2019
Promoting progress in child survival across four African countries: the role of strong health governance and leadership in maternal, neonatal and child health
Haley CA, Brault MA, Mwinga K, Desta T, Ngure K, Kennedy SB, Maimbolwa M, Moyo P, Vermund SH, Kipp AM, Kabaka S, Sergon K, Clarke A, Duworko M, Kalesha-Masumbu P, Katepa-Bwalya M, Madzima B, Kanyowa T, Habimana P. Promoting progress in child survival across four African countries: the role of strong health governance and leadership in maternal, neonatal and child health. Health Policy And Planning 2019, 34: 24-36. PMID: 30698696, PMCID: PMC6479825, DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czy105.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsChild survivalChild mortalityChild healthWorld Health Organization (WHO) African RegionCoordination of servicesSaharan AfricaHealth governanceMortalityDevelopment GoalsCurrent sustainable development goalsStudy countriesSurvivalMNCHPace of reductionTwo-thirdsHealth leadershipSustainable Development GoalsMillennium Development GoalsCross-country analysisAfrican regionFour-country studyTop national priorityHealthSufficient humanIndividual case studies
2018
Attrition of HIV‐exposed infants from early infant diagnosis services in low‐ and middle‐income countries: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Carlucci JG, Liu Y, Friedman H, Pelayo BE, Robelin K, Sheldon EK, Clouse K, Vermund SH. Attrition of HIV‐exposed infants from early infant diagnosis services in low‐ and middle‐income countries: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Journal Of The International AIDS Society 2018, 21: e25209. PMID: 30649834, PMCID: PMC6287094, DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25209.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEarly infant diagnosis servicesEID servicesMiddle-income countriesSystematic reviewRetention of HIVOptimal health outcomesNon-intervention studyMeta-regression analysisComprehensive database searchLTFU definitionStudy eligibilityMagnitude of attritionEligibility criteriaHIVDiagnosis serviceHealth outcomesInfantsRandom-effects meta-analytic methodsOverall attritionMeta-analytic methodsTime pointsData extractionVulnerable populationsImplementation researchMonthsFactors influencing rapid progress in child health in post-conflict Liberia: a mixed methods country case study on progress in child survival, 2000–2013
Brault MA, Kennedy SB, Haley CA, Clarke AT, Duworko MC, Habimana P, Vermund SH, Kipp AM, Mwinga K. Factors influencing rapid progress in child health in post-conflict Liberia: a mixed methods country case study on progress in child survival, 2000–2013. BMJ Open 2018, 8: e021879. PMID: 30327401, PMCID: PMC6196853, DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-021879.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCivil warPost-conflict settingsCountry’s civil warCountry case studiesPost-conflict LiberiaDepth case studyCommunity-based organizationsKey informant interviewsAfrican regionCase studyFocus group discussionsChild survivalDonor organizationsLiberia experienceQualitative interviewsInformant interviewsNational documentsIntersectoral collaborationFour CountriesTraditional midwivesGroup discussionsChild health programsLiberiaWarGoal 4“I will leave the baby with my mother”: Long‐distance travel and follow‐up care among HIV‐positive pregnant and postpartum women in South Africa
Clouse K, Fox MP, Mongwenyana C, Motlhatlhedi M, Buthelezi S, Bokaba D, Norris SA, Bassett J, Lurie MN, Aronoff DM, Vermund SH. “I will leave the baby with my mother”: Long‐distance travel and follow‐up care among HIV‐positive pregnant and postpartum women in South Africa. Journal Of The International AIDS Society 2018, 21: e25121. PMID: 30027665, PMCID: PMC6053484, DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25121.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSouth AfricaNine provincesMotivation of travelLong-distance travelSouth Africa's nine provincesPostpartum womenPeripartum periodGreater JohannesburgSouth African provincesCare of familiesFragmented healthcare systemContinuity of HIVHIV-positive womenMobile populationsTravel patternsUrban African settingAfrican provincesJohannesburgHealthcare accessFrequent travelMedian durationMedian ageDiverse clinicsFrequent mobilityGauteng ProvinceSevere outcomes associated with respiratory viruses in newborns and infants: a prospective viral surveillance study in Jordan
