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 ResearchMeSH KeywordsDeveloping CountriesHIV InfectionsHumansInfantInfant, NewbornRetention in CareVulnerable PopulationsConceptsEarly 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 ProvincePartners-based HIV treatment for seroconcordant couples attending antenatal and postnatal care in rural Mozambique: A cluster randomized trial protocol
Audet CM, Graves E, Barreto E, De Schacht C, Gong W, Shepherd BE, Aboobacar A, Gonzalez-Calvo L, Alvim MF, Aliyu MH, Kipp AM, Jordan H, Amico KR, Diemer M, Ciaranello A, Dugdale C, Vermund SH, Van Rompaey S. Partners-based HIV treatment for seroconcordant couples attending antenatal and postnatal care in rural Mozambique: A cluster randomized trial protocol. Contemporary Clinical Trials 2018, 71: 63-69. PMID: 29879469, PMCID: PMC6067957, DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2018.05.020.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsChild transmissionSeroconcordant couplesMale partnersResource-limited rural settingsElimination of motherRoutine clinical dataUptake of servicesClinical trial designMale partner approvalAntiretroviral therapyHIV careAntenatal careRural MozambiqueHIV servicesPostnatal carePregnant womenHIV treatmentTrial protocolClinical dataHealth facilitiesTrial designHIVNewborn childrenPartner approvalEngagement interventionsHuman 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 womenPatient and Provider Satisfaction With a Comprehensive Strategy to Improve Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission Services in Rural Nigeria
Boehmer A, Audet CM, Blevins M, Gebi UI, Wester CW, Vermund SH, Aliyu MH. Patient and Provider Satisfaction With a Comprehensive Strategy to Improve Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission Services in Rural Nigeria. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2016, 72: s117-s123. PMID: 27355498, PMCID: PMC5113240, DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000001058.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPrevention of motherProvider satisfactionPatient satisfactionWeeks postpartumControl armIntervention sitesChild HIV transmission servicesChild HIV transmission rateMother-infant careCD4 cell countHIV transmission ratesCluster-randomized trialTotal patient satisfactionAntiretroviral therapyHIV careChild transmissionPrescribed treatmentClinician satisfactionHealth personnelLower cadre workersCell countHealth problemsMale involvementProvider rolesProviders' ability
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
Pediatric 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
Addressing Poor Retention of Infants Exposed to HIV
Ciampa PJ, Tique JA, Jumá N, Sidat M, Moon TD, Rothman RL, Vermund SH. Addressing Poor Retention of Infants Exposed to HIV. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2012, 60: e46-e52. PMID: 22622077, PMCID: PMC3587032, DOI: 10.1097/qai.0b013e31824c0267.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEarly infant diagnosisMother/infant pairsInfant pairsEnhanced referralProportion of HIVDays of lifePhase 2 groupProcess of referralLow-resource countriesPhase 2Phase 1Quality improvement effortsHIV carePostpartum dischargeInfant diagnosisAdjusted analysisCox regressionKaplan-MeierDistrict hospitalMedical recordsMAIN OUTCOMEQuality improvement methodsHIVInfantsReferral
2011
Improving Retention in the Early Infant Diagnosis of HIV Program in Rural Mozambique by Better Service Integration
Ciampa PJ, Burlison JR, Blevins M, Sidat M, Moon TD, Rothman RL, Vermund SH. Improving Retention in the Early Infant Diagnosis of HIV Program in Rural Mozambique by Better Service Integration. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2011, 58: 115-119. PMID: 21546845, DOI: 10.1097/qai.0b013e31822149bf.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEarly infant diagnosisInfant diagnosisInfant testingEarly infant testingWomen/infantsRetrospective record reviewPostpartum HIVRural MozambiqueRecord reviewStandard referralHIV programsHigher oddsReferral processSimple interventionHIVReferralDiagnosisInfant retentionWomenService integrationInfantsRotavirus Diarrhea Among Children Less Than 5 Years of Age in Urban Ghana
Binka E, Vermund SH, Armah GE. Rotavirus Diarrhea Among Children Less Than 5 Years of Age in Urban Ghana. The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal 2011, 30: 716-718. PMID: 21646938, PMCID: PMC3149899, DOI: 10.1097/inf.0b013e318223bd85.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPredictors of Successful Early Infant Diagnosis of HIV in a Rural District Hospital in Zambézia, Mozambique
Cook RE, Ciampa PJ, Sidat M, Blevins M, Burlison J, Davidson MA, Arroz JA, Vergara AE, Vermund SH, Moon TD. Predictors of Successful Early Infant Diagnosis of HIV in a Rural District Hospital in Zambézia, Mozambique. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2011, 56: e104-e109. PMID: 21266912, PMCID: PMC3073723, DOI: 10.1097/qai.0b013e318207a535.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEarly infant diagnosisInfant diagnosisHIV diagnosisMaternal receiptAntiretroviral therapyEarly infant HIV diagnosisMultivariable logistic regression modelHIV-infected mothersLinkage of HIVRural Zambézia ProvinceHIV care clinicsInfant HIV diagnosisRural district hospitalMother-infant pairsPaediatric antiretroviral treatmentLocal health authoritiesLogistic regression modelsRetrospective cohortAntiretroviral treatmentMedian ageCare clinicsMaternal healthDistrict hospitalTimely initiationHIV
2010
Cost comparison of microscopy vs. empiric treatment for malaria in southwestern nigeria: a prospective study
Parikh R, Amole I, Tarpley M, Gbadero D, Davidson M, Vermund SH. Cost comparison of microscopy vs. empiric treatment for malaria in southwestern nigeria: a prospective study. Malaria Journal 2010, 9: 371. PMID: 21176228, PMCID: PMC3152770, DOI: 10.1186/1475-2875-9-371.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEmpiric treatmentAnti-malarial drugsClinical diagnosisClinical malariaGiemsa smearsMajority of patientsUniversity Teaching HospitalCases of malariaRapid diagnostic testsResource-limited settingsCost of diagnosisBody achesHospital chargesProspective studyTreatment optionsPatient costsPediatric regimenTeaching hospitalDiagnostic confirmationEmpirical treatmentThick smearsClinician judgmentAntimalarial drugsDrug resistanceMalariaRandomized controlled trial to improve childhood immunization adherence in rural Pakistan: redesigned immunization card and maternal education
Usman HR, Rahbar MH, Kristensen S, Vermund SH, Kirby RS, Habib F, Chamot E. Randomized controlled trial to improve childhood immunization adherence in rural Pakistan: redesigned immunization card and maternal education. Tropical Medicine And International Health 2010, 16: 334-342. PMID: 21159080, PMCID: PMC3763701, DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2010.02698.x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsStandard care groupMother-child pairsImmunization cardPublic health impactCare groupIntervention groupStudy groupCard groupEnd of followEducation groupDTP immunizationImmunization adherenceEPI scheduleFirst doseImmunization visitsStandard careMaternal educationStudy outcomesSubstantial dropoutHealth impactsImmunizationDTP3ChildrenDoseTrials