London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

24-hour Movement Behaviours and Multimorbidity in Malawi: protocol for a cross-sectional study

Background Multimorbidity – the co-existence of two or more long-term conditions in an individual – is a growing problem in Malawi, as the population transitions from predominantly young and rural to older and more urban. People living with multimorbidity experience lower quality...

Diversified food fortification portfolios can enhance coverage of micronutrient-vulnerable populations in West Africa

Abstract Food fortification is central to addressing micronutrient deficiencies in West Africa and elsewhere. Yet evidence remains limited on whether current staple food fortification vehicles equitably reach vulnerable populations and whether candidate vehicles warrant inclusion...

Development and validation of the personal recovery scale (ReConnect) for mental health in Ethiopia

Background: Socio-cultural context is crucial for conceptualising personal recovery in mental health, but existing measures are from Western, high-income countries. Aim: To develop and validate a mental health personal recovery measure for people with mental health conditions in...

Antithrombotic therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with atrial fibrillation: an individual patient data network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Randomized trials demonstrated that in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) and a P2Y12 inhibitor reduce bleeding compared with vitamin K antagonist (VKA) plus dual antipl...

Trust in the conduct of health and implementation research in conflict-induced humanitarian settings: a narrative literature review and preliminary theoretical framework

Conducting research in settings marked by violence is essential for generating credible knowledge to improve humanitarian responses. While its importance is widely acknowledged, the practice of health research, and implementation research in particular, is rarely itself a focus o...

Risks of adverse respiratory outcomes in adults with cancer over the course of survivorship compared with cancer-free individuals: a matched cohort study using linked English electronic health records

Background We aimed to compare the risks of developing new chronic respiratory conditions, or exacerbating existing ones in survivors of 20 common cancers vs. cancer-free individuals. Methods We conducted a population-based matched cohort study using English electronic primary ca...

Current cybersecurity threats to patient safety in the operating room: a review

Abstract Surgical, anesthetic, and intensive care practices now depend on a large ecosystem of wired and wireless devices, robotic consoles, imaging and laboratory systems, and cloud infrastructure: the Internet of Medical Things and the smart operating room, which extends care b...

Recruiting a geographically, ethnically and socioeconomically diverse population of postpartum women into a behavioural weight management intervention trial: an evaluation of strategies used in the Supporting MumS (SMS) randomised controlled trial

Abstract Background Engaging women in behavioural weight management interventions in the postpartum period has proved challenging. Previous trials of such interventions have frequently experienced issues with participant recruitment and retention and recruited samples have been s...

Disentangling the drivers of heterogeneity in SARS-CoV-2 transmission from data on viral load and daily contact rates

Abstract SARS-CoV-2 transmission is highly overdispersed, with a minority of individuals responsible for the majority of transmission, though the drivers of this heterogeneity are unclear. Here, we assess the contribution of variation in viral load and daily contact rates to this...

Exploring post-pandemic policies on staff testing, sickness pay and absence related to COVID and respiratory infections in English care homes

Abstract Background Residents of care homes for older people are at risk of illness and hospitalisation from respiratory infections. Care home industry pay and conditions may contribute to the risk that staff will transmit infection to residents at times when respiratory viruses...

Variation in cataract surgical outcomes by facility type: evidence from 168 population-based surveys in 61 countries

Background/aims To compare visual outcomes after cataract surgery between outreach camps and fixed facilities, and among government, non-governmental organisation (NGO) and private providers within fixed facilities. Methods Pooled cross-sectional analysis of 41 881 cataract-opera...

Physical and mental health conditions in men who have sex with men: a global umbrella review of meta-analyses

Men who have sex with men (MSM) face a disproportionate burden of health problems. Prior syntheses among MSM have not comprehensively addressed key areas such as non-communicable diseases, mental health, and comorbidities. This umbrella review aimed to synthesize and evaluate met...

Reconstruction of epithelial transcriptional trajectories reveals heterogeneous progression and early therapy-resistance programs in high-grade serous carcinoma precursors

Abstract Background Serous-tubal intraepithelial-carcinoma (STIC) is considered the principal precursor of tubo-ovarian high-grade serous-carcinoma (HGSC), yet its biological uniformity, progression risk and potential response to poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-inhibitors (PARPi) rem...

Mucosal IgA to pre-fusion F protein predicts protection from RSV infection in a high burden setting

ABSTRACT Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes over 100,000 annual deaths, predominantly in low-and middle-income countries, yet immunological correlates of protection remain poorly defined in high-burden settings. We conducted an intensively sampled prospective household coho...

Impact of Charlson Comorbidity Index conditions on one-year survival in patients with breast cancer: a Danish population-based cohort study

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in women. The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) is a widely used tool for quantifying multimorbidity. As the population ages, breast cancer incidence and comorbidity prevalence are expected to grow. We therefore investigate...

Childcare in Transition: Evidence That Patterns of Childcare Differ by Degree of Market Integration in Northwestern Tanzania

Highlights This study uses novel data on multiple childcare types from both kin and nonkin in two culturally similar communities with varying market integration. It tests the hypothesis that market integration is associated with reduced kin support. Who provides support and the t...

Trends and patterns of varicella zoster virus infection in Kilifi: A population-based serosurvey

Abstract There is limited epidemiologic data on varicella zoster virus (VZV) infections from low- and middle-income countries including Kenya. We aimed to describe the seroepidemiology of VZV in Kilifi, Kenya, where varicella vaccine is not included in the national infant immuniz...

How much are households willing to invest in hand hygiene enabling technologies? A randomised pricing experiment in Lusaka, Zambia

Abstract Access to a dedicated handwashing facility (HWF) increases handwashing with soap (HWWS), an effective behaviour for preventing respiratory and diarrheal disease. Achieving universal hand hygiene will require household investment of a HWF, yet the ability and willingness...

One in seven has severe pain: a point-prevalence study of hospitalised patients across Africa

ABSTRACT: Acute pain in hospitalised patients is common, yet African data are scarce. We conducted a prospective point-prevalence study of hospitalised adult patients across Africa to determine acute pain prevalence and severity and investigate associations of pain with critical...

Strengthening insecticide resistance management in malaria vectors control in Côte d’Ivoire: from evidence to action

Malaria remains a major public health challenge in Côte d’Ivoire, particularly among young children and pregnant women. Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) have significantly reduced transmission, but their effectiveness is increasingly threatened by widespread insecticide resistance...