Khuri-Bulos N, Lawrence L, Piya B, Wang L, Fonnesbeck C, Faouri S, Shehabi A, Vermund SH, Williams JV, Halasa NB. Severe outcomes associated with respiratory viruses in newborns and infants: a prospective viral surveillance study in Jordan. BMJ Open 2018, 8: e021898. PMID: 29780032, PMCID: PMC5961648, DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-021898.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdenoviridaeAntiviral AgentsFemaleHumansInfantIntensive Care UnitsJordanLength of StayMaleOxygen Inhalation TherapyPalivizumabParainfluenza Virus 1, HumanProspective StudiesRespiratory Syncytial Virus InfectionsRespiratory Syncytial Virus VaccinesRespiratory Syncytial Virus, HumanRespiratory Tract InfectionsRhinovirusRisk FactorsConceptsLonger LOSLength of stayAcute respiratory infectionsIntensive care unitRespiratory syncytial virusOxygen therapyMechanical ventilationHospitalisation ratesICU admissionIllness severityRespiratory virusesMedical conditionsExtended breast feedingRSV vaccine developmentProspective cohort studyUnderlying medical conditionsChemotherapy-associated neutropeniaHuman parainfluenza virusesYears of ageCohort studyRespiratory symptomsBreast feedingRespiratory infectionsCare unitSyncytial virusHuman Molecular Genetics Has Not Yet Contributed to Measurable Public Health Advances
Paneth N, Vermund SH. Human Molecular Genetics Has Not Yet Contributed to Measurable Public Health Advances. Perspectives In Biology And Medicine 2018, 61: 537-549. PMID: 30613036, DOI: 10.1353/pbm.2018.0063.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHuman molecular geneticsMolecular geneticsGenetic ageHuman genomic informationGenomic informationBiomedical researchDouble helical structureGeneticsPopulation effectsGreatest public health advancesDiscoveryGenesBiologyPublic fund investmentsDNAPublic health parametersPrecision medicineMost health conditionsPrimary agentMeasurable effectNobel PrizeAdvances
2017
The introduction of new policies and strategies to reduce inequities and improve child health in Kenya: A country case study on progress in child survival, 2000-2013
Brault MA, Ngure K, Haley CA, Kabaka S, Sergon K, Desta T, Mwinga K, Vermund SH, Kipp AM. The introduction of new policies and strategies to reduce inequities and improve child health in Kenya: A country case study on progress in child survival, 2000-2013. PLOS ONE 2017, 12: e0181777. PMID: 28763454, PMCID: PMC5538680, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181777.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultChild HealthChild Health ServicesChild MortalityChild, PreschoolFemaleFocus GroupsHealth PolicyHealth Status DisparitiesHealthcare DisparitiesHIV InfectionsHumansInfantInfant MortalityInfant, NewbornInfectious Disease Transmission, VerticalKenyaMaleMaternal Health ServicesNeonatologyObstetricsPregnancyRural PopulationUrban PopulationYoung AdultConceptsCommunity health strategyNew policiesAFRO regionQualitative dataCountry case studiesUser feesChild survivalDepth case studyMillennium Development GoalsInsufficient progressEssential packageFour-country studyCase studyPolicies/strategiesKenya's effortsPolicy reviewDevelopment GoalsHealth strategiesNational documentsNeonatal careGeographic inequitiesInequitiesKey barriersProvision of immunizationsAfrican regionMonitoring Anesthesia Care Delivery and Perioperative Mortality in Kenya Utilizing a Provider-driven Novel Data Collection Tool
Sileshi B, Newton MW, Kiptanui J, Shotwell MS, Wanderer JP, Mungai M, Scherdin J, Harris PA, Vermund SH, Sandberg WS, McEvoy MD. Monitoring Anesthesia Care Delivery and Perioperative Mortality in Kenya Utilizing a Provider-driven Novel Data Collection Tool. Anesthesiology 2017, 127: 250-271. PMID: 28657959, PMCID: PMC5519082, DOI: 10.1097/aln.0000000000001713.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPerioperative dataPerioperative mortality rateTertiary referral hospitalMortality rate differencesAnesthesia care deliveryLogistic regression modelsMiddle-income settingsPerioperative mortalityCesarean deliveryEmergency surgeryMiddle-income countriesPerioperative careReferral hospitalSurgery typeSingle centerProcedure typeGeneral surgeryHigh riskMortality rateCare deliveryMortalityData collection periodData collection toolSurgeryRegression modelsImpact of a critical health workforce shortage on child health in Zimbabwe: a country case study on progress in child survival, 2000–2013
