The Evolving Demographic and Health Transition in Four Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Evidence from Four Sites in the INDEPTH Network of Longitudinal Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in infants. Most deaths occur in infants under 3 months old, and those living in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). There are no maternal or infant RSV vaccines currently approved. An RSV monoclonal antibody (mAb) could fill the gap until vaccines are available. It could also be used when a vaccine is not given, or when there is insufficient time to vaccinate and generate an antibody response. The only currently approved RSV mAb, palivizumab, is too costly and needs monthly administration, which is not possible in LMICs. It is imperative that a safe, effective, and affordable mAb to prevent severe RSV LRTI be developed for infants in LMICs. Next generation, half-life extended mAbs in clinical development, such as nirsevimab, show promise in protecting infants against RSV LRTI. Given that a single dose could cover an entire 5-month season, there is an opportunity to make RSV mAbs affordable for LMICs by investing in improvements in manufacturing efficiency. The challenges of using RSV mAbs in LMICs are the complexities of integrating them into existing healthcare delivery programs and surveillance systems, both of which are needed to define seasonal patterns, and monitor for escape mutants. Collaboration with key stakeholders such as the World Health Organization and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, will be essential for achieving this goal.

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Injury surveillance systems in low and middle income countries (LMIC): challenges, prospects and lessons

African Safety Promotion A Journal of Injury and Violence Prevention ◽

10.4314/asp.v4i1.31581 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yvette Holder

Keyword(s):

Injury Surveillance ◽

Surveillance Systems ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Low And Middle Income

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A systematic review of the status of children's school access in low- and middle-income countries between 1998 and 2013: using the INDEPTH Network platform to fill the research gaps

Global Health Action ◽

10.3402/gha.v8.28430 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 28430 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mamusu Kamanda ◽

Osman Sankoh

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Research Gaps ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

The Status ◽

Indepth Network ◽

School Access ◽

Network Platform ◽

Low And Middle Income

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Workers’ occupational health surveillance systems in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review protocol

JBI Evidence Synthesis ◽

10.11124/jbisrir-d-19-00242 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (9) ◽

pp. 2098-2103

Author(s):

Emiliana Maria Grando Gaiotto ◽

Aline Godoy Vieira ◽

Cássia Baldini Soares

Keyword(s):

Occupational Health ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Health Surveillance ◽

Surveillance Systems ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Review Protocol ◽

Occupational Health Surveillance ◽

Low And Middle Income

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Supporting surveillance capacity for antimicrobial resistance: Laboratory capacity strengthening for drug resistant infections in low and middle income countries

Wellcome Open Research ◽

10.12688/wellcomeopenres.12523.1 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

pp. 91 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Anna C. Seale ◽

Coll Hutchison ◽

Silke Fernandes ◽

Nicole Stoesser ◽

Helen Kelly ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Resistance ◽

Health Systems ◽

Clinical Laboratory ◽

Surveillance Systems ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Laboratory Capacity ◽

Model Combining ◽

Laboratory Surveillance ◽

Low And Middle Income

Development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens our ability to treat common and life threatening infections. Identifying the emergence of AMR requires strengthening of surveillance for AMR, particularly in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) where the burden of infection is highest and health systems are least able to respond. This work aimed, through a combination of desk-based investigation, discussion with colleagues worldwide, and visits to three contrasting countries (Ethiopia, Malawi and Vietnam), to map and compare existing models and surveillance systems for AMR, to examine what worked and what did not work. Current capacity for AMR surveillance varies in LMICs, but and systems in development are focussed on laboratory surveillance. This approach limits understanding of AMR and the extent to which laboratory results can inform local, national and international public health policy. An integrated model, combining clinical, laboratory and demographic surveillance in sentinel sites is more informative and costs for clinical and demographic surveillance are proportionally much lower. The speed and extent to which AMR surveillance can be strengthened depends on the functioning of the health system, and the resources available. Where there is existing laboratory capacity, it may be possible to develop 5-20 sentinel sites with a long term view of establishing comprehensive surveillance; but where health systems are weaker and laboratory infrastructure less developed, available expertise and resources may limit this to 1-2 sentinel sites. Prioritising core functions, such as automated blood cultures, reduces investment at each site. Expertise to support AMR surveillance in LMICs may come from a variety of international, or national, institutions. It is important that these organisations collaborate to support the health systems on which AMR surveillance is built, as well as improving technical capacity specifically relating to AMR surveillance. Strong collaborations, and leadership, drive successful AMR surveillance systems across countries and contexts.

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A hospital-based self-harm register in Mysore, South India: Is follow-up of survivors feasible in low and middle income countries?

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20214092 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Murali Krishna ◽

Sumanth Mallikarjuna Majgi ◽

Sudeep Pradeep Kumar ◽

Rajagopal Rajendra ◽

Narendra Heggere ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

South India ◽

Psychosocial Assessment ◽

Surveillance Systems ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Severity Of Disability ◽

Self Harm ◽

Low And Middle Income

Background: In high-income countries, dedicated self-harm surveillance systems are regarded as a key component in suicide prevention strategies, which suggests they may be important in low- and middle-income countries where rates of suicide are higher and risk factors for self-harm are different, provided they can be shown to be feasible in those settings.Methods: We established a hospital based self-harm register in Mysore, South India. A subset of participants was followed-up after two years. Results: Of the 453 who were examined at baseline, the vast majority (80%) were from rural areas, nearly a quarter were illiterate and 65 (14%) were diagnosed with depression. Compared to men, women tended to be younger, single, from rural areas, unemployed, with lower levels of educational attainment and higher levels of disability. Of the 453, 371 (80%) were successfully contacted by cellphone at 2 years. There were no significant differences in baseline variables between those followed-up and those who were not, including sociodemographic features, rates of depression, severity of disability and severity of suicidal intent. All participants reported that psychosocial assessment offered at baseline was helpful and that they would recommend assessment to othersConclusions: Findings from this study indicate that our self-harm register was a feasible and useful resource, and that contact and follow up are acceptable and feasible.

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