change in anxiety and depression scores of 98 SPs recruited for app-based counseling intervention, and perceptions of stakeholders pre- and postintervention gathered through 8 focus group discussions and 18 in-depth interviews. This trial will assess the feasibility of early home-based mental health screening, counseling, and prompt referrals by frontline health workers to reduce anxiety and depression in the community. The study findings will set the stage for integrating mental health into primary health care. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN12622000989741; https://tinyurl.com/5n844c8z. DERR1-10.2196/54272.

Management of onchocerciasis among adolescents in nkwanta north district of Ghana: Qualitative study of adolescents' perception, community and health system support.

Onchocerciasis affects the quality of life to a greater extent among affected individuals. The World Health Organization (WHO)'s Onchocerciasis Control Program (OCP) has effectively reduced the prevalence of onchocerciasis by interrupting the transmission of the parasite and by mass population treatment in the regions at risk of the disease. Despite the successful reduction of the prevalence of onchocerciasis by WHO, the socioeconomic burden resulting from the disabilities caused by onchocerciasis are still immense. This study sought to explore the adolescents' perception regarding the management of onchocerciasis, community and health system support in Nkwanta North District of Ghana. This study adopted a qualitative phenomenological design and exploratory, descriptive qualitative approach. An in-depth interview guide was developed to collect data for the study. One-on-one interview was conducted. Data collected from 16 onchocerciasis adolescent patients were analysed thematically using ATLAS.ti v7.5.7. Quotes from the participants were presented verbatim to substantiate the themes realised. Most of the 12 participants (75.0%) were aged 15-18 years old. It was noted that 6(37.50%) of participants were in Junior High School (JHS), while 4(25.0%) were in Senior High School (SHS). It was noted that community members have diverse understandings and perceptions of onchocerciasis, including beliefs that Onchocerciasis is a serious disease that can cause blindness; it is caused by the consumption of some types of food products or stressful work. Adolescents believed that onchocerciasis was caused by insect bite blood infection, poor environmental hygiene, sun or could have been inherited from parents. Ivermectin treatment was noted by adolescents to have helped relieve the symptoms of ochocerciasis they were experiencing. However, the adolescents indicated that they had experienced some side effects, including fever, headache, body itching, rushes, swollen body and blurred vision from the drug. Inadequate education and communication about onchocerciasis resulted in diverse and erroneous meanings of onchocerciasis among community members. Our research recognises that community and health system supports is very important in the effective management of Onchocerciasis, contributing to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.3, which is targeted at ending the epidemic of NTDs like onchocerciasis by 2030.