Haley CA, Vermund SH, Moyo P, Kipp AM, Madzima B, Kanyowa T, Desta T, Mwinga K, Brault MA. Impact of a critical health workforce shortage on child health in Zimbabwe: a country case study on progress in child survival, 2000–2013. Health Policy And Planning 2017, 32: 613-624. PMID: 28064212, PMCID: PMC5406757, DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czw162.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHealth workersMortality rateHealth servicesPost-natal care visitsHigh neonatal mortality rateChild health servicesLife-saving health servicesCommunity health workersNeonatal mortality rateLife-saving interventionsCommunity-based treatmentMillennium Development Goals fourLower-level cadresHealth workforce shortagesCritical shortageHigh child mortalityNational health policyCare visitsPregnant womenSenior providersHealth staffChild healthChild survivalHealth workforceChild mortality
2016
Improving access to child health services at the community level in Zambia: a country case study on progress in child survival, 2000–2013
Kipp AM, Maimbolwa M, Brault MA, Kalesha-Masumbu P, Katepa-Bwalya M, Habimana P, Vermund SH, Mwinga K, Haley CA. Improving access to child health services at the community level in Zambia: a country case study on progress in child survival, 2000–2013. Health Policy And Planning 2016, 32: 603-612. PMID: 28453711, PMCID: PMC5964895, DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czw141.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMNCH servicesCountry case studiesChild survivalMillennium Development GoalsCommunity health strategyOngoing reformsDevelopment GoalsKey informantsNational commitmentNational documentsHealth servicesMDG periodFinancing limitationsQualitative dataAfrican countriesCountry studiesNational Health Strategic PlansCommunity levelExternal partnersBasic transportationCommunity health workersChild health servicesUniversal accessFunding increasesCommunity womenWhy wait? We need to scale-up infant male circumcision for global HIV control
Davey D, Vermund SH, Wamai R, Phili R, Klausner JD. Why wait? We need to scale-up infant male circumcision for global HIV control. AIDS 2016, 30: 1847-1848. PMID: 27088322, PMCID: PMC10767709, DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000001121.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchIntegrated prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission services, antiretroviral therapy initiation, and maternal and infant retention in care in rural north-central Nigeria: a cluster-randomised controlled trial
Aliyu MH, Blevins M, Audet CM, Kalish M, Gebi UI, Onwujekwe O, Lindegren ML, Shepherd BE, Wester CW, Vermund SH. Integrated prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission services, antiretroviral therapy initiation, and maternal and infant retention in care in rural north-central Nigeria: a cluster-randomised controlled trial. The Lancet HIV 2016, 3: e202-e211. PMID: 27126487, PMCID: PMC4852280, DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(16)00018-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAcquired Immunodeficiency SyndromeAdolescentAdultAnti-HIV AgentsCD4 Lymphocyte CountDelivery of Health Care, IntegratedEarly Intervention, EducationalFamilyFemaleHIV InfectionsHumansInfantInfectious Disease Transmission, VerticalMaleMothersNevirapineNigeriaPregnancyPregnancy Complications, InfectiousPrenatal CareRural PopulationYoung AdultConceptsChild HIV transmissionAntiretroviral therapyStandard of careRural North-Central NigeriaWeeks post partumIntervention groupAntiretroviral prophylaxisEligible womenHIV statusHIV transmissionSecondary level health care facilitiesChild HIV transmission servicesClinical stage 1 diseasePost partumEunice Kennedy Shriver National InstituteMedian CD4 countPMTCT service deliveryAntiretroviral therapy initiationCD4 cell countPrevention of motherStage 1 diseaseUnknown HIV statusElimination of motherNorth Central NigeriaEarly infant diagnosisFactors associated with declining under-five mortality rates from 2000 to 2013: an ecological analysis of 46 African countries
Kipp AM, Blevins M, Haley CA, Mwinga K, Habimana P, Shepherd BE, Aliyu MH, Ketsela T, Vermund SH. Factors associated with declining under-five mortality rates from 2000 to 2013: an ecological analysis of 46 African countries. BMJ Open 2016, 6: e007675. PMID: 26747029, PMCID: PMC4716228, DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-007675.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAfricaBirth RateChildChild HealthChild MortalityDeveloping CountriesEconomic DevelopmentHealth ExpendituresHealth PolicyHealth ServicesHealthcare FinancingHumansInfantInfant HealthInfant MortalityMaternal HealthMaternal MortalityPatient Acceptance of Health CareSocial Determinants of HealthSocioeconomic FactorsTechnologyConceptsMortality rateAcute respiratory infectionsChild health interventionsMaternal mortality ratioU5M rateHigh ARRRespiratory infectionsPotential confoundersMaternal healthMortality ratioHealth interventionsSignificant associationAnnual rateMajority of factorsRobust linear regression modelsStudy periodM rateHealth expenditureLinear regression modelsARRTwo-thirdsRegression modelsAssociationHealthAfrican countries
2015
Natural history and epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus infection in the Middle East: Hospital surveillance for children under age two in Jordan
Halasa N, Williams J, Faouri S, Shehabi A, Vermund SH, Wang L, Fonnesbeck C, Khuri-Bulos N. Natural history and epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus infection in the Middle East: Hospital surveillance for children under age two in Jordan. Vaccine 2015, 33: 6479-6487. PMID: 26314623, PMCID: PMC7115487, DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.08.048.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsEpidemiological MonitoringFemaleHospitalsHumansInfantInfant, NewbornJordanMaleMass SpectrometryNasal MucosaPharynxPrevalenceProspective StudiesReal-Time Polymerase Chain ReactionRespiratory Syncytial Virus InfectionsRespiratory Tract InfectionsReverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain ReactionRisk FactorsVitamin DConceptsRespiratory syncytial virusRSV-positive childrenVitamin D levelsD levelsRespiratory virusesRisk factorsMedical conditionsBurden of RSVOxygen useMedian vitamin D levelNasal/throat swabsRespiratory syncytial virus infectionCause of bronchiolitisHeel stick bloodSyncytial virus infectionLack of breastfeedingSupplemental oxygen useHigh viral loadFuture RSV vaccinesYoung childrenReal-time RT-PCRRSV hospitalizationRespiratory symptomsRSV vaccineAntiviral therapy
2014
Poor Clinical Outcomes for HIV Infected Children on Antiretroviral Therapy in Rural Mozambique: Need for Program Quality Improvement and Community Engagement
Vermund SH, Blevins M, Moon TD, José E, Moiane L, Tique JA, Sidat M, Ciampa PJ, Shepherd BE, Vaz LM. Poor Clinical Outcomes for HIV Infected Children on Antiretroviral Therapy in Rural Mozambique: Need for Program Quality Improvement and Community Engagement. PLOS ONE 2014, 9: e110116. PMID: 25330113, PMCID: PMC4203761, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110116.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCombination antiretroviral therapyAntiretroviral therapyInfant diagnosisClinical outcomesEarly infant diagnosisPoor clinical outcomeYears of ageResource-limited settingsUnknown clinical outcomesCohort mortality ratesQuality improvement effortsART initiationCART initiationRural MozambiqueHIV servicesAdults 15HIV prevalenceKaplan-MeierHigher hemoglobinMedication pickupClinical dataOutcome treatmentNational guidelinesCase findingZambézia ProvinceMultidimensional Poverty in Rural Mozambique: A New Metric for Evaluating Public Health Interventions
Victor B, Blevins M, Green AF, Ndatimana E, González-Calvo L, Fischer EF, Vergara AE, Vermund SH, Olupona O, Moon TD. Multidimensional Poverty in Rural Mozambique: A New Metric for Evaluating Public Health Interventions. PLOS ONE 2014, 9: e108654. PMID: 25268951, PMCID: PMC4182519, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108654.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMultidimensional poverty measuresMultidimensional poverty measurementMultidimensional poverty indexContext-specific indicatorsMultidimensional povertyPoverty measurementPoverty measuresEvidence-based planningPoverty gapPoverty indexPoverty conditionsAverage deprivationPovertyPublic health interventionsFemale headsSocial determinantsMultidimensional phenomenonIntervention deploymentRural MozambiqueHouseholdsProgram implementersHealth interventionsLocal languageGeospatial mapsGeospatial visualizationCorrelates of Suboptimal Entry Into Early Infant Diagnosis in Rural North Central Nigeria
Aliyu MH, Blevins M, Megazzini KM, Audet CM, Dunlap J, Sodangi IS, Gebi UI, Shepherd BE, Wester CW, Vermund SH. Correlates of Suboptimal Entry Into Early Infant Diagnosis in Rural North Central Nigeria. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2014, 67: e19-e26. PMID: 24853310, PMCID: PMC4134378, DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000000215.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEarly infant diagnosisRural North-Central NigeriaInfant diagnosisPregnant womenChild HIV transmission (PMTCT) programsHIV care/treatmentClinic of enrolmentPediatric HIV infectionPrevention of motherNorth Central NigeriaMultivariable logistic regressionCare/treatmentDate of enrollmentHIV service uptakeEID uptakeCohort studyHIV infectionLaboratory variablesClinic locationService uptakeMaternal factorsTransmission programInfantsReferral sourceLogistic regressionPediatric Malignancies, Treatment Outcomes and Abandonment of Pediatric Cancer Treatment in Zambia
Slone JS, Chunda-Liyoka C, Perez M, Mutalima N, Newton R, Chintu C, Kankasa C, Chipeta J, Heimburger DC, Vermund SH, Friedman DL. Pediatric Malignancies, Treatment Outcomes and Abandonment of Pediatric Cancer Treatment in Zambia. PLOS ONE 2014, 9: e89102. PMID: 24586527, PMCID: PMC3931678, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089102.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsUniversity Teaching HospitalPediatric oncology wardOncology wardTreatment abandonmentRisk factorsTreatment outcomesRetrospective cohort studyAbandonment of treatmentMode of diagnosisCohort of childrenClinical medical recordsStudy time periodCohort studyOncologic treatmentTreatment regimenMultivariable analysisMedical recordsTeaching hospitalInclusion criteriaLower riskCancerChildrenTreatmentWardsDiagnosis
2013
Optimizing PMTCT service delivery in rural North-Central Nigeria: Protocol and design for a cluster randomized study
Aliyu MH, Blevins M, Audet C, Shepherd BE, Hassan A, Onwujekwe O, Gebi UI, Kalish M, Lindegren ML, Vermund SH, Wester CW. Optimizing PMTCT service delivery in rural North-Central Nigeria: Protocol and design for a cluster randomized study. Contemporary Clinical Trials 2013, 36: 187-197. PMID: 23816493, PMCID: PMC3786261, DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2013.06.013.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnti-Retroviral AgentsCD4 Lymphocyte CountCost-Benefit AnalysisFamilyFemaleHIV InfectionsHumansInfantInfant, NewbornInfectious Disease Transmission, VerticalMaternal-Child Health CentersMentorsNigeriaPatient SatisfactionPoint-of-Care SystemsPregnancyPrenatal CareResearch DesignRural PopulationSocioeconomic FactorsConceptsAntiretroviral therapyPMTCT servicesChild transmissionHIV service integrationPMTCT service deliveryPMTCT service provisionChild HIV transmissionPrevention of motherCell count testingSimilar resource-limited settingsRural health facilitiesRural North-Central NigeriaResource-limited settingsPatient care responsibilitiesPMTCT careMore HIVHIV infectionCare CD4Cell count resultsHIV transmissionPregnant womenUNAIDS/Health facilitiesHealth providersInfluential community members
2012
Notification for Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV Among Sex Workers in Guatemala
Sabidó M, Gregg LP, Vallès X, Nikiforov M, Monzón JE, Pedroza MI, Vermund SH, Casabona J. Notification for Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV Among Sex Workers in Guatemala. Sexually Transmitted Diseases 2012, 39: 504-508. PMID: 22706210, DOI: 10.1097/olq.0b013e31824f8b1b.Peer-Reviewed Original